History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 132

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 132
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 132
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 132

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

First Methodist Episcopal (Scranton) .- This church is the outgrowth of a society organized in the vicinity of Scranton about 1840. Some of the constituent members were William Silkman, Barton Mott, Nancy Mott, Nich- olas Washburn, N. W. Tripp, J. A. Atherton, Mary A. Slocum, Fanny Tripp, Marilla Fellows, Sarah Hitchcock and Ruth A. Hitchcock. This society was the result of much preaching before that date, and had been preceded by classes of Methodists at Slocum Hollow and else- where in the vicinity. "In 1793," wrote Rev. George Peck, "William Colbert, a pioneer preacher, visited Ca- poose, and preached to a few people at Brother Howe's and lodged at Joseph Waller's. Howe lived in Slocum Hollow, and Waller on the main road in or near what is now Hyde Park. In 1798 Daniel Taylor's, below Hyde Park, was a preaching place. For years subsequently the preaching was at Preserved Taylor's, who lived on the hillside in Hyde Park, near the old Tripp place. When Mr. Taylor moved the preaching was taken to Razorville, now Providence, and the preachers werc en- tertained by Elisha Potter, Esq., whose wife was a very exemplary member of the church. Up to this period preaching was held in private houses." Meetings were held in school-houses at a later datc. In June, 1841, a proposition was entertained by the quar- terly conference of the circuit to raise subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a "meeting house" somewhere in the Lackawanna valley. Barton Mott, Erastus Smith and William Silkman were appointed a committee to receive subscriptions and to proceed to the accomplishment of the work. William Henry was asso- ciated with them, and the four resolved themselves into a building committee, appointing Erastus Smith president, William Silkman secretary, and Barton Mott treasurer. The liberal contributions of the people about the iron works secured the location at Harrison. A lot was pro- vided at the corner of Lackawanna and Adams avenues by Scrantons, Grant & Co. The conditions of the sub- scription provided that when the house was not occupied by the Methodists other evangelical denominations should

have the privilege of occupying it, a provision of which the Presbyterians availed themselves for years. The two denominations held a union Sunday-school in the " vil- lage chapel," as the little church was known, with the utmost harmony, until the Presbyterians secured better accommodations.

The early class leaders were, in the order named, Mar- tin Washburn, Barton Mott, Adam L. Horn and Samuel Culver. Barton Mott, Matthias Henderson, Noah Davis and Adam L. Horn were early Sunday-school superintendents. The two last mentioned were also local ministers. The "village chapel " was occupied by the Methodists until the present structure was erected. In 1856 it was purchased by the German Methodists and removed to the corner of Adams avenue and Vine street. The erection of the present church was begun in 1854, and in 1856 the basement was opened for public worship. In September, 1858, it was completed and dedicated. The audience room was first occupied on the evening of the 8th of that month with a reception complimentary to Nellie, daughter of the pastor, Rev. B. W. Gorham, then just married to Rev. W. L. Baldwin, a missionary who soon after sailed for India. The circuit which included the site of the present city was often changed in name and boundaries in the early days, being successively known as the Pittston circuir, the Providence circuit and the Lackawanna circuit. Among the early itinerant preachers on this circuit may be mentioned Revs. Ben- jamin Ellis, William Round, Ira Wilcox, J. Mulkey, A. Bronson, H. Brownscombe and S. S. Kennedy. As a separate charge the Scranton church has been served successively by the following named pastors during the terms designated: Revs. H. A. Schoonmaker, 1854, 1855; George Peck. D. D., 1856, 1857; B. W. Gorham, 1858, 1859; George C. Bancroft, 1860, 1861; J. V. Newall, 1862, 1863; J. A. Wood, 1864; N. W. Everett, 1865, 1866; Byron D. Sturdevant, 1867, 1868; J. C. Nobles, 1869; P. Krohn, 1870, 1871; George P. Porter, 1872; I. T. Walker, 1873, 1874; L. C. Floyd, 1875, 1876; J. G. Eckman, 1873, 1879

In June, 1879, it was resolved by a vote of the members and congregation to enlarge and beautify the church. Hon. Lewis Pughe, William Connell and Charles Forres- ter, trustecs, were appointed to make a contract and supervise the improvements. Junc 28th the contracts for the building and alterations were awarded. The building was extended 20 feet in length, and has a tran- sept, one end of which is 20 by 20 feet, and will be used as an organ chamber. The other is an extension of 5 by 20 feet, admitting of a side entrance to the church. Sev- enteen stained glass windows enhance the beauty of the place. Three of these are memorial windows. One was put up in memory of Mary Ann Slocum, who left the church $800 when she dicd, in 1875. Another, presented by Horace Phelps, commemorates the name of his mother, Mrs. Hannah Phelps, who presented the church Bible. The third window is inscribed to Hattie B. Nivi- son. This was presented by Mrs. Nivison.

The Sunday-school room, on the ground floor of the

€

431

DUNMORE M. E. CHURCH-FIRST M. E. CHURCH, HYDE PARK.

building, was extended to feet, and the addition of 20 feet in the rear is neatly furnished for a separate social parlor and infant class room. The seating capacity of the church has been increased from 450 to 900.

The dedication took place Sunday, January 25th, 1880. The services were conducted by Rev. W. H. Olin, D. D., presiding elder of Wyoming district; Rev. C. H. Fowler, D. D., of New York, and Rev. Phillip Krohn, D. D., of West Troy, N. Y. The cost of the improvements and furnishing was $10,000, the whole of which was pledged on the day of dedication. The Wyoming annual confer- ence held its session in Scranton in :860 and ISSo.

The first Sunday-school was opened in 1858, with 25 members. The present membership is 380. That of the church is 375. Hon. Lewis Pughe was superintendent of the school from 1871 to 1880. He was succeeded by G. F. Reynolds.

Dunmore Methodist Episcopal .- Among the residents of Dunmore in 1851 were Mrs. Sabra Jackson, Chauncey Derby and wife, Joseph Savage and wife, Mrs. Dupuy and a few other earnest Methodists. They met for wor- ship in the school-house on Blakely street, were con- nected with the Providence district of the Wyoming con- ference and were supplied with a preacher for one ser- vice every Sabbath. After two years they held services about a year in Coolbaugh's Hall, on Drinker street, their numbers gradually increasing until it was felt that a church edifice was demanded. One was soon erected on a plot of ground on Chestnut street which was donated for that purpose by Mr. Edward Spencer. It was used by all evangelical denominations about five years, when the Methodists finally decided to build a church for their own use. Mr. Spencer presented another lot on Chest- nut street, upon condition that the seats in the church should always be free, and should the society at any time decide to rent the seats, the ground should be purchased. The offer was accepted, and the society bought an ad- joining lot from Mrs. Sarah Potter, and a committee on building was appointed consisting of John Butler, Stewart Dilley and George W. Simpson. The edifice is of brick, 35 by 52 feet. The property is valued at $3,000. As soon as the building was ready for occupancy the con- gregation removed thereto, and April 11th, 1861, Rev. Reuben Nelson, D. D., of Wyoming Seminary, dedicated it; and the First Dunmore Methodist Episcopal Church was organized with the following named members, with others: William Jackson and wife, Stewart Dilley and wife, John Butler and wife, Joseph Savage and wife, Artemias Miller and wife, John Rice and wife, James Haskins and wife, Mrs. G. W. Simpson, J. W. Silsbee and Thomas Dorsheimer.

Rev. Luther Peck was pastor three years. The follow- ing named preachers have been his successors, serving from one to three years each: Revs. C. L. Rice, J. A. Lippincott, W. H. Gavitt, J. T. Crowell, T. B. Jayne, C. A. Ward, J. F. Williams, G. A. Severson, J. La Bar and Joseph Madison.

A few years after the organization of the church it was decided to rent the seats in order to raise the preacher's

salary, the free seat system having proved a failure, and the society bought the lot as agreed. In 1871 Mr. Spencer again generously presented the church a plot of ground, on Apple street, on which a parsonage was built. It is a wooden building, valued at $2,000. October 3d, 1878, the roof of the church was blown off. It was immedi- ately repaired. The membership of the church was about 125 in January, 1880; it is in a flourishing condi- tion spiritually and financially. The official members were as follows: Trustces-Allen Secor, Thomas Dor- sheimer, Dan Powell, John Harper, John Butler and Thomas Sly; stewards-Dan Powell, John Rice, Elijah Shaffer, Reuben Mowry, Albert Wagner, Hall Thornton and Henry Thorn. The Sunday-school was organized May 12th, 1861, with John Butler as superintendent. The number of scholars was 76; volumes in library, 142. In ISSo it was in excellent condition under the manage- ment of Thomas Sly, superintendent. The number of scholars was 175; volumes in library, 200.

First Methodist Episcopal (Hyde Park) .- This society was chartered November 23d, 1859, on petition of Wil- liam H. Omro, William Munson, jr., Issacher Pauling and John M. Acker. But as early as 1851 there was a class in Hyde Park connected with the Scranton church, the pastor preaching each alternate Sunday afternoon wher- ever he could, the Baptist church being used generally. Of the members of that early class only William Munson and Mrs. M. A. Varnes are residents of Hyde Park. At a conference heid in Binghamton, N. Y., July 6th, 1856, the Taylorville class (located at the place now known as Brick Church, near Pittston) and Hyde Park were organ- ized into a circuit under the name of Lackawanna mis- sion. The entire membership was only 70. The pastor was Rev. F. Illman. Meetings were held in the old school-house in Hyde Park, which soon after was pur- chased, with the lot on which it stood, and repaired and converted into a church, which in 1860 was replaced by a fine brick structure with a parsonage close by. This society was then in a thriving condition.

In 1862 Hyde Park became a separate charge, with a membership of 55. Rev. W. J. Judd was pastor. Feb- ruary 14th, 1869, the church and the parsonage were burned down. The society had just succeeded in liqui- dating all its obligations. The estimated value of the church was $6,000; of the parsonage, $2,500. The insur- ance amounted to only $1,ico. On the evening of the 16th, at a public meeting, preliminary steps were taken toward rebuilding the house of worship. Rev. F. L. Hil- ler was appointed pastor. The present commodious and substantial brick edifice was dedicated February 22nd, 1872, Rev. William P. Abbott, D. D., preaching in the morning and Rev. B. I. Ives, D. D., in the evening. It is valued at $2,500, and will seat 700. A parsonage valued at $4,500 was subsequently erected at the rear of the church, fronting on Hyde Park avenue. The present membership of the church is nearly 600.

The successive pastors of the church in the order of their appointment, with the term of service of each, have been: Revs. F. Illman, 1856; Joshua S. Lewis, 1857,

432

HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY.

1858; S. S. Barter, 1859, 1860; N. W. Everett, 1861; W. J. Judd, 1862, 1863; R. Van Valkenburg, 1864 ( five months ); F. S. Hiller, 1864, 1865; L. W. Peck, 1866, 1867; D. A. Shepherd, 1868; F. S. Hiller, 1869-74 ( Mr. Hiller was financial agent of the church and Rev. Sam- uel J. Austin pulpit supply in 1872); I. B. Hyde, 1873; R. W. Van Schoick, 1874-76; Willis L. Thorpe, now (1879) closing the third year of his pastorate. The organ- ization of the Sunday-school dates with the early history of the church, and its progress has been gratifying. The average attendance has been about 500 for quite a length of time. For a number of years Thomas H. Dale has been superintendent.

German Methodist Episcopal ( Scranton` .- At the ses- ion of the Wyoming M. E. Conference in 1854 a resolu- tion was passed to petition the board of missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a German missionary at Scranton. Rev. F. W. Flocken was sent to minister to the 2,000 Germans then in and around Scranton; arriv- ing in July, 1855, and preaching his first sermon in the village chapel. The church was organized October 30th, 1855, with fifteen members. Of these the following are still in active membership: Michael Lutz, his son John Lutz, Jacob Walter and John Schlaeger. Mr. Flocken bought the " chapel " or old Methodist church for SIoo, and had it removed to the present location, in the rear of the new church, where it is used for school purposes.

The following were the succeeding pastors and their time of service: Revs. John G. Lutz, two years; Jacob Weeks, who built the present parsonage, to which addri- tions were made by subsequent pastors, two; Leonhaad Meyer, two; Louis Wallon, two; Paul Guattlaender, who secured the present church lot, 90 by 150 feet, at a cost of $1,650, three; Jacob Kolb, two; William Kurth, three- under his administration the present beautiful gothic church at the corner of Adams avenue and Vine street was built, 42 by 75 feet with a steeple 120 feet high, cost- ing $16,000 and dedicated in 1872 by Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Peck; Rev. G. H. Mayer, three; his labors were crowned with a revival by which more than eighty were converted. Rev. F. W Dinger, the present pastor, came in 1877. He has succeeded in paying the regularly ac- cruing interest, meeting current expenses and reducing the debt of $9,000 to $7,300.

The Sunday-school was established by Rev. F. W. Flocken, without books or other aids, July Sth, 1855. In the following October there were 37 male and S female scholars. The following were the succeeding superin- tendents: Frederick Bonn, John Schlaeger, Frederick Mueller, Stanislaus Haag, William G. Schulz, William Busche, John W. Schulz, Jacob Hetzel, John Lutz. A mission Sunday-school was opened in 1875 in Petersburg, and the schools numbered about 200 scholars, with 12 offi- cers and 50 teachers, and a library of 300 volumes, in 1879.

Ebenezer Calvinistic Methodist W'elsk Church Hyde Park) .- This society was organized in 1863, as a branch from another society of the same denomination which existed in Bellevue. The Bellevue society at that time

had a membership of about 80, residing at Hyde Park and Bellevue. Some of them determined to organize a. branch society in Hyde Park and build a church there. A building committee was appointed consisting of Walter Phillips, Llewelyn Jenkins, John Davis, Richard Jones and Daniel Moses. Having purchased the site where the church now stands, they awarded the contract for its building to Thomas Hammond. Work began in Septem- ber, 1863; it was under roof in December. The lecture room was finished May Ist, 1864, and the auditorium (65 by 45 feet) was completed July Ist following. The cost was about $10,250, which sum was raised in about a year and a half after the completion of the building. The value of the church property is estimated at $15,000.

The formal organization of the Ebenezer society was effected June rst, 1864, in the lecture room of the new church, by Rev. J. E. Davies, D. D., and wife, Joshua Williams and wife, John E. Davies and wife, Daniel Hughes and wife, Richard Jones and wife, and Mrs. Rob- ert Williams, all of Hyde Park. The first service was held in the new church May 15th, 1864, and services were continued weekly until July 17th, 1864, when the church was dedicated, the services continuing two days. Rev. J. E. Davies, D. D., was the first pastor, officiating in the services alternately with the Ebenezer and Bellevue churches, and served (dating from December 27th, 1863) three successive years. Rev. M. A. Ellis, M. A., was pastor (the third) from January Ist, 1869, six years; Rev. R. H. Evans, three years from April Ist, 1875. At pres- ent (January Ist, 1880) there is no pastor. The number of church members is about 150. The first Sabbath- school superintendent was Richard Jones. The average attendance of pupils is 125.

First Methodist Protestant (Hyde Park) .- This church was organized by Rev. F. B. Fletcher, at the house of Mrs. Julia Felts, December 19th, 1868, with the follow- ing named members: John Fern and wife, David Myers and wife, Valentine Erbach and wife, Jacob Hall, Richard Maxie and wife, David Nimon and wife, Augustus Brin- ton, William Newton, John Shoeman, John and Julia Felts, Mrs. Benedict Eggert, Asa R. Cramer and wife and Mrs. Margaret Armitage. A thorough organization was effected by the election of the following officers: David Myers, secretary; Valentine Erbach, treasurer; John Fern and Asa R. Cramer, class leaders; William Newton, Richard Brinton, Richard Maxie, David Nimon and John Shoeman, stewards. The new organization held regular Sunday afternoon services in the Baptist church, until the completion of a small two-story building, the lower floor of which was arranged for the purposes of worship, and the upper part fitted up for use as a par- sonage, about six weeks later. Here services were con- ducted regularly for about two years, when a neat and commodious edifice was built on a portion of the same lot (the first building still doing service as a parsonage) and dedicated early in January, 1873.

The progress of the church has been steady and rapid, the membership in 1880 numbering about 150. Its prop- erty is beautifully located on Park Hill, and is valued at

Mars M.C. Vivisethe

MRS. M. C. NIVISON, M. D.

Mrs. M. C. Nivison, M. D., daughter of Hiram and Harriet (Brewster ) Owen,'s of Enfield, Tompkins county, N. Y., and wife of Oziel Nivison, M. D., of Dryden Springs, N. Y., was born June 3d, 1834. She received her preliminary education in the district and select schools of .Mecklenburg, N. Y. In 1867 she com- menced the study of medicine with her sister-in-law, Miss Anna T. Nivison, M. D., of Newark, N. J., with whom she studied for three years, during which time she attended two courses of lectures at the Eclectic Med- ical College of New York city, and was graduated there- from in March, 1871. In the following May she com- menced the practice of her profession in Scranton, where she has since been continuously engaged, and is now ( August, 1880) enjoying an extensive and successful practice. Both her mother and daughter Hattie came

to Scranton with her, the former of whom died here Sep- tember 21st, 1872, and the latter January 25th, 1878, aged nineteen. Mrs. Nivison lost her only son in New York State in 1857. Her husband, Dr. Nivison, is in practice in the sanitarium at Dryden, Tompkins county. N. Y. Mrs. Nivison is the pioneer female doctor in the Lackawanna valley, and was obliged to contend with many difficulties on account of the prejudice against women in the practice of the medical profession; but she overcame them all and has the confidence and patronage of a very large circle of friends, and has opened the way for many others who have followed her in the profession in the valley. She was elected vice-president of the State Eclectic Medical Association which met at Altoona in 1879. She has been for many years a consistent mem- ber of the M. E. Church.

Reese J. Evans

REESE T. EVANS.

Reese T. Evans was born in Caermarthenshire, South Wales, in May, 1825, the fifth child of Theophilus and Mary Evans. There were six children in his father's family :- Ann, Stephen, Catharine, Martha, Reese T. and Mary. Ann, Stephen and Mary are deceased. Catha- rine, widow of John Griffiths, and Martha, wife of John O. Jones, are both residents of Hyde Park, and each has four children living. Mrs. Jones was the first of the fam- ily who came to America, coming in 1851.

After receiving an education limited to the common school of his native place, at the age of thirteen Reese T. Evans entered upon the life of a miner, and followed it all the time he was in the old country. December 22nd, 1845, he married Mary, daughter of Enoch and Sarah Evans, of Monmouthshire, South Wales. He emigrated with his family to America in 1852, and first settled in Pittston, Luzerne county, where he was employed for four years as a miner. In the fall of 1857 he moved to Hyde Park, where he has since resided. During eight years he was employed as a miner in the Diamond mines. In 1865 he was appointed foreman of these mines, and he has ever since held that position. Mr. Evans is a Re- publican in politics and has always taken an active part in the conduct of political matters in his locality. He was a member of the city council of Scranton for the years 1854-56, and was elected to the office of city treas- urer for 1867 and 1868. The fidelity and thoroughness with which the responsible duties of this office were dis- charged by him are indicated by the following notices pub- lished at the time. The city controller, Charles Du Pont Breck, in his report says: "This department [the treas- urer's] of our government has been conducted in a man- ner reflecting the highest credit on the treasurer and the officials in charge, and our citizens are to be congratu- lated on the fact that the public finances have been cared

for with a degree of integrity worthy of emulation." The Scranton Republican upon the completion of his term of office published the following tribute of prase: "The outgoing treasurer is absolutely the first in the history of Scranton that leaves the office with a clean and honora- ble record. Mr. Evans's incumbency is charcterized by an honest and careful management of our city finances which reflects honor upon the city and credit upon the voters who elected him." Though strongly urged to accept a nomination to the office he declined.

Mr. Evans has been a member of the church since eleven years of age, at Hyde Park of the Welsh Congre- gational. His wife is a member of the same church.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans twelve children, four of whom were born in Wales, two in Pitts- ton and six in Hyde Park. Two of the four born in Wales died there. Mary, wife of Elizur Evans, born May 16th, 1846, and Sarah, wife of David R. Richards, born January 22nd, 1848, were born in Wales and are now residents of Hyde Park. The former has two chil- dren, the latter eight. Stephen and David were born in Pittston; the former January 23d, 1854, the latter De- cember 19th, 1855. Stephen married Martha Phillips; they have three children. Thomas, born March 8th, 1858, married Nellie Moses, by whom he has one child. Elizabeth, born December 8th, 1859; George W., born November 15th, 1861; Cassie, born January 25th, 1863; Reese (deceased), born February 26th, 1865; and Miri- am, born December 21st, 1866, were born in Hyde Park. Five of the children are living at home in Hyde Park.

In these days, when one child in the family is often considered one too many, and it would seem the purpose, especially of native Americans, to banish from earth the very name of brother and sister, it is refreshing to come upon one of the old-time families, like that of Mr. Evans, who may well rejoice not only in the character but also in the number of his children and grandchildren.

433

BAPTIST CHURCHES OF SCRANTON-PRIMITIVE METHODIST MISSION.

about $5,000. Its Sunday school, of which John Vern was the first superintendent, has always been under the man- agement of an efficient corps of officers. The scholars number about roo; the volumes in the library, 575. The names of the pastors, with their terms of service (begin- ing August ist), are as follows: Revs. F. B. Fletcher, 1868-70; Joseph Watrous, 1870, 1871; H. G. Russell, 1871-73; John Jones, 1873, 1874; O. C. Payne, M. D., 1874-76; George Shaver, 1876-78; Thomas B. Dodd, 1878, 1879; Alexander Patton, 1879 (present incumbent).

Primitive Methodist Mission (Hyde Park) .- This society was originally organized under the name of the " Method- ist Protestants" in 1876. The members were John G. Nicholson, William A. Jones, Richard Riddle, William Richardson, Elizabeth Williams, Elizabeth Eddy, Delia Davies and Margaret Fox. The place of meeting, then and since, was Briggs shaft school-house. The first minister was Rev. O. C. Payne, who was succeeded by Rev. George Shafer. The following named members of the society seceded from the Methodist Protestant church in September, 1878, at the close of Rev. George Shafer's ministry, and united with the Primitive Methodist de- nomination: J. G. Nicholson, E. E. Williams, James Evans, Richard Riddle, William Richardson, Elizabeth Williams, Delia Davies, Mary Grassey, Jane Davies, John Campbell, Sarah Morgan, Margaret Evans, Walter Price and wife, James Price and Charles Riddle.

The pulpit was supplied by preachers of other Primi- tive Methodist churches, and the church was under the superintendence of Rev. H. G. Russell, pastor of the Plains circuit, from September, 1878, till the beginning of June, 1879, when Rev. J. T. Matthews became its first regular pastor.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 132

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900