USA > Pennsylvania > The Biographical encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
UNNING, ABRAM B., Merchant, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, March 21st, 1821. Ilis father was Gilbert Dunning, a well-known farmer and agriculturist; his mother was Catha- rine Beemer. Ilis primary education was gained in the common county schools of his native place; subsequently, he entered upon a more thorough course of studies at the Wyoming Seminary, in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, an institution presided over by Reuben Nelson, noted for his scholarly attainments, and who at present has charge of the Methodist Book Store in New York. Ile first engaged in business in the above- named city with the dry goods firm of I. G. Phelps & Co., remaining with them for about eighteen months. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Luzerne county, and opened on his own account, in Providence, a dry goods and general country store, meeting with much success. Two years later, he associated with him in partnership W. W. Winton, this association continuing in existence until IS55. In the fall of 1852, he was elected to the Legisla- ture on the Democratic ticket, serving a full term in the House. At that time the question of the division of Lu- zerne county occasioned in the Legislature a severe and prolonged struggle and great excitement. Being warmly interested in the question at issue, he became the champion of the new county people, and succeeded in passing the bill through the House; but later, its design and scope were frustrated by Charles R. Buckalew in the Senate, and ultimately, through the exertions of this Senator, its adoption was prevented. In the spring of IS58, he re- moved to Dunning, situated about ten miles below Scran- ton, the town being named in his honor. In that locality he has since been extensively engaged in lumbering, and also in general merchandising. During his term in the Legislature, hie served on the Railroad Committee and on the Committee on New Counties. IIe was a member of the Constitutional Convention, in IS72, and while acting in this capacity evinced much ability, integrity and indefatigable perseverance. He is a widely-known and highly-respected citizen of Scranton, and warmly interested in the speedy and profitable development of the rich resources of the State ; in all public movements tending
to promote the welfare of the general community and the advancement of its interests he is an active and able worker. Ile was married, in 1848, to Mahola Ileemans.
CRANTON, HON. GEORGE W., Iron Manu- facturer, was born in Madison, Connecticut, May IIth, ISII. He is descended from John Scran- ton, who was one of the colony which settled in New Haven in 163S. His family was distin- guished in the French and Revolutionary Wars, many of its members having been prominent commissioned officers. His early education was obtained in the common schools, and subsequently rendered more thorough by a two years' course of studies, begun and completed in Lee's Academy. In 182S, he moved to Belvidere, New Jersey, where he hired himself as a teamster, receiving for liis ser- vices cight dollars per month. His perseverance, industry and integrity soon brought him into notice, and he engaged as a clerk in the store of Judge Kinney, with whom he was ultimately associated as partner. In 1835, he became in- terested in agricultural pursuits, and followed this vocation until 1839. At this date, and in partnership with his brother, Selden Scranton, he purchased the lease and stock of Oxford Furnace, New Jersey; and, notwithstanding the season of great embarrassment which followed the memo- rable financial crash of 1837, they met with much success in this venture. In 1839, William Henry purchased a large traet of land in the Lackawanna Valley, including what was called Slocum Hollow, now the site of the city of Scranton. Ile was unable to comply with the conditions of the purchase, and the brothers Scranton, impressed with the evident natural advantages for the manufacture of iron possessed by this locality, entered, with other parties, in May, 1840, into a contract for the property. The practica- bility of smelting ore by means of anthracite coal was still to be successfully proven, and George W. Scranton deter- mined to solve the problem with little delay. The first experiment, made in IS41, was a failure; the second was not more successful; but, in January, 1842, a successful blast was accomplished. Subsequently, a fruitless effort to manufacture bar-iron, to be converted into nails, was sue- ceeded by the project of a rolling-mill for the manufacture of railroad iron. Being in an embarrassed financial con- dition at this date, they contracted to furnish rails for the New York & Erie Railroad at a lower rate than they could be procured elsewhere, upon the condition that the road would advance funds to enable them to proceed with their manufacture, Eminent success crowned these indefati- gable efforts, and the enterprise originated by George W. Scranton soon developed itself into a firmly established and highly luerative business. Later, his ulterior projects were more plainly exhibited; and it became evident that
1
545
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
he proposed to change and develop the entire business interests of this section of Pennsylvania, to concentrate out- side capital in the Lackawanna Valley, to create outlets by railway east with North and South, and to found a pros- perous and industrious city; in all these projects he has succeeded, and lives to behold the wonderful result of his labors and inexhaustible enterprise. Although an interested student of political economy, and, at one time, an Okl-line Whig, he has never devoted much time or attention to the manœuvres of political factions, But he was an earnest advocate for protection to home industry, and on this issue was sent to Congress, in IS58, by a majority of 3700; this from a district polling ordinarily 2000 Democratic majority. Throughout that term, he constantly based his actions upon the principle which secured his election, and upon its expi- ration, was elected a second time. In breadth and persis- tency of purpose, in shrewd foresight and high capacity, in fertility of re ource and in powers of able administration, his equal is rarely to be met with. From obscurity and comparative poverty, he has risen to be one of the wealthiest and most widely-known men in the country, while the city which he founded is famous for its vast manufacturing interests and the industrious character of its inhabitants. Ile was married, on the 21st of January, IS35, to Jane ITiles, of Belvidere, New Jersey.
ARLINGTON, IION. WILLIAM, M. D., LL. D., was born in Birmingham township, Chester county, April 28th, 1782. Ile was the eldest son of Edward and Hannah (Townsend) Darlington, and was descended from ancestors, each branch of which, as far back as can be traced, was an unmixed race of English Quakers. In his early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits ; but at the age of twenty he entered on the study of medicine, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1804. He then com- menced the practice of his profession in his native county, and soon, took a leading position, which he maintained until he relinquished its duties, During his leisure hours he acquired a knowledge of the French language, and subsequently he became acquainted with the Latin, Span- ish, and German, In 1806-'7, as Surgeon to an East India merchantman, he made a voyage to Calcutta. A sketch of the observations made during this voyage was published in the form of familiar letters in the thirteenth and four- teenth volumes of the Analectic Magazine. In ISO8, he married Catharine, a daughter of General John Lacey, of New Jersey, an officer, who had served with credit and abil- ity in the Revolutionary War. In the War of IS12, he was Major of a Battalion, and served in that position until the Corps was disbanded. He was a member of the Fourteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Congress, and took an active part in the discussions to which the celebrated Missouri
question gave rise, ranking himself with those who were desirous of restricting slavery. Ile was a member of the first Board of Canal Commissioners, in Pennsylvania, and served two years, the last of which he was President of the Board, and he was Prothonotary of the Courts of Chester county three years. In 1826, he assisted in organizing the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science, of which in- stitution he was President from its origin ; and he was also active in forming the Medieal Society of Chester County, over which he presided twenty-five years. In 1826, he published a work entitled, Hlorula Cestrica, being a cata- logue of plants growing around West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1830, he was elected President of the Bank of Chester County-of which institution he had been a Director almost ever since its establishment, in 1814-and held that position until his death, a period of thirty-three years. In 1837, he published Flora Cestrica, a description of the flowering plants of Chester county, which was a new edition of his former work, much enlarged and improved. It was ar- ranged according to the Linnaan system. A third edition appeared in 1853, revised and reconstructed according to the natural method. This is regarded as one of the most complete local Floras extant. In 1843, he gave to the world a volume entitled, Reliquie Baldwiniana, containing selections from the correspondence, with notes and a bio- graphical sketch of the late Dr. William Baldwin, a native of Chester county, who had been passionately devoted to the science of Botany. In 1847, his Agricultural Botany, descriptive of weeds and useful plants, was published; it has been enlarged in subsequent editions. In 1849, he collected and published the correspondence of Ilumphrey Marshall, of Chester county, and John Bartram, of Phila- delphia, the pioneers of Botany in Pennsylvania, together with biographical sketches, under the title of Memorials of Bartram and Marshall. A History of West Chester, in- cluding an interesting and valuable paper on the famous Mason and Dixon's Line, was written by him and pub- lished in the West Chester Directory for 1857. In 1853, he published a volume, entitled, Cesqui-Centennial Gather- ing of the Clan Darlington, containing the proceedings of a meeting of the Darlington family at the old ancestral mansion, near West Chester, and a genealogical account of the descendants of Abraham Darlington, the emigrant ancestor. The last work in which he engaged was, Note Cestrienses, or notices of Chester county men and events- the joint production of himself and his friend, J. Smith Futhey, each contributing a portion thereof. It appeared in numbers, in a county newspaper, and has not yet been pub- lished in book form. He was also the author of numerous literary addresses and scientific dissertations, delivered be- fore bodies of that character, many of which were printed. Ilis style was casy, plain, and flowing, mingling wit and humor with knowledge and instruction. Besides the fore- going, in connection with others, he was engaged in the composition of a work descriptive of the objects of the
69
546
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
Natural IHistory of Chester County, in all its branches. His own portion of it is completed and ready for the press. Ile was a man both of thought and action, of books and deeds, and he spent a busy life in disseminating informa- tion among the masses of the people. ITis constant desire was to educate the public mind to a love of literary and scientific pursuits ; and he, therefore, lost no opportunity of communicating his own zeal to the young around him. Ile received the degree of Doctor of Laws, from Yale Col- lege, in 1848, and that of Doctor of Physical Science, from Dickinson College, in 1855; and he was a member of more than forty literary and scientific societies, among which may be mentioned the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and the Botanical Society of the Netherlands, at Leyden. His death occurred April 23d, 1863. He died as he lived, a Christian gentleman of great purity and simplicity of character, whose life was unstained by a single mean, ungenerous, or dishonorable action. He was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. His extensive herbarium of plants, and his scientific works, he bequeathed to the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science. The following is his epitaph, written by himself twenty years before his death : "Plante Cestrienses, quas dilexit atque illustravit, super tumulum ejus semper flor- eant !" (The plants of Chester, which he loved and described, may they blossom forever above his tomb.)
ORD, THOMAS, Merchant, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 20th, 1826. His parents were W. Ford and Jane Ireland, both of unmixed English extraction, and well known and highly respected in their native place. July 4th, 1829, he came to the United States, landing at New York, and subsequently remained for some time in Wilkesbarre, Penn- sylvania. Thence he moved to Jenkintown, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and remained in this place for several years; finally, he settled in Pittston, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1849. In his carlier years, he was engaged in farm labor, acquiring, meanwhile, the elements of an ordinary education in neighboring country schools. In 1846, he was employed as Superintendent for John A. Lloyd, a prominent coal miner of Pittston, and continued to aet in this capacity until the spring of 1848. At this date, he associated himself with E. Migh Everitt & Co., leasing the Lloyd mine, and also the mercantile pursuits connected with that establishment. In this enterprise he was actively occupied until 1849, when a change in the form and stand- ing of the firm was effected ; he remaining in his original position, however, until 1854, and meeting with great success. Subsequently, he became interested in other and different businesses until 1857, when he connected himself with L. D. Lacoe, who was an insurance agent, and had charge of the water-works and gas.works, and was occupied !
{ also in the conveyancing business; in 1863, he became his successor by purchase, and since has continued to operate with much ability and success. At present, he is largely interested in the sale of Dupont's gunpowder, and in the disposition of that article throughout the neighboring # counties has acquired extensive and lucrative business relations; he is also interested in the sale of mining and illuminating oils. He was married, in 1853, to Ella Stark, of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He is a prominent and influential business man and citizen of Pittston, and is widely respected for his energy, his many sterling qualities, and undeviating rectitude.
ELLOWS, JOSEPH TURVEY, Coal Operator and Merchant, was born in Providence township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. Ilis father was Benjamin Fellows, of England, who came to this country when in his infancy; his mother was Catharine Turvey. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native place, and, until 1855, he was engaged in farm labor. For many years he was actively occupied in coal operations, but subse- quently leased to others all of his coal lands, and devoted himself to mercantile pursuits. He is a Director of the Second National Bank of Scranton, fulfilling the various duties of this position with energy, integrity and ability ; and, for nine years, was Burgess of Hyde Park, where he resides at present. On one occasion, he was nominated as a candidate for the Legislature, and though failing to secure an election, reduced the average Democratic majority from three thousand to fifty-six. He is one of the most promi- nent and influential men in this section of our State, and an active mover in all matters of public, general and local im- portance. As a business man, he has evinced commendable enterprise, shrewdness and uprightness ; as a public official, has won many commendations for his ability, and firm and loyal deportment under all circumstances. Ile was married, in 1835, to Marietta Pettibone, of Wyoming, who died in 1871. Ilis present wife is Frances L. Barton, a former resident of Corning, New York.
e BARA, ISAAC B., Journalist and Postmaster of Erie, Pennsylvania, was born at Soudersburg, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 28th, 1821. ITis parents, Patrick and Mary Gara, were respectively of Irish and German descent. His entire schol- astic education he received at the common schools of Lancaster county. At an early age, he entered the printing office of the Examiner and Herald, published by Hamersly & Richards, in Lancaster, and here remained for three years. The establishment being then sold, he became
547
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
free, and, at the age of nineteen, started alone in the worldl | loyalty and his inflexible integrity. In 1871, he entered to battle for fortune. Moving from city to city, he worked into the real estate business, and since that time has been actively occupied in its development. Although devoted to the welfare and progress of his country, he has at all times, and under all circumstances, manifested an undis- guised aversion to the tumults and agitations attending pub- lic and political life. Unwilling to enroll himself as a par- tisan or ally of any faction or party, he confines his atten- tion exclusively to the careful and able fulfilment of his or- dinary duties, and in this finds pleasure and contentment. In his operations in real estate, he evinces rare skill and intimate knowledge of the business in all its ramifications and minutiæ, and not seldom has been cited as one of the most efficient and trustworthy men in Pittsburgh. lle is warmly interested in movements, public and private, whose ultimate ends may secure the aggrandizement of his country, the rapid development of its resources, and the advance- ment of its people; and wherever generous enterprise, or disinterested assistance, is needed, he is never backward or reluctant. As a business man, he has won the entire con- ficlence and respect of an extensive circle of clients; and as a citizen, apart from politics, is one of the most prominent and influential men in Pittsburgh. at his trade, first in Philadelphia, then in Lockhaven, and finally reached Galena, Illinois, where he remained for nine months, and where, though but twenty two years of age- so highly did his employer estimate his talent and ability- he was made Assistant Editor of a semi- weekly paper, called the Galena Gazette. Returning to Lancaster, he pursued his profession for some time, but, in September, IS46, re- moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. Here he became associated with the Hon. Joseph M. Sterrett in the publication of the Erie Weekly Gazette, of which he was the Editor-in-Chief until May, 1865. Originally an advocate of the principles of the Whig party, the paper, in 1856, at the form ution of the Republican organization, became its organ, and was recognized as such throughout the county. Ile warmly, through his paper, urged the claims of John C. Fremont, in IS60, and assisted materially in the campaign which made Abraham Lincoln President. He was an outspoken and energetie supporter of the Union during the late Civil War, and was appointed to various positions for the increase of the military forces. He served as Marshal for Erie county, previous to the draft, by appointment of the Governor. In January, 1867, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under Governor Geary, and served in this capacity for two years and three months. lle then resigned, in order to assume charge of the Erie Post-Office, which position was tendered him without soli- citation, in May, 1869, and to which he was re-appointed in 1873. He was married, in October, 1853, to Calesten Ingersoll, of Erie, Pennsylvania, a lady of superior qualifi- cations and possessed of great artistie ability. Ile is a Trustee of the Erie Academy, one of the State Trustees of the Normal School of Edinborou h, and, by appointment of the Governor, a Trustee of the Marine Hospital. Ile is a patriotic, high-minded citizen and official, who possesses the confidence and respect of all who know him.
JRONT, WILLIAM L., Real Estate Operator, was born in Washington, Washington county, Pa., May 18th, 1838. llis parents were Ilenry and Mary Duront, of French extraction. His early education was acquired in his native place, and, upon the completion of his course of studies, he became engaged in school-teaching, and continued to oc- cupy himself in this vocation for seven consecutive years. During this time, he neglected no opportunity to add to his own store of knowledge, and through his perseverance and studiousness acquired a large fund of solid and scholarly attainments, Jane 18th, 1862, he became engaged in the service of the United States, enlisting in the 112th Regi- ment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. While acting in this capacity, he was noted for his calm judgment, his fearless
ONG, JACOB R., Mechanic, Banker, etc., was born in Manheim, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, September 17th, 1809. llis ancestors were of German descent, and early settlers in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, removing to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about the time of the Revolutionary War. His educational advantages were of the most limited character, his knowledge being self-acquired. In his ninth year he began life as a work- boy on a farm, and continued thus to labor until he arrived at the age of eighteen, when he was apprenticed to HIenry D. Huff, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to learn the trade of a coppersmith. In 1830, upon attaining his majority, he went to llarrisburg, Pennsylvania, and afterwards, in December of the same year, to Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, working as a journeyman at his trade until 1836. lle then engaged in business upon his own account, and continued it until 1856, gaining thereby wealth and reputation. Having been the projector of the Mount Joy Savings Bank, in 1856, he was elected its Cashier, and has occupied that position through all the various changes of the institution-first to a State Bank, and, in 1864, to the Union Mount Joy Na- tional Bank, its present title. Politically, he has ever been an active advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and has represented his section in many of its conventions, including the State Convention which nominated Francis R. Shunk for Governor, and that held in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, August 26th, 1874. Ile has projected a number of the most valuable and prominent improvements of Mount
548
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
Joy, among others, the Water-Works of the town. Ilis | ing, enjoying popular esteem, he was frequently called upon success in life is due entirely to his own efforts, and to the industry and integrity with which he has labored.
ARPENTER, HENRY, M. D., Physician, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, December 10th, 1819, his father (Henry) being at that time a prominent surveyor and conveyancer, and, for a period, one of the commissioners of Lancaster county. Ilis ancestors, of Swiss descent, were among the earliest settlers of that district, primarily residing on the French border of Switzerland, and emigrating to this country with the Huguenots shortly after the Mas- sacre of St. Bartholomew. Ilis mother, a lady of rare re- finement and high mental endowments, was the daughter of David Cook, whose promising life was cut off in early manhood. Dr. Carpenter was early placed in one of the public schools of his native city, and was thus prepared for a comprehensive course of study in the Lancaster County . Academy. Upon the completion of his academic career, he entered the office of Dr. Samuel Humes, and under that able practitioner read medicine until his entrance into the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Few matriculants of that vencrable institution ever entered with a more thorough preparation for the studies of its ex- haustive curriculum than he did. In 1841, he graduated with high honors, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in his native town, setting up his office in the very building in which he was born, and where he still continues to reside. While very young he expressed a de- sire to follow the profession which he has since distinguished, and as a student exhibited rare aptitude in the way of famil- iarizing himself with the intricacies of medical science, of which, by great industry, constant attendance at lectures and clinics, and individual investigation, he soon obtained a profound knowledge. Ilis success as a practitioner is perhaps due more to his inherent love for it than to any- thing else ; for this controlling impulse spurred application, and continuous research into a science which is continually expanding. Five generations of his family have passed since his ancestors located in this country, and each gene- ration has produced one eminent physician. Ile has from the period of his graduation taken the liveliest interest in matters concerning the improvement of his profession, and has embodied in writing the beneficial results of his careful and laboriously conducted investigations, covering a period of many years. In 1844, he aided in the organization of the Lancaster County Medical Society, becoming its first Secretary, performing the duties of that office for a long period; and, in 1855, was elected its President. Ile has honorably filled the positions both of Vice-President and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and is now one of the Censors for the eastern district of the State. Being, as a citizen of Lancaster, prominent and enterpris-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.