Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 92

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

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The fact is Mr. Busteed is a thorough cosmo- politan, and has large acquaintance and would be as much at home in London as in New York, Boston as in Rome, and Vienna as New Orleans.

M AJ. MONTROSE BARNARD, of the Thirteenth Regiment, N. G. P., formerly chief engineer for the Hillside Coal & Iron Company, civil and mining engineer, and contractor for blue stone, with office in the Re- publican Building, Scranton, but now chief engi- neer for the Blossburg Coal Company at Arnot, Pa., was born in Washington, D. C., in 1860. The Barnard family is of English origin. The first of the name to come to this country was his grandfather, Robert, son of Samuel Barnard, and a resident of the United States from early manhood. After coming here he married Sophia Cropley, an English lady, and for years he was connected with Corcoran in the banking busi- ness in Washington.

The Major's father, Col. Robert W. Barnard, was born in Georgetown, D. C., and engaged in the mercantile business in Washington until 1861. At the first call for volunteers in the Union service he enlisted and through his ac- quaintance with Gen. Lorenzo Thomas was given a commission as lieutenant in the Nine- teenth United States Infantry, in which he soon rose to the rank of captain, and afterward was commissioned colonel. His regiment was with the Army of the Cumberland during most of the war. He was present at Nashville, Tenn., when Hood was finally routed. At the close of the conflict he was mustered out as colonel of volun- teers, and, in his former rank of captain, went south and west, being stationed at Newport Barracks, Covington, Ky., later at Little Rock, Ft. Smith and Ft. Riley. In the spring of 1867, with General Hancock, he went upon an Indian expedition through Kansas and Colorado, leav- ing his family meantime at Ft. Riley, Kan. From there he was transferred to Ft. Sumner, N. M., of which he had charge for a few months. He was then removed to Pine Bluff, Ark., and from there ordered to Baton Rouge, La., remaining in that city until his death, when his remains were

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interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D. C. He was born in September, 1827, and died in July, 1870.

The mother of our subject, Catherine, was born in Montrose, Susquehanna County, the daughter of George Fuller, also a native of that place. The latter part of her life was spent in Scranton, where she died in June, 1896. Her grandfather, Edward Fuller, was of English descent, a lineal descendant of one of the "Mayflower" passen- gers, and was born in Connecticut about 1770, being the first of the family to settle in Susque- hanna County. He was the first sheriff of the county, for years was proprietor of a hotel, and died in 1854. George Fuller, M. C., was born in Connecticut in 1802 and early identified himself with the Democratic party. In 1826 he was elected clerk of the board of county commission- ers and served for two years; in 1835 was chosen county treasurer and in 1839 became prothono- tary, serving for three years. For twenty years he was editor of what is now the Montrose "Re- publican." He served the last year of the twenty- eighth congress to fill a vacancy caused by the death of A. H. Read. In 1855 he came to Scran- ton and engaged in the mercantile business. When Scranton became a city he was commis- sioned to settle up the affairs of the old board. During the last ten years of his life he was trus- tee in settling the affairs of the Scranton Trust Company and Savings Bank. After an illness of but two days, he died suddenly of paralysis in November, 1888.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of five sons and one daughter. Rob- ert, who was born in 1852, was in the gunboat service during the war and afterward entered the United States navy, but in 1871 was washed over- board from his ship, which was owned by A. A. Lowe & Co., of New York. George F. is super- intendent of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Com- pany. Frederick lives in Bradford and Edward in Scranton. Eleanor is the wife of J. W. Part- ridge, of Ft. Collins, Col. Our subject, who was next to the youngest in order of birth, spent his earlier years amid the wild scenes of the far west- ern frontier and his earliest recollections are of forts, soldiers, long rides in wagons, and danger-

ous trips from one post to another. After the death of his father in 1870 he came to Scran- ton with the other members of the family and received his education in the public and high schools here. At the age of nineteen he became surveyor with the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Railroad Company, and later was engaged in railroad work with the Pennsylvania Coal Company. For six months he was employed in New York City, then engaged in govern- ment survey from Pittston to Athens along the Susquehanna River, and in 1883 began as a min- ing engineer with the Pancoast Coal Company. After two years he commenced private practice as civil and mining engineer, but in 1886 took a position with the Hillsdale Coal & Iron Com- pany, of which he was chief engineer from June, 1891, until February, 1897, and is now chief en- gineer for the Blossburg Coal Company at Ar- not, Pa. The Hillside has six collieries and nine shafts in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Susquehan- na Counties, the engineering oversight of which is in the hands of Major Barnard and two assist- ants. In 1892 he began as a contractor for blue stone for buildings, and this he has since con- tinued.

The marriage of Major Barnard, February 10, 1892, in Connecticut, united him with Miss Het- ty F. Jarvis, of Hartford. In 1877 he was one of the original members of the old Thirteenth Regiment and for five years he was a private in Company D; in 1882 he was made corporal; the following year sergeant, in 1886 first sergeant, March I, 1889, was commissioned captain, and April 9, 1895, was made major of the regiment, which he has since held. He is connected with the Scranton Engineers' Club and in politics is a stanch Republican.

L UTHER C. BORTREE, deputy sheriff and a farmer residing in Covington Town- ship, was born January 24, 1832, on the estate where he now makes his home. His fatlı- er, William, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and accompanied his parents to America at the age of eight years, settling in Nobletown, Wayne County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. In 1819

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he came to Luzerne (now Lackawanna) County and worked in the employ of others until 1830, when he purchased the place in Covington Town- ship, where the remainder of his life was busily passed. Farming was his life work and in it he continued until his death at sixty-six years of age. A Republican in political views, he served as supervisor of the township and held other local offices. He was a son of Thomas Bortree, a na- tive of County Mayo, a farmer and shoemaker, and fraternally a Royal Arch Mason.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Maria Goodrich, and died when about forty-five years of age. Of her nine children the following survive: Luther C .; William, who resides in Scranton, and is employed as engineer for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- road; Amasa, who is engineer on a passenger train for the same road; Wells, who is also with this company; and George, who lives in Mos- cow. The early years of Luther C. Bortree were spent in the home of his parents. When his mother died in 1848, the family broke up house- keeping, and he secured work on a farm, where he remained for two years. Afterward he was employed in a handle factory in this township for three years. His next position was that of fore- man in the building of the Delaware, Lackawan- na & Western Railroad. In 1857 he returned to the old home farm of fifty-three acres, which he had purchased while working on the railroad. Since that time he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is deputy-sheriff.

November 26, 1864, Mr. Bortree enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, as a private, and served until June 23, 1865, being present at Strawberry Plains, October 7, 1864, and at Chapin's Farm, and in front of Richmond. He was on the skir- mish line when Lee surrendered, and in the last fight was wounded by a shell striking his left hand and cutting off a portion of his little finger. At the close of the war he returned to the home farm. Prior to entering the service he had held the position of deputy sheriff about three years, and on his return from the front he was again appointed to the position, which he has since filled. In national politics he is a stanch Repub-

lican, but is liberal, giving others the same privi- lege of freedom of thought he demands for him- self. At one time he was deputy United States marshal; has also served as constable, tax collec- tor, school director, superintendent of the poor and as supervisor for several terms.

The marriage of Mr. Bortree, January 28, 1856, united him with Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Edward Wardell, of this county. She was born June 8, 1835, and died May 5, 1892, having had six children. Walter, the eldest child, died at eighteen years; William E. is a resident of Colo- rado; Addie married George W. Beeten and died August 5, 1895, leaving a son, George B., who has been adopted by our subject; Lizzie is the wife of Edward Wombarger, of Colorado; Stan- ley is a teacher in Miller's State Normal School; and Etta is the wife of Richard Bell, of this town- ship.

Fraternally Mr. Bortree is a charter member of Moscow Lodge No. 504, F. & A. M. He was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge No. 261, at Scranton, August 8, 1848, and is identified with the Masonic Veterans' Association, and for thir- ty-nine years has been a master mason. An ac- tive Grand Army man, he is a member of T. D. Swartz Post, and belongs to the Veteran Soldiers' Association. In addition to his farm work, he has often been engaged as auctioneer, in which he is quite successful. His farm is situated only one mile from the village of Moscow, and though small, is so well cultivated that it produces more than many places of twice its size.

T HOMAS G. BARRETT, M. D., who has his office and residence at No. 1920 Brick Avenue, Scranton, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a son of Prof. Michael and Catherine (Burke) Barrett. His father, who de- voted his life to educational work and was recog- nized as a successful teacher, came to America in middle life and spent his last days in St. Louis, dying there at an advanced age. The wife and mother passed away in Jacksonville, Ill. They were the parents of eleven children, all sons, of whom only three survive. The eldest, John, is a schoolteacher, and resides in Pittston; Edward

OWEN D. JOHN.

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lives in St. Louis; the youngest, Dominick, who was a schoolteacher, died in Illinois.

Educated in Ireland and a student in a classical school in County Mayo, the subject of this sketch afterward became a member of the engi- neers' corps in the British army, and went to Bengal, India, on a government survey. Two years were spent there in the service and he then returned to England, where he entered the Hyde Military College, in order to perfect himself in the theory and practice of military tactics and philosophy. Two years were spent there, and during the latter portion of this time he was an instructor in musketry. On the expiration of the . two years, he was honorably discharged from the army. He then entered Trinity College, Dublin, and took a four years' course in medi- cine, but left just prior to the time for gradua- tion.

In 1864 Dr. Barrett came to America and at once opened an office in St. Louis, but the follow- ing year returned east and selected Pittston, Pa., as his future home. There he began professional practice and during the years that followed be- came known as a well informed, skillful physi- cian. In 1892 he removed to Scranton, where he has since been an exponent of the science of al- lopathy. While in Luzerne County, he served as street commissioner, burgess and justice of the peace in Hamptown. In religious belief he is a Catholic and holds membership in the Church of the Holy Rosary.

O WEN D. JOHN. Since 1856 Mr. John has been a resident of America and dur- ing that entire period his home has been in Pennsylvania. He is well known among the citizens of Scranton and is especially prominent in the fourth ward, from which he was elected alderman in 1894. His office is at No. 105 North Main Avenue. Like many of the foremost citi- zens of Lackawanna County, he is of Welsh birth and lineage. He was born near St. Clair, which lies in the mountainous shire of Carmarthen, September 6, 1834, and is a son of Daniel and Frances (Davis) John, natives of Pembrokeshire. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died

at the age of eighty-six, and his mother when fifty-six. Of their ten children Owen D. was the youngest and the only one of the number who came to America.

At the age of thirteen, anxious to secure work, the subject of this sketch went from his home in the south of Wales to the rich and fertile shire of Glamorgan, in the southernmost part, and at Aberdare he worked for some time in the mines. In 1856 he took passage on a sailing vessel at Aberdare and proceeded to Swansea and Liver- pool, where he boarded the sailer, "John Bright," bound for America. After a pleasant voyage of thirty-five days he landed in New York, and from there went to St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa., . securing work in the mines. Within a year he was engaged in mining coal on contract and carried on a jobbing business until October, 1859, when he came to Scranton, taking a position in the Hampton mines. Since then he has been engaged principally in mining, having been em- ployed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company in Diamond shaft for twenty-four years. In 1884 he retired from mining and has since de- voted his attention to other interests.

Several thousand dollars of bounty tax hav- ing accrued against the old borough of Hyde Park, Mr. John was in 1884 appointed by the council of that borough to act as collector, which he did in the fourth and fourteenth wards. It was a difficult tax to collect, but through the col- lections of 1884, 1885 and 1887 it was liquidated. Meantime Mr. John also served as assessor and collector of the county tax, continuing in the latter capacity until 1890. In 1868 he was elected from the fourth ward as a member of the common council, and served two years and six months. At intervals he has also aided in compiling the city directories. In 1890 he was census enumera- tor for a portion of the fourth ward. In 1894 he was nominated on the Republican ticket as alder- man from the fourth ward, the then incumbent (Democratic) of the office being his opponent, and was elected by a majority of two to one. He took the oath of office in May of that year and has since served with efficiency, representing the various interests of the people in a manner satis- factory to them and creditable to himself.

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The residence of Mr. John is situated at No. 322 Deckers Court, Scranton. In this city he married Miss Mary A. Pembridge, who was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, came thence with her parents to America at the age of eight years and settled near Scranton. They are the parents of four children now living, namely: Ellsworth E. and Horace G., who are machinists by trade; Al- fred C., who is employed as pressman on the "Tribune," and Gertrude, who is at home.

Since becoming a citizen of this country Mr. John has always been active in the Republican party. He is a loyal patriot, and during the late war would have enlisted, had not his wife's ill health rendered it impossible for him to leave home. Fraternally he is past grand of Silurian Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was delegate to the grand lodge in 1884. In 1862 he aided in organizing the True American Ivorites, calling the lodge No. I, but on learning of the existence of another, changed the number to two. In this he has held official position. Personally he is a man of genial and affable disposition, one whom it is a pleasure to meet and who holds a high place in the regard of his fellow-citizens.

M AJ. M. L. BLAIR. Lackawanna was not behind the other counties of this state in contributions of men and money to assist in carrying on the Civil War. Among the soldiers who won commendation on the field for their bravery were many who had enlisted here, men of unflinching courage and true patriotism, with the valor to dare even the most hazardous under- takings in order to secure success for the Union. Such a one was the subject of this record, one of the respected and influential citizens of Scranton.

The Blair family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was early represented among the people of New England. The Major's grandfather, Enoch Blair, was born in Massachusetts and for many years residcd in Blandford, Hampden County, where was born his son, Alvan. The latter at an early age accompanied his parents to Madison Coun- ty, N. Y., the journey being made on foot and with ox carts. He grew to manhood in New York and served in the War of 1812, taking part

in the battle of Sackctt's Harbor. Such was his industry that, although he began without means, he became well-to-do, owning several different farms. Politically he was a Republican and in ante-bellum times was known as a pronounced Abolitionist. His religious connection was with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He attained advanced years, dying in 1883 at the age of eighty-five. He was the father of twelve chil- dren, to whom he gave the best advantages pos- sible at the time. About the same time that he died occurred the death of his wife, Vernera Brooks, a native of Pownal, Vt., and eighty-one years old at decease.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Rog- er Brooks, a carpenter by trade, removed from Vermont to Utica with ox teams, stopping in that city, and erecting the first frame building there on the site of Bagg's Hotel. Later he went to Madison County, where he bought and cleared a large farm, then removed to Oneida County and made it his home until his death, when sev- enty-seven. He and his family possessed re- markable mechanic skill and could make any- thing in wood, though they had only the crude and simple tools of those days. He was of Eng- lish descent and in religious belief was a Uni- versalist.

The twelve children that comprised the fam- ily of Alvan and Vernera Blair attained years of maturity and ten are still living, M. Lewis being one of the youngest of the number and the only one residing in this county. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., January 18, 1836. Aft- er attending the district schools for some time and spending two terms at Cazenovia Seminary, at the age of seventeen he began to teach school in Madison County, where he followed the pro- fession for two winters. In 1858 he came to Pennsylvania and engaged in teaching at Hick's Ferry, in the vicinity of Wilkesbarre. In the spring of 1859 he came to Hyde Park and for three years taught school at Tripp's Crossing in Providence Township, after which he embarked in the grocery, provision and bakery business in South Main Street, being in partnership with W. H. Freeman.

In 1862 our subject was commissioned second

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lieutenant by the governor at Harrisburg and at once began recruiting a company for service in the war. This became Company E, One Hun- dred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry and was mustered in at Camp Luzerne in August, 1862, he being elected captain by the boys in the old Joseph Fellows hall that still stands. Going to the front the company remained in camp for six weeks, and was then ordered into service, taking part in many important engagements, among them the following: The second battle of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad and Hatchie's Run.

The first day at Gettysburg was perhaps the most disastrous to the company of any of their engagements. Sixty-nine men entered the field, but at the end of the day there were only eleven left, the others having been killed, wounded or taken prisoners. The remaining men were con- solidated with another company, Captain Blair having command of both. However, he had been seriously wounded on that memorable first day by the concussion of one of the Federal guns and was obliged to return home on a furlough. At first it was feared that he could not recover, but a strong constitution enabled him to regain a portion of his former strength, and after about three months at home, he returned to resume his command. At the close of the war he was mus- tered out at New York Harbor, June 13, 1865.

For some time after his return to Hyde Park, Major Blair was unable to engage in business of any kind, but as soon as he had sufficiently re- gained his health, he formed a partnership with Mr. Wells and commenced in the insurance and real estate business here. In 1876 he was elected alderman from the fifth ward on the Republican ticket, serving a term of five years. In 1881 and 1886 he was re-elected to the office. Through a change in the law his term did not expire until June 5, 1892, at which time he was again chosen for the position, to serve until April, 1897. His tenure of office has been longer than that of any other alderman in the city. His office is lo- cated at No. 1021 Scranton Street, while his resi- dence is at No. 146 South Main Avenue. While

he is an ardent Republican, stanch in his advo- cacy of party principles, in his official position, he strives to promote the best interests of the peo- ple, regardless of party, and is regarded as a just, impartial and accommodating man.

At Summit Hill, Carbon County, Major Blair married Miss Hattie Phillips, who was born in Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pa., but was reared in this county. Her father, Hon. Thomas Phillips, now deceased, was a well known min- ing engineer and for some time was connected with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company. Major Blair and his wife lost one daughter, Annie V., at the age of fifteen, and are the parents of four living children: L. Augusta, Thomas A., Edith Wynn and M. L., Jr. Fra- ternally the Major is connected with Hyde Park Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M., and is a member of Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139, G. A. R. After the war he was appointed a member of the staff of Gen. E. S. Osborne, commander of the Ninth Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, and held the rank of major and paymaster for eight years, until the law went into effect calling for re-organization. He is a member of the Simp- son Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been trustee.

C HARLES THOMPSON, M. D., who is a practicing physician and proprietor of a drug store at No. 643 East Market Street, Scranton, was born in Carbondale, Pa., May 12, 1844, the son of John I. and Phoebe J. (Sayres) Thompson, natives respectively of Ulster Coun- ty, N. Y., and New Jersey. His father, who was a stationary engineer in the employ of the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company, accompanied them to Carbondale in an early day and there married. In 1868 he came to Scranton and took a position as engineer in the Dodge breaker of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany, later was in their employ in the Bellevue mines until his retirement. He is still living in Scranton, in Hampton Street, and is quite hale for one of eighty-two years. His wife, who was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, died in this city in Decem-

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ber, 1892, aged seventy-four. She was a daugh- ter of John Sayres, who brought his family from New Jersey to Carbondale in an early day.

The family of John I. Thompson consisted of seven children, but only three attained mature years and one son and daughter are now living. Charles was reared in Carbondale, then an in- significant village with few indications of its present population and prosperity. His educa- tion was limited, for he was obliged to become self-supporting at an early age, and the success which he has attained is, in view of this circum- stance, the more commendable. When twelve years of age he began to work on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and later held the position of brakeman on the Gravity. In 1867 he came to Scranton as stationary engineer in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western at the Dodge breaker, and continued there and in other places with the same company for sixteen years.

Meantime our subject had studied pharmacy with D. J. Thomas and in 1883 he resigned as en- gineer in order to embark in the drug business, which he did at once, opening a store in Hamp- ton Street. One year later he located at No. 508 South Main Avenue and remained there until 1890, when he sold out to D. M. Jones, the pres- ent proprietor of that store. In 1891 he entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, where he graduated three years later with the degree of M. D. Returning to Scranton, he en- gaged in practice in North Main Avenue, Provi- dence, for ten months, and in June of 1895 opened an office at his present location, No. 643 East Market Street, Green Ridge, where he also has established the first drug business in that street. He takes an interest in everything pertaining to medicine and pharmacy, and is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 92

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