History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 99

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

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GEORGE H. BRONSON, a prominent and progressive farmer of Lake township, P. O. Loyalville, was born in Plymouth (now Jackson) township, this county, December 4, 1830, the adopted son of David Bronson, who cared for him as his own child, but died when the latter was of the young age of eight years. When he was twelve years old the Bronson family was broken up, and the now doubly-orphaned boy was left to battle the world as best he could. The Bronsons were among the first settlers of Jackson township, this county, where David owned 144 acres of land, the farm being now in the possession of the Majors and Myerses. Mr. Bronson was a man of industry and integrity, conscientiously observing the principles of truth, and always living up to the " Golden Rule." He did much in this county for the advancement of agriculture, and improved and beautified his own farm that others might follow the example. He reared seven children out of eight (of which seven three are yet living), and died at a good old age.

The parents of our subject were Conrad and Phoebe (Johnson) Hartrum-the father born in New Jersey, the mother in Luzerne county, Pa., and they had one son and two daughters besides George H., their names being Steward S., Catharine and Amanda. The father died when our subject was four years old, the mother a short time afterward, but had previously moved to the western country with the brother and sister of George. For thirty years the latter knew but little about his brother and sister, but having at last ascertained their whereabouts, he com- menced a correspondence with them. In 1886 he visited them in California, whither they had gone, nearly half a century having elapsed since he last saw them, and it is scarcely necessary to add that he had a most welcome reception, his visit being altogether of an exceedingly pleasant nature. He found that each had reared a large family, and that they had happy and luxuriant houses.

George H. Bronson has made the best use of his limited opportunities, and in spite of many disadvantages he had to contend against, has succeeded in hewing out

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

for himself a comfortable home and acquiring not only property but also a good name, which neither gold nor silver can purchase. He is what the world calls a self-made man. He removed to Lake township in 1842, being then twelve years old. In March, 1853, he married Miss Marcy, daughter of Nathaniel and Marcy (Allen) Ide, and there were born to them seven children, viz. : Perry L., Fallie C., Clara L., Debbie A., Esther J., Charles E. and Marvin C., the first and last being yet single. It is worthy of note here that three of his daughters married three brothers. In the year of his marriage he removed to his present residence. His farm, which contains 175 acres, at that time was wild, unreclaimed land, now it is a model of perfection, which illustrates what can be accomplished by brains and muscle combined. Mr. Bronson is a practical farmer, keeping himself well-posted on matters pertaining to his business, and is fully abreast of the times. He has a very interesting family, all of whom are above the average intelligence, and five of them taught school. They are all members and workers in the M. E. Church. Mr. Bronson himself is a temperance man, not only in theory but also in practice. Politically he is a Republican.

D. W. BRONSON, farmer, P. O. Fades Creek, was born August 3, 1850, in Lake township, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Jonah and Elizabeth H. (Whitesill) Bronson, the former of whom was born in Jackson township in May, 1818, the latter in Monroe county, Pa., May 31, 1817. Jonah was a son of Ira Bronson, a native of Connecticut, who came to this county about 1810, locating in Jackson township, and in 1840 removed to Lake township. He was a hard-working man, and while in Jackson township he owned and worked a small foundry in con- junction with his trade, that of a blacksmith. Politically he was a stanch Demo- crat, and an active man in that party. His family consisted of six children, five of whom grew to maturity, and he lived to a ripe old age, after a pioneer life of struggles with the unreclaimed forest. Jonah, his son, was twenty-two years of age when he removed to Lake township, where he lived fifteen years. In 1867 he purchased the farm now occupied by his son, Daniel W., where he remained till 1874, in which year he removed to Forty Fort, where he died in 1876 at the age of sixty-six. He was a worthy man, a loyal citizen, and an exemplary Christian; a member of the M. E. Church, and a class-leader in that body. His family con- sisted of ten children, five of whom are now living: Ira V., Simeon F., Emma A., Sarah C. and D. W., who is the sixth in the family. William A. and Charles (both deceased) were in the Civil war, and the former died while at the front, the latter of wounds received at the battle of Fort Fisher. D. W. Bronson, the subject of this sketch, always confined himself to farming, and remained at home with his father until he married, in March, 1874, Miss Martha A., daughter of Samuel and Harriet Edwards. There were four children born to this union, three of whom are now living: Lillian E., Stanley Roy and Samuel E., aged (1892) sixteen, eight and five years respectively. Mrs. Bronson was born in Ross township, April 2, 1854. Mr. Bronson is a practical agriculturist and a promising young man; his farm of eighty acres is in good hands and under judicious management. He has made many marked improvements on both fields and buildings. He is a Democrat, and has held several offices, now filling that of supervisor. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

JAMES BROOKS, physician and surgeon, Plains, was born in Great Bend, Susque- hanna Co., Pa., July 4, 1856, and is a son of Dr. James and Lydia Jane (De Bois) Brooks, the former a native of New York and of English and Scotch origin, the latter of Pennsylvania and of French lineage. The father was an eminent phy- sician for many years at Great Bend, and later at Binghamton, N. Y. The grand- father, Pelitiah B. Brooks, was also one of Binghamton's most noted physicians; an uncle, Dr. Pelitiah Brooks, was in the army, and died at Chattanooga; he has one brother, Dr. Walter A. Brooks, who is a specialist on the eye and ear with Dr. Macfarlane at Binghamton. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Great Bend, Binghamton High School and Lowell's Commercial College; he

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

then spent two years in the Syracuse Medical College, and was graduated from the Chicago Medical College in 1877. He practiced medicine one year in Bing- hamton, one year in Pleasant Valley, Pa., and then located at Plains, this county, where he has enjoyed a large practice. Dr. Brooks was married, January 5, 1881, to Miss Isadore W., daughter of John Mitchell, of Plains, and they have five chil- dren: Mary Isabelle, born December 17, 1881; Fannie E., born July 17, 1883; Anna L., born September 2, 1885; James A., born August 3, 1887; and Helen, born July 4, 1890. After eight years of married bliss, discontent found its way into this once happy home, and the family was separated by a divorce in February, 1890. Mrs. Brooks and the children are living with W. W. Amsbry, of German- town, Pa. Dr. Brooks is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Elk Lodge; of the Luzerne Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the International Medical Congress. Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES C. BROWN, retired farmer, P. O. Nescopeck, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 10, 1831, a son of Abram and Catharine (Hildt) Brown. In 1845, when fourteen years of age, he came to America, locating in Hazleton, thie county. He worked for a time in the breaker, and was afterward employed in a brewery and later as a farm hand, in Dorrance township. In 1852 he purchased a farm in Dor- rance, a part of which he cleared and improved, residing there twelve years. He then spent a short time in Iowa, then nine years in Wilkes-Barre, seven of which he was in the mercantile business, the other two in a dairy. He then spent one year at Wapwallopen, and for six years worked the John C. Nicely farm at Mocanaqua. In 1886 he purchased a farm in Nescopeck, and since 1891 has resided in Nescopeck village. In 1854 he married Catherine (Ehmann) Amarin, of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and has seven children: Jackson F., Alvin, Alice (Mrs. Thomas Lawalt), Agnes, Frances (Mrs. Ira Boyd), Hannah and Maggie. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and of the P. of K .; in politics he is a Democrat.

CHESTER BROWN, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born November 11, 1832, in Jackson township, this county, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Milton and Ann (Turpin) Brown, the former born in Jackson, the latter in New Jer- sey. Milton was a son of Jesse Brown, who came to Jackson township about 1780, locating at what is now known as " Brown's Corners." Here he purchased a farm and lived; he was known as " Captain Brown," from his having command of a com- pany of militia which he used to drill. He was born February 9, 1769, and died May 28, 1826. His family consisted of nine children. Milton, his son, retained the old homestead on which he lived, and which he improved during his lifetime; he died June 26. 1862, at the age of fifty six years. There were ten children born to him, five of whom grew to maturity, and three are now (1891) living, Chester being second in the family. Our subject in early life learned the carpenter's trade, although farming is his chief vocation. Mr. Brown has lived on his present little farm for twenty-one years, a faithful citizen of the Commonwealth. He has been honored with the offices of constable, supervisor (four terms), auditor, school director, and at one time was elected justice of the peace. On February 20, 1857, he married Miss Marinda, daughter of Joseph and Kate A. Norris, and by her had six children, three of whom are now living: Harrison, Flora and Nettie M. Of these Harrison married Miss Alice Barney, by whom he has three children; Flora and Nettie M. are unmarried.

DANIEL BROWN, constable, Plymouth, was born March 23, 1840, at Littleton, Mass., and is a son of George and Ellen (Maloney) Brown, natives of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Their family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom are liv- ing, Daniel being next to the youngest. Our subject was educated in the public schools of the place of his nativity, and was engaged in farming until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighth Massachusetts Battery, and fought under Mcclellan and Burnside. He was engaged in the following battles: Fredericksburg, South Moun- tain, Antietam, and Second Bull Run, serving three years in all. Returning from the war in 1865, he went to Ayer, Middlesex Co., Mass., where he worked as currier

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

until he was given a position as superintendent and foreman of the Grand Tunnel Mines, at Plymouth, Pa., at that time operated by the New England Coal Company. This situation he held until 1867, when he embarked in the livery business, which he followed up to 1881, when he sold out and has since attended to his official duties. In 1867 Mr. Brown was elected constable of Plymouth borough, and was also appointed chief of police, being the first one to serve in the latter capacity, and he has been a constable of the borough ever since. In 1869, while endeavoring to make an arrest at what was then known as " Poke Hollow," this intrepid officer was shot in the left arm by a member of a desperate gang he was endeavoring to capture, and so severe was the wound, that immediate amputation was found necessary. This officer, as will be seen, served three years in the late Rebellion, coming out unscathed, and often in speaking of the matter to his old comrades and friends, he says that he " lost his arm in the Third Battle of Bull Run," the shooting having taken place near what is called "Bull Run." Mr. Brown was married at Clinton, Mass., November 21, 1861, to Susan Barry, and six children were born to them: William, Arthur and Lillie (all three deceased), George (a traveling salesman), Frank (who is attending the Wyoming Seminary) and Anna (attending the Sisters' School at Wilkes-Barre). In politics Mr. Brown is Democratic. As a soldier his comrades attest to his bravery, and as a civil officer, his fearless character is demonstrated by the loss of his left arm in the discharge of his duty.

FRANK L. BROWN, jeweler, Kingston, is a native of Great Bend, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and was born November 17, 1858. His father, George W. Brown, was also a native of Great Bend, and of English origin. The Brown family came to America at an early date. Mr. Brown's great-grandparents were among the prisoners taken by the British at the capture of Fort McHeury. His mother's name was Elmira Lewis. She was a native of Kirkwood, N. Y., and was also of English origin, her grandfather Lewis being a member of a very wealthy English family; but, as he was not the oldest son, the primogeniture doctrine of the common law practically debarred him from inheriting any part of his father's estate. He became dissatisfied with the customs and laws of the mother country and came to America, where he became a very successful business man, and accumulated a large fortune. Our subject began the jeweler's trade in Wilkes-Barre at the age of twenty, and served two years of his apprenticeship there. He then went to Philadelphia where he completed his trade, thence returning to Wilkes-Barre, where he worked at his trade two years. In September, 1882, he came to Kingston and established his present business. Mr Brown is a young man of strict business integrity and an excellent workman. He is the only first-class jeweler in Kingston, and always has on hand everything in his line that his patrons may desire. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and, although not a political jobber or an office-seeker, he is decidedly a Democrat of the old " Jacksonian " type.

GEORGE BROWN, laborer, Lehman township, was born November 24, 1809, and was reared and educated in Bucks county, Pa. He is a son of James and Eve (Hoffman) Brown, both of whom were born in Bucks county. James was also a son of James Brown. The Browns were all tillers of the soil. James Brown, father of George, lived an uneventful life and reared a family of three children, all of whom grew to maturity, but one of whom is now living. He lived to be thirty years of age, when he was killed by a runaway team. George is the eldest in the family. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he has worked over twenty years. He came to this county in 1840, locating in Plymouth, where he remained twenty-nine years, part of which time he worked at his trade, at other times working in and around the coal mines. On May 7, 1863, he married Miss Frances A., daughter of Miles and Alvina Hall, by whom he has had ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, and are now living: A. J., James E., William H., Eugene E., Frances V., Edith M. and Minnie M. Mrs, Brown was born in Pincher- ville, Franklin township, May 25, 1842. Her ancestors were New England people. During Mr. Brown's residence in Plymouth he experienced very poor health, which,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

about 1869, caused him to move north of the mountains to Lehman township, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of good fertile land, well timbered. On this he erected a sawmill, by which he was to manufacture his lumber, but owing to his want of experience in this line and also to the dishonesty of others, it proved a failure. Though losing his property, he regained his health, and is now a hearty man of eighty-two years. In 1881 he moved to Lehman Centre, where he now resides, respected by all his neighbors. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, believing in Primitive Christianity. He is a strong advocate of the temperance cause, for which he votes through the Prohibition party. He has held various offices in this and Berks county. He was justice of the peace for five years, town clerk for several years, also notary public, all of which offices he filled with honor and ability.

HENDERSON G. BROWN, farmer, P. O. Lehman, was born in Jackson, Luzerne Co., Pa., May 4, 1838. He is a son of Clinton and Martha (Prindle) Brown, both of whom were born in Plymouth township. Clinton was a son of Jesse Brown, who was a resident and probably a native of Connecticut. He came to this county in its early history, locating in Jackson township, where he lived an even and unevent- ful life at what is now called "Brown's Corners," where he operated a distillery. He was called " Captain Brown," because he used to drill a militia company in those days; he died at the age of fifty. His family consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters. His son, Clinton, began lifein Jackson township, then moved to Lehman township, where he purchased one hundred acres of land near Lehman Centre. He lived a life of usefulness both to himself and his neighbors, and was a hard-working man and a loyal citizen; he died in 1877 at the age of eighty-three. His family numbered ten children, all of whom came to maturity, and four of them are now (1892) liv- ing. Henderson G., who is a twin of the ninth birth, was reared and educated in Lehman, and always confined himself to farming, at which vocation he has proven an expert. At the age of twenty-two he went to California and Nevada, passing most of his time in the latter place. After spending about seven years at various pursuits he returned to Lehman in 1866, where and when he resumed busi- ness again as a farmer. At the age of forty, in 1877, he married Mrs. Rachel Frantz, widow of the late William Frantz, and by her he had three children: Stanley H., Clinton J. and Geraldine, all of whom are single. Mrs. Brown was born in Wright township, September 24, 1842, and is a daughter of James and Mary (Dunbar) Meeker. By William Frantz she had three children: Jennie, William A. and Mame E., of whom Jennie married William Atkinson, a farmer in Jackson township, by whom she had two children: William R. and Gracie M. Mr. Brown is a practical and prosperous farmer, believing in the truism that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. His farm consists of ninety-four acres of good productive land, all under improvement. He erected nearly all the buildings, includ- ing an elegant and commodious house, in which he lives. He is a Republican, and has held several responsible offices in the town, which he discharged with much credit to himself and his fellow citizens.

JOHN BROWN, carpenter, Duryea, was born in Providence, R. I., April 27, 1844, and is a son of Austin end Alice A. (Derringer) Brown, natives of England. He was educated in the common schools, and at an early age was employed in a cotton manufactory. In 1864 he went to Boston, Mass., to live with his uncle, Frank Brown, who was a carpenter, and it was here that he learned the trade at which he is still employed. Mr. Brown came from Boston to Scranton in 1873, and resided there until Duryea commenced to boom in 1886, when he took up his residence here. He was united in marriage, October 10, 1872, with Susannah, daughter of Edgar and Eleanor (Case) Dwight, natives of Boston, Mass., and of English origin. Their union has been blessed with two children, namely: Edgar A., born June 10, 1873, and James A., born March 14, 1876. Our subject is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Republican.

JOHN B. BROWN, general merchant, Hazleton, was born in the city of Philadel-

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

phia, September 28, 1845, and is the third in a family of nine children of James S. and Mary (Cork) Brown, natives of Scotland. He was reared and educated in Schuylkill county, Pa., and did general work about the mines until 1874, when he came to Hazleton and commenced his present business, which was at first run on a small scale, but which, by fair dealing and enterprise, has rapidly grown until he is one of the leading merchants in the city. His place of business is at No. 59 South Wyoming street, where he has a commodious store well-stocked with all kinds of fresh family provisions, and also a well-regulated dry-goods department. Mr. Brown was united in marriage, December 23, 1869, with Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Graham, natives of Scotland, and to this union has been born eight children, namely: Elizabeth J., Howard (deceased), William G. (deceased), Mary (deceased), Harry A., Albert, Robert and Frederick. Mr. Brown votes the Republican ticket, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

JOHN J. BROWN, carpenter, and proprietor of restaurant, Georgetown, Wilkes- Barre township, is a native of England, of Irish parentage, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Nevins) Brown. He was reared in Bedford, Maine, where he was employed in a cotton-mill for several years, and in 1864 he settled in Wilkes-Barre township, where he has since resided. Here he has worked at the carpenter trade, and since 1890 has also been engaged in the restaurant business. In 1866 Mr. Brown married Lydia A., daughter of Fitch and Sarah (Marshall) Dickinson, of Wilkes-Barre, and by her he has seven children: Sarah (Mrs. William Swartword), Mary (Mrs. William Rogers), Joseph, Susie, Bertha, and John and Jesse (twins). Mr. Brown is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in politics he is a Republican.

JOHN M. BROWN, late foreman in the machine shop of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, at Ashley, died at his residence on Main street, in that borough, November 23, 1891. He was born September 24, 1855, and was a son of William and Mar- garet (Johnson) Brown, natives of Ireland, the former of whom was a miner, and was burned in the mines so that he died soon after. They reared a family of three children, of whom John M. was the third. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Ashley, and then learned the machinist's trade, which he followed till about a month prior to his death, when he was promoted to the position which he held at the time of his decease. He was married March 15, 1883, to Sallie M., daughter of George and Lucinda (Miller) Blodget, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Yankee and German origin, respectively, This happy union was blessed with two children, Florence and John M. Mr. Brown was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is his widow. He was a member of the K. of H., and in his political views was a Republican, and was once a member of the council in Ashley borough. He was much respected by all with whom he came in contact. Though his prema- ture death was a severe blow to his relatives, he was also deeply lamented by a large circle of friends which he had made by his upright and manly character, and by the community in general. His widow and two bright children are comfortably located on North Main street, Ashley.

ROBERT T. BROWN, D. D. S., Hazleton, was born at Jeddo, Pa., and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Turner) Brown, the former a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, the latter born in the north of England. Dr. Brown is the second in a family of seven children, three daughters and four sons. Two daughters and three sons are still living. Robert T. was educated in the public schools of this county, and, in the fall of 1885, received a preliminary course of private instruction in dentistry. In the fall of 1888 he entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Philadel- phia, where he completed his dental education in 1890. He then came to Hazleton and opened an office at 132 Broad street, where, during the short period in which he has practiced, he has won a place of distinction among the leading dentists of Luzerne county. The Doctor is known, either personally or by reputation, to nearly everybody in Lower Luzerne, and is popular with all.

WILLIAM BROWN, farmer, P. O. Slocum, was born in Mifflin township, Columbia

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Co., Pa., in 1822, a son of Conrad and Mary (Rarick) Brown, both of whom were born in Moore township, Lehigh Co., Pa., but removed to this county about 1824, locating in what is now Dorrance township. Conrad Brown owned four hundred acres of land, and was a very industrious man, but feeble in health. He was a natural mechanic, and often worked at the carpenter's trade. Like other pioneers, he took his farm out of the wilderness, and from it cleared over eighty acres; he died in 1864, aged sixty-five years. His family consisted of nine children, three of whom are now living, William being the fourth. Our subject was reared in Newport, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for ten years. In 1857 he removed on his present farm of 145 acres, at that time quite a wilderness, forty-three of which he has thus far cleared. He is an active man, and although feeble, accomplishes a great deal of work. In 1855 he married Miss Ellen, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Eliza Lear. They have no children. He and his good wife are conscientious church members, he of the Lutheran Church, she of the Evangel- ical; politically he is a Republican.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 99

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