Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 83

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 83
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 83

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The people now residing in Scranton can form no adequate conception of the condition and ap- pearance of Providence over fifty years ago, nor of the prospects in what is now a large and flour- ishing city. Slocums Hollow, as it was then known, had recently been purchased by G. W. and Selden Scranton and Sanford Grant, with whom the Doctor soon became acquainted, and

by whom, in 1847, he was induced to come to this place. With the consent of the owners of the land, he took possession of property in the woods, and to him belongs the honor of erecting the first house in Scranton proper, outside of the buildings owned by the Iron Company. Soon he became known as a skillful, capable physi- cian, and commanded a large practice, covering an extensive territory. Early investors had hoped to make fortunes out of the iron ore here, but the enterprise failed, destroying their ex- pectations. From the first, however, Dr. Throop had been convinced that the mining of coal would become the great industry of this locality, and acting on this belief, in 1855 he began to invest in coal lands. His property rapidly increased in value on account of the completion of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad direct to New York, and the extension of the Delaware & Hudson and the Pennsylvania Coal Company into that section.

Through his personal efforts Dr. Throop ob- tained from the legislature a charter for a gas and water company and for the Lackawanna Hos- pital. His real estate operations were extensive and included a large lumbering business near Scranton, and additions to the city in Hyde Park, Providence and Dunmore. In addition, he laid out the town of Blakely and the village of Priceburg, and founded the town of Throop. In all his additions he followed the same method; farms were bought and divided into lots, prices were made reasonable and purchasers were found among substantial workingmen who took their families to the place. Under his supervision the Newton turnpike was completed. He introduced the first general supply of milk here, the first livery stable, first drug store, first railway pack- age express and assisted in securing a postoffice here. During the administration of President Pierce he served as postmaster, 1853-57. Doubt- less no resident of Lackawanna County was more active in securing its separation from Lu- zerne than was Dr. Throop, and his labors in that direction extended over a long period of years. He spent a portion of several winters at Harrisburg, and while at times the case looked hopeless, he never abandoned it, and at last, in

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1877, was rewarded for his efforts by the erection of the new county.

A sketch of Dr. Throop would do injustice to him as a patriot were no mention made of his labors during the Civil War. When President Lincoln called for volunteers at the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was the first surgeon in old Lu- zerne to respond to the call and, without solici- tation on his part, was commissioned surgeon of the Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry by his friend, Governor Curtin. So thorough was he in the enforcement of laws that the regiment did not lose a man by disease while absent from home. He was the first surgeon to establish field hos- pitals, opening one at Chambersburg before he had been a week in the service. The location was especially desirable, as ten thousand men from Pennsylvania and other states were en- camped there. As may be supposed, so many men, removed from the comforts of domestic life and sent into the field at an early season in the year, naturally furnished a great number of sick, and Dr. Throop, being the senior surgeon, was expected to provide quarters for them. He took possession of an abandoned hotel and of the city hall, placing in them cots, which he furnished himself, while bed clothing was sent from Scran- ton. The Doctor had left home April 18, ex- pecting to spend a day and a night at Harris- burg, but it was four months before he was able to return home, and during all that time he was engaged in active duty on the field. After his return home he was once more sent back to the front to care for the wounded of the One Hun- dred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, which suffered greatly at the battle of Antietam, and this time he served for six weeks, establish- ing a field hospital in a forest, to which the wounded were taken. On the conclusion of his work there, he accompanied the army to Har- per's Ferry, where he remained until an attack of fever compelled him to return home.

After the war Dr. Throop retired from active practice, and gave his attention to his large and important business interests. In 1842 he mar- ried Miss Harriet F. Mckinney, a sister of the wife of Sanford Grant. To Dr. Throop and wife were born five children, only one now living,

Mrs. H. B. Phelps, who makes her home with " her father and mother in Scranton. His connec- tion with religious enterprises has continued throughout his entire life, and it was largely by his labors and assistance that the beautiful church edifice was erected in which St. Luke's Episcopal congregation worship. He aided in the establishment of the first lodge of Odd Fel- lows in Scranton and gave financial assistance in the erection of their hall, which for years was also used for entertainments and lectures. The important moneyed interests which he held led to his selection as president of the Scranton City Bank, which position he occupied for some time.

Though long retired from practice, Dr. Throop has never lost his interest in the medical profes- sion. The young man just entering upon prac- tice finds in him a helpful friend, whose counsel may be freely sought. His interest in the cause may be shown by his recent presentation of a medical library of about two hundred volumes to the Lackawanna Medical Society. In 1872 Governor Hartranft appointed him a trustee of the Danville Insane Hospital, and succeeding governors have continued him in the position. The Lackawanna Hospital was at first main- tained at his own expense, but he finally suc- ceeded in having it endowed by the state. For years he held the position of chief surgeon of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western and the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company's Rail- roads. In 1882, with a number of prominent citizens of Scranton, he united to form the Scran- ton Illuminating, Heating & Power Company, of which he served as president for a time.

Politically Dr. Throop is identified with the Republican party. In reference to his views con- cerning the practice of medicine, he is orthodox, liberal and yet independent. He is a great reader, a deep thinker, broad in views, religious, philosophical and social. As a man of influence he has attained an enviable position, while his course throughout his long life has been such as to win for him the esteem of acquaintances. In addition to his published work, he has written for medical journals and newspapers, and wields a ready and pointed pen. Few of the men who were his friends and co-laborers fifty years ago

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survive to the present. The majority have been called from earth, some of them long since. To him has been given the privilege, not only of assisting in the early settlement of Scranton, but also of witnessing its present prosperity and of enjoying, as one of its hundred and twenty-five thousand inhabitants, the comforts secured by his zealous efforts in days gone by. Now, with heart mellowed and softened by age, he is sur- rounded by the ministering affection of relatives and friends, looked up to with admiration by the younger generation, and regarded with esteem by those who labored side by side with him for the advancement of this community. In the best sense of the word, his may be called a successful life, and his success may be attributed to energy and perseverance, and other qualities that have given him the

"Strength to dare, the nerve to meet Whatever threatens with defeat An all-indomitable will."

H ARRY K. WILKINS, D.D. S., is a lead- ing young dentist of Nicholson, and for ability, professional knowledge and skill stands very high in his profession. He was born in the village where he still makes his home, May 31, 1872, and is the second in order of birth of the five children born to H. B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Wilkins.

In the common schools of Nicholson the Doc- tor obtained a good literary education, and at the age of twenty began to prepare for his chosen profession, having always been attracted by sur- gical operations of any sort and particularly in- terested in dentistry. He is a graduate of the noted Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, completing the course on the 6th of March, 1895. Besides his diploma from that college he also has a special certificate of merit and excellence as a graduate of the Wilber T. Litch Society of Sto- matology, and a certificate from the State Cen- sory, New York, as being registered and quali- fied for practice in that state.

Upon his graduation, Dr. Wilkins at once opened an office in Nicholson, which he has

equipped with all the most modern apparatus used in dentistry, and he has always taken ad- vantage of the latest approved methods used in the science. He is talented and skillful to a . marked degree, and as a young man of correct habits and of an upright moral character, an hon- orable career lies before him in his chosen calling.

H ARRY M. HARDING, an influential and honored citizen of North Moreland Township, Wyoming County, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Luzerne County, March 8, 1828, and in this section he has passed his entire life, watching with interest its development from pioneer days. The present generation can have little conception of what was required by the early settlers in transforming the wilderness into the well settled and highly cultivated county. His parents, Harry and Sal- lie (Montanye) Harding, were natives of Lu- zerne County, where were born to them fourteen children, of whom eight are still living: Harry M., Isaac, John, Amy, Lucy, Fanny, Mahala and Adelia. The great-grandfather, Stephen, father of John Harding, was a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation. In 1774 he mi- grated to this state, taking up his residence in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. He had com- mand of Fort Wintermort during the Wyoming massacre, and was a brave and patriotic citizen. The founders of the family in America were from England and came with Governor Gorges to the new world in 1623.

Upon a farm in Exeter Township, Wyoming County, Mr. Harding, of this review, grew to manhood, and in the schools of the neighbor- hood secured a fair education. Until twenty-five years of age he continued to follow agricultural pursuits, but in 1859 embarked in railroading as . conductor on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and at the end of four years he was conductor on the Northern Central Rail- road, continuing to serve in that capacity about five years, but since his marriage has turned his attention to farming with gratifying results.

On the 18th of March, 1871, Mr. Harding

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married Miss Hester J. Vanscoy, who was born and reared on the farm where she still resides, and during her childhood she attended the schools of the locality. Her early ancestors in America were natives of Holland, and first lo- cated in the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Hard- ing have one son, Everett J., who is now the prin- cipal of the high school of Meshoppen, Pa.

His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon Mr. Harding to serve in a number of important positions, the duties of which he discharged in a most creditable man- ner. In the fall of 1891 he was elected associate judge of Wyoming County, which office he filled for five years, and for the same length of time previously he served as justice of the peace. He has held almost all of the township offices. For thirty-six years he has been a Master Mason, and was an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now identified with the Grange. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, of whose principles he has ever been an ardent advocate. As a citizen he meets every requirement and manifests a com- inendable interest in everything that is calcu- lated to promote the welfare of the community. In manner, he is pleasant, genial and approach- able, and all who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth. His estimable wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

B ENJAMIN OVERFIELD is a represen- tative of one of the pioneer families of Wyoming County. His grandfather, whose namesake he is, removed from his native city, Easton, Pa., to Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County, about 1794, at a period so early in its history that settlers were few and roads conspicuous by their absence. He set him- self energetically to the task of clearing and im- proving a farm, and gave his attention closely to this work until his death, which occurred in 1813, at the age of sixty-two. His life closed when our country was in the midst of its second conflict with Great Britain, when the future seemed un- certain and the destiny of our nation an unsolved problem; he was one of the pioneers who laid

the foundation, solid and strong, upon which the superstructure of the years has been built.

Our subject's father, Paul Overfield, was born in Monroe County, Pa., May 22, 1792, and was a child of two years when his parents settled in Wyoming County. Here the remainder of his life was passed, his active years being devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he met with fair success. In politics he was a Democrat and al- ways voted that ticket. He took an interest in local affairs and served in many of the township offices. His death occurred February 15, 1871. His wife, who was Lydia Lacey, was born in Laceyville, Braintrim Township, Wyoming County, and died in Meshoppen Township Au- gust 14, 1872. - Of her eleven children, five are now living.

Upon the farm where he now resides the sub- ject of this sketch was born March 28, 1822. He grew to manhood in Meshoppen Township, and at the age of twenty-five purchased a portion of the old homestead, where he has since given his attention to farming. March 2, 1847, he mar- ried Lois A. Camp, who was born August 28, 1828, the daughter of Israel and Mattie (Wells) Camp, natives of Connecticut and Bradford County, Pa., respectively. Her father was a pioneer of Bradford County, where he died at the age of about sixty-seven. Of his fifteeen children, five are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Overfield became the parents of eight children, namely: Harriet, wife of Albert Bunnell, a well- known farmer of Meshoppen Township; Gene- vieve, who was the wife of Hon. J. H. Fellows, of Scranton, but now deceased; Emma C., Mrs. Warren Dunlap; Idalett, wife of W. S. Lacey, of California; Benjamin Judson, a blacksmith of Camptown, Pa., and who married Lucetta Bill- ings; Norman E., who follows the blacksmith's trade in Meshoppen, and married Effie Bullard; Nancy, wife of W. J. Bailey, of Tioga County, Pa., and Ferris A., a carpenter, who married Eda Depew and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. In po- litical views Mr. Overfield advocates Republican principles and has taken an active interest in lo- cal matters. The various township offices, in- cluding those of poormaster and supervisor, he has filled creditably and successfully. For many

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years he has operated a large cidermill and also ran a threshing machine, which was used by the farmers of this neighborhood. Fraternally, he was a charter member of Meshoppen Lodge No. 520, I. O. O. F., of which he is the oldest sur- viving member, and which he represented in the grand lodge one year. While he is not identi- fied with any denomination, he contributes to the support of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. He is a man who probably has not an enemy in the world, one who has won and retains the esteem of his associates, and whose position is among the representative farmers of Meshoppen Township.

P ETER ACE, who for over twenty years has been successfully engaged in busi- ness in Tunkhannock, is respected by all who have the pleasure of knowing him. He has occupied several positions of trust and honor in this vicinity, and has never failed in discharging even the minutest duties pertaining thereto. As a citizen and patriot, as a business man and friend, he is upright and honorable, endeavoring always and under all circumstances to do his duty.

A native of Luzerne County, Peter Ace was born January 4, 1850, and was reared on his father's farm. His parents were wise in the train- ing of their children, who were early initiated into proper ideas of industry and perseverance. He obtained a good general education in the district schools of his boyhood days, and has added to his fund of information by reading and the power of observation. On arriving at man's estate, he started forth to "paddle his own canoe," and has since been dependent upon his own un- aided efforts. For one year he was a resident of Nicholson, Pa., and for about three years was in Auburn, Susquehanna County. Since 1875 he has been permanently settled in this place, and was a blacksmith until some nine years ago, when he opened a livery establishment. He keeps a good line of vehicles and a number of first-class horses. The public find in him a man who is desirous of pleasing them, and have learned that he is to be thoroughly depended upon in every

respect, therefore they give him the main share of their patronage.

In 1895 Mr. Ace built a comfortable home, which is presided over by his amiable wife, whom he married in the spring of 1872, and who has, indeed, been a helpmate to him along life's path- way. She was formerly Miss Azuba L. Wall, a native of Wyoming County, and a daughter of Israel and Susan Wall. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first presidential ballot cast by Mr. Ace was for R. B. Hayes in 1876, and ever since he has been a Re- publican. In 1889 he was elected tax collector and filled the duties of that position acceptably two terms. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The father of Peter Ace, whose Christian name was Abraham, was born in Delaware in 1822, and in his early manhood went to Luzerne County, Pa. There he was united in marriage with Julia, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Dersheimer, the ceremony being performed in March, 1847. Mrs. Ace was born in Monroe County, Pa., Septem- ber 25, 1828. To herself and husband eight chil- dren were born, viz .: Peter, Barbara A., Frank- lin P., Phoebe A., Jacob, Edward, James H., and Byron. They are all living and are heads of families. With the exception of one living in Scranton, they are all residents of this county. James H. carries on the old homestead which was formerly owned by his father. About 1859 Abra- ham Ace settled near Tunkhannock, and con- tinued to dwell here until his death, which oc- curred October 1I, 1866. The paternal grand- parents of our subject were Peter and Catherine Ace, the former of whom reached the good old age of eighty-six years.

I RVING W. BILLINGS. There are no rules for building character; there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise from the ranks to a position of eminence is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings

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of individuals differ but slightly; and when one man passes another on the highway to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encom- pass the whole human race. To-day among the prominent business men of Wyoming County stands I. W. Billings, of Nicholson. He is one of the best known citizens of the place and is identified with its business interests as a regis- tered pharmacist, notary public, conveyancer and pension attorney.

Mr. Billings was born July 27, 1835, in Nichol- son Township, then a part of Luzerne County. His father, Lewis Billings, was born three miles from Tunkhannock and was a farmer and lum- berman. He spent twelve years in Carbon Coun- ty, but died in New Jersey in 1885, at the age of eighty-one years. He married Rachel Stephens, who was born a mile and a half from Nicholson and who lived to the age of eighty years. They had nine children: Irving W., Jasper, who went to the west thirty-one years ago and is living in Utah; Henry F., of Lead City, S. Dak .; Philan- der, who died in the army; Romine S .; Paulina; Miner L., of Nicholson; Ellen A., of Lemon Township, and Joseph H., of Lathrop, Susque- hanna County.

The subject of this review was reared on a timber farm and the work of the lumber woods and of developing the land early became familiar to him. He improved his educational advan- tages, which were those of the common schools, and for five years engaged in teaching. He was employed in that way at Potosi, Washington County, Mo., at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. It was a rebel district, most of the people being secessionists, but Mr. Billings was a loyal supporter of the Union cause. He was told, however, that he might continue his school unmolested, but he soon found that he was con- scripted for the rebel army. He apparently ac- quiesced to the conditions placed upon him, but in reality had no intention of bearing arms against his country, and under cover of night he mounted a horse and rode from that rebellion infected territory. After some unpleasant and trying experiences he reached the Union lines in

safety and later spent a week in Wisconsin, re- turning thence to his Pennsylvania home.

In the fall of 1861 his father had enlisted in the three-years' service as a member of Company A, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, and served with McClellan in his Peninsula campaign. Irv- ing W., Jasper and Romine S. participated in the battle of Gettysburg, the two latter as members of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. Jasper was seriously wounded, and on account of this disability was honorably discharged. Four brothers of our subject, also himself and father, joined the boys in blue as defenders of the old flag, and Philan- der died at Belle Plaine, Va., March 14, 1863. Romine S., of the same company and regiment, was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania, Va., in May, 1864, and spent seven months in Andersonville prison, being discharged at the close of the war in the spring of 1865. He was drowned at Rapid City, S. Dak., in 1880, by the bursting of a cloud. Henry F., a member of Company B, Thirtieth Pennsylvania Militia, was mustered into the United States army for ninety days' service, and was one of the emergency men during the battle of Gettysburg. The patriot- ism which makes the Billings family history remarkable also formed a part of the character of Irving W., who enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, September 17, 1862. This was attached to Sheridan's com- mand of the army of the Potomac, Gregg's Brigade and Division. Through three years' ser- vice Mr. Billings participated in many hotly con- tested engagements, and at Gettysburg was in command of his company, which tested his cour- age and proved his valor. For meritorious con- duct he was promoted from the ranks to the po- sition of first lieutenant, and at close of the war was breveted captain. His health was much im- paired by hard service and exposure, and being wounded he was sent to the hospital. A month passed and he desired to rejoin his company, but the surgeon would not permit this, and so he ran away, reaching his command at Warrenton, Va. When the war was over he received an honorable discharge and returned home with a military rec- ord of which he may be justly proud.

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From the fall of 1865 until the spring of 1874 Mr. Billings carried on a drug store at Nichol- son, Pa., and then traded his property for a farm in Luzerne County, operating the same until 1882, when he sold out and returned to Nichol- son. Here he established a small tobacco and cigar store, and as his financial resources in- creased added a stock of drugs. He has now a well equipped drug and notion store and receives from the public a liberal patronage. For twelve years he has been notary public and as pension attorney has been very active in prosecuting pen- sion claims before the department.

In January, 1865, Mr. Billings married Hen- rietta S. Stark, of Tunkhannock Township, the wedding being celebrated while he was home on a furlough from the war. They now have two children: Carrie V., a successful teacher, and Walton E., who is assistant in a drug store at Montrose, Pa. Mr. Billings cast his first presi- dential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since been unfaltering in his support of the Republican party and its principles. He is a charter mem- ber of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of Nicholson, and is the present commander of Billings Post, G. A. R., which was named in memory of his brother Philander. His life has been an honorable and upright one and he is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as he was on southern battlefields, when he fol- lowed the starry banner that now waves tri- umphantly over the united nation.

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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 83

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