Published on April 4, 1907 in the "Wilkes Barre Times", newspaper for Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa.

Wilkes-Barre's Oldest Resident Dead

Stephen Y. Kittle Passes Away At Home This Morning

Had Resided in This City Since 1830 and Saw the City Grow Up From a Small Borough

Stephen Y. Kittle, one of Wilkes-Barre's oldest and best known citizens died at his home, 17 Hazel avenue, at 9:30 this morningof general debility, aged 91 years.
Mr. Kittle was born in Greenwich, R.I., October 18, 1816, and came to this city with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ephriam R. Kittle, in 1930 and with exception of four years had resided here ever since. When he first came here the Wyoming Valley was but little more than a wilderness and the principal occupation in this city and vicinity was farming. He with his father secured work with the late General Ross and Mr. Kittle was often heard to remark that he had often cut hay from the spot on which the residence in which the later made his home now stands.
As he neared manhood he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker, learning the trade in all it's branches. About 1838 he left Wilkes-Barre and went to Providence, near Scranton, where he plied his vocation for one year. He then removed to New York, where he remained for three years and then returned in this city and had lived here since 1840.
In 1841 he began business for himself in a shop located on Academy street and in 1844 moved to his present location on South Main street, where he had conducted a planing mill business up to the present time, the mill of S.Y. Kittle being one of the land marks of the city.
In 1877 while engaged in work about one of the machines in the mill his right hand became caught in the machinery and was so badly mangled that it was found necessary to amputate the member above the wrist. Undaunted by this catastrophe, which would have crushed any other man, Mr. Kittle set about planning a machine which would do inlaid work and suceeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. He secured a patent upon his machine and it has revolutionized that particular line of trade.
In 1832 Mr. Kittle constructed the patterns for the first steam engine built in the Wyoming Valley. Richard S. Jones at the time apprenticed as a tinsmith, made the castings and put the parts of the engine together. In 1847 he purchased the property at the corner of South Main and Hazle streets and had a home erected according to designs drawn by himself. He had stated many times during his life that the building and material for the structure, which is still standing, cost him but $4, in actual cash. He furnished the lumber and the carpenters and other workmen took their pay out in trade. The $4 outlay was for window glass and hardware, such as locks, etc.
He was active up to the last, and to within a few days of his death gave his personal attention to the conduct of the business. About three weeks ago he was walking from the house to the shop when he slipped on a piece of ice and fell to the walk, receiving a severve shaking up. He was able to keep up, however, and seemed to have suffered no serious injury. On Monday morning of this week while crossing the kitchen floor, he slipped and fell. He had to be assisted to his feet, and later was assisted to his bed.
He refused to be undressed or to have a physician called until late in the afternoon. He did not complain of any pain, but from the time of the fall seemed to gradually weaken, and at the time mentioned above he passed peacefully away surronded by the members of his family.
Mr. Kittle was a member of Lodge 81, F. and A.M., and also a member of St. Stephen's Church. He is survived by the following children: Mary E., of this city; Mrs. Maria Behee, of this city; Mrs. Ellen J. Bennett, of Sayre; Mrs. J. Sterling Mensch, of this city; and George P., of Sayre. Twenty two grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren also survive. The funeral will be announced later.