Samuel Cogswell Chase biography; Wilkes-Barre PA

Samuel Cogswell Chase was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on November 6, 1868, one of the five children of Edward Henry Chase and Elizabeth Taylor Chase.  He served in the 9th regiment during the Spanish American War (1898). He died just short of his 70th birthday on November 3, 1938 in Wilkes-Barre. Here is an obituary:

Samuel C Chase at "Wild Goose Chase", Dallas, PA

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Sam's Business Letterhead

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Death Ends Career of Samuel C. Chase

Called “Best Loved Citizen of This Region”

The sudden death of Samuel C. Chase on Thursday evening, November 3rd, brought to a close a life of steadfast service which had won the affection of many friends and the devotion of a wide community.

In every walk in life, all who knew him were his friends;  the guards at the County Prison, where as board member he attention to any detail of that responsibility;  the former employees of the old Coal Exchange Building; the management of the Westmoreland Club, of which he was president;  the prominent business and professional men and women of the county, with whom he was constantly associated, all recognized the integrity of his purpose and appreciated the cheery, kindly thoughtfulness with efficiently accomplished its aims.

To the communities wide interests and needs he gave tirelessly of strength and time in a passionate desire to be of service.

The persistence of his interest has been manifested in his twenty-five years as secretary of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, in which his determination to promote its well-being was a prime stimulus to the work.  He first joined the Society in 1914.

His connection with the Chamber of Commerce since its beginning and his offices as director since 1932, assistant treasurer since 1936 are an evidence of public trust.

The development of the contentment and happiness of the old men in the Sutton Home was another deep interest, as was also the promotion of Hollenback Park.  As manager and trustee of the Hollenback Estate, he made every effort to carry out this last public plan of John Welles Hollenback to the fullest extent. Perhaps it was to the Welfare Federation as the coordinating force in the Community’s social service that he gave the most thought and it seems fitting that his last evening was spent in planning for its advance.

To his church, the First Presbyterian of Wilkes-Barre, he gave unfailing service as deacon, and the forth-right devotion of his personal life proved his christianity.

One of the clearest pictures his friends have is of his delight in his garden and his home, shared with this sister, Miss Frances Chase, where his whimsical spirit was at its brightest, and where his ingenuity in meeting problems of country life had free play.  His turkey farm, known as Wild Goose Chase, was located in Dallas, PA.

His was the modesty and simplicity of the truly great character, which reaching out to influence all for good has no realization of its own greatness.  He was beyond doubt, the best and most loved citizen of this region.

The Terrace of Wild Goose Chase, August 1937

Wishing Well at Wild Goose Chase, 1937

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A Party invitation generated by Sam and Frances Brooks Chase, his sister.
Four responses follow the invitation

A close-up view of the above response

The outside of a response

The inside of the response says "I hope you got word from the other side ?? is the tears and lamentations.
We send our regrets for Saturday, 14th.   Will write more fully in a day or two."

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To Samuel Cogswell Chase (brother of Harold T. Chase)

From Harold T. Chase 1257 Western Ave, Topeka, Kansas

May 27, 1932, Friday Eve

Dear Sam:

Just received Fan’s letter reporting you laid up, but in good hands (the best, I think) and at W.G. instead of W-B, which ought to favor an earlier recovery.  Obey the Doctor’s orders, old boy! It pays the only dividends that seem to be earned and paid just now. Rest! My doctor in Pasadena gave me two final instructions:  Rest and digitalis. I think maybe you don’t need the latter. And did I rest ! I still lie down an hour a day after lunch: have the habit, I suppose. You and I have the makeup to recover nicely, if we take good care. ---- I always was willing to let people do the heavy work for me;  you just the other way, doing the heavy work for other people. You will have to turn over a new leaf and give that up. No doubt Charley Miner has told you all this, or the substance of it. He knows other peoples experiences no doubt, but I know own. So you by now must have quite a lot of instructions, from the Doctor,  Fan, the nurse and me ! I am not only pulling for you, but betting on you.  

First the Lundys “for a week” and then Ethel for a little over have been with us.  We drove with Ethel to Winfield for a day - down one day and back the next -- in fine weather.  The first time she has seen Frances. She will probably write you. She thought Frances a wonder, and she is.  Hamp and Lieuween told us Frances was quite excited over our coming. She met us at the curb and said “Come in!”  Then, when we were in she said: “Sit Down.” She talks a blue streak and says everything. She can pronounce any kind of word and hesitates at nothing.

We are at it again trying to close out Lizzie’s furniture, but sales are slow.  There are still not many things left, but some of considerable value ! Everybody wants them and nobody buys them.  Annie stays all day and has her game leg done up in a cloth. I hardly think it is worth it, selling goes so slow. Tomorrow, we will shut up shop again.  I have had an extension of six months to get things settled, and will need it I guess, if things ever get settled. --- I have a hunch that things are going to get better, tho nobody agrees with me.  Last month at the Santa Fe annual meeting here a Chicago director, Mr. Otis, a banker with Gen. Dawes, and he told me a friend of Bill Boyden --- he said Bill had been his closest friend --- said Dawes came in to Chicago a few days before and said, “Otis, you better get ready for me:  I will be back very soon.” Otis asked how that was, and said Dawes said “The liquidation is about over. Things are going to pick up and I want to get ready for it.” Nobody of course believes it, but I keep in mind the only smart thing I have heard in these times; when Dwight Morrow, asked when business would revive, said “Three months before any of us knows it.”

I believe you do not worry over matters.  I hope so. It was funny, but when I was laid up I did not worry, somehow.  It is a good idea, but no use to advise anybody. You either worry or you don’t.  Depends, like recovery generally, on how you happen to be made.  

I think I may be writing too long a letter --- so read it in instalments.  Annie says, “I want you to send my love.” She will be writing to Fan.

Affectionately, 

Harold
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To Ethel Nethercot and Hamilton Chase (her niece and nephew; upon the death of her brother, Harold Taylor Chase)

From Frances Brooks Chase, Huntsville, Dallas P.0., Pennsylvania

June 22, 1935, Saturday

Dear Ethel and Hamilton: --

Your letters help to prepare us for the telegrams today, though Ethel’s last note had cheered us considerably and we were hoping against hope.  There is nothing I want to do more than to go to Topeka, but I can’t leave Uncle Sam and he cannot go.  Harold always came to us in family sorrows and I never thought I couldn’t go to him.

Uncle Sam’s throat is better.  He is responding to the bi-weekly treatments.  He is allowed to talk a little more and he is much less husky than last summer.

Will please send us over here half-a-dozen Topeka Captials to send to friends ?

I want one for Will Chase in Haverhill, who wrote me today a letter of concern about Harold.   She said Delia (her sister-in-law who lives with her) and Harry Chase always loved Harold and admired him.

You poor children.  How my heart aches for you and Annie.

My best love to you one and all.

Aunt Fan

I have just sent a telegram to Annie.

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The details regarding a cruise that Sam his sister, Frances, took in 1938

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To Hamilton Chase (upon the death of her brother, Samuel C. Chase)

1609 Sixth Avenue,   Dodge City, Kansas

From Frances Brooks Chase, Huntsville, Dallas P.O., Pennsylvania

November 12, 1938, Saturday

Dear Hamilton,

Your good letter was a comfort to me, and your (and Annie’s) beautiful white chrysanthemums were put near Uncle Sam.  Not having been ill he looked younger -- better than in years. Everyone is kindness itself and Mariana stayed until yesterday.  There is so much to be attended to that I don’t get lunch time to think, as yet, fortunately. Mr. Lawrence Jones (George’s father) is attending to all business.  He asked me to ask you (or Annie) what value was placed on your father’s interest in the Coal lease when it was turned over to your mother (I think I’ve got that straight).  I am having the most beautiful weather and have lived on the terrace. I am perfectly well, so don’t worry about me.

Uncle Sam left everything to me knowing that I would look after my nieces and nephew.  Of course, the legacy that Henry left me goes back to his estate at my death. I can make no plans, but shall take my time.  Will go to Mariana for Christmas.  

It comes over me with full force at such times how far away my Western family are -- You would have been comforted at the outpouring of love for Uncle Sam.  Even some of the waiters at the Westmoreland Club came to the funeral.  

Love to Frances and Lieuween and thanks for the picture.  Is that the house in Dodge City? What a big girl Frances is -- I can’t realize it.

The flowers were the loveliest I’ve ever seen -- Everyone says they never saw anything like them.

Love to you all -- Aunt Fan

Thank Lieuween for her messages.

Do you think you could wear a good winter overcoat of Uncle Sam’s, and your father’s grey ulster Annie gave Uncle Sam?

Could you possibly wear any of his things? --

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