Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 41

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 41
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 41

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Mr. Clark was born in Waverly, this county, September 7, 1854, and is a descendant of En- glish ancestors, who settled first in Rhode Island, but later removed to Connecticut. His grand- father, George Clark, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1798, and in childhood was brought to Clarks Green, where he married Huldah Rice, a native of New York. The great-grandfather, William Clark, was born in Rhode Island, and served in the Revolutionary War, being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1800 he settled in Clarks Green, where he was a pioneer farmer, and in this place he died at seventy years.

The father of our subject, James R. Clark, was born in Abington Township, this county, and was reared on a farm in Waverly. In 1879 he left the farm, came to Scranton and joined his son in the florist's business, and is still thus en-

gaged. While in Waverly he served as a school director for twelve years, and for a time was pres- ident of the board. In this county he married Miss Parma LaBar, who was born in Plainsville, Luzerne County, a daughter of William and sis- ter of John A. LaBar (see sketch upon another page). They became the parents of six children, named as follows: Giles L .; Eno W., who died at thirty years; George R., Carrie M., Myra, and Herbert, who died at the age of sixteen months.

Reared in Abington Township, our subject received a public school education and later at- tended Wyoming Seminary. In 1876 he was en- gaged in teaching school in Scott, this county. The following year he went to Wilkesbarre, where he was employed for a short time. In the sum- mer of 1878, the centennial of the Wyoming mas- sacre, he came to Scranton and became a mem- ber of the firm of Tinkham & Clark in Hyde Park, their place of business being on the present site of the Jersey Central depot. Soon, however, he bought out his partner's interest, and in 1879 his father joined him, the two still remaining to- gether.

Besides the florist's business, Mr. Clark is en- gaged in the real estate business. He is one of the owners of White Birch Park, comprising seventy acres nine miles north of Scranton, and platted in large lots for summer homes. In Wood-Lawn Park he also owns an interest. This is situated in Green Ridge, and contains seven- teen acres, with sixty-seven of the finest build- ing lots in that locality. The park has been ac- cepted by the city and is maintained by appro- priations under the supervision of the park com- missioners. In addition, he also has an interest in Prospect Park, in North Main Avenue, com- prising ten acres. His office is on the corner of Washington and Spruce Streets.

In Scranton Mr. Clark married Miss Clara K. Kennedy, daughter of James S. and Pauline (Jayne) Kennedy. She was born in this city and died here, leaving two children, Ethel G. and G. Ronald. She was next to the youngest of twelve children, of whom ten are living; one of the sons, James T., was a soldier in a Pennsylvania regi- ment during the war. Her father, who was a son of Thomas Kennedy, was born in Wilkesbarre

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Township, and became a carpenter and builder in Lackawanna Township, but in 1851 removed to Providence and engaged in merchandising. His death occurred in Green Ridge in 1885. His widow, who resides with her son-in-law, Mr. Clark, was born in Nicholson, Wyoming County, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elsie (Stevens) Jayne, natives of New York state. Samuel Jayne was a son of David and Elizabeth (DeWitt) Jayne, also of New York. In the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Clark has been president and is now treasurer of the board of trustees, and has also rendered efficient service as superintendent of the Sunday-school.

J OSEPH L. MEDWAY, of Scranton, is a prominent and representative citizen, and takes the greatest interest in all progressive movements tending toward the betterment of af- fairs in this vicinity. He is a worker along the lines of advancement and higher civilization and, in short, is a man of liberal public spirit. A very active Republican, he served us well when a member of the select council for two terms or six years. At all times he was to be found as- sisting new systems for enlarging the city bound- aries and giving greater advantages to the inhab- itants.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Medway, was a farmer near Newton Abbot, Dev- onshire, England. John, father of J. L., was born in 1804 on the old homestead and became a ma- chinist. Forty years he was connected with the Great Western Railway, as foreman in the ma- chine shops at Newton, and when he received the summons to leave the scene of his earthly labors, he was eighty-eight years old. His wife, a native of Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire, England, was Miss Jane Luther. She was born in 1810 and died in 1889. There were nine children born to this worthy couple, but only five are living. James, an expert electrician, now retired from business, and residing in Newton, was in the En- glish navy. A sister, Mrs. Paddon, formerly lived here, but after her husband's death returned to the old home in England. John is superin- tendent of motive-power, Fitchburg Railroad, in

Boston. George is foreman in the blacksmith's shop of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western at Buffalo.

J. L. Medway was born May 20, 1840, in New- ton Abbot, England, and in the usual manner of happy childhood spent his early years. He at- tended the public schools until he was in his six- teenth year, when he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade, under his father, in the shops of the Great Western Railroad. He remained there eight years, and then set sail for America in the steamer "Glasgow," bound from Liverpool to . New York City, where they duly arrived four- teen days later. Going to Seneca Falls, N. Y., he found employment in the Silsby Fire En- gine Manufacturing Company, and at the end of a year he went into the Susquehanna (Pa.) Erie railway shops, the main shops of the road. It was in July, 1866, that he reached Scranton, en- tering the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western machine shops, and when but two years had elapsed he was promoted to the position which he has so successfully filled up to the present time, that of master mechanic of the machine department of the car shops.

Mr. Mcdway was elected from the ninth ward to serve in the select council, in which he was very active, and was chairman of the building committee which selected the site and approved the plans of the present city hall. When he had nearly completed his second term he removed to the thirteenth ward, Green Ridge, and later he moved into Dunmore, locating in Adams Ave- nue. In 1896 he was elected to the borough coun- cil of Dunmore, quite a victory, as the Dem- ocrats had usually had things their own way and a majority of from eight to ten hundred votes, but on this occasion the Republicans won by a majority of three hundred and eighty-seven votes. Mr. Medway organized the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Sound Money Club, and is its president. For years he has been in- terested in Germania Building Association No. 7, is president of it, and also holds the vice-presi- dency of the Germania Building & Loan Asso- ciation No. 8. He is strongly in favor of incor- porating the sixth ward of Dunmore with Scran- ton proper.

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In this city was celebrated, in 1868, the mar- riage of Mr. Medway and Mary E., daughter of David Dale, of Daleville, Pa., which place was named in honor of one of their family at a remote period. Two sons and a daughter comprise the children of Mr. and Mrs. Medway. The elder son, Herbert, is a promising young man, and is now in Yale College in the class of 1900, and the younger, David D., is at home attending school. Josephine, the eldest child, is a graduate of the School of the Lackawanna and of Bradford Acad- emy, near Boston, Mass. Fraternally Mr. Med- way is identified with Green Ridge Lodge No. 597, F. & A. M., and is past grand of Lackawan- na Lodge No. 291, I. O. O. F. For twenty years he was a trustee and official member of the old First Methodist Episcopal Church, or until he went to live in Green Ridge, and at the present time he and his family are members of the Pres- byterian Church of Green Ridge. .

T HOMAS ORCHARD. As that of a man who rose superior to adversity and nobly conquered the difficulties lying in his path, the life of the late Thomas Orchard of Car- bondale is well worthy of emulation by the youth of the rising generation. Guided by principles of the highest honor, he was a man of unspotted character, well dowered with firmness and stabil- ity. In the growth of Carbondale he maintained the deepest interest and for its future good he made many sacrifices of his time and means. He is spoken of by the people among whom he lived for many years as one of their most praiseworthy citizens, and one to whom credit is due for his labors in the upbuilding of the various interests of the community.

In Stratton, Cornwall, England, the subject of this memoir was born, February 27, 1820, the son of John and Mary (Yeo) Orchard, of Stratton. He was reared in the strict honesty and integrity of purpose that remained his principal charac- teristic throughout life. His early educational advantages were meager, for his parents were poor and unable to give him the opportunities they desired. In youth he became an architect and builder, which occupation he followed in-

dustriously. Longing, however, for a wider field in which to gain a name and fortune, he left his native land in 1840, setting sail for America, and landing in Montreal, Canada. After a short time he came to the States and remained for a brief period in Honesdale, Pa. He removed from there to Carbondale about 1841 and entered the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company as pattern maker and builder. He be- came a warm friend of C. P. Wurts, then superin- tendent of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, who soon acknowledged his worth and superior ability by making him superintendent for the building of the many structures erected under the direction of the company in those early days. Among the buildings still standing for which he had the contract are the residences of J. B. Van Bergen, T. R. Durfee and E. E. Hendrick, the first Catholic Church in Carbondale, Graded School No. I, the residence of the late Captain Brennan, now a part of the Catholic convent, also the city hall and residence of James Arch- bald of Scranton.

In 1862 Mr. Orchard was given charge of the car department of the company. When the Del- aware & Hudson commenced the building of pas- senger cars, he was selected as the master car builder, and the splendid equipment of the grav- ity and locomotive roads of the Pennsylvania division of the Delaware & Hudson bespeaks his excellent qualifications for the responsible po- sition. It was largely due to his efforts and effi- ciency that in this city there are still manufac- tured passenger cars, which indeed forms no small part of the business of the place. The de- sigus for the different cars were either planned by him or under his immediate direction, and the responsibility of the work rested upon him.

In April, 1869, Mr. Orchard was elected a member of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, and at the time of his death was the sec- ond oldest vestryman in the congregation. Fra- ternally he belonged to Palestine Commandery, K. T. In 1851 he returned to his native land and also visited the great World's Exposition in the Crystal Palace, London, being of a party of eleven made up in Carbondale the only one who made the voyage. His first marriage united him

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with Miss Martha, sister of Col. William N. Monies. She died in 1860, leaving two sons, John H., and William, who died in 1865. In 1862 he was united with Mrs. Mary (Griffin) Smith, widow of Asa D. Smith, and mother of T. Grif- fin Smith, the freight agent of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad at Carbondale. By this mar- riage three children were born, namely: Charles, freight agent at Scranton; Frank, who is a pat- tern-maker in the works of the Hendrick Manu- facturing Company, Carbondale; and Elizabeth, wife of N. L. Moon, who is private secretary to C. R. Manville, superintendent of the Delaware & Hudson.

In addition to his connection with the car shops, Mr. Orchard was interested in many local enterprises, and was also vice-president of the Pittston Stove Works, Pittston, Pa. He was thoroughly identified with every good work in his adopted city, ever willing to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and anxious to pro- mote morality and temperance. He was well known beyond the limits of Carbondale and was respected by every acquaintance. Through hon- est and untiring efforts he rose from a humble station to prominence.

The life which has here been sketched closed December 30, 1895. The sympathies of all who knew him well and of the many who knew him chiefly by the kind words and thoughtful cour- tesy which marked his intercourse with all men, were extended to the bereaved relatives who for years had regarded him as their central figure. His noble career was achieved by perseverance and was marked from the first by a generous philanthropy and most exemplary devotion to justice, truth and honor. He possessed a clear mind, sound business judgment and unswerving integrity, from the principles of which no hope of reward or fear of giving offense could swerve him. His whole life demonstrated more clearly than mere words that strict integrity is the chief element of success and that honorable deeds win friends and respect.

John H. Orchard, the only surviving son of the first marriage of our subject, was born in Carbondale April 2, 1854, and was six years of age when his mother died. On the

completion of a public school education here, he went abroad and spent a year and six months in the schools of Dumfries, Scotland. Upon his return in October, 1872, he went into his father's office, and April 1, 1886, was made general car inspector. January 1, 1893, he was promoted to the office of assistant master car builder. On the death of his father he succeeded him as master car builder, which position he has since filled. He also succeeded his father as vestryman in Trinity Church and director in the Pittston Stove Works, of which company he is secretary. In 1889 he married Miss Frances Clark, who died the fol- lowing year. He again married in 1896, his wife being Mrs. Jennie F. Price of Scranton.

P ROF. HAYDN EVANS has won for him- self not only a local, but a national reputa- tion in musical circles, and stands second to none in the city of Scranton in his chosen pro- fession. As is well known he was the director of the Scranton Choral Union, comprising over two hundred and fifty members who took part in the great competitive contest at the World's Fair in Chicago, in September, 1893. Under the leadership of Professor Evans, the club won the highest honors, carrying off in triumph the first prize, a gold medal and $5,000.

William Evans, father of our subject, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, and in his early man- hood was employed in iron works there. In 1869 he came to the United States with his fam- ily, taking up his abode in Scranton .. For many years he has been with the Delaware, Lackawan- na & Western at the Continental mines. Like his son of whom we write, he has always taken a great interest in musical affairs, and has no small ability himself in that direction. For thir- teen years he was leader of the Welsh Baptist Church choir and in many trials of skill has led them on to victory. In his native land he mar- ried Margaret Davis of the same country. Her father, James Davis, settled in America some years ago and attained a good old age, dying in July, 1896.

Professor Evans was born in the pretty town of Aberman, Glamorganshire, and is one of the

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four living children of William and Margaret Evans. When he was but a year old the family removed to the New World and his boyhood was passed in this city. He manifested unusual fondness for music at a very early age and his parents did all in their power to foster his evi- dent talent. When eleven years old he went to reside in the home of D. J. J. Mason of Wilkes- barre, Pa., there to better pursue his musical studies. At the end of two years of unremitting effort, during which time his progress was marked, he returned to the parental roof and at- tended the public schools. In 1884 and the year following it was the ambitious youth's great priv- ilege to study under the instruction of several leading musicians of London. Soon afterward he established himself as a permanent resident of Scranton, and has since conducted classes and given individual lessons in his art.

For about a year the Professor served as or- ganist of St. Luke's Church, after which he held a similar position several years in the Presby- terian Church. The officials of St. Patrick's Church then invited him to become organist for them, and he eventually consenting, has held this place during a period of four years. He has pupils in both piano and organ here and in the neighboring city of Carbondale, where he goes one day every week. His office in Scranton is at No. 134 Wyoming Avenue. In the spring of 1896 the Choral Union gave "The Messiah," and at another time St. Patrick's Church choir ren- dered "Saint Cecelia's Mass," winning the high- est praise from the critics and press. The Pro- fessor has been very successful in giving the music-loving public numerous fine concerts, and in 1894 he started with a company to Europe. They traveled in Wales four months, and gave entertainments almost every night. At one time he received a gratifying and wholly unexpected testimonial from Governor Pattison. Though he has not yet published any of his works, he has composed several songs of true merit. He is now occupying the position of organist and director of the Penn Avenue Baptist Church; however, he still retains the position of director at St. Pat- rick's Church.

The marriage of Professor Evans and Miss

Minnie Marshall, daughter of Lucius Marshall, an old and favorably known business man of Carbondale, occurred in that city October 16, 1889. Mrs. Evans is a lady of artistic tastes and is proficient in both music and painting. The union of the young couple has been blessed by one child, Leslie Evans. On the subject of pol- itics our subject is ever to be found on the Re- publican side of questions. In his fraternal rela- tions he is a member of Green Ridge Lodge No. 597, F. & A. M.

A LEXANDER BARROWMAN. The value in any community of a citizen is not marked merely by his knowledge or the success that has attended his efforts in busi- ness or professional undertakings, but also by his character in public and private life, his hon- orable adherence to all that is upright, his per- sonal integrity and the interest he has taken in the welfare of fellow-citizens. Judged by this standard Mr. Barrowman may be classed among the influential and valued citizens of Scranton.

The Barrowman family originated in Scotland. William, our subject's father, was born in Glas- gow in 1807, and in 1849, with his family, took passage on the sailing vessel, "Cora Linn," which anchored in New York, after a voyage of fifty-four days. He then proceeded up the Hud- son to Albany, and from there via Erie Canal to Buffalo, a trip that required eight days. Leav- ing the family in Buffalo, he went west in search of a suitable location. Afterward, however, he decided to go to Blossburg, Pa., and journeying to Elmira by canal, he chanced to meet there James Archbald, chief engineer of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. Acting on his ad- vice, he came to Carbondale. The journey was made by stage and wagon to Razorville (now Providence) and with his family he settled in Dunmore.

For a time William Barrowman was employed as a foreman on the gravity road, but afterward took the contract for sinking Pittston shaft No. I and prospected for coal from Wilkesbarre to Car- bondale. He sank the Diamond shaft, the larg- est in the world at that time, having space for

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two carriages to go down and two to come up at the same time, besides ten fect of space for the pumps. This was first called the Barrowman shaft, but the name was afterward changed to the Diamond. In all matters connected with the sinking of shafts he was considered an au- thority. For many years he operated a tannery in Spring Brook or Moosic, on the present site of the waterworks from Taylor to Nanticoke. In 1856 he built a brick residence at the head of West Lackawanna Avenue. Wherc then was an irregular path down the hill, he predicted would be a street some day, and that prediction has been verified, for his son, Alexander, in 1869 opened and excavated the street, securing the funds by donations and private subscriptions. In 1865 he was killed by being accidentally thrown from his carriage. His wife, Mary (McDonald) Barrow- man, dicd in Scranton November 9, 1887.

Among ten children Alexander Barrowman was the third in order of birth. He was born in Glasgow in 1835 and was about fourteen years of age when the family came to the United States. After attending school for a time in Pittston, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade under William Price, now of Hyde Park. Two years later he came from Pittston to Scranton, where he assisted his father for three years. He then began for himself as a stair builder and contrac- tor, and has built the majority of the spiral stairs in this locality. He completed a stairway in the Episcopal Church of Wyoming that others thought could not be done and that is considered the finest work of the kind in the locality. At different times he has built for himself, including business property in North Main Avenue and Seventh Street and also residence property here. About 1892 he retired from business and has since lived quietly at the old homestead at the head of West Lackawanna Avenue.

In August, 1862, Mr. Barrowman volunteered in a pontoon train and was one of twelve me- chanics in charge of the corps that constructed the pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock River at Chancellorsville. He was faithful in the discharge of every duty and it is said of him that he was the first to arrive on the field and the last to leave. His period of service covered two

years. From 1869 to 1873 he represented the fourth ward as select councilman, and was also clerk of the board of city commissioners. One of the oldest Masons here and a member of the Veteran's organization, he belongs to Hyde Park Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chap- ter, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 17, K. T. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the West Side Board of Trade and actively assists all progressive enterprises. His membership is in the Washburn Presbyterian Church and he is one of the elders of the con- gregation.

In this city Mr. Barrowman married Miss Jennie Kintz, who was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pa., and died in Scranton in April, 1893, leaving an only child, Gertrude, a member of the class of 1900, Scranton high school. Mrs. Barrowman was a daughter of John Kintz, a farmer of Monroe County and a member of a family that was represented among the early settlers of this state.

J OSEPH CHURCH, who has spent much of his life in Scranton, was born in Hyde Park, this city, June 1, 1827, and has the distinction of being one of the oldest living na- tive-born citizens of the place. The family of which he is a member formerly resided in Con- necticut, whence his father, Samuel, came to Hyde Park and here taught school, served as overseer of roads, poor director and constable. Before the war he removed to Wisconsin and set- tled on a farm near Janesville, Rock County, where he died at the age of about eighty-seven. After coming to Scranton he married Harriet, daughter of Stephen Tripp, an extensive farmer of this vicinity, and granddaughter of Isaac Tripp, an early settler here. She was a niece of Isaac Tripp. the father of Col. Ira Tripp. Her death occurred in Wisconsin when she was sev- enty-three years of age.

Of ten children comprising the family of Sam- uel Church, our subject was second in order of birth and is the only one residing in Scranton. In Hyde Park he carried on his studies in the public schools. At the age of nineteen, in 1846,

WILLIAM YEAGER.

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he went west, being the first of the family to leave Scranton. The trip was made by team to Bing- hamton, then by Erie Canal to Buffalo, from there via the lakes to Milwaukee, and lastly by stage to Janesville. Purchasing land six miles south of that city, on the Rock River, he began to clear and improve a farm, and of his sixteen hundred acres, in time had six hundred under the plow. He laid out the town of Afton, Wis., of which his brother was the first postmaster, and in that placc he manufactured agricultural implements, making a specialty of the Weber mower. In 1858 he was chosen surveyor of Rock County, and served in that capacity for four years. Prior to that, he was for two years employed as surveyor of government land in the pineries of Wisconsin.

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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 41

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