History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 143

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 143
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 143
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 143

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).

There have been many private schools. The first was taught by Miss Sophia Nobles, over the tailor-shop of Race & Bogardus, in the summer of 1833. She also taught in 1834.

John Walsh taught in the Catholic chapel in 1836, and D. Tripp, late from Oxford Academy, taught in 1837. Mrs. J. Hudson, from Long Island, taught a select school for young ladies in 1838. Miss Tuck opened a school for girls and John S.Ward one for boys in 1840. Besides these, schools have been taught by Andrew Leighter, Mrs. Hamilton, J. L. McKim, J. S. Miller and John L. Rich- ardson. P. C. Gritman was the first principal of the Lackawanna Institute, which was kept several years. Mrs. L. A. Munger taught select school during 1870. There are now no private schools.

In 1879 there were twenty schools in the district, with an average attendance of 620 pupils. 'The schools were kept open nine months at an expense of $6,906.78.

`445

JOURNALISM AT CARBONDALE-CEMETERY-FIRES.

In 1876 Carbondale city had twenty schools, with a total average attendance of 1,088. The schools were kept open nine months, at an expense of $13,083.17.

MAPLEWOOD CEMETERY-NOTABLE EPIDEMICS.

In 1831 the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company deeded a tract of land on the hill above its shops to J. W. Burnham, D. B. Blanchard, Lathrop Burgess, Bona- parte Baker, John Bowen 2nd, and R. E. Marvin, as trustees, for a Protestant cemetery. Subscriptions were raised to improve the ground. The lots were sold by auction April 27th, 1833. J. W. Burnham was the first superintendent. The first burial was that of William Evans, who died October 29th, 1832, aged 75 years. The grounds have been enlarged three times and are sur- rounded by a strong stone wall. The present trustees are S. S. Benedict, J. B. Van Bergen, A. O. Hanford, Henry Johnson, E. E. Thomas and R. W. Graves. Mr. Graves has been superintendent since 1862.

Carbondale has been visited with some severe epi- demics. The spotted fever broke out in the city in the fall of 1863. By the beginning of 1864 it had increased to an epidemic, and continued its ravages until near the end of May. One hundred and one of its victims were buried in the Protestant cemetery, among whom was Rev. T. S. Ward, of the Presbyterian church. It is not known how many were buried in the Catholic cemetery, but probably fifty or sixty.

THE PRESS OF CARBONDALE.

The first newspaper published in Carbondale was the Northern Pennsylvanian, which was removed from Dun- daff, Susquehanna county, in 1833. Amzi Wilson was editor and proprietor, and published the paper until De- cember, 1837, when he sold to Willam Bolton, who re- moved the paper to Wilkes-Barre April 24th, 1840. It was a Democratic paper.

The Carbondale Journal, a Whig paper, was established in 1838 by James B. Mix. Charles Mead bought it in 1839, and sold to William S. Ward the following year. The paper was discontinued September 2nd, 1841.

The Carbondale Gazette, neutral in politics, was estab- lished May 5th, 1842, by Philander S. Joslin, who sold an interest to Francis B. Woodward July 6th, 1843. This partnership continued until November 8th, 1844, when Mr. Joslin sold to Woodward, who changed the title to the County Mirror, and advocated Whig doctrines. This paper was removed to Providence in January, 1846.

The Carbondale Democrat was established by P. S. Joslin and Silas S. Benedict, in 1845. The paper was enlarged and the title changed to Lackawanna Citizen and Carbondale Democrat in 1849, by S. S. Benedict, who had had entire control of the paper since April Ist, 1846. The title was changed again December 13th, 1850, to the Lackawanna Citizen. P. K. Barger became a partner with Mr. Benedict in the summer of 1852. Mr. Bene- dict retired December Ist, 1852, when Homer Grenell entered into a partnership with Mr. Barger under the name of P. K. Barger & Co. The publication of this paper was discontinued April Ist, 1854.

The Lackawanna Journal, a Whig paper, was estab- lished January 20th, 1849, by George M. Reynolds, who took Dewitt C. Kitchen into partnership December 27th, 1850. The title was changed to Carbondale Transcript and Lackawanna Journal, February 25th, 1851. Mr. Kitchen retired the same year. Mr. Reynolds sold to R. H. Willoughby, May Ist, 1857. The title was now changed to the Advance. Dr. Charles E. Burr and G. M. Reynolds purchased the paper October 3d, 1857. They published it until February, 1858, when Reynolds became sole proprietor. He sold to S. S. Benedict in May, 1859. Mr. Benedict changed the title to the Weekly Advance and still continues its publication.

About August rst, 1854, J. T. Alleger and J. B. Adams began the publication of the Carbondale Democrat. This paper was discontinued January Ist, 1855.

The Democratic Standard and Know Nothing Exposi- for, by John J. Allen, issued its first number January Ist, 1855. The office was burned in the fire of that year, and the paper was never started again.

A. W. Cook began the publication of the Carbondale Leader in June, 1872. He sold to M. H. Barber in No- vember, 1877, and he to D. N. Lathrop in October, 1878. Mr. Lathrop still publishes the paper.

The Critic was started by A. W. Cook, May Ist, 1879, and it is still being published, as an independent journal.

During the winter of 1842 and 1843 the publication of the papers was suspended for five weeks, as, owing to the great amount of snow, it was impossible to get paper on which to print.

FIRES AND FIRE COMPANIES.

The first organization intended as a protection against fire was "Rescue Hook and Ladder Company," formed in 1843. This company did good service at several small fires, and in 1847 was officered as follows: George Love, foreman; John Lewis, assistant foreman. Twenty members were on the roll.

The fire of September 28th, 1850, awakened the people to a sense of the importance of a fire organization, and four companies were organized, known as Neptune, No. I; Eagle, No. 2; Rescue, No. 3, and Good Will, No. 4. Each company was provided with a small engine of little value, built at the Delaware and Hudson shops. Decem- ber 3d, 1852, James Ruthven was elected chief engineer of the fire department. These companies continued to practice for some time, but not receiving proper support from the city authorities they disbanded. Neptune led the way by resigning on June 28th, 1854.

A fire broke out in W. W. Bronson's hotel September 16th, 1855, which destroyed the hotel and several other buildings. The property owners of the second ward, aroused to a sense of their insecurity, assessed themselves for the support of Eagle Engine Company, No. 2, and formed it into a hook and ladder and bucket company. All the engines were returned to the Delaware and Hud- son company. The city authorities now took the matter in hand, and purchased an engine of the "Button's Piano" pattern, which arrived July 10th, 1855.

446

HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY.

Columbia Fire Company, No. 5, was formed about this time, with ninety-six men on the roll. The officers were: David Pendergrast, foreman; Richard Howarth, first as- sistant foreman; Charles B. Campbell, second assistant foreman. This is the only fire company in the city, and it has done good work since its formation. It is only called upon to use its engine when the fire is beyond the reach of the hydrants. These hydrants, distributed through the greater part of the first, second and third wards, have sufficient head to throw water over any build- ing that can be reached with hose. Columbia has about forty members now, and is officered as follows: John B. Collins, foreman; Joseph Jenkins, first assistant foreman; George Davis, second assistant foreman.

April 10th, 1859, a fire broke out in the office of Alfred Dart, which burned the Harrison House, together with several stores and offices on the west side of Main street, between Salem street and the parade ground. Another fire occurred September 15th, 1866, which destroyed buildings on the east side of Main street, from Dundaff street down, to the value of $50,000. March 29th, 1867, the entire business portion of the city below the city hall was burned, the flames destroying forty stores and shops, and leaving sixty families homeless. The entire loss was $200,000, with an insurance of $100,000.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

A charter was drawn by Hon. Lewis Jones, and by an act of the Assembly approved March 15th, 1851, Car- bondale became a city, with four wards. The first election was held March 21st, 1851, and resulted in the election of the following city officers:

Mayor, James Archbald: select couneil-Joseph Benjamin, Peter Campbell, Thomas Gillespie and Michael Flynn; common council- Thomas Sweet, Daniel Scurry, William Ball, Patrick Moffitt, James Clark- son, W. W. Bronson, Edward Jones, Alexander Bryden, Richard Howarth, Terence Powderly, Patrick Connor and Daniel Thatcher; prosecuting attorney, George W. Perkins; clerk of the mayor's court, William Brennan; treasurer, Lewis Pughe; assessor, Philip Wilson; auditors- William H. Richmond, James Stott and Thomas Voyle; poor masters- John Campbell and John Lee; alderman fourth ward, Patrick Farrell.

The justices of the peace holding commissions in Car- bondale township and living in the city were empowered to act as aldermen until the expiration of their commis- sions.

The oath of office was administered to the mayor, clerk of court and prosecuting attorney March 26th, 1851, at the M. E. church, by Hon. William Jessup, presi- dent judge of the judicial district. The select council organized by choosing Peter Campbell as president and Michael Flynn as clerk. The common council chose James Clarkson chairman and William Ball secretary. The first ordinance passed related to the granting of licenses. By the provisions of the charter the city had its own court, which was styled the recorder's court and presided over by the president judge of the judicial dis- trict sitting as recorder, assisted by the mayor and such of the aldermen as might be present. This court had concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts, except in oyer and terminer cases and in cases belonging to the orphan's court. Its jurisdiction extended at times over

Fell, Carbondale, Blakely and Greenfield townships. The first session of the mayor's court was held in the M. E. church, May 13th, 1851, Judge Jessup presiding. No business was done at this term, except to provide for the drawing of juries.

A grand jury was impaneled for the term beginning September 8th, 1851, of which Judson W. Burnham was foreman. Courts were held in the M. E. church until 1852. A room at the Carbondale House, Jonathan Gore proprietor, was used as a jury room. A wooden court-house was erected at a cost of $3,000, which was burned February 14th, 1869, by a fire originating in the cell of Owen Coleman, committed for drunkenness. He was burned with the building. The present brick build- ing was put up at once.

By the operation of the constitution of 1873 the mayor's court was abolished December 31st, 1875, since which time the city hall has been a useless structure. The effects of the change have been disastrous to the city.

The principal city officers have been as follows:

Recorders .- By virtue of their office of judge: William Jessup, May 12th to December 8th, 1851; J. N. Conyngham to December 15th, 1868; Henry M. Hoyt (acted as), December, 1867; E. L. Dana, to September 12th, 1870. (Eleeted for terms of one year) : D. N. Lathrop, 1870; Alfred Dart, 1872; I. D. Richards, 1873, who died in office, and Alfred Dart was appointed to fill the vacancy, and elected in 1874.

District Attorneys .- George W. Perkins, 1851-59; P. C. Gritman, 1857-59, 1862-65, 1869-71; D. N. Lathrop, 1862-65; I. D. Richards, 1865-69; Alfred Dart, 1871-73; George HI. Squier, 1873 to December 31st, 1875.

Clerks of the Mayor's Court .- William Brennan, 1851; Bernard McTighe, 1851-63; John E. Browne, 1863; George H. Squier, 1867; M. G. Neary, 1870 to December 31st, 1875.

Mayors .- James Archbald, 1851-55; Edward Jifkins, 1855; Gideon Fro- thingham, 1856; John M. Poor, 1857-61; Canfield Harris, 1861; Anthony Grady, 1862-65; William Brennan, 1865; John M. Poor, 1866; Thomas Voule, 1867, 1868; J. B. Van Bergen, 1S67-73; Thomas Voule, 1873; William Morrison, 1874; John Nealon, 1875, 1876; Joseph Birkett, 1877; L. Marshall, 1878; William Brennan, 1879.

Aldermen .- First ward: Lewis Pughe, 1852, 1857; Charles Burr, 1859, 1864; J. N. Wilson, 1869; John Stuart, 1869, 1875.

Second Ward': William Root, 1554, 1859, 1864; Bartholomew Morrison, 1869 ; Jesse G. Thompson, 1873, 1878.

Third Ward : Bartholomew Morrison, 1854: John Kelley, 1859; Amzi Wilson, 1862 ; Dennis Graham, 1867; Jules F. Kinback, 1872, 1877.

Fourth Ward : Patrick Farrell, 1851 ; Amzi Wilson, 1867; Patrick Boy- lan, 1875.

THE GREAT FLOOD.

The great flood, which occurred on the night of July 19th, 1850, was caused by the breaking of a dam on Rackett brook, a mile above the village. The water swept everything before it, and damaged property to the extent of $100,000. John Aitkin, jr., John Hewitson, James Dickson, Lewis Pughe, The Union Foundry and the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company were the principal sufferers Two sons of William Davis were drowned. The flooding of the mines caused a serious delay in mining, as the water was not pumped out suffi- ciently to enable work to be resumed before November 15th, 1850.

THE WATER AND GAS SUPPLY.

The Crystal Lake Water Company was formed in 1858, and began to furnish water in July, 1859. The reservoir is about a mile from the center of the town, on Rackett brook. The main pipes run down Main and Church

Thomas &Laphrofe

THOMAS R. LATHROPE.

There are many persons who occupy promineut positions in society, who amass wealth and secure an honorable name among their fellows, and yet whose lives are unmarked by any unusual features. They grow up in a community, spend their lives in the same locality, and through a modest, retiring disposition fail to attract the notice of those who regard the sensational in man's career as the highest development of true genius. This is especially true of the subject of the following sketch, and what may he said of him may be said of the great majority of the solid men of the country. They constitute the mass of enter- prising business men, endowed with natural abilities of a high order, meu of stability of character, intelligent, free-hearted, generous, and worthy of all praise.

Thomas Il. Lathrope was born in Carbondale, September 9th, 1842. His father, Hon. D. N. Lathrope, and his grandfather, Salmon Lathrope, were among the most prominent citizens of the place, the latter having been the first to bring his family to the infant town, as far back as March, 1827, and remaining a resident until his death, in November, 1868, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years. The earlier years of the sub- ject of this sketch were not marked by any peculiar circumstances; in- deed, his whole life has been one which befitted the natural quiet and modesty of his disposition. In youth he developed a marked taste for rural life, and for some years his time in the summer was devoted to work on his father's farm in Scott township, where his love for the usual farm work had full play. Though not a collegian, his education was not neglected. He attended the home district and select schools; spent some time in school at Scranton, and went through a full course at the institute of Rev. Alonzo Flack, A. M., at Claverack, N. Y. Not having a taste for either of the professions, he declined to pursue a college course. Ilc had also the advantage of a home education, which in a large degree supplemented that of the schools, and which amply fitted him for the business he intended to engage in, and for occupying a fair position among his fellow men. Ilis ideas of business were emi- nently practical, and ho was carly and easily taught that an active, laborious life was honorable, and hence he did not shrink from mauy tasks which young men are apt to think degrading. For a time he sup- plied newspapers and periodicals to the town people, and in various ways made himself self-supporting. In 1861 his father was appointed postmaster at Carbondale, and he became a post-office clerk, which oc- eupation he continued until the resignation of his father in 1864, about which time the succeeded to the insurance agency business of the late John Gore, which he has continued in a much enlarged sphere up to the present day.

During the war of the Rebellion his patriotism was marked by his enlistment in a company of "emergency men," called out by the gov- ernor of Pennsylvania in 1863 to defend the State from the invasion of its territory by the rebel hordes uuder General Lee, and hespent several weeks at the front in dischargo of military duty.

Previous to this time, when the second eall of troops was made to serve nino months, and whien ho was about twenty years of age, he visited Harrisburg in company with several of the youths of his own age and

younger, determined to enlist in the service, but was rejected because he did not have the approval of his parents in writing. The little com- pany had confidently expected to be accepted and the refusal wasa great disappointment to them. They had neglected to provide themselves with funds to return home and were consequently put to great straits to accomplish this feat. Our hero was the only one who had any means- about $10-and it was determined to foot it and take their chances along the tow-path of the Pennsylvania canal. The $10 was laid aside for pro- visions on the way, and the little party started on their journey. They occasionally caught a ride on the empty coal boats, and thus, weary and foot-sore, they arrived in due time at Pittston, the northern termi- nus of the canal, whence by " Walker's line" and the coal ears on tho Delaware and Hudson railroad, they made their way home.

In the conduct of his business he has been systematie and prudeut, though the accumulation of wealth has not in any degree stunted tho natural generosity of his disposition, and there are many of his fellow townsmen of the poorer class who can testify to this fact.

At an early age and for several years he was a director of the First National Bank of Carbondale, and in 1872, in company with a few other capitalists, he aided in establishing the Miners' and Mechanics' Savings Bank. of which he is now a director and was the first cashier.

Under the teachings of a devotedly pions mother his religious impres- sions found rapid development, and in early life he united with the Presbyterian church, of which he is a member. In politics, from edu- cation and conviction, he has acted with the Republican party, with the exception of the campaign of 1822, when with a large number of other Republicans he supported Horace Greeley. His great admiration for the veteran editor, of whose journal he had been a constant reader for many years, as well as his conviction that the Republican party was being controlled by unscrupulous leaders, led him to take this course ; but he at no time abandoned the great principles of the party, and with this exception he has nniforuly supported its regularly nominated ean- didates. Although much interested in political questions he has never been a seeker of office. In 1822 he was nominated by acclamation in a citizens' caucus for school director, but declined to run. In 1876 at tho city election he was prevailed upon to become a candidate for the office of city anditor, and though his election was contested by an estimable citizen he was elected by a large majority ; and when, in 1878, at the for- mation of Lackawanna county, he was nominated for recorder of deeds, it was entirely the work of his friends and without solicitation on his part. At this election his popularity was shown by his receiving a voto considerably in excess of some others on the same ticket, particularly in his own town and vicinity. The opposition was divided in its support of candidates, and his plurality over the highest competitor was over 1,500 votes. But though thus triumphantly elected he failed to secure his office, owing to a decision of the supreme court, which rendered tho election null and void. In the following year he was renominated for tho same office, and his popularity was thoroughly tested; for, although the opposition were now united on his competitor, Mr. John Kelley, an estimable citizen of the saure town, his majority was nearly 400.

GEORGE B. KULP.

For the grandeur and good that are in this republic of ours not so much is due those who are esteemed its " great men," and whose doing and sayings enter into history as the onteome of eminence, as to the thousands of con- stant workers in the humbler ollicial stations. These latter, who have the custody of our schools, the control and . direction of our municipalities, and the local administration of the laws of the State and nation, bring to the perform- ance of their severally allotted tasks a degree of patience and industry, and a cultivated thought and experience, without which the wisest leadership iu national affairs, the most beneficent leg-" islation, were useless to promote the happiness and prosperity of our people. Their work is done without pecuniary compensation more frequently than otherwise, and generally with so little fuss or publicity, that many of them, after long lives of usefulness, pass away "unknowu, unhonored and unsung," even in the immediate vicinities of where their labors were so modestly per- formed, and where their results abide, the sole monument to their self-sacri- fieing devotion to the canse of liberty and progress.

In the army thus briefly sketched, George Brubaker Kulp, lawyer and 9 editor, of Wilkes-Barre, is a faithful veteran soldier. lle was born at Reams- town, Lancaster county, Pa., February 11th, 1839, and descends, on the father's side, from the Kulps and Sellers, two of the oldest. families in the south- eastern section of the State. The Ku!ps, as the name indicates, are of German extraction, the founders of the American branch of the family having emigrated to Pennsylvania as early as 1720. George's father, Eli Sellers Kulp, was a native of Kulpsville, Montgomery county (the Sellers, to which family his mother belonged, were among the earliest settlers of Bucks county, Pa.), and removing to St. Georges, Delaware, became one of the leading educators of that State. George had a common school education, but suffering the loss of his father at an early age, was compelled to seek work on the canals and railroads to earn a livelihood. While thus employed, most of his spare time was devoted to study, and with such good effect that at the age of seventeen he was found fitted and entrusted with the charge of a village school. One year later, while yet pursuing the avocation of a teacher, he began the reading of the law. In the year 1853 he removed to Luzerne county, to whose bar he was admitted August 20th, 1869, having studied the law in the ollice of Lyman Hakes, Esq. In October of that year, before he had arrived at the age of twenty-two, he was elected register of wills of the county for three years. In 1863 he was re-elected for another three years by over three thousand majority. The lunited education which his exertions had procured for him having netted him so handsomely thus early in life, it was small wonder that Mr. Kuip's thoughts were turned to the common schools as one of the most benign of our country's institutions, and as calling loudly for the aid and encourage- ment of all good citizens. In 186t there were but three school-houses, all one-story buildings, in the then borough. now city, of Wilkes-Barre, and upon these there were but one hundred and eighty-seven scholars in attendance. In 1865 Mr. Kulp was elected a school director, as were also Hon. D. L. Rhone, now judge of the Orphans' Court of the county, and Rev. George D. Miles, of the Episcopal church. During that year, prin- cipally through the efforts of these three, the present large Washington school building was erected. In 1866 Governor Henry M. Hoyt and Attorney-General Heury W. Palmer became members of the board. This twain seconding the progressive policy of the aforementioned trio, the handsome Franklin school building was soou in course of erection, and before the close of the year it was completed and ready for occupancy. The number of scholars had now increased to six hundred and seventy-six, and at the conclusion of Mr. Kulp's directorship this uumber had augmented to seventeen hundred and sixteen. The Conyngham school was also built during Mr. Kulp's membership in the board, which covered a period of twelve years' continuous service, end- ing in 1876. During most of this thue he was either presideut or see-

retary of the board, and upon his retire- ment his fellow directors unanimously passed the following resolution :

"Whereas, Our fellow member George B. Kulp, the presiding officer of this board, in consequence of his recent elec- tion to the important and honorablo position of councilman of the city of Wilkes-Barre, has at this meeting of the school board resigned as a member thereof ; therefore, be it-

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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 143

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