Columbia-Dauphin-Lycoming County PA Archives Biographies.....JURY, Wilson U. 1866 - living in 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 4, 2005, 7:10 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. WILSON U. JURY, whose work as an architect is unexcelled in Columbia County, has an established reputation and is one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens of Bloomsburg. He is a son of Benjamin W. and Susan (Wirt) Jury, and was born in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pa., August 1, 1866. Benjamin W. Jury, the father of our subject, was also born in Millersburg, but has resided in Bloomsburg since 1891. He is well and favorably known throughout the county as a contractor and builder, and many of the principal buildings of the vicinity were erected by him. Among his first contracts was the erection of the Bloomsburg Silk Mills, which are the largest in Central Pennsylvania, and he fulfilled his contract to the letter, thereby winning not only the confidence of his employers but others who were in nowise financially concerned. He also built the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomsburg, one of the most beautiful edifices in this section of the state. It is constructed of gray stone and with its irregular and deeply-indented sides presents a very attractive appearance, which is in keeping with the handsomely finished interior. He received contracts for many of the principal residences in Bloomsburg, and their beautiful appearance bespeaks the excellence of his work. The following are among the most important: the homes of W. H. Slate, E. C. Wells, R. R. Little, Rev. Donahue, Paul E. Wirt on Fifth street, J. H. Maize, Mr. Frymire, and twenty houses which were built for Joseph Ratti. He purchased the former home of L. N. Moyer, which he enlarged, remodeled and fitted up with all modern conveniences, and in which he has since resided. He is now living in practical retirement and enjoying the fruits of his early industry, but he is still a large stockholder in many of the leading manufactories of Bloomsburg. Benjamin W. Jury twice took marriage vows, his first wife being Susan Wirt, a native of Dauphin County, and they became the parents of nine children: Wilson U., the gentleman whose name appears at the head of these lines; Alda, who married F. E. Enery; Howard, a carpenter of Bloomsburg; Israel, a hatter of Philadelphia; Aaron, a carpenter of Scranton, Pa.; Dora and Ira, students; and Abner. His second union was with Mrs. Katie (Crist) McHenry, and they reared one son, Benjamin. Wilson U. Jury received his mental training in the public schools of Millersburg and Williamsport, Pa., and when a very small boy began working with his father during vacations and spare moments, thus acquiring a good knowledge of building. He was a natural mechanic and draughtsman and went to Philadelphia, where for three years he served an apprenticeship to an architect, after which he engaged as an architect in Norristown for four years. In July, 1892, he moved to Bloomsburg and was decidedly successful from the start. Most of the residences erected by his father and many others were built from plans prepared by him, and he is firmly established in the confidence and good-will of the citizens of Bloomsburg. As an architect he has no superior, and his work gives general satisfaction. He is not only efficient in draughting but can aptly follow a descriptive idea and draught it on block as a means of illustration. He performed the architectural work for a number of public structures, among them the First National Bank of Bloomsburg; Catawissa High School; Nescopeck High School; and the residences of C. B. Lutz, Dr. J. W. Bruner, Prof. F. H. Jenkins, and J. G. Harman. He has a large and well-equipped office in the First National Bank building on the corner of Main and Market streets, and owns and lives in a handsome residence on Jefferson street. Although he is a young man just entering the prime of life, Mr. Jury's success has been little short of phenomenal, and he has hosts of friends who wish him continued prosperity and happiness. Mr. Jury was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ida Shupe, a woman of many virtues, who is a daughter of John K. Shupe of Millersburg. This happy union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Olive A., who was born in Norristown, Pa., April 30, 1889. Socially Mr. Jury is a member of Van Camp Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F. His portrait is presented on a previous page in proximity to this. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb