Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 12

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 12

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).

Association. He holds membership in the An- cient Order of Hibernians and in religious be- lief is a Catholic, belonging to St. Peter's Cathe- dral. Like his father, he favors Democratic prin- ciples and supports the candidates of that party.

J OIIN L. WENTZ, M. D., of Scranton, is a member of a family that has given to the state a number of successful and skilled physicians. The first of the name to seek a home in America was his great-grandfather, a native of Germany, who coming to the United States settled in Pennsylvania. The paternal grand- father was a practicing physician near Philadel- phia, and one of his sons, J. S., now of Mauch Chunk, was a graduate of the University of Penn- sylvania and a surgeon in the army during the Civil War. Another son, George S., father of the subject of this sketch, was born near Philadelphia, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and in 1858 settled at Hazleton, being one of the first physicians and surgeons in that place. He soon acquired among the residents of Luzerne County an enviable reputation in his chosen profession and he now has probably the largest private practice in the state, having seven assistants in his work. He is also extensively interested in coal mining.

The mother of our subject was born in Mauch Chunk and bore the maiden name of Annie Leisenring. Her brother, Judge Leisenring, a large coal operator, built the Lehigh canal and was engineer of the Jersey Central; her father, John Leisenring, was engaged in the jewelry business at Mauch Chunk until his death. Of her four children, all but one are living and the three survivors studied medicine in the University of Pennsylvania and are physicians. Of these, John L., the eldest, was born in Hazleton, Lu- zerne County, where he spent the first twelve years of his life. He then prepared for college at Stockbridge, Mass., and in 1875 entered Amherst College, from which he graduated in 1879, with the degree of A. B. Three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him. During his senior year he was vice-president of the class.

In 1879, a few months after the close of his

literary education, our subject entered the medi- cal department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he acquired a thorough theoretical knowl- edge of the science of medicine, graduating in 1882 with the degree of M. D. He then began professional practice at Jeddo, Luzerne County, five miles from Hazleton, being associated with his father in practice. In February, 1892, he came to Scranton, where he has since carried on a general practice in medicine and surgery, his office being located in the Mears Building, corner of Washington and Spruce. He makes a spe- cialty of the treatment of eye, nose and throat diseases, of which he made a study while in col- lege and in which he is particularly skillful.

In Hazleton Dr. Wentz married Miss Ada M. Stecker, of that place, and they have two sons, Harold and John. Fraternally he is connected with Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., at Scranton, Lackawanna Chapter No. 185, and Melita Commandery No. 68, K. T. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks and the Scranton Club. In everything pertaining to his profession he manifests a deep interest, it being his aim to kecp abreast with the latest discoveries in the medical world, and he is numbered among the active members of the County Medical Society. Politically he upholds Republican principles and supports the candi- dates and measures brought forward by that party.

J AMES T. McANDREW, chief of police of Carbondale and one of the native-born citi- zens of the place, is a son of Michael and Hannah McAndrew, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. His father, who came to this city in the earlier days of its history and witnessed its grad- ual growth, followed the occupation of a miner until his death at the age of forty-eight. While he possessed a good constitution, he was obliged to work very hard and in that way lost his health and died at an age when he should have been in the prime of usefulness. His widow is still liv- ing and makes her home in Carbondale. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters, and it is a peculiar coincidence that the sons

HON. ALFRED HAND.

145

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

were all born October 27 and the daughters September 23. They were named as follows: James and Thomas (twins), the latter deceased; Mary and Ellen (twins), the latter deceased; Pat- rick and a son unnamed that died in infancy.

In Carbondale, where he was born October 27, 1856, the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. At the age of twelve years he began to work in the mines, where he was engaged at different times in laying track, driving mules and digging coal. He remained employed in the mines until 1889, when he was appointed on the night patrol. It was not long before he developed into a valuable officer, and after two years of service in that capacity he was appointed to the important position of chief of police and this place he has since held.

The religious connections of Mr. McAndrew are with the Catholic Church of Carbondale and he is actively identified with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. He has always been a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and has stood by his party, in defeat as well as in suc- cess. In 1884 he was united in marriage with Bridget Nealon, and they are the parents of five children, Mary, Ellen, Hannah, Joseph and Retta, all of whom reside with their parents.

H ON. ALFRED HAND. Life is a succes- sion of contests and the victory is won by those who, by nature and training, are best fitted to overcome such obstacles as lie in their path. To attain success at the bar and upon the bench requires not only ability, but ripe judgment and decision of purpose, qualities that are admirably combined in the character of Judge Hand. Public opinion, which seldom errs in its estimate of the ability of men, has given him a place among the eminent jurists of the state. This same monarch, "public opinion," which unfortunately often errs in its estimate of the miotives governing the actions of men, has been his friend, encouraging him in every effort and generously bestowing upon his successes a meed of praise.

The Hand family is one of the oldest in this country. The whaling list of 1644 in Southamp-

ton gives the name of John Hand, who emi- grated to America from Stanstede, England, and in 1648 was one of the company from South- ampton that founded a new settlement at East- hampton, L. I. He died in 1663, and his son, Stephen, in 1693. The next in line of descent, Stephen, Jr., born in 1661, and died in 1740, had a son and a grandson, John, Jr., born in 170I, died in 1755. The last-named left a son, bearing the same name, who was born in September, 1754, and he also had a son, John, who was born in Athens, Greene County, N. Y., married Mary Jones, March 6, 1778, and died May 30, 1809.

Ezra, son of John and Mary Hand, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany County, N. Y., Aug- ust 9, 1799, and June 2, 1829, married Catharine Chapman, who was born at Durham, Greene County, N. Y., February II, 1808. She was a lineal descendant of Robert Chapman, who in 1635 emigrated from Hull, England, to Boston, Mass., from which place he sailed, November 3, for Saybrook, Conn., as one of a company of twenty-one men who were sent by Sir Richard Saltonstall to take possession of a large tract of land and make settlements near the mouth of the Connecticut River, under the patent of Lords Say and Seal. Ezra Hand spent his life prin- cipally in Honesdale, Pa., and died there in 1875. His widow is still living at Honesdale, and is now eighty-nine years of age.

The subject of this sketch was born at Hones- dale, Pa., March 26, 1835, the son of Ezra and Catharine Hand. His educational advantages were exceptionally good. At the age of eighteen he entered Yale College, from which he grad- uated in 1857. He then began to read law with William and William H. Jessup at Montrose, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Susquehanna County in November, 1859, and to the bar of Luzerne County May 8, 1860. Since then he has practiced in the courts of Susquehanna, Lu- zerne and Lackawanna Counties, and the su- preme court of the state. For a short time he was a member of the firm of Jessup & Hand, but removed from Montrose to Scranton in 1860, and six years later formed a partnership with Isaac J. Post, a fellow student. In March, 1879, Gov- ernor Hoyt appointed him judge of the eleventh

146

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

judicial district of Pennsylvania, comprising Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. In the erec- tion of the new county of Lackawanna he took the deepest interest, and when it was separated from Luzerne, he was transferred to it as judge. Ín 1880 he was elected to the same position for ten years. While presiding judge of the court of comnion pleas he was appointed by Governor Beaver, July 31, 1888, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Trunkey, deceased, on the supreme bench, and until January 1, 1889, served in this capacity with distinguished success. On the ex- piration of the term he returned to his profes- sional practice.

With many of the important monetary insti- tutions and business enterprises of Scranton Judge Hand has been closely identified. His co- operation has always been given in matters af- fecting the public welfare. From 1872 until 1879 he was president of the Third National Bank of Scranton and was active in the organi- zation of the First National Bank. Benevolent institutions receive his financial support and the prestige of his name. For years he has been president and a director of Lackawanna Hos- pital and president of the Pennsylvania Oral School for Deaf Mutes, the first school of its kind established in the state. He has been a di- rector of the People's Street Railway of Luzerne County, Jefferson Railroad Company, Dickson Manufacturing Company, Oxford (N. J.) Iron & Nail Company, Davis Oil Company of New York, Lackawanna Valley Coal Company, and is a member of the coal firm of William Connell & Co. He was a trustee of Lafayette College, and has served as president and director of the Y. M. C. A. of Scranton. Since 1866 he has been an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Scranton, and in four sessions of the general as- sembly of the denomination represented the presbytery of Lackawanna, serving on important committees. As president of the Lackawanna County Bible Society, he has rendered effective service in that important phase of religious work.

September II, 1861, Judge Hand married Phebe A., daughter of Hon. William Jessup, of Montrose, Pa. She died April 25, 1872. His present wife was Helen E., daughter of Freder-

ick Sanderson, of Beloit, Wis., and a native of Willianistown, Mass. He is the father of eiglit living children: Horace E., who graduated from Yale in 1884, and is a member of the law firm of Jessup & Hand, of Scranton; William J., a graduate of Yale, class of 1887; Alfred, who graduated from Yale in 1888, and the University of Pennsylvania in 1892, now practicing medicine in Philadelphia; Harriet J., Charlotte, Miles T., Helen S., and Ruth B.

While a pronounced advocate of Republican principles, Judge Hand has never sought official preferment, and the positions held by him have been of a judicial, not of a political nature. His able services as justice of the supreme court of the state entitles him to high rank among the prominent jurists of Pennsylvania. The wisdom of the governor's selection in the appointment of Judge Hand was vindicated by his able service and he proved himself to be the peer of any member of that august tribunal. Among his noticeable characteristics are his investigating mind, legal erudition, tireless application, fixed determination to discover potential facts and to penetrate the inmost recesses of subjects con- nected with the case in hand.

F RANK M. VANDLING. That persistent . industry and good judgment almost in- variably bring success is a fact, the truth of which has never been disputed, and upon the possessor of these traits of character fortune usually bestows her blessings. Doubtless to these qualities, more than to anything else, is due the prosperity which has been attained by Mr. Vand- ling, of Scranton. Since June 1, 1893, he has held the office of postmaster, which responsible position he is filling efficiently and successfully. He was first commissioned until the appointment could be confirmed by the senate, which was done in the silver session of the fall of 1893, and he was then given a new commission, dated Sep- tember 18, 1893, for four years. At the time he took the position the new federal building was almost completed, and he superintended the re- mainder of the work and the furnishing of the rooms. His force of carriers has been increased

147

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

from twenty-six to thirty-four, and the number of clerks from twelve to sixteen, the business, meantime, showing an increase of thirty thou- sand, from $77,000 to $107,000.

Mr. Vandling was born in Harrisburg, Pa., October 29, 1865, a son of John and Mary (Jack) Vandling, natives of Northumberland County and the city of Harrisburg respectively. The former, when a young man, settled in Harris- burg, and engaged in the occupation of a car- penter and builder until his death, in 1889. His wife passed away in 1884. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this record was the third son. The paternal grandfather, John Vandling, was a na- tive of Northumberland County, where he was a carpenter and builder. He died in Harrisburg.

After having attended the public schools of Harrisburg for some years, our subject learned telegraphy in the Western Union Telegraph office at Harrisburg and at the age of sixteen, in 1882, was appointed operator for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company at Providence. Al- most immediately, however, he was made weigh- master and coal inspector of the same company at Moosic. A year later he became general coal inspector for the company on the Wilkesbarre Division, continuing in that position, with head- quarters in Scranton, from August, 1883, until he was made postmaster ten years later. The posi- tion was one of responsibility, from eight to nine thousand tons of coal being shipped from the division every day. May 18, 1893, he was ap- pointed postmaster by President Cleveland, this being the president's first important appointment in the state.

At Scranton occurred the marriage of Mr. Vandling to Miss Helen J. von Storch, daughter of Theodore von Storch, a large real estate oper- ator here. They are the parents of two children, Theodore and Margaret. Fraternally Mr. Vand- ling is connected with Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has passed the chairs, and is a mem- ber of Melita Commandery, K. T., and the Con- sistory in Scranton. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, is presi- dent of the Scranton Rowing Association, a char- ter member of the Scranton Club, and chairman

of the board of directors of the Scranton Bicycle Club. Politically a Democrat, he was a member of the common council for two terms, having been elected during his residence in Provi- dence and when just twenty-one. His elec- tion was especially remarkable, as the ward was strongly Republican. From 1886 until 1893 he was a member of the county committee, and was its chairman, secretary and treasurer at different times. Frequently he has served as delegate to local conventions and has acted in that capacity at every state convention since he entered politics. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Democratic na- tional convention at Chicago that nominated Cleveland. He is also an active member of the city central committee. In 1891 he was a mem- ber of the Democratic state central committee that elected Harrity national committeeman to suc- ceed William L. Scott. In 1890 he was president of the Central Democratic Club.

C APT. FRED J. AMSDEN, of Scranton, was born in Rome, N. Y., June 19, 1841, and is a descendant of one of two broth- ers, who in 1700 emigrated to this country, set- tling in Massachusetts. The remote ancestry had resided in Wales, though for several generations afterward the forefathers lived in Scotland. The Captain's father, Joel Amsden, was born in Rut- land, Vt., and graduated from the Norwich Mili- tary University, becoming a civil engineer. He was resident engineer of the Black River canal, a branch of Erie canal in New York, and while there was brigade inspector of militia, with the rank of major, on the staff of the brigadier-gen- eral. Removing to Charlestown, Mass., he had charge of the engineering of Turbine water- works there, and was then civil engineer at the Glendon Iron Works near Easton. In 1850 he was induced by Col. George W. Scranton to come to Scranton and the following year brought his family here, where he laid out Scranton proper, mapping the streets as they are 110w. Later he became the resident engineer of the north and south sections of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad, between the Nichol- son tunnel and Pocono Mountain. After the

148

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death of Major McNiel he became chief engineer of the road, in which capacity he served until re- lieved by James Archbald, the general agent.

Later engaging in the private practice of civil engineering and architecture, Joel Amsden erected a large number of buildings in Scranton, many of which still stand. In 1853 he erected a house on the corner of Lackawanna and Wash- ington Avenues, and there he had his office until he died, in December, 1868. Since then the resi- dence has been utilized for business purposes, and is one of the oldest buildings in Lackawanna Avenue today. For years he was borough en- gineer and became the first city engineer, holding the position until his death. As an architect he designed many buildings in different parts of this state and New York. In religious belief he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Politically he was a Jacksonian Democrat and was one of the original Republicans of the com- munity. In 1853 he established the first book store here and while carrying on that business he was appointed postmaster to succeed John W. Moore, but served only a few months.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Anna Theresa Power and was born in County Waterford, Ireland, being a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Power. She was edu- cated in New York State, was a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and died in Scranton in June, 1882. Of her three sons and two daughters, Fred J. is the sole survivor. Charles J. died in early manhood; Mrs. McFar- lane, of Canada, died in Los Angeles. Frank P., who was captain of Battery G, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, entered the service as first lieu- tenant of Battery H., but was transferred to and became captain of Company G, and resigned on account of disability, returning to Scranton after the battle of Chancellorsville, in May, 1863; he continued as an architect and civil engineer until his death in March, 1895.

The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to Boston, Mass., Easton, Pa., and finally, in April, 1851, to Slocums Hollow (now Scran- ton), where he received his early education in the private schools. Later he was a student in Prof. R. E. Rice's Academy at Stamford, Conn.

He fitted himself for his profession of civil en- gineering and architecture in the office of his father. August 26, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was pro- moted to be first lieutenant April 1, 1863, and mustered out May 29 of the same year, having passed through the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was commissioned second lieutenant of the signal corps, U. S. A., October 3, 1863, to rank from March 3, 1863, breveted first lieutenant United States Volun- teers, March 13, 1865, "for gallantly maintaining his position under great exposure, on James River signal tower, while his station was for some time deliberately cannonaded by the rebel bat- teries." March 13, 1865, he was breveted cap- tain of United States Volunteers, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." He saw service along the Atlantic coast in the department of the south and in the tenth, eighteenth, twenty- fourth and twenty-fifth army corps, in Virginia, at Port Walthal, Swift Creek, Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, Weir Bottom Church, siege of Petersburg, Mine Explosion, Chapin's Farm, Fair Oaks, Ft. Gregg and fall of Petersburg, Farmville, Rice's Station and Ap- pomattox C. H., being chief signal officer, twenty- fourth army corps. He was present at the sur- render of Lee and finally in the Powder River expedition against the Sioux, Cheyenne and Ar- rapahoe Indians in Montana in the fall of 1865. On the 8th of December of that year he was mus- tered out at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.

In April, 1866, Captain Amsden took charge of the drafting office of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad machine and car shops, but resigned in April, 1868, to accept a position in the office of his father, whose death occurred in December of the same year. Since that time he has carried on the business of civil engineering (being city surveyor 1869-1876) and architecture, devoting himself, however, since 1876 entirely to architecture. Many of the best and finest buildings in the Lackawanna and Wyo- ming valleys bear testimony to his skill in his profession.

Fraternally Captain Amsden is past master of

149

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Union Lodge No. 291, F. & A. M., is P. D. D. G. M. of Pennsylvania, past high priest of Lacka- wanna Chapter No. 185, R. A. M., past eminent commander of Coeur de Leon Commandery No. 17, K. T., past commander of Lieut. Ezra S. Grif- fin Post No. 139, G. A. R., past junior vice-com- mander of the department of Pennsylvania, and has been honored by the department commander at various times by staff appointments, and by the commander-in-chief as an aide-de-camp on the national staff. He has drawn the plans for most of the Catholic churches in this diocese, and the first Catholic church of any size, the St. Peter's Cathedral, was designed by his father. In 1894, in Scranton, he married Miss L. May Davies, who was born in Carbondale and is a member of an old family of the county.

H ERBERT F. HEILNER, M. D. Health is the most highly prized gift bestowed upon us by nature and it is a matter of the most vital importance that we should know how to prescrve it or to regain it when lost. In the latter case medical science must frequently be resorted to and the services of a physician em- ployed. The medical profession is therefore one of the greatest importance, and he who engages in it conscientiously, earnestly and energetically, is entitled to the respect of every citizen. Of Dr. Heilner it may be said that he is a conscientious physician, careful in diagnosis, accurate in treat- ment. He is a disciple of the homeopathic school, and is one of its prominent representatives in Scranton.

The birth of H. F. Heilner occurred in Middle- port, Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1864. He is of German descent, his grandfather, Benjamin Heil- ner, a native of Germany, having come to Amer- ica in early manhood and settled in Tamaqua, Pa., where he became a coal operator, but after a time he withdrew from that business. He was chosen to serve as associate judge of Schuylkill County and on the conclusion of those duties, he retired to private life, remaining in Tamaqua until his death.

The father of our subject, I. N. Heilner, was born in Tamaqua, Pa., and engaged in merchan-

dising in Middleport. For ten months during the war he served in a Pennsylvania regiment, rank- ing as quartermaster sergeant. After the war he removed to Shamokin, Pa., where he has since carried on a mercantile business. Politically he affiliates with the Democrats. His wife, Elmira Amelia Guiterman, was born in Schuylkill County, where she was reared and married. Her father, Henry, was born in Germany and on com- ing to Pennsylvania became a coal operator in Ft. Carborn, of which place he was an early set- tler.

Of seven living children the subject of this sketch is the third. He received his education in Shamokin, graduating from the high school in 1883. He then began the study of medicine un- der Dr. H. M. Harpel, of Shamokin, and in 1884 entered Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- delphia, from which he graduated in 1887 with the degree of M. D. His course ivas thorough, embracing every regular study, in addition to which he received extra diplomas. Immediately after receiving his degree he went south and practiced in Macon and Atlanta, Ga., until 1889, being a member of the Atlanta Medical Club. In February, 1889, he returned north and opened an office in Scranton, where he has since engaged in general practice. For a time he was president of the Northeastern Homeopathic Medical So- ciety of Pennsylvania, before which he read a number of papers and by whose members he was recognized as one of the rising lights of the pro- fession. Since 1887 he has been identified with the American Institute of Homeopathy, and he is also connected with the Inter-State Homeo- pathic Medical Society. In religion he is actively connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and fraternally is associated with Peter William- son Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co. Number of Pages: 1068

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York : Chapman Publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1068