Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 37

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 37
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 37

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In the family of Dennis and Mary McGraw there are four sons and four daughters. The sons are F. L., a graduate of the Baltimore Den- tal College and a practicing dentist of Scranton; W. H., of this sketch; James and Augustine, who are with their parents on the home farm. Reared to manhood in the country, our subject began his education in the district schools, but afterward had the advantage of a course in

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Wood's Business College at Scranton. Upon the completion of his literary education he en- tered the Baltimore Dental College, from which he graduated with honors in 1892. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession, he came to Carbondale, opened an office, and has since gained a place among the rising young profes- sional men of the city. He takes an interest in public affairs, and his support may be relied upon in matters affecting the prosperity of the people.

H ENRY F. ATHERTON. It has been cus- tomary to speak of men who have raised themselves to honorable stations in life without the aid of wealth or influential friends as "self-made." Such a man is the subject of this review, who started in life for himself with no other capital than energy, ability, and a determin- ation to succeed. That his desire has been ac- complished is noted by the fact that he is one of the most prominent citizens of Scranton. In his life we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in fields of activity, showing what may be accomplished by prudence, honesty and industry, for it is the possession of these qualities that secured for him the position of pay- master for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- pany, which he has held since March 24, 1864.

The Atherton family is of English origin. Jonathan, the great-grandfather of Henry F., was born in England, and with a brother emigrated to Massachusetts, settling in Franklin County. One of that name served as a captain in King Phillip's War and was killed in battle. Jonathan, Jr., our subject's grandfather, was born in Frank- lin County, engaged in farming in Greenfield throughout most of his active life, held various local offices, and died at the age of eighty-seven. By his marriage to Huldah Chamberlain, a native of Durham, Conn., he had the following-named children: Susan, Martha, Alva, Almeda; Ralph, who came to Pennsylvania about 1830, settled in Wyoming (then Troy), and later moved to De Kalb County, Ill .; Maria; Permelia; Jonathan A., father of our subject, and Zora, who is living in Franklin County, Mass. The last two are the sole survivors.

In Greenfield, Franklin County, Mass., where he was born, April 19, 1810, Jonathan A. Ather- ton attended school in the primitive days of edu- cational efforts, when children sat on benches in log houses and amid unfavorable surroundings were initiated into the mysteries of the "three R's." At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a boot and shoe maker in Bernardston, Frank- lin County, and served for five years, later travel- ing as a journeyman. In Brattleboro, Vt., he married Ellen S. Bennett, who was born there, of an old Connecticut family, and died in Susque- hanna County, Pa., in March, 1861, aged forty- six years.

In 1835, accompanied by his wife and two little children, John R. and Henry F., Jonathan A. Atherton came to Pennsylvania, making the jour- ney from Brattleboro in a covered wagon, drawn by one horse. They crossed the Green Mount- ains, traveled from there to the Susquehanna River, and then drove to Montrose, thence going to West Troy (now Wyoming). They were led to select that location owing to the fact that Ralph, a brother of Mr. Atherton, had formerly settled there. In 1838 he removed to Hyde Park and worked at his trade until 1846, when he bought coal land in the Keiser Valley. This property he sold in 1855 and purchased a fine farm in Susquehanna County, a place consisting of one hundred and fifty acres situated in South Bridgewater Township, three miles south of Montrose. During the years of his residence there he added new buildings and placed the soil under excellent cultivation. The estate is still in his possession, but is operated by tenants, and he makes his home with his son, J. L., in Scranton.

Nine children composed the family of Jona- than A. Atherton, of whom one died in infancy, and Fred, in Susquehanna County, August I,. 1873, when twenty-six years of age. The eldest, John R., was born in Vermont followed the wagon-maker's trade, and died in Hyde Park in 1851. The survivors are Henry F., who was born in Bernardston, Mass., July 30, 1834; J. L., who has been with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company since November of 1864, and is now assistant outside superintendent of the coal department; Rosella, wife of Hon. T. H. B.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lewis, an attorney of Wilkesbarre and ex-mem- ber of the legislature; Bicknell B., who is repre- sented on ancther page of this volume; Florence, Mrs. David Sherer, of Susquehanna County; and Sophia, Mrs. H. T. Lake, of Binghampton, N. Y.

The long journey from the Green Mountains to the Wyoming Valley is not remembered by our subject, who was then only a year old. In 1838 he was brought by his parents to Hyde Park, then Luzerne County, where in boyhood he attended school. In 1850 he secured a clerk- ship with O. P. Clark, an old merchant of that place, and three years later went to Honesdale, where he took a position with Foster Brothers, merchants. In 1855 he went to Montrose and entered business with Frank B. Chandler, a brother-in-law of Judge Jessup, but after three years went back to Honesdale, resuming his for- mer position with Foster Brothers. Upon the in- vasion of Lee into Pennsylvania Governor Cur- tin made a call for men to defend the capital and state. Mr. Atherton at once went to Harrisburg, Pa., where he joined Judge Jessup's company, which became part of the Twenty-eighth Penn- sylvania militia under Colonel Chamberlain, and Mr. Atherton was unanimously elected second lieutenant of Company B. During the engage- ment at Gettysburg his company was guarding a pass at South Mountain, then followed Lee into Maryland, and later returned to Harrisburg, where, the services of the company being no longer needed, he was honorably discharged.

Going back to Honesdale, Mr. Atherton held his position there until March 24, 1864, when he resigned and came to Scranton in response to an invitation from E. W. Weston. He was tendered and accepted the position of accountant and as- sistant paymaster of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. which he held until January I, 1869, and since then has been paymaster. This very responsible position he has filled with great- est efficiency, and has disbursed millions without the loss of a dollar to the company. The more than ninety-five thousand bank checks he has issued are arranged on file in numerical order, and every other department of his work is conducted in a manner equally systematic. He is paymaster for all the departments, railroad, coal, real estate and

sales. To do this work accurately requires close attention, and obliges him to be constantly at his post of duty. Frequently he has had narrow escapes, as, the fact being known that the com- pany always pays in cash, plans have been laid to hold him up, but fortunately none of them ever succeeded.

Politically Mr. Atherton is a stanch Repub- lican. For many years he officiated as an elder of the Providence Presbyterian Church. In 1867 he was chosen treasurer of the Providence Gas & Water Company, and has acted in that capacity ever since. In addition to his comfortable home at No. 2104 North Main Avenue, he owns other valuable property in the city. At Honesdale, October 12, 1864, Mr. Atherton married Miss Abbie Foster Roe, who was born and reared there. Her parents were John F. and Ruth (Sayre) Roe, both natives of Long Island. Mr. Roe was for sixty years a prominent merchant of Honesdale and a member of the Presbyterian Church; he was a cousin of E. P. and A. S. Roe. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are Carrie Foster; Annie; John R., who in Novem- ber, 1895, was appointed assistant paymaster for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company; Thomas S., who is pay clerk in the office; and Henry F., Jr.

C HARLES W. ZIEGLER. The century soon to close has been an age of inven- tions in every line of human activity, and in this respect the coal industry has not been neglected. Among the useful inventions that are gaining recognition throughout the country may be mentioned the Ziegler coal separator, of which the subject of this article is the inventor and pat- entee, and which is especially valuable owing to the fact that it reduces the cost of the production of coal. The plan is the construction of a series of plates, with the necessary spaces for the slate to fall through, advantage being taken of the fact that the specific gravity of the slate is heavier than that of coal and also offers more resisting power.

At present superintendent of the von Storch shaft of the Delaware & Hudson mines, and for

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many years a resident of Scranton, Mr. Ziegler was born in Grossalmerode, Hesse-Nassau, Prussia, March 3, 1849, and is a son of Frank and Christiana (Gundlach) Ziegler, natives of the same province. His paternal grandfather was in the German army and accompanied Napoleon on his march to Russia. The maternal grand- father, William Gundlach, carried on a business that has been in the family over a thousand years and that is still conducted by his descendants, being sole manufacturer of crucibles for Ger- many.

Reared in Germany, Frank Ziegler learned the nailer's trade and was engaged in the manu- facture of nails, meeting with success until the revolution of 1848 ruined him. During that struggle he was pressed into service with his twelve teams, and on being permitted to return home, without pay for his service, he had only three teams and his business was ruined. This caused him to seek a home in America. In 1852 he settled at Archbald, Pa., where he engaged in mining for the Delaware & Hudson Company, and later was with the Pennsylvania Coal Com- pany at Dunmore, where he died in 1874. In religious belief he was a member of the German Reformed Church. His wife died in 1882, aged seventy-two. They were the parents of two sons, our subject's brother being Henry J., who is en- gaged in the hardware business on the south side of Scranton.

Two years after Frank Ziegler came to Amer- ica he sent for his wife and children, who took passage on a sailer at Bremen, and after a voyage of seven weeks and two days landed in Baltimore, going thence by rail to Philadelphia and Tama- qua, then by stage to Wilkesbarre and Scranton. At the time of the emigration our subject was between four and five years of age. He attended school in Pine Brook and Dunmore, and after going to work was a student in a night school taught by A. Bryden. At the age of nine he began to work as a slate picker in the Spencer coal mines. In 1860 he became a slate picker in the Delaware & Hudson mines, operated by A. E. Albright, and when thirteen was made weigh- master, after which he gradually worked his way upward to a position of responsibility. Since

1872 he has been superintendent of the von Storch mines, having held the position longer than almost any superintendent in this locality. In 1875 he devised his first coal separator, in 1883 got up another, and now has constructed a third. The slate picker of 1875, which has been in constant use since introduced by the Delaware & Hudson, was about the first successful one in the valley, and has been constantly made more valuable by added improvements. It is now used in eighteen out of the twenty-one breakers of the Delaware & Hudson, and other companies have also adopted it with success. In length it is thirty-five feet, and some breakers have from six- teen to twenty-two of them.

With his wife and four children, Jennie, Alice, Harriet and Carl W., Mr. Ziegler resides at No. 1728 North Main Avenue. Mrs. Ziegler was for- merly Miss Nellie A. Kelly, and was born in Hawley, Pa., being the daughter of Peter Kelly, a native of New York. Though not a member of any denomination, our subject attends the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a firm Republican, always voting the party ticket. He was a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has not continued his mem- bership. In Masonry he belongs to Hiram Lodge No. 261, F. & A. M., at Providence, Lack- awanna Chapter No. 185, Scranton Council and Consistory.

W ILLIAM MOORE. From a family where noble Christian principles and purposes controlled both thought and action, our subject came. His early life was spent under the influences and in the presence of an example calculated to inspire in his mind the love of knowledge, the appreciation of a practical Christian life inspired by the spirit of the Great Master, and a patriotic devotion to the principles that lie at the foundation of our government. From his father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, an energetic farmer and a member of the Christian Church, he had, by precept and ex- ample, instilled in his mind a love of country, love of work and love of God. Of his parents mention is made in the sketch of his brother-in-

WILLIAM MOORE.

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law, Alfred L. Green, presented on another page.

Upon a farm within the present city limits of Scranton the subject of this narrative was born, December 3, 1823. At the age of twenty-two he secured a clerkship with W. W. Winton, a mer- chant, and later was with A. B. Dunning. After a few years he was taken into partnership, the firm becoming Dunning & Moore, but later was alone, and continued in business until 1862. Again in 1878 he opened a store at No. 135 West Market street and there carried on a large busi- ness until 1889, when approaching age caused him to retire. Much of his time was given to the improvement of property. Purchasing a tract of land in Green Ridge, he laid it out in lots, and disposed of it as opportunity offered. He also bought coal lands, which he sold at a large profit. At one time he was interested in a brick yard in Throop.

Believing the liquor traffic to be the greatest menace to our nation, Mr. Moore identified him- self with the Prohibition party and was a large contributor to this cause. At one time he was the Prohibition candidate for assembly. He was interested in local matters and served for a time as treasurer of the borough of Providence. For forty years he was a member of the Christian Church, an earnest supporter of its doctrines, and a most liberal contributor to its maintenance. In fact, had it not been for his determined efforts, the organization in Scranton would have been unable to continue its existence. When days were gloomy, his cheerfulness encouraged oth- ers; when poorer members were unable to give, he made up any deficits in the running ex- penses; and when the future of the cause seemed almost hopeless, he stood steadfastly, like a brave captain or a faithful pilot, never acknowledging that there was a chance of failure. It is due to his faithfulness that there is an organization to- day. It seemed almost fitting, under these cir- cumstances, and considering his great love for the church, that his spirit should take its flight from this earthly house of worship into eternal joy. His death, which was very sudden, took place Sunday morning, February 16, 1896, im- mediately after the ordinance of the Lord's sup- per had been observed, and while he was seated

in his pew. The shock was great, not only to the citizens of the community, but especially to his devoted wife, whom his death left alone.

Miss Emily Ingalls, who became Mrs. Moore at Hampton, Windham County, Conn., October 17, 1852, was a daughter of Marvin and Amelia (Spaulding) Ingalls, natives of Hampton and Abington, Windham County, and was next to the youngest of eight children, the others being Oliver, Mrs. Lydia Brown and Mrs. Malenda Lyon, all of whom died in Connecticut; Mrs. Olive Carter, of Scranton; Roger T., who died in York state; John S., whose death occurred in Scranton; and Walter, who is in Connecticut. Mrs. Moore was born in Hampton and remained in Connecticut until her marriage. For forty- one years she has made her home at No. 133 West Market Street and has a wide acquaintance among the people of this locality. Throughout the years of wedded life she was linked with her husband so truly that she was a sharer in more than name in all the happenings and events of his career, rejoicing in his successes, cheering and sustaining him in the time of trial and threatened reverses, and sharing with him in the esteem of the people.

J AMES B. FAULKNER. The majority of the citizens of Carbondale are acquainted with Mr. Faulkner, who has been a resident of this place since 1850. Coming here when the village was small, he has witnessed its gradual growth into a prosperous city and has himself contributed to its advancement. His active years have been given to service in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, but for some years past he has lived in retirement, hav- ing accumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to provide every comfort for his declining days.

The father of our subject, Joseph Faulkner, was born in Orange County, N. Y., and grew to manhood there, choosing the medical profession for his life work, and to this he devoted his at- tention for a long time. He attained advanced years, dying when eighty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Priscilla Faulk-

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ner, was a daughter of Dr. J. Faulkner, and died at seventy-seven years. Her father was a man of patriotic spirit and great activity, and took part in the early wars of the country, as did also the paternal grandfather of our subject.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of ten children, namely: William; Cas- sandra, deceased; Clarissa; Mary Ann and Cath- arine, deceased; Thomas; James B., of this sketch; Martha, who lives in Hyde Park, Lacka- wanna County; Phinnie and John, deceased. Our subject was born in Dundas, Pa., June 28, 1824, and had but limited opportunities for an education, as he worked on a farm the most of his time in boyhood. However, being observant and a thoughtful reader, he learned much by self- culture. On coming to Carbondale he began to work for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- pany, with whom he continued for thirty-three years. For seven years he was director of the poor, and for many years served as constable and collector, proving a capable and efficient officer. A Republican in politics, he is always willing to give a reason for his belief, and is a stanch supporter of the party platform. Frater- nally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past grand of the lodge at Carbondale.

The marriage of Mr. Faulkner united with him Miss Susan Murdock, a native of County Sligo, Ireland. They became the parents of ten chil- dren, named as follows: Franklin and Louise, who live in Carbondale; Lizzie, deceased; Mar- tha, whose home is in this city; Evaline, Evaline (2d) and Clarissa, deceased; George and Charles, who reside in Carbondale; and Sarah, who lives in Paterson, N. J. Mrs. Faulkner died November 13, 1896, aged sixty-six years.

A LFRED LERWOOD GREEN. During the long period of his residence in Scran- ton, Mr. Green became known as a man of public spirit and executive ability. Identified with every movement promising to promote the public welfare, enjoying a leading social posi- tion and contributing of his time and energy to public enterprises, he had an extensive ac-

quaintance and possessed many warm friends. Of his personal characteristics, it may be said that he was self-poised, keen in perception, stead- fast in convictions, sagacious in council and ener- getic in action. The sturdy virtues which con- manded for him universal respect were rooted in a kind and sympathetic nature that won the en- during love of kindred and the affectionate re- gard of associates.

Born in Widmore, England, January 1, 1817, the subject of this article was reared in his native land and there learned the baker's trade. He had one brother, Benjamin, who preceded him to America and settled in Auburn, N. Y., where he remained until death. In 1844, at the age of twenty-seven, Alfred crossed the Atlantic and at once came to Scranton, where he secured work in the iron ore mines. After five years in that position, he opened a grocery in North Main Avenue, Hyde Park, but one year later sold out and turned his attention to mining. He was made inside foreman and then promoted to be superintendent of the Jermyn mines, which posi- tion he held until his death, in June, 1892. Dur- ing the latter part of his life he resided in Scran- ton, but continued to work in Jermyn. While interested in public affairs, he at no time aspired to official position, but from principle gave his allegiance to the Prohibition cause, though it chen had little hope of even ultimate victory. In early life he was associated with the Odd Fel- lows. He was an elder in the Christian Church, to which his widow belongs.

During the reign of the Molly Maguires, Mr. Green was the victim of a dastardly attempt at as- sassination. One morning, while walking from Jermyn to the mines, and taking a short cut by the railroad, he heard the noise of footsteps be- hind him, and looking around saw three men coming toward him. One advanced and asked him for work, to which he replied that he had no work for any extra men that morning. He started on, but soon heard them coming again. He turned and saw three revolvers pointing at him. The men began shooting alternately, until nine shots were fired, he meantime backing away from them. Providence preserved him, for of the nine shots, one lodged in his left shoulder,

JOHN B. SHANNON.

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another passed through his coat and vest, and a third through his whiskers. Robert Pearce, at a mine near by, heard the firing and recognized Mr. Green's voice, and called out to Mr. Mc- Cracken, who was in the office, that some one was attacking Mr. Green. McCracken at once seized a revolver and started to run in the direc- tion of the firing, Pearce following him. On see- ing the men he shot, but missed; then Pearce took the revolver, shot one man dead, wounded another in the ankle, while the third made his escape. The wounded man was captured and sent to the penitentiary. The wound Mr. Green received was not serious, and he soon recovered from it.

In Blakely Township, this county, in 1849, Mr. Green married Miss Lena Moore, who was born near Scranton, a daughter of Peter W. and Eleanor (Rossman) Moore. Her mother, who was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., September 12, 1797, united with the Christian Church in 1830, and continued a faithful member until her death, December 13, 1875. The grandfather of Mrs. Green, William Moore, was born in New York State, and for a time engaged in farming in Dutchess County, later becoming an early set- tler of Lackawanna Township, this county. His father was a native of Germany, and on coming to America settled on the Hudson River in New York State.

Born in Dutchess County, October 10, 1783, Peter W. Moore served in the War of 1812, being stationed on Long Island. For some years he was a farmer in Blakely Township, near what is now Dickson, but afterward settled in Madi- son Township, where he died at sixty-four years of age. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Christian Church. His children were named as follows: Lavina, Mrs. Steward, who died in Dunmore; Jonathan, who died in Providence when young; Lena, Mrs. Green; William, late of Scranton, deceased in February, 1896; Delos R., a retired business man of Scranton; Aaron, Amy, Clarissa and Parna, who died in early life; Thomas G. and John H., who reside in Scranton.

The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Green, John D .. was for several years manager of the Pittston stove works, but went west, and is now traveling

salesman for stove works in Kalamazoo, Mich. The only daughter, Ida Bell, is an accomplished lady and is recognized as a talented musician and efficient music teacher. In religious con- nections she is identified with the Church of the Good Shepherd. Mrs. Green and Miss Ida reside at No. 415 West Market Street, where they en- tertain their many friends with picasing hospi- tality.

J OHN B. SHANNON, one of the leading business men of Carbondale, was born in this city February 28, 1865, and is of Scotch parentage and ancestry. His father, the late Alexander Shannon, was born in Dumfries, Scot- land, July 12, 1825, grew to manhood upon the home farm and followed the occupation of an agriculturist in his native country until 1850, when he crossed the ocean and at once settled in Carbondale. His first employment was upon the farm of Hon. G. A. Grow, but after a short time there, he secured work in the railroad de- partment of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- pany and continued with this organization until 1870. Meantime he was under the Wurts Broth- ers, who were largely interested in the company and under whose direction he planted the trees in Hendricks Park, one of the finest in the val- ley.

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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 37

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