Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 122

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 122
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 122

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October 21, 1876, Mr. Pearl married Miss

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Frances B. Blackman, of this county. They be- came the parents of four children, namely: Olive E., who graduated from the Normal at Strouds- burg in 1896; John H., who has been a student in the business college at Scranton; Bettie F., who died at two years; and Ernest G., who is with his parents. Mrs. Pearl is a daughter of Charles and Olive (Williams) Blackman, natives respectively of Wyoming County and Dundaff, Pa., both of whom died at their son-in-law's home. The first presidential ballot cast by our subject was for U. S. Grant and he has since been a Re- publican in his views. At different times he has been chosen to serve in local offices, the duties of which he has always discharged satisfactorily. With his wife and daughter, he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and attends the ser- vices there. In 1874 he was made a Mason and has since been an active worker in the fraternity.

J. B. SNYDER, an honored resident of Scranton, is now serving his eighteenth . year as court crier, having been appoint- ed to that position on the 3d of January, 1880, and entered upon his duties at the old court house in Washington Hall on Lackawanna Ave- nue. He is a native of the county which is still his home, born in Greenfield Township, July 7, 1824, but at that time it was a part of Luzerne County. His great-grandfather, Jacob Snyder, was a Hollander by birth, and on coming to America located on a farm at Livingston Manor, Dutchess County, N. Y., but later removed to Schoharie County, that state, where was born his son Jacob, the grandfather of our subject. The latter was one of the Revolutionary heroes, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis to General Washington, at Yorktown, Va. He then return- ed to his farm in Dutchess County, N. Y:, but later removed with his family to Greenfield Township, this county, and died in Green Ridge. Religiously he was a member of the German Lutheran Church.

Jacob Snyder, the father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, and while still a resi- dent of the Empire State manifested his loyalty and patriotism by serving his country in the War

of 1812. He became one of the early settlers of Greenfield Township, Lackawanna County, where he erected a primitive log house and barn, and at once began to clear and improve a farm in the midst of the forest. He continued to make his home in that township until called to his final rest at the age of ninety-three years, and there his remains were interred. He had married Re- becca Niver, a native of Fulton County, N. Y., and a daughter of William Niver, who also aided the colonies all through the war for independ- ence, and spent his entire life in New York. Mrs. Snyder was of German descent and died at the age of seventy-six.

To the parents of our subject were born twelve children, as follows: Elias, who died in Green- field at the age of eighty-six years; Maria, who became the wife of Daniel English and died in Lackawanna County at the age of eighty-two; Sabina, who married Angus Cameron and died in Carbondale, Pa., at the age of eighty-four; Mrs. Elizabeth Lampheire, who died in Michi- gan at the age of seventy; John G., who died in Greenfield at the age of seventy-two; Henry, a resident of Carbondale, who is now seventy-five years of age; Jacob B., of this sketch; Charles, who is living in the Bradfield oil region; Mrs. Eleanor Decker, who died in Greenfield at the age of fifty; Ira, who died in Deposit, N. Y., at the age of fifty; and Margaret M., who died at the age of sixteen.

Upon the home farm Jacob B. Snyder was reared, and he attended the public schools of the neighborhood until twelve years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world, being employed for one season as a bowsman on the Delaware & Hudson Canal. He then be- gan learning the shoemaker's trade as an ap- prentice to Henry B. Jadwin in Carbondale, at which he was employed for thirteen years, and for the following year was engaged in merchandis- ing in that city. Locating in Hawley, Wayne County, Pa., he there served as justice of the peace for two five years' terms, and in the mean- time began the study of law under E. Richardson and Earl Wheeler of Honesdale. At Wilkes- barre he was admitted to the bar before Judge Conyingham, and at once opened an office in

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Scranton, where he engaged in practice until ap- pointed to his present position as crier for the United States district and common pleas courts. Although he gave up his law practice he still con- tinues to engage in the real estate business which he had previously established.

At Johnstown, Fulton County, N. Y., June 20, 1850, occurred the marriage of Mr. Snyder and Miss Elizabeth Decker, a native of that place, where her father, John Decker, followed the oc- cupation of farming. Four children blessed this union, of whom three are still living, namely: Byron J., an engineer on the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Railroad of Scranton; Samuel H., an engineer connected with the Electric Com- pany of that city; and Frederick G., a machinist of Scranton.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Snyder is a Re- publican, and religiously is an active and promi- nent member of the Simpson Methodist Epis- copal Church in Hyde Park, with which he is officially connected, and is also a great worker in the Sunday-school. His hospitality is unbound- ed, and he enjoys the respect and confidence of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who recognize his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character.

W ILLIAM PRICE & SON are under- takers in Scranton. The senior mem- ber of the firm is truly a pioneer in his line in this county and is one of the old and re- spected residents of the city, dating his coming here some thirty-two years ago. His paternal grandfather was Robert Cadwallader, of Mer- ionethshire, Wales. His son, our subject's fath- er, William by name, was a shoemaker by trade and was early claimed by death. According to the ancient Welsh custom William Price, of this article, took his mother's name of Price, she hav- ing been Miss Susan Price before her marriage with Mr. Cadwallader. Her demise occurred in 1876.

William Price was born May 16, 1823, in Merionethshire, Wales, and was an only child. When he was about thirteen years old he was ap- prenticed to a cabinetmaker of his home neigh-

borhood for three and a half years, after which he went to Birmingham, England. He remained there until reaching his majority, becoming a very practical workman. The next few years he was employed as a journeyman in Manchester, Liverpool and Rocksdale. In 1848 he set sail for America in the good ship "Columbus," the voyage consuming thirty days. April Ist he land- ed in New York, and having no friends in this country he drifted to Philadelphia and then to Pottsville. As he was a good workman he had little difficulty in finding employment and about 1850 we find him trying his fortune in Pittston, which place he made his home until fifteen years had rolled over his head.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Price came to Scran- ton, bought the property where he has since done business and embarked as an undertaker. While in Pittston he had mastered the details of this branch and for years it has been his ambition to keep the best establishment in the county. In this he has been successful and his patronage is from the very best families of the city. In addi- tion to his large double office there are store- rooms in the rear, fitted with all the appliances now used by the trade. His residence is at one side of the building and offices and all are heat- ed by steam. The large barns, 50x100 feet, three stories high, afford ample accommodation for his splendid line of carriages and two fine hearses. Also, there are fifteen good horses, twelve of them being beautiful black animals. One of the organizers of the Lackawanna County Funeral Directors' Association, he was its president for years.

November II, 1849, Mr. Price married Miss Jane Reese, in St. Clair, Schuylkill County. She was born in South Wales and was brought up in this state. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: Susie, Mrs. Green, of Syracuse; Anna, at home; Gomer, formerly in business with his father, but who died in Au- gust, 1888; Idris, whose death occurred when six years old; Alma, Mrs. D. W. Connolly; and William C.

William Cadwallader Price was born in Scran- ton in April, 1869, and grew to manhood on the west side. When his elder brother died he was

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taken into the firm, which then became William Price & Son. He married Rachel, daughter of Eleazer and Mary (Reese) Evans. The father was superintendent of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western mines; was at one time city treasurer and is now in the postoffice. The son of W. C. Price bears the old family name of William. The young man is a member of Hyde Park Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M .; the Loyal Knights of America, Patriotic Order Sons of America and the Knights of Malta. Like his father, he is marching under the banner of the Republican party.

F REDERICK L. WARD, member of the board of county auditors and salesman for G. W. Fritz, of Scranton, was born in New Milford, Pa., April 5, 1854. The family which he represents is of old English origin and its coat of arms consists of a shield leaning upon the side of an oak tree, and showing the sunrise. His paternal grandparents came from the Con- necticut branch of the old colonial settlers, and his maternal grandparents were Long Islanders. Both branches of the family founded homes in the forests of Susquehanna County in the pio- neer days when brains, muscle and endurance were the first and only concomitants to success.

The great-grandfather of our subject, Deacon Ichabod Ward, followed his son, William Ward, from Connecticut in 1807, settling in New Mil- ford, and in time becoming the largest land own- er of his section. In this respect it is doubtful if he was ever exceeded by any of the earlier set- tlers. His holdings consisted of all the land now lying between the present site of New Milford borough and Susquehanna. His home stood nearly opposite the present site of the Presby- terian Church, of which organization he was a founder and most valued member. He was the father of five children: William, Samuel, Mrs. Benjamin Doolittle, Mrs. Selah Bryant, and Mrs. Uriah Hawley.

Accompanied by his young wife, in 1806, our subject's grandfather, William Ward, removed from Litchfield County, Conn., to New Milford, Pa. Hither he had been preceded a few years by

Benjamin Doolittle, whose glowing accounts of the place induced him to settle here. Immedi- ately upon his arrival he began chopping a large fallow where now stand the depot and steam mill. After making quite an extensive clearing, he removed to Mt. Pleasant and remained for several years, but finally returned to New Mil- ford. In 1834 he was commissioned justice of the peace. For many years he was the principal agent in that section for the sale of the lands of the DuBois estate and the tracts owned by Mere- dith, Bingham and Drinker. Few, indeed, were the citizens of the Salt Lick Valley of earlier days who did more to develop its resources and con- tributed to its prosperity with a more lavish and willing hand than did he. He was a loyal friend, the kindest of neighbors, and a land agent of acknowledged ability. To rich and poor alike he extended a cheerful hospitality. The house where he resided was the second frame dwelling in the place, and in it he died in October, 1849, at the age of sixty-four. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sally Briggs, and was born in Roxbury, Conn., after his death was married to Joseph Williams, a pioneer of Bridgewater Township. She died in August, 1872, at eighty- five years. To show her courage this incident is told: A large buck was one day chased by the hunter's dogs into Mr. Ward's clearing. Samuel, a lad of twelve years, then living with his brother, saw the animal stumble and immediately caught him by the horns, at the same time calling to Mrs. Ward for assistance. Realizing his danger- ous position and knowing she must act instantly, she hastened to unwind the long-webbed garters she wore, and with them speedily succeeded in tying its legs. They were relieved from their dangerous position by a neighbor, who was for- tunately within calling distance and who at once cut the animal's throat.

Among the ten children of William Ward were Christopher Longstreet, William C., Peter, John, Jack, Augustus and Charles. The first named was a printer and lawyer and amassed a large fortune. He was president of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad during its construction through Pennsylvania, and was for many years an influential resident of Towanda. Owing to a

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resolution formed in early life, he never entered politics, though high honors were tendered him under several presidents. William C., a promi- nent man of New Milford, was agent for his brother in the sale of lands, also purchased many cattle, driving them to New Jersey and New York, and spent a considerable period in the mercantile business. For more than thirty years he was justice of the peace and gained the title of "peacemaker" through his endeavors to settle all disputes in an amicable manner, without re- course to the law. He died February 24, 1871.

The father of our subject, Charles H. Ward, was born April 19, 1819, and in early youth was one of the active spirits of the New Milford pio- neers. The town of his birth owed much of its earlier growth to his indomitable energy. For some time he attended Harford University, and later was in Union College. Afterward he taught school for several terms and then entered upon a business life in New York City as a member of the firm of Terrell & Ward. On retiring he returned to New Milford, where he died in 1889. His wife, now deceased, was a sis- ter of the mother of George W. Fritz, of Scran- ton. Of their seven children, two died young, and the others are Mrs. Elizabeth Ballard, of Bradford County; Frederick L .; Frank, of Bos- ton, Mass .; Allen, residing in New Milford; and Kate, of Great Bend, Pa.

Educated in the public schools and St. Francis College of Loretto, Cambria County, our sub- ject learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Wa- verly, then returned to New Milford, where for two years he engaged in the manufacture of furniture. Later he was employed in the finish- ing department of a tannery there. In 1881 he came to Scranton and soon became connected with G. W. Fritz as salesman. He expects soon to erect a residence on his property in Wood- Lawn Park. Politically a Republican, he was ward assessor for four years, tax collector for three terms, and in the fall of 1896 was the suc- cessful candidate, among fourteen, for the posi- tion of county auditor, taking office in January, 1897, to hold three years. Fraternally he is identified with the Heptasophs.

In Great Bend, Pa., November 27, 1878, Mr.

Ward married Mary Alice Hoffman, who was born in Binghamton, N. Y., daughter of Conrad and Barbara (Vail) Hoffman, natives of Hesse- Darmstadt and Wurtemberg, Germany. Her father, a stone cutter by trade, came to New York City from his native land, removed to Corning and married there, then went to Binghamton, and later to Great Bend, where he operated quar- ries. He died November 9, 1886, and the busi- ness has since been carried on by his sons. His widow resides at the old homestead. They had seven children, all but one of whom are living. Mrs. Ward is the next to the eldest and the only one in Scranton. By her marriage she has one son, Albert James.

G EORGE SCHULTZ. 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 circum- stance or place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success, has surmounted all obstacles and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. Success is not a mat- ter of genius, but the result of consecutive effort, tireless purpose and capable management. The life of Mr. Schultz demonstrates what may be ac- complished by the improvement of opportunity, by unflagging industry and resolute determina- tion. He was born near Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in January, 1840. His father, Peter Schultz, a native of the same locality, was in the employ of the government as inspector of coal mines. He died in 1843, leaving the care of his children to his widow. She bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Brunswick, and was the daughter of Rus- sian parents who removed to Germany. With her seven children she came to America in 1846, reaching this country after a voyage of ten weeks and making her way to Carbondale, where one of her children, William, had located in 1844. The same year she came to Scranton, where she reared her family, and made her home until her death, which occurred in 1857, at the age of forty- eight years.

George Schultz is the youngest of the family

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of eight children, three of whom are now living. Soon after reaching Scranton he secured a posi- tion as errand boy in the foundry of Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, with which he remained for thirteen years. Having completely mastered the molder's trade in that time, he then accepted a position as sawyer with the Tobyhanna Lum- ber Company, and remained in that service until the war. In August, 1861, his patriotic spirit was aroused by the secession of the south, and he volunteered in the Union service and joined Company B, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, being mustered in at Harrisburg. He participated in the engagements at Tompkinsville, Paris, Rich- mond and Perryville, Ky., Carter's raid, Frank- lin, Thompson Station, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Franklin, Triune, Rover, Middle Long and Shel- byville, Tenn., Lafayette and Chickamauga, Ga., Newmarket, La., Danbridge, Mossy Creek, Saville, Fair Garden and Reedyville, Tenn., Love- joy Station, Macon, Griswold Station, Buck- head Creek, Waynesboro and Savannah, Ga., Johnston Station and Columbia, S. C., Averas- boro, Bentonville and Raleigh, N. C., and was present at the surrender of Johnston's army at Benton House, N. C., April 26, 1865. He served with the rank of sergeant and his military career is one of which he may well be proud, for on the field of battle or in camp he was ever faithful to his duty, performing the service allotted him and rendering loyal aid to the Union cause.

After his return, Mr. Schultz was employed as a molder until 1877, when with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he em- barked in business on his own account, erecting a store at No. 1514 Ash Street and stocking it with general merchandise. In 1892 he remod- eled and enlarged the store and on the Ist of February, 1895, turned over the business to his sons, who are now conducting it under the name of Schultz Brothers. His success in commercial circles was marked and immediate, and during his career as a merchant he enjoyed a most ex- cellent trade that yielded to him a handsome com- petence. His business ability is by no means lim- ited to one line of endeavor, for his efforts have been carried into various fields of industrial ac- tivity and have been uniformly successful. He

owns both a residence and business property, erected the Schultz Hall and made other judicious investments in real estate.

Mr. Schultz was married in Wilkesbarre, Pa., to Caroline Hartman, a native of Prussia, and a daughter of Philip Hartman, a stone mason, who brought his family to Scranton. Their children are George, a postal clerk in the United States mail service; Albert, who is engaged in the drug business in Scranton; William and Edward H., who form the firm of Schultz Brothers; Lena, Arthur, Robert, and Ernest C. Mr. Schultz was a member of the school board for the tenth ward for four years. He belongs to Dunmore Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Oakland Post No. 25, N. V. U .; is a past officer of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 369; also of the Knights of the Mystic Chain; and of Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139, G. A. R. He is deeply interested in this order and at- tended the national encampments in Boston, Washington, Pittsburg and Louisville. He is one of the active and influential members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. His political support is given the Republican party, and he has served on the city and county committees and has at- tended the county and state conventions.

C HARLES J. WEICHEL. The establish- ment of which Mr. Weichel is proprietor ranks among the finest of its kind, not only in Scranton, but in the entire state. In Oc- tober of 1896 he came to his present location in the Mears Building, where he occupies apart- ments, 35x155 feet in dimensions, and in addi- tion utilizes for storage purposes 35x135 feet on the second floor. The interior arrangement is original with him. The background is in black, which, together with the cases, carved shelving and fancy woodwork of original and beautiful design, affords every facility for the display of crockery, lamps and glassware. Wares of every variety, from the cheapest to the most elegant, as well as a large quantity of imported goods, may be found here, and a large business is carried on, both in retail and wholesale.

The Weichel family, as indicated by the name, is of German origin. The father of Charles J.

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was Frederick, a native of Germany, and the first of the family to seek a home in America, though subsequent to his emigration his brothers crossed the ocean to this country. In his native land he was employed as a merchant tailor, but after settling in Scranton he became the first boss in the old rolling mill of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company. Later he opened a grocery on the south side in Cedar Avenue, and this he car- ried on for many years. He was the first to establish vinegar works in this part of the state, and subsequently engaged in the distillery busi- ness for a short time. He purchased the corner of Center Street and Wyoming Avenue and in- creased its value by improvements, and it is still owned by the family. His death occurred in 1889, when he was sixty-five years of age. Among the Germans of Scranton he was a recog- nized leader, and assisted in the organization of the German Society here. He was also a char- ter member of the German lodge of Odd Fel- lows.

The mother of our subject, Catherine Witha- meier, was born in Germany, where her father died; her mother died in Montreal while en route to Scranton. The most of her life she spent in this city, and here her death occurred in 1887. To her marriage there were born five sons and two daughters. Charles J., whose birth oc- curred in Scranton, was educated in the public schools of this city, and in 1871 was employed in the crockery store of J. L. Harding in Lacka- wanna Avenue, where he carried on business for eight years. Later he was in the employ of H. A. Coursen. In 1888 he started in business for himself at No. 314 Spruce Street and afterward took into partnership G. V. Millar, under the firm name of Weichel & Millar. The enterprise was prospered and a large trade was established. In the spring of 1896 he sold out, and in October of the same year opened the establishment which he has since conducted. The Mears Building, in which the store is situated, is one of the finest of- fice buildings in this part of the state, and is con- veniently located, thus affording him every ad- vantage in the retail trade.

At No. 538 Quincy Avenue Mr. Weichel has a pleasant home, with beautiful interior appoint-

ments. Here every comfort is provided for his family, which consists of his wife, formerly Miss Annie Hopewell, and four children, Clyde, Lau- rene, Karl and Catherine. He is identified with the Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, in which his parents were charter members and very active workers; his wife holds membership in Elm Park Methodist Episcopal Church. Though not active in politics, he possesses firm convic- tions on national issues and is a stanch Repub- lican. In the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks he holds the office of treasurer, and is ac- tively identified with the Knights of Pythias, Scranton Rowing Association and Liederkranz.

N ATHAN THOMPSON retired from active business pursuits in 1889 and has since enjoyed the fruit of his labors in former

years. Of Canadian birth, once each year he visits the old home in Ontario and spends a month or more with his mother and brothers. While he loves the land of his birth, he is in- tensely patriotic in his devotion to our govern- ment and has the same devotion to country char- acteristic of his maternal ancestors, the Allens. His grandfather was a nephew of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, while an uncle, George R. Allen, was a brave soldier in the War of 1812. The latter attained the advanced age of one hun- dred and two years.

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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 122

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