Bios: Early residents of WINTON (Jessup): Lackawanna Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Terri. tmp95@mindspring.com USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ____________________________________________________ Early residents of WINTON (Jessup), Lackawanna Co, PA 'Designed and Published by Donald R. Vispi and Edward P. Williams.' 1976. James F. LOFTUS James F. Loftus, a veteran of the Virginia Campaigns of the Civil War, was a member of the Lieutenant Stevens Post, No. 304 G.A.R. up to the time of his death at the age of 93. Mr. Loftus was the last surviving member of his post. He was born in Queen's Bush, New York State, on May 10, 1848 and came to this section in 1849 and resided in Jessup for 90 years. Like many other boys of his day, he went to work in the breaker at the age of nine and was still employed there when the Civil War broke out. Although only 13 years old, he sought to enlist, but was rejected four times before he was finally accepted in 1864. His service was with the 2nd Army Corps in command of General Gregg, which saw considerable action in Virginia. His regiment was close to Appomottox when Lee surrendered. After receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Loftus returned to Jessup and resumed work around the mines. He designed and patented an electric rachet drill for use in mining which was manufactured at Wyoming for a number of years. He became proficient as a carpenter and blacksmith. He designed and made an iron cradle for the use of his children, an iron rocking chair and many other pieces of furniture, some of which are still in the family. He had a flair for drawing and in his sixties took up photography. Fenian Movement to win the freedom of Ireland saw Mr. Loftus as one of its most enthusiastic supporters in Lackawanna County. He was one of the organizers of a Fenian Group in Jessup which numbered 100 men who engaged him as its military leader. Judge William JESSUP Judge William Jessup, a graduate from the bench of Susquehanna County, was a prominent figure in the law business of Luzerne County in the early days. He was an exceptionally able lawyer and strong vigorous character. His practice was not limited by state boundaries. He had a large clientele in New York City and state as well as throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In the latter part of his life he went into coal mining in the upper part of Lackawanna Valley. The town of Jessup is named after him. He built what is known as the Jessup branch of the Lackawanna Railroad, extending from Jessup to the main line of the Lackawanna at Greenville - now Nay Aug. The Jessup Company, which he organized and of which he was the head, failed through conditions for which Judge Jessup was not responsible, yet it cost him his handsome fortune. Judge Jessup was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President in 1869 and made one of the speeches, placing the great emancipator in nomination. He was a strong man, one of the giants of that period of great men. He was a graduate of Yale College of the class of 1815 and had conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Mike LAWLER Mitchell House, maintained by Josie Langan, "Mr. Democrat," and named for John Mitchell, the famous mine union leader, had a reputation which was uniquely its own. Many free meals were served there for the indigent and the story was told that many times when a mine worker was doing a bit too much celebrating with his modest pay, Mrs. Lawler would take the cash from him and send it to his home so that his pay arrived home before he did. This was the modest home from which Mike Lawler came. When he followed his uncle into politics and a social revolution made the Democratic Party a strong majority party again, it was at the Mitchell House that final political decisions were made. The simple truth of the matter was that Mike, even though a great man in national, state and local politics, never rose above Jessup. He was proud of his heritage; perhaps that contributed to his greatness. By vote of the people in Nov. 1935, Mr. Lawler was first chosen County Commissioner for a four year term. This was at a time when the entire nation was staggering under the hardships of the Great Depression, following wholesale banks and business failures and widespread unemployment. Conditions in Lackawanna County were worse than in other parts of the country because Lackawanna County's basic industry - anthracite coal - was rapidly coming to an end as a result of the exhaustion of the mines. Mr. Lawler was named as chairman of the Board of Commissioners in January 1936. He began immediately to revitalize the community by lending every possible word and deed to bringing in new industries, to convert from a mining to a manufacturing center and to replace lost anthracite payrolls with new and expanding industrial payrolls. Re-elected time after time, by a grateful electorate, to a total of seven terms, he guided County Government through such crises as World War II and the Korean War. One of the enduring monuments of Mr. Lawler is the handsome establishment of the Air Terminal at Avoca in a cost sharing collaboration with Luzerne County, the State and Federal Governments. Adding to the advantage of the region is the network of super highways radiating from the area to all parts of America. However, his greatest blessing was his sympathetic understanding of human nature - strengths and weaknesses - a helping hand here and an unknown act of charity there. He was the recognized leader of his party for many years. He had the highest standards when it came to public service. He stood for no suspicion of dishonesty or petty graft either in County Government or in the First National Bank of which he was the President. It is a tribute to his administration that in the 27 years of his service, no black sheep was found among his appointees to be indicted for misuse of public trust. The friend and confident adviser of Governors, Senators and Presidents, Mike Lawler never lost the common touch nor his sympathy for the down-and-outers to whom fortune had not been kind. William Willander WINTON William Willander Winton descended from one of the first families from Old Providence. His father moved from Ostego County, N.Y. to Providence in 1833. Scranton was then Slocum Hollow. Winton went through the public schools and became a teacher. He became probably the largest individual holder of coal lands in Lackawanna Valley. His largest undertaking was the acquisition of the tract known as Mt. Vernon, south of Archbald, in 1873-74. This tract consisted of upwards of 425 acres covered with timber. This tract cost $31,000; it was undoubtedly worth much more - but far in the future. At this time very little money had been made mining anthracite coal. In 1874, Mr. Winton organized the Winton and Dolph Coal Companies, erected a breaker on this tract and began to mine coal. Later the Company acquired another 400 acre tract adjoining. The name of the village was changed to Winton, in honor of Mr. Winton, whose name the prosperous borough occupying that territory now retains. Mr. Winton died in December 1908 at the age of 61. Michael BARRETT Michael Barrett served for many years as President of the First National Bank of Jessup and also as Borough Controller. He was born in Jessup on November 7, 1868. After completing his schooling in Jessup public schools, he became interested in the teaming and trucking business. He was the founder of the Jessup Flour and Feed Company and helped to organize the First National Bank where he was the preisdent from 1922 until he died. He engaged in the teaming and trucking business and operated trucks throughout the country. John D. WHITE John D. White was born in Jessup in 1857. He attended the first school in Jessup under Mr. Daniel Coleman. During his youth, he lost an arm but maintained an interest in Jessup politics. He served on the Council for 10 years. Early families known by Mr. White were the Byrnes, Rochefords, Cummings, Loftus and White families. John J. FAVINI John Favini, popular theater owner in Jessup and Peckville, was one of the most successful men of Lackawanna County. He received his schooling in Scranton and worked as a slate picker and in the mines. In October 1909 he opened his first theater in Jessup and followed in quickly, in 1915, with a theater in Peckville. He operated both theaters until his death. He married Mary Garbarino, of Jessup, and was the father of two daughters, Rose and Theresa. John J. SKOVIRA John J. Skovira came to Jessup from Czechoslovakia at the age of 1-1/2 years. He engaged in business at 402 Hand Street. He is public spirited and often was the courage behind the thought, deed and action. He married Mary Gavenda, was the father of 11 children and never hesitated when called on to make Jessup a better place to live. James F. SWEENEY James F. Sweeney engaged in Mercantile business. He was born in Jessup on December 27, 1879. His store, an institution for 40 years, was established at 320-322 Church Street and was a joint venture with his father, John J. Sweeney, who was Jessup's first postmaster, named in 1882. He maintained a store first at 302 Clarkson Avenue before moving to 320 Church Street. The store closed its doors in November 1928 and Mr. Sweeney became the bookkeeper for Mike Lawler. He married Margaret O'Brien and became the father of 3 daughters, Mary, Anne and Agnes. He died in April 1970 at 90 years of age, having retired just 5 years before. Joseph M. SEWACK Joseph M. Sewack served 45 years on the police force when he retired in August 1960. Born in Czechoslovakia he came to America in 1904 and took a job with Sterrick Creek Coal Company where he was first a doortunder and advanced through pump runner, engineer, driver and runner to the mine. He attended night school at Jessup. His son, Joseph, now an Insurance Agent, was the first Eagle Scout in Jessup. PACINI Brothers The first stone masons of the town were the Pacini brothers, Attilio, John and Michael. They built the foundation and stone structure of the church which was completed in 1906. Mary, one of the Pacini daughters, was the second baby baptized in St. Mary's Assumption Church. The pastor was Father Clemente Cavoletti. Elmer GENEROTTI Elmer Generotti was born in Italy on February 10, 1902. He came to America at 1-1/2 years of age. He was on the Jessup police force from 1932 to 1951. He was engaged in all civic activities. He married Helen DaNato of Mayfield and was the father of Elmer Jr. and Alice. James P. CONROY James P. Conroy was born and lived in Jessup. His barber shop was a stationary for all to meet, talk and play cards. He was twice elected burgess and served on the Board of Education. He married Mary Gallagher of town and was the father of 5 boys and 3 girls among them Eileen who became Sister Joan of the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement. John MANCAK John Mancak was born and raised in Jessup. He graduated from Jessup High School and is a member of the Holy Ghost parish. He was elected mayor in 1965 and was the first lieutenant of the Ambulance Corps in 1963. He is an honorable member of Hose Co. No. 2. He married Anne Kochis from Jessup and is the father of 3 children: John Jr., Ronald and Anne Marie. Ernest RAGOGINI Ernest Ragogini made his first public appearance at the Koch Conley American Legion at the age of 12. He graduated from Jessup High School as an honor student, from the University of Syracuse in 1960, Magna cum laude, the Peabody Institute with a Ph.D. in 1975. He studied for a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Frankfurt, Germany. He has played concerts in Canada, Central and Latin America, West Indies and Europe as a soloist and the accompanist for Veronica Tyler. He has received awards for academic excellence, among them the Belin Award. He is a teacher at Notre Dame in Maryland while he continues to study foreign languages. At present he is preparing several articles for publication in Musicological Journals. He presents master classes in piano at leading universities of the U.S. He has been heard on Educational Television and recorded numerous works for FM radio broadcasts. He is presently teaching the deaf to play the piano and says this is the most rewarding of all. Martin J. LOFTUS Martin J. Loftus, born in 1906, was known as the Father of Jessup Schools. He listened to your story with a steady look in his eye and is known as Mr. J.H.S. He is the only superintendent of schools to have a school named for him. He married Doris McLaren of Olyphant and was the father of 2 daughters, Pat O'Riordan and Marie Loftus, professor of mathematics at Marywood College. He was originally elected superintendent at the jointure which included all schools in Lackawanna County except the City of Scranton. Frank CAVAGNARO Frank Cavagnaro was born in Jessup on October 18, 1899. He was chief of the fire company for 18 years, was on the School Board for 24 years and on the council for 8 years. He also was Jessup's first Borough Fire Chief. He married Jennie Skovira and was the father of 4 children. Edward LOFTUS Edward Loftus was born on Christmas Day, 1909. He graduated from St. Patrick's High School, the University of Scranton and Temple University. He is the President of the Bank and served for 12 years on the Board of Education. He married Evelyn Sweeney and is the father of 3 children. He still practices dentistry at 320 Church Street, Jessup. Michael A. SKOVIRA Michael A. Skovira, son of John and Mary (Gavenda) Skovira, was born on July 7, 1925 in Jessup. Michael attended St. Michael's Slovak School, Lafayette High School Jessup, graduated from Lackawanna Business College, attended the University of Scranton and graduated from Lasalle Extension University with a Bachelor of Laws Degree. At the age of 18 he served with the 2nd Armored Division in the European Theater of operations as a member of a Sherman tank. Saw combat for 10 months in Germany and the Battle of the Bulge, with three battle stars and Purple Heart. Elected to the Board of Education in Jessup School District and a year later was elected as the first president of the newly-formed Valley View School Board of Education. During this time the construction of the new junior and senior high school and the new elementary school was begun. A member of the American Legion, he held the office of commander of Post 411, American Legion. Michael traveled with the American Legion National Security Commission to Europe in 1962 and many military bases.