Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 51

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 51
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 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The subject of this sketch was born in Hyde Park, Scranton, May 25, 1846, and was a child of four years when his parents settled upon a farm near what is now Elmhurst. Here he grew to manhood, meantime attending the district schools and those in Kingston and Scranton.

438

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

At the age of sixteen, Agust 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-Fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and remained at the front in active service for more than three years. He was seri- ously injured by a shell, a part of which struck his spine, dislocating it. He is one of the very few who did not die from the effects of such a wound.

On his return home, realizing the importance of a good education, Mr. Knickerbocker gave some attention to study, after which he began railroading. The motion of the cars, however, had a bad effect on his injured spine, and he was obliged after a time to abandon that employ- ment, much to his disappointment. Knowing that his injury would not permit of manual labor, he began to read law with David R. Randall, at Wilkesbarre, and was admitted to the bar in 1870, after which he engaged in practice for ten.years. Unfortunately, his health was not sufficiently good to enable him to stand the strain of active practice, so he was obliged to abandon it as a business and has since not given it attention ex- cept in the interests of some of his friends and neighbors.

Politically Mr. Knickerbocker is a Republican and usually votes that ticket, but cast his ballot for Grover Cleveland for president. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and T. D. Swartz Post No. 228, G. A. R., at Moscow. He is not identified with any denomination, but contributes to the Pres- byterian Church, of which his wife is a member. His marriage united him with Eliza M. Shultz, of Ulster County, N. Y., and they became the parents of eight sons, namely: Jay, of Elmhurst; Abram, deceased; Milton and Jonas, who live in Elk County, Pa .; Morris, who is with his par- ents; Dana, Nial and George.

W ILLIAM R. FINCH. During the course of a long and busy life, Mr. Finch has acquired the reputation of an honorable and upright citizen. By industry and temperate habits he has gained a comfortable competency, which enables liim to pass his declin-

ing days in ease. Possessing a strong and ener- getic will, he steadfastly worked his way, with- out assistance, to a position among the well-to-do men of Waverly. About 1890 he retired from business, though he still retains the supervision of his property holdings and takes an interest in public enterprises.

The birth of William R. Finch occurred in Ithaca, N. Y., June 29, 1816, to Celey and Eliza- beth (Roe) Finch, natives respectively of West- chester County and New York City, N. Y. His father, who removed to Tioga County when in the prime of life, continued to reside there for twelve years, until his death at about fifty years of age. The wife and mother, who died near Ithaca at the age of fifty, was a daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Van Duzen) Roe, the former of whom resided in New York at the time the Brit- ish occupied that city during the Revolutionary War. His death took place in Ithaca, when he was ninety-seven years of age; his wife, who was born in Kingston, died in Ithaca at the age of ninety. Both were acquainted with and per- sonal friends of General Washington.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted of four children, of whom Ira served in the War of 1812. William R., now the sole survivor of the family, was educated in the Ithaca schools and remained with his parents until eighteen, when he took a position as clerk in a dry-goods store. After a few years he went to Waverly, N. Y., where he was similarly employed. In 1844 he removed to Pennsylvania and began a long and successful career as a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. For twenty-five years he followed this occupation, meantime gaining a reputation as a gifted man in his chosen pro- fession.

April 8, 1841, occurred the marriage of Mr. Finch to Miss Mary Kirkpatrick, who was born near Blairstown, Warren County, N. J., in 1822, and died at Waverly in 1888. Of three children born to this union, two are living. The son, William H., an employe in the office of the Penn- sylvania Coal Company, is married and has one daughter. Frances Emily is married and has one daughter living. Mary A., daughter of our subject, died when fifty years of age, leaving one

439

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

daughter. Mrs. Finch was related, on her moth- er's side, to Colonel Coursen of Scranton.

The second marriage of Mr. Finch took place September 12, 1896, his wife being Mrs. Elizabeth (Gangwer) Bailey, who was born in what is now Carbon (then Luzerne) County. At the age of twenty-one she became the wife of George W. Bailey, who was born at Dalton, a son of George and Elizabeth (Barnes) Bailey, natives of Rhode Island, but residents of Pennsylvania throughout most of their lives. Mr. Bailey was one of the first merchants of Waverly, where he was a prominent business man for more than forty years. His death occurred here when he was sixty-seven. By his marriage he had six children, namely: Edgar H. Bailey, of Waverly; Frank H., who is engaged in the mercantile busi- ness; James G., mayor of Scranton; Sterling, who lives in Chicago; Fred M., also a resident of Chicago; and Emma, who lives in Denver, Colo. All of the children are married and have families. Mrs. Finch has been a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, and our subject is also identified with that denomination, with which he united at the age of seventeen. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk for president, and since voting for John C. Fremont he has constantly adhered to Republican principles.

G EORGE W. CARLTON. Throughout the United States New Hampshire is noted for its rich quarries of granite, the rarest and most beautiful the world has ever seen. But in the character of the men and women who have been reared within her boundaries, the state has given to the nation a contribution far more valuable. Between the two some resemblance might be traced, both firm, enduring, unchang- ing and steadfast, standing undaunted amid the storms that assail and the fierce winds of adver- sity that try the soul.

ores wrought there. Reared on a farm, he fol- lowed agriculture in early life, but about 1848 engaged in railroading, which he followed both in New Hampshire and around Scranton, Pa. In 1886 he retired from active labors and is now living quietly in Stewartstown, N. H. He mar- ried Betsey Moore, who was born in Canterbury, N. H., and died in Scranton, Pa., at the home of our subject, when fifty-eight years of age. Of her three children, two are still living, one son having died at eighteen years.

The grandfather of our subject was a resident of Bartlett, N. H., for many years, and was reared upon the farm owned by his father, Stephen. He chose agriculture as his life work and this occu- pation he followed until advanced years rendered active manual labor an impossibility. His last days were spent in Colebrook, where he died at the age of eighty-six. His wife was Martha Web- ster, a member of an old family of New Hamp- shire.

Born in Colebrook, N. H., July 4, 1844, the subject of this article was reared upon a farm and in youth gained a fair education in the dis- trict schools. Upon starting out for himself, he went to Waltham, Mass., where he worked in a watch factory for three years. Later he served an apprenticeship of three years to the carpen- ter's trade, receiving meantime about $1 per day, and afterward worked for himself, getting fair remuneration. In 1864 he married Miss Sarah Fellows, sister of Hon. John H. Fellows, of Scranton, to whose sketch upon another page the reader is referred for the family history. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carlton, of whom three are living: Edward, a fine young man, who was a student in Wood's Business College, and is now assisting his father in his business; Edith M. and Robert G., now attending school.

Since his marriage Mr. Carlton has worked steadily at his trade. For two years he was in a sash, door and blind factory. In May of 1890 he came to Dalton, where he has since made his churches, and during very busy seasons has em- ployed as many as fifty men. The work of this large corps of men he has directed and super-

The Carlton family has long been identified with the history of New Hampshire and was . home. He builds principally residences and there known for probity, industry and energy. The father of our subject, Stephen W. Carlton, was born in Bartlett, so long famous for the iron

440

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

intended with excellent results. Since casting his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868, he has invariably voted the Republican ticket. Interested in local matters, he has been chosen to serve as president of the city council of Dal- to11 and for one year was president of the school board, in both of which positions he rendered capable service in the interests of his fellow- citizens.

E NOS V. SLOCUM. The Civil War gave to our country many men of acknowl- edged skill, ability and military skill, who, both in the ranks and in an official capacity, did noble service toward assisting in perpetuating the Union. Such a one was the subject of this sketch, whose record during the Rebellion was one of which he and his may well be proud. The firing of the first shot on Ft. Sumter aroused his patriotic ardor and he determined to help save the nation from disruption. Enlisting in a Penn- sylvania regiment, he participated in many of the engagements of the war and shared all the hardships, as well as the victories, of his com- pany.

Mr. Slocum is a member of a family that be- came well known as the founders and first set- tlers of Slocum's Hollow. He was born there January 2, 1835, the son of Ebenezer and Sallie (Mills) Slocum. At the age of three years he was brought by his parents to Scott Township, where he now resides. When a small boy, he was stolen one day by some tramps and they had taken him almost as far as Wilkesbarre be- fore he was found and rescued. His education was obtained in the common schools of this dis- trict and fitted him for active business affairs. He began to work out upon a farm at the age of twenty-three, but after two years in this way, he turned his attention to the mason's trade.

August 26, 1861, Mr. Slocum enlisted as a private in Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was mustered in at Philadelphia for three years. Soon after his enlistment he was made sergeant. With his company he proceeded to Washington and Fortress Monroe, and in October, 1862, took part in the battle of Frank-

lin; November 19 was with the regiment at Join- er's Bridge and at the capture of Rockett's bat- tery. He assisted in the charge on Blackwater battery March 16, 1863, and was present at the siege of Suffolk from April 12 to May 4, 1863. In other skirmishes and battles he bore a valiant part. At the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out, in August, 1864.

For several years after his return from war Mr. Slocum did not follow any special line of work. In 1867 he settled upon the farm in Scott Township, where he has since resided. The place consists of fifty-five acres, devoted to general farming and the dairy business. In politics a Republican, he is interested in local matters and especially in the free school system, which he has promoted by two years of efficient service as school director. He is identified with the Bap- tist Church and attends its services. Fraternally he is connected with George Fell Post No. 307, G. A. R., at Waverly, in which he held office for one year. In 1871 he married Miss Mary Chase, daughter of Elisha Chase, and born November 20, 1852, in Fleetville. They have seven children, George Vernon, Lizzie F., Elmer, Lina M., Ar- thur G., Boyd F., and Donald W., who reside with their parents on the home farm.

H ENRY E. ARMS, proprietor of the gen- eral mercantile store at Yostville in Spring Brook Township and the prin- cipal business man of the place, was born in Douglassville, Berks County, Pa., March 20, 1850, the second child and only son of William W. and Elizabeth (Eagle) Arms. His father, who followed the stonemason's trade in Douglassville throughout life, died in November, 1896, aged seventy-eight years; the wife and mother passed away when seventy-three. Their daughters are Ellen, wife of Robert Taggert, of Gilbertsville; and Maud, Mrs. Harry Heilman, of Reading.

The first fifteen years of the life of Henry E. Arnis were spent in work at home and in school, but he then started out for himself by obtaining employment as a clerk in the general store of J. H. Pile. After a time he went elsewhere, but continued in the same work and became familiar

HON. CHARLES ROBINSON.

443

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with it in all its details. After three years he re- sumed work for J. H. Pile, with whom he re- mained for some time. On going to Pittston, he first worked for others and then for himself, having accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to embark in business for himself. In 1880 he came to Yostville and took charge of the busi- ness owned by his father-in-law, who was an extensive miller and lumberman here. For seven years he was Mr. Yost's right-hand man, super- intending all of his work. In 1887 he opened a mercantile store and has since built up a large trade, his success being due to his genial, pleas- ant manners, no less than to his excellent stock of goods.

By his marriage to Miss Ellen Yost, Mr. Arms has five children, Bessie, Claude, Alice, Mattie and Dorothy. Active in local affairs he votes the Republican ticket at local and general elec- tions and is one of its leaders in this section. For fifteen years he has been tax collector and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace. His wife has been postmistress, the office of justice of the peace barring him from the other position. Under the recent Democratic administration the office was removed from his place to a country house near by. Though reared in the Lutheran faith, as that denomination has no house of worship here, he has identified him- self with the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he and his wife are active workers. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masons and Camp No. 262, P. O. S. of A. In the latter or- ganization he has been especially active and dur- ing his three terms as district deputy instituted and organized many camps, including those at Moscow, Pittston and Scranton.

H ON. CHARLES ROBINSON. Identi- fied with the business interests of Scran- ton since 1876, Mr. Robinson is known as one of the successful and prominent men of the city, and also has an excellent record as a public official. With his father and brothers, he estab- lished a brewery business, which, after the death of the former, was carried on under the name of E. Robinson until 1893, and since that time has

been conducted under the title of E. Robinson's Sons. The firm occupies a four-story building at Nos. 433-455 North Seventh Street, 300x150 feet in dimensions, with two vaults beneath, cold stor- age rooms and ice machinery. The plant is oper- ated by electricity and has a capacity of one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand barrels per an- num, being the largest in this portion of the state. The offices are located adjacent to the brewery.

As already indicated, the name of Mr. Robin- son is connected not only with business enter- prises, but is also well known in political circles. As a leader of the Democracy of this locality, he has in the past exerted an influence second to none in his party. It was largely due to his in- fluence that the state Democratic convention met here, at the time Governor Pattison was nom- inated the second time. At this convention he was tendered the nomination for lieutenant governor, but owing to his large personal inter- ests he was compelled to decline the honor. As chairman of county, and member of state central and executive committees, his labors have been most effective in promoting the welfare of the party. In 1888 he was chosen state presidential elector and the same year was elected sheriff of the county, taking the oath of office January I, 1889, and serving for three years. His popular- ity is indicated by the fact that he received a majority of two thousand at his election. To ac- cept this office, he resigned as a member of the select council from the fourteenth ward, in which capacity he had served for two terms, meantime acting as chairman of the street and bridge, finance and school committees. During his terms in the council electric lights were introduced and the first move was made toward the erection of the Linden Street bridge.

Born in Scranton April 12, 1855, the subject of this review is a son of Hon. Jacob, and brother of August Robinson, who is mentioned on an- other page of this volume. He was educated in New York and at Furst's Military College, at Col- lege Point, from which he graduated. For four years he was connected with a wholesale gro- cery business in New York, after which he re- turned to this city and inaugurated the business in which he has since engaged. After his return

444

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to Scranton he married Miss Amelia Spiess, of New York City, and they are the parents of three sons and three daughters.

Fraternally Mr. Robinson is associated with Schiller Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., the consis- tory and Lu-Lu Temple, Philadelphia; also is identified with the Elks and other organizations here. In 1892 he had the honor of being national delegate at large to the convention in Chicago, when Grover Cleveland was renominated presi- dent. IIe was in close touch with the adminis- tration and the chairman of the national commit- tee, William F. Harrity, which gave him control of the patronage of Lackawanna County. The demands made upon his time by his large per- sonal interests was largely the reason for his retirement from politics in 1895. He is a prime factor in public enterprises and a member of the board of trade. In the organization of the Scran- ton Hook & Ladder Company No. I he took an active part and is still connected with it.

H ARRISON H. COLVIN. This sturdy veteran of more than three score years and ten gives comparatively little evi- dence of having passed so many milestones on the highway of life, for he is still active in mind and body, and possesses the intelligence, mem- ory and fund of information that constitutes him a congenial companion. Financially he is well- to-do, and is now living somewhat retired from the active duties of life, on his pleasant home- stead in West Abington. He is known to the people of the western part of the county as a substantial citizen, possessing the sterling quali- ties of character that have enabled him to build up a record of which his posterity will never be ashamed.

Born in West Abington, May 4, 1824, the sub- ject of this article is a son of Joab and Esther (Corp) Colvin, natives of Situate, R. I. About 1812 they came to Pennsylvania and settled near Glenburn, four years later removing to the place now occupied by their son, H. H. Here they spent their remaining years, the father dying at the age of sixty-three and the mother at seventy. Of their four children, Harrison H. alone sur-

vives. The paternal grandfather, Peter Colvin, was a soldier in the Revolution and received a pension in remuneration for his services. With his wife, Marcy, he removed from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania and settled in the midst of the wilderness of Abington Township, occupying a place on which no attempt at improvement had been made. The maternal grandparents of our subject lived and died in Rhode Island.

After attending the district schools for some time, our subject carried on his studies in Wa- verly Academy, where his education was com- pleted. October 21, 1847, he was united in mar- riage with Lucretia Harding, who was born in Exeter, old Luzerne County, and died in Lack- awanna County in June, 1892. She was the mother of five children, of whom one daughter died at two years of age. The others are Hiram, Emory and Emma (twins), and George, all of whom are married and have families.

After his marriage our subject built a substan- tial residence on the site of the old home, and here his declining days are quietly and com- fortably passing. In early life a Whig, on the organization of the Republican party he identi- fied himself with it and has since voted this ticket. His fellow-citizens recognizing his fitness for offi- cial positions, have called him to serve in various local offices, and in all he has discharged his duties efficiently. For nine years he was a mem- ber of the state board of agriculture. In reli- gious belief he affiliates with the Baptists. He may be classed among the representative citizens of the township, whose gradual development he has witnessed, and in whose advancement he has ever been deeply interested. He takes an active interest in neighborhood affairs and is looked upon with respect by his fellow-citizens, and with a more affectionate regard by those best ac- quainted with his life and character.

W ILLANDER A. DEAN.' It is always a pleasant duty, as we journey through life, to make pencilings by the way, and take note of those who, in every relation, have left enduring footprints in the walks of years; but it is even more gratifying when we

445

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

can chronicle the deeds of those who seem actu- ated by an earnest desire to bestow some benefit upon their fellowmen, in their day and genera- tion. Of such character and disposition is the subject of this sketch, who was born near Dalton March 12, 1846, and is still a resident of this locality.

The Dean family came from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania. Our subject's grandfather, James Dean, was born in Rhode Island May 7, 1780, removed to this state in 1800 and became one of the pioneer settlers of North Abington Town- ship, Lackawanna County. December 28, 1802, he married Catharine Tripp, who was born in Rhinebeck, N. Y., April 22, 1784, and died near Dalton April 25, 1861. He passed away at the family home February 26, 1844 They were the parents of eight children. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Heermans, was, according to an unauthentic tradition, born in New York January 27, 1791. For some time he was engaged in business as a merchant, mill- wright and lumberman of Wayne County, but later went to Scranton and became one of the first merchants of Providence. He was pros- pered in business and accumulated large land holdings. July 15, 1810, he married Fandani Nicholson, who was born in Wayne County, Pa., August 27, 1791, and died in Lackawanna Coun- ty October 30, 1831, having been the mother of ten children. By his second marriage, Mr. Heer- mans had seven children.

Isaac Dean, our subject's father, was born at the family homestead near Dalton June 9, 1811, and made farming his life occupation. In the fall of 1868 he retired from active labors and set- tled in Scranton, where he has since resided. He married Polly S. Heermans, who was born in Providence, now the first ward of Scranton, July 21, 1820, and died July 8, 1868. Of her six chil- dren the eldest, Emma, died in 1896, aged fifty- one years. The first eighteen years of our sub- ject's life were passed on the home farm near Dal- ton. He attended the common schools and also graduated from the business college at Bingham- ton, after which he clerked for R. A. Henry in a railroad office for a short time. Later he spent one year in the employ of O. P. Clark in

the general merchandise business at Hyde Park and a similar period in the Providence National Bank. In 1866 he opened a store in Factoryville and was also deputy postmaster, having the office in his building.

After selling the store in Factoryville, in 1868, Mr. Dean married Miss M. B. Northrup, daugh- ter of Clark and Louisa (Gardner) Northrup, and a native of this county. They are the parents of three sons: Harry N., inspector of machinery for the Guarantors' Insurance Company of Phil- adelphia; Walter C., in the Massachusetts School of Technology; and Maurice B. For fifteen years after his marriage our subject lived at the homestead, but. afterward turned his attention from agriculture to milling, and bought a one- half interest in a grist mill. The mill was burned down in 1888, but he at once rebuilt it and op- erated it alone until April, 1895, when he sold. In July of 1896 he bought an interest in the lumber business of Mr. Francis and has since aided in its management. He is interested in the water company and serves as president.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Dean cast his first ballot for General Grant in 1868 and upon his party ticket has been elected auditor and to other local offices. With his family he is iden- tified with the Baptist Church and aids in its work. In 1867 he was made a Mason and now holds membership in the Northeastern Masonic Veteran Association, is also connected with Fac- toryville Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M., Factoryville Chapter No. 205, R. A. M., Coeur de Lion Com- mandery No. 17, at Scranton, Scranton Council No. 44, R. & S. M., and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. of M. S., at Wilkesbarre.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 51

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