The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-25
GEORGE B. CHASE DEAD.
A Eong time Citizen and q Prominent Re.
publican In S%crantOn's Early Days
Was for Is Years d United States
GouRer-A Conspicuous Odd Fellow

George Il. Chase, n of Scranton's
pioneer and IGNORED citizens, died in
the eightieth year Of his age, at 4
O'Clock yesterday morning at his home,
526 Quincy venue He was able to go
out last Monday and not till three days
before his death had his family any
fear that the end was approaching.
Endowed with a vigorous constitution,
his life was spent in hard work and his
hands We're seldom Idle.
Mr.. Chase was born in sidney, N. Y,
in 1916; when young he went to WASH
ington, ID. c., where he remained until
1868, when he came to Scranton, which
was then only a small village. In 1869
he was appointed United States gauger
for the Twelfth Internal Revenue dis
trict and he held hat position of trust
until 1887, when he was removed by
President Cleveland. He was reap
pointed by President Harrison and
served two years, being obliged to re-
sign on account of an accident.
A noteworthy feature of his career is
the fact that he was elected president
of the first Republican club formed In
this section. 1t was the first Republic
can club in Luzerne county, and was
organized in 1856. That was long be-
fore Scranton developed into q city. T..
p. Kingsbury was secretary of the Or
ganization.
As an Odd Fellow.
The deceased had been a member of
Lackawnnna lodge, No. 29l, I%ndepend-
ent Order of d Fellows, forty-twO
years, and was to be rendered a recep-
ton on next Friday evening, an honor
which his brethren pay only to one who
has endeared himself in large measur
through his long membership n I'M
selfish devotion to the principles of the
order. The lodge will, instead, hold a
memorial service. since his death has
forcclosed their preparations to honor
the living. He was financial secretary
of Lackawanna lodge for nearly forty
years. and secretary Of the Odd Fell
lows Cemetery association, since its
organization, and was indefatigable in
his efforts to help the raising of funds
building on Wyoming avenue.
Mr.. Chase vas married on Sept. 4,
1855, in Providence. to Miss Jane Hutch
insOn. He had been q consistent men,
Der of the Presbyterian church for fifty
one years, having Joined 1t in Washing
ton in 1874 and united with the First
Presbyterian church of this city In 1853.
Mr.. Chase was ScrantOn's first photo
grapher. When he first came here he
opened a d~aguerreotype gallery on the
site now occupied by the Hunt & Con-
nell store. The population of the place
was SO small and the demand for por-
I traits so limited that in 1853 he closed
| this gallery and began to teach school.
In 1869 he reopened the gallery and
conducted it on the present site of
Marks e. Lauer's store until 1869, when
he was appointed gauger.
The Surviving Family.
He is survived by his wife and six
children. Walter E.. assistant city edi-
tor of the New York World; George W.,
Of Altoona, chemist for the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad company: Arthur H.. of
the Washingtond Navy Yard; ex-Cap-
tain H.. Il. Chase and r.. Allen Chase, OF
/, this city. and one daughter, Miss Anrh
E.. teacher in the Scranton public
schools.
The funeral will be in charge Of Lack
awanna lodge and will be held tomor-
row afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment
will be made in Forest Hill cemetery.