USA > Pennsylvania > The Wyoming Valley in the nineteenth century > Part 9
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DR. REESE DAVIS was born at Warren, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1837. Received a common school education. Prepared for college at Owego Academy and Sus- quehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda, Pennsylvania. Attended Marietta College, Ohio, one year, and graduated at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, in 1863. Attended the Medical Department of Michigan University one year; graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1867. Located in 1867 in LeRaysville, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Removed in 1867 to Scranton and practiced there two years (at Providence). Settled in Wilkes-Barre in 1871, where he has practiced his profession ever since. Is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, of which he has been President. Is a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, of which he was President in 1887. Is a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, and an honorary member of the Philadel- phia Obstetrical Society. He is a son of David Davis and Elizabeth Davis, who were natives of Wales, and settled in Warren, Bradford county, in 1832. Married Maggie E. Williams, daughter of Philip Williams and Harriet Williams of the above place. Have four children -- Maude, Walter, Harriet and Bessie.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
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 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 ISso he started the Wilkes-Barre Telephone, which is now a paper of large circulation and considerable influence. In 1887 Mr. Linskill made a pleasant trip through the British Isles and France, and since his return he has published a history of his European 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.
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 resi- dence in Wilkes-Barre.
R. B. RICKETTS was 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.
W. P. MORGAN was born in Wilkes-Barre, March 22, 1855. Beginning a busines career at the age of twenty-one, has been a successful business man ever since. Was associated 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.
EDWARD HENRY CHASE was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, February 28, 1835. Graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1855. Taught one year in Wells College. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1856. Admitted - to the Luzerne Bar in 1859. Went to the front with the Wyoming Light Dragoons. In 1863 married Elizabeth, daugh- ter 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. +
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 fourteen years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
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 member of many local societies, and is very often chosen orator on public occasions. He is also a fluent writer.
JOHN HARTWELL MULKEY was born at Rush, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. Was educated at the Wyoming Seminary. He is in the mercantile business in West Pitts- ton. He has written many descriptive and religious verses
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 Township."
G. TAYLOR GRIFFIN was 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.
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 1842. Removed from Exeter to Kingston in 1846. Attended school at Wyoming Seminary during the years of 1848-'49-'50. Removed to Wilkes-Barre in 1853. Was clerk in his brother's store on North Main street until 186:, when he enlisted in the 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 IS84. 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 candidate, and Col. B. F. Stark, Republican candidate. and received within seventy-one votes as many as the two other candidates together ; at present Alderman of the Twelfth Ward.
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 en- tered 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 resi- dence 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.
FRANCIS M. NICHOLS, ESQ., was 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.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
GEORGE W. GUTHRIE, M. D., was born at Guthrieville, Chester county, Pennsylva- nia, on the 28th of January; 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 for the Third District ; at present a member of the Consolidated Board of Six.
HON. ELIJAH CATLIN WADHAMS was 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. 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.
LEWIS H. TAYLOR, M. D., was born at Taylorsville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1850. Received preliminary education in the common schools. Graduated at Millersville State Normal School 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 .. Rentained 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 discases 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. 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 ophthal- mologist 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, Luzerne County Medical Society, Philadelphia Patho -... logical Society, American Ophthalmological Society. Trustee of Osterhout Library, Wyoming Seminary and of Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
THOMAS R. MARTIN, EsQ., was educated at Mercersburg, Franklin and Marshall Col- lege, and graduated in 1874. Began practicing law in Wilkes-Barre in 1876. He was a candidate for nomination for Congress, and for District Attorney of Luzerne county. Mr. Martin's office is at 14 South Franklin street.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
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 Bar of Luzerne county in 1848.
SAMUEL HOYT, son of Elias and Mary Weston Hoyt, was born in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1815, and died October 7, 1875; buried at Forty Fort cemetery. Mr. Hoyt was a cousin of ex-Governor Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt was regarded as one of the solid men of the Wyoming Valley. After completing his studies he assisted his father as county surveyor and continued in this line for many years. This work made him familiar with the properties and industrial interests of Luzerne county, so that he became an authority as to title and ownership, both of surface and coal lands. He became identified with coal interests and railroads, and was intimately associated in these with Mr. Abram Nesbitt. His name and life are interwoven with the history and prosperity of Kingston and the Wyoming Valley. Mr. Hoyt was a man of strong convictions in politics as well as business, but his modesty forbade any proclamation of them.
JOHN B. REYNOLDS was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1850. Edu- cated at Wyoming Seminary and Lafayette College. Admitted to the Luzerne Bar in 1875. Built the North street iron bridge across the Susquehanna above Wilkes-Barre, and opened it in 1878. Organized and built the West Side electric road. Ran for Congress in 1890, but was defeated.
JOHN W. HOLLENBACK, son of Charles F. and Ellen J. Welles. daughter of Matthias Hollenback, of Wilkes-Barre, was born in Wyalusing, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1827. Ile came to Wilkes-Barre in 1862, and his family moved into the old Hollen- back homestead in 1863, on the corner of River and West Market streets, now occupied by one of the finest, if not the finest, blocks in Northeastern Pennsylvania (erected by Mr. Hollenback). He has been associated with many large corporations. One of the principal stockholders of the Bridge Company. A member of the Board of Trustees and a liberal contributor of Lafayette College for many years. He has given liberally to many institu- tions as well as churches and private benevolences. President of the Hollenback Cemetery Association, President and promoter of the new bridge, President of the People's Bank since the death of R. J. Flick.
HON. ROBERT H. MICKUNE 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 Bingham- ton, New York; removed to Scranton in 1862. Served in the Civil War, having charge of the advance guard on the Williamsport road, and was conspicuous as a member of the Secret Service. Entered on a general insurance business in Scranton after his return. Elected Mayor of Scranton in 1875. At- the present time conducting an insurance business in Wilkes-Barre. Secretary Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade.
SELIGMAN J. STRAUSS, 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.
CHARLES F. Cook, who was the oldest photographer in Wilkes-Barre, was born in Newburg, New York, 1834. He served in the War of the Rebellion. Died June 24, 1894.
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
MOSES H. BURGUNDER was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1854. Educated in the public schools and Wyoming Seminary. Manager of the Grand Opera House, Wilkes- Barre; Scranton Academy of Music, and the Opera Houses of Reading, Allentown, Williamsport, Altoona, Johnstown, Pottstown and Mckeesport.
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 1859 and engaged in the manufacture of soap. In 1871 established a meat business that has become the largest in this section. Died April 30. 1893.
JOHN LANING was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1836. His father was A. C. Laning and inother Amanda E. Laning, now deceased. His education was reecived at the old Academy on the Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, preparatory to his enter- ing Lafayette College in 1854. After a three years' course at that institution he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, and graduated from the latter in 1858. Imme- diately 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 Superintendent of the Hollenback Coal Company, and held that position until 1887, when he retired from active business life. He has been conspicuous in improving the city of Wilkes-Barre, notably in erecting the Laning Building. He is a Director in the Miners' Savings Bank, and the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company.
WILLIAM HENRY SPENCER was born in Manchester, England, in 1845 ; came to this country when a boy ; enlisted in the American army and served three years and cleven months, and has lived in the Wyoming Valley ever since. Miner until some years ago when he began the manufacture of bed springs, and is in that business at the present time.
REV. DANIEL WEBSTER CONE, D. D., graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio; A. B .. 1885; A. M., 1868. Honorary degree of D. D., Chicago Lit. College, 1884. Ordained Deacon by Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Vail, D. D., LL. D., July 19, 1868; Priest by same 1869 He was rector of various parishes in Kansas, under Bishop Vail, until 1880. Rector at Tremont, Ohio, 1880-85, and West Pittston, Pennsylvania, 1885-89. In 1889 he became . assistant minister of St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, at Alden and Nanticoke. He is Secretary of the Archdeaconry of Scranton. Is married and has three children. Ile re- sides at Alden.
REV. JAMES PORTER WARE, B. D., born in Massachusetts, April 6, 1859. Graduated B. L. from Delaware College, Delaware, 1883; B. D., Episcopal Theological Seminary? Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1886. Ordained Deacon by Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, D. D., LL. D., Rhode Island, June 19, 1886; Priest by the same, 1887. Rector at Woburn, Massa- chusetts, 1886. Manville, Rhode Island, 1887. He became assistant and minister of St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre; in charge of St. Peter's, Plymouth, 1888. He married, October 12, 1887, Miss Helen E. Story. He resides in Plymouth.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
FATHER MCANDREW was educated at the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and. at the Theological Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, at Overbrook, and ordained by Bishop O'Hara in 1877. Rector in Scranton for ten years, and had charge of St John's Church, that city. Came to Wilkes-Barre in 1889, as pastor of St. Mary's Church.
F. B. HODGE, D. D., was a graduate from Princeton College in 1859, and from Prince- ton Theological Seminary in 1862. He was ordained May 9, 1863, and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Pennsylvania. Called to the First Presbyterian Church, of Wilkes-Barre. In 1863 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Princeton College, of which institution he is a Trustee, having succeeded his brother, the late A. A. Hodge, D. D. Dr. Hodge is one of the leading ministers in the Presbyterian Church.
REV. HORACE EDWIN HAYDEN, M. A., son of Hon. Edwin Parsons Hayden of Mary- land ; born at Catonsville, Maryland, February 18, 1837. Educated at St. Timothy's Mili- tary Academy, Maryland, and Kenyon College, Ohio; honorary degree of M. A., Kenyon College, 1886. His college course was interrupted by the War between the States, during which he served as a private in the Confederate States army, 1861-65. Graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1867. Ordained Deacon by Rt. Rev. John Johns, D. D., LL. D., who was his cousin, June 26, 1867; Priest by Rt. Rev. F. M. Whittle, D. D., August 7, 1867. Rector of Christ Church, Point Pleasant, Diocese of Virginia, 1867-73; of St. John's Church, West Brownsville, Pennsylvania, 1873-79; assistant minister of St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, since November, 1879. Since 1885 Mr. Hayden has been one of the Examining Chaplains of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. He is a member of many historical and scientific societies, and has done something in the field of historical research. He is a member of the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Sons of the Revolution, which has about fifty members in the Wyoming Valley. He resides in Wilkes-Barre.
REV. JOHN RICHARDS BOYLE, D. D., the present pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre, succeeded to its pulpit in December, 1890. Dr. Boyle is the son of a Methodist minister, the Rev. John A. Boyle, and was born in Philadelphia, June 23, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and under private instruction. He also learned the printers' trade, and in early life was for several years a newspaper editor. Enlisting in the ILIth Regiment Pennsylva- nia Volunteers, in September, 1861, he served through the Civil War, in several grades, as an officer both of the line and staff. His final military rank was Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, to which he was appointed by President Lincoln, and in it he was attached to the staffs of Generals Logan and Hazen. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864, and was honorably mustered out of service, March 20, 1866. He was prepared for the ministry in 1869 and 1870, and entered the Phila- delphia Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in March, 1871. Since then he has successively been a member of the Wilmington, Newark, New York and Wyo- ming Conferences, and has been pastor of several of the leading churches of the denomina- tion. In 1880 the honorary degree of A. M., and in 1885 that of D. D., were conferred upon him by Dickinson College.
REV. HENRY LAWRENCE JONES, M. A., son of the Rev. Lot Jones, for over thirty- three years rector of the Church of the Ephiphany, New York city ; born May 30, 1839. Was graduated A. B., Columbia College, New York, 1858; A. M., 1861; graduated Virginia
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THE WYOMING VALLEY.
Theological Seminary, 1861. Ordained Deacon by Rt. Rev. Horatio C. Potter, D. D., LL. D., May 24, 1861. Priest by same, 1863. After a year passed as assistant to his father, he became, in 1863, rector of Christ Church, Fitchburg, Massachusetts. In 1874 he resigned from Christ Church and accepted St. Stephen's Church, Wilkes-Barre, where he has been the beloved rector for over nineteen years. He has in that time held the highest positions in the ecclesiastical affairs of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, that is Examining Chap- lain, 1876-So; President N. W. Convocation (now Archdeaconry of Scranton), and member of the Board of Missions, 1876-87, when he refused re-election ; Deputy to the General Convention in 1886-91 ; member of the Standing Committee continuously since 1876. Mr. Jones is one of the Executive Committee of the American Church Missionary Society, of which Hon. John N. Conyngham, LL.D., of this city, was long the President. He is also a Trustee of Osterhout Free Library and a Vice President of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society. He married Miss Sarah Eastman Coffin, of Massachusetts. One of the Bishops who has known Mr. Jones intimately, writes thus of him: "The present Bishop of New York once wrote. me in a private letter: 'The Rev. Henry L. Jones is a prince among men.'" To those who know Mr. Jones this description does not seem extravagant, for in the composition of his character there is a remarkable combination of strength and beauty. Simple and unostentatious in manner, there is yet something in his looks and speech and action that suggests a large reserve force, and in his administration of parochial affairs this is more than realized, for he is not only wise in counsel, but pos- sesses exceptional executive gifts. Keeping as he always does his mental and moral equi- poise, his judgment is asked by many people in and out of church, and being both just and generous, he has the confidence of all that know him. As a preacher he is thoughtful and instructive and has a becoming literary style. As a pastor he is sympathetic, active and un- usually self-sacrificing, while as an administrator he has few peers. The work in St. Stephen's parish has been large and exacting, but his success therein has been remarkable. His assistants love him as a brother, and the affection for him shown by his parishioners is as unusual as it is delightful. He receives and deserves the love of all who know him.
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