Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 31

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 31
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 31

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J AMES B. NICHOLSON has held the posi- tion of superintendent of the Carbondale Electric Light & Power Company since its organization in 1887 and has made his home in Carbondale since 1865, having come here at the age of five years. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Drummond) Nicholson, the former a native of England and a carpenter by trade, now following this occupation in Carbondale. The five children comprising the family are named Mary J., Joseph D., James B. and Annie W. (twins), and John Grant.

Near Jermyn, Pa., the subject of this sketch was born November 19, 1860. He was reared in the home of his uncle, Joseph Birkett, who gave him good common-school advantages. At an early age he began to earn his livelihood, assist- ing his uncle. After a time he began to work in

AUGUST ROBINSON.

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building telegraph lines for E. Middleton, a con- tractor of the Postal Telegraph Company, and in that way he was employed for six years. His next employment was with the Electric Light, Heat & Power Company. Quick to comprehend any detail of business, he has proved a capable employe, and justly merited his promotion to the position of superintendent. He thoroughly un- derstands his system of electric lights and their adjustment, and is regarded as an expert in his chosen occupation.

December 14, 1888, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Atkinson, who was born in Carbondale and is a refined and well- educated lady, possessing the friendship of a large circle of friends. One child, Harry B., blesses their union. While the business interests of Mr. Nicholson have been of such an engross- ing nature as to preclude his participation in public affairs, he is nevertheless interested in everything conducing to the prosperity of the people and the welfare of the nation. In casting his ballot he invariably supports Republican principles. In his fraternal relations he is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum.

A UGUST ROBINSON, manager of E. Robinson Sons' brewery at Scranton, of which he and his brother Charles are the sole proprietors, was born in Lauterecken, Ba- varia, the son of Hon. Jacob Robinson, also a native of Bavaria. His grandfather, Philip, him- self a successful brewer and member of a family that for generations has been engaged in the brewing business, spent his active life in the land of his birth, but when advanced in years joined his children in America and died in Scranton.

It was in 1852 that Jacob Robinson brought his family to the United States and settled in Scranton, where he was the first man to embark in the brewing business. He opened a brewery on the south side and operated it until 1868, when, selling out, he went to New York City and became proprietor of the brewery in Turtle Bay now run by Oppermann. In 1875 he dis- posed of his interests there and returned to Scran- ton, where, the following year, he began the erec-

tion of the present brewery and laid the founda- tion to the present extensive business. However, his plans were prevented from being executed by his death in 1877, when fifty-three years of age. He was a Mason and a charter member of Schil- ler Lodge, F. & A. M. In most of the German societies of Scranton he held membership and took an active part. During the war he was elected to represent this district in the state legis- lature and served from 1863 to 1865. During that time he introduced and succeeded in having passed a bill separating Lackawanna from Lu- zerne County and it was signed by the governor, but was afterward defeated by the people of the county. He married Elizabeth Heintz, who was born in Bavaria and now resides at the home- stead in North Seventh Street.

The sole survivors of the family of thirteen children are August and 'Charles. Another brother, William, who was associated with them in business and was a practical brewer, died in 1893. August was reared in Scranton and re- ceived his education here and in New York City. In 1866 began his active connection with the business, at which time he succeeded to the position occupied by his uncle, Christian Robin- son, who had been accidentally killed by a run- away team. For one year he was an assistant, but his manifest ability soon caused his father to entrust him with a share in the responsibilities. In 1871 he went to New York City and became connected with the Turtle Bay brewery, but four years later returned to Scranton and the next year assisted his father in establishing the present business, building a power house and introduc- ing an electric plant for lighting the building. The location of the plant is Nos. 435-455 North Seventh Street. The buildings, all substantial, comprise brewery, storehouse, stables, boiler house, artificial ice plant, and offices, covering three acres of land. Opposite the brewery is the building containing the ice machinery, equal to the manufacture of thirty-five tons per day. The brine is forced through a tunnel under the street and distributed by myriads of small pipes into cellars, where the temperature is never above twenty degrees. The annual output is about one hundred thousand barrels. Employment is

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furnished to seventy men, and twenty teams are used in delivery. After the death of the father, Mrs. E. Robinson conducted the business in her name, but in 1893 transferred her interests to her sons.

In addition to the business bearing his name, Mr. Robinson is interested in many corporations and has taken an active part in the upbuilding of Scranton. At this writing he is a director in the Scranton Savings Bank & Trust Company. He was married here to Miss Caroline, daughter of Frederick Locher, and they are the parents of two sons, August S. and Lewis. In 1890 he took a four months' trip to Germany for the pur- pose of recreation and six years later again vis- ited the old home land, also traveled in Switzer- land and Austria and spent some time at Carls- bad. While in New York he was a member of the Arion and Mannerchor, and has been presi- dent of the Liederkranz here, also a member of the Turn Verein and Hyde Park Mannerchor. From the organization of the fire department of Scranton he has been identified with it, and is also a member of the board of trade.

The Democratic party, of which he has been a member ever since attaining his majority and with which he is most heartily in sympathy, rec- ognizes in Mr. Robinson one of its most able members and has reposed in him the local lead- ership to a large extent. While he has done as much toward the success of the party as anyone in the county. yet he asks nothing in return; in fact, has steadily refused to accept nomination for office, feeling that his business interests de- mand his entire attention.

J OHN GIBBONS. An honorable record is a suitable subject for gratification. One. who has begun life with no means, and by his industry and perseverance, with no aid ex- cept that given by an economical wife, has gained a competence and provided for his children the advantages which every father should aim to give them, may well feel pride in his record. Such a man is John Gibbons, who is general outside foreman for William Connell, of Scran- ton. He has held a number of important local

positions, having for twenty-two years been con- stantly in office, a part of the time having two offices. At this writing he is a member of the school board. Among the positions he has held are those of city treasurer, member of common and select councils, and member of the poor board.

Born in County Mayo, Ireland, our subject was nine years old when his father, John Gib- bons, a farmer by occupation, started for Amer- ica. Three years later, in 1852, he brought his children to Scranton, his wife, Bridget Moore, a native of Ireland, having meantime died at the age of about forty-five. The three sons and two daughters comprising the family reside in Lack- awanna County. The eldest son, Patrick, was a member of an Illinois regiment during the Civil War, and our subject also endeavored to enlist, but was rejected on account of an accident to his eye that happened when he was nine years old.

The voyage across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel and consumed five weeks and four days. From New York City the family pro- ceeded by rail to Lackawaxen, thence by canal to Hawley, and from there drove to Dunmore and Scranton. After a brief attendance at the district schools, John began as a slate picker in 1853, then for a year was employed on the con- struction of the south division of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road, and later was on the Bloomingsburg division. His next work was as driver on the tow path of the Schuylkill Canal, from Pottsville via Philadelphia to New York. In 1857 he returned to Scranton and entered the employ of William Connell, then foreman for John R. Davis. In 1872 he became foreman for Mr. Connell and has since continued steadily in his employ. He is one of the directors of the Scranton axle works, in the organization of which he was actively interested.

The residence of Mr. Gibbons, built by himself, stands at No. 1902 Pittston Avenue. He was married in this city to Miss Mary Casey, a native of Carbondale and daughter of John Casey. Of the ten children born to this union, eight are liv- ing: Mrs. Ella Connell, a widow, formerly a teacher; Mrs. Mary Manley, who also taught in Scranton prior to her marriage; John F., a grad-

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uate of the business department of Wyoming Seminary, now bookkeeper in the coal depart- ment of William Connell; Theresa, a graduate of the high and training schools, now employed as teacher; Annie, a graduate of the high and training schools; Alice, James and Edgar.

For more than thirty years Mr. Gibbons has been active in politics. He was the first school director in Lackawanna Township, which posi- tion he held until he moved into Scranton. For two terms he represented the twelfth ward in the common council, after which he represented the same ward upon the board of school control for three years. His next position was as member of the select council from what is now the twen- tieth ward, to which he was re-elected. For four years he served as school controller from this ward. In 1888 he was appointed by Judge Rice, of Wilkesbarre, a director of the poor board for this district, and served in that capacity until March, 1896, when he retired. In 1889 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, to the office of city treasurer; for one year he was legislated out of office, but made no fight for it, as he knew the good of the community demanded that the peo- ple's money not be tied up. In February, 1896, he was elected to the board of school control, in which capacity he is now serving. He was treasurer of the county central committee, a mem- ber of the city committee and has been delegate to county and state conventions. He is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. John's Catholic Church and the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, and has assisted in build- ing both Catholic and Protestant churches, when solicited.

E DWARD J. McHALE, who has spent his entire life in Carbondale and is a well known business man of the city, is of Irish parentage and descent. His father, William, was born in County Mayo and there married Mary Rogan. Shortly afterward, while yet a young man, he came to this country in 1845 and began to work in the mines of Lackawanna County. For some years before his retirement from active labors, he was employed as sawyer in the mines,

and this position is still in the family. Through his good constitution and temperate habits, he has been enabled to reach an advanced age in the enjoyment of fair health. More than sixty years ago he took the total abstinence pledge from Father Matthew and this he has never broken. He is now the oldest member of the Father Matthew Temperance Society. His wife died in 1887, at the age of sixty-three. Their four children are living and are named as follows: Mary, wife of Michael Cox, of Carbondale; Ann, Mrs. Tom Nealon, also of this city; Edward J .; and Bridget, the widow of John F. Grady.

In Carbondale, where he was born May 5, 1850, the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. Though he had an opportunity to secure a good education, he was desirous of beginning work and did not therefore attend school many terms, his present knowledge having been obtained prin- cipally by observation and experience. At the age of thirteen he secured work as a slate picker, receiving forty-five cents per day, and during the prevalence of the war was given larger wages. From seventeen until twenty he was employed in the mines, after which he worked at blacksmith- ing a year and then for a similar period was a "wiper" for the engines of a railroad company. Later, for three and one-half years, he assisted his father, and after that embarked in the bottling business in 1876, continuing eleven years. His next enterprise was the furniture and undertaking business, concerning which he knew nothing on embarking in it, but soon learned considerable by experience. While in the end he secured suc- cess, yet he met with so many obstacles that he gives it his advice to young men never to enter a business of which they know nothing.

After some time Mr. McHale sold out his fur- niture business, but he still continues the under- taking. With a desire to become proficient in the embalming process, he went to New York City, where he studied under Professors Sullivan, Underwood, and others. He holds diplomas tes- tifying to his thoroughness, one of which is from the Oriental School of Embalming in Boston. Long experience and study have made him thor- ough along this special line, and he is called upon to act as funeral director frequently in vari-

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ous parts of the county. He is a member of the Catholic Church, fraternally is identified with the Heptasophs, and on state and national issues votes the Republican ticket, but in local affairs casts his ballot for the man best qualified to rep- resent the interests of the people. His marriage united him with Miss Margaret T. White, of Car- bondale, and they are the parents of four chil- dren, William, Clarence, Florence and Gerald.

A RJA WILLIAMS, assistant secretary of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company and one of the well known citizens of Scranton, was born here March 22, 1850, and is a son of Rev. John R. and Mary (Evans) Wil- liams, natives of Wales. His father, who was born in Merthyr-Tydvil, emigrated to America in 1842 and settled in Scranton, where he was employed by Scranton & Grant, remaining with their successors, Scranton & Platt and the Lack- awanna Iron & Steel Company. While there he rolled the first rails ever manufactured for railroads by this company, holding the position of boss roller until he retired. However, he is still interested in the business. He was born in October, 1816, and is therefore eighty years of age. His wife died in 1869, aged fifty-two years. Many years ago he was ordained to the ministry of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church and often preached in Scranton and surrounding cities, being fluent in the use of both the Welsh and English languages. However, since his wife's death he has not been so active. During the war he was a warm supporter of the Union League.

The family consisted of two children, Mrs. W. A. Powell, of Scranton, and Arja, of this sketch. The latter was reared in this city and received an excellent education in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, which he at- tended for two years, completing the classical course. In 1868 he became a clerk for the Lack- awanna Iron & Steel Company, with whom he worked his way up from an humble position with small wages to a good position with correspond- ing salary, being finally made chief clerk. In February, 1894, he became assistant secretary,

the position having been made vacant by the death of the former incumbent.

In Utica, N. Y., in 1875, Mr. Williams married Miss Kittie J. Rowland, who was born in New York City, and they have one child, Frank Row- land. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Rev. Wil- liam Rowland, D. D., of Utica, who edited the . first Welsh magazine, "Cyfaill," published in the United States. For years he was known as "the Welsh boy preacher," owing to the fact that he entered the ministry when a mere lad. He held the pastorate at Utica for a long time and was probably the most prominent Welsh minister in the country. Always a Republican in politics, Mr. Williams was elected in 1893 and 1894 to represent the seventeenth ward in the common council. In 1894-95 he was collector of taxes for the poor district. In the Elm Park Methodist Episcopal Church he has held the office of trus- tee, and his wife is prominent in Sunday-school and church work. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum, Peter Williamson Lodge, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 17, in which he is captain general.

JOHN J. GORMAN, who is engaged in the plumbing business at No. 309 Spruce Street, Scranton, was born July 4, 1865, at the home of his parents, Walter and Annie (O'Don- nell) Gorman, in Penn Avenue, this city. His father, who was born at Westport, Ireland, was the son of a wealthy land-owner and prominent man, who was accidentally drowned when Wal- ter was eleven years of age. In 1853 he came to America and at once secured work in the mines of Carbondale, but after four years removed to Scranton, where he was similarly engaged for a . short time. The same year, 1857, he bought property in Penn Avenue and started in the gro- cery business, also was one of the first brewers in the city and made the first ale and porter man- ufactured in this part of the state. In 1889 he retired, and has since lived quietly at his home at No. 133 Penn Avenue. His wife, who was born in Ireland, accompanied her mother to this coun- try and is now living in Scranton.

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The parental family consisted of eleven chil- dren, of whom eight are living. One of the sons, Rev. Walter Gorman, graduated from St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, and is assistant priest and private secretary to Bishop Hoban at Ashley, Pa. Another son, Austin, is with John J. in the plumbing business. The youngest, Bernard, is twelve years of age. Our subject, who was next to the eldest of the family, was educated in the public schools and the School of the Lackawan- na. At the age of thirteen he began an appren- ticeship to the plumbers' trade under Watson & Barber, with whom he remained for two and one- half years. Later he spent five years with Hunt & Connell, and afterward did journeyman work. In 1892 he started in business at No. 309 Spruce Street, and from a very small beginning worked his way upward until he now employs about thirty hands to carry out his contracts for plumb- ing, gas and steam fitting, hot air, steam and hot water pipes.

Among the private residences and public buildings for which Mr. Gorman has had the contract may be mentioned the following: resi- dences of Dr. J. L. Wentz, Dr. C. R. Parke, Dr. J. A. Manley, Dr. N. Y. Leet, J. L. Crawford, in Scranton; the McCauley and Loftus residences in Carbondale; the Lackawanna County court- house, county jail and federal building; Amer- ican House, the Arlington Hotel, schoolhouse at Olyphant, Father Matthew Hall, First National Bank of Scranton, Burke Building in Carbon- dale, residences of F. A. Kane at Minooka and John McCauley in Bellevue; Robert T. Black, W. Gibson Jones, F. and A. C. Nettleton, Scran- ton House, G. L. Dickson and James T. McGold- rick residences, Home of the Friendless, Atlantic Refining Company's building, the White house, O'Boyle's residence in Providence, Keystone brewery in Dunmore, St. Peter's Cathedral and St. Thomas' College, and many other buildings, both public and private.

In this city Mr. Gorman married Miss Mattie, daughter of Michael Gormley, formerly with the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company, but now re- tired. While in the eighth ward our subject was nominated for the office of school controller on the Democratic ticket, but lost the election by

one vote; this was an excellent record, as the ward usually gave a large Republican majority. He is a member and secretary of the Master Plumbers' Association in Scranton, and has been a delegate to the Master Plumbers' Association in Philadelphia. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and the Y. M. A. He and his wife re- side at No. 732 Capouse Avenue.

S COTT W. BEACH. Since June, 1892, Mr. Beach has held the position of engineer on the New York, Ontario & Western Rail- road, and for five years previous to that time he was employed in the same capacity on the main line of the Delaware & Hudson. A practical rail- road man, he began at the bottom of the busi- ness, working first with shovel and pick, and win- ning gradual advancement until he was given the responsible position of engineer. In this capacity he is recognized as reliable and trustworthy. He is a citizen of Carbondale, his home being at No. 38 1-2 Canaan Street.

The father of our subject, Orrin L., has fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer throughout his entire life, with the exception of a short period spent in the general mercantile business at Han- cock, N. Y., but the burning of his store caused him to return to agricultural pursuits. At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Infantry, and served for two years, taking an active part in many engagements. Sev- eral times he had narrow escapes. Once a flying bullet left a hole in the shoulder of his cape, at another time a ball passed through his boot leg and one through his hat. While he miraculously escaped injury, yet the hardships of forced marches, long exposure in inclement weather and the experiences of camp life left him in poor health, and permanently impaired his constitu- tion. At this writing he lives on his farm in Oneonta, Orange County, N. Y.

The mother of our subject, Mary Jane (Clark) Beach, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., and died at twenty-five years of age, leaving him an only child, bereft of a mother's care. Though so young at the time of her death, he has an in-

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distinct recollection of her and remembers clearly the funeral, the bier and the sorrowing friends. He was born at Gilboa, Schoharie County, N. Y., September 22, 1856, but when two years of age was taken by his parents to Walton, Delaware County, and there he gained a common school education. In youth he assisted his father on the farm. However, at an early age he began work- ing on the railroad, after a time was made fire- man, and in 1887 became engineer. For thir- teen years he was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson, and for four years has been con- nected with the New York, Ontario & Western. He is an active worker in George W. West Lodge No. 468, Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers, at Carbondale.

The marriage of Mr. Beach, which took place December 25, 1879, united him with Estella Humphrey, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y. They are the parents of two children, Ina and John Q., the latter named after Mrs. Beach's father, who was a soldier in the Civil War and a resident of Delaware County. While Mr. Beach is prevented, by reason of the duties of his posi- tion, from actively identifying himself with po- litical affairs or municipal interests, he is never- theless well informed on the issues of the age, and is a strong Republican politically.

M ISS MARY E. BARRETT. While the nineteenth century has shown a wonder- ful growth in every direction, probably there is no fact connected with its history more remarkable than the progress made by women in the professions and the industrial arts. The "new" woman, as she is facetiously called by many of the papers of the day, differs from her predecessors only in the fact that, when thrown upon her own resources, she displays the energy and business acumen which place her in rank with her competitors of the sterner sex. There are few lines of work in which she does not now find ready admission and in which, if faithful and persevering, she may not hope to achieve success.

Miss Barrett is one of the number who have started in business in Scranton, where she has an office at No. 630 Washington Avenue. She is a

graduate in chiropody and in manicure, and is thoroughly experienced in both lines of work. She is well educated, having attended the schools of this city, her birthplace, and being a graduate of the Hyde Park school. Her father died when she was a child, but her mother continues to re- side in Scranton. After her graduation she was employed by the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Com- pany as dressmaker in their mercantile depart- ment, and later held a trusted position with the firm of J. D. Williams and Brother.

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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 31

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