Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 129

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 129
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 129

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still living, at the age of eighty-eight. The moth- er of Mrs. Francis had three children, girls, and died in Stroudsburg at the age of twenty-eight. She was a daughter of Philip and Sarah (Gower) Albert, natives respectively of Shawnee, Monroe County, Pa., and Wilkesbarre, Pa., both of whom are living, at the age of about eighty-nine.

J OHN J. ROBERTS, M. D., with office at No. 225 South Main Avenue, Scran- ton, is one of the many honorable cita- zens whom Wales has contributed to the United States. A native of Carnarvonshire, he is a son of John and Ann (Roberts) Roberts, the latter of whom died in 1884; the former, who is still living, is a contractor in slate quarries at Nantlle- vale, and is considered an authority in all mat- ters pertaining to his chosen occupation. He is the father of two sons and three daughters. The other son besides our subject is Robert J., super- intendent of the slate quarries at West Pawlet, Vt., and Brownell, N. Y., the largest quarries of roofing slate in the United States.

At the age of thirteen, the subject of this article entered Holt Academy, where he continued his studies for a time, but later left to begin an ap- prenticeship to a physician in Penygroes, Carn- arvonshire. In 1877 he entered the medical de- partment of the University of Glasgow, where he was a student for two years, and afterward was assistant to Dr. Hughes at Bethesda, and Dr. Roberts at Festiniog. In 1883 he crossed . the ocean to the United States and entered Jef- ferson Medical College, but after a short time became a student in the medical department of the University of Vermont at Burlington, from which he graduated in 1885 with the degree of M. D.

Upon completing his education, Dr. Roberts embarked in practice at West Pawlet, Vt., where he remained for two years. Then for a year he had an office in Middle Granville, N. Y., and from there came to Pennsylvania, again entering the Jefferson Medical College, where he passed the required examination. In November of 1888 he came to Scranton, where he has an office at No. 225 South Main Avenue. He is identified

with the Lackawanna County Medical Society and a member of the West Side Board of Trade. Politically he adheres to Republican principles, but is not partisan in his views. He is not connected with any denomination, but attends services at the Welsh Calvinistic Church, to which his wife belongs. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Hyde Park Lodge, F. & A. M., the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is asso- ciated with the Knights of Pythias, and a charter member of the Royal Arcanum and Robert Mor- ris Lodge of Ivorites.

In New York State Dr. Roberts was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Parry Williams, who was born in Middle Granville, daughter of Benjamin Williams, a well known resident of that place. One child, Newton, blesses their union. In his professional labors Dr. Roberts is earnest, skillful and persevering, and by reading keeps abreast with the latest developments of the sci- ence of medicine. Quick to grasp intricacies that might puzzle others, he is also prompt in carry- ing out ideas and plans. His tact, good judg- ment and will power are recognized as prominent traits of his character and have contributed in no small degree to his success.

W ILLIAM J. HAND is president of the Nay-Aug Coal Company, operating in Dunmore, president of the Ameri- can Chair Manufacturing Company, with plant located at Brandt, and attorney-at-law, with office in the Commonwealth Building, Scranton. As a lawyer, he has a high place in the estimation of the community. Learned in law, especially in that branch pertaining to corporate interests, he is well equipped for his profession.

Upon another page will be found a sketch of Hon. Alfred Hand, ex-judge of the supreme court, and father of the subject of this sketch. William J. was born in Scranton July 26, 1866, and laid the foundation of his education in the common schools, afterward prepared for college in the School of Lackawanna under Prof. W. H. Buell, and in 1883 entered Yale College, from which he graduated four years later with the degree of A. B. Under the preceptorship of his

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father he carried on his legal studies and in April, 1890, was admitted to the Lackawanna County bar in Scranton. He at once formed a partnership with his father and the two have since been associated in professional work. He is a director of the Thouron Coal Land Com- pany, which owns valuable property in Schuyl- kill County, and is also a director of the Ithaca Street Railway Company, which erected the first railway plant in Ithaca.

In Scranton, January 12, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie B., daughter of the late Thomas M. and Lucy Smith, of this city. Politically a stanch Republican, in February, 1892, he was elected upon that ticket to the common council without opposition, and served as chairman of the audit- ing and judiciary committees, but resigned in January, 1893, owing to his removal from the sixteenth to the seventeenth ward. He is a mem- ber of the Country Club of Scranton. In 1888 he became a director of the Y. M. C. A., and suc- ceeded H. M. Boies to the presidency in 1891, serving for two years. In 1892 he aided in the organization of the Scranton Rescue Mission, with which he has since been actively connected as a director, and of which he has been treasurer since January, 1896. For a number of years he has been assistant superintendent of the Sunday- school connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and is always warmly interested in the work of his denomination.

J OSEPH C. COBB, a representative farmer of Jefferson Township, and member of one of the oldest established families in this section, was born October 18, 1850, on the old homestead, located in what was then Salem Township, but is now Jefferson Township, the line of demarcation running near his house. On both sides he traces his lineage to pioneer resi- dents of this locality, his ancestors coming here about 1790 and 1795. In Jefferson Township, within sight of our subject's home, stands an old graveyard, where his great-grandfather, Asa Cobb, and great-grandmother, Sarah Cobb, are buried. The tombstones still standing show that three of the family died the same year, namely:

Sarah Cobb, April 9, 1816, aged sixty-three years; and her two sons, William, January 19, 1816, aged twenty-nine years, and Henry, March 24, 1816, at the age of twenty-three. Asa Cobb died March 24, 1828, when fifty-eight years old.

The record of the Cobb family is as follows: Asa and Sarah Cobb came to Lackawanna Coun- ty in June, 1790, from Orange County, N. Y., and settled in this town. They reared eleven chil- dren, namely: Asa, John, Sypron, William, Noah, Henry, Theodore, Ebenezer, Abigail, Sa- rah and Angeline. The girls married and settled in this county. Two of the sons, John and Eben- ezer, settled at the old home place; two, William and Henry, died; and the others scattered to dif- ferent places. At the time the family came to Pennsylvania, Ebenezer, our subject's grandfa- ther, was less than six months of age, he having been born December 19, 1789. In 1815, when in his twenty-sixth year, he married Lydia Osgood. who was born in Connecticut November 8, 1794, and a year after her birth, in 1795, her parents moved to Salem Township, Wayne County. The four children born to Ebenezer and Lydia Cobb were as follows: Holley, who was born July 27, 1816, died in his seventy-eighth year; Jeremiah, who was born April 8, 1818, died in his seventieth year; William F., who was born November 7, 1820, died in his seventeenth year; and Ruth, who was born June 25, 1825, is still living. After the grandfather's death the grandmother made her home with her son Jeremiah until her death in 1879, at the age of eighty-five. The Cobbs have always been known as people of great courage, with strong constitutions and great powers of endurance. Four brothers in the family of our subject's grandfather killed seven bears in one day; they were great hunters and trappers in the early days.

One of the enterprises of Ebenezer Cobb was the building and running of a saw mill, which with the land attached is now the property of our subject and added to the home farm. The old mill is still in running order and turns out con- siderable lumber, though not in quantities to compare with the early days, for the old forests have disappeared. The maternal great-grand- father, Jeremiah Osgood, was a pioneer here and

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attained the age of one hundred years, while Grandmother Osgood lived to be ninety-nine. The settlement of the family here was marked by many hardships and their early days were marked by many thrilling experiences.

The parents of our subject, Jeremiah and Car- oline (Croup) Cobb, were born near here, and the former died on this place at the age of sev- enty. The mother, who makes her home with our subject, was seventy-four years of age in December, 1896, and is still hale and active, car- rying her years with remarkable vigor. Seven sons were born to her marriage: William F., who was killed on the railroad in 1893; David S., of Scranton; Joseph C .; Franklin P., de- ceased; Worthington S., who lives in Scranton; Alton E., of Phoenix, Ariz .; and Francis O., who is connected with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company at Carbondale. The marriage of the parents took place in December, 1846. Our sub- ject's brother, W. S. Cobb, has two sons, How- ard, fourteen years of age, and Clyde, eleven years. D. S. Cobb and wife, Augusta, have one daughter, three years old, and A. E. Cobb and wife, Jennie, have a daughter, Ruth, five years of age.

Receiving fair educational advantages in youth, Mr. Cobb attended the common schools and Hollisterville Normal, and since completing his education has given his attention to the cultiva- tion of the home farm, devoting some time to the raising of stock, cattle principally. Among the improvements he has made to the place may be mentioned the large and substantial barn and a large Monitor power mill or wind engine, for pumping, cutting, thrashing and grinding. The latter, together with all of the machinery, he bought at the close of the World's Fair in Chicago, and he is probably the only man in the county who uses wind as the motive power for this work. It has often been said that Mr. Cobb has the best buildings and farm home in either Wayne or Lackawanna County; such was the testimony of a representative of the "Wayne In- dependent," who gave him that honor in his paper; and some of our best traveling salesmen and most reliable business men of the county corroborate this testimony.

The marriage of Mr. Cobb occurred Septem- ber 4, 1895, and united him with Miss Emma Van Buskirk, of Newton Township. He gives his support uniformly to the men and measures advocated by the Democratic party and has filled the office of town clerk, town auditor, etc. A man of excellent public spirit, he takes great in- terest in the affairs of the neighborhood and the upbuilding of the community.

M ARION STUART CANN, who has been well known in Scranton for nearly a quarter of a century, was born in Wil- mington, Del., in 1859. His childhood was spent in Maryland, whence in 1873 he came to Scran- ton with his father, Rev. Thomas M. Cann, LL. D. He devoted his attention to scientific sub- jects, and for two years, while preparing for col- lege, was instructor in science and mathematics at the Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, Conn. In 1879 he entered Williams College but was obliged to abandon the course on account of ill health. He was appointed expert and special agent of the tenth census in the departments of coal and iron in 1880; was also attached to the geological survey of Kentucky as assistant in charge of the main office during the same period.

At the close of this work Mr. Cann's decided predilection for journalism led him to accept the city editorship of the "Louisville Courier Jour- nal" under Hon. Henry Watterson, who took a warm interest in his aspirations, and gave him a thorough training in the details of metropolitan newspaper work. On his return to Scranton lie became a member of the staff of the "Scranton Republican," and was in charge of the Sunday edition when it was first issued. He has also been the city editor of the "Truth," the "Times," and the proprietor of several papers of his own. For several years he taught acceptably in his father's school, The School of Lackawanna, and has also had many private pupils in science at various times. In 1886 he registered as a student at law with John B. Collings, in Lackawanna County, and was admitted to the bar in 1889, in Jefferson County, Ala., where he had been called as editor of the "Birmingham Age Her-

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ald." Besides routine journalism and the work of a special correspondent, he has prepared many books and pamphlets on historical, scientific and literary subjects. His most recent work was the preparation and editing of the notes and mem- oirs of the venerable B. H. Throop, M. D., published under the title, "Half a Century in Scranton."

B ENJAMIN S. LEWIS. Not alone through his work as a builder and contractor, but also by means of his investments in real estate, Mr. Lewis has become prosperous and gained a place among the efficient business men of Scranton. When he came here from Daleville in 1881 he became the first settler in the extreme north part of the city, and erected the first house in what is now North Park. At that time the real estate in this locality was unimproved, a heavy growth of underbrush covering the land, which had not as yet been platted off in blocks or opened up by streets. Locating in Jefferson Avenue, between Delaware Street and Electric Avenue, he has since been identified with the growth and development of this locality, and has become one of its well known residents.

A native of Abergervenney, Monmouthshire, England, the subject of this article was born Jan- uary I, 1848, and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Hill) Lewis, natives respectively of Radnorshire, South Wales, and Clifford, Hereford. The for- mer, who was a farmer in his native shire, came to America, accompanied by his wife, in 1873, and settled in Daleville, Pa., where he remained until his death in 1883, at the age of seventy-six. His wife, who, like himself, was an Episcopalian in religious belief, died in Daleville when sev- enty-eight. She was a daughter of Benjamin Hill, a native of Clifford and a member of an old family of that place.

Our subject's grandfather, Rev. Richard Lew- is, was a minister of the Congregational Church in Radnor. He had a son who served in the English army during the Crimean War and who was a man of remarkable physical strength. His military experience was a peculiar one. It hap- pened one day that, while he was plowing in the

fields, a neighbor rode by and, as papers only reached the farm houses once a week, news was eagerly welcomed. The neighbor paused to nar- rate the war news and found his listener so inter- ested that, when he had concluded, he was asked to drive the plow horses home, Mr. Lewis hast- ening to Brecon, leaving the plow in the field. At Brecon he enlisted in the militia and learned military tactics, but then secured possession of his old clothes and deserted, walking to Mon- mouth, and going in a stage from there to Alder- shot. In that place he enlisted in a regiment to go to the front and at first was rejected, but on showing what he could do, was finally accepted and went to Russia. In many of the engage- ments of the Crimean War he bore a valiant part, winning the rank of color sergeant and the com- mendation of his superior officers. On his re- turn home on a furlough, he reported to the guard that he was a deserter and was put in the guard room, the fact that he wore a heavy over- coat preventing his uniform from being seen by the guard. On being brought to the colonel he threw off his overcoat, revealing a uniform decorated with medals. The colonel, much sur- prised, demanded an explanation, which was giv- en, and the case was regarded as so unusual that it was reported to headquarters. The result was that he was honorably discharged and was given a pension of a guinea a week and put in charge of the barracks at the post.

Four sons comprised the family of which our subject is a member, and of these three are liv- ing, Charles being a blacksmith in Providence, and Richard residing in Fayette County. Ben- jamin S., the youngest of the sons, was reared in England until twelve years of age, when he was apprenticed to a carpenter in Crickhowell, Wales. After three years he went to Blenhaven, where he worked ten months at his trade, and then spent a year in Newport. Afterward he was in the government service and assisted in build- ing a lighthouse in Bristol Channel. For a time rheumatism disabled him, and on his recovery he followed his trade in Manchester, England.

In 1868 Mr. Lewis came to America on the steamer "Manhattan," and for about six years worked at his trade in New York, after which

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he was employed successively in Harrisburg, Riverside and Scranton, returning in 1869 to New York City, thence back to Scranton, and in 1872 to Irving Station, near Pittsburg, where he was employed in contracting and building for two years. In 1874 he went to Daleville, bought a farm and for six years engaged in its cultivation, but in 1881 again came to Scranton, where he has since resided. Until 1885 he worked at his trade, but he then began contracting and building, in which he was active until 1896. His sons, B. S., Jr., and T. G., are his successors in the business. Among the buildings for which he held the contract were No. 28 school, Simon Rice residence, D. Jay's building, Conway Hotel, Burr building on Franklin and Spruce, wood- work of the Dime Bank, the residences of R. A. Zimmerman, Edward Chamberlain, Ed Hive, Curtis Crane and Mr. Jurisch, and he has also built a number of houses for himself. At this writing he owns a. store and four dwellings in Jefferson Avenue and four houses on Marion Street and Adams Avenue, while the block which he built in the rear of Jefferson Avenue he has given to his sons. The summer seasons he usu- allly spends at his summer home, which is a small farm in Madison Township.

June 22, 1872, at Scranton, Mr. Lewis married Miss Mary L. Hirschman, who was born here, a daughter of John and Emma (Dailey) Hirsch- man, and a sister of Mrs. Samuel Sykes. She was educated in public and private schools here, and is a lady of refinement and cultured tastes. The five children comprising the family are Benja- min S., Jr., and Thomas G., contractors in Scran- ton; William Hill, with A. Johnson of Green Ridge; Samuel Sykes and Harry Stanley. Two daughters are deceased, Josephine, who died at the age of two years and ten months, and Bessie, who died at eight months. The three eldest sons have served in the Thirteenth Regiment, in which Benjamin was a corporal and George still holds that position.

While in Dunmore Mr. Lewis was for two years a member of the board of borough council- men. A Republican in politics, he was chairman of the Republican borough committee in 1895, and was instrumental in securing the victory of

his party that year. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian and belongs to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Fraternally he is identified with the Heptasophs and is a charter member of Green Ridge Lodge, F. & A. M., also belongs to the Peter Williamson Lodge here and the Veterans' Association of Masons ..

E DMUND B. JERMYN. The younger Pitt, had his lot been cast in the United States in this day and generation, would not have found it necessary to defend himself against the "atrocious crime of being a young man." In this republic there is no prejudice against young men; in fact, quite the reverse is true. It is the young men who, both in commer- cial and professional life, are the leaders of thought and action, and whose energy and en- thusiasm is the great stimulator of financial en- terprise. The subject of this narrative is one of the young business men of Scranton, whose ability is not only resulting advantageously to himself, but to the city as well.

The entire life of Mr. Jermyn has been spent in this county and he was born in the borough of Jermyn April 12, 1867, the son of John Jermyn. His education was commenced in the schools of that place, later carried on in Peekskill Mili- tary Academy, which he attended in 1881-82. Next he was a student in Wilkesbarre Academy, and from there went to the School of the Lacka- wanna, where he remained, under the preceptor- ship of Professor Buell, until his graduation in 1886. With a view of becoming familiar with commercial affairs, he entered Pierce's Business College in Philadelphia, where he remained until his graduation in 1887. On leaving college he was for a time engaged as private secretary to his father. In 1892 he became proprietor and man- ager of the Jermyn steam flouring mill at Jermyn, and through his energy has built up a profitable business. The plant is operated by steam power, and the roller system process has been adopted, the capacity of the mill being fifty barrels per day.

In Scranton, in October, 1889, Mr. Jermyn married Miss Mary, daughter of Mrs. C. S. Deck- er, of this city; they are the parents of three chil-

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dren, Edmund B., Jr., Elizabeth and William S. They reside at No. 621 Jefferson Avenue. Mr. Jermyn is active in politics and a pronounced Re- publican. For three years, from 1887 to 1890, he was a member of Company A, Thirteenth Regiment, N. G. P. He is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and a generous contributor to philanthropic and religious enterprises.

H ON. FRANK T. OKELL. Not by gift, - nent being John P. Quinnan, who contested the purchase or influence can one rise at the election, but Mr. Okell was seated and was the first Republican ever elected to the leg- islature from his district, a fact which plainly indicates his personal popularity. For the past nine years he has also acceptably served as one of the auditors of the Scranton poor board. With St. Luke's Episcopal Church he holds member- ship, and also belongs to Union Lodge, F. & A. M., and to the Law and Library Association. bar, but solely by merit must he gain his reputation, his ability winning him greatness and enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who perhaps had accomplished a part of the journey ere he started out. Mr. Okell is one of the younger members of the bar of Scranton, but his prominence is by no means measured by his years; on the contrary, he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy. His birth occurred November 15, 1866, in the city which is still his home, and since at- taining to man's estate he has been prominently identified with its business and political interests.

His father, George Okell, is a native of Glou- cestershire, England. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, he located in Scranton in 1859, and became connected with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, being chief heater in their roll- ing mills for many years, but is now living re- tired in Moscow, Pa., at the age of eighty-five years. He married Rosanna Williams, who was born in Devonshire, England, and died in Mos- cow. The name of Okell is derived from Oak Hill. Our subject is the youngest of four chil- dren who are still living. He was educated in the Military Institute at Bordentown, N. J., and after this preparation was appointed a cadet in 1881 to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., by the congressman representing the district which includes Scranton. After three summer cruises, however, he resigned in 1884, and began the study of law with Judge Knapp. In November, 1888, he was admitted to the bar in Scranton, and has since successfully engaged in practice at this place, having an office in the Coal Exchange building.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Okell has been an active and prominent member of the Republican party, and at different times has done effective service as secretary of the Republican county committee. In 1888 he was elected sec- retary of the Scranton school board, serving until 1892, when he resigned. In fall of 1892 he was elected to the state legislature. He was the nominee of his party to represent the second district of Lackawanna, his Democratic oppo-

In Nashville, Tenn., was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Okell and Miss Harriet M. Evans, a native of that city, where her father, W. M. B. Evans, was engaged in the wholesale drug busi- ness. He was formerly a New York man. Mrs. Okell is a cultured and refined lady, and was edu- cated in Ward's Female Seminary at Nashville. By her marriage she is the mother of one son, Robert.

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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 129

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