Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 88

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

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D ANIEL C. HUYCK, superintendent of the farm of the late Col. Ira Tripp and a resident of Lackawanna County since 1860, was born in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, Pa., March 9, 1827, and is the son of Isaac and Cynthia (Lyon) Huyck. As the name indicates, the family is of German de- scent. His grandfather, William Huyck, was born in Ohio, and being orphaned in boyhood was taken into the home of Mr. Fitzgerald, an Irish farmer, who reared and trained him for a life of usefulness. When a young man he was given a farm of fifty acres by Mr. Fitzgerald in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, and subsequently added to it by purchase until he

acquired the ownership of four hundred acres ly- ing on the Susquehanna River. During the War of 1812 he bore an honorable part as a sol- dier in the defense of this country. He and his wife experienced all the horrors of the Wyom- ing massacre, but succeeded in making their es- cape. In politics he was an old line Whig. He acquired valuable possessions and at his death when eighty-seven left a large estate.

Isaac Huyck was born in Standing Stone Township and grew to manhood on the old homestead, which, after his father's death, was divided into three farms. One of these he cul- tivated and improved, but after a time sold it and purchased another place. In 1859 he moved to Iowa, settling at West Union, Fayette Coun- ty, and there died at the age of eighty-seven. All of his children except our subject settled in the same locality. The wife and mother was born in New York State and died in Iowa when nearly ninety years of age. Her parents came to this country from England and her father was a physician in Chenango County, N. Y. Her six children were named as follows: Daniel C .; Cordelia, who died in early life; William, Charles, Randolph and Sarah, all in Iowa.

Reared on the home farm, in youth our sub- ject had few educational advantages. He was a student in the early log school house, where instruction was conducted upon the subscription plan, and where the building and instruction were equally crude. The seats were made of slabs, supported by wooden legs, and boards resting upon pegs inserted in the walls were utilized for writing desks. In 1857 he removed to another place in the township, and in 1860 came to Abington, this county. The following year he embarked in farming near Waverly. May 18, 1874, he came to Scranton and accepted a posi- tion as superintendent farmer for Col. Ira Tripp, in which capacity he has since remained. Not only has he been very successful in general farm- ing, but he is considered an expert in the raising of Jersey and Alderney cattle and fine horses. He has never desired to take an active part in politics, but is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles and is well posted regarding cur- rent events.

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In Durell Township, Bradford County, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Huyck to Miss Eliza Benjamin, daughter of David Benjamin, a far- mer there, where she was born. Three children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Huyck, but all are deceased: William, who died in Scranton; Mrs. Mary Adney, who passed away in Iowa; and Milton, a bright young man of eighteen years, who was accidentally killed on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. The home of Mr. Huyck is situated at No. 1009 North Main Avenue.

C HARLES C. LAUBACH, D. D. S., of Scranton, was born in Riegelsville, Bucks County, Pa., June II, 1860, and is a son of Augustus and Mary C. (Huff) Laubach. His grandfather, Isaac Laubach, was born in Penn- sylvania and for years followed the occupation of a mason and contractor. His last years were spent in Warren County, N. J., where he passed away. The family of which he was a member was numbered among the oldest of the state. The first account of any representatives begins with the emigration to America, from the Palatinate, Germany, of Christian, Reinhardt and Marguer- ite Laubach, who embarked at Rotterdam on board the sailing vessel, "Queen Elizabeth," Alexander Hope, master, and landed at Phila- delphia, Pa., September 16, 1738.

Augustus Laubach was born in this state and is a mason by trade, having in earlier life had many important contracts in various places. At this writing he is seventy-four years of age, and is proprietor of the American House at Belvi- dere, N. J. During the war he responded to draft, but was rejected. His wife was born in Warren County, N. J., where her father, Andrew Huff, was a farmer. She is deceased, as is also one of their four children. Our subject, who is the only surviving son and the youngest child, was reared in Belvidere, N. J., from five years of age, attending the public and high schools, and graduating from the latter at sixteen years. In 188I he came to Scranton and for three years worked in the employ of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, then returned to New Jersey,

where he studied dentistry under Dr. E. M. Bees- ley. In 1884 he entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, from which he graduated two years later, with the degree of D. D. S.

April 1, 1886, Dr. Laubach opened an office in Scranton, and for seven years had an office ad- joining his present location, to which he re- moved in 1893. He has conducted an increas- ing practice among the people of this place, by whom he is held in high regard as a man of skill in his chosen profession. In order to gain a per- fect knowledge of the latest improvements in den- tistry, in the fall of 1894 he took a post-graduate course in Haskell's Post-Graduate School of Prosthetic Dentistry, where he received a de- gree. His office, at No. 115 Wyoming Avenue, is equipped with every improvement for profes- sional use, electricity being used as operative power. He makes a specialty of crown and bridge work, in which department he has met with success. Fraternally he is connected with the Improved Order of Heptasophs, politically is a Republican, and in religious connection holds membership in the Elm Park Methodist Episco- pal Church. In Blairstown, N. J., he was united in marriage with Miss S. Catherine Shannon, and they have two children, Francis S. and Margaret S. Mrs. Laubach was born in Warren County, where her father, John Shannon, was engaged in the occupation of an agriculturist.

D AVID LEARN. Since 1871 this gentle- man has been in charge of the truck farm in Ransom Township, which, through his industrious efforts, has proved the source of a handsome revenue. Through care of the soil and attention to its cultivation, it is made to yield bountiful harvests of garden produce. In addi- tion thereto, a fine berry plantation is one of the noticeable features of the place. A glance at the farm shows that the owner is not a careless or im- provident man, for the buildings are kept in good repair, the fencing is substantial, and the fields are in excellent condition.

The father of our subject, Amos, was a son of Peter Learn, and was born and reared in Monroe County, Pa., but spent his active life

JOHN T. FITZPATRICK.

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principally in Newton Township, this county, where he died at sixty-four years. He married Margaret Shook, also a native of Monroe Coun- ty, and she died at the age of forty-eight. Of their family of eight children, five are living, the most of whom reside upon farms. David was born at the old homestead in Newton Township, Jan- uary 29, 1847, and at an early age gained a thor- ough knowledge of the details of farm work, which he selected for his occupation upon attain- ing manhood.

In boyhood Mr. Learn did not have many edu- cational advantages, for in those days school- houses were few and the information imparted in them was meager indeed. Pennsylvania at that time possessed none of the advanced ideas that at the present time make it the peer of every state in the nation in educational matters. Appreciating the more, on account of his own lack of oppor- tunities, the advantage of a good education, he has used his influence to advance the interests of the schools of this locality and has served effi- ciently in school offices. In youth he was filial and obedient to his parents, never giving them an unkind word, and in all the relations of life he is true to himself and to others. A peaceable, law- abiding citizen, just to his neighbor, and of friend- ly spirit, he is respected by those who know him and occupies a prominent place among the farmers of the township.

J OHN T. FITZPATRICK, who has resided in Scranton since 1852, was born in West- porttown, County Mayo, Ireland, in Oc- tober, 1837, the son of Dennis and Sabina (Mc- Nally) Fitzpatrick, also natives of that county. His father, who was proprietor of a grocery and of a hotel, fell a victim to a fever that caused the death of himself, wife and two children within two weeks of one another. The family consisted of five sons and one daughter, of whom John T. is the only one in Scranton. On Christmas Day of 1856 they were all together here, the last time they have met. One of the sons, Michael, who was in the south at the time of the Civil War, was forced into the Confederate army, but made his escape as soon as possible, and came north,

entering the United States regular army, in which he served for five years; he is now in the city of Detroit. Another son, Dennis, was in the Fed- eral army.

Our subject, who was next to the eldest of the family, remained in Westporttown until 1852, when he set sail in the "Nicholson," Captain Clark, that reached St. Johns after a voyage of forty-three days. He proceeded from there to New York City, thence to Philadelphia, from there by rail to Pottsville, and by stage from Pottsville to Scranton. For a short time he attended school in Carbondale, after which for a year he was employed on section thirteen of the south division, Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Railroad, and then worked for Judson Clark in his mine in the Notch, receiving $1 per day as driver boy. In February, 1857, he took a position in the store of John Walsh, but after a few months left there and worked for Phinney & Schott, where the United States Hotel now stands, corner of Penn and Vine. Three years were spent in that way there, and he then accompanied the firm to Taylorville, remaining until June, 1860, when he took a position with the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Company.

In March, 1861, Mr. Fitzpatrick started for himself in the meat business in Penn Avenue, Scranton, where the Pacific Hotel now stands. Later he had a livery and undertaking establish- ment, first alone and later with a partner. Au- gust 10, 1873, he sold out to his partner, after which he was not actively engaged in business for four years. However, for one year of that time he was assessor of the eighth ward. In November, 1877, he became a clerk for the Green Ridge Coal Company, and in January, 1881, took a position as traveling salesman for his brother in a New York City house, but the work not be- ing congenial he abandoned it. Afterward he traveled in the west, especially in Colorado and New Mexico, and on his return to Scranton built a three-story double brick on South Wash- ington Avenue and Hickory Street, where he opened a general mercantile store. After eigh- teen months he sold out and embarked in con- tracting business in Washington Avenue. Since selling out there he has engaged in general con-

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tracting. He has built two bridges for the New Jersey Central Railroad, has had contracts for city sewers and for the Pittston Avenue culvert, three hundred and sixty feet long, also for the fourth main sewer, the largest in the city. He has erected several buildings in Scranton, includ- ing his private residence on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Delaware Street. In addition to other enterprises he is interested in the Scranton Savings Bank and Trust Company, of which he is one of the original stockholders.

In national politics Mr. Fitzpatrick is Demo- cratic, but in local matters votes for the man who he believes will best represent the people. He is a Knight Templar Mason and was formerly identified with the Coeur de Lion Commandery, while he is now past officer in Union Lodge. In Scranton, Pa., he married Elizabeth Armour, who was born in Ireland. They are the parents of four children: John J., who is employed in the railroad department of the Delaware & Hud- son Canal Company; Sabina, Elizabeth and Catherine.

B ENJAMIN COMBE HOPKINS, M. D., has since June, 1870, been one of the lead- ing physicians of Dunmore, opening an office at that time across the street from where he is now located. Nor alone is there particular interest attached to his career as one of the pioneer physicians of the place, but in reviewing his genealogical record we find his lineage tracing back to the colonial history of the nation and to that period which marked the inception of the grandest republic the world has ever known.

The Hopkins family was originally from Waterloo Point, England, and was founded in Delaware at a very early day in its history. There the great-grandfather of the Doctor, John Hop- kins, was born and engaged in agricultural pur- suits throughout life. The grandfather, Zebulon Hopkins, also a farmer, spent his entire life in that state. James Hopkins, the father, was born in Delaware, and like his ancestors was an ag- riculturist by occupation, operating his father-in- law's old place until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-eight years of age. He had

wedded Mary Combe, who was born in 1801, a daughter of Samuel Combe, and died aged eighty-three years. Her grandfather, Benjamin Combe, who was of English descent, settled in Delaware at a very early day, securing a large tract of land on which he built a large colonial house during Revolutionary times.

The Doctor is the third in order of birth in the family of seven children, the others being as fol- lows: Elizabeth died in Delaware; Mrs. Susan Wilson also died in that state, leaving one son; James H. is a physician of Dover, Del .; Mary E. is the wife of Rev. Wm. M. Warner of Milling- ton, Md .; Samuel died in 1862, at the age of twenty-eight years; and Mrs. Deborah Lobstein is a resident of Greensboro, Md.

Near the present city of Felton, Kent Coun- ty, Del., Dr. Hopkins was born, in November, 1829, and in private schools of that state he ob- tained his literary education. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Cahall of Frederica, Kent County, Del., and also entered the office of Dr. De Costa of Philadelphia, and the Jeffer- son Medical College, from which he graduated in 1855, with the degree of M. D. After a short time engaged in practice in Bridgeville, Sussex County, Del., he located in Felton near his old home, but for eighteen months during the war he practiced in Philadelphia, after which he re- turned to Felton, and in 1870 came to Dunmore, where he soon secured an excellent patronage. He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and has always been a progressive physician, constantly improving on his own and others' methods and gaining further encouragement and inspiration from the perfor- mance of each day's duties.

In Wilmington, Del., Dr. Hopkins led to the marriage altar Miss Sallie B., daughter of Thomas E. Sudler, who was for some years pro- fessor of mathematics in Dickenson College, this state, but spent his last years in retirement at Winton, Lackawanna County. After a short married life, Mrs. Hopkins died, and the Doctor later married her sister, Miss Annie E. Sudler, who is now deceased. Her mother belonged to the Emery family of the eastern shore of Mary- land, of which Bishop John Emery, of the M. E.

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Church, is also a member. The Doctor has two children: Thomas, who is employed in the office of the Pennsylvania Coal Company; and James, who is studying architecture in Scranton and New York. With the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dunmore the father holds member- ship, and in politics he has been a pronounced Republican since the formation of the party, and previously was a Whig. Like his father he has always been opposed to the Democratic party.

H ORACE HOLLISTER, M. D., author of Hollister's History of Lackawanna County, was born in Salem, Wayne Coun- ty, Pa., November 30, 1822, and died in Scran- ton, December 29, 1893. Some years before his birth his parents, Alanson and Sally (Goodrich) Hollister, who were natives of Connecticut, came with their respective families to Salem and were there married in 1819. In the early years of the nineteenth century educational opportunities were meager, and the fact that Dr. Hollister afterward attained eminence in literature and pro- fessional success proves that he was a man of genius. The one term spent in the Bethany Academy was of the greatest assistance to him in laying the foundation of the broad knowledge he afterward possessed.

After spending the summers of 1837 and 1838 boating on the North Branch Canal, between Wilkesbarre, Pittston and Philadelphia, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Burr of Salem, afterward studied with Ebenezer T. Losey, of Honesdale, and finally was with Dr. B. H. Throop of Providence. In 1846 he grad- uated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of New York, and at once returned to Providence and took charge of Dr. Throop's practice, while the latter removed temporarily to Carbondale. He continued to make his home here until the close of his life. From boyhood he was deeply interested in history and archeol- ogy, especially in that pertaining to the Lacka- wanna Valley. When he was a boy there were people still living who had witnessed the Indian atrocities in this state, and in their narratives he took the deepest interest. Though engrossed

with the duties of a large practice, he found time to amass a large and valuable collection of In- dian relics, including twenty thousand imple- ments of every material known to the red men.

The crowning achievement of the life of Dr. Hollister was the preparation for and writing of his History of Lackawanna County, which is the standard authority for this section. For this dif- ficult literary labor he was eminently fitted, not alone by his thorough knowledge of the locality and its early history, but also by his literary abil- ity, which was of a high character. As a writer he was graceful and fluent, humorous, at times sarcastic, entertaining, clear and keen. Although of an entirely different character, his literary at- tainments quite equalled those of his sister, Mrs. L. A. Watres, who is known to history as "Stella of Lackawanna," the gifted poetess. During the latter part of his life he was paralyzed and unable to engage in active practice, but, until death came, he continued his literary labors, and be- sides revising his history, which has passed through several editions, he contributed to va- rious magazines on both professional and gen- eral subjects. November 2, 1847, at Wilkesbarre, he married Mary E. Goff of Luzerne County, who survives him. They became the parents of three daughters: 'Frank, Mrs. H. C. Albright, of Utica; Mrs. Gertrude Lackey of Minneapolis; and Bessie, Mrs. W. E. Anderson, of Scranton.

M ISS JENNIE A. KENNY, owner of one of the leading dressmaking establish- ments in Scranton, is a woman of good business ability, and by sound judgment and ex- cellent management she has secured considera- ble property in that place. A native of England, she is the sixth in order of birth in the family of eleven children born to Michael and Bridget (Tobin) Kenny, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while eight are yet living, one brother still a resident of England. In Decem- ber, 1866, the parents left their old home in Dur- ham, England, where the father had engaged in farming, and came to the New World, locating on the south side in Scranton. The father ob- tained employment in the mines of Connell &

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Co., and continued to make his home in Scran- ton until called to his final rest in 1881, when sixty-four years of age. At that time he was liv- ing on Fig Street. His widow is still a resident of this city.

Miss Kenny obtained her education in the public schools of this place, and learned the dress- maker's trade with Pettigrew, the leading dress- maker of Scranton. For twelve years she had charge of the dressmaking department of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company's store, re- maining with them until they discontinued the millinery, dressmaking and tailoring depart- ments in 1888, when she started in business for herself at the corner of Spruce Street and Wash- ington Avenue, where the Mears Building now stands. In February, 1893, she located at her present place, No. 433 Adams, where she is now conducting one of the finest establishments of the kind in the city.

As a faithful member of the Catholic Church, Miss Kenny takes an active part in all charitable and benevolent work. She is a member of St. Peter's congregation; is a charter member of St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral; has belonged to the Sodality of the Cathedral since its organiza- tion; was one of the organizers of the Woman's Keeley League, to which she still belongs; is an honorary member of Associate Charities and St. Joseph Foundlings Home. Politically her sym- pathies are with the Democratic party.

W ILLIAM FRINK. About forty-five years have rolled away since this gen- tleman began his railroading career as brakeman, and he has since been dispatcher and station agent, having filled the latter responsible position for over thirty years. For almost half a century he has been an employe of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western, and if there were no other facts to argue from, this one alone should prove his faithfulness to his duty, his hon- esty and integrity of purpose and the esteem in which the company holds him.

The birthplace of Mr. Frink is in Susquehanna County, Pa., whither his paternal grandfather, William Frink, removed with his family at a very

early day in the history of this state. The lat- ter bought a farm and engaged in its improve- ment during the rest of his life. He was a na- tive of Connecticut, and so was his son, Benajah, father of our subject, whose boyhood home was near the pretty town of Norwich. When he ar- rived at man's estate, he turned his attention to the management of a farm located in Auburn, Susquehanna County, and continued to reside there until he died at the age of eighty years. His faithful companion and helpmate, whose maiden name was Nancy Hancock, was born in Wilkes- barre and died when over ninety-one years. Her father, John Hancock, was a man of prominence in his day, and was always referred to as "the squire." Relatives of theirs were concerned in the Wyoming and other massacres and Indian troubles of the early days. The four sons of Benajah and Nancy Frink were: Orrin, Tracy, Isaac and William, and only the last-named sur- vives. Orrin, who was engaged in merchandis- ing, died in this city; Tracy died in Montrose and Isaac died in Potter County.

In the usual manner of farmer boys the early years of our subject were passed on the old homestead. In 1853, when he was twenty-eight years old (as he was born in February, 1825), he left home and started out in the world for him- self. Coming to Scranton, he entered the em- ploy of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, and for about six months was brakeman on a coal train running between this place and Great Bend, a distance of forty-eight miles. Then he was the train dispatcher in the Scranton yards until the Bloomsburg branch of the road was completed to Kingston, when he ran the first freight train over the line. From that time until this new branch was merged in the general rail- road system he was the agent for the Blooms- burg division. Since then he has been station freight agent of the whole system in Scranton, and superintends some seventy or more men.

In Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, the mar- riage of Mr. Frink and Miss J. A. Bissell, daugh- ter of a noted physician of the place, was cele- brated in March, 1853. Mrs. Frink is a native of the village of Brooklyn and was there educated and grew to womanhood. The only living child

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of this worthy couple is Lillian, wife of E. H. Shurtleff, Esq., an attorney residing in Scranton. The home of the Frink family is on the west side, No. 1119 Washburn Street. They are members of the Washburn Street Presbyterian Church. In political matters Mr. Frink is a true- blue Republican.

M ICHAEL FRANCIS FADDEN. In political circles of the county, the name of M. F. Fadden, of Priceburg, is well known and influential. Believing in the princi- ples of the Democratic party, he has always zeal- ously advocated them, and has done good service for his chosen political organization. In the his- tory of the country and upon the issues of the day he is well informed. He has served in various positions of trust, and in 1896, was the candidate of his party for the legislature, but suffered defeat in the general "landslide" of that year.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 88

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