USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > The Wyoming Valley, upper waters of the Susquehanna, and the Lackawanna coal-region : including views of the natural scenery of northern Pennsylvania : from the Indian occupancy to the year 1875 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Susquehanna > The Wyoming Valley, upper waters of the Susquehanna, and the Lackawanna coal-region : including views of the natural scenery of northern Pennsylvania : from the Indian occupancy to the year 1875 > Part 31
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" In order to refute the position which my friend from Bradford has assumed, in part, that Anthracite coal lands pay little or no tax, I will now refer to a few townships in the county . I have the honor to represent, and show you that wherever coal lands have been reached by railroad or canal, the increase of tax for state purposes has been from two to three hundred per cent. within the past three years. I will refer you to Carbon- dale in 1842. There was a two mill tax imposed upon coal lands during that year. In 1842, she paid into the treasury, $174.79; and upon the same valuation, at three mills, it would have amounted to $261.73. The same township in 1845, on a three mill tax, paid $776.55 ; thus showing an increase, in three years, of $513, equal to 197 per cent. And it must be borne in mind that Carbondale commenced operations long prior to that period ; consequently, the increase in this township will not be as great as in those townships where the coal trade has been more recently springing up. In the township of Pro- vidence, the place where I reside, although not benefitted by any of the improvements of Penn- sylvania, yet in consequence of a single Anthra- cite furnace located in our district, I will show the immense advantages the state has derived from that operation. In 1812, she was taxed,
for state purposes, $73.96. A three mill tax on the same valuation would have been 8110.04. The same township in 1845, paid $519.72; an increase of $408 78, equal to 378 per cent. The next in order is the township of Pittston, which lies at the head of the North Branch Canal, and in which a few collieries have within the last few years sprung up. This is likewise the town- ship to which the gentleman from Bradford has so repeatedly called the attention of this house as having defrauded the treasury of this com- monwealth by fraudulent assessments. Under the two-mill tax in 1842, she paid into the treas- ury $63.36; on the same valuation, at three mills, it would have been $95.44. The same township in 1845 paid $453.04, an increase in three years of $357.60; equal to 373. per cent. Plymouth, another coal township in my county, was assessed in 1842 $95.80 ; three mills on the same valuation would have been $143.70. The same township in 1845 was assessed $603.76 ; increase in three years $460.06; equal to 821 per cent. Now, then, to refute the position of iny friend from Bradford, 'that coal lands are not adequately assessed,' and to show that his arguments are untenable I will contrast the above township with one of the most fertile agricul- tural townships in the state, in the same neigh- borhood. Kingston was assessed in 1842 $450 59; three mills on the same valuation would have been $675 87. The same township in 1845 was assessed $876.15, showing an increase in three years only of $200.28, equal to 30 per ct.
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" And if we are to believe the declaration of the gentleman from Bradford, which cannot be doubted from his known integrity, that his county is far advanced in agricultural science when he tells you on this floor, in a remark made yester- day, that the simple introduction of a Durham bull ' has increased the value of stock property in his county many thousands of dollars.'
Another project which engaged the hard study of Mr. Merrifield in his earlier official years, was the effort to extend the North Branch Canal from Pittston to the coal-beds of the Lackawanna Valley, and the iron resources of Roaring Brook. Indeed it has been a favorite and pet idea with him for many years, and the slack-water theory which he more strongly urged was seconded by the best minds of the day. General Rumford, then a prominent man, was an able supporter of Mr. Merrifield, and Hon. Samuel D. Ingham, then Secretary of the Treas- ury under General Jackson, in a letter addressed
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to him, regretted that it had been neglected as it must have resulted in benefit to the country. It is but a year ago since Hon. Simon Cameron has advocated an idea exactly similar to the one so earnestly fought for by Mr. Merrifield thirty years ago.
The liquidation of the State debt was at this time also an absorbing topic, and the views of the subject of our sketeh plainly pointed out remedies by which, if his theories had been act- ed upon, the State must have been benefitted.
Had Mr. Merrifield's plans been acted upon in relation to the slack-water navigation, it is im- possible to tell how great would have been the benefits which must have acerued to the coal- beds of the Lackawanna Valley.
As a politician he was ever known as a con- scientious advocate of purity in public affairs, and though an adherent in a measure to the old Democratic school of State sovereignty, his in- terests were always heartily embodied in the wel- fare of the nation. As a citizen he carries the respect of all who know him, and in business matters he is thoroughly a gentleman.
HON. GEORGE SANDERSON.
The city of Scranton, the Metropolis of the Northern Anthracite Coal Basin, owes much of its beauty, taste in architecture and liberal poliey to Hon. George Sanderson. His efforts are enti- tled to greater appreciation, because they ema- nate from himself personally and single handed. The absorption of power over property by cor- porations in this city, has not by any means redounded to their credit; elose reasoning on the other hand would convince a disinterested observer that their attempts to amass wealth at the expense of the masses, has proved rather a detriment, and the result must inevitably exhibit itself as the city grows older.
Mr. Sanderson removed with his family from Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., to Seranton in the spring of 1856-he had resided here most of the year 1855. He was born in Boston ; his ancestors being among the very earliest settlers of Massachusetts. In 1837, having married in
Bradford County, he settled in Towanda ; soon after he commenced the praetiec of law, and entered at onec into a very considerable practice. He was appointed district attorney of Bradford County, and held the office for about six years. when he resigned. He was subsequently elected to the State Senate from the district of Bradford. Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. Up to this time he had devoted himself assiduously to the practice of law ; his success was established. He was somewhat extensively engaged in real estate transactions before removing to Seranton.
Mr. Sanderson made the acquaintance of Col. George W. Scranton in 1853 while in the Senate, and co-operated with him in securing the legis- lation which Colonel Seranton regarded neces- sary for the completion of the enterprise he had undertaken for the development of the mineral resourees of this valley, and the successful estab- lishment of the iron manufacture. On the solieitation of Colonel Scranton, Mr. Sanderson visited Seranton for the first time in 1854, and again in 1855, when in April of that year he purchased the Hitehcoek farm. This tract of land contained about 220 acres, for which he was to pay sixty five thousand dollars ; that his judgment as to the value of this property had not misled him, was sufficiently proven in a few weeks when he sold an undivided half of it for sixty-five thousand dollars.
He then commenced laying out streets, which resulted in opening Washington, Adams and Wyoming avenues from Spruee street to Vine, which is to-day considered the wealthiest portion of the eity in residences and aggregated eapital ; hence the name of Sanderson's Hill. He built on this hill a residence for himself, now occupied by James Blair, esq., and true to the policy which he has always exhibited he creeted severa! other houses in the same vieinity. He donated the lots to public use upon which the Central School building stands. During the earlier ad- ministration of public affairs, be was twice elect- ed and served as Burgess.
His next grand movement in opening the plan of the city, was the purchase of that part of Scranton now so favorably known as Green Ridge, which must of necessity, because of the
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exhorbitant prices charged for land held by eor- poration power elsewhere, become in the future the best and finest part of the city. His policy in building Green Ridge has exhibited in the strongest sense his wisdom and foresight; com- mencing himself by constructing the Green Ridge and Providence Street Railroad and erect- ing a model residence, he has succeeded in draw- ing about him a community whose tastes have converted the ridge into the only spot in the Lackawanna Valley which resembles rural Ely- sian Fields. His broad views enabled him to , judge of suburban architectural effect, and ac- cordingly he mapped the tract in spacious lots, which any gentleman would recognize as suffi- cient for home purposes. The effect has already begun to tell upon the scenery in that quarter.
In the effort to make the spot a practicable dwelling place at his own expense, he has dis- bnrsed thousands of dollars in the construction of broad avenues and strects, and the building of necessary bridges. More than any other man who has ever lived in Scranton, has Hon. George Sanderson been a public benefactor in the crea- tion of houses and artistic utility.
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In November, 1855, Mr. Sanderson associated with bim his brother-in-law, Burton Kingsbury, of Towanda, and formed the co-partnership of Geo. Sanderson & Co., in the banking business. This firm continued in successful business until 1973, when it was merged in the Lackawanna Valley Bank.
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HON A. B. DUNNING.
Resides in the village bearing his name, situ- ate on "Roaring Brook," ten miles southcast of Scranton, on line of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. The subject of this no- tice was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, on the 21st day of March, 1821. His father, Gil- bert Dunning, settled in Providence township, Luzerne County, near Dunmore, in April, 1822. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party. In 1852, while engaged in the mercantile business in the borough of Provi- dence, his party nominated him for the Legisla-
ture to which he was elected. He was returned the following year. As an evidence that his ser. viecs were appreciated by his constituents, the unusual honor of a third term was conferred upon him. Since which time he has been more or less prominently before the public until the fall of 1872, when he was elected to the honor- able position of member of the Constitutional Convention.
The Hon. George W. Scranton. to whom the public is more indebted for the construction of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Rail- road than to any other man, in appreciation of Mr. Dunning's services in this great enterprise, named the town and station after him.
Dunning is a thriving little town, supporting numerous mills for the manufacture of lumber, one planing mill, and one of the largest tanner- ies in the State. The "Christian, Baptist and Methodist Societies" have regular service in the town, with two flourishing Sunday Schools.
Mr. Dunning carries with him largely the confidence of the entire people of northern Penn- sylvania.
HON. WILLIAM N. MONIES, SECOND MAYOR OF SCRANTON.
William N. Monies was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the village of Dailly, on the 10th of May, 1827. He received his education in his native country, his father being a merchandiser. His intellectual culture was derived entirely from the common schools of Scotland, but the basis must have been thorough, and a supple- mentary course of self earned knowledge must have been somewhat extensive, for he possesses a vigorous understanding, and exhibits evidences of considerable literary attainment.
He emigrated to America in 1849, coming directly to the Lackawanna Valley, settling at Carbondale. He commenced life here by work- ing at baking for $1.00 per day for Andrew Law, now of Pittston, who was then carrying on that business in the growing village at the upper end of the valley. After six months of service for another, he commenced business for himself.
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In 1852 he started for California, traveling the overland route, occupying for this two years time. He returned to the States again, after which he concluded to go to California again, working as baker on the steamer Yankee Blade, and then commenced a baking business in the golden territory, at which he continued for two years, when he sought his old home again in Carbondale and resumed the same business.
In 1860 he came to Providenee, now of Scran- ton, and engaged in business in partnership with Joseph Gillespie, running the Providence mills for six years. In 1866 he connected himself with Lewis Pughe, under the firm name of Monies & Pughe, which is the name and style of the firm at the present date.
He joined the Federal army in 1861, going as captain of the 136th Pennsylvania Infantry. After being mustered out, the term of service being nine months, he again entered the field as colonel of a militia regiment called the " Monies Tigers." This organization was raised for the emergency which called them forth to repel in- vasion of Pennsylvania soil.
In 1863 he was elected Burgess of the Borough of Providence, and in 1869 was elected Mayor of the city of Scranton, by the Republican party. His administration was all that could have been expected of any officer, when it is taken into consideration how weak were the powers of the office. During his term of service the great strike of 1870-71 caused his power to be used in calling for military aid, an act which has been too often unjustly attributed to his want of fore- sight. The scenes of that disorder having pass- ed away, and the events having lost interest, it is easier for the historian to judge of the facts as they appeared in the premises, and the only conclusion which can be arrived at is, that inde- pendently of Mayor Monies or any other official outside of the conflicting parties, the majority of citizens felt the need of security, demanded it, and it was given. Volumes more written upon the subject cannot force any other conclusion.
Colonel Monies is regarded by his fellow citi- Zens as a man of strong character, a reputable townsman, and a creditable ally in public matters.
HON. ROBERT H. McKUNE, FOURTH MAYOR OF SCRANTON.
The present Mayor of our city is of Scotch and Irish descent, his great-grandfather having emigrated from Scotland and settled in Orange County, in the State of New York, in 1762, in which county the family has always since resided.
Robert was born in Newburg, on the Hudson, August 19th, 1823. His father dying when he was three years of age, he was taken in charge by his grandfather, who placed him in the pri- vate school of John James Brown, one of New- burg's oldest teachers, and subsequently entered the High School under the Superintendent, O. M. Smith, both of which teachers are still resi- dents of Newburg.
He left his studies at thirteen, and commenced active life by entering the boot and shoe store of George Mecklan, who was at that time the largest dealer in his line of goods. After remaining here one year he united himself with a relative, Henry Schenck, of No. 12 Church street, New Brunswick, New Jersey, who carried on the same class of business, and with whom he stayed some two years.
Having always had a desire for personal inde- pendence, he concluded to learn a trade. His widowed mother had been carrying on a baking business in Newburg, and thither he repaired to join the comforts of home with his business re- lations, which he adhered to for several years.
In 1839 he went to the city of New York, and found employment with Messrs. Monroe, at 173 West Broadway, who at that time commanded some of the best business in the city. After remaining here for about two years, he returned to his home and took charge of his mother's bus- iness until he was of age, when, having a small patrimony left by his grandfather, he entered the grocery business in Newburg.
While here he was married to Miss Elmira Smith, of Mamaking, Sullivan County, New York, and continued his residence in Newbury for two years. His health failing he took up his abode at Cold Spring, N. Y., for another two years, when he emigrated to California in 15 19,
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leaving New York, February 1st, on steamer " Faleon," the first which carried the first mails to California. During this trip he worked as baker both on the Atlantic and Pacifie oeeans, and was the first American that ever carried on that braneh of industry in the city of Panama. Reaching California he repaired to the mines and stayed there for seven months, then went to San Franeiseo and engaged at his business dur- ing his sojourn there.
Upon his return to the States he settled at Susquehanna Depot, on the New York and Erie Railroad, then a town just springing into exist- enee ; after which he located at Binghamton, where he was sueeessively connected with several firms in the wholesale groeery trade.
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These firms naturally extending their arms into the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, his mind was directed to these promising localities, and an acquaintance ripened into a conversant knowledge of the business and men in the An- thraeite region. He had remained in business in Binghamton for some seventeen years; when the war having broken out he went to Scranton in 1862 and connected himself in business with Mr George Cone and A. W. Renshaw.
In September, 1862, he occupied the position of first lieutenant in the Keystone Guards, a company raised in Scranton, and with them he joined the army at the front, assisting the army of the Potomac at the battle of Antietam, he having charge of the advance guard on the Wil- liamsport road, on the Union right. Upon his return from the cmergeney, he entered the ser- viee again by uniting with the seeret bureau at Vieksburg, Miss., under command of Colonel Hutchinson, and remained in the secret service until the close of the war. He stayed one year South after the termination of hostilities, when he again returned North and entered upon a general insurance business in Scranton, at which he has been actively engaged to the present date.
In 1868 he was appointed by Chief Justice Chase, United States Commissioner, and held this position until his election as Mayor, when he resigned. He was nominated for Mayor by the Democratic party in 1875, and eleeted. The triumph of the election is a eredit to his popu-
larity, for both parties had determined, because of the odium which had been east upon our city by the press abroad, to put forth the best repre- sentative men, so that in either ease the city would be honored. He has already entered upon his administrative duties with a spirit which commends him to the favorable and hearty sup- port of every citizen in this prosperous and growing city. That he is public spirited as well as judicious all have the utmost confidence, as . his residence here for years has amply testified. That he will make radieal changes for the pro- motion of the welfare of the city there can be no doubt, for his whole life has been a busy one ; his experienee is varied, extensive and liberal, and Scranton will yet be able to point to an administration of justice inaugurated by Mayor McKune, which will be fitting matter for the future historian.
His long residence in Binghamton brought him into intimate relations with the late lament- ed Daniel S. Dickinson, and in looking over the files of Binghamton journals we frequently find the name of Robert II. McKune as the presiding officer of assemblages, both political and social, bringing him into the nearest and most familiar eonnections with this great and good man. At the outbreak of national hostilities, he followed in the course of policy marked out by Dickinson, to save the Union at all hazards.
In the engine house of Crystal Hose Company of this city, can be seen hanging on the wall a certificate of membership to the fire department of the village of Newburg, dating Mareh, 1842. Ever sinee he has been known as one of the most efficient and active firemen of his locality. Young yet, he is active, and having associated with men of large minds his policy as Mayor must be characteristic.
HON. STEUBEN JENKINS.
He was born September 23, 1819, on the Wy oming battle field, in the residence of Colo el John Jenkins, his grandfather, a hero of the Revolution and Pennamite wars. Most of his life has been spent in the vicinity made elassic
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STARKEY'S BUST OF JUDGE CONYNGHAM.
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by his ancestors' deeds. In 1841-42 he taught school in Pittston, and atten led school in Beth- any during the winter of 1842-43. He com- meneed mercantile pursuit at Wyoming on his own account, but resumed his studies instead of following it, by attending school at Oxford, Che- nango County, N. Y. Returning home he pur- sued bis studies without the aid of a tutor, then went to Sylvester Dana in Wilkes-Barre for a few months, where he was prepared to enter col- lege in junior class, but never went. In 1845 commeneed reading law with Hon. H. B. Wright, and was admitted at August Term, 1847, and continued in the office of Mr. Wright for eight years, most of the time his law partner. In 1853, in consequence of health failing from severe labor, he accepted a position in Washing- ton, D. C., where his duties were lighter, he having charge of the Foreign Mail Bureau, cor- responding to that then occupied by Hon. Hora- tio King, since Postmaster General. In the spring of 1835 he returned to Wyoming Valley and commenced the bauking business with his brother, as Jenkins & Brother. Soon after he formed a connection with George San lerson & Co. in the same business. In 1856 he was elected to the Legislature, and again in 1857. He took an active and distinguished part in all the legislation during the time he was a mem- ber. Took an active part in having the main line of publie improvements sold, the proceeds of which have resulted so beneficially in paying the public debt of the State. The terrible panic of 1857 destroyed all the business of the country, but was particularly disastrous in the neighbor- hood of Pittston.
Experiencing that in the prostrate condition of the country the banking business would not pay, he closed up that busi- ness, and in 1858 returned to the practice of law at Wilkes Barre, in which he continued until the fall of 1863, when he was invited by the Commissioners of Luzerne County to become their elerk and couusel. He accepted the call, and remained in that position for about seven .
years, when admonished by failing licalth he resigned that position, and has since been en- gaged in farming, varying his employment by occasionally attending to a law ease, surveying,
&e. During his long and varied labors he has learned to read Latin, Greek, German, French and Spanish, beside his mother-tongue, and be- come well versed iu the antiquities of the coun- try and the sciences. He has succeeded in gath- ering the largest and finest collection of Indian relics in the posession of any person in the United States, and probably in the world, and in addition lias a large collection of fossils, miner- als, shells, &c. He has devoted the years of an ordinary lifetime to the collection of material for a history of Wyoming, and the mass he has gathered is said to be immense, and particularly rich and valuable, much of which has already been written out in order. His collection of genealogies of the early settlers of Wyoming is very extensive, and embraces all of any distinc- tion. He was connected with the Luzerne Agri- cultural Society as Recording and Corresponding Secretary, or President, for fourteen years, and the success of that society was largely due to his labors. In the following organizations he has served,-fifteen years as Secretary for the Wyo- ming Bible Society, nine years a Director and Secretary of the Forty Fort Cemetery Associa- tion, and for the same period Secretary of the Wyoming Monument Association; for fifteen years a Trustee of the Luzerne Presbyterian Iu- stitute ; ten years Trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Wyoming ; seven years a School Di- rector and Seeretiry of the Board in Kingston township ; is honorary member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, also that of Bradford County ; also of the American Anthropological Society, and President of the Jenkins' Institute of History and Science, of which he was the founder; Dircetor of the First National Bank of Northumberland; has been Secretary of the Board of Prison Commissioners since their or- ganization in 1870; has presided over County Conventions (Democratie), School Institutes and other assemblages, with dignity and native zra .... He has contributed largely by his pen upon lit- erary, historical, scientific, social and other sub- jects for the journals of the day. A man of fine tastes and sensibilities in every dopo. thett of seier.ce and the fine arts ; he is as well a musi- eiau of a high order. For many years has been
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