Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 38

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 38
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 38

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In 1870 Alexander Shannon entered the em- ploy of Joseph B. Van Bergen & Co. (now the Van Bergen Company, Limited), the extensive manufacturers of Carbondale. With them he re- mained, occupying various positions, for twenty- three years, resigning in 1893 and retiring to private life. Soon afterward, on the 10th of May. he died very suddenly. For many years he was a silent partner in the mercantile house of which our subject is now the head. He was a promi- nent worker in the First Presbyterian Church and was respected as a conscientious Christian gentleman. He was one of those sturdy, thrifty Scotchmen, who come to America to better their condition and at the same time make the country better for their having come. Economical and prudent in expenditures, he left a competency for his widow.

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Of the Shannon family in Scotland compara- tively little is known. Three brothers of Alex- ander came to America, of whom two, James and David, were sea captains on the Pacific Ocean and were in California during the early history of that state; one was lost at sea with his ship and the other was killed in the gold mines of Australia. The third brother, William, came to America in 1857 and at the outbreak of the Civil War he entered the United States navy and served under Commodores Farragut and Foote. At the Battle of Island No. 10, his boat was blown up by the Confederates and all on board killed except himself and two others. He re- mained in the navy until the close of the Rebel -- lion and from the effects of his service therein he died in Carbondale in 1869. A sister, Mrs. Mary Galone, is living in Scotland at Gateshouse ' of Fleet, county of Kirkcudbright.

Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Black, was born in the county of Dumfries, Scotland, October 27, 1828, being the daughter of Theodore Edgar and Mary (Wilson) Black. From childhood she had been acquainted with Mr. Shannon and as soon as he was able to establish a home in this country, he sent for her to join him, which she did, crossing the ocean alone. They were married by Squire Root, in Carbondale, July 2, 1852, and for forty- one years they lived together in peace and con- tentment, sharing each other's burdens and joys, until his death separated them for this life. Soon after he passed away, she accompanied her son, John B., on a trip to her native heath, and while he visited the places of interest to tourists for two months she renewed the associations of her girlhood. While there was pleasure in visit- ing the old home, it was a melancholy pleasure, for few of her kinspeople or friends remained; some had sought new homes and some had gone to their long home, while she, too, returned in sorrow, mourning the loss of her husband. In religious belief, like the majority of Scotch peo- ple, she is identified with the Presbyterian Church and is of a beautiful Christian character. She had a brother and a half-brother; the former, John Black, came to America about 1857, and is the owner of a gold mine near Salt Lake City,

where he lives; the latter, Theodore E., who came to America in 1885, is superintendent of a granite quarry at Niantic, R. I. A brother, Samuel Black, is a large and wealthy farmer at New Galloway, Scotland, and a sister, the widow of Samuel Walker, resides at the same place.

The family of which our subject is a member originally consisted of seven children, but four died in 1865, of an epidemic that raged in this community. The eldest living son, David A., who is engaged in the quarry business in Rhode Island, is married and has one child. William, who was born May 10, 1863, was for several years connected with. the freight department of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company at Carbondale, but since 1889 has been a member of the firm of John B. Shannon & Co. He mar- ried Caroline, daughter of Philander and Lucy Foster, of Carbondale, and they are the parents of two children, Frank F. and Helen. While not connected with any denomination, he at- tends the Methodist Church, of which his wife is a member. Fraternally he is a member of the encampinent of Odd Fellows.

Prior to the age of fifteen our subject attended the public schools. At eighteen years of age, after having worked as clerk for three years, his father, having full confidence in his business ability and integrity, purchased a half-interest in the business of William Miller, established five years before. The firm then became Miller & Shannon, with his father as a silent partner and himself the active member. Though so young, he succeeded from the first and finally became the head of the house. Since 1889 the firm has been J. B. Shannon & Co., with his brother Will- iam as the company. In addition to the mercan- tile business, he has also been interested largely in real estate, his investments on Belmont Street and also the firm investment in the Egerton property, adjoining the handsome new Hotel American, having proved wise investments. Mr. Shannon, in partnership with Hon. J. F. Rey- nolds, purchased of the Johnson estate, a tract of land adjacent to the city and added it to our city, which they called Reynshanhurst, selecting that name from eight hundred names suggested, in answer to an advertisement in our local papers,

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offering a prize to the person giving the most appropriate name to the plot. "Reyn-Shan- Hurst," combining the first half of the names of the owners, was chosen and John H. Reese of our city received the prize. The plot was laid out in avenues and lots, one avenue being named Shannon Avenue after our subject. Reynshan- hurst is now one of our prettiest suburbs and in it are being rapidly built some of the handsomest residences in the city, and the proprietors are reaping the benefit of their wisdom in buying the plot, by the handsome returns from the sale of the lots.

Mr. Shannon has been largely engaged in the life insurance business, being district agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and one of the heaviest writers in the country, and ex- hibits a gold medal presented by President John A. McCall, for his able work as solicitor for that company. Other enterprises have received his active support and warm interest. He is a stock- holder in the Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, Klots Bros. Silk Mill, Pendleton Manufacturing Company and the Sperl Heater Company, and is recognized as one of the most thorough and enterprising business men in Car- bondale.

Fraternally Mr. Shannon is a Knights Templar Mason, a noble of the Mystic Shrine, an encamp- ment Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and in religious belief is connected with the Presby- terian Church. In December, 1886, he married Marietta Miller, of Clifford, Pa., daughter of a farmer of that place. They have a pleasant home on Wyoming Street, where the winter months are spent, while their summer home is at Crys- tal Lake, situated four and one-half miles west of Carbondale. This lovely body, so named from its clear spring water, is the highest lake in the state. It has a fine bathing beach and af- fords excellent fishing. At its high elevation with its bracing atmosphere and inherent charms, commanding a lovely view of the surrounding country, there stretches out from it a panorama of unexcelled loveliness, extending for many miles. Elk Mountain, the highest in the state, in adjacent proximity and the Blueridge Moun- tains looming up in the distance, add to the al-

ready indescribable charms of its surroundings. Here at Lake View cottage, on the western shore of the lake, situated on the broad boulevard that runs around the lake making a lovely drive of three miles, Mr. Shannon spends his summers. His cottage commands a view also of Newton lake, one-eighth of a mile from its sister body, but nearly one hundred feet lower. The cottage, with its lovely lawns, fountain, windmill and stor- age tank for supplying the cottage with water and his spacious stables, is met on the drive from the delightful resort "Fern Hall Hotel," owned by R. W. and J. W. Johnson of New Brunswick, N. J., and is one of the most pleasantly situated at this delightful resort. Mr. Shannon has done much toward making this resort what it is, and is interested in the Crystal Lake Improvement Company, which owns the Sharpless tract, on the eastern shore of the lake. This company has made extensive improvements on their tract and it is sewered on the latest improved sanitary plans, lotted off into desirable sites, for building purposes, with wide avenues, reserving a plot for a park along the lake front, and has recently been placed on the market.

H ON. DANIEL WARD CONNOLLY. In the death of this gentleman, Decem- ber 4, 1894, Scranton lost one of its pub- lic-spirited and high-minded citizens, while from the bereaved family circle a devoted husband and father was removed, leaving a void in their lives that even his honored memory cannot fill. A resident of this city throughout almost his entire life, he received his education in the common schools, and his training at home and in school was such as to instill in his mind the firm princi- ples that characterized him in after years. He was an able attorney, keen in mental analysis and logical in reasoning, and the legal profession throughout the state was honored by his ability and talent.

The Connolly family originated in Ireland, whence our subject's father, John Connolly, was brought to America by his parents at the age of seven years, growing to manliood in New York City, where he remained until twenty-one years

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of age. When the Albany & Boston Railroad Company began the building of their road in Massachusetts, he became foreman for Mr. O'Neill, his brother-in-law, and while working near Montgomery, that state, he made the ac- quaintance of and married Miss Ann Allyn, daughter of a prosperous farmer of Montgomery, and granddaughter of David Allyn, a Revolution- ary soldier. Her grandmother was a Miss Tyler, a near relative of John Tyler, former President of the United States. The Allyn family came from England early in the seventeenth century and settled at Allyn's Point, in Connecticut. Their descendants were among the best people of New England.

From Cochecton, N. Y., where he was born April 24, 1847, the subject of this memoir was brought to Scranton in 1849, and here he after- ward resided. Cherishing from an early age the ambition of becoming an attorney, he studied law with A. A. Chase, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1870, after which he opened an office here. Two years later he was the candidate of the citizens' ticket for district attorney. After the erection of the new county, he was elected law judge by the Democratic and Greenback- Labor parties, but the supreme court decided that the election had been held too soon and was, therefore, void. In 1880 he was nominated for congress by the Democratic and Labor parties, but H. B. Wright, who was defeated in the con- vention, became an independent candidate, thus dividing the Democratic votes, and the conse- quence was that the Republican nominee was elected. In 1882 he was again a candidate for congress and defeated Mr. Scranton, but was in turn defeated by the latter for re-election. While a member of congress he served on the com- mittees on pension, bounty and back pay, ex- penditures in the treasury department, and mili- tary affairs.

The recognized value of Mr. Connolly in his party caused his appointment, in 1885, by Presi- dent Cleveland, to the position of postmaster of Scranton, in which responsible office he served with the greatest efficiency and to the satisfaction of all, of whatever party. In 1888 he was a dele- gate from Pennsylvania to the national conven-

tion at St. Louis and cast his vote for Cleveland and Thurman. In all places and under all cir- cumstances he was faithful to his party, mindful of its highest interests, and interested in its pro- gress and success. In fact, without saying any- thing to the disparagement of others, it may be stated with truth that the Democratic party has at no time had a champion more enthusiastic, more able and more intelligent than he.

In 1874 Mr. Connolly formed a law partner- ship with the late Judge John F. Connolly, and several years later, on dissolving that connection, he continued alone, but in 1888 he became asso- ciated with J. Alton Davis. The two were to- gether until the death of Mr. Connolly. In ad- dition to his law practice, he was the prime factor in the organization of the Scranton Fire Brick Company, and was its president until his death.

The first marriage of Mr. Connolly, which took place in 1873, united him with Miss Maggie Corneilison, of Danville, Pa., but she and her two children died in 1879. In 1882 he married Miss Alma, daughter of William Price, an hon- ored resident of the west side, of whom mention is elsewhere made. Mrs. Connolly was born in Pittston, and in girlhood attended the schools of Hyde Park. Soon after her marriage, the family residence at No. 1509 North Washington Avenue was erected, and here she and her six children make their home, the latter being named J. Harry, Marie Louise, Frederick William, Eleanor, Robert Allyn, and Daniel Ward. For two years before his death Mr. Connolly was in ill health, but continued to look after his business and professional interests as long as it was pos- sible. November 8 he was stricken by paralysis of the side and suffered continually from that time until he passed away, December 4, 1894. He was a man of sterling worth, upright and honorable in all relations of life, and his ability was recognized by all who knew him.

A RTHUR H. LEE, A. B. Since 1890 Mr. Lee has held the position of superintend- ent of the blast furnaces of the Lacka- wanna Iron & Steel Company at Scranton, a responsible place, in which his efficiency and re-

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liability have been thoroughly proved. The ore roasters near the tunnel, built in 1896, for reduc- ing the amount of sulphur in the Cornwall ore, belong to the furnace department, and have a capacity of five hundred tons per day. When the furnaces are operated at their full capacity, em- ployment is given to five hundred men.

The Lee family originated in England, but has been represented in New England since the early part of the eighteenth century. John C., grand- father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts and resided in Salem during most of his life, being engaged as a merchant in the East India trade. Our subject's father, John R. Lee, was born in Boston and carried on a merchant trade with East India for many years, until the busi- ness ceased to be remunerative. At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted as a member of the first regiment of infantry from Massachusetts, and served as quartermaster, taking part in the first battle of Bull Run and subsequent engage- ments with the enemy. During the latter part of the Rebellion, he was in Bombay, India, set- tling up some business interests there. After the war he engaged in the general brokerage busi- ness until his retirement to private life. He has made his home in Brookline, a suburb of Boston, Mass., for many years.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Ben- jamin Howard, who was born in Boston, en- gaged in the shipping business in South America as senior member of the firm of B. Howard & Sons, but was unfortunate in losing several ves- sels at the hands of the Confederate cruiser, "Ala- bama." His daughter, Lucy, was born in Boston, and has had five children, all living, Arthur H. being the eldest and the only one in Pennsylvania. His childhood years were passed in Roxbury and Salem, Mass., and he prepared for college in the Roxbury Latin School. In 1875 he entered Har- vard University, from which he graduated in June, 1879, with the degree of A. B. In October of the same year he came to Scranton and en- tered the shops of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, with the intention of learning the railroad business, but the steel industry soon became so prominent that he determined to fol- low it instead of the other. His first position

with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company was that of outside foreman in the converting works, and in 1886 he was made assistant superintendent of the blast furnaces under Mr. Moffat. In 1890, when that gentleman was made general manager, he was promoted to the superintendency of the blast furnaces.

Mr. Lee owns a comfortable residence, No. 523 Clay Avenue. He was married in Scranton to Miss Marie L. Foster, who was born in Carbon- dale, but has spent her life principally in Scran- ton. She is a daughter of George and Maria (Bennett) Foster, the former a native of South- ampton, L. I., and the latter a member of an old family of Brattleboro, Vt.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee have had four children, Ar- thur H. (deceased), Harry F., Lilian H. and John R. Politically Mr. Lee is a stanch Repub- lican. He is a member of the Alumni Society of Harvard University and the Scranton Engineers' Club. In 1880 he enlisted in Company A, Thir- teenth Pennsylvania National Guard, and served for fourteen years. From the ranks he was pro- moted to be corporal, then first sergeant, later second lieutenant, and, after three weeks, in 1889, was made first lieutenant, serving in that office until 1894, when he retired from the guard. He was a sharpshooter and, with other members of his company, was stationed at Homestead dur- ing the strikes there.

C HARLES G. ELLIS, of the firm of C. G. Ellis & Co., Carbondale, was born in York County, this state, October 9, 1868, and is of Welsh parentage and descent. His father, Griffith G., who was born in Wales in 1837, crossed the Atlantic in company with his parents at the age of twelve years and made settlement in York County, Pa., where the prin- cipal portion of his life was passed. He fol- lowed the occupation of a slate splitter until his death, which occurred in the prime of manhood. The paternal grandfather, also named Griffith, spent his last years in York County, where he cultivated a farm and operated a quarry. He was one of the leading men of his community and served for ten years as justice of the peace, filling the position satisfactorily and efficiently.

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The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Lloyd, was born in Wales, and at an early age was brought to Amer- ica by her father, Thomas Lloyd, who settled in Jermyn, Pa., and secured work in the mines. After the death of her husband, she remained a widow until her death in 1886. Of her family of five children, all but one attained years of maturity. Anna and Thomas reside in Jermyn, where he is employed in the mines. Griffith, who was a marble and stone cutter, died in July, 1896, at the age of twenty-two years. Our subject, who was the eldest of the children, made his home with his paternal grandfather after the death of his father. Though not able to secure many educational advantages, by observation and experience he has gained broad general in- formation. In his youth he learned the slate splitter's trade and later served an apprenticeship to the trade of a blacksmith.

Coming to Carbondale in 1890, Mr. Ellis en- gaged in the marble and granite business and has since carried on a large trade in that line, under the firm title of C. G. Ellis & Co. He is active and energetic and has already attained a degree of success commendable in one scarcely yet in his prime. In October, 1893, he married Miss Ada M. Martyn, of Jermyn, who died February 20, 1896, leaving one child, Emer- son W.

J AMES J. PADDEN, proprietor of the Pad- den Hotel in Washington Avenue, Scran- ton, was born in this city April 17, 1866, a son of Cornelius and Mary (Davitt) Padden. His father, who was an early settler of Scranton, was a practical miner in the employ of the Lack- awanna Iron & Coal Company and retained his connection with that concern until his death in 1882. He married a sister of Michael Davitt, M. P., who attained a worldwide reputation through his services as the representative of the East Mayo (Ireland) district in parliament and was known as an eloquent speaker and a warm supporter of Gladstone's home rule policy. Mrs. Mary Padden was born in County Mayo, and now makes her home with our subject.

The parental family consisted of seven chil- dren, of whom James J. is the eldest. He was reared in Scranton and received a common school education here. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the printer's trade in the office of the "Scranton Times," where he re- mained about six years. For ten years following he was a compositor in the printing office of the "Scranton Truth," but finally gave up the trade to engage in the hotel business. In 1891 he be- gan in the hotel business at his present location, but in an old building. In the spring of the fol- lowing year he erected a substantial three-story hotel on the same site, Washington Avenue and Phelps Street, where he has a building 40x65 feet in dimensions, and fitted with all the modern conveniences for carrying on a successful hotel business.

Mr. Padden has always been a firm supporter of the principles for which the Democratic party stands and has served as delegate to local con- ventions.

W ILLIAM LOVE, one of the veterans of the Civil War and a resident of Scran- ton since 1853, was born in West Pitts- ton, Pa., March 15, 1831. The family of which he is a member has been identified with the his- tory of this country for many generations, and prior to coming to Pennsylvania its members were residents of Connecticut. His father, Wil- liam, was born in Pennsylvania, whither his father had come from New England. At an early age he shouldered his gun and started out for service in the War of 1812, where he made an honorable record. During the early days of the century, wild animals were still to be found in some parts of the state, and around his log house the wolves often howled at night. From an un- cleared tract he evolved a fine farm, and there, surrounded by every comfort, his last days were passed. He died at the age of eighty-five and was buried in Wyoming.

The mother of our subject was Eunice La France, whose sister, Kate, became the mother of Col. Ira Tripp. She was a daughter of Peter La France, a native of France and an early set-

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tler of Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farm pursuits. One of his sons, Samuel, served in the War of 1812. Mrs. Eunice Love died at sixty- five years of age. Of her six sons and five daughters that attained mature years, two sons and one daughter are living. Joseph T., who was a member of the cavalry in the Mexican War and also served in the Civil War, died in Kansas in 1894. John is now living in Omaha, Neb.

The youngest son of the family, William, was reared on the home farm and gained his educa- tion in a school taught in a log building, pro- vided with few of the furnishings now considered indispensable in every school. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade under James Knapp in Pittston, with whom he served for three years. For more than two years he was employed as tool sharpener at the Narrows, where men were quarrying stone for the erection of the first bridge at Pittston. Next he went to Honesdale and opened a blacksmith's shop, but after five years sold out. In 1853 he opened a shop in North Main Avenue, Provi- dence, where he soon became known as a black- smith and practical horse-shoer. For years he has shod the track horses here, including J. I. C. and others famous on the turf, and his opinion is regarded as authority in all ailments of horses' feet.

In Mt. Pleasant, Wayne County, Mr. Love married Miss Martha B. Spafford, a native of Connecticut, and daughter of John Spafford, a farmer by occupation. They became the parents of four daughters, namely: Nettie, Mrs. A. D. Lord, of Chicago; Janie, Mrs. Griffin, deceased; Mrs. Nellie Huffman, of Scranton; and Mrs. Mamie Raub, also of this city. In the Provi- dence Presbyterian Church Mr. Love has been a member of the board of trustees. More than thirty-two years ago he was a charter member of Celestial Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in former years was also identified with the encampment and con- clave. Politically he favors Republican princi- ples.

During the progress of the war, Mr. Love's patriotic spirit was aroused. He locked his shop, gave the key to his wife, and started out to serve his country. In March of that year his

name was enrolled as a member of Company F, Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and he was mustered into service at Philadelphia. He was present at Petersburg, Ft. Fisher and the va- rious engagements along the James under Gen- eral Terry. He was never off duty until after the surrender of Lee. In November, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Philadelphia, and re- turned home to resume business matters that had been neglected during his long absence. He is a member of Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139, G. A. R., in which he has been a trustee.

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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 38

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