USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in 1892 > Part 9
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
99
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
York. They have two children, Roselys and Emily, both of whom are attend- ing Miss Rockwell's School on Franklin street in Wilkes-Barre, The subject of this sketch is a descendant of German ancestry. His great-grandfather, George Ryman, a native of Warnebrum, Prussia, came to America in the year 1750, and settled in New Jersey, near Easton, Pennsylvania. His wife was Katherine Matley, by whom he had five children. Of these, Peter, the grand- father of W. P. Ryman, was born in the year 1776. He was married to Mary Sweazy, daughter of Richard Sweazy, and lived near Hope, New Jersey, for several years, where five of his children were born. In 1812 he moved to Dallas, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he bought and settled on the farm which is still in the possession and ownership of his descendants. Here three more children were born, of whom Abram Ryman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was one. He was born August 21, 1817, and at the age of seventeen started in an active business career as lumberman and merchant, which continued without interruption for about forty years. He was a man of spotless integrity and was identified with every progressive enterprise of his time and vicinity. He possessed a mavelous business energy that never failed him until the final breaking up, just prior to his death in 1873. He established the firm of A. Ryman & Sons, which is still carried on in the old name by those of his children who are the present members thereof. He left children-Mary E., now inter- married with C. M. Maxwell of the city of New York; Theodore F. Ryman, now living in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and head of the firm of A. Ryman & Sons of Wilkes-Barre and Dallas; W. P. Ryman, Ruth E. Ryman and Leslie S. Ryman of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania ; John P. Ryman of Dallas, Pennsylvania, and Fred. S. Ryman of Boston, Massachusetts.
LEWIS H. TAYLOR, M. D.,
Born at Taylorsville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1850. Received preliminary education in the common schools. Graduated at Millersville State Normal Sohool in July, 1871, having previously taught two terms in the school which in boyhood he attended. Began teaching in Wilkes-Barre, as Principal of Franklin Grammar School, in September, 1871, which position he held till 1874, when he was elected Principal of the High School. Remained in this position till 1877, when he withdrew to begin the study of medicine. Graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1880, and took a post graduate course in diseases of the eye and ear. Settled in Wilkes-Barre in 1880, where he has since practiced continuously with the exception of seven months spent in special study in Europe. Married in June, 1884, to Emily B. Hollenback. Two children.
100
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Has been Medical Inspector for the State Board of Health since 1885. One of the attending physicians of the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital since 1884, and now ophthalmologist to the same. Received the honorary degree of A. M. from Lafayette College in 1891. Member of the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, Lehigh Valley Medical Association, Lu- zerne County Medical Society, Philadelphia Pathological Society, American Ophthalmological Society. Trustee of Osterhout Library, Wyoming Seminary and of Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
NATHANIEL RUTTER.
The subject of this sketch, was born at Pequea Valley, Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, in November, 1806, and is now in his eighty-sixth year. His father, Adam Rutter, died when he was four years of age, leaving his mother in humble circumstances and with several young children to provide for. Mr. Rutter spent the first ten years of his life on a farm. At ten years of age he went into a store at Columbia, Pennsylvania, to clerk. At the age of nineteen (1825), he came to Wilkes-Barre, and was given a position in Matthias Hollenback's office, which still stands on South Main street nearly opposite the Judge Ross
mansion. Mr. Rutter afterward clerked for Ziba Bennett, and was a partner of the firm of Haff, Rutter & Scott. In 1833 he entered into partnership with George M. Hollenback, and in 1846 dissolved the same, he taking possession of the store corner Market and Franklin streets, up to 1888, when he sold out to Dodge & Speer. Mr. Rutter is a man of remarkable, regular, temperate and industrious habits, and far more robust and active than many men at fifty. He was a member of the Borough and City Councils for years, and is an honored member of the Presbyterian Church, and President of the Miners' Savings Bank. When he arrived in Wilkes-Barre, it was not more than a country village and contained but a few hundred persons ; and it must be more than gratifying for him to note the different changes that have been wrought in the mode of steam engineering, electricity, and improvements in the Nineteenth Century.
HON. ELIJAH CATLIN WADHAMS,
Born at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1825. Was educated at Dana College, Wilkes-Barre, Dickinson College, and the University of the City of New York, graduating from the latter institution in 1847. From this time until 1873 he lived in Plymouth, engaging in commercial pursuits and in mining and shipping coal. He was Justice of the Peace for twenty years and Burgess for seven years.
IOI
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
In 1873 he moved to Wilkes-Barre. He was for many years a Director of the Wyoming National Bank, and at the time of his death, January 18, 1889, was President of the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre. In 1876 he was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania and was highly praised for the work he did while a member of that body. He was also a prominent Mason, being one of the charter members of Plymouth Lodge. Hon. E. C. Wadhams combined a liberal education and culture with a high standard of manhood, tempered with that essential factor, common sense. He was respected by all for his integrity, his Christian faith and his earnest and successful work in the church with which he was identified.
GEORGE W. GUTHRIE, M. D.,
Was born at Guthrieville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of Jan- uary, 1845. Educated in the public schools and at Millersville State Normal School. Studied medicine under the care and direction of Dr. Edward R. Mayer and attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and the University of Pennsylvania. Diploma from the latter institution bears date of March 13, 1873. Located for the practice of medicine in Wilkes-Barre June 13, 1873. Member of the Luzerne County Medical Society and of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. One of the attending physicians of the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital. For thirteen years was a member of the School Board of the old Third District ; at present a member of the Consolidated Board of Six.
H. HARRISON HARVEY
Was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, in the year 1840. He entered school in Middletown, Connecticut; afterward attended Edge Hill School in Princeton, New Jersey, and finished his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lan- caster, Pennsylvania. He was called home in the beginning of his senior year to assume the duties as Manager of the Harvey Mines at Nanticoke, to take the place of his brother, who had enlisted in the army. In the year 1863 the firm of Harvey Brothers (composed of J. and H. H. Harvey) was formed for the pur- pose of mining and shipping coal from the Harvey Mines, one of the oldest mines in the valley. This business was continued until 1872, when the mine was sold to the Susquehanna Coal Company. The firm was also engaged in the lumber business, and continued in that until 1886, when they sold out their mills and timber land. Real Estate was also carried along with their other interests, and eventually it developed to such an extent that they are
S
D
m 1, I-
e r
f
of
IO2
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
now probably, outside of the coal corporations, the largest owners of tenement houses in the valley. H. H. Harvey has the supervision of all the real estate connected with the firm, and he is also identified with many other enterprises and corporations. He is very largely interested in the Wilkes-Barre and Wyo- ming Valley Traction Company, a Life Member and Trustee of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and a Director in the following corporations: Wilkes-Barre Electric Light Company, Wyoming Valley Ice Company, First National Bank of Plymouth, Plymouth Water Company, Plymouth Light, Heat and Power Company, Hunlock's Creek and Muhlenburg Turnpike Company, etc. Mr. Harvey takes great interest in blooded stock and owns some of the finest trotting-bred stock of horses in the State. He is President of the Horse Breeders' Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, and has done much to promote its welfare.
SELIGMAN J. STRAUSE, EsQ.,
Was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Graduated from the College of New York city. Studied law with H. W. Palmer, Esq., of Wilkes-Barre, and was admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1875.
FRANCIS M. NICHOLS, EsQ.,
Born at Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Educated in the State University of Kansas. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1873. Filled the position of District Attorney by appointment, 1879. Mr. Nichols is well known as a man of fine literary taste. Elected Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1892.
GEORGE LOVELAND, EsQ.,
Was born in Kingston, November 5, 1823. Educated at the Dana Academy, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Lafayette College. Studied law with General E. W. Sturdevant, and was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne county in 1848.
JOHN LANING
Was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1836. His father was A. C. Laning and mother Amanda E. Laning, now deceased. His education was received at the old Academy on the Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, preparatory to his entering Lafayette College in 1854. After a three years' course at that institution he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, and graduated
IO3
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
from the latter in 1858. Immediately following his graduation he was employed as draftsman and afterward as book-keeper for Laning & Marshall at their machine shop on Canal street, now the Dickson Manufacturing Company. He was a member of the Town Council the year Wilkes-Barre became a city. On the 19th of September, 1865, he was married to Helen C. Brower, in New York city. From 1866 to 1879 he was engaged in the lumber business, running a planing mill in connection with his lumber yard. In 1880 he became Superin- tendent of the Hollenback Coal Company, and held that position until 1887, when he retired from active business life. He has been conspicuous in improv- ing the city of Wilkes-Barre, notably, in erecting the Laning Building. He is a Director in the Miners' Savings Bank, the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company and the Wilkes-Barre and Kingston Street Railroad.
FRED. AHLBORN
Was born in the kingdom of Bavaria. Educated in the government schools. Came to this country in 1851, and engaged in the manufacturing business in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1859, and engaged in the manufacture of soap. In 1871 established a meat business that has become the largest in this section.
D. O. COUGHLIN, EsQ.,
The subject of this sketch, is a native of Luzerne county. He is what is called a self-educated man; that is, he was not sent to school, but went to school, and paid his own way. He was for several years a teacher in both public and private schools. He was principal of the New Columbus Male and Female Academy five years. Subsequently he attended the National School of Oratory in Philadelphia, and later entered as a law student in the office of A. Ricketts. In 1882 he was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar. He completed the course of instruction in the Valparaiso Law School and was graduated with honors in 1884. Married soon after and took up his residence in Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Since that time he has been practicing law in this county. He served as Deputy Revenue Collector four years under Cleveland's administration, and filled the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his superiors.
C. B. SUTTON,
Was born in Exeter township, Luzerne county, on the 9th day of July, 1830. Was the son of Samuel Sutton, who was drowned in the Susquehanna river in
IO4
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
1842. Removed from Exeter to Kingston in 1846. Attended school at Wyo- ming Seminary during the years of 1848-9-50. Removed to Wilkes-Barre in 1853. Was clerk in his brother's store on North Main street until 1861, when he enlisted int he band of the Fifty-Second Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, under Colonel Henry M. Hoyt. After retiring from the army, was clerk for his brother for several years. Was elected Alderman of the Twelfth Ward of the city in 1874; re-elected in 1879 and 1884. Was elected Mayor of the city in 1886, against seven other competitors; was re-elected in 1889, running as an independent candidate against ex-Sheriff William O'Malley, Democratic candi- date, and Colonel B. F. Stark, Republican candidate, and received seventy-one votes as many as the two other candidates together.
SAMUEL S. JONES
Was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Educated in the public schools. Entered the store of T. H. Jones of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later the drug store of Millard Cyphers of Wilkes-Barre. Graduated in 1886 from the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy. Is at the present time partner of Nat. Wolf in the only wholesale drug house in this section.
WILLIAM J. HARVEY
Was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1838. Educated at Wyo- ming Seminary and Princeton College. Served in the late War in the Seventh Regular Pennsylvania Reserves. President and Manager for many years of the Kingston and Wilkes-Barre Street Railroad; President of the West Side Driving Park; President of the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills; Director of the Miners' Savings Bank; member of the firm of Harvey Brothers, lumber and real estate.
J. W. RAEDER
Was born November 8, 1858, at White Haven. His parents came to Wilkes- Barre when he was but six months of age. When but seven years of age his father died, leaving him the oldest of four children. From that moment the struggle of life began. He will be recalled as the boy who could be seen on our streets every morning with his cronk beer hand-wagon, as it was in this way that he and his mother supported the family for a number of years. Various occupations were followed until he became fourteen years old, when he started out in the old Record of the Times Bindery, October 21, 1872, as an apprentice. April 6, 1881, he started in for himself, employing but two hands. To-day he
105
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
has the largest plant outside of the larger cities, employing twenty-four hands. His specialty is blank books of every description. He is the Recording Secre- tary of the Young Men's Christian Association, Secretary of the First Presbyte- rian Sunday-School and a member of various other organizations.
MOSES H. BURGUNDER
Was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1854. Educated in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary. Manager of Music Hall, Wilkes-Barre ; Scranton Academy of Music, and the Halls of Hazleton, Reading, Allentown and Williamsport.
G. TAYLOR GRIFFIN,
Born at Moscow, Pennsylvania. His school days were passed at Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. Commenced photography at Meshoppen ; opened a gallery at Tunkhannock; came from there to Wilkes-Barre, and from there to Pittston, and in May, 1890, established with C. F. Colburn the well-known gallery, 117 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES H. JACOBS,
Secretary of the Republican County Committee, is one of the best known young men in politics in Luzerne county, having been Secretary of the Third Legisla- tive District for four years, becoming Assistant Secretary of the County Com- mittee in 1888 and Secretary in 1891. Mr. Jacobs was born in New York city January 13, 1862, coming to Wilkes-Barre with his parents in 1867, and going thence to Plymouth in 1879, where he joined his father in the merchant tailor- ing business, being a cutter by profession. He is a self-made young man, having attended the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Jacobs is very popular with the young men, being an enthusiast in all things athletic, military and theatrical. He was elected President of the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Asso- ciation at Sunbury in 1891 ; Sergeant of Company I, Ninth Regiment N. G. P., since its organization, and being Vice-President of the Plymouth Fire Depart- ment.
REV. PROF. P. A. HUBERT
Is the pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on Northampton street. He was born and educated in Antigua, British West Indies. For five years he held a professorship of one of Her Majesty's government schools in the-
106
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Island of Dominica, British West Indies. At the end of that time he entered the Wesleyan ministry. His sight failing him in 1884, he was sent to try the services of Dr. Knapp, the oculist of New York city. He filled two very im- portant offices in Rochester, New York, as amanuensis in the employ of H. H. Warner and James E. Briggs, of the Lawyers' Co-Operative Publishing Com- pany. He is well known and popular in this city and very successful in church work.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH
Of Wilkes-Barre, was established March 13, 1844, nearly forty-eight years, and consequently one of the oldest churches in the city. The present edifice is a new one, the old having given place to it six years ago. The church will be dedicated on the first of May, 1892. The present pastor is Rev. P. A. Hubert.
HENRY BLACKMAN PLUMB, EsQ.,
Was born in Hanover township, Luzerne county, March 13, 1829. Educated in the common schools of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Studied law under Balemy L. Maxwell, and admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1859. Mr. Plumb is largely interested in real estate. Author of the "History of Hanover Town- ship."
JOHN HARTWELL MULKEY
Was born at Rush, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. Was educated at the Wyoming Seminary. He is in the mercantile business in West Pittston. He has written many descriptive and religious verses.
REV. THEOPHILUS JONES,
Born in Caerphilly, South Wales, Great Britain. Baptist minister. Eighty- two years of age. Landed in New York in June, 1843. Began to preach when he was eighteen years old. He preaches still, it is said, as well as ever and with all the fervor and force of youth. His unusually long ministry has been about evenly divided among Welsh and English churches. He is a fluent, forcible and eloquent speaker, and very popular as a preacher, especially among the Welsh people. Kind, sympathetic and benevolent in a marked degree ; faithful, courageous and true in all the relations of life. A resident of Wilkes- Barre for twenty years, he is universally respected here, and beloved by all who
107
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
have known him intimately; and this has always been true of him throughout his long and useful life. Thus far death has never entered his immediate house- hold, nor that of his children. His wife and two children, D. M. Jones the attorney, and Mrs. M. Jennie Reed, and his three grand-children, two daughters and a son of D. M. Jones, are all living ; and never was more faithful husband and father, nor fonder grandfather, than the venerable Rev. Theophilus Jones.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MYERS,
Chief-of-Police, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was born in that city in 1846. Educated in the public schools. Worked on his grandfather's farm until his seventeenth year. Enlisted in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and served until the close of the War. Was a carpenter until he was appointed on the police force of Wilkes-Barre as Patrolman, and served eight years; then was appointed Chief of-Police, and has filled that position for twelve years.
HON. ROBERT H. McKUNE
Was born in Newburgh, New York, August 19, 1823. Attended school until his thirteenth year, and then began active business life as a baker. In 1849 removed to California. Settled at Susquehanna, Pennsylvania ; later at Bing- hamton, New York; removed to Scranton in 1862. Served in the Civil War, having charge of the advance guard on the Williamsport road, and was conspic- uous as a member of the Secret Service. Entered on a general insurance busi- ness in Scranton after his return. Elected Mayor of Scranton in 1875. At the present time conducting an insurance business in Wilkes-Barre.
THOMAS C. PARKER
Was born in England, March, 1846. Came to this country during the Civil War and located at Newark, New Jersey. Later came to Wilkes-Barre. He has established one of the largest jewelry businesses in the city. He is a mem- ber of many local societies, and is very often chosen orator on public occasions. He is also a fluent writer.
EDWARD HENRY CHASE, EsQ.,
Was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, February 28, 1835. Graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1855. Taught one year in Wells Col- lege. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1856. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1859.
108
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Went to the front with the Wyoming Light Dragoons. In 1863 married Eliza- beth, daughter of Hon. Adam Taylor. Appointed Postmaster of Wilkes- Barre in 1865. In 1868 was chosen Secretary and Attorney of the Borough Council ; City Clerk and Attorney in 1871-72-73. Collector of Internal Revenue from 1873 until 1885.
W. P. MORGAN,
Was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 22, 1855. Beginning a business career at the age of twenty-one, has been a successful business man ever since. Is asso- ciated with J. T. Morgan, his brother, in the wholesale shoe business. The Morgan Brothers have lately opened up the large tract of land at South Wilkes- Barre known as the Lee Park tract, and have been very successful with it.
R. B. RICKETTS.
Educated at Wyoming Seminary. Commanded a battery of light artillery in the late War ; promoted to Major and also Colonel of Artillery. Democratic candidate for Lieutenant-Governor in 1886. Director of the Osterhout Free Library. Member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
REV. PETER H. BROOKS
Was born near the city of Schenectady, New York. At the age of sixteen he united with the Presbyterian Church in that city, under the pastorate of Rev. Trumball Backus, D. D., LL.D. He attended Union College. Graduated at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, 1864. Was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at West Milton, Saratoga county, New York, July 13, 1865. He has been nineteen years pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Susquehanna, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. For fifteen years he has been Clerk in Lackawanna Presbytery. Two of these years he was Temporary Clerk, then five years Permanent Clerk, and eight years Stated Clerk, which position he still holds, in connection with his recent appointment as Presbyterial Missionary in the seven eastern counties of Pennsylvania, having his residence in Wilkes-Barre.
CHARLES DORRANCE LINSKILL
Was born in Lehman, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1840. He attended the public and select schools of Lehman and Huntsville and also assisted in the labors on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he entered a
109
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
store as a clerk. For sixteen years he was salesman, book-keeper and foreman in stores of Wyoming Valley. Since 1873 he has been constantly engaged in the newspaper business in this county. In the fall of 1880 he started the Wilkes- Barre Telephone, which is now a paper of large circulation and considerable influence. In 1887 Mr. Linskill made a very pleasant tour through the British Isles and France, and since his return he has published a history of his Euro- pean trip in a book, entitled "In Lands Beyond the Sea," which has had an excellent sale and is very highly commended by hundreds of worthy people. We understand that he proposes to publish other works.
DR. ALEXANDER P. O'MALLEY,
Born in Ireland, August 22, 1853. Son of James O'Malley of New Haven, Connecticut. Was educated at Seton Hall College, New Jersey, and graduated in medicine at the University Medical College of New York, March, 1875. He is second to none in the county among his brethren in the medical profession. He has been in this county since 1875, and is one of the most successful in his line. He is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, and resides at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
W. H. PUTNAM
Was born in the town of Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, October 15, 1854. Until he was sixteen he worked on a farm, attending district school during the winter. In the fall of 1872 he entered Hartwick Seminary with the intention of preparing for college and of taking a college course. After remaining in Hart- wick Seminary for some time and preparing to enter Pennsylvania College, he entered the work of teaching in New Jersey, having, however, taught his first term at Clintonville, New York. He was principal of the school at Otego, New York, four years, during the most of which time he was a student in the law office of Hon. L. E. Bowe. While living in Otego he was elected to a Profess- orship in the Wyoming Seminary, having charge of the Normal Department and making a specialty of Rhetoric. In 1884, Pennsylvania College conferred upon him the degree of M. A. About this time, having determined to carry out his original plan of a college education, he was admitted to the post-graduate department of the Illinois Wesleyan University, and pursued a four years' course of history and philosophy, taking regular examinations and graduating in June, 1890, having earned two degrees, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. In 1888 he became Principal of the Schools of West Pittston, one of the finest posi-
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.