Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 19

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

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Meantime, in 1884, Mr. Brooks organized the Greenwood Coal Company, of which he has since been president and which has two breakers with three shafts located at the edge of the city. A low estimate places the capacity of the mines at fifteen hundred tons per day. In May, 1892, he organized the Langcliffe Coal Company, seven hundred tons daily, one breaker and shaft, lo- cated at Avoca, on the county line of Luzerne and Lackawanna. Of this he has been president from the first. The Laflin Coal Company, of which he is president, was organized in 1894 and operates mines at Laflin, Luzerne County, fourteen miles from Scranton. There are a breaker and shaft, with capacity of one thousand tons per day. Em- ployment is furnished to more than two thou- sand hands.

While with the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Com-

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pany, Mr. Brooks was one of the organizers of the Bridge Coal Company and served as presi- dent until it was sold. Within recent years he organized the Lee Coal Company and started operations, but sold out. In Scranton he mar- ried Miss Mary A. Morgan, who was born in Carbon County, Pa., her father, George Morgan, having been one of the oldest miners engaged at Nesquehoning. They are the parents of five chil- dren: Margaret, Mrs. W. R. McClave; Thomas R., secretary of all the coal companies in which his father is interested; George G., a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and Cornell University and a civil engineer; John H., a graduate of Princeton and assistant secretary of the coal com- panies, and Cora M., Mrs. Willard Matthews.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Brooks has been chairman of the county and city committees at different times. For four years he was a mem- ber of the board of school control, for seven years served as a member of the poor board and for four years represented the fifth ward in the select council. He was elected city treasurer of Scran- ton and served seven years. In June, 1896, he went abroad for recreation, accompanying one hundred and fifty members of the Manufacturers Club of Philadelphia, and visited Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, England, Wales and Ireland, traveling about fifteen thou- sand miles in his trip of three months. He has also visited points of interest in the United States, having been from the Gulf to the Lakes, and from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. He is a member of the board of trade in Scranton. Fond of social amenities, he is associated with the Wawayanda Club of Long Island, the Scranton Club and the Rod & Reel Forest Club, the latter an organization owning a fine club house and ten thousand acres of land in Wayne County.

T HOMAS R. BROOKS, secretary of the Greenwood, Langcliffe and Laflin Coal Companies and one of the rising young business men of Scranton, was born in this city June 19, 1869, and is a son of Reese G. Brooks. At the age of fifteen, after having acquired a fair education in the public schools, he took a posi- tion as clerk with the Greenwood Coal Company

and after a time was made bookkeeper, serving in that capacity until 1890, when he became a stock- holder and director. At the same time he was chosen secretary of the company, which posi- tion he has since filled with efficiency.

Upon the organization of the Langcliffe Coal Company in 1892, Mr. Brooks was made secre- tary and a director, and has since, by working in these capacities, contributed to the growth of this concern. Since the organization of the Laflin Coal Company in 1894, he has been its secretary and treasurer. During the existence of the Lee Coal Company he was secretary until it sold out. While his father was city treasurer for seven years, he held the position of deputy. In connection with George M. DeWitt, under the firm title of DeWitt & Brooks, our subject or- ganized a retail coal and ice company, and the business grew so rapidly that it resulted in the formation of the Pocono Ice Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer. Two years later the concern was consolidated with the Consum- ers' Ice Company, an important and flourishing business, in which he is one of the largest indi- vidual stockholders, and his father a director. When the Dime Bank was established he was a stockholder, but after a time disposed of his shares.

The marriage of Mr. Brooks occurred in Scran- ton and united him with Miss Bertha Griffin, daughter of George Griffin. They are the pa- rents of two children, Margaret and Edward S., who with them occupy the family residence at No. 1006 Linden Street. Socially Mr. Brooks is identified with the Scranton Club. A Republican in his political opinions, he is a member of the county central committee and one of the active. men in his party. About 1894 he and Mr. DeWitt formed a partnership and embarked in the hand- ling and manufacture of all kinds of blasting powder, having their office in the Traders Bank Building and the magazine in Lackawanna Township, three miles from Scranton.

H ERMAN BESSEY, M. D. While the period of his residence in Scranton has been of comparatively short duration, Dr. Bessey has already gained a position among the

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thoroughly informed, skillful physicians and sur- geons of the city and is recognized as a man of broad professional knowledge, with the ability to succeed in the vocation chosen as his life work. Since coming to this place in July, 1896, he has had his office at No. 1745 Church Avenue, corner of Oak Street.

The family represented by the subject of this article originated in France, from which country his grandfather, Lyman Bessey, came to America and settled in New York State. In his native land he was a man of wealth, high standing and influ- ence, and after establishing his home in the Unit- ed States he became equally prominent among the people of his community. George Bessey, the Doctor's father, was born near Nichols, N. Y., and removed thence to Bradford County, Pa., settling north of Towanda, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber and owned a large mill on Fowler Creek. He died of apoplexy about 1868. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda S. Staples, was born in Rutland County, Vt., and died in Bradford County in 1867. She was a daughter of John Staples, who was of remote German extraction and engaged extensively in farming in the Green Mountain State.

In the family of George and Amanda S. Bessey there are three sons living, namely: Herman, of this sketch; Rev. F. E., pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Rome, Pa .; and Hiram G., who lives in Elmira, N. Y. In 1861 the subject of this rec- ord was born at the home of his parents near Towanda, a beautiful borough in Bradford County, that derives its name from an Indian legend and means "two one day." His early childhood years were spent there and at Monroe- ton, but at the age of ten years he went to live with an aunt in Fairfax County, Va., and was reared on a large farm about nine miles from the city of Washington. At an early age he proved the possession of more than ordinary abil- ity and was therefore given the best educational advantages the schools of the country afforded. After completing the high school course, he pre- pared for Princeton College at Hightstown, N. J., graduating from the classical institute in that place. He then entered the freshman class of Princeton College, but after a year there, in 1882

he became a student in Lafayette College at Easton, where he spent a year.

On the completion of his studies our subject began to teach in Newcastle County, Del., and after a short time was appointed by Gov. Benja- min T. Biggs as superintendent of public instruc- tion for Newcastle County, receiving indorse- ment from the bar and judiciary of Delaware. He remained in that position from 1887 until 1890, inclusive, after which, in 1891, he began to study medicine in the University of Pennsyl- vania, remaining there until his graduation, June 13, 1895, with the degree of M. D. While in the university he took a special course in practical obstetrics and medical jurisprudence, and gained considerable valuable experience in the hospitals. For a time he was resident physician of the Phil- adelphia dispensary at Fifth and Chestnut Streets. In 1896 he came to Scranton and has since identi- fied himself with the Lackawanna County Med- ical Society and the other professional interests of the locality. While in Philadelphia he attended the medical, surgical and gynecological societies. In religious belief he is identified with the Pres- byterian Church, fraternally is a Master Mason, and in his political views adheres to Republican doctrines.

J JOHN WINFIELD AITKEN, who is one of the leading business men of Carbondale, was born in this city March 4, 1850, the only son of John and Anna (Arnold) Aitken, natives respectively of Glasgow, Scotland, and Rhode Island. His paternal grandfather, John Aitken, Sr., came from the higher class of the sturdy Scotch race, and was an expert mechanic and worker in iron and brass. On emigrating from Scotland to America, he settled in Philadel- phia, where he engaged in the manufacture of brass goods. Later, through the influence of a Scotch friend, he bought a large tract of land in Susquehanna County, adjoining the property of a cousin, John Tinker. Having been born and bred in the city of Glasgow, and having spent his entire life in commercial pursuits, he soon wearied of the monotony of farm life. Locating in Carbondale, he assisted his son John in the establishing of an iron and brass foundry.

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At the time the family emigrated to America, our subject's father was quite young, and he ac- companied his parents on their various removals. He became the pioneer manufacturer of the Lack- awanna Valley, and built up the leading enter- prise of the day in Carbondale. In 1843 he erect- ed the first three-story building in the place, on the corner of River Street and Salem Avenue, for the manufacture of agricultural implements and tinware, in connection with his large iron and brass foundry. While still comparatively young, Mr. Aitken departed this life in 1857. His wife, who was a member of a good old Puritan family of Revolutionary fame, died in 1894. Both were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. They had only two children, John W. and Anna Louise, who is the wife of H. B. Jadwin, of Car- bondale.

Educated in the high school of Carbondale, Mr. Aitken began his business career with Wil- liam H. Richmond, but later was with John Watt & Sons. He abandoned the mercantile trade to become connected with Jadwin & Co., in the drug business, and afterward formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, H. B. Jadwin, under the firm title of Jadwin & Aitken, their connection continuing for two years. In 1876 he established a drug store in North Main Street, and for eigh- teen years carried on a lucrative business there, but then sold out. He has been prominently identified with the city's growth and its various enterprises. His foresight, as president of the Carbondale board of trade, which he organized in 1886, gave the city its system of electric light- ing, the first plant ever sold by the Westinghouse Company. In 1878 he purchased the Keystone Hotel, corner of Main Street and Salem Avenue, and remodeled it into the Aitken Building, one of the most substantial store and office structures in the place.

For years Mr. Aitken devoted his best energies to securing for Carbondale an electric railway system superior to that of any city of similar size in the United States. Believing that the promo- tion of every progressive enterprise affects, di- rectly or indirectly, every citizen of the place, he never hesitates to endeavor to secure the co-oper- ation of others in plans for the prosperity of the

place. He was a charter member of the Young Men's Library Association, and, aside from Pro- fessor Francis, was the most active worker in its organization. Many other local enterprises have had his financial support and the benefit of his enterprise.

In the summer of 1896, in company with about one hundred and fifty members of the Manufac- turers' Club of Philadelphia, Mr. Aitken made an extensive tour through Europe. While in the United Kingdom and on the continent, they traveled in special cars chartered expressly for their use. In all parts of the various European countries they met with a most cordial reception, and were accorded an audience with Gladstone at his country-seat, Hawarden, where he gave them an address of welcome. When one of the party proposed three cheers for the "grand old man," it was given with such enthusiasm and fervor that he remarked he "thought the English people could beat the world in cheering, but they can't come up to you Americans."

In 1877 Mr. Aitken was united in marriage with Miss Isabella, daughter of George L. Morss. She died in 1895, leaving four children, George Morss, Ethel Lois, John Winfield, Jr., and Harold Morss.

P ROF. REEVE JONES. There are many noble arts that conduce to the develop- ment of the highest faculties of man, and among these music ranks as chief. Its power is boundless; it sways its scepter over the entire world, bringing within its kindly rule not only mankind but the animal kingdom as well. Legion are the names of the heroes whom music has inspired to deeds of deathless valor. Count- less, too, are the numbers of those who, in the common walks of life, have found in soul-stirring music a welcomed release from the heavy cares of life. It may therefore be justly regarded as a benefactor of the human race, and those who are the exponents of its rhythmic harmonies and the interpreters of its beauties deservedly rank among our greatest men.

As a concert pianist Professor Jones has at- tained a reputation that is not limited to Scran-

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ton, where he resides, but extends through other portions of the country. As a poet is said to be "born, not made," so may it be said of a musician, who can never achieve the greatest success un- less he possesses an innate love and talent for the art. Inheriting from his father decided talent in this line, the Professor has added thereto all the knowledge which instruction under the best mas- ters, at home and abroad, can secure, and is therefore thoroughly equipped for his life work. He makes a specialty of teaching fine tone pro- duction and in forining an artistic and refined touch upon the piano. In addition to instruc- tion upon the pianoforte he is musical director for the First Presbyterian Church, one of the finest in Scranton.

The family of which Professor Jones and his sisters, Mrs. T. J. Price and Mrs. Protheroe of Scranton, are members, originated in Wales, where his parents, Professor Robert and Jane (Simonds) Jones, were born. His father, who grew to manhood near Swansea, studied music there, adding by cultivation to the musical talent he had inherited. He had aheady attained some note as a musician when he came to America and settled in Pottsville, Pa., where he married. There he gave instruction in music and held the position of choir leader in the First Welsh Bap- tist Church. Under his efficient direction the choir became known as the finest in that part of the state. The Pennsylvania Glee Club, of which he was leader and which consisted of six- teen male voices, sang throughout the entire state, always winning the first prize in musical contests. Besides his other work, he composed a number of selections for the piano. Since 1884 he has lived in retirement in Scranton, his home being on the west side.

During the residence of his parents in St. Clair, Pa., the subject of this article was born in 1864. His childhood years were passed princi- pally in Scranton, where he attended the public and high schools. His musical talent became evident at a very early age and when only six he began to study under his father. Six years later he traveled with his father's company as pianist, visiting the principal cities of the United States, and spending almost one year in travel. In 1880,

wishing to obtain the highest advantages in the art, he went to Boston, where for three years he studied in Petersilea's Music School, graduating in 1884, with the gold medal and the highest honors among a class of thirty-four. He re- mained in Boston until 1885 as piano soloist and teacher, after which he made another concert tour of the United States.

Returning to Scranton in 1887, Professor Jones soon became well known here as a concert pianist. In 1890 he went to Europe as solo pianist with Madame Marie Roze, touring for two years, after which he opened a studio in Lon- don and engaged in concert work for two years. On his return to America in 1894, he taught for a year in New York City, and in 1895 established his studio in Scranton. For a time he had his studio at No. 134 Wyoming Avenue, but in Sep- tember, 1896, removed to his present location, on Linden Street and Adams Avenue. He has given concerts here and in Wilkesbarre, New York City and other places, his interpretations of the great masters winning applause even from the most critical. He has composed a number of pieces, as yet unpublished, which he renders at recitals. His art engrosses his attention to the exclusion of public affairs, but he is well in- formed upon national issues and supports Re- publican principles. In Boston he married Miss Jennie Mayell, who was born and reared in Lon- don and who is fitted, by education and accom- plishments, to be the companion of his intellect as well as his heart.

H ENRY FREY. Among the arts that con- tribute to the happiness of mankind there are none more valuable than photogra- phy. By means of it we are enabled to possess likenesses of dear ones, from whom the grave has parted us and whose portraits therefore are cherished with the deepest affection as links in memory's chain, binding us to the past. Through it, too, we trace the history of our lives or those of our children back through the different ages to babyhood. In modern times the art of pho- tography has been greatly developed, through the labors of men in different parts of the world,

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until now it has almost reached the stage of per- fection. Doubtless among the photographers of Scranton there is no one more devoted to his art or better informed with regard to it, than is the subject of this article. Without disparaging the work of other artists, it may with justice be said that as a photographer his work is unexcelled by any one in the city.

A native of Zurich, Switzerland, Mr. Frey is the son of Conrad and Anna (Neracher) Frey, who were born in the canton of Zurich and lived upon a farm there; the former is deceased, but the latter is still living, being at this writing eighty-one years of age. She is a member of the Reformed Church, to which her husband also be- longed. Of their three sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom survive, Henry is fourth in order of birth and the only one in America. He received his education in a gymnasium, after which he clerked in a cotton factory. Coming to the United States in 1869, he proceeded west- ward to Illinois and spent six months on a farm in Highland. Thence he went south to Missis- sippi and for a year engaged in raising cotton, but not liking the work or the climate, he went to Memphis, Tenn., and for two years was clerk in a furnishing store. It was while there that he studied photography, in which from the first he was deeply interested. On attaining a knowl- edge of the work, he journeyed through Missis- sippi as a traveling artist for a year, and then went to Baltimore, where he perfected himself in general photography.

In August, 1874, Mr. Frey came to Scranton and for a year worked in Mr. Jewell's gallery, after which he bought out that gentleman and continued the photograph gallery on the corner of Main and Jackson. In 1883 he purchased from L. R. Evans his present place, and after carrying on the two galleries for three years, he closed out the older, combining it with the one at No. 42I Lackawanna Avenue. Here he occupies a whole floor, having a reception room, operating room, laboratory, and a printing room on the top floor. The entire work he superintends himself, having three or four assistants. All negatives are pre- served, and he now has over thirty thousand on hand. He has cameras of different sizes up to

I4X17, and can make a photograph almost life size. In addition to photography, he does work in crayons, pastels, oil and water colors, porce- lain and india ink.

The marriage of Mr. Frey, which took place in Scranton, united him with Miss Louisa Blatter, who was born in Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, N. Y., and they reside at No. 519 Pine Street. Fraternally Mr. Frey is associated with the Knights of Pythias; Scranton Gruetli Verein (Swiss Society), of which he has been treasurer; Liederkranz, Turn Verein, Lackawanna Society of History and Science, and American Photogra- phers Association, some of the meetings of which he has attended. In national politics he affiliates with the Republicans and in religious connec- tions is a member of the Mifflin Avenue German Lutheran Church.

E DWARD CLARKSON. "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of," says Franklin. Select from among business men those who have no idle day in the year, and they are the men who keep posted concerning public questions, assist in local enterprises and give of their time to help in the upbuilding of their communities. He who knows how to economize time can engage in va- rious lines of work, yet find leisure for the consid- eration of national and local issues. Of Mr. Clarkson it may be said that, while his business duties are engrossing, they do not prevent him from taking a thoughtful interest in every plan for the advancement of Carbondale, his home, and the county as well.

Mr. Clarkson, who is president of the Electric Light Company and vice-president of the First National Bank of Carbondale, was born in this city December 6, 1831. His father, the late James Clarkson, was born in Hermand, Scotland, in 1799, and at the age of sixteen was made man- ager of the estate of Lord Maitland, which shows that in early life he displayed the executive abil- ity so noticeable in his later years. While hold- ing that position he married Margaret McGill, a native of the same place as himself, who died in Carbondale in 1871.

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Accompanied by his wife and child, James Clarkson came to America in 1829, landing in Philadelphia, where he made arrangements to take charge of the large farm of William Graham, at Dundaff. Soon, however, he saw greater op- portunities in his adopted country than the man- aging of a farm. It was about the time that coal was discovered in this vicinity, and he became connected with the Delaware & Hudson Rail- road, then building. He was made superintend- ent of the Delaware & Hudson coal mines and all of the great developments in their coal fields were under his ever watchful eye. This posi- tion he held for thirty years, when he resigned. Meantime, by good financiering and profitable investment, he accumulated a good-sized fortune.

During his connection with the mines, James Clarkson made one of the largest and most in- teresting private collections of fossils in the world. This he sold to the Smithsonian Institute at Washington for $10,000 and it is now on exhi- bition tliere. The sale was made during the Civil War and the sum received was donated by him to the relief of the soldiers in the fields and hos- pitals. While he took a warm interest in all local affairs, he never aspired to or held any of the local offices. An ardent Republican, he aided during the Civil War in maintaining the preser- vation of the Union. He was raised in the Pres- byterian faith, but during the latter years of his life with his wife he attended the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he was identified with the Order of Foresters. In the fall of 1876, when in feeble health, he visited the Centennial at Phil- adelphia and there contracted a severe cold, which was the cause of his death, November 10, 1876.

The only sister of our subject, Jemima, was born in Scotland and married John Love, of Car- bondale. She died in 1852 and her husband in 1874, leaving a daughter, Margaret, who is now living in Brooklyn and shares with our subject in the large estate. Edward Clarkson was edu- cated in Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and afterward learned the machinist's trade in a shop in Pittston, in which his father was interested. In December, 1862, he joined the crew as first-class fireman on board the monitor "Weehawken;"

he was one of the fortunate ones who escaped when this vessel was sunk off Morris Island. Afterward he was on the sloop-of-war "Pawnee," and remained until the expiration of his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged May 24, 1864. Later he was in the coal business in what is now known as the Franklin mine, but in the early 'os relinquished this on account of his father's failing health and from that time was constantly with his father until the latter's death, assisting in the management of his several large interests. He is a director in the Crystal Lake Water Company, the owner of many farms and other large property interests.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 19

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