Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 61

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 61
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 61

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Mr. Emerson is the third in a family of five children, of whom the others, William, Jean, Nancy and Jane, are deceased. He was born in Lancashire, Scotland, December 25, 1819, and at the age of two years was brought to America by his parents, Robert and Margaret (Logan) Em- erson, who settled in Massachusetts, near Paw- tucket, R. I. There fifteen years were spent. When he was about seventeen he canie to Penn- sylvania in company with his father and settled in Scott Township, this county, the latter remain- ing in this locality until his death at Clarks Green at the age of eighty-six years.

Prior to coming to this county, Mr. Emerson had learned the weaver's trade, but on his arrival here he became interested in farming, to whichi he devoted his attention in Scott Township for seven years and in Abington Township one year. He then went back to Massachusetts and followed his trade there for twelve years. On his return to

Pennsylvania, he spent two years in Nicholson, Wyoming County, after which he came to Scott Township and purchased a place suitable to agri- cultural pursuits. Twenty-five years were passed there, his attention being given to the details of farm work. In 1879 he came to Scranton, where for two years he engaged in the furniture busi- ness, but has since lived retired.

The first marriage of Mr. Emerson, which took place in 1842, united him with Miss Sabra Pot- ter, and they had two children, Sarah J. and Horace M., the latter represented on another page. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Miss Deborah C. Morse, of Grafton, Mass., an estimable lady, who shares with her husband in the esteem of neighbors and friends. While the busy life Mr. Emerson has led has never per- mitted him to identify himself with public affairs, yet by thoughtful reading he has kept well posted regarding national issues and has always adhered to Republican principles since the organization of the party. He sincerely believes that the prin- ciples of the political organization to which he has given his constant adherence are best calcu- lated to promote the progress of free government and perpetuate our institutions on the basis pro- posed by the founders of the republic.

J OHN A. LaBAR, who is a prominent member of the Democratic party in Scran- ton, was born at Plains, Luzerne County, Pa., August 2, 1830, and is a descendant of French ancestry. The first of the name in Amer- ica were three brothers who came from France, one settling in Pennsylvania, another in New York State, and the third in Canada. The name was originally Le Barre, but after settlement among the Germans, it was changed to its pres- ent form. William, father of John A., was born at Plains, Luzerne County, and was a son of John LaBar, a native of Hellertown, Northampton County, but early deceased. William was a mer- chant tailor by trade and owned a farm in the Wyoming valley, but after a time he sold out and purchased a place at Waverly, Abington Township, Lackawanna County, about 1848. There he continued to reside until his death in

PROF. ALFRED WOOLER.

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1877. Prominent in the Democratic party, he took an active interest in conventions and was very influential, but never cared to hold office. In religious belief he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Tedrick and was born near Pittston, Pa., a daughter of Adam Tedrick, a farmer and early settler of Pittston, coming from New Jersey. He died about 1850 and his daugh- ter, Margaret, passed away in Scranton, at the age of seventy-seven, being two years older than was her husband at the time of his decease. Of their six children, three are living. Giles, who was an inspector at Wyoming Seminary, Kings- ton, died there at the age of twenty-seven; Caro- line, Mrs. Wait, is deceased; Mrs. Parma Clark resides in Scranton; John A. is next in order of birth; Catherine, Mrs. William von Storch, died in this city; and Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. J. K. Bentley, of Scranton.

In 1848 the subject of this sketch removed from Plains to Waverly, where he grew to manhood. His education was received in Wyoming Semi- nary and Madison Academy. The death of his brother left him the only son and induced him to remain at home as long as his father lived, but afterward the old home was sold. In 1878 he came to Scranton and became agent for his brother-in-law, William von Storch, in the large real estate interests owned by the latter, whose property comprised one hundred and thirty-two acres in the city. Of this he had the entire super- vision, laying it out in lots, and selling it as op- portunity offered, until after a time the entire tract was disposed of. He is fond of a good horse and owns a standard bred, "Tom Ford," which has an excellent record for speed. Fraternally he is a demitted Mason.

Always an adherent of Democratic principles, Mr. LaBar has been intimately associated with public affairs in this community. For two years he represented the second ward in the common council and during this time he was chairman of the finance committee. Under Randolph Crip- pen he was deputy sheriff, but resigned the posi- tion on account of the pressing nature of his real estate interests. In 1896 he was chosen, without

solicitation on his part, the nominee of his party for the assembly, but was defeated. Besides his other political work, he has served on the city committee and has been an important factor in all political measures advocated by the party.

P ROF. ALFRED WOOLER, tenor vocal- ist. Among the many arts and sciences of which man is master, there is none more noble than that of music, and in this profession Professor Wooler is recognized as a leader in the city of Scranton. He is young in years, but his musical talent became conspicuous at so early an age that, in voice culture, theory and harmony, he has become the superior of men his senior in point of years. In addition to being the posses- sor of a superb tenor voice, he is a successful composer of songs and quartette music.

A member of an old English family and grand- son of Rev. James Wooler, a minister in the Methodist Church, the subject of this sketch was born in Yorkshire, England, May 1I, 1867, being a son of David and Sarah (Simpson) Wooler, na- tives of the same shire as himself. His father, who is a warp-dresser by trade, possesses consid- erable musical talent; his mother had a rare voice combined with a fine musical temperament, but neither of them entered the musical profession. His mother was the daughter of Robert Simpson, a native of England and in early life a sailor, but afterward engaged in the manufacture of cloth, and at this writing still living and in good health.

Professor Wooler is the fourth child in a family of sixteen children, nine sons and seven daugh- ters, of whom eight sons and four daughters are living at this writing, and are with few exceptions fine musicians. The nine sons are named as fol- lows: Albert, who is leader of a hand-bell band in England, likewise arranger of hand-bell music, and an instrumentalist; Alfred, the subject of this sketch; John, who died in childhood; Ed- ward, who is an overlooker (or foreman) in a cloth factory in Winooski, Vt., also a cornetist, late member of the famous Saltaire Prize Brass Band, of Saltaire, Yorkshire, England; James and Robert, who are partners in the bakery busi- ness in England, and are clever hand-bell ringers,

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also champion athletes, being long distance run- ners, each having won many prizes, including about ten firsts, James also being a talented artist, gaining recognition from noted English painters; Arthur, who continues to reside in England and possesses considerable literary ability; David, Jr., a machinist, who, though very young, has gained a diploma in his chosen profession; and Harry, the youngest son, who, though only eleven years of age, plays in a leading band, also in public concerts and excels as a cornet soloist, besides being the possessor of a good voice and a member of a church choir. The names of the daughters are as follows: Ann Elizabeth, who died in her sixteenth year; Ada, who died at the age of twenty-four; Clara; Ellen; Ruth, who died in infancy; Lilly, and Sarah Hannah. When only ten years of age our subject was a paid member of the parish church choir at Ship- ley, and while there gained his first lessons in music and singing. He continued at this church until he reached the age of sixteen, when his voice changed, and for a time he did not sing in public. However, he continued the study of mu- sic, and for some time was engaged as a hand- bell ringer, later being a member of an instru- mental band. He studied four years in singing with the eminent singer and teacher, Robert Bradley, of Bradford, Yorkshire, England. At the age of twenty-three he came to America and located in Jamestown, N. Y. His voice soon brought him into prominence and secured for him a position as solo tenor at the Baptist Church of that city. While holding this position he had an offer to travel in concert with the celebrated Schubert Male Quartette of Chicago, Ill., but re- fused. At the end of one year he resigned to take a similar position in the Presbyterian Church, also of that city, succeeding Harry J. Fellows, who resigned to go to Brooklyn. This was the leading position in Jamestown, and in it he remained two years. During this time he took part in many concerts. On one occasion he sang in concert with Madam Belle Cole, who was so charmed with his voice that she urged him to return at once to England, saying that he could make his fortune there with his voice.

Professor Wooler resigned from the Presby-

terian Church after singing on trial and being accepted as solo tenor at the new Elm Park Methodist Episcopal Church, Scranton, com- mencing December 1, 1893. When the Alle- ghany Music Association rendered works from the great masters in Carnegie Hall, that city, in the spring of 1894, he was engaged as soloist, along with Madam Mechling and Mr. McGill, receiving high praise in many of the newspapers for his fine work; also was offered the position of solo tenor in Calvary Church, Pittsburg, but was induced to remain in Scranton. Since then he has refused similar offers from churches in New York city, Elmira, N. Y., and Syracuse, N. Y. At this writing he is at the Elm Park M. E. Church, this being his fourth year at that church. He also holds the tenor position in the quartette choir at the Jewish Synagogue in Scranton. He has had the pleasure of singing in duett with Madam Blauvelt, also in concert with Madam Bloodgood and other prominent singers. That he is appreciated in Scranton is proved by the fact that he has repeatedly received an increase in salary since coming here. His whole time is taken up in music, having a number of pupils in voice culture, etc. He is also an ardent student in harmony and composition, his teacher in this branch being Dr. Hugh A. Clarke, of Philadel- phia, Pa., with whom he is taking a very rigid course.

In composition Professor Wooler's genius has forcibly demonstrated itself. By the enthusiastic recognition from noted musicians and the public in general, he is encouraged in his work and is placing from time to time compositions of rare merit. In the fall of 1895 he composed his first. song, and since then he has composed a number of pieces; the following have been published (on royalty): Song, "Sweet Little Mary," for medium voice; song, "Dear Adeline," tenor; song, "Hearts so True," medium; song, "Sailor Maid," baritone; sacred song, "Land so Fair," for tenor, soprano, alto or baritone; sacred quartette or chorus, "Jubilate Deo;" sacred quartette, "Hear My Prayer," introducing the Lord's Prayer; sa- cred song, "Life and Death," for medium voice. All the above, with the exception of last named, are published by Oliver Ditson Company, Bos-

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ton and New York, also in England, "Life and Death" being published by The John Church Company, Cincinnati and New York.

At the age of eighteen Professor Wooler mar- ried Miss Lily Meeking, who was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and is, like himself, an ad- herent of the Episcopalian faith. She possesses a very deep contralto voice and is a woman of rare beauty and an accomplished wife. They have three children: Willie, born May 16, 1889, whose tendency is toward drawing, etc .; Mamie Lillian, born October 29, 1891, who possesses a sweet voice and loves to sing; Laura May, born September 14, 1893, who, though only three years of age, has already displayed great musical abil- ity, being able to sing many little songs. Her father has great hopes that she will continue and some day be a great singer. Professor Wooler has had offers to enter operatic work, and would doubtless do well should he ever enter it, but he prefers to stay out of that profession. His genial temperament has won for him many friends. Scranton is to be congratulated on having such a magnificent tenor and musician. Prof. Wooler is a naturalized American citizen.

R OBERT A. BRYSON. While this county has much in the way of natural resources and commercial transactions to com- mend it to the public, the chief interest centers in the lives of those citizens who have taken a prominent place in its business and professional interests. Well known among these men is Mr. Bryson, who is engaged as a dealer in and re- pairer of sewing machines, with place of business at No. 14 Salem Avenue, Carbondale. Through travel and intercourse with men in all parts of the country, he has gained a cosmopolitan breadth of character that makes him a genial companion. As a soldier in the Union army during the great civil conflict, his services were of a nature so brave and patriotic as to entitle him to the esteem of every loyal citizen.

The Bryson family was founded in America by Robert, our subject's father, who came to this country in young manhood and secured employ- ment in connection with the manufacture of shoes,

in which business he was an expert. At different times he resided in Hancock, Lanesboro, Nassau and North Adams, Mass., and died in the last- nained place at the age of thirty-three, when our subject was about four years of age. Some time prior to his demise his health failed on account of close application to business and his physician advised a change of occupation. Being a natural mechanic, he secured the necessary tools for the work of carpenter, hoping by such change he might regain his health. However, he worked at it. but little, for his strength was not sufficient, and in a short time he was called from earth.

The mother of our subject, Eunice Allen, was born in Waltham, Mass., the daughter of a sea captain, who spent much of his time upon the ocean, but died in Massachusetts. She was the mother of three children, Euphemia, Robert and Eveline, by her marriage to Mr. Bryson, and by a subsequent marriage to Salmon Rogers, there were two children born, Theodore and Orrin. Robert A. was born in Pittsfield, Mass., January 24, 1839, was early orphaned by his father's death and afterward remained with his mother until fourteen, when he sought to make his own living independently. Working at various things as he found employment, he drifted from place to place. Making his home with relatives, he feared he was a burden to them, although he did more than enough work to pay for his board. Whether or not they wished to get rid of him, he thought so. The feeling of independence was strong in him and he determined to leave. To secure a com- plete severance from all, he went to sea and be- came a sailor, living upon the rolling deep the most of the time for four years. Later two years were spent in Florida, where he was employed in carrying the mail. Thence he went to Cuba and worked as foreman or boss of teams in the grading of a railroad.

In 1861 the Civil War broke out, and after a short time in Cuba, Mr. Bryson came to New York, in company with a young man from Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of Company K, Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and was in the ser- vice for three years, the most of the time in Ken- tucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Among the im- portant engagements in which he participated

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were those at Stony Creek, Perryville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga and Re- saca. The hardships of war he knows by expe- rience. On many a sanguinary battlefield he faced a determined foe, and in forced marches endured perils no less than those in the open field. It required a stout heart to endure all the dan- gers of war without flinching, but it may be said of him truthfully that he never once turned his back upon the enemy, but stood firmly by the old flag until it no longer needed his protection.

Upon the expiration of the war, Mr. Bryson went to the bituminous coal region of Pennsyl- vania, and was employed at Harrisburg, Blooms- burg, Hazleton, Renovo and Pittsburg, gaining a considerable fund of knowledge by contact with men and by actual experience in the mines. Later he worked in a machine shop. In 1879 he en- tered the sewing machine business at Scranton and from there came to Carbondale in 1880. Po- litically he was reared in the Republican faith, but adheres to Prohibition principles and usually votes that ticket. With his family he holds mem- bership in the Presbyterian Church. By his mar- riage to Laura Regan, an estimable lady whose active co-operation has been of the greatest as- sistance to him, he is the father of five children, namely: Sophia, wife of K. G. Wickmier, and mother of a son, Bryson; Robert H., who is inter- ested in the sewing machine business with his father; Eunice, Mary and Margaret, who are with their parents. Robert H. married Julia Scharlock, of this city, and resides at No. 81 Park Street. The mechanical genius of his father and grandfather he seems to have inherited, and is known as an expert mechanic, his ability in this line being of the greatest assistance to him in the business in which he is engaged. Both father and son are thoroughly upright and are zealous in all good works for the promotion of the inter- ests of the city and the welfare of the citizens.

G EORGE GRIFFIN. It is impossible to overestimate the extent of the influence for good which the life of one honest, upright citizen exerts upon the lives and con- duct of those with whom he comes in contact.

It is the silent influence of a good example that tells more truly than sounding words or outward profession the state of the heart within. A life- long resident of Scranton, the gentleman of whom this sketch is a record has contributed by his business activity to the advancement of the city's commercial interests and has aided the moral, ed- ucational and social welfare of the citizens.

As is well known throughout the county, the Griffin family is one of the oldest here. In the early days when settlers were few, Thomas Grif- fin, our subject's grandfather and an upright man of Quaker belief, came to the old town of Provi- dence from his birthplace in Westchester County, N. Y., and bought about six hundred acres lying between the estates of Ira Tripp and Henry von Storch. His first home was a log house on the flats, at the foot of the hill on the Providence road, but later he built a more substantial house in North Main Avenue, where he died at eighty years. He had several brothers, Stephen Joseph and James, all Quakers and residents of Provi- dence, the last-named being a farmer and the owner of what is now the William Winton home- stead; the sisters were Mrs. Mead, who came to Scranton, and Mrs. Halstead, Mrs. McKee and Mrs. Clemons, of New York.

By his marriage to Anna Clapp, of New York, a Quakeress, Thomas Griffin had the following- . named children: Isaac, who died in Providence in 1846; Charlotte, Mrs. Stevens, who died in Blakely Township; Philip C., our subject's father, who was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and died in Providence; Thomas, Jr., whose death occurred in Providence; Lettie, who died here, unmarried; Benjamin and Durlin, who passed away in Madisonville, this county; and Philo, who died in Providence. Philip C., who was a farmer, owned fifty acres in North Main Avenue and one hundred acres farther back on the moun- tain. He passed his life here, dying in 1846, at the age of forty-seven years. His wife, Melinda Harding, was born in Herrick, Susquehanna County, in 1803, and died in 1881; she was a daughter of Elisha Harding, who was a large farmer on the Newburgh turnpike.

The family of Philip C. Griffin consisted of eight children, viz .: Elisha, for years a bridge

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contractor and a railroad man in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company, but now in poor health and retired; Aaron, de- ceased, formerly connected with the wood and tie department of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; Ira, section foreman on the Blooms- burg division of that railroad, and who died in Pittston; Lieut. Ezra S., deceased; Webster, who is living retired at Glenburn; George, the subject of this sketch; and Thomas, who is living retired in Scranton. Probably the most prominent of these sons was Ezra S., a valiant soldier in the Union army, and lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. At Petersburg, while with others making a charge at the enemy, as he was running forward he was struck by a ball that passed through the limb from the knee to the foot; he died at Annapolis two weeks later. In his honor Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139 was named. His remains were brought home and interred in the family lot at Dunmore cemetery.

In Scranton, where he was born October 14, 1840, George Griffin was reared and educated. At the age of sixteen he took charge of a car repair shop at the notch for the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Company, continuing there for almost three years. With John Jermyn he bought out Clark's interest in the Clark mine and continued mining until 1865, when he sold to par- ties from Elmira. He was then inspector on the middle division of the Delaware & Hudson Rail- road, later in the construction corps, then gen- eral outside foreman of the division, in charge of breakers and real estate. In 1883 he resigned to accept the superintendency of the Pancoast Coal Company, then sinking a shaft. For five years he was superintendent of the mine, but in 1888 resigned and returned to the employ of the Dela- ware & Hudson Company as superintendent of the Marvine mines, which he has since held. The shaft was sunk in 1874, when he was general out- side superintendent, and the mine is one of the most valuable in this coal region.

In Honesdale Mr. Griffin married Amy Dian- tha Coleman, who was born in Clifford, Susque- hanna County, Pa., the daughter of Garrett Cole- man, of German descent. They have a pleas-

ant home at No. 204 West Market Street. Their family consists of three children, namely: Wat- son, who is postmaster and proprietor of a gen- eral store at Priceburg; Howard, who has a drug store in Providence Square, Scranton; and Ber- tha, wife of Thomas R. Brooks, a coal operator of this city. The sons are married and have fam- ilies. Politically Mr. Griffin is known as a firm Republican. He was a member of the first board of common council and has filled other positions of trust. Fraternally he is connected with the Heptasophs, Hiram Lodge, No. 261, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter and Coeur de Lion Com- mandery No. 17, K. T. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian.

S ILAS RANDALL, a resident of Oldforge since 1846, was born in Harmony, Warren County, N. J., December 20, 1825, and at the age of seven years removed with his father to Kingston, Luzerne County, Pa., where the years of boyhood were spent in almost constant toil. At that early day educational advantages were exceedingly meager and his attendance at school was limited to a few winter months, when it was impossible to do any work at home. The school was kept in a log building, with crude furnishings, and entirely devoid of conveniences now consid- ered indispensable in educational work. The fam- ily were poor and their home was as lacking in comforts as was the school. They had an only chicken, and, as fowls were very scarce, they took the greatest care of their solitary bird. At night they put it up in the loft to roost, but imagine their dismay one morning to find that, during the preceding night, a wildcat had crept in and bitten off the legs of the forlorn chicken.

When thirteen years of age Mr. Randall began an apprenticeship to the cabinet-maker's trade, continuing with the same man four years and nine months before he began to receive wages, and then remaining with him on a salary after- ward. After eleven years there, he secured em- ployment in a mill and continued in that position until his removal from Wyoming. About 1846 he came to Oldforge and for fourteen years worked as foreman of the Raynor Powder Mills,

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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 61

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