Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 107

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 107
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 107

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them to give their services and life itself, if need be, to preserve the Union.

Robert Hand, the Doctor's father, was born in Sussex County, N. J., whence he removed to Hawley, Pa., where as a pioneer of Wayne Coun- ty, he found the hills covered with valuable tim- ber; and as the Lackawaxen and Delaware rivers afforded an easy highway to the large cities and the seaboard, he purchased a tract of land, and turned his attention at once to the lumbering business, in which he continued until his death in 1854, the result of a fever contracted during a freshet, when he was away from home. He left, besides his widow, seven small children, namely: Nathan, who was killed in the Union service dur- ing the war; Charles F., who died in Hawley when about thirty-three years of age; Elizabeth L., wife of Dr. H. B. Stephens, of Hawley, a well known evangelist and Christian worker; Mrs. Melissa A. Smith, who lives in the western part of the state; William J., who endured all the horrors of Libby prison, and who now resides at Dunmore, where he has been employed under the Pennsylvania Coal Company for about thir- ty-five years, latterly as their land and lumber agent; David B. (Dr. Hand); and Sarah A. (Mrs. J. Brown), of Wayne County.

Whatever success the sons and daughters have achieved in life, they attribute largely to the love and training of their mother, who by the death of her husband was left with seven children de- pendent upon her and with only slender means. Courageously adapting herself to their changed conditions, she inspired her children with her own fortitude and invincible determination, secured educational advantages for them, and, sacrificing her own comfort and pleasure, she labored for them and with them, and happily lived to see the result of her labors; for her last days were bright- ened by her children's prominence and success and the knowledge of their unfailing devotion to her. She passed away September 17, 1892, at the age of eighty-two years.

Dr. Hand was born March 31, 1848, in Wayne County, Pa., and early in life began the study of medicine under Dr. G. B. Curtis, of Hawley. In 1868 he graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of New York City, and

for three years afterward he had an office in Canaan, Wayne County, then practiced in Car- bondale for nine years, when, his health failing, he visited California, and traveled extensively in the far west. On his return to Pennsylvania, he spent a short time at Columbia, and in 1880 came to Scranton, where he purchased the property and succeeded to the practice of Dr. Horace Ladd. In 1870 he married Miss Sarah T., daugh- ter of James Cromwell, of Hawley, and grand- child of Oliver Cromwell, an early settler in Can- terbury, just north of Newburgh on the Hudson river. Four children have blessed their union: Mary, who died in Columbia, at the age of six years; Frederick, Elizabeth L., and Howard D., who, even at this early period, have given abund- ant promise of repaying the tender solicitude with which they have been nurtured by a wise, judi- cious, and indulgent father, and a cultured, af- fectionate, Christian mother.

Thus, it will be seen, that Dr. Hand is an emi- nent physician, a substantial and successful busi- ness man, moved by those impulses which guide men along the higher lines of life, the head of a happy family, a valuable friend, and a citizen of whom any city in the land might well be proud; while, for himself, he has the proud satisfaction of knowing that he has won his way in the battle of life where thousands of others would have failed under similar circumstances.

J AMES F. GREEN is a member of an old Moravian family that originated in Bo- hemia, Austria, and emigrated thence to America, founding the first Moravian settlement in this country. His great-grandfather, Samuel Green, was one of several brothers, who came to the United States and settled respectively in Rhode Island, and Hunterdon and Mercer coun- ties, N. J. Gen. Nathaniel Greene, whose name is illustrious in Revolutionary annals, was a member of the Rhode Island branch. Samuel Green spent the most of his life in Hope Township, (then Sus- sex), (now) Warren County, N. J., a few miles from Belvidere, and there engaged in farming. In 1728 he founded the Moravian town of Hope, the oldest settlement of the kind in the country.

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The visitor to that place may still see the old stone buildings, built by the Moravians, with a view to protection from the Indians, who still · lingered in that locality and were a treacherous foe, but very friendly to this colony. The grand- father of our subject, Thomas Green, was born in Hope Township, and in youth served an ap- prenticeship to a nailmaker in Bethlehem. On his return to Hope he followed his trade, and also engaged in farming, having purchased six- teen hundred acres of government land at twelve and one-half cents per acre. A portion of his property was given to each child for a start in life, and he also gave the land upon which was erected in 18II the church known as Green's Chapel, now Mt. Herman.

George Green, our subject's father, was born in Hope Township and cultivated a part of the old homestead until his death, which occurred in 1849, at the age of fifty-seven. At different times he was chosen to fill local offices. Though of Moravian belief, he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained one of its most faithful members. His wife, Ann Ozaire, was born at Delaware Water Gap, Pa., the daughter of George Ozaire, who was a French-Huguenot and accompanied his father from France to this country. The Ozaire family is related by marriage to the La Barre family of Wilkesbarre and Delaware Water Gap, and all are descendants of the French-Huguenots. As is generally known, the city of Wilkesbarre was named from the two families, Wilkes and La Barre.

The subject of this sketch, who was fourth in order of birth in the family, was born in Hope Township, Warren County, N. J., February I, 1828, and was reared on the home farm. It was his privilege to attend, in Hope Township, the first free school established in the United States, it having been made possible by the will of a citi- zen. In 1847 he was apprenticed to the harness- maker's trade at Williamsburg, now Mt. Bethel, Pa., and remained there until 1849, when he re- turned to his native place to carry on the busi- ness. In January, 1865, he came to Scranton, and for six months was employed at the Diamond mines. September 18 of the same year, he was

given the position of outside foreman of the Con- tinental mines, and has since been employed in that capacity, for a time also being foreman of the Hampton mine.

In New Jersey Mr. Green married Miss Caro- line R. Van Kirk, who was born of Holland- Dutch descent in Columbia, Warren County, that state, the daughter of John J. Van Kirk, a hotel man. They are the parents of five children, two living: B. C., superintendent of the Bellevue mine; and Mary, Mrs. E. G. Smith, of this city. In August, 1862, Mr. Green assisted in raising Company G, Thirty-first New Jersey Infantry, and was mustered into service as second lieuten- ant, for nine months. The regiment was chiefly engaged in police duty and was present at Fred- ericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was taken ill and owing to physical disability was honor- ably discharged in February, 1863. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to Hyde Park Lodge, F. & A. M., Masonic Veteran Association and Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post, No. I39, G. A. R.

W ILLIAM C. CONWELL is a fine ma- chinist, understanding thoroughly every detail pertaining to his calling and is a most efficient foreman, having under his supervision the turning department of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad shops at Scranton. This position he has held since 1858, nearly forty years, and in all this time he has al- ways been punctually at his post, and has ever faithfully performed every duty devolving upon him.

A native of Moneymore, County Londonderry, Ireland, born June 17, 1836, our subject is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Aiken) Conwell, both of the same county. The father was a highly educated man, and at one time was a druggist, but was principally a linen manufacturer. Soon after his marriage he brought his wife to Ameri- ca, taking up his abode in New York City. Sub- sequently he went to Paterson, N. J., and there engaged in his former pursuit of manufacturing linen. He returned to the Emerald Isle in 1837 and stayed there until about 1846, when he set-

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tled down in Paterson, and died there when he was nearly sixty years old. Mrs. Conwell died in Scranton after passing her four-score birth- day anniversary, and was placed to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery. An uncle of Anthony Conwell, Rev. Henry Conwell, was the second bishop of the Philadelphia (Pa.) diocese.

William C. Conwell is the youngest of five children. His sister Louisa married Captain Wood, of the Forty-fourth Regiment of native infantry and now resides in London, England. Eliza, who died in the East Indies, also married a military officer, Captain Grubb, of Her Majesty's service. Rosanna died when only six years old in New York. John Constantine, for many years a resident of Paterson, N. J., died in 1888. With the exception of our subject they were all born in America. When he was sixteen years of age William C. Conwell was apprenticed for five years in Paterson to Evans, Thompson & Co., in the Union works, builders of all kinds of machinery. Then he continued as a journeyman with the same firm until their works were closed, when he went into the employ of the New Jersey Loco- motive Company, in Paterson, and was with them about a year. In 1855 he came to Scranton and at once was given a position in the shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, on Wash- ington Avenue. Two years later he was pro- moted to his present place, foreman of the turn- ing department. In 1866 the shops were built on a line with Penn Avenue and he superintended putting in the shafting, afterward fitting in place all the machinery.

In 1854 Mr. Conwell and Miss Rachel Agnew were married in the Sixteenth Street Catholic Church, New York. She was born in Ire- land, and was reared in the metropolis of the western continent. Her death occurred in July, 1889, in Scranton. Of the four living children, Mary, Fannie and Annie are at home, and Wil- liam is a machinist. Charles died at the age of thirty years, in 1890. He was a druggist and had one of the finest locations for a drug-store in the city, as it was near the opera house, on Wyoming Avenue. Since the organization of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Mutual Aid So- ciety, Mr. Conwell has been the treasurer. He

is president of the Home Building & Loan Asso- ciation, also president of the new Equitable Building & Loan Association. In political affairs he is independent of party lines, choosing to cast his ballot for the nominees whom he considers best calculated to carry out the desires of the people.

C HARLES S. FOWLER, Jr., chairman of the board of city assessors of Scran- ton, was born in Espy, Columbia County, and is a member of a family resident in that lo- cality from Revolutionary times. He is of the fourth generation in line of descent from the founder of the family in America, an English- man, who took a brave part in defense of the colonies during the war for independence and established his home at Fowlersville, a place named in his honor. He married a Miss Fowler, whose father was a soldier in the British army in New York City.

The father of our subject, C. S., grandfather, Gilbert, and great-grandfather, James, were born in Fowlersville, all in the same house. The last- named was a farmer. Gilbert, in addition to be- ing a farmer, was a merchant on the turnpike at Fowlersville, was also postmaster and the princi- pal man of his locality; he died while on a trip to the south for his health. C. S. Fowler, Sr., early gained a thorough knowledge of the mer- cantile business and for a time was a member of the firm of Fowler & Creveling, of Espy, but later continued alone. In 1872 he came to Scranton and embarked in the general commis- sion business in Lackawanna Avenue, later was superintendent of the Hillside Home for two years and then removed to a farm in Tioga County, where he now resides. At the first call for volunteers in the Civil War, he enlisted for three months and was commissioned captain of a company by Governor Curtin. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason. He married El- mira Edgar, member of one of the oldest fam- ilies in Columbia County; she was born in Espy and died in Scranton. Their family consists of ten children, five sons here and one in California, and four daughters in Tioga County.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Since 1872 Mr. Fowler has been a resident of Scranton and was educated in the schools of this city. For a number of years he was clerk in a dry-goods house, but in 1885 took a position with the Delaware & Hudson Company under J. J. Albright, and has since been under Mr. Torry, general sales agent. In this city he married the daughter of Ira H. Burns, a prominent attorney. In 1890 he was appointed assistant assessor of the thirteenth ward and was reappointed every year for six years, at the expiration of which time, in 1896, he was elected city assessor. Upon the organization of the board he was made chair- man and has since filled this position. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has been a member of the county committee. Fraternally he is connected with the Heptasophs and in religion with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

H ENRY W. NORTHUP. The early years of the nineteenth century witnessed the migration to Pennsylvania of many resi- dents of the older sections of the country, who were attracted hither by the advantages offered to men of enterprise. Among the number who came to this county and established homes here was the Northup family, of Rhode Island. In 1818 Emanuel, our subject's father, and Jeremiah G. Northup, his grandfather, made what was then considered a long journey from one state to the other, Emanuel driving two yoke of oxen the en- tire distance. On arriving here, they bought a tract of wild land from squatters and at once began the difficult task of improvement and cul- tivation. As the years passed the energy of Jere- miah G. Northup brought its fruit in the accumu- lation of valuable property, which he acquired by purchase or trade. Buildings were erected, or- chards were planted, substantial fences were built and other improvements introduced, all as the result of his industry, seconded by the ef- forts of his wife and family. At or near Narra- gansett Bay, Rhode Island, near the close of the eighteenth century, he had married Deborah Ar- nold, and they became the parents of three sons and four daughters, all born in Rhode Island. John, the eldest, was married in Rhode Island to Patience Clark. and they had four sons and two

daughters, all born in Pennsylvania, one of their sons afterward becoming a member of the legis- lature in 1885. Mary, who married Thomas Smith, had three sons and four daughters. Job A. married Delilah Parker, and they had three sons and two daughters. Emanuel was next in order of birth. Sarah became the wife of Philip Stone, and they had one son and one daughter. Phoebe, wife of Cyrus Colvin, had four sons and two daughters. Almira married Levi Lillibridge, and they were the parents of three sons and two daughters. Jeremiah G. Northup, when a resident of Rhode Island, filled the office of justice of the peace, and also served one term as repre- sentative in the legislature of that state. He died in August, 1842, aged seventy-one, and his wife died about five years later, aged eighty-one years.

The father of our subject, Emanuel Northup, was educated in the public schools of that day and assisted on the farm. At the age of twenty- seven, January 31, 1829, he married Sophia Mil- ler, the daughter of Rev. John and Mary (Hall) Miller, natives of Connecticut, who removed to Pennsylvania about 1802. Five years later Mr. and Mrs. Miller rode on horseback from Pittston to Abington Township, Lackawanna County, where he became the first Baptist minister in the community. The ministry was his profes- sion and in it he continued actively until his death when eighty-two. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters. Our subject's mother was born in Abington Township, Lack- awanna (then Luzerne) County, June 5, 181I, and died here in 1843, aged thirty-two years. She was the mother of one son and four daughters, of whom our subject and his sister, Mrs. A. W. Atherton, of Scranton, alone survive. Another sister, Mary E., the eldest of the family, married David E. Snyder, by whom she had two daugh- ters and one son, the latter dying in infancy ; the girls are Emily, wife of Edwin Callender, of Ne- braska, and Ida, a teacher in Scranton. In June, 1845, Emanuel Northup married Emily Hall, who died here at the age of sixty-two. Her parents, Jonathan and Eunice (Capwell) Hall, came from Rhode Island to this county about 1800, and died here, both when about eighty. Emanuel

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Northup died in April, 1869, at the age of almost sixty-six years, and at his death left a valuable estate. By his second marriage he had five sons: John C., George E., Charles W., Edgar J., who reside in this county; and Frank C., who died young.

Upon the farm where he now lives Henry W. Northup was born September 25, 1838, and here he grew to manhood, well fitted, mentally and physically, for the active responsibilities of life. In February, 1868, he married Sarah B. Miller, and three children blessed their union, but the only daughter died at five years. The sons are Arthur M., a student in Kingston Seminary, and Homer J., at home. Mrs. Northup is a daughter of Andrew and Fannie (Dershimer) Miller, the former of whom was born in Warren County, N. J., came to Pennsylvania in 1835, and died in Wyoming County at the age of seventy-six. The paternal grandparents, Burnett and Mary (De- witt) Miller, died in Luzerne County at the re- spective ages of seventy-seven and seventy-eight. The maternal grandparents, John and Christina Dershimer, 'were Pennsylvanians by birth and died in Ransom, he when seventy-seven and she at sixty-seven and one-half years. Their family comprised twelve children.

The home place in North Abington Township (now Glenburn borough) is devoted by Mr. Northup principally to the dairy business and truck gardening. One of its most important improvements is an artesian well, two hun- dred and fifty feet deep, from which a constant flow of water has been secured. The estate is also supplied with all appurtenances required by the progressive agriculturist, first-class farm ma- chinery, excellent grades of live stock and the improvements that add to the comfort and enjoy- ment of a rural home. In religious belief the family are connected with the Baptist Church.

J AMES L. CONNELL. In the great com- petitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or else be overtaken by disaster of circumstance or place, there is particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of suc-

cess, has surmounted the obstacles, and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. Such an example we find in the well known citizen of Scranton whose name heads this review.

A son of Hon. William Connell, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, our subject was born at Crystal Ridge, near Hazleton, Pa., April 17, 1856, but was only an infant when he was brought to this city. His early educa- tion was obtained in our public schools and in Wyoming Seminary. When he was about seven- teen he took a position as bookkeeper for A. G. Gilmore & Co., with whom he remained three years. He then embarked in the retail grocery business in company with F. P. Price, at the corner of Lackawanna and Wyoming Avenues, the firm being Price & Connell. The next year, however, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and there conducted a coffee, tea and spice house with I. F. Megargel for about a year. Returning to Scranton, the partnership continued, and they took in his uncle, Alexander Connell, and estab- lished a wholesale grocery house. In January, 1882, Alexander Connell died, and since then the other two partners have carried on the busi- ness. In December, 1881, they built a substantial store at Nos. 115-117 Franklin Avenue, and are now called the pioneers in the wholesale grocery trade. Among the various other enterprises in which Mr. Connell is interested may be named the following: Scranton Packing Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer; Lackawanna Lumber Company, where he holds a similar posi- tion; Melville Coal Company, operating at Lee, and of which he is secretary; the Cross Fork Water Company, in which he is secretary and treasurer; the Clark & Snover Tobacco Com- pany; the axle works, and the Consumers' Ice Company. Besides these, he is a director in the Connell Coal Company, now operating two mines, the William A. and the Lawrence at Dur- yea.

Mr. Connell has been fortunate in traveling through much of his own and foreign countries. In 1882 he visited Germany, Italy and other countries on the continent, in addition to which it was his privilege to meander along less fre-

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quented paths in Egypt and the Orient. Four years later he made a tour of England, Scotland and Ireland, and in 1895 he went through the various cities and points of interest in France. In a social way, he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Peter Williamson Lodge No. 325, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He is also identified with Scranton Club and with the Country Club. Politically, he is a Repub- lican and does whatever he can to promote the best interests of that organization. Alive to the duties which devolve upon every true and faith- ful son of this great republic, he never shrinks from doing whatever he believes will advance the welfare of his fellows and is an earnest advo- cate of right and justice to all.

The hospitable and happy home of Mr. Con- nell is situated at No. 1115 Vine Street and is presided over by his charming wife, who was Miss Leonora Pratt before her marriage. Her birth occurred in Binghamton, N. Y., and she had attained maturity when, with her parents, she removed to Scranton. Three children have come to bless the home, viz .: Lawrence M., Carleton A., and Mary Lucile. Himself and wife are members of the Elm Park Methodist Church, in which at present he is officiating as a steward.

J OHN B. GILLESPIE, manager of Gilles- pie's general store at No. 117 West Market Street, Scranton, and one of the well known and long established business men of Provi- dence, was born in Carbondale, Pa., in 1844, of worthy Scotch progenitors. His father, Joseph, and grandfather, John Gillespie, were born in Duinfries-shire, Scotland, where the latter was engaged in farm pursuits until his emigration to America. After coming to this country he lived retired and passed from earth at Great Bend, Pa.

The father of our subject, who was born in 18II, came to the United States and joined his oldest brother, Thomas, who had previously set- tled in Carbondale. It was about 1835 when he established his home in that city, and soon after- ward he embarked in the mercantile business with George R. Love, under the firm name of Gillespie & Love. In 1860 he removed to Provi-

dence, Scranton, and the following year formed a partnership with the late Col. William N. Monies, the firm title being Gillespie & Monies. They carried on a milling business at the old mill (still standing) that was built by Andrew Jeffreys and was known as the Providence borough mill. In 1866 the partnership was dis- solved and from that time Mr. Gillespie lived re- tired until his death in 1873.

The marriage of Joseph Gillespie united him with Margaret Johnstone, who was born in Fred- ericksburg, Va., and now resides in Scranton. Her father, Benjamin Johnstone, was born in Paisley, Scotland, and removed to Fredericks- burg, Va., shortly before the birth of his daughter, Margaret. There he represented an Edinburgh house as its agent for the purchase of tobacco and cattle. He died in 1823 and shortly afterward his family came to Pennsylvania, settling in Dundaff, Susquehanna County. Joseph and Margaret Gil- lespie were the parents of six children, named as follows: John B .; James W., of Elmira, N. Y .; Thomas, who resides in Vermont; Nellie P., widow of M. D. Osterhout and owner of a gen- eral store in West Market Street, Scranton; Mrs. Thomas Shotton, of this city; and C. Joe, who is engaged in the insurance business here.

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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 107

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