USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in the nineteenth century > Part 10
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HON. JOHN N. CONINGHAM was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1798. Grad- uated with high honors at the University of Pennsylvania in 1817. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1820. He became President Judge of Luzerne county and served for thirty years. Member of the Legislature in 1849. For fifty years vestryman in St. Stephen's Church in Wilkes-Barre. His death on February 23, 1871, resulted from having his limbs crushed under the wheels of a car.
CHARLES PARRISH has resided all his life in Wilkes-Barre. He is one of the leading coal and railroad men in the State and probably has done more for these industries in this section than any other individual. Was President of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, one of the organizers and President of the First National Bank, President of the Hazard Manufacturing Company and is connected with many other industries of the valley.
HARRY C. DAVIS was born in Washington, District of Columbia. September 24, 1856. Educated in the public schools of Washington, and graduated at the head of his class in the Columbian University, in 1878. Became adjunct-professor of Greek in the University and held the position for four years. At Present Principal of the Harry Hillman Academy. In conjunction with Mr. J. C. Bridgman, author of " Brief Declamations."
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
LIDDON FLICK, EsQ., was born at Wilkes-Barre, October 29, 1858. He is the eldest son of the late Reuben Jay Flick, who died December 18, 1890. Mr. Flick received his education at the public schools of Wilkes-Barre and at Princeton College, grad- uating from the latter institution in 1882 with the degree of B. A. He entered the law school of Columbia College, New York, and upon graduation in 1884 received the degree of LL. B. cum laude. In 1885 he was admitted to the New York City Bar, and the same year received from Princeton College the degree of M. A. In 1886 he returned to Wilkes- Barre, where he has since been practicing his profession. Mr. Flick is an energetic, pains- taking young man, and most actively interested in the industries and improvements of his native city. He holds the responsible position of Director in the Wilkes-Barre Lace Com- pany, Wyoming Valley Ice Company, Newport Coal Company, Wilkes-Barre and Kingston Bridge Company, Treasurer and Director of the Newell Clothing Company, Vice Presi- dent Wyoming Valley Trust Company, and Treasurer Grand Opera House Company. He is also one of the Trustees of the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital and of the Musical Associa- tion. As a connoisseur and collector of books and fine art, Mr. Flick has more than a local reputation. As a man, his character endures close and intimate acquaintance. In every position which business or popularity has called him, by his energy and integrity he has justified public confidence and the expectations of his friends.
W. A. LATHROP was born August 4, 1854, at Springville, Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania. Graduated at Lehigh University in June, 1875, with degree of C. E. Engaged at mine surveying and kindred mining work with Irving A. Stearns at Wilkes-Barre for about two years; principal Assistant Engineer of Lehigh Valley Railroad for about three years, with office at Bethlehem. Superintendent Midvale Ore Company, Prompton, New Jersey, about one year. General Superintendent and Engineer of the Southwest Virginia Improvement Company from the fall of 1881 until the summer of 1884, during which time he opened and developed the Flat Top Coal Field of Virginia; built the town of Poca- hontas in what was then a wilderness, and opened the mines and built the coking plant of the Southwest Company at that place. Superintendent of the Bituminous Coal Depart- ment of the Lehigh Valley-Coal Company, with headquarters at Snow Shoe, Center county, Pennsylvania, from the summer of 1884 until the winter of 1888, when he succeeded Fred. Mercur as General Superintendent of the last named company, with office at Wilkes-Barre.
H. BAKER HILLMAN was born at Manluck, Pennsylvania. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1841. Ilis father, Colonel H. B. Hillman, was one of the first coal operators of the valley. Mr. Hillman became a coal operator after completing his education, and has been actively engaged ever since. One of the first Directors of the People's Bank ; Secretary of the Vul- can Iron Works for many years; was a member of the last Borough and of the first City Council. The Harry Hillman Academy of Wilkes-Barre is a gift to this city and a memo- rial to his deceased son, Harry Hillman.
EDWARD STERLING LOOP was born in Elmira, New York, February 11, 1823. At- tended the school of J. B. Dow, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1840 removed to St. Louis, Missouri ; returned to Wilkes-Barre and was employed by Ziba Bennett for fifty dollars per annum. Removed to White Haven in 1842. In 1844 went to New York city, and in May, 1853, was made Cashier of the Wyoming Bank, Wilkes-Barre, and remained until 1874.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
ALFRED DARTE, ESQ., was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and is the eldest son of Judge Alfred Darte, now deceased. He was educated at Wyoming Seminary, and was in early years admitted to practice law, a partner with his father. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, they closed their law office, both responded to the call for 75,000 men, and served through the first three months of the Rebellion-the father as a Captain and the son as a Lieutenant in the same Regiment. Afterward he entered the Cavalry service, and was a Captain in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry until discharged for disability from wounds received in action at Trevillian Station, Virginia, in 1864. Captain Darte's command was a part of the famous Phil. Sheridan Cavalry. In civil life Captain Darte has filled many positions of honor and tinst. He holds a commission as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Veteran Military League, an organization similar bat antedating the Grand Army of the Republic. Is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and at present Commander of Conyngham Post, No. 97, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania ; was its Delegate to the National Encampment at Detroit. At the last State Encampment he was elected Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania. Was elected District At- torney of Luzerne county for a three year term, in 1879, and re-elected for a second term in IS88, and vigorously represented the Commonwealth, in the enforcement of her laws, with intelligence and integrity. Captain Darte is one of the most active Republicans in his party and a public speaker of repute. He resides at Kingston, Pennsylvania.
HON. CHARES E. RICE, President Judge of Luzerne county, was born at Fairfield, New York, September 14, 1846. Prepared for college at Fairfield Academy ; graduated from Hamilton College in 1867. Taught in the Bloomsburg Library Institute. Read law with John G. Freeze ; graduated from the Albany Law School in 1869, admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of New York ; in 1870 admitted to the Luzerne Bar; elected District Attorney of Luzerne county in 1876; elected Law Judge in 1879; is at present President Judge.
HON. GEORGE W. SHONK was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1860. . Edu- cated at the Wyoming Seminary ; graduated from Wesleyan University in 1883. Studied law with Hon. H. B. Payne; admitted to the Bar of Luzerne county in 1876. Elected to Congress on the Republican ticket in 1890.
S. L. BROWN was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania. Educated in public schools. At thirteen years of age had charge of a set of books in a store at Mount Pleasant. Entered the mercantile business at Ionesdale, and later engaged extensively in the tannery business. Removed to. Wilkes-Barre and became a member of the firm of Conyngham & Paine. In 1886 he established the firm of S. L. Brown & Company, that has become one of the largest oil houses in this section. Mr. Brown has an interest in many business enterprises in this section and owns one of the finest residences in the city.
GEORGE H. PARRISH was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1820. Educated in that city, and has been connected with the coal interest of the valley from early life. Was Superintendent of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company for many years.
THOMAS H. ATHERTON, born at Wyoming, July 14, 1853. Attended school at Wyo- ming and Wilkes-Barre until 1870. Entered Princeton University in the fall of 1870, and graduated in June, 1874. Entered the law office of Hon. Charles E. Rice in September, 1874, and was admitted to the Bar in September, 1876.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
HON. HENRY M. HOVT was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1830. Worked on his father's farm until the age of fourteen. Educated at the old Wilkes-Barre Academy and Wyoming Seminary ; graduated at Williams College in 1849. Taught in the Academy at Towanda; taught mathematics at Wyoming Seminary; also taught in the Graded School at Memphis, Tennessee. Studied law under George W. Woodward, and was ad- mitted to to the Luzerne Bar in 1853. Served his country in the War of the Rebellion and was brevetted Brigadier-General. Elected Additional Law Judge of Luzerne county. Appointed Collector of Revenue for Luzerne and Susquehanna counties in 1869. Inaugu- rated Governor of Pennsylvania in 1879. Author of much valuable literature. Died December 1, 1892.
DR. W. S. STEWART was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1855. Educated in the public schools and in the State Normal School; taught school for several years ; grad- uated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1885. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1884. Member of Luzerne county and State Medical Societies and the Lehigh Valley Medical Society.
GEORGE MORTIMER LEWIS, ESQ., was born in Merryal, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Graduated from Lafayette College in 1873. Studied law with E. P. Darling. Is a member of the Luzerne Bar. Is interested in Electric Railroads.
GEORGE H. FLANAGAN, Cashier of the Wyoming Bank, was born at Lehman Center, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1854. Educated in the public schools; spent three years at Wyoming Seminary, and graduated from the Commercial College in 1871. Entered the bank of J. B. Wood, Flanagan & Company, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1876 was elected Cashier of the Ashley Savings Bank, and in 1882 Cashier of the Wyo- ming Bank, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, which position he now holds. Served as a mem- ber of the Town Council of Kingston borough for three years. Mr. Flanagan resides in Kingston.
ASHER MINER was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1860. Son of Hon. Charles A. Miner. Educated at the Wilkes-Barre Academy and at East Hampton, Massachusetts. Director of the Millers' Fire Insurance Company, and has served as Cap- tain of Company D of the Ninth Regiment of the National Guards.
JAMES L. LENAHAN, ESQ., was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Educated in the pub- lic schools; completed his education at the Holy Cross College, Massachusetts. Read law with his brother John T., and was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne county in 1879. Elected District Attorney in 1885.
WILLIAM DRAKE LOOMIS, born in Wilkes-Barre, where Loomis Building now stands, August 18, 1844. Son of ex-Mayor W. W. Loomis. Was educated at the Wyoming Sem- inary and at the Preparatory School of W. S. Parsons, and is a graduate of Crittenden Commercial College. He is now one of the Directors and Secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Heat, Light and Motor Company. Served during the War on the United States Gunboat "Granite." He has spent a large amount of money in buildings in the city, having built the store at the corner of Northampton and Washington streets, occupied by Conyngham, Schrage & Company, and the Loomis Building on North Main street, and several blocks of tenement houses.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
GEORGE A. WELLS, born at Dundaff. Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Resident of Wilkes-Barre since 1865. Engaged in Real Estate, Collection and Insurance business, resi- dence, 66 South street. Original Secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade; also Secre- tary of Wyoming Building and Loan Association, No. I and No. 2, for full term of both. Precentor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church for ten years. Treasurer of Wyoming Camp-Ground Association for ten years.
STEUBEN JENKINS, EsQ., was born in Wyoming, Luzerne county, in 1819. Educated at Oxford Academy and at the Academy at Bethany, Pennsylvania. Studied law with the Hon. Hendrick B. Wright, and admitted to the Bar in 1847. Was a partner with Colonel Wright for eight years. Served two years in a government appointment in Washington. Served two terms in the State Legislature, namely. in 1856 and 1857. In 1863 was chosen Clerk and Counsel to the County Commissioners of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Died in 1889. He left a valuable collection of historical data, Indian relics, fossils, minerals. Mr. Jenkins was a poet, historian and antiquarian.
GEORGE A. EDWARDS is a native of Cardiff, Wales, where he was born in 1846. He came to Wilkes-Barre in 1881, and ever since has been one of its most industrious citizens. He founded the Eagle Iron Works in 1882, and it is now an important industry. Although Mr. Edwards has filled no public office, he is a very busy public man, having his hands full of social duties. He is an able platform speaker and wields the pen with equal ability. In business, in the church, and in philanthropic enterprises he is a very active citizen. The Cambro-American Society, an important organization amongst the Welsh residents, owes its present position to Mr. Edwards's zeal and interest in his nationality.
J. B. WOODWARD, EsQ., born at Wilkes-Barre, April 3, 1861. Educated at public schools, St. Paul's School, Wilkes-Barre Academy, and Yale College; graduated from Yale in the class of 1883. Studied law with A. T. McClintock, W. S. McLean and University of Pennsylvania Law School. Admitted to the Bar September 7, 1885. Married June 6, 1888, to Marion Hillard, daughter of T. S. Hillard.
S. M. BARD, born on a farm in Trumbull county, of the old Western Reserve, Ohio. Was educated in the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Began life as a teacher in home district school. Taught a number of terms in country and town, then spent three years on the road. Entered Young Men's Christian Association work at Harrisburg, as Assistant Secretary. Was General Secretary at Pittston for six months, and has been General Secretary for eight years in Wilkes-Barre.
TORRENCE BERNHART HARRISON was born in Union township, Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, November 1, 1858. Attended the public schools of his native township until seventeen years of age, when he began teaching. Taught first term in Union; for next two years taught during winter and attended a term of school during the fall at New Columbus. Academy; in 1877, 1878 and 1879, taught in Plymouth township. Graduated from State Normal School in 1881, taking the highest honors of his class. Taught in public schools of Kingston borough for two years, the last year as Principal ; resigned to accept Principalship of High School at Hazleton, a position lie hield for two years, and then resigned to accept the Principalship of the schools of what was then the Second District of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Harrison held this position until his election as Superintendent of Schools of Luzerne county in 1890.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JOHN T. LENAHAN. EsQ., born at Port Griffith. Educated under the care of the Fathers of St. Augustine, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1870. Studied in the law deparment of the University of Pennsylvania. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1873.
C. W. LAYCOCK was born October 3, 1860. Educated in public schools of Shickshinny and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. Entered the Second National Bank of Wilkes-Barre as book-keeper, February, 1880. Elected Cashier of the Anthracite Savings Bank of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May, 1890.
EDWARD E. CAMP was born in Camptown, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1851. He followed farming until about 1876, when he went to Tunkhannock and en- gaged in newspaper work, which he has since continued, making advertising a special study. He entered into partnership with his brother, Cyrus, and established Camp Brothers' News and Advertising Bureau in Wilkes-Barre in 1885. Assumed control of the business in 1894.
AUGUSTUS L. LEGRAND, born in Wilkes-Barre, August 16, 1856. Educated in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. Entered the employ of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company at Empire Shops, to learn the machinist's trade, in 1870. Accepted a position as machinist with the Dickson Manufacturing Company in Wilkes-Barre in 1875. Returned to the Empire Shops in 1878. Studied mechanical engineering during leisure hours. Ac- cepted a position as Mechanical Draughtsman with the Dickson Manufacturing Company of Wilkes-Barre in 1880, which position he still holds. Ruling Elder of the Grant Street Presbyterian Church and Superintendent of the Sunday School, succeeding the late Dr. J. L. Miner in above position.
C. Bow DOUGHERTY, born in Wilkes-Barre, September, 1860. Educated in the public schools of that city and Emerson Institute, Washington, District of Columbia. Entered the office of the Susquehanna Coal Company in 1879, and is now Chief Clerk of the Coal Companies of Pennsylvania Railroad. Married. Anne W. Posten, February 6, 1883. En- listed in the Ninth Regiment, National Guards of Pennsylvania, August 1, 1881; appointed Regimental Clerk, 1881; Sergeant-Major, 1883; First Lieutenant and Inspector of Rifle Practice, 1887; Major, 1892, and Lieutenant-Colonel, 1894. Secretary Wilkes-Barre Mu- sical Association (Ninth Regiment Band). Member Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution.
JESSE T. MORGAN, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wilkes-Barre in 1843, and was educated in our public schools. His business career commenced when but a boy as a clerk in his father's shoe store on Market street, in the year 1869. When but twenty-one years of age he became a partner with his father, and took the full management of the busi- ness, which was conducted with moderate success. In the year 1876, W. P. Morgan, a younger brother, became a partner-his father retiring. A jobbing department was added to the retail business, and later the business was changed to manufacturing and jobbing, Mr. D. Davis, of Worcester, Massachusetts, becoming a member of the firm. The business was run successfully under the firm name of Morgan Bros. & Company for about eight years, when Mr. Davis retired, he having purchased the manufacturing plant. J. T. & W. P. Morgan continued the jobbing business until 1893. Mr. Morgan is also engaged in real estate largely, being connected with his brother, W. P., in developing the Lee Park addition to the city of Wilkes-Barre.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
HON. WILLIAM H. HINES was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 16, 1854. Edu- cated in public schools and Wyoming Seminary. Read law with John Lynch and G. M. Harding, and admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1881. Elected by the Labor Reforin Party to the State Legislature in 1878, and to the same office in 1882. Elected to the Senate in ISSS by the Democratic Party, and to Congress in 1892.
CHRISTIAN WALTER was born in the Grand Dutchy of Baden, Germany, in 1848. Came to this country in 1854; has lived nearly all that time in Luzerne county. Received very little schooling, only seven terms of four months each in the country districts of Luzerne county. When nineteen years old took clerkship in country store in Conyngham : remained five years, then came to Wilkes-Barre as book-keeper for Baer & Stegmaier ; from there to W. Stoddart & Company as salesman, remaining with them five years, when in 1879 entered into partnership with W. M. Bennett, when the firm of Bennett & Walter, Boot and Shoe Merchants, was established.
LUTHER CURRAN DARTE was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and was one of four children of the late Judge Alfred Darte of Carbondale, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools at Carbondale and Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. Served in the late War when but a lad, in the same regiment with his father and brother. Mr. Darte is a resident of Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he has lived since 1865. He was for a number of years the general passenger agent and general accountant of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad Company, leaving the employ of the company when the road was merged into the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company. Was cashier of the Ashley Savings Bank at one time. Was elected County Commissioner of Luzerne county on the Republican ticket, and served creditably three years as such. Mr. Darte is an active and influential Republican, and is well known throughout the State. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which nominated President Harrison, and in the Convention warmly espoused the cause of General Russell A. Alger's candidacy for President. He has served both on the Republican State Committee and as one of the chairmen of the Luzerne Republican County Committee a number of times. He is at present largely engaged in the business of Real Estate and Insurance in Wilkes-Barre.
D. P. AYARS was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Came to Wilkes-Barre as a book-keeper for Haggerty & O'Donnell, railroad contractors, in 1867; afterwards entered the Collector's office of Internal Revenue under Hon. J. B. Stark, continuing in this service as a Deputy during the consecutive terms of Hon. C. E. Wright and Hon. II. M. Hoyt, till 1873, when he was elected City. Clerk and served in that office till December, 1875, when he was offered and accepted the position of Cashier of the Miners' Savings Bank, in place of Mr. J. A. Rippard, resigned, in which position he continues at the present time. He is also a member of the City Council and represents the Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Wards and serves on some of the important committees of that body. Of the Finance Committee he is chairman, and is also one of the Sinking Fund Commissioners.
HON. MORGAN B. WILLIAMS was born in Wales, September 17, 1831. Educated in the English branches. Learned mining in England, Australia and in the United States. Is at the present time a coal operator in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Elected to the Senate in 1884. Has served as School Director and Councilman-at-Large in Wilkes-Barre. At present Councilman from the Ninth Ward.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
BENJ. F. STARK, was born at Spring Brook, (now Moosic), Luzerne county, in the year 1845, on July 15. His father, Cornelius Stark, and mother, Louisa Wagner, were born at Plains, Luzerne county. B. F. Stark came to Wilkes-Barre in the year 1873, where he be- gan the Livery business and conducted the same until his death which occurred in April, 1893. He became identified with the Ninth Regiment in the year 1879, and was Lieu- tenant-Colonel. He married Mary F. Warner, a daughter of Hon. D. D. Warner, of Mont- rose, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE P. LOOMIS, ESQ., was born in Wilkes-Barre, May 1, 1860. Graduated at Wyoming Seminary in 1878 and Syracuse University in 1882. He was cashier in John S. Loomis's large Planing Mills, Brooklyn, for two years. Studied law with Agib Ricketts and Henry A. Fuller, and was admitted to the Bar in 1886. Mr. Loomis's practice is that of a Counselor, and his advice and counsel are sought and highly regarded for one so young. It is seldom he appears in Court. Mr. Loomis has been instrumental in establishing many of the industries in our city.
JOHN THOMSON was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Came to America with his parents in 1842, they settling in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1845. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of the State. Served apprenticeship to the trade of machinist in the Pennsylvania Coal Company's Shops at Hawley, Pennsylvania. In 1863 entered the employ of the Dickson Manufacturing Company at Scranton, and has remained with them until the present, serving them in the capacity of Journeyman, Foreman and Superin- tendent of their works in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
HENDRICK WRIGHT SEARCH was born in Salem township, Luzerne county, June 30, 1855. He was educated in the public schools at Shickshinny, which is still his home. Ile has been a prominent man in public affairs, having filled the offices of Deputy Register of Wills, Commissioners' Clerk, and was High Sheriff of Luzerne county during 1887-8-9. He was also a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention that nominated Cleveland for President in 1888.
J. C. BELL was born in York county in 1850. Attended the public schools a short time and the State Normal School at Millersville, from which place he graduated. Hc taught in the public schools ten years, and served as City Clerk one year. In 1881 he commenced banking as clerk in the First National Bank of Wilkes-Barre. Was elected to his present position in 1887, Cashier of the Wilkes-Barre Savings and Deposit Bank.
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