History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 98

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

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FRANK BRADIGAN, retired, Inkerman, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, March 15, 1819, and is the youngest in the family of sixteen children, born to Patrick and Bridget (Marron) Bradigan, natives of the same place. He came to this country in August, 1851, and settled in Pittston, where he was employed as a laborer in the mines until early in 1857, when he removed to the State of Wisconsin, where he bought a farm of eighty acres. He remained there, however, but three years, when he sold his property, returned to his old home, and again labored in the mines until his retirement in 1877. Mr. Bradigan was united in marriage December 5, 1853, with Mary, daughter of Matthew and Mary (Culken) Boylen, natives of County Sligo, Ireland, and their union has been blessed with the follow- ing children: James, born October 25, 1856; Matthew, born February 6, 1859; Bridget, born March 16, 1861, married April 23, 1884, to William Devanney, a

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

newspaper reporter of Inkerman; Mary A., born March 17, 1863, married October 9, 1880, to Michael Hughes, a laborer, of Pittston; Kate, born May 14, 1865, married October 14, 1889, to John Kilgallon, grocery clerk, Plymouth, this county; Margaret, born August 20, 1867; Terence, born November 14, 1869; Francis, born November 18, 1872; Theresa, born December 9, 1874, and William, born December 27, 1879. Our subject is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics is independent.

HARRISON BRANDON (deceased), who in his lifetime was a prominent farmer of Huntington township, was born December 27, 1817, a son of William and Tryphena (Fuller) Brandon, natives of Ireland and Connecticut, and of Irish and English origin, respectively. The father was a son of James Brandon. Our subject, who is the seventh in a family of fourteen children, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-six years of age inherited the present Brandon property from his father, and devoted his whole life to farming. He was married October 6, 1853, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Harvey) Van - Horn, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English origin. She is the second in a family of twelve children, and was born December 15, 1832. This union was blessed with four children, viz .: William D., born April 24, 1855, died November 8, 1858; Anna (who married George Westfield, and had one child, Sherron), born September 19, 1858, died March 13, 1886; Clara (Mrs. Dr. C. A. Long, of Muhlenburg), born June 14, 1862; Virgie, born June 1, 1868, at home. Mr. Brandon departed this life July 10, 1887, aged seventy years. Mrs. Brandon is a member of the M. E. Church. Since her husband's death she has conducted the farm, which is a property of one hundred acres, situated one mile north of Hunt- ington Mills postoffice, and the residence is one of the half-dozen brick buildings in the township.

JAMES BRANDON, farmer, Fairmount township, P. O. Rittenhouse, was born March 11, 1814, in Huntington township. He is a son of William and Tryphena (Fuller) Brandon, natives, respectively, of Ireland and Massachusetts, and of Irish and English origin, respectively. William Brandon came to America in 1809, and set- tled in Huntington township, where he died in 1856, aged seventy-seven years. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of fourteen children, ten of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-two years of age began life for himself as a common laborer. This he followed for two years. In 1842 he purchased his present farm, containing one hundred aores, situated two miles north of Rittenhouse postoffice. He was married, March 3, 1837, to Miss Jemima, daughter of Daniel and Charlotta (Tubbs) Culver, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English origin. This union was blessed with four- teen children, ten of whom are living, viz. : Mary A. (Mrs. William R. Monroe), Charlotta (Mrs. William Marshall), Elizabeth (Mrs. J. W. Sax), Martha (Mrs. J. E. Smith), Adeline (Mrs Samuel Rosencrans), Henry S. (foreman of a planing-mill in Pittston, married to Rose Blaine), Sterling (a farmer of Huntington township, mar- ried to Emma Case), Daniel C. (a carpenter of Fairmount township, married to Martha Wesley). Charles D. (works the homestead farm; he is married to Lydia Wolfinger) and Louisa H. (Mrs. Harvey Wesley). This family are members of the M E. Church. Our subject has been supervisor of his township for two terms; tax collector, one term, and school director three years. In politics he is a Republican.

JUDD D. BRANNING, a prominent livery-man of Wilkes-Barre, was born at Hones- dale, Wayne Co., Pa., November 1, 1869, and is a son of Henry D. and Almira (Maloney) Branning. The father was a native of Pike county, Pa., born September 25, 1844, and is a son of Cornelius and Laura (Smith) Branning, now residents of Dunmore, Pa. Cornelius Branning was a son of Jacob Branning, a native of Con- necticut, and one of the pioneers of Wayne county, Pa. ; his wife was a daughter of Henry Smith, also a pioneer of the same county. Henry D. Branning, who was reared in Wayne county, Pa., settled in Luzerne county in 1876, and since 1884 has been a resident of Wilkes-Barre, engaged in general merchandising. His wife was

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

a daughter of Asa and Eleanor (Smith) Maloney, of Wayne county, Pa., and by her he had two children, Judd D. and Edith M. Our subject was reared in Wayne and Luzerne counties, and is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and Wilkes- Barre Business College. On October 1, 1891, he embarked in the livery business in Wilkes-Barre, in which he has since successfully continued. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and in politice is a Republican.

THEODORE A. BREISCH, general merchant, Nuremberg, was born in Middleport, Schuylkill Co., Pa., August 31, 1850, a son of Rudolph and Missouri Ann (Zimmer- man) Breisch. His paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Shuman) Breisch, aud great-grandfather, George Breisch (formerly of Bucks county, Pa., and a pio- neer of Columbia county, same State), and John and Elizabeth Breisch were pioneers of Catawissa Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and their children were Washington, Rudolph, Jacob, Adam, Henry, Josiah and Susannah (Mrs. John Maurer), of whom Rudolph was reared in Schuylkill county, Pa., was successively a hotel-keeper, farmer, merchant and lumberman, and is now a resident of Mahanoy City. His wife was a daughter of Roland and Elizabeth (Focht) Zimmerman, of Catawisea Valley, Pa., and his children were Barbara E. (Mrs. Benjamin Seltzer), Theodore A., John B., Montgomery R., Jeffry A., Minerva C. (Mrs. Frank Davenport), Jacob W., Oliver A., Oscar C. and Cyrus E. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill county and educated in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary. He began life as a clerk in a general store, in which capacity he served three years, then, in 1871, embarked in business for himself at Nuremberg, in which he has since successfully continued. He married, September 1, 1872, Mary C., daughter of David and Maria (Andrews) Stauffer, of Ringtown, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and has five children, Erdie B., Ger- trude M., Lotta L., Edna E. and Williard E. Mr. Breisch is a prominent and enter- prising business man; is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican.

MRS. JOHANNA BRENNAN, widow of John Brennan, hotel-keeper, Larksville, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, February 28, 18-, a daughter of James and Johanna (St. John) Britton, both of whom were born and educated, and passed their lives, in Ireland. Johanna Britton and John Brennan were married in Ireland, February 29, 18 -. In 1870 they emigrated to the United States, locating in Ply- mouth township, near Larkeville, this county, where he followed the occupation of miner. He was a hard-working, honest and industrious man, whose life was unevent- ful; he died in 1886. Their family comprised ten children, eight of whom are liv- ing: Thomas J., Maggie, William, Edward, Johanna, James, Bridget and John, all yet single. Mrs. Brennan and her husband came to Larksville poor, renting their house in which they lived, and when she lost her husband she had eight children left on her hands to care for, all of whom are well-educated, and possessed of refined taste and manners. She owns fifteen houses and lots, including two hotels, all the result of her good management and remarkable business tact. She keeps hotel and store-house, making both pay profitably, and she is worth at least six- teen thousand dollars. She and her children are members of St. Vincent Roman Catholic Church, of Plymouth. Mrs. Brennan and her children are a well regu- lated family, and enjoy the honor and respect of their neighbors.

JOEL BRENTON, general painter and decorator, Pittston, was born in the County of Cornwall, England, December 4, 1829, and is a son of Francis and Grace (Williams) Brenton, natives of England. They were the parents of six children, namely: Henry, Frank, Elizabeth, Richard, Samuel and Joel. Our subject was reared and educated in England, and at the age of eighteen years came to America, settling in New York City, where he learned the trade of decorating. He remained in New York for three years, aud then came to Pittston and established the business of painter and decorator, which he has since successfully conducted. He has a large store on North Main street which is well supplied with paints, paper, and, in fact, all kinds of decorating material. Mr. Brenton was among the early settlers of Pittston, having purchased and built in 1856 in West Pittston, where he has since

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

resided. He was married, February 22, 1858, his wife being a native of Sussex county, N. J. Six children have blessed this union, namely : Frank, Willis, Eva G., Carrie M., Ada L. and Aurelia (the two latter being deceased). Mr. Brenton is a member of the following orders: F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor, Legion of Honor and Sons of St. George. In political matters he is a Republican, and the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN BREW, engineer and miner at the Pennsylvania Tunnel, Plains, was born in Durham, England, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Calkle) Brew, in whose fam- ily there were eight children, John being the fourth. Our subject came to America in 1864, and located at Inkerman, this county, where he secured a position at his for- mer business of engineering. There he remained two years, and then removed to Plains, where he has since been engaged in engineering and mining, and was fire- boss for fifteen years. He is a favorite with his superiors and subalterns. Mr. Brew was married in May, 1843, to Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bates) Roylay, of Welsh and English origin respectively, and they have had seven children, six of whom are living, viz .: William, a miner in Pettebone. Pa .; John, an engineer in Forty Fort; Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Henry A. Summers), in Plains; Margaret A. (Mrs. L. H. Thompson), in Great Bend; Thomas, a track-layer in Wyoming; and Sarah E. (Mrs. W. G. Prater), in Plains. Mr. and Mrs. Brew are members of the Primitive Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee and steward; he is a member of the Sons of St. George. He has been temperate for thirty-eight years, and is a supporter of the Prohibition party. He has held the office of school director.

EDWARD E. BREYER, brass-moulder, Ashley, was born in Camden, N. J., July 24, 1854, and is a son of Frederick and Sarah (Tompkins) Breyer, natives, respectively, of Liverpool, England, and New Jersey; his father, who was a brass-moulder, reared a family of five children, two of whom are living and of whom he is the fourth. When he was four years old the family removed to Philadelphia, where he was educated in the public schools, and then acted as errand boy in a book-bindery for one year, after which he worked with his father at his trade five years. His father and he then engaged in the foundry business and continued three years, after which he went to Scranton and worked at his trade until 1875, when he removed to Ashley. Mr. Breyer was married February 25, 1879, to Anna M., daughter of Richard and Elvina (Wagner) Cooke, natives of England and America, respectively; they have three children, viz. : Charles C., Frederick S. and Emma Elvina. This gentleman and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., K. of H. and Rescue Hose Company No. 1; in politics he is a Republican, and has held the offices of burgess, councilman and school director in Ashley borough.

HIRAM M. BRIGGS, retail coal salesman, West End Coal Company, P. O. Shick- shinny, was born in Hollenback township, Luzerne county, April 15, 1837, son of William and Elizabeth (Keene) Briggs. His paternal grandfather, John Briggs, was of Quaker stock and a pioneer of Nescopeck township, where he cleared a farm and died. His maternal grandfather, Keene, was also a pioneer of Nescopeck township. William Briggs, father of our subject, was a native of Nescopeck town- ship, and after his marriage settled in Hollenback township, where he cleared a farm and resided until his death. His children were John G., Washington, Hannah (Mrs. Michael Weiss), Aaron, Mary Ann (Mrs. Butler Gruver), Jacob F., Hiram M., Maria (Mrs. Herman Gruver), Stephen and Eliza. Hiram M. Briggs was reared in Hollenback township, assisting his father in clearing the farm. He started in busi- ness for himself by purchasing a farm in Nescopeck township, which he improved and occupied from 1859 to 1866. He then located in Shickshinny, and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1875. He then took charge of the construction of six miles of turnpike, between Shickshinny and Huntington, as foreman; later he was engaged in the quarry business, and since 1881 has been in the employ of the West End Coal Company. He married, September 20, 1857, Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fenstermacher) Weiss, of Hollenback

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

township, and has two children living: Dora (Mrs. A. Wellington Stackhouse) and Ella (Mrs. Dr. Willard L. Chapin). Mr. Briggs is a member of the M. E. Church, and has held the offices of chief of police and overseer of poor of Shickshinny; in politics, he is a Republican.

L. W. BRIGGS, farmer, P. O. Briggsville, was born January 3, 1843, in Nesco- peck township, on the farm where he now resides, a son of George W. and Cathe- rine (Keen) Briggs. His paternal grandfather, John Briggs, and maternal grand- father, George Keen, were both pioneers of Nescopeck township. George W. Briggs was an agriculturist, and cleared a part of the farm owned and occupied by our subject. His children were Albert G., Mortimer L., John E., Levi W., Maria (Mrs. A. Kirkendall) and Fanny. Our subject was reared in Nescopeck township, and has always resided in the old homestead. In 1875 he married Elmira, daughter of Phineas J. and Rebecca (Hughes) Smith, of Sugar Loaf township. Politically, he is a Democrat.

HENRY BRIMBLE, harness dealer, Pittston. This widely-known business man is a native of Somersetshire, England, and was born June 21, 1844. He received his education in his native land, and at the age of twenty-two came to America, locating at Pittston, Pa., where he was first engaged in working in the mines. After a short time so employed he found work in the then new enterprise of running the street line from the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg junction, in which he remained one year, when he embarked in the. hotel business, following same seven years; then, in 1890, commenced the harness business. Mr. Brimble was married in England, in 1863, to Miss Martha Eworth, and they had born unto them one child, George, who was engaged in the United States Mail Service in Tennessee, where he died October 23, 1890. Mr. Brimble is a member of the Sons of St. George; politically he is a Republican.

JOHN J. BRISLIN, county auditor and justice of the peace, Sugar Notch borough, was born in Buck Mountain, Carbon Co., Pa., November 3, 1856, a son of James and Unity (McNelis) Brislin, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. The father came to America about 1840 and located in Carbon county, Pa., wherehe was engaged in mining until 1866, when he removed to Ashley, this county. Mining was his occupation all his life, and in 1878 he was killed at Sugar Notch Mine No. 10 by a fall of top. His chil- dren who grew to maturity were eight in number: John J., Ann (Mrs. Thomas Har- vey), Daniel, Edward, Thomas, Ellen, Mary and James. Our subject was reared in his native State, was educated in the public schools, and began life in the breaker at the early age of seven years; he worked in the various grades of mining up to assistant foreman, and was connected with the mine until 1876. He then followed railroading two years, but returned to the mines in 1878. He was badly burned by an explosion of gas at No. 9 Colliery, Sugar Notch, June 16, 1880. He was foreman of a breaker two years, and later clerk in C. M. Conyngham's store, Sugar Notch. He is one of the best-known and most popular Democrats in Luzerne county; is serving his second term as justice of the peace of Sugar Notch borough; was elected one of the auditors of Luzerne county in 1887, for a term of three years, and re-elected to the same office in 1890.

D. CHATFIELD BRITTAIN, farmer and dealer in farm machinery and seeds, Hunt- ington township, P. O. Register, was born September 5, 1845, in that township, and is a son of Jacob and Cassandra (Myers) Brittain, natives of Huntington township, and of Irish and English origin, respectively; the father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and he died in 1872, aged fifty-eight years. Jacob was a son of Joseph and Ann (White) Brittian, natives of New Jersey, who came to Huntington township in 1812 and bought the present Brittain farm. Our subject is the third in a family of four children, was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools and New Columbus Academy, and when twenty-one years of age began teaching school. This he followed for a short time, when he went on the road selling plaster and fer- tilizers for several years; then returned to his native home, and has since devoted his time principally to farming. Mr. Brittain was married in June, 1880, to Myra

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

L., daughter of Henry A. Hobbs. This union is blessed with two children, viz .: Ada B., born June 8, 1888, and Henry C., born June 2, 1891. Mrs. Brittain is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and P. of H., and politically is a Democrat. The Brittain farm contains fifty-eight acres, one-half mile south of the Register postoffice. He also owns the Wenner farm of sixty-two acres, one mile northwest of the Town Hill postoffice; also a timber tract on the Pine creek.

CHARLES BROAD, wholesale and retail dealer in fruit, Wilkes-Barre, was born at Easton, Pa., October 8, 1853, and is a son of Isaac and Anna (Broot) Broad, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. They were the parents of three children, of whom Charles is the second in order of birth. Our subject was educated at the public schools at Easton, and at the age of twelve went into his father's fruit store, where he remained until his sixteenth year, when he engaged in the fruit business for himself. During nine years he has carried on his business in Wilkes- Barre, and in the meantime has added three branch stores-one in Scranton, one in Buffalo and one in Syracuse. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of David Miller, of Easton, of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. Broad are members of the Methodist Church; in politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

FRANK E. BROCKWAY, brick manufacturer and farmer, Beach Haven, was born at Berwick, Pa., in 1845, and is a son of Beckmit S. and Mary (Cobb) Brockway, natives of New London, Conn., and Wayne county, Pa., respectively. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, settled at Berwick, Pa., about 1838; was foreman on the Pennsylvania Canal many years; was colonel of militia at Berwick, and held the position of State librarian at Harrisburg. He located at Beach Haven in 1845, and died there in 1868 at the age of sixty-two years. His children were three in number: Charles B. (deceased), who served three terms as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature; Anna (Mrs. M. P. Lutz); and Frank E. The subject of this sketch was reared in Salem township and educated in the public schools. He was in the Civil war, enlisting in December, 1861, in Company F, Pennsylvania Light Artillery; in 1864 was promoted to second lieutenant, and was honorably discharged from the service in June, 1865. Since 1870 he has been engaged in farming, and in the manufacture of brick since 1872. 1n 1868 Mr. Brockway mar- ried Cora E., daughter of James S. and Alvira (Gilmore) Campbell, of Beach Haven, and they have three children: Elizabeth, Mary and Roland. Mr. Brockway served fourteen years as justice of the peace of Salem township, was deputy sheriff fifteen months, and warden of Luzerne county prison three years-1889, 1890 and 1891. Politically he is a Democrat.

EMMET BRODHEAD, tanner, Moosic, Lackawanna county, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., April 11, 1837. He is a son of Charles A. and Harriet (Van Wagner) Brodhead, both of whom were born in Ulster county. Charles Brodhead was a farmer of some means, who has lived an uneventful life on his own farm, where he still resides, now at the patriarchal age of eighty-one years. His family numbered nine children, two of whom are living now, Emmet being the elder. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and early in life learned the tanner's trade, at which he has always worked, following same in Ulster county up to 1873, when he removed to Nicholson, Wyoming county. In 1875 he came to Dunnings (then in Luzerne county), where he remained seven years as superintendent, and in 1885 he removed to Glen, on Spring brook, his present place of business, where he has an extensive tannery, having a capacity of about twenty-five thousand sides per annum, using fifteen hundred tons of bark, and employing a large force of men. He has a store attached to his premises for the accommodation of his workmen, which is stocked with a general supply of the necessaries of life. On September 15, 1859, Mr. Brodhead married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Catherine Van- leuven, and by her had nine children, five of whom are yet living: Nial C., Charles S., Ira, Carrie and John L. Of these, Nial C. married a daughter of Hon. Latouche, 40

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of Moscow, and one child, Hoyt, was born. Charles S. married the daughter of Rev. R. Hanks, D. D., of Daleville, and one child, Dorothy, has been born to them. Mrs. Sarah (Vanleuven) Brodhead was born in Ulster county, N. Y., in 1835. Mr. Brodhead has held several responsible offices in this and other counties. In Nichol- son, after the incorporation of that borough, he was one of its first councilmen. He is a genial gentleman, of pleasing manners and refined taste, commanding the respect of his enemies and the love of his friends.

JACOB BRONG, weighmaster, Fairview township, P. O. Mountain Top, was born in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, August 5, 1846. He is a son of John and Lydia (Gilbert) Brong, both natives of this State, the former of German and the latter of English and German descent. The father was a farmer and a Company store-keeper, and he reared a family of three children, of whom Jacob was the second oldest. Jacob attended the common schools in Monroe county until he was eleven years old, when his parents removed to Weatherly, Carbon county, where he attended school till reaching manhood. He then accepted a situation with the Beaver Meadow Railroad Company, and remained in that position until after that company became consolidated with the Lehigh Valley Company, being sent in 1867, by that company, to Packerton, to act as scale-clerk, which position he held until 1875. Mr. Brong was appointed, in 1876, by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, as weighmaster at Hauto, Carbon county, and was transferred in 1877 to act in the same capacity at Solomon's Gap for the same company, and he still retains that position. Mr. Brong was married in September, 1869, to Anna M., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Whitehead) Graver, of Weissport, Carbon Co., Pa., both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Brong have three children, as follows: W. Albert, who works in the same office as his father; Harry E., who attends the Harry Hillman Academy at Wilkes-Barre, and Florence, who is an infant. Mr. Brong and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Brong are well-known as people of a stock that live to a ripe old age, as the parents of both celebrated, in 1883, the golden anniversary of their wedding.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 98

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