Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 109

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 109
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 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

As the ship was not returning direct to Eng- land, but was to cruise along the coast of the United States, Mr. Hughes decided to remain until spring. By the time he had spent several months in this country, he liked the States so well that he concluded to make his permanent home here. Acting on Captain Snow's advice, he left the crowded city and went to Schenec- tady, N. Y., where he readily found employment in the locomotive works, and remained a year. In 1852 he went to Susquehanna, Pa., as a boiler maker for the Erie Railroad, and in June, 1855, he came to Scranton and was employed in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western boiler shops for a few months. Then, after a short time at his old place in Susquehanna, he went to Keo- kuk, Iowa, but in June, 1856, settled in this city, resuming his former place, and in the next Sep- tember he was promoted to the foremanship of the boiler department, where he is to be found to-day, after over two score years of close appli- cation.

Over thirty years ago Mr. Hughes bought a comfortable home at No. 319 Franklin Avenue, and has resided here ever since. His wife, who was Rebecca Anderson, was born in Coopers- town, N. Y., a daughter of George Anderson, of England. He located in New York State many years ago, but passed his last days in Scranton. Three children were born to the union of Mr.

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and Mrs. Hughes: Walter, a machinist at the Cliff works; Emma, deceased; and Clara, who has kept house for her father since her mother's death in 1892.

In 1861 Mr. Hughes patented a spring bal- ance for safety valves on locomotives, and these useful articles were manufactured many years. In 1873 he patented a spark-arrester, which is still in use, and in 1857 he invented the system of bracing the crown-sheet in boilers which pre- vents frequent explosions, and this is in common use all over the world. In 1895 he patented an improvement on locomotive boilers, and to-day this invention is used on all the engines of the local railroad. Politically he is a true blue Re- publican, and fraternally belongs to Union Lodge No. 391, F. & A. M. In religious matters he prefers the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

M OREL BROTHERS. The firm doing business under this name in Scranton is composed of two brothers, Louis and Peter J. Morel, who were numbered among the early settlers of that portion of the city comprised within Green Ridge. They are extensively en- gaged in the florist's business, having a green- house that extends from East Market to Breaker Street, with twenty thousand feet of glass sur- face. While the building is large, it is inadequate to the demands of the increasing trade and will undoubtedly soon be enlarged. All kinds of plants are raised and a large business is done in the wholesale and retail trade in cut flowers.

The father of our subjects was born in the de- partment of Vosges, Lorraine, France, and bore the name of John Morel. On coming to Ameri- ca he was employed for a time as captain on the canal at Honesdale, then removed to Wyoming, where he lived for five months, and from there came to Green Ridge, Scranton, where he culti- vated a farm belonging to the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He departed this life in Scranton in 1894. His wife, who still resides in this city, bore the maiden name of Marie T. Valance, and was brought from France to America by her father, a musician, who was employed in the glass works of Honesdale until his death.

The family of John Morel consisted of ten chil- dren, of whom six are living, namely: Louis, who was born in Shickshinny, Luzerne County, December 6, 1854; Sophie, who is with her mother; Peter J., whose birth occurred at Green Ridge; Mary, who is married and lives in Scran- ton; Clara, wife of Emmett Hoyt, and a resident of Dorranceton; and Anna, at home. Louis was three years of age when the family came to Scranton, and in boyhood he attended the Provi- dence and Scranton schools. In 1872 he was ap- prenticed to the brickmason's trade under John Davis, completing his apprenticeship with Con Schroeder. After three months of work as a journeyman he abandoned the trade and began gardening in Green Ridge, gradually drifting into the florist's business.

Morel Brothers own a garden of over ten acres in the city, and at one time operated thirty acres, employing twenty-five hands and using two huck- ster's wagons for the retail trade. They own eight houses, and are recognized as prosperous and successful business men. In addition to this business, they are interested in the Paragon Plas- ter Company. Fraternally they are identified with Celestial Lodge No. 833, I. O. O. F., in Providence, and in political views are stanch Republicans. While they are not identified with any denomination, they incline toward the doc- trines of the Episcopal Church and contribute to its enterprises.

L EANDER L. GRIFFIN, of Scranton, comes of an old and respected family of the Lackawanna Valley, who were origi- nally of the Society of Friends. His career has had much of struggle with adverse circumstance, much of the ups and downs of life, but being of a disposition which does not know the meaning of the word "failure," he would not allow himself to be overcome and energetically pressed forward to the goal of success. He has been a witness of vast changes in this vicinity and has taken an active part in the upbuilding of every locality in which he has resided for any length of time.

The Griffins were early inhabitants of Con- necticut and from that state removed to Dutchess

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County, N. Y., where the birth of our subject's grandfather, Stephen Griffin, occurred. He was a farmer and drover by occupation and about 1810 he settled in what is now Lackawanna Coun- ty. Subsequently his brothers, Joseph, Thomas and James, and a sister, Mrs. Mead, also came here, and their descendants still remain in this valley. Stephen married Mary Place, a native of Connecticut, and daughter of a pioneer of this county, and of their union two sons were born, Jackson and Egbert. The latter went to the west and there his family are still living. Stephen Griffin bought a farm of two hundred and twen- ty-five acres, situated where the main part of Green Ridge now lies and upon this property he built a sawmill. Some years later he erected a sawmill at Bellevue. In order to raft logs down the Lackawanna to the Susquehanna River he was obliged to have some blasting of rocks done near the town of Babylon, and this place was named therefore "Quaker Falls," in reference to his creed. He always wore the sombre garb and the characteristic wide-brimmed hat affected by those of the sect. About 1835 he went further west, and died soon afterward near Evansville, Ind., being then forty-five years of age. He had two sons and eight daughters, all of whom mar- ried and reared families.

Jackson, father of L. L. Griffin, was born in Northeast, N. Y., and was a mere lad when he came to this county. On arriving at man's es- tate he married Charlotte Prince, who was born in Connecticut. Her paternal grandfather was an old settler in that state and took an active part in the War of 1812. For six years or so Mr. Griffin traveled around the country, selling mer- chandise, having his home in Shrewsbury, N. J., and then he came to Scranton, and here became a schoolteacher. In 1835 he moved to Plymouth, Luzerne County, and it was while there, en- gaged as a teacher, that he died, in 1837. His devoted wife died in 1848 and of her five chil- dren only two survive.

.L. L. Griffin was born in Shrewsbury, N. J., September 1, 1830, and first beheld Scranton when he was only three years old. His schooling was obtained in Plymouth and when he was about sixteen he began learning the carriage-

maker's trade in Wilkesbarre, Pa., with Isaac T. Puterbaugh, whom he served faithfully some three years and a half. When he left him March 22, 1849, he had but $3.75 in the world and was compelled to start out on foot and walked to the New York state line. Then for two years he worked as a journeyman, going from place to place to find employment. In the course of his traveling he landed at a certain cross-roads south of Scranton, and perceived that it would be a good point at which to open a store. Going to Philadelphia, he purchased goods at No. 99 Mar- ket Street and when the merchant inquired about the address to which he was to direct the freight, the answer was that there was no name yet given to the aforesaid cross-roads. "Well, call the place something, if only after Moscow, where the great bell is," and Mr. Griffin replied, "Moscow it is then," and thus the future town was named, the postoffice being later granted under the same cognomen. The merchandise had to be drawn by teams from Easton north to the destination and when it safely arrived the first store in Mos- cow was opened. The date of this event was in 1852 and for five years our subject conducted it successfully. When the railroad went through the town he bought the site and laid it out as a village and after obtaining the postoffice, was made its first postmaster, and so acted several years.

In 1857 Mr. Griffin located in Scranton and worked at his trade, having a shop in Hyde Park, on West Lackawanna Avenue, for over eighteen years. Being then a little tired of city life he went upon a farm near Salem, Wayne County, and spent the next three years there, after which he operated another farm near Hollisterville, in the same county, seven years. Upon his return to this city he built a good residence at No. 223 Madison Avenue, the first in the locality, and afterward put up the adjoining house also. For five years he carried on a shop in Green Ridge, then sold out, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of picture frames, his shop being well equipped. Socially, he belongs to Salem Lodge No. 330, F. & A. M., of Salem, and in politics he is a loyal Republican.

In 1854, in Moscow, Mr. Griffin married Eme-

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line Swartz, a native of Green Ridge, born in 1836. Her parents were George and Catherine (Biesecker) Swartz, both born in Northampton County, Pa. The father was an early settler in Green Ridge and owned a farm north of Market Street. He afterward moved to Moscow, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. Five daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, viz: Ella, Mrs. Smith, of Scranton; Carrie, Mrs. West, who lives on a farm near Hollisterville; Kate, who died when twenty-two; Mrs. Nettie Moore, whose husband is a carpenter at Hollis- terville, and Hattie, at home. Mr. Griffin is a member of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, is a class leader, and has been connected with this denomination for upwards of forty years.

G EORGE MITCHELL, president of the Pittston stove works and of the Scran- ton board of school control, was born in the old Knickerbocker ward of New York city, May 3, 1856, and is a son of George and Janet (Ritchie) Mitchell. His paternal grandfather, Capt. George Mitchell, was for many years a sea captain in the African trade, and while thus engaged his ship, with all on board, was lost off the Island of Madagascar.

A native of Morayshire, Scotland, our subject's father came to America a young, unmarried man and soon became interested in oil refining with his uncle, Robert Hogg, and James Donald, starting a plant on Newton Creek, Long Island, and building up the works under the firm name of James Donald & Co. The business was finally sold to the Standard Oil Company, and in 1873 he retired from active labors, though continuing his interest in public affairs and his connection with official life. For about twelve years prior to his death he held the appointment of chief in- spector of oils for New York City, where he was a man of considerable prominence and influence. Frequently he went abroad, each time spending several months in England and on the continent, but his love for the United States and his anxiety for the welfare of his adopted country never waned. Repeated visits to the old world seemed

but to foster his love for the new. Like many Scotchmen, he squared his life by the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, and was an earnest member of that denomination. His death oc- curred in New York City in 1886 when he was about sixty years of age. In 1875 occurred the death of his wife, who was born in Linlithgow- shire, Scotland.

The family of George and Janet Mitchell con- sisted of five children, of whom three are living, our subject being the oldest of the number and the only son. He was educated in grammar schools Nos. 7 and 16, New York City, graduating from the latter. In 1871 he entered the College of the City of New York, but after conducting his studies there for some months left in order to accompany his father to Europe in 1872. It was the intention of his parents to have him take up the study of medicine in the University of Edin- burgh, and with this purpose in view, he took a preparatory course in a school in Dumfries-shire, where he remained eighteen months. His moth- er's ill health, however, caused an entire change in his plans and induced him to return to Amer- ica, where she soon afterward died.

The first business enterprise in which Mr. Mitchell engaged was in connection with a large French insurance corporation, which established a resident office in New York and tendered hin the position of private secretary. Coming to Scranton in 1881, he purchased an interest in the cracker factory of Monies & Pughe, situated on Lackawanna and Washington Avenues, and here he carried on a very extensive business until 1891, when he sold out. He manufactured crackers upon a large scale, and his bakery was the largest in the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg. In 1884 he became a director in the Pittston Stove Company, to the presidency of which he succeed- ed in 1891, upon retiring from the cracker busi- ness. The headquarters of the company are at Pittston, to which city he goes daily. The plant was established more than thirty years ago, and is one of the oldest and most substantial in that section of the state. The work is done within one building, a brick structure, 300x50 feet in dimensions, where are manufactured stoves and ranges, a specialty being made of the "Happy

DANIEL LANGSTAFF.

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Thought." In busy seasons about one hundred and twenty-five hands are employed.

In Scranton, in 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mitchell to Miss Martha, daughter of Col. William Monies, of whom mention is made in the sketch of A. C. Monies. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Carbondale and is the mother of three children, Janet, William and Mildred. In 1887 our subject was elected a member of the board of school con- trol, but on the re-enactment of the former law regarding such offices his predecessor took his place. On his death Mr. Mitchell was appointed to fill the vacancy, later was elected, and then re- elected in 1890 and 1894, receiving his largest ma- jority the last named year. In 1892 and again in 1896 he was made president of the board, and for two years held the chairmanship of the high school committee, and at other times served on different committees. Politically he has always advocated the principles for which the Republic- an party stands. He was secretary of the poor board for one term and its treasurer two terms. In the county committee of his party he has done active work. Fraternally he is identified with Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., and in religious connections is a member of Green Ridge Presbyterian Church.

D ANIEL LANGSTAFF. Through the course of his long and honorable life, which has covered the greater part of the century now drawing to a close, Mr. Langstaff has proved himself to be a public-spirited and up- right man-one who, knowing his duty to his fellowmen, has striven to discharge every duty that, as a citizen, rested upon him in his inter- course with others. In 1849 he first came to the valley and two years later he settled permanently in Scranton, where for many years he was inter- ested in mines and mining. Since retiring from business he has devoted his time to the super- vision of his private financial interests and to trav- el, for his ample means permit the gratification of his desire to visit points of interest and to seek physical invigoration in congenial climates.

The Langstaff family originated in England, where they were people of wealth and influence. John, father of Daniel, was born in that country,

and on completing his education traveled in South America, then came to New York, where he became an instructor in music. In that city and Stroudsburg, Pa., he spent sixteen years in professional work, after which he retired. In 1837 he established his home in South Montrose, Susquehanna County, where he died three years later. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachael Bush, was born in Stroudsburg, a mem- ber of an old Pennsylvania family that originated in Germany. She was a lady of consistent Chris- tian character, a Methodist in religious belief, and in that faith passed from earth in 1853, at the age of fifty-two years. She was the mother of four sons and two daughters who attained years of maturity: John, who was a captain during the Civil War and is now a resident of Washington, N. J .; Daniel; Levi, who was an officer in the Union army and now lives in Dubuque, Iowa; Thomas, who died in Rockford, Ill .; Mrs. Sarah Culver, of Mineral Point; and Mrs. Mary Ster- ling, of Oneonta, N. Y.

During the residence of his parents in Strouds- burg Daniel Langstaff was born April 6, 1828. On completing a public-school education, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed from the time he was fifteen. In 1849 he came to Providence, now a part of Scranton, and worked at his trade, but the following year went to Hawley, Pa., where he engaged in build- ing cars for the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Returning to Scranton in 1851, he secured em- ployment with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, and assisted in finishing their shop and turntable, and helped to build their first car. In 1861 he was given the position of outside foreman at the Hyde Park shaft and remained there for two years, with the exception of the time spent in the army.

During the progress of the Civil War, Mr. Langstaff responded to an emergency call for ad- ditional troops, and in 1862 enlisted with the Keystone Guard, of which his brother, John P., was captain. He was stationed at Hackettstown and Newcastle for ninety days, holding the rank of second lieutenant under commission by Gov- ernor Curtin. When the company was mustered out, he returned to his home. In 1864 he was made superintendent of the Diamond mines of

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the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, with two large breakers in his charge, and cointinued con- stantly in this position for twenty-four years, when he resigned, being succeeded by his son, W. S. Meantime, during the years of his connec- tion with the Diamond mines, he became inter- ested in the firm of Tripp & Co., engaged in the retail coal business in Providence road. On re- tiring from the mines, he turned his entire atten- tion to the superintending of the retail business and of the old Tripp mine, remaining in that posi- tion until August, 1895.

The property interests of Mr. Langstaff are val- uable, comprising his residence at No. 101 Mul- berry Street, Scranton; other property in this city; and a summer residence adjoining the Key- stone Academy, in Factoryville, on the county line of Wyoming and Lackawanna. He is fond of fine horses and owns "Russell," a Kentucky standard-bred horse, with a record of 2:24, said to be the finest, fastest and prettiest horse in Wyom- ing County. In his political views he is a pro- nounced Republican, never veering from party principles, but at all times an active worker in its interests. For a term of four years he was a mem- ber of the board of school control, during which time he assisted in advancing the interests of the public schools. For eighteen years he has been a trustee of the Penn Avenue Baptist Church, with which his wife is also identified.

At Montrose, Pa., in June, 1851, occurred the marriage of Mr. Langstaff and Miss S. E. Ship- man, who was born in that place. They are the parents of three children. William S., the eldest, is superintendent of the Diamond mines and member of the board of school control of Scran- ton. Edward, who was engaged as an engineer in South America for two years, is at present em- ployed in that capacity with the Kings County Elevated Road. Cornelia, the only daughter, was given the best educational advantages the schools of this district afforded, and is a graduate of the Keystone Academy and Bloomsburg Normal; she is now the wife of O. B. Schreifer, president of the board of school control and superintendent of the coal way-bill office of the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Company at Scranton.

The father of Mrs. Langstaff, William Shipman,

was born in Chester, Conn., and was a carpenter and builder by trade. In youth he came to Penn- sylvania in company with other members of the family, making the journey by wagon and team and making their way along the trackless country and through valleys, guided only by the blazed trees at infrequent intervals. Reaching Susque- hanna County, they settled there and established their home in a log house. William Shipman con- tinued to reside there until his death at eighty-two years of age. His wife, Sarah Vaughn, was born in Rhode Island and died in Susquehanna County at seventy-five years. She was a descendant of Revolutionary patriots and a daughter of Jona- than Vaughn, a farmer and pioneer of Susque- hanna County; her mother was a daughter of Capt. Henry W. Congdon, an old sailor.

B ENJAMIN J. CANNON, proprietor of the only drug store in the village of Moscow, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., May 23, 1839, the son of Wait and Sarah (Janes) Can- non. His father, who was born and reared in Delaware County, engaged in the mercantile and lumber business in Masonville until 1842, when he came to Blakely, Pa., and embarked in the hotel business. Later he turned his attention to farming. Politically he was a firm defender of Jeffersonian principles and always voted the Democratic ticket. While residing in Masonville he held the positions of postmaster and town- ship clerk and after coming to this county served as school director. In early years he did con- siderable work as a surveyor. His death oc- curred in Moscow in 1868, when he was seventy- one years of age. His wife, who was born in Northfield, Mass., died in Blakely Township in 1880, aged seventy-six. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

When three years of age our subject was brought by his parents to Blakely, Pa., and later accompanied them to Providence, growing to manhood on a farm and obtaining his education in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston. In 1866, forming a partnership with his brother, he opened a drug store in Hyde Park and in the spring of the following year purchased

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his brother's interest, carrying on the store alone about two years. He then sold out and came to Moscow, where he engaged in general merchan- dising for a year, then going to Deckertown, N.J., carried on a drug business there for three years with his brother, F. M. Cannon, M. D. Later he spent seven years in Drinker, Pa. In 1885 he again came to Moscow and opened a drug store, which he has since conducted.

December 9, 1868, Mr. Cannon married Miss Mary Elizabeth Hines, who was born July 7, 1851, and died April 16, 1895, leaving four chil- dren: Mary E., wife of John Scott, of this place; Sarah Janes and Florence E., who remain with their father; and Charles A., who graduated from Brooklyn (N. Y.) College of Pharmacy and is now engaged in the drug business in Long Island City. Active in the Republican party, Mr. Can- non was postmaster at Drinker for five years, re- signing upon his removal from that place. He has also been township clerk and has represented his party as delegate to various conventions. In religious belief he holds connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Camp No. 248. When the war opened he was teaching school in this county, but in 1864 he went south for the purpose of entering the service. Instead, however, he took a clerkship in the quartermaster's department at Fortress Monroe, and the following year was transferred to a commissary store at Norfolk, Va., where he remained until the close of the war. During the summer of 1865 he clerked in the Monu- mental Hotel at Richmond, after which he re- turned to the north. He has been a hard-work- ing man, anxious to build up a good business and accumulate a competency, and is justly regarded as one of the efficient and enterprising business men !of the village.

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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 109

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