The first settlement made in the place was in 1770, and possibly a short time before that, as the exact date can not be ascertained, David Brown and J. Blanchard were well settled here with others and there were enough people on this side the river by 1772 to warrant the establishing a rope ferry to connect them with the settlers in Wyoming on the opposite side and lower down the river.
The borough is on the east side of the Susquehanna river and a short distance below the junction of the Lackawanna with the Susquehanna river. Coming down [p.619] the latter river it is the open door to the wonderful and famed Wyoming valley. It is just below where the river breaks through the mountain range and enters the broad valley and passing nearly through the center of this, with the winding hills on the right and the left, again cuts a gap through the mountains at Nescopeck and passes on in its course to the sea. It is one of the richest and most important towns of this portion of the State. It stands midway between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre and is in the very heart of one of the most productive of the anthracite coal-bearing regions. Across the river is the rich valley, and it has taken more than a century to feed the lumber-mills the great forest trees that were on every hand. There were combined here the forests, the rich valleys, and the far richer coalfields, and at first the only possible highway with the outside world was on the waters of the Susquehanna river. All in all as it came from the hands of nature, one of the truly favored spots of earth. The rivers pointing in the three directions that are now the three great artificial highways of commerce and travel. Where Pittston is is the point that the travelers down the river along the Lehigh Valley railroad will be told to look out for the magnificent scenery now coming in view. In front is the valley, to his right will be pointed out Campbell's ledge, and from this point until you pass Mauch Chunk, a distance of more than fifty miles south, it is one continuous unfolding panorama—scenery much of it that has aptly been called the Switzerland of America. Travelers informed of the favorable routes through this state for enjoyable scenery frequently arrange to travel over the Lehigh Valley railroad from Buffalo to New York and Philadelphia and vice versa. Here have gathered the busy feet of men, wealth and luxury, education and refinement, all the modern comforts as well as the elegance and ease that is capable of evolving the best types of civilization.
A splendid type of an enterprising, pushing and thrifty people. Mr. T. P. Robinson, in his biennial directory, is compelled to say of Pittston and vicinity: "Youthful and vigorous, its growth is marked by an increase from 11,378 names in 1890 to 13,073 names in 1892. There are 5,489 dwellings, 500 of these recently added to the number. Pittston has what few other postal points in the world possess, a free mail delivery of thirteen daily mails distributed to over 30,000 patrons. The free mail delivery from Pittston extends to and includes West Pittston, Exeter and Hughestown boroughs. The new factories and concerns of various kinds, as well as the increase in mining operations, are more than running parallel with the increase of population, and the number of new dwellings that have been and are being built.
The present population of Pittston borough, as carefully enumerated recently by T. P. Robinson for his directory, is 13,714, showing a rapid increase over that of the census of 1890.
The most important enterprise of modern times, affecting not only Pittston but the entire valley, is the work now [July, 1892] being rapidly pushed to completion of building and extending the Wilkes-Barre & Wyoming Valley Traction company's electric railway, at present commencing at Wilkes-Barre, and a track in good time on each side of the river to Pittston, where they join and proceed to Scranton. The Electric Railway company has purchased the street railroad now running the entire length of Main street, Pittston, and this is, in time, to be a part of the track coming up on the east side of the river from Wilkes-Barre, the two to join north of Pittston and proceed to Scranton. There is no doubt but that in a very short time it will be extended down the river to Nanticoke. This will be street railway service on both sides of the river from Wilkes-Barre to Pittston, and in single lines to Scranton; and also south from Wilkes-Barre to Nanticoke—nearly thirty miles of street car service along the river and through practically a continuous town. No country of such scope in the world is more progressive and prosperous.
For reference as to the first settlers the reader is referred to the account of the township. These people came long before this became a separate borough and spent the remainder of their lives here.
[p.620] As a sympton of the present awakening to a realization of the future that is drawing near we clip from a current issue of the Wilkes-Barre Record the following interesting summary:
The progressive and thoughtful citizens of Pittston are awakening to the fact that for some reason the town and its interests have stood still, while Scranton on the north and Wilkes-Barre on the south have made gigantic strides onward and upward, cutting a wide swath on the map of the State as important centers of wealth and population. Neither of these cities can point to any natural advantages that Pittston does not possess. Neither of these cities was stronger than Pittston is to-day when they extended their limits and donned the dignity of municipalities.
"Natural barriers," says one, "prevented the coming together of the people of this town." Evidently he had never been to Scranton, the lobster town of the universe, projecting a claw here, a mandible there and feelers to the right and left reaching over stretches of farming lands, swamps, streams, forests and glens, but holding under each outstretched tentacle a town, a hamlet, a few mining shanties, but all containing the grand desideratum of cities—human population. Wilkes-Barre, of course, in the start had nature on her side in being handsomely situated on a level plain, but she, too, has taken to the hills and threatens to roost on their topmost rocks. Indeed it is not certain that "natural barriers" do not help instead of retarding the growth of cities. It is certain that want of unity of purpose, love of home and one's neighbors are the greatest "natural barriers" in the way of the growth of towns and cities, for when a people are united and move with a singleness of purpose, what river is too wide to span, what mountain too high to scale or ravine too deep to be filled up.
Talking with H. G. Thompson, who is a cool-headed man of business as free from enthusiasm as a fire-cracker is of maple sap, he said: "Certainly I am in favor of making a city of Pittston and I may also say that I have found few people here who have given the matter consideration who do not favor the project. What way can you look at this question that the view does not carry conviction that to erect our contiguous boroughs into a city is the proper thing to do. Do we want a State appropriation for a hospital we ask for $100,000 or more. Do we want a government building we ask a like sum, and having a city of 30,000 population to second our demand, what statesman or government could refuse it? No one doubts that it would improve the character of most of our schools could we bring the different school districts under one management. The only objection that can be raised by anyone is the fear that it will increase our taxes, but then, people who refuse to take this view refuse to see the broad fact spread all over the history of our neighbor cities, that for every mill spent for city improvements property is advanced in value from 6 to 25 mills. One has only to go to Wilkes-Barre now and ask the price of real property and compare the amount demanded with the prices paid ten or fifteen years ago. Or, for the matter of that, you may go to any city in this part of the State and the result will be the same—the improved streets, having water, light and pavements, have enhanced the value of all contiguous property."
"Have you made an estimate of how much territory you would embrace within the new city?"
"Yes, taking our postoffice for a center, and I wish to state that our mail service extends now almost to the lines I am about to mention. On the east side, a strip six miles long, three miles north of the postoffice, and three miles south, and extending two miles east from the river; and on the west side a strip four miles long extending to line of Wyoming borough and from the river west two miles would embrace a population of over 27,000 on a territory of sixteen square miles and made up from census of 1890 as follows: Pittston borough, 10,302; part of Pittston township, 3,000; Pleasant Valley borough 3,300; Hughestown borough, 1,454; part of Marcy township, 2,000; Yatesville borough and part of Jenkins borough, 2,600; West Pittston borough, 3,906; part of Exeter borough, 1,100. You will see, therefore, that in the territory mentioned, making allowance for the increase of population [p.621] since the census year, that we have a sufficient population to make three cities of 10,000 each in the proposed city of Pittston. Compared with Scranton in 1871, when she became a city, we have more population, for, according to the census of 1873, Scranton had a population of 35,092 and an area of twenty-two square miles. On sixteen square miles Pittston city would have, according to the census of 1892, 27,393.
"Moreover, the proposed city would stand next in line in population to Williamsport, which would place us the twelfth city in the State, putting Philadelphia at the head with over a million population."
A. B. Brown, Pittston's leading dry goods merchant, was the next one spoken to, and he was glad to know that the Record was interested enough to take a hand in the good work of booming Pittson city, "It would be a great thing for us all," said Mr. Brown. "We must wake up. Electricity will compel us to bestir ourselves or see our borough gobbled up by some of our enterprising neighbors. The cost of the city will be as nothing compared to the advance it will make in the value of property. It needs no argument. I am for it all the time and will do anything I can to help the good-cause along."
The first attempt at tavern-keeping at Pittston was made about 1799, by Col. Waterman Baldwin, on the lower side of Main street. Under the huge antlers that surmounted the bar, Miner Searle, ttaeob Bedford, John Sax and Calvin T. Richardson have stood and ministered to the demands of thirsty travelers. The Baltimore house was the next; it stood on the east side of Maine street. Beginning with 1805 the landlords of old times were Peter Decker, Eleazer Cary, Asaph Pratt and William Hart. The Bull's Head was built by John Benedict, Sr., near Edward Morgan's stone-quarry. Thomas Benedict's father kept it for several years, and finally it was occupied by John C. Doty as a dwelling. The Stockbridge hotel was built in 1830 by Calvin Stockbridge. The Butler Coal company became the owners, and Judge G. Mallory, a partner in the company, named the hotel Port Mallory. Subsequently a large swan was displayed as the sign, and it came to be known as the Swan hotel. George Lazarus kept it until 1848, when he built the Eagle hotel, now kept by G. Snyder. James D. Fonsman next kept the Swan, and subsequently Mrs. Ehret the Farmers' hotel. Mr. Fonsman in 1849 built the Butler house. The principal hotels now are the Eagle, the Sinclair, by Le Bar Bros.; Wyoming Valley house, by J. Curt; St. Charles, Windsor and Valley house, with a number of restaurants and eating-houses.
When the weekly mail route was established, in 1799, between Wilkes-Barre and Owego, the mail for Pittston was distributed from the houses of William Slocum and Dr. Giddings, and this irregular arrangement continued Until 1810 as a sort of branch, by way of the ferry, from the regular mail route, which was on the opposite side of the Susquehanna. In 1811 a postoffice was established, and Eleazer Carr was appointed postmaster. A route from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre supplied the office with a weekly mail. Deodat Smith and Zephaniah Knapp were the mail carriers on this route until about 1821. Zephaniah Knapp, the second postmaster here, caused the removal of the office to Babylon, and soon afterward the Pittston Ferry postoffice was established, with John Alment as postmaster. Alment was an Irish Quaker, blind in one eye and deaf in one ear. He had kept an early store in a log house near the Hughestown cemetery. The boys had robbed him and made his business quite unprofitable, so he bought a frame building on Parsonage street and moved it to the site of Pugh Bros.' store, on Main street. In this building he kept the postoffice, and at that time it was the most southerly building but one on Main street.
There is but little question that the ink of these pages will hardly be dry when old Luzerne will enumerate her third city—third in number, but a very close second in size, wealth, and as a supply and distributing point. THE CITY OF PITTSTON will sound well; will look well in print, and better on the new State maps. One of the important and richest little internal cities of this continent. [p.622] There are three banks only, in the town; their average deposits are nearly $2,000,000. This tells a part of the story of the immense wealth the country has produced here.
The two common bridges that span the river are the main arteries that make the twin boroughs one. On the one side is the natural field for factories, and every variety of industries, and on the west is the people's natural place of residence.
January 5, 1853, the grand jury of Luzerne county was petitioned by a majority of the freeholders to incorporate a portion of Pittston township as a borough. The judgment of the grand jury was favorable to the petitioners, and April 11, 1833, the court confirmed the judgment of the grand jury, and the borough was organized, and the following year the boundaries were extended.
Although several of the earliest settlements of the township were within the present borough lines, yet in 1828 there were but fourteen heads of families living within the present limits of the borough. These were John Alment, Calvin T. Richardson, Calvin Stockbridge, John Stewart (who kept a hotel), Nathaniel Giddings, John Benedict, Jacob Lance (who came from New Jersey in 1820), Samuel Miller, Solomon Brown (a blacksmith), Adam Belcher, Amos Fell, Ishmael Bennett (a blacksmith), and Frank Belcher.
When the borough was laid out there was a deep ravine crossing Main street, near the present office of the Pennsylvania Coal company. This was bridged by a trestle forty or fifty feet high, and since then, after at least one stage load of passengers had been precipitated through it, the whole ravine has been graded in, and a well-paved street and substantial buildings cover the spot. When the Pittston & Wilkes-Barre plank road was built, in 1851, a large trestle work was put in near Patterson's lumber-yard, to straighten the street by crossing the ravine. Grading here too has since taken the place of the trestle. Parsonage street, by the way of Hughestown, was the old original Scranton road. The formation of the municipal government was completed on the 30th of April, 1853, by the election of John Hosie, burgess; T. V. L. Dewitt, H. P. Messenger, George Daman, Theodore Strong and James McFarlane, councilmen; John Kelchner, constable; D. P. Richards, John Sax and Ralph D. Lacoe, assessors; Smith Sutherland, Valentine Rowe, overseers of poor; Alvah Tompkins, Nathaniel Giddings, James M. Brown, Levi Barnes, J. A. Hann, John Love, school directors; Jesse Williams, C. R. Gorman, H. S. Phillips, auditors; Nathaniel Giddings, Joseph Knapp, Michael Reap, inspectors of election.
The following is a list of burgesses as the imperfect condition of the borough records can furnish: E. B. Evans, 1854; William Furgeson, 1855; Charles R. Gorman, 1856-7; J. B. Fisher, Abram Price, M. Reap, 1861-5; James Brown, P. Sheridan, 1867; John B. Smith, 1868; James Walsh, 1869; Andrew Law, 1870; J. P. Schooley, 1871; James L. McMillan, 1872; James McKane, 1873; Michael Reap, 1874-6; Joseph Cool, 1877; Patrick Henery, 1878; James O'Donnell and L. B. Ensign. The following are the present borough officials:
Burgess, Edward J. Burke; council: John J. Hart, president; Henry Knowles, Michael Kane, George Scott Wagner, William O'Neil, John P. Kearney; secretary, Patrick F. Joyce; treasurer, George L. Houser; borough attorney, C. Frank Bohan; tax receiver, John H. Mullin; street commissioner, Anthony Kane; high constable, John Hines; janitress, town hall, Mary Bannon; ward assessors: P. H. McDonnell, Thomas Larkin, John H. Tigue, L. D. Bingham, John P. Kearney, William T. Watkins; ward constables: James Tigue, William Vahey, J. J. Feeney, Patrick W. Early, John Glenn, William J. Lyons. Assessed valuation, 1892, $744,592.
Chief of police, Thomas Keating; chief of fire department, John H. Mullin; assistants, C. H. Cutler and C. R. Patterson.
The streets are supplied with twenty-six arc lights. The borough is divided into six wards.
[p.623] Pittston and West Pittston were given free mail delivery October 1, 1888.
Primarily, as said, the wealth of Pittston and vicinity comes of the rich coal deposits. The canal was opened to this point in 1832, when Calvin Stockbridge and James W. Johnson were the only men struggling to develop the coal mines. The deep gully on Main street spoken of was at first spanned by a high trestle work, nearly fifty feet high, but after a stage load of passengers had been precipitated through it, it was filled up to a level grade and now elegant blocks of business houses occupy the ground. The old Scranton wagon road led out to what is Parsonage street by way of Hughestown and Scranton.
To-day the shipping facilities of Pittston are not surpassed by any town in America. Five great railway lines are here, and now two lines of traction electric street railroads are just added to her other enormous facilities. There is no good reason why this should not be one of the most important manufacturing points in the country. The river, the railroads and the electric railways, and the cheapness of fuel are the prime wants of manufacturers. Climate and soil, and pure mountain spring water, what more is there to be desired?
Of manufacturing plants, in an active state of development, supplying other markets with their products as well as home consumption, Pittston possesses about thirty. Chief among these are large knit-underwear mills, 1 stove works, 3 machine shops, 1 general iron-working establishment, 1 silkmill, 2 underwear factories, 3 planing-mills, 1 paper-mill, 2 breweries, 1 terra cotta works, 1 pottery, 2 flour- mills, and 1 large packing establishment. There are 9 miners and shippers of coal, each operating from 1 to 8 breakers.
Manufactures—Pittston Stove Company commenced in a small way operations in 1864. The works were destroyed by fire. In 1869 was organized the Union Stove Manufacturing company, and the works were rebuilt on the old site. In 1882 the name which was changed to the Pittston Stove company. The works now occupy an entire square, making stoves, ranges, furnaces, duplex grates, etc. The officers are: Lewis Pughe, president; Thomas Maloney, vice-president; John D. Green, treasurer and general manager; Alexander Sloan, superintendent.
Wyoming Paper Mill, of which G. B. Rommell is the founder and proprietor; established in 1874; ample and elegant machinery; among others a 66-inch Harper improved Fourdrinier machine, a recent acquisition.
Alpine Knitting Company (limited).—One of the later industries of the city is the Alpine Knitting company (limited), who removed their plant here from Carbondale about one year ago. The mill is a capacious four-story structure 50xl25 feet in size, provided with all first-class facilities, including steam power and a fine equipment of machinery, designed for knitting-mills, a feature of which is thirty- six rib-knitting machines. One hundred and fifty hands are regularly employed, and the goods are sold all over the United States, in many of the larger cities of which the company have regular agencies. The officers are John Coleman, president; M. W. O'Boyle, treasurer, and John H. Foy, secretary.
Pittston Iron Roofing Company enjoys a high reputation for superior goods. It commenced business in November, 1885. Thomas R. Coward is its president and G. M. Stark, secretary and treasurer. A large, one-story structure, 60xll0 feet in dimensions, on Dock street, comprises the works. They make corrugated, crimped edge, Crowl's patent, plain, three seam and calamined iron and steel roofing and siding, which can be used on buildings of any description.
Ross & Co., curers and packers of provisions, lard refiners. At the head of the provision packing industry here stands the well-known house of Ross & Co. The building occupied is four stories high and 40xl37 feet in dimensions. It is fitted throughout with the latest and most improved appliances designed for this business, and an item of particular note is the mammoth refrigerator, which extends through the building. Twelve persons are employed in the building and two travelers for the outside trade. The business was instituted in 1866 by Mr. K. J. Ross, the senior member.
[p.624] Forest Castle Brewery is situated directly opposite Campbell's ledge; established in 1880 as a small concern, but is rapidly developing into a great industry. It has an ice machine capable of twenty-five tons of ice daily. An annual output of 13,000 barrels.
Box Factory, paper and wooden, by Notman & Howitz, successors to R. A. Lacoe & Co. The business was removed from Wilkes-Barre to this point in 1888. Their building is 60xl20; employs fifty-five hands.
Luzerne Knitting-Mills.—Established in 1874; E. L. Ellithorp, general manager until 1886, when it passed into the care of M. R. House and George P. Steele; makes men's underwear. A large three-story brick building and an average of 125 hands employed.
Pittston Fire Brick & Terra Cotta Works, William Gee, proprietor, were establislied in 1871, the present proprietor, William Gee, being one of the original founders. The plant covers about half an acre of land; all the latest improved appliances designed for this class of manufacture; steam power. Ten men are employed, and the list of products embraces salt-glazed, vitrified sewer and drain pipe, chimney tops, flues, fire brick, boiler blocks and terra cotta.
Merchant Mill, by A. S. Davenport, furnishes the market with superior flour. The gentleman handles feed, grain and mill stuffs. The building is a four-story brick.
Stoneware, by Lewis Jones, is an extensive pottery, and the business was founded in 1870. It came into the possession of the present proprietor in 1887. In December, 1888, the plant was destroyed by fire; rebuilt on an enlarged scale. The kiln has a capacity of 2,500 gallons, and turns out a kiln each day.
Pennsylvania Coal Company is one of the largest in the anthracite regions. It was incorporated in 1849, with a capital of $2,400,000, which has been regularly increased with the growth of its industry. The importance of this company may be partly gauged by the fact that while they have other mines and at several places, yet at Pittston they have eight breakers. The superintendents at this point of the collieries are Andrew Bryden and William Law.
Riverside Foundry and Machine Shops, by J. A. Touhill; established in 1886, and employs about forty men. Making steam engines, pumps, mine machinery, boilers, etc.
Pittston Mill, by Charles A. Miner and Asher Miner; flour, feed grain and hay. This mill has all the finest machinery—roller process.
The First National Bank of Pittston was organized in June, 1864; capital, $250,000; surplus, $125,000; deposits, over $700,000. Theo Strong, president; Thomas Ford, vice-president; William L. Watson, cashier; directors, Theo Strong, Thomas Ford, C. H. Foster, John Howell, Evan J. Evans, V. M. Carpenter, S. M. Parke, Joseph L. Cake, John A. Law and John B. Law.
Miners' Savings Bank, Pittston; organized under the State law November 1, 1869; capital, $60,000. Officers: A. A. Bryden, president; J. L. McMillan, vice- president; C. M. Hileman, cashier; trustees: R. D. Lacoe, Andrew Bryden, George Johnson, A. A. Bryden. J. L. McMillan, Thomas Mangan, Thomas Maloney, M. W. Morris, Alexander Craig.
People's Savings Bank, organized in 1871; capital, $75,000; J. B. Shiffer, president; J. H. Mosier, vice-president; J. L. Polen, cashier.
Citizens' Electric Illuminating Company was started in October, 1888; furnishes arc and incandescent lights to Pittston and West Pittston. President, K. J. Ross; J. L. Cake, vice-president; Charles A. Howitz, secretary and treasurer; board of directors: J. Howell, Thomas Mangan, B. J. Durkin, J. Langford, A. B. Brown, J. L. Cake, K. J. Ross.
The following is the classified business of Pittston: Four bakers, 3 banks, 10 blacksmiths, 7 boarding-houses, 1 boiler maker, 1 bookbinder, 4 stationers, 1 shoe factory, 15 retail dealers, 5 bottlers, 1 box factory, 1 brass worker, 2 brewers, [p.625] 1 brick factory, 3 cabinet makers, 9 carpenters, 6 dry goods, 2 carpets and drapery, 4 carpet weavers, 2 carriage makers, 1 chairmaker, 6 cigar dealers, 6 clothing, 19 confectioners, 1 cooper, 7 dentists, 9 druggists, 2 express companies, 2 fancy goods, 2 fish and oysters, 5 flour and feed, 8 furniture, 13 general stores, 8 gents' furnishings, 3 glass and china ware, 2 greenhouses, 33 grocers, 4 hardware and cutlery, 4 harness, 5 hats and caps, 2 iron founders, 3 jewelers, 1 knitting-mill, 12 lawyers, 2 libraries, 2 lumber dealers, 20 meat markets, 1 mattress manufacturer, 6 merchant tailors, 6 millinery, 2 millers, 1 newspaper, 2 notions, 14 physicians, 2 planing-mills, 5 provision dealers, 1 reading room, 5 livery stables, 2 telegraphs, 3 undertakers, 3 wagon makers.
Avoca Borough (formerly Pleasant Valley) was taken from Pittston township and made a borough May 24, 1871. The council was a modest little affair of three members. The first officers were: P. B. Brehorny, president, and Robert Reid and George Lampman.
Avoca is a prosperous little borough and is rapidly improving. It is in the north part of Pittston township, nearly adjoining the Lackawanna county line, three miles from the center of Pittston borough and seven miles from Scranton. It commenced its settlement in 1871, consequent upon the development of its great coal industry, and by this its present prosperity is maintained chiefly. The council changed the name from Pleasant Valley to Avoca in 1889, to accord with the postoffice name of the place. As a town it is virtually linked to Pittston by Hughestown, which lies between the two places and gives the three places the appearance of one continuous town. It has practically four lines of railroads, giving it every facility for transportation. It has four churches, four schools, a board of trade and fire department, and a fine water supply will be given it in the near future by the Spring Brook Water company; has abundant express, telegraph and telephone accommodations.
James Brown, Sr., has the credit of being one of the first settlers in the place. Aaron Riddle, another pioneer, had his modest farmhouse near where is the depot. John Mitchel lived in an old farmhouse near where No. 3 plane crosses Main street. Jacob Lidy had settled at Little York. James L. Giddings lived in a log house, and a Mr. Ellis on Thomas Weir's lot. He afterward built the house owned by James and William Brown. Mr. McAlpin and William Rau were also among these early settlers.
A. McAlpin built a shop here in 1837 for making half-bushel and peck measures by water power; subsequently a steam power was added and the manufacture of kegs and cigar boxes. This building was burned in 1854, and the new one erected was blown up in 1872, and immediately rebuilt. In 1874 the firm name was changed to McAlpin & Son, and the manufacture of pails and powder kegs was added to the business. C. A. McAlpin bought the shop in 1879, and the business is become the manufacture of kegs, butter packages, etc. The capacity of the machinery being 500 kegs and 500 pails per day.
Martin F. Reap was the first merchant. His store was on the site of Hollister's brick store, which was built by Mr. Reap in 1871. In 1869 Law & McMillan established a branch store at Marr. James McMillan was made a partner, and the firm name of James McMillan & Co. was adopted. The building occupied was erected in 1869, burned in 1875 and immediately rebuilt and enlarged. James Maloney established a general merchandise business here in 1873, making a specialty of groceries and provisions; his store was built in 1875. John King, formerly a clerk with James Maloney, established a similar business in 1876. Thomas McLaughlin began building a store here in 1871, but his death prevented its completion until 1875. It was then occupied and a good business done by his sons. In 1871 J. H. Swoyer built the store afterward owned by Charles A. Jones. It was then known as the company store. From 1870 to 1873 Mr. Swoyer was very prominently identified with the business interests of Avoca. In 1877 Mr. Jones was manager for Mr. Swoyer. The next year he bought a half interest in the store, and January 1, 1879, succeeded to the whole of the business.
[p.626] Classified: 2 blacksmiths, 1 bottler, 7 carpenters, 1 clothier, 5 coal-breakers, 3 coal companies, 3 confectioners, 3 druggists, 1 dry goods, 2 furniture dealers, 3 general stores, 2 gents' furnishing, 3 grocers, 1 hardware, 3 hotels, 5 meat markets, 2 milliners, 1 paper—Avoca Argus, 1 paints and oils, 5 physicians, 1 planing-mill, 2 stoves and tinware, 2 tailors, 1 undertaker, 1 jeweler.
The earlier residents were accommodated with mail by the office at Pittston. Subsequently the department established a mail route from Pittston to Pleasant Valley. James McMillan was appointed postmaster in April, 1871, and Andrew L. Flock carried the mail daily until July, 1872. The office was named Marr in allusion to James H. Marr, the chief clerk in the first assistant postmaster-general's office. In 1873 a daily mail was brought from Old Forge, and in the near future it is hoped the borough will be served with a regular mail delivery of the thirteen mails that are distributed from the Pittston office.
Avoca Borough Officers.—Burgess, Thomas Fitzsimmons; councilmen president, Archibald McQueen; John Woods, Daniel Burnes, W. J. Buglehall, James Doran and John McKone; secretary, John F. Conaboy; treasurer, Patrick Doran; attorney, P. A. O'Boyle; assessor, Marcellus D. Sanders; tax receiver, James Gilhooloy; street commissioner, Thomas Brown; high constable, Anthony B. Curley; justices of the peace, Frank Little and Michael Whalen; district registers, north election district, John Brennan; south election district, John Clifford; assessor's valuation for 1892, $177,107; chief of police, John Cannon.
Avoca Hose Company No. l.—Organized September 15, 1886; building, 77 North Main, between Cherry and Hawthorne; president, James Alexander; vice- president, J. H. Anderson, secretary, Walter Anderson; assistant secretary, F. T. Austin; treasurer, E. Laird; foreman, M. D. Sanders; financial secretary, J. F. McLaughlin; pipomen, J. Alexander, William Graham.
Y. M. C. A., of Avoca. President, Thomas O'Brien; secretary, James C. Merrick; treasurer, John J. Curley.
Avoca Board of Trade was organized February 26, 1887. President, G. B. Seamans; vice-president, W. J. Renniman; secretary, J. H. Anderson; assistant secretary, T. F. Brehony; financial secretary, Edward Laird; treasurer, James McMillan.
Hughestown Borough was taken from the territory of Pittston township. It adjoins Pittston borough on the east and extends toward Avoca. It is made by its coal industry; has a church, school, one general store, a brick manufactory, and in the place are several collieries in full operation. It is about four square miles of territory and has an estimated population (July, 1892) of 1,350.
Hughestown Borough Officers.—Burgess, Edward J. Hughes; councilmen: president, John B. Reynolds; Samuel Monk, John O'Donnell, Robert Sutter, Jacob Valerious, David Jones; secretary, John T. Clark; treasurer, Fred W. Schmaltz; assessor, Thomas F. Owens; tax receiver, Stephen Olmstead; street commissioner, Frederick Schmaltz; high constable, Frederick Schmaltz; justices, Nathan Morse and James Brown; chief of police, Christopher Hemselman; school directors, president, Martin Henderlee; secretary, T. F. Owens; treasurer, Thomas R. Morris.
Dupont is a mining town in Pittston township; postoffice and company store.