Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 39

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 39
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 39

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J JOHN J. SULLIVAN, M. D. The science of medicine has, within comparatively re- cent years, reached so high a state of de- velopment that those who enter it with the ex- pectation of reaping success must be men of broad intellectual acumen and liberal education. Only such can hope to gain high rank in the pro- fession, but to such it offers a splendid field of work. A physician of keen intelligence, thor- ough knowledge of the human system and its needs, and skill in diagnosis, may reasonably expect to achieve success in his practice, even in the face of opposing environments.

Realizing the need of a broad and solid found- ation for his medical work, the subject of this sketch determined to acquire a thorough educa- tion in the science, and with this end in view, in 1877 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, where he took the regu- lar course of lectures and graduated in 1880, with the degree of M. D. Returning to Scranton, where he had established his home in 1874, he at once opened an office and began the practice of his profession. Since that time he has gradually worked his way up from a position of little prom- inence to rank among the influential and success- ful physicians and surgeons of the city. As a surgeon he has met with especial success, his calmness, coolness of nerve and steady equipoise of mind even in the midst of excitement and dan- ger, having contributed to secure success in diffi- cult operations.

Under Mayor Beamish Dr. Sullivan was ap- pointed to the position of health officer and con-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tinued in that capacity until the close of the administration. For a time he also served as outside physician for the city poor department, having under his charge a district to which five physicians are now assigned. At the close of his term he relinquished all official duties and has since devoted his time and attention to private practice, his office being at No. 1838 North Main Avenue, Providence. He is physician in charge of the House of the Good Shepherd in Provi- dence, one of the largest institutions of the kind in the county. In the Irish Military Union he is surgeon, with the rank of colonel, on the staff of the general in New York City.

At Scranton, in 1877, Dr. Sullivan was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Michael Burke, a retired citizen and old settler of this place. They are the parents of seven children, of whom the eldest, John J., Jr., is a graduate of the academy and St. Thomas Classical School at Scranton, having been a student in the latter for four years; on completing his literary studies he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, where he is a member of the class of 1897. The other children are Thomas, a stu- dent in the high school; Norman, who is attend- ing St. Mary's Academy; Karl, Eva, Kate and Mary. While not maintaining a partisan inter- est in politics, Dr. Sullivan is well informed upon the national issues and favors Republican princi- ples. Professional organizations receive his cor- dial support, and he is actively connected with the Lackawanna County, State and American Medical Societies.

A LEXANDER L. FRANCOIS, member of the Scranton Beef Company and man- ager of the branch of Swift's packing house in Scranton, was born in Forty-second street, New York City, in 1850, of French parent- age and descent. His father, Alexander, who was born in Paris, came to America, an orphan, at the age of seven, and when about twenty went to New York City, where he engaged in mer- chandising. Later he settled in Norwich, Che- nango County, N. Y., thence removed to Bing- hamton, where he died at the age of fifty-seven. His two sons, Alexander L. and Louis, both

residents of Scranton, were born of his union with Victorine Villemane, a native of Alsace, France, who died in New York State at the age of forty-seven. She was the daughter of Francis Villemane, who was a member of Napoleon's army, crossing the Alps under the leadership of that famous general and afterward coming to America and settling in Chenango County, N. Y., where he died at the age of one hundred and fif- teen. His constitution was one of unusual strength and robustness, and he retained his vi- tality up to a short time before his death.

At the time the family removed from New York City to Norwich, Chenango County, the subject of this sketch was a boy of ten years, and his education was obtained in the public schools of that place. In 1872 he came to Scranton and engaged in the hide and tallow business with a Mr. Beers until 1874, when he became a member of the firm of Bell & Francois. Four years later the cattle business was added. In March, 1885, he became the representative for Swift & Co., and organized the Scranton Beef Company, in partnership with Mr. Bell. The latter gentle- man, in 1892, when Swift started the Carbondale Beef Company, was appointed its manager, and has since had charge of that business, though re- taining an interest in the Scranton concern.

The Scranton Beef Company has built up a large trade and is located on the corner of Wy- oming Avenue and Pine Street, transportation facilities being furnished by a switch from the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. The building is well adapted for its intended purpose and con- tains the most modern improvements, including the best refrigerator made for the keeping of beef. In addition to other interests, Mr. Fran- cois aided in organizing the Dime Deposit & Discount Bank, in which he has been a direc- tor from its establishment. He was also con- nected with the organization of the Paragon Plaster & Supply Company, a successful corpor- ation, in which he has been a director from the first. Since the organization of the Suburban Building & Loan Association, he has been its treasurer, and has also been a director in the Suburban Electric Light & Power Company from the start.

JAS. J. H. HAMILTON.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In Norwich, N. Y., Mr. Francois married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Mary (Lewis) Has- kins, natives respectively of England and Coop- erstown, N. Y. Her father on coming to Amer- ica settled in Chenango County, N. Y., and en- gaged in farming pursuits until his death. Dur- ing the Civil War he was a member of a New York regiment. Mrs. Francois was born and reared in Chenango County, where she was edu- cated and trained for social and domestic life. Over the home, situated at No. 502 East Market Street, she presides with hospitality and grace.

In the spring of 1896 Mr. Francois was nom- inated on the Democratic ticket for the position of member of the board of school control from the second ward and was elected by a majority of one hundred and eighty-eight, though the ward usually gave a Republican majority of one hun- dred and fifty. Immediately after his election he took his seat for four years. He has served as chairman of the committee on rules and member of the building, finance, high and training school committees. Fraternally he is identified with Hiram Lodge No. 261, F. & A. M .; Lackawanna Chapter No. 185, R. A. M .; Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 17, K. T .; and Scranton Con- sistory, thirty-second degree Masonry; and is a member of Scranton Lodge, B. P. O. E.

J AS. J. H. HAMILTON. One of the cul- tured citizens of Scranton, who has added to professional knowledge a broad fund of information upon all topics of current importance, is the subject of this sketch, a successful attorney- at-law with office in the Commonwealth Build- ing. While his attention has been given princi- pally to his legal business, he possesses the versa- tility of disposition that enables him to appre- ciate and enjoy the intricacies of science, the re- finements of art and the educative influences of travel. As a speaker he is forceful, concise and logical, and his services are in demand during local and national campaigns.

The Hamilton family has long been resident in America, and its history is closely identified with that of both church and state. In the veins of the father of the subject of this sketch ran the

blood of not only the Hamiltons, but of the Jack- sons, the Armstrongs and the Reeds, all of whom have been prominent actors in our country's his- tory. During the last century Alexander Ham- ilton, our subject's great-grandfather, removed from New York to Pennsylvania and became a pioneer in what is now Clinton County. During the Revolutionary War he and a brother entered the service and the latter was killed at Ft. North- umberland. Robert, grandfather of our subject, was born on the Hudson River in New York, but grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, where his entire life was passed in agricultural pursuits. Robert married Anna Jackson, a cousin of Gen. Andrew Jackson. One of our subject's great- grandmothers on his father's side was Elcy Arm- strong, a sister of Gen. John Armstrong, Madi- son's secretary of war, twice senator of the United States and minister to France.

To Robert and Anna Hamilton were born eleven children, all of whom, except one who died in infancy, acted well their part in life and were people of prominence in their respective communities. Two of them, James and Will- iam, were clergymen of the Presbyterian Church, the latter having been for nearly sixty years a missionary among the Indians of the great west, exerting a powerful influence over them, and on more occasions than one preventing a rupture between the red men and the na- tional government. The last occasion of this kind, not long before his death, is still fresh upon the memory of men, for it is only a few years since. The Indians of the Platte had left their reservation, being invited by Sitting Bull and his Sioux braves to join in a general Indian war. The United States troops were sent to bring them in. The question of peace or war hung in the balance. For days no communication was re- ceived from the troops and the whole nation was in suspense. Red Cloud had remained inactive, refusing to take part either way. How would he decide at the crisis? His decision meant peace or war. He was one of Mr. Hamilton's Christian Indians, and the influence of the mis- sionary over the Indian chief prevailed in behalf of peace, and the Indians returned peaceably to the reservation.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Rev. James J. Hamilton, next to the youngest son of Robert and Anna Hamilton, was born in what is now Clinton County, Pa., in 1809. In 1835 he graduated from Washington Col- lege. He was a man of remarkable versatil- ity. He studied law, medicine and theology. He was licensed to preach by the Northumberland Presbytery about 1841, and for the rest of his life devoted himself to home missionary work in Pennsylvania, resolutely declining repeated calls to prominent churches in New York, Philadel- phia, Washington and other cities, preferring to devote himself to the work to which he had given his life. Had he, as he at one time intended, de- voted his life to the law, he would without doubt have risen to the front rank of American law- yers. As it is, in a single case which, as a young man, he carried to the supreme court, he has left our people and our bar indebted to him for brush- ing aside the cobwebs of the English law which were gathering over the eyes of our jurists, and placing our jurisprudence fifty years in advance of that of Britain. This case, Hamilton v. The Lycoming County Mutual Insurance Company, is reported in 5 Penn. St. 399, and is a leading case. It first authoritatively decided in this state that a corporation may contract by parol; that the writing is not the contract, but merely the evidence of it, and that in the absence of the writing or the failure to execute it, the contract may be proved by parol; that a contract is com- plete at the meeting of the minds of the parties thereto and their agreement, and may be en- forced.

Mr. Hamilton was perhaps the most widely known clergyman of southern Pennsylvania. As a preacher he was a man of wonderful power. His logic was faultless; his thought clear as crystal; his conclusion irresistible. He spoke clearly because he thought clearly, and he had the faculty of making the most abstruse subjects plain and simple. He impressed one as having compassed his subject in all its breadth and depth. "What a profound sermon!" exclaimed a great lawyer and theologian, after listening to one of Mr. Hamilton's discourses. "Why, papa, how simple it all was; I understood every word of it," said the lawyer's little son. Neither a more

accurate criticism nor a higher commendation could be paid in a whole volume. About 1875 a stroke of apoplexy caused him to retire from the active ministry, and thenceforward he lived quietly at his home in Perry County, where he died in February, 1886. During this period of his life he preached, as his health permitted, in the Juniata and Cumberland Valleys. Mr. Ham- ilton was one of the earliest advocates of aboli- tion in Pennsylvania, and was all his life an earnest temperance advocate.

The mother of our subject, Kate G., was born in Lancaster, Pa., and was a daughter of Jacob L. Hoffmeier, a native of Northampton County and long prominently identified with the history of Lancaster County. Her grandfather, who was a native of Germany, emigrated to this country, accompanied by his wife, Gertrude von Assen, daughter of Baron von Assen, and, settling in Northampton County, became a minister of the German Reformed Church there. Mrs. Kate G. Hamilton resides in Easton, Pa. Of her family of four sons and two daughters all are living ex- cept one son.

The eldest living son of the family is the sub- ject of this article, who was born in Juniata County, Pa., November 9, 1863. He prepared for college at the Orangeville Academy, but prior to taking his collegiate course, and in order to secure funds for the defraying of expenses con- nected with the same, he engaged in teaching. In 1884 he entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., and took high rank as a student. Compelled, from lack of funds, to drop out of college, he again took up his old profession of teaching,

keeping up his college studies. His father's death prevented his return to college so as to graduate with his class, and he did not take his degree until 1891, when his alma mater con- ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. As teacher he was very successful, his students taking high rank in our leading colleges. He was principal of the Tuscarora Academy, one of the oldest and most noted college-fitting schools in this state; principal of the high school at Kins- man, Ohio, and principal of public schools at Bedford, Pa. In the meantime he had taken up the study of law, and in 1892 entered the law

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department of the Indiana University, at Bloom- ington, Ind., entering the senior class, and grad- uated the following year at the head of his class with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to practice at the bar of Indiana and before the supreme court of that state. The fall of 1893 was spent in special law studies and in lecturing, and in January, 1894, he came to Scranton, where he opened an office, and has since practiced his pro- fession with success.

A firm believer in the principles of the Repub- lican party, Mr. Hamilton has taken an active part in local campaign work, and is a popular speaker, both on political and other topics. He is not only a frequent contributor to the prom- inent law journals, but has written extensively for the leading educational papers of the country and his articles are always worthy of careful study, presenting, as they do, opinions born of ripe experience and sound judgment.

R EESE HUGHES. It is said by those qualified to know that Mr. Hughes is the best-posted man in this part of the country on the subject of minerals and mining. His ideas are practical, not theoretical. His broad knowledge has been gained by personal work and extended observation covering a wide field of territory and comprising coal, lead, tin, zinc, silver, gold, graphite, etc. It was in 1833 that he first came to Carbondale, his present home, but the depression in business soon afterward was the occasion of his father purchasing a farm in Sus- quehanna County, and there the family lived for a time.

The father of our subject, William Hughes, was born and reared in Swansea, South Wales, and there married Sarah Jenkins. He followed his trade, that of a copper worker, in his native place, but after coming to America was engaged principally in mining coal, though for about seven months he was employed in opening cop- per works in Baltimore. He died at the age of fifty-eight and his wife when fifty-six. Their six children were named as follows: Edward, Jo- seph and Martha, Mrs. Isaac Morgan, all de- ceased; William, a soldier in the Civil War, but

now deceased; Reese, of this sketch; and Mary Ann, wife of John Johns, of LaCrosse, Wis.

Born near Swansea, South Wales, May 9, 1827, the subject of this article was six years of age when, in 1833, the family took passage on a sailing vessel. After a voyage of seven weeks the ship anchored in the harbor of New York. Immediately afterward the family came to Car- bondale, but in a short time removed to Susque- hanna County. Our subject had limited educa- tional advantages, and for a short time attended the old-fashioned subscription schools, where the teacher instructed more by force than by friend- ship. At the age of nine he began driving a mule at the mines, and for several years followed some work in connection with mining. In 1848 he was a member of a military organization known as the "Washington Grays," and they enlisted for the Mexican War, but before getting to the field they were ordered home.

In 1852 Mr. Hughes married Margaret Will- iams of South Wales, and soon afterward they took a pleasure trip to Europe. His grandfather was then living and desired, before his death, to see some member of the family again, a wish that was gratified. On his return to America Mr. Hughes mined in various places. For a time he was foreman of mines at Summit Hill, but re- signed this position on account of the formation of a labor organization, which he was not in- clined to join. Subsequently he engaged in me- tallic mining in Lehigh County and was manager of the zinc mines there for twenty-two years. He was well informed in mining matters, par- ticularly as to prospecting and determining, from indications, the presence of minerals. In fact, in his chosen line, he long ago became rec- ognized as an expert. The business which he followed caused him to be thrown in company with the best scientific men of the day, to whom his services were very valuable. Accompanying them to Mexico and Colorado, he made discov- eries of valuable mining sections and many mines were opened as a result of his investigations.

For the purpose of opening up a quartz ledge, Mr. Hughes was sent to California in 1860. From there he went to Mexico in the employ of the United States Express Company. Acting on

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the advice of scientists and capitalists who wished his counsel, he opened an office in New York City, to more readily transact his large business. However, the office proved of little use to him, as he was obliged to be away on im- portant investigations the most of the time. He found the graphite mines of Ticonderoga, dis- covered zinc ore in Blair County, Pa., and zinc, lead and silver in North Carolina. After the lat- ter discovery had been allowed to lie dormant for some years, he was sent to North Carolina to open up mines, but before they were in run- ning order, the Civil War broke out; the Con- federacy confiscated the whole concern, and from the mines took lead to make bullets with which to shoot northern soldiers. Besides these he also found the gold mine at Gold Hill, N. C.

A man of patriotic spirit, at the first call for troops in 1861, Mr. Hughes determined to fight for his country, but the men who recognized his special ability objected strongly, as they had other views in regard to him. The result was that they paid $900 for a substitute to take his place and prevailed upon him to continue work for them. He has always been a firm ally of the Republican party and has steadfastly upheld its principles. Formerly he was actively connected with the Masons and Odd Fellows, but for some years he has not been identified with either or- der. His personal preference, in religious mat- ters, inclines him to the faith of the Baptist church, but he is not a member of that denom- ination. His father was a Congregationalist for many years, but in late life was a Baptist.

The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are named as follows: Thomas R., who lives in Portage City, Wis., and is employed as an en- gineer on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; William, who resides in Carbondale; Sarah Ann, wife of James Bell, also of this city; George, a contractor and builder here; and Mrs. Mattie Brown, a widow, who for some years has been an instructor in Raymond Conservatory, New York, and is at present perfecting her education in Boston. The wife and mother, notwithstand- ing the fact that she is now seventy-one, is quite strong physically, and is able to attend person- ally to her household duties. Mr. Hughes has a

fine collection of specimens from Pennsylvania, Colorado, Maryland, the Carolinas, England, and other places where he has opened mines and done expert work. His ability in his chosen oc- cupation is remarkable, and has brought him recognition among the most gifted scientists of the age, who have utilized his discoveries and in- vestigations to assist them in their work.

M ALACHI L. COYNE, outside foreman for William Connell & Co., in the Na- tional and Meadow Brook mines, and for some years past a resident of Scranton, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1847, a son of John and Mary (Lally) Coyne. His father, who followed the occupation of a farmer, died in County Roscommon, and afterward his widow came to America and made her home with our subject in Scranton. Here she died at the ad- vanced age of one hundred and two years, hav- ing been in full possession of her faculties until shortly before her death. Of her nine sons and two daughters, all but three came to the United States.

The subject of this sketch, who was the young- est of the family, was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools in boyhood days. Having resolved to seek a home in the New World, in 1864 he crossed the Atlantic and here met older brothers, who had come to this country prior to his birth, and whom he had never seen. The oldest of the family, Martin, is still living, his home being in Massachusetts, and is now ninety years of age. The year of his arrival in America found him located in Pitts- ton, Pa., in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with whom he remained for eighteen months. Later he was employed on a farm in Wyoming for two years, and then took a posi- tion in the Greenwood mine of the Lackawanna & Susquehanna Coal Company (later known as the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Company) at Scranton. In 1868 he became an assistant foreman and two years afterward was made outside fore- man, remaining in that capacity until 1886. Since that year he has been outside foreman for Will- iam Connell & Co., at the Meadow Brook and National mines.

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These two mines are operated by one breaker, with a capacity of fifteen hundred tons per day, and are among the most successful in the an- thracite coal region. The duties of his position consume almost all of Mr. Coyne's time, but he has a number of other interests in the city, being a stockholder in the Scranton axle works, and for some time a director in the Meadow Brook Building & Loan Association. He has been inter- ested in introducing a slate picker into the mines, which is as good as any in the valley and will do the work of forty boys. Politically he is in- dependent, supporting the men whom he believes will best represent the people. He is identified with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association Branch No. 85, in which he was formerly vice- president. While he resided in Lackawanna Township, he was for some time a member of the school board, and served for one term as its secretary and treasurer, but on coming to Scran- ton resigned the position, and has not sought of- ficial position here.

The residence of Mr. Coyne is at No. 1803 Cedar Avenue. He was married in this city to Miss Catherine Sullivan, a native of New York City, and daughter of Michael Sullivan, who was formerly engaged in the hotel business here. They are parents of nine children, namely: P. H., bookkeeper for the Scranton Brewing Company; James, a machinist in the employ of the Scran- ton axle works; John, assistant blacksmith with William Connell & Co .; Mary, Kate, Annie, Bridget, Malachi L., Jr., and Joseph.

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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 39

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