Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 69

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 69
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 69

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On the farm in Abington Township, where he was born August 10, 1834, Pardon Lewis passed the days of youth, and during a portion of this time he attended the district schools. Learning the trade of a carpenter, he followed this until the death of his father, when he turned his attention to the cultivation of the homestead. May 25, 1855, he married Elizabeth Alice Delevan, who was born in Abington Township December 6, 1836, the daughter of Charles and Esther (John- son) Delevan, both natives of this county, and deceased in Benton Township, Mr. Delevan at the age of seventy-six and his wife when sixty- two. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Lewis were Charles and Betsey Delevan, who were born in New England and died in this county. The maternal grandfather, Charles Johnson, was born in Ireland, emigrated to this county and died here when very old; his wife, Sarah, also attained an advanced age.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis consists of six living children, and they have lost three by death. Ida is married and the mother of seven children; Ella resides with her parents; James, who resides in Benton Township, has a family of three children; William, who is married and has one child, lives in Benton Township; Mary is the wife of Elmer Ridgway, of Lenox Town- ship; and Myrtie is with her parents on the home farm.

After his marriage Mr. Lewis settled in Benton Township, but three years later removed to Springville Township, Susquehanna County and after a residence of eight years on a farm there. went to Scranton, engaging in the railroad busi-

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ness much of the time during the ensuing eight years. Going back to Susquehanna County, he resumed farming work there, but later went back to railroading and was employed in different lo- calities. After about five years in Scranton, he came to Benton Township and in 1886 bought the truck farm on which he has since made his home. His first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan and he has advocated Demo- cratic principles ever since that time. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company C, Two Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, re- ceiving an honorable discharge at Newburgh, N. Y. During his term of service, he took an active part in all'the engagements of his regiment, ex- cept when sickness prevented him from respond- ing to the roll call of his company. The spirit of loyalty which led him to enlist in his coun- try's defense in time of war has been character- istic of him in times of peace, and he is univers- ally regarded as an honorable, public-spirited and industrious man.

P ETER J. McCANN, member of the board of park commissioners of Scranton and a successful merchant of this city, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1848, and was the only child of Michael and Margaret (McCann) McCann, natives of the same place as himself. His father, who was a farmer in County Mayo, died there when a young man, and his wife also passed away in early life. Though bearing the same family name, they were not related, unless very remotely.

On the death of his parents, the subject of this sketch was taken into the home of his uncle, Patrick McCann, by whom he was brought to America in early childhood. The first home of, the family was in Philadelphia, but in 1854 Mr. McCann came to Scranton and the following year opened a general mercantile store in a frame building in Pleasant Street. Afterward he erected a brick structure at the corner of Chestnut and West Linden Streets, and there carried on busi- ness until his death, in 1893. In the early days of his residence here he was a member of the coun- cil of the borough of Hyde Park. On his death

his nephew, our subject, succeeded to the busi- ness.

From early boyhood the subject of this sketch assisted his uncle in the store and thus he gained in youth a comprehensive knowledge of the busi- ness, which he has since been enabled to carry on with pecuniary success. At this writing (1897) he is building a double store, three stories and basement, on the corner of Swetland Street and North Main Avenue. In the organization of the Scranton Packing Company he took an active part and is still interested in the concern. He is also a director in the wholesale provision busi- ness of T. H. Watts & Co., Limited. Under Mayor Bailey he received the appointment as member of the board of park commissioners, his associates in this work being Colonel Ripple and Thomas J. Moore.

A Catholic in religious belief, Mr. McCann was a charter member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association in Hyde Park and served as its treasurer for three years. For more than twenty years he has been identified with the Father Matthew Society and was the first treas- urer of the first society organized in Scranton, afterward serving as treasurer of the one in Hyde Park for ten years. In this city he married Miss Ann Kearns, a native of Ireland, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Margaret A., Mary, Michael, Florence, John and Edward.

G EORGE S. ATKINS, superintendent of the Scranton Forging Company, was born in Southington, Hartford County, Conn., in 1856, and is a descendant of Eng- lish ancestors. His father, Solon R., was a son of Sylvester Atkins and, like him, was a mechanic in iron, working at his trade in South- ington. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Connecticut Infantry, and fought bravely until wounded in the skirmish line at Springfield Landing, near Port Hudson. He died on the boat while he was being conveyed to the hospital. His life was brief, covering a period of only twenty-eight years.

The mother of our subject, in maidenhood Clarissa Meginn, was born in Hamden, Conn., and now resides in Southington, having married

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a second time. Of her first union four children were born, and of these George S. was the eldest. He was reared in Southington, where he attended the public schools and academy. In early child- hood he lived on a farm, but at the age of eleven began to work in a factory, commencing at the bottom and working his way upward through each department until he had a comprehensive knowledge of the business, and was considered an expert die maker. The works, which were owned by J. B. Savage, of Southington, were among the largest in that locality, and for some time he held the responsible position of foreman.

In August of 1887, Mr. Atkins came to Scran- ton, where for a year he was foreman for the Scranton Forging Company, but has since been general superintendent of the plant, which is one of the best equipped in the United States, and which turns out iron and steel drop forgings of best quality. He is also a stockholder in the com- pany. Politically he advocates Republican prin- ciples and always votes his party ticket. He is a member of the Penn Avenue Baptist Church, by whose members he is highly respected. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Heptasophs, the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges in Green Ridge, and Green Ridge Lodge F. & A. M., Lackawanna Chapter, R. A. M., and Melita Com- mandery No. 68, K. T., in Scranton.

W ILLIAM D. DONNE, M. D. A con- siderable proportion of the population of Scranton is made up of citizens who trace their ancestry to Wales and not a few of the number are natives of that rock-ribbed land, having left there, not through a lack of deep affection for its shores, but in the hope of gain- ing in America a broader field of labor than could be found at home. In the list of this class stands the name of Dr. Donne, physician and surgeon, with office at No. 137 West Market Street. Born in March, 1863, he is a native of Glamorgan, the southernmost shire of Wales, whose borders are washed by Bristol Channel and whose soil is rich in iron ore and coal depos- its. His parents, John and Jane (Simms) Donne, were born in the same shire, the former spend-

ing his active years in mining, but living in re- tirement for a number of years before his death. The grandfather, John Donne, Sr., was also a native of Glamorgan.

The parental family consisted of six sons and one daughter, all of whom are still living except the daughter, but the Doctor is the only one of the number who resides in Scranton. His boyhood years were spent in attendance upon the schools of Swansea, his native town. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to Martin Luther Bevan, a prominent chemist and the village post- master. While studying chemistry there for four years, he employed his leisure hours in learning telegraphy. At the close of his apprenticeship he went to Pembroke in Pembrokeshire as as- sistant to John Eyer, pharmacist and postmaster, remaining there for fourteen months. Next, go- ing to Llandyssil, Cardiganshire, he was assistant pharmacist and assistant postmaster for fifteen months.

Meantime, our subject had heard much con- cerning the opportunities offered in America, and realizing that it would be difficult for him to gain a competence in his native land, he resolved to cross the ocean to this country. This he did in the fall of 1882, coming direct to Scranton, where he secured a position as assistant phar- macist to Col. T. G. Lewis. In 1884 he started in business for himself, opening a drug store at No. 125 West Market Street and continuing there until 1891. In the meantime he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- more, and after two years of study there, grad- uated in 1888 with the degree of M. D. On completing his studies he began the practice of his profession, which gradually demanded an in- creasing amount of his time, thus inducing him to, close out his drug business. For three years he was outdoor physician for the north end poor district, but with that exception he has given his time closely to private practice.

Interested actively in politics, Dr. Donne votes for the platform advocated by the Republican party, and has served as a member of county and executive committees. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Lincoln Lodge, No. 492, T. O. O. F. Since coming to this city he has married, his

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wife being Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, who was born near Aberdare, Glamorganshire, and accompa- nied her parents to Scranton in early girlhood. A daughter, Lois, blesses the union.

B IRDSALL C. GREENE, superintendent of the Bellevue mine and station agent at Bellevue, was born in Columbia, Warren County, N. J., in May, 1853, and is a descendant of French-Huguenot ancestors who were num- bered among the early settlers of New Jersey. His father, James F., was a son of Charles Greene, and was born in Hope, that state, grow- ing to manhood upon the home farm. During the Civil War he enlisted in defense of the Union and held the rank of second lieutenant in Com- pany G, Thirty-first New Jersey Infantry, serv- ing with patriotism and bravery. For thirty-two years he has been superintendent of the Conti- nental mines and makes his home in South Key- ser Avenue, Scranton. By his marriage to Caro- line Van Kirk, member of an old family of New Jersey, he became the father of five children, but only two are living.

The childhood years of our subject were passed in attendance at the public schools of Columbia. He was a lad of fourteen when, in 1865, the family removed to Scranton and in the fall of 1868 he secured a clerkship in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany at the Continental mines. In 1872 he was promoted to the position of outside foreman at Archbald, thence transferred to Hampton, and later to the Hallstead mines at Duryea; next went to Avondale, returning from there to Hall- stead, and in 1889 was made superintendent of the Bellevue mine. The breaker has two open- ings and employment is given to about five hun- dred men, the whole comprising one of the most flourishing coal industries in this section. In addition, he is station agent at Bellevue for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road.

The marriage of Mr. Greene was solemnized in 1873 in Scranton, in the house where he now resides. His wife, Mary E., was born in Hawley, Pa., a daughter of John M. Acker, who was a native of Easton, by trade a plasterer, and em-

ployed in that capacity with the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western for a short time, and for twenty-six years he was outside foreman at Belle- vue. When ill health forced him to retire, he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. Greene. His wife is still living and makes her home at No. 418 South Main Avenue, Hyde Park. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Greene, William Ridall, emigrated to America from England and built one of the first canal boats on the Lehigh Canal, residing first at Eaton and later at Wilkes- barre. He still makes his home in the latter city and is now eighty-eight years of age. In earlier years he was known as a skilled musician and not only played the violin well, but constructed a number of them. His family consisted of six sons and six daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Greene are the parents of three children: B. C., Jr., who is foreman at the Bellevue mine and his father's assistant; Stella and Laura.

In his political views allied with the Repub- lican party, Mr. Greene has served as a member of the city committee and as delegate to local conventions of the party. Fraternally he is con- nected with Hyde Park Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M. He is a well informed man, with broad and liberal views concerning the practical ques- tions that form the topics of the hour, and through his liberal spirit and progressive char- acter the community has been benefited and its interests advanced.

C OL. IRA TRIPP. The Tripp family is one of the oldest and most honored in the Lackawanna Valley. The records of its members since the first settlement in Pennsyl- vania prove that they have been a race of noble, energetic and upright men and women. The first of the name to seek a home in this state was Isaac Tripp, great-grandfather of Colonel Tripp, who moved from Providence, R. I., to the Wyom- ing Valley, settling in Wilkesbarre in 1769. A Quaker in religious belief, he carried the tenets of that society into his private life, and was al- ways kind in his intercourse with the Indians. At one time, when taken a prisoner at Capouse, he was dismissed unharmed, having been properly

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painted lest some other band of marauders would harm him. Frequently British soldiers inquired of the Indians why Tripp was not slain, and the answer always was, "Tripp is a good man." But unfortunately, in his efforts to protect the inter- ests of the Wyoming Colony at Harford, he made himself inimical to the Tories, and a double reward was offered for his scalp. As he had for- feited the protection given him by Chief Capouse, by removing his war paint, also incurred hostility by his loyal struggles for the life of the young republic, he was shot and scalped by the Indians the first time he was seen.

Isaac, son of the above named, settled in the Lackawanna Valley about 1774, and took up a tract of about one thousand acres, some of which lies in the heart of the present city of Scranton. His children were William, Amasa, Stephen, Isaac, Holden, Polly, Patty, Betsey, Catherine, Susan and Nancy, all of whom married and reared families. Isaac Tripp, our subject's father, by inheritance from his father and by pur- chase from his brothers and sisters, became own- er of six hundred acres in the central part of Scranton. By his marriage with Catherine La France, a native of Providence Township, he had nine children, namely: Benjamin, Ira, Isaac, Holden, Diana, Phoebe, Maria, Catherine and Mahala. The only one now living is Isaac, who resides at Fortyfort, two miles from Wyoming.

Born in the old township of Providence, Jan- uary 6, 1814, Ira Tripp spent his youthful years on the home farm and received a limited edu- cation in the common schools of Providence. For a few years he was proprietor of a store there, and afterward was similarly engaged in Scran- ton. Always fond of horses, in early life he was a drover and sold horses and cattle in New York City. He owned a number of standard-bred horses that were among the finest in the county. In addition he also had a large number of cattle of the Alderney breed and had a dairy on his home farm, also on his stock farm at Dalton, this coun- ty. The state fair was held on his farm, where he had a fine race-track and driving park. At all the local fairs where his stock were exhibited they took the first premiums.

In 1861 our subject enlisted as a private in the

Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry and served for nine months as hospital steward. He was ap- pointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of lieuten- ant-colonel, on the staff of Governor Pollock. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Re- publican, but never sought political honors or local offices. At one time he was a stockholder in the old Peoples Street Railway. During his lifetime the old house built by his father was re- modeled, and this beautiful place is now the home of his widow. When the farm first came into the possession of the family it was covered with the forest groves, and considerable "grub- bing" was necessary. The first coal found here was dug out by hand in a ravine on the farm, where it cropped out, and was carried to the house in a basket. Much of the land was richly underlaid with coal, which greatly enhanced its value. Colonel Tripp opened the Tripp shaft and worked it until the supply of coal was exhausted. He had a host of friends throughout this section of the state, and his death, August 3, 1891, called forth many tributes of respect to his memory.

At Wyoming, February 20, 1838, Colonel Tripp married Miss Rosanna Shoemaker, who was born there, received a good education and careful training in the domestic arts. She is a lady of business ability and gives personal atten- tion to the management of the estate. Travel has broadened her mental faculties, and her ample means have enabled her to spend some time abroad as well as in different parts of this coun- try. Her winters are usually spent in California. In childhood she attended the Presbyterian Church, but for some years has had her religious home in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. In addi- tion to her bereavement in the loss of her hus- band, all of her children have been taken from her by death; upon her two grandchildren and great-grandchildren all her hopes are centered. Her eldest son, Isaac C., who was corporal of a Pennsylvania regiment during the war and an active Grand Army man, died in Scranton. Le- ander S., who was an engineer on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road, died in this city, leaving his wife and two children. William died when an infant and Gertrude when about the age of twenty-six; she was a well known and beloved

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young lady, and had received careful training and an excellent education in Kingston Sem- inary and a convent at Rochester, N. Y., and her mind had been broadened by extensive travel. -

The grandfather of Mrs. Tripp, Isaac Shoe- maker, was of German descent. He settled in Wyoming, Luzerne County, and there cultivated a farm. His son, Jacob I., was born in Easton, accompanied the family to Wyoming County and in after years became proprietor of Shoemaker's hotel, which is still standing at the foot of the mountain, where the road forks to the old home place. There he remained until death. His wife, who was born in New York, was a member of an old family of that state. Their children were named as follows: Isaac, who owned one of the finest farms in Luzerne County; William, a far- mer who died in Wyoming; Mrs. Mary A. Tut- tle; Margaret, Mrs. Isaac Tripp, who died in Fortyfort; Mrs. Rosanna Tripp, the only survi- vor of the family; and Sallie, Mrs. Holden Tripp, who died in Wyoming.

C HARLES HENWOOD, senior member of the firm of C. Henwood & Co., of Scranton, and the oldest pharmacist of the north end, was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, May 28, 1846, and is a son of Charles P. and Sarah (Hosking) Henwood, natives re- spectively of Liskeard and Penzance. The fam- ily was one of the very oldest of that English shire, and the grandfather of Charles, who bore the name of William, was a farmer there. For some years Charles P. was employed in the in- ternal revenue department of the civil service, and was stationed at different places in England and Scotland, but finally retired to Wellington, Somerset County, where he died eight years later. The mother of our subject traced her an- cestry back to Thomas Harris and Amy Harvey, the descendants of whom are interested in the famous Harris-Hartley estate, now in litigation in the courts of England. She died when Charles was about seven years of age, leaving, besides him, a daughter, Elizabeth, Mrs. Scott Ham- mett, of Wellington.

The boyhood years of our subject were passed

in different places until he was thirteen, when he removed with his father to Wellington. His edu- cation was obtained in Ottery, St. Mary, Devonshire, and in William Corner's Academy, after which, in March, 1861, he was apprenticed to Thomas E. Hooker, pharmacist, who became a noted electrician and afterwards removed to London. Five years were spent in that place, after which he went to Bath and secured a posi- tion as assistant pharmacist. In November, 1867, he came to America and at once proceeded to Scranton, where he became pharmacist for Mat- thews Brothers. January 1, 1870, he purchased the store of Richard Matthews, on the corner of North Main Avenue and Market Street, and re- mained there until 1877, when he removed to his present location at No. 1909 North Main Avenue.

In January, 1886, Mr. Henwood took into partnership his cousin, Sydney R. Henwood, with whom he has since been connected. Sydney R. was born in Honesdale, Pa., in 1859, the third son of Richard, who was a son of William, our subject's grandfather. Richard Henwood was a native of England, whence he emigrated to America in 1834, settling in Honesdale, Pa., and engaging at different times in the meat business and farming. In 1874 he came to Scranton, where he now resides, being eighty-one years of age. Sydney R. attended the common schools in youth, and about 1876 began to study phar- macy under his cousin, Charles, whose partner he became in 1886. He married Miss Anna, daughter of Christopher Lane, of Honesdale.

The firm of C. Henwood & Co. has always ranked as one of the most progressive in the city and has made a specialty of the prescription business and the manufacture of their own phar- maceutical preparations from the purest materials. They also carry a full line of stationery, blank books, wall paper, paints, oils, window glass, etc. In addition to the drug business Mr. Henwood has been intimately connected with various con- ceras for the promotion of the interests of the city and county, and deservedly ranks among the public-spirited citizens. In the Scranton Wood Turning Company he is secretary and treasurer, also one of the directors,

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At No. 2016 North Main Avenue Mr. Hen- wood has established his home. He was married in this city to Miss Ada Hartley, who was born in Glenwood, Susquehanna County, daughter of James Hartley, and a descendant of Scotch- Irish ancestry. They are the parents of three living children, Elizabeth May, Julia Alice and Charles Hartley. Mr. Henwood is a deacon in and active supporter of the Penn Avenue Baptist Church. He is also interested in the North Main Baptist Church, in which he is a trustee. For some years he served as Sunday-school superin- tendent, and is now assistant. He is a member of the board of trade and in politics has taken a firm position in advocating Republican princi- ples, being now a member of the Republican city central committee and aiding his party by influence and ballot.

B ICKNELL BENNETT ATHERTON, superintendent of the Manville mines of Delaware & Hudson and Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Companies, is a native of the city of Scranton, where he now resides. He was born on the west side, May 30, 1842, and is of remote English ancestry, a member of a fam- ily that was represented among the early settlers of Massachusettts. His father, J. A., was born in Springfield, that state, and was the son of a farmer there. A shoemaker by trade, soon after lis marriage, he settled in Troy (now Wyoming), and later removed to Hyde Park, in both places following his chosen occupation, and it is said that he made the first hob nails for the first min- ers here. From Harmon Dailey he purchased, for $10 per acre, the farni on which the Arch- bald mine is now located, and afterward sold the place to the Scrantons and Throop for $100 an acre. He then traveled over the west seeking a suitable location, but finding no place satisfac- tory, he returned to Pennsylvania and purchased a farm two miles from Montrose, in Susquehanna County, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his retirement from active business. His home is now at No. 329 West Market Street, Scranton, and he is hale and hearty, notwith- standing his eighty-seven years of life.

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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 69

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