Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 68

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 68
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 68

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In 1884, after a steady and faithful service of more than twenty years, Mr. McMullen was ten- dered the position of train and road master of the Gravity branch of the road, a very responsi- ble office, but one which he is thoroughly quali- fied to fill. His long years of experience and adaptability in managing men make his services of the greatest value to the company. An inde- fatigable worker and enterprising man, he has not only guarded well the interests of the com- pany, but he has done it in such a manner as not to lose the confidence of the people. On the con- trary, he is popular with all classes of citizens.

In addition to his railroad duties, Mr. McMul- len is superintendent of the Crystal Lake Water Company. Since 1870 he has made his home in Carbondale, where he is a member of the Episcopal Church and the blue lodge of Masons. During the Civil War he was determined to take a part in defense of his country and twice en- listed at the outbreak of the Rebellion, but the first time was rejected on account of his youth, and the second time at the request of his widowed

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mother. For particulars in regard to the family the reader is referred to the sketch of his brother, S. A. McMullen.

December 6, 1868, Mr. McMullen married Miss Mary A. Thorp, daughter of a prominent farmer of Wayne County and a lady of amiable disposition. In politics he is always solid for Re- publican principles and unwaveringly lends his influence and gives his suffrage to that party. His busy life, however, does not permit him to take an active part in public affairs, yet his in- fluence as a man of business ability cannot but be felt among his fellow-citizens.

M AJ. ALBERT I. ACKERLEY, super- visor of South Abington Township and a resident of the village of Clarks Green, was born near this place August 18, 1834. His father, Isaac T. Akerley, (for in that way the name was formerly spelled) was a native of New York, removed thence to this county and here died at the age of seventy-eight. His first posi- tion in the county was as an employe of the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company and after he had been with them for a time he was joined by his father, John, also from New York, the two continuing to work on the canal as far as Hawley. The paternal grandfather and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Townsend, both died on the old farm in South Abington Township. The mother of our subject was Mary A., daugh- ter of Ephraim Leach. (See sketch of Henry Leach for history of that family.)

After completing the studies of the common schools the subject of this sketch entered Kings- ton Seminary, where he remained for five terms. At the opening of the Rebellion he left home to take up arms in defense of his country. Enlist- ing August 15, 1861, he was mustered into ser- vice August 31, for a period of three years, and became captain of Company K, Eleventh Penn- sylvania Cavalry. One day was spent by the company in Philadelphia, after which they went to Washington, D. C., and then to the front, tak- ing part in all the engagements of the corps to which they were assigned. May 4, 1864, near Norfolk, Va., he was promoted from captain to

major, and under that title was honorably dis- charged October 25, 1864, on account of wounds received at Staunton River Bridge, June 25 of that year. His injuries were so severe as to necessitate the spending of some time in a hos- pital, but when he returned home he had almost entirely regained his health.

While on a furlough from the army, Major Ackerley was united in marriage, December 24, 1861, with Elizabeth A. Swallow, who was born near Pittston, Pa., the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Price) Swallow. She was well educated in Wyoming Seminary, which she attended several terms, and is a lady of broad information, and an active member of the Women's Relief Corps. Of the six children born to this union, four are living, namely: Albert S., a railroad engineer, who is married and has one son; George A., of Wyoming, who married Rose Dunlap and has three children; Harry B., who married Amy Casner and lives in Newton, Pa .; and Howard S., who remains with his parents. The sons are well educated and were given by their parents all the advantages that would be of assistance to them in the active duties of life. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Inheriting the patriotic spirit of Revolutionary ancestors, Major Ackerley has always been loyal to our government and intensely interested in its welfare. In 1856 he cast his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont and shortly before this he took part in the organization of the Re- publican party in this section. In 1858 he be- came a member of the local militia and was com- missioned lieutenant by the governor, William F. Packer. The service he rendered in local of- fices led the members of his party to believe that he would make an able representative in the leg- islature, and accordingly they elected him to that body in 1876 and re-elected him two years later. During his first term he was a member of the committees on appropriations, agriculture and judiciary, and in the second session of the first term took an active part in the separation of Lackawanna County from Luzerne, also was a member of the judiciary and agriculture com- mittees, and chairman of the new county com- mittee in the second term.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In the organization of the Captain Hall Post, G. A. R., now disbanded, Major Ackerley took an active part, being a charter member of the same and first commander. He was a charter member of Sergeant George Fell Post at Wav- erly, and upon the disbandment of the Captain Hall Post returned to Sergeant George Fell Post at Waverly. He has been master mason of the Masonic lodge at Waverly and has passed the chairs of the Odd Fellows' lodge and cncamp- ment at Clarks Green.

H ON. M. E. McDONALD. The subject of this sketch was born in Hawley, Wayne County, Pa., September 26, 1856. In 1864 he moved with his parents to Dunmore, Luzerne County, (now Lackawanna) and resided there un- til 1893, when he established a residence in the city of Scranton. He received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Dunmore, and sub- sequently completed his education in Wyoming Seminary. In 1881 he registered as a law stu- dent in the office of Hon. Lemuel Amerman, under whose instruction he acquired a knowledge of the law, and in October, 1883, was admitted to practice in the several courts of Lackawanna County; in 1886 he secured admission to the su- preme court of the state, and also to the United States circuit court. Since his admission to the bar he has conducted a general law practice, and is now actively engaged in the performance of his professional duties as an attorney and coun- selor at law. Early in life he manifested an ambi- tion and natural adaptability for politics. He was elected borough auditor on attaining his major- ity, and in the performance of his duties during a period of three years, he evinced those traits of character and sterling qualities as a public official, which have marked his political career in every office of public trust to which he has since been elected.

In 1884 he was elected school director and served three years, two of which he acted in the capacity of president of the board. He was nom- inated in 1886 by the Democratic county con- vention of the eighth legislative district of Lu- zerne County, as a candidate for representative,

and in the general election that followed defeated his opponent by a very large majority. During the term for which he was elected, he actively participated in the enactment of all legislation that had for its object the amelioration of the condition of his constituents, and the promotion of the welfare of his state. In 1888 he was rc- elected for the same office in the fourth legisla- tive district of Lackawanna County, which was organized by the apportionment of 1887. Recog- nizing in him those aggressive qualities of lead- ership which invariably portend success in po- litical campaigns, his party selected him as a candidate for senator in 1890; and as leader of the Democratic forces in the twentieth sena- torial district, he was successfully elected after a hard fought campaign. In 1883 he was appointed by the court as auditor of the Scranton poor dis- trict, in which capacity he served very success- fully and satisfactorily during a period of three years. He was selected as solicitor for the bor- ough of Dunmore, and served in that capacity during a period of six years; under his vigilant care and legal ability the interests of the borough were skillfully protected.

During his legislative career in the sessions of 1887, 1889, 1891 and 1893 he was conspicuously associated with the most important committees of both the lower and upper branches of the leg- islature; he served on the appropriations, rail- roads, mines and mining, judiciary general, judi- ciary special, corporations, municipal corpora- tions and election committees with marked abil- ity, evincing a decided taste for all the details of legislative activity. He was recognized as one of the most active legislators in the house and senate during the terms that he served in a legis- lative capacity. By tireless work and persistent labor, he secured the passage of a bill providing for the establishment of an additional law judge in Lackawanna County, thus increasing the num- ber of judges learned in the law, to three instead of two. His mind, ever active in protecting the interests of his constituents, grasped in one com- prehensive view all matters pertaining to charit- able, educational and municipal advancement. He was specially active in securing appropriations for the Lackawanna Hospital, the Oral School,

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Carbondale Hospital, Miners Hospital at Pittston and the public schools. The rights of the laborer on every occasion were scrupulously promoted and protected by him. The passage of the me- chanics lien law, extending to the laborer and the mechanic equal rights with the material men, was largely the result of his personal efforts dur- ing the first legislation session in which he ap- peared. The employers liability bill was intro- duced by him in two sessions. Several important bills of special note to the inhabitants of the bor- oughs of the state were introduced by him, and through his active advocacy enacted into organic law of the state.

He has always exhibited a decided predilection for political activity and ever since his retirement from public office has been actively engaged in a political way, in securing and introducing purer methods into the political life of the community in which he lives. He was a delegate to the state Democratic convention in 1882, at which Robert E. Patterson was nominated as the Democratic standard bearer for the office of governor. Dur- ing the following year he served as a member of the state central committee, and subsequently has served for several years as a member of the county committee, in which his qualities as an organizer and leader have been productive of most successful results. He is recognized as one of the leaders of his party, and the services ren- dered his fellow-citizens of this commonwealth and of Lackawanna County have won distinction for him, and a high rank among the leading and influential citizens of the state. He has been generously favored by nature with a vigorous and robust physical organization and an active, intellectual and progressive mind, qualities which have enabled him to win an enviable distinction in the public positions to which he has been elected.

In the performance of his legislative and pro- fessional duties, he was quick to recognize an important situation, and equally quick in devis- ing means of meeting it. This quality especially enabled him to perform most efficiently the ex- acting duties of public office, and has also given him worthy prominence as a lawyer, legislator and politician. In addition to his manifold duties

as a public officer and professional practitioner, he has also taken active interest in the establish- ment of industrial enterprises in the city of Scran- ton. He is financially interested in the manu- facture of brass and metal goods, and occupies the responsible position of secretary and treasurer of the American Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company. Possessing a philanthropic nature, he has worked actively in a humanitarian way for the relief of his fellowmen, and is conspicuously identified with several charitable and benevolent associations.

He married, in the city of Scranton, November 23, 1892, Miss Martha L. Mellon, daughter of Edward Mellon. This happy union has been blessed by two interesting sons, Randal and Maurice.

J. JAMES TAYLOR, proprietor of Taylor's Directory Company, was born in Balti-

. more, Md., June 28, 1868, and is a mem- ber of a family long identified with American history, his paternal great-grandfather having participated in the revolution and rendered service in the army at Fort McHenry and other places. His father, William H., also a native of Baltimore, was a publisher, and for many years a member of the firm of Sheriff & Taylor, publishers of the Bal- timore directory. During the latter part of his life he was manager of the directory for Williams, of Binghamton, N. Y., at Scranton, and his res- idence continued here until he died. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar. His wife, Mary, who now resides with our subject, was born in York State and is a daughter of William Cornell, mem- ber of an old Quaker family.

The subject of this sketch, who was the only child of his parents, was reared in Baltimore, where he attended high school and business col- lege. From the age of thirteen he was in the directory business with his father, and five years afterward he went out on the road for James Gopsill's Sons, of Philadelphia, but later trav- eled for the C. E. Howe Company, of the same city, and W. H. Kerwin, of Lockport. His route included the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and

ALEXANDER JEFFREYS VON STORCH.

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South Bethlehem, Pa., and Niagara County, N. Y.

Upon leaving the road Mr. Taylor came to Scranton, where he had established his home in 1890. In 1895 he published his first directory, that of Scranton, which he purchased of Williams, of Binghamton, under the firm name of Taylor's Directory Company. Later he published Car- bondale, Bloomsburg, Danville, Berwick and Catawissa. He has since published a second edi- tion of Scranton, and now has a directory of Lack- awanna County in process of compilation. At this writing he owns a half interest in the Wilkesbarre directory, his partner being T. P. Robinson. The Scranton directory of 1896, in which the Block system was used, is the most complete ever pub- lished here. During the busy season forty peo- ple are employed in connection with the work. In addition to the directory, he compiles the tele- phone index for Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Carbon- dale, Pittston and Williamsport.

Mr. Taylor was married in Baltimore to Miss Mary P. Harden, who was born there. He is a member of the board of trade, politically adheres to Republican principles, and in religious belief is a member of the Elm Park Methodist Episco- pal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter No. 185, R. A. M., and Coeur de Lion Commandery No. 17, K. T.

A LEX. JEFFREYS VON STORCH. An early life of rare patriotism and beauty closed in the grave of Mr. von Storch. Yet, while his was a short life, it was a most useful one. When death called him home, No- vember 6, 1880, all classes of citizens mourned his loss. The friends of his business life, the intimates of his conversational hours, the aspir- ing whom he had aided, and the poor whose necessities he had relieved, alike gave a tribute of affection to his memory. His regard for the advancement of his townsmen was one of the noblest of his many noble characteristics. To see Scranton prosper and enlarge was one of the prompting motives for which he toiled. He ever

welcomed the newcomer whose intelligence and industry would make him a useful citizen.

At the old homestead in Providence, the sub- ject of this sketch was born August I, 1842, a son of Ferdinand von Storch. Reference to the family history appears elsewhere in this volume. He received a common school education and spent much of his time in youth cultivating his father's farm in Scott Township. In August, 1861, he volunteered in Company K, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, but on the arrival of the regiment in Philadelphia, he was rejected on ac- count of an eye having been injured by a cross- bow when a boy. So desirous was he of going to the front that he was finally taken on the cap- tain's staff, where he remained six months. Feb- ruary 2, 1862, he was accepted as a private in the same company in which he had originally enlisted, and from the ranks was promoted to be corporal, later became sergeant. With his com- pany he participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Gainesville, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg (June 15 to July 31), Weldon Railroad, Petersburg (Sep- tember I to' October 30), Hatchie's Run (Octo- ber 27, 1864, and February 5-7, 1865), White Oak Roads, Five Forks and Appomattox Court House. At the expiration of his term he was honorably discharged January 31, 1865. In a skirmish on the Black River, March 17, 1863, at sunrise, he was shot through the right thigh and fell to the ground, where a horse stepped on his head. He was carried in an ambulance to the hospital, where he remained until his re- covery.

After the war Mr. von Storch was employed by the Delaware & Hudson Company as fireman at Leggett's Creek shaft, but during the last year he served as engineer. For five years afterward he was stationary engineer at Carbondale in the employ of the same company. On his return to Scranton he was employed in the Delaware & Hudson machine shops. In 1877 he embarked in the grocery and meat business in West Market Street, Providence, in which he continued until his death. Politically he was a Republican. In February, 1878, he ran for city treasurer on the

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Greenback labor ticket, and was clected, but was counted out. He died at Yonkers, N. Y., where he had gone for the purpose of receiving medi- cal treatment. His remains were brought to Scranton and interred in the family graveyard.

In Abington Township, this county, March 23, 1867, Mr. von Storch married Miss Ann Tague, who was born in Pittston, Pa., the eldest of six children, and received her education in the Abington schools, after which she taught school in Blue Ridge. Her marriage, founded on strong mutual regard, was in all respects a happy one, the union lasting unchanged through the vicis- situdes of life and growing more affectionately interblended with the flight of time. Four chil- dren came to bless them: Ada L .; Harriet C., who died at the age of five months; Ralph Alex- ander, a florist; and Ruie A., who died at five years. Six months after her husband's death she closed out the grocery business, and has since lived quietly at her home, No. 608 East Market Street.

The father of Mrs. von Storch, Patrick Tague, was born in Ireland, of Irish ancestry, but prob- ably of remote French lineage. In boyhood he remained with his father, Peter, but in early man- hood came to America and followed the stone- mason's trade in Pittston, Pa. Later he bought and improved a small farm in Abington Town- ship, this county, where he died June 24, 1861, aged fifty years. While in Pittston he married Lovina Snyder, who was born in Monroe

(then Northampton) County, March 29, 1823, daughter of John and Susanna (Wise) Snyder. Her mother had been previously married to a Mr. Brong, who died while serving in the War of 1812. John Snyder also took part in the same conflict. Mrs. Lovina Tague is still living, and resides with a son in Lemon Township, Wyom- ing County. Of her six children, all but one are living. John served in the same company and regiment with Mr. von Storch; Isaac lives in Wyoming County; Thomas is a stationary en- gineer; Peter resides in Hyde Park.

In religious belief Mrs. von Storch and her children are identified with the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. In former years she was actively connected with the Women's Christian

Temperance Union, and at one time was junior vice-president of Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Woman's Relief Corps No. 50. She is associated with Beatrice Lodge No. 70, Daughters of Rebekah, and the Equitable Aid Union. By her amiable disposition and kind courtesy to all, she has won the confidence of acquaintances and the warm regard of friends.

E DWARD M. CLARKE, senior member of the firm of Clarke Brothers, and president of the West Side Board of Trade, Scran- ton, was born in this city and has spent his en- tire life here. He is a son of M. W. Clarke, who came to Scranton when a young man and em- barked in the mercantile business on North Main Avenue, beginning in a small frame build- ing, but after the war erecting a building which now stands at the corner of North Main and West Lackawanna Avenues. In 1885 he retired from the business, in which he was succeeded by his sons, E. M. and G. W. Clarke. M. W. Clarke was a man of prominence in the city, and was at one time president of the school board; also served as director in the West Side Bank. In his death, which occurred in 1889, the city lost one of its ablest and best citizens, a man who had ever assisted in progressive enterprises and co-operated in public projects.

By his marriage to Mary W. Clark our sub- ject's father had seven sons and three daughters, of whom the latter and two of the sons are liv- ing. Edward M. was reared in Hyde Park, and when quite young began to assist his father in the mercantile business, to which he and his brother, George W., succeeded. A credit sys- tem was followed until April 15, 1893, when the firm began on an exclusively cash basis, and by this means, coupled with an abundance of energy on their part, they have built up a large depart- ment store. Within three and one-half years they have increased the number of their clerks from two to one hundred and forty.

On North Main Avenue the firm now occupies almost the entire block from West Lackawanna Avenue to Lafayette Street. Here they have a frontage of one hundred and forty-six feet and oc-

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cupy fourfloors, extending two hundred feet back. The building is divided into nine large depart- ments, is heated by steam and lighted by electric- ity. Elevators and meters are also operated by electricity. The establishment is the largest in the state, outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and in rapidity of growth it has been unparalleled. In addition to their retail business they have a large wholesale trade.

While the many responsibilities connected with the business demand Mr. Clarke's close at- tention, yet he keeps himself well posted regard- ing local affairs, and is an enthusiastic supporter of all measures for the benefit of the city. In the paving of Lackawanna Avenue he was in- terested, as also in that of Robinson Street. Agi- tation regarding sewers and viaducts receives his support, and no plan for the betterment of the west side fails to win his endorsement if he believes it practicable. His life has been a successful one. Starting with small capital, by his force of character and determination he has risen to an enviable position among his fellow- men. He deservedly ranks as one of the most enterprising citizens of Scranton, and one who, by his strict sense of probity and energy, has won the position for himself.

G. W. Clarke, the junior member of the firm of Clarke Brothers, has been equally identified with his brother in the development of their extensive business enterprises, also takes a prominent part in all public matters pertaining to the welfare of the west side.

P ARDON LEWIS. While this county is noted principally for its steel industries and coal mines, yet the occupation of agri- culture is by no means neglected, and especially in the department of truck farming has been car- ried on with success. Mr. Lewis is well known among the residents of Benton Township, where he has owned and operated a truck farm since 1886. A man of energetic nature, he has been closely identified with the growth of the town- ship in the years that have since followed, and has ever been ready to co-operate in matters of local improvement.

The father of our subject, Ethan Lewis, was born in Rhode Island and at the age of sixteen came to Pennsylvania, settling in Abington Township, this county, where he cleared a farm out of the woods. Much of his life was devoted to pioneer work, and at different times he cleared several places. His death occurred on the old homestead at the age of fifty-four. He married Asenia Freeland, who was born in Wayne County and died in Abington Township, aged seventy- two; her father, Robert Freeland, was a member of an old New England family and participated in the War of 1812.

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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 68

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