USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in the nineteenth century > Part 14
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F. B. MYRES was born in Kingston, in 1845 ; educated in the Wyoming Seminary and at Cazenovia, New York. Is a successful farmer, owns a tract of valuable farming land and other valuable property. He is the son of Harriet and Madison Myres, who were of the old families. He married Miss Naomi Mott in 1869. Is a member of the Kingston Meth- odist Episcopal Church and a Prohibitionist in politics.
DAVID MILES was born in Merthyr, South Wales, in 1826; educated in his native town ; came to the United States in 1861, located in Scranton and worked for the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad ; came to Kingston in 1864. Superintendent of the blacksmith shop for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Mrs. N. D. Safford, Mrs. Prothero, Sarah, assistant principal of the Kingston Public Schools, Mary and Edward, are his children. Charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Kingston.
REV. JOHN P. O'MALLY was born in County Mayo, Ireland, June 24, 1833; came to this country at the age of seventeen ; entered the Jesuit College of St. Francis Xavier, New York City, and remained four years; studied three years at Emmitsburg, then entered the Theological and Philosophical Seminary at Philadelphia, and completed the four years course in two years. Ordained in 1865; served at St. James Church, Philadelphia, from 1865 to 1868; located at Athens, Pennsylvania, from 1868 to 1870; at Hawley, Pennsylva- nia, while there erected churches at White Mills, Milford, Lackawaxen and Hawley, where he resided from 1870 to 1891, when he came to Kingston.
BONIFACE HENRY BRODHUN was born in Germany, September 9, 1827; educated in that country ; emigrated to the United States in 1849; located in Conyngham Valley, Pennsylvania ; served in the Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry as a musician in the Regimental Band ; after the war went to California and laid the brick work for many im- portant buildings; returned to California the second time in 1873; in 1880 visited Germany to settle up the estate of his parents. Has a fine collection of gold and silver bearing quartz. Mr. Brodhun owns the property where he lives, on the corner of Main and Ross streets, Wilkes-Barre.
. JOHN S. MEGROARTY, EsQ., was born and educated in this valley. Has been teacher, editor, Treasurer of Luzerne county and now a member of the Luzerne Bar. He is well known as a literary man.
CONRAD LEE was born in Hanover township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1842; educated at Wyoming Seminary ; taught school several terms; spent a number of years in Ohio, filling the position of foreman in a large firm; later a speculator in western cattle and mules. When he was twenty years of age was appointed outside Superintendent of the Avondale mines, where he remained twenty-one years. In 1874 became interested in the Wyoming Planing Mill and lumber business in Wilkes-Barre, formerly conducted by his father ; since 1886 has been sole proprietor; is interested in other business enterprises and owner of valuable real estate. Married Miss Agnes Weir July 26, 1868.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
A. A. STERLING was born at Meshoppen, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania; was edu- cated at the State University of Wisconsin at Madison; was engaged in mercantile business at Meshoppen until 1872 when he accepted a position in the People's Bank - of Wilkes- Barre ; has been cashier of said bank for seventeen years.
BENJAMIN H. PRATT was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, August 16, 1834; graduated from Lafayette College in 1857; studied and practiced dentistry; located at Elmira and Bath, New York, until 1861, when failing health caused him to abandon his chosen pro- fession ; was principal of the Danville, Pennsylvania, Academy for three years; a member of the firm of Hall and Pratt for three years ; city editor of the Scranton Daily Times four years; in 1887 became legislative reporter of the Scranton Republican and afterwards Wilkes- Barre manager with the Scranton Republican twelve years; in 1889 appointed Assistant Postmaster of Scranton ; at the present time Wilkes-Barre manager of the Scranton Republican in Wilkes-Barre.
W. P. RYMAN, EsQ., was born in Dallas, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1847; attended the Wyoming Seminary and graduated from: Cornell University in 1871 ; also took a post grad- uate course in law at the Harvard University Law School in 1871 and 1872; admitted to the Luzerne County Bar in 1875. Identified with several important business enterprises. Married December, 1879, to Miss Charlotte M. Rose.
WILLIAM T. ROBBINS was born in Washington, New Jersey, in IS38; educated in Brighton Academy and at the Academy at Princeton, New York ; has been dispatcher and locomotive engineer, and is now in the employment of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company. Married Miss Ella Soult in 1874.
SAMUEL GITTINS was born in England in 1860; educated in England and served seven years apprenticeship at the trade of painting and paper hanging ; came to this country in 1883 ; located in Kingston, Pennsylvania; established his present business of wall paper and paints in ISSS.
FRANK MORTON GARNEY was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania. April 6, 1870; educated in Wyoming Seminary and public schools ; in 1887 entered the General Delivery Depart- ment of the Wilkes-Barre Postoffice: in 1889 assistant mailing clerk ; later night clerk ; now collector and distributor. Married Miss Margaret Mitchell in 1893.
JOHN S. LAMPMAN was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1838 ; studied the profession of an oculist with his father ; began practicing at Pleasant Valley ; in 1876 inoved to Wilkes-Barre where he has established an extensive practice and has brought into use remedies heretofore unknown. Married Miss Margaret Shales January, 25, 1872.
THE ANITA QUARTETTE. Of all the things of which Wyoming Valley is justly proud there is nothing that she takes greater pride in than the Anita Quartette. This quartette of sweet singers is composed of Wilkes- Barre gentlemen who are known thoughout the State both as soloists and quartette singers. It was organized in July, 1890, and since that time they have appeared before the most critical audiences in the State. The quartette is made up as follows: J. C. Atkin, first tenor; A. C. Campbell, second tenor; W. . 1. O'Neill, first bass; J. P. Burns, second bass. Whenever the Anita Quartette is advertised to appear in concert the music-loving people never fail to attend, knowing full well that there is a treat in store for them.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
GEORGE URQUHART was born in Wilkes-Barre in :823 ; educated in Wyoming Sem- inary ; graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1850. Examining surgeon for the draft of 1861.
SAMUEL, W. BOYD. If the old saying, "You can always tell the characteristics of a man by his writings," is true, then Editor S. W. Boyd of The News-Dealer must be both fearless and independent. He was born in Carbon county forty years ago, and in early life removed with his family to this city. He finally drifted to New York, where in business pursuits he accumulated considerable money. Returning to this city, he embarked in the grocery busi- ness, at the same time distinguishing himself in the political world as a leader in many hard fought campaigns. Elected to the office of Register of Wills of the county, he filled the important position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Retiring from the office six years ago, he purchased, in conjunction with John J. Maloney, the Daily and Sunday News-Dealer, which under their management has rapidly risen to the front rank of Northeastern Pennsylvania journalism. Nature has eminently qualified Mr. Boyd for the journalistic world. Being a close student for many years, he possesses an unlimited supply of knowledge and information, and being a versatile writer, with a field peculiarly his own, and a commendable independence and fearlessness, his articles are easily recognized and widely read and quoted. Of late he has permitted his graceful pen to wander into the fields of poetry, and many rythmic flowers glistening with the dew-drops of genius is the result. The song charmingly entited "I'll be Back Some Day to You," is from his versatile pen, and will no doubt achieve well merited popularity.
L. E. STEARNS was born in Ohio, October 2, 1845 ; removed from there with his parents when four years of age to Binghamton, New York, where he received a good common school education. At the age of nineteen he entered his father's photographic studio as a student, and made such rapid progress in the art that in a few years he was qualified to con- duct successfully the large gallery in Wilkes-Barre that has borne his name for nearly twenty years. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of this city. He has also been an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association since its organization in Wilkes-Barre, and served one year as President of the Association. Mr. Stearns's gallery is now located in the new and beautiful Osterhout Block, Public Squre and East Market street.
ANDREW T. MCCLINTOCK, EsQ., was born in Northumberland, this State, February 2, 1810; educated in the public schools of that place and Kenyon College, Ohio; began his law studies with James Hefburn and completed them under Hon. George Woodward ; was admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1836, and became a partner of the latter; was appointed District Attorney in 1839. As Director of the Wyoming National Bank and President of Hollenback Cemetery Association, Director of Wilkes-Barre Hospital, President of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, member of the Wyoming Historical and Geo- logical Society, Elder in the Presbyterian Church, he has served his generation. In 1870 Princeton College conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. He was the oldest member of the Luzerne Bar in active practice at the time of his death. His clientage included many of our large corporations. He died January 1, 1892.
RICHARD SHARP, an old and influential resident of the Valley. Director of the First National Bank, President of the Alden Coal Company, President of the Wyoming Manu- facturing Company.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
BENJAMIN GARDNER CARPENTER was born at Plains, July 2, 1827. In 1848 he became a partner of Theron Burnet in a store near where the Osterhout building now stands. The firm moved to North Franklin street, and from there to West Market street, and finally to the opposite side of the street, No. 57. Mr. Carpenter bought out Mr. Burnet and took in Mr. Emery. In 1873 they built the building now occupied by the firm. Mr. Carpenter purchased Mr. Emery's interest and took in A. II. Mulford and Frank Densmore. At Mr. Mulford's death, in 1875, Walter S. Carpenter, the eldest son of Mr. Carpenter, was taken in partnership. Mr. Carpenter was a Trustee of Wyoming Seminary and President of the Wilkes-Barre Water Company. He died November 11, 1889.
EDWARD P. DARLING, ESQ., born in Berks county, November 10, 1831 ; educated at the New London Cross Roads Academy, and graduated from Amherst College in I851; admitted to the Reading Bar in 1853 and to the Luzerne Bar in 1855. Died 1889. Mr. Darling was one of the foremost lawyers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was a partner with F. V. Rockafellow in banking, and Vice-President of the Wyoming National Bank, Miners' Savings Bank, and many other important offices.
WILLIAM PENN MINER was for many years the leading journalist in Wilkes- Barre and was the founder of the Record of the Times. He retired from active newspaper pursuits in 1876, after which time he lived in quiet retirement on the ancestral farm at Miner's Mills, engaged in pastoral and literary pursuits until his death in April, 1892. Mr. Miner was the son of the late Charles Miner, distinguished as a statesman, journalist and historian. Charles Miner was a pioneer in Wyoming, having come here in 1799 from Connecticut. He was associated here with his brother, Asher, in publishing the Federalist. In 1816 he sold out and went to West Chester, where he founded the Village Record. He served in the Legislature and in Congress. William P. Miner was educated for the law, and was admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1841, he afterwards being elected Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts on the Whig ticket. In 1853 he founded the Record of the Times, which he success- fully conducted for more than a score of years. In 1873 he launched the daily edition of the Record and conducted it in person until its sale to a local syndicate, which in 1883 sold to the present proprietors, Messrs. Johnson & Powell. Mr. Miner was a life-long protec- tionist and his terse utterances on that subject have graced the columns of the Record from time to time. He was also fond of historical research. His son, William B. Miner, con- ducts a newspaper in Wisconsin.
J. BENNETT SMITH was born in Wilkes-Barre, July 8, 1834. Was connected with William Maffet on North Pennsylvania Survey, in 1853; also on North Branch Extension Canal with Mr. Maffet. Identified with survey and workings of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad for a number of years, and several other enterprises in the valley. Afterwards with Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company as Soliciting Agent and Superin- tendent of Mines at Wanamie. For the last fourteen years connected with the Ilazard Manufacturing Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
ANDREW H. MCCLINTOCK, ESQ., son of A. T. McClintock, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1852 ; educated at the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, and graduated in 1872. After his education he studied law with his father and J. V. Darling ; admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1876. Member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and Trustee of the Osterhout Free Library.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JOHN C. PHELPS, born in Granby, Connecticut, April 20, 1325 ; emigrated with parents to Pennsylvania in 1827 ; educated at the public schools of Dundaff, Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, and at Harford Academy. Emigrated to New York at nineteen years of age, where he served as clerk in a wholesale grocery store for fout years, afterward becoming a partner. Having been engaged in the wholesale grocery and hardware business, as a banker, and connected with several corporations as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, with many others as director-notably as Vice-President Lackawanna and Bloomsburg, President Dickson Manufacturing Company and Nanticoke Coal and Iron Company, Steuben Coal Company, Granby Coa! Company, Wilkes-Barre Gas Company ; Director of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, Parrish Coal Company, Annora Coal Company, as well as other corporations of this and other States. Died July 14, 1892.
ISAAC P. HAND, EsQ., born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1843; prepared for college at Media, Pennsylvania ; graduated from Lafayette in 1865. Served in the War of the Rebellion. Principal of Hyde Park School ; Clerk of City Council of Scranton, Penn- sylvania. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1869. Secretary and Treasurer of the Wilkes- Barre Academy; Trustee of the Wilkes-Barre Female Institute and Lafayette College. Served as Chairman of the Republican County Committee.
JOHNSON R. COOLBAUGH, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Bradford county, this State. Spent the first sixteen years of his life on his father's farm. Early in life manifested a love for trade; came to Pittston and spent two years clerking; then came to Wilkes-Barre and secured a position with the late Andrew Kesler, where he remained two years. Taking the advice of Horace Grecley, to "go West, young man," went to Beloit, Wisconsin, re- mained there nearly four years, filling responsible positions with leading mercantile houses. In January, 1860, returned to Wilkes-Barre on a visit. Noting the old fogy manner of doing business here compared with the West, determined to establish an exclusive dry-goods busi- ness. Wilkes-Barre was at this time a borough of about four thousand people, bounded by the river, North, South and Canal streets. Among the leading merchants were Hon. Ziba Bennett, R. J. Flick, John B. Wood and Charles F. Reets. With little capital he deter- mined that if honesty and enterprise could succeed he would. Continuing until the fall, and being desirous of enlarging the business, associated with him D. H. Frantz, and moved into the new store formerly occupied by Jonas Long. The war was now in progress, goods advancing in price, and their business proved a grand success, theirs becoming the leading dry-goods house. About 1868, Mr. Frantz retired, and Mr. Coolbaugh continued until 1872. Selling out to Mr. Bossler, he, with the late William M. Bennett, established the well known shoe house and continued with marked success until 1880. In the meantime, other busi- ness claiming his attention, he soid his interest to Mr. Walter. In 1872 formed the firm of Miller, Bertels & Coolbaugh, the object being real estate. Froni 1872 to 1883 was the trusted assistant to G. M. Miller, Tax Receiver. In 1878 bought out his partners in the real estate business, which he has continued until the present time with success. During the past twenty-five years Mr. Coolbaugh has done much to develop the city-Franklin street from Academy street down, Sullivan street, Dana Place, Church and Barney streets, were projected by him. He is the trusted agent of several large estates and enjoys the dis- tinction of being the leading real estate dealer. Has never sought public office, excepting serving three years as Councilman-at-large. His has been a busy life, marked by strict integrity, reasonable success and good citizenship.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
ROBERT C. SHOEMAKER, ESQ., born in Kingston township, April 4, 1836; son of the Hon. Charles D. Shoemaker. Educatated at the Wyoming Seminary and graduated from Yale College in 1855. Read law with Andrew T. McClintock ; admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1869.
. LYMAN H. BENNETT, ESQ., was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, in 1845, and there resided (if we except his absence in the different years of his school life) until his arrival at the age of twenty-one. In 1866 he accepted a position as accountant in the United States Treasury Department at Washington, D. C., which he held until 1872. In the meantime he entered the law department of Columbia College, at that place, and there graduated. In 1872 he removed to Wilkes-Barre. In the same year he was admitted to practice in the Courts of this county, where he has since pursued his chosen profession of the law. For a number of years he has been a prominent member of the Luzerne Bar, and has enjoyed the confidence, not only of an important clientage, but of his brother attorneys, who, in a larger number of important contested cases than usually fall to the lot of any one lawyer, have mutually selected him to act in the capacity of both Judge and Jury, under the titles of Auditor, Referee, or Master in Chancery. He was the recent candidate of the minority -- the Republican party in Luzerne county-for the office of Additional Law Judge, and although defeated at the polls, he received a flattering vote from the opposite political party. In 1874 he married Miss Ella Robbins, of Wilkes-Barre. Of this union two daugh- ters, Anna and Lillian, were born in 1875 and 1879 respectively. The death of his eldest daughter, Anna, in 1888, left himself, his wife and one daughter, who constitute the present family circle.
EDWARD ALEXANDER NIVEN was born in Livingston county, New York, and raised in Buffalo. In 1856 he went to New York city, and entered the mercantile business in the wholesale hardware firm of which his uncle was a member. Commerce was not to his liking, and he quietly drifted into newspaper work. In 1861 he enlisted and served nearly two years in the Army of the Potomac, being taken prisoner at the battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. He subsequently served in a battery of light artillery with Sherman's army, in the famous march to the sea. Returning to New York after the war, Mr. Niven went to work as a reporter, and served in that capicity for eight or nine years in that city. He after- wards traveled as a correspondent for several papers, and during his career as a newspaper man has worked on some of the most popular journals from Maine to California. Mr. Niven's great-grandfather, Daniel Niven, was a Captain of Engineers in the War of the Rev- olution, and raised a company at Newburgh, New York. He has written much in his time for magazines and weekly story papers, but newspaper work claimed his constant attention.
T. P. RYDER, formerly a teacher in the public schools; later in the Prothonotary's office, and at present on the editorial staff of the Wilkes-Barre Record of the Times. His productions have appeared in current literature and many of the leading metropolitan papers.
GEORGE CORONWAY was born in Liverpool, England, February 6, 1842. As a sailor crossed the Atlantic over fifty times ; served in the commissary for the government at Har- risburg. Came to Wilkes-Barre twenty-six years ago and worked in the mines. Is now an Assistant Coal Shipper. His songs have been set to music by Dr. Joseph Parry (Gwilym Gwent), Prof. J. A. P. Price and others.
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102
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
THERON G. OSBORNE, (Tom Allen), was born at Lake Wynola, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary. For sev- eral years he was engaged in newspaper work, the greater part of which was done on the Wilkes-Barre Leader. He is now principal of the public schools at Minooka. As a writer he is a master of the various forms of verse, has an extensive and well chosen vocabulary, and his inspiration is drawn from the living present and nature. His poems are delicate, refined, often subtle as well as strong. They are neither passionate nor sensational, but full of the warmth, richness and beauty of true poetic feeling.
LEWIS B. LANDMESSER, ESQ., was born in Hanover township, now the borough of Ashley, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1850. He was educated at the Wilkes- Barre Institute, Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, Connecticut, and at Yale College, graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1871. He is the son of Lewis Land- messer, who was among the earliest, most enterprising, and most successful of the German settlers of the valley, having emigrated in 1836 from Prussia, and who by continuous and well directed effort soon managed to place himself among the most prosperous and con- spicuous citizens. The subject of our sketch, after graduation, spent a year in Germany attending lectures at Heidelberg and the University at Berlin, dividing the time equally between them. He then returned to Wilker-Barre and entered the law office of Hon. L. D. Shoemaker as student at law. He subsequently read law with Hon. H. B. Payne and Hon. Stanley Woodward, and was admitted to the Luzerne County Bar April 5 1875. Mr. Landmesser has made a specialty of Orphans' Court practice, in which he has been very successful. He was for three years Examiner of the Orphans' Court, and in 1888, at the request of Hon. D. L. Rhone, Judge of the Orphans' Court, he revised and arranged the present Rules of the Orphans' Court. He is a Republican in politics; has always taken an active part in political affairs of the county, and was for three years Chairman of the Re- publican County Committee. He is also a prominent Mason, being Past Master of Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., one of the oldest lodges in the State, having been constituted in 1794, and Past High Priest of Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, R. A. M. Appointed Postmaster of Wilkes-Barre in 1892.
HON. JOHN LYNCH was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1843; educated at Wyalusing and Wyoming Seminary ; studied law under G. M. Harding ; admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1865. Was clerk for Sheriff S. H. Peterbaugh ; elected Register of Wills in 1866; appointed Additional Law Judge in 1890 and clected in 1891 for a period of ten years.
G. M. REYNOLDS, the eldest son of William C. Reynolds, was born in Kingston borough ; educated at Wyoming Seminary and Princeton ; read law with Hon. Stanley Woodward, but never practiced. Was President of City Council for five years; for five years President of Board of Trade, and Colonel of the Ninth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, for six years.
FRANK EUGENE WRIGHT was born at Ridgebury, Pennsylvania, in 1863 ; educated at Wellsburg; farmed; came to Kingston in 1882. Learned the trade of blacksmith in Elmira, New York; worked at Bloomsburg, Williamsport and Shamokin. Returned to Kingston in 1888. Was Foreman and Treasurer of the Kingston Engine and Hose Company. Deals extensively in butter and eggs from Bradford county, also in general produce.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
WILLIAM WALLACE LOOMIS was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, July 14, 1815. At an carly age he came with his parents to Northmoreland, Wyoming county, and to Wilkes- Barre in the autumn of 1827. With the exception of N. Rutter, who came to Wilkes-Barre a year or two before, Mr. Loomis was the oldest resident of Wilkes-Barre. He was Burgess from 1855 to 1863, and Mayor fram 1877 to 1881. In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln Election Commissioner of Pennsylvania, and visited the Union armies and held elections for President. Mr. Loomis was actively engaged in the harness and saddlery hardware business for forty-one years, and when his present brick store on West Market street was erected, it was judged one of the finest and towered highest of any business house in the city. Mr. Loomis was so well known and highly respected that further comment would be superfluous. Died May 2, 1894.
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