History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 226

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

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born, two of whom grew to maturity. One by the first, and two by the second wife, are all now living. J. M. Woodworth has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits, and has always resided on the place on which he was born. In 1866 he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of G. C. and Susannah Benscoter, and to their union were born two children, Loley and Susannah, both of whom are dead. . Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth are members of the M. E. Church, of which body he is a trustee. He is also a member of the P. of H. He is a practical farmer, a perfect gentleman, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

JONATHAN D. WOODWORTH, merchant, Shickshinny, was born in Fairmount town- ship, this county, September 29, 1845, and is a son of James and Eliza (Davenport) Woodworth. His father, who was a native of Connecticut, was reared in Canisteo, N. Y., and in 1832 came to Luzerne county, settling in Fairmount township, where, for twenty-five years, he followed the cabinet and undertaking business, for years having been the only undertaker in that section of the county. In later life he engaged in farming and at the time of his death, which occurred July 3, 1885, he was a resident of Hanover township. His children were seven in number, of whom we have record of five, viz .: Clark (killed at the battle of Gettysburg), Almon {who was a member of the Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves in the Civil war, and is now a resident of the State of Washington), Jonathan D., Cordelia (Mrs. Roland Metcalf) and Hamlon D. Our subject was reared in Fairmount township, and received an academic education at New Columbus. On August 8, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-Ninth Regiment, P. V., and was honorably discharged July 2, 1865. He participated in the battle of Hatcher's Run, Va., where he was wounded April 2, 1865. Since the war Mr. Woodworth has been principally engaged in mercantile business, at Shickshinny since March, 1892. On July 10, 1870, he married Susan, a daughter of Redmond C. and Helen (Steadman) Betterly, of Huntington township, and has six children, as follows: Jennie (Mrs. Dr. C. A. Wilkinson), Laura, Barton, Allen, Helen and Madge. Mr. Wood. worth attends the services of the M. E. Church; socially he is a member of the F. & A. M. and G. A. R., and, in politics, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM WOOLCOCK, an enterprising young druggist of Freeland, is a native of Mahanoy City, Pa., born January 20, 1867. He is a son of Thomas and Christiana (Robertson) Woolcock, both natives of Schuylkill county, the former of English and . the latter of Scotch descent. In their family were seven children, of whom the subject of this memoir is the third in order of birth. He received his education in the high school of Mahanoy City, and in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, where he was graduated in the class of 1889. Previous to attending college at Phil- adelphia he was employed in the drug-store of William Reynolds, at Mahanoy City, and after receiving his degree was employed in his father's drug-store in Maha- noy City. He then came to Freeland and engaged in business for himself, where he has built up a large trade, and is doing well. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in politics is a Republican.

ANDREW R. WORTHINGTON, liveryman, Plymouth, was born at Harvey's Lake, Pa., October 15, 1828, and is the seventh in the family of nine children of Joseph L. and Hannah (Fuller) Worthington, who settled at Harvey's Lake when the county was a wilderness. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Luzerne county, and quite early in life began canaling, running from Wilkes-Barre to Baltimore and Philadelphia. This he continued till 1860, when he went into the mines as a con- tractor at the Washington Breaker, where he remained two years. He then estab- lished the livery business, in which he has since continued. Mr. Worthington was married March 8, 1855, at Plymouth, to Miss Charity, daughter of John and Phoebe (Davenport) Pringle, natives of Plymouth, and one child, Joseph L., has been born to this union. He (Joseph) married Miss Emma, daughter of Elijah and Amelia Davenport, and four children have been born to them, as follows: Ralph D., Andrew R., Nellie V. and Gertrude. John and Phoebe Pringle were blessed with nine chil- dren, of whom our subject's wife is the seventh in order of birth; a brief record of them is as follows: Thomas, born April 4, 1821; Elizabeth, born January 1, 1824;

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Clara, born September 17, 1825; Liddie, born February 5, 1826; William, born March 27, 1828; Dennison, born May 7, 1830; Charity D., born September 19, 1832; Stephen, born June 9, 1834; Martha, born December 9, 1836. Politically, Mr. Worthington is a Republican.

GEORGE RIDDLE WRIGHT is of Quaker origin through his father, and has Puritan blood in his veins, inherited from his mother. John Wright came to America with William Penn, in 1681, and shortly afterward took up his residence in Burlington county, N. J., being the first settler of what is now called Wrightstown. Joseph Wright, a descendant of John Wright, and grandfather of George Riddle Wright, came from Wrightstown to Plymouth, in 1795, and soon became one of the sub- stantial citizens of the place. He had a numerous family, including three sons- Hendrick Bradley Wright, Harrison Wright, and Caleb Wright-who afterward became distinguished lawyers. The first named of the sons was the father of George Riddle Wright, and was born April 24, 1808, educated at Dickinson College, and read law with the late Judge John N. Conyngham. He was admitted November 8, 1831, and for ten years was a leading member of the Luzerne county bar, and a most remarkable, eloquent, and successful jury lawyer. In 1841 he was elected a member of the Lower House of the State Legislature, was re-elected in 1842, and again in 1843. He was largely instrumental during these years in securing the passage of a law abolishing imprisonment for debt, and during his last term was Speaker of the House. In 1844 he was both temporary and permanent chairman of the Democratic National Convention that met in Baltimore, and nominated James K. Polk for the Presidency, a convention that was in session nearly a week and one of the first memorable events in the country's history, being finally decisive of the great conflict growing out of the decision of the Texas annexation question. In 1852 he was elected to Congress, but in 1854 was defeated for re-election by Henry: M. Fuller, the American or "Know-Nothing" candidate. In 1861 he was nomi- nated by both parties and elected as a War Democrat. During this season, he took a leading part in the debates, favoring a vigorous prosecution of the war, and no compromise with rebellion. In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress- man-at-Large, was endorsed by the workingmen, and ran largely ahead of his ticket. In 1876 he was again elected to Congress from the Luzerne District, and in 1878 re-elected, ending March 4, 1881-an honorable service of thirteen years. He was chairman of the Democratic State Convention that nominated Cyrus L. Pershing for Governor, and the same year acted as chairman of the State Commit- tee. He wrote "A Practical Treatise on Labor," and "Historical Sketches of Plymouth." His wife (our subject's mother) was Miss Mary Ann Bradley Robin- son, a daughter of John W. Robinson, of Wilkes-Barre, a scion of the " Mayflower" Robinsons, and a granddaughter of Col. Zebulon Butler, who commanded the colonists at the battle of Wyoming.

George Riddle Wright, their only surviving son, was born November 21, 1851, in Wilkes-Barre. He was educated at Edge Hill School and Princeton College, read law with his father, was admitted to practice September 6, 1875, and until the death of his father, the two conducted their legal business in partnership. Since then Mr. Wright's attention has been fully occupied with other interests. He has been president of the Wilkes-Barre Water Company, is still a director of the same com- pany; is also director of the Wilkes-Barre Electric Light Company. He has large coal and other property interests. He is a Democrat, and has been frequently urged to become a candidate for political honors, but has always refused. He is an Episcopalian. Mr. Wright is unmarried.

ROBERT H. WRIGHT, lawyer, Hazleton, was born in Perry county, December 4, 1841, and is the eldest in the family of six children (three girls and three boys) of Charles and Eliza Jane (Hunter), natives of Perry county. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Perry county and in the Bloomfield Academy. He started life in mercantile business, running a general store at Rope Ferry one year, and then at Thompsontown two years. In 1866 he entered the employ of Samuel Smith, coach manufacturer, as painter and trimmer and later as manager, and after working

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at this business for about four years engaged in the sewing machine business for one year. In 1871 and 1872 he read medicine with Dr. D. H. Sweeny; in 1872 he purchased a photograph business, learned the profession, and conducted the estab- lishment until 1877; when he entered the law office of J. Alsoner, of Hazleton, and March 22, 1878, was admitted to the Luzerne county bar. He had studied during his work in the coach factory, in 1867-68; in the office of Hon. C. A. Baum, of New Bloomfield, Pa., and also with Thomas Faley during the years of 1875 and 1876, while engaged in the photograph business. Since his admission to the bar he has devoted his entire time to his profession in Luzerne county, where he commands a large practice. December 22, 1863, Mr. Wright married Miss Kate E., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hall) Smith, natives of New Bloomfield, Pa., and by her had three daughters and one son, viz. : Minnie W. (Mrs. George Harris, of Braddock, Pa.); Lulu I. (Mrs. Louis W. Melenna, of Afton, Iowa); Florence A. (Mrs. William H. Cook, of Mauch Chunk, Pa.), and Edgar S., who resides with his parents. In politics Mr. Wright was formerly a Republican, but, owing to his views on the tariff, has gone over to the Democrats. Mr. Wright has resided in Hazleton since 1874, and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PATRICK WYNN, miner, in Shaft No. 14, Inkerman, Jenkins township, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, March 3, 1844, and is a son of William and Ellen (Conroy) Wynn. William Wyno, who was a miner, reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living, and of these our subject is the only son in America, whither he emigrated in 1869. He located for a short time in Tuscarora, Schuylkill Co., Pa., whence he removed, in 1870, to Inkerman, where he has since been engaged in mining. He purchased his present residence in 1880. Mr. Wynn was married, February 17, 1865, to Miss Ann, daughter of Peter and Mary (Smith) Hughes, natives of County Monahan, Ireland. The fruit of this union was twelve children, ten of whom are living, viz. : William (a miner in Shaft No. 14), Mary, Peter and Michael (twins, the former of whom is a baker in Scranton, the latter a school teacher in Jenkins township), Patrick, John and Thomas (laboring in Shaft No. 14), and Edward, Ellen and Frank; Martin died at eleven months, Maggie at the age of fifteen years. This family are members of the Catholic Church. Our subject is a member of Father Mathew Society, and in his political views is a Democrat.

JOHN YANNES, bottler, Freeland, is a native of Seterale, Austria, and was born in 1839. He was educated in his native land, and at the age of twenty-one entered the Austrian army, in which he served in the war between Austria and Italy. During his service in this war he participated in the battles of Stor and Condina, in 1866. In 1869 he was honorably discharged, and he emigrated to this country and in 1879 settled at Hazleton, Pa., at the "Mountain View House," which he bought in 1875. He kept this house for three years, and then sold it, purchasing the "Golden Eagle Hotel," also at Hazleton. In 1879 he removed to Freeland, where he engaged in the hotel and bottling business. In 1885 his business prem- ises were destroyed by fire. He re-built and re-established his business, which he bas since extensively enlarged. The Freeland Opera House is located in this build- ing, and has a seating capacity of over 1,200. Mr. Yannes was married in 1870 to Miss 'Anna Margaretha Nauth, a native of Germany, born in Hessen-Darmstadt, and seven children have been born to them, viz. : Peter, John, Andrew, Gillo, George, Willie and Anna.

FRANCIS YATES, farmer, Yatesville, was born in Hanover township, this county, July 28, 1824. His father, Francis Yates, who was born in Yorkshire, England, November 11, 1791, left his native country June 9, 1817, and arrived in Philadel- phia, Pa., July 22, of the same year. He soon returned to England and married Miss Mary Pratt, a native of Yorkshire, March 24, 1819. They left England for America the following May, arrived in Philadelphia June 5, and in a short time moved to Camden, N. J., where they resided about two years. In 1822 they moved to Hanover, Pa., residing there until 1825, when they settled in what is now known as Yatesville, buying most of the land where the village is now located. They had a family of seven children, four of whom lived past infancy, viz .: Francis; one brother

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who died about a year ago; Mary A., who married Charles Banker, retired, Pittston; and Ellen J., who married James Jones, agent, Yatesville. Mr. Yates is a Repub- lican, and has held office in the borough almost ever since its incorporation as such, having served as president of the school board, president of the poor board, township treasurer, and is at the present time treasurer of the school board. He has also served as a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Yatesville, and has shown great activity and liberality in building the church and parsonage, as well as the improvement of them, and in sustaining the cause in a financial way.

MICHAEL YEOCSAK, proprietor of the "Riverside Hotel" and quarryman, Mid- vale, Plains township, P. O. Plains, was born in Varanno, Austria, in February, 1863, a son of John and Mary (Letvin) Yeocsak. His father, who came to America in 1888, and is now picking slate at the Prospect Colliery, reared a family of five chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eldest. Mr. Yeocsak came to America in 1880, locat- ing at Port Bowkley, where he labored about the mines eight years, including three years mining, and built his present place of business in 1889. He is also extensively engaged in the quarry business near Minard, Mich., and his efforts have certainly been crowned with the most brilliant success. Since the death of John Kosek, well known in this Valley, our subject has taken his place to a great extent as a sort of leader among his countrymen, frequently acting as interpreter for them in business transactions. Mr. Yeocsak was married, May 20, 1882, to Miss Anne Vansock, daughter of John Vansock of Austria, and two bright children were born of this union, viz .: Annie and Michael. Mr. Yeocsak and his wife are members of the Hun- garian Greek Church, Main street, Wilkes-Barre, which was built chiefly by John Kosek, Andrew P. Warnack and himself, to which he is a generous contributor, and of which Mr. Warnack and he are trustees. He is a member of the Petra Parvala Society; and in his political views is in sympathy with the Democratic party, which he renders much valuable service.

D. TOBIAS YOST, general agent for the Harvey Lake Branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and a prominent citizen of Wyoming borough, was born near Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., December 25, 1847, a son of Reuben H. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Yost, natives of Columbia county and of German, and Irish origin, respectively. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom are living, D. Tobias being the eldest. Our subject was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, and at the age of eighteen began carpenter work with his father. After he had learned the trade, he engaged with Fields Brothers as clerk iu a general store at Milnesville, for six months; then for Lauderburne, Smith & Deisroth, of Hazleton, one year, after which he worked three years at his trade for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company; then as agent at the junction of the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania Railroads at Tomhicken, fifteen years, after which he was promoted to his present position at Wyoming. On January 1, 1890, he purchased his fine residence, on the corner of Monument and Seventh streets, where he has since resided. Mr. Yost was married, June 12,1869, to Miss Sarah L., daughter of Andrew and Mary (Betterly) Barn- hart, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin, the former a blacksmith by occu- pation at Hazleton, Pa. This happy union was blessed with eight children (seven of whom are living) as follows: Cora I., born March 21, 1870; Harry E., born June 9, 1872, station agent at Wyoming, for the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Mamie E., born February 12, 1874, died May 12, 1876; Estella M., born March 24, 1877; Howard T., born January 6, 1881; Florence B., born April 15, 1885; R. Earl and E. Ethel (twins), born June 27, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Yost and the oldest three children are members of the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Yost is a Republican.

Conrad Yost, grandfather of our subject, was a son of Harman Yost, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and at the close of that struggle settled in Colum- bia county, as a farmer. He was a son of Philip Yost, who came to America in 1721, and settled as a farmer near Pottstown, Pa. All these gentlemen lived to be over ninety years of age, and took an active part in the early settlement of the country.

SAMUEL T. YOST, farmer, P. O. Turnbach, was born in Sugar Loaf township April 2, 1838, a son of Solomon and Abbie (Turnbach) Yost. His paternal grandparents,

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Henry and Margaret (Rickard) Yost, cleared and improved a farm where they lived and died. Their children were John, Samuel, Solomon, Henry, Susan (Mrs. Joseph Minuich), Betsey (Mrs. Henry Beishline) and Polly (Mrs. William Woodworth). Of these, Solomon, the father of our subject, was born in Roaring Creek, Columbia county, and settled in Sugar Loaf township with his parents; he was a carpenter, but the last thirty years of his life were spent at farming. He had two wives, both daughters of Samuel and Mary (Hill) Turnbach, of Black Creek township. By his first wife, Abbie, he had one son, Samuel T .; by his second wife, Rebecca, he had five children: Jacob, Stephen, Minerva (Mrs. Bellman Young), Emma (Mrs. John Houseknecht) and Polly Ann. Our subject was reared in Sugar Loaf township, and educated in the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed eight years, and since 1870 has been engaged in farming in Black Creek township. He has been twice married, his first wife being Clarissa, daughter of Henry B. and Lavina (Drum) Bowman, of Black Creek township, and by her he had three children: Cora (Mrs. Arthur Yeager), Harvey and Carrie (Mrs. W. H. Swank). After her death he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Perry and Rachel (Shellham- mer) Boone, of Black Creek township, and by her he has two children: Edgar S. and Agnes. Mr. Yost is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a Republican.

JOHN YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Inkerman, was born in Durham, England, October 10, 1817, and is a son of John and Margaret (Galuthly) Young, natives of the same place, who reared a family of sixteen children, of whom John is eleventh in order of birth. Our subject received his education in England, and afterward worked in the mines in his native land, until emigrating to this country in 1845. He first located in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he worked in the mines until 1854, and then came to Luzerne county, Pa., settling in Pittston, and becoming a contractor for the sinking of shafts, and tunneling in the mines, which business he followed until 1884, since which time he has been farming at his present location. Mr. Young was united in marriage July 9, 1838, with Jane, daughter of John and Jane (Doubie) Young, natives of England; she died February 13, 1892, after a happy wedded life of fifty-four years. The issue now living, of their union, are as follows: Jane, born January 11, 1841, married, December 7, 1858, to Moses Magee, of Forty Fort, this county; Margaret, born January 18, 1843, married, May 8, 1863, to James A. Bryden, mine foreman, Pittston, this county; William, born October 20, 1844; Mary A., born November 14, 1846, married to Thomas S. Bavette, tinsmith, West Pittston; George P., born September 3, 1850; Thomas D., born October 3, 1852; Elizabeth, born September 27, 1854; and Dorothy N., born Novem- ber 8, 1856, married to John G. Clayfield, a farmer in Kansas. Our subject is a member of the Episcopal Church, and of the following organizations: F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and Sons of St. George. In politics he is a Republican, and was poor- master by appointment from 1880 to 1892.

LAZARUS R. YOUNG, general merchant, No. 450 W. Main street, Plymouth, was born November 10, 1861, and is a son of Charles E. and Frances (Gabriel) Young, the former of whom died in 1874. The father was born in Chambersburg, Febru- ary 24, 1803, and was a son of Charles and Susan (Maderia) Young, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Pennsylvania, of Dutch extraction. Charles E. was educated in his native town, and after attaining his majority came to Plymouth and engaged in the coal business; he was a contractor during the time that the Nanti- coke dam and canal were being constructed. After they were completed he followed canaling between Wilkes-Barre and Columbia, and continued same until 1862, when he retired from active business. He was married December 24, 1838, to Miss Frances, daughter of Henry and Edith (Van Loon) Gabriel, the former a Connec- ticut Yankee, the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The following children were born to this union: Oscar R., a resident of Michigan City, Ind .; Susan E., wife of Peter Garrahan, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Emma, wife of John Hutchinson, of Zenorsville, Iowa; Mary, wife of W. Lowe, Plymouth, Pa. ; John C., in Plymouth, Pa., boss at No. 12 Shaft; Frances H., wife of William Connor, of Wilkes-Barre; Lazarus D., deceased; and Lazarus R. The enterprising young man whose name introduces this

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sketch was educated at Plymouth, Pa., and commenced life as a slate-picker, which he followed one summer. In 1874 he was employed as a clerk by Turner Bros., continuing with them until 1879, when he was given a clerkship by Harvey Yeager, general merchant, of Plymouth. After seven years Harvey Yeager was succeeded by his brother Darius, and Mr. Young continued for another year, at the end of which time, on March 21, 1887, he established a general store at No. 450 W. Main street, which was operated by L. R. Young & Co. until June 27, 1889, when he succeeded to the entire business. The store is neat and compact, and is filled with a large variety of goods which meet with ready sale among the young merchant's many customers. Mr. Young was married August 28, 1881, to Miss Pauline A., daughter of William L. and Mary (Ross) Prudhoe, the former a native of England, the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Young attend the Christian Church. In politics, he adheres to the Republican party; socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

HENRY YOUNGCOURT, mine foreman, Hazleton, Pa., was born in Germany, Kur- Hessen, April 4, 1845, and is the eldest in a family of six children born to Henry and Barbara E. (Ringleben) Youngcourt, also natives of Germany. The family came to America in 1852, settling at Hazleton, Pa., where the children had the advantage of such education as those early times afforded. The subject of this sketch began picking slate at the early age of eight years, and since that time he has worked at every branch of mining. He is recognized as an expert mine fore- man, and one of the most experienced miners in the State, having made a life study of the work. Mr. Youngcourt was married, in March, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Andes, of Hazleton, and twelve children have been born to this union, namely: William, Elizabeth (deceased), Jacob, Peter, Andrew, Dora (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), John, Harry, Catherine, Conrad, and another son, name unknown. Mr. Youngcourt casts his vote with the Republican party; he attends the German Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Order of Pocahontas, Red Men, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and also to the Pioneer Fire Company.

MICHAEL ZEMANY, general merchant, Freeland, may well be classed in the front rank of the progressive citizens of his town. He was born in Kucsin, Saros Co., Hungary, June 11, 1849, and learned the carpenter's trade which he followed in his- native land until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. He followed mining in various parts of the Upper Lehigh district of the anthracite regions for two years, at the end of which time he established a clothing store in Mahanoy City. Here he remained until 1876, when he removed to Upper Lehigh and worked at his trade until 1880. He then removed to Freeland, where he opened a saloon, and a year later also engaged in the bottling business and operated a general store. Each branch of his business has constantly increased since, until he is well-nigh at the head in each department. Mr. Zemany was married in 1870 to Miss Anna Koscelnik, which union has been blessed with eight children, viz .: Andrew, John, Anna, Michael, Jr., Charles, George, Mary and William. Mr. Zemany is a member of the Verhovay Aid Asso- ciation; and the Saints Peter and Paul Aid Association. In politics he is a very active Republican.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 226

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