USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in the nineteenth century > Part 15
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CHARLES FARMER INGHAM was born of English parents in Dublin, I810, and came to the valley in 1823. He began life as a clerk; later taught school in the old Wilkes-Barre Academy, on the public square of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania ; became a Civil Engineer ; helped construct the North Branch Canal ; surveyed for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company the famous Switchback at Mauch Chunk, and was employed by most of the large corporations in this part of the State. He assisted in the erection of Fort Sumter. The sewer system of this city was directed by him. The Geological and Historical Societies owe as much of their prosperity to him as any other man. Died January 18, 1890.
CHARLES MORGAN was born near Philadelphia in 1814. and came to Wilkes-Barre in 1839. In 1843 he entered into business with Elijah Kline, under the name of Kline & Morgan. They ran very successfully one of the numerous large shops of this locality en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. This was before machinery was introduced in the business, and all goods were made to the measure of the wearer. After the death of Mr. Kline, the business was conducted by Mr. Morgan, he having introduced the first machine-made goods ever brought to Wilkes-Barre. Since then the business has been radically changed, and now the shops so famous in the manufacture of hand-made boots and shoes are no more, but in their places are the modern shoe stores with plate-glass fronts with large stocks of machine and hand-made goods, brought by railroad from the manufacturing centers. Mr. Morgan brought his first ready-made boots and shoes from New Jersey by team, afterwards by canal, and later by railroad. Mr. Morgan's sons, J. T. and W. P., suc- ceeded him in the year 1876.
GEORGE K. POWELL, EsQ., born at Penn Yan, New York, June 10, 1845 ; educated at Penn Yan Academy and Genesee College, Lima, New York; graduated in 1866. Was: Professor of Latin and Greek at the Beaver College and Female Institute. Entered the United States navy and visited South America. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1871.
WILLIAM LAFAYETTE RAEDER was born at Ransom, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1854; educated in select school and the West Pittston Seminary ; prepared for college under the tutorship of Prof. W. J. Bruce; entered the Lehigh University in 1872, where he took the course of Civil Engineering. Studied law with E. P. and J. V. Darling, Esq., of Wilkes- Barre, and admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1881. Was sergeant in the Ninth Regiment and is associated with important business enterprises. Married Miss Elizabeth Worrell February 17, 1885.
10.1
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
REUBEN JAY FLICK was born at Flicksville, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1816. He came to Wilkes-Barre in 1838, and engaged in mercantile trade. In 1370 he organized the People's Bank and was its active President until 1871, when the increasing cares of his many other interests compelled his resignation. Mr. Flick's ability, energy and integrity brought him success in all his undertakings and made him one of the most eminent and respected citizens of Wilkes-Barre. Ile was an incorporator of many of her leading industries and charitable institutions and their prominence and present success are largely due to his personal interest and business ability. At the time of his death, which occured December 18, 1890, Mr. Flick was a Director of the Wilkes-Barre Lace Company, Vulcan Iron Works, Electric Light Company, Wilkes-Barre Street Car and Iron Bridge Companies, Wyoming Valley Ice Com- pany and others, and was a Trustee of the Home for Friendless, the City Hospital, the Female Institute of Wilkes-Barre, and of Lincoln University of Oxford, Pennsylvania.
REV. DAVID COPELAND, D. D., Principal of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsyl- vania, from 1872 to 1882, was born in Braintree, Vermont, December 21, 1832, and was graduated from the Wesleyan University in 1855. In the same year he was engaged as Principal of the Monroe Academy, Henrietta, New York, and in 1866 as teacher of natural science and mathematics in Falley Seminary, Fulton, New York. He joined the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1858, and was in the same year appointed Principal of the Springfield Academy, now Griffith Institute, New York. In 1865 he was transferred to the Cincinnati Conference, and was appointed President of the Hillsborough Female College, Ohio. In 1872 was appointed Principal of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. Died, 1882, in Vermont.
GEORGE S. BENNETT was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1842; graduated from Wesleyan University in 1864. In 1864 went into the banking business with his father, Ziba Bennett, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Has been Director of the Wyoming National Bank and Secretary of the Board of Directors, member of the banking firm of Bennett, Phelps & Co., member of Town Council, Manager of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company, Manager of Wilkes-Barre Hospital, President of the Young Men's Christ- ain Association, Trustee of Wyoming Seminary, Superintendent of the Sunday School of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and a member of that Church, Manager of the Hollenback Cemetery Association, member of the School Board and Secretary of the Lu- zerne County Bible Society, President of the Lace Works, Treasurer of the Sheldon Axle Company, Trustee of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, and of Drew Theo- logical Seminary, Madison, New Jersey ; President of the Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary. After his education was completed, Mr. Bennett traveled in Europe. Married Ellen W. Nelson, daughter of Rev. Reuben Nelson, D. D., of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
JOHN CHRISTIAN WIEGAND was born in Laurel Run ; educated in the public schools of Hazleton. Book-keeper in the Hazleton Savings Bank ; in 1890 appointed teller of the Hazleton National Bank. Elected Prothonotary of Luzerne county in 1891. Married Miss Harriet Fetterman September 10, 1888.
EDWARD F. McGOVERN, EsQ., was born in England, September 10, 1860; graduated from the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1886; admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1887. Elected Alderman in the Second ward of Wilkes-Barre in 1881, for five years.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
THE WILKES-BARRE LEADER .- From the handsome building at No. 7 North Main street, known as the Leader Building, erected especially for the purpose, three newspapers are issued-the Daily Evening Leader, the Weekly Union-Leader and the Sunday Morning Leader -the result of frequent consolidations and transfers of preceding publications, the oldest of them dating as far back as 1810. The building was erected by the late J. K. Bogert, by whose efforts and efficient management the publications were brought to a high standard of news- paper excellence, and the Leader continues under the proprietorship of E. F. Bogert, one of the best, as it is one of the oldest, Democratic papers in the State. The Weekly Union-Leader came into being through the merging of the plants of the Leader and the Luserne Union in Jan- uary, 1879, the Leader having been moved from Pittston in the fall of 1877, where it had been published by Messrs. E. A. Niven and C. H. Chamberlin, and the Luserne Union being the only other Democratic newspaper at the county seat. The publishers of the consolidated journal were J. K. Bogert and George B. Kulp, Esq., who were the only stockholders of what was styled the Leader Publishing Company. J. K. Bogert in February, 1879, purchased Mr. Kulp's interest. In April, 1884, the present building was completed and occupied. The first issue of the daily was October 1, 1879, and the Sunday made its initial appearance in November, 1885, and although bearing the name of the Leader was a separate publication with E. F. Bogert and John S. MeGroarty as editors and publishers. Mr. McGroarty, after a few months, retired from the partnership. Mr. J. K. Bogert died February 3, 1887. The Leader publications were under the control of the estate from then on until April 1, ISSS, when they were purchased with all the appurtenances, by the brother of the deceased and present publisher and editor, E. F. Bogert. The Leader's circulation had increased so rapidly that improved press facilities were demanded. and in the spring of 1893 a new Goss Clipper perfecting press, with a capacity of 12,000 an hour, and with stereotyping outfit, was added to the already well-equipped plant, making it the most extensive and modernly fitted printing house in the county and placing it second to but few in the State. (For a more extended review see Nelson's 1893 History of Luzerne County, p. 399).
JOSEPH KIRKENDALL BOGERT was born July 16, 1845, at New Columbus, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania ; educated in the public schools and the Male and Female Academy of that place. Served in the late war in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Militia and in the United States Signal Corps. After the war graduated with honor from Lewisburg (now Bucknell) University. Studied law with Hon. Caleb E. Wright and supported himself as correspondent for the Associated Press, the Philadelphia Times, Scranton Times and other papers. Was the first Deputy Clerk of the Orphans' Court of Luzerne county-1874; elected Register of Wills in 1875. In 1877, with George B. Kulp, Esq., purchased the Luserne Leader and in 1879 they purchased the Luzerne Union and merged the two papers into the Union-Leader. Mr. Bogert became sole proprietor in 1880. Was chairman of the Dem- ocratic State Central Committee in 1881. Represented the Democratic party as delegate to State and National conventions. Appointed Postmaster of Wilkes-Barre in 1885. Died February 3, 1887. Married Miss Mary E. Patterson December 31, 1879. The family is of Dutch origin, Mr. Bogert's ancestors having been among the earliest emigrants from Holland to America. They settled in parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and many who bear the name have won distinction in professional and business life. Samuel, the elder Bogert, was a wheelwright and a respected citizen, but in moderate circumstances. He died at Wilkes-Barre, July 9, 1881, having attained the age of 68 years, and was survived
106
BIOGRAPHICAL IHISTORY.
by his wife, Elizabeth Raton, who died in the same city seven years later, on August 3, 1888, aged 77. (For more extended biography see Nelson's 1893 History of Luzerne County, p. 724).
EDWARD FREAS BOGERT was born at New Columbus, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1856. He attended the public schools and the Male and Female Academy of New Columbus, and for a short time was a student at the Keystone Academy, Factoryville. After quitting these institutions he worked in his father's wheelwright, blacksmith and paint shops, taking a hand in all departments of this work, and in the spring of 1878, leased a farm in the vicinity, which he personally superintended and worked until April 1, 188o. During a portion of the term of his brother, the late J. K. Bogert, as Register of Wills of Luzerne county, he fulfilled the duties of a clerk in that office, and on April 1, 1880, entered the business office of the Leader, shortly afterward assuming charge of its books. During J. K. Bogert's active service as Chairman of the Democratic State Committee in 1881, and from the time of J. K.'s appointment as Postmaster of Wilkes-Barre in July, 1885, the business management of the Leader was mainly in charge of the subject of this sketch. In February, 1887, J. K. Bogert died. E. F. Bogert managed the business for the estate until April I, 1888, when he purchased the real estate and good will of the Evening and Weekly Union- Leader, and has ever since been the publisher and editor of the three papers-Daily, Weekly and Sunday-issued from its presses. This purchase was made at a time when Mr. Bogert's capital was very limited, but friends came to his assistance, and by the most careful economy, never once losing faith or becoming discouraged with his venture, he has succeeded in plac- ing it among the fixed successful business institutions of the county. He has likewise effected a material enlargement of the plant, made additions to the building and greatly improved its interior appointments. It should be stated that the Sunday paper was not part of the property of the estate, but was an independent enterprise owned by E. F. Bogert, that became a fixed and paying concern almost from its start, in November, 1885. Mr. Bogert has been and is an active worker in the interests of the Democratic party, of which his paper is the official organ ; an enthusiastic and untiring promoter of base ball and other athletic sports, having been the prime mover in establishing the new Athletic Park, and an advocate of all forms of municipal progress and improvement. Mr. Bogert holds an honor- able discharge from Company D, Ninth Regiment, N. G. P., under date of December.1, 1886, having enlisted April 15, 1884, and is a member of the following fraternal organizations : Landmark Lodge, No. 442, F. & A. M., Shekinah. Chapter, No. 182, R. A. M., and Dieu le Veut Commandery, No. 45, K. T., of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. of M. S., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Mount Horeb Council, No. 34, R. S. E. & S. M., of Plymouth, Pennsylvania ; Keystone Consistory, 32ยบ, Northern Masonic Jurisdic- tion, U. S. A., of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 109, B. P. O. Elks; Wilkes-Barre Council, No. 396, Royal Arcanum.
GEORGE B. KULP, ESQ., was born at Reamstown, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1839. Author of the "Families of Wyoming Valley"; editor of the Luserne Legal Register. Married Miss Mary Elizabeth Stewart in 1864.
DR. D. J. J. MASON, born in Wales in 1855 ; educated in music at the Royal Academy for four years. Trinity College, Dublin, conferred the degree of Mus. Bach. upon him. Has composed many musical compositions and is the leader of music in this section.
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107
THE WYOMING VALLEY.
CHARLES JONAS LONG, the oldest son of the late lamented and esteemed citizen, Jonas Long, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1859. After a brief residence in Philadelphia, his parents removed to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where, in 1860, were laid the foundations of the present great dry goods establishment. At an early age he attended the Wilkes-Barre public schools and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania. Solicitous for the attainment of a liberal and higher education, he was sent to Philadelphia, where he entered the Philadelphia Central High School, after which, in a course of two years of private instruction and study under the celebrated teacher and author, Professor George Stuart of Philadelphia, he fitted himself for Yale College, New Haven, Con- necticut, which he entered in 1878. After a classical course of four years, he graduated from Yale College in 1882. After graduation, his professional career, owing to his father's illness. merged into the cares of the growing and extensive dry goods business in which he is now engaged, associated with his mother and brothers. Although immersed in the pursuits of a large commercial business, yet he finds time to devote himself to the cultivation of literary work ; and, in the liberal encouragement of local improvements, lends responsive voice and effort to enterprises that promise benefit to the city. His addresses are characterized by graceful thought and eloquent inspiration, particularly those before the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Board of Trade, of which he is a Trustee, and before the mass meeting at Music Hall for Hospital endowment. He was President of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, is a member of Wyoming Historical Society, Yale Alumni Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Trustee of the Board of Trade, and numerous other societies of the community. His close observation, force of character, and genial disposition, fit him truly well for the development and success that so auspiciously heralds a useful career.
CHARLES DORRANCE was born January 4, 1805, at the old homestead, between Kingston and Forty Fort, Luzerne county, where he spent his life. His father, Benja- min Dorrance, was Sheriff of Luzerne county, County Commissioner, member of the Legislature, and the first President of the Wyoming Bank. Lieutenant-Colonel George Dorrance played a prominent part in the massacre of Wyoming and the carly history of the valley. Colonel Dorrance, as he was called, was for many years the President of the Wyo- ing Bank, President of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company, one of the first members of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, President of the Luzerne Agricultural Society, &c. Mr. Dorrance died January 18, 1892.
ANDREW HUNLOCK, ESQ., born in Kingston, Pennsylvania; educated at Wyoming Seminary ; read law with Lyman Hakes, Esq. One of the organizers and first President of the Anthracite Savings Bank. Trustee of Memorial Church.
LAWRENCE MYERS was born in Wilkes-Barre township October 22 1818; educated in Wilkes-Barre ; opened a livery business in Wilkes-Barre. In 1850 opened a private Bank- ing House called Myers' Exchange and Banking House, and dealt largely in real estate. Married Miss Eichelberger, of Virginia, for his first wife, and Miss Sarah Sharp, daughter of Jacob Sharp, of Dorranceton, for his second wife, who was the mother of his children.
JOHN MYERS, the father of Lawrence, was born at Forty Fort and married Miss Sarah Sharp, of Wilkes-Barre township. Was Justice of the Peace of Wilkes-Barre for nearly forty years. Opened Washington street from the canal to North street and Jackson street. Was a large real estate owner.
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108
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
J. D. LACIAR was born in 1839 and when a boy worked in a printing office at Bethle- hem. In 1860 became editor and publisher of the Lehigh Valley Times, a weekly newspaper; which he was conducting at Bethlehem when the war broke out. He entered the army as a Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to a Captaincy in December, 1862, serving with that command until the expiration of its term of service. In 1864 he raised Company A, Two Hundred and Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in Carbon county, and served with that Regiment until the close of the war. After the surrender of Lee, he was sent to Pittsburg and placed in command of the District of the Monongahela, Department of Pennsylvania. He was wounded at the battle of Antietain, and also in a fight with Moseby's guerrillas near Rectortown, Virginia, in 1864. At the close of the Civil War he was tendered the ap- . pointment of Assistant Adjutant General with the rank of Captain in the regular army, but preferred civil life. After the war he located at Mauch Chunk and published the Gasette of that place for several years. From 1869 until 1876 he was connected with the Scranton Republican and again from ISS4 to the present time, as editorial writer. He also served as an aid-de-camp on the staff of Gen. John F. Hartranft, with the rank of Colonel.
REUBEN MARCY was born in 1809 at Old Forge, Pennsylvania; spent his youth in Wilkes-Barre where he attended school and learned the carprenter trade; lived many years in Kingston where he died. He built the Wyoming Seminary in 1844 and rebuilt it after it was burned ; also the boarding hall that was burned, the residence of Reuben Nelson, D. D., the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the old Presbyterian Church, the residence of Samuel Hoyt and many other buildings in Kingston and vicinity. There were three brothers who came here in the early days-Zebulon, Ebenezer and Able. The Marcy family is one of the historical families of the Valley.
HENRY WHITE DUNNING, son of Rev. Charles Seely Dunning, D. D., was born in Franklin, New York, September 11, IS58. Graduated from Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts, IS78. In the fall of 1878 entered the freshman class of Princeton College, New Jersey. Began to read law in the office of William H. Lee, Esq., in Hones- dale, Pennsylvania, and finished his legal studies with Hon. H. B. Payne, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar June 5, 1882. Superintendent of the First Presbyterian Sunday School; Recording Secretary of the Board of Managers of the Young Men's Christian Association ; Law Lecturer in the commercial department of Wyoming Seminary. Counsel to several corporations.
ALBERT WARREN BETTERLY was born in Schuylkill county, but with the exception of a year on the sea, has lived in Wilkes-Barre since childhood. Ile is the son of E. L. Betterly, M. D., one of the carly physicians of this region. His education was secured in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Betterly has been on the Leader for nearly ten years, during which time he has filled every position connected with practical journalism of to-day. Shortly after leaving school he was the guest of W. W. Lee on the steam yacht "Climax" and visited many points of interest through Florida, West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, including periods of some length spent at the Islands of Fernandina, Hayti, Cuba, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
GEORGE S. BURGAN was born in White Haven in 1857. Went to school in Philadel- phia ; learned his trade in Wilkes-Barre. At present Burgess of Miner's.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
SAMUEL HADDOCK was born in 1814, in the Parish of Killyman, County Tyrone, Ireland; educated in his native place; was a professional gardener all his active life., Came to this country in 1853 ; located in Massachusetts until during the war; then went to New- port, Rhode Island ; came to Kingston in 1893. Married in 1848 to Miss M. Gilpin. Mr. Haddock is the father of John C. Haddock, the coal operator. The late Samuel F., his son, who died in Boston in 1893, was born in 1855. There are five other children.
MICHAEL C. RUSSELL, was born in Ireland, September 29, 1836; came to the United States in 1849; educated in Elmira, New York; came to Luzerne county in 1853. Was a locomotive engineer until 1877 ; then went into the mercantile business in Edwardsville. Elected Recorder of Deeds November, 1892, and assumed the duties of his office January, 1893. Married Elizabeth Keating December 19, 1863. Mr. Russell is an extensive real estate owner in Edwardsville.
MORGAN R. MORGANS was born in South Wales, June 24, 1848; educated in Wales. Came to America in 1867. Mine Foreman and Assistant Superintendent of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company ; in 1891 appointed General Superintendent. Married Miss Margaret Williams.
P. J. HIGGINS, M. D. Taught school; graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1877; practiced medicine in Scranton. Located in Wilkes-Barre in 1881. Author of several serial stories published by the New York Weekly and other metro- politan papers.
W. H. CHAPIN was born in Huntington, Pennsylvania; in 1860; educated in the public schools. Learned the marble cutting trade in Berwick, Kingston, Pennsylvania, and Three Rivers, Michigan. Established a marble yard in Kingston in 1887, where he is still located. Married Miss Emma Johnson in 1886.
J. ANDREW BOYD, born 1856, at Buck Mountain, Carbon county, Pennsylvania. Went to public schools of Ashley and Wilkes-Barre. Married Miss Helen M. Joslin of Ashley. Resides in Ashley. Manager Record Job Printing Department. One of the Wyoming Valley writers.
Wyoming Valley in the Nineteenth Century.
THE WORLD has a new face and a new spirit to- day. We love the old and deem it beautiful, yet we do not wish to reproduce it."The faces and the forms of the dead throw upon the mountain tops of the past a fading glory, nevertheless they only bring memories which have no part in our present or future existence. As we look back to the past it is golden with the full fragrance of youth and the charm that our imagination throws around the bygone. The past is a melody, growing fainter, and, like distant melodies, possesses the charm of mystery.
When the nineteenth century dawned the people were permanently settled. The Penn- sylvania claimant had received compensation for the soil and the Yankee had become the legal owner of this fair valley.
They had outgrown to a great extent their intenseness and they were entering into pos- session of the liberty and privileges for which they had struggled and suffered so long.
The plowboy's whistle, the baying of hounds and the crack of the rifle were the only sounds to break the Sabbath-like stillness of nature. The valley was covered in most places with pine and oak, with the exception of the bottom lands, which were grown over with very tall rank grass.
The people spent much of their time in the green fields and quiet woods. They had more social intercourse and had more time to live than we have. They hated the English and they made the life of the Tory miserable. There were few old maids or bachelors, for the young man usually had a wife before he was of age. The problem of life was a simple sum. Land was very cheap; the neighbors would make a raising bee and put up a log cabin for the young couple ; the old people would give them bedding and dishes ; a few boards would make them stools and tables and they were settled for life. Two rooms and a loft they considered a commodious house. The spare chamber, parlor, library and kitchen were one room. The family would go outside while the guest retired. The children would sleep in the loft and would often find a foot of snow on the bed clothes on a winter's morn- ing. The night wind's mournful music in the pines or the sweet melody of the rain on the roof were familiar sounds to them, The daily paper had not put the tongue into disuse. Gossiping, bragging, telling yarns and blowing on politics, with the glory of training day and the fourth of July oration occupied their leisure-and gratified their vanity." The women would boil soap, talk about killing pigs and gossip about their neighbors. They wore stiff stays and hoops so large that they would be obliged to enter a door sideways like a crab.
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