History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

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 64
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 64
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 64

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).

W. D. WHITE, druggist, was born in Wilkes-Barre, November 12th, 1849, and married Sarah A. Harper, of Hazleton.

E. D. WILLIAMS, dentist, was born in Elmira, N. Y., November 14th, 1835, and married Elizabeth J. Bittner, of Lock Haveu, Pa. During the Rebellion he served one year in the 11th Pa. volunteers.

MRS. ELIZA W. WILLIAMS, a daughter of Conrad Teetor, who came from Sussex county, N. J., and settled in the valley in 1802, was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 29th, 1804, and married William C. Williams, an Eu- glishman. He was a tailor by trade, and died February 8th, 1861.

G. M. WILLIAMS, formerly insido foreman at the Bellevue mines, Hyde Park, Lackawanna county, appointed mine inspector for the middle dis- triet in 1880 for five years, was born in Breconshire, South Wales, August 14th, 1841, and married Jane Lewis, of Beaver Meadow, Carbon coun- ty, Pa.

MORGAN B. WILLIAMS, coal operator, residenco on Northampton street, was born iu Cacmarthenshire, Wales, September 17th, 1831.

T. M. WILLIAMS, inspector of mines, was born in South Wales, June 5th, 1835, and married Annie Morgan, of Minersville, Schuylkill coun- ty, Pa.

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

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WILLIAM J. P. WILLIAMS, butcher, was born in Wales, February 2nd, 1842 ; spent twenty years mining in Australia, and came to Wilkes-Barre in 1873.

MRS. J. PRYOR WILLIAMSON, whose maiden name was Mary H. Wood- ward, was born in Plymouth township, March 1st, 1849. J. Pryor Wil- liaison was born December 3d, 1839, and died October 24tli, 1879. He served in the army during the Rebellion ; was in the commission business in company with John MeNeish, jr., in the Baltimore store, and was afterward connected with the banking interests of Wilkes-Barre until his death.

THOMAS WILLIAMSON, superintendent of the Empire breaker, resi- dence on Northampton street, was born in Ireland, July 1st, 1830, and married Ellen Wallace, of Plymouth.

EDWARD O. WILLETTS, machinist in the shops of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, residence on South street, was born in Wilkes-Barre, February 1st, 1844, and married Anna Price, of Hamilton, Monroe county.

J. A. WOOD, alderman, formerly a inerchiant, was born in Wilkes- Barre, May 19th, 1844, and married Susie M. Gregory, of Muhlenburg.

JOHN G. WOOD, banker, formerly a merchant, was born in Wilkes- Barre in January, 1838, and married Emma E. Brown, of that place.

STANLEY WOODWARD, attorney at law, was born in Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. Woodward was formerly Sallie Richards Butler, of Wilkes-Barre.

CHARLES BENNET.

Charles Bennet, Esq., was the only son of Mr. Jolin Bennet, of Kings- ton, Pa. He was born February 28th, 1819, and died August 12th, 1866, aged 48 years. He received a liberal education, and applying himself diligently to the advantages within his reach became a man of fine scholarly attainments and of large aud varied scientifie knowledge.

His father was a man of strong mind, and, though he did not have the educational advantages of his son, he by his continued research and study became one of the best mathematicians of his day. The Benuet family, who emigrated from England, were highly distinguished, some of them belonging to the court party and others to the Puritans. Of the former was Sir Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, born of an ancient family in Middlesex and a distinguished statesman in the reign of Charles II .; he was raised to the peerage by the titles of Baron Arling- ton, Viscount Thetford and Earl of Arlington. Of the latter party was John Beunet, brother of Sir Henry, who would not espouse the royal cause, but loving his religious liberty more than he loved his country, emigrated to America that he might enjoy liberty of conscience in the worship of God. From this stock comes the Bennet family of the Wyoming valley, but few male members of which remain. Among them are George Bennet and family, who now reside near Williamsport, Pa .; Andrew Bennet, of Kingston; and Major D. S. Bennett, of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Charles Bennet after completing his education studied law and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county ; but preferring a life of out-door activity he did not devote himself entirely to the practice of his profes- sion, but turned his knowledge of its principles to good account in every day life. He commenced his career of usefulness at a time of great excitement ; coal had been discovered in the valley and was now to be utilized for fuel instead of wood, whicht had nearly been ex- hausted. The mineral wealth was to be developed. Shafts were to be sunk and breakers built to prepare the new fuel for market. Rail- roads and other ways of transportation must be started in all directions and the difficulties to be overcome were formidable. Men were required to overcome these difficulties, and such a man was Charles Bennet, who by his pleasant manners and address, his thorough knowledge of human nature and persuasive powers, enlisted capitalists in the large cities in the enterprise. The right of way for the various railroads was to be sceured and the routes ascertained. Mr. Bennet took hold of the work with his characteristic energy and persistence, and success crowned his efforts. The valley, which had been well nigh isolated and iuaccessible, was thrown open, property advanced in value, and many in moderate circumstances become suddenly richt. The actors in such scenes had need of well balanced minds, and such was Mr. Bennet's. Not elated by prosperity nor depressed by adversity, but hopeful in the midst of dis- couragement, he had the faculty of making friends and attaching them to him, and was liberal in his expenditures, generous in his bene- factions and abundant in his hospitalities. Mr. Bennet was a true pa- triot, a kind friend and an affectionate father and devoted liusband. Mrs. Bennet and his two daughters survive him, and now reside in their pleasant home on River street, Wilkes-Barre, and dispense its hos- pitalities.

MAJOR D. S. BENNET.

Major Daniel Strebeigh Bennet was born near Williamsport, Pa., Sept- ember 3d, 1853, and received his education at the high school near by and subsequently at the Pennsylvania State College. He studied law and and aside from his other studies while at colkge teck the prescribed

was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county in 1877, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Wilkes-Barrc. Major Bennet trom early boyhood has always been connected with military organizations ; three years course in inilitary science, thius fitting him well for the position he was to afterward occupy in the military of the State. After having served some time as captain of a company he was elected by his fellow officers major of the 9th Regiment (Infautry) National Guard of Pennsylvania, which position he now holds. He has a long line of illustrious ancestors dating from early English history, and is of the Puritan stock. Major Bennet holds the respect of all classes, from his upright dealing, and is netive in politics, being an carnest worker for the success of the Republican party and fully identified with the best inter- ests of the city.

BENJAMIN COURTRIGHT.

Benjamin Cortright, whose portrait may be seen elsewhere, was born in Wilkes-Barre township, Luzerne county, Pa., March 17th, 1789. His father was llon. Cornelius Courtright, who came to the valley in 1784 and settled on the farm afterward known as the Hancock farm, in Plains. Here the subject of this memoir was born.

The Courtright family came from Holland to New Amsterdam among the first einigrants, and long before the Duke of York had conquered it from the Dutch. They found their way across the State of New Jersey to the Delaware river, in the neighborhood of Brodhead's creek, from whence Cornelius Courtright came to the valley, as above stated. At his new home he soon made his mark as the representative man of his imme- diate neighborhood, and subsequently one of the representative men of Luzerne county, which position he held for many years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1820. 1821 and 1823. Luzerne county at that time was hopelessly Democratic, but Mr. Courtright, though a Whig, was never defeated. His colleagues during these years were Andrew Beaumont, Jacob Durinheller, Benjamin Dorranee and Jabez Hyde, jr. At Harris- burg he was the acknowledged peer of the best of themn.

Benjamin Courtright spent his early life at home on his father's farm, up to the time of his marriage with Clarissa Williams, a daughter of Thomas Williams, a continental soldier under Washington during the war of the Revolution. Soon after his marriage he purchased a farm about half way between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston, where he com- meneed housekeeping, and where he continued to reside until the death of his wife. He then made his residence with his son John Milton in Wilkes-Barre, where he died on the 22nd of January, 1867, aged seventy- eight years.

He had five sons and one daughter-William H., Benjamin P., John Milton, James W., Thomas W. and Mary E .- all of whom are living. John Milton is now the popular proprietor of the Courtright House, in Wilkes- Barre. When he had just attained his majority his education was quite limited, yet no one could fail to recognize his mature judgment as ex- hibited in all his business transactions. He was the president of the Franklin Debating Society during its existence. After a long and peace- ful life he has passed away. He was a man of exalted nature, and inea- pable of a mean action. Ile was just in his dealings, truthful in every declaration and faithful to every promisc. Purity of conduet was habit- ual to him. It pervaded his whole life in every relation.

REUBEN JAY FLICK.

The subject of this biographical sketel was born at Flicksville, North- ampton county, Pa., July 10th, 1816, and is thic eldest son of John and Eve B. Flick. His mother's maiden name was Coster. His earlier op- portunities for education were limited. Trudging three miles away to the district school in the winter, and working on the farm during the spring, summer and autumn, his life was a busy but uneventful one until his fifteenth year, when he engaged as clerk in the village store. After several years spent in mastering the details of trade as developed in the circumscribed field in which he labored, Mr. Flick went to Easton, Pa., and entered the store of J. & M. Butts. His business career at Easton was limited toa year, when he decided to accept a position which he had been offered in the establishment of G. M. Hollenback, at Wilkes- Barre. Much against the wishes of his father he proceeded to Wilkes- Barre April 8th, 1838, with money scarcely sufficient to pay his fare by stage; and, penniless and almost friendless, began in the store of Mr. Hollenback those experiences out of which resulted the prompt, ener- getic and methodical business habits on which was based an enviable reputation, which served him well in after life.

In 1841 Mr. Flick purchased Mr. Hollenback's half interest in a stock of general merchandise, and began business for himself in partnership with Benjamin R. Phillips, under the firin name of Phillips & Flick. In 1842 Mr. Phillips died, and the conduct of the enterprise was left solely to Mr. Flick. By good management and the counsel and financial aid of Mr. Hollenback, who was his staunch friend, he was enabled to outride the monetary storms of 1842 and 1857. In 1864 he disposed of his entire stock of goods, in order to devote his undivided attention to his powder and oil business, in 'which he had for some time been engaged, and which, owing to the steady and rapid development of the coal mining

Charles Bennet

Jarech S. Barnet

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GENEALOGICAL RECORD, WILKES-BARRE.

interest, had grown to be very extensive. Five years later, feeling the need of rest, he retired from this business.

But his untiring industry does not permit him to remain long idle. In 1870 he procured a charter for a State bank. Two years later a capital of $250,000 was subscribed and the People's Bank was opened, with Mr. Flick as president and J. W. Hollenback as vice-president. The rapid and healthy growth of this institution, notwithstanding the fact that it was started in a period of general financial depression, after the estab- lishment of eleven other local banks, and its recognition as one of the soundest in the city, are sufficient evidence of the ability of its manage- ment. Mr. Flick is largely interested in local manufactures and corpor- ations, and in real estate. He is treasurer of the Vulean Iron Works, and a director of the Wilkes-Barre & Kingston Street Railroad Com- pany, the Wyoming Valley Ice Company and the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital. As a partner of Calvin Parsons, Esq., he is interested in coal lands in Plains township.

The leading charitable interests of the city and vicinity have ever found in him a friend and benefactor. He has long been recognized as such by the colored people of Wilkes-Barre. In many ways has he be- friended them, and aided institutions established for their benefit. For many years he has been superintendent of a large and prosperous colored Sunday-school.

Mr. Flick was married Jadnary 9th, 1858, to Margaret J. Arnold, an estimable lady, a loving wife and a kind mother. They have a family of five children-Welcome .I. L., Warren J., Helen J., Harry L. and Reuben Jay, jr.

HENDRICK BRADLEY WRIGHT.

Ou biographical notice of this gentleman is mostly taken from a folio volume, issued in 1871, by the New York and Hartford Publishing Com- pany, entitled " Men of Mark " ; prepared by Hon. William C. Robinson, Professor of Law in Yale College and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of New Haven, Conn. The sketch comes down to 1871. Not liking the steel plate engraving which accompanied that article we had one prepared by our own artist, which is a much better likeness.

" Hendriek Bradley Wright was born at. Plymouth, Luxerue county, Pa., on the 24th day of April, A. D. 1808. His father was of that family of Wrights whose ancestor came to America with William Penn, and settling at Wrightstown, near Burlington, in West Jersey, there exer- cised the otlice of a justice of the peace under the royal commission, and at the same time was an ardent member and supporter of the Society of Friends. His mother, whose maiden name was Hendrick, was descended from one of the earlier Dutch colonists of New York.

" The father of Mr. Wright removed fromn Wrightstown to Plymouth in the year 1795, and soon became one of its most prominent and sub- stantial inhabitants. Ambitions for the welfare of his son he seeured for him the best educational advantages which the locality atl'orded, and in due course of time sent him to Dickinson College, where he pursued the usual classical and mathematical studies. Upon leaving college he began the study of law in the office of the late Judge Conyngham, of Wilkes-Barre. Under the wise eouusels and kind eneonragement of that able jurist and truly admirable man he made rapid progress, and was admitted to the bar in 1831.

" During the ten years which followed Mr. Wright devoted himself assiduously to his profession. The bar of Luzerne county at that period contained many of the most learned and eminent counsellors of Penn- sylvania. Among these Mr. Wright soon took a high position, and as an advocate before the jury achieved a marked pre-eminenee. Above the middle height, of large frame. of ereet and commanding figure, with great power and flexibility of voice and a countenance full of life and expression, he was an orator who arrested and continued to compel at- tention. It was not without reason that his clients believed and said that no jury could resist him. Armed at all points with evidence, drawn from every available source and brought to bear upon the minds of the triers in such order and with such strength as to render the cause of an opponent almost hopeless from the ontset, he followed these attacks with arguments of such earnestness and energy as rarely failed to com- plete the rout and secure an easy vietory. In truth it may be said that in a just cause he never knew defeat. Such snecess could not otherwise than win for him an extensive reputation and a laborious as well as a lucrative practice.

"In the year 1841, partly to satisfy his numerous friends and partly as a respite from professional toil, he accepted a nomination to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania and was elected. He at onee be- came prominent as a committeeman and debater and was soon aeknowl- edged as one of the leaders of the House. In 1842 he was again elected and appointed chairman of the Committee on Canals and Internal Im- provements, a subjeet that had always deeply interested him and to which he now devoted much attention. He also took a position on the Judiciary Committee under his friend Judge Elwell, of the Colinbia judicial district, for the express purpose of proenring a repeal of the law providing for the imprisonment of poor debtors. In this matter his efforts were untiring and he had at last the satisfaction of seeing that barbarons law blotted out of the statute book of his native State. Healso strenuously endeavored to procure the abolition from the prison discipline of Pennsylvania of the system of solitary confinement, n

method of punishment which always appeared to him as equally needless and inhuman. But in this effort he was unsuccessful. In 1843 the nom- ination of State senator was offered to him, but preferring the popular branch of the Assembly he declined the honor, and was again elected to the House. Upon the opening of the session he was chosen speaker, a position which he ably tilled, and where he acquired a facility in parlia- mentary rules and usages which proved of singular advantage to him in the years that followed.

" In May, 1844, the Democratie national convention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the Presideney. It was a time of great ex- citement growing out of the Texas annexation question. The conven- tion was alnost equally divided in sentiment upon the subjeet, and great fears of serious dissensions were entertained. The friends of an- nexation met in couneil, and after a long discussion determined that every other consideration must yield to the necessity of appointing to the chairmanship of the convention some man skilled in parliamentary rules, and of sufficient tact and courage to secure their enforcement in every possible emergency. Mr. Wright, then a delegate at large from Pennsylvania, was at once recognized as the man for the oceasiou, and, having been first unanimously elected temporary chairman, discharged his difficult and responsible task with such efficiency during the organi- zation of the convention that he was unanimously chosen its permanent presiding officer. At this convention, whose session lasted nearly a week, and over whose stormy discussions its able chairman held an un- relaxing and impartial rein, James K. Polk, a Texas-annexation eaudi- date, was finally nominated. At the close of the convention Mr. Wright bade farewell to the assembled delegates in these words :

"Our labor is terminated; our work is done. In a few hours we leave this arena of the last four days' action, but my voice falters under the thought that we part forever. This body, composed of the most distinguished men of the country, was assembled to discharge as solemn and sacred a trust. as that committed to the men who met in the hall of the Continental Congress when the great charter of American liberty was born. If the eastern conqueror wept over the millions of human beings passing in review before him-for that in a short time not one of them should be left-how much more reason have I to weep at the thought that this concentrated monument of mind before me must pass away in the change of all things. But it cannot be. It will be fresh on the page of history when the pyramids of the Nile shall have ermn- bled, stone by stone, to atoms. The man may die, but the fruits of his inind are the growth of eternity.

" From 1841 to 1852 Mr. Wright was again engrossed in the duties of his profession. In the latter year he was elected to Congress, and served a term with marked ability. IIe was renominated in 1854, but was defeated by the " Know Nothing" clement, of whose narrow and exclusive pol- iey he had always been a most uncompromising foe. He then retired from publie life, and determined to devote the remainder of his days to the law. But upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, in 1861, he was again called from retirement. The nomination to Cougress was ten- dered him by both political parties. He accepted, and was of course elected ; and amid the perplexities and dangers which surrounded the Federal Congress during the next two years he was distinguished as a consistent and untiring advocate of an undivided Union. Although a lifelong Demoerat, and as such wedded by the strongest political ties to the doctrine of State sovereignty, yet in him the citizen ever rose above the politician, and in the hour of national perit he was eontented to let. politieal opinions slumber until the great and pressing work of national salvation was accomplished. Thus, while he advocated no measures of subjugation, and regarded interference with domestie institutions for their own sake as unadvisable, he constantly supported the government by his vote and his voice in its every attempt to overthrow the internal enemy. In a speech delivered January 14th, 1863, not long after he had followed his eldest and best loved son to a soldier's grave, he thus re- plied to the peace resolutions of Mr. Vallandighamn :

" Sir, there is no patriotie man who does not desire peace; not peace, however, upon dishonorable terms; not peace that would destroy our great government; not peace that would place us in an humble attitude at the feet of traitors; but that peace which will make liberty live, peace that shall maintain and perpetuate the eternal principles of union based upon equality handed down to us by our fathers and sealed with their blood; the peace of Washington and La Fayette, whose images dec- orate the walls of this house; a peace that shall not defame and belie the memory of those illustrious men is the one I would see established in this land. * * * Our army went to the field to suppress rebellion. Its numbers have reached over eight hundred thousand men, larger than any army of ancient or modern times. It. is still in the field, and its destiny is to preserve entire this Union and protect the tlag, and it has the courage and the power to do it. * * * I bring my remarks to a close. Where I stood when the Rebellion began I stand to-day-on the same platform. My opinions have undergone no change. I de- nonneed rebellion at the threshold; I denounce it now. I have no terms to make with the enemy of my country which will destroy the Union ; I am satisfied that no other can be obtained. Time will determine whether my position is right or not, and Icalmly abide it. The war, sir, has cost me its trials and tribulations, and I can truly close my remarks with a quotation from an ancient philosopher, uttered over the dead body of his son slain in battle :-

"I should have blushed if Cato's house had stood Seeure and flourished in a civil war.

" After the close of the XXXVHIth Congress Mr. Wright retired from polities and from business, and has sinee lived in the enjoyment of the competeney and honors which the labors of his earlier years acquired. He has not, however, been idle, but has occupied his working hours in the preparation of a " Practical 'Treatise 'upon Labor," in which he has

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

embodied the thoughts and observation of forty active years, and which he has intended as a last legacy to that portion of the American people in whom he has felt most interest, and for whom he has mnost diligently toiled.

" And, although of private character the present is no place to speak, yet one thing may be said which entitles him of whom it is uttered to be held in everlasting remembrance -- that throughout his entire profes- sional and public life Hendrick B. Wright has been emphatically the poor man's friend ; the advocate and supporter of the laborer against the encroachments of capital and of political ostracism ; liberal to him in word and in gift, true to him in promise and fulfillment, and that he still lives and works for the working man of the nation and his native commonwealth.

" W. C. R."

Since the foregoing notice Col. Wright has published his " Historical Sketches of Plymonth," his native town ; a work gotten np with taste, containing thirty beautiful illustrations -- likenesses of the leading men of the carly settlement of the town, some of the old landmarks, private residences, public buildings, coal mines, etc., etc. In tracing the pages of this book, in which the author gives a vivid description of the plain and frugal habits and simple customs of a primitive people, the reader will discover the deep and indelible impression which they made upon the mind of the author. A generous and heartfelt offering to a raee of inen all of whom he personally knew, but who now, with an exception of one or two, have lett the stage of Inunan action. ITis work was the design of a memorial for these pioneers. The author of this history makes no effort to assume an elevated plane of rhetorie or finished die- tion ; but treats his subject in simple and plain language; but which, in his narrative of events showing the perils and exposures of frontier life, touches the heart and enkindles sympathetic emotion.

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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 64

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