Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 53

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 53
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 53

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In Newark, N. J., in 1882, Mr. von Storch married Miss Serena Boice, who was born in New Rochelle, N. Y., a descendant of Holland- Dutch ancestry. Her grandfather, Abraham, who was a son of the original founder of the family in this country, followed agricul-" tural pursuits and married Miss Mary Harris. Her father, Leonard Boice, was born in New Market, N. J., and was first engaged in the man- ufacture of carriages, but afterward gave his attention exclusively to the retail carriage mer- chandise at Rahway, N. J. On retiring from act- ive business, he went to Newark, where he died in April, 1877, aged fifty-nine. Through his en- ergetic efforts he accumulated a competency and left a good estate. His wife, Mary A. (McLaugh- lin) Boice, was born in Albany, N. Y., and in infancy was left an orphan, after which she was adopted by a family on Long Island and was there reared. She is still living, her home being in Scranton. Of her family, there are six still living. Having an innate love for the beautiful, Mrs. von Storch has furnished her cozy home

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in a harmonious and artistic manner, and there she genially and hospitably entertains her friends. She is prominent in the work of the Elm Park Methodist Episcopal Church, is a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and a contributor to all philanthropic and charitable projects.

G EORGE LINEN DICKSON. Disraeli, when he said, "The secret of success is constancy to purpose," voiced the senti- ment and experience of most men who, in com- mierce, art or science, have attained success. Among the citizens of Scranton, who may justly be called successful, who, in legitimate paths of business, have accumulated wealth and have also gained a position of prominence as progressive and public-spirited, mention properly belongs to the subject of this review. The name he bears is associated with the rise and progress of manu- facturing industries in Scranton and with the de- velopment of those interests most vital to the welfare of the people. For years he was presi- dent of the Dickson Manufacturing Company, which owns the largest plant of its kind in the state, and in it he is still a stockholder. Since 1882 he has been general agent for some of the leading iron manufacturing companies of the country, including the National Tube Works of New York, Standard Tube Works of Philadel- phia, and similar concerns, having his office at No. 136 Wyoming Avenue. In 1863, associated with others, he assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Scranton, has served as one of its directors from the first, and since 1887 has also been vice-president of the institution.

The Dickson family originated in Scotland, and is of that sturdy type, honorable and energetic, characteristic of the nation. Thomas Dickson, grandfather of G. L., who served more than twen- ty years in the British army, was a sergeant in the Ninety-second Regiment of Highlanders, and bore a distinguished part in the battle of Water- loo;' receiving a medal for gallantry in that en- gagement. At different times he received four other medals for meritorious action. James, our subject's father and the eldest son of the old sol-

dier, was born in Scotland and was an intimate friend of Sir Walter Scott. In 1832, the cholera breaking out in Scotland, he and other families in the neighborhood, emigrated to Canada. The sailer, "Chieftain," that landed them in Quebec after a voyage of eleven weeks, was then on its first trip; from its second trip it never cast an- chor, nor was any news ever heard as to its fate. After two years in Toronto, the family came to Pennsylvania and settled in the iron and coal dis- tricts at Dundaff, six miles above Carbondale, residing on a farm while the father worked at his trade in New York. In 1836 he secured employ- ment with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- pany at Carbondale, and was general master me- chanic until his death in 1880.

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth, was born in Berwickshire, Scotland, and died in May, 1866. She was a relative of James Hogg, the Scottish poet, and an aunt of James Linen, president of the First National Bank of Scranton. A most estimable woman, possessing Scotch traits of honesty, modesty, frugality and energy, she gave to her children the most careful training that they might "act well their part in life." Her oldest son, Thomas, was superintendent of the mine de- partment of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Com- pany from 1859 until 1864, when he became gen- eral superintendent of the entire works. In 1868 he was made president of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, and removed his office to New York City. He died July 31, 1884, in Morris- town, N. J., at his summer residence. Isabella, the eldest daughter, married John R. Fordham, of Green Ridge; Mary is the wife of J. B. Van Bergen, of Carbondale; John A., considered one of the expert mechanics of the state, was general manager of the Dickson Manufacturing Company from its organization until his death, in 1867, in Scranton; the two youngest children died in in- fancy.

From Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland, where he was born August 3, 1830, George L. Dickson was brought to America by his parents in 1832. His education was obtained principally in Car- bondale. At the age of fifteen he became clerk in a country store, but six years later started in business for himself, working under the name of

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G. L. Dickson Company, and selling out in 1856. He then formed a partnership with J. Benjamin, in what is now Van Bergen & Co., Limited. In 1860 he came to Scranton and formed a co-part- nership with his father and brothers in what was incorporated as the Dickson Manufacturing Con pany in 1861. For a few years he was gen- eral manager, but in 1867 was promoted to the presidency and held that position until 1882, when he resigned. He aided in the organization of the Scranton Steel Company, now, by consoli- dation, the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company.

September 16, 1856, Mr. Dickson married Miss Lydia Poore, who was born in Chenango Coun- ty, N. Y., and is a relative of Ben Perley Poore, the novelist and humorist. The Poore family originated in England, and was represented among the early settlers of Massachusetts, where the ancestors bought from the Indians land that is still in the family. The grandfather of Mrs. Dickson, Daniel Noyes Poore, was born in Massachusetts, graduated from Harvard College and practiced medicine in Essex. Her father, Hon. John M. Poore, was born in Essex, became a contractor on the canal in Chenango County, N. Y., thence came to Carbondale and was mar- ried, and afterward went south, where he en- gaged in farming. About 1843 he returned to Carbondale and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness until his retirement. At one time he was mayor of that city. In his old age he came to Scranton, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dickson, when eighty years old.

The mother of Mrs. Dickson, Harriet (Townsend) Poore, was the daughter of E. M. Townsend, and was born in New York, near the Hudson River. Mr. Town- send, who was sergeant-of-arms at Washington at one time, was well acquainted with Henry Clay and other famous statesmen of his day. In an early day of the settlement of Carbondale, he came here and kept an inn in an old log house now destroyed. In the War of 1812 his name was enrolled as a soldier. He died in Baltimore when fifty-six years old. His father, Rev. Jesse Townsend, was a graduate of Yale, a doctor of di- vinity in the Presbyterian Church and the author of many works. The family came from Durham,

England, and one of its present representatives is Martin I. Townsend, ex-M. C., from New York. A brother of Mrs. Dickson, Townsend Poore, is a resident of Scranton, employed as manager of the pumps and machinery of the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad Company. Of three children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dick- son only one is living, Walter M., who was edu- cated at Cornell University, and is in business with his father. Mr. Dickson is a charter mem- ber of the board of trade, in politics a Republi- can, fraternally a Mason, and for some years has "been vestryman in St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

F RANK WEBSTER HARLOW. A suc- cessful newspaper is generally represent- ative of the people of the place in which it is located, and its value to a community is beyond estimate. In Lackawanna County there have been a number of papers that have aided, to no small extent, in promoting the interests of this locality in every useful way. Prominent among these is the "Elmhurst Signal," which is in every respect a progressive paper and exerts a potent influence in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people here. Its zealous advocacy of local interests has made it popular with the citizens of the place, whose advancement it has materially aided. Its success is largely due to the efforts of the publisher, editor and proprietor, Mr. Harlow, wlio is an interesting writer and an intelligent advocate of all beneficial measures.

The first issue of the "Elmhurst Signal" ap- peared June 30, 1893, and at the inception of the enterprise there were but one hundred and fifty subscribers, but the number has since been in- creased to eleven hundred and fifty, and the sub- scription list is constantly growing. There is also a liberal advertising patronage. The paper is independent in politics and is devoted primarily to the interests of Elmhurst and vicinity, for which it has accomplished much. Of neat ap- pearance, its matter is interesting and entertain- ing, the editorials well written, and its plans for local improvements practical. Of the editor per- sonally, it may be said that he established the paper here solely upon his own judgment, amid

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every discouragement so far as the opinions of others were concerned, for it was the common belief that it would not prove remunerative. Bringing to the work natural ability, supplement- ed by a thorough education in all departments of the newspaper business, he has demonstrated that the enterprise can be made to pay, and has estab- lished a paper of which the village and county may well be proud.

The Harlow family originated in England and was established in this country by two brothers, who crossed the ocean in 1632, one settling in Pennsylvania and the other in Orange County, N. Y. It was the latter who became the progeni- tor of this branch of the family. His descendants were prominent in the early days of the Repub- lic and during the Revolutionary struggle, and contributed their full share of brain and muscle to place in motion the series of events that have resulted in the goodly heritage we all now enjoy. The father of our subject, Parr Harlow, was born in Washington County, Pa., and for twenty-five years published the "Ulster Democrat," at Kings- ton, N. Y., but is now living retired from active business life. His wife, who is also living, bore the maiden name of Anna M. Markle. Of their nine children five are living, namely: William, who is agent for the metropolitan press and is a successful newspaper man; Frank Webster; Ed- gar E., who is employed on a steamboat running on Moosehead Lake; Lester W., a druggist in New Jerscy; and Inez, Mrs. I. Dumont.

In Kingston, N. Y., the subject of this article was born April 23, 1853, and his education was obtained in the common schools and academy there. His father being a practical newspaper man and he himself having a natural inclination for the work, he learned the printer's trade at an early age, and this has since been his occupation. He is familiar with the mechanical and editorial departments, and his apprenticeship in every line of the trade, from the manufacture of the paper and type to the issuing from the press, gives him a clear understanding of everything connected with the business. For a time he was superin- tendent of a large office at Seymour, Conn., and afterward was manager of the "Clinton Demo- crat." From Clinton, N. J., in 1893 he came to

Elmhurst, where he purchased property and es- tablished his home on a beautiful spot, investing about $5,000 here. Though personally a Repub- lican, his paper is inclined to be independent, avoiding the extremes of partisanship that are of- fensive to many. In addition to his editorial work, he is the regular correspondent for a number of city papers. In his undertakings he has the co- operation of his wife, Eva A., daughter of Hon. A. Schoonmaker, of Ulster County, N. Y. She is a lady of literary attainments, and has also familiarized herself with every department of her husband's work, so that her judgment and assist- ancc are invaluable to him.

J OHN W. MILLER. The families that have been identified with the history of this county from an early period, who have contributed to its advancement, fostered its free institutions, aided its enterprises and developed its resources, deservedly occupy a high position in the eyes of the people. To them our present prosperity is duc. Their labors have been in- strumental in securing our successes. Justly, then, we give them a high place in our citizen- ship. Such is the record of the Miller family, that has been represented here since the begin- ning of the nineteenth century, and has given to South Abington Township some of its best citi- zens.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Miller, was born in Connecticut, and shortly after his marriage there to Polly Hall he came to Penn- sylvania, settling in this county, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness primeval. Here hc passed away when eighty-two years of age; his wife died when forty-two. Of their eight children Benjamin, our subject's father, is the sole sur- vivor. He was born on the home farm in South Abington Township March 4, 1809, and grew to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life, developing by constant exertion and careful training habits of industry, honesty and energy. He has been a man of temperate life and habits, to which fact his longevity may be attributed.

April 25, 1833, Rev. Samuel Griffin united in marriage Rev. Benjamin Miller and Ruth Dean,

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daughter of Ezra Dean. The happy wedded life of this worthy couple was of long duration, last- ing until the death of Mrs. Miller when seventy- seven. Three children blessed their union, Caro- line, John W. and Elizabeth. After his marriage, Mr. Miller reniained on the home place, and here the intervening years have been usefully spent in the uneventful routine of farm work. He is a be- liever in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, and his father was the first preacher of that denom- ination in this section.

Upon the farm where he now resides, the sub- ject of this article was born November 2, 1835, and here the years of boyhood were passed, alter- nating work on the farm with attendance at school. With his father he is interested finan- cially in the Scranton Dairy Company, the for- nier being one of the first to embark in the dairy business in this section of country. In his po- litical views, he has never displayed any parti- san feeling, but is steadfast in his support of Re- publican principles. Like his father and grand- father, he holds membership in the Baptist Church. In addition to the management of the home place, he is a director and stockholder in the Lackawanna County Breeders Association, Mutual Insurance Company and other import- ant concerns, and is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of his community. Decem- ber 14, 1871, he married Miss Frances Carpenter, a sister of E. G. Carpenter, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters, who have received excellent educations and are popular and prominent in the social circles of the township.

B ENJAMIN F. EVANS, M. D. The influ- ence of Dr. Evans in the community where he resides is easily accounted for by his strong principles, his active interest in the welfare of all around him and the genial manners which are the crowning charm of a fine nature. While by profession he is a physician and is skilled in this science, his attention is given prin- cipally to the oversight of his real estate inter- ests and the supervision of his estate in South Abington Township. With an intelligent concep-

tion of his duties as a citizen and a feeling of good will toward mankind, he may be relied upon to honorably fulfill all the duties that devolve upon him.

A brief outline of the life of Dr. Evans' father will aid us in understanding the character of the son and will be of general interest. Rev. E. B. Evans was born in Wales and when about twenty accompanied his parents to America, but they died of cholera immediately after their arrival, leaving him alone and friendless. He was a young man of earnest disposition and noble spirit and succeeded, after much effort, in gaining the object of his ambition, which was, to devote him- self to the preaching of the Gospel. Ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church, he soon afterward accepted a pastorate in Utica, N. Y., where he labored with self-sacrificing de- votion for four years. He ministered especially to the spiritual needs of his countrymen, but had the respect of people of every nationality. From Utica he came to Lackawanna County and was the sole representative of the Welsh people in the ministry here. In 1850 he removed to Pittston, of which he was the first burgess. His last years were quietly passed in Hyde Park, where he de- parted this life in 1882, aged seventy-four. Known far and wide as one of the most active men in the Congregational ministry in the east, he was a pioneer of the cause and did much in establishing new churches upon a firm basis.

After settling in Utica, Rev. Mr. Evans mar- ried Miss Jane Jones, who was born there, and is now living in Hyde Park, at the age of seventy- eight. Their union resulted in the birth of six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living. The subject of this sketch was born in Pittston, Pa., February 21, 1851, and was reared principally in Hyde Park, where his pri- mary studies were carried on. Later he attended a school in Pennington, N. J. Under Dr. A. Da- vis, of Hyde Park, he began the study of medi- cine, and in 1874-75 took a course of lectures in Albany, N. Y., graduating with the degree of M. D. On the completion of his medical studies, he came to Clarks Green, where for six years he was resident physician of Hillside Home.

October 5, 1895, Dr. Evans was united in mar-

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riage with Miss Sophia Clark, only daughter of Jeremiah C. and Anna (Tedrick) Clark, and granddaughter of the gentleman in whose honor Clarks Green was named. Her father was born in the house where she now lives; her mother, a native of Pittston, died at this place when fifty years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of a son, Jeremiah Clark, who was born Novem- ber 7, 1896. The Clark family has been promi- nently identified with this locality for many years and information concerning their history is given in the sketch of J. D. Knight, whose wife was an aunt of Mrs. Evans.

Upon the organization of the Lackawanna County Medical Society Dr. Evans became a charter member and has since been interested in its work. Fraternally he is connected with Wa- verly Lodge of Masons and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows at Clarks Green. His first ballot was cast for Samuel J. Tilden and since that time he has steadfastly adhered to Demo- cratic principles. He is a man of marked enter- prise and financial ability, and in his professional, business and social relations his energetic charac- ter and practical sagacity find ample field for ex- ercise.

C HESTER B. WETHERBY. A life-long resident of the town of Scott and one of its well-known retired farmers, Mr. Wetherby is a member of a family that for three generations has been interested in the develop- ment and progress of Lackawanna County. His grandfather, Abraham Wetherby, came here from New Hampshire about 1804, accompanied by his wife and their children: Nathaniel, John, Ben- jamin, Levi Cummins, Johanna, Asenath and Theresa. The country was then in an unim- proved condition, with thinly inhabited settle- ments at infrequent intervals. Having purchased from the government a tract of heavily timbered land, he built a log cabin and established his home there, three miles from the nearest neighbor. Few now living can imagine the hardships he endured and the obstacles he was obliged to overcome before the land was brought under cultivation and the comforts of life secured. As one of the brave pioneers who prepared the way for coming

generations, literally hewing a home out of the wilderness, he is entitled to the gratitude of all who cherish an affection for this town and county.

Nathaniel Wetherby, our subject's father, was born in New Hampshire, and at an early age came to Scott Township, where he afterward made his home. A farmer by occupation, he de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits until his death at sixty-six years of age. At various times he held local offices, among them those of school director, tax collector and other positions of . trust. By his first wife, Susan Hubbard, he had five children: Jarvis, Philana, Orvilla, Mahala and Esther. His second wife, whose maiden name was Patience Vail, bore him six children: Susanna, Chester B., Celestia, Angeline, Almon S. and one that died in infancy.

Upon the old homestead, where he was born January 27, 1825, Charles B. Wetherby grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-two he began for himself, and, as soon as able, purchased the home farm of thirty-eight acres, where he has since re- sided. Through energy and perseverance he ac- cumulated a valuable property, and is now able to live retired from active labors, and surrounded by the comforts of existence. Since the organiza- tion of the Republican party he has upheld its principles, and upon the party ticket has been elected assessor, school director and justice of the peace, holding the last-named office for ten years. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and be- longs to that denomination. He has been twice married, first in 1847 to Harriet Hubbard, who died in 1868; and in April, 1873, to Mrs. Lizzie (Hubbard) Holly. The first union was childless; by the second a daughter was born, Harriet A., now the wife of W. D. Southworth. His present wife is the mother, by her former marriage, of a daughter, Georgia A., wife of Rev. R. W. Lowry.

G EORGE H. GRITMAN. A large num- ber of the farmers of Scott Township have spent their entire lives in this lo- cality, and not a few of them remain on the home- steads where their childhood years were passed. One of these is Mr. Gritman, who was born March 31, 1838, upon the place where he con-

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tinues to reside, and who has gained a position among the prosperous agriculturists of this sec- tion. His landed possessions are large, aggre- gating three hundred and forty acres in the home farnı and sixty acres elsewhere, upon which he engages in general farming and the dairy busi- ness. In 1893 he built a sawmill near his home and this he has since operated.

The first of the family to locate in Scott Town- ship was Abel Gritman, who came hither from New York and purchased the property now owned by his grandson, devoting his remaining years to its cultivation. Uriah A., father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., but spent the principal part of his life in Scott Township, where he married Miss Evaline Smith. To their union were born three children, George H., Dora M. and Abel Z., deceased. The father passed away January 29, 1879, aged sixty-eight years and eleven months; the mother Septem- ber 27, 1889, aged eighty-three years and six months, after having devoted themselves through life to farm work.

Educated in the common schools and Waverly Academy, Mr. Gritman acquired a fund of infor- mation that, broadened by reading and observa- tion, has given him a place among the intelligent men of his township. In 1869 he married Miss Mary E. Marvin, and they have three children, Dora M., Thomas J. and Frederick E. The fam- ily is highly respected throughout the commu- nity, and is regarded as an excellent representa- tive of the agricultural element. Mr. Gritman has given his attention wholly to his personal af- fairs, and has had neither time nor inclination to participate in political matters or hold office. However, he is a firm Democrat in national issues and always votes that ticket.

J OHN M. TAYLOR. No factor has been more important in raising this section of the country to its present condition of solid and enduring prosperity than the soldiers who fought so bravely and sacrificed so much during the late war, and who at the close of hostilities quietly resumed peaceful vocations, and in every walk of life have aided the progress of our re-

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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 53

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