Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 90

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

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His three sons were William, John and James. James was born on the home farm in Chester County in 1789, served as an officer in the War of 1812, and afterward engaged in the mercan- tile business at Pughtown, in his native county. As money was scarce at that time, he took a ship load of oak bark to England and exchanged it for merchandise. The oak bark was used in Eng- land for calico printing. He became engaged in the iron business in addition to his mercantile establishment and also had a foundry. It was at the time when the anthracite coal industry was in its infancy, and one day two four-horse loads of coal passed his place, destined for Philadelphia (there being no railroads), for an experiment to be introduced as fuel. He became interested, bought them and successfully used the coal in his foun- dry. The next two loads were taken to Phila- delphia, but were thrown into the street, and the new fuel declared of no value, as they could not make it burn. The trouble was they did not un- derstand that it required an underdraft. In 1820 he settled in Robeson Township, Berks County, where he devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits, though he had on his farm a tannery and sawmill at the head waters of French Creek. Later he bought the Jefferson furnace in Schuyl- kill County and operated it for years, in the manu- facture of pig iron, having ore mines of his own. In 1828 he was elected to the legislature from Berks County, and served two terms. The sec- ond time he received the unanimous support of both parties. He was a believer in educa- tion and an ardent supporter of the free school system. Prior to its adoption, however, he had schoolhouses built in his neighborhood, stand- ing the entire expense himself. In 1817 he mar- ried Mary M., the only child of Isaac and Cathar- ine Templin, who was born in Robeson, Berks County, Pa. Of their children John died at Pitts- ton in 1889, aged seventy-one; Mrs. Eveline Heckel died in 1885, aged sixty-one; William served in the emergency call for troops and died in 1896, at the age of seventy-one; James M. was

next in order of birth; Samuel A. resides at Read- ing; Oliver I. died in 1862; and Dr. Isaiah F. resides in Scranton.

James M. Everhart was born in Berks County, Pa., June 7, 1828. He was educated in the com- mon schools, but on account of failing health entered his father's tannery and learned the busi- ness thoroughly. After recovering his healtlı, he entered the New London Academy, where he graduated with honor in 1848. He was in a store at Westchester, Pa., with an uncle, for two years, then entered a jobbing house in Philadel- phia. 'In 1853 he went to Pittston, Pa., to look after the landed interests of his father in that sec- tion. Under his supervision these interests were largely increased. He gave his services and influ- ence to assist in repelling the invasion by Lee's army in 1863 and contributed largely to the com- fort and encouragement of the Federal army. In 1867, in company with his brother, Dr. Everhart, he made an extended tour through Europe and thus gained valuable information. In 1873 he removed to Scranton and bought an interest in the Scranton brass works. A year later, upon the death of his partner, he acquired sole control, and his mechanical skill and inventive genius here found a ready outlet. He improved and in- vented many appliances that greatly aided in his work, and some of which are in general use by the trade. In 1889 he took a trip to Central America in his mine interests, and in 1891 he went to Europe to settle a complicated mining case for a company of which he was president. In 1895 he took an extended trip, going through British America, Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California, and visited many of the mining districts in Utah, California and Colorado.

Mr. Everhart has not let his money lie idle, but invests it where it will do good and give labor to many workmen. He is president of the Everhart Coal Company and is the manag- ing director in both the Moosic Mountain and Mt. Jessup Coal Companies. He was the origi- nator and one of the incorporators of the Trad- ers National Bank, one of the most prominent financial institutions in the city, and is a director in the same. He is also a director in the Scran- ton Drop Forging Company and an organizer

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and director of the Moosic Mountain Railroad Company. Besides those named he is inter- ested in many operations and manufacturing es- tablishments here, and has large interests in coal and timber lands. He has avoided taking offices of a political nature, though often urged by his Republican friends to allow them to use his name. He has no desire to enter the political arena, nor has he the time if he had the inclina- tion. He is actively interested in St. Luke's Episcopal Church and is a vestryman of the same. In personal appearance he is a man of strong physique, with a face forceful in char- acter, and is of a mild and even disposition. His business abilities are of no ordinary kind, as is evidenced by the success of the varied enterprises in which he is engaged. His disposition is of rather a retiring nature, but his friendship once secured is lasting. His constitution is robust and he is blessed with excellent health. The years that have past rest lightly on his shoulders and he is more active and energetic than many men who lack a score of his years.

C HARLES R. CONNELL, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Lackawan- na Knitting Mills, also secretary and treasurer of the Scranton Button Company, Lim- ited, and one of the able young business men of Scranton, was born in this city, September 22, 1864, the son of Hon. William Connell. He was given every educational advantage afforded by the schools of this locality, for some time attend- ing Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Mass. Possessing the business ability characteristic of the family, inclination led him at an early age to gain a thorough insight into commercial affairs. In 1883 he took a position with the Hunt & Con- nell Company, and remained with them for two years. The organization of the Scranton But- ton Company, Limited, and his election to the of- fice of secretary led to his resignation with the Hunt & Connell Company, and his active identi- fication with the other concern.

From the inception of the Lackawanna Knit- ting Mills, Mr. Connell has been deeply inter- ested in the industry, believing that it offered op-

portunities for profitable employment to many working people here and also a chance for con- siderable pecuniary remuneration to the projec- tors. In December, 1886, a building was started and completed so that manufacturing operations began in June, 1887. In the fall of 1888 he was made secretary, treasurer and manager of the works, and his able discharge of duties proves his enterprise and efficiency as a business man. The works cover an entire block, corner of Brook Street and Remington Avenue, and are the larg- est in the state outside of Philadelphia, employ- ment being furnished to five hundred hands. Large quantities of woolen underwear are manu- factured, the sales for which extend throughout the entire country. The plant generates its own electricity with power furnished by six boilers.

At the same time Mr. Connell is secretary and treasurer of the Scranton Button Company, Lim- ited, which has a large plant adjoining the mills, and employs one hundred and fifty hands. In 1879 he became a member of Company C, Thir- teenth Regiment, N. G. P., in which he served for ten years. A member of the board of trade, he has served upon important local committees and in every way possible has endeavored to enhance the business welfare of Scranton. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a director in the Scran- ton Club, a member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, and Peter Williamson Lodge, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery, K. T. In this city he married Miss Lizzie Shafer, who was born in Stroudsburg, Pa., the daughter of Charles Sha- fer, of Scranton. They are the parents of two children, Bernard and Gladys.

J OHN COLLIGAN has been a resident of Scranton since young manhood and for some time followed the bricklayer's trade, but devotes his attention now principally to con- tracting and building. He is one of those citi- zens-of whom the city has a considerable num- ber-who came here from a foreign land and have identified themselves closely with local in- terests. County Clare, Ireland, is the place of his birth, and March 6, 1842, the date thereof.

M. J. MURRAY.

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When he was about eight years of age his par- ents, Patrick and Annie (Barry) Colligan, re- moved from their native county to Scotland, where the father secured work as a day laborer. In July, 1866, he brought the family to America and made a short sojourn in Susquehanna Coun- ty, Pa., remaining there from July to December, 1866, but in the latter month removed to Scran- ton. Here he passed his remaining days and died at the age of seventy-three.

While a boy in Scotland the subject of this sketch learned the bricklayer's trade, which has been his principal occupation in life. He ac- companied his parents to America and has been a resident of Scranton since 1866, beginning work at his trade at once after coming here. Some years later he formed a partnership with a broth- er and began as a contractor and builder, the two continuing together until 1893, when the connec- tion was dissolved. Since that time he has car- ried on the business alone. Among the con- tracts he has had are those for St. Patrick's Church and parsonage; House of the Good Shep- herd, erected at a cost of $50,000; orphan asy- lum, costing about $25,000; and many of the residences of the city. In political affairs he votes the Democratic ticket at national elections, but in city and county matters is liberal, voting for the man rather than the party. Reared in the Catho- lic faitlı, he is actively identified with this church. December 27, 1870, he married Johanna Behan, of Susquehanna County, Pa., and they have three children, Annie, John and Aloysius.

M. J. MURRAY, a successful coal operator residing in Dunmore, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, March, 10, 1846, the son of Peter and Bridget (Walsh) Mur- ray, natives respectively of Counties Sligo and Mayo. His father, who was a farmer in the old country, crossed the ocean in 1850 and established his headquarters in Dunmore, securing work in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Three years later he was joined by his family. Continuing in the employ of the same firm until he retired, he remained a resident of Dunmore until his death, which occurred in February, 1894,

at the age of about eighty. His wife, who died in 1892 at eighty-five years, was the daughter of Michael Walsh, a farmer of County Mayo and a participant in the rebellion of 1798.

The subject of this sketch and his brother, An- thony J., are the only sons in the family, and they have one sister, Mrs. Mary Russell, of Bethlehem, Pa. When a child of seven years, our subject was brought to the United States, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel, "Western World," from Liverpool to New York, and taking six weeks and three days. The vessel ran ashore on Sandy Hook and came nearly being torn to pieces, but the passengers, after three days on the ship, were taken off in row boats and brought to New York harbor on another ship. From New York Mr. Murray proceeded via Erie Rail- road to Lackawaxen, then by canal to Hawley, and from there by the Gravity road to Dunmore. At the age of eleven years he was given work with the Pennsylvania Coal Company, afterward was made driver boy and then slate picker for a mining company. Next he and his brother se- cured work as slate pickers in the Diamond mines, walking three miles to and from work each day, and receiving, he thirty cents and his brother twenty-five cents per day. His next position was as slate picker in the von Storch mine of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, which necessitated a walk of two miles each morning to the place of work. From slate picker he was transferred to the position of driver boy and then car runner, and was the first boy to run a car there after the tunnel was opened. He began to learn mining in the old shaft No. I of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, now abandoned.

Going west in 1866, Mr. Murray secured em- ployment in Youngstown, Ohio, but afterward went to Murphysboro, Ill., where he was em- ployed in the car shops of the Mt. Carbon Coal & Iron Company, learning the trade of a car builder. On his return to Dunmore, he secured work in Roaring Brook mine, but soon went back to Ohio, where he spent four months in Youngstown. On his return he resumed work for the Roaring Brook Coal Company, then was with Filer, Marsh & Reilly in Green Ridge col- liery (now Johnson's) and in a month became

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their assistant mine foreman, continuing in the position for three years. Next he engaged in min- ing in the same slope for five years, after which he was a miner for the Gipsy Grove mine of the Pennsylvania Coal Company for eighteen months. About that time he conceived the plan of mining for himself. In 1882, with his brother, Anthony J., he began in an abandoned mine of the Roaring Brook Coal Company. He had but four men to assist him, and his outfit was worth not more than $60, consisting of a truck, two screen jackets, and a mule. For this he was in debt. Working night and day, with little rest and no recreation, he managed to get a start. After the first winter Edward Spencer would not again lease the slope, but he obtained a lease from Dr. Throop and the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Three years' work there exhausted the mine, and he then secured work in the em- ploy of O. S. Johnson in the Green Ridge col- liery, his brother going with the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Eighteen months later he joined his brother with that company, but as soon as they were able to get another lease, they again started out for themselves, securing a lease from Throop & Parker of a mine considered worthless. A new shaft was sunk, which they operated a short time. They then started to sink deeper, but the distance was greater than they had calculated and the work was extremely difficult. They operated the mine for two years with a small breaker, and in the fall of 1892 built a new break- er and sank the shaft to the second and third vein. They are now mining from the first, second and third Dunmore veins and have a colliery with a capacity of five hundred tons per day, which is operated under the firm name of Murray, Corney & Brown, the members being M. J. and A. J. Murray, John Corney and Mrs. Brown (the widow of the gentleman originally connected with the firm). Murray's mine is operated by one hundred hands and is managed by our subject, the coal being handled by the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western.

Mr. Murray owns and occupies a comfortable residence in Monroe Avenue, Dunmore, and also owns other realty here. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Dunmore Electric Light, Heat &

Power Company, of which he is the president. Politically a Democrat at all times, he was for two terms a member of the borough council, and for five years was justice of the peace, having been commissioned by Governor Hoyt. In 1897 he was elected school director and is serving in that office. He is a member of the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association. His first wife was Bridget Corney, sister of his partner, John Corney. She died in Dunmore, after having be- come the mother of ten children: Peter, a gen- eral merchant of Dunmore; Lyda, at home; Annie, who died at the age of one year; Bridget, Mrs. McDade, of Dunmore; Michael, member of the class of 1897, Stroudsburg State Normal; Ettie, at home; Patrick, who died in boyhood; Nellie, who died in July, 1896, at the age of fifteen years; Aggie, at home; and John, who died in infancy. The second marriage of Mr. Murray united him with Bridget McAndrew, of Dun- more, and four children were born of this union. The family are respected by all who know them and are prominent in the work of the Catholic Church.

F S. DOUGLASS, M. D. The world has little use for the misanthrope. The uni- versal truth of brotherhood is widely . recognized, also, that he serves God best who serves his fellow-men. There is no profession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacri- fice or more devoted attention than the medical profession, and the successful physician is he, who through love of his fellowmen gives his time and attention to the relief of human suffer- ing. Dr. Douglass is one of the ablest repre- sentatives of this noble calling, and since May, 1884, has been one of the successful practitioners of Hyde Park, Scranton, located at No. 1030 West Lackawanna Avenue.

The Doctor was born in Newark, N. J., in No- vember, 1855, a son of Stephen M. Douglass, a native of Scotland. The paternal grandfather came to America, where he spent his remaining days. When a young man the father crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Newark,

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where he engaged in the manufacture of coach bodies for some time, but later removed to Bridgeport, Conn., where he was a contractor in the same line of work. Returning to Newark he there followed carriage-making until called to his final rest at the age of forty-five. He was twice married, having by the first wife two children, one of whom is still living, George M., of Newark, N. J. For his second wife he chose Esther Ba- corn, a native of New York City, and a daughter of Garrett Bacorn, who was also born in that city, and became an extensive shoe manufacturer of that place. The Bacorn family is of Holland origin, related to the Concilyeas, and was early founded in New York. The Doctor is the only child of his father's second marriage. After the death of Mr. Douglass his mother was again married, and there was one child born of that union, Maude Brown, of East Orange, N. J. At that place the mother departed this life at the age of forty-six years.

Dr. Douglass obtained a good literary educa- tion in the high school of Newark. On account of ill health he went south, and later entered the medical department of the University of Geor- gia, where he graduated in March, 1883, with the degree of M. D. He first opened an office in Luzerne, Luzerne County, Pa., whence he came to Scranton, where he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice, which is justly merited, as he is widely recognized as a most skillful physician and surgeon.

In Scranton Dr. Douglass led to the marriage altar Miss Esther J. Bacorn, who was born in that city. Her father, John Bacorn, a native of New York City, came to Scranton at an early dạy, and was first employed as a blacksmith by the Iron & Coal Company. after which he served as veter- inary for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company for sixteen years, but now, at the age of seventy-four years, has laid aside active busi- ness and is enjoying a well earned rest at his home in Scranton. He is the oldest and one of the most honored members of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges at that place. The Doctor and his wife have three interesting children, John F., Lillian and James.

The Republican party finds in Dr. Douglass

one of its ardent supporters. He is medical ex- aminer for over a dozen life insurance companies, and also for the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees, with which he holds membership. He is a prominent member of the Lackawanna Medical Society, and in social as well as professional circles, holds a leading place, his pleasant, genial manners gaining him hosts of warm friends.

E DGAR G. COURSEN, proprietor of the grocery at No. 429 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, is the son of Joseph Hurd and Mary E. (Shafer) Coursen, and the grandson of Nathan Coursen, whose record appears in the sketch of Col. H. A. Coursen, upon another page. His father, who was born in Sussex County, N. J., June 4, 1821, was engaged in the mercantile business at Stillwater and there held the position of postmaster for thirty-five years, until 1893, when a change in administration caused him to resign. Since then he has made his home upon a farm near that place.

The maternal ancestors of our subject were of German descent. The first of the name in this country was Casper Shafer, who was born in Germany, about 17II and emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia. For some years he lived near Germantown, then went to the Hard- wick patent and settled at Stillwater in 1741. There he married Maria Katrina, daughter of John Peter Bernhardt, and a native of Germany, born in 1721, and accompanying her father to this country in 1731. They had four children and the third, Col. Abraham, married Sarah, youngest daughter of Nathan Armstrong, of Scotch-Irish lineage. She was born near John- sonburg, Warren County, N. J., January 10, 1761, and her father was born near Londonderry, Ire- land, about 1717, and came to this country about 1740. Col. Abraham Shafer was born Decem- ber 17, 1754. He had ten children and the third, Nathan Armstrong Shafer (then spelled Schaef- fer), was the maternal grandfather of our subject and was born February 17, 1786, and died De- cember 2, 1849. He established a successful tan-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nery at Stillwater, April 1I, 1825. The first meet- ing of the township was held at his house and he was elected a member of the town committee. He was a director of the Sussex Bank and a member of the assembly in 1825. For fifteen years from January 21, 1833, he was judge of the court of common pleas. He married Sarah, daughter of John and Martha (Hunt) Linn, and they had seven children. The Linns were of Scotch-Irish origin. Joseph Linn, who was born in 1725 and died April 8, 1800, married Mar- tha Kirkpatrick, who was born in Belfast, Ire- land, in 1728. During the Revolution he was adjutant in the second regiment of Sussex mi- litia. John, the youngest of his eight children, married Martha, daughter of Lieut. Richard Hunt, May 19, 1791, and their second child, Sarah, was married to Mr. Shafer.

Mary Elizabeth, eldest child of Nathan A. Sha- fer, was born January 21, 1823, and November 14, 1844, became the wife of Joseph Hurd Cour- sen, who was born June 4, 1821, a son of Isaac Ventile and Phebe (Hurd) Coursen. She was educated at Miss Mann's school in Morristown, and is a lady of noble character, whose beautiful Christian life has been a blessing to her family. She is now seventy-five and her husband sev- enty-six years of age. Their son, W. E., repre- sents a New York firm, and resides at Succasun- na; Emma L. and Lucilla are at home. Our sub- ject, who was third in order of birth, was born in Stillwater, N. J., July 30, 1852, and received a public school education. In September, 1869, he came to Scranton and for three years was en- ployed in the dry-goods house of Coursen & Blair, after which he was with W. J. Crane one year, then one year with his former employers. Associated with A. H. Coursen, in 1874, he form- ed the firm of A. H. & E. G. Coursen, grocers, opening a store within two doors of his present location. March 28, 1893, he bought out his partner and has since continued the business alone. Since 1880 he has been at his present place, where he has the finest house of the kind in the city, being the leading fancy grocer in northeastern Pennsylvania. While he handles every kind of staple and fancy groceries, he has always refused to keep liquors in stock.

In Elizabeth, N. J., Mr. Coursen married Miss Rebecca Cissel, who was born in Georgetown, D. C., received her education in New York City, and is the mother of three children: Gertrude Linn; E. G., Jr., and Katharine Lawrence Bar- nard. R. S. T. Cissel, father of Mrs. Coursen, was formerly a business man of Georgetown, later of New York City, and now resides in Elizabeth, N. J. In the early part of the war, when the gov- ernment was bankrupt, and the future uncertain, he furnished a portion of the supplies for the army. While in Georgetown he built a church there, and he is now an elder in the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth. His parents came from England and settled in the south.

Active in the work of the Second Presbyterian Church, Mr. Coursen has had charge of the music in the Sunday-school for more than fif- teen years. He is interested in the west side mis- sion work of his church, is a member of the Y. M. C. A., and chairman of the advisory board of the Florence Mission. Along business lines he is active and progressive, and is identified with the board of trade. His energy is shown in the building up of the establishment which he now owns and in the work he has accomplished for social, religious and educational measures in his city.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 90

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