Portrait and biographical record of Wyoming and Lackawanna counties, Pennsylvania : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, Part 96

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 96
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 96

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L ATON S. FULLER. The village of Elm- hurst is the home of a goodly number of men who have put forth such industrious and well directed efforts that they have been en- abled to retire from the cares of business life and are now spending their time in ease and enjoy- ment. Among this number is Mr. Fuller, who for many years successfully engaged in the drug business, retiring in 1886. On a slight eminence, commanding an excellent view, in 1891 he erect- ed a cozy and attractive residence, that was de- signed by U. G. Schoonmaker, and in this com- fortable home he hopes to spend his remaining years.

The parents of our subject, Charles and Maria

HON. N. C. MACKEY, M. D.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(Scovel) Fuller, were natives respectively of Con- necticut and the Wyoming Valley and died when eighty-four and seventy-five years of age. For forty years prior to his death the father resided in Scranton, where he was engaged in the insur- ance business. Nine children were born of his marriage, and of these five are living: Laton S .; Mary L. and Mrs. C. E. Barnum, both of whom reside in Binghamton, N. Y .; John D., of Elmhurst, and Francis M. The eldest of the sur- viving members of the family is the subject of this sketch, who was born on a farm in the Wyom- ing Valley, May 2, 1824, and continued to reside at his native place until twenty-five years of age, meantime gaining a practical common-school education.

The life occupation of Mr. Fuller was that of a druggist, and he was thus engaged from twen- ty-five to sixty-two years of age. Beginning in business with very limited capital, by resolution and perseverance, combined with judicious man- agement, he won his way to a position of influ- ence among other business men of the commun- ity. He enjoys the respect of the people among whom he transacted business in a thoroughly honorable manner for so long a period. Though never identifying himself actively with public af- fairs, he is well posted upon current topics and supports the Republican party from principle. At one time he served as postmaster of Scranton. In religious views he is associated with the Pres- byterian Church.

H ON. NATHAN C. MACKEY, M. D. Among the people residing in and around Waverly, Dr. Mackey has a reputation as a reliable, skillful physician. The distinguish- ing characteristics of his professional life may be enumerated in few, but significant, words. He possesses an unshaken faith in his profession, keenness of mental analysis, conscientious devo- tion to the welfare of his patients, and indomit- able energy. Animated by the highest motives of his profession, his constant aim and fixed pur- pose have been to save life and relieve suffering. For service such as he has given in his profession, the least reward that can be given is the respect and friendship of the people.

In addition to duties connected with his profes- sion, Dr. Mackey has taken an important part in matters relating to the public welfare. Of Re- publican faith, by inheritance and study, he has never voted any other ticket than this, since he cast his first ballot for General Grant in 1872. In the fall of 1888 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, where he rendered efficient service in behalf of his constituents. Again in 1896 he was elected to the assembly, where he now looks after the interests of his fel- low citizens, and takes an active part in public measures.

Referring to the history of the Mackey family, the Doctor's grandfather, George Mackey, was born in New York and died near Dundaff, Pa., at the age of sixty; his wife, Elizabeth Sammis, a native of Long Island, passed away at New Mil- ford, Pa., aged seventy-six. The great-grand- father Mackey came from the north of Ireland, where the family originally resided. Our subject's father, David Mackey,was born in Albany County, N. Y., in January, 1813, and at the age of ten years accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, settling near Dundaff, Susquehanna County. Later he moved to New Milford, the same county, and there remained until his death, April 19, 1869. His wife was Miranda Griggs, who was born in Connecticut in August, 1812, and died December 31, 1886. Of their twelve children, nine are yet living, two of whom are physicians and one an attorney.

In Susquehanna County, Pa., the subject of this sketch was born September 7, 1848. Reared on the home farm, he attended the district schools and academy at New Milford. His winters from seventeen until twenty-one were employed in teaching, after which he attended the normal school at Mansfield for two years, and then re- sumed teaching. In the meantime he had gained a fundamental knowledge of the medical profes- sion through study with Dr. A. C. Blakeslee, and deciding to make this his life work, he became a student in the medical department of Yale Uni- versity, and later entered the medical department of the University of New York City, from which he graduated in 1875.

For about a year Dr. Mackey carried on prac-

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tice in Hopbottom, Susquehanna County. He then removed to Springville, where he continued his practice for five years. While in Hopbottom, November 23, 1875, he married Miss Nellie Mar- cy, who was born in Nicholson, Pa., and died at Springville in October, 1879, at the age of twenty- three. Her two children died in infancy. April 24, 1883, Dr. Mackey was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Bliss, who was born in Waverly, and they are the parents of three sons, Robert B., Richard N. and Roger D. Mrs. Mackey is a granddaughter of Edwin and Anna Bliss, who came from Connecticut to Pennsylvania. Her father, Miles W. Bliss, was born in Susquehanna County in 1825, settled in Waverly about 1856, was here engaged in the mercantile business about twenty-five years, and also carried on a hotel; he died in this place in August, 1895; he married Hannah Holcomb, who was born in Bradford County, Pa., in January, 1826, and died here January 1, 1891. By their marriage seven children were born, of whom all but one are living.

July 4, 1876, Dr. Mackey removed from Hop- bottom to Springville, and there remained until April I, 1881. After a few months in Scranton he came to Waverly, where for four years he was in partnership with Dr. L. Van Sickle, but has since been alone. He is a member of the Susque- hanna County, Lackawanna County and State Medical Societies, and fraternally is connected with Waverly Lodge No. 301, F. and A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the faith of the Baptist Church, to which he still adheres, and in the work of which he takes a warm interest.

D ANIEL H. JENKINS, M. D. Of Welsh birth and ancestry, Dr. Jenkins possesses the integrity and indomitable spirit that have so often been exemplified by Welshmen the world over. From early boyhood he has made his own way in the world and succeeded, by in- dustry and economy, in securing an excellent medical education, since which time he has en- gaged in professional practice, having his office at No. 122 West Market Street, Scranton. In ad-

dition to his general practice he has held the po- sition of jail physician for the county since Janu- ary, 1896.

The Doctor's father, H. G., was born in Mon- mouthshire, England, and was the son of Harry Jenkins, a miner there. In youth he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed more or less through much of his active life. With a sailor, Dick Ennis, he assisted in building the viaduct at his native place. In April, 1866, he came to America and secured employment as machinist in a large railroad shop in Jersey City, but after one year there, went to Hampton Junction, and for one and one-half years worked as a machinist in the shops of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. In 1869 he located in Kingston, Pa., where for a time he was foreman in the railroad shops, but aft- erward engaged in business for himself. The win- ters of 1892 and 1893 he spent in Florida, since which time he has resided continuously in Kings- ton. He married Eleanor Griffith, a native of Monmouthshire, and daughter of Daniel Grif- fith, a miner, who died in Kingston at the age of eighty-four.

The parental family consisted of three chil- dren who lived to mature years, of whom the sur- vivors are Daniel H. and George, of Kingston. The former was reared principally in Kingston, where he attended the public schools and Wyom- ing Seminary. In 1887 he entered the sopho- more class of Lehigh University, and in 1888 graduated in the electrical engineering course. Then going to Brooklyn, he was employed in the electric light factory of the Excelsior Company, later was with the Mutual Company, and after- ward traveled on the road for the Ft. Wayne Com- pany, his route including Philadelphia and Media, Pa .; Youngstown, Ohio; Haddonfield, N. J., and Coney Island. His next position was that of su- perintendent of a plant at Kingston, which con- cluded his experiences in the electrical business.

In 1889 our subject began the study of medicine with a physician of Brooklyn, and in the fall of that year he entered the Long Island Medical College at Brooklyn, from which he graduated in 1892, with honors and the degree of M. D. In order to secure his medical education, he was obliged to work early and late, paying his own

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way as he went along. On the completion of his studies he was appointed assistant physician to Lackawanna Hospital, which position he held from April 9 to September 20. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1893 with the degree of M. D. from that in- stitution. Returning to Scranton, he opened an office at No. 1932 North Main Avenue, where he has since conducted a general practice.

At Hyde Park in the fall of 1888 Dr. Jenkins married Miss Maggie S. Roberts, an accom- plished lady, born in Glamorganshire, Wales, and thence accompanied her parents, William W. and Gwenllian Roberts, who died in Hyde Park. Two boys, William West and Daniel H., Jr., deceased, were born of the union. The family attend the Baptist Church, to which Dr. Jenkins contrib- utes regularly. He still owns good business prop- erty on Main Street, Kingston, which he rents. Politically he supports the measures and men advocated by the Republican party, but is not ac- tive in politics. In the Lackawanna County Med- ical Society, of which he is a member, he takes a warm interest, as he does in all matters and or- ganizations for the good of the profession. En- ergetic and industrious, he was efficient in the electrical business and is proving no less capable as a physician, having by his skill in diagnosis and accuracy in treatment won the confidence of his patients.

J OHN G. GUTKNECHT, an energetic busi- ness man and successful brewer of Dick- son City, is the senior member of the firm of John G. Gutknecht & Co. He is a native of Loenengen Kreis Klappenburg, Oldenburg, Ger- many, born April 4, 1837. His father, Bernard Anton Gutknecht, a native of the same place, was a hotelkeeper, and filled the position of action- ater, or sheriff, as the office is called in this coun- try. He died at the age of sixty-four years. The mother, Theresa (Granert) Gutknecht, was born in Lingerich, Hanover, in 1801, and departed this life in 1861. In the family were six children who grew to manhood and womanhood, namely: Au- gusta, still a resident of Germany; John, of this sketch; Bernard, of Newark, N. J .; Eliza, who

died in Germany; Mina, who makes her home in Olyphant, Pa .; and Rosa, of Germany.

The public schools of his native land furnished our subject his educational privileges, and on leaving the school room at the age of fifteen years he assumed charge of the hotel which he conducted for his mother until her death, after which he sold the place. In the fall of the same year, 1861, he married Miss Emilia Kutter, by whom he had two children: Ignatz, a practical brewer and a graduate of the Brewers' school in New York City; and Augusta, wife of George Hufnagel, an able financier and a member of the firm of John G. Gutknecht & Co.

Mr. Gutknecht continued in the hotel business in the Fatherland until 1868, when he resolved to try his fortune in the New World, and came alone to this country with the intention of sending for his family later. For a year he worked in a brickyard or at any other employment he could find, and then secured a position in the brewery of Mr. Koehler. He at once sent for his family, but received word that his wife was ill and the following letter stated that she was dead, having passed away in February, 1870. He continued to work for Mr. Koehler, steadily advancing in po- sition and salary until he became head brewer, a position which he filled for five years. For four years he also had charge of the fermenting room. In 1881 he returned to Germany for his children, being gone about four months, and on again coming to the United States resumed work with his old employer, having charge of the fermenting room for three years, his old place of head brewer having been taken during his absence. At the end of that time he obtained a position in the ale brewery of Kayer Brothers, of Rahway, N. J., where he remained until they were closed out, when he became connected with a brewery in Binghamton, N. Y., entering the employ of Ehresman & Schwab at that place in August, 1884, and remaining with them for nearly ten years.

On the expiration of that period his son had almost completed his course in the Brewers' school, and together with his son-in-law, who was then manager in a telegraph office in New York, they concluded to embark in the brewing busi-

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ness on their own account, and accordingly in February, 1894, they purchased the Bryden brew- ery in Dickson City, Pa., which at that time was not doing a very extensive business. However, under the able management of our subject and his partners the business has steadily increased, the first year manufacturing three thousand bar- rels of ale, the second seven thousand barrels, and the third over fifteen thousand barrels. In 1896 they also remodeled their plant, which is now equipped with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of ale, and the product turned out has become justly celebrated in the Lacka- wanna Valley. The capacity of the brewery is sixty thousand barrels annually, and seven wag -. ons are kept constantly on the road. The plant is conveniently located on the main road between Scranton and Carbondale, and has a switch track connected with the New York, Ontario & West- ern Railroad. The members of the firm are straightforward, honorable business men, and have met with a well deserved success in their undertakings. Socially, Mr. Gutknecht is a mem- ber of the Scranton Liederkranz, while his son- in-law belongs to the Turn Verein and the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

G EORGE D. KINGSLEY, one of the most energetic and progressive business men of Lackawanna County, is a resident of Blakely and superintendent of Johnson's collieries in Dickson City. He was born January 31, 1858, in the village which is still his home and is a worthy representative of a pioneer family of Pennsylvania. The Kingsleys suffered greatly by the Indian raid into the beautiful Wyoming Val- ley, to which they had fled from Wyalusing on account of the atrocities committed by the red men in the latter place. In June, 1778, Nathan Kingsley, great-great-grandfather of George D., was taken prisoner by the Indians and carried to Niagara. During his captivity, November 2, 1778, his eldest son, Nathan, Jr., was killed, and another son, together with Frances Slocum, was carried into captivity. When Frances was found sixty years afterward by her brother, she related that the little Kingsley lad had cried and the In-

dians took him off by himself and, she supposed, ended his sufferings. It is certain that his friends never heard of him afterward. Nathan Kings- ley escaped in six months to find his wife and only one son remaining. He returned to Wya- lusing, and in May, 1787, was commissioned one of the judges of Luzerne County, an office which he resigned, January 14, 1790, on account of the great difficulty, for a man of his age, in reach- ing Wilkesbarre. A portion of the house which he built in Wyalusing is still standing and there his death occurred. He was a native of Con- necticut.

Roswell Kingsley, grandfather of our subject, was born in Wyalusing, but in early life removed to Bridgewater, where he engaged in farming. He spent his last days in Hyde Park, Lacka- wanna County. The birth of S. D. Kingsley, our subject's father, took place in Bridgewater Town- ship, Susquehanna County, where he was reared to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. In Lackawanna County he was employed as a contractor in the construction of breakers. From 1868 until 1875 he was with the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western road as master builder in the valley, and, though now sixty-four years of age, is still engaged in contracting. He is a veteran of the Civil War and a highly esteemed resident of Blakely. His wife, a native of Blakely, was Anna E., eldest daughter of Rev. J. B. and Rhoda Horton (Callender) Kenyon, the former a well known Baptist minister. Her maternal grandfather, Samuel Callender, belonged to the old Callender family of Blakely, which was well represented in the Revolutionary War, her great- grandfather being a body guard of General Wash- ington during that struggle.

George D. Kingsley is the eldest of four chil- dren, three of whom are living. In the schools of Scranton he obtained his early education, and in 1873 entered Whitestown Seminary of Utica, N. Y., where he completed the prescribed course. In 1876 he became connected with his father in business, but two years later entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Com- pany as clerk, being located in various places at different times. In 1886 he was outside foreman at Avondale, which position he resigned in June,

ROBERT P. SAVAGE.

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1896, to accept that of superintendent of collieries No. I and 2 belonging to the Johnson Coal Com- pany, and now has personal supervision of both mines, which under his able management are profitably worked. His marriage, at Waverly, Pa., in 1879, united him with Lizzie, daughter of Peter and Harriet (Fellows) Wolcott; she was born in Scranton and obtained her education in the schools of Kingston. By her marriage one child, Jeannette, has been born. In political belief Mr. Kingsley is an ardent Republican and does all in his power to advance the interests of his town and county. As a citizen and business man, he has the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and in social life he has made hosts of warm personal friends.

R OBERT P. SAVAGE, a retired carriage manufacturer and real estate owner of Dunmore, has withdrawn from active par- ticipation in business and is now enjoying the well-earned fruits of his labors. He was born in Chilcompton, Somersetshire, England, in 1835, a son of Joseph Savage, whose father was en- gaged in farming there. Joseph Savage came to America about 1845 and in the following year settled in Scranton, having spent the intermediate time in Utica, N. Y. He took the contract for the slope for the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Com- pany to their first drift and then operated it for a time. About 1849 he located in Dunmore and entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with which he remained until he re- tired, and his death occurred here at the age of seventy-six years. He married Rhoda, a daugh- ter of Robert Puddy, who was an extensive sheep raiser in England and whose family was an old and prominent one there. Mrs. Savage died in England when our subject was quite young, leaving four children, two sons and two daugh- ters, of whom our subject is the eldest.

Robert P. Savage spent his childhood in Eng- land until ten years of age, when he came with the family to this country, sailing from New Port on the Italian man-of-war "Ida Kiss," bound for New York City, and consuming three months in the voyage. He remained in New York about four years and then came to Scranton. He start-

ed in as an apprentice to learn blacksmithing and carriage ironing with Esterbrooks, Barton & Co., and spent three years there. When they sold out he settled in Dunmore and started a business for himself. This was in 1852 or 1853, and the place was then known as Bucktown. He built a shop on what is now Chestnut Street, and was the second blacksmith to locate in this place. He en- gaged in manufacturing carriages and wagons, together with blacksmithing, and continued in business there until 1862, when he sold out to take a part in the defense of his country.

In August, 1862, Mr. Savage enlisted in the Fifty-Second New York Infantry, and was as- signed to the pontoon department. He served six months in the Army of the Potomac, when he received his honorable discharge on a phy- sician's certificate of disability. One month later he returned and was employed in the bridge de- partment, remaining until the close of the war. He was all through on the Chattanooga & Nash- ville Railroad and was in the campaign of Shell Mountain and Whiteside, having charge of the bridge at the latter place, and was there when Jefferson Davis was brought through a prison- er. In January, 1865, he returned home and bought out the business at his old place and con- tinued there until 1875, when he again sold out and this time retired from business. He then bought property in this part of the borough, which he subdivided, platting it into new lots and building it up. He opened up properties on Chestnut, South Blakely and Green Ridge Streets, and built his own residence at No. 120 Green Ridge Street.

In 1862, at Carbondale, Mr. Savage married Miss Elizabeth Potter, who was born in Exeter Township, Luzerne County. Her father, Charles W. Potter, was born in what is now Throop, then called Goose Ridge, where his father Elisha S., who was a native of New England, had settled at an early day, coming to this country on horse- back. He bought land and engaged in farming and was also justice of the peace in Providence, where his death occurred. Charles W. Potter was a clerk with Judge Porter at Martin's Creek, Northampton County, and there married Sarah A., a daughter of Samuel Eakin, who was of

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Scotch-Irish descent. They first lived in a lit- tle cottage in Exeter Township, until the mother bought fifty acres of land in Dunmore, where they located about 1847. Mr. Potter was a success- tul merchant and invested in coal lands. He bought back the old farm and gave it to his mother, who died here in 1894. He made a great deal of money and gave away fortunes. For a number of years he was justice of the peace and was also deputy sheriff. His death occurred here in 1857. He left three children: Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Kate Stanton, residing in New York State, and Mrs. Frances Wagner, of Dunmore. Mrs. Savage, who is a most estimable lady, was reared here and received her education in the public school and Wyoming Seminary. To Mr. and Mrs. Savage were born three children, as fol- lows: Bunnie, now Mrs. Harris, of Concord, N. C .; Charles P., supply agent for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, who also served as clerk of the council for six years; and Maud Kathryn.

Mr. Savage was a member of the first coun- cil of the borough and has served in that body for ten years, six years of which he was presi- dent. He was elected burgess for two terms in succession, serving four years in that capacity, and has also been assessor. For many years he affiliated with the Democratic party, but is now independent in politics. Fraternally he was a member of Hiram Lodge, but has been demitted. Mrs. Savage is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Dunmore.

A NTHONY A. WALSH, who holds the position of tipstaff at the Scranton court- house, is a native of Ireland, born in Coun- ty Mayo, March 20, 1833. The family of which he is a member has been identified with the his- tory of County Mayo as far back as any record can be obtained. His great-grandfather, Mat- thew, was a tanner and currier there, while his grandfather, Michael, followed the trade of a shoe- maker in the same place; the latter died at the age of eighty-seven.

The father of our subject, Anthony Walsh, was engaged in farming pursuits in County Mayo throughout his entire active life, and died there at the age of seventy-six. He married Mary Dur-

kan, daughter of Thomas, and granddaughter of Daniel Durkan, farmers by occupation and life- long residents of that county. She is still living, now quite advanced in years, but comparatively strong for one of her age. Of her family of eight children, five are living, namely: Anthony; Michael, an engineer on the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad and a resident of the latter Missourian city ; Mrs. Ann Melloday, of Dunmore, Pa .; Mrs. Bridget Smith, also of Dunmore; and Mrs. Mary Gallagher, who lives at the old home in Ireland.

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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 96

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