Scranton Pennsylvania

Slave Narrative of Caroline Hammond

Caroline Hammond, born in 1844 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was the child of a free man and a slave woman. Her mother worked as the head cook on the farm owned by Thomas Davidson. Following Davidson’s accidental death, his wife denied the family’s freedom, leading them to escape via the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania. There, the family found work and Hammond received an education. She eventually became a cook and, at 95, reflects on her life surrounded by family, enjoying a modest yet independent existence.

Biography of T. J. Jones

T. J. Jones, born in 1857 in Pennsylvania, rose from humble beginnings in coal mines to become a distinguished lawyer in Boise, Idaho. Orphaned at four, he worked various jobs while self-educating and eventually graduated from several colleges. Moving west, he practiced law in Colorado before settling in Idaho in 1890, where he gained a solid reputation and engaged in public affairs. A prominent figure in the Peoples Party, he declined a gubernatorial nomination but remained active in state politics. Jones married Winifred Cullen, and they have two children.

Biography of William H. Redway

William H. Redway, born on December 11, 1858, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a prominent hardware and grocery dealer in Caldwell, Idaho. He was raised on the Idaho frontier and educated at St. Michaels and St. Marks schools. After working with the Utah, Idaho & Oregon stage line, he engaged in mercantile business during the Wood River excitement. In 1892, he acquired the M. B. Gwinn Mercantile Company in Caldwell, achieving success through integrity. He married Edith Jacobs and they have three daughters, actively participating in the Episcopal church and local fraternal organizations.

Biography of Hon. George W. Gorton

Hon. George W. Gorton, born March 3, 1846, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, was a prominent figure in Idaho’s Soda Springs community. A Civil War veteran, he served with valor in the Pennsylvania Cavalry. After the war, he moved west, eventually establishing a successful mercantile business in Soda Springs. Gorton was influential in local politics, serving in various roles, including county commissioner and representative in the territorial legislature. His commitment to the community and his political beliefs earned him deep respect until his death on January 6, 1899. He left a legacy through his family and business.

Biographical Sketch of George A. Lorentz

George A. Lorentz, born on March 15, 1877, in Cassel, Germany, was a prominent plumbing contractor in the United States since 1905. He received his education from public, high, and technical schools. He married Helen Schmidt in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on November 1, 1898, and they had one son, George William. Lorentz was actively involved in professional organizations, including the Cleveland Master Plumbers Association, and was a member of the Masonic lodge and Germania. His favorite pastime was automobiling.

Biography of Rolla Edwin Long

Rolla Edwin Long, born in 1869 in Indiana, has dedicated over twenty years to education in Kansas. Since 1916, he has served as superintendent of Galena’s city schools, overseeing six schools and around seventeen hundred students. His teaching journey began in 1888, with roles spanning various districts, culminating in significant leadership positions. Long’s commitment to educational excellence is matched by his deep community ties, rooted in a pioneer family history. He is an active member of several educational associations and the Presbyterian Church, and he married Edith Brown in 1896.

Biographical Sketch of Arthur Baldwin Williams, Jr.

Arthur Baldwin Williams, Jr. was born on April 11, 1874, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He graduated from Yale University in 1898 and earned his law degree from Cleveland Law School in 1912. Williams worked as a secretary for the Y.M.C.A. and later held positions with The Cleveland Humane Society and Western Reserve University. Admitted to the Ohio bar in 1912, he became involved in various charitable and professional organizations. Williams enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and camping.

Biography of Isaac Mills

Isaac Mills, born January 29, 1826, in Southwick, Massachusetts, hailed from a distinguished lineage, with his father serving as both U.S. District Attorney and State Senator. Educated in local private schools, he began his career with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad before joining the family coal business. A lifelong Springfield resident, Mills engaged in public affairs but avoided political office, aligning with the Republican Party. He passed away on February 18, 1892, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and commitment to family.