Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 56

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 56
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 56

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Leaving the mines in August, 1886, Mr. Regan started in the retail tea business, with his head- quarters in Scranton. Two years later he em- barked in the livery business, and in 1895 added an undertaking department. In order to perfect himself in this work, he studied embalming under Professor Sullivan, of Boston, graduating from his school in 1896. In his barn he keeps a com- plete stock of carriages and cabs, and every con- venience for his patrons. He is regarded as a re- liable, industrious business man, one who de- serves whatever success the future years may bring him. Personally he is a man of good habits, strong in his temperance principles, and has never tasted intoxicating liquors; the money which others might have wasted in dissipation he has used to promote his business interests, thus being prospered financially. In this city, No- vember 26, 1884, he married Miss Ellen Moffatt, daughter of John L. Moffatt, whom she accom- panied from England to Scranton in girlhood. They are the parents of three children now living, Martin, Agnes, and Ellen.

As a Democrat, Mr. Regan has taken a warmı interest in public matters. Upon that ticket, in 1894, he was nominated and elected to represent the sixth ward upon the common council, and so satisfactory was his service that he was re-elected two years later, receiving a larger majority the second time than the first. While upon the board he has served as chairman of the manu -. facturers' committee and member of the printing, finance, and treasurers' accounts committees. During his first term he was chairman of the light and water, and streets and bridges committees, and the second year was retained in these posi- tions and also made chairman of the paving com-

mittee. For five years he was treasurer of St. Peter's Young Men's Total Abstinence Benevo- lent Society, with which he is still identified. He is a member of the Funeral Directors' Protective Association of the Scranton Poor District. All measures to advance the welfare of the people re- ceive his co-operation, and he may be justly ranked with the progressive citizens who are laboring for the development of the best interests of the city.

D AVID P. BIRTLEY. Since coming to Scranton in 1856, Mr. Birtley has been an active factor in the development of the mining resources of this locality. He emi- grated to America from a foreign shore in 1850 in company with other members of the family and found himself in a strange country, un- familiar with the customs of the people, but after many vicissitudes and a life of toil, he has placed himself among the substantial citizens of his adopted home, and is to-day a man of influence in his community.

The Birtley family originated in England, where its members now own large iron works. Valentine, our subject's father, was born in Dur- ham, a county in the northern part of England, and was a son of William Birtley, a miner of that shire. He also was interested in mining as fore- man of coal mines in Durham, but removed from there to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he became a contractor in driving tunnels for railroads, hav- ing some of the largest contracts of this kind in the entire country. In 1846 he went back to England, but four years later, accompanied by his family, took passage on the sailer "American Union," which after a voyage of six weeks an- chored in the harbor of New York.

The first home of the family was in Hazleton, Pa., the next in Tamaqua, and the third in Beaver Meadows, Carbon County, where Mr. Birtley en- gaged as outside foreman in coal mines, and afterward he was foreman for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company in the sinking of shaft No. 2 at Olyphant. Of this mine he continued to be foreman until his retirement. He died in 1892 at the age of over eighty-four years. A

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Republican in politics, he served one term in the common council, representing the second ward of Scranton. He married Susan Pringle, who was born in England in 1806 and died in Scran- ton in 1894, aged eighty-eight. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter: David P .; Martin C., engineer for the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western and a resident of Scranton; Joseph V., foreman for the Pancoast Coal Com- pany at Throop; William P., foreman in a mine at Mt. Olive, Ill .; and Mrs. Mary H. Robinson, of Scranton.

During the residence of his parents in Edin- burgh, the subject of this article was born Janu- ary 9, 1835. His early years were passed in that city, Glasgow and Firth, where he was a pupil in private schools and where he also worked in a bookbinding establishment. On the return of the family to England, he was employed in carry- ing tools and water during the construction of tunnels and later as driver boy and doorboy in the mines. Fifteen years old when the family came to America, he soon became a practical miner, and was employed in Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne Counties. In May, 1856, he took a position as miner in the old Rockwell mine owned by John Jermyn, and afterward was inside foreman of the von Storch mine about seven years. Resigning this position, he engaged in business about one year, then became foreman at the Dunn mines for Mr. Jermyn and began the sinking of the shaft. Shortly afterward he opened a mine at Priceburg, then became fore- man at the Winton mine for the Winton Coal Company, and later was superintendent of the Northwestern colliery at Carbondale for Simp- son & Watkins about one year. At present he is engaged with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company at the Marvine mine.

At Hyde Park, in 1860, Mr. Birtley married Harriet A. Butler, who was born in Carmarthen- shire, Wales. They are the parents of four chil- dren now living: Valentine, who is permanent fireman for the Liberty Hose Company at Scran- ton; Thomas B., and Joseph B., who are respect- ively miner and machinist with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company; and William B., a book-keeper in Scranton. Mrs. Birtley is a

daughter of Thomas Butler, a native of England, who operated coal mines in Carmarthenshire for a time, but later brought his family to America; he died in England while on a business trip there.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Birtley has fre- quently served on city and county committees, and in 1871 was elected to represent the second ward in the common council, serving one term During his connection with the board of school directors of Providence, he was its president for three years, and he also served as ward assessor about three terms. In November, 1868, he was a charter member of the Liberty Hose Company, afterward served as its president, and for years has held the office of secretary. Fraternally, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. In August, 1862, he volunteered in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered in, on the IIth of that month, as corporal for nine months' service. Among the engagements in which he participated were those at Fredericksburg, Antietam and Chancellorsville, and he was honorably dis- charged at Harrisburg, May 27, 1863. April 12, 1869, he became a charter member of Stevens Post, No. 109, at Providence, and was its first commander, afterward holding that position a second time. During the hard times of 1873 the post disbanded, and afterward he identified him- self with Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post, No. 139, G. A. R. A man of good mental calibre, energetic and capable, his enterprise in business matters has gained him a prominent place among men interested in and connected with the mines of the county. While this occupation has been his spe- cialty, he is well informed on many other sub- jects, and is a man of broad and enlightened views.

F RANK WALSH. Few, save those who are cognizant of the business history of a growing city, can estimate the value to every commercial interest of strong, resolute energetic men, on whose honor others may rely. Such a man Mr. Walsh has been, and he is justly classed among the able business men of Carbon- dale, where he has been the proprietor of a livery

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and boarding stable for a number of years. In his establishment he has an equipment of car- riages and horses, and in addition to the regular livery business, he does considerable teaming and express work.

The father of our subject, Nicholas Walsh, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, emigrated to America at an early age, and settled in Car- bondale, where he died at the age of seventy-one. He married Mary Delaney, who was born on Long Island, and for years lived at Flush- ing and College Point, N. Y., but is now living in Carbondale, as are also her chil- dren, Frank, Jerry, Catharine, and Nellie. The family originally consisted of six chil- dren, but a son and daughter are deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in this city February 28, 1861, and when quite small attended a few terms of school, but at the age of nine be- gan to work. For a time he assisted his father in the butchering business, and afterward was em- ployed as clerk in a wholesale and retail liquor establishment for three years.

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Walsh began to work in a livery stable and on a 'bus line, and thus ac- quired a knowledge of the business that has been most helpful to him. In 1888 he commenced in the business for himself, but upon a very small scale, as he was without capital. For a time he was obliged to be most cautious, on account of lack of money, but he has by energy established a good business. When a boy he worked for two years on the Gravity road, but the employ- ment was not congenial, and he changed to an- other occupation as soon as possible. Since he was nine years of age he has made his way un- aided, and deserves credit for the measure of suc- cess he has had. In religious belief he is a Catholic and is identified with that church in Carbondale.

J OHN H. LINGFELTER, engineer on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, and long a trusted employe of the company, came to Carbondale in 1873, and has since filled the re- sponsible position of engineer with the utmost fidelity. He was born in the city of New York,

October 1, 1843, the son of Samuel F. and Sarah A. (Shaw) Lingfelter, natives respectively of Maryland and New York City. His father, after sonie years of city life, bought a farm in Clifford Township, Susquehanna County, Pa., and there resided until his death at the age of fifty-two years; his wife died at the same age. Of their eight children, three died in early life and Charles T. froni the effects of a wound received while in the army. The others are Jacob M., who was captain of Company B, One Hundred and Forty- third Pennsylvania Infantry, and is now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal .; John H .; Samuel F., whose sketch appears on another page; and Hannah G., wife of G. Mack, of Clarks Green. It is a noteworthy fact that the four brothers served in the same company in the army, rendering. brave service in defense of the Union.

At the age of ten years our subject accom- panied his parents to Susquehanna County, where he remained until 1867, meantime attending the rural schools and gaining a thorough idea of farm work. His residence on the farm, however, and the quiet pursuit of agricultural duties were interrupted by the outbreak of the Rebellion. August II, 1862, when less than nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. In the engagements of his regiment he took an hon- orable part and was present at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatchie's Run, and many others. In the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, he was unfor- tunately wounded in the leg, and spent one month in the hospital, after which he was granted a fur- lough of sixty days and returned home. At the expiration of his furlough he had recovered suf- ficiently to return to the army. He enlisted as a private, but in May, 1864, was promoted to be orderly sergeant, and was serving in that rank when honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service June 12, 1865.

Two years after his return from the war, Mr. Lingfelter left the home farm and entered railroad work, first as brakeman, then becoming fireman and was given an engine June 10, 1872. His

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father was a war Democrat and he supports the Republican party, believing its principles best adapted to the welfare of the country. He is identified with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Knights of Honor, the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic frater- nity, and is past commander of William H. Davis Post No. 187, G. A. R. By his marriage to Tama (Anderson) Walker, of Clifford Township, Sus- quehanna County, he has one son, Charles, now employed as foreman in the roundhouse of the Ontario & Western Railroad at the Mayfield yards. Charles married Jennie Dow, and they have two children, Helen and Mildred.

A MBROSE HERZ is engaged in general merchandising in Scranton and bears a most desirable reputation among the busi- ness men of this community for honest, straight- forward dealing at all times and with every one. Numbered among our patriotic German-Ameri- can citizens, he is thoroughly in sympathy with the people of this liberty-loving land, and would as cheerfully go to the defense of his adopted country as would any of her native-born sons. In this he but patterns after his noble father, who was one of the first to respond to the nation's call for help in the early days of the Rebellion, though he had been a resident of America only a short time.

Joseph, grandfather of Ambrose Herz, was born in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, and manufactured plaster of paris, that com- modity which is so useful in the arts and general commerce. His son, Paul, our subject's father, was also a native of Wurtemberg, but went to France and Switzerland to learn his trade of masonry. Leaving his family until he had made a home for them, he came to America in 1860 and traveled around, finding work at his calling in various states. At the first tap of the drum he enlisted in Pittsburg, in Company I, Thirty -. fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, and in the first bat- tle of Bull Run was injured. He fared much better than did the rest of his brave company, however, for only thirteen escaped death or wounding. When he had recovered he was

transferred to Company I, Seventy-fourth Regi- ment, and served out his time of over three years, being in the command of Generals Ziegler and Meade. His privations and hardships told se- verely upon his health for a long time afterward, but he was plucky and worked as much as he was able. In 1867 he located in Scranton, his family joining him here. He built the fourth house on the hill at the upper end of the nine- teenth ward, and continued to work at his trade until he opened a grocery in a part of his house in Beach Street. This business he conducted the remainder of his life, which was brought to a close in 1883, when he was in his sixtieth year.

In Germany Paul Herz married Agnes Her- man, who was born in Grosselfingen, Hohenzol- lern, and died here in 1893. Her father took part in the Napoleonic war and went on the fa- mous march to Russia, suffering all the fearful terrors of that campaign. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herz and two of the num- ber are deceased. The three daughters who sur- vive are: Mrs. J. J. Noll, Mrs. Annie Wunsch and Josephine, the wife of A. Hafner, all of Scran- ton.

Ambrose Herz was born November 17, 1858, in Boerstingen, on the Neckar, Wurtemberg, and spent the first nine years of his life there. In the spring of 1867 he crossed the Atlantic with the other members of the family and added to the three years' schooling he had received in Ger- many two years study in our Scranton schools. It becoming necessary for him to begin making his own way in the world, he entered a barber's shop, but as he did not fancy the business he left at the end of a year and learned the cigar-makers' trade with Charles Tropp, for whom he was a steady employe thirteen years. In 1883 he started in the grocery business for himself in Beech Street, and so well did he prosper, that he found it a good plan to have larger accommoda- tions, and in 1886 he built a two-story double store structure at the corner of Beech and Stone Avenue. One side he used for general mer- chandise and the other as a hotel, but the last enterprise he abandoned in a year or so and has given all his attention since to the grocery and dry-goods business. With the exception of three

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men who had located on the hill before him, he is the oldest resident and merchant in this vicinity. He is treasurer of the Meadow Brook Building & Loan Association and a director of the Ger- mania Building & Loan Association and South Side Building and Loan Association.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Scranton to Miss Fredricka Oswald, whose father, Joseph, settled here in 1855 on the south side, on what was known then as "shantyhill," and was one of our leading tailors. Three children bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herz, viz: George A., Veronica Z., and Frederick Oswald. Though his father was a Republican, Mr. Herz espouses the principles of the Democracy. In 1893 he helped to organize and became a charter mem- ber of Electric City Council, Royal Arcanum, has since been its treasurer and is now regent- elect. With his family, he belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and is connected with St. Peter's Benevolent Society. He is a member of the Cen- tury Hose Company, Scranton Fire Department, and an honorary member of Scranton Glee Club.

C HARLES M. HUNTER. To assist in quelling the Rebellion, the government called into its service thousands of the bravest and noblest young men of our country, and to their enthusiasm and zeal, no less than to the conservative judgment of older and cooler heads, was the success of the Federal cause due. Among the youths who left home and friends for service on many a closely contested battlefield was the subject of this sketch, then eighteen years of age, filled with patriotic ardor and a determina- tion to stand by the flag of the country. He served with fidelity, but the exposure of camp life, the hardships of war and the necessity of longed forced marches sapped the foundations of a reasonably good constitution, and he never entirely regained his physical strength. Eventu- ally he succumbed to the effects of army life, and died after having been long in ill health.

Born in Clifford, Susquehanna County, Charles M. Hunter received such advantages as the coun- try schools afforded. When a lad he commenced to work upon the home farm and became familiar

with the occupation, but did not, however, make it his life work. At Clifford he enlisted in Com- pany D, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered into service September 30, 1861. With his regiment he participated in many notable en- gagements of the war and always showed a brave and fearless spirit. As above stated, he returned home with health impaired and never again fully regained his vigor. In 1886 he came to Carbon- dale and built up a profitable jewelry business, but for some years before his death, on account of poor health, was obliged to live in retirement from active labors. He passed away in March, 1895, and was laid to rest in Clifford Cemetery, mourned by many friends in Carbondale and Sus- quehanna County. Fraternally, he was a Mason and took an active interest in the work of the Grand Army. While he never sought official prominence, he was well informed regarding pub- lic affairs and always voted the Republican ticket.

While residing in Clifford, Mr. Hunter mar- ried Miss Louisa, daughter of John and Mary (Brownell) Stephens, natives of Clifford, Pa., and Rhode Island respectively. At his death he left, besides his widow, one daughter, Stella, now a teacher in the Carbondale public schools and re- siding with her mother in Spring Street, corner of Darte. Mrs. Hunter, in her long and useful life, has made many friends, who have been in- debted to her for wise counsel and friendly aid. She has endured with resignation the heavy be- reavement that fell upon her in the death of her husband, with whom she traveled life's road for so many years, assisting him in the accumulation of his property, and proving herself to be, at all times, a capable, cheerful and willing help- mate.

G EORGE H. TRYON came to Carbon- dale from Honesdale in 1873, and has since made his home in this city, where he is in charge of a large business as contractor and builder. He was born in Auburn, N. Y., November 26, 1846, the son of Rev. L. D. and P. G. (Mead) Tryon, the former for many years a minister of the Gospel, holding pastorates in different places throughout the east, but finally

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settling in Honesdale, where he is now engaged in the general insurance business. The three children of the family are George H .; Mrs. Mary Menner and Mead D., both of Honesdale.

In the life of our subject there occurred no event of especial importance until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Though at that time a mere lad, he determined to enter the service of the Union and this resolution he carried out as soon as possible. In 1862 his name was en- rolled as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, which was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and remained for three years in active service. Among the important engagements in which he participated were those at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where he was seriously wounded during the engagement. At the close of the war he was mustered out of service in July, 1865, and returned to Honesdale.

Being a natural mechanic, handy with tools and in construction, Mr. Tryon wisely decided to learn the carpenter's trade, and this he did upon his return from the army. He gained a thorough knowledge of the business of contracting and building, which he followed first in Wilkesbarre, but. established himself permanently in Carbon- dale in the fall of 1884. Among the contracts which he has had may be mentioned those for the Bank, Leader, and Aikens Buildings, the recon- struction of Municipal Building, and various other business blocks, together with family resi- dences in this city and vicinity. During the busy season he usually employs from fifteen to thirty men. His work is always reliable and constitutes his best advertisement.

The principles of the Republican party have in Mr. Tryon a firm ally, but he has never sought official position or displayed any touch of par- tisanship in his opinions, conceding to others the same liberty of thought which he demands for himself. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Honor and the Masonic fraternity, and like all old soldiers, is warmly interested in Grand Army affairs. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Adelaide Hathaway, who died in 1883, having been the mother of three children:

Mary, wife of Vivian Estabrook; Louisa, and Mead. In 1885 he married Mary Hathaway, his first wife's sister, by whom he has four children: Lois, Leon, Ruth, and Doris. The family resi- dence is at No. 28 Darte Avenue.

M ILO GARDNER has resided in Carbon- dale since 1876 and holds the responsible position of engineer on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, in which capacity his services have been most satisfactory to the officials of the company. For the success he has achieved and the perseverance he has shown in all his work, he deserves credit, especially when it is remem- bered that he was orphaned at an early age and was obliged to make his own way from boyhood.

The parents of our subject, Jeremiah and Ma .. tilda (Carpenter) Gardner, died at the ages of thirty-three and thirty-six respectively, leaving three children, Milo, Nelson, and Waty. The father, who was a farmer of Susquehanna County and a man of great industry and energy, enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil War, but died two weeks after his enlistment. At that time our subject, who was born April 19. 1859, in Factoryville. was a child of six years and the eldest of two boys and one girl. His widowed mother, thus left without means, experienced many hardships and trials from the death of her husband until her own demise. From the farm she moved to Abington Township, this county, and there died.

At the age of eight our subject was taken into the home of his grandparents, where he remained for four years. Froni that time until sixteen years of age, he was a pupil in a soldiers' orphan school. He then began to work on the railroad, first shoveling dirt on a section, later working as brakeman at Mill Creek, and then coming to Carbondale, where he continued as brakeman. In 1881 he was promoted to the position of en- gineer, an advancement justly merited, for he has always been industrious, reliable and efficient, and is among the best engineers on the road.

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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 56

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