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 93
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 93
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On the old homestead where they lived Will- iam McMillan was born January 1, 1816, and he devoted the greater part of his life to farming, dying in his native county at the age of fifty-two years. When the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad was building, he removed to Alford, then called Montrose Depot, where he was engaged in the lumber business, also built the first store and was the first merchant there. Subsequently he settled on a farm near Mont- rose in Bridgewater Township, where he success- fully carried on agricultural pursuits. He mar- ried Mary A. Lee, who was born in Sterling Township, Wayne County, in April, 1826, a daughter of Simon and Mary (Clements) Lee. Her father removed from Philadelphia to Wayne County and became one of its pioneer farmers. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Mc- Millan married Dr. E. N. Loomis, of Harford, Pa., who died shortly afterward. She and her only daughter, Hattie, reside in Brooklyn, Pa.
The subject of this sketch was the only son of the family. His father died when he was ten years of age and he went to live with a maternal uncle, who followed farming and lumbering in Wayne County. During the decade he passed there, he became familiar with both pursuits and his labors largely interfered with his education, which was pursued in the district schools in the winter season. At the age of twenty years he attended a select school for a short time, but experience has been his chief teacher in life and valuable are the lessons he has learned. When twenty he went to Brooklyn and spent the suc- ceeding five years with his mother, during which time he was engaged in clerking and teaching a district school, his last term of teaching being in Forest City. Previous to this he had spent one season in a newspaper office in Stroudsburg, acting as bookkeeper and office representative. For two months he was employed in the lumber office of J. E. Patterson & Co., of Pittston, and in the spring of 1882 came to Nicholson, where he engaged in the insurance business. His long experience in that line has made him especially proficient and his thorough understanding of the business and his reliable methods have enabled him to secure a liberal patronage.
In June, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McMillan and Miss Carrie E. Dauchy, only daughter of George D. and Emeline (Kel- sey) Dauchy, of Burlington Flats, Otsego Coun- ty, N. Y., the former of French descent, the lat- ter a member of a Quaker family. A stanch Democrat, Mr. McMillan has been a recognized- leader in local political circles for a number of years. He has held a number of borough of- fices, was elected justice of the peace in 1895 and in the discharge of his duties has been prompt and faithful. He belongs to Nicholson Lodge No. 857, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand and has been representative to the grand lodge. He is a charter member and was the first vice- president of Camp No. 199 of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and is a charter member of Oswego Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. In the Presbyterian Church he is a mem- ber of the session and of the board of trustees and a teacher in the Sabbath school.
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C LARENCE M. DICKINSON is an en- terprising, progressive young farmer of Falls Township, Wyoming County. He aims to keep thoroughly posted in all advanced methods of agriculture, and at the same time is sufficiently conservative to adhere to old, tried ways, which have been proved of value. He 'takes the best newspapers published on the sub- ject, and is fully abreast of the times in every respect. His valuable homestead has been the property of his family for many years, and bears an air of thrift and general neatness which speaks well for the proprietor.
Our subject's ancestors have always been noted for characteristics of stability and honest indus- try. His great-grandfather, Jesse, was a fifer in the war of the Revolution. Later he moved from Connecticut to Wyoming, Luzerne County, Pa., where he became one of the pioneers, and there he dwelt as long as he lived. He had but two children, one of whom, Jesse, born March 29, 1793, died in 1852, in North Moreland, Wyoming County, where he had settled and cleared a farm.
Charles B., born in North Moreland in 1832, was a son of Jesse, and father of Clarence Dick- inson. When he had arrived at maturity he start- ed out to win his own livelihood. After he was married he worked his father's farm on shares. For a few years prior to this, however, he had been employed by neighboring farmers at $3 per month. Turning his attention to the butcher's business, he kept meat markets in Wilkesbarre, Pittston, and in Falls Township for several years, with good financial success. Then he ran a canal boat three summers. After he came into the possession of the old Covey farm, he made his home thereon until 1873, managing it, and also doing business in the meat market. From 1873 on, he ran the farm where our subject is now living and subsequently purchased the old John Weiss place, then the Ross homestead, and the Johnson homestead. When he died he owned about three hundred acres, the result of long and arduous toil. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he was a very earnest worker, and in him the poor and suffering always found a warm friend. He died February 9, 1895, and his faithful wife did not long survive him, as she
died May 2 following. They were placed to rest in Greenwood cemetery.
March 22, 1854, a marriage ceremony united the destinies of Charles Dickinson and Delight Covey. Sne was born in Falls, September 26, 1834, a daughter of Ebenezer Covey, one of the first settlers of this township, as he came here about 1818, and located on a farm which has descended to his grandson Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson had four children: Frances, who died in infancy; Charles, who died September 23, 1879; Frank, born February 5, 1860, and Clar- ence.
The birth of Clarence Dickinson occurred April 5, 1868, on the same farm which he now cultivates. He received good educational ad- vantages, and is a man of wide information on general topics of the day. From his earliest recollections he has been interested in farming, and he is making a success of the occupation. After his marriage he rented the land of his father a few years, and now owns the old home- stead and another tract, altogether some one hundred and fifty-three acres. The farm build- ings, fences, etc., are kept in good condition, and no better land for general purposes lies within the township. Mr. Dickinson is affiliated with the Republican party.
January 22, 1890, occurred the marriage of our subject, and his charming wife, whose maiden name was May Langton. Two bright little sons, Charles B., born May 8, 1892, and Don E., born September 26, 1895, are the pride of their fond parents.
T HOMAS G. BARRETT, M. D., who has his office and residence at No. 1920 Brick Avenue, Scranton, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a son of Prof. Michael and Catherine (Burke) Barrett. His father, who de- voted lis life to educational work and was recog- nized as a successful teacher, came to America in middle life and spent his last days in St. Louis, dying there at an advanced age. The wife and mother passed away in Jacksonville, Ill. They were the parents of eleven children, all sons, of whom only three survive. The eldest, John, is a schoolteacher, and resides in Pittston; Edward
OWEN D. JOHN.
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lives in St. Louis; the youngest, Dominick, who was a schoolteacher, died in Illinois.
Educated in Ireland and a student in a classical school in County Mayo, the subject of this sketch afterward became a member of the engi- neers' corps in the British army, and went to Bengal, India, on a government survey. Two years were spent there in the service and he then returned to England, where he entered the Hyde Military College, in order to perfect himself in the theory and practice of military tactics and philosophy. Two years were spent there, and during the latter portion of this time he was an instructor in musketry. On the expiration of the two years, he was honorably discharged from the army. He then entered Trinity College, Dublin, and took a four years' course in medi- cine, but left just prior to the time for gradua- tion.
In 1864 Dr. Barrett came to America and at once opened an office in St. Louis, but the follow- ing year returned east and selected Pittston, Pa., as his future home. There he began professional practice and during the years that followed be- came known as a well informed, skillful physi- cian. In 1892 he removed to Scranton, where he has since been an exponent of the science of al- lopathy. While in Luzerne County, he served as street commissioner, burgess and justice of the peace in Hamptown. In religious belief he is a Catholic and holds membership in the Church of the Holy Rosary.
O WEN D. JOHN. Since 1856 Mr. John has been a resident of America and dur- ing that entire period his home has been in Pennsylvania. He is well known among the citizens of Scranton and is especially prominent in the fourth ward, from which he was elected alderman in 1894. His office is at No. 105 North Main Avenue. Like many of the foremost citi- . zens of Lackawanna County, he is of Welsh birth and lineage. He was born near St. Clair, which lies in the mountainous shire of Carmarthen, September 6, 1834, and is a son of Daniel and Frances (Davis) John, natives of Pembrokeshire. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died
at the age of eighty-six, and his mother when fifty-six. Of their ten children Owen D. was the youngest and the only one of the number who came to America.
At the age of thirteen, anxious to secure work, the subject of this sketch went from his home in the south of Wales to the rich and fertile shire of Glamorgan, in the southernmost part, and at Aberdare he worked for some time in the mines. In 1856 he took passage on a sailing vessel at Aberdare and proceeded to Swansea and Liver- pool, where he boarded the sailer, "John Bright," bound for America. After a pleasant voyage of thirty-five days he landed in New York, and from there went to St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa., securing work in the mines. Within a year he was engaged in mining coal on contract and carried on a jobbing business until October, 1859, when he came to Scranton, taking a position in the Hampton mines. Since then he has been engaged principally in mining, having been em- ployed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company in Diamond shaft for twenty-four years. In 1884 he retired from mining and has since de- voted his attention to other interests.
Several thousand dollars of bounty tax hav- ing accrued against the old borough of Hyde Park, Mr. John was in 1884 appointed by the council of that borough to act as collector, which he did in the fourth and fourteenth wards. It was a difficult tax to collect, but through the col- lections of 1884, 1885 and 1887 it was liquidated. Meantime Mr. John also served as assessor and collector of the county tax, continuing in the latter capacity until 1890. In 1868 he was elected from the fourth ward as a member of the common council, and served two years and six months. At intervals he has also aided in compiling the city directories. In 1890 he was census enumera- tor for a portion of the fourth ward. In 1894 he was nominated on the Republican ticket as alder- man from the fourth ward, the then incumbent (Democratic) of the office being his opponent. and was elected by a majority of two to one. He took the oath of office in May of that year and has since served with efficiency, representing the various interests of the people in a manner satis- factory to them and creditable to himself.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The residence of Mr. John is situated at No. 322 Deckers Court, Scranton. In this city he married Miss Mary A. Pembridge, who was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, came thence with her parents to America at the age of eight years and settled near Scranton. They are the parents of four children now living, namely: Ellsworth E. and Horace G., who are machinists by trade; Al- fred C., who is employed as pressman on the "Tribune," and Gertrude, who is at home.
Since becoming a citizen of this country Mr. John has always been active in the Republican party. He is a loyal patriot, and during the late war would have enlisted, had not his wife's ill health rendered it impossible for him to leave home. Fraternally he is past grand of Silurian Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was delegate to the grand lodge in 1884. In 1862 he aided in organizing the True American Ivorites, calling the lodge No. I, but on learning of the existence of another, changed the number to two. In this he has held official position. Personally he is a man of genial and affable disposition, one whom it is a pleasure to meet and who holds a high place in the regard of his fellow-citizens.
M AJ. M. L. BLAIR. Lackawanna was not behind the other counties of this state in contributions of men and money to assist in carrying on the Civil War. Among the soldiers who won commendation on the field for their bravery were many who had enlisted here, men of unflinching courage and true patriotism, with the valor to dare even the most hazardous under- takings in order to secure success for the Union. Such a one was the subject of this record, one of the respected and influential citizens of Scranton.
The Blair family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was early represented among the people of New England. The Major's grandfather, Enoch Blair, was born in Massachusetts and for many years resided in Blandford, Hampden County, where was born his son, Alvan. The latter at an early age accompanied his parents to Madison Coun- ty, N. Y., the journey being made on foot and with ox carts. He grew to manhood in New York and served in the War of 1812, taking part
in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Such was his industry that, although he began without means, he became well-to-do, owning several different farms. Politically he was a Republican and in ante-bellum times was known as a pronounced Abolitionist. His religious connection was with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He attained advanced years, dying in 1883 at the age of eighty-five. He was the father of twelve chil- dren, to whom he gave the best advantages pos- sible at the time. About the same time that he died occurred the death of his wife, ·Vernera Brooks, a native of Pownal, Vt., and eighty-one years old at decease.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Rog- er Brooks, a carpenter by trade, removed from Vermont to Utica with ox teams, stopping in that city, and erecting the first frame building there on the site of Bagg's Hotel. Later he went to Madison County, where he bought and cleared a large farm, then removed to Oneida County and made it his home until his death, when sev- enty-seven. He and his family possessed re- markable mechanic skill and could make any- thing in wood, though they had only the crude and simple tools of those days. He was of Eng- lish descent and in religious belief was a Uni- versalist.
The twelve children that comprised the fam- ily of Alvan and Vernera Blair attained years of maturity and ten are still living, M. Lewis being one of the youngest of the number and the only one residing in this county. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., January 18, 1836. Aft- er attending the district schools for some time and spending two terms at Cazenovia Seminary, at the age of seventeen he began to teach school in Madison County, where he followed the pro- fession for two winters. In 1858 he came to Pennsylvania and engaged in teaching at Hick's Ferry, in the vicinity of Wilkesbarre. In the spring of 1859 he came to Hyde Park and for three years taught school at Tripp's Crossing in . Providence Township, after which he embarked in the grocery, provision and bakery business in South Main Street, being in partnership with W. H. Freeman.
In 1862 our subject was commissioned second
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lieutenant by the governor at Harrisburg and at once began recruiting a company for service in the war. This became Company E, One Hun- dred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry and was mustered in at Camp Luzerne in August, 1862, he being elected captain by the boys in the old Joseph Fellows hall that still stands. Going to the front the company remained in camp for six weeks, and was then ordered into service, taking part in many important engagements, among them the following: The second battle of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad and Hatchie's Run.
The first day at Gettysburg was perhaps the most disastrous to the company of any of their engagements. Sixty-nine men entered the field, but at the end of the day there were only eleven left, the others having been killed, wounded or taken prisoners. The remaining men were con- solidated with another company, Captain Blair having command of both. However, he had been seriously wounded on that memorable first day by the concussion of one of the Federal guns and was obliged to return home on a furlough. At first it was feared that he could not recover, but a strong constitution enabled him to regain a portion of his former strength, and after about three months at home, he returned to resume his command. At the close of the war he was mus- tered out at New York Harbor, June 13, 1865.
For some time after his return to Hyde Park, Major Blair was unable to engage in business of any kind, but as soon as he had sufficiently re- gained his health, he formed a partnership with Mr. Wells and commenced in the insurance and real estate business here. In 1876 he was elected alderman from the fifth ward on the Republican ticket, serving a term of five years. In 1881 and 1886 he was re-elected to the office. Through a change in the law his term did not expire until June 5, 1892, at which time he was again chosen for the position, to serve until April, 1897. His tenure of office has been longer than that of any other alderman in the city. His office is lo- cated at No. 1021 Scranton Street, while his resi- dence is at No. 146 South Main Avenue. While
he is an ardent Republican, stanch in his advo- cacy of party principles, in his official position, he strives to promote the best interests of the peo- ple, regardless of party, and is regarded as a just, impartial and accommodating man.
At Summit Hill, Carbon County, Major Blair married Miss Hattie Phillips, who was born in Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pa., but was reared in this county. Her father, Hon. Thomas Phillips, now deceased, was a well known min- ing engineer and for some time was connected with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company. Major Blair and his wife lost one daughter, Annie V., at the age of fifteen, and are the parents of four living children: L. Augusta, Thomas A., Edith Wynn and M. L., Jr. Fra- ternally the Major is connected with Hyde Park Lodge No. 339, F. & A. M., and is a member of Lieut. Ezra S. Griffin Post No. 139, G. A. R. After the war he was appointed a member of the staff of Gen. E. S. Osborne, commander of the Ninth Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, and held the rank of major and paymaster for eight years, until the law went into effect calling for re-organization. He is a member of the Simp- son Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been trustee.
C HARLES THOMPSON, M. D., who is a practicing physician and proprietor of a drug store at No. 643 East Market Street, Scranton, was born in Carbondale, Pa., May 12, 1844, the son of John I. and Phoebe J. (Sayres) Thompson, natives respectively of Ulster Coun- ty, N. Y., and New Jersey. His father, who was a stationary engineer in the employ of the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company, accompanied them to Carbondale in an early day and there married. In 1868 he came to Scranton and took a position as engineer in the Dodge breaker of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany, later was in their employ in the Bellevue mines until his retirement. He is still living in Scranton, in Hampton Street, and is quite hale for one of eighty-two years. His wife, who was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, died in this city in Decem-
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ber, 1892, aged seventy-four. She was a daugh- ter of John Sayres, who brought his family from New Jersey to Carbondale in an early day.
The family of John I. Thompson consisted of seven children, but only three attained mature years and one son and daughter are now living. Charles was reared in Carbondale, then an in- significant village with few indications of its present population and prosperity. His educa- tion was limited, for he was obliged to become. self-supporting at an early age, and the success which he has attained is, in view of this circum- stance, the more commendable. When twelve years of age he began to work on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and later held the position of brakeman on the Gravity. In 1867 he came to Scranton as stationary engineer in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western at the Dodge breaker, and continued there and in other places with the same company for sixteen years.
Meantime our subject had studied pharmacy with D. J. Thomas and in 1883 he resigned as en- gineer in order to embark in the drug business, which he did at once, opening a store in Hamp- ton Street. One year later he located at No. 508 South Main Avenue and remained there until 1890, when he sold out to D. M. Jones, the pres- ent proprietor of that store. In 1891 he entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, where he graduated three years later with the degree of M. D. Returning to Scranton, he en- gaged in practice in North Main Avenue, Provi- dence, for ten months, and in June of 1895 opened an office at his present location, No. 643 East Market Street, Green Ridge, where he also has established the first drug business in that street. He takes an interest in everything pertaining to medicine and pharmacy, and is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association.
The problems affecting our national welfare have received thoughtful attention from Dr. Thompson, who believes firmly in the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Electric City Union, Branch of the Equitable Aid, in which he is medical examiner. His first marriage, which took place in Waymart, united him with Miss Ella Schoonover, who was born in
Hawley, Pa., the daughter of George Schoon- over, a farmer there. She died in Scranton, hav- ing been the mother of three children: Mary A., wife of Charles Frost, of Binghamton; Ella M., who died at fourteen years, and Charles A., who died in infancy. The present wife of Dr. Thomp- son was Miss Ella MacArthur, who was born in this city, and is a daughter of John MacArthur, an employe of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company and one of the early settlers of Scran- ton, having come here when it was a wilderness. Four children were born to the union of Dr. and Mrs. Thompson, and of these two are living, Warren E. and Blanche E.
J ACOB D. CLARK has resided in Scranton since this now flourishing city was a very small village and has established a business in the wholesale and retail cigar trade. He was born in Phillipsburg, Warren County, N. J., June 14, 1835, and was only one year old when his par- ents, Eleazar and Anna (Lippincott) Clark, re- moved to Easton, Pa., but after a short sojourn there went to Honesdale, Wayne County. In the latter place his boyhood years were passed. At an early age he became self-supporting, and in youth learned the cigar maker's trade, which has been his occupation throughout life.
October 1, 1854, Mr. Clark came to Scranton and secured employment with W. J. Walker, who sent out the first tobacco and cigar traveling salesmen from this place, and the first cigars made in Scranton were manufactured by our sub- ject. After a year or more the latter purchased his employer's business and this he has since managed and conducted, being in business alone most of the time. He is thoroughly famil- iar with all the details connected with the busi- ness, is an expert in judging the quality of cigars, and is known as a reliable business man. Hav- ing engaged in the wholesale and retail trade since 1856, he is now one of the oldest business men of the city and ranks among the well known pioneers in his line.
The marriage of Mr. Clark, which occurred in 1871, united him with Loretta A. Reed, member
GEORGE F. KELLOW.
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of an old family of Hyde Park, Scranton. They are the parents of three children, Alta Lynn, Charles and Anna, all of whom are with their parents. While upon national issues Mr. Clark favors the principles of the Democratic party, yet he is inclined to be liberal in local matters, voting for the man whom he believes to be best qualified for any particular office, without regard to his political belief. For himself he has never sought office. Fraternally he is identified with Peter Williamson Lodge, F. & A. M., of this city
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