Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 45

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 45
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 45

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Only two of the brothers and sisters of Milton McFarland are now living. A brother, Frank, was in the same company during the war, and is now a foreman for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western in Scranton. When our subject was young he did not have exceptional educational advantages, for after he was ten he attended school but three months in the year. From boy- hood he worked in his father's sawmills and when the family removed to Hawley he was employed on the Delaware & Hudson Canal during a season. Some time later he became lock-tender, but upon arriving at a suitable age he was reg- ularly apprenticed to learn the mill-wright's trade, with William Williams. Three years passed in this manner, and then he continued to work at the business until the war of the Re- bellion commenced.

In May, 1861, Mr. McFarland enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixth Pennsylvania Re- serves, and was mustered in for three years at Harrisburg, being assigned to the state service. After taking part in the first battle of Bull Run he was transferred to the United States service and acted as a sergeant. He was in all the engage- ments of the Potomac and veteranized in De- cember, 1863, taking a thirty-days furlough. Then he re-enlisted and served until the close of

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the war. At the battle of the Wilderness he was hit in the face by a shell, but returned to active work in his regiment, and at Fredericksburg was struck by a minie-ball and knocked down, but was saved injury by his haversack. June 7, 1864, the old Pennsylvania Reserves having been re- organized into the two regiments of the One Hundred and Nineteenth, and One Hundred and Ninety-first, he was placed in the last-named, and commissioned first lieutenant of Company B, and was in command of the same, because his captain was in the hospital all of the time. Thus he lead his forces all through that fearful cam- paign, from Cold Harbor to Petersburg. In June, 1864, he was sent to the left flank of the army to take possession of the Weldon Railroad, and had successfully completed this maneouver, when they were surrounded by the enemy and their entire skirmish-line, about twenty-five hundred soldiers, were sent to. Libby Prison. For eight weeks they were held there, and thence transferred to the prisons in Salisbury, N. C., where they languished two months or more and were next conveyed to Danville, and held there until February 2, 1865. Returned to Libby, they were let off on parole a week or two later, and sent through the lines to Annapolis. No language can aptly describe what our brave sol- diers endured at the hands of the rebels, but we will only say, that in common with his fellows, Mr. McFarland was almost reduced to starvation point and was too weak to stand alone, so he was placed in the naval hospital. After he was ex- changed he went home on a thirty-days furlough and recuperating somewhat, reported to his com- pany at Appomattox, just after Lee's surrender. He was duly mustered out April 27, 1865.

Resuming his former occupation our subject worked steadily two years or so in the neighbor- hood of liis old home and then went west, re- maining eight months there, and visiting various parts of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1873 he finally settled in Scranton, finding em- ployment as a carpenter in the carshops of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western for seven years, when he was placed at work on a new bridge and station-house. This took about a year, and then he began work on the south mill

of the Scranton, Lackawanna Iron & Steel Com- pany. From the commencement to the comple- tion of this structure he was retained at steady employment, and was then made foreman of the carpenter department.

Mr. McFarland was first married, in Hawley, to Miss Hannah Gerhard, a native of that place and daughter of Philip Gerhard. She was called to her final rest while the family were still res- idents of that town. The present wife of our subject was formerly Miss Lottie, daughter of John Meyer, a painter by occupation. She was born in Scranton, and here grew to womanhood. Five of the six children remain under the paren- tal roof, viz .: Flora, Louie, Kittie, Carl and Ruth, while Bessie is now in Denver. Mr. Mc- Farland is greatly interested in the many pa- triotic societies that have been formed in this country since the day when men laid down their lives so freely in support of her liberty and pros- perity, and at present he is major of Colonel Oakford Precinct No. 25, N. V. U. He also be- longs to the Society of the Army of the Potomac and to the Ex-Prisoner of War Association, of Lackawanna County. In matters relating to pol- itics, he always is to be found supporting the can- didates of the Republican party.

F ELIX DEVANEY. In 1850, when the now prosperous city of Carbondale gave few indications of its present importance, Mr. Devaney came to this place and here he has since made his home. For about forty-three years he was employed in the mines, where he worked with the utmost diligence in order to pro- vide his family with the comforts of life. For some years past, however, he has lived in retire- ment from active labors, spending his time quiet- ly in his home at No. 153 Brooklyn Street.

A native of County Sligo, Ireland, born in 1828, Mr. Devaney spent his boyhood years in the land of his birth, having but limited educa- tional advantages, as from an early age he was obliged to be self-supporting. Just before at- taining his majority he sailed for America, with the intention of making this country his perma- nent home. His first location was at Dunmore,

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Pa., where he was employed in the mines for two years, and thence, in 1850, he removed to Car- bondale, his home since that time. * While na- ture endowed him with a splendid constitution and rugged frame, yet constant hard work through so many years impaired his health, and especially his sense of hearing, which he has lost in some measure.

After coming to Carbondale, Mr. Devaney was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Collins, and ten children were born of their union. Of this family eight are living, all married and scat- tered, except a son, the only one left at home. They were reared in the Catholic faith, of which their parents are adherents. Politically Mr. Devaney has always been a Democrat, and is emphatic in his preference for that party. His industry and economy have enabled him to ac- cumulate a competency that will give to his de- clining years every comfort. He is interested in the progress of Carbondale, to which he came when it was a small village, and is well known by the early settlers of the place.

H ENRY J. ZIEGLER is one of the worthy German-American citizens of Scranton now living a retired life after long years of active and arduous toil. He has helped to foster many of our local enterprises and has ever taken his part in all moves having in view the betterment of his city and fellow-citizens. For two years he was a member of the common coun- cil from the eleventh ward, after which he was elected to represent the same ward in the select council and served for three years in that capa- city. About 1886 he was honored by Mayor E. H. Ripple in being appointed as a member of the board of health and has since held that impor- tant position, being the oldest member of the board in years of service.

The birth of our subject took place at Grossall- merode, Kur-Hessen, Germany, March 17, 1846. His father, Franz Ziegler, brought his family to the United States in October, 1854, and in this vicinity the lad's early years were passed. Such education as he managed to obtain in school was derived from the schools of Scranton and Dun-

more, but his privileges in this line were limited, for when he was only ten years old he had to assist in making his own living. Two years or more he was employed as a slate picker for the Pennsylvania Coal Company at Dunmore, then went to the von Storch mines. Not liking the outlook very well, he determined to become a shoemaker, but he did not follow this branch very long, as his natural bent was not in that direction. A good place was offered him as weigh-master for the Delaware & Hudson at Archbald, and from there he went to Jermyn and later to Olyphant, in the same position with the Delaware & Hudson Company.

In 1867 Mr. Ziegler married Miss Charlotte Pfeffer, of Scranton, a native of Germany. Her father, George Pfeffer, had come to this city a few years before and started in the hardware business on the south side. In 1867 Mr. Ziegler became a partner in the concern under the firm name of Pfeffer & Ziegler. Only a year elapsed when the senior partner died and from that time Mr. Zieg- ler has carried on the business alone, until 1893 at the old location. In 1888 he purchased prop- erty at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Hickory Street, next door to the old establishment. Here he has a substantial three-story building, with a frontage of forty feet, and the stores are thor- oughly equipped and fitted out with a large stock of hardware, tools, etc., commonly carried by the trade and also a full line of plumbers' supplies. In 1893 he turned the whole business over to his son, Henry F., and son-in-law, Louis Schu- macher, who are now carrying on the business under the firm name of Ziegler & Schumacher.

Mr. Ziegler is quite an inventive genius and to the most casual observer is a man of more than ordinary ability. He has money in- vested in the Anthracite Building & Loan As- sociation, of which he is treasurer. He holds a similar office with the Industrial Building & Loan Association and is president of the Citizens Building & Loan Association. These companies are all located on the south side and each one of them has received his earnest support.

Two children, a son and a daughter, were born to Mr. Ziegler and his wife, and they were named in honor of their parents, Henry and

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Charlotte. The latter is the wife of Louis Schu- macher, mentioned above as a member of the present firm of Ziegler & Schumacher. Mr. Ziegler has long been a member of the Ger- man Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as trustee. Socially, he belongs to Freili- grath Lodge No. 481, D. O. H., and was grand bard of the state for one year. In political . matters one always finds him a strong Demo- crat. He is a Mason, being identified with Union Lodge No. 291, F. & A. M., and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Nay- Aug Tribe of Red Men, Lodge No. 140.

J I OHN P. RINK, ex-county auditor of Lack- awanna County, is prominent in both the commercial and political circles of Scran- ton and has a name for reliability, honesty and square dealing which any one might envy. He is truly the architect of his own fortunes, in more senses of the word than one, as he has been a master of his trade of stone-mason for years and takes contracts for large structures. He comes of an old French family, and is the only child of his parents, John and Susanna (Adler) Rink. The latter, who died when her boy was in in- fancy, was a native of Kell, and daughter of John P. Adler, a stonemason and contractor. John Rink was born in Alsace, and settling in the old city of Kell, engaged in contracting for mar- ble-cutting, until shortly before his death.

The date of our subject's birth is October 20, 1853, that event occurring in the village of Kell, province of Kreis-Treir, Germany. He at- tended the common schools of his native town until about twelve years old, when he began learning the trade of his grandfather, Adler, but was cut short in this undertaking by the death of that relative two years later. He was obliged to stand an examination to show his proficiency in his trade. When in his seventeenth year he left the friends and scenes of his boyhood days and going to Liverpool, took a steamer for New York, and upon the termination of his twelve days' trip, proceeded to Scranton. Two years he was in the employ of Kreilich & Shield, and then the next three years he worked as a puddler

in the new puddling mills. His next move was to Elmira, N. Y., but in about twelve months he was back in Scranton driving a delivery wagon for Charles Fischer of Lackawanna Avenue. Three years elapsed and we find him pursuing his trade in San Antonio, Texas, and Hot Springs, Ark., six months in each place, after which he did masonry work on the two court- houses and two jails of Henrietta and Montague Counties, Texas. His travel did not cease until he had visited much of Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois, and then he returned to Scranton. He became an employe of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company in his old trade of a stonemason. About 1887 he embarked in the new venture of carrying on a grocery, and built a store and res- idence at No. 913 Stone Avenue. At the same time he became a contractor for masonry and has laid the foundations of many of the finest public and private buildings in the valley. Among others we might mention the Jermyn Hotel, the Anthracite Hotel at Carbondale, the residence of William Connell, the Lackawanna Brewing Com- pany's brewery, Casey & Kelley's old brew- ery, the Robinson power-house, etc., and the contract work of Conrad Schroeder.

In 1879 Mr. Rink and Miss Catherine Miller were married in Scranton, the lady being a native of this city. She is a daughter of Andrew Mil- ler, who was born in Bavaria, but settled in this locality in the '50s, and was a stone-cutter for the Dickson Company for over thirty years, and when he retired from the active cares of life went to reside in Pittston. His wife was Miss Barbara Scharf in her maidenhood. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Rink are Elizabeth, John, Will- iam, Anna, Joseph, Freda, and Frank. The eld- est son is now attending Wood's Business Col- lege.

One of the standard-bearers of the Republican party, Mr. Rink has often served on county and city committees and was on the executive com- mittee in 1896. Three years he acted most effi- ciently as tax collector for the nineteenth ward and in 1892 was elected to the common council from the same ward, winning an unusual vic- tory, as he was elected in a Democratic ward. Though his majority was only sixty-six votes,

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this was a remarkable event, as no representative of his party had ever triumphed in this ward before. During his year's service he was chair- man of the committee on taxes, etc., and when he resigned his position it was in order to take up the new duties of county auditor. It was in the fall of 1893 that his name was placed in nom- ination for that office, and when the election was over it was found that he had received the largest majority of any man on his ticket. In January he took the oath of office, his tenure being for three years. The highest commendation for the manner in which he has met his responsibilities and difficult duties is freely bestowed upon him by all those who know of his work and who are posted on the question. He is a member of the Scranton south side board of trade. He be- longs to the Liederkranz, is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and of the Benevolent Society of St. Peter's German Catholic Church.

J OHN REGAN. Many of the citizens of Scranton are native of lands across the sea, but though foreigners by birth, they are yet true Americans in their love for the coun- try of their adoption and in their devotion to her welfare. One of these is Mr. Regan, who is en- gaged in the livery and undertaking business at No. 1803 Brick Avenue, having in this enter- prise the assistance of his three sons, Thomas P., a graduate embalmer; Francis H. and Anthony J. His property holdings are valuable, consist- ing of business establishment and residence, a number of houses in Providence and a farm of more than one hundred acres, watered by a brook near the borough of Dickson City.

From County Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in 1839, our subject came to America in 1852 in company with his father, Patrick Regan, a wheelwright and farmer, the family taking passage on the sailer "Richard Moss," at Liver- pool, and reaching New York after a voyage of eleven weeks. During three days the ship was in the midst of a heavy storm, which imperiled the lives of the passengers, but finally subsided without entailing loss of life. Proceeding direct to Factoryville, Pa., Patrick Regan worked on

the Leggett Gap Railroad (now the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western) which was building at that time. The following year he settled in what is now Scranton, and was employed in the Saw- yer and Clark breakers until he retired. At the age of eighty-seven he departed this life. His wife, Elizabeth Gallagher, was also a native of County Mayo, and died at the age of about six- ty-five. Of their three daughters and two sons, two daughters and one son are now living.

The first work secured by our subject was that of water-carrier for a construction corps. He laid two spikes on every tie from the old rolling mill in Scranton to the Delaware water gap. With the return of winter he entered the public · school, remaining there until spring of the fol- lowing year. His next work was as driver boy in the Sawyer mine, and later he was employed in loading coal, then became a practical miner, working in the mines about eighteen years alto- gether. His last position was in Leggett's Creek mine. After a short time engaged in teaming, in 1884 he started the livery business which he still conducts. For twenty-eight years, in addition to other enterprises, he was engaged in the hotel business on the corner of Brick Ave- nue and Oak Street, but at the end of that time retired. In Providence he married Miss Mary McGuire, who was born in Ireland, and they are the parents of three sons.

As a Democrat Mr. Regan takes an active part in committee and convention work and is inter- ested in everything that promises party success. He is a member of the Church of the Holy Rosary. In June, 1892, in company with a small party, he returned to Ireland, but the death of one of the number, John Flynn, caused him to return to America, after having spent only sev- enteen days in his native land. The trips, going and returning, were made on the "City of Paris," and the latter time he brought with him the re- mains of his friend.

R EV. B. DEMBINSKI, B. A., the brilliant young pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Scranton, has been in charge of this parish only a short time, but has

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already endeared himself to his people. On both sides of his family he comes of noble ancestry in Poland, his native country, and from them he inherits marked traits of character. A great student and thinker, he is devoted to his work and has at present the weight of many projects for the benefit of the congregation upon his mind.

During the Hungarian Revolution the great- grandfather of our subject was one of the great and leading Polish generals, who fought for the freedom of Hungary, and was exiled to Switzer- land afterward, on account of the part he had taken; his death occurred in France. Grand- father Dembinski was also an officer in the Rev- olutions of 1846 and 1863, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, but finally was par- doned. Michael Dembinski, father of our sub- ject, was in the Polish government employ as the government architect, and died about 1889. His wife, who was Mary Janiszewska before her marriage, was born in the city of Posen, capital of Poland. Her ancestors, of a noble line, were participants in the revolution of Poland. She died in 1872 and of her seven sons but three now survive. Martzen is studying medicine in the University of Weitzburg, and Martin is a student completing his architectural studies in Berlin.

Father Dembinski was born in Posen, Poland, January 26, 1866, and received superior educa- tional advantages in his native city. After fin- ishing the required course of study in the gym- nasium he graduated from the classical depart- ment. In 1888 he crossed the Atlantic and en- tered the Polish Seminary at Detroit, Mich., completing the philosophical course in a year and then became enrolled as a student of St. Vin- cent's Seminary in Beatty, Westmoreland Count- ty, Pa. Then passing the examinations he was given the degree of Bachelor of Arts and de- voted hiniself to theological studies.

January 26, 1892, Father Dembinski was or- dained in St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton by the Rt .- Rev. Bishop O'Hara. The young priest's first charge was as assistant at St. Stanislaus Church in Nanticoke, Pa., and in the fall of that year he was promoted to be pastor of St. Stan- islaus Church at Hazleton, Pa. During his stay

there of over three years he stimulated the mem- bers of the congregation to build a fine, new house of worship, the structure costing $12,600. A school-house and parsonage were also erected, the whole property being estimated at $25,000.

The Church of the Sacred Heart, to which Father Dembinski was transferred in September, 1896, was organized about 1883 by Father Sni- gurski, who was in charge for some seven or eight years. Then going to Brazil, South Amer- ica, he died there of yellow fever in 1896. In 1892 Father Aust assumed the pastorate of this church and remained here until the present in- cumbent caine. There are nearly five hundred families numbered in the congregation, these comprising most of those speaking the Polish language in this vicinity, though a mission has been built at Stroudsburg, and here, also, the father holds services. There are six beneficial societies for men and three women and girls' sodalities connected with the church. The ad- joining parochial school is regularly attended by about three hundred and sixty children. On the sanie grounds are the parsonage and the convent of the sisterhood of the Holy Family of Naza- reth. In the spring of 1897 it is intended to have a new parsonage erected on the three lots front- ing in Prospect Avenue. It will be a credit to the community, built on a modern plan, with French roof, and will cost in the neighborhood of $6,000.

A NTHONY HUGHES. In the list of the residents of Carbondale who prosecuted their life work successfully, and have laid aside their earthly toils, we place the name of Anthony Hughes. A pioneer of this city, he came here about 1850, and witnessed its develop- ment from an insignificant village of small pro- portions to a thriving, prosperous business cen- ter. To this success he himself contributed ma- terially. Coming here direct from his native county, Mayo, Ireland, he at once began work in the mines, first being associated with an older brother and later alone. He became one of tlie best miners that ever settled in this valley, and as he was judicious in his investments and

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economical in expenditures, he was well-to-do at the time of his death, in 1880, at the age of fifty- one years.

The lady who, in 1857, became the wife of An- thony Hughes, was Bridget Flannery, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, who emigrated to this country at the age of seventeen years and was married about two years afterward. The voyage across the ocean was made in a sailing vessel and consumed eight weeks. When she reached Car- bondale, she found the place small and with few prospects of future development. However, she has lived to see its increase in population and importance, and has gained many friends here. Of the nine children that were born of her mar- riage, five are living, namely: Beatrice, who is in Philadelphia; Patrick, William J., Annie and Anthony V., all of this city. The family resi- dence stands in Gordon Avenue, and is the cen- ter of domestic and social joys, being presided over by the widowed mother and brightened by the presence of her children.

For fifteen years Mrs. Hughes carried on a grocery business in Carbondale, and proved her- self to be possessed of ability that fitted her for the management of the store. Ill health finally caused her to dispose of the stock and retire from business, since which time she has rented the store property. She has led a busy useful life. The qualities of her mind and heart have won for her many friends, and her influence for good is felt beyond the limits of her own home.

L ORENZ HABERSTROH, a representa- tive German-American citizen, is the pro- prietor of the finest harness establishment on the south side of Scranton. He is also a mu- sician of ability, seeming to have inherited the native talent of the sons of the Fatherland, and he has a great many pupils on the guitar and zither. Though his residence in the New World has not been of long duration, he has made an enviable place for himself in both the business and social circles of our city and we are glad to give a sketch of his life.

The young man was born in Neustadt, au Culm, Bavaria, Germany, August 20, 1869, being

a son of Lorenz and Barbara (Porsch) Haber- stroh. The father was a baker by trade and fol- lowed that business all his life, his death taking place when he was about fifty-five years old. Grandfather John Haberstroh was a brewer and a very successful business man. Mrs. Barbara Haberstroh was a native of Goebmansbill, Ba- varia, and is now deceased.

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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 45

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