USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in 1892 > Part 11
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W. L. MYLES,
The subject of this sketch, is a typical Cambro-American, having first seen the light of day at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, April 25, 1848. His father had to toil hard to procure the means of support, but by practicing economy and diligence, the parents were enabled to give their son the benefit of a few years'
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education in the parish school. At the tender age of eleven years he was ap- prenticed to the dry-goods business at The Cloth Hall, in his native town, and followed that business until, with his parents, he emigrated to America in the spring of 1867, and settled with them at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1869-70 he was employed by the Morris Run Coal Company as weighmaster, and 1870- 74 we find him as book-keeper in the employ of Connell & Company, Meadow Brook Colliery, Scranton, and Co-Operative Store, Hyde Park. He then re- turned to Johnstown, (having married in 1870 to Miss M. Llewellyn of that il1-fated town,) and opened a grocery establishment. He was afterward em- ployed at "The Checkered Front," Pittsburgh, from which city, in 1877, he came to Wilkes-Barre and entered the employ of D. C. Jeremy, where he remained until 1885, when he accepted a position of trust and great responsi- bility with Edwards & Company of Kingston, which position he has held up to the present time, where he may be found trusted and respected by his employers. He does not confine himself to the pressing demands of his business, in the discharge of which he is most capable, but delights to aid in the promotion of every good cause that has for its object the elevation of his fellow men. The Young Men's Christian Association elected him as their first President, which position he filled for nearly eighteen months.
CHRISTIAN BACH
Was born in Rhoden, F. Waldack. April 10, 1850. Was educated in his native town. Learned the trade of Tailor at home. Spent several years in Frankfort- on-the-Main and Wiesbaden. Came to the United States in 1871. Came to Kingston in 1875 and established his present business of Merchant Tailoring. Mr. Bach was the originator of the Electric Light, Heat and Power Company of that place and is its President. One of the originators of the Kingston Young Men's Christian Association, and has taken an active interest in all borough and church matters.
MICHAEL GARRAHAN,
The subject of this sketch, was born in what is now a part of Plymouth borough, July 4, 1848. In 1860, with his father, he removed to what is known as the "Avondale Farm," where the next twenty years of his life was spent. In the year 1869 he married Miss Maggie B. Hutchison, a person of considerable intel- lectual attainments and more than ordinary spirituality of mind. For the next ten years both were actively engaged in home mission work, as far as other
-
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
duties would allow. Owing to the failing health of his wife and family, a change of residence become a necessity. Mr. Garrahan removed to Kingston in 1880, where he now resides.
CHARLES S. TURPIN
Was born in Ohio. Came to Kingston, Pennsylvania, in his youth, and was educated in the public schools and at Wyoming Seminary. Was a Surveyor for five years, and in the mercantile business until he established his harness busi- ness on Railroad street, which he still conducts in connection with the real estate business. He served in the Army of the Potomac in Company D, 143d Regiment, for one year.
GEORGE DANA KINGSLEY
Was born at Blakely, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1858. Was educated in the common schools at Scranton and at Whitestown Seminary, near Utica, New York. Was employed as weighmaster for a number of years, and later as Foreman of Avondale Colliery, which position he now holds. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Shekinah Royal Arch Chapter, and Dieu le Veut Commandery. Now resides in Kingston.
ANEURIN EVANS
Was born at Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, in 1855. Son of Rev. D. E. Evans, M. D. Educated in the public schools. Graduated from Wyoming Seminary in 1872, and the Commercial College in 1873. Learned the drug business in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. In 1877 established the present drug firm of Evans & Son, Railroad street, in Kingston.
D. H. LAKE, M. D.,
Born in England in 1863. Came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1872, and thence to Scranton in 1878. Entered Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio, remaining three years, when he returned to Scranton and took up the study of medicine in con- nection with teaching. Graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, April, 1885. Entered the Philadelphia (Blockley) Hospital as a resident physi- cian, where he remained fourteen months; then in November, 1886, located in Kingston and Edwardsville, where he has since practiced his profession. His
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father, Rev. Lot Lake, was for eight years pastor of the Congregational Church at Scranton. He is now located in Knoxville, Tennessee, as pastor of the Knox ville Congregational Church. Married in December, 1889.
EDWARD E. ROSS,
Born at Tuscarora, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1855. On arriving at legal age, was sent to the public schools; attended regularly until old enough to pick slate in the breaker, after which attended school during idle time and in the coldest part of the winter. Commenced teaching at the age of fifteen years, and followed the profession until 1885, teaching in the counties of Schuylkill, Northumberland, Union and Luzerne. From 1885 to 1887 estab- lished a lucrative drug business at Luzerne. Was then appointed Outside Fore- man for the Northwest Coal Company, Limited, at Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Resigned this position in 1889; returned to Luzerne county and re-entered the profession of teaching. Was a candieate for the County Superintendency of Public Schools in 1890. Is now Principal of the Public Schools of Kingston.
GEORGE M. PACE
Was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Graduated from the Commercial College of Wyoming Seminary in 1881. Entered the mercantile business, dealing exclusively in teas and coffees. Moved to Kingston in 1891. Purchased the Philip Goodwin estate on which he had erected a business block. Mr. Pace deals extensively in real estate.
DAVID S. CLARK
Was born in Plains township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Attended school at West Pittston. Followed blacksmithing for twenty years. Served in the Rebellion in the Second Pennsylvania Volunteers; was in the service two years. Was Postmaster at Centermoreland, Wyoming county, and appointed Postmaster at Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1889. Is Commander of Conyngham Post and Treasurer of the Kingston Fire Department.
ALFRED H. COON
Was born in Luzerne county. Educated in the public schools. Lived in Hones- dale, Pennsylvania, and became a partner with his father in building public works. Came to Kingston in 1854. Mr. Coon has filled as many contracts for
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
public works as any man in the State, and has never left a contract unfinished. Organized and built the Wilkes-Parre and Kingston street car line, the first T rail used on a street railroad. This was the first street car line in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Coon and his brother put the first steamboat on the Susque- hanna at Wilkes-Barre, and through his influence secured an appropriation to dredge the river below Wilkes-Barre.
W. H. SHAVER,
Born in Dallas township, September 20, 1847. Received a common school education. Was mustered into the United States service August 20, 1862, as a member of Battery M, Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Artillery. Followed the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac until May 25, 1865, when he was honor- ably discharged. Took the occupation of a locomotive engineer from 1867 to March, 1887, when he went into the grocery business, where he is at present employed.
A. J. ROAT,
Was born April 20, 1833, at Light Street, Columbia county, Pennsylvania. Moved to Forty Fort in 1841 and to Kingston in 1845. Learned the blacksmith- ing trade in 1856. Married in 1856 to Mary Ann Gabriel. Carried on black- smith and wagon work until 1878. Started in the hardware business, which he still continues. From a small business it has grown to be one of the largest in the valley, occupying four buildings. Has three sons who assist him in the business, besides employing six assistants. Has served as School Director, Councilman and Chief of Fire Department.
ISAAC GERHARD ECKERT,
Son of George J. Eckert, was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1858. Pennsylvania German descent on both farther's and mother's side. Graduate of Reading High School and Reading Business College. Student at Lafayette College in civil engineering course. Graduate of State School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, as an assayer. Married in Denver, Colorado, June, 1879, to Miss Lizzie Ella Smith, daughter of Levi M. Smith, formerly of Kingston. Book- keeper and assistant cashier in the banking-house of L. J. Smith & Co. Secre- tary Golden City Republican Committee. Member Jefferson county, Colorado, Republican Committee. Assistant Chief Fire Department. Secretary and Treasurer Library and Reading Room Association. Manager of Golden Opera
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
House. Returned East in the fall of 1881. Manager of George J. Eckert's Fire Brick Works, Reading, until the fall of 1883, when he moved to Kingston. Outside Foreman of Harry E. and Forty Fort Collieries; at present book-keeper for both collieries. Secretary Forty Fort School Board. Secretary Second Legislative District Committee. Assistant Chairman Republican County Com- mittee for Second District. Candidate for nomination for Legislature before the next Second District Convention.
LEWIS LEONIDAS ROGERS, M. D.,
Born at Huntsville, Pennsylvania. Eldest son of Dr. J. J. Rogers. Educated at the public schools, Wyoming Seminary, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia Lying-in Hospital, and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated March 12, 1881. Took a post- graduate course in Gynæcology under Professors Baer and Goodell at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. Located at Kingston in the fall of 1881, where he has been engaged in general practice ever since. He is a member of the Luzerne County, Lehigh Valley, and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies ; an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Lecturer on Physiology and Hygiene at Wyoming Semiuary ; one of the organizers of the Kingston Young Men's Christian Association and its Vice-President for two years. Dr. Rogers is a self-educated man, having taught in the public and graded schools for six years previous to his studying medicine.
CHESTER WILCOX
Was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Attended the public schools of Pittston. Has followed manufacturing of brick and building all his life, and built many of the brick buildings of Plymouth, where he lived for sixteen years. Has lived for a number of years in Kingston. His father was one of the first brick makers in the valley. Mr. Wilcox is a fine musician and gives his services free for church and local entertainments.
J. MILTON NICHOLSON
Was born in Salem, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1828. Re- mained on the homestead engaged in farming and school teaching until 1860, when he entered the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail- road Company as Agent at Hopbottom, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, at which place he was Postmaster during Abraham Lincoln's first term, his com-
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
mission bearing date of April 10, 1861. Came to Kingston June 6, 1865, as telegraph train dispatcher, which position he occupied until January 1, 1881, since which time he has been ticket agent at that station.
B. J. COBLEIGH, M. D.,
Was born near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, January 10, 1863. Educated in the public schools of Plymouth, Luzerne county, and Wilkes-Barre Academy and Bloomsburg Normal School. Studied medicine and graduated from Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia, class of 1883. Took a special course in eye and ear surgery, which branch of the profession he has practiced since. Mar- ried Miss Margaret Edwards, youngest daughter of Daniel Edwards, Kingston, and is now located on Market street in that town.
OSTERHOUT FREE LIBRARY.
HANNAH P. JAMES, LIBRARIAN.
ON April, 1882, by the will of the Hon. Isaac S. Osterhout, just deceased, property amounting in value to about $325,000 was bequeathed to found a free library for the benefit of the citizens of Wilkes-Barre. This gift of Mr. Osterhout's "was the result and outgrowth of long and mature thought, and based upon his perception of the dependence of the peace and prosperity of a community upon its virtue and intelligence." (E. L. Dana, Mem. Add.) In this purpose he had the hearty sympathy of his wife.
By the terms of the will the property was vested in a board of seven trustees: H. B. Payne, L. C. Paine, E. P. Darling, E. L. Dana, Harrison Wright, A. H. McClintock and Sheldon Reynolds, and was to be allowed to accumulate for five years before using. Fortunately, at the expiration of that time the building in which the First Presbyterian Church was worshipping, together with an ample lot of land, was in the market. Its situation and the adaptability to the needs of a library were all that could be desired, and it was purchased by the Trustees for that purpose. In April, 1887, Miss H. P. James, Librarian of the Newton Free Library of Newton, Massachusetts, was elected the Librarian of the new Library, and in August the first invoice of books was received. The work of receiving, cataloguing and arranging, thus begun, continued until January,
vro
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1889. Meantime the building was thoroughly repaired and remodelled. A11 the book-cases and furniture were of solid oak, and a remarkably beautiful and convenient library was achieved, at a comparatively small expense.
On January 28, 1889, the opening exercises were held in the new chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, and included an address by Professor Melvill Dewey, State Librarian of New York. At the conclusion of the exercises the doors of the Library were thrown open to the public, and many warm commend- ations of its beauty and convenience were expressed, and gratification that at last the long anticipated treasures were open to their use. On the following day the delivery of books for home use was commenced, and nearly 50,000 volumes are issued to readers yearly.
From the first, the Reference Department has been a favorite resort for all classes. The small child who can hardly turn the leaves of a book, the breaker boy who comes from a squalid home to the warmth and light of the beautiful room and spends many a happy hour over books full of pictures and stories, the school children in search of help for their daily tasks, the mechanic and the engineer, the Sunday-school teacher, and the day-school teacher, the ladies for topics is literature and art, and the clergymen for light on some knotty point ; all these and many more are using this fountain of precious knowledge which has sprung up in their pathway, and their lives are all the purer and better for it. It is a perennial blessing, growing richer and of greater value the more it is used and the longer it flows. No more blessed gift can one leave to his native city or town than a good library, free to all the inhabitants thereof. The Library opened with 10,652 carefully selected volumes, and has increased at the rate of about 1,200 volumes a year, so that now, in November, 1891, it has a little more than 14,200 volumes.
The present Board of Directors consists of H. B. Payne, A. H. McClintock, Sheldon Reynolds, Rev. Dr. F. B. Hodge, Rev. H. L. Jones, A. F. Derr, C. M. Conyngham, L. H. Taylor and H. A. Fuller.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
THE WILKES-BARRE BUSINESS COLLEGE
AS become one of the fixed educational institutions of our city, and is recognized as among the best of its kind in the State. It is now but four years since it was chartered, yet the number of its students is probably greater than that of any other institution of its age in the State ever has been. It is conveniently located at the corner of Market and Franklin streets, occupy- ing all the rooms of the two upper stories over the Wyoming National Bank and adjoining building. It has a Board of Trustees composed of our leading citizens, of which Hon. C. A. Miner is President and Dr. Fred. C. Johnson is Secretary. G. L. Baldwin and A. W. Moss are principals. The Wilkes-Barre Business College was first established as a night-school by Frederick Schneider in 1885.
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ITERATURE
Introduction.
BY W. GEORGE POWELL.
YOMING VALLEY is a name of poetical suggestiveness to all persons of literary culture. In the latter days of the remarkable poetical outburst of the beginning of this century, English bards, in their effort to retain freshness and originality, sought for subjects in the new or mysterious countries to which the attention of advanced people was then being turned. Moore sang of "Lalla Rookh," and immortal- ized the Vale of Cashmere; Byron found his "Corsairs" and "Laras" in Levantine life; and Campbell, to hold his own, hit upon Wyoming Valley as an excuse for displaying his gorgeousness of phrase and fancy. Thus, in the full panoply of a puffed chef d' œuvre of a popular poet, the three cantos of "Gertrude of Wyoming". sprang forth. In a literary sense, it might be said that Campbell discovered Wyoming Valley, and it is just as true that he knew as little about it as Columbus did of America after seeing San Sal- vador. He has given our valley the greatest advertisement it has ever had, next to the Massacre, and has put a Parnassian stamp upon it forever; but this is not due to the poetry of the poem so much as to the name of the poet; and not so much to the poet as to the newness of his theme. There is not much credit to the valley accruing from the poem; the name suited Campbell's purpose, (he accented it, by the way, on the final syllable,) and that was all he
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INTRODUCTION.
cared for. Like "Lalla Rookh," the poem is a construction, not an inspiration. But unlike Moore, Campbell was too lazy and care- less to make his imagination conform with the details of scenery and climate, as he could have learned them from books and trav- elers. The characters and plot are alike impossible, and the style lacks sincerity, being dominated by the spirit of Pope. The best feature of the poem, as we see it in the strong light of realism to-day, is the verbal beauty of its verse. It is little read now, but will long be known in Philistia by reason of its reputation when first published.
Enough poetry and verse have been written on Wyoming Valley since Campbell's time to fill a good-sized volume. The greatest name in American literature that has given us the honor of an acquaintance with his muse, is Fitz-Greene Halleck. Evidently led by the "Gertrude," he visited Wilkes-Barre, and gave vent to his experience in twelve well-turned Spenserians, full of broad sarcasm and humorous cynicism at Campbell's expense. Mrs. Sigourney, also, says something about us in her works. As for our native writers who have apostrophized their home, their name is legion. Concerning the varying abilities of these writers, readers may judge for themselves from the selections of their work given in the follow- ing pages.
It is perhaps unnecessary to say that the poem of Wyoming yet remains to be written. Mere sentiment, which has been the parent of all verse on the subject hitherto, must give place to a passion more dignified before there can be produced a lasting and truthful poem worthy of its undeniable beauty and romance.
Literature of Wyoming Valley
EDITOR'S NOTE.
The following collection of the poetical productions of our local writers is only representa- . tive, and simply hints at the wealth and beauty of Wyoming Valley Literature. There are many fine prose writers among us, such as Judge D. L. Rhone, Mrs. Rhone, Judge G. M. Harding, Mrs. E. R. Mayer, Miss Edith Brower, Mrs. Ulmsted nee Moore, Mrs. Juniata Salisbury Marcy, C. Ben. Johnson, Dan. L. Hart the dramatist, and many others.
JOHN T. DOYLE, M. D.,
An eminent physician and surgeon, is well known as a. lecturer and a wit and a brilliant writer; highly educated and has traveled extensively. Was born of Irish parents, who gave him a thorough education. Contributed to the Sat- urday Review in England and the Irish Industrial Magazine, and was literary and art correspondent from Australia from. 1863 to 1865 for the London Illustrated News.
IN THE SHADOWS.
I stand in the silence that death has made, By the side of my loved one's tonib, And fondly fancy, her phantom shade Is blent with the shadows that fall and fade O'er the grass-grown grave, where we mourning All the pride of her earthly bloom. [laid The flowers and buds that in death's dark day We wreathed on her robe of rest, Seem springing to life from her shroud of clay, And nod in a wistful and meaning way, As though thro' their forms she would fain con- A sign to my sadful breast. [vey
The anthem'd winds that around me sing, Are surely her spirit voice ; For they move like the breath of an angel's wing, As it used to do when 't was wont to ring Thro' my raptured soul, and went caroling To bid me in love rejoice.
The silken leaves, with their rustling sound, Strew softly the moss-clothed clay ; And silvery grasses array the ground, As tho' e'en the earth she had meetly gowned, To welcome my steps to her lowly mound- To her home in the shadows grey.
'T is sweet to draw thus a balm for woe, From the shadow-land's dole so dread ; And to feel that fancy's enlivening glow, Like distant sun as it shines on snow, Blends with our sorrows, to kindly throw In sheen o'er the dust of the dead.
O shrouds ! and sorrows ! and stillness deep ! I thank ye, that after all
Ye yield me my love in the winds that creep, In the fragrant leaves that around me heap, In the blossomis that waken and buds that sleep,- In the shadows that fade and fall.
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LITERATURE OF
THE VOICE OF THE WANDERING WIND.
There's a sympathy waked in my breast when I hear The voice of the wandering wind ; For in days of my childhood my thoughts loved to veer
With the wantoning wind in its restless career, And in fancy I saw wondrous spirits appear In the skirts of the wonderful wind.
To me, in its fiercest and wrathfulest tone, There was meaning and beauty of form ; As it wandered o'er earth with unloosened zone, Defiant, untaniable, gloomy, unknown- 'T was an aerial Ishmael, shunned and alone, And outcast wind brooding in storm.
As it rose like a giant to rival the might Of the thunder's imperial roar-
A towering phantom, it loomed on my sight, With shaggy clouds bearded, and clothed like night, [light,
And it shook its fierce wings in the bolt's lurid While its warring notes rolled o'er and o'er.
When it breathed thro' soft meadows and sough- Ah ! me, times have changed, winds still rest- ed thro' tall trees, lessly blow
'T was music, low, sweet, undefined, [bees, And it sung like the humming of myriads of Or the boom from the deep sounding send of far seas, [glees,
Till my thoughts fell in love with its ravishing And eloped with the eloquent wind.
But not always my fancy was free to compare The wind with such earth-born change ;
There was mingled at times with the others a share [as air,
Of that " voice from the burning bush," lofty And I trenibled within, overawed, as it were By a feeling unspeakably strange.
And a deep diapason of concord burst bond,
With the mighty wind's chorus of song-
'T was as some disembodied voice making re- spond
To the voice of the Infinite calling beyond- Like the sound of the spreading of wings that belonged
To an angel host rising in throng.
And my spirit uplifted was tempted to soar On winged winds to the heavenly hight ;
For a moment I stood by "the beautiful shore," "I was a glimmer of light, a bright fancy-no more ;
Then away to the depths, to the gloom as before, With vagrant winds roaming the night ! .
Ever thus did my youth, with its fancyings free, Lend niy soul to the wind as it sung ;
Whether eagle-like soaring in loftiest key, Or dove-like soft cooing, 't was all one to me ; I was bent to its moods, I was moved as a tree, By the wind as it settled or swung.
And marshal their sounds in my ears ;
But they fan not my fancy again to aglow, And my thoughts are dull thoughts that reluct- antly flow ; [ago
All the glad winds that sung to my heart long Are sobbing winds, rainful of tears.'
Loved fornis still ride in the skirts of the gale, As it wanders resistlessly past ;
But they show to me dimly and spectrally pale, And beckon me to them as if thro' a veil,
Whilst a dying wind broods on my soul with its wail-
I'm a broken reed bent by its blast.
THE CLAIMS OF THE BELLS. A METAPHORICAL JINGLE.
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