Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 101

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY)
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties > Part 101
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties > Part 101

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After his marriage Mr. Stone engaged in the stock and drover's business and was one of the first breeders of fine stock in this locality. With his father and others he organized the Lacka- wanna Breeders' Association, before mentioned. He is also manager of the Lackawanna County Farmers' Institute and frequently delivers lectures in the interest of the work. His father was cap-

tain of a local militia in the early days and was offered a brigadier-general's commission. Both father and son are identified with the Baptist Church, to which the former has belonged for six- ty years. The latter has served as deacon, Sun- day-school superintendent and as clerk of the Baptist Association of this section. He took a very prominent part in arranging for the eighty- ninth anniversary of the association, held with the Forest City Church, September 9-10, 1896, a report of the proceedings of which was pub- lished in pamphlet form recently.

A sketch of the life of Mr. Stone would be in- complete were no mention made of his political belief and public connections. Stanch in his ad- herence to Prohibition principles, he has always stood firmly by the ticket of that party, even when it was against personal interests. Had he been willing to desert his party, he could have been nominated and elected to the legislature on the Republican ticket, but he refused to accept. Since the nomination, on the Prohibition ticket, of Governor St. John of Kansas for the presi- ` dency, he has been actively identified with the movement, and were the cause blessed with more such workers as he, success would undoubtedly come to its men and its principles. He has never, however, felt that he was throwing away his vote, even though the principles do not win, for in his opinion a ballot cast for right and justice and national honor is never "thrown away."

W. P. KENNEDY, M. D., physician and surgeon, practicing his profession · in Priceberg, is a graduate of the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and in his subsequent practice, by his devotion to his work and the careful study and diagnosis of the various diseases that have come under his ob- servation, he has been unusually successful, and has gained quite a reputation as a skilled prac- titioner. He was born in Dunmore, Pa., in August, 1858, a son of William Pitt and Cath- erine (Spencer) Kennedy, the former a native of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, and the latter of Wilkesbarre. The paternal grandparents, Charles and Susan (Bass) Kennedy, were descended from

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old Connecticut families, and were both born in that state, but at an early day took up their resi- dence in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, Pa., where their deaths occurred. John Spencer and wife, the maternal grandparents of the Doctor, were for many years honored residents of Scranton, where he engaged in cabinet-making, and both died in Hyde Park. In the county of his nativity, William P. Kennedy grew to manhood and learn- ed the carpenter's trade, at which he later worked for the Pennsylvania Coal Company. For a few years he made his home in Dunmore, and from that place removed to Mt. Pleasant, where he opened up a farm, and there he is still living, at the age of sixty-seven years. He has always taken an active interest in educational affairs, and is an honored and highly respected citizen of his community. The Doctor is the oldest of his three children, the others being Fred, who re- sides on the old home farm; and Ida F., now Mrs. Benson, of Carbondale.

When only a year old Dr. Kennedy was taken by his parents to the farm near Mt. Pleasant, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. The public schools afforded him his early educational privileges, and he later attended the Prompton Normal School and Mt. Pleasant Academy. In 1876 he began teaching in Fell Township, Lackawanna County, and later fol- lowed that profession in the public schools of Mt. Pleasant, Stockport and Demming. While pur- suing his academic course, he determined to en- ter the medical profession, and began prepara- tions under the direction of Dr. H. D. Miles, of Mt. Pleasant, now of Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1879 he entered the Starling Medical College, where he graduated in April, 1882, and has since successfully engaged in practice in Priceburg, be- coming the pioneer physician of the place. Two years later he established a drug store, which was the first opened here, and is still profitably con- ducted by him.

Dr. Kennedy was married in Moosic, the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie Dennison, a na- tive of Dimock, Susquehanna County, Pa., and a daughter of George Dennison, who was also born in that county of Connecticut ancestry, and died in Dimock. By occupation he was a farmer,

but his brothers all became physicians. The mother of Mrs. Kennedy, who bore the maiden name of Sally Crocker, was born in Montrose, and is a daughter of Hyde Crocker, who was also descended from an old and honored Connecticut family. Mrs. Dennison is still living, and is the mother of three sons and three daughters, name- ly: Charles H., a contractor and builder of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Mrs. Kate Larrabee, of Susque- hanna, Pa .; Anna, of Scranton; Thomas, of Colo- rado; George, who resides on the Pacific Coast in the state of Washington; and Mrs. Kennedy. To the Doctor and his wife were born two chil- dren: Florence, who is yet living; and Lillian, who died at the age of six years.

As an influential and progressive citizen, Dr. Kennedy has taken quite an active part in pro- moting the welfare of his adopted town, of which he served as auditor three years, has been health officer for the past three years and also a mem- ber of the board of health. He belongs to the Lackawanna County Medical Society; Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks; Kingsbury Lodge, F. & A. M., of Olyphant; and for the past four years and a half has been corporal in Com- pany C, Thirteenth Regiment, Third Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard. His political sup- port is given the men and measures of the Repub- lican party.

W ARREN H. WHITE. Probably no resident of North Abington Township has done more to facilitate its agricul- tural interests than has Mr. White, a practical farmer, who, by his diligence and perseverance, has become the possessor of a valuable home- stead. Not only is he a thorough and skillful ag- riculturist, but he is also a liberal and public- spirited citizen, and a supporter of all enterprises calculated to be of public benefit. Intelligent and well-informed, he keeps himself thoroughly post- ed in regard to the leading events of the day, and is in fact a model citizen. His excellent wife also deserves more than a mere mention, for she has been his efficient helpmate in all undertakings, a devoted mother and a hospitable Christian lady. They have drawn around them many friends, who

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have been attracted to them by their social traits and the moral and substantial elements of charac- ter which form the basis of all good society.

The White family has been identified with the history of this county since 1827, when the grandparents of our subject, Joshua and Eliza- beth (Moore) White, came hither and settled in Abington Township. They removed to this place from Delaware County, N. Y., and here remained until death, the grandfather passing away when fifty-five and the grandmother when ninety-three. With them came to this county their son, Sanford, a youth of fifteen years, and a native of Delaware County. He assisted in clearing a farm from the surrounding wilderness and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of sixty. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elmina Miller, died on the old homestead at the age of eighty. Of their twelve children, all but two attained years of maturity and nine are liv- ing, mostly farmers, though one son, B. F., is a successful business man of Baltimore, Md. In the log house which for years was the home of the White family, the subject of this sketch was born March 18, 1837. Early in life he was inured to hard work and became familiar with the various details of farm life. The opening of the Civil War aroused his patriotic spirit, and imbued him with the fervid loyalty of his ancestors. His paternal grandfather served in the War of 1812, and his maternal grandfather experienced all the horrors of the Wyoming massacre, escaping from the savages by hiding under a mattress. He him- self has had some experience of warfare, having enlisted in October, 1862, as a member of Com- pany B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, in which he served for nine months. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably discharged at Har- risburg, and returned to his home.

December 10, 1863, Mr. White married Miss Aurora Simrell, who was born in Scott Township and died here at the age of forty-eight. She was a daughter of Nathaniel and Lydia(Wall) Simrell, who were among the early settlers of this part of the county. Of her two children, one survives, Georgiana, who married A. Foster, and is the mother of two children. Mr. and Mrs. Foster oc-

cupy a farm belonging to her father. The second marriage of our subject took place November 14, 1880, and united him with Miss Alice Wil- liams. This lady was one of eleven children, of whom seven are yet living, born to the union of John D. and Susan (Lane) Williams, natives of Wyoming County, Pa., and Owego, N. Y. Both died in this county, Mr. Williams when seventy- six and his wife at the age of seventy-one. Seven children were born of our subject's second mar- riage, all but one living, namely: Carrie M., Her- bert M., Jennie E., Henry O., Homer E. and Mabel A.

After his first marriage Mr. White engaged in farming in Wayne County for two years, after which he returned to Scott Township, remaining three years, then to Wyoming County for one year, returning again to Scott Township for two years, since which time he has resided on his pres- ent home farm. The farm which he owns orig- inally consisted of seventy-one acres, but has been added to, until it now comprises one hundred and four acres, devoted to mixed farming. Politically his first presidential vote was cast in 1860, and four years later he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He gives allegiance to no party, but supports the best man for the place in question. At this writ- ing he is one of the councilmen of the borough, in which capacity he is rendering efficient service.

J. WARREN KNEDLER, M. D., resident physician at Elmhurst and a young man whose ability and devotion to his profes- sion will undoubtedly bring him prominence and financial success, came to this village in 1895, im- mediately after the completion of his medical edu- cation. A close student of his profession, he is prepared by thorough experimental knowledge to successfully engage in practice. He is a wide- awake and enterprising man, and this communi- ty finds in him a valued citizen who manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to its welfare and advancement.

Dr. Knedler and his sister, Alice, are the only children of James F. and Eliza (Hensinger) Kned- ler, natives of Lehigh County, where the former has been engaged in the hotel business. J. War-

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ren was born in that county December 7, 1871, and was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, of which he was not slow to avail himself. A studious reader, and possessing a good memory, he stored his mind with facts that have since been of the greatest benefit to him. For some time he was a student in the normal school at Kutztown, from which he graduated, and then turned his attention to teaching. Two years were spent in that profession. His natural inclination was always for medicine and he had that profession in mind during the entire time he was teaching.

Entering the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1891, he carried on his studies there for four years and then graduated. Soon afterward he established himself in practice at Elmhurst, where he has gained many friends. His practice is not limited to the village, but ex- tends into the surrounding county. The cases en- trusted to his care he skillfully handles, thereby gaining the confidence of his patients. He is well posted in local and national issues and votes the Republican ticket.

E DWARD CYRIL GREWER, M. D. The noted Philadelphia specialist makes his headquarters at Scranton, though he has branch offices in several other important cities. He devotes his time energetically to his chosen profession, which combined with his knowledge and skill has enabled him to build up a large and growing practice. He was born in Philadelphia, December II, 1848, and is a son of Nicholas and Anna (Fine) Grewer. Nicholas Grewer, (or, as the name is spelled both in German and French, Grever) was born in 1805 in Lorraine, one of the provinces that then belonged to France, but is now a part of Germany. He came to this coun- try when about twelve years of age and remained in Philadelphia, following the occupation of a merchant tailor, until 1859. In that year he re- moved to Smyrna, Del., and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1888. While in Philadelphia he married Anna Fine, and there were born to them three children: Adolph, who now resides in Scranton and is fifty-two years

of age; Lena, who lives in Philadelphia, the widow of Risden Crossley; and the youngest, whose name heads this sketch. Nicholas Grewer saw the possibilities at Atlantic City and was the originator of that noted resort. There was but one house in that place when he started build- ing, and it was two years later before the advent of a railroad.

Dr. Grewer attended a German school in Phil- adelphia and when the family removed to Smyrna he went to the public schools and for a brief time was in the seminary there, but was obliged to leave the latter institution owing to financial troubles of his father, who had endorsed some paper. He then entered the army as a fifer and was afterward detailed as a drummer boy and was supposed to be the youngest in the army. He was enrolled June 27, 1863, and to get into the army was obliged to give his age as eighteen. He received his discharge August 22, 1863, and then took up the printer's trade. While engaged at that he also began the study of medicine un- der Dr. Thomas Green, the noted surgeon of Clayton, Del., taking up this study without the knowledge of his father, who he knew would be unable to assist him owing to the financial re- verses he had met. He followed the printer's trade until he had earned enough to enable him to enter the University of Pennsylvania, and one preceptor he had there was Prof. Harrison Allen, who has a national reputation as a professor of zoology, physiology and as an anatomist.

March 12, 1874, Dr. Grewer was graduated from this well known institution and immediately began practice in Philadelphia. He remained there four years and was pension examiner, and medical examiner for several life insurance com- panies. In 1878 he removed to Bushkill, Pike County, Pa., where he built a sanitarium and re- mained twelve years. At the expiration of this time he returned to Philadelphia and was en- gaged in the drug business for two years. While there he was elected demonstrator of practical physiology in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia and is now an honorary member of the Alumni Association of that college, and a member of the General Alumni Association of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Fellow

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of the Leidy Fellowship of Anatomy of Phila- delphia, a member of the Houston Club of the University of Pennsylvania, the Associated Char- ities of Scranton and the Lackawanna Institute of History and Science, the Knights of Pythias, the Union Veterans' Union, and is adjutant of Col. William N. Monies Post No. 319, G. A. R.

In December, 1880, at Bushkill, Dr. Grewer married Ida J., daughter of Jacob H. and De- borah Place, the former a native of Bushkill, the latter of Bradford County, Pa. Mr. Place is the proprietor of a noted summer resort near Bush- kill, called the Maple Grove House. Seven chil- dren have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Grewer, as follows: Lyell B. F., Carry State Marion, Zell Risden Paul, Francis Gurney Aloysius, Mossie Deborah Isabel, Anna Hazel and Edna Magda- lene. The family are members of St. Paul's Ro- man Catholic Church of Green Ridge.

Dr. Grewer is one of the men who seem to have followed the one occupation or profession best fitted to them, and his struggles success- fully encountered, his painstaking and assiduous study, are instructive and encouraging to the young, and show an example worthy of emula- tion. He seems eminently fitted by natural in- clination for his life work, and by his zeal and ability has built up a fine patronage. He has es- tablished branches in other cities, the principal ones being at Lock Haven, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Pueblo.

Owing to the large increase in the Doctor's practice he has been obliged to build a sanitar- ium for the better accommodation of his patients, especially those from outside the city, and it is most conveniently arranged for the treatment of those desiring a place free from the usual ob- jections to a hospital. Here he has a corps of male and female physicians and a force of com- petent trained nurses.

F REDERICK BOLDRY, round house fore- man for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, in Scranton, is an example of what may be accomplished by a young man who desires to forge his way to the front. He has risen to this important position entirely through

sterling merit, and by no process of favoritism. At all times he is known to be a steady, sober, industrious man, one who deserves the success that is now his portion, and we are glad to give him a place in this volume.

A son of Hugh B. and Elizabeth Boldry, our subject was born June 6, 1842, in Marham, Nor- folk, England. The father was also a native of that region, and was a blacksmith and machinist. He passed all his life in the mother country, dy- ing when over seventy-five years. The mother departed this life in England when she was about seventy-five. Of their four children, Frederick was the youngest and his boyhood was spent in his native town, where he attended the com- mon schools. In 1857, when a little past his fifteenth birthday, he decided to come to Ameri- ca. Leaving London in the ship "Liverpool," thirty-two days were consumed in making the voyage to New York, as a frightful storm was contended with on the way.

In the metropolis Mr. Boldry started in busi- ness as a carpenter, but in October, 1861, he entered the life of railroading as a fireman on the Hudson River line. Three years rolled away, and he was then promoted to the post of engineer on the same railroad, and ran a switch engine in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1867 he came to Scran- ton, and took charge of an engine attached to coal trains plying between this point and Great Bend, and between Scranton and Hampton Junction. Then he was made passenger engineer, and at the end of a year he was placed in charge of the "Comet," the special engine which drew the car of the general manager, and this he ran for twelve years. It was in 1883 that he was promoted to be foreman of the Scranton round house. There are forty-two stalls in the build- ing.

While living in Poughkeepsie, Mr. Boldry mar- ried Miss Phoebe A. Eshleman, who was born in that city, and was a daughter of Ulrich Eshle- man, a well known business man of the place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Boldry is at No. 1317 Washburn Street. They have four children, three daughters and a son, viz .: Mrs. Hannah Chase, of Scranton; Charles S., a machinist on the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western; Mabel M. and

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Minnie A., at home. Mr. Boldry was formerly a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and also belongs to the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Mutual Aid Society. He is a member of Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., and in politics, is a true blue Repub- lican. With his wife he holds membership with the Washburn Street Presbyterian Church.

H ENRY ARMBRUST has resided in Scran- ton since 1861, having come here from Germany. He was born in Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, July 28, 1839, the son of John and Magdalene (Hentz) Armbrust, natives of the same place as himself, the former being a blacksmith and farmer there. The grandfather, also named John, was a lifelong agriculturist in Bavaria. In the parental family there were six children, of whom two came to America, Henry and John, the latter a retired butcher living in Cedar Ave- nue.

Reared in his native place, the subject of this sketch began to learn the confectionery busi- ness at the age of fifteen. In the spring of 1861 he left Bremen on a steamer bound for New York, and arriving at his destination, immediate- ly proceeded to Scranton, where he joined his brother John. Under the name of Armbrust Brothers, the two formed a partnership and started in the retail meat business in Cedar Ave- nue. The connection continued for six years and was then dissolved, though our subject engaged in the retail business for some years afterward. He then started a wholesale business at Reming- ton Avenue and Locust Street, and built a slaugh -. ter house and sausage factory in what was at that time an unoccupied portion of the city, contain- ing swampy land and many ducks; now, how- ever, there are many factories and mills in the locality. Cattle are shipped from the west in car load lots and are conveyed to the slaughter yards, where they are kept until in good condi- tion for beef. Hogs are also killed in large quan- tities. There are refrigerators, ice houses, a plant for the manufacture of sausage by steam, and other modern improvements. In addition to the wholesale business, there are two retail meat mar-

kets, one in connection with the wholesale estab- lishment and the other at No. 701 Cedar Ave- nue.

While in Germany Mr. Armbrust married Amalia Matzenbacher, a native of that country, and they reside on the corner of Elm Street and Remington Avenue. Their four children are Mrs. Emma Miller, of Scranton; Henry, Jr., who is proprietor of the upper market; Carl P., in charge of the market in Remington Avenue; and Julius, who assists his father in the business. Po- litically a Republican, Mr. Armbrust has been a member of the county committee and has held ward offices. He is connected with Schiller Lodge, F. & A. M., and a member of the board of trustees of Zion Lutheran Church. When he built at his present location, he selected ten acres, fenced it in and with the necessary buildings be- gan in business. There was not a house or fac- tory around. But after about five years, the rail- road was built through, and soon business build- ings were erected, roads opened and improve- ments introduced, until now the neighborhood is well settled.

W ILLIAM W. YEAGER. Many agri- culturists whose energy, uprightness and progressive spirit would make them valuable citizens of any community where their lot might be cast, are to be found in Madi- son Township. To this class belongs Mr. Yeager, a lifelong resident of the township, and a man whose uprightness of character has never been questioned and whose efficient management has brought him prosperity. He is a worthy repre- sentative of a pioneer family, whose members have usually been agriculturists, people of simple habits, unpretentious characters and honest lives.

In the house where he still lives, Mr. Yeager was born August 20, 1850. Of his parents, Wil- liam and Susan (Biesecker) Yeager, mention is made upon another page. He grew to manhood upon the old homestead and at an early age gained a thorough knowledge of every detail con- nected with farm work. Liking the occupation and being perfectly familiar with it, it was natural that he should select it for his life calling when

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the time came for him to act independently. About the time of his marriage he purchased a portion of the home farm and here he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits.

April 3, 1871, Mr. Yeager was united in mar- riage with Miss Malvina, daughter of Henry and Mary (Bird) Heberling. They are the parents of three children: Lana M., Vernon L., and Orrin G., who have been given excellent advantages in the schools of the county. The father of Mrs. Yeager was born in Berks County, Pa., and was left an orphan in infancy. When six years of age he was brought to this township and here lived with Jacob Kerkelow, a farmer, for six years, and afterward made his home with George Swartz, also a farmer in this township, until attaining his majority. When able to start out for himself he purchased the farm owned by Mr. Swartz and there successfully engaged in farming until his death, at seventy-one years. He was a man who stood high in the community and was esteemed by all who knew him. His wife, who was a native of New Jersey, came to this township with her parents when quite young and here re- mained until her death, at forty-one years. Both she and her husband were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

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Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 101

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY) Publication date: 1897 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Chapman Publishing Company (NY)
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1068