Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 111

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 111
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 111

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W ALTER DAWSON came to Scranton in September, 1867, and held the posi- tion of general master mechanic of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company un- til June, 1886, when ill health caused him to re- sign and go abroad. In visiting different parts of England and in travel on the continent some years were passed, and in July, 1893, he returned to Scranton, where he has since resided. He is, perhaps, best known through his valuable inven- tions. His safety attachment for mine cages, now in general use, doubtless has been instrumental in saving the lives of thousands of people. He also invented a boiler for burning buckwheat coal, now generally used in the valley, and a fan for ventilating mines, which was different from those previously devised in that they were inclosed, while it was open, and all fans have since been built on this plan. While, owing to the fact that he did not patent his inventions, he did not derive any pecuniary benefit from them, yet he has the satisfaction of knowing they have been the means of saving human life.

The father of our subject, John Dawson, was

born in London, the son of a contractor and builder, and became superintendent of one of the large docks in London. He married Amelia Fei- bouz, who was born near Winchester Cathedral in the city of that name. Both died in England and their bodies lie in the Bunhillfield burying ground, where the famous John Bunyan was laid to rest. Of their six children, four are living; one of the sons, Sidney, became a sea captain at the age of twenty-three, and traveled in almost every part of the world, dying in England in 1871.

In the city of London Walter Dawson was born in January, 1823. Upon the death of his father, which occurred in July of 1834, he began to work as junior clerk in the London docks at the age of eleven and one-half years. His desire for a seafaring life was so keen that as soon as possible he entered the merchant marine service as sailor boy, and made three trips, the first to the Mediterranean Sea, then to the Azores Is- lands and afterward to Cuba. After his return to England, in 1839, he worked in a machine shop at the terminus of the London & Croydon Railroad, one of the first roads out of London. In May, 1840, he went into the employ of the Eastern Counties Railroad Company (now the Great Eastern Railroad). In 1845 he commenced running a locomotive, and for a time was in charge of a locomotive station. Meanwhile his brother, Sidney, had become a seafaring captain, and was constantly urging Walter to take a trip abroad with him. However, he first went to France on a visit to a sister and remained there for five months. At Glasgow he went on board his brother's ship, "Charlotte," and sailed to Hali- fax in May, 1851. His brother, who was well ac- quainted with the United States, advised Walter to run down to Boston, at which port he would communicate with him later, so that he could re- turn to England if he desired. He was so pleased with the appearance of the country that he ac- cepted the suggestion made by the master me- chanic of the Boston road to apply for work in the machine shops at Taunton. He was success- ful in his application, and June 2, 1851, he com- menced work as a machinist in the Taunton loco- motive works.

In December, 1851, the Hudson River road,

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for which Mr. Dawson had built some engines, sent to the Taunton locomotive works request- ing them to send a man who could run locomo- tives and do repair work. Mr. Dawson was se- lected, but the inclemency of the season caused him to hesitate, and his first thought was to de- cline. On subsequent consideration, however, and acting on the advice of friends, he de- cided to accept the position. Going to New York city, he began in the shop and then ran a loco- motive between New York and Albany. As yet soft coal had never been used successfully on en- gines running out of New York City, but he was determined to accomplish this feat, and did so, after making alterations in the engine. Many of the locomotives now running on the lines in Pennsylvania are burning anthracite small coal, and the majority of the boilers now in use for that purpose were designed by Mr. Dawson. At that time Samuel Sloan was president of the road. The officials of the road complimented Mr. Daw- son upon his work and gave him a substantial increase in salary. Afterward for five years he was master mechanic in charge of the machine shops at Poughkeepsie.

A gentleman in New York urged Mr. Dawson to go to Schuylkill County to take charge of ma- chinery in a coal mine, and while he was reluc- tant to leave the position he then had, yet the offer was a flattering one, and he accordingly ac- cepted. Going to Woodside he was master me- chanic in charge of machinery of five large col- lieries, where he designed the fans now in com- mon use and the safety attachment for cages. Through Samuel Sloan he was tendered the posi- tion of master mechanic of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western, which he held from 1867 to 1886. At the time he came to Scranton the only trains run were from Hampton Junction, N. J., to Great Bend, Pa., but before he resigned his position they ran from New York to Buffalo, with many branches, and the capacity of the shops had greatly increased. The road was also changed from a six-foot gauge to the standard gauge of the country, four feet eight and one-half inches. Mr. Dawson re- signed his position with the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western May 31, 1886, and shortly

afterward, June 15, proceeded with his wife to England, making a protracted visit there. During that time, November 12, 1891, he was bereaved by the death of his wife, Hannah (Ransom) Daw- son, who was born in England, married in New York, and died in London. While in New York he became a Mason, but is not active in the fra- ternity. In religious views he is an Episcopalian, and in politics a pronounced Republican.

H ENRY M. EDWARDS, additional law judge of Lackawanna County, was born in Monmouthshire, England, February 12, 1844. He was educated at Swansea, South Wales, and received the degree of A. B. at the London University. He came with his parents, John and Margaret Edwards, to America in 1864, locating in Hyde Park, now in the city of Scran- ton. For a few years he devoted his time to jour- nalism and other literary work. In 1870 he mar- ried Miss Jennie Richards, a native of Carbon- dale, Pa., and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Richards, now of Scranton. After his marriage, having for some years studied law at odd mo- ments and in a desultory way, he entered the law office of Hon. Fred W. Gunster, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Luzerne County, Pa., Oc- tober 18, 1871. In 1885 he was elected district attorney of Lackawanna County for a term of three years and was re-elected to the same office in 1888. In 1893 he was elected to the office of additional law judge, which he now holds.

B YRON M. WINTON. This gentleman is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of Lack- awanna County, and has for many years been identified with the interests of Scranton. Upon the commercial activity of a community depends its prosperity, and the men who are now recog- nized as leading citizens are those who are at the head of extensive business enterprises. He is a man of broad capabilities, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

His father, W. W. Winton, was a native of Butternuts, Otsego County, N. Y., born in 1815,

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and was liberally educated. In 1833 he accom- panied his father on his removal to Providence, Lackawanna County, where he engaged in teach- ing for a time, and later turned his attention to the lumber business, his field of operations being on the parsonage lot, near where the blast fur- nace now stands. Subsequently he again taught for a time, having charge of the Bell school, and he afterward went to Danville, where he read law. In 1842 he opened a store in Wallsville with Hon. A. B. Dunning as clerk, but afterward both returned to Providence, where they conducted a mercantile business under the style of Winton & Dunning. Mr. Winton commenced the banking business next door to the St. Charles Hotel, es- tablishing the First National Bank of Providence, which was subsequently merged into the Second National Bank of Scranton, and he also made a number of additions to the various portions of the city and to Winton and Peckville. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Provi- dence, and gave the lots on which the building stands. Enterprising, public-spirited and cour- ageous as well as kind-hearted, he aided all worthy objects for the good of the community. He married Catharine, daughter of Henry Heer- mans, and died on the 30th of December, 1894, leaving a widow and five children to mourn his loss, but Mrs. Winton has since passed away, dy- ing in June, 1895.

The birth of our subject occurred June 23, 1847, in Providence, where he was reared and ob- tained his early education. He prepared for col- lege at the Williston Seminary of East Hamp- ton, Mass., but did not enter upon a collegiate course. After assisting his father in business for a time, in 1868 he embarked in the wholesale grocery trade at No. 107 Franklin Avenue, where he carried on business for fourteen years, and on disposing of his stock organized the Winton Coal Company, of which he has since been treasurer and general manager. He is also treasurer of the Mt. Vernon Coal Company, executor of the Cath- arine Winton estate and director of the Winton Water Company, which has large reservoirs that supply water to the towns of Winton, Olyphant and Dickson City. He is one of the most energetic and wide-awake business men of Scranton, and

his upright, honorable course commends him to the confidence and esteem of all. His office is located in the Mears Building, while his residence is in North Main Avenue.

In Scranton, Mr. Winton was united in mar- riage with Miss Frances E. Silkman, a native of Providence and a daughter of Daniel Silkman. Two children grace this union, Frances A. and Helen M. Fraternally Mr. Winton is an honored member of Hiram Lodge No. 261, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery, K. T., while religiously he is a leading member of the Presbyterian Church of Providence, and politically a stalwart supporter of Republican principles.

J AMES S. PORTEUS, M. D. One of the well known citizens of Taylor, a man who has contributed to the welfare of the people not alone by his skillful work as a physician, but who has also promoted many .plans for the de- velopment of the material resources of the place, is Dr. Porteus, whose name is a familiar one to the people of this part of the county. From an early age he was interested in the science of medi- cine and determined to make it his life occupa- tion. With this object in view he began to study under the oversight of Dr. B. A. Bouton, of Scranton, Pa., and later studied in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated with the class of 1873.

Possessing a thorough theoretical knowledge of the profession, Dr. Porteus opened an office in Scranton and began the practice of medicine. About eighteen months later, however, he moved to Taylor, and here he soon made many friends. On the death of Dr. Bouton, his former preceptor, he returned to Scranton and took charge of his practice at No. 205 Penn Avenue, remaining there for a year. He then went to Avoca for the purpose of taking charge of the practice of Dr. G. B. Seamans, during the latter's term of ser- vice as state senator. Two years were spent there, after which he returned to Taylor and has since engaged in practice in this place.

A Republican in political belief, Dr. Porteus was appointed postmaster under the administra-

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tion of President Harrison and held the office for five years. He was chosen physician for the Pittston poor district and the poor house of the district at Ransom, Pa., over eleven years ago, and still retains the appointment. He served as school director for a term of three years, the only time he ever aspired to public office, but has always aided in advancing local educational in- terests. Fraternally a Mason, he is past master of Acacia Lodge at Taylor, member of Lacka- wanna Chapter and an officer in Melita Comman- dery of Scranton. He holds the position of medi- cal examiner for the German Society, New York Life Insurance Company and the Prudential of New Jersey. As a citizen he has always been progressive and liberal-spirited, anxious to pro- mote all plans for the welfare of the people and contributing of his time and means to local en- terprises.

W D. OSTERHOUT, whose untimely end was made all the more sad in

· that it was caused by the carelessness of another, was during his life the leading con- tractor and builder of Dunmore. He was born February 3, 1831, in Nicholson, Wyoming Coun- ty, Pa., where his father was engaged in farming. A sketch of Webster Osterhout, who came to Wyoming County from New York State, will be found in connection with the sketch of the late Milo D. Osterhout, of Providence. Of William D. it may truly be said that he was a self-made man, not only in his business career, but in his education as well. He gave his entire time to work on his father's farm until he was nearly twenty-one years of age, when he went to Nichol- son to learn the carpenter's trade, and spent four years in mastering this in all its details. At the end of that time he returned to his father's farm, where he started a sawmill and operated it very successfully for four years. In 1860 he sold the mill and located in Nicholson, where he followed his trade for about five years. His success in his chosen line dated from the first, and by his in- dustry and close application to business he soon reached a place among the leading contractors. In 1871 he removed to Dunmore and started in

the lumber business on Third Street near the Erie & Western depot, where he was very suc- cessful, and erected a large shop and was very extensively engaged in contracting.

During Mr. Osterhout's business career and residence in Dunmore he won the esteem of the entire community and became one of the bor- ough's most representative citizens. In 1885 he took his son, E. W., into business as a partner, and they were the leading contractors and build- ers of Dunmore. The training the son had while in business with his father stood him in good stead, and he is now carrying on the same busi- ness, but located on Grove Street. Mr. Oster- hout's death was a peculiarly sad one, as it was caused while trying to save his son. He had gone to a butcher shop, and while his son was sitting in the buggy outside waiting for him an Italian grocer drove along carelessly and struck the wheel of the buggy, overturning it and throw- ing the son out. The father seeing his son's danger attempted to stop the horse, but the ani- mal dragged him about sixty feet, causing fatal internal injuries. He was able at the moment to walk back to the shop, but in a few minutes after asking for a drink of water he fainted and never regained consciousness, and died within about forty-five minutes from the time he received his injuries. His death occurred June 25, 1895.

In 1861 Mr. Osterhout married Eliza A., daughter of Lucius Utley, of Lenox, Susque- hanna County, Pa. Mr. Utley was born in Wind- ham County, Conn., but came to Pennsylvania when only nineteen years of age and settled in Lenox, where he engaged in farming. He mar- ried Catherine Kennedy, of Wilkesbarre Town- ship, Luzerne County, Pa., where her father, James, engaged in farming. The latter was a great uncle of W. D. Kennedy, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work. Her grand- father, Amos Utley, who was of English descent, engaged in farming in Windham County, Conn. To Lucius and Catherine (Kennedy) Utley there were born the following children: Sarah, Mrs. Burdick, residing in Susquehanna County; James K., a farmer in Susquehanna County; Jared F., a farmer in Clifford Township, Susque- hanna County; Catherine, Mrs. Hallstead, de-

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ceased; Mrs. Osterhout; Stephen L., farming in Nicholson Township, Wyoming County; Lydia A., who married Mr. Finn, a merchant at Dalton; Charles, a farmer residing at Lenox, Susquehanna County; Mary, Mrs. Hallstead, re- siding in South Dakota; John L., a farmer at Clifford, Susquehanna County; Celinda, who married Mr. Gardner, a stone dealer at Clifford Corners, and Delia, Mrs. Wedeman, of White- wood, S. Dak.

J OSEPH REESE, inside foreman of the Ca- pouse mine of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company and a resident of Scranton from infancy, was born in Carbondale, Pa., April 9, 1855, and is a son of David and Margaret (Har- ris) Reese, natives of South Wales. His father, who emigated to this country about 1851, settled in Carbondale, but soon moved to Pittston, then returned to the place of his first settlement, and in 1856 came to Scranton, where he was first em- ployed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company as driver boss in Hyde Park. Later he assisted in sinking the Oxford shaft. During the progress of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union service in 1863 and served for nine months, returning home at the expiration of his period of service. He died in this city, aged forty- four; his wife also died here. Of their four chil- dren, three are living: John, who is employed as driver boss in Storr's shaft; Joseph; and Mrs. Edward Conklin, of this city.

The educational advantages of our subject were very limited, for, when only eight years of age, he began to work as slate picker in the Oxford breaker of the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Company. Later he was employed as door- boy and helper in the same mine, and in the Dia- mond mine. He then secured a position as driver in the Briggs shaft of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company, and through steady work and industry became a practical miner. He still re- mains with the company in the same shaft, though the name has since been changed to Ca- pouse mine. In 1888 he was made assistant in- side foreman, in the spring of 1893 was promoted to be inside foreman of the mines, and has con-

tinued in that capacity to the present, having about four hundred and fifty men under his super- vision. The work is of a very responsible nature, and his efficient discharge of every duty proves his ability.

In Hyde Park occurred the marriage of Mr. Reese to Miss Jennie Richards, whose father, Isaac Richards, is a retired farmer of this place. They make their home at No. 332 North Lincoln Avenue, in a residence built by Mr. Reese, and with them are their three children, George, Ar- thur and Chester. While the duties connected with his business have been of so engrossing a nature as to preclude Mr. Reese from personal identification with public affairs, he keeps himself intelligently posted concerning the issues of the age, and gives his influence to the principles of the Republican party, which he has served as member of city and county committees and dele- gate to county and congressional conventions. He attends Plymouth Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes to its maintenance. Fra- ternally he is connected with Silurian Lodge No. 763, I. O. O. F.

E DWARD H. LYNDE, who comes of a long line of worthy, patriotic ancestors, is one of the honored citizens of Scranton, and for over two decades has been connected with the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company and the firm that preceded the present one. The responsible position that he fills with credit is that of superintendent of the south works. The first of the Lyndes to settle in America was one Joseph Lynde, who came from England to Bos- ton in 1712. His son, Jonathan, great-grand- father of our subject, was a hardware merchant in Putney, Vt., later lived in Worcester, Mass., and still later in Whitestown, Oneida County, N. Y. His wife was Miss Rhoda McIntyre. Their son, John Warner Lynde, our subject's grand- father, was born December 19, 1788, at Putney, and died in Danville, Pa., in 1875. In Utica, N. Y., he learned the jeweler's trade and carried on business in Rome, N. Y., until 1814, when he removed to Oswego, where he remained some years. In 1830 he and an apprentice floated down the Susquehanna River in an open boat,

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taking two days to reach Wilkesbarre. There he opened a jewelry store, and after he had be- come fairly started on the road to success he re- turned to the Empire State to get married. The journey was made both ways with a horse and wagon. He lived to the good old age of eighty- seven years.

The paternal grandmother of our subject was Mary Ann Jerusha Alice Cleveland, the direct descendant of Moses Cleveland, of England, who settled in Massachusetts and founded the family of his name in this country. He had a son, Jo- siah, whose son and grandson bore the same Christian name, Josiah; then followed Captain Josiah, then Dyer, born in Canterbury, Ct., the latter the father of the Mary Ann above men- tioned. Dyer Cleveland, a saddler by trade, set- tled in Wilkesbarre. His wife, Mary Austin, was a native of Sheffield, Mass. Capt. Josiah Cleveland, before referred to, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, taking part in the bat- tles of Bunker Hill, White Plains, Trenton, Har- laam Heights, Princeton, Monmouth and York- town. His earnest desire to witness the dedica- tion of the Bunker Hill monument was fulfilled before death claimed him at the close of his noble life.

The father of our subject bore the name of Ed- ward Cleveland Lynde. His birth occurred July 22, 1831, in Wilkesbarre, and when he had ar- rived at a suitable age he entered the academy of that place, it having stood where the present Lu- zerne County courthouse is. In 1847 he went to New York City, where he found employment with a wholesale dry-goods house. Five years later he returned to Wilkesbarre and entered the office of the Baltimore Coal Company, keeping their accounts two years. Next he transferred the ac- counts of Scranton & Platt to the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, which was organized in 1853, and succeeded the other firm. He rose rapidly, and from assistant general accountant was promoted to the whole charge of the books, and in 1859 was elected secretary. He held the same position until the main office was removed to New York, when he became assistant secre- tary, and as such he acted until his death, De- cember 30, 1893. Prominent in the fraternities,

he was for twenty-seven successive years treas- urer of Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., and was master of the same three times. He was also past high priest of Lackawanna Chapter and past prelate of Coeur de Lion Com- mandery, K. T. At various periods he acted on the Scranton poor board and on the board of school control. Up to the day before his death he was his usual busy, active self, even though he was then suffering from a protracted cold, which rapidly developed into pleurisy and stilled his great and noble heart ere his many friends could believe it possible. Death found him ready, as long years before he had become a faithful worker in the Master's vineyard, and identified himself with the First Presbyterian Church.

September 25, 1855, Edward C. Lynde married Gertrude W. Murray, who was born in Monti- cello, N. Y. Her father, Hebardon Murray, also a native of Monticello, was a merchant tailor, and located in Honesdale, Pa., about 1836. Later he engaged in the hotel business, and continued thus employed until his death. His brother, Commodore Chauncey Murray, was the proprie- tor of a hotel at Narragansett, and also ran a stage to Wilkesbarre in the early days. The wife of Hebardon Murray was Sarah, daughter of William Sackett, a merchant of Newburgh, N. Y., and previous to that a pioneer of Sullivan County. Subsequent to her husband's death she removed to Scranton (about 1843), then a village of only a few houses and stores, and here she reared her five children. She was born in 1805, and was seventy-two years old at the time of her demise. Her children were Mrs. Susan Hunter, Mrs. Cor- nelia Bryant, William Sackett, Gertrude and Fan- nie H. Mrs. Hunter was a distinguished scholar and writer, and translated many books from the German. The family of Edward C. Lynde com- prised the following: Jennie C., who died in in- fancy; Edward Hunter, of this sketch; Jessie, Mrs. John J. Ryman, of Dallas, Pa .; and Joseph H. S., assistant foreman of the Dickson Manu- facturing Company.

Edward Hunter Lynde was born in Scranton, June 26, 1857, and in his boyhood was given the advantages of a good education. From his father

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he inherited characteristics which have made him successful in all his undertakings. First, as an employe of the old Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, and later with the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company he has passed most of the time since 1874, giving the corporation full satisfac- tion in the daily discharge of his duties. He is senior warden of Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., and belongs to Lackawanna Chapter No. 185, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 17, K. T. He also is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. An original member of the Scranton Guards, he assisted in putting down the riots of 1877, and then became a member of Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, serving as a non-commis- sioned officer. Politically he is a Republican.

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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 111

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