Some Old Residents
Faces of Those Recalled Who Lived in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre (1840's)
In 1841 the limits of the borough were from North street to south street, and prominent people who resided here, and where they lived are given by taking the streets in their regular order. On North River street first was Harry Colt a land surveyor who lived on River street. This place was occupied for many years by Dr. Ingram. Next below was Judge Reichard, prominent as a brewer. Next was Squire Carey, who lived about where the Jonas Longs sons do now. The next was Lewis Worrall and his pottery. Next Samuel Holland, very prominent in the development of the coal industry. Next was Wm Willitts, at one time treasurer of the county. The house is now occupied by William Rutler. On the corner where the Hotel Sterling now stands was an old building occupied by Benjamin Nicholson and afterwards by Samuel Lynch and last by George Rozelle as a feed store. On the opposite corner was George M. Hollenback’s store and residence with the old Wyoming Bank in the building. Next below was the old Phoenix Hotel kept by Peter McGilchrist. The old river bridge must not be forgotten with its toll gatherer, Jacob Kutz, who was located there for so many years. Continuing down River street, next below the Phoenix was a character in the person of Elezer Porter, who kept a barber shop aboit 1850. Next below was Henry M. Fuller, who was later a member of Congress. Next Andrew McClintock. Next Chester Butler, who was a member of the State Senate, when he died. Next was Judge Conyngham who left a brilliant record and a prominent family of sons and daughters. Next below was was Col. Wright, a prominent lawyer and Congressman, and below him was Elijah Reynolds, then a prominent merchant. Next Judge Taylor. On the opposite corner was John L. Butler one of the prominent men in the coal business of that day. Next Jonathan Slocum, a lawyer. Next Houghton R. Robinson, a merchant. Next Jesse Dilley, a cattle dealer and butcher who left a large family of sons and daughters. His residence was then known as the Arndt Tavern, from which the first stage line started for Easton and Philadelphia over the Easton turnpike. On the river common was the residence of old Michael Klenzle, who was high constable many years and a terror to small boys whom he caught on the streets after he rang the curfew bell at 8 o’clock. Next in order was Nathan Wood a stately old English gentleman who left a large family of sons and daughters and who became prominent in the history of the city. Next was Mr. Leidy who had a house full of pretty girls. At the lower end of the river common was a large farm house and an extensive orchard and a still house. A man named Harrington lived there. His son Harvey pulled J. Bennett Smith out of the river once when he was a good deal more than half drowned.

At the lower end of Franklin street lived Daniel White who had a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, and a large apple orchard. Lute Moore had a blacksmith shop between Franklin and Main (on) South Franklin street extended no farther down than South street at that time. Going up street on the left was, first, Mr. Oliver, a carpenter and builder, then M. Ehrett, then Mrs. Whitney’s, next an apple orchard, then Rev. John Dorrance with a large family of boys and girls. Mr. Dorrance was a presbyterian minister and Mrs. Dorrance was very kind to little boys. On the corner was a little one story school house where Miss Jane Miner taught three generations of children. On the right-hand side going up from South was, first, a Mr. Long, the a Mr. Dook, a cattle driver. Next came Daddy Lynde,, a jeweler who had a sundial in his front yard. Then from their to Northampton street was a meadow lot where the boys used to chase meadow larks and hunt robelinks’ nests. Where the Presbyterian church now stands was a vacant lot. Then the Presbyterian church was where the Osterhaut library now is. Next a Mr. Miner, who was a stone mason, then a Mr. Lynch who was cashier of the old Wyoming Bank, then Volney Maxwell, a lawyer, then St. Stephen’s Episcopal church. R. B. Claxton was the rector. Mrs. Norton came next then Oristus Collins, a lawyer, then Sinton and Tracy’s corner with two little offices, next to Collins’ alley, occupied by jeweler Lynde and S. Butler as a book store. Sinton and Tracy kept a store on the corner many years and were said to be Philadelphia Quakers, who gave full measure and honest weight in everything they sold.

On the right hand side of Franklin from Northampton were the Misses Dupey, two French Indies, then G. W. Woodward’s then Steuben Butler’s, then the house L. D. Shoemaker lived many years. It was occupied by a Mr. Biddle from Philadelphia who was then identified with the rolling mill at South Wilkes-Barre. On the corner of Laning’s alley was a printing office. About this time the building on the corner where N. Butler had his hardware store so long was built by G. M. Hollenback. Continuing up Franklin street on the corner was Lamb’s drug store, then C. Gildersleeves residence, then an orchard then a little house occuoied by a Mr. Fell who was in the prothonatary’s office many years. Then Mrs. Yarrington, then Mrs. Emley. If recollection is correct Tinner Williams lived on the southwest corner. On the corner of Franklin and Market was Jacob Dennis’s hotel then Wm Woods a merchant then Dr. Laird then Dr. Wright who was most of his time in the army, then Samuel Collings, an editor who died abroadwhile Minister to Morocco. On the corner lived Andrew Beaumont who was a prominent Democratic politician and representative in those days. On the opposite corner lived a Mr. Lloyd. On the east corner lived a Mr. Leclere a French gentlemen. Across the canal and continuimg up Franklin street there were only three or four houses. Those of Harry Wilson, a blacksmith; Charley Morgan was the shoe and hardware man, and Mr. McAlpin, are all that are remembered.

Jackson street was not opened at that time from Main to Franklin and River streets. Jackson from Main to Canal street had a number of small tenements in one of which J. Bennet Smith was born. It is still standing. Going over the old Main street canal bridge which was raised above the water high enough to allow boats to pass under, and with a foot walk on each side and a drive way in the center we come to the famous Gabtown corner, which was a cluster of small houses and a broken stump of the Liberty pole. This was all changed in 1843 when the Hilliard block and Mill replaced it. On the north corner was the residence of Dr. Thomas Miner, who for many years was a prominent practitioner and was later folowed in the same profession by his son Dr. Bow Miner. Main street from Union at that time on the south side lived Dr. Jones, who with Dr. John Smith, who lived on Washington street and Dr. Miner were the only practicing physicians in the town. Dr. Jones lived where Dr. Beck, the dentist, now has his home. Adam Behee, the blacksmith and Lauerence Myers had a feed store and livery stable on the same side. Then came Mrs. Nancy Drake’s home, then Lord Butler, who was one of the pioneers in the coal business. He had several sons and daughters, Joseph, Zebulon, Ziba and Edward, all of whom are dead except Edward. Coming down on the north side of the street Mr. Bidlack, who was a minister abroad and left a widow with several daughters and sons, The writer recalls the names of only two, Benjamin and Blanch. In the block was Z. Gray, who kept a bakery, and a little further down was Charles Dennison’s law office. Next in order was a dwelling occupied by a Mr. Wells. He had a boy and girls nicknamed “Doney” and “Lucretia”, or “Tute Wells”. Then came one or two small offices. Next was Ziba Bennetts residence, with his store adjoining, where he sold hardware, dry goods and groceries and ranked as one of the wealthy men of the town. His two children George S. and Martha are still on this side of the dark river. On the corner where the Bennett block now stands was a hotel owned and keot by George P. steele. It was a frame structure with a wide porch where the stages and Democratic politicians made their headquarters. Steele was sheriff of the county and afterwards a representative at Harrisburg. On the north side of the Square was next Squire Buckley’s house and Mrs. Buckley’s millinery store then Mrs. Depuy’s, then D. Colling’s jewellry store, and for some time the postoffice, then Mrs. Ulp, then Mrs. Browers, then Dr. Streeter’s drug store then I. M. Osterhaut’s store, with his dwelling standing on the corner where Jonas Long’s large store now stands. Osterhaut’s free library was sprouted on that spot. Just around the corner on West Market was the store of Camp Gildersleave, one of the noted abolitionists of that day, who was true to his convictions that he was ridden on a rail for it and lived to see the negro free. Near was Anning Cahoon, who was postmaster in the early forties. A man named Plenton. Kept a hat store between there and Lamb’s corners.

Continuing dow West Market street below the Eagle Hotel was Abram Thomas, a large, stout old gentleman. Then kept a store by Lewis and Jones. Next came the old White Horsre Hotel kept by Pettit and Beisel. Next was the Wilkes-Barre Advocate office. Sharp D. Lewis was its editor. Next stood a little building occupied by F. C. Wait as a bakery and candy store. He afterwards built on the opposite side of the street. Col. Tate had a newspaper mill between there and the store on the corner. He was a hostler and a Democrat. The writer remembers his son Britt, who was a chip off the old block. On the west side of the street the space was not occupied by buildings from the Hollenback corner to Mrs. Lane’s house.

In the campaign of 1844 between Henry Clay and James K. Polk the Whigs put up a large spruce pole on the vacant ground opposite the White Horse Hotel. When the pole and flag were raised a Democrat named Sam hay fired a bullet through the flag and the Whigs chased him and he ran through the canal above the Market street bridge near the Baltimore coal chute. From there he ran over the hill and into the woods. They did not succeed in catching him. Politics were much hotter in those days than they are now. Continuing up West Market street above Rutters’s corner first was Edward Taylor’s saddle and harness store. The back shop was a great loafing place for the boys. The old man never kicked or drove us out. Who of the older people don’t remember Genery Dick, Geo. Moore, Tom and Ed Taylor and Charles Fell.

The next was W. S. Wells jeweler and watchmaker. He was very fond of a good horse. But I need not tell you that, as the old man is still with you, and will tell you all about it if you ask him. Next was C. B. Drakes’s store, who was afterwardsa prominent banker. Next was John Brown’s store afterwards Brown’s Bank, then Samuel Bowman’s corner where Isaac Constine kept a store. On the west side of the Square next was Bowman’s leather store, with dwelling in the rear. Frank Bowman was a West Pointer and a major in the Regular army, who spent much of his time in town, as there wasno active service until the Mexican war in 1843. He afterwards went west and died on the Pacic coast while in service. There were two or three small shops next below, occupied by butchers Jacob Teter and Jesse Dilly, and afterwards by Burgunder, Dilleys and harveys. Jacob Nauhauser kept a store where the People’s bank now stands. Some of the family still livre in Wilkes-Barre. Then there were a number of small buildings called “rag Row” wheere the Welles building now stands. Where the Laning buiding now stands was a stone foundry. A. C. Laning was the owner and operator. It was afterwards moved to Canal and established the firm of Laning & Marshall. Next the corner was Thomas Robinson’s bakery and candy store. On the corner was the store of John B. wood who shortly after build where Morgan’s hardware now stands.

Continuing down the west side of Main street from the Public Square was first the Building owned by William R. Maffett. Then came the shoe store of Mr. Bound on the corner of the alley. Then the brick block occupied as a general store by E. W,. Reynolds. My first pair of red top boots came from this store. Henry Pettebone kept a store in the same building and lived in a frame house that stood back from the street below the store. It was called the Allen Jack House. Then came Davids shoe store and dwelling. He raised a large family of children but they belonged to somebody else. They never had any of their own. Then next was the old Wyoming Hotel and srables. I do not remember who kept it then, but shortly after Jacob Bertles moved in and was proprietor for many years. Next was Caleb B. Fisher’s store. On the corner were two or three small buildings owned by Robert Kilmer as cabinet shops. On the opposite corner was an old shanty. Then came avacant space and you came to the old Matthias Hollenback establishments where the early settlers and Indians came to do their trading. I saw hundereds of old deer horns under the old sheds that had accumulated as barter with the Indians for and molasses and stacks of old day books in the garret , with charges like “Injun Joe, one-halk gallon rum”, with rum as the leading article in most of the entries. This is the spot where the foundation was laid for a colossol fortune which so many of the legatees are now enjoying. Next was Polly Pells, where the Pell block now stands then Thomas butler’s small house. Then Reuban Marcy’s house. Then William Dilley’s who was a carpenter. There were no houses between Main and Canal streets. On the west side of south street lived a Mr. Baker where Barnum Place now is. On the east side between Franklin and Main were two or three small houses. One was occupied by a tailor named Shivets. Where Landmessers Hall now stands was a large farm barn, then the old Ross homestead, then the one small house between there and the corner of Northampton street. Next came Miss Perry’s brick house on the corner then the Jacob Dennis building, where Nathan Barney taught school. A small store at the corner of Dennis alley, kept by Mr. Hogenbaum, came next, then a small stone house, then Dr. Covell’s, then Esquire Dyer who was very eccentric and had a colored housekeeper called “Old Hanner”. She always wore a red bandana handkerchief on her head, and she was a terror to the boy who stole the Squire’s fruit. From the corner to Slocum’s house where Brown’s book store is, was burned out in 1843. Marx Long’s and Johnson’s Hard Time store were among the principal buildings byrned. From Slocum’s residence to the corner of Market Street were several small buildings, including Aaron Brown’s blacksmith’s shop and James Helmes cabinet shop. On the corner, where now stands the Osterhaut building was the Black Horse Hotel, owned by Charles Parrish’s father. On the west corner of Market and Washington street was the county prison. Opposite was Judge Kidder’s and the Mrs. Nesbitt’s, then Jacob Teeter, then Samuel Brobst’s. On the east side was the old graveyard, running from Canal to Washington streets. Next came Mrs. Fell’s, whose three sons, Charley, Theodore and Samuel were old chums of mine. Judge Scott lived on the corner of the Square, and next was the Exchange Hotel, kept by Samuel Puterbaugh. When Puterbaugh was elected Sheriff it wound up with a banquet. Puterbaugh was an uneducated man, but liked to use long words. Among the guests were Col. Chas. Dorrance, a highly educated man, and a man of humor. Puterbaugh proposed a toast to Col. Dorrance thusly “Here’s to the most pusillanimous Col. Dorrance” (Great applause) Dorrance, knowing Puterbaugh’s failing but that he meant right, got up and raised his glass and said “Here’s to the most ignoble sheriff Maj. Puterbaugh”. From that day to this a lot of us old fellows laugh when we think about it. Next came Dr. Boyd’s, then several small buildings, one occupied by a leather store by William Bowman, next was Butler’s grist mill, then Lord Butler’s store. The Public Square was occupied by the court house, the old church, the old stone fire proof and the academy, on the four triangles, with Main and Market street running straight through. Washington street was principally orchards and only a few buildings. Canal street at the corner of Jackson had a few renement houses. There were no houses on the south side from North to Market streets, and only two from Union to Market on the north side. On the corner below Market was the canal basin and a store house. The packet boats from Northumberland and all the Philadelphia goods landed by the boats came to this basin. From this point to Northampton street was a bog pond, where the boys went skating. On the corner of Canal and South was the Parrish homestead and a canal basin. On the corner of Northampton and Canal was Capt. Alexander’s then Fell’s property. On the corner of Washington and Northampton was the old Fell Tavern, where the first anthracite coal was burned. On the opposite corner was Mrs. Nancy Drake’s store. On the west corner was William Hart’s house and on the south corner that of Mr. Brown. (Wilkes-Barre Times - December 10, 1898)