MR YARINGTON'S LIST. Some of the Descendants of the WilkesBarre Business Men of 1818-Some Interesting Facts.

[In the last issue of the Historical Record appeared an article by Dilton Yarington, of Carbondale, giving a list of about 250 citizens of Wilkes-Barre in 1818, together with their occupations. The list, which was prepared in 1868 from memory, was reprinted from the WEEKLY RECORD of that year. The appended communication has reference to the living descendants of the people included by Mr. Yarington in his list.-ED.]

EDITOR RECORD: I have read with considerable interest your list of names of the business men of Wilkes-Barre in 1818, as given by Esquire Yarington, and as a sort of continuation of the same subject, herewith send you the names of a few of the descendants, (all living unless otherwise specified) together with some facts in regard to their subsequent history as I remember them: Philip Abbott was the father of Philip Abbott, now of St. Paul, Minn.

H. C. Anhiser, father of Joseph Anhiser and Mrs. F. Koerner.

Ziba Bennett, father of George S. Bennett and Mrs. J. C. Phelps.

John L. Butler, father of Mrs. Judge Woodward and Frank Butler.

Steuben Butler, father of C. E. Butler, Mrs. Alex. Shiras and the late Wm. H. Butler.

Pierce Butler, father of Pierce Butler, of Carbondale, and Mrs. Mary Reynolds, of Kingston.

Zebulon Butler, father of sons and daughters, none living here.

Jonathan Bulkeley, father of C. L. Bulkeley and Mrs. A. R. Brundage.

Anthony Brower, father of Mrs. Alderman W. S. Parsons.

Isaac Bowman, father of Col. Sam and Miss Mary Bowman.

Andrew Beaumont, father of Col. E. B. Beaumont, U. S. A., and Mrs. Julia Gloninger, of Lebanon.

Job Barton, father of C. P. Barton, Leh

man.

Oristus Collins, father of Rev. Charles Jewett Collins.

George Chahoon, father of Miss Ann Chahoon and Mrs. Josiah Lewis.

Anning O. Chahoon, father of Joseph Slocum Chahoon.

Daniel Collings, father of Mrs. Julia Dougherty, Mrs. J. N. Davidson and Miss Eliza Collings.

Henry Colt, father of Henry Colt, Allentown.

Isaac A. Chapman, father of C. I. A. Chapman, Pittston.

Jacob Cist, father of Mrs. H. Wright and Mrs. A. T. McClintock.

George Hotchkiss, father of Mrs. T. W. Robinson.

Dr. L. W. Jones, father of Mrs. Thomas Wilson.

J. P. Johnson, father of William P. Johnson, of Dallas, and Wesley Johnson, of this city.

John Jameson, father of Mrs. E. B. Collings and Mrs. John Chahoon.

Amasa Jones, father of Joel and Joseph Jones, of Philadelphia.

Lewis Ketcham, father of the late W. W. Ketcham.

Gilbert Laird, father of J. D. Laird, Glover Laird and Mrs. Joseph Easterline.

Josiah Lewis. father of Josiah Lewis. H. F. Lamb, father of Miss Mary Lamb. Peter P. Loop, father of Edward Sterling and John Millard Loop.

Charles M.ner, father of Wm. P. Miner and Mrs. Jesse Thomas.

Samuel Maffet, father of Wm. R. Maffet. Simon Monega, father of C. B. Monega and Mrs. P. R. Johnson.

Benjamin Perry, father of Misses Ferry, Northampton Street.

Archippus Parrish, father of Chas. and G. H. Parrish and Mrs. F. W. Hunt.

Joseph Slocum, father of Mrs. Abi Butler. Geo. Sively, father of Mrs. Judge Pfouts. Abram Thomas, father of Mrs. Washington Lee.

E. Taylor, father of John, Thomas and Edmund Taylor and Mrs. E. H. Chase.

Phineas Waller, father of Rev. David J. Waller, Bloomsburg.

Luther Yarington, father of Thomas (). Yarington, Reading.

Peter Yarington, father of Dilton Yarington, Carbondale.

ed about with a wooden one, and always appeared on the street in a flowing calico wrapper. The boys called him "Peg Leg Jones;" his business was that of making brooms and distilling pyroligneous acid, which was called "essence of smoke," in common parlance. It was used for flavoring hams, dried beef, etc., by sprinkling a few drops on the slices instead of smoking the meat in the usual way. The son Joel

became a distinguished judge of the District Court of Philadelphia, while Joseph a Presbyterian divine of high repute, preach. ed the word of God in the old 6th Church on Pine Street for many years.

Jesse Fell was proprietor of an ancient hostelry on Northampton Street still known as the "Old Fell House." It was here Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., held its initiatory communication in or about the year 1794; and it was here also that the feasibility of burning anthracite coal in an open grate was first demons rated in 1807.

The Moses Wood mentioned was an Englishman by birth and brought with him to this country a considerable amount of English gold and a large family of sons and daughters, now all dead I think except Isaas Wood, of Trenton, N. J. John G. and George B. Wood, of this city, are grandsons of Moses.

It is said that Mrs. President Garfield is a granddaughter of Jacob Rudolph. There are no sons or daughters of David Scott now living, but E. Greenough Scott, Esq., and Rev. Charles H. Kidder are grandsons of the judge.

George Denison had two sons, Henry M. and George; one of them, an Episcopal clergyman, married a daughter of President John Tyler. Ralph D. Lacoe, of Pittston, is a grandson of Francis Du Pay.

Gen. E. L. Dana is a grandson of Anderson Dana.

Joseph Davis was never married, he became insane and shot and killed a man named Diebel on Hazle Street; was acquitted on the ground of insanity and spent the remainder of his days in an insane asylum.

Barnet Ulp was grandfather of the Misses Alexander, of River Street. Gilbert Barnes was grandfather of Stewart L. and Albert Barnes, court crier.

Abram Pike was the father of Hannah Porter who several years ago was accidentally shot in the hand and arm by a then young member of the bar while gunning for squirrels in the timber growing along the river in the Kingston side, opposite this city. Joshua Miner was grandfather of Dr. J. L. Mirer, of this city.

Dr. GW. Trott was grandfather of Judge Stanley Woodward.

It is not to be presumed that the parties

whose names are mentioned in the list all lived within our present city limits. WilkesBarre at that time extended from Hanover on the south, to Pittston on the north, and the occupation of the major portion of persons named was farming. Esquire Yarington is undoubtedly correct so far as his list extends, but it seems to me that he has left a wide gap in the upper part of Wilkes-Barre Township. My memory does not go back

as far as 1818 by several years, but I know many old citizens who must have lived there at that time whose names are not on the list. For instance, there was Benjamin Courtright, farmer, father of John M., and James Courtright, of this city. "Uncle Fritz Waguer," farmer, and next to him James Stark, farmer and merchant, father of Henry and John M. Stark, of West Pittston; John Stark on Mill Creek, farmer, father of John Stark, Mrs. G. M. Miller and Mrs. O. A. Parsons, Cornelius Stark, father of Col. B. F. Stark, of this city; Crandall Wilcox, farmer who owned the place, afterwards property of John Searl, and his son Samuel Wilcox, who worked the mines at Mill Creek slope; Thomas Williams farmer. who owned the now John Mitchell place, and his Sons Thomas, Ezra, and George W. Williams: Thomas Csborne, laborer, Punkin Hollow, great grandfather of the Misses Wildoner of this city; Stephen Abbott farmer and his son John Abbott, father of the Misses Cassie and Lucy Abbott of this city, Benjamin Bailey, tanner and currier at the Corners; Cornelius or Case Courtright shoemaker, Hiram Post, laborer, Thoma, Joslyn laborer, whose son Thomas was the first man killed in the mines in this coal region; Thomas Woolley, farmer who raised a large family of sons and daughters; Matthias Hollenback miller, "Crazy Matt" so-called, as his mental infirmity required that he be restrained of his liberty for many years previous to his death; George Dickover mason and plasterer, father of William Dickover of this city: Hezekiah Parsons of Laurel Run, farmer and manufacturer, father of Calvin Parsons, and Stephen Gould, father of the Gonlds who were active business men on the Lehigh, ived on the back road obove Mr. Parsons' place, and others probably as the upper portion of Wilkes-Barre was well settled at that time. W. J.

Eighty-Eight Years Old.

The Pittston Gazette says that Hon. D. S. Koon and daughters and Mrs. C. E. Bennett left for Tunkhannock, where they were to celebrate the 88th birthday of Mrs Koon's sister, Mrs. Maria Swartz, ou March 27 All the other members of the family were expected to be present, including relatives from Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

The familiar form of Joseph Brown will no longer be seen on our streets, The RECORD had announced that Mr. Brown was indisposed and confined to his house, but no one, outside of his family and a few intimate friends, supposed that he was seriously ill. On March 19 he complained of feeling unwell, but attended to business the same as usual. On Monday March 21 he cold his wife that he was feeling much better and went up to his office. In the evening, after returning to his home, he was seized with a violent pain in the region of the heart and fainted away. His family were greatly alarmed. Dr. Mayer was summoned 14 baste and upon bis arrival found Mr. Brown in an unconscious state with the pul-e beating at 160. On Tuesday the patient seemed to rally a little, but Dr. Mayer saw the case was hopeless. The heart had refused to do its work. There were also indications of pneumonia, but not of a dangerous character. Mr. Brown continued to sink slowly until five minutes of seven last Thursday when death relieved him of his suf ferings. He was surrounded by his family and a few immediate friends.

Seventy-one years ago, the second day of March, Joseph Brown first saw the light of day in a little town in the north of Ire land. At the early age of 20 he bade farewell to home and friends and set sail for America to make his fortune. Like a great many others of his class young Brown did not find the road to fortune and fame in the new country a very smooth one, but he was possessed of an indomitable perseverance, backed with a determination that he must succeed. To this is due his success in after life. In 1838 the poor boy from the north of Ireland was earning a dollar a day in a coal mine at Summit Hill, Carbon County. He was one of the few laborers of that early day who could read and write and his services were always in demand by his less fortunate colaborers who were wont to communicate with their friends in the old country. letter writer he was a great success and it is unnecessary to say that his Vices did not go unrewarded. 80 spent in the mines Mr. Brown went boating on the Lehigh Canal, running between Manch Chunk and Philadelphia. He did not like this occupation, however, and in 1840 or thereabouts he removed to Wilkes-Barre. For two or three years he lived with John McCarragher and then went into the lumber business in partnership with John Faser.

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The firm prospered and Mr. Brown saved his money. Thinking there was more money in the grocery than the lumber business, the new firm of Brown & Wilson was formed, who conducted a general mercantile business on West Market Street, where the Brown bank building now stands. Mr. Brown always thought he would make a successful banker, and with this object in view he associated himself with Alex. McLean, Alex. Gray, John Faser, Thomas Wilson, F. W. Hunt and others in the incorporation of the First National Bank of this city, which is to-day one of the soundest institutions of the kind in the State. Afterwards Mr. Brown, in company with Alexander Gray, went into the private banking business. The bank was successful until the downfall of the New York banking firm of Henry Clews & Co., with whom Brown's bank had large dealings. This was in 1873, the bank losing $52.000 with Clews, $3,000 with Jag Cooke & Co., and $7,000 with the Union Banking Co. of Philadelphia, in all about $63,000. Mr. Brown endeavored to bear up under this misfortune and succeeded in doing so for five years, having made a settlement with his creditors. The pressure finally proved too strong, and on May 16, 1878 the bank again closed its doors, never to open them again. Abram H. Reynolds was made assignee. The net liabilities were about $145,000, and the net assets about $96,000. For a time there was great indignation, but the sequel showed that Mr. Brown had not failed rich but was a poor man. Mr. Brown

then went into the real estate bus.ness, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death.

Mr. Brown was blessed with a geniality of soul that, in spite of his financial misfortunes, made a host of friends for him. He was a good citizen, a kind husband and a loving father.

In 1850 deceased married Miss Annie Gray, daughter of Alex. Gray, of this city, and eight children were the result of the union, only three of whom survive-Alex. G., who is engaged in the seed business in Philadelphia, and Miss Emma and Miss Edith, who reside at home. Matthew Brown, a brother of the ex-banker, is engaged in farming in the vicinity of Harvey's Lake. Two other brothers, John and James, reside in Missouri, the former being a minister of the gospel. Mr. Brown was a Republican in politics and a member of Memorial Church. All that was mortal of the late Joseph Brown was laid away in Hellenback Cemetery Monday, March 28. A large number of friends met at the family residence, including a notable number of old citizens, deceased having been a resident of WilkesBarre for 50 years. The services were conducted by Rev. C. R. Gregory, pastor of de

ceased, assisted by Rev. Dr. Hodge and Rev. Dr. Parke. The pall bearers were W. W. Loomis, W. S. Parsons, T. J. Chase, B. G. Carpenter, Isaiah M. Leach, and Samuel Roberts.

Christian Conrad's Fatal Injury.

On March 16, Christian Conrad, a wellknown miner of this city, 52 years of age, was injured by a fall of top rock in the Hollenback, from the effects of which he died March 29, after an amount of suffering that must have made death welcome. His hip was fractured and there were extensive internal injuries. Mr. Conrad came to Wilkes-Barre fron. Germany in 1855, since which time he held several responsible positions as mine bose at the old Landmesser breaker. the Newport breaker, the Empire and the Mocanaqna. It was during his term at the latter mine that the frightful disaster of year before last occurred, he being charged with the responsibility therefor, tried and convicted. The penalty was a $50 fine, which his friends allege was paid by others who were equally responsible with him, but who were so fortonate as to escape arrest. Mr. Conrad married in Wilkes Barre but his wife, a Mrs. Loch, died 12 years ago. He is survived by 6 children, all adults except one. A son, Christian, is a barber in Plymouth. Philip Conrad, of Ashley, Nicholas and Peter, of Wilkes-Barre, are brothers, and Mrs. Spendler, of this city is a sister. Funeral Thursday at 3 from the family residence on Ross Street.

A Tailor's Long Life Ended.

For more than a third of a century there has been a merchant tailor in our midst. and he followed his trade for a even a longer period before coming here. His name was Henry Christian Engelke, and he died of paralysis on Tuesday, March 29. Mr Engelke was born in Hanover, Germany, in June, 1802, coming to America and settling in Wilkes-Barre in 1852. He married a Mrs. Kuschke, and for many years was in the tailoring business with her two sons, under the firm name of Engelke & Kuschke. His secoud wife was Mary Barth, who survives him. He had no children by either marriage. He has always been a diligent worker, attending strictly to business, and was engaged at his trade up to the day of his prostration, on Friday last. He passed out of life quietly and peacefully. He was of quiet demeanor and an excellent and substantial citizen. He was an Odd Fellow, both of subordinate lodge and encampment, and was a member of the German Lutheran Church. He had no relatives in America. Funeral Sunday at 2 from his late residence, 72 South River Street.

An Aged Lady's Death. Our townsman, Joseph Birkbeck, met with a bereavement on March 30, in the death of his mother, at Freeland. From the Progress we glean the following facts:

De

Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson Birkbeck passed peacefully unto her eternal rest, at the ripe age of 83 years, 1 month and 18 days. ceased was born at Buck Hill, Stainmoor, near Brough, England, Feb. 12, 1804. Came to America with her husband, Joseph, in 1844. Finally located in South Heberton, where they built a house in 1860, in the centrre of 400 acres. Mr. Birkbeck made the first clearing, built the first house and raised the first crop in South Heberton. Soon after her residence in the then wilderness, she perceived a deer coming over the hill, which had been worried by dogs; the deer seeing her made a direct line for her person, when she grasped an axe and killed it, by first breaking its front legs and then cutting its throat. Her husband, who was engaged as a miner, prospector and farmer, died some Years ago, after placing his wife in indeed Well-to-do circumstances. The fruits of their mariage were thirteen children, three of who survive them: Joseph, real estate agen and broker at Wilkes-Barre: Thomas, real estate agent and drover; and Mrs. Wm. Johnson, both of this place.

A Bridge Contractor Dead.

William Best died at his home in Kingston March 30 at 7 o'clock, at the age of 70. He had been a sufferer some years from rheumatism, and a year ago his health failed entirely, confining him to the house almost constantly. week ago pneumonia set inand his collapse speedily followed. Mr. Best is survived by his wife, but with him his own fanny disappears, his only remaining brother laving died a few months ago at Utica, their birthplace. Mr. Best was a bridge contracto and builder, and in his prime was a man of note in this line of industry. His first connection hereabouts was with the building ofbridges on the northern division of the D. L & W. RR, then known as the Legget's Creek RR. In similar capacity he was connected with the southern division of the sane road, and later became bridge builder and master carpenter of the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg RR., in which capacity he connued while his health held out. Some years since when, on certain account, the question was raised as to the stability of the Wilkes Barre bridge, he was one of a committee who reade a thorough examination and repor respecting it. While able, after retiring froh the railroad,he carried on the picture frate business in Kings. ton. He was a consisent member of the M. E. Church, and in all respects a good citizen.

THE FINCH FAMILY RE-UNION.

A Woman who Has Lived in the Same House for Sixty-nine Years-Remarkable Instances of Longevity.

[Carbondale Leader.]

The home of Philip and Fannie Felts, in Greenfield Township, Lackawanna County, was made joyous on Tuesday, Feb. 1, by a family gathering to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Mrs. Fanny Spencer, who is keeping house on the old homestead where she first commenced after her marriage in 1818.

Fanny Spencer was born Feb. 1, 1797, in Pittston Township, Luzerne County. She came into Greenfield with her father, Isaac Finch, in 1810, was married to Leonard Spencer in 1818; commenced housekeeping on the farm on which she now resides, was the mother of eight children, of which six are now living; grand-children thirty-seven, now living twentysix; great grandchildren fifty-four, now living forty-five. The oldest great grandchild is nearly twenty-four years old and married. She says the first Methodist meeting held in Greenfield (which then included Scott), was held in their house by Rev. Silas Comfort, about 1831. About six years after,she united with the M. E. Church and from that time until the present her house has ever been a welcome home for the itinerant.

Her father's family is remarkable for longevity, perhaps without a parallel in the county. Her father, Isaac Finch, was born in Plains Township, Luzerne County, Feb. 25, 1763, married Sarah Tompkins. Oct. 19, 1798, moved into Greenfield in 1809 and died March 10, 1848, being 85 years old. They had ten children, four of whom are still living. Isaac Finch the second, (better known as Captain Finch) was born Nov. 20, 1798; died April 14, 1860, being seventy-one years old. Nathaniel Finch was born Feb. 3, 1792; died June 20, 1884, being ninety-two years old. John G. Finch was born May 19, 1794; died Jan. 16, 1886, being ninety-two years old. When quite an aged man he said that whiskey had become so poor and poisonous he would drink no more of it. At the age of eighty he gave up the use of tobacco which resolution he kept the remainder of his lue. Fanny Spencer nee Finch, was born Feb. 7, 1797, she is still living being ninety years old. Carpenter Finch was born Nov. 21, 1799; emigrated West: his whereabouts not known: if living, eighty-seven years old. Julia Foster nee Finch, was born April 23, 1802; died July 26, 1831, being twenty-nine years old. Levina Benson nee Finch, was born March 18, 1805, is living; eighty-one years old.

Sally Marson, nee Finch, was born May 4, 1808; living, being 79 years old. Solomon

Finch (better known as Deacon Finch) was born November 4, 1810, died September 24, 1880, being 70 years old. Polly Whipple, nee Finch, was born July 5, 1813, is living being 74 years old. Supposing that Carpenter Finch is living, the united ages of ten children with their parents would be 939 years. The average duration of life of each family is 78 years and 3 months.

A Former Wilkes-Barrean Dead.
[Owego, (N. Y.) Gazette.]

John S. Madden died at his residence in the town of Windham, Pa., near Nichols, March 22. Mr. Madden was born in Limerick, Ireland, June 14, 1806, and came to America in May, 1831, going to Silver Lake, Susquehanna County, Pa., where he resided two years. He removed thence to WilkesBarre, where he remained until 1844, when he came to Warren, Bradford County, and purchased a farm. Two years after he sold his farm and removed to Windham Centre. where he resided until his death. In 1846, he purchased a farm of 216 acres and built a saw mill and grist mill, and afterward a tannery. His buildings were destroyed by fire three times, the last time fifteen years ago, and were not rebuilt. Mr. Madden accumulated a handsome property, but lost largely in the failure of the Eureka Mowing Machine Manufacturing Co.. at Towanda a few years ago. He was a man of great energy and public spirit. He was president of the projected Bradford railroad, and labored long and actively to secure its construction. He was a prominent Democrat. He leaves a wife, two sons and four daughters.

Death of an Aged Luzerne Countian.

James Ross, a well-known citizen of Dal. las, died at his home on March 27, aged 93 years. Mr. Ross was one of the first settlers in Dallas, and had lived there during almost his entire life, as a farmer. Death was not unexpected, as he had been sinking gradually, owing to his advanced age, for a year

or more.

Deceased leaves six children, all but one being married. The oldest, Shaver Ross, is living in Iowa; Samuel still lives in Dallas with his father, and Sterling, the third son, resides also at home, being still unmarried. Of the daughter, Lucinda lives in Kansas, the wife of Elam Honeywell; Elizabeth married Mr. Pinkman and lives in New York State, and Margaret is the wife of William Moore, living in Kansas.

James Ross was a native of Luzerne County, and has never lived outside its bounds since his birth in 1794. Funeral Tuesday at 2 pm. at Carverton.