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Vol.1
1153969
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
^
ALLEN COUN
3 1833 01203 8755
GENEALOGY
974.801
SCH8S
v.l
SCHUYLKILL
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
Genealogy — Family History — Biography
Containing Historical Sketches of Old Families and of
Representative and Prominent Citizens
Past and Present
IN TWO VOLUMES
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
CHICAGO
J. H. BEERS & COMPANY
1916
GL v06
\, 7 9 10-3 : 3 5
^
^
1153969
PREFACE
The importance of placing in book form biographical history of representa-
^^ live citizens — both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming
\Q generations — is admitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade
there has been a growing interest in this commendable means of perpetuating
biography and family genealogy.
That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this
nature needs no assertion at our hands ; for one of our greatest Americans has
said that the history of any country resolves itself into the biographies of its
stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then, serves more
than a single purpose ; while it f>erpetuates family genealogy and biography, it
records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way.
In presenting to its patrons "Schuylkill County, Pa., Genealogy — Family
History — Biography," the publishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the
encouragement and support their enterprise has received, and the willing
assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many unforeseen
obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In
nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from
those immediately interested, and all were submitted in typewritten form for
, correction and revision, thus affording ample opportunity for accuracy and
\^v reliability. The volumes are placed in the hands of the public with the
belief that they will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an
invaluable contribution to the historical literature of the State of Pennsylvania.
THE PUBLISHERS.
INDEX
Achenbach Family 759
Achenbach, Gregory 7o9
Acker, Mrs. Esther A 931
Acker Family 930
Acker, William S 930
Adam (Adams) Families
104, 221, 983, 1192
Adam, George B 983
Adams Family 104, 221
Adams, Frank 1192
Adams, George 105
Adams, John H 107
Adams, Eobert W 107
Adamson Family 247
Adamson, William R 247
Alln-ight Families 96, 731, 806
Alliright, Hiester S 96
Allen, Charles F 268
AUen, Lucian H 268
Alspach, Charles P 317
Als).aeh Family 317
Andreas Family 393
Andreas, Owen A 393
Angst Family 251
Angst, John H 251
Aiiiuinciation Church, Shenandoah 1151
Archbald Family 35
Arehbald, Col. James, Jr 35
Aregood, Isaiah 592
Aregood, Ossman J 593
Aregood, Samuel C 592
Arndt Family 415
Artz, Elmer E 1032
Artz Family 1032
Atkins, Charles M 1
Auchrauty, J. E., M. D 452
Bachert, Elias 475
Baehert Families 438, 475, 659, 818
Bachert, WUliam 1 658
Bachman Family 456
Bachman, Samuel 456
Baer (Barr) Families 565, 990, 1011
Baer, E'euben 517
Bailey Family 3S3
Bailey. Samuel S 3S3
Bair. Cyrus W 665
Baldinger, Albert 690
Balliet Family 354
Balliet, Tilghman S 354
Bannan, Benjamin 163
Bannan, Francis B 609
Bannan, John , 609
.990,
Bannan, Miss Martha E. . .
Banuan, Thomas E
Bare Family
Barket, Solomon A
Barlow, Ephraim
Barlow, Nathan
Barr, Edward
Barr (Baer) Families
Barr, Milton
Basler, Mrs. Mary C
Easier, William
Bast Family
Bast, Jeremiah F
Bast, Oliver O
Batten, George
Batten, Shadrach
Baum, Earl D
Baum Family
Bauscher, David
Bauscher Family
Bausum Family
Bausum, Frank W
Baver Family
Baver, Franklin D
Beatty, George H
Bechtel, Edgar W
Bechtel Family 2,
]?echtel, Francis W
Bechtel, Judge O. P
Beck, C. Lester
Beck, Edward F
Beck Families
100, 466, 1087, 1092, 1141,
Beck, George
Beck, Isaac G
Becker FlamUy
Becker, Irwin H
Becker, William
Behler, Anthony
Behler Family
Behler, Samuel B
Behney Family
Behney, Prof. George A
Bell Family
Bell, James J
Bendrick, Mrs. Helen
Bendrick, Joseph
Ben-Salem Church (Eeformed)
Bensinger. Charles S
Bensinger Families 404, 516, 730
Bensinger, Frank L
Bensinger, William F
Bergan, William
610
610
565
719
552
552
1011
1011
990
566
566
496
496
498
1171
1171
821
821
409
410
633
633
381
381
869
188
, 188
188
2
1092
1087
1162
1076
100
326
326
999
828
904
904
635
635
5.33
533
573
.572
426
516
, 937
730
937
973
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\
Berger Family 58, 777
Berger, John D 57
Berger, William 53S
Berk Family 636
Berk, John K., M. D 636
Berkheiser Family 544
Berkheiser, Arthur J., M. D 544
Berney, Timothy F 683
Barrett, George 899
Betz, Peter 671
Bevan, John 1019
Beveridge, David '. . . 1027
Bieht, William F 1099
Bierstein (Birstou), Pius W 1169
Billig, William 827
Billman Family 888
Birch, Mrs. Margaret D 63
Birstou (Bierstein), Pius W 1169
Bisehoff, Conrad 357
Bisehoff, William C 35S
Bittle, Charles H.' 473
Bittle Families 234,
318, 329, 473, 525, 588
Bittle, Isaac C 588
Bittle, John C 233
Bittle, Marcus 318
Bittle, Oliver A 525
Bittle, Mrs. Eosa 320
Bittle, Samuel B 329
Bittner Family 906
Bixler, Irvin H 1055
Bleiler Family 995
Bleiler, Thomas F 995
Bobbin, John J 861
Boczkowski, William D 348
Boden Family 89
Boe, Joseph E 691
Bolich Families 411, 618, 851
Bolich, Herman A 852
Bolich, Louis C 851
Bolton, George W 900
Boltz Family 548
Boltz, Jacob 548
Bond, Miss Emily 764
Bond, George 763
Boner, Mrs. Alice M 1198
Boner, Ambrose 1197
Boner Family 1197
Borbach, Charles C 494
Borlaee Family II.34
Bosch, Joseph" C 1214
Bosehe, Frank 10S4
BcHighter. Ezra .T 1038
Bowen, Charles K 695
Bowen Families 695, 1066
Bowers, Walter G., M. D 639
Bomnan Families 194, 1178
Bownnan, George F 1178
Bowman, Peter 195
Boyer Families 176, 421, 725, 1047
Boyer, John O. J 725
Brachman Families 797, 1034
Brachman, Frderick W 796
Brnchman, Harry ,T 1033
Bradv, Michael j 413
Braun (Brown) Families 768
1072, 1096,
Braun, Robert C
Breen, Joseph
Breen, Patrick
Brciseh Families 803,
Brennan, Hon. James E
Brennan, Michael R
Brobst, Edward C
Brobst Family
Brode Family
Brode, Samuel
Brode, William
Bromraer FamUy
Brommer, Manuel W
Brown, Adam J
Brown, Charles T
Brown, Edwin
Brown (Braun) Families 62
405, 768, 875, 1096,
Brown, Frank
Brown, George W
Brown, Harper H
Brown, Jacob F
Brown, John C
Brown, John K
Brown, Walter E
Brown, Warren G
Brown, William J
Brown, William W
Brownmiller Family
Bruuim, Hon. Charles N
Bruner Family
Bryant, Willis L
Buheck, Charles H
Bubeck, Clayton W
Bubeek, John E
Buchsbice, Mrs. Dorothy
Buchsbice, Gottlieb
Buckley Family
Buckley, William R., M. D
Buck Rim Colliery
Buehler, Francis J
Buehler, Peter
Buehler, Samuel
Bull, Jonathan, Sr
Bull. Ross
Burke Brothers
Burke, Edward J
Burke Family
Burke, James V
Burke, Martin M
Burke, Patrick H
Burkhardt, James
Burkhart Family
Burkhart, Karl W
Burnhiini, .Tose))h ,
Burnham, William J
Butz Family
Butz, George W
1103
76,s
1069
1069
1160
568
1025
230
230
254
254
256
698
698
1103
768
152
1103
152
62
1071
100(1
405
63
1096
875
1121
540
726
168
115
162
561
561
560
102s
1028
799
799
866
1020
519
519
770
770
350
184
184
350
182
183
1078
947
947
950
950
281
280
Canfield Family 847
Canfiold, Prof. Patrick S 846
Cardiu Familv 1210
Carl. Abraham 638
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Carl, Mrs. Ellen M 639
Carl Families 95, 837
Carl, Frederick 837
Carl, Harry R 95
Carmitchell Family 954
Carmitchell, George B 954
Carroll, Prof. Charles 257
Christeson, Capt. Hans C 689
Christcson, Mrs. Louisa 689
Clappier. Christian G 342
Clappier, Peter 342
Claiiser Families 749, 898
Clauser, Jacob W 749
Clay ( Henry) Monument 610
Clayton, Nelson 296
Clayton, R. Bruce 296
Cleaver, James B 77
Cochran, Andrew B -. 116
Cochran, William A 117
Coldren, Darius D 146
Coldreu Family 146
Collins, James"B 303
Collins, Patrick 303
Conrad. John L 344
Conville Family 534
Cook Family 841
Coombe, John M 852
Coombe Family 258
Coombe, Richard 258
Cooper Family 896
Cooper, Prof. Jonathan W 896
Corbe, August 829
Crawford, Mrs. Alona B 285
Crawford, Andrew J 284
Crawford, Samuel G 285
Crosby, NeQ 838
Cullen, John J 1211
Cimimings, Pierce 855
Cummings, Thomas J 855
Curran, James 779
Daley FamOv 823
Daley, William J 822
Dampman Family 995
Danipman, William M 994
Daniel, Arthur H 1080
Danncr, Henry 809
Darkwater Colliery 866
Daubert Family 601
Daubert, William H 601
Davis, E. F. C 43
Davis Family 585
Davis, Mrs. Ida H 290
Da-s-is, John H 288
Davis, Thomas D . 585
Davis, Thomas J 153
Dechert, Daniel, M. D 464
Dechert Familv 464
Deebel, John F 556
Deebel, Samuel 555
Degler Family 901
Degler, .Joel S 901
Deibert, Allen J 747
Deibert. Charles V. B 834
Deibert, Daniel 869
Deibert, Daniel D
Deibert Families 213,
576, 663, 677, 747, 834, 869,
Deibert, George B
Deibert, James
Deibert, Samuel J
Deibert, William F
Deisher Family
Deisher, John H
Delaney Family .
Dengler Family
Dengler, Howard
Derr, Elias
Derr Families 570,
Derr, Gabriel B
DeSilva, Mrs. Ella K
DeSilva, John S
Detweiler Family
Detwiler, Dr. Peter C <
Dewald Families 437,
Dewald, Irwin . . . .»
Dewald, Samuel
Dewey Family
Dewey, Michael G., M. D
Diefenderfer FamOy
Diefenderfer, Guy H
Diefenderfer, William H
Dietrich, Frank D
Dillman Family
Dillmau, Daniel D
Dillman, Daniel K
Dillman, D. Walker
Dimmerling FaniUy
Dimmerling, George F
Dinger Family
Dinger, Joel A
Dinger, Wilson R
Dirschedl, Henry A., M. D
Dirschedl, Joseph
Ditchey, Charles F
Ditchey, Jacob W
Dochney, William F
Dodson, Weston & Co
Doebler, Mrs. M
Doebler, William G
Doherty, Edward A
Doherty Families 527,
Doherty, William F
Dohner, Henry J
Dolbin Family
Dolbin, John R
Donahoe Brothers
Donahoe Families 574,
Donahoe, Hon. J. WOfred
Donahoe, Richard A
Donahoe, Thomas C
Donmoyer Family
Donmoyer, John W
Donne, Daniel
Donne Family
Donoliue, Martin
Donohue, ilichael M
Dormer, Martin
Dormer, Mrs. Mary
Dornbach, Henry H
576
1004
213
677
61)3
1004
426
426
858
1048
1048
570
670
669
380
380
23
23
1029
1029
437
961
961
535
536
535
1064
80
83
82
84
1062
1062
667
735
667
295
295
1119
1119
358
860
490
489
1156
1156
527
310
765
765
907
908
574
909
908
1084
1084
1056
1056
317
317
964
965
543
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Douglass, Dr. George 37
Douglass, Miss Eachel M 37
Doyle FamUy 240
Doyle, W. Francis, M. D 240
Dresher Family 623
Drumheller Family 512
Drumheller, Bert E 512
Duiacius, Eev. John 300
Ebbert Family 505
Eberly Family 1102
Eberly, William 1101
Ebert FamUies 1037, 1077
Ebert, George W 1077
Eberts, Joseph 356
'Ebling Families 948, 974
Ebling, Irvin A 974
Ebling, John M 948
Eekert, Abraham L 297
Ehrhart Family 433
Ehrhart, Mrs. Julia C 436
Ehrhart, William N., A. M., Ph. D 432
Eif ert Family 1031
Eifert, William P 1031
Eiler, Elwood T 702
Eiler FamUy 884
Filer, Frank 703
Eiler, John 703
Eisenhauer, Samuel 557
Eisinger, Charles W 816
Eisinger Family 816
Elison, Alois 1091
Elison Family 1109
Elison, Peter" 1091
Elliott, William •...'.. 174
Emerich, EUjah 222
Emerich Families 223, 445, 714, 957
Emerich, Irvin W 714
Emrick Family 957
Emrick, Jonathan B 957
English, Ellis J 1100
Esterly, Walter P 1071
Evans, Miss Annie S 746
Evans, Charles B 746
Evans, Clarence H 1014
Evans, Bev. David 1 1131
Evans FamiUes 86, 801, 978, 1014
Evans, Nathan 746
Evans, Samuel J 977
Evans, William D 1191
Fahl Families 590, 950
Fahl, John H 590
Farquhar, George W 4
Farquhar, Guv E 4
Farquhar, Otto E 8
Farrell Familv 775
Farrell, Thonias A 775
Faust, Andrew B 1126
Fanst, Charles W 927
Fanst, Mrs. Dora T 309
Faust Families. 565, 627, 775, 899, 927, 1126
Faust, Mrs. Rebecca E 1127
Faust, William G 308
Fayhev, John B 1190
Feger, Jacob 642
Fegley Families 298, 807
Fegley, Perry W 298
FeUer, Levi 1093
Felty Families 1020, 1037
Felty, Ferdinand 1037
Felty, John H 1020
Feniner Family 915
Fenton Family 684
Fenton, Ivor D., M. D 684
Ferguson, Anthony 9S0
Ferguson, Christopher P 57
Ferguson, Daniel J 56
Ferguson Families 50, 980
Ferguson, Patrick J 50
Fertig FamUy 396
Fertig, John 396
Fesig, Samuel M 850
Fessler Families 351, 70S
Pessler, Harry G 351
Fessler, Jeremiah 708
Fetterolf Family 826
Fetterolf, Peter 826
Fidler FamUy 445
Filbert Families 11, 177, 248
Filbert, John Harry 248
Filbert, Maj. Peter A 177
FUbert, Peter K., D. D. S 11
Filer, Elisha, Jr 760
Fisher, C. Arthur 291
Fisher FamUy 291
Fister FamUy 600
Fister, James H 695
Fleming, WUliam C 1106
Flexer FamUy 392
Flynn FamUy 389
Flynn, John J 3S9
Foley, James 1211
Ford, Edwin ,S89
Foster, Thomas 165
Foyle, Martin E 1204
Fraek, Daniel 77
Franey, James J 1146
Franey, Martin 1146
Frantz, Christian 1180
Freeman FamUy 709
Freeman, John W 709
Freese, William F 945
Freudenberger, Fred D 399
Fiitz, Martin 773
Fryer, Daniel 0 1081
Fuhrman FamUy ; 622
Fuhrman, William F 621
Gabbert, Christ F 980
Gable FamUies 1033, 1056
Gable, Harry P 1055
Gable, Henry E 1033
Gane, Uriah 450
Gane. William U 450
Gangloff FamUv 878
GanglofF, Eev. WUliam 877
Garis, Thomas 925
Garrett Family 963
Gazdzik, Father Joseph 495
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Gehrig, B. Frank 1194
Gehrig FaiiiUies 712, 1194
Gehrig, J. Franklin 712
Geiger, Miss Augusta 891
Geiger Family 5G2
Geiger, Jeremiah D 562
Geiger, William 891
Geist, A. Frank 6G4
Gcist Family 664
Gensemer Family 235
Gensemer, Daniel J 235
Gerber Families 378, 461, 493, 649
Gerber, William H 493
Gerhard, Charles 99
Gerhard Families 443, 485, 717, 903
Gerhard, Frank 443
Gerhard, Prof. Frederic 99
Gerhard, Henry Y 485
Gerhard, William F 717
Gilibous Family 1123
Gilgour, George 309
Ginther, George C 455
Ginther, John B 596
Glunz, Bernard 436
Glunz, aement B 436
Goho Family 482
Golden, Thomas B 713
Gore Family 412
Gore, Mrs. Mary E 413
Gore, Samuel H 412
Gorman, Joseph H 125
Gorman, Miss Julia T 125
Gorman, Thomas 124
Gowen, Franldin Benjamin 171
Gray Family 272, 341
Grav, James C, M. D 272
Gray, John M., M. D 341
Green, Thomas 1058
Greenawald, Daniel A 374
Greenawald (Greenawalt) Families....
374, 597
Greenawalt. Moses S .597
Gregory. John 800
Grieff, Elmer D 506
Grieif Families 313, 506
Grieff, William A 313
Grosser, Edward W 375
Grosser, George 375
Grosskcttler, Eberhard C 1183
Grosskettler FamUy. .1139, 1181, 1183, 1204
Grosskettler, John 1204
Grosskettler, Joseph '. . . .1139
Grube, Charles W 981
Grube, Ernest 750
Grube Families 751, 817, 981
Grube, Lewis J 817
Grumm, Frederick L 885
Haber, William 356
Haeseler, Dr. Charles H 532
Haeseler Family 531
Haeseler, Frederick 155
Hafer Family 794
Hafer, Jared 794
Hagner, William 488
Hamilton, William T 220
Hand Families 856, 1059, 1063
Hand, Ira W 1059
Hand, James Monroe 856
Hand, John F 1063
Hand, William E 856
Hanney, Edward J 779
Hanney, John F 778
Hannum, Mrs. A. J 285
Hannum, Jolin T 285
Harlor, Thomas 1067
Harris Family 262
Harris, John M 261
Harris, Robert 262
Harron, Robert 784
Hartenstein, Peter 340
Hartman, Simon 763
Hartung FamOy 407
Hartung, Thomas 952
Hause Family 154
Hause, Frederick H 154
Haverty, Peter F 1153
Hawkins, Claude H 499
Hawkins Family 499
Header, Monroe 1025
Heberling, John F 1201
Hede Family 811
Hede, John J 811
Hehn, Alfred 722
Hehn Family 722
Heira (Hime) Families. .228, 408, 522, 748
Hcim, Lyman D., M. D 228
Heine, Francis W 583
Heine, Michael H 537
Heine, Solomon 538, 583
Heiser Family 926
Henry Family 414
Henry, Wilson 414
Hensyl Family 407
Hensyl, George S., M. D 407
Hepler Family 753
Hepler, Rev. Henry 753
Herbein, H. J., D. D. S - 624
Herniany, Phaon, M. D 610
Hess, Adam 825
Hess, Jacob A 1107
Hess, Lambert 463
Hessinger FamUy 1008
Hessinger, Howard W. 1008
Higgins, Patrick T 1195
Hikes FamUy 848
Hikes, Morris W 848
Hill, Dayid K 893
Hill Family 893
Hillanbrand, Charles L 608
Hime (Heim) FamUies.. .228, 408, 522, 748
Hime, Jacob F 522
Hinkel Family 472
Hinkel, William H., M. D 471
Hoak, Peter 1109
Hobart, John Potts 44
Hobart, Nathaniel P 45
Hock, Conrad, Sr 605
Hock, Conrad K 605
Hoeh Family 1054
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
Hoch, Harry E 103-t
Hoepstine Family 305
Hoepstine, James W 505
Hoff Family 252
Hoff, WiUiam, Jr 252
Hoffman Family 521
Hoffman, Miss Maud E 814
Hofifman, Peter L 813
Hoffman, Robert J 520
Holderman, Mrs. A 721
Holderman, Carl F 720
Holland, David A., M. D 595
Holsliue, Josiah 570
Holtgreve, Rev. Francis P 1193
Holy Family Church, Shenandoah 1193
Honsberger, Jacob S 1085
Honsberger, William H 1085
Hooper, Mrs. Mary J 782
Hooper, Robert W. C 782
Hopkins, Richard W 1022
Hoppes, Charles H 934
Hoppes Families 467, 934
Hoppes, Joseph S 467
Horn Families 641, 805
Horn, George B. McCIellan 805
Horn, Mrs. Hattie 806
Horn, William 641
Houser, Daniel 740, 741
Houser Family 809
Houtz Families 422, 425, 1193
Houtz, Rev. Harry D., A. M 421
Hoy Families . . ." 201, 389
Hoy, Paneoast T 201
Huber, Andrew W 776
Huber FamiV 776, 1049
Huber, Lyman A 1049
Hubler Family 84
Hughes, David C 1026
Hughes, David G 987
Hughes, Francis Wade 41
Huling, J. W 1201
Hullihan, John 1199
Hummel, Engelhart 753
Hummel, Frank J 752
Hunter, Alexander 1050
Huntsinger Family 1039
Huntsinger, John E 1039
Iffert, John 772
Imschweiler, Lorenz 275
James, Benjamin F 736
James Family 736
Jenkins, Frederick C 176
Jenkins, Gething 514
Jones, David 1104
Kaier, Charles D 1 65
Kaier, Charles F 168
Kalbach Family 638
Kaminsky, Rev. A. V 927
Kane, John 1068
Kane, John F 1068
Kanter, Franklin 484
Kauffman Familv 867
Kaufman, Alexander 731
Kaufman, Charles M 186
Kaufman Families 1S6, 731
Kaup Family 076
Kaup, William W 676
Kear, Albert S 138
Kear, Charles R 137
Kear, Edward G , 138
Kear Family 134
Kear, Frank G 139
Kear, Harrison A 139
Kear, Mrs. Mary B 13S
Kear, Mrs. Sarah 137
Kear, WUliam 136
Keefer, Andrew 286
Keefer Family 1154
Keefer, Harry 1154
Kehler Family 655
Kehler, Henry C 655
KeUman Family 764
KeUman, John H 764
Keith, Elviu W., M. D 698
Keiser, G. M 213
Keiser, William 1188
Keiter, Samuel 206
Kemner, Matthias 347
Kepner Family 352
Kepner, Mrs. Ellnora 354
Kepner, W. Clinton 352
Kerkesliiger Family 149
Kershner Family 593
Kershner, John U 593
Kilgus, Jacob 537
Killian, Joseph 883
Killian Familv 883
Kinimel, Andrew S 270
Kimmel Family .• 271
Kistler, Albert S 458
Kistler, Alvin 646
Kistler, Charles S 1141
Kistler Families. . .458, 646, 936, 1095, 1141
Klase, Edward 755
Kleber Family 732
KJeckner Familv 994
Kleckuef , Samuel 994
Kline, Adolph 1120
Kline, Mrs. Caroline 829
Kline, G. Edgar 710
Kline Families 711, 941
Kline, Harry P 941
Kline, Rev. .Tacob 270
Kline, Jeremiah 269
Kline, Robert E 828
Klingaman Familv 471
Klinger Family " 1036
Klinger, Lewis' A 1036
Knapp, Alanson 452
Knapp, Charles L 1199
Knapp Families 452, 1199
Knai)p, Joseiih P 1199
Knanber, Henrv 1022
Knecht, William F 607
Kncpper Family 887
Knepjier, Harry 887
Knipe, Oscar ". 252
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
XI
Knittie, George V 976
Kiioedler, Ciottfrie.l lOOti
Koili, Albeit (i 891
Kouh Families. . .16, 419, 617, 891, 917, 976
Kocli, Jacob M 419
Koch, Hon. Richard H 16
Koch, Salem W 617
Koch, Walter M 917
Koenig Family 971
Koenig, Samuel 971
Koerper, Harry H 222
Kolbe, Henry 539
Kopp Family 652
Kopp, John"G., Sr 652
Kramer Family 382
Krammes, Charles H 700
Kranimes Family 701
Krapf, Richard 1213
Krans Family 667
Kraus, Henry W 667
Krauss Family 788
Krauss, Rev. Howard H 787
Krebs Family 282
Kreis, Henry C 766
Krell, John " 1060
Krell, George 822
Krell, P. Philip ! 822
Kressley, Rev. Clement D., A. M 586
Kressley Family 586
Kreitzer, George D 1114
Kripplebaur, Peter 886
Kiiebler, Henry Z 845
Kull, 0. Fred 334
Kunkel Families 744, 965
Kimkel, Jonas 965
Lally, Anthony B 501
Lally Family 591
Lamberson, Amos R 756
Landemann, Henry 785
Landcnberger, Harold L 1216
Lattimore Family 657
Lattimore, Harry D 657
Laubenstein FamOy 612
Laubenstein, Frank J 612
Laubenstein Mfg. Co 613
Laudeman, Jacob 909
Laudig Families 563, 679
Laudig, Joseph H 679
Laudig, WOliam F 563
Lautenljacher, Charles 142, 693
Lautenbacher, Irvin L 693
Lautenbacher, Jeremiah 0 142
Leaman. Mrs. Ida L. W 267
Lebo, John 841
Lecher Family 960
Lecher. William E 960
Lehr. John 1045
Leibig, Benjamin F 1017
Leibig Fam'ily 1017
Leiby Families 442, 660
Leiser Family 973
Lengel P'amily 715
Lengel, John H 715
Leonard, John 321
Leonard, Mrs. Mary A 322
Leonhardt, Henry 756
Lesher Families 243, 1042
Lesher, Feli.^ H 1042
Levan Family 79
Levan, Richard K 79
Lime, John H 462
Lindenmuth Families
483, 622, 843, 1124, 1168
Lindenmuth, George Clarence 843
Linder, Burd R 373
Linder, E. Raymond 373
Linder Family 372
Lindermuth Families 501, 1124
Lindermuth, Horace D 1126
Lindermuth, Joseph 1124
Loch, Daniel 727
Loch Family ,727
Loeser, Christopher, Esq 632
Lomas, Beniamin 1203
Long, Charles F 716
Lorah Family 625, 1130
Lorah, James 625
Lord, Henry 687
Losch, Hon. Samuel Alfred 128
Loy & Minnig 559
Loy, Harry F 560
Lucas, Edwin 918
Lucas Family 918
Lutz, Robert J 359
Lynch, Abraham 226
Lynch, John H 877
Lynch, John W 226
Lytle, L. C 1207
Me Andrew, Thomas C 600
MeClure, George W 227
McCool, Rev. Joseph 98
McGuire Family 1019
McKnight, J. J 8.30
McNoldy, Henry 1051
Machamer, Oliver 1000
Madara Families 526, 1118
Madara, Zaecur P 526
Madenf ord Family 518
Madenford, -Jeremiah 517
Mader, Christian 1082
Maher, John P 857
Maher, Mrs. Mary A 857
Malarkey, E. C". 692
Mandler, August 9'52
Mandler Family 952
Jlanhart, Henry 890
Manhart, John M 890
Mardis, William 709
Marshall, Charles H 64f
Martin Families 486, 868, llOJ
Martin, John H 1107
Martin, Thomas J 868
Martin, William W 486
Master, Harry E 1187
Master, Milton H 1187
Matz, William 220
Maurer, Elmer H., M. D 277
XII
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Maurer Families 277, 1088, 1105,
Maurer, James A
Maurer, Solomon
Maurer, William E
May, Charles H
Meek Families 199,
Meek, Walter F
Meisgeier, August
MeUey, Rev. Dennis J
Mengel Family
Mengel, Nathan
Mengle Family
Mentzer, John
Mercantile Club, Minersville
Meredith, Mrs. Leonora
Meredith, John S
Merkle Family
Merrick, Edwin E
Messersmith, Abram C
Meyers, Charles
Michael FamUy
Michael, Harry M
Miller, Alfred M
MiUer, Mrs. Annie
Miller, Charles B
Miller, Charles D., M. D
Miller, Edwin J
Miller Families
260, 304, 345, 446, 948, 1139,
Miller, George G
Miller, Dr. George M
Miller, Henry L
Miller. Homer F
Miller, Jacob
Miller, John Frederick
Miller, John J
Miller, Levi
Miller, Milton H
Miller, Oliver
Miller, Kichard E., Sr
Miller, Robert P
Minnig, Floyd H
Minnig, Rev. George
Minogue, J. F
Mohl Family
Moll, George R
Moll, Henry
Moll, Mrs. "Mary K
Molouy, Edward W
Molony, Joseph F
Monaghan, Charles J
Monaghan Family
Monaghan, James B
Monaghan, Peter J
Moore, Cyrus
iloore, Mrs. Elizabeth M
Moore Families 306, 492, 549
Moore, George H., M. D
Moore, Harry C
Moore, John J., M. D
Moore, Samuel
Morea Colliery
Morgan, George W
Morgan, Morgan
Morrison Family
1159
1088
1105
1182
761
10.30
199
979
653
895
895
309
.340
1101
78
78
476
736
833
631
815
814
304
782
446
102
276
1215
1052
103
628
948
431
628
1215
645
345
, 805
260
1052
560
179
691
742
206
886
206
785
784
1028
1209
1027
1208
54<.l
550
573
305
573
492
778
860
1215
1003
501
Morrison, >s^athaniel C 501
Morseher, Jacob 62
Mortimer FamUy 150
Mortimer, F. P., Sr 150
Mortimer, F. Pierce, Jr 151
Moser, Albert L 773
Moser Family 773
Moyer, Charles E 932
Mover Families
." 31, 274, 314, 584, 915, 932
Moyer, Huston Eobison 349
Moyer, Isaac 32, 274
Moyer, Joseph W 314
Moyer, AViUiam F 915
Murphy, Dr. Dennis J 577
Murphy Family 1064
Murphy, Michael 1064
Murphy, John 273
Naffin, Paul E 71S
Nagle, Col. Daniel 64
Nagle Family 64
Nagle, Gen. James 66
Neidlinger, Christian 651
Neidlinger Family 651
Neiswender, Edwin E 723
Xeiswender Family 723
Nesbitt, ilrs. Kate 1068
Nesbitt, Robert J 1068
Xester, Aaron 881
Xester, Daniel 931
Xester Families 881, 922, 931
Xester, Salem B 922
Xoecker Family 173
Xoecker, James A 173
Noel Family 946
Xoel, Stephen E 946
Norton, Rev. Lemuel B 1147
0 'Brien, Michael J 962
0 "Connor, Thomas C 253
0 'Donnell, Joseph 204
Oerther, John 547
Ohl, Samuel 690
O 'Leary, David 1154
Oliver, George 416
Oliver, William 416
O 'NeUl, Charles 1033
O 'Neill, George B 985
Oren, James 727
Oren, John M 727
Orwig, Peter 179
Osenbach Family 796
Ossman, Aaron 859
Ossman, Philip 859
Ost, August W 479
Ost, Charles F 478
Oswald Families 775, 882
Owens, Ma,i. John F 697
Parker Family 38
Parker, Hiram, Jr 37
Parrott, Benjamin F 1135
Patten Families 831, 985
Patten, Thomas 985
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Xlll
Patten, William T 831
Patterson, Frank B 1113
Patterson, Hon. George E 70
Patterson, Mrs. Mary A 76
Paul Family 997
Paul, John J 1035
Paul, Thomas \V 997
Peale, fharles Willson 8
Peale Family 10
Peale, Rubens II 8
Peifer Families 839, 1132
Peifer, John 839
Peifer, Hiram 1132
Pelefhoyyoh, Key. Joseph 973
Perry, Eourindine 106.3
Pershing, Judge Cyrus L 181
Peter Family . . . ." S9-t
Petery Family 302
Petery, Oscar D 301
Petry Family 332
Petry. Haryey D 332
Pf eiffer, John 620
Plioenix Hose Company, Shenandoah. . .1162
Pleasants, Gen. Henry 172
Pollard, John H 2.56
Portland, Charles A 1171
Portz, Frederick, Jr 191
Portz, Frederick, Sr 191, 203
Portz, Harry K 203
Pott (Potts) Families 44, 170,243
Pott, John, Sr 170
Preyost, John 47
Price, John W 1108
Pugh, William S 176
Purccll, Mrs. Mary Ann 1153
Purcell, Michael ." 1154
QuaU, Charles Edward, M. D 117
Quail, Mrs. Emma C 118
Quandel, Charles 696
Quick, Samuel 772
Quigel Fajnily 672
Quigel, Valentine W 672
Quinn, Terence J 912
Randall, Dayid V 290
Rarich Family 431
Ranch Family 335
Ranch. George B 33.T
Raykowski, Waldysluw 1044
Relier Family 244
Reber, George W 207
Reber, Harry A 207
Reber, Horace F 244
Reddy, Christopher C 951
Reed," Albert L 328
Reed. Charles 0 1046
Reed, Elias 109
Reed Families. 292, 328, 333, 692, 1046, 1207
Reed. Frederick B 333
Reed, Harry D 692
Reed, Jacob D 109
Reed, Samuel 292
Reed, Sherman H 1207
Reese Families 287, 786
Kee.se, Frank C 368
Keese, .John 368
Keese, John W 287
Reese, Stephen 786
Keichard, Joseph 398
Rei<'hwein, Henry 1021
Reick, Frederick 431
Reick, William H 432
Reid, Robert A 325
Keilly, Bernard 14
Eeilly, James B 14
Reiner Family 1041
Reinert, Daniel 200
Reinhart Family 429
Keinhart, Henry 429
Reinoehl, Leyi E 1089
Reiseg, Elmer G 1017
Reisig, Frederick ,567
Remaly, Lewis F 832
Renner Family 1061
Kenner, William 1 061
Renuinger Family 970
Renninger, John 970
Rentschler Family 614
Rentschler, Henry D., M. D 614
Rice, Aaron L 1082
Rice Family 1082
Richards, William C 569
Richcnderfer, John H 1137
Rickert Family 39
Eickert, Col. Thomas H 39
RidgT\ay, Thomas S 610
Riegel Family 542
Kiegel, Samuel A 542
Riland (Kyland) FamUy 852
Kissinger, Abraham F 1188
Rissinger, Jacob J 1190
Robinhold Family 490
Robinhold, Lewis C, M. D 491
Robinhold, William L 491
Rockwell, W. B 180
Robinson, Moncure 180
Robinson, William H., M. D lOS
Rbmberger, James M 1048
Romberger, Jesse M 1047
Romig Family 649
Eooney, Chris't J 1111
Rooney Family 1111
Rosenberger, Clemens M 367
Roseuberger Family 367
Rubright, Charles H 825
Rubright Families 825, 939
Rumbel Families 616, 1157
Rumbel, Richard T 1159
Rumbel. Trenton W 1157
Rump Family 1098
Rump, William 1098
Ryan, Martin F 1061
Ryland (Riland) FamUv 852
Ryland, William H 852
Ryon, George W 190
Ryon, Judge James 190
Kyon, John Percy 190
Ryon, Hon. John W 190
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Sabaleski, Mat 1113
Sabold, William H., Sr 1182
Sachs Family 801
Sachs, Henry 801
Sassaman Family 457
Saterlee, Britton W 720
Sehableiii, Josejih 283
Schablein, Michael 283
Schaef er, Charles T 830
Schaefer FamUy 830
Schaett'er Families 442, 462
Schaeflfer, George M 462
Sehaffer Families 807, 1010
Schaffer, Salem B 807
Schalek, Adolph W 528
Schalek, Mrs. Emma R 531
Schalek, George 528
SchaUer Family 1008
SehappeU (Shappell) Families
541, 682, 733, 988, 1006
SehappeU, George W 988
Scharadin (Sharadin) Families
211, 308, 312
Scharadin, Harry F 312
SeharadiD, Jacob A 307
Scheaff er, Joseph 1013
Scheaffer, Sebastian 1013
Scheele Brothers 398
Scheele, Carl 398
Sehenck, Fred 940
Schief, Charles F 1110
Schief, Mrs. Sofie 1110
SehUling Family 671
Schilling, John G 671
Schlaseman, Elmer F 514
Schlaseman, Jacob A 515,
Sehlear, Alfred 925
Schlear Family 925
Schlegel Family 553
Schlegel, James D 553
Sehmeltzer FamUy 1043
Sehmeltzer, Frank A 1043
Schmidt, Christian 336
Schmidt, Philip 336
Schneider, Mrs. Catherine 524
Schneider, Mrs. Elizabeth 700
Schneider Families 90, 706
Schneider, John F 700
Schneider, Peter J. (deceased) 524
Schneider, Peter J. (Locustdale) 762
Schneider, Theodore D 706
Sehoch (Schoek) Family 954
Sehoeneman, Michael 1102
Sehrepple, Gottlieb E 650
Schrope, Charles A 674
Sehrope Family 674
Schnlz, Jacob E 929
Schnlze, Harry F 1075
Schuyler, Joseph M 20
Schuyler, Miss Mary 1 20
Sehwalm Families 754, 992, 1217
Schwalm, George M 992
Rchwalm, Ralph A 1217
Schwartz, Joseph 331
Scott, Alexander 263
Scott, George
Scott, John A
Scott, John G
Scott, Robert S
Scott, Walter W
Seiberling Family
Seitzinger, Miss Emma
Seitzinger Family.. 19, 239, 783, 986,
Seitzinger, Henry M
Seitzinger, Jeremiah
Seitzinger, James M
Seitzinger, Col. Nicholas
Seitzinger, Judge Nicholas
Seligman, Abraham Pott, M. D
Seligman Family
Seltzer, Albert W
Seltzer, Conrad
Seltzer Families 619, 942
Seltzer, Francis B
Seltzer, Frank P
Seltzer, Miss R. W
Seltzer, Wesley A
Shannon, Benjamin Franklin, M. D. . .
Shannon, Samuel H., M. D
Shappell, Andrew J
Shapjiell, Benjamin
Shappell, Daniel
Shappell, Elias F
Shappell Families . . 541, 682, 733, 988,
Sharadin, Edward
Sharadin (Scharadin) Families
211, 308
Shaw, John
Sheafer, Lesley G
Sheafer, Paul
Sheafer, Peter W
Sheafer, Walter S
Sheafer, William L
Shearer, Robert C
Shellhamer Family
Shellhamer, Jackson M
Shellhammer, Benjamin F
Shellhammer Families. .686, 755, 982,
Shellhammer, James M
Sherry Family
Shirey Family
Shirey, John
Shissler, Mrs. Clara K
Shissler, Edward L
Shoemaker Families 737,
Shoemaker, James A
Shoemaker. John H
Shoener, Edward
Shoener, Mrs. Emma
Shoener Families 279, 743, 7S0,
Shoener, .John
Shoener, Hon. John T
Shoener, Joseph
Sief ert, William IT
Silliman, Mrs. Catharine
Sillinian, Edward S
Silliman (Sillyman) Families
60, 68. 120,
Silliman, H. I
Silliman, James K
264
707
265
265
707
387
240
1036
1036
783
986
19
239
242
242
110
110
962
962
942
963
619
162
160
683
733
683
541
1006
211
312
413
1176
25
1175
24
343
755
755
1001
1001
686
921
1112
1112
867
866
913
913
737
780
744
910
910
278
743
748
62
67
208
208
60
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
XV
Sillyman (SiUiman) Families
60, 68, 120, 208
Sillyman, Samuel 120
Sillyman, Miss Susan J 122
Simmons, Thomas 1075
Sittler, Oalviu K ;!61
Sittler (Sitler) Families oOl, 470
Slater, Mrs. Clara K 401
Slater, George W 400
Slater, Henry P 400
Smith, Oliarles E 1172
Smith, (.■luules H 1074
Smith, David G 227
Smith Families 388, 477, 1074, 1172
Smith, Jeremiah 388
Smith, Joseiih G 1176
Smith, William E 108
Smith, William 8 476
Snyder, Charles A, 144
Snyder Family 488
Snyder, Frank 316
Snyder, Eeuben 316
Spavd, Prof. H. H 126
Speaeht, Mrs. Dorothy 393
Speacht Family 392, 401
Speaeht, Frederick 392
Spencer, Mrs. Amelia J 47
Spencer, George 4.1
Spencer, William 4.5
Spitzner, Valentine 1070
Spohn, Moncure R 1023
St. Clair Family 1024
St. Clair, Oscar 1024
St. Peter's Church (Reformed) 426
St. Mary's Church, Tremont 653
Stamm FamUy 879
Starr, David 761
Starr Families 88, 761, 1012
Starr, William A 1012
Staudt (Stoudt, Stout) Families
447, 509, 729
Staudt, John F 447
Staudt, John S 509
Stauffer, Arthur Elliott 482
Stauffer, Elias K 480
Stauffer Families 480, 845, 1115, 1165
Stauffer, John M 1115
Stauffer, Norman M 1165
Stauffer, William E 1166
Steigerwalt, Albert H 376
Steigerwalt Families 376, 395
Stein, Daniel 324
Stein Families 140, 418
Stein, Jonathan Frank 417
Stein, Franklin M 142
Stein, Moses S 140
Steiner Family 424
Stephens, Albert 10 tl
Sterner Family 919
Sterner, Frank R 919
Stewart, Harry H., M. D 581
Stichter, George H 625
Stief Family 75S
Stief, John A 758
Stiles Family 1015
Stiles, Michael V iui5
Stine Family (J32
Stine, William N (j32
Stitzer Family 303, 687
Stitzer, William F 503
Stitzer, William G 687
Stoker Family 93.^
Stoudt (Staudt, Stout) Families
447, 509, 729
Strauch Family 450
Strauch, Robert D 450
Strause (Straus.s, Strouse) Family.... 215
Strause, Samuel 215
Striegel, John G., M. D 520
Strubhar, Aaron 767
Strubhar Family 767
Stutzman Family S36
Stutzman, Raymond H., M. D 835
Super Family 433
Swoyer Family 997
Tallman, Henry H77
Tallman, Mrs. Mary A 1177
Tasker, Reese 238
Taylor, WUliajn T 827
Thomas Family 192
Thomas, Thomas L 193
Thomas, Mrs. Thomas L 84, 194, 196
Thompson, Alexander 668
Thompson, Hon. Alexander 669
Thompson, Charles D 906
Thompson Families.. 32, 112, 114, 907, 1053
Thompson, Heber H 35
Thompson, Maj. Heber S 32
Thompson, Isaac B 669
Thompson, Lewis C 113
Thompson, Oliver C 1053
Thompson, Col. WOliam 112
Tielman, WUliam 1110
Toole, John 1114
Toomey, .John 829
Toomey, Michael 829
Trachte, William 494
Tregea Family 1004
Trexler Family 967
Turner Family 921
Tyson Family 742
UnderkofBer, Charles M 772
Unger, Albert A 495
Updegrave Families 439, 681
Updegrave, Morris 680
Updegrave, Philip H 439
t'pdegrove Family 661
Updegrove, Walter E 661
Van Horn Family 644
Veith, John 209, 1201
A'eith, John, Jr 211
Vetter, David 704
Vetter Family 704, 977
Wachter, George A 943
Wachter, Rudolph 944
Wadlinger, Mrs. Margaret D 50
XVI
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Wadlinger, Francis 48
Wadlinger, Judge George J -IS
Wagner, Alfred B 1016
Wagner, Charles C 545
Wagner, Charles G 508
Wagner Families 219,
508, 545, 558, 781, S24, 886, 1014, 1016
Wagner, Franklin 781
Wagner, Frederick E., D. D. S 558
Wagner, Henry A 547
Wagner, Mrs. Mary .A- 571
Wagner, Philip 823
Wagner, Samuel C 571
Wagner, AVilliam M 219
Walborn Families 156, 1087
Walborn, Ira Guy 157
Walborn, Jonathan H 150
Walborn, Joseph A 158
Walborn, Maurice D 157
Wallauer, Jacob 379
Walter Families 677, 793
Walter, George W 793
Walters, Henry 92
Walters, William H 92
Warne, Joseph L., M. D 1175
Watson Families 1175, 1186
Watson, George M 1186
Weaklim, WUliam T 63
Weaver (Weber) Family 912
Weber (Weaver) Family 912
Weber, Louis 327
Weber, WOliam F 327
Weidman Family 864
Weidman, Samuel 864
Weiser, Conrad 158
Weishampel Family 119
Weissinger Family 27
Weissinger, George 29
Weissinger, Harry 30
Weissinger, Leonard W 27
Weldon, Michael 1100
Weldy, Charles H 95
Weldy, Henry A ; 93
Wellendorf , Joseph 1080
Wertley Family 266
Wertley, Walter 266
Wertley, Wellington A 267
Wertman Family 820
Wessner Family 431
Whalen, Edward J 1160
Whalen Family 1160
White Families 978, 1090
White, J. S 1090
White, Maj. J. Claude 320
White, Joseph E 978
Whitfield, Joseph .' 928
Whitfield, Mrs. Lottie E 929
Whitfield, Rowland 928
Wie.sner, Dr. Edwin E 384
Wiesner Family 384
Wiest Family 478
Wilhelm, WUliam
Williams, Mrs. Annie
Williams, William
Wingert, Adam
Wingert Family
Wintersteeu, Mrs. John
Withelder FamUies 1079,
Withelder, Frederick
Withelder, John H
Wittich, Henry W
Wittmer, Martin
Wittmer, Mrs. Mary
Wolfgang Family
Wolfgang, Paul
Womer (Woomer) Family 390,
\\'omer, Monroe
Wonders, Newton M
Woolcock, John
Woomer, Elmer
Woomer (Womer) Family 390,
Yarnall Families 472,
Yarnall, Ephraini
Yeager, Alfred A
Yeager Family
Yeingst, Prof". Wilbur M
Yerger Family
Yerger, Henry
Yoder Family
Yoder, Irvin U
YorkvUle Fire Company
Yost, Benjamin J
Yost Families. .322, 402, 446, 660, 798,
Yost, Israel
Yost, James A .•
Yost, Jonathan I
Young, George
Zapf , Charles A
Zapf, William E
Zehner Families 739, 740,
Zehner, Lewis A
Zerbe Family
Zerbe, William E
Zettlemoyer Family
Zettlemoyer, Frank
Zimmerman, Alfred
Zimmerman, Edward
Zimmernuin Families
550, 558, 811, 955, 1093,
Zimmerman, George K
Zimmerman, Robert J
Zimmerman, William H
Zion 's Lutheran Church
Zion 's Reformed Church
Zulich, Mrs. E. R
Zulieh Family
Zulich, Henry B
Zulick Family
Zulick, John S
Zulick, Thomas H. B
224
1050
10.50
884
884
1172
1083
1083
1079
1U77
999
999
771
771
440
390
714
145
440
440
666
.' 666
, 819
. 819
360
, 701
, 701
582
582
456.
797
, 924
924
402
322
821
578
578
984
740
579
579
1093
1093
955
1093
1205
811
550
1205
789
426
233
232
232
603
604
603
fy<rfr/(.j ^. ,sd^A^;
u
Genealogy— Family History
Biography
CHARLES ^I. ATKINS, deceased, was identified with the most impor-
tant industries of Pottsville and as president of the Pottsville Iron & Steel
Company contributed largely to the prosperity of the city. He was born in
Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., March 17, 1827, and died at Pottsville,
Pa., Sept. 3, 1889, having filled with unremitting industry a life of usefulness
and importance to his fellow citizens.
Charles M. Atkins was educated in the common schools of Columbia and
sat at the same desk with Thomas A. Scott, afterwards the president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He began to work for himself very early
in life, his first adventure being freighting on the old Pennsylvania State
road, and in a few years he became one of the leading freighters in this part
of the State. It was not long ere he had a line of barges on the canal and
these, in addition to his teams, made him the most important of the trans-
portation men in this section. At the time he came to Pottsville, in 1853, the
rolling mills, then owned by Yardley & Co., were about to be sold by the
sheriff, and Air. Atkins at once formed a partnership with his brother, Hanson,
and purchased the plant. Soon after they bought the Pioneer furnace, opened
the ore banks in Cumberland county and the colliery at Gilberton, and com-
pletely reorganized the works. When to this extensive plant was added an
outfit of rolling stock, the freighting business, was gradually discontinued and
the docks closed up. From time to time the furnaces were enlarged and
relniilt. their capacity having been doubled five times in the time of Mr.
Atkins's ownership. The rolling mill also grew in capacity during this time
and then the steel plant was added. At one time in Mr. Atkins's control there
were five thousand names on the payroll. When the works were capitalized
anew and incorporated as the Pottsville Iron & Steel Company, with Mr. Atkins
as president, he held nine-tenths of the stock, the remainder being held in the
familv.
Mr. Atkins was so enthused at the opening of the Civil war that he
endeavored to enlist, but his friend. General Cameron, persuaded him that
he would be of greater value to his country if he remained at home and
manufactured the iron so badly needed by the army.
On Oct. s. i8S4. ^Ir. Atkins was united in marriage to Anna M. Prior,
daughter of Rev. Azariah and Isabella (.Adams) Prior. Their children were:
( I I'^Villiam. now a resident of Philadelphia, is in the coal business in Mrginia.
(2) Isabella P. became the wife of Hon. David C. Henning, one of the judges
of Schu>lkill county, and both are now deceased. Their daughter, Anna,
wife of 'Edwin C. Luther, is now living in Pottsville. (3^ Anna P., wife
of .August Heckscher, lives in Xew York City. They have two children.
Vol. I— 1
1
2 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
G. Maurice and Antoinette, the latter married to Hon. Oliver Sylvain Valior
Brett, son of Lord Escher of England, and residing near Windsor Forest,
outside of London (they have one son). (4) Phoebe W. married John C.
Lee, and they had two children: Dorothy, wife of James G. Lucas, and John
C. After his death she married (second) William L. Sheafer, who died April
23, 1912, and his widow lives in Pottsville. They had no children. (5)
Hanson E., living in Pottsville, married Ida F. Green, daughter of the late
Hon. David B. Green, judge of the Schuylkill county courts, and they have
two children, Elizabeth G. and David B. (6) George H., who died J\Iay 21,
1912, left a widow, Esther B. (Hoffman), now residing in Pottsville. He
left no children. (7) John Shippen died April 30, 1902, at the age of twenty-
eight. (8) EHzabeth Inzevand Keim died in 1901, at the age of twenty-si.x.
Mrs. Charles I\I. Atkins is living at the old homestead, corner of Centre
and Mauch Chunk streets. This building was the first mansion erected in
Pottsville and was the work of her husband. It is still one of the handsomest
of the many beautiful dwellings in the city.
JUDGE O. P. BECHTEL is an eminent representative of a name whose
connection with the legal profession and judiciary in Schuylkill county covers
a period of almost fifty years. Retiring from the bench after a continuous
service of thirty years in January, 1908, he was succeeded as president judge
of Schuylkill county courts by his son, Hon. H. O. Bechtel, present incumbent
of that position. Other members of this family have also won high reputation
in the profession.
The Bechtel family is of German extraction and has been settled in eastern
Pennsylvania since Provincial days. The Judge's grandfather was a native
of Bucks county. Pa. John Bechtel, his father, was also born there, near
Doylestown, Oct. 6, 1798. For a number of years he made his home in Berks
county, this State, where he was well known as proprietor of the "Half-Way
House" between Reading and Kutztown, and besides conducting the hotel he
was a mail contractor and stage owner, transporting passengers and the mail
between Easton and Harrisburg, by way of Allentown and Reading, and from
Reading to Pottsville. From Berks county he removed to Northumberland
county. Pa., where he was settled for about a dozen years engaged in farming
and hotelkeeping on what was known as "Warrior Run Farm" ; the stone
tavern which stood upon that property, a few miles from. Watsontown, was a
popular stopping pla< e in its day. Thence in 1847 -^I'"- Bechtel removed to
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and in 1851 to Aliddleport, same county. He
became postmaster at the latter place and continued to hold the position during
the administrations of Pierce, Buchanan and Johnson. Politically he was an
ardent Democrat and maintained an active interest in local, State and national
campaigns. His death took place in the latter part of December, 1872. Mr.
Bechtel was twice married, his second wife, the Judge's mother, being Eliza
S. Beiber, of Berks county, who was born in 1808, daughter of John S. Beiber,
a native of Maidencreek township, Berks county. Mrs. Bechtel died at Mid-
dleport in June, 1880. John Bechtel was the father of the following children:
James B., who died in 1873, was a resident of Reading, Pa., where he served
as district attorney; Louise became the wife of Samuel Young, of Reading,
Pa. ; Alfred B., deceased, was a traveling salesman and clerk : Elmira, deceased,
was the wife of George L. Medler, of Mahanoy City. Schuylkill county;
Francis W., who died Slarch 14, 1906, was a prominent lawyer of Schuylkill
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, TEXXSVLVANIA 3
county; Hettie became the wife of David F. Ritter, a resident of Middleport,
Schuylkill county ; O. P. is next in the family ; T. H. has been in the wholesale
notions business for many years, belonging to the firm of Jones, Bechtel,
Shibely & Company.
O. P. Bechtel was born Jan. 31, 1842, in Northumberland county, Pa., where
he spent his tirst years on his father's farm. He received his early education
principally at ^liddleport, attending public school, and when about eighteen
years of age began teaching in Wayne township, Schuylkill county, being later
similarly employed in Brunswick township. Not long afterwards he registered
at the Allentown Seminary (now iSIuhlenberg College), at Allentown, Pa.,
for part of a year. In September, 18O1, he became connected with Arcadia
Institute, at Orwigsburg, Pa., where he was both teacher and student, and
the year following he took control of the school in Alahanoy City, which he
conducted very successfully until April, 1864. He then gave up teaching
to become bookkeeper for the Preston Coal & Improvement Company at
Girardville, Schuylkill county, holding this position until Alarch 20, 1865.
It was then he began the study of law in the office of Hughes & Dewees, at
Pottsville, Pa. Three years previously he had registered as a student in the
office of his brother, James B. Bechtel, at Reading, Pa., and he now com-
pleted the course, taking his examination for admission to the bar April 12,
1866, and passing with credit. On May loth of the same year he was
admitted to practice in Schuylkill county, and immediately opened an office
on Centre street, Pottsville. It was not long before his conscientious work
and able care of the interests of his clients began to attract attention. He
refused the nomination for district attorney, preferring to devote himself to
private practice, but in the year 1873 he yielded to the solicitations of his
friends in the Democratic party, and accepted the nomination for State
senator from the Tenth district. Though there were three opposing candidates
in the field he was elected by a majority of nearly fifteen hundred votes, and
his three years' service gave the utmost satisfaction. But meantime his pro-
fessional work had increased to such an extent that he feared further public
service would prejudice his personal interests and he declined a renomination
for the senatorship. Until August, 1877, all his time was again given to his
law business. Then at the Democratic convention he was unanimously nomi-
nated for the office of Judge in the court of Common Pleas, to which position
he was elected by a large majority, taking his place upon the bench in Janu-
ary, 1878. At the expiration of his ten years' term he was unanimously
renominated and was reelected by the largest majority ever given a candidate
in Schuylkill county. In 1898 he again received this honor, retiring from the
bench the first Monday in January, 1908, with an almost unprecedented record
of service.
Judge Bechtel's personality entered largely into his popularity and suc-
cess' on the bench. His legal learning, acquired in the pursuit of private
practice and in painstaking research during the many years he was on the
bench, gave him a standing with lawyers generally which held their respect.
His absolute impartiality could not fail to command the admiration of all who
had opportunity to observe or occasion to test it, yet his sympathetic under-
standing, never dulled in all the years of his service as a judge, made all who
depended upon his rulings feel that he aimed to be just without respect of
persons. In his social relations also his personal qualities have been a con-
trolling factor. His considerable influence has been given to the best interests
4 SCHUYLKILL COUiNTY, PENxXSYLVANIA
of his city and county. Judge Bechtel is still active in business as president
of the Merchants' National Bank of Pottsville. He was made a director of
this institution June 19, 1908, and at the same time was elected to the presi-
dency, which he has since held. The bank is one of the strongest in this
region of the State, and both because of the character of its transactions and
of the men at its head deserves the high reputation and standing it enjoys
among the best people.
On Sept. 15, 1868, O. P. Bechtel married Mary Elizabeth Epting, of
Pottsville, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Myer) Epting. Her grandfather
Philip Alyer and great-grandfather John Alyer both held the office of surveyor
general, in that connection becoming very well known in the early days. Two
children, Harry O. and Carrie, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel. The
son was educated at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, and entered his father's,
profession.
GUY EDWARD FARQUHAR (deceased), formerly a member of the
Schuylkill county bar, was born in 1841 at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., at
the old P^arquhar homestead, which was located on the present site of the
courthouse, a son of George Wildman and Amelia Farquhar.
George Wildman Farquhar, Esq., father of Guy Edward Farquhar. was
born in 1802, in the West Indies, and came to Pottsville, Pa., when it was
still a small village. Here he passed the remainder of his life, becoming
known as an upright, dependable and public-spirited citizen. He was ad-
mitted to the bar of Schuylkill county ]\Iarch 29, 1830, and practiced at the
old courthouse at Orwigsbtirg, this county. On Jan. 10, 1842, he had the
honor of delivering an address upon the entering of the Philadelphia & Reading
railroad into Pottsville; it was delivered at what was then the terminus of
the road. Mount Carbon, a short distance below the present city of Pottsville.
Among Mr. Farquhar's children were : Guy Edward ; Fergus G., born Feb.
21, 1845, who died on East Market street, Pottsville, during 1913; Xorman,
an admiral in the L'nited States navy, who died some years ago ; and Frank,
also deceased, who was a prominent engineer, one of his famous works being
the designing of the underground government work beneath the falls of St.
Anthony, Minnesota.
Guy Edward Farquhar, son of George Wildman Farquhar, proved a close
and diligent student, receiving his education in the public schools of Pottsville,
the Pottsville academy, and the University of Mrginia, which he attended one
year, until the war broke out in 1861. Having early determined upon the law
as his field of endeavor, he prepared himself thoroughly for his vocation,
and was admitted to the bar during the Civil war period, having, at the time
of his death, June 17, 1913, just rounded out half a century of practice at the
Schuylkill county bar. His early associates included such brilliant Pennsyl-
vania attorneys as John W. Ryon, F. W. Hughes, Judge Parry, F. W. Dewees,
Lynn Bartholomew, F. W. Bechtel and F. B. Gowen, and he was also an inti-
mate friend personally as well as professionally of ex-Judge G. M. Dallas,
of the L'nited States District court, who in 1913 was retired after long and
faithful service.
In 1868 or 1869 was formed the law firm of Hughes and Farquhar, when
Mr. Farquhar entered into partnership with F. W\ Hughes, and for years they
maintained their standing among the leading legal connections in this section
of the State. After the death of Mr. Hughes Mr. Farquhar continued alone.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEX.\SYL\A.\1A 5
practicing in every court in this part of Pennsylvania and also before the vari-
ous United States courts. In 1864 he was appointed district attorney of the
county, to succeed Franklin B. Govven, whose duties with the Philadelphia &
Reading Company assumed such proportions that he was obliged to relinquish
his local connections. When Mr. Gowen became president of the road, P. \V.
Hughes assisted him in the prosecution of those members of the famous
"Mollie Maguire"' organization who had caused much loss of life in the county
and surrounding countr}'.
When the Schuylkill Valley division of the Pennsylvania railroad made an
effort to enter Pottsville, Mr. Farquhar represented that company in the
memorable legal tight which was undertaken by the Reading Company in
order to prevent the Pennsylvania from entering this territory. The company
opened its lines in 1884, Mr. Farquhar winning the memorable decision which
permitted this action. Under his supervision the company purchased all of the
property on Coal street, and from that time forward he continued as solicitor
for the company. His private practice was wide and varied, and as a legist
he ever held the respect of his fellow members of the profession and the
esteem of the general public. .\t a specially called meeting of the Schuylkill
Bar Association, of which he was for long years the president. President
Judge H. O. Bechtel said in part: "T have the sad duty of announcing that
death has again invaded our ranks and taken a brother. I cannot help but be
impressed, and it cannot be other than a sad duty. Under all circumstances
the death of Mr. Farquhar has been a shock and it serves to impress us what a
slender hold we have upon life. This time Providence has seen fit to take one
whom we loved to call the Xestor of the bar. He had reached the highest
pinnacle of his profession and had the love of the members of the bar and
everyone with whom he associated. He was taken in the zenith of his glory
and removed, as we may say, in the twinkling of an eye. I feel that I can say
that Mr. Farquhar was prepared to go. During several talks with him
recently and in which he dwelt at length upon his belief in the future, I can
say that he felt that it was but a step to that reward which he was striving
to obtain. He always looked at the bright side of life and trials that w^ould
have afflicted other men only developed in him a power to rise above and see
the good in the chastening. He never murmured or complained during his
afflictions, but looked forward to that reward which is taught is the result of
all good service. It was a pleasure to have known Mr. Farquhar, and you
felt good from having associated with him."
In his younger years ^Ir. Farquhar took an active part in Democratic
politics, but when corruption and graft entered so largely into the political
workings of the county he quietly withdrew, although he ever faithfully dis-
charged the duties of good citizenship. From its organization he was a helpful
and earnest member of the board of health. In upholding law and order
in the county he was always one of the most active workers, and for years
participated in the withholding of licenses, by procuring evidence which would
aid the organization in decreasing the number of licenses permitted in the
county. He was the general counsel for the taxpayers' association which
secured the convictions in the famous ballot box stuffing case. Press, bench,
bar and public united in deploring his death. The Chronicle, in its issue of
June 18, 1913, said editorially:
"In the demise of Guy E. Farquhar, the Xestor of the Schuylkill county
bar, there is lost to the legal profession one of its mainstays, extending through
6 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the years of a long life in which his legal counsel was much sought after, he
having figured in many important cases, in addition to being solicitor for great
railroad corporations. Aside from the high place which he occupied in his
chosen profession, he was possessed of those sterling qualities which endeared
him to all with whom he came into contact. In the home circle, in the activities
of a busy church life, in the tasks imposed upon him because of his being the
head of the board of managers of the Pottsville hospital, and in many other
avenues of usefulness, with which his life was closely associated for more
years than are allotted to those of present generations for strenuous work,
he was prominent, and his presence will be sadly missed. He was a true
citizen, whose loyalty to his town was proverbial."
Mr. Farquhar was a man of the highest ideals, both professionally and
personally, and his honesty was never questioned. In the editorial columns
of the Journal the following tribute was paid to him: "The day has closed
for a fine, courtly, scholarly gentleman of the old school, Guy Edward
Farquhar. Yesterday we had the man with us ; to-day, we have only the
memory of the man. But that memory is very sweet because he was so much
of a man, because he always stood unalterably for such high ideals, because
he was a good citizen, a fine, upright lawyer, a good husband and father, and
because he was God-fearing in his every act. He did not live in vain. It is
said of him to-day that he was more generally looked up to and respected than
any other man in Schuylkill county. That, in itself, was worth living for."
Mr. Farquhar devoted a great deal of his time to public matters of all kinds
and was noted for his charity and benevolence, all of which was performed in
a quiet and unostentatious manner. He never sought public praise or com-
mendation for what he accomplished, but went along quietly, well satisfied in
the success of the things which he undertook and repaid with the successful
accomplishment of his efforts. He, with the late William L. Sheafer, prac-
tically attended to all the details of the management of the Pottsville hospital,
of which they were the founders. Some years ago there was an epidemic
of typhoid fever in a suburb of Pottsville, and they secured an old frame
building in Alount Carbon which they fitted up as a temporary refuge. From
this beginning the hospital developed, Mr. Farquhar becoming the first presi-
dent of the board and filling the position until his death. He ever took a keen
interest in the welfare of the Phoenix Fire Company, the charter of which he
had himself secured.
The following is quoted from the editorial page of the Republican, issue of
June i8, 1913: "When any town, no matter how large, suffers the loss of a
man of the type and character of Guy E. Farquhar, a loss is sustained which
even the most optimistic of citizens feel cannot be replaced. Mr. Farquhar
was of that type of man which unfortunately is too infrequently encountered.
His example of manliness, fearlessness and sympathy are lessons which we
wish every citizen, would even in a small way emulate. Possessing one of the
finest minds and finest characters, and a busy man whose moments of recrea-
tion are few, he was a man most easily approached, no matter by whom or on
what mission, and a respectful hearing was assured, after which, in that
kindly, fearless and manly way, he delivered his answer with true judicial mind
and bearing, speaking not that which was wished or that which would please
most, but the truth, tempered with all kindness. He will be missed in many
ways, but his character will live with those who knew him and make better
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA 7
»nen and citizens and more honorable lawyers of all men who were blessed with
his personal acquaintance."
All his lifetime Mr. Farquhar was a faithful and devoted member of the
Episcopal church. He taught Sunday school from the time he was sixteen
years old until within seven or eight years of his death. An excerpt from the
editorial page of the Trinity Church MontJily for July, 1913, will give an idea
of his work in the church. "In the death of Guy E. Farquhar, Esq., this
parish and this community as well have suffered a great loss, a loss which
will be felt all the more because in these days there are very few men of Mr.
Farquhar's ability and position ready and willing to give so much of their time
and thought in such an unselfish way for the good and welfare of the church
and the community in which they live. As a young man, ]\Ir. Farquhar was
superintendent of the St. John's Sunday school, Fishbach, a little later and
for a longer period the superintendent of St. Paul's Sunday school, Alechanics-
ville, and still later superintendent of the church school. For thirty-three years
he served as vestryman and for twenty-one years of that time as one of the
wardens of the parish. Such a record of service is seldom equalled in any
parish. For he was at all times the wise counselor and adviser of the vestry
and rector ; he was ever ready to help in any w'ork or any undertaking that
gave promise of building up and strengthening his parish church, aud he was
not only willing, he was often most desirous, of keeping himself well in the
background. He was content, indeed it was his pleasure, to render the service
and allow the organization or some other individual to receive the praise and
gain the reward. Mr. Farquhar was not content to limit his service to his own
parish, however. He was in the truest sense of the word a Churchman. He
knew what the Church is and what the Chin-ch stands for. In the delibera-
tions of the Diocesan convention few men exercised such an influence as he.
At the meeting of the Standing Committee and the Board of Missions, from
which naught but the most important engagements could keep him, his opinion
and advice were frequently sought and almost invariably followed. No one
rendered a more willing service to the diocese than he, and no one served in
so many different capacities. The example of his life and his services ought
to be given a prominent place, for in these days far too many Christian men,
occupying positions of trust and responsibility, are seeking wealth or name and
fame, rather than the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Surely nothing
is more to be desired, at least when our earthly lives are brought to a close,
than the record of a good life well lived, a life of unselfish, sincere, honest
service for God and our fellows."
Mr. Farquhar was united in marriage with Frances Elizabeth Hughes, the
daughter of Francis W. Hughes, his law partner, and she died in 1910, the
mother of six children: Elizabeth H. died when four years old; Frank H.
died in Pottsville in 1909; George W., a graduate of the University of Penn-
sylvania, for some time practiced in Pottsville, and is now located at Mount
Alto, Pa., where he is engaged in his profession ; Annette is the wife of Frank
Wells, and resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Otto E. is mentioned below ; Marion, who
is a trained nurse, is now located at the Naval hospital, Brooklyn, New York.
At 2:30 o'clock on the afternoon of June 17, 1913, while seated at the
side of his colleague, James J. Moran, in hearing the trial of the New Phila-
delphia school directors' case, before Judge Koch, in courtroom No. 3, at the
courthouse. Air. Farquhar was suddenly stricken by apoplexy, and in spite of
prompt medical attendance died a short time later, without regaining conscious-
8 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
ness. Judge Koch, when informed of his death, immediately ordered a juror
withdrawn, and the court was adjourned. The widely attended funeral serv-
ices were simple, the bereaved family and friends feeling that it would have
been his wish to have no ostentation or display. After the services held at
the family residence, at No. 912 West Alahantongo street, the cortege moved
to the Episcopal Church, where the simple and impressive ritual for the dead
was followed ; the interment was in the Charles Baber cemetery, where this
great and good man was laid to rest at the side of his beloved wife.
Otto E. Farquhar, attorney at law of Pottsville, son of ' the late
Guy E. Farquhar, was bom Dec. 7, 1876, at Pottsville, and gained his prepara-
tory education in the public schools there. Graduating from high school as a
member of the class of 1895, he then took a course in the law department
of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, graduating in 1899, in
which year he was admitted to the Schuylkill county bar. He has ever since
been actively engaged in professional practice there, maintaining offices in the
new Thompson building. His legal work and standing are such that he may
be called a typical member of the Farquhar family. He is retained by the
Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania Railway Companies.
He is a member of the Episcopal Church and the local lodge of the B. P. O.
Elks. Mr. Farquhar married Emily Y. Parker, datighter of Hiram Parker, of
Pottsville. They have one child, Julia Frances.
RLTBENS H. PEALE owns and resides upon the old Peale homestead
in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, settled by his grandfather,
Rubens Peale, in the pioneer period of this region. His great-grandfather was
Charles Willson Peale, the celebrated American portrait painter, w-ho was born
April 16, 1741, in St. Paul's parish, at Chestertown, Queen Anne Co.. Md.,
and died at Philadelphia Feb. 22, 1827.
Charles Willson Peale is buried in old St. Peter's Church at Third and
Pine streets, Philadelphia, and his tomb bears the following inscription :
"CHARLES WILLSON PEALE
Born April 16, A. D. 1741. Died February 22, A. D. 1827. He partici-
pated in the Revolutionary struggle for our Independence. .\s an artist
contributed to the history of the country. Was an energetic citizen, and
in private life beloved by all who knew him."
Thus briefly is outlined a career whose influence in American art and patriotism
is still felt. ^Ir. Peale began life as a saddler, at Annapolis, ^Id., and it is
related that he determined to devote himself to art after viewing a portrait
for the first time, while visiting at Norfolk, Va. As there was little oppor-
tunity in Atnerica at that time for art instruction he had to train himself for
the most part, trusting to his good taste and artistic sense for guidance until
he could visit the art centers for practical assistance. On his return to
Annapolis from Norfolk he painted a likeness of hiinself which turned out so
well that he gave up his trade and made up his mind to apply himself to portrait
painting. He had some instruction from Copley at Boston, and from Benjamin
West when he went abroad, in 1767, being one of a group of American artists
of subsequent fame who were among West's pupils and followers. Returning
to America in 1770, Peale remained in his native land until 1774, meanwhile,
in 1772, painting his first portrait of Washington, as a \'irginia colonel. For
this purpose he visited Mount \'ernon by invitation. How little could either
SCflL'YLKlLL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 9
the subject or the artist foresee at that time the varying vicissitudes through
which their country was to pass, or the exalted future in store for Washington!
Peale has indelibly associated his name with that of his great countryman,
through the products of his brush, painting him in the retirement of Mount
Vernon, amidst the stirring scenes of canij) life, and when president of the
United States. When painting the General in camp at \'alley Forge Mr. Peale
was a soldier himself, and incidentally rose to be a captain of volunteers. In
this year (1777) at Valley Forge, he painted portraits of his fellow officers.
He was in action at Germantown, Trenton and Princeton, which probably
explains the account given of him by a companion in arms who, in describing
Peak's habits, remarked, "He fit and painted and painted and fit."
While in middle life, in 1805, Peale established his celebrated Peale Museum
at Philadelphia, which, in addition to curiosities and natural history specimens,
contained a gallery of paintings, the likenesses of distinguished men in both
military and civil life, which he began gathering as early as 1785. Peale
established it first in his own house at Third and Lombard, then a fairly
fashionable neighborhood. \Mien it outgrew the accommodations there he
rented rooms in the Hall of the Philosophical Society on Fifth street, near
Chestnut street. He gives an amusing and characteristic account of the
moving of the collection; "To take advantage of ptiblic ctiriosity I contrived
to make a very considerable parade of the articles, especially those which were
large. As boys are generally very fond of parading, I collected all the boys
of the neighborhood. At the head of the parade was carried on men's shoul-
ders the American Buffalo, the Panthers, Tiger-Cats, and a long string of
animals carried by the boys. The parade from Lombard street to the Hall
brought all the inhabitants to their doors and windows to see the cavalcade.
It was fine fun for the boys. They were willing to work in such a novel
removal and saved me some expense in moving the delicate articles.''
In 1802 the State Legislature moved to Lancaster. This left the State
House (Independence Hall) vacant. Peale petitioned the Legislature and
was allowed to occupy the building as long as he allowed persons to pass
through the Hall into the State House garden. His son, Rembrandt, used
the east room on the first floor as his studio (the room now held sacred to the
signers), while the entire second floor and tower were given up to the use
of the museum. A catalogue of Peak's Museum issued in 181 3 shows a col-
lection of 235 paintings. In 1816 the city purchased the State House from
the State and at once raised the rent on Peale from $400 to $2,000. As Peale
could not pay so much a compromise was made at $1,200. The museum ran
at a loss for three years and Peale induced councils to reduce the rent to
$600. In 1821 the JXiuseum incorporated itself, and after Peak's death moved
to the Arcade on Chestnut, above Sixth street, then in 1835 to a fine building at
Ninth and Sansom streets (site of present "Continental Hotel").
In 1854 the collection of portraits was sold at auction, the pictures going
all over the country, but eventually one of them came back to Independence
Hall. It was at this sale that the full length portrait of Charles Willson Peale
— representing the artist himself lifting the curtain on a view of the museum —
hanging in the academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, was purchased by the late
Joseph Harrison, whose widow in 1878 presented it to the Academy of Fine
Arts. It was executed by order of the trustees of the museum when Peale ■
was in his eighty-third year, and it is said he painted it without the use of his
glasses.
10 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Charles Willson Peale was not the only talented member of the family
in his generation. He was always referred to as the elder Peale, his younger
brother, James Peale, having been also an admirable artist. At a very early
period of his career he developed particular aptitude in the art of miniature
painting, and his brother on discerning it referred all seeking to have minia-
tures painted to him. In fact, the elder Peale abandoned miniature painting,
for which he had been quite famous, and devoted himself thereafter to por-
traits on canvas. Three of the children of James Peale inherited talent from
their father. His son James, while not pursuing painting as a profession,
executed works that were exhibited. An excellent view of the old Fairmount
waterworks was one of them. The daughters were well known miniature
painters. Anna Claypoole painted likenesses of such noted characters as
General Lallemand, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson and Commodore Bain-
bridge; her sister Sarah, a likeness of Bainbridge also and miniature portraits
of Henry A. Wise, Caleb Cushing and LaFayette in 1825.
The vitality of the stock is evidenced in the long lives of the various
members of the family. The two women artists just mentioned reached the
ages of eighty-seven and eighty-iive, respectively, their brother James, eighty-
seven, and Franklin Peale, a son of Charles Willson Peale, reached the age
of ninety.
"Even in the christening of his children the elder Peale was fired with
artistic fervor. Is it not strange to find in one family such a list of Christian
names as Raphaelle, Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian, and, more wonderful
still, to discover the bearers of them actually, if in varying degrees, fulfilling
the hopes engendered by such names ? But not satisfied with these excursions
into the past, we find the enthusiastic father carrying the glad tidings of art
and antiquity to his daughters, in the names of Angelica and Sophonisba."
Mr. Peale left descendants who maintained the prestige of his name if
they did not add to it. Rembrandt Peale, the most distinguished of his sons,
born in 1778 and painting Washington in 1795, shared to some extent the
honors paid his father's name. He lived down to i860, and his career, in its
activity and variety, resembles his father's, although not partaking of its
military features. He traveled abroad, settled for a time in London and
Paris, and painted many distinguished people. He opened a studio here in
1810. Probably his best American portrait is that of Thomas Jefferson, hang-
ing in the room of the New York Historical Society. This society also owns
his portrait of Stephen Decatur, but any attempted list of his pictures would
be a long one. His activity sought other outlets, and we find him among the
first to practice lithography, gaining a silver medal in 1827 at the Franklin
Institute for a lithograph portrait of Washington. Then, too, he wrote a good
deal. His "Notes on Italy" and "Reminiscences of Art and Artists" are well
known and often referred to and quoted from. (This part of the article
concerning Charles Willson and James Peale is from a sketch by Edward
Biddle.)
Rubens Peale purchased 125 acres of valuable land in North Manheim
township and followed agricultural pursuits there to the close of his life.
He inherited artistic talent from his father and was himself an artist of some
note, but never followed the profession to any extent. He died upon his
farm, and is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Pottsville. To his mar-
riage with Eliza Patterson were bom: C. W., Dr. J. Bird, Mary J. (who
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rENXSYL\'ANL\ 11
acquired reputation as an artist), George and Edward B. Mr. Peale was an
Episcopalian.
Edward H. I'eale was born in New York City, and came to Schuylkill county
with his parents, spending part of his early life on the homestead in North
Manheim town.ship. For a few years he was engaged in business at Shamokin.
Northumberland Co., Pa., as a flour and feed merchant, returning thereafter to
the home place. He was the first dealer in agricultural implements to engage
in business in Schuylkill county, and became widely known among farmers
throughout this section, the convenience of having such an establishment in
their midst making a direct appeal which brought him a large business. He
also engaged in baling hay, being thus engaged for the long period of fifty
years, and acquired a very wide acquaintanceship in that connection. His
busy and successful career closed in December, 1905, and he is buried in the
Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. He was married to Louisa H. Hubley,
daughter of Judge Hubley, of Schuylkill county, and they had two children,
Anna Frances and Rubens H. The daughter is the wife of Dr. Frederick
Carrier, of Philadelphia.
Rubens H. Peale was born Aug. 10, 1872, at the place where he still lives.
He had excellent educational advantages, attending school at Orwigsburg and
Pottsville, and received a thorough and practical business training as his
father's assistant, eventually becoming associated in business with him under
the firm name of E. B. Peale & Son. After his father's death he continued
the business until 1913, since when he has been giving his time to the manage-
ment of his property interests, retaining ninety acres of the old Peale home-
stead place. He built the beautiful mansion thereon which he now occupies,
adjoining the old home.
By his activity in the promotion of modenr institutions and public utilities
Mr. Peale has come to be regarded as a man of leading influence, having the
executive ability to plan and carry out large projects, as he has demonstrated
in his connection with several local enterprises. He was one of the organizers
of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company and one of its original board of
directors, still serving in that capacity and taking an active part in regulating
the aflfairs of the bank; he is chairman of the finance committee. He was one
of the organizers and a director of the Schuylkill Haven & Orwigsburg Street
Railway Company, whose road was later sold to the Eastern Pennsylvania
Railways Company, the present owners.
Mr. Peale was married to Kathryn ]\Ioiifett, daughter of G. W. Moflfett, of
Philadelphia, Pa., and they have one daughter, Ethel, who lives with her
parents. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
PETER K. FILBERT, D. D. S., has been engaged in the practice of
dentistry at Pottsville for over forty years, during which time he has also
acquired important business interests there. He belongs to a Pennsylvania
family which has been established here since Provincial days, and is himself a
native of Marion township, Berks county, bom June 6, 1850, son of Samuel
Filbert. He traces his ancesetry back to Samuel Filbert, the emigrant, and we
have the following record of the early generations of this family.
(I) Samuel Filbert, at the age of twenty-seven, came to the New World
on the ship "Samuel," Hugh Percy, master, sailing from Rotterdam. Tradi-
tion says he came from either Wittenberg or Wurtemberg, Germany. He took
the oath of allegiance Aug. 30, 1737. The original signature was Samuel, but
12 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the clerk who copied the rolls wrote it Daniel, thereby causing some confusion.
Samuel Filbert's wife's name was Susanna. He died in 1786, and his second
son, Philip, filed papers as administrator of the estate Nov. 2, 1786. His
grave is in the center of the old North-Kill cemetery, but the inscription on
his white marble tombstone (as are those over the graves of his son Thomas
and grandson Samuel ) is now illegible. To Samuel and Susanna Filbert were
born six children, and the names and births and dates of baptism of the last
five are taken from the records of Rev. John Casper Stover, who spells the
name "Philbert" and gives the residence as "North-Kill." The children were:
John Thomas, the eldest, married Catharine Batteiger (time and place of his
birth unknown) ; Maria Catharina, born Oct. 25, 1739, baptized Dec. 30, 1739,
sponsors, Andreas Knaft and wife, married Nov. 10, 1760. John Heinrich
Ache; Anna Elizabetha, born Dec. 6, 1741, baptized Dec. 7, 1741, sponsor
Anna Elizabeth Knaft, married May 16, 1763, John Henry Webber, a captain
in the Revolutionary war; John Philip, born Dec. 7, 1743, was baptized Dec.
27, 1743, sponsors Philip I\Ieeth and wife; John Peter, born Aug. 22, 1746,
was baptized Aug. 31, 1749, sponsors, Peter Muench (or Minnich ) and wife
Christina; Maria Christina, born May 25, 1749, was baptized May 28, 1749,
sponsors Peter Muench (or Minnich) and wife Christina. The three sons
having the first name John in common dropped it and became known as
Thomas, Philip and Peter.
Samuel Filbert and Godfried Fidler each gave an acre of ground to the
old North-Kill Lutheran congregation at Bernville. This congregation was
formed in 1730, and services were held in the different homes until 1743,
when a log church was built on the part donated by Samuel Filbert. Each
acre was in the form of a triangle, so that the two acres formed a square.
On Dec. 25, 1745, each signed an agreement to deed to the trustees the acre
in question, neither having as yet raised their patents from the proprietaries.
Samuel Filbert deeded his in 1771. In 1791 the log church was replaced by
a brick building, which Philip Filbert, son of Samuel, was instrumental in
building; in 1897 the present handsome brownstone edifice was erected. Back
of the chancel in the new building is a beautiful stained glass window to
"Samuel Filbert, Founder. 1743."
(II) Philip Filbert, second son and fourth child of Samuel and Susanna,
born Dec. 7, 1743, was a captain in Weaver's battalion, and was mustered into
service Dec. 3, 1777, for thirty days. On June 4, 1777, a commissitJn was
forwarded to Col. Jacob Morgan, by Timothy Matlack, secretary of the
executive council, for the 6th Battalion. Philip Filbert was commissioned
captain of the 8th Company. In 1778 he served as captain of the 6th Bat-
talion, and in 1780 he held a similar rank in the 2d Battalion. He died Aug.
20, 181 7. He married Anna Maria Myers, and his will, probated Oct. 17,
1817, provides for his wife Anna IMaria ; devises his farm in Heidelberg to
his son John (grandfather of George of Womelsdorf ) ; leaves a bequest to
his grandson Peter, son of his deceased son Samuel; and mentions a daughter
Catharine. The will also mentioned Maria ]\Iagdalena, as a daughter of his
wife. He is buried in Bernville.
(III) John Filbert, son of Philip, was bom on the Filbert farm at North-
Kill. He was a carpenter by trade, and became a very wealthy man, owning
considerable land, and was widely known and prominent in public affairs.
His genial disposition gathered him many friends, young and old, and he
heartily enjoyed a good smoke and cheerful company. He married Anna
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rilXXSYLXANlA 13
Maria Leiss, dauylUcr of llenrich Lciss. Their childrL-n were: John married
and had children, AmeHa, John Franklin and liiester W. ; Samuel is men-
tioned heiow ; Anna Maria married John Groff, a farmer of IJernville ; Eliza-
beth married Daniel Sohl, of Heidelberg, steward of the county home for
twelve years (no issue) ; Gabriel married Elizabeth Kintzer, and among their
children were Adam, John, Michael, Frank, Emma. Isaac. Maria and George ;
Elias married Leah Kintzer, and had a daughter Isabella (married to Dr. L. A.
Livingood. and died in 1899) • 'i"d Matilda married Augustus Leiss, and had
children, Amelia, Emma and Alaria.
(R) Samuel Filbert, son of John and father of Dr. Peter K. Filbert, was
bom in iSio, in Heidelberg township, now North Heidelberg, but formerly
called North-Kill, on the farm owned by the county controller, Dr. H. F.
Livingood, and farmed for forty years by Nathaniel Blatt. He died Dec. 9,
1872, aged sixty-two years, si.x months. He devoted himself to farming and
was very successful. At the time of his death he was the owner of two farms,
both now the property of his son George. His political support was given
to the Democratic party, and he was frequently the choice of the people for
public otifice, holding at different times all the various township offices. From
1859 to 1862 he was a director of the poor for Berks county. He and his
family were Lutherans, and attended the Union Church at Womelsdorf, in
which he was very active, at one time serving as trustee, and also holding the
offices of deacon, elder and treasurer. His remains rest in the family' plot
in the cemetery there. He had an untarnished reputation for honesty and
integrity, and he practiced in his daily life the high principles of morality of
the faith he professed. He married Catharine Kalbach, daughter of John
Kalbach and wife (whose maiden name was Ruth), of North Heidelberg
township. To this marriage were born children as follows : John died aged
sixty-seven years, leaving two sons, William and Samuel; William S., of
Womelsdorf, had four children, John E., William D., Kate and Harry (de-
ceased) ; Rebecca married Edward Killmer, of Stouchsburg, and had two
children. Emma and John ; George has been twice married, having four chil-
dren by his first wife and two by his second; Sarah died in 1844; Alaria mar-
ried Jonathan Dundore, and had two children, Charles and Kate ; Amelia
married Albert Faust and had a son, William; Adam M., of Lebanon, had
one son ; Dr. Peter K. is a resident of Pottsville.
(\') Peter K. Filbert attended public school in Marion township. When
he began to support himself he clerked in a general store at Womelsdorf, in
his native county, for a short time, and then, in 1871, entered the Pennsyl-
vania Dental College at Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in
March, 1873. Immediately afterwards he established himself at Pottsville,
where he has been successfully engaged in practice ever since. The large
patronage he commands is sufficient evidence of the strong place he holds in
the confidence of his patients. His standing with his professional brethren
is equally good, and he is an honored member of the Lebanon \'alley Dental
Association, Schuylkill County Dental Society, Lackawanna Dental Society
and the Pennsylvania State Dental Society (of which he has been president),
having held office in all these organizations except the Lackawanna Society.
His home and dental offices are at No. 206 West Market street, Pottsville.
When the Schuylkill Trust Company was established he was one of the organ-
izers, and he has maintained his connection with that concern ever since, being
now the second vice president. Other business interests have also claimed
14 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
his attention. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, being a member of Pulaski
Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., of which he has been master; Mountain City
Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest; Constantine
Commandery, No. 41, K. T., which he served as captain general; Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; Miners' Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F., of which he is
a past grand, and Franklin Encampment, No 4. Though independent in
politics his principles are those of the Democratic party. His religious con-
nection is with the Episcopal Church, and he is one of the vestrymen.
Dr. Filbert was married Feb. 25, 1875, to Julia M. Sell, daughter of John
H. Sell, of Berks county, and they had a family of hve children: Bertha A.,
Edward S., J. Catherine, Emily Elizabeth and Mary AI. The son received
his literary education in Pottsville high school, later taking a course in the
dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1907, since
when he has practiced in association with his father.
JAMES B. REILLY, of Pottsville, has a record of professional success
and public service equaled by few of his fellow members at the Schuylkill
county bar. His legal patronage is not confined to his own county, but drawn
from a wide territory, and he practices in all the State courts and the United
States Supreme court.
Bernard Reilly, father of James B. Reilly, was a native of County Meath,
Ireland, born in 182 1, and spent his early life in that country. Coming to
America in 1842, he was a resident of Schuylkill county. Pa., the remainder
of his life, in 1850 making his home permanently in Pottsville, where he died
in 1889. He had a successful business career as a railroad contractor, doing
responsible work for the Canada & Atlantic, Schuylkill & Susc|uehanna and
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Companies. A family of eleven children
was born to him and his wife Margaret, nine daughters and two sons, James B.
and Frank P. The latter, a telegraph operator, also made his home at
Pottsville.
James B. Reilly was born Aug. 12, 1845, in West Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, and removing to Pottsville shortly before he became of
school age, received his early education there. He attended high school, and
though he was not permitted to take a college course, did not give up study,
which indeed he has found very necessary to him all through life. His legal
training was obtained under Hon. Francis Wade Hughes, association with
whom would be a liberal education for any young man, and he was admitted
to the Schuylkill county bar Jan. 11, 1869. In the forty-six years which have
elapsed since he has combined professional work with public service most hap-
pily, in fact his legal experience has never been used to better purpose than in
the discharge of his official duties. From the start he made so good an impres-
sion upon his fellow citizens in the county that in 1871 he was the successful
candidate for district attorney, in which position he served three years. His
election to Congress followed immediately, in 1874, from the Thirteenth dis-
trict, and at the close of the term he had additional proof of the approval of
his supporters in his reelection. With a record which bore favorable com-
parison with that of his colleagues he returned to Pottsville to devote all his
time to practice, which came to him from' many quarters, and the character
of his clients was sufficient indication of the reputation he had established.
After about ten years of private practice he was returned to Washington, being
elected a member of the Fifty-first Congress in 1888 and retained for three
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVAXLA. 15
successive terms, until Alarch 4, 1895. A pronounced Democrat, in a district
where contests made on party lines are always close, his reelections were a
frank tribute to the ability with which he was handling issues of importance
to his locality as well as to his stand on national questions. There was never
anything equivocal in his position on measures directly affecting his home
county. He was absolutely loyal to the people who chose him to represent
them, and in the larger affairs of government also expressed their wishes to
their satisfaction, as an exponent of the most liberal progress of the day. His
Congressional associates thought so highly of his talents that he was appointed
to membership on a number of important committees, including the Pacific
Railroad committee, the select committee on the Columbian Exposition and
that on Alines and ^Mining. As a lawyer his services were invaluable in the
framing of legislation. He was one of the authors of the law making it
possible to grant a pension to a soldier's widow immediately upon his death,
and sole author of that portion of the bankrupt law which relates to the
preferred claims of workingmen for their wages; it was incorporated into the
law upon his amendment. In 1890 he advocated the enforcement of the eight-
hour-day rule for manual laborers. He was one of the fourteen representa-
tives who voted for the measure to afford government aid to bona fide settlers
on the public lands under the homestead law, which at the time was considered
a most effective means of developing and promoting the general prosperity
and welfare of the country. The enumeration testifies abundantly to the fact
that he has been ranged on the side of the most progressive legislation agitated
in Congress during his terms, and moreover, that he was fearless in advocating
a revolutionary course when it seemed necessary. At one time Mr. Reilly was
in a fair way to become Democratic floor leader in the House, which circum-
stance alone stamped him as one of the strongest Congressmen of his party,
who regarded his defeat in 1894 as a distinct loss. But he had held his seat
long enough to complete a number of important undertakings he began, and
made a name which reflected credit upon his district as well as himself. His
work will stand with the best of its day. During Cleveland's second term
Mr. Reilly was appointed United States marshal for the eastern district of
Pennsylvania and had offices in the Federal building in Philadelphia, but
continued to carry on practice at Pottsville.
As a Democrat Mr. Reilly has done notable work for his party from young
manhood. While in the public service he was always true to the principles of
Democracy, and he has given freely of his time and counsel to the manage-
ment of the party organizations, in which his participation has been welcomed.
He has served as permanent chairman of various State conventions, and was
a delegate to the National convention of 1880, when Hancock was nominated
for the presidency.
Mr. Reilly has been honored in his professional capacity on several occa-
sions. In 1881 and 1882 he was chosen as candidate for additional law judge,
and in the summer of 1913 as candidate for justice of the Superior court.
Undoubtedly his association during the years he was preparing for his legal
career, and in its early stages, with men whose greatness has reflected glori-
ously on Schuylkill county, fostered his ambition and set high standards for
his guidance, and the hearty indorsement he has received from his professional
associates is conclusive evidence that his knowledge of the law and ripe
experience are recognized by the most competent judges. His vigorous mind
has made him independent of conventional ideas on most subjects, broad-
16 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENxNSYLVANIA
minded and generous towards the opinions of others, yet a safe counselor
and level headed thinker whose ability has been proved ni many severe tests.
In business Mr. Reilly has been mterested in the Schuylkill Real Estate,
Title, Insurance & Trust Lompany, serving as member of its board of directors,
and he is a member of the Board of Trade.
In 1868 ^ir. Reilly married Mary A. JM. Hoey, daughter of Owen Hoey,
the latter born in Ireland, but a resident of Pottsville throughout his mature
years. Frank X. Reilly, the eldest son of this union, has gained prominence
as an architect, having his home and office at Pottsville ; he drew the plans
for the armory. Mr. Reilly is a Catholic in religious faith.
HON. RICHARD HENRY KOCH. The annals of Schuylkill county
record the history of no name more prominently associated with the pioneer
history of eastern Pennsylvania than that of the Koch family.
Henry Koch, the great-great-grandfather of Richard Henry Koch, took
an active part as a soldier in the French and Indian war. He left a family
of eight children, one of whom, William Koch, was the great-grandfather
of Richard Henry Koch. He was born April i, 1747, at New Hanover, near
Philadelphia, where he spent his childhood and early youth. Later he lived in
Oley township, Berks county. It was he who established the family name
on the soil of Schuylkill cotinty, by moving into Brunswick township (then
in Berks county) about the year 1780 and locating near the present site of
the village of McKeansburg, in East Brunswick township. William Koch
was twice married, his second wife, Maria JNIargaret Neufang, being the
mother of Flenry Koch, the paternal grandfather of Judge Koch. Maria
Neufang's father, Baltzer (Balthaser) Neufang, was twice married. On
the 6th of March, 1756, the Indians murdered his first wife and their son on
his plantation, which adjoined the one on a part of which the "Seven Stars
Hotel" now stands. Alaria sprang from the second marriage, and was born
on the 27th of April, 1766. It thus appears that Judge Koch springs from an
ancestry that had its abode here more than half a century before the erection
of Schuylkill county. William Koch died on his farm in East Brunswick
township. May 3, 1832.
Grandfather Henry Koch was born on the old homestead in East Bruns-
wick township, Schuylkill county, Oct. 5. 17QI, and died at New Ringgold
March 19, 1867. He spent his life in the vicinity of his birthplace, and was
a prosperous farmer, miller and merchant. He married Susanna Bock, the
only daughter of Balthaser Bock, who came to this country from Prussia
with his parents when he was a small boy. He was born on March 30, 1746,
in Aide Hassen, in the Countship of Hannau. Balthaser Bock served with
the Continental army in the Revolutionary war.
Henry Koch had ten children, of whom Daniel, Judge Koch's father, was
the eldest. He was born at what is now known as Kunkle's Mill, which was
erected by his father, his birth occurring on Dec. 24, 1816. On the 24th of
October, 1830, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Beck, who repre-
sented an old family in this section of Pennsylvania. Her grandfather was
a gtinsmith. by reason of which he was exempted from the performance of
military duty during the Revolutionarv war. Marv .Ann Beck was born mi
Jan. 24, 1818, and died Aug. 26, 1888. Eleven children were born to the
marriage of Daniel and Mary Ann Koch, namely: Harriet, Francis D , .Allen
Jeremiah, Albert B., Sarah, Richard Henry, Emanuel, Arenius, Kate and
^7:c^x^
SCliL'VLKlLL COUNTY, PF.XXSYLXANJA 17
Ambrose Ellsworth. Ten of the number lived to maturity, Allierl having
died in childhood. Francis, the eldest son, served throughout the Civil war,
ami .Allen servetl more than three years. The father and his third son served
together during the emergency call when the State was invaded by the Con-
federate army. Daniel Koch, with three of his sons and three of his brothers,
volunteered and served in the Union armies in the Civil war.
Excepting about a year spent in a store in Philadelphia, when a boy of
sixteen, Daniel Koch lived in the vicinity of his birthplace until 1844, when
he removed to Middleport and engaged in the mercantile business. Prior to
1844 he was engaged in farming, milling, huckstering or the mercantile busi-
ness. In 1S57 he moved to .\uburn and resumed farming operations, his
earlier life work. In 1866 he purchased a flouring mill at Monocacy, Berks
Co., Pa., but sold it soon afterwards, and the next year purchased a similar
property at Fleetwood, in the same county, where he established the family
home. He continued to operate his milling business until 1882, after which
time he lived in retirement until his death, on Jan. 7, 1903. He was an ardent
Republican and active in the councils of his party. He was the Whig candi-
date for the office of sheriff of Schuylkill county in 1854, but was defeated.
He was elected as a representative in the State Legislature in i860.
Richard Henry Koch was born at Middleport, Schuylkill Co., Pa., on
April 2, 1832. He was educated in the public schools of the locality in which
he lived, and prepared for his enrollment as a student at the State Normal
School at Kutztown, Pa., in the spring of 1868. He was graduated from that
institution in 1871, with the first honors in his class. For two years he engaged
in teaching in Schuylkill and Lehigh counties, and then returned to his alma
mater, where he taught mathematics and civil government for six years.
While thus employed he also turned his attention to institute work, and was
engaged as instructor and lecturer at teachers' institute in a number of
adjacent counties. In June, 1879, he resigned his chair at the normal school
to take up the study of the law, becoming a student under the tutorship of
the late Hon. Francis W. Hughes, of Pottsville. Mr. Hughes was then one
of the leading law-yers in America. Mr. Koch was admitted to practice in the
courts of Schuylkill county on the 2d of May, 1881, and was later admitted
to practice in the Supreme court of Jhe State, and, in 1890, to the Supreme
court of the United States. He is a thorough lawyer, devoted to his profes-
sion, and maintains high standing in social and business circles. He is an
active and earnest Republican, a talented and vigorous campaign orator, and
a systematic political organizer. He was chairman of the Republican county
committee in 1883 and 1884. Mr. Koch served three years as deputy district
attorney, from 1887 to 1S90, and in the fall of 1889 he was elected to that
office. The election was a high compliment to his popularity, in that the
county was considered hopelessly Democratic. He was the nominee of his
party for the ofifice of judge of the Common Pleas in 1892, but was defeated,
Grover Cleveland, candidate for president, carrying the county by a plurality
of 2,251 votes. In 1895 t^he Republican county convention of Berks county
unanimously nominated him for judge of the Common Pleas in that county.
He was earnestly solicited and urged to accept the nomination, and did so,
notwithstanding the fact that the normal Democratic majority was from
9,000 to 10,000 in that Gibraltar of the Democracy. The majority of President
Judge Ermentrout, his competitor, was less than 4,800.
He was appointed judge by Governor Hastings, on the death of Judge Weid-
Vol. I — 2
18 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
man, in September, 1897, and was his party's candidate in 1898, but owing to
the great anti-yuay fight that year the election resulted in favor of every Dem-
ocratic candidate in Schuylkill county. In 1907 he was nominated for judge
by the popular vote of his party in Schuylkill county, and it is widely believed
that his defeat in the general election was encompassed by ballot box stuffing,
the widespread existence of which was finally unearthed and perpetrators
thereof prosecuted a few years later.
During his absence from home in the summer of 191 1 certain lawyers cir-
culated a petition to have his name placed on the primary ballot for the judicial
nomination, and he was once more nominated by the popular vote of the
Republicans. In the election that subsequently ensued he was elected by a large
majority over his two competitors. And since the first day of January, 1912,
when the oath of office was administered to him, he has been discharging the
duties of his office in a highly acceptable manner.
Judge Koch was married Sept. 30, 18S4, to Annie S. Phillips, whose father,
Capt. William Phillips, was fatally wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor dur-
ing the Civil war. Judge and Mrs. Koch have four children : Roscoe Richard,
who is practicing law at Pottsville ; Helen Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Joel T.
Boone, an assistant surgeon in the United States navy ; ^Marshall ]\IcKinley. a
mechanical engineer at Denver, Colo. ; and Mary ]\Iarjorie, at home.
The Judge is associated with a number of fraternal organizations. He has
been a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America since 1871, is one of
the charter members of the Pottsville lodge of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and is a Mason of high standing. For more than eighteen
years he was a director of the Centennial and Memorial Association of \'''alley
Forge, which was established for the purpose of preserving Washington's
headquarters at this historically sacred spot. L^pon the acquisition of the
headquarters by the State the Association was dissolved. Judge Koch was for
years a trustee of the Pottsville Hospital, and for a long time has been a
member of the board of trustees of the Keystone State Normal School, located
at Kutztown, Pennsylvania. He has been a member of the Pottsville Club
since 1892, and was for more than s:x years its president. During his incum-
bency of said office the club acquired its present beautiful quarters on Alahan-
tongo street. For more than a generation the famous Third Brigade Band of
Pottsville has had its most ardent and persistent supporter in him. For some
time he has been president of the board of trustees of the Second Presbyterian
Church.
Judge Koch's activities have not been confined to the law. During the years
1896 and 1897 he was president and general manager of the company operating
the local trolley road, but relinquished this position in January, 1898, because
of his judicial duties. It was during his administration "that the line to Schuvl-
kill Haven was built. He opened that road on the same day that he took his
oath of office as judge, the nth of October, 1S97. For several years he was
president of the Rapid Transit Company and of the Lookout Mountain Inclined
Plane at Chattanooga, Tenn. He was the first president and general manager
of the Cumberland & Westernport Electric Railway Company, and still con-
tinues one of its board of directors. He was also for a time connected with the
Wilmington and New Castle trolley line. He financed the building of the
Shamokin Extension Electric Railway, of which company he is the president.
He was also president of the Danville & Bloomsburg Street Railway Company
until its acquisition by another company.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 19
COL. NICHOLAS SEITZINGER founded a family in Schuylkill county
whose members were among the most potent forces for progress in the early
days, and some of his posterity continue to reside here, ready to aid in every
good cause and ranking with the most intelligent citizenship of the present as
those of the race have always done.
Colonel Seitzinger was born in Reading, Berks Co., Pa. He had two
brothers, Michael and Alexander, the latter dying unmarried. Nicholas
Seitzinger married Barbara Setley, who died at Reading, after which the
Colonel settled at what is now Fountain Springs, in Schuylkill county. Pa. He
died there in 1835. He gave the land for the burial ground at that place and
is interred there. His family consisted of eight sons and one daughter,
namely: (i) Nicholas, who died at Reading, Pa., married Catharine Reese,
and among their children were Alfred, Charles, Jacob, Harry, Amelia and
Emma. (J) John, who died at Reading, married a Mrs. Brumm and had
children: Henry, John, Amos, Rebecca and Sarah. (3) Daniel, who died
in Iowa, married Mary Bean, and they became the parents of Edward, William,
Jacob, Frank, Rebecca, Hester, Lavina, Heber, Mary and Jane. (4) Henry
died at Pottsville. (5) Jacob is next in the line of descent, mentioned below.
(6) Samuel, who died at Port Carbon, this county, married Anna Louisa
Dreibelbis and (second) Hannah Reed. To the first union were born Charles,
Augustus and Caroline. By the second there were Jeremiah, Samuel, Thomas,
Charity Ann, Eliza, Matilda, and another whose name is not known.
(7) Peter, who died at Fountain Springs, this county, married Catharine
Shelly, by whom he had Joseph S., Charles L., Emmanuel, Peter W., Henry,
Amanda, Barbara, Alice and Catharine. (8) George, born Jan. 8, 1781, died
at Fountain Springs, April i, 1862. He married Catharine Kantner, who was
born May 13, 1777, and died June 29, i860, and they had a family of nine
children: Nicholas K., Peter K., William (born June 28, 1805, died July 21,
185 1 ; his wife, Maria, born May 13, 1809, died June 5, 1890, and their son
Erastus, born Sept. 17, 1829, died June 22, 1868), George, Harriet, Maria,
Kittie, Barbara and Eliza. (9) Catharine married William Scott, and had
the following family : William, John, James, Samuel, Barbara, Betsy and
Catharine. James went West, to California.
Jacob Seitzinger, son of Nicholas, was one of the prominent business men
of Pottsville in the early days, settling there in 1816. He was one of the
leading capitalists of his day, conducted a sawmill, tannery and brickyard,
making the first brick in this section, and built the first brick house in Potts-
ville. His progressive spirit drew him into many of the most ambitious under-
takings of his time. He was one of the organizers of the old Miners' National
Bank at Pottsville, and was its first notary. He was one of the owners of
Penn Hall, built and owned the "Exchange" hotel, and also erected the old
''Mortimer House." The only public position he held was that of justice of
the peace. Few men of the borough were more intimately associated with its
interests for the quarter of a century he resided there.
Mr. Seitzinger married Elizabeth Moyer, daughter of George Moyer, and
she survived him many years, his death occurring at Pottsville, May 23, 1844,
hers in 1888. at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Hippel, in Kansas.
Eight children were born to this union : Jeremiah was a resident of Potts-
ville, but his death occurred in Denver, Colo. ; Susanna married Joseph
Kitchen, but had no children ; Israel, who died at Gordon, Pa., married Mar-
garet Heebner, of Port Carbon, who continued to make her home at Gordon
20 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
after his death (they had three children, John L., James and William) ; Isa-
bella married Robert N. Palmer, of Pottsville; Lizzie married ^^'ashi^gton
Bigler; Sarah married J. K. Fernsler ; Annetta married Joseph AI. Schuyler;
Adelia married Charles D. Hippel and (second) Henry Streiff, and now lives
in Effingham, Kansas.
Joseph M. Schuyler was a native of Northumberland county, Pa., and
settled at Pottsville, where he engaged in the manufacture of screens, follow-
ing that business for many years. In his early manhood he taught school in
his native county. His death occurred in Pottsville in 1880. His wife,
Annetta (Seitzinger), died in 191 1, and they are buried in the Presbyterian
cemetery at Pottsville. Their family consisted of three children: Joseph AI.,
deceased; Elmer, who lives at Pottsville; and Mary' Isabella, also of Potts-
ville, who is an active worker in all movements intended for the social and
material betterment of the community, and highly esteemed among her neigh-
bors and friends.
An interesting paper read before the Schuylkill County Historical Society
.Dec. 27, 191 1, by Sliss Elizabeth Eastman, contains so many items portraying
life in Pottsville \in the early days, and so much concerning the Seitzingers
which should find a permanent place in their records, that we append most of
it here :
"Annetta Seitzinger was born in September, 1828, and died in August,
191 1, so that her life covered almost the entire period of the history of Potts-
ville. Her wonderfully keen and accurate memory was a treasure house of
facts about the local history of the town, and even in her old age she retai'ied
this vivid recollection of persons, places and incidents of the old days. She
was born in a house which stood where the Exchange Hotel now stands.
When she was only six weeks of age the family moved into what is now the
Spicker building, afterwards used as the post office. The lower floor of this
building was then occupied by Trego & Leib, dealing in dry goods and groceries.
Mr. Seitzinger began the building of the Exchange Hotel, which he com-
pleted in 1829. Pie was a contractor and builder, and built many houses in
Pottsville, some of which are now standing. . . . Mrs. Schuyler (nee
Seitzinger) said that her first clear recollection was of the farm at Bull's
Head, which belonged to her father at that time, being part of the Seitzinger
coal tract. She was taken out there with her mother, who was bringing dinner
to the men working on the farm, and she remembered — as children often do
remember little things — that each man was given a small rice pudding of his
own.
"In those days the citizens of Pottsville lived closer to the wild life of
the woods than we do today. One time Mrs. Seitzinger went out to the old
Turnpike road in the afternoon to visit her friend, Mrs. Starr, and had to
remain all night, because the wolves made it dangerous for her to come home.
At another time Mrs. Schuyler's brother came into the house saying that
there was a sort of cow on the street near their gate. It proved to be a deer
running along on Centre street, and it soon was driven back up Sharp
Mountain.
"The Seitzinger family came to Pottsville in 1816 and lived first on the
site of the Merchants' bank, then on Union street opposite the old depot in
a house which has now been moved back into the alley. Mr. Seitzinger had
a brickyard where the Coal and Iron Company shops are now. He built the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, I'EXX'SYLVANLA 21
ILiuse building- with brick which he had manufactured himself, and brought
the workmen from Reading. It was the first brick building in Pottsville.
'Tn a building on the site of the old Coal and Iron building on Centre
street was a parochial school, kept by the Sisters of St. Anne, an Order that
came here from Reading in 1837. There Mrs. Schuyler went to school.
Although called the convent, this school never was a convent in the strict
sense of the word. There never has been a convent in Pottsville, as there has
not been a training school for novitiates here. In 1840 the present school
building at the corner of Seventh and Mahantongo streets was erected, and
the school moved there. So it occupied the Centre street building for only
three years. This had a free and pay department both, and music and embroi-
dery, as well as common branches, were taught. When Annetta Seitzinger
was there, she embroidered a large and elaborate sampler, still in the possession
of the family. The young student of embroidery did not lack ambition, for
one of the most popular designs was 'The Last Supper,' a large and ambitious
work, containing twelve figures, and involving a vast amount of painstaking
effort. But we must not conclude that only these more feminine arts occupied
the time of these little pupils at the convent so many years ago. Science was
also included in the curriculum, and here, in a pink muslin cover, is a little
volume inscribed on the fly leaf, 'Annetta Seitzinger's Book, Feb. 21st, 1839.
This is First Lessons in Natural Philosophy for Children, by Miss Mary A.
Swift, principal of the Litchfield Female Seminary, Second Edition, published
in Hartford, by Belknap and Hamersly, in 1837.' The arrangement of the
book would seem curious to us to-day. The first twelve chapters cover the
following subjects: solids and fluids, elasticity, motion, attraction and gravi-
tation, the lever, wheel and a.xle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, pulley, motive
power and friction, and curious clocks. The chapter on natural forces con-
tains the Biblical story of Samson. Then come several chapters on physical
geography, about lakes and springs. In one chapter is an account of the
Dead Sea, with the statement that it was caused by the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah. Then comes a chapter on specific gravity, and the barometer,
section, sound, light and heat. The language is very simple and the lessons
are all given in the form of question and answer. Another school book was
colled 'The Young Ladies' Class Book,' a selection of lessons for reading in
prose and verse, by Ebenezer Bailey, principal of the Young Ladies' High
School in Boston, published by Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, in Boston in 1840..
Some of the subjects of these readings present a striking contrast to readings
for children at the present time. One is 'On the relative Value of Good Sense
and the Beauty in the Female Sex,' from an English paper — The Literary
Gazette. It concludes with this ornate paragraph : 'The favored child of
nature, w^ho combines in herself these united perfections, may be justly con-
sidered as the masterpiece of the creation ; as the most perfect image of the
Divinity here below. Man, the proud lord of creation, bows willingly his
haughty neck beneath her gentle rule. Exalted, tender, beneficient is the love
that she inspires. Even time himself shall respect the all-powerful magic of
her beauty. Her charms may fade, but they shall never wither and memory
still, in the evening of life, hanging with foul affection over the blanched rose,
shall view, through the vale of lapsed years the tender bud, the dawning
promise, whose beauty once blushed before the beams of the morning sun.'
"In 1841 ]\Ir. John M. Crosland and Mr. John T. Hazzard arranged for a
fimeral pageant to take place in Pottsville at the time of the funeral of Presi-
22 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
dent William Henry Harrison, on April nth. Each State in the Union was
represented by a young girl. Elizabeth Seitzinger (now Mrs. Bigler) repre-
sented the Goddess of Liberty, and the subject of this paper, Annetta Seit-
zinger, represented the State of Georgia."
Here follows the account of the pageant published in the Pottsville Empo-
rium of May I, 1841, from which we quote a couple of paragraphs of special
interest in this connection.
"The Field and Staff Officers of the 30th Regiment P. M. looked unusually
well, but their appearance was entirely eclipsed by the next body in the
procession. They consisted of 2,2 young ladies, from the age of 8 to 16
years — the eldest representing the Genius of Liberty, the whole Union ! while
26 represented the several states, one the District of Columbia, and four the
Northwestern, Florida, Oregon and Iowa Territories.
"We do not flatter ourselves with the idea of doing justice to this interest-
ing part of the procession, but we should be wanting in common justice and
the parental feeling of our nature, were we to omit the acknowledgment of
our thanks to those who were instrumental in its accomplishment, and our
heartfelt satisfaction at the beauty, correct deportment and interesting appear-
ance of the young daughters of our republic.
"The representative of our free and happy land deserves the most flat-
tering encomiums of our citizens, for her maidenly reserve, her dignified
deportment, and her able representation of the character throughout; which,
with the appearance of the representative of New York and Pennsylvania on
either side, in support of her, put all doubts of propriety and beautiful effect
to flight.
"The representative of Ohio was in deep mourning, supported by Massa-
chusetts and Kentucky. Next came Virginia and Maryland, with their little
relative, the District of Columbia. The remainder of this interesting retinue
followed, two and two, each bearing a small blue silk banner with the State
designated in gilt letters. All were apparelled in white dresses with black
caps and black crepe veils, and never have we seen a better behaved or more
interesting assemblage in our mortal career. We expect to carry this impres-
sion with us to our graves; and while it is a source of proud satisfaction to
the youthful hearts engaged in it, it leaves a lasting impress upon the reflective
mind, of more value than all the idle pageantry attending the ceremonials of
royalty
"Each girl who took part in the procession was given a certificate bearing
the following words: 'Reward of Alerit. The Committee of Arrangements
appointed by the Citizens of Schuylkill County to arrange the Funeral Pro-
cession in honor of the memory of the late President of the United States,
William Henry Harrison, on the 26th of April, 1841, hereby tender their
unfeigned thanks to the parents and relatives of Miss Annetta Seitzinger, who
on that occasion, represented the State of Georgia in the procession, and this
memorial is presented as a token of respect to the young lady for her deserved
merit on that occasion. — John M. Crosland, Chairman of Committee ; Tno. T.
Hazzard, Secretary.'
"Mrs. Schuyler attended the Presbyterian Church, which stood where
Mrs. A. M. Foster's house now stands, on Market street. The Rev. Joseph
McCool was the first pastor of the church in her recollection, and a Mr. Swift
was superintendent of the Sunday school. Miss Mary Moorehead was her
Sunday school teacher, and Mary Beck, Mary McCool, and Tilly Beatty were
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 23
in the class. Every Eourth of July the Sunday school went up to Agricultural
Park, heard the Declaration of Independence read and were served with lemon-
ade. Mrs. Schuyler's mother used to come on horseback to attend a little
red church, a Lutheran Church, which stood near where Colonel Hyde's house
is now. This was before i8i(). Mrs. Schuyler was a member of the Presby-
terian choir, and others she remembered as fellow singers were Miss Mary
Beck, Miss ^lary McCool, and Mr. and Mrs. Gore. Mr. Gore played the
flute and Mr. John Little was the leader of the choir.
"Among her memories of war times in Pottsville, Mrs. Schuyler recalled a
song written by Mr. Crosland when the soldiers in the Mexican war returned
home. It began "When the war clouds were rising, sweet peace fled away,'
and was sung to the tune of 'Home, Sweet Home.' An ox-roast was held in
Market Square on the occasion of the soldiers' return.
"The social life of the early days was simpler than that of the present
time. However, assemblies were held from time to time in the old Mansion
House at Mount Carbon, and then in the old Town Hall. The singing school
and the old Philharmonic Society existed for many years, and did much for
the cultivation of music in the community. As to the drama, Mrs. Schuyler
remembered attending a performance of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' in the room
above the 'Pottsville House,' kept by Edward O'Connor, at the comer of
Centre and Mahantongo streets, several years before the war. And at another
time she saw 'Romeo and Juliet' performed there. Memories such as these
help us materially in framing a picture of life in the early days of Pottsville,
and it seems wise to write them down while they are accessible."
PETER C. DETWILER, D. D. S., the oldest living dentist in Schuylkill
Haven, has been a resident of that borough since 1856, and though now in
his eighty-second year is still practicing. His professional skill combined with
conscientious work and honest advice to his patrons earned him a reputation
years ago, and his wonderful vitality, enabling him to continue his career long
beyond the ordinary limits, has made him a notable figure in the profession, as
popular as he is widely known.
Dr. Detwiler is descended from Swiss ancestors who long ago established
the family in America, the emigrant coming from Duefelt, Switzerland. Jacob
Detwiler, grandfather of Dr. Detwiler, lived near Kutztown, in Berks county.
Pa. By occupation he was a carpenter. He married Maria Rothermel, mem-
ber of an old and prominent family of that county, and their children were:
Daniel, John, Charles and Maria (who married and moved West). Jacob
Detwiler died when fifty-six years old.
Charles Detwiler, son of Jacob, was born in Kutztown, Berks county, in
1805, and passed all his life there, dying in 1889. Like his father he followed
the trade of carpenter. He took an interest in the local welfare, particularly
in support of the public school system, which in his day was in great disfavor
among most of the residents of this region. For a number of years he held
the position of school director in Rockland township. Originally a Democrat
in politics, he became a Republican at the time of the Civil war. He was long
a member of the Reformed Church, and a hearty worker in the promotion of
its various enterprises, giving liberally of both time and means to maintain
them. Mr. Detwiler married Catherine Christinan, daughter of Peter and
Margaret (Barto) Christman. and they had a family of nine children, seven
sons and two daughters, namely: Isaac C, deceased, graduated from the
24 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, and was long a successful practitioner at
Reading, Pa. ; William C, who died at Easton, Pa., had followed the dentist's
profession there for many years ; Peter C. is mentioned below ; Isabella, now
living at Reading, Pa., is the widow of William Eckert, who was timekeeper
in the Philadelphia & Reading shops there; Rosalind is the widow of John
Sell, of Philadelphia, where she now lives; Charles C. entered the Civil vyar
for the Union service, and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, dying
from the effects of his injuries in the Chestnut Hill hospital, Philadelphia;
Benjamin died when three years old ; Washington C. graduated from Jeft'erson
Medical College, Philadelphia, and practiced his profession at Reading, Pa.,
until his death, July 6, 1884, he and his brother Aaron being drowned at the
same time ; Aaron C. was also a graduate of Jeft'erson Medical College, and
practiced at Reading, Pennsylvania.
Peter C. Detwiler was born July 23, 1833, at Kutztown, and received his
early education in the public schools of that borough and at Reading. In his
youth and young manhood he was employed at farm and carpenter work.
When twenty-one years old he commenced to study dentistry, to which pro-
fession his life has since been devoted. Coming to Schuylkill Haven in Octo-
ber, 1856, he has resided there ever since, and his extensive popularity is
shown in the loyal patronage of many of his patients, who still rely upon him
for professional services. Dr. Detwiler has also been quite successful in his
business ventures, having owned several ice dams in the vicinity of Schu}'lkill
Haven, from which a large part of the trade in the borough has been supplied.
As a citizen he has been one of the most useful members of the borough, his
work as a member of the council and on the school board being highly appre-
ciated by those who have had the best opportunity of judging its value. All
local measures for the general good have had his sympathy and support. He
has been a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ for many
years, and its enterprises as well as the broader religious movements have
had the benefit of his financial and moral support. Fraternally he is a Mason,
belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ;
he also joined ^Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. ]M., of Pottsville, and
was elected for membership in the commandery. but never took the degrees.
He was originally a Republican in politics, but now supports the Prohibition
party.
Dr. Detwiler married Rebecca Bowen, daughter of Samuel Bowen, and
of the six children born to this union but one, Samuel B., survives. He is
a graduate of the Pennsylvania Dental College, and in practice with his father
at Schtiylkill Haven. He married Gussie Saylor, and they have two children,
Charles and Bessie. Mrs. Rebecca Detwiler died in March, 1875, and the
Doctor subsequently married Lucetta Horn, daughter of Jonathan Horn.
Seven children have been ^>orn to this marriage, of whom one is deceased.
Of the survivors, Aaron H. is a physician in successful practice at Schuylkill
Haven ; George H., a lawyer, is located in Philadelphia ; Maria is a nurse in
the navy ; Lulu, formerly engaged as a nurse, is now the wife of Capt. James
Goethe, of the United States army, now stationed in Texas, where he is also
paymaster and land agent for the government ; Mark is engaged in the butcher
business at Schuylkill Haven ; Ruth is a trained nurse.
WILLIAM LESLEY SHEAFER, son of Peter W. and Harriet N.
Sheafer, was born Feb. 19, 1859, at Pottsville, Pa. He was educated in the
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SCHUYLKILL COUXTV, PEXXSVLVANLA. 25
private and public schools of Pottsville, graduating from the high school in
1874. He then entered Lafayette College, and was graduated in 1878. For
the rest of his life he served as permanent secretary of his class. Later he
returned to college for a postgraduate course, and at the end of one year
received the degree of Master of Science. L'pon his return to Pottsville he
received his introduction to business life in the office of his father, with whom
he was associated until the elder man's death, in 1891. He then became one
of the executors of the estate and continued to act in that capacity imtil his
own death. A man of wide business ability, his cool, clear and farseeing
judgment made him a most valuable acquisition to any extensive enterprise,
not alone in its formation, but also after its organization. While he was
largely engrossed in financial matters, as a director and second vice president
of the Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville antl in great business interests in behalf
of the estate and privately, he at all times found leisure to devote to the
welfare of his city, its public life, its churches, its schools and its charities.
He served as a member of the council from the Second ward for two terms,
and during part of that time was president of that body. As chaimian of
the highwa)- committee he was an able pioneer in the good roads movement
in Pottsville. He was very prominent in the organization of the Taxpayers'
Association of Schuylkill County, serving as executive officer thereof until
iyi2, when forced to retire on account of ill health. When an emergency
hospital was established at Mount Carbon during an epidemic of typhoid
fever in 1894, he took a very active part in the enterprise, and continued his
interest in such matters when the Pottsville Plospital was founded in the
following year. The welfare and progress of this institution were very close
to his heart, and as a member of the board of managers and its secretary for
eighteen years he was untiring in his devotion to its administration and devel-
opment. Air. Sheafer was a trustee of Lafayette College for almost twenty
years and at one time served as president of the Alumni Association. For
many years he was a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers
and other scientific and economic societies. Mr. Sheafer died at his home,
No. 430 South Centre street, Pottsville, April 24, 1913, after a long and brave
battle with an illness that baffled the best medical skill. His death was a
severe loss to the community, in the regard of which he held high place.
In 1884 Air. Sheafer was married (first) to Ada Green, daughter of the
late Hon. Henry Green, Chief Justice of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Sheafer died in 1905, and two sons of this union survive: Lesley G.
and Clinton \Y., both of Pottsville. In 1910 Mr. Sheafer was married (sec-
ond) to Mrs. Phebe A. Lee, widow of the late John C. Lee and daughter of the
late C. M. Atkins. Mr. Sheafer is survived by his two sons, his widow, his
sister, Miss E. Louise Sheafer, and his two brothers, Arthur W. and Henry.
PETER \\'. SHEAFER was one of the foremost men of this part of
Pennsylvania. His special interests were in the coal industry, but he was
associated with so many other activities of value to his locality that his name
was widely known among all classes. He was born March 31, 1819, in Halifax,
Dauphin county, son of Henry .Sheafer, a leading pioneer citizen of that
county, prominent as president of the Lykens A'alley Railroad Company; he
developed and superintended the Lykens valley coal mines at W'iconisco, and in
1834 introduced anthracite into the Susquehanna markets. Peter W. Sheafer
began his education in the home schools, later taking a course at Oxford
26 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
(N. Y.) academy. As his father's assistant from early Hfe he had valuable
business training. \\'hen still a young man he familiarized himself with the
geological formation of the Lykens valley coal measures and pursued his
investigations so thoroughly that he was eventually chosen as a member of
the first geological survey of Pennsylvania, in 1836, when he became a member
of Professor Rogers's corps. In this connection he was assigned to work
with Professor W'helpley in 1837-38, surveying and mapping the southern
and middle anthracite fields. It is noteworthy that the complex structure of
these main basins was so accurately figured out at that time that the second
survey, thirty to fifty years later, was simply an elaboration of the work then
done. In 1839 Mr. Sheafer gave up this work to become his father's assistant
again, continuing with him until 1848, at which time he moved to Pottsville
to devote himself to surveying and engineering, first as assistant to Samuel
B. Fisher, whom he later succeeded. From this time to the close of his life
his services were in constant demand by landowners and coal operators in the
Schuylkill, Mahanoy and Beaver Meadow districts, his reports, of which
there are hundreds, covering almost every tract in those regions. It was
through his efforts, in cooperation with William P. Foulke and other Phila-
delphia men, that the State appropriation was obtained, in 1851, to complete
the work of the first geological survey and give to the world the valuable
work of Professor Rogers. When this work was resumed, in 1851, Mr. Sheafer
took charge of the underground portion, connecting every working mine with
the surface survey carried on by other members of the corps. Professor
Lesley accredited him with knowing more of the field "than all the rest com-
bined," and there were a number who attained eminence. Among the many
important imdertakings which Air. Sheafer completed was the laying out of
the towns of Ashland, Girardville, Alahanoy City, Shenandoah, Mount Carmel,
Gilberton, Mahanoy Plane and other prosperous towns and villages in Schuyl-
kill and adjoining counties. It was he who located the first mines in Shenan-
doah and Mahanoy valleys, and he lived to see that section developed from
a wilderness to a prosperous mining community, whose coal productioii
amounted to millions of tons. His scientific knowledge of the geological
structure of the fields combined with business ability, skill as an examiner of
coal lands, and accurate judgment as to the possibilities of development,
brought demands for his services all over the United .States and Canada, his
reports covering investigations in Nova Scotia. Rhode Island. \'irginia. North
Carolina. Alabama. Tennessee. Kentucky. Indian Territory. Te.xas. Colorado.
New IVIexico, Wyoming and Washington. In 1889 h^ was appointed a mem-
ber of the coal waste commission, retaining his association with that body
until his death. Its mission was to investigate the economical production of
anthracite, and he was also called frequently to give expert testimony on
coal and coal lands, being an important witness in the celebrated Coxe-Lehigh
A'alley case before the Interstate commerce commission.
Mr. Sheafer compiled many maps and tables concerning the coal trade
during his active connection therewith, one of his works being the historical
map of Pennsylvania, published in 1875 by the Historical Society of Penn-
sylvania. Like all his other works it shows patient research and wonderful
aptitude for statistical details, and in fact the statistics he accunuilatcd would
aft'ord material for volumes of scientific literature. He contributed exhaustive
articles on coal to the Encyclopedia Britannica, published in the .\merican
supplement, delivered addresses before various scientific associations, read
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 27
papers before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of
which he was an honored member, as he was of many other societies of
a literary or scientific character, including the American Philosophical Society,
the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, and the American Institute of Mining Engineers. The only
public office Mr. Sheafer ever accepted, outside of his work already mentioned,
was the honorary position of United States Assay commissioner, to which
he was appointed in 1879.
Though his life work took him so much out of his home community, Mr.
Sheafer never lost his interest in its welfare, and he was foremost in encour-
aging and supporting local educational, religious and charitable movements.
For a number of years he gave valuable service as a member of the Pottsville
board of education, and during that time was instrumental in having a high
school established. He was one of the promoters of the Pottsville Athenaeum,
was president of the literary society for several years, and donated many
very valuable books to this institution from his private library. He was an
original member of the Pottsville Benevolent Association, organized in 1877,
and equally active in founding the Children's Home. His benevolence took
the practical form of starting enterprises for giving employment to people,
and he was always prominent in developing the best interests of Pottsville.
Thus, though an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he did not
contine his philanthropical activities to supporting that church and its enter-
prises. Politically he was a Republican and always actively interested in the
success of his party: in 1884 he was a presidential elector.
In 1S48 Mr. Sheafer was married to Harriet N. Whitcomb, of Springfield,
\'t. Three sons and one daughter survived him. He died ]March 26, 1891,
at Brown's Mills-in-the-Pines, N. J., to which place he had gone to recuperate.
Until the illness which caused his death, he had continued his active business
career without interruption.
WEISSINGER. For almost sixty years the Weissingers, father and sons,
have sustained very important relations to the commercial progress of Schuyl-
kill county, particularly the borough of Pottsville. L. W. Weissinger made
his way to a foremost place among the men of large interests in this section
by sheer ability and the persevering methods characteristic of his race. A
German by birth, he came to this country for the opportunities his native
land did not aftord. Here he found plenty of incentive for the energy and
ambition within him, and if he achieved much more than he could have hoped
for at an outset which held little promise, he proved himself equal to the high
position he attained. He was one of the ablest men of his generation in
Schuylkill county, and his work lives to the honor of a name so creditably
associated with the advancement of this region.
Leon.\rd William Weissinger was born April 29, 1837, in Wurtemberg,
son of Casper and Catherine (Liegel) Weissinger, natives also of that king-
dom. He lived there until sixteen years old, coming to America alone in
1853, in the fall of which year he was located at Reading, Pa. There he began
work as a laborer on the canal, being employed for two weeks at eighty-one
cents a day. Before long he came to Schuylkill county, arriving at Minersville
on Thanksgiving Day, 1853. and entered the employ of Conrad Seltzer, butcher,
for whom he worked four months. His next position was in the meat market
of John Moser, in Pottsville, with whom he remained about two years, after
28 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\
which for fifteen months he was in Louis Stoeffregen's market. Though
capable and industrious, he had never received high pay, having earned but
tive dollars a month while with Air. Seltzer, and his greatest wages were four-
teen dollars a month. He was also employed fifteen months by Jacob Rhoads,
a butcher in Schuylkill Haven, up to March, 1857, when he left to engage in
business on his own account, as a member of the firm of Keifer & Weissinger,
who opened a market in Schuylkill Haven in April of that year. They did a
successful business together until j\Ir. Keifer withdrew, Nov. i, 1859, after
which Mr. Weissinger had a market of his own until 1865. That year
Mr. Weissinger gave up butchering in order to give all his time to dealing in
cattle, moving to Pottsville, where he established stockyards and feeding pens
to accommodate his extensive trade. Although he was obliged, because of
limited capital, to begin in a rather modest way, his good management and
judicious dealing soon made it possible for him to engage in extensive trans-
actions, and the business attained such proportions that it ranked with the
most important of the kind in this part of Pennsylvania. It was nothing
unusual for him to do a weekly business of ten thousand to fifteen thousand
dollars. From this was developed the immense packing business now owned
and conducted by his sons, George and Harry Weissinger. who are associ-
ated tinder the name of George Weissinger & Brother, and are engaged as
wholesale beef and pork packers. They also deal largely in stock and butchers'
supplies, but their principal attention is given to slaughtering and packing, and
the sale and shipment of their products.
Meantime, other important projects had been claiming a share of Air.
Weissinger's attention. While in business at Schuylkill Haven he had invested
heavily in the Schuylkill Haven Direct Iron Company, of which he became
president in 1869, acting in that capacity until 1880. In 1873, in partnership
with the late Gideon Bast, he rented the plant of that concern, improved it,
and was interested in its operatiort as part owner until 1874, when he became
sole proprietor. With the exception of one year's partnership { 1874-75) with
J. A. Medlar, Mr. \\'eissinger continued as sole owner initil Januarv, 18S0,
when he sold two-thirds of the interest to George R. Kaercher and C. F. Rahn.
During this time he had enlarged the mill, which he ran with steadily increased
business, and under the new organization it suffered no impairment of pros-
perity, never closing down for a day except for necessary repairs. \\'hen
Mr. Rahn died, on Jan. i, 1893, Mr. \\'eissinger succeeded him as president
of the Cressona Powder Company. He was one of the organizers of the
Schuylkill Electric Railway Company, and became a member of its board of
directors. Other enterprises had his encouragement and support from time
to time, and his influence, in business or other circles, was always for all
movements which promised benefit to the locality. Though conservative enough
to be absolutely reliable, Mr. Weissinger had the foresight to appreciate proj-
ects in keeping with the advance of the times, and he showed remarkal^le
judgment in appraising new ventures. His strong character, balance and
courage in the face of obstacles made him a very valuable citizen in the early
development of Pottsville. What he accomplished for himself was remark-
able. The manner of its accomplishment none could question who knew the
high estimate placed on his life and work by his associates everywhere.
Mr. Weissinger acquired large real estate holdings, in 1869 purchasing sev-
eral tracts of land in the vicinity of Pottsville, one of which was the farm in
the suburbs of the borough where he and his family resided for so many
SCIILVI.KILL COUNTY, I'L' XXSVLXANIA 29
years. Large and commodious buildings, and other improvements, made the
place one of the most attractive homes in that part of the county. About
one mile from i'ottsville is the famous Tumbling Run resort, which to a large
extent was developed by Mr. W'eissinger. The grounds comprise nine acres,
partly occupied by a fine natural grove of pines, and through which the beauti-
ful stream runs. A large dam has been built across the water, where a boating
and fishing resort has been established. In 1892 Mr. Weissinger erected a
commodious hotel and a handsome carrousel. Though so importantly con-
nected with many concerns affecting the welfare of his fellow men. Air. Weis-
singer was modest and retiring in manner, and he had no aspirations for public
honors or political power. He was a Democrat, but took no part in party
affairs beyond casting his vote. His death occurred in May, 1903. He was
a inember of the German Lutheran Church.
On Aug. 26, 1858, Mr. W'eissinger married Rebecca Aloyer, of Schuylkill
Haven, and twelve children were born to them, viz.: George is mentioned
below: Annie C. is the wife of George G. Frick, and they live on South Centre
street, Pottsville ; Mary A., unmarried, is living on the old homestead farm in
North Manheim township : Laura E. is married to Fred Reickley, a lumber
dealer, of St. Clair, this county : Leonard William is engaged in the packing
business at Alount Carmel, Pa. ; Harry is mentioned below : Isaac Casper is
also at Mount Carmel : Louis O. is deceased ; Frederick A. is deceased ; Emily
R., who received her musical education in Boston, is now the wife of John
Stouffer, an attorney practicing at Pottsville, though they make their home
at Schuylkill Haven ; Walter Edgar is in the packing business at Mount Car-
mel: a daughter, the youngest, died in infancy. The mother of this family
died in March, 1897, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Potts-
ville.
George Weissinger was born Aug. 4, 1861, at Schuylkill Haven, where
the family lived, however, for only a few years afterwards. His early educa-
tion was obtained in North Alanheim township, at the public school in the
vicinity of the homestead, and he also attended public school in Pottsville.
When sixteen years old he began to learn butchering with Henry Wagner, at
Frackville, this county, with whom he remained a year and seven months,
spending the following si.x months at Middleport, Schuylkill county. He was
next at Pottsville for a time, and then for eight months at Reading, whence
he went out to Fort Wayne, Ind. At that place he was employed seven months
in a sawmill. For a few months he was engaged in shipping horses to Harris-
burg, Pa., and on his return to Schuylkill county located at Tremont, where
he carried on a butchering business of his own for four years. In 1887 he
became interested with his father in the establishment at Pottsville, as a
drover and on the farm, and after five years' association bought his father's
interest as a dealer in live stock, at the same time leasing the Dolfinger packing
house at Fishbach (Pottsville), engaging in the packing business on his own
account, when in 1897 ^''^ '^"d l^'s brother Harry formed the partnership
which still exists, under the name of George Weissinger & Brother. After
three. years of successful business at the Dolfinger plant the Weissinger Broth-
ers purchased it, and under their control it is one of the most modemly
equipped and conducted slaughtering establishments in this part of the State.
From seventy-five to one hundred cattle are killed there weekly, besides a
carload of hogs, and from fifteen to twenty men are employed regularly.
Although the business is so extensive, the trade is practically local and the
30 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
patronage of the home market has always been catered to especially. The firm
makes a specialty of Bologna and other sausage. George and Harry Weis-
singer bought half of their father's homestead farm of ninety-four acres,
located near Pottsville, and during the winter fatten cattle there. After the
death of his father George Weissinger bought the stockyards and hotel on
North Coal street (the hotel was built in 1875), and a couple of years ago, in
May, 1912, he purchased from the estate of Colonel Brown the well known
"Penn Hall" hotel on Centre street, Pottsville. and very valuable property
which he now owns in partnership with his brother Harry. His home at
No. 801 West Market street was also at one time owned by Colonel Brown.
As a man of diversified interests he is naturally concerned in banking facil-
ities and the stability of financial operations in the borough. Since 1907 he
has been a director of the Merchants' National Bank at Pottsville, and he was
at one time a director of the Union Safe Deposit Bank of the borough, in
which he is still a stockholder. He was one of the organizers and original
directors of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, in whose transactions he
still maintains an active interest. His share in the management of so many
institutions whose prosperity is of vital significance to Schuylkill county makes
him an important figure in the business world. He merits all the consideration
his opinions receive. Public life has never attracted him. He is a Democrat
but not active except as a voter. His church membership is with the Trinity
Reformed congregation.
On Dec. 31, 1884, Mr. Weissinger married Philepbena Korper, daughter of
the late Peter and Margaret (Betz) Korper, natives of Germany, who lived at
Middleport, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness. Three children have been born to this marriage : Florence Amelia, born
Aug. 3, 1885, is the wife of Dr. Howard Berger, a physician of St. Clair,
Schuylkill county ; Leonard William, born Sept. 8, 1888, now employed with
his father, married Esther Geary; Margaret Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1896,
is at home.
Harry Weissinger, partner with his brother George in the firm of George
Weissinger & Brother, was born Dec. 20, 1870, in North ]\Ianheim township,
where his early life was spent. He obtained a public school education there
and at Pottsville, where he subsequently learned the trade of wheelwright.
For two years he was employed by Samuel Aregood, a carpenter contractor,
and then for three years he was at the plant of the Cressona Powder Company,
having the contract to make the sheet-iron powder cans. Early in 1897 he
entered into partnership with his brother George, in the slaughtering and
packing business. They killed their first steer Feb. 22d of that year, and the
business has continued since without interruption, expanding steadily as the
trade has called for increased facilities of operation and justified new accom-
modations. The plant has been modernized in accordance with changing ideas
and the better comprehension of sanitation and allied subjects, and it is a
credit to the town as well as to the owners. Harry Weissinger is also asso-
ciated with his brother George as owners of the "Penn Hall" hotel at Potts-
ville. where he enjoys the confidence and standing conceded to all the members
of his family in the borough. He is a member of the German Lutheran
Church, and socially is connected with the Odd Fellows, Lily of the Valley
Lodge, No. 281, and with the B. P. O. Elks, as a life member of Lodge No. 207.
On Oct. 4, 1899. Mr. Weissinger married Margaret Marie Scheerer,
daughter of Peter and Bertha (Neisel) Scheerer, and of the three children
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 31
born to them two died in infancy, the survivor being Mildred Beatrice, boni
Aug. 27, 1902. The family home is at No. 305 North Second street.
The Moyer family, from which the Weissinger brothers are descended in
the maternal line, is of old Berks county (Pa.) stock. We find the following
in a recent publication of Berks county:
"P'ew families of Heidelberg township can trace more clearly an old and
honorable ancestry than that of the Moyer, reaching away back to the days
of religious persecution in 1708. The RIoyer (Meyer or Mayer) family was
one of the many German Palatinate families of immigrants who in 1708 and
1709 went to England, whence four thousand persons were given transporta-
tion, by Queen Anne, to New York, where they landed Dec. 25, 1709, and
June 14, 1710. On the passage and immediately after landing one thousand
and seven hundred of these immigrants died. The survivors camped in tents
which they brought with them, on Governor's Island, and here they remained
until autumn, when about one thousand and four hundred removed to Liv-
ingston Manor, one hundred miles up the Hudson river. Being unjustly
oppressed by Governor Hunter, and seeing famine and starvation staring them
in the face, one hundred and fifty settlers went to Schoharie valley, some
sixty miles northwest of Livingston Manor, whither they traveled through
three feet of snow, in the unbroken woods, hauling their baggage on rudely
made sleds. At Schoharie they improved the lands which they had been
granted by Queen Anne, but about ten years later, owing to a defect in their
titles, they were deprived of the property which they had labored so hard to
acquire.
"Having heard of the just and liberal treatment given to settlers in the
Province of Pennsylvania, thirty-two families removed thereto in the spring
of 1723, and settled in the 'Tulpahaca,' which was at that time the furthest
inhabited part of the province, northwest from Philadelphia. In subsequent
years more than one hundred other families followed them and settled in the
northwestern part of Berks county, and among these were the Moyers, or
Meyers. In 1759, when the first Federal tax was levied in Berks county, the
following Meyers were taxables of Tulpehocken township, and paid their tax
as follows : Rudolph Meyer, twelve pounds ; John Meyer, eight pounds, and
Philip Meyer, three pounds.
"In Heidelberg township was one John Moyer, who paid ten pounds tax
that year. It is the family tradition that the ancestor of this particular
branch of the family was John or Johannes Meyer, and that he had seven
children. In the courthouse is his will, which was probated Dec. 28, 1765,
the year of his death, he being then a resident of Tulpehocken township. The
executors of his estate were his two sons, George and Henry, and in it were
the following provisions: George was to receive the homestead of 120 acres,
and the 'still,' and was to pay his brothers and sisters 200 pounds ; Henry was
given the mill and the house and 128 acres of land. The other children were:
Anna Barbara, married to George Wolff ; Eva Catherine, married to a Stetler ;
Gideon ; Catherine, married to a Deissinger ; and Valentine. By the testator,
his beloved 'son-in-law, George WolfT,' was made guardian over the children
of Catherine Deissinger and Valentine Moyer."
Among the children of George, son of Johannes, we find a Jacob, but
whether he is the Jacob who was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Rebecca
(Rloyer) Weissinger we do not know.
Jacob Moyer lived in Longswamp township, Berks county, where he was
32 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
a landowner and followed fanning. He was one of the well known citizens
of his day in that section. His death occurred in Berks county. Among his
children were Jacob, Isaac and Daniel.
Isaac Moyer, son of Jacob, was born in Longswamp township, Berks county,
and coming to Schuylkill county when a young man settled at Pinedale, at one
time owning the greater part of the site of that place; he had about 150 acres
of valuable land, most of which he cleared and cultivated. He was active until
his death, and prospered, building two farmhouses and two barns upon this
property. Though he retired from regular business pursuits the last ten years
of his life he relinquished none of his interest in his own or public affairs. He
married Rebecca Ketner, of Pinedale, who survived him, his death occurring
in 1870, hers in 1875. They are buried at the historic Red Church, of which
both were members, Mr. Moyer being especially active in the furtherance of
its work and a trusted official. The following children were born to this
honored couple : Sarah married Andrew Boyer ; Isaac is mentioned below ;
Abraham married Rebecca Cramer ; Polly married Samuel Moyer ; Rebecca
married Charles Rhan ; Maltida married Martin Hummel ; Jackson married
Mar}' Christ: Catherine was the wife of Moses Hoover; ^lorgan married
Elizabeth Hill; Annie, who never married, took care of her parents in their
declining years. Jackson ]\Ioyer, now (1914) in his eighty-fourth year, is liv-
ing in the Blue Mountain valley, near Auburn, Schuylkill county.
Isaac ]\Ioyer was born May 10, 1815, at Pinedale, Schuylkill county, and
learned the trade of tanner with Andrew Boyer at Schuylkill Haven. He
also followed boating on the 'old Schuylkill canal until that industry died
down, owning a line of boats and also teams. Most of his life was passed at
Schuylkill Haven, where he ended his days at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Murphy, dying March 25, 1898. He had lived retired for about fifteen
years. He is buried at Schuylkill Haven. As a member of the German
Reformed Church he was deeply interested in its welfare, and served as
deacon. Politically he was a Democrat. At Schuylkill Haven he married
Annetta Buzzard, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Derrick) Buzzard, the
ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. ^linnich, a German Reformed minister.
Mrs. Moyer was born at Reading, Berks county. Children as follows were
born to this union: Rebecca, the eldest, became the wife of Leonard William
Weissinger; George, a resident of Manayunk (Philadelphia), married Chris-
tine Hain ; Mary, who died in 1908, was the wife of Gottlieb Berger; James,
who married Mary Fisher, died at Schuylkill Haven and is buried there ;
John married Lucy Schrub, and died at Harrisburg, Pa. ; Erma died when
five years old; Charles, who died at the age of fifty years, was never married;
Alice is the wife of John Murphy, and they reside at Schuylkill Haven;
Catherine married Frank Hummel, and died in 1892 at Schuylkill Haven;
William married Mary Boyer, and they are residents of Schuylkill Haven.
MAJOR HEBER SAMUEL THOMPSON, late of Pottsville, was for
years one of the foremost citizens of Schuylkill county, where as manager of
the vast Girard Estate he was associated with some of the most important
business operations of this section of Pennsylvania. He was bom at Pottsville
Aug. 14, 1840, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Thompson.
The ancestors of this family in America came to this country from County
Antrim, Ireland, about 1735. The family, however, is of Scotch lineage, of
old Scotch Covenanter stock, which early in the eighteenth century moved from
7^^~&/y<A. ^ . y^^^^^^^^r^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 33
their home in Scotland to Ireland, residing temporarily in that country. John
Thompson, Sr., and his brother James, upon their arrival in America, located
at Cross Roads, Chester Co., Pa. Then they removed to Hanover township,
in the same (now Lebanon) county, and later to a fann near Derry Church,
about ten miles from Ilarrisburg. Here John Thompson married his second
wife, whose maiden name was Slocum, and shortly afterwards removed to a-
farm three miles from Thompsontown, which was inherited by his sons, Peter
and Thomas, to whom he willed it ; when Thomas died his interest went by
bequest to I'eter, who in turn left it to his son John Peter, who died in 1882.
John Thompson, Sr., married for his third wife Sarah Patterson. By his
lirst, whose maiden name was Greenleaf, he had four children, one of whom,
William, was the grandfather of Heber S. Thompson.
William Thompson, grandfather of Heber S. Thompson, was born in 1754
in Thompsontown, Cumberland (now Juniata) Co., Pa. During the Revolu-
tionary war he served as a soldier in the Colonial cause, and participated in
the battles of Brandy wine and Germantown. By occupation he was a farmer
and merchant. He married Jane Mitchell at Chambersburg, Pa., and they
had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters.
Samuel Thompson, son of William, was born in 1792, in Thompsontown,
and died March 7, 1851, in Pottsville, Schuylkill county. On Nov. 6, 1827, he
married Ann Alricks, of Harrisburg, Pa., who died Aug. 27, 1828, less than
a year after their marriage. On Aug. 6, 1833, he married Elizabeth Ciuining-
ham, of Newton Hamilton, Mifflin Co., Pa., who was born March 3, 1805,
and died in her seventieth year, Oct. 5, 1874, at Pottsville. Four children
were born to this union. Of these Col. William, bom May 22, 1834, served
through the Civil war in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, being mustered out
at its close as lieutenant colonel, and became a prominent business man of
Pottsville, particularly in connection with the ]\Iiners' National Bank, of which
he was president from 1894 until his death, on July 9, 1903. Lewis Cunning-
ham, born Nov. 7, 1835, also a veteran of the Civil war, having served in
Company A, 27th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, during the invasion
of the State by Lee in 1863, is now a prominent merchant of Pottsville. The
only daughter, Emily Jane, became the wife of Major Edward C. Baird, and
both are deceased. Heber Samuel was the youngest of the family.
Heber S. Thompson received the foundation for his education in the
schools of Pottsville and entered Yale College, graduating in 1861 with the
degree of Bachelor of Arts, and iii 1871 receiving the honorary degree of
Master of Arts from that institution. Just before graduation he enlisted for
service in the Civil war, on April 16, 1861, becoming a private in the Wash-
ington Artillerists, later Company H, 25th Pennsylvania Volunteers, who, with
four other Pennsylvania, companies, were the first troops to reach the national
capital in response to the president's call for three months' volunteers. The
members of these companies formed the Society of First Defenders, of which
Major Thompson served as president and the history of which he compiled.
His term of enlistment expired July 29, 1861, and he was honorably dis-
charged, reenlisting on Oct. 22d, in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, becoming
first lieutenant of Company F: on July i, 1863, he was promoted to captain
of Companv I. On March 18, 1864, Captain Thompson was placed on detached
service, being transferred to the position of acting inspector general of the
1st Brigade, 2d Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, and he served as
such until captured, Aug. 20, 1864, at Lovejov's Station, Ga. W'hile in the
Vol. 1—3
34 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Army of the Cumberland, under Generals Buell and Rosecrans, he saw service
in many battles and innumerable engagements, including Perryville or Chaplin
Hills, Ky., Stone River or JNIurfreesboro, J\Ic2\Iinnville and Shelbyville, Tenn.,
and Chickamauga, Georgia. At Shelbyville, June 27, 1863, although only a
lieutenant, he was selected, because of his tried courage, coolness and judgment,
to lead the regiment in the famous charge against Gen. Joseph Wheeler's
command which practically annihilated it, and drove General Wheeler into the
Duck river. Later, under General Sherman, he took part in the Atlanta cam-
paign and in the engagements at Noonday Creek and Kenesaw Mountain,
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station, where he was taken prisoner. He
was taken to Macon and then to Augusta, Ga., later to Charleston, S. C, where
as nurse for a wounded comrade he remained in the prisoners' hospital at
Rikersville, a suburb of Charleston, until paroled, Dec. 18, 1864. Being unable
to effect an exchange, he declined to accept a commission as major, which was
tendered him, and resigned from the army, receiving his discharge Jan. 24,
1865. He was always active in all the veteran organizations, being a member
of the First Defenders Association, Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., Pottsville
Encampment of the Union \'eteran Legion, and the Loyal Legion of the
United States.
After his return from the army Major Thompson entered actively into
business life. In 1874 he became engineer and agent of the Girard Estate in
Schuylkill and Columbia counties, continuing to hold that position until his
death in 191 1. He was also general manager of the Girard Water Company.
Though the Girard Estate interests engaged most of his attention, he was also
active in other business connections, being president of the Edison Illuminat-
ing Company until it was absorbed by the Eastern Pennsylvania Railways
Company, of which he became a director; a director and at one time president
of the Aliners' National Bank, and a director of the Schuylkill A'alley Division
of the Pennsylvania railroad. During 1908-09, in conjunction with the estate of
his brother William, he erected at the corner of Centre and ^larket streets,
Pottsville, the Thompson building, which is the largest office building in
Schuylkill county. It is six stories in height and a notable addition to the
business structures of the town. The wide range of his sympathies and inter-
ests is well indicated by his active association with numerous charitable enter-
prises. He was a member of the board of directors of the Pottsville Hospital ;
president of the board of trustees of the State Hospital at Fountain Springs,
an institution for those injured in the anthracite coal regions ; a member of the
County Visiting Committee of the State Board of Charities, and a member of
the State Committee on Lunacy. For many years he was a school director. He
belonged to the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, to the Histor-
ical Societies of Pennsylvania and of Schuylkill County, to the American Insti-
tute of Mining Engineers and to the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia. His
religious connection was with the First Presbyterian Church of Pottsville,
which he served as elder, and for many years as superintendent of the Sunday
school.
On Jan. 23, 1866, Major Thompson was married to Sarah E. Beck,
daughter of Isaac and Margaretta (Pitman") Beck, of Pottsville. They had
a family of five children : Emily Baird, widow of J. Parke Hood, of Phila-
delphia; Samuel Clifton, a graduate of Yale University, 1891, and of the
School of Mines, Columbia University, 1893, ^o^ many years a prominent
mining engineer in Johannesburg, South Africa, now a consulting engineer
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\SYLVAXL\ 35
in New York; ^Margaretla, wife of Colonel James Archbald, of Pottsville;
Eleanor, deceased ; and Lleber Harris, agent of the Eastern Pennsylvania
Railways Company at Tamaqua, Pa. Major Thompson died JMarch 9, 191 1,
and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery, Pottsville.
COLONEL JAMES ARCHBALD, of Pottsville, engineer and agent of
the Cirard Estate in Schuylkill and Columbia counties, in which he succeeded
his father-in-law, the late ^Lijor Heber S. Thompson, has had a well rounded
career, quite typical of all the members of this prominent family. For years
the name has been well known among the leaders in the development of coal
properties in Pennsylvania, and his talent for engineering has no doubt been
inherited from his immediate ancestors, whose cleverness in that and similar
lines has added prestige to the high reptitation they have borne as business
men and managers of large enterprises.
Colonel Archbald is of distinguished ancestry in both paternal and mater-
nal lines. James Archbald, his grandfather, was the fourth of his name in
direct descent and was also a descendant of Robert Wodrow, the Scotch his-
torian. A native of Scotland, James Archbald came to this country with
his parents when twelve years old. His life and work made him one of the
most prominent men of this section of Pennsylvania in his day. The town of
Archbald, Lackawanna county, above Scranton, was named in his honor. He
planned, built and managed from 1829 the gravity railroad of the Delaware
^ Hudson Canal Company, from Carbondale to Honesdale, the first railroad
to enter the Lackawanna region, and later planned the similar railroad of the
Pennsylvania Coal Company from Scranton to Hawley. In 1858 he became
chief engineer of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. He married
Sarah Augusta Temple Frothingham, a native of New England, and of old
American ancestry, being a descendant in the fifth generation from William
Frothingham, who came from England in 1630 and settled at Charlestown,
Mass. Some of her ancestors served as officers in the Colonial army during
the Revolutionary war.
James Archbald, father of Colonel James Archbald, succeeded his father as
chief engineer of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad in 1870, and
held that position for thirty years. At one time he was general manager of
the Barber Asphalt Paving Company, and in later years was engaged in rail-
road construction in Mississippi. During the Civil war he served as a captain
in the I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He died in Venice, Italy, on
Oct. 4, 1910. His brother, Robert Wodrow Archbald, became a judge of the
United States District court. James Archbald married Hannah M. Albright,
daughter of Joseph J. Albright, the latter a native of Nazareth, Pa., and for
many years general manager of the coal department of the Delaware & Hud-
son Company. Mr. Albright's early life was spent in the manufacture of iron
in Pennsylvania and Virginia, where he owned and operated furnaces. The
Albright Library in Scranton was erected as a memorial to him. He was a
man of sterling character and strict attention to duty, and a worthy descendant
of his Moravian ancestry. He married Elizabeth Sellers, whose family were
Friends from near Philadelphia.
Colonel James Archbald was born Feb. 19, 1866, at Scranton, Pa. After
a thorough preparaton,' education he entered Phillips Academy, at Andover,
Mass.. and then Yale College, graduating in 1887. He began business life
with the Barber Asphalt Paving Company, being employed in Scranton and
1153969
36 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and during the winters working with an engineer corps.
For a short time he also studied law. After 1890 he was for two years man-
ager of the Sterrick Creek Coal Co., at Peckville, Pa., and for six years man-
ager of the Albright Coal Company at Llewellyn, Schuylkill county. In 1898
he became associated with his father-in-law, Alajor Heber S. Thompson, as_
a civil and mining engineer, and this connection lasted until Major Thompson's
deatii in 191 1, when Colonel Archbald succeeded him as engineer of the Girard
Estate and general manager of the Girard Water Company, a responsibility
for which he had been well htted by his long association with his predecessor.
Colonel Archbald has given a good account of himself as a professional man
and in the conduct of his business affairs, and has measured up to the promise
of his early career and to the unusual intellectual strength and moral fibre of
his ancestry. In addition to his connection with the Girard Estate, he is a
director and vice president of the Miners' National Bank of Pottsville, and
consulting engineer for various coal interests. He is a member of the Potts-
ville Club, of the Outdoor Club of Pottsville, which he organized and of which
he was president for ten years and is now a director, and of the Y. M. C. A.,
of which he has been a director and treasurer for twenty years. He is a mem-
ber of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and of the Engineers' Club
of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian
Church.
Special mention should be made of Colonel Archbald's military career. In
1880 he became a member of Company C, 13th Regiment, Pennsylvania Na-
tional Guard, serving under Colonel Henry M. Boies, commanding the regi-
ment. Lieutenant Colonel Frederick L. Hitchcock (later colonel), Major Ezra
H. Ripple (later colonel and assistant adjutant general of the State), Captain
Henry A. Coursen (later colonel) and Lieutenant Louis A. Watres (later
lieutenant governor of the State and recently in command of the 13th Regi-
ment), who was then second in the command of Company C. The regiment
was noted for its efficiency under these capable disciplinarians and the training
was unusually valuable. As a member of the 13th Regiment, Colonel Archbald
attended the First Division encampment at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, in
1880. Three years later, when he entered college, he received an honorable
discharge, but continued his interest in military matters and kept up his knowl-
edge of the drill regulations, so that when the Spanish-American war broke
out his services were sought as drill master for a battalion in Schuylkill county.
Its services were not accepted, as the National Guard organizations filled
up the State's quota, and at the request of the State authorities he organized
Company M, iith Infantry, of the Provisional National Guard, and com-
manded this company until the reorganization of the National Guard in 1899,
when Company M was consolidated with Company F of the 4th Infantry, and
Captain Archbald was chosen captain of the new organization. He at once
instituted measures for the systematic training of the company, making it one
of the best in the State, and rendered efficient service with it through the
anthracite strike in 1900.
Because of business demands, however, he resigned on April i, 1901, but
has always maintained an active interest and close association with his old
command, and has never relaxed his eft'orts for the promotion of its best
interests. He resimied his connection with military service on Feb. 4,
1904, having been appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Penny-
packer, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. On Feb. 14, 1907, he was reap-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 37
pointed by Governor Stuart. He retired with the latter in 191 1. Colonel
Archbald has been a thorough and earnest student of military affairs, and by
his ability and zeal has contributed much to the efficiency of the Pennsylvania
National Guard. He is now treasurer of the local Armory board.
On Oct. 21, 1S97, Colonel Archbald was married to Margaretta Thompson,
daughter of Alajor Heber S. Thompson, and they have a family of four chil-
dren, Margaretta Thompson, Sara Thompson, James 7th, and Wodrow.
DR. GEORGE DOUGLASS, late of Orwigsburg, established his resi-
dence in that borotigh over a quarter of a centtn-y before his death, and was
one of its most estimable citizens. As a gentleman of broad education,
cultivated tastes and unustial literary attainments, upholding high ideals in
his own career, he quietly but effectively directed his influence to the better-
ment of social conditions and living standards in his adopted community.
His position as a professional man of the highest repute made his opinions
doubly respected. Dr. Douglass was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., born Aug.
8, 1796, and his father, Andrew Douglass, was a prominent merchant of
that city, member of the firm of Douglass &: [Morgan. He also had business
relations with Stephen Girard. His wife, whose maiden name was Morgan,
was a daughter of General Morgan, of Revolutionary fame. Andrew Douglass
died in Philadelphia and is buried there, in the Christ Church cemetery.
Dotiglassville, in Berks county. Pa., was founded by this family and named
in its honor.
George Douglass was reared in Philadelphia, and was carefully educated,
graduating from' the University of Pennsylvania in 1823. Though only a
boy when the war of 18 12 broke out, he was a soldier in that struggle.
Dr. Douglass was married at Douglassville to Mary Bannan, who was
born Jan. 3, 1795, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Bunn) Bannan, and
not long afterwards, in 1830, they settled at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., where they made their permanent home. Dr. Douglass was a man of
means and in a position to indulge his literary tastes, and he led an enjoy-
able life of leisure, dying at his home in Orwigsburg Aug. 11, 1858., His
wife survived him many years, passing away in 1888, and they are buried
in the Charles Baber cemetery, at Pottsville, this county. To Dr. and Mrs.
Douglass were born the following family : Elizabeth Borga Sergeant, born
in 1827; Andrew Jackson, born in 1828; Sarah Bunn, born in 1830, who
makes her home at Pottsville, with the family of George D. Rosebury ; John
Bannan, born in 1832; Rachel Pearsol Morgan, born in 1833: George Wash-
ington, born in 1834; \'ictoria, born in 1837; and Rebecca Pearsol, born in
1839. The Misses Rachel, ^''ictoria and Rebecca Douglass occupy the old
homestead in Orwigsburg. The family are Episcopalians in religious con-
nection. Dr. Douglass was a member of the Alasonic fraternity.
HIR.-\M PARKER, JR., now living retired at Pottsville. was one of
the influential figures in control of the industrial situation of that place for
over thirty-five years and associated with an establishment which during
more than half a century had a distinct place among the vital business forces
of the borough. Other local enterprises have benefited by his cooperation,
for he has been public-spirited in the very best sense, aiding every project
which seemed to promise to advance the general welfare.
Mr. Parker was bom in Pottsville Oct. 4, 1841, and belongs to a family
38 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of English origin which has been on American soil from the Colonial period.
We give some record of the earlier generations. His great-grandfather, born
in February, 171 1, took up a tract of land at Masonville, N. Y., where he did
some clearing and erected a sawmill which he operated for many years. His
death occurred there. His wife, Ruth, was born in February, 1712 ( ?). Their
son, Josiah Parker, born Jan. 31, 1771, followed farming in New York State,
and died Nov. 23, 1857. On June 6, 1796, he married 2vlary Haskill, who
was born Sept. 2, 1774, and died Dec. 4, 1832, and their children were born
as follows: J\Iary, Aug. 2y, 1797: Josiah, Jr., June 16, 1799; Adolph, June 23,
1801 ; Rebecca, April 13, 1803; Hiram, Oct. 3, 1805; Erastus, June 4, 1808;
Israel, Jan. 22, 1813; Ruth H., Jan. 22, 1815.
Hiram Parker, son of Josiah, was born Oct. 2, 1805, in ^Massachusetts.
He first learned the trade of carpenter, but after following that occupation
for a short time turned to tailoring, which continued to be his calling through-
out his active years. He came to Schuylkill county, Pa., in young manhood, in
1830 locating at Port Carbon, where he lived in a log house, and under the
primitive conditions characteristic of that day here. In 1831 he removed
to Pottsville, and established himself in business as a merchant tailor, building
up a large custom trade in the borough and vicinity, where his reliable work-
manship and satisfactory service to all his customers kept him in popular
esteem as long as he worked at his calling. He died in Pottsville March 8,
1891. J\Ir. Parker was an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, which
he served many years as ruling elder. He married Sarah P. Craft, who was
born Feb. 12, 1803, in Massachusetts, daughter of Joseph Craft, and died
April 16, 1876. They had a family of five children, three sons and two
daughters: Alary Elizabeth, born April 5, 1831, died young; Harriet Jane,
born Jan. 26, 1836, died young; Samuel H., born Jan. 24, 1838, is a farmer of
Maryville, Nodaway Co., Mo. ; Hiram is mentioned below ; Charles H., born
May 6, 1844, died in 1905.
Hiram Parker was given a public school education at Pottsville, and for a
year or two after leaving school clerked in a store. He then learned the trade
of machinist, serving his apprenticeship in the Philadelphia & Reading railroad
shops, at Reading, Pa. The first year of the Civil n-ar he enlisted in the navy,
which he joined in 1861 as assistant engineer, assigned to the gunboat "Ka-
nawha," in the Gulf squadron, under Farragut and Porter, being with the
blockading squadron off Mobile and in the Gulf and lower Mississippi
maneuvers. After one year of such service he was detailed to take a prize
vessel from Mobile bay to New York, where he was examined and promoted,
and assigned to the gunboat "Louisiana," in the North Atlantic squadron,
with headquarters at Newbern, N. C. As the "Louisiana" was to be used as
a floating mine at Fort Fisher he was detailed to another gunboat, the "Tacony,"
just before the action at Fort Fisher, which took part in the bombardment
there and also in the second battle, when the fort was captured. He remained
on the "Tacony" to the close of the war. During the Cuban filibustering
which gave so much trouble at that period he was chief engineer on the monitor
"Manhattan." He also saw three years' service on the "Dacotah," in the
South Pacific squadron, and three years on the flagship "Lancaster," of the
South Atlantic squadron, principally on South American coasts. With a year
on shore duty his connection with the navy covered over twelve years, during
which he visited nearly every port in the civilized world and had a wide
experience which assisted him greatly in his subsequent business operations.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANLV 39
He resigned from the navy in 1876, and became associated with Jabez Sparks,
his father-in-law, in the boiler and machine business. (The latter had begun
it in 1855, on the site of the present Reading railroad station, with John Sparks,
his brother, and lidward Greathead. It was started for the manufacture of
steam boilers, smoke and ventilating stacks and ventilating mine fans, as
well as general machine repairing. Air. Greathead was killed in 1857, and
John Sparks retired in i860.) Jabez Sparks, William G. Sparks and Hiram
i'arker were members of the firm, which was organized in 1876 under the
name of Sparks & Parker, and the plant was known as the Schuylkill County
Machinery Depot, and operated under that name until the death of Jabez
Sparks, after which William G. Sparks and Hiram Parker were the constituent
members of the tirm. The business prospered without interruption under
the regime of Sparks & Parker until the death of W. G. Sparks, in 1898. It
was then continued under the same name by Mr. Hiram Parker, who became
sole owner. He retained his interest until his retirement from active business,
in iyi2. Mr. Parker has always been regarded as one of the foremost manu-
facturers in his line in the county, and his practical familiarity with machinery
was not only a help in the management of the shop but gained confidence
among its patrons, and made him a competent adviser.
Air. Parker was married in 1871 to Mary E. Sparks, a daughter of Jabez
Sparks, and she died in 1877, leaving three children : Jabez S., who graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania and is now a practicing physician in
West Philadelphia, Pa. ; Emily Y., now the wife of Otto E. Farquhar, attorney,
of Pottsville (they have one daughter) ; and Jessie C, wife of W. T. Jennings,
an electrical engineer in the employ of the Reading Company at Pottsville.
On Sept. 4, 1885, Mr. Parker married Julia F. Sparks, sister of his first wife.
She died May 14, 1912.
Air. Parker continues to reside in Pottsville at No. 1707 West Alahantongo
street. Like his father he has been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church,
and fraternally he belongs to Pulaski Lodge. No. 216, F. & A. AL, of Potts-
ville, the chapter and commandery ; and to Aliners' Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F.
Politically he is a Republican, and though he had no desire for the honors of
office he has occupied the position of school director, serving as a member of
the Pottsville school board for a number of years.
COL. THOMAS H. RICKERT, late of Pottsville, was one of the energetic
spirits of his generation in this part of Pennsylvania, associated with its most
ambitious projects. Particularly successful in the building of railroads, to
which the later years of his business life were devoted, there are many
evidences in existence of his competence and trustworthiness as a contractor.
It was characteristic of him that his undertakings were all of the kind whose
value is permanent, marking progress and leading it. This was true of his
ideals as well as his material accomplishments, many of which were indeed
the realization of visions long cherished. Colonel Rickert was a native of
Schuylkill county, born April 8, 1834, near Schuylkill Haven, in North Man-
heim township. He was a son of George Rickert and grandson of Richard
Rickert.
Richard Rickert was born in Bucks county. Pa., and his father dying
when he was quite young came alone to Schuylkill county when a youth,
settling near Orwigsburg. There he spent the remainder of his long life,
which temiinated about 1857, at the age of eighty-five years. He was prin-
40 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
cipally occupied in farming and mining, though he also did other work. In
spite of his lack of early advantages he became a well informed man, and he
was thoroughly respected for his substantial qualities and upright life. He
was particularly well known as a zealous worker in the Evangelical Associa-
tion, helping to found the church in his neighborhood and always giving his
best efforts towards its successful maintenance. Politically he was a Whig
and interested in the doings of the party, and he was remembered as an ardent
admirer of Henry Clay. His wife's maiden name was Gilbert, and they
were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters.
George Rickert, son of Richard, was born in November, 1810, at Orwigs-
burg, where he was reared. When but fourteen years old he began mining
on his own account, at Minersville, hauling his coal to Mount Carbon, whence
it was shipped to Philadelphia by way of the Philadelphia & Schuylkill canal.
He was one of the first to ship coal from this section. He also built boats for
transporting coal and other freight, at Landingville, Pa. He continued mining
in Schuylkill county, at New Philadelphia and other points as well as his
original location, until his retirement in 1872. Thereafter he lived at Potts-
ville until 1891, in which year he removed to Reading, and he died at Phila-
delphia, while on a visit to his daughter there. Like his father Mr. Rickert
was an earnest member of the Evangelical Association, faithfully filling its
important offices and doing all in his power to promote its welfare. He was a
Republican in political sentiment, and did his duty as a citizen, having a high
sense of his obligations to his fellow men. To his marriage with Amelia
Hammer, whose family was at one time one of the most prominent in Schuyl-
kill county, was born a family of five children : Mrs. Elizabeth Linder, of
Orwigsburg ; John R., of Reading, Pa. : Mrs. Emma Bohannon, of Philadelphia ;
George L., of Virginia; and Thomas H. The mother died in July, 1890, aged
seventy-eight years.
Thomas H. Rickert received a public school education, attending at
Norristown, Pa. He followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a coal
operator, first in association with his father and later independentlv, and met
with substantial success. Though it was not until 1881 that he began taking
contracts for the construction of railroads, he did notable work in that line,
assisting in laying the Bufifalo extension of the Lehigh Valley road, besides
work on the Cumberland Valley, Schuylkill A^alley, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
& Reading, and other roads. His work has stood the test of time, a worthy
monument to the mind that planned and executed it. As a man of capital
Colonel Rickert was naturally concerned in having stable financial institutions
in his section, and he was one of the directors of the Safe Deposit Bank of
Pottsville. and also of the ]\Iiners' Bank of that city. He was also a director
of the Edison Illuminating Company and in other associations identified with
the improvement of material conditions in his borough.
Colonel Rickert was a Republican, and although never a politician felt
strongly on national questions. When the Civil war broke out his sympathies
were with the Union, and he showed his convictions by enlisting for service
early in the struggle. He was made quartermaster of the 7th Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and subsequently served in that capacity with different divisions and
corps of the army of the Cumberland, remaining with the army until the spring
of 1865, when he resigned. He saw active service in practically all the
engagements of the Army of the Cumberland, including the battles of Stone
River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta cam-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\ 41
paign, after which he returned to Tennessee with General Thomas and fought
at Franklin and Nashville. He kept up association with his fellow soldiers
by his membership in Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., the Loyal Legion, and
Encampment No. 19, Lhiion X'eteran Legion. Colonel Rickert's fine appear-
ance, attractive personality and friendly manner, his often proved public
spirit, his kindness towards the unfortunate or lonely, and the cheer of his
social qualities, will keep his memory alive for many years. His death, which
occurred Nov. 19, 1899, was deeply mourned.
On Sept. 23, 1856, Colonel Rickert married Elizabeth \'an Duscn, and they
had a family of five children, two of whom survive: Anna T., wife of Dr.
T. W. Swalm, of Pottsville ; and G. \'an Dusen, who married Allie McMurtrie,
daughter of George K. JMcMurtrie, of Belvidere, N. J., and has three children,
Thomas H., \"an Dusen and Helen.
Colonel Rickert's widow continues to occupy the old homestead at No. 201
West Mahantongo street, Pottsville, beloved throughout the wide circle of her
acquaintance.
The \ an Dusen family is of Holland Dutch origin and has been settled
in New England from early Colonial days. Mathew Van EHisen, Mrs.
Rickert's grandfather, was born in Massachusetts. For a number of years he
lived at Pottsville, Pa., returning to his native State, where he died. His
son, Henry \'an Dusen, Mrs. Rickert's father, was born also in Massachusetts,
came to Pottsville in 1829 with his parents, and became one of the prominent
citizens of this region. For a time he was engaged in the tanning business
at Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., later retiring to Berwick, Columbia county,
where his w-ife, Catherine (Boyd), died; but his death occurred in Pottsville.
Of their nine children only three survive: Elizabeth, widow of Colonel
Rickert ; Catherine, and Henry J.
FRANCIS WADE HUGHES, in his day one of the most distinguished
citizens of Pottsville, probably made his greatest reputation as a lawyer, yet
the record of his activities in other fields would indicate that he could have
been successful in any line. For years he looked after a large legal practice,
took a prominent part in politics, and meantime carried on business concerns
which would have been sufiicient in themselves for the whole attention of
the average man. That none of his interests was neglected emphasizes one
particular trait of his character, his faculty for going directly to the heart of
things without wasting any time in preliminaries. It was a great quality, and
characterized everything he undertook to do.
Mr. Hughes was a native of Montgomery county, Pa., born Aug. 20, 1817,
in Upper Marion township, son of John Hughes, a man of wealth for his
generation and one of the important citizens of his locality. He had large
agricultural interests, and was a gentleman farmer, leasing most of his land
to tenants. The Hughes family had settled upon the estate before the time
of William Penn. and in Colonial and Revolutionary days had held prominent
positions of honor and trust. John Hughes married Hannah Bartholomew,
eldest child of Benjamin Bartholomew, who was of French Huguenot stock,
and served through the entire Revolutionary war as captain of a cavalry com-
pany.
Mr. Hughes in his early childhood gave evidence of the remarkable ability
which rendered him so successful at the bar. Although he had the natural
fondness of a boy for outdoor sports and exercise, he manifested an aptitude
42 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for study which an intelligent father observed and encouraged. Rev. David
Kirkpatrick, of Milton academy, at that time deservedly enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being one of the best teachers in the State. To his instruction young
Hughes was confided. At this academy he acquired a good classical and
mathematical education. In the fall of 1834 he commenced the study of law
with the late George W. Farquhar, in Pottsville. The following winter he
entered the law office of John B. Wallace, of Philadelphia, under whose able
guidance a broad, practical knowledge of the law was acquired. The knowl-
edge of pleading gained at that time Mr. Hughes often in the trial of causes
displayed to the wonder and astonishment of the court and bar. After the
death of Mr. Wallace, which occurred in the latter part of 1S36, he entered
the law school at Carlisle, then under the direction of Hon. John Reed, the
president judge of that judicial district. Here he met a number of his old
schoolmates at the Milton academy, among them Andrew G. Curtin, afterwards
famous as the war governor of Pennsylvania. The same avidity of learning
previously displayed Mr. Hughes manifested at the law school, and his fellow
students testified to the extent of his learning, the facility with which it was
acquired, and his brilliancy and clearness of expression. He was admitted as
an attorney in August. 1837, and immediately commenced the practice of his
chosen profession in Pottsville. His practice, which from its commencement
was lucrative, became extremely varied, his business important as a class, and
his suits in all of the courts. It is said he tried, probably, more causes than
any other man in the State of Pennsylvania. He was familiar with, and at
home in, all branches of the profession. In 1839 he was appointed deputy
attorney general by Hon. Ovid F. Johnson, then attorney general, and thovigh
he resigned this office three several times he was subsequently reappointed,
and held it altogether for eleven years. His knowledge of criminal law was
consequently thorough, but his practice was mainly in the civil courts. He
ranked among the first of the few great land lawyers of the country; was a
fine equity practitioner ; and understood, in all its branches, patent as well as
commercial law. He had few equals as a nisi priiis lawyer in the country.
He prepared a case rapidly, but with great skill and accuracy ; examined and
cross-examined a witness with great ability ; argued with force, law and
fact to court and jury, and in the general management of his cause enlisted
the admiration of all. Although naturally impulsive, he held himself under
complete control during the trial of a cause, rarely lost his temper — never his
balance. His most extended reputation, perhaps, was gained in the argument
of cases in the superior courts on appeal. As a lawyer and a gentleman he
was universally respected by bench and bar.
But while Mr. Hughes led a wonderfully busy life as an active practitioner
at the bar, he always took a personal interest in politics, as well as in subjects
pertaining to the general welfare. In 1843, when but twenty-six years of
age, he was elected to the State Senate by the Democratic party, by a large
majority, there being in this county only 149 votes against him. He resigned
his office as senator in 1844, and returned to the practice of the law. Whilst
in the Senate he formed close friendly relations with Hon. William Bigler,
who when elected governor of Pennsylvania, in the fall of 185 1, appointed
him secretar}' of the Commonwealth. In March, 1853, he was appointed
attorney general of the State, which office he filled until the early part of the
year 1855. Although deeply interested in politics, Mr. Hughes's tastes and
business cares prevented him from holding many political offices. He was
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\ 43
one of the presidential electors in 1856, and had heen a delegate to many
county, State and national conventions, over many of which he presided. He
was, however, a politician of the old school; believed in the power of organ-
ization, and regarded parties as representatives of principles, not as mere
machines for personal advancement. In February, iSfii, he was a member
of the State convention at Harrisburg, known as the Peace convention, and
was a prominent member of the committee on resolutions. When the war
broke out his support of the Lhiion was prompt, energetic and valuable. He
aided in fitting out one of the first five companies that reached Washington.
He maintained, with voice and pen, the legal right of the government to put
down rebellion with force of arms. He aided in the raising of regiments, and
one regiment was familiarly known as his regiment. But he was a Democrat ;
was chairman of the Democratic State committee in 1862, and in the unrea-
soning political zeal of the times was denounced by his political opponents.
Efforts were made by them to have him arrested, which would probably have
been successful had it not been that Hon. Edwin ]\I. Stanton, then secretary
of war, was his personal friend. Secretary Stanton telegraphed him that
there should be no order for his arrest without first granting him a hearing.
As there were no charges affecting his loyalty to the government, except such
as were manifestly founded on malice, no order was ever issued.
Eminent as Mr. Hughes was as a lawyer and politician, his operations as a
business man were extensive. He originated and aided in many enterprises ;
in the purchase and improvement of lands ; in the opening and working of
coal and ore mines ; in the establishment of factories and iron works. He was
essentially a man of enterprise, and his county and his State have been
enriched through his eiTorts. He embarked in a scheme for the reclamation
of marsh lands about Long Island and Staten Island, and in this he lost many
thousands of dollars. Eminent as a lawyer, disinterested and earnest as a
politician, in his death, which occurred at Pottsville Oct. 22, 1885, the borough
not only lost one of her most beloved citizens, but the State one of her most
distinguished sons.
E. F. C. DA\'IS was at the time of his death president of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, and one of the most deserving men ever
chosen for that honor. That the greater part of his professional career was
spent at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and some of his most important work
executed in the improvement of her industrial plants, is a proper occasion for
pride on the part of the community. Mr. Davis came here a young man, full
of ambition and, as it proved, the practical ability to bring his plans to fulfill-
ment. Here he remained, progressing steadily in the work of his choice,
until a few years before his death, when he left to assume greater responsi-
bilities. He had the most coveted reward of the true scientific man, the recog-
nition of his fellow workers in the same field.
Mr. Davis was born in 1847 ^^ Chestertown, Md., and was well educated,
taking a classical course at Washington College, from which institution he
was graduated in 1866. His parents intended him for the legal profession,
but his tastes were all in the line of mechanics, for which, indeed, he showed
great aptitude even in his early years. He was a mere boy when he con-
structed a small oscillating steam engine. For several years after his college
days he was in the Ignited States merchant marine service, which he left to
enter upon an apprenticeship with Brinton & Henderson, machinists, of Phila-
44 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
delphia, Pa. His preparation included thorough training in both the machine
and drafting departments. The first position that Mr. Davis held thereafter
was with Hoy, Kennedy & Co., of New Castle, Del., and he assisted in trans-
ferring their plant from that city to the Atlantic Dock Iron Works, at South
Brooklyn, N. Y. While with that concern he was engaged in making the
drawings for the Mutual Gas Works of New York City. It was from there
he came to Pottsville, Pa., to take a place in the drafting department of the
Iron & Steel Company, and in the course of his connection therewith he
worked out many improvements in the older machinery, and eventually designed
the new plant of the company. He was next in the offices of the George W.
Snyder foundry on Coal street, following with some experience as draftsman
and assistant to S. B. Whiting, then superintendent of the Colliery Iron Works,
at Pottsville. Meantime the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company
came into existence, and Mr. Davis entered its service in 1879, in the capacity
of mechanical draftsman. A year later he was made superintendent of the
shops, filling that position for the ten years succeeding, during which the
duties originally assigned him increased greatly in scope and importance. In
1883 the Colliery Iron Works were added to the plant, and their reorganiza-
tion, to fit them into eftective cooperation with the Philadelphia & Reading
works, was manipulated principally by Mr. Davis. In 1887, when j\Ir. Whiting
resigned as mechanical engineer, i\Ir. Davis succeeded him, and proved most
capable in the discharge of his "manifold responsibilities, which called for
executive as well as mechanical ability. He was the pioneer in the intro-
duction of electricity into Pottsville, and the first to apply it for use in the
mines.
In 1890 ^Ir. Davis resigned his superintendency of the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company to become the general manager of the Rich-
mond Locomotive Works, of Richmond, Ya. There his talent, employed in a
special line, brought about some noteworthy improvements in railway loco-
motives. In April, 1895, he severed his connection with the Richmond works
to take the presidency of the Hunt Iron \\'orks, of New York, and at the
time of his death he was also connected with the Brighton Iron Works on
Staten- Island. His accomplishments in these various associations are known
to mechanical engineers everywhere. In January, 1895, the dignity of presi-
dent of the American Society of iMechanical Engineers was conferred upon
him, and he was deeply appreciative of the significance of his election to that
position, which he filled worthily.
Mr. Davis died Aug. 6, 1895, being instantly killed when thrown from his
own horse, in Central Park, New York City. His remains were brought to
Pottsville for interment in the Charles Baber cemetery. He married Joanna H.,
a daughter of the late Col. John Potts Hobart, of Pottsville, and she survives
him with four children: John Hobart, George Lynn Lachlan, Meredith and
Mary Clare.
JOHN POTTS HOBART, late of Pottsville, generally known as Colonel
Hobart, was a citizen of that borough from the time it became the county seat
of Schuylkill county. He was a lawyer, and made a distinguished record in
his profession, and his citizenship was what might have been expected from a
member of the Hobart and Potts families, for he was a son of the late
Nathaniel Potts Hobart and his mother was a member of the Potts family.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\^'\NL\ 45
after whom Pottstown was named. His grantlfather was Robert Enoch
Hobart and his uncle the well known Uishop Hobart of New York City.
Nathaniel Potts Hobart was bom in Philadelphia, and became prominent
as an attorney, being well known throughout the State of Pennsylvania. He
practiced his profession in both Philadelphia and Pottstown, Pa., serving as
auditor general under Governor Ritner, and was an old-line Whig in political
connection. He died when past middle age in Schuylkill county, in the town
of Pottsville. jMr. Hobart married Joanna Potts, of Alexandria, Va., who
belonged to the family which founded Pottstown during the Revolutionary
period. They were the first to engage in the iron industry in Pennsylvania.
Seven children were born to Mr. Hobart and his wife, namely : John Potts,
Sarah Potts, Eliza Ramsay, Anna Sophia, Robert Henry, Nathaniel Potts
and Ellen Goodin.
John Potts Hobart was born Aug. 22, 1814, at Pottstown, Montgomery
Co., Pa. His edtication was begun in the private schools there and at Reading,
and he also attended a militai">' school at Mount Airy. He read law with
AMlliam Bidtlle at Carlisle, Pa., and was admitted to practice in the courts of
Cumberland county. Settling at Orwigsburg, which was then the seat of
Schuylkill county. Pa., he remained there until Pottsville became the county
seat; moving to the latter place at that time. His professional ability, gained
him enviable standing in the law, and he became a prominent citizen in other
associations also, serving one term, 1858-61, as sheriff of Schuylkill county.
He was colonel of a regiment of militia and was generally known in his home
community by that title. Mr. Hobart continued in the practice of his profes-
sion until his death, which occurred on March 24, 1892, at Pottsville. He is
buried in the Charles Baber cemetery there, formerly the old Mount Laurel
cemetery. His religious connection was with the Episcopal Church, and he
was a Republican in politics. A man of sterling personal qualities, strong
and well-trained intellect, high principles and courageous in the expression
of his opinion, he was admired and esteemed by all with whom he came in
contact.
On April 5. 1838. Colonel Hobart was married in Philadelphia to Anne
Amelia Smith, who was born March 13, 1816, at Huntingdon, Pa., daughter
of \\'illiam Rudolph Smith, and died July 4, 1890, at Pottsville. Of the ten
children born to this union two died in infancy, the survivqrs being: Eliza
Smith: Julia Biddle ; Joanna Holland; Mary; Nathaniel Potts; John Potts;
Cecil Willig, and David McKnight.
WILLL\]\I SPENCER. Through a period of seventy years and more
there flourished at Minersville or in the nearby Pennsylvania coal territory
George and William Spencer, father and son, who in turn held a prominent
place among coal operators in this section, from the early thirties until after
the opening of the present century. Many of the most profitable collieries
in this region were opened and worked under their management. Each was
counted among the ablest citizens of his generation, and William Spencer was
influential in the commercial and municipal development of IMinersville, where
his name is held in honored memory bv his contemporaries in everv walk of
life.
George Spencer, the father, was of English birth and ancestry, a son of
George and Hannah (Hearst) Spencer. Born in 1806 in Yorkshire, he spent
his early life there, coming to America in 1828. He was soon at work as a
46 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
miner in Schuylkill county, Pa., settling at the village of West West, near
Minersville, was promoted to mine boss at the old North America mines near
Pottsville, and in the early thirties began mining on his own account, being
a successful operator until his death. Moving to Minersville in 1837, he
acquired an interest in the Wadesville mines in that vicinity, and was later
associated with others in the operation of a colliery at Beaver Meadow and
the opening of a new one in Carbon county, where they founded the village of
Jeanesville, located over the line in Luzerne county. For a few years ^Ir.
Spencer was located at Jersey City, N. J., removing there in 1850 to take
charge of the coal shipments for the mines in which he held interests, returning
to Minersville in 1853. After that he opened the Peach Orchard colliery
and subsequently the Oak Hill colliery, in the southern part of Cass township,
this county. Following this he leased the Harper colliery at jMinersville,
operating it until his death, Jan. 4, 1862, caused by a gas explosion there. He
had also operated the old Spohn vein, at Fishbach, where the Williams colliery
is now located. A pioneer in the Schuylkill county anthracite fields, he was
one of its most prosperous operators, the mines he started and worked com-
paring well with the best producers in the territory. Mr. Spencer showed
the same good judgment in the conduct of all his affairs that he did in busi-
ness, and though he acquired ample means retained always the good will and
confidence of his fellow men, a tribute to his upright character which gratified
him greatly. As a member of the community he was progressive, ready to
give his encouragement to local movements and liberal in his support of
worthy enterprises of all kinds.
By his marriage to Mary Williams, daughter of John and Mary Williams,
Mr. Spencer had a family of seven children who reached maturity : William ;
Thomas, deceased; Hannah, widow of Edward Cooke, of West Bethlehem;
John, deceased; George, agent for the Dupont Powder Company at Ashland,
Pa. ; Rachel, widow of Dr. Thomas Patterson, of Mahanoy City ; and Mary,
deceased, who was the wife of William Taylor, manager of the stores of the
Forest Improvement Company at Heckscherville and Forestville, Schuylkill
county.
Mr. Spencer was a Whig in politics until the organization of the Repub-
lican party, which he supported during his last years. He held membership
in the Methodist Episcopal Church and took a sincere interest in its work,
which he assisted generously.
William Spencer was born Aug. 7, 1830, at West West, in Norwegian
township, Schuylkill county, and received his early education in convenient
academies, later attending Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., from which he was
graduated in 1847. When ready to commence work he joined his father, for
whom as soon as able he acted as superintendent at the Oak Hill collieries,
and later at Buck Mountain, near Hazleton. His career as a coal operator
had two interruptions, the first in 1849, when he joined the rush to California
in search of gold. He made the voyage around the Horn to San Francisco,
but did not spend much time in the coast region. On his return to the East
he was located for a time at Paterson, N. J., conducting coal yards run in con-
nection with his father's mining business in Schuylkill county. Later he was
out of the coal business again during the Civil war, in which he served under
two enlistments. He first entered the 5th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry,
under Col. Benjamin C. Christ, the regiment spending most of its three months'
term in camp duty at Harrisburg, Washington, D. C, and Alexandria, \'a., and
SCHfVLKlLL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANIA 47
never coming into direct contact with the enemy. After heing mustered out,
July 25, iSbi, j\lr. Spencer reenHsted at once, in the Pennsylvania cavalry
service, in which he served honorably to the end of the war, attaining the rank
of major.
The war over, Mr. Spencer resumed his old calling, being superintendent
and general manager of the Buck ^fountain colliery and company store, near
Hazleton, where he continued for a period of eighteen years, returning to
Minersville to live in the fail of 1885. Though particularly well experienced
in anthracite mining he joined xAndrew Robertson, of Pottsville, about 1881-82,
in the development of bituminous coal fields in West Virginia, under the name
of the P.ottom Creek Coal and Coke Company, and retained his interests there
to the close of his life. The property increased in value under their efficient
management and intelligent exploitation, and as president, corresponding secre-
tary and general manager Mr. Spencer took an active part in superintending
the operation of the mines, which are located near Vivian, McDowell county.
He was there attending to business while stricken with pneumonia, dying Dec.
13, 1904, after a brief illness. His remains were brought back to Minersville
and interred in the Union cemetery.
Mr. Spencer's experience in mining, begun in boyhood, and varied by the
different operations he superintended, was so extensive and intelligently
applied that he was looked upon as an authority in the business. But he was
not so thoroughly wrapped up in it as to ignore other interests or neglect his
duties of citizenship, and he assisted in the establishment of business institu-
tions and public utilities which were necessary to stimulate the growth of his
town and county, or whose support seemed assured by their advancement.
He was one of the organizers of the Minersville Electric Light Company, a
director of the Minersville Water Company, and connected with the First
National Bank. He was also interested in the manufacture of sewer pipes
in Alabama. The ability so admirably demonstrated in the direction of his
private concerns gained all his opinions the respectful consideration of his
associates in ever\' relation, and was never turned to any but the most com-
mendable use. His name and reputation live on in the good movements which
received their impetus largely through his encouragement. The large numbers
who turned out to pay their last respects at his funeral showed how generally
he was beloved in the community where he had been known from boyhood.
On Nov. 3, 1853, Mr. Spencer was married to Amelia J. Prevost, daughter
of John Prevost, and they had one child, Mary E., who died in infancy. Mrs.
Spencer continues to occupy the fine old home on Front street where she and
her husband spent so many happy years, and where cordial hospitality has
always been assured their many friends. She is now one of the oldest resi-
dents of the town, and deservedly held in tender regard by a wide acquaintance-
ship.
John Prevost, in his day a citizen of note at Minersville, was a native of
Pennsylvania, born about 1788 near Phoenixville, Chester county, where his
parents settled on their removal from Canada. They came to America from
France. In his early life Mr. Prevost learned the saddler's trade. About
1828 he settled at Minersville, where he made a permanent home, dying in
1863, at the age of seventy-five years. For several years previously he had
lived retired, but during the greater part of his residence at ]\Iinersville he was
in the hotel business, and his strong character and uprightness made him very
influential in local aft'airs, in which he took a leading part. He served a long
48 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
term as postmaster, was school director and treasurer of the borough, and
officially and unofficially did his share towards its advancement. Politically
he was an old-line Whig.
At Phoenixville Mr. Prevost married Mary Jones, a native of Wales, by
whom he had eight children, namely: Etta died when twenty years old;
Susanna died at the age of five years ; Louis W., a prominent physician for
many years at Tremont, died at Minersville in 1900 ; Charles C, who was
employed in various stores at JMinersville, died at the age of thirty-one
years ; Hiram W., a druggist at Minersville, died at the age of sixty-eight
years; Amelia J. is the widow of William Spencer; Elizabeth married Dr. L. J.
Hale and lived in Minersville for some time after her marriage, and then
removed to the vicinity of Jenkintown, where she still resides; Mary P. is now
Mrs. Jacob Serrill, of Philadelphia, where her husband is a coal operator.
JUDGE GEORGE J. WADLINGER, who died a few months after his elec-
tion as judge of the courts of Schuylkill county, was a man of such unusual at-
tainments that although he barely lived to reach his prime his name will have a
permanent place in the records of this bar. In the few months of his service
on the bench he gave every indication of the possession of true judicial qualities,
and though he interpreted the law with the utmost fidelity his strong personal-
ity injected itself into all his decisions with a tone of sincerity which he could
not disguise. Keenly alive to his obligations in the administration of the law,
and yet with a sensitive comprehension of a strong man's sense of responsibil-
ity towards his fellows, he had a proper conception of the duties of his office
which with his legal fitness made him highly competent for their performance.
Judge Wadlinger was a native of Schuylkill county, of German descent. His
grandfather, George J. Wadlinger, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and passed
all his life in that country. Francis W'adlinger, the Judge's father, was born
in Germany in 1836 and spent his early years there. He lived in Schuylkill
county. Pa., from the time of his immigration to America, in 1854, first settling
at Minersville, where he lived until 1865. Thereafter he resided at Mahanoy
City, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until his death, which
occurred there in 1879. During his later years he was associated with the opera-
tion of various collieries, as superintendent, acting in that capacity at the
Diamond colliery, at Forestville, and the Anchor colliery, at Heckscherville. It
was while thus occupied that he received the injuries which eventually caused
his death. With his brother John he was interested in the Phoenix Park col-
liery, as F. Wadlinger & Co. Though an ardent Democrat and active in politics
he never had any aspirations for office. He married Anna M. Schaub, and of
the children born to them the following lived to maturity : Frank, John A..
Jacob, Michael M. and George J.
George J. Wadlinger was born July 10, 1857. at Minersville, began his edu-
cation there, and continued it in the public schools at Mahanoy City. Afler
clerking in his father's store for a time he became a student in St. \^incent's
College, in \Vestmoreland county. Pa., where he obtained the degree of master
of accounts, in 1873. Then for a time he was in the mercantile business at
Mahanoy City, meantime engaging also in newspaper work and beginning his
preparation for the legal profession. In 1879 he gave up merchandising and
entered the office of Hon. Charles N. P.rumm, at Pottsville, where he carried
on his law studies until admitted to the bar. March 4, 1881. From that time
until his death he devoted practically all his time to practice. Recognition of
j^^y-^it:;^02^.^^^^^f
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 49
his aliilitit's and the confiilence he insjiired came early. In 1891, when but
thirty-four years of age, he was nominated for tlie i^osition of additional law
judge of Scliuylkill county, but was defeated by his opponent, David B. Green.
On July 10, 1899, he received the nomination for juds^e of the court of Com-
mon Pleas of Schuyll-cill county, and was elected the November following with
a majority of 1,872 over Judge D. C. Henning, the Republican candidate. He
presided over the January and March terms, lyoo, and although very ill during
the latter obeyed his stern sense of duty rather than the advice of his physi-
cian, attending to his work at the expense of his health. His death, which
occurred May i6th following (1900), at his home, No. 514 Mahantongo street,
Pottsville, showed how serious the need for rest was.
Though he had been on the bench but a few months Judge Wadlinger had
begun to "do things" in dispatching the business of the court as well as in dis-
pensing justice, inaugurating changes of great importance in the economical
administration of his oftice. He had delivered several opinions in important
cases which drew favorable comments from all interested by reason of the ex-
ceptional ability they showed. All his work on the bench was done in the
clearest and most concise manner. In his action in the case of the Culm dam-
age suits he blazed a new path, and his utterances in this connection have since
been quoted as the clearest exposition of the law upon the subject rendered up
to date. Twelve hundred actions were to be disposed of at one time by his
decision in this case, with the cost to the public of one suit — an immense sav-
ing to the county. Judge Wadlinger's conduct of the whole affair was char-
acteristic of his attitude towards the possibilities he could see for efficient service
to his community. He had decided to attempt to put an end to petty litiga-
tion with which the court had been burdened and hampered in its operations,
and in all such cases tried before him indicated his position clearly and fol-
lowed with an opinion. His charges to the jurymen were models, clear and
urgent, and left no room for doubt in their minds as to their duty so far as
the law was concerned. His judgment upon cjuestions of the law was admired
by all his associates in the profession, and he had every prospect of a brilliant
career of usefulness when death took him. There was unanimous expression
of sorrow at his untimely demise, which left a vacancy in many circles and
was regarded as a loss to the whole county.
Judge Wadlinger was secretary of the Schuylkill County Bar Association
for about fourteen years, from the time of its organization in 1887 until the
close of his life, and kept closely in touch with its various activities, serving
six years as member of the committee for the examination of students for
admission to the bar, and as one of the staff' of reporters for the District
Reports, a series of legal records which since 1891 have had a very important
place in the law literature of the State. In 1889 he published his treatise on
the "Law of Costs in Pennsylvania," a creditable work on one of his favor-
ite themes and well received by lawyers and judges all over the State. At the
time of his death he was preparing another work, on "Fraudulent Debtors,"
and had mapped out one on "The Law of Libel." Judge Wadlinger made a
study of the finer points of jurisprudence, and his painstaking investigations
showed conscientious research and an earnest desire to master fundamentals
in all proceedings. He was thoroughly familiar with court routine, a fact
which gave his clients a distinct advantage over those who had less accom-
plished counsel, and his unimpeachable integrity was too well understood to
need comment. His whole life was ordered on a high plane, and though he
50 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
gave his best to the community while he hved his friends generally shared the
opinion of his fellow lawyers that he had not gained the summit of his powers.
His name will live among the leaders of the Schuylkill County Bar.
Judge Wadlinger was one of the original stockholders and organizers of
the Union National Bank of Mahanoy City, now the leading financial institu-
tion of that place. He was at one time president of the American Democratic
Club (now out of existence) and always a valued and influential worker in the
Democratic party, consulted as one of its ablest advisers. In 18S3, the first
time he had the honor of being a delegate to the State convention, he presented
the name of B. B. McCool as nominee for State treasurer. He was a dele-
gate to several subsequent State conventions. Though often urged to accept
candidacy for office he invariably declined except in the instances already cited,
which were in the line of his chosen work. Socially he belonged to the Alumni
association of St. Vincent's College, and served as president of that
organization.
On Aug. 29, .1882, Judge Wadlinger married Margaret D. Jones, daughter
of David N. Jones, a native of Wales, who resided in Luzerne county. Pa.
They had children as follows: (i) Mary Louise, bom June 5, 1883, died Dec.
25, 1884. (2) Charles Vincent, born Dec. 5, 1885, attended public school at
Pottsville, and after graduating from high school, in 1904, entered the Medico-
Chirurgical College, at Philadelphia, graduating in 1908. He was then located
at St. Agnes hospital, Phoenix, for ten weeks, and at the Pottsville hospital
seven months. He practiced at Tower City, Pa., for twenty-two months, and
on Sept. 25, 191 1, located at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, where he is now
engaged at his profession. He married Jan. 12, 1910, Edyth May Moore,
daughter of Peter F. J. Moore. The Doctor is a member of Pottsville lodge
of Elks, No. 207, the Loyal Order of Moose (No. 411) and the I. O. O. F.
lodge at Port Carbon. (3) George William, twin of Dr. Charles V. Wad-
linger, was born Dec. 5, 1885, and received his early education in the public
schools of Pottsville, graduating from high school in the class of 1904. He
then entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he graduated with
honors in 1907, and. is now practicing his profession at Pottsville, having his
office in Market street. On Sept. 22, 1915, he married Maude Elizabeth Muehl-
hof, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Muehlhof. (4) Francis Raymond,
born Sept. 12, 1890, began his education in the public schools of Pottsville, grad-
uated from the high school, and then entered Franklin and Marshall College,
at Lancaster, Pa., where he graduated with honors after studying there only
one year. Then he took a course in the law department of the University of
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, graduating in 1912 with honors, and became
associated with T. D. Finletter, Esq., of Philadelphia (now Common Pleas
judge). When a student of the University of Pennsylvania he was a member
of the Mask and Wig Club and of the Glee Club, having a fine tenor voice
which is in great demand. (5) Herman David, born May 14, 1893, was edu-
cated in the public schools of Pottsville and Bellefonte Academy. He resides
at home. (6) Helen Margaret, born Feb. 22, 1896, is at home.
PATRICK J. FERGUSON is remembered in Shenandoah as one of the
most notable characters among its early citizens. He settled there about two
years before the town was incorporated as a borough, and continued to live
there for fifty years, during most of which time he exercised great influence
in the direction of business activities and the establishment of public institu-
tions. With an original mind and unlimited enterprise, though he began with
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXL\ 51
limited means, he worked his way to prosperity. His faith in the future of
the town, as indicated by his investments and even by his losses, was a strong
factor in its development. The fact that he was known as the "iron man"
evidences the unusual strength of character he displayed in so many ways.
He was an excellent judge of men, and never hesitated to show his confi-
dence in the worthy. His own early struggles made him sympathetic with
the efforts of others, and he aided many to turn failure into success by timely
and liberal loans, in several instances without security. Plain and unassum-
ing in manner and dress, he was approachable and loved by all, and his name
will endure in the hearts of many who knew and admired him.
^Ir. Ferguson was of Irish extraction, though his branch of the family
was formerly established in Scotland and a distinguished clan in that country,
of ancient and noble ancestry. But they have always been stanch Catholics,
and because of their refusal to support the Church of England lost their lands
in Scotland, hence the emigration to Ireland. John O'Hart, in his Irish Pedi-
grees, mentions the Fergusons among the leading families descended from
Heremon, the youngest of the three sons of Alilesius of Spain who left issue.
According to this author the name has been .Anglicized to Ferguson from
MacFergus. Fergus is derived from "fear," a man, and "gus," strength, and
signifies strong warrior. It is a very ancient Pictish Irish name, handed down
from the early Pictish Irish and the Scoti. On page 206, in Hanna's Scotch-
Irish, we find the following, which shows that the family name is very old:
"King Alpin-Xechtan, who resigned his rule to Druxot in order that he
himself might experiment with monastic life, now returned to contest the
claims of Alpin, the Dalriadic aspirant who had driven out Nechtan's legatees.
Angus of Forlrenn, son of Fergus, also appeared as a claimant ; Alpin was
defeated by Angus in a battle fought in 728 at Monash-Cracbi (now Mon-
crieff), and the territory west of the river Tay was lost to him in consequence.
Not long afterward Xechtan met Alpin in battle at Scone, completely over-
threw his forces, and partially recovered the Pictish (Irish) and title for
himself. In 729 Angus and Nechtan met and contested for supreme leader-
ship, which resulted in the defeat and rout of Nechtan's forces and the
assumption of kingly authority and title by Angus. Angus ruled Pictland
for thirty years. In 730 Angus destroyed the Scots city of Creic. Angus
died in 734."
Thomas Ferguson, father of the late Patrick J- Ferguson, had a history
of the family and a representation of the family arms in his fine library,
which was burned many years ago. The crest of several of the Irish Fer-
gusons and Scotch Fergusons is given thus : On a thistle, leaved and flowered,
proper, a bee, or. Several other Scotch and Irish Ferguson crests show
enough similarity to indicate that the branches had a common origin, viz. :
A dexter hand grasping a broken spear in bend, all proper. A naked hand
couped below the elbow, holding the upper part of a broken lance proper,
headed or. An arm in armor, grasping a broken spear. A dexter hand
issuing from a cloud, grasping a broken spear in bend proper. A dexter hand
grasping a broken spear bendways proper. The motto, "Vi et arte," is also
common to several branches.
On page 141, "Handbook of Heraldry," by John E. Cussans (third edition,
London, England), we find: "About the time of Queen Elizabeth, the custom
of wearing badges began to fall into disuse : there are at the present time but
few of our noble families which retain it. In Scotland, however, the custom
52 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
still in a great measure survives; a branch of a tree, a sprig, or a flower, in
every instance constituting the distinguishing badge of the various clans, as
exemplified by the following list: Buccleuch — Heather; Grant — Cranberry
Heath; Gordon — Ivy; MacDonald — Bell Heath; MacDougal — Cypress; Alac-
Donell — Mountain Heath ; Ferguson — Poplar ; Campbell — Myrtle ; Stewart —
Thistle; Murray — Juniper;" etc. "The last personal royal badge was that
devised by Queen Anne, in which the Rose of England and the Thistle of
Scotland appeared growing from one stem imperially crowned. The Rose,
Thistle and Shamrock, however, still constitute the national emblems of Eng-
land, Scotland and Ireland."
The Ferguson coat of arms of Ulster: Azure, a'fess, between a star of
eight rays in chief and a lion rampant in base, all or.
In Irish Pedigrees (by O'Hart), No. zy among the chiefs and clans of
Brefney ( comprising the present Counties of Cavan and Leitrim ) and the
territories they possessed in the twelfth century : Several clans in the County
Leitrim, not mentioned by O'Dugan; as the MacGloin of Rossinver; the
MacFerguses, who were hereditary "erenachs" of the churches of Rossinver,
and whose name has been Anglicized Ferguson, etc. On page 189, Hanna's
Scotch-Irish, we find : "The district comprising tiie Counties of Lanark,
Renfrew, Ayr, Dumfries, A\'igtown, Kirkcudbright and Dumbarton, an area
about the same as the State of Connecticut, and the most of which was for-
merly included in the Celto-British kingdom of Strathclyde, has produced a
very large proportion of the men and families who have made the name of
Scotland famous in the world's history. Elderslie in Renfrewshire is said to
be the birthplace of Scotland's hero, William Wallace. Robert Bruce, also,
son of .Marjory, Countess of Carrick, daughter of Neal (or Niall, ^who was
himself the Celtic Earl of Carrick and the grandson of Fergus, Lord of Gallo-
way), was according to popular belief born at his mother's castle of Turn-
berry, in Ayrshire." Dumbartonshire is the reputed birthplace of St. Patrick,
Ireland's teacher and patron saint.
On page 84, in Hanna's Scotch-Irish: "Among the British and Tory
leaders during the war of the Revolution there was Col. Patrick Ferguson."
Page 194: "A. D. 592, Feargus mac Farca the Great held a part of Britain
with the Dalriadic tribe and died, there." Page 532 : "Robert Ferguson,
tenant to John Hamilton in 1617. County Armagh." Page 145. \'ol. I, under
the heading "Scottish Achievements": "The only poets that Ulster can boast
of are Samuel Ferguson, the author of 'Forging the Anchor,' \\'illiam Ailing-
ham, the author of 'Lawrence Bloomfield.' and two or three of lesser note."
Patrick Ferguson, grandfather of Patrick J. Ferguson, had a blacksmith
shop at Ballyhain (or Ballyhane), in County Mayo, four miles from Castlebar.
He was a gentleman of fine appearance, and wore knee breeches and silver
shoe buckles. One of his brothers was an officer in Napoleon's army. His
wife was a W'alsh, and they had five children, Thomas, Rev. Stephen, Nellie,
Kitty and Bridget. As it is known that Thomas Ferguson had sisters who left
the old country and settled in Canada, all or most of this family came to
America.
Thomas and Bridget (Christopher) Ferguson, parents of Patrick J. Fer-
guson, were natives of County Mayo, in the Province of Connaught, Ireland.
She was a daughter of Michael and Bridget (Flannery) Christopher, the
former an innkeeper at Ballyhain, having an inn noted to this day. Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Ferguson were well educated, not onlv in English, but able to
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL^ 53
read and write Irish as well. Thomas Ferguson wrote a beautiful hand, and
his writings show evidence of culture. Indeed, he and his brother Stephen,
who accompanieil him and his wife to America in 1842, were among the
privileged few allowed in their day the advantages of a university training.
This alone would indicate that the family was influential, and it is known that
they stood in favor because of distinguished services their military grand-
father rendered to the crown. The Fergusons were fourteen weeks on their
voyage across the Atlantic, a storm driving the vessel into Nova Scotia.
While she was at anchor oft' that place there was a request for a priest, to
baptize a child, and Stephen Ferguson, who had taken orders, responded,
going ashore, with several others, among them Thomas Ferguson and wife,
who left their children aboard. A favorable wind arising the ship sailed
away, and when the father of the child who had been baptized learned that
she had left he took the Fergusons in a swift sailing vessel and followed,
overtaking the larger boat after a day and a night of skillful sailing and
tacking. Mrs. Ferguson was nearly frantic, fearing that she would never see
her children again, and indeed when they boarded the ship siie found they
had been adopted by people whom they had met coming over, and who like
themselves had left Ireland for Canada. Father Stephen Ferguson had an
appointment as priest in Canada, but on leaving Nova Scotia they went to
New Y'ork City, whence the Father proceeded to his church. At New Y'ork
they met Mrs. Ferguson's brother, Henry Christopher, and brother-in-law,
James Quinn (who had married her sister Margaret), both of whom were
settled at Minersville. Schuylkill Co., Pa., where Mrs. Ferguson persuaded
her husband to locate, instead of accompanying his brother to Canada.
Another sister, Julia, wife of Michael Bradigan, lived in the nearby village of
Jonestown. Henry Christopher was tax collector at Minersville ; James Quinn
was a butcher.
Thomas Ferguson was possessed of some means, a fortune for his day,
but he lost his money by going security for a friend. Fortunately he had
learned a trade in Ireland, but he never followed it until after meeting with
this reverse at Minersville. His home was the favorite rendezvous for the
most excellent of his countrymen here in the early days, and his descendants
have so carried themselves as to merit the same degree of esteem. It was
said that those who came from County Mayo would invariably ask where
Thomas Fergtison lived. He and his wife were devout members of the
Catholic Church. They were the parents of the following children : Stephen,
who was a soldier in the Civil war, married Mary Birne, and died in Mexico
(he left no children) ; Mary, who died at the age of sixteen years; Patrick J.;
Margaret, who died when four years old ; Henry J., who married a Miss
Gillespie, and lived at Tamaqua, Pa. (no family) ; Thomas J., who married
Theresa Tobin, of Shenandoah (three of their children are living, Thomas,
John and Theresa); Christopher P.; Hilary Ellen, born in February, 1856,
who died in 1863; and Bridget, who married James J. Franey, a business
man of Shenandoah, engaged in the furniture trade and undertaking.
Mr. Franey died in 191 3, and his widow is living in Shenandoah. They
had children as follows: Martin J., Martha, Ella, Fergus (deceased),
Irene, one that died in infancy, James J. and Agnes C. Mrs. Franey and her
brother Christopher are the only surviving members of the family of Thomas
F'erguson. He is buried at Alinersville.
Patrick J. Ferguson was born in 1842 in County Mayo, and was a child in
arms when the family arrived at Minersville, where he was reared and
54 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\
received his early education in the common schools. Later he had a course
in the normal school at Port Carbon, under County Superintendent Newlin,
and completed a course in the Quaker City business college at Philadelphia.
\Mien a boy he did breaker work at Minersville, but his ambitious spirit was
even then active, and he decided to get away from that occupation as soon as
possible. So for a time he clerked evenings in a grocery, before long was
employed as a regular clerk, and meantime continued his studies with his
father's assistance. During his early manhood ]\Ir. Ferguson taught school
for three years in Cass township and Minersville, but though his labors in
the profession were appreciated he soon found the possibilities of a business
career more attractive. John Anspach & Company, of Philadelphia, were
then operating a colliery near Ashland, this county, and the young man found
a position to his liking there, remaining at the colliery two years. At the
end of that connection, in 1864, he settled at Shenandoah, w'hich though but
a small town seemed to him to have so promising a future that he was encour-
aged to start business there for himself, as a merchant. He was not mis-
taken about the possibilities of the place, and continued his store for five
years, throughout which period he did well. Meantime Shenandoah had
become incorporated as a borough, and the advantages of the new form of
government drew men looking for business opportunities. Foreseeing the
advancement in property values, Mr. Ferguson bought considerable town
property in the early years of his residence here, and set the pace for enter-
prise in improving it. It took a number of years for local development to get
far enough to help him realize his ambitions in this line, but he held on, and
time showed that his estimate of the future of Shenandoah was correct. He
not only advocated the erection of substantial and adequate business struc-
tures, but put up a number himself, content to wait for his profits as long as
he knew that the foundations of prosperity were wisely laid.
Mr. Ferguson's services with the Lehigh \'alley Railroad Company began
when he was a young man. He was one of the early telegraph operators, and
in 1868 was appointed ticket agent of the railroad company and Adams
Express agent at Shenandoah, and held both positions for nearly forty years,
during the latter part of that period also acting as claim agent for the railroad
company. He resigned in 1910 because of poor health. As claim agent he
settled some of the largest accident claims ever preferred against the Lehigh
Company, including those occasioned by the Mud Run catastrophe, in which
almost one hundred people lost their lives. These claims were all adjusted
without a single lawsuit. Meantime Mr. Ferguson continued his independent
business operations, and a number of business blocks (including the "Hotel
Ferguson") and residences remain at Shenandoah to show the extent of his
activities during those years, as well as the high standards he set and main-
tained in the matter of local improvements. He filled a number of public
offices, borough and county, but in this line was particularly prominent as a
friend of popular educational facilities, co-operating with the best element in
this section in securing a school system for Shenandoah which is considered
model in every respect and superior to that enjoyed in most towns in the
county. He was chosen a school director two years after he settled at Shenan-
doah, as one of the first board w^hen the district was organized, and continued
to hold the position for twenty-two years. Much of the credit for the high
standing of its schools is attributed to his intelligent and zealous efforts and
those of the progressive men with whom he was associated.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 55
i\Ir. Ferguson had valuable holdings of railroad and bank stocks. When
the I'lrst National Bank of Shenandoah was organized, in 1884, he became
its vice president, and upon the retirement of its first president, John R.
Leisenring, succeeded him, about twenty years ago, and filled the office from
that time until his death. Though of recent years he did not take so active a
part in business as formerly, he continued to look after his interests personally
and kept in close touch with current operations. To the end of his days he
kept large real estate holdings at Shenandoah and also at Pottsville. In his
home town, the many structures which testify to his faith in the endurance
of local prosperity, as well as his willingness to aid in sustaining it, include
the first theatre in Shenandoah. It was he who introduced electric lighting
there, long before Reading had that convenience. Committees, in fact, were
sent to Shenandoah from various other towns for information regarding the
system he installed. The construction of the first electric car line in this
part of the State, that laid between Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, was
brought about by his efforts. Gas, also, was brought into the town through
his exertions, and he was largely instrumental in having the supply furnished
to surrounding cities from a central plant at Harwood, near Hazleton. Many
other worthy enterprises were made possible by his co-operation and encourage-
ment.
Throughout his career Mr. Ferguson held the unqualified respect of the
community. His transactions were above reproach, his citizenship unselfish,
his dealings with all men characterized by scrupulous honesty and regard for
the rights of others. His likable personality made him popular and trusted,
and his spirit of good fellowship inspired confidence in all. Devoid of pre-
tense, and courageous in advocating what he considered right, he commanded
a following large enough to insure the success of anything in which he
developed a real interest. He was a Democrat in political allegiance.
Among Mr. Ferguson's properties at Pottsville was the Woolworth build-
ing, which was burned Dec. 17, 1914. The illness which ended in his death
really began with the trip he made to the county seat to look over the ruins.
He would never wear an overcoat, and the severe cold he contracted on that
occasion aggravated an ailment of long standing. On Jan. 2d he took to his
bed, his physical constitution no longer able to withstand the terrible strain
which his strong and active mind imposed upon it. With characteristic vigor
he rallied, and his mind was as clear as ever during the three remaining
months of his life. He directed all the details of his private business affairs
and the conduct of the bank after his partial recovery, bearing his physical
sufferings with fortitude and never wavering in cheerfulness and resignation.
He passed away April 6. 191 5, at his home on the corner of White and Oak
streets, Shenandoah, and is buried in the Annunciation cemetery there.
Mr. Ferguson's work will live in the community whose interests were
always nearest his heart. His memory will be gratefully cherished by the
many whom he aided on life's journey, whether with advice, or encouragement,
or pecuniary assistance. Having himself started out as a poor boy, he learned
the value of money and its proper use. With remarkable ability and inherited
mental qualities of a high order, backed by the physical endurance which
enabled him to handle many responsibilities, he made his way by sheer force
of character, showing the trust in his own powers which is a true mark of
greatness. He had the faculty of communicating this feeling to others, and
his sincere confidence in his fellow men attracted friends among all classes.
56 SCHUYLKILL COUxNTY, PEXNSYLVAXL\
His early experience, never forgotten, kept him in sympathy with those who
were honestly trying to get on in the world and willing to work for their
advancement, and to all such he was a ready and willing adviser. When he
is spoken of as the best citizen Shenandoah ever had, the praise has as much
reference to the high, example he set as to his actual accomplishments.
In 1874 Mr. Ferguson married Mary Agnes O'Connor, who died in October,
1889, and Daniel J. is the only child of this union surviving. Two daughters
died in infancy. Mrs. Ferguson's brother, Father Daniel O'Connor, who died
in June, 191 1, in Philadelphia, while rector of St. Agatha's parish there, was
very well known both in church circles and in this section, having been pastor
at Mahanoy Plane and Girardville for many years. On Sept. 6, 1894, Mr.
Ferguson married (second) Alary A. Dillon, of Mahanoy City, daughter of
Patrick and Bridget (Conry) Dillon, who had a family of three children that
lived to maturity: Gertrude, who died unmarried June 30, 1915; Margaret,
wife of James O'Hara, undertaker and liveryman at Mahanoy City; and Mary
A., Mrs. Ferguson. Mrs. Dillon died July 19, 1905, and Mr. Dillon and his
daughter, Mrs. O'Hara, live together. Four children were born to Air. Fer-
guson's second marriage : Joseph T. died when ten months old ; Thomas,
born Sept. 11, 1897, is attending school; Harry died when six months old;
James, born May 10, 1903, is attending grammar school in Shenandoah. In
religion Air. Ferguson was a Catholic, he and all the family belonging to the
Church of the Annunciation, of which he was one of the oldest members, and
all the activities of the church and parish benefited by his generous support.
DANIEL J. FERGUSON was born at Shenandoah Sept. 15, 1877. He
acquired his early education in the public schools, graduating from the gram-
mar school and then attending high school one year, after which he became a
student in the Georgetown (D. C.) University, where he took his college
course, graduating in 1898 with the degree of bachelor of arts. He then
entered the law department of Columbia University, New York City, and on
the completion of his course there returned to Shenandoah, where he was
occupied as agent of the Adams Express Company for one year and as
manager of the Ferguson opera house for one year. For a time thereafter
he read law with Guy E. Farquhar, Esq., of Pottsville, and on Oct. 10. 1904,
he was admitted to the bar of the State of Pennsylvania, by the Supreme Court.
He has since had a law office in Shenandoah. Mr. Ferguson had unusual
preparation for his profession, in the way of general education as well as
legal tuition. He traveled in Europe for four months before entering college,
visiting the British Isles and Continent of Europe, and besides the instruction
already mentioned had the privilege of study under Hon. John A. McCarthy,
of the Philadelphia bar, in 1904. As an independent practitioner he has had
the patronage of the most exacting element in the community, and the fact
that his business has increased steadily shows how well he has served his
clients. He is a past exalted ruler of the Elks lodge at Shenandoah, and a
Catholic in religious connection. In public matters he gives his support where
he thinks it is best deserved, regardless of party.
On Aug. 18, 191 5, Air. Ferguson was married to Joanna D. Reese, daugh-
ter of Isaiah (Jr.) and Anna Alary (Snodgrass) Reese, who reside in Harris-
burg, Pennsylvania.
Air. P. J. Ferguson was the first vice president of the First National Bank
of Shenandoah, which began business April 14, 1884, and is the oldest banking
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\ANL\ 57
institution in that city. W itli him were associated as incorporators men of
prominence all along the Lehigh \alley, such as the Leisenrings, Wentzs,
William Lilly, T. M. Kighter, Charles Kaier and others. The bank had almost
instantaneous success. On Jan. 15, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was elected president,
and served as such until the time of his death. Under his guidance it reached
a high standing, and it ranks among the strongest tinancial organizations in
Pennsylvania, having a capital of $100,000 and surplus and profits of over
$270,000. Upon his demise, his son Daniel J. Ferguson was elected president
to succeed him.
CHRISTOPHER P. FERGUSON was born in Minersville March 15,
185 1, and began his education in the public schools there. He later attended
at Shenandoah, and had high school privileges. He commenced work in the
employ of his brother, as a clerk in the mercantile business. Then he was
with the Lehigh \'alley Railroad Company for a time as telegrapher, first
learning the use of the machine and later becoming a sound operator. Follow-
ing that he went to learn boilermaking and the machinist's trade, and preferring
the former served three years, during which period he became a competent
workman. He went as a journeyman to Centralia, Pa., and there became
agent for the Lehigh \'alley Railroad Company. A year later he had the
western fever and went out to Illinois, living for a year at Peru, Lasalle
county. Then he traveled down into Texas and New Mexico for a month,
and contracted agtie. Returning to Peru for a short time, he came home, and
soon afterwards found employment at his trade in Delano, Schuylkill county,
where he remained for one year. At the end of that time he went to Albany,
N. Y., and enlisted in the regular army, in ^larch, 1882. He was ordered to
I join the company at Fort Sisseton, in Dakota Territory, where four com-
panies were maintained, and during the two years of his service there had a
few skirmishes. He was next stationed at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory, on
DeviTs Lake, and after another two years was transferred to Fort D. A.
Russell, near Cheyenne, Wyoming Terrritory, where the company took part
in the operations against Sitting Bull, in 1890, at the time he v^'as killed. Prior
to this, in 1883, Mr. Ferguson had met and become acquainted with the old
chief personally. From Cheyenne he came home after an absence of thirteen
years, during which time his family did not know where he was. He has lived
at Shenandoah since Alarch, 1893. For a time after his return he clerked
with his brother Patrick in the Lehigh Yalley railroad office. After three
years he gave up these duties to assist his brother in looking after his property
and other interests, and he now devotes all his time to caring for the family
property. Like all of the Fergusons he is a Catholic, belonging to the Church
of the Annunciation at Shenandoah.
JOHN D. BERGER, manufacturer and financier, is at the head of two
of the leading concerns in Schuylkill Haven, and in his executive capacity has
been instnunental in promoting the fortunes of both to an appreciable degree.
He has been associated with the factory now conducted by 'Berger Brothers
since its foundation, in 1889, and with the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company
as president throughout the four years of its existence. His operations in
these connections have been always open to the closest scrutiny, his position
among the foremost men of the day being established on a foundation of honor
and substantial business qualities which fully entitle him to the esteem and
58 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYL\'AXL\
contidence of his fellow men. He is a native of Schuylkill county, born
Oct. 17, 1865, at Cressona, son of the late Harrison Berger, and though the
family has been in this section for three quarters of a century it is of old Berks
county stock.
Heber Berger, the first ancestor of this line in America, came to this coun-
try from Germany in company with a brother, and settled among the Blue
mountains in upper Berks county, Pa. The brother died unmarried, and both
are buried at the Blue Mountain Church. Heber Berger had the following
children: Elizabeth, born Feb. 8, 1760; George W., Sept. 20, 1761 ; Tobias,
Jan. 21, 1765; Catherine, July 9, 1766; Maria B., April 8, 1768; Johannes,
June 24, 1769; Maria M., June 9, 1771 ; Diana Maria, April 27, IJTZ; Maria
Magdalena, Sept. 18, 1774: John Christian, Nov. 5, 1/77; Johan Ludwig, Jan.
28, 1779 ; Johan Philip, June 3, 1782.
Tobias Berger, son of Heber, married Catherine Shoemaker, and they lived
in the Tulpehocken section of Berks county, where he died when a compara-
tively young man. His widow later came to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill
county, where she passed the remainder of her days, and she is buried in the
old cemetery of that borough.
John Berger, son of Tobias, was born at the homestead in Berks county and
was reared in the environments of the farm. Coming to Schuylkill Haven
shortly after his marriage, he did hauling for the Mine Hill Railroad Company,
having a four-horse team, was also a boatman on the old Schuylkill canal, and
later engaged in hauling coal between Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven. He
married Hannah Bellman, daughter of Jacob Bellman, of Berks county, and
they had a family of five sons, namely: Samuel, Harrison, John (who died
at the age of fifty-four years, unmarried), Daniel (who married Matilda
Schappell and resides at Cressona) and Jacob. Mr. Berger died at Schuylkill
Haven when seventy-nine years old, his wife passing away there at the age of
eighty-one years, and they are buried in the Union cemetery at the borough.
They were members of the Reformed Church.
Jacob Berger, son of John, was born June 28, 1844, and is still a resident
of Schuylkill Haven. On March 18, 1876, he married Louisa Buehler, and six-
children have been born to them : Mamie, who died when twenty-one years
old, was the wife of Joseph ]\Iichel : Harry died when five and a half years old :
Alma married Arthur Gerber; Walter died when three and a half years old:
Laura is unmarried : a son died in infancy.
Samuel Berger, son of John, was born Dec. 24, 1835, in L'pper Bern town-
ship, Berks Co., Pa., and came with his parents to Schuylkill Haven when
but three years old. He has since made his home in the borough. On Jan. 29,
1862, he married Christy Buehler. daughter of Peter and Catherine (Gretzin-
ger) Buehler, and of the seven children born to their union six died young, the
only survivor being Alice Amanda, now the wife of George H. Michel, a well
known shoe manufacturer of Schuylkill Haven.
Harrison Berger, son of John, was born in L4:)per Bern township. Berks
countv, and was a small boy when the family settled at Schuylkill Haven.
During his young manhood he was engaged in boating on the Schuylkill canal,
following this occupation until about 1867, and then engaging in the general
mercantile business at Cressona. He returned to Schuylkill Haven in 1870,
and continued in the general store business, on Dock street. On ]\rarch 4.
T889. in company with his brother Daniel Berger, and his brother-in-law,
Elvin Deibert, he organized the Spring Garden Knitting Mills, for the manu-
facture of hosiery. Two years later Daniel Berger withdrew, his interest
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 59
being taken by John D. Berger, son of Harrison Berger. Another three years
and Mr. Deibert sold his interest to the Bergers, who then continued it under
the name of H. Berger & Son. In the year 1899 the manufacture of under-
wear was added to the original line, the manufacture of hosiery being discon-
tinued in 1903 to give increased facilities for the later departure, which had
proved a complete success. Harrison Berger retained his association with the
business luitil 1907, when he retired from active pursuits, and two of his
younger sons then joined John D. Berger, taking an interest in the company,
which has since been known as Berger Brothers. John D. Berger is manager,
Harry L. and Thomas B. Berger looking after important details of the opera-
tion of the factory and the disposal of its product. Harrison Berger died,
June 4. 1913, and until then served as a trustee of St. John's Refonned Church
of Schuylkill Haven. He was always considered a trustworthy and estimable
citizen, and at one time filled the office of councilman. To his marriage with
Amanda Deibert, daughter of George and Susan (Reed) Deibert, were born
nine children, three of whom died yoimg ; Sallie A. is the widow of Milton
Butz : John D. is mentioned below ; George A., of Schuylkill Haven, is engaged
in the general mercantile business at his father's old stand ; Tillie is the wife
of Edward H. Borda, of Schuylkill Haven ; Harry L. and Thomas B.^are
members of the firm of Berger Brothers; the deceased were Hannah, Gertrude
and Helen.
John D. Berger attended public school at Schuylkill Haven until sixteen
years old. There he clerked in his father's store for several years, at the age
of twenty-three joining him in the manufacturing business, with which he has
since maintained active connection. Since the present organization, under the
name of Berger Brothers, he has been general manager, and under his guid-
ance the trade has grown steadily, the output of ladies' and children's under-
wear having a regular demand in the market. The concern is now the largest
of its kind in the borough, employing at times as many as one hundred and
fifty hands, over one hundred regularly. Its expansion has called for increased
and improved facilities, economizing time and facilitating operations, and the
plant has been altered as necessary, being thoroughly up-to-date in every par-
ticular. The Bergers have demonstrated their public spirit and interest in the
welfare of the town as well as in the development of their own affairs, which
have been conducted along solid lines, having a permanent influence on commer-
cial conditions in the locality.
When the matter of establishing the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company was
broached !Mr. John D. Berger took a live interest in its promotion, served on
the organization committee, and was elected first president after the bank
obtained its charter. May 19, 1910. It opened for business June 6th, and has
a fine banking house on Main street. Though a comparatively new institution
it has inspired deserved confidence by the stability of its backers and the con-
servative business methods followed. Mr. Berger has usually limited his part
in the public affairs of the town and county to exerting his influence in favor
of good men and measures, but he served a short time as councilman to com-
plete the unexpired term of Robert Jones. Politically he is a Republican. He
is a Mason, belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven,
is also a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and in religious connection adheres
to the church of his forefathers, belonging to St. John's Reformed congrega-
tion at Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Berger married Alice E. Palsgrove, a daughter of C. B. Palsgrove, of
60 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
Schuylkill Haven, and they are the parents of four children: Eugenia A.,
Clift P., Alice E. and Mary Charlotte.
JATiIES KELLER SILLIALA.N, late of Mahanoy City, exhibited in his
career the distinctive characteristics of a race whose members have been fore-
most in the general progress as well as in the development of the material
resources of Schuylkill county. The Sillimans came to this section from Berks
county, vi'here the early generations were prominent, James Silliman, the
grandfather of James K. Silliman, serving as sheriil of that county, to which
office he was elected in 1832.
Edward S. Silliman, father of James K. Silliman, was born June 20, 1820,
at Bern, Berks Co., Pa., and received a common school education. He spent
all his life in this part of the State, coming to Pottsville in young manhood
and residing there for a time. His observations and investigations led him to
believe that there were rich coal deposits in the Alahanoy valley which could
be profitably developed, and he determined to test his ideas. Accordingly he
purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of Mahanoy City from Biddle,
Troutman & Dundas, of Philadelphia, and coming to Mahanoy City about the
beginning of the Civil war undertook operations on his own account, being one
of the first to start mining in this part of the anthracite district. In all he
operated seven collieries in this section. In 1861 he sank the first shaft and
built the first breaker in the Mahanoy valley, opening what was then known as
the Silliman colliery — now the North Mahanoy colliery, and the property of
the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. The nearest coal operators
at that time were ten miles away, at Girardville. The first shipment of coal
for the new breaker was made Jan. 14, 1862, and it was also the first shipment
sent from the territor}' within a radius of eight miles around ]\Iahanoy City.
The annual production of this mine was 100,000 tons, and three hundred and
fifty men were employed ; and Mr. Silliman and his father were profitably
engaged in its operation for a period of eight years, selling out then to the
Crane Iron Company, of Catasauqua, Pa. A little later a strike occurred
among the workmen and the breaker was burned, and not long afterwards the
present owners acquired the property, which became one of the best paying
collieries in the region.
Mr. Silliman's next venture was the construction of an iron furnace at
New Ringgold, but the time was not auspicious, there being a general depres-
sion in the iron market at the time which accounts for the fact that the indus-
try did not prosper. The coal fields offered the best promise for the emplov-
ment of his enterprise and capital, and he began operating in soft coal, having
a large mine at Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Pa., in that district, as at Mahanoy
City, being one of the first to engage in the development of coal properties.
But his main interests were always in Schuylkill county, where in time he
became owner of 1,600 acres of valuable coal lands near Sheppton. Though
so thoroughly interested in exploiting one of the most important of the natural
resources of this region, Mr. Silliiuan did not neglect its incidental commer-
cial and financial activities, and he allied himself with many of the most
ambitious projects tmdertaken for material betterment, and exercised a friendly
influence in the aid of every movement in that direction. Through his efforts
the First National Bank of Mahanoy City was established Sept. 27, 1864. and
he was one of the most active members of its board of directors until within
a few months of his death, serving as president of the institution from 1866 to
the close of his life — a period of nearly forty years. It is situated at the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ 61
northeast corner of }ilain and Centre streets. He organized the Mahanoy City
W ater Company, which furnishes the water supply for many neighboring col-
Heries as well as for the city, and served as president of the concern from the
beginning, until his death; he was one of the incorporators of th^ Mahanoy
City Electric Light, Heat and Power Company and of the Mahanoy City Gas
Company (serving as president of both ) — all enterprises which needed men of
courage and administrative skill to launch them into successful operation.
Moreover, his character and judgment attracted local capital, and he never
betrayed the confidence thus shown. Even as a young man he showed the
traits which when developed made him a trusted leader, and he was taken
seriously as one of the forces which were to mold the destiny of the county.
Though practical by nature Mr. Silliman did not narrow his interests to the
accumulation of the profits of his industrial operations. While promoting
business schemes he did not overlook the importance of establishing high
standards of community life, and helped plan its educational and moral insti-
tutions, the conservation and protection of all those interests which affected
the everyday life of his fellow citizens, tie used his large means wisely in
his liberal support of public enterprises and his generosity to those less for-
tunately situated than himself. Without vanity or undue pride in his personal
achievement, he was easily approached and kindly in manner, with no disposi-
tion to hold himself aloof from men in any walk of life.
]\Ir. Silliman was a charter member of the Humane Hose Company, and the
organizer, in 1875, of the Silliman Guards (mustered in Xov. 27th of that
year), which still continue their existence as Company E, 8th Regiment,
P. X. G. He belonged to the Episcopal Church, and on political questions
supported the Republican party.
In 1858 Mr. Silliman married Siraha Keller, a native of Berks county, who
died in 1894 at Mahanoy City. His death occurred May i, 1904, and they are
buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Six children were born to
this marriage : Mary Ellen, who married George H. Jackson, of Philadelphia;
Edward S. ; Howard, who died in infancy; James Keller; Emily A., deceased
in infancy; and Charles, of Mahanoy City.
James Keller Silliman was born March 29, 1869, in Mahanoy City, where
he was reared, receiving his education in the public schools. Except for a brief
residence in Reading, Pa., he was a lifelong resident of his native borough,
where he attained a position in business and social circles to which he was
fully entitled by his personal qualities, irrespective of any advantages attach-
ing to the prominence of the gifted family to which he belonged. He was a
worthy representative of the name, and though a man of retiring disposition
and unassuming habits was thoroughly appreciated by those who had the privi-
lege of familiar acquaintance. His business connections' were principally with
the institutions his father established, he and his brothers continuing the work
which Edward S. Silliman, Sr., laid out so well. When a young man he
became a clerk in the First Xational Bank, and after nine years' service in
that capacity became paying teller, in 1896, filling the position until obliged to
resign, Aug. i. 1903. because of impaired sight. He was a director of the
bank, and a stockholder in the Mahanoy City Water Cotripany. Mr. Silliman
died June 26. 1914. in his forty-sixth year, after a brief illness. Though
modest and devoid of pretense in any relation of life, his straightforwardness
and sincerity made so deep an impression that he was regarded with feelings
of genuine friendship by all who came into personal contact with him, and his
death drew impressions of honest regret from every quarter. Sympathetic and
62 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
helpful in his dealings with all his fellows, ideal in his family life, he is held in
loving memory in every circle in which he moved. He was laid to rest in the
Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. He was a member of the Church of
Faith, Episcopal.
Mr. Silliman married Catharine Morscher, daughter of Jacob and Christina
(Scherr) Morscher, and they occupied a beautiful home at No. 37 North
Main street. The three children of this union survive and reside with their
mother in -Mahanoy City, viz. : Florence, Edward and Kathryn.
Jacob Alorscher, father of Mrs. Silliman, was born June 5, 1844, in
Austria, came to America in young manhood, and settled at Mahanoy City,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he died Feb. 5, 191 1. He is buried there. Mr.
Morscher followed mining, and became very well known. He married Mrs.
Christina (Scherr) Weber, a native of Baden, Germany, who was born March
3, 1839, in Baden, Germany, daughter of John and Catherine (Bobarker)
Scherr. When seven years old she came to America with her parents, the fam-
ily settling at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where Mr. Scherr found employ-
ment at the mines. He was killed at the powder works in St. Clair. George
Weber, Mrs. Morscher's first husband, was a miner ; he died in 1874, and is
buried at IMahanoy City. To this union were born ten children : Catherine
died when eleven months old ; Mary died when eleven months old ; a son died in
infancy; Lewis died when six weeks old; Peter lives in Philadelphia; Lena
married \ alentine Krauter ; Joseph was killed in the mines at IMahanoy
City when forty-eight years old ; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert Heberley,
and resides in Philadelphia; Frances, wife of Michael Cahill, lives in Mahanoy
City ; Christina, wife of Henry Kneib, lives in Mahanoy City. After Mr.
Weber's death Airs. Weber married Jacob Morscher, whom she survives, still
making her home in Mahanoy City, at No. 228 East Mahanoy avenue. Though
advanced in years, she is very bright. Seven children were born to her second
union : Philip, who died when four years old ; Barbara, who died when four
months old ; Catharine, widow of James K. Silliman ; Mary ; Jacob ; a son
that died in infancy; and Michael.
GEORGE W. BROWN, M. D., was a resident of Port Carbon for over
forty-five years, and throughout that period a force for progress in the com-
munity. Best known in his professional capacity, he also took considerable
part in public affairs, and in business as founder of what is still known as the
leading drug store at Port Carbon, now conducted by his son, John K. Brown,
under the name of the Brown Drug Store Company.
The branch of the Brown family to which he belonged has had a line of
professional men who have been noted for intelligence and high citizenship
in every generation. The Doctor's grandfather, John Brown, known as Elder
John Brown, died in 1818, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, Mar-
garet, died Jan. 24, 1801, aged forty-nine years. They are buried at the Old
Stone Church in White Deer valley. Union county, Pennsylvania.
Dr. George W. Brown, son of John and Margaret Brown, was born in
1784, and died at the early age of thirty-five years, April 19, 1819. He was
reared on a farm at Allenwood, Union county, and highly educated, graduating
from the LIniversity of Pennsylvania with the degree of M. D. and from Prince-
ton Theological Seminary. He preached his trial sermon, but because of ill
health he never followed either of the professions for which he prepared. Own-
ing a large quantity of land, he was engaged in general farming. At the time of
his death he was prothonotary of Northumberland county, at Simbury, and was
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PKXXSYLX'AXLV 63
buried at Milton. For a time he was tutor in the family of Dr. James Dougal,
at Milton, and he married the Doctor's daughter JMargaret, by whom he had
three children: John, who married Lucy Ludwig and had children, Jane,
Helen, John, Abram, James and Charles; James, who was married three times,
to Helen Wright (by whom he had two children, Lizzie and Margaret), Ann
Walker and Alary Groves (by whom he had one daughter, Helen) ; and George
W., the father of John K. Brown. Dr. Brown, the father of this family, was
a Presbyterian and a \\ big. Dr. James Dougal and his wife, Jane (Starrett).
were from Ireland.
Dr. George W. Brown, son of Dr. George W. Brown and his wife Margaret
(Dougal), was born July 2, 1818, at Sunbury, Pa., and received his early educa-
tion in the common schools. In his boyhood and youth he lived and worked
upon his father's large farm at AUenwood, Union county, later began the
study of medicine with Dr. David Hunter, at Tamacjua, and finished the course
at Jeft'erson Medical College, from which institution he was graduated. In
the spring of 1844 he settled at Port Carbon, where he practiced medicine and
carried on a drtig store the remainder of his life. In the year 1847 he built
the Brown mansion, now one of the landmarks of the borotigh, and at this
home his death occurred in 1890. Dr. Brown became a Republican on political
questions, and in his close connection with public affairs exercised an appreciable
influence in the commimity, leaving a permanent impress for good in the wide
circle of his acquaintance. For many years he was a member of the council,
and president of that body during most of that time. At one time he was a
member of the school board. He founded what is now known as the Mid-
vale cemetery at Port Carbon, and is btiried there. Like his father he was
a Presbyterian in religious connection, and he filled the office of elder in his
church.
Dr. Brown married Rebecca Tindall, daughter of Elijah and Rachel Tindall,
of near IMount Holly, N. J., in which State the Tindalls were landowners ;
the family came to this cotnitry from England. Six children were born to Dr.
and Mrs. Brown : Annie S. married Dr. W. T. Beach, who was born in
Wales about 1840 and died some years ago (they had two children, George
B , who married a !Miss Uhler, of Gordon, Pa., and William Starrett, who died
young) ; Margaret married Dr. T. J. Birch, who was born in Ohio in 1838,
and died in June, 1912, aged seventy-four years (they had no children; she
resides at Port Carbon); Emily W. married Edmund Erdman ; George W.
married ]\Iary Knittle ; Maria H. married T. R. Beddall ; John K. married
Minnie A. Weaklim.
John K. Brown was born April 27, 1856, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county, which has always been his home. He attended school there, and had
one winter's tuition at Media, Pa., after which he learned the drug business
under his father's instruction. At the time of his father's death he was thirty-
four years old, and he then succeeded to the business, which he has continued
on his own account for the last twenty-five years. His business and private
life has been such as to make him an honored representative of the name he
bears, and to maintain the high standards of citizenship it has upheld for the
last seventy years in the town. He is a Presbyterian and a Republican, as
the members of the family generally have been.
Mr. Brown married Minnie A. Weaklim, daughter of William T. and Caro-
line (Davenport) Weaklim, and to them have been born two children: David
B., Sept. ig, 1893, and ]\Iargaret D., July 23, 1903.
William T. \\'eaklim, father of Mrs. John K. Brown, was born on ship-
64 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\
board when his parents were coming to America. He settled at St. Clair,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., and for many years was engaged in the paperhanging and
painting business. He was elected justice of the peace at St. Clair, and filled
that office several years. His death occurred at St. Clair in September, 1914,
and he is buried there, in the Odd Fellows cemetery. He married Caroline
Davenport, who now resides at Pottsville. They had the following children :
Laura, Minnie A. (Mrs. John K. Brown), William T., George, Carrie, ^lay,
Oscar, Bertha, and Harry (who died young).
COL. DAXIEL NAGLE, a venerable resident of Pottsville, has the dis-
tinction of being one of the few surviving veterans whose military experience
included service in both the Mexican and Civil wars. A youth of eighteen
when the Mexican war broke out, he entered the service as a member of a
company commanded by his brother James, and subsequently he served over
two years in the Civil war.
Colonel Xagle was born April i, 1828, in Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa., and
his ancestors were among the early residents of that county. His grandfather,
Philip Nagle, was a native of Reading, Berks county, where he died in 1840,
at the age of eighty-four years. He served as a drummer in the Revolutionary
war. By occupation he was a stonemason.
Daniel Xagle, son of Philip, was born in 1803, and before he reached his
majority removed to W'omelsdorf, Berks county, and thence in 1830 to Pine
Grove, Schuylkill county. Five years later he removed to Pottsville, where
he died in 1851. By trade he was a cabinetmaker, and in connection with that
work did painting of various kinds. He voted with the Whig party, and in
his religious belief adhered to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. He
married Mary Rorig, and they had eight children who grew to maturity, three
daughters and five sons : James, Eliza, Daniel, Ellen, Mary, Philip, Levi and
Abraham. Philip enlisted in Capt. D. A. Smith's company for a temi of three
months, becoming first lieutenant. This company was among the first at
Washington, and belonged to the troops known as the "First Defenders."
At the expiration of this term of enlistment he was promoted to the captaincy
of Company G, 48th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infa^t^\^ and was stationed at
Hatteras Island. He died in March, 1891, at the age of fifty-three years.
Levi enlisted as a musician in the 48th Regiment band, and after his
term of service remained in Washington as a clerk in the pension bureau.
Abraham served in Company D, 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, for three months,
and afterwards in Company D, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers, for
a temi of three years ; he is now deceased.
Daniel Nagle, second son of Daniel and Mary (Rorig) Nagle, was edu-
cated in the public schools of Pottsville, Pa., where his father settled, and
learned the painting and paper hanging trade with his father. At this he
continued to work until the year 1846, when he enlisted, on Dec. 5th, in
Company B (his brother's company), ist Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Col. F. ]\I. Wynkoop commanding. He originally entered the service as a
drummer, but carried a musket through the siege of \'era Cruz, at Atlixco,
Huamantla, Natural Bridge and Lajoya Pass ; was in the battle of Cerro
Gordo, and on the march to Puebla, and then returned to headquarters at
Perote Castle. At this juncture he was compelled to return home on account
of some imperative business and family affairs : not, however, imtil the city
of Mexico had been taken and hostilities ceased. He received his discharge
at Perote Castle, Mexico, Oct. 30, 1847. During this service he won the
I
/^A^riyL^
OLoyC^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 65
esteem and regard of his officers, and in the engagements in which he carried
a musket bore himself bravely. After his return he resumed his former
business, which he continued until the beginning of the Civil war. Again he
went into the service of his country, enlisting April i8, 1861, at Pottsville, in
Captain Tower's company. Upon their arrival at Harrisburg he was ap-
p)ointed second lieutenant. The company, having more than the legal number
of men, was then divided, and Daniel Nagle was elected captain of one of the
two companies formed. This "Xagle Guard of Pottsville" was Company D,
6th Regiment, under the command of Col. James Nagle. During the first
three months he served in the Cumberland valley, and took part in the skir-
mishes of that campaign. After the reorganization of the 48th Pennsylvania
Regiment by Colonel Nagle, his brother, he was elected captain of Company D,
of that regiment. lie first proceeded to Fortress Monroe, \'a., under General
\\'ool, and thence to Flatteras Inlet, N. C, where they relieved an Indiana
regiment, there garrisoned, until General Burnside organized an army corps.
Daniel Nagle then took part in the capture and reduction of Newbern, having
some time prior been promoted to the rank of major of his regiment. The
troops remained there until General McClellan arrived in front of Richmond,
when they were ordered to reinforce him. Before they reached him hostilities
there had ceased, and his command was stationed at Newport News, where
he resigned in July, 1862, and returned home on account of sickness and death
in his family. During the invasion of Pennsylvania by General Lee he re-
enlisted, in September, 1862, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the
19th Emergency Regiment. He was out two weeks in service when he was
appointed by Governor Curtin as colonel of the 173d Regiment, drafted
militia. In this capacity he served the full term of nine months. His com-
mand was first ordered to Norfolk, \'a., where it was used to guard the
approaches to the city — Kempville, Intrenched Lines, Sewell's Point, Indian
Pole Bridge, Great Bridge, Cape Henry Lighthouse, Fort Norfolk and Tan-
ners' Creek. Their headquarters were at Camp Viele. In May, 1863, he was
ordered to Norfolk to relieve a Wisconsin regiment, and then performed pro-
vost duty in the city and suburbs. On July 10, 1863, he received orders from
General \'iele to report to General Meade at Gettysburg, but meeting General
Meade at Boonsboro, Md., was sent by him to the nth Army Corps, under
charge of Gen. O. O. Howard. His regiment reached the corps at Berlin,
and was assigned to service in Virginia on the Orange & Alexandria railway,
with head(|uarters at Manassas Junction. While stationed here he guarded
this road from Broad Run to Manassas Junction. He was stationed at Kettle
Run and other points until Aug. 18, 1863, when he was discharged from fur-
ther duty, his term of service having expired.
After his return to Schuylkill county Colonel Nagle became a coal agent
for a short time and then engaged in the flouring business for a few years. In
1876 he retired from that line of work, and returned to his original business
of painting and paper hanging, which he carried on very successfully until his
retirement, in i8go.
Colonel Xagle has always been a Republican in politics, and at the breaking
out of the Civil war was a member of the borough council, which office he
filled until the expiration of his three months' service, but resigned when he
reenlisted. He is a prominent member of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M.,
of the ^Mexican \'eteran Association, and of the Schuylkill County Historical
Societv. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. Though in his eighty-eighth
A'ol. 1—3
66 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
year, he is in excellent health and continues his interest in the affairs of the day.
He is well known in the borough and has the affection and esteem of a wide
circle.
On July 6, 1848, Colonel Nagle was united in marriage with Hannah
Kantner, a daughter of John Kantner, of Potts ville, Pa., and their union was
blessed with eight children : Edwin Seculas, who died in Massachusetts, mar-
ried Nellie Sicerott, and was chief clerk for Riley & Company, importers of
machinery, of Boston, Mass. ; Daniel Winfield, who married Valeria Koons,
was formerly head bookkeeper in the Lutheran Publication House, of Phila-
delphia, and is now living at Auburn, Schuylkill county, with his only daugh-
ter ; Millard Fillmore, who married Jennie Meek, is in the wholesale lumber
business at Shamokin, Pa. ; Harry Clay, deceased, married Katie Sterner, and
was a clerk in the Lutheran Publication House, of Philadelphia; George W.
was next in the family ; Bessie is deceased ; two died in childhood. The mother
died Jan. 8, 1877, aged forty-six years, and Colonel Nagle was again married,
on July 20, 1880, to Mrs. Rebecca Loose, of Pottsville, Pa., daughter of Joseph
Muthard, of Berks county, Pa., and widow of Nathaniel Loose, by whom she
had four daughters. Mrs. Nagle died Feb. 14, 191 1.
Gen. James Xagle, eldest son of Daniel and Mary (Rorig) Nagle, was
born April 5, 1822, at Reading, Pa. He was given a few years in the public
schools at Reading, but most of his education was obtained in the school
of experience and through self effort. He usually worked during the day
and went to school at night. In his youth he learned the trade of painter and
paper hanger, which he followed throughout his active business life, taking
his father's business after the latter's death. He showed decided military
talent from early manhood, and became a member and later captain of a
company of Pennsylvania State militia. In 1844 he organized the Washington
Artillery, of which he was captain, and left Pottsville on Dec. 5, 1846. to enter
the Mexican war. This company was known as Company B, ist Regiment,
P. V. I., Col. F. M. Wynkoop commanding. During the course of the war
he took part in the siege of Vera Cruz, and at the battle of Cerro Gordo was
acting major of his regiment. On Jan. 20, 1847, li's command routed a force
of guerrillas at LaJoya, and on Oct. 14th and 19th he took part in engage-
ments at Huamantla, Puebla, and Atlixco, each of which resulted in an over-
whelming victory for the LTnited States troops. Subsequently he was with
his regiment in the triumphal entr}' into the city of Mexico and was finally
stationed at San Angle until the war formally closed. He was mustered out of
the service with his company at Philadelphia, July 27, 1848.
After his return to Pottsville he was, in 1852, elected sheriff of Schuylkill
county, and shortly thereafter was appointed brigade inspector of Pennsyl-
vania, with the rank of colonel. He remained closely identified with the
military affairs of the county and State until 1861, when, at the beginning of
the Civil war, he was commissioned colonel of the 6th Pennsylvania, and
ordered out for service, taking part in the skimiish at Falling Water. In
AugT.ist, 1 86 1, he organized the 4Sth Pennsylvania Regiment, with a view to
serving three years, and commanded same. His regiment did service at
Fortress Monroe, Hatteras Inlet and Newbem, and at the second battle of
Bull Run General Nagle commanded with gallantrj' and judgment the ist
Brigade, 2d Division, of the 9th Army Corps. Soon after the battle he was
recommended for promotion by General Reno, and was subsequently com-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 67
missioned by rresident Lincoln as brigadier general. In this capacity he
commanded at the battles of Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam, in each
of which engagements his brigade bore itself with credit and distinction. At
Antietam his command took an important part in carrying the xAntietam
bridge, which was considered by General ^IcClellan as the one event that
saved the day. For this service General Nagle received the highest compli-
ments. At Annisville and Fredericksburg his brigade was in the thickest of
the tight and sustained heavy losses in both killed and wounded. From this
time until 1863 he was stationed in Kentucky. In consequence of heart disease
he was compelled to resign his command, much to the regret of his men and
General Sturgis, who was chief in authority. While at home, rest and absence
from the excitement- and arduous duty of war soon acted as a restorative, and
his general health improved to such an extent that when General Lee began
his invasion of Pennsylvania he organized the 39th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Militia, for the emergency, and was placed in command. The troops were
mustered out Aug. 2, 1863, and the next year he organized the 194th Penn-
sylvania for one hundred days' service, was commissioned commanding colonel
July 21. 1864, and ordered to Baltimore, Md.. where he was placed in com-
mand of eight thousand troops at ^ilonkin's Woods, to gtiard the approach to
the city. On Nov. 5, 1864, he was finally dismissed, and on Aug. 22, 1866,
died of heart disease at his home in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
General Xagle was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine
Kaercher, of Pottsville, Dec. 15, 1852. To them were born nine children,
seven of whom grew to maturity: Emma is the widow of James A. Bowen,
former superintendent of the Pottsville Gas Works ; James W., of Philadel-
phia, married to Josephine Hutchinson, is at present advertising agent for the
Philadelphia Inquirer; John D., who died in 191 1. was secretary and treasurer
of the Textile Record, Philadelphia, and was married to Alary Crosland ; Laura
was the wife of John Dooley, conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading rail-
road, and both are deceased ; Marcus H., of Pottsville, married Sallie Helms,
of Pottsville ; Frank L., of Boston, Mass., connected with the Textile Record
of Philadelphia, and principal agent, married Laura Rosengarten, of Potts-
ville, Pa. : Kate A. is the wife of Lincoln Phillips, a jeweler of Jamestown,
N. Y. The mother of this family died Aug. 17, 1900.
In politics General Nagle, in the earlier part of his life, supported the Whig
party, and upon the organization of the Republican party transferred his
allegiance to the same. At the time of his death he was a member of the
borough council of Pottsville. He held membership in the Lutheran Church.
General Nagle -was preeminently a military man, and a patriot. His life
was permeated with the military spirit, and broadened and devoted citizenship.
After his return from the Mexican war the citizens of Schuylkill county, in
token of his eminent services and the good will they bore him, presented him
a valuable sword. He is still remembered by many of his townsmen, and
will ever occupy a place in their afifections and esteem.
EDWARD S. SILLIMAN, without question the foremost citizen of
]\Iahanoy City, has been prominent in every avenue of local progress since he
entered business life. But it is as the chief promoter of important public utilities
in the borough that he has been most helpful to his fellow citizens. In this
field his influence and large means have been employed to the best advantage,
affording benefits to all in the community and enabling it to maintain success-
68 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ful rivalry with others in this section. In this regard Mr. Silliman has lived
up to the traditions of a name associated with the forward march of Schuyl-
kill county ever since its earlier members came here.
The Silliman family has an interesting history, the members of its several
branches in this locality showing characteristics of mental and moral strength
which have come to be expected of them. The original spelling of the name,
Sillyman, has been changed by some of the family to Silliman, and it is also
found in the form "Selhman." The Schuylkill county family here treated is
allied with several others of the locality, and they are descended from a Berks
county family of honorable standing. James Sillyman, great-grandfather of
the present Edward S. Silliman, lived at Hamburg, in Bern township, Berks
county, where he spent all his active years. His sons having established them-
selves at Pottsville, he removed to that place late in life and ended his days
there. He is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery. He married Susanna
Hughes, of Bucks county, Pa., and children as follows were born to them:
Alexander, who served in the war of i8i2; Thomas, who was the first post-
master of Pottsville, appointed Jan. ii, 1825, sensed until succeeded by George
Snyder, who was appointed June 7. 1825, and died there (at one time he
owned most of the land upon which the borough of Cressona now stands,
and he sold a valuable farm there to the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Com-
pany) ; James, who died in Pottsville; Samuel, late of Pottsville, mentioned
elsewhere in this work; John, deceased at Pottsville, who was the grandfather
of H. I. Silliman, well known in the borough and Schuylkill county as editor
of the Tamaqua Evening Courier; Mary, who married Jeremiah Kirk, and
died at Pottsville; Susan, Mrs. Fister; and Jane, who died unmarried.
James Silliman, son of James and Susanna (Hughes) Silliman, lived at
Bern, Berks county, and at one time served as sheriff of that county, to which
office he was elected in 1832. Later in life he removed from Berks county
to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in the coal business,
being one of the early operators. He also carried on a general store in the
borough, where he died. His wife's maiden name was Schotz, and they had
children as follows : Alexander; Eliza, Mrs. Henderson ; Morgan ; Edward S. ;
and five daughters who died unmarried, Mary, Amanda, Sarah, Ellen and
Matilda.
Edward S. Silliman, son of James, above, was born June 20, 1820, at Bern,
Berks Co., Pa., and received a common school education. He spent all his
life in this part of the State, coming to Pottsville in young manhood and resid-
ing there for a time. His observations and investigations led him to believe that
there were rich coal deposits in the Mahanoy valley which could be profitably
developed, and he determined to test his ideas. Accordingly he purchased a
large tract of land in the vicinity of Mahanoy City from Biddle, Troutman &
Dundas, of Philadelphia, and coming to Mahanoy City about the beginning of
the Civil war undertook operations on his own account, being one of the first
to start mining in this part of the anthracite district. In all he operated seven
collieries in this section. In 1861 he sank the Jirst shaft and built the first
breaker in the Mahanoy valley, opening what was then known as the Silliman
colliery — ^now the North Mahanoy colliery, and the property of the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal & Iron Company. The nearest coal operators at that time
were ten miles away, at Girardville. The first shipment of coal for the new
breaker was made Ian. 14, 1862, and it was also the first shipment sent from
the territory within a radius of eight miles around Mahanoy City. The
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA 69
annual production of this mine was 100,000 tons, and three hundred and fifty
men were employed, and Mr. Silliman and his father were profitably engaged
in its operation for a period of eight years, selling out then to the Crane Iron
Company, of Catasauqua, Pa. A little later a strike occurred among the work-
men and the breaker was burned, and not long afterward the present owners
acquired the property, which became one of the best paying collieries in the
region. Mr. Silliman leased this land, the company leasing the land to indi-
vidual operators with the understanding that each was to mine and ship a cer-
tain amount of coal during the year, and "E. S. Silliman was the ■only one of the
lessees that carried out his contract in full." Some houses were built about
this time down Spruce street, and Silliman's men lived in them. They are
still known as "company houses," the Silliman houses at the North Mahanoy
colliery.
Mr. Silliman's next venture was the construction t3f an iron furnace at New
Ringgold, but the time was not auspicious, there being a general depression in
the iron market at the time which accounts for the fact that the industry did
not prosper. The coal fields oti'ered the best promise for the employment of
his enterprise and capital, and he began operating in soft coal, having a large
mine at Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Pa., in that district, as at Mahanoy City,
being one of the first to engage in the development of coal properties. But his
main interests were always in Schuylkill county, where in time he became owner
of 1,600 acres of valuable coal lands near Sheppton. Though so thoroughly
interested in exploiting one of the most important of the natural resources of
this region, Mr. Silliman did not neglect its incidental commercial and financial
activities, and he allied himself with many of the most ambitious projects un-
dertaken for material betterment, and exercised a friendly influence in the aid
of every movement in that direction. Through his efforts the First National
Bank of Mahanoy City was established Sept. 2-j, 1864, and he was one of the
most active members of its board of directors until within a few months of his
death, serving as president of the institution from 1866 to the close of his life
— a period of nearly forty years. It is situated at the northeast corner of Main
and Centre streets. He organized the Mahanoy City Water Company, which
furnishes the water supply for many neighboring collieries as well as for the
city, and served as president of the concern from the beginning, until his
death; he was one of the incorporators of the Mahanoy City Electric Light,
Heat and Power Company and of the Mahanoy City Gas Company (ser\Mng
as president of both) — all enterprises which needed men of courage and
administrative skill to launch them into successful operation. Moreover, his
character and judgment attracted local capital, and he never betrayed the con-
fidence thus shown. Even as a young man he showed the traits which when
developed made him a trusted leader, and he was taken seriously as one of
the forces which were to mold the destiny of the county.
Though practical by nature Mr. Silliman did not narrow his interests to
the accumulation of the profits of his industrial operations. While promoting
business schemes he did not overlook the importance of establishing high
standards of community life, and helped plan its educational and moral insti-
tutions, the conservation and protection of all these interests which afifected the
every-day life of his fellow citizens. He used his large means wisely in his
liberal support of public enterprises and his generosity to those less fortunately
situated than himself. Without vanity or undue pride in his personal achieve-
70 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ments, he was easily approached and kindly in manner, with no disposition to
hold himself aloof from men in any walk of life.
Mr. Silliman was a charter member of the Humane Hose Company, and
the organizer, in 1875, of the Silliman Guards (mustered in Nov. 27th of
that year), which still continue their existence as Company E, 8th Regiment,
P. N. G. He belonged to the Episcopal Church, and on political questions
supported the Republican party.
In 1858 Mr. Silliman married Siraha Keller, a native of Berks county,
who died in 1894 at Mahanoy City. His death occurred May i, 1904, and they
are buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Six children were bom
to this marriage : Ellen, who married George H. Jackson, of Philadelphia ;
Edward S.; Howard, who died in infancy; James Keller; Emily A., deceased
in infancy; and Charles, of Mahanoy City.
Edward S. Silliman, son of the late Edward S. Silliman, was born Nov.
4, 1S64, at Mahanoy City, where his education was acquired in the public
schools. In early manhood he manifested an interest in business and other
activities, and an intelligent comprehension of their relative importance which
foretold the leading part he was to play in the development of local resources
and the introduction of the conveniences which are the feature of modern
municipal life. His large investments in home enterprises have not only indi-
cated his own faith in their paying qualities and the cooperation to be expected
from the community, but have had the effect of keeping other capital in use
here instead of seeking attractive propositions elsewhere. For several years
he was the owner of the gas works. He was interested in the establishment
of the electric light plant, and also of the water company, and is still presi-
dent of the latter, succeeding his father in that position, as also in the presi-
dency of the First National Bank. This is the oldest national bank in Schuyl-
kill county. Every good cause can count upon him for friendly assistance
and substantial encouragement when needed. The various social organizations
of the borough and county have had his loyal support. He is a member of the
Pottsville Club ; Outdoor Club ; Central Republican Club of Pottsville ; Wash-
ington Hook and Ladder Club of Mahanoy City; of the Manufacturers' Club
of Philadelphia and the Union Republican Club of Philadelphia ; of the Schuyl-
kill County Historical Society ; was a charter member of the Pottsville lodge
of B. P. O. Elks, and now affiliated with the Elks lodge at Mahanoy City; and
he is a vestrymaji of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
On Dec. 7, 1905, Mr. Silliman married Mabel S. Beck, daughter of William
and Matilda (Strauch) Beck, of Beckville, North Manheim township, this
county. They have had four children: Mary B., born in September. 1906;
Sarah, who died in infancy; Edward S. 3d; and Jane. The family home is
one of the most modern and conveniently appointed to be found in Schuylkill
county.
GEORGE ROBERT PATTERSON, at the time of his death Alember of
Congress representing the Twelfth district of Pennsylvania, was a resident
of Ashland, Schuylkill county, for twenty years. His achievements during
that period have a place in the history of the city and county. But however
imi)ortant his public work, whatever he accomplished in business, it would
seem to be his sterling character and sympathetic attitude towards his fellow
men which ha\e left the deepest impression. Among his colleagues in all the
associations of life appreciation of his abilities went hand in hand with admira-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXi\SYLVAXL\ 71
tion for his personal traits. Mr. Patterson was a native-born Pennsylvanian,
the only child of Rev. James A. Patterson, a Presbyterian minister. The
father was born in Juiiiala ciDunty, this State, and from an. early age lived at
Lewistown, in Aliftlm county. He graduated from Princeton University, and
for a time had charge of a parish at Lewistown, his first regular charge being
at Lawrenceville, where he died in 1864. He married Anna G. Patton, who
survived her son as well as her husband, living in Washington (D. C.) for a
number of years. The Patterson family is of Revolutionary stock.
George Robert Patterson was born Nov. 9, 1863, in Lewistown, Mifllin
county, where he was reared, receiving all his education in the public schools
and academy there. Leaving school in 1880, he entered the employ of a large
hardware house, and continued in that line of business until 1894. After
several years' employment in his first association, during which time he had
risei: to the responsibility of traveling salesman, he came to Ashland in March,
1886, and formed a connection with the wholesale and retail hardware concern
of Peter E. Buck & Sons, with whom he remained for several years. The
last twelve years of his life he traveled as flour and feed salesman, first for
a large firm at Lewistown and later for one of the big Minneapolis mills,
covering territor)- in central Pennsylvania. Such is a brief record of his busi-
ness career. It was prosperous and had greater possibilities for him. But he
had lived a broader life than the routine of his business aft'orded.
Always a Repitblican, Air. Patterson was actively interested in politics from
young manhood, served a number of times as delegate to local and State con-
ventions, and during his Congressional career as delegate to the National con-
vention, held in Chicago, in June, 1904. Meantime, in 1900, he was elected
to represent his district (the Twelfth) in the Fifty-seventh Congress, where
his services met with such popular favor that he was reelected in 1902 and
again in 1904, filling his third successive term at the time of his sudden death,
the election statistics showing that he was chosen each time with increased
support, on the last occasion by the largest plurality (5,414 votes) ever given
to any candidate for any office on any ticket in the district, where Democratic
officials have always been the rule. Such records tell more forcibly than words
how much general approval his actions had won. On March 20, 1906,
Mr. Patterson returned to Washington — after a visit home to Ashland — in
response to a call from the speaker to be present at the next day's session.
Arriving at the capital shortly after nine o'clock, he went direct to his mother's
home at No. 1745 O street, N. W., where he met his private secretary, Burd W.
Payne, with whom he spent a couple of hours going over the mail and talking
on business matters. Beyond being tired after his long trip he was apparently
in his usual health and spirits, and his mother was surprised to hear him
astir about five the next morning. On going to his room she found him taking
a dose of medicine, as he was not feeling well, but it seemed to be nothing
alarming, and she left him after a few moments. Half an hour later she
heard him moaning, and hurrying to his room found him in so serious condition
that she summoned medical aid at once. Mr. Patterson passed away within a
few moments, taken thus suddenly in his forty-third year and at the very
height of his usefulness.
The outpouring of sympathy and grief which Mr. Patterson's unexpected
demise occasioned, in \\'ashington as well as in his home place, was the sincere
expression of regret that one so beloved, so useful, so anxious to serve, should
be cut ofif in the midst of a busy career, whose possibilities were only beginning
72 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to be realized. Mr. Patterson's remains were taken back to Ashland for
burial, and the funeral services were conducted by Rev. Francis S. Hort,
formerly of Ashland, at that time pastor of the Presbyterian Church of South
Bethlehem, Pa. The services were simple, in accordance with Mr. Patterson's
known tastes, and the profusion of beautiful floral tributes brought kindly
messages of sympathy from his associates in all the walks of life — the various
fraternal bodies to which he belonged, social, business and political friends in
many parts of Pennsylvania, Washington and elsewhere. Hundreds of citizens
of Ashland and other sections of Schuylkill county turned out to pay the last
tribute of respect. Senator Penrose, and a number of members of the lower
house, besides those appointed, came on a special train from Washington to
attend the services. His colleague in Congress, Mr. Samuel, expressed the
general feeling of the district in his address at the memorial services of the
House of Representatives when he said :
"The Twelfth Congressional district of Pennsylvania has no more popular
and respected citizen than George R. Patterson. His long residence there has
made him known to all the people. He was the kind of a man whom people
liked. His good nature was spontaneous and always put those about him in
good humor. He was very bright and cheerful, and gloom never had a part
in his composition. He always had a good story and he knew how to tell it.
And he was always a gentleman, ever courteous and agreeable. Kindness was
one of his marked traits. It was never too much trouble for him to do a
favor for a friend, and no one will ever know of his innumerable acts of kind-
ness, both in his political and private life. Wherever he was he was the life
of the party. His goodness of heart and mind fully covered any fault, if
there was any fault in him. George R. Patterson was a clean man. There
was no blot or stain on his character, private or public."
It was Mr. Samuel who announced to the House the death of Mr. Patterson
on the morning of March ar, 1906, and offered tl\e following resolutions:
Resoh'ed, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon.
George R. Patterson, a Representative from the State of Pennsylvania.
Resolved, That a Committee of thirteen Members of the House, with such members
of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral.
Resolved, That "the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized and directed to take such steps
as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of these resolutions ; and that the
necessary expenses in connection therewith be paid out of the contingent fund of the
House.
Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate and transmit
a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.
After agreeing to the resolutions and appointing a committee the House
adjourned until the next day as a mark of respect. On March 27th it was
ordered that Sunday, April 15th, be set aside for "addresses on the life,
character and public services of Hon. George R. Patterson," but on April 5th
this was aiTiended, appointing April 22d for said services, which were accord-
ingly held, the House meeting at twelve o'clock, noon. Mr. Cannon designated
Hon. John Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, as speaker pro tempore, and resolutions
were at once offered and adopted suspending the business of the House, to
make opportunity for the services, and to adjourn immediately at their close.
Mr. Samuel spoke fittingly of the work and worth of his distinguished col-
league, of his signal fidelity and loyalty, of the honored respect in which he
was held in his home community, and of his last hours and the many marks of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 73
esteem shown at the obsequies. "It is a great pleasure to-day to hear the
candid and sincere praise bestowed upon our departed friend, even by those
who sometimes differed with his judgment and convictions. He always fought
a fair tight in the battle of life. It is not a difficult task to speak of him on
this occasion, but he deserves a better eulogium than the writer is able to
pronounce. We can comfort ourselves, however, with the fact that his life and
character speak forcibly and eloquently for him. Death has made more vivid
that which we felt was strong and symmetrical in him. It throws sunlight in
among the shadows, so that we now appreciate him the more thoroughly."
The address of Mr. Kline, of Pennsylvania, touched on so many points of
Mr. Patterson's character with sympathetic understanding that we quote it in
full:
Mr. Speaker: 1 had not designed to take any part in these proceedings, but upon
reflection I have thought that by reason of the contiguity of the respective districts
represented by the deceased and myself it was due to the memory of the gentleman
who has so recently and unexpectedly died that I should make a few observations.
I had no acquaintance with George R. Patterson, who formerly represented the
Twelfth Congressional district of Pennsylvania, known as the "Schuylkill district," until
a considerable period after my election to the Fifty-eighth Congress. The intercourse
I had with him from and after my first introduction in Congress and outside of these
walls was of a most agreeable and delightful character. In coming to and returning
from Washington I frequently met him on the train, and found him to be a frank,
hospitable, happy, and open-hearted gentleman. I found him to be a good companion,
genial, and of high and fascinating social qualities.
His sudden and unexpected demise was a surprise and shock to every member of the
House, and the great esteem in which he was held was evidenced by an adjournment
immediately after the reading of the Journal and announcement of his death. To
know him was to love him.
Chosen to fill the honorable public position as a Representative in Congress for three
consecutive terms, which he held at the time of his decease, he continued to discharge
the obligations imposed with firmness and fidelity to the last, ever enjoying the con-
fidence, esteem, and affection of his constituency.
He represented a district in the heart of the anthracite coal region. His consti-
tuency represented numerous nationalities, engaged in numerous and diversified kinds
of trade, occupation, and business, and by reason thereof the political sentiment of his
people had been for many years of a fluctuating character. Whilst a large majority of the
county offices of his district, including the judges of the several courts, are now and
have been filled by men of Democratic faith, the popularity and esteem of the deceased
was so great and manifest that he was for three consecutive terms elected over his
Democratic competitors by increasing majorities.
His death was mourned by a large circle of friends, as was evidenced by the large
number in attendance at his funeral, coming in froin all stations in life and from all
parts of his district, in friendship's tribute to the memory of their deceased friend,
neighbor and Representative. Had you been in attendance at his funeral, in his home
town of .Ashland, in a mining locality, and witnessed the throng of thousands of his
friends, neighbors, and those bound by fraternal union, who came from far and near
to pay tlie last mark of respect to their deceased Representative; had you observed the
profound impression which the recollection of his life and many good traits and virtues
left upon an entire community, you would have concluded that there was something
to live for beyond the attainment of political position. You would have realized that it
is not all of life to live, nor all of death to die.
The deceased was engaged in business before his entrance in public life and election
to Congress. He did not make any pretense of oratory, leadership, or statesmanship.
He was faithful and diligent in committee work, conscientious and active in the per-
formance of the work assigned to him. He was always ready to help a friend or
colleague if it was right and consistent and the request was just and reasonable. He
would never consent to become compromised or commit an act of which he couldn't
approve at the time or ratify in the future. Neither the railings of a partisan press nor
the taunts of political opponents could swerve or deter him from the performance of
such official duty as conscience told him he ought to do, nor could such influences
74 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
compel him to tlie performance of what conscience taught him ought not to be done.
He was a man of most kind and generous impulses, firmly and warmly attached to his
family, friends, and acquaintances ; he was not vindictive, and these qualities combined
to render him a most faithful Representative.
It is true, as was said by a gentleman on the floor of this House a few days ago,
that "e.vperience teaches us that the most effective work is done, not upon the floor
of the House by the perpetual talkers, but by the quiet, active, and earnest members
who attend strictly to their committee work ani;! give their thought and lime to such
legislation as properly comes before the committees to which they are assigned." Such
a meml>€r was the deceased. He was not a perpetual talker in the House, but did his most
eff^ective work in the committee room and in attending faithfully and promptly to the
demands and requests of his constituents. In this manner he gained his popularity
among the membersliip of the House.
Now, Mr. Speaker, it has frequently, through the later series of years, occurred to
my mind that the man who is acknowledged by the community in which he lives to be
an upright, conscientious, liberal and honest man, enjoys the best reputation that a man
can have. A man _ who has qualifications and ability may connect himself with public
life; he may come into your legislative halls and establish a reputation as an orator or a
statesman; he may pursue some literary calling; he may win a reputation that is
coextensive with the world ; but after all, when you come to form your estimate of
the man, you must rely upon the character that he has established about his own
threshold, at his own hearth, in his own family, and among his own neighbors.
There is the standard by which we must measure a man after all is said and done.
That is the cornerstone of 'his building: that is the groundwork of his fame, let it be
what it may, and no fame is worth having that is not based upon a reputation for social
and moral virtue| in the community where it is the man's destiny to live and perhaps
his destiny to die. In his home, in his own community, among his neighbors and
friends, George R. Patterson acquired and enjoyed his first fame and great popularity.
There the foundations were laid for his entrance into public life, where he equally
acquired and enjoyed the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He was
strong and robust, active, busy, and energetic in life, but, like all who have preceded
him, he, too, was mortal.
We who survive the deceased and who for a brief hour continue to strut upon this
our public stage find it hard to stop and think, to realize that we, too, are mortal, and
that our hearts
"Like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave."
It is but a bubble we are blowing. No matter how largely we swell in our conceit,
how magnificent we e-\-pand our proportions, the bubble will 'finallv burst for us, as it
has done in the case of our illustrious predecessors, and we shall return to the obscurity
frorn which we came, unhonored and unsung. And even if we succeed in securing
public attention for more than one or two or three or more terms of our Congressional
life, by a most persistent effort or efforts in blowing our bubble, others will soon crowd
us off the scene of action and strut their brief hour of fancied greatness and renown.
"This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth
The tender leaves of hope ; to-morrow blossoms,
.^nd bears his blushing honors thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
-'\nd when he thinks, good easy man. full surely
His greatness is a-ripening, nips its root."
My object has been accomplished if I have succeeded in arresting the attention of
my fellow-members by this brief contemplation of the life and death of our late friend
and colleague. Let us emulate his good qualities and realize that it is not all of life
to reach public station, nor all of duty to distinguish oneself in the fitful notoriety of
the passing hour.
Following- Mr. Kline's address were the tributes from Mr. Hog-g-, of
Colorado ; Mr. Dale, Mr. Lafean and Mr. Schneebeli, all of Pennsylvania :
Mr. Aiken.of South Carolina; and Mr. Goulden. of New York. It is reniarkr
able that his personality, viewed from so many different angles, made at least
one impression comtnon to all — the kindliness of nature of which his courtesy,
his helpfulness to new members, and his willingness to do a favor at whatever
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 75
sacrifice of his own time and interests, were but the everyday expressions.
We have not space for all, but some remarks typical of the animating spirit of
all deserve a place here.
Mr. Hogg: "He came from the field at noontime, and did not return to his
task. The plow was left in the furrow when the darkness came . . . and
he left his work unfinished, as we would measure it. I had not known him
long, but I knew him well, all that was worth knowing — the soul of him — and
admired him much. Our view of him was not obscured, for it was a pleasing
landscape, with the sunshine resting on it. His nature was so open, generous,
and manly that we instinctively gave him our tribute of sincerest friendship.
. . . Honest, just, and generous, with a great heart overflowing with warm
human sympathy, George Patterson left the only fortune worth while, the
memory of his kindliness."
Mr. Dale, after speaking of his love for his native State, referred particu-
larly to his unselfishness : "For his friends, no task was too heavy for him to
attempt, no work too onerous for him to perform, no favor too great for his
generous heart to grant. Surely his unselfish devotion to others, his ready
willingness to sacrifice his own time and his own pleasure in the interest of
others, entitled him to wear the princely motto, Teh dien' — I serve."
Mr. Lafean: "He carried sunshine with him wherever he went and always
had a good word for everybody. His genial disposition made him popular at
home and in Washington, particularly among the Members of the House. At
the time of his death he was one of the dominant forces of the Pennsylvania
delegation. To know him intimately as I knew him was a privilege which I
shall always treasure. Association with him was a pleasure, not only because
of the brilliancy of his wit and statesmanship, but for the mellowing and
gladdening influence of his kindly geniality. . . .
"During the latter part of last fall I invited Mr. Patterson to meet me at
Gettysburg for the purpose of going over several tracts of land owned by the
Gettysburg Springs and Hotel Company, which the Gettysburg Battlefield
Commission was desirous of purchasing. Notwithstanding the fact that he
was exceedingly busy shaping up his private business aft'airs in order that he
might assume the more active of his Congressional duties, and that his time
was more than occupied in~-his endeavor to retain a friend in office whose
removal was urged by others, he kindly came and spent two days in going
over that famous field, in order that he might assist in bringing the matter of
that purchase of this property before the House Committee on Military Affairs,
of which he was a member. Self-sacrifice such as this is what has endeared
Mr. Patterson not only to his constituents, but to his many friends and
colleagues. . . .
"While a Republican, and a stanch one, Mr. Patterson was by no means a
bitter partisan. His first thought was for his constituency and the welfare of
the country. On all public questions he took lofty grounds and was liberal in
his views. I could go on extolling his good qualities, but in my opinion they
can be svmimed up in a few words : He was a man and a friend."
Mr. Schneebeli : "His dear family has reason to be proud of his achieve-
ments in Congress, and his name will be handed down to his posterity enshrined
in honor. Yet, aside from all the glamour of temporary greatness, we revere
the memory of George Patterson as a man whom we admired, respected, and
loved."
Mr. Aiken: "The deceased came not from the ranks of the professional
76 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\"AXL\
class, so overwhelmingly represented in Congress, but he came from the people,
elevated from amongst them, with the glow of popular demands fresh upon
his mind and with a sympathy of interest that the formalism of professional
life would almost make impossible. In this day of action rather than words,
even in the American Congress, his usefulness may not be discounted by the
most profound constitutional lawyer of this body. Legislation is as much the
result of the hand touch of the committee as the hair splitting of the forum.
We recognize the general proposition that education gives its possessor an
advantage o\er illiteracy, and professional education tends to emphasize that
advantage. But he who, with a simple English education, in a body largely
dominated by professional men, can set at naught legal quibblings and fully
maintain the rights of his constituents, must possess those qualities of mind
less lustrous, but no less valuable in the attainment of results, than polished
oratory. Such were the qualities of mind and heart with which our friend was
endowed. Genial always, he was aggressive, yet unobtrusive ; quiet, yet ever
alert and untiring in the discharge of his duty to his constituents; a strict party
man in so far as that obligation bound in reason, yet tolerant and reasonable
in his dealings with the opposition."
Mr. Goulden : "A Pennsylvanian by birth, he was thoroughly American
in education and training, a product of the school system which is so distinctive
a mark of our civilization. If in these days it be a reproach to be rich, then
he was free from taint, for the worldly goods he possessed were obtained by
hard work, by a strict attention to duty, and by honesty and fair dealing. He
was a typical American business man, and was a valiant soldier in the ranks
of that army which has won such creditable victories for American prosperity.
That he was respected by his friends and neighbors is attested by their selection
of him to represent them in party councils and the nation's legislative halls;
and as it is safe to say that the most reliable testimony to any man's worth is
that of the people who live closest to him, then he needs no greater eulogy than
the record of his three successive elections to Congress, the last by the greatest
majority ever given to a candidate for any office in the district. . . . He
had been long enough in Congress to have thoroughly mastered its traditions,
its intricate machinery, and its possibilities, and was therefore in a fair way
to become one of its leaders and a credit to his State and the nation. He was
constantly growing in power and influence, but used it in the simple, old-
fashioned American way which endeared so many of our elder statesmen to
the hearts of their followers."
Resolutions were also passed by the Senate, which adjourned for the day,
March 21st.
Besides the duties referred to Mr. Patterson served as member of the
House committee on Pensions.
Mr. Patterson was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Ashland and
especially interested in its Sunday school, which he served as librarian. He
was prominent in the local fraternal organizations, belonging to Ashland Lodge,
No. 384, B. P. O. Elks; Shenandoah Aerie, No. 129, F. O. E. ; Sheridan
Council, No. 128, R. A. ; and Washington Camp No. 84, P. O. S. of A.
On Oct. 27, 1892, Mr. Patterson was married in Philadelphia to Mary A.
Cleaver, a native of Ashland, daughter of James R. and .Adeline (Clayton)
Cleaver, of Ashland, and they had two children, Granville P. and Esther M.
The son is now taking a course at Bucknell University, Lewistown, Pa. ; the
daughter is at home with her mother. The family home was at No. 119 Centre
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA. 77
street, Ashland. After the death of her liusband Mrs. Patterson was appointed
postmistress at Ashland, and she continued to hold the position until the early
part of 1914, discharging its important duties with intelligent appreciation of
the requirements.
Jesse B. Cleaver, Mrs. Patterson's grandfather, was an early settler in
Columbia county, Pa., where he ended his days.. By occupation he was a
farmer. His son, James R. Cleaver, born in Columbia county in 1820, came
to Ashland when quite young, and learning the trade of carpenter followed it
for some time. Later, however, he became interested as a coal operator and
developed the business until he rankeil among the most extensive operators of
his day in the State, becoming quite wealthy. This was during the period
that the Molly ALigviires were active. He was prominent in public affairs in the
city and county and active in politics, being the first treasurer of Schuylkill
county. In 1877 he removed with his family to Kansas, but returned to Ash-
land in 1880. Then he engaged in the lumber business, on an extensive scale,
carrying it on until his removal to Philadelphia in 1892. In that city he passed
away May 20, 1898. His wife, Adeline (Qaytonj, survived until Jan. 20,
1909. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (Metz) Clayton, were natives of
Columbia county. Pa., and farming people. Six children as follows were born
to Mr. and Airs. James R. Cleaver; Emma C. is deceased; Harriet is the
wife of I. R. Reifsnyder, of Philadelphia; Henry is deceased; Clara, deceased,
was the wife of George M. Krause, of Milton, Pa.; Mary A. is the widow of
George Robert Patterson ; Edith is engaged in teaching in Philadelphia.
DANIEL FRACK, the first settler at what is now the borough of Frack-
ville, Schuylkill county, was deservedly honored in having the place named
for him, and though a quarter of a century has elapsed since his death his
memory is still cherished by many of its residents. A man of enterprise,
energy and progressive nature, he had a long and successful business career
in Schuylkill county, and in the pursuit of his private interests also gave
valuable assistance to the advancement of the community wherever he was
situated. His activities during almost forty years were centered at Frackville,
in whose present prosperity may still be found traces of his influence.
Mr. Frack was born Sept. 23, 1803, in Northampton county. Pa., of which
county his father, Michael Frack, was also a native. Michael Frack was a
farmer and passed his life in Northampton and Lehigh counties. Pa., dying in
the latter county. By his marriage to Hannah Ruch he had eight children,
four sons and four daughters. Daniel, the eldest son, was a boy when the
family settled in Lehigh county in 1810, and he worked on his father's farm
there throughout his boyhood, in fact until he was almost twenty-five years
old. The only schooling he had was obtained in three months' attendance at
the small county school near home, and he did not have this privilege until
just after he was twenty-one. He continued to reside in Lehigh county until
1832. In 1825 he married, and three years thereafter lived on the home farm,
which was near Ironton. In 1828 he became interested in the hotel business
at Ruchville, being engaged there for three years, and in the spring of 1832
he brought his family to St. Clair, Schuylkill county, where he kept hotel for
the next twenty years. Meantime, in 1836, he and Michael Seltzer, under the
firm name of Seltzer & Frack, had started a powder mill at St. Clair, the first
one above Pottsville, for the manufacture of blasting powder. In 1838 he
was a member of the firm of Frack, Schaeffer & Co., of St. Clair, who
78 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXLA.
embarked in the coal business that year, his partners being Daniel Schaeffer
and Frederick Frey, and they operated a colliery at \\'adesville, this county.
Mr. Frack also kept a general store at St. Clair. In 1849 he bought a tract of
166 acres from James C. Stephens, part of which is now included in the
borough of Frackville, and moved his family thereon from St. Clair in the
year 1852. The only building on the place was a sawmill, which Mr. Frack
converted in 1852 into a dwelling and hotel, conducting the same himself
until 1861. In the latter year he laid off part of his land into town lots,
including all that part of the present borough lying east of the north and
south alley between Balliet and Nice streets, and at once opened up all the
streets now in that portion of the borough. It was known from the beginning
as Frackville. For a few years after his removal to this locality he engaged
in farming, but he retired from arduous labor in 1861, and spent the rest of
his life at Frackville in comparative leisure. He died there Nov. 7, 1890.
From early boyhood Mr. Frack was a member of the Lutheran Church, and he
was a leader in religious activities as in everything else which interested him,
being a prominent worker in Zion's Gennan Lutheran congregation at Frack-
ville, serving as elder and trustee.
On Aug. 21, 1825, Mr. P>ack married Mary M. Balliet, who was bom
Aug. 2, 1803, daughter of Joseph and Margaretta (Burger) Balliet, and died
Jan. 23, 1886. They had three children: Leonora, born Oct. 26, 1828, who
married John S. Meredith; Samuel, born July 22, 1832; and Daniel B., born
March 13, 1842. Samuel was born in North Whitehall township, Lehigh
county, and married Mary Harriet Welker, of Oil City, Pa. Daniel B. Frack,
born at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, began his education there, and came to
Frackville with his parents in 1852. He was twice married, his first wife being
EHsabeth Seitzinger, after whose death he married her sister, Sarah A. Seit-
zinger.
JOHN S. MEREDITH was born April 7, 1826, at Thompsontown,
Juniata Co., Pa., eldest of the family of John and Elisabeth (Stauft'er) Mere-
dith. He spent his mature life in Schuylkill county, worked at Derr's foundry
at Pottsville, and was recruiting officer at Pottsville and St. Clair during the
Mexican war. In 1852 he moved with the Fracks to Frackville. In 1862 he
joined the 137th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, belonging to Company K,
of Ashland, Schuylkill county. He died of typhoid fever in the Emery
hospital, at Washington, D. C, on March 11, 1863.
On April 8, 1848, Mr. Meredith was married, at Pottsville, Pa., to Leonora
Frack, and they had a family of seven children, bom as follows: Mary
Ehzabeth, Sept. 13, 1849; Samuel Frack, Dec. 3, 1850; James C. S., Aug. 2,
1852; Joseph Balhet, Jime 28, 1854; John Gilbert, May 14, 1856; Asa Balliet,
Sept. 28, i860; Margiieretta Caroline, Jan. 11, 1863. Mary E. is unmarried
and lives with her mother at Frackville. Samuel Frack Meredith married
Mrs. Emma Flynn, at South Easton, Pa., Dec. 22, 1878; he died Nov. 15. 1896,
in Colorado. James C. S. Meredith was married Aug. 25, 187 1, to Lena Miller,
who died Feb. 13, 1890; he lives in Jersey City, N. J. Joseph Balliet Meredith
married Mary Ann Curtis on May 6, 1882, and they live in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. John Gilbert married Margaret Augtista jMerkert on Oct. 30, 1890;
he died Dec. iq, 1901. Asa Balliet Meredith married Mayme Riley, antl they
live in Jersey City, N. J. Margueretta Caroline Meredith married Aaron W.
i
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA • 79
Houtz on Jan. 23, 1887; they live in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, Penn-
sylvania.
RICHARD K. LE\'AN, though one of the older citizens of Minersville,
is still taking a leading part in the administration of municipal alTairs there,
being at present tiie chief burgess. Pie is a native of Minersville, born Nov.
20, 1838, son of Joseph Leyan, through whom he traces his descent from one
of the very oldest families of this Commonwealth.
The Levans are of French Huguenot ancestry. Daniel Levan, the first
ancestor of whom we have record, fled from Picardy, France, to Amsterdam
during the Huguenot persecution. He was married in France to Marie Beau.
The family in America of which we write was founded by three of his sons,
Jacob, Isaac and Abraham. A fourth brother accompanied them when they
started for this country, one, however, dying before their arrival. The other
three settled in Berks county, Pa., one in Oley township, one in Maxatawny,
and one in Exeter.
Records show that Isaac Levan, the brother who settled in Exeter, came
to that section about 1730, this fact being established by the dates on the land
grants made to him — 1731, 1734 and 1737-38 — there, as well as grants made
him along the Schuylkill river, aggregating in all over one thousand acres,
most of which was in Exeter township. Some of the property has remained
in the family ever since. He built a tannery on the second land grant, on
the site of Brumbach Brothers woolen mill in St. Lawrence, and in 1758 sold
it with nine acres to John Fisher, and aftenvards conveyed the first grant
and the remaining 123 acres of the second grant to his son Jacob. He was
engaged in farming until the latter part of his life, in 1770 moving to Reading,
Pa., where he died in August, 1786. He was born in Holland in 1700. To
him and his wife, Mary Margaret, were born the following children : Abraham,
Isaac, Daniel, Jacob, Mary (wife of Peter Feathers), and Judith (wife of
Samuel Weiser).
Jacob Levan, another of the three brothers, is said to have come to America
in 1717 with his two brothers. He became the owner of large tracts of land
in and around Kutztown, his residence being at the old Levan mill, near Eagle
Point. He was a man of great prominence, was a judge of Berks county for
ten years, and during the French and Indian war was directed by the English
to provision Fort Allen. In 1742 he was visited by Cotmt Zinzendorf, the
distinguished Lutheran missionary, who preached from the balcony of the
old mill to a large concourse of people. Sebastian Levan, elder son of this
immigrant, was the most distinguished man in all northeastern Berks, serving
as a colonel in the Revolutionary war, and as a member of the Committee of
Safety, and of the Executive Council. He lived on the old mill homestead. It
is known he had a son Jacob.
Joseph Levan, father of Richard K. Levan, was born in Kutztown, Berks
Co., Pa. He followed farming in his native county. Coming to Minersville in
1828 he was one of the pioneers of that town, which then consisted of only a
few houses, and wolves were still plentiful in the region. Here he engaged in
the butcher business, being the first in that line at the place, and he continued
it for several years. For some time he was employed at the foundry located
on the site where the residence of his son, Capt. James H. Levan, afterwards
stood, and he also followed various other occupations. He had the misfortune
to injure one of his knee caps in an accident, having had a fall at the corner
80 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Second and Sunbury streets, Alinersville, and he was always lame after-
wards. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, dying at Miners-
ville, and he is buried in the Miners\-ille cemetery. His wife, Martha (Russell),
a native of England, died two years later, at the age of eighty-four years.
Of the seven children bom to them, four grew to maturity, namely: Richard
K. ; James H., born Eeb. i, 1841, a well known resident of Minersville, now
deceased ; Addie, widow of Theodore Roerigh, residing at Minersville ; and
George, living at Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Richard K. Levan was reared at Minersville, and in his boyhood had the
advantages of the local schools, later attending the militarj' school at Reading
for two terms, 1850-51. Returning to Minersville, he taught school one term
in Mahanoy \'alley, and then began an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade,
which he followed in all for the long period of thifty-eight years, for twenty-
two years in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company,
at Pottsville, this county.
Mr. Levan has been a trusted worker among the borough officials. He
served one term as a member of the borough council, and a few years ago was
appointed chief burgess by the courts of Schuylkill county. He was then
elected to succeed himself, receiving a large majority, and his conscientious
service in the furtherance of the best interests of the community has made
him deserving of the confidence which his fellow citizens have shown in him.
When a young man Mr. Levan served three months as drimi major of the
5th Pennsylvania Infantry, and during the Civil war he served as dnmi major
of the 129th Pennsylvania \'olunteers. He was one of the organizers of
George J. Lawrence Post, No. 17, G. A. R., of which he has been adjutant
for the last twenty-eight years ; he has also been post commander. Mr. Levan
was one of the organizers of the Sons of Veterans Camp at Minersville, and
he is an honored member of same. For a number of years he was active in
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past officer. Mr. Levan has
led a life of unquestioned probity, and he holds the unqualified esteem of his
fellow citizens in and around Minersville.
Mr. Levan married Hannah Reed, daughter of Alexander Reed, and she
is deceased. Of the six children born to this union three survive : Willard,
now located at Shamokin, Pa., as assistant master mechanic for the Philadel-
phia & Reading Coal & Iron Company; Richard L., at home; and Sadie, the
wife of Harry Atkinson, living at Alinersville.
DILLMAX FAMILY. Eli.vs Dihlmann was born in 1686 in the town of
Nussdorf, Wurtemberg, Germany. In the early part of the eighteenth century
he moved to Illingen, Germany — two miles from Nussdorf. He died there in
1756. Elias Dihlmann or Diehlmann had a son Jacob Dihlmann, who in turn
had three sons, namely, Jacob Dillmann, Jr., Andrew Dillmann, and Elias Dill-
mann, Jr. These sons changed the spelling of the name to Dillmann and after
their emigration to America they dropped the final "n."
In 1725 Jacob Dillman, Jr., and Andrew, his brother, came to the English
colonics in America, Jacob settling in \'irginia and Andrew in W'esteni Penn-
sylvania, in what is now Adams county. Louis M. Dillman, of New York City
(who is president of the American Book Company), and his son Louis C.
Dillman, of Chicago ( secretary of the Dillman Family Association of the
United States), are descended from Jacob Dillman, Jr.
On Sept. 24, 1737. the sons of Elias Dillman, Jr., Hans George Dillman
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 81
ami lleinrich Jacob Dillman, landed in Philadelphia, having crossed the Atlantic
in the ship "X'irginius Grace." On a September day fourteen years later
(Sept. i6, 1751) Hans George Dillman, Jr., sailed on the ship "Brothers,"
presumably with his widowed mother and younger brother Anthony. They
settled in Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa. Having heard of the successes
of his relati\es in the Colonies, George Frederick Dillman set sail in the ship
"Neptune" Oct. 7, 1755, to try his fortunes in the New World. He settled
in what is now known as Northumberland county, Pa. Hans George Dillman,
Jr., eventually settled in what is now known as Perry county, Pa. His great-
great-grandson is Prof. A. D. T. Dillman, of Antis township, Blair Co., Penn-
sylvania.
The Dillmans were represented in the Fatherland by Dr. Theodore Dill-
mann, of Berlin, Germany ; and by Dr. Christian Frederick August Dillmann
(a German Orientalist), who was born at lUingen, Wurtemberg, April 25,
1823. He became a Protestant Theologian and Orientalist, and an authority
on the Ethiopian Language and Literature and Old Testament Criticism. He
was professor at the Berlin University from 1869 until the time of his death,
in 1894.
The branch of the family known to Schuylkill countians are descended
from Anthony Dillman, who came to this country with his widowed mother in
175 1. He married Susanna Kalbach, of Berks county, and had the following
children: Anthony Dillman, Jr., Susanna Dillman (married a Mr. Ball),
Sabilla Dillman (married a Mr. Koch, of Schuylkill Haven), Peter Dillman
(married Susanna Krause), Barbara Dillman (married a Mr. Saltzer, of
Lykens), and Adam Dillman (married Katherine Krause). Not much is
known of Anthony Dillman, Sr., except that he was an ardent patriot, aiding
the Continental soldiers when they passed his home on their march to relieve
the distress of those who had suffered during the Wyoming massacre. He was
a farmer and a trapper.
Peter Dillman was the fourth child of Anthony Dillman. He was bom
in Heidelberg township, Berks county, in 1781, and followed the occupations
of farming, lumbering, fishing and trapping. Pie married Susanna Krause in
1807, and they had seventeen children, eight of whom grew to maturity. We
have mention of: Margaret Dillman (married Jacob Kruger, of Ringtown),
Daniel Krause Dillman (married Katherine Dunkelberger), Mary Dillman
(married John Schneider, of Ashland), George Dillman (died young), Jarnes
Dillman (married Agnes Brocius, of Shenandoah), Lucyanna Dillman (married
thrice — Jeremiah James, James Boyle, Philip Powell), Sarah Dillman (married
James Connelly, of Barry), Charles Dillman (married Elizabeth Rice, of, Ash-
land) and Peter Dillman, Jr. (married Lydia Neff, of Tamaqua).
After his marriage in 1807 Peter Dillman, Sr., and his wife came to the
site where Pottsville now stands to make their home; but his wife, feeling too
lonely so far from kindred and friends, persuaded her husband to sell their
land to John Pott (who subsequently founded Pottsville in 1809), and they
moved to Fountain Springs. The ground upon which the present State
Hospital now stands was the site of the Dillman homestead. Here he reared
his large family and spent his declining years, which were years of affliction.
Having been struck in the eye by a piece of timber in his young manhood, his
sight became impaired, so the last ten years of his life were spent in total
blindness. He served his country bravely in the second war with England and
received an honorable discharge. He died in 1858 at the old homestead at
Vol. 1—6
82 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVAXL\
Fountain Springs. His wife Susanna (Krause) Dillman was born in Chester
county in 1786 and came to Berks county in 1800 with her father, George
Krause. She was a woman of superior abihty and attainments, noted for her
straight-forward and outspoken manner — a quality inherited by many of her
descendants. Her advantages for educational and social culture were limited
in her day by the condition of the country when she was a girl, born with the
generation immediately succeeding the Revolutionary war in America, when
the land was impoverished in resource, and no schools had been established.
If it was a period of poverty then, it was one of energy and heroism, when men
and women were struggling into prosperity. She had the ordinary acquire-
ments of a rudimentary education, but was especially gifted in needle and
embroidery work — accomplishments of high order in that day. She lived to
the age of ninety-three years, dying in November, 1879. Her pastor at her
funeral services stated that she had been the mother of seventeen children
and at the time of her death she had one hundred and seventy-two grand-
children, fifty-two great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren. She
is buried in the Barry Evangelical Church yard.
Daniel Krause Dillman. the eldest son of Peter Dillman, Sr., was born
at Fountain Springs in 1809. He received his education in the district schools.
Inheriting the self-reliance and fortitude of his mother, Susanna (Krause)
Dillman, he early learned to work and toil, finally attaining success in the
battle of life. He taught school at Fountain Springs, Wadesville and Port
Carbon in their early days. When he was not employed at teaching, he
followed the occupations of farming and lumbering in the thickly wooded
sections of Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. In 1833 he became
captain of the canalboat which plied its way between IMount Carbon and
Philadelphia. It was at this time that he met Katherine Dunkelberger, as his
boat passed her home on the canal. They were married in 1835, living for a
while in Maiden-creek township, Berks county (at the Dunkelberger home-
stead). They then took up their residence in Schuylkill county, residing at
Wadesville and Port Carbon. In 1848 Daniel K. Dillman became outside
foreman at the Phoenix Park colliery, and was employed there until 1859. At
this time he purchased a farm at Llewellyn, where he continued to live until
1890. The last two years of his life were spent with his daughter, Catherine
(Dillman) Starr. He was a tall man, strong both mentally and physically,
stern — one of the old school. His motto seemed to be :
"But to him who bareth his arm to the strife.
Firm at his post in the battle of life,
The victory faileth never."
He died Sept. i, 1892, and is buried at Clouser's Church, by the side of
his wife. Mrs. Katherine (Dunkelberger) Dillman was born in Maiden-creek
township, Berks county, in 1814, and died in 1888. She was endowed with
superior mental abilities. In her day the advantages for educational and social
culture were limited, but she was fond of reading on all subjects. She was an
adept with the needle and embroidery — accomplishments of high order in her
time. Her tenderness and self-sacrificing spirit were beautiful, and all the
motherly instincts of a noble woman were developed in her character. She
was a member of the Reformed Church. There were ten children bom to
Daniel K. and Katherine (Dunkelberger) Dillman, six girls and four boys, as
follows: Amelia J. Dillman (1835-1914) married John Hubler, of Barry,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 83
Schuylkill county; Daniel Dunkelberger Dillman (1836-1872), a lawyer of
Pottsville, married Isabel Catherine Bowman; Susanna Dillman (1840-1908)
married David Johnathan Evans, of Gilberton, formerly of Minersville, Pa.,
ant! Ithaca, N. Y. ; William Dillman (1842-1912), of New Brunswick, N. J.,
married Marietta Purnell; Henry Clay Dillman (1844), ff Parkersburg, W.
\'a., married Mrs. Mary O'Donnell ; Catherine Magdelina Dillman (1846), of
Llewellyn, Pa., married Jacob Starr; Emma Mary Dillman (1848-1849) died
of croup; Elizabeth Anna Dillman (1851) married Henry Christ, of Pine
Grove; John Dillman (1855-1856) died of croup at the village of Phoenix
Park; Mary Anne Dillman (1857) married Joseph Boden, mine superintendent
at Donaldson, and later moved to Shamokin.
Daniel D. Dillman, the eldest son of Daniel K. Dillman and Katherine
(Dunkelberger) Dillman, was born in Maiden-creek township, east of Mohrs-
ville, Berks Co., Pa., Dec. 26, 1S36. When six years old he attended his father's
school at Fountain Springs, and later went to the schools at Wadesville and
Phoenix Park, also taught by his father. At the age of twelve he entered the
company store at Phoenix Park (Schuylkill county). During the winter
months he taught school, studying at night in the store room loft where he
slept. He entered the Poughkeepsie Law School in 1859 and graduated with
merit. After leaving college he taught school, and was admitted to practice
at the Schuylkill county bar in i860. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he
responded to the call of Abraham Lincoln for the first 75.000 troops to serve
for three months. He enlisted April 22, 1861, becoming a private in Company
H under Capt. Charlemagne Tower, of the 6th Regiment, Pennsyhania
Volunteers, Col. James Nagle commanding. Some of the companies of this
regiment were the first troops at the capital, immediately entering into active
and strenuous ser\'ice. At the expiration of the term of service the regiment
was mustered out, on July 22, 1861. The regiment was complimented by the .
brigadier general for "their excellent and gallant service. He also served in
the 2d Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, in 1862, and the 27th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteer Militia, in 1863, during the Emergency. In 1864 he sailed
around Cape Horn, South America, and located in San Francisco, practicing
law there and in the vicinity for several years. Returning to Schuylkill county,
he located in Mahanoy City in 1867, and in 1868 he went to Pottsville and
formed the law firm of Dillman and Seltzer. He also engaged in the coal
business near Llewellyn in 1871.
Daniel D. Dillman was a charter member of Camp No. 72, P. O. S. of A.,
of Mahanoy City, and also a charter member of Camp No. 36, P. O. S. of A.,
of Pottsville. He also was a charter member of the Humane Fire Company
and Severn Post, G. A. R., of Mahanoy City; was a member of Pulaski Lodge,
F. & A. M., Pottsville, and General Grant Lodge, I. O. O. F., Mahanoy City.
He was an attendant of the Episcopal Church, although leaning towards
Universalism. In politics he was a Republican, and the year he died he was
chairman of the Republican county committee.
On March 4, 1869, Daniel D. Dillman was united in marriage to Miss
Isabel C. Bowman, daughter of Peter Bowman, coal operator of Mahanoy City.
Three children were born to them : Daniel Walter Dillman, civil engineer, of
Altoona, Pa.; Robert John Dillman (died 1876); Anna Augusta Dillman
(Mrs. T. L. Thomas), of Mahanoy City. Daniel D. Dillman died Sept. 7,
1872, of smallpox contracted during the epidemic of that year, and is buried
in the Charles Baber Cemetery at Pottsville.
84 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
D. Walter Dillman, eldest son of Daniel D. Dillman, is a civil and mining
engineer, located at Altoona, Pa. He was born at Pottsville Dec. 9, 1869.
After his father's death he came with his mother to Mahanoy City, where he
received his education in the public schools, graduating in the class of 1887.
He entered the Lehigh Valley engineer corps at Lost Creek, and afterwards
was located at Mauch Chunk, Sayre (Pa.), Buffalo and Rochester, N. Y. He
then went with the Harbison-Walker Company, of Lock Haven, afterwards
locating at Altoona. He is borough engineer for Lilly, Cresson, Mount Union
and Gallitzin, Pa. He was the surveyor that constructed the sanatorium for
tubercular patients at Cresson, Pa. Fraternally he belongs to Mahanoy City
Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., and Camp No. 124, P. O. S. of A., Mahanoy City.
AtTGUSTA A. DiLLM.\N, Only daughter of Daniel D. Dillman, Esq., was born
in Pottsville, but with the exception of the first three months of her life has
lived in Mahanoy City. She graduated from the Mahanoy City high school
in the class of 189 1, and from the West Chester State Normal School in the
class of 1893, having taught one year before going to Normal School. She
taught for a number of years in the grammar grades of Mahanoy City. She is
a Chautauqua graduate of the class of 1898, having sixteen Chautauqua seals
attached to her diploma. She is a member of the board of directors of the
Visiting Nurses' Association of Mahanoy City, a member of the Geographic
Society at Washington, D. C, first treasurer of the Equal Franchise Party of
Mahanoy City, member of Liberty Bell Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution,
at Philadelphia, also a member of the Daughters of the .\merican Re\olution
at W'ashington, D. C, and is historian for the Dillman, Bowman and Thomas
families. She has traveled extensively in the United States and Canada,
having been in twenty-seven States of the Union. On Feb. 21, 1901, she was
united in marriage to Thomas Lewis Thomas, a wholesale grocer of Mahanoy
City. Three daughters and one son were born to them, two of whom survive.
Muriel Isabel and \"ivian Mary Thomas ; both are members of the Junior
Daughters of the Revolution.
Amelia J. Dillman, eldest daughter of Daniel K. Dillman, was born Oct.
30, 1835, in Maiden-creek township, Berks county. She married John Hubler
May 29, 1852. They were among the first settlers at Barry (near Gordon),
owned 132 acres of farming land there, and built a fine homestead on it. She
was a charter member of the Barry Evangelical Church and was of a faithful,
kind, cheerful and generous nature. Her children are: Howard H. Hubler,
of Gordon: Esther A. Hubler ( 1854-1880), who married John Weiss; Daniel
O. Hubler ( 1856-1882) ; Emma M. Hubler, who married "Oliver I. Frey; Sil-
vester J. Hubler (1861-1909) ; William Ellsworth Hubler ( 1863-1863) ; Edgar
D. Hubler; Arthur S. Hubler ( 1867-1871) ; Uphama A. Hubler, who married
William P. Eifert; Charles W. Hubler, of Barry; Laura A. Hubler, married
to William Hunter ; and Allen E. Hubler, of Barry.
Hozvard H. Hubler was born in Branch township. Schuylkill county, Nov. 8,
1852. He attended the schools in Butler township, and started to work as
errand boy with his father on the train at the age of twelve. He was promoted
to brakeman in 1872. and then to conductor in 1875. On June 4, 1878. he was
promoted to the position of fireman, and on Jan. 23. 1882, he became engineer,
which position he has held ever since. He is a member of F. & .\. M. Lodge
No. 294, of Ashland, Griscom Chapter, R. A. M., and Prince of Peace Com-
mandery. No. 39. of Ashland. Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading,
and the .\. A. S. R., of Williamsport ; a member of the Royal Arcanum of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 85
Ashland ; of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at Tamaqua ; of the
P. & R. R. Association, and a member of the P. and R. R. Veteran Association
of Philadelphia. He also belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle at
Gordon and is their treasurer. Howard H. Hubler is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Gordon, being its secretary, and is also a
trustee. He has been a school director four terms and is secretary of that
organization. On Dec. 25, 1880, he married Selina J. Klinger, of Deep Creek
\'alley, and they have had three children: Annie M. Hubler (i88i-i88s),
Arthur Alvin Hubler and Mabel R. Hubler.
Arthur A. Hubler graduated from the Gordon high school, spent one year
at the Millersville State Normal School, graduated from the Franklin and
Marshall Preparatory School, and took a four-year course at Pennsylvania
State College, graduating with honors in the class of 1908. He married Amy
Duncan, of Gordon. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge of Ashland.
Arthur Hubler resides at Atlantic City, N. J., being instructor in electrical
engineering in the high school of that city.
Mabel R. Hubler is a graduate of the Gordon high school and at present
is taking a course in McCann's Business College at Mahanoy City.
Esther A. Hubler { 1854-1880) married John Weiss and had three children :
Emma Weiss (married Wilmor Quay, of Spring City and has two children,
Lemar and Laveni Quay), George Weiss and Clara Weiss. Esther A. Hub-
ler's death was caused by her clothing becoming ignited while attending to
home duties.
Daniel 0. Hubler was born in Butler township Feb. 2, 1856. He belonged
to Camp No. 62, P. O. S. of A., at Gordon. He was employed at railroading.
Contracting typhoid-pneumonia, he died March 17, 1882.
Emilia M. Hubler married Oliver I. Frey, of Cressona, and has had five chil-
dren : Wilford Frey (1893-1893), Laura Frey (a graduate of the Cressona
high school), Mary Augusta Frey, Charles Walter Frey and Edith Frey.
Silvester John Hubler (1861-1909) was the third son of Amelia J. (Dill-
man) Hubler. By trade he was a locomotive fireman. He belonged to the
Independent Order of Locomotive Firemen, at Delano, Pa., the Independent
Mechanics of Reading, P. & R. Relief Association, and was a charter member
of the P. O. S. of A. Camp of Lavelle, Schuylkill county. He married Mary
E. Clus, who lives at Reading. His children are : Esther Hubler (1889-1891),
Raymond Hubler (married Bessie Young and has two children, Marion and
Leroy Hubler), and Alma E. Hubler, of Reading.
Edgar D. Hubler, fifth son of Amelia J. (Dillman) Hubler, is a merchant
at Ashland. He attended the Island School at Barry, Pa., the public schools
at Gordon, Pa., the academies at Gratztown and New Berlin, Pa. He married
Clara E. Yost, and has one child, Florence Hubler.
Uphauia A. Hubler, the ninth child of Amelia J. (Dillman) Hubler, married
W'. P. Eifert, of Cressona. She has had fourteen children : Norman Eifert
(married Caroline Schaffer, and has one child, Aven Russel Eifert), Grace
Amelia Eifert (married Robert Brinich), Gertrude Eifert (married Raymond
Ramsey, and has one child. Lemar Raymond Ramsey), Ruth Eifert, Carrie
Eifert, Henry Eifert, Albert Eifert, Lulu Eifert, Arthur Eifert (1903-1903),
Ralph Eifert (1905-1906), Chester Eifert, Emanuel Eifert, Leroy Eifert and
Edwin Enerd Eifert.
Charles Walter Hubler, the sixth son of Amelia J. (Dillman) Hubler, is a
farmer at Barry, living at the old homestead. He belongs to the following
86 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
lodges at Lavelle: The Improved Order of Redmen, No. 297; I. O. O. F.,
No. 972, and the Degree of Pocahontas, No. 172.
Laura G. Hubler, the youngest daughter of AmeHa J. (Dillman) Hubler,
married William Hunter and lives at the old homestead at Barry. She is a
member of the P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 55 of Lavelle. She has six children :
Minna Hunter, Ruth Hunter, Cora Hunter, Mary Hunter, Allen Hunter and
Charles Walter Hunter.
Allen E. Hubler lives at the other farmhouse on the Hubler estate. He is
a member of the Improved Order of Redmen, Lodge No. 297, at Lavelle.
He married Louisa Mader, and has four children : Lemar, Esther, John, and
Arthur Hubler.
Susanna Dillman, second daughter of Daniel K. Dillman, was born Jan.
28, 1840, in Maiden-creek township, Berks county. She was educated in the
district schools of Wadesville and Phoenix Park. She was an adept at
embroidery and crocheting — accomplishments very highly valued in her day.
In November, 1858, she married David J. Evans, of Minersville, formerly of
Ithaca, N. Y. They resided at Llewellyn, Phoenix Park, York Tunnel, William
Penn, Gilberton and Scranton. She was the most affectionate of mothers.
Possessed of much natural refinement, she found pleasure in the society of
her children and kindred. She died July 20, 1908, at her home in Scranton,
and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Frackville by the side of her
husband. She had ten children : Daniel Dillman Evans, Eleanor Evans
(married George H. Williams), Minnie Evans (married George Ludwig, Jr.),
William Evans (1865-1870), Harriet Evans (1867-1870), B. Franklin Evans
(1870-1907), D. Edgar Evans, W' alter W. Evans, Carrie Evans (married
Jacob Kuhlman), and Augusta Dillman Evans.
Daniel Dillman Evans was bom at Llewellyn in 1859. He was educated in
the schools of Llewellyn and Phoenix Park and at Port Carbon Normal
School. He was engineer at the Shenandoah colliery for two years and for
eight years at the Gilberton colliery. In 1892 he became engineer at the P. & R.
colliery at Maple Hill, which position he has occupied ever since — twenty-three
years. Fraternally Daniel D. Evans belongs to Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511,
F. & A. M. At present he resides at Mahanoy City. In 1887 he married
Hannah Fox, daughter of William and Mary (Yoder) Fox, of Gilberton.
They have three children: Dr. Harriet Evans, Florence Evans (Mrs. Paul L.
R. Snyder) and Walter D. Evans.
Dr. Harriet Evans was born at Gilberton and graduated from the Mahanoy
township schools in the class of 1903. The same year she entered Brown
Preparatory College, graduating in 1904. In 1908 she graduated from the
Woman's Medical College. Having spent one year in the hospital of the
Woman's Medical College, Dr. Evans located in Mahanoy City in 1910, and
has been very successful in her chosen profession. She belongs to the Alpha
Omega Delta (medical fraternity), organized the Puritan Chapter of the
Eastern Star at Mahanoy City, and is also the first vice president of the Equal
Franchise Club of Mahanoy City, organized in 1915. She is a member of
the Daughters of the Revolution.
Florence Evans graduated from the Shenandoah high school in the class
of 1910 and completed one year at the Woman's Medical College at Philadel-
phia. She is a gifted pianist. In October, 1914, she married Paul L. R.
Snyder, of Hagerstown, Md. (formerly of Mahanoy City), and they have
one child, Roger William Snyder, born Nov. 26, 191 5.
Walter D. Evans is a high school student at Mahanoy City.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 87
Eleanor Ezviis, eldest daughter of Susanna (Dillnian) Evans, received her
education in the schools of Llewellyn and Phoenix Park. She early learned to
he self-reliant, hecoming proficient in needlework and embroidery. She is an
attendant of the Evangelical Church. In 1893 she married George H. Wil-
liams, a merchant of Shenandoah. She now resides in Frackville. She had
two daughters, both deceased; Viola, born in 1S94, lived to the age of four
years.
Aliniiie Evans, second daughter of Susanna (Dillman) Evans, received her
education in the schools of Llewellyn and Gilberton. She taught school for
six years at Gilberton and one term of night school at Mahanoy City, and also
taught in the suburbs of Scranton. In 191 1 she married George Ludwig, Jr.,
of Scranton, who is now engaged in farming.
B. Franklin Evans, third son of Susanna (Dillman) Evans, was born at
Phoenix Park, Schuylkill Co., Pa., in February, 1870. He received his educa-
tion in the Gilberton schools. He early manifested a disposition towards
mechanics and became very proficient in that line. He worked at Gilberton
for some years, and then entered the American Locomotive Works at Scranton,
Pa., where he attained a high place in his chosen trade. His untimely death
cut ofl: a promising career. Having contracted typhoid fever, he died in April,
1907, and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Frackville, Pa. Fraternally
he was member of Camp No. 284, P. O. S. of A., at Gilberton, and the I. O. R.
M. of Scranton. He was school director at Gilberton for a number of years.
D. Edgar Evans, of Gilberton, was born at Glen Carbon, Schuylkill county,
in July, 1873, the fourth son of Susanna (Dillman) Evans. He attended the
schools of Gilberton. At present he is employed as machinist at Boston Run
colliery, near Gilberton. In 1899 he married Mary Fellows, of Gilberton, and
has four children, Myrl, Ruth, Wilbur and Morgan Evans.
Walter Webster Evans, the fifth son of Susanna (Dillman) Evans, was
born at New Philadelphia in 1875. He attended school at Gilberton. Going
to Scranton he worked for a time in the steel mills, and afterwards took up
farming as his chosen occupation. At present he is living in Indiana.
Carrie Evans, the ninth child of Susanna (Dillman) Evans, was born and
educated at Gilberton. She is a musician of some ability. In 1902 she married
Jacob Kuhlman, of Scranton, and has had two daughters, Eleanor Kuhlman
(1902-1907) and Anna S. Kuhlman (bom 1908).
Augusta Dillman Evans, the youngest child of Susanna (Dillman) Evans,
was born at Gilberton, receiving her early education in the public schools of
that borough and afterwards entering the Scranton high school, from which
she graduated in the class of 1907. She taught school for a term and then
entered Smith College, graduating in the class of 1912, and becoming instruc-
tor at Urbana College, of the LIniversity of Illinois. She enjoys the distinction
of being the only woman instructor of agriculture in the United States. At
present she is lecturing in Bozeman, Montana.
WiLLi.^M Dillm.JlN, the second son of Daniel K. Dillman, was bom at Port
Carbon Feb. 8, 1842. He received his education in the district schools taught
by his father. He married Marietta Purnell (died 19 10) and lived in
Mahanoy City, New Philadelphia and New Brunswick, N. J. He was an
engineer by trade. He ser\'ed in the 5th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, for
ten months, having enlisted in the fall of 1864, and was wounded during his
service. In politics he was a Republican. He died at New Brunswick, N. J.,
88 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
March 14, 1912. William Dillman was of a genial, lovable disposition, and
wherever he went he had hosts of friends.
Henry Clay Dillman, third son of Daniel K. Dillman, was born at
Wadesville May 4, 1844. He received his education in the district schools at
Wadesville and Phoenix Park, and assisted his father on the farm at Llewellyn.
He served his country in the "War for the preservation of the Union," having
enlisted Feb. 20, 1864, in Company F, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry
Volunteers. He was discharged June 30, 1864, having been wounded at
Tolopotomy, Va., May 30, 1864. Henry Dillman married Mrs. Mary
O'Donnell, of West \'irginia, in 1887, and in 1890 moved to Parkersburg,
W. Va., where he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Politically Mr. Dillman is a Republican.
C.\THERiNE M. Dillman, third daughter of Daniel K. Dillman, was born at
Wadesville, Pa., May 4, 1846. She attended the schools of \\'adesville and
Phoenix Park and assisted her mother in the home, also becoming an adept
with the needle and an expert embroiderer and crocheter. Her life has been
full of cares and afflictions, which she has met with characteristic energy,
courage and faith. In her loyalty to the Reformed Church she has no superior.
After teaching school one year Catherine M. Dillman married Jacob Starr,
of Llewellyn. (He served his country four years during the Civil war. in Com-
pany A, 50th Regiment, P. V., having fought in the battles of Spottsylvania
and the Wilderness.) Their children are Jennie Starr (married Henry Fox),
Harry E. Starr, Laura Augusta Starr, Emma M. Starr, Ella M. Starr (married
Andrew O'Donnell), Daniel Dillman Starr (1876-1884), Robert C. Starr
(1878-1884), Mathilda C. Starr (1880-1884), Howard Ellsworth Starr (1883-
1884), Calvin F. Starr (married Mrs. Bernadetta Van Derdoes). Frederick L.
Starr (married Cena Bainbridge), and Myrtle S. Starr (married Irvin Starr).
Catherine M. (Dillman) Starr is living at Llewellyn, in the same house she
entered as a bride so many years ago.
Jennie Starr, eldest daughter of Catherine Dillman Starr, received her early
education in the Llewellyn schools. She lived for a time with her grand-
mother, Mrs. Daniel K. Dillman, from whom she readily assimilated a kindly
disposition and Christian character. In 1890 Jennie Starr married Henry
Fox, of Gilberton. She has had four children: Robert Fox (1891-1892),
Blanche Fox (1893-1895), Clyde C. Fox (the well known telegraph operator
at Gilberton) and Howard S. Fox (a graduate of Gilberton high school, class
of 191 5, a student of the ministry at Conway Hall, Carlisle, Pa., and a talented
musician). Both young men are members of Camp No. 284, P. O. S. of A.
The family are of the Refomied faith.
Harry E. Starr, the eldest son of Catherine M. (Dillman) Starr, was born
at Llewellyn, receiving his education in the public schools of that town.
He is a carpenter by trade, and for many years has followed the occupation of
bridge building. He is located at Detroit, Mich. He is a Republican in
politics.
Emma M. Starr was born and educated at Llewellyn. At present she is
employed at the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia.
Ella M. Starr was educated in the Llewellyn schools. She married Andrew
O'Donnell, of Parkersburg, W. Va., and has had the following children: Earl
O'Donnell (a school teacher of Parkersburg), Dwight O'Donnell, Winifred
O'Donnell, Amber O'Donnell, Ouanita O'Donnell, Leighton O'Donnell (died
1908), Harold O'Donnell, and Chalmer O'Donnell.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 89
Calvin F. Starr graduated from the Llewellyn high school in the class of
1909. He became a telegrapher and afterwards was employed on many United
States vessels as wireless operator, having several times been on the coast of
Norway and the western coast of South America. At present he is stationed
at Dallas, Texas. Politically he is a Republican. He married Mrs. Bernadetta
V'an Derdoes, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Frederick L. Starr, the youngest son of Catherine M. ( Dillman) Starr,
graduated from the Llewellyn high school in the cfass of 1910. At present he
is employed at Llewellyn. F-raternally he belongs to Camp No. 63, P. O. S.
of A. He is a musician of ability, playing violin in Professor Gerhard's
orchestra of Pottsville. Mr. Starr is a Republican, leaning towards Progres-
sive ideas. He married Cena Bainbridge, of Llewellyn.
Myrtle S. Starr graduated from the Llewellyn high school in the class of
1910. She married Irvin Starr, of Llewellyn, and has two children: \'iolet
Starr (born May 15, 1912) and Walter Dillman Starr (born Aug. 11, 1913).
Laura Augusta Starr received her education in the schools of Llewellyn.
After graduating from the high school she taught school for one term at
Friedensburg, and subsequently at Llewellyn. At present she is assistant high
school teacher at Llewellyn, and is one of the most successful educators in that
section of the county. She has devoted her time to the study of literature and
music, and is well informed on all related subjects. Her stimmer vacations are
spent profitably in travel and study. She is a member of the Reformed Church.
Eliz.mseth a. Dillm.vx was born at Phoenix Park Sept. 6, 1851. She was
educated in the schools of Phoenix Park and Llewellyn, and taught school for
a number of years prior to her marriage to Henry Christ, of Pine Grove. Her
children are Robert, Amy (married a Mr. Hill), Nellie (1884-1892), Victor
(1886-1894), Ralph, Roy and Rose (married Mr. Simm, of Donaldson). She
has several grandchildren.
M.\RY A. DiLLM.\N. youngest child of Daniel K. Dillman, was born at
Phoenix Park March 17, 1857, and was educated in the Llewellyn schools.
She is a member of the Reformed Church. She married Joseph Boden (a
mine superintendent at Donaldson). Nine children were born to them: Wil-
liam H. Boden, Martha Boden (1877-1878), Frederick Boden ( 1880-1880).
Charles Boden (1882- 1882), Carrie E. Boden, Clyde Daniel Boden, Edith M.
Boden, George Raymond Boden and Mary A. Boden.
William H. Boden, eldest son of Mary A. (Dillman) Boden, was born at
Donaldson and was educated in the schools of Llewellyn and Shamokin.
Having graduated from the Shamokin high school in the class of 1892, he
taught in the grammar grades of the Shamokin schools until 1903, when he
commenced to work for the International Correspondence Schools as district
superintendent, and was located at Lock Haven, Williamsport, Lewistown, and
Johnstown. At present he is employed by the Equitable Life Assurance
"Society of the United States at Johnstown. On June 18, 1903, he married
Nora Wagner, of Shamokin. They have four children, Ruth, Madge, Paul
and Louise Boden. William H. Boden is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In politics he is a Republican, leaning towards Progressive principles.
Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Council No. 959, of
Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
Clyde D. Boden was born at Shamokin, and was educated in the public
schools of that town, graduating in the class of 1905. After leaving school he
worked as bookkeeper for Riley & Co., of Centralia. At present he is business
90 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
manager for the Shamokin Daily News, having previously been with the Herald.
In pohtics he is a RepubHcan. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and the following fraternal organizations: I. O. O. F. and P. O. S.
of A. He has recently been elected auditor for Shamokin.
George R. Boden is a graduate of the class of 191 1, of Mount Airy, near
Philadelphia. He is a tailor by trade, and employed as tailor at Leader &
Hamilton's store, in Shamokin, Pa., but has decided leanings towards agri-
culture. He is a member of the Reformed Church. In politics he is inclined
to Republican principles.
Edith M. Boden was born at Shamokin and graduated from the high school
in the class of 1908. She is a teacher in the public schools and also an
enthusiastic Sabbath school worker. She is an attendant at the Reformed
Church.
Mary A. Boden, a native of Shamokin, graduated from the high school
at that town in 1914. At present she is employed in the telephone exchange.
She is quite a musician, and is a member of St. John's Reformed Church of
Shamokin.
Carrie E. Boden is at home assisting her mother.
Margaret Dillman was the eldest child of Peter Dillman, Sr., and
Susanna (Krause) Dillman. She married Jacob Kruger, of Ringtown, and
had the following children: Susanna married Mr. Walters; Daniel Kruger
married Mary Eisenhut ; William Kruger married Mary Maderi ; David
Kruger married Mary Mitchel; Rebecca Kruger married John Brady; Francis
Kruger married Mary Yocum ; Henry Kruger ; John Kruger.
Mary Dillman was the third child of Peter Dillman, Sr., and Susanna
(Krause) Dillman. She was bom in 181 1, and died in 1893. She married
John Schneider (1813-1898), of Ashland, and had the following children:
(i) Mary Emma Schneider (married George Slatterbach, who was killed in
the Civil war, and they had one son, Frederick Slatterbach, formerly of Ash-
land, but who now resides in Philadelphia) ; (2) Elizabeth Schneider;
(3) Henry Schneider (killed in the Civil war) ; (4) Josephine Schneider
(married Cornelius Eister, of Shamokin, Pa., and has the following children
and grandchildren : William Elmer Eister married Annie Flannagan and has
one child, James Cornelius Eister; Mathilde Ada Eister married Samuel
Watkins, of Lansford, and has two children, William J. Watkins and Ethel
M. Watkins ; Katherine Eister died at the age of thirteen years ; Charles E.
Eister married Florence Mclntyre and has the following children, Lester,
Myrtle, Ethel, and a baby) ; (5) Mathilde Schneider (married Peter Featheroff
and has the following children, Mathilde Featheroff — married Henry Walter
and has had six children, John, William, Ethel, Mildred, Emma and Helen
Walter, Dr. Daniel Featheroff' — married Lottie Schall and had one baby girl
who died, Elizabeth Featheroff — died at the age of seven years, Margaretta
Featheroff, Mary Featheroff' — died at the age of two years, John Featheroff,
Henry Featheroff — married Rose Hodges and resides in Philadelphia, and
has five children, Edward, Ethel. George, Wilber and Dorothy, Herbert
Featheroff', and Clarence Featheroff — married Agnes Mohr and has one child,
Alice Featheroff) ; (6) Margaretta Schneider (1848-1914) ; (7) Ada Schneider
(married Manuel Straub, of Shamokin, and has several children, and grand-
children).
LucYANNA Dillman, bom in 181 5, was the sixth child of Peter Dillman,
Sr., and his wife Susanna (Krause) Dillman. She married thrice, first,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 91
Jeremiah James ; second, James lioyle ; third, I'hihp Powell. Her children are :
Lucyanna James (married Jacob Everhardt, and had ten children, Jacob
Exerhardt, Peter Everhardt, Solomon Everhardt — married Ida Derr, and has
one child Thelma Everhardt, David Everhardt, Mary Everhardt, Darius and
Jeremiah Everhardt, twin boys — both of them died, Adam and Eve Ever-
liardt, twins, and Robert Everhardt) ; Mary James (married George Liske) ;
John James (died young); Martha James (died young); Katherine Boyle;
and Philip Powell.
S.\R.ui DiLi..M.\N was the seventh child of Peter Dillman, Sr., and Susanna
(Krause) Dillman, and was bom in 1817. She married James Connelly, and
resided at Shenandoah, Pa. She had the following children : Catherine Con-
nelly; Susanna Connelly (married Robert Potter and had four sons and one
daughter, Joseph, James, Robert and Charles Potter, James moving to Tennes-
see, where he died) ; and James Connelly (married Agnes Behr).
James Dillman (1819-1895) was the eighth child of Peter Dillman, Sr.,
and his wife Susanna (Krause) Dillman. He resided at Shenandoah, Pa., and
married Agnes Brocius. They had nine children, viz. : Mary, wife of a Mr.
Oliver; Emina, wife of Johti Rhoads; Susanna, wife of a Mr. Sherman; Peter
Dillman, 3d; Alice Dillmaii, wife of a Mr. Lindemuth; Jane, wife of a
Mr. Dunn; Sarah, wife of a Mr. Hawley; Clara, wife of John George; and
Dora Dillman.
Charles Dillman was the sixteenth child of Peter Dillman, Sr., and wife
Susanna (Krause) Dillman. He was educated in and around Fountain
Springs, Pa., and followed the occupation of farming. In his later years he
lived at Ashland, Pa. He married Elizabeth Rice, and their children are :
Peter Dillman, 4th, an Elder in the Mormon Church at Whitewater, Cochise
Co., Ariz.; Joseph D. Dillman, residing at Rock Dam, Pa. (married Sarah
Wolfgang, and had seven children) ; James Dillman, Jr. (married Sarah
Betz) ; Sarah Dillman (died an infant, twelve months old) ; and Robert Dili-
man, of Bethlehem, Pa. (married Christine Kaw).
Peter Dillman, Jr., was the youngest son of Peter Dillman, Sr., and his
wife Susanna (Krause) Dillman. He was born at Fountain Springs Sept.
30, 1830, and followed the trade of locomotive engineer, residing at Palo Alto,
Port Carbon, and Tamaqua, Pa. He married Lydia Nefif (born March 5,
1837 — died Sept. 29, 1886), and had four children: Emma Dillman (married
William Walker, of Tamaqua) ; Andrew Curtin Dillman (married Amanda
Sherman, and resides at Pottstown, Pa.) ; Richard Dillman (died at the age of .
four vears) ; and Hannah Dillman (married Frederick Francis, of Reading,
Pa.)." Peter Dillman, Jr., died Sept. 8. 1888.
Einiiia DiUinan married William Walker Oct. 21, 1876. They have the
following children and grandchildren : Lydia B. Walker married Claude C.
Rhodes, and they have had one child, William Claude Rhodes; Howard Dili-
man Walker, bom 1877, died 1879; William Walker, born 1878, died 1904;
Estella Walker married Alexander Thompson and has two children. George
and Irene Thompson ; Claude Walker married Annie Kinsel who died Oct.
II, 1909. and had three children, Howard, Earl and Bertram Walker, and in
1914 Claude Walker married (second) Josephine Rimbach ; ClifTord Walker
married Estella Singlv and has one child. Theodore Walker; Mary Josephine
Walker, born 1891, died 1892; Esther Walker married Raymond Morgan and
has two children, Frederick and Louisa Morgan ; and George Dillman Walker
Andrew Curtin Dillman, of Pottstown, Pa., has the following children and
92 SCHUYLKILL COUxNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
grandchildren : William Dillman, who has three children, William, Helen and
Marian Dillman ; Howard Dillman, who has one child, Andrew Howard Dill-
man; Raymond Dillman; Reba Dillman, who married Samuel Lawton ; and
Marian Dillman.
Hannah Dillman married Frederick Francis, of Reading. They have had
the following children and grandchildren : Mary Emma Francis married
James S. Hill, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and they have two children, Agnes and
Francis Hill; F^sther Lydia Francis, born Dec. 15, 1882, died April 23, 1883;
Frederick Dillman Francis married Edna Sewars, and they live at No. 951
Birch street, Reading, Pa. ; Howard Jacob Francis married Blanche Nunna-
macher, and they reside on Park avenue, Hyde Park, Pa.'; Margaret and
Martha Francis are twins ; Leah Francis, born Nov. 5, 1894, died April 5,
1895; Elsie May Francis lives at No. 714 North nth street, Reading, Pa.;
Andrew Thomas F"rancis was born in 1903.
WILLIAM H. WALTERS, of New Philadelphia, has been the chief
executive of that borough for so many years that he may without exaggeration
be referred to as its leading citizen. He is now ( 191 5) serving his sixth term
as chief burgess, and there is no doubt that his popularity has endured by
reason of the fact that throughout his long administration he has shown no
lessening of public spirit or of desire to serve his townsmen to the extent of
his abilities. Their continued support, on the other hand, has enabled him
not only to inaugurate many ideas which promised well, but to carry them
out most advantageously. Though Mr. Walters has well deserved the com-
plimentary attitude of his fellow citizens towards him, it is only just to say
that he has endeavored to merit it.
Mr. Walters is a son of Edmund Walters and grandson of Henry Walters,
who came to this country from England. He was a machinist by trade, a
skilled mechanic, and first located at Philadelphia, Pa., where he found employ-
ment in the Baldwin Locomotive W'orks. He brought the first railroad train
into Pottsville, as engineer ; the engine had broken down at Port Clinton, and
Mr. Walters made the repairs and ran it from that point to Pottsville. Later
he settled at Port Carbon, this county, and afterwards had a foundry at
Tuscarora, where he made car wheels for the Philadelphia & Reading Com-
pany, being so engaged for about ten years. His next location was at Tamaqua,
where he founded the well known Eagle iron works in 1868, building stationary
engines and all kinds of mining machinery, for which he found ample demand
in the immediate vicinity. The establishment was very successful under his
management, and after his death his three sons, William, Henry and Edmund
Walters, took over the business and continued it under the name of Henry
Walters' Sons.
Edmund Walters, son of Henry Walters, learned the trade of molder in
his father's shop, of which in time he became a part owner. However, when
his eldest brother, \\'illiam, died, the business was sold to the latter's widow.
Edmund Walters married Harriet Cox, a native of Mechanicsville, Schuylkill
county, and children as follows were born to them : John, William H., Edmund,
Ambrose, Frank, George, Annie (wife of Allen Barton) and Dora (deceased).
William H. \^'alters was born Oct. 11, 1865, at Tamaqua, Schuylkill
county, where he acquired an excellent education in the public schools. During
the summer season he picked slate at the Hanto colliery. In his youth he
beo-an to learn the molder's trade in his father's shop, but after eighteen
n
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAKUA 93
months at that work turned to cigarmaking, serving his apprenticeship with
ex-Sheriff Monroe Boyer, at Tamaqua. He followed this trade ten years in
all in Schuylkill county, for eighteen months being engaged in the manufacture
of cigars on his own account at Tamaqua. He then took charge of the new
slope at the Palmer colliery, at New Philadelphia, for three years, after which
he spent a short time at railroad work with the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-
way Company, until he received the appointment of private detective for the
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. The next change he made was to
Bethlehem, Pa., where he was employed at the government works for a year
and a half, during which time he ran the first machine that cut armor plate.
Returning to Schuylkill county, he took charge of the boilers at Silver Creek
colliery for about two years, at the end of that time becoming special officer
and assistant to the real estate agent of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Com-
pany.
Mr. Walters has been a resident of New Philadelphia since 1886, and he
has shown himself worthy of his honorable ancestry in his sense of responsi-
bility towards the other members of the community and his high ideals of duty
in the ofhce of mayor, which he is now holding for the sixth term. His services
began in 1895. Three times he was appointed by the court, and he has been
chosen three times by popular vote. Such a tribute to worth deserves notice,
and it is also remarkable that Mr. Walters is becomingly modest in presenting
his opinions, though courageous in the support of his convictions when he
thinks it necessary. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and for eight
years served as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Walters married Catherine Boyer, daughter of Cornelius Boyer, and
they have three children : Cornelius B., now chief supply clerk for the Phila-
delphia & Reading Company, resides at St. Clair, this county ; he married
Sarah Zimmerman, daughter of Robert, and they have a daughter, Emma.
Harriet is the wife of Harry F. Schulze, a contractor and builder, of New
Philadelphia, and they have two children, Edna K. and Wilda C. Edna is
living at home.
HENRY A. WELDY (deceased) lived at Tamaqua for about fifty years,
and filled a place of conspicuous usefulness in the upbuilding of several of its
most valuable business institutions. During all but the first decade of his
residence there he was one of the proprietors of what grew to be a large
industrial establishment, the powder mill which early in the present century
became absorbed by the trust. This was always his chief interest and held
first place in his attention, his best efforts being devoted to the improvement
of the plant and the expansion of the trade. But it did not prevent him from
seeing the necessity for other enterprises, some in the class of private business,
some in the nature of public utilities, with which he associated himself to the
advantage of the community as well as the profitable employment of his own
capital. His judgment was esteemed so much that his sanction of any under-
taking was sufficient to make it considered worthy the favor of local investors
generally.
Mr. Weldy spent his early life at Reading, Berks Co., Pa., and when he
retired returned to that city, passing his closing years there. He was born
there Sept. 19, 183 1, and his father and grandfather were also natives of that
place, the latter born in 1768. deceased in 1853; he was married in 1797. The
grandfather was a carpenter by occupation. John Weldy, father of Henry A.
94 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAi\L\
Weldy, started work in the hardware trade at Reading when fifteen years old,
and was engaged in that hne until his death, which occurred in 1877. His
wife, Margaret, died in 1S35. They had three children: Catherine, born in
1827, 'who died in 1829; Joseph, born in 1829, who died in 1833; and Henry A.
Henry A. Weldy acquired a thorough common school education, having
the best advantages the town afforded in his day, and when seventeen years
old commenced an apprenticeship at the cabinetmaker's trade with B. & H.
Rhein. But when he completed his term he turned to pattern-making, working
at that for the Little Schuylkill Railroad Company, at Tamaqua, Pa. He was
so occupied from 1853 until March, 1862, at which time he joined C. F.
Shindel in the purchase of a small powder mill located on the Little Schuylkill
river, from H. Huhn. The lirm was known as H. A. Weldy & Co., and they
engaged in the manufacture of blasting powder. The name remained the same
after the admission of E. F. Shindel to the partnership, the next year, and
they continued the business until April, 1871, when one of the mills was blown
up, entailing considerable loss. Mr. Weldy remained with the business, but
the Shindels sold their share to Du Pont, de Nemours & Co., with whom
Mr. Weldy was associated until his retirement, at the time the Tamaqua busi-
ness was merged into the powder trust. Throughout that time it was carried
on under the name of H. A. Weldy & Co., and had a record of constant growth
under Mr. Weldy's capable management. As the trade increased the mill was
enlarged to meet new requirements and equipped with modern facilities for
operation, and the progressive policy followed was substantial evidence of
Mr. W^eldy's wide-awake spirit, always on the alert for new contrivances or
improved methods and quick to see their defects or advantages. He had
personal oversight of the mill until 1901, when it became part of the property
of the nation-wide concern, and from that time had no active connection with
business affairs. Among other Tamaqua concerns with which he was identified
we may mention the Edison Electric Light Company, which he helped to
organize, and of which he was president and a director for some years; and
the Tamaqua Boot & Shoe Manufacturing Company, which he established in
1888. The latter business attained such proportions that forty-five persons
were employed in the factory, and the annual output was valued at $50,000.
The shoe factory was closed out in 1898, on account of the illness of C. S.
Weldy, who died April i, 1900. The powder mill was dismantled in 1908,
the real estate being sold to the Anthracite Water Company.
Along with business ability, Mr. Weldy had qualities of confidence and
perseverance which brought him success. But he was modest in bearing and
agreeable in manner, and his pleasant relations with his business associates
and social companions were the basis of a feeling of good will which made
him generally liked, regardless of class. It was conceded by all who knew
him that he did well because he deserved to do well, and that in making his
own success he helped, not hindered, others in attaining theirs. For a number
of years he served his townsmen as a member of the borough council. Politi-
cally he gave his support to the Republican party. In 1902 Mr. Weldy returned
to Reading, where he made his home afterwards at No. 135 Windsor street.
He had a fine summer home in Spring township, Berks county, where he spent
part of each year. His death occurred at his home in Reading Oct. 18, 1909,
and he is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua.
On Nov. 19, 1854, Mr. Weldy married Ann Lambert, daughter of George
and Kate Lambert, of Sinking Spring, Berks Co., Pa., and her death occurred
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 95
in 1900. Four children were born of this marriage: Charles H.; Kate G.,
now the widow of George Hursh, living at Newville, Pa. ; John E., who died
in 1912; and Clarence S., who died in 1900.
Charles H. Weldy, son of Henry A. Weldy, was born Aug. 10, 1855, at
Taniaqua, and there received his education in the public schools. Most of his
business life has been spent in the powder manufacturing business, with which
he was connected from 1875 to 1904. After the plant was sold to the larger
concern Mr. Weldy continued with it in their employ until 1904, and he is
now devoting himself to agricultural pursuits, having a fine ii6-acre farm in
Rush township, Schuylkill county, in whose development he has found agree-
able and profitable occupation. He has built a comfortable bungalow on that
property and lives there during the summer months, spending the winter season
in the borough of Tamaqua. Mr. Weldy has a find herd of Jersey cattle on
his farm, and makes a specialty of the production of butter, finding a steady
demand for the fine qttality for which his dairy has become noted. He has
been keenly interested in the proper administration of municipal affairs in
Tamaqua and has shown his willingness to do his share in obtaining good
government, having served three years as councilman and twelve years as
school director, with commendable efficiency. In fraternal connection he is
an Elk, belonging to Tamaqua Lodge, No. 592.
Mr. Weldy married Henrietta Smitham, daughter of the late James
Smitham, of Carbon county. Pa. They have two children : Annie S., now
the wife of Guy Ellick, of Tamaqua ; and Harry A., living at home.
HARRY R. carl, of Auburn, has shown versatile ability in business,
having met with equal success in all the various lines he has followed. Most
of his interests are in Schuylkill county, where he has the esteem and confidence
of the best element. Business, financial and social affairs and the duties of
public office have all claimed their share of his attention, and increased respon-
sibilities have only been the means of developing his executive talent and
bringing out the substantial qualities which he has so generously placed at
the service of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Carl belongs to a family of old standing in Schuylkill county. The
first of the line in this county was a native of Ireland. Henry Carl, his great-
grandfather, lived and died in Hubley township, Schuylkill county. His
children were : Moses, Edward, Conrad, Elias and Katie.
Elias Carl, grandfather of Harry R. Carl, was also a resident of Hubley
township, where he died. He married Mary Hoffa, of near Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county, daughter of John Hoffa, and she survived Mr. Carl, after
his death becoming the wife of Dewalt Faust, of southern Schuylkill county.
By her marriage to Mr. Carl she had six children : Amanda married Adam
Shuey ; Emanuel was the father of Harry R. Carl ; Elizabeth married James
Hand ; IMary married Harry Bomberger ; Katie married Fred Schuffler ; Alice
married Jonathan Wagner.
Emanuel Carl, son of Elias, was bom in Hubley township, and for some
years lived at Tremont. Schuylkill county, where he died in 1879. He is
buried at that place. By occupation Mr. Carl was a miner. He married
Malinda Rebuck, and three children were born to them, Mamie, Harry R. and
Monroe.
Harry R. Carl was born Dec. 14, 1875, at Tremont, Schuylkill county, and
was but three years old when his father died. He was reared by his grand-
96 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
mother, Mrs. Faust, and had ordinary educational advantages, attending the
Tremont and Jefferson schools. In his youth he was employed for four years
in a printing estahlishment at Philadelphia, after which he attended a business
college. Subsequently he became engaged in the lumber business at Auburn,
Schuylkill county, and has been especially active in the development of this
line, being now very extensively interested in the business. He owns large
tracts of land in \'irginia, Delaware and Maryland. Mr. Carl has also acquired
large land holdings in the vicinity of Auburn, where he has five farms, and
he also owns the light plant at that place. He was one of the organizers of
the Auburn Board of Trade, serving as president of that body, and he is
indisputably one of the first leaders of business progress in the southern end
of Schuylkill county. ^Nlr. Carl was one of the organizers of the First National
Bank of Auburn, in September, 1908, becoming vice president at the time of
its organization, and continuing to hold that position until the death of the
president, William H. Diefenderfer, in 1914, when he succeeded to the chief
executive position. The other officers in 1914 are : L. C. Robinhold, vice
president ; John H. Fahl, W. B. Ketner, F. A. Faust, J. H. Adams and Joseph
Frederici, directors; H. H. Koerper, cashier. Mr. Carl is a member of the
Pottsville Club, and his religious connection is with the Reformed Church.
He has taken a hand in the local government, having served several years
as a member of the borough council. Few men are better entitled to be called
self-made, for he has worked his way up unaided, taking due advantage of
his opportunity without infringing on the rights of* others.
Mr. Carl married Bessie K. Nagle, daughter of Daniel W. Nagle and grand-
daughter of Col. Daniel Nagle, of Pottsville. Mrs. Carl died July 26, 1914,
leaving two children, Harry D. and Bessie J.
HIESTER S. ALBRIGHT, of Orwigsburg, head of the firm of H. S.
Albright & Company and president of the First National Bank of that place,
has demonstrated his fitness for the manipulation of large interests by his
success in the direction of both these institutions. The firm of H. S. Albright
& Company now is the largest shoe manufacturing concern at Orwigsburg,
and in the expansion of its activities has also established plants at Landing-
ville and New Ringgold, having thus been instrumental in promoting industrial
prosperity in various sections of Schuylkill county.
The Albrights are an old established family of this county, where Peter
Albright, great-grandfather of Hiester S. Albright, was born, on the farm
in West Brunswick township afterwards the birthplace of his son Joseph and
grandson William S. Albright. Peter Albright lived upon that farm, engaged
in its cultivation, and died there May 5, 1836. He is buried in the Reformed
cemetery. Among his children were Abraham, Jonathan, Joseph, Peter, Daniel,
Rebecca, Sarah, Diana, Susanna, Esther and Catharine.
Joseph Albright, son of Peter, lived and died on the homestead in West
Brunswick township, reaching the very advanced age of over eighty-four years.
He was a lifelong agriculturist and prospered in his work, and an active and
devout member of the German Reformed Church. With his wife he is buried
in the Reformed cemetery at Orwigsburg. In 1834 he married Esther Shara-
din, daughter of Jacob Sharadin, and she died April 5, 1883. They were the
parents of seven children, namely: William S. ; Thomas S., who lived on the
old homestead ; Susanna, who became the wife of Solomon R. Mover, a
prominent business man of Orwigsburg; Morgan S., who is now steward of
^.<S. Ciu^^i^ .
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 97
the Schuylkill County Home; Joseph, who died young; Benneville, deceased;
and Lucian, deceased.
\\'illiani S. Albright was born May 31, 1836, on the old homestead in West
Brunswick township, where he passed his early life. About i860 he moved
thence to Orwigsburg, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying Sept,
5, 1868, when but thirty-two years old ; he is buried in the Reformed cemetery.
While on the home place he followed agricultural pursuits, and for two years
was also engaged in milling, after his removal to Orwigsburg carrying on a
stock business as a drover and horse and cattle dealer. lie married Amanda
Bodey, who still makes her home at Orwigsburg. Five children were born
to them, viz.: Hiester S. ; Bella Virginia, who lives with her mother; Pauline,
deceased in infancy ; and Minnie and Nellis S., who died young.
Mrs. .Amanda (Bodey) Albright was born Jan. 11, 1837, in Manheim town-
ship, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of Benjamin and Mary M. (Heffley)
Bodey, who had the following children : Esther, who died at the age of six
years; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Susanna, Mrs. Samuel Bossard, de-
ceased ; Catherine, Mrs. William ISrook, deceased ; Benjamin ; Charles,
deceased: .Vmanda, now the only survivor of the family; and Mary, who died
young.
Hiester S. Albright was born June 20, 1856, on the old Albright farm in
West Brunswick township, and was only a young child when the family
removed to Orwigsburg. There he attended public school regularly up to the
time of his father's death, when, though a mere boy of twelve, he had to start
earning his own living. Entering the employ of Moyer & Son, general mer-
chants at Orwigsburg, he remained with them one year, until offered a better
position with another merchant of the town. He was with him for two years,
until his employer sold out, when he entered the factory of the Orwigsburg
Shoe Manufacturing Company, first in the packing and shipping department.
But he soon began to learn the shoe business, serving an apprenticeship in the
cutting department, in which he continued for two years after mastering the
business. In the late seventies he decided to try his fortune in the West, but
after a brief experience concluded that the advantages in his old home were
fully equal to those afforded in the undeveloped part of the country, and he
has never had any reason to regret his return. In the autumn of 1879 he took
a position with the Philadelphia & Reading Express Company, by whom he
was employed until the spring of 1880, since when he has been doing business
on his own account. At that time he formed a partnership with A. E. Brown,
under the firm name of Albright & Brown, and they carried on the manufac-
ture of shoes until July i, 18S3, when George C. Diefenderfer acquired Mr.
Brown's interests, and he and Air. Albright have been closely associated ever
since. They are engaged in the manufacture of shoes imder the name of
H. S. Albright & Company, and do a large business in that line at Orwigsburg.
Their plant has been thoroughly modernized to meet the development of their
trade, and in accordance with the latest ideas which have met with approval
in this line of manufacture. The factory, located on Market street, is 64 by
140 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and there are one hundred
employees at Orwigsburg, engaged in the production of ladies', misses' and
children's shoes. By judicious salesmanship a wide demand for the product
has been created, the territory over which the goods are sold extending as
far as the Pacific coast. In 1896 the firm established a plant at Landingville,
and in i<)i3 another at New Ringgold, both of which are in full operation at
Vol. 1—7
98 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXLA.
the present time. H. S. Albright & Company have set the pace for shoe
manufacturers in Orwigsburg for many years, and have never lacked initiative
and enterprise of the most commendable order, their influence in the business
and in its relation to the community having always been a positive force for
good.
Mr. Albright has always given his principal attention to the furtherance
of his manufacturing interests, but he has also supported other local enter-
prises which promise to be of benefit to the community, and it is to him more
than to any other one person that the establishment of the First National Bank
of Orwigsburg should be credited. When it was opened, in September, 1890,
he became the vice president, and for several years he has been its president.
He has been a director and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Com-
pany of Pottsville, Pa. Mr. Albright has always been an interested member
of the Republican party, and in his early manhood frequently served as dele-
gate to county, State and national conventions, but he has not of late years
taken much part in politics. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason of the North-
ern jurisdiction of the United States, belonging to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138,
F. & A. M., Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., Constantine Com-
mandery. No. 41, K. T. (of Pottsville), Harrisburg Consistory and LuLu
Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. (of Philadelphia) ; at the present time he is vice
president for Pennsylvania of the National League of Masonic Clubs. His
religious connection is with the German Reformed Church.
On Jan. 6, 1886, Mr. Albright married Virginia F. Newhard, of Lebanon,
Pa., daughter of the late James J. Newhard, a jeweler of that place. Mrs.
Albright died in February, 1899, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one
child, Nellie Virginia, bom April 17, 1887. The daughter is a graduate of
the Allentown College for Women, class of 1905.
REV. JOSEPH McCOOL, a member of the Presbytery of Lehigh, died in
Pottsville, Pa., April 15, 1884. Mr. INIcCool was born in Philadelphia, on
the 1st of May, 1804. His father died when he was very young, and he
was brought up with great religious care by his pious mother, who was a
devoted member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, under
the pastoral care of Rev. George C. Potts. After his mother's death he joined
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and being a youth of decided piety and '
intellectual ability he soon felt himself called upon to take a public stand for
Christ, that he might warn those around him to flee the wrath to come. He
was therefore carefully examined by Rev. James Bateman, presiding elder
of the district, in the presence of the Quarterly Conference. His examination
being entirely satisfactory, the Conference proceeded to license him to preach
the gospel. He continued preaching in the city of Philadelphia and its vicinity
until the spring of 1826, when he was placed on Dauphin circuit as assistant
minister, under the auspices of Rev. Joseph Lybrand, presiding elder of the
Schuylkill district. In April, 1827, "he was received into the Philadelphia
Annual Conference. In 1828 he was appointed pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church in the city of Lancaster, Pa. In 1830 he was appointed
pastor of the First ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church in the borough of Pottsville,
Pa. In 1832 he was appointed pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church
in the borough of Easton, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1833 ^f^- McCool changed his ecclesiastical connection and
returned to the church of his fathers. After a thorough and searching ex-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 99
amination on the doctrines and qualifications necessary to the Presbyterian
ministry he was unanimously received by the Presbytery of Newton. He
immediately took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Allentown, Pa., as
stated supply, and in the summer of 1835 received a unanimous call from the
First Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, which he accepted, in October of the
sahie year being installed pastor by a committee of the Third Presbytery of
Philadelphia. He continued pastor of this church for nearly thirty years,
when his health declined and he voluntarily resigned his pastorate. From
that time to his departure he was a great bodily sufferer, but bore his afflictions
with perfect resignation and submission to the divine will. He was a man of
strong convictions, determined purpose, clear judgment and consistent
character.
PROF. FREDERIC GERHARD, late of Pottsville, did much for musical
interests in the community, and his work as leader of the Third Brigade band
and the Gerhard Symphony Orchestra was particularly appreciated. He was
a son of Charles and grandson of Frederic Gerhard, the latter a Frenchman
by birth and a soldier under Napoleon in the ill-fated Moscow campaign.
Charles Gerhard was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, born when it was under
French dominion. He came to America when seventeen years old and located
at IMinersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., for a short time, afterwards living at Girard
jManor, this county, but soon moving thence to Hummelstown, Dauphin Co.,
Pa., to assist his father-in-law in building a bridge at that place. He next
located at Gratz, Dauphin county, and from there went to Ashland, Schuylkill
county, and later in turn to Ringtown and Shenandoah. Most all the time he
was employed at his trade, as a wheelwright and wagonmaker. In 1881 he
came to Pottsville, where he lived until his removal to Philadelphia in 1890,
following his trade and also devoting considerable time to the musical profes-
sion, in which, though self educated, he made a decided success. During
1875-1876, when at Shenandoah, he was the leader of the well known Grant
band, with which he attended the Centennial at Philadelphia. This band had
a very fine reputation in its day and was considered the leading organization
of the kind in this part of the State. After he came to Pottsville Mr. Gerhard
played cornet in the Third Brigade band under his son, Prof. Frederic Gerhard.
From Philadelphia he removed to Scull's Hill, N. J., where he followed
farming until his death, which occurred there Oct. 8, 1909. He is buried in
Mount Peace cemetery, at Philadelphia. Mr. Gerhard was a soldier in the
Union army during the Civil war. He married Jane Bickel, a direct descendant
of Simon Sallada and Margaret Everett, whose names are associated with the
early history of Schuylkill county. Five children, two sons and three daughters,
were born to Air. and Mrs. Gerhard: Frederic; Annie, Mrs. Adelbert S.
Jordan, of Philadelphia : Julia M. ; Margaret, and Edward C. Mrs. Gerhard
"died in Philadelphia May 30, 1903.
Frederic Gerhard, son of Charles, was born Jan. 17, 1864, at Hummels-
town, Dauphin Co., Pa. His early years were spent at Ashland, Ringtown and
Shenandoah, all in Schuylkill county, and he attended the public schools in
those places. But he was still a young boy when he commenced to support
himself, working first as a slate picker at the Shenandoah mines. Afterwards
he was emploved as a coremaker in a foundry. In his nineteenth year he
came to Pottsville to begin work in the foundry of the Philadelphia & Reading
Coal & Iron Company. While thus engaged he spent his evenings in the
100 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
systematic study of music and played in theatre orchestras. His aptitude
for music had been apparent from boyhood, but his ability as a performer was
a surprise even to great critics. Under competent instruction he improved
rapidly, so much so that he soon decided to become a professional musician.
In 1889 he went to New York City, where he spent a year studying under
Dr. Eugene Thayer and Gustav Dannreuther, taking theory and composition
from the former and violin lessons from the latter. Returning to Pottsville
in 1890, he was elected leader of the Third Brigade band, with which organiza-
tion he had been playing for some eight years before he went to New York.
It had been founded Oct. 19, 1879, and is composed entirely of residents of
Pottsville. A success from the start, it has been one of the most popular
bands in this section. Its service has been called upon for many State and
national functions, including the inaugurations of presidents and governors, a
Dewey jubilee, and State encampments of the National Guard. Though an
act of the Legislature did away with the band as a military organization it has
continued in existence to the present time with unabated popularity. Besides
acting as its leader Prof. Gerhard organized his symphony orchestra and also
a string quartette, which fills concert engagements during the season. Though
these obligations took considerable of his time he also had many pupils, taking
care of large classes in violin and piano instruction. Prof. Gerhard's struggles
to obtain a thorough musical education probably increased his appreciation
and love for his chosen profession, in which his unbroken success proved that
he made no mistake in choosing his life work. His sudden death from
apoplexy, Oct. 7, 1913, was mourned deeply by thousands, and it was an
unusual mark of the great respect and admiration of his friends in the
community that all places of business were closed during the funeral ceremonies.
Socially Mr. Gerhard was a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Pulaski
Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M.; [Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. J\I. ; and
Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T. With his wife he was a member
of the English Lutheran Churchy which he joined when sixteen years old.
On Oct. 30, 1888, Professor Gerhard married Minnie G. Brown, daughter
of the late Charles Brown, a merchant of Pottsville and member of one of
the oldest families established there. Two children were born to this union,
Grace Jane and Charles William.
ISAAC G. BECK has extensive interests at Beckville, in North Man-
heim township, Schuylkill county, where he resides on the old homestead
in the settlement founded by his grandfather, Jacob Beck, nearly one hundred
years ago.
Jacob Beck was born in 1789 in Reitlingen, Wurtemberg, Gennany, where
he grew to manhood and married. The year of his marriage, 1817, he came
to the United States, and settled in the Schuylkill valley in Pennsylvania. For
a number of years he was employed on the Schuylkill canal, between French
Creek and Pottsville, and he was afterwards engaged in constructing and
repairing canal locks, acting as a carpenter foreman. He had considerable
knowledge of civil engineering and drafting, and was engaged to some extent
in railroad surveying in his locality, acting as assistant engineer in the survey
of the Mine Hill railroad, which was constructed in 1828-30. In 1818 Mr. Beck
made his home at Pottsville, in 1822 removing thence to Manheim township,
where he purchased a farm of 100 acres, soon erecting a sawmill upon that
place, and in 1829, a gristmilL (The latter came into the possession of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 101
William Beck in 1861.) His activities became the nucleus of the settlement
which came to be known as Beckville, and he was one of the leading men
of the locality up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1850. l>uring
his later years he devoted himself entirely to farming and milling. Mr. Beck
was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and a devoted worker in
all of its enterprises, tilling many of the important offices and at the time
of his death holding the position of treasurer. He was a Democrat in his
political convictions. His principal connection with public affairs was in the
interest of the free school system, which he advocated from the beginning,
and he showed his sincerity by serving as one of the first board of school
directors in his township, filling the position until his death, when he was
succeeded by his son Frederick, and in 1872 William, another son, was elected
to the position, which he held for over twent}' years.
As previously mentioned, Mr. Beck was married in 1817 to Anna Maria
Beider, who was born in 1794, and died in 1870. In 1851, the year following
his death, she erected the substantial brick residence which still stands upon
the homestead place ; the bricks were wood burned, and were made by Abraham
Bertolet near Schuylkill Haven. The place has been thriftily cared for up
to the present, and though over sixty years old is still a handsome and
attractive residence. Nine children were born to the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Beck, of whom we have the following record : ( i ) Elizabeth married
Joseph Wilde, whom she survived, her death occurring at Hazleton, Pa. Their
children were: George (deceased), William, Joseph, Bide, Tillie, John J.,
Charles and Libby, the last named deceased. (2) Jacob died young. (3)
Frederick, born Dec. 6, 1S24, died in North ^Nlanheim township. He married
Magdaline Hurleman, and they had three children : George J., who is de-
ceased; Mary L., who married Dr. J. W. Weist, of Schuylkill Haven; and
Charles F., a well known merchant of Cressona. (4) George, who died in
North Manheim township, had the following family : Mary J., who married
George Coover (he is deceased) ; William H., living at Hazleton, Pa. ; Barbara,
wife of Charles Smith; George, who died leaving no family; Edward, living
at Schuylkill Haven; David, deceased, and Katie, Mrs. Bonner. (5) Edward
was the' father of Isaac G. Beck. (6) John, who died at Beckville, had a
family of three children: William J., who lives at Beckville; Blanch; and
Maria, deceased. (7) Mary married Emil Stecker, and died at Mount
Carmel, Pa. She had children as follows : George, who lives at Mount
Carmel ; Henry, deceased : Naomi, ]\Irs. Lord; Joseph, living at Blount Carmel ;
Ada. wife of Dr. George Wentz, of Scranton, Pa.; and Katie. Mrs. Sement,
who died at Frackville. Pa. (8) Catherine, who married David Clark, is
the only survivor of this family, and is eighty years old. She resides at
Hazleton. Her five children were : Jennie, Mrs. Engle ; George, deceased ;
Catherine, Mrs. Samuel Price ; Frank, who lives at Chambersburg, Pa. ; and
Potter, deceased. (9) W'illiam, who was a miller by occupation, lived and
died at Beckville. His children were as follows: Ada, widow of George
Dechert; John J., of Reading, Pa.; Catherine, Blanche and Annie, all un-
married; Alabel. wife of Edward Silliman, now of Mahanoy City, Pa.; Clar-
ence, who lives at Kingston, Pa. : and Effie, deceased wife of George Stichter,
of Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beck, the parents, are interred in the old
burial ground at Schuylkill Haven.
Edward Beck, son of Jacob, was born March 11, 1829, on the old home-
stead, where he died in 1904, spending all his life in North Manheim township.
102 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVAXL\
He received his education in the local public schools, and assisted his father
at home until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in lumbering, also
carrying on a sawmill. Milling was always his principal industry, but in
connection therewith he carried on farming rather extensively, and his inter-
ests in both lines brought him into a number of business transactions in his
vicinity. His lumber operations quite naturally led to various land deals, and
at one time he owned 600 acres in North Alanheim and Wayne townships. As
executor of his mother's estate, a large share of his attention for some years
was devoted to its management. Air. Beck gave evidence of unusual business
ability in everything he undertook, carrying on his own afifairs intelligently
and managing a number of concerns intrusted to him by others with the
utmost integrity and regard for their best interests. Though he took no
special part in public affairs, he was well known throughout his section of
the county. Like his father he was a Democrat in politics, though he did not
invariably support the measufes of the party. His religious connection was
with the Reformed Church. On May 2, 1857, Air. Beck married Mary Ann
Strauch, daughter of Isaac and Kate Strauch, of Cressona, this county, and
Isaac G. was the only child of this union. Mrs. Beck died in March, 191 1,
and is buried with her husband at Cressona cemetery.
Isaac G. Beck was bom Sept. 28, 1865, at Beckville, and attended public
school in the home locality until he was si.xteen years old. For the three
years following he was a clerk in the store of Charles F. Beck, at Cressona,
but returned home to help his father, and gained an excellent business training
in the management of his family interests. He did teaming and other work
until 1895, and for the next five years carried on a hotel at Beckville, now
operated by William J- Beck, in 1900 returning to the home place, where he
has since been variously occupied. He was associated with his father until
the latter's death, and has settled on the homestead, being in the lumber
business, and retaining the ownership of much valuable property, his holdings
being the most extensive individual interests in the vicinity. Like his fore-
fathers he has done much to promote the industrial prosperity of his section,
having the characteristic energy, ability and resource of the thrifty family to
which he belongs. For years Mr. Beck did considerable teaming, at one period
giving most of his time to hauling for the Cressona Powder Mills. Air. Beck
has been associated with local public affairs to the extent of giving his services
as school director and supervisor, holding the former office for four years. He
is a Democrat in politics, and like his father connected with the Reformed
Church, he and his family belonging to St. Mark's Congregation, of Cressona.
Socially he is a member of Cressona Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M., of which
he is a past master.
In June, 1889, Mr. Beck married Kate L. Rubert, daughter of Michael
Rubert, of North Manheim township, and she died in August, 1906; she is
buried at Cressona. They had one child, Dorothy, now the wife of George
Knecht, of Scranton, Pa., and the mother of one son, George Isaac. Mr.
Beck's second marriage was to Catherine Paule, daughter of John and Catherine
Paule, of Schuylkill Haven.
CHARLES DOUGLAS MILLER, AI. D., is a physician whose work has
been conducted along the broadest lines of medical practice. His father was
in practice in Schuylkill county from 1867 until his death as a physician and
dentist, and few families have a more creditable record of long continued
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 103
service to their fellow men than the Millers have gained in Schuylkill county.
They are an old Berks county family, Joseph Miller, the grandfather of Dr.
Charles D. Miller, having been born in the vicinity of Hamburg, that county,
where he followed farming. His children were as follows: Joseph; Jacob;
Alexander M., who was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a
successful physician; Richard A. M., now the only survivor of the family,
living at Hamburg, Berks county; George Merkel; Mrs. John Swoyer; Mrs.
Reuben Kolback, and ^Irs. Peter D. Hottenstine.
George Merkel Miller, M. D., D. D. S., was born at Hamburg, Berks Co.,
Pa. He received his literary education at Franklin and Marshall College,
Lancaster, Pa., subsequently taking a course in dentistry at the Philadelphia
College of Dental Surgery. He also graduated from the Eclectic Medical
College of Philadelphia. During the Civil war he served as a surgeon in the
Union army. In 1867 Dr. Miller removed with his family from Hamburg to
Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he practiced his professions until
1885. That year he located at Pottsville, in which borough he passed the
remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-two years. From the time of
his settlement there he confined his attention to the practice of dentistry. He
was a pioneer. in the use of ether in the. extraction of teeth, a departure from
the customs of his time typical of his progressive nature and his freedom from
prejudices of any kind; in fact, he gave much of his time to the study of
anaesthetics and their practical application, and did much to promote their
proper use in both of his professions and to remove the opposition which the
pioneers in their use had to meet in many cases in spite of the advantage
which would seem to need no defense. As early as the sixties he was enthu-
siastic in this particular work of the medical profession, and in 1872 he
published a pamphlet on anaesthetics, discussing the subject in popular language,
''giving the origin, history, etc., of the most popular and useful anesthetics,
designed to prove to the masses their harmless character." The arguments
he presents are interesting, showing the fear of anaesthetics entertained by
many people in that day.
Dr. Miller married Elizabeth A. Geiger, daughter of Charles R. Geiger,
of Pottstown, Pa., and they became the parents of children as follows : Anna
E. died wdien four years old; Ida, deceased, was the wife of J. P. German,
a Lutheran minister ; Charles Douglas is mentioned below ; Mary S. is the
wife of Dr. A. L. Gillars, a physician of Pottsville, Pa.; Harvey Harris died
when six years old.
Charles Douglas Miller was born Oct. 17, 1861, at Hamburg, Pa., and
was but a young boy when the family moved to Mahanoy City. There he
received a public school education, and was graduated from the high school
in 1880. Meantime, during school vacations, he had served an apprenticeship
in the office of the Mahanoy Gazette, where he was employed from 1874 to
1877, and from 1877 until 1882 he spent his time out of school in his father's
drug store. He also began his medical studies under his father's tuition, during
which time, in 1881 and 1882, he taught school. In September, 1882, he
became a student at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating
from there March 29, 1884. In 18S6-87 he took a post-graduate course at
the same institution. In April, 1884. he commenced practice at Mahanoy
City, and shortly after his father's removal to Pottsville followed him to the
borough, settling there permanently Nov. 9, 1886. It was not long before his
professional work had drawn him into the larger activities of service to his
104 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
fellow men. In January, 1887, he was appointed outdoor physician for the
poor of Pottsville and vicinity, serving as such until 1889. His large private
practice has not shut him out from general usefulness as a citizen, whether
in his professional capacity or otherwise. For several years he was on the
medical staff, as visiting physician, of the Pottsville Hospital. Since 1907
he has been physician to the Children's Home of Pottsville, located near the
borough, at Mechanicsville. He is a prominent member of the Schuylkill
County Medical Society, of which he was secretary in 1888-89 and treasurer
in 1890, and is also a prominent member of the medical society of the State
of Pennsylvania. He has served as medical examiner for several life insur-
ance companies, and is a member of the board of pension examiners for
Schuylkill county. His thorough command of German as well as English has
aided him greatly in his work. Dr. Miller has his office and residence at No.
204 West Market street, Pottsville. He has made a number of contributions
to medical literature, his writings including a Thesis on Rheumatism ; a "Dis-
cussion of Bergeon's Treatment for Consumption" published in the "American
Medical Digest" of September, 1887 ; an article entitled "Diphtheria Antitoxin
Employed in the Treatment of Scarlet Fever," published in the "Pennsylvania
Medical Journal" in August, 1904; and an article which appeared in the "Penn-
sylvania Medical Journal" on typhoid fever, in which he proposes the use of
carbolic acid and iodine as a specific treatment. Dr. Miller has published in
pamphlet form three of his essays, the first being his graduation essay, written
on the completion of his high school course in Mahanoy City, "First Darkness,
Then Light" ; the subject of the second, "Acute Articular Rheumatism," his
graduation thesis on completion of his course in the Jefferson Medical College;
the third, on "Laws of Nature," was delivered at the annual meeting of the
High School Alumni Association of Mahanoy City, June 4. 1885. Dr. ^Miller
is also one of the editors of "Modern Researches" by Bayer, United States,
having charge of the volume (285 pages) published in 1904.
Dr. Miller is a member of the board of directors of the Pottsville Y. M.
C. A., and has done splendid work for the borough in that connection. He
belongs to the English Lutheran Church, of which he has been treasurer for
fifteen years, and has also held the positions of deacon and elder, giving his
best efforts to the promotion of its interest and work. Socially he belongs
to Lily of the \'alley Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F., to Franklin Encampment
(Odd Fellows), to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Improved
Order of Heptasophs.
On Jan. 5, 1889, Dr. Miller married Alice S. Wagner, daughter of F. B.
Wagner, a rnerchant of Mahanoy City. They have had two children, Eliza-
beth Caroline and Charles Douglas.
ADAMS. Several decades ago the late George Adams settled in North
Manheim township, in the southern part of Schuylkill county, at what is
now known as Adamsdale. A carpenter by trade, he engaged in the building
of boats at that point, branching out into other lines of business as opportunity
offered, and practically laid the foundations of the thriving comnuinity which
has since borne his name, and whose principal activities are still conducted
by the members of the Adams family. He was a member of the fifth genera-
tion of his family in this country, and we give herewith the record of the
early generations.
Anthony Adam, as the name was then spelled, was born in the Fatherland
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL'\ 105
in the year 1716, and emigrated to America in the year 1741. He sailed from
Rotterdam on the snow "Molly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch. His vessel
arrived at Philadelphia, and the passengers, having taken the oath of allegiance
to the English so\ereign, were qualified to land Oct. 26, 1741. Anthony
Adam's age is entered on the passenger list as twenty-five .years. On Feb. 7,
1748, he received from the proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania a
warrant for a tract of 136 acres, 146 perches of land in Albany township, then
a part of Philadelphia county. This land was surveyed for him by the
surveyor general of the Province June 6, 1752. The farm is now in the
possession of Jacob W'eisner, of Round Top, Albany township, Berks county.
Anthony Adam, or Andoni Adam, as he wrote his name, received a warrant
for a tract of 135 acres and 47 perches "above Maxatawny," Feb. 7, 1748.
In 1 761 he sold 140 acres of his land in Albany township to John Reinhard.
He was administrator of the estate of Albrecht Stimmel, of Albany township,
in 1766, being the chief creditor. His administration account was audited and
approved in December of 1768. The date of death of Anthony Adam, of
Albany township, is not known.
Anthony Adam (2), son of Anthony of Albany township, was born about
the year 1736, and was a resident of the adjoining township of Windsor in
1758, described on the tax list of that year as a single man. He married
Rosina Dunkel, widow of Mncent Lesher, of Richmohd township. Anthony
Adam served during the Revolutionary war as a private in Capt. Jacob Ladich's
company. Col. Samuel Ely's battalion, of Berks county militia, as appears
from a muster roll showing that this company was in the service of the
United States from Oct. i to Oct. 17, 1781 (Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series,
^'ol. y, pp. 279-281). In 1799 Anthony Adam (2) received from the State
of Pennsylvania a patent of 307 acres of land called "Manheim" on Briar
creek, in Northumberland (now Columbia) county, Pennsylvania, and in
1806 received a patent for another tract of 426 acres called "Quincy," on the
same creek. These lands he conveyed to his four sons. Anthony Adam died
some time after April 27, 1809. He had at least four children, as follows:
Peter was a resident of Windsor township, Berks county; Anthony (3) was
of Briarcreek township, Columbia county ; Jacob Adam, of Richmond town-
ship, Berks county, married Susan Kline ; Abraham, of Briarcreek, born Oct.
7, 1799, died in Briarcreek July 6, 1855, married Sarah ]\Iiller.
Peter Adam, grandfather of George Adams, born Oct. i, 1765, died July
I, 1849. He lived in Windsor township, Berks county, and was a farmer all
his life. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, and a Demo-
crat in politics. He married Catharina Hausknecht.
Samuel Adams, son of Peter, lived and died at Windsor Castle, in Windsor
township, Berks Co., Pa. He was born in that township in the beginning of
the nineteenth century, and lived to be only twenty-five years old. He \vas
engaged principally at the carpenter's trade. To his marriage with Catherine
Stausser. daughter of Henry Stausser, were born three children, Hannah,
George and Catherine (who died at the age of eighteen years, unmarried) :
and by his second marriage there was one child, Hettie, Mrs. Neiswender, of
Tildeii township, Berks Co., Pa. Hannah was twice married, first to Edwin
Skeen and second to John Carl. She died Sept. 12, 1905. at Pottsville.
George Adams was born March 3, 1828, in Windsor township, Berks
county, and had somewhat limited educational opportunities, attending the
common schools there in his early boyhood. He early learned the trade of
106 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
carpenter. Upon coming to Schuylkill county in 1847 he first located at
Ashland, thence removing to Middleport, where he became engaged by the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at his trade, as foreman in charge
of the building of bridges and stations. He built a number of breakers for
individual coal operators. When he gave up work for the railroad company
he became employed in one of the boat works at Landingville, in 1S58 begin-
ning the building of boats on his own account, meeting with such success that
he did the principal business of the county in his day and locality. He often
had as many as fifty men working for him and si.x boats under construction
at one time. In 1866 he purchased a fine farm at what is now Adamsdale,
owning a tract of 200 acres, and here he established his business, which was
practically the center of the life of the town. He continued boatbuilding for
over thirty years, until the canal between Schuylkill Haven and Port Clinton
was abandoned — the only outlet for the larger type of boats built during the
later years of the industry in this section. The first boats built for the Schuyl-
kill canal were of eighty tons capacity, but those of later construction, used
in the trade to New York and Baltimore and New Haven, could carry cargoes
up to three hundred tons. Though the decline of industry on the canal meant
great loss to a number of business men, it was not so with ^Ir. Adams, who
had acquired other interests in the meantime, and he turned his energies into
other lines when he gave up boatbuilding. He had done considerable as a
cattle dealer; in 1875 he erected a hotel, and later he put up a store, establishing
the general merchandising business which is still carried on by his estate ;
he also established a wheelwright shop, repairing and building carriages, and
ran a sawmill and paint factor)'. He sometimes operated the brickyard located
on his property, at other times leasing it. On Jan. i, 1891, in partnership with
G. W. Hubler and A. H. Preuzel, he established the Adams Shoe Company,
at Adamsdale, for the manufacture of infants' and misses' shoes of the McKay
and Goodyear styles, and Air. Adams acted as general supervisor and man-
ager. The factory was first located in the rear of his general store, but in
1900 a three-story frame building was erected for the purpose, 40 by 100 feet
in dimensions, providing commodious quarters for the business, which had
attained considerable importance. About forty hands were employed in his
day, and the business has been carried on continuously since, his son, John H.
Adams, being now president of the Adams Shoe Company, his son, Franklin
P. Adams, vice president, and a third son, Robert W. Adams, secretary. To
the original products have been added a line of ladies' and children's shoes,
and thus for over twenty years the business has maintained its place as a
most important industry in that section of the county. The employees now
number one hundred. George Adams built up a fine trade as a general
merchant, carrying an excellent stock, which attracted customers from a wide
territory, and his heirs have been no less successful in keeping up to the
high standards of the establishment. The farm land he owned at Adamsdale,
consisting of two valuable tracts, was highly developed under his able man-
agement, and he gave his attention to its cultivation for nearly forty years.
Mr. Adams showed surprising versatility in the management of his numerous
interests, combining his various operations to their mutual advantage, and he
was one of the important figures of his day, much of the local prosperity
depending upon his enterprises. Personally he was a man of the highest char-
acter, honorable in all his dealings, and his death, which occurred March
'.'
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 107
5, 1901, was universally mourned in this section. Fie is buried in the cemetery
of the Red Church.
Air. Adams married Eliza Deiner, daughter of Peter Deiner, of West
Brunswick- township, Schuylkill county, and of the children born to this
marriage four died in infancy, the survivors being: George C. ; Richard S.,
at one time foreman in Bradley's agricultural works at Chicago, 111., now
on the homestead at Adamsdale ; Catherine E., wife of Alorris Runkel, of
Landingville, a dispatcher in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Com-
pany; Franklin P., agent for the Pennsylvania Railway Company at Adams-
dale ; Charles S. ; John H. ; and Robert W. The second union was to Mrs.
Diana Schall. daughter of Rev. Philip Mayer, who for forty-nine years was a
minister of the Reformed Church. Air. Adams also belonged to that denomina-
tion. He was a Democrat in his political convictions.
George C. AD.\iis, eldest surviving son of the late George Adams, was
born Dec. 31, 1858. He received a public school education, and an excellent
business training in his father's employ. After following fanning for some
time he became manager of the store at Adamsdale, and on Alay 24, 1892,
was appointed postmaster there, which office he has held continuously since.
He married Alary AI. Kramer, daughter of Jacob Kramer, and they have one
daughter, Hannah.
Ch.\rles S. Adams, born Aug. 11, 1870, at Adamsdale, is clerking in the
general store there now conducted by his father's estate, and also acts as
assistant postmaster. He married Emma J. Snyder, daughter of Lewis Snyder.
They have no children.
JoHX H. Adams, now president of the Adams Shoe Company of Adams-
dale, was born at that place April 10, 1S72. After attending the local schools
he took a course at the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, -Pa.,
graduating in 1901, and for three terms taught school in North Alanheim
township, Schuylkill county. For a time he had charge of the office work
of his father's shoe company, and he took advantage of his opportunity to
learn the business thoroughly. When the Adams Shoe Company was incor-
porated he was made secretary and treasurer, being associated with the concern
in this capacity until he became the executive head, in January, 1913. Like
his father and brothers he is a man of unquestioned business ability, and the
upbuilding of the business had gone on steadily under his able direction.
He makes his home at Adamsdale, and gives all his attention to the management
of the shoe business. Air. Adams married Charlotte R. Haeseler, daughter
of John T. Haeseler, of Orwigsburg, a member of one of the old established
families of Schuylkill county. Air. and Mrs. Adams have one child, Alarvin L.
In religious faith this family adheres to the Reformed denomination.
RonERT W. Adams, youngest surviving son of George Adams, was born
April 7, 1875, at Adamsdale. He attended school at Pottsville, this county.
For a number of years he was variously employed, being with the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company at Pottsville, and with the Eastern Steel Company,
and for a time was employed at clerical work in New York City. On Nov.
10, 1910, he returned to Adamsdale, where he has since been giving his
attention to the business of the Adams Shoe Company, of which he is now
secretary and treasurer. He has proved a vital factor in the administration
of its affairs, which have been gaining in measure yearly, the high grade of
its product maintaining its popularity with the dealers and public generally.
Air. Adams married Clara \'on Fleet, of Alauch Chunk, Pa., and they make
108 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'ANL\
their home at Adamsdale. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at
Pottsville, this county.
The Adams Shoe Company, so modestly started, now has a thoroughly
up-to-date plant, conveniently appointed, and equipped with modem shoe
machinery, for the manufacture of ladies', misses', children's and infants' shoes.
It was incorporated under the present title in June, 1903, and since Alarch,
1913, all of the stock has been owned by the sons of the late George Adams.
The conduct of the business, jobbing as well as manufacturing, is now entirely
in their hands, and judging from the favorable reputation of the company
and its product is most capably managed in every department.
WILLIAM HENRY ROBINSON, M. D., was not only one of the most
successful private practitioners of his day in Pottsville but also one of the
most useful members of the profession who have lived in the community.
Availing himself unselfishly of the opportunities for service to his fellowmen
which came to him daily in the course of his duties as a physician, he saw the
need for wide plans to benefit them which now form part of the record of
his helpful life. He was a native of Schuylkill county, born May i, 1845,
son of Morris L. Robinson, who was a coal operator in the county. After
reading medicine for a time with the late Dr. Andrew Howell Halberstadt, of
Pottsville, he entered the L'niversity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, graduat-
ing in 1868. Returning to Schuylkill county, he at once began practice at
Pottsville, where he established a position among the leading physicians of the
borough and vicinity. Before long he became proprietor of a drug store in
the town, and by combining irreproachable service to his patrons with up-to-
date methods developed the business until it ranked with the most prosperous
in its line.
Dr. Robinson's various activities were mostly such as his profession led
him into. For several years he was secretary of the board of health, and he
took a deep interest in the success of the Pottsville hospital, serving on its
staff and in other capacities rendering service of great value to the institution.
He was an honored member of the County Medical Society, and fraternally
was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, being a member and past master of Pulaski
Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. AI., and a member of Miners' Lodge, No. 20, I. O.
O. F., both of Pottsville. As a sincere Republican he gave his support to
the party, and he did his share towards promoting good government in the
town, serving as member of the town council and acting as president of that
body. He lived in the home at No. 17 North Centre street occupied by
his widow until January, 1914 — a valuable piece of property. His death
occurred Nov. 4, 1912, and he is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery.
Dr. Robinson had one son, Z. Webster, by his first wife. Alary .•\. (Trout).
On Jan. 18, 191 1, he married (second) jNIary Mrginia Smith, daughter of
William Emery Smith. No children were born to this marriage.
WiLLi,'\M Emery Smith, father of Mrs. Mary \". Robinson, was born in
Canada, and came to Schuylkill county when yet a boy. In his earlier man-
hood he was employed as a stationary engineer, and later engaged in the coal
business, being one of the early operators in this region. He lived retired
for several vears before his death, which occurred Sept. 16, T013, at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Robinson, in Pottsville. His wife, Elizabeth (Ansty),
was bom in England, and come to America when a young girl. She died
March 7, 1904. Their children were as follows : Alfred J., Charles E., Agnes
, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 109
A., E. Clare, Robert L. (deceased), William E., Jr., Jennie E. (deceased),
Mary V. (Mrs. Robinson) and John S. (deceased).
JACOB D. REED, of Schuylkill Haven, is the leader in a leading industry
of the borough and all southern Schuylkill county, where the Union Knitting
Mills have tilled a large place in promoting and maintaining prosperous condi-
tions, permanent in value and influential also by aif'ording practical demonstra-
tion of the advantages of this region from the manufacturer's standpoint.
Mr. I-ieed's personal success has borne good fruit for the community in which
his ambitions have been realized. He himself has always been a man of
zealous public spirit, doing a good citizen's share in the furtherance of projects
which need substantial support for their realization, and sharing the responsi-
bilities of local religious and social enterprises. Mr. Reed was born May 9,
1857, at Reedsville,-in Wayne township, this county, son of Elias Reed.
Elias Reed, father of Jacob D. Reed, was a native of Wayne township,
Schuylkill county, was a lifelong farmer, and died in 1889 at the age of
fifty-seven years. His wife is still living on the old homestead in Wayne
township. He married Christiana Deibert, and they had a family of ten
children, four sons and six datighters, of whom Wallace, the eldest son, died
when four years old ; Emma, the eldest daughter, died when about six years
old; the rest attained maturity, viz.: John H., born Dec. 2, 1855, now living
in South Manheim township, Schuylkill county ; Jacob D. ; Annie R., the wife
of A. D. Super, living in \\'ayne township; Elizabeth A., the widow of Francis
M. Luckenbill, of Wayne township ; Mary E., who married Louis Stabler and
died June 3, 1895 ; George C. ; Sallie G., who married Howard S. Mengel, of
\\'ayne township; and Susan P., married to Howard D. Becker, of Wayne
township.
lacob D. Reed attended the public schools of his native township, and
remained at home until nineteen years old, working for his father on the
home farm. In the year 1876 he came to Schuylkill Haven, where he learned
the shoemaker's trade with William Becker. It was his calling for nearly
twenty years, until he engaged in the knitting business with John A. Bowen in
1895. In 1900 a third partner was admitted to the firm, the late Moses
Leininger. of Orwigsburg, and six weeks after his admission to the business
Mr. Bowen withdrew, Mr. Reed and Jvlr. Leininger buying his interest in the
business. They continued it with increasing trade until Mr. Leininger's death,
and on April i, 1914, Mr. Reed purchased the Leininger estate interest,
becoming sole proprietor. The establishment is conducted under its old name,
the Union Knitting Mills. The plant is 40 by 115 feet in dimensions, located
on William street, and there is a large bleach house doing custom work, with a
capacity of four thousand pounds per day. One hundred and fifty people
are emploved, a fact which brings it into the class of important establishments
in the thriving town of Schuylkill Haven. The product is ladies', misses' and
children's underwear, in ribbed light weights, and llr. Reed has a patent on
ladies' closed union suits which are a special feature at this factory. The
mills are always busy, and never known to close down for want of orders.
The output is sold to the jobbers and ]\Ir. Reed also takes the output of another
mill, at Manheim. Lancaster Co., Pa. His sincere desire to see business
advantages on a good basis in the borough led him to cooperate in the organi-
zation of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, one of the substantial bank-
110 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ing institutions of this section, of which he was an original director, and is
still serving as such.
On Jan. 8, 1885, Mr. Reed married Emma E. Wommer, a daughter of
Jacob Wommer, of Wayne township, where he was a well known farmer.
They have two sons : Ivan W., who is now assisting his father at the mill,
and Willis E., a pupil in the local schools.
Mr. Reed has filled all the offices in the United Evangelical Church, being
at present a class leader, and when the new church was erected acted as a
member of the building committee. Socially he is a member of the Royal
Arcanum. In political opinion he is a Republican, but he has never taken
an active part in such affairs. He served fourteen successive years as
assessor, the length of his service showing how highly his labors were prized.
ALBERT W. SELTZER. As treasurer of the Seltzer Packing Company
and vice president of the ^^lerchants' National Bank of Pottsville Albert W.
Seltzer is a leader in the business activities of Schuylkill county. The former
enterprise, in which his principal interests center, was founded over forty years
ago by his father, Conrad Seltzer, and has been maintained ever since by
members of this family, whose business ability and other substantial qualities
entitle them to be classed among the leaders of this part of Pennsylvania. The
firm at present includes Albert W. Seltzer and his brother, William H. Seltzer.
Conrad Seltzer, the father, was a native of Germany, born Sept. 17, 1817,
in JMarburg, Hesse. He came to the United States when a youth in the year
1832, accompanying part of his parents' family. Locating in Fishbach, a sub-
urb of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he began to work as a butcher, following
the occupation in which most of his immediate ancestors had been engaged.
He was one of the earliest men in that business at Pottsville. His first inde-
pendent business venture was as proprietor of the meat market located in
Pottsville, on Centre street, opposite the "Exchange Hotel." For several
years he also followed his business at Minersville, Schuylkill county, in 1858
giving it up and retiring to his farm, which was known as the "Bull's Head."
There he continued in practically the same line, as a general breeder of and
dealer in live stock, being thus engaged until his retirement in 1889. In this
branch of the business also his careful plans and energetic methods made him
successful, and his steadily increasing interests formed the basis of the exten-
sive packing business which his sons have developed and still conduct. Mr.
Seltzer proved his value to the community in other relations as well. He was
recognized as a financier of notable ability, a fact which his election as treas-
urer of the county in 1864 attested. He served one term of two years in that
position. As a conscientious member of the Lutheran Church he was devoted
to its welfare, and served for many years as elder and trustee. Though he
began life humbly, his first home at Fishbach being a small log house near the
site of the eastern steel mill, he came to be one of the most substantial business
men of Schuylkill county, and the industry which has grown out of the begin-
nings he made is now one of the largest of its kind in eastern Pennsylvania.
His death occurred at Pottsville Sept. 2, 1890. He was a Democrat in politics.
On Dec. 10, 1839, Mr. Seltzer was married in Schuylkill county to Doro-
thea E. Roehrig, like himself a native of Germany, and now also deceased.
Twelve children were bom to their union, namely: William H., now president
of the Seltzer Packing Company and a resident of Pottsville, married Anna B.
Thumm ; Albert W. is' next in the family ; Amelia is the widow of Dr. R. F.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\'SYLVANL\ 111
Krebs, late of Reading, Berks Co., Pa.; Charles F. is engaged in business as a
saddler and harnessniaker at Pottsville ; Josephine is the wife of Charles R.
Kear, of Minersvillc, Pa., president of the First National Bank of Minersville
and of the JNIinersville Water Company; John C. lives at Reading, Pa., where
he is connected with the Farmers' National Bank; Clara is the wife of F. P.
Mortimer, a prominent merchant of Pottsville ; Frederick is carrying on a
livery business in Pottsville; Dolly died at the age of twenty-six years;
Edward L. is engaged in farming and fruit growing in Shelltown, Md. ; Henry
H. is serving as register of wills of Schuylkill coumy ; Bertha E. is the wife of
Frederick E. Zerbey, superintendent of the Lehigh \'alley Railroad Company,
residing at Wilkes-lJarre, Pennsylvania.
Albert W. Seltzer was born July 7, 1843, ^t Pottsville, Schuylkill county,
and was given a public school education in that town. He had been working
for a time when he enlisted for service in the Civil war in August, 1862, becom-
ing a member of Company A, 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantr>', which
he joined at Harrisburg. After serving his term he received his honorable
discharge I\Iay 26, 1863. He saw considerable active service, taking part in
all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac during that period, and twice
received tlesh wounds. Subsequently Mr. Seltzer studied for a term at the
Eastman business college at Poughkeepsie. N. Y., graduating in July, 1864.
As early as 1S66 he went into the live stock business on his own account, his
natural aptitude for this line no doubt being responsible for much of his early
success. However, the expansion of the business along modem lines has
progressed steadily. In 1887 he became associated with his brother William
in the pork packing business. They erected a plant on Water and Temple
streets (the one still occupied), having a main building 200 by 200 feet in
dimensions, with wing 175 by 175. three stories high. Within five years the
business had attained stich proportions that employment was given to thirty-
five men, and fifty thousand hogs were slaughtered annually, besides fifteen
hundred head of cattle, about six hundred calves and a large number of sheep
and lambs. The firm name, originally Seltzer & Bro., is now the Seltzer
Packing Company. The present organization was effected in 1891, the officers
being: William H. Seltzer, president; A. W. Seltzer, treasurer and secretary.
The business has continued to gain in size and importance until it is now the
leading industry of the kind in this section of the State.
The Seltzers are worthy successors of their ambitious father and their
many sterling qualities have placed them among the most valuable citizens
of Pottsville from early manhood. Besides his interests as a packer, Albert W.
Seltzer is particularly well known as vice president of the Merchants' National
Bank of Pottsville, which position he has filled ever since he became a director
of that institution in 1909. He is also a director of the Pottsville Mutual
Fire Insurance Company. His numerous personal interests, however, have
not prevented his serving his fellow citizens more than capably as member
of the city council for thirteen years and of the school board for thirteen years,
the community thus having the benefit of his counsel and judgment in the
management of local affairs. His public spirit has been demonstrated in many
instances. Though a Democrat in politics he is independent of party when
loyalty to his principles is at question. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to
Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M. He is a member of the German Lutheran
Church, and has long served as elder and deacon, forty years in the former
office.
112 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEx\x\ SYLVAN LA.
Mr. Seltzer was married Feb. 22, 1866, to Emma R. Kohler, whose father,
Jacob Kohler, was a pioneer resident of Pottsville. Five children were bom
to this marriage: Dorothea Elizabeth is the wife of William T. Knight, clerk
in a silk mill, and they have two children, Albert and Dorothea; Charles A.,
who is clerking for his father, married Effie Scott, and their two children are
Karl Luther and Ruth E. ; JMarie is the wife of W. J. Schmidt, who is em-
ployed by the Seltzer Packing Company (they have no children) ; Alice A. is
the wife of Daniel IMiller Foster, of \ oungstown, Ohio, and they have three
children, Amie Louise, Dorothea Elizabeth and Emma Kohler; Amie Louise
lives at home.
COL. WILLLAAI THOMPSON was born .May 22, 1834, at Pottsville,
Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was of Scotch lineage, and his American ancestry dates
to 1735, when John and James Thompson, whose forbears had been among
the Scotch Covenanters who removed to Ireland early in the eighteenth cen-
tury, left County Antrim, and landing in Pennsylvania took up their residence
in Chester county. William Thompson, the grandfather of Col. William
Thompson, served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Samuel Thompson,
was born in 1792, and died in Pottsville, Pa., in 185 1. His mother was Eliza-
beth Cunningham, of Newton Hamilton, JNIifflin Co., Pennsylvania.
As a youth Colonel Thompson received a most careful training, and to
this fact may be attributed that combination of ability and integrity which in
early life secured him positions of honor and trust, and in later years brought
to him a large financial reward. W hen the war of the Rebellion broke out
he had not reached the age of twenty-seven, yet he had already taken high
rank as a business man in the town of his birth, and was at the head of a well
established and profitable banking concern. Full of patriotic ardor, his im-
pulse was to go at once to the front, but the exactions of his position were
such that in justice to others, as well as himself, some months of delay were
unavoidable before he felt that he could follow the trend of his inclinations
and become an active defender of the Union. In September, 1862, War
Governor Andrew G. Curtin gave him authority to recruit a cavalry company
in Schuylkill county, and on Nov. ist he was mustered into the service as
captain of Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which belonged to the 2d
Brigade, ist Cavalry Division, and served under the successive commands of
Generals Pleasanton, Buford, Merritt and Devin, with the greatest efficiency
and distinction. For several months, commencing in May, 1863, Captain
Thompson commanded Gen. George G. Meade's escort — Companies D and H,
and later was with Gen. P. H. Sheridan in his battles ; his active service, in
fact, included participation in nearly every engagement in which the Lhiion
cavalry took part in the operations of the Army of the Potomac during the
last two years of the war. He was severely wounded in the right shoulder
at Kearneystown, \'a., when three divisions of Union cavalry made a charge
upon General Early's entire force, to divulge its strength and plans. He was
elected major Feb. 13, 1865, and a month later, March 13th, was brevetted
lieutenant-colonel "for meritorious and distinguished services." It was only
when incapacitated by his wounds that he was ever absent from the front ;
and, with these exceptions, he never lost a day's duty while he was in the
service. He was mustered out on June 20, 1865. His army career involved
the numberless hardships in camp and field to which an impetuous and truly
patriotic soldier is suliject. but from the hour in which he secured his first
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 113
recruit under Go\'eriior Curtin's commission to the prouder one when he was
first in command of his regiment in a reconnoissance towards Appomattox
Court House, at michiight. April 8, 1865, which demonstrated the presence of.
the Army of Northern \'irginia in force, every responsibihty was promptly
taken, every duty cheerfully performed, every discomfort uncomplainingly en-
dured. His record as a soldier, from first to last, was a brilliant one and
brought with it its own immediate reward. 1 le was loved by his command,
respected by his superior officers, and honored by all.
Colonel Thompson's interest in his companions in the army did not end
with the war. His regiment claimed the honor of firing the first gun in the
great confiict at Gettysburg, and to him to a great extent is due the erection,
on that historic field, of a grand monument to the memory of those who gave
up their lives in the struggle. In private life, the old soldier of whatever rank
was a comrade; the widows and orphans of the war the object of his tender
and generous solicitude.
Upon the close of his service in the field. Colonel Thompson again turned
his attention to the calling for which his early education an'd experience had
so thoroughly fitted him. Possessed of a fair competence by inheritance from
his father, he became a large stockholder in the Miners' National Bank of
Pottsville, one of the oldest and most substantial banks in the State. He was
elected a director of this institution on Jan. 13, 1882, and thereafter made its
interests his life work, his long and honorable connection with it ending only
with his death. He served as cashier from May 23, 1S82, until Jan. 25, 1893,
when he was elected vice president, and became president on Jan. 12, 1894.
His dealings in real estate were judicious and profitable, and his property
holdings included some of the finest business blocks in Pottsville. An attendant
at the Presbyterian Church, Colonel Thompson was one of its most open-
handed supporters, his contributions towards the successful efforts to secure
the splendid pipe organ of that church being an example of his generosity.
With the sterling and impregnable characteristics of the early Covenanters
which came to him as an inheritance, he remained steadfast to his patriotic
principles throughout a long and eventful life, and as a citizen his dealings
were fair and equitable, his business transactions open and honorable.
Although Colonel Thompson never married, he was most genial and
companionable, pleasant in all social relations, and fatherly and tender towards
those endeared to him by ties of consanguinity. He died July 9, 1903, at Potts-
ville, Pa., and was buried there in the Thompson family plot in the Charles
Baber cemetery.
LEWIS C. THOMPSON. No name in Pottsville is more highly respected
than that of Thompson, where through several decades of honorable associa-
tion with business and social life its standing has been maintained without
qualification. Various representatives of the family to which Lewis C. Thomp-
son belongs have been notably successful, and he himself has the distinction
of being at present the oldest business man in town. He has completed almost
sixty years of continuous activity in the same line and at the same location.
In company with Harry P. Stichter he established the first hardware concern
in Pottsville, now incorporated under the name of Lewis C. Thompson, and
he has been at the head for fifty years. The business is both wholesale and
retail and the house is one of the best known in this part of the State, with
substantial standing gained during a long career of reliable transactions. This
Vol. 1—8
114 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAXL\
has been Mr. Thompson's principal interest, but he has other connections which
show his sympathy with local conditions and willingness to assist them to
prosperity whenever possible.
The early records of the Thompson family are of interest in this connec-
tion. Its first ancestors in America came to this country from County Antrim,
Ireland, about 1730-35. The family, however, is of Scotch lineage, of old Scotch
Covenanter stock, which early in the eighteenth century moved from their
home in Scotland to Ireland, residing temporarily in that country. John
Thompson, Sr., and his brother James, upon their arrival in America located
at Cross Roads, Chester Co., Pa. Then they removed to Hanover township,
same county (now in Lebanon county), and later to a farm near Derry Church,
about ten miles distant from Harrisburg. Here John Thompson married his
second wife, whose maiden name was Slocum, and" shortly afterwards removed
to a farm three miles from Thompsontown, which was inherited by his sons
Peter and Thomas, to whom he willed it ; when Thomas died his interest went
by bequest to Peter, who in turn left it to his son John Peter, who died in
1882. John Thompson, Sr., married for his third wife Sarah Patterson. By
his first, whose maiden name was Greenleaf (or Greenlea), he had four chil-
dren, one of whom, \VilIiam, was the grandfather of Lewis C. Thompson.
James Thompson, a brother of John Thompson, Sr., settled along South
Mountain, Franklin county, where his descendants still reside.
William Thompson, grandfather of Lewis C. Thompson, was born in 1754
in Thompsontown, Hanover township, Dauphin Co., Pa. He followed farming
and merchandising. During the Revolutionary war he served as a soldier in
the Colonial cause, and participated in the battles of Brandywine and Ger-
mantown. He married Jane Mitchell at Chambersburg, Pa., and they had a
family of nine children, six sons and three daughters.
Samuel Thompson, son of William, was born in 1792, in Thompsontown,
Dauphin county, and died March 7, 185 1, in Pottsville, Schuylkill county. On
Nov. 6, 1827, he married Ann Alricks, of Harrisburg, Pa., who died Aug. 27,
1828, aged twenty-nine years, ten months. On Aug. 6, 1833, he married
(second) Elizabeth Cunningham, of Newton Hamilton, ^lifflin Co., Pa., who
was born JNIarch 3, 1805, and died in her seventieth year, Oct. 5, 1874, at Potts-
ville. Four children were born to this union: Col. William, bom !May 22,
1834, served through the Civil war in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalr}^ and was
mustered out at its close as lieutenant-colonel of his regiment ; he became a
prominent man of Pottsville, particularly in his connection with the Miners'
National Bank, of which he was president. Lewis C, born Nov. 7, 1835, is
mentioned below. Emily J., bom July 21, 1838, died Nov. 17, 1880; on Oct.
II, 1866, she married Maj. Edward Carey Baird, who died Nov. 14, 1874,
and they had one child, Bessy Carey Baird, born in Depere, near Green Bay,
Wis., who was married to Joseph Archibald, of Scranton. Heber Samuel, who
completes the family, is fully mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Lewis C. Thompson was born Nov. 7, 1835, at Pottsville. where he obtained
his early education in the public schools, later attending school at Chambers-
burg. Franklin county, and continuing his studies at the Bolmar Academy,
West Chester, Pa. His business Hfe began early. In April, 1855. in partner-
ship with Harry P. Stichter, he established a wholesale and retail hardware
business at the' corner of Centre and Market streets, Pottsville. the firm of
Stichter & Thompson being the pioneer in the town in that line. This associa-
tion lasted until the spring of 1865, when Mr. Thompson purchased ]\Ir. Stich-
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 115
ter's interest and associated with him his brother, Heber S. Thompson, the
firm becoming L. C. Thompson & Company. Later Heber S. Thompson with-
drew, and from that time the business was carried on by Lewis C. Thompson
himself until Alay i, 191 1, when it became incorporated, as previously stated,
with the following officers : Lewis C. Thompson, president ; William M.
Thompson, vice president ; J. Harry Benner, secretary and treasurer, and
L. C. Thompson, William M. Thompson, J. Harry Benner and W. K. Wood-
bury, directors. Though Air. Thompson's time and attention have been
directed principally to the affairs of this concern, he has formed other asso-
ciations, and is at present a director of the Miners' National Bank of Potts-
ville, and a director of the Union Hall Association. He has always taken an
active interest and part in the life of the borough as a member of the Potts-
ville Club, and a prominent worker in the First Presbyterian Church; he served
as president of its board of trustees when the present church building on
Mahantongo street was erected, in 1874. Mr. Thompson's cordial manner in
business as well as social circles has won him the friendship of all he has met,
and he had made his success with the interest and good will of his associates.
During the Civil war Mr. Thompson enlisted in Company A, 27th Emer-
gency Regiment, raised when Lee invaded the State in 1863.
C)n June 10, 1862, Mr. Thompson married Rebecca Frances Bruner, who
was born in Chester county, Pa., near the line of Berks county, daughter of
John and Maria (Jones) Bruner. The following children have been born to
this union : Elizabeth May was educated at Bradford, Mass., and on Feb.
20, 1890, became the wife of Frank Bailey Parsons, of Northampton, Mass.,
who died March 16, 191 1, his widow now residing at Pottsville, Pa.; Mary
Louise married, Jan. 24, 1900, Henry T. Blodgett, of New York City, and they
reside at East Paget in the Bermudas; Carrie Frances, born in 1866, died in
infancy ; W'illiam Mitchell was educated in the local schools and the Hill
school at Pottstown, also spending a year in Phillips Academy, at Andover,
and since 1892 has been in business with his father (he was married Jan. 7,
1902, to Mary Jane Sturman, daughter of Joseph T. Sturman and Sarah E. Go-
lightly) ; Elsie received her education in "the select schools, and is now living
at home. In 1875 jMr. Thompson began the erection of his beautiful residence
at No. So I West Mahantongo street, which he and his family have occupied
since July 4, 1876.
The Bruners, Mrs. Thompson's family, have been in Pennsylvania since
Provincial days. Her great-grandfather, Ulrich (or Owen) Bruner, a native
of Switzerland, was born on Whitsunday, June 4, 1730. He sailed from
Rotterdam to America, via Cowes, England, on board the ship "Mercury,"
]\Iay 29, 1735, in company with a number from the Palatinate, among them
Henry Brunner (the name being variously spelled). In 1755 Ulrich was mar-
ried to Fronica Gross (or Bross), a native of Pauls, Germany, who had settled
in Bucks county, Pa., in 1744, and they had born to them six sons and five
daughters, of whom nine names are on record, viz.: Maria. John, Isaac,
Fronica, Ulrich (or Owen), Barbara, Isaac, Jacob and Ivlagdalena. The
mother of this family died Feb. 27, 1796, and the father Feb. 19, 1821, at the
advanced age of ninety-one years.
Owen Bruner, one of the above named children, was born July 5, 1762,
and on March 2, 1787, married Elizabeth Weaver, daughter of John and
Barbara Weaver, prominent and wealthy Mennonites of Earl township, Lan-
caster Co., Pa. He died Nov. 29, 1843. Mrs. Elizabeth Bruner died March
116 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
12, 1853, at the age of eighty-five years. She bore her husband ten children:
John, born Jan. 7, 1788, died Jan. 15, 1814; Barbara, born Dec. 4, 1789, was
married to John Good; Abraham, born Sept. 24, 1791, married, Dec. 15, 1814,
Rebecca Evans, and died Alarch 3, 1870; Owen (or Ulrich), born Oct. 24,
1794, died April i, 1845, the husband of Ann Martin; Jacob, born June 20,
1796, married Ruth A. Talbot; John, born Dec. 29, 1799, married Maria
Jones; Isaac, born April 2, 1802, was a physician, and died Dec. 29, 1828;
Elizabeth, born Sept. 30, 1804, was married to Dr. William Happersett ; Daniel
I., born June 22, 1807, was also a physician, and died in 1888, the husband
of Elizabeth Davies ; and Fronica (or Frances), born June 23, 1810, was mar-
ried to John Kenega.
ANDREW B. COCHRAN, late of Pottsville, one of the foremost civH
and mining engineers in this section of Pennsylvania, had a career of over
forty-nine years in that profession. Practically all his life was spent in the
same line of work. A man of unpretentious disposition, yet with marked
ability and high ideals, he was a quiet force for progress and the establishing
of lofty standards in the community where he lived during the greater part
of his active years. Of Scotch-Irish descent, he was a son of Andrew Coch-
ran, a native of County Derry, Ireland, who came to the Uinted States about
1820 and passed the rest of his life in Pennsylvania. His first location was at
Lancaster, whence he subsequently moved to Philadelphia, dying there at an
advanced age. He was extensively engaged in the lumber business, having
interests both at Philadelphia and at Williamsport, Pa., at the latter place
erecting the first sawmills built there. During his later years he also dealt in
real estate and was engaged in conveyancing. He married Sarah Bovd, who
was born at Lancaster, Pa., and they had a family of six children : Sarah,
Eliza, Martha, Mary, Andrew B. and Richard, all deceased.
Andrew B. Cochran was born July 14, 1836, in Philadelphia, and obtained
his early education in the public schools there, taking a four years' course at
the Central high school. Then he learned the business of conveyancing. In
February, 1859, he came to Pottsville to take a position with P. W. Sheafer
and began the study of mining engineering. Remaining with ]\Ir. Sheafer until
1862, he then went to New York City and became associated with his father,
who was in New York at that time looking after mining speculations in which
he was interested. On his return to Pottsville, in September, 1866, Mr.
Cochran entered the employ of Harris Brothers, with whom he continued
until 1868, that year forming a partnership with George B. Strauch, their
business being civil and mining engineering. This association lasted until
1873, in which year Mr. Strauch retired because of failing health, and for a
number of years afterwards Mr. Cochran did business alone, until he took
his son into partnership in 1889. The firm name then became A. B. Cochran
& Son, and when Andrew B. Cochran died, IMay 14, 1908, the son succeeded to
his interests, which he is still conducting.
Andrew B. Cochran was quite prominent in the Republican party, serving
as county chairman and frequently as delegate to the State conventions. The
only public office he held was that of borough surveyor of Pottsville, which he
filled from 1871 to 1889 continuously. Socially he was well known in the
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, having been a member of Pulaski
Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M.; Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M. ;
Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville, and Lu Lu Temple,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 117
A. A. O. N. M. S., of Philadelphia; he was also a member of Lily of the
Valley Lodge, No. 281, L O. O. P., of Pottsville. In every association his
high character and consistently honorable methods won him the unqualified
esteem of those with whom he came into contact.
Andrew i!. Cochran married ^laria Gould, daughter of William and
Catherine (Hill) Gould, of Pottsville, and they were the parents of two
children, William A. and Kate G. Cochran. ^Irs. A. B. Cochran died Feb.
26, 1907.
WiLLWM A. Cochran married Ella G. Carey, daughter of Daniel J. and
Ellen A. Carey, of Philadelphia, and they have one child, Catherine Carey
Cochran.
CHARLES EDWARD QUAIL, M. D., late of Auburn, Pa., practiced
medicine at that place and in the surrounding territory of Schuylkill county
throughout his professional career. He was a successful physician in the best
sense of the word, leading a life of busy helpfulness in that capacity, yet he
also found time to be of service to his fellow citizens in various public relations,
and his life story is replete with the record of duties well done, many of
them voluntarily assumed and many of tliem undertaken at the request of
those who recognized his ability and respected his admirable character. Dr.
Quail was a native of Baltimore, Md., born Oct. g, 1841, son of Conrad Quail.
Conrad Quail was born in Alsace, Germany, of German parentage, and
when he came to the United States, about 1825, settled at Baltimore. He
was a contractor and builder, and followed that business on an extensive scale,
having worked at St. Louis and other places as well as his home city. In
1843 he was engaged to superintend the erection of the arsenal for the
government at Harper's Ferry, and while so employed met with an accident
which caused the rupture of a blood vessel, resulting in his death, at the age
of forty years, in 1845. Mr. Quail was a charter member of Columbia Lodge,
I. O. 0. F., the first body of that kind organized in Baltimore. He married
Mary Ports, who was bom in Carroll county, Md., and died at Hampstead,
that county, in 1887, at the age of seventy-seven years. She is buried at Man-
chester, Carroll county, but ]\Ir. Quail was interred at Baltimore. Six children,
four sons and .two daughters, were born to Mr. and Airs. Conrad Quail,
namely: George W., deceased; Margaret, deceased; John H., a farmer near
Hampstead, Md. ; William U., who died in Philadelphia in April, 1893; Charles
Edward ; and Susan, wife of Joseph Little, of Hampstead, Md., deceased
about 1905.
John Ports, father of Mrs. Conrad Quail, was born in southern Pennsyl-
vania, but spent his later years at Manchester, Md., where he died, in 1853,
at the age of eighty-four years. He was a carpenter and contractor, and
besides carrying on that business operated a large farm. Politically he was a
Democrat, of the Jacksonian type, and his religious connection was with the
Lutheran Church. He married Mary Wentz, and they had a family of eleven
children, five sons and six daughters.
Charles Edward Quail began his education in the schools of Baltimore,
and later attended Mount Irvin College, at Manchester, Md. He had begun
his medical course at the Alaryland University when the Civil war came on,
and feeling that his first duty was to his country he enlisted, Aug. 2, 1862, in
Company D. 8th Regiment, Marjdand \'olunteers, commanded by Col. Andrew
Denison, and attached to the brigade of Maj. Gen. John R. Kenly, Army of
118 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
the Potomac. During his service of two years and ten months, until the
surrender of Lee at Appomattox, he was in many actions, and was wounded
at Spottsylvania Court House. The war over, he returned to his medical
studies, was graduated from the Medical College at Alaryland University, and
for a year was an interne in the Baltimore Infirmary. Then he came to
Auburn, Pa., in March, 1867, when he began independent practice, and he
remained at that location until his death, which occurred Dec. 21, 1910. In
connection with his practice Dr. Quail began the drug business, in 1892. Aside
from general practice he had a number of professional connections, having
served two terms as coroner, to which office he was elected in 1873 ; and a
number of years as pension examiner, holding that position under Presidents
Harrison and McKinley, and continuing to serve in that capacity until his
election to the State Senate. He was a member of the Schuylkill County
Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.
In his professional career Dr. Quail not only came into contact with citi-
zens of every class of the community, but also acquired a close familiarity
with local conditions, which wdth his practical character made him peculiarly
fitted for public service. Though he measured up to larger responsibilities he
was equally zealous in the performance of such duties as affected the home
community only, and for thirty-three years he served as a member of the
Auburn school board, of which body he was also treasurer. In 1900 he was
honored with election as representative of his district in the State Senate,
and was reelected in November, 1904. He was one of the active members
of the Republican party in this section of the State, and was honored with
the chairmanship of the county, which he held for two years. Dr. Quail
from time to time had business interests also, being one of the organizers, in
1887, of the company which operated the plant known for five years as the
Auburn Bolt & Nut Works, and he was president of that concern almost all
of that period. He had a fine farm in West Brunswick township, lying one
mile southeast of Auburn, as well as valuable real estate within the corporate
. limits of the borough.
Dr. Quail always maintained a sincere interest in the welfare of his old
comrades of Civil war days. He was a member of Jere Helms Post. No. 26,
G. A. R., of Schuylkill Haven, served some years on the Soldiers' Orphans'
commission, and was an active member of the Gettysburg Battlefield ]\Iemorial
Commission, his fellow officers being : St. Clair A. Mulholland, Philadel-
phia, president ; George P. Morgan, Philadelphia, secretary ; H. H. Cumings,
Tidioute, Pa. ; Henry S. Huidekoper. Philadelphia : E. A. Irwin. Curwensville,
Pa. ; Charles F. McKenna, Pittsburgh, Pa. ; J. C. Stineman, South Fork, Pa. ;
E. L. Whittlesey, Erie, Pa. After the dedication of the State Monument at
Gettysburg he went to Harrisburg to see Governor Stuart with reference to
reimbursing the railroad companies for transporting the old soldiers to Gettys-
burg to attend the dedication. He died suddenly in the Capitol, his death being
the first to occur there after the completion of the building. His religious
connection was with the Church of God, and he was a trustee and elder for
many years and otherwise active in its work.
On June 4, 1867, Dr. Quail married Emma Catherine Weishampel, and
their five children were born at Auburn, as follows: Charles Edward, bom
May 10, 1868 (died Dec. 22, 1872) : Foster Koehler, bom June 23, 1869 fdied
Dec. 21, 1892) ; Emma Luella, born Nov. 18, 1873; Flora juanita, born March
23, 1877; Charles Edward, born May 28, 1879 (died April 3, 1902). Emma
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 119
Luella was married Nov. i6, 1899, at Auburn, Pa., to Frederick Victor Filbert,
Esq., of Pine Grove, Pa., the ceremony being performed by Rev. J. F. Meixell
and Rev. H. F. Kroh. Four children have been born to this union : Marion
Louise, Aug. 28, 1901 ; Frederic Quail, July 30, 1903; Edward Stuart, Nov. 6,
1906; and Margaret Luella, Jan. 24, 1915. Flora Juanita was married April
' 9, 1902, at Auburn, Pa., by Rev. S. M. Good, to Amos Yerkes Lesher, and
they have had three children : Charles Quail, born May 7, 1904 ; James Edgar,
Oct. 19, 1905; and Richard Yerkes, March 4, 1911 (died Sept. 15, 1912).
Foster Koehler Quail, M. D., was born June 23, 1869, at Auburn, Pa.,
and obtained his early education in the public schools there. His studies were
continued at the Pottsville high school, which he attended for six years, gradu-
ating in 1887, after which he taught school for one year in East Brunswick
township. He then began the study of medicine with his father, and in 1888
entered the Medico-Chirurgical College, at Philadelphia, from which he was
graduated April 16, 1891, with high honors, being awarded the gold medal
offered by Dr. W. F. Waugh, professor of medical practice. Then he was
elected resident physician of the hospital of his alma mater, and while serving
as such took the competitive examination for a position at the Philadelphia
hospital, being one of the sixteen successful young men out of seventy. He
took his position there Dec. i, 1891, and remained there until appointed to
the position of physician for the Turkey Gap Coal & Coke Company, at Ennis,
W. Va. Nine months after his arrival he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and
died sixteen days later at Ennis. McDowell Co., W. Va., Dec. 21, 1892. He
was buried Dec. 27, 1892, at Auburn, Pa., and Professor Thurlow of the
Pottsville high school delivered an appropriate address at the funeral services.
At a special meeting of the Alumni Association of the Medico-Chirurgical
College proper resolutions were ofifered, and the large numbers of sorrowing
friends who paid their respects at the funeral ceremonies testified to the high
regard that this young man had already attained.
Charles Edward Quail, sou of Dr. Charles Edward Quail, was born May
28, 1879, at Auburn, and after attending public school there was a student
for five years at the Pottsville high school, from which he was graduated. He
then iiegan a course at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, but he
died April 3, 1902, of nephro-typhoid fever, just three weeks before graduation.
He was a member of the Church of God, and in fraternal connection of the
Junior Order of L'nited American Mechanics. Like his brother, he was a
young man of the highest promise, and his untimely death was widely and
sincerely mourned.
Mrs. Emma Catherine (Weishampel) Quail was born May 14, 1843, in
Shiremanstown, Cumberland Co., Pa., and received her education in Baltimore,
Md. She is a daughter of Rev. John Frederick Weishampel. and a grand-
daughter of Christian Weishampel, who was born near the town of Hirsch-
berg. Silesia, Prussia, about the year 1770. (Relatives of his family are be-
lieved to be still living — 1912 — in that vicinity.) He married Catherine Bank-
ard, daughter of Peter Bankard, in Baltimore, about 1802. He was drowned
in Chatsworth run, during a freshet, in 1810, close by his residence, then in the
suburbs, near what is now called German street, between Greene and Pine
streets. He left three children : Barbara Ann, John Frederick and Christian.
His widow married Andrew Uhl, who died about 18 16, leaving two sons,
Francis Adam and Andrew. She married a third husband, Jacob Miller, who
120 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
died about 1852. She survived until 1862, and died at the age of seventy-
seven years.
John Frederick Weishampel, son of Christian Weishampel, was born in
Baltimore, April 4, 1808. He learned the printing business with John T.
Hansche; published several newspapers, among which were the H'orkiiigmcn's
Advocate, in support of the ten-hour system and other refomis, and The
Experiment, the first daily penny paper issued in Baltimore (1834J ; removed
to Shippensburg, Pa., in 1836, to publish a paper there ; removed to Circle-
ville, Ohio, in 1838, to print the "Religious Telescope" for the United Brethren
Church; removed to Harrisburg in 1840, and to Shiremanstown, Pa., 1841,
to conduct the "Gospel Publisher," organ of the Church of God, by which
denomination he was licensed as a minister of the gospel, and preached fre-
quently on circuits and as a missionary in both the English and German lan-
guages during his life. He removed in 1843 ^'^ Marietta, thence in 1844 to
Lancaster, in 1845 to Philadelphia, and thence in 1846 to Baltimore. On July
3, 1831, he married Gertrude Dorothea Koehler, who was born March 20,
1807, in Germany, and came to America when eleven years old. She died
Feb. 14, 1871, and is buried in Green Mount cemetery, Baltimore. They had
six children who reached maturity, viz.: (i) John Frederick, who married
Mary E. Addison; (2) Dorothy, who died in infancy; (3) Gertrude Dorothy,
who married Robert Westley; (4) Benjamin Franklin, who married Cora L
Richards; (5) Mathilde Otillia, who married Lieut. Edward Francis Foster,
First Lieutenant Quartermaster, Maryland Yolunteers, Purnell Legion, on
Dec. 13, 1864, at Baltimore, Md. (Lieutenant I-'oster died Sept. 5, 1880, and
was interred in the National cemetery at Loudon Park, Baltimore, Md. ;
Mathilde O. Foster died in Philadelphia, Pa., July 14, 1910; buried in Robert-
son family lot, "Rose Hill," Loudon Park, Baltimore) ; (6) Emma Catherine,
who married Dr. Charles E. Quail ; (7) Howard Washington, who died young;
and (8) Howard Burritt, who married Alice M. Uppercue and (second) Lelia
Kratts, of Baltimore.
SAMUEL SILLYMAN (deceased) filled a large place in Schuylkill
county for the thirty years and more of his residence in Pottsville. Though
possessed of large private interests, he never allowed selfish considerations to
impair his public spirit or blind him to the rights of his fellow citizens, which
he respected as only a man of sterling conscience and liberal mind could do.
His sympathies were not held within the limitations of business or family ties,
but extended into all the activities of his adopted place, and his qualifications
for leadership were so apparent that the influence of his example carried
weight in many circles. It is worthy of note that his widow and daughters
condugted the post office at Pottsville for a period of twenty-five years. All
the representatives of the name have stood for a high order of citizenship,
ranking with the best element in the community for moral, intellectual and
social worth.
The Sillyman family has an interesting history, the members of its several
branches in this locality showing characteristics of mental and moral strength
which have come to be expected of them. The original spelling of the name,
Sillyman, has been changed by some of the family to Silliman, and it is also
found in the form "Selliman." The Schuylkill county family here treated is
allied with several others of the locality, and they are descended from a Berks
county family of honorable standing. James Sillyman. father of Samuel
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLA. 121
Sillyman, lived in Bern township, Berks county, where he spent all his active
years. His sons having established themselves at Pottsville, he removed to
that place late in life and ended his days there. He is buried in the Presby-
terian cemetery. He married Susanna Hughes, daughter of Thomas Hughes,
of Bucks county, Pa., and children as follows were born to them: Alexander,
who served in the war of 1812 ; Thomas, who was the first postmaster at Potts-
ville, appointed Jan. 11, 1S25, served until succeeded by George Taylor, who
was appointed June 7, 1825, and died there (at one time he owned most of
the land upon which the borough of Cressona now stands, and he sold a valu-
able farm there to the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company) ; James,
who died in Pottsville ; Saipuel ; John, deceased at Pottsville, who was the
grandfather of H. L Silliman, well known in that borough and all over Schuyl-
kill county as editor of the Tamaqua Evening Courier and Pottsville Journal;
Nancy, who married Jeremiah Kirk, and died in Pottsville; Susan, ^Irs.
Fister ; and Jane, who died unmarried.
Samuel Sillyman, son of James, was born Sept. 26, 1797, at Hamburg,
Berks Co., Pa., and came to Pottsville to live in 1825. In 1820 he and his
three brothers, Thomas, James and John, had been engaged in this region as
contractors in the construction of the turnpikes between Reading and Sunbury.
Following the completion of this work they turned their attention to the tim-
ber business for a time, later acquiring extensive interests as mine operators.
They were among the pioneers in that line in the local field, opening the
mines on the "America" tract at Pottsville. Samuel Sillyman followed the
mercantile business at Pottsville for a number of years, being associated in
that line with his brother Thomas and with George Fister, and was highly
successful. However, from 1839 until his death he devoted practically all his
energies to the coal business, and he started a number of profitable collieries,
and was owner or part owner of several of the best paying properties in the
Schuylkill district. The Bear Ridge tract, in the Schuylkill valley, the Saint
Clair shaft. Crow Hollow, and collieries at Middleport, Patterson and Tus-
carora, were all included in the good producers he operated. But he shared
the common fate of coal operators in meeting with heavy losses, though it
was characteristic with him that financial reverses even more than prosperity
served to bring to the surface the true worth of the man. He could meet
adversity bravely, and apropos of this we quote a sentence from his obituary:
"In this emergency his prominent characteristics stood out in bold relief, and
that honesty, not of policy but in principle, which had marked his entire life,
gained its appreciative admiration in the spontaneous expressions of regret
for his misfortunes which came from all who knew him." Such was the esteem
in which he was held by those well able to judge him. At one time Mr. Silly-
man was a large landowner at Pottsville.
Mr. Sillyman was always looked up to as a trustworthy adviser, and in
numerous instances the weight of his approval alone was sufficient to win the
confidence of investors and the public in enterprises which needed their sup-
port. No act of his ever caused a reversal of this opinion, the unquestioned
honesty marking all his own transactions proclaiming his principles plainly.
His success was based upon continued perseverance and activity, coupled with
the application of sound methods, and not the result of sharp practices or the
manipulating of unfair advantages. J\Ir. Sillyman endeavored to tise his
wealth wisely and unselfishly. A number of men who attained prosperous
position were kept on their feet during their early struggles by the financial
122 SCHUYLKILL COLXTY, PENNSYLVANIA
assistance he extended, and his wise counsel was always to be had for the
asking. The worthy poor, also, the unfortunate of all classes, found in him
a friend whose sympathy took the most practical turn, his generosity relieving
the distress of many a family. In expression of public spirit he was excelled
by none. He understood the value of fostering high ideals and setting up
worthy standards, whatever the undertaking, and thus the material growth
of the town bore the impress of his good judgment. The town hall was erected
under his superintendence ; he was a prominent member of the building com-
mittee in charge of the construction of the Schuylkill county courthouse; sev-
eral of the largest hotels, and a number of stores, offices and private residences,
including many of the most creditable structures of the day, were erected
through his encouragement and set an example for the future which is still
in effect. He was one of the first to agitate the erection of the Henry Clay
monument at Pottsville, the first Clay monument erected in the country, and
himself contributed over three thousand dollars to the fund, the largest
single donation. He was one of the prime movers in securing the removal of
the county seat from Orwigsburg to Pottsville. jNIr. Sillyman was the first
captain of the local military company, having been commissioned captain of the
Pottsville Guards, Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 3, 1828; he resigned this com-
mission in 1 83 1. His support was never withheld from any good cause. In
all his intercourse with his fellowmen he so won their affection as well as
respect that it was truly said he had many friends and no enemies. About
four years before his demise the citizens of Pottsville gave him a public dinner,
for the purpose of expressing appreciation of his value as a citizen, and pre-
sented him a handsome service of plate.
Mr. Sillyman died Oct. 19, 1859, after a long and painful illness, at his
residence in Pottsville, and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery ; the
remains were later removed to the Charles Baber cemetery. Citizens from all
parts of Schuylkill county and many from beyond its limits came to attend the
funeral services, and seldom have all the elements of the community been so
united in showing respect to one man. At one o'clock on the day of the
funeral the stores, hotels and other places of business closed. The bells of
the First Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal and St. Patrick's Catholic Churches,
as well as the courthouse bell, were tolled while .the funeral procession moved.
There was genuine grief in the many circles affected by his departure, and
the inspiration of his well spent life kept his influence alive long afterwards.
Mr. Sillyman was a member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Sillyman married Margaret Shelley, a native of Orwigsburg. this
county, who survived him, dying at Pottsville in 1882. Children as follows
were born to this union : Alexander S. ; Amanda S. : Rebecca ; Susan J. ;
Thomas H., a resident of Nevada (he served on the Union side during the
Civil war, and was brevetted captain of Company H, 48th Pennsylvania Regi-
ment) ; Elizabeth H. : George F., now of Altoona, Pa.; Joseph S., also of
Altoona ; Samuel, for many years a mail carrier in Pottsville, who died in
1914 : and Fannie, wife of Tilghman Johnston, of Wilmington, Delaware.
Thomas Sillvman, a brother of Sa"muel, was the first postmaster at Potts-
ville, the office being established Jan. 11, 1825. He served only a few months,
being succeeded in June by George Taylor. On April 6, 1861. Mrs. Margaret
Sillyman, widow of Samuel Sillyman, was appointed, and she and her daughters
continued to fill the position for the quarter of a century succeeding, discharg-
ing its duties so satisfactorily as to merit the substantial approval their services
SCHUYLKILL COUxNTY, PENXSYL\'ANL\ 123
received. The Miners' Journal of Pottsville, issue of June 22, 1886, devoted
almost a column of its editorial page to a review of their work, and the account
is of sufficient value to be quoted here in full:
Yesterday, June 21, completed the term for which Miss Ehzabeth H. Sillyman was
commissioned Postmaster at Pottsville, her appointment having been made by President
Arthur, June 21, 1882. Miss Sillyman still continues in charge of the office pending the
announcement of her successor, but as it is understood that this will transpire within a
few days her administration may be regarded as virtually terminated. The eve of a change
which cannot but be regarded as fraught with deep interest to this entire community, is
deemed by the Miners' Journal a fitting occasion for a cfarsory review of the history of
the office, and more particularly of its administration under the auspices of various mem-
bers of the Sillyman family.
The Pottsville post office was established January 11, 1825, the first Postmaster being
Thomas Sillyman, an uncle of the present incumbent. His successors, in chronological
order, were as follows : George Taylor, appointed June 7, 1825 ; Charles Boyter, September
20, 1827; Enos Chichester, August 18, 182S; Joseph Weaver, February 21, 1839; John
T.. Werner, September 8, 1841 ; Michael Cochran, August 16, 1844; Daniel Krebs, February
15, 1847; Andrew Mortimer, May 2, 1849; John Clayton, April 18, 1853; Henry L. Acker,
June 14, 1858; Mrs. Margaret Sillyman, April 6, 1861 ; Miss Amanda S. Sillyman, May 17,
1882; Miss Elizabeth H. Sillyman, June 21, 1882. It will thus be observed that, in addition
to the first five months of its existence, the office has for a period of more than a quarter
of a century past been continuously in the hands of the Sillyman family. It is, therefore,
with no purpose to disparage the efficiency or fidelity of former incumbents, but for the
reason that the administration of Mrs. Margaret Sillyman and her successors is more
familiarly identified with the experience of the present generation of the community, that
the Journal at this time confines its reflections to a resume of the admirable record made
by these ladies in the conduct of the office. Mrs. Margaret Sillyman, who was the widow
of the late Samuel Sillyman, one of Pottsville's earliest and most honored citizens,
was the first female tn the United States appointed to office by President Lincoln, and
entered upon the duties of the office on April 20, 1861. The clerical force installed by her
consisted of her two daughters, Amanda S. and Elizabeth H. Sillyman, her two sons,
Alexander S. and George F. Sillyman. and Daniel L. Krebs, son of the former Postmaster,
Daniel Krebs. Mr. .-Mexander S. Sillyman in time retired from the office to engage in
other business, and Mr. Krebs subsequently became cashier of the Pennsylvania National
Bank, although never wholly severing his connection with the post office, in which his
valuable services have been esteemed as practically indispensable. How efficiently and
satisfactorily, both to the department and the community, the business of the office was
conducted under the control of Mrs. Sillyman, is perhaps best attested by the fact that
she received commissions from four successive Presidents — Lincoln, Johnson, Grant and
Hayes — continuing to hold the office until her death, which occurred April 15, 1882. Mrs.
Sillyman was succeeded by her daughter, Miss Amanda S. Sillyman, who first served as
Acting Postmaster and was regularly commissioned May 17, 1882. Her administration,
which was characterized by the same efficiency as had prevailed under the incumbency
of her mother, was of brief duration, her death occurring five days after her appointment.
The duties of the office then devolved upon her sister. Miss Elizabeth H. Sillyman, who
was regularly appointed Postmaster on June 21, 1882. The clerical force then and still
on duty consisted of Mr. George F. and Miss Sue J. Sillyman, Miss Alice A. and Mr.
Daniel L. Krebs. Under this regime the high standard of efficiency attained by the office
suflfered no depreciation, but it fully maintained its record as without a superior among
offices of like grade in the L'nited States. Since the accession of Mrs. Margaret Sillyman
the business and importance of the Pottsville post office has vastly expanded. The letter-
carrier system w-as introduced during this period, greatly augmenting the labor and
responsibility of the Postmaster, and although perhaps few deliveries from offices of the
same class cover a wider field or involve the handling of a greater number of pieces, so
intelligent and faithful has always been the force of carriers employed that errors or
delinquencies have been wholly unknown. , A high standard of capacity, coupled with
strict fidelity to duty and a hearty spirit of accommodation, have uniformly characterized
the conduct of the Pottsville post office during the past twenty-five years, and have
combined to render it the model establishment which it is conceded to be by the Post
Office Department authorities as well as by all who have enjoyed its facilities. Miss
Silly man's successor must expect to be judged by this high standard, and although he
will enter upon his responsible duties with the best wishes of the Journal and the com-
124 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
munity of Pottsville, and doubtless with a determination to relax no effort to that end,
he will be fortunate, indeed, if he shall succeed in maintaining the honorable distinction
handed down to hirri by his immediate predecessor in the office.
THOMAS GORMAN, late of Pottsville, was a resident of Schuylkill
county for over seventy years, most of that period having his home at Port
Carbon. The reputation he gained in his energetic business career, however,
was not limited to this vicinity. After a few years' experience on the canal
he became interested in coal mining, and as one of the earliest individual
operators in the anthracite fields, and owner and operator of numerous
collieries during the twenty years that followed, he was an active figure in
the industry and highly successful until the -panic of 1873 swept away the
results of his persevering exertions. His life was full of activity and his
various interests brought him into contact with many coal men and others
connected with the development of the oil and mineral resources of the state.
Mr. Gorman was an Irishman, born in 1822 at Cashel, Ireland, and his
father, Thomas Gorman, brought his wife and family to America from that
country when the son Thomas was six years old. About one year after their
arrival in this country the parents settled at Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., and there made a permanent home. The son Thomas was consequently
reared and educated there. In his earlier days the boating industry afforded
occupation for many in that location, and Mr. Gomian began to follow it, on
the Schuylkill canal, about 1840. Within a few years he was the owner
of a boat, and during the fifties, when the canal trade was flourishing, he
owned several boats, btiying and shipping coal by the canal to New York
and other points. This line he developed to such an extent that for two
years he took the prize from the canal company as the largest individual
shipper. About 1857 he began the mining of coal, in which he achieved his
greatest success and became widely known. His first operations were below
Alill Creek and St. Clair, in Schuylkill county. Mr. Gorman would develop
mines and sell after the operations were well established, buy again and work
up another operation, and thus at dift'erent times he had mines at Wolf
Creek, east of St. Clair ; one near Glen Carbon ; a small one near Tuscarora ;
at Mahanoy City the following — the "Hartford Colliery," the "Delano Col-
liery" and (in partnership with Benjamin Eshleman) the "East Mahanoy
Colliery." He and James Carter had one at Locust Gap. Associated with
Andrew Robinson and Henry Ginterman he had two near Shamokin, the
"Greenback" and "Henry Clay" collieries, which they conducted under the
firm name of Robinson, Ginterman & Gorman. As an individual operator
Mr. Gorman was a pioneer in the anthracite fields. Like most operators he
suffered reverses from time to time which somewhat ofi^set his great suc-
cesses, but he was nevertheless very prosperous.
In 1870 Mr. Gorman started to prospect iron ore lands and take options.
He had an idea that the condition of aft'airs would warrant the establishment
of an iron works on the Htidson river near tidewater, and his attempt to
realize on this, in connection with other speculations, had him involved
badly when the panic of 1873 came. He lost everything he had. If this
panic had not occurred the story of his life would no doubt have had a
different turn. He mined ore at Staten Island and Lake Champlain as well
as in western Pennsylvania, and was also interested in oil lands in the latter
region. He had offices at New York, Boston and Philadelphia, I~or about
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 125
twelve years before his death Air. Gorman was practically an invalid, and
during his last years was so incapacitated that he was unable to leave the
house. His closing days were spent at Pottsville, whither he moved from
Port Carbon in 1896, and where he died at the age of seventy-eight years,
March 13, 1900, at the home of his son Joseph, No. 413 East Mauch Chunk
street. He was buried in St. Stephen's cemetery, at Port Carbon, after
High Mass at St. Stephen's Church, which was tilled to overflowing with
sympathizing friends come to pay their last respects. Many attended from
other points of the State, and the si.x officiating priests represented churches
in various parts of Schuylkill county. Such was the esteem which Mr.
Gorman, in a life of faithful endeavor, gained wherever his interests called
him. His equable temperament, modest in prosperity and unruffled in adversity,
endeared him to every associate, and his reputation for integrity was never
sullied by questionable dealing or sharp transactions. His sympathy for those
less fortunate than himself, and his desire to alleviate the lot of the poor,
were unostentatiously but conscientiously expressed. Every Christmas he
remembered the poor of his home town generously, and for many years the
recipients never knew the source of the gifts.
Air. Gorman was survived by the following children : Owen J., now a
resident of Dallas, Texas, is a mechanical engineer, especially interested in
the construction of waterworks, septic tank sewer systems and similar work;
Dennis F. is a resident of New York City ; Joseph H. is mentioned below ;
Mary, who died in 1897, was the wife of James P. Donahue, a machinist,
and left three children, Mary, Anna and Martha, who reside with their
aunts in Pottsville ; Annie M. and Julia T. are unmarried and occupy the
Gorman home at No. 413 East Mauch Chunk street.
Joseph H. Gorm.\n, son of Thomas Gorman, was born at Port Carbon,
this county, and was one of the prominent business men of that place and
Pottsville, where he resided during the last sixteen years of his life. He
was reared at Port Carbon and educated in the public schools of that place,
and at St. Francis College and Villa Nova. For a number of years after
commencing work Mr. Gorman was associated with his father, whom he
assisted in operating collieries, one near Shamokin and another in the Schuyl-
kill valley. Later he was manager for his father of an ore mine in Lehigh
county. Then he entered the contracting business on his own account, and
when water was brought into the town of Port Carbon laid the first pipes.
His work as a contractor took him all over his own county and into many
other sections of the State. For several years he followed mining near
Tuscarora, and he also engaged in the insurance business. Though he formed
a wide acquaintance in his various other associations, he was probably best
known as the proprietor of the famous Gorman boat and bathing pier, being
one of the first to obtain a lease on the Tumbling Run upper dam. His
genial manner and sincere friendliness won him such popularity that numer-
ous patrons of the pier never failed to call on him when visiting Tumbling
Run. For the last ten years of his life he ran his business there with steady
success, hundreds coming to hire his steam launch and rowboats during the
season. He had a genuine interest in all his patrons, never failing with
cheerful manner and kindly words to make them feel a welcome. Like his
generous father, he was charitable and liberal in all his benefactions, and the
news of his death called forth many expressions of sincere regret in all the
circles where he was known. He never held any public offices except for
126 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANLA.
his services as clerk during the term of his uncle as poor director. Mr.
Gorman died in the Pottsville hospital Sept. 23, 1912, at the age of sixty-two
years, following an operation. He had been ill about three weeks.
Mr. Gorman was a Catholic, a member of St. Patrick's Church at Potts-
ville and a charter member of Schuylkill Council, No. 431, Knights of
Columbus. His funeral services at St. Patrick's Church were largely attended ;
he was buried in No. 3 cemetery.
Mr. Gorman married Katherine M. Brennan, daughter of Thomas F.
(deceased) and Elizabeth (Logue) Brennan, and a descendant of one of the
oldest and most respected families of Pottsville, where she was born and
reared. She received her education in the parochial and public schools of
the borough. Mrs. Gorman died four years before her husband, and less
than five years after their marriage. She passed away unexpectedly, after
an illness of four weeks' duration, and her death came as a shock to the
many friends she had made during her happy and useful life. Her pleasant
disposition and friendliness endeared her to all included in the circle of her
acquaintance. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Church, and
held membership in the Daughters of Isabelle. After her decease Mr. Gor-
man resided with his sisters at the home on Mauch Chunk street.
PROF. H. H. SPAYD, of Minersville, has been established in that
borough since he came to take the position of principal of the school there
in 1871. In that connection, and in his subsequent responsibility as superin-
tendent of schools, he accomplished so much for educational progress that
his name will have a prominent place in the history of public schools in
Schuylkill county. Though he gave up the superintendency several years ago
he is still connected with the work in an active capacity as a member of the
Minersville school board, in the operations of which body his practical advice
and comprehensive experience have been of the highest value. He takes a
special pleasure in his services on the board, which keep him in close touch
with the interest to which over forty years of his life were entirely given.
Mr. Spayd was bom at Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., Oct. 26, 1845, son
of John and Catherine (Haak) Spayd and grandson of George Spayd. His
early ancestors were German, and the founders of the family in this country
settled here before the Revolution. George Spayd was born at Ephrata,
Lancaster county, and about 1826 settled in Lebanon county, this State, near
Minerstown. In his youth he learned the trade of cooper, but as he did not
care for the work he followed farming most of his life, and he died in the
vicinity of Myerstown, about 1875. His religious connection was with the
German Baptist Church. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Conrad,
had a family of eight children.
John Spayd, father of H. H. Spayd, was born in 1819 at Ephrata, Pa.,
and died in 1891 at Schaeft'erstown, Lebanon county. lie followed farming
throughout his active years. Originally a Whig in politics, he was one of
the organizers of the Republican party in his vicinity, and took an active and
intelligent interest in public affairs. To his marriage with Catherine Haak,
who was born at Myerstown, daughter of William Haak, of that place, was
born a family of ten children. Mrs. Spayd survived her husband for a num-
ber of years.
H. H. Spayd had excellent advantages in his early life. He attended
public school at Myerstown, and the academy there, and subsequently studied
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^ 127
at the Rlillersville State Normal School and at Palatinate College, Myerstown.
He also had a course at the business college at Klmira, N. Y. Early in the
Civil war he entered the Union army, joining Company C, 149th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, for three months. His regiment was attached to the
Amiy of the Potomac, and took an active part in many of its severe battles,
including Pollock's ]\Iills, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Laurel
Hill, North Anna River, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Todd's Tavern, Toto-
potomy, Six Mile House, Boydtown Road, Petersburg (battle and siege), the
W'eldon Railroad engagement intended to shut off the enemy's source of sup-
plies, and the two battles of Hatcher's Run. Besides the engagements men-
tioned they were in numerous skirmishes and other important field service. In
the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg the soldiers at the front
were within range of the enemy continuously. Air. Spayd was wounded three
times, first on July i, 1863, at Gettysburg, where he was left on a part of the
field which afterwards fell into the hands of the enemy. He was unable to
walk and he was allowed to be recaptured by his own comrades and was
under treatment in the hospitals at Gettysburg, Baltimore and Germantown
for nearly six months before returning to the field, in December, 1863. He
was twice wounded during the activities of the Wilderness campaign, having
been actively engaged in the operations which began in May, 1864, and ended
at Appomattox Court House. Air. Spayd served as corporal and sergeant
and was discharged as color bearer of his regiment.
At the conclusion of the war Mr. Spayd was occupied in the mercantile
business for a short time in Philadelphia, but soon returned to his old home
and took up educational work. He was only nineteen years old when he
began teaching, his first position being in Lebanon county, whence he changed
to Rush township, Schuylkill county. For three years he was a member of
the committee on permanent certificates for Schuylkill county, and served as
chairman of same. For two years he was principal of the schools at Llewellyn,
Schuylkill county, and resigned to accept the principalship of the Minersville
grammar school, and for forty years following was connected with the schools
of that borough, either as principal or superintendent, being chosen to the
latter position in 1883 to succeed Dr. J. \\'. Danenhower. He acted as super-
intendent until 1908. Mention of the various educational associations with
which Air. Spayd maintained active connection is sufficient to show the breadth
of his interest and the earnestness with which he continued the work of his
choice. As a life member of the State Teachers' Association, a member of
the National Educational Association, one of the councilors of the American
Institute of Civics, member of the National Geographic Society, of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advancement of Science, the History Teachers' Asso-
ciation of the Aliddle States and Alaryland, and of the Schuylkill County
Historical Association (he is a charter member of the last named), he had
opportunities for observation of the trend of the finest thought in his profes-
sion and he has contributed materially to its progress. He was always active
in the work of the local institutes, and left such an irreproachable record for
practical work that since giving up the superintendency he has been chosen
to continue his efforts in behalf of the schools as member of the local board.
In 191 1 he was elected to that body, and is still serving, being now vice
president and chairman of the health and sanitary committees. Mr. Spayd
is well entitled to the high place he holds among educators-, and his high
personal character has won him the esteem of all who have come under his
128 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
care as well as the confidence of his fellow citizens who have had the oppor-
tunity to judge the excellent work he has done.
Professor Spayd was one of the organizers and original directors of the
Union National Bank at Alinersville, and for two years after his withdrawal
from school work he was engaged as a clerk in that institution. He served
as a member of the building committee when the present home of the bank
was being constructed. In 1910 he became engaged in business with Mr.
George F. Bowman, under the firm name of Spayd & Bowman, and they
have since dealt in books, stationery, wallpaper, etc., having a well stocked
and well conducted store at Minersville.
Professor Spayd has not confined his eflforts for the betterment of society
to his duties in the schools. He is also interested in other public aiTairs.
including politics, and though a Republican in his political views has acted
independently whenever he considered it necessary for the best interests of
the community. However, he has been a loyal party worker, having served
as a member of the county executive committee, and being one of the valued
representatives of the party in Schuylkill county. The Baptist Church of
Minersville has counted him among its most efficient workers for many
years. He has been associated with that denomination all his life and has
been a licentiate for many years, holding official position in his home church
when called upon to assist in its activities. He has also been an efficient worker
in the Sunday school, which he has served as teacher and superintendent.
By reason of his services in the Civil war Professor Spayd belongs to the
G. A. R., holding membership in Post No. 17, and he lias not only held
practically all the positions in that organization, but has also filled appoint-
ments on the staff of the department and National commanders. For a
number of years he served as inspector at large for Schuylkill county. In
fraternal affiliations he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to ]\Iyerstown Lodge,
No. 358, and to Encampment No. 149 at that place.
Mr. Spayd married Sarah Donaberger. daughter of David D. and Sarah
Donaberger, of Alyerstown. Mrs. Spayd died in February, 1910. They had
no children of their own, but reared and educated their nephew, A. Bond
Warner, who for a time was engaged in business as a shoe merchant. He is
now a professional accountant in Philadelphia.
HON. SAMUEL ALFRED LOSCH, late of Schuylkill Haven, will live
in the history of his time as one who improved many opportunities for use-
fulness in an exceptionally active career. At the time of his death he was
representing his district in the State Senate, and his demise was deplored as
untimely by all classes in Schuylkill county. No exaggeration is necessary to
set forth the qualities which he possessed or the value of his life in its relation
to the general advancement. Born Dec. 19, 1842, in L'niontown, Dauphin
Co., Pa., he was of English descent, and the record of his ancestry shows that
he came of a family of vigorous mentality and executive gifts. His great-
great-grandfather in England was associated with George Stephenson, the
famous inventor of the locomotive. J-icob Losch, the great-grandfather, came
to America and established himself as a manufacturer of gunpowder at Ger-
mantown. Pa. \Mien the struggle for independence came on he was a zealous
patriot, and remained loyal to the Colonial cause though it cost him his fortune,
his works and property being destroyed at the time of the battle of German-
town. Many interesting things concerning him are preserved in the Pennsyl-
^^^^^^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 129
vania archives. Jacob Losch (2), son of Jacob, settled in the Lykens valley, in
Dauphin county. Pa., and there two sons were born to him.
George Losch, youngest son of Jacob (2), was the father of the late
Samuel Alfred Losch. He followed milling, and though industrious met with
so many reverses that he was unable to accumulate any property, as he died
when comparatively a young man. When the Mexican war broke out he went
to lialtimore, and assisted in recruiting an independent company, with which
he sailed for Vera Cruz, but the ship foundered on the way and all perished.
Mr. Losch had married Eliza Gessner, and of the four children born to them
two died young, Samuel A. and another son being left to the care of their
widowed mother. Her father. Dr. Frederick Gessner, of Hanover, Germany,
served as an army surgeon in his native land, and afterwards came to America,
first settling at Bethlehem, Pa. There he married into the Zeigenfus family,
and subsequently removed to Gratz, in Dauphin county, Pa., where he built
up an extensive practice and passed the remainder of his days. Mrs. Losch
died only a few years before her son Samuel.
Samuel Alfred Losch had to face the realities of life at an early age. His
"was the poverty that develops the noble traits and enduring virtues in one ;
that brings him in contact with experiences that enable him to master in life's
highway of duty all struggles and circumstances so, looking back, he views
with worthy pride the obstacles to his progress that he has overcome. It was
the poverty — that blessing in disguise — that made the martyr Lincoln, the
Moses of emancipation to enslaved millions, the poverty that developed Grant
into a hero, the most brilliant military genius in history, the poverty that
enlivened ambition in Garfield, and made him the chief magistrate of this
great nation. He received such education as the common schools of his town
could then afford, during a few winter months each year." He began to work
before he was eleven years old, being employed on a farm for one year, and
afterwards in a brickyard for a year. In the summer of 1857 or 1858 he
worked on the Schuylkill canal, feeing ambitious to acquire an education, he
had attended school whenever possible, and he had one term under W. A.
Fields, who worked for the Schuylkill Navigation Company during the sum-
mer season and in the winter taught what was known as the "boat-boys'
school."
Though not of age when the Civil war broke out Mr. Losch, true to the
spirit inherited from his father, entered the service in the summer of 1861,
his mother giving her consent for him to join the L^nion army. Becoming a
member of Company C, 50th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, he
was soon sent to the front, and he served until after the close of the conflict,
being mustered out July 30, 1865. His active service included over thirty
engagements, among them Port Royal, the second battle of Bull Run, South
Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson (Miss.),
siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, as well as others
of lesser importance down to the final surrender of General Lee at Appomat-
tox. From the address of Senator Magee, a feature of the memorial services
held by the State Senate at the time of Mr. Losch's death, we extract the
following account of the services of the 50th Regiment : "Little more than
a month after his enlistment his regiment was sent on the expedition to Port
Royal, S. C. The vessel on which it sailed, the 'Ocean Queen,' encountered a
terrible storm, was nearly wrecked, part of its officers and crew deserted, and
but for the efforts of the soldiers on board, who had been left without food
Vol. 1—9
130 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
or water, the angry sea would have claimed her and them as its prey.
Escaped from that peril, the 50th was the first regiment to occupy Beaufort,
and in the succeeding January had a baptism of fire at the battle of Coosaw.
Remaining in the South in the active discharge of duty until the following
summer, the 50th was sent North and joined General Pope in Virginia. It
fought at second Bull Run, Centreville, Chantilly, Turner's Gap, Antietam
and Fredericksburg, and then went South to share in Grant's great victory at
Vicksburg. A month later the 50th went to Knoxville, Tenn. Disease had
wrought havoc in its ranks, and at one time only eight men were able to report
for duty. In the following campaign it encountered many vicissitudes. It
made a winter march during which many of its members, like their sires
at \'alley Forge, 'tracked the snow with their bleeding feet.' Participating in
the siege of Knoxville, it was furloughed in February, 1864, and returned home
to re-enlist as a veteran regiment. It returned to the front and fought at the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and at
the famous explosion of the mine in the siege of the latter city was one of the
regiments which charged upon the 'Crater.' From that time on it shared in
all that led to the final triumph and was among the first regiments to enter
Petersburg after its fall. Thus, from Port Royal to Antietam, Fredericks-
burg, \'icksburg, Knoxville, Wilderness, Petersburg and Appomattox, all
along the hard and bloody path that lay between these milestones on the road
to victory and Union, the 50th Regiment did its duty with honor and renown.
Nor did it fail of just recognition, for, the war ended, the 50th Pennsylvania
Regiment on the recommendation of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was sent to repre-
sent the infantry of the armies of the IJnion at the laying of the corner-
stone, on July 4th, 1865, of the monument on the battlefield of Gettysburg
inscribed with the deathless declaration of Abraham Lincoln, 'That govern-
ment of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from
the earth.' In all this Samuel A. Losch bore a manful part. He aided in
these achievements and shared in the glory. His patriotism and his valor
won their reward. The private of Sept. 9, 1861, became successively corporal
and sergeant, was promoted to second lieutenant on March 17. 1865, and to
first lieutenant on April ist of the same year. ''' ''^ * While we were
together he often dwelt upon the past and, among other reminiscences, told
me of his regiment and its achievements. In the almost four years of its
service it had never been in winter quarters. In summer duty called it to
the northern extreme of the conflict; in the winter it was transferred to the
South. Its history is perhaps unique in the roll of the regiments of Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers." Mr. Losch was specially honored on the occasion of the
laying of the cornerstone of the Soldiers' National Monument at Gettysburg,
July 4, 1865, by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Pennsylvania : his regiment,
the 50th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, as above mentioned, was selected
by General Grant to represent the Union infantry in recognition of conspicu-
ously honorable service during the war, and Lieutenant Losch was chosen by
the commanding officer. Col. Samuel Schwenk, to command the color company.
When the war with Spain broke out he again offered his ser\'ices, and was
one of the first to undertake the organization of volunteers in Schuylkill
county.
Upon his return to civil life in 1865, Mr. Losch found employment in the
yard of the Schuylkill Haven & Mine Hill Railroad Company, and while
working there acquired a practical knowledge of telegraphy, so that before
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\ 131
long he was given a position as timekeeper and night operator. Later he was
made material agent for the company at Cressona, and then for a time was
engaged as baggagemaster between Schuylkill Haven and Glen Carbon, con-
tinuing in the employ of the railroad company until 1873. Aleanwhile, in 1871,
he had been aj^pointed by Governor Geary commissary of the 6th Division,
N. G. P., on (.ieneral Siegfried's staff, with the rank of major. When the
National Guard was reorganized Governor Hartranft commissioned him major
of the 4th Division, and he declined reappointment when the term of his com-
mission expired. General Hartranft had been elected governor in 1872, and
when he took office Major Losch was appointed clerk inider Mr. Quay, then
Secretary of State. He held this position until 1874, when he became a can-
didate for the State Assembly and was elected, serving in that body during
the sessions of 1875 ^'i<^ 1876. L^pon the expiration of his second term he
was again appointed a clerk under Governor Hartranft, and served as such
in different departments at the Capitol. During the last year of Hartranft's
administration — 1887 — he was promoted to chief clerk, and he was> retained
in that position throughout the administration of Governor Hoyt, who suc-
ceeded Governor Hartranft. In 1S84 Mr. Losch was chosen to serve on a
special mission in the Southern States as post office inspector, and the same
year was appointed by President Arthur as secretary to the Territory of New
Mexico, in which position he served with honor and credit to the Territory
and to himself. A portion of the time he acted as governor of the Territory.
During Cleveland's administration he was removed because of "offensive
partisanship." and returned to Pennsylvania in September, 1885. In 1887 the
State Legislature elected him chief clerk of the House of Representatives,
and his services were duly appreciated by all the members without regard to
party ties. At the close of the session they presented him a handsome gold
watch and chain as a token of their regard and esteem.
In 1892 Mr. Losch was again chosen to represent the Fourth district of
Schuylkill county in the Lower House of the State Legislature, and he con-
tinued to be a member of that body until he assumed the duties of State sen-
ator, to which position he was elected in 1896, from the Twenty-ninth district.
He served in that branch of the Assembly until his death, at which time he
was the chosen candidate for auditor general. Mr. Losch endeavored to
represent the interests of his constituents faithfully. During his earlier service
in the Assembly he had the distinction of introducing and advocating the first
labor arbitration bill ever presented to an American legislative body. Governor
Hartranft thought so favorably of it that he commended it in his annual mes-
sage. Throughout his career Mr. Losch continued to be known as one of the
most effective workers enlisted in the cause of devising means of adjusting
the differences between capital and labor. He was particularly popular in this
connection because of his fairness, having no unreasonable prejudices, but
anxious to get justice for both sides, his attitude winning him the respect and
trust of all concerned in this vital matter. His work always was done with a
conscientious regard, for the responsibilities of his office, the securing of wise
legislation. His familiarity with the conditions in the mining regions was of
great assistance to him in his labors in this connection, and his personal interest
became so strong that he used his influence to further the movement which
resulted in the founding of the Aliners' Hospital at Ashland, one of his most
creditable achievements. Upon his return to the House, in 1893, he resumed
his activities in behalf of the legislation to which he had given special atten-
132 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
tion during his former terms, and he had the satisfaction of having the Act
signed by Governor Pattison in 1893, "^n ^'^t to estabhsh boards of arbitra-
tion to settle all questions of wages and other matters of variance between
capital and labor." Mr. Losch served on the following cominittees in the
Assembly : City Passenger Railway, Counties and Townships, Legislative
Apportionment and Railroads, and was chairman of the committee on Coal
and Iron and of the special committee to investigate the Electrical Trust Com-
bine of Philadelphia. The bill to form a new county out of a part of Luzerne
and Schuylkill counties was referred to the committee on Counties and Town-
ships, of which Mr. Losch was a member. Through his influence the bill was
negatived by the committee after having passed the Senate; thus he saved
the dismemberment of the county of Schuylkill.
Mr. Losch was a prominent worker in the Republican party for years, and
from the time he began to take an interest in politics he attended almost all
the State conventions as a delegate. In 1880 he was one of the 306 who sup-
ported Grant at the National convention. In 1885 he was chosen chairman of
the Republican county committee by acclamation, and reelected in 1886 and
1887.
Mr. Losch was one of the incorporators of the Schuylkill Electric Railway
Company, organized in 1889, which built the main line and important exten-
sions of the trolley system in and around Pottsville. Later it became the
Pottsville L'nion Traction Company, controlled by outside capital.
Major Losch never lost his interest in his Civil war comrades, was one of
the organizers of Post No. 26, G. A. R., of Schuylkill Haven, and in 1876 was
honored with election as senior vice commander of the Department of Penn-
sylvania. He also joined Encampment No. 19, LTnion Veteran Legion, of
Pottsville, and was a charter member of Washington Camp No. 47, P. O. S.
of A., of which he was a member before the war. He was a Mason, member
of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., at Schuylkill Haven, and Mountain City
Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., of Pottsville; and was a charter member of Peace
Tribe, I. O. R. M.
On Oct. 14, 1879, Major Losch was united in marriage to Fidelia Sum-
mers, a daughter of Henry Summers, a wholesale merchant of Zanesville,
Ohio. Seven children were born to this marriage : Amy Summers is the
wife of Byron Ouigley and lives in New York City ; Helen Gessner is living at
home ; Henry GrafJen is at home ; Ruth Eliza A. is the wife of Nelson Run-
nion, and resides in New York City ; Christopher L. Magee is at home, engaged
as manager of Losch's Opera House at Schuylkill Haven, which his mother
owns ; Naoma Palmer, who lives at home, is an expert teacher of all the modem
dances and conducts private classes in Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville ;
Charlotte Marie died in infancy. Mrs. Losch continues to reside at the home-
stead in Schuylkill Haven, No. 306 Main street.
Mr. Losch died Sept. 11, 1900, at "Galen Hall," Atlantic City, N. J., and
was buried in the LInion cemetery at Schuylkill Haven, on the hillside along
the Schuylkill river. The funeral services, held at the time in Schuylkill
Haven, were attended by one of the largest assemblages ever gathered here
on such an occasion, and few citizens have been shown such honor at any time
As he was serving as president of the school board when he died the schools
closed on the day of his burial. The societies in which he held membership
took part in the ceremonies, and the Third Brigade Band of Pottsville con-
tributed the music. It would seem that he was equally beloved in all his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 133
numerous associations, for his companions in all vied in expressions of esteem.
Ilis unselfish nature had manifested itself in courteous intercourse with all
those he met, and his own wide experience enabled him to sympathize with
every class. His sincerity impressed them and gained their confidence, which
he never betrayed. He neither catered to wealth and position nor despised
their advantages, endeavoring to give all things their true value in the general
economy. The breadth of his spirit enabled him to capture friends in all the
ranks of life and hold them, and his memory is honored wherever he was
known.
On Jan. 22, 1901, on motion of Senator Quail, the following resolution was
twice read before the Pennsylvania Senate, considered and agreed to :
Resolved, That a committee of eight be appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the
death of the late Senator Samuel A. Losch, who died Sept. ii, 1900, while a member of the
Senate, and present the said resolutions at a special meeting of the Senate, Wednesday,
Feb. 6th next, at twelve o'clock M.
On Feb. 6, 1901, the Senate convened in special session. Lieutenant
Governor Gobin in the chair, and Mr. Quail presented the following report
from the special committee :
Whereas, Since the last session of the Legislature through the divine will of the
Creator of all things, Hon. Samuel A. Losch, a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania,
from the Twenty-ninth district, was called from his life work to rest; and
Where.\s, Senator Losch was known as an active member of the Senate, a patriotic
citizen, a loving husband and indulgent and affectionate father ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate profoundly regrets the death of Hon. Samuel A. Losch,
late a member of this body, and extends to the family of the deceased Senator sincere con-
dolence in their bereavement.
Resolved, That we are deeply conscious of the loss sustained by his death and desire
to bear witness to his sterling worth as a man, his integrity and ability as a legislator and
his courtesy and fidelity towards those with whom he was associated.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, with the action of the Senate thereon, be
forwarded to the family of the deceased by the Clerk of the Senate, and as a further
tribute of the respect to his memory the Senate do now adjourn.
Charles E. Quail,
James C. Vaugha-n,
Henry H. Cumings,
D. S. Lee,
Jno. M. Scott,
Wm. Flinn,
J. C. Stine'man,
Jno. F. Higgins,
Committee.
At the exercises which followed many were the sincere tributes of affection
and respect paid to the inemory of one whose ambition to do right was recog-
nized as the keynote of all his endeavors. Addresses were made by Lieutenant
Governor Gobin, Charles E. Quail, Senator Alagee (read by Mr. Snyder,
Senator IMagee being absent because of illness), D. S. Lee, Mr. Weller, Mr.
Wentz and Mr. Heinle. We quote from the addresses of Mr. Gobin and
Mr. Magee in part.
Mr. Gobin : "Samuel A. Losch was a farniliar figure in the halls of legis-
lation for many years, whether in a clerical capacity or as a member of the
House or the Senate. He recognized all duty devolving upon him and filled
it to the full measure of his judgment. Many of us knew him well as a
senator, and still better as a citizen, and as a comrade in arms, whose heart
134 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
was ever open to the appeals of his fellow man, and whose devotion to the
interest of the soldiers was apparent in all legislation pertaining to their
welfare and honor. His was a rugged manliness. He thoroughly appreciated
the value of friendship, and also the inevitable fact that life was filled with
opposition, and he dealt with both as with the conflicting elements which a
man of his positive nature must necessarily combat. He was an excellent
judge of human nature, and was able to impress his personality, not only upon
legislative bodies with which he was associated, but also upon his constituency
to a remarkable degree. Measures which he approved found in him an earnest
advocate ; those which he disapproved a bitter opponent. And yet with it all
there was a tenderness of heart which never failed to manifest itself upon all
occasions."
Mr. Magee : " 'Of the dead say nothing but good,' was a proverb of the
ancients. It had its spring in the noblest and kindest impulses of the human
heart. It covered with the mantle of charity the frailties and faults of our
fellows. But when, in recalling the memory of the departed, we find in
justice that good, and only good, leaving mere imperfections to the realms of
forgetfulness, can be said, there is then a melancholy pleasure in dwelling upon
qualities which endear their possessors to those who have known and esteemed
them. Of Samuel A. Losch. only the captious and hypercritical could say
anything but good. His life was so open, so plain to view, that nothing was
hidden or concealed. He was what he seemed to be. No man had cause to
doubt where he stood or what the reasons impelling him to take that stand.
His whole life was an exemplification of a purpose as honest as it was stead-
fast. During that life he played his part in many fields of human endeavor.
* * * The whole life of Samuel A. Losch was a battle. No adventitious
aids were his in the struggle. He carved his own way. Plain in speech and
direct in manner, he scorned subterfuge and despised deceit. As a fighter he
was brave, as a foe he was fair, and as a friend he was true, and being brave
and fair and true he was also tender and kind. I speak these words from
personal knowledge, based upon a friendship existing for more than a quarter
of a century. Human aiifection can offer its tribute to the memory of no more
loyal soldier, citizen and friend than was Samuel A. Losch."
On April 2, 1901, a resolution was passed in the Senate ordering that one
thousand copies of the memorial proceedings be printed and bound in cloth for
the use of the Senate.
KEAR. Shortly after the incorporation of Minersville, Schuylkill county,
which took place in 1831, the Kears became established in the village,
attracted hither by the mines. They emigrated from South Wales, where
they had been engaged in mining, the brothers William and Richard Kear
arriving first, and their father soon afterwards. Beginning as mine workers,
they had the qualifications of experience and industry which soon drew
them into the operation of coal workings on their own account, and from
that period until the middle seventies, when the Philadelphia & Reading Coal
& Iron Company bought up the combined Kear coal interests, they were in
the field as operators or managers of coal properties. In the forty years or
more of their mining activities they also branched out into other channels of
industry in this section, and all the representatives of the name have evinced
versatility and adaptability to conditions which make it apparent that thcv
are of tlie element which insures prosperous conditions in any locality. AJl
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 135
of the sons of ^\■illiam Kear found their opportunity and field of labor where
their father settled, and their personal prosperity has been shared by the
community, their energies and capital being devoted to the promotion of useful
enterprises and projects which have developed the local resources with the
direct etYect of increasing local revenues. Reference to their various enter-
I)rises will suggest how important a place they occupy in the economy of this
part of the State.
Richard Kear, father of Richard and William Kear, was of English lineage
and born in the Forest of Dean, England. Subsequently he settled in the
mining district of South Wales, where he was employed in the mines until
his emigration to America, in the year 1830. The sons landed at Philadelphia
and continued their journey to Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., by way of the
Schuylkill canal. The father joined them a little later, and lived at Minersville,
Schuylkill county, until his death, which occurred in 1836, when he was sixty-
four years old. His family consisted of five children : William, Mary, Francis
(who died in \^'ales), Thomas and Richard, Jr. The last named was a very
successful coal operator. For some time he was associated with his brother
William in the conduct of the Little Diamond colliery, and they then branched
out more extensively, in 1847 beginning independent operations in the Wolf
Creek district, where he continued to be engaged until his death, which
occurred May 4. 1864, at jMinersville. He had succeeded his father in the
conduct of the Little Orchard plant on Oak Hill.
\\ illiam Kear, son of Richard Kear, Sr., was born in Blaen Avon, South
\\'ales, in 1808. Like his brother Richard he was engaged at mine work for
a time before becoming an operator, the brothers, in 1832, undertaking the
operation of the Little Diamond colliery, which has now long been abandoned.
They carried it on until about 1835. After the death of the father he and his
brother Richard carried on the Little Orchard colliery on Oak Hill until 18..17,
when William Kear turned to the operation of the Peach Orchard colliery,
selling his coal retail at Minersville and in the surrounding territory. In 1856
he became overseer at his brother Richard's colliery at Wolf Creek, and was
there engaged until he retired from active mine work, in i860. After dissolv-
ing his early association with his brother he did business under the name of
William Kear & Company. Mr. Kear lived at Minersville from the time this
region was practicall}' a wilderness, was one of the leading spirits among its
pioneer citizens, and had intimate association with the establishment of a num-
ber of important enterprises. He was president of the First National Bank
at Minersville until his resignation. May 28, 1877, when he was succeeded by
Jacob S. Lawrence, and he by the present president, Charles R. Kear, in
January, 1887. William Kear was a member of the borough council and gave
public-spirited service in that office. He was a leading member of the !Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, opening his home for services before the congregation
had a church building, held a number of offices in the church, and was acting
as treasurer at the time of his death. Politically he was a Whig in his earlier
years, changing to the Republican party upon its organization. His death
occurred at Minersville in February, 1890.
'Mr. Kear married Elizabeth Gregg, whose father, Francis Gregg, was bom
in South Wales and came to the United States in 1850. In 1859 he moved out
to Missouri, where he died a few years later, at the age of seventy-seven.
Ten children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy, eight
growing to maturity, namely; A\'illiam G., Mary (deceased), Margaret, Rich-
136 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ard C, Edward G., Charles R., Harrison A. and Frank G. Of these, Richard
C. Kear, bom in Minersville, lived there nearly all his life. He graduated
from Dickinson Seminary in 1856, and in 1864 became associated with his
brothers in the coal business as a member of the firm of Kear Brothers &
Company, with which he was connected until they sold to the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company. Then with a partner he operated the Wolf
Creek colliery until 1874, when it was abandoned, after which he was a mem-
ber of the Minersville Coal & Iron Company for two years. Meantime he had
also been interested in the manufacture of brick for one year, and then went
West, locating at Salina, Kans., where he was engaged in banking and the
real estate business until his death. He was accidentally drowned in 1892.
Mr. Kear was a veteran of the Civil war. in which he served under General
Rosecrans. He married Elizabeth Bartholomew, and they had two children.
Margaret Kear, the only surviving daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gregg)
Kear, was married in 1852 to Stephen Dando, a native of England, who came
to the United States in 1846 and settled at Minersville. He became a promi-
nent business man of the borough. He died Sept. 21, 1883, and his widow is
now residing near Philadelphia. They had a family of six children : Mary,
deceased; Franklin, deceased; Jennie, Mrs. Straub; Mary (2), wife of Charles
E. Steele ; William and Minnie, both deceased.
William G. Kear, late of Minersville, Pa., was the eldest son of William
and Elizabeth (Gregg) Kear, and the only member of the family born in
South Wales. His birth occurred May 9, 1830, and he was only a young child
when he and his mother joined the father at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pai
His educational advantages were very limited, for he was only nine years old
when he began to work at a coal breaker, picking slate, and was so employed
until he reached his seventeenth year. He then began an apprenticeship at the
blacksmith's trade, which he continued to follow until 1853, in which year
he made a trip to the Pacific coast. In California he was employed by Benja-
min Haywood in the manufacture of fireproof building equipment and sup-
plies, and remained with him until 1856. in which year he returned home and
resumed his trade, which he then followed for about a year. The next
year he was in the butcher business, and then took the position of outside
foreman at the Mine Hill Gap colliery, at that time operated by his uncle.
There he also continued for a year, and in i860 became engaged in the shipping
of coal for that colliery to Schuylkill Haven, but he soon resumed charge of the
outside operations of the colliery, remaining there until his vmcle's death, in
1864. After that he became associated with his sister, Mrs. Dando, and
Charles, Edward, Harrison and R. C. Kear, under the firm name of Kear
Brothers & Company, who took control of the Mine Hill Gap colliery. They
were together until 1872, when the property was sold to the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company, following which change William G. Kear
became one of the organizers of the Minersville Coal & Iron Company, to
which he devoted his energies principally until 1880. In the meantime he
became interested in the mercantile business, which he carried on in connection
with his olher afTairs until 1888, in which year he retired from active business
life. The remainder of his years was given to the management of his exten-
sive private interests. His home was on Kear's Hill, at Minersville, where
he had a farm, which has been divided into building lots and sold for residence
property, the locality still retaining the name of Kear's Hill. He died at his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 137
home Dec. 28, 1906, and is buried in the M. E. cemetery at Minersville. Pohti-
cally Mr. Kear was a Republican, hke most of the name.
On Dec. 26, i860, Mr. Kear married Sarah Borda, daughter of Joseph
Borda, of Schuylkill Haven, and she still occupies the homestead at Kear's
Hill, at what is now No. 117 Spruce street. Of the eight children born to
this union six died young, namely : Mary, William O., William P., Joseph,
Jessie and Jessie (2) ; Bertha married Howard M. Jones, a salesman for the
Ulmer Packing Company, of Pottsville, and they have one son, Jesse Kear;
Mary is the wife of William W. Jones, of Minersville, dealer in stationery,
toys, etc., and they have three children, Dorothy M., William G. and Mary E.
Charles R. Ke.-\r was born Sept. 22, 1846, at Minersville, and received
his education there and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Soon after
leaving school he joined the Union army, enlisting in July, 1862, in Company
K, 39th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, Emergency Troops, for three
months. He had commenced work at a very early age, and upon the expira-
tion of his army service retin-ned home and became employed as a shipper
at the Mine Hill Gap colliery, which was operated by his uncle, Richard Kear.
He was in this employ until he becaiue a member of the firm of Kear Brothers
in 1864, he and his brothers succeeding their uncle in the conduct of the colliery,
which they carried on until it was sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal &
Iron Company. During these years he had acquired other interests, in 1867
becoming a director of the First National Bank of Minersville, of which in
time he became vice president, about 1886 succeeding his father as president.
He has ever since been the executive head of this financial institution, the
leading one in Minersville. Other local associations of importance include his
connection with the Minersville W^ater Company, in which he owns the con-
trolling interest, and of which he was elected secretary and superintendent in
1883. At one time he was the principal stockholder in the Minersville Coal &
Iron Company and one of its board of directors. He has also been one of the
chief forces in the Minersville Building & Loan Association, which he formerly
served as director and treasurer. He has been otherwise connected with the
real estate interests of the borough, as agent for a large tract of land in the
vicinity. His public service, as member of the borough council, came up to the
best expectations of the citizens who supported him for that office. Politically
he is a Republican. Mr. Kear is a member of Capt. George J. Lawrence Post,
No. 17, G. A. R.
On Feb. 6, 1869, Mr. Kear married Josephine Seltzer, daughter of Conrad
and Dorothea Seltzer, of Pottsville. and they occupy a handsome home at
Minersville. They have had a family of eight children, seven sons and one
daughter :
( I ) Charles F. Kear was born at Minersville, attended the public schools
there, and later took a course at the Bryant & Stratton College of Commerce,
Philadelphia, in 1889. For a short time he was assistant secretary to his
father for the Minersville Water Company, and in 1890 was appointed station
agent and Adams Express agent at the Lehigh A^alley station, where he re-
mained in that capacity until 1902. He was then elected to his present posi-
tion, as teller in the First National Bank of Minersville. He has been interested
in the insurance business since 1897, represents several of the old-line com-
panies, and controls the largest business in the borough in that line. He has
been manager of the Opera House since 1891, treasurer of the Water Com-
pany since 1894, and served ten years as town clerk, in every connection prov-
138 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ing himself typical of the capable stock to which he belongs. In 1891 he
married Emma Moll, daughter of Henry Moll, of Pottsville, Pa., and they
have two children, Richard C. and Collier Harrison. Mr. Kear is a member of
the Mercantile Club and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
(2) Conrad A. Kear, now engaged as assistant foreman in the pattern
shop of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, at Pottsville, Pa.,
married Katie Bender, and they have two children, Josephine and Bertha.
(3) Albert Seltzer Kear was bom July 28, 1873, ^^ Minersville, and
obtained his education in the public schools of the borough. He has been
connected with the Minersville Water Company throughout his career, begin-
ning his association therewith in boyhood, and the broad experience he
acquired at the different stations and in various capacities has well fitted him
for the office of superintendent and secretary which he has held since January,
1903. The other officials of this company are: Joseph Gerz, president;
and Charles F. Kear, treasurer. The Minersville Water Company is noted
for its efficient service and is fortunate in having a supply not only abundant
but remarkably pure. Mr. Kear served the borough two years in the capacity
of tax collector. He is well known socially, being an active member of the
Mercantile Club and a Mason of high standing, connected with Minersville
Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M. ; Schuylkill Chapter, No. 154, R. A. M. ; Caldwell
Consistory, thirty-second degree ; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at
Reading. Mr. Kear married Sarah Dress, daughter of Jeremiah and Anna
Dress, of Shamokin, Pa., and they have two children : Carl Irvin and Alice
Elizabeth.
(4) Robert S. Kear is an electrician for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal
& Iron Company, and makes his home at ^Minersville.
(5) George S. Kear, who died in Kentucky, was engaged as a steam
tester for the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia.
(6) William Kear is employed in the pattern department of the Phila-
delphia & Reading Railway Company, of Pottsville, Pa., where he resides.
(•y') Mary Kear is the wife of Dr. J. E. Pickett, of 3ilinersville.
(8) Frank Kear is a resident of Minersville.
Edward G. Kear, late of Minersville, was born there Feb. 22, 1842, son of
William Kear, Sr., and had the advantages afforded by the local public
schools. During his young manhood he ran an engine for his father at the
mines for a short time, and in the course of his active business career he was
connected with the First National Bank at Minersville and the Minersville
Water Company, being a stockholder in both. For a period of six years he
carried on the shoe business at ]\Iinersville, retiring at the end of that time.
His death occurred Sept. 5, 1913, and he is buried in the Charles Baber ceme-
tery at Pottsville. His religious connection was with the Methodist Church,
and he was thoroughly respected by his fellow members in the congregation, as
he was wherever else his activities carried him. On ]\Iay 10, 1862, Air. Kear
married l\Iary Borda, daughter of Joseph Borda. and they had a family of
four children, namely: Edward H., now foreman in the office of the Shamokin
Dispatch, a daily newspaper, married Susan Mealing, and they have one child.
Mary: Irene May is the wife of George Scott, of Minersville, and they have
two children, Bessie and Mary ; Irvin B. attended the Pottsville business
college and later became engaged in the jewelry business at Minersville, where
he died Sept. 25, 1903, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Potts-
ville (his widow, whose maiden name was Prilla Beddou, resides at Miners-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 139
ville) ; Joseph B., now engaged in the cigar business at Minersville, married
I\Iary Rupp, and they have one son, Edward G.
Airs. Kear still resides in the old Kear homestead on Front street, and is
one of the most esteemed residents of the borough. Joseph Borda, her father,
was a native of France and came to America when nineteen years old, the
trip, which was made in a sailing vessel, occupying forty-two days. He
settled at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co., Pa. By trade a millwright and
carpenter, he acted as foreman for the canal company, taking charge of the
work from Port Clinton to Auburn. He continued to work for the canal
company throughout his active years, dying at the age of eighty-three, and he
is buried in the LInion cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He married Mary
Runkle, of Schuylkill Haven, and they had a family of seven children :
Priscilla, Henry, Mary (Mrs. Edward G. Kear), Joseph, Sarah (Mrs. William
G. Kear), Albert and Louisa.
Harrison A. Ke.vr has maintained all the traditions of the fine stock to
which he belongs in his well rounded career. At present he is the executive
head of the school board, a director of several important local concerns, and
active in everything which promises to stimulate the growth of the borough
along the most desirable lines. He was born Jan. ii, 1849, at Minersville, where
he received all of his early education, attending the high school. Later he
was a student at Dickinson Seminary. His first business position was as teller
in the First National Bank of Minersville. and he was afterwards appointed
deputy collector of internal revenue for the Fifteenth division of the First
district, comprising Schuylkill county, holding that position for about nine
years. For a number of years he was active in real estate circles, selling build-
ing lots for the Kear estate on what is known as Kear's Hill. He is now a
director of the First National Bank and of the Home Building and Loan
Association, of Minersville, which latter he helped to organize. He is also
a member of the board of directors of the Minersville Water Company. For
many years Mr. Kear has given loyal service to his fellow citizens as a member
of the school board, of which body he has been president for the last ten years.
Socially he is well known in the Masonic bodies, belonging to Minersville
Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; to .Schuylkill Chap-
ter, No. 159, R. A. M., of which he is a past officer; to Constantine Com-
mandery. No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville. He has always taken an active interest
in politics, associated with the Republican party.
Mr. Kear married Annie Scott, daughter of Robert Scott, the latter a
native of England. Mr. Scott was superintendent of the East Pine Knot Coal
Company, whose mines are near Minersville. Two children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Kear; Harrison W. and Margaret D., both at home.
F"rank G. Kear, youngest son of William and Elizabeth (Gregg) Kear,
was born at Minersville Alarch 10, 1854, and like the rest of his family was
educated there and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Then he further
prepared himself for his business career by a course in civil and mining engi-
neering at the Philadelphia Polytechnic Institute, completing his studies there
in 1879. For a few years afterwards he was engaged in the brewing business
in partnership with Daniel Frieler, under the firm name of F. G. Kear S:
Company, doing a successful business vmtil 1883, when he withdrew. In 1878
he became a director of the First National Bank of Minersville, and is still
serving on the board ; and he has also been a director of the Minersville Water
Company since early in 1878. As a member and director of the Minersville
140 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Coal & Iron Company, a director and president of the Minersville Fire Insur-
ance Company, he has been intimately connected with local business matters,
and he is the owner of the Mountaineer Opera House, of which he was
formerly manager, his nephew, Charles F. Kear, now holding that position.
His only public position has been that of member of the borough council. He
supports the Republican party. Socially Air. Kear has been associated with
a number of local bodies, Umatilla Lodge, No. 287, I. O. R. M., of which he
was a charter member; Washington Camp, No. 46, P. O. S. of A., and the
Mercantile Club of Minersville.
On Oct. 23, 1878, Mr. Kear married Kate Hoenich, daughter of Henry and
Catherine Hoenich, of Minersville, and to this union were born three children,
of whom Cara and Harvey are deceased ; Laura C. is the wife of Harry H.
MacKirgan, and they reside at Jacksonville, Fla. The mother died July 21,
1889, at the age of thirty-one years, and Mr. Kear subsequently married (sec-
ond) Kate Snyder, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Snyder, of Minersville, on
April 23, 1890. They have had two children: Helen, who graduated from
the Minersville High School and is now a student at Walnut Lane School,
Philadelphia ; and Frank J., a public school pupil at Minersville.
MOSES S. STEIN, senior member of the firm of Stein & Co., of Potts-
ville, Schuylkill county,' wholesale and retail dealers in flour, feed, hay and
straw, has been a business man of that place for over fifty years and at his
present location for the last twenty years. ^
The Steins are an old family of this part of Pennsylvania, having been
settled in the adjoining county of Berks since 1742. The name Stein is
German, meaning stone or rock, but the family is known to have been French
as far back as 1688 and originally called Pierre, which name appears among
those of the French nobility. It is supposed the 'family changed the name
upon removing from France to Germany.
During the year 1742 Jacob Stein and his wife came to America from
Germany, and they settled in what is now Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa.,
wher^ he took up the large tract of land, to whose cultivation he devoted the
remainder of his life. Here he and his wife died. They had children: Hein-
rich, who was born at sea while the parents were coming to America ; Michael ;
Peter; Jacob, and Jonas.
Jonas Stein, son of Jacob, the emigrant, was born Aug. 16, 1766, in Rich-
mond township, and followed farming in Greenwich township, Berks county,
being a well known resident of that locality in his day. He lived to the age of
seventy-five years, dying Jan. 16, 1842. His wife, Alaria (Berk), bom
about 1774, died about 1848. To them were born children as follows: Jacob,
Peter, Benjamin, Daniel, Solomon, Hannah (married Joseph Brownmiller),
Elizabeth, Hetty, Mrs. Zeare, Mrs. Seitler and Mrs. Gramer. Of these, Jacob,
born Feb. 16, 1794, became engaged in farming and distilling on an extensive
scale, owning five hundred acres of land, which he divided into five farms,
erected substantial buildings thereon, and made other improvements. He was
public-spirited and built a schoolhouse near his home for the township. He
died March 2, 1874, in his eighty-first year, long surviving his wife, Sarah
(Sunday), who had passed away in February, 1846. They had the following
children, all born in Greenwich township, Berks county: Solomon, Adam,
Nathan, Annie (who married William Schaeflfer), Lavina (married Daniel
Deisher), Lucinda (married Henry K. Seigfreid), Jacob and Henry.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 141
Peter Stein, son of John and Maria (Berk) Stein, was born Dec. 28, 1797,
in Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa. He followed the carpenter's trade
for some time, and carried on agricultural pursuits there most of his life. He
died on his farm Feb. 28, 18O5, and his wife, Elizabeth (Spohn), daughter
of Conrad Spohn, born in Greenwich township, Berks county, Nov. 8, 1807,
died on the farm in 1864. They are buried at the Dunkel Church in Green-
wich township. Fifteen children were born to this marriage, and we have
the following record of this family: Nathan S., born Jan. 5, 1832, died Jan.
4, 1914, in Oskaloosa, Iowa; Adam S., born Aug. 15, 1833, died in infancy;
Jonas S., born Aug. 29, 1834, died March 22, 1906; Moses S. is mentioned
below; Lelia S., born Aug. 28, 1838, died Jan. 8, 1840; Daniel S., born Dec.
23, 1839, is living at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa.; Maria S., born Jan.
31, 1841, is the widow of P. W. Woliver, and resides at Lafayette, Ind. ;
Solomon S., born Jan. 30, 1842, lives at Newark, N. J. ; Noah S., born March
25, 1S43, is living at Bristol, Ind.: Anna S., born Nov. 11, 1844, died Feb. 3,
1879, was the wife of Ephraim H. Mattern, who died Nov. 14, 1907; Joel
S., born Sept. 16, 1846, is living in Mitchell, S. Dak. ; Samuel S., born July
14, 1848, died Aug. 9, 1848 ; Lavina S., born Aug. 14, 1849, died Sept. 23,
1849; William S., born July 30, 1852, died March 7, 1853; Florenda S., born
Feb. 25, 1854, died Aug. 6, 1854.
Moses S. Stein was born Aug. 26, 1836, on the homestead in Greenwich
township, Berks county, and received his early education in the local public
schools. Later he was sent to a select school, at Collegeville, Montgomery
Co., Pa., and he taught school for three years in his native township. Mr.
Stein came to Pottsville April 9, i860, and engaged in the grain and feed
business. After a year in that line he became interested in tlour milling in
the old John Pott mill at Pottsville, and was there established until 1893, in
which year he erected his present place of business at the corner of Coal
and Washington streets. Since 1893 ^^^- Stein has had his son, Franklin
M. Stein, associated with him, and the firm was known as Stein & Co., Limited,
until Aug. 23, 1913, when the style was changed to Stein & Co. They carry
a general line of flour, feed, hay and straw, being engaged in both the wholesale
and retail trade. Mr. Stein has always done business along the most progress-
ive lines possible, and his foresight and good judgment have prompted him
to make departures from old established customs which he felt have out-
grown their usefulness and retarded the expansion of trade rather than
promoted it. He was the first man to ship solid carloads of grain from the
West into Pottsville, commencing in 1863. Until that year no grain ship-
ments in carload lots came to Pottsville or other points in this section from
the \\'est. all grain from that part of the country being reshipped. Mr.
Stein undertook to arrange for through shipments, and the change proved a
great convenience to dealers in this part of the State. He is now one of
the oldest men in his line in the town and vicinity, and has a substantial
position among the most successful merchants of his section. He is thor-
oughly respected by all who have had dealings with him. Mr. Stein has
always been one of the active men of the community in advancing matters
that tend to promote its welfare, and he was one of the organizers of Trinity
Reformed Church of Pottsville. in which he still retains membership. He
is the only surviving member of the original consistory of that church. His
participation in the local government has been confined to several years' service
142 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\
as councilman. Socially he is a member of Pulaski Lodge, Xo. 216, F. & A.
M., and of the Sphinx Club.
On June 4, 1864, Air. Stein married Fiannah B. Myers, daughter of
Michael E. Myers, of Bethel township, Berks Co., Pa., and she died Oct. 14,
191 1, the mother of these children: Catherine E. ; Franklin M.; Emma
E., who is deceased ; Alinnie M., and Anna M.
Franklin M. Stein was born in Pottsville Nov. 11, 1866, and acquired
his education in the public schools there. After commencing work he was
employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for a period of six years,
at the end of that time changing to the Philadelphia & Reading Company,
in whose employ he remained for eight years. Since 1893 h^ has been
interested in dealing in flour, feed, hay and straw with his father, though he
did not give all of his time to the business until 1900. From that year to
the present he has been manager for Stein & Co., for whose steady success
he deserves considerable of the credit. He is a member of Lily of Valley
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Trinity Reformed Church. He is unmarried.
JEREMIAH CHARLES LAUTENBACHER is one of the leading men
in an industry for which the borough of Schuylkill Haven has become famous,
employing on an average about ninety people in the manufacture of knitted
underwear. He has been engaged in this line for almost thirty years, having
begun as a manufacturer of hosiery, and from a modest start he has attained
a position among the large employers of labor in the borough. The output
of his establishment is in popular demand in all parts of the country. As
the founder of the first factory in the borough Mr. Lautenbacher deserves
much credit for taking the initial step in the introduction of the business
which has proved of great value in maintaining prosperous conditions in the
borough and vicinity.
Mr. Lautenbacher is a native of Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., which place
was so named in honor of his maternal ancestors. His father, the late
Charles Lautenbacher, was born July 15, 1832, in Germany, being a native
of Ballafengen, in the grand duchy of Baden. Coming to America when
nineteen years old, he first located at Philadelphia, Pa., living there for some
time, and he was employed in the construction of the stone work of the well
known "Continental Hotel" in that city. Thence he removed to Baltimore,
Md., and subsequently to Alexandria, Va., and Camden, N. J., his next location
being at Kutztown, Pa., where he remained some time and married. From
there he came to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, where he made a
permanent home, engaging in his calling of marble and stone cutter until his
death, which occurred Aug. 9, 1881. At Kutztown he met and married Sarah
Ann Graeff, who was born Dec. 17, 1831, daughter of John and Mary (Kutz)
Graeiif, and died Aug. 17, 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Lautenbacher were born
seven children: Jeremiah C, Irvin L., Flora, Mamie (deceased), Charles
(deceased), and two who died in infancy.
Mrs. Lautenbacher was a native of Kutztown, Berks county, which place
was so named in honor of her maternal ancestors, who were early pioneers
of that county. They experienced the usual hardships and dangers of that
day when the Indians were numerous and hostile, and there is a well-established
tradition in the family that her great-grandfather had a secret cave to which
he would retire in emergency with his family, and that the Indians never
succeeded in locating this hiding place. George Kutz bought a tract of 130
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rEx\'XSYLVANL\ 143
acres from Peter Wentz in 1755, and there in 1779 laid out the town which
has developed into one of the important boroughs of Berks county and still
bears his name. The first tax list of the borough, made in 1817, records
the lollowing Kutzes : Peter, a tinsmith; Adam, carpenter; Jacob, mason;
John, tailor; Peter (who was a Revolutionary soldier) ; Daniel; and Solomon,
butcher.
Solomon Kutz, the last named, was the grandfather of Mrs. Lautenbacher.
He was long engaged as a butcher at Kutztown, and lived to the age of
nine^ty-two years. Among his children were the following: Mary, Mrs.
John Graeff, died at Kutztown when seventy-nine years old ; her children
were Daniel, John, Catherine (Mrs. John Stickman) and Sarah Ann (Mrs.
Charles Lautenbacher j. Lydia, who died at West Penn, Pa., was the wife
of Oscar Sheetz and mother of Oscar, Buchanan, Tillie and Sara. Reuben
lived and died at Kutztown. Louisa married Daniel Kutz, son of Benjamin,
and lives at Kutztown, now (1914) aged eighty-six years. Susanna married
Harry Shide and lives at Kutztown, now aged eighty-four years.
Jeremiah Charles Lautenbacher was born June 26, 1857, and was three
years old when the family settled at Schuylkill Haven, where he received his
education in the public schools. \\'hen little more than a boy he commenced
to learn the trade of marble cutter, which he continued to follow until ready
to enter the manufacturing field, when twenty-eight years old. As previously
intimated, he then established the first factory in Schuylkill Haven, beginning
with the manufacture of hosiery, and when conditions warranted enlarging
his plant and equipment with facilities for the production of underwear.
The factory now is devoted exclusively to the knitting of underwear, including
all kinds of ladies' garments, union suits, etc. Mr. Lautenbacher has pro-
ceeded along conservative lines, but the market for his goods has been so
constant that he has been able to keep enlarging his business steadily, and
though he has attempted to anticipate its expansion and the increase of trade
he has never found his facilities too large for the accommodation of his
orders. His enterprise is considered one of the stable assets of the borough,
which for many years has benefited by its prosperous career.
Mr. Lautenbacher has been called upon to exert his ability and executive
qualities for the good of the municipality, and that his eiTorts have met with
approval and appreciation is shown in the fact that he has been retained as
councilman of the borough for eighteen years, and has served eight years as
president of the body. In political faith he is a Republican. He has numer-
ous fraternal associations, being a thirty-second-degree Mason, a past master
of Page Lodge, No. 207, F. & A. ]\L, of Schuylkill Haven ; member of Moun-
tain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., of Pottsville ; of Constantine Com-
mandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville; of Philadelphia Consistory (third-second
degree), and of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. Besides,
he holds membership in Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, B. P. O. Elks, the I. O.
O. F. lodge. Junior Order United American INIechanics, Improved Order of
Red Men, and Royal Arcanum, all of Schuylkill Haven. He and his family
belong to the United Evangelical Church at Schuylkill Haven, in which he
has been an interested worker for years, at present -serving as trustee and
president of the board. He has also been class leader, teacher in the Sunday
school, and superintendent of the Sunday school, in all these positions
performing his duties with the ability which has made him so successful in
everything he undertakes.
144 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
On Sept. 6, 1877, Mr. Lautenbacher married Angella Emerich, daughter of
Elijah and Sarah Ann (RaudenbushJ Emerich, of Schuylkill Haven, old
residents of Schuylkill county. Four children have been born to this union,
namely: Irene E., wife of Thomas Tindall, of Schuylkill Haven; Mary
Flora, wife of Howard Hirleman, of Schuylkill Haven; Sarah May, wife of
Samuel Teter, of Philadelphia; and Charles Elijah, deceased.
CHARLES A. SNYDER, of Pottsville, at present representing his district
in the State Senate, has been one of the foremost attorneys of Schuylkill
county, and for a number of years one of its most faithful servants. His
earlier services to his fellow citizens were in the lineof his professional work,
and the record he made in the conscientious discharge of their responsibilities
commended him to the further attention of his constituents, who have chosen
him to both branches of the State Legislature, of which body he has been a
member almost continuously for ten years.
Mr. Snyder is a descendant of old Pennsylvania stock. His ancestors in
both paternal and maternal lines were among the early settlers in the Tulpe-
hocken section of Berks county. They have always been patriotic, being found
among the defenders of their country in the Indian and Colonial wars and the
Revolution, as well as in all the subsequent wars in which the country has been
involved. William Herb Snyder, father of Charles A. Snyder, was a Union
soldier during the Civil war, serving in two companies, in the 108th and I72d
of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiments. He was a native of Schuylkill
county, born Oct. 6, 1844, and married Leah Hoefter Brua, who was born at
Pillow, Dauphin Co., Pa., Dec. 23, 1843.
Charles A. Snyder was born at Pillow April 16, 1867. After receiving
public school advantages and attending private schools for several years, he
entered upon the study of law, and began practice at Pottsville upon his admis-
sion to the bar, in 1889. He has continued to make his home in that borough,
and has built up an extensive legal business, his clientage being drawn from
a wide range of interests, which speaks well for the confidence he has gained
wherever engaged. He is now, and has been for the past twelve years,
county solicitor. Early in his legal career he became cily solicitor, subsequently
becoming deputy district attorney and then county comptroller. In 1903 he
took his seat in the lower house of the State Legislature as representative of
the Fourth district of Schuylkill county and continued to serve until 1907 —
for three consecutive terms. In November, 1908, he was elected State
senator, and has been serving as such ever since, having been reelected in
November, 1912. Mr. Snyder's sincere interest in all matters affecting the
public welfare has given him a sympathetic insight into the needs of his
comnuinity and questions of importance to tliis section in general, and hehas
been particularly zealous in affairs relating to the public schools, especially
in obtaining justice for the common school teachers, having secured the legis-
lation advancing their salaries and establishing a new school code for Penn-
sylvania. He has been a tireless worker in promoting the welfare of his
home community, not only in such things as aft'ect its internal interests, but
those which concern its position with relation to the State, and the wisdom of
his actions in the State Legislature has had the hearty approval and substan-
tial indorsement of the larger majority of his fellow citizens.
On May 21. i8qi, Mr. Snyder married Laura Arters, daughter of Charles
D. and Ellen (Hoffman) Arters, of Churchtown, Lancaster Co.. Pa. In the
<:^^< ^ SzCw*'^^^^
i
i
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 145
early seventies Mr. Arters came to Schuylkill county, where he made a high
reputation as an educator in a long and successful career as a teacher. Mr. and
Mrs. Snyder have two children, Ruth, born Oct. 9, 1892, and Droz Brua, bom
April 12, 19QO. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Snyder's social connections are with the Improved Order of Red Men,
the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, B. P.
O. Elks, Royal Arcanum and I. O. of A. He formerly belonged to the National
Guard of Pennsylvania.
JOHN WOOLCOCK, of Pottsville, retired coal operator, has spent most
of his life in Schuylkill county, though his important business interests for
the last si.xteen years have been in West \'irginia, where he still has heavy
investments in soft coal properties. Mr. Woolcock was born Aug. 8, 1844,
in County Waterford, Ireland. His parents, William and Grace (Jobe)
Woolcock, were both natives of the County of Cornwall, in England. In
1845 they came to America with their family and settled in Schuylkill county.
Pa., first at Aliddleport, later at Forestville, where they lived for a short time,
and then at Heckscherville. There Mr. Woolcock was employed at the
mines imtil his death, in 1865, caused by an explosion in the mines. His
wife continued to live in this section until her death, which occurred at Shamo-
kin. They are buried at Alinersville. Eleven children were born to them,
nine of whom attained maturity : Edward, Elijah, Thomas, Elizabeth A.
(married George Robinson), William, Mary Jane (married Eli Lee), John,
Joseph and Amelia.
John Woolcock was reared in Schuylkill county, and obtained his educa-
tion in the schools of Cass township. He has indeed been self-made so far
as his business success is concerned, for he commenced work at the mines
in the humblest position. Later he ran an engine, and he advanced steadily
through sheer merit, unassisted by influential connections, proving himself
competent for the various responsibilities which were intrusted to him. He
was engaged at difl:'erent workings in Schuylkill county, holding the position
of boss at the Phoenix colliery, No. 2, in Cass township, after which he was
boss for the Reading Company at Middle Creek for about fifteen months.
For the ne.xt few months he had a small operation at Minersville, and he
continued here until 1886, when he began operations in the Pocahontas region
of \\'est ^ irginia. taking an interest in the Elk Horn Coal & Coke Company,
of which he was manager as well as part owner. He soon opened a colliery
for the Gillen Coal & Coke Company, with whom he was associated for two
years, at the end of that time going to Bottom Creek, where he remained a
few months. For about three years following he was stationed at the Grape
Vine colliery. Meantime he had been making his home in West Virginia, for
sixteen years in all, in 1904 returning to Schuylkill county and establishing
a permanent residence at Pottsville. His beautiful home in that borough, at
No. 1609 Mahantongo street, was erected in 1907. Though he has withdrawn
from active participation in the conduct of his coal properties Mr. Woolcock
still retains valuable holdings, all in West Virginia, having stock in the Arcona
Coal Company, the Gillen Coal Company, the Roanoke Coal Company and
the Red Jacket Coal Company. Mr. Woolcock takes a good citizen's interest
in local politics and uses his influence in behalf of measures intended to
promote the general welfare, without regard to the political party which spon-
sors them. While living in West Virginia he served as a member of the school
Vol. T— 10
146 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
board of his home district. In fraternal connection he is a Mason, belonging
to Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A. M.
In 1877 j\Ir. Woolcock married Jennie Dolbin, daughter of Goodman and
Mary (Thomas) Dolbin, of Forestville, in Cass township, Schuylkill county.
Mr. Dolbin, who was a pioneer coal operator in this county, is mentioned
elsewhere in this work. Three children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs'.
Woolcock: Wilbur T. studied at the University of West Virginia and is
now engaged as a mining engineer, located at Logan, W. Va. ; Goodman D.,
who is also at Logan, W. Va., employed as an electrician, received his educa-
tion at Pottsville; Sarah lives with her parents. Mr. Woolcock and his family
are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
DARIL^S D. COLDREN, of Schuylkill Haven, has made his success in
the line of manufacture which for a number of years has formed the backbone
of industrial prosperity in his borough, probably affording employment to
more people than any other one kind of occupation. Mr. Coldren has built
up his business from modest beginnings. He had previous experience as a
manufacturer before entering his present field, in which he has displayed
much enterprise, keeping his factory up to the modern standards in every
respect and its operation according to the most approved system, with highly
satisfactory results, both as to the conditions under which his employees
work and their consequent efficiency. Mr. Coldren himself is a native of
Berks county, Pa., born at Reading, June 15, 1863, son of Samuel P. Coldren.
The family has been in this country for several generations.
According to a member of this family, James J. Coldren, at present chorister
and sexton of the Muddy Creek Church at Denver, Pa., the Coldrens originally
came from Scotland. He said that the name was formerly "Caldwolatter,"
and has come down to the present era in the form Coldren — at some places
Colden. As far as he could ascertain the branch of the Coldrens in which
we are interested lived in Oley township, Berks county, until 1780, after which
its members scattered, one removing in that year to Snyder county and one
to Northumberland county. One had been lost trace of, and it seems likely
that this member was Mathias, who settled in Lancaster county, and was
the ancestor of Darius D. Coldren. When they settled in Berks county is
not known. The first record of a baptism of the Coldrens at the JMuddy
Creek Church (whose Reformed congregation was organized in 1743, the
Lutheran in 1733), under date of 1785, is that of Mary Coldren. The family
record given below of Mathias Coldren and his immediate descendants was
taken from an old Bible which James J. Coldren received from his grand-
mother when he was a boy. On the lid of this Bible is inscribed in a bold
hand, evidently written with a quill pen: "John Coldren His book 1790."
Mathias Coldren married Nancy Neethawk (or Neathawk), and we have
the following record of the children born to them : John was born Dec. 28,
1781 : William, born Aug. i, 1783, is mentioned below; Mary, born April
2, 1785, Abraham, born April 19, 1787, and Elizabeth, born March 3, 1789,
had no families as far as known; Jacob, bom May 5, 1791, left no family;
Susan, born Dec. 19, 1794, married Samuel Coldren, but we have no record
of a family; Mathias, born April 6, 1796, died Nov. 27, 1839, leaving two
sons, one of whom died without issue, the other moving years ago to Miffiin-
burg or Mifflinville, Pa.; Hannah, born Dec. 31, 1798, married a Miller, and
their children were, Jacob, Isaac, Mrs. Gable, Mrs. Sanders and Mrs. Cooser;
1
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLYANL\ 147
Jacob, horn Ajiril 5, 1800, was the father of eleven ehildreii, Lydia (horn
Nov. 7, 1824, married a Rohland and had a family), John (born Jan. 17,
1826), Isaac (born Oct. 20, 1827), Franna (born May 23, 1831, married
a Roth and had a large family), Henry (born March 9, 1834), Eli (born
Oct. I, 1836), Jacob (Alarch 14, 1839), Levi (born July 24, 1841), Edward
(born Dec. i, 1844), Mary (Mrs. Weinhold, May i, 1849) and Elizabeth
(Mrs. W'einhold, born Dec. 29, 1851).
William Coldren, bora Aug. i, 1783, was the grandfather of Darius D.
Coldren. He lived in Lancaster county, about three miles south of Adams-
town, and followed farming. He owned a tract of seventy-five acres, upon
which he lived and died. His death occurred when he was about seventy-five
years old, and he is buried in the cemetery at Muddy Creek Church. His
wife, whose maiden name was Frankhouser, also lived to the age ot seventy-
five years. They were the parents of a large family, namely: Peter, born in
1802, married, and all his children were girls; John, born in 1804, had a
large family; Isaac, born in 1806, is mentioned below; Abraham, born in
1807, had a family ; Mary or Polly, born in 1809, married Henry Steiner, and
one daughter of this union is still living; Lydia, born in 181 1, died unmarried;
Samuel, born in 1814, had a large family; Rachel, born in 1816, married Levi
Steffy, and had one son; Jacob, born in 1818, had no children; William, born
in 1 82 1, had a family, all sons.
Isaac Coldren, born Jan. 16, 1806, on his father's farm at Stone Hill',
Lancaster county, died Aug. 10, 1867, on his farm, two and a half miles
south of Adamstown. He owned fifty acres of land there and followed general
farming and the hotel business. He and his wife, ]\Lary ( Pennypacker). are
buried at the Muddy Creek Church before mentioned. She was born April
30, 1803, daughter of Daniel Pennypacker (his wife was a Musser), and died
June 16, 1878. Mr. and ]\Irs. Coldren had the following family; Samuel
P. is the father of Darius D. Coldren ; Elizabeth married Henry G. ^lohn,
and lives at Adamstown, Lancaster county ; Jesse is deceased ; Harrison is
deceased; Mary married Christian Messner, and lives in Lancaster county.
Samuel P. Coldren was born Dec. 6, 1833, in West Earl township, Lan-
caster county, and attended public school in that neighborhood. He was
taught by Squire Henry Becker. His school days over, he helped with the
work on the farm, and later learned the trade of blacksmith, which he fol-
lowed for a period of thirty years. Coming to Schuylkill Haven in 1881,
he was employed as a blacksmith at the rolling mills for twenty-four years,
after which he assisted his son, Darius D. Coldren, for eight years before his
retirement. He still makes his home at Schuylkill Haven. On Sept. 10,
1856, he married Elizabeth Matz Dewees, who was born Jan. 16, 1837, daughter
of John M. Dewees. To this union was born a large family, viz. : John,
born Feb. 20, 1858, married Catherine Becker; Lyman, born Sept. 21, 1859,
married Carrie Harner; Augustus D., born April 12, 1861, died April 25,
1914, married Elizabeth Mengle ; Darius D. is mentioned below ; George D.,
born Oct. I, 1865, married Katie Justace ; Elizabeth D., born July 13, 1867,
married Evan Thomas, a manufacturer, of Schuylkill Haven ; Pierce D.. born
May 26, 1870, married Rebecca Drumheller; Mary Jane, born Jan. 11, 1874,
married Samuel Bast ; Robert D., born May 6, 1875, married Bertha Clemens ;
Chester, born March 21, 1877, '^ unmarried, and is now in the West; Harry,
born April 19, 1879, who lives at home, married Margaret Miller.
The Dewees family, to which Mrs. Coldren belongs, has long been settled
148 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
in Pennsylvania, and \\'illiam Dewees, her grandfather, was born in Denver,
Lancaster county. He was a carpenter by trade, and followed that calling
for many years. In his later years he removed to Stark county, Ohio, to
make his home with his son George, and died there at the age of eighty-two
years. His wife, Elizabeth (Martin), died at Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa.
They had three children: John M., Mrs. Coldren's father; George M., who
moved to Stark county, Ohio ; and Jacob, who died young.
John M. Dewees was born Feb. 26, 1807, at Reamstown, Lancaster county.
He followed the same trade as his father, that of shop carpenter, making all
kinds of household furniture. He was also an undertaker, making his own
coffins. In 1835 he was commissioned captain of the 12th Company, 55th
Regiment, of the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the 2d
Brigade, of the 6th Division, composed of the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon,
Berks and Schuylkill, his commission bearing date Aug. 3, 1835, and good
until Aug. 3, 1842, given and signed by Gov. Joseph Ritner. He was also a
surveyor, and he served as justice of the peace, his first commission bearing
date of 1840. He was a justice from the aforesaid date until 1879, having
held the office for nearly forty years. Legal papers made and issued by him
are noted for their neatness, accuracy and excellent penmanship. Lawyers
and court officials often complimented him on his elegant' penmanship, which
he did mostly with the quill. In 1834 he married Leah G. ^latz (born Feb.
II, 1812), daughter of George Matz. They had three daughters and two
sons, the sons dying in infancy. Of the daughters: Elizabeth M. married
Samuel P. Coldren ; Sarah M. married Adam M. Grill; Rachel M. married
Jere H. Miller. John M. Dewees was a man of ordinary means, but proved
himself to be of great usefulness in this section between 1840 and 1875. He
was intensely interested in the educational system provided by the act of
1834, and in 1835, when an effort was made to repeal this law, he labored
hard to interest the people and explain to them the importance of the edu'ca-
tional advantages provided for by this act. He was a lover of music, especially
of the fiddle, zither and accordeon. He was the owner of a small tract of
land in Spring township. He died Dec. 14, 1881, and is buried at Alohns Hill
burying ground.
Darius D. Coldren attended public school at Reading and Port Clinton,
Pa. When sixteen years old he began work in the rolling mill at Port
Clinton as a rougher, and followed this kind of employment for a period of
seven years, becoming a master roller. In 1887 he engaged in the manufacture
of paper boxes at Schuylkill Haven, carrying on the business for one year,
until he decided to enter the hosiery manufacturing line at Pine Grove, this
county. He had a large knitting factory at that place which he operated
for one year, transferring his business then to Harrisburg, where he also
conducted it for one year. Returning to Schuylkill Haven, he engaged in the
men's furnishings and merchant tailoring business, which occupied him for
about ten years following, until he embarked in the manufacture of underwear,
in igoo. Mr. Coldren was at first associated with Walter F. Meek in this
business, under the firm name of Meek & Coldren, the partnership being
dissolved in 1902, when Hariy A. Reber bought Mr. Coldren's interest. The
same year, 1902, Mr. Coldren established the plant which he has since carried
on as sole proprietor, and he is giving employment, at this writing, to between
fifty and sixty hands. The business is located at St. John and Union streets,
Schuylkill Haven. Within a few years, by 1906, it had already given such
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 149
promise of expansion that Mr. Coldren enlarged his plant, opening another
mill which connects with the old one, the two mills giving eight thousand
square feet of floor space. The product is tine-ribbed underwear for ladies
and children, and the Snow White brand has achieved such wide reputation
that the goods are shipped, not only to all parts of the United States, but to
Australia and Africa as well. The business is in thriving condition, owing
to J\Ir. Coldren's admirable methods, for he has given close attention to its
requirements. However, it has not claimed all of his time. He was one of
the organizers of the Schuylkill Haven Foundry Company, and he is still
secretary of the board of directors of that concern, as well as a director of
the Schuylkill Haven Board of Trade. Though he has assisted his town
greatly in the building up of its manufacturing interests, he has not felt that
his responsibility endAl therewith. He has served as councilman of the
borough, and has been particularly active in church work as a member of
the ^Methodist Episcopal denomination, being at present a trustee of his church
and a teacher in the Sunday school; he served as superintendent of the Sunday
school during the first four years after its organization. Fraternally Mr.
Coldren is a Mason, belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuyl-
kill Haven, and to Reading Lodge of Perfection (fourteenth degree). He'is
also a member of the Royal Arcanum. In political conviction he is a Republi-
can, though he favors the doctrines of the Prohibition party.
On ]\Iarch 28, 1890, Mr. Coldren married Harriet G. Kerkeslager, daughter
of Alexander W. and Mary Elminda (Miller) Kerkeslager, of Schuylkill
Flaven. Three daughters have been born to this union, namely : Helen K.,
Mary Roth and Harriet Elizabeth, the last named dying when two and a half
years old.
The Kerkeslager family, to which Mrs. Darius D. Coldren belongs, is of
German ancestry. John Kerkeslager, Mrs. Coldren's great-grandfather, was
a native of Lancaster, Pa., born Feb. 17, 1766, and married Eva Christian
Spayd, born Feb. 17, 1762, at Lancaster, daughter of Peter and Anna Spayd.
They subsequently removed to Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pa., and he owned
a large farm near that town, giving his time to agricultural pursuits, and also
to his trade, that of tailor. He and his wife both died there, Mr. Kerkeslager
April 26, 1824, his wife April 19th of the same year. They had three chil-
dren: John Peter, born Nov. 15, 1790, who died in infancy; Michael, born
Sept. 12, 1793; and Rebecca, born Aug. 15, 1800, who died in infancy.
Michael Kerkeslager spent his yottth and early manhood at Hummelstown,
and learned his father's trade. He was also a well known school teacher in
his day, following the profession for a number of years in Dauphin county,
and later at Schuylkill Haven, to which place he removed about 1822. He
was a pioneer resident of the borough, and spent the rest of his days there,
living retired during his closing years. On Jan. 10, 1816, he married Catherine
Cider, who was born Jan. 15, 1796, and died March 11, 1873. He survived
her only a few months, dying July 7th, and they were buried in the Union
cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They had a large family, born as follows :
Jeremiah, Nov. i, 1816; Sarah, Sept. 4, 1818; George W., April 25, 1820;
iRebecca, Nov. 21, 1821 ; Noah, Sept. 9, 1823; Michael, May 15, 1825; Elijah,
April 19, 1827; ]\Iartha, June 24, 1829; William, June 27, 1831 ; Joseph, July
8, 1833; Catherine, Jan. 28, 1836; Alexander W., June 26, 1838; and Peter,
Jan. 26, 1 841. All of this family are now deceased.
Alexander W. Kerkeslager was born at Schuylkill Haven, and was one
150 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PExXXSYLVANIA
of the most prominent citizens of his generation in that borough. When
only fourteen years old he began to learn the trade of butcher, and he con-
tinued to follow that calling throughout his life, becoming one of the best
known men in Schuylkill county, i'or several terms he served his fellow citi-
zens as chief burgess. He was a Republican in politics, and a charter member
of the Knights of Pythias, Sr. O. U. A. M., and Sons of America lodges in the
borough, and belonged to St. Peter's Evangelical Church. His death occurred
Jan. 1, 1886. He is buried in the Union cemetery.
On July 13, 1861, he married Alary Elminda ]\Iiller, who was born at
Schuylkill Haven, Eeb. 27, 1840, daughter of Conrad and Mary (De Long)
Miller, and still resides there, making her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Darius D. Coldren. Mr. and Mrs. Kerkeslager had two children: Harriet G.,
born April 4, 1863, wife of Darius D. Coldren; and Minnie Eva, born Feb. 18,
1866, now the wife of J. V. Poley, of Royersford, Montgomery county, Penn-
sylvania.
F. P. MORTIAIER, Sr., leading dealer in ready-to-wear and ready-to-use
goods at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., is a member of the third generation of
his family to reside at that place, where its representatives have been promi-
nent as merchants for over three quarters of a century. A number of the
family are still counted among the prosperous business men of the town.
The family is of English extraction and has long been settled in Pennsyl-
vania, since before the Revolution, during which period its members were
associated with the Colonial cause. John IMortimer, great-grandfather of
F. P. Mortimer, Sr., lived and died in Robeson township, Berks Co., Pa.
His children were : William, Michael, Washington and Morgan.
W^illiam Mortimer, grandfather of F. P. Mortimer, Sr., was an early
settler in Schuylkill county, coming from Valley Forge, Chester Co., Pa., in
1826. He became one of the most prominent citizens of this county, which
he represented in the State Senate, refusing reelection. He owned the prop-
erty now belonging to J. Miehle & Son, Inc. (the site of the past Mountain
City building), conducted a hotel where the Miehle Sons, Inc., are now situated,
and in connection also carried on a mercantile business for many years.
Politically he was a strong Democrat, and one of the local leaders of the party.
William JMortimer, Jr., son of William, above, also became a prominent
business man of Pottsville. He was a dry goods merchant, owning and
occupying the corner where his son, F. P. Mortimer, does business, Xo. i
Centre street. For many years he was a director of the -Miners' National
Bank of Pottsville. He was a native of \'alley Forge, born in 1810, and
died Aug. 14, 1875, in Pottsville. His wife, Susan Frances Simpson, daughter
of John Simpson, died March 18, 1898. Fourteen children were born to
this union, namely: Mary Frances, who died May 25, 1898, aged about sixty
years, was the wife of William H. Robinson, of Schuylkill Haven; Sarah
Matilda is the widow of John Engle, of Pottsville; Emma I., who died Aug.
14, 191 3, one hour after her brother Charles, was the wife of James I. Muir, a
prominent dealer in powder and mining supplies of Pottsville, whose death
occurred a few years before hers ; Susan J. is the widow of Dr. Charles T.
Palmer, and lives at Los Angeles, Cal. ; Charles W., who died Aug. 14, 191 3, at
Atlantic City, N. J., was a prosperous business man of Pottsville, engaged as a
dealer in men's furnishings; George Wesley, who died Nov. 21, 191 1, was a
prominent real estate and insurance man of Pottsville; F. P. is mentioned
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 151
below; \\'illiam Horace is in the jewelry business in Pottsville ; Minnie Allen
married John J. Garvin, of Pottsville, photographer and dealer in photograph
supplies; Joseph Gilmore is a jeweler of Pottsville; Walter, William John,
Ellen W. and James died in infancy or early childhood.
F. P. Mortimer, Sr., was born Jan. 20, 1853, at the corner of Centre and
Norwegian streets, Pottsville, on the site of his present dry goods store. He
had public school advantages in his early life and also attended a private school.
His first work was as messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph
Company, he being the first boy employed in that capacity at Pottsville, and
his salary was ten dollars per month. After that for some time he was
employed as a messenger between Pottsville and Philadelphia. He learned
telegraphy and was employed as a telegrapher by Focht & Co., of Philadelphia,
for one year. In 1872 he entered the employ of the firm of Richard & Morris,
of Pottsville, who conducted a general store, and with whom he obtained his
first experience as a merchant, remaining with them one year. He was next
employed by Mr. Althouse, who had a dry goods and notion store, and with
whom he continued only a short time, however, going from him to Mr.
Junkerth. Mr. Junkerth later failed, and Mr. JVIortimer had charge of the
s'elling of the stock. On April 16, 1874, he established the business which
he has ever since successfully carried on. It has grown with the development
of the town, how much may be judged from the fact that his first store had
less than five hundred square feet of floor space, while his present store is
just twenty times as large. He began very modestly, doing all his own work
as well as buying and selling. Now there are twenty-five clerks employed in
his up-to-date store, and his business occupies a three-story and basement
building, as well as a storage house. His business is conducted along modem
lines, Mr. Mortimer engaging New York buyers, who are constantly in the
market picking up attractive things for the house, and he is well known to
many of the large eastern firms as well as in his home community. On April
16, 1913, when the thirty-ninth anniversary of the opening of the business
in Pottsville was celebrated, he received many congratulatory letters and
telegrams from various large firms with which he has done business, and
his clerks presented him a loving cup filled with roses. He is one of the
best known men in Pottsville and one of the most popular, and is not only
working hard to promote the success of his own business aflairs but also
in the interest of the locality. We quote from an article in a recent paper:
"He represents a strong cog in our business and civic machinery. He is a
man who has made good for himself and such men always add great strength
to a community." Air. Mortimer is a Democrat in politics, and in religious
connection a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
On Feb. 11, 1878, Mr. Mortimer married Clara H. Seltzer, daughter of
the late Conrad Seltzer, of Pottsville, mentioned elsewhere. Five children
have been born to this union : Marion, now the wife of Harry Williams,
resides at Gothenburg, Nebr., where Mr. Williams has a ranch of 14,000 acres ;
F. Pierce is mentioned below; Marguerite is the wife of Dr. lohn W. Free-
ston, dentist, and they reside at Pottsville ; Norman and Elizabeth are at
home.
F. Pierce Mortimer, Jr., has the honor of being the first mayor of the
new city of Pottsville, and was one of the leaders in the movement to have
the new form of government established. This yoimg man was born at Potts-
ville, July 20, 1S83, and there received his education. Pie graduated from
152 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the Pottsville high school, class of igcx). After leaving school he at once
took up active work in his father's store, and in this modern establishment
has obtained a thorough business training. There are few young men of
the community who have been more active in its interests. Independent in
politics, he was the first nominee for the office of city comptroller of Potts-
ville, in 191 1, nominated on three tickets. Republican, Democratic and Key-
stone, but as the city charter was not granted at that time he was not elected.
On Nov. 4, 1913, when the first election for city officers was held, he was
the leading candidate for mayor, and won by a large majority, carrying seven
of the ten precincts. L^pon him and his fellow officials devolves the task of
organizing and inaugurating the commission form of government in the new
city of Pottsville, and the responsibility for its proper introduction. The cam-
paign was one of the most vigorous in the history of Pottsville, the activities
of the workers resulting in bringing out an unusually large number of voters,
and the interest aroused will undoubtedly extend over the present administra-
tion, which is expected to demonstrate the value of the new plan for which
so many citizens have been fighting. Mr. Mortimer took office Dec. ist, and
has the distinction of being the youngest mayor in Pennsylvania. He has
been an active member of the local fire company. Athletics have always
claimed much of his time and attention. For seven years he was especially
interested in basket-ball, has played baseball as a semi-professional, and has
served as president of the Baxter Association, one of the leading athletic
organizations in this part of the State. Socially he is a member of the B. P. O.
Elks, Business Men's Association, Rotary Club, Historical Society and Y. M.
C. A. He belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, and is a member of its
choir, of which he is soloist. He has sung considerably for charity.
On March 25, 1908, Mr. Mortimer married Edna C. Umbenhauer, of Pine
Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of Capt. J. W. Umbenhauer, borough
treasurer.
FRANK BROWN has been prominent in the business circles of Schuyl-
kill Haven in several associations, notably the manufacture of shoes, in which
he has been engaged for twenty-five years. He is now president of the Walkin
Shoe Company, which was organized in 1910. ^Ir. Brown is a native of North
Manheim township, this county, born near Landingville March 10, 1868, son
of Edwin Brown.
Edwin Brown was born Dec. 7, 1835, near Kutztown, in Berks county.
Pa., and was only a young man when he settled in Schuylkill county, making
his home near Minersville. He became very well known as a boatbuilder, which
business he followed for some years, and in which he was associated with the
late George Adams at Landingville. Later he became engaged in farming in
North Manheim township, in the same vicinity, and spent the rest of his life
at that calling, dying April 30, 1872, at the early age of thirty-six years. He
is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Brown had served
in the Civil war, and he was a member of Post No. 26, G. A. R. He married
Elizabeth Deibert, daughter of William Deibert, and member of a pioneer
family of that county. She subsequently married William S. Zuber, of
Orwigsburg, Pa., where she died and is buried. Her children by Mr. Brown
were as follows: Mary, who married William B. Heim ; Hannah, who died
in infancy; Susanna, wife of John Gangloft (both are deceased): Amos,
deceased; Katie, who married Manden Zuber, of Landingville; Frank; and
, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 153
William, who lives at Chester, Aid. By her second marriage she had four
children: Henrietta, who is deceased; Alice, wife of R. S. Luckinbill ; Emma,
deceased ; and Harvey, who lives at Haddon Heights, New Jersey.
Frank Brown attended school in a log building near Landingville in his
native township, and was reared upon the farm. When eighteen years old
he began to learn the shoe business at Landingville, being employed in the
factory there for three years, and became thoroughly familiar with all its
details. For the next four years he traveled as a shoe salesman, and mean-
time, in 1889, became interested in the manufacture of shoes at Schuylkill
Haven, as a member of the firm of Berger, Brown i!t Company. Twelve years
later some changes were made in the ownership, and the business was con-
tinued under the name of the G. H. Gerber Shoe Company, Inc. In 1910
the present organization was eif'ected under the name of the Walkin Shoe
Company, with the following officers : Frank Brown, president ; G. H. Michael,
treasurer; F. B. Keller, secretary. The product consists of infants', chil-
dren's and misses' turn and welt shoes, which have a reputation in the trade
throughout the district east of the Rocky Mountains and in the South and
Southwest. The equipment has been improved and enlarged as the increase
of the business necessitated, and the plant now occupies a building 40 by 165
feet in dimensions, with a wing 26 by 30 feet. Two hundred and fifty hands,
including a large number of skilled workmen, are steadily employed, which
means that a large proportion of the industrial workers in Schuylkill Haven
depend upon this establishment for occupation. The goods are of such
excellent quality as to keep up the demand, and they are handled in the market
according to the most up-to-date system and manner, for every department
of the Walkin establishment is operated along the most modern lines, the
executive, manufacturing and other divisions being in the most competent
hands. Mr. Brown, himself, is a skilled workman, and keeps track of all
the work at the plant, being able to instruct his employees in the practical
work as well as the principles of his business, and his thorough knowledge of
its requirements has been a factor of inestimable value in the growth of the
concern.
Though his principal attention has been given to the shoe business, Mr.
Brown has naturally taken on other responsibilities in the course of his active
career. He was one of the organizers and an original director of the First
National Bank of Schuylkill Haven, and is still a member of the board ; is a
director of the Textile Alutual Fire Insurance Company of Schuylkill Haven ;
of the Schuylkill Haven Fire Company, and several other important local
concerns. His achievements entitle him to a place among the foremost busi-
ness men of the county.
On July 10, 1894, Mr. Brown married Alice Ehly, whose parents died
when she was very young. Six children have been born to this marriage,
namely: Madeline S., Stanley H., F. Alfred, Hamilton. Paul (deceased) and
Frederick. The family is associated with the Reformed Church.
THOAIAS J. DA\TS, of Minersville, is an extensive coal operator and
still engaged in the business, though his interests have been in outside fields
for some time. His early training, however, was gained in the local territory,
where he began in the humble capacity of slate picker, and made his way
up through the various stages of mine work to important duties. At present
he is one of the owners and general manager of the Kohinoor Coal & Coke
154 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Company, operating near Logan, in Logan county, W. Va. He has also had
valuable interests in the borough, but he has given them up since outside
activities occupy so much of his time.
Mr. Davis is a native of Wales, born Aug. 21, 1843, ^'''d came to America
from that country in 1848, with his father, Jacob Davis, who settled at
Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. The father was a miner by occupation, and
lived and died at Minersville. After picking slate at the breaker for a time
Thomas J. Davis did inside work of various kinds at the collieries, cutting
coal for a short period, and finally becoming foreman in the Potts Coal
Company, in whose employ he rose to the position of superintendent. Sub-
sequently he was similarly engaged by Kane, Haggert & Cook, and then with
Miller, Graeff & Company, being one of the first to hold that position with the
concern named. Following several months of prospecting in the South, he
began operating in the soft coal fields in Tennessee, where he continued for
thirteen years, at the end of that time selling his interests there and turning
his attention to West Virginia, where he has heavy investments. About one
hundred men are employed in the operations of the Kohinoor Coal & Coke
Company, and there is a steady demand for the output.
Mr. Davis has also encouraged local enterprises, and for a time was vice
president of the Union National Bank, of Minersville, but he resigned from
the position when he found that frequent absences from the borough were
necessary. He continues to hold membership in Swatara Lodge, No. 267,
F. & A. M., of Tremont, Schuylkill county.
Mr. Davis married Anna Dando, daughter of Edwin Dando, of Miners-
ville, and they have two children: Esther, wife of Matthew Beddou ; and
Thomas J., Jr., who is engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes at Schuyl-
kill Haven. Edwin Dando, father of Mrs. Davis, was a native of England.
FREDERICK H. HAUSE is taking a place in the business circles of
Pottsville thoroughly in keeping with the reputation attaching to the honored
name he bears. A son of the late Frank Hause, he has continued the tobacco
business which the latter established so many years ago, and his association
with other local institutions of importance to the community shows him to be
in active sympathy with everything affecting the well-being of the place.
The Hause family was founded in Pottsville by Emanuel Hause, grand-
father of Frederick H. Hause, who was born May 14, igoi, in Chester county.
Pa., and when a young man settled at Pottsville. At that time there were
only a few houses in the town and he was the pioneer blacksmith here,
continuing to follow his trade until his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1859.
His wife was born Aug. 21, 1808, in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., and died
Jan. 4, 1884. They are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville.
Their family consisted of the following children: Catherine married Henry
Miller ; Mary A. married Henry Shomo ; Henry, who died in Pottsville, mar-
ried Charlotte James ; Lewis, who died in Ashland, Pa., married Joanna
Wilson : Charles died unmarried in Pottsville ; Frank is mentioned below ;
Edward, who died in Pottsville, married Clara Zweibel ; Sarah married Andrew
Turnbull : Isabella married Edward Lebold.
Frank Hause was born May 7, 1838, at Pottsville, and was given such
public school advantages as the town then afforded. In early manhood he
began dealing in tobacco, and built up his business so successfully that he
became one of the leading men in his line in this part of Pennsylvania, having
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PExXNSYLVANIA 155
a large wholesale as well as retail trade. He established himself at the corner
of Centre and Norwegian streets. Mr. Hause was the first in Pottsville to
handle the popnlar Miners' Extra tobacco, and for many years had the sole
agency here for that brand. He also dealt in leaf tobacco, making large
purchases in Lancester county, Pa. In fact, he carried on his business with
all the resources of a keen intellect to make the most of its possibilities. His
other affairs received the same efficient care, and he had a part in the promo-
tion and establishment of several enterprises of genuine service to the com-
munity. He was a prime mover in the organization of the I^ottsville Steam
Heat & Power Company, as well as active in the inception of other important
enterprises for which he and various progressive associates saw the need.
He was a director of the Pennsylvania National Bank of Pottsville and con-
tinued to serve as such until his death. He gave valuable service to the
borough as a member of the school board, and was also known in his con-
nection with the Union \'eteran Legion and the Society of First Defenders.
\\'hen twenty-two years old he enlisted for the defense of the Union and
after serving a three months' term reenlisted, for three years. With his family
Mr. Hause attended the Second Presbyterian Church. He built the substantial
home at No. 315 West Market street where Mrs. Hause still resides, and
where his death occurred June 6, 1900. He is buried in the Charles Baber
cemetery.
On Feb. 4, 1868, IMr. Hause married Louisa S. Haeseler, daughter of
Frederick and Catherine (Swalen) Haeseler, and children as follows were born
to them: Ralph E., who is a clerk in the Merchants' National Bank of
Pottsville; J. Florence, living at home; Frederick H. ; and Dorothy H., wife
of Gustav A. Muehlhof, of Pottsville. Mrs. Hause takes an active part in
matters of general interest in the borough. She is a member of the Historical
Society of Schuylkill county and vice president of the Pottsville Mission.
Frederick Haeseler, father of Mrs. Hause, was a resident of Pottsville
from the early sixties. A native of Germany, he came to America with his
parents in early life, and subsequently returned to the Fatherland to study,
receiving a thorough education. He also had a comprehensive military train-
ing. Coming back to America he engaged in the manufacture of woolen
goods at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., before his removal to Pottsville,
where he carried on a real estate business and organized several insurance
companies. His learning and high principles gained him many friends. To
his marriage with Catherine Swalen were born children as follows : John,
Frank, Albert, Louisa S., Anna A., Emma S., Sarah and Catherine. Mr.
Haeseler died in 1880, his widow in 1893, and they are buried in the Charles
Baber cemetery.
Frederick H. Hause was bom in 1880 at Pottsville, and received his educa-
tion in the public schools of the borough. He began work with his father
when a boy, and though only twenty years old when his father died continued
the business, which was conducted under the name of the Frank Hause Estate
until 1906. That year Frederick H. Hause bought the business for himself,
and has since carried it on under his own name. The stand is one of the
oldest in the city, and Mr. Hause not only commands a large wholesale and
retail trade in the tobacco business, but also manufactures cigars, having
factory No. 398. Among the well known brands which he produces are the
".Agord" and "Ryo Hondo." Besides dealing in leaf and manufactured tobacco
and cigars, he carries a large stock of snuff, pipes, etc., and small goods.
156 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
Mr. Hause is associated with the Pennsylvania National Bank of Pottsville.
one of the leading banking houses in this section, of which he has been a
director since 191 1. ^Nlr. Hause is a valued member of the Central Republican
Club, and of the Schuylkill County Historical Society. His interests have
been managed with acumen and good judgment, and he is justly regarded as
one of the most competent business men of the borough.
Mr. Hause married Alverta Kehler, of Shenandoah, and they have one
child, Marion.
JONATHAN HENRY WALBORN, now living retired at Orwigsburg,
has been one of the leading men of his section of Schuylkill county for a
long period. Diligent and enterprising during the years he was engaged in
farming, he became associated with the live interests of the locality. For a
number of years he has been active in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance
Company of Schuylkill County, serving as secretary for the last twenty-two
years. Mr. Walborn is a native of the county, born March 15, 1853, in West
Brunswick township, son of Daniel Walborn and grandson of John Walborn.
John (or Johan) Walborn, the grandfather, was born near Myerstown,
Lebanon Co., Pa., June 30, 1799, and died Aug. 13, 1872. By occupation he
was a farmer. Coming to Schuylkill county he settled in West Brunswick
township, about two miles east of Pinedale, there continuing to farm until
his death. Pie is buried at the historic Zion's (Red) Church. His wife,
whose maiden name was Susanna Albright, was born Dec. 4, 1804, and died
Oct. 30, 1884. They had children as follows: Daniel, born Sept. 19, 1825,
died March 29, 1906; Urias, born Sept. 22, 1827, died Dec. 15, 1913; William,
born June 28, 1831, died Sept. 17, 1914; Peter, born July 6, 1834, died Oct
16, 191 1; Rebecca, born Sept. 21, 1837, married Daniel O. Mohl, who is
deceased ; Catharine, born Aug. 2, 1845, married John Ketner, who is de-
ceased; Cyrus, born Aug. 28, 1839, died Aug. 29, 1858; and Diana, born Oct.
21, 1848, died Nov. 20, 1912, married Martin Moyer. Of these children.
Rebecca and Catharine are still living.
Daniel Walborn, son of John, was bom Sept. 19, 1825, in Lebanon county.
Pa., settling in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he came
into possession of the old homestead. He was one of the prosperous farmers
of his day and a trusted official of his township, serving for several years
as member of the school board and as assistant assessor. During the Civil
war he and Daniel Alspach were appointed to look for recruits for the army
in West Brunswick township. As a devout member of the Lutheran denomina-
tion, he was an active worker in the old Zion's (Red) Church, served on the
church council, as church treasurer, and was a member of the building com-
mittee when the present chinxh building was erected in 1883. He reached
the age of eighty years, dying March 29, igo6, and is buried at the Red
Church. His wife, Christiana, daughter of Jonathan Albright and Molly
(Berger) Albright, was born Aug. 18, 1822, and died Sept. 26, 1892. They
were the parents of five children, of whom Lewis, Henry and Henrietta died
young. Jonathan Henry and Joseph /\lbright are the survivors.
Jonathan Henry Walborn obtained his early education in the public
schools, later attending the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa.
For ten terms he was engaged in teaching in West Brunswick township, fol-
lowing farming during that period, and for five years he conducted a mercantile
business at Drehersville, Schuylkill county. Retiring to the homestead place
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 157
in West Brunswick township, he resumed farming. In 1901 he moved with
his family to his present residence on the farm which he purchased from the
Thomas Hoy estate, the Hoy homestead, in Orwigsburg. For one year, 191 3,
he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes, but sold out his interests, and
lias not since engaged actively in business pursuits. However, he still retains
his connection with the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which he
serves as secretary ; for twenty years he was secretary of the West Brunswick
Horse Insurance Company. Like his father, Mr. Walborn has taken part
in the administration of public afifairs. For several years he served as member
of the school board of West Brunswick township, and for one four-year term
as director of the poor of Schu\-lkitl county, to which office he was elected
in 1897. His duties were discharged with the utmost fidelity and with due
regard to the best interests of his constituents, and his services were a credit
to the community as well as himself. Politically he has been identified with
the Democratic jjarty. He is a leading member of Zion's (Red) Church, in
which he has held the offices of deacon and elder, giving the same conscientious
attention to the duties of this position as he has to every other responsibility
assumed.
On Jan. 7, 1881, Mr. Walborn married Sarah Elizabeth Hoy, born Jan. 7,
i860, daughter of the late Thomas Hoy and Mrs. Sarah (Faust) Hoy, of
Orwigsburg. Two sons were born to this union: Ira Guy, Oct. 20, 1881, and
Maurice Daniel, Nov. 29, 1892, both born in West Brunswick township. Mrs.
Sarah E. (Hoy) Walborn died Nov. 10, 191 1, and is buried at the Red Church.
Ir.\ Guv Walborn attended the public schools of West Brunswick town-
ship, the Orwigsburg high school, and Keystone State Normal School, at
Kutztown, Pa., and taught two terms in the public schools of West Brunswick
township. In 1899 he entered Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., and after
completing three years' work entered the University of Missouri, Columbia,
Mo., in 1902, as a student in electrical engineering and the College of Arts,
graduating with the degrees of bachelor of arts in 1904 and bachelor of science
in electrical engineering in 1906. After graduation he followed his profession,
electrical engineering, in Utah and Idaho. In March, 1908, he was employed
by the Eastern Pennsylvania Railways Company, Pottsville, Pa., and has served
as electrical superintendent for that company since April, 19 12. On June 16,
1909, he married Frances Gary Mountjoy, born Aug. i, 1881, daughter of the
late Rev. John Mountjoy and Mrs. Rebecca (Shannon) Mountjoy, of Colum-
bia, Mo. Two children were born, in Pottsville, Pa., to this union : One
daughter, Rebecca Shannon, Oct. 21, 1912, and one son, Jonathan Mountjoy,
Jan. 23, 1915. J\Ir. \\'alborn is a member of the Lutheran congregation at
the old Red Church. Fraternally he is connected with Schuylkill Lodge, No.
138, Free and Accepted Masons; Black Diamond Commandery, No. 466,
Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta ; and the Alpha Tau Omega
college fraternity. He is a member of the Pottsville Club and an associate
member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
M.MTRiCE Daniel Walborn attended the public schools of West Brunswick
township and Orwigsburg. From the Orwigsburg high school he entered
the First National Bank of Orwigsburg in April, 1909, and has served since
as teller. He engages in writing various lines of insurance. On May 7, 1913,
he married Stella Heist, who was born April 30, 1892, daughter of Oscar
Heist and the late Louisa (Boettger) Heist, of Orwigsburg. He is a member
of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Orwigsburg and is serving as a member of
158 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXLA
its church council and as secretary. Fraternally he is connected with Schuyl-
kill Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons; Bethel Commandery, No. 319,
Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta, of which he is recorder;
Grace Lodge, No. 157, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Industrial Coun-
cil, No. 437, Independent Order of Americans ; and Washington Camp, No.
86, Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Joseph Albright Walborn, son of Daniel Walborn, was born July 8,
1857, in West Brunswick township, and obtained his early education there
in the public schools. He also attended select school at Shoemakersville and
Port Clinton, and during his young manhood taught school for six years in
West Brunswick township. He then turned his attention to farming, which
he followed for a period of twenty-one years, in 1908 removing to Pinedale,
Schuylkill county, where he is engaged as a huckster. He has been a leader
in church work, and as a public official of his locality served fifteen years as
assessor of West Bnmswick township ; twenty-one years as school director,
during all of which time he was secretary of the board ; eight years as town-
ship clerk, and subsequently as member of the election board. Politically he is
a Democrat. In religion he is a devout Lutheran, and has been deacon of his
church for the last thirty years, and for forty years an official of the Sunday
school, of which he was superintendent for eight years.
Mr. \\'alborn married Sallie A. Boyer, daughter of Daniel C. and Kate
(Breisch) Boyer, and two sons have been born to them: Claude Daniel, now
living at home, taught two terms of school after graduating from the Key-
stone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa., in igob; and Guy Franklin, also
a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School (1908), has been teaching
school in District No. 7, West Brunswick township, since his graduation. Both
sons are members of the Lutheran congregation at Zion's (Red) Church, in
which they have been active workers.
CONRAD WEISER was the most prominent historical character in the
county of Berks (which originally included Schuylkill) to 1760. His great
prominence arose from his intimate connection with the Provincial government
of Pennsylvania for thirty years. He was the principal judge of Berks county
from 1752 to 1760. He was bom Nov. 2, 1696, at Afstaedt, a small village in
the county of Herrenberg, in Wurtemberg, (Germany, and there he acquired a
general education, which included the principles of the Christian religion
according to the catechism of Martin Luther. Whilst in his fourteenth year
he emigrated with his father and family (which included himself and seven
other children) to New York, landing June 17, 1710. At that time several
thousand Germans were sent to America by Queen Anne. Shortly after their
arrival they were removed to Livingston Manor by the governor of New York,
to burn tar and cultivate hemp to defray the expenses incurred by Queen
Anne in conveying them from Holland to England and from England to
America. They labored until 1713 in this employment under the direction of
commissioners ; then, finding they were existing under a form of bondage,
they ]M-otested against the treatment and thus effected their release. About one
hundred and fifty families of them, including the \\'eiser family, removed to
Schoharie, forty miles west of Albany. Whilst s{>ending the winter of 1713-14
at Schenectady, the elder Weiser was frequently visited by an Indian chief of
the Mohawk tribe, and during one of these visits the chief proposed to Conrad
GRAVE OF CONRAD WEISER
Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pa.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 159
to visit the Mohawk country and learn the language of the Mohawk tribe.
This proposition was agreed to.
Conrad Weiser was in his eighteenth year when he went to live with the
Indians. He was a strong young man, but all his strength was necessary to
endure the sufferings which he was compelled to undergo whilst living with
them. Lie had scarcely clothing sufficient to cover his body during the winter
of that trying year. Besides much suffering, he was frequently threatened
with death by the Indians during a state of intoxication. In July,'i7i4, he
returned to his father's home at Schoharie. In this time he had acquired a
considerable knowledge of the Mohawk language, and while, at home he in-
creased this knowledge by acting as interpreter between the German settlers
of that vicinity and tlie IVIohawk Indians. The settlers having been disturbed
in their possessions, Conrad Weiser's father and a number of others migrated
to Pennsylvania. They located in Tulpehocken in the spring of 1723, in the
midst of the Indians ; and there they also commenced improvement of the land
without permission of the land commissioners. The Indians complained, but
the settlers were not disturbed. Subsequently the Indians released their rights,
and about 1733 they removed beyond the Blue mountains.
In 1720 Conrad Weiser was married to a young woman of Schoharie. He
continued at that place until 1729, when with his wife and five children he
removed to the Tulpehocken settlement, locating on a tract of land near the
present borough of Wonielsdorf. Shortly after his arrival, his ability and
success as an Indian interpreter became known to the Provincial government,
and the governor employed him in negotiation with the Indians. His first serv-
ices in this capacity were performed in 1731, and from that time for nearly
thirty years he was constantly engaged in this important work. He assisted
at numerous treaties, and in the published proceedings of these treaties his name
appears prominently. His integrity was particularly recognized and publicly
complimented. He was one of the most prominent men in the French and
Indian war. His numerous letters indicate his zeal, courage and patriotism.
He served in the war as a colonel, and his services were of great value to the
government and to the people of Berks county.
The first proceedings for the erection of Berks county were instituted in
1738. In this behalf Mr. Weiser was very active, and he continued active until
the county was established, in 1752, The town of Reading was laid out by the
Penns in 1748, and in the sale of the town lots Air. Weiser acted as one of the
commissioners. He was prominently identified with the first movements in
building up the town, and in developing the business interests of the place.
The governor of the Province appointed him as the justice of the peace in
1741, and he filled this office for a number of years. When the county was
erected, in 1752, he was appointed one of the first judges. He acted as presi-
dent judge of the courts till his decease, in 1760. He lived at Reading mostly
during the latter part of his life.
Conrad Weiser died on his Heidelberg farm July 13. 1760, and his remains
were buried in a private burying-ground on the place, where they have re-
mained since. He left a widow and seven children : Five sons. Philip, Fred-
erick, Peter, Samuel, and Benjamin; and two daughters, Maria (married Rev.
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg) and Margaret (married a Finker). He was
possessed of a large estate, consisting of properties at Reading, and lands in
Heidelberg township and in the region of country beyond the Blue mountains.
In Heidelberg he owned a tract which included the privilege of a court-baron,
160 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
granted to him in 1743, the tract having originally contained 5,165 acres as
granted to John Page in 1735. and having then been erected into a manor called
the "Manor of Plumton." At Reading one of his properties was a business
stand, and it has continued to be a prominent business location from that time
till now, a period embracing over 150 years.
For upw^ard of fifty years, various unsuccessful efYorts were made in behalf
of erecting a suitable memorial to Conrad W'eiser. In 1892 and 1893, Prof.
M. L. Montgomery delivered a lecture before local teachers' institutes in
different parts of the county entitled "Life and Times of Conrad Weiser" for
the purpose of securing a memorial, and the Reading Board of Trade led the
school authorities of the county to set aside November 2, 1893, for observance
by the teachers and scholars as "Weiser Day," and to facilitate this observance
3,500 copies of the lecture were distributed gratuitously to all the schools of
the city and county. It was not until October 30, 1907, that a modest tablet
was placed in the west wall of the Stichter Hardware store on Penn Square by
the Historical Society of Berks county, which reads as follows:
PosTERiTV Will Not Forget His Services. — Washington.
In Memory of
COL. CONRAD WEISER,
PIONEER, soldier, DIPLOMAT, JUDGE. AS INTERPRETER AND
INDIAN AGENT HE NEGOTIATED EVERY TREATY
FROM 1732 LINTIL NEAR THE CLOSE OF
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
THE WEISER BUILDING WHERE HE OFTEN MET
THE INDIANS
IN CONFERENCE, WAS ERECTED BY HIM
ON THIS SITE IN 1751.
BORN IN GERMANY IN 1696, ARRIVED
IN BERKS IN 1729, DIED
IN 1760, NEAR WOMELSDORF, WHERE
HIS REMAINS ARE BURIED.
HIS UNSWERVING HONESTY SET A SHINING
EXAMPLE TO
FUTURE GENERATIONS. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY THIS
TABLET WAS ERECTED IN I9O7 BY THE
SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE COUNTY.
SAMUEL H. SHANNON, M. D., was preeminent among the popular
physicians of his day in southern Schuylkill county, and though thirty-five
years have elapsed since his death his name is still affectionately spoken
among the older residents of that section. A professional man first, last
and always, he never held any public office or attempted to control any of
the affairs of the community in which he made his home, yet his influence
wherever his duties called him was so strong that his opinions and ideas had
an appreciable effect in the wide circle of his acquaintances and friends, who
^^:^^^l.--r9^i^^^^^^:^^^j<^::^^^^^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 161
regarded him as a competent adviser in the ordinary concerns of Hfe as
much as in his capacity of physical healer.
The Doctor was a native of Montgomery county, Pa., and a member
of the family from which the town of Shannonville, in that county, derives
its name. His great-grandfather settled there upon his emigration from
Ireland, and his homestead remained in the possession of his descendants
for several generations. Robert Shannon, son of the emigrant, was one
of the live connnissioners appointed by the State authorities to tix upon a
site for the seat of justice and organize the county of Montgomery, which
was done in 1784. Their judicious selection of Norristown, and the hand-
some borough which has grown up as the result, make it apparent that the
early generations of the family were as conspicuous for intellectual qual-
ities and good sense as the later representatives. The Shannons have always
been counted among the most respected families of their section of Pennsyl-
vania.
Robert Shannon, son of Robert, and father of the late Dr. Shannon,
was born in 1785, and was a farmer and merchant in Montgomery county
throughout his active years, dying in 1S44, ^t the age of fifty-nine years.
His wife, Elizabeth (Porter), was of Revolutionary stock, a niece of Gen.
Andrew Porter, and of a family also associated with the early history of
Montgomery county. She was a most estimable woman, possessed of strong
traits of character which made a deep impression for goo"d in the family
circle and in the community, and led a life of exemplary usefulness. Her
death occurred in 1865, when she was eighty years of age. Nine children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shannon.
Samuel H. Shannon was born April 27, 1814, at Shannonville, and spent
his youth upon the homestead farm. After attending the local schools and
obtaining the best education possible in the home neighborhood, supple-
mented with a limited amount of tuition under private instructors, he
entered JelTerson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he completed the
course, graduating in 1836, with honor. The same year he located at
Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, which was his field of labor through-
out his medical career, fhe scene of a busy and successful life which ter-
minated Jan. 17, 1879. In these forty years he achieved prosperity as well
as fame. His skill, developed in the varied round of duties which fall to
the lot of the general practitioner whose patronage is scattered over a country
district, made him no more welcome than the warm sympathy, tender solici-
tude and sincere interest which he always seemed to feel for the afflicted,
and his generosity never allowed him to withhold his services because of
any inability on the part of his patients to recompense him. He loved his
work, and though it was often arduous continued in it with practically
unabated zeal almost to the close of his life. His unremitting attention to
its demands, indeed, is believed to have shortened his days. Though in his
sixty-fifth year at the time of his death, he had never seemed to realize
his age, being physically and mentally as sound as men years his junior until
a few months before his decease. But he overtaxed himself by turning out
in inclement weather to look after a critical case several miles from his
office, when he himself should have been under a doctor's care, and he never
recovered from the strain. It was typical of his unselfishness, and not
regarded as anything unusual at the time, for he treated all with the same
devotion, regardless of his own inclinations. Dr. Shannon made friends
Vol. I— 11
162 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
wherever he went by his undeviating affabihty and courtesy, and he was
no respecter of persons, esteeming those with whom he came into contact
for their real worth, and judging no one by his worldly circumstances.
Although he acquired wealth by his able management of the income from
his profession he never made the acquisition of means his object in life, and
his donations to religious and benevolent purposes, together with the private
charities of which only the recipients were aware, proclaimed broad sympathy
with all his fellows and an intimate understanding of their needs. His
hospitable mansion was always the stopping place of the non-resident min-
isters of his church. For several years Dr. Shannon was physician at the
county almshouse, resigning the position in favor of his brother. Dr. Ben-
jamin Franklin Shannon.
Dr. Shannon became the owner of several valuable farms in Schuylkill
county, besides other real estate, and for many years he was a director of
the Miners' National Bank of Pottsville. In 1856 he was offered the Demo-
cratic nomination for Congressman in his district, but declined, having no
aspirations for the publicity or power of political prefemient.
Soon after beginning practice Dr. Shannon married Esther IMannon,
who was a most devoted helpmate, and four daughters were born to this
union: Jane Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Mary Kathryn; Elizabeth
Tamzen, Mrs. Willis L. Bryant ; and Harriet Esther. Dr. Shannon is buried
in the Episcopal Churchyard in Schuylkill Haven, and a fine monument
marks his grave. Mrs. Shannon died April 19, 1888.
Willis L. Bryant, late of Schuylkill Haven, a resident of that borough
for twenty years, was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and for a number of
years engaged extensively in the lumber business in Jefferson county, this
State. In 1889 he located at Schuylkill Haven, and became well and favor-
ably known in the borough and surrounding territory during the score of
years he maintained his home there. He died at his residence in Schuylkill
Haven, Oct. 31, 1909. ]\Ir. Bry-ant married Elizabeth Tamzen Shannon,
daughter of the late Dr. Samuel H. Shannon, and she survives him, occupy-
ing the old family homestead in the borough which as in the days of her
father is noted for its open hospitality. She and Mr. Bryant always lived
there.
Benjamin Franklin Shannon, M. D., late of Schuylkill Haven, was
the youngest child of Robert and Elizabeth (Porter) Shannon, and was
born at Shannonville, Feb. 9, 1829. He attended the district schools there
until twelve years old, at which time he entered West Chester Academy, in
Chester county, Pa., following his studies at that institution for four years,
after which he took the medical course at Pennsylvania College, Phila-
delphia, graduating with the degree of M. D., April 7, 1849. Locating at
Schuylkill Haven, he was engaged in practice there to the close of his life,
becoming well beloved in the wide territory over which his work called him,
and prominent among his fellow physicians in this section. For more than
twenty years he was attending physician at the county almshouse, and he
and his brother, practicing here at the same period, made the name of
Shannon as well known and esteemed in Schuylkill county as it has been
for generations in Montgomery county. His death occurred Aug. 8, 1878.
Dr. Shannon was twice married, his first wife being Sally Reed, daughter
of Mark and Sarah Reed. She died in 1863, and he subsequently married,
Oct. 3, 1867, Mary Elizabeth Bast, daughter of Gideon and Mary Bast.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 163
BENJAMIN BANNAN, journalist and political economist, was bom in
Union township, Berks Co., Pa., April 22, 1807, and died July 29, 1S75. His
father was a fanner and teacher, occupied in agricultural pursuits during the
spring, summer and fall, and teaching in the winter. He died when his son
was but eight years old. Benjamin went to school only about two years alto-
gether during the next seven years; for at that time schools were open for
onlv three or four months a year, during the cold weather. It was at Union-
ville that he became inspired with the idea of becoming a printer and editor,
from reading the Village Record, to which the teacher subscribed. Having
acquired the utmost that was taught in the schools of that day, at the age of
fifteen he was indentured to learn the printing business in the office of the
Berks and Schuylkill Journal, of which George Getz was proprietor, remaining
there six years. During his term the same industry and honesty of purpose and
action which characterized his whole life won the regard of his preceptor, who
eventually asked him to become his partner and associate in business. Mean-
while, at the close of his apprenticeship, he had repaired to Philadelphia, where
he worked in several printing offices, finally in the establishment of Lawrence
Tohnson, the celebrated type founder, where he added the art of stereotyping
to his already thorough knowledge of printing. After a visit to Reading, where
he received the offer already noted, he thought it advisable to decline it, and
directed his steps to Pottsville. On his arrival there he found the office of the
Miners' Journal in the hands of the sheriff; and, believing that this was a fair
opportunity and a field for future operations, concluded to purchase it. Almost
all his ready funds were invested in this enterprise, and the subscription list
numbered but 250. This took place in April. 1829, and he was connected with
this one paper nearly forty- four years. On July i, 1866, he disposed of a half
interest in the establishment, and, wishing to retire from business, in January,
1873, sold the other moiety; nevertheless his attachment to the Journal was so
great that he continued writing for the paper and attending to the coal sta-
tistics, as when he was sole owner. The number of subscribers had increased
to over four thousand, and its weekly circulation was only exceeded by that
of three other political journals in the State, outside of the larger cities.
Mr. Bannan's first vote was cast for John Ouincy Adams for presi-
dent, in 1828, and he voted at every succeeding presidential election as long
as he lived, and always in opposition to the Democracy. Indeed, during his
whole life he never voted for a Democrat when there was a contest between
the political parties. He was always a firm and undeviating supporter of pro-
tection to American industry, and proposed and organized the first tariff league
in 1840, after the disastrous effects of the first compromise bill had become
apparent ; which led to the adoption of the tariff of 1842, the most beneficial
measure, in many respects, ever passed by Congress. In 1841 and also in 1861
he collected signatures to the longest petitions ever laid before the national
legislature, praying for protection to home industry. For fifteen years he
held the position of school director, and for fourteen years was president of
the board. During this period he suggested to Governor Pollock the present
admirable normal school system of the State, in all its details, which was
afterwards adopted. It is justly claimed for him that he was the first to
propose a plan for a national currency ; as far back as 1857 he first originated
it and published a series of articles on the subject. His views were commu-
nicated to several prominent bankers, who acquiesced in his suggestions and
admitted that such a currency as he proposed would be the best obtainable, but
164 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
thought his scheme could not be carried out, as the States had usurped from
the general gxjvernment the power to issue money and as the latter had so long
acquiesced in their action the States would never surrender it. He even pre-
pared circulars embodying his views and distributed them among the two
houses of Congress, but they received very little attention from any of the
members. Four years elapsed and the war of the Rebellion broke out, and
the national currency became a necessity. He communicated with and after-
wards visited Secretary Chase, recalled the circular, and compared it with the
bill Secretary Chase had prepared, and the latter was found to be in perfect
accordance with Mr. Bannan's plan of 1857, except in a few unimportant
particulars and one important feature not incorporated in the bill — the intro-
duction of an expanding limit. This was not done, as it was impossible to
foresee what the exigencies of the country might demand. The idea of hav-
ing an issue of currency in proportion to the wealth of the country and ex-
panding it on that basis seems to have been original with him. It was sub-
mitted to the late Stephen Colwell, of Philadelphia, who was also a writer on
currency, and who had collected all the works written on currency and money,
in all languages, from all countries, numbering more than seven hundred vol-
umes and pamphlets, and in none of them had he observed the expression of a
similar idea.
As a thinker and writer on important public matters Mr. Bannan belonged
to an advanced school, and earned for himself an honored and respected
name ; and wherever he was known, either at home or abroad, his opinion and
advice were solicited and made use of. As a practical man he was farseeing and
liberal, and was ever among the foremost in proposing and carrying out ideas
and projects tending to the improvement and advancement of his fellow men,
particularly of the laboring classes. As a writer on matters pertaining to the
coal trade, his experience of over twoscore years in the anthracite region fitted
him with special and peculiar qualifications. As a coal statistician he was the
foremost in the country. The trade grew up with himself, and in reality it had
almost become second nature to him ; particularly on account of the use he
made of the opportunities that fell in his way in the matter of statistics. On
coal his figures and tables are made use of in every publication in the country
and abroad. In two large works he is not only quoted, but highly complimented,
and his tabular statements given are conclusive. As a high test of the value of
the statistics he collected in the coal trade, we need only refer to the fact that
the Bureau of Statistics at Washington on several occasions honored him by
asking him to furnish them with information on this important subject. The
great work which he undertook to publish, and which he had prepared for
publication principally by Samuel H. Daddow, mining engineer, Mr. Bannan
only furnishing the statistics and outlines for the same, is entitled. "Coal. Iron
and Oil." It was the most expensive single volume issued by any publisher
during the Rebellion, reflects great credit upon him. and elicited from the
London Mining Journal the statement that no single ^■olume ever published
in England affords so much information on the subjects treated of in that
publication.
Influenced by the peculiar circumstances of the time, Mr. Bannan eventually
published a monograph on "Our National Currency and how to improve it,"
which takes the ground, as originally suggested in his first circular in 1857,
of adopting an expanding limit to its issue, keeping the paper issue uncon-
vertible into coin on demand hereafter, but allowing a proportion of it to be
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 165
received in payment of duties ; the legal tenders of the government to he re-
ceived in payment of taxes and debts due to the government ; the issue of
national banknotes to be apportioned to the several banks in proportion to their
wealth ; the fractional currency to be cancelled and a debased silver coinage
substituted which would, therefore, always remain at home ; this was done in
England nearly fifty years ago, and as a consequence England has always
retained her silver. These features may strike the average reader as being
somewhat novel and startling at first, but Mr. Bannan discussed his proposi-
tions so clearly and forcibly that by many it is believed they will be received
with more favor as they are studied and comprehended by impartial and un-
biased minds. 'Sir. Ilannan was a worker all his life; it was only when he
could no longer hold the pen that he at last suffered it to drop from his fingers.
In losing him the country lost a man whom it cannot replace, and whose merits
will always be acknowledged.
THOMAS FOSTER was ]5rominently identified with the business and
political affairs of Schuylkill county and Pottsville. He was born in Ports-
mouth, N. H., July 20, 1819, and came to Pottsville in 1830, at the age of
eleven years, making his home with his uncle, Solomon Foster, who had pre-
ceded him by several years. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Foster removed to
Philadelphia with his imcle, Solomon, and for the next two years was engaged
with him in the whip manufacturing business. At the age of seventeen
he returned to Pottsville, and was apprenticed to Haywood & Snyder, machin-
ists, builders of engines and mining machinery, but did not follow the trade, and
engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in partnership with James
Focht. After several years the firm of Focht & Foster was dissolved, and Mr.
Foster entered the retail shoe business with Frederick L. Foster, on South
Centre street, Pottsville. In 1858 Mr. Foster bought out the shoe business
of his uncle, Solomon Foster, at Centre and Market streets, Pottsville, and
engaged in that business until his death.
Politically Mr. Foster was a Democrat, and took a keen interest in politics
all his lifetime. Elected county commissioner in 1851, Mr. Foster was to a
great extent personally instrumental in the building of the present County
Jail, successfully opposing the erection of a smaller building, as contemplated
by his colleagues, having a firm belief that Schuylkill county was destined to
become one of the most populous counties in the State.
In 1862 Mr. Foster was married to Amanda M. Ruch. To this union six
sons and one daughter were born. Mrs. Foster, who was born Aug. 25, 1822,
is still living. Mr. Foster died at Pottsville, Dec. 13, 1886.
CHARLES D. KAIER, deceased, was long accounted the chief animating
spirit of business and social progress in Mahanoy City. Many undertakings
aft'ecting the public welfare inaugurated by him, or guided to successful
issue through his efforts, have become permanent institutions of the borough
and vicinity and keep alive an influence which it was his pride to exercise
always for the benefit of his fellow citizens. The ability he developed with
increased responsibilities carried him far beyond his early ambitions. With
their realization he found himself in important business relations with the
community, and he assisted in advancing its affairs in many ways. His judg-
ment was so favorably regarded that his faith in an enterprise was sufficient
to guarantee its success, and he aided many local projects as much by the con-
166 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'AXL\
fidence his personal investments engendered as by the investments themselves.
The thoroughness characteristic of his race was apparent in everything he
undertook.
Mr. Kaier was born March 6, 1839, in Baden, Germany, and there spent
his early life, coming to this country at the age of about fifteen with his par-
ents, Andrew and Crescentia (Witmer) Kaier. The family lived at Morris-
town, Pa., for a couple of years after their arrival in the United States,
Andrew Kaier finding work at his calling, that of blacksmith, and Charles be-
ginning to learn the trade of baker and confectioner, at which his early years
were spent. In 1856 they removed to St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where
the youth finished his apprenticeship in the bakery of Fred Epping and remained
until his enlistment as a Union soldier, in the spring of 1S61. He responded
promptly to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, becoming a private in
Company H, 9th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, for three months, and served
out the term, being discharged Aug. 21, 1861. The next year he married and
moved to Mahanoy City, which was the center of all of his interests from that
time on. Forming a business association with Frederick Gantert, he was so
engaged until he began the bottling of ale and porter, on his own account,
erecting a building for the purpose at No. 113 East Centre street. It was in
this venture that Mr. Kaier made his first notable success and gave evidence
of the ability which continued to carry him forward until he was the acknowl-
edged leader in the borough and all of upper Schuylkill county. His large
brewery was the outgrowth of the comparatively modest bottling establishment.
In time he took the local agency for Bergner & Engel, the great brewing
firm of Philadelphia, which he represented in Schuylkill, Columbia, Carbon
and Northumberland counties. Pa., and he developed the possibilities of the
territory so effectively that the business experienced a surprising expansion,
the agency becoming one of the best paying in the State. Meantime Mr. Kaier
was working towards his particular ambition, to start a brewer}^ of his own, and
while doing his utmost in behalf of his employers was acquiring the necessary
familiarity with the details of the business in which he hoped to find his road
to fortune. In 1883 he erected a brewery at Mahanoy City which was the
beginning of the great plant now operated by the Charles D. Kaier Company,
Limited, who are also engaged as wholesale dealers in liquor and tobacco. The
plant has had an interesting history during the thirty years and more of its
existence. The founder laid his plans well and executed them so skillfully
that by 1890 the business needed better accommodations, and the brewery was
rebuilt and enlarged to afford the facilities required to keep pace with its
growth. The equipment was brought thoroughly up-to-date. Nothing was
left undone which the increase of trade warranted, in fact preparations were
confidently made for its further extension. The mere statement that the
plant of the Kaier Company is still the leading industrial establishment of the
borough shows how well this was accomplished. Mr. Kaier conducted it alone
until Sept. i, 1892, when a partnership was formed under the name of Charles
D. Kaier Brewing Company, Limited, and he remained at the head of the
concern until his death, several years later. By that time it ranked with the
largest breweries in the State, with an annual production of over 100,000 bar-
rels, and affording employment to 150 men.
While Mr. Kaier's main interest was always in the business which bore
his name he harvested rich rewards in other fields as well, for the most part
in his home county. Looked up to as a judge and an authority on matters
f
SCI-IUYI.KTLL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 167
of prime importance in the material evolution of this region, it was his pleas-
ure to gi\e his encouragement and support to the various enterprises incidental
to the broadening of the life of the community. He was connected with sev-
eral banks, at Shenandoah, Girardville and Mahanoy City, at the time of his
death being vice president of the Union National Bank of Mahanoy City.
Originally as an accommodation for the brewery business, he founded the Broad
Mountain Ice Company, of which he was virtually the head to the end of his
days. He also controlled the Anthracite Light, Heat & Power Company, which
is still doing business at Mahanoy City. Many of the most desirable improve-
ments of the borough originated with him or counted upon his sanction for
their favorable reception. But nothing indicated more unmistakably his pub-
lic spirit than the beautiful opera house which he erected, and which "in the
completeness of its appointments and the elegance of its decoration is unsur-
passed in the State." Such was the comment made in a Mahanoy City paper
at the time of his death. It was burned a few years ago, and at the time of her
death his widow was planning to replace it with a structure even more splen-
did, for it was her pride as well as his. Much other property was accjuired by
Mr. Kaier in the course of his prosperous career, and there was never anything
questionable about its acquisition or indeed about the business methods he used
in accumulating any part of his large fortune.
Mr. Kaier's liberality was not confined to generosity in his business transac-
tions and open-handedness in connection with public enterprises. He gave
freely to church work and charities, without regard to the religion or national-
ity of the recipients, but though many of his gifts were known there were many
unknown except to the beneficiaries. His death, which occurred in Philadelphia,
May 31, 1899, was mourned in many circles in the town and surrounding ter-
ritory whose vital interests had been so close to his heart. He had been in poor
health for several years prior to his decease, and had gone abroad in the hope
of obtaining relief, but the most skillful medical aid in this country and Europe
was employed in vain. Mr. Kaier was a member of Severn Post, No. no,
G. A. R., of Mahanoy City, and of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of Philadel-
phia. He was buried in the family lot in St. Fidelis cemetery at Mahanoy
City, having been a member of the Catholic Church. Politically he was a
Democrat.
In 1862 Mr. Kaier married, at Pottsville, this county, Margaret Curry, a
native of that place, the ceremony being performed in St. Patrick's Catholic
Church. She survived him until Dec. 4, 1913, and it is a singular coincidence
that like him she did not close her life in the beautiful home at Mahanoy City,
her death taking place in New York City, where she was visiting. Mrs. Kaier
rests beside her husband in St. Fidelis cemetery. Their family life was ideal.
Companions in the truest sense, they cooperated in works of benevolence, and
after her husband's death Mrs. Kaier kept up the home at Mahanoy City and
continued to take a zealous interest in everything that concerned the welfare
of the town, where she had the loving friendship of the many who were ptDud
to be in her circle of acquaintance. A member of St. Fidelis German Catholic
Church, she gave bountifully to all its enterprises, but she did not stop there,
having the same broad sympathies which characterized her husband's life and
character. Her spirit of helpfulness will keep her memory alive among the
residents of Mahanoy City for many a day. From the time of Mr. Kaier's
death she was the head of the Charles D. Kaier Company, Limited, and nowhere
were her tact and kindliness more apparent than in her relations with her
168 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
employes, all of whom entertained the highest regard for her. Her whole-
some, intelligent mind saw opportunities for usefulness everywhere, and was
reflected in a life so well rounded and harmonious that her memory is a bene-
diction to all who knew her. Mrs. Kaier was always proud of having had the
honor of presenting the first American flag to the first company of soldiers
organized in Pottsville for service in the Civil war.
Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kaier six are still living, and she
was survived by twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The daugh-
ter Ella married John B. Leiberman and is deceased ; Josephine is the wife of
M. J. Haughney, of Mahanoy City ; Margaret became the second wife of John
B. Leiberman, whom she survives (she lives at Mahanoy City) ; Crescentia is
the wife of Charles Kirby, of Harrisburg, Pa.; Amelia is the wife of Henry
Schreyer, a merchant of Mahanoy City; Mary, who is unmarried, lives at the
old home in Mahanoy City ; Charles F., the only son, is manager of the Kaier
estate. He lives with his sister Mary at the old home in Mahanoy City, at
Sixth and Centre streets. It is one of the landmarks of the borough, having
been occupied many years by I>r. Philip Weber, one of the first physicians here.
CHARLES NAPOLEON BRUMM is the son of George Reinhardt
Brumm, of Zweibruecken or Du Pont, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, and Salome Zem-
holdt, of near Strasburg, Alsace-Lorraine, France ; both parents were of
Huguenot stock. He was bom at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., on the gth
day of June, A. D. 1838; acquired all his education in the common schools with
the exception of one year at Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa. ; served
an apprenticeship and worked for four years as a watchmaker; studied law
two years in the office of the late Howell Fisher, Esq. He left his studies
and enlisted in the Civil war, entering the service as a private under the first
call of President Lincoln for three months" men, and was elected first lieutenant
of Company I, 5th Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the expiration of his
term he reenlisted, Sept. 15, 1861, for three years; was elected first lieutenant
of Company K, 76th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Nov. 18, 1S61 ; was detailed on
the staff of General Barton, as assistant quartermaster and aide-de-camp, which
position he held under Generals Barton and Pennypacker, until the expiration
of his term of service ; resumed the study of law under the late Judge Parry.
Mr. Brumm applied for examination for admission to the bar in iSC)S. but
was not permitted to be examined, because of an order of court as follows :
"The Court having learned that the applicant has been instrumental in spread-
ing reports derogatory to the dignity of the Court, at Harrisburg, we there-
fore appoint John W. Ryon, Frank Dewees, Decatur Nice, John W Roseberry,
and Christopher Little a committee to investigate his actions, and report their
findings to Court." These reports were based on the following facts : During
the Civil war the anthracite coal fields, and especially Schuylkill county, had a
large element of disloyal citizens known as "Copperheads" and "Buckshots."
So violent did they become that the government found it necessary to draw a
number of regiments of infantry, artillery and cavalry from the front and
quarter them in this locality to prevent rioting, and to enforce the draft, among
the troops so employed being the loth New Jersey Infantry, Dana Troop
Cavalry, Durell's Battery, Hawkin's New York Battery, and several regiments
of the Invalid Corps. After these troops had been recalled, lawlessness reigned
supreme in this section, and gave rise to the organization known as the Molly
Maguires. Criminals charged with murder and other high crimes could not be
^ SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 169
convicted. The better citizens organized themselves into a society known as
the Loyal Legion, by means of which a move was started to have certain legis-
lation passed at Harrisburg, for the protection of our citizens, among' which
were: 1st, the State Police bill, known as the "Snapper jiolice bill;" 2d, the
Jury bill, requiring minority representation on the board of jury commissioners;
3d, the Criminal Law Judge bill, which created a criminal court having juris-
diction over Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin counties, with exclusive criminal
jurisdiction in this county. To aid and bring about the passage of these bills,
Benjamin Ilannan, editor of the Miners' Journal, and Charles N. Ilrumm were
selected by the Union League to go to Llarrisburg. They got the bills passed
through the Legislature, and the then governor, John N. Geary, signed the
bills. Mr. Brumm's successful efforts in the passage of these bills were the
acts complained of by the court. The committee appointed to investigate these
acts never reported tO' court ; or if it did, no action was ever taken on such
report.
In the meantime, the applicant presented his petition for examination to
Judge Pearson of Lebanon and Dauphin counties, who made the following
order: "Whereas, the applicant, Charles N. Brumm, was refused admission
to the Schuylkill county bar, for reasons unknown to the law, and contrary to
any rules of court in this Commonwealth, we therefore appoint Messrs. Funk,
Miller and Weidman, as a committee to examine said applicant for admission."
After the examination they certified him to the court for admission, whereupon
he was sworn in as a member of the Lebanon county bar. Application was
then made in the Schuylkill county court, by Hon. Owen Parry, ex-judge, for
admission on this certificate, but the court still refused to take any action,
until some time in 1871, when "the gang" was about to submit the bill known
as the Additional Law Judge bill. Brumm and his friends opposed the passage
of said bill, when Brumm's former preceptor, Howell Fisher, Esq., was notified
that if Brumm and his friends would withdraw their objections to the passage
of that bill they would admit him to the Schuylkill county bar. This being
agreed to, he was sworn in without any further examination, or report ever
having been entered.
During this time \lr. Brumm was appointed deputy revenue assessor. The
Income Law bill was then in force, and as many of the miners were earning
sufficient to require them to make a return of their incomes it was very danger-
ous to go through the outlying districts to make the assessments. Many threats
and attacks were made upon the assessor by the lawless element, but through
his determined, fearless conduct he escaped without serious injury.
Mr. Brumm was always very much interested in all public questions, and
took a leading part in politics even in his early days. He stumped the county
during the Fremont campaign in 1856, although only eighteen years of age,
and has been on the stump in the States of New York, Ohio, New Jersey,
Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. He has always been a bitter enemy
of ring rule and political bosses. In 1878 he was elected to Congress, to rep-
resent the Thirteenth district of Pennsylvania, but was counted out by 192
votes. President Harrison appointed him deputy attorney general, but he
declined to accept the appointment. He was tendered the post of minister to
Brussels by President McKinley, but declined that position also. He was
counsel for District No. 9, United Mine Workers' Association, before the
strike commission appointed by President Roosevelt in 1902, and was the
author of the basis upon which the strike was settled, viz. : that the tolls should
170 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
be eliminated from the sliding) scale, and wages regulated exclusively on the
price of coal. He was elected to the Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth,
Fiftieth, P'ifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses, and to fill the unexpired term
of Hon. George R. Patterson, deceased, in the Fifty-ninth Congress, and to
the Sixtieth Congress, serving nearly fifteen years. Mr. Brumm became so dis-
gusted with the autocratic rulings of Joseph Cannon, speaker of the House, and
the conduct of the political bosses at that time, that he refused to run for Con-
gress again, but became a candidate for judge of the Common Pleas and Quar-
ter Sessions and Equity courts of Schuylkill county, and was elected in 1908.
So bitter was the gang against him that an official elected on the same ticket
filed exceptions to his election account ; and, notwithstanding that said excep-
tions were entered and dated after the time limit for the filing of any excep-
tions, yet proceedings went on for some time, until finally they were withdrawn
upon motion of petitioner.
The Judge had not been long on the bench when the famous ballot-box stuff-
ing cases were all brought before him for trial, and petitions were filed on
affidavit of various citizens, asking the court to impound the ballot-boxes, which
was done in every instance, and resulted in the Sheriff, Capt. Clay W. Evans,
securing the boxes before the custodians knew the order had been issued. The
result was that some twenty-odd ballot-box stuffers and election officers were
convicted and punished, with the effect of putting a number of the professionals
out of business and securing fairly honest elections.
Some time after this the old opposition showed again, when "the Judge's
enemies, headed by the official who filed exceptions to his account, got a man
whom he had restrained from inciting to riot to have articles of impeach-
ment preferred against him before the Legislature at Harrisburg. After the
taking of considerable testimony the majority of the committee, consisting of
Hons. Judson W. Stone, D. Lloyd Claycomb and Donald Glenn, reported
against the impeachment, while Hons. Morris J. Speiser and A. W. Mitchell
reported in favor of it ; but when it came to a vote of the House on the minority
report there was but one vote cast in its fa^t)r, after which the majority report,
exonerating the Judge, passed unanimously."
Mr. Brumm was married to Virginia James, a daughter of William James,
one of the pioneer coal operators of Schuylkill county, and his wife. Susan
James, who is a descendant of the old Pennsylvania Schindel and Marlin fam-
ihes, and a sister of J. Harry James, ex-district attorney. They had nine chil-
dren of whom six are living: Howell Lincoln, Charles Claude, Susan Ida,
Joan Lily, George Franklin and Seth Arthur.
JOHN POTT, Sr., the founder of the city of Pottsville, Schuylkill county,
was a member of a distinguished family of English descent. A well authen-
ticated tradition has it that during the Masonic disturbance in England the
older representatives were forced to abdicate the rights of citizenship and take
refuge in Holland. The original founders of this numerous family in Amer-
ica were Wilhelm and his two sons, John \\'ilhelm and Johannas, and his
brother Dagenhart, who settled at Germantown, Pa., in 1734. One of these
sons, John Wilhelm, who died in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., in 1767,
married Mench Hoch on Dec. 28, 1755. To them were born two sons: Wil-
liam, who married late in life and removed to Franklin county, where he died
without issue ; and John.
According to the account in a recent history of Berks county, John Pott
1 OFFIct
t^ ^-
BUILT BY JOHN POTT. 1810— DESTROYED BY FIRE, 1896
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 171
(or Potts, as the name was then) had settled in Amity township, that county,
prior to 1754, in which year he paid a federal tax there of fifteen jioimds,
which is evidence of the fact that he was a large landowner. At the same time
John Potts' brother "Thomas" Potts lived in Colebrookdale township, that
county, where he paid a tax of forty-five pounds. It is traditional that these
brothers emigrated together from Breisen (Preussen), Germany, but this is
uncertain, as it is also claiSjned they are Welsh. One of the sons of the
brothers in later years settled across the Blue mountains, now Schuylkill
county, and became the founder of Pottsville, the county seat and prominent
mining town of the anthracite coal district. Pottstown, a flourishing city of
Montgomery county, near Amity township, was also founded by a member of
this family, which was prominent in Berks and surrounding counties during
the latter part of the eighteenth century.
From the beginning of their residence in Oley township, Berks county,
the Potts were engaged in the mining and manufacture of crude iron. John
Potts, Sr., learned the iron business with his father, and in 1790 purchased an
old forge near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, since known as the "Pioneer Fur-
nace," which he modernized and converted into a plant better suited to his
purjjoses. This enterprise was from time to time added to and enlarged until
it grew into one of the most important industrial institutions of Schuylkill
county. It also became the nucleus around which sprang up a village, which
in honor of the proprietor of the furnace was named Pottsville. Such was
the beginning of the present capital of Schuylkill county, whose existence is
due to the energy and courage of John Pott, Sr., who, when the county of
Schuylkill was still an unbroken wilderness, pushed out into its frontiers and
established an industry which carried with it all the concomitants of civilized
life. Mr. Pott continued in the conduct of his furnace until the time of his
death, in the year 1827, and lived to witness the partial growth of the city
which he had founded. He was not wedded exclusively to his private affairs,
but spent equally as much time in bringing about proper municipal regula-
tions and conditions in the community. He was public-spirited, possessed un-
usual energy, and was endowed with broad intelligence, together with the
somewhat rare gift of organization. To these essential qualities of a progress-
ive man in pioneer times, were also added the subtler and more humane qual-
ities which are requisite to the rounding out of the complete man. He was
kind and generous in the extreme, one whose life apparently was not for self,
but for the common interest and the common good of those he had attracted
to himself.
John Pott, Sr., was united in marriage with Maria Lesher, and to them
was born a family of nine children: John, Jr., Magdalina, Benjamin (born
June 10, 1793). James, Abraham, Mary, Catherine, William and Jacob. He
and his family were members of the Lutheran Church and gave it the support
of not only material means, but also of a consistent and constant devotion.
After the death of John Pott, Sr., his sons John (Jr.) and Benjamin succeeded
to the management of the iron business, but conducted it for a short time only,
when it was disposed of to other parties.
FRANKLIN BENJAMIN GOWEN, railroad manager and financier, was
bom in Philadelphia Feb. 9, 1836. Mr. Gowen was educated at Emmitsburg,
Md., and in the ^loravian Seminary at Lititz, Pa. In 1858 he entered the
business of mining coal near Pottsville, at what is now known as the Beech-
172 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'AXL\
wood colliery, but soon abandoned this enterprise, and took up the study of
law. Mr. Gowen was admitted to the bar in i860, rising to distinction in his
profession. In 1862 he was elected to the office of district attorney of Schuyl-
kill county, conducting the affairs of his office with a vigor hitherto unknown
in the county. On resuming the general practice of his profession, he was
retained as counsel for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company and for
the Girard Coal Trusts in connection with their large interests in the mining
region. In 1869 he was elected to the presidency of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railway Company, and filled the office until 1881, when, because of opposi-
tion to his plans for the relief of the finances of the road, he failed of reelec-
tion, but was again chosen as president in 1882.
In 1877 Mr. Gowen went to England to promote the finances of the Phila-
delphia & Reading Railroad, and presented the affairs of the railroad in all
the details in such a masterly manner as to convince the English creditors
fully. A pamphlet issued in London, containing a full report of a meeting,
states : "At a general meeting of the share and bond holders of the Philadel-
phia & Reading Railroad Company and of the Perkiomen Railroad Company,"
held at the City Terminus Hotel, Cannon street, London, June 6, 1877, at
which Mr. Gowen met the English creditors of his company and obtained,
their acquiescence in the proposition for its relief, which he went abroad to
promote, Mr. Thomas Wilde Powell, of the firm of Haseltine, Powell & Co.,
a gentleman largely interested in the Reading Railroad, was called to the
chair, and opened the meeting with a short speech, in which he introduced the
subject to be considered, and paid a high compliment to the integrity of the
management of the road and to the efficiency and ability of Mr. Gowen per-
sonally. After fully presenting his plan, and satisfactorily answering all ob-
jections presented, the meeting adopted resolutions of acquiescence, and
tendered Mr. Gowen a vote of thanks "for the able and interesting address
which he has given to this meeting."
In 1872 Mr. Gowen was elected a member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of Pennsylvania, and ranked as one of the ablest members of that body.
Mr. Gowen conceived and established the Philadelphia &• Reading Coal &
Iron Company in 1871, as the Laurel Run Improvement Company. In less
than a year the name was changed to its present form. It is now the largest
land and mining company ever organized in this country.
Mr. Gowen in 1873 conceived, organized and put into effect the movement
against the famous organization known as the "Mollie Maguires," which had
maintained a reign of terror in the coal regions for twenty years, and which
the ordinary machinery of the law had been unable to suppress. In the trials
which followed this movement, in 1876, Mr. Gowen was one of the counsel for
the Commonwealth, and was the first attorney to break down the ever ready
"alibi," the invariable refuge of the "Mollies." ^Ir. Gowen was an orator
of force and eloquence, as well as eminent as a financier and railroad man-
ager. His famous argument in the case of the State vs. Thomas Munley. in
one of the Mollie Maguire trials, was published (Pottsville. Pa., 1876). After
retiring from the presidency of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Com-
pany Mr. Gowen resumed the practice of the law, which he followed until
his death, which occurred in Washington, D. C, Dec. 14, 1889.
GEN. HENRY PLEASANTS, soldier and civil engineer, was bom in
Buenos Ayres, South America, Feb. 17, 1833. son of John Pleasants, of Phila-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ IT^
clelphia. lie arrived from South America in 1846, and entered the Philadel-
phia high school, where he graduated in 185 1. He pursued the practice/- of
railroad engineering with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1857 he
hegan to practice mining engineering at Potts ville. Pa., and continued to fol-
low that branch of the profession until he entered the army in 1861, being
mustered in on Sept. nth. He was j)ronioted from captain of Company C
to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the 4Sth Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry,
Sept. 20, 1S62. In June, 1864, he was commanding the 2d Brigade of the
2d Division, 9th Army Corps, then stationed in front of Petersburg, and there
he rendered a most efficient ser\'ice, which became memorable in the annals of
the war as the Petersburg Aline Explosion, the details of which are well known
to every reader of history. It was said by General Meade and Major Duane,
chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac, to be the first work of the kind
ever attempted. For this act he received a letter of congratulation from Gen-
eral Meade himself. On Oct. ist he was promoted to the rank of colonel and
on Dec. i8th he was mustered out, his term of service having expired; but
on March" 13, 1865, he was advanced to the rank of brevet brigadier general.
On^iis return to Pottsville he resumed the practice of his profession, and
at the organization of the Laurel Run Improvement Company, afterwards
the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, in 1871, he was made
the chief engineer of the company, which position he held till the time of his
death, in 1880, at the age of forty-seven years. General Pleasants anticipated
deep mining by twenty years, by sinking the Pottsville Shafts to a depth of
1,576 feet, from the surface to the rail of the Primrose gangway, the bottom
of the shaft. The work was begim in 1S72, and completed in 1877.
JAMES A. XOECKER has been practicing at the Schuylkill county bar
since 1897, and during that period has devoted practically all of his time to
his profession, even his public duties having been principally within the field
of legal work. The important connections he has established among his
fellow citizens are a reliable indication of his standing, which places him
among those who have brought honor and distinction to the community, where
in the earnest pursuit of his own interests he has found many opportunities
for service of great value, particularly in his home borough. He resides in
Schuylkill Haven, and maintains law offices in Pottsville.
The Noecker family is one of long residence in Pennsylvania. The first
of the line to come to America located originally in New York State, and
later moved to Pennsylvania with several othef families, settling in the Tul-
pehocken valley, in Berks county, with Conrad Weiser. They were pioneers
in that section. John Noecker, the great-grandfather of James A. Noecker,
lived in Manheim township, Berks county, in the portion later known as
South Manheim township. Schuylkill county, where he had a farm of one
hundred acres upon which he lived until his death. He had two children,
John and Elizabeth, the latter the wife of John Dewalt. The farm was divided
between the two children, each receiving fifty acres.
John Noecker, grandfather of James A. Noecker, spent all his life on the
homestead place, died there, and is buried at the Summit Church. He mar-
ried Sarah Reed, and they became the parents of the following family: Lewis
was the father of James A. Noecker : Sarah married Jared Berger, and they
removed to South Bend, Ind., where she is still living, at the age of eighty-two
years; Fiartha married a Mr. Schenck, of the State of Indiana; Emma mar-
174 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ried a Mr. Dewalt, and resides in Indiana ; Catharine, who married Hiram
Berger, Hves in Nebraska ; Mary married Wilham Reber, and resides in Schuyl-
kill Haven.
Lewis Noecker was born on the old homestead farm in South Manheim
township, which is situated two miles south of the borough of Schuylkill
Haven, and always made his home there, following farming all his life. He
died on that place Aug. 15, 191 5, and is buried in the Union cemetery at
Schuylkill Haven. His widow, Mary (Moyer), has resided in the borough
of Schuylkill Haven since his death. She is a daughter of Philip Moyer,
and member of an early family of the Tulpehocken valley in Berks county.
Ten children were born to I\Ir. and Mrs. Lewis Noecker, namely: Kate L. ;
William H.; Franklin M. ; James A.; Sallie A., wife of Frank IVIatz, of Har-
risburg. Pa. ; Charles, M. D., who is practicing his profession in Scranton,
Pa.; George A., of Pottsville, Pa.; Carrie A., wife of Harry Nissley, of
Lebanon county. Pa. ; Lewis S., who now owns the old homestead farm in
South Manheim township; and Mary, married to William Repp, of Harris-
burg.
James A. Noecker was born Sept. 20, 1868, on the old Noecker homestead
in South Manheim township, and began his education in the local public
schools, later attending at Schuylkill Haven. Then he took a course at the
Keystone State Normal School, at KiUztown, Pa., from which he was gradu-
ated in 1891, after which he was engaged in teaching until 1896, meantime
commencing to read law, under Judge Marr and George Gerber. He was
admitted to the Schuylkill county bar in September, 1897, and shortly after-
wards to practice also in the Supreme and Superior courts of the State and
in the United States District court. The next few years were occupied chiefly
in the public service. Having been elected to represent his district in the
State Legislature in 1898, he served one term in that body with credit to him-
self and his constituency, and on Jan. i, 1900, he was appointed deputy district
attorney of Schuylkill county under District Attorney M. P. McLaughlin,
giving able service in this capacity for the next three years. During that
period, in 1902, he was elected borough solicitor of Schuylkill Haven, in which
office he has been retained continuously since, a fact which speaks well for the
public spirit and integrity he has displayed in the discharge of his duties. His
private practice has shown a steady gain from the beginning, not only in vol-
ume but in the importance of the work intrusted to him, and the high char-
acter of his clients is sufficient evidence of the standards which have guided
him. Mr. Noecker organized the First National Bank of Schuylkill Haven,
for which he has been solicitor ever since its establishment, in 1899. In frater-
nal affiliation he is a Mason, holding membership in Page Lodge, No. 270, F. &
A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, and he also belongs to the Pottsville Lodge of
Elks.
Mr. Noecker married Ethyle I. Hancock, daughter of Samson Hancock,
of Carbon county. Pa., and they have one daughter, Margaret, now five years
old. Mr. and Mrs. Noecker are members of the Reformed Church at Schuyl-
kill Haven.
WILLIAM ELLIOTT was one of the oldest residents of Tower City and
for years held a high place among the most influential citizens of that borough.
Though he had been living retired from business pursuits for some years before
his recent death his interest in the progress and prosperity of the community
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\ 175
had not lessened, and his judgment was esteemed by all his old-time associates.
For a number of years he was one of the leading merchants of Tower City,
attaining substantial success in business though he started with little means, the
solid position he made for himself being entirely the result of his own exer-
tions.
Mr. Elliott was of English birth and parentage, his parents, George and
Isabella (Taylor) Elliott, having spent their entire lives in England. They
had two children. William and Isabella, the latter deceased. The father fol-
lowed mining. After his death the mother remarried, becoming the wife of
Richard Bainbridge, of Yorkshire, by whom she had four children : Ellen,
Thomas, Richard and George. The last named was a soldier in the Crimean
war.
William Elliott was born Aug. 19, 1S30, in Durham, England, and had
few advantages in his youth, having been but seven years old when he com-
menced working in the mines, at the old operation known as the Kalloe shaft.
He was variously employed about the collieries until the year 1857, when his
stepfather was killed in a mine accident and he gave up his work there. In
May, 1857, he came to this countiy, making the voyage from England to
New York City in a sailing vessel, which was five weeks on the trip. Com-
ing at once to Schuylkill county. Pa., he located at Donaldson and went to
work in the mines ■on Middle creek, later finding employment at East Franklin.
Turning to railroad work, he was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company for a number of years, meantime, in 1875, settling at
Tower City, which was ever afterwards his home. When he arrived here
there were but a few houses on the site, and less than one hundred inhabitants,
but he felt that the place had a future, and about two years after his arrival he
gave up other work and made an independent business venture, starting a gen-
eral merchandise business, which until his retirement, in 1903, was conducted
by the firm of William Elliott & Son. In 1877 he put up a substantial build-
ing for store and residence, living there until his retirement, and by close
application to his growing trade made it steadily profitable, gaining credit for
himself and holding an honorable place among the most reliable merchants of
the borough. Mr. Elliott also took a good citizen's part in the administration
of the municipal government, in which his cooperation was welcomed by his
townsmen, who elected him a member of the council for eight years, and he
was president of that body for several years. For almost half a century Mr.
Elliott was a member of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., and he was also
a Royal Arch Mason.
In 1852 Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Jemima Little, who was .
born on the Isle of Man, and died in i860. Of the children born to this union
two grew to maturity, Richard and Mary. The son, who died Oct. 14, 191 1,
lived at Tower City and was his father's business associate for many years.
The daughter is the wife of Joseph Salem, of Tower City, wdio has been for
fifty years an engineer at the East Brookside colliery. They have a family
of five children, Frank, Maggie, Joseph, Bella and Lester. In 1862 Mr.
Elliott married (second) Mary Tobias, of Donaldson, who died without issue.
On Nov. 14, 1875, he married (third) Mrs. Matilda Dietrich. No children
were bom to this marriage. When Mr. Elliott retired from active business
Mrs. Elliott purchased the residence on Grand avenue. Tower City, w'hich was
his home until his death, Jan. 16, 1916. No residents of the borough have been
held in higher estimation.
176 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
George Boyer, Mrs. Elliott's grandfather, was a native of Germany, but
was only a boy when he came to Schuylkill county. Pa., and he settled near
Orwigsburg, dying upon his farm there. He married Maria Freed, and they
had the following children: Henry, David, William, Peter, Catherine (who
lived to the age of eighty-five years) and Leah.
David Boyer, Mrs. Elliott's father, was born in Schuylkill cqunty. and
established his home at Orwigsburg, where he died. By calling he was a gun-
smith. His wife, Hannah (Beck), a native of Carbon county. Pa., also died
in Orwigsburg. Their children were: Molet, who married Henry Schuck;
Matilda, wife of William Elliott ; Lawrence, who lives in the State of Wash-
ington ; George, who died in New Jersey ; William, who lives at Easton, Pa. ;
Charles, who died when twenty-one years old ; and Annie, who married
Phoenes E. Gerber, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Elliott first married Frederick C. Jenkins, a native of Wales, who
was for some time superintendent at the Tamaqua gas works. He entered the
Union service during the Civil war, and died from the effects of a wound
recei\-ed at the battle of Cold Harbor. All her children were born to this
union : Violet Hannah, wife of Isaac AIossop, who is a manufacturer of
Wiconisco, Pa., president of the Lykens Bank, and a director of the Tower
City National Bank; Annie B., wife of Albert E. Schoener, of Orwigsburg,
Pa.; and Mary, wife of James Thompson, of Monroe county, Iowa. For her
second husband Mrs. Jenkins married John Dietrich, and lived on the site
where now is the village of Johnstown, Schuylkill county.
WILLIAM S. PUGH, of Pottsville, is achieving deserved reputation
in a busy career whose divers interests he has handled with impartial success.
He has always been considered an able man in his profession, civil and
mining engineering, but he has taken hold of everything else intrusted to
him with such evidence of being equal to its responsibilities that his asso-
ciates have come to have unlimited faith in his powers. He is a native son
of Pottsville, and the city has reason to be proud of his accomplishments,
for much of his best efifort has been given directly to her development. As
municipal engineer continuously since 1892, most of the progressive evolu-
tion of her public works of modern origin is due to his foresight, and the
economical adaptation of local facilities to local needs has been looked after
systematically under his care. Aside from his profession he is best known
as one of the most popular Masons in Schuylkill county, at present serving
as Deputy Grand Master in his district, a position he has held for six yea»"s.
Mr. Pugh was born June 27, 1871, son of John Pugh and Rosanna
Beidelman. His father was born in Manchester, England, in 1835, came to
this country in 1836, and resided in Pottsville until his death in 1902. He
served during the Civil war as a member of Company G, 48th Regiment,
and was severely wounded in the battle of Antietam. In 1866 he married
Rosanna lieidelman, who survives him, making her home in Pottsville.
\\'illiam S. Pugh was reared in Pottsville and had the public educational
advantages afforded here, graduating from high school in 1888. From
1888 to 1902 he was a student in the office of A. J. Womelsdorf, the well
known civil and mining engineer of Pottsville, meantime preparing verv
thoroughly for his chosen calling, taking a full engineering course in the
International Correspondence School of Scranton (of which he was one
of the very first students) supplemented with a variety of practical work
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 177
which has been invaluable as experience and in developing his talents. In
1892 he was elected borough engineer, and filled the position without inter-
ruption until the city government was inaugurated in 1913, when he was
chosen city engineer by the unanimous vote of the city council; during all
that time he also acted as Commissioner of Highways.
For the last twenty-one years, from 1894, Mr. Pugh has been also engaged
in independent work in his profession, in which he has acquired an extensive
practice, doing special work for many of the large corporations in the coal
region. Incidentally he has been called ujion for testimony in court in many
' important cases in his own and neighboring counties, and he is frequently
consulted as an expert engineer.
There is hardly a member of the Masonic fraternity in Schuylkill county
better known than Mr. Pugh, and in the six years of his service as District
Deputy Grand Master he has been widening his circle of acquaintances
steadily. He is a past master of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M. ; a past
high priest of Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M. ; a past eminent
commander of Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T. ; a member of Phila-
delphia Consistory, A. A. S. R., and a member of Rajah Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S., of Reading.
In 1896 Mr. Pugh married Jennie J-une Edwards, daughter of Hon. Joseph
J. Edwards, of Saint Clair, who was a member of the State Legislature from
Schuylkill county in 1882-83.
MAJ. PETER A. FILBERT, of Pine Grove, had a long and prosperous
business career at that place before his retirement some twenty years ago, and
has been enjoying a life of honorable leisure among the scenes of his early
activity. He is a man of substantial qualities and forceful personality, and
few residents of Schuylkill county are better known.
The family name of Filbert is one of the oldest in the Teutonic language,
being derived from "fiel brecht," which means very bright or illustrious. This
appellation was borne by many of the old Tetttonic chieftains, whose descend-
ants carried it into all the countries of western Europe in their early con-
quests. Formerly the name was spelled "Philbert" and "Philibert," and in
England it exists in both the forms "Philbert'' and "Filbert," while in France
and Italy it has survived as "Philibert."
St. Philibert, who founded the Abbey of Jumieges, on the north bank of
the Seine, and died in 683, had been an Abbot at the Merovingian court. He
was so greatly beloved by the peasantry that at his death they took his day,
Aug. 22d, to gather the hazel nut which ripened in that locality about that
time, and called it St. Filbert's nut. The admiral of the French fleet that
made the demonstration against Morocco several years ago belonged to the
French branch of the family. Philibert, Prince of Orange, was one of the
generals of Charles V., and fell in the Italian campaign of 1529; several counts
of the name ruled over Savoy in the twelfth century, and the descendants of
Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy became kings of Sardinia, and later kings of
Italy.
The American branch of the family traces its ancestry to the great-great-
grandfather of Mr. Filbert, (I) John Samuel Filbert, who was born in Wur-
temberg, Germany, Jan. 8, 1710, and who with his wife Susanna came to the
New World on the ship "Samuel," Hugh Percy, master, sailing from Rotter-
dam, and took the oath of allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain and the
Vol. 1—12
178 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Province of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia Aug. 30, 1737. He spelled the name
"Filbert," but Rev. John Caspar Stover, who kept the baptismal records of
the family, spelled it "Philbert." The children of John Samuel Filbert were:
John Thomas, 1737- 1784, married to Catherine Batteiger; Maria Catrina, born
1739, married to John Heinrich Ache; Anna Elizabeth, born 1741, married to
John Henry Webber, a captain in the Revolutionary war; John Phillip (1743-
1817) ; John Peter, bom 1746, who was a delegate from the ist battalion of
Berks county militia to the convention held in Lancaster July 4, 1776, to elect
three brigadier generals for the Pennsylvania and Delaware militia, and who
was elected sherifif of Berks county in 1785; and Maria Christina, born 1749,
married to Jost Ruth. As the father and three sons had the first name "John"
in common they dropped it in active life, and the only places it can be found
are on their baptismal records and tombstone.
Samuel Filbert and his wife Susanna settled immediately on coming to this
country in Bern township, Lancaster (now Berks) county, at the present site
of Bernville. Samuel Filbert and Godfried Fidler each gave an acre of ground
to the North Kill Lutheran Church at Bernville, and a log church was built
in 1743 on the part donated by Samuel Filbert. Tradition says that he paid
half of the cost of the building, which was used as a church on the Sabbath
and as a school on weekdays. In 1791 the log church was replaced by a brick
building, at which time his son Phillip acted as president of the building com-
mittee. In 1897 the present handsome brownstone edifice was erected on the
same ground. Back of the chancel in the new building is a beautiful stained
glass window dedicated to "Samuel Filbert, Founder, 1743.'' He died Sept.
25, 1786, and is buried in the center of the old churchyard.
(II) John Phillip Filbert, son of Samuel and Susanna, was born Dec. 7,
1743. He was commissioned as a captain of the 8th Company of the 6th
Battalion of Berks county militia June 14, 1777, and was recommissioned in
1780, 1783 and 1786, so that he served as an officer of the Pennsylvania militia
during the whole period of the Revolution. Capt. Phillip Filbert's battalion
was mustered into the Continental service on Dec. 13, 1777, for sixty days,
and was engaged under General Washington in the Schuylkill valley, between
Valley Forge and Germantown. He was married to Anna Maria Meyers and
had three children : Samuel, mentioned below ; John, married to Anna Maria
Leiss ; and Catherine, married to William Machimer. He died Aug. 20, 1817,
and is buried at Bernville.
(III) Samuel Filbert (about 1770-1795), eldest son of Phillip and Anna
Maria, married Sibylla, daughter of Francis Umbenhaur, a captain in the
Revolutionary war. He left two sons: Joseph, who died in 1804, and Peter.
(IV) Peter Filbert, son of Samuel and Sibylla, was born at Bernville,
Berks county, in 1794. His father died when he was about six months old,
leaving his two sons to the guardianship of their grandfathers Phillip Filbert
and Francis Umbenhaur. In 1S14 he enlisted with the troops called out for
the defense of Baltimore against the British army, and marched under Cap-
tain Smith to Springfield camp, near that city, and after the retreat of the
British was honorably discharged from the service. In 1818 he married Eliz-
abeth, daughter of John Stoudt, and the next year removed to Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county, to take charge of the Pine Grove Forge. Peter and Eliz-
abeth Filbert had the following children : Samuel P., married to Lavina
Lamm ; Edward T., married to Mary Clayton ; Peter A. ; Leah, married to Dr.
John Kitzmiller; Rebecca, married to F. W. Conrad, D. D. ; Sarah, married
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ 179
to Richard Musser; John Q. A., who married Mary Beltzhoover; and Wil-
liam H., the youngest, who also served as a private from the State of Penn-
sylvania under the first call, in the loth Regiment, and later in the 96th Regi-
ment, three-year troops.
Peter A. Filbert, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Stoudt) Filbert, was born
Nov. 20. 1833, at Pine Grove, and there received bis early education in the
public schools. Later he took a course in a commercial college at Baltimore,
Md., returning to Pine Grove, where he was engaged in merchandising and
milling throughout his business career. In 1868 he became engaged in the
milling business as a member of the firm of Filbert & Bro., and in 1869 be-
came interested in merchandising. For some time he was a member of the
firm of Miller, Filbert & Co., and after the death of D. J. Kitzner, of that
company, was associated with Mr. Miller, operating a general store until his
retirement from active business. He retired in the year 1896 from active
pursuits, with a record remarkable for success attained by the exercise of his
ability and sound judgment. During the Civil war Mr. Filbert volunteered
for the Union service under the first call, and was elected lieutenant of Com-
pany D, loth Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers, sening under Colonel
Meredith. He was mustered out in July. Reenlisting in August, he was
mustered into the service Sept. 2d as senior captain of the 96th Pennsylvania
Regiment, commanding as lieutenant colonel after the seven days' fight at
Harrison's Landing, on the James river, in Virginia, and he was in command
of the regiment during the advance on Fredericksburg. Upon the last call
he again enlisted for the third time, and was mustered in as major under Col.
James Xagle. was in command during his term, and was discharged with that
rank. He is a Mason in fraternal connection.
Mr. Filbert married Theodocia Reitzel, daughter of Jacob Reitzel, of Clear
Spring, Washington Co., Md., and they have two daughters, Corinne and
Augusta.
PETER ORWTG, son of George Gottfried and Glora Orwig, was born at
Sculp's Hill, a short distance south of the site of Orwigsburg. where his par-
ents settled in 1747. Peter married in 1773, but there is no record of the
maiden name of his wife, Hannah. Two children were born to them : Maria
Rebecca, April 17, 1774, and Johann Heinrich. Dec. 27, 1775.
Mr. Orwig served as justice of the peace for a number of years. In 1786
he owned 504 acres of land in the immediate vicinity of the present site of the
borough of Orwigsburg. On Sept. 20, 1778, he purchased from the Webb
estate the present site of ]McKeansburg. On Feb. 20, 1795, Mr. Orwig re-
ceived a patent deed for the site of Orwigsburg from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, for 309 acres, 26 perches, with allowances of six per cent for
roads. The deeds of the first lots purchased in Orwigsburg are dated April
7, 1795. Seven deeds bearing that date are recorded, from Peter Orwig, of
Brunswick Township, in the county of Berks, in the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania, Esq., and Hannah his wife.
REV. GEORGE MIXNIG was one of the pioneer Lutheran ministers
of Schuylkill. His name appears frequently also as Mennig and Muench, the
last being probably the original German form of the name. He succeeded
Rev. John Knoske, in 181 1, coming here when the county was organized, and
continued in his labors down to a time within the memory of persons now Hv-
180 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
ing. Rev. George Alinnig was born in August, 1773. He studied under the
Rev. Dr. Lochman, at Lebanon, and was licensed in 181 1, and ordained in
1816. He resided near Friedensburg, and preached in all the Lutheran
Churches in the lower end of the county, except Frieden's and West Penn.
He organized Clouser's Church near Llewellyn. Later it appears he moved
to Orwigsburg, and, it is said, was at the time the only Lutheran minister in
the county. It seems he also preached, at least occasionally, south of the Blue
mountains, as there are two different paths across the mountains, each known
as "Minnich's Path," from the circumstance of his crossing there frequently
on foot or on horseback. He labored in this field about twenty years. In
1833 he moved to Bernville, Berks county, where he served a number of
congregations. He died of apoplexy, at Bernville, April 7, 1851, aged seventy-
eight years.
W. B. ROCKWELL, of Pottsville, has for some years been associated
with the operation of two public utilities most important in the development
of the city. Since 1910 he has been manager of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rail-
ways Company and of the Eastern Pennsylvania Light, Heat & Power Com-
pany, both of which have been powerful elements in extending the reputation
and influence of the section which they serve, the former operating seventy
miles of trolley road, centering at Pottsville, and reaching to Mauch Chunk.
The Light, Heat & Power Company has interests in the towns of Pottsville,
Palo Alto, Mount Carbon, Port Carbon, MinersA'ille, Orwigsburg, New Phila-
delphia, Cumbola. Middleport, Tamaqua. Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville
and Ashland, in Schuylkill county, and Centralia borough and Conyngham
township, in Columbia county. The two companies have over four hundred
employes, and the gross yearly receipts are in excess of eight hundred thou-
sand dollars.
Since settling in Pottsville. upon assuming the duties of his present posi-
tion, Mr. Rockwell has been extremely public-spirited in furthering the in-
terests of other concerns in the city having in contemplation the material
advancement of the municipality, and his attitude has been thoroughly appre-
ciated by its citizens.
Mr. Rockwell was born Jan. 19, 1858, in New York City, son of H. B.
Rockwell, one of the pioneer citizens of Scranton, Pa., in whose upbuilding
he took a conspicuously useful part. The family has been one of the most
prominent in Lackawanna county, this State, for many years.
MONCURE ROBINSON, a civil engineer of national reputation, was
born in Richmond, Va... in 1802, and completed his education at William and
Mary College. In 1821 he was employed by Governor Pleasants, of \'irginia,
to locate an extension of the James River canal. About 1825 he visited
England to become familiar with the construction of canals, and as the
Darlington & Stockton Railroad was then in operation he s]ient considerable
time there in acquiring a knowledge of railway business, and doubtless while
there became acquainted with the great English railway engineer, George
Stephenson. Having carefully studied the nature of these improvements,
he returned to the United States, and was at once employed by the Canal Com-
missioners of Pennsylvania. At this time he made survey of the portage
road over the Allegheny mountains, and his plan was largely adopted. In
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'ANL\ 181
1833 the rennsylvania Legislature was considering- whether the Philadelphia
& Columbia railroad should continue the use of horse power or adopt locomo-
tives. This action resulted in fa\or of the latter through the requested advice
of Mr. Robinson, who stated "that it would take four days to transport
merchandise from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna river by horse power
when it could be effected in six hours by locomotive power." While under
the employ of the Commissioners he made the survey for the Danville &
Pottsville railroad, and later built the eastern part, with its many well planned
planes. About this time he also built the Little Susquehanna railroad. The
next w-ork which Mr. Robinson was called upon to do was that of the Phila-
delphia & Reading railroad, which is regarded as his great achievement.
While with this company, he was sent to England with his estimates and
plans, to be submitted before capitalists there. His efforts here were emi-
nently successful, he having secured from one individual a loan of two mil-
lions of dollars. In 1840 the Czar of Russia sent word to Mr. Robinson to
take service as head engineer over the great system of railways he was devis-
ing in his empire. This he declined, but gave him much valuable advice. Mr.
Robinson died at his home in Philadelphia in i8g2. aged ninety years.
JUDGE CYRUS L. PERSHING was born in Westmoreland county.
Pa., in 1825. When he was five years old the family residence was changed
to Johnstown, Pa., where his father died in 1S36. Thrown on his own re-
sources, by means of money earned by teaching school and clerking in the
offices of the State canal and railroad, he paid his own way at Jefferson
College, Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated. After leaving
college he entered as a student at law the office of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black,
in Somerset. Pa., when he was admitted to the bar, shortly after which he
commenced the practice of the law at his home in Cambria county. Pa. In
September, 1856, 'Sir. Pershing was nominated as the Democratic candidate
for Congress in the district of his residence. The district was Republican
by a clear majority of 2,500, and in 1854 had been carried by the Republicans
by over 5,000 majority. After an energetic canvass in the limited time be-
tween the nomination and the election in October, Mr. Pershing was defeated
by the small majority of 284. In 1858 he was again nominated and defeated.
The dissensions growing out of the Kansas slavery excitement that year
brought disaster to the Democratic ticket. State and Congressional.
Mr. Pershing represented Cambria county in the State Legislature in 1861,
1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, ser\-ing on important committees during the whole
period. At the session of 1863 he was chairman of the committee on Federal
Relations, and in 1864 was the nominee of the Democrats for speaker of
the House. In 1866 Mr. Pershing represented his district in the Union Na-
tional convention, which met in Philadelphia in August of that year. In
1868 he was placed on the Democratic electoral ticket in the presidential
contest of that year. In 1869 Mr. Pershing was nominated as the Demo-
cratic candidate for judge of the Supreme court, but was defeated by a small
majority. In 1872 he was nominated for president judge of the judicial dis-
trict composed of Schuylkill county by the conventions of the Labor Reform-
ers and Republicans : his election necessitated his removal from Johnstown
to Pottsville. In 1875 Judge Pershing was nominated for governor by the
Democratic State convention. Governor Hartranft was elected by the large
182 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAKL\
majority which his party commanded in the city of Philadelphia, but the
State, outside of that city, gave Judge Pershing a handsome majority.
Judge Pershing was reelected president judge of the Schuylkill district in
1882, and again in 1892. In the years 1876 and 1877 he presided over the
trials of the Mollie Maguire conspirators, which excited great interest through-
out the country.
Owing to ill health Judge Pershing resigned in 1898, and lived in retire-
ment until his death, which occurred June 30, 1903.
]\IARTIN M. BURKE, of Shenandoah, a lawyer of foremost place at
the Schuylkill county bar, owes his standing to many elements in his character
besides his professional ability. His concern for the common interests of the
borough and its people has kept him in close touch with his fellow citizens,
and his freely expressed sympathies with the most significant progress of the
town have caused him to be regarded as a reliable friend of all good works,
a dependable factor in their achievement and a champion of beneficial move-
ments in whatever form they appear.
Mr. Burke is of Irish origin, as his name would indicate, though it is really
a corruption of (De) Burgo and was so written in the early days when it
carried its original significance, i. e., from the fort, earth, hill, or city. The
family went into England from Xormandy with the Conqueror, and after-
wards into Ireland with Strongbow.
John Burke, grandfather of Martin M. Burke, was born in County Mayo,
Ireland, where he lived until 1866, in which year he came to America, joining
his son Edward, who preceded him to this country by about a year and a half.
Soon afterwards he located at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., thence removing
to Lost Creek, this county, a village in West Mahanoy township, where the
remainder of his life was spent. In the old country he followed farming, but
during his residence in the United States he was a mine worker.
Edward J. Burke, son of John Burke, was born in Ireland about 1840, and
there passed his youth and early manhood. He did farm work, and was also
engaged as a lighthouse-keeper. Coming to this country in the sixties, about a
year and a half before his father, he lived with the latter at Ashland and
removed with him to Lost Creek, where he has continued to reside ever since.
He took up mine work upon settling here, and was not only successful on his
own account, but has done much to improve the conditions in the mines and
among miners by his intelligent and unselfish labors in their behalf. He has
done responsible work in connection with the opening of new mines in the
county, and his skill was given substantial recognition in his appointment as one
of the first board of examiners of miners in the Fifth Anthracite district. All
efforts for the betterment of the classes whose welfare has been so close to his
heart, no matter whence they emanate, have had his indorsement and generous
support, and he has won a deserved place in the affectionate esteem of all who
know him. For seven years ]\Ir. Burke was a member of the school board of
West Mahanoy township, in that position also giving his best energies to pro-
mote the general good. He is a Democrat in politics and a Catholic in religion.
Mr. Burke married Margaret L'Velle, daughter of Martin LA'elle, the latter a
native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a prosperous farmer. Nine children
have been born to this union, five sons and four daughters, viz.: Martin M.;
Mary E., wife of Patrick J. Coyle, who is an assistant mine foreman at Shenan-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 183
doah; Catherine, wife of William J. Walsh, superintendent of the Prudential
Insurance Company's office at iMahanoy City, Pa. ; Bridget L., wife of Matthew
F. Giblon, justice of the peace, of Shenandoah, Pa. ; Rev. John F., priest of
the Catholic Church at Frankford, Philadelphia; Patrick H., attorney; Margaret
\'., at home; Edward J., merchant, of Shenandoah; and Michael L., who was
killed at Philadelphia in 1910 while playing football (he was a third year
student at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, at the time of his
death).
Martin M. Burke was born June 16, 1865, at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
where he spent his boyhood, acquiring a good education in the common schools.
Like many young men ambitious to enter professional life, he taught school
in his young manhood, following this vocation for a period of ten years, from
September, 1880. His hrst school was in West Mahanoy township. In the
fall of 1890, ha\ing given up teaching, he became a law student in the office
of his uncle, M. ]\I. L'\'elle, Esq., of Ashland, and on Sept. 6, 1892, was
admitted to the Schuylkill county bar, where he has been practicing ever since.
He is a resident of Shenandoah, but has maintained offices in both that borough
and in Pottsville, his patrons coming from a wide area. He now has a partner,
being senior member of the firm of Burke & Burke, who have established offices
in Shenandoah at the corner of Main and Centre streets. Mr. Burke's solid
qualities have gained him the confidence of the best people in all his associa-
tions, but they have been particularly valuable, of course, in holding clients,
who have had no cause for hesitation about intrusting their interests to his
care, and he has retained their respect through long years of close association.
As to public affairs, educational progress has always had his special encour-
agement. In religion he is a Catholic. He and his wife and son are members
of the Church of the Annunciation, and he holds membership in the Ameri-
can Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. Fraternally he belongs to
the local lodge of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; to the Phoenix Fire Com-
pany ; to the Pennsylvania Society of New York, and to the Elks lodge at
Shenandoah, of which he is a charter member. For several years he has been
city attorney, a position he still holds.
On Sept. 12, 1893, Mr. Burke was married, by Rev. H. F. O'Reilly, in the
old Annunciation Church at Shenandoah, to ]\Iary Ella Foley, second daughter
of James and Margaret (Tobin) Foley. Her father, a retired miner, was
during the latter years of his active life assistant mine foreman at the Indian
Ridge mine of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Mr. and
Mrs. Foley were natives of Queen's County, Ireland, and came to America
when very young, with their parents, settling at Heckscherville, Schuylkill
Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Burke have one son, Clarence L'Velle, who was born
Dec. 2, 1894; he is now a student in the Jesuit Fathers' LTniversity at Fordham,
New York.
P.VTRicK H. Burke, junior member of the law firm of Burke & Burke,
was born near Shenandoah. After receiving ordinary educational advantages
in the local township school he started work at the mines, beginning, like
most boys, as a slate picker. Having given evidence of intelligence and ability
he was later assigned to duty as colliery clerk with the Lehigh Coal Company
of Shenandoah, being so employed until he gave up the position in 1899, after
which for three vears he held a clerkship in the office of the county controller
at Pottsville. Meantime he had taken up the study of law, having registered
184 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
as a law student in 1899, and in 1903 he began to apply himself closely to pre-
paring for the profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1906, and imme-
diately joined his brother in the practice at Shenandoah, where they both
reside, though their interests are by no means limited to that borough.
Mr. Burke was married at Shenandoah Oct. 30, 1906, to Anna C. Watson,
daughter of the late Hon. AI. C. Watson, State senator and a prominent mer-
chant of Shenandoah. Her mother's maiden name was Anna Monaghan.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke: John F., Joseph W.,
Edmund and Mary Eileen. The family belong to the Roman Catholic Church
of the Annunciation at Shenandoah.
Edw.ard J. Burke, youngest surviving son of Edward J. and Margaret
(L'Velle) Burke, was born March 28, 1883, i" West Mahanoy township,
Schuylkill county, and there received a public school education. He has had
an active career, and by his success in business has shown that he possesses
substantial qualities quite as strong as the traits which have made him so
popular personally. The firm of E. J. Burke Company, of which he is senior
member and manager, has one of the best patronized establishments of the
kind in this part of Schuylkill county. The store at Nos. 113-115 North Main
street, Shenandoah, is well stocked with house furnishings of all kinds selected
with the view of giving the local trade an adequate choice of modern goods, and
customers appreciate the unusual facilities afforded for supplying their wants
as well as the obliging service rendered to every patron of the store. Mr.
Burke has proved himself worthy of the esteem in which he is held, and he
never misses an opportunity to show his interest in the town. Fie is a member
of the Phoenix Fire Company of Shenandoah, an honorary member of the
Shenandoah Fire Department, was the organizer of the Polish-American Fire
Company of the borough, and is a member of the International Association
of Fire Engineers; he also belongs to the Shenandoah lodge of the Knights
of Columbus (No. 618) and B. P. O. Elks (No. 945). As a business man
he holds membership in the National Efficiency Society of New York City
and in the National Carpet Club, New York City. Like all the rest of his
family, his religious connection is with the Church of the Annunciation in
Shenandoah.
The Burke and Alvord Memorial contains the following account of the
name and family :
The name of Burke, Bourke or Bourck. as it is variously spelled, was
originally written De Burgh, and in that form is an ancient name and of
much note in the Old World. It may be traced back to the eighth century, and
has for its head Charles, Duke dTngheim, fifth son of the Emperor Charle-
magne. In the fourth generation from him we find Baldwin de Bourg, his
great-grandson, a renowned Crusader, whose son Baldwin founded the House
of Blois in France, and was the (a) progenitor of the noble families of Burgh
and Vesey in Ireland.
Early in the fourteenth century lived and died John, Earl of Comyn, and
Baron of Tonsburgh in Normandy, a descendant of the above, "who, being
general of the king's forces, and governor of his chief towns, obtained the
surname of de Burgh," a name particularly pertinent, not only on account of
its meaning, which signifies "pertaining to a city," but also because the name
had belonged to one of the earliest progenitors of the familv. Being, there-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PE\.\SYLVANL\ 185
fore, a prominent Norman family, it is not unnatural to sujjpose that they
found their way to England when the connection between the two countries
became so intimate that the first Norman kings of England passed a great part
of their time in what was to tiiem their old home. Accordingly we find them
mentioned in early English history from time to time, verifying their descent
from the stanch old Crusader by deeds of piety and fidelity to their king.
In the reign of Henry II a branch of the De I'urghs went over into Ireland.
Prior, in his "Life of Edmund liurke," says, "The Burkes, or I'.ourkes, though
now thickly strewn over the whole of Ireland, particularly the southern part of
it, were not an aboriginal, or as their English invaders term them, a iiicrc Irish
family ; but descended from the Norman Ihirghs, or De Burghs ( of which
Burke is merely a corruption), who went thither as adventurers under Strong-
bow, in the reign of Henry II ; not as temporary marauders, whose visits might
soon be over, but to conquer an inheritance, seize upon such possessions as
their strength would permit and permanently hold what they had thus seized.
The name figures in Irish history from this time down until it is merged in
other names equally famous, and perhaps more fainiliar to modern ears. Even
then it is retained as the family name. It is frequently involved in the wars
and struggles which pervaded that riotous kingdom, and in most cases is
found on the side of law and order, when law and order was the dangerous
and unpopular side.
It was William Fitzaldelm (uncle of Hubert De Burgh, Chief Justiciary of
England during the reign of Henry III) who accompanied Strongbow into
Ireland, remained there with the little English colony, was appointed governor
of Wexford by the king, and afterwards intrusted with the management of
affairs in the kingdom. In 1177 he was appointed governor of Ireland and
about that time founded the monastery of St. Thomas, near Dublin. He
obtained a great part of the Province of Connaught ; died in England in 1204.
His son, Richard De Burgh. Lord of Connaught and Trim, had the conquests
of his father confirmed to him by King John in 1215, on condition of his doing
homage therefor and paying the yearly rent of three hundred marks. He was
made lord lieutenant of Ireland in 1227. Died on a voyage to France in 1243.
His two sons, \\'alter and William, became incorporated into the two
noble families of Ulster and Clanricarde, Walter, the elder, marrying Maud,
daughter of the Earl of Ulster, and becoming Earl of Ulster in her right upon
the death of her father. He died in 1271 and was succeeded by his son
Richard.
William, the younger brother, sened with his father in France, was in
many battles with his brother, and died in 1270. His son \^'illiam was appointed
Custos of Ireland and died in 1324. The descendants of William were gov-
ernors of Connaught for many generations, and the one who was governor
during the reign of Henry VHI was made by that king Earl of Clanricarde
and Baron of Dunkellin. He died in 1544. His son and successor, Richard,
was lord lieutenant of Ireland, a position later occupied by one of his descend-
ants, in 1650.
The Earls of Mayo are descended from a collateral branch of the De
Burghs, having, with the Earls of Clanricarde, a common ancestor in ^^'illiam,
who was Custos of Ireland in 1308.
186 SCHUYLKILL COUxNTY, PENXSYLVAi\L\
CHARLES j\L KAUF^LAX occupies an important place in the business
activities of Tower City, Schuylkill county, being at the head of several of
the most valuable enterprises of the borough. His uniformly successful
management of these various interests stamps him as a man of versatile ability,
with keen insight for conditions and remarkable breadth of judgment. He
belongs to thrifty old Pennsylvania stock of German origin, two brothers,
Jonas and Christian Kaufman, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, having come
to this country in 1680. They were among the first settlers in Lancaster
county, Pa., and their descendants located in the Lykens valley, in what is
now Schuylkill county, when the Indians were still numerous in that region.
Time and again the savages forced them to leave their settlements, but after
taking their families to Pine Grove to safety they returned and held posses-
sion of their homes.
Samuel Kaufman, the great-grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman, was
born in the Lykens valley, Schuylkill county, in what is now known as Hubley
township, where he spent all his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning
a large, fertile farm there. He died there when comparatively young, and
is buried with his wife Eveline (Klinger) at Klinger's Church in that town-
ship; she also passed away in Hubley township. 'Sir. Kaufman was a Whig
in political sentiment, and a Lutheran in religious faith. His children were:
Samuel, a civil engineer, served one term as county commissioner and repre-
sented Schuylkill county in the Pennsylvania Legislature for one session,
and he was long cashier of the First National Bank of Minersville ; Jonas
was the grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman; Jacob, deceased, was a mer-
chant in Lykens \ alley ; Emanuel followed merchandising for a time, went
West, enlisted for service in the Civil war, and had been promoted to captain
when he died, of typhoid fever; John, a farmer, is deceased; Henry is
deceased ; Elizabeth married William Alspach ; Molly was twice married,
first to a Mr. Reed and later to Jacob Becker, of Trevorton, Northumber-
land county.
Jonas Kaufman, grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman, was born in 1815
in the Lykens valley. He learned the trade of millwright, at which he was
profitably engaged for many years. For a fime he lived in Lancaster county,
and afterwards built many mills in the west end of Schuylkill county, finally
settling at Llewellyn, in Branch township, where his latter years were spent.
He had been in the mercantile business at \'alley \'iew for a time, until 1845,
when he removed to Llewellyn, at which place he was similarly engaged until
1850. Then he sold out and de^•oted all his time to contracting, employing
many men in the construction of breakers and houses. His death occurred at
Llewellyn in 1859, and he is buried in the cemetery of Clouser's Church, in
Branch township. Like his father, he was a Whig and a Lutheran. Mr.
Kaufman married Sarah Boyer, daughter of Peter Boyer. who originally lived
in Berks county. Pa., removing to Stone \'alley, Xorthumberland county,
where he died. To this union were born the following children : John,
deceased, was a merchant and postmaster at Wiconisco, Pa. ; Benjamin was a
coal operator, one of the owners of the Brookside colliery, was a member of
the State Legislature from Schuylkill county, and died at Tremont ; Elias is
the father of Charles AL Kaufman; Sarah married Frederick Fulmer; Mary J.
married Adam Miller; Esther married Lewis Beach; Catherine died unmar^
tied. ' ' i I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 187
Elias Kaufman was born May i6, 1838, at Valley View, Schuylkill county,
learned the carpenter's trade, and in time became a boss carpenter. He was
the pioneer at Tower City, where he settled in 1868, built the first breaker
at the LJrookside colliery, and later became outside superintendent of that
colliery, which was owned by Savage Brothers & Kaufman (the latter his
brother) and later by Repplier, tjordon & Co. Mr. Kaufman continued
with the latter company until its interests were purchased by the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal & Iron Company, in whose employ he remained until the
year 1885. He was one of the most competent mine men in this section, for
three years winning a cash prize for good management at his colliery. In
1885 he engaged in general merchandising at Tower City, where he opened
a large, up-to-date store, which he carried on until 1912, since when it has
been owned and conducted by his sons Frank H. and Edward H., who are
doing business under the name of Kaufman Brothers. Elias Kaufman has
always maintained a public-spirited interest in local affairs, especially the im-
provement and progress of the schools. He has been a member of the school
board, and was serving when the present fine high school building was erected
in 1894, the other members of the board at that time being: W. F. Jones,
president; B. F. Stuck, secretary; H. G. Lebo; W. L. Zerbe ; Jacob Searer.
JMr. and Mrs. Elias Kaufman are the oldest residents of Tower City. He
married Lydia Ann Haertter, who was born Sept. 25, 1839, in Jackson town-
ship, Northumberland Co., Pa., and the following children have been bom
to them: Jonas C, of Tower City; Charles M.; John N., deceased; Luther G.,
a merchant of Reinerton, this county; William J., of Floral Park, N. Y. ;
Emma D., wife of Prof. David Detler, of Annville, Pa.; Lydia Ann, wife of
Charles Boyer, of Atlanta, Ga. ; Sadie E., at home; Edward H., of the firm
of Kaufman Brothers; Franklin H., of that firm; and three who died young.
The family are Lutherans in religious belief. Mr. Kaufman is a Mason,
belonging to Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of Tremont.
Charles M. Kaufman was born July 2, 1862, at Llewellyn, Schuylkill
county, and for a few years during his early boyhood attended the public
schools. In 1872, when but ten years old, he went to work as a slate picker
at the Brookside colliery. In 1885 he took charge of a general store at Tower
City. For a number of years he has been associated with big enterprises in
his section. In 1891 he was one of the promoters of the Williams Valley
railroad, and was one of the organizers of the company, of which he was
elected president and general manager. On Jan. 22, 1902, the Tower City
National Bank was organized, the original board of directors being: C. AI.
Kaufman, president ; G. Schoffstall, vice president ; W. O. Schwalm, secre-
tary; W. E. Kahler, cashier; original directors, W. F. Knecht ; J. I. Delaney ;
F. J. Douden ; Isaac Mossop; W. O. Schwalm; I. A. Evans; A. Fortenbaugh,
and Ellsworth Schwalm. Mr. Kaufman is still president of the bank, but the
other officers have changed, Mr. Knecht being now vice president. A. D.
Lewis is the cashier, and A. C. Schreiner, teller. The present directors are :
Isaac Mossop. F. J. Douden, Ellsworth Schwalm, I. A. Evans, A. Forten-
baugh, \\\ E. Kahler, C. M. Kaufman, W. F. Knecht, John Pfeiffer. Mr.
Fortenbaugh, who is a resident of Harrisburg, Pa., is president of the Halifax
National Bank and a director of the Harrisburg Trust Company. In 1904
Mr. Kaufman assisted in the organization of the Williams Valley Bank, at
Williamstown, Pa., and was the first secretary of the board.
188 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
In 1900, ufHDn the organization of the Citizens' Water Company of Tower
City, Mr. Kaufman was made president and is still serving in that capacity,
and also as superintendent. In 1896 he established the Greenwood cemetery
in Porter township, near Tower City, one of the finest burial places in Schuyl-
kill county, which he still owns, and which is cared for in the manner typical
of everything handled by him. Mr. Kaufman owns considerable real estate,
timber and farming land, in the vicinity of Tower City. He is a member and
past master of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. AL, of Tremont, Penn-
sylvania.
EDGAR W. BECHTEL holds a foremost place among the practitioners
at the Schuylkill county bar, with which the name has been long and honorably
connected, several members of the family having distinguished themselves
for eminent ability in the law.
The Bechtels are of German descent, and have been settled in eastern
Pennsylvania since Provincial days. Mr. Bechtel's great-grandfather was a
native of Bucks county, this State. John Bechtel, the grandfather, was also
born there, near Doylestown, Oct. 6, 1798. For a number of years he made
his home in Berks county, this State, where he was well known as proprietor
of the "Half-Way House" between Reading and Kutztown, and besides con-
ducting the hotel he was a mail contractor and stage owner, transporting
passengers and the mail between Easton and Harrisburg, by way of .-Mien-
town and Reading, and from Reading to Pottsville. From Berks county he
removed to Northumberland county. Pa., where he was settled for about a
dozen years engaged in farming and hotelkeeping on what was known as
"\\'arrior Run Farm.'' The stone tavern which stood upon that property,
a few miles from Watsontown, was a popular stopping place in its day.
Thence in 1847 Mr. Bechtel removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and
in 185 1 to MiddlepKjrt, same county. He became postmaster at the latter
place and continued to hold the position during the administrations of Pierce,
Buchanan and Johnson. Politically he was an ardent Democrat and main-
tained an active interest in local. State and national campaigns. His death
took place in the latter part of December, 1872. Mr. Bechtel was twice mar-
ried, his second wife being Eliza S. Beiber, of Berks county, who was born
in 1808, daughter of John S. Beiber, a native of Maiden-creek township, Berks
county. Mrs. Bechtel died at Middleport in June, 1880. John Bechtel was
the father of the following children: James B., who died in 1873, was a resi-
dent of Reading, Pa., where he served as district attorney ; Louise became the
wife of Samuel Young, of Reading, Pa. ; Alfred B., deceased, was a travel-
ing salesman and clerk; Elmira, deceased, was the wife of George L. Medler,
of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county ; Francis W. was the father of Edgar W.
Bechtel; Hettie became the wife of David F. Ritter, a resident of Middle-
port, Schuylkill county ; O. P. was president judge of Schuylkill county for
thirty years and was succeeded by his son H. O. Bechtel, the present incum-
bent ; T. H. has been in the wholesale notions business for many years,
belonging to the firm of Jones, Bechtel, Shibely & Company.
Fr.ancis W. Bi'XHTEl, father of Edgar W. Bechtel, was born A])ril 11,
1837, in Turbut township, Northumberland Co., Pa., son of John and Eliza S.
(Beiber) Bechtel. His early education was acquired at Middlejwrt, where
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 189
lie was later clerk in the post office, and during his young manhood he was
engaged in teaching for some years, two years in Berks county, whence he
returned to Middleport. where he taught three years. Then he became prin-
cijuil of the schools at Schuylkill Haven, this county, continuing thus until
1803, in which year he became freight and ticket agent for the Mine Hill &
Schuylkill Haven Railway Company at Minersville, holding that position oite
year. Meantime he had been appointed clerk to the county commissioners,
and held that position four years. In the fall of 1862 he had registered as a
law student in the office of Franklin B. Gowen, at Pottsville, where he studied
for some time, completing his course in the office of another celebrity of that
day, Hon. John W. Ryon. On May 18. 1868, he was aflmitted to practice
in Schuylkill county, and in 1870 was admitted to the Supreme court of the
State, before which body he prosecuted many cases to a successful con-
clusion. His work took him into the courts of many counties of Pennsylvania
besides his own, and he had a highly creditable career from the time of his
admission to practice until his death, which occurred March 14. 1906. In
1870 he was elected solicitor of Schuylkill county, and filled that office for
three years, until 1874. For many years Mr. Bechtel was one of the most
prominent Democrats in the county, serving as chairman of the county com-
mittee, and was highly valued in its councils. During the Civil war his sym-
pathies were with the Union, and in 1863, when southern Pennsylvania was
invaded, he enlisted in Company B, 27th Regiment, Pennsylvania Emergency
Corps, anil he was at Wrightsville in June of that year, when the Confeder-
ates burned the bridge, .-\fter this engagement the regiment was sent to
Carlisle, thence to Chambersburg, and from there to Hagerstown, IMd., being
mustered out in the fall of 1863, after two months' service.
On Aug. 6, 1863, Mr. Bechtel was married to Alicia Wilson, daughter
of John ^\'ilson, and granddaughter of Alexander Campbell, founder of the
religious sect bearing his name. They had three children, two sons and one
daughter, namely: I\Iary A., deceased, was the wife of Philip E. Womelsorfif,
a civil and mining engineer, of Philipsburg. Centre Co., Pa. ; Elmer F., a civil
and mining engineer, now at Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pa., married Irene Scheu-
man. daughter of William Scheuman, of Pottsville ; Edgar W. completes the
family.
Edgar W. Bechtel was bom Dec. 28, 1866, at Pottsville, where he received
his early education in the public schools, graduating from the high school.
Thereafter he taught for four years, one in Pine Grove and three at Mount
Carbon, before taking up the study of law with his father. On Sept. 5,
1892, he was admitted to the Schuylkill county bar, at which he has since
been practicing, and during the early years of his independent practice he
was deputy district attorney during Mr. Ryon's term and later for one term
district attorney. He and his father had offices together in Pottsville until
the latter's decease, and Mr. Bechtel is still established in the same quar-
ters. He has shown the talents characteristic of the family in the legal pro-
fession, and the nature of his clientele indicates that his personal standing
is equal to the best in the county.
On Nov. 28, 1894, Mr. Bechtel married Myra L. Whitehouse. daughter
of David and Maria ( Shakespeare ") Whitehouse, natives of England, and
sister of W. J. ^^'hitehouse. a well known attorney of Pottsville. Mr. and
Mrs. Bechtel have had three children, born as follows : David W., Dec. 9,
1895; -Mar)' -^•' F^b. 27, 1898; and \'irginia A., Jan. 18, 1900.
190 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
GEORGE W. RYON is a representative of one of Pottsville's most
honored families. He is a son of Hon. James Ryon, late a prominent lawyer,
who served as president judge of Schuylkill county from 1862 until 1872,
and represented the county in the State Legislature. He was also extensively
interested in coal operations. In 1856 he was married to Charlotte A. W'oli,
daughter of George Wolf, Lancaster county's largest iron manufacturer at
one time, and of this union three children survived their parents, being George
W. Ryon, Airs. Florence R. Patterson (since deceased), and John P. Ryon.
Judge James Ryon was a brother of Hon. John W. Ryon, a prominent lawyer
of this county. He was a native of Tioga county, and was the son of Hon.
John and Susan (Tubbs) Ryon. His American genealogy is traceable beyond
the French and Indian war, and he is a lineal descendant of Colonel Dorrance,
who fell at Wyoming, while two other ancestors served On the American
side during the Revolutionary war, one as a staff officer under Washington.
Judge James Ryon and his brother, Hon. John W. Ryon, had their offices
together, although not partners. Both were noted land lawyers, and when
together were frequently engaged in important ejectment suits, both in the
courts of Pennsylvania and in those of the United States. Just as frequently
they were on opposite sides of a litigation, when the fight was equally interest-
ing. Both were considered very able trial lawyers in any branch of the law.
Judge Ryon died in 1900 from the result of an accident, while John W, Ryon
died in 1901.
George W. Ryon was born at Columbia, Lancaster county, on March 24,
1862. He was educated in the Pottsville high school, and was graduated at
Lafayette College in 1884, receiving the degree of bachelor of arts, and
three years later that of master of arts. He was admitted to the bar of
Schuylkill county in March, 1887, and has practiced law ever since. He early
identified himself with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, having enlisted
in 1887 as a private in H Company, 8th Regiment, and by various promotions
he became lieutenant colonel and assistant commissary general on the staff of
the commander-in-chief, Gov. Robert E. Pattison. Colonel Ryon retired
from the service at the expiration of his term. He was married, Oct. 9, 1888,
to Alary Bruner, a daughter of Dr. William and Jane (Woodworth) Bruner,
of San Francisco. Four children have been born to this union, the eldest
being James Bruner, born July 23, 1889, married to Emily Peck, of Lock
Haven ; he is now a forester of the state, being a graduate of Mt. Alto Forest
Academy. George Wolf, born June 18, 1892, a graduate of the agricultural
course of Pennsylvania State College, is now engaged in that business ; he
married Annette' Umbenhen, a daughter of Rev. J. H. L^mbenhen, of Potts-
ville. Walter Greenland was bom July 5, 1894, and John Woodworth, born
Sept. 20, iQOi. Mr. Ryon is a Democrat in politics and is a mem1)er of the
First Presbyterian Church, being a member of the board of trustees.
JOHN PERCY RYON, also a son of Hon. James Ryon, was bom at
Pottsville, Sept. 25, 1866. He attended both Lafayette College and Lehigh
University and was for several years connected with the engineer corps of
the Pennsylvania and Lehigh \"alley railroads. He later resigned, entering
the brick manufacturing business, having constructed the Auburn ^'itrified
Brick plant, now a corporation, and later the Schuylkill Pressed Brick Corn-
pany, both of which are in a flourishing condition. He has been active in
street paving contracts in the East, and is a dealer in building materials of
all kinds. In 1892 he was married to Blanche C. Silkman, of Scranton, and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 191
to this union were bom two children: John Leslie, bom Aug. 4, 1894, has been
educated at Lawrenceville Academy and Lafayette College, where he is now a
student, and is active in athletics; Helen was bom in 1908. Mr. Ryon is
identified with several clubs of town, including the Pottsville club.
FREDERICK PORTZ, Jr., belongs to a substantial German family of
Pottsville, which has several members among the prosperous business men of
the city. He started out on his own account as successor to C. F. Seltzer,
carrying on the old established harness business at No. 117 East Norwegian
street. Mr. Portz was born at Pottsville Oct. 24, 1874, son of Frederick Portz,
Sr. His grandparents lived and died in Bavaria, Germany, the grandmother
passing away in 1878, the grandfather in 1905.
Frederick Portz, Sr., was born in Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 13, 1841, and
there grew to manhood. He served in the 13th Infantry, in the war between
Prussia and the South German States. I\Ir. Portz came to America in 1867,
landing at New York City March 12th, after a voyage of nineteen days. For
fourteen years he was employed at Yuengling's Brewery, Pottsville, Pa., in
the position of foreman of the fermenting department, and in 1881 he engaged
as a liquor dealer on his own account, at No. 122 North Centre street, where
he has since been doing business. He has been a well known worker in the
Democratic party for many years, and in 1892 was elected a member of the
board of county poor directors of Schuylkill county, to fill a vacancy for one
year. In 1903 he was reelected for a full term of three years, and in the fall
of 1906 was a candidate, this time on the "Lincoln Party"' ticket, suffering its
general defeat in the county. He is a member of Humane Fire Company, and
fraternally belongs to Hayden Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F., of which he is a
past grand. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran Church. On
May 19, 1872, ]\Ir. Portz married at Pottsville Lucinda Klare. who was born
in Pottsville in 1851, and seven children have been born to this marriage:
Catherine E. married How'ard Manwiller and second Gustaf Zierle ; Frederick
is mentioned below ; Emma L. married Fred Bernett, a merchant of Pottsville ;
George A. married Martha Schwartz ; Harry K. married Hester Jones ; Edward
and ^"alentine died within the same week.
Henrj' Klare, father of Mrs. Frederick Portz, Sr., was born March 7,
181 1, in Hanover, Germany, and learned the tailor's trade in his early life.
Coming to America on a sailing vessel in 1849, he spent thirty-six days on the
water, landed at Philadelphia, and after one day's stay in that city came to
Pottsville, where he became employed at his trade. He continued to follow
it throughout his active life, and died April 2, 1899, aged eighty-eight years.
He is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. His wife, Catherine (Luther),
like himself a native of Germany, accompanied him to America, and she died
at the age of sixty-five years. They had a large family, namely: Catherine
married Thomas Miller ; Christian W. is a resident of Pottsville ; Matilda
married Fred Eberle, of Pottsville ; Lucinda married Frederick Portz, Sr. ;
Henry A. is a resident of Pottsville ; William is deceased ; Charles lives at
Pottsville; Mary is the wife of August Appelstadt, and resides at Pottsville;
George A. is deceased ; Lewis is a resident of Philadelphia. Henry Klare's
father served under Napoleon I, v\'as in the disastrous campaign of Moscow,
and never returned home.
Frederick Portz, Jr., attended public school at Pottsville, and when a youth
of sixteen became errand boy for the firm of Bright & Company, hardware
dealers, in their Pottsville store. As he grew familiar with the business he
192 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANLA
was made clerk and he was employed by the same company for the long period
of twenty-three years, during his last seven years with them having charge of
the store. He withdrew from this connection when ready to enter business,
on his own account on April 13, 1914, purchasing the stand of Charles F.
Seltzer, whohad the oldest business of its kind in the city of Pottsville. The
stock is large and complete, including light and heavy harness, foreign and
domestic saddlery, equipment of all kinds in fact, for horses, stables, carriages,
and a repair shop is also maintained. Mr. Portz also deals in trunks and bags,
and has introduced a line of sporting goods, carrying a stock which is up to
date in every particular and adequate for every demand of the local trade.
He has made a promising start in the venture.
Mr. Portz has a wide acquaintance in Schuylkill county and is well
known in fraternal bodies, being a member of Pottsville Lodge of Elks
(No. 207), the Independent Americans and Royal Arcanum, as well as of the
Humane Fire Company. Politically he is a Democrat, in religious connection
a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He married Clara Krebs, and
they have three children : Frances Krebs, Marion Louise and Clara Jane.
i
THOMAS FAMILY. Henrv Thom.\s, son of Thomas Thomas, of ISTew-
port, Monmouthshire, South Wales, was born in August, 1822. In 1852 his
father emigrated to Australia, while the son came to America, locating in
Minersville, Pa., where he followed the occupation of mining. On June 12,
1855, he married Mary Lewis, of Minersville, Pennsylvania.
Mary Lewis was born on a farm (the family homestead for many genera-
tions) known as Pen-y-fan, near Abberbeeg, Monmouthshire, South Wales, on
July 3, 1833. Pier father. Lewis Lewis, died when she was three years old.
She continued to live at the farm with her mother, Cecilia ( Madoc) Lewis,
and her several brothers and sisters until she was thirteen years old. In 1846
Mary Lewis, with her mother and eldest brother, David Lewis, emigrated to
America, landing at New York City in April. They came to Pottsville May i,
1846, and subsequently settled in Minersville, afterwards moving to Tamaqua.
Upon the death of her mother and brother David in 1852 she returned to
Minersville, where she met Henry Thomas, and married him in 1855.
On May 3, 1864, Henry Thomas moved to Mahanoy City, when it was yet
a wilderness, taking up his residence on the site of the present Thomas home
on East Centre street, where two of his sons still live.
In 1871 Mr. Thomas met with an accident at the mines operated by C. B.
Knevals & Co.. known as the Primrose colliery. The accident was so serious
that for several months his life was despaired of. Reco\-ering from the injury
and unable to work at the mines, he embarked in the tea and cofifee business,
and later opened a store, selling dry goods, notions and groceries. In 1875 he
again engaged in mining, with his son David, at Shoemaker's colliery, operated
by Fisher. Hazard & Co. Owing to poor ventilation of the mines (prevalent
in those days) he contracted miner's asthma, which was the cause of his death.
Feb. 15, 1885. His health being impaired by work at the mines, he embarked
again in business in 1878 and so continued until 1885. He was a member of
the Welsh Congregational Church and also a member of the Ivorites — a Welsh
organization — for a number of years. Politically he was a Republican in
national politics, but in local politics he was independent, voting for the man
rather than the party. He was assessor of the Fifth ward of Mahanoy City
for several years prior to his death. His wife, Mary (Lewis) Thomas, survived
him twenty-eight years, dying Feb. i, 1913.
dr?^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 193
Nine children were born to Henry and Mary (Lewis) Thomas, four of
whom grew to maturity, as follows: David Madoc Thomas (married Rebecca
Williams, of Providence, Pa.), Charles Thomas (1858-1886), Thomas Lewis
Thomas (married Augusta A. Dillman, of Mahanoy City, Pa.), Johnathan
(July 13, i8(i3-Noveniber, 1864) and Cecilia (July 13, 1863-July, 1864), John
Thomas, infant daughter ( Alarch ii-March 14, 1869), Melanchthon (Oct. 5,
1872-August, 1873), infant son (born and died same day, October, 1874).
David M. Tiiom.vs, the eldest son of Henry and Mary (Lewis) Thomas,
was born in Minersville April i, 1856. He came to Mahanoy City in May,
1864, and attended the public scliools of that town. For a number of years he
followed the occupation of mining, after which he embarked in the book busi-
ness in Mahanoy City and Scranton, Pa. From igoi until 1908 he was
employed by the International Correspondence School at Brooklyn, N. Y. At
present, he is employed at the wholesale grocery store in Mahanoy City.
Fraternally he belongs to Camp No. 124, P. O. S. of A., of Mahanoy City, and
the Citizens' Band. David M. Thomas married Rebecca Williams, of Provi-
dence, Pa., and they have had tive children: Lewis Orton Thomas, a resident
of Philadelphia ; Mabel, wife of George G. Lewis, of Mahanoy City, Pa. ;
Charles Allen Thomas, of Mahanoy City; Ronald Thomas (Nov. 19, 1893-
Feb. 15, 1894) ; Mary M. Thomas, nurse in the Bellevue Hospital, New York
City. David M. Thomas has had three grandchildren, Mary Theresa Lewis,
Dorothy Lewis and Charles Joseph Lewis (March 28, 1915-April 10, 1915).
Charles A. Thomas, the third child of David M. and Rebecca (Williams)
Thomas, was born in Mahanoy City June 17, 1890. He attended the public
schools of Scranton, Brooklyn and Mahanoy City, entered the Mercersburg
Academy, at Mercersburg, Pa., in 1906, and graduated in 1910. Since then
he has been employed as bookkeeper at the wholesale grocery store owned by
T. L. Thomas.
Ch.arles Thom.\s, the second son of Henry and Mary (Lewis) Thomas,
was born at Minersville, Oct. 8, 1858. He came with his parents to Mahanoy
City at the age of five years, and was educated in the public schools of that
borough, after which he worked for a time at the mines. He learned the trade of
painter and paper-hanger. Fraternally he was a member of General Grant
Lodge, I. O. O. F., Camp No. 124, P. O. S. of A., and the Washington Hook
and Ladder Company. Becoming ill with typhoid fever, he died Nov. 16,
1886.
Thom.\s L. Thomas, the third son of Henry and Mary (Lewis) Thomas,
was born in the Delaware (now Duncott), near Minersville, May 11, 1861. At
the age of three years he accompanied his parents to Mahanoy City, where he*
has since resided. He was educated in the public schools. From 1871 until
1876 he worked around the collieries ; the only education he received at that
time was obtained by attending the night schools for working boys. In 1877
he entered the high school, graduating in the class of 1880. In the fall of 1881
he entered the Eastman Business College, graduating in January, 1882. From
March to September, 1882, Mr. Thomas was employed by John M. Taylor
i^- Co.. wholesale dry goods merchants, of Philadelphia. In September, 1882,
he returned to Mahanoy City to enter the employ of David E. Focht as book-
keeper. On Nov. I. 1890, David E. Focht was succeeded by Daniel Stull & Co.,
the new firm being composed of Daniel Stull and D. L. Van Horn, and Mr.
Thomas remained with the firm in the same position that he filled with
Mr. Focht. On Feb. i. iQOO. at the death of Mr. Stull, a co-partnership was
Vol. 1—13
194 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
formed, the interested principals being Mr. Van Horn and Mr. Thomas, who
took over the entire business of Daniel Stull & Co., the firm name being changed
to Van Hom & Thomas. On Jan. i, 191 1, Mr. Van Horn retired from the
firm and Thomas L. Thomas became sole proprietor. He transacts a general
wholesale grocery business, supplying the retail trade throughout a large area
of surrounding territory, as well as in Mahanoy City.
Fraternally Thomas L. Thomas belongs to Camp No. 124, P. O. S. of A.,
General Grant Lodge, No. 575, I. O. O. F., Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357,
F. & A. M., Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, R. A. M., Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31,
K. T., Rajah Temple of Reading, and the A. A. S. R. of Philadelphia. He is
also a member of the board of education of Mahanoy City. Politically Mr.
Thomas is a Republican, leaning towards Progressive principles.
On Feb. 21, 1901, Thomas L. Thomas was united in marriage to
Augusta A. Dillman, daughter of the late Daniel D. Dillman. a prominent
lawyer of Schuylkill county, and his wife Isabel C. (Bowman) Dillman. Four
children have been born to them: A daughter (born and died Nov. 24, 1901),
Muriel Isabel Thomas, Harold Lewis Thomas (born Dec. 18, 1905-died Dec.
28, 1905), Vivian Mary Thomas. Both little girls are regular attendants at
the public schools.
John Thom.-\s, the sixth child of Henry and Mary (Lewis) Thomas, was
born at Mahanoy City March 11, 1866. He received his education in the public
schools of that town and has since been employed in his father's store, in
Williams' store at Gilberton, and as driver for the wholesale grocery store.
Fraternally he is a member of Camp No. 124, P. O. S. of A.
BOWMAN. The history of the Bowman family in America extends back
for nearly two centuries and covers at least seven generations. Tradition
regarded as strictly historical would add a period of several genera-
tions more in the Fatherland. The family name was originally spelled
"Bauman," meaning builder or architect, a spelling still preserved by the
German cousins across the sea and by one branch of the family in America.
The crest on the family coat of arms, in which an uprooted tree is borne
over the right shoulder, would seem to indicate some significant relation to
the family name. A German tradition relates that the early ancestors were
German Swiss who emigrated to Alsace (a province ceded in 1870 to Germany,
to which it anciently belonged), and that they finally settled in Prussia, first
at Weisbaden on the Rhine, and subsequently at Ems, on the Lahn. The
character and position in society of German Baumans have been ascertained
from the trans-atlantic relatives, who represent that they were gentlemen of
very considerable eminence ; that they were men of wealth ; that they built up
villages and founded schools ; that they had many men in their employ to whom
on occasion they issued letters which served as passports from province to
province. In short, they appear to have exercised some of the rights and
prerogatives which once belonged to the old feudal nobility, and, in fact, the
family coat of arms is said (by heraldic authority) to denote the grade of
earl. They owned a silver mine named Melbach, about fourteen miles south of
Weilburg. '
There appear to be several branches of the family in this country, although
the relationship is hard to trace. It is an interesting fact that from this original
stock there have sprung in one generation four bishops in the church, in three
different denominations, namely : the late Rev. Bishop Samuel Bowman, of the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rEXNSYLVANL\ 195
Protestant Episcopal Church, resident of Lancaster, Pa. ; the late Rev. IHshop
Thomas Bowman, D.D., LL.D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, resident
at Newark, N. J.; the late Rev. Bishop Thomas Bowman, of the Evangelical
Church, at Lebanon ; and the Rev. Bishop Thomas Bowman, of the Evangelical
Church, at Allentown, Pennsylvania.
From 1727 to 1775 immigrants poured into the American colonies, due no
doubt to the wars raging in Germany. The continual drafting of soldiers, and
the desolation caused by the armies tramping down wheat and corn fields and
pillaging, caused the justice-loving tillers of the soil to turn their longing eyes
to the English colonies on this side the Atlantic.
Hans Dieterich Bauman sailed to America in the ship "Adventurer"
Oct. 2. 1727. His son, Capt. Henry Bauman, served in the war for American
independence, and his grandson, Maj. Hans Dieter Bauman, served in the
war of 1812.
Peter Bowm.\n, the principal subject of this sketch, was the son of Maj.
Hans Dieter Bauman and Margarethe (Newhard) Bauman. The Newhardt
or Neihardt family had its origin in the village of Neihardt, in Odenwald,
( iermany. In 1 140 Conrad Neihardt was an armorer, becoming so proficient
in the art that Emperor Frederick Barbarossa elevated him to the dignity of a
patrician and gave him a coat of arms. He settled in the province of
Zweibruecken and was elected to the Senate. Flis descendants served in the
Thirty Years' war. In 1737 Michael Newhardt came to America, settling on
the frontier of Bucks county. Pa. His granddaughter, Margarethe Newhard,
united her fortunes with the Bauman family in 1796.
Peter Bowman's paternal grandmother was Catherine Dreisbach, whose
grandfather, Simon Dreisbach, came to America in 1743 in the ship "Lydia,"
from Oberendrof, in Wittgenstein, along the Danube river, in Bavaria. Simon
Dreisbach was very prominent in Colonial history in Pennsylvania.
Peter Bowman was the eighth child of Alaj. Hans Dieter Bauman. He
and his twin brother, Henry, were born July 10, 1814, in the old stone mansion
built by his father in 1813 at Bowmanstown, Pa. (the mansion is still stand-
ing). These twin boys were named for their grandfathers, Capt. Henry
Bauman and Peter Newhard, the latter also an ardent patriot and a soldier of
the Revolution. For three months every winter they attended the school which
was provided by their father for the children of the district where he lived.
The Yankee schoolmasters confused the German spelling "Bauman." and
spelled the name Bowman ever after. Peter Bowman became a builder of
railroads, collieries, street railroads and mine slopes, and later a prospector,
owning extensive coal operations in Schuylkill county. He sank the second
mine slope that was sunk in Schuylkill county, at Tamaqua, in 1848, known
as the "Dunkirk Slope," operated by the Little Schuylkill Coal & Navigation
Company. It was at this time, when engaged in the coal business at Tamaqua,
that Mr. Bowman was closed in the mines for several days and his life was
despaired of, but fortunately he was rescued in three days. In 1849 he was
engaged in coal mining at Tuscarora and in 1858 he removed to Pottsville,
having many collieries in that vicinity. In 1862 Peter Bowman came to
Mahanoy City, when it was yet a wilderness, building the Bowman's colliery
there and operating it for some years. He was also engaged in the mercantile
business at Tamaqua in 1849. ^"^1 ^t Mahanoy City in the early sixties.
Peter Bowman was the first treasurer of Carbon County, represented the
legislative district of Carbon and Lehigh in the State Legislature in 1847, and
196 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\
was reelected in 1848. He served as tax collector of Mahanoy City in 1892,
when he was seventy-eight years old — a vote of confidence for an old respected
pioneer citizen of the town. Fraternally he was a member of F. & A. M.
Lodge No. 238, of Tamaqua. He died at Mahanoy City Dec. 4, 1901, aged
eighty-seven years, four months, twenty- four days, and is buried in the family
plot in the German Protestant Cemetery at Mahanoy City.
Mr. Bowman's first wife, Polly Romig or Romich, born Oct. 3, 1820, was
the daughter of Conrad Romich, of Hanover township, Luzerne Co., Pa. Her
parents were of the Moravian faith, their ancestors coming to the Province of
Pennsylvania in the ship "Dragon" in 1732, from Ittlingen, Germany. She
was a good wife and mother, remarkable for her intelligence and ambitious
for the success of her children. She died in the prime of life, May 6, 1866.
"And to her in holier welcome was the mystical meaning given
Of the words of the Master, 'Of such is the kingdom of Heaven.' "
In February, 1869, Peter Bowman married Margaret Carl, who was a good
and faithful wife. She survived him nine months, dying Sept. 11, 1902, and is
buried in the German Protestant Cemetery at Mahanoy City. Peter Bowman
was a Lutheran in faith.
Peter Bowman and his wife Polly (Romig) had eight children, five of
whom grew to maturity. They were: Awilda (died in 1841, aged one' year),
Isabel C, Milton M., Mark D., Robert J., Mary F., Monroe J. (died in' 1846,
when six weeks old), and Lyinan (died in 1847, when three weeks old).
Isabel C. Bowman married Daniel D. Dillman, a prominent lawyer of
Schuylkill county. She was a school teacher, and is a musician and artist of
soine ability, one of her oil paintings having been on exhibition at the New
Orleans Exposition in 1885. She is a Chautauqua graduate of the class of
1900 and a member of the Daughters of the Revolution at Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs. Dillman have had three children: D. 'Walter Dillman, of
Altoona, Pa.; Robert J. Dillman, who died in 1876; and Augusta A. (Mrs. T.
L. Thomas, of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania).
D. Walter Dillman was educated in the Mahanoy City schools, having
graduated from the high school in the class of 1887. He is a member of
F. & A. M. Lodge No. 357, of Mahanoy City. He is located at Altoona, Pa.,
as a civil and mining engineer, is municipal engineer for the towns of Lilly,
Cresson, Mount Union and Gallitzin, towns in the vicinity of Altoona, and is
now constructing the hydraulic waterworks at Gallitzin. He was fonnerly
with the Lehigh 'Valley engineer corps, located at Sayre, Bufifalo, Rochester
anxl Mauch Chunk ; also with the Harbison-Walker Company, of Lock Haven.
Augusta A. Dillman is married to Thomas L. Thomas, a wholesale grocer
of Mahanoy City. She was born at Pottsville, but when three months old
came with her mother to Mahanoy City, where she was graduated from the
high school in the class of 1891. After teaching a year in her native town she
went to the West Chester State Normal School for one year, graduating with
honors in 1893. She then taught school for eight years in the grammar grades
of her native town. She is a Chautauqua graduate of the class of 1898, a
member of Liberty Bell Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, of Philadelphia,
and the first treasurer of the Suffragist Club at Mahanoy City. Mrs. Thomas
has traveled quite extensively through the United States (having been in
twenty-seven States) and Canada. Being very fond of children, she organized
a sewing class for httle girls in 1910, which is still in existence, the children
inakino- great progress with their needlework. She has two interesting little
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ]97
girls, Muriel Isabel and Vivian Mary Thomas. The family are Episcopalians.
MiLTo.N! M. BowMAX (bom 1843-clied 1903) was an active, enterprising
citizen, engaged with his father (Peter I'owman) in extensive coal operations,
at one time mayor of Alahanoy City, and later employed at the Duquesne Steel
Worlvs, at l)u(|iiesne, Pa., and the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, Braddock,
Pa. He married Emma Hoffman (died 181X7), daughter of Rev. Erancis
Hoffman, of Reading. Their one child, E. Lynn Bowman, of Cleveland. Ohio,
is railroad editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He was news editor of the
Lorain Times-Herald from 1910 to 191 5. E. Lynn Bowman married Julia
King, of Lorain, Ohio, and they have three children, Paul, \'irginia and Pris-
cilla. Milton M. Bowman is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery at Lorain, Ohio.
E. Lynn Bowman and his family are affiliated with the Congregational Church.
M.ARK D. BowM.\N (bom 1844-died 1902) was superintendent of several
coal operations, namely. Shoemaker's colliery at Mahanoy City, and Sandy
Run colliery near L'pper Lehigh ; had charge of the construction of several
collieries, and was borough engineer of Mahanoy City and Shenandoah for a
number of years. He is buried in the German Protestant Cemetery at Mahanoy
City, Pennsylvania.
Robert J. Bowm.\.\ (born 1849-died 1912) was associated with his brother
Mark D. Bowman in the engineering business, and was mayor of Mahanoy
City for a term. He is buried in the German Protestant Cemetery at Mahanoy
City.
M.\RV F. Bowman married George F. Silliman and resides at Altoona.
Her son Walter A. Silliman is a civil and mining engineer, and her daughter
Margaret, and one granddaughter, Dorothea Silliman, constitute the family.
They are Episcopalians.
David Bowman was the sixth child of Hans Dieter Bauman and Margarethe
(Newhard) Bauman. He was born May 18, 1808, in Towamensing Town-
ship, Northampton (now Carbon) Co., Pa., and early attended the district
schools provided by his father for the children of the district. He married
Susan Lentz, daughter of John Lentz, of Mauch Chunk. He was engaged in
hotelkeeping and the mercantile business at Parryville, Pa., and was also
interested in the foundry at that place. In 1863 David Bowman came to
Mahanoy City and entered the coal business with his brothers Jonas and Peter
Bowman. Later he and his sons Oliver and John operated the Bowman's
colliery. He was also engaged in the mercantile business at Mahanoy City at
one time. David Bowman had seven children : Oliver Otis Bowman, Harriet
(wife of James Jarard, of Mauch Chunk). John L. Bowman, Mary J. (wife of
Dr. Phaon Hermany), Alexander Bowman, David A. Bowman, and Sallie
(wife of Harry A. Swalm). David Bowman died Dec. 17, 1895; his wife
Susan (Lentz) Bowman died April 27, 1898, and they are buried at Lehighton.
They were Lutheran in religious faith.
Oliver O. Bowman is engaged in the pottery business and the manufacture
of porcelain ware at Trenton, N. J. He is a member of the Methodist Church,
and a prominent citizen. He has two sons, William and Robert, and six grand-
children, Oliver Otis Bowman, Jr., Robert Bowman, Elizabeth, Helen, Ethel
and Eleanor.
Harriet Bowman, born Oct. 10, 1840, married James Jarard, and was
proprietor of the "American House" at Mauch Chunk for many years. She
198 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
died May 8, 1905. Her only child, Oliver O. Jarard, married Mary Brown
and has one son, D. Bowman Jarard (born Aug. 20, 1888).
John L. Bowman was engaged in the photography business until 1872 at
Mahanoy City. Then he was with his father in the coal business in different
sections of Schuylkill county, finally locating at Aspen, Colo. He married
JuHa May, of Mahanoy City, who died in 1882. His children are: Hattie
Bowman, of Philadelphia ; Charles and John Bowman, of Aspen, Colorado.
Mary J. Bowman married Dr. Phaon Hermany, a prominent physician of
Mahanoy City, and has had four children : Dr. Horace D. Hermany, Robert
K. Hermany (died in 1872), Susan L. B. Hermany (Mrs. William Dyatt)
and Sallie B. K. Hermany. Dr. Horace D. Hermany is a graduate of Jefferson
Medical College. He is a member of F. «& A. M. Lodge No. 357, of Mahanoy
City, and Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, and is affiliated with the
Methodist Church. He married Mary D. Mathias, the first president of the
Suffragist Club of Mahanoy City. Susan Hermany married William Dyatt
and has had two children, P. Hermany Dyatt and Margaret Dyatt (died in
1912).
Alexander Bowman has been married thrice, first to Lizzie Barlow,
daughter of William Barlow, of Mahanoy City, who died in 1876. His second
wife was Mary Radenbush, who died in 1890, the third Lizzie Marshall. He
has had three children: Lizzie Barlow Bowman (died in 1879), Sophia Bow-
man and Alexander Bowman (died in 1884).
D.wiD A. BowM.\N was at one time a photographer at Mahanoy City, but
is now engaged in the manufacturing business at Philadelphia. He married
Isabel Henderson, of Port Carbon (died in 1904), and has three children.
Pansy and twin boys, D. Jarard Bowman and W. Henderson Bowman.
Sallie Bowman married Harry A. Swalm and resided for some years at
Shenandoah and later in Philadelphia. At present they live in Mahanoy City.
She has had two children: Estella (died in 1907) and Phaon H. Swalm, the
latter a resident of Trenton, N. J. He married Muriel Townsend, of that city,
on March 1 1, 1914.
Jonas Bowman, the fifth child of Maj. Hans Dieter Bauman and Mar-
garethe (Newhard) Bauman, was born in 1805. He was engaged in the coal
business with his brothers Peter and David Bowman at Mahanoy City for some
years, and then went into the millinery business. He died in 1876. On Nov. 4,
1844, lie married Catherine Koons, and they had thirteen children: Ellen
Bowman, a gifted musician (1846-1873) ; Lewis Wilson Bowman (1847-1848) ;
Sallie Bowman (1849-1879); Alice Bowman (1851-1898), who married
James Roscholar ; Emma Bowman, who married John Botz, of Wilkes-Barre ;
Lizzie Bowman (1855-1874), who married Thomas Jackson; Jennie Bowman,
who married Hiram Blodgett, of Delano; John Bowman; Frank and Jonas
liowman, twins (born in 1861, in which year Jonas died) ; Howard Bowman;
and twin daughters, Lillie ( 1 867- 1 873) and Laura Bowman (who married
Dr. 1-:. J. Stou'dt, of Philadelphia).
The grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Jonas Bowman are : Garrett
Bowman (1871-1892) ; Bessie Botz ( 1884-1886) and Maude Botz (married to
Walter Jones, of Philadelphia, and has one child), daughters of Emma Bow-
man Botz; Lillie M. Blodgett (married Dr. John H. P.owman, of Berwick, and
has tiiree children, Catherine, Dorothy and Jack Bowman), daughter of Jennie
Bowman Blodgett; Katherine Bowman, daughter of Frank Bowman, of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 19D
Quakake; Lillie Bowman, daughter of John H. Bowman and hving in Phila-
delphia; and Hilliary Bowman, daughter of Howard E. Bowman, of New
Haven, Connecticut.
WALTER E. i\IECK has various important connections in Schuylkill
Haven, where he began business the year of his arrival as a manufacturer, the
line in which he is probably best known. He has followed up the advantages
at hand so ably for the widening of his interests and the building up of the
industry which has received most of his attention, that he is given standing
among the men who are looked to to maintain the activities of the borough
which are of such vital importance to a large proportion of its residents.
The ]\Iecks are of German origin. Jacob Meek, the great-great-grand-
father, was a farmer in Oley township, Berks county, and Dewald Meek, the
great-grandfather, was a farmer in Longswamp township, that county. The
latter entered the United States service during the war of 1812, and gave up
his life during that conflict.
Benjamin Meek was born July 28, 1804, in Longswamp township, Berks
coimty. When he was eight years old he lost his father in the war of 1812,
and from that time was hired out among strangers until he was grown to
manhood. In 1825 he was married to Elizabeth Ruth (daughter of Jacdb
Ruth), who was born Feb. 6, 1808. in Spring township, Berks county. This
couple resided in Spring and Lower Heidelberg townships until 1843, during
which time he followed the trade of shoemaker, but having a longing for the
fields he bought a farm of 175 acres in Bethel township, where he resided until
his death, Jan. 19, 1889. His wife Elizabeth preceded him to the grave, dying
June 15, 1885. He left an estate of $36,000 to his heirs. To Mr. and Mrs.
Meek were born fourteen children, eleven of whom survived childhood :
Richard and Reuben, the eldest two, died when quite young; Charles, born
June 16, 1831, followed the store business for thirty years in Schuylkill Haven,
and then engaged in the lumber business until his death, in the fall of 1901 ;
Catharine married Jonathan Himmelberger, a miller and farmer of Hanover,
and died in 1893 '< Daniel followed farming on the homestead until his death,
in 1874 ; Rebecca married Edward Haas, a school teacher and farmer, who
died Eeb. 21, 1900, and she now resides at Hamlin, Pa.; Elizabeth married
Joel Strauss, a farmer, and died in 1874; Sophia passed away in childhood;
Mary married William Werner, a farmer, and died in 1873 ; Benjamin engaged
first in farming, later went into the store business at Mount Joy, and then
removed to Muncy, Lycoming county, where he resided for thirty years, in
1904 buying the old homestead, where he died in 1907; Jonathan met his
death accidentally, being struck on the head by a piece of flying stone at the
Miller stone quarry at Annville, in 1902 ; Franklin clerked in stores at Lebanon
and Schuylkill Haven until reaching his majority, when failing health caused
him to go to Colorado, and there he died April 30, 1872; James, who was in
the insurance business at Harrisburg, died Aug. 30, 1910; Jacob R. was born
May 4, 1859, in Bethel township.
Jacob R. Meek received his early education in a country school and during
1875-76 attended Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. His help being needed
at home, he was called from school and assisted his father on the farm until
1879, when he took up the store business for his life work, and has followed
that line ever since, at the same place. In the fall of 1879, D. M. Key appointed
Mr. Meek postmaster at Meckville, which was named in his honor, and in
200 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
1884 he began the manufacture of cigars, which he continued until 1907,
when other matters demanded so much of his time that he was obhged to
abandon it. In the spring of 1891. seeing that his store room was entirely too
small to enable him to render efficient service to his patrons, he built a three-
story mansard building, 50 by 50 feet, on the opposite side of the street, which
he occupied in the fall of that year. In the summer of 1902 he built a creamery
and shirt factory, and in 1905 he bought the establishment of the Eagle Can-
ning Company, at Fredericksburg, where he established a creamery and feed
store in igo6. Mr. Meek is a very busy man and has been ever since his start
in 1879, his business increasing every year, through his own efforts. Though
he has been well occupied, ]\Ir. Meek has found time to attend the exhibitions
of his government and of other countries. In 1876 he visited the Centennial
at Philadelphia, in 1893 attended the World's Columbian Exposition at Chi-
cago, in 1901 the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, and in 1907 the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis. In politics Mr. Meek is a Demo-
crat, and since his twenty-first year has been a stanch supporter of his party.
In religious belief he adheres to the Reformed faith, and has been a member
of St. Paul's Church, Hamlin, since his thirteenth year, being secretary of the
church since 1880. Fraternally he is connected with Washington Camp No. 214,
P. O. S. of A., which he joined Feb. 11, 1887.
On Oct. 27, 1877, ]\Ir. Aleck was married to Hettie Esther Becker, daughter
of Samuel Becker, and to this union there were born seven children :
(i) Walter F. is mentioned below. (2) Cora, born in 1880, learned dress-
making at Lebanon. She is married to Calvin A. Kline, who since i8qc} has
clerked in his father-in-law's store. (3) Gertrude, born in 1882, married Galam
Peiffer, and lives at home. (4) Howard, born in 1883. graduated from the
Keystone State Normal School in the class of 1902, taught schdol for three
years, graduated with honors from the bookkeeping department of the Eastman
business college, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1906, and from the dairy department
of the State college in 1907, and now manages his father's creamery. In the
spring of 1906 he married Annie Bensing. (5) Mary, born in 1885, married
Harry Boltz, who is engaged in the bakery business at Lebanon. (6) Allan S.,
born in 1886, graduated in 1902 from public school with first honors, in 1905
from the Keystone State Normal School with honors, and in the fall of that
year entered the sophomore class of Franklin and Marshall College, from which
he was graduated in the spring of 1908 with honors. During the summer of
1908 he was a student in the divinity department of Chicago University, was
graduated from the Eastern Theological Seminary in May, 191 1, and is now
pastor of Bethany Reformed Church, Ephrata, Pa. (7) Mabel, born in 1891,
is assisting her parents at home and at the same time taking a course in
music.
Walter F. Meek was born April 15, 1878, at Meckville. Berks county, and
after attending the local public school and public schools at Schuylkill Haven,
Pa., was a student at the Millersville State Normal School, in 1895-96. From
that time until his removal to Schuylkill Haven, in 1900, he assisted his father
in the store. That year, in company with D. D. Coldren and Milton Meek, he
engaged in the manufacture of underwear as a member of the firm of Meek &
Coldren, being thus associated until 1902. In that year he admitted Harry
A. Reber, who purchased Mr. Coldren's interest, and the firm has since been
operated under the name of ]\Ieck & Company, Milton Meek retaining an
interest therein until 191 1, when his share was bought by ^Messrs. ]\Ieck and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, TEXXSYLVANLA. 201
Reber, who have continued to carry on the factory to the present time. They
do a large business in the manufacture of knit underwear, their plant, which
is 48 by 90 feet in dimensions, being modern in arrangement and equipment,
fifty people being regularly employed. Air. Meek has become interested in
other local enterprises, was one of the organizers of the Schuylkill Haven
Trust Comptmy, and a member of its original board of directors, and is also
a director of the Textile Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Schuylkill Haven.
He is a young man of conspicuous ability.
On Nov. II, 1903, Mr. Aleck married Urie Klahr, daughter of Jacob and
Amelia (Zurbe) Ivlahr, of Schuylkill Haven, and they are the parents of three
children: Charles Jacob, Mildred E. and Dorothy Amelia. Mr. Meek is a
prominent member of the Reformed Church, in which he holds the office of
deacon at present, and is also a teacher in the Sunday school.
PAXCOAST T. HOY, president and treasurer of P. T. Hoy & Sons
Company, leading general merchants of Schuylkill Haven, is a typical member
of a substantial family which has been settled in Schuylkill county from the
early days. Irwin Hoy, his great-grandfather, was a pioneer resident of
Orwigsburg, where he died in about the year 1840. He was a native of Berks
county, but spent most of his life in Schuylkill county, obtaining a large tract
of land in the vicinity of Orwigsburg, comprising several hundred acres, and
with his sons another tract, of about 1,600 acres, where the city of Shenandoah
is now located.
Henry Hoy, grandfather of Pancoast T. Hoy, was born Feb. 10, 1798, at
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, and passed all his life at that place and in
X^orth Manheim township. He died at Orwigsburg April 14, 1859, and is
buried there. By occupation he was a farmer, inheriting a tract of land from
his father. He took some interest in the administration of public affairs,
serving as poor director. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of
the Evangelical Church, to which he belonged for many years. Henry Hoy
was married five times, his first and second wives being sisters named Ley-
meister. His third wife was Elizabeth Wiltrout, his fourth Elizabeth Dubbs,
his fifth a Karchner. There was one child by the first union, and eight by the
third, namely : Susanna married Charles Rickert ; Kate married John Swalm ;
Elizabeth married AL D. Kline ; Alary married Henry Drine ; Sarah married
George Body ; Reuben married Elizabeth Hammer ; Thomas is mentioned
below; Harry married Elizabeth Albright.
Thomas Hoy, son of Henry, was born Feb. 5, 1833, in North Alanheim
township. He received his education at Orwigsburg, attending the common
schools, and later for three months the Arcadian school, and was brought up
to farming, in which industry he had interests all his life. A man of energetic
disposition and executive ability, he was not afraid to tmdertake any ordinary
business enterprise, and his capability was prominent in the success of every-
thing he handled. He owned the Fairview farm at Orwigsburg, which consisted
of about 117 acres, and was one of the finest improved farm properties in this
part of Schuylkill county, and in addition to general farming he carried on stock
raising, dairying and butchering there for a time. He had the distinction of
starting the first industrial enterprise at Orwigsburg, he and his partner
establishing the first shoe factory there in 1873. conducted under the name of
the Orwigsburg Shoe Alanufacturing Company. Air. Hoy and his associate
traveled over the East and visited a number of shoe factories in order to gain
202 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
some knowledge of the business before starting up their own plant. The first
move they made was to lease the old courthouse building at Orwigsburg for
ninety-nine years, at one dollar a year. The concern was organized as a stock
company, although this was against Mr. Hoy's wishes. He became general
superintendent and treasurer, and it had a prosperous career under his able
management. Eventually he sold his stock in this concern, and he was subse-
quently engaged in the butchering business and the manufacture of phosphate
for some time. He was also one of the moving spirits in securing the w-ater-
works for the borough, although the idea met with great opposition at hrst.
However, as the project was seen to be feasible, it met with more favor, and
he was commended for his activity. Mr. Hoy acquired large property hold-
ings. He had valuable timber and mineral lands in Lycoming county. Pa.,
and considerable property in Florida, five hundred acres, which included a
valuable fruit farm and lots in various towns of the State; with Martin
Sheafer and David Brown he was the joint owner of real estate in \'irginia
containing granite quarries, and his real estate at Orwigsburg included the
"Central Hotel" property. He organized the South Schuylkill Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, and was its president for a number of years. Mr. Hoy's
versatile ability gained him such confidence among his fellow citizens that
he was chosen to the highest office in their gift, that of chief burgess, which
he held for two terms. During his incumbency of this position he secured a
new charter for the borough, under which a number of desirable ordinances
were passed and made effective, and much good was accomplished in the
repairing of streets and sidewalks and the placing of street crossings. He had
also served as president of the town council, and as member of the school
board for a number of years. Politically he was associated with the Repub-
lican party, and was one of its most enthusiastic workers in his section. He
was an Odd Fellow in social connection, belonging to Grace Lodge, No. 157,
I. O. O. F. Mr. Hoy was indeed one of the most influential citizens of his day
of Orwigsburg, and his death, which occurred in 1899, was considered a loss
to the entire community. He is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Orwigs-
burg.
On Sept. 3, 1854, Mr. Hoy married Sarah Faust, daughter of Daniel and
Elizabeth (Fegley) Faust, of West Brunswick township. Schuylkill county,
and she survives him, being now (1914) in her eightieth year. She resides
at Orwigsburg with her daughter I\Irs. Deibert. Si.xteen children were born
to this union, namely: Rosie married Frank W. Reed; Pancoast T. is men-
tioned below : George W. is a resident of Waterloo, Iowa ; Annie M. married
William A. Drayer, of Cleveland, Ohio; Sarah married J. H. Walborn, and
is deceased ; Thomas F. died at Crystal River, Fla. ; Theodore is living at
Schuylkill Haven; Elizabeth is the wife of Samuel D. Deibert, a merchant of
Orwigsburg, Pa.; Celia married William Marberger and (second) Harry
Berger, and is living at Philadelphia, Pa. ; Mary married Dr. C. R. Miller, and
is living at Harrisburg, Pa. ; Albert died in infancy ; Katie married Lewis R.
Shartle. and is living at Reading, Pa. ; Morris is living at GofT, Idaho ; Carrie
married William Maxworthy, of AUentown, Pa. ; Ida died in infancy ; Edith
died in infancy.
Pancoast T. Hoy was born at Orwigsburg July 27, 1855, and received his
education there in the public schools. He was reared on the homestead place,
remaining with his parents until 1875, when he became clerk for the late
W. D. Kline, who had a general store at Schuylkill Haven. In his employ he
1
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL'\ 203
learned the details of the business, and eventually took it over on his own
account, buying the Kline heirs out in 1894. His establishment is at No. 2
East Main street, corner of St. John street, and in March, 1913, he purchased
the adjoining property on Main street, 23-}i feet frontage, which will be used
to accommodate the expanding business. This store has had a continuous
existence of nearly forty years at Schuylkill Haven, and is housed in one of
the finest business blocks in lower Schuylkill county, erected by Mr. Hoy in
1894. The company was incorporated in March, 1910, with the following
officers: Pancoast T. Hoy, president and treasurer; Lewis H. Hoy, vice presi-
dent and manager ; Rudy ¥. Hoy, secretary. The store is known for its well
selected and complete stock of dry goods, groceries, fancy goods, notions,
crockery and chinaware, etc., and the length of time which many of its patrons
have been dealing with it shows how thoroughly competent and accommodating
the service is. It has gained its place as a leading store of the kind in Schuyl-
kill Haven by honorable methods and sincere efforts to give the utmost satis-
faction to all customers. ]\Ir. Hoy is also engaged in selling motor trucks
and automobiles under the name of the P. T. Hoy Motor Sales Company. He
and his sons are maintaining the highest reputation in business circles, and
they are greatly esteemed by their associates in all the relations of life.
Mr. Hoy married L. Cora Huntzinger, daughter of the late Lewis Hunt-
zinger and his wife, Christy (Rudy). They have had four children, namely:
Lewis H., now associated with his father as vice president and manager of
the business, was educated at the Franklin and Marshall Academy, Lancaster,
Pa., and is married to Esther Weiss, daughter of the late Prof. George W.
Weiss, for many years county superintendent of the schools of Schuylkill
county ; Rudy P., secretary of the P. T. Hoy & Sons Company, was educated
at Gettysburg College ; Christine attended Mount Ida College, at Newton,
Mass. : Helen is still in school. Mr. Hoy holds membership in St. Matthew's
Lutheran Church.
HARRY K. PORTZ, of Pottsville, has the honor of being one of the first
set of officials chosen to administer the affairs of the government in Pottsville,
and as city comptroller is doing his share towards putting the business of the
municipality upon a sound basis. In private life he is engaged as a civil and
mining engineer, following his profession in the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company in Pottsville. Mr. Portz was born'at Pottsville
Sept. 22, 1882, and he is of German extraction, his father, Frederick Portz,
Sr., having been born in Bavaria, Germany, where the grandparents passed
all their lives. The grandmother died in 1878, the grandfather in 1905, when
eighty-seven years old. Their son, Valentine, died in Bavaria the same year
as his father. Their daughter. Henrietta, continues to live at the old family
home.
Frederick Portz, Sr., was bom Dec. 13, 1841, in Bavaria, Germany, and
there grew to manhood. He served in the Thirteenth Infantry in the war
between Prussia and the South German States. Mr. Portz came to America
in 1867, landing at New York City-March 12th, after a voyage of nineteen
days. For fourteen years he was employed at the Yuengling Brewery in
Pottsville. Pa., in the position of foreman of the fermenting department, and
in 1 88 1 he engaged as a liquor dealer on his own account, at No. 122 North
Centre street, where he has since been doing business. He has been a well
known worker in the Democratic party for many years, and in 1892 was elected
204 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
a member of the board of county poor directors of Schuylkill county, to fill a
vacancy of one year. In 1903 he was reelected for a full term of three years,
and m the fall of 1906 was a candidate, this time on the "Lincoln party" ticket^
and suffered its general defeat in the county. He is a member of Humane
Fire Company, and fraternally belongs to Hayden Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F.,
of which he is a past grand. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran
Church. On May 19, 1872, Mr. Portz married at Pottsville Lucinda Klare,
who was born in Pottsville in 185 1, and seven children have been born to this
marriage: Catherine E. married Howard Manwiller and (second) Gustaf
Zierle; Frederick is a resident of Pottsville; Emma L. married Fred Bernett,
a merchant of Pottsville; George A. married Martha Schwartz; Harry K. is
ne.xt in the family ; Edward and Valentine died within the same week.
Henry Klare, father of Mrs. Frederick Portz, Sr., was born March 7, 181 1,
in Hanover, Germany, and learned the tailor's trade in his early life. Coming
to America on a sailing vessel in 1849, he spent thirty-si.x days on the water,
landing at Philadelphia, and after one day's stay in that city came on to
Pottsville,. Pa., where he became employed at his trade. He continued to
follow it throughout his active life, and died April 2, 1899, aged eighty-eight
years. He is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. His wife, Catherine
(Luther), like himself a native of Germany, accompanied him to America,
and she died at the age of sixty-five years. They had a large family, namely :
Catherine married Thomas Miller; Christian W. is a resident of Pottsville;
Matilda married Fred Eberle, of Pottsville; Lucinda married Fred Portz;
Henry A. is a resident of Pottsville ; William is deceased ; Charles lives at
Pottsville; Mary is the wife of August Appelstadt, and resides at Pottsville;
George A. is deceased; Lewis is a resident of Philadelphia.
Harry K. Portz began his education in the public schools of Pottsville,
later attended a business college in the borough, and then filled the position of
bookkeeper for the Pottsville Ice Company, for one year. Then for two years
he was in the employ of F. G. Clemens, as extra man, in this association gain-
ing his first experience at civil and mining engineering. In 1904 he engaged
with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company in a similar capacity,
and for five years thereafter was detailed principally on outside work, at pres-
ent in charge of one of the Philadelphia (Jt Reading Coal & Iron Company's col-
lieries. He has applied himself earnestly to his profession and worked up a
creditable reputation in that line. When the first city election took place, Nov.
4, 1913, he was the candidate for city comptroller on the Democratic ticket, and
won by a majority of 661 votes over his opponent, C. B. Tyson. The election
was a significant honor for so young a man and a tribute to the merit by which
he has advanced himself so early in his career. Mr. Portz is a member of Lodge
No. 207, B. P. O. Elks, and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs.
On Sept. 28. 1910, Mr. Portz married Hester Jones, daughter of William
and Margaret Jones, of Ashland, this county, and they have two children :
Margaret Lucinda, born March 29, 1913, and John Henry, born Dec. 20, 1914.
They reside at No. 602 West Howard avenue. Mr. Portz is a member of the
German Lutheran Church.
JOSEPH O'DONNELL, of Forestville, is one of the most progressive
business men of Schuylkill county. For about forty years he has been a very
successful general merchant, and he is a stockholder in various banks of the
county, being particularly well known in that connection. Mr. O'Donnell is of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rENNSYLVANL\ 2U5
Irish birth and extraction. His father, Hugh O'Donnell, brought his family to
this country from Ireland in the year 1850 and settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill
Co., Pa., where he continued to reside for many years. By occupation he was a
shoemaker and as a tradesman was well patronized. He died at Mauch Chunk,
Pa. To his marriage with Sallie Roaty were born children as follows : Joseph,
John, Joachim, Gabriel, James, Alary and Veronica.
Joseph O'Donnell was born Jan. 21, 1842, in Donegal, Ireland, and was
a. boy. when brought to America. His education was obtained in the public
schools at Tamaqua, and he began work there as a slate picker at the mines,
later running an engine at the High mine, at Tamaqua, for Mr. Leban. Sub-
sequently he was employed at the Greenwood colliery, running a breaker engine
for a while, put in a short period of employment at Summer Hill, and then
went to Phillipsburg, N. J., where he learned the trade of pipe molder. He
was there about three years, on his return to Pennsylvania locating at Coplay,
in Lehigh county, where he was employed at the furnaces about one year. His
ne.xt move was to Janesville, Carbon county, where he ran an engine, and
after leaving there he spent some time at Harleigh, in Luzerne county, where
he was similarly engaged. After that he ran an engine at Philadelphia until
the spring of 1864, on .April 4th coming to Forestville, Schuylkill county, and
for several months thereafter running engines at the different collieries. In
1865 he spent a short time in the oil region in Venango county, this State,
returning, however, to Forestville, and for a number of years thereafter was
engineer at the Phoenix colliery No. 2, holding this position until 1874. Fol-
lowing that he was at Allentown and Hazleton, Pa., making only a brief
stay at each of these places and returning to Forestville in 1876. During that
year he visited the Centennial at Philadelphia, being there at the time General
Grant formally closed the exposition. In 1876 Mr. O'Donnell engaged in the
general mercantile business at Forestville, which he has carried on ever since.
He carries a large stock of queensware and willow ware, besides flour, feed,
groceries and provisions, and his store is a convenient trading center for many
of the residents of that section of Cass township, being more quickly reached
than the establishments in the borough of Minersville. Mr. O'Donnell has
always been attentive to the wants of his customers, seeing that they had as
good a selection as can be found in the vicinity and being thoroughly honorable
about prices and his methods of dealing, facts which have not escaped the
notice of his patrons. He laid the foundation of his fortune in his store, and
still gives it all necessary attention, although his interests have widened con-
siderably. He has valuable real estate holdings at Pottsville, and is a stock-
holder in the ^^lerchants' National Bank of that borough. He was one of
the organizers and original directors of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company,
and is still a member of the board of directors of that institution. He is also
a stockholder in the First National Bank of Schuylkill Haven and in the Union
National Bank of Minersville.
Mr. O'Donnell is a Catholic in religious faith, and belongs to the church
at Minersville, to which he contributes liberally. Socially he belongs to the
Knights of Columbus. Though past threescore and ten years he still main-
tains an active interest in business and in local affairs. A man of thrifty habits
and honorable character, successful through his own efforts and carrying on
business according to irreproachable standards, he commands the esteem of
all who know him, and they are many in Schuylkill county.
Mr. O'Donnell married Isabella Harkins, like himself a native of Ireland.
206 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
She died April 17, 1913, and is buried at Alinersville. Of the two children born
to this union Mary died when seven years old, and the other died in infancy.
SAMUEL KEITER, late of P*ottsville, where his widow still resides,
was one of the substantial merchants of that borough in his day. He spent
all his life in the same line of business. Mr. Keiter was born Dec. 22, 1847,
in the city of Reading, Berks Co., Pa., son of Samuel Keiter and grandson of
John Keiter.
John Keiter was a native of Montgomery county. Pa., where he lived and
died. He married Susan Munshower, and they became the parents of the
following children : Amos lived and died at Spring City, Pa., his death occur-
ring when he was ninety-nine years, six months, five days old (he was twice
married there) ; Jacob also lived and died at Spring City, Pa.; Mary married
George Deary ; Samuel was the father of the late Samuel Keiter, of Potts-
ville; Elizabeth married John Royer, and died at Limerick, Pa.; John died at
Spring City, Pa. ; and there was a daughter who lived and died in Columbia,
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Keiter, son of John, was born near Spring City, Pa., and when a
young man moved to Reading, where he passed the rest of his life, dying in
that city when about twenty-eight years old. By calling he was a stonemason,
and he became a boss on the canal in that capacity, following this work all his
life. He married Sarah Griffith, who survived him many years, dying at
Reading, Pa., when seventy-si.x years old, and they are buried in the Charles
Evans cemetery. Four children were born to them: Mary, who died at the
age of fifty-two years, was a school teacher in Reading for many years ; George,
who married Sallie Wasley, died Feb. 28, 1913, at Bloomsburg, Pa., where
he was well known as a prosperous miller ; Susan married Jacob L. Griffith,
and they reside at No. 424 Benjamin street, Reading, Pa. (they have one child
living, Elizabeth, wife of Samuel W. Wagner) ; Samuel completes the family.
Samuel Keiter, Jr., was but twelve years old when he came to Pottsville,
and his first employment was as clerk in the store of Mr. Morris for some
time during his young manhood. As he acquired familiarity with the business
he developed ability which made him a valuable employee, and he was manager
for some time for R. C. Boone, at St. Clair, this county, in whose employ
he continued twenty-seven years. Returning to Pottsville, he embarked in
business in partnership with a Mr. Rishel, under the firm name of Keiter &
Rishel, and was so engaged the remainder of his life, dying Feb. 8. 1899; he
is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. Throughout his residence here
Mr. Keiter maintained an honorable place among the most respected merchants
of the town, and he was also highly esteemed for his personal qualities. He
was a Mason, belonging to St. Clair Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. Keiter married
Eleanor J. Lindenmuth, daughter of Jacob and Eleanor ( Phillips) Lindenmuth,
and she resides at No. 1121 West Market street, Pottsville, making her home
with her daughter, Mrs. AIoll. The family are Methodists in religious con-
nection. Mr. and Mrs. Keiter had but one child, ]\Liry L.. now the wife of
George R. Moll, who is a clerk in the Union Safe Deposit Bank at Pottsville.
and also the owner of the People's Meat Market on Centre street, located in the
Thompson building. He is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter.
The Molls are associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and :\Irs. :\Ioll
has been especially active in Sabbath school work from her teens, having been
a teacher in the Sunday school for the last twenty years. She has been a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVAXLV 207
leading worker of the W. C. T. U. in her locaHty, having tilled the position of
county president for the last five years, and is equally interested and active
in other organizations important to the social well-being of the community,
being a member of the board of managers of the PottsvilTe hospital, a member
of the Y. M. C. A. auxiliary, and of the Civic Club. Mr. and Airs.' Moll have
one son, Francis Keiter, born Nov. 2j, 1903.
HARRY ALBERT REBER, of Schuylkill Haven, has already done so
much to further the development of that borough that his career gives promise
of unlimited usefulness. As a member of the firm of Meek & Company he
is associated with one of the most successful manufacturing concerns of the
place, and his elTorts in the direction of social betterment have already borne
good fruit. His broad sympathies and alert intelligence have made him alive
to the needs of the community in other channels, and his interest has found
expression in the acceptance of numerous responsibilities, in all of which he
has acquitted himself most honorably.
George Washington Reber, father of Harry Albert Reber, was born in
1835 in South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and died Alarch 23, 1914,
in Reading, Berks Co., Pa. During his young manhood he was engaged as
a boatbuilder, later farmed for some years in South Manheim township, and
eventually settled at Reading, where he lived retired until his death. IDuring
the Civil war he served in the Union army as a member of Company K, 127th
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, taking part in the battle of
.Fredericksburg, and doing his duty faithfully. Though wounded he was
able to continue with his regiment to the close of his enlistment period, and
received an honorable discharge. He married Anetta Achenbach, who was
born in 1836 in Wayne township, this county, and died in February, 1878.
Ten children were bom to this couple, as follows : Leah, deceased, who was
the wife of Albert Seigfreid; Rev. John E., a Methodist Episcopal minister,
who was located at Port Clinton, Schuylkill county ; Elmira Jane, who died
when fourteen years old; Catherine, the wife of John M. Brown, of Schuylkill
Haven; George; William, Charles and Franklin, all three deceased; Lillie,
wife of Thomas Murray ; and Harry Albert.
Harry Albert Reber was born Nov. 27, 1874, at Schuylkill Haven, where
he received his education in the public schools. Fie has found his life work
at the place of his birth, and plenty of opportunity to work out his own
ambitions as well as for the exercise of that spirit of usefulness which the
progressive man of this generation holds necessary to a truly successful career.
As a boy his first work was in the hosiery mills, where he remained one year,
after which he learned the trade of painter and paper hanger, which he fol-
lowed for a period of eight years. Then for two years he was engaged in
railroad work, for the Philadelphia & Reading Company, in 1902 becoming
a stockholder in the firm of Meek & Company. Since then practically all of
his time has been given to the promotion of their business. He is one of the
officials of the company and has been highly efficient in the expansion of its
interests, much of the prosperity of the concern being due directly to his
executive ability and capable management. Flis other business interests include
connection with the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, of which he was an
organizer and original director.
Though his success in business alone would entitle him to rank among the
most desirable citizens of Schuylkill Haven, Mr. Reber has won special esteem
208 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for his unselfishness in devoting his best efforts to the improvement of local
conditions. His sincerity in this cause has manifested itself in various ways.
As an ardent believer in Prohibition principles he has given considerable time
to bringing them before the public, and has taken an active part in the work
of the party, which he served one term as chairman of the county board of
executive officers and four terms as county treasurer; in 1904 he was a presi-
dential elector on the Prohibition ticket of the State, and in 1912 was Prohibi-
tion candidate for congressman. He has also been an active worker in the
Sons of Temperance, has supported the work of the Young Men's Christian
Association, and is a member in good standing of the Patriotic Order Sons of
America and Modern Woodmen of America. Religious enterprises have also
claimed their share of his attention. He is a leading member of St. John's
Reformed Church, which he is at present serving as elder, as superintendent
of its Sunday school and also as teacher; in 1905-06 he was president of the
Schuylkill County Christian Endeavor Union, and 1914 became county presi-
dent of the County Sabbath School Association.
For several years Mr. Reber served in the National Guard of Pennsylvania,
and on April 28, 1898, at the breaking out of the Spanish-American war,
enlisted for service, being a private in Company F, 4th Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, which regiment was attached to the 3d Brigade, ist Division, ist Army
Corps. The command was sent to Porto Rico, but not called into any engage-
ment, as the peace protocol was signed shortly after its arrival.
On July 12, 1900, Mr. Reber married Emma Irene Fry, daughter of \'alen-
tine and Amelia ( Liebensberger) Fry, of Schuylkill Haven, the former a
native of Germany ; Mr. Fry came to Schuylkill Haven in boyhood and engaged
in boating on the canal. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Reber: John William, Paul Valentine, June Sarah and Dawn Amelia. Mrs.
Reber is an earnest member of the Lutheran Church.
H. I. SILLIM.\N, editor of the Pottsville Journal, formerly the Mines'
Journal, was born at Mahanoy Plane, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Dec. 15, 1876, and is
a son of John H. Silliman and Hannah (Rhoads) Silliman. He is a grandson
of John Silliman (he spelt his name Sillyman), who, with James, Thomas
and Samuel Silliman, was am-ong the very earliest settlers of Pottsville. John
"Sillyman" came to Pottsville in October, 18 17, with his oldest brother,
Thomas. With Thomas he had charge of the Centre Turnpike Company,
from Hamburg to Sunbury. The Sillimans claim to ha\e been the fifth family
that came to Schuylkill county.
On the maternal side, the subject of this sketch is a grandson of Andrew
Jackson Rhoads, for many years a well known builder in Schuylkill county,
he having located at Frackville, Gordon, Ashland and Shenandoah. The
Rhoads genealogy stretches back to old Holland stock.
John Silliman 2d was for many years prominently identified with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, having been employed as train-
master on the Shamokin division, with headquarters at ^lahanoy Plane. Sub-
sequently he was transferred to Tamaqua, and later went South and engaged
in contract business, not only there but also in Jamestown, New York City
and Springfield, 111. He is now attached to the State Department of Public
Health. At the age of sixteen years John H. Silliman, fired with a great
patriotism, ran away and enlisted and served a three months' term.
Tames I. Silliman, a hrotlier of Tohn H., was one of the "First Defenders,"
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SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 209
and died soon after being discharged from a three months' service, in 1861.
He was the first Civil war soldier buried in Pottsville, his remains resting in
the Presbyterian cemetery.
The subject of this sketch was etlucated in the Tamaqua public schools,
and at the age of fifteen began his newspaper career. He was given prac-
tical training, starting at the very bottom of the business and learning every
detail. When he had been at the printing business about nine months he was
made foreman of the office in which he was employed. In 1897 he started
a small newspaper, the Tamaqua Herald, which he continued successfully up
to the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, in 1898, when he closed his
newspaper office and eidisted in Company B, 8th Regiment, P. V. I. Return-
ing from the war. he associated himself with J. M. Harris, and with him
edited the Tamaqua Evening Courier. Mr. Harris serving as editor and man-
ager and Mr. Silliman as associate editor. He continued in this capacity until
1909, when he became the editor and principal owner of the Pottsville Miners'
Journal, the name of which he subsequently changed to the Pottsville Journal.
The Journal had for many years been a morning paper, and in 19 10 it entered
the evening field.
Mr. Silliman is a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Pottsville,
the Eastern Pennsylvania Light, Heat & Power Company, and the New City
Building & Loan Association. He is a member of the Pottsville Club, which
he has served two terms on the board of managers, and is also a member of
the State Editorial Association, the Schuylkill County Historic Society, the
Pottsville Rotary Club, the Pottsville Merchants' Association, the United Span-
ish War A'eterans and the Knights of Malta. He was one of the founders of
the State Hospital at Coal Dale, is a member of the board of trustees and
vice president of the institution. In religion he is a Presbyterian and affiliated
with the Second Presbyterian Church, at Pottsville.
On May 10, 1913, Mr. Silliman was united in marriage with Miss Argenta
Fay Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David E. Jones, of Pottsville.
JOHN VEITH, deceased. In the course of more than thirty years'
service with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, much of the
time as superintendent in control of the vast mining interests of that con-
cern in Schuylkill, Northumberland and Columbia counties, the late John
Veith became one of the most familiar figures in the coal region of this
section of Pennsylvania. Having begun life as a miner he had a practical
knowledge of the actual work which proved invaluable in the discharge of
the important responsibilities of his later years. More than that, it was the
basis of the sympathetic understanding which enabled him to handle large
numbers of men so effectively, winning their respectful admiration by his
thorough comprehension of their duties as well as his own.
Mr. Veith was a native of Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, born June 3, 1832,
son of John and Margaret (Keene) Veith. The father, born in the same
locality in 1806, followed mining, and met with an accidental death in 1847,
while driving a tunnel. His widow came to America and lived in Schuylkill
county. Pa., making her home at Silvercreek, and she died at Patterson, this
county, in the winter of 1890. We have record of five of her eight children:
Christian, John, Peter, Valentine and ?ilani% all of whom lived in Northum-
berland county. Pa., except Vafentine, who settled in Kansas City, Missouri.
John ^'eith was reared and educated in Germanv, and came to this
Vol. 1—14
210 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAMA
country in his nineteenth year, landing at Xew York in 1850. After spend-
ing about five weeks in that city he came on to Schuylkill county, Pa., Jan.
17, 1851, and first located at Port Carbon, where he found work as a miner.
His intelligence and fidelity brought him to the notice of his superiors, and
in 1863 he was promoted to boss, holding that position for various companies
during the succeeding years. In 1872 he entered the service of the Phila-
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, his first position in that employ
being as superintendent of the North Franklin collieries, Nos. i and 2, where
he was stationed one year. He was next in the Locustdale district, then
comprising nine collieries, from 1874 to 1877, until called to the assistance
of William Herman, of Pottsville. mine inspector for the county. When Mr.
Herman died, in ]\Iarch, 1879, Mr. \'eith was appointed his successor, and
he was known as mine inspector until 1887, in which year the title of the
position was changed to "mining superintendent of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Coal & Iron Company." It required not only a wide knowledge of gen-
eral mining work, but close familiarity with conditions in this immediate
field, and that Mr. \'eith proved fully equal to its demands was an evidence
of superior intelligence and executive ability of a high order. He served under
four general managers. General Pleasants, F. B. Neiding, R. C. Luther and
W. J. Richards, performing all his duties most satisfactorily until his retire-
ment, during which period he received a pension. However, he did not have
long to enjoy his leisure, his death occurring eight months after he was
retired, Oct. 8, 1905. Mr. Veith was a faithful member of the German
Catholic Church. His politics changed with conditions in the country. Orig-
inally a Democrat, he subsequently adopted the principles of the Republican
party, was again a Democrat in the Hayes-Tilden campaign, and in his later
years supported the men and measures he considered best, regardless of party
lines. He was a man of vigorous intellect, and his many years in a position
of high authority gained him influential standing.
Mr. \'eith married Anna ^laree Hartmann, who was born Nov. i, 1838,
daughter of Peter Hartmann, a native of Rhine Prussia, who brought his
family to America in 1848, settling first at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and
later moving to Kaskawilliam, this county. Mr. Hartmann died in 1891 at
Pottsville. Mrs. Veith's death occurred Aug. 3, 1905, shortly before her
husband's, and they are buried in Yorkville cemetery. They were the parents
of sixteen children, of whom we have the following record: Elizabeth, born
Nov. 9, 1854, at Silvercreek, Schuylkill county, died Sept. 10, 1857; Susan,
born Aug. '19, 1856, at Middleport, Schuylkill county, is the wife of Joseph
P. Knapp, formerly of Yatesville, this county, now a well known mine super-
intendent at Shamokin, Pa.; Mary, born Sept. 17, 1858, at Middleport, died
May 5, 1896, was the wife of the late William T. Cooney. who was employed
by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, as private secretary:
Peter, born May 30, 1861, at Silvercreek, is foreman for the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company in the blacksmith department, at Pottsville,
Pa. (he married Anna Hartmann) ; Margaret, born July 2, 1863, at Silver-
creek, died in i868: Emma, born Aug. 19, 1865, at IMiddleport, is the widow
of William H. Gibson, of Pottsville, Pa.: John, Jr., was born JNIarch 19. 1867.
at Middleport: Catherine, born Tuly 9, 1868, at Middleport. lives at home:
Clara, born April 26, 1870, at Middleport, lives at home: Callie, born June
30, 1872, at Ashland, Pa., is the wife of Thomas A. Flanagan, of Pottsville,
Pa., accountant for the Coal & Iron Company; Dr. Charles A., born Aug.
SCHUYLKILL COUXTV, rEXXSYL\'AXL\ 211
22, 1874. at Ashland, died Xov. 6, 1908 (he married Agnes ]. McGorman) ;
Lena, born July 31, 1876, at Locustdale, died young; Agnes, born July 29,
1878, at Pottsville, is the widow of Charles A. Fluehr, of Philadelphia, Pa.;
Bertha, born March 11, 1882, at Pottsville, lives at home.
John \'eith, Jr., attended public school in Pottsville and learned the
machinist's trade in the Philadelphia & Reading Company's shop, continuing
in the eniplby of that company for about thirty years. He is now living
retired, he and his sisters occupying the homestead at Xo. 410 East Market
street, Pottsville, where they are highly esteemed.
EDWARD SH.\RADLX, of Schuylkill ILaven, is the manager of the
Eagle L'nderwear Mills now conducted by the estate of Daniel Sharadin.
The mills were established a quarter of a century ago, and the Sharadins
have been connected with them ever since the beginning. As manufacturers
and large employers of labor they have, during all that time, maintained a
leading position in the industrial circles of the borough. They have kept pace
with the progress of the business, being provided with the best of facilities,
and having laid the operations of the factory upon a systematic basis which
insures prompt service to their patrons and the best products in the market.
Daniel Sharadin, father of Edward Sharadin, one of the founders of the
business and its leading spirit until his death, in 1907, was a native of Schuyl-
kill county and of old Berks county stock. The family has been in Pennsyl-
vania for several generations.
Jacob Scharadin, the grandfather of Daniel Sharadin, was born in Berks
county. Pa., probably near Topton station on the East Penn railroad. Remov-
ing to Schuylkill county about 1830, he settled at Pinedale, in West Brunswick
township, and passed the remainder of his life at that location, dying in 1873.
Throughout his active years he was engaged in farming. In political opinion
he was originally a Whig, later joining the Republican party. His children
were: William, Abraham, Daniel, Charles, Eliza (Mrs. Kerchner) and
Susanna (Mrs. Moyer).
Charles Sharadin, son of Jacob, was born in 1818 in Berks county, and
was a boy when the family settled in Schuylkill county. He passed the
remainder of his life near Pinedale, in West Brunswick township, and like
his father was a lifelong farmer, owning a small tract of land, upon which
he made his home. He served his fellow citizens for four years in the
ofifice of township supervisor, but he did not aspire to public honors of any
kind, being a man of modest, unassuming character. His industrious and
useful life won him the respect of all who^knew him. He was a Republican
in politics. Mr. Sharadin married Elizabeth Geiger, who was born in Orwigs-
burg in 1821 and survived him a short time, dying at the age of sixty-six
years. He died in 1885 when sixty-eight years old. They are buried at
the old Red Church. Of the three children born to them, William lives at
Hamburg, Berks county, where he was formerly extensively engaged in the
manufacture of brick ; Mary Ann is the widow of David R. Fall, and resides
in Schuylkill Haven ; and Daniel was the father of Edward Sharadin.
Daniel Sharadin was born April 11, 1842, near Pinedale, in New Bruns-
wick township, Schuvlkill county. He obtained a common school education
in his home locality, and in his youth learned the trade of boatbuilder, at that
time a profitable calling, owing to the activities on the canal. In 1866 he had
made enough headway to engage in the canal transportation business on his
212 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
own account, owning a line of boats which pHed on the Philadelphia & Schuyl-
kill canal, between Schuylkill Haven and tidewater. To this business he gave
his attention for over twenty years, giving it up in 1888, when he decided to
enter the manufacturing field. In the spring of 1889, in partnership with
Emanuel Baker, he established the knitting business which he and his estate,
in turn, have since carried on. ISaker & Sharadin erected the present mill
when they started business, and the association lasted until Oct. 31, 1891,
when Air. Sharadin purchased his partner's interest and continued the Eagle
Knitting Mills, as the factory was known, on his own account. He main-
tained an active connection therewith until his death, which occurred luly 22,
1907, building up the trade steadily by a high grade of work, for which the
mills became noted. Since his decease it has been directed by the estate of
Daniel Sharadin, and is now known as the Eagle Underwear Mills. The plant
is a two-story frame structure, 2,2 by 80 feet in dimensions, and changes have
been made in the equipment from time to time to meet the demands of the
necessary increase of output, modern methods being employed in every
department to facilitate operations and economize space. ' About fifty hands
are regularly employed, which indicates the important relation of the business
to the industrial situation of the borough. Though his business required close
attention Mr. Sharadin found time for public service, for three years filling the
office of borough auditor at Schuylkill Haven with his customary ability, and
for years he was president of the coimcil. Politically he was assoc^iated with
the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Refomied
denomination. He is buried in the LTnion cemetery at Schuylkill Plaven.
EXiring the Civil war he enlisted in the service for the Union cause, on Sept.
15. 1862, joining the Pennsylvania \'olunteer service, and received his honor-
- able discharge July 10, 1863, at the expiration of his term. ]\Ir. Sharadin's
contribution to the business prosperity of Schuylkill Haven was one of
material worth, and he was not only respected for his achievements in this
world, but for his sterling character, which made his influence a power for
good wherever he was known.
On June 4, 1864. ]\Ir. Sharadin married Edith Catherine Wagner, and
eleven children were born to this union, as follows : Charles, who lives in New
York City ; Thomas, deceased, formerly a resident of New York City, later
of Schuylkill Haven ; Henry, now of Reading, Pa., connected with the Key-
stone Correspondence School of that city; Annie, wife of Dr. George H.
Moore, a physician of Schuylkill H;aven, at present county coroner ; Elizabeth,
wife of William Dress, a merchant of Schuylkill Haven : William, who now
lives at Palo Alto, this county ; Daniel, of Jenkintown. N. J. ; Edward, men-
tioned below ; Blaine, who is employed at the Eagle Underwear Mills ; George
W., who died in infancy; and a daughter who died in infancy.
Tobias Wagner, grandfather of Mrs. Sharadin, was engaged in farm-
ing near Hamburg, Berks county, where he lived and died. His children were
Benjamin, Jonas, George and Tobias. Of these Tobias was Mrs. Sharadin's
father. For forty years he was engaged as a boss on the Schuylkill canal,
in his later life removing to Landingville. Schuylkill county, where he died in
1869. He married Marv Shirev, and they were the parents of the follow-
ing children : Amelia married Closes Betz ; Edith Catherine married Daniel
Sharadin: Rebecca married George Reber; Daniel is a resident of ^Mount
Carmel. Pa. : Abbie married Amos Hoffman, and lives at Schuylkill Haven :
i
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYL\"ANL\ 213
Priscilla married Frank Rchm ; Susanna married J. D. Kohdes; Alice is tlie
wife of George M. Hoft'man.
Edward Sharadin was born March 12, 1876. He obtained his education
in the public schools of Schuylkill Haven, and throughout his business career
has been connected with the knitting mills established by his father, with whom
he began work when only a youth. He had the advantage of excellent business
training, and since his father's death has had the management of the mills,
which are suttering no deterioration under his direction. He is a young man
of substantial qualities, and universally respected in the borough and wher-
ever his business and social relations have made him known. He is a member
of the Jr. O. U. A. M. and of the Schuylkill Fire Company.
j\lr. Sharadin married Jan. 29, 1^98, JMary Alma Welsh, daughter of
Joseph and Ella (Heinbach) Welsh, and they have a family of four chil-
dren: Harold Edward, Elizabeth Catherine, Robert Irvin and ^lildred Alma.
G. AL KEISER, of Minersville, Schuylkill county, formerly of Scranton,
Pa., began work with the Hillside Coal & Iron Company, of Scranton, in the
capacity of clerk. From there he became paymaster and foreman of the
Forest City colliery. In 1904 he took charge of the Alinor colliery, whence he
went to the Pine Hill colliery, of which he had charge for nine years. Mr.
Keiser is also connected at present with the Emperor Coal Company, Cumbola
Coal Company, Ellsworth Coal Mining Company and Wolf Creek Coal Com-
pany.
GEORGE R. DEIBERT, of Landingville, has been a lifelong resident of
North Alanheim township, where he wa,s born on the old Deibert homestead
Oct. 2, 1849. •'^s superintendent for over twenty years of the H. S. Albright
& Co. shoe factory he has had intimate association with Schuylkill county's
industrial development, the great need for which became apparent a quarter
of a century ago. Since it was realized what the establishment of factories
providing profitable employment for the people would do for this region local
capitalists have entered heartily into manufacturing enterprises, with results
which have paid them well from the financial standpoint, besides benefiting
their section of the state. The men who have been instrumental in making
a success of the new order of things deserve a permanent place on the records
of progress in the county, and Mr. Deibert. is one of those whose work
entitles them to such position. He is a worthy member of an old family
which has beeil a credit to this region for many years.
Richard Deibert, his great-grandfather, was the founder of this branch
of the family in Schuylkill county. He was born in Germany, and came with
his parents to America, the family settling in Bern township, Berks county,
in the then Province of Pennsylvania, near Michael's church. There were
five children, three sons and two daughters, Michael, Christopher, Wilhelm,
Mrs. George Huntzinger and Mrs. John Gevert. When the sons were grown
they moved to Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and married, Wilhelm
to a daughter of John Renchler, from Bern township, Berks county, Michael
to Elizabeth Waver. In the year 1744 the brothers Wilhelm and Michael
bought in partnership three hundred acres of land in North Manheim town-
ship, at the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Landingville, Wilhelm's
part' being at the location occupied by Edward Peale in 1884, and Michael's
where |ohn Filbert lived at that time. The third brother, Christopher, went
214 SCHUYLKILL COUx\TY, PENNSYLVANIA
to \'irginia in his younger days, and the family did not hear from him after-
wards.
In the beginning Wilhelm and Michael Deibert had the Indians for their
neighbors, and were molested considerably. Deer and bears were plentiful
in the region at that day, and as they divided the meat with the savages when
they shot any the Indians became more friendly. In the pamphlet published
in 1884 by Daniel Deibert, a grandson of Wilhelm Deibert, we find this para-
graph: "My grandfather said after the Indians went away, some of them
came back again to rob them of their planting fruits. My grandfather and
his brother Michael had to flee over the Blue mountains to their father's home.
They buried their implements on the other side of the Schuylkill river, in the
woods, that the Indians could not get them ; but when they came back they
didn't find them any more. They didn't find them till the Schuylkill canal was
made, then they dug them out again."
Michael Deibert (according to the same pamphlet) had five sons and two
daughters, Henry, Andrew, Alichael, Christian, John, Catharine and Elizabeth.
Henry married Aliss Kriner; Andrew, Miss Luckenbill ; Michael, Miss Luck-
enbill (they had no children) ; Christian, Miss Miller; Catharine, John Dewald ;
Elizabeth, Daniel Repp. The father, Michael, died on his property in North
Manheim township, and is buried at the Red Church in this county.
John Deibert, son of Michael, was born in North Manheim township, and
was a farmer by occupation. He is buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill
Haven. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Rench-
ler, of his second Wagner. His children were as follows: Daniel, who lived
in Schuylkill Haven; George; Jacob, who died at Schuylkill Haven; John, who
died at Schuylkill Haven ; Benjamin, who died at Pottsville ; William, who
died in the Upper Mahantongo valley in Schuylkill county ; Samuel ; Hannah,
wife of John Hummel, of Selinsgrove, Pa. ; and Christine, who married Henry
Shelly and lived at Pottsville.
George Deibert, son of John and grandson of Michael, was born at the
old homestead of his parents, and followed farming all his life, dying when
a comparatively young man ; he is buried in the Union cemetery. He had
many interesting experiences in the early days. His father owned a large
tract of land where Fishbach is now located (near Pottsville), then thickly
^wooded. When the timber was cut it was floated down the Schuylkill. One
day, while going past what is now known as Mount Carmel, he was followed
by a wolf, and hastened to reach the river so that the animal might lose his
scent when he forded the stream. When somewhat older he had another
exciting time while plowing on the homestead, on the Second mountain. A
deer ran out and got into a pond, and Mr. Deibert, thinking he could kill it,
went into the water after it, but the animal almost drowned him. He also
had some adventures with panthers.
Mr. Deibert married Amelia Susanna Reed, daughter of James Reed, and
she survived him many years, living to the age of seventy-one. The following
children were born to them: Charles V. B., of Schuylkill Haven : Sarah, who
married Abraham Sharadin ; Mahlon, who died when nine years old ; Amanda,
who married Harrison Berger; James, who died on the old homestead in North
Manheim township ; Frank ; George R., mentioned below ; Hannah, who mar-
ried Edward Schappell ; Elwin, living at Schuylkill Haven ; and William, who
died when sixteen years old.
George R. Deibert was educated in the public schools of his township, and
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 215
was reared a farmer, doing agricultural work until eighteen years old. For
the next six years he was engaged as a clerk at Landingville, and then returned
to fanning, which he followed for five years. Coming back to Landingville
he became assistant agent of the Philadelphia & Readmg Railway Company
at this point, in time being appointed agent, in which capacities he served for
a period of fourteen years. In 1892 he became superintendent at Landingville
for H. S. Albright & Co., whose shoe factory at this place is a branch of the
Orwigsburg plant, and he has filled the position continuously since — which
statement is the most fiattering comment upon his services which could be made.
]\Ir. Deibert has given practically all his time to his duties at the factory, taking
little part in outside aft'airs except for his social connections. He is a past
master of Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. ^L, of Orwigsburg, and a mem-
ber of I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 157. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious
connection a Lutheran.
Mr. Deibert married Mary A. Deibert, and of the children born to them
two died in infancy ; William died when twenty-four years old ; George A. died
September 26, 1913, at the age of thirty-seven years; Ella May is the wife of
Charles G. Matz, a merchant of Landingville ; Carlton C. is agent at Kutztown,
Berks Co., Pa., for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company.
Mrs. Deibert is a granddaughter of George Deibert, who owned the farm
now the property of Rubens II. Peale, in North Manheim township. His wife
Mary was a daughter of Daniel Faust.
William Deibert, son of George and Mary (Faust) Deibert, was born on
the homestead in North Alanheim township. Though he engaged in farming
to some extent he was occupied principally as a builder of boats which were
used in the Schuylkill canal trade. He died at Landingville when eighty years
old. His wife, Henrietta (Kulp), lived to the age of eighty-nine years, and
they are buried at Orwigsburg. They had children as follows : Rebecca,
Henry, George, Elizabeth, Albert, Charles, Susan, and Mary A. (Mrs. George
R. Deibert).
SAMUEL STRAUSE has his home and business interests in the vicinity of
Pottsville, and has lived in Schuylkill county from boyhood, but he belongs
to Berks county stock. However, his father is a resident of this county and his
grandfather lived here for some years.
The name is found in various forms, being spelled Strause, Strauss and
Strouse by different branches of the family, which is an old and honored one
in this Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its members in their different genera-
tions have been prominent in the public life of their local communities, and
several of wider fame throughout the State and nation. Thrift seems to have
followed the family history since its first coming to America from the Father-
land, back in the eighteenth century, and many of its members have been men
of wealth and influence in the financial world.
On Sept. 26, 1732, there landed in the city of Philadelphia from W'urtem-
berg, Germany, two brothers of the name of Strauss, Albrecht and John Philip.
They were mere boys, the elder. Albrecht, swearing in his oath of allegiance,
then necessary to take on landing, that he was but twenty, while John Philip
left a record in the family Bible that he was born Sept. 13, 1713. They soon
appeared in Berks county. Pa., where in the vicinity of what is now Bernville
thev each took up large tracts of land, a part of the original acres still being
held by members of the present generation. They were both Lutherans, so
216 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
that their marriages, the births of their children, and indeed the whole Strauss
family history, became a part of the records of the church.
Albrecht Strauss, the elder of the brothers, took up a tract of 350 acres,
upon which he settled, and reared a large family, eleven in all, their mother,
whom he married in 1734, being Anna JVIargaret Zerbe, who came with her
father, Martin Zerbe, from Schoharie, N. Y., in 1723. The children were as
follows: (i) Maria Barbara, born Nov. 16, 1735, married June 2, 1754, John
Kloss (now spelled Klohs), born in Brechkebel, Hanau, Germany, Dec. 6,
1723, son of Thomas and JMargaret Kloss, with whom he came to America
in 1738. They resided a little north of Reading, and were the parents of ten
children, six of whom survived and left issue, viz. : Maria Elizabeth, married
to Abraham Schneider; Maria Barbara, married to John Adam Spengler;
Maria Christina, married to Conrad Scheop (Shepp) ; Alaria Magdalena, mar-
ried to Philip Huyett ; Maria Catharine, married to Williani Diehm ; and
Jacob — all leaving numerous descendants. (2) John Jacob Strauss, bom ^lay
5, 1737, married Elizabeth Brecht, Aug. 21, 1759. They lived on a part of the
homestead acres north of Bernville, and became the parents of nine children,
viz. : Albrecht, who remained on the homestead ; John, who settled near Or-
wigsburg, Schuylkill county; David; Elizabeth; Philip; Jacob; Samuel; Mich-
ael, and Catharine. This branch also became very numerous. (3) Maria
Elizabeth (twin of John Jacob), born May 5, 1737, married John Daniel
Madery, May 4, 1760. So far as known three children were born to them,
namely: Maria Eva Rosina, John Thomas and Michael. (4) Anna Elizabeth
was born March 25, 1739. (5) John Casper, born Aug. 5, 1741, died in in-
fancy. (6) Maria Eva Rosina, born Nov. 6, 1742, married Christopher
Schaber, Nov. 9, 1762. The records of the old Red Church, near Orwigsburg,
Pa., show the baptism of five of their children, viz.: JNIaria Elizabeth, March
29, 1771 ; John, Oct. 4, 1772; John Philip, Feb. 9, 1775 ; Eva Rosina, April 4,
1779, and Daniel, March 4, 1781. (7) Maria Catharine, born March 6, 1745,
married John Long Nov. 9, 1762, and their son, John Jacob, was born Aug.
7, 1763. (8) John Philip, born Jan. 4, 1748, married Sevilla, daughter of
Benedict and Rlaria Salone Kepner, April 21, 1771. They moved to Cumber-
land (now Juniata) county. Pa., before the Revolution, purchasing four hun-
dred acres of land along the Juniata river, the homestead residence being at
Mexico Station on the Pennsylvania railroad. They had eight children, viz. :
John; Jacob, born Oct. 5, 1775, who walked out to Ohio in 1799 and settled
in Pickaway county, and left numerous and influential descendants ; Polly ;
Betsy ; Catharine ; David, one of whose descendants, Philip, still owns the
ancestral homestead; Susannah, and Sidney. (9) Maria Christina was bom
July 26, 1751. (10) Maria Susanna, bom Oct. 5. 1753, married Benjamin
Kebner, May 24, 1774, and they also resided in the Juniata valley, near Mexico.
(11) John Samuel is mentioned below.
Albrecht Strauss was a prominent man of the locality during his time ; and
his penmanship denoted that he was an educated man. He was naturalized
by the "Supream Court" of the Province on Sept. 24, 1755, the certificate
thereof now being in the possession of his great-great-grandson, B. Morris
Strauss. He died a short time previous to May 7. 1787, which is the date of the
filing of his administration papers. His wife died about the same time.
John Philip Strauss, the younger of the emigrant brothers, took up about
250' acres of land, including (1908) Rev. ]\Ir. Trexler's farm and the tract of
Adam W. Strauss. On Feb. 28, 1744, he married Anna Margaret Reimer.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ 217
He died shortly before Alay 2S, 1792 (the date of the probate of his will).
His wife is mentioned in his will and must have been still living then. Their
nine children were: (1) Anna i\lagdalena, born Dec. 21, 1744, married John
George Thomas, born July i, 174b, son of John and Liarbara Long, 'i'heir
children were: John, Anna Margaret, Maria Catharine, Christian, Maria
Elizabeth, John Philip, Jacob, Thomas and Daniel. She died April 5, 1823;
and he. May 20, 1823. (2) Anna Elizabeth, born Sept. 18, 1746, married
George Daniel Gicker, Nov. 26, 1776. They had children. (3) Maria Chris-
tina, born Fob. 20, 1749, married on June 3, 1773, Christian Zerbe, bom Dec.
25> 1750, son of John and Catharine Zerbe. They moved to White Deer town-
ship, Northumberland (now L'nionJ county. Pa. They had a family of eleven
children: John George, John, Maria Catharine, Susanna, Jacob, ^laria Chris-
tina, Henry, Mary Salome, Elizabeth, Anna Maria and Samuel. (4) Casper,
born Jan. 27, 1751, married Elizabeth Schreck. They left issue, viz. : John
(Dec. 2, 1780-April 7, 1876}, LudW'ig, Benjamin, Matilda, Susanna and .4nna
Maria. (5) Maria Catharine was born Dec. 22, 1752. (6) John Philip, born
Nov. 9, 1754, married Susanna Wenrich, Sept. 2;^, 1783. He obtained the home-
stead and died there July 20, 1816. Their children as far as known were:
John, Susanna, Joseph, Philip (Feb. i, 1790-May 12, 1885), Daniel, Elizabeth,
Sybilla, Anna Margaret and Mary Magdalena. (7) John Jacob, born May 5,
1757, married Barbara Zerbe, June 14, 1785. He died Oct. 22, 1822; his wife
probably preceded him in death, as she is not mentioned in his will. They had
the following children as far as known : Catharine, Barbara, Daniel, Magda-
lena, Peter, Sarah, Adam and Susanna. (8) Christian, born June 16, 1762,
married Catharine, daughter of Joseph Schneider. They had as far as known
two children, Elizabeth and Catharine. (9) John Matthias, born April 16,
1762, married (first) Magdalena Schneider, on May 25, 1790. After the death
of his wife he married (second) Sept. 10, 1797, Frederica Gottel. He died
March 4, 1819, and his wife survived him.
John Samuel Strauss, youngest child of Albrecht, was born May 13, 1756.
On Nov. 10, 1784, he married Catharine Elizabeth (born May 10, 1758),
daughter of Balthaser and Maria Appalonia Umbenhauer, the owner of a large
tract of land including the site of Bernville, Pa. On Aug. 5, 1784, he became
the owner of the homestead by purchase, whereon they resided all their life.
He, as also did his cousin, John Philip, son of Philip, served actively in the
Revolutionary' struggle, and was an influential and useful citizen of his locality.
He died March 25, 1835, his wife having preceded him, Dec. 16, 1821. They
had a family of thirteen children, viz. : John, the founder of Strausstown ;
Maria Alagdalena, married to Tobias Henne ; John l^hilip (Sept. 26, 178 — Feb.
12, 1865) ; Samuel: Johanna, married to Samuel Greim ; John Jacob (Nov. 23,
1788-N0V. 9, 1877) ; Elizabeth Strauss (Feb. 12, 1790-Aug. 19, 1875), mar-
ried to Elias Redcay; Susanna; Joseph; John William (Oct. 26, 1795-Oct. 13,
1885); Catharine; Benjamin (.^pril 30, 1800-Dec. 14, 1886); and Jonathan.
This family was noted for longevity.
Samuel Strause, grandfather of Samuel Strause, of Pottsville, was born
in Bethel township, Berks county, and died in 1904, at Summit Station,
Schuylkill county, aged eighty-four years, eighteen days. In early life he was
a carpenter, in his later years a hotelkeeper. conducting a hotel in Berks
county for twenty-two years, and one at Summit Station for four years. The
latter part of his life was spent with his son Frank, who is still a business
man of Summit Station; he is buried at the Blue Mountain Church at Strauss-
218 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
town, Berks county. To his marriage with Susan Miller was bom a large
family: Monroe; Adam; James; Charles; Frank, born Sept. 28, 1856, at
Schubert, Berks county ; Mary, who married Simeon Weber, of Berks county ;
Anna, who married Andrew Cottaman, of Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa.;
Caroline (Callie), deceased, who was the wife of P. S. Kremer, of Summit
Station; Susan, who married Charles Roeder, of Summit Station; Jane, who
married George Krommes ; Matilda, deceased ; and Kate, deceased.
^lonroe Strause was born in Bethel township, Berks county, and during
his youth and early manhood followed carpenter work in Berks and Schuylkill
counties. He is now located at Roeders, Schuylkill county, which is near
Summit Station, and operates a gristmill, being one of the successful business
men of his section. He married Hettie Emerick, who died in 1910, and is
buried at the Summit Hill Church. She was a member of the Lutheran
Church, to which Mr. Strause also belongs. They had four children: Katie,
Wilson, Samuel and Robert.
Samuel Strause, son of ^Monroe, was born Oct. 8, 1866, near Strausstown, in
Bethel township, Berks county, and attended school in his native county and
later in Schuylkill county. Reared on the farm, he followed agricultural work
until about twenty-three years old, when he engaged in the hotel business in
North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, conducting the "Fairview Hotel"
for four years. After that he became interested as a dealer in implements at the
same location, and he has continued that business to the present. In igoo he
started there also what is now his principal line, the manufacture of all kinds of
lumber, mining timber, ties and laggings, having a portable mil! and cut-
ting timber in Schuylkill county, Berks and Chester counties. He has estab-
lished a large trade for his product in the hard coal region, employing twenty-
five to thirty men. Mr. Strause has acquired valuable property in the course of
his energetic career, owning two fine farms in Schuylkill county, one of 167
acres in Wayne township and another of 127 acres in North ^lanheim town-
ship, the latter being the old Weissinger homestead, where he makes his home.
He has his office in the Morris building (Room 11), in Pottsville. He is a
public-sj)irited citizen, an independent voter who gives his support to good
men and measures regardless of their political sponsors. Socially he is an Odd
Fellow and Mason, in the latter connection holding membership in Cressona
Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M.
Mr. Strause married Mary Ida Stoyer, daughter of Samuel F. Stoyer, and
three children have been born to them, Amos, Emily and Anna. The family
are Lutherans.
Samuel Stoyer, of Greenwich township, Berks county, grandfather of Mrs.
Strause, married Catherine Focht, of Windsor township, that county, and to
this union there were born children as follows: Samuel F. is mentioned be-
low ; Benneville married Catherine Raubenhold ; Daniel married z\nna Miller :
Elizabeth married Jacob Kepner ; Hannah married William Kepner ; Catherine
married John Billman ; Sallie married William Deisher.
Samuel F. Stoyer, son of Samuel and now of Bethel township, where he
has been a farmer for thirty-five years, was born and reared in Hamburg.
He married Catherine Weidner, daughter of Jonathan Weidner, and to them
were born twelve children : Henry married Catherine Dunkel ; Susan married
Andrew Schmeltzer; Franklin married Mary Schreck ; Sarah married John
Peififer- Charles married Clara Moore: Caroline married Warren F. Khne ;
Amanda married George Snyder ; Mary Ida married Samuel Strause : Anna
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 219
married Charles Strause ; Samuel married Clara Rcsh ; Joel married Mame
Reber; John died in infancy.
W'lLLLAM M. WAGNER, of Orwigsburg, formerly a leading merchant of
that borough but now retired from that line and devoting his time principally
to financial interests, is a typical representative of a family whose substantial
qualities have not only won them prosperity but contributed to the well-being
of the community. Its connection with the history of Luzerne county dates
back to the early days, when Christopher Wagner, the great-grandfather of
William J\I. Wagner, came to this country from Germany. He was an early
settler in what is now West IJrunswick township, where he acquired the own-
ership of a large tract of land and followed farming. During the latter years
of his life he removed to Orwigsburg, where he spent the remainder of his
days; he is buried there. We have record of four of his children: William;
Benjamin; Polly, wife of Benjamin Neff; and Rebecca, Mrs. Hoffman. There
were several others who removed from Schuylkill county.
William Wagner, son of Christopher, was born on the farm in West
Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and in the course of time took over
that property, where he followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He died
there at the age of fifty years, and is buried at Orwigsburg. His wife, Eliza-
beth (Neft'), who was born at Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., died at the age of
sixty-five years. They were the parents of the following children : Franklin
W. ; William P.; Levi N.; Morgan, who died young; Martha, who died young;
Martha (2), wife of J. Henry Diefenderfer; Joanna, wife of Beneville
Kimmel ; and Mctoria, who never married. The only survivor of this family is
Martha, who is now a widow and resides at Auburn, Schuylkill county.
Franklin W. Wagner was a native of West Brunswick township, and
passed his boyhood in the usual manner of farmer's sons. When a young man
he started to clerk for Mr. Huntzinger and after acquiring some experience
engaged in the mercantile business on his own account at Orwigsburg, doing
a successful business for twelve years, until succeeded by his son, William, in
the ownership. After that he continued to assist about the store for twelve years
longer. At present this old established business is being carried on by the
firm of Wagner & Linder — the former George T. Wagner, son of Franklin
W., the latter his brother-in-law, George R. Linder. The store is still main-
tained as one of the leading mercantile establishments of the town.
Mr. Wagner married Jemima Matz, daughter of William Matz, and five
children were born to this union: Benjamin, Frank, William M., George T.
and Kate (Mrs. George R. Linder). The father died March 25, 1910, the
mother Feb. 19, 19 12, and they are buried in the Evangelical cemetery at
Orwigsburg.
William M. Wagner was born Feb. i, 1853, at Orwigsburg, where he
obtained his education in the public schools. In his youth he assisted his father
in the store as a clerk and eventually succeeded him in the business, taking in
as a partner C. W. Diefenderfer, under the firm name of Wagner & Diefender-
fer. After they had carried on the business successfully for twelve years Mr.
Wagner bought ]\Ir. Diefenderfer's interest and took in as a partner his brother
George, under the firm style of Wagner & Brother. They continued together
as such until 1900, when William M. Wagner sold his share to his brother-
in-law, George R. Linder, one of the present owners. William M. Wagner
withdrew to give his attention to other interests. For a number of years Mr.
220 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA
Wagner has been prominent in banking circles in the county. For the last
fifteen years he has been one of the directors of the well known Miners'
National Bank of Pottsville, a leading financial institution of that place, and
he was one of the organizers of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, and a
member of its original board of directors; he is still serving in that capacity.
J\lr. Wagner's activities in these associations have made him one of the lead-
ing figures in the financial situation in southern Schuylkill county, and he
has been highly successful in the management of all enterprises with which he
has been connected, whether of a distinctly personal nature or otherwise.
His absolute reliability has commended him to the confidence of his associates
in all affairs.
Mr. Wagner married Emma R. Reed, daughter of Elijah B. Reed, of
Schuylkill Haven, and the only child of this union, Harvey E., died at the age
of twenty years. ;\Ir. and Mrs. Wagner are associated with the Reformed
Church.
Mrs. Jemima Wagner's grandfather was born in Berks countv. Pa. ( which
at that time included Schuylkill county), and passed all his life there engaged
in farming. Politically he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. His children were :
Joseph: Daniel John; William; Gabriel; Susan, Airs. Moyer ; Mary, Mrs.
Schellenberger ; and another daughter who first married Henry Ranch, at
one time sheriff of Schuylkill county, and for her second hyisband Eli Hammer
William Matz, father of Mrs. Wagner, was born Nov. ii, 1801, on the
old homestead in West Brunswick township, then a part of Berks county.
While he remained there he was engaged in farming, but when he removed
thence to Pottsville, in 1848, he changed his vocation, having purchased the
"Merchants' Hotel" (then known as the "White Horse"), which he carried on
for a number of years. He became very prominent in public affairs, and in
October, 1855, was elected sheriff, serving a three years' term. Politically
he was associated with the Democratic party, with which the Matzes have
long been prominently identified. His death occurred in July, 1865. He was
a member of the German Reformed Church. By his marriage to Catherine
Kerechner he had the following children : George W. ; Thomas H. : Daniel ;
William J.; Jemima (Mrs. Wagner); Amelia, Mrs. Drumheller ; Mary E.
Matz; Susan, Airs. Shellenberger ; Louis Wolf; Emma V., Mrs. Wieder; and
one that died in infancy. Of this family William J. Matz served as deputy
sheriff during his father's term as sheriff, was later prothonotary and sheriff
of the county, and high in the councils of the Democratic party in this State.
WILLIAM T. HAMILTON, of Pottsville, is leading a life of enjoyable
leisure after a vigorous career. Those bearing the name of Hamilton have
proved their worth in three generations of honorable connection with business
affairs and the maintenance of desirable social conditions in Schuylkill county.
The familv is of Scotch origin, the grandfather of William T. Hamilton having
been a native of Scotland, whence he removed to the North of Ireland. He
died in the latter country.
Edward Hamilton, father of William T. Hamilton, was born and reared
in the North of Ireland. When a young man he came to America, settling at
Mount Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and for a number of years made his living
on the canal, owning boats and following boating. Later he was engaged in
the manufacture of powder near Tamaqua, this county, and subsequently
carried on the ice business at IJottsville, before his retirement. He cleared a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, TEXXSYLVAXLV 221
tract of land in North Manheim township, above the borough of Mount
Carbon, put up all the buildings on that place, and lived there until his death,
in 1884. This property is now owned by a Mr. Edwin. Edward Llamilton
married Jane Adams, who was born near Schuylkill Maven, and children as
follows were born to this union: Isabella, who is deceased; John, deceased;
William T. : ^lary ; Robert: Susanna, deceased; Edwaril, deceased; James B.,
and George.
William T. Hamilton was born Oct. 3, 1844, at Mount Carbon, and had
such advantages as the local schools of North Manheim township afforded.
When a boy he was employed driving mules on the towpath during the summer
season, continuing his studies in the winter time, and he feels especially
grateful to two of his instructors. Miss Mary Ann Walker and Miss Sarah
Ashley, whose memories he holds in respectful affection. They taught near
where the first Tumbling Run dam is now located, in North Manheim town-
ship, and were women of tine characters, who exercised a good influence over
the many pupils who came under their care. After driving for a time Mr.
Hamilton became employed as captain on one of his father's canal boats,
being so engaged until the summer of 186 1. At that time the boat was char-
tered by the government, and his father sent him South with it and he remained
in charge of the commissary department while the boat was engaged in carry-
ing provisions from Baltimore and \\'ashington to Norfolk, Newport News,
Aqua Creek, Belleplaine, and to City Point, on the James river. lie was so
engaged until the fall of 1864. when he returned home, and he continued
boating on the Schuylkill canal until the fall of 1868, at which time he built
a large river boat which he used in trading between Baltimore and New York
City, up the Hudson to Troy, N. Y., east to New Haven and Hartford, Conn.,
up the Connecticut river, and down to the coast of South Carolina. In 1873
he sold this vessel and returned to Pottsville, where he embarked in the ice
business with his brother Robert, under the firm name of Hamilton Brothers.
They took the business established by their father and carried it on until
1884, and then sold it out, William T. Hamilton then buying the old home-
stead place at Mount Carbon, in North Manheim township, where he lived until
i8go. That year he sold the old homestead to Manassa Mi.chael, and then
moved to Pottsville, where he put up a fine three-story building, for business
and residence purposes, and began a general store. He carried this on until
1898, when he turned the business over to his eldest son, Robert, who is still
conducting it. Mr. Hamilton has since given his time to the management of
his private affairs. He takes considerable interest in local politics, and is a
member of the Schuylkill County Historical Society, of the Men's Club of
the Episcopal Church^ and of the Central Republican Club of Pottsville.
Air. Hamilton married Catherine Bell, daughter of Henry A. Bell, who
was a boatman on the canal and a resident of Mount Carbon. Six children
have been born to this marriage, namely : Robert, now a merchant at Potts-
ville; Henry H., of Philadelphia: William, deceased; a son that died in
infancy; W'ilHam (2), a contracting engineer with headquarters at New York
City; and Florence V., who lives at home. Mr. Llamilton and his family are
members of the Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Jane (Adams) Hamilton, mother of William T. Hamilton, was a
daughter of John Adams, who came from the North of Ireland and settled
in this section of Pennsylvania. He was one of the first lock tenders of the
Schuvlkill canal, being stationed at Werners locks, above Schuylkill Haven.
222 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Later he settleil on a farm in North Manheim township, near the present
location of the county home, and there spent the rest of his days. This farm
was purchased by his son Robert, who bought it for his father. John Adams
is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He and his wife had
the following children; Robert, Plamilton, Esther (Mrs. Thomas Lynch),
Rosanna (Mrs. Thomas Quinn), Jane (Mrs. Edward Hamilton), Ellen (who
married Richard Dooley, and second Matthew Gibson), and Nancy, Mar-
garet and Mary (all of whom died unmarried).
Robert Adams, son of John, was one of the pioneer coal operators in the
Schuylkill fields, working what was known as the Greenberry colliery. His
brother Hamilton was his superintendent and general manager.
HARRY H. KOERPER, of Auburn, made a high reputation as an edu-
cator in that borough before he entered its business life. He is well qualified
for its responsibilities and in his present capacity, as cashier of the First
National Bank of Auburn, is gaining a solid place among the most respected
business men of Schuylkill county.
John Koerper, father of Harry H. Koerper, was a native of Gemiany.
Coming to America in 1849 he settled at Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where
he followed mining for several years, afterwards engaging in the hotel business,
which he carried on for a long time. He died at Tremont in 1899 and is
buried there. His widow, Margaret (Sunday), like himself a native of Ger-
many, now lives on the old homestead at that place. They were the parents
of ten children: George, John, Frank, Edward, Harry H., Elizabeth, ^linnie,
Caroline, Mary and Annie.
Harry H. Koerper was born Feb. 13, 1875, at Tremont, Schuylkill county,
and began his education in the public schools there. Subsequently he took a
course at the Millersville State Normal School, from which institution he was
graduated in 1895, ^nd ^o^ two years thereafter taught school at East Pros-
pect, York county, this State. His next experience w-as at Tremont, where he
taught for six years, and he also taught four years at LTrsinus Academy
while taking his course at Ursinus College, from which he was graduated in
1907. The same year he became principal of the Auburn schools, holding
that position for six years, and then for a year was principal at Frackville,
this county. In February, 1914, he was elected cashier of the First National
Bank of Auburn, in which responsibility he has acquitted himself very
creditably. Mr. Koerper is an efficient and interested worker in local activities.
He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Reformed Church, and for
fourteen years has served as Sunday school superintendent at Tremont and
Auburn. His obliging nature and sincere desire to be a helpful influence
wherever he is located have made him respected as well as popular.
Mr. Koerper married Maud Faust, daughter of Andrew and Sarah Faust,
and they have two children, Sarah and Harry.
ELIJAH EMERICH is one of the most honored as he is one of the oldest
residents of Schuylkill Haven, where he is now living in retirement. In the
fourscore years of his life he has not only witnessed most of the important
changes which have taken place in this region, but has had a part in many
of them, in his early manhood having followed the calling of boatman on the
Schuylkill canal, and in the latter part of his active business career the manu-
facture of underwear — the earliest and latest industries which have played a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 223
leading part in the welfare of the borough. For some time ^Ir. Emerich held
the position of steward at the Schuylkill county almshouse, administering the
duties of that office most efficiently.
John Emerich, the grandfather of Elijah Emerich, was a native of Switzer-
land, and came to this country in 1795. Lie first made a location in the Tulpe-
hocken valley, in Berks county, i'a., after a few years' residence there removing
to Schuylkill county, in the year 1801. Here he made a settlement in North
Manheim township, purchasing a large farm which he cultivated until his
death. There was an Indian camp upon this property, and he had many expe-
riences with the Indians. Among other old residents of the vicinity who
located here at the time of Mr. Emerich's settlement were Godfried Boyer,
who was killed by the Indians ; Samuel Baber ; Andreas Straus, and the
Deiberts. Air. Emerich was a member of the Lutheran Church.
John Emerich, son of John, above, was born in 1791, in Germany, and
was a child when his parents immigrated to America. He lived and died in
North ]\Ianheim township, Schuylkill county, where he owned a farm of 190
acres. His death occurred in 1862. One of the first members of the Evangeli-
cal Methodist Episcopal Church in his locality, he was quite prominent in its
work, serving ver}' acceptably as a trustee for a number of years. Politically
he was a Democrat. By his marriage to Mary Emrod he had a family of
eleven children, six sons and five daughters; we have mention of Frank,
Philip, George, Elijah, Charles, Polly, Caroline, Louisa, Elizabeth and
Catherine.
Elijah Emerich was born Jan. 15, 1834, in North Manheim township,
son of John and Mary (Emrod) Emerich. He received a common school
education, attending in the building which formerly stood on what is now the
Schuylkill county poor farm, and when a young man commenced boating on
the Philadelphia and Schuylkill canal, for fifteen years owning and operating
boats. For eighteen years, from 1870, he was in the livery business at Schuyl-
kill Haven, and then engaged in the manufacture of hosiery there, afterwards
making a change, to the production of underwear. He built up quite a large
trade, employing over twenty hands, continuing in active business pursuits
until igoS, since when he has been living retired, except for the management
of his property. He has built seven houses in the town, which he rents.
Mr. Emerich was elected steward of the county almshouse April i, 1892,
and during his incumbency of that important position discharged its duties
most faithfully. The details of the management of the institution, and of the
farm of three hundred acres operated in connection therewith, call for the
exercise of executive qualities, the work of the steward including supervision
of repairs on buildings, fences, etc., and the proper maintenance of all the
property as well as the care of the inmates, of which there were 436 during
the winter of 1892-93. While he was in charge of the institution he made a
creditable reputation by the excellent condition in which tlie grounds and
buildings were kept, their cleanliness resulting in wholesome improvement of
the health of the occupants and the excellent system making for economy and
efficiency combined.
Though he has always been a Democrat in politics ]\Ir. Emerich was a
Llnion sympathizer during the Civil war, and enlisted twice for the defense
of the State. In 1862 he became a member of Company I, 39th Regiment,
Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, and served out the term. In 1863 he
served as a member of Company C, 90th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
224 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for sixty days. He was witli his command at the battle of Antietam in Sep-
tember, 1862, and was near Gettysburg at the time of the battle, July 1-3, 1863.
Mr. Emerich married Sarah Ann Raudenbush, who was born at Schuylkill
Haven, daughter of Daniel Raudenbush, of that place, the father a native
of Orwigsburg, this county. They have had one daughter, Angela, who is
now^ the wife of Jeremiah Charles Lautenbacher, an underwear manufacturer
of Schuylkill Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Emerich are members of the Evangelical
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged for many years, and
he has been one of its leading workers, having served as president of the
board of trustees.
WILLIAM WILHELM, of Pottsville, has been a member taf the Schuyl-
kill county bar for over thirty years, and besides achieving success in his
profession has been a highly influential worker in political circles. At present
he is State chairman of the Progressive Leagues of Pennsylvania, and refer-
ence to the recital of the movements he has advocated most heartily shows
clearly that he is animated by the same unselfish spirit of patriotism which
made his father an ardent antislavery man in the days before the Civil war.
His vigorous intellect, high ideals and sincere desire to aid true progress
have made him a leader of the best thought in his community, his own high
example inspiring others to active effort.
Mr. W'ilhelm is a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 6, 1855, at Greencastle,
Franklin county, son of John Wilhelm and grandson of John Wilhelm. The
grandfather was born in Bucks county. Pa., and removed to the Cumberland
valley prior to the Revolution, passing the remainder of his life in Franklin
county. He lived to the age of ninety-three years, dying in 1862. His life
work was farming.
John Wilhelm, father of William Wilhelm, was born Feb. 14, 1824, in
Franklin county, and became one of its most prominent citizens Though he
followed farming all his life, he was also actively interested in business, being
president of the Turnpike Company of Franklin county and the first banker
at Greencastle, where he was prominent in the organization of the First
National Bank. As previously mentioned, he was an ardent abolitionist, and
Franklin county being on the Maryland line he had considerable experience
in the various phases of the slavery question. John Brown and his patriotic
followers on the way to Harper's Ferry spent one night on the Wilhelm fann.
Mr. Wilhelm was working for the slaves in what was known as the "Under-
ground Railroad." , He married ]\Iary Dieffenderfer, who was born in 1832,
at Winchester, \'a., daughter of William Dieffenderfer and member of an old
Pennsylvania family, having been a direct descendant of one of the two
Dieffenderfer brothers who settled at New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa.
Christian Diller, who settled in Lancaster county in 1717, is one of Mrs.
Wilhelm's ancestors on the maternal side. Seven children were born to John
and Mar}' Wilhelm, viz. : William ; Giarles E., who was a business man of
Pottsville, member of the firm of Wilhelm & Kennedy, house furnishers :
Gsorgia, Mrs. Houseworth, deceased (her husband was a druggist at Arbuckle,
Cal. ) ; MacHenry Holliday, an attorney, who settled at Ashland, Schuylkill
county, now judge of the Orphans' court of that county; Minnie, who died
when five years old ; Sue D., who married Harvey Spessard, formerly agent of
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, now secretary of the Wolf Manu-
facturing Company, at Chambersburg, Pa. ; and Virginia D., unmarried.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ 225
William Wilhelm grew up at Greencastlc and began his education in the
public schools there. Later he attended the Millersville State Normal School,
graduating in 1874. For two years he taught school, part of the time at Safe
Harbor, Lancaster county, the rest at Millersville Normal, where at the
same time he was studying to make his scientific degree. Then for three years
he continued in educational work as principal of the school at Tremont, Schuyl-
kill county, after which he began the study of law. After his admission to the
Schuylkill county bar, in May, 1881, he opened an office at Pottsville, where
he has since been in practice, and how highly esteemed may be judged by the
quality of work intrusted to him, and the class of patrons which have sought
his services. His specialty is practice in the Supreme and Superior courts, in
which he has been eminently successful. He has served a term as deputy
district attorney, taking office in 1885 and holding that position until 1887.
He had the honor of being nominated for judge of Schuylkill county on the
Greenback ticket in 1887, at the same time receiving the indorsement of the
Republican party.
In 1892 the commissioners of Schuylkill county appointed him to the
formidable task of equalizing the value of all the coal lands in the county,
and he increased the valuation one hundred per cent. So ably was this
service performed that in 1895 he was invited to a similar undertaking in
Carbon county, which employed him for the purpose. There the assessment
value was increased two hundred per cent. The justice of the revaluation
is apparent in that his findings in Schuylkill county have stood to the present,
and the change was accomplished there without a single legal contest.
Mr. Wilhelm has had the courage of his convictions in his political asso-
ciations. When he first came to Schuylkill county, in 1876, the year he
attained his majority, he supported the Republican party, changed his alle-
giance to the Greenback party in 1877, and for the next ten years, from 1878
to 1887, was one of its active campaign workers. In 1888 he again ranged
himself with the Republican party, whose principles on the subject of tariff
met his approval, and his allegiance was given thereto until 1910. In that
year he was one of the organizers of the Keystone party, which merged with
the Washington party, and in I9'i2 he was one of the electors on the Wash-
ington ticket, receiving the largest vote of anyone on the ticket, the total vote
being 444,894. He was made president of the Pennsylvania Electoral College.
In fact, he has always been at the head of the organization since the birth
of the party, and has been honored with the chairmanship of the State organ-
ization of Progressive Leagues, which he holds at present. He was toast-
master at the first annual banquet, held at the "Bellevue Stratford," Phila-
delphia, March 15, 1913, with Roosevelt at his right and Beveridge on the
left. Again, on June 30, 1914. at Pittsburgh, he officiated as toastmaster,
where eleven hundred sat at board, and in the evening at the Exposition
building he also presided.
Mr. Wilhelm has been associated with many progressive movements, and
he has been especially earnest in the interest of the laboring men of his own
county, for whom he has been able to accomplish much which has affected
labor conditions in every part of the State. He has always been a fighter in
the political arena, and when he espouses a cause or candidate he usually
follows it to victory. In 1909 he led the crusade in the probing of ballot box
stuffing, and secured the conviction and pleas of guilty of twenty-four people
in the county, acting on account of Morris Leahy, present jury commissioner
Vol. I— 15
226 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Schuylkill county, who had been counted out at the primaries, and winning
out for his client. In this he accomplished something that had never been
done before in the State of Pennsylvania, the opening of ballot boxes that
fraud might be exposed. Mr. Wilhelm has always been allied with the reform
element, and though he has met with opposition of the strongest kind from
unexpected sources he always came off the victor. Personally he is respected
and popular, and has a large following, though his independence in supporting
good measures rather than party principles has been done at the expense of
his own advancement.
On April 29, 1885, Mr. Wilhelm married Emma F. Enzensperger, daugh-
ter of the late Joseph Enzensperger, of 'Fremont, Schuylkill county, who died
Jan. I, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm have had three children: Rose L., born
Oct. 9, 1886; Anna, born Dec. 24, 1890; and John, born April 27, 1894, now
a student at State College.
JOHN W. LYNCH, gf Forestville, is a public-spirited citizen of Cass town-
ship, Schuylkill county, where he has spent all of his life. He belongs to a
family of Scotch extraction, which has long been established there, and in
the maternal line is of Revolutionary stock.
Williain Lynch, grandfather of John W. Lynch, was born on the border
of Scotland, and lived and died in that country. His wife, Ella, came to
America, and after living in Canada for a short time settled in Cass t6wnship,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., where her death occurred.
Abraham Lynch, son of William and Ella Lynch, was born in Canada,
was brought by his mother to Schuylkill county. Pa., and here passed prac-
tically all his life. During the Civil war he enlisted for the Union service,
being enrolled in Company A, ist Battalion, July 2, 1863, for ninety days, and
received his discharge Aug. 21, 1863. He was an early resident of Forestville,
and one of the most respected citizens of that place. He was a successful mine
worker, becoming a boss at the mines, and was in the employ of the Reading
Company for several years. His death was caused by the kick of a mule at
the mines, June 12, 1880, and he is buried at Minersville. He was survived
by his wife, Catherine (McClure), who died'in June, 1913, and is also buried
at Minersville. Their children were : Ellen, who died young ; Amelia, who
died young ; William ; Samuel ; Amos ; John W. ; and Abraham.
John W. Lynch was born Feb. 25, 1870, at Forestville, in Cass township,
Schuylkill county, and grew up there, in his early boyhood being allowed the
advantages of the public schools. When nine years old he began to pick
slate at the old West breaker. No. 2. and he continued to work at the mines
for a considerable period, advancing until he became a full-fledged miner. He
was so employed imtil 1900, in which year he built his present hotel and resi-
dence at Forestville, and he has since devoted considerable attention to operating
his hotel, which is known as the "Bellmore." Mr. Lynch has built up a profit-
able custom by the most commendable methods, paying the closest attention
to all the details necessary to make his guests comfortable, and his success has
been well deserved. His other business enterprises have also prospered. He
has acquired extensive real estate holdings in Cass township and Minersville,
and is a stockholder in the Union National Bank at Minersville ; besides he is
a member of the Log Mountain Coal Company, whose property is located in
Bell county, Ky., and has proved a valuable investment. Air. Lynch has
always used his influence to further the best interests of his home community.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 227
and his activities in this respect are recognized and appreciated hy his fellow
citizens. He holds memhership in the Foresters of America and the Improved
Order of Red J\Ien, and his religious connection is with the Lutheran Church at
Minersville. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
On April 30, 1897, Air. Lynch married Margaret Jane Moore, daughter
of Thomas and Eliza (Gilgour) Aloore. Her father, who was a fire boss at
the Phoeni.x colliery, No. 3, in Cass township, died July 23, 1914. Her mother,
a native of Philadelphia, has lived in Cass township from early life, being still
a resident of Forestville. Mr. and Airs. Lynch have two daughters, Alma A.,
who is attending the Minersville high school, class of 1917; and Eleanor I.,
who attends the Cass township high school, at Forestville.
George Washington AlcClure, maternal grandfather of John W. Lynch,
lived and died in Branch township, near Phoenix Park No. 2. He owned a
team and hauled timber for the collieries. He and his wife, Catherine (Rays-
ter), who also died in Branch township, are buried there in the Clouser
cemetery. We have the following record of their children : Amelia married
Capt. John Williams, who served as a captain in the Civil war from Schuylkill
county. Pa.: Catherine was the wife of Abraham Lynch; Utica died young;
Clara married William Shultz ; Alatilda died unmarried : John, who served
three years in the Civil war (he was in the battle of Gettysburg), was killed
in the mines at the Wadlinger colliery, in Cass township ; Amos also met his
death in the mines, at the Woodside, in Cass township; Elijah, who died in
1907, in Branch township, married Kate Bradley, and now resides at Miners-
ville. The AlcClure family has been established in America from the early
days, and the ancestor of George W. McClure served on the side of the
Colonies during the Revolution.
DAVID G. SMITH withdrew from active association with business a few
years ago and is enjoying himself in comfortable leisure after an honorable
and busy career. For several years he took a hand in the municipal govern-
ment of his town, Pottsville, serving as a member of the borough council,
and he has always been a citizen who could be relied upon for cooperation in
movements looking to the advancement of his community. He is a native of
Lebanon county. Pa., where his father. David Smith, was a well known farmer
for many years, eventually removing to Jonestown, that county, where he
resided until his death. He married Lydia Gerberich, daughter of George
Gerberich and member of a prominent Lebanon county family. Among their
children were Amanda, Rebecca, David G. and Ellen. The last named married
Moses F. Arndt, son of John Arndt and one of the leading men of Jonestown,
Lebanon Co., Pa., engaged in the tanning business, and also vice president of
the Jonestown Bank.
David G. Smith was born Aug. 15, 1846, in Monroe Valley, and attended
public school in his native county. He gained an excellent education and taught
school during his young manhood, his first engagement being at Schneck, in
Washington township, Schuylkill county, where he taught both German and
English. He was next at the Conrad school, where all of the instruction was
in English. Aleantime he continued his studies, attending summer school at
Mount Joy Academy, in Lancaster county, at Annville, Lebanon county, and
New Berlin, Pa., as well as other places. For five terms he taught in Lebanon
county and then turned his attention to business, buying out the general store
of John Phillips, at Monroe \"alley. After two years at that location he went
228 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PExXXSYLVANIA
to Ono, Lebanon county, where he was also established for two years, was
subsequently at Jonestown for a few months, and in 1872 came to Schuylkill
county and took the position of clerk with George E. fioffman, at Cressona.
He remained in ^Ir. Hoti'man's employ for ten months and then engaged in
business on his own account at Pottsville, his first store being at the corner
of Eleventh and Markets streets, where he did business for four years. At the
end of that time he purchased the corner property at Twelfth and Market
streets, where he was established until his retirement, building up a large trade
as a first-class grocer. ^Ir. Smith was noted throughout his career for prompt
attention to all his business obligations and reliability in all the relations of
life, and he always had the confidence and respect of his patrons and em-
ployees. The esteem of his fellow citizens was substantially expressed in his
election to the borough council, of which he was a member for four years,
giving the efficient service which had been expected of him. Politically he
has been associated with the Republican party. He retired from business in
April, 1908.
In August, 1869, Mr. Smith was married to Sarah K. Moyer, daughter of
Martin and Alary (Kreider) Moyer, of Lebanon county, who had a large
family, only three of whom survive, namely : Fannie, widow of John Ebersole ;
Daniel, retired, who lives near Annville ; and Mrs. David G. Smith. Martin
Moyer, the father, was a large landowner near Annville, Lebanon county, and
also had valuable limestone quarries. To Mr. and Airs. Smith has been born
one child, Lillian AL, who married Otto Shuman, and after his death became
the wife of Dr. J. G. Kramer, a well known physician of Pottsville, who has
his office at Fourth and Alarket streets. Air. and Airs. Smith reside at No.
1 124 West Alarket street. They are members of the First Alethodist Church
of Pottsville, and he belongs to the P. O. S. of A. He has many friends in
the borough and a wide acquaintanceship throughout this section of Schuylkill
county.
LYMAN D. HEIAI, AL D., of Schuylkill Haven, a physician of high stand-
ing in his section of Schuylkill county, belongs to one of the oldest families in
this portion of Pennsylvania and numerously represented here from Colonial
days.
This branch of the Heim family is descended from George Heim. one of
three brothers from Wurtemberg, Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania on
their arrival in America — John in Berks county, Andoni (or Andrew) in
Buffalo valley and George in the Alahantango valley, in that section now em-
braced in Schuylkill county. He is buried at Klingerstown, in Schuylkill
county, his grave being in a garden, but unfortunately it has no marking. He
was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and education, was one of the
early schoolmasters of that region, and also followed surveying, doing all the
surveying required in his section at that time. He purchased considerable land
from the Indians, over which there was subsequently litigation with the Penns,
they claiming title. Heim had a large strip of land which extended from the
Himmel Church in the direction of Klingerstown. He resolutely opposed the
window tax imposed by the English crown upon the pioneers during the Colo-
nial days. He probably was single when he came to America. His wife,
however, was of foreign extraction, being of Irish stock. They had among
others these children: John, George, Paul (had a son Paul), Peter and
Matthias.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 229
John Heim, son of George, was born in 1756, in Upper Mahanoy, Northum-
berland county, and died in 1824, aged sixty-eight years. He is buried at
Klingerstown, in a garden. He was a prominent schoolmaster of his day, and
also followed farming, having considerable land. He was a leading and
respected member of the community, doing all the writing and similar business
for his section. In 1790 the Federal census records him as a resident of that
section of Berks county now embraced in Schuylkill county, in the LIpper
jMahantango valley, in which Klingerstown is now located. He then had four
sons — all under sixteen years of age — and two daughters. He was twice mar-
ried, and by his first union had seven children (another account says he had
seven sons and one daughter by his first wife). His second wife was Sophia
Kohl, who remarried after his death, and died about 1H63, at the ripe age of
eighty-eight years; she is buried at St. John's Church, in Upper Mahanoy town-
ship, Northumberland county. Eight children were born to this union, namely :
]\Iolly married Peter Beisel ; Christina married a Straub ; John, a carpenter,
located in Richfield, Snyder Co., Pa. ; George lived in Schuylkill county. Pa. ;
Rev. William was an Evangelical preacher (he had an only daughter, Sallie,
who married Dr. Hensyl, of Howard, Pa.) ; Peter lived at Watsontown, Pa.
(he had a son John, who is deceased, and three daughters) ; Daniel married
Alary Homberger ; Jonathan, who located in the West, had a large family, now
located in Iowa and Indiana.
George Heim, grandfather of Dr. Lyman D. Heim, was born in South Man-
heim township, Schuylkill county, and always lived there, following farming.
He died at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife, Susanna ( Lutz), daugh-
ter of John Lutz. lived to the age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Heim
are buried at the Summer Hill Church. They had children are follows : Mary,
wife of Daniel Reber; George L. ; Susanna, wife of Daniel Warmkessel ; Caro-
line, deceased : and Joel, who lives in South Manheim township.
George L. Heim, son of George and Susanna (Lutz) Heim, was born in
South Manheim township May 24, 1842, and died Nov. 22, 1903. He is
buried in the Summer Hill cemetery in his native township. Mr. Heim was
reared to farming, and in his youth hired out to his uncle Daniel for some
time. Eventually he became engaged in farming on his own account on the
^^'illiam J. Berkheiser property, and in 1899 bought that fine property con-
sisting of 128 acres, one mile west of Landingville, which he cultivated until
his death. He married Lucy Ann Berkheiser, daughter of William J. and
Esther (Bressler) Berkheiser, and they became the parents of seven children,
viz.: Alvin W., Willoughby F., Emma A. (]\Irs. George Gangloff), Oscar A.,
Minnie E. (who lives at home), Lyman D. and George F. (who lives at home,
managing the farm for his mother).
Lyman D. Heim was born Feb. 14, 1877, at Landing^/ille, where he was
reared. His education was begun in the public schools of the home district
and his early training was well supplemented by a course at the Kutztown
State Normal School. He taught school for one term in South Manheim
township before taking up the study of medicine, which he began under the
tuition of the late Dr. Dechert, of Schuylkill Haven. Later he entered Jefferson
Medical college, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in- 1902, since when he
has been established in practice at Schuylkill Haven. He has been a busy man
throughout his career, his personal qualities combining with efficient attention
to his patrons to gain him wide popularity, and his reputation among physi-
cians, as well as with the laity, is irreproachable. He is a member of the
230 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAXL\
Schuylkill County ^Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Aledical Society and
the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to
Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, and he also holds mem-
bership in the Royal Arcanum. In all the relations of life he measures up to
a high standard of manhood and citizenship set up by his worthy ancestors.
Dr. Heim married Annie Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson, and they have
two children, Emeline and Hugh.
EDWARD CHARLES BROBST, at present serving as county commis-
sioner of Schuylkill county, was a business man of Shenandoah up to the time
he entered upon the duties of that office, to which he is now giving practically
all of his attention. As a successful groceryman, he was one of the leading
merchants of his town for almost thirty years, and his business talents were
considered sufificient assurance by his fellow citizens that he would make an
able public servant. His record has justified the confidence that they showed
in him when he was elected to the office by a large majority.
The Brobst family is of old Berks county stock. From the Pennsylvania
Archives, \'ol. X\'II, pp. 75-77-81, it is learned that one Hans JMichael Brobst
(or Probst) and his family emigrated from Switzerland or Germany on the
ship "Samuel," which qualified at Philadelphia Aug. 17, 1733. This family
was listed as follows: Michael Probst, aged fifty-four; Johan Michael, aged
twenty-one; Barbara Brospts, aged fifty-three; and Barbara Brospts, aged
eight.
In 1759, in Albany township, Michael Brobst was tax collector, and on
the list of taxes were: Michael Brobst. fourteen poimds (or $37.24) ; Martin
Brobst, fourteen pounds (or $37.24) : and \alentine Brobst, sixteen pounds
(or $42.56). These amounts were reckoned by allowing $2.66 United States
money for a Pennsylvania pound.
The will of Martin Brobst, of Albany township, was probated June 9, 1/66,
and Anna Elizabeth Brobst was named as executrix. This document is in
German script, and mentions several children.
According to various accounts the early home of this family was in Wur-
temberg or Lower Saxony, Germany, and Philip Brobst and his wife Cerine
came to this country in 1720 from Germany or Switzerland. He settled in
what is now Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., and there followed his trade of
potter in connection with farming, the latter of necessity engrossing most of his
time. He had three sons, Martin, Michael aqd \'alentine, and three daughters,
who married respectively N. Kutz, C. Hechler and J. Fetteroft or FetherolfT.
The will of Philip Brobst, made in 1747, and probated March 21, 1760, made
provision for his children as follows : A'lichael, one hundred acres of land and a
good gristmill belonging thereto; ]\Iartin, a tract of fifty acres and a good
new gristmill; Valentine, his just portion of the estate: Eva Catharine, fifty
pounds in money; and Dorothy (wife of Johannes Fetherolfif), fifty pounds
in money. Michael and Martin each built for himself a mill in the same neigh-
borhood. They were all devout believers in the doctrines of the Lutheran
Church.
"In 1740 Parson Muhlenberg gave them a small tract of land on which
the three brothers, with the assistance of some new settlers, built a church and
school-house which is occupied from that day to this for the worship of God,
by the name of "Allimingle Church.' " Michael Brobst's wife was Elizabeth
Albright.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 231
\'alentine Brobst, mentioned above as son of Philip and Cerine, emigrated
with his brothers from the Old \\'orld. He lived in Reading for some years,
and tradition says for a time in Albany township, where his brothers, Michael
and Martin, were also large landowners, as indicated by the amount of taxes
paid. The Christian name of \'alentine's wife was Catharine. He died prior
to 1775, and his wife in 1775. The executors of the will of \'alenline Brobst
were Frederick Hill, a brother-in-law, and Henry Brobst, a brother's son.
Among the items were: "Cath. Snyder, my aforesaid wife's sister's daughter,
shall have fifty pounds; Jacob Brobst shall have the plantation I bought from
Jacob Gortner (Jacob was a son of Michael, the latter a brother of \'alentine) ;
Catharine Stine (daughter of Martin, another brother of \'alentine) shall have
fifty pounds; my sister Dorothy married to Johannes Fetherolff shall have
fifty pounds." The witnesses to the will were: Philip Staumbog, George
Kistler and ^Matthias Brobst. The will of Catharine, widow of V^alentine
Brobst, is on record in Will Book 2, p. 236. Like his brothers, Valentine
Brobst engaged in farming and milling. Among his children were X'alentine
(2) and Martin, of whom the latter removed to Catawissa, Pennsylvania.
Christian Brobst, grandfather of Edward C. Brobst, lived for a time in
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in business. By trade
he was a hamessmaker. Moving thence to Pottsville, he was engaged in
business there for several years, and put up the first buildings on Centre street —
what is now the property of the Mortimers ; he owned this land back to Centre
street. He was a man of recognized ability, was chosen commissioner of
Schuylkill county back in 1817, at which time Orwigsburg was the county
seat, and was one of the energetic figures in the life of his day. He had served
as a soldier in the war of 1812, was a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Philadelphia, and took an active
part in the work of the Evangelical Church, to which he belonged. In fact,
he crowded much usefulness into a comparatively short life, for he died at
Pottsville when forty-one years old. He was interred in the old Centre street
burial ground there. Mr. Brobst married Sarah Zoll, of Orwigsburg, daughter
of Jacob Zoll, who built the first iron works in Pottsville. She died two years
after her husband. The following children were born to this union : Peramus,
who married Mary Yeager, died in Pottsville : Mary married Michael McBride
and died at the age of ninety-one years, in Sullivan county. Pa. ; Catherine, Mrs.
Brewer, went to Minnesota, where her husband became a mail carrier, and
on his third trip home was frozen and starved to death ; Benewell was drowned
in the canal at Pottstown, Pa., when a young man; George died young; Annetta
married Daniel Yeager, of Reading, and died at the age of eighty-three years,
at No. 805 North Norwegian street ; Casper married Tamsen Stichter.
Casper Brobst, father of Edward C. Brobst, was born at Orwigsburg, and
like his father never reached his prime, dying at the age of forty-two years.
He learned the business of saddler with his father, for a time conducted a
boarding stable for horses at Pottsville, and was afterwards variously engaged
until his death. He served in the LJnion army during the Civil war, enlisting
from Pottsville. By his marriage to Tamsen Stichter, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca
Stichter, he had five children, namely: Emma, deceased, wife of Henry
Wamick ; Sarah, deceased, wife of Howard Jones, of Philadelphia ; Edward
Charles; Cassilda, wife of John M. Bock, living at Shenandoah; and Annie,
married to Morton Knox, of Pottstown, Pa. The mother of this family died
232 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
at the age of forty-one years. The father was a Baptist in reHgious connec-
tion. He is buried in the Presbyterian Church at Pottsville.
Edward Charles Brobst was born Oct. 31, 1858, in Pottsville, and had
common school advantages there, up to the age of nine attending throughout
the school year. He then took employment in the mines during summer, con-
tinuing his schooling during the winter season at William Penn, Schuylkill
county. After doing work about the mines for seven years he began clerking
for Thomas Bedford, in whose employ he remained three years, changing to
work for Charles Bowman in a similar capacity. He was in ]\Ir. Bowman's
grocery store for ten years before engaging in business on his own account, in
1884. He began in a rented store at the corner of Jardin and Centre streets,
Shenandoah, and the location proving satisfactory he purchased it in time, and
continued there as long as he carried on the business, building up a fine trade.
In 1910 he erected a fine up-to-date building on that site, a substantial three-
story structure, which is a credit to the town and an indication of the pros-
perity which marked his career. Mr. Brobst conducted the grocery business
until Jan. i, 1912, when, having been elected county commissioner by a large
majority, he gave up the business to devote himself to his new responsibilities.
He has served as a member of the board of health of Shenandoah. Politically
he is a Republican, and an influential worker for the success of his party in
this region. Socially he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Masons, in
the latter connection holding membership in Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511, F. &
A. M., of which he was master in 191 1; in Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, of
Mahanoy City; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, K. T., of Mahanoy City; and
Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. He also belongs to the
B. P. O. Elks lodge at Shenandoah.
Mr. Brobst married Annie Thomas, daughter of John Thomas, of Miners-
ville, Pa., and five children have been born to them : Charles, now carrying on
the grocery business at Shenandoah, is married to Jessie Loucks ; Eily is at
home; Florence graduated from the Shenandoah high school in June, 1914, and
later from the college at Lutherville, Md. ; George is attending \\'yoming ( Pa. )
seminary ; Margaret is at school. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
HEXRY B. ZULICH, late of Schuylkill Haven, was a familiar figure in
and around that borough for many years, in his capacity of superintendent for
the Schuylkill Navigation Company at this point becoming well known to the
majority of his fellow citizens. His executive ability and upright character
made him a valuable employee of the company in whose service most of his
mature life was spent. Aside from that' connection he was principally inter-
ested in the work of the Reformed Church, belonging to St. John's congregation,
in which he was active for many years.
The Zulich family is well known in southern Schuylkill county. It was
founded in America by John Zulich, grandfather of Henrj' B. Zulich, who
came from Germany and landed at Baltimore, Md., where he settled. Of his
five children three died young, the two who reached maturity being Godfrey B.
and Anthony. Godfrey B. Zulich was born at Baltimore, on the site where
Fort McHeiiry is now located, June 22, 1802, the night his parents arrived
there after their voyage from Germany.
Anthony Zulich, son of John, removed to Philadelphia, where he lived for
some time, later settling at Easton, Pa., where he died. He married Jane
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\AXL\ 233
Cumniings, of Philadelphia, who was a member of the Quaker family of that
name, and to them were born the following children: Anna was the wife of
William Guild, of Newark, N. J.; Mary married Thomas Rinek; Myer C,
now living in Newark, N. J., attained the dignity of governor of Arizona;
Henry B. is mentioned below ; Charles is deceased ; William H. is deceased ;
Thomas is deceased ; Dr. Morton completes the family.
Henry B. Zulich was born Dec. 15, 1832, in Philadelphia, and received an
excellent education, attending Lafayette College at Easton. When a young
man he came to Schuylkill Haven, where he soon found employment with the
Schuylkill Navigation Company, and in a short time he had won recognition
which gained him promotion to the position of superintendent. He continued
to till this responsible position until his death, which occurred in January, iSyS.
Mr. Zulich became very well known in this section and was especially popular
with children, with whom he was always on terms of the greatest friendship.
This interest was shown in his connection with Sunday school work, for which
he was well fitted by nature, filling the office of superintendent of the Sunday
school of St. John's Reformed Church for many years. He was an earnest
member of that church and always concerned for its welfare.
In 185S Mr. Zulich married Emma R. Hesser, who was born Aug. 22, 1840,
daughter of the late Capt. Henry B. Hesser, and a large family blessed this
union, namely: Samuel M., born July 4, 1859, is deceased; William, born Sept.
30, i860, is an attorney at law, practicing in Ohio; Henry Hesser, born Aug.
9, 1862, is cashier of the Ringtown National Bank, in Schuylkill county ; Jennie
M., born Oct. 19, 1863, is at home; Ellen S., born July 23, 1865, is deceased;
Albert A., born Sept. 16, 1867, is deceased; Elizabeth S., born April 27, 1869, is
at home; Anna M., born Jan. 9, 1871, married William Abbott, of Pittsburgh,
Pa. ; John G. K. was born Jan. 23, 1874; Ollie, born Feb. 5, 1876, is deceased;
Thomas Renek, born June 7, 1878, is located in New Jersey; Persey, born May
14, 1882, is deceased. The mother of this family is still a resident of Schuyl-
kill Haven, where she is well known and held in the highest esteem.
Henry B. Hesser, father of Mrs. Zulich, was born at Orwigsburg, Pa., son
of Frederick Hesser, who served in the Revolutionary war as & drummer boy.
For some years he lived at Germantown, Pa., removing thence to Orwigsburg,
Schuylkill county, where he died and is buried. He was a well known man
in his day in various connections, being the second to hold the office of sheriff
in Schuylkill county, and a musician of ability both vocally and instnnnentally,
being especially well known as a church singer. He and his wife Elizabeth
were the parents of the following children: Frederick; Rev. Charles, a Meth-
odist minister; John; Henry B. ; Rebecca, Mrs. Frailey ; Catherine, Mrs. John
Shoener; Polly, Mrs. Harner; and Sallie.
Henry B. Hesser spent practically all of his mature life in the employ of
the Reading Railroad Company at Schuylkill Haven, attaining to a responsible
position. His death occurred April 15, 1S92, when he was seventy-five years
old, and he is buried at Schuylkill Haven. By his marriage. to Margaret Shoe-
maker, also a native of Orwigsburg, he had the following children : Elizabeth
Sarah, now living at the old homestead in Schuylkill Haven ; Emma R., Airs.
Henry B. Zulich ; Albert A., deceased ; Charles Frederick, deceased ; William
Reift, living at Reading, Pa. ; and Henry Addas, deceased.
JOHN C. BITTLE and his sister, residents of Pottsville, are the only repre-
sentatives of their line of this substantial old family established in Schuylkill
county during the pioneer period.
234 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Christopher Bittle (or Bittel, as the name was then spelled), their first
ancestor in America, came to this country from England Sept. 24, 1753, at
which time he was only a boy, and first located at Ouakertown, near Phila-
delphia, Pa. Rupp's Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania
from 1727 to 1776 says (pages 308-309 ) that the ship "Neptune" (John Alason,
master), from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, arrived at Philadelphia Sept. 24,
I753' a"d gives the name of Christoph Biittel among her passengers. For a
time he was employed on a farm. Later he married a Miss Neiman, and settled
at Pottstown, Pa., where he purchased a farm upon which he lived for a while.
Selling out, he came to what is now Schuylkill county, locating on Summer
mountain, about half a mile east of Schuylkill Haven, where he bought the
farm later owned by the Henney and Reber families, situated in South Man-
heim township. He sold that property and removed to North ]\Ianheim
township, where he settled on a tract lying along the road leading from
Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known as the old Bartolette farm. When
he sold this he bought a farm property in what is now Norwegian township,
near ^linersville (in the same locality as the old Thomas Shollenberger tract),
and it was there his death occurred. The place afterwards became known as
the James farm. Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was engaged to a con-
siderable extent in cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill,
cutting his timber and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He supplied the
lumber for the first houses built in what is now the' city of Pottsville. He
also sank a small shaft and obtained coal, he being one of the pioneers in this
business. Christopher Bittle purchased a farm in Windsor township, Berks
Co., Pa., April i, 1797, and for this tract he paid £66, 13 shillings, 4 pence, gold
or silver, lawful money. Mr. John C. Bittle and his sister, now of No. 11 12
Mahantongo street, Pottsville, have this paper. Christopher Bittle's wife, who
was born in Hanover, Germany, was a sister to the grandmother of ex-Governor
John F. Hartranft, who served as governor of the State in 1873-78. They
had the following children : John ; Jacob, who was a farmer in Long Run valley,
near Schuylkill Haven, and died there ; Henry, who was the owner of the well
known Weissinger farm in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county ; Jona-
than, who lived and died in Panther valley, Schuylkill county ; Maria, ^Irs. John
Strauch: ]\Iolly, Mrs. John Pott; Kate, Mrs. Weaver; Elizabeth, Mrs. Weaver;
Rebecca, who married Squire Jacob Reed ; Sarah, ]\Irs. Thomas Jennings ; and
Eva, Mrs. Warner (she and her husband went by wagon to Ohio and were
among the early settlers at Circleville, where they left descendants).
John Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of John C. Bittle.
Born in Chester county. Pa., he came to Schuylkill county with his parents when
only nine years old, and here spent the remainder of his life. In his young
manhood he learned the trade of weaver, but never followed that business for
any length of time, being engaged with his father in his sawmill and lumbering
operations. They took the rafts which they made down the Schuylkill river
to Reading, being obliged to make the return trip on foot. In 183 1 John Bittle
removed to Pottsville, where he had a tract of five acres at Yorkville, on what
is now West End avenue. He was a large landowner in .Schuylkill county and
the surrounding region, his holdings including the ground on Mahantongo
street, Pottsville, where the First Presbyterian church now stands, and in com-
pany with his brother Henry he owned half of what is now known as German-
town, near Pottsville ; Henry owned what is now the Weissinger farm in that
section. In 1838 John Bittle built the home now occupied by his grandchildren,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\ 235
at No. 1 1 12 Mahantongo street, Pottsville. He died there April 4, 1876, and
is buried in the old I'resbyterian cemetery. His wife, Barbara (Alsbach), of
Primrose, this county, a small place west of Minersville, was a daughter of
Matthew Alsbach, who served under Washington during the Revolutionary
war; he was the owner of all the valuable coal land at Primrose. To this union
was born one son, Charles. Mr. Bittle married for his second wife Elizabeth
Zimmerman.
Charles Bittle was born Aug. 19, 1817, upon the Bittle farm, and was thir-
teen years old when his parents settled at Pottsville. He was one of the live
business men of that borough for many years. He had a colliery on Sharp
mountain, and dealt in coal, supplying a large trade at Pottsville. For a few
years he was engaged in the manufacture of railroad spikes, but was principally
interested in the coal and lumber business and had a long and prosperous career.
He died Jan. 17, 1899. at the residence on Mahantongo street, and is buried in
the Presbyterian cemetery. Mr. Bittle was not associated with public affairs
in any capacity, but gave his support to the Republican party. He married
Christiana Lord, daughter of Frederick and Molly (Bensinger) Lord, and she
survived him only one week, dying Jan. 24, 1899. Of their three children,
Emma, the youngest, died when two and a half years old. The survivors are
John C. and Eliza, who occupy the comfortable old residence erected by their
grandfather in 1838. The parents were members of the German Reformed
Church.
John C. Bittle, only son of Charles Bittle, was born at Pottsville Nov. 25,
1841. He had the advantages of the public schools, and entered business life as
his father's assistant in the coal and lumber trade, in which he continued suc-
cessfully until his retirement in 1903. He has never married. Successful but
unassuming, Mr. Bittle has been a typical member of this fine old family,
associated with Schuylkill county for four generations, and he and his sister are
the last surviving members of the branch of the family to which they belong.
DANIEL J. GENSEMER, present postmaster at Pine Grove, is an official
whose abilities have been tested and not found wanting in various public
responsibilities. Born in Pine Grove Dec. 26, 186 1, he is a son of Daniel and
Catherine (Loos) Gensemer, and a member of a family of German ancestry
whose founders in America came here in the ship "Glasgow" from Rotterdam.
They were of the company which came to America with Conrad Weiser, down
the Susquehanna and into Berks county, settling the place then in Lancaster
county which became known as Schaefi^erstown, near Lebanon. There George
Gensemer, the great-grandfather of Daniel J. Gensemer, was born, and there
he was engaged in the tanning business. During the Revolutionary war he
enlisted under General Washington, became a non-commissioned officer, and
was with Washington during the trying winter at Valley Forge, and at the
crossing of the Delaware and battle of Trenton, N. J. He died in Lancaster
county, and is buried at Robesonia, in the Eck Church cemetery.
Henry Gensemer, son of George, was a native of Blainsport, Lancaster Co.,
Pa., born Oct. 16, 1782, and died there in 1873. He is buried in the cemetery
of what is known as the Swamp Church in West Cocalico township, that
countv. During his boyhood, in 1793, he made a trip over the Blue mountains
into Schuylkiir county with a party who were making a visit. Seeing some
evidently hostile Indians on the top of the mountains the white people crawled
into an old hollow log and waited for the savages to take their departure before
236 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
proceeding. The incident is typical of the times and of the dangers which
beset the pioneers who ventured to settle in this region. In his young manhood
Henry Gensemer followed butchering for four years, and then for six years
was engaged in droving. Then he learned the trade of tanner, serving his
apprenticeship at Adamstown, Lancaster county, where he continued to work
at that calling on his own account for a number of years, three of his sons,
Daniel, John and Henry, succeeding him in the business. Meantime he was
also interested in farming, acquiring the ownership of 250 acres in the same
township, and giving considerable time and attention to the cultivation of his
land. He was a Whig in political sentiment, in religion a member of the
German Reformed Church. By his marriage to Elizabeth Fichtorn he had
nine children : Levi, William, Henry, Daniel, John, George, Sallie, Catherine
and Elizabeth.
Daniel Gensemer, son of Henry, was born Sept. 23, 1S23, in what was then
Cocalico township (now Blainsportj, Lancaster Co., Pa., and learned the trade
of tanner from his father. He also helped with the farm work at home, until
1849, when he and his brothers John and Henry joined interests under the
name of D. Gensemer & Bros, and took over their father's tannery, which they
carried on in partnership until Jan. i, 1856, when Daniel Gensemer came to
Pine Grove. Renting the tannery of Levi Miller, he continued in the same
line, and in April of the year named John and Henry Gensemer followed him,
the three brothers resuming operations under their old style and conducting
the Miller tannery until 1859. Then Henry sold his share to the other two
and the name became D. & J. Gensemer, until 1863. In that year the three
brothers united in the purchase of the John A. Bechtel tannery at Pine Grove,
and operated both plants until 1866, when Henry Miller was taken into the
firm and the name changed to D. Gensemer & Co. In 1876 Mr. Miller with-
drew and Henry Gensemer sold his interest to his brother Daniel, he and his
brother John continuing the business until 1883, when George W. Gensemer,
son of Daniel, became a partner. A few years later, in 1S89, Harry L. Gen-
semer, another son of Daniel, entered the business, with which the father
remained until 1892. Then the two sons of Daniel took control as sole owners
under the name of George W. and H. L. Gensemer. The business is still
one of the most important at Pine Grove and is at present operated by the firm
of Gensemer & Salen. In Daniel Gensemer's day the industry had developed
to such proportions that the yearly output attained a value of one hundred
thousand dollars, and as the executive head of the concern the principal credit
for the growth is justly attributed to his enterprise. His active faculties also
sought other outlets which contributed to promoting commercial conditions Jn
this locality. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank at
Orwigsburg and one of its first directors; for twelve years treasurer of the
Central Building & Loan and Savings Association ; and for eight years he held
an interest in the Stanton colliery, at Mahanoy Plane.
Mr. Gensemer was more than a capable business man. He had definite
ideas on municipal affairs, and showed a commendable desire to serve the
community unselfishly in the several important borough ofifices to which he
was chosen, as town councilman for a number of terms, chief burgess one term,
and school director. Originally a Whig in political sentiment, casting his
first vote for Henry Clay, he afterwards adhered to the principles of the
Republican party. Mr. Gensemer lived to the age of seventy-nine years, dying
in 1902. He was a member of the Evangelical Church and active in its work.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 237
On April 6, 1857, Mr. Gensemer married Catherine Loos, who was born
June 23, 1837, in Lancaster county, Pa., daughter of Joseph (Jr.) and Barbara
(Schmidt) Loos, of that county, and of Cerman extraction, being a descend-
ant of John George Loos, who arrived in America Oct. 2, 1753, coming to
Philadelphia from Rotterdam in the ship "Edinburgh." Proceeding to what
was then part of Lancaster (now Berks) county. Pa., he became the owner of
a farm which is still in the possession of the Loos heirs. Joseph Loos, father
of ]Mrs. Catherine (Loos) Gensemer, was born Nov. 20, iSio, in Lancaster
county, where he passed all his life, engaged in farming, and died in 1898.
His wife Barbara was the daughter of John Schmidt, who was born in 1762
in Lancaster county. Mrs. Catherine (Loos) Gensemer died at Pine Grove,
Pa. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Gensemer: Lizzie A. is the wife of John J. Krimmel, who is in the
bakery business at Pine Grove; George \V. was engaged with his father and
brothers in tanning at Pine Grove, being interested in two plants; Daniel J.
is next in the family; Sevilla K., deceased, was the wife of Dr. Clell Bowman,
at one time president of Lafayette (Oregon) College, now dean of Albright
College, Pennsylvania; Annie B. is married to Benjamin Duncan, of Salt Lake
City, Utah ; Harry L. was associated with his brother George in the tanning
business at Pine Grove; Joseph L., a graduate of Pemisylvania College, 1892,
and later a student at Madison College, in New Jersey, is now a aninister of
the Methodist Church, stationed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Daniel J. Gensemer had such early advantages as the schools of Pine Grove
oiTered, and later entered the Lebanon County College. His first independent
venture was in the lumber business at Goodspring, Pa., which he carried on
from 1884 to 1906, as a contractor for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company. Meantime he was also engaged in merchandising at Goodspring,
Pa. Removing to Duncannon, Pa., he remained there a year, returning to
Pine Grove. In 191 1 he was appointed postmaster of the borough of Pine
Grove, and has since filled that position, giving unqualified satisfaction in his
discharge of the duties of the office. He came to the work with a compre-
hensive knowledge of its requirements, having served as postmaster at Good-
spring for seventeen years. He was elected to the town council at Pine Grove
in 1888 and in all his public service has given his fellow citizens the benefit
of his best thought and executive ability.
Mr. Gensemer has been particularly active in promoting the social and fra-
ternal organizations of his choice. He is a prominent member of the P. O. S.
of A., belonging to Washington Camp No. 49, and Commandery No. 22 (the
latter of Tower City ), and he has not only passed the chairs in these bodies but
also sen-ed as president of the Schuylkill district, 1897 to 1900, and as State
vice president in 1902-03. He has also passed all the chairs in Lodge Xo. 148,
L O. O. F., and is a member and treasurer of the local encampment of that
order ; is a member of the commandery of the Knights of the Mystic Chain at
Suedberg; of the Independent Americans at Pine Grove (at present serving as
councilor) ; of the Improved Order of Red ]\Ien at Tremont ; of Pine Grove
Lodge, No. 409, F. & A. M., and of the Sons of the Revolution.
In February, 1883, Mr. Gensemer was married to Anna L. Stout, of Pine
Grove, daughter of William H. and Matilda (^^'alters) Stout, the latter now
deceased. ^Ir. Stout makes his home on a farm two miles east of Pine Grove
and is widely acquainted among farmers throughout the State, giving lectures
on agricultural tojjics all over Pennsylvania. Seven children, five sons and two
238 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANLA.
daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gensemer: George B. is a minister
of the United EvangeHcal denomination, stationed at Columbia, Pa. ; Fred D.
is a tanner by occupation; Paul B. is a resident of Boston, Mass.; S. Ruth, a
trained nurse, is in the Presbyterian Hospital at Philadelphia ; Norman \V. is a
student at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ; Reba L. is at home ; Donald
J. is a student and still at home. All the family belong to the United Evangelical
Church.
REESE TASKER, late of Pottsville, who for ten years was general mining
superintendent at that point for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com-
pany, closed his career as one of the most conspicuous figures in the anthracite
region. He began as a humble mine worker, and attained to position and repu-
tation through sheer merit, winning recognition as one of the ablest mining
experts in the country. Unspoiled by success and honors, his likeable person-
ality and sterling character made him one of the most popular officials of the
great concern whose interests at Pottsville were in his care, enjoying the friendly
esteem of all the men with whom his duties brought him into contact. The
same was true of his social relations. His eminent executive ability, supple-
menting the most comprehensive familiarity with his business, made him so
valuable from the practical standpoint that he was not only intrusted with great
responsibilities but frequently consulted when competent advice was necessary.
Mr. Tasker was a Welshman and the son of a miner, born Sept. 29, 1846,
at Glen Neath, Glamorganshire, South Wales. He spent the first eighteen
years of his life in his native land. When but eight years old he began work
in the mines and served an apprenticeship at anthracite mining under his
father, later mining bituminous coal. When a youth of eighteen, in 1864, he
came to America, first settling at Nanticoke (near Wilkes-Barre), Luzerne
Co., Pa., where he worked a few years, part of the time as a contract miner.
His next experience was in the soft coal mines in Kentucky, whence he returned
to this section of Pennsylvania in 1875, from which time until his death he was
in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. He com-
menced his service with this concern as a miner at Mahanoy City (in 1875)
and won advancement steadily, having filled almost all the intermediate posi-
tions when made general mining superintendent in 1905.
A self-made man more successful, in the best sense of the term, would be
hard to find. His first promotion was to the position of fire boss at a colliery
at Wiggan, Schuylkill county. Then he became inside foreman at the Boston
Run colliery, in 1886, and was later in the same capacity at the Suffolk colliery,
to which he was transferred about 1890, residing at Gilberton while employed
there. From there he went to the St. Nicholas district, being at the latter when
the now famous Maple Hill colliery was opened. It was developed under his
immediate management, and its highly profitable exploitation has always been
attributed to his foresight and ingenuity. On April i, 1893, Mr. Tasker became
superintendent of the St. Nicholas district, and on Dec. ist of the same year
was made superintendent of the Gilberton and Mahanoy district. On March
I, 1897, he became superintendent of the Mahanoy City division, succeeding
the late John Skeath, continuing in that capacity until assigned as assistant to
John Vieth, with headquarters at Pottsville, Dec. i, 1903. Mr. \'ieth, the
mining superintendent there, was in poor health, and when he retired Mr.
Tasker was appointed his successor, taking the position of general mining
superintendent on Jan. i, 1905, and holding it until his death. May 31, IQ15.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 239
Mr. Tasker's rise to one of the most responsible positions in his chosen
calhng was accomplished by the most painstaking attention to everything he
undertook. Possessed of a mind of unusual keenness, iiis faculties of observa-
tion coordinated well with the ability to apply what he knew to the task in
hand, and in wide practical experience he acquired a facility in meeting emer-
gencies which was of inestimable value. His work was always most intelli-
gently performed, and he had a faculty for getting work through which could
be depended upon. In times of trouble, fires, explosions, cave-ins, etc., he acted
so promptly and effectively that he was looked to for aid whenever such emer-
gencies arose.
Mr. Tasker suffered a paralytic stroke on March 22, 191 5, and though he
recovered somewhat he was not able to resume any of his duties, passing away
at his home. No. 106 North George street, Pottsville, on May 31st following.
The Potts\ille Republican of June ist paid a fitting tribute to his character:
"In his passing one of the most kindly and considerate men has been called to
the Great Beyond, followed by the blessing of a host of friends in all walks
of life, for Mr. Tasker was a man who had risen from the ranks of labor and
always maintained the same demeanor toward his fellow men The
genial, kindly man is gone, but his memory will live long after him. He was
an inspiration to many younger men whose emulation was aroused by his
noble example." He was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua,
and the funeral services were conducted by Alahanoy City Lodge, No. 357,
F. & A. i\L, in which he held membership. A special Philadelphia & Reading
train from Pottsville was provided for the occasion. Mr. Tasker was a thirty-
second-degree Mason, a past high priest of Mizpah Royal Arch Chapter, No.
252, of IVIahanoy City; a member of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, K. T., also
of Alahanoy City; and of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. He
also belonged to General Grant Lodge, L O. O. F., of Mahanoy City; the
Royal Arcanum ; the Pottsville Club ; the Sphinx Club ; and St. David's Society
of Philadelphia.
Mr. Tasker married Mary A. Thomas, who died in 1910 and is also buried
in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua. They are survived by the following
children : Catharine, wife of Lee Jones, of St. Nicholas, Pa. ; Phoebe, unmar-
ried, who kept house for her father; Oliver C, of Pottsville, an auditor for
the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company; Thomas R., of Ashland,
this county, a mining engineer, in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading
Coal & Iron Company; Harrison, who is engaged as mechanical engineer by
the Buck Run Coal Company, and lives at home; and Taliesyn, a student at
State College, Pennsylvania.
JUDGE NICHOLAS SEITZINGER, late of Tamaqua, was one of the
leading spirits of his generation in that borough, where his name is held by
many in respectful memory. Several of his children still reside there. It falls
to the lot of few men to receive such generous assurances of the confidence of
their fellow citizens as were shown to Judge Seitzinger, and he proved him-
self worthy of the many honors which came to him, entirely unsolicited. A
native of Berks county, Pa., he was born Oct. 29, 1813, son of Nicholas Seit-
zinger, an honored early settler of this section of Schuylkill county.
The Seitzingers are one of the families descended from Hessian soldiers
who remained in America following their services in the American Revolu-
tionary war. Nicholas Seitzinger, the elder, was a German by birth. He came
240 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to this country as one of the Hessian soldiers hired by England, and thus took
part in the Revolution, but his sympathies were with the Colonial cause, and
after the war he did not return to the old country. For a time he lived in
Berks county, Pa., removing thence to what is now Schuylkill county, where
he took up 1, 600 acres of land. The region was then a wilderness, but he set
bravely about the task of making a home for himself and family, and it was
he who established the town of Fountain Springs, near Ashland, which was
really named in his honor. He is buried in the cemetery there. His family
consisted of children as follows: Catherine, who married Samuel Scott and
(second) Henry Fisher; George; Peter; Samuel; Harry; Nicholas; Edward,;
John, and Jacob W. Jacob built the "Exchange Hotel" at Pottsville.
Judge Nicholas Seitzinger spent his boyhood in Berks and Schuylkill
counties, and at an early date settled at Tamaqua, when the town was in its
infancy. He engaged in the manufacture of screens and built up a profitable
business, also acquiring much valuable local real estate, which is still in the
possession of his children. His foresight made him a live influence in the
advancement of the place, and he was elected to the position of school director,
which he filled for many years. He was also one of the associate judges of
Schuylkill county for five years, and was elected to the office of chief burgess
of Tamaqua, but refused to serve. With a strong sense of moral obligation
in everything he undertook, conscientious ideas regarding his duty to the
community, unusual judgment and intelligence, he acquitted himself so satis-
factorily in every trust that he might have remained continuously in the public
service had he chosen. But he accepted office principally from a sense of
responsibility, and when it was merely a question of personal compliment or
power cared nothing for preferment. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow,
belonging to Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & .A. M., of Pottsville, and to the
I. O. O. F. lodge there.
Judge Seitzinger married Catherine Reese, of Reading, Pa., who was born
July 8, 1815, and died Dec. i, 1881. His death occurred July 14, 1879. They
are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua. The following children
were born of this marriage : Charles, who is deceased ; Alfred, deceased ;
Nicholas, deceased ; Amelia, deceased ; Emma, who lives at Tamaqua : Jacob,
of Tamaqua; Henry, of Tamaqua; Frances, of Bayonne, N. J.; Ella, of
Tamaqua ; and Alice, widow of Roger Kinsel, of Tamaqua.
WILLIAM FRANCIS DOYLE, M. D., is one of the leading physicians
of Pottsville, where he has been in practice since he commenced on his own
account, and, though his time is well occupied with his professional duties, he
has also kept up interest in such local affairs as afl^ect the general welfare. He
is a native of Schuylkill County, born June 25, 1874, in Blythe Township,
son of Thomas Doyle and grandson of Michael Doyle. The grandfather was
born in Queen's County, Ireland, and emigrated from that country in 1833,
settling in Schuylkill County, Pa. By occupation he was a miner, and was
employed at such work on his own account in Blythe Township. His death
occurred in 1856 at New Philadelphia, this County. He married Mary Welsh,
and they had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters.
Thomas Doyle, son of Michael, was bom Dec. 19. 1838, in Norwegian
Township, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He had few educational advantages in his
early life, though he attended public school in Blythe Township for a time.
However, he was but twelve years old when he left school to go to work at the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEKXSYLVANL\ 241
mines. Though he began in an humble position, he rose steadily to one of
great responsibility. It was often said that there was no work about a colliery,
inside or outside, with which he was not familiar, as he had been employed
in ever)' position about the mines. In i86y he became Inside Mine Boss at
a colliery near Silver Creek, where he remained for four years. About 1873
he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company
as Mine Inspector of what was then known as the Pottsville District. Not
long afterwards he became Superintendent of the Tremont District for the
same Company, and held that position four years, in 1878 being transferred
back to the Pottsville District as Superintendent, for one year. The next year
he acted as assistant to Air. John V'eith, General Superintendent of all the
mines of the Company, and in 1880 was made Division Superintendent of the
Southern District, in which position he continued to serve until his death. The
territory under his supervision was large, including all mines of the Company
south of the Broad Mountain. Mr. Doyle's experience and his intelligent
comprehension of all the needs of his work made his services valuable beyond
the ordinary, and his ability, good judgment and devotion to duty were flior-
oughly understood by his superiors, who appreciated them at their true worth.
He was a man of the highest personal character and respected by all with
whom he came in contact, either in his business or social relations.
Mr. Doyle was twice married, and si.x children were born to his first
union, with Julia Keane, daughter of Patrick Keane, namely: Michael,
Julia, John, Mary, William Francis and Thomas. His second marriage was
to Mrs. Margaret (Reilly) Branagan, daughter of Bernard Reilly and sister
of Hon. James B. Reilly, representative of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Dis-
trict in Congress. To this marriage were bom two children, Margaret and
James. By her first union Mrs. Doyle had one daughter, Ellen. Mr. Doyle
died July 26, 1903, and is buried at Pottsville.
Dr. \\'illiam Francis Doyle obtained the greater part of his preparatory
education in the public schools of Pottsville, graduating from the Pottsville
High School and later spending one year as a student at the Ufniversity of
Pennsylvania. In 1893 l"*^ entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadel-
phia, from which institution he was graduated in 1896. In December of that
year he became Interne at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, where
he remained until June, 1898, also taking a course of study at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of New York. He then opened an office at Tarry-
town, N. Y., where he soon had a lucrative practice, which, however, he gave
up to return to his native town, because of his father's permanent ill health.
Locating at Pottsville in 1899, he has found his field of work there ever since,
and has built up a large practice as physician and surgeon by unremitting atten-
tion to his work wherever his services have been engaged. His office is at
No. 416 Garfield Square, he being the third generation of homeopathic physi-
cians to practice at this location — his predecessors having been an uncle and
grandfather by marriage, the late Dr. Charles Herman Haeseler and his father,
Dr. Charles Haeseler, one of the founders of homeopathy in this section of
the State.
Dr. Doyle holds membership in various medical societies : The Pottsville
Medical Club, the Schuylkill County Homeopathic Medical Society, the Homeo-
pathic Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill County Medical Society,
the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and
has prepared medical papers on various subjects for these and other societies.
Vol. 1—16
242 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Socially Dr. Doyle belongs to the B. P. O. Elks (Lodge No. 207), the Com-
mercial Club, the Rotary Club and the Knights of Columbus of Pottsville.
He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
Dr. Doyle's success has rested upon the solid foundation of hard work and
close attention to the demands of his profession, his patients appreciating the
devotion and skill which have gained him so large a share of the confidence
of the community. As a citizen he can be relied upon to support the best
interests of the community, whether in private or public enterprises.
Dr. Doyle married Louise G., only daughter of the late Adolph W. Schalck,
a leading attorney of Pottsville, and they have one son, Francis Schalck
Doyle.
ABRAHAM POTT SELIGMAN, M. D., of Alahanoy City, is descended
in both paternal and maternal lines from honored old stock in Schuylkill
county of which he himself is an honorable representative in the present gen-
eration. Bom Feb. 14, 1870, at Port Carbon, this county, he is a son of Joseph
Seligman and grandson of Solomon Seligman, and on the paternal side is of
German extraction.
Solomon Seligman came to Schuylkill county from Germany. His first
settlement here was at Ringtown, whence he removed to Port Carbon in the
early days of that borough, following merchandising during his residence there.
Later in life he located at Mahanoy City, where he died when seventy-eight
y&ars old. His wife, Elizabeth (Maurer), was born in Norwegian township,
this county, and they had children as follows : Abraham, Laura, Joseph, Ben-
jamin, Hannah, Emma, Albert, David A. and George.
Joseph Seligman, son of Solomon, was born and reared at Port Carbon,
but during most of his business career has been established at Mahanoy City.
For a time in his earlier manhood he was engaged as a merchant at St. Clair,
moving thence to Mahanoy City, where he became a mine superintendent. For
the last thirty years he has been a timber contractor, supplying much timber
for the mines in the district, and is still actively interested in this line ; he is a
director of the LTnion National Bank of Mahanoy City. By his marriage to
Emma C. Pott, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Christian) Pott, he had
four children, namely: Bessie, now the wife of Dr. James H. Hagenbuch, of
Mahanoy City, Pa.; Bertha, deceased: Lettie : and Abraham Pott. Mrs.
Seligman died in 1907.
Abraham Pott Seligman obtained his preliminary education in the public
schools of Mahanov City, and took his regular medical course at the Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1892. Being ambitious to make
his preparation as thorough as possible he then took a post-graduate course
at the Hahnemann [Medical College of Philadelphia, which he completed in
1894, the same year beginning practice at Mahanoy City. He has remained
here continuously since, giving his best to the community of his choice. While
his professional labors among his private patrons have had first claim lie has
combined them vev}' effectively with ser\'ices of general usefulness to his gen-
eration. For the last five years he has been a member of the borough school
board, and has been chosen president of that body. The Doctor is a member
of the Schuylkill Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society,
and the .\merican ]\Iedical Association. His fondness for outdoor sports has
led him into many pleasant associations, and fraternally he is an enthusiastic
:\Iason, a past high priest of Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, R. A. M. ; member of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYL\'ANL\ 243
Ivanhoe Chapter, K. T. ; of Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg; and Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading; he is also a past officer in the local
lodge of Elks.
Dr. Seligman married Mary Matilda Shafer, daughter of David Shafer,
of Mahanoy City, and they have two children. Bertha and James.
In the maternal line Dr. Seligman traces his ancestry back to John Pott,
who with his two sons, John Wilhelm and Johannes (minors), and his brother
Dagenheart arrived in Philadelphia from Rotterdam, Holland, on the ship
"St. Andrew," Capt. John Steadman, in 1734. He first settled in Germantown,
afterwards removing to what is now Oley, Berks (then Philadelphia) county,
Pennsylvania.
John \Mlhelm Pott was born in 1725 in Europe (place uncertain), married
Maria Hock, daughter of John Hock, and died in 1767.
John Pott, son of John A\'ilhelm, was born in Oley township in 1757, and
died in 1827. In 1786 he married Maria Lesher, daughter of John Lesher.
She was born in 1768 and died in 1823.
Abraham Pott, son of John and Maria (Lesher) Pott, was born in Potts-
ville, and one of his daughters, Emma C, was the mother of Dr. Seligman.
Another, Mrs. Elizabeth (Pott) Eshleman, born March 4, 1831, died in
December, 1893; her daughter, Mrs. Cora L. Miller, was born April 11, 1848;
tJie latter's daughter. Mrs. Annie (Miller) Melick, was born July 11, 1867, and
had children, Joel ^^'illit and Jamie.
!Mrs. Maria (Hock) Pott, wife of John Wilhelm Pott, was a granddaughter
of Rudolph Hock, who emigrated to this countrjr with his brother Melchoir
in 17 1 7, coming first to what was then Philadelphia county, in the Province
of \'irginia. They finally settled in Oley. Pa., near Pikeville, and the old home
there is still owned by the Hock family. Rudolph Hock had two sons, John
and Samuel, John being the father of Mrs. Maria Pott. He had eleven
children, born as follows: Deborah, May 6, 1721 ; Samuel, March, 1723;
Rudolph, September, 1725; Daneal, May, 1728; Maria, December, 1730; Mag-
dalena, December, 1730; John, March, 1733; Susanna, May, 1735; Jacob,
December, 1738; Esther. September, 1742; Abraham, September, 1745.
Through the Leshers Dr. Seligman is of Revolutionary stock, being a great-
grandson of John Lesher, who was born in Holland Jan. 5, 171 1, and die^
April 5, 1794. He was buried at Oley, Berks county, where he had settled
upon his immigration to America, in 1734. The territory was then Philadel-
phia county. He was a freeholder and a leading man of his time, for a period
of fifty years being prominently identified with the iron industry in Berks
county, as proprietor of the "Oley Forge" and the "Mary Ann Furnace."
His name is found on the records both Lesher and Leosher. In 1759, during
the French and Indian war, he served as wagonmaster, being appointed because
he spoke both English and German. When the struggle for independence
was being waged in the Colonies he was one of the foremost men active in
the cause of his section, useful in every branch of the service. Pie was
chaplain in Colonel Patton's regiment of the Pennsylvania Line, with which
he served in the Revolution, being in the campaign commencing with the battle
of Long Island, Aug. 27. 1776. According to Montgomery's history of Berks-
county (page 145) he was captain of the company from that county in Patton's
regiment. On June 20, 1776. he was notified' of his appointment (which
appointment was made March 2, 1778) as one of the commissioners for pur-
chasing supplies for the Continental army (Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. VI,
244 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
page 32). He was elected a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania,
serving as such from 1776 to 1782; and was a member of the First Constitu-
tional Convention of Pennsylvania, held at Carpenter's Hall June 18, 1776,
and was one of the committee of ten chosen to draw up an essay for a form
of government (Hughes' "American Constitution," Vol. H, page 217).
Mr. Lesher was a member of the Reformed Church, "an active Christian
gentleman," and on his application the courts granted him the privilege of
building the First Reformed Church at Oley, Berks county, which he did in
the year 175.=;. He suggested that the courts should direct five or six ministers
to conduct divine services, and Dominies Weiss, Schalter and Steiner were
appointed to supply the congregation.
John Lesher was a native of Germany, born Jan. 5, 171 1, only son and
heir-at-law of Michael Lesher. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, and
first settled in the upper section of Bucks county, but later in Oley township.
Berks county. He was naturalized in 1743. In 1744 he and two other mep,
John Yoder and John Ross, erected a forge along the Manatawny creek, near
the Oley Church, which became known as the "Oley Forge," and from that
time on for fifty years he was prominently identified with the iron industry of
the county. He represented the county in the Constitutional Convention of
1776, and helped to prepare the "Declaration of Rights." He served in the
General Assembly from 1776 to 1782. During the Revolution he acted as one
of the commissioners for purchasing army supplies. He addressed an interest-
ing letter to the Supreme Executive Council in 1778, relative to the taking
of supplies from him. (See Berks County in the Revolution, page 181.)
John Lesher died in Oley township, April 5. 1794, leaving a widow, two sons
"and five datighters. namely: John (had a son Isaac). Jacob.' Barbara (married
Jacob Morgan), Hannah (married George Focht), Maria (married John
Pott), Catharine (married John Tysher) and Elizabeth.
HORACE F. REBER. Among the citizens of southern Schuylkill county
worthy of mention is Horace F. Reber. editor and one of the publishers of the
Pine (irove Herald, a weekly paper, which has a strong clientele in western and
southern Schuylkill county. It is one of the most influential weeklies in the
county.
Mr. Reber is the son of Franklin W. Reber and his wife Rebecca (Man-
beck), and was born at White Horse, now Rock, in Washington township,
Schuylkill county, on Feb. 25, 1866. His grandparents on his mother's side
were John Manbeck, of the same place, and his wife Barbara (Katerman),
from Strausstown, Berks county.
On his father's side the grandparents were George Reber, of the Deibert's
valley. South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and his wife Maria
(Rushy), of near Reading, Berks county. The great-grandparents of Mr.
Reber were George and Katherine (Miller) Reber. both from near Reading,
Berks county.
The Rebers are of German descent. Between the year 1732 and the year
of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war a number of the name emigrated
to this country, landing at the ports of New York or Philadelphia. The
family name is quite prominent in southern Schuylkill and northern Berks
counties, including the city of Reading. The Rebers are identified with the
business, profes.sional, manufacturing and social life of the counties of Schuyl-
kill and Berks as well as the farming life of the two counties. Rebersburg,
SCHUYI.KILL COUxXTY, PEXXSYLWAXIA 245
in Centre county, is named after the family of Reber, a number having settled
in that county.
Franklin W. Reber was born Aug. 30, 1831, in the Deibert's valley, near
Schuylkill Haven, and was the oldest of thirteen children: Franklin \V., aged
eighty-five, is still living ; Sallie married Fred Hasler, and both are deceased ;
Isaac, of Indiana, who fought in the Civil war in an Indiana regiment, is
deceased; George, of Reading, is deceased; Elizabeth married Flenry Deibert,
and both are deceased; Levi died of smallpox many years ago; Mary, widow
of Jonathan Emerich, is residing at Port Carbon ; Jonathan is now residing
in Philadelphia ; Giileon is residing at Reading ; Lewis, of Missouri, is deceased ;
Albert lives in South Manheim township, on the'old homestead near Schuylkill
Haven ; Amanda is a widow and lives at Schuylkill Haven ; Alexander, a Read-
ing Railway conductor, resides at Reading. Five of the sons served in the
Civil war, namely: George and Lewis in the 127th Pennsylvania X'olunteer
Infantr}', the latter being captured at Fredericksburg, in 1862, and afterwards
paroled ; Isaac served in an Indiana regiment ; Jonathan and Gideon served
in Company E of the famous jth Pennsylvania \'eteran \'olunteer Cavalry,
all having honorable records.
Franklin W. Reber commenced teaching in the public schools at the age of
eighteen, in 1849, ^t Long Run, and taught nine terms, being one of the
oldest ex-school teachers in the county. The rest of his time was devoted to
farming. He was wedded to Rebecca Manbeck on Oct. 21, 1854. by Rev. John
Schell, of the Evangelical Association, on Mahantongo street, Pottsville, and
on Oct. 21, 1915, they observed the sixty-first wedding anniversary, being the
oldest married couple living in that section of the State.
There were but two children born to Franklin W. Reber and wife, the
eldest being Mary Alice, who married Charles F. Molly, of Pine Grove. She
died at Reading Feb. 25, 1897. Horace F. Reber was thirteen years old when
the family moved to Pine Grove, where the parents and the son and his family
still reside, and where Mr. Reber attended the public schools. He served as
clerk in the store of his father, who was associated with his son-in-law in
the mercantile business in the Molly stand on North Tulpehocken street.
Horace F. Reber graduated from the Pine Grove high school in the class of
1885, under Prof. G. W. Channell, later of Port Carbon. For a short time he
worked at the D. & J. Gensemer tannery, and later on the work train of the
Reading railway, where he was advanced to the scale office in October of that
year under weighmaster Samuel Morrett Helms. On May 12, 1887, he was
wedded to Ella R. Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Hoffman, of
Tower City, and this union was blessed with six children, namely: Florence
v.. who graduated from the Pine Grove high school and later from the Millers-
ville State Normal School, taught school at Irving, Pine Grove, and Lykens,
and is at present teaching at Schuylkill Haven ; Norman Dean graduated from
the Pine Grove high school and later from the Schissler Business College at
Norristown, served as a page in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg
in the session of 1903, and is now the head accountant for the two Gensemer
& Salen tanneries at Pine Grove; Ferd. L. graduated from the Pine Grove
high school, and the Peirce Business College, at Philadelphia, and is at present
resort solicitor for the Philadelphia Record and identified with the Philadel-
phia Oioral Society; Harold McM. graduated from the Pine Grove high
school and later from the Lebanon Business College, and is at present clerk
for Messrs. Simon & Sherman, slaughterers, at Reading (prior to serving with
246 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'ANL\
this firm he was a chauffeur for the Toms River, N. J., garage for a year,
where he became an enthusiastic autoist and expert at the wheel) ; Esther E.
graduated from the Pine Grove high school and is at present clerking in the
health department at Harrisburg; I)'orothy is a member of the senior class of
the Pine Grove high school and expects to graduate with the class of 1916,
when the father and six children will have graduated from the same high
school.
The Reber family were first identified with the Whig party, the father
of Horace F. Reber casting his first vote for the "Pathfinder," Gen. John C.
Fremont, and later with the Republican party. When yet in his teens the
subject of this sketch evinced an interest in politics and served in the many
marching clubs that the town used to have in presidential and gubernatorial
campaigns. After attaining his majority he was elected to the borough council
and later to the board of education; while a member of the council and near
the close of the tenn he resigned, having been elected to a county office ; sub-
sequently he was elected to the school board and served with Edward Hummel,
Joseph Schwalm, Frank Evans, Samuel Reinbold and Dr. F. J. Walter, all
of whom were deadlocked on the election of teachers and ousted by the court.
Mr. Reber was afterwards reinstated, and in November, 1915, was again
elected to the school board under the new code, defeating his opponent, Joseph
Schwalm, by a big majority.
On June 8, 1891, Mr. Reber joined Company G, 4th Regiment, National
Guard of Pennsylvania, as a private. He filled the position of company clerk
under Capt. James W. Umbenhauer, and later was elected second lieutenant
of the same company; he served in the riots at Homestead in 1892, and in
1897 at Drifton and Hazleton, following the Lattimer riots. He tendered his
resignation because of confliction with his civil duties and was honorably dis-
charged on Feb. 19, 1898, by Col. David Brainerd Case, of Columbia.
Fraternally Mr. Reber has been a member of Camp No. 49, P. O. S. of A.,
and Castle No. 124, Knights of the Golden Eagle, for many years; in the latter
he served as one of the trustees for many years, and as one of the instructors
for fifty-four terms ; also as representative to many State Grand Castle sessions,
and was tendered the nomination to be advanced to State offices in Grand
Castle, but declined. He has also, at some time or other, belonged to a
number of political clubs in the county and elsewhere, including the Union
Republican Club of North Broad street, Philadelphia.
On Jan. i, 1894, Mr. Reber entered the office of the county commissioners
as a second assistant clerk, under chief clerk Phil J. Connell. The commis-
sioners at that time inducted into office were John P. Martin, of Pine Grove,
Democrat ; Charles F. Allen, of Tamaqua, and Frank Rentz, of Ashland,
Republicans, the latter the president of the board. On Jan. i, 1895, he was
appointed first assistant clerk, or tax clerk, ser\-ing in this capacity until Jan. i,
1897, when with the reelection of Frank Rentz and John P. Martin and the
election of Charles F. Meyers he was appointed chief clerk, serving in that
capacity until May, 1898, when the board was dropped from office as the
result of a court trial, Frank R. Kantner, of Lofty, and John Stauft'er, of
Schuylkill Haven, being appointed as commissioners. In November of that
year Benjamin Kauffman, of Tremont. became the third member of the board.
All the appointed officials of the board were dropped excepting Mr. Reber.
who was appointed first assistant clerk under John F. Zerbey, and served until
the end of 1899. Having become a candidate for the office during that year
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 247
and elected by the highest majority of the commissioners for that year, he
was inducted into office as a county commissioner with Frank R. Kantner and
George Opie. of Donaldson, being one of the youngest men ever elected to
that important oftice in Schuylkill county. He and his colleagues served for
two terms, or during the years 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904 and 1905.
In 1906 Mr. Reber formed a business partnership with John Reber, of
Fourteenth and Market streets, Pottsville, for the manufacture of hosiery,
and a plant was erected on a lot purchased from the P. & R. Railway Com-
pany, on East Pottsville street, on which was erected a frame factory. In
addition to the manufacture of hosiery the firm also operated a coal washery
in the Swatara creek, which provided fuel for the plant. The latter part of
1909 Mr. Reber sold out his interest to his partner, John Reber, and in Decem-
ber of that year became associated with Charles F. Anderson in publishing the
Pine Grove Herald, in which business he still continues. He is also engaged
in reportorial work for a number of daily newspapers from his community.
While in the hosiery manufacturing business he had installed his own little
electric light plant, which was the first of its kind to be installed in that section
of the county. Other industries in the town have since followed in the wake
of electric liglit.
Mr. Reber and his family are identified with the Methodist Church of his
home town, in which he is one of the officials. Possessed of a genial disposi-
tion, he is a man who makes friends readily and possesses the happy faculty
of holding them. His political opponents have at various times tried their
utmost to hang a political defeat over his head, but have not been able to do
so yet. He has frequently of late years been appealed to by the leaders of his
party at the county seat to consent to run for the State Legislature, being
considered good timber. But though it would be desirable to place a candidate
in the western end of Schuylkill county, he has shooed the legislative bee away
thus far, being at present content to help run a newspaper and help his political
friends when appealed to.
WILLIAM R. ADAMSON. of St. Nicholas, is one of the most successful
merchants in that section of Schuylkill county. Since 1904 he has been post-
master at St. Nicholas and member of the firm of Noonan & Adamson, general
merchants. He has just entered upon his duties as county treasurer. Mr.
Adamson is a native of Schuylkill county and of Scotch descent, his father,
David Adamson, and grandfather, W'illiam Adamson, having been born in
Scotland, whence the latter brought his family to America in 1850. They
settled at Branch Dale, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed mining, and
he died there Dec. 3, 1876.
David Adamson was a boy when he accompanied, his parents to this country,
and he had few advantages of any kind, for he began mine work as a slate
picker. But he was intelligent, ambitious and trustworthy, possessing the
strong mental, moral and physical characteristics typical of his race, and he
rose to the position of foreman, acting in that capacity at the Excelsior colliery
in Northumberland county, and Sufl'olk and Maple Hill collieries, in Schuylkill
county, in turn. He became well known to many in the mining circles of this
region. His death occurred when he was sixty-four years of age, and he is
buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Mr. Adamson married
Jennie Pace, who was born in England and came to America when a young
girl, and "she sur\-ives him, now living with her son William at St. Nicholas.
248 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. David Adamson, William R. and
John O. ; the latter is an attorney at law, and resides at Mahanoy City.
William R. Adamson was born Oct. 4, 1876, at Branch Dale, Schuylkill
Co., Pa., and spent most of his boyhood in Mahanoy township, this county,
where he attended the public schools. He then took a commercial course at
McCann's business college, and when a youth obtained a position as clerk at
the Ellangowan colliery, where he remained continuously for a period of
thirteen years, until he found his present business connection. Meantime, in
1904, he had been appointed postmaster at St. Nicholas, and he has held the
office ever since. In February, 1904, Mr. Adamson formed a partnership
with Frank J. Noonan, under the hrm name of Noonan & Adamson, and he
has since had the principal care of their store at St. Nicholas, which is well
stocked and a popular trading center in that portion of the county. Mr. Noonan
is a leading business man of Mahanoy City, vice president of the Union
National Bank and member of the firm of Noonan Brothers, who started the
establishment at St. Nicholas now conducted by Noonan & Adamson. Noonan
Brothers transferred their business to Mahanoy City from St. Nicholas in
1906, but the original store has continued to draw a profitable trade. Mr.
Adamson is a man of sound business principles, diligent in looking after his
interests and thoroughly honorable in all his transactions, qualities which have
combined happily to place his atifairs on a substantial basis and win him high
standing among all his associates. The office of postmaster has not been his
only public trust. For the last thirteen years he has been a member of the
Mahanoy township board of school directors, and is now secretary of that
body. He has been prominent in the activities of the Republican party, and
has been delegate to the county conventions on various occasions. At the
primaries in the spring of 19 1 5 he was chosen as nominee for the office of
county treasurer, and at the polls in November following was elected by the
gratifying plurality of 8,548. He assumed the responsibilities of his new trust
in January, 1916. Socially Mr. Adamson is a Mason, a member of Mahanoy
City Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., Mizpah Qiapter, No. 252, R. A. M., and
Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, K. T., all of Mahanoy City; he also belongs
to Lodge No. 695, B. P. O. Elks, and Council No. iii, Jr. O. U. A. M., both
of Mahanoy City. His religious connection is with the Slethodist Church.
Mr. Adamson married Martha Cathers, of this district, and they are the
parents of eight children : Jennie, David, Luther, Anna, Thomas, John,
Martha and Agnes.
JOHN HARRY FILBERT, a well known attorney of the Schuylkill county
bar, is descended of a long line of ancestry whose beginning dates far back into
antiquity.
The family name of Filbert is one of the oldest in the Teutonic language,
being derived from "fiel brecht," which means very bright or illustrious. This
appellation was borne by many of the old Teutonic chieftains, whose descend-
ants carried it into all the countries of western Europe in their early conquests.
Formerly the name was spelled "Philbert" and "Philibert." and in England it
exists in both the forms "Philbert" and "Filbert," while in France and Italy it
has survived as "Philibert."
St. Philibert, who founded the Abbey of Jumieges, on the north bank of
the Seine, and died in 683, had been an Abbot at the I\Ierovingian court. He
was so greatly beloved by the peasantry that at his death they took his "day,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 249
Aug. 22(1, to gather the hazel nut which ripened in that locality about that time,
and called it St. Filbert's nut. The admiral of the French fleet that made the
demonstration against Morocco several years ago belonged to the French
branch of the family. Philibert, Prince of Orange, was one of the generals of
Charles \\, and fell in the Italian campaign of 1529; several counts of the
name ruled over Savoy in the twelfth century, and the descendants of Emman-
uel Philibert of Savoy became kings of Sardinia, and later kings of Italy.
The American branch of the family traces its ancestry to the great-great-
great-grandfather of Mr. Filbert, (I) John Samuel Filbert, who was bom in
Wurtemberg, Germany, Jan. 8, 1710, and who with his wife Susanna came to
thr- New World on the ship "Samuel," Hugh Percy, master, sailing from Rot-
tei dam, and took the oath of allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain and the
Province of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia Aug. 30, 1737. He spelled the name
"Filbert," but Rev. John Caspar Stover, who kept the baptismal records of
the family, spelled it "Philbert." The children of John Samuel Filbert were:
John Thomas, 1737- 1784, married to Catherine Batteiger; Maria Catrina, born
1730, married to John Heinrich Ache; Anna Elizabeth, born 1741, married to
John Henry Webber, a captain in the Revolutionary war; John Phillip (1743-
181/) ; John Peter, born 1746, who was a delegate from the ist battalion of
Berks county militia to the convention held in Lancaster July 4, 1776, to elect
three brigadier generals for the Pennsylvania and Delaware militia, and who
was elected sheriff of Berks county in 17S5; and Maria Christina, born 1749,
married to Jost Ruth.
As the father and three sons had the first name "John" in common they
dropped it in active life, and the only places it can be found are on their bap-
tismal records and tombstones.
Samuel Filbert and his wife Susanna settled immediately on coming to
this country in Bern township, Lancaster (now Berks) county, at the present
site of Bernville. Samuel Filbert and Godfried Fidler each gave an acre of
grovmd to the North Kill Lutheran Church at Bernville, and a log church was
built in 1743 on the part donated by Samuel Filbert. Tradition says that he
paid half of the cost of the building, which was used as a church on the
Sabbath and as a school on weekdays. In 1791 the log church was replaced
by a brick building, at which time his son Phillip acted as president of the
building committee. In 1897 the present handsome brownstone edifice was
erected on the same ground. Back of the chancel in the new building is a
beautiful stained glass window dedicated to "Samuel Filbert, Founder, 1743."
He died Sept. 25, 1786, and is buried in the center of the old churchyard.
(II) John Phillip Filbert, son of Samuel and Susanna, was born Dec. 7,
1743. He was commissioned as a captain of the 8th Company of the 6th
Battalion of Berks county inilitia June 14, 1777, and was recommissioned in
1780, 1783 and 1786, so that he served as an officer of the Pennsylvania militia
during the whole period of the Revolution. Capt. Phillip Filbert's battalion
was mustered into the Continental service on Dec. 13, 1777, for sixty days,
and was engaged under General Washington in the Schuylkill valley, between
'Valley Forge and Germantown. He was married to Anna Maria Meyers and
had three children : Samuel, mentioned below ; John, married to Anna ]\Iaria
Leiss ; and Catherine, married to William Alachimer. He died Aug. 20, 1817,
and is buried at Bernville.
(III) Samuel Filbert (about 1770-1795), eldest son of Phillip and Anna
250 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAXL\
Maria, married Sibylla, daughter of Francis Umbenhaur, a captain in the
Revolutionary war. He left two sons : Joseph, who died in 1804, and Peter.
(IV) Peter Filbert, son of Samuel and Sibylla, was born at Bernville,
Berks county, in 1794. His father died when he was about six months old,
leaving his two sons to the guardianship of their grandfathers Phillip Filbert
and Francis Umbenhaur. In 1814 he enlisted with the troops called out for
the defense of Baltimore against the British army, and marched under Captain
Smith to Springfield camp, near that city, and after the retreat of the British
was honorably discharged from the service. In 1818 he married Elizabeth,
daughter of John Stoudt, and the next year removed to Pine Grove, Schuylkill
county, to take charge of the Pine Grove Forge. Peter and Elizabeth Filbert
had the following children: Samuel P., married to Lavina Lamm; Edward T.,
married to Mary Clayton; Peter A. (who was a major in the 96th Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the Civil war), married to Theodosia Reitzel;
Leah, married to Dr. John Kitzmiller; Rebecca, married to F. W. Conrad,
D. D. ; Sarah, married to Richard Musser; and John Q. A., mentioned below.
Mr. Filbert was the presidential elector chosen to represent this district in
the election of 1840, and cast his vote for the successful candidate, William
Henry Harrison. He died Feb. 14, 1864.
(V) John Ouincy Adams Filbert, son of Peter and Elizabeth, was born in
Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, Feb. 11, 1827. At the age of sixteen he served
in the engineer corps of the late Col. Benjamin Aycrigg. Later on he removed
to York, Pa., and then to Baltimore, Md., where he lived when the Civil war
broke out. Mr. Filbert was a stanch Unionist and was one of the men who
helped save Maryland for the Union. When it was reported that the Con-
federates were going to seize the city, he stood in the trenches to help guard it.
All the coal yards of the city were in the hands of Southern sympathizers, who
would not coal the government vessels, and the government did not dare to
confiscate them for fear of further inflaming sentiment. Mr. Filbert at the
request of the leaders of the Union element in the city came up to Schuylkill
county and made arrangements to procure coal for the national vessels. He
returned to his native county in 1866, residing on his farm in North Manheim
township, below Schuylkill Haven, for thirty-five years. On April 30, 1856,
he was married to Mary, daughter of Michael G. and Mary (Harman) Beltz-
hoover, of Boiling Springs. Pa., and they had the following children : Benja-
min Aycrigg; May E. ; Helen B., married to Dr. Gaylord A. Hitch, of Laurel,
Del. ; Charles B., married to Florence Saulsbury, and residing in Muskogee,
Oklahoma; and John Harry. The father died at Schuylkill Haven, Dec. 4,
1910.
(VI) John Harry Filbert was born in the city of Baltimore, Oct. 19, 1865.
When he was only a few months old his parents removed to Schuylkill county,
where he has resided ever since. He is a graduate of the Pottsville high school,
and attended Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa., and Williams College,
^^■illiamstown, Mass. He registered as a student at law under the late Judge
David C. Henning, and was admitted to practice law in the courts of Schuylkill
county on the first day of January, 1894.
Mr. Filbert takes 'a deep interest in educational matters, having been a
member of the Midwinter Educational Club of Pottsville^ for upwards of
twenty years. He was one of the incorporators of the Schuylkill County
Historical Society and is its first vice president, and is one of the best read men
in the community on local historical matters. He resides in Schuylkill Haven,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANIA 251
Pa., and maintains a law office in Pottsville. He has filled many local offices
of honor and trust. Fraternally he is a member of Page Lodge, No. 270,
F. & A. AL, at Schuylkill Haven, and a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania. He has never been married.
JOHN H. ANGST has aj^plied the best efforts of his business years to the
institution of which he is now the head, the Pine Grove Bank, the oldest finan-
cial house of the borough. But he has also been occupied with other things of
interest to the municipality, performing public duties and carrying social obli-
gations which indicate clearly his sincere desire to lead a life of service. His
work has been attended with the success which shows that it has been laid
on a solid foundation.
Mr. Angst bears a name which has been respected in this section for several
generations. His grandfather, John Angst, was born in Pine Grove township,
and was a blacksmith by occupation, his son, William H. Angst, father of
John H. Angst, also following that calling. The latter had a shop of his own
here for many years. He was born in Pine Grove township, where he still
makes his home. William H. Angst married Eliza Mars, who was born in
Pine Grove township, of Irish ancestry; her father, William Mars, a cabinet-
maker by trade, came to Schuylkill county from Lancaster county. Pa., settling
in Pine Grove township at an early day and continuing to reside there imtil his
death. Mrs. Angst died in February, 1905. the mother of four children,
namely: Sallie, the eldest, is living at home; John LI. is next in the family;
Mamie is the wife of John Wolf and is residing at Pine Grove; Clara is the
wife of John Ansbach, a farmer of Pine Grove township.
John H. Angst was born Feb. 24, 1873, in Pine Grove township, where he
gained his early education. During his younger manhood he followed teaching
for ten terms in Pine Grove township, in the year 1900 entering the employ
of John F. \\'erntz, in the Pine Grove Bank, with which he has since been
connected. The bank, which was established by Mr. Werntz in 1886, was car-
ried on as a private bank until his death, in 1909. Mr. Werntz was the first
president and continued to fill the office to the end of his life, when his widow,
Mrs. Catherine (Mars) Werntz, succeeded him. Upon Mr. Werntz's death
Mr. Angst was made cashier, and practically the entire responsibility is in his
hands. The bank is in sound condition, with a paid-up capital of $93,000 and
deposits of twice that amount, and the resources are placed at $223,000.
Mr. Angst had careful training under Air. Werntz, and his ability has devel-
oped with the increase of his responsibilities, which he has managed admirably.
Under his guidance the affairs of the bank have been regulated intelligently and
competently, and its prestige has risen accordingly.
Air. Angst has been the choice of his fellow citizens for local office and has
served satisfactorily as justice of the peace of Pine Grove and member of the
board of school directors. He was again elected a school director, of Pine
Grove borough, in November, 191 5. He is prominent in fraternal work at
Pine Grove, being a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 409. F. & A. M., of Pine
Grove; of the Royal Arcanum (trustee of the Pine Grove lodge) ; of the L O.
O. F. lodge, which he has served as secretary for ten years ; and of the
Improved Order of Red Men. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran
Church.
In 1896 Mr. Angst married Clara Boger, of Lebanon county. Pa., daughter
of Adam and Anna (Dohner) Boger, farming people of that county, both now
252 SCHUYLKILL COIJNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Angst: Roy (a
student), Minerva, Anna, Mabel, Mary and Delia.
OSCAR KNIPE, of Orwigsburg, is the executive head of the firm of the
Oscar Knipe Company, recently incorporated. He came to the borough in
1892, and throughout the period of his residence there has been engaged in his
present line, the manufacture of paper boxes, in the development of which he
has shown commendable enterprise, taking advantage of conditions in the local
manufacturing lield. The convenience of having a box factory immediately
at hand was promptly recognized by the factory owners in the vicinity, and
Mr. Knipe has adapted his output so thoroughly to their needs that he com-
mands a large share of the patronage in this section.
Mr. Knipe was bom Dec. 5, 1876, in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., son of Otto
Knipe, a native of Dresden, Germany, who settled at Reading upon his arrival
in America when a young man. By trade he was a printer, and he was employed
on a German newspaper there. His death occurred in Oakland. Cal. He
married Amelia Nebekind, and they had one son, Oscar.
Oscar Knipe received his education at Reading, attending the public schools
and Professor Stoner's business college, from which institution he was gradu-
ated. Coming to Orwigsburg in 1892 he began work in his present line of
business, and from modest beginnings has built up one of the most important
industries of the kind in this region, the plant now operated by the Oscar Knipe
Company being a two-story structure, 60 by 132 feet in dimensions. Thirty-
five hands are employed in the production of paper boxes of all kinds, most of
them for consumption in the local trade. The firm was known as Oscar Knipe
& Company until July, 1914, when the Oscar Knipe Company was incorpo-
rated with Air. Knipe as president, and Elwood L. Orwig. secretary and treas-
urer. Though yet a young man Mr. Knipe has attained a foremost position
among the live figures in the commercial life of Orwigsburg. and his coopera-
tion in all the aflfairs of the borough is sought and appreciated. He is a mem-
ber of Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F.' & A. M., and a past master of that body;
he holds membership in the chapter and commandery at Pottsville. During
the Spanish-.American war he was in the volunteer sen-ice as a member of
Company F, 4th Pennsylvania Regiment (from Pottsville).
Mr. Knipe married Florence Erb, daughter of the late Rev. I. N. S. Erb. a
Lutheran minister of Or\vigsburg. They have had two children, Margaret
and Marion, both of whom are now attending school.
WILLIAM HOFF, Jr., has been at the head of the boroudi eovemment
in Tremont for some years, and his competent administration of aflfairs is
deeply appreciated by his fellow citizens, whose confidence is established on' his
able perfonuance of all the trusts reposed in him. He is a creditable member
of a family which has been resident in the borough for the last seventy years,
and his maternal ancestors have been also identified with its progress for the
same period. The family is one of long standing in Pennsylvania, Mr. Hofif's
great-grandfather having lived and died at Reading, Berks county. His chil-
dren were: William; Kate, who died in Reading; Eva, who married Paul
Barr, of Pine Grove; Bright, Jacob and Henry, all deceased in Reading.
William Hoff, the grandfather, was born in Reading, where he grew to
manhood and married. He was the first of the family to settle in Schuylkill
county, where he had a tanyard near Hegins and also a farm, being occupied
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\\-\NL\ 253
at his trade and agriculture for many years. In 1846 he moved with his
family to Tremont, where he was a pioneer resident, and he became very
successfully engaged in the real estate business here. His death occurred at
Tremont, and he is buried in the Reformed cemetery. To his marriage with
Esther Kimmel were born the following children: Catherine, who married
Smion Fegley and (second) Conrad Buecher; Rebecca, who died unmarried:
Rarbara, who died unmarried; John, who died unmarried; Sarah, wife of
Hiram Pinkerton ; Eliza, wife of Sigmond Gardner; Emma, who died unmar-
ried; Henry, who died unmarried; Richard; William; and Amanda, wife of
Charles Graver.
William Hoff, son of William and Esther (Kimmel) lloff, was born at
Tremont and has passed all his life there. For some time he was employed at
the mines in this section, but 'he is now doing business on his own account as
a dealer in ice cream and confectionery, having established a very good trade
in the borough. He married Sarah Bensinger, daughter of Charles IBensinger.
and the following children were born to them: William, Jr.; Charles, who
has been in the Philippine islands for the last eighteen years, being now in the
government employ there (he served in the Spanish-American war) ; Carrie, at
home; Bert: Arthur, and Harvey. Mrs. Hoff died Nov. 27, 1894.
Charles Bensinger, Mrs. Hoft's father, was bom in the Mahantongo valley,
and settled at Tremont about 1845, living there until his death, which occurred
when he was o\er sixty years old. He was a carpenter, and was employed at
that calling by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. He married
Justine Lengel, of Pine Grove, who survived him, living to the age of seventy-
eight years ; she was at Tremont when there was but one house on the site of
the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Bensinger were born the following children :
Josiah, who is deceased ; Samuel, now living in Reading, Pa. ; Sarah, who
married William Hoff ; and Jeremiah, a watchmaker, of Tremont.
William Hoff, Jr., was born at Tremont July 10, 1877, '^"d obtained his
education in the public schools of the borough. At the age of thirteen years
he began work at the mines, being employed at the Brookside and Goodspring
collieries, and for the last twenty years he has held the responsible position of
coal inspector for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. He has
proved himself a man of reliable character, and worthy of the respect of his
associates. Mr. Hoff has long been active in local public aft'airs, in which he
has taken a leading part. In iqo8 he was elected to the office of chief burgess
of Tremont. for a term of four years, which he completed, and he is now
holding the office by appointment, having been selected for the honor by Judge
Bechtel three years ago. His senices have been characterized by honorable,
unselfish devotion to the best interests of the community, where his public
spirit has won him esteem among the best element. He is one of the active
members of the Tremont Fire Company, No. i, belongs to the I. O. O. F.
lodge and encampment, and to the Royal Arcanum, and affiliates with the
Democratic party on political issues.
Mr. Hoff married Jennie Hepler, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca
(Koehler) Hepler, and they have two daughters: Carrie Rebecca and Mary
Elizabeth. The family adhere to the Reformed faith in religion.
THOiMAS C. O'CONNOR, of Mahanoy City, editor and manager of The
Mahanoy City Record, is one of the most influential newspaper men in Schuyl-
kill county and a power in the Democratic party in his county and State. Alert,
254 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
aggressive and capable, he has gained flattering recognition in his section
through the wholesome exercise of an energetic nature which could not help
but be a live factor in any community where his lot might be cast.
Mr. O'Connor was born in Heckscherville, in Cass township, Schuylkill
county, June 9, 1863, son of the late Michael and Mary (Brennan) O'Connor.
The father, a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, born in 1829, came to this
country when sixteen years old, and settled at Heckscherville, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., where he found work at the mines as miner and foreman. He was so
employed until his removal to Mahanoy City. His family consisted of nine
children, seven sons and two daughters. Mr. O'Connor was always an inter-
ested member of the Democratic party and bore a useful part in its local activi-
ties. For a number of years he ser\ed as a school director in Cass township.
He passed away May 29, 1896.
Thomas C. O'Connor came to Mahanoy City in May, 1864, and here
received his education, graduating from the high school in 1878. In his early
manhood he followed the teacher's profession for fourteen tenns in Mahanoy
City, being assistant in the high school when he gave up that work. On April
15, 1894, he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, and served a full
term of four years. Since June 17, 1899, he has been editor and manager of
the Record, as well as one of the owners of the Record Publishing Company,
which issues that publication, the most influential and widely circulated news-
paper in northern Schuylkill county, and with no superiors in tlie southern part.
Mr. O'Connor has been true to his original profession in the eitective work
he has done in the interest of the public schools. His long experience gave
him an insight into the needs of the schools and authoritative judgment regard-
ing them, and he has exerted himself to the utmost in behalf of their welfare.
He is considered one of the ablest members of the Democratic party in the
county, where his personal following is large. He always took a prominent
part in the county conventions of the days gone by, and his activities have also
extended into State and national politics.
Mr. O'Connor married Frances Bastian, daughter of Valentine and Mary
Bastian, the former now deceased. Two daughters have been born to this
union: Mary (aged nineteen) graduated from the Mahanoy City high school
as valedictorian of the class of 1915, and is now a student at the Westchester
Nonnal School; Ursula (aged twelve) is attending the St. Fidelis parochial
school in Mahanoy City, and will enter the public schools in 1916.
SAMUEL ERODE, at one time one of the most vigorous spirits in the
business activities of Tamaqua, now living retired in that borough, has been
a resident of that place practically all his life. Almost half a century ago he
founded the butcher business now conducted by his son William Brode, con-
tinued it successfully for many years, and as his original undertaking pros-
pered made other ventures, assisting several progressive projects at their
inception with his encouragement and capital. He has been throughout his
career a citizen of substantial worth.
The Brode family is of German ancestry, and on first coming to America
settled in Lehigh County. Pa. Michael Brode, the grandfather of Samuel
Brode, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in his later life became settled
at White Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he died. He was the father of a
large family.
Thomas J. Brode, father of Samuel Brode, was born in 1819 in Lehigh
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 255
County, Pa., and was still a lad when the family removed to White Haven,
where he attended school. He learned both grist and saw milling and followed
that line of work for several years, giving it up on account of his health.
In the early forties he came to Schuylkill county and located at what is now
known as Hometown, in Rush township, near Tamaqua, living there -for
fourteen months, and removing thence to Tamaqua, where he made a perman-
ent home. Here he engaged in the butcher business, being one of the pioneers
in that line at Tamaqua, and he followed it profitably until about six years
before his death, passing his closing years in retirement. His death occurred
in April, i8go, and he is buried at Tamaqua. For a long period he was a
prominent member of the Evangelical Church at Tamaqua, in which he held
office for many years, retaining his active association with the organization
to the end of his life. In 1842 Mr. Brode married Sarah Olewill, who was
born in Lehigh county, daughter of Andres Olewill, and of the ten children
born to them we have record of the following: Samuel; Kitty, who is
deceased; Thomas; Benjamin; Elmer; Charles, deceased; and Sarah, wife of
Dr. C. B. Dreher, a prominent physician of Tamaqua and president of the
Tamaqua National Bank.
Samuel Brode was born May 27, 1844, at Hometown, the village in Rush
township, near Tamaqua, where the family lived for a short time. He was
very young when his parents settled at Tamaqua, where he was reared and
educated and trained for the serious work of life, learning the butcher's trade
with his father, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. He
also clerked for Charles Schoener, under Walter Kirk, until he went into the
emergency service during the Civil war. In 1863 he enlisted in Company B,
27th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, to reinforce the Union army
at Gettysburg, and was out for six weeks. He was in the skirmish at Wrights-
ville, his command arriving at the battleground just after the Union troops
had gained their famous victory. Returning to Tamaqua when discharged
from the ser\'ice, he was there until 1865, in which year he went South to
Charlotte, N. C, to take the position of superintendent at a gold mine in
which his father was a stockholder. He was in the employ of M. F. Ludwig.
After fourteen months' work there he came back to Tamaqua and resumed
the butcher business, which he followed for a short time at Audenried, Carbon
county. In 1867 he began butchering on his own account, selling his meat at
Summit Hill and in that vicinity, though he made his home meanwhile at
Tamaqua. The business grew steadily under his thrifty management, and
he retained his immediate connection therewith until 1875, after which he
turned the actual work over to other hands, giving his time only to overseeing
the various details. His attention thereafter was divided among the numerous
interests he had acquired. In 1885 he was one of the group of five men who
organized the Edison Electric Light Company of Tamaqua, and he served as
a director of the company from that time until it sold out. He was also one
of the organizers and directors of the Tamaqua Land & Improvement Com-
pany, and many other local enterprises of vital importance to the advancement
of the section have counted him among their influential supporters. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Tamaqua,
and in religion he adheres to the Reformed faith, belonging to Trinity Church,
in whose work he and his family have taken an active part. •
On May 27, 1866, Mr. Brode married Lucy ]\Tiller, who was born June 27,
1846, daughter of Israel and Elizabeth ^liller, of Tamaqua. A large family
256 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
has been born to this union, namely: Frank, born Aug. 9, 1867, is deceased;
Cora May, born Feb. 3, 1869, is the wife of Dr. George W'. Dreher, of Shamo-
kin. Pa.; WiUiam was bom July 28, 1S70; John E., born Dec. 31, 1872, is
engaged as a machinist in Tamaqua ; Alburtus, born April 16, 1874, is
deceased; Sarah E., born March 3, 1876, is deceased; Walter, born March 22,
1878, is deceased; Thomas, born Nov. 9, 1879, is employed as an electrician
in Tamaqua; Emily E., born Aug. 20, 1882, is deceased; Charles L. was born
Feb. 14, 1886.
\ViLLi.\jr Erode, eldest surviving son of Samuel Erode, was born at
Tamaqua July 28, 1870, and during his boyhood acquired a practical education
in the common schools of the borough. He learned the trade of butcher in
his father's employ and has followed it up to the present time, with the
success which has marked the operations of three generations of the family
in this line. In 1895 he took the old stand where his father had started so
many years ago. on Schuylkill avenue, Tamaqua, and has a well equipped
meat market, supplying a large share of the best trade in the borough. Per-
sonally Mr. Erode ranks with the most respected citizens there. He and his
wife are members of Bethany Evangelical Church, in whose activities Airs.
Erode has taken a helpful part. Mr. Erode belongs to the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and his wife to the Rebekah degree.
In April, 1892, Mr. Erode married Elizabeth Lane, daughter of William
and Priscilla (Gallagher) Lane, the former a native of England, the latter
born near Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. When he came to America Mr. Lane
settled in Schuylkill county, where he followed mining ; he died at Tamaqua.
He and his wife had a family of six children: Elizabeth (Mrs. William
Erode), Margaret, Eliza, George, James and Jonathan. To Air. and Mrs.
Erode has been born one daughter, Lucy, now the wife of Edw. Banner, living
at Hometown, in Rush township.
JOHN H. POLLARD, of Mahanoy City, Division Superintendent for the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company since 1905, is a native of Schuyl-
kill county, where his father, John Pollard, settled in the early forties. The
latter was born in 1820 in Cornwall, England, coming to America when twenty-
one years old. For a short time he was located at Schuylkill Haven, Schuyl-
kill Co., Pa., thence removing to Pottsville, same county, where he resided con-
tinuously to the end of his life, dying in 1903, at the age of eighty-three years.
John H. Pollard was bom April 19, 1854, at Pottsyille, where he was edu-
cated in the public schools. After a year's employment in the establishment
of the Miners' Journal, under Eenjamin Eannan and Colonel Ramsay, he
returned to the high school, and was a member of the class of 187 1. but quit
school to take advantage of an opening in the office of the Harris Brothers,
Civil and Mining Engineers, who were in charge of the Girard estate in Schuyl-
kill and Columbia counties, and also conducting a general engineering business.
He continued with the Harris Brothers until 1874, in which year the late
Heber S. Thompson succeeded to the management of the Girard estate. He
was with Mr. Thompson until May. 1878. when he was employed by the Phila-
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, as a member of the engineer corps
at Ashland, covering the territory from Ashland to Shenandoah, and subse-
quently having charge of the engineering department for the Mahanoy and
Shenandoah districts of this company. On April i, 1905, he was transferred
to Mahanoy City in the capacity of Division Superintendent of the Philadel-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 257
phia & Reading Coal & Iron Coinpany, his territory including the St. Nicholas
and Mahanoy districts, a total of nine collieries.
Mr. Pollard has been a director of the Pirst National Bank of Mahanoy
City since 19 12. He is well known in fraternal and social bodies, belonging to
Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M., Griscomb Chapter, No. 219, R. A. M.,
and Prince of Peace Conimandery, No. 29, K. T., all of Ashland; and Rajah
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. He also holds membership in
Ashland Lodge, No. 384, B. P. O. Elks, and Washington Camp No. 84, P.
O. S. of A., at .Vshland, as well as in the Pottsville Club.
PROF. CHARLES J. CARROLL, present principal of the Blythe town-
ship schools, has made an excellent record in his long connection with the
public schools of Schuylkill county. For almost thirty years practically all
of his time and the best of his talents have been expended in their interest,
but the reward is a worthy one. His work will stand as one of the most
efficient units which have cooperated in the furtherance of educational progress
in the county, whose standards compare with any in the State.
Mr. Carroll was born in Blythe township May 20, 1863. His father,
Charles Carroll, lived there for a number of years. He was a native of
Ireland, came to this country in 1821, and for a short time after his arrival
lived at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Thence he removed to Blythe township,
where he followed mining and spent the remainder of his days, dying at
Cumbola when sixty-five years old. He is buried at Port Carbon, this county.
His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Creary, was also born in Ireland,
and came to America when a young girl. Only two of their children survive:
Catherine, who is the widow of James Armstrong; and Charles J.
Charles J. Carroll attended public school at Port Carbon. He began mine
work when a boy, but kept on with his studies as much as possible, so success-
fully that in 1881 he was able to begin teaching. His first school was in
Blythe township, in an independent district, and his salary was thirty dollars
a month for a six months' term. Subsequently he taught two terms in the
Tumbling Run \'alley, one term at Tucker Hill, in Blythe township, and
several terms elsewhere in that township, until he was promoted to the
principalship of the schools in the borough of New Philadelphia, filling that
position for one term. In 1889 he resumed his connection with the Blythe
township schools in the capacity of supervising principal, and was so engaged
until 1897, doing notable work in developing the educational facilities of the
township. At the end of that period he removed to Port Carbon, and soon
assumed the duties of a government position in the agricultural department
at Washington, continuing in the United States service for the next five years.
Returning to Schuylkill county he resumed his profession, becoming principal
at Palo Alto, where he added considerably to his reputation during the seven
years he remained there, building up the schools of the borough and making
the most of their possibilities, to the great satisfaction of the community which
had the benefit of his labors. In 191 1 Mr. Carroll came once more to Blythe
township, and has since been principal of the township schools, which have
thrived steadily under his energetic management. In April, 1913, he removed
to Cumbola, where he has since made his home.
Professor Carroll's wide experience has broadened his judgment and given
him a liberal outlook in his own field, and he has endeavored to adapt his
work so as to make it most useful in its relation to the general affairs of the
Vol. 1—17
258 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
community, a basis for good citizenship and a preparation for honorable and
intelligent participation in the conservation of the common welfare. He has
many devoted pupils to testify to his success, and his continued popularity
shows that he is not disposed to rest upon past achievements, but maintains
the zealous spirit for which he became noted in his early years. While a
resident of Port Carbon he was elected a member of the borough council and
gave able assistance in the deliberations of that body. He votes independently,
for principle and not for party.
Professor Carroll married Sarah McDermott, who was bom at Shenan-
doah, this county, and is of Scotch descent, being a daughter of Dennis and
Mary (Paul) McDermott. They have a family of seven children: Charles,
now in Philadelphia, where he is secretary of an insurance company; John.
who is principal of the public school at Brockton, Schuylkill county ; Sarah ;
Catherine; Mary; Daniel, and Helen.
RICHARD COOMBE is engaged in the development of a fine farm in
West Penn township and is doing his full share towards the promotion of
modern agriculture in that section. But the greater amount of his property
is in timberland and he is doing a large business as a lumberman, in which
connection he has become widely known in his part of Pennsylvania. His
enterprise and vigor have made him notably successful in both lines, and
deservedly so, his prosperity being entirely the result of his own efforts. He
is considered a valuable force for progress in the locality which he has chosen
for his home and center of operations.
The Coombe family is of English extraction. John Coombe, grandfather
of Richard Coombe, was a native of England and a skilled mine worker,
engaged in driving tunnels and similar operations. From his own country he
went to Ireland, where he was employed at the copper mines for one year,
and thence came with his family to America. They made the voyage in a
sailing vessel, the "Monticello," and were on the ocean six weeks and three
days, landing at New Yo'rk City, and arriving at Pottsville, Schuylkill county.
Pa., July 4, 1840. Mr. Coombe did not spend much time at that location,
moving to Woodside, near Forestville, Schuylkill county, and later to Middle-
port, this county, where he did rock work in the mines. Thence he went to
St. Nicholas, Schuylkill county, where he also followed mining. His children
were: John, who is deceased; Thomas, deceased; William, deceased; Richard,
deceased ; Ebenezer, who married Ida Raudenbush ; Caroline, widow of Josiah
Gill; and Minnie, unmarried. The mother of this family is buried at Potts-
ville. Their religious connection was with the Presbyterian Church.
Richard Coombe, son of John and father of Richard, was born in Ireland
Nov. 4, 1839, and was seven months old when his parents brought him to
this country. He received his schooling at Middleport, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
and began work early, and he was only a boy of nine when he met with an
unfortunate accident, being run over by a mine car and losing an arm. Being
thus incapacitated for some kinds of work he secured the best education
possible, and he taught school for a couple of terms at Locust Valley, this
county. But most of his days were spent at the mines. He went with his
father when the latter removed to St. Nicholas, was slate picker boss for some
time, and as he understood the work well was later made outside foreman at
the individual colliery of John Phillips, holding that position for twenty-one
years. Subsequently he held a similar position at the mines of the Reading
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 259
Coal & Iron Company. In his later years he moved onto the farm in West
Penn township now owned and occupied by his son Daniel, owning it for
thirteen years before he lived on it. For ten years he and his brother-in-law,
Mr. Gill, had lield the ])ro])erty in partnership and had several tenants thereon.
The son Daniel operated the place for one year before his father moved there
from St. Nicholas, the latter never domjj nnich in the work of its cultivation.
It was dexoted to general farming, sixty-tive acres being under cultivation.
The entire area was ninety-six acres, and Daniel bought it after his father's
death. Richard Coombe passed away Sept. i, 1893, in West Penn township,
and is buried at Pottsville. He was a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian
in religion, especially interested in church work, to which he devoted much
time. Pie was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school at Mahanoy
City for fifteen years. While residing in West Penn township he attended
St. Peter's Reformed Church and also taught in the Sunday school there for
a couple of years.
Mr. Coombe married Ellamandia Raudenbush, who was born Aug. 2, 1844,
daughter of Daniel Raudenbush, and now lives with her daughter, Mrs.
Wallace Floppes, in West Penn township. Children as follows were born to
this marriage: Daniel Oliver, born Oct. 15, 1871, now living on the home-
stead farm, married Ida Hunsicker; a son born in 1872 died in infancy;
Richard is next in the family; a son died at birth; Charles, born Nov. 22, 1877,
married Kate IMiller, and they live in West Penn township ; Elmer, deceased,
bom Oct. 27, 1879, died when about two years old; \^'illiam Henry, born
Nov. 3, 1881, married Mame Adams and lives in West Penn township; Phoebe,
bom July 10, 1887. is the wife of Wallace Hoppes, of West Penn township;
Caroline Job, born April i, 1890, is the wife of Granville Dreisbach.
Richard Coombe, son of Richard and Ellamandia Cx3ombe, was born Tune
22, 1874, at St. Nicholas, Schuylkill county, and there spent his early life,
obtaining a good education in the public schools. He also attended school
one year in Shenandoah, and one year after the family removed to West Penn
township, at which time he was fourteen years old. He worked on the home
farm until his father died, married early the following year, and then bought
the farm of his father-in-law, Daniel Reinert, which consisted of forty acres,
all cleared. After residing on that place for nine years he leased and moved
to the W. D. Zehner farm, taking a five-year lease with the privilege of giving
up the place on six months' notice. He remained there two years, thence
coming to his present location in West Penn township, which he had bought
previously from the Thomas Neyer estate. This tract comprises 260 acres,
eighty of which are cleared; later !Mr. Coombe purchased four acres adjoining,
from Edwin B. Hoppes. In the spring of 1913 he bought another farm,
eighty-four acres (of which forty are cleared, the remainder in good timber
for sawed lumber^), from Lewis Hoppes, and he is farming altogether 160
acres. His other holdings include a timber tract of thirteen acres in Strauss
\'alley. Carbon Co., Pa., which he bought from the Charles Fritz estate; a
400-acre tract in Rahn township, Schuylkill county, which he bought in part-
nership with the late John E. Lauer, and which is covered with timber suitable
for mining purposes: the perpetual timber rights on a 130-acre tract adjoining
his 400-acre property, which he purchased from the Eastern Pennsylvania
Coal Company; and sixty acres of leased ground. During the comparatively
short time he has resided upon his present property Mr. Coombe has improved
it greatly from the agricultural standpoint, following general farming syste-
260 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
matically and profitably. He has also remodeled the dwelling and provided it
with all modern conveniences. He markets his farm products at Summit Hill,
Lansford and Nesquehoning. Mr. Coombe has a portable sawmill, traction
engine and other equipment for conducting his lumber business, and is now
building a permanent sawmill on his home place, to be operated by water
power. He takes a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his locality, supports
the Republican party on political issues, and is a member of the Reformed
congregation of St. Peter's Church, with which his wife also unites.
Mr. Coombe married Amanda L. Reinert, who was born May 26, 1876, in
West Penn township, on property now owned by her husband, was reared
there, and received her education in the local public schools. She remained
at home until her marriage. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Coombe: Flossie May, born Dec. 28, 1894; Richard Daniel, May 12, 1899;
Arthur Earl, June 7, 1905; Alfred Felix, March 26, 1910; Mildred Amanda,
Oct. 16, 191 1 ; and Irene Reinert, Oct. 21, 1914. All the children old enough
have attended school in West Penn township.
Mrs. Coombe 's paternal grandparents were natives of Berks county and
farming people. Their children were : Julia, John, David and Daniel. In
religion they were German Lutherans.
Daniel Reinert, Mrs. Coombe's father, was born in April, 1833, near
Lynnville, Lehigh Co., Pa., and died Nov. 21, 1902, in West Penn township,
Schuylkill county. He received his education in his native county, and in his
early days worked for the local farmers and learned shoemaking. Coming
to West Penn township, he opened a shoe shop near the "Mantz Hotel," and
carried on business for a number of years at that location. Some time after
his marriage he moved to near Mr. Coombe's present home, cultivating a
tract of over one hundred acres for about two years. Then he bought the
forty-acre farm Mr. Coombe now owns, and remained there until his death,
following general farming. His wife, Polly (Guldner), born in 1838, died in
September, 1889. They are buried in St. Peter's cemetery in the township,
and were members of the Lutheran congregation of St. Peter's Church, in
which Mr. Reinert was very active, holding the offices of elder and deacon.
He was interested in all religious enterprises and the advancement of Christian-
ity. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Reinert had two children:
David, now a resident of Summit Hill, Carbon county, who married Nora
Miller; and Amanda L., wife of Richard Coombe.
RICHARD E. MILLER, Sr., of Hometown, Schuylkill county, is an old-
time lumberman of this part of Pennsylvania, where he has been operating
for forty-two years, during thirty-six of which he has been associated with
the Lehigh Company, contracting. He still has large holdings of timberland
in the vicinity, and he owns considerable farm land in Monroe county, this
State. His father, Elias T. Miller, was also engaged in lumbering in this
region, and his grandfather, John Miller, lived and died at Orwigsburg, this
county.
Elias T. Miller lived for several years at Tumbling Run, Schuylkill county,
and thence removed to Middleport. this county, where he died at the age of
eighty-nine. He was a large landowner, his holdings comprising five farms.
By his marriage to Hannah Jane Evans he had the following family : Marv.
Mrs. Bossier; John T. ; Joseph D. ; Richard E, ; Hannah Jane, who married
John D. Derrick ; Charles ; William ; and Sarah, who married James Gillespie.
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 261
Evan Evans, father of Mrs. Hannah Jane (Evans) Miller, was born in
Wales, and became a resident of Reading, Berks Co., Pa. He taught at the
Blue Mountain school in Berks county, and died in that county when ninety-
nine years old. His wife lived to the extraordinary age of loi years. Their
children were: Jacob, James, Alartin, John, Evan, Jr., Thomas, Hannah Jane,
Mary, Phoebe and Margaret.
Richard E. Miller was born Nov. 29, 1849, at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county.
His early education was received in the public schools, and later he attended
the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., from which
institution he was graduated when eighteen years old. He assisted his father
in the lumber business until he reached his majority, when he went to Cata-
wissa. Pa., to build a breaker. For three years thereafter he was engaged in
clerking in a store at Shenandoah, and was then in Philadelphia for a time,
employed in a cedar factory. His next removal was to Hauto, Carbon Co.,
Pa., where he was foreman for a lumber company one year, at the end of
that time buying the business for himself. He has since been doing business
on his own account, and during most of the time as a contractor for the
Lehigh Company. At one time he owned all of the town of Hauto, but
disposed of four hundred acres to the Lehigh Company at one sale, and later
sold 3,200 acres on the Broad mountain, where he still owns three thousand
acres of woodland. He also has a 140-acre tract in Carbon county; another
tract of loi acres; and leases 135 acres from the Reading Company. He
operates two sawmills and has a large equipment for the lumbering business,
having thirty-three head of mules, besides other stock, as well as all kinds of
vehicles, including automobiles. In Monroe county he owns three valuable
farms, containing 175, 280 and 180 acres, respectively. His energetic business
policy and good judgment have made him one of the leading lumbermen in
his section of the State. By square dealing and reliable transactions he has
acquired a reputation for integrity and unswerving honesty which he prizes
as dearly as his material success. On April 6, 191 1, Mr. Miller moved to
Hometown, in Rush township, Schuylkill county, where he has a hotel and
in connection therewith a fine tract of seventy acres, a desirable location with
a beautiful view. The hotel has been very successful under his management.
Mr. Miller married Mary A. Rice, daughter of George Rice, who lived at
Minersville. Pa., later moving to William Penn, near Shenandoah, where he
was employed by the Reading Company. He died there. Ten children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. ^filler : Charles is deceased; Richard E., Jr., is
assisting his father in business (he is a Mason, belonging to Caldwell Con-
sistory, at Bloomsburg, Pa., and to the Shrine at Reading) ; Howard is in
the bakery business at Tamaqua (he is also a Mason) ; Prof. Heber is a
graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa., and now
superintendent of public schools at Lansford, Pa. ; Ralph Samuel is in the
government employ at Washington, D. C. (he is also a Mason) ; Harrison is
superintendent for a company at Hauto. Carbon Co., Pa. ; Arthur, William
and Mary are at home ; Allen is deceased. In religious connection the family
are Lutherans. Mr. Miller is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Summit
Hill, Carbon county.
JOHN M. HARRIS, of Tamaqua, editor and proprietor of the Tamaqua
Evening Courier, has found his life work in the conduct of that journal,
with which the family has been associated for over forty years.
262 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
The Harrises are of English extraction. John F. Harris, grandfather of
John M. Harris, was born in Devonshire in 1823, and hved in his native
country until after his marriage, coming to the United States in 1859. He
spent the remainder of his life in Schuylkill county, Pa., first locating in the
vicinity of Mahanoy City, where he lived for a number of years, and in 1874
removing to Frackville, where he subsequently made his home. In England
he had been a rock miner and contractor, and continued in practically the
same line in this country, following mining. Though he was never actively
associated with public affairs he took a keen interest in their progress. His
convictions led him to support the Republican party, and when the Labor
Reform party came into existence he followed its fortuues eagerly, its prin-
ciples appealing to him, but he could never be prevailed upon to become a
candidate for office. Mr. Harris married Mary A. Greening, daughter of
George Greening, a native of Devonshire, England, and they became the
parents of four children, three sons and one daughter.
Robert Harris, son of John F. and Alarv' A. ( Greening) Harris, was bom
June I, 1854, at Plymouth, Devonshire, England, and there passed his early
years. His mother and the children did not join the father in America until
1869. Meantime, in 1862, he was apprenticed to the printer's trade, at which
he served two years in England. When he came to this country he found
work at his trade with the Mahanoy Gazette, finishing his trade in that office
in November, 1871. That year he came to Tamaqua and commenced his
association with the Courier as foreman for Eveland & Shiiifert, the owners
and editors at that time, who published the paper as a weekly under the name
of the Saturday Courier. In February, 1872, he purchased Mr. Shiffert's
interest, becoming a partner with Daniel M. Eveland in the ownership of the
paper, and six years later he bought Mr. Eveland's interest therein, being sole
owner thereafter until his death, which occurred when he was in his prime,
Jan. 14, 1896. Mr. Harris's business ability was well evidenced in his com-
petent management of the Courier, which gained steadily in popularity and
circulation during his ownership, and his clear intellect showed itself in his
vigorous editorials, which were looked up to as a guiding influence in many
quarters. His estimable personality and unimpeachable integrity made him
trusted wherever known, and his insight regarding current conditions was so
well recognized that he was considered an authority by his fellow citizens in
Schuylkill county. Though he did not seek office he never evaded the respon-
sibility of securing good government in his locality, and he served four terms
in succession on the school board, doing highly acceptable work. He was a
prominent member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Tamaqua, belonging
to Tamaqua Castle, No. 68, of which he was the first presiding officer; for
five years he was its representative at the Grand Castle, and he was master
of the historical records until December, 1892.
On May i, 1874, Mr. Harris married Sophia M. Myers, who survives him.
Her father, Marcus Myers, was a native of Bavaria, Germany. Of the
children born to this union four reached maturity, two sons and two daughters,
namely: Marie A. is a public school teacher: Ray F. is the wife of Edward
C. Hiilegas, of Tamaqua ; Robert H. and John M. are engaged in the conduct
of the Courier, the former as solicitor and collector.
John M. Harris was born May 4, 1878, at Tamaqua, where he has spent
all his life. His education was received in the public schools of the borough,
and he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Courier, becoming so
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 263
thoroughly familiar with the operation and requirements of the business that
when his father died he at once assumed its responsibilities, although he was
only in his eighteenth year at the time. It was published as a semi-weekly
until iScK), when he began to issue it tri-weekly, and since June i, 19CX), it has
been a daily. For a number of years it has carried over two thousand names
on the subscription list, and during the year of the big strike the circulation
reached 2,400. As it is the only daily between iMauch Chunk and Pottsville
its patrons are not confined to the local field. Mr. Harris has evidently
inherited his father's gifts as an editor and manager, and it is saying much
to record that though he was a mere youth when he undertook the publication
of the Courier he kept it going on a successful basis — a forecast of the pluck
and self-reliance which are still characteristic of him.
The Evening Courier is really the legitimate successor of the first news-
paper established at Tamaqua, the Legion, founded in 1849 by J. M. and D. C.
Reinhart. In 1855 it became the Tamaqua Gazette, and two years later the
Tamaqua Anthracite Gazette, whose jniblication was suspended for two months
in 1 861, in which year it was sold to R. N. Leyburn. He changed the name
to the Anthracite Journal, and when he enlisted in the army the next year its
publication was undertaken by Fry & Jones during his absence at the front.
Later it was bought by the Monitor Publishing Company and appeared under
the management of Albert Leyburn as the Saturday Courier until sold again,
in the early seventies, to Eveland & Shift'ert. About that time Robert Harris
became connected with the paper, succeeding Mr. Shiffert, and it was con-
tinued by Eveland & Harris as the Tamaqua Courier until 1875, when the
Anthracite Monitor was merged with it, the latter a labor journal which had
been established in 1871 and was well received in the community. "Through
various evolutions, the Monitor conveyed title to the old Legion, and thus the
Courier became the oldest paper in the town,'' where it was then the only one.
After Mr. Eveland's retirement, in 1878, the firm was Harris & Zeller until
1881, after which Robert Harris was sole proprietor until his death. Except
for a few months when Mr. Harris attempted its daily publication the Courier
was issued weekly until 1893, when he began publishing it twice a week, and
it was changed to a tri-weekly and then to a daily under the present editor,
John M. Harris. It is independent in politics.
ALEXANDER SCOTT, late of Frackville, was the leading merchant of
that borough throughout the most important period of its development, in
which, indeed, he was an influential factor. The enterprise which brought
about the expansion of his own business had also far-reaching results in its
effect on the general prosperity, and he was always looked to for progressive
action in local affairs. His activities covered all of the territory in this section
of Schuylkill county and were not confined to any one branch of trade, his
imiform success in the diverse interests which engaged him betokening a rare
gift for management and unusual insight into business principles.
Mr. Scott was a member of a respected Schuylkill county family, being a
son of George and Agnes Scott. His father, during his latter years a mer-
chant at Glen Carbon, this county, was one of the best known men in the coal
fields here, where his long and varied experience brought him into contact
with hundreds of colliery employes. He was the first of this family to come
to America, his father. John Scott, following him. The latter was a native
of the County of Northumberland, England, and was a miner by occupation.
264 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
finding work in that capacity at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He died
at Germantown, near Ashland, where he is buried. By his marriage to Ann
Shatton John Scott had four children: Robert, who died at Minersville, Pa.;
George ; James, who died at Mount Carmel, Pa. ; and John, who died at Locust
Gap, Pennsylvania.
George Scott, son of John and Ann (Shatton) Scott, was born July 5, 1817,
in the County of Northumberland, England, and spent his early life in that
country, coming to the United States in the year 1837. He settled at Mine Hill
Gap, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and like his father was a miner. His skill brought
him responsible work and an enviable reputation. From Mine Hill Gap he
removed to Heckscherville and thence to Llewellyn, this county, at the latter
place becoming inside foreman for Marcus Heilner in 1850. After two years
there he was changed to Coal Castle, as inside foreman for two years, and
then became superintendent for Mr. Heilner, holding that position until i860.
He was engaged during the following year at the Beaverdale colliery, and
subsequently for two years at the Hazel Dell colliery, Centralia, from the
latter place going to Yorktown, Carbon county, to take the position of superin-
tendent of mines for George K. Smith & Co. Later for about five years he
was superintendent for Heckscher & Co., at Heckscherville, transferring to
the Otto colliery, where he was inside foreman for a period of nine years.
During the two years following he was at the Beachwood colliery, at Mount
Lafl^er, this county, at the end of that time retiring from mine work. There-
after he was in the mercantile business, having a general store at Glen Carbon
to the close of his life. He passed away Aug. 17, 1884. His wife, Agnes
(Govan), born May 23, 1825, in Ayrshire, Scotland, died May 29, 1902. Mr.
and Mrs. Scott had a large family, namely : John G., born Nov. 25, 1844, is
now living at Girardville, Schuylkill county; Jane, born June 28, 1846, died
July 4, 1846; Alexander, born April 16, 1848, died April 8, 1915; George, born
Dec. 15, 1850, is a coal operator in Center county. Pa., living at Philipsburg;
James G., born Dec. 24, 1852, is living at Minersville, this county; Jane Ann,
born April 26, 1855, died Feb. 13, 1907; Agnes G., born Aug. 23, 1857, is the
widow of Richard Moore and lives at Alden Station, Luzerne Co., Pa. ; Win-
field W., born Nov. 13, 1857, died June 27, 1910; Grace, bom Oct. 4, 1861,
died Oct. 15, 1861 ; Annie S., born Aug. 2, 1863, is living at Girardville, Pa.
(she formerly made her home with her brother, Alexander) ; Hannah Deiter,
born April i, 1866, died Oct. 28, 1908.
Alexander Scott, the second son of the above family, was bom April 16,
1848, and was associated during almost all of his active and successful career
with Schuylkill county and her enterprises. He made his home at Frackville,
where he conducted the principal general store and also carried on the grain
and hay business, being president of the Scott Grain & Hay Company. A
branch of the general store was located at Gilberton, this county. In 1890 he
bought the interest of C. H. Haeseler in the shoe firm of Kepner, Haeseler &
Co., of Orwigsburg, and the firm became Kepner, Scott & Co., under which
style the business was continued until it was incorporated as the Kepner Scott
Shoe Company. They had a three-story frame factory 40 by 90 feet in
dimensions, well equipped in every department, and a large operative and sell-
ing force was occupied in the production and disposal of the goods, which were
in popular demand wherever known. They were marketed chiefly in the
Southern and Western States. Mr. Kepner was president of the business until
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 265
his death, March 24, 1913, after which Mr. Scott filled the office during the
remainder of his life.
Many other equally important undertakings claimed his attention. He had
coal mining investments at Minersville, and was interested with other substan-
tial citizens of Schuylkill and adjoining counties in the lumber industry in the
South, being president of the Scott Lumber Company. He was a director of
the First National Bank of Frackville and of the Merchants' National Bank
of Shenandoah, and connected as a director or in an executive capacity with
other enterprises. Mr. Scott's prominence was not limited to his association
with business affairs. He was a zealous politician, having on more than one
occasion attended national conventions as delegate. He served as sheriff of
Schuylkill county for one term, being elected in 1894 and holding office in
1895-96-97. Socially he was well known in the Masonic fraternity, belonging
to Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., at Tremont ; to the Chapter ; and
to Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville. But the power of
his means and position were only one feature of the influence he possessed
among his associates. Far more to him and to his family was the high regard
in which he was held for his personal qualities, for his unselfish citizenship,
his ungrudging friendship, his helpfulness to those less fortunate than him-
self, and an exemplary domestic life. It was for these that the grief mani-
fested at his death was so universal. He died April 8, 1915, after an attack
of pneumonia, at his home in Frackville.
Mr. Scott is survived by his wife, Elizabeth A., and two sons, Harry B.
and Robert S., of Frackville, and one daughter, Mrs. W. R. Trautman. There
are also four grandchildren.
The sons Robert S. and Harry B. Scott are now conducting the mercantile
business at Frackville which their father established and carried on until his
death. They have the largest and best stocked general store in their section
of Schuylkill county, and are operating it in accordance with the high stand-
ards set up by the original owner.
John G. Scott, brother of Alexander Scott, was born at Mine Hill Gap
Nov. 25, 1844, and is now a resident of Girardville, this county. He became
a reliable stationary engineer, and after some work at the mines in that capac-
ity was intrusted with an executive position at the mines, being outside fore-
man for twelve years, at the Courier colliery and the workings of Lantz, Lillie
& Co., at Park Place, this county. Then for two years he was engaged as
superintendent for the Buck Mountain Coal Company, in Schuylkill county;
was next superintendent for the York Farm colliery for a similar period; of
the Sidney Coal Company, of Maizeville, this county, one year; and of the
Ebervale Coal Company for six years, in charge of three collieries. His next
location was at Girardville, this county, where he was with the W. R. McTurk
Coal Company for nine months. After several years' experience as traveling
salesman for a Philadelphia and New York City house he turned his attention
to the manufacturing business which he has since operated so successfully. On
Dec. 31, 1907, he obtained the patent for the Scott Rivetless Transmission
Manila Rope Socket, his own invention, for which he has created a wide
market by judicious salesmanship with a most desirable product.
Mr. Scott has been twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth (Briggs), a
native of England, born Dec. 14, 1848, died Jan. 29, 1879, the mother of four
children : George, who is a resident of Minersville, Pa. ; Mary Jane, married
to George Johnson and living in Philadelphia ; Thomas, also of Philadelphia ;
266 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
and Robert G., who died in infancy. Mr. Scott's second marriage was to Mar-
garet A. Griffith, of Tamaqua, Pa., born Dec. 3, 1852, by whom he had three
sons: Winfield W., now of Tamaqua; Alexander H., deceased; and John G.,
an artist, of Philadelphia.
WERTLEY. Of the many engaged in the various building trades in Potts-
ville probably none are better represented in local construction work than the
Wertleys. Their part in the development of the town architecturally has been
a considerable one, as the number of residences and business houses bearing
the stamp of their workmanship shows. The business of Walter Wertley's Sons
was founded over twenty years ago by the late Walter Wertley, and has grown
to such proportions that eight men are now employed regularly in the work they
handle directly, some of their contracts being sublet when more conveniently
taken care of in that manner. The history of the Wertleys in the three genera-
tions they have been settled in Schuylkill county has been one of industry and
good citizenship.
George Wertley, grandfather of the three brothers who became associated
in business as Walter Wertley's Sons, came to this country from Germany
when a young man, and settled in Schuylkill county. Pa., for many years living
at Schuylkill Haven. He was a baker, and followed his trade there a number
of years, eventually engaging in the business at that place on his own account.
In connection he also conducted a hotel. He was a man of energetic char-
acter, and was active until his death, which occurred in middle age. His fam-
ily consisted of the following children : Dorothy, Sarah, Ellen, Mary, George,
Henrietta and Walter.
W.ALTER Wertlev was born at Schuylkill Haven June 13, 185 1. In his
early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade with a Mr. Kreamer, at Miners-
ville, this county, and he continued to work along that line as a journeyman
until 1891. That year he established himself in Pottsville, where he became
a leading business man, although he retired fifteen years afterwards. He
conducted a planing mill, and became extensively engaged as a contractor and
builder, the various branches of his business working together so harmoniously
that one was an aid to the other, rather than an extra line demanding more
attention. By steady application he accomplished much, and many of the best
residences in the city were built by him, so readily did he find his place among
the contractors whose services were in constant demand. Among the buildings
he erected we may mention the residences of Paul Sheafer, Superintendent
Hundon, Barton Cullum, John Wilcock, Willing Rettig and Mrs. Rettig; a
block of houses for the Rettig Brewing Company: and Mr. ^^'ertley's own
home at No. 914 West Market street. He retired in 1906, selling the business
to his sons Wellington A., Harry F. and George H. Wertley. who continued it
as Walter Wertley's Sons. Walter Wertley was a prominent member of the
Pottsville Building & Loan Association and retained that connection after his
retirement from the building business until his death, which occurred Sept. 9.
19 1 3. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. His loss was regarded
with general regret in Pottsville, where his worthy character had attracted
many friends who esteemed him highly. He was particularly interested in
the history of Schuylkill county and made himself very familiar with the sub-
ject. Being fond of sports and outdoor life generally, he found much enjoy-
ment in hunting and fishing, and he traveled extensively all over America,
especially in the West and South. In 1912 he made a trip to Panama. He
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 267
was a nieinbcr of the local lodge of 11. P. O. Elks, No. 207, and also belonged
to the Ej)isi;opal Church, his wife holding membership in the same congregation.
Mr. Wertley married Lindin Augusta Bush, wlro was born May 22, 1852,
in Minersville, Schuylkill county, and they became the parents of four chil-
dren, three sons and one daughter: Wellington A., Harry F., George H. and
Ida L. The daughter is the wife of Charles H. Leaman, a native of Reading,
Fa., now a resident of Pottsville, where he is engaged in the knitting business.
Mr. and Mrs. Leaman reside in the old Wertley home there.
Wellington A. Wertley, eldest son of Walter Wertley, was born in
May, 1870, at Alinersville. Schuylkill county, and attended school at that
place and in Pottsville. When a boy he began work at the mines, but followed
it only two years, returning to school at Minersville for a short time. Com-
ing to Pottsville he was employed for about six months in a cigar box factory,
afterwards worked four months in a wheelwright shop, and then "found his
gait" in the planing mill business, in which he was interested ever after.
When he began contracting and building in addition he formed the association
with his brothers in which he remained until his recent death, in February,
1915, doing a highly successful mill and lumber business as well. The mill
is situated at Twelfth and Arch streets, Pottsville. Wellington A. Wertley was
outside man for the firm, and among the numerous buildings they erected are
the business place of John J. Royal, wholesale grocer, on Centre street, the
Twelfth street schoolhouse, the public school at Minersville and the Pottsville
armory, all structures costing forty thousand dollars or over; thirty of the
eighty houses on Greenwood Hill, Pottsville ; a block for N. C. Morrison ; an
ajjartment house for Ben Troutman ; as well as many others. For themselves
they Iniilt a row of houses on Market street, between Seventeenth and Eight-
eenth streets, which are rented. The substantial structures erected by this
firm, adequate and of appropriate architecture, and the large proportion of
local construction intrusted to them, justifies their reputation as the leading
contractors and builders in Pottsville. Upon his father's death Wellington A.
Wertley was elected to succeed him as a director of the Pottsville Building
& Loan Association. He was active in other concerns of the city, and a mem-
ber of various social bodies, the B. P. O. Elks (Lodge No. 207). Knights of
Malta, P. O. S. of A. and the West End Fire Company. His religious mem-
bership was with the Episcopal Church. Everything aiTecting the welfare of
his town enlisted his attention and ready sympathy, his influence in the promo-
tion of all local projects being highly valued.
Mr. Wertley married Annie W. Greenwood, daughter of the late James
Greenwood, of Pottsville, and they had four children : Walter, who is a
plumber; James, who is learning the carpenter's trade in the Wertley employ;
Robert; and Helen Louise.
H.XRRY F. Wertlev. second son of Walter Wertley, was born at Miners-
ville Jan. 17, 1873, and received his education at Pottsville, graduating from
high school with the class of i8go. He joined his brothers in business. He
married Sarah Violet Eoltz, and their three children are Lindin A., Blanche
V. and Ruth E.
George H. Wertley. youngest son of Walter Wertley. was born at Potts-
ville April 9. 1876. and was reared and educated at his native place. He is
married to Mary J. Glassmire. daughter of Frank W. Glassmire, and they reside
at No. 1536 North Norwegian street. They have no family.
268 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Henry Bush, father of Mrs. Walter Wertley, was a native of Bristol,
England, and was twenty years old when he came to America. Settling at
Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he passed the rest of his life there, following
mining throughout his active years. His wife, Elizabeth Ann (Arkell), was
born in England May 30, 1820, came to this county alone in 1849, and two days
after her arrival was married to Mr. Bush. They had been sweethearts in
England. She died at the age of fifty-six years. Children as follows were
born to them : Harrison, Lindin A., Sarah J., Eliza, Ida Anna, William, Han-
nah M., Lillian, Franklin and Jane.
CHARLES F. ALLEN, late of Tamaqua, was a busy factor in the devel-
opment of that borough in his generation. As a man of large personal inter-
ests he was keenly alive to the importance of her material growth, and at the
same time exerted his influence in fostering social and municipal advancement,
which he was able to assist in an appreciable degree. Gifted like his father
with those qualities which win success, he used them well in the conduct of
his own affairs and also in the furtherance of the broader activities which
relate to the everyday existence of the whole community. The sum of his
achievements makes a creditable chapter in the history of the borough.
The Aliens are representative types of the sturdy New England stock,
rugged of physique and vigorous of intellect, to which they belong. Hubbard
Allen, the grandfather of Charles F. Allen, was born in 1803 at Rutland, Vt.,
and when yet a young man removed with his family to central New York,
settling in Cayuga county, where he continued to reside until his death, in
1873. By trade he was a shoemaker. He had married before leaving Rutland,
his wife's maiden name being Crowningshield, and they became the parents of
nine children, three sons and six daughters. The father was a Democrat in
his political views.
I.ucian H. Allen, son of Hubbard Allen, was born in Vermont in the year
1827, and passed his early life there and in Cayuga county, N. Y., whence he
came to Tamaqua. Schuylkill Co., Pa., in 1846. The last part of the trip,
from the Schuylkill valley, was made on foot. John K. Smith had just
opened and commenced the operation of his machine shops, and there young
Allen shortly found employment. So rapid was his advancement that five
years later he became associated with John and Richard Carter in the owner-
ship of the same works, and he continued his connection with the remimera-
tive foundry and machine business there carried on for many years. In 1858
William Carter, of Philadelphia, succeeded his uncle, and in 1868 Charles F.
Shoener became a member of the firm. An incendiary fire on Dec. 9, 1873,
the work of the Molly Maguires, destroyed the shops, which were then run-
ning at full capacity, but they were at once rebuilt, on a much larger scale, the
business having expanded steadily from the beginning. Soon afterwards, in
1875, Mr. Carter withdrew, the firm becoming Shoener & Allen, who continued
it in partnership until 1880, when Mr. Allen, desirous of relinquishing the
cares of the business, sold his interest to Mr. Shoener, making an amicable
settlement. But he was not to be spared for long. The very same year the
ownership of the plant reverted to Carter, Allen & Co., Mr. Allen being
obliged to return to his responsibilities because his tact and exp)erience were
indispensable at the time, and thus the works were conducted until closed out,
in 1886. Subsequently they were run by the Vulcan Iron Company, of Wil-
liamsport, in which, however, Mr. Allen had no interest. They are closed
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 269
now. Mr. Allen's conspicuous talent for business was supplemented by admir-
able personal characteristics which made him esteemed and highly regarded
wherever he went, and he was well known all over eastern and central Pennsyl-
vania. l)Ut the extent of his interests never obscured his solicitude for his
home town, and he kept in close touch with local public affairs and politics.
National politics he always followed with zest, and he was a stanch Repub-
lican in his convictions, though not always partisan when the issues at hand
involved no sacrifice of principle. His death occurred in November, 1890.
Mr. Allen married Hannah Hudson, and three children were born to this
union: Frank H., of Tamaqua, superintendent and executor of the Allen
estate; Charles F. ; and Mary L.
Charles F. Allen was born Aug. 14. 1853, at Tamaqua, and began his edu-
cation in the local public schools. Later he attended the Pennsylvania Mili-
tary Academy, at West Chester, and after leaving school he learned the trade
of machinist in his father's establishment, following it for a period of five
years. In 1880 he took the position of bookkeeper with Carter, Allen & Co.,
and was so engaged until the plant was closed, in 1886, that year taking
charge of his father's estate as executor and manager. He was a large owner
of real estate in Tamaqua, and at the time of his death was devoting himself
chiefly to its management, his holdings including some of the most desirable
property in this section of the county. For a number of years he was the man-
ager of the Allen Opera House, and when he died he was the owner of the
"United States Hotel" in the borough. He passed away Nov. 7, 191 5.
Though he had retired from any arduous responsibility, his various interests
made him an active figure in local business circles. Mr. Allen was always a
sincere Republican and did good work in the county for his party, which hon-
ored him with nomination for more than one important office. The confidence
of his fellow citizens generally was well shown in his election as county auditor
in 1890, for a term of three years, and as county commissioner in i8q^; he
also served one term of three years in the latter position. His public services
were marked by unselfish devotion to the best interests of Schuylkill county.
In 1877 Mr. Allen was married to Katie F. Boughner, daughter of John
F. and Mary Boughner, of Tamaqua, and they had the following children :
Hannah Mary is the wife of Peter Keilman, a leading shoe dealer of Tamaqua;
Bertha died when six years old ; Frances L. is married to William L. Leopold,
of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Hubbard L., a railroad man, living in Tamaqua, married
Mary E. P. Wall ; Clara Bell is the wife of Clarence H. Evans, who is en-
gaged in the lumber business at Tamaqua; Maude A. and Charles H. are liv-
ing at home ; Frank B., who is in the electrical business at Tamaqua, married
Sarah Mattern.
JEREMIAH KLINE, a resident of Schuylkill Haven for the last sixty
years, is now living retired. He has had a long and intimate association with
the social as well as business life of that borough. He followed the business
of painter and decorator very successfully for half a century, and as a musician
was in demand at private and public gatherings in the borough as long as he
was actively engaged in that profession. Mr. Kline is a native of Berks county,
Pa., born near Shoemakersville in May, 1841, son of Rev. Jacob Kline, one of
the most noted ministers of his day in Schuylkill county. His grandfather lived
at Centerport, Berks county, where he followed farming until his death. His
children were : John, Benjamin, Stofifel, Rev. Jacob, and two daughters. *
270 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Rev. Jacob Kline was born Aug. 24, 1805, near Centerport, Berks county,
and moved to Schuylkill county in his early life, living first at Pottsville, after-
wards at Schuylkill Haven. He was a self-made man, acquiring his education
and preparing for the Reformed ministry entirely by his own efforts, and there
was no more beloved minister in his day in Schuylkill county, few men enjoying
a wider acquaintance or the friendship of more people in this section than
"Father" Kline, as he was familiarly known. Among the charges he had in
Schuylkill county were those of Miners ville, Llewellyn, McKeansburg, Orwigs-
burg and Schuylkill Haven, in connection with which he served the churches
at Summer Hill and Friedensburg. He was elected pastor at Schuylkill Haven,
his last charge, Oct. 22, 1854, and served until he resigned, Jan. 9, 1891, with
undiminished popularity. His was one of the longest and most successful
pastorates of that congregation. During his long service in the ministry he
preached 3,250 regular sermons, conducted 1,298 funerals, baptized 3.750;
confirmed 1,017, performed 810 marriages and administered to 12,537 com-
municants.
On Nov. 4, 1826, Air. Kline married Sophia Cook, and they lived to see
their golden wedding anniversary, which was celebrated in their home on the
corner of Main and Haven streets, Schuylkill Haven. Of the ten children
born to this union, si.x died before the father, who passed away July 7, 1889.
His living descendants at that time numbered two sons, two daughters, thirty-
three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Eighteen ministers were
in attendance at Mr. Kline's funeral services, and six of his ministerial brethren
were honorary pallbearers. Sermons were preached in both English and
German. We have mention of six of his family, namely : Israel, Jacob, Samuel,
Jeremiah, Sarah (Mrs. William Auchenbach, living at Schuylkill Haven) and
Rosie (who married Morton Bittle).
Jeremiah Kline came to Schuylkill Haven with his parents, and has lived
here ever since. He learned the business of painter and decorator, which he
followed in his home county from early manhood, retiring in 191 1. For
twenty-five years he was one of the best known figures in local musical
circles, acting as organist of St. John's Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven
for many years, as leader of the Schuylkill Haven band, and being also a very
proficient teacher of music. He has also become well known in other relations
in his part of the county, being a past master of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. &
A. M., of .Schuylkill Haven. He is a Republican in politics, and was a Union
sympathizer during the Civil war, serving during the emergency in 1863 in
Captain Randall's company, of the 39th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Mr. Kline married Elizabeth Butz, daughter of Nathan Butz, mention of
whose family will be found elsewhere. Mrs. Kline died in 1912 and is buried
in the Union cemetery, at Schuylkill Haven. The following children were born
to this union : Annie married Philip Shoen ; Elizabeth married C. E. Berger, a
well known attorney in practice at the Schuylkill county bar; Laura is the wife
of Thomas Selliman, of Pottsville, Pa. ; Francis is in business as a decorator at
Pottsville; Charles, a patternmaker, is settled at Philadelphia; Samuel, a
painter, is also at Philadelphia ; Edward, decorator, is located at St. Louis, Mo. :
Harry is deceased; one son died in infancy. Mr. Kline resides on Main street.
ANDREW SELTZER KIMMEL, though one of the successful business
men of Pottsville, belongs to the younger generation, yet he has already made
a place for himself among the responsible men to whom the community looks
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLA. 271
to uphold her prosperity. He is a son of Jacob F. Kinimel and grandson of
Andrew Kininicl, and belongs to a family which have been associated with the
growth and development of Schuylkill county for many years.
Andrew Kimmel, the grandfather, was born in West Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, and owned a large farm there, following agricultural pur-
suits throughout his active days. Several years before his death he removed
to Orwigsburg, this county, where he lived retired to the close of his life, at
the age of seventy years. His wife, Esther (Faust), also died at Orwigsburg.
They were the parents of fifteen children, three of whom died in infancy,
and we have the following record of the others: George married Susan Steiger-
walt; Daniel married Sarah ^larberger; John married Isabella Albright;
Hettie married Thomas Whalen; Alaria married Daniel Boyer; Elizabeth mar-
ried Christ Dieffenderfer; Jacob 1*'. married Amanda Seltzer; Benjamin died
at the age of twenty-four years; Andrew married Margaret Cavily ; Lewis
married Alarj' GrietY, and is the only one of this generation living (he resides
at Orwigsburg) ; Sarah married Daniel Thompson ; tlannah married Israel
Dreher.
Jacob F. Kimmel, son of Andrew, was bom Jan. 24, 1840, at Kimmel's
Church, Schuylkill county, and was brought up in West Brunswick township,
receiving his education in the local public schools. Throughout his active life
he was engaged in the cultivation of the homestead property, and he was also
interested in other affairs in his vicinity, for thirty years acting as treasurer of
the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company. He served his township for several
terms in the capacity of school director. Mr. Kimmel was a member of the
Church of God, and always zealous in the promotion of its enterprises and
generous in their support. The church of that denomination in West Bruns-
wick township, known as Kimmel's Church, was so named in honor of the
Kinimel family. On P'eb. 7, 1867, at Reading, Pa., Air. Kimmel was married
to Amanda Seltzer, daughter of Michael and IVfary (Fryer) Seltzer, and she
survives him, making her home at Orwigsburg. His death occurred Jan. 22,
1908. The children of this marriage were as follows: Robert, born Feb. 10,
1870; George, June 27, 1873; Estella, Aug. 6, 1875; Annie, Nov. 30, 1878;
Lottie, Sept. 21, 1881 ; Andrew S., June 22, 1883; and others who died in
infancy.
Andrew Seltzer Kimmel, the youngest of the family, was born in Schuylkill
county, one mile east of Orwigsburg, and received his early education in that
locality, taking a course at the Orwigsburg high school. His school days over,
he went to Reading, Pa., where he learned the trade of machinist in the shops
of Orr & Sembower, remaining with this firm for about two years. Then for
a year he was in the steel plant at Bethlehem, Pa., returning from there to
Schuylkill county, and located in Pottsville, where in company with H. F.
Scharadin he organized the Penn Knitting Mills. This was in igo6, and the
business has been continued with increased prosperity to the present, the trade
having widened to such an extent that whereas only five people were employed
at the beginning there are now forty, and sixty machines are kept in operation.
Mr. Kimmel gives all his time to this concern, and the solid basis upon which
its affairs have been placed is thoroughly typical of his own reliable character.
He is universally respected, for what he has accomplished has been through his
own efiforts.
Mr. Kimmel is married to Florence Lloyd, daughter of Edward Lloyd, of
Tamaqua, this county. They have no children. His fraternal connections are
272 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
with the Order of Independent Americans at Orwigsburg, and Pulaski Lodge,
No. 216, F. & A. M., Pottsville.
JAMES CHARLES GRAY, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice
of medicine at Cressona, Schuylkill county, for the last thirty years, is one of
three brothers who have made the name famous in the medical profession in
this county. Dr. Robert Bruce Gray has been established in practice at
Port Carbon since 1894, and the late Dr. John McKelvey Gray also followed
his profession there.
The Gray family is of Scotch extraction, John Gray, the Doctor's father
having been born at Johnson, Renfrewshire, Scotland, July 14, 1832. He was
only two years old when he came with his mother to America, and until 1837
they lived on Cape Breton Island and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. They then
removed to Pennsylvania, settling at Minersville, Schuylkill county, where
John Gray spent most of his youth and acquired the principal part of his
education. Mrs. Gray, however, after a short residence there, married Robert
Johnston, and removed with her family to IMaryland, where she lived for a
few years. Returning to Minersville, she passed the remainder of her life
there. John Gray lived at various places as the family moved around during
his early life, including Pottsville and Reading, Pa., coming to Cressona in 1856.
Here he made his permanent home. He had learned the trade of machinist
and blacksmith at Minersville, and he followed it until 1870, being obliged to
give up such work on account of his health. Then he was appointed foreman
in the railroad works at Cressona, controlled by the Philadelphia & Reading
Company, and held that position practically to the end of his active years.
By his first marriage, to Agnes Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson, of
Pottsville, he had one child, who is now deceased. Mrs. Gray died Feb. 21,
1857, aged twenty-two years, five months. Mr. Gray's second marriage was
to Agnes McKelvey, who was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, at East
Norwegian and Coal streets, where the Pennsylvania depot now stands. Of
the eleven children bom to this union, seven sons and four daughters, ten
reached maturity, namely : Isabella married Samuel Klock, formerly a butcher
in Lebanon, Pa., but he subsequently moved to Truly, Mont. ; James Charles
is mentioned below; William Lincoln, a machinist, lives at Shickshinny, Pa.;
Jennie B., who died in 1913, was the wife of Adam Applegate, of Pottsville,
Pa. ; Robert Bruce is practicing medicine at Port Carbon, Pa. ; Annie Eliza-
beth married William Kline, and lives at Great Falls, Mont. ; Agnes May
taught school at Cressona before her marriage to Rheinold Plath, now of Great
Falls, Mont.; John McKelvey was the second Schuylkill county student to
graduate from the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, and after serv-
ing at the Miners' hospital and the Schuylkill county almshouse settled down
to practice at Port Carbon, where he had been located for seventeen years
at the time of his death, Feb. 8, 1914: George Andrew was a ranchman at
Great Falls, Mont., and was killed near that place, having been thrown from
a horse on his ranch (the place is named Gray Butte in his memory, though
he is interred in the family lot at Cressona, Pa.") ; Allen Eugene took up a
claim and is engaged in ranching; Chester Hutchison died in infancy. The
mother of this family died May 26, 1902, at her home in Cressona, and the
father died a few months later, Feb. 3, 1903. in Montana. They are buried
at Cressona. Mr. Gray was a Republican in politics.
David McKelvey, father of Mrs. Agnes (McKelvey) Gray, emigrated to
",>^.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 273
this country from Scotland about 1S20, and the family were early residents
at Pottsvilie. He was engaged on work in the early development of the
coal fields there, and was the first miner to meet his death in the gate vein,
being killed by a falling timber under the site of the present courthouse. His
widow nobly undertook the burden of rearing her family of four children,
leasing the Mount Hope farm, which she carried on, selling milk, fruit and
vegetables in town. She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Centre
street grammar school, in a vault containing the bodies of thirty-live of her
relatives.
James Charles Gray was born Feb. 13, i860, at Cressona, Schuylkill county,
where he passed practically all his life. Lie obtained his early education in the
public schools there and trught for four terms in the borough during his young
manhood. Meantime he had commenced the study of medicine under the
late Dr. G. W. Brown, of Port Carbon, Pa., and then entered Jefferson Medical
College, graduating in 1884. He has since been practicing at his native place,
and now occupies the old homestead there. There are few citizens who, with-
out aspiring to public office or honors, have done more to promote the progress
of the community generally. For thirty years continuously he has been a
member of the school board of the borough, and for many years of that time
has served as president of that body, his work in the cause of education alone
being sufficient to entitle him to the gratitude of his fellow citizens. As a
physician he has been highly successful, and his thoughtful attention to his
patients has made him beloved as well as trusted over a wide territory. His
strong personality, combined with professional skill, has made him a leading
citizen of southern Schuylkill county. Though he has been a professional man
primarily, he has been interested in business to some extent, being a director
of the Schuylkill Haven Foundry Company, and a stockholder in the First
National Bank ; when the establishment of this bank was first proposed and a
canvass of the city made for subscribers to its stock, his name was on the
original list, and he has retained his interest ever since. He is a member of
the Schuylkill County Medical Society, of which he was vice president for
some time, and has been a delegate to the State Medical Convention. Fra-
ternally he belongs to Washington Camp, No. 73, P. O. S. of A., of which he
is a past president, and to !Miami Tribe, No. 82, I. O. R. M. In his earlier
manhood Dr. Gray was an ardent Republican, but of late years he has given
his influence and support to the Washington party. His religious membership
is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a very useful
worker.
On April i, 1897, Dr. Gray married Sarah R. Herring, daughter of Henry
Herring, of Washington township, Schuylkill county. They have a family
of five children : John D., George H., Agnes McKelvey, Alma R. and
Catherine.
JOHN MURPHY, deceased, lived in practical retirement at Schuylkill
Haven for about twenty years, except for the management of his property
interests. He was an old-time boatman, having begun that business when
he came to Schuylkill Haven at the age of twelve years, and continued it on
the Schuylkill canal for a number of years. When business here dwindled to
such an extent as to become unprofitable he changed to the Erie canal, where
he did business until he retired.
Mr. Murphy's father, John Murphy, was born in Ireland, came to America
Vol. 1—18
274 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYL\'AXL\
when a young man, and settled at Tarrytown, N. Y., where he engaged in the
hotel business. He spent most of his life at this calling, although he was a
stonecutter by trade. His death occurred at Tarrytown. His children were :
Susan and Mary Jane, both of whom died in New York City, and John.
John Murphy was born Feb. 15, 1838, at Tarrytown, N. Y., where he spent
his early years. When a boy of twelve he removed to Schuylkill county. Pa.,
and until he was nineteen years old was employed in boating on the Schuylkill
canal. He then spent several years in Colorado, during the early part of his
residence there prospecting to some extent, and he also drove government teams
through Kansas as far west as Salt Lake City, Utah, being thus engaged for
two years. On June 27, 1861, he enlisted in the ist Colorado Cavalry, and
served for three years, four months, during the Civil war, being discharged
with the rank of second lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Garland, Colo.,
aijd also in New Mexico, and acted as division inspector of the Territory of
Colorado. Mr. Murphy had many typical Western e.xperiences and profited
greatly by his sojourn in that section. Returning to Schuylkill Haven in the
sixties, he resumed boating on the Schuylkill canal, operating his own line of
boats until 1870. It was then that he transferred his interests to the Erie canal,
owning and operating six large boats, with a capacity of 8,000 bushels of grain
each, between New York City and Buffalo. This business occupied the prin-
cipal part of his attention for a. quarter of a century, and when he sold out,
in 1894, he retired and returned to Schuylkill Haven, where he made his
home until about two years before his death, removing then with his family to
West Philadelphia. His valuable real estate interests here required consider-
able attention, but aside from that he was not actively engaged in business. IMr.
Murphy always took an active part in affairs of general interest, served at one
time as a member of the school board of Schuylkill Haven, and was member
and past master of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., in the borough, as well
as a member of Post No. 26, G. A. R. He was a Democrat in politics, and in
religious connection a member of the Reformed Church. He died suddenly
on Christmas afternoon, 191 5, at his home in West Philadelphia, and was
buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
By his first marriage, to Mary Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, Mr.
Murphy had a family of four children: William, Sherman, Ethan and John.
In 1889 he married (second) Alice Moyer, and by this union also had four
children, of whom Allen died in infancy ; Rebecca, Isaac and Leonard are at
home. The family occupied a fine home on Alain street, Schuylkill Haven.
Jacob Moyer, Mrs. Murphy's great-grandfather, lived and died in Long-
swamp township, Berks Co., Pa. His son, Isaac, her grandfather, was born
in that township, and became a prominent citizen of Pinedale, Schuylkill county,
where he bought a large tract of land, and was prosperously engaged in farm-
ing. He died at Pinedale, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, Rebecca
(Ketner), daughter of Frank Ketner, was also born in Longswamp township,
Berks Co., Pa., and died at Pinedale, when eighty-five years old. They are
interred in the burial ground of the historic old Red Church. They had
children as follows : Sarah married Andrew Boyer ; Isaac is mentioned below ;
Jackson married Mary Christ, and is still living in Schuylkill county ; Polly
married Samuel Moyer, a second cousin ; Rebecca married Charles Rahn ;
Catherine married Frank Hoover; Matilda married Martin Hummel; Abraham
married Rebecca Kramer; Morgan married Elizabeth Hill; Anna died un-
married.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA 275
Isaac ]\Ioyer, Jr., was born r^Iay lo, 1815, at Pinedale, Schuylkill county,
and was one of the most respected men of his day in this section. He learned
the trade of tanner, but after a time became engaged in boating on the Schuyl-
kill canal, following this occupation for a period of forty years. He spent his
last years in retirement at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Murphy, dying
Alarch 25, 1S98, and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Moyer was a member of the German Reformed Church, and always took
an active part in its work, serving faithfully in the office of deacon. I-le mar-
ried Anetta Bossart, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Mill) Bossart. She
died at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moyer were the
parents of ten children, namely: Rebecca married William Weissinger; George
married Christine Hein ; Mary married Gotleib Burkert ; James married Mary
Fisher ; John married Elsie Schrapp ; Charles died unmarried ; Alice is the
widow of John Murphy; Catherine married Frank Hunnel ; William married
Mary Boyer; Emma died young.
LORENZ IMSCHWEILER, late of Pottsville, was a resident of Schuylkill
county for over half a century and one of the enterprising business men of his
generation. The confectionery establishment now carried on by his son-in-law,
E. T. Miller, was founded by him over thirty years ago, and though he lived to
be over seventy he continued his active interest in affairs almost to the close of
his life, with remarkable and unabated energy and undmiinished efficiency. He
was of German birth, born in 1830 in Scheersfeld, Little Bavaria. His early life
was spent in his native land, where he learned the trade of tailor. In his
twentieth year he came to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel and
landing Jan. 7, 1850. His first location was at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
whence he soon went to Tamaqua, this county, following his trade during the
seven years of his residence at that place. Meantime he became acquainted
there with the Jacobs family, from whom he learned the confectionery business.
Mr. Imschweiler made his first venture in the confectionery line at Tremont,
Schuylkill county, whither he removed from Tamaqua, and he made a success,
doing business- there for a period of seventeen years. Then he sought larger
opportunities at Pottsville. where he settled in 1881 and opened a store, his
original location being at No. 217 Centre street. After a year there he moved
next door, to No. 219, where he was established a few years, finally removing
to No. 13 North Centre street. The business was carried on at that site until
its recent removal to the old Dr. Robison property, where Mr. Miller, the
present owner, has put up a modern building. Mr. Imschweiler conducted
the business there until his retirement fourteen years ago, and acquired a sub-
stantial competence as the trade grew under his capable management. His
reputation extended all over Schuylkill county, and his substantial qualities of
character made him one of the leading citizens of his day. He was a member
of the Reformed Church in religious connection, and belonged to the I. O. O. F.
lodge at Tamaqua. He died in December, 1904, and is buried in the Charles
Baber cemetery.
Mr. Imschweiler married Julia Miller, who was born four miles from her
husband's birthplace in Germany and came to Pennsylvania with her parents
when four years old. They settled at Pottsville. Nine children were born
to ]\Ir. and Mrs. Imschweiler, but only one of this large family is living, Emma
Louise, the wife of Edwin J. Miller.
276 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
EDWIN J. MILLER has advanced to so solid a position among the leading
figures in business circles at Pottsville that he may well be spoken of as a self-
made man and his career cited as an example of what strict attention to purpose
gains. His life has been one of useful activity, helpful to the community in
more ways than one, and his ambition to win success has been so honorably
attained that he has the unqualified esteem of his associates and of his fellow
citizens generally.
Mr. Miller comes of the thrifty German stock whose influence on Pennsyl-
vania has been felt from the days of its first settlement. His grandfather, Henry
Miller, came to this country from Germany, and settled at what is now Brown's
Farm, in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he became engaged in farming. He
died there.
William Miller, father of Edwin J. ]\Ii!ler, lived at ]\linersville, Schuylkill
county, where his death occurred in 1900. Having learned the trade of black-
smith he was with the William Kear Coal Company in that capacity, later
becommg an employee of the Philadelphia & Reading Company. His widow,
Mary (Heller), still resides at Minersville. Of the seven children born to them
five survive: Ella, who is the wife of Walter Trezise; Ida, wife of Daniel
Price, of Minersville; Carrie and Mame, living with their mother ; and Edwin J.
Edwin J. Miller was born June 15, 1871, at Minersville, where he was
reared. During his boyhood and youth he was employed at the mines for
about five 3'ears, and as he had to go to work at an early age he continued his
studies at night school for a time. For two years he tried the grocery business,
but did not like it well enough to go in that line, so in 1888 he came to
Pottsville and engaged with Lorenz Imschweiler, with whom he learned the
confectionery business. His facility in mastering its details, and the skill he
soon acquired in the practical part of the work, gave evidence of ability which
has developed steadily in the quarter century of his connection with this line.
Remaining in Mr. Imschweiler's employ until the latter's retirement, he con-
ducted the business for him thereafter until his death, and shortly afterwards,
in 1905, took it over on his own account. Its expansion has gone on uninter-
ruptedly under his progressive manipulation of affairs. In fact, it is taking
place among the most successful of its kind in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Miller has
recently established it in appropriate quarters. It has been on Centre street
from the time of its inception, under Mr. Imschweiler. In the summer of 1914
Mr. Miller purchased the Dr. Robison property on that street, and proceeded
to erect one of the finest business houses in this section of the State, equipped
with all the modern devices for the comfort of employees as well as for the
economical dispatch of the business. Its increasing needs have shown the
wisdom of employing every facility obtainable for simplifying and expediting
the work, and Mr. Miller has been forehanded about anticipating the require-
ments, though the growth has been sufficiently vigorous of late years to over-
take his provisions for the future. Its prosperous career is to some extent an
indication of the favorable commercial conditions which now prevail in Potts-
ville, although it has aided in bringing them about in larger proportion than
it has benefited thereby. At any rate, the progressive spirit and business
capacity Mr. Miller has shown in its upbuilding have earned his name a per-
manent place among the influential men of his generation. He takes little
direct part in local affairs, though he is a member of the B. P. O. Elks lodge
at Pottsville.
By his marriage to Emma Louise Imschweiler, daughter of the late Lorenz
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYL\'AXLV 277
Imschweiler, Mr. Miller has two children : Lorenz W., who is with his father
in the store, learning the business; and Anna Louise. Religiously the family
are of the Reformed faith.
ELMER HAROLD lAL^URER, AL D., has been in practice at Ashland
throughout his professional career. He is a native son of Schuylkill county,
a descendant of one of its old families which has been settled at Pitman, his
birthplace, from the early days. The Maurers are of German extraction.
Charles IMaurer, the Doctor's grandfather, was bom at Pitman and resided
in that vicinity all his life. By occupation he was a farmer and shoemaker.
He was a man of intelligent, active mind, and took considerable part in local
public affairs as well as in religious work, being an earnest member of the
Church of God. He died in 1895 at the age of seventy-one years. His wife,
Juda (Slobig), like himself of German ancestry, lived to the age of eighty-two
years, dying in 1912. Their family consisted of six children: Gabriel S., the
Doctor's father, was the eldest; Elizabeth married William B. Rodenberger,
whose father, Jacob Rodenberger, was the first settler at Ashland, and owned
and operated the first hotel there; John is a resident of Shamokin, Pa. ; Lena is
the wife of William H. Nicewanger, and they are living on a farin in Snyder-
town, Pa.; Amelia, who died in 1904, was the wife of Elias Mayer, of Mount
Carmel, a carpenter; James died in 1902.
Gabriel S. Maurer was born May 31, 1850, at Pitman, Schuylkill county,
and received his early education in the public schools there. Learning the car-
penter's trade, he followed that calling until he began to teach school, at the
age of eighteen years. He taught in Eldred and Butler townships, this county,
and for four years was engaged at Ashland as assistant teacher in the high
school. Later he was engaged in Conyngham township, and in 1898 went to
Lavelle. Schuylkill county, to enter upon his duties as first principal of the
school there, which position he has continued to fill ever since. His work
as an educator covers over forty years, and the demands for his services are
sufficient to indicate how highly they are valued wherever he is known. At
present he has four assistants. Mr. Maurer married Elmira Kramer, also a
native of Schuylkill county, born at Weishample, , daughter of Harold and
Elizabeth (Fetterolf) Kramer, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Ger-
man ancestry. He was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Elizabeth (Fetterolf)
Kramer was born in Schuylkill county and was also of German descent. Her
family was represented on the L^nion side during the Civil war by her brothers
Daniel and Peter Fetterolf. the latter now gatekeeper at the State Hospital at
Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county: his son Daniel is a professor at the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Elizabeth ( Fetterolf) Kramer died in 1888,
her husband surviving until 1902. They had a family of nine children, of
whom Elmira was the eldest; Charles, a resident of Ashland, Pa., is a traveling
salesman: Mary is the wife of \V. C. Shoemaker, principal of the school at
Locustdale, this county : Sarah is married to Edward Smith, of Mount Carmel,
Pa.; her twin brother died in infancy; Katie is the wife of Thomas Fennel,
of Nazareth, Pa. : Belinda is married to John Carl, Jr., who is in the employ
of the Mount Carmel Trust Company, and is town clerk there; Daniel, who
was accidentally killed in 1901, left a wife and four children, one son. Daniel,
being a physician in the hospital at New Castle, Pa. ; Emma is the widow of
Patrick Dorsey, and lives in Philadelphia.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel S. Maurer, namely :
278 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Delilah is the wife of William Follwell Lloyd, a resident of Philadelphia, in
the employ of the Philadelphia Electric Company; Elmer H. is mentioned
below ; Mamie became a trained nurse, having taken a course at the Children's
Homeopathic Training School for Nurses, in Philadelphia, and is now the
wife of George Metz, of Ashland, Pa. Mrs. Lloyd is also a trained nurse,
having graduated in 1896 from the Hahnemann Training School.
Elmer H. Maurer was born Jan. 16, 1878, at Pitman, this county. His
early education was acquired in the public schools, and he was but fifteen
years old when he entered the State Normal at Kutztown, Pa., from which
he was graduated in 1895. Following this he taught school for three years
in Butler and Hegins townships, until he was ready to enter upon his medical
course, in 1898. He matriculated at Hahnemann College, in Philadelphia,
from which institution he was graduated in 1902'. He has since been located
at Ashland, where his skill and conscientious attention to his patrons have given
him a place among the leading members of the profession. That his work is
greatly appreciated by his fellow practitioners is shown by his high standing
in the Schuylkill County Homeopathic Medical Society, in which he has been
honored with election to the office of president. He is also a member of the
Allopathic Medical Society. The Doctor's public services have been chiefly
of a professional nature, he being at present deputy coroner of the county and
physician to the poor in his district. He is also treasurer of the Ashland Town
Society, and thoroughly interested in everything affecting the welfare of the
borough. His willingness to assist all enterprises whose object is to promote
the general good has made him trusted and esteemed by his fellow citizens of
all classes. He has numerous social connections, being particularly prominent
in the Masonic fraternity as a member of Lodge No. 294, F. & A. M. ; Chap-
ter No. 219, R. A. M. ; Prince of Peace Commandery, No. 39, K. T., of Ash-
land, of which he is at present eminent commander; Williamsport Consistory,
and Rajah Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Lodge No. 384,
B. P. O. Elks, and to Camp No. 84, P. O. S. of A., and P. O. of A. Lodge
No. 21. He is a very active worker in the P. O. S. of A., being a past State
president, was assistant national president, and is now (1915) a past assistant
national president. He is a member of the Hahnemann Alumni Association.
On political questions he is a Republican.
On April 14, 1904, Dr. Maurer married Florence M. Hinterleiter, a native
of Berks county. Pa., daughter of William G. and Catherine (Baer) Hinter-
leiter, of Kutztown. Her father, who died July 3, 1903, was a dry goods mer-
chant, and his sons are engaged in the same line of business in Allentown, Pa.
His n'lother is still living in Allentown. Her family consists of two sons and
two daughters: Irene, who lives at home; Florence M., Mrs. Maurer; Ray-
mond, who is manager of the Allentown store conducted under the name of
R. W. Hinterleiter & Co. ; and Arthur, who lives at home.
Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Maurer: Catherine Elmira
(born Feb. 9, 1905), Florence (born Jan. 17, 1912) and Harold (born April
12. 1914). The Doctor built his home at Ashland some years ago. He and his
wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and she belongs to the Eastern
Star and P. O. of A.
HON. JOHN T. SHOENER, of Orwigsburg, in his well rounded career
has been in" close touch with the developmenf of Schuylkill county, as a business
man as well as in the discharge of the numerous public responsibilities for which
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\ 279
he has been chosen. The mere enumeration of the offices he has filled evidences
his versatility and superior ability, and the repeated honors he has received at
the hands of his fellow citizens speaks well for his efficient and conscientious
attention to all the duties intrusted to him.
Mr. Shoener comes of pioneer stock of Schuylkill county, where the family
has been settled since the time of his great-grandfather, a native of Berks
county, Pa., who located in the vicinity of Orwigsburg (most likely in what
is now West Brunswick township), in what is now Schuylkill county. John
Shoener, the grandfather of John T. Shoener, was bom in that township in
1800, and died at Orwigsburg in 1865. As the owner of the first stagecoach
that ran from Sunbury to Philadelphia he was very well known in his day.
For a short time he was engaged in the hotel business and later in life followed
farming. He was also extensively interested in the timber business, for he
owned a large tract of timberland in this section, and his industry and enter-
prise brought him prosperity. Originally a Whig in politics, he became a
Republican upon the organization of the party and took an active interest in
public afl:"airs. For a number of years during the period court was held at
Orwigsburg he acted as court crier. His wife was a daughter of Frederick
Hesser, who was a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war, and was with Wash-
ington at \'alley Forge; he was born in the vicinity of Orwigsburg, where he
died and is buried. To Mr. and J\Irs. John Shoener were bom the following
children : Daniel, George, Lewis, Charles F., William A., John T., Frank H.,
Mary, Margaret. Elizabeth, Louisa and Emma.
George Shoener, son of John, was born in 1827 at Orwigsburg, and passed
the most of his life in that vicinity, dying in 1865. He followed farming and
lumber dealing, for a time had a green grocery business in Pottsville, on the
comer of Centre and Mahantongo streets, and during the latter part of his life
kept hotel at Orwigsburg. He served as justice of the peace in South Manheim
township. Like his father he was a Republican in political faith. He mar-
ried Mary Super, a native of Switzerland, who came to America with her
parents, the family settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. To this union were
bom six children, four sons and two daughters, namely : John T. ; Fannie, now
the widow of T. B. Zulick, residing at Orwigsburg, Pa. ; Lillie, who married
Dr. Harry Fegley and resided at Ashland, Pa. (both are deceased) ; George,
who was killed on the railroad at Port Carbon when fifteen years old; Frank
E., of Shamokin, Pa.; and Howell F., of Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
John T. Shoener was born April 5, 1850, in South Manheim township,
Schuylkill county, and attended the public schools of Orwigsburg until thirteen
years old. Removing with his uncle to Hennepin, Putnam Co., III. at that time,
he attended the Hennepin high school for three years, and having qualified
began teaching school, being so engaged for one temi in Illinois and for five
terms in his native county. Thereafter he turned his attention to business, in
1873 commencing the manufacture of brick, at a location between Port Carbon
and St. Clair. When the Orwigsburg Shoe Manufacturing Company was
organized that year Mr. Shoener became secretary, and thus has the distinction
of being associated with the first shoe factory started in the borough. The
business was established in what was formerly the courthouse. Besides acting
as secretary Mr. Shoener represented the fimi on the road until 1878, in which
year he and George H. Bickley organized the Bickley Shoe Company, Mr.
Shoener retaining his connection with that concern until July, 1893. After
that he engaged as a wholesale dealer in boots and shoes, and though much of
280 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
his time during that period was necessarily given to public ati'airs, he was thor-
oughly successful in his business ventures. Mr. Shoener is now engaged in
the manufacture of brooms at Orwigsburg, which he commenced in 1912.
Mr. Shoener has been in public life from early manhood. In 1878 he
was elected to the State Legislature as representative from the Third district
of Schuylkill county, and though a Republican won the election by 183 votes
in spite of the fact that the district was strongly Democratic, by about one
thousand majority. He served his term with the utmost fidelity to the interests
of the people, and there is one very special reminder of his services in Schuyl-
kill county, the Miners' Hospital at Ashland. At the time of its establishment
this was the only institution of its kind in the world, having been provided
especially for the persons injured in the coal regions, and it was unique in that
it was supported by the State entirely, and designed solely for the laboring
class. Mr. Shoener had the honor of introducing the measure providing for
this hospital, and if he had nothing else in the way of public service to his
credit his efforts in its behalf would entitle him to the gratitude of his fellow
citizens. At the close of his tenn ^Ir. Shoener was renominated in 1880,
but was defeated. In 1886 he was unanimously nominated on the Republican
ticket for representative from the Thirtieth Senatorial district in the State
Senate, and though defeated drew a most flattering vote, losing the election by
only seventy-three votes in a district ordinarily Democratic by 2,500 majority ;
had it not been for the division of votes caused by the support given to the
Prohibition candidate, he would have been the victor in this contest. His popu-
larity again made him a candidate in 1890, when he was nominated for repre-
sentative in Congress from the Thirteenth Congressional district, and again,
though defeated, he ran far ahead of his ticket, his opponent winning by 1,480
votes, although the Democratic candidate for governor on the same ticket had
a majority of 4,400 votes. In 1894 he became State sergeant at arms at
Harrisburg, and served for one session. In local affairs he has always been
very influential, and his services and advice have been frequently sought. In
1896 he was elected clerk of the courts of Schuylkill county, serving two suc-
cessive terms of three years each. He has been a member of the borough
council and chief burgess of Orwigsburg, and also member of the school board,
in all these positions exerting himself to conserve the best interests of the
municipality and further progress in the administration of its affairs. In
1900 he was the chairman of the Republican party in Schuylkill county. !Mr.
Shoener has long been a prominent member of the Schuylkill County Agricul-
tural Society, and for twenty years was the executive head of that body. He
has numerous social connections, being a member (and past president) of
Camp No. 86, P. O. S. of A., which he joined in 1867; of Schuylkill Lodge, No.
138, F. & A. M., which he has served as treasurer; of Mountain City Chapter,
No. 196, R. A. M. ; Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T. : Industrial Coun-
cil, No. 437, Jr. O. U. A. M. ; and the Improved Order of Red Men.
On June 22, 1875, Mr. Shoener married Ida E. Miller, daughter of Abra-
ham Miller, of Trappe, Montgomery Co., Pa., and they have had a family of
three children : Walter D., who died when thirty-one years old ; Edna M., well
known as an elocutionist ; and John Ralph, at home.
GEORGE WISHART BUTZ, of Schuylkill Haven, is at present engaged
in business in that borough as proprietor of the general store formerly con-
ducted by his father, and also follows his profession, civil engineering. He is
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 281
connected with the administration of local affairs as civil engineer, and as such
has done good work for the town. Mr. Butz belongs to a very old Penn-
sylvania family, settled from the early part of the eighteenth century in Berks
county, the first of his line to come to Schuylkill county being his grandfather,
Nathan Butz.
Among the relics owned by this old and honored family of Berks county
is a Bible, in excellent condition, now in the possession of Mrs. Fianna (Butz_)
Bertolet, who has willed it to her son. Dr. M. L. Bertolet, of Mount Penn,
Pa. This Bible was brought to America by (1) John Butz, who in 1737
landed at Philadelphia with his two children, Peter and Catharine. John Butz
came to this country from licrtzogberg, near Ivromanenberg, in the lower part
of Bavaria. He died Feb. 23, 1750, in Philadelphia.
(H) This same old Bible shows that Peter Butz (son of John) was married
Oct. 22, 1743, to Anna Barbara Carl, who was born in Hessen-Nassau, Ger-
many, and they had these children: Alary, born in 1744; Caroline, in 1746;
John, in 1747; Samuel, in 1750; Peter, in 1754; Ehzabeth, in 1758; and Anna,
in 1 76 1. Peter Butz died in 1780, aged sixty-one years, eight months, twenty-
five days. His wife died ilarch 6, 1795, aged seventy-six years, four
months.
(HI) Samuel Butz, son of Peter, was born in Longswamp township, Berks
county, Aug. 10, 1750. By occupation he was a blacksmith and farmer. On
Dec. 13, 1774, he married Anna Mary Romig, born May 31, 1754, died Feb.
21, 1813, and they had children: Peter, born Oct. 29, 1775; Catharine, Alarch
25, 1777 ; John, April 2/, 1779; Susanna, March 6, 1781 ; Esther, Dec. 29, 1783 ;
Elizabeth, Nov. 28, 1788 (died Oct. 31, 1791); Mary, April 5, 1793. Samuel
Butz died in Longswamp township Aug. 17, 1821, aged seventy-one years, seven
days-.
(IV) John Butz, son of Samuel, was born April 2y, 1779, and died Aug. 19,
1874, aged ninety-tive years, three months, twenty-two days. The place of his
birth was the same as that of his father, the homestead in Longswamp town-
ship, and he followed blacksmithing and farming at the same shop and farm
as his father had. Later he removed to Oley township, where he died and is
buried. In 1806 he married Anna Yeager (sister of Jacob, the well known
ironmaster of Berks county; the name is also translated, to Hunter), of Oley
township, who died Aug. 24, 1828, aged forty years, eight months, fourteen
days, and they had eight children, but only three grew to any age : Nathan,
Jacob (died in Oley), and Anna Maria (married James Butz). Charles died
young. In 1828 the Butz family Bible came into the hands of John Butz, who
highly cherished it. This very valuable volume was printed in 1704, and it
is in an excellent state of preservation. It contains the family records, and is
of great value.
(V) Nathan Butz, son of John, was born in December, 1806, on the old
homestead in Longswamp township, Berks county, and followed farming,
starting on the old homestead. After his marriage he bought a farm in Lehigh
county, Pa., in 1829, near Alburtis, cultivated that place for many years, and
in 1849 moved to Schuylkill Haven, where he built the well known "Spring
Garden Hotel" that year. He conducted this hotel until 1869, when he sold it
and resumed farming. Later he bought the Nagel mill at Cressona, which he
operated for a period of four years. Thereafter he lived retired until his
death, in 1886, when he was seventy-nine years old. He is buried in the L^nion
cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. . His wife, Leanda (Haas), was born in 1809,
282 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
daughter of Jonathan Haas. They had children as follows: Jonathan H. ;
Samuel, deceased ; Marietta, who married Henry Bowman ; Angeline, who
married B. F. Lessig; Elizabeth, who married Jeremiah Kline; Elvina, who
married Henry A. Zimmerman ; James A., living at Cressona ; Tillie A., who
died unmarried; John, now constable of Schuylkill Haven; and Emma, who
married L. W. Kern.
(VI) Jonathan H. Butz was bom in Lehigh county. Pa., Nov. 25, 1829,
and lived on the farm until eighteen years old. Then he began clerking for
Henry Lou, near Kutztown, Berks county, remaining with him a short time.
From there he went to Lobachsville, same county, where he clerked for six
years, at the end of that time coming to Schuylkill county, in 1855. After
assisting his father at the hotel he engaged in the general mercantile business on
his own account, so successfully that he continued it for tifty-one years, until
he sold out to his son George in 191 1. The latter has carried it on to the
present.
Mr. Butz has been very active in borough affairs as well as diligent in busi-
ness. In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace, and filled that position con-
tinuously until 191 1. For twenty-seven years he was a member of the school
board, and has acted as president and secretary of that body. For two terms
he was a member of the borough council, and in every office has discharged his
duties with conscientious regard for his resf)onsibilities. Politically he is a
Democrat. As trustee, elder and deacon of the First Reformed Church Mr.
Butz has been one of its most valuable members.
On Dec. 3, 1859, Mr. Butz married Hannah E. Krebs, daughter of Philip
and Elizabeth (Schappel) Krebs, and five children have been born to them:
Elmer died young; Libby died young; Eva, unmarried, lives at home; Carrie
graduated from the local high school and the Keystone State Normal School,
at Kutztown, and after teaching three years at Coatesville and fifteen years at
Schuylkill Haven took a special teacher's course at Columbia University, New
York City, spent several years in Germany, and is now one of the leading
teachers of German in the Trenton high school. George Wishart is mentioned
below.
Jacob Krebs, grandfather of Mrs. Jonathan H. Butz, was a well known
man in Schuylkill county, representing his district in the State Legislature for
two terms, 1812-13. He died at Orwigsburg, Pa. His children were: Jacob,
Daniel, Henry, Philip, Mrs. Jacob Huntzinger and Mrs. Grieft".
Philip Krebs, father of Mrs. Butz, was a well known farmer in North Man-
heim township, Schuylkill county. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Schappel or
Schaffell) had these children: Andrew, who is deceased; George, living in
Tioga county ; Mary, who married Jacob Schwenck ; and Hannah E., ]\Irs.
Jonathan H. Butz.
(\'II) George Wishart Butz was born March 4, 1879, ^^ Schuylkill Haven,
where he attended the local schools, graduating from the high school with
highest honors. He continued his studies at Franklin and Marshall Academy.
Lancaster, Pa., where he also did good work, securing a scholarship which
entitled him to free tuition at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. There he
graduated with the degree of civil engineer, in 1903. He was eligible as an
honorary member of the Tau Beta Pi society. For a time Mr. Butz was with
the Balt'imore & Ohio Railroad Company, in Pittsburgh, having charge of the
engineer corps in the field. Then he was at Baltimore, Md., as transit man for
the Western Maryland railroad, and in 1906 was oft'ered a- position with the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENxNSYLVANIA 283
Pittsburgh & Binghamton Railroad Company as chief draftsman, also acting
as erectmg engineer, etc., in turn. In 1907 he returned to Schuylkill Haven
and began to do work for the borough and surrounding towns. In 1910 he
again entered the eiiiploy of the Western Maryland Company, as resident
engineer, stationed at Ohiopyle, Pa., but the following year he returned to his
home town once more, taking charge of the mercantile business his father had
conducted for half a century. He is now sole proprietor. Though he has been
thoroughly successful in business he has not by any means given up the profes-
sion of his choice, in which experience has developed his skill until he is con-
sidered one of the most reliable men in this part of Pennsylvania. He is
borough engineer, and is called upon to do work in many surrounding towns.
Mr. Uutz is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers,
of the Engineers' Society of Pennsylvania, of the Civil Engineers' Society of
Lehigh University, and of the American Water Works Association, and has
mention in the Biographical Dictionary and International Who's Who in the
World. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He belongs to
the First Reformed Church.
Mr. Butz married Mary Ebling, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Dewalt)
Ebling, of Schuylkill Haven, who are mentioned elsewhere.
JOSEPH SCHABLEIN, of PottsviUe, has been one of the leading figures
in local business activities for a number of years. He has managed his own
affairs in the most successful manner, and has done his full share in bringing
about prosperous conditions in the borough and vicinity, showing his belief in
the principle that business men may conserve their own interests best by catering
to the general welfare. Mr. Schablein has intelligent comprehension of the
needs of the day, and is one of the farsighted group in the community who
are attempting to establish its future prosperity upon a solid basis.
Air. Schablein is of German extraction. His father, Michael Schablein,
was bom in Bavaria, in the southern part of Germany, and coming to America
when a young man made his home at Pennsylvania. His first location was near
Reading, on the Tulpehocken creek, and later he settled at PottsviUe for a short
time, thence removing to Loyalsock, Lycoming county. Eventually he returned
to PottsviUe, where he lived for some time before his death. By trade he was
a miller, and he followed that business at the various locations mentioned in
Pennsylvania. He was a good penman and an excellent scholar, and enjoyed
reading and discussion, taking part in many of the German debates which were
so popular in his day ; he was the acknowledged leader in this line at PottsviUe.
Mr. Schablein was a member of the first beneficial association at that place. He
became well known and looked up to by his fellow citizens here, though he died
at the age of thirty years, in August, 1850. He was a large man. over six feet
in height. He is buried in the German Catholic cemetery at PottsviUe. Mr.
Schablein married Mary Dotterweick, like himself a native of southern Ger-
many, and he sent for her after deciding to settle in this country, their mar-
riage taking place at PottsviUe. Three children were born to this union :
Anthony (who died in infancy), Joseph and Frank (who died at Hillside,
PottsviUe). The mother remarried after Mr. Schablein's death, becoming the
wife of Joseph Scherzinger, by whom she had two children, John and Robert.
Joseph Schablein was bom Jan. 24, 1846, near Williamsport, in the town of
Loyalsock, Lycoming Co., Pa., and was reared at PottsviUe from the age of six
weeks, receiving his education in the German Catholic parochial schools and in
284 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
the public schools. When a young man he learned the trade of carriage black-
smith, which he followed for four years, and the year he attained his majority,
1867, he engaged in carriage building on his own account, his first shop being on
West Market street, where the Rettig brewery now stands. From there he
moved to the present site of the post office, at Second and Norwegian streets,
thence to Coal street, and later to North Centre streeet. When the demands of
the business made another change necessary he built the place at Bunker Hill,
subsequently located at Hillside, on the Cressona road, and in 1888 built his
present factory. Mr. Schablein has up-to-date business facilities and equip-
ment, having enlarged his accommodations to keep pace with the growth of
the business and the changes to modern methods, and his establishment is
admirably adapted to the manufacture of excellent carriages and all incidental
work in that line. At present he is making some decided improvements, which
will modernize the plant in every particular, and is erecting two new buildings
to take care of the increasing business. It has attained good proportions, from
ten to fifteen men being constantly employed. ^Ir. Schablein has interested
himself in other local enterprises, and he was one of the first members of the
Board of Trade, to which he still belongs, and he has served as a director of
this organization, which has done effective work in promoting the commercial
and industrial well-being of this section of Schuylkill county.
Mr. Schablein is a Democrat and has taken an active part in the work of
his party in the locality. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
On Oct. 31, 1864, he married Elizabeth Hessee, daughter of Henry and
Barbara (Yost) Hessee, of Germany, and they have had a large family, namely :
Mary married Ralph Regniera, and they reside at Providence, R. I. ; Clara mar-
ried Timothy Hannah, and they make their home at New London, Conn. ;
Theresa married Peter Hummel, now settled in Philadelphia, Pa. ; George, a
painter, resides in Camden, N. J. ; Frank, a painter, is a resident of Brooklyn,
N. Y. ; John is employed with his father; Annie resides at home; William
died when three j'ears old; Joseph, of Pottsville, is well known as an artist;
Robert died in infancy; Lewis is now at New London, Conn.; Loretta, an
adopted daughter, lives at home.
ANDREW JACKSON CRAWFORD, late of Minersville, was looked upon
as one of the ablest men of his generation in Schuylkill county, particularly on
questions of financial policy. Without seeking public position or personal glory
of any kind he filled a prominent place in directing the conduct of local affairs,
in which the influence of his opinion was felt for a considerable period. His
early life was spent in Montour county. Pa., where his father was a leading
citizen and one whose force of character made such an impression on his com-
munity that it is evident his son's strong qualities were inherent family char-
acteristics which have been associated with the Crawfords for many years.
John Crawford, the father, was a lumber dealer, merchant, hotel keeper and
postmaster at White Hall, the most prominent man in his section of Montour
county for a number of years. He conducted the famous "^^l^ite Hall Hotel,"
afterwards engaged in the mercantile business, and in the early sixties was
appointed postmaster (succeeding William McBride), his son, George W.
Crawford, being his successor in that office. The diversity of his interests
brought him into contact with many classes and the circle of his acquaintance
was accordingly wide. He and his wife, Elizabetli (Steinman), both died at
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'AXL\ 285
White Hall and are interred in a private burial ground there. They had four
children: George W., Andrew J., Henry C. and Christiana (Mrs. Zehner).
Andrew Jackson Crawford was born April 15, 1837, ''^ White Hall, Mon-
tour county, and obtained his schooling in the locality. His early experience
was acquired in the most practical manner possible, as his father's assistant and
partner, in the lumber and store business. He remained at White Hall until
the spring of 1870, when he came to Minersville and established the lumber
business to which he gave his time and energy principally for about fifteen
years. He was next in North Dakota, where he was interested in a large tract
of land, and at Duluth, where he owned valuable property, and was highly
successful in his ventures in both locations. Returning to ^Minersville, he
remained there the rest of his life, passing his closing years in retirement. He
was one of the organizers of the Union National Bank, founded in 1902, and
became its first president, serving in that capacity until his death, which occurred
Feb. 4, 1910. He is buried at Minersville. Mr. Crawford's ability to handle
financial problems was highly valued by his associates in the bank. Politically
he was a Republican, but beyond supporting the party at the polls took no direct
part in public affairs.
On Feb. 4, 1862, Mr. Crawford married Alona Beaver, daughter of Daniel
Hiester Beaver and granddaughter of David Beaver, a member of an old family
from the vicinity of Phoenixville, Chester Co:, Pa., later settled in Montour
county. Mrs. Crawford continues to make her home at Minersville, where
she has numerous friends. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Craw-
ford, (i) Norval died when three years old. (2) Norma D., now living at
home, is an elocutionist of note, a graduate of the National School of Elocution
and Oratory at Philadelphia, and of the Emerson School of Oratory, Boston.
She has held professorships (in her chosen work) in Georgia and Kansas, and
for a few years past has conducted a private studio in Philadelphia. She is
unmai;ried.
(3) S.\MUEL G. Crawford is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State College,
class of 1892, and for eighteen years after graduation he followed his pro-
fession, civil engineering, mostly with the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Company.
In 1906 he married Fannie Lawrence, daughter of F. C. and Lavinia Law-
rence, of Minersville. In 1910, after the death of his father, he returned and
took up his residence in Minersville, establishing an engineering office and
managing the estate of his father. He has taken an active interest in the
affairs of ]\Iinersville and stands for progress ; he served a two-year term as
a member of the school board; is a director of the L^nion National Bank; a
director of the Union Building and Loan Association ; a director of the
Athletic Association, and a member of the Business Men's League. Politically
he is a Republican.
JOHN THOMAS HANNUM was a resident of Schuylkill county from
young manhood until he entered the Union service during the Civil war, in
which he met an untimely death, caused by injuries received at the battle of
Cold Harbor. Mr. Hannum was born at Concordville. Delaware Co., Pa. He
learned the trade of tailor, and coming to Schuylkill Haven when a young
man made a permanent home here, becoming highly esteemed through his
industry and reliable character. He married Amelia J. Keefer, daughter of
Andrew Keefer, a well known citizen of the covmty in his day, and niece of
Hon. Simon Cameron, of Lancaster county. Pa. The following children were
286 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
born to this union : Luther K. is now a resident of Pottsville, Pa. ; Catherine
B. is the wife of WilHam Reiff Hesser, of Reading, Pa. ; Ella M. married
John T. Deibert, of Schuylkill Haven; Frances A. is the wife of Charles H.
Kline, cashier of the Union Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville, Pa.; Harold E.
lives in New York State; and Margaret H., now the widow of Jed Hollen-
bach, is living at Montclair, New Jersey.
In 1861 Mr. Hannum entered the army, enlisting from Pottsville in the
96th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he was promoted to
adjutant, tie was wounded at the engagement of Cold Harbor June i, 1864,
had his right arm amputated, and died from the effects of his injuries June 7th.
at Alexandria, Va., aged forty years, three months, five days. He is interred
in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven, where a fine monument marks
his resting place. Mr. Hannum was a member of Page Lodge, No. 270, F.
& A. M., of Schuylkill Haven. Mrs. Hannum, who came to Schuylkill Haven
with her parents when a girl of seventeen years, has continued to reside there
since her husband's death. For the long period of twenty-five years she held
the office of postmistress in the borough, where she is one of the most highly
respected citizens. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, with whose
activities she has always been closely associated, having for forty-two years
acted as superintendent of the primary department of the Sabbath school ;
through her efiforts the Keefer Memorial, a primary department, was created
and presented to the society. Mrs. Hannvun has done her share in the encour-
agement of all worthy movements intended to promote the general welfare.
Andrew Keeper, father of Mrs. Hannum, was a native of Littles-
town, Adams Co., Pa., born in 1803, and was there reared and educated, having
an excellent schooling for his day. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker,
which he followed for a number of years at Harrisburg, Pa., living there from
1818 until his removal to Schuylkill Haven in 1847. Meantime he had drifted
into the mercantile business, and at Schuylkill Haven he carried on a hard-
ware business for six years, doing very well in that line. In 1853, in partner-
ship with his sons, John and Luther, he established the foundry and machine
shop at Cressona (then known as West Haven), and continued his connection
therewith until 1870, in which year he returned to Schuylkill Haven. There
he was subsequently engaged in merchandising until his death, which occurred
May I, 1876. Air. Keefer was a prosperous business man, and his energetic
disposition and public spirit carried him into other activities as well. He was
very prominent in his connection with the Lutheran Church, during his resi-
dence in Harrisburg being a faithful member of the First Church, in that
city, and upon his removal to Schuylkill Haven he was one of the founders
of the English Lutheran Church in that borough, St. Matthew's. He took a
leading part in all the details of its organization, and was one of its most
effective workers until his death, at which time he was serving as elder. He
had been leader of the choir for fifty years, and superintendent of the Sunday
school. Air. Keefer was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and politically a Republican from the formation of the party, in which he
took a lifelong interest. He was originally a Whig, and served as postmaster at
Schuylkill Haven under Fillmore's administration.
On Alarch 24, 1829, Air. Keefer married Catherine Brua, and they became
the parents of three children: AmeHa J., born at Harrisburg April 16, 1830,
now the widow of John T. Hannum, "living at Schuylkill Haven; John B.,
who was paymaster "in the United States army for about twenty years; and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 287
Luther R., who represented his district in the State Senate for a number of
years. The mother of these died in November, 1836. On Feb. 27, 1838, Mr.
Keefer married (second) Elizabeth Eby, who died about two years later, the
mother of one child, Anna ]\L, now the wife of Alfred H. Schock, of Allen-
town, Pa. On Nov. 26, 1844, Mr. Keefer married (third) Rebecca Schafhirt,
and to this union were born five children : Charles, Walter, Edwin, and two —
Clara and Willie — who died in infancy.
JOHN W. REESE, now serving his second term as prothonotary of
Schuylkill county, has borne an active part in the administration of local
government afl'airs during the last twenty years and more, in various capaci-
ties of public trust. For a number of years before assuming his present duties
he was superintendent of the electric light plant of the borough of St. Clair,
being a machinist by trade. He is of Pennsylvanian birth and Welsh descent,
his father, William J. Reese, and grandfather, John Reese, both having been
natives of Wales.
John Reese, the grandfather, was bom in Monmouthshire, and was twenty-
nine years old when he came to America, in 1845. Shortly afterwards he
settled at St. Clair, in Schuylkill county. Pa., where he continued to reside until
his death, in 1856, at the age of forty-two years. He is buried in the Presby-
terian cemetery at Pottsville. Having been a miner in his native land, he
followed the same calling in this country. His first position here was as
superintendent of the Eagle colliery, operated by William H. Johns, and he
was its first superintendent, holding the position to the end of his life. He
was an earnest member of the Methodist Church and one of its active sup-
porters, and his political sympathies were with the infant Republican party.
His wife, Mary (Thomas), also a native of Wales, died at Shamokin. Pa.,
in 1890. A family of eighteen children were born to them, but only six
lived to maturity, namely : Thomas C, who died at Shamokin, was at one
time engaged as a coal operator and later was associated with John Mullen, at
that place : William J. is mentioned below ; Isaac, at one time an operator in
the Shamokin coal fields, is now living in North Dakota ; George, also a miner,
died at St. Clair, Schuylkill county ; Albert, a miner, lives at Shamokin ; John
Henry, deceased, was a miner.
William J. Reese, son of John, was bom Feb. 19, 1838, at Nantyglo, Wales,
and came to the United States with his family. The rest of his life was passed
at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co.. Pa. He learned the trade of blacksmith and
machinist, which he followed until 1871, in that year becoming outside forcr
man at the Eagle colliery, near St. Clair. Holding that position until 1888,
he resumed blacksmithing, for several years working at the Pine Forest col-
liery as blacksmith, and subsequently engaging in the machine business on his
own account. At one time, 1870-72, he was a coal operator in the Shamokin
fields. His death occurred in 1900. Mr. Reese took an active part in the
afifairs of his community, especially in public school matters, serving two
terms in succession as a school director. Politically he was a Republican, in
religion a member of the jMethodist Episcopal Church.
^Ir. Reese married Ann D. Williams, a daughter of David Williams, of
Llamsanlett, Wales. She came to America when six years old. The follow-
ing children were born to this union : John W. : Arthur, a conductor on the
Reading railroad : George H., foreman for the Coal Company at Shamokin,
Pa.; William A., outside foreman for the St. Clair Coal Company; Mary,
288 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
wife of William A. Super; Ida, deceased; Annie, deceased; Maggie, de-
ceased; Alma, storekeeper at Pottsville; and Charles J., of Port Carbon.
David Williams, father of Mrs. William J. Reese, came to America at the
same time as John Reese, and also settled at St. Clair. A miner by occupa-
tion, he went to California about 1849, <^^ the time of the gold excitement,
and died there afterwards. Mrs. Reese had a sister Catherine.
John W. Reese was born June 23, 1861, at St. Clair, Schuylkill county,
and took the full course in the public schools there, graduating in 1879. When
a boy he began to work in the mines, and when seventeen years old went to
learn the machinist's trade at Port Carbon, this county, in the Franklin shops.
Following his trade until September, 1892, he then became superintendent of
the electric light plant in St. Clair borough, holding that position until 1894.
Then he returned to his trade for a time, in 1896-97 serving as steward at the
almshouse. In 1900 he again became superintendent of the electric light
plant, continuing to act as such until he assumed the duties of his present posi-
tion, in 1909. In the fall of 1908 he was elected prothonotary of Schuylkill
county on the Republican ticket, by a majority of over twenty-five hundred,
and his work was heartily indorsed at the next election, in 191 1, when he
was re-elected by a majority of over thirty-two hundred. His earlier expe-
riences in public office included two years' service as councilman of St. Clair,
one year as president of the board of councilmen, and six years as deputy
coroner of the county under Dr. A. L. Gillars. Mr. Reese's various successes
as a candidate are sufficient evidence of his worth.
Mr. Reese makes his home at St. Clair and has always had the keenest
interest in borough affairs. He has been president of the Alert Steam Fire
Company; is a member of the Independent Order of Americans, and a promi-
nent worker in the P. O. S. of A., holding membership in Washington Camp
No. 75, at St. Clair, in which he has filled all the administrative offices, serving
also as secretary and trustee; in 1910-11 he was State president of the order,
and for a number of years has been a delegate to its national gatherings. He
formerly belonged to Camp No. 21, P. O. of T. A., an auxihary order of the
P. O. S. of A., and has filled local and State offices in that body.
On April 29, 1883, Mr. Reese married Bertha Fielding, daughter of Thomas
and Mary Fielding, of St. Clair, and she died Sept. 29, 1889, at the age of
twenty-eight years. On March 10, 1892, he was united in marriage (second)
with Bertha Greenwood, daughter of Luke and Ann Greenwood, of Locust
Summit, Northumberland Co., Pa., and seven children have been born to this
union: Natalie B., Jay (deceased), Lillian (deceased), Dorris, Annie, Stanley
(deceased) and Bertha. Mr. Reese affiliates with the M. E. Church, while his
family are Baptists.
JOHN H. DAVIS, late of St. Clair, filled a conspicuous place in the
activities of that borough for so long a period that his death aflfected all circles
and classes. Well fitted by nature and training for leadership, he took his
responsibilities toward his fellow men seriously, and that he regarded his
opportunities to improve conditions in his own community as a duty of
privilege may be judged by his earnest efforts in that direction and the enjoy-
ment he had in their success. In business he showed initiative and executive
ability. He could plan largely and follow his ambitions to prosperous achieve-
ment. But he did not restrict those ambitions to the narrow limits of per-
sonal benefit. All shared in his good fortune, and the breadth of his sympathy
'^y/'S/vvl^/.
^^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 289
was well indicated by the variety of his interests, business, social, religious and
benevolent organizations all having their due part in his well rounded life. He
owned the Ellsworth colliery and was a coal ojjerator principally, but he had
a hand in the organization and management of other important undertakings,
and he gave considerable attention to public affairs and other interests not of
a business nature, but which he deemed vital to the general welfare.
Mr. Davis was born in 1849 ^^ Minersville, Schuylkill county, son of John
R. and Hannah (Rowe) Davis. He grew up in his native town and received
the principal part of his education in its public schools, later attending the
Crittenden commercial college. During practically all of his business life he
was engaged in the mining of coal, being associated with his father until the
hitter's death, in 1900, and the large and varied operations of the firm afforded
him rare opportunities for valuable experience which he used in the most
intelligent manner. Moreover, he had plenty of occasion to employ his execu-
tive faculties, at the Ellsworth colliery particularly, having a hard struggle
to make a success of its development for several years prior to 1900. From
that time until his death he w^as sole owner there, but he also had coal interests
at Gilberton, this county, having joined Philadelphia capitalists under the name
of the Brighton Coal Company in the construction of the colliery there a
number of years ago, and he was treasurer of the company up to the time of
his death. He was an incorporator and one of the principal stockholders of
the Citizens' Bank of St. Clair, established in 1904, and its president from
that time until his death. He was a director of the Schuylkill Pressed Brick
Company. It was in the early nineties that he came to St. Clair.
Mr. Davis was interested in politics, but though a Republican on national
questions was non-partisan in local matters, supporting the movements which
in his judgment promised most to the community. Indirectly he exerted a
continuous influence in all things afifecting the general good, but he also gave
personal service, being a member of the board of health and of the town
council for several terms ; his work in the latter body was especially note-
vs'orthy, and he served as president of the council until within a short time of
his death. As an earnest member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church
of St. Clair he labored zealously in its interest, acting as president of the board
of trustees which rebuilt the church several years ago and did so much to put
the financial affairs of the congregation on a sound basis. Mr. Davis was
keenly interested in conditions in the borough and endeavored to promote
social and living standards through every available channel. The Pottsville
Daily Republican of April 13, 1914, said: "His workmen particularly were
under his constant kindly supervision, and no employer ever had a more loyal
set of men. During the recent strike no watchmen were necessary at his
colliery, for the men took care of the plant themselves. When coal became
scarce his banks were the only ones in the region that were freely turned over
to the pickers. Churches and charitable institutions of every denomination
received frequent contributions from him. In St. Clair he was a contributor
to every church and in other parts of the county he frequently sent substantial
aid to the needy religious bodies. He was a frequent visitor to the Miners'
hospital and took a keen interest in the patients there. Although not a mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows he took a big interest in the Orphanage of that lodge
at Sunbury, and the trustees are witnesses to the fact that his contributions
were always received when most needed." Aside from all this he looked per-
sonally after the wants of many needy ones, being beloved for his generosity
Vol. 1—19
290 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in many homes which feh his kindly interest when their burden of want was
reheved by substantial gifts bestowed without ostentation. In fact there were
a number of families of small means in the borough who knew him for a
sympathetic friend, especially to widows and orphans, though he did not dis-
criminate against any unfortunates. His modesty never allowed him to speak
of any such services to his less favored fellows, but their testimony shows how
far his liberality reached. His sudden death, on Saturday, April ii, 1914,
was a shock such as St. Clair has seldom experienced. Though Mr. Davis
had been ailing for several months his condition had improved so that he
was apparently on the road to recovery, and he was downtown with his wife
early in the evening -when stricken. The Pottsville Daily Republican, in a
lengthy obituary, said: "In John H. Davis, St. Clair has lost a citizen who will
be missed for years to come. As owner of the Ellsworth colliery he reached
a position of prominence in the town and was classed as one of its wealthiest
residents. * * * Ten years ago Air. Davis erected the beautiful home at
Second and Franklin streets, the handsomest residence in St. Clair." He was
buried from that home, the remains being taken to the Charles Baber cemetery
at Pottsville. Mr. Davis was a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of Wil-
liamsport Consistory and of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., the latter of
Reading.
Mr. Davis was first married to Mary E. Davis, daughter of Rev. Daniel T.
Davis, of Scranton, Pa. She died a year later, and he was subsequently mar-
ried to Mary E. Bomboy, daughter of Percival and Sarah Bomboy, of New
Castle township, this county. By this union there were two children, William
B. and Edith B. The daughter died in infancy, and the son when twenty-six
years old. Their mother passed away in 1898, and Mr. Davis afterwards
married Ida H. Honsberger, daughter of Charles C. and Lucy (Rarig) Hons-
berger, of Zion Grove, in North Union township, Schuylkill county, where
they still reside. Mr. Honsberger was postmaster at Zion Grove for many
years, and was also engaged in the timber business. Mrs. Davis survives her
husband with the only child of this marriage, June H.
DAVID V. RANDALL is directing the operation of one of the most
important collieries in Schuylkill county, the Lytle property in Cass township.
Affording employment to about nine hundred and support to approximately as
many families, it provides a living for a large share of the local population
directly, to say nothing of the incidental business of the merchants and trades-
men who depend upon Ihe patronage of these workers for their prosperity.
The Lytle mines constitute therefore a large asset in the estimated resources
of the county. Their judicious exploitation is a worthy problem for an expert,
a man possessing business and executive qualities as well as the necessary
scientific information.
Mr. Randall is the son of a prominent attorney of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and
he was bom in that city April 2, 1874. There he obtained his edi]cation in the
public schools, and when a young man was given a place in the city engineer
corps. Later he was employed with H. S. Reets, mining engineer, for a time
and then took a position with the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company, remain-
ing in their employ until 1898. That year he changed to the Susquehanna Coal
Company, with whom he has since been associated, the Lytle coUien,', at Prim-
rose, Schuylkill county, being one of the holdings of that concern. In Febru-
ary, 1909, Mr. Randall was transferred to this colliery, of which he has since
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 291
had charge. It was founded in 1889 by John Hosie and others, who sold
out to Stickney & Conyngham, and in 1909 the property was taken over by the
Susquehanna Company, since when it has been known as the Lytle colliery.
At present the annual output is about 400,000 tons, and employment is given
to about nine hundred men. The equipment has been modernized to suit
the needs of the work, and better facilities for mining have been devised, and at
present the colliery is one of the most up-to-date in this region.
Mr. Randall is a member of the Pottsville Club, and of the Mercantile Club
of Minersville, as well as the Alasons, in the latter connection belonging to
Lykcns Lodge, No. 570, F. & A. M.; Keystone Consistory, of the Valley of
Scranton, and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
]\Ir. Randall married Harriet Witt, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of An-
thony Witt, who was born in Baden, Germany. Mrs. Randall is a native of
Williamsport, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have two sons, Planadon Reets and
David Anton.
C. ARTHUR FISHER, proprietor of the "Rising Sun Hotel" at Orwigs-
burg, and operator of a coal washery at Landingville, in North jManheim town-
ship, Schuylkill Co., Pa., was born Jan. 20, 1877, ^^ historic Valley Forge,
Chester Co., Pa., son of Gen. Benjamin F. Fisher, grandson of Rev. Peter S.
Fisher, and great-grandson of William Fisher (Fischer).
William (or Wilhelm) Fisher was of German birth, a farmer by occupa-
tion and he lived in Lower Heidelberg township, Berks Co., Pa. He is buried
at Plain's Church, in that township. From him are descended many of the
name in that section of the State. He was an adherent of the Reformed
Church, as were most of his family.
Rev. Peter S. Fisher, son of William, was born near Hain's Church, where
he attended the services of the Reformed denomination. So strongly were the
tenets of that faith implanted in his youthful mind that he decided to follow
the profession of minister of the gospel. He was located soon after gradua-
tion at Boalsburg, Centre Co., Pa., later going to Sellersville, Bucks county,
where he died. He was united in marriage to A''eronicca Heckert, of Hum-
melstown, Dauphin county, by whom he had the following children : Alfred ;
Calvin; Benjamin F. ; Aaron; Nevin ; Maggie, wife of Dr. Wireback; and
Ada, wife of William Cordy, of Oil City, Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Franklin Fisher, father of C. Arthur Fisher, was born at Boals-
burg, Centre Co., Pa., and was educated in the common schools, Boalsburg
Academy, and Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. Immediately
after graduating, in 1859, he entered the law office of the late Judge Stokes L.
Roberts, of Doylestown, Pa., and was admitted to the bar in October, i860.
]\Ir. Fisher and Dr. Joseph H. Thomas organized Company H, of the 3d Penn-
sylvania Reserve Corps, and on the President's call for troops in 1861 this
company was mustered into the United States volunteer service as Company
"H" of the 32d Pennsylvania Volunteers, with Mr. Fisher as first lieutenant.
Immediately after entering the volunteer service Lieutenant Fisher was de-
tached for duty at the School of Instruction for the Signal Corps, at George- ■
town, D. C, and in the fall was assigned for duty in the field on the staff of
General Hooker, with the Anny of the Potomac. In the fall of 1862 he was
promoted to captain and chief signal officer in the field of the Army of the
Potomac, and sen'ed successively on the stafl^s of Generals McClellan, Burn-
side and Hooker. In June, 1863, on the retirement North of General Hooker's
292 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
army from Chancellorsville, which ended in the battle of Gettysburg, Captain
Fisher was captured by a detachment of Colonel Mosby's men, while trying to
locate the position of Lee's army. As a prisoner of war he w,as confined in
Libby prison, Richmond, Va., until February, 1864, when he helped to dig
and escaped through the famous Rose tunnel. After reaching the Union
lines at Williamsburg, Va., Captain Fisher found that he had been promoted
major for "meritorious and gallant conduct," and returned to Washington,
where he married Alice Eliza, daughter of James H. Causton, a prominent
Union sympathizer of Georgetown. To them were born si.x children : Alice
E., married to F. K. Pennypacker, a cousin of e.x-Governor Pennypacker ;
Fannie H., who married A. M. Vanderslice; Benjamin F., Jr., an electrical
engineer of New York City, who married Louise B. Reynolds ; Mary C, mar-
ried to Benjamin R. Walker; C. Arthur, mentioned below; and William P.,
who married Mary Alexander.
In the fall of 1864, Major Fisher was promoted lieutenant colonel for
"meritorious and conspicuous service," and in the spring of 1865 he was pro-
moted colonel, with the rank of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, and
appointed chief signal officer of the United States army.
In November, 1866, he resigned this office to return to the practice of law
and accept the position of registrar of bankruptcy for the Eastern district of
Pennsylvania. General Fisher practiced law for forty years in the city of
Philadelphia, enjoying a large clientage. He was appointed receiver of the
Spring Garden National Bank upon its failure and for many years was trust
officer of the German-American Title & Trust Company. In 1907, upon the
death of his wife, he retired to his summer residence (Colonial Springs) at
Valley Forge, where he died Sept. 9, 191 5.
C. Arthur Fisher was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill town-
ship, Chester county, at the Quaker School in Philadelphia, Franklin and
Marshall Academy, and Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. He
began his business career as a clerk in his father's law office in Philadelphia,
where he remained for several years. He studied law for two years, but
finally gave it up to become a farmer on the homestead of his father, the
old Joseph Anderson place. For seven years he was supervisor of Schuylkill
township, Chester county, and then he located at Pine Grove, Schuylkill
county, where he conducted a hotel for six years. In 1912 he became pro-
prietor of the "Rising Sun Hotel" at Orwigsburg, Pa., the oldest licensed stand
in Schuylkill county, and still conducts this hotel with success. He is also
engaged in the coal washing business at Landingville, doing both a wholesale
and retail business.
On April 30, 1902, Mr. Fisher married Annie R. Hoy, a daughter of John
L. and Elizabeth (Coats) Hoy, of \^alley Forge, Pa., and to this union two
children have been born: Charles A., Jr., and B. Franklin. Mr. Fisher is a
member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and of the Sons of Veterans, at
Orwigsburg. In politics he is a Republican.
SAMUEL REED, now living retired at Schuylkill Haven, is one of the
best known men in and around that borough. His earlier years were spent as
a boatman, and when the cessation of business on the canal made a change
desirable he engaged in railroad work, afterwards carrying on a grocery
store at SchuylkillHaven until his retirement.
The Reed family were early known in Schuylkill county. In 1771, when
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 293
Pine Grove township, that county, was established, Phihp Rith (Reed) was a
taxable. He was a native of Berks county, however, a member of the Tulpe-
hocken family. In 1791 Jeremiah Reed, Michael Reed (both married) and
Thomas Reed (single) were taxables in Manheim township, Schuylkill county.
In 1802 Theodore Reed, John Reed, John (Morris) Reed, Thomas Reed, Sr.,
and Isaac Reed were taxpayers in Norwegian township, and John and Philip
Reed in Mahantango township, that county.
Christopher (Stophel), George and Conrad Reed, brothers, were born in
Brunswick township, Schuylkill county. Of these, Christopher passed all his
life in his native township, and there reared his four sons, Obediah, George,
Charles and Emanuel. Christopher Reed was the great-grandfather of Samuel
Reed. George Reed, the grandfather, was a pioneer resident of Schuylkill
Haven, and one of the successful business men of his day. He learned the
trade of butcher and followed it all his life. He lived to the age of eighty-
four years, and is buried in the family plot in the Union cemetery, at Schuyl-
kill Haven. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Achey, he had five
children: Samuel; Daniel, a blacksmith, who died near Ringgold; Prank, a
butcher at Weissport, where he died ; Joseph, who served in the Civil war
with his three sons, and died at Pottsville, Pa. ; and Caroline, who married
Lorry Heebner and died at Schuylkill Haven. To his second marriage, with a
Miss East, were born three children : Tamsey, who married James Palsgrove,
of Schuylkill Haven; Missouri, who married Josiah Karcher, and is now living
at Philadelphia; and Elizabeth, who married Henry Quinter and (second)
William A. Yost (she and her first husband died at Schuylkill Haven).
Samuel Reed, son of George, was born May 26, 1805, in Schuylkill Haven,
and during his boyhood was bound out to a Mr. Faust, in Brunswick township,
where he remained a few years. His early life was spent in hard labor.
Learning the butcher's trade after leaving Mr. Faust, he followed it at Schuyl-
kill Haven for many years, and also worked as a cigarmaker, manufacturing
the Lincoln cigar, a well known brand in its day. He was able to retire before
his death, which occurred July 19, 1869, when he was sixty-four years old.
He is buried in the Union cemetery. His wife, Mary (Ellinger), daughter of
John Ellinger, was born in Dauphin county. Pa., Jan. 11, 181 1, and died in
Schuylkill Haven July 6, 1866. They had a large family, namely: Polly mar-
ried Godfried Boyer; William died at Harrisburg, Pa.; Thomas died at
Schuylkill Haven ; John died young ; Francis died young ; Charles E. died at
Schuylkill Haven; Elizabeth, widow of Charles Mengel, is living at Port Clin-
ton, Pa. ; George S., who died at Philadelphia, Pa., was a soldier in the Civil
war, serving four years in Company C, 50th Pennsylvania Regiment ; Sarah
Louisa married Hiram Hahn and (second) Charles Jordan; Lucy married
Samuel Blackburn, who is deceased, and she lived at Schuylkill Haven ; Samuel
is mentioned below; Henry died at Wilmington, Del, but is buried at Schuylkill
Haven; Morris is living at Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania.
Samuel Reed was born Jan. 3, 1849, at Friedensburg, Schuylkill county,
had such education as the common schools of the day afiforded, and during
his boyhood assisted his father, stripping tobacco. In 1863 he went to work
as a driver on the Schuylkill canal, with the boat "P. D. Thomas," and he
continued to work on the canal until business there was discontinued, be-
coming a captain when seventeen years old. Changing to railroad work, he
was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company for a
period of about twenty-five years, as brakeman, conductor and train dis-
294 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
patcher, giving up this occupation in 1898 to go into business. He was a
green grocer at Schuylkill Haven for the next twelve years, having an excellent
trade throughout that period, and retired in 1910 with an excellent reputation
for honorable dealing and ability to please his patrons.
The only public office Mr. Reed has held is that of ward assessor. He is a
Republican in politics, in religion a member of the United Evangelical Church,
at Schuylkill Haven, in which he has been prominent, having served on the
building committee which had charge of the erection of the parsonage. For
thirty-four years he was a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America,
and he is prominent in Jere Helms Post, No. 26, G. A. R., of which he was a
charter member ; he has been commander for the last six years.
Though only a boy when the Civil war was started Mr. Reed served four
months in the army during 1865. He enlisted from Dauphin county. Pa., Feb.
15, 1865, to serve one year or during the war, and was mustered into the
United States service at Harrisburg, Pa., the next day, as a private of Capt.
Solomon Cover's new company, I, of the 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olun-
teer Infantry, Col. John M. Schall commanding. The regiment was first
organized in September, 1861, under Col. George Hay, and was employed in
drilling, and on guard and picket duty until the 26th of May, 1862, when it
marched to Baltimore, Md., thence to Martinsburg and New Creek, W. Va.
There it remained during the heat of the succeeding summer, taking part in
a number of expeditions, to Beverly, Philippi, and \A'ebster, thence returning to
New Creek. Later the regiment was assigned to the ist Brigade, 3d Division,
6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and took part in the engagements at Bunker
Hill, Strasburg, Caster's Woods, Manassas Gap, Bealton, Kelly's Ford, Brady
Station, Locust Grove, Aline Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor,
siege and assault of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, all in Virginia ; Monocacy,
Md. ; Opequan or Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Strasburg, Cedar Creek and
Appomattox, ^'a., where Lee surrendered. It was also in a number of minor
engagements and skirmishes, and took part in the grand review at Washington,
D. C, May 24, 1865. Mr. Reed joined this regiment in front of Petersburg,
Va., participating in all its movements and engagements thereafter, perform-
ing gallant and meritorious service, in recognition of which he was promoted
to corporal. After leaving Petersburg, Va., two companies from the 7th were
allotted from the main army and sent to capture Clover Station, Va., and hold
it until relieved. On the first day of occupation he was detached with two
comrades to protect Walker's farm, near Clover Station, from depredation.
On the second day several Confederate officers arrived at the farm, having
been paroled. Among them was General Walker, a son of the owner of
the farm, and the next morning, as Mr. Reed was eating his breakfast. General
Walker entered and took a seat at the opposite side of the table, wearing his
gray uniform, while the other wore the blue. This was the only time Mr.
Reed ever ate a meal with a Confederate general, and it was devoured in
utter silence, although the General's father apologized for his son's silence
9ifterwards. He said that he was forced to maintain sympathy for the South-
ern cause, being at that time surrounded by a band of guerrillas, but he prom-
ised that in case young Reed were captured by the guerrillas he would see
that he was liberated at once. After this incident the owner of the farm
furnished him with a horse to ride to Clover Station, and one of his colored
servants to accompanv him and take the horse back. Upon his arrival at
Clover Station the captain of his company inquired as to where he had pro-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 295
cured the horse, but when informed tliat it was a loan, and to be returned
by the servant, declined to allow it. The horse was accordingly packed for a
march to Danville, and the colored man taken along also. At Danville the
captain sold the horse, and the colored man remained *vith the company until
it arrived at Harrisburg, Pa., and was mustered out. Mr. Reed was honorably
discharged June 29, 1865, at Washington, D. C, by reason of the close of the
war.
On Feb. 2, 1868, Mr. Reed married Mary C. Kerkeslager, daughter of
Noah and Caroline (Emerich) Kerkeslager, who had a family of six children,
bom as follows : Charles W., Nov. 29, 1847 ; Mary C, Dec. 14, 1849 ; Alice
v., Dec. 25, 1851 ; Carrie E., Dec. 9, 1854; Sallie L., April 12, i860; Harry A.,
Dec. 26, 1862. Mr. Kerkeslager, born Oct. 22, 1820, died Oct. 15, 1863; his
wife died in 1879.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed had the following family : Carrie May, born June 2,
1869, died Feb. 19, 1S73; Florence Ellinger, born Oct. 9, 1871, married John
H. Emery, and is living at Palo Alto ; Ellis William, born Nov. 19, 1873, u""
married and living at home, is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having
enlisted in 1899 in Company C, i6th Infantry-, and served three years in the
Philippine Islands (before the war was in the navy three years, having enlisted
at League Island) ; Samuel Noah, bom June 24, 1876, married Kate Weldon
(he is in the grocery business at Orwigsburg, Pa.) ; Maude Irene, born May
I, 1880, married Jacob Boltz, a box manufacturer, of Pottsville, Pa. ; Joseph
Alfred, born Feb. 28, 1885, died Dec. 14, 1894.
HENRY A. DIRSCHEDL, M. D., of Pottsville, has been making a
creditable professional record during his comparatively brief career as a
practitioner. Though busy with private practice he has entered heartily
into the larger duties of the medical profession, according to modern ideas,
doing effective work in establishing and promoting sanitary conditions and
hygienic living in a general way. His ability to put advanced ideas into prac-
tical operation has gained the recognition of his brother physicians as well as
of the public.
Dr. Dirschedl was born at Pottsville, June 12, 1874, son of Joseph and
Theresa (Reichenberger) Dirschedl. The parents were natives of the same
place in Bavaria, Germany. They came to America with one child and first
settled in Philadelphia for a time, Joseph Dirschedl following the bakery busi-
ness. He then came to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, and after a short
stay there moved to Pottsville, in 1864, where he was also engaged in the
bakery business. He continued it until forty years old, afterwards living
retired until his death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1883, when he was forty-nine
years old. He is buried at Pottsville. His widow died April 24, 1905. Of
their three children, two were bom in Pottsville, Mary and Henry A., the latter
being the only survivor of the family ; ]\Iary died Nov. 29, 1882 ; Max died July
3, 1878. Joseph Dirschedl was one of the first members of the German Catholic
Church o"f Pottsville. then situated at Fourth street and Howard avenue, and
later assisted in erecting the present church, in 1872.
Henry A. Dirschedl obtained his preparatory education in the Pottsville
parochial schools. When Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart opened a store in the
borough in 1887 he was the first to enter 'their employ here, and he remained
with them uninterruptedly until he entered medical college in 1905.^ Mean-
time he had gained steady promotion on merit alone, becoming financial secre-
296 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXL\
tary and assistant manager of the Pottsville store. After entering college he
made a number of special trips for the company, with which he maintained his
connection until 1913. Dr. Dirschedl took the full course at the Medico-
Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1910, and served as interne
at St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Pa., returning to Pottsville for practice in
191 1. His office is at No. 613^ West Market street. Dr. Dirschedl is medical
examiner for the German Roman Catholic Knights of St. George, and several
other similar organizations, as well as for a number of insurance companies ;
is a member of the Pottsville city board of health; and a lieutenant surgeon
in the Pennsylvania National Guard, attached to the 4th Regiment. He re-
ceived his appointment to the latter office from Colonel O'Neil in 1914 and
began his services in that capacity during the encampment of that year. Noth-
ing could have shown more plainly his standing among the members of his
profession than the fact that at least thirty of the leading physicians of the
county recommended him for the position. He is a district deputy of the
Knights of St. George in Schuylkill and Dauphin counties, and at the 1915
State convention was made State organizer. Politically Dr. Dirschedl is a
Republican, but he is guided by his own ideas in his stand on local questions.
Dr. Dirschedl married Laura W. Thomas, daughter of Prof. William S.
Thomas, of St. Clair, Schuylkill county, whose family consisted of three chil-
dren: Fannie married Harold Schum, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lucy married
Horace Priest, of Pottsville; Laura W., Mrs. Dirschedl, received her education
in the public schools and at the Millersville State Normal School, from which
she was graduated in 1900. Dr. and Mrs. Dirschedl have two children, William
Thomas and Mary Louise.
R. BRUCE CLAYTON has been closely associated with the administration
of municipal affairs in Ashland for many years, his work in the various posi-
tions of trust to which he has been chosen justifying the oft repeated honors
he has received at the hands of his fellow citizens. A native and lifelong
resident of the borough, his interest has been public-spirited and his efforts
have been thoroughly loyal, showing a sentiment highly creditable to him.
Mr. Clayton is a grandson of William Clayton, who was a pioneer of Columbia
county, Pennsylvania.
Nelson Clayton, the father of R. Bruce Clayton, was bom at Catawissa,
Columbia county, and lived at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., from 1853 to the
end of his life. By trade he was a carpenter, but after coming to Ashland he
was engaged in business for several years, establishing a flour and feed store,
which he carried on until 1859. Thereafter he was employed at his trade
until his death, which occurred in 1878. At one time he served as assessor
of Ashland. He married Mary Jane Zarr, a native of Union county. Pa.,
daughter of Benjamin Zarr, who was a pioneer of Union county; he was a
hatter by trade. The Zarr family eventually moved to Catawissa, Columbia
Co., Pa., where Mrs. Clayton's parents died. Mrs. Clayton, now (1914) eighty-
three years of age, is living in Philadelphia with two of her daughters. She
is the mother of five children, of whom R. Bruce is the eldest; Winfield Scott
died about i860; Laura is the wife of E. P. Meiswinkle, of Philadelphia; Cora
B. is the wife of Brainerd Webb, of Philadelphia; Harriet M. is the wife of
Harry K. Buchanan, of Lanark, Pennsylvania.
R. Bruce Clayton was born at Ashland Dec. 13, 1854, the wmter of deep
snow. His education was acquired in the public schools there, and when
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rENXSYLVANL\ 297
a youth he began to learn the trade of machinist in the machine shop of JVJ.
Garner. He followed the trade for twenty-hve years in all as apprentice,
journeyman and foreman, giving it up to assume the duties of postmaster of
Ashland, to which important position he was appointed in 1897. He served
nine years, being succeeded by IMrs. Patterson. He has since been chosen to
other positions in the public service, having been inspector of the streets for
some time, and for the last four years he has been sealer of weights and
measures. Especially interested in promoting the public school efficiency of
Ashland, he has been a member of the school board for eleven years, and for
seven years secretary of that body. His work in this connection has been
valuable and worthy of the appreciation it has received.
In 1878 Mr. Clayton was united in marriage with Matilda A. Kintzle, who
was born in Bernville, Berks Co., Pa., daughter of John L. and Rosanna
(Sheets) Kintzle, and granddaughter of Henry and Sarah (Boyer) Kintzle,
who were early residents of Berks county. The family is of German ancestry.
Mrs. Clayton's grandparents removed to Port Clinton, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and
died there. Mrs. Clayton's maternal grandfather was also an early resident
of Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Kintzle emigrated to the West and
passed the remainder of their lives there, his death occurring in 1897, hers
in 191 1. Of their family of four children William, the eldest, is now a resident
of Freeport, 111. ; Naomi is deceased ; Matilda A. is the wife of R. Bruce Clay-
ton ; Anna is married to George Gheen, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Three children, all sons, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clayton : Nelson
lives at Pottsville and is at present superintendent of the Pottsville Water
Company ; he married Sarah Evans, of Ashland, Pa., and they have three
children, Bruce Samuel, Sarah Dorothy and Nelson John. Robert Bruce, now
living at Sonman, Cambria .Co., Pa., married Gertrude Greshman, of Ashland ;
they have no children. William R., who lives at Ashland, married Mariam
Faust, of Reading, Pa., and they have one child, Thelma.
Mr. Clayton and his wife and family are members of the Lutheran Church
at Ashland. He has made many friends in his various social connections,
being a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M. (which he has served
as secretary) ; of Griscom Chapter, No. 219, R. A. M.; of Ashland Lodge, No.
384, B. P. O. Elks (he is serving as trustee of same) ; of Prince of Peace
Commandery, No. 39, K. T. ; of Camp No. 84, P. O. S. of A. (in which his
membership dates from 1871) ; and of the Royal Arcanum.
ABRAHAM L. ECKERT is a prosperous business man of Pottsville and
a member of the present city council. He was one of the most active workers
in securing the system of municipal government now in operation, and his
public-spirited efforts in that direction have given him a high place in the
gratitude of his fellow citizens. Mr. Eckert was born in Pottsville April 28,
1862, son of Josiah Eckert, who lived and died here. His death occurred when
he was forty-six years old, and he is buried at Schuylkill Haven. His wife,
whose maiden name was Sarah Bowman, died when fifty-one years old. Abra-
ham L. is the only surviving child of their family.
Abraham L. Eckert attended public school in Pottsville and began work
there as errand boy for Jacob Ulmer, the packer. After four years in his
employ he learned steam and pipe fitting, following that work for about six
years. At the end of that period he went to Florida, where he started an orange
grove, and after it was destroyed by frost he spent two years assisting in the
298 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
construction of the well known "Tampa Bay" hotel. After seven years in
Florida he returned to Pottsville, where he embarked in the tea and coffee
business, carrying it on for about six years. When the Spanish-American
war broke out he enlisted in Company H, Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving for
eleven months. Coming back to Pottsville again, he was engaged as solicitor
for the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa., continuing this
work for four years. In 1902 he bought out the business of the Pottsville Ice
Company, owned by James Green, and is now conducting same under his own
name, dealing in coal and wood as well as ice. He has built up a large trade,
keeping three teams constantly employed, and the satisfactory service which
he has endeavored to render to all his patrons has held old customers and
attracted many new ones. Air. Eckert has been very keenly interested in the
welfare of his home town, and of late has been particularly active as president
of the City Charter Association, to whose objects he has given a great deal of
his time, his reward being in the thorough success of the plans for the im-
provement of local government. In November, 1913, he was elected a council-
man, and is also acting as superintendent of public safety. Mr. Eckert is a
prominent member of the Merchants' Association, and has been appointed
State organizer of same. Politically he is independent of party ties, supporting
the men and ideas he considers best adapted to achieve the best results in
working for the general good. He is noted for absolute fearlessness in the
exposition and defense of his convictions, by which he will stand regardless
of cost. While in Florida he was one of five men who organized the first and
only Republican association ever formed in Citrus county.
Mr. Eckert is a member of the I. O. O. F. (both lodge and encampment),
the P. O. S. of A., the Order of Independent Americans and the Spanish-
American War Veterans, in the latter connection belonging to Theodore F.
Hofl'man Camp, of which he was the first commander. He is a past com-
mander of the United Spanish-American War Veterans.
Mr. Eckert was married to Ruth Harrington, daughter of Caleb and
Margaret Harrington, and the four children born to this union are: Ruth,
Nelson, Harrington and Iva. Mr. Eckert and his family are members of the
Methodist Church in religious connection.
PERRY W. FEGLEY, of Orwigsburg, has been a member of the A. E.
Brown Shoe Company throughout the period of its existence. A man of notable
ability, strength of character and with no disposition to shirk the responsibili-
ties of life, he has devoted himself sincerely to the upbuilding of every under-
taking with which he has become associated, and the record of his useful
service stamps him as one of the most valuable citizens of the borough.
His often tried ability has made him a desirable coworker in movements de-
signed for the common benefit, and he has never failed his associates m the
numerous enterprises with which he has been identified.
The Fegley family has long been settled in Pennsylvania, Bernhard Fegley,
the first of the name in this country, coming from Switzerland at an early
date. He first located in Montgomery county, Pa., near Greenville, but died
in Longswamp township, Berks county, in 1782. Little is known of his son,
Peter Fegley, the progenitor of a large family in Berks county, except that
he was born in Montgomery county and settled in Douglass township, that
county, induced by the fact that his uncle (a brother of Bernhard) had made
a permanent settlement there. Some members of the Fegley family write the
^
■ SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLV 299
name "Bird," the English version of the original name, and others "Vogel" or
"Fogel." There are descendants of Peter Fegley living in New Jersey who
use the English form.
Abraham I-'cgley, the grandfather of Perry W. Fegley, was born in Long-
swamp township, IBerks county, and was an early settler in the vicinity of
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, making his home on the farm later known-
as the Martin Schaeffer place. There he followed farming all his active life,
spending his closing years in retirement at Orwisburg, where he died in 1874.
In December. 1813, he married Sohna Berger. and three children were born to
them, two sons and one daughter, Charles, Nathan and Amanda. By his second
marriage Abraham Fegley had two children, Reuben and Daniel.
Charles Fegley, son of Abraham, was born Sept. 4, 1814, in Longswamp
township, Berks county. Moving with his father to the neighborhood of
Orwigsburg, he passed his early life there, being reared to farming, which he
continued to follow until the spring of 1839, cultivating the place in East
Brunswick township. At that time he traded his farm for a boat, the "Jenny
Lind," which he operated on the Philadelphia & Schuylkill canal until 1862.
For the ne.xt ten years he was engaged in mine contracting in the Schuylkill
coal region, and then located at Pottsville, where he was in the employ of the
Reading Company. After a short residence there he settled at Orwigsburg,
where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1898 in his eighty-
fourth year. He was twice married, his second wife being Lovenia Hoffman,
whom he married Dec. 24, 1849. Two children were born to this union,
Henry C. and Perry W. ; the former, born Jan. 20, 1852, graduated from Jeffer-
son Medical College in March, 1877, and located at Ashland, where he had
acquired a large practice at the time of his death. May 28, 1888, when he was
thirty-six years old. The father was a member of the Democratic party, and
belonged to the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Fegley died Aug. 3, 1902, at the age
of eighty-four years. She was born April 26, 1818, daughter of Jacob Hoff-
man, and a descendant of a family of German lineage of Halle, Prussia, which
has been prominent in the medical profession since 1460. Its foremost
member, Frederick Hoffman (1660-1742), was one of the founders of the
Halle LTniversity in 1693, and its first professor of practice of medicine, which
position he held until the time of his death, with the exception of four years
(1708-1712) which he passed in Berlin as the royal physician. His grandson,
Cornelius, having taken up his residence in Switzerland, emigrated to the
Colonies in 1768, locating on the Schuylkill below the present site of Pottstown,
from which place he entered the service of his adopted country as a captain
in Colonel Magraw's 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, 2d Brigade, in 1776, and was
with Washington on that memorable night when he crossed the Delaware river
and surprised and captured the Hessians at Trenton. After the close of the
war for independence, in 1783, he was mustered out of the service, took up
his residence in Brunswick township, in what was then Berks county, at the
present site of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, and followed farming the re-
mainder of his days. His son, Jacob, retaining possession of the homestead,
married Kate Benninser, and was the father of Mrs. Fegley.
Perry W. Fegley was born Mav 8. 1855, at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county,
and obtained his education in the public schools there. When a youth of six-
teen, in the spring of 1871, he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade,
but as he did not care for the work he gave it up in October, and went to
learn tinsmithing. which he followed imtil June, 1873. His next change was to
300 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
the shoe business, with which he has ever since been connected. After serving
a three years' apprenticeship with the Orwigsburg Shoe Manufacturing Com-
pany, he was promoted to a foremanship in the factory, which he held until
1884, the year the firm of A. E. Brown & Company was formed. He became
one of the partners when the concern was incorporated in 1910 as the A. E.
Brown Shoe Company, and Mr. Fegley was elected president. When A.
E. Brown died, his brother, Frank Brown, had his interest, and he is now
secretary and treasurer of the company. Air. Fegley has always acted as
factory superintendent, and has the general oversight of the output, and his
influence is felt in every department of the plant. The business is housed in
a building 40 by 80 feet in dimensions, and from fifty-five to seventy-five
hands are employed regularly. He is a director of the Schuylkill Haven Trust
Company.
Though Mr. Fegley has been untiring in his devotion to the development
of his business interests he has been equally solicitous for the general welfare
and has done a good citizen's share in promoting the best interests of the town.
He has always had the courage of his convictions in supporting untried but
promising enterprises, and his good judgment has been prov.ed on many
occasions. In 1884 he was one of the most earnest advocates of the project to
supply the town with water from the mountain reservoir, and though there
was great opposition to the plan at first persevered until he had enough sup-
port to insure its success. He has been a member of the school board, and
was serving in that capacity when the first new school building was erected.
For three terms he was a member of the borough council, in which body he
gave the same efficient service which has characterized him in every relation.
Mr. Fegley and his family are all members of the Lutheran denomination,
and he is a leading member of St. John's Church, having served as trustee
from i8go until 1896. In 1892, when the congregation decided to erect a new
house of worship, Mr. Fegley became chairman of the building committee,
and to his untiring efforts throughout the work of construction is due much
of the credit for the beautiful Gothic brick church, which is one of the struc-
tures that are a matter of pride to the borough. Mr. Fegley is a Republican
in politics, and socially he holds membership in Bethel Commandery, No. 319,
Knights of Malta; Industrial Council, No. 437, Order of Independent Amer-
icans (of which he is a charter member) ; and Washington Camp No. 86,
P. O. S. of A.
On Oct. 31, 1875, Mr. Fegley was united in marriage with Isadore Thorn,
daughter of Theodore and Sarah (Richards) Thorn. Mrs. Fegley is a native
of Penrisylvania. Seven children have been born to this union: Theodore C.,
born July 2, 1876, is a practicing physician located at Tremont, Schuylkill
county: Mabel Lavinia, bom July 22, 1877. is the wife of Joseph M. Lam-
bruskini, of Somerville, N. J., and has two children, Philip and Isadora;
Lilhe, born May 26, 1886, is the wife of John J. Jacobs, of Orwigsburg: Hilda,
born July 14. 1887, formerly a teacher in Schuylkill county, is now the wife
of Benjamin F. Rahn, and lives at Bath, Pa. ; Perry W., Jr., bom July 2, 1892,
died at the age of eight years ; Harry G., bom September, 1894. is a medical
student at Philadelphia; Paul Gerald, born in 1898, is attending school at East
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
REV. JOHN DUMCIUS (Dumchus is the English form of the name)
is at present in charge of the Lithuanian parish of St. Francis, at Minersville,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLX 301
which belongs to the diocese of Philadelphia. This parish was founded the
year 1S95, up to which time it formed a part of the German parish of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, which originally included the Lithuanians, Poles Slavs
and Italians of the Catholic faith at Minersville and surrounding places amon<r
them St. Clair and Pottsville. The parish is now made up of Lithuanian^
exclusively. I he first church of this parish was being built at the corner of
Laurel, Third and Line streets, on a leased lot belonging to the Reading Coal
& Iron Company, when the site and building were judged not acceptable to all
the parishioners and discussion arose over the matter in the congregation.
Then an old Protestant Church on Third street was purchased and dedicated
as a temporary place of worship for the Lithuanians. In 1906 a new lot was
bought, comprising three acres of ground, which belonged to the Heisters'
estate, for which $2,700 was paid. In 1910 the basement of a new church was
constructed thereon, at a cost of $16,000, and the old church building was sold
for $3,000. The present value of the church property is placed at $35,000,
and there is a debt on it of $6,000. The rectory was built in 1907, while Rev.'
Vincent Dargis was rector. It is a frame building, cost $7,500, and is free
of debt.
The first rector of the parish. Rev. \'enceslaus Matutaitis, served from
August, 1895, to January, 1899. Then as a mission it was under the charge of
Rev. Albinas Kaminskas, rector of the Sacred Heart Church, New Philadel-
phia, Pa., from January, 1899, to November, 1902, when Rev. V. Dargis was
appointed regular pastor. He continued in charge here until Jan. 22, 1909,
when he was called to New Philadelphia and succeeded by Rev. John Dumcius,
who remained until May 25, 1910. Rev. Peter Abromait'is was then appointed
rector, and after his death, which occurred in March, 191 1, Rev. John Dumcius
was again appointed. Lie has continued there since, laboring devotedly in the
interest of the congregation. At the beginning there were only about 450
souls in the parish. The increase by natural growth and immigration has
brought the number up to 2,500. There are a number of societies affiliated
with the parish, well supported: St. George's, with 181 members; St. Vincent,
175: St. Francis, 76; St. Abinus, 45; Citizen, 85; St. Casimir's Soldiers, 52;
SS. Peter and Paul, 67 ; Women's Sodality-Rosary, 90 ; two girls' sodalities,
45 ; Lithuanian Roman Catholic Alliance of America, one group, 256. There
is one nun from this parish, Ursula Stemplis.
Rev. John Dumcius is a native of Lithuania, Russia, born Nov. 10, 1870, at
Mockupia, Sintautai, Suwalki. He took a course in the gymnasium at Mariam-
pol, and pursued his theological studies in the seminary at Seiny, graduating
May 27, 1893. After twelve years as assistant in Lithuania he came to
America, arriving Oct. 8, 1905, and for three years was rector at St. George's,
Philadelphia. On Jan. 22, 1909, he became rector of St. Francis' parish at
Minersville, Pa., in May^ 1910, being transferred to Girardville, Schuylkill
county, where he officiated for ten months, returning to his old charge in
191 1. In addition to the immediate duties of the parish he has charge of the
mission at St. Clair, with about 120 families, and of that at Reading, with about
thirty-five families, attending each once a month. During his pastorate he
has confirmed 200 annually, baptized 160, and performed thirty marriage
ceremonies.
OSCAR D. PETERY, of Orwigsburg, has been an influential resident of
his section of Schuylkill county for many years, his long service as ^n educator
302 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
bringing him into touch with its citizens from all classes. Of late years he
has devoted himself to business, and at present is also filling the office of justice
of the peace, this being his second term.
Mr. Petery is a native of Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and a member of
the fourth generation of his family in this country. His great-grandparents
came from Alsace Lorraine, then provinces of France, and his great-grand--
father was a year on the ocean because the vessel could not land on account
of storms. The great-grandmother followed him to America with the chil-
dren, but her husband had died in the meantime, so she had to struggle to raise
her family.
j\[r. Petery's grandfather was born in Lancaster county. Pa., and is buried
in Wheeling, W. \'a., where he had gone to look for a place to settle. He took
sick and died while there. His companion, who is unknown, deserted him
while he was sick and came East. So his widow was left also to raise her
children, Edward, Francis and Jacob F. For a while she lived in Lancaster
county, and for some time collected toll at one of the gates near Reamstown.
Jacob F. Petery, father of Oscar D. Petery, was born April i8, 1822, at
Reamstown, and when a young man went to Millersburg, Berks Co., Pa., where
he married a Miss Ressler. She died there not many years afterwards. Subse-
quently Mr. Petery engaged with a cattle dealer to drive some stock over the
mountains into Schuylkill county, and he started out with only fifty cents in
his pocket. He settled in this county, his first location being at Tamaqua,
where he was employed as a clerk, and later he was similarly engaged in a
store at East iMines for some time. Thence he removed to Pottsville, where
he was in the eijiploy of Benjamin Haywood, the v.'ell known ironmaster, with
whom he remained for twenty-five years in the capacity of chief clerk. Subse-
quently he was engaged for some time with the Reading Company, at the Palo
Alto Rolling Mills, as clerk. He died in Pottsville Oct. 2, 1901, and he is
buried in the cemetery of St. John's Reformed Church at Orwigsburg. By
his first marriage Mr. Petery had two children, one that died in infancy and
Henry. His second marriage was to Louisa Boyer, who was born Nov. 24,
1834, at McKeansburg, Pa., daughter of Samuel Boyer, and died Jan. 21, 1897.
She is buried with her husband in St. John's cemetery. They were the parents
of six children: Horace C, who is deceased; Oscar D. ; Dr. William E., a
physician, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Ida E. ; Clara A.; and Bertha M.
Mrs. Petery's grandfather, Henry Boyer, married Barbary (Bevy) Ben-
singer, daughter of Fritz Bensinger, who was one of four brothers, Fritz,
Michael, Frank and Benjamin. Samuel Boyer, Mrs. Petery's father, married
Salome Lutz, daughter of Henry and Betsy (Schwatz) Lutz, the latter a daugh-
ter of Jacob Schwatz.
Qscar D. Petery was born May 13, 1856, at Pottsville, where he attended
public school. Later he became a student in the Keystone State Nonnal School,
at Kutztown, Berks coimty, from which institution he was graduated, and he
was subsequently a member of the faculty for two spring terms. He then
returned to Schuylkill county, where he followed teaching for a period of
thirty-three years, twenty-three of which were spent at Onvigsburg. In recent
years Mr. Petery has given the principal part of his time to the business of coal
washing on the Schuylkill river, near Landingville. In 1906 he was elected a
justice of the peace, and five years later was re-elected. He also represents
a number of insurance companies.
All activities of the borough have had the co-operation of Professor Petery.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLV 303
He was one of the organizers of the Keystone Ckib, of which he is secretary;
is a member of the Independent ^Vniericans and of the Sons of America; and
is also a Mason, being a member and past master of Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138,
F. & A. M., of which he is secretary at present. He is a member of the hose
company and of the Orwigsburg Band. His religious connection is with the
Reformed Church, and in politics he has been identilied with the Republican
party. His efficient assistance and intelligent counsel are valued in all these
associations.
Professor Petery married Kate Koch, daughter of Abraham Koch, of
New Ringgold, this county, and six children were bom to this marriage,
four of whom are living: ALarion K., Laura K., Edna K. and Dorothy C, The
mother of this family died Oct. 31, 190S, and Mr. Petery has since married
(second) Mrs. Ella Irish. There are no children by this union.
JAMES B. COLLINS, of Palo Alto, is a typical member of a family which
has been prominent in the affairs of that borough for two generations.
Patrick Collins, his father, was born in Ireland, coming to America when a
young man and settling at Palo Alto, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he made his
home during the rest of his life. As clerk in the office of the county com-
missioners at Pottsville, he began an association with the public affairs of the
county which lasted almost continuously throughout his lifetime. After his
services as commissioners' clerk he became a boatman on the Schuylkill canal,
owning the "General Carrol," and was so engaged for many years, plying
between Schuylkill Haven and New York City. In 1875 he was elected to the
office of county commissioner, in which he served for one term (three years),
and after he gave up boating he filled the position of county assessor, was
supervisor of the borough of Palo Alto, member of the school board, and held
the office of justice of the peace for twenty years, being the incumbent of that
position at the time of his death. In political connection he was a Democrat,
and few men of this part of Schuylkill county were better known in his day.
The high regard which he enjoyed among his fellow citizens is substantially
shown in the fact that Collins street, leading from Palo Alto to Pottsville,
was so named in his honor. His faithful discharge of the numerous duties
intrusted to him won him a strong place in the esteem of his contemporaries.
Mr. Collins married Sarah Waldron, a native of Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county, and the following children were born to this union: Mary, Mrs.
Patrick Toole ; Ellen, Mrs. Frank Kleinsmith ; Katie, ]\Irs. Joseph McCauley ;
Philip, who was drowned when nine years old at the Fairmount Park bridge,
Philadelphia, while on a trip with his father; Winifred, who died unmarried
when twenty-three years old; Thomas J. and William F., both unmarried;
James B. ; Michael T- ; and Sadie H. O'f this family Thomas J. Collins is a
trainmaster for the Eastern Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and is at present
serving as president of the borough council of Palo Alto.
Tames B. Collins was born Nov. 28, 1888, at the home in Palo Alto where
he now resides. He obtained his education in the parochial schools at Port
Carbon, and began to work driving team at Palo Alto. He was afterwards
employed picking slate at the Eagle Hill colliery, and his next position was as
eno-ine wiper in'the roundhouse of the Philadelphia & Reading Company at
Palo Alto. Later he was made clerk in the office at the roundhouse, was sub-
sequentlv appointed assistant inspector of engines, and filled that office until he
went to Philadelphia. There he remained a year, during which time he became
304 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
familiar with the details of the automobile trade, returning to Palo Alto. Mr.
Collins was then appointed justice of the peace in 1910, and later was elected
to the office, which he still continues to hold. He is also engaged in the general
insurance business. Like his father he has been active in the Democratic
party, and he is acting at present as majority inspector of elections in Palo
Alto, where he is regarded as a highly promising young citizen. He is a
member of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church at Port Carbon, and is
prominent in the Foresters of America, being at present a State officer, deputy
grand chief ranger.
ALFRED M. MILLER, proprietor of the A. M. jMiller & Company shoe
factory, of Orwigsburg, has had a noteworthy business career, whether con-
sidered from the personal standpoint or from its relative w'orth in the
development of local industrial conditions. The words self-made and self-
educated are often misapplied in describing the rise of men who have forged
ahead by their own efforts, yet in Mr. Miller's case they are entirely appro-
priate, for he began work when only a boy of eleven years and has made his
own way unaided since. Throughout this period he has been in the shoe
business, and that he has been one of the live factors in its expansion in
Schuylkill county speaks well for his ambition and ability. For over twenty
years he has been in the business for himself.
The family to which Mr. Miller belongs is from Berks county, his father,
Nathaniel ]\Iiller, having been a native of Albany township, that county, born
in 1834. In 1867 he came to Schuylkill county and settled at Orwigsburg,
where for a number of years he was engaged in conducting a stage line
between that point and Landingville. Later he went into the green grocery
business, which he followed until his retirement. He died Sept. 2, 1873, in
the faith of the Reformed Church. Politically he was originally a Whig,
joining the Republican party upon its organization. He married Mary Greena-
wald, daughter of Jacob Greenawald, and they were the parents of children
as follows: George, who is deceased; Herman G., engaged in the confec-
tionery and newspaper business ; Alfred M., of Orwigsburg : and Annie E.,
of Washington, D. C. Though left a widow with three small children, Mrs.
Miller reared them very successfully with their aid. She died Nov. 14, 1905,
at the age of seventy-one years.
Alfred M. Miller was born March 28, 1866, in Albany township, Berks
Co., Pa., and the following year accompanied his parents to Schuvlkill county.
As he was but seven years old when his father died, he had to begin contribut-
ing to the support of the family at an early age, and was but eleven years old
when he found employment with the Orwigsburg Shoe Company. After spend-
ing six years in that establishment he obtained the position of second cutter
in the shoe factory of A. E. Brown & Company, also in Orwigsburg, for whom
he became first cutter three months later. He was retained there in that
capacity until he left in 1892 to start business for himself, and he went with
the recommendation from Mr. Brown of being the most reliable employee
of the concern. In a period of eight years he had been late but once and lost
only one day, and that on account of a funeral. Besides holding the respon-
sible position of cutter, which involves the handling of most of the valuable
material used in a shoe factory, Mr. Miller was also intrusted with a large
part of the buying, and in both positions developed the skill and ability which
have made him so successful in his own ventures.
Co. ?/C ^^tjMuj
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 305
In November, iSyi, Mr, j\liller formed a partnership with Andrew C. Eisen-
huth, under the name of Eiscnhuth & IMiller, and on the 9th of that month
they broke ground for their factory, which was a frame building, two stories
in height, Oo by 40 feet in dimensions. It was completed within two months,
the lirst pair of shoes they produced being finished Jan. 9, 1892. The product
consisted of children's and infants' shoes, and was marketed all over the
middle Atlantic and Western States, six traveling salesmen being among the
forty employees which the firm carried on its pay roll during the early part
of its existence. The venture proved very successful. Un Nov. 28, 1900,
Mr. Miller purchased the interest of his partner in the business, which has
since been conducted under the name of A. M. Miller & Company. The
product now includes misses' shoes and old ladies' "comfort shoes," as well as
the original lines, and ten traveling salesmen are engaged in placing the output,
which is marketed in the West and Northwest. In 1902 Mr. Miller made
an addition to the original plant, a brick building 60 by 30, and the establishment
and all its appointments are thoroughly up-to-date, the machinery and other
equipment being of the most approved modern patterns. From sixty to
seventy-tive hands are employed. Outside of the shoe factory Mr. Miller's
interests include his association with the First National Bank of Orwigsburg,
of which he was made a director in 1907; he was the institutor of the Orwigs-
burg Building & Loan Association, in May, 1903, and has been its vice president
throughout the period of its existence. The first series of said association
expired in November, 1914, paying $203.67 per share. Public affairs have
also received their share of his attention. For three years he served as a "
member of the borough council, and during that period he used his influence
to obtain the electric light service in the borough (installed at that time), which
is supplied by the Pottsville Power Company. His political support has always
been given to the Republican party.
Socially ]\Ir. Miller is a member and past master of Schuylkill Lodge, No.
138, F. & A. M., the oldest Masonic lodge in Schuylkill county, which cele-
brated its one hundredth anniversary in Jtme, 1914, Mr. Miller serving as
chairman of the anniversary committee; he is a member of the chapter and
commandery at Pottsville; of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Reading;
of the Keystone Club of Orwigsburg (first president of that club) ; and he
also belongs to Grace Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F., of Orwigsburg, of which
he is a past grand. His religious connection is with St. John's Reformed
Church. Mr. Miller has developed steadily with the growth of his interests
and the community to whose expansion they have been vital, and his liberality
of spirit and worth of character have been apparent in the various causes
with which he has allied himself. He is a potent force for good in his section
of Schuylkill county, and his contribution to its prosperity is duly appreciated
by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Miller married Pauline E. Gessler, daughter of Thomas Gessler, of
Newark, N. J., where her father was a well known contractor and builder.
Two children have been born to this union: Irma L., a graduate of the
Orwigsburg high school, class of 1913, and of Pottsville business college, and
now taking a musical course, in piano study; and Linwood M., a high school
student.
GEORGE HENRY MOORE. M. D., of Schuylkill Haven, is a prominent
member of the profession in Schuylkill county, where as an oculist he has
Vol. 1—20
306 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
gained high prestige. He is at present serving as coroner of the county. Dr.
Moore is a native of Tremont township, this county, born June 6, 1872, son
of William Aloore and grandson of Edward Barris Moore.
Edward Barris Aloore was born in the County of Durham, England, Jan.
15, 1820, and came to this country in December, 1852, first locating at Llewellyn,
Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. Moore had been engaged in mining in his native coun-
try, part of the time working at mines as deputy fire boss. At Llewellyn he
found work in the same line, working as a miner there for one year, and
later for five years at Donaldson, this county, where he became a boss in the
colliery. From there he changed to Rausch Creek, where he held a responsible
position as superintendent of a colliery for about fifteen years, later removing
to Tremont, where he was superintendent at Lower Rausch Creek for Miller,
Graeflf & Company until his death. He passed away Aug. 4, 1875, at Tremont,
aged fifty-five years. His wife, Mary (Little), died there also at the same
age, and they are buried at that place. Mr. Moore was a member of the
Methodist Church, and socially belonged to various fraternities, being a member
of the Tremont Lodge of Masons, the L O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias.
He and his wife had four children at the time they came to America. We
have the following record of their large family: (i) Simon, born Feb. 25,
1844, was an experienced mine superintendent and had a high reputation in the
anthracite region ; he married Isabell Long, daughter of Charles Long, of
Donaldson, and died leaving a family of six children, Esther Lillie, Mary F.,
Martha J., Charles W., Annie E. and Alice E. (2) Annie married George
Long, whom she survives, making her home at Donaldson ; she has a family
of five children, Esther, Mary, Bella, Maggie and Blaine. (3) Richard, a resi-
dent of Philadelphia, married Harriet Faust, by whom he had seven children,
Samuel, Mary, Emma, Elizabeth, Minnie, William and Sadie. By his second
marriage, to Mary Jane Long, he had one child, Lee. (4) William is men-
tioned below. (5) Mary married Archibald Harvey, and lives at Port Carbon.
They have no children. (6) Edward, whose home is in Sahuylkill county,
married Emma Alter, and their children are, Edward, Henrietta, May, Emma
and Raymond. (7) John T., of Schuylkill county, married Mary Boltz, and
their children are, Edward, Frederick, Simon, Elizabeth, Harry, Ethyl and
Mary. (8) Henry died unmarried when twenty-nine years old.
William Moore, father of Dr. George Henry Moore, was born Nov. 10,
185 1, in England, and was an infant when the family came to the United
States. With the exception of two years spent in the then Territory of New
Mexico he passed all of his life in Schuylkill county. Pa. Here he was reared,
and when he went to work learned engineering, at which he was engaged durmg
the greater part of his life. After running engines at diflferent collieries, he
became interested as a coal operator in Schuylkill county with his brother
Simon and a Mr. Losch. Subsequently he went West, but soon retumed_ to
Pennsylvania, and for a time lived at Schuylkill Haven, at present makmg
his home in Philadelphia. He married Alice Bonewitz, of Schuylkill county,
and seven children have been born to them, namely: George Henry, Mary,
Rebecca, Edward, Sadie, Lillie and William.
George Henry Moore began his education in the public schools of Tremont
township, his first teacher being David Etien. When nine years old he went
West with his parents to New Mexico Territory, where the family lived for
two years, during which time he was deprived of educational advantages
there being no schools in that region then. Upon his return to Schuylkill
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 307
county he resumed his studies, attending the Tremont high school, and grad-
uated in 1890. During the summer vacations he was ahvays employed, work-
ing in the mines from the time he was tweh'e years old. Immediately after
finishing his high school work he began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles
Evan, under whose tuition he remained one summer, in the fall of 1890 enter-
ing the L'niversity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he took a complete
course in the medical department, graduating in 1893 with the degree of M. D.
His first experience as a practitioner was acquired in the Heckscherville dis-
trict in Schuylkill county, where he located at once after graduating, remaining
there for over three years, and meeting with steady success. He was then
appointed prison physician and held the position for one year. Following that
he became physician for the Schuylkill County Plospita'l and Insane Depart-
ment, locating at Schuylkill Haven, and was thus engaged for four years. He
then took a special course in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat at
the Philadelphia Polyclinic (Post Graduate) School, Philadelphia, after which
he established himself in his present location at Schuylkill Haven. He also
has an office in the new Thompson building in Pottsvil'le, where his hours are
from q a. m. to 4:30 p. m., daily. He has been particularly successful as a
specialist, and his work has received substantial recognition from his fellow
practitioners, who have honored him with the presidency of the County
]\Iedical Society. He is also a member of the State IMedical Society and the
American Medical Association. In 191 1 he was elected coroner of the county
on the Republican ticket for a term of four years, and is discharging the duties
of that office with a fidelity to his trust highly acceptable to his fellow citizens.
His fraternal connections include membership in Minersville Lodge, No. 222,
F. & A. M. : Minersville Chapter, R. A. M. ; and the Pottsville Lodge, B. P. O.
Elks. He is a prominent member of St. John's Reformed Church, and servmg
in the church consistory.
Dr. Moore married Annie Sharadin, daughter of the late Daniel Sharadm,
who was engaged in the manufacturing business at Schuylkill Haven. Two
children have been born to this union, George D. and Helen.
About 1903 Dr. Moore conceived the idea of holding a reunion of the
descendants of the three brothers, Edward B. ]\Ioore, who located at the West
End • John Moore, who located at Parsons, near Wilkes-Barre, Pa. : and Wil-
liam ]\Ioore, who located at Shenandoah, Pa. The descendants and relatives
have since then held reunions annually, and have formed an organization of
which Dr. Moore has been secretary from the beginning. It has proved a great
success.
JACOB A SCHARADIN has been a business man of Or^vigsburg for the
last twenty-five vears and some twenty years ago he started the knitting mill
to whose development his talents and energies have since been devoted.
Through his well-directed efforts he has established a trade which keeps him
busv ail the time, furnishing employment to about eighty hands, and incidentally
furthering commercial interests in the borough. ^Ir. _ Scharadm has given
practical evidence of his public spirit, throughout the period of his residence in
the town associating himself with its social and religious enterpnses, and at
present assisting in Ae administration of the local government, as member of
[he borough council. His election to this office indicates how completely he
enioys the confidence of his fellow townsmen. Mr. Scharadm was born near
Pinedale, this county, Nov. 24, 1859, son of Abraham Scharadm.
308 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Jacob Scharadin, grandfather of Jacob A. Scharadin, was born in Berks
county, Pa., near Topton station, on the East Pennsylvania railroad, and came
to Schuylkill county about 1830, settling in West Brunswick township. There
he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1873. He was a Whig
in politics in his earlier years, later becoming a Republican. The children of
his first marriage were as follows : David, William, Abraham, Elizabeth, Cath-
erine and Mary. By the second marriage there was a son Charles.
Abraham Scharadin, father of Jacob A. Scharadin, was born in October,
1832, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and like his father was
a farmer by occupation. He owned dilierent farms in this section, his last
property being a tract of 160 acres, which he sold when he retired from active
work. He now makes his home at Pinedale. Mr. Scharadin is a faithful
member of the Red Church (Reformed), which he has served as deacon and for
many years as trustee, being one of its most honored officials. By his first
marriage, to Sarah Deibert, he had the following children : Jacob A., Ellen,
Emma (deceased), George (deceased), Hannah (deceased), and Harry F.
The mother of this family died in 1890, and Mr. Scharadin married (second)
Amanda Alspach. No children have been born to this vmion.
Jacob A. Scharadin was reared upon the farm and meantime received such
advantages as the local public schools afforded. Remaining at home until he
reached the age of twenty-five years, he spent the ne.xt five years farming his
father-in-law's place, and has since been settled at Orwigsburg. His first
business venture was in the manufacture of hosiery, which he discontinued
after a brief experience, selling out to Sheeler & Miller. For a period of four
years he carried on a flour and feed business, in 1894 engaging in the manu-
facture of underwear, which he has carried on ever since. His plant is
equipped with the most up-to-date machinery and facilities, and from seventy-
five to eighty hands are employed, the product being ladies' fine underwear.
The management of his plant and expansion of his business occupy all of Mr.
Scharadin's business hours, and he has been well rewarded. Mr. Scharadin has
entered thoroughly into the life of the borough, is a member of Schuylkill
Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., of the Keystone Club, and of the Independent
Americans. Politically he is a Democrat and he is serving at this writing as
councilman of the borough. He is a leading member of the Reformed Church,
in which he is holding the offices of elder and deacon.
Mr. Scharadin married Elenora Fegley, daughter of Reuben Fegley, and
they are the parents of two children. Bertha and Edward.
WILLIAM G. FAUST, late of Auburn, though he passed away in his
prime, had been a leader in business circles for a number of years. His asso-
ciations with manufacturing and financial aft'airs, with church work and with
public life, showed that his ability was not limited or his interest circumscribed,
and he did more than his duty in all the relations of life.
Mr. Faust was born Dec. 15, 1865, on the Faust homestead in W^est Bruns-
wick township, son of George Faust. In his boyhood he attended public school
at Pinedale, and later studied in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutz-
town, after which he was engaged in teaching at Pinedale for a time. Then
he followed farming until his removal to Auburn, where he became associated
with the late W. H. Diefenderfer in the knitting business, being so engaged with
him, in the manufacture of underwear, until his death. He was accidentally
killed March i, 191 1, while driving a truck over the Pennsylvania railroad
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\SYLVANL\ 309
tracks at Auburn, being struck by a work train. His death was a severe blow
to his many friends in the community as well as his immediate home circle,
for he was considered one of the most useful men of the borough, and his death
left a vacancy still felt by many of the men with whom he came into contact
during his busy career. He was one of the organizers of the First National
Bank of Auburn, and served as a director until his death; and he was a stock-
holder in the Electric Light & Power Company. For a number of years he
was a member of the borough council and as such took a direct part in establish-
ing the progressive policy which has brought Auburn to such creditable position
among the boroughs of the county. His religious connection was with the
Church of God, and he took an active part in its work, serving as deacon and
trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. In short, he was one of the
most active figures in southern Schuylkill county, where he is held in loving
memory by scores of old friends and neighbors. He was a member of Schuyl-
kill Lodge, No. 138, F. c^ A. M.
On April 20, 1889, Mr. Faust married Bertie L. Kimmel, daughter of Bene-
ville and Joana Kimmel. Mrs. Faust was born Dec. 17, 1867, and died Aug.
10, 1904. Of the two children born to this marriage, Clarence, born Dec. 27,
1894, is now a student of the State College. The other, born Aug. 4, 1904,
died in infancy. On Jan. 11, 1906, Mr. Faust married (second) Dora T.
Mengle, who survives him. There were no children by this union.
Bernard Mengle, grandfather of Mrs. Faust, lived many years at St. Clair,
later moving to Stony Creek. Schuylkill county, where he died. He is buried
at Auburn. His son George, father of Mrs. Faust, lived at Auburn and died
at Cressona ; he is buried at Auburn. For many years he was an employee of
the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. His widow, Rosa (Hoffman),
is living with her daughter Mrs. Faust at Auburn. She has been an invalid for
the last five years. Mr. and Mrs. Mengle had a large family, namely : Minnie,
the wife of Horace D. Lindermuth, of Auburn; Dora T.. the widow of W. G.
Faust : Katie, who died when nine years old ; Alice, who married W. D. Stay-
man ; Helen, deceased, wife of John G. Riland ; Robert, living in Philadelphia,
who married Mabel Bishop ; Clarence, living at Harrisburg, Pa., married to
Emma Sheafer; and George and Charles, twins, who died in infancy.
GEORGE GILGOUR, now living retired at Pottsville, was connected with
the mining industry in Schuylkill county throughout the period of his active
career, which covered almost half a century. For over twenty years he was
in charge of the Mahanoy City colliery, one of the best and most profitable coal
properties in the Reading Conipany, operated and maintained on a paying basis
as a result of his capable management.
Mr. Gilgour is of Scotch extraction. His father, Robert Gilgour. was born
in Scotlandtand on coming to America first settled in Canada in 1840. Thence
he came to Philadelphia. Pa., where he was employed as a coremaker, and in
1854 settled at Forestville, in Cass township, Schuylkill county, where he
worked at the mines. He died at Forestville at the age of seventy-two years,
and is buried at Minersville, this county. Mr. Gilgour married ]\Iary McAdoo,
and the following children were born to them : Samuel, who is deceased ; Mar-
o-aret. deceased : George ; Martha, deceased ; Robert, deceased ; and Ehza, widow
of Robert Moore, living at Forestville.
George Gilgour was born Oct. 20, 1842. at the corner of Queen and Palmer
streets in Philadelphia, and moved with the family to Forestville. Not long
310 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
afterwards he began work at the mines, operating the blowing fan for Robert
Bradley and Samuel Lynch, at Forestville. Later he was employed as a driver
between the slope and the breaker and at pushing coal, and when sixteen years
old went to work with his father, cutting coal at the Black Heath colliery.
After several years' employment with his father, he began taking contracts on
his own account, and in 1866 sunk a shaft at the Forestville slope and put in a
drift at Woodside.
In 1874 he went to Phoenix Park colliery, No. 2, to prepare coal for the
breaker, doing this work on contract. In 1876 he went to Aliddlecreek shaft,
where he had charge, afterwards becoming inspector of mines for the Reading
Company, which position he held for two years. In 1879 he located at Mahanoy
City, where he was inside foreman at Elmwood slope, remaining there only a
short time when he changed to Trevorton, Northumberland county. Soon
afterwards he returned to Mahanoy City, where he took charge of the JVIahanoy
City colliery, which was operated under his management from 1880 until his
retirement, in 1904. Its success is ascribed mainly to his excellent judgment
and efficient oversight. Mr. Gilgour was twice awarded cash prizes for pro-
ducing clean coal and for good management of the colliery. In 1904 he
removed to Pottsville, where he has since been living retired, making his home
at No. 124 South Third street. As a mine foreman he was considered a lead-
ing man in the business and his reputation extended all over Schuylkill county.
Mr. Gilgour is well known in fraternal circles, particularly as a iNIason,
belonging to Mahanoy Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master; he is also a past high priest of Mizpah Royal Arch Chapter, No. 252, of
Mahanoy City, and a member of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, K. T., of the
same place. As an Odd Fellow, Mr. Gilgour originally belonged to Social
Lodge, at Minersville, later transferring his membership to General Grant
Lodge, No. 275, of jMahanoy City, of which he is a past noble grand. He was
a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Minersville, and also
of the P. O. S. of A. In religion he is an Episcopalian.
Air. Gilgour married Mrs. Margaret (Francis) Ludlam, widow of James
Ludlam. They have had no children.
Philip and Rebecca (Harris) Francis, parents of Mrs. Gilgour, were natives
of Wales, and coming to America in 1852 settled at Danville, Montour Co., Pa.,
where he found employment in the iron mills. He died there, and Mrs. Francis
subsequently married David James. Her death occurred at Pottsville, Pa.
Two children were born to her marriage with Mv. Francis, namely: ]\Iargaret,
Mrs. Gilgour, who was born in Wales ; and Philip, born at Danville, Montour
Co., Pa. The latter spent most of his early manhood working in the coal fields,
subsequently locating at Jellico, Tenn., of which city he is now (1915) mayor.
Mr. Francis is engaged in business as a coal operator and is also general man-
ager for the Prochton Coal Company, at Jellico.
HENRY T. DOHNER, of Schuylkill Haven, has been prominent in the
various activities of that borough during the thirty odd years of his residence
there, and his interests at present are so diversified as to show broad-nimded
sympathy with the enterprises which have been instrumental in promoting its
advancement. His energetic business career has brought him iiUo association
with the leading spirits of the town in commercial and financial affairs, and
his public spirit has led him to support local movements affecting the general
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 311
welfare and the betterment of business and social conditions in the com-
munity.
Air. Uohner belongs to a family which has long been established in Lebanon
county, Pa. His great-grandfather, John Dohner, became a successful farmer
near Cornwall, in South Lebanon township, that county, at one time owning
two fine properties. John Dohner, son of John and grandfather of Henry J.
Dohner, was also a prosperous farmer of that vicinity, and lived to his eighty-
fourth year. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Smith, reared a large
family, namely : Peter, Henry, Jacob, John S., Elias, Simon, Joseph, William,
Cyrus, Eliza and Frances.
John S. Dohner, father of Henry J. Dohner, was a miller and fanner in
Lebanon county, where he lived and died. To his marriage with Mary Eckert
were born ten children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Amelia, Katie,
J. Frank and Henry J. Those deceased were: Rebecca, Cyrus M., Mary Ann,
Louisa, Emeline and William.
Henry J. Dohner was born Sept. 23, 1844, in East Hanover township,
Lebanon Co., Pa., and was reared there. He attended public school at Jones-
town, that county. There he also served his apprenticeship to the trade of
shoemaker, and with the exception of his three periods of service during the
Civil war in the Union army continued to live there until 187 1, when he
changed his location to the city of Lebanon. In the year 1882 he removed
thence to Schuylkill Haven, where he has since had his home and business
interests. Mr. Dohner at once began work at his trade there, dealing in and
' repairing shoes, and though his means were very limited when he commenced
the business he is now the most important merchant in the borough in his line,
his large store on Main street being thoroughly stocked with up-to-date goods.
Though his principal attention has always been given to the development and
building up of his shoe business, Mr. Dohner has by no means confined his
energies to this line. «IIe was one of the organizers of the Schuylkill Haven
Trust Company, the leading financial institution of the borough, was a member
of the original board of directors, and is still serving in that capacity. He owns
a fine farm of eighty-five acres in Wayne township, Schuylkill county. His
success has been due to perseverance, thrifty management and promptness in
taking advantage of his opportunities. His executive ability has enabled him
to keep his affairs running smoothly, and his intelligent comprehension of the
demands of the community has gained him a large circle of satisfied customers.
He is reaping the reward of his attention to their wants in the extensive
patronage he has enjoyed for so many years.
Mr. Dohner married Amelia C. Umberger, daughter of Joseph Umberger,
of Jonestown, Lebanon county, and they are the parents of six children, viz. :
Ma"ry ; Elizabeth, now the wife of William D. Raudenbush ; Harry A. ; John J. ;
and Paul Elias and Ralph N., the two last named deceased. Both of the sur-
viving sons are interested with their father in the shoe store. The family are
members of St. John's Reformed Church.
Air. Dohner served as a Union soldier in the Civil war under three enlist-
ments. On June 23, 1863, he enlisted from Lebanon county in Company A,
26th Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteer Militia, Infantry, emergency men,
under Col. ^\^ W. Jennings. He was discharged July 30th at Harrisburg. In
July, 1864, he became a sergeant in Company D, ist Battalion, Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Charles Stuart, for one hundred days' service,
and was discharged Nov. nth, at the expiration of the term. On Feb. 12,
312 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1865, he became a member of Company F, 93d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan-
try, for one year's service, and was under the command of Capt. \i. F. Hean
and Col. C. W. Eckman. This command was attached to the ist Brigade, 2d
Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, Mr. Dohner serving therewith until
after the close of the war, receiving his discharge June 28, 1865. By virtue of
his military service he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic,
belonging to J ere Helms Post, No. 26, of Schuylkill Haven, in whose work he
has been quite prominent. He has risen to the position of senior vice com-
mander.
HARRY F. SCHARADIN, of Pottsville, is part owner of the Penn Knit-
ting Mills, which he has conducted in partnership with Andrew S. Kimniel since
1906. They have done a thriving business during the eight years of their exist-
ence and rank with the successful manufacturers of the city, the reliable product
for which their mills are noted enjoying a high reputation.
Mr. Scharadin is a native of Schuylkill county, born Feb. 13, 1879, ^^ West-
Brunswick township, son of Abraham and grandson of Jacob Scharadin. The
grandfather was born in Berks county, Pa., near Topton station, on the East
Pennsylvania railroad, and came to Schuylkill county about 1830, settling in
West Brunswick township. There he engaged in farming until his death, which
occurred in 1873. He was a Whig in politics in his earlier years, later becoming
a Republican. The children of his first marriage were as follows: David,
William, Abraham, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary. By the second marriage
there was a son Charles.
Abraham Scharadin, father of Harry F. Scharadin, was born in October,
1832, at Pinedale, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and like his
father was a farmer by occupation. He owned different farms in this section,
his last property being a tract of 160 acres, which he sold when he retired from
active work. He now makes his home at Pinedale. Mr. Scharadin is a faith-
ful member of the Red Church (Reformed), which he has served as deacon and
for many years as trustee, being one of its most honored officials. By his first
marriage, to Sarah Deibert, he had the following children : Jacob, Ellen, Emma
(deceased), George (deceased), Hannah (deceased), and Harry F. The
mother of this family died in 1890, and Mr. Scharadin married (second)
Amanda Alspach. No children have been born to this union.
Harry F. Scharadin received his education in the vicinity of his early home,
attending public school. After assisting his father at farming for a short time,
he worked in a shoe factory at Orwigsburg, this county, being thus engaged for
six years. His next work was with his brother Jacob at Orwigsburg in the
underwear business, with whom he remiained for three years, at the end of
which period he entered upon his present association with Mr. Kimniel. That
was in 1906, and the Penn Knitting Mills have been in operation ever since
The plant is now located at No. 609 Mine street, Pottsville, this property
having been purchased in 1910. It is a two-story and basement building, 62 by
35 feet in dimensions. Although but five people were employed when the
business was started, the demand for the output has increased so greatly that
forty hands are now employed steadily at the works and the equipment includes
sixty first-class machines. The product consists of ladies' and children's under-
wear, which has found a ready sale. Mr. Scharadin and his partner have been
progressive and enterprising about the improvement as well as the enlargement
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\SYLVANL\ 313
of Jheir business, and its prosperity has been due as much to their excellent
judgment in its management as to the high quality of their product.
Aside from his business Air. Scharadin's particular interest is in church
matters, in which he has always taken an active part. He is a member of the
Red Church (Reformed), and has been active in both church and Sunday
school work, having served as deacon of the church and in the Sunday school
as assistant superintendent, teacher and assistant secretary. Socially he holds
membership in the L O. O. F. Lodge and the P. O. S. of A., both of Orwigsburg.
Mr. Scharadin married Mrs. Bessie (Fegley) Alspach, widow of Thomas
Alspach. To this marriage have been bom two children, Russell and Mildred.
\\ 1LLL\M A. GRIEFF, of Cressona, now^ living retired, was engaged in
the mercantile business in that borough for over twenty years and gained sub-
stantial standing as a business man. Personally he is regarded as a citizen of
the highest worth, having proved his public spirit, trustworthiness and responsi-
bility in various ways. Mr. Grieff was born July i6, 1848, at Orwigsburg,
Schuylkill county, son of Daniel Grieff and grandson of William Grieff'.
William Grieff", who is buried at Orwigsburg, was a farmer of that locality
for many years, and a prominent man of his generation. He served one term
as steward of the Schuylkill County Home. He lived to the age of ninety-four
years. By his marriage to Catherine Zerbe, he had children as follows :
William, who died when forty years old; Daniel; Mrs. Henry Krebs ; Mrs.
Beniert Yeager; Mrs. John Ege; Mrs. Daniel Hillegas ; Louisa, who married
Jeremiah Yerger, who after her death married her sister Sarah ; Mary and
Phoebe, who died young ; and Mrs. Philip Weiser.
Daniel Grieff' was born at Orwigsburg and is buried there ; he died at the
age of forty-five years. By trade he was a carpenter. He married Maria
Krebs, daughter of Jacob Krebs, and children as follows were born to them :
George ; Charles ; V\'illiam A. ; Mary, who married L. F. Kimmel, now a
retired farmer, living at Orwigsburg: Elizabeth, who married Morgan Reed;
and Emma, who married Uriah Good.
William A. Grieff was reared upon the parental farm at Orwigsburg. When
a young man he was engaged as a stage driver for two and a half years, on the
route between Orwigsburg and Landingville. His next occupation was as
clerk in the general store of B. E. Drumheller, at Landingville, with whom he
remained two and a half years. At the end of that time he entered the employ
of Henry Deibert, for whom he worked at boatbuilding for a period of ten
years. Coming to Cressona, he resumed clerking, being so employed in the
general store of A. F. Deibert for nine years, until he engaged in business
for himself, in the year 1889, as a green grocer and confectioner at Cressona.
He established a profitable trade, and continued the business successfully until
1912, when he sold it to his son Elmer, who has since conducted the store,
the father living retired.
Mr. Grieff' has always been known as a man of the strictest integrity in all
the relations of life, and his fidelity to duty in ever>'thing he undertakes has
made him a highly useful member of the community. He has been one of the
most active workers in the United Brethren Church of Cressona, of which
he has been a member forty-five years, has served the congregation as treasurer
for the last twenty years, and always takes part in Sunday school work, being
treasurer of the Bible class. He has several times been chosen to the position
of town clerk, but with that exception has not taken any active part in public
314 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAxXIA
affairs in the locality. He votes independently. His honesty and capability
have commended him to the good will of his fellow citizens, and he is thor-
oughly respected.
Air. Grieff married Susan E. Deibert, who was born Feb. 22, 1850, a daugh-
ter of the late William Deibert, and died March 9, 1889. She is buried at
Cressona. Nine children were born to this union, namely: Mary married Wil-
liam Fessler; Charles is employed as yardmaster at Rutherford, Pa.; Henrietta
is the wife of Lynn Fessler; Elmer is a merchant of Cressona; Walter A., of
Cressona, is a railroad conductor ; four children died young — Robert S., born
in 1880, died in 1885; Carrie E., born in 1883, died in 1887; Roy A., born in
1885, died in 1888; a son, born in 1887, died in 1887. After the, mother's death
Mr. Grieft' married (second) Mrs. Emma (Bretz) Fenstemacher, widow of
Moses Fenstemacher. There were no children by this union.
JOSEPH W. MOYER, of Pottsville, has had a successful career as an
attorney supplemented by activity in local enterprises of great value, notably
his connection with the building of the Schuylkill and Lehigh Valley railroad,
and other railroads in Schuylkill and adjoining counties. Air. Moyer is one of
Schuylkill county's native sons, born Oct. 26, 1852, at Mount Pleasant, in
Foster township, son of Daniel Moyer and grandson of George Moyer, of
Gratz, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania.
George Aloyer, the grandfather, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, then a part
of France. The name was originally Meyer. George Moyer served in the
French army under Napoleon, was with him in the famous march on Moscow,
and was one of the small remnant of the mighty army that returned from that
disastrous campaign. Shortly after the close of his army experience he came
to America, making his home first in Northumberland county, Pa.^ where he
acquired valuable business interests, engaging in merchandising, operating a
tannery and also running a hotel. However, he remained there only a few
years, thence moving to Gratztown, Dauphin Co., Pa., where he established him-
self in the mercantile business which he conducted until his death, in March,
1842. He is buried at Gratztown. His wife, Christiana ( Shiley ). survived him
many years, dying in 1868 in Columbia county. Pa., where she is buried. She
was born in Stone \'alley, near Halifax, Dauphin county. Mr. Moyer was a
Democrat on political issues, and he and his wife were Lutherans in their
religious faith. They had a large family, namely: Solomon died when fifteen
years old ; Jacob died when two years old ; Dqniel is mentioned below ; George
went to California in 1857 ^'id became engaged in gold mining: Isaac, who died
in New York City in his eighty-fourth year, was one of those who went out
to California in 1849, later returning to Pottsville, Pa., where he carried ori a
flour and feed business for a number of years ; David was killed on the Penn-
sylvania railroad in 1874, at Alount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa.; Hiram,
born Aug. 14, 1831, in Northumberland county, is now the only survivor of the
family ; Louisa married Benjamin Shaeffer, and died in Philadelphia ; Catherine
married Israel Henninger, and died in Shamokin, Pa. Hiram Aloyer, the only
one of his generation of the family now living, learned the trade of carpenter,
at which he was engaged during most of his active life in Schuylkill county, to
which county he moved in 1844. He settled in the vicinity of Pottsville. His
home is now at No. 318 West Norwegian street, in that city. In 1872 he was
elected prothonotary of the county for a term of three years, and gave faithful
service in that office. • He married Lydia Morgan, and to them were born :
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^ 315
Sarah A., Mrs. Walter S. Stevenson; Navada S., Mrs. L H. Super; David J.,
a resident of Reading, Pa.; Dr. Sherman T., of Philadelphia; Oscar G., living
in Pittsburgh; Alaniie E., at home; Laura C, Mrs. Charles Spangler, and Amy
L., Mrs. Llarry llupert.
Daniel Aloyer, son of George, was born Feb. 22, 1822, in Upper JMahanoy
township, Northumberland Co., Pa. When a young man he learned the car-
penter's trade, which he continued to follow principally during his active years,
becoming a skilled workman. His mechanical genius was evidenced by his
inventions of various agricultural implements, which included a corn planting
device and a power flax brake. In 1856 he went to Hamburg, Mercer Co., Pa.,
where he had a farm, which he conducted besides attending to his other work,
and he spent his latter years there in retirement, dying April 6, 1906. His wife,
Elizabeth (Snyder), was a daughter of Jacob Snyder, of Dauphin county, and
of Revolutionary stock, her maternal grandfather having served in the Colonial
army under Washington. She died April 11, 1909, at the old homestead. New
Hamburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer had a family of ten children, namely:
Christiana, who married John Shalor; Levi, who enlisted for service in the
Union army in January, 1863, joining Company A, 139th Regiment, Pennsyl-
vania \'olunteers, and died at New Hamburg, Pa., Alay 30, 1915; Amelia
Jane, who married James Williams, who entered the Confederate army from
Maryland, where he was living at that time, but near the close of the war left
the Southern cause and joined the Union army; Jacob, who died in infancy;
Joseph W. ; Hiram; David; William; Emanuel E. ; and Mary, who became the
wife of Lewis France. Daniel Moyer, the father, was a member of the
German Reformed Church for many years and at the time of his death.
Politically he was a Republican, and always willing to take an active part in
promoting the success of his party, but he never held any public office.
Joseph W. Moyer obtained an excellent preliminary education in the
common schools of Delaware township, Mercer Co., Pa., later attending the
Edinboro (Pa.) State Normal School, where he had for roommate the late Dr.
Isaac C. Ketler, of Grove City College. In 1873 he registered as a law student
with the firm of White & Jackson, prominent lawyers of Mercer county, and
while pursuing his legal preparation under their direction also taught school
in Springfield township, said county, one term. In January, 1874, he came to
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he completed his law studies with Hughes
& Farquhar. being admitted to the Schuylkill county bar in November, 1876,
and to the Supreme court Alarch 17, 1879. He has been engaged in practice
ever since, and has devoted his attention principally to legal work, his other
interests being allied with his profession. In 1886, in company with New
York capitalists, he assisted in the organization of the Schuylkill & Lehigh
A'alley Railroad Company. The road planned was built subsequently by the
Lehigh \'alley Railroad Company, at a cost of two million dollars. It extends
from Tremont, Schuylkill county, to a point on the Lehigh river known as
Lehigh Gap, and shortened the route from the southern anthracite coal fields
to tidewater at New York City thirty-eight miles. Mr. Moyer continued to be
associated with the company as solicitor until the road was sold to the Lehigh
\'alley Company in 1892. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme court
of the State of New York Dec. 14, 1892. He is one of the well and favorably
known lawvers of the Schuylkill county bar, and his active interest in every
cause for the benefit of Pottsville and the county is shown in his encourage-
ment and support of all movements whose worth commends them to his atten-
316 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
tion. His office is located at No. 208 South Centre street, where he also keeps
liis valuable library.
Mr. Moyer is independent in politics, originally supporting the Republican
party until 1888, when, disagreeing with its position on various public questions,
he turned his allegiance to the Democratic party. He was elected county chair-
man for two terms, and subsequently secretary, of the Democratic State com-
mittee. In 1 9 14, dissatisfied with the Wilson policies, he returned to the
Republican party, which now has his ardent support. He is an officer and
director in many important corporate local enterprises, and the representative
of important business and financial interests.
FRANK SNYDER, postmaster at Minersville, had a highly creditable
public record before he took that office, and his fellow citizens confidently
expect him to add to his prestige in the administration of his present duties.
He is a native of Alinersville, born May -26, 1880, son of Reuben Snyder.
Reuben Snyder was born near Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa., about 1846, com-
ing to Minersville, where he followed the business of plasterer. He became
well and favorably known in his line of work, which he continued to follow
all his active life, his death occurring in February, 1913. He is buried at
Minersville. Mr. Snyder married Elizabeth Drumheller, who was born in
Northumberland county, Pa., a member of the old Drumheller family of this
part of the country. She still resides at Minersville. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben
Snyder had the following children : William O., who is now engaged in the
greenhouse business near Minersville; Prof, Rudolph, principal of the military
academy at Newton, N. J. ; Kate, Airs. William Kellecker, who has a llorist
business at Minersville, and Frank.
Frank Snyder obtained his education in the public schools at Minersville,
graduating from the high school in 1897. He then entered the office of George
Ball, who has long been extensively engaged in the lumber business at Miners-
ville, and soon became manager of the establishment. Mr. Snyder was retained
in this connection until he assumed the position of postmaster of Minersville,
to which he was appointed April 29, 1914, succeeding Jonas E. Laubenstein.
For several months he gave all his attention to the duties of the office, on Feb.
I, 1915, entering into partnership with George Ball (above) and Trevor Ball,
under the name of the Ball Lumber Company, of which Mr. Snyder was made
treasurer. His carefulness in looking after the details of the postoffice work,
his obliging manners and accuracy, are thoroughly appreciated by his fellow
citizens. The office is in the second class, and besides the assistant postmaster,
Joseph Levan, there are five regular clerks, one substitute clerk, three carriers
and one substitute carrier. The post office is located in the Sons of Veterans'
building. Mr. Snyder has had four years' sen'ice in the borough council, and
duringthat time was chairman of the street committee. In 1908 he was elected
borough auditor, the first Democrat to be so honored for twenty years, and
he filled the office capably for one term. He holds a commission as notary
public. In 1910 Mr. Snyder was honored with the Democratic nomination for
representative to the State Legislature, and though the district is strongly
Republican was defeated by only two hundred votes. He is a member of the
English Lutheran Church, and fraternally an Odd Fellow in good standing.
\1t. Snyder married Regina Kuech, daughter of George Kuech, a carpenter
foreman at the Pine Hill colliery, and a resident of IMinersville. Mr. and Mrs.
Snyder have two children, Elvin and Ronald.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 317
CHARLES P. ALSPACH has been associated with the business of shoe
manufacturing from practically the beginning of his independent career, and
after a number of years' employment with some of the important concerns in
this line at Orwigsburg is now engaged in the trade on his own account.
The Alspach family has been represented in Schuylkill county for several
generations. Philip Alspach, grandfather of Charles P. Alspach, lived and
died in West Brunswick township. His children were: Daniel, Philip, Louis,
Jonas, Rebecca, Amanda and Edward.
Edward Alspach, son of I'hilip, was born Feb. i6, 1837, in West Brunswick
township, and spent all his life on the old homestead there. Farming was his
occupation, and he was widely and favorably known in his day. His death
occurred Aug. 4, 1908, and he is buried in the cemetery at the Red Church.
His widow, Mary (Boyer), daughter of Benjamin Boyer, continues to reside on
the old homestead farm in West Brunswick township. j\Ir. and Airs. Edward
Alspach were the parents of eight children : George William, Francis, Albert,
Philip, Thomas, Ida, Charles P. and Edward.
Charles P. Alspach was born Oct. 5, 1877, in West Brunswick township,
and attended the public schools of that locality. In his early years he was
engaged at the calling of his ancestors, remaining on the home farm until
eighteen years old. He then entered the employ of the Adams Shoe Company
at Adamsdale, this county, and became thoroughly familiar with the shoe busi-
ness during the six and a half years he remained there. For a short time fol-
lowing he was with the Kepner Scott Shoe Company at Orwigsburg, his next
change being to the factory of H. S. Albright, at Orwigsburg, where he was
employed for a period of eight years. Then, after a brief connection with
Bickley & Walborn, he became interested in the organization of the Orwigs-
burg Shoe Company, in 1913, and has been president from the start. Though
one of the new houses of the kind at Orwigsburg, the Orwigsburg Shoe Com-
pany is becoming well known in the trade, turning out a product of recognized
reliability, which is winning popularity with salespeople and customers alike.
The business is under capable management, and Mr. Alspach's comprehensive
experience in the trade is proving exceedingly valuable as a guide in the dis-
charge of his present responsibilities. Personally he is a man of the high.est
worth, and his standing is favorable with all who know him. He holds mem-
bership in the Independent Americans and in the P. O. S. of A., and belongs to
the Reformed Church, in which he has been a prominent worker; for six years
he held the office of deacon, and is now serving as elder.
Mr. Alspach married Emma Heim, daughter of Jonas Heim, of West Bruns-
wick township, and they have one son, Marvin Heim Alspach. Mrs. Alspach
is a Lutheran in religious connection.
MICHAEL M. DONOHUE, of Pottsville, has within the last few years
built up a business of decided worth to the community from the industrial
standpoint. Every establishment that provides profitable and helpful occupa-
tion in the borough is an attraction for industrious, desirable citizens, who will
remain where employment is plentiful and the surroundings wholesome. Mr.
Donohue's contribution to the wealth of the borough is easilv appreciable.
Personally he is a man of unassuming habits, devoted principally to his business,
but with a public-spirited concern for the local welfare which gives him a
strong position among the best element.
The Donohue familv is of Irish extraction. Martin Donohue, father of
318 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Michael M. Donohue, was born in Ireland, and was about ten years old when
he came to America. From that time he lived at Middle Creek, in Frailey
township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and he became a miner, engaging in mining
throughout his active years. His death occurred in 1908. His wife, Bridget
(AValsh), Hke himself a native of Ireland, still resides in the homestead at
Middle Creek. The following children were born to their union : Thomas died
when forty-eight years old ; John died when forty-five years old ; Alatthew died
when two years old; Martin, who is an engineer, lives at Branch Dale, this
county ; James is a cigar manufacturer at Middle Creek ; Michael M. is men-
tioned below ; Mary is married to Peter McGinn, of Shamokin, Pa. ; Anna is
the wife of Edward Brennan, of Shamokin; gridget M. is the wife of Frank
Gulong.
Michael M. Donohue was bom Feb. 5, 1873, at Middle Creek in Frailey
township, Schuylkill county, and had such educational advantages as the local
schools afforded. However, he was but a boy when he commenced work at
Middle Creek shaft as a slate picker. He continued to be employed in and
about the mines until twenty-two years old, when he came to Pottsville, becom-
ing clerk in a hotel, and working in that capacity eighteen years. At the end
of that time he went to Minersville, Schuylkill county, and engaged in the hotel
business on his own account, carrying it on there for five years, when he
returned to Pottsville. He has since been engaged in his present business, the
manufacture of ladies' underwear, in which he employs steadily eighty-five
hands. The plant, at No. 701 North Second street, which he erected specially
for the accommodation of his business, is 40 by 40 feet in dimensions, two
stories and basement. Mr. Donohue has not only been a student of market
conditions and the demands of the market, but he has always been enterprising
about producing goods which create a demand of their own, and his trade as a
consequence has become wider, his goods being shipped to all the States and to
England and Canada and South America as well. He is progressive in all
things, as he is in his business, and is considered a most valuable citizen. He is
a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, and also belongs to the
Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Demo-
crat.
Mr. Donohue married Sarah L. O'Connor, daughter of ]\Iichael O'Connor,
of Coal Castle, Cass township, Schuylkill county. They have four children,
Mary, Francis, Clement and Charles.
MARCUS BITTLE (deceased) was a worthy member of a family which
has been represented in what is now Schuylkill county for several generations,
and its members have always been among the most respected citizens of their
section, industrious, thrifty, and not only zealous in promoting their own
interests but doing their share in the advancement of the general welfare.
Christopher Bittle, great-grandfather of Marcus Bittle, came to America
Sept. 24, 1753, and first located at Ouakertown, near Philadelphia. Pa. Rupp's
Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776
says (pages 308-309) that the ship "Neptune" (John Mason, master), from
Rotterdam, last from Cowes, arrived at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1753, and gives
the name of Christoph Biittel among her passengers. At that time he_ was
only a boy. For a time he was employed upon a farm. Later he married a
Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he purchased a farm upon
which he lived for a while. Selling out, he came to what is now Schuylkill
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 319
county, locating on Summer Alountain, about half a mile east of Schuylkill
Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the Henney and Reber fam-
ilies, situated in South ^lanheim township. He sold that property and removed
to North JManheim township, where he settled on a tract lying along the road
leading from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known as the old Bartolette
farm. When he sold this he bought a farm property near Minersville (in
the same locality as -the old Thomas Shollenberger tract), and it was there
his death occurred. The place afterwards became known as the James farm.
Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was engaged to a considerable extent in
cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill, cutting his timber
and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He had the following children :
John; Jacob; Henry, who was the owner of the well known Weissmger farm
in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county ; Jonathan, who lived and died
in Panther valley, Schuylkill county; Mrs. Strauch; Mrs. Pott; Mrs. Kate
Weaver ; Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver ; Mrs. Rebecca Reed ; Mrs. Sarah Jennings,
and Airs. Warner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of Marcus Bittle.
Bom in North Manheim township, he accompanied his father on the latter's
various removals, and for a time followed farming on the tract near Miners-
ville. Later he bought a farm in Long Run valley. North IManheim township,
cleared oft the timber, and spent the remainder of his life in its cultivation,
dying there when eighty-eight years old. His wife, who was a member of the
well known Clouser family of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, did not attain so
advanced an age. They are buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
The following children were born to them : William ; Jacob, who died in
Schuylkill county ; John, who died on the homestead ; Andrew, who died at
Schuylkill Haven ; Maria, who first married a Zerbe, later a Berger ; Katie,
wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of Gabriel Groan; and Sallie, wife of Isaac
Ely.
William Bittle, son of Jacob, was born on the farm near Minersville, Schuyl-
kill coimty, and himself became a farmer, also dealing quite extensively in
horses. He owned two farms, one lying half a mile west of Schuylkill Haven,
in North Manheim township, and they contained seventy-three and one hundred
and five acres, respectively, all valuable land. During the Civil war Mr. Bittle
had charge of the recruiting office for Schuylkill county, which was established
at Pottsville, and he became well known throughout the county in the pursuit
of his various activities. His wife, Elizabeth (Berger), was the daughter of
Ludwig Berger, a man of wealth and highly respected in Schuvlkill county in
his day. Mr. Bittle died Oct. 19, 1881, his wife in February, 1883, and they
are buried in the L-nion cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They were the parents
of four children: Marcus; Frank, who is living at Schuylkill Haven; Samuel
B., also of Schuylkill Haven ; and Mary Elizabeth, who married Charles Phillips.
Marcus Bittle was born Dec. 21, 1846, on the old homestead in North Man-
heim township, in Long Run valley, was reared there, and followed farming
practically all of his active life — for a period of forty years. He bought part
of his father's farm (which was owned previously by the Kerchner familv),
having a tract of forty-eight acres now included in the borough of Schuylkill
Haven and very valuable. Part of it has been sold for building lots, Mrs.
Bittle still retaining thirty acres, where she resides. Mr. Bittle also carried
on the ice business m Schuylkill Haven, having a pond made on the farm from
which he derived his supply, and he made a success in both lines of work. His
320 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
death occurred in March, 1909, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at
Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Bittle married Rosa Kline, daughter of the late Rev. Jacob Kline, of
Schuylkill Haven, for many years affectionately and familiarly known there
as "Father" Kline. To Mr. and Airs. Bittle were born five children, all of whom
reside at Schuylkill Haven : Annie E., wife of William Spotts ; Charles H., who
is a merchant at Schuylkill Haven ; William ; Ralph, and Claude. The last
named remains at home with his mother, and they are carrying on the farming
and ice business in partnership.
Mr. Bittle was a Republican, and actively interested in the success of his
party, serving as a member of the election board. His religious connection
was with St. John's Reformed Church, and he was one of its efficient workers.
^ MAJ. J. CLAUDE WHITE filled an important place in the economic
affairs of Schuylkill county throughout his long residence there, covering
practically half a century. Much of the work inaugurated by his enterprise
is still going on, bearing witness to the wise judgment that guided him in all
of his plans, most of which were laid with the broad purpose of fostering
industrial conditions in this region as well as affording employment for his
own time and capital. Reilly township, where he located upon his arrival in
the county, has rich coal deposits upon which her population depends almost
entirely, for the meager agricultural resources have not been valuable enough
for development. The business men in the town draw their patronage from
the mine employees. In the nearby township of Hegins Major White estab-
lished his large estate, which his widow still owns, and which has made this
section known all over the country.
A native of England, Major White was born May 17, 1829. His father.
Rev. John C. White, was an Episcopal rector, located in Essex, where he
lived and died. J. Claude White was reared and educated in the country of
his birth, coming" to the United States in the year 1851. For a time he was
with an uncle in New York City, in 1852 settling in Schuylkill county, Pa.,
and devoting himself to the operation of coal properties in Reilly township.
He became a member of the firm of Brown & White, the Swatara Falls Coal
Company, who opened what was known afterwards as the Pyne colliery, in
its day one of the largest collieries in Schuylkill county and one of the most
successful coal properties in this region. In 1858. having sold his interest in
the Swatara colliery, Mr. White opened the Eagle Hill colliery, near Potts-
ville. Closing operations there in the latter part of the year i860, he removed
to Ehzabeth, N. J., and in 1861 opened an office in New York City, intending
to do business as a merchandise broker and general commission agent. But
the sudden breaking out of the war, before he had fairly started upon this
venture, changed his plans, and he locked his office to go into the Union army.
After serving three months he recruited a company in Schuylkill county
with which he went to the front as captain, and was still serving in that
capacity when assigned to the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry. To quote from the
records: "The first twelve companies of cavalry available for the purpose,
whether by reason of their presence at the seat of government or by their being
at the time in its vicinity, were brought together and organized during the
months of July and August, 1861, into a regiment designated 'The Kentucky
Light Cavalry,' William H. Young having received a commission dated July
loth, i86r, as colonel and authority to raise a regiment by that name. For what
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 321
possible or sane reason it was so named cannot now be ascertained, for eleven of
the companies composing it had been raised in Pennsylvania. The unfortunate
fact that it was so called lost the regiment its numerical precedence when, sub-
sequently, it was assigned to the quota of Pennsylvania. Company 'L' was
raised in Schuylkill county, Pa., and was mustered into service on Aug. 22,
1 861, for three years, under Captain J. Claude White, First Lieutenant Howard
Edmunds and Second Lieutenant William IL Bright." The date of Major
White's commission (as major) is Dec. i, 1862. Col. William W. Averell
was colonel of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry when he was promoted. Mr.
White was given his commission soon after. Owing to ill health he resigned
from the service in August, 1863.
For a short time thereafter ALijor White was interested in a fertilizer
factory at Alexandria, Va., but sold this business and returned to Schuylkill
county. Pa., in 1864 taking charge of the operations of the Swatara Falls
Coal Company, then owned by C. T. Yerkes and other Philadelphia men. It
has been known as the Pyne colliery since taken charge of by the Philadel-
phia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. It came into RIajor White's posses-
sion again about 1871-72, and he ran it alone profitably until shortly after
he met with an accident in May, 1875. His active connections with prop-
erties in the anthracite regions extended all through the Molly Maguires' reign
of terror, and many of his personal experiences during that period were dan-
gerous but interesting. After giving up mining he gave his attention entirely
to the management of his Hegins township estate and personal property. It
was probably his fondness for horses and skill as a horseman that led him
into the purchase of seven hundred acres in Hegins township, which he
developed into a fine stock farm. He bred high-grade horses and cattle for
which the estate became famous all over the country.
Major White used his influence to further the best interests of the com-
munity, and it was no doubt this unselfish public spirit which made him so
popular with his fellow citizens of Schuylkill county. Few men had more
real friends, and his death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1902, was sincerely
mourned by the many whose lives had been affected by contact with his. He
is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Major White was a
Mason, a member and past master of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of
Tremont, this county. Possessed of ability, foresight and qualities of leader-
ship, Major White had none of the grasping ambition which places personal
interest above any other consideration, and though he was successful in
handling his own aiYairs their prosperity was shared by the whole community.
The feeling of high regard which prevailed among all who ever knew him
showed how generally this was recognized.
Major White married Mary A. Brown, daughter of David Wilson and
Elizabeth (Percy) Brown, who survives him. Though she spends much time
in travel Mrs. White maintains the old home at Swatara, in Reilly township,
and retains ownership of the estate in Hegins township. It is not operated as
a stock farm at present. About one-third of the property is in timber.
JOHN LEONARD, deceased, was a resident of Pottsville for over forty
years and became very well known in this section of Schuylkill county, his
operations on railroad construction work bringing him into close contact with
its development and with many of the men who were active in that connec-
tion in his day. He was well liked personally, being a man who made and kept
Vol. 1—21
322 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
friends, taking the part of a public-spirited citizen in local affairs, and by his
enterprise and force gaining a place among the favorably known characters
of his generation.
Mr. Leonard was born in County Derry, Ireland, Nov. 4, 1825, son of
Elias Leonard, also a native of Ireland, who died in March, 1852, aged seventy-
six years. He was an officer in the English army and a pensioner at the time
of his death. His wife, Elizabeth (Simpson), died Oct. 10, 1846, at the age
of sixty-tive years. They had a family of sixteen children, eight sons and
eight daughters. One of the sons, Godfrey, served in the Civil war from Potts-
ville, Pa., enlisting among the "First Defenders" ; he lived and died in Pottsville,
Pennsylvania.
John Leonard grew up in his native land and came to America in young
manhood, first settling at Philadelphia, Pa. In 1852 he located at Pottsville,
and for many years thereafter w-as engaged as a railroad contractor, subse-
quently for several years conducting a hotel. He lived retired for three years
before his death, which occurred May 14, 1896. He is buried in the Charles
Baber cemetery. Mr. Leonard was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and
in religion adhered to the faith of the Episcopal Church. He served his fellow
citizens at Pottsville as a member of the council. On June 19, 1850, Mr. Leon-
ard married Mary A. Whittle, daughter of Hugh and ^largaret (Thompson)
Whittle, and a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She came to America with
her parents when fourteen years old. They were thirteen weeks on the voyage,
having the misfortune to be wrecked in midocean. Being transferred to another
vessel, they contiimed their voyage, but were unable to land at Quebec, Canada,
as they had intended, being obliged to go on up the river to Montreal, where they
landed in 1847. Mrs. Leonard has a vivid recollection of this memorable trip
to America, and also of the early life at Pottsville. She continues to reside in
the old home at No. 203 Court avenue, Pottsville, where Mr. Leonard estab-
lished the family in 1865. Her daughter and her granddaughter reside with
her. She is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard: Isabella was the seventh
person buried in the Charles Baber cemetery, Pottsville ; Elias is living in
New York City ; John is deceased ; Elizabeth resides with her mother ; Margaret
married John Young, of Newark, N. J. ; Godfrey is a resident of Lansford,
Pa. ; I\Iary died young ; Robert lives at Lebanon, Pa. ; Harry is located at Roselle
Park, N. J. ; Howard is living at Kearney, New Jersey.
JONATHAN I. YOST, a leading citizen of Walker township, business man
and farmer, and especially prominent in the furtherance of religious work, is
holding true to the standards which his ancestors have upheld for generations.
Guided by Christian principles and faithful to their ideals of right, they have
been honored members of their respective communities wherever established,
and though Mr. Yost's life is regarded as exemplary it is also recognized as
exactly what his family and friends could expect of him. Beloved in his home
and admired throughout the locality, he is bearing a worthy name well.
The Yost family is of long standing in Pennsylvania. Daniel Yost, great-
grandfather of Jonathan I. Yost, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1759,
and removed at an early day to what is now McKeansburg, Schuylkill county,
where he died in 1839. He was an active, enterprising man in his day. A
Whig in political faith, he always interested himself in public affairs, believing
it the duty of every good citizen to protect and foster the common good, and
I
SCHUYLKILJ. COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 323
lie stood deservedly high in the community, not only because of his honorable
character but also for his intelligence and good judgment. lie was called to
various positions of trust, being justice of the peace for a number of years
in his township, and discharged the duties of the office with such marked ability
and signal impartiality to all concerned that he was called up higher, being
elected associate judge of the county. Judge Yost married Barbara Hillogus,
and they had a family of ten children.
Jonathan Yost, son of Daniel, was born in Alontgomery county. Pa., in
1797, and died in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, in 1866. He
came to this county with his father, learned the blacksmith's trade and followed
it a number of years, but gave it up to go farming, which was his work during
the last twenty years of his life, lie was an active and ardent member of the
German Ixeformed Church at AIcKeansburg, serving in nearly all the official
positions in the church organization. He married Mary Kleckner, a daughter
of Andrew Kleckner, one of the" earlier emigrants from Germany into East
Brunswick township, this county, where he followed farming and where he
died. To this union were born twelve children, si.x sons and six daughters.
Daniel J. Yost was born July 22, 1820, in East Brunswick township, where
he grew up, receiving a rather limited education. He learned the trade of miller
early in life, and after working at this calling for fourteen years purchased
a gristmill, in 1855, in Schuylkill (now Walker) township, operating it until
1889, when he transferred it to his son Jonathan. Then he embarked in a mer-
cantile business at AIcKeansburg, which he carried on successfully for a period
of ten years. He died Oct. 16, 1899. He was a member of the Reformed
Church, and in politics a Republican.
On Dec. 25, 1846, Mr. Yost married Charlotte Klotz, a daughter of Christian
Klotz, of Carbon county, and to this union were born two children, both now
deceased, Ellen and Alice. His second union was with Lydia Bretney, of
Carbon county, Pa., April 16, 1854. She died Oct. 16, 1910, and is buried with
her husband at ^Iclxeansburg. They had a family of seven children : Milton
(deceased), Ellen, Jonathan I., Alice (twin sister of Emma, married to James
E. Greenawalt, of McKeansburg, a merchant), Emma (deceased). Rev. Cal-
vin D. (a graduate of Ursinus College, class of 1891, and of the seminary in
connection with the college, 1893, now instructor in German and English at that
college), and James A. (formerly a clerk in his father's store, now proprietor
of a store at Ringtown, this county).
Jonathan I. Yost was born Sept. 20, 1858, at the place in Walker town-
ship where he still resides. His early education was gained in the local public
schools, and he subsequently had the advantages of a year's academic study at
Muhlenberg Cqllege, Allentown, Pa. He then learned milling with his father,
for whom he worked from 1879 to 1889, after which he took charge of the
mill, renting it for a time and then purchasing it. His principal interests have
been there since. The establishment is now known as the Lewistown Mills,
and includes a custom gristmill, sawmill and cider mill. Mr. Yost has sixty-
three acres of valuable land adjoining his mill property and is interested to
some extent in farming, having twenty acres under cultivation, and he also has
an extensive trade as a dealer in feed. The neighboring town of Hecla is his
shipping and receiving point. .
:^Ir. Yost has not confined the exercise of his ability to the promotion of
his private interests. For twenty-one years in succession he held the position
of township auditor, and during that time also acted as secretary of the town-
324 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ship. He has been school director and secretary of the school board for a
period of seven years, and under the new code member of the board of super-
visors and secretary of that body one year. In pohtics he has been associated
with the Repubhcan party, and he has been active at the elections, serving as
inspector and clerk for many years. He holds membership in some of the local
social organizations, having belonged to Washington Camp No. lOO, P. O. S.
of A., of New Ringgold, since 1880, and to East Brunswick Lodge No. 802,
I. O. O. F., of New Ringgold, since Oct. 7, 1891. In religious work he is a
prominent member of Zion's Reformed Church at Lewistown, which he is
now serving as elder. He has been a member of the choir for forty years, and
secretary of the congregation twenty-five years. Mr. Yost has been particu-
larly enthusiastic in the Sunday school, has taught the same Bible class for
thirty-eight years, and for thirty-hve years he has been superintendent of
Zion's Union Sunday school, having been first elected in May, 1880, and
served uninterruptedly since. His work has been highly acceptable, not only
because his interest has shown no diminution, but also on account of the
progressive spirit which has kept him at the head of all forward movements.
Always anxious to keep abreast of the times, in 1913 he took the teacher's
training course outlined by Oliver, and graduated with an average of ninety-
eight per cent. Zion's is a "front line" Sunday school, with an enrollment of
125 members and a high average of attendance, thanks to the hearty coopera-
tion of the superintendent and devoted assistants. Among its members were
formerly Rev. Dr. George Stibitz, of the Central Theological Seminary, and
Dr. Charles Boyer, of the Keystone State Normal School, who left the year
Mr. Yost took the superintendency.
On Dec. 27, 1884, Mr. Yost married Catherine Ann Stein, who was born
Nov. II, 1866, at Lewistown, in Walker township, this county, received her
education in the district schools, and remained at home until her marriage. In
girlhood she was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, but upon her marriage
changed her membership to the Reformed Church, where she has worked
loyally side by side with her husband. She has been a teacher in the infant
department of the Sunday school for some years. Five children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Yost: (i) Herbert Daniel, born April 21, 1886, began
his education in Walker township and had a year's study at the Kutztown State
Normal School. He is now assisting his father at the mill. On Oct. 3, 1908,
he married Hilda Lilly Billman, born Dec. 25, 1883; and their children are:
Nevin Lester, born March 13, 1910, and ]\Iyrtle Catherine, born Nov. 27,
1914. (2) Laura Lydia, born ]\Iay 29, 1888, graduated from the Keystone
State Norma! School, class of 191 1, and is now a teacher in East Bnmswick
township. She taught school in Walker township for four years and has
taught four years in East Brunswick township. (3) Claude Calvin, born April
9, 1890, died Feb. 24, 1891. (4) Charles Henry, born March 11, 1894, a
graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 191 1, also attended
Schissler's business college, at Norristown, Pa., and took a summer course at the
University of Pennsylvania. He is now a teacher of the commercial depart-
ment in the high school at Clearfield, Pa. (5) Paul Jonathan, born June 17,
1900, is attending school in Walker township.
Daniel Stein, Mrs. Yost's father, was born May 24, 1818, in Albany town-
ship, Berks Co., Pa., son of George and Magdalene (Smith) Stein, who are
buried at Bethel Church, in Albany township. He obtained his education in
the pay schools conducted during his boyhood, and in 1855 moved to Walker
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENx\SYLVANL\ 325
township, Schuylkill county, where he bought a tract of 100 acres upon which
he resided until his death. General fanning was his occupation, and he was
thrifty and prosperous. He married Lessina Greenawalt, who was born Feb. 24,
i8jo, and died Feb. 24, 1893, a few months after his death, which occurred
Dec. 19. 1892. They are buried in the graveyard of Zion's Reformed Church,
at Lewistown, of which congregation he had been a prominent member, serving
many years as elder. Politically he was a Republican. They were the parents
of the following children: Mollie Ann married Simon Ruch ; Willoughby,
•deceased, married Amanda Ringer; Lydia Ann married Simon Merkle, who
is deceased ; Eliza Ann married John F. Ringer, who is decea-^ed ; Jonathan
married Alary Rine; Solomon married ALntilda Zehner; Nathan married
Messina Ringer; Levi died when four years old; Catherine Ann is the wife
of Jonathan L Yost.
ROBERT A. REID, retired, a resident of Pennsylvania for the last sixty
years, is a native of Scotland, born Jan. 22, 1842, near Stirling. George Reid,
his father, was a native of Scotland also, born in 1795, and there following the
manufacture of linen and woolen goods until he brought his family to America,
in 1854. They landed at New York and came at once to Pottsville, Pa., where
Mr. Reid followed weaving until his death. He is buried in the Odd Fellows
cemetery. His wife, Janet (Graham), born in the same town as her husband,
died at Pottsville, she and her husband passing away in the home at No. 511
East Norwegian street, which they built and which is now owned by their son
Robert. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a large
family, namely: William, Janet G., John G., George, Mary, Thomas D., Ellen,
Robert A., James W., Andrew and Christianna.
Robert A. Reid obtained most of his education in Scotland, attending public
school for a few years at Pottsville. Leaving school at the age of sixteen he
found employment at the old Fishback rolling mills, as hooker up at the rolls,
and continued at this work for two years. He then went to Palo Alto mills,
run by Mr. Haywood, where he was employed until the Civil war broke out, in
September, 1861, enlisting in Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, with
which he served for three years. The following appears in Mulholland's His-
torj' of Honor, published in 1905: "Air. Reid was born at Raploch, near
Stirling, Scotland, Jan. 22, 1842, enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, Company G, 48th
Pennsylvania Infantry, and served at the front for three years; was discharged
with his regiment Sept. 30, 1864, at the Weldon R. R., Va. This is part of his
record: At Petersburg, June 17, 1864, captured the flag of the 44th Tennessee
Infantry, and these few words tell of a severe fight, of a hand to hand struggle
in which Mr. Reid conquered. A splendid soldier and true son of old Scotland,
brave, fearless and heroic, and took part in all the engagements of his regiment.
Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Alountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Wil-
derness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and siege of Petersburg, and was never
wounded."
After his return from the army Mr. Reid settled at Pottsville, and resumed
work in the rolling mill, remaining there for ten years. Removing to Danville,
Montour county, he continued to work as a roller, being engaged there for a
period of twenty years, at the end of which time he returned to Pottsville.
Thereafter until his retirement, in the fall of 1913, he was employed in the
Reading Company's shops. Mr. Reid is a citizen of public spirit, and has
always found time to do his share in promoting the best interests of the com-
326 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
munity. He believes the provision of excellent educational advantages is one
of the most important duties of the government, and he has served as a mem-
ber of the school boards both at Pottsville and Danville, at the latter place
acting as president of the board, and at present (1914) as secretary of the
Pottsville public school board. In political connection he is a Republican. Mr.
Reid is well known among local social organizations, belonging to Pulaski
Lodge, No. 2i6, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; to Mountain City
Chapter. R. A. M. ; and the Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which
he is a charter member. By virtue of his military service he holds membership
in Gowen Post, G. A. R., and the Medal of Honor Legion, and is secretary of
the Survivors' Association of his regiment, whose headquarters are at Potts-
ville.
Mr. Reid married Sarah Jane Beacham, daughter of John Beacham, an
Englishman by birth, who came to America many years ago and followed
mining. Seven children have been bom to this marriage : John G., a civil engi-
neer, a graduate of the Lehigh University, class of 1893, is now located at
Philadelphia as chief of surveys for the Traction Company ; Bessie B., unmar-
ried, resides at home; William is a mining engineer in the employ of the
Girard Estate and lives on South Jackson street, Pottsville ; Thomas D.,
a stenographer, is a resident of Philadelphia ; George, Janet and Thomas are
deceased. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
IRWIN H. BECKER is conceded to be the leading contractor and builder
at Schuylkill Haven, and with a large share of the most substantial buildings
of the borough to his credit is fairly entitled to such reputation. He has been
doing business independently since 1886, being now the oldest man in the
borough in his line, so far as the length of his career is concerned. As to
his standing, the class of construction turned over to him is enough to make
it clear that there is no more reliable man in the vicinity. As he owns and
operates a lumber and planing mill, he has special convenience for facilitating
his work which makes it possible for him to fill his contracts promptly, the
various branches of his business working to their mutual advantage.
Mr. Becker belongs to a family which has been well known in Schuylkill
county for manv years. Charles Becker, his grandfather, was born in South
Manheim township, this county. He was a carpenter by trade, but after follow-
ing this calling for some time settled down to farming in South Manheim
township, where he owned a tract of iii acres. He continued its cuUivation
until eight years before his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six
years old, at the home of his son Jonathan. He is buried at the old cemetery
in Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Becker married Mary Shower, a native of Berks
county. Pa., who died at the age of seventy-four years, and is buried at Sum-
mer J\Iountain Church, in South Manheim township. They were the parents
of seven children: Henry; Rosa, who married David Schwenk ; Jonathan;
Mary, Mrs. Fisher; Charles; and two who died young.
Henry Becker, son of Charles, was born in Schuylkill Flaven. For a num-
ber of years he was engaged in boating on the canal, and was afterwards
employed running a stationary engine. His death occurred in igi2, and he is
buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He married Sarah Wilder-
muth, and they had children as follows : Mary, Irwin H., Walter S., William,
Samuel (deceased), and Harry.
Irwin H. Becker was born Feb. 8, 1862, at Schuylkill Haven, and had
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 327
common school advantages in his youth. He was employed on the canal for a
few years during his earlier life, afterwards learning the carpenter's trade,
at which he worked as a journeyman for three years before commencing busi-
ness for himself. Since i88b he has been contracting on his own account, and
his business has expanded to such proportions that he now employs from thirty
to forty hands, usually having from ten to fifteen carpenters alone on his staff.
Practically all of the modern buildings in the borough are of his construction,
including most of the factories and the Methodist church, the First National
Bank building, and the Trust Company building. Outside of the borough some
of his most important contracts were for the Methodist church at Tremont,
and two railway stations for the Philadelphia & Reading Company, one at
Auburn and one at Minersville, this county. Mr. Becker has made steady
progress at his work, adding facilities as the increasing demands of his work
permitted, and gathering a complete equipment for carrying on his business.
He has aimed to keep abreast o^' modern ideas on construction, and to embody
the most approved ideas in the work intrusted to him, and the severe tests
which his construction has stood are enough to prove that the confidence of
his patrons in his trustworthiness has not been misplaced. His strong per-
sonality, honorable methods, and wide-awake disposition are the forces which
have given him a foremost place among business men in his community.
Mr. Becker married Kate Berger, daughter of Isaac Berger, and they have
the following family : Edwin, Raymond, Blanche, Nathan, Samuel and Henry.
The family belong to the Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven.
WILLIAM F. WEBER, of Pottsville, is a business man of high standing
and one who has turned his ability to account in assisting various local enter-
prises to success, besides his private interests. He is carrying on an old estab-
lished undertaking business, one of the oldest in this section, his father having
founded it many years ago, keeping alive a name which has been associated
with the business prosperity of the borough and county for half a century.
Louis Weber, father of William F. Weber, was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, and was engaged as a sashmaker. He came to America when a
young man, and landing at Philadelphia remained in that city for one year,
during which time he was employed as a chairmaker. Lie then came to Potts-
ville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he found work with Mr. Gressang, who had
a furniture and undertaking business, remaining with him for about ten years.
In 1870 he established a business of his own, in the furniture and undertaking
line, his first location being on Centre street, near Alinersville street. From
there he removed to Railroad and East streets, where he did business for two
years, when he erected the building on Minersville street, near Fourth, where
he afterwards had his business and place of residence. He built up a profitable
patronage and attended to it until his retirement, in 1884, when he sold the
business to his son Jacob. His remaining years were spent in the enjoyment of
the ample means he had acquired. His death occurred Feb. 5, 1907.
Mr. Weber married Dorothy Kraus, who, like himself, was a native of
Germany, Wurtemberg, and came to America, when a young girl. She pre-
ceded him to the grave, passing away in October. 1904. the following children
were born to their union: Caroline married John Rubert : Jacob, as above
noted, took over his father's business, and for some time was located where the
Francis Schramm hotel now stands, on Centre street, later moving back to
the place on Minersville street, which his father had built, continuing in the
328 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
business there until his death, May ii, 1896 (he had two brick buildings on
Laurel street, which connected with the store on Minersville street) ; Lewis
died in Chicago, HI. ; William F. is mentioned below ; Clara lives at home ; Eliza-
beth married Boyd Gilmore ; Emma is at home.
William F. Weber was born in Pottsville Oct. 22, 1864, and had the advan-
tages afforded by the public schools of the town. When old enough to work
he began to assist his father, remaining with the latter until his retirement,
when he went to Philadelphia. In that city he was engaged in the confectionery
business for one and a half years in partnership with his brother-in-law. Re-
turning to Pottsville, he found employment with his brother Jacob until May,
1888, when he went to Germantown, Pa., and took a position with Kirk &
Nice, undertakers, in which employ he continued for a period of eight years.
After the death of his brother Jacob, in 1896, he bought out the business in
Pottsville established by his father and has since conducted it very successfully.
The large trade has increased steadily under his management, and he is one
of the best known men in his line in Schuylkill county, and, in fact, throughout
this section of Pennsylvania. His business and place of residence are at No.
306 West Market street. Mr. Weber has numerous social connections, and
is particularly well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Pulaski Lodge, No.
216, F. & A. M., of Pottsville; Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M. ;
Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T. ; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
of Reading ; Philadelphia Consistory ; and the Sphinx Club. He has been promi-
nent in the work of the local Y. M. C. A., being at present one of the board
of managers and a member of the executive committee; he is also a member
of the board of managers of the Pottsville hospital, and chairman of the real
estate committee of that body. Mr. Weber's religious connection is with
the German Lutheran Church, in which he is quite active and is at present
one of the trustees; he was chairman of the building committee when the
present beautiful church was constructed. Mr. Weber has proved a useful and
desirable citizen in his various associations.
On Oct. 22, 1889, Mr. Weber married Mary M. Moser, daughter of John
Moser, of Pottsville. They have no children.
ALBERT L. REED, of Orwigsburg, is a member of the firm of the Reliable
Shoe Company, which has a large plant and gives employment to about one
hundred people. Mr. Reed's association with this concern dates from the year
of its establishment, 1894, and its advancement to a leading position among
the factories of this vicinity may be credited largely to his persistent endeavors.
Mr. Reed is a son of the late Solomon Reed, of Orwigsburg, and his grand-
father lived and died near Pine Grove, Schuylkill county. The latter's family
consisted of twelve sons and one daughter.
Solomon Reed, father of Albert L. Reed, followed the trade of machinist
at Hazleton, Pa., until his removal to Orwigsburg. There he was engaged
as a wheelwright by Edw. Peale, in whose employ he remained for twenty-three
years. He died at Orwigsburg in 1898. His wife, Catherine (Fisher), of
North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, died in 1891, and they are buried
at Orwigsburg. They had a large family, namely : Louisa, deceased ; George ;
William, deceased ; Emma, who married Abraham Zuber ; Albert L. ; Edward
H., one of the partners in the Reliable Shoe Company ; Frank, a cigarmaker ;
Ella, wife of William Thomas; and Gertrude, living at Orwigsburg.
Albert L. Reed was born in March, 1868, at Orwigsburg. and obtained his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 329
education in the public schools of the borough. He is a self-made man, having
advanced entirely through his own etiforts. After doing farm work for four
years, he entered the shoe factory of Shoencr & Company, where he was
employed for a period of fourteen years, until he left it to enter business for
himself, as a member of the Reliable Shoe Company. His associates are O. S.
Lleist, who is treasurer, and his brother Edward H. Reed, and in 191 1 they
were joined by Joe L. Ege, who became the ofilice man. The concern has
attained a leading position among the industrial establishments of the section.
The product is infants', children's and misses' tine shoes, high-gratle turns,
McKay and welts, and is marketed in the South and West. The large plant
now necessarj' to accommodate the business is equipped with the most modern
and approved machinery, and provided with thorough facilities for the prompt
execution of orders. Every department of the business is managed with the
utmost regard for efSciency and well judged economy. Albert L. Reed has
charge of the stock room, and also attends to the buying of leather in his
department.
Mr. Reed has given his fellow citizens the benefit of his best efYorts in their
service, and is at present filling his third term as member of the borough
council. He has taken a leading part in the deliberations of that body, and
is chairman of the street and water committees, both handling matters of the
greatest importance to the general welfare. The high regard which his towns-
men have of his personal worth as well as his executive ability is shown in the
hearty support he has received at the ballot, having always had the highest
vote on the ticket. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the
Reformed Church, and socially of the P. O. S. of A. and the Independent
Americans.
Mr. Reed married Kate Andreas, daughter of William F. Andreas, of
Lehigh county. Pa., and they have a family of four children: Martha, who
graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1915; Vernon;
Albert, and Arthur.
SAMUEL B. BITTLE is widely known among agriculturists in his section
of Schuylkill county and to the business men of Schuylkill Haven« where he
has been dealing in agricultural implements and harness for the last thirty-five
years. He is established at the western limits of the borough. Mr. Bittle is
an accomplished mechanic and has had considerable experience with patents
of various kinds, and in all his relations with his associates has proved an
intelligent, reliable adviser, never abusing the confidence which his patrons
repose in him.
The Bittle family is one of long standing in Schuylkill county, where the
emigrant ancestor, Christopher Bittle, settled before the days of its organi-
zation. He came to America Sept. 24, 1753, at which time he was only a boy,
and first located at Ouakertown, near Philadelphia. Rupp's Thirty Thousand
Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, says (pages 308-309)
that the ship "Neptune" (John Mason, master), from Rotterdam, last from
Cowes, arrived at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1753, and gives the name of Christoph
Biittel among her passengers. For a time he was employed upon a farm.
Later he married a Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he pur-
chased a farm upon which he lived for a while. Selling out. he came to what
is now Schuylkill county, locating on Summer ^Mountain, about half a mile
east of Schuylkill Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the Henney
330 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
and Reber families, situated in South Manheim township. He sold that prop-
erty and removed to North Manheim township, where he settled on a tract
lying along the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known
as the old Bartolette farm. When he sold this he bought a fann property near
Minersville (in the same locality as the old Thomas Shollenberger tract), and it
was there his death occurred. The place afterwards became known as the
James farm. Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was engaged to a consider-
able extent in cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill, cut-
ting his timber and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He had the follow-
ing children: John; Jacob; Henry, who was the owner of the well known
Weissinger farm in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county; Jonathan,
who lived and died in Panther valley, Schuylkill county; Mrs. Maria Strauch ;
Mrs. Molly Pott; Mrs. Kate Weaver; Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver; Mrs. Rebecca
Reed ; Mrs. Sarah Jennings, and Mrs. Eva Warner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of Samuel B. Bittle,
of Schuylkill Haven. Born in North Manheim township, he accompanied his
father on the latter's various removals, and for a time followed farming on
the tract near Minersville. Later he bought a farm in Long Run valley. North
Manheim township, cleared off the timber, and spent the remainder of his life
in its cultivation, dying there when eighty-eight years old. His wife, who was
a member of the well known Clouser family of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, did
not attain so advanced an age. They are buried in the old cemeterj' at Schuyl-
kill Haven. The following children were born to them : William ; Jacob, who
died in Schuylkill county ; John, who died on the homestead ; Andrew, who
died at Schuylkill Haven ; Maria, who first married a Zerbe, later a Berger ;
Katie, wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of Gabriel Groan; and Sallie, wife of
Isaac Ely.
William Bittle, son of Jacob, was born on the farm near Minersville, Schuyl-
kill county, and himself became a farmer, also dealing quite extensively in
horses. He owned two farms, one lying half a mile west of Schuylkill Haven,
in North Manheim township, and they contained seventy-three and one hun-
dred and five acres, respectively, all valuable land. During the Civil war Mr.
Bittle had charge of the recruiting office for Schuylkill county, which was
established at Pottsville, and he became well known throughout the county in
the pursuit of his various activities. His wife, Elizabeth (Berger), was the
daughter of Ludwig Berger, a man of wealth and highly respected in Schuyl-
kiircounty in his day. Mr. Bittle died Oct. 19, 1881, his wife in Februar)-,
1883. and they are buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They
were the parents of four children : Marcus, Frank (living at Schuylkill Haven),
Samuel B. and Mary Elizabeth (who married Charles Phillips).
Samuel B. Bittle was born Dec. 11, 1852, in North Manheim township,
Schuylkill county. He was given common school advantages for the acquisi-
tion of an education, and was reared a farmer, his early experience proving
very valuable to him in the business he has since adopted, enabling him to
understand the needs of his customers and the relative efficiency of the imple-
ments he handles. In 1879 he began dealing in farm machiner)' and harness,
and he has built up a large trade by his accommodating methods. _ His immense
stock is well selected, from the best and most approved goods in the market,
and is so complete that the farmer knows he can supply all his wants there-
from. Mr. Bittle keeps his place in excellent order, economizing both space
and time by his up-to-date methods and convenient arrangement of the large
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ :53l
line he carries. He handles gas and gasoline engines, wagons of various kinds,
buggies, surreys, and agricultural implements, besides looking after repairs on
same, and the advantage of having so thoroughly equipped an establishment in
the vicinity is fully appreciated by those who deal with Mr. Liittle. lie has a
familiar knowledge of machinery and is skilled in patents, having himself
invented several devices. The most notable was the magnet to extract all
metallic substances from wheat as it passes into the rollers, though he was
"done" out of the credit for this invention and never reaped any of the
rewards. For his own pleasure Mr. iJittle has given considerable time to paint-
ing, his artistic talent being shown in a number of pictures he has produced,
among them an excellent likeness of Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. IJittle united with the Reformed Church some years ago. On political
questions he is associated with the Republican party. He is unmarried.
JOSEPH SCHWARTZ held an honored place among his fellow citizens
in Wayne township, Schuylkill county, through a long and useful career, and at
Schuylkill Haven, where he passed the closing years of his worthy life, was
regarded with equal esteem. As an agriculturist who won unusual success, he
was looked up to as an authority in his chosen calling, and he was no less ad-
mired as a inan, his admirable qualities manifesting themselves in helpful asso-
ciation with all he knew. His life and work had an appreciable effect on the
community where his lot was cast, and though he never presumed to leader-
ship he set an example well worthy of emulation. Mr. Schwartz was born in
Wayne township Jan. 7, 1834, son of Wendel Schwartz, and of German descent.
His father lived for a time in Berks county. Pa., finally settling in Wayne town-
ship, Schuylkill county, where he died. By occtipation he was a farmer. He
was twice married, and Joseph, born to the second union, had one full brother,
William, who died unmarried in Wayne township, and one sister, Annie. He
had three half brothers, Daniel, Samuel and George.
Joseph Schwartz was reared to farm life and spent all his active years in
the cultivation of the soil in W'ayne township, where he acquired the ownership
of two fine farms, about three miles from Friedensburg, comprising about one
hundred and fifty acres each. Their care and management occupied most of
his life. In 1907 he built a fine residence on Bern street, in Schuylkill Haven,
to which he removed, and thereafter lived retired until his death, which occurred
Dec. 25, 1912, when he was aged seventy-eight years. He is buried in Friedens-
burg Church cemetery in Wayne township. Mr. Schwartz was a Lutheran in
religious faith. Township aiTairs interested him, and he did a good citizen's
share in the administration of the local government, serving for many years
as a member of the school board. He was one of the best known men of his
section, where he had many friends, and his intelligent conduct of his extensive
farming interests stimulated many ventures in his locality which aided its
progress.
Mr. Schwartz married, ]March 13, 1858, Mary Ann Sheafer, who was born
May 31, 1840, in Wayne township, a daughter of Jacob Sheafer, and she con-
tinues to occupy the Bern street home in Schuylkill Haven. Seventeen children
were bom to this union: Caroline E., Franklin W., August, Sallie, Catherine,
Andrew J., Jacob, Joseph, Marion (who died in infancy), one that died in
infancy unnamed, Rebecca, Ellen, Matilda, another that died in infancy
unnamed, Charles M., Phronie B. and Mary A. The youngest daughter, Mary
A., is at home with her mother.
332 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
HARVEY D. PETRY, o'f Pottsville, bears a name which has been honored
in Schuylkill county from the days of its early settlement, he being a member
of the lifth generation in this region. The family is of German origin and
the name was originally spelled Petri. His great-great-grandfather was the
ancestor who came to this country from Germany and settled in Berks county,
Pa. He and also his son Jacob, the great-grandfather of Harvey D. Petry,
lived in what is now West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, near Auburn.
The latter had a farm of 129 acres and prospered in its cultivation, building a
new house and barn to take the place of the old log structures originally erected
there in pioneer days. Jacob Petry died on the farm at the age of eighty-eight
years and was buried at Auburn. His children were as follows : Daniel ;
Jacob ; Mary, who died unmarried ; Catherine, who died unmarried ; Rebecca,
who married Jacob Seltzer ; and Elizabeth, who married Conrad Moyer.
Daniel Petry, son of Jacob, was born in 1825 on the old homestead place,
and in his earlier manhood followed carpentry, building boats for use on the
canal. Later he turned his attention to farming, operating the home property.
He died in June, 191 1, at the age of eighty-six years, and is buried at Leesport,
Berks county. By his first marriage, to Lavina Reichendolfer, he had the fol-
lowing children : Joseph, who is living at Auburn, this county ; Charles, of
Reading, Pa. ; Emma, who married John Mengel, and died at Frackville ;
Joanna, the wife of Oscar Seidel, of Reading, Pa.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Sanders,
who died in Bethlehem, Pa. ; and William. For his second wife Daniel Petry
married Catherine Louden, who is now living at Leesport, Pa. To this union
were born three children : Jacob, who lives in Philadelphia ; Ella, wife of Harry
Baltzer, of Leesport, Pa. ; and Louisa, deceased.
William Petry, son of Daniel by his first marriage, was born Nov. 22, 1851,
in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he was reared and
educated. He was brought up to farming, which he continued to follow for
about six years after commencing regular work, but since 1872 he has been in
the employ of the Reading Company. He married Matilda Moyer, daughter of
Simon Moyer, and they have a family of five children: Wilmer, of Schuylkill
Haven ; Lillie ; Herman, who lives at home ; Harvey D. ; and Elvina, at home.
Harvey D. Petry was born April 28, 1886, near Auburn, Schuylkill county,
and his education was acquired in the public schools of Atiburn and Schuylkill
Haven. When he began work he was in an underwear mill at the latter place,
and he learned the business thoroughly during the twelve years of his employ-
ment in that establishment. From there he went to Philadelphia, where he was
employed in the same line of work for two and a half years, at the end of that
time returning to Schuylkill county and locating at Pottsville, where, in Sep-
tember, 1909, he formed his present business association. In partnership with
E. I. Elliott and R. C. Horn, Mr. Petry owns and operates the Glen Knitting
Mills Company, whose plant is at the rear of Tenth and Market streets,
Pottsville. It is a two-story building, completely equipped with all the neces-
sary modem machinery for the manufacture of ladies' fine ribbed underwear,
and the volume of the business has multiplied several times since its inception.
Fifteen people were employed at the start, while the regular force now consists
of from seventy-five to eighty hands. Mr. Petry is president and manager of
the concern and ]\Ir. Elliott, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Petry has spared
neither time nor effort to familiarize himself thoroughly with the requirements
of his business and the development of the Glen Knitting Mills Company has
been carried out along the most conservative and approved business lines. Mr.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 333
Petry and his partners deserve great credit for the progress they have made
during the comparatively brief existence of their business, and its value to the
community is greatly appreciated.
Mr. i'etry is married to Ida Fenstermacher, daughter of George Fenster-
macher, of Cressona, Schuylkill county. They have had two children, Leona
and Wayne. Mr. Petrj' has been a member of the Reformed Church at Potts-
ville for many years, and socially belongs to the Jr. O. U. A. M. council, at
Schuylkill Haven.
FREDERICK B. REED, of Schuylkill Haven, present postmaster of that
borough, is known to practically all of its citizens, and he has been engaged in
the post office continuously almost from youth. Born June 21, 18S5, ^t Schuyl-
kill Haven, he is a son of Gordon D. Reed and a member of the Reed family
which has been established in Schuylkill county for several generations.
John Reed, great-grandfather of Frederick B. Reed, lived at Reedsville,
Schuylkill county, and was one of the well known farmers of that section in
his day. He owned the tract now in the possession of Oscar Mengle. He was
twice married, his second wife's maiden name being Kimmel, and they are
buried at Reedsville. To this marriage were bom children as follows : George,
William, Daniel K., Elias, Hannah (married Peter Reed), and Elizabeth (mar-
ried William Fehr).
Daniel K. Reed, son of John, above, was born at Reedsville, and like his
father followed farming. He was also an auctioneer, his services being in
great demand. After his marriage he removed to Wayne township, where he
had a farm of eighty acres, and he died there at the age of fifty-four years;
he is buried in the cemetery at Friedensburg. He married Susan Berger,
daughter of Ludwig Berger, of North Manheim township, and they became
the parents of the following children : Lyman G. lives at Friedensburg, this
county ; Mendon died at Friedensburg ; Elizabeth married Lewis Brown, who
lived at Cressona, and who was at one time county commissioner ; Arabella
married William W. Berkheiser, and is living in South Manheim township ;
Ida married Lewis Brown, of Washington township, and both are deceased;
Gordon D. is the father of Frederick B. Reed ; Sherman H. is a farmer and
auctioneer, living near Cressona ; Annie married George Emerich.
Gordon D. Reed was born Nov. 19, 1862, at Friedensburg, and spent his
youth in the manner usual among farmers' sons. When old enough he went
to learn the carpenter's trade, which he has followed practically all the time,
for fourteen years as an employee in the car shops. From 1896 to 1897 he
was steward of the county almshouse. During his residence in Wayne town-
ship he filled the office of school director for two terms and took the census
in 1890, but he never held any public position during his residence in Schuylkill
Haven, whither he moved in 1898, though always interested in local affairs
and willing to do his share towards securing competent officials and conditions
favorable to the general welfare. Politically he is a Republican ; socially a
member of the P. O. S. of A., Jr. O. U. A. M. and the Veteran Relief ; and
he belongs to the Lutheran Church.
To his marriage with Elizabeth B. Riland, daughter of Burkhart Riland,
of Friedensburg, this county, has been born a family of eleven children,
namely : Frederick B., Annie, Elizabeth, Mary, Helen, Gordon D., Jr., Elsie,
Alice, Dora, and two that died in infancy.
Frederick B. Reed obtained his education in the public schools of Schuylkill
334 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Haven, attending high school. During Speaker Walton's term at Harrisburg,
Mr. Reed was appointed page in the House of Representatives, serving during
the session of 1903, and on his return to Schuylkill Haven became assistant
postmaster. He served in that capacity until 1910, after which he was acting
postmaster for one year, and on Dec. 12, 191 1, was appointed to the office
for a four years' term. His long experience in the office had made him so
thoroughly familiar with its duties that he was well prepared to meet its require-
ments to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens, and his services have
been highly creditable. He is a director and secretary of the Textile and
Sterling Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, both of Schuylkill Haven, of the
former since 1910, the latter since 1913.
Mr. Reed is well known in fraternal bodies, belonging to Page Lodge, No.
270, F. & A. M., of which he has just been chosen master for the year of 1915 ;
to Philadelphia Consistory; to Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading:
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Jr. Order United American
Mechanics ; and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. Like the family generally
he is identified with the German Lutheran Church.
Mr. Reed married Viola McDonald, daughter of William McDonald, of
Schuylkill Haven.
C. FRED KL^LL, deceased, came to Ashland over fifty years ago and
throughout the period of his residence there was associated with the furniture
and undertaking business, a few years after his arrival founding the establish-
ment which he carried on until his death, and which has since been conducted
by his son and namesake.
Mr. Kull was a native of Wurtemberg, Gennany, and his father. Christian
Kull, died in that country. Coming to America in 1855, C. Fred Kull settled
at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker and
incidentally also followed chairmaking. In 1863 he moved to Ashland, this
county, where he worked on his own account in the Mandler house. Before
long he entered into a partnership with a Mr. Humble, under the firm name
of Humble & Kull, their operations at first being as manufacturers and deal-
ers in furniture. In time they added the undertaking business, and continued
to carry on both lines for forty-four years, during which time the present
business site was purchased. Eventually Mr. Kull bought the interest of his
partner, and he retained his connection with the business until his death, which
occurred Aug. 2, 1907. He was a typical representative of his race. He had
the skill acquired in thorough training, and his work could be relied upon in
every particular. When he began business on his own account his thrift and
foresight soon enabled him to place his affairs on a substantial basis, and he
never did anything to impair the high standing which he enjoyed in the com-
munity. Mr. Kull was married at Pottsville to Sophia Mayer, a native of
Germany, where her parents died. She came to America when fifteen years
old with two uncles, and still makes her home at Ashland. Six sons and two
daughters were born to her marriage with Mr. Kull, the eldest being C. Fred.
Jr., who is mentioned fully below; Emma is the wife of Albert Binder, of
Newark, N. J. ; John H. is a business man of Ashland, dealing in drv goods,
notions and carpets, and also has an interest in the furniture and undertaking
business of his deceased father; August is also interested in the business con-
ducted by his father's estate ; Mary lives at home ; Elmer is connected with
the furniture and undertaking business ; Albert and William are deceased.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\ 335
C. Fred Kull, eldest son of the late C. Fred Kull, is manager and executor
of his father's estate. He received his education in the schools of Ashland
and from the time he entered business assisted his father, becoming so thor-
oughly familiar with the trade in its various branches that upon his father's
death he took full charge of the place. Under his management the establish-
ment has continued its prosperous career, and he has proved himself thoroughly
capable of handling the interests of the estate to the best possible advantage.
Like his father he is a man of high character and many substantial qualities.
In 1884 Mr. Kull married Jennie Lhnlauf, a native of Ashland. Her par-
ents, Jennie and Peter Umlauf, are both deceased. Four sons and two daugh-
ters have been bom to this marriage, Albert, William and Louis surviving.
Mr. Kull and his mother are members of the German Lutheran Church at
Ashland, the rest of the family being associated with the English Lutheran
Church.
GEORGE B. RAUCH, of Schuylkill Haven, is a member of a family
which has been associated with the growth of Schuylkill county for several
generations and at all times identified with the substantial element of citizen-
ship. His grandfather, Benjamin Ranch, was born in or near Schuylkill
Haven, followed farming, and died at that place, where he is buried. His wife
was a Kramer, and their children were : John, Henry, David, Mary and
Annetta.
John Ranch, father of George B. Ranch, was born in Schuylkill Haven, and
is buried at that place. In early life he became employed upon the canal, and
after following boating for a time entered the service of the Reading Rail-
way Company, by faithful and efficient service winning promotion to the posi-
tion of engineer. He met an accidental death when forty-two years old at
Palo Alto, this county, receiving fatal injuries when he fell from his engine.
His wife was Amelia Leipensberger, daughter of George and Hettie (Miller)
Leipensberger, the former a native of Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., where
he died. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ranch ; Benjamin,
who died young; George B. ; and Ellnora E., widow of W. C. Kepner, of
Orwigsburg.
George B. Ranch was born March 15, 1862, at Schuylkill Haven, where
he was reared. After receiving public school advantages he commenced boat-
ing on the Schuylkill canal and followed that occupation for a period of fifteen
years. In 1892 he became engaged in the coal business at Schuylkill Haven as
a retailer and built up a profitable trade as a dealer in that line, which he con-
tinued until April, 1900, at that time selling out to E. H. Borda. He has since
been interested in the same line as a wholesale dealer, and in that connection
has established an extensive business, his customers being in Reading, Phila-
delphia and other cities of eastern Pennsylvania. He represents the St. Clair
and !Mount Hope Coal Companies. His home is at Schuylkill Haven. Mr.
Rauch owns a fine farm of 140 acres in South Manheim township, Schuylkill
county, and from 1906 to 1912 gave a considerable part of his time and atten-
tion to its cultivation and management. He now rents the property. Though
the widening of his interests has drawn him away from his home borough to
some extent, he is as deeply concerned for its welfare as ever, and is never
backward in the support of worthy local enterprises or in public-spirited
activity for the promotion of any movement designed for the benefit of. the
community. He is widely known in and around Schuylkill Haven, a member
336 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of the German Lutheran Church, and has given honorable service as a member
of the town council, in which body his practical good sense, and ability to carry
to completion successfully whatever he felt was necessary for the good of the
town, made him highly valued by his colleagues.
Mr. Ranch married Mary C. Croll, daughter of Daniel A. Croll, and they
have a family of three children : John, Albert and Sarah, all at home.
CHRISTIAN SCHMIDT, of Shenandoah, has achieved in the building
up of the business of the Home Brewing Company a triumph for local indus-
trial interests of permanent value. He has been at the head of the company
throughout the period of its existence, so most of the credit for its develop-
ment is due to him. Though not one of the oldest concerns in the borough
it is one of the largest, and in its relation to the volume of business done in
the town and surrounding territory one of the most important. It has
occupied the chief place in Mr. Schmidt's business activities since its estab-
lishment, but with the passing of time he has acquired other responsibilities,
in Shenandoah and elsewhere, through which he is closely associated with the
progress of this region in a broad sense. With strength of character he
possesses many other admirable traits, which have brought him personal
popularity irrespective of his standing in the more conventional relations of
life.
Mr. Schmidt is of German origin and parentage. His grandfather, Peter
Schmidt, was a native of Nassau, Germany, and owned a small farm which
he operated in connection with work at his trade, being a terra cotta molder.
He died in 1847, when about sixty years old, and is buried in the Catholic
cemetery at Dorndorfif, Nassau, having been a member of that parish. His
widow, Mary (Stahl), came to this country, and died when about seventy
years old ; she is buried at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Their children were :
Peter; John, who remained in Germany; William; Philip; Jacob, who was
burned in a powder explosion at the Kohinoor colliery, Shenandoah ; and
Herman, a retired miner, now living in Chicago, Illinois.
Philip Schmidt, father of Christian Schmidt, was born in Nassau, March
17, 1834, and received his education in the schools of the home parish. As
he was but thirteen years old when his father died, he went to live with his
mother's brother, who conducted a hotel, the boy assisting him there. He
was also employed hauling the finished product from the terra cotta works
in the vicinity over the mountains, there being no railroads there at the time.
Thus he continued until twenty-six years old, when he came to this country,
locating at Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he married Anna
Maria Schissler, who had been his sweetheart in the old country, and who
preceded him to America by about one year, Mr. and Mrs. Schissler and seven
daughters making the journey together. For two years Mr. Schmidt labored
in the gangways of the mines in the vicinity of Trevorton, and then came to
Schuylkill county, Pa., first settling at Ashland. "He worked in the local
mines for five years, thence moving to Girardville, this county, where he was
a miner for the next three years, at the end of which time he came to Shenan-
doah, where he found employment in the Kohinoor and other collieries. For
a time he gave up mining and conducted a hotel, but sold, out and resumed
his old occupation, taking a position in the Plank Ridge colliery, where he had
be^ working but three days when killed by a fall of rock, on July 16, 1881.
He was an expert miner and timberman. Mr. Schmidt was buried at Ash-
(DfoAAJcMCi/yi 4JcJ!^,i.i4A oVi
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 337
land, in the plot where his mother is interred. He was a member of the
German Catholic Church, one of the original members of the Church of the
Holy Family at Shenandoah, and also belonged to St. Michael's Society. In
politics he held to the principles of the Democratic party, and he took a keen
interest in the affairs of his adopted home, and was elected a member of the
borough council.
Mr. Schmidt married Anna Maria Schissler, who was born in 1835 ^*
Seitzou, Nassau, Germany, daughter of George Schissler, who was a farmer
while in his native land, but after settling in America found employment as
stable boss at the collieries at Trevorton. Mrs. Schmidt died in March, iS8g,
and is buried at Shenandoah, in the cemetery of the Church of the Annuncia-
tion. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt had the following children: One daughter died
in infancy; Christian is the eldest son; Lewis, who is an employe of the
General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y., married Catherine Tannen-
baum, and they have a large family ; Joseph married a Miss Lechleitner, and
both are deceased (they left no children) ; George, who lives at Colorado,
Schuylkill county, and is an outside employe at the Shenandoah City colliery,
married and has two sons and two daughters (he had quite a reputation as
a fancy dancer); Philip died in infancy; Plerman, of Elizabeth, N. J., an
employe of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, married a Miss Long
(they have no children) ; Elizabeth is the wife of Martin Jernick, a tailor, of
Newark, N. J., and they have six children ; Michael, a farmer in Northumber-
land county. Pa., married a Miss Thruan, antl they have two daughters; Mary
is married and has five children (her husband is a brass molder, of Orange,
New Jersey).
Christian Schmidt was born Feb. 25, 1858, in Trevorton, Northumberland
county, and for a few years during his early boyhood attended public school
in Schuylkill county, at Ashland, Girardville and Shenandoah. When he was
eight years old he did his first regular work, as a slate picker at the Hunter
colliery, and he spent most of the next eighteen years in and about the mines,
employed in various capacities. Until he was sixteen he was engaged at
outside work, running engine, plane engine, etc., and then he went into the
West Shenandoah colliery with his father, who was an expert timberman,
and under whose skillful guidance he acquired a thorough knowledge of that
line, his inherited mechanical traits enabling him to pick it up readily. He
also became a first-class miner. Later he worked with his father in the big
vein of the Kohinoor colliery, robbing pillars. Leaving the mines for a time
he went to Philadelphia and learned the baker's trade, upon his return to
Shenandoah embarking in the business on his own account. But after carry-
ing on a shop for a year he returned to the Kohinoor workings, and was
subsequently at Gilberton (being there when his father was killed), St.
Nicholas (driving breasts) and the Knickerbocker colliery at Yatesville, where
he did his last mine work. His mother, who was then an invalid, persuaded
him to enter the hotel business when he was twenty-six years old, and as
the eldest son he took good care of her until her death. His establishment
was at the comer of Coal and West streets, and while conducting that place
he also represented the Lauer Brewing Company, of Reading, Pa., as local
distributing agent. When the Brooks high license law was enforced he sold
his hotel and turned all his attention to the Lauer Company's business, which
under his fostering had grown to large proportions, and he continued in its
employ until October, 1900, when the growing interests of the Home Brewing
338 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
Company demanded his undivided time. His experience in the business and
local territory made him the logical leader in the formation of this company,
which was organized Dec. 20, 1899, with W'illiam L. Kramer, attorney, as the
first president; Walter W. Rynkiewicz, secretary; Qiristian Schmidt, treas-
urer; in company with Hon. Joseph Wyatt, of Mahanoy City; J. M. Schaeffer,
of Shenandoah ; George Rettig, of Shenandoah ; William Neiswinter, now taf
Frackville ; Leo Donoskey, of Shenandoah; and Joseph Grosskettler. A
charter was granted to the company Jan. 10, 1900, and they purchased from
Josiah Johnson a site 120 feet by 150 feet (deep), on Xorth Main street near
Line street, immediately starting to erect a plant. The engine house and part
of the main building were first constructed, being added to from time to time
according to the requirements of the business, and as it stands to-day it is
one of the most up-to-date breweries in the United States. As Mr. Schmidt
has super\'ised the process of building from the very start, its thoroughly
modern facilities are indicative of his progressive tendencies. He believes
that true economy consists in wise expenditure rather than undue conservatism,
and the success of the establishment has justified every improvement he
has made. Its equipment includes an up-to-date ice plant, and its capacity
being greater even than the business requires the surplus product is sold to
the public ; the steam-heating facilities also are in excess of the needs, and
many houses in the borough are supplied with heat from the brewery. These
features are typical of what has been done in every department.
The Home Brewing Company began business in Shenandoah on the
strength of the large trade which outside brewers were enjoying in the borough
and vicinity. They felt that a home plant could not only supply the local
needs, but would add to the resources of the town by keeping in this terri-
tory the large revenue which was going to enrich other sections. But the
business had to be built up from the bottom, and there was only one way to
get the patronage of the surrounding country — to cater to patrons with a
better product. This the Home Brewing Company has endeavored to do
from the start, and thq liberal patronage oi dealers in the vicinity has been
reciprocated in many ways. The plant has been built and operated on the most
approved lines, and the product is unrivalled for purity, being manufactured
under the most scientific conditions known to the trade. It consists of light
and dark beer, porter, ale and Weiss beer, and the annual capacity is between
fifty thousand and sixty thousand barrels. Besides, there is a modern bottling
department, where Weiss beer and all kinds of soft drinks are bottled, and
which, also, is provided with the latest mechanical appliances and characterized
by the excellent sanitary conditions which prevail all through the brewery
proper. This department is conducted under the supervision of an expert, and
the greatest care is exercised in preparing its products for the market. Sixty-
five men are given employment in this extensive establishment, and agencies
are maintained in Blount Cannel, Northimiberland county, and Centralia,
Cokmibia county, though the market is principally in Schuylkill county. The
company as at present organized consists of Christian Schmidt, president ; Hon.
Joseph Wyatt, vice president, and principal agent at Mahanoy City; Joseph
Grosskettler, superintendent of the brewery ; Charles C. T. Smith ; George
Bolinski ; and Christian J. Schmidt, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Schmidt's other interests include his connection with the People's Arti-
ficial Ice Company of Shenandoah, of which he is president ; the Miners' and
Mechanics' Building and Loan Association, of which he is vice president;
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 339
the Merchants' National Bank of Shenandoah, of which he is a director; and
he is a stockholder in several other banks, at various places. He is a trustee
of the State Hospital at Fountain Springs. Formerly he was a director of the
Ashland Miners' and Laborers' Building Association. In fact, his sympathies
are too wide to be restricted to his own town, though it has always held first
place in his affections. Lie has never hesitated to share the burdens of local
government, giving his townsmen the benelit of the wise judgment which has
brought him such success in his private affairs. For one term he served in
the borough council, two terms as tax receiver, and ten years as member of the
board of health, for which work his knowledge of sanitation specially quali-
fied him. He has been a member of the Rescue Hook & Ladder Company
many years. A liberal contributor to all worthy movements set on foot in the
community. Mr. Schmidt has shown that his enterprise is not confined to the
furtherance of his own interests. Mr. M. E. Doyle, editor of the Anthracite
Ncii^'s. of Shenandoah, says of him : '"Christian Schmidt is one of our solid,
sensible men ; his word is as good as a bond. Enterprising and enthusiastic to
a degree, he is straight, white, clean and devout. There is no trickery in Chris-
tian Schmidt, and his life since he worked as a slate picker, at the age of eight
years, is an honorable example. Lie has no use for hypocrites or double
dealers. He is the father of a large family, and all his interests are centered
in Shenandoah. He employs a large number of men, all of whom hold him in
high esteem. If any difficulty arises he meets his men in person and not by
proxy. Christ. Schmidt is a fine specimen of the self -developed man."
Mr. Schmidt is a member of the German Catholic Church of the Holy
Family and one of the most liberal contributors to its support. He was one of
the organizers of the Washington Beneficial Association of Shenandoah and is
a past officer of that body, as he is of the St. Michael Association ; he has also
been treasurer of the latter for many years. He was originally a Democrat
in politics, but is now a member of the Republican party.
In 1880 Mr. Schmidt married Catherine Bender, who was born Jan. 6, i860,
at Gergeshausen, Nassau, Germany, daughter of Adam and Annetta Bender.
She received her education in Germany and at Shenandoah, Pa., having been
eleven years old when the family came to America. Her father was a tailor
by trade, but after settling here worked around the mines. Mrs. Schmidt died
Aug. 4, 1910. She was the mother of a large family: Mary M. graduated
from the Bloomsburg State Normal School and taught school in Shenandoah
until her marriage to Charles L. Knapp, who is outside foreman at the Shenan-
doah City colliery ; they have children, Anna M., Mary M., Catherine M., and
Rita. Elizabeth Catherine is the wife of John Grosskettler, foreman of the
Home brewery, and their children are Agnes Mary, Gertrude Mary and Mary
Josephine. Christian J., who is secretary and treasurer of the Home Brewing
Company, is a graduate of the Thune School, a member of St. Michael's So-
ciety, the Washington Beneficial Association, the Columbia Hose Company,
and the B. P. O. Elks. Lodge No. 945 ; he married Llelena Hart. Agnes is tlie
wife of John J. Beyer, proprietor of a hotel in Shenandoah; their children are
Helena and Christianna. Anna and Helena, educated at the Chestnut Hill
Academy. Philadelphia, Pa., live at home. William is a student in the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania. Margaret, 'Philip and loseph
are deceased. Mrs. Schmidt is buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenan-
doah, toward the maintenance of which Mr. Schmidt has been a generous con-
tributor.
340 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^
For his second wife Mr. Schmidt married Catherine Mentzer, a native of
Shenandoah, where she received her education, attending the Holy Family
parochial school and the public schools. She lived at home until her marriage.
I^ike her husband she is a member of the German Roman Catholic Church of
the Holy Family.
John Mentzer, father of Mrs. Schmidt, was born Nov. 3, 1848, in Nassau,
Germany, obtained his education there, and came to America when a young
man. Settling at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he became a miner, for
thirty years employed at the Suffolk colliery. Having been injured in the mines
and incapacitated for mining, he was engaged during his latter years as a re-
pairman, remaining at the Suffolk colliery until his death, Feb. 19, 1913. He is
buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenandoah. Mr. Mentzer was mar-
ried in Shenandoah, by Rev. Father Graetzer, to Theresa Mary Hartenstein,
who was bom Oct. 18, 1857, and to this union were born the following children :
Catherine, Mrs. Christian Schmidt; John, who is employed as car inspector
at the Shenandoah City colliery, Shenandoah ; Minnie, who married Richard
Lewis, engineer and pumpman, and has children Mary and Catherine ; Mary,
a dressmaker, living at home; Joseph, who died when eleven years old; and
Joseph (2), driver at the Shenandoah City colliery, who married Margaret
Everhart (they have no children). Mrs. Mentzer resides at No. 209 West Coal
street, Shenandoah. Mr. Mentzer belonged to the Church of the Holy Family;
to St. Michael's Society, of which he had been secretary for twenty years, serv-
ing up to the time of his death ; and to the William Penn Beneficial Society
of Philadelphia. Politically he was a Democrat.
Peter Hartenstein, Mrs. Mentzer's father, was bom in December, 1825, in
Nassau, Germany, where he spent his early life, receiving his education in the
local schools. When twenty-eight years old he came to this country, settling
near Pottsville, Pa., where he found work about the mines and also as inside
repairman. He came to Shenandoah in its early days, and worked around the
mines there for many years, but after the death of his wife he went to Chicago,
111., where he lived with his son John, retired from active labor, until his own
death, Feb. 19, 1902. He is buried there. In Pottsville Mr. Hartenstein mar-
ried Catherine Stahl, who was bom in Nassau in January, 1826, and whom he
had long known in the old country. She, too, came to America at the age of
twenty-eight years. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstein :
Catherine, who died when sixteen years old ; John, who is employed at the
stockyards in Chicago, 111.; Theresa Mary, Mrs. John Mentzer; and Man,',
who died when five years old. Mrs. Hartenstein died in March, 1890, and
was buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenandoah. The Hartensteins
were members of the Holy Family Church at Shenandoah, and Mrs. Harten-
stein also belonged to St. Michael's Society. He was a Democrat in his polit-
ical views.
George Stahl, Mrs. Schmidt's great-grandfather in the maternal line, was
a native of Nassau, Germany, whence he came to this country. He lived at
different points in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. Pa., doing work
around the mines, and was a resident of Tre\xirton, Northumberland county,
at the time of his wife's death. Thereafter he made his home with his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Michael Pe*ers, at Locustdale, Schuylkill county. He lived to the
age of eighty-two years, and is buried at Ashland, this county. He and his
family were members of the German Roman Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs.
Stahl had a family of four children : Catherine, Mrs. Peter Hartenstein ;
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 341
Theresa, Mrs. Michael Peters, now (1915) the only survivor of the family;
Margaret, who married Martin Gracium, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio ; and
John, who married Margaret Nalbach, wlio since his death has become the
wife of Jacob Noll, of Shenandoah.
JOHN McKEL\'EY GRAY, M. D., late of Port Carbon, was the young-
est of the three Gray brothers whose conspicuous attainments and unusual
skill in the field of medicine have brought honor to the name in every part of
Schuylkill county. Personally he had a remarkable life, and though he passed
out in his prime had reached a position of eminent influence and filled a large
place in the activities of his chosen communitv.
The Gray family is of Scotch extraction, John Gray, the Doctor's father,
having been born at Johnson, Renfrewshire, Scotland, July 14, 1832. He was
only two years old when he came with his mother to America, and until 1837
they lived on Cape Breton Island and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. They then
removed to Pennsylvania, settling at Minersville, Schuylkill county, where John
Gray spent most of his youth and acquired the principal part of his education.
Mrs. Gray, however, after a short residence there, married Robert Johnston,
and removed with her family to Maryland, where she lived for a few years.
Returning to Minersville, she passed the remainder of her life there. John
Gray lived at various places as the family moved around during his early life,
including Pottsville and Reading. Pa., coming to Cressona in 1856. Here he
made his permanent home. Me had learned the trade of machinist and black-
smith at Minersville, and he followed it until 1870, being obliged to give up
such work on account of his health. Then he was appointed foreman in the
railroad works at Cressona, controlled by the Philadelphia & Reading Company,
and held that position practically to the end of his active years. By his first
marriagie, to Agnes Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson, of Pottsville, he had
one child, who is now deceased. Mrs. Gray died Feb. 21, 1857, aged twenty-
two years, five months. Mr. Gray's second marriage was to Agnes McKelvey,
who was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, at East Norwegian and Coal
streets, where the Pennsylvania depot now stands. Of the eleven children bom
to this union, seven sons and four daughters, ten reached maturity, namely:
Isabella married Samuel Klock, formerly a butcher in Lebanon, Pa., but he
subsequently moved to Truly, ]\Iont. ; James Charles is practicing medicine at
Cressona ; William Lincoln, a machinist, lives at Shickshinny, Pa. ; Jennie B.,
who died in 1913. was the wife of Adam Applegate, of Pottsville, Pa.; Robert
Bruce is practicing medicine at Port Carbon, Pa. ; Annie Elizabeth married Wil-
liam Kline, and lives at Great Falls, Mont. ; Agnes May taught school at Cres-
sona before her marriage to Rheinold Plath, now of Great Falls, Mont.; John
McKelvey is mentioned below ; George Andrew was a ranchman at Great Falls,
Mont., and was killed near that place, having been thrown from a horse on his
ranch (the place is named Gray Butte in his memor)', though he is interred in
the family lot at Cressona, Pa.) ; Allen Eugene took up a claim and is engaged
in ranching; Chester Hutchison died in infancy. The mother of this family died
May 26, 1902, at her home in Cressona, and the father died a few months later,
Feb. 3, 1903, in Montana. They are buried at Cressona. Mr. Gray was a
Republican in politics.
David McKelvey, father of Mrs. Agnes (McKelvey) Gray, emigrated to
this country from Scotland about 1820, and the family were early residents at
Pottsville. He was engaged on work in the early development of the coal fields
342 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
there, and was the first miner to meet his death in the gate vein, being killed
by a falling timber under the site of the present courthouse. His widow nobly
undertook the burden of rearing her family of four children, leasing the Mount
Hope farm, which she carried on, selling milk, fruit and vegetables in town.
She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Centre street grammar school, in
a vault containing the bodies of thirty-five of her relatives.
John McKelvey Gray was born in February, 1872, at Cressona, this county,
where he acquired his early education in the public schools. He began read-
ing medicine with his brother. Dr. James Charles Gray, and when but seventeen
years old entered the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, being the second
Schuylkill county student to complete the course there. He was graduated
before he reached his majority, as an honor man, though one of the youngest
graduates of the institution. For a short time thereafter he was in practice at
Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county ; for two years was stationed at the Min-
ers' hospital, Pottsville ; and resigned to become resident physician at the
County almshouse, where he also remained two years. At the end of that
period, in 1897, he married and located at Port Carbon, where he was in gen-
eral practice until his death. Though devoted to his profession, Dr. Gray was
more than a successful physician. He found outlet for his wide sympathies
in many other lines of action as well, and his life was well rounded. Always
a student, he nevertheless owned and conducted a drug store at Port Carbon,
was also engaged in the real estate business, and kept in close touch with local
public affairs, holding the office of school director for three years. In 1900
he patented the first authentic thermos case, which has been in wide demand
among medical men. He also patented an ice creeper, for use on icy sidewalks.
He was a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society.
Dr. Gray married \iolet A. Moose, daughter of George W. Moose, of
Schuylkill county, and she survives him, occupying the home at Port Carbon
and looking after the interests he had acquired. Four children were born to
this union : Ruth A., Galen McKelvey, Violet A. and June D. Dr. Gray
passed away at his home in Port Carbon, Feb. 8, 1914, and was buried at
Cressona.
CHRISTIAN G. CL APPIER, of jMinersville, has been in business in that
borough for over thirty years, and is probably equally well known there in his
musical associations, having been leader of the IMinersville Cornet Band for a
long period. He is a member of a family of French origin, which remained in
France until driven out of the native country by religious persecution, when
the Clappiers took refuge in Germany.
Peter Clappier, father of Christian G. Clappier, brought his family to
America in 1854, making the voyage on the ship "Hillside," which landed tlieni
at New York City, May 30th. For a short time they lived in New Jersey, in
1856 coming to Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. Clappier followed the
trade of shoemaker, and as his son Christian has taken up the same line,
their association in that business at Minersville covers over half a century.
During the Civil war Peter Clappier served in Company A, 129th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. He
married Wilhelmine Wetz, and they died at Minersville, where they are buried.
Of their two children, Minnie and Christian G., the daughter resides in Read-
ing, Pennsylvania.
Christian G. Clappier was born Jan. 24, 1853. in W'urtemberg, Germany,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 343
and was reared at ]Mincrsville, where he obtained a pubhc school education.
He may truly be called a self-made man, for he was only a mere child when
he began work as a slate picker at the mines. Afterwards he learned shoe-
making, which he has been following since 1874, and in 1882 he engaged in
business on his own account, now having a leading establishment in his line at
Minersville. He carries a most complete line of men's, women's and children's
shoes, his stock including the finest goods, and his store is thoroughly up-to-
date in every respect and conducted along the most approved lines. His
patrons receive skillful service and courteous attention, and Mr. Clappier has
neglected no detail for their accommodation. Business has occupied the greater
part of his time and music is his chief recreation. For thirty years he was
the leader of the Minersville Comet Band, and his zeal and devotion con-
tributed a large share to the success and popularity of that organization. His
only connection with the public service has been as member of the school board,
on which body he served two terms. He belongs to the English Lutheran
Church, and socially to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., of which
he is a charter member; to the Knights of the Golden Eagle; and the Sons of
Veterans.
Mr. Clappier has made one return trip to his native land in 1874 visiting
his birthplace, and also England and Wales. As a citizen, he holds the unquali-
fied esteem of a wide acquaintance.
ROBERT C. SHEARER, of Pottsville, has been associated with the Chron-
icle Publishing Company continuously since 1901, for the last ten years in the
capacity of business manager. He has earned his share of the credit for the
success of the paper during that period, by which it has maintained its present
high standard in Schuylkill county, the efifect of his strong personality per-
meating ever}^ department of its activities. Mr. Shearer is a ''native son" of
Pottsville, born March 18, 1874, and his parents, James R. and Rachel (De-
wald) Shearer, were also Pennsylvanians, the father bom at Milton, North-
umberland county, the mother at Reading, Berks county. James R. Shearer
was a Union veteran of the Civil war, and after his service in the army fol-
lowed contracting and building the remainder of his life at Pottsville, dying
there in 1888. He was twice married, and a daughter born to the first union,
Mrs. H. E. Wyckofif, is a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. To his second mar-
riage, with Rachel Dewald, were born two children, the eldest dying in infancy.
Before her marriage Mrs. Rachel D. Shearer taught school in Pottsville, where
she died in June, 1902.
Robert C. Shearer received his education in the Pottsville public schools,
leaving when he had completed the grammar school course. He then applied
himself to learning the printers trade in the job office of his uncle, Robert D.
Colborn, and after the completion of his apprenticeship worked as a journej'-
man in Philadelphia for some years. For almost a year he was engaged as a
book seller, handling Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia. Returning to Potts-
ville be bought his uncle's interest in the business previously mentioned, and
in the year 1901 sold it to the Chronicle Publishing Company, with which he
became connected as solicitor. When Charles Meyers purchased the plant,
in May, 1905. Mr. Shearer was made business manager. The practical course
he has adopted with regard to the paper and plant, and his efforts in behalf
of sound commercial standards for the borough and county, have been so suc-
cessful as to gain him a distinctive place among the trusted heads of business
344 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in the community. He was one of the charter members of the Rotary Club
at Pottsville, and has been diligent in the promotion of its activities.
The Evening Chronicle was started in 1875 by the Chronicle Publishing
Company, as a one-cent daily, edited by Solomon Foster, Jr. Before long he
became sole owner, and conducted the paper until June, 1877, when he sold it
to the Standard Publishing Company, a corporation formed by leading local
Democrats. The Chronicle is now a Republican paper. As one of the fore-
most journals in Schuylkill county it has considerable influence upon the trend
of public opinion in this section. It is only fair to say that it is a well edited
paper, always ready to present the best interests of the community to its read-
ers and advocate their support.
Mr. Shearer married, Aug. 17, 1899, Amy C. Bassett, a native of Potts-
ville, and they have had two children : William, who died in infancy, and
Emily Rachel. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Episcopal Church as well as
his wife. Socially he holds membership in the Improved Order of Heptasophs.
On political questions he is a Republican.
JOHN L. CONRAD, one of the leading business men of Port Carbon, has
had a definite part in the upbuilding of that borough, where he has spent all
his life. He was born there Nov. 11, 1848, son of the late Christian Conrad,
for many years a well known employee at the Reading car shops in the town.
Christian Conrad was a native of Germany, and died at the age of seventy-
four years in Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he is buried. He set-
tled there upon coming to America, in 1844, and found employment at the
Reading car shops, where he continued to work throughout his active years.
His wife, Louisa, died at the advanced age of ninety years. They had children
as follows: John L. ; Christian, an engineer on the Frackville branch of the
Philadelphia & Reading railroad ; Charles, a foreman for the same company ;
George ; Rosa, Mrs. Purnelle ; Louisa ; and Emma, Mrs. Hartzel.
John L. Conrad attended public school until nine years old, when he com-
menced work as a breaker boy, picking slate. At the age of fourteen he went
to work for the railroad company, in whose employ he remained four years,
at the end of which period he started learning the wheelwright's trade. He
followed it until 1883, when he turned to carpentry, and a year later had suffi-
cient knowledge of the latter line to undertake contracting on his own account,
continuing it for about twenty-five years, with satisfactory success. Mean-
time, in 1900, he formed a partnership with his son, Harry, to engage in the
lumber business and flour and feed trade, and they did business together,
under the firm name of John Conrad & Son, also keeping up the contracting
business. Besides many of the most attractive dwellings in Port Carbon, the
Conrads have erected the home of the Good Will Hose Company, the Evan-
gelical church, and other notably substantial structures which add to the thrifty
appearance of the borough. Mr. Conrad now has three of his sons associated
with him, Harry, Lewis and William, and the partnership is known as John L.
Conrad & Sons. In addition to the original establishment they have a large
planing mill, operating the only plant of the kind at Port Carbon. It is a
convenience much appreciated by local builders, and has paid from the
beginning.
As one of the oldest native-born residents of Port Carbon Mr. Conrad has
watched its development with interest and has done his share to promote the
good work. In the course of his active business career he has contributed
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 345
greatly to its material improvement, and he has also exerted his influence in
the administration of municipal affairs, having served three years in the
borough council. His sound judgment and wisdom in meeting local ques-
tions have made him a recognized leader. He and his sons, who have also
taken an influential part in pubUc matters, are Republicans in political
sentiment.
In 1873 Mr. Conrad married Ellen Marquardt, daughter of John Blasius
Marquardt, of Port Carbon. They have had five children : Harry is a mem-
ber of the borough council at present and has tilled the position of burgess ;
Lewis, formerly employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com-
pany, as a mining engineer; now in business with his father, is a member of
the Port Carbon school board; William is with his father; Annie is the wife
of Dr. N. H. Stein, of New Philadelphia, Pa.; Dr. John is connected with
the Pottsville hospital. The family attend the services of the Evangelical
Association.
MILTON HENRY MILLER is the owner of the "Ideal Farm"' in West
Penn township, a property which in appearance as well as name expresses his
ambitions in the line of agriculture. Through his eiiforts this place has been
developed to meet the most 'approved modern standards, and it is a model
country estate which shows that it is not impracticable to be governed by
good taste in the improvement of a tract primarily cultivated for profitable
farming. The physical attractions of the "Ideal Farm" which probably im-
press the average visitor first are, indeed, the natural result of the orderly
administration and wise economy which have guided Mr. Miller throughout
his residence there. Liberal management is everywhere in evidence, but there
is no extravagance of waste. The work has been simplified and facilitated in
every possible way by the adoption of modern methods and the introduction
of machinery. Mr. Miller has almost three hundred acres in the township,
his holdings extending in one direction for about two miles. Most of his
land is given over to general agriculture, but he makes a specialty of fruit and
poult r}'.
Mr. Miller belongs to an old family of West Penn township, where he was
born May i, 1865, on the farm now owned by his brother, Austin J. Miller.
He is a son of Daniel F. Miller and a grandson of Joseph Miller; the latter
also was a farmer in West Penn township, where he owned a good sized tract
of land. He died when his son Daniel was ten years old, but his wife,
Salome (Flexer), lived to the age of eighty-seven years, passing away in
August. 1897. She was a daughter of Jacob Flexer. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Miller had the following children : David married a Miss Wertman, and
both are deceased ; Reuben married Julia Rex, and both are deceased ; Daniel
F. is mentioned below; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Charles Fry, an
old soldier, and a resident of West Penn township ; Lena married Daniel
Dreisbach, and both are deceased ; Priscilla married David Middlecamp, and
both are deceased. The father was a Democrat and a member of Zion's
Lutheran Church in West Penn township, where he is buried ; the mother is
buried at St. Peter's Church in that township.
Daniel F. Miller, father of Milton H. Miller, was bom in about the
center of West Penn township, in December, 1834, and died April 6, 1884.
He was reared and educated in his native township, and after his father's
death went to live with his maternal grandfather, Jacob Flexer, who raised
346 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
him. He worked on the Flexer farm until eighteen years of age, afterwards
hiring out by the month on different farms until twenty-seven years old,
when he married and bought a farm of seventy-five acres, ten of which are
still uncleared. This farm is now owned and occupied by his son, Austin J.
Miller. Daniel F. Miller remained there until his death, following general
agriculture, and he started a good orcbard, setting out one hundred apple
trees, fifty pear trees and one hundred plum trees. Like his father Mr.
Miller was a Democrat and a Lutheran, being an earnest member of Zion's
Church in West Penn township, which he served as deacon. He is buried at
that church. His widow, Amanda (Gerber), remarried, becoming the wife
of Alfred Frederici, who is also buried at Zion's Church. She survives him,
making her home now with her son, Charles. She was born Feb. 27, 1844,
daughter of Jeremiah and Susan (Ziegler) Gerber. She had no children by
the second union. To her marriage with Mr. Miller the following children
were born : Austin J., born' March 8, 1863, married Mary Bailey, and lives
on the old homestead in West Penn township; jNIilton H. is next in the fam-
ily: Charles O., born Jan. 21, 1868, married Elizabeth Wehr, and is farming
in West Penn township; Elizabeth A., bom Oct. 21, 1871, married Alfred
Arner, of West Penn township.
Milton Henry Miller received his education in the Wash Creek and North
Penn schools, with one course in the fourth grade of the Tamaqua school. He
remained at home, working on his fathers farm, until twenty-four years of
age, when he married and settled on his present home place, which his father
had bought one year before his death. The family had continued to conduct
the farm, as part of the father's estate, for five years before Milton H. Miller
bought) it, and at that time only thirty of its 127 acres were cleared. The
buildings consisted of a small dwelling 25 by 32 feet, and a small bam, 40 by 50
feet. Now Mr. Miller has ninety acres of this tract under cultivation, and he
did all the work himself. He has added to his original holdings by two pur-
chases, one of eighty acres and one of ninety acres, his land stretching out
over a distance of two miles. A mere enumeration of the improvements he
has made, innovations in methods and machinery, conveniences in home and
outbuildings, show how progressive a spirit has dominated his work. In 1891
he built a new bam, 34 by 70 feet, which is up-to-date in every particular of
construction and equipment. In 1912 he rebuilt and enlarged the old barn,
which is now 54 by 70 feet, designing the stmcture himself and cutting all the
timbers for it. It is provided with both hot and cold running water, the hot
water being piped from the house. Both barns have cement floors. Mr.
Miller keeps ten cows, principally Jerseys, si.x working horses and ten pigs.
He has five hundred chickens, two hundred of which are young fowl, making
a specialty of White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. His chicken houses
are modem in every respect. One is 16 by 60 feet, with an annex 16 by 24
feet, and another is 60 by 12 feet. Running spring water furnishes a fresh
supply to the chickens at all times. He has raised and planted ever}' tree on
his place, having five hundred apple trees, four hundred pear trees, fifty plum
trees and fifty peach trees, as well as twenty grapevines of the Concord and
Black Warden varieties. Mr. Miller attends the Coaldale and Lansford
markets three times a week, and sometimes takes his products as far as
Mahanoy City. He has not been sparing in providing high-class implements
to carry on his work, ha\ing $7,000 worth of farm machiiier)', all in first-
class condition ; he bought and used the first dump wagon in his township.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 347
liis home is in keeping with the rest of the property. In ujoS he built the
dwelling, which is one of the finest residences in the township. There are
live rooms on the first floor, five bedrooms on the second floor and three bed-
rooms in the garret, and nothing is lacking in the way of comforts and con-
veniences. The house is heated by steam, an acetylene gas plant furnishes
light and fuel for cooking, and modem plumbing, with hot and cold running
water, completes the appointments of a model country home. There are
cement walks around the house, and an iron fence with cement coping
incloses the yard.
Mr. Miller married Elizabeth C. Keniner, who was born Alarch 14, 1869,
a daughter of Matthias and Fredericka I Gebhart) Kemner, and they have had
a family of six children: Annie L., born June 14, 18S8, lives at home; Daniel
M., bom Feb. 27, 1890, now farming at Mantzville, West Penn township,
married Verna Mantz, who was born March 8, 1893, and they have one child,
Marian Luella, born Feb. 10, 1915; Oliver C, born May 13, 1892, died July
14, 1909, in the German Hospital at Philadelphia, from appendicitis; Machina
A., bom June 4, 1893, is the wife of Leroy Zehner (born July 21, 1891), a
farmer of \\ est Penn township, and has one child, Claribel, born Dec. 20,
1914; Warren W., born July 12, 1897, is married to Eva Fritz, who was born
May II, 1895, and they reside on the Miller farm, Warren Miller assisting in
its operation (he is a stockholder in the People's Trust Company of Tamaqua) ;
Claribel, born May 16, 1901, is at home. All the children have been well
educated, receiving the best advantages afforded by the local public schools,
and Mr. Miller has given his family the best opportunities possible to prepare
them for the real work of life. All are members of St. Peter's Lutheran
Church and Sunday school in West Penn township.
Mr. Miller has always given his hearty support to local enterprises, being
a stockholder of the People's Trust Company of Tamaqua, and a stockholder
and director of the Rural Telephone Company. Vigorous and enterprising in
everv^thing he undertakes, he has been a leader in agricultural progress
especially, and the system in operation on his property is a practical demon-
stration of his efficiency and ingenuity in taking advantage of present-day
methods. All the appointments of his estate are "the last word" in farm equip-
ment, the fact that he uses an implement being a sufffcient guaranty of its
worth. Though he is a busy man he keeps in touch with all the life of his
neighborhood ; has served his township three years as school director and two
years as supervisor ; is a prominent member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, of
West Penn township, of which he has been deacon six years and trustee
about twelve years ; is a member of Wa.shington Camp No. 44, P. O. S. of A.,
at Mantzville, West Penn township : and a member of Blue Ridge Lodge, No.
1 1 53, I. O. O. F., at Sittler, West Penn township. Politically he is a Repub-
lican in principle, but votes independently.
Mrs. Elizabeth C. (Kemner) Miller is a native of West Penn township,
where she was reared and educated. Like her husband she belongs to St.
Peter's Lutheran Church. Her father, Matthias Kemner, bom in Wurtem-
berg, Germany, died in Febniary, 1899, in West Penn township, Schuylkill
Co., Pa., aged seventy-two years. Coming to America when he was twenty-
seven years of age, he landed at New York and then went to Philadelphia, later
settling at Tamaqua, Pa., where he was married. He was a butcher, and
followed his trade there for a short time, then buying the farm in ^^^est
Penn township now owned by his son Lewis, a tract of fifty acres, half of
348 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
which he cleared. He carried on general farming until his death, and attended
market at Tamaqua. Mr. Kemner married Mrs. Fredericka (Gebhart) Walter,
who died aged forty-nine years (widow of Christopher Walter), and eight
children were born to this union : William, who lives in Walker township,
this county, married Emma Schaeffer, now deceased ; Matthias, who married
Sarah Delp, lives in Tamaqua, Pa. ; Lewis, who is on the old homestead in
West Penn township, married Catherine Blessing; John married Amanda
Nestor, and they live at Tamaqua ; Elizabeth C. is the wife of Milton H.
Miller; Annie married Ellsworth Zehner, of West Penn township; Daniel
died young; Catherine married Frank Zehner (deceased) and (second)
William Staump, of Tamaqua. The mother of this family passed away when
forty-nine years old. By her marriage to Christopher Walter she had four
children : Christopher married Lavina Wagner, and lives at Tamaqua ; Rosella
is the widow of John Tiley and lives at Tamaqua ; Mary married Michael
Bonshoff; Emma married Lewis Steigerwalt, of Sittler, West Penn township.
Mr. Kemner was a Democrat and interested in local politics. He was an
active member of Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, and he
and his wife are buried there. Christopher Walter is buried at Tamaqua.
WILLIAM D. BOCZKOWSKI, of Mahanoy City, is president and busi-
ness manager of the W. D. Boczkowski Company, owners and publishers of
the Saule (Sun), a Lithuanian newspaper, established in 1888 by the father
of the present proprietors. It has been conducted by father and sons con-
tinuously since, and through its medium they have exerted a notable influence
among their countrymen everywhere, having subscribers in all the leading
cities of the world.
Mr. Boczkowski was born in 1881 at Baltimore, Md. His father, a native
of Russian Poland, came to America in 1879, and first located at Hazleton,
Pa. He was a skilled musician, and for a number of years after he arrived
in this country was engaged as a church organist. In 1888 he established the
Saule, at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where it has been issued regularly
since, his sons William D. and Victor L. Boczkowski taking over the owner-
ship of the paper upon his death. The former is president of the company,
and also managing editor and business manager; the editor is F. W.
Boczkowski, another brother, also of Mahanoy City. The paper is published
semi-weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays, and it reaches a large percentage of the
Lithuanian population of the world, having the largest circulation of any
Lithuanian paper published. The aim of the publishers is to afford a means
of intercommunication for those of that nationality wherever located, and they
claim to represent the interests of over five hundred thousand Lithuanians
residing in the United States. The company built a fine, up-to-date newspaper
plant at Nos. 337-339 West South Alley, at A street, three stories in height,
and thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and all the appointments
necessary in a complete establishment.
William D. Boczkowski came to Mahanoy City with his father in boyhood.
His education was begun at Plymouth, Pa., and continued at IMahanoy City,
and he began newspaper work v\'ith his father, under whom he received all his
training. His career throughout has been characterized by adherence to the
most honorable principles, which have held the confidence of his fellow citizens
without reserve at Mahanoy City, no less than those of Lithuanian blood.
He is an accomplished linguist, speaking five languages. Progressive and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 34 •
aggressive, he has been a distinct force for good in municipal hfe, using his
influence wisely. At present he is serving as a member of the borough coun-
cil, to which office he was elected in 1913 by a large majority. lie is inde-
pendent in politics, giving his support as he thinks best. Fraternally he holds
membership in the B. P. O. Elks and the Eagles. Mr. Boczkowski and his
brother own the well known Boczkowski theatre, located in the First ward of
Mahanoy City.
HUSTON ROBISON MOYER, cashier of the Citizens' Bank of St.
Clair, has been associated with that institution since December, 1905, through-
out the period of his residence in the borough. W^ith natural business capacity
developed by experience, and the honorable principles highly important in
ever)' position of trust, he has the proper endowment for efficient service in
the place he occupies, not only in regard to his relation with the bank, but
also as it affects commercial conditions in the community. Mr. Moyer belongs
to a family of successful business men. Fie is a native of Bloomsburg,
Columbia Co., Pa., where his grandfather, John R. Moyer, established in 1835,
with a capital of but one hundred dollars, a drug business which has become
the most important concern in its line in that county. It is now carried on by
Moyer Brothers, sons of the founder, as a wholesale house.
The late Charles Augustus IMoyer, father of Huston R. Moyer, was a
stonemason by trade, and for a time was engaged in the marble business with
a Mr. Barkley, at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa. He also did business at
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, subsequently clerked for I. W. Hartman, at
Bloomsburg, and then was similarly employed in the wholesale drug house
there operated by his brothers. His death occurred at Bloomsburg, May 7,
1904, and his widow, Martha R. (Robison), daughter of John Robison, of
Espy, Columbia Co., Pa., continues to make her home there. They had one
child, Huston Robison. John Robison, Airs. Moyer's father, was a pioneer
settler in Columbia county. On May 14, 1840, he drove over the mountains
to Pottsville to take the train for Philadelphia, train service not having been
established farther than that point at the time.
Huston Robison }iIoyer was born j\Iarch 27, 1877. He was educated
principally at Bloomsburg, attending the public schools, and after his gradua-
tion from high school taking a short course at the State Normal school there.
Subsequently he had some commercial training at the Scranton business col-
lege, and for a few months was employed in Scranton, doing office work for
F. P. Post. Returning to Bloomsburg, he became shipping and receiving clerk
for the Magee Carpet Company, and after filling that position one year was
advanced to head bookkeeper. He continued with the firm in that capacity
three years, when he came to St. Clair to take the position of bookkeeper in
the Citizens' Bank, of which William T. Tyson was then cashier. A few
days after Mr. Tyson's death, which occurred Nov. 4, 1907, he was elected
cashier, Nov. 12th, and has proved himself fully deserving of the honor. Mr.
Moyer's solid character has attracted confidence and good will among his
business associates, and his estimable personal traits have drawn him into many
pleasant social relations. I"Ie has joined the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows and Ancient and Illustrious Order, Knights of Malta, since coming to St.
Clair, and while at Bloomsburg became a member of the Knights of the Golden
Eagle and Friendship Fire Company. He adheres to the Presbyterian faith,
but there being no church of this denomination at Saint Clair he joined the
350 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'ANL\
Reformed Church, and has done his full share in furthering its work, at
present filling the office of deacon and teaching the Men's Adult Bible class.
He votes independently, using his ballot to support the men and measures
he approves on principle. His influence, exerted always on the side of better-
ment, is a valued force for progress in the borough,
Mr. Moyer married Harriet Mabel Kline, a daughter of A. H. Kline,
formerly of Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., now a resident of Reading, this
State. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer have two children, namely : Mabel Adilene, who
is attending school, and Thelma Lovilla, at home.
The Citizens' Bank of St. Clair, Schuylkill county, was organized May
1 6, 1904, with a capital of $50,000, and has been doing business ever since
at No. 39 North Second street, in the busy part of that borough. Its present
officers are: President, Dr. R. T. Weaver, physician; vice president, H. L.
Daddow, manufacturer; cashier. H. R. Moyer; teller, M. R. Sullivan; runner,
J. Wesley Ceaser; solicitor, J. M. Boone; directors. Dr. R. T. Weaver, H. L.
Daddow (manufacturer), J. M. Boone (attorney), E. C. Boone (merchant),
W. P. Jones (^merchant), W. B. Lewis (merchant), W. J. McCarthy (justice
of the peace and wholesale liquor dealer), P. Raring (merchant), J. Wellner
(confectioner) and T. L. O'Donnell (deputy sheriiif of Schuylkill county),
all local people. John H. Davis, the first president, Charles Short and W. N.
Holnes, members of the original board vi directors, have died, but no others
have been elected to their places. The bank is known as one of the most
prosperous in the State, and under its trustworthy management has every
promise of continued success. The cashier's report for Feb. 20, 1914, shows
resources and liabilities of $554,361.76, and the surplus and undivided profits
amount to $35,000.
JAMES \. BURKE, who has been a business man at Ashland for over
forty years, has lived in that borough from boyhood, and is a native of Schuyl-
kill county, born April 28, 1849. His parents, IMichael and Sabina Burke, were
natives of Ireland and came to America many years ago. making their first
settlement in Schuylkill county, in the eastern portion, near Minersville. They
moved to Ashland when their son James was but a boy. The father died in
1869, and the mother lived to the age of eighty-three years, passing away in
1896. They had a large family, viz.: William J., now a resident of r^Iiners-
ville, this county ; John J., a resident of Ashland, who for over forty years was
associated with his brother, James, in the undertaking business there ; Mary
Ann, Mrs. Kealy, of Philadelphia; Thomas A., a school teachsr, who lives
at Ashland; Michael P., deceased; James \'. ; Rev. Patrick F., formerly a
priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, now deceased ; and Hattie L.. of
Philadelphia.
James V. Burke, as above noted, carried on a furniture and undertaking
business in partnership with his brother, John, for over forty years under
the name of Burke Brothers, which he still retains. John J. Burke withdrew
from the business on May 7, 1913. The establishment has always com-
manded a good share of the patronage in Ashland, the Burkes being justly
noted as reliable dealers, accommodating to all their customers and enjoying
good standing among the most reliable merchants of the town.
Mr. Burke was married in Philadelphia to Regina Patterson, a native of
that city, whose parents in the early days lived at St. Clair, this county. The
family returned to Philadelphia, however, where Mrs. Burke's parents both
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 351
died and were buried. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke,
namely: Margaret R. is the wife of Joseph Shovlin, of Ashland; Cornelius
F. is studying for the priesthood, being at present in the St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary at Overbrook, Pa.; \'incent A. is a student at the same institution;
Frank L. is associated with his father in business ; Edward J. lives with his
parents in Ashland. Mr. Burke and his family are members of St. Joseph's
Church at Ashland.
HARRY G. FESSLER, of Cressona, has been a leader in more than one
respect in his section of Schuylkill county. At present he is serving as chief
burgess of Cressona, and his broad-minded interest has drawn him into other
local activities, his capacity for useful service having stood many a severe
test in responsible positions.
Mr. Fessler is a native of Wayne township, this county, born Nov. i,
1866. son of Elias Fessler, and descended from an old family of German
origin which has been in Schuylkill county for several generations. His great-
grandfather was a pioneer in Long Run \'alley, Schuylkill county, where he
followed agricultural pursuits and remained until his death. He was twice
married, by the first union having two children, Joseph and John, and his
second wife, whose maiden name was Confer, was the mother of the follow-
ing: Andrew died in Schuylkill county; Michael died in Berks county;
Abraham died in Shamokin, Pa. ; William and George died in Schuylkill
county ; Molly married Solomon Luckenbill ; Rebecca married Daniel Minich.
Of the above family, William Fessler, well known in his day as "old Bill
Fessler," was the grandfather of Harry G. Fessler. He was born in Long
Run valley. Living in this section in the pioneer era, he was a typical man of
his day, a great hunter and fisherman, and shot several deer and bear in the
Second mountain district in Pennsylvania. He did railroad work, during the
early days of the railroad in this region being one of the first men employed
on the Aline Hill road, helping to lay the track, later hauling coal, and still
later acting as roadmaster, which position he held until 1866. At that time he
retired to his land, owning two farms in this section, and continued to live
there until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-five years old ; he
is buried in the LTnion cemetery at Friedensburg, this county. Few men in
this part of Schuylkill county were better or more favorably known. He
and William Lark built the Union Church at Friedensburg, and he never
lost his interest in church work, in which he took an active part. Politically
he was a Republican. In his early days Cressona was known as West Haven.
By his marriage to Elizabeth Luckenbill, daughter of Solomon Luckenbill,
he had a large family, namely : William, who died in Wayne township,
Schuylkill county; Catherine, who died young; four who died in infancy;
Esther, deceased, wife of George Lark ; George, who died at Cressona ; Elias,
who was a soldier in the Civil war ; Jeremiah, now one of the oldest residents
of Cressona; Elizabeth, widow of William Breininger; Henry and James,
who live in Wisconsin ; Josiah, a resident of Cressona : and Amanda, who mar-
ried John Lengle, and lives at Cressona. The mother of this family lived to
the age of eighty years.
Elias Fessler, father of Harry G. Fessler. was born in Wayne township,
this county. By trade he was a blacksmith and he also followed railroad work.
During the Civil war he served in the L^nion army under Captain Fox in
Company K, 127th Pennsylvania Regiment, and was wounded at the battle
352 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Fredericksburg. His death occurred Nov. 20, 1868, when he was but
twenty-eight years old. He married Emma Rebecca Mertz, and they had
three children, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Fessler remarried, becom-
ing the wife of Charles Eiler, whom she also survives, now making her home
at Cressona.
Harry G. Fessler, only child of his parents who grew to maturity, obtained
his education in the public schools of Wayne township and the borough of
Cressona. He was reared to farming, which he has followed practically all
his life, though for six months during his early manhood he was employed
at the powder mills near Cressona. He owns a fine tract of forty-one acres
of valuable land, which is within the limits of the borough of Cressona, and
is engaged in general farming, though he makes a specialty of trucking. For
eleven years he also ran a milk route in Cressona, which he discontinued in
191 3. As a business man he bears an irreproachable reputation, which prom-
ises well for the services his fellow citizens expect of him in the important
office he now fills. In 1913 he was elected chief burgess, taking office in
1914 for a term of four years. Mr. Fessler was originally a Republican in
political conviction, but he is now identified with the Washington party. In
his various social, political, business and religious associations Mr. Fessler has
made numerous friends. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, of the
Order of LTnited American ]\Iechanics, and of Friedensburg Grange, No.
1 29 1, P. O. H. For a long period he has been active in the work of the
United Evangelical Church, which he has served as class leader and steward,
has been superintendent of the Sunday school, and is now teaching a Sunday
school class.
Mr. Fessler married Carrie Heffner, daughter of John Heffner and grand-
daughter of John Heffner, who established the family in Schuylkill county,
moving hither from Berks county ; her father was born in Wayne township,
this county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fessler: Eliz-
abeth, who is deceased ; Charles H., who married Annie Patterson ; Edna May,
at home ; and Roy A., at home.
WILLIAM CLINTON KEPNER, late of Orwigsburg, was a citizen
of conspicuous worth and a representative of the best interests of his com-
munity for many years. As head of the Kepner Scott Shoe Company he
was one of the leading business men of the borough, was a prominent figure
in the management of public affairs and social life, and in every association
willing to serve his fellows, who gladly availed themselves of his cooperation
at all opportunities.
Mr. Kepner was a descendant of an old family of German origin, long
established in Schuylkill county, where they settled when it was still included
in the territory of Berks county. Bernard Kepner, his great-grandfather,
was a pioneer at McKeansburg in what is now Schuylkill county. Pa., where
he followed farming and remained until his death. His son Samuel, grand-
father of W. Clinton Kepner, purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity
of Kepnersville, in West Penn township, Schuylkill county (which was
named for him), owning 390 acres. He founded the village, and besides
clearing and improving the land engaged in lumbering and general mer-
chandising, and kept a hotel and post office, his site of business being the
trading center for all that section. Few men of his day were as well known,
and his death, which occurred when he was fifty-seven years old, was con-
7h
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLV 353
sidered a loss to tlie whole community. He is buried in the West Penn
cemetery. Dy his marriage to Catherine Closer he had the following chil-
dren: Bernard, Samuel, Emanuel, Frank, Joseph, Priscilla (married Daniel
Nester), Rebecca (Mrs. Zehler) and Catherine (married Israel Seigfried).
Bernard Kepner, son of Samuel, was born on the old homestead, where
he was reared to manhood. He had excellent educational advantages, for
a time attending the Newton Academy. For fourteen years he was a resi-
dent of Montgomery county. Pa., engaged in the produce business, which he
also carricil on after his removal to Orwigsburg, in 1862. lie passed the
remainder of his life in the borough, dying May 29, 1895, at the age of
seventy-five years. Fie is buried in the cemetery of the Lutheran Church.
On Dec. 25, 1849, Mr. Kepner married Mary A. Reichard. She survived
her husband, dying Oct. 23, 1900. Seven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Kepner: Catherine is the wife of D. D. Deibert, a merchant of Auburn,
Schuylkill county; Sarah is the wife of O. D. Schock, of Hamburg, Berks
Co., Pa. ; Dora is living at home ; Samuel R. is a well known cigar manu-
facturer of Orwigsburg; Benjamin Franklin died in 1857 when three years
old; William Clinton is mentioned below; Mary Ellen lives at home. Mrs.
Mary A. (Reichard) Kepner was a native of Boyertown, Berks county, a
daughter of William Reichard.
W. Clinton Kepner was born Sept. 18, 1859, near New Ringgold, Schuyl-
kill county, and was reared at Orwigsburg, where he had the advantages
afforded by the public schools. For a short time he followed teaching,
being so engaged for two terms, in 1879-81, in West Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, but he found that business was a better field for his
ambitions, and he began in the line which proved to be his life work, taking
a position as clerk with the Orwigsburg Shoe Manufacturing Company.
After one year in that capacity he became a traveling salesman for the con-
cern, being so engaged until 1885 and meantime acquiring a thorough
familiarity with the details of the business. He made a close study of the
production as well as the marketing of shoes, and when he gave up his posi-
tion with the Orwigsburg Company became a manufacturer on his own
account, becoming a member of the firm of Beck, Haeseler & Company. The
senior member, John C. Beck, retired in 1887, and the firm name was changed
to Kepner, Haeseler & Co. In 1890 C. H. Haeseler's interest was taken by
Alexander Scott, of Frackville, this county, and the firm became Kepner,
Scott & Company, being so known until it was incorporated as the Kepner
Scott Shoe Company. The business was established in a three-story frame
building, 40 by 90 feet in dimensions, well equipped in every department,
and the large operative and selling force has been kept constantly busy since,
the goods having a steady demand wherever known. They are disposed of
principally in the Southern and Western States. ]\Ir. Kepner continued
his active association with the business, which he managed personally, until
his death, March 24, 191 3. Its success was due in a great measure to his
vigorous methods and progressive policy, and he was probably best known
in this connection, though he also had other important associations. He
was a director of the First National Bank of Orwigsburg, and held various
public positions in the borough through a period of twenty years, serving
that length of time on the school board. His broad sympathies led him into
close relations with the various phases of life in the borough, and he was an
active supporter in every cause in which he became interested. His work in
Vol. 1—23
354 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the Lutheran Church, of which he was an earnest member, included service
as deacon and elder and twenty-one years as treasurer. He took a leading
part in its Sunday school work for thirty-five years. He was a thirty-second-
degree Mason, belonging to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., Mountain
City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M. (of Pottsville), Constantine Commandery,
No. 41, iv. T. (Pottsville), Harrisburg Consistory, and Rajah Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S. (Reading) ; he was a past master in the blue lodge and always
a prominent worker in that body. At the time of his death he was serving
as president of the Keystone Club. Politically he was a Democrat. He is
buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Orwigsburg.
On Dec. 31, 1889, Mr. Kepner married Ellnora Rauch, daughter of John
and Amelia (Leipensberger) Rauch, and she continues to occupy the family
residence at Orwigsburg, where they have lived for many years. Of the
three children born to this marriage: George R. is deceased; Mildred E.,
born Aug. 3, 1891, resides with her mother at OrAvigsburg; Clifford is
engaged in the shoe business at Orwigsburg.
TILGHMAN S. BALLIET, postmaster and merchant at Chain, in West
Penn township, is in touch with the business and government of his section
of Schuylkill county at so many points that he has a most comprehensive grasp
of local affairs. His business brings him into personal contact with a large
percentage of the farmers thereabouts ; in various official positions he has
given able service to his fellow citizens for years, and he has been equally
devoted to the improvement of social and living conditions, having the broad
sympathies which make him a willing worker in all causes for the general
The Balliet family is of French origin, and Tilghman S. Balliet is of
the fourth generation to live in West Penn township, this county, where his
great-grandfather, George Balliet, settled on coming from France, his native
country. He lived in the Mahoning valley, where he became the owner of a
large tract of land, much of which he cleared. After coming here he united
with the German Reformed Church, and he and his wife are buried at Zion's
Church in West Penn township. Their family consisted of four sons and one
daughter, the latter dying young. The sons were George, Jonas, Stephen and
Leonard.
Leonard Balliet, the grandfather of Tilghman S. Balliet, was bom and
reared in West Penn township, and used the German language fluently, learn-
ing it from his German neighbors there. He was a prosperous farmer, owning
about six hundred acres of land in the Mahoning valley, which he received
by grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a large portion of
which he cleared. He lived retired for a munber of years before his death,
dying at the home of his grandson, Tilghman S. Balliet, when ninety-one years
old. He married Mary Magdalena Lechneiter, and they are buried in West
Penn township, in the cemetery of Zion's Reformed Church, of which they
were members, Mr. Balliet takmg a very active part in its work. Politically
he was a Democrat. His family consisted of the following children: Henry,
who married Anna Hill ; Daniel and Jacob, who went West ; John L. : Kate,
who married David Sechler ; and Maria, who married Abraham Miller.
John L. Balliet, father of Tilghman S. Balliet, was bom in West Penn
township, and grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the public
schools. In his early life he assisted his father in the cultivation of the old
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 355
homestead, and later bought 150 acres of his own, of which 100 acres were
improved. On this farm he remained until his death, which occurred when
he was seventy-six years old. He was one of the active men of his locality,
serving as school director and taking a leading part in the work of Zion's
Reformed Church, of which he was elder and deacon for many years, and also
trustee. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife were both buried
in the cemetery of the St. Peter's Reformed Church. Mr. Balliet married
Carolina Sittler, daughter of Everett Sittler, and she died at the age of
seventy-three years. They were the parents of three children, namely: Emma,
born Jan. 2, 1852, is the widow of William Wehr; Stephen, born Nov. 8, 1854,
a resident of West Penn township, married Kate Gerber; Tilghman S. com-
pletes the family.
Tilghman S. Balliet was born July 28, 1857, in West Penn township, and
received his early education in the public schools there, later having the
advantage of two terms of study at the Keystone State Normal School, at
Kutztown, Pa. Subsequently he assisted his father in the operation of the
home farm until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he left home
to gain a little experience. For about a year he traveled through the States
of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the Middle West. Returning home
Mr. Balliet married and settled at his present place at Chain', in West Penn
township, buying from his father the farm he still owns, of 235 acres, 130
acres of which are under cultivation, devoted to general farming. This tract
was originally the John Ohl farm.
W'hile Mr. Balliet has never given up his agricultural interests, he has been
equally as active in other lines. About twenty-five years ago he began selling
agricultural implements, and his stock now includes almost all kinds of farm
machinen.% farm supplies and fertilizers, in which he has a very large trade.
He put up a large building at Chain for its accommodation, the lower floor
being devoted to the needs of his implement business, while the upper is used
for lodge purposes by Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of Independent
Americans. Mr. Balliet has always exerted himself in securing conveniences
for his neighbors, and he was instrumental in having the post office estab-
lished at Chain some sixteen years ago; he has held the position of postmaster
throughout that period. He has been chosen to other local offices, having
been school director for twelve years, auditor for six years, and in every
capacity he has shown himself to be an intelligent and public-spirited man.
That his neighbors appreciate his business acumen and good judgment is
evident from the fact that they frequently seek his advice, and he has often
been called upon to act as executor of estates and to write wills. He is a
director of the People's Trust Company of Tamaqua, Pa. ; a member of the
Democratic party ; a member of Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of
Independent Americans, a past councilor of same, and at present serving the
council as treasurer; a member of Washington Camp, No. 132, P. O. S. of A.,
in West Penn township; and of Blue Ridge Lodge, No. 1153, I. O. O. F., at
Sittler, West Penn township. Like his ancestors he is prominently identified
with the support of the Zion's Reformed Church, which he has served six years
as elder, three years as deacon and two years as trustee; at one time he was
superintendent of the Zehner Sunday school.
On Feb. 15, 1880, Air. Balliet married Kate Eberts, who was born Sept.
3, 1861, in Alahoning township. Carbon Co., Pa., daughter of Joseph Eberts.
Five children have been born to this marriage: (i) Eva Jeanetta, bom June
356 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYL\'ANL\
14, 1881, married Morris Shellhammer, a farmer of West Penn township,
and their children are : Charles, Carrie, Mildred, Lloyd, Catherine, Alberta
and Paul. (2) Carrie Ellen, born April 7, 1883, married William Kistler, a
mail clerk in the Philadelphia post office. They have two children, Gwen-
dolin and Marian. (3) Willis John, born Jan. 10, 1887, is operating his
father's farm. He married Carrie Zehner, and their children are Erma,
Alma and Tilghman. (4) Ulysses Harvey, born March 20, 1890, a traveling
salesman for the International Harvester Company, resident of Allentown,
Pa., married Jennie Eberts and has children Madaline and A'alma. (5) Min-
nie Margaret, born Nov. 11, 1893, married Leon Gerber, a farmer of West
Penn township.
Joseph Eberts, father of Mrs. Balliet, was born in Mahoning township.
Carbon Co., Pa., and lived to the age of seventy years. He was a farmer and
cattle dealer all his life. He was a devout member of St. Peter's Lutheran
Church, in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and highly respected for
his sincere Christian character. Politically he was a Republican. He married
Polly Breiner, daughter of Peter Breiner, and she died at the age of seventy-
three years. Both are buried at St. Peter's Church. Mr. and Mrs. Eberts
became the parents of the following children: Frank married Agnes Sittler;
Milton was twice married, his second wife being an Arner ; Sarah (deceased),
married Richard Diehl ; Kate is Mrs. T. S. Balliet; Matilda married Frank
Knepper ; Ellen married Victor Solt ; Jennie married Calvin Arner ; Olivia
married Henry Semmel.
WILLIAM HABER has, in a lifetime of honorable business and official
activity at Tamaqua, contributed his full share toward expanding the interests
of that borough and placing them upon solid foundations. Born and reared in
Germany, he had the thorough training which all tradesmen in that country
are required to undergo before they are considered competent workmen, so
although he arrived in America with little money he had a possession more
valuable, both to himself and to the community. The blacksmith and wagon
works he established were a useful addition to the flourishing industries of
the town, and are still in existence though under other ownership. Lie has
filled a creditable place in local afifairs throughout his residence here.
Mr. Haber's father, John Haber, was a blacksmith and wagonmaker in
Germany, where he lived and died. His children were : William ; Eobold ;
Karl, v^'ho died in Gemiany (at the time of his death he was holding a respon-
sible office in the government service); Conrad; and Martha, who married
John Krug and is living in Tamaqua.
William Haber was born Nov. 16, 1844, in Hessen-Nassau, where he was
reared and educated, learning his trade under the careful tuition of his
father. > For two and a half years after completing his apprenticeship he
traveled over his native land, working at his trade in different shops to acquire
the experience which a diversity of work gives, learning to adapt himself to
varying conditions and methods. Coming to America, he reached Tamaqua,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., Sept. 3, 1865, and soon found employment at his trade.
It was not long before he began to follow it on his own account, locating on
Pine street, where he did general blackstuith work and built wagons and
sleighs. His custom increased steadily, and he held it by reliable work and
honest dealings, until he sold out in 1893 to Philip Krell, who operated the
shop until 1914. Mr. Haber then bought a hotel on Pine street, which he
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 357
conducted for four years, since when he has lived retired, doing no active
work except what is necessary to look after his interests properly. He was
directly connected with the municipal g-overnnient for a long- period, having
served six years as a member of the borough council and four years in the
responsible capacity of borough treasurer. In both positions he discharged his
duties with painstaking regard for the washes of his townsmen, retaining their
good will and respect by his unselfish public spirit and unquestionable integrity.
In 1867 Mr. Haber married Mrs. Catherine E. (Wetterau) Kraus, whose
father, John Ernst Wetterau, came to this country from Germany. By her
first marriage, to John W. Kraus (deceased), she had one son, William.
who married Lavina Raab ; their daughter, Annie B. Kraus, is now the wife
of C. C. Ilirsch, and has one son, William Haber Ilirsch. No children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Haber.
Mr. Haber has made two visits back to the Fatherland since he settled in
the L'nited States. In 1S75 he made his first trip home, spending three months
in travel, and in 1893 he and his wife went together, on that occasion bring-
ing his mother and sister and the hitter's husband back with them to Tamaqua.
Mrs. John Haber, the mother, died Oct. 18, 1899, at Tamaqua, where she is
buried.
Mr. Haber is a Mason in fraternal connection, belonging to Tamaqua
Lodge, No. 238, F. & A. M.
CONRAD BISCHOFF, late of Tamaqua, was the founder of one of
the most successful business establishments in the borough, now conducted by
his sons, all of whom are respected residents of the place which was the scene
of their father's active career. Mr. Bischoff was a typical thrifty German,
reared with the practical ideas for which his native land is noted, and trained
with the thoroughness which few but old-country apprentices know by experi-
ence. So though he had little in the way of worldly goods when he arrived
here he was well equipped to take care of himself, and besides was blessed with
ambition and courage, which he showed in venturing alone to a strange land.
He was well rewarded, and in turn proved one of the valuable citizens of the
community he chose for a home, contributing much toward the establishment
of sound business standards in the town of his adoption.
Mr. Bischoff was born in Bavaria, Germany, where he spent his early life,
coming to America when a youth and settling at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa. He was a skilled cabinetmaker, and followed the business all his days.
Though he started modestly he made steady progress, and in 1870 he built a
large brick factory on Lafayette street in which to carry on the manufacture
of furniture, in which line he commanded a large trade, both wholesale and
retail. He also did an extensive business as an undertaker. Mr. Bischoiif con-
tinued his active connection with both branches until his death, which occurred
Dec. 3, 1901. He married Wilhelmina Buri, who survived him several years,
passing away April 3, 1910, and she conducted the business after his death
under the name of W. BischofT. It is now operated by their children, as the
Estate of I\Irs. Wilhelmina Bischofif, all the children having equal responsibility
and interest therein. The factory, as already mentioned, is on Lafayette
street, and the store is at No. 115 West Broad street, which is the location of
the old familv homestead, where all the Bischoffs still reside.
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Bischoff had a family of four children, three sons
and one daughter: (i) Fred is at present serving as assessor of the North
358 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ward of Tamaqua. He married Emma Becker. (2) William C, born April
27, 1861, was for fifteen years a member of Company B, 8th Regiment, Penn-
sylvania National Guard, in which he held the rank of lieutenant. (3) Charles,
who is now representing the North ward in the borough council, was a mem-
ber of Company B, 8th Pennsylvania National Guard, for twenty-three years,
and saw service in the Spanish-American war. All three brothers are mem-
bers of the B. P. O. Elks and of the American Hose Company, and William
C. BischofT has been a member of Washington Camp, No. 57, P. O. &. of A.,
for the last thirty-eight years. (4) Emma, the only daughter, is the wife of
Fred Zizelmann, and they have one son, Conrad BischofT. All the family
belong to the Lutheran Church.
The Bischoffs are among the most substantial business men in Tamaqua,
holding a large share of the local trade both as furniture manufacturers and
dealers, and in the undertaking line.
WILLIAM F. DOCHNEY has been closely associated with the adminis-
tration of municipal affairs in Mahanoy City, in fact he has been one of its
most popular officials. As chief burgess for five years he made a record of
executive ability which was a fitting climax to the reputation he had acquired
in previous services to his fellow citizens, for he has been active in public
life from the time he attained his majority. He has cooperated in every pro-
gressive movement undertaken, showing keen insight and good understanding
on questions of local importance, and can always be counted on the right side
of every issue aft'ecting the general welfare.
]\Ir. Dochney was born in September, 1857, at West Wood, Schuylkill
county, son of Nicholas Dochney. The father was a native of Ireland, com-
ing to America when a young man, and first settled at Pottsville, Schuylkill
Co., Pa., thence removing to West Wood and later to Middle Creek. In 1872
he located at Mahanoy City, where he lived retired until his death, in 1883.
He was engaged in mining throughout his active years.
William F. Dochney began work at the mines at an early age. For about
nine years he held the position of foreman at the Mahanoy City colliery, at
the end of that period going into the furniture business on his own account,
being so engaged for a period of fourteen years. He was then honored with
election to the principal executive position in the borough, becoming chief
burgess, and he filled that office for five years with eminent satisfaction to a
large majority of the residents of the borough. It is generally conceded that
Mahanoy City never had a more popular man at the head of its govern-
ment. It was during his term that Mahanoy City held its semi-centennial
celebration, in 1913, and as chairman of the executive committee in charge of
the arrangements, and member of the transportation committee, he labored
untiringly to make the occasion a success long to be remembered. Too much
credit cannot be given him for his zeal in the work. His enthusiasm was con-
tagious, his example one of unselfish public spirit, and the celebration was
carried out in an elaborate and appropriate manner, reflecting the highest
credit on the town and its people for loyalty and enterprise.
Mr. Dochney was only twenty-one years old when elected a member of
the Mahanoy City school board, and he was retained in that office for nine
years. For two years he served as justice of the peace. He was one of the
founders of the board of health and a member of that body for eight years.
Since the close of his term as burgess he has resumed mine work, being now
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 359
foreman at the Tunnel Ridge colliery. For thirty-two years he has been a
member of the Humane Fire Company, and takes a leading part in its activities.
He was a charter member of the Mahanoy City lodge of the Knights of
Columbus.
Mr. Dochney married Sarah Houlahan, who was born at West Wood, this
county, daughter of Thomas Houlahan, a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs.
Dochney have had the following children: John is now located in New York
City ; Thomas lives in Mahanoy City ; Jane is a public school teacher in
Mahanoy City ; Catherine is at home ; William resides in Reading, Pa. ; Joseph,
twin of William, is a locomotive engineer in the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Coal & Iron Company at Mahanoy City ; Frank, a mining engineer,
resides at Mahanoy City ; Raymond and Mary are at home.
ROBERT J. LUTZ, carpenter and builder, of Mahanoy City, has been
doing a liberal share of the best construction work in the borough executed
within the last decade. In workmanship, solidity, architecture, arrangement
and finish his structures compare well with those around them, for Mr. Lutz
has had the worthy ambition to embody in his work the high principles which
make him respected as a man.
Jacob Lutz. the grandfather of Robert J. Lutz, lived and died at Lewis-
town, Schuylkill county. He was a farmer by occupation. His son, Solomon
H. Lutz, father of Robert J. Lutz, was born and reared at Lewistown, and
came to Mahanoy City in i860, before its incorporation as a borough. By
trade he was a carpenter, and he followed that calling in Mahanoy City and
the vicinity all his active years, becoming very well known in this section as
an honest and competent workman. His death occurred July 21, 1895, and
he is buried at Tamaqua. His widow, Mrs. Kate (Kline) Lutz, is still resid-
ing at Mahanoy City. They had two children, Robert J. and Gertrude, the
latter the wife of Dr. I. O. Felmlee, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Robert J. Lutz was born March 31, 1874, at Mahanoy City, where he spent
his boyhood in attendance at the public schools. He early began assisting
his father in carpenter work, following the trade as journeyman until nine
years ago, when, in 1906, he undertook contracting on his own account. The
contracts for a number of the best residences and business blocks constructed
since he started for himself have been awarded to him, and his patrons have
been well satisfied with his services. He has given close attention to the vari-.
ous branches of the work, neglecting nothing and placing due importance on
each detail. For this reason his buildings are unusually complete, economically
and tastefully arranged, finished with a regard for lasting beauty as well as
durability, and for fitness, being distinctly desirable units in the material fea-
tures of the borough. He has a faculty for making the most of space, and
for using the points of a location to good advantage, which bring the eflFects
of his completed structures into harmony with their surroundings. Among
the residences he has constructed are the James K. Silliman house and the
home of Joseph Garrahan, lawyer; his business contracts include the Tribune
building, the Cook & Meehan building and the Gatly & West building. Mr.
Lutz has taken a public-spirited interest in local government, and since 191 1
has been a member of the town council. Politically he is a Republican. He
belongs to all the local Masonic bodies — Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357, F. &
A. M. ; Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, R. A. M. : and Ivanhoe Commandery, No.
31, K. T. ; and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum.
360 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL-\
His religious connection is with the United Evangehcal Church. Personally
he is held in high esteem wherever known. Mr. Lutz married Mabel M.
Kriner, and they are the parents of the following named children: Leon,
Carrie, Robert, Norman, Ira, Martha and Roy.
PROF. WILBUR MERRILL YEINGST, A. M., one of the most efficient
educators of Schuylkill county, has been superintendent of the public schools
at Minersville since December, 1908, and has been enthusiastic in the promo-
tion of the best interests of public education throughout his career. He is a
native of Cumberland county. Pa., a member of a family of German origin
which has long had its home there.
George Yeingst, his grandfather, was born in Dickinson township, Cum-
berland county, and was engaged in farming in that township, on what was
known as the Bradley farm. Thence he moved to Mt. Holly, where he
passed the remainder of his days, dying at the age of seventy-six years. His
wife also died at Mt. Holly, when seventy-one years old. They were the
parents of the following named children : Sailie is the widow of David Geyer,
and is living at Mt. Holly Springs ; INIichael died in 1902, in Dickinson town-
ship ; Fred, who is a carpenter, makes his home in Carlisle ; Alfred died in
Illinois; William lives in Dickinson township; Amelia, Mrs. Kauffman, is a
resident of Mt. Holly Springs; David, born in 1841, married Martha Sowers;
Charles, a carpenter, is employed at Steelton, and makes his home at Mt.
Holly Springs ; James was the father of Professor Yeingst.
James Yeingst was born in South Middleton township, Cumbei'land Co.,
Pa., learned the trade of blacksmith, and followed it for many years as an
employee of the Philadelphia & Reading Company at Boiling Springs, in his
native county. He died ^lay 9, 1914. To his marriage with Elizabeth Smith
was born one child, Wilbur JNIerrill.
Wilbur Merrill Yeingst was born June 12, 1875, near Boiling Springs, in
South Middleton township, Cumberland county, and attended the local schools.
His higher education was received at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., from
which institution he was graduated in 1897. He has since been devoted to
educational work. After two years as teacher in the high school at Boiling
Springs he was engaged for three years as principal of the schools at Halifax,
Dauphin Co., Pa. For the six years following he was supervising principal of
the schools at Lykens, also in Dauphin county, in December, 190S, assuming
the duties of his present position. Professor Yeingst has met with unquali-
fied success in his chosen profession, and the work he has done at Minersville
is typical of the services which have given such satisfaction wherever he has
been engaged. His modern ideas, prompt adoption of tested methods and prom-
ising changes, and above all his energy in every department of school work,
have fostered a spirit of cooperation among his fellow teachers, and also
among the pupils, which could not fail to have a wholesome effect upon the
general welfare of the schools under his charge. Professor Yeingst is a mem-
ber of the Modern Woodmen, of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the
Masonic fraternity, in the latter connection belonging to Lykens Lodge, No.
570, F. & A. M.; Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M.; Harrisburg Con-
sistory', thirty-second degree; and Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of
Harrisburg. His religious association is with the Methodist Church.
Professor Yeingst married Olive Mountz, daughter of Curias Mountz, of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL'V 361
South Middleton township, Cumberland county, and they have a family of
four children : James, Oliver, Violet and Helen.
CALVIN ELIJALI SITTLER, postmaster and general merchant at Sittler,
Schuylkill county, is a son of the late Tilghman E. Sittler, founder of the town
and its leading citizen for a generation and more.
The name of Sittler or Sitler has had many representatives of solid worth
in the older communities of Pennsylvania from Colonial times. It was in the
year 1736, according to the testimony of his descendants of the third genera-
tion, that Dietrich Sitler, the ancestor of the branch of the family here under
consideration, arrived in America with his older brother Mathias. Their
origin, the reasons for their emigration and the unique tradition which had
its rise in the circumstances of their complete separation from early home and
family ties, and the comparatively recent etYorts of the family to establish their
claims as heirs to a vast estate in Germany, constitute a record of unusual
interest. The story forms an appropriate introduction to the history of Dietrich
Sitler and his posterity.
This account of the earliest known ancestors of these Sittlers is compiled
from a report of Prof. J. R. Dimm, dated "Selingsgrove, Pa., Sept. 4th, 1900,"
of the efforts he and others made that summer in pursuit of information relat-
ing to the Sitlers, at the instigation of a number of the family, and with the
view of stimulating the present heirs to united activity in the famous Sitler
will claims. He is a grandson of !Margaretha Sitler, wife of Christopher
Dimm, who on Aug. 20, 1784, had a large lot of ground in the town of Ham-
burg, Berks Co., Pa., conveyed to him. The desired records, and the descend-
ants of the emigrant Sitlers able to throw any light on the subject, were scat-
tered over York, Lancaster, Berks and Lehigh counties, but the investigation
was conducted most conscientiously and had many promising results, as well
as a number of disappointments. The work occupied several weeks. The
various sources of information exploited included the Colonial records found
in the State libraries ; the county records ; church records ; tombstone inscrip-
tions ; old family Bibles ; and family traditions — and where indisputable facts
were being sought each was found to have its limitations. The county record
begins with the date of the county's erection, which in most cases was later
than the Sitlers' arrival in America and settlement in the Province of Pennsyl-
vania. Of early records, the church chronicles are the most reliable, and when
complete very valuable, but in many cases they have been so irregularly kept
as to be only fragmentary, and, moreover, they "bear no witness at all to
those who neglected the Christian religion." It was found, too, that in many
cases the books had been lost or destroyed ; or that they had been neglected ;
or that the handwriting was so defective and the ink so pale as to make the
entries undecipherable. Many burials were made in the woods where they
cannot be located, even though in grounds set apart for the purpose ; many
tombstones were not engraved for want of skilled craftsmen ; and others
have had the markings almost obliterated by time. Old family Bibles seem
to be scarce, and comparatively few contain records ; and traditions, though
legion, and usually a guide to the facts upon which they are founded, are
not reliable.
Professor Dimm fortified himself with all the available knowledge concern-
ing the family before he set out on his twofold mission. Jacob Sitler, of
Hittenthall (post office Schartzenau), \\'estphalia, Germany, found the name
362 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Mathias Sitler, father of the emigrant ancestors of this family, in the
records of Elsoft'er Church. The entry translated reads as follows : "Bap-
tized Mathias Sidler, son of Frederick Sidler and his wife Elizabeth, bom
June 4, 165 1. Sponsors Hans Ludwich Theis of Hoffe and Ann Elizabeth,
wife of John Kasper Miller." This Mathias was the Baron von Sidler the
story of whose strange will forms the foundation of a family tradition of
exceptional interest. It would appear that the Baron was a man of original
mind; but he could scarcely have considered the consequences in case his plan
miscarried. Two of his sons, Mathias and Dietrich, changed their religious
allegiance from the Roman Catholic to the Lutheran Church, which so in-
censed the father against them that the alienation was permanent. It was
probably the cause of their emigration to the New World, for as far back as
known in this country the tradition has existed in the family that they were
entitled to a share of large estates in Gennany possessed by their ancestor.
Baron Mathias von Sidler, the settlement of whose property was delayed by
the peculiar directions concerning his will, that it was not to be opened before
the lapse of a century after his death. As trustee to take charge of his estates
during the one hundred years he appointed the King of Prussia. It was under-
stood that the Baron's wealth was employed in banking institutions in the
province of Alsace. The Baron had another son, Abraham, who, it is
claimed in some quarters, also came to America, but there is nothing to refute
or prove the claim.
Those of the Sitlers who have given any time to gathering and preserving
family information have the united testimony of the third generation in
America that the Sitlers came to this country in 1736. Mathias, from the
fact that he was given his father's name, was probably the eldest son. He
settled in Lancaster county. Pa., owned a house in the city of Lancaster in
1764, and later moved westward into York county, where he had a large
landed property. His last removal was to Baltimore, Md., where he pur-
chased lands which he let out on ground rents in parts, for ninety-nine years,
helped to develop the city, and left a large estate unsettled when he died in
Baltimore in 1787. Some of his family moved back to York county. Pa.,
where their descendants still reside ; others went to the Southern States. A
daughter of his grandson Abraham Sitler was found at Hanover, Yorks Co.,
Pa., by Professor Dimm in 1900. She was then seventy years old (born in
1830), an intelligent, well educated woman of unimpaired faculties, and testi-
fied that from her earliest childhood she had heard her father speak to his
family about the will of his great-grandfather, who died in 1745, which would
make the year 1845 as the time set for the distribution of the property. Her
father confidently expected this, and it was a subject of common conversation
among the relations whenever they visited. There is evidence to show that
the same belief about the will and its eccentric provisions prevailed in other
branches of the family. When 1845 went by and the expectations were not
realized an efifort was made to find out whether these estates really existed
or not, the Sitlers sending a lawyer to Germany to inquire into the matter,
and especially to ascertain the possibilities in the case of the American
claimants. In Berks and Lehigh counties Professor Dimm found men whose
fathers had contributed, to the expense of this investigation, and who said the
attorney returned with the news that there was an estate worth millions await-
ing their claims, but that he was not equipped with the genealogical records
and other papers necessary to make proper application therefor. The matter
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 363
rested at that stag-e iiiilil about 1830. Meantime two grandsons of the emi-
grant Mathias Sitler, residing in York county, Pa., received several notices
from Germany informing them of the existence of the estates awaiting Ameri-
can heirs; no attention had been paid to these notices. From various Sitlers it
is learned that about 1850 a messenger was sent from the German govern-
ment to the L'nited States government, at Washington, where he was referred
to Thaddeus Stevens, then the representative in the Mouse from the district
made up of Lancaster, York and Berks counties. Mr. Stevens obligingly
undertook his introduction to the Sitler heirs in York county. It is related
that they arrived at the house of a wealthy grandson of Mathias Sitler near
the city of York about nine o'clock one night, after he had retired, and he
refused to get up but had them come up to his room. After learning their
errand he told them to collect what was due, take out their pay and give him
his share. Thaddeus Stevens it is known made one more effort, offering to
collect the whole estate and bring it to America for twenty-five per cent. But
the grandsons considered the percentage too high, and so nothing was done.
In 1897 the American consul at Berlin inserted a small advertisement
in a New York newspaper: "Wanted heirs to inherit a vast estate left in
Germany by Mathias Sitler, Sr." It had the effect of bringing the present-
day descendants to their feet, and the organization now existing among them
is the result. The Sitler German society was founded in 1897 by descendants
of ]\Iathias Sitler, none of Dietrich's posterity being included. Upon inquiry
Professor Dimm learned that its primary object was to assert and enforce
the claims of the heirs of Mathias Sitler of Baltimore to an unsettled estate
and the interests in certain grounds in Baltimore whose leases had expired
(to which property the heirs of Dietrich had no right) ; and, that accom-
plished, to use the proceeds to prosecute their claims to the estates of Baron
von Sidler. However, the officers of the society explained that it then had
neither charter nor constitution, and that reorganization to secure the full
cooperation of the heirs in both branches was possible, so that an agent sent
to Germany would represent all the heirs, all of whom should participate in
bearing the expense of the undertaking. However, it was considered advisable
to suggest the proviso that the Dietrich Sitler heirs should make no claim to
the property of Mathias Sitler of Baltimore; and if they contributed anything
to aid in the prosecution of the claim their money should be returned to them
with interest from the date of contribution when the claims were awarded.
As a result of the exertions of Professor Dimm and his coworkers it was
planned to hold a meeting at which all the descendants of Mathias and Dietrich
Sitler should be represented, and the executive committee of the Sitler German
Society called such a meeting, at Harrisburg, the date set being Oct. 23,
1900, in order to acquaint those interested with the known facts ; to amplify
these as much as possible from other information in the family ; and to secure
definite promises of assistance, for the fund necessary to carry on the re-
searches which were a necessary preliminary to the legal action. At Phila-
delphia the cooperation of a lawyer engaged by one of the group of the
family was secured, his clients falling in with the general plan. Professor
Dimm, as a representative of the Dietrich Sitler heirs, and the various officers
of the Sitler German Society, representing the Mathias Sitler heirs, agreed
on certain preparatory work : to complete the family trees in this country ;
to ascertain if these estates still exist in the care of the German government,
or whether they have been forfeited to the authorities ; to obtain documentary
364 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANIA
evidence in support of their claims, including baptismal records and a copy
of the will in question from Germany; and to engage competent German
legal talent. There was some apprehension that the Gemian government
might resist the transfer of so much property to citizens of another country.
Dietrich Sitler, the younger of the two brothers whose change of faith
isolated them from their family and gave to Pennsylvania some of the sturdy
Teutonic stock which has largely influenced the characteristics of the popula-
tion even down to the present time, came to this country in 1736 — in the midst
of the Colonial period, fifty-four years after Penn founded Philadelphia,
when only a few counties had been erected in Pennsylvania, and forty years
before the Declaration of Independence. The brothers settled on lands now
included in the counties of Lancaster and Berks, and Dietrich remained a
citizen of the latter county to the end of his days, and was buried, as his
descendants believe, at the Moselem Church in Richmond township. In the
course of his investigations during the summer of 1900 Professor Dimm
visited this old church, the oldest house of worship in all that region, located
on a tract of land (103 acres) presented to the German Lutherans by a son
of William Penn. Dietrich Sitler helped to build the first church there, in
1745, a log structure which was burned by the Indians. It was replaced in
1761 by a stone church, and Dietrich Sitler was one of the members and
officers until 1778; his son Henry was one of the church officers from 1785
to 1816. It is practically certain that Dietrich is buried in the graveyard
there, and a close search was made for a possible tombstone, though, as is
frequently the case, the ancient burial spot had few stones marking the
scores of graves. On close examination it was found that several stones had
once borne clear inscriptions, now so effaced by time and the weather as to
be almost if not entirely illegible, and many were broken and lying flat on the
ground. However, one of the upright markers, a stone about three feet high,
sixteen inches wide and six inches thick, showed plainly the word Sitler, with
a German '"D" before it, the rest of the wording all worn off except the dates,
of which the months were doubtful, but the years plain. The inscription as
finally deciphered read: ''Dietrich Sitler, bom Sept. 13th, 1716, died Oct.
20th, 1775." But as 1716 is the date of birth of Mathias, brother of Dietrich,
and as there is documentary evidence that the latter was living in 1778 (he
certified to a settlement of church accounts Jan. 22, 1777, and communed in
Moselem Church with his wife June 27, 1778), the date on this stone must
refer to another of the same name, and there is no tangible support for the
supposition that the Dietrich Sitler in which we are interested rests there.
The outline of his history may be found in the records of the Colonial period,
1 730- 1 780, now deposited in Philadelphia. Lie married Anna Maria Von
Resler, and they reared a family of six children. By his second wife, Dora-
tha, he had no family. Nothing concerning him was found in the records at
Reading and Hamburg.
Phillip Sitler, son of Dietrich, is next ancestor in the line of Calvin E: Sit-
tler. His wife's name was Catherine.
George Sitler, son of Phillip and Catherine Sitler, married a Miss Moser,
and they had a large family : John, Solomon, Samuel, Johnathan, George, Mrs.
Judith Weiss, Mrs. Lucy Werley, Mrs. Shoemaker (of Ohio), Mrs. Lechleiter
(of Ohio), Mrs. Klingeman and Mrs. Beninghoft' (of Ohio). Of the sons,
Samuel, grandfather of Calvin E., is referred to more fully in the next para-
graph. John had a son John, who settled on a cattle range out W^est. Solomon
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANLV 365
had four cliildrcn : Edward, whose children were Pierce, Calvin, Harvey, Vin-
nie, Rudoli)h, lohn and l^stella; John, who had Wesley and Stanley; Charles;
and Sallie, who married Edward Lester and had four children, Edward. Jennie,
Adelbert and Frankie. Johnathan had three children, Elias, Catherine and
Caroline; this family moved to Ohio, and Johnathan's widow married a Mr.
Stoudt. George had a family of eight : Reuben, whose children were James,
Sylvester, Caroline, David and Sarah; David, who had Daniel and Sarah;
William; George, who had Henry, John, George and James; Regina, Mrs.
Abraham Kesll'er; Polly, Mrs. Na'than Miller, who had a daughter Ella, wife
of Alvin Rupp; Lovina, iNlrs. Peter Warner; and Levi, father of Dr. Al.
Sitler.
Samuel Sittler, grandfather of Calvin E. Sittler, was born in Lehigh county,
Pa., and settled in^Lahoning township. Carbon Co., Pa., where he passed the
remainder of his life. He had a farm of sixty acres. By his marriage to Eliza-
beth Everett, daughter of Jacob Everett, he had a family of six children,
namely : ( i ) Caroline married John Ballict and had children : Stephen, Tilgh-
man and Emma. (2) Charles married Priscilla Snyder and had children:
Agnes (Mrs. Eberts), Savannah (Mrs. Kistler), Daniel W., Martha (Mrs.
Kresge), Ida and Estella. (3) William married Mary Snyder. (4) Tilghman
E. married Louisa Hunsicker. (5) Sarah married Joseph Hoppes and had
one child. Lizetta. (6) Amanda married John Longacre and had children:
Olivia (Mrs. \\"ertman), Lizzie (Mrs. Delp). Caroline, Hattie and Roscoe.
Mr. Sittler was a Republican in his political faith. He was a member of the
German Lutheran (Ben-Salem) Church in East Penn township, Carbon Co.,
Pa., and he and his wife are buried there.
Tilghman E. Sittler, son of Samuel, was born in East Penn township. Car-
bon Co., Pa., July 19, 1837, and died Sept. 27, 1907. His education was ob-
tained in the public schools of Mahoning township. Carbon county, and at Per-
kiomen Seminary, and he taught school in West Penn township, Schuylkill
county, until his enlistment in the Union army, in which he served as sergeant.
He enlisted Aug. 16, 1864, for one year, and was enrolled at Harrisburg as
sergeant in Company A (Capt. Jacob D. Laciars), 202d Pennsylvania Volun-
teer Infantry, which was under the command of Col. Charles Albright and later
of Col. John A. Manns. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harris-
burg, Sept. 3, 1864, and proceeded to Camp Couch Sept. loth, where it was
drilled and led out on a three days' march for exercise on Sept. 23d. Going on
to Washington and Alexandria, it was then sent by General Stough to do duty
on the Manasses Gap railroad, taking possession along the road from Thor-
oughfare Gap to Rectortown ; and participated in the fighting at Salem
Heights, Oct. 8-16, 1864. The enemy wrecked their railroad train and poured
a volley upon the poor sufferers in the wreck ; Colonel Albright then ordered
that all the buildings within a radius of one mile be burned ; later this railroad
was abandoned and the 202d Regiment was engaged in its destruction as far as
Alexandria. This regiment guarded the Orange and Alexandria railroad from
Bull Run to Alexandria, with headquarters at Halifax Station, where they
protected woodmen and teams which were engaged in the construction of four
works for the United States army. The regiment was then sent to Philadel-
phia, and from there took headquarters at Tamaqua, Pa., later assembling at
Harrisburg. where Mr. Sittler was mustered out and honorably discharg-ed Aus
3.1865. - " "
Returnmg from the army, Mr. Sittler engaged in the general store business
366 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
at the location which later became known as Sittler's (the post office is Sittler),
and he was instrumental in having the post office established there. He was
appointed the first postmaster, holding the position until his death, when his
son Calvin E. Sittler succeeded him. Mr. Sittler was a man of energetic dis-
position and entered heartily into local enterprises, in which his intelligent co-
operation was properly valued. He represented the Farmers' Union Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, and had charge of the district em-
bracing West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and the Mahoning Valley,
Carbon county. He served his home township as school director, and was
known as one of the most faithful members of the Ben-Salem Lutheran
Church, just across the Schuylkill county line in East Penn township. Carbon
county. He is buried there. Mr. Sittler was a member of Bertolet Post, No.
484, G. A. R., of Lehighton, Pa., and remained a Republican to the end of his
days.
Mr. Sittler married Louisa Hunsicker, a daughter of Henry and Abigail
(Arner) Hunsicker, and they had the following children: Dr. Warren C,
born Feb. 2, 1868, now resides in Mahoning township. Carbon Co., Pa.; he
married Hattie Zeliner, and they have one child. Earl, who is attending the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa. Calvin E. is next in the fam-
ily. Jennie E., born Jan. 27, 1873, is married to Harry N. Cannon, manager
of the Childs restaurants in Baltimore, jMd. ; their children are Burdelle and
Harry. Lulu M., born Jan. 27, 1880, is the wife of Rev. J. S. Kistler, of East
Stroudsburg, Pa., and has one child, Louise. LeRoy A., born Feb. 15, 1881,
is a truck farmer in Lehigh county (on Macungie R. F. D. Route No. 2) ; he
married Katie Dennenhauer. Elsie Sallie Lufonta, born Dec. 18, 1887, a grad-
uate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1905, lives at home.
George C, who completes the family, is a veteran of the Spanish-American
war, having enlisted in Company C. 21st Regimeut, United States Regular
Infantry, in 1898, at the recruiting office in Pottsville, Pa. He was sent to Fort
McPherson, Ga., and then to Austell (Lithia Springs), that State, and after
a short period spent in these two camps of instruction proceeded to Cuba, by
way of Tampa, Fla., for active service at the front. He participated in the
engagements at ]\Iatanzas, Cienfuegos, El Caney, San Juan, Guantanamo and
Santiago. After the surrender of the Spanish army he was transferred to
Plattsburg Barracks, in New York State, and was there discharged in Febru-
ary, 1899, under orders of the adjutant general's office, which gave him the
privilege of receiving his discharge after the ratification of the treaty of peace
between the United States and Spain. While at Austell, Ga., he was struck
by lightning, the accident shattering his health. He holds a medal as a first-
class marksman (sharpshooter), for which honor he qualified at the Platts-
burg rifle range.
Calvin E. Sittler, who has succeeded his father as general merchant and
postniaster at Sittler, was born Feb. 12, 187 1, in West Penn township, and
received his preparatory education there in the public schools. Later he Was
a student at the West Chester State Normal School and the Eastman Busi-
ness college, Poughkeepsie. N. Y., and his practical business training was
gained as clerk in his father's store and assistant postmaster. LTpon his
father's death he was appointed postmaster, and has serv^ed as such to the
present time, looking after the office in connection with the operation of his
general store, which is the largest and best equipped establishment of the kind
in the territory. He succeeded his father as representative of the Farmers'
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 367
Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and by his honorable transactions has
come to occupy the same enviable position his father held in the general esteem.
Fraternally he is a member in good standing of Lodge No. 1153, 1. O. O. F., of
Sittler, Pa. ; formerly he belonged to Joseph Webb Camp, Sons of Veterans,
of Lehighton, Carbon county. He holds membership in the Ben-Salem Luth-
eran Church, and was at one time a teacher in the Sunday school.
Mrs. Louisa (Hunsicker) Sittler, mother of Calvin E. Sittler, was born
July 6, 1844, daughter of Flenry Plunsicker and granddaughter of Henry Hun-
sicker. The latter was a farmer in Mahoning township, Carbon county. He
married Eva Moser, and they had children as follows : John ; Henry, father
of Mrs. Sittler; Joseph, who married Polly Gerber and (second) a Mrs.
Houser; Catherine, Mrs. Qiarles Xander; Leah; and one daughter who mar-
ried David Nothstein. In his political views Mr. Hunsicker was a stanch Re-
publican, and he was an active member of the Ben-Salem Church, where he
and his wife are buried.
Henry Hunsicker, father of Mrs. Sittler, died when she was two years
old. By his marriage to Abigail Arner there were two children, namely:
Louisa, Mrs. Sittler; and Emmaline, now the widow of Thomas Musselman,
residing at East Orange, N. J. Mr. Hunsicker was a Republican. His widow
married (second) Amos Riegel, a very prominent Republican politician of
Carbon county, where he served as sheriff and county commissioner. He
was a veteran of the Civil war, during which he served in the home guards,
and belonged to Bertolet Post, No. 484, G. A. R., at Lehighton. By occu-
pation he was originally a drover. While sheriff he bought several farms,
where Packerton is now located, and cut them up into building lots. He was
a member of St. John's Reformed Church in Mahoning township, Carbon
county, and helped to build the church at Lehighton, to which he was a liberal
contributor. He died at the age of eighty-four years, and is buried at Lehigh-
ton. His wife is buried at St. John's Church in Mahoning township. Carbon
county. They had four children, namely: Jerome married a Miss Koch, and
both are deceased ; Tilghman died young ; Johann married Caroline Balliet,
who is deceased (he was a ranchman in South Dakota for many years ; he has
served as justice of the peace at Lehighton) ; Sallie resides at Lehighton.
CLEMENS M. ROSENBERGER, of Pottsville, has risen to a note-
worthy position among the successful business men of this region on his own
merits. Beginning as a breaker boy at the coal mines, he has become a pros-
perous coal operator, and he and his brothers have filled the wants of the
large local trade, finding an immediate market for their production. Mr.
Rosenberger also takes a keen and active interest in municipal affairs, feeling
that all matters affecting the general welfare are worthy the attention of pub-
lic-spirited citizens.
Rlr. Rosenberger's grandfather, Andrew Rosenberger, came to this coun-
try from Germany, settled in Pottsville, Pa., and was a section boss on the
first railroad in this locality. John Rosenberger, son of Andrew, was born
at Pottsville, and died Sept. 23, 1899, aged fifty-three years; he is buried at
Pottsville. He followed mining, for a time operating the Billheiser colliery
at Pottsville. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wanamaker,
died in Pottsville May 28. 1909, aged sixty years. Thirteen children were
bom to this marriage : Elizabeth married Philip Ploppert ; John A. is a
contractor and builder of Pottsville; Benjamin is engaged in the coal business
368 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\"AXIA
with his brother Clemens; Clemens M. is next in the family; Christina mar-
ried Lepold Homer, of Pottsville; Kate married Fidus Smith; Emma mar-
ried George Sowers; Gertrude married Frank Schaffer; George is a car-
penter; William is also a carpenter; Lewis is in the coal business with his
brothers; Annie is unmarried; Ella died in 191 1, the wife of August Pfluger.
Clemens AI. Rosenberger was born Oct. 29, 1874, at Pottsville, and obtained
his early education in the public schools of the borough. Subsequently he
took a course at the Scranton Correspondence Schools. He began work as
a breaker boy with his father, was promoted in time to the position of gig
boss, and afterwards became breaker boss at the Lehigh Valley colliery,
York Farm, holding this position for four years, until the colliery was closed.
He then became boss for the j\Ianhattan colliery, located at Forestville, near
Minersville, being so engaged for about six years, in 1898 beginning operating
on his own account on the Richard estate, lying south of Pottsville and on
the north side of the Sharp Mountain. His brothers Benjamin and Lewis
are associated in business with him, and they are now operating three veins,
taking out the free burning coal, all of which is disposed of to the local trade.
Mr. Rosenberger has taken a prominent part in the workings of the Demo-
cratic party, and has served a number of years as judge of election of his
district. He was elected a member of the Pottsville council, and gave three
years of faithful service in that body. He is a popular member of the York-
ville Fire Company, in which he has held office, and he is a Catholic in religious
faith, belonging to St. John's German Church.
Mr. Rosenberger makes his home at Xo. 1709 West Market street. He
married Margaret Ballmann, daughter of Benjamin Ballmann, of Egg Harbor
City, N. J., and they have had four children, Joseph, the eldest, dying when
fifteen months old. The survivors are Margaret, Josephine and Elizabeth.
FRANK C. REESE, of Pottsville, is a native of Schuylkill county, born
Feb. II, 1865, at Wadesville. His parents, John and Flower (Codrington)
Reese, were natives of Wales, coming to America from that country about
1863, and first settling at W^adesville, Schuylkill Co.. Pennsylvania.
John Reese soon became prominent in mining and railroad circles, and held
positions of responsibility during the period when the "Alolly Maguires" were
in their ascendancy. He was soon spotted as a man who should be removed,
being one of six men in the county who were sworn to secrecy and to whom,
with the aid of that celebrated Detective James McFarland, Captain T^inden, of
Philadelphia, and Franklin B. Gowen, of Philadelphia, the task of removing
the blot on the county was intrusted. Xumerous attempts were made to
carry out the nefarious schemes they planned for the riddance of so able an
opponent. At one time three men were detailed from among the "faithful"
to kill him, but he was warned and escaped. Xumerous times they visited
the home of Reese, but were thwarted in their hellish purpose bv the men on
guard : for two years it was necessary to have from two to five police on guard
at his home. His house was made the headquarters for the law-abiding citi-
zens of his community, and members of the family were obliged to remain
on upper floors to escape violence from prowling ''Mollies" for a period of
seven months. Though Mr. Reese was fired at on four different occasions,
and his clothing pierced with bullets, he escaped personal injury from that
source. He was killed by an explosion of gas in the Kehley Run colliery, in
July, 1880, two other mine superintendents losing their lives at the same time.
C^'^a^-^^.^^ ^^ CyF-^-
SCIIUYI.Kll.I. COUNTY, PENNSYL\"Ai\IA 369
As a division supcriiilcndciU of the riiiladclphia & Reading Coal ^: Iron Com-
pany, and an authority on mining and expert on the mine damps and gases,
his services and advice were greatly in demand. lie had attained a high repu-
tation and standing in the social and business affairs of the county.
Frank C. Reese, then but a lad, rendered valuable service in the capacity
of messenger boy during the Molly Maguire troubles. Often at night he was
sent on an errand with ini])ortant letters, followed by an officer who saw that
the lad was not molested as he made the delivery of same to different bosses
or clergy and to the detective himself, or to Captain Linden, who had charge
of the operations of the detectives at work. So close was the secret held that
although Captain I^inden luade his headquarters in the Reese home for a period
of nine months, Mrs. John Reese had never during that time met tb.e Captain
or his hired men, as the meetings were all held at night. But Frank was the
messenger, and to avoid danger in the delivery of the important mail the letters
were placed in his shoe and taken from it by the person to whom the delivery
was to be made. At that time Thomas J. Foster, who is now president of the
Correspondence Schools at Scranton, was owner and editor of the Shenandoah
Herald, printed in Shenandoah, and as he was doing heroic work in exposing
the doings of the Mollies it was almost impossible to get his papers delivered.
Frank C. Reese was put to work making the delivery, and many evenings he
distributed his papers with an officer of the law on each side of him to protect
him from harm. His close association with the dangers of the time, at a period
of his life when deep impressions are made, and the opportunity he had to go
over his father's private affairs, left to him by his father's death, render him
to-day one of the best authorities on Molly Maguireism in Schuylkill county.
Mr. Reese attended the common schools of his native locality, but his
education was broken into by the untimely death of his father. Frank was
then fifteen years old. Being the eldest of six small children, he shouldered
the responsibility of providing for them and his widowed mother. At the
death of his father the mine bosses raised and delivered to his mother $i,ooo,
with which she purchased a home, and Frank began to work at the breakers,
picking slate and doing other work such as his age would permit. His mother
opened a little grocery store, and after working in the daytime Frank hauled
out the goods at night. He was then placed in charge of an office at one of
the collieries and took up telegraphy, which he learned on one of the old-
style paper or tape machines, as they were called in those days, in the year
1880. Any spare time he had he devoted to studying mathematics and finance.
In 1883 his mother borrowed enough money to send him to Dickinson Semi-
nary at Williamsport, where be spent seven months. Returning from school
with his efficiency much increased along the line of clerical work, he soon
established an enviable reputation among the officials of the Philadelphia &
Reading Company in his service as clerk of various collieries operated by that
company. In his spare time he applied himself to the settlement of financial
differences of private individuals, and was always in demand in the settlements
of tax collectors in his locality, and often called as an expert witness on finan-
cial matters in dispute before the county courts. Y'ery early in life he became
interested in Soule's shorter methods in mathematics and soon became an
expert accountant, applying methods wholly unknown to the average clerk, yet
reaching accurate solutions of complicated problems in incredibly short time.
This has been a feature of his life work. In 1891 he attended a performance
given' by Professor Kellar, the well known magician, at which Kellar offered a
Vol. 1—24
370 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
prize of one hundred dollars to anyone in the audience who would detect an
error in his calculations on cubing of numbers. Mr. Reese's quick eye and
mental calculations were brought into play, and the Professor had not gone
far until he had him caught. Kellar admitted the error and paid over the
money, and Mr. Reese that evening at a supper given in honor of the Pro-
fessor's visit to the town took a blackboard and for one hour demonstrated
the Soule system, to the wonder and satisfaction of the select party, proving
that he had done in a practical way what the Professor accomplished with the
aid of two other persons used in the computing.
In the year 1890 Mr. Reese was borough and school auditor, also assessor
and register of voters in Shenandoah. In 1892 he brought before the people
of Shenandoah the fact of the unjust assessments of property, and through
his efforts had the same adjusted and the school appropriation due from the
State increased $6,000 per year. In 1892 he was chairman of the Legislative
convention. He was a candidate for the office, but withdrew on the day of the
convention. The same year, when the Baker ballot law was to become
operative, he organized an election board, he being the judge of same; and
traveled over the county giving, advice and holding mock elections so as to
instruct the voters in the new law.
In 1893 and for years afterwards he was financial secretary of musical
festivals which were held here. The best talent obtainable in both vocal and
instrumental music was assembled and prizes offered, by which means musical
art was advanced materially in the county. For years Mr. Reese managed
excursions to the different parks, etc., the proceeds going to charitable insti-
tutions.
In 1893 he was appointed chief clerk in the county controller's office, but
after he had served a short time the act under which the appointment was
made was declared unconstitutional and the office done away with. He then
returned to clerking at the mines, working thus a short time, until he became
assistant manager of the Shenandoah Water and Gas Company. About this
time he and two others drafted the bill known in the State as the Mines and
Mining Bill, which is at present in force with new acts passed since that time,
and is one of the most important acts of legislation now on our statute books
for the protection of employees working in the anthracite regions.
In 1895 Mr. Reese was appointed deputy controller of the county imder a
new act of legislation and served in that capacity until Dec. 31, 1896. In
1896 he became the candidate for register of wills and clerk of the Orphans'
court of the county, was elected, and served until Dec. 31, 1899. ^^ was a
candidate for reelection in November, 1899, and was defeated by a small
majority. In 1897 he with others tried to place a hospital known as the
American Hospital for the Care of Women and Children in the Shenandoah
valley, Mr. Reese acting as secretary of the movement ; but while money
enough was raised by private donation, and land donated on which to build,
the movement was defeated by jealous politicians, who had the governor of
the State veto the bill which had been passed giving the aid for which the
State was responsible, for the maintenance.
In the year 1907 Mr. Reese was a candidate for county chairman of the
Republican party, and before the people received ninety-three delegates to the
opposition's sixty-two ; but when the convention met he was defeated by a
small margin. In 1909 and for some years prior ballot box stuffing, as well
as other criminal acts in elections, was being practiced in the county, but
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA. 371
after two years of persistent endeavor he with two others brought the culprits
to the bar of justice, and as a result of their hard work sixteen of the "stuff-
ers" were placed in jail for the crimes they had committed. Some few escaped,
taking French leave before the officers could get them. It was during those
trials that the first ballot box in the State of Pennsylvania was impounded,
thereby making it possible to convict. Mr. Reese's record shows that while he
has been active in politics all his life he has always fought for honest elections,
and stood up for clean politics.
In 19 12 he was a candidate for the Legislature, receiving the nomination
on the Republican, Progressive, Prohibition, and Independent tickets, and was
elected by a large majority. In the session of 1913 he served with distinction,
holding membership on important committees, to wit : Appropriations, Legis-
lative Appointments, Mines and Mining, Counties and Townships, Municipal
Corporations, and Banks and Banking. He took up the fight against the
impeachment of the learned Judge Hon. C. N. Brumm, believing him the victim
of some unscrupulous politicians, and his enemies were thwarted in their
desires. He also was one of the strongest advocates of the famous Parkway
bill in the House, supported the movement for the increase of the State con-
stabulary, was active in the defeat of the bill to divide the county, and pre-
sented the bill called Pure Coal Bill, to give to the consumer a better grade of
coal. In 1915 he was a candidate for county treasurer before the Republican
and Washington parties, and was defeated by the Republicans and nomi-
nated by the Washington party. Throughout his political life he has been in
demand in the caucuses of his party, and it is claimed that he has been sponsor
for more successful candidates for office than most men.
Air. Reese has the record of educating some thirty-four young men in the
line of business, fitting them to battle with the trials of the business world.
In business life he is known from one end of the State to the other, and has
had a remarkably successful career. His quick appreciation of possibilities
and practical ideas about their working out combined with a sound sense of
judgment which makes him thoroughly trustworthy are qualities which have
attracted business and established confidence to such an extent that he has
been '"on the ground floor" in almost every local enterprise proposed. Some
conception of the extent and variety of his interests may be gained from a
mere mention of a number of his associations : He was secretary of the
Shenandoah Water and Gas Company of Shenandoah for years. During the
years from 1886 to the present time he has promoted and held offices of trust
in the following companies : president, Kehley Run Ice Company, Shenan-
doah ; president and secretary, Shenandoah Powder Company, Shenandoah ;
president, Black Diamond Powder Company, Scranton, Pa. ; manager and
secretary, Snow Shoe Lumber Company, Pottsville, Pa. ; manager and secre-
tary, Pottsville Ice & Cold Storage Company, Pottsville, Pa. ; manager, G. A.
Bitting Lumber Company, Pottsville, Pa. ; manager, D. Dufify Lumber Com-
pany, Pottsville, Pa. : manager, Reese & Brumm Lumber & Supply Company,
Pottsville, Pa. ; manager and secretary, the Anthracite Lumber Company,
Minersville, Pa. ; president, Reese Garage & Motor Company, Pottsville, Pa.
He was one of the promoters and owners of the Penn Tobacco Company,
Wilkes-Barre ; one of the owners of the Daily and Weekly Local, a newspaper
published in Ashland, Pa. ; also promoted the Dauphin Ice Company, Harris-
burg, and backed them in the supply of ice for two seasons. Mr. Reese is
still connected with numerous enterprises of noteworthy importance, backed
372 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by unlimited capital, in his close relations with the heads of large and wealthy
corporations in distant cities and States. In addition to the above he has been
identified with other promoters in the looking up of data for investors in the
following investments : Bond issues, savings funds, cold storage Scranton,
telephone franchises, water plants, shovel manufacture, fire clay, patents, and
land deals, as well as minor products in commercial life. He represented
geologists and mining experts in getting data on several occasions, being in
different Southern States upon this work. He has always been in close touch
with the current events. As a friend he needs no eulogy here, being always
on the alert to help any in trouble. He has always espoused the welfare of
the workingman. and no person in his county is in closer touch with the poor
and needy.
The twenty years Mr. Reese spent in the management of lumber camps in
the Allegheny mountains were crowded with very interesting incidents and
funny experiences, as well, as dangers. In 1899 he and two other men nearly
lost their lives crossing the Broad mountain, being caught in a blizzard, and they
were saved only by prompt relief, parties being sent out after them. In 1903
Mr. Reese was caught in the wreck on the Pennsylvania railroad near Hazle-
ton, in which three persons were killed, and he was so injured that for years
he suffered from the nervous shock.
In 1886 Mr. Reese was married to Lizzie Girton, a daughter of John and
Martha Girton, of Shenandoah, both of" whom are deceased. Mr. Reese's
mother died four years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Reese became the parents of eight
children, only three of whom are now living: Mabel, born Jan. 3, 1891 ; John
F., born Oct. 12, 1892 ; and Frank C, Jr., born Sept. 26, 1900. Blanche, Hazle,
Ruth and Margaret all died in childhood, the eldest being but eight years old.
The family home is at No. looi Market street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Fraternally Mr. Reese is a member of Washington Camp No. 112, P. O. S.
of A., Shenandoah, and was secretary of this camp for a number of years;
he is a past grand of John W. Stokes Lodge, No. 515, I. O. O. F., Shenandoah ;
past chief patriarch of Shenandoah \'alley Encampment, I. O. O. F., Shenan-
doah ; a member of the State grand lodge of both I. O. O. F. orders ; a member
of Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, B. P. O. E., Pottsville, Pa.; of the West End
Hose Company, Pottsville ; of the Pottsville Historical Society, Pottsville ; of
the Schuylkill County Motor Club ; Pottsville Business Men's Association ;
Commercial Club, Pottsville ; The Druids, a Welsh association, at Shenan-
doah ; and of the T. P. A., Post O, of Pottsville. He is a Methodist in religious
connection.
LINDER. The Linder family has been represented for three generations
at Orwigsburg in practically the same line of business, its founder, Michael
Linder, having been a pioneer tailor at that place, where he was succeeded by
his son, John Thomas Linder. The latter's son, E. Raymond Linder, is now
in the clothing trade there, being one of the leading merchants in his line in
southern Schuylkill county. Burd R. Linder, another son of John Thomas
Linder, is the present postmastei' at Orwigsburg. From the time of its estab-
lishment here the Linder family has been represented among the most sub-
stantial citizens of the community, members in every generation giving evidence
of the qualities which command respect and confidence.
Michael Linder was born Dec. 18, 1795. followed tailoring throughout his
active years, and died April 16, 1871. His wife, Elizabeth, born Feb. 3, 1797,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. Pi:X\SVL\AXI.\ 373
died Dec. 15, 1882. They are buried at Orvvigsburg. This couijle had the
following named children : Catherine married Samuel Kimmel ; Anna Maria
married I'llijah Keed : Sarah Ann married John Haesher, M. D. ; Mary Ann
marrietl Charles lleinihach; Emma married .\ugustus Seiger ; John Thomas
is mentioned below ; Charles died at Pottsville, Pa. ; Alfred died at home.
John Thomas Linder was born Dec. 12. 1828, at Orwigsburg, where his life
was spent. Lie learned the tailor's trade with his father, and after the latter's
death succeeded him in the business, which he carried on with steady success
throughout his active years. His wife, Elizabeth (Rickert), was born Jan. 4,
1837, daughter of George and .\mclia (Hammer) Rickert; her father, born
Nov. I, 1810, died April 7, 1S93, and her mother died July 15, 1891, at the
, age of seventy-six years. Mr. Linder died April 22, 1897, his wife surviving
until Sept. 4, 1910, and they are buried at Orwigsburg. Their family consisted
of seven children, namely: Mamie, wife of H. K. Moyer, is living at Amstei-
dam, N. Y. : Edith is married to John W'eider, and living at Allentown, Pa ;
Alaude married J. C. Headman, and is living in New York City ; Prof. Albert
is principal of the Mohegan Lake Military School, in New York State; George
is a well known merchant of Orwigsburg, Pa. ; Burd R. i.s postmaster at Orwigs-
burg, Pa. ; E. Raymond is a merchant of Orwigsburg.
Burd R. Linder, son of John Thomas Linder, was born Sept. 11, 1870,
at Orwigsburg, where he obtained his education in the public schools. In his
young manhood he was employed here with his father and brother, George,
with whom he was associated until his appointment in 1898 as postmaster at
Orwigsburg. He has been retained in that position continuously since, by
reappointment every four years, a record of unbroken service which has been
equally remarkable for the manner in which his duties have been performed.
They have naturally increased considerably with the development of the bor-
ough, and he has been thoroughly progressive in adapting himself to the
new conditions and requirements, in appreciation of which his fellow citizens
have retained him in the public service. Practically all his time is given to the
work of the office. Socially he holds membership in several fraternal bodies,
belonging to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., the P. O. S. of A., and
the Order of United American Mechanics. He is a member of the Reformed
Church. Air. Linder gives his political allegiance to the Republican party.
By his marriage to Nora G. Albright Mr. Linder has a family of six chil-
dren: Raljjli, Froda. Mary, Alartha, Elizabeth and Anna. Mrs. Linder's
father, M. S. Albright, holds the office of steward at the Schuylkill County
Almshouse.
E. R.VY.MOND LiXDER, youngest son of the late John Thomas Linder, was
born May 15, 1880, at Orwigsburg, and received his preparatory education in
the public schools. He also took a course in the Mohegan Lake Military School
in New York State, graduating in 1897. and has since been associated with
business interests at Orwigsburg. He is engaged in business on his own
account as a clothing merchant, and has one of the most popular establishments
of the kind in the southern end of the county, carrying a fine stock of men's
clothing and shoes, which attracts patronage from the most discriminating
trade in this section. His wide-awake policy and up-to-date methods have
received deserved recognition, and he is justly considered one of the mer-
chants of Orwigsburg to whom the borough may look for the continued
expansion of trade along modern lines. Mr. Linder has been an interested
worker in various local activities, being a member of Schuylkill Lodge, No.
374 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXi\SYLVAXL\
138, F. & A. U., of the L O. O. F., Knights of Malta and the P. O. S. of A.;
he was master of Schuylkill Lodge in 1913, when that body celebrated the
one hundredth anniversary of its founding. An earnest member of St. John's
Reformed Church, he has served as deacon, and is at present superintendent of
the Sunday school. On political questions he is a Republican.
Mr. Linder married Jennie M. Kern, daughter of L. W. Kern, of Orwigs-
burg, and they have had two children, Edgar Kern and Helen L.
DANIEL A. GREENAWALD has been a resident of Schuylkill Haven
for several years, his business interests being at that point, but he belongs to
a Berks county family of long standing, founded there several generations
back. In Albany township, that county, are found many descendants of the
emigrant Jacob Greenawalt, and in that locality at least one place, Greena-
wald Station, perpetuates the name. It is variously spelled Greenawalt or
Greenawald.
Jacob Greenawalt, born in Switzerland, came to America in 1738, and
upon his arrival at Philadelphia was sold as a redemptioner to a man named
Schuler. In 1741 he married Elizabeth Filhower, a native of Germany, then
of Montgomery county. Pa. In i/'42 he and his wife located in Weisenburg
township, Northampton (now Lehigh) Co., Pa., where he claimed several
hundred acres of land, upon which he erected a grist mill, oil mill and tanyard.
He prospered at this place, where were born his six children, four sons and
two daughters, namely: Jacob, Johannes, Abraham, George, Mrs. Grim and
Mrs. Barbara Weise. All of these reared families of their own. The pioneer
and his wife are buried at Ziegel's Church, while others of the family are
interred at Seiberlingville, and some at Jacob's Church, Jacksonville, Lehigh
county. The Greenawalts are a strong, robust and healthy race, and many
have attained ripe old age.
Jacob Greenawalt, son of the pioneer, was bom in 1751, and married
Maria Stambauch. In 1784 he bought 142 acres of land from J. Sutter, in
Greenwich township, and there he spent the remainder of his life, dying at
this place in 1839, in his eighty-ninth year. He had built a tannery on his
property, which he operated. In 1836 he sold this tract to his son Peter, who
in 1884 sold it to his son Henry, the present owner. Jacob Greenawalt and his
son Henry and daughter Barbara are buried at Becker's St. Peter's Church,
in Richmond township, Berks county. To Jacob and Maria f Stambauch")
Greenawalt were bom four sons and five daughters, namely: Jacob, Henry,
Christian, Peter, Elizabeth, Susanna, Sabina. Barbara and Maria.
Henry Greenawalt married Silben Bote, and they had eight children :
Adam, Jacob, Charles (married Polly Dietrich), Nathan, Samuel, John (died
in infancy), Henry and Polly (Nagel).
Nathan Greenawald is buried in Albany township, Berks county. He
passed his life in that county, owning and operating a sawmill, and met an
untimely death, being killed while yet a young man. He had children as
follows : Henrietta, wife of James Seeder, living in Reading. Pa. ; Anna,
Mrs. Cornelius Machmer ; Kate, Mrs. Edw. Chalfant ; Josephine, deceased,
who was the wife of David Epler ; and Wilson.
Wilson Greenawald, son of Nathan, was born in Berks county, and is still
living there, carrying on an extensive business in and around Hamburg as a
painter. He has several men in his employ. To his marriage with La\'ina
Epler, daughter of Louis and Kate (Epler) Epler, have been bom children
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 375
as follows: Daniel A.; Jonathan, who is at home; George, now at Port
Clinton, Pa.; Katie, wife of Joseph Matz; and Nathan, of Palo Alto, Pennsyl-
vania.
Daniel .\. Greenawald was born July 23, 1874, at Hamburg, Berks Co.,
Pa. There he received the principal part of his education in the public
schools, attending high school for two years, and he was afterwards a student
at the Shissler bu.'^iness college, at Xorristown, Pa. For a number of years
he was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, begin-
ning as a brakenian, and after one month in that position being promoted to
fireman, in which capacity he continued for eighteen months. He then became
an engineer, running between I'hiladelphia and Harrisburg, and was thus
engaged for four years and six months. He was then in the employ of the
Hamburg Brick Company, becoming superintendent of their plant within a
short time, and he remained with the concern for about four years. Again
he was engaged in railroading, running the engine from 1904 to November,
1907, since when he has been associated with the Schuylkill Pressed Brick
Company. The works are located at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., where Mr. Greena-
wald is stationed as superintendent, and he is also a stockholder in the con-
cern. The officers are H. L. Daddow, of St. Clair, president, and John H. '
Ryon, of Pottsville, secretary and treasurer. The plant is a little above
Schuylkill Haven, at the Halfway House, in North ]\lanheim township, and
the company has an office in the Pennsylvania National Bank building at
Pottsville. The manufacturing and marketing are conducted along systematic
lines and according to modern ideas, and the company has prospered accord-
ingly. A man of recognized ability and worth. Mr. Greenawald deserves the
high position he occupies among the substantial business men of Schuylkill
Haven. He has numerous fraternal connections, holding membership in
Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, Mountain City Chap-
ter, No. 196, R. A. !M., of Pottsville, Reading Lodge of Perfection (fourteenth
degree), Philadelphia Consistory (thirty-second degree) and Rajah Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading; besides his Masonic affiliations he belongs to
Carroll Lodge. No. 120, I. O. O. F., at Schuylkill Haven; Washington Camp
No. 78, P. O. S. of A., of Hamburg. Pa.; Arcadia Chamber, No. 20, Knights
of Friendship, of Hamburg, and to the Royal Arcanum. His religious con-
nection is with St. Michael's Reformed Church in Upper Bern township,
Berks county.
Mr. Greenawald married Sallie Rentschler, daughter of Harry K. and
Eliza (Wolf) Rentschler, and their home is at present in Schuylkill Haven.
They have no children.
EDWARD W. GROSSER, photographer, of Ashland. Pa., has been
established in his present line since 1896, and has a leading business in his
section of Schuylkill county. His prosperity has been based upon the thorough
satisfaction he has given his patrons, for he is progressive about keeping
abreast of the times, and his work compares favorably with the output of
the most reliable galleries.
George Grosser, his father, a native of Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, settled
at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and followed his trade of carpenter very suc-
cessfully, having iaeen a well trained mechanic. In 1872 he married at Ashland,
for his second wife, Margaret Dorrer, who was born Nov. 19, 1848, at Gum-
bertshoffa, Alsace-Lorraine, on the line between Germany and France, and
376 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLA.
came to America in 1853 with her parents, Peter and Margaret (]\Iyers) Dor-
rer. Peter Dorrer was also born in Germany, on the French border. When he
brought his family to America they landed at New York, and they soon
located at North Branch, Sullivan county, that State, making their permanent
home at that place. Air. Dorrer was a carpenter by trade, following that
calling, and also owned property and a farm near North Branch and between
Youngsville and Liberty. He and his wife both died at North Branch. They
were the parents of ten children, five of whom survive, Mrs. Grosser being
the fourth; Magdalena is the wife of Frederick Hubbard, of North Branch,
Sullivan county ; Frederick also lives at that place ; Philip also lives in Sul-
livan county; George is now on the old homestead.
George Grosser died in 1876, when his son Edward was an infant. The
mother is still living at Ashland. Edward was the only child of this union.
He has two half-brothers and a half-sister, children of his father's first
marriage.
Edward W. Grosser was born at Ashland in 1875, and obtained his educa-
tion in the common schools of that place. He began work at shoemaking,
learning the trade, which he continued to follow until the fall of 1896, since
when he has been engaged in his present line, photography. Beginning busi-
ness on Centre street, he remained at his original location until 1910, after
which he established himself at Eighth and Centre streets. In 1912 he pur-
chased the business formerly conducted by Alexander J. Miller, which has
widened his original field considerably, and removed to Miller's location.
Mr. Grosser's high-class work has raised the standard of his profession in
this section, for he prides himself on his familiarity with up-to-date methods
and makes improvements in his supplies, facilities, etc., whenever possible.
His business standing is excellent, and personally he commands the esteem
of all his associates. He is well known as a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge
and the Independent Order of Americans. In religious connection he is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
In 1912 Mr. Grosser was united in marriage with Ellen M. Hepler, a
native of Pitman, this county, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Traub) Hep-
ler. who still reside at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Grosser have two children,
Margaret Elizabeth and George Henry.
ALBERT H. STEIGERWALT. of Sittler. Schuylkill county, is a busi-
ness man and farmer of substantial position in West Penn township, where
all the members of the Steigerwalt family are highly respected. It was
established in this section by his grandfather, Frederick Steigerwalt, who
settled in the adjoining township of East Penn, in Carbon county, many
years ago. He was a native of Germany, and a son of Carl Steigerwalt.
Frederick Steigerwalt came to America and settled in East Penn town-
ship, Carbon Co., Pa., where he encountered the most primitive conditions,
sleeping under the trees when he first came to the township, until he could
make a home. He became the owner of a lOO-acre tract. He married Mary
Hetler, a daughter of George Hetler, and they had a family of twelve chil-
dren : Leah married Gideon Nothstein ; Reuben married Priscilla Stabler :
Charles married Katie Halderman ; Levi married Mary Wise ; Hannah mar-
ried lames Nothstein; Mary married Amos Gerber; Rebecca married
Matthias Frantz ; Levina married Levi Frantz ; Lucenna married William
Kressley; Stephen was the father of Albert H. Steigerwalt; Rosinna married
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLN'ANLV 377
William Wise; Cidcoii married Christie lUnvadbeck. Mr. Stciger\valt_ was
a Democrat, and active in township affairs and in the w^ork of the Ben-Salem
Lutheran Church, which he attended regularly. He served as elder and
deacon, and in other positions. He and his wife are buried there.
Stephen Sleigerwalt, son of Frederick, was born July i8, 1835, in East
I'enn township. Carbon Co., Pa., and died Feb. 13, 1905. He was educated
in that township and at the Lehighton high school, and worked with his father
until he enlisted in the Union army, during the Civil war, becoming a member
of Conijiany A, 202i\ Regiment. When he returned from tlie army he went
ti) Taniaciua, this county, and married there. He settled in East Penn town-
ship, buying the homestead farm, which he operated until advancing years
made it advisable for him to give up hard work. Then he built a home in
Sittler and lived retired untirhis death. He learned the carpenter's trade,
and followed it to some extent.
On Sept. 25, 1862, Mr. Steigerwalt married Priscilla Houser, daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth (Wertman) Houser, and she survives him, residing at
Andreas. They had children as follows: Albert PL is mentioned below;
Louisa is Mrs. Owen A. Andreas; Uriah married Emma Wehr; Ira married
Lilly Wehr; Clara married Charles Everett; Edward was killed on the rail-
road when twenty-three years old ; Mary married George Wertman ; W^allace
married Emma Steigerwalt; Beulah married \Varren Trexler; Minnie mar-
ried William Loch. "Mr. Steigerwalt was a very active member of Ben-Salem
Lutheran Church, which he served as elder and deacon. He is buried at that
church. He served his township as school director, to which office he was
elected on the Democratic ticket. By virtue of his Civil war service he was
a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Bertolet Post at Lehighton.
Albert H. Steigerwalt was born in East Penn township, Carbon Co., Pa.,
Tan. 9, i86g, and recei\ed all his education in that township. He grew to
manhood on the paternal farm, working with his father until twenty-one
years old, when he started to learn the trade of saddler and harnessmaker,
with P. O. Fritz, in Seipstown, Lehigh Co., Pa. After remaining there two
years he went to Lehighton, Carbon county, and worked at his trade for one
year, at the end of which he came to Sittler and opened the shop which he
has conducted ever since. He is the owner of a small tract, sixteen acres and
a few perches, of which there are eight and a half acres under cultivation,
Mr. Steigerwalt operating this tract in connection with his harnessmaking
business. Aside from business he is particularly active in religious work,
being a Lutheran and a prominent member of the Ben-Salem Church in East
Penn township. Carbon county, and present treasurer of that church. He has
also filled the offices of trustee and deacon, and for twelve years was superin-
tendent of the Sunday school. He has many friends among his fellow mem-
bers in W'ashington Camp No. 615, P. O. S. of A., of Sittler (of which he
is past president), and Lehighton Commandery, Knights of Malta. In politics
he is identified with the Democratic party.
Mr. Steigerwalt married Ida S. Gerber, who was bom Dec. 26, 1870, a
. daughter of Daniel U. and Emmalina (Adams) Gerber. They have three
children: Myrtle Estella, born Jan. i, 1896; Arthur Dewey, born Aug. 14,
i8g8; and Ermany Marian, bom March 22, 1904 — all at home.
Mrs. Steigerwalt was educated in W^est Penn township and at Ashfield.
Carbon Co., Pa., where she worked for a sister for a number of years. Then
she went to Lehighton, Carbon county, and started to leam tailoring; after-
378
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
wards she lived at the home of David Miller, near Ben-Salem Church, for a
few years ; then went to Weatherly, Carbon county, for two years ; and then
to ]\Iauch Chunk for six months. Returning to her home in West Penn
township, she was married, as already mentioned. She is a member of the
Ben-Salem Reformed Church, in East Penn township, Carbon county.
Daniel Gerber, grandfather of :Mrs. Steigerwalt, was a cooper by trade,
and followed that calling for a number of years. Later buying a farm of
over 150 acres he cleared a great deal of the land, and died on his farm at an
advanced age. His wife, Catherine (Arner), died while attending service at
Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township, of which she and her hus-
band were members, Mr. Gerber helping to build the church. They are
buried in the cemetery there. Mr. Gerber was a Democrat in political opinions.
His children were as follows: Daniel U. was the father of Mrs. Steigerwalt;
Amos married Mary Steigerwah (deceased) and ( second )_ Kate Xester, who
survives him and lives in Tamaqua, Pa. ; Eli married Fianna Troxell and
(second) Sarah Snyder, all now deceased; Benjamin married Celia Bachert,
who is deceased; Elizabeth married Charles Henninger, who is deceased;
Harriet, widow of Elias Schaeffer, is the only survivor of the f arnily ; Annie
married Daniel Beck, deceased ; Katie married Xathan Rex, who is deceased.
Daniel U. Gerber. son of Daniel, was born in West Penn township May
2S, 1828, on the 150-acre tract of his father, above mentioned, was educated
in that township, and remained on the home place all his life, afterhis father's
death buying the property. He had a cider press on the farm which he oper-
ated during the season, attended market at Tamaqua, and was known for
his enterprise and thrift. He was a popular township official, serving as
school director, tax collector and assessor, was a member of the Democratic
party, and belonged to Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township. He
is buried at that church. His death occurred July 29, 1881.
Mr. Gerber married Emmalina Adams, who was born Nov. 19, 1836, in
Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa., daughter of Carl and Magdalena
(Meister) Adams, and granddaughter of William and Catherine ( ;\Iertz )
Adams, the former also a native of Longswamp township. Carl Adams was
born Nov. 22, 1805, in Longswamp township. Berks Co., Pa., and moved from
that county to W'est Penn township, Schuylkill county, where he died. He
followed his trade of tinsmith and also operated a small tract of land which
he owned. He and his wife Magdalena (Meister). who was born Oct. 22,
1809, are buried at St. Peter's Church, at Wchr, in \\'est Penn township, of
which he was a member. In politics he was a Republican. His children were :
Emmalina. mother of Mrs. Steigerwalt ; David, who married Kate \\^ertman ;
William, who married Sarah Sheckler; Kate, ]\Irs. Amandus Kistler; Levina,
Mrs. Thomas Bellman; Susanna, Mrs. Jonas Snyder; and Charles, a soldier
in the Civil war, who met his death and was buried on the battlefield at
Gettysburg.
Mrs. Emmalina (Adams) Gerber now lives with her daughter, I\Irs.
Steigerwalt. She is the mother of fourteen children, namely: (i) Kittean,
born Sept. 25, 1854, died April 10. 1835. (2) Susanne, born May 9, 1856,
married William Heintzelman, of Allentown, Pa. (3) Savina, born April 7,
1858, married Henrv' Ohl. of Sittler. ^^'est Penn township. (4) Emmeline,
born Xov. 14, i860, married Thomas Knepper, of Reading. Pa. (5) Harriet,
twin of Emmeline. is the widow of Nathan Zimmerman, of Palmerton, Car-
bon Co., Pa. (6) Tilghman, born May 14, 1863, died Oct. 14, 1866. (7)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^ 379
Alvina, born Alarch 25, 1865, died Oct. 16, 1866. (8) \iola, born July 31,
1867, died March 13, 1869. (9) Ida Sabilla is the wife of Albert IL Steiger-
walt. (10) Albert, born Feb. 17, 1873, ni:irried Clara Erwin, of Philadelphia,
Pa. (11) Alue, twin of Albert, married Mamie AlcLean, of Lansford, Car-
bon Co., Pa. (i2j Charles, born Nov. 2, 1875, married Bessie Kressley, of
Mahoning township. Carbon county. (13) Sarah Agnes, bom June 7, 1878,
married Alfred L. Hunsicker, of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. (14) Mary
Alice, born April i, 1881, married Theodore Searing, of Germantown.
JACOB WALLAUER has been a resident of Schuylkill county for the
last" sixty years and of Ashland since 1858. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth
(Dick) '\\'allauer, natives of Bavaria, Germany, came to this country in 1856,
and first settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., two years later removing
to Ashland. The father was a stonemason by trade, and while in his native
land was engaged as foreman on construction work at the government ports.
After coming to America he continued to follow his trade until his death,
which occurred in 1898, wdien he was eighty years old. The mother had died
many years before, in 1871, at the age of forty-seven years. Their family
consisted of six children : Jacob is the eldest ; Tillie is the wife of Thomas
Evans, of St. Louis, Mo.; Kate (who has been a Notary Public for twenty
years), is the wife of Louis Biltz, of Girardville, a merchant, who was post-
master there from 1898 to 1909; Elizabeth is the wife of John Ludwig, of
St. Louis, Mo. ; William is deceased ; Frederick lives at Ashland, Pa. The
oldest three children were born in Germany.
Jacob W^ailauer was born Dec. 18, 1846, in the Rhine country of Bavaria,
and lived there until his tenth year. He continued to attend school for several
years after the family settled at Ashland, but he was still young when he
began to learn the trade of painter and paperhanger, which he followed for
a period of ten years. In 1871 he engaged in business, starting the general
store which he has ever since conducted, dealing principally in dry goods and
groceries. He has met with substantial success, and there is no more respected
citizen in Ashland, where the family is well represented in the business circles
and the life of the borough generally. In the year 1870 Mr. Wallauer married
Matilda Corth, who was bom in Prussia, daughter of Peter and Louise Corth,
both of whom died at Ashland. The family came to this country at an early
date, first settling at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and later making a perma-
nent home at Ashland. Mrs. Wallauer died in 1894. She was the mother
of seven children, namely : Harn,', now station master at Jersey City for the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company ; Bert A., wdio has a leading gen-
eral store at Ashland ; Ida E., married to ^^'illiam Seitzinger, general engineer
for the Reading Coal & Iron Company at Ashland ; Louis, who has a dry
goods business at Mahanoy City,, Pa.; Arthur F., w'ho has a grocery and
notion store at Ashland, on Front and Centre streets ; Edna, deceased ; and
Clarence, of White Plains, N. Y., salesman for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass
Company, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On April 2. 1906, Mr. Wallauer married (second) M. Margaret Eisinger,
a native of Ashland, whose parents, Jacob and Catherine (Aichelen) Eisinger,
were bom in Germany, and came to America in 1854. The father died in
January, 1905, the mother yet surviving. ^Mr. Eisinger was a wheelwright,
and after following his trade for some time carried on a meat market at
380 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ashland for many years, retiring from business some time before his death.
He served the borough as member of the council.
In the course of his forty odd years as a merchant at Ashland Air. Wal-
lauer has built up a profitable trade and become well and favorably known in
that place, of which he and his family have been most creditable citizens. He
was reared in the faith of the German Reformed Church.
JOHN S. DeSILVA, late of Mahanoy City, was one of the most widely
known residents of Schuylkill county, maintaining business, social and church
connections which drew him into close relation with many of his fellow men.
Possessed of practical ability and unusual intelligence, he combined strong
qualities of leadership with personal characteristics that won confidence and
friendship in all circles, and his name commanded respect wherever known.
Mr. DeSilva was born at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Dec. 7, 1838, son of
John E. DeSilva. The father was a native of the city of Lisbon, Portugal,
and members of the family are well known in South America. John E.
DeSilva was a gunman for many years, stationed on board the "Constitution,"
and saw service in all parts of the world. \Mien he settled in America he
lived at Philadelphia for a time, later in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and
he died at Ashland, this county.
John S. DeSilva was given a good public school education and then learned
the trade of machinist, which he followed for a short time. When yet a
young man h€ became superintendent of coal mines in Schuylkill county,
being so engaged in the employ of various independent operators, and when
their holdings were bought by the Philadelphia iS; Reading Coal & Iron Com-
pany he was retained in the same capacity. Mr. DeSilva"s shrewd judgment
and executive ability were recognized factors in the success of the collieries
he supervised, and he had a high reputation throughout the anthracite fields.
He continued with the Philadelphia & Reading Company until 1902, after
which he served two years as deputy revenue collector in this district, extend-
ing his already wide acquaintance in Schuylkill county. He was as well known
in other connections as in business. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging
to Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., and to Mizpah Chapter, No.
252, R. A. M. He also held membership in the P. ' O. S. of A. and the
G. A. R., taking a very active part in the latter organization as a member of
Severn Post, G. A. R., of Mahanoy City, which he served as commander.
During the Civil war he fought on the Union side under three enlistments,
the first in the three months' service and the second for nine months in the
129th Pennsylvania Regiment. Mr. DeSilva was also prominent in Church
and Sunday school work, a leading member of the First Presbyterian Church
of IMahanov City, which he served as elder and trustee, filling both offices
at the time of his death, March 11, 191 1.
In 1871 Mr. DeSilva married Ella Richardson, who survives him, residing
in their old home at Mahanoy City, where she is highly respected. Mrs.
DeSilva is a daughter of Isaac W. and Sarah (Black) Richardson, both of
whom came from England, Mr. Richardson settling at Mahanoy City, Pa.,
soon after his arrival. Their son, the late Col. W. F. Richardson, became
very prominent in military circles in this State, for many years holding the
position of keeper at the Harrisburg Arsenal, and at the time of his death
he had the rank of colonel in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\ 381
thirty-third degree Mason, one of the founders of Zeniho Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S., of Harrisburg.
I
FRAXKLIX IXW'ID l'.A\ER bears a name which lias long been asso-
ciated with good citizenship and crogress in West I'ninswicU township,
Schuylkill county, and for a number of generations with the history of licrks
county, Pa. lie is a son of David Baver and a grandson of Christoph Baver.
Christoph Ba\er was born Jan. 14, 1777, and died March 5, 1865, after
a lifetime devoted to farming and blacksmithing. He is said to have been
an excellent mechanic, and to have enjoyed a large trade, the blacksmiths at
that time being verj' scarce and living far apart. He also raised consider-
able flax, which was woven into clothing in the winter months by his indus-
trious wife. On July 14, 1805, Christoph Baver married Susanna bLlizabeth
Boyer (born Jan. 6, 1787, died Jan. 25, 1865), and these sturdy pioneers
lived together for the unusual period of fifty-nine years, six months, eleven
days. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of the following children :
Polly, who married Jacob Stitzel ; Samuel, who married Lydia Focht ; John,
who married Hanna Focht : David ; Elizabeth, w^ho married Jeremiah Focht ;
Daniel, born in 1S25, who died unmarried in 1849; Joseph, who married Mary
Focht; Ann, w'ho married Jacob Miller; and Amelia, who married Bill Mar-
shall. The father was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in
politics adhered to the principles of the Democratic party. He and the mother
are buried at Zion's Church in Windsor township, Berks county.
David Baver, son of Christoph, was born in 1823 in ^^'indsor township,
Berks county, where he was reared, receiving such education as the local
pay schools atTorded. Having learned the trade of carpenter, he became a
boatbuilder in the employ of the Schuylkill Xavigation Company at Ham-
burg, Pa., and also followed the other branches of his calling, assisting in the
construction of a hotel at Tuscarora. Schuylkill county. He bought the farm
of seventy acres in West Bnmswick township, this county, now owned by
Charles Schaeffer, and after living there eleven years rented the George Moser
fami for one year, after which he purchased from John ^ledlar the farm at
present owned by his son Franklin David Baver. When it came into his
possession it consisted of 160 acres, but he sold part of the property, retaining
125 acres, now practically all under cultivation. He carried on general farm-
ing, and was one of the industrious and prosperous agriculturists of the neigh-
borhood in his day. A man of active disposition and foresight, he was one
of the first to advocate the establishment of public schools in the township,
and he served twenty years or more as a member of the board of school
directors, filling the office until his death, which occurred Feb. 18, 1888, in
West Brunswick township. In political faith he was a Democrat, in religious
connection a member of Zion's Reformed Church (the Red Church) in his
township, and he was serving that body in the capacity of elder at the time of
his death. As a member of the building committee he helped to rebuild the
[iresent house of worship of that church. He and his wife are buried there.
Mr. Baver married Mary Miller, who was born in 1823, daughter of Daniel
Miller, a native of Berks county, and died at the age of seventy-six years.
They had the following children : .Saria, who married H. J. W^agner ; Emma,
Mrs. J. R. Stevens; Cordelia, who died unmarried; Ellen, unmarried; ^^lary
Cordelia, now the widow of Charles Mengle; Sarah J., unmarried; Allen
382 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Albert, who married Serena Smith ; Franklin David ; and Annie, Mrs. Horace
Stroah.
Franklin David Baver was born May 8, 1861, on the farm in West Bruns-
wick township now owned by Charles Schaeffer, and obtained his education
in the Molino school near by. He was trained to agriculture from boyhood,
working on the home place for his father up to the age of twenty-six years,
at which time his father died. Thereafter he operated the farm for the estate
four years, and then upon his marriage bought the property, where he has
since continued to reside. He does general farming. j\Ir. Baver has prospered
by dint of industry and good management, and has contributed his share to
the general advancement by looking well to the improvement and development
of his land, setting a worthy example by his faithfulness to every duty. He
has been quite active in township affairs, having succeeded his father as
school director and still continuing to serve on the board, of which he was
treasurer for eighteen years or more; he has acted as judge and inspector of
election, and also as auditor of the township, and has discharged his responsi-
bilities intelligently in every position. In politics he acts with the Democratic
party. He has been a deacon of the Reformed congregation of Zion's (Red)
Church, to which his wife also belongs.
Mr. Baver married Catherine Kramer, who was born Dec. 16, 1866, in
East Brunswick township, this county, on the farm now owned by Charles
Koch, was educated in West Bnmswick township, and was engaged as a
seamstress until her marriage. Eight children have been born to this union :
Vernon David, born Jan. 2, 1892, was educated in West Brunswick township
and at the Keystone State Normal School. Kutztown, and has been a school
teacher; Clinton Mendon, born March 10, 1894, was educated in West Bruns-
wick township and at the Keystone State Normal School, and is now engaged
in teaching; Mary Amelia, bom May 26, 1896, died Oct. 20, 1897; Annie
May, born May 22, 1898, died Aug. 25, igo6; Herbert Franklin was born Oct.
10, 1900: Raymond Theodore, March 8, 1003; Charles Lewis, Oct. 31, 1904;
Allen Albert, July 29, 1909. The younger children are attending the local
public schools. IMary Amelia and Annie May are buried at Zion's Church.
Joseph Kramer, grandfather of Mrs. Baver. was a carpenter by trade, and
he also had a farm in West Brunswick township, the property now owned by
Samuel Dreher. He followed general farming, and manufactured rakes and
other farm implements, being a competent mechanic. He died on the place
mentioned, when over seventy years old, and his wife Christianne (Albright),
survived him many years, living to the age of ninety-one. They are buried
in the cemetery of St. John's Refomied Church at Orwigsburg. He was an
elder of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church, and lived up to the
faith he professed in his relations with all his fellow men, by whom he was
thoroughly respected. Politically he was a Republican. His children were:
Elijah, of West Brunswick township, who married Phoebe Bock (she is
deceased) ; Mendon; Isabella, who was to have been married to Joseph Kim-
mel and died on her wedding day; and Joseph, of West Brunswick township,
who married Catherine Kock (she is deceased).
Mendon Kramer, son of Joseph, was born Dec. 26, 1843, at the place in
West Brunswick township where Samuel Dreher now lives, and died July
8, 1914. He received his education in that township, worked for his father
up to the time of his marriage, and then took up farming on his own account,
buying a farm of ninety acres from Abraham Sharadin in West Brunswick
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEi\NSYL\'AXL\ 383
township. There he passed the rest of his life, carrying on general farming,
and he became a well known man in his locality, holding the township office
of school director, and sending several terms as deacon of the Reformed
congregation of Zion's (Red) Church in West Brunswick township. Polit-
ically iie was a Republican. His wife, Amelia Louisa (Koch), daughter of
John and Salome (Fusslcman) Koch, died March 8, 1914, aged sixty-nine
years, one month, twenty-three days, and they are buried at Zion's Church.
They w-ere the parents of seven children: Mrs. Franklin D. Baver ; John H.,
of Allentown, Pa., who married Emma Fussleman ; Ida J., wife of Charles
F. Fichthom, of Philadelphia; William H., who also married; Theodore,
who married Annie Hill and lives on the homestead farm; Irwin, deceased in
infancy ; and Plerman, who is an invalid, and lives with his brother Theodore.
SAMUEL S. BAILEY, at present serving his second term as recorder
of deeds of Schuylkill county, has been a railroad man most of his life, having
rounded out a service of thirty-nine years with the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company before he assumed the duties of office. His home is at
Frackville.
The Bailey family is of English origin. During the Revolution John
Bailey (grandfather of Samuel S. Bailey) and his wife Sarah lived at Spring-
field, in Chester county, Pa., where he followed farming. He served in the
war with the Colonial troops, and his wife cooked and supplied food for
manv of the soldiers. Removing to Schuylkill county, he bought a tract of
land on Peach mountain, now included within the limits of Pottsville. On
this tract, while digging a well, he found coal, the first discovered in Schuyl-
kill county. He built a log raft covered with boards, and his son John took
it down the Schuylkill river. In time John Bailey, Sr., opened a hotel at
Pottsville, where he was one of the pioneer settlers, and he continued to carry
it on for many years. Later he bought property on Acker street in Port
Carbon, this county, where he lived until his death, in 1846. He was buried
at Pottsville, behind the grammar school, in what is now the public park
where the John Pott monument stands. Mr. Bailey married Sarah Butler,
a native of the North of Ireland, who died in Port Carbon in 1856, reaching
the advanced age of one hundred and four years, seven months, five days.
They had a family of seven children, Hannah, Betsy, Polly, Rachel, Harriet,
Phoebe and John.
John Bailey was born in Chester county, Pa., and came to Schuylkill county
with his father. For several years he was engaged in shipping coal to Phila-
delphia, being the first man to take coal down the canal from this district, and
he came to own a line of canalboats, for many years also carrying on a general
mercantile business at his father's homestead in Port Carbon. During the
Civil war he boated hay and other feed down to Washington and Baltimore
for the government, and his last active work was the shipping of coal down
the canal to Philadelphia. He lived retired one year before his death, which
occurred July 10, 1879, at Port Carbon, and he is buried in the Presbyterian
graveyard there. Mr. Bailey was originally a Democrat in politics, changing
later to the Republican party, and always took an interest in public afifairs.
He serv'ed for years as assessor of Port Carbon, and exerted a very appreci-
able influence for good in his community. By his marriage to Ann L. Fister
he had the following children : William, a resident of Ashland, Schuylkill
countv, formerlv a railroad engineer, married Priscilla Halderman ; Tohii, who
384 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
is engaged in the butcher business at Port Carbon, married Margaret S.
Ammon, of Chester county. Pa.; Dillie is the wife of John M. Oren, deputy
recorder of Schuylkill county, and they reside at Port Carbon ; Samuel S.
is mentioned below; Joseph died at the age of twenty-five years; Amanda died
at the age of sixteen years ; George died when two years old ; two children
died in infancy ; George Taylor, who married Emma Wetstone, of Mahanoy
City, died Dec. lo, 191 1, aged sixty years, and is buried at Tamaqua.
Samuel S. Bailey was bom at Port Carbon Jan. 10, 1856, and received his
education in the schools of that place. His first work was driving mules on
the canal, and he was thus engaged for about eight years. He then entered
the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, first as a brake-
man, afterwards as fireman, conductor and finally engineer, in which capacity
he continued with them for about twenty-two years. His services with this
company altogether covered a period of thirty-nine years, during which time
he was located at Palo Alto, Tamaqua, Mahanoy Plane and, ultimately, Frack-
ville, as convenient to his work.
In 1908 Mr. Bailey was elected to the office of recorder of deeds of Schuyl-
kill county, which he has held continuously since, having been reelected in
191 1. When he took office he appointed his brother-in-law, John M. Oren, as
his deputy. Mr. Bailey's administration of the affairs of this office has been
efficient and highly creditable to himself and to the county he serves. Polit-
ically he is a Republican. Mr. Bailey was one of the organizers of the Frack-
ville-Gilberton Light, Heat & Power Company, and served as a director of
that company until the plant was sold to the Eastern Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. Other local projects have also had his encouragement and influ-
ence. Socially he is well known, holding membership in Anthracite Lodge,
No. 285, F. & A. :\I., of St. Clair; in Council No. 828, Jr. O. U. A. M., of
Frackville, and in Di\ision No. 90, Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers of
Pottsville. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bailey married Mary Miller, daughter of George Miller, Sr., of
Port Carbon. They have no children.
EDWIN E. WIESNER, M. D., of Mantzville, Sclniylkill county, is not
only a successful medical practitioner but in various other connections as well
a leading citizen of his section, a force for progress whose influence should
have a permanent effect on its advancement.
Dr. Wiesner is a native of Pennsylvania, bom Oct. 19, 1878, at Stines
Corner, in Lynn township, Lehigh county, and is of old Montgomery and Berks
county stock. The family has long been settled in this State. Histor}^ shows
that the Woesner, W'easner, Wiessener, Wisner, Wissner, Weisner, Wiesner
families in America migrated from Europe in three separate migrations, the
first, Johannes (or John) Weasner, coming from Switzerland to Long Island
just about two hundred years ago, and ver}' shortly moving to Orange county,
N. Y., where a considerable number of his descendants still live. A grandson
of this Johannes Weasner, namely, Henry \\'isner, was a man of considerable
prominence, being a delegate to both of the Continental Congresses, and en-
joyed the distinction of being the only man from New York who actually voted
for the Declaration of Independence. His name appears in Dwight's Lives of
the Signers, and he is also mentioned in Bryant's and Gay's History of the
United States, iw a footnote on page 484 of Volume HI which reads as fol-
lows : "Henry Wisner was one of the delegates from New York, and Thomas
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL-V 385
McKcaii, a delegate from Delaware, deelared in several letters, written at dif-
ferent times and in subsequent years, that Wisner voted for thc'Declaration of
Independence. But as the vote was taken by colonies his individual vote could
not be counted if the rest of the delegates refrained from voting.'' This
Henry Wisner was not present when the Declaration was signed, and therefore
his name does not appear among the signers.
The second migration came about iifty years later (1750) and settled in
either Uucks or lierks county, Pa. A certain Jacob Wiesner or Weasner, who
was the progenitor of this line, in 1758 paid a tax on 100 acres of land. The
third migration came in 1800, when seven brothers came and landed at New
^■ork. They seem to have scattered pretty well, but twta of the brothers' fam-
ilies have been traced, Jacob Wisner and Frederick Wisner.
A certain Christian Wisner, who came from Germany to this country in
1S50, and who is a' Presbyterian minister in Indianapolis, Ind., tells us that the
original sjielling was Woesner, and that Wisner is the correct English form
of the word. The first branch came from Switzerland, the second and third
from Wurtemberg, which is right next to Switzerland. There seems but little
doubt that all three emigrations are remotely related. The name itself seems
to have meant "dwellers on the meadows," which must have been at one time
a sort of tribe name. It is to this second migration that we trace a certain
George Wiessener, who came on the snow "Catherine," Captain Gladman, and
arrived in Philadelphia May 28, 1742. Leonard, Martin and Heinrich, the
latter the Doctor's great-grandfather, were three of George Wiessener's sons.
In 1769, in Philadelphia county, lived George Wiessener, who owned 160
acres of land, and Leonard, who paid a proprietary tax on 100 acres of land.
John \\'eisner (as the Doctor's early ancestors spelled the name) was a ranger
of the frontier from Northampton county, Pa., between 1778 and 1783, in
John McClelland's company. One Godfrey Weisner lived in Lehigh county in
1829, aged seventy-four years ; he was a pensioned soldier of the Revolutionary
war. In 1744, in Philadelphia county, lived David Weisner, who owned 100
acres of land, and is said to have been a pioneer of the family now located
about Pottstown, Pa. In 1783 the Thomas Weisner estate was assessed in
Falls township, Oerks Co., Pa. In 1786 one Matthias \\'esner was assessed from
Lower Makefield township, Berks county.
Heinrich Weisner, the Doctor's great-grandfather, lived in Douglass town-
ship, Montgomery county. He was an undertaker and farmer, and died in
1809 aged about thirty-seven years. He is buried at the Swamp Church, in
Montgomery county, and his wife, Catharine (Yerger), is buried at Huff's
Church. She married for her second husband John Laub. To Heinrich and
Catharine Weisner were born children as follows : George, located in North-
umberland county. Pa. ; Amos, located about Danville, Pa. ; Lydia, married to
George Reichard ; Rachel, married to Ezra Yergy ; Rebecca, married to Charles
W^agonhorst ; Henry, who died young ; Jonas, married to Sallie Dietrich ;
Samuel (died in Montgomery county, aged fifty-nine years), married to Sarah
Smith, of Montgomery county, and had Catharine (who is blind, and lives at
Pottstown), Matthias (of Pottstown) and Mary (married John Wanner, of the
Trappe).
Jonas Weisner, son of Heinrich, was born in Douglass township, Mont-
gomery Co., Pa., Dec. 15, 1806, and before his marriage located in Green-
wich township, Berks county. Here he was married to Sallie Dietrich, daugh-
ter of Michael Dietrich. She was born Jan. 6, 1810, and died Jan. 25, 1895.
386 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Jonas Weisner was a lifelong prosperous farmer, and for many years operated
the Weisner farm at Round Top, which consisted of more than 120 acres. He
was a shoemaker by trade, and made his own shoes and those for his family.
He died Jan. 24, 1892. To him and his wife were born the following children:
Henry (1833-1906); Jonas (1835-1855) ; Mary Ann, married to William
Zimmerman; Samuel, married to Mary Schaeffer; Nathan, married to Mary
Ann Zimmerman; Willoughby; David, married to Ellen Moyer; and Lydia,
married to Alfred Dietrich.
Willoughby Wiesner, father of Dr. Wiesner, was bom at Round Top, in
Albany township, Berks county, and acquired his education in the local schools.
He left home and went to Danville to get business experience and familiarize
himself with the English language, and after returning home continued to
work on his father's farm until his marriage. Then he worked for his father-
in-law until the latter's death, when Mr. Wiesner purchased the farm from
the estate, and he still lives there, actively engaged in general farming. His
home place comprises about ninety-six acres, situated in Lynn township,
Lehigh county, and ninety-two acres of the tract is cleared. Besides this he
owns a farm of eighty-two acres in Weisenberg township, same county, of
which all but ten acres are cleared; he rents that property. Mr. Wiesner
raises general crops, but makes a specialty of potatoes, and he has prospered
steadily because of his diligence and thrift. He is a member of the Frieden's
Lutheran Church at Wessnersville, and in politics supports the Democratic
party. Mr. Wiesner married Amelia Oldt, who was born at Stines Comer,
Lehigh county, only child of Elias and Catherine (Snyder) Oldt, the former
a native of Greenwich township, Berks county, the latter of Lynn township,
Lehigh county. Elias Oldt was a blacksmith, and later bought the farm now
owned by Willoughby Wiesner, where he died when nearly eighty years old ;
his wife died when ninety-one years old. He was a Republican, and a mem-
ber of the Frieden's Church at Wessnersville, where he and his wife are
buried. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiesner: Alfred
Leo died in infancy; Edwin E. is next in the family; Elias G., a dealer in gen-
eral merchandise and agricultural implements at Stines Corner, Lehigh county,
married Lillie Fisher, and they have three children, Ethel, and Ellis and Violet,
twins ; Annie M. is living at home.
Edwin E. Wiesner began his education in the public schools of Lynn town-
ship, Lehigh county, and during the summer seasons attended the local sub-
scription schools. In 1898 he entered the Normal University at Valparaiso,
Ind., where he took a course in pharmacy, graduating with the class of 1900.
This he followed with a medical course at the Medico-Chirurgical College,
Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1903. During his
attendance there he was a member of the Roussel Medical Society. He com-
menced practice th^ year of his graduation at New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., Pa.,
where he remained until his removal to Mantzville, in West Penn township,
Schuylkill county, in 1906. Here he has since been established, having a beau-
tiful home upon which he has made many improvements, and enjoying the full
confidence of his fellow citizens, both in his professional capacity and as a
private citizen. He is a member of the Schuylkill County ^Medical Society,
Pennsylvania State Medical Society and American Medical Association.
Though busy with his chosen work, the Doctor has successfully combined
with it activity in business and public affairs, being at present a director of
the Tamaqua National Bank and a director and secretary of the Mahoning
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 387
Rural Telephone Company; township supervisor, for competent service in
which position his professional driving gives him many opportunities; a mem-
ber of New Tripoli Grand Council, No. 204, Jr. O. U. A. M., of which he
is a past councilor; member of Blue Ridge Lodge, No. 11 53, L O. O. F., of
Sittler, Pa.; of Norman Commandery, No. 135, A. & L O. Knights of Malta,
Lehighton, Pa.; W'chr Tent, No. 464, Knights of the Maccabees, of Wehr (in
West Penn township), this county; and Tamaqua Lodge, No. 23S, F. & A.
M. His religious connection at present is with St. Peter's Lutheran Church.
He was formerly a Sunday school teacher in the Ebenezer Lutheran Church
at New Tripoli. On political issues the Doctor is a Democrat.
Dr. Wiesner married Ella D. Seiberling, who was bom Oct. 28, 1882, in
Hynemansville, Weisjnberg township, Lehigh county, where she received her
early education, later attending school at Allentown and Philadelphia, Pa.
She joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, and is now a member
of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and a member of the Luther League. Three
children have been bom to Dr. and Mrs. Wiesner: Hazel E., bom Oct. 30,
1905 ; Ernest E.. born Oct. 13, 1907; and Carl S., born Nov. 9, 1909. The chil-
dren attend St. Peter's school in West Penn township.
Joshua Seiberling, grandfather of Mrs. Wiesner, lived for many years at
Seiberlingville, Lehigh county, conducting the "Seiberlingville Hotel" and a
general store; he also operated his farm of 150 acres, retiring some years be-
fore his death, which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mary (Mrs. Wil-
liam Grosscup), at Germanville, Lehigh county, when he was eighty-two
years old. His wife, Catherine (Moser), died also when eighty-two years
old, and they are buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Seiberlingville,
of which he was a faithful member. He served a number of years in the
of^cial capacity of justice of the peace, was a Democrat in politics, and one of
the well known residents of the neighborhood in his day. His children were
as follows : Oliver died in the West ; Henry, deceased, who was a veteran of
the Civil war (his wife was Mollie) ; Fred, who lives at Allentown, Pa., mar-
ried Sarah Kline ; Joshua W. was the father of Mrs. Wiesner ; Mary married
William Grosscup and lives at Germanville; Emma married Dr. Willoughby
Kistler, of Lehighton, Pa.; Lila is the wife of Edwin Lobach, of Philadel-
phia, Pa. ; Ida married Lavinus Holben, of Allentown, Pa. ; Rosa married
Henry Grim, of Coggon, Iowa; three children died young.
Joshua W. Seiberling, M. D., was born July 4, 1847, at Seiberiingville,
and there obtained his early education. He prepared for his profession at
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, from which institution
he was graduated, and commenced practice at Limeport, Lehigh county, where
he remained two years. At the end of that period he made a permanent
location at Hynemansville, Lehigh county, where he was in practice until his
death, March 23, 191 1. He is buried at Seiberlingville. Dr. Seiberling was
a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Seiberlingville and one of the active
workers in that organization. Politically he was a Democrat. His first wife,
Helena E. (Dillinger), born Jan. 27, 1852, died April 13, 1894, and is buried
at St. Paul's Church, Seiberlingville. She was well educated, having attended
school at Limeport, Lehigh county, and several terms at Pennington Seminary.
Five children were born to this union: Dr. Joseph D., bom Sept. 11, 1876,
now practicing in Philadelphia, married Edith Allen, and their children are
Edith and James ; Rev. William J., born Nov. 3, 1877, 3- Lutheran clergy-
man, stationed at Mulberry, Ind., married Jennie Weisser, and their children are
388 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruth, Miriam, Philip, Esther, Anna and Frederick; Ella D., bom Oct. 28,
1882, is Mrs. Edwin E. Wiesner; Anna C, born Aug. 12, 1888, a graduate
of the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa., is a pubhc school
teacher in Atlantic City, N. J.; Lena M. D., born April 5, 1894, a graduate of
the Keystone State Normal School, is teaching school in West Penn township.
For his second wife Dr. Seiberling married Emma Bachman, daughter of
Jacob Bachman, both natives of Berks county. Pa. By this marriage there is
one child, Ida C, born Jan. i, 1902, now a student in the Keystone State
Normal School, at Kutztown.
Willoughby Dillinger, father of Mrs. Helena E. Seiberling, was a miller
and farmer at Limeport, Lehigh county, where he owned a large property.
Retiring a few years before his death, he made his home thereafter with his
daughter, Mrs. Emanuel Weider, in Limeport. He and his wife, Helena
(Pearson), are buried at the Chestnut Hill Church near Limeport, to which
he belonged ; politically he was a Democrat. Three children were born to them :
Mrs. Joshua W. Seiberling; Alary, married to Hon. Frank Keller, a former
member of the State Legislature and director of the State Insane Asylum at
Norristown; and Alavesta, wife of Emanuel Weider, formerly a justice of the
peace and farmer at Limeport, now cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of
Pennsburg, Montgomery county.
JEREMIAH SMITH, retired, has been a resident of Orwigsburg since
1895, has taken some part in the administration of municipal affairs, and
though he has had heavy business responsibilities of his own has done excellent
service for his fellow citizens in the borough. He is a native of Berks county.
Pa., and a member of one of its old families, his grandfather, Henry Smith,
having lived and died there, in Albany township. He is buried at the Bethel
Church. He gave his attention to farming and milling, owning about 150
acres of land and a sawmill. His children were : Jacob, David, a son that
died in infancy, Lydia, Abbie, Sallie, Mary, Sybilla and Sarah.
facob Smith, son of Henn,-, was born on the homestead in Albany town-
ship, and in early life learned the trade of carpenter and cabinetmaker. Later
he took the old homestead, where he farmed for some time, and then removed
to Schuylkill county, where he rented a farm near Friedensburg. In religious
faith he was a Lutheran, in politics a Democrat. His wife, Sarah (Bailey),
survived him and remarried, her second husband being Daniel Raudenbush.
She passed away at the age of sixty-nine years, at Schuylkill Haven, where
she is buried. By her first marriage she had nine children : Sophia, I\Iar>',
Sarah, Henry, Jeremiah, Daniel. Lewis, David and Albert. Two children
were born to her second marriage, Rosie and a daughter that died in infancy.
Jeremiah Smith was bom March 14, 1838, in Albany township, Berks
county, where he spent his early years, beginning his education in the local
public schools. Coming to Schuylkill county with his parents he afterwards
attended school in North Manheim township and at Schuylkill Haven. Reared
on a farm, when twenty-two years old he began farming for himself, renting
land in West Brunswick township, this county, which he cultivated for four
years. Subsequently he bought a tract of 125 acres from his father-in-law,
Joseph Hoy, and devoted the remainder of his active days to its development,
bringing it to a valuable state of fertility. He retained the ownership of this
property until iQH. when he sold it to Cah'in Gerhard. Meantime, in 1895,
he had built a fine residence at Orwigsburg, to which he removed when he
SCHUYLKJLL COUXTY, PEN X SYLVAN I A 389
gave up fanning extensively. His property at Orwigsburg comprises about
six acres, which he continues to cultivate. i\lr. Smith has always been public-
spirited, believing that all good citizens should work together for the public
good as well as for the advancement of their pesonal interests, and he has
been exceptionally impressed with the value of public school advantages.
While living in West Bnniswick township he was a member of the school
board and president of that body, antl he has served in the same capacity since
his removal to Orwigsburg. He has also been chosen a member of the borough
council, in which he has served about six years. Politically he is a Democrat.
On Dec. 24, 1859, Mr. Smith married Lydia Hoy, daughter of Joseph and
Hannah Maria (Snyder) Hoy. They have no children. Mr. Smith is a
member of the Reformed Church.
Philip Hoy, grandfather of ^Irs. Smith, was among the early settlers of
Orwigsburg, where he owned a large tract of land. He died here and is
buried in the Reformed cemetery. To this marriage with Maria Gilbert were
bom eight children, namely: Abraham, Henry, Joseph, John, William, Sarah
(wife of Henry Gerhard), Maria (wife of David Wiltrout) and Susanna
(wife of Joseph Zoll).
JOHN J. FLYNX', of ^linersville. is serving his third term in the ot^ce
of justice of the peace, and when he was first chosen, in 1902, was the youngest
incumbent of that position in Schuylkill county. As might be inferred from
his name he is of Irish extraction, a descendant of a worthy family founded
here by his grandfather, which has contributed to the substantial citizenship
of Schuylkill county for three generations.
Timothy Flynn, the grandfather, was born in County Cork, Ireland, came
to America when a young man, and first settled at the Morris addition to
Pottsville, in Schuylkill county. Pa. For some time he was employed as a
fireman on the railroad, afterwards removing to Tremont, this county, where
he was engaged at the mines. He then located at St. Nicholas, and later
purchased a farm near Barnesville, in Mahanoy township, where he made a
permanent home, becoming one of the leading men of that district. He
acquired valuable holdings, and was well known for his fondness for fast
horses, always owning several. As he became known to his fellow citizens
he entered into public life, serving as tax collector and as treasurer of the
local school board ; he was also a candidate at one time for chairman of the
borough, but defeated for that office by a small majority. Mr. Flynn married
Mary Sheehan, and they had children as follows: Patrick; Ellen, wife of
Patrick O'Brien ; Timothy ; J^Iichael, who lives in Tamaqua ; and Daniel, a
farmer of Lakeside, Pennsylvania.
Timothy Flynn, son of Timothy, was best known to his many friends as
"Tim" Flynn. He was born at Pottsville and received a good education, after
his course in the public schools attending a summer normal school at Port
Carbon, and later the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa., from
which he was graduated. He taught school at Mt. Pleasant, Foster township,
and later in X^orth Manheim township and in Mahanoy township. For some
time afterwards he was located at Philadelphia, engaged in clerical work
there, being a very fine penman. He died in that city, at the University hos-
pital, when but forty-five years old. and his remains were brought to Potts-
ville for interment. Mr. Flynn married Margaret Toole, daughter of Austin
and Mary (Kelly) Toole, and sister of ex-Sherift John Toole. Mrs. Flynn
390 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
continues to reside at Minersville. They were the parents of four children:
Mary, who is the wife of Charles Oxner and lives in Chicago, 111. ; John J. ;
William, living at home; and Margaret, wife of Fred Egert, residing at
Gary, Indiana.
John J. Flynn was born Nov. 27, 1878, at Primrose, a small place near
Minersville. In his early boyhood he was given common school advantages,
but he was only eight years old when he began to work at the mines. When
a boy of twelve years he met with an accident while coming home from
work at Glen Carbon, a train running over his left leg below the knee, causing
the removal of the limb. After that he attended school for two terms more,
and he subsequently resumed work at the mines, where he continued to be
employed until twenty-three years old. In 1902 he was elected justice of the
peace, and has held the office continuously since, by reelection in 1907 and
1912, each time with increased majority. The flattering support which he has
received from his fellow citizens speaks well for his popularity, for the town
is Republican and he is a Democrat in his political aiifiliations. Mr. Flynn
has endeavored to do his duty according to the highest standards, and his
fellow citizens have had no reason to regret their choice. His office is on
Sunbury street, and he is a busy man. Socially ^Ir. Flynn has been quite
active in his connection with the Minersville Athletic Association, which he
founded and of which he is president. He is a member of the Roman Catholic
Church.
MONROE WOMER is now occupying the old Womer homestead in West
Penn township and adding to his reputation by what he has accomplished in
its improvement.. Having taught school in the township for a number of years
he is especially well known in this section, and is highly thought of for the
efforts he has made in behalf of various interests affecting the general welfare.
Mr. Womer belongs to an old family of Schuylkill county first repre-
sented here in Schuylkill township by his grandfather, Jacob Wummer, who
was a native of Bern township, Berks Co., Pa. After his removal to this
county he was in the timber business at Rabbit Run, near Tamaqua, for many
years. When he retired he lived with his son Isaac at Steinsville, Lehigh
Co., Pa., where he died, aged eighty-seven years. He is buried at Jackson-
ville, that county, and his wife, Susanna (Hufer), is buried at Lewistown,
Schuylkill county. They had twelve children : John, George, Jacob, Isaac,
William, Simon, Joshua, Jonas, Elias, Lucy (Mrs. Dicus), Maria (Mrs.
Moser) and one whose name is unknown. Jacob Wummer was a Whig in
politics, and a member of the Reformed Church.
Isaac Wummer, son of Jacob, was born Sept. 5, t8io, in Bern township,
Berks county. How the change in the spelling of the name came about is
unknown, but the change was made from Wummer to Womer in about 1863.
Isaac was very yomig when brought to Schuylkill county, where he received
his education, learning to read German very well. He worked for his father,
in the timber business, and while so engaged constructed rafts and floated
timtjer to Port Clinton, on the Little Schuylkill river and from there on the
canal to Philadelphia. Giving up the timber business, he learned the tailor's
trade, which he followed for about fifteen years at Jacksonville, Lehigh
county. Then he settled at Steinsville, Lehigh county, where he bought a
farm of 100 acres, upon which he remained ten years. During part of that
time he also conducted a distillery. Selling out he removed to Tamaqua,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 391
where he lived for two years, practically retired, and then moved to West
Penn township and bought the fanii (then consisting of iio acres) where his
son Monroe now resides. He sold off some of the land, retaining seventy-
five acres, all clear, where he carried on general farming until his death, his
sons assisting him with the work. He died May 20, 1893, and is buried in
the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Tamaqua. At one time he held membership in
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious connection was with
Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township. Though a Whig in his
younger days, he later became a Democrat. Isaac Womer was married three
times, and by his first wife, Elizabeth (Hofi^man), had two children, Sarah
and Abner, both of whom died in infancy. His second wife was Hannah
Meier, daughter of Henry Meier, and their children were : William, born
April 18, 1837, died aged twenty-two years; Luisiann, born March 16, 1840,
died unmarried; Amandus, bom Aug. 15, 1842, lives in Reading, Pa., married
to Annetta Womer. The mother of these children is buried at Jacksonville,
Lehigh county. ]\Ir. Womer later married her sister, Magdalena Meier, who
was born Jan. i, 1818, and died Jan. g, 1898. She is buried in the Odd
Fellows' cemetery at Tamacjua. By this union there were ten children:
Charles, bom March 6, 1844, who married Kate Houser, and lives at Summit
Hill (they had three children); Wilson, bom Jan. 13, 1846; Maria, bom
Feb. 12, 1S4S, widow of Frank Houser, living at Tamaqua (they had three
children) ; Missuri Elmira, born Sept. 29, 1850, who died young; Monroe,
mentioned below; Caroline, born July 21, 1855, who died young; James,
bom Jan. i, 1857, who died when about two years old; Dr. Franklin, born
Jan. II, 1859, now of Reading, Pa., married to Matilda Kistler; John, born
Nov. 18, 1 861, unmarried, who has always lived on the home place, being now
with his brother Monroe; and Ida Jane, born March 27, 1863, who died in
infancy.
Monroe Womer was bom April 6, 1853, at Jacksonville, Lehigh Co., Pa.,
and received his first schooling there. He was eleven years old when the
family came to Tamaqua, continued his education there, and later attended
school in West Penn township. Then he entered the Missionary Institute at
Selinsgrove, Pa. (now known as Susquehanna University), where he studied
for two years, and later he took a twenty-two weeks' course in commercial
work at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Pa. Retuming to Lehigh county
he taught school for one term in Lynn township, and then changed to Salis-
bury township for one term. Then he had about twelve years' experience
in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, at the Zehner School, Zion's
Church school and West Penn Station. He has since devoted his attention
to farming, on the homestead place, having bought the farm from the estate.
Mr. Womer has made many improvements on the property, including the
building of a substantial bam and one of the finest houses in the township.
Though he carries on general farming he gives considerable time to the raising
of garden truck and fruit, and markets to the Panther Creek valley, to the
towns of Tamaqua, Coaldale and Lansford. He has kept in touch \yith the
public interests of the locality, and being independent in his political views
works to get the best men in office regardless of party, and supports good
movements, whatever their origin. Being interested in education he still
reads the Latin authors, and expects to read them as long as he lives. Mr.
Womer was confirmed in the Reformed Church.
Mr. Womer is married to Susan Flexer, who was born March 21, i860,
392 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYL\^\NL\
daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Kocher) Flexer, and they have one child,
Elbert Franklin, born Oct. 3, 1892. He was educated in the West Penn
township schools, and is a professional musician and much interested in
educational work of all kinds.
Jacob Flexer, Mrs. Womer's grandfather, was a well-to-do farmer in
West Penn township, in the Mahoning valley, and acquired considerable
property, his holdings at one time comprising some five hundred acres. His
principal farm is now owned by David Zettlemoyer. \\'hen he retired he sold
his home farm in West Penn township and moved to the home farm of his
son-in-law, Jonas Hill, Sr. (the place now owned by Elmer Womer), at whose
home he died when ninety-three years old. He was a Democrat, and in religion
a Lutheran, belonging to Zion's Church in West Penn township, where he and
his wife are buried. Her maiden name was Fink, and they reared the following
children : Elizabeth married Isaac Stabler, and both are deceased ; Jacob was
next in the family; Salome married Jonas Hill; Daniel was the father of Mrs.
Monroe Womer.
Daniel Flexer was born July 7, 1809, in West Penn township, and edu-
cated there in the pay schools conducted before the introduction of the free
school system. He worked for his father up to the time of his marriage, and
received a portion of the home tract from his father, about twenty-one acres
of cleared land and some timber. There he remained until a short time
before his death, which occurred at Tamaqua, at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Polly Keen. Like his father he was a Democrat and a Lutheran,
belonging to St. Peter's church in the Mahoning valley, in West Penn town-
ship, where he and his family are fiuried. He was twice married, first to
Salome Bachert, by whom he had five children: Christian, now deceased;
Rebecca, wife of William Cooper, both deceased ; Polly, wife of William
Keen, both deceased; Daniel, who married Kate Honsberger, and lives at
Tamaqua ; and Isaac, deceased. The mother is buried at Zion's Church in
West Penn township. Mr. Flexer's second wife, Rebecca (Kocher), daugh-
ter of Jacob Kocher, died when fifty-seven years old. She was the mother
of the following children : Hannah married John Wheatly, of Catawissa,
Pa. ; Lydia married Aaron Haiman, and both are deceased ; Kate died unmar-
ried; Matilda married Stephen Eck, of Allentown, Pa.; Sarah, David, James
and Samuel died young; Emmalina is the widow of Frank Fisher; Susan is
Mrs. Monroe Womer.
FREDERICK SPEACHT, late of Pottsville, the founder of the business
now continued by his sons under the name of Speacht Brothers, belonged to
a family of French descent which has been represented in this part of Penn-
sylvania since 1830. His grandfather was a native of France and a promi-
nent man in his locality.
John Speacht, father of Frederick, was born in France, and when a youth
of sixteen entered the army under Napoleon, serving for six years ; he was
under the great leader at Moscow and Waterloo, and was wounded in the
service. Two of his brothers who were serving during that war were lost in
the Alps. After John Speacht located in Paris he followed his trade, that of
goldsmith, until he came to America in 1831, settling at once in Pottsville, Pa.
The town was too small to afford him sufficient employment at his trade, and
he moved to the vicinity of Selinsgrove and Sunbury, in Union county. Pa.
where he became engaged in farming. Later he returned to Pottsville, where
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 393
he died. His children were as follows: Magdalena, who married Richard
Hight; Elizabeth, who married George Frazer; Sarah, who died unmarried;
Louise, who died young; John, who died at Pottsville; Frederick; Sophia, who
married Frederick Aloser; and Mary, who majried Edw. Henry.
Frederick Speacht was born in Union county, Pa., in the vicinity of Sun-
bury, April 20, 1836, and came to Pottsville with his parents in 1848. He had
the limited educational advantages afforded in his day. In his boyhood h6 was
emploved in a brickyard for a time, and later at the furnace at Palo Alto,
beginning his connection with the flour and feed business as a driver for
Rousch & Evans, millers, in whose employ he continued for a period of eighteen
years. After a short experience in railroad work he engaged in the Hour and
feed business on his own account in 1886, continuing therein until his death.
His thorough familiarity with all the branches of the business, and its operation
in this territory, brought him steady success, and he became one of the
substantial merchants of the borough. He died July 14, 1907, at his residence
in Pottsville, No. 352 South Centre street, and is buried in the Charles Baber
cemetery.
Mr. Speacht married Dorothy Guess, of .Schuylkill county, daughter of
Daniel and Mary (Bordel) Guess, and she is still living at the old family home
on Centre street, Pottsville. They had a family of eight children, of whom
Mary Louise and Emma Elizabeth died young; Clara Katherine is the widow
of Henry P. Slater, of Pottsville; Daniel Franklin married Kate Hoke, of
Tower City ; John Frederick is married to Lillie Pickle, of Pottsville : Edward
has been married twice, to Anna Bechant and Kate Hyde, both deceased.
Mrs. Speacht has two grandchildren. Her three sons are now carrying on the
flour and feed business in Pottsville established by their father. Mrs. Speacht
conducted it for one year after her husband's death and then sold out to her
sons, who are associated under the firm name of Speacht Brothers. They are
established at No. 209 South Railroad street and have a large and growing
business, endeavoring to maintain the high standards of their father's hon-
orable career. He was an honored member of the English Lutheran Church.
Daniel Guess, Mrs. Speacht's father, was a farmer near Lewistown, Schuyl-
kill county, where he died. To his marriage with Mary Bordel were bom
children as follows : Dorothy, Mrs. Speacht : Peter, who seri'ed in the Civil
war from Schuylkill county; Louis; Jacob; Henry; Man,^; Sophia; Susan, and
Louise.
OWEN A. ANDREAS, whose home is now at Andreas (postoffice Sittler),
in West Penn township, has for a number of years been ranked as one of the
most successful agriculturists in his section of Schuylkill county. He has been
as much a leader in all the other activities of the neighborhood, taking his share
in the responsibilities of the township government, promoting social and
religious enterprises, and lending his valued support to ever>' movement which
has for its object the betterment of present conditicfns. He is a native of
West Penn township, and a member of a family of substance and worth
long known in this region.
Jonas Andreas, his grandfather, was a farmer just over the Schuylkill
county line in Carbon county, in East Penn township, owning about one hun-
dred acres. He farmed all his life, and lived to be over eighty. His wife's
maiden name was Bowman, and their children were: Tilghman married Polly
Harter; Adam was the father of Owen A. Andreas; Owen married Druscilla
394 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruch; Salinda became the wife of Owen Smith; Alary married Stephen Lauch-
nor; Eve, twin of Adam, married Henry Ruch; Sabina was the wife of Jacob
Behler. Jonas Andreas was a Democrat, and his rehgious connection was with
the Ben-Salem Church in East Penn township. Carbon county, where he and
his wife are buried. He held all the church offices, and was a member of the
building committee when the present church was built.
Adam Andreas, son of Jonas, was born in East Penn township. Carbon
county, Nov. ii, 1832, and died Feb. 24, 1904. He was educated in the pay
schools of his native township, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-
three years old, when he married and moved a half mile away, buying a farm
of about sixty-five acres. After operating this place,, for about twelve years he'
bought the farm of 112 acres (of which eighty acres are clear) in West Penn
township, Schuylkill county, now owned by his son Owen A. Andreas, and
there carried on general farming, marketing his produce to Lehighton, Carbon
county. In the year of 1900 he sold this farm to his son Owen and built a
house in Andreas, where he lived thereafter in retirement. His wife, Florianna
(Steigerwalt), bom Nov. 19, 1838, daughter of Joseph and Polly ( Gumbert)
Steigerwalt, now lives with her daughter at Andreas. Seven children were
bom to Mr. and ]\Irs. Andreas: William and James died young; another son
died in infancy; Caroline is married to Benjamin F. Haberman, of East Penn
township, Carbon county ; Fianna married Wellington Weaver, a leading gen-
eral merchant at Andreas, Pa. ; Louisa married Edwin Hill, of Andreas ; Owen
A. completes the family. The father supported the Democratic party in politi-
cal sentiment. Socially he was a member of Washington Camp No. 615, P. O.
S. of A., of Sittler, Pa., and his church connection was with the Ben-Salem
congregation in East Penn township. Carbon county, in which he was a promi-
nent worker, holding the offices of elder, deacon and trustee. He is buried at
that church.
Owen A. Andreas was bom Nov. 22, 1869, obtained his education in West
Penn township, Schuylkill county, and worked for his father on the farm until
twenty years old. He then married and moved to Andreas, where he rented
a forty-two-acre farm from his father for twelve years, during which time he
also did a great deal of lumbering. About 1900 he bought the 112-acre farm
from his father, and lived there until 1912, in which year he built and moved to
his present home at Andreas (Sittler), which is one of the finest homes in that
part of Schuylkill county. He now rents his 112 acres to Fred Reinsmith,
his son-in-law, and is himself engaged in general farming on a thirty-eight-
acre tract in East Penn township. Carbon county, which he bought from
Charles A. Andreas. Twenty acres of this property have been cleared. He
makes a specialty of raisng White Leghorn chickens, with which he has been
notably successful. Mr. Andreas is a director of the Citizens' National Bank
of Lehighton, Carbon county. He is at present treasurer of the West Penn
township school board, and has been a member of that body for eleven years,
exercising a most desirable influence in its councils. At one time he was town-
ship auditor. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and he
has taken an active part in local elections as chairman of the township com-
mittee and inspector of election. He has been prominent in the fraternal
organizations, being a past president of Washington Camp No. 615, P. O. S.
of A., at Sittler; a past noble grand of Sittler Lodge No. 1153, I. O. O. F. ;
and a member of Lehighton Commandery, No. 1135, Knights of Malta. As
a member of the Ben-Salem Reformed Church he has been one of its most
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, TENXSYLX^^NL^ 395
efficient workers, serving as elder, deacon and trustee, and several times he has
been sujx;rintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Andreas married Louisa Steigerwalt, who was born March 9, 1870,
in East Penn township, Carbon Co., I'a., a daughter of Stephen Steigerwalt,
who was educated in her native township, and remained at home until her
marriage. She, too, is a valued member of the Ben-Salem Lutheran Church,
which she has served five years as organist, and for fifteen years was con-
nected with the Sunday school in that capacity. She is now teacher of the
Bible class in the Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Andreas are the parents of
four children: Neda Luella, born July 4, 1889, is married to Fred Reinsmith,
a farmer on the place of his father-in-law, O. A. Andreas ; Raymond Adam,
bom June 2. 1892. who lives at Andreas and is engaged in lumbering, married
Beulah German, and they have two children, Mark Owen and Noble Llewellyn ;
Herbert Alexander, born Sept. 20, 1893, a resident of Lehighton, married Stella
Ruch, and they have one child, Evelyn Marie; William Stephen, born July 18,
1895, now a student in the West Chester State Normal School, taught school
for three terms in West Penn township (he excels in athletics, and has broken
several records at school).
Frederick Steigerwalt, the grandfather of ]\Irs. Andreas, was born in Ger-
many, son of Carl Steigerwalt. When he emigrated to America he settled in
East Penn township. Carbon, Co., Pa., where he encountered the most primi-
tive conditions, sleeping under the trees when he first came to the township,
until he could make a home. He became the owner of a lOO-acre tract. He
married Man,- Hetler, a daughter of George Hetler, and they had a family of
twelve children : Leah married Gideon Nothstein ; Reuben married Priscilla
Stabler ; Charles married Katie Halderman ; Levi married Mary Wise ; Han-
nah married James Nothstein : Mary married Amos Gerber ; Rebecca married
Matthias Frantz ; Levina married Levi Frantz ; Lucenna married William
Kressley : Stephen was the father of Mrs. Andreas ; Rosinna married William
Wise ; Gideon married Christie Bowadbeck. Mr. Steigerwalt was a Democrat,
and active in township affairs and in the work of the Ben-Salem Lutheran
Church, which he attended regularly. He served as elder and deacon, and in
other positions. He and hs wife are buried there.
Stephen Steigerwalt, son of Frederick, was born July 18. 1835, in East Penn
township. Carbon Co., Pa., and died Feb. 13, 1903. He was educated in that
township and at the Lehighton high school, and worked with his father until
he enlisted in the Union army, during the Civil war, becoming a member of
Company A, 202d Regiment. When he returned from the army he went to
Tamaqua. this county, and married there. He settled in East Penn township,
buying the homestead farm, which he operated until advancing years made it
advisable for him to give up hard work. Then he built a home in Sittler and
lived retired until his death. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed it
to some extent.
On Sept. 25, 1862, Mr. Steigerwalt married Priscilla Houser, daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth (Wertman) Houser, and she survives him, residing at
Andreas. They had children as follows : Albert H., who is engaged in busi-
ness as a saddler in Andreas, married Ida S. Gerber; Louisa is Mrs. Owen A.
Andreas: Uriah married Emma Wehr; Ira married Lilly Wehr; Clara married
Charles Everett ; Edward was killed on the railroad when twenty-three years
old; Man,' married George Wertman ; Wallace married Emma Steigerwalt;
Beulah married Warren Trexler; Minnie married William Loch. Mr. Steiger-
396 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
wait was a very active member of the Ben-Salem Lutheran Church, which he
served as elder and deacon. He is buried at that church. He served his town-
ship as school director, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket.
By virtue of his Civil war experience he was a member of the G. A. R., belong-
ing to Bertolet Post at Lehighton.
JOHN FERTIG, after a conspicuously successful business experience as
a contractor and builder, has settled upon a fine farm near Orwigsburg, in
West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and has every prospect of being
as prosperous in agriculture as he was in his fom:er vocation. He is a native
of Cressona, Schuylkill county, born Sept. 4, 1868, son of John W. Fertig and
grandson of Joseph Fertig, a pioneer of the county.
Joseph Fertig was a woodchopper and carpenter, and was known as a good
mechanic. He bored many pump stocks from trees which he himself felled
in the neighboring forests. He would take a basketful of provisions and go
into the woods to work, remaining until his supplies gave out, and he was
respected by all who knew him for his industry and honesty. He was a mem-
ber of the old Reformed Church, and a Republican in his political convictions.
His children were : John W. ; Sarah, now a resident of Pottsville, widow of
Jacob Ranch ; Mahlon, who married Amanda Sweigert, both now deceased ;
Annie, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Yoder, of Frackville, this county;
William, a farmer in the Cressona valley, who married Emma Dishe; Daniel,
deceased, who married Susan Brown, of Cressona ; and Abigail, wife of Isaiah
Schuyler, of Manayunk, Pa. The parents are buried at Friedensburg, in
Wayne township, Schuylkill county.
John W. Fertig, son of Joseph, was born Sept. 9, 1834, in Schuylkill county,
was educated in the local schools, and in his young manhood learned the trade
of carpenter. He followed it for many years as a successful carpenter and
builder, well known all over the county. He was one of the first men to cut
timber on Sharp mountain, and while so engaged had to walk a distance of
eight miles twice a day, to and from his work. In 1870 he settled in Pottsville,
where he not only continued contracting, but also conducted a dry goods and
retail grocery business for some time. He also owned a good fann, which he
cultivated, and in the pursuit of his various business activities became well-
to-do. \Mien he retired he settled at his fine home in Pottsville to enjoy his
well earned leisure, and there he died in April, 1908.
Mr. Fertig married Catherine Loubey, who was also born and reared in
Schuylkill county and was a member of one of its pioneer families. She
passed away in February. 1890, aged about fifty-four years, and they are
buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. They were members of the
United Evangelical Church of Pottsville, in which ]\Ir. Fertig filled all the
ofificial positions, taking great interest in the welfare of that organization. Mr.
and Mrs. Fertig had seven children who attained maturity, namely : William
H., who married Ada Durand, is now residing at Riverside, Cal., where he
has an interest in the Glenwood garage ; he has two children. Walter, of Los
Angeles, and Mae, now Mrs. Orvill Miller, of Sacramento, Cal. Abraham L.,
master mechanic at the Tilt Silk Mill, Pottsville, married Effie Payne, and
they have two children: Earl Payne, who is employed in the office of the
Sheafer Estate; and Ralph A., who is in the printing business. Kate married
Francis L. Billig. by whom she had two children. Marguerite and Esther, the
latter deceased; after Mr. Billig's death she married" P. L. Knowlton, city
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, rENNSYL\'ANL\ 397
editor of the Pottszdlle Chronicle, and they have one child, Louis Lorrane.
John is ntxt in the family. Annie (^deceased) was the first wife of i'. L.
Knowlton, and left one son, Kenneth, who is a clerk in the office of the
National Biscuit Company at rottsville. Caroline married George S. Umholtz,
now of Riverside, Cal., engaged in the picture and music business; their chil-
dren are: Catherine, now the wife of JMilford Parker, and Dorothy, unmar-
ried. Augusta married Heber Medlar, a contractor and builder of Pottsville,
and they have three children, Kathrj-n, John and Augusta.
John Fertig received his edtication in the public schools of Pottsville,
attending until he reached the age of sixteen years. He then learned the trade
of butcher. When he reached his majority he turned to railroad w^rk and was
so engaged for six months, and then for two years was employed in the Tilt
Silk Mill at Pottsville. Returning to his trade, he followed it until he entered
business as a contractor and builder, in 1897, in which year he built the West
End engine house in Pottsville. Many other notably substantial structures in
Pottsville and at various other locations in Schtiylkill county, private resi-
dences and business blocks, were erected by him in the course of an active
career in construction work. For several years he took quite a prominent part
in municipal affairs in Pottsville, having served two terms in the borough
council, to which he was first elected in igoi, and again in 1907, as repre-
sentative from the Fourth ward. Always associated with the most progressive
and disinterested element, he displayed creditable public spirit in the discharge
of all his duties, and conscientiously administered his trust, giving great satis-
faction to the fellow citizens who had honored him with their support. In 1910
he decided to take up agriculture as his principal occupation. Purchasing a
farm of 147 acres from the Jacob Petery Estate he settled on that place, and
has since been engaged in its cultivation and improveinent. He has sold off
part of the property, retaining 112 acres, which he devotes to general farming,
though about twenty acres are planted entirely in fruit. The location is favor-
able, the land productive, and under Mr. Fertig's business-like management the
farm bids fair to become one of the most valuable in the vicinity. As a' home
he has improved it in an artistic manner, remodeling the dwelling thoroughly
and making it beautiful as well as convenient, one of the finest residences iri
the township. His knowledge of building and skill as a mechanic are of great
help in every department of his work.
Mr. Fertig has always taken great interest in social affairs. While a resi-
dent of Pottsville he joined the West End Hose Company, affiliated with
Miners' Lodge No. 20, L O. O. F., and Franklin Encampment, L O. O. F., and
became a Mason, in the latter connection holding membership in Pulaski
Lodge, No. 218, F. & A. M.; Mountain City Chapter, No. 96, R. A. J\L, and
Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., all of Pottsville. He also belongs to
Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. For over twenty years he was
a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Company H, 8th Regiment,
in which he was private four years ; corporal four years ; quartermaster
sergeant seven years ; first lieutenant, elected in October, 1902 ; and captain,
elected July i, 1907. He resigned in October, 1910. Politically he is a Re-
publican.
On Dec. 24, 1889, Mr. Fertig married Sally E. Reichard, who was born
Aug. 13, 1869, in Pottsville, where she was reared and educated. She lived at
home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fertig are members of the English
Lutheran Church. They have had four children : Orpha, bom in April, 1892,
398 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
died in infancy; Anita, bom Feb. ii, 1894, died when eighteen months old;
Naomi Augusta, bom May 14, 1896, has been educated under private tutors
from the International School of Correspondence, Scranton; Ruth, born April
30, 1899, died aged one year, three months. The deceased children are buried
in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville.
Mrs. Fertig's grandfather Reichard was a native of Dauphin county, Pa.,
and he and his wife are buried at Hepler's Church, in the upper Mahantongo
valley. By trade he was a cabinetmaker. His children were : Charles, who
married Susan Witman; Sophia, wife of Amos MacDaniel; Rachel, who mar-
ried Samuel Young; Edward, who married Elizabeth German; and Joseph.
Joseph Reichard, father of Mrs. Fertig, was born in 1822 in Columbia
county. Pa., and became a resident of Pottsville, Schuylkill county, making
his permanent home there. By trade he was a carpenter. He and his brother
Edward were pioneers in the coal mining business, opening small mines at the
Rabbit Hole, what is known now as Railway Park, in Schuylkill county, and
operating them successfully, until the coal companies bought up their interests.
Joseph Reichard served in the Civil war under two enlistments, first as a
three months' man. Later, on March 27, 1865, he enlisted in Capt. Frank
Snyder's Company C, 214th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for one year's service,
or during the war; he was discharged March 21, 1866.
On April 18, 1846, Mr. Reichard married Susan Artman, who was bom
Nov. 29, 1824, and died ]\Iarch 3, 1912. She is buried with her husband, who
died in 1896, in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Children as follows
were bom to this couple: Sophia Ellen, born Aug. 14, 1848, died Alarch 29,
185 1 ; Rachel Alice, born May 29, 1851, is the widow of Thomas Roome, and
lives with her sister Mrs. Cruikshank, at Pottsville; Joseph Logden, bom
Jan. 28, 1854, died Aug. 4, 1855 ; Susan Agnes, born Feb. 9, 1856, married
David Cruikshank, of Pottsville; Charles Henry, born March 11, 1858, mar-
ried Lizzie Parsons, of Chicago, and was killed on the railroad, at Quincy,
Iowa ; Cecelia Arlington, born Sept. 7, 1865, married William Link, of Phila-
delphia ; Sally E. is Mrs. John Fertig. The father of this family was a mem-
ber of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pottsville, and a Republican
in political faith.
SCHEELE BROTHERS, contractors and builders, of Girardville, have
built up a very extensive and successful business in the county of Schuylkill,
and their work is to be seen in Girardville and the surrounding towns, as evi-
dence of their capabilities and energy. The firm consists of Charles, William
A., Louis and Otto Scheele. They are of German ancestr)^
Carl Scheele, father of these brothers, was born in Celle, Germany, and was
the son of August Scheele, who lived and died in the Fatherland. Carl Scheele
was educated in the local schools in Germany, married there, and came to
America after two of his children had been bom. He arrived in this country
in 1869 and engaged in the work of contracting and building. After a time he
accumulated sufiicient to send for his family and established a home here, and
continued his labors successfully until his death, Jan. 8, 1913. His place of
business was located where his sons are now established. Carl Scheele was
married to Matilda Kirchner, daughter of Adolf Kirchner, a native of Ger-
many, where he lived and died. To this union two children were bom in
Germany: Dora, wife of George Fritz, of Peoria, 111.; and Anna, wife of
Charles A. Seaman, of Williamsport, Pa. The remainder of the children were
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 399
born in America, viz. : Elizabeth, Charles, William A., Louis, Otto and Harry.
Mrs. Scheele died at Girardville, Feb. 8, 1914, and is buried there in the Odd
Fellows cemetery.
\ViLLi.\M A. Scheele was educated in the schools of Girardville, and
learned the trade of carpenter with his father, after his death associating
himself with his brothers to carry on the business. He married Esther
Linkhurst, of William Penn, Pa., and they have three children, Elmira,
William and Wanda. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and
of the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican. •
Louis Scheele was educated in the schools of Girardville, and became
employed as a brick layer and cement worker. After his father's death he
became one of the firm of Sdieele Brothers. He married Anna Klase, of
Girardville, and they have two children, Edward and Matilda. Mr. Scheele
is a member of the Junior Order LTnited American Mechanics, and of the
Genuan Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics.
Charles Scheele was educated in the Girardville public schools, learned
the cement business and became a member of the firm of Scheele Brothers
after the death of their father. He is unmarried. Like his brothers he is
a member of the Gemian Lutheran Church and of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and
he also belongs to the L O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican.
Otto Scheele obtained his education in the schools of Girardville, and
was engaged as a bricklayer there for a number of years. He is a member
of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and of the Geniian Lutheran Church of Girardville,
and a Republican in political sentiment. He is unmarried.
Harry Scheele attended the schools of Girardville and Williams]X)rt,
Pa., and learned stenography and bookkeeping. He is now located in Phila-
delphia, where he is connected with the Philadelphia Electric Lighting Com-
pany. He is unmarried. He is a Lutheran, and in politics a Republican.
FRED. D. FREUDENBERGER has served his fellow citizens of Tamaqua
in various public capacities, and in every one has, by honest devotion to the in-
terests of the people he represented, shown himself entitled to their confidence.
There is one very substantial evidence of his services in the State Legislature,
the Panther Creek hospital at Coal Dale, this county, for the establishment of
which he did notably effective work.
Mr. Freudenberger was bom at Tamaqua July 2, 1870. His father, Fred.
D. Freudenberger, had settled there upon coming to this country from his
native Germany, and engaged in the general mercantile business. He died
at Tamaqua in 1875. Fred. D. Freudenberger, the son, attended the local
public schools, enjoying ordinary educational advantages. During his youth
he was employed for five years in the Bischoff furniture store, and then went
West for five years. Returning to Tamaqua he became interested in general
merchandising on his own account, carrying on a store for twelve years. In
1909 he received the appointment of postmaster at Tamaqua, under President
Taft, and held the office throughout the administration until 19 13. From early
manhood he has been a very valuable worker in the Republican party, and in
1907 he was chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature, serving
two terms with conspicuous credit to himself and his constituents. His fel-
low legislators recognized his ability and gave evidence of their appreciation
by assigning him to membership on several important committees, those on Law
400 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
and Order, Appropriations, Mines and Mining and Accounts, of which latter
he was chairman during his second term in the House. Mr. Freudenberger
was the prime mover in the agitation for the establishment of the Panther
Creek hospital, at Coal Dale, opened in 1907, and there has never been any
occasion for questioning its necessity, as it has been in use to the limit of
its capacity ever since. He is now serving as a member of the board of health
of Tamaqua. Since retiring from the postmastership, in 1913, he has devoted
his time to real estate and insurance business, which he has handled very suc-
cessfully. In the fall of 191 5 he was made the nominee of his party for clerk
of the courts, and in November was elected with a plurality of 4,927.
Mr. Freudenberger married Gertrude Lutz, daughter of Alfred Lutz, of
Tamaqua. Fle is a member of the local lodge of B. P. O. Elks, of the Tamaqua
Club, and of the English Lutheran Church. From 1888 to 1891 he was a mem-
ber of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, serving in Company B, 8th Regi-
ment.
HENRY PRESTON SLATER, late of Pottsville, had valuable property
interests there up to the time of his death. As the only son of George \V. Slater
he succeeded him as owner of Centennial Hall, which father and son conducted
for practically half a century, and the name has been one of high standing in
local business circles for a period of more than seventy years.
George W. Slater was born in Center county, Pa., where the Slaters settled
at an early day. Settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, in the early forties,
he engaged in the grocery business, and also followed mining, accumulating a
comfortable estate. Centennial Hall, which he owned from 1863, had been
originally erected in 1840 for the town hall, and after coming into his hands
was conducted as an amusement hall. The upper part was burned in 1876,
and at once rebuilt in modern style. Mr. Slater married Anna S. AlcCartney,
who was born in Germantown, Pa., member of an old settled family of the
Commonwealth. J\lr. and Mrs. Slater are both deceased, the former passing
away May 4, 1894, the latter April 14, 1897. Besides their son Henry they
had one daughter, Anna F., who died in July, 1888, at the age of thirty-seven
years. She was a prominent worker in the Second Presbyterian Church of
Pottsville.
Henry Preston Slater was born Aug. 29, 1842, in Pottsville, where he was
reared. Most of his education was acquired in the public schools there, and he
also attended at Kingston (near Wilkes-Barre), Pa. Learning the printer's
trade, he followed it until he joined the army during the Civil war, enlisting
March 23, 1863, at Philadelphia, in the United States Marine Corps. He was
under Admirals Dupont, Dahlgren, Farragut and Porter, and served with the
South Atlantic squadron in all its operations from the time he entered the
service, including the naval investment of Forts Wagner and Sumter, in Charles-
ton harbor, S. C, serving at different times on the vessels "Wabash" and
"Pawnee." In the siege of Charleston he had charge of and commanded a
naval battery on Morris Island, in the harbor, and after the capitulation of
Fort Sumter, when the services of the marines were no longer required on the
South Atlantic seaboard, the battalion of marines under the command of
Colonel Reynolds, to which Mr. Slater belonged, was transferred to the marine
barracks at Washington, and there held in reserve for a considerable time. In
the meantime the Confederate cruiser "Alabama" was committing depredations
on the commerce of the United States, and the government fitted out a detail
C^yiyi^Y
(I'dlaz.
. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 401
of marines on the sister ships "Kearsarge" and "Iroquois,"' tu follow and
destroy the Confederate cruiser, Mr. Slater being included in the battalion on
the latter vessel. On that expedition they cruised in the South Atlantic without
success, as the "Kearsarge" discovered the Rebel cruiser in Cherbourg harbor,
France, and challenging her, sunk and destroyed her. Air. Slater's vessel went
to St. Thomas, \\ . J., where it lay for several days for repairs and general
overhauling, and where the news of the destruction of the "Alabama" first
reached the men. They sailed for the United States, soon reaching riiiladel-
phia, where Mr. Slater was honorably discharged after over three years' service,
and returned home.
Mr. Slater spent fifteen years in the West, from 1868 to 1883, in Denver,
Colo., and Helena, Mont., where he followed his trade. He then came back
to Pottsville, taking charge of his father's estate, of which he was sole heir,
and with the exception of the period he was employed in the government
printing office and the treasury department at Washington, D. C, resided here
until his death. He acquired rather extensive real estate interests in the
borough, most of his activities being in the line of real estate operations, in
which he was very successful. In that connection, naturally, he was keenly
interested in the improvement of the borough, but his participation in all
movements for its advancement was by no means actuated entirely by selfish
motives, as his assistance of many worthy projects demonstrated. He was
considered an authority on property values throughout the county.
A man of broad sympathies, kindly disposition rod friendly nature, Mr.
Slater had many pleasant associations among his fellow citizens. He kept alive
his interest in army and navy alTairs as a member of the Union V'eteran Legion
and George G. Meade Post, No. 6, Army and Navy Veterans of the United
States, of which latter he was vice commander. He was especially solicitous
for the welfare of his old comrades in the navy, and used his means generously
to aid those less fortunate than himself, though such acts were always per-
formed modestly and with thouglTjtful consideration for the feelings of the
beneficiaries. In all the relations of life he established the kindliest fellowship
with those he met, and he is held in loving memory by a large circle of friends
and acquaintances. Like his father, he w'as an artist of considerable ability.
Mr. Slater first married Cynthia A. Eccles, and two children of this union
survive. George \\\ and Bessie. In 1886, at Camden, N. J., he married (sec-
ond) Clara K. Speacht, who continues to occupy the handsome home at
No. 800 North Second street where they resided from 1894; it was built in
i86g. Mr. Slater died there Dec. 23, 1912, and is buried in the family plot
in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
Mrs. Slater's family, the Speachts, are of French descent, her great-
grandfather having been a native of France and a prominent man in his local-
ity. John Speacht, her grandfather, was bom in France, and when a youth of
sixteen entered the army under Napoleon, serving for six years ; he was under
the great leader at Moscow and Waterloo, was wounded in the service, and his
two brothers w-ho were serving during that war were lost in the Alps. After-
wards he located in Paris and followed his trade, that of goldsmith, until he
came to America in 183 1, settling at once in Pottsville, Pa. The town was too
small to afford him sufficient employment at his trade, and he moved to the
vicinity of Selinsgrove and Sunbur}-, in L^nion county, Pa., where he became
engraged in farming. Later he returned to Pottsville, where he died. His
children were as follows : Magdalena, who married Richard Hyde ; Elizabeth,
Vol. 1—26
402 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
who married George Frazer; Sarah, who died unmarried; John; Frederick;
Sophia, who married Frederick Moser ; and Mary, who married Edw. Henry.
Frederick Speacht was born at Sunbury, Pa., April 20, 1835, and came to
Pottsville with his parents in 1848. He was always in the flour and feed
business. Starting to work when only sixteen years old, he was employed by
Mr. Hetherington, Mr. Huntzinger and Ruch & Evans, and in 1886 engaged
in the business on his own account, continuing therein until his death. His
thorough familiarity with all the branches of the business, and its operation
in this territory, brought him steady success, and he became one of the sub-
stantial merchants of the borough. He died July 17, 1906, and is buried in
the Charles Baber cemetery. Mr. Speacht married Dorothy Guers, daughter
of Daniel and Mary (Bortle) Guers, and she is still living, at Greenwood
Park, Pottsville. They had a family of eight children, of whom are living:
Clara K., widow of Henry P. Slater; Daniel Franklin, who married Kate
Hoke, of Tower City ; J. Frederick, married to Lillie Pickle, of Pottsville ; and
Edward, who has been married twice, to Anna Dechant and Kate Hyde, both
deceased. The four deceased are Mary Louise, Emma Elizabeth, Florence
Aurilla and one that died in infancy unnamed. The three brothers are engaged
in the flour and feed business in Pottsville under the firm name of Speacht
Brothers, and they have a large and growing business, endeavoring to maintain
the high standards of their father's honorable career. Mrs. Speacht con-
ducted it for one year after her husband's death and then transferred it to her
sons, who are associated under the firm name of Speacht Brothers. They are
established at No. 209 South Railroad street. The father was an honored
member of the English Lutheran Church.
Daniel Guers, Mrs. Speacht's father, was a farmer near Lewistown,
Schuylkill county, where he died. To his marriage with Mary Bordel were
born children as follows : Dorothy, Mrs. Speacht ; Peter, who served in the
Civil war from Schuylkill county; Louis; Jacob; Henry; Mary; Sophia;
Susan, and Louise.
TAMES A. YOST, of Ringtown, is the leading general merchant of that
borough and its present postmaster. Mr. Yost is a typical member of his
family, enterprising in the management of his own concerns and wide awake
to the opportunities of the locality, which he has helped to further in many
ways. The force of his vigorous personality has quickened every activity
with which he has allied himself, and his honorable character leaves no room
for doubt as to the kind of influence he endeavors to exert. The duties of
the various public positions he has accepted have been performed with the
same generous and scrupulous regard for the rights of his fellow citizens
that he has observed in his private life, making him worthy of the confidence
so often manifested.
The Yost family is of long standing in- Pennsylvania. Daniel Yost, great-
grandfather of James A. Yost, was bom in Montgomery county, this State,
in 1759, and removed at an early day to what is now McKeansburg, Schuyl-
kill county, where he died in 1839. He was an active, enterprising man in his
day. A Whig in political faith, he always interested himself in public affairs,
believing it the duty of every good citizen to protect and foster the common
good, and he stood deservedly high in the community, not only because of
his upright character but also for his intelligence and keen judgment. He
was called to various positions of trust, being justice of the peace for a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 403
number of years in his township, and discharged the duties of tlie office
with such marked abihty and signal impartiahty to all concerned that he was
called up higher, being elected associate judge of the county. Judge Yost
married Barbara Hillogus, and they had a family of ten children.
Jonathan Yost, son of Daniel, was bom in Montgomery county. Pa., in
1797, and died in East Bnmswick township, Schuylkill county, in 1866. He
came to this county with his father, learned the blacksmith's trade and fol-
lowed it a number of years, but gave it up to go farming, which was his
work during the last twenty years of his life. He was an active and ardent
member of the German Reformed Church at AIcKeansburg, serving in nearly
all the official positions in the church organization. He married Mary Kleck-
ner, a daughter of Andrew Kleckner, one of the earlier emigrants from
Germany into East Bnmswick township, this county, where he followed
farming and where he died. To this union were horn twelve children, six
sons and six daughters.
Daniel J. Yost, son of Jonathan, was born July 22, 1820, in East Bruns-
wick township, where he grew up, receiving a rather limited education. He
learned the trade of miller early in life, and after working at this calling for
fourteen years purchased a gristmill, in 1855, in Schuylkill (now Walker)
township, this county, which he operated until 1889, when he transferred it
to his son Jonathan. Then he embarked in a mercantile business at Mc-
Keansburg, which he carried on successfully for a period of ten years. He
died Oct. 16, 1899. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and in
politics a Republican.
On Dec. 25, 1846, Mr. Yost married Charlotte Klotz, a daughter of
Christian Klotz, of Carbon county, and to this union were bom two children,
both now deceased, Ellen and Alice. His second union was with Lydia Bret-
ney, of Carbon county. Pa., solemnized April 16, 1854. She died Oct. 16,
1910, and is buried with her husband at McKeansburg. They had a
family of seven children: Milton (wdio died in 1879), Ellen, Jonathan I.,
Alice (twin sister of Emma, married to James E. Greenawalt, a merchant of
McKeansburg), Emma (deceased), Rev. Calvin D. (a graduate of Ursinus
College, class of 1891, and of the Seminary in connection with the college,
1893, now instructor in German and English at that college), and James A.
James A. Yost was born Nov. 9, 1870, at Lewistown, in Walker town-
ship, Schuylkill county, at the homestead now owned by his brother Jonathan.
His education was obtained in the district schools of the township prin-
cipally, supplemented with a term in the preparatory department of Pala-
tinate (now Albright) College, at Myerstown, Pa. He taught one term of
school at JMcKeansburg, at that time an independent district. In 1892 he
took charge of his father's general mercantile business at McKeansburg,
continuing there until his father's death, in 1899, when he bought the busi-
ness, which he carried on successfully until 1905. Meantime, when the
rural free delivery service was established, in 1902, he was appointed carrier
out of New Ringgold, and he served as such for a period of three years.
Then, selling out his business interests at McKeansburg, he moved to Ring-
town and engaged in general merchandising there, now having a large, well
equipped store, stocked with a varied assortment of the goods in demand in
his locality. Mr. Yost has catered very obligingly to his patrons in the
borough and vicinity, and has been well rewarded by their steady support.
He understands the details of the business thoroughly, and by his up-to-date
404 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
methods has made his store a convenient trading center. During President
Taft's administration he was appointed postmaster, which office he has filled
for five years very satisfactorily.
Everything that afifects the general progress receives Mr. Yost's hearty
encouragement. He is one of the directors of the United Telephone & Tele-
graph Company, and a director and secretary of the Ringtown Light, Heat
& Power Company, both of which operate public utilities of great benefit to
the section. For 'some time he served as a school director of East Bruns-
wick township, and he is the present auditor of his borough, elected on the
Republican ticket, which he supports faithfully. Socially he holds member-
ship in Washington Camp No. lOO, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold; in
Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, of JMcKeans-
burg, of which he is a past councilor, and he was financial secretary for
twelve years; in Guardian Castle, No. 500, Knights of the Golden Eagle of
Ringtown ; and in Maple Leaf Camp, No. 246, Woodmen of the World,
which he is serving as treasurer. At one time Mr. Yost was an active mem-
ber of Christ Reformed Church at McKeansburg, which he served as elder,
deacon and assistant Sunday-school superintendent. He now belongs to St.
Paul's Reformed Church at" Ringtown, and is assistant superintendent of its
Sunday-school. His wife is also a member of that congregation and inter-
ested in its work, being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Mr. Yost married Carrie Bensinger, who was born Oct. 22, 1869, in East
Brunswick township, where she was reared and educated, remaining at home
until her marriage. They are the parents of five children : Russell Ben-
singer, born July 16, 1899, is attending high school at Ringtown, assists his
father in the store, and is also in the newspaper business ; Daniel Albert,
born July 19, 1901, and Edward Lloyd, born April 3, 1903, are attending the
Ringtown grammar school ; Harold Bretney, born IVIarch 19, 1905, and Cath-
erine Lydia, born Sept. 3, 1907, are in school at Ringtown.
The Bensinger family has been established in East Brunswick township
from an early day. Frederick Bensinger, Mrs. Yost's great-grandfather, was
born in Montgomer}-- county. Pa., and settled here before the Revolution.
When the war broke out he was engaged in farming, and he left his private
interests to go to the assistance of the Colonies. In later years he received
a pension for his services. He married Mary Weiman. and had a family of
eight children, one of wJiom, Jacob, married Hannah Dreher. and was the
ancestor of another branch of the family in East Brunswick township.
Michael Bensinger, son of Frederick, was a farmer in East Brunswick
township, where he owned about seventy-five acres of land. He cleared
that tract, erected a log house and barn, and carried on general farming the
greater part of his life. He had the following children: Edward married
Sarah Heiser, and both are deceased ; William, deceased, married a Miss
Fister; Franklin B. is next in the family; Benneville married Caroline Fahl,
and both are deceased ; Fred married a ^liss Bock, and they reside at Mc-
Keansburg: Priscilla married Thomas Hartung, and both are deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Bensinger are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East Bruns-
wick township. He was a Whig in politics.
Franklin B. Bensinger was born in East Brunswick township in Marcli.
1822. and was educated in the schools of the local district. He spent his
youth and early manhood assisting his father on the farm, after his father's
death buying out the other heirs to the homestead place, which he operated
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 405
all his life. His wife, Catherine (Shuslerj, was liurii in September, 1821,
and (hed in March, 1899, a daughter of Martin Shuster; lier mother's maiden
name was Koons. ^Mr. iiensinger died in March, 1898. He and his wife
had the following children: Joini went West, and is now deceased; Howard,
a farmer in West lirunswick township, married Lmma Leiby ; Charles S.
married lila l!aer: hrank L. married Ida Albright, and resides on the home-
stead farm ; Harry, who is a foreman in a silk mill at Tamaqua, married Cora
Albright; Thomas, deceased, married Elmira Horn, who resides at McKeans-
burg; Dora married W. S. Miller, of East Brunswick township; Mary mar-
ried W. H. Yost, of Reading; Susan is the widow of James Shoencr, and
lives at Hamburg; Lizzie is the widow of Oscar Kimmel, and makes her
home at Port Carbon; Kate married [. A. Shellhammer, of Port Carbon;
Carrie is the wifei of James A. Yost. Politically Mr. P.ensinger was a
Republican. He was an earnest member of the Church of God and very
active in its work, serving as trustee and in other capacities. His wife was
also a member. They are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East P>runs-
wick township.
JOHN C. BROWN has done a prosperous business in West Penn town-
ship as a lumberman and farmer for many years and is one of the substan-
tial citizens of that section of Schuylkill county. Though not active in public
affairs he has given his influence and support to all worthy movements affect-
ing the general welfare, and has always done his share in the maintenance
of religious work especially. He belongs to an old Berks county family,
founded there by his great-grandfather, Michael Brown, who came to this
country from the Old W'orld and settled in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa.,
in the section now known as Pike township. Among his children were:
Jacob, who had no family: John; Daniel, who it is believed settled in Maxa-
tawny township, Berks county ; and two daughters whose names are not
known.
John Brown, son of Michael, was born in Pike township, Berks county,
and later lived in Rockland township, that county, where he owned a farm.
He sold that place and bought another near Lobachsville, whence he removed
to Schuylkill county, and there he died at the home of his son George during
the fifties, when about fifty-eight years old. He followed the tailor's trade
in connection with agriculture. His wife, Hannah (Maul), was a daughter
of George Maul, a native of Germany, and she survived him about six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are buried in Christ Church cemetery, McKeansburg.
They had four sons: Ephraim, George, Charles (who lived in Pottsville,
Pa.) and John (who died young).
Ephraim Brown, son of John, above, was born Jan. 4, 1820, in Pike town-
ship, Berks county, and was there reared and educated. He learned the
trade of butcher and followed it until his death. ]\roving to Schuylkill county
he resided at difl:'erent locations here until he made a permanent settlement
at McKeansburg, where he bought a house and several acres of ground and
continued work at his trade. He was originally a Whig in politics, later a
Republican, and his religious connection was with the Reformed denomina-
tion, as a member of Christ Church at McKean.sburg. In Pike township,
Berks county. Mr. Brown married Rachel Haite, daughter of John Haite
(whose wife was a Young), and she died in 1852, the mother of the follow-
ing children : Amanda ; Catherine, wife of John Knittle ; John C. ; Daniel,
406 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
who went West (he married Mrs. Ellen Parks) ; and Jacob, who is unmarried.
Mrs. Brown was buried at the Frieden's Church, New Ringgold. For his
second wife Mr. Brown married Susanna Reiser, daughter of William Heiser
(whose wife was a Deibert), and to them were born three children: William,
who married Emma Beebleheimer ; James, who married Mary Wertman and
(second) Lizzie Haas; and Joseph, who married Susanna Kistler. Ephraim
Brown and his wife Susanna are buried at Christ Church, McKeansburg.
John C. Brown was born Sept. 7, 1846, in Pike township, Berks county,
and was one year old when brought thence to New Ringgold, Schuylkill
county. The family resided at different points in the county before settling
at McKeansburg, and he received his education at the Steiger^valt school near
the latter place. He began work for his grandfather, John Brown, on the
farm where James Wehr now resides, meantime making his home with his
grandfather. When the latter died he continued to live on the same farm
with his uncle George, who bought the place, remaining with him until he
reached the age of seventeen years. At that time, in July, 1863, he enlisted
to sen-e in the Union cause, being a member of the company of Captain
Moll (of Tremont), in the Pennsylvania militia, for four weeks. On Feb.
14, 1864, he reenlisted, from ]\IcKeansburg, joining Company I, 48th Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years or during the war, was mus-
tered in at Harrisburg under Capt. Benjamin Schock and Col. James Nagle,
and assigned to the ist Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps, Anny of the
Potomac, under General Grant. He participated in the battles of the Wilder-
ness, Spottsylvania (where he was shot through both legs). Poplar Springs
and Petersburg, and when Petersburg was evacuated followed the army as
rear guard to Appomattox. He took part in the grand review at Washington,
and was mustered out at Harrisburg July 20, 1S65. Returning to McKeans-
burg Mr. Brown did farm labor for a while, worked in the mines near
Mahanoy City, and then turned to lumbering, being also employed as a
sawyer. Later he bought a fann of two hundred acres near his present place
in West Penn township, of which 135 acres were cleared, and he did much
clearing on the property himself during the thirteen years he resided there.
Selling that land he came to his present location, in the same township, where
he has thirty-four acres, bought from his father-in-law, Samuel Hartung.
About sixteen acres of this tract are cleared, and Mr. Brown carried on farm-
ing there in connection with his lumbering operations until the spring of
1914. He has been interested in lumbering since he disposed of his first
farm, buying timber tracts, engaging sawmills to cut the timber, and selling
the lumber. He has serv'ed his township as supervisor, and has been promi-
nent in the work of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church, of which
he is treasurer and trustee. He has continued his association with his Civil
war comrades as a member of Bertolet Post, No. 484, G. A. R., of Lehighton,
Pa., and in July, 1913, attended the grand reunion at Gettysburg, in celebra-
tion of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. Politically he is
a Republican.
Mr. Brown married Mary Hartung, who was born March i, 1853. in
West Penn township, where she was reared and educated. She is a Lutheran
member of Zion's Church. To this union have been born the following
children: Clara Minnie, born June 25, 1880, is the wife of Oliver Leeser
(bom April 23, 1876), who now operates her father's farm, and they have
one child, Edgar Oliver, bom Jan. 23, 1905, at present attending school in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 407
West Penn township. Lizzie Viola, born Oct. 12, 1882, is married to William
F. Gumbert, a farmer in West Penn township. Mary Fayetta, born Sept.
24, 1898, is attending school in West Penn township. John Franklin, born
June 8, 1S93, was educated in the public schools of West Penn township and
the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, and is now employed at the
Bethlehem Steel Works, Uethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Michael Hartung, Mrs. Brown's grandfather, was born Feb. 10, 1788, and
died Oct. 20, 1861. He was a farmer in West Penn township, a Lutheran
member of Zion's Church, and a Whig and Republican in political faith. His
wife, Anna Maria (Billman), born May 18, 1795, died Dec. 10, 1856, and
both are buried at Zion's Church. They had three children: Anna, David
and Samuel.
Samuel Hartung, son of Michael, was born in West Penn township Oct.
29, 1813, was educated there, and became a very prosperous farmer. After
working for his father on the homestead place he bought a farm just above
that of John C. Brown, owning altogether about four hundred acres, which
his father had purchased originally for nine hundred dollars. He cut a great
deal of timber from this land, and followed farming all his days. Mr. Har-
tung married Abigail Benninghoff, who was bom Sept. 23, 1813, in West
Penn township, daughter of Jacob Benninghoff, and died Nov. 17, 1884. Mr.
Hartung died June 12, 1887, and they are interred at Zion's Church in West
Penn township. He was a member of the Lutheran congregation of that
church, and a Republican in political sentiment. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Har-
tung were the parents of the following family : Christian, of West Penn
township, who married Catherine Wertman ; John, of West Penn township,
who married Catherine Nies ; Gideon, deceased ; Thomas, who married a Miss
Faust and is in Iowa; David, who married Kate Balliet; William, who mar-
ried Masetta Shellhammer, both now deceased; Caroline, wife of Charles
Troxell, of West Penn township; Mary, Mrs. John C. Brown; and Alvena,
Airs. William Daubenspeck.
GEORGE S. HENSYL, M. D., of Mahanoy City, has passed all his pro-
fessional life in Schuylkill county, and though one of the younger practi-
tioners in this section has a large patronage. It would seem that he has
inherited his taste and love for the calling of his choice, his father having
been for years an eminent physician of Center county, Pa. The family has
been settled in the State for several generations, the first of whom we have
record being the Doctor's great-great-grandfather, a native of Germany, who
came to this country when twelve years old. His son George married Eva
Dunkelberger, and they spent their lives upon a farm in Northumberland
county.
John D. Hensyl, son of George and Eva Hensyl, was bom in Northum-
berland county, was an extensive lumber merchant and farmer, and a promi-
nent and influential man in his community, in which he served with distinction
in several offices. He was a Republican in politics and a consistent member
of the Evangelical Church. He died Nov. 26, 1895, at the ripe old age of
eighty-two, and his wife, Susan (Rothermel), also a native of Northumber-
land county, passed away Dec. 30, 1894, at the age of eighty years. She was
a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hunter) Rothermel, who made their
home in Reading, this State, and an own cousin to Peter Frederick Rother-
mel, the celebrated artist, who painted the "Battle of Gettysburg" for the
408 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
State of Pennsylvania, for which he was paid $35,000. Mr. and Mrs. John
D. Hensyl had a family of ten children, as follows : Catherine, wife of Levi
Conrad, a miner, of Trevorton, Pa. ; Lot R. ; Nathan, a railroad engineer,
residing at Shamokin, Pa. ; Daniel, who died at the age of thirty-eight years ;
Mary, who died in infancy; Silas, also an engineer, living in Shamokin; Rev.
John, formerly pastor of the Evangelical Church of Mahanoy City, Pa., and
at the time of his death, in 1913, pastor of the Evangelical Church of Shenan-
doah, Pa. ; Louisa, wife of William \'anzandt, a railroad engineer, of Sha-
mokin; Sallie, wife of Peter Neidig, a merchant of the same place; and
W. L., a practicing physician of Shamokin.
Lot R. Hensyl was bom Jan. 6, 1840, near Trevorton, Northumberland
county, and remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age,
when he went to Philadelphia and began clerking in the coal office of his
uncle, Samuel II. Rothermel, where he remained several months. Return-
ing home, he worked for his father during the summer in a sawmill, while
through the winter season he attended school until twenty years of age, thus
acquiring a good literary education. He then began reading medicine with
Dr. S. S. Smith, but on the outbreak of the Civil war laid aside his books
and enlisted in Company D, 52d P. \\ I., under Capt. James Chamberlain.
For over three years he valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union :
he helped to storm all the forts in South Carolina ; at Morris Island he was
detailed as shipping clerk, and by special order was sent to Jacksonville, Fla.,
where he served in that capacity for three months. By order of General
Foster he then returned to Morris Island, and was in the ordnance depart-
ment until discharged in 1864. He was a brave and fearless soldier, always
found at his post of duty. Returning home he resumed the study of medicine
with Dr. C. P. Herington, of x-\shland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., with whom he
remained for two and a half years, in 1866 and 1867 attending lectures at
Jefferson ]\Iedical College. On receiving his diploma Dr. Hensyl located at
Howard, where he soon built up a large and flourishing practice, which his
skill and ability justly merited. He remained there until his death, Jan.
I, igoo.
Dr. Hensyl married Sarah Elizabeth Heim, who was born in Lebanon,
Pa., Oct. 15, 1849, a daughter of Rev. William and Lydia (Hepler) Heim,
the former a native of Nothumberland county, the latter a native of Schuyl-
kill county. Pa. Rev. Mr. Heim was bom in Copper Mahanoy township, a son
of John and Sophia (Kohl) Heim, and his paternal grandfather was one of
the pioneers of that locality. He bore the name of George Heim, and in the
early records of Northumberland county we find him paying taxes in 1778.
He often traded with the Indians, and was never molested by the redmen
except once, which was a short time before the French and Indian war and
the Wyoming massacre. He had sent his family and drove of cattle to Read-
ing, and while he was all alone the Indians knocked at his door and were
admitted. After he had given them milk and such food as the early settlers
had at that time, a young Indian began flourishing a tomahawk around him,
showing what he intended to do, but Mr. Heim arose and with his closed fist
knocked him out of the house. After thus disposing of the leader, the rest
became his friends, telling him that he had done right.
John Heim, the grandfather of Mrs. Hensyl, was a farmer and school
teacher by occupation, and died in 1824. He was twice married, by the first
union having one son and seven daughters, while by the second there were
SCllL'Yl.KlLL COUNTY, PENNSYLXANIA 409
six sons aiul two daughters. Sophia (Kohl), his second wife, Hvcd to the ad-
vanced age of eighty-eight years. Her children were as follows: John, of
RichfieKl, Juniata Co., Pa. ; George, of Upper Mahanoy township, Northum-
berland county; Diana, wife of John Straub, of Lykcnstown. Pa.: Mollie, wife
of Peter Beisel, of Upper Mahanoy ; Peter, of \Vatsontown, Northuniborland
county ; William, the father of Mrs. Hensyl ; Daniel, of Northumberland ccnmly ;
and Jonathan, a resident of Illinois.
Rev. William Heim remained upon the home farm until twenty years of
age, when he entered the ministry of the Evangelical Association, and ever
afterwards devoted himself to the preaching of the gospel. His death oc-
curred at Millershurg, Dauphin county. He was the father of five children:
Frederick, Catherine, Charles and Sophia, all of whom died in infancy; and
Sarah E., Mrs. Hensyl. Her maternal grandparents were John and Catherine
(Maurer) Hepler, natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.
Five children were born to the union of Dr. Plensyl and his wife, namely:
(i) Blanche E., who acquired her education in the Union Seminary at New
Berlin, Pa., is now the wife of William W^eber, a merchant of Howard. {2) L.
Louise is a most accomplished lady, and an artist of considerable merit, several
of her elegant paintings adorning the walls of the home; for a time she at-
tended Central Pennsylvania College, and was also a student in Miss Wilson's
Female Seminary, at \X'illiamsport, and at Bucknell Institute, Lewisburg, Pa.
(3) Annie I., who is a fine musician, is the wife of Dr. W. J. Kurtz, of Howard.
(4) William C. and (5) George S. complete the family. The mother died June
4, 1909. Fraternally Dr. Hensyl held membership in the I. O. O. F., and the
G. A. R. and \'eteran Legion, belonging to the local bodies at Howard. His
political support was given to the Republican party. A talented, cultured
gentleman, he held an honorable position among his professional brethren, and
in social circles also stood high.
George S. Hensyl was born Oct. 27, 1883, at Howard, Center Co., Pa.
His education was begun there, in the public schools, and he took his classical
course at Albright College, Myerstown, Pa., and his medical course at Jef-
ferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He graduated from the latter institution
with the class of 1909, of which he was president. Dr. Hensyl gained his first
practical experience at the Fountain Springs Hospital, Ashland, Schuylkill
county, where he was stationed for twenty months after his graduation. He
has since been at Mahanoy City, where his skill and faithful attention to duty
have attracted an extensive circle of patrons, whose confidence is based on
repeated proofs of his earnest desire to serve them conscientiously. He is
a well known Mason, belonging to Bellefonte Lodge, No. 268, F. & A. M.. Wil-
liamsport Consistory (thirty-second degree), and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S., of Reading; he also'holds membership in Lodge No. 384, B. P. O. E.,
Ashland, and Mahanoy City Aerie, No. 167, F. O. E.
Dr. Hensyl married Helen K. Bacon, daughter of Mrs. Harriet Bacon, of
Mahanoy City.
DAVID BAUSCHER, a resident of East Brunswick township, has come
into special prominence in his section of Schuylkill county through his ener-
getic labors in behalf of the public schools. His efifective work in every ca-
pacity where the interests of his fellow men are concerned shows how sincerely
he desires to do his dutv in the responsibilities intrusted to him. In this regard
410 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
he has given evidence of a spirit characteristic of the family, whose members
have been noted for their honorable lives and fidelity to every obligation.
Mr. Bauscher is a great-great-grandson of Daniel Bauscher, tracing his
line through Philip, Christian and Nathan Bauscher. The emigrant ancestor
of the Bauscher family came to Pennsylvania from Germany, but the origin of
the family is French. Tradition says that Daniel Bauscher (who spelled the
name in 1790 "Boutcher") came to this country from the Palatinate in 1765. Li
1790 he was a resident of Albany township, Berks county, and lived on the farm
which is still in the family name. The Federal census of that year records him
as the father of three sons (above sixteen years of age) and two daughters.
He was, however, the father of seven children, namely: Philip; Jacob, who
settled in Windsor township ; Anthony, who removed to the Glades, Westmore-
land Co., Pa., and who is the forbear of J. N. Boucher, Esq., of Greensburg, Pa. ;
Henry, who removed to Somerset county. Pa. ; Peter, who located in Hamburg;
and two daughters, one of whom was Barbara.
Philip Bauscher, son of Daniel, bought land of John Penn in Albany town-
ship, Berks county. He is buried at New Bethel Church. His children were :
Jacob; Christian, 1799-1875; Maria, married to Peter Laubenstein; Kate,
married to John Dietrich; Rachel, married to John Dietrich; and Leah, mar-
ried to John Hartzel.
Christian Bauscher, son of Philip, was bohi in Albany township in 1799,
and died there in 1875. He had a farm of 180 acres, part of which he cleared.
His father, Philip, had also cleared part of the same tract. In 1852 Christian
Bauscher put up a stone house in place of the old log dwelling, and thirty
years later, in 1882, his son Henry put up a brick residence. The large Swiss
barn was built by Qiristian. He retired about ten years before his death.
He married Maria Dietrich, a daughter of John Dietrich, and she lived to be
nearly eighty years old. Their children were as follows : Catherine married
Andreas Kunkel; Lydia married Nathan Trexler; Abbie married Jonas
Werner; Nathan married Brigitta Smith; Henry married Sarah Kunkel and
(second) Sarah Sassaman. The parents are buried in the cemetery of the
New Bethel Church in Albany township, of which they were members. Mr.
Bauscher was a Democrat in pmlitics.
Nathan Bauscher, father of David, was born Dec. 6, 1828, in Albany town-
ship, Berks county, and there had his early training in the public schools.
Later he went to Kingston, Luzerne Co., Pa., and took a course in English.
Subsequently he located in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., Pa., and rented the
farm where his mother was reared, in time buying the place, which he con-
tinued to operate until he sold it to his brother-in-law, Mr. Smith. Removing
thence to \A'est Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, he bought Dr. Medlar's
property of over eighty acres in Red valley, but later sold it and bought a
farm in Schuylkill (now Walker) township. This place consisted of 136 acres,
and there he remained eleven years, at the end of which period he sold it to
his son Levi and removed to East Brunswick township, settling in the vicinity
of McKeansburg, where he bought a farm of 145 acres. He operated that place
until a short time before his death, when he sold most of the farm to his son
David, reserving for himself about thirteen acres, which he cultivated as
much as his age would permit. He died in March, 1900. Mr. Bauscher was a
Democrat, and took an active part in politics, serving as school director and
tax collector in Schuylkill township, and performing the duties of these offices
with his customary efficiency. A leading member of Christ Reformed Church
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 411
at McKeansburg, he held all the church offices, declining such honors, however,
during the last few years of his life. The last position he served in was that
of elder. He and his wife are buried in Christ Church cemetery at McKeans-
burg.
Mr. Bauscher married Brigitta Smith, a daughter of Joshua Smith, and she
died when sixty-seven years old. They had the following family: David is
mentioned below ; Levi married Rebecca Teter, and they live at McKeansburg,
Pa.; Ellen is the widow of Isaac Koch; Sarah Jane married Charles Stamm,
of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Amanda Susanna married Dr. W. H. Matten, of Mc-
Keansburg, Pa. ; Amelia married Harry Enterline, who is now deceased, and
she lives at McKeansburg; Ida Nora married Howard W. Sallada, of Harris-
burg, Pennsylvania.
David Bauscher was born Dec. 25, 1855, at Jacksonville, Lehigh Co., Pa.
He began his education in the public schools of Schuylkill township, and had
one year's study at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa. After
teaching school for a while, four terms in Schuylkill township and six terms
in East Brunswick township, he turned to agriculture, for two years renting
a half of his father's farm, and later buying the place, which he has been operat-
ing ever since. He is an intelligent and successful worker, one of the substan-
tial men of the neighborhood.
On Dec. 18, 1880, Mr. Bauscher married Emma Bolich, a daughter of Wil-
liam and Mary (Sechler) Bolich, and four children have been born to this
union: (i) Bessie May, born Aug. 22, 1884, married Rev. Calvin DeLong,
pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, of East Greenville, Mont-
gomery Co., Pa. They have one child, Emma Mary. (2) Edna Prudence, born
Oct. 13, 1887, died aged nine months, seventeen days. (3) Olive Mabel, born
Dec. 29, 1889, is a grammar school teacher in McKeansburg, Pa. (4) Elva
Emma, born June 12, 1891, is a teacher in the third grade at Schuylkill Haven,
Pa. All the children are graduates of the Keystone State Normal School.
Mr. Bauscher is greatly interested in the cause of public education, and
has served a number of terms as a member of the school board, to which
he was recently reelected for a six-years tenn under the new code ; he is now
treasurer of the board. For sixteen years he has been a justice of the peace,
at present serving his fourth term. He is an ardent Democrat, and has done
excellent work as a member of the election board. Socially he is a member
of Protection Council, No. 395, Independent Order of Americans, and his
religious connection is with Christ Reformed Church at McKeansburg, where
he has been a prominent worker. He has been choir leader for thirty years and
superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty-five years.
Mrs. Emma (Bolich) Bauscher was born Nov. 23, 1853, in East Brunswick
township, and received her education there. She is a daughter of William
Bolich and granddaughter of John Bolich, who farmed in East Brunswick
township, where he owned about three hundred acres of land. He followed
general farming throughout his active years, but retired many years before
his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years old. His wife,
Susan (Fisher), died at the age of fifty, and they are buried in the cemetery
of the Frieden's Lutheran Church, of which organization they were members.
Politically he was a Republican. Their children were as follows: John mar-
ried Hannah Sechler; George married Priscilla Wanamaker; Daniel married
Elizabeth Sechler; Samuel did not marry; William married Mary Sechler;
Benjamin married Mary Reinhard; Joseph married Sarah Oswald; Susan mar-
412 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYL\'ANL-\
ried Joseph Alspach; Kate married Jesse Sechler; Hannah married Charles
Dreher; Mary married Jacob Steinmetz; Diana and Sarah never married.
William Bolich was born July 12, 1820, in East Brunswick township, and
was educated there. He worked for his father on the farm for some time
and before his father's death bought about eighty acres of the place, later pur-
chasing another farm of 100 acres, to which he removed. He cultivated that
tract until his death, which occurred when he was aged fifty-seven years. He
was actively interested in politics as a member of the Republican party, served
as school director, and belonged to the Frieden's Lutheran Church at New
Ringgold; he is buried in the cemetery of that church. Mr. Bolich married
Mary Sechler, who was born March 10, 1823, in Lynn township, Lehigh Co.,
Pa., daughter of Jacob Sechler; her mother's maiden name was Fusselman.
Mrs. Bolich survives her husband, making her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Bauscher. Mr. and Mrs. Bolich had three children : Charles married Sarah
Kindt, of New Ringgold, Pa. ; Maria married Salem Koch, of Rauschs,
Schuylkill county ; Emma is Mrs. David Bauscher.
SAMUEL HELMS GORE (deceased), a lifelong resident of Pottsville,
held a creditable position among his fellow citizens reached by his own exer-
tions. Having filled the office of prothonotary for two successive terms he
became well known all over Schuylkill county, where he is held in kindly
remembrance among the many friends he won and kept by his high character
and estimable personality. He was born at Pottsville Aug. 13, 1863, son of
William Henry Gore, and his ancestors in both paternal and maternal lines
were in this country as far back as the Revolutionar)' period. A great-grand-
father in the paternal line, Joseph Heath Norbury, a sea captain during the
war of 1812, later served as prothonotary of Philadelphia county. A great-
grandfather on the maternal side fought for the Colonial cause in the Revo-
lution. • n
William Henry Gore was born April 20. 1841, in Philadelphia, Pa. He
had two brothers, Joseph and Robert. He was educated in his native city and
at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and his business life was spent in the fetter
place, where he was first employed as a printer and later as agent for an express
company. He was a stanch Republican in politics and during the Civil war
was a loyal Union supporter, enlisting twice, first as a musician in the 48th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and later for three months' sen-ice. He
became a member of Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., and also belonged to the
P O. S. of A. and the Knights of Pythias. He served as a member of the
Pottsville fire department. His religious connection was with the Presbyterian
"oVauo- 00 i860 Mr Gore married Sophia E. Helms, who was born Feb.
28 184=; at Womelsdorf, Pa., daughter of Samuel and Mane (Smith) Helms
and died in March, 1880. Mr. Gore's death occurred Oct. 23. 1870. They had
a familv of three children: Susan Norbury, born in Pottsville Oct. 31, 1861,
married Elmer E. Teeter; Samuel Helms was the eldest son; William Henry
was born in Pottsville Nov. 6. 1868. . . , p
Samuel Helms Gore obtained his education in the public schools at Potts-
ville and during a lifetime of honest endeavor became one of the substantial
cit z^ns of his native borough. He was recognized as a self-made man of
soM worth having made hisNvav by his own perseverance and industry, and
hoitu^e died in his prime had made an honorable reputation which survives
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA 413
among the many who knew and respected him. lust before his death he had
served as county prothonotary for two terms, liaxing been elected in Novem-
ber, 1902, for a three-years term, and reelected in NovemlxT, 1905. No higher
praise of his services could be given than this indorsement of his fellow citi-
zens. His death occurred Dec. 3, 1909, when he was forty-six years of age.
and he vyas laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemetery at Pottsville, mourned by
his family and by his associates in all the relations of life. Mr. Gore was
president of the Good Intent Fire Company; a member of Washington Camp
No. 36, Patriotic Order Sons of .America, and of .\erie No. 134, l'>aternal
Order of Eagles; and he was a prominent member of the Pottsville Game and
Fish Protective Association, and for many years secretary of the County
League organized for the same purpose.
On Aug. 23, 1892, Mr. Gore married ?k[ary Elizabeth Shaw, who survives
him, residing at No. 425 Laurel street, Pottsville, with her son Frank Miller
Gore, the only child of this union. He was born Aug. i, 1893, and is engaged
as a patternmaker with the Reading Company.
John Sn.\w, late of Pottsville, father of Mrs. Gore, was a veteran of the
Civil war, having enlisted in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry upon its organiza-
tion. He was assigned to Company G, and the regiment was attached to the
9th Army Corps. Mr. Shaw was wounded at the second battle of Hull Run,
Aug. 29, 1862. He was employed for a number of years as machinist in the
C. & I. shops at Pottsville, resigning some years before his death to take a
position in the United States mint in Philadelphia. He retired from the latter
several years ago, owing to advanced age, and died Dec. 30. 1913. at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Gore, at Pottsville, when seventy-three years old, after
an illness of four weeks. He had been in failing health for some time previous.
Born and reared at Pottsville, he held a high place in the esteem and affection
of many of his fellow townsmen, his neighborly disposition winning him many
friends, and his interest in the general w-elfare indicating commendable public
spirit. At the time of his death he was probably the oldest member of Good
Intent Fire Company. No. i, and he was also a member of Gowen Post, No. 23,
G. A. R.
Mr. Shaw's wife died twenty-four years before him. During his later
years he divided his time with his daughters, l^Irs. Gore and Miss Clara Shaw,
the latter engaged in the dressmaking business in Philadelphia. His son, Ralph,
is a resident of Chicago, 111. Mr. Shaw was also survived by one brother and
two sisters: George, "a member of the police force at Pittsburgh: Mrs. James
Stinson, of Long Beach, Cal. ; and Tvlrs. Emma Marquardt, of Philadelphia.
MICHAEL J. BRADY, of Cass township, is undoubtedly one of the best
known men in that section of Schuylkill county. For years he w-as engaged in
educational work, through which he kept in touch with a large projTOrtion of
old and voung in the community, and some time before he gave up the profes-
sion became interested in hotel keeping, which is now his principal business.
Mr. Brady has been practically a lifelong resident of Cass township, where
he was torn Sept. 29. t86o, son of Edward Brady, who followed mining here.
Mr. Brady obtained his early education in the local public schools. When
nineteen vears old he began teaching, and he continued to follow that pro-
fession for thirtv vears in all, twenty-eight in Cass township and two in Branch
township, this coiintv. For several vears he was principal of the Cass town-
ship schools and long held a place among its most honored educators. Durmg
414 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the school vacations Mr. Brady turned his attention to mining. He gave up
his profession in 1909, and has since been devoting his time to the hotel busi-
ness, having an up-to-date establishment known as the "Brady Hotel," on the
south side, near Forestville, on the main road leading to Minersville. He
built this place several years before retiring from school teaching, and has been
doing business there ever since. Mr. Brady has shown himself enterprising in
business as he was conscientious in his professional work, and has the unquali-
fied respect of all his fellow citizens in his part of the county. He takes quite
an active part in Democratic politics in his township, and several times has
been delegate to political conventions. He has served one term on the town-
ship school board, 1884-1887, and was elected tax collector of the township
for the year 1889. His religious connection is with the Roman Catholic Church.
On Sept. 23, 1887, Mr. Brady married Julia J. Dormar, daughter of John
Dormar. She taught school in Cass township from 1876 until the year of her
marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brady have had the following children : Loretto
graduated from the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., in 1909,
and has succeeded her father as principal of the Forestville schools ; Gertrude,
also a graduate of the normal school at Kutztown, 1909, taught three terms in
the Wilbur school near South Bethlehem, Lehigh Co., Pa., and is now teaching
in Minersville, Schuylkill county; Edward, a graduate of the Kutztown Nor-
mal, class of 191 1, taught two terms in Branch township and one year in Union
township, Schuylkill county, and is now a student at Dickinson College, Car-
lisle; Marion was a member of the class of 191 5, Minersville high school, and
is now a student at the Kutztown Normal ; Clair is a member of the class of
19 1 6, Minersville high school; Marie and Harold are deceased.
WILSON HENRY, of West Penn township, has practically retired from
farming, but he continues to reside on his farm, which is now operated by his
son. He has lived there since his marriage. Mr. Henry is a native of Lehigh
county. Pa., bom Feb. 23, 1846, at Wanamakers, in which locahty his father
and grandfather passed all their lives.
Adam Henry, the grandfather, was bom Jan. 23, 1774, at Wanamakers,
and was a general farmer all his life, owning a tract of about 150 acres, a great
portion of which he cleared. He was a Democrat and a Lutheran, holding
membership in the church at Jacksonville, Lehigh county. His wife, Polly
(Eckroth), bom Nov. 10, 1782, died Sept. 28, 1854, aged seventy-one years, ten
months, eighteen days. He died March 16, 1854, aged eighty years, one month,
twenty-three days. They are buried in a private graveyard on the property of
Robert Henry. They had the following children : Christian ; Adam, who mar-
ried a Miss Correll ; Joseph, who married a Mrs. Stein ; David ; Sallie, Mrs.
Henry Heiser; Susanna, Mrs. EH Heiser; Polly, Mrs. Samuel Zettlemoyer;
Mrs. David Ziegler ; Brigetta, Mrs. George Guldner ; Kate, Mrs. Jacob Rausch ;
and Mrs. Lloyd.
Christian Henry, son of Adam, was born at Wanamakers, and there grew
to manhood, receiving his education in the local schools. In his youth he
worked for his father, and after his marriage bought a tract of forty acres, of
which twenty-five were cleared. All his children were born there. Later he
bought the homestead farm and there passed the remainder of his life. He
built a new barn and made other improvements on the property, which increased
steadily in value under his care. He died at the age of fifty-two years, several
months, and his wife, Carolina (Straub), born Sept. 15, 1811, died in January,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 415
1892. She was a daughter of Daniel and CaroHna (Brobst) Straub. Children
as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry : Mary married William Boyer,
and both are deceased; Savina married Nathan Leininger, and both are
deceased; William married Sarah Rabcnhold, and both are deceased; Cordelia
died young; Polly died young; Sarah is the widow of William Brendel ; Amelia
married Albert Muthart, both deceased ; Wilson is next in the order of birth ;
Amandus married Emma Frankheiser, now deceased, and he lives at Tamaqua,
Pa. ; Carolina married Harrison Brendel, of Lancaster, Pa. The father sup-
ported the Democratic party in political issues. He belonged to the Jackson-
ville Lutheran Church, and both parents are buried there.
Wilson Henry was educated in the schools of Lehigh county, and remained
at home working with his father until thirty-five years old, receiving no wages
until he was twenty-two years of age. When a youth of nineteen he took up
the cooper's trade, and followed it until twenty-eight years old. When he mar-
ried he left the home place and removed to West Penn township, Schuylkill
county, where he bought a farm of lOi acres from Henry Endy. At that time
only thirty acres were clear. Here he went into general farming, in which he
has been engaged ever since, and he has found a satisfactory market at Tama-
qua, where his produce is always in demand. His son Irwin now operates the
farm, the father having practically retired. He is a highly respected citizen of
his section, a Lutheran member of Zion's Church in West Penn township (his
wife belonging to the Reformed congregation), and identified with the Demo-
cratic party in politics.
Mr. Henry was married to Andora Susanna Arndt, who was born May 6,
1S63, near Lenhartsville, Pa., daughter of Elanius and Ellen (Zettlemoyer)
Arndt, and the following children have been born to them: (i) Albert Syl-
vester, born March i, 1884, died Feb. 11, 1S87. (2) Clara Isabella, born April
22, 1885, died Feb. 7, 1887. They are buried at Zion's Church, in West Penn
township. (3) Calvin Jonas, bom Oct. 15, 1886, married Sallie Reinert, and
lives at Slatington, Pa. ; he is a member of the Knights of Friendship and of
the P. O. S. of A., at Slatington. (4) Ellen Carolina, born March 10, 1889, mar-
ried George J. Hoppes, a farmer of East Brunswick township, this county, and
their children are: Albert Calvin, born Nov. 4, 1904; Mahlon Irwin, April 30,
1906 ; Clarence Oscar, July 18, 1907 ; Howard Sylvester, April 7, 191 1 ; Maurice
Leroy, Oct. 25, 1912. (5) Beatta Viola, born Oct. 11, 1892, is married to
Edward Reeser, a fanner in Lehigh county. (6) Irwin Elanius, bom April 17,
1894, is famiing the home place, and lives there. He is married to Cora Clauss.
(7) Annie Elsie was born Dec. 15, 1900. All the children were bom on the
farm in West Penn township and have attended the Summerdale school in
that township.
Benjamin Arndt, Mrs. Henrv-'s grandfather, was born Aug. 10, 1810, in
Lehigh county, Pa., and died in January, 1895. He farmed in Lehigh county,
where he owned a small tract, and after coming to West Penn township worked
for other farmers until his death. He married Susanna Weidnicht, who died
at the age of seventy years, and they are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn
township. They had children as follows : Elanius ; Levi, who married Tavillia
Fegley, both deceased: Alfred, who married Rebecca Leiby (after his death
she became the wife of John Snyder, for many years proprietor of the "Sny-
der's Hotel," now also deceased, and she now makes her home at Allentown,
Pa.) ; Carolina, wife of Stephen Werley, both deceased. The father was a
Democrat and his religious connection was with the Zion's Reformed Church.
416 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Elanius Arndt, son of Benjamin, was born May i8, 1836, in Lehigh county,
where he was educated. He learned tanning, and followed the trade for a
long time, until within a few years of his death, being in the employ of Daniel
Kistler, in West Penn township, for a considerable period, and also with Henr}'
Enterline. at Tamaqua. He came to West Penn township with his parents,
and at different times worked for farmers in the locality. He retired because
of illness, and died in West Penn township Dec. 26. 1894. He and his wife
are buried at Zion's Church in that township, where he was a member of the
Reformed congregation. Socially he held membership in Washington Camp
No. 615. P. O. S. of A., in West Penn township, and he upheld the principles
of the Democratic party. His wife, Ellen (Zettlemoyer), born Sept. 2, 1841,
daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Keller) Zettlemoyer, died Sept. 4, 1905.
They had children as follows : Ellen Catherine, wife of Seth Reeser, both
deceased; Andora Susanna, Mrs. Wilson Henry; Cyrus Ulysses, engaged in
saw-milling in West Brunswick township, who married Mary Levan ; Lila
Elizabeth, married to John Levan, of Franklin, Lehigh county, near Slatington ;
Lela Mentana. married to Eli Steigerwalt. of Andreas. West Penn township ;
Lily Regina. who married George Rankin, and after his death (second) Daniel
Kocher, of Lansford, Pa., the latter also deceased ; Alfred Elanius. deceased in
infancy ; Levi Oscar, of West Penn township, married to Sarah Smith ; and
Enos Benjamin, who is unmarried.
Mrs. Carolina (Straub) Henry, mother of Wilson Henry, was born in
Lehigh county and received her education there. Her father, Daniel Straub.
farmed near Tripoli. Lehigh Co., Pa., where he had a forty-acre property, and
died there when past fifty years of age. His wife, Carolina (Brobst). died
aged ninety-four years, and they are buried at Tripoli, Lehigh county. Their
children were: Daniel, who married a Miss Eillman ; Jacob, who married a
Miss Henry ; a son who went West ; Carolina, Mrs. Henry ; Kate, and Polly.
Isaac Zettlemover, father of Mrs. Elanius Arndt. was a farmer and butcher
at Lenhartsville. Pa., and died at the age of seventy years. To his marriage
with Catherine Keller were bom children as follows : James, Harriet, Malinda,
Mrs. Charles Reppert ; Ellen, Mrs. Arndt; Lessina, Mrs. Samuel Epler; Isaac:
Alvin; Adelina, Mrs. William Williams; Fannie, Mrs. George Schoener; and
Lafayette. The parents are buried in the graveyard of the Lutheran Church
at Lenhartsville. Mr. Zettlemoyer was a member of that church, and a Repub-
lican in his political views.
GEORGE OLIVER has been an all-around useful citizen in his busy
career, all of which has been passed at Mahanoy City. A native son of_ that
borough, he has taken due pride in the maintenance of its most desirable insti-
tutions, his public spirit leading him into active cooperation wth the best ele-
ment on all questions affecting the general welfare. As a mine foreman of
unquestioned competence he is well known in the local collieries, both among
the men and those who have the direction of the coal operations, which play so
important a part in the industrial situation in this section.
Mr. Oliver is of English ancestry. His grandfather, Jonathan Rustin
Oliver was a miner in England, in which country he spent all his life. His
family consisted of the following children: Edwin. Samuel, James, \\ illiam.
F:iiza, .-\nna, Maria, Emma and Fannie. • c- nr j 1 •
William Oliver father of George Oliver, was born in 184,^ m Stattordshire,
Fncrland where he was reared. When a lad he went into the mines there to
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, TENNSYLVANLV 417
work, folK)\ving niinins^ until he came to America. In 1S69 he brought his
family, then consisting of wife and two children, to this country, landiujr at
Castle Garden, New York City, J\L-iy 30th, after a voya<je of about hfteen days.
They at once continued their journey to ALihanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
where Mr. Oliver wAs soon engaged at his old occupation, at which he was
employed to the end of his active days. Lie died at Mahanoy City Nov. J9,
1901, and is buried there. Mr. Oliver was a member of General Grant Lodge,
No. 575, L O. O. F., of Mahanoy City, and at one time also belonged to tlie
Improved Order of Red Men, taking an active part in the work of that fra-
ternity. He married Hannah Beddard, like himself a native of Staffordshire,
England, born April 17, 1-844, daughter of William and Harriet Beddard. She
still resides at Mahanoy City, making her home at No. 124 West Spruce street.
Six children were born to this union : Eliza, now the wife of Harry Board-
man ; Hannah, wife of Thomas O. Jones; George; William, born Feb. 17, 1873,
at present stable boss at the Tunnel Ridge colliery ; Jonathan ; and Emma, wife
of Joseph Draper.
George Oliver was born Nov. 27, 1870, at Mahanoy City, where he was
reared and educated. He began mine work when nine years old, in the humble
capacity of slate picker or "breaker boy," and as he gained strength and acquired
familiarity with the mines was advanced to more responsible positions. For
some years he worked as a regular miner, and he was still a young man when
made fire boss at the Tunnel Ridge colliery, holding that position steadily for a
period of twelve years. At its expiration, in 1906, he changed to his present
place, becoming inside foreman at the Mahanoy City colliery. This was at
one time known as the Hill colliery. Mr, Oliver's efficiency and intelligent
comprehension of his duties have had many severe tests here, and he has lived
fully up to his reputation for trustworthiness. His position has been retained
by the utmost fidelity to the interests of his employers as well as sympathetic
understanding with the men under his charge.
Mr. Oliver has been actively associated with local musical interests. For
seven vears he was a member of the Citizens' Band, and was playing cornet
with that organization when it won one hundred dollars and a gold medal at
the Lavelle fair grounds in 1893. He was elected to the school board, serv-
ing eight and a half years, during two years of which time he served as
president of that body. His interest in public affairs has found its chief
expression in the promotion of public educational _ facilities, but he may also
be counted upon to support any good measure. He is a member of the Citizens'
Steam Fire Company, and sociallv belongs to Lodge No. 575, L O. O. F., and
Castle No. 86, K. G. E„ both of Mahanoy City.
Mr. Oliver married Annie Bradley, daughter of Michael Bradley, and
four children have been born to them : Edith Pearl, now the wife of David
Davis; William J., who died when one year old; Annie Myrtle and Elsie May,
both at home.
JONATHAN FRANK STEIN, best known as Frank Stein, is considered
one of the most enterprising business nien in his section of Schuylkill county.
He operates a mill near Llewellvn, in Branch township, making a specialty of
fine flour for family use, and also deals in flour, feed, hay and straw, andby
strict attention to all his undertakings he has met with deserved prosperity.
The mill, the onlv one in that part of the county, has been owned in his branch
of the Stein family for over forty years, the present owner's father havmg
Vol. 1—27
418 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
purchased it in 1872 from Nathan Stein. Moses S. Stein, uncle of Frank Stein,
is senitDr member of the firm of Stein & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in
flour, feed, etc., at Pottsville, this county, where he has been in business for
over fifty years.
The Steins are an old family of this part of Pennsylvania, having been set-
tled in the adjoining county of Berks since 1742. The name Stein is German,
meaning stone or rock, but the family is known to have been French as far back
as 1688 and originally called Pierre, which name appears among those of the
French nobility. It is supposed the family changed the name upon removing
from France to Germany.
During the year 1742 Jacob Stein and his wife came to America from Ger-
many, and they settled in what is now Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa.,
where he took up a large tract of land, to whose cultivation he devoted the
remainder of his life. Here he and his wife died. They had children : Hein-
rich, who was born at sea while the parents were coming to America ; Michael ;
Peter; Jacob, and Jonas.
Jonas Stein, son of Jacob, the emigrant, was born Aug. 16, 1766, in Rich-
mond township, and followed farming in Greenwich township, Berks county,
being a well known resident of that locality in his day. He lived to the age of
seventy-five years, dying Jan. 16, 1842. His wife, Maria (Berk), born about
1774, died about 1848. To them were born children as follows: Jacob, Peter,
Benjamin, Daniel, Solomon, Hannah (married Joseph Brownmiller), Eliza-
beth, Hetty, Mrs. Zears, Mrs. Seitler and Mrs. Gramer. Of these, Jacob, born
Feb. 16, 1794, became engaged in farming and distilling on an extensive scale,
owning five hundred acres of land, which he divided into five farms, erected
substantial buildings thereon, and made other improvements. He was public-
spirited and built a schoolhouse near his home for the township. He died
March 2, 1874, in his eighty-first year, long surviving his wife, Sarah (Sunday),
who had passed away in February, 1846. They had the following children, all
born in Greenwich township, Berks county: Solomon, Adam, Nathan, Annie
(who married William Schaefi'er), Lavina (married Daniel Deisher), Lucinda
(married Henry K. Seigfreid), Jacob and Henry.
Peter Stein, son of Jonas and Maria (Berk) Stein, was born Dec. 28, 1797,
in Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa. He followed the carpenter's trade for
some time, and carried on agricultural pursuits most of his life there. He died
on his farm Feb. 28, 1865, and his wife Elizabeth (Spohn), daughter of Conrad
Spohn, born in Greenwich township, Berks county, Nov. 8, 1807, died on the
farm in 1864. They are buried at the Dunkel Church in Greenwich township.
Fifteen children were born to this marriage, and we have the following record
of this family : Nathan S., born Jan. 5, 1832, died Jan. 4, 1914, in Oskaloosa,
low^i; Adam S., born Aug. 15, 1833, died in infancy; Jonas S., boni Aug. 29,
1834, died March 22, 1906; Moses S. was born Aug. 26, 1836; Lelia S., bom
Aug. 28, 1838, died Jan. 8, 1840; Daniel S.. bom Dec. 23. 1839, is living at
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa.; Maria S., born Jan. 31, 1841, is the widow of
P. W. Woliver, and resides at Lafayette, Ind. ; Solomon S., born Jan. 30, 1842,
lives at Newark, N. T- ; Noah S., born March 25, 1843, is living at Bristol, Ind. ;
Anna S., born Nov." 11, 1844, died Feb. 3. 1879, was the wife of Ephraim H.
Mattem, who died Nov. 14, 1907; Joel S., born Sept. 16, 1846, is living in
Mitchell, S. Dak.; Samuel S., born July 14, 1848, died Aug. 9, 1848; Lavina
S., born Aug. 14, 1840, died Sept. 23, 1849; William S., born July 30, 1852,
died March 7, 1853; Florenda S., bom Feb. 25, 1854, died Aug. 6, 1854.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 419
Jonas S. Stein was liorn and reared in I'.erks county, and for a time was
engaged in keeping store at Shoeniakersville, that county. Thence he came to
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he carried on the feed business as a mem-
ber of the firm of Stein & Co., remaining there about three years. In 1X72 he
came to Branch township and purchased from Nathan Stein the properly then
known as the Muddy ISranch mills, built in an early day by Jacol) Clauser.
Here he followed milling successfully until four months before -his death,
which occurred March 22, 1906. He is l)uried in the Frieden's Church cem-
etery in Branch township. His widow, Catherine (Frey), daughter of John
Frey, still lives at the homestead in P.ranch township. She belongs to an old
family of Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Stein had the following children:
Mary, now Mrs. Charles Shadel ; Jonathan Frank ; Augustus ; Elizabeth, Mrs.
Grant Schoffstall ; Maggie, Mrs. Lee Jay; and Delia, Mrs. Joseph Thomas.
Jonathan Frank Stein was born May 23, 1862, in Greenwich township, Berks
Co., Pa. Plis education was received in the public schools, and his practical
training imder the guidance of his father, whom he assisted from boyhood. He
drove team and became thoroughly familiar with the milling business, which
he took over shortly before his father's death, leasing the mill from his
father April i, 1905. In August, 1910, he bought it from his mother. It has
long been known as Stein's mill. Mr. Stein is a typical member of the ener-
getic race to which he belongs, and has won his \vay to a place among the
leading business men of his township through the foresight and good judgment
characteristic of the Stein family. Though he has not craved public honors he
has been chosen for official responsibilities by his fellow citizens, who elected
him township treasurer for eight years. He belongs to the Reformed denomi-
nation, holding membership in the Frieden's Church.
Mr. Stein married Minnie Yust, whose parents, Charles and Fredericka
Louise Yust, came to this country from Germany in December, 1857. The
father died July 31, 1894, the mother Oct. 17, 1914, and they are buried in the
Frieden's Church cemetery in Branch township. Of the large family born to
Mr. and Mrs. Stein six children died young. Alma. Calvin, Amy ,_ Ethel, Norma
and Norman, twins. The survivors are: Cora, wife of Irvin Keeney ; Mary;
William; Ada; Evelyn; Raymond; Irma; Merceides, and Stella.
JACOB M. KOCH has a model farm in Walker township, in the improve-
ment of which he has displayed a broader purpose than its development from
a purely commercial standpoint. It is indeed one of the most highly culti-
vated tracts in the locality, affording many illustrations of the value of intensive
farming, and has become productive and profitable to an extraordinary degree
under Mr. Koch's management. Yet with all his business acumen he has never
become indifferent to the charms of ideal home conditions, and the standards
he has followed in that respect are fully equal to those adopted in his work.
In fact, his measure of value to the community has been taken by the spirit
of intelligent progress which has animated him throughout.
The Koch family has been farming in Walker township for several gen-
erations. Daniel Koch, grandfather oi Jacob M. Koch, owned the old Koch
homestead there, the farm now in the possession of William Miller, which con-
tained over 143 acres, over one hundred of which was under cultivation.
He remained on that place until his death, which occurred when he was in
middle age, but forty-five years old. He was a Republican and active in the
local work of the party, and his religious connection was with the Union
420 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Church at Lewistown, at which place he and his first wife are buried. Her
maiden name was Catherine Heiser, and they had the following children:
Mahlon married Sallie Snerd; John H. was the father of Jacob M.; Martin
married Carolina Stibitz; Mandon married Laura Albertson; Ellen married
Charles Shultz ; Carolina married Jonathan Allspach ; Mary married a Seltzer.
The mother of this family died, and Mr. Koch married (second) Mrs. Eliza
(Stump) Dennis, widow of M. Dennis. No children were born to this union,
but she had the following children by her first husband: Seth married a Miss
Croll; Diana married William Schock; Emma married a Mr. Kemp.
John H. Koch was born June 9, 1846, was educated in the schools of
Walker township, and worked for his father during his youth. Later he
went to Tamaqua, Pa., and engaged in the huckster business for a few years,
subsequently buying a farm of thirty acres in Walker township, where he
continued his huckster business. He gathered a great deal of his produce in
Berks county and went to Mahanoy City to market the same. When he sold
his farm he went to Tamaqua to live, remaining there until his death, Dec.
13, 1909. He and his wife are interred at Lewistown, in the cemetery of the
United Evangelical Church, to which they belonged. Mr. Koch was active
in church matters, and in the administration of public affairs, serving most
efficiently as school director. Politically he was a Republican. He married
Christianne Schoener, who was born July 4, 185 1, daughter of William and
Maria Schoener, and died Dec. 24, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Koch had the follow-
ing children: William O. married Elnieda Ebling; Jacob M. married Cathe-
rine Boyer; Edward Franklin, deceased, married Dora Daleus ; John A. mar-
ried Bessie Walker; Horace S. is unmarried; Kate married Daniel Keim ;
Lillie died aged six years ; Ida married In'in Christ ; Sallie married Lerene
Steigerwalt.
Jacob M. Koch was born July 26, 1873, in Walker township, and received
his education in the schools there. W'orking on his father's farm until he was
twenty years of age, he was next employed by the day for about one year,
and then went to work for William F. Miller, of W'alker township, with whom
he remained almost six years — less only four months. Then he bought Mr.
Miller's huckster business, which he has conducted ever since. For a period
of three years he rented a small farm from Daniel Boyer, in the spring of
1904 buying his present place of twenty-six and a half acres, all of which
is under cultivation. Mr Koch raises his own truck, w-hich he markets to
Brockton, St. Clair and Mahanoy City, and part of his land is in general
crops. He has improved the soil greatly, sparing neither time nor expense to
make it suitable for truck raising especially, and the property has been thor-
oughly modernized in equipment also. His house has every possible con-
venience for comfort, being heated with a hot water plant and lighted by gas.
Mr. Koch having installed an acetylene plant which is in very satisfactory
operation. He takes great pride in keeping his home in prime condition, and
the premises show unusual care.
Mr. Koch married Catherine Boyer, who was bom April 16, 1873. in
Walker township, daughter of Jacob B. and Catherine (Bond) Boyer. and
here received her education. Mr. and Mrs. Koch are the parents of children
as follows: Maria Lydia, born June 10, 1892; Claude Jacob, Jan. i, 1805;
Roscoe Samuel, March 2, 1898, a student at the Keystone .State Normal
School : Adwood Howard, Sept. 24, 1899 ; Bertha Miriam, July 20, 1901 :
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PJiXNSYLVANLV 421
lola Ruth, Nov. 19, 1903 (died aged tliree years) ; Paul Andrew, Sept. 17,
1905; Irene Grace, Nov. 10, 1906; Carl Robert, July 11, 191 1.
Mr. and Airs. Koch are active members of the United Evangelical Church
at Lewistown, which he is serving at present as assistant class leader. For
many years he held the oftice of steward, and he has also been helpful in the
Sunday school, of which he was superintendent for many years ; he is now
a supply teacher in the -Sunday school. Politically he is a Republican, and
he has held the position of school director.
Jacob B. Boyer, father of Airs. Jacob AI. Koch, was born in Schuylkill
(now Walker) township, Alarch 4, 1843, a son of Samuel Boyer and grand-
son of Jacob Boyer. His great-grandfather, Jacob Boyer, was a farmer in
Schuylkill township, owning over one hundred acres. He was a member of
Zion's Union Church at Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Boyer, one of the four sons of Jacob Boyer, above, was born in
Schuylkill township in the year 1801, and educated in the township school. He
worked for his father a while and then learned the blacksmith's trade with
his father-in-law, Frederick Bensinger, but did not follow the trade very long.
After spending some time in the \Vest he returned to Walker township and
bought about three hundred acres of land, which included the present place
of J. I. Yost. He cleared a great part of that tract, and sold considerable of
it, until he had 178 acres left. For a time he operated a mill near the present
Lewistown mills, but later moved from that location and built a stone house
and bam on another part of his land. Jacob B. Boyer's son Isaiah now owns
that property. Having sold his 178 acres. Air. Boyer bought forty acres of
the original tract, and there resided until his death, which occurred ATarch 4,
1873. Air. Boyer married Lydia Bensinger, a daughter of Frederick Ben-
singer, and she lived to be nearly eighty-seven years old. To this union were
bom fourteen children: One child died in infancy; Samuel died aged twenty-
one years; Israel married Katherine Lindner; Emmanuel married Elizabeth
Hom ; Joseph married Lena Kunsett ; Benjamin married Susanna Horn ;
William married Susanna Schoener ; Catherine married Eli Wertman ; Eliza-
beth married James Diener; Jacob B. married Catherine Bond; Daniel mar-
ried Alary Ringer ; Carolina died unmarried ; John married Sarah Hine ; one
died in infancy. The parents are buried at Lewistown. Air. Boyer was a
Democrat and a member of Zion's Reformed Church at Lewistown.
Jacob B. Boyer, father of Airs. Koch, was educated in the township schools.
He worked in his early life for his father, continuing thus until he was twenty-
two years old. at which time he went to Alahanoy City and remained for a
time. Returning to Walker township he rented his present place, which
was the property of his father. He also worked the farm upon which his
father resided, and after his father's death bought the place upon which he
now resides, thirty-six acres, all cleared. Here he has since resided. He
married Catherine Bond, and they have had fifteen children, namely: Amanda,
Mary, Samuel (deceased), Catherine (Airs. Jacob M. Koch), Isaiah, Annie,
Almeda, Nora, George, Claude, Earl, Sallie, Edman, Lillie, and one that died
unnamed. Air. Boyer is a Republican on political questions.
REV. HARRY DANIEL HOUTZ, A. AI., has been serving the Mahoning
charge of the Reformed denomination since Alay, 1912, having three churches
under his care — the Zion's, St. Peter's and Ben-Salem congregations. Their
membership is drawn from the residents along the Schuylkill and Carbon
422 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
county line, in West Penn and East Penn townships. He is a gifted young
man, and with energy and initiative, as well as talent, gives promise of great
usefulness in the field he has chosen for his life work.
Mr. Houtz belongs to an old family of Lebanon county. Pa., being a
descendant of Philip Houtz, who emigrated from Europe to America, coming
to Philadelphia from Rotterdam, Holland, on the ship "Thistle" of Glasgow,
Aug. 29, 1730. He was probably born in the Palatinate, Germany. He set-
tled along the Swatara creek, about two miles from Hamlin, in Bethel town-
ship, Lebanon Co., Pa. That section of country was then a part of Lancaster
county, and later a part of Dauphin county. In 1746 he obtained a tract of
land in that vicinity containing 190 acres, and in 1752 another tract, of
247^ acres, in the same neighborhood. Philip Houtz died in 1766 or 1767
(he left a will dated Dec. 2, 1766), and was buried probably in one of the old
cemeteries used by the members of the old "Klopp's Church" at Hamlin,
Lebanon county. He was survived by Anna Marguerite (or Maria), his wife,
and the following children: Philip Lorentz, Christopher (Stophel), Wendel,
Henry, Sr., George, Eva (Mrs. George Gilbert), Anna Maria (Mrs. Chris-
topher Kneble), Elizabeth (Mrs. John Weaver or Weber, later probably mar-
ried to George Simon), Magdalena (Mrs. Jacob Werntz) and Juliana (Mrs.
Jacob Loubsher). Some records indicate that Christopher lived in Granville
county, N. C. ; Wendel, in Virginia ; Eva and Magdalena, in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania.
Henry Houtz, Sr., son of Philip, was bom about 1745, near Hamlin, Pa.,
and in September, 1769, was married to Maria Barbara Dups (or Dubbs),
daughter of John Dups. She was born Dec. 30, 1748, and died in November,
181 1. Henry Houtz, Sr., seems to have been a prosperous and prominent
citizen of Bethel township. At the time of his death he was the owner of 201
acres and 140 perches of land, which was appraised at £1,816, 17 shillings, 6
pence. He died Sept. 30, 1796, and is buried with his wife in the old Klopp's
Church cemetery. The following children were bom to them: Henry, Jr.,
Christian, John (who was a miller by occupation, living at Strasburg, Lan-
caster county), Catherine (Mrs. Simon Bassler), Anna Maria (Mrs. Peter
Zeller, Tulpehocken, Berks Co., Pa.), Anna (spinster), Magdalena, Sarah
and Susanna.
Henry Houtz, Jr., son of Henry, Sr., was bom at Hamlin, Pa., about 1770,
and died about 1855 or i860, probably at Farmersville, Ohio. He was promi-
nent in business affairs when he resided in Bethel township, Lebanon Co., Pa.,
and it is also likely that he took a deep interest in the old Klopp's Church at
Hamlin, which was founded about 1752. It appears that he went West about
1827. About 1798 he was married to Christiana Koppenhavcr, daughter of
Henry Koppenhaver. She was born about 1780, and died about 1870 at Mur-
ray, Wells Co., Ind. The following children were born to them: William,
John, Henry. Barbara (Mrs. Joseph Hunsicker), Lydia (Mrs. John Gilbert).
Elizabeth (Mrs. David Albert), Catherine (Mrs. John Lengle) and Mrs.
Tohn Segner. All of the above children went West except William and Bar-
bara.
William Houtz, son of Henry, above, was bom Jan. i, 1S03, in Lebanon
county. Pa., received his education in the pay schools of Bethel township, that
county, and followed farming all his active years, retiring some time before
his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1895. At that time he owned a small piece
of land. He was a Democrat, but not active in public affairs. In his early
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 423
manhood he had an ambition to become a minister of the gospel, and though
he never fulfilled his intention he did effective work in religious lines as a
zealous lay member of the Gennan Reformed Church, belonging to Zion's
(Goshert's) Church at Mount Zion, Lebanon county. His first connection,
however, was with St. Paul's Union Church at Hamlin, that county, where he
was confirmed. He and his wife are buried at Goshert's Church. Her maiden
name was Hunsicker, and like her husband she reached advanced age, having
been bom in 1805 and died in 1887. They were married on Nov.' 12, 1826,
and became the parents of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy, the
others being: Henry, deceased, married a Gundrrun ; David married Lavina
Loose, and both are deceased; William, a Union veteran of the Civil war,
resided at Harrisburg, Pa., for many years, and died July 19, 1915 (he was
married twice, first to Mary Douglas, and after her death to Elizabeth .Straw) ;
Daniel is mentioned below ; Elias married Sallie Nace, and they live in Bethel
township, Lebanon county ; Samuel, deceased, married a Gundrum ; Susan
died unmarried; Lydia is the wife of John Ritter, of Bethel township; Eliza-
beth is married to John Sholly, of Bethel, Lebanon county; Nancy, deceased,
was the wife of William Yerger.
Daniel Houtz, son of William, was born Oct. 26, 1837, near Hamlin, in
Bethel township, Lebanon county, and was educated in the local schools which
during his boyhood were conducted on the subscription plan. He leamed the
trade of carpenter and continued to follow it throughout his active years, also
cultivating a small tract of land which he owned. He and his wife now live
near Myerstown. Her maiden name was Susanna Klick, and she was bom
Feb. 16, 1837, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Webbert) Klick, natives of
Jackson township, Lebanon county. 1s.1t. and Mrs. Houtz were married Aug.
3, 1861, and have had two children, Aquila G. and Edwin P.; the latter, bom
in June, 1869, died in 1876. Mr. Houtz is a German Reformed member of
Zion's Church, but though one of its faithful supporters has not taken any
active part in its work. Politically he is a Democrat.
Aquila G. Houtz was born Feb. 19, 1864, near Mount Zion, in Bethel town-
ship, Lebanon county, and received his education in the public schools of that
section. He has been a farmer all his life in his native county, and owns
a tract of seventy-eight acres in Jackson township where he resides, all of
which is cleared land, and besides owns several houses. He also owns a farm
in Bethel township, Berks county, of nearly one hundred acres. Thus by
thrifty management he has prospered very well. He is a well known man
in the community, at present serving as tax collector of Jackson township,
is a Democrat in politics, and holds membership in Zion's Reformed Church.
On March 9, 1884, Mr. Houtz married Emma Gibble. She was bom Oct. 7,
186 1, the daughter of Moses and Susanna (Wengert) Gibble, natives of
Bethel township, Berks Co., Pa. They are the parents of the following chil-
dren: Harry Daniel is the eldest; Miles D., born Nov. 2, 1886, married Kate
Everhardt, and has two children, Walter and Leon A. ; Annie L., born April
2, 1888, is the wife of Harry Darkes. and has had six children, Florence
(deceased), Warren, Paul, Leo, Ammon and Mabel; Pierce W., born June i,
1890, married Jennie Spitler, and has two children. Earl and Beulah ; Paul E.,
born Oct. 2, 1891. married Elsie Spitler, and they have three children, Ammon,
Viola and Ida; Warren P., bom June 13, 1803. died April 11, 1894; Sadie L.
was bom Jan. 26. 1896; Wayne E.. June i, 1898: Edgar W., March 6, 1901.
Harry Daniel Houtz was born Feb. 17, 1885, near Myerstown, in Jackson
424 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
township, Lebanon Co., Pa., and began his literary training in the pubHc
schools of that township. Later he attended the Albright Preparatory School
and Albright College, of Myerstown, being a member of the class of 1909
and class president during 1908 and 1909. He was graduated with honors
June 16, 1909, with the degree of A. B. The following September he entered
the Eastern Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United
States, at Lancaster, Pa., graduating with honors May 9, 1912. His gradua-
tion thesis was entitled "The Idea of God in Modern Theology." At the close
of his second year, May 11, 191 1, he received an award of sixty ..dollars from
the Seminary for a prize essay on "The Scope of the Pulpit." Meantime he
received the degree of A. M. in course from Albright College, June 14, 191 1,
and also took up graduate work in History and German during the 191 1 sum-
mer session of Cornell University. Having been elected pastor of the Mahoning
Reformed charge, he entered upon his duties in May, 191 2, being licensed to
preach the gospel by Lebanon Classis, at Lebanon, May 21, 1912; and ordained
to the Christian ministry in Ben-Salem Church, East Penn township. Carbon
Co., Pa., May 26, 1912, by a committee representing the Lehigh Classis, com-
posed of Revs. E. S. Noll, George P. Stem and Charles F. Althouse. Mr.
Houtz was baptized by Rev. H. K. Welker, March 20, 1885, and confirmed
at Mount Zion Church, Lebanon county, March 30, 1901, by Rev. Dr. H. A.
Keyser. The churches have made excellent progress during his pastorate,
the allied enterprises are in promising condition, and the spirit of good will
which prevails holds hope of a continued widening of interests. Aside from
the influence incidental to his church work Mr. Houtz takes no special part
in local aft'airs. He is a Democrat in political sympathy, and socially a Mason
and Odd Fellow, belonging to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 13S, F. & A. M., of
Orwigsburg, and to Blue Ridge lodge, No. 11 53, I. O. O. F., of Sittler, being
a past grand and at present chaplain of the latter organization.
On June 11, 1912, Mr. Houtz married Annie Priscilla Steiner, who was
born Nov. 11, 1881, in Jackson township, Lebanon Co., Pa., and they have
had two children: Lester S., bom March 14, 1913: and Myron S., born June
18, 1914. Mrs. Houtz received her preparatory education in the public schools
of her native township and subsequently took a course at the Myerstown high
school, graduating in 1900, after which she took courses in the Normal depart-
ments of Albright and Lebanon Valley Colleges; before her marriage she
taught school in Jackson township. She was confirmed in the Frieden's Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church at Myerstown by Rev. Dr. F. J. F. Schantz, of
Myerstown.
Moses Steiner, Mrs. Houtz's grandfather, was a native of Jackson town-
ship, Lebanon county, and spent all his life there, dying when sixty-six years
old. He was a teacher in the days of subscription schools, and followed farm-
ing and milling all his life. His wife, Lucy Ann (Spannuth), daughter of
Jacob Spannuth, died at the age of sixty-seven years, and they are buried at
"Frieden's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Myerstown. Mr. Steiner was an
active member of that church, in which he was honored with many important
ofifices, ser\'ing as elder, deacon, and trustee. He was a Democrat in political
opinion. His children were: Rebecca, who is the wife of Aaron Spitler. of
Greble. Bethel township, Lebanon county: Elizabeth, the wife of Percival
Batdorf, of Myerstown; Aaron, father of Mrs. Houtz; Susan, widow of
Frank Albert, living in Lebanon; and Albert, a resident of Myerstown, who
married a Miss Treida (deceased) and (second) Kate Brubaker.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLV 425
Aaron Stciner, son of Moses, was born Dec. 31, 1852, in Jackson town-
ship, Lebanon connly. and was reared and educated in that township, [n
youth and early nianliood he assisted his father in the mill and on the farm.
After his marriage he operated a farm for his grandfather, and upon the
latter's death bought the adjoining property, which then belonged to his father.
It consists of forty acres, all cleared, located near Myerstown, and he still
lives there, following general farming, in which he has prospered steadily.
He has been closely associated with township affairs, having filled the offices
of school director and auditor, and in politics he has worked with the Demo-
cratic party. He has been a leading memljer of the Friedcn's Evangelical
Lutheran Church at Myerstown, having served as elder and deacon.
Mr. Steiner married Amanda Brown, who was born Aug. 8, 185 1, at
Hamlin, in Bethel township, Lebanon county, daughter of William and Pris-
cilla (Price) Brown, who had five other children: Morris, who was married
twice, first to Miss Amanda Newcomet, and later to Miss Ella Gerhart; Emma,
Mrs. William Edris; Lizzie, Mrs. Harry Miller; Susan, Mrs. John Henninger;
and John H., deceased, who married Emma Peififer. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Brown died when about seventy years old, and they are buried at St. Paul's
Union Church, Hamlin, of which both were faithful members, and in which
Mr. Brown filled various offices. In early life he was a shoemaker, later
carrying on fanning at Hamlin. He was a Democrat in political faith.
Sir. and Mrs. Steiner have children as follows: Harvey C, born June 8,
1876, is a clerk in a wholesale house at Lebanon, Pa., where he resides; he
married Emma Walbom. Jennie E., born July 21, 1880, was a seamstress
before her marriage to E. Paul Shirk, of Reading, Pa. Mrs. Houtz is next
in the family. Miles H., born July 22, 1885, was a school teacher for a number
of years, and is now assistant postmaster at Myerstown ; he married Vada
Klick. Wayne E., born Oct. 13, 1891, is teaching the grammar school at
]Mount Zion, Lebanon county, and Hves at home.
Several other men by the name of Houtz came to America before the
American Revolution. They were probably not related to the above named
Philip Houtz. Lorentz Houtz came to this country by way of Rotterdam on
the ship "Friendship," arriving at Philadelphia on Sept. 20, 1738, when twenty-
three years of age, and settled evidently somewhere in Berks county. Pa.,
perhaps not far from Hamlin, Lebanon county. Whether or not any rela-
tionship existed between him and Philip Houtz is unknown. There is a
tombstone inscription in the cemetery of the old "Klopp's Church" at Hamlin,
referring to a Philip Lorentz Houtz who died on Oct. 22, 1788, aged seventy-
five years, one month, and some weeks. There is a remote possibility that this
inscription refers to this party. It is, however, more probable that the inscrip-
tion refers to Philip Lorentz Houtz, the son of Philip Houtz, although a certain
"Indenture" dated April 28, 1789, leads one to believe that Philip Lorentz
Houtz, the son of Philip Houtz, was yet living on that date. It may be that
one of the dates is in error. It may be added that one Philip Lorentz Houtz,
probably the son of Philip, .was married to Eva Walbom; their son, John,
was bom Dec. 26, 1762.
Philip Peter Houtz came to Philadelphia from Germany by way of Rot-
terdam Oct. TO. 1768, on the ship "Minen'a." It appears that he settled in
the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pa. His son Anthony was born in Germany Aug.
4, 1758, and died in New York State in 1830. He entered the ministry of the
426 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
German Reformed Church, which he served ably and faithfully. He was
prepared for his work by Rev. WilHam Hendel, D. D.
The Mahoning Reformed charge, of which Rev. Mr. Houtz is the pastor,
is composed of Zion's and St. Peter's congregations in West Penn township, -
Schuylkill county, and Ben-Salem Church, Carbon county.
Zion's Church was founded in 1790 on a tract of land obtained from
Solomon Hoppes. The last church building was erected in 1846. It is located
on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley, about a mile from Snyder's post office.
Among the Reformed ministers who served it were John Ziiillig, Abraham
Bartholomew and Thomas N. Reber. The names of some of the Lutheran
ministers that served are E. A. Bauer, and William H. Strauss, the present
pastor. Among the prominent families that are closely identified with the
church we find the names of Zimmerman, Gerber, Balliet, Ohl. Shellhamer,
Stabler,- Houser, Delp, Hoppes, Steigerwalt, Zehner, Kistler, Behler, Schaeffer,
Kleckner, Zettlemoyer, Arner, Snyder, Breiner, Eberts, Reed, Brown, Loch,
Stoudt, Leeser, Longacre, Hafer, and others. In 1914 a new constitution
was prepared and adopted by the congregations.
St. Peter's Church is situated near Mantzville, about eight miles from
Tamaqua. It is located on a tract of land obtained from Henry Mantz for
church purposes. The first building was erected in 1845, the latest in 1885.
Among the ministers that served St. Peter's are : Reformed — one Mr. Eichen-
berg and Thomas N. Reber; Lutheran — E. A. Bauer and William H. Strauss.
Among the prominent families are the Mantz, Miller, Fenstermacher, Wehr,
Rex, Beltz, Hoppes and others.
Ben-Salem Church, founded in 1797, is located in East Penn township,
Carbon county, about two and a half miles northeast of Sittler, Schuylkill
county, on a tract of land obtained from Frederick Handwerk. The latest
church building was erected in 1855, but improvements have been made from
time to time. A belfry was erected in 1901. Among the ministers of this
congregation are the same as those mentioned as serving Zion's Church. Among
the prominent families we find Wehr, Frantz, Smith. Weaver, Andreas, Rein-
smith, DeLong, McLean, Klingaman, Troxel, Wertman, Steigerwalt, Hoppes,
German, Fritz, Ziegler, Seibert, Kolp, Kemmerer, Fritzinger, Berger, Everett,
Haberman, Peters, and Eberts. In 1913 new constitutions and by-laws were
prepared by a committee and adopted by the congregation.
JOHN HENRY DEISHER has been a resident of Schuylkill county for
over thirty years, and he was a successful merchant at Pottsville until he settled
down to farming in West Brunswick township, near Onvigsburg. where he
owns a valuable farm. He is a native of Berks county. Pa., and a member of
a family honored there through several generations of high citizenship. Bom
Sept. 13, 1851, in LTpper Bern (now Tilden) township, he is a son of Gereon
Deisher and a grandson of David Deisher.
David Deisher, the grandfather, was born near Coxtown (now Fleetwood).
Berks county, July 25, 1797. and was one of the most progressive, farsighted
residents of that section in his day. His energy and good management brought
him success in business and the reputation of having an intelligent as well as
active mind, which left its impression on everj'thing which enlisted his
interest. Agriculture was his principal business, and he owned farms in differ-
ent sections, having a tract of one hundred acres in Maxatawny township, and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 427
later another of tlie same size near Hamburg (which he sold to Daniel Nies).
He was also a mill owner, and had a wheelwright and blacksmith shop on his
place, but he did not follow any trade himself, hiring others to operate these
for him. Shortly before his death he retireil, and thereafter lived at Hamburg,
Berks coutity. During his active years he had lived at Kutztown, and he was
deeply interested in the establishment of what developed into the Keystone
State Normal School at that place, which now has landed property of fifty
acres and a tine group of buildings admirably tocated on elevated ground
along the "'Easton Road," in the southwestern part of Kutztown. The institu-
tion was the direct outgrowth of two earlier schools, Fairview Seminary and
its predecessor, the old Franklin Academy. This earliest school was housed
first in the old stone parochial schoolhouse and later in the small wooden
building still standing at the intersection of Walnut and Whiteoak streets, in
the heart of the town. It was founded in 1836; and in 1838, in order to secure
an annual appropriation of four hundred dollars which the State then offered
to an academy having on its roll twenty-five students, it was incorporated.
David Deisher was one of the first trustees. The number of pupils was lim-
ited to thirty-three, and no one was received for a shorter period than six
months, for which time the tuition charges were ten dollars. After rendering
excellent ser\'ice to the community Franklin Academy closed its doors. In i860
Fair^'iew Seminary was established, and grew so rapidly that in 1863 it was
removed into a new brick building which afterwards formed the northeastern
wing of the old normal school, being on the site now occupied by the boys'
dormitories. In 1865 the seminary became a normal school, and the latter has
had a prosperous existence continuously since. Mr. Deisher lived to see the
change. In his younger manhood Mr. Deisher served some years as director
of the poor. He was a Democrat, and he and his family united with St. John's
Lutheran Church at Hamburg.
Mr. Deisher married Esther Hill, who was born March 8, 1797, daughter
of Jacob and Catherine (Herbein) Hill; her mother, born April 24, 1771, died
Feb. II, 1857. Mrs. Deisher passed away Jan. 5, 1863, Mr. Deisher on Jan.
4, 1870, and they are buried in the cemetery of St. John's Church at Hamburg.
They were the parents of the following children : Gereon ; William, who mar-
ried Sarah Stoyer ; Henrj', who married Valeria Fink ; Mary, who married
James Moyer ; and Catherine, who married William D. Shomo.
Gereon Deisher, father of John Henry Deisher, was bom Oct. 10, 1825,
in Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa., and received his education there and in
Maxatawny township. As was customary in those days, he worked for his
father until he attained his majority, but was still a young man when in part-
nership with his brother William he engaged in the manufacture of stoves,
plows, etc., in Hamburg, under the firm name of G. & W. Deisher, iron
founders. They did business together for six years. Leaving Hamburg, Mr.
Deisher went to Perry township, Berks county, where he farmed for a time,
thence removing to Maiden-creek township, same county, where he was a
tenant farmer. His next removal was to Wintersville. in Tulpehocken town-
ship, Berks county, where he carried on a general store and farm, and was
also postmaster. He died there in October, 1901. He was an influential man
wherever known, and held the confidence of his associates to an unusual degree.
He was frequently appointed as executor or administrator of estates, and acted
as guardian to a number of minors. He took a deep interest in the advance-
ment and spread of Christianity, and at the time of his death held the office of
428 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
elder in the Lutheran Church at Rehrersburg. A Democrat in politics, he
was active in party affiliations, but he did not aspire to any public honors for
himself, though he served his neighbors faithfully as school director and in
other township offices, wherever he felt that his experience and familiarity with
local conditions could be of special service. On May 29, 1849, ^^^- Deisher
married Helena Seidel, who was born Nov. 6, 1830, in Windsor township,
Berks county, daughter of Gottfried Seidel. Her father, born Nov. 9, 1800,
died July 13, 1868; her mother, whose maiden name was Sunday, was born
Sept. 13, 1801, and died Nov. 21, 1878. Mrs. Deisher passed away April 16,
1906, and is buried with her husband in the cemetery of St. John's Church.
They were the parents of the following children : Franklin Ephraim, now a
resident of Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co., Pa., who married Mary Kirst
(she is deceased) ; John Henry; William, who died in infancy; Louisa, widow
of Amos DeTurck, now living at Wintersville, Berks county ; Catherine, de-
ceased in infancy; and Annie, wife of John Scholl, of North Manheim town-
ship, Schuylkill county.
John H. Deisher was reared and educated at Hamburg, Berks county, and
worked for his father until twenty-two years old. For five years he was a
tenant farmer, and subsequently became engaged as a lime burner, leasing a
limestone quarry and operating a kiln near Calcium, in Maiden-creek town-
ship, Berks county, for three years. Removing to Pottsville, Schuylkill county,
he embarked in the grocery business and later became a dealer in flour and
feed, living about twenty years in that borough and making an honorable place
for himself among its trusted merchants. He then bought from John T.
Shoener the farm he is now operating, a tract of 115 acres near Orwigsburg,
in West Brunswick township, and moved thereon IVIarch 10, 1903. All but
thirty acres is under cultivation, Mr. Deisher following general farming very
successfully, and the improvements he is continually making are increasing the
value of the place steadily. While at Pottsville Mr. Deisher joined the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church. Politically he is an independent voter.
Mr. Deisher married Ellen Phillips, who was born Aug. 25, 1849, i"
Maiden-creek township, Berks county, was educated at the Mooresville school
in Perry township, that county, and remained at home until her marriage. Two
children have been born to this union. Helena and Estelle. Helena, bom May
25, 1874, is the wife of H. H. Flickinger and has three children, born as follows :
Harry Holden, June 20, 1904; Helena May, May 31, 1906; John Deisher,
Jan. 4, 1910. Mr. Flickinger was born April 8, 1870, in Lebanon county. Pa.,
and is now located at Warwick, N. Y., as chief train dispatcher for the Lehigh
& Hudson River Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Flickinger are Lutherans,
but as there is no church of their denomination at Warwick, they attend the
Dutch Reformed Church. Estelle Deisher, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John H. Deisher, was born Jan. 8, 1878, and is now employed by the govern-
ment in the census department at Washington, D. C.
Sebastian Phillips, grandfather of Mrs. John H. Deisher, was of Quaker
stock, though he belonged to Gemant's Lutheran Church in Berks county. He
was a wheelwright, and followed his trade all his life. He owned a small tract
of land in Ontelaunee township, Berks county. Politically he was a Democrat.
His wife, whose maiden name was Sellers, was a native of Germany, and came
to America when six years old. Their children were : Samuel, who married
Anna Grett; Isaac; James, who married Mary Bell; Elizabeth, Mrs. Kauff-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\SYLVANL\ 429
man; and EIniira, Mrs. Rickonbach. Tin.' parents arc buried al (Icrnanl's
Church.
Isaac Phillips, son of Sebastian, was born in Ontelaunce township, Berks
Co., Pa., and settled about one mile above Mooresville, that county, where he
owned a small tract of land. He remained there about ten years, conducting a
wheelwright and blacksmith shop, having learned the trade from his father.
Selling out, he bought a farm of sixty acres in Perry township, and he also
owned a limestone quarry and kiln, burning lime which he sokl to the local
farmers. He died in Maiden-creek township in I'ebruary, 1876, at the age of
fifty-two years. Mr. Phillips married Catherine Grett, daughter of John and
Magdalena (Fink) Grett, and she died about ten years ago, at the age of
seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are buried at Gernant's Lutheran
Church, Leesport, Pa. He was a faithful member of that church, and a
Democrat in his political convictions. We have the following record of his
family: Sarah is the widow of Henry Dubson, and lives at Spring City, Pa.;
Ellen is the wife of John Henry Deisher; James, deceased, married Amelia
Dries, who is now the wife of William Hoffman, of Hamburg, Pa.; Isaac mar-
ried Mary Kershner, and they live in Maiden-creek township, Berks county ;
Elmira is the widow of Henry Cook, and lives at Spring City, Pa. ; Malilon, of
Milton. Pa., married Mary Keim (deceased) and (second) Mrs. Ida Kline;
Catherine, the widow of George Rubright, lives at Port Carbon, Pa.; Elmer
married Sarah Hieter, and they reside near Auburn, Pennsylvania.
HENRY REINHART, formerly a farmer of East Brunswick townshij),
and a business man of solid standing there and at New Ringgold, is now
living retired in the borough above mentioned, enjoying the fruits of his
industrious career. His sterling qualities and useful life have long held the
regard of many citizens of this section who have had occasion to deal with
him, and he is probably one of the best known members of the Reformed
Church in his part of Schuylkill county. He was born Oct. 12, 1841, in
Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Benjamin Reinhart and grandson of
Daniel Reinhart.
Daniel Reinhart, the grandfather, a native of Berks county, came to
West Penn township. Schuylkill county, and bought a small tract of land where
he carried on general farming. He remained on the farm until his death, which
occurred when he was over eighty, years old. His wife, whose maiden name
was Berk, also lived to be over eighty. She was a daughter of Daniel Berk.
Children as follows were born to them: Benjamin was the father of Henry
Reinhart ; Jacob is deceased ; John married Rebecca Foos, and both are de-
ceased ; Willoughby, deceased, married Annie Leininger, who resides in East
Brunswick township; Mrs. John \^'hetstone is next in the family; Lucy mar-
ried Reuben Wertman ; Annie married Emmanuel Koenig; Polly married
Nathan Brobst. Mr. Reinhart was a public-spirited citizen, a Democrat in
political faith, and a member of Zion's Reformed Church, in West Penn town-
ship. He and his wife are buried there.
Benjamin Reinhart, son of Daniel, was born in Berks county Aug. 14.
1818, and died Feb. 17, 1901. He grew up in West Penn township, Schuylkill
county, and received his education there. Though he worked for his father
during his young manhood he learned the carpet weaving business. \\'hen his
son Henry was two and a half years old the family moved to near Hamburg.
Berks Co., Pa., where BenjaminReinhart was a tenant farmer for a few years.
430 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Later he again settled in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, buying a
tract of sixty acres, nearly all of which was cleared, and conducted that farm
for about four years. Then he sold it and removed to Rauschs, in East Bnms-
wick township, this county, where he did farm work for his neighbors and in
between times followed his trade of weaver. After about four years' residence
at Rauschs he bought a house and lot at McKeansburg and removed there, fol-
lowing his trade until almost the end of his life. He married Elizabeth Schrear,
who lived to be nearly eighty years old, and they became the parents of four
children : Henry is mentioned below ; John W., a veteran of the Civil war and
a retired engineer of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company (he ran the
Buffalo from Newberry to Tamaqua), married Sarah Sassaman ; Hettie mar-
ried Augustus J. Bock ; Emma married James W. Reichwine, a carpet weaver,
of New Ringgold. Benjamin Reinhart was originally a Democrat in politics,
later a Republican. He was a leading member of Christ Reformed Church at
McKeansburg, which he served as deacon and elder, holding the latter office
at the time of his death. He and his wife are buried at McKeansburg.
Henry Reinhart commenced his schooling in East Brunswick township, and
later attended the German schools in West Penn township, finishing at
McKeansburg, East Brunswick township. He worked on the farm until his
enlistment in the Union army, April lo. 1862, at Pottsville, in Capt. John R.
Porter's Company I, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Col. James Nagle,
the commander of the regiment, was later succeeded by Col. J. K. Siegfried, and
he by Col. Henry Pleasants. The regiment was assigned to the ist Brigade,
2d E^ivision, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac. Its field record includes fifteen
large battles and many skirmishes, among them Newbern, N. C, March 14,
1862; Second Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862; South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862;
Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Wilderness. May 7,
1864; Cold Harbor, June 12, 1864; Petersburg, June 15 to July 31, 1864; Pop-
lar Spring Church, Sept. 30, 1864; fall of Petersburg. April 2, 1865. In the
early part of its sendee this regiment underwent careful training and the men
became so proficient in military evolutions that they moved in line of battle, in
the charge on the defensive, with the steady tread of regulars, and always
reliable when nerve and endurance were required. The regiment has a glorious
record from the beginning to the end of the war. Though struck three times
by minie balls, Mr. Reinhart was not badly wounded, but he contracted rheu-
matism in the lower limbs through exposure while in the service, and was con-
fined in the field hospital four weeks by illness. He was honorably discharged
from the service in June, 1864.
Returning from the army Mr. Reinhart was married to Polly Rarich, born
Feb. I, 1840, a daughter of Jonas and Lydia (Wertman) Rarich, and three
children were born to this union: Mary married Sylvester Behler; Amanda
married Penrose Sassaman; Ida married Henry Behler (who is deceased)
and (second) Benjamin Sassaman. The mother died Feb. 22, 189S, and is
buried at the Frieden's Church, at New Ringgold. For his second wife
Mr. Reinhart married Mrs. Ellen (Wessner) Miller, daughter of Peter and
Elizabeth (Gracely) Wessner, natives of Albany township, Berks Co., Pa.
She was the widow of Jacob Miller, by whom she had two children : Carrie,
Mrs. John H. Fetter; and John, at home. Mr. Reinhart has no children by his
second marriage.
After his first marriage Mr. Reinhart bought a farm of sixty acres, nearly
all cleared, in East Brunswick township, and operated this place for about
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEN\'SYLVANL\ 431
thirty years. In connection with his agricultural work he also did a successful
business as a dealer in farm implements, fertilizers, roofing and other supplies,
having a large trade, which he built up by courtesy and satisfactory service to
all his customers. Moving to New Ringgold in 1899, he sold his farm to his
son-in-law, Penrose Sassaman, in 1900, but continued the implement and fer-
tilizer business until 191 1, when it was bought by Frederick Nester. Mr.
Reinhart has since lived retired. Throughout his career he bore an untar-
nished reputation for integrity and uprightness in all his transactions, and he
is highly thought of in the community. His fellow citizens showed their con-
fidence in his ability by electing him to the office of school director, which he
held for eighteen years. He also served a year as supervisor. He is a Repub-
lican on political views. A prominent member of the Frieden's Reformed
Church of New Ringgold, he has been an officer of that congregation for forty
years, holding every position in the gift of his fellow members. He has been
trustee, and was treasurer and secretary of the building committee when the
present church at New Ringgold was under constrtiction. He has always
contributed generously to that church and its enterprises.
Mrs. Polly (Rarich) Reinhart was born in West Penn township, daughter
of Jonas Rarich, a farmer of that township, who was the owner of 100 acres.
He died on his farm aged over sixty years, and his wife, Lydia (Wertman),
died when about eighty-five years old. They had children as follows : David,
who married a Miss Leininger; Jonas, who married Polly Loch; Mary, who
married John Stapleton, both deceased ; and Polly, Mrs. Reinhart, deceased.
Mr. Rarich was a Democrat and a member of Zion's Lutheran Church in
West Brunswick township. He and his wife are buried there.
Peter W'essner, father of Mrs. Ellen Reinhart, was born July 4, 1836. and
is now a retired farmer in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa. He owns a small
tract of land. His first wife, Elizabeth (Gracely), died at the age of forty-four
years, the mother of the following children : Ellen, Mrs. Reinhart ; James, who
married Emma Rabenhold ; Ida. Mrs. Moses Miller; Sarah, Mrs. Jonas Frey;
and Emma, ]Mrs. Henry Weidner. The mother is buried at \\'essnersville.
Berks county. For his second wife Mr. Wessner married Mary Henry, daugh-
ter of John Henry, and they had children as follows : Victor married Emma
Bailey, and both are deceased ; Herbert married Emma Stoyer, who is deceased.
Mr. Wessner is a regular attendant of the German Lutheran Church at Wess-
nersville, Berks Co., Pa. He is a Democrat in politics.
Jacob Miller, Mrs. Reinhart's first husband, was born in Wessnerville,
Berks Co., Pa., April 7, 1856, and early in life was a farmer. For ten years
he was engaged in huckstering from New Ringgold to Mahanoy City, buying
his produce, and later entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-
way Company, with whom he continued until his death, three years later. Plis
run was from Tamaqua to Philadelphia. He was killed at the Reading Water
Station July 3. 1893. Mr. Miller was a member of Washington Camp No. lOO,
P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, and of the Lutheran Church at Wessnersville,
Berks county. He is buried there.
FREDERICK REICK, of Cressona, is one of the substantial citizens of
that borough, where he has been engaged in the mercantile business for the last
thirty years. At present he and his son are doing a thriving business under
the name of Frederick Reick & Son.
Mr. Reick is a native of Germany, bom .'\pril 9, 1840, in Wurtemberg, son
432 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of Jacob Reick, who brought his family of twelve children to America in 1851.
Landing at New York, they proceeded to Philadelphia, and then continued their
journey to Schuylkill Haven, Pa. For a time the family lived at Pottsville,
this county, and also at Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Pa., thence removing
to Tremont, Schuylkill county, and to Cressona. The father was employed on
railroad construction work and later on repair work until his death, which
was accidental; he was killed on the railroad at the age of fifty-nine, and is
buried at Schuylkill Haven. The mother, whose maiden name was Agnes
Frausch, died at the age of fifty-six years, and is buried in Luzerne county.
Pa. They had children as follows : Jacob, George, William, Frederick, John,
Bernhard, Christian, Charles, Albert, Nicholas, Theodore and Christina, the
only daughter.
Frederick Reick began work as errand boy in the employ of the ^Nline Flill
Railroad Company. Later he learned the trade of shoemaker. About the time
of his majority he became employed as a switch tender for the Reading Com-
pany at i\Iine Hill Crossing, being thus engaged for twenty-four years, and
was also crossing watchman at jNIinersville and Cressona for some time. Thirty
years ago he engaged in the general business on Railroad street, Cressona,
which he has since conducted, having built up an excellent trade by honorable
methods and obliging attention to the wants of his customers. The business
has expanded to such an extent that he has taken his son into partnership, and
they are known to all who have had dealings with them as enterprising and
reliable merchants. Mr. Reick has led an upright life, and is deservedly re-
spected among his fellow citizens. He married Esther Reber, daughter of John
and Lydia (Leonard) Reber, who had a large family, namely: James, Wil-
liam, Hattie, John, Albert, Elizabeth, Annie, Mary, Esther and Lydia. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reick : Charles, now deceased ; Lulu,
deceased ; Agnes, wife of John Buehler, of Pottsville, Pa. ; and William Henry.
WiLLi.VM Henry Reick, youngest of the family of Frederick and Esther
(Reber) Reick, was born at Cressona Jan. 17, 1882, and has been reared there.
His education was received in the common schools, and he afterwards learned
the trade of paper-hanger, which he followed for some time. He has become
a skillful musician, performing on various stringed instruments, and has at-
tained considerable local reputation as a teacher of music in that line. Besides
his association with his father in the general store he has interests of his own,
having opened a picture show house on Front street, Cressona, Oct. 16, 191 2.
It is known as the 'Tdle Hour," and has been well patronized from the start.
Mr. Reick's good judgment in catering to the public interests being very well
demonstrated in its success. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Peick married Ivy Maud Bobb, daughter of James R. and Isabella H.
(Hog) Bobb, of Berks county. Pa. They have one child, Margaret.
WILLIAM NELSON EHRHART, A. M., Ph. D., late of Mahanoy City,
was in control of the public school system of that borough for so extended a
period that any account of its development for almost two decades would be
practically a chronicle of his life during that time. He did valuable work as
an educator wherever placed ; but his reputation rests chiefly upon this, his
crowning achievement, for which he will be remembered all over Schuylkill
county.
Professor Ehrhart was a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, born near
LyU. fi . (^--AyiJ^ci^^LX'
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 433
Nfwiiort, I'Vb. 15, 1848, son of John and IClconora (Super) lUirhart, of whose
family one son and four daughters still survive, viz.: David \l., of Juniata
township, Perry county; Mrs. D. M. Nunicr and Mrs. Jerome Tooniey, of
Newport, Pa.; Mrs. George Bhu-k, of 1 larrisburg, I'a. ; and Mrs. Cyrus Mogcl,
of W'ila, Pennyslvania.
Prof. I-'.hrhart's paternal grandivircnts, Michael and Sarah (Wolf) Khrharl,
were both natives of York county. Pa., the former born in 1795. He died in
Ohio in 1859. The latter was born in 1795, and died in Huntingdon, Pa., in
1S75. They were the parents of eight children, John, Mary, David, Michael,
Sarah, Susan, William and George. All have long since been deceased. The
family was prominent and early established in York county. Prof. Ehrhart's
father was born in 1818 in York county. Pa., and died in Perry county. Pa.,
in i8q8. His nrother, Eleonora (Super) Ehrhart, was born in Perry county
in 1823, and died at \\'ila, Pa., in 1909. His father was a carpenter and
builder, and also engaged in agricultural pursuits. The last fifteen years of
bis life he lived retired. He had a well merited reputation in the county as a
man of unciuestioned Iranor and high Christian character. He and his wife
were members of the Lutheran Church. The Ehrhart family is well known
and highly esteemed.
On the maternal (Super) side, the oldest member of whom record has
lieen kept was born in WTirtemberg in 1700. The immediate ancestor of the
family was the son of the foregoing. Hjs name was Johann, and he was born
in 1742, and died in 1831. His w-ife, Christina, died in 1818. To them eight
children were born, viz. : Conrad. John Jacob, John, r>arbara, Catherine,
Maria, Agnes and Christina. Grandfather John Jacob Super was born in
August, 1775, and died in December, 1854. His wife's grandfather, Alex-
ander Ruediger, was a native of Saxony. He came to Tuebingen, Wiirtem-
berg, and settled there. One of his sons, Sigmund, bom in 1746, was edu-
cated at the University of Tuebingen. Henrietta Eleonora (Mr. Ehrhart's
grandmother) was his only daughter. She was born in 1783. Her father died
in Nufringen, where he had been jiastor of the Lutheran Church from 1792 to
1805. He received the degree of D. D. in his twenty-sixth year. Grand-
father Super was in the German army twenty years. He came to America with
his wife and four children, Rudolph, John, Jacob, and Christina (Henry W.,
Eleonora and Barbara were born in this country), landing in Philadelphia in
1819. He afterwards lived in Baltimore, Md., but spent the latter years of his
life in Perry county, Pa. A number of the descendants of grandfather
John Jacob Super have attained to high literary eminence, notable among them
Dr. Charles W. Super, professor and later president for about seventeen years
of the State University at Athens, Ohio, and Ovanda B. Super, for many
yea'rs professor of the languages at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. The
former attended the Tuebingen University, Wurtemberg, and was a student
there just a century after his great-grandfather, Sigmund Ruediger, was a
student at the same university. Prof. Ovanda B. Super attended the Univer-
sity of Leipzig, Germany, and the University of Paris, France. Both are
eminent writers and authors of text-books used in the leading universities in
this country. Both have now retired. The first of grandfather Super's
brothers to come to America was John. He passed most of his life in Balti-
more, where some of his descendants still live, and are promiment and honored
Vol. 1—28
434 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
citizens. His youngest son, Henry W., was a long-time professor and after-
wards president of Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Pa.
William N. Ehrhart was reared in the locality of his birth, and acquired his
early education in the public schools there. Then he attended the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg, Pa., where he was graduated upon completing the ele-
mentary course, and a few years later graduated in the scientific course from
the State Normal School at Millersville, Pa. He later, upon completing the
regular course of study, had the degrees of A. M. and Ph. D. conferred upon
him by Taylor University, Indiana. Practically all his life was devoted to
educational work and the improvement of public school facilities, either as
teacher or in an administrative capacity. For some time during his early
manhood he taught in his native county, but Schuylkill county was, the field
of his labors for more than forty years, and the results of his influence here
in behalf of her public schools may be most appropriately cited as the true
memorial of the work to which he dedicated body and soul during all that
period. His first position in this county was as principal at Llewellyn, where he
was engaged for two years. Becoming principal of the high school at Tamaqua,
he filled that position for nine or ten years with marked efficiency, so that
he changed (in 1884) to enter upon greater responsibilities as principal of
the high school at Shenandoah. There he continued for about nine years,
during which period the school experienced the growth characteristic of Mr.
Ehrhart's supen-ision everywhere. He was one of the promoters of, and took
an active interest in, the Free Public Library of the Shenandoah school dis-
trict, giving much painstaking labor to the advance of same. Resigning
in 1893 he removed to Pottsville, where he was in business for a couple of
years, Ijut his heart was still in his profession, and when the principalship
of the ]\Iahanoy City high school was offered him in 1895 he accepted. It
was the sphere for which he was eminently fitted, and he did such promising
work that after a year the board of education concluded he would be most
valuable in the superintendency, and for the next eighteen years all the schools
of the borough had the benefit of his guidance. Here he also greatly interested
himself in the Public Library, and to his efforts, and the Board of Library
Trustees, too much praise cannot be given for the large and fine Free Public
Library of Mahanoy City school district. Though he kept up his duties until
within a year of his death, retiring' at the close of the school year in the spring
of 1914, he had been ill for about a year and a half. About a month before
his death he was obliged to take to his bed, and he passed away March 31, 1915,
at his home in Mahanoy City.
The record made by the Mahanoy City schools under Prof. Ehrhart's super-
vision is one of distinct progress, and an index of his superior qualifications
no less than a creditable page in the history of the community. Though pri-
marily a student, and all his life devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, he was
as well grounded in the other requirements of successful pedagogy as in pure
scholarship. He was a great reader, and delighted in the classics, science,
history and fiction. He was the possessor of a large and carefully selected
library. Moreover, he loved the young as much as he loved his books, and
his understanding of the child's nature, and sympathy with youthful pro-
clivities, made him a friend of his charges in the truest and broadest sense. He
was greatly beloved and highly esteemed by teachers and pupils. When he
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 435
assumed the reins over the Mahanoy City schools he gave his undivided atten-
tion to placing them in the first rank among similar educational institutions,
and such is the standing they now occujjy. His vigilance in every dei)artmcnt,
the inspiration of his personal exani])le to high ideals, his readiness in making
the hest of existing circumstances until they could he hettered, his tact and
thotight fulness for all with whom he came in contact, are some of the tokens by
which his strong personality is recalled in the circles where he was the moving
spirit for almost a score of years. And it is not too much to say that to luany
he is still the guiding hand. He had the honor of Ijeing one of the members of
the State Board of Examiners every year at the State Normal Schools during
his superintendency, with the exception of the year of his illness. He is
especially missed at the county institute, in whose activities he took part for
years with unabated interest. He was a prominent member of the Schuylkill
County Educational Association from its organization, and was its treasurer
until he was obliged to relinquish the office owing to failing health. He was a
member of the National Educational Association, the State Teachers' Asso-
ciation, and the National Cieographic Society. He was one of the brilliant
lights of that group whose names will always be associated with the most
notable era of educational development of this section, a friend and co-worker
of Robert F. Ditchburn, B. F. F'atterson and S. A. Thurlow, all like himself
prominent educators. In mathematics as well as literary culture he had the
highest reputation. "By his removal one of the best mathematicians in eastern
Pennsylvania is called away." Such was the general opinion regarding his intel-
lectual acquirements. For his personal characteristics also there was nothing
but eulogy. The teachers who worked so long with him found him a loyal
friend and helper, and upon his retirement from office, to show their appre-
ciation, placed in the high school his portrait, painted by a celebrated artist, and'
bearing the inscription : "From the Teachers of ?\Iahanoy City." His fellow
citizens in every walk of life found him conscientious, enthusiastic and unsel-
fish, ready with counsel, influence or other assistance to reinforce any good
movement. W'hen he retired after a career of unselfish fruitfulness it was
hoped that he had many years of enjoyable leisure to reward him, and his
death was widely and sincerely mourned.
Prof. Ehrhart was an adherent of the First iM. E. Church of Mahanoy
City, and alwavs a man of deep religious feeling which pervaded every inter-
est of his life. The fine sentiments of friendship and appreciation of which
he was capable were well shown in the memorial address he prepared for
the Schuylkill County Institute upon the death of his beloved associate, Rob-
ert Forbes Ditchburn (it was read by a friend, Prof. Ehrhart being too ill to
deliver it). Thev labored together along the same line for over forty years.
It was a tribute such as only a personal intimate friend could give, and ex-
pressed with the delicacy of thought and language which Mr. Ehrhart employed
so well. Indeed, though he confined his remarks to his departed friend, they
were so typical that in perusing them the mind unconsciously goes to the
mirror which had the power to reflect so faithfully.
In the latter part of the Civil war, IMarch, 1865, Mr. Ehrhart, though
only a youth of seventeen, enlisted in Company G, 149th Pennsylvania
Regiment. \'olunteer Infantry, and he remained in the army until the
close of the conflict, receiving his discharge in June. On June 24. 1897,
he became a member of Severn Post, C. A. R.. and he also belonged to Wash-
ington Camp No. 112, P. O. S. of A. In politics he was a, stanch Republican.
436 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Prof. Elirhart is sun-ived by his wife and only child, Raymond Nelson Ehr-
hart. He was married Sept. ii, 1877, to Julia C. Whitenight, daughter of D.
E. and Catharine (Aurand) Whitenight, of Tamaqua, this county, and to
them a son, Raymond Nelson, was born April 18, 1879.
On the maternal side Mrs. Ehrhart traces her genealogy back to the
Huguenots of France, and in fact to the thirteenth century. Her mother
was of French extraction, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Aurand, of
Tamaqua, Pa. The Aurand ancestors were eminent French Huguenots, hav-
ing occupied positions of rank, and fled from France during the religious
troubles consequent upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by
King 'Louis XIV, 1685. Leaving all behind them, they fled to Hol-
land, and later removed to the city of Heidelberg, Germany. The ances-
tor of the American branch, John Aurand, emigrated to America on the
2d day of October, 1753, on the ship "Edensbttrg," from Rotterdam. He
first settled at Maiden-creek, and then moved to Tulpehocken, amongst the
Huguenot colony, near Reading, Pa., where most of his children were born.
Raymond Nelson Eheh.\rt is a graduate of Cornell University, at Ithaca,
N. Y., in electrical and mechanical engineering, and now ttirbine expert, and
one of the head engineers, for the Westinghouse Company of Pittsburgh, Pa.
He married the only daughter of ]\Ir. and Mrs. H. H. Hopkins, of Huntingdon
county. Pa. Mr. Hopkins was a commissioned officer in the iioth Pennsyl-
vania Volunteers. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhart make their home in Edgewood Park,
a beautiful suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
CLEMENT B. GLUNZ, of Norwegian township, well known all over
Schuylkill county as "Barney" Glunz, is following farming according to ap-
proved modern ideas and has been successful in several branches of agricul-
ture. Moreover, his fellow citizens long ago recognized the business ability
under which his own interests prospered and turned it to good account by
calling him into the public service, in which his work was no disappointment.
His record as a useful member of the community is highly creditable.
Mr. Glunz was born at Pottsville, this county, Sept. 15, 1854, son of Ber-
nard Glunz, and is of German extraction, his father having been a native of
Westphalia, Germany. Bernard Glunz was a well-to-do merchjmt in Berlin,
Germany; but having decided to try his fortune in the United States sold out
his store and in the spring of 1848 came to America with his wife, Calenia
(Feindt). They settled at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where for a short
time he was in the employ of Benjamin Pott. Then he resumed merchandis-
ing, having his store and home at the corner of Eleventh and. Market streets,
Pottsville, where all his children were born. His enterprise and obliging
methods attracted customers, and he carried on his business successfully for
many years, until he retired from active life in 1874. As he prospered Mr.
Glunz invested in property in Schuylkill county, purchasing a farm in Blythe
township which he operated while carrying on his store, and he also owned
the farm in Norwegian township now occupied by his son Barney Glunz. Ber-
nard Glimz died in 1887, and is buried in the German Catholic cemetery (No.
3) at Pottsville. He was the father of the following children: Charles, de-
ceased ; Frank, deceased ; Henry, now residing with Thomas H. Wardle at
Eighth and Grant streets, Pottsville (during the Civil war he served as a mem-
ber of the ig4th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantrv, and he receives a pension) ;
Clement B. ; Herman, living at Pottsville; and George, who died in infancy.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL-V 437
Clement B. Glunz was reared and educated at rottsville. lie assisted his
father in the store until sixteen years old, since when he has lived and worked
on the farm in Norwegian township, which he now owns, and whose develop-
ment has heen accomplished entirely under his care — much of it the work of
his own hands. With the help of Eli Lord he cleared the land and prepared it
for cultivation. Air. Lord building the hrst log house and barn for Mr. Glunz's
use. Several years later the latter erected another, more pretentious dwelling,
to which in the year 1905 he made an addition, and the house and surroundings
have been kept in such excellent condition that his residence is one of the most
modern and attractive in the neighborhood. Though most of his land is given
over to farming he has made a specialty of truck raising and dairying, and his
products are in steady demand in the Pottsville markets, which he has attended
for years. He has been very successful, and not only owns his home farm but
another in Blylhe township, in the Tumbling Run valley. His progressive agri-
cultural methods and efficient public service have made him well known all over
the county. I'or twenty years he served as tax collector and township treas-
urer, and also as member of the school board, giving the highest satisfaction by
his intelligent and conscientious performance of the duties of all these positions.
Mr. Glunz married Josephine Ivramer, daughter of Christian and Appolonia
( Stegmeier) Kramer, and she died May 16, IQ07, the mother of a large family :
Barney lives at home; George died in infancy; Theresa married Robert Organ,
who had a gold mine at Nevada City, Cal., where they reside; Charles, a clerk
in the Pottsville post office, w'ho married Catherine Hohman ; Mamie, wife of
Leo Lotz, a well known grocer of Pottsville; Emma, at home; William, who
died when twelve years old'; Frank, living at home; Clemens A., also living at
home, who married Jtilia Klare, daughter of Henry and Alice (Sullivan)
Klare ; Berthilla, at home; Alberta, at home; \'incent, who died in infancy:
and Dorothy, at home. The family belong to the Catholic Churcli.
SAMUEL DEWALD, tax collector and supervisor of the borough of
Auburn, and an old-time railroad man, was bom in North Manheim township,
Schuylkill county, Jan. 13, 1853, and is a son of Edward Dewald. The family
is of German ancestry.
Edward Dewald was a farmer by training, but spent many years as a boat-
man on the Schuylkill Navigation Company's canal. While he was chopping
wood for the company upon the farm of his son-in-law, Benjamin Dewald,
he was suddenly stricken with a fatal illness, his body being found some time
later by the family. He married Catherine Steinbach, who was born Jan. i,
1823, and died April 25, 1895, from the effects of an injury in a railroad acci-
dent. She was a daughter of Philip Steinbach. The children of Mr. and Mrs.
Dewald were as follows: Sarah, deceased, married Benjamin Dewald; Abra-
ham married Kate Schoener; Benjamin married Hannah Becker; Samuel is
mentioned below; Mildred married Amadeus Miller; Edward married Ida
Rollman ; George married Emma Miller; John married Mary Bartlett. Mr.
and Mrs. Dewald were members of the Summerhill Evangelical Lutheran
Church, and both are buried in the cemetery near St. John's Church, Auburn,
Pennsylvania.
Samuel Dewald was educated in the schools of South and North Manheim
townships, and early became a boatman on the canal. For a time he was a sta-
438 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
tion driver, and then when the telegraph was introduced on the canal he became
an operator. From there he went to work on the Schuylkill & Susquehanna
railroad as a brakeman on the Broad Mountain line, putting in the empty cars
and taking away the loaded ones. Then he went to Auburn to work on the
main line of the Reading road. The total time he served as a railroader was
twenty-seven years, divided as follows : Brakeman, eight years ; conductor on
coal trains, four years ; fireman, four years ; engineer, eleven years. When he
retired from railroad work he opened a bakery at Auburn, conducted it for
twelve years, and in 1909 soldout to his son Irwin. Mr. Dewald is now serv-
ing the borough of Auburn as tax collector and supervisor, having held the
former office for fourteen years, and the latter office for four years.
Samuel Dewald was married to Emmaline Bachert, who was born July
II. 1852, in Drehersville, Schuylkill county, daughter of Nicholas and Sarah
(Kramer) Bachert. By this union there were three children: Morris, born
Sept. 17, 1872; Irwin, born Sept. 2, 1875, who married Estella Augusta Meek;
and Carrie, born Feb. 28, 1878, married to Charles Huntzinger, a railroad man,
of Auburn. Mrs. Dewald died, and is buried in St. John's cemetery, Auburn.
Mr. Dewald married for his second wife Sabina Bachert, who was born Oct.
27, 1868, in Pine Grove township, and is a sister of his first wife. To this union
have been born four children: Frederick, born Nov. 17, 1890, died Oct. 29,
1906; Edith Catherine, born Jan. 9, 1893, died Sept. 22, 1893; Leroy Samuel
was born Feb. 18, 1894; Raymond Edward, born Jan. 21, 1900, died Aitg. 9,
1900.
ATr. Dewald is a Republican, and previous to taking his present positions
had served as school director of Auburn for three years. He is a member of
Washington Camp, No. 45, P. O. S. of A., and of Auburn Castle, No. 168,
Knights of the Golden Eagle, in the latter being a past chief and keeper of the
exchequer, which position he has filled for the last twenty-five years. Mr.
and Mrs. Dewald are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Auburn.
Mrs. Sabina (Bachert) Dewald, wife of Samuel Dewald, is the daughter
of Nicholas Bachert and granddaughter of Philip Bachert. Her great-grand-
father Bachert was a Huguenot, and emigrated from France to Philadelphia,
settling later in the lower part of Berks county, Pa., where he worked as a
farm laborer.
Philip Bachert, the grandfather, was also a farmer, and resided most of
his life in Schuylkill county. He is buried at Pine Grove, that county, while
his wife is buried at Schuylkill Haven. Their children were: Louisa, wife of
Abraham Dry, residing at Minersville; Michael, who married (first) Hannah
Rishel and (second) Lydia Rishel; and Nicholas, father of Mrs. Dewald.
Nicholas Bachert was bom Jan. 14, 1824, in Northumberland county, Pa.
He was a farmer and miller, and once owned a farm in Pine Grove township,
Schuylkill county. He worked in Batdorf's mill in Pine Grove township, then
moving to Auburn, where he worked for a time in Moyer's gristmill, which was
later bought by the Auburn Brick Company. He then retired and lived with
his son-in-law until his death, which occurred Nov. 19, 1913, his remains being
laid to rest in the Pine Grove cemetery. He was an Odd Fellow and a member
of the Reformed Church. Mr. Bachert was married to Sarah Kramer, a
daughter of Isaac and Mary (Riegel) Kramer, and they had the following chil-
dren: Sabilla, bom April 10, 1847, married Flenry Strausser, who is deceased;
William, born Aug. 30, 1849, married Man,' Koch, and both are deceased;
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 439
Emmaline, born July ii, 1852, was the first wife of Samuel Dewald; Mary
Ann, born Jan. 17, 1855, married Henry Luckenhill ; George Washington, born
March 28, 1857, lives in Wyoming; Elizabeth Catherine, born Sept. 20, 1859,
died at the age of seventeen years; Christianne, deceased, born May 14, 1801,
married Joshua Christ; Amanda Jane, born Alay 28, 1865, married Jeremiah
Zimmerman; Sabina, born Oct. 27, 1868, became the second wife of Samuel
Dewald; Catherine Dnisilla, born June 25, 1872, married Abram Fromm.
Isaac Kramer, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dewald, was a laborer, and
lived the greater portion of his life in Drehersvillc, Pa. He was married to
Mary Riegel, and they had the following children : Joseph, Samuel and Sarah.
PHILIP H. UPDEGRAVE, of Valley View, is now engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits and has been especially successful as a fruit grower. The fam-
ily has long been settled in this section of Schuylkill county, Henry Updegrave,
the grandfather of Philip H. Updegrave, having been an early resident of Hub-
ley township, where he lived and died. By trade he was a shoemaker, and he
also farmed, owning land in Hubley township.
John R. Updegrave was born Feb. 3, 1830, in Hubley township, and lived
there until after his marriage, when he removed to Valley View, of which place
he was a respected citizen. He learned his father's trade, shoemaking, and fol-
lowed it. During the emergency days of the Civil war, in 1863, he entered the
Union army, and was returning home after ten months' service when accident-
ally killed. His body was buried in Hegins township. In Hubley township
he was married to Elizabeth Artz, who was born in that township, where her
father, Michael Artz, lived and died ; he followed farming. Mrs. Updegrave
died Sept. 18, 1891, at \"alley View, and is buried in the Sacramento cemetery,
in Schuylkill county. Of the five children bom to her marriage with Mr. Upde-
grave Philip H. is the eldest; Daniel is deceased; Aaron is deceased; Fietta is
the widow of D. D. Underkofler, and resides at Williamstown, Dauphin Co.,
Pa. ; Salome died in infancy.
Philip H. Updegrave was born in 1853 at Valley View, and was reared at
that place, where he obtained most of his schooling. He attended the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg until promoted for graduation, studied for a
time at the Kutztown Academy, and also in the State Nomial school at Ship-
pensburg. Pa., and meantime began teaching, which profession he followed
altogether fourteen terms, in Porter and Hegins townships. He also did con-
siderable work as a surveyor for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company,
assisting in the survey of their coal and iron lands, and it was through the
influence of Preston Miller, chief civil engineer for that company, that he
turned his attention to fanning, which he has followed ever since. By per-
severing thrift he has done well in general agriculture, and he has gradually
• made fruit culture his specialty. The work is arduous, but well worth while
with markets so convenient and sure, and Mr. Updegrave is making the most
of his opportunities. He commenced farming in 1877, when he bought the
farm previously owned by Reuben Huntzinger, containing seventy-five acres.
Later on he bought additional land, and now owns one of the best fruit farms
in Schuylkill county. Mr. Updegrave has proved a valuable official of Hegins
township, having been elected to the offices of assessor, school director and
clerk, in all of which he has given services of a high order. His earlier experi-
440 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
ence as a teacher has fitted him for particularly competent work on the school
board.
In 1877 ^Ii"- Updegrave married Amelia Daniel, a native of Valley View,
daughter of David and Lucy (Coleman) Daniel, both of Valley View. Of the
six children bom to Mr. and Airs. Updegrave, Lillie, the eldest, is the wife
of C. E. Snyder, of \ alley A'iew; Edna D. is the wife of E. J. Henninger, prin-
cipal of school at Pine Grove, this county; Maud is the wife of Milton
Schucker, of Valley View; John R. died in infancy; Charles R. is a farmer at
Valley View ; one son was stillborn. The mother of this family died in 1904,
and Mr. Updegrave married (second), in 1906, Mrs. Matilda Zerbe, daughter
of Benjamin Koppenhaver. Mrs. Updegrave formerly lived in Northumber-
land county, this State, later at Tower City, Schuylkill county. Mr. Updegrave
is a member of the United Brethren Church, his wife of the Lutheran Church.
He belongs to the Grange at Hegins.
ELMER WOOMER, of West Penn township, is one of a family of
thrifty agriculturists who have done their part in developing its resources.
Though he has been farming only a few years he has gone about his work
so systematically and intelligently that he has made notable progress, and
he has acquired considerable reputation 'in the locality for his fine fruit and
poultry. His great-grandfather, Jacob Woomer, founded the family in Schuyl-
kill county. He was a native of Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., and after
his removal to this county was in the timber business at Rabbit Run, near
Tamaqua, for many years. \Mien he retired he lived with his son Isaac at
Steinsville, Lehigh Co., Pa., where he died aged eighty-seven years. He is
buried at Jacksonville, that county, and his wife, Susanna (Hufer),:is buried
at Lewistown, Schuylkill county. They had two children, Isaac and another
son, whose name is unknown. Jacob Woomer was a Whig in politics, and a
member of the Reformed Church.
Isaac Woomer, son of Jacob, was born Sept. 5, 18 10, in Bern township,
Berks county. He changed the spelling of his name to Womer. He was very
young when brought to Schuylkill county, where he received his education,
learning to read German very well. He worked for his father, in the timber
business, and while so engaged constructed rafts and floated tunber to Port
Clinton, on the Little Schuylkill river and from there on the cynal to Phila-
delphia. Giving up the timber business, he learned the tailor's trade, which
he followed for about fifteen years. Then he settled at Steinsville, Lehigh
county, where he bought a farm of 100 acres, upon which he remained ten
years. During part of that time he also conducted a distiller}'. Selling out
he removed to Tamaqua, where he lived for two years, practically retired,
and then moved to West Penn township and bought the farm (then consisting
of no acres) where his son Monroe now resides. He sold oft" some of the
land, retaining seventy-five acres, all clear, where he carried on general farm-
ing until his death, his sons assisting him with the work. He died May 20,
1893, and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemeten.' at Tamaqua. .At one time
he held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious
connection was with Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township. Though
a Republican for some time after the fonnation of the party, he later became
a Democrat. Mr. Womer was married three times, and by his first wife,
Elizabeth (Hoft'man), had two children, Sarah and Abner, both of whom
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANLV 441
(lied ill infancy. His second wife was ILmnah Meier, daughter of Henry
Meier, and their children were: William, born April i8, 1837, died aged
twenty-two years; Luisiann, born March 16, 1840, died unmarried; .Aniandus,
bom Aug. 15, 1842, now deceased, married Annetta Woomer. The mother
of these is buried at Jacksonville, Lehigh county. Mr. Womer later married
her sister, Magdalena Meier, who was born Jan. i, 1818, and died Jan. 9,
1898. She is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua. By this union
there were the following children : Charles, bom March 6, 1844, married
Kate Houser, who is now deceased, and had three children ; Wilson was born
Jan. 13, 1846; Maria, bora Jan. 12, 1848, is the w'idow of Frank Houser, and
lives at Tamaqua (they had three children) ; Missuri Elmira, bom Sept. 29,
1850, died young; Monroe was born April (>, 1853; Caroline, born July 21,
1855, died in infancy; James, born Jan. i, 1857, died when about two years
old; Franklin, bom Jan. 11, 1859, now of Reading, Pa., married Matilda
Kistler; Johann, bom Nov. 18, 1861, is unmarried and has always lived on
the home place, being now with his brother ^Monroe; Ida Jane, born March
27, 1863, died in infancy.
Wilson Woomer, father of Elmer Woomer, was bom Jan. 13, 1846, in
Lehigh county, Pa. He continued to work with his father on the home farm
in West Penn township until he reached middle age, except that in 1869 he
went to California and tried his fortune in the gold mines for a few years.
Retuming to the home farm after he was fifty years old, he tenanted a part
of the homestead property and cultivated it until he retired. Then he moved
to Reynolds, Schuylkill county, where he lives with his daughter IMaude
(Mrs. William Schaeffer). He is a member of Zion's Reformed Church in
West Penn township, and in politics supports the principles of the Democratic
party. By his first marriage, to Emma Zehner, daughter of William Zehner,
Mr. Woomer had four children. Dr. Albert, who is married, and lives at
Cashtown, Adams Co., Pa.; Elmer; Lillian, wife of Amos Long, of Phila-
delphia; and Helen, wife of Ulysses Eberts, of Weissport, Carbon Co.. Pa.
His second marriage was to Alice Betz, by whom he had these children :
Herbert, now living with his uncle Monroe; Roscoe, deceased; Claude, of
Walker township, Schuylkill county, married Miss Wittig; Irvin, who married
Mamie Hill, and lives at Tamaqua ; ^linnie ; Maude. Mrs. William Schaeffer,
of Reynolds. Schuylkill county; Edith, living at Tamaqua; and Edna, living
with her father.
Elmer Woomer was born May 11, 1875. i" ^^^st Penn township, where he
was educated, and worked on the home farm for his father until he was
eighteen years of age. Then he began teaching in West Penn township, and
followed the profession of school teacher for twenty-two terms in all, first
at Zion's Church School (two years), then at the Zehner School, Steigerwalt's
and Hunsicker's, in turn, teaching his last year at Zion's Church school again.
In the spring of 1909 he bought his present farm of sixty-four acres in West
Penn township, from Han-ey Hoppes. There are fifty-nine acres clear, and
he makes a specialty of track along with general farming, has had great suc-
cess in poultry raising, particularly Rhode Island Reds, and has valuable
orchards— -four hundred peach trees, two hundred and fifty apple trees, fifty
pear trees and seventy-five plum trees. He markets his products at Tamaqua.
Mr Woomer is a member of Sittler Lodge, No. 1151, I. O. O. F., of Sittler,
this county, is a Democrat in his political preferences, and like so many others
442 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of the family has united with the Reformed congregation at Zion's Church in
West Penn township.
Mr. Woomer married Emma Schaeffer, who was bom Jan. ii, 1880, in
West Penn township, was reared and educated there, and hved at home until
her marriage. She is a member of Zion's Lutheran Church. Mr. and j\Irs.
Woomer have one child, Mary Loretta, born June 4, 191 2.
Jeremiah Schaeffer, father of Mrs. Emma Woomer, was bom Feb. 6,
1854, in West Penn township. His father, Joseph Schaeffer, was a farmer
in the Mahoning valley, in that township, having a tract of over one hundred
acres, continued that occupation all his life, and died there when nearly eighty
years old. His wife, Hannah (Kistler), died when over seventy years old,
and they are buried at Zion's Church. Mr. Schaeffer was a Lutheran member
of that church and an active worker in the congregation. Politically he was
a Democrat. His children were as follows: Frank married Mary Rice, and
they live on the old homestead; William, of West Penn township, married a
Shoemaker and (second) Clara Behler, who is also deceased; Amandus, who
lives at Bethlehem, Pa., married Ellen Steigerwalt, now deceased; Jeremiah
is the father of Mrs. Woomer; Emma married Frank Mantz, of West Penn
township.
Jeremiah Schaeffer, son of Joseph, was reared and educated in West Penn
township. After working on the farm for his father he entered the employ
of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as a section hand, and later learned
the blacksmith's trade, which he still follows in West Penn township. He
served his apprenticeship with Frank Houser, and when he had gained enough
experience to start on his own account built a shop which he still operates.
Later he conducted the "Liberty Hotel'' as well as his blacksmith shop, on the
same property, for twelve or fifteen years. At that location he owns fine
buildings, all up-to-date, and one and a half acres of ground. He also owns
six acres near Leibysville, in West Penn township. Mr. Schaeffer has been
an interested worker in the Democratic party, and has been elected to town-
ship offices, having served five years as supervisor and six years as school
director. He performed his public services with the utmost fidelity. His
religious connection is with the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church.
Mr. Schaeffer married Priscilla Leiby, who was bom in 1853, in West
Penn township, and received her education there. She remained at home
until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer are the parents of the following
children : Emma, Mrs. Elmer Woomer ; Howard, who died when twenty
years old ; Fred, a resident of West Penn township, who married Amanda
Benninghoff ; Earl, at home; Albert, who died when thirteen years old; Carrie,
wife of Edgar Smith, of Tamaqua; Ida, wife of Fred. Zehner, of Tamaqua :
and Mary, Mrs. Harry Zehner, of Tamaqua.
Jacob Leiby, Mrs. Schaeffer's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary war, enlisting from near Philadelphia, Pa. He was sixty-nine years
old when he died, and his wife reached the age of eighty-eight years. A
daughter still survives. Mrs. Polly Dietrich, of Kempton, Berks Co., Pa.,
who is now (1915) eighty-two years old.
Reuben Leiby, son of Jacob, was born July 4, 1814, in Berks county. His
early occupation was tanning, which he followed for a number of years.
While living in Berks county he attended market at Hagerstown, Md.. and
in exchange for his produce took shad, which he sold on his way home. While
SCHUYLKILL COUXTV, I'LNXSYLVANLV 443
en route he slept on his wagon at night. When a young man he came to West
Penn township, Schuylkill county, and for a time was engaged as a drover,
bringing cattle from Buffalo, N. Y., to the township. He made the trip on
foot. For a long time he had a store at Leibysville, which village was named
after him, and he also conducted "Leiby's Hotel"' for many years. He owned
two farms, aggregating about one hundred acres, which he operated in con-
nection with his other business. For many years before his death he lived
retired, making his home first with his daughter Rebecca (Mrs. John Snyder),
who conducted the "Snyder Hotel," and later with his daughter Priscilla (Mrs.
Jeremiah Schaeft'er), at whose home he died April 12, 1915, aged one hundred
years, nine months, eight days. His wife (whose maiden name was Lydia
Dreisbach) died at the age of seventy-five years, and they are buried in
Zion's Church cemetery. They had children as follows ; Frank, who was
killed on the railroad, married Sarah Staudt, of Fullerton, Lehigh Co., Pa. ;
Rebecca married John Snyder; Carolina is the widow of William Knepper
and lives at Snyders, Pa. (at Tilghman Snyder's) ; Leanda, widow of Nathan
Knepper, lives at Weissport, Carbon county ; Priscilla married Jeremiah Schaef-
fer; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Tilghman Snyder. Reuben Leiby, the
father, was an ardent Democrat and always active in local party affairs, never
missing an election. At one time he was affiliated with the Odd Fellows.
FRANK GERHARD has a fine farm in West Brunswick township, where
he makes a specialty of fruit growing and dairying, his place being quite
famous for its products in both those lines, as well as for general excellence.
He was born Feb. 5, 1869, in West Brunswick township, at the place where
his father, Henry Gerhard, still resides, and belongs to a family of substantial
old Pennsylvania stock, long settled in Berks county. His great-grandfather,
Jacob Gerhard, was bom in Germany, and on coming to America, when a
young man, settled at Rehrersburg, in Tulpehocken township, Berks Co., Pa.,
where he followed farming and his trade of wheelwright. He lived there until
his death. His children were: Peter, Heinrich (Henry), John, Jacob, Wil-
liam, Catherine, Lydia, Polly, Sarah, Elizabeth and Lavina.
Heinrich (Henry) Gerhard, grandfather of Frank Gerhard, bom May
I, 1798, at Rehrersburg, died Nov. 22, 1871. Like his father he was a farmer
and wheelwright. Coming to Schuylkill county in 1828, he bought a farm
in West Brunswick township April 5th of that year, the old Abraham Werner
farm, comprising 263 acres, 155 perches. He continued to farm here the
rest of his life, dying at that place, and is buried in the Reformed cemetery at
Orwigsburg. His wife, Maria Sarah, daughter of Philip and Maria (Gil-
bert) Hoy," was bom in 1800, and died in 1863, at the age of sixty-three years,
nine months, twenty-three days. They were the parents of six children:
Maria, who married Daniel Alspach : Sarah. Mrs. Samuel Yost; Henry;
Priscilla, who married James Anderson and (second) Edward Mengel; Wil-
liam; and Edward, the last named dying young.
Henry Gerhard, father of Frank Gerhard, was bom Aug. 2S, 1829, in
West Bmnswick township, in the house where he still resides. Part of this
house was standing when his parents moved here, his father adding to it
subsequently. Mr. Gerhard has been living retired since 1912. He attended
school in the neighborhood, and farmed throughout his active years. After
the death of his father he bought 148 acres of the home property, his brother
444 SCHUYLKILL COUi\TY, PENXSYLVANLA.
William taking eighty-three acres, and their brother-in-law, Daniel Alspach,
also owning a tract. The latter engaged in the undertaking business. While
the cultivation of the property was under Mr. Gerhard's direct management
he was one of the prominent farmers in his vicinity and attended the markets
of Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Orwigsburg, where he was known as a
thoroughly reliable dealer, all his transactions being above reproach. He is
a Democrat, serving many years as school director of his township, and was
one of the prominent members of the Reformed Church, in which he held the
offices of elder and deacon for many years.
On June 19, 1852, Mr. Gerhard married Diana Mengel, who died Jan. 3,
1857. She was the mother of three children: Charles, born July 16, 1853, died
Oct. 8, 1854; William Francis, born March 11, 1855; and Diana, born Nov. 5,
1856, died iSTov. 10, 1857. On Nov. 5, 1859, ^'I''. Gerhard married (second)
Eliza Yost, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Merkel) Yost. Eleven children
have been bom to this union, as follows: Elwood P., bom May 31, 1S60, is
li\ing at Port Carbon; Mary E., born Aug. 2, 1862, is married to Joel Degler,
and lives at Orwigsburg; Henry Y., born Oct. 5, 1864, a shoe manufacturer of
Orwigsburg, married Emma M. Knoll; Samuel, born April 6, 1867, died aged
nine years; Frank, born Feb. 5, 1869, is a farmer of West Brunswick township;
Emma M., born Feb. 22, 1871, married Jacob Zuber, and is living at Allen-
town, Pa.; George A., born April 11, 1S73, is a shoe manufacturer at Orwigs-
burg, with his brother; John, born March 11, 1875, is farming in Orwigsburg;
Calvin L., born July 2, 1876, is farming in the borough of Orwigsburg; Hannah
S., born June 20, 1881, married George Seltzer and is living at McKeansburg,
Schuylkill county; and Edwin R., born Oct. 20, 1884, is farming the homestead
place in West Brunswick township.
Frank Gerhard attended the Gerhard school, No. i, in West Brunswick
township, and grew to manhood on the home place, working for his father
until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He learned the trade of painter
with John Miller, of Orwigsburg, and followed it for nine years in Pottsville
and Schuylkill Haven, meantime making his home at the latter place. Return-
ing to West Brunswick township, he commenced farming on his own accouiU,
renting his father's property for four years and then tenanting the farm of his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Sarah Fidler, in South Manheim township, for three years.
In the spring of 1907 he came to his present place in W'est Brunswick township,
which he bought from George Freeman, having 116 acres, of which eighty-five
are under cultivation. Mr. Gerhard is engaged in general farming, but he has
thirty acres of his place planted in fruit and garden truck, and he is also exten-
sively interested in dairying, keeping seventeen cows, Holsteins and Jerseys.
He has a milk route to Orwigsburg, which he cxivers daily, and he attends the
markets at Pottsville twice a week ail the year round, finding a steady demand
for his fruit and vegetables. He has one tract of twenty acres contaming three
thousand peach trees; another fruit tract containing three hundred peach and
two hundred and fifty apple trees ; and three acres in tmck. The fruit and
vegetables require the closest attention, but Mr. Gerhard has proved equal to
the work, and he has been developing his farm steadily since he took possession.
Though not ambitious for the duties or honors of public otfice he has served
as school director. He is a Democrat in political connection, a charter member
of the Orwigsburg Council of the Order of Independent Americans, and a
member of Zion's (Red) Church in West Brunswick township; he was con-
firmed in St. John's Reformed Church at Orwigsburg.
SCHUYLKILL COUXTV, l'LXNSYL\'A\L\ 445
Mr. Gerhard was married in Si-huylkill Haven lo I'.lk'ii l.ucctta Pidlor, wlio
was liorn Oct. 26, 1872. in Soulli Manhcini tnwnshi]), this county, was reared
and cchicated there, and hved at home mitil her marriatje. She is a member of
the Lutheran conijrcsjation of Zion's (Red) L'hurch in West Brunswick town-
ship, and was formerly a teacher in the Sunday school. Eleven children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard: Oleta Beatrice, born April 13, 1894, is
the wife of Robert .\ulenbach and has one child, Leonard Linwood (ihcy live
with her parents) ; Milo Harrity, born June 27, 1895, is at Ironic; Sarah Fdiza
was born July 11, 1897; Marion Caroline, Feb. 28, 1902; Melvin Frank, June
9, 1903 ; Margie Irene, Feb. 4, 1905 ; Henry George, April 26, 1907 ; Helen
Lucetta, May 31, 1908; Grace Gertrude, Oct. 4, 1909; Christine Hazel. Oct. 27,
191 1 : Martha Annie. April i, 1914. Oleta R. was educated in South Manheim
and West Bnmswick townships, and the rest of ihe children have received their
schooling entirely in West Brunswick township.
Samuel Fidler, Mrs. Gerhard's grandfather, was the first of the Fidlcrs
to settle on what is now known as the old Fidler farm in South Manheim town-
ship. He cleared a large part of the 194-acre tract, about 165 acres being under
cultivation at present, built the frame house on the place, and also erected the
barn. He followed general fanning, and lived to the age of about seventy-five
years. His wife, Catherine (Scholl), died in July, 1888, at the age of eighty-
eight years, and they arc buried at St. John's Church, Friedensburg, this county.
Mr. Fidler was an active member of the Lutheran congregation of that church,
and a Democrat in his political principles. His children were: David married
Lavina Phillips, and both are deceased; John, deceased, married Lydia Reed,
who lives at Pine Grove ; A\'illiam, deceased, was three times married, his first
wife being a Phillips, his second a Dewalt, his third Mary Morgan, who is
also deceased ; George was the father of i\Irs. Gerhard ; Franklin married Lucy
Dewalt and lives at Cressona, Pennsylvania.
George Fidler, son of Samuel, was bom July 16, 1838, on the Fidler home-
stead farni, attended the Deibert's school in South Manheim town,ship, worked
at home for his father until his marriage, and thereafter rented the paternal
farm for several year's. He bought the place before his father's death, and
continued to engage in agricultural work all his life, dying May 19. 1884. He
served many years as school director, but otherwise took no specially active
part in the public affairs of the township. In politics he was a Democrat, in
religion a Lutheran, belonging to St. Paul's Church at Summer Hill, in South
Manheimi township, and serving many years as elder and deacon. Lie and his
wife, Sarah Ann (Emerich), are buried at that church. She was born in .'\pril,
1843, and died Oct. 12, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Fidler had children as follows:
Sarah Alice, who married Lewis Eerger, lives at Schuylkill Haven; Katie
Augusta is the widow of William Bittle, and makes her home at Tamaqua;.
Mary Alta is married to Harry Mover, of Schuylkill Haven ; Albie Ann mar-
ried Ir\-in Reed, of Reedsville', Pa. \ Ellen Lucetta is the wife of Frank Ger-
hard ; Amanda Agnes is married to George Phillips, of South Manheim town-
ship; Darius Howard married Katie Wert, and lives in South Manheim
township; Alvin Hilarius, who lives at Philadelphia, Pa., married Mabel
Dewalt : Minnie Rebecca married \\'illiam Clouser, and lives at Pottsville, Pa. ;
Martin Luther, of Schuylkill Haven, married Annie Scholl.
Jacob Emerich. maternal grandfather of Mrs. Frank Gerhard, was a
farmer in South Manheim township on the place now owned by his son Wil-
liam. He owned i;o acres, most of which was cleared, and carried on general
446 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
farming. His death occurred when he was about seventy-two years old, and
his wife, Lucetta (Battren), died at the age of sixty-two years. They had
the following children: Morgan, deceased, married Mary Ney (she lives at
Shamokin, Pa.) ; Frank, deceased, married Caroline Wert, now living in \Vayne
township, Schuylkill county; Ephraim married Mary Boyer, and they live at
Bromerstown, in South Manheim township ; Sarah Ann was the mother of
Mrs. Gerhard ; Amanda, deceased, married James Reber, of Bromerstown ;
Florenda married Pierce Roedef, of Schuylkill Haven ; William is on the home-
stead farm; Lewis, of Boyertown, Berks Co., Pa., married Mary Emerich. The
father of this family was a Democrat and a Lutheran, an active member of St.
Paul's Church at Summer Hill, South Manheim township. He and the mother
are buried at that church.
Mrs. Eliza (Yost) Gerhard, mother of Frank Gerhard, was born in West
Brunswick township, where Charles Klahr now resides, and where her father,
Samuel Yost, cxDnducted a hotel in his early days. He was a farmer also, owning
nearly two hundred acres of land there, and died at that place. To his mar-
riage with Betsy Merkel were born the following children : Samuel married
Sarah Gerhard ; Lewis died in Indiana ; Frank married Catherine Shellhammer ;
Catherine married Charles Lerwig ; Caroline married John Schott ; Susanna
married John Leiser ; Eliza married Henry Gerhard ; Mary never married ;
Sarah married Philip Bretz. The parents are buried at Christ Reformed
Church, McKeansburg. Mr. Yost was a member of that church, and he was
a Republican in his political views.
CHARLES B. MILLER, of Orwigsburg. has had an active and useful
career, and although he has passed the three-score and ten mark is still engaged
in business and counted among the enterprising citizens of his borough. Born
July 4, 1844, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, he is a son of
Daniel Miller. His grandfather lived in East Brunswick township, this county,
where he married, and later moved out to Ohio, where some of his youneer
children were born. His death was caused by the kick of a horse. His chil-
dren were as follows : William, Daniel, Peter, Charles, Francis, Anna, Eliza
and Elizabeth.
Daniel Miller, father of Charles B. Miller, was born Aug. 10, 1810, in Ea.st
Brunswick township, where he lived to the age of eighty-four years, passing
away at the home of his son Charles, where he spent the last six years of his
long life. He is buried at the Red Church. Though he learned the trade of
miller he did not follow it long, farming being his principal business in life,
and he carried on that occupation in West Brunswick township, where he had
a good property, the farm now owned by Lewis Freeman. To his marriage
with Elizabeth Krebs were born four children, namely : Francis ; Charles B. ;
Mary, wife of Michael Moser; and Sarah, wife of George Hoy.
Charles B. Miller received a public school education in his native township
and followed farming there from early life. Meantime he also became inter-
ested in the manufacture of brooms, which he carried on from 1872 to 1887
in connection with his agricultural pursuits. In the year 1907 he moved to
Orwigsbtirg and established the Orwigsburg Broom Factory, which he has
conducted ever since, at present giving all his attention to the business, which
has prospered steadily. Most of the product is sold in the coal regions. Mr.
Miller has always been thoroughly alive to the best interests of the community,
and has shown his desire to further the same by his association with such move-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^ 447
ments as have for their object the promotion of the general welfare. He was
one of the founders of the Southern Schuylkill County Fire Insurance Com-
pany, which he served as secretary for seven years, and for twenty years he
was secretary of the West Brunswick township school board, which has charge
of what is known as the Center school district. lie is a devout member of
the Reformed Church, and formerly took an active part in its work. IXiring
the Civil war Mr. Miller showed his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting
in the Home Guards during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania ; he was out ten
days.
Mr. Miller's first marriage was to Miriam Hoy, daughter of Henry Hoy.
Eight children were born to this union, namely: Miriam, who died young;
Loretta, Lillian and Annie, all three deceased; Oscar; Frank; Clayton, and
Joseph. The mother of this family died and Mr. Miller subsequently mar-
ried the widow of Samuel Bossier. No children have been born to this mar-
riage.
JOHN FISHER STAUDT, of West Penn township, owns what is prob-
ably the oldest mill property in Schuylkill county, the tract at Staudtsville on
which is located the Miller mill, which has been in o{>eration since Henrich
Miller built it there in 1782. In his active years he developed the business along
the most progressive lines, and though he has practically retired he still retains
his interests in its prosperity and also in the course of local events.
The Staudts are an old Berks county family, of German origin. Johannes
Staudt, grandfather of John Fisher Staudt, followed milling and farming all
his life, being the owner of Staudt's mill in Berks county and also of a small
tract of land. He married a Christ and they had a number of children, of
whom Daniel was one. Johannes Staudt was a member of the Bern Church,
the Gennan Reformed Church in Bern township, Berks county, and there he
and his wife are buried.
Daniel Staudt, father of John Fisher Staudt, was born in Penn township,
Berks county, Feb. 10. 1800, on the same place where his son John was born.
He was educated in the schools of his native township, and learned the trade
of miller with his father, spending all his days in operating the Staudt mill.
He was married, by Rev. Mr. Dubbs, to Mary Ann Fisher, who was born July
6, 1806, in Heidelberg township, Berks county, daughter of Wilhelm and Mar-
garetha (Spohn) Fisher, and they became the parents of these children: Mary
Ann, born Aug. 22. 1828. died March 22, 1893, married Benneville Richard
and (second) Daniel Weaver; Adam, born Dec. 11, 1829. lived at Shoemakers-
ville, Berks Co., Pa., and died Sept. 8, 191 5 (he married a Gehret and second
Fiana Neff ) ; Joshua, bom in Februarj', 1831, died the same month ; Eliza Ann,
born in August, 1833, died in April, 1892, the wife of Daniel Miller, who is
also deceased; Fayetta, bom in February, 1835, died when five months old;
Alfred, bom ]\Larch 18, 1838. died in 1881, married Sarah Ludwig, who resides
at Hamburg, Pa. ; Johannes Fisher was born Feb. 18, 1841 ; Emilie Sara Ann,
bom March 6, 1844, married Cyrus Bagenstose (deceased) and (.second)
Frank Mover, and resides at Reading, Pa. ; Daniel Jared, born Jan. 20, 1846,
died Aug. 24, 1909, married a Miss Brossman, who now resides at Reading.
Pa.; Aaron, born April 6, 1850. lives in CaHfomia. The father of this family
died April i, 1876, the mother Dec. 18, 1863. and they are buried at the Bern
Church in Berks county, of which both were members. Mr. Staudt was a
448 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Democrat in politics. He was a man of high Christian character, and uni-
versally respected.
John Fisher Staudt was born Feb. i8, 1841, near Bernville, in Penn town-
ship, Berks county, and received his education in the schools of that township.
He learned milling with his father at Staudt's mill, and was married while
learning the trade, remaining at the mill for three years. Then he rented a
farm and sawmill in Center township, Berks county, for three years, after
which he removed to Bernville, where he engaged in the timber business for a
time, buying up tracts and cutting off the timber. For a year he was at the old
Kissinger mill above Reading, later went to the Stump mill at Womelsdorf,
where he was employed for one year, and from there went to Pottsville and
engaged in the feed and grocery business for one year. He has since been at
his present place in West Penn township. When he came here it was the
property of his brother Adam, from whom he rented it, later becoming the
owner. The land comprises thirty-two acres, of which twenty acres are under
cultivation. The mill is known as the old Miller mill, having been built by
Henrich Miller in 1782, and is probably the oldest mill in Schuylkill county;
some of the original timbers are still in a fine state of preservation. Mr.
Staudt also has a sawmill in connection with the flour mill, and himself oper-
ated both, as-well as a cider mill, for eight years. His was the first large cider
mill operated by power, in the county.
Mr. Staudt has been a useful and important member of the community,
not only in the promotion of business activities but also in direct service to his
fellow citizens. In 1882 he was appointed county surveyor of Schuylkill
county, by the governor of the State of Pennsylvania, and remained in office
about seven years. On Oct. 17, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Staudts-
ville, by Postmaster General Wilson S. Bissell. being at that time a resident of
Staudtsville, where he conducted a general store for a number of years. He
continued to operate his farm and mill during the period he was postmaster.
Though he has given up active work he continues to look after his affairs
personally, having considerable valuable pixiperty, including nearly three hun-
dred acres of timber lands. He was formerly a member of the township
school board. In politics he has been allied with the Democratic party, and his
religious connection is with Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township.
For many years he was Sunday school superintendent.
By his first wife, Sarah (Snyder), who was born Aug. 5, 1836, a daughter
of Jacob Snyder, Mr. Staudt had the following children : Mary Ann, born Nov.
15, 1858, is married to Noah Loch, and they reside at Andreas, in West Penn
township; they have had children, William (who married Minnie Steigerwalt
and has one child, Harlan) and Charles (deceased). Sarah Ann ^^alera. born
Dec. 18, i860, is the widow of Frank Leiby, and resides at Fullerton, Lehigh Co.,
Pa. ; she has had a large family, Clinton (who is married and has two children.
Alma and one yet unnamed), Howard, John, Emma (who married George
Reichelderfer and has one child, John), Lulu (who is the wife of Irwin Hill
and has two children, Albert and Myrtle), Elsie, William, Charles. Bessie.
Helen, Hattie (deceased), Jennie (deceased), and several who died in infancy.
Hiram Henry, born Jan. 3, 1863, is now postmaster at Staudtsville, in West
Penn township; he married Mary Houser, and their children are William
(married Emma Yoxheimer, and has one child, Florence), Laura (married
Frank Hill and has one child, Erma) and Tillie (married William Bailey
and has one child, Elsie). Alvin married Alice Orner, and their home is in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 449
West Penn township; their children arc Helen, Llattie, Lcroy and Lloyd.
Milton, who lives at home, married Jennie Orner; they have two adojrted
children, Harvey and Jennie. Fianna Rebecca, born April 13, 1865, is the wife
of Daniel Loch, and resides at Andreas, in West I'enn township; she has
one child, Charles (who married Amanda Hoppes and has one child, Hattie).
Ellen married James Muth, and they are residents of Catasauqua, Pa.; they
have had two children, Ralph and Hattie, the latter deceased. John, born
Oct. 22, 1867, is deceased. Daniel Jacob, born Nov. 19, 1869, died March 6,
1890. Charles William, born Feb. 3, 1S71, is deceased. Clara is the wife of
William Stabler, and they have had children, Llerbcrt, Calvin (married Chris-
tina Nies), Charles, z'Mberta, Lloward, Jennie, Verna, Mamie, Ralph
(deceased) and Elsie (deceased). The mother, Mrs. Sarah (Snyder) Staudt,
died Feb. 2, 1902, and is buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township.
For his second wife Mr. Staudt married Mrs. Carolina Schrack, the widow
of Aaron Schrack, and daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Dreisbach) Osen-
bach. She was born Dec. 12, 1847. By her first marriage, Mrs. Staudt had one
child, Samuel, who is married to Laura Gehret and has one child, Galon. She is
a granddaughter of Qiristian and Catherine (Gottshall) Osenbach, of East
Brunswick township, this county, who are buried at the Frieden's Church,
New Ringgold. Their son, Daniel Osenbach, father of Mrs. Staudt, was
born Feb. 5, 1819, in East Brunswick township, and died in that township in
November, 1882. He was reared and educated in East Brunswick township,
learned the wheelwright's trade, and farmed for many years. He and his
son-in-law, Jared Hafer, owned farms together in West Penn township, and
came to East Brunswick township together. Mr. Osenbach owned forty-three
acres of the original 260 acres in the Hafer farm, which he later traded for
another piece of land; this tract of forty-three acres is now owned by Mr.
Elmer Diener. Mr. Osenbach had a shop on his farm and followed his trade
along with farming. He was a Democrat, and kept in touch with local poli-
tics and public matters, was elected to the offices of school director and super-
visor, and served his fellow citizens capably in both. Church work was always
one of his chief interests, and he was very active as a member of the Frieden's
Lutheran Church at New Ringgold, which he served as deacon. Mr. Osen-
bach married Catherine Dreisbach, who was born Oct. 31, 1817, and died
when over seventy years of age. She is buried with her husband in West
Penn township, Schuylkill county. Children as follows were born to them:
Carolina married Aaron Schrack (deceased) and (second) John F. Staudt;
Rebecca died when nine years old ; Catherine is Mrs. Jared Hafer; two children
died unnamed.
Jacob Snyder, father of Mrs. Sarah (Snyder) Staudt, was a farmer in Penn
township, Berks Co., Pa., where he was born. He had'a tract of nearly two hun-
dred acres, and devoted his life to general farming, dying when over seventy
years old. He married a Boone, like himself a native of Penn township, and
they had children as follows: William (married Anna Bella Rick), Aaron,
Jacob, Adam (married a Dewees), Alvin (married a Boone), Sarah (Mrs.
Staudt), Mary (married Jacob Althouse), Anna (married Jacob Haak) and
Louisa (married Percival Hummelbeyer). Mr. Snyder was a Democrat. He
and his wife were members of Bellman's Church, in Berks county, where they
are buried.
Vol. 1—29
450 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXL\
WILLIAM U. GANE, of Port Carbon, has served his fellow citizens
in so many capacities that he has been connected with almost every branch
of the municipal government of that borough. He is at present sen'ing as
justice of the peace with his customary efficiency. The Gane family has been
one of the foremost in Port Carbon throughout the history -of the place, and
its members, by their public spirit and commendable citizenship, have always
held the esteem of the community.
Uriah Gane, father of William U. Gane, was born in Bristol, England,
where he was reared, coming to America in May, 1842. They settled at Port
Carbon, Schuylkill county, and he assisted in laying out the borough, where he
spent the rest of his life. He was a leading merchant there for over forty years,
dealing in boots, shoes, hats and caps, and also took a prominent part in public
alYairs, serving as constable for eight years, as postmaster for eight years, from
1862 to 1865 as deputy United States provost marshal of the Tenth Congres-
sional district, as member of the council and of the school board, and for fifteen
years as tax collector. He was energetic and progressive, and during his serv-
ices as councilman and school director did effective work in these bodies. His
religious connection was with the Methodist Church. He died Alay 5, 1890,
and was survived for several years by his wife, Mafy Ann (Davies), who
passed away Oct. 26, 1898. They are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery
at Port Carbon. They were the parents of the following children : Sarah,
Elizabeth, Emma, Johnston and William U.
William U. Gane was born Nov. i, 1853, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county,
where he received his education and early training. When a youth he started
work in a planing mill, where he was employed until 1873, and for the next
twelve years was engaged in the brickmaking business. He then turned to
railroad work, which he followed for seven years, after which he was with
the trolley company for five years. For a number of years he has been occu-
pied principally with his duties as a public official. In 1900 he was elected
chief burgess of Port Carbon, and gained a most creditable record in that
office, as he has in every other position. For two years he was treasurer of
the school board, member of the board of health for the same tim.e, tax col-
lector one year, and on May 5, 1905, he was elected justice of the peace at
Port Carbon, which office he has filled continuously since, having just been
reelected for another five years, without opposition and with the largest vote
on the ticket. His popularity may well be judged by the frequent honors
his fellow citizens have shown him, and he has won their confidence by the
strong sense of accountability he has shown in every trust.
Mr. Gane married Mary S. Ulshafer, of Weatherly, Pa., and they have
three children: Bertha, wife of Thomas M. Johnson, chief gunner of the
United States navy, now stationed at Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Icie May, wife of
William Cookson, living at St. Clair, this county; and Catherine S., at home.
The family belong to the Methodist Church.
ROBERT DANIEL STRAUCH, civil engineer, of Cressona, is a son of
the late Augustus R. Strauch and a grandson of Isaac Strauch, who settled
there in 1840. During the seventy-five years which have intervened since
the name has been one of the most respected in the borough.
Isaac Strauch was born in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county.
near Pottsville, Feb. 4, 1806, and died July 4, 1885, at Cressona, where he
had resided from 1840. Before his removal to the town he was engaged as
SCIILYI.KII.L (.■()L;XI\-, PKNN'SYIAAKIA 451
a boatman on the Philadcliiliia iS; Si-luiylkill canal and in the mercantile husi-
ness. At Cressona he foUoweil farniinjj and built and operated a flour mill,
continuing- both lines until his death, and as he ])rosi)ered in business be
acquired considerable property, accumulating^ a comfortable competence. Jle
served a term as county commissioner before the county seat was changed
from Orwigsburg, and in politics was identified with the Republican parly.
He was a prominent member of the Reformed Church, in which he held a
number of offices. Mr. Strauch was twice married, and Ijy liis lirst wife,
whose maiden name was Stages, had six children, three sons and three daugii-
ters. The mother of this family died in 1844, «i"d the father subsec(uently
married Lovinia Heiser, by whom he had one child, Augustus R.
Augustus R. Strauch was born Aug. S, 1857, at Cressona, was reared there,
and passed all his life in the borough or vicinity. He died Feb. 2<S, 1903. In
early life he learned milling with his father, whom he assisted until his death,
and then took over the business, carrying it on until his death. He kept in
close touch with the borough government, holding a number of offices, in all
of which he acquitted himself creditably. He served three years as member
of the council, one term as chief burgess, auditor for some time and member
of the school board, in fact, few citizens of his day exerted as much influence
in local affairs. He was associated with the Republican party. With his
family he belonged to the Reformed Church, and socially he was an Odd
Fellow and Mason, holding membership in Herndon Lodge, I. O. ,0. F., and
Cressona Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M., which he ser\-ed as treasurer.
On March 6, 1880, Mr. Strauch married Sallie Grimm, who was born
Feb. 15, 1856, daughter of Daniel and Esther (Fertig) Grimm, of Cressona,
and died March 6, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Strauch are buried in the Cressona
cemetery. They had two children, Lambert A. and Robert D.
LAiiBERT A. Str.\uch was born April 19, 1882, in Cressona, where he
attended public school. He then entered his father's employ, at the grain and
feed mill, acquiring thorough familiarity with the business, which he con-
tinued to carry on for the estate after his father's death, operating it until
1914. Meantime he also looked after his father's sixty-acre farm, part of
which lies in the borough of Cressona. Mr. Strauch has demonstrated his
business ability in every undertaking. He is well known as one of the valued
local workers in the Republican party, and has given efficient service as judge
of election. Like his father he belongs to Herndon Lodge, L O. O. F., and
to Cressona Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M., both of Cressona. He is a member
of the First Reformed Church.
Mr. Strauch is married to Jennie Singley, who was bom in February, 188 1,
daughter of lohn and Susan (Hain) Singley, natives of Pine Grove town-
ship, this county, now living at Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Singley is a freight
conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. Four children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Strauch: Esther Viola, John Augustus, Mark and
George
Robert D.xxiel Strauch, voungest son of Augustus R. Strauch, was
born Jan 24, 1888. in Cressona,' where he received his early literary training
in the public schools. He studied one year at the Pottsville high school, and
then entered Franklin and Marshall Academy, at Lancaster, Pa., from which
institution he was graduated in 1906. He took his college course at Lehigh
University Bethlehem, Pa., graduating as a member of the class of 1910,
and with the degree of civil engineer, and shortly thereafter entered the
452 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVANL\
employ of the Illinois Central Railway Company, in his professional capacity.
His first assignment was to Louisville, Ky., and later he was stationed at
New Orleans. Leaving the Illinois Central he took a position at Bocas,
Panama, as engineer with the United Fruit Company, remaining one year.
He is now back at Cressona. He is a Republican and a member of the
Refonned denomination, belonging to the First Church at Cressona.
J. E. AUCHMUTY, M. D., is one of the younger physicians of Tamaqua,
Pa., who has already achieved marked success in his chosen profession, and
who is recognized as an able, progressive and enthusiastic practitioner. He
is the son of B. F. and Mary E. (Latsha) Auchmuty, both born in the State
of Pennsylvania, and both of Scottish ancestry.
Dr. Auchmuty was born at South Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Pa., March
lo, 1884, and was educated in the public grammar and high schools of his
native town, being graduated from the last named institution in the class of
1897. He then attended the Susquehanna University School, from which
he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and he received
the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution in 1905. Entering
the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, he was graduated
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1906. His year of interneship was
served in the Methodist Episcopal hospital in Philadelphia, after which he
acted as assistant to Dr. H. M. Neale, of Freeland, Pa., for the period of
one year. He received the appointment of physician and surgeon to the
Maryd Coal Company, and retained this office until June 10, 191 1, when he
established himself in private practice in Tamaqua, and has already acquired
an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of the County and State
Medical Societies and American Medical Association ; the University Club
of Philadelphia ; Tamaqua Lodge, No. 238, Free and Accepted Masons ;
Chapter No. 137, Royal Arch Masons; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31; Scot-
tish Rite Temple: Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 592.
In 1903 Dr. Auchmuty married Cleo Kline, daughter of Alfred and
Mary (Miller) Kline, and they have children: Mary Helen, born Oct. 8,
1908, and John Howard, born March 4, 1910. The family residence is at
No. 237 VVest Broad street. Dr. Auchmuty is a man of most benevolent
impulses and kindly nature, and his professional skill, combined with a sym-
pathetic nature, has gained for him the affection of the patients whom he
has treated with exceptional ability. He keeps well in touch \vith all progress
in his chosen profession, devoting all of his spare time to the perusal of
medical literature.
ALANSON KNAPP, one of the oldest residents of West Penn township,
now living retired, has always been considered one of the most intelligent
and estimable citizens of his portion of Schuylkill county. In his busy career,
filled with a variety of occupations, he has well exemplified the idea of
efificiency so prominently set forth in modern business economy. His different
interests have been made to serve each other very profitably, thrift and good
management combining to keep him among the advanced men of the township,
prompt to recognize opportunities and competent to make the most of them.
His life record is interesting and instructive.
Silas Knapp, the grandfather of Alanson Knapp, was bom in England, and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 45;{
on emigrating to America first settled in New England. He was a school
teacher, and by trade a cooper, and followed both callings in the New Eng-
land States. Later he came to Lehigh county, Pa., and at one time had a small
tract of land in UpiK-r Saucon township, that county, which he cultivated. He
continued to follow his profession in Lehigh county, and also taught school
north of Kutztown, in Berks county. The last few years of his life he spent
with the late ALij. S. E. Ancona, of Reading, Pa. He was married twice, and
by his first wife had about ten children, of whom we have the following record:
Frederick Alanson is mentioned below ; David was a carpenter in West Pcnn
township; Didami married a Mr. Summers, of the Summers Brewery, in New
York City; Isabella is next in the family; Mary Ann married Dr. Morris M.
Ancona ; one daughter married a Mr. West, a saddler by trade. Mr. Knapp
had no children by his second wife, who was a widow when he married her.
He was buried at Reading, Pennsylvania.
Frederick Alanson Knapp was born in New England, where he was edu-
cated. After coming to Lehigh county he learned the saddler's trade. For a
time he tenanted the G. T. Simon fami, and carried on his trade as well as
farming, in Weisenberg township, Lehigh county. He had sixty acres in that
township. On the advice of his brother-in-law, Mr. West, he left Lehigh
county and moved to West Penn township. Schuylkill county, settling on the
place now owned by his son Alanson. Pie bought 260 acres of land, of which
seventy-five acres were cleared ground and the rest in timber, and there he
remained until his death, working as a saddler and also farming. He passed
away Aug. 31, 1880, when he was about seventy-six years of age, and his
wife, Catherine (Heffner), died Nov. 23, 1882, aged eighty-six years. She
was a daughter of John Henry and Ann Catherine (Kohler) Heffner. They
reared five children: Alanson; Caroline, who married Reuben Daubenspeck
(both are deceased) ; George, who married a Miss Marburger (both are de-
ceased) ; Alary Ann, widow of Levi Miller, residing at Lehighton, Pa.: and
Catherine, who died unmarried. Though a Democrat in political opinion,
Mr. Knapp was independent in supporting the men and measures he considered
best. In religious faith he was a Methodist and stood well in the church,
being a traveling preacher well versed in the Scriptures. However, he attended
Zion's Church in West Penn township, where he and his wife are buried.
John Henry Heffner, the father of Mrs. Catherine (Heffner) Knapp, came
to this country from the Old World and was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war. During his lengthy service he was taken prisoner and confined with
many others in a church, where he was almost starved. When the conflict
was over he returned to his home, married, and reared a fine family.
Alanson Knapp was born Feb. 9, 1829, in Lehigh county, south of Fogels-
ville. He received his early education under the tuition of his father, who
was a well informed man, and studying at night while his mother was running
the spinning wheel. He also attended school in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh
county, until sixteen years old, and became proficient enough to teach, being
so engaged for seven terms. In West Penn township, Schuylkill county, he
learned the trades of mason and plasterer, and later that of carpenter, which
he followed in Pottsville for a time. As he was the eldest son he returned to
West Penn township and operated the home farm for his father, from whom
he subsequently bought 108 acres of the property where he is still residing.
Farming, however, occupies only part of his time. For years he carried on
building operations, in most cases doing all the work from the cutting of the
454 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
timber until construction was completed. His mechanical versatility he found
very convenient, for he could turn his hand to almost any kind of work
necessary. He did much building for himself as .well as for others, and still
owns about half of the village of Leibysville. His farm real estate aggregates
250 acres, in four tracts. He is the owner of a valuable sand pit on his land,
from which he sells sand for building and concrete work. He erected the
present barn and dwelling on his farm, the previous house having been de-
stroyed by fire a few years ago. He did all his own figuring while building,
making his plans with mathematical exactness, though his knowledge of this
branch of the work was acquired entirely through practical experience.
In his active years Mr. Knapp carried on lumbering quite extensively,
owning five steam sawmills at dififerent times, with the last one cutting 450,000
feet of lumber. Of the waste wood there he burned many thousands of
bushels of charcoal, which he shipped to Reading, Allentown, Mauch Chunk
and Pottsville. At one time, having bought a timber right, he took a sur-
veyor's compass and the necessary help in order to survey it and to cut out a
piece of a larger tract, the owner going ahead to show him where he wanted
him to go through. Mr. Knapp followed with the compass and chain, staked
the corners all around, and at the same time noted down the corners and dis-
tances and their different bearings and the kind of corners. Then, with the
man's consent, he made a written agreement based on his work, with wit-
ness, but the man died before Mr. Knapp had the timber all off and the admin-
istrator would not consider the contract, and Mr. Knapp had to take the mat-
ter into court. He was successful at the trial, getting a verdict in his favor
for $225, and the loser had to stand the costs also.
In his younger days Mr. Knapp was solicited by his neighbors to start a
fire insurance company for the protection of real estate and personal property,
so he drew up a constitution, selected a number of honorable men to cooperate
in the enterprise, and at the proper time took the matter before the State Legis-
lature at Harrisburg, allowing them to insure the property in the district
described in their papers. They were granted a charter as a mutual company,
which was very successful. The territory was West Penn township, Schuyl-
kill county. East Penn towTiship, just across the line in Carbon county, and
Mahoning and East Brunswick townships, Schuylkill county.
]\Ir. Knapp has been elected school director of his township a number of
times, his long retention in the office showing satisfactory servace. In that
capacity he has visited the schools frequently, talking to the pupils on the
great need of education and good manners, which will make them more re-
spected and successful in any of their undertakings. He is not botind by
party ties on political questions, voting as his judgment dictates and usmg his
influence where it will do the most good.
Mr. Knapp married Pollv Troxel. a native of West Penn township, this
county, who died Sept. 10, 1886, and is buried at Zion's Church. Mr. Knapp
is a m'e'mber of Zion's Lutheran Church, and occasionally he attends the Metho-
dist services. To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp were born the following children:
One child died in infancy. Eugene M.. born July 22. 1866. now residing at
No 334 North Ninth street. Reading, Pa., married Ella Boltz, and they have
one child. Frederick; Rosie Alverna. born Dec. 3. 1867, died at the age of
twenty-one years; one son died in infancy; Flora Jane, born July 15, 1869,
married Nathaniel Bloss (born Sept. 4. 1863, died Aug. 11, i.S8q buried at
Heidelberg Church in Lehigh county), who was manager for his father and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 455
brother, in the kimber business, and (second) Henry VV. Sittler (she has
had two children, Elsie Eugenia, born Nov. 10, 1896, and a son that died in
infancy).
Mrs. Knapp had the following brothers and sisters: Sallie (twin of Polly)
married Joseph Haberman, a farmer of West Penn township; Julia married
John Haberman, now a retired farmer, who resides at Allentown, Pa. ; Charles,
who IS a farmer, married a Miss Steigerwalt ; Eli, a farmer in West Penn
township, married a Miss Zettlemoyer; Stephen, now deceased, was a resident
of Mauch Chunk, Pa.; William, a farmer in West Penn township, married
a Haberman. The parents are buried at Ben-Salcm Church, in East Penn
township. Carbon Co., Pennsylvania.
GEORGE C. GINTHER is engaged in business in that part of Pottsville
known as Mechanicsville. He is probably best known in his connection with
the Yorkville Fire Company, of which he has been president for a number
of years. j\Ir. Ginther was bom at Yorkville (now a part of Pottsville)
March 26, 1873, and is of German extraction, his father and grandfather
having been natives of Germany.
Christian Ginther, the father, came to this country from the land of his
birth during the pioneer period of Pottsville's settlement, and lived in that
borough for a time on Centre street, at the present location of Kline's cafe.
By occupation he was a miner, and eventually became the owner of a colliery,
which he operated. He died in Pottsville at the age of sixty-seven years, and
his wife. Alar}' (Lutz), passed away here at the advanced age of eighty-six
years. They are buried at Pottsville. They were the parents of fourteen
children, four of whom died young, the others being: Joseph, Jacob, Eva,
Gertrude, Tressia, Otto, Mary, John B., Anthony and George C.
George C. Ginther received his education in the parochial schools of Potts-
ville, and began work as a slate picker at the Richards colliery in Cass town-
ship. After three years of work about the mines he entered the employ of
W. A. Hughes, with whom he remained about twelve years, after which he
became a clerk for his brother, John B. Ginther, who has one of the most
successful groceries at Pottsville. He was associated with him for eleven
years, until in August, 1912, he entered in business on his own account, at
Mechanicsville. He has an up-to-date grocer)', and has had a large patronage
from the time he started business, keeping a well chosen stock to suit the
needs of his trade. His store is at No. 925 Pottsville street, Mechanicsville,
■^where he now also resides, owning his home property. Mr. Ginther married
Carrie Lenhart, daughter of Charles Lenhart, of Schuylkill county, and they
have one son, Fred G., who is now a student in the office of Dr. William
Freeston, dentist.
Mr. Ginther has been prominent in public affairs in Pott.sville, and has
served his fellow citizens in a number of official positions. He was auditor
of the borough of Yorkville for three years, and served as a member of the
Yorkville school board, of which bodv he was secretary at the time the borough
became a part of Pottsville. His sen-ice as school director covered a period
of six years, and he was elected to the office without opposition. His principal
interest, however, has been in the welfare of the local fire company. He had
, served as president of the Yorkville Fire Company for a period of fourteen
years when business necessitated his removal from the district, and he felt
obliged to give up the position, but his sen-ices were so valuable that he was
456 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYL\'ANIA
again chosen president of the company in 1914, and he is now holding that
position. When the company erected its present home he was chairman of the
building committee, and he was also a member of the committee which pur-
chased all the equipment, which now includes a fine auto truck bought from
Boyd & Company, Philadelphia, at a cost of $5,500.
The Yorkville Fire Company is an independent company and the city of
Pottsville contributes $300 a year towards its maintenance. The city has every
reason to take pride in its efficiency, and it has bought considerable honor to
this locality. Its trophies include several prizes won at the Six County Fire-
men's convention, at Hazleton, a loving cup and a $50 prize, taken at Potts-
ville during "Old Home" week, for having the most men in line. The com-
pany has presented Mr. Ginther a fine fob and chain in recognition of his
services in its behalf. The community has shown similar appreciation by
choosing him as one of the fire trustees, and he has proved himself deserving
of the honor by his helpful activity in ever>'thing that concerns the good of
the town, contributing liberally of his time as well as his means in the further-
ance of all good movements. Mr. Ginther is a member of St. John's Catholic
Church, secretary of St. John's Beneficial Society, and a past officer in the
Foresters of America.
SAMUEL BACHMAN, a respected resident of the borough of New Ring-
gold, has assisted in the administration of public afi^airs in several positions
of trust, and has given evidence of solid character in all the relations of life.
A son of the late Jacob M. Bachman, he was bom July 24, i860, in East Bruns-
wick township, about half a mile east of New Ringgold.
Jacob M. Bachman was bona in West Penn township, Schuylkill county,
June 2, 182S, and was educated in the public schools of that township. In his
earlier years he was occupied as a farm laborer, but later learned the trade of
carpenter, which he followed throughout his active years. In time he became
the owner of a twenty-seven-acre farm in East Bnmswick township, which he
operated in connection with work at his trade. About fifteen years before his
death he sold his farm and retired, dying at the home of his son Samuel in
New Ringgold, Oct. 29, 1912. He survived his wife, Priscilla (Dreisbach),
who was born Sept. 16, 1822, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Sassaman)
Dreisbach, and died Aug. 9, 1899. Children as follows were born to them:
Albert David, who married Mary Dreibelbis ; James Monroe, who died when
six years old ; and Samuel. Mr. Bachman was a Democrat and interested in
local aftairs, serving as school director. He was a member of Washington
Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, and belonged to the Frieden's
Reformed Church at New Ringgold, which he served as elder and deacon.
He and his wife are buried at the Frieden's Church.
Samuel Bachman was educated in the East Brunswick public schools, and
worked on the farm during the summer season until twenty-two years of age.
He learned the carpenter's trade with Harrison Rarich. and later served two
summers with John Gallagher, a contractor at Coaldale, Schuylkill county.
His next employment was on the farm of Jacob Gottshall, in East Brunswick
township, and while located there he was married. Subsequently he did
general carpenter work for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, around
the breakers and houses for a few years, and on Oct. 11, 1890, entered the
employ of the Lehigh Railroad Company as section laborer, under William
De Clinging for four years, and under Mandus Fritz until Feb. 10, 1899. The
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA 457
next day, Feb 11, 1899, he became an employee of the riiiladolphia & Read-
ing Kailway Company as section laborer at New Ringgold, under Foreman
I'ranklin Reichelderfer, and so continued until Sept. ii, 1907, when he suc-
ceeded to the foremanship of Section No. 36, which includes the trackage
from half a mile below New Ringgold to two miles below Reynolds. Fie has
bten employed in that capacity to the present time, with a record for tnist-
worthiness which has gained him the respect of all his superiors.
On July 25, 1885, Mr. Bachman was married to Riley Sassaman, who was
bom June 2, 1865, in East Brunswick township, a daughter of Emmanuel
and Mary (Smith) Sassaman, and they have had four children: (i) Harry
Erasmus, born Alay 28, 1886, is married and has had two children: Delmus
Huntington, born Nov. 4, 1908, who died when three months old; and Ethel
May, born Oct. 15, 1909. Harry E. Bachman was educated in New Ringgold,
learned telegraphy, and is now employed as a telegrapher for the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company at Tamaqua. He resides in New Ringgold with
his parents, and is the present burgess of New Ringgold. (2) James INIartin,
bom May 16, 1887, died May 15, 1892. (3) Stella May, bom April 19, 1891,
is married and has one child, Eva May, born July 8, 1907, who attends school
at New Ringgold. (4) Mamie Victoria, born'Oct. 3, 1901, is attending school
in New Ringgold.
Mr. Bachman has ser\'ed his fellow citizens of New Ringgold as council-
man four years, has been a member of the board of school directors two
terms, and has also filled the office of borough auditor. He has been inspector
and clerk of elections, having been a faithful worker in the Republican party.
Socially he is a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of
New Ringgold, is a past president and now trustee; belongs to the Philadelphia
& Reading Relief Association ; and is a regular attendant at the services of
Frieden's Reformed Church at New Ringgold. For a number of years he
was superintendent of Bachert's Sunday school in East Brunswick township.
George Sassaman, grandfather of Mrs. Bachman, was born in Germany,
and came to America with his parents when one year old. The family settled
in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there the boy was edu-
cated and learned cabinetmaking. He was an excellent mechanic, especially
noted for his skill and fine workmanship in the manufacture of coffins, beds,
etc. He became the owner of a seventy-acre tract in East Bmnswick town-
ship, which he operated in connection with his trade. He married Elizabeth
Koenig, by whom he had the following children : Emmanuel was the father
of Mrs. Bachman ; Joseph, deceased, married Mary Ann ]\Ioyer, who resides
at Tamaqua ; Samuel married Rebecca Moyer, and both are deceased ; George
was a soldier in the Civil war and died from the effects of his army experi-
■ ences ; Isabella married Daniel Kleckner, and they reside at Tamaqua ; Mary
married Daniel Mantz, of Iowa ; Hannah married William Gottshall, and
both are deceased ; Angeline lives in Iowa ; Priscilla married Jacob Schaeft'er,
and both are deceased. The parents are buried at the Frieden's Church. New
Ringgold. They were members of the Reformed congregation of that church.
Mr. Sassaman was a Democrat and interested in local activities of the party.
He ser\-ed on the election board.
Emmanuel Sassaman, the father of ]\Irs. Bachman, was born in East
Brunswick township Jan. 8, 1831, was educated there, and learned the
trades of stonemason and plasterer, which he followed until five years before
his death, which occurred July 6, 1906. He bought a farm of twenty-five
458 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
acres from his father, and when his children were old enough they and their
mother operated the place, while Mr. Sassaman followed his trades. He mar-
ried Mary Smith, who was born in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., and died
April, 1909, aged seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Sassaman are buried in
the Frieden's cemetery at New Ringgold. They were members of the Re-
formed congregation of Frieden's Church and he was a Democrat in political
opinion. They had children as follows: James married Irene Miller, and
they live at Tamaqua ; Mary married William Dreisbach, of Tamaqua ; Emma
married Daniel Bolich, of East Brunswick township; Wilson, who married
Amanda Bachert, was killed in the Weldy Powder Mills, above Tamaqua,
Oct. 9, 1906; George married Mary Vetter, and their home is at Tamaqua;
Riley is Mrs. Samuel Bachman ; Amanda married Oliver Dillinger, of Hecla,
Pa. ; Maggie died when two months old ; Freddie is unmarried ; Susie married
Samuel Rarich, of Tamaqua.
ALBERT S. KISTLER is now devoting his attention to agriculture on
the farm in West Penn township operated for many years by his father, the
late John Kistler. For seventeen years he was engaged in educational work
in the county, where he bears a high reputation for character and intelligence.
He belongs to a family which as a race has been noted for solid qualities, thrift
and good judgment in business, unselfish public service and loyalty to church
and family obligations, and in his individual career has maintained the high
standards which have come to be associated with the name.
On the records of Jerusalem Church in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa.,
known in the eighteenth century as the Allemangel Church, there are recorded
the baptisms of hundreds of Kistler children, while in the cemetery under the
shadow of the church are many graves marked with the same name. Near
the center of the oldest part of the cemetery lies a slate stone (which is now
being replaced by the descendants with a marble slab) bearing the inscription
"I. G. K. 1767." This is supposed to be the stone that marked the burial
place of the progenitor of the American Kistlers, who was legally Known as
Johannes, but was called Joerg or George by Pastor Schumacher in his record
and Hanjoerg or John George by his neighbors.
Johannes Kistler was a native of the Palatinate, in Germany. On Oct. 5,
1737, he came in the ship "Townshead" from Amsterdam to Philadelphia, and
soon after to Falkner Swamp, or Goshenhoppen, in what is now Montgomery
county. Pa. It is supposed he was accompanied by his wife, Anna Dorothea,
and his oldest children. In 1747 he took out a warrant for land and moved
to Albany township, Berks county, where he made his permanent home,
although the territory was then wild and barren. The vicinity was named
'■ Allemangel" or "All Wants." Johannes Kistler was taxed in 1756 in Albany,
and was naturalized in 1761, on Sept. loth of which year he and his neighbor,
Michael Brobst, appeared before the Supreme court of Philadelphia, and
there received the papers which made them citizens of Pennsylvania. He
was a Lutheran and served for a number of years as elder of the Allemangel
Church, where his children were baptized and confirmed. His children were:
(i) Jacob left seven children, Philip, Jacob, Michael, Solomon, Daniel, Cath-
arine and Magdalene. Samuel Kistler Brobst, a teacher of James A. Garfield,
was a grandson of Philip ; and so was Michael Kistler, the tanner, whose
son Stephen had at one time the most extensive tanning business in eastern
Pennsylvania. (2) John remained on the homestead after his fathers death.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 459
The name John runs through at least five generations, and the trade of black-
smith follows it. John's children were: John William, bom May 29, 1757;
and Abraham, bom Dec. 20, 1761, who is the ancestor of the Perry county
Kistlers, for whom the Kistler post oftlcc was named. A descendant. Rev.
Dr. John Kistler, has for many years been professor at the oldest Lutheran
Theological Seminar)' in America, located at Hartwick, N. Y. (3) George
remained in Berks county. In 1779 he was the owner of 24S acres of land
and a gristmill. In 1778 he was elected elder of the Allcmangcl Church, and
as he was referred to as George Kistler, Sr., he doubtless had a son George.
The archives of Pennsylvania show that a George Kistler served in the Con-
tinental army during the Revolution. (4) Philip, born Oct. 19, 1745, is next
in the line we are tracing. (5) Michael moved to Ohio, and is the ancestor of
the large Kistler settlements in Indiana. His family consisted of John,
Michael, Joseph, Nathan, Monroe, Salome and Judith. (6) Samuel, the
youngest son of his father, married Elizabeth Ladich and Catherine Brobst,
and had three children by the first marriage and twelve by the second. (7)
Barbara married (first) a Brobst and (second) Michael Mosser, of Lowhill.
(8) Dorothea married Michael Reinhart. (9) Elizabeth married a Mr. Kel-
ler, near Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Philip Kistler, son of George, above, was born Oct. 19, 1745, and died
Aug. 28, 1809. He had nine children: Jacob, John, Ferdinand, Philip, Jona-
than, Barbara, Maria, Catherine and Elizabeth. Of these, Jacob was a lieu-
tenant in the war of 18x2.
Jonathan Kistler, son of Philip, was born Nov. 10, 1799, in Berks county,
and was raised on the place where his grandson Charles S. Kistler now lives.
He was reared by Jacob Wehr, worked among farmers while young, and
after he was married started out for himself. In 1829 he built a gristmill
which still stands and is known as the Kistler mill. He also became the owner
of about two hundred acres of land, a great deal of which he cleared and
cultivated, and followed milling and fanning on this place until his death,
which occurred when he was about seventy-nine years of age. His wife,
Sarah (Shellhammer), bom Aug. 4, 1800, a daughter of Simon and Catherine
(Long) Shellhammer, died aged eighty-one years. They were the parents
of children as follows: Polly married Michael Houser: Rebecca married
Jacob Wertman ; Hannah married Joseph Shaeffer ; Daniel married Rebecca
"Sechler; David, who resides in West Penn township, married Mary Hagen-
buch, now deceased; John is mentioned below; William, who was a school
teacher, never married ; Nathan never married ; Jonathan K. married Lydia
Shellhammer; Elizalieth married Timothy Zehner. The father retired some
years before his death. He took an active part in politics as a member of the
Democratic party, and was a justice of the peace for forty-four years, and
a leader in Zion's Lutheran Church, in West Penn township, serving as elder,
deacon and trustee. He and his wife are buried at that church.
John Kistler. son of Jonathan, was born March 24, 18,^2, in West Penn
township, and was educated there. He assisted -with the work on his father's '
farm while young, and later bought the farm of about seventy-five acres
where Ambrose Lechleitner now resides. He operated that farm for a num-
ber of years, sold it, and bought the farm of ninety acres which is now owned
by his son Albert S. Of this farm, about eighty acres are cleared. Mr. Kistler
carried on general farming, and for many years also followed the stonemason's
trade, which he leamed when he was a young man. He attended market at
460 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNS\LVANL\
Tamaqua. Mr. Kistler was an active man up to the time of his death, which
occurred Nov. 23, 1909. Lie is buried in the cemetery of Zion's Lutheran
Church in West Penn township, of which church he was a devout member
and faithful officer, serving as elder and deacon. He held the township office
of school director, and was a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Kistler's first wife, Caroline (Hagenbuch), was born March 4, 1836,
daughter of Amos and Sarah (Bailey) Hagenbuch, and died Jan. 19, 1856,
the mother of one child, Jonathan, bom July 6, 1855. He is married to
Alvina Mantz, and they reside in Allentown, Pa. Mrs. Kistler is buried at
Zion's Church in West Penn township. For his second wife Mr. Kistler
married Cordelia Hagenbuch, who was born March 10, 1839, a sister of his
first wife, and a large family was born to this union: William, born July 15,
1858, married Ella Meyerhoff, and their children are Rosie, Bert and Ray-
mond; Mary, born Nov. 18, 1859, died Feb. 22, i860; Sarah, born Dec. 27,
i860, married Uriah Reber, of NeiTs (P. O.), Lehigh Co., Pa., and has chil-
dren, William, Charles, Ralph, Jennie, Francis and Harvey; Amanda, born
June I, 1863, died Feb. 4, 1884, the wife of Mahlon Lutz and mother of one
child, Laura, who is deceased ; Alice was born April 28, 1865 ; Ida, born March
26, 1868, married William Brobst, of Ovv'l Creek, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and has
had three children, Charles, Mabel (deceased) and Alice; Oliver was bom
Jan. 4, 1870; Franklin, born Dec. 8, 1871, died aged forty years; Amandus,
born Aug. 18, 1873, lives in Missouri; Rosa, born Jan. 9, 1876, is married to
John Nester, of Tamaqua, and has had two children, Mary (deceased) and
Herbert, born Aug. 18, 1897; Albert S. is next in the family; Alvin, bom
May II, 1881, now living at Reynolds, this county, married Sadie A. Gerber,
and their children are Percy A., Edward L., Myrtle H., John W; and Frank F.
The mother of this family is now living at the home of David K. Kistler,
in West Penn township.
Albert S. Kistler was born March 9, 1878, on the place in West Penn
township he now owns and occupies. After attending public .school in the
township he had four spring terms at the Keystone State Normal School,
Kutztown, and then took up teaching, which he followed for seventeen years
in different schools in West Penn township. In March, 1912, he bought the
place he now operates from his father's estate, and is engaged in general
farming. He carries his produce to Tamaqua. Mr. Kistler is a Democrat,
but not specially identified with politics or other public afifairs. He is a mem-
ber of Washington Camp No. 615, P. O. S. of A., at Andreas, in West Penn
township, and of Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of Independent Ameri-
cans, at Chain, this county. Like a number of the Kistlers he belongs to
Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, and he has taken a special
interest in the Sunday school, of which he was superintendent for about nine
years.
Mr. Kistler married Bessie Gerber, a daughter of Frank and Angelma
(Eckert) Gerber, and they had three children; Evelyn L., born April 29,
1909; Osville G.. Aug. 4, 1912; Bessie R., Oct. 21, 1913. Mrs. Kistler was
born Sept. 8, 1887, and died Nov. 23, 1913. She is buried at Zion's Church
in West Penn township. Mr. Kistler has since married Mrs. Katie Louisa
Minnich, the widow of Joseph Minnich and daughter of John and Cathenne
(Guldner) Wert. They have one child, Sela C, born Aug. 16, 1915. Mrs
Kistler was born June 13, 1876, in Walnutport, Northampton Co., Pa., received
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 461
her education in the schools of Cherryvillc, that county, and remained at home
until her first marriage.
Joseph Minnich, son of Irvin and Elmira (Steinmetz) Minnich, was born
Oct. i6, 1877, at Howersville, Pa., and was educated there. He lirst learned '
the trade of millwright, later taking up carpentry, which he followed for the
last six years of his life. He was employed at the cement works at Copley,
Pa., and meantime resided in Siegfried, Pa., later moving to Cherryvillc,
where he died Oct. 30, 1910. He was a RepubHcan in politics; socially a
member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. at Siegfried, Pa.; and belonged to St. Paul's
Reformed Church near Cherryvillc, which he served oflicially as deacon. He
is buried there. To JMr. and Mrs. Minnich were bom three children: (i)
Harold John, born Sept. 5, 1898, died April 23, 1899. (2) Marian Irene,
born Sept. 10, 1899, attended Cherryvillc grammar and Berlinsville high
schools, in Northampton county, Pa. (3) Sallie Elmira, born Sept. 5, 1902,
attends school in West Penn township.
Jacob Wert, Mrs. Kistler's grandfather, was a farmer all his life, living
at Heidelberg, Lehigh Co., Pa., where he had a tract of sixty acres. He mar-
ried Hannah Frederick, and to them were born the following children : Maria
is the widow of William Beers; Eliza married Conrad Kern and after his
death John Long; Rosie married John Hartline ; John is the father of Mrs.
Kistler; Benjamin married Sarah "German; Hiram married Emma Kern, and
both are deceased; Wilson, deceased, married Flora Kern; Alvin has been
twice married, first to Kate Remaly. The father was a Republican in politics.
He is buried at the German Reformed Church in Heidelberg, Lehigh county,
where he was a very active member, serving as elder and in other offices. His
widow remarried, becoming the wife of Carl Myers ; they are buried at Slat-
ington, Pennsylvania.
John Wert, father of ]\Irs. Kistler, was born at Heidelberg, Lehigh Co.,
Pa., March 21, 1850, and there received his schooling. He learned the car-
penter's trade with Benneville Bloss, and followed it for a number of years,
principally in Northampton county. He rented a farm of seventy-two acres
near Cherryvillc, which he operated for nineteen years, when he moved to
Cherryvillc, and has been following his trade to the present time. He married
Catherine Guldner, who was born Nov. 27, 1852, in West Penn township, a
daughter of Reuben and Sallie (Kuntz) Guldner, and they had children as
follows: Salhe Ann, born Sept. 8, 1873, lives at home in Cherryvillc; Katie
Louisa is Mrs. Albert S. Kistler; Annie Messina, bom March 31, 1880, mar-
ried Robert Stoudt and resides at Palmerton, Carbon Co., Pa., and their chil-
dren are Elda Esther and Irene Elizabeth. Mr. Wert is a Republican, a
member of the Order of Independent Americans at Cherryvillc, and belongs
to St. Paul's Reformed Church near Cherryvillc, which he has served as
elder and deacon, and superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mrs. Bessie (Gerber) Kistler was born and educated in West Penn town-
ship, Schuylkill county, where her father, Frank Gerber, is a prosperous
farmer, residing near Reynolds. He owns about four hundred acres of land.
He married Angelina Eckert, and they have had children as follows : Bessie
married Albert S. Kistler; Leon M. married Minnie Balliet ; Frank C. mar-
ried Lulu Zehner ; Hattie, unmarried, is at home ; Willard C. married Emma
Zehner. Mr. Gerber is a Democrat, and has been elected school director. He
is a member of Pocahontas Council, No. 406. Order of Independent Americans.
at Chain, this county, and a past councilor of Washington Camp No. 132,
462 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P. O. S. of A. ; and holds membership in Zion's Reformed Church in \\ est
Penn township, which he has served officially as elder and deacon.
JOHN H. LIME, though one of the oldest residents of the borough of
Port Carbon, is still taking an active part in the administration of its public
affairs, and maintains a zealous interest in the welfare of the Presbyterian
Church, with which he has long been connected. He is one of the best known
citizens of this part of Schuylkill coimty and commands the respect of a wide
circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Lime was born in Harrisburg, Pa., May 8, 1829, son of Jacob Lime,
a native of Holland, who came to America when young, and was living at
Harrisburg during the war of 1812. In 1833 he settled at Port Carbon,
Schuylkill county, where he was engaged as a shipper on the canal for many
years, in his later life being in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-
way Company. His death occurred in 1879 when he was eighty years old, and
his wife, Sarah (Hampton), died at the age of eighty-one. They are buried
in the Presbyterian cemetery at Port Carbon. They were the parents of the
following children : John H., Cyrus, j\Iary Jane, Anna, Henrietta, James and
Isaiah.
John H. Lime accompanied his parents to Port Carbon in childhood, and
was reared here. His educational advantages were very good for the time.
As a boy he was employed at the docks at Port Carbon, later becoming a ship-
per on the canal, and was so engaged until it was closed at Port Carbon in
1870. He was then transferred to the collector's office at Schuylkill Haven,
where he remained for seventeen years, in the year 1887 becoming ticket
agent at Valley Station, Pa., where he remained two years. From that time
until he was retired by -the company in 1903 he was assistant ticket agent at
Port Carbon, in which capacity he became known to practically all the resi-
dents of the borough. During his younger manhood Mr. Lime served as a
member of the Port Carbon school board, and he is the present treasurer of
the borough, in which position he has given great satisfaction to his fellow
citizens. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church and fills the
office of elder, besides doing everything in his power to make all church enter-
prises successful.
On Sept. 12, 1854, Mr. Lime was married to Margaret T. Laing, who
was born in September, 1833, at Port Carbon, in the house where she and
her husband now reside. Though past eighty Mr. and Mrs. Lime are both in
the enjoyment of excellent health, and there is no more highly respected
couple in Port Carbon. They were the parents of the following children:
Ahce, Irene (deceased), Jessie, Harriet, Margaret (deceased), Sadie, May,
Frank and Harry.
GEORGE M. SCHAEFFER, of North Manheim township, is a progress-
ive farmer and business man of his section of Schuylkill county, where the
family has been settled for many years. His grandfather, Jacob Schaeft'cr,
lived in Friedensburg, Wayne township, and later made his home with Iiis
son William, at Pinedale, where he died. His children were: Joseph, \\'illiam,
Sarah, Matilda, Mary and Elizabeth.
Joseph Schaeffer, son of Jacob, was born in Wayne township, this county,
where he lived and died, and he is buried at the Red Church. For a number
of years he was employed on the canal, tending locks and boating, and he
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL^ 463
also worked several years for the late George Adams. He married Lucy
Alspach, daughter of John Alspach, and she survives him, residing at Sculp's
hill, in West Brunswick township, with her daughter Elizabeth. To Mr. and
Mrs. Schaeti'er were born the following children : Amanda, who married
Henry Bausch; David, who lives at Summit Station, Schuylkill county; Charles,
of Adamsdale, this county; Diana; Kate, widow of Ucubcn I'cglcy ; Mary, who
married Edward Renninger; Ella, who married William Voung, and resides
at Orwigsburg; and George M.
George M. Schaeffer was bom Jan. 29, 1862, in West Brunswick township,
where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. He
was thoroughly trained to fann work, which he has followed all his life, and
has owned his present farm since 1902, purchasing it from Air. Anderson. In
1906 he erected the fine barn on his property, and has a number of other good
buildings, being constantly engaged in the improvement of the place, which
has increased greatly in value during his ownership. This was formerly an
old hotel stand, at one time owned and conducted by Solomon Moyer, and
later for many years by Joseph Heffner. The hotel was then discontinued,
and Mr. Anderson purchased the property, owning it until he sold it to Mr.
Schaeffer. He is engaged in general farming and for ten years also had a
milk route in Orwigsburg, but gave this up in April, 1914. Mr. Schaeffer
attends the Orwigsburg markets twice a week, and he keeps up with the times
in supplying the demand of the local trade as well as in his methods of operat-
ing his farm and caring for his property. Its appearance testifies amply to
his progressive ideas and energetic policy.
Mr. Schaeffer is recognized by his fellow citizens as a substantial member
of the community, and they have shown their faith in his honesty and enter-
prise by retaining him in public office for an unusually long period, his service
on the school board of West Brunswick township covering eighteen years.
Part of this time he has been president of the board. In religion he is a
Lutheran, holds membership in the historic old Red Church in West Bruns-
wick township, and socially he belongs to the Independent Americans.
Mr. Schaeffer married Mary Schweigert, daughter of George Schweigert,
of South Manheim township, and they have two children : W'illiam D.. of
Orwigsburg, who married Annie Wildermuth ; and Paul Joseph, who lives
at home and attends school.
LAMBERT HESS has been one of the foremost citizens of the borough
of Mount Carbon, this county, and an •official whose trustworthy services have
been of the greatest value in placing the town politics upon a solid foundation.
As president of the town council for fifteen years he has had the opportunity
of influencing the direction of public affairs so as to conser\-e the best interests
of the townspeople, who are properly grateful for the spirit he has shown in
their behalf. Mr. Hess is a native of Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa., born May
16, 1861, son of Christopher Hess.
Christopher Hess was born in Baden, Germany, and spent his early life
in that country, coming to America when thirty-three years old. Settling
at Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., he followed furnace work for many years,
until 1866, when he moved to New Jersey and bought a farm. Thereafter
he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-
six years old", and he is buried in New Jersey. His wife, Elizabeth (VickHne),
also' died in New Jersev, reaching the advanced age of eighty-four years. They
464 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
were the parents of four children: Sophia, who married Bernard BoUman;
Christopher; Lambert; and Anna, who married Fred Berchdoldy.
Lambert Hess was a child when the family removed to New Jersey, and he
received his education in the parochial schools there. He assisted his father
with the farm work until seventeen years old, when he went to Philadelphia
to learn the trade of baker, which he followed for some years in that city.
Afterwards he became occupied with carpenter work, upon which his present
business interests were practically established. Coming to Pottsville, Schuyl-
kill county in 1888, he was employed at the Pioneer furnace there for about
three years, after which for several years he worked with Andrew Baumgerten,
before he engaged in contracting for himself. He does a general contracting
business, and keeps from seven to ten men in his employ, his services being
in demand wherever his work is known. The ice houses at Tumbling Run and
Shenandoah are among the substantial structures which have been intrusted
to him in Schuylkill county. His work and worth in this section are favorably
recognized. He has been a resident of MtDunt Carbon for the last thirty years.
and has taken a prominent part in the administration of public affairs in that
borough, having been president of the council for the last fifteen years, and
also a member of the school board. He has done reliable work in the interest
of the community. Socially Mr. Hess belongs to Lodge No. 411, Loyal Order
of Moose, of Pottsville, and is active in its work, being one of the trustees
of that organization. He is also a member of the German Catholic Church of
that borough.
Mr. Hess married Catherine Dassel, daughter of William Dassel, of Ger-
many. Of the eight children born to this marriage seven died young, Lambert,
Jr., being the survivor. The son, who resides at home, is also a carpenter by
vocation.
DANIEL DECHERT, M. D., late of Schuylkill Haven, had a well rounded
life which touched so many phases of the development of the county that
the merest outline of his activities would necessarily contain references to
some of the most important advancements made in the forty years of his resi-
dence therein. He had the largest general practice of any physician in the
county, and it would be difficult indeed to draw the line between his personal
and his professional popularity. Among his brother physicians, as among his
patients, he was not only held in affectionate esteem but looked up to for his
attainments in the calling of his choice. Yet his extraordinary success in the
various business ventures which claimed a large share of his attention was
such as to establish the opinion that he was equally able in the management
of financial concerns, and he made a record in the public service which alone
would have entitled him to place among the most useful men of his day.
Dr. Dechert was a descendant of the Berks county family of the name, of
German descent and founded in this country by Peter IDechert, who sailed from
Rotterdam in 1752, coming to Pennsylvania. He settled in Cumru township,
Berks county, where he owned a farm of 185 acres, in the cultivation of which
he was engaged until his death, in 1784. He became the owner of the hotel at
Sinking Spring Sept. 26, 1768. On July 19, 1784, his widow, Elizabeth, applied
for an order of sale to dispose of certain real estate. In a later petition the
children named are John, William, Jacob, Peter, Michael, Daniel and the
petitioner, George. It is not apparent which of these was the ancestor of
Dr. Dechert. Peter Dechert, the emigrant, was a captain in the Revolutionary
2)a^^-^ 2)g€tX2/t/^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 465
war from Jan. 5, 1776, to Feb. 3. 1777. His company, whicli was raised in
the 'Vicinity of Reading, was in active service in New ^■ork, and on Nov. lO,
1776, was captured by Howe's army.
John Dechert, the Doctor's grandfather, was horn near Keachng, and
engaged in farming near there throughout his active years. He died in 1865,
at the age of eighty-seven, and his wife, whose maiden name was Strunck,
Hved to the age of ninety-three. She was horn near Reading. They had
a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters. In pohtics Mr.
Dechert was a Whig, in religious connection a member of the German Re-
formed Church.
Elijah Dechert, son of John, was born in 182C near Reading, Berks county,
and died April 10, 1893, at Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., where he had settled
many years before. He married Alary Kochenherger, and they became the
parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, namely: John,
of Myerstown, Lebanon county; Mrs. George Foesig, of Myerstown ; Daniel;
Sarah, who married John Miller, of Philadelphia; Elijah, living in Lebanon,
Pa. ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Isaac, who died in Myerstown ; Adam, of I'.ethle-
hem. Pa., who is employed at the steel plant there; George, of Hershey, Pa.;
Annie, wife of John Keeny. living at Alyerstown ; William, who died at Myers-
town in February, 1914; Polly, Mrs. PeitTer; Emma, Mrs. Showers, she and
her husband living at Philadelphia; and Amanda, deceased wife of Jacob
Kriner.
Daniel Dechert was born at ^Myerstown Feb. 7. 1846, and began his
education in the public schools there. \\'hen a boy he worked for a "time on
the towpath of the L'nion canal. He completed a course in the Myerstown
Academy, and though little more than a boy during the Civil war, served on
the Union side under two enlistments, the first time for three months during
1863. He enlisted at Harrisburg, for emergency service during Lee's invasion,
and was in the State troops. Subsequently he became a private in Company H,
i86th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantr)', and served until after the close of
the war. being honorably discharged in September, 1865. For four years after-
wards he was engaged in teaching school, and then commenced to prepare him-
self for the medical profession, studying for a time in the office of Drs. Jacob
and J. S. Tryon, at Rehrersburg, Berks Co., Pa. He, finished his course in
the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he
was graduated in 187 1, and the same year located at Cressona, where he was
in practice for the next eighteen years. In 1889 he removed to the borough
of Schuylkill Flaven, which was thereafter his home and professional and
business headquarters. He was deputy coroner under Drs. G. H. Halberstadt,
D. S. Marshall and Gillars, serving two terms under the latter. Though a
stanch Republican, he was in 1879 appointed county almshouse physician,
serving three years, and in 1884 was reappointed (again under a Democratic
administration), serving one year. In 1904 he was appointed county medical
inspector by Dr. Benjamin Lee, head of the State board, and he also served
in that capacity under Dr. Samuel G. Di.xon, State commissioner of health,
resigning on account of the loss of his arm. He was one of the organizers
of the Schuylkill Haven board of health, and acted as its president until his
death. When Schuylkill county was visited by smallpox along in the early
part of 1903 and 1904 Dr. Dechert did noble work in helping to stamp out
the disease, giving freely of his time and skill. For years he was surgeon
for the Reading and Pennsvlvania Railroad Companies. A prominent mem-
Vol. 1—30
466 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENi\SYLVANL\
ber of the Schuylkill County Medical Society, he was its delegate to the con-
vention of the American Medical Association held at Chicago in 1893.
Dr. Dechert's political honors came to him unsolicited, and beginning in
young manhood he was associated with the administration of government in
his locality for a long period. In 1870 he was apointed census enumerator of
the largest district in Berks county, and the work occupied fifty-seven days,
as he covered the territory on foot. He served one term as treasurer of
Schuylkill county; for seventeen years was a member of the school board at
Cressona, during eight years of the time being president of that body; and
for several years was a member of the school board of Schuylkill Haven.
With all his professional and public responsibilities Dr. Dechert had time
and taste for business. He acquired the ownership of two farms, one at
Cressona and another of 200 acres at Jefferson station, this county, and was
at one time interested in the Diston Manufacturing Company at Williamsport,
Pa., being a large stockholder and one of the directors. He was one of the
founders of the Union Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville, this county, and
continued to serve as one of the directors from the time of its establishment
until his death. He was an organizer of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company
and the first vice president of that institution, holding that position also until
his death ; was one of the organizers of the concern which operated the
Palisade Amusement Park and a stockholder in same; and owned a block of
real estate on Long Island. Fraternally he was at Knight Terriplar Mason,
belonging to Cressona Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M., and to Constantine Com-
mandery, of Pottsville; a member of the B. P. O. Elks lodge at Pottsville; of
Jere Helms Post, G. A. R., and was preparing to enter the Sons of the Amer-
ican Revolution, but was prevented by ill health from carrying out his plan.
In 1907 Dr. Dechert contracted blood poisoning by infection of the thumb
of his left hand, and had to undergo amputation of the arm to save his life.
However, he maintained active connection with his various undertakings as
before, until his death, Oct. 4, 191 1. He is buried at Cressona.
On Jan. 16, 1868, Dr. Dechert married Virginia Kline, daughter of Ben-
jamin and Katherine Kline, of Rehrersburg, Berks county, and she died
May 31, 1884, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving one daughter, Eva M. ;
the latter attended the West Chester Normal School and the Moravian Semi-
nary at Bethlehem, Pa. On Oct. 15, 1885, Dr. Dechert married (second)
Ada S. Beck, by whom he had four children : Clare B., now living at home
with her mother, who was educated at Bradford Academy, graduating with
the class of 1907; Daniel, now a student at Franklin and Marshall Academy,
Lancaster, Pa.; Mary M., at home; and Robert B. Dr. Dechert belonged to
St. John's Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven, with which his widow and
family are also associated, and he served as trustee for many years, until
his death. Mrs. Dechert continues to occupy their old home in the borough.
Dr. Dechert was one of those physicians whose personality is felt in all
their professional work. A type of the old school, kind, sympathetic, a coun-
selor as well as physician, he yet had the progressive tendency which made it
a pleasure for him to keep in touch with the advancements of science, and he
followed the most approved modern methods in his medical work. He was
never too btisy to maintain a humane interest in his fellowmen, and opened
his ofifice to a number of aspiring young men, having trained si.x who became
creditable members of the profession.
Jacob Beck, grandfather of Mrs. Dechert, was a native of Wurtemberg,
SCHUYLKILL COUXTY, PEXXSYrAANIA 4G7
Gerniaiiy, anil on coniini;- to this country settled at what is now known as
JJeckville, in North Manheini township,' Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was the
founder of that town, having taken up a tract of land there in the year 1811.
and dealt quite extensively in timber, liy profession a civil engineer, he sur-
veyed the line of the Mine Hill railroad. Above the average in intelligence
and enterprise, he took a deep interest in the subject of education and was au
early advocate of the free school system, then little understood and unpopular
with the very classes it was most intended to benefit. In religion he was a
Lutheran, and active in church work. His family consisted of five sons and
three daughters: ]{lizabeth, Frederick, John }'. George, Alary, Catherine,
William and Edward. The sons were all notably capable men ; b'rederick was
steward of the county almshouse for many years.
William Beck, son of Jacob, received his education in the public schools,
learned and followed the trade of carpenter, and subsequently learnetl milling,
for many years operating Beck's mill very successfully, besides dealing exten-
sively in flour and feed. He lived at Beckville, and was station agent for the
Lehigh ^■alley Railway Company at that point. Like his father, he took a keen
interest in the matter of public educational facilities, and served as member
of the school board of North ]\Ianheim township for the long period of thirty-
four years. A Democrat, and very prominent in politics, he invariably repre-
sented his district in the county conventions, and wielded a strong influence
in local aflFairs. In 1880 he received the nomination of his party for sheriff
of Schuylkill county. In his day there was hardly a better known man in
Schuylkill county, and he commanded the highest respect. He was a charter
member of Tribe No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men, and served as sachem
of that organization; was a prominent Mason, belonging to Cressona Lodge,
No. 426. F. & A. M.; ^Mountain City Chapter, R. A. M. (past high priest),
Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville (past commander),
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. :\I. S., of Reading.
By his marriage to Matilda Strauch, Mr. Beck had the following children :
Ada S., widow of Dr. Dechert : John J., of Reading, Pa. ; Catherine A.,
Blanche M. and Anna M., all unmarried and living at Cressona ; Mabel, who
married Edward Silliman, a well known man of Mahanoy City, where they
reside : Clarence F., wdio is in the employ of the Kingston Coal Company, of
Kingston, Pa.; and Efiie M., who became the wife of George Stichter, and
died in 1905.
JOSEPH S. HOPPES has farmed in West Penn township throughout
his active years, though his operations are not now as extensive as formerly
and he has sold considerable of his land. As a citizen Mr. Hoppes has always
ranked with the best. In public spirit, intelligence, enterprise and thrift, he
is a typical member of one of the oldest families in this region, founded here
by his great-grandfather, Jonas Hoppes, who as a reward for his services
in the Revolution received a grant of land from the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania, 150 acres, which he located in what is now the township of West
Penn. Schuvlkill county. Few families can show a more consistent record
of fidelitv in militar>' duty during the country's hour of need.
John 'Michael Hoppes, the emigrant ancestor, came to this country from
Baden, Germany, it is said about 1740, but the family history of that period
is incomplete. He made his home in what is now West Penn township.
Schuylkill county, then included in Northampton county, Pa. He had four
468 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
sons. Life in this region was full of dangers in those days, for the settlers
were never safe from Indian raids, and the father of this family eventually
lost his life defending his home against the savages. A band of Indians
surrounded and attacked the Hoppes home one night, and in the fight which
ensued John Michael Hoppes and two of his sons were killed. The other
two sons fought until the attackers withdrew defeated, and saved the mother
and daughters. The three victims were buried next day under a pine tree
near by, and the survivors decided to break up the home, being thoroughly
discouraged by the evil turn of their fortune. One of the sons moved to
Virginia and made a permanent settlement there. He succeeded in life,
acquiring the ownership of a valuable plantation, and owned slaves. The
other son, Jonas, remained in Pennsylvania. Born Jan. 12, 1753, '^^ spent his
life in Pennsylvania. When the RevtDlution broke out he took up arms in the
cause of the Colonies, serving seven years. He was in a cavalry regiment and
under Washington's command. In the retreat from Philadelphia he was
captured by the British and kept without food for three days, was rescued
by Lafayette's army, and returned to the service. After the war he became
a .prosperous farmer in West Penn township, Northampton (now Schuylkill)
county, building a log house and barn on his tract, a considerable portion of
which he succeeded in clearing. He farmed throughout his active years.
His death occurred July 30, 1833, his wife, Catherine (Harr), who was born
April 7, 1755, passing away July 5, 1823. They are buried at Zion's Church
in West Penn township, and his grave is always decorated on Memorial Day.
Mr. Hoppes was one of the most zealous members of Zion's Church, giving
the land for the building site and cemetery plot, and he assisted in the erection
of the church.
Christian Hoppes, son of Jonas, was born Aug. 16, 1787, in West Penn
township, where he was reared and educated. He assisted his father on the
home farm, and after his marriage bought a tract comprising 150 acres, of
which he cleared a great portion. He had a sawmill which he operated
besides cultivating his land, and remained there until his death, Aug. 2, 1856.
His wife, Salome (Steigerwah), born May 28, 1786. died March 31, 1861.
They had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, and we have record
of: Andrew, who married Susanna Moser or Mosser; Solomon, father of
Joseph S. Hoppes; Salome, Mrs. Daniel Nothstein ; Rebecca, Mrs. Henry
Nothstein; Lydia, Mrs. David Hartung; and Katie, Mrs. Hiram Wehr. It
is said the other six children died of dysentery. Christian Hoppes was origi-
nally a Democrat, finally a Republican, in politics. He was a prominent mem-
ber of the Lutheran congregation of Zion's Church, West Penn township,
served as elder and deacon, and assisted in building the present stone church
in West Penn township.
Solomon Hoppes, son of Christian, was born July 13, 1809, in West Penn
township, where he grew to manhood and received his education. He worked
for his father up to the time of his marriage, when he bought twenty acres
with a gristmill and sawnnill, in New Mahoning township, Carbon Co., Pa.
(now owned by Frank Klingerman). Later he bought three hundred acres
in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, where his son Joseph now lives,
and remained on this tract for fifty years, eventually selling the property to
his son Joseph S. and removing to Carbon county, where he died Dec. n,
i860. His wife, Magdalene (Schneider), born Dec. 30, 1810, daughter of
Michael and Polly (Sanders) Schneider, died May 5, 1899, and they are
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PFAXSVLVANLV 469
buried at Zion's Church. Like his fatlier, Mr. lloppes was an cider and
deacon of Zion's Lutheran congregation, in which he was an active wori<er
for many years. Pohtically he was a Republican. For thirteen years he was
captain of a militia cavalry company and attended the battalion meetings
regularly. During the Civil war he served in Company E, 27th Pennsylvania
Regiment. He and his wife reared a large family : Leah married I'-li Noth-
stein, and both are deceased; Lydia, deceased, married David Kistler; Salome
married Daniel Ziegler, and both are deceased; Polly married David Long-
acre, and both are deceased; Fianna died young; Carolina died young; Daniel
married Katie Ziegler, and lives at Allentown, I'a.; Joseph S. is next in the
family; Eli, deceased, married Maria Klingerman, of Wanamakers, Pa., and
their children are Albert K. (a rural free delivery carrier at Germansville.
Va.), Dr. Dillon K. (a dentist of Tamaqua, Pa., married to Sue I5rode) and
Minnie (Mrs. Irwin Reinhart of Wanamakers); Solomon, deceased, married
Katie Stitzer, of Reading. Pa. ; Washington married Annie Straub, and they
are residents of Carbon county.
Joseph S. Hoppes was bom .April 7, 1843, '" West Penn township, where
he grew uji and received his education. He was employed with his father
until he enlisted in the L^nion senice. He was first assigned to duty as a
teamster, driving four horses, hauling wood to dilTerent hospitals and prisons.
He set out for Fairfax Court House as driver of an ammunition wagon, but
the shipment was watched by Colonel Mosby's guerrillas and four teams were
captured, the men, however, escaping. Mr. Hoppes' leader horse was shot.
He returned to Washington and was given another team to drive until taken
sick. He returned to his father's farm in \\'est Penn towaiship for a time,
later reenlisting Aug. 24, 1864. for one year or during the war, in Company
A, 202d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. L. D. Laciar. This
regiment was recruited at Camp Curtin. Harrisburg, and was under Col.
Charles A. Albright. It was organized Sept. 3, 1864, proceeded to Camp
Couch, near Chambersburg, Pa., Sept. 10, 1864; on Sept. 23, 1864, was led
out on a three days' march for exercise ; proceeded via \\'ashington Sept. 2y,
1864, to Alexandria, \'a. ; and was sent to duty at Manassas Gap. taking posi-
tion along the road from Thoroughfare Gap to Rectortown. This duty was
arduous and the troops were harassed by Mosby and his guerrillas. They
participated in a number of skirmishes, and the actions at Salem, Oct. 8th
and 1 6th resulted in some loss. A party of Confederates succeeded in throw-
ing trains olT the track and poured a volley upon the victims. Then Colonel
^Mbright ordered every building to be burned within a radius of one mile.
After the railroad was abandoned they removed the ties and rails to Alex-
andria, Va., making their headquarters at Fairfax Station, where they pro-
tected the men chopping and the teams mo\ing the wood. Toward the close
of May, 1865. the regiment was ordered to Philadelphia, Pa., and was then
sent to the coal regions, with headquarters at Tamaqua, Pa. Early in July,
Company A was sent to Pittsburgh. Pa., and late that month assembled at
Harrisburg. At Occoquan Mr. lloppes was wounded in the left leg. below
the knee, was mustered out with the company, and honorably discharged
Aug. 3, 1865.
Returning from the army Mr. Hoppes bought his father's place of 300
acres, part of which was cleared, and he himself had 170 acres under culti-
vation. He carried on general farming extensively and profitably until 1913,
when he sold 104 acres fo Frank Troxell, and is now operating the rest of the
470 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
original tract. He has attended markets at Summer Hill and Nesquehoning.
He has assisted in the administration of township affairs in the capacity
of school director, and he has been a devoted worker for the promotion of
proper educational facilities in his section, having served twenty-two years
as treasurer of the school board. In political faith he is a Republican. He
adheres to the church of his ancestors, being a leading member of the Lutheran
congregation at Zion's Church, which he serves as deacon. Socially he holds
membership in the G. A. R., Bertolet Post, No. 484, at Lehighton, and in
Washington Camp No. 615, P. O. S. of A., at Andreas (Sittler), Pa.; he is a
charter member of the latter organization.
On May 5, 1867, Mr. Hoppes married Sarah Sittler, who was born Sept.
13, 1839, and died Nov. 16, 1870; she is buried at Zion's Church there. She
was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Everett) Sittler. Mr. and Mrs.
Hoppes had one child, Sadie, born Nov. 22, 1869, who is married to James
Gehry, a fanner of Germansville, Lehigh Co., Pa. ; they have one adopted
child, Alice Miller, now the wife of Henry Nothstein. Mrs. Gehry was edu-
cated in West Penn township and the academy at Myerstown, and lived at
home until her marriage. On Sept. 6, 1873, ^^'"- Hoppes was married (second)
to Elavina Klingaman, born Feb. 24, 1850, daughter of Jeremiah and Leah
(Moser) Klingaman. There are no children by this union.
It will be observed that the members of the Hoppes family have a con-
sistent record of patriotism and loyalty to the country in times of need, as
previously stated. The first American ancestor died as one of the defenders
of the frontier ; his son had an unusually long service in the Revolution ; and
they have been represented in all the wars of the nation since, four serving
in the Civil war.
Mr. Hoppes has always been keenly interested in history, and he treas-
ures a number of relics of the early days which have come into his possession ;
he has a sleigh, the runners of which were made from the first rails that were
used on the railroad between Philadelphia and Pottsville ; he has the bit that
was on the first horse killed at the first battle of Bull Run ; an old schooner
wagon with which his father hauled produce from West Penn township to
Philadelphia, many years ago, using six horses and taking nearly a week to
make the round trip ; an old buggy with wooden springs, which at one time
was the property of an old Revolutionary soldier by the name of Fenster-
macher; and an ancient flagstaff' tip consisting of spear and axe, used to pro-
tect the flag, captured at Trenton, N. J., from the British at the time of the
crossing of the Delaware by General Washington.
Mrs. Sarah (Sittler) Hoppes, first wife of Joseph S. Hoppes, was a daugh-
ter of Samuel Sittler, who was a farmer all his life, owning and operating a
large farm in Mahoning township. Carbon Co., Pa. Six children were born to
his marriage with Elizabeth Everett, daughter of Jatob Everett, namely:
Carolina, Mrs. John Balliet ; Charles, who married Priscilla Snyder ; William,
who married Mary Snyder; Tilghman E., who married Louisa Hunsicker;
Sarah, Mrs. Joseph S. Hoppes ; and Amanda, Mrs. John Longacre. Samuel
Sittler was a man of such honesty as well as energy that he was heartily liked
wherever known. He took an active part in township affairs, serving as school
director, was identified with the Republican party in politics, and with the
Lutherans in religious matters, being a prominent member of the Ben-Salem
Church in East Penn township. Carbon county, in which he held all the
offices. He and his wife are buried at that church.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\ 471
Michael Kling-aman, grandfather of Mrs. Elavina (Klinpamaii ) Iloppes,
was bom and educated in Lehigh county, Pa., near Jacksonville, lie was a
lifelong farmer, and owned a tract of jog acres. During the Revolution he
hauled the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown. A Democrat in poli-
tics and a member of the Jacobs Reformed Church at Jacksonville, he was
active in the latter connection. He and his wife are buried at that church.
Her maiden name was Smith. They had children as follows : Royal married
Harry Stump ; Racey never married ; Jeremiah was the father of Mrs. Iloppes ,
Nathan married Levina Stein, and they are residents of Toledo, Ohio; one
child died in infancy.
Jeremiah Klingaman was born May i", 1821, in Lehigh county, Pa., was
educated at Jacksonville, worked for his father, and in time took over the
homestead farm. He died there. His wife, Leah (Moser), born Dec. 9,
1825, is also deceased, and they are buried at the Jacobs Reformed Church,
Jacksonville. He served that church as elder and deacon, and in other capaci-
ties. Politically he was a Democrat. Children as follows were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Klingaman: William, born Oct. 12, 1846, now deceased, married
Mary Kistler, of Lehigh county; Jacob, born May 31, 1848, married Josephine
Brobst, and they live at Steinsville, Lehigh county ; Elavina, born Feb. 24, 1850,
is Mrs. Hoppes ; John, born Oct. 5, 1852, married Ellen Brobst, and both are
deceased; Daniel, born July 4, 1854, married Carolina Karshner, and they live
at Fullerton, Lehigh county; Mary E., born Jan. 11, 1857, is now living with
her son, Charles Matten, at Bowmanstown, Carbon Co., Pa. ; Lizzie, born Dec.
16, 1858, married Allen Zimmerman, of West Penn township; Charles A.,
bom March 16, 1861, now of Wanamakers, Lehigh county, married Amanda
Smith (deceased) and (second) Alice Weaver; Missouri, born Aug. 11, 1863,
married Alvin Schaeffer, of West Penn township, Schuylkill county ; Rosa A.,
married Milton Mantz, of West Penn township; Lewis J., born July 29, 1868,
married Annie Koenig, and their home is at Jacksonville, Lehigh county;
Susan, bom Sept. 24, 1870, married Morris Smith, ticket agent and telegraph
operator at New Tripoli, where he resides.
Jacob Moser, father of Mrs. Leah (Moser) Klingaman, was a farmer
at New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., Pa., having a large farm. He was an agriculturist
all his life. He married Susanna Peter, daughter of Abraham Peter, both
natives of Lehigh county, and children as follows were bom to them : Leah
married Jeremiah Klingaman; Susanna married Andrew Hoppes, and both
are deceased ; Julia married Aaron Peter, and both are deceased ; Lydia, unmar-
ried, is a resident of New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., Pa. ; Catherine married Michael
Werley, and both are deceased ; Caroline and her husband, Albert Dorward,
are deceased ; Jacob married Abbie Hunsicker, and they are residents of New
Tripoli, Lehigh Co., Pa. ; Levi has been twice married, both his wives being
Kistlers, the "first Polly, the second Kate Kistler; Elizabeth married Daniel
Snyder,' and both are deceased; one died young; Mary married Jonathan
Kistler,' and both are deceased. The parents are buried at the New Tripoli
Union Quirch, of which Mr. Moser was a prominent member, serving as elder,
deacon, etc. Politically he was a Republican. He died at the age of about
seventy-five years.
WILLIAM HENRY HINKEL, M. D., of Tamaqua, is one of the ener-
getic young residents of that borough, taking part, in business and public activi-
ties as well as the professional work of his choice. Keenly alive to local
472 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
interests, and willing to bear a good citizen's share of such responsibihties, he
has identified himself thoroughly with the advancement of this section, though
a comparatively new settler here.
Dr. Hinkel was bom at Mount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa., in 1885,
son of William H. Hinkel, grandson of Michael Hinkel and great-grandson of
Abraham Hinkel. Michael Hinkel lived for a time at Port Carbon, Schuyl-
kill county, where he carried on the manufacture of brick. Subsequently he
resided at several other locations in the county, at East Delaware mines, Dun-
cott and Locust Gap, in turn. He then settled at Mount Carmel, Northumber-
land county, where he was employed at the mines and remained there until his
death. He married Lydia McCord. daughter of John Parvin and Elizabeth
(Bailey) McCord, and they became the parents of eight children, namely:
William H., Daniel, Elizabeth, Lydia, Samuel, Elmer, and two — George and
Sherman — who died young.
William H. Hinkel, the Doctor's father, was engaged as a contractor and
builder at Mount Carmel, where he died in 1899; he is buried there. His
widow, Mary Elizabeth (Yarnall), still makes her home in that borough. Mr.
and Mrs. Hinkel had the following family : Fremont, who is a clergyman of
the Episcopal Church, now stationed at York, Pa.; Henrietta M., wife of
Benjamin Howells ; William Henry ; Daniel McCord, a civil and mining engi-
neer in the employ of the Lehigh \'alley Company, residing at Mount Carmel;
Lydia I. ; George W. ; Mildred E. ; and Richard, who died when three month.";
old.
The Yarnall family, to which Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hinkel belongs, at one
time owned most of the land in the vicinity of what is now Mount Carmel.
The family is an old one in Pennsylvania, of English Quaker stock, Francis
and Peter Yarnall having come from their native land with the Hugheses.
Boones, Penroses, Kirbys and Lightfoots, and settled in Oley township, Berks
Co., Pa. They were of the fifty or more families left out when the township
was erected, and the people to the "south part of Oley" therefore petitioned
the court of Philadelphia, in 1741, to erect that part into a township, which
petition was granted. Among the sixteen signers to this petition were Francis
and Peter Yarnall.
In Northumberland county a member of this same family, Richard Yarnall,
was the second settler at Mount Carmel. His father, Jesse Yarnall, kept a
hotel on the old Minersville road, at the crossing of Mahanoy creek, near
Otto's forge, Schuylkill county, about four miles south of Mount Carmel. An
Indian path which led from the vicinity of Roaring Creek township, Columbia
county, to his hotel is referred to in the early official records of Northumberland
county as "Yarnall's path." He married Hannah Penrose, of Roaring Creek
township, whose people, like his, came from Maiden-creek township, Berks
county, and were Friends.
Richard Yarnall was born April 10, 1791, and died Oct. 14, 1847. He
learned the trade of carpenter and millwright. About the time he reached
manhood the Centre turnpike was constructed, resulting in a large increase in
the travel between Danville and Sunbury on the north and Reading and Potts-
ville on the south. A favorable opportunity was presented for the erection of
a hotel on this important thoroughfare at the present site of Mount Carmel,
which is about equidistant from Danville and Pottsville. and, prompted by
these considerations, J\Ir. Yarnall erected the "Mount Carmel Inn,'' a two-
story log structure situated on the southeast side of the turnpike immediately
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. l'E.\XSYLVANL\ 473
northeast of the "Commercial Hotel." He opened a hotel there and conducted
the business with fair success for several years, when, havinjr become surety
for a friend who failed to meet his ohli^ations, the [property was sold and he
removed to the vicinity of Hear Gaj), where he was variously em])loyed for
several years. He then located on a small cleared tract near the old Minersville
road, and also resided at the Tomlinson farm, after which he enf,'aged in
hotelkeeping at the Riffert tavern, where he died. The RilTert tavern was a
log structure standing on the east side of the turnpike, north of the Lehigh
X'alley depot. It is not known who erected it, and under the management of
its early owners it bore a bad reputation, but with Mr. Yarnall as proi)rietor
it received the confidence and patronage of the traveling public. He married
Mary King, daughter of John King, of Ralpho township, and we have record
of two of their sons, Jesse and John, both of whom lived at Mount Carmel.
The former was born July 7. 181 5, near Bear Gap.
John Yarnall. son of Richard, was born Feb. 15, 1828, at the Tomlinson
farm, in Coal township, Northumberland county, and learned the carpenter's
trade with his father, working at that occupation for some years. He was a
well-to-do contractor and builder at Mount Carmel. In 1859 he married
Henrietta Mussina, daughter of Henry B. and Elizabeth (Winters) Mussina,
of Center county. Pa., and they became the parents of eight children: Mrs.
William H. Hinkel, Henry M., K^ewton L., Richard K., Jerusha M. (deceased),
John W^, William and Mary Elizabeth.
William Henry Hinkel obtained his early education in the public schools
of Mount Carmel. and later attended Phillips Academy at Exeter, N. H. He
then entered Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, where he was graduated
in 1908, and he subsequently spent about eighteen months in the Fountain
Springs hospital near Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he was engaged from
1908 to 1910. Meantime, on Dec. 15, 1909, he had opened an office in Tamaqua,
Schuylkill county, where he is now giving all his time to private practice,
in which he has met with encouraging success. He deser\-es all the progress
he has made, and his trustworthiness has been recognized in his appointment
as deputy coroner and as member of the Tamaqua board of health, in both
of which positions he has served faithfully from 1912 to the present writing.
The Doctor was one of the organizers of the People's Trust Company of
Tamaqua, and is a member of its board of directors. Socially he is a Mason,
holding membership in Tamaqua Blue Lodge, No. 238, and he still retains his
affiliation with the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Dr. Hinkel was married to Isabella Laird Elliott, of Philadelphia, Pa., and
they have three children: William Henry, Jr., Elizabeth Jean and Isabella.
CHARLES H. BITTLE. of Schuylkill Haven, is a descendant of an old
family whose history in Schuylkill county dates back to the days before its
formation, which took place in 181 1. It was founded here by his great-great-
grandfather, Christopher Bittle. who arrived in America Sept. 24. 1753, and
first located at Quakertown, near Philadelphia, Pa., at which time he was
only a boy. For a time he was employed upon a farm. Later he married a
Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he purchased a farm upon
which he lived for a while. Selling out. he came to what is now -Schuylkill
county, locating at Summer Mountain, about a half mile east of Schuylkill
Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the Henney and Reber fam-
ilies, situated in South Manheim township. He sold that property and removed
474 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to North Manheim township, where he settled on a tract lying along the road
leading from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known as the old Bartolette
farm. When he sold this he bought a farm property near Minersville (in
the same locality as the old Thomas Shollenberger tract), and it was there his
death occurred. The place afterwards became known as the James farm.
Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was engaged to a considerable extent in
cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill, cutting his timber
and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He had the f ollowmg children :
John ; Jacob ; Henry, who was the owner of the well known Weissinger farm
in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county; Jonathan, who lived and
died in Panther valley, Schuylkill county; Airs. Strauch ; Mrs. Pott; Airs.
Kate Weaver; Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver; Mrs. Reed; Mrs. Jennings, and
Mrs. Werner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the great-grandfather of Charles H.
Bittle, of Schuylkill Haven. Born in North Manheim township, he accom-
panied his father on the latter's various removals, and for a time followed
farming on the tract near Minersville. Later he bought a farm in Long Run
Valley, North Manheim township, cleared off the timber, and spent the re-
mainder of his life in its cultivation, dying there when eighty-eight years old.
His wife, who was a member of the well known Clouser family of Llewellyn,
Schuylkill county, did not attain so advanced an age. They are buried in the
old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. The following children were born to
them: William; Jacob, who died in Schuylkill county; John, who died on
the homestead; Andrew, who died at Schuylkill Haven; Maria, who first
married a Zerbe, later a Berger; Katie, wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of
Gabriel Groan; and Sallie, wife of Isaac Ely.
William Bittle, son of Jacob, was born on the farm near Minersville,
Schuylkill county, and himself became a farmer, also dealing quite extensively
in horses. He owned two farms, one lying half a mile west of Schuylkill
Haven, in North Alanheim township, and they contained seventy-three and
105 acres, respectively, all valuable land. During the Civil war Mr. Bittle had
charge of the recruiting office for Schuylkill county, which was established at
Pottsville, and he became well known throughout the county in the pursuit of
his various activities. His wife, Elizabeth (Berger), was the daughter of
Ludwig Berger, a man of wealth and highly respected in Schuylkill county
in his day. Mr. Bittle died Oct. 19, 1881, his wife in February, 1883, and
they are buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They were the
parents of four children: Marcus, Frank (living at Schuylkill Haven), Sam-
uel B. (of Schuvlkill Haven) and Mary Elizabeth (who married Charles
Phillips).
Marcus Bittle was born in Long Run, Schuylkill county, and died in 1910;
he is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Practically all his
life he was engaged in farming, owning a tract of fifty-five acres, and he
also carried on the ice business at Schuylkill Haven, making a success in both
lines. He married Rosa Kline, daughter of the late Rev. Jacob Kline, of
Schuylkill Haven, for many years affectionately and familiarly known there
as "Father" Kline. To Mr. and Mrs. Bittle were born five children : .Annie,
wife of William Spotts : Charles H. ; William; Ralph, and Claude Part of
Marcus Bittle's farm has been sold for building lots, but Mrs. Bittle still retains
the ownership of thirty acres, where she resides. It is very valuable property.
Charles H. Bittle was born March 27, 1872, and was reared upon his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENxNSYLVANIA 475
father's farm, attending the public schools in his boyhood. Learning the trade
of carpenter, he followed it for a number of years, in 1901 opening the general
store which he has since conducted. He has operated it very successfully,
his intelligent management and accommodating methods having attracted a
profitable patronage, and he owns several pieces of projjerly in the borough
besides his business.
Mr. Bittle is a Republican in his political convictions. He is an interested
member of the Reformed Church and a regular attendant at the Sunday
school, and fraternally he belongs to the ]. O. "O. F. and the Sons of America.
On June 27, 1901, Mr. Bittle married Annie Geary, daughter of Albert
Geary, of Cressona, this county, and she died Sept. 10, 1906, leaving one son,
Marcus A., who is attending school.
ELLA^S BACHERT has an up-to-date farm and mill property in East
Brunswick township, of which he may justly be proud, as it has been brought
to its present state through his efforts. His milling equipment is now very
complete, and the other improvements he has installed are equally valuable,
adequate for the conduct of his business operations and affording home and
farm accommodations above the ordinary. Mr. Bachert has long been well
known as a reliable miller in this section, where the family is of old standing.
Bom in East Brunswick township Aug. 14, 1843, he is a son of John Bachert
and grandson of George Bachert.
George Bachert, the grandfather, was a farmer in East Bnmswick town-
ship, where he owned a tract of 100 acres, upon which he erected a log barn
and stone house. He was a wheelwright as well as farmer. He had the fol-
lowing children : Jacob, John, Henry, Simon, Magdalena and Mrs. John
Faust. George Bachert died aged eighty years, and is buried with his wife
in a private graveyard on the homestead farm. He was a Democrat, and a
member of the Frieden's German Lutheran Church.
John Bachert, father of Elias, was reared and educated in East Bruns-
wick township, and during his youth assisted his father. Later he bought a
farm of 100 acres near the old homestead, and carried on farming all his
life. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religion a Lutheran, he and his
wife belonging to the Frieden's Church; they are buried in its cemetery.
Mr. Bachert married Elizabeth Zettlemoyer, who was bom in Berks county.
Pa., and the following children were bom to this union : Jacob married Sarah
Miller and both are "deceased ; Emmanuel died unmarried; James, deceased,
married Flora Steigerwalt, who resides in West Branswick township, this
county; Daniel died young; Elias is next in the family; Elizabeth married
Tacob Houser, and bo'th are deceased ; Laura married Aaron Eckroth ; Mollie
died unmarried ; Katie died young. The father of this famdy lived to the age
of eighty years, the mother dying at the age of sixty-eight.
Elias' Bachert was educated in the schools of East Brunswick township,
and continued to work for his father until twenty years of age. He entered
the employ of William Heibke, for the purpose of learning milling, m the
Roarino- creek vallev. Columbia Co., Pa., remained there one year, and next
went to Mifflinville,' Columbia county, where he served a further apprentice-
ship with Albert Brown, miller, spending one year with him also. His next
experience was gained with Daniel Yost, at Lewistown, m Walker township,
Schuylkill county, with whom he worked a few months in the same business.
Then for one winter he was with Abraham Daubert, in East Brunswick town-
476 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
ship, after which he entered the employ of Jonas Kunkel, in the same town-
ship, and managed his mill for five years. At the end of that period he went
to Mahanoy City and entered the steam flour mill of Andrew Hoppes, where
he remained one year, thence returning to East Brunswick township, where
he bought his present mill and adjoining farm of seventy-five acres from
William Koch; he has added to his holdings until he now has 163 acres and
one rod, of which about sixty acres are under cultivation. The property has
undergone steady development since it came into his hands. The many im-
provements he has made include a new barn, gristmill, cider press and saw-
mill, and provide ample facilities for the general farming and milling
business he carries on. Practically all his time is given to business, and though
he is a good citizen in every sense of the term he does not enter actively into
the affairs of government. He is a Democrat on political questions, and like
his immediate ancestors a member of the Frieden's Lutheran Church.
Mr. Bachert married Hannah Merkle, a daughter of William and Elizabeth
(Dunkel) Merkle, and children as follows have been born to them: Albert
Robert, born May 12, 1868, is a farmer in East Brunswick township; William
Ivy, born July 25, 1869, married Edith Leiby ; Elizabeth, born Oct. 28, 1870,
died when three months old ; Cordelia was born Jan. 10, 1871 ; John E., born
June 17, 1878, married Ammda Nester; Richard A., born Oct. 14, 1882, died in
1900; Howard J., was born March 18, 1886; Luther P., Nov. 18, 1887; Thomas
W., May 9, 1890; Oscar P., June 7, 1895.
Mrs. Hannah (Merkle) Bachert was born Oct. 3, 1849, ^'^d received her
education in Walker township. She is a daughter of William Merkle, and a
granddaughter of Solomon Merkle, who was bom in Berks county, Pa.,
where he received his education. He came to Walker township, Schuylkill
county, and bought a tract of 200 acres which he operated for a number of
years, engaging in general farming. By his marriage to Elizabeth Rothermel,
also a native of Berks county, he had the following children : Hannah mar-
ried George Stoudt ; Catherine, unmarried ; Maria, who married a Mr. Mc-
Clure and (second) a Mr. Wilson; and William. The parents were members
of the German Lutheran Church, and are buried at the Zion's Church, Lewis-
town, Walker township.
William Merkle, son of Solomon, was born near Moselem, Berks Co.,
Pa., and moved from that county to Walker township, Schuylkill county. He
bought his father's farm of 200 acres, and carried on general farming until his
death. He married Elizabeth Dunkel, who was born near Maiden-Creek,
Berks Co., Pa., and died when about fifty years old. He died at the age of
about fifty-five years. They were regular attendants at the services of Zion's
German Lutheran Church, at Lewistown, and contributed faithfully to its
support. They are buried at that church. Mr. Merkle was a Republican in
political sentiment. His children were as follows: Solomon married Phoebe
Hein, and both are deceased; Simon, deceased, married Lydia Stein; Esther
is the widow of John Shock, and resides at Lewistown, Walker township;
Maria is deceased; Elizabeth is deceased; Catherine married Benneville Yoder,
of Boyertown, Pa.; Hannah is Mrs. Elias Bachert; Leah and Rachel, twins,
died young; Benjamin, deceased, married Sarah Dotterer, who lives at Boyer-
town, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM S. SMITH, organist of Zion's Church in West Penn town-
ship, has succeeded his father in that position and also as tenant on the farm
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, I'ENXSYLVANLV 477
owned by the Zion's Church, where his father took up his home Dec. 15,
1864. Mr. Smith was boni on his present place May 21, 1876, son of Chris-
tian Smith, grandson of Lsaac Smith and great-grandson of John Schmidt.
The latter was born in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., where he followed
farming. His children were Lsaac; Samuel; Sallie, wife of Christian Lutz;
and Susanna, Mrs. Greenawalt.
Isaac Smith, son of John, above, was born in 1806 in Albany township,
where he was reared. In his early life he learned the trade of stonemason,
which he followed throughout his active years, and he also owned and operated
a small tract of land. He was well educated and taught the German language.
He did not take any part in public affairs, but he was a Democrat in political
sentiment, and a Lutheran in religion, belonging to the Eck Church in Albany
township. His wife, Rachel (Correll), was also a native of Albany town-
ship, Berks county, and they had a large family, namely : Christian, now
deceased ; Charles, deceased ; Mary, who married Emanuel Sassaman ; James,
deceased ; Jonathan, deceased ; Abraham, deceased ; Isaac ; Julia, who mar-
ried Reuben Pauley and survived him, living at Drehersville, Schuylkill county,
until her death; William, who lives at Drehersville; Emma E., widow of Syl-
vester Kemp; and Susan, who died in infancy.
Christian Smith, son of Isaac, was born Nov. 16, 1831, in Albany town-
ship, Berks county, where he received a common school education. Coming
to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, when a youth, he was in the employ of a
Mr. Alspach, undertaker, for some time, later worked among the farmers
of this section, and then took the position of organist for the Frieden's Church
at New Ringgold ;. while there he also conducted the farm which is part of
the church property. After three years in that position he came to the farm
owned and controlled by Zion's Lutheran and Reformed Church in West
Penn township, where he spent the rest of his life. The property comprises
ninety-eight acres, of which seventeen are in timber. Mr. Smith followed
general farming very successfully and also acted as organist for the church
until his death, which occurred Oct. 29, 1906. His wife, Sarah (Strausser),
datighter of Benjamin Strausser, was born Oct. 14, 1839, and died April 3,
1914. They are buried at Zion's Church. Mr. .Smith was a member of the
Lutheran congregation there, and had the respect of the many residents of
this section with whom his duties brought him into contact. We have the
following record of their family: (i) Esther, deceased, was the wife of John
Dreher. of Allentown, Pa., and the mother of the following children : Ger-
trude, deceased; Charles; Ida; Katie; Stella; Ellen, deceasecl ; John; Minnie,
and James. (2) Rosie is the wife of William Fisher, and they reside at
Maysville Park, in Northumberland county. Pa. Their children are Gertrude,
William and Annie. (3) Charles, of Allentown, Pa., married Ida Alarsh,
and they have had five children, the only survivor being Stella. (4) Emma,
deceased, is buried at Zion's Church. She was the wife of William Dietrich,
of New Tripoli, Pa., and the mother of the following children: Jennie,
Mamie, Annie and Sallie (twins), Irene and Frank. (5) Frank, of Pen
Argyl, Pa., married Minnie Oplinger, and they have had seven children:
Ralph, deceased ; Dewey, deceased ; Leon. Hilda. Norman ; Albert, deceased ;
and Miriam. (6) Man,r, who married George Schnee. of Mount Carmel, Pa.,
is deceased, and is buried at Mount Carmel. She had two children, Edward
and Earl. (7) Elihu. of Hackensack, N. J., married Daisy Strausser, and
they have had seven children : Bessie, Wilbur, Leon, Rotherford, Irene,
478 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Daisy and Harold. (8) Sarah is the wife of Oscar Arndt, of Snyders, Pa.,
and their children are Matilda, Mary, Charles, Jennie, Arline, Walter, Hattie,
Roland and Howard, (g) William S. is next in the family. (lo) John and
(II ) Ellen died in infancy.
William S. Smith was reared in West Penn township, receiving his edu-
cation in the public schools. From boyhood he assisted his father with the
work on the farm, where he has spent all his life, succeeding his father as
tenant of the church farm and also as organist of the church. He has a high
reputation in the neighborhood as a musician, both vocal and instrumental,
having taught piano and organ for fifteen years, and for a number of years
conducted a singing school in the parish. Local affairs have always interested
him, and he has been especially helpful in securing good men for township
offices. As a Democrat, he has been identified with the party forces, served
ten years as election inspector, and has been a member of the board of school
directors for his township for four years. Like his father he is a member of
the Lutheran congregation at Zion's Church, and socially he holds membership
in Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A., at Schwartz's in West Penn
township. He is a citizen of recognized worth, a creditable representative
of the substantial family to which he belongs.
Mr. Smith married Anna Christianne Wiest, who was born Dec. 20, 1889,
and they have had four children: Willis Eugene, born Dec. 7, 1907; twin of
Willis E., born dead; Vema Alma, born April i, 1909; and Norman Wilbur,
born Nov. 28, 1912.
John Wiest, grandfather of Mrs. William S. Smith, came to this country
from Germany and first settled in Baltimore, Md. Later he made his home
in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he owned a small
tract of land, spending the latter part of his life there. He is buried in the
Frieden's cemetery at New Ringgold. He was married four times.
William Wiest, son of John, was born in Baltimore, Md., and moved with
his father to East Brunswick township, where he followed farming. His
wife's father, Elias Heiser, gave her a farm of fifty acres in that township,
nearly all cleared, and Mr. Wiest cultivated this place until his death, which
occurred April 9, 1897, when he was forty-two years old. His wife, Amanda
(Heiser), born July 20, 1853, daughter of Elias and Susanna (Henry)
Heiser, still lives on her farm. They were the parents of seven children,
namely: Alvina, who is deceased; Edward Franklin, a resident of New Ring-
gold; this county; Anna Christianne, Mrs. William S. Smith; Lenora, deceased;
Katie Susanna ; one that died unnamed ; and Martha, livmg at home. Mr.
Wiest was a Democrat in political opinion. Fraternally he was an Odd Fel-
low, belonging to East Bnmswick Lodge, No. 802, of New Ringgold, and his
religious connection was with the Lutheran congregation of the Frieden's
Church, in New Ringgold. He is buried there.
CHARLES F. OST, of Pottsville, has made his home in that borough for
over a quarter of a century, during much of which period he has been asso-
ciated with the Rettig Brewing Company in a responsible capacity. He is
also interested in business on his own account as president of the Mountain
City Knitting Company, of which his brother, August W. Ost, is general
manager.
Christian Ost, their father, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. He fol-
lowed farming and stone quarrying in the Fatherland. In 1887 he came to
SCHUYLKILL COUXTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\ 479
America with his children, landing at New York City, and several years later
settled at Pottsville, where he has since resided, engaged in the milk business.
He married Christina Yuengling, daughter of Jacob Yuengling, and she died
in Gemiany when about forty-seven years old, leaving live children, namely :
Christian, Charles F., August \Y., Annie and Wilhelmina.
Charles F. Ost was born July 4, 1868, in Wurtemberg, and was reared in
Germany. After his school days were over he assisted his father in quarry-
ing and upon the farm. Coming to America with the rest of the family, he
remained about six months in New York City, and then joined the family at
Pottsville. After a few months' work upon a farm here he found employ-
ment with the Yuengling Brewing Company, where he learned the business,
becoming assistant foreman four years later. He remained there in that posi-
tion for seven years, and on Nov. 6, 1899, entered the employ of the Rettig
Brewing Company, with which he has since been associated, being at present
brewmaster for that concern. Air. Ost has been thoroughly successful in
his chosen work, and the output of the brewery has increased considerably
since he took charge of the production. He is a man of substantial character
and well liked in his various connections. Fraternally he belongs to the local
lodges of the B. P. O. Elks and the L O. O. F., and is a member of the
Humane Fire Company. His religious connection is with the German Luth-
eran Church.
Mr. Ost married Sarah Crone, daughter of Francis Crone, of Trevorton,
Northumberland Co., Pa., and they are the parents of five children, namely :
Charlotte, Frederick, Lester, Francis and Karl. The family reside at No.
809 West Market street, Pottsville.
AUGUST W. OST, youngest son of Christian Ost, was born July 7,
1875, in Gemiany, where he received his early education, being twelve years
old when he came to America with his father, in 1887. He also accompanied
him to Pottsville, where he has since had his home. Learning the trade of
butcher in his youth, he followed it for nine years in all, and then for ten
years was employed by the Rettig Brewing Company. In March, 1913. he
turned his attention to the knitting business, becoming general manager of the
Mountain City Knitting Company, of which his brother, Charles F. Ost, is
president, and Charles F. Hay secretary and treasurer. They have a two-
story factory on Water street, equipped throughout with up-to-date machinery,
and steady employment is given to twenty hands. By judicious marketing the
product has been well introduced, and has given such excellent satisfaction
that orders are repeated and increased steadily, so that the demand has grown
at the most encouraging rate. The output consists of ladies' vests, athletic
shorts and ladies' union suits. Though a comparatively new busmess, the
Mountain City Knitting Company has respected standing among the reliable
concerns of the citv.
August W. Ost' was married to Annie Gross, daughter of Emst Gross, of
Pottsville, and they have one son, Leroy. now attending public school in the
city Mr Ost is well known sociallv as a member of the Odd Fellows (lodge
and encampment) and of the Good Will Hose Company, and his religious con-
nection is with the German Lutheran Church: he also belongs to the Zion
Society His high personal character, no less than his business ability, has
been a valuable a^sset in the fortunes of the Mountain City Knitting Company.
480 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANL\
ELL-\S K. STAUFFER, of Ringtown, has attained a substantial posi-
tion through the exercise of his remarkable mechanical talents, but he is no
less known for his participation in official and social activities. For years he
was one of the most popular figures in the locality in musical circles and his
son has inherited his ability in this direction, still sustaining high standing
among musicians in his section of the county.
The Stauffers are a very old family in Pennsylvania, descended from Hans
Stauffer. who was a Mennonite and a native of Switzerland, born in 1655
at Altzheim or Weisenau. In 1710 he came to America with his sons Jacob,
Daniel and Henry, and he is buried in the Mennonite cemetery at Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania.
Jacob Staufifer, son of Hans, was born in Switzerland in 1696, came with
his father to America, and is buried in the Mennonite cemetery at Bally,
Pennsylvania.
Christian Stauffer, son of Jacob, was born Dec. 18, 1728, died July 14,
1/97, ^nd is buried at Bally, Berks Co., Pa. He was a Revolutionary sol-
dier, serving throughout the war. was under the command of "Mad Anthony"
Wayne, and took part in the battles of Three Rivers, Canada, Ticonderoga,
Brandywine, Monmouth, Stony River, Green Spring and Yorktown.
John Stauffer, son of Christian, was born Dec. 24, 1758, and was the sec-
ond child and only son of his parents. He died March 5, 1845, ^"d is buried
in Locust \-alley, near Mahanoy City.
David Stauffer, son of John, was born Feb. 21, 1804, near the Trappe,
in Montgomery county, Pa., and was four years old when the family moved
to Ryon township, Berks (now Schuylkill) county, settling on the Klinga-
man farm, five miles southeast of Mahanoy City. Later he moved to Potts-
ville, Pa., in which town he was a pioneer settler, and thence to Tuscarora,
Schuylkill county. He was superintendent of construction on a portion of
the Schuylkill \'alley railroad, and also of the opening and operation of im-
portant coal workings, ser\'ing mostly as outside foreman. In May, 1839, he
moved to Union township, Schuylkill county, where he bought five hundred
acres of land, principally timbered, and he sold considerable of this tract to
his brothers, retaining 160 acres for himself. He built a log cabin thereon and
set about the work of clearing, making great improvement in the property. The
log cabin was his dwelling for almost six years, until he completed a better
residence a short distance from it, moving into the new house in 1844. He
continued to make his home on that place until 1855, when he purchased a
tract of sixty-five acres in what is now Ringtown borough, on which were lo-
cated a store, dwelling and hotel. Having formerly been in the hotel busi-
ness at Middleport he resumed it at this new location, carrying on the hotel
there for three years and retiring in 1858. Mr. Stauffer enjoyed a long life,
dying July 12, 1887. His father was a Mennonite, as the earlier ancestors
had been, but he was converted to the Lutheran faith by Rev. Mr. Schaeffer,
a Lutheran missionary stationed in his district, and was duly received into
the denomination by confirmation. He was an earnest member of St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran Oiurch at Ringtown.
Mr. Stauft'er married, on Jan. 26, 1829, Maria Anne Andreas (or -Vn-
drews), who was bom Jan. 13, 1809, in what was then East Penn township,
Northampton Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel and Maria Gertrude (Guldnerin)
Andreas, whose children were: Salome (Mrs. Henry Rumbel), Maria Anne,
Catherine (Mrs. John Bankes), Peter and Rebecca (Mrs. John Rumbel).
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV
481
Daniel Andreas came from Xorthaniptoii county to Union townshij), Sclniyl-
kill county, where he worked at his trade unti'l he died; he was a harness-
maker, and aLso followed shoemaking. Politically he was a Democrat, and in
religion he adhered to the Reformed faith. Mrs. Maria Anne (Andreas)
Stauffer sunived her husband a few years, passing away Jan. 21, i.Sy2, and
hers was the first funeral held in the new Reformed Church at' Ringtown.
She is buried with her husband in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery near that
borough. They were the parents of the following children: Daniel M., born
May 18, 1831, died Aug. 16, 1S98; he was twice married, to Amanda De h'rane
and Amanda Maurer, respectively. Josejjh, born May 18, 1833, married Retta
Lindermuth, of Ringtown. Benneville, born April 8, 1836, married Mary
Ann Brobst, and they are mentioned elsewhere. Angeline, bom Nov. 29,
1838, is the widow of J. A. Seeley, and lives at Hazleton, Pa. Sarah A. G.,
born April 13, 1841, married Jacob Rumbel (deceased) and (second) Joseph
A. Long, and lives in the Conyngham valley in Luzerne county. Pa. David,
born June 22, 1843, married Lucy A. Zimmerman, and they live at Ringtown,
Pa. William, born June 10, 1845, married Martha Bean, and died March 3,
1876. Franklin, born Jan. 29, 1848, married Mary Ann Barrow, and they
live at Hazleton, Pa. Elias K., born Feb. 15, 1850, married Sourie Ann
Goho, and they live at Ringtown. Mary C, born April 27, 1854, is the wife
of Theodore A. Breisch, and they live at Nuremberg, Schuylkill Co.. Penn-
sylvania.
Elias K. Stauflfer was bom Feb. 15, 1850, in Union township, Schuylkill
county, and was there reared and educated. He first attended the pay schools
conducted in the home locality, later the public schools of the township.
When his father thought he was old enough to go to work he apprenticed
him to learn the trade of clock and watch maker, which he mastered so thor-
oughly that he is still considered one of the most proficient in that line in
his part of the county, people coming from miles away to have him repair
their timepieces. After completing his term at that trade he served an
apprenticeship with his brother David at the coachmaking and wheelwright
business, remaining with him three years. He then went to Schnecksville,
Lehigh county, where he was employed by John Sachs for a period of
three months in the same line. Returning to Ringtown he went to learn tele-
graphy in the Philadelphia & Reading station there, later taking a position as
operator at Williamsport, Pa., under his brother-in-law, M. C. Croll, who was
chief operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at that point.
After thirteen months there he was transferred to Ringtown as operator, hold-
ing the position for three years, when he resigned and resumed his trades,
watchmaking, wheelwrighting, etc. He built a general repair shop on his prop-
erty at Ringtown, and had so many calls for his services that he found himself
doing work at many trades, painting, paperhanging and other mechanical occu-
pations. In fact, his natural and acquired gifts are such that he could put up
a building from the foundation, and finish it. He is still working at his various
trades. Mr. Staufl:'er was one of the first to advocate the establishment of a
bank at Ringtown, was secretan,' of the preliminary organization, and after the
bank was established became assistant secretary for one year, until elected vice
president, which position he has filled continuously to the present.
Mr. Stauffer was the leader of the Ringtown Cornet Band for five years,
and for many years taught vocal music, holding classes at different points in
North Union, Union and East Union townships. For years he was choir leader
A'ol. 1—31
482 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
in the Old White Church, directing the first choir that sang four-part music
there. His own church connection was with St. John's EvangeHcal Lutheran
Church at Ringtown, and he served as superintendent of the Union Sunday
school of Ringtown for over twenty-one years.
Mr. Stauffer has long been a prominent member of the Democratic party
in his neighborhood. He gave efficient service as school director in Union
township and was president of the board for five years, before the borough
of Ringtown was incorporated. He was also township assessor, and since Ring-
town has been a borough has held that position continuously. He has filled all
the positions on the election board, and has never missed an election since he
reached his majority. Fraternally Mri Stauffer has been prominent in the Odd
Fellows, belonging to Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, of which he is a past grand,
and he was a trustee of the lodge for years. He also holds membership in Shen-
andoah Valley Encampment, No. 258, of which he is a past chief patriarch,
having the past patriarch's degree conferred upon him at Pottsville, and the
grand encampment degree at Pittsburgh.
Mr. Staufifer married Sourie Ann Goho. who was born Nov. i, 1846, in
Union township, and they have one child, Arthur Elliott. Mrs. Stauffer was
reared and educated in her native township.
Daniel Goho, father of Mrs. Sourie Ann (Goho) Stauffer, was born Jan.
9, 1812, near Light Street, Columbia Co., Pa., was reared among strangers,
and learned the trade of blacksmith. He moved from his native county to
Union township, Schuylkill county, and died here Dec. 8, i860. His wife,
Mary (Zimmerman), born Dec. 9, 1818, in Union township, died June 19, 1895.
They had children as follows : Samuel died at a Soldiers' home, and his widow,
Jane (Fulton), is living at Williamsport, Pa.; Elizabeth, who is the widow of
Frederick Wright, lives at Hazleton, Pa. ; Daniel died unmarried ; Catherine,
now a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., married Elijah F. Bodey and (second)
Crossley Wilt; Sourie Ann married Elias K. Stauffer; Jacob married Ella
Stauft'er, and they live at Nuremberg, Schuylkill county; Henry (deceased)
married Ura Horn, who since his death has become the wife of George Gilbert,
and they live at Barnesville, Schuylkill county ; Rebecca married M. C. Croll,
and they are residents of Williamsport, Pa. The parents are buried at the Old
White Church, of which Mr. Goho was a member. He was a Democrat on
political questions.
Mrs. Mary (Zimmerman) Goho was born in Union township, daughter of
Roland Zimmerman, who was a lifelong farmer. He was a Democrat and a
Lutheran, belonging to the Old White Church, where he and his wife, Eliza-
beth (Vocht), are buried. They had children as follows: Sourie Ann, Mrs.
Rudolph Breisch; Lucy Anne, who married Matthias Haldeman; Seth, who
married Sarah B. Adams (they reared Mrs. Sourie Ann Stauft'er) ; Rebecca,
Mrs. P. M. Barrow; Rudolph, who married Sarah Fenstermacher ; Marietta,
Mrs. Frederick Ponsoldt; Roland, who married Sophia Fry; Fayetta, Mrs.
Jacob Breisch ; Catherine, Mrs. Jacob Fenstermacher ; and Mary, Mrs. Goho.
Arthur Elliott Stauffer, only son of Elias K. Stauft'er, was born Nov.
6, 1873, and spent his youth at Ringtown, obtaining his early education in the
public schools there. Later he took the teacher's course at the Keystone State
Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893, being
granted a teacher's diploma. He taught one year at the Krebs school in Union
township, and then turned to the painting and paperhanging business, which he
learned under his father's instruction, working with him until 1896. Since
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. PENNSYLVANL\ 483
then he has been in the business on his own accuunt, and has c()ntimic<l it suc-
cessfully.
Mr. Staufifer is a musician of ability, esiiecially proficient on liu- violin,
taught music in Ringtown for a number of years, and is still active in local
musical enterprises. For two years he was leader of the Citizens' Musical A.s-
sociation of Ringtown, and he is able to play any of the brass band instnmients.
He is a member and past grand of Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, L O. O. F., and
was secretary of that lodge for a number of years. Like all the rest of his
family he is a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Ringtown,
which he joined in 1900, and he taught in the Union Sunday school, of which
his father was superintendent.
Mr. Stauffer married Celestia Frances Lindenmuth, who was born Sept.
17, 1875, in Union township, where she received her education. She remained
at home until her marriage. Mrs. Stauffer is also a member of Sr. John's
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Two children ha\e been born to this marriage :
(i) Katie Bodey, born May 27, 1895, was educated in the public schools, grad-
uating from the Ringtown high school in 1912, and is assistant postmaster at
Ringtown under James A. Yost. She is a pianist of marked ability. (2)
Mayme Rebecca, born May 30, 1899, has received her education in the public
schools, being now a member erf the class of 1916 at the Ringtown high school.
John Lindenmuth, grandfather of Mrs. Arthur E. Stauifer, was a native of
Berks county. Pa., whence he moved to Schuylkill county, settling in Union
vownship, where he farmed the rest of his life. He was a Democrat and a
Lutheran, belonging to the Old \\'hite Church. He married Hannah I'enne-
packer. and they are buried in the Lindenmuth private cemetery in Union town-
ship. Their children were: Susanna, widow of Lewis Fuhrman, living at Ring-
town ; Jacob J. ; Elizabeth, who married Frank Rhodes, both now deceasetl ;
Rachel, widow of Daniel Rhodes, living at Rupert, Columbia Co., Pa. ; Amanda,
who married Peter Fry, both now deceased ; and William, who married Sallie
Lindenmuth (deceased) and (second) Eliza Deleplaine, who survives him and
lives at Zion Grove, Schuylkill county.
Jacob J. Lindenmuth was born Dec. 16, 1832, in Union township, on the
place now owned by Daniel Shoup. He was reared and educated there, and
worked for his father until his marriage, after which he was employed chiefly
in the timber woods to the end of his life. However, he also farmed for some
time, having bought his father's place some years after the latter's death. When
he retired he built a home in Ringtown, where he died Jan. 25, 1907. His
widow still resides there. Mr. Lindenmuth was a Democrat, and w^as elected
supervisor of his township, filling the office faithfully. He held membership in
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is buried at the Old White
Church.
Mr. Lindenmuth married Catherine LHshafer, who was born April 10,
1842, daughter of Thomas Ulshafer; her mother died when she was two weeks
old. To Mr. and Mrs. Lindenmuth were born eleven children : Hulda Anne
married Mayberry Heffner, and they live in Union township ; Franklin Pierce
married Ida Shou},-, and they live in Union towmship; John married Mary
Lindenmuth, and they are living in Egypt, Lehigh Co., Pa. ; Willis died when
twelve years old ; Stephen Grant, who is a hotel-keeper in Union township,
married Missouri Fuhrman; Sarah Matilda is the wife of Frank Gessley. of
Shenandoah, Pa.; Beulah Emma is the wife of Albert Lindenmuth, of Ring-
town ; Celestia Frances is the wife of Arthur E. Staufifer; Morris died when six
484 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
years old; Daisy Irene is married to Benjamin Faust, of Williamsport, Pa.; Isa-
bella is the wife of William Jones, of Brandonville, Schuylkill county.
FRANKLIN KANTNER, late of Cressona, Schuylkill county, where he
died in July, 1913, when almost ninety years of age, a veteran employee of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company and lifetime resident of that place,
was associated with many of the phases of its development and incidents of
historic interest. Mr. Kantner was employed by the original Mine Hill Rail-
road Company, when coal was hauled to the Schuylkill Navigation docks at
Schuylkill Haven by mule power, over wooden rails, before locomotives were
used in America. Charles and Robert Hill were the weighmasters there.
Mr. Kantner helped to install the first wood-burning locomotive brought over
from England, and was made engineer of one of the first two constructed by
the Baldwin Company, his engine being No. 2.
In 1847 the Mine Hill tracks were rebuilt for coal-burning engines, and in
1853 •'^I''- Kantner became engineer of one of these locomotives. No. 23, which
he ran for twenty-two years. In his later years as an engineer he was
employed by the late Henry Hazel, master mechanic, on the trial trips of new
engines. His regular runs were on the ^line Hill road, except when he was
sent out as pilot on other Philadelphia & Reading lines. After quitting the
engine, on account of advancing age, he became a yard boss, and he often
expressed his pride in the beautiful campus with its maple trees around the old
Mine Hill office; he superintended the planting of the trees and always had
great interest in their thrifty growth.
Mr. Kantner was employed by Superintendent Chapman in building the
massive walls of the old "Alansion House," at the upper end of Cressona,
which was recently torn down by the Philadelphia & Reading Company. He
was a personal associate of the late F. K. DeForest, pioneer of the New York
& Schuylkill Coal Company, and as well of Benjamin DeForest and John
Cresson, president, and B. A. Wilder, civil engineer and later acting president
of the company. The last named, who died four years before Mr. Kantner,
at the age of ninety, was a lifelong neighbor and personal friend. When well
along in the seventies Mr. Kantner became one of the first pensioners of the
Reading Railway Company, after fifty-six years of continuous service with the
Mine Hill and Reading Railway Companies.
Though almost ninety years old when he died Mr. Kantner retained his
clear intellect to the last, and was daily sought by statisticians and historians
because of his memory, which was wonderfully accurate, his recollections prov-
ing correct in every detail. A man of strong convictions, and noted for the
courage which impelled him to denounce emphatically whatever he thought
was morally wrong, he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was
frequently appealed to for practical counsel, and helped many a relative and
neighbor in business. "He furnished the initial capital to many a business man
in the community, many of whom succeeded, while in many others he lost
heavily." Though frugal in his own tastes and requiring little for his personal
wants, Mr. Kantner was a great provider for his family, for whom he never
hesitated to make sacrifices when they needed financial or other aid. He
married Caroline Kershner, whose death occurred thirteen years before his,
and was survived by six children : Alice, Mrs. W. H. Neiman, of California ;
Henry, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Emma, Mrs. John Butz, of Schuylkill Haven,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 485
Pa. ; Stephen A., of Reading, Pa. ; Laura A., Mrs. J. ?iL Hoffman, of Reading ;
and Howard F., of New York.
Mr. Kantner was buried in the family lot in the Schuylkill Haven ceme-
tery. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, and in politics a
lifelong Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James K. I^olk, his last
for Woodrow Wilson.
HENRY Y. GERHARD, of Orwigsburg, is a descendant of substantial
old Pennsylvania stock, belonging to a branch of the Gerhard family long set-
tled in Berks county, this State. The family is of German origin. His great-
great-grandfather, Frederick Gerhard, in company with his brother William
Gerhard and 340 other passengers came across the ocean on the ship "Sanniel,"
landing Aug. 27, 1737, and settled at Rehrersburg, in Tulpchocken township,
Berks Co., Pa., where he resided until his death. He is buried at Bern Church,
in Berks county.
Jacob Gerhard, son of Frederick, above, and great-grandfather of Henry
Y. Gerhard, was born May 17, 1773, and died April 10, 1837, aged sixty-three
years, ten months, twenty-four days. He bought the old homestead from his
father, and there followed farming and his trade of wheelwright, living there
until his death ; he is buried at Host, Berks county. His children were: Peter,
Heinrich (Henry), John, Jacob, William, Catherine, Lydia, Polly, Sarah, Eliza-
beth and Lavina.
Heinrich (Henry) Gerhard, grandfather of Henry Y. Gerhard, born May i,
1798, at Rehrersburg, died Nov. 22, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years, six
months and twenty-one days. Like his father he was a farmer and wheel-
wright. Coming to Schuylkill county in 1828, he bought a farm in West Bruns-
wick township April 5th of that year, the old Abraham Werner farm, compris-
ing 263 acres, 155 perches. He continued to farm there the rest of his life,
dying at that place, and is buried in the Reformed cemetery at Orwigsburg.
His wife, Maria Salome, daughter of Philip and Maria (Gilbert) Hoy, was
bom Tan. 2, 1800, and died Dec. 25, 1863, at the age of sixty-three years,
eleven months, twenty-three days. They were the parents of six children :
Maria, who married Daniel Alspach : Sarah, Airs. Samuel Yost ; Henrj' : Pris-
cilla, who married James Anderson and (second) Edward Mengel ; William;
and Edward, the last named dying young.
Henry Gerhard, father of Henry Y. Gerhard, was bom Aug. 25, 1829, in
West Branswick township, in the house where he still resides. Part of this
house was standing when his parents moved here, his father adding to it
subsequently. Mr. Gerhard has been living retired since 1912. He attended
school in the neighborhood, and farmed throughout his active years. After the
death of his father he bought 148 acres of the home property, his brother
William taking eighty-three acres, and their brother-in-law, Daniel Alspach,
also owning a tract. The latter engaged in the undertaking business. While
the cultivafion of the property was under Air. Gerhard's direct management he
was one of the prominent farmers in his vicinity and attended the markets of
Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Orwigsburg, where he was known as a thor-
oughly reliable dealer, all his transactions being above reproach. He is a Demo-
crat served many years as school director of his township, and was one of the
prominent members of the Reformed Church, in which he held the offices
of elder and deacon for many years.
On June 19, 1852, Mr. Gerhard married Diana Mengel, who was born Aug.
486 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
19, 1833, and died Jan. 3, 1857, at the age of twenty-three years, four months
and fourteen days. She was the mother of three children: Charles, born July
16, 1853, died Oct. 8, 1854; William Francis, born March 11, 1855; and Diana,
born Nov. 5, 1856, died Nov. 10, 1857. On Nov. 5, 1859, Mr. Gerhard married
(second) Eliza Yost, who was born June 19, 1838, daughter of Samuel and
Betsy (Merkel) Yost. Eleven children have been born to this union, as
follows: Elwood P., born May 31, i860, is living at Port Carbon; Mary E.,
born Aug. 2, 1862, is married to Joel S. Degler, who is farming in West Bruns-
wick township; Henry Y., born Oct. 5, 1864, is a shoe manufacturer of Orwigs-
burg; Samuel, born April 6, 1867, died aged nine years; Frank, born Feb. 5,
1869, is a farmer of West Brunswick township; Emma M., born Feb. 22, 1871,
married Jacob Zuber, and they are farming at Treichlers, Northampton Co.,
Pa.; George Albert, born April 11, 1873, is a stock fitter for The Rehr Shoe
Company, Orwigsburg; John, born March 17, 1875, is farming in the borough
of Orwigsburg; Calvin L., born July 2, 1876, is farming in the borough of
Orwigsburg; Hannah S., born June 20, 1881, married George Seltzer and is
living at McKeansburg, Schuylkill county ; and Edwin, born Oct. 20, 1884, is
farming the homestead place in West Brunswick township.
Henry Y. Gerhard was born Oct. 5, 1864, in West Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, where he received his early education, also attending school
at Orwigsburg. Afterwards he was employed upon a farm and for some
years clerked in a store, and for two years was an employee of the local trolley
company of Pottsville. In March, 1898, associated with George A. Rehr and
Thomas Schoener, he engaged in the manufacture of shoes, under the name
of the Rehr Shoe Company. They began in exceedingly modest quarters,
having one room on the second floor of the old courthouse at Orwigsburg, but
the business grew steadily from the start and has continued to prosper ever
since. The partnership was continued until the sudden death of Mr. Rehr, Oct.
4, 1912, after which the other two partners carried on the business for three
months, and then admitted M. L. Backenstose into the company. The business
is still operated under the old name. The product consists of infants' shoes,
and six men are constantly engaged on the road marketing the output, which
goes as far as the Western coast. From fifty to seventy-five hands are em-
ployed at the plant, which is under the superintendency of Mr. Gerhard, who is
treasurer of the company and general office man. Mr. Gerhard has done his
full share towards promoting the prosperity of the plant, keeping up-to-date in
every department, and his career as a member of the Rehr Shoe Company and
in every other relation has been without reproach. He is a man of broad
character and deservedly respected wherever known. Socially he is a member
of the Independent Americans, and his religious connection is with the Re-
formed Church, which he has served officially as member of the consistory.
Mr. Gerhard married Emma Maranda, born Feb. 2, 1872, daughter of
Sendarj' Knoll, of Rehrersburg, Berks county, and they have had three chil-
dren : Ina Rebecca, bom March i, 1901, who died March 20, 1901 ; Ella Nora,
born July 26, 1905; and Paul Jacob, born May 25, 1908.
WTLLLMM W. MARTIN has a blacksmith shop at Pottsville and does the
leading business in that line in the borough, having facilities and equipment
which enable him to handle the most important and exacting work. His
mechanical skill supplemented by a progressive disposition is manifested in his
readiness to take advantage of the opportunities offered by home trade and by
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 487
his prompt response to their demands. The patronage he has estabhshed justi-
fies the confidence he has in the business possibihties at hand. Mr. Martin was
born at Five Points, Schuylkill county, Oct. 26, 1864, son of William W. Martin
and grandson of John Martin.
John Martin, the grandfather, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, and
there married Elizabeth Thomas. They came to America with their family
and settled at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed mining. He
died there at the age of seventy years, and is buried in the Welsh cemetery,
on Minersville street, Pottsville. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
John Martin, namely: William W., David, Jane, John and Elizabeth Ann
(Mrs. Holland Wintersteen). The son David served in the Union army during
the Civil war, and was held at Libby prison, being exchanged after the close
of hostilities. He lived at St. Clair, where he died, and he is buried in the Odd
Fellows cemeter}' there.
W'illiam W. Martin, son of John, was born in Wales and was brought to
America by his parents. By occupation he was a miner, following that occu-
pation all his life in Schuylkill county, and he spent his later days at St. Clair,
where he died at the age of sixty years. During the Civil war he enlisted in
Company G, 48th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Regiment, and was in the service
for three years. He was wounded while in the army. Mr. Martin was twice
married, first to Elizabeth Abrahams, who died when twenty years old. Her
two children, John and Elizabeth Ann, are also deceased. For his second wife
Mr. Martin married Sarah Zimmennan, daughter of Nathaniel Zimmerman,
and of German extraction. She died at the age of sixty-two years, and is buried
with her husband in the Odd Fellows cemetery, at Pottsville. Ten children
were born to this marriage, namely: William W. ; Violet, wife of William W.
Urch, living at Pottsville, Pa.; Alfred, deceased; Oscar, a resident of St. Clair,
this county; Sarah, married to David David, residing at Pottsville; Frank, a
resident of St. Clair; Henry Paul, deceased; Libby Rebecca, wife of Thomas
Morgans, living at Pottsville ; Mary Bella, who married Arthur Mills, and died
in December, 1912; and Elwood, who lives at St. Clair.
William W. Martin attended public school, but he was only seven years old
when he began to pick slate at the breaker. He was so employed until he
reached the age of fourteen years. Then he went to work on a farm at Port
Carbon, following agricultural work for about four years. At the end of that
period he came to Pottsville and took employment with Guy Farquhar, with
whom he remained three years. Subsequentlv he spent a short time in the
employ of John Gilden and J. C. Bright, and on Aug. 23, 1883, he commenced
to learn the trade of horseshoer with T. J. Brennan, in his establishment on
South Railroad street. Having completed his apprenticeship he located at Port
Carbon, where he was in business for himself a short time, returning to Potts-
ville in 1886, and starting a shop of his own at No. iii South Railroad street.
He carried on business there for a period of twenty-one years, until he built
the up-to-date establishment which he now occupies, on West Norwegian street,
above Second CNo. 207). He located there in February, 1908. Mr. Martin
employs three skilled workmen steadily, keeping three fires going, and by satis-
factory service to his patrons he has acquired the leading trade in the borough.
He has also become prominent among his associates in the same line of busi-
ness, being a leading member of the National Horseshoers' Protective Associa-
tion,' which he ser\'ed for four years as president and for three years as vice
president. He is also active in the local society, which he helped to organize.
488 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Mr. Martin has become well known as a member of various other societies in
the borough, belonging to Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F. ;
P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 36; Knights of Malta; Independent Americans; Im-
proved Order of Red ]\Ien, of which he is a past official ; Sons of Veterans ;
and Fraternal Order of Eagles. For five years he was a member of the Penn-
sylvania National Guard, serving in the 8th Regiment. He is a member of
American Hose Company, No. 2 ; he was chief engineer of the Pottsville Fire
Department for one year, and first assistant engineer one year. The only
public office he has filled in the borough is that of councilman. Politically he
is a Republican, and his religious connection is with ihe English Lutheran
Church.
Mr. Martin married Sophie Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Pottsville.
and she died Dec. 24, 1910, leaving five children: Gertrude, now the wife of
Frank Morgan; Bessie, wife of George Moyer; William J., at home; Elsie and
George, both at school. On Oct. 23, 1912, I\Ir. Martin married (second) Carrie
Snyder, daughter of Reuben and Christian Dorothy (Sphere) Snyder. There
are no children by this marriage.
Jacob Snyder, Mrs. Martin's grandfather, was born in Germany, and on
coming to America settled first at Snydertown, Northumberland Co., Pa.
Later he moved to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and he died at Frackville, this
county. Reuben Snyder, his son, learned the trade of tinsmith, which he fol-
lowed. He was one of the "First Defenders" during the Civil war, serving in
the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, and making an e.xcellent record.
He married Christian Dorothy Sphere, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany,
and she came to America when eleven years old. She is now living at Potts-
ville, aged seventy-three years. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Snyder, namely : Sallie, Walter, Reuben, Elizabeth, Carrie, John, Emma, Annie,
Katie, Sophia, and three who died in infancy.
WILLIAM HAGNER. The Hagners are of German origin, John W.
Hagner, grandfather of William Hagner, having been born in Wurtemberg in
1779. He brought his family to America in the year 1816, landing at Phila-
delphia, and two years later removed to Berks county, this State, where his
wife died. After that he moved to Ohio. His son, John C. Hagner, was the
father of William Hagner. The latter was born in 1833 in the city of Balti-
more, on Sept. 25th, and most of his life has been spent in Pennsylvania. When
a young man he began railroad work, and when thirty years old, while acting
as a brakeman on the Mine Hill road, he met with an accident in the Cressona
yard which necessitated the amputation of his right arm. Then he turned to
telegraphy, and in that art he also instructed all his sons and a grandson, who
is operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at St. Clair. Mr. Hagner
was with the Philadelphia & Reading Company for fifty-one years altogether.
Meantime he was closely associated with the administration of public afl:'airs
at Cressona, which place he chose for his home many years ago. For over
forty years he held the position of tax collector in that borough, and he was
also borough treasurer for a period of sixty years, his long retention in both
capacities indicating the quality of his services and the satisfaction he gave to his
townsmen in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Hagner has an honorable record of over fifty years of service with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and is now on its retired list. Of
his sons, all but one are in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railw^aj*
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 489
Company, and wherever found the members of this family have won reputa-
tion for reliable character and at the same time gained a solid place in the
esteem of their fellow men. Mr. Hagner has long been a leading member of
the United Lvangelical Church, and one of its most valued workers, having
been president of the board of trustees, a class leader, and a teacher in the
Sunday school. Airs. Hagner also holds membership in that church.
On Feb. 21, 1857, Mr. Hagner was united in marriage with Elizabeth
Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, of Schuylkill Haven, the ceremony being
performed by Rev. A. Steigerwalt. She is five years younger than Mr. Hagner,
and both are remarkably well preserved and active for their age. On Feb.
21, 1907, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding was appropriately celebrated
at the home in Cressona, No. -jz Railroad street, and all their children and nine-
teen grandchildren were present on the occasion, as well as a host of friends,
various places in Schuylkill county, as well as the city of Reading, being well
represented among the company.
Mr. and Airs. Hagner have had a family of seven children, five sons and two
daughters, namely: (i) John W., of Reading, died on Aug. 6, 1915, aged
fifty-six years, from injuries received in an accident at Womelsdorf, Pa., while
in the performance of his duties as engineman for the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company. He was at the time acting as engineer of the special train
conveying a number of officials on a bridge inspection tour. He had been con-
nected with the Reading Company practically all his life, having frequently said
he started to work for the company as office boy when twelve years old. This
was at Cressona, whence he removed to Reading in 1900, living at No. 1026
North Eleventh street. He had been an engineer from 1888, running on all
the lines of the road on the Reading, Harrisburg and Shamokin divisions. He
was a member of Chandler Lodge, F. & A. M., the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and the Reading Railway Relief Association. Mr. Hagner is sur-
vived by his wife Alice (nee Bittle). and the following children: Arthur,
Alvena and Edna, and an adopted daughter, Ethel, of Reading. (2) Elmer E.,
who is employed at Rutherford and resides at Harrisburg, is married and has
the following children: Ralph, Catherine and Marie. (3) Frank J., train-
master for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at AUentown, is
married. (4) Warren A., train dispatcher for the Philadelphia & Reading
Railway Company at Cressona, is unmarried. (5) Rev. H. P. Hagner, pastor
of the United Evangelical Church at Akron, Lancaster county, is married
and has two daughters, Anna and Harrietta. (6) Catherine, Mrs. Hughes, of
Cressona, has children, Charles W., Anna, Joseph, John, Harry, Bessie, Warren,
Robert and William. (7) Mrs. John Krapf, of Cressona, has two children,
Franklin and Allan.
WILLIAM GEORGE DOEBLER, late of Pottsville, was one of the sub-
stantial residents of that borough for over a quarter of a century, and though
a man of unassuming character was well and favorably known to a large num-
ber of his fellow citizens. A native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born Oct. 20,
1 85 1, he was reared and educated in that land, and had the thorough training
typical of its institutions. When twenty-five years of age he came to America,
and settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co.. Pa., passed the remainder of his
life at that place, where he gained an enviable reputation as a desirable citizen.
By trade he was a stonemason, and after following that occupation at Pottsville
for many years as a journeyman he became superintendent for M. P. Quinn,
490 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
contractor, who was engaged in railroad bridge building. He continued in
this connection, directing Mr. Quinn's operations, for the remainder of his
active life. All of the construction work upon which he was engaged showed
the intelligence and ability of an efficient workman. He died Feb. 19, 1905,
at his home at No. 502 Laurel street, Pottsville, after a life of eminent useful-
ness, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. Mr. Doebler was a member
of the German Lutheran Church and of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
On Dec. 25, 1876, Mr. Doebler married Matilda Mary Vulpius, daughter
of Herman and Caroline (Weber) Vulpius, and she survives him, continuing
to occupy their old home on Laurel street. Mr. and Mrs. Doebler had two
children: (i) Charles, born at Pottsville, received his education there, and
for four years was employed with the late Heber S. Thompson, as an engineer.
He is now located in Philadelphia, as superintendent for a construction com-
pany. He married Grace Edythe Welker, and they have one child, Caroline
May. (2) Caroline Marie married James Robertson, and they reside at Potts-
ville.
Herman Vulpius, father of Mrs. Doebler, was born and reared in Germany.
After coming to America he lived at Pottsville for a time, and then went West,
to Colorado, where he made his home for twenty-eight years. After the death
of his wife he returned to his native country, where he has since resided. While
in this country Air. Vulpius took out a patent on a rifle, which is very highly
regarded. He and his wife had but one child, Matilda Mary, now the widow of
William G. Doebler.
ROBINHOLD. The Robinhold family of southern Schuylkill county is a
branch of the old Berks county family, the first of the line to settle in Schuyl-
kill county having been Adam Rabnold. The name is also found in the form
Raubenhold, at least one branch in Berks county using that spelling.
Adam Rabnold came from Longswamp township, Berks county, and settled
in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he followed farming,
owning about 500 acres of land, which is now owned by Henry Wagner, Joseph
Mengel and A. S. and G. H. Robinhold. Adam Rabnold died upon his farm,
and is buried at the Red Church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His
wife's maiden name was Sipe, and their children as follows: Peter; William;
Jonas (or Jonathan), who had three children, Hiram, William and a daughter;
Adam, who served in the Mexican war; Mrs. Benjamin Ketner; and Mrs.
George Mengel.
William Rabenold, son of Adam, above, made his home at Port Clinton,
Schuylkill county. For some years he was engaged in boating on the canal
and had teams working on the railroad, and later he was interested in farming
and had an extensive timber business, being one of the prominent men of his
day. He lived to the age of eighty years, dying at his home in Port Clinton,
where he is buried. Mr. Rabenold was one of the founders of the Lutheran
and Reformed Church at Port Clinton, and always took an active part in its
work. He married Priscilla Schaefi^er, daughter of Michael Schaeft'er. and the
following children were born to this union : William, deceased : Adam S.,
deceased ; James, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Lewis, who was killed in the
Civil war while serving as a member of the 48th Regiment (he was the tallest
man in his regiment, standing six feet, six inches in height) ; and George, who
is living at Port Clinton.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 491
Adam S. Robinhold, son of William, above, was born at Port Clinton, and
died there Jan. 13, 1904. and he is buried at that place. All his life he fol-
lowed farming and the timber business and made a great success in that line,
and he was equally prominent in the affairs of the town, with which he was
connected principally as a member of the school board, serving thirty-hve years
on that body. He married Alary Billig, daughter of Levi and Susan (Seidel)
Billig, the latter still living at Port Clinton. They were the parents of two
children, William L. and Lewis C.
William L. Robinhold was born Aug. 21, 1863, at Port Clinton, and
obtained his education in the public schools of his native place. In his early
manhood he engaged in railroad work, being an engineer on the Philadelphia
& Reading railroad for a period of twenty years. Mis run was between Potts-
ville and Philadelphia. When he gave up this work, in 1908, he became engaged
in the manufacture of shirts and nightrobes, and he is still carrying on that
business in partnership with his cousin George A. Robinhold, under the firm
name of Robinhold & Robinhold. He built the plant at Port Clinton (the main
part- of the present establishment), a brick building 60 by 35 feet, and his time
since has been devoted to the upbuilding of the business, which has grown to
such an e.xtent that from forty to fifty hands are now employed, with a steady
demand for the product. The goods turned out by Robinhold & Robinhold
have come to be regarded as among the most reliable in the market, and the
steady increase of business has been gained entirely on the honorable basis of
satisfaction to customers and good value. Mr. Robinhold is one of the most
energetic citizens of Port Clinton, and is as well liked as he is well known.
Like the members of the family generally he has been an enthusiastic sup-
porter of good educational facilities, and he is serving at present as a member
of the borough school board. His religious connection is with the Reformed
Church, which he is now serving as deacon, and he has shown his interest in
its welfare by faithful service in other capacities as well. Socially he belongs
to \''au.x Lodge, No. 406, F. & A. M., of Hamburg: to Reading Lodge of Per-
fection, of which he was a charter member; to Philadelphia Consistory, thirty-
second degree ; and he also holds membership in the P. O. S. of A. camp at New
Ringgold.
By his marriage to Lizzie H. Miller, daughter of David ]\Iiller, of West
Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., he is the father of five children: Olivia is the wife
of Prof. H. L. Seaman, and is living at Lansdale, Pa., where Mr. Seaman is
principal of the schools : Adam M. has graduated from Jeflferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, and is now practicing at Hamburg, Pa. : Helen, wife of
Harry E. Burkey. is also a resident of Hamburg, Pa. ; Mayme is living at home ;
Erma E. is attending school.
Lewis C. RobixhOld. M. D., younger son of Adam S. Robinhold, was
born Jan. 8, 1869, at Port Clinton. His early education was obtained in the
public schools there, and supplemented by a course at the Pottsville high school.
from which he was graduated in 1889. Then he entered Jefferson Medical
College, where he completed the course in 1891, in which year he returned to
Port Clinton to begin practice. After four years' experience in that location
he moved to Auburn and purchased the practice of Dr. Schultz, and he now
commands a wide patronage in the borough and vicinity. Dr. Robinhold's
professional work alone would entitle him to be classed among the most useful
members of the community, and he has made favorable standing in the profes-
sion, as his various connections show. He is a member of the Schuylkill
492 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
County Medical Society; of the Lower Schuylkill County Society; has been
deputy coroner of the county for the last sixteen years; is president of the
Auburn Board of Health ; and formerly served as pension examiner for Schuyl-
kill county, under appointment by President Cleveland. Dr. Gueldin of
Minersville was one of his fellow members on the board. With all these varied
duties of a strictly professional character, Dr. Robinhold's energies have also
sought other channels, and he has won recognition for business ability of the
highest order. He is vice president of the First National Bank of Auburn,
member of the Board of Trade, and has been president of the borough school
board for the last nineteen years, doing effective work in every connection.
His cooperation and support are solicited in every good cause, and never with-
held when he feels that the welfare of the community is at stake. Fraternally
he belongs to the Elks lodge at Pottsville and to Page Lodge, F. & A. M., of
Schuylkill Haven.
Dr. Robinhold married Bertha Schickrau, daughter of Augustus Schickrau,
of Schuylkill county, and they have two children: Guy A., who graduated from
the Pottsville high school in 1914, is now a student at Jefferson Medical Col-
lege; Madeline is attending school at Auburn.
JOHN J. MOORE, M. D., of Pottsville, one of the younger medical prac-
titioners of Schuylkill county, is a native of that city and member of a family
of Irish extraction which has been settled in the county for many years.
James Moore, his great-grandfather, lived and died in County Meath, Ire-
land, where he was a large landowner and engaged in agricultural pursuits.
His children were James and Peter, the former of whom died in Ireland.
Peter Moore, the Doctor's grandfather, was born in County Meath, and was
twenty-four years old when he came to America. Landing at New York City,
he proceeded thence to Reading, Pa., and continued on to Schuylkill county,
settling at Port Carbon, where he had a newspaper agency for many years.
At one time he was also engaged in the grocery business. His death occurred
at Port Carbon in 1874, when he was sixty-two years old, and he is buried
there. By his marriage to Catherine Keen, a native of Lancaster county, Pa.,
he had four children who grew to maturity, namely : Margaret, Joseph, Peter T.
and Lawrence. The mother lived to the age of eighty, dying in 1890.
Peter T. Moore, father of Dr. John J. Moore, was born at Port Carbon,
and he was about eight years old when he began working, first carrying papers
for his father. Later he was employed on the Schuylkill canal for a number
of years, by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and also at the
mines. In 1878 he engaged in the sewing machine business, which he still con-
tinues, having built up a large trade by close attention to his work and careful
consideration for his patrons. His place of business is at No. no North
Second street, Pottsville. Mr. Moore was married in 1876 to Catherine
Ouinn, daughter of John and Catherine (McDoual) Quinn, and their family
consists of four children, Catherine, John J., Peter T. (living at Charleroi, Pa.)
and Florence (at home).
John J. Moore was born Jan. 25, 1882, and received his literary education
in Pottsville, graduating from the high school in 1900. He then entered the
Medico-Chirurgical College in Philadelphia, where he took a full course,
graduating in 1905, and on June i, 1905, entered the Medico-Chirurgical hos-
pital, in the same city, as an interne, remaining there until Oct. i, 1006. He
first began practice on his own responsibility in Jefferson county. Pa., where he
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 493
was located for one year as physician and surgeon for the Panther Run Coal
& Coke Company. Returning to Pottsvilic at the close of his experience there,
he opened an office, and in the several years of his practice here has acquired an
exceptionally good patronage, his devotion to his work meeting with the reward
it deserves. The various endeavors made by the profession to promote the
general welfare and interest the public in questions of health have in him a
hearty coworker. He is a member of the American Tuberculosis Society, of
the Schuylkill County Medical Society, of the State and National A.ssociations,
of the Pottsville Medical Club, which he has served as secretary and treasurer,
and he is on the stall' of the Pottsville hospital. Socially he holds membership
in the Schuylkill County Motor Club and B. P. O. Elks Lodge, No. 207, at
Pottsville. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, belonging to St. Peter's Church.
By his active participation in the various interests of the borough and surround-
ing territory Dr. Moore is becoming known as one of the most public-spirited
citizens of his section, having done valuable work not only in his professional
capacity, but wherever else opportunity is offered.
In 1907 Dr. Moore married Elizabeth Dure Sharp, daughter of Thomas
Sharp, of Wilmington, Delaware.
WILLIAM H. GERBER, of Orwigsburg, bears a name well respected m
the business circles of that place, and of old standing in Schuylkill county, he
being a member of the fifth generation here. He is a descendant of Henry
Gerber, a native of Germany, who was among the pioneers in southern Schuyl-
kill county, locating in West Penn township, where he continued to reside to
the end of his life.
John Gerber, son of Henry, also lived in West Penn township, where he was
born. By trade he was a cooper, but fanning was his principal business, and
he was so engaged in East Brunswick township, where he settled. He died
there in 1851, at the age of fifty-six years, and is buried at the old town of
McKeansburg. He married Sarah Schaeffer, and they became the parents of
nine children, eight sons and one daughter, namely : David, John, Nathan, Ben-
jamin, Joshua, Henr>', Samuel, James (or Phanas) and Sarah. The daughter
married Israel Yost, formerly a creamery proprietor of East Brunswick town-
ship, near New Ringgold.
Benjamin Gerber, son of John, was born in East Brunswick township, and
spent all of his life in that section. He lived to a great age, dying Jan. 21, 1914,
in his ninetieth year, at Mahanoy City, this county. He had the following
family: William, Manden, George, Cordelia, Isabella, Adeline, Anetta and
Mary.
Manden Gerber, son of Benjamin, was born in East Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, and has been associated with the milling and grain trade
practically all his life. He learned the business of miller at the Moyer mill in
West Brunswick township, later conducting the well known Kimmel mill at
Orwigsburg, and is now selling grain and feed by the carload lot. His home
is at Orwigsburg. To his marriage with :\Iary Gearhart, daughter of William
Gearhart, has been born a family of five children : Annie, deceased, who was
the wife of William Fister,^of Philadelphia: Wilham H. ; Frank C, a prom-
inent business man of Orwigsliurg. engaged in the shoe business ; Charles M.,
who resides in Philadelphia : and one child that died in infancy.
William H. Gerber was born Dec. 15. 1S75, and attended public school in
Orwigsburg and West Brunswick township. During his young manhood he
494 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
engaged in agricultural work, which he continued to follow for eighteen years,
after which he spent six years at Philadelphia, employed in the Baldwin loco-
motive shops. Returning to Orwigsburg, he-took a position in a shoe factory,
which he held for nine months, at the end of that period, in company with his
brother F. C, buying out the milling business of A. W. Shick, at Orwigsburg,
who conducted the well known Kimmel mill, one of the early gristmills of this
section. F. C. Gerber retired from the firm in September, 1913. Mr. Gerber
does a general milling business, and has not only retained the substantial patron-
age which this mill has always enjoyed, but has increased it by his up-to-date
methods and judicious handling of trade. In his management of the establish-
ment he has shown the possession of capability and enterprise characteristic of
his family, and he ranks deservedly among the most respected citizens of the
borough. Socially he is a member of the Independent Americans.
Mr. Gerber married Elizabeth Will, daughter of W. O. Will, of New
Ringgold, Schuylkill county. They have no children.
CHARLES C. BORBACH is now living retired at Pottsville, where he
settled in 1895 and spent the closing years of his business career as a hotel-
keeper. A German by birth, he remained in his native land until he had
reached manhood, and since coming to America has made his home in Schuyl-
kill county. Pa. He met with substantial success and is now enjoying the
leisure to which his thrift and diligence of fonner days entitle him.
Adam Borbach, the father of Charles C. Borbach, was a farmer in Germany
and lived and died in that country. He had the following children : Adam died
in Switzerland and is buried there ; John owns the old family homestead at
Huppert, Germany, and is engaged in farming there ; Charles C. is third in the
family ; George and Jacob are also engaged in farming at Huppert ; Adolph is
teaching in a public school at Biebrich on the Rhine ; Emma is the wife of
George Schipp and resides at Biebrich ; Philip is extensively engaged in the
manufacture of furniture, having a fine plant at Meilen, Switzerland.
Charles C. Borbach was bom Jan. 24, 1855, in Prussia, had the thorough
training and education customary there, and was engaged in farm work until
he came to this country, in the year 1886. Landing at New York City, he
continued on to Pennsylvania without delay, settling first at Tower City,
in Schuylkill county, where he was employed for a year in the mines. Remov-
ing thence to Cumbola, he was at that location until 1895, when he settled in
Pottsville and engaged in the hotel business at the corner of East Market and
Railroad streets, conducting the "Sterling House." After doing business at
that site for about five years he moved in 1900 to No. 6 South Centre street,
where he was in the same line until his retirement in 1908. That year he built
and occupied the fine home at No. 550 East Norwegian street where he and
his family have since lived. He married Emma Trachte, a native of Schuylkill
county, and they have one son living, George W., the second of their children,
who is engaged as a clerk in Pottsville and lives with his parents. There were
two other children : George W., who died when sixteen months old ; and William
A., who died when six months old. Mr. and Mrs. Borbach are members of the
German Lutheran Church. He votes independently, supporting the men and
principles which best meet his ideas. In 1912 he and his wife took a trip
abroad, visiting his old home in Germany and also traveling elsewhere in that
country as well as in Switzerland.
William Trachte, father of Mrs. Borbach, was born Dec. 2, 1834, in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 4!)5
Welleringhausen, in Waldeck, Germany, and came to America in 1865. He had
learned the trade of cabinetmaker, and when lie settled at Pottsvillc found work
as a carpenter, being also employed thus at New i'hiladelphia, this county, build-
ing breakers. Subsequently he kept hotel at Cumbola, this county, on his own
account, giving up this business Feb. 7, 1900. Besides he carried on a team-
ing business, which he continued until 1912. He is now living retired, making
his home with his daughter Mrs. Borbach. His wife, Annetta (Brcne), a
native of Usslen, Waldeck, Germany, died Nov. 28, 1911, and is buried in the
Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville. l'"our daughters were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Trachte ; Annetta married George Bickert; Henrietta, who died when
twenty-two years old, was the wife of Christian Schultz ; Emma, Mrs. Borbach ;
Caroline died in infancy.
FATHER JOSEPH GAZDZIK, of Minersville, has been stationed there
since Feb. 7, 1912, and has been laboring faithfully for the upbuilding of his
parish. He is a native of Poland, born Jan. 7, 1882, at Rymanow, son of
Paul Gazdzik. His father is also of Polish birth. He taught school in his
native country, also serving as clerk of the courts in his home county in Poland,
came to America twenty-eight years ago, and is now living at Philadelphia,
Pa., employed as a mechanic.
Joseph Gazdzik, after five years of preparatory education, spent eight years
in the Sanok high school and college, later attending the Lwow University of
Law. Then he continued his studies in the Krakow University of Law and had
four years of theology in Przemysl. Coming to America, where he arrived
Aug. 12, 1907 (following his father to this country), he spent one year in the
Overbrook Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pa., and was ordained the 27th
of May, 1908. During the next five years preceding his coming to Minersville,
he was first assistant rector of St. Laurentius Polish Church at Berks and
Memphis streets, in Philadelphia, this service covering two and a half years.
Then he was located as rector in Phoenixville, Pa. ; rector of St. Ladislaus
Polish Church in Philadelphia, Hunting Park and Germantown, Pa., until his
transfer to ^Minersville. His work here has been characterized by the utmost
fidelity to his duties, for which his early training eminently qualified him.
ALBERT A. UNGER is a prominent official of Porter township, Schuylkill
county, having served his community in several positions of trust, and has
been active in other associations, evidencing a degree of ability and public
spirit which has made him a desirable representative of his fellow men on
numerous occasions.
Mr. L'nger was born in Porter township, Schuylkill county, March 24, 1879,
son of Simon Unger, and grandson of Adam Unger. His education was
obtained in the pubtic schools of his native township, and after graduating from
the township schools he became a clerk for his brother Henry, in a general
store at Reiner City, Porter township. After three years' work there he took
a position at the Lincoln mines, doing laboring work for the first two years,
and then for five years following mining. Having acted as fire boss at the
East Brookside colliery for thirteen months, he passed the foreman's examina-
tion, and received a certificate of competency as foreman. On Jan. i, 1909,
he became transcribing clerk in the recorder's office of Schuylkill county, at
Pottsville. and has filled that position continuously since. Meantime, in 1907,
he was appointed a justice of the peace for Porter township, was elected to the
496 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
office in 1908, for a full term of five years, and in 1913 was reelected for a
six-year term. He has also served as register assessor of his township. Mr.
Unger has given faithful attention to the details of his public responsibilities,
and his fellow citizens have not been slow to recognize the prompt and
intelligent manner in which he has handled their affairs. In 1907 he estabhshed
a fire insurance agency in Porter township, with which he has been very suc-
cessful. He is a Republican on political issues.
While engaged at mine work Mr. Unger became a member of the Mine
Workers of America, and served as one of the delegates to the convention at
Indianapolis. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. ; a prominent worker in the
Jr. O. U. A. M., having served seventeen years as recording secretary of the
local council, for six years as deputy State counselor from his district, and
in 1914 was appointed county deputy for all councils in Schuylkill county ; he
also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Tower City, this county, and to the
Knights of Malta, at Pottsville. Mr. Unger belongs to the Evangelical Church,
and has been especially active in the work of the Sunday school, being a teacher
and valued adviser ; he is at present district president of the Tower City Sunday
School District.
Mr. Unger married Annie Seller, daughter of Emanuel Seller, of Porter
township, and they have three children, Eva, \ esta and Norman.
JEREMIAH F. BAST, of Schuylkill Haven, founder of the business
now conducted under the name of J. F. Bast & Sons, Incorporated, and still
associated therewith as the treasurer of the company, was one of the pioneer
mill owners in Schuylkill county. This industry is now an important source
of prosperity in the county, and Mr. Bast has been one of the leading figures
in its development. His progressive disposition, his ready comprehension
and his ability to put his ideas into execution have resulted in the building
up of a trade which brings the establishment of J. F. Bast & Sons to a
position among the valuable manufacturing concerns of the borough and
vicinity. They also have a branch mill at Cressona, this county, which is
under the charge of one of Mr. Basts sons.
The Bast family has been established in Pennsylvania from early days,
Jacob Bast, the great-grandfather of Jeremiah F. Bast, having been a pioneer
settler in Maxatawny township, Berks county, where he lived and died.
He was of Jewish origin. His family consisted of twelve sons and one
daughter, of whom Gideon became a resident of Schuylkill Haven, where
he was a well known citizen.
Jacob Bast, the grandfather of Jeremiah F. Bast, was born in Maxatawny
township, and was a farmer by occupation. He and his wife, whose maiden
name was Boyer, died at Hamburg, Berks county. Their children were :
William, Henrj^ and Isabella (who married John Levan).
Henry Bast, father of Jeremiah F. Bast, was born Sept. 24, T820, at
Macedonia, Berks county, and died May 18, 1892, at Pottsville, Pa. He
learned the trade of carpenter, and for some time lived at Hamburg, Berks
county, building the present station of the Philadelphia & Reading Company
at West Hamburg. Coming to Schuylkill county in 1851, he lived at dif-
ferent locations in the southern section for a number of years, part of the
time on a farm near Schuylkill Haven. There he remained until 1879,
meantime continuing to follow carpentering and contracting also, and then
moved to Pottsville. Work at his trade had become too arduous for one
a^
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 497
of his years, so he opened a notion and grocery store on Laurel street, in
Pottsville, and carried it on until his death. He is buried in the Union
cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Bast served in the Union army through-
out the Civil war. He married Esther Focht, who was bom July 22, 1822,
and died Jan. 31, 1890. Their family consisted of seven children, four
sons and three daughters. Mr. Bast was a Democrat originally, but his
sympathy with the objects of the Prohibition party led him to change his
politics in his later years. He was a consistent member of the Evangelical
Church.
Jeremiah F. Bast was born Oct. 13, 1841, at Rockland, Berks Co.,
Pa. Plis education was rather limited, his opportunities being confined
to such as the subscription schools of the day offered. When seventeen
years old he began to learn the trade of carpenter with his father,
and he continued to follow that calling for twenty-eight years, part of the
time as foreman in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company.
Meantime he had also started a dairy business, in order to provide occupation
for his growing sons, and carried it on successfully for a period of eleven
years. In 1889 he commenced the business which has since been the chief
interest of his family. That year he built a small mill at Schuylkill Haven,
equipping it with the most up-to-date machinery for the manufacture of
cotton, woolen, worsted and silk goods. But the business gradually resolved
itself into the manufacture of knit goods only, the product being ladies'
cotton underwear. As it began to prosper Mr. Bast used the profits to add
to its equipment and enlarge the accommodations and facilities, and the
business expanded as the trade demanded, until it is now one of the largest
of its kind in the county, considerably over one hundred employees being
steadily engaged in the various branches of the work. For a number of
years the establishment had been known as the Royal Knitting Mills. On
May 12, 191 1, the business was incorporated with the present officers:
S. I. Bast, president ; W. M. Bast, vice president ; T. F. Bast, secretary ;
J. F. Bast, treasurer. Since this organization was effected the company
has been known as J. F. Bast & Sons, Incorporated. To Jeremiah F. Bast,
the father, belongs the greater share of the credit for the substantial basis
on which the business has been placed. His courage in undertaking this
business and his faith in its possibilities are well shown by the fact that he
was the first knitting mill owner in Schuylkill county, and the second between
this location and Philadelphia, the first having been at Kutztown. in Berks
county. The ability Air. Bast displayed from the beginning in the conduct
of his mill has been recognized in business circles, and he has the confidence
of all with whom he has been associated in any way. As his interests
widened he took on new responsibilities, being one of the organizers of the
First National Bank of Schuylkill Haven, of which he was an original
director, still continuing to serve as a member of that board. Other local
enterprises have had his influence and support, which are always felt. He
has contributed towards the erection of several churches, and has been a
prominent member of the Evangelical Church at Schuylkill Haven, giving
generously to its support and serving the congregation in various capacities,
having held the offices of steward, trustee and treasurer. His interest in
the public schools led him to accept the position of school director, in which
he has given efficient service, and has also been a member of the borough
council. On political questions he is a Republican. Everything affecting
Vol. 1—32
498 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the general good has his hearty sympathy, and he well deserves his reputa-
tion as one of the most valuable citizens of the borough.
On Jan. i, 1863, ^Ir. Bast married Susanna Krommes, daughter of David
and Lovina Krommes, and to their union was born one daughter, the mother
and child both dying in 1864. On June 6, 1865, Mr. Bast married Sarah
Reber, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Reed) Reber, and to this mar-
riage were born seven sons, as follows: (i) Walter ^lilton, born Oct. 20,
1866, now vice president of the firm of J. F. Bast & Sons, has been connected
with the business since 1908, previous to which time, from 1886, he was in
the employ of the Reading Railroad Company. He is still a member of
Pottsville Division, No. 90, B. L. E., is a member and past master of Page
Lodge, No. 207, F. & A. M., and belongs to Mountain City Chapter, No.
196, R. A. M., of Pottsville, as well as Carroll Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F.
For nine years he served as a member of the borough council. He married
Emily K. Schwenk, and they had a family of six children : Joseph, who
was drowned in the Schuylkill river when eleven years old (his body was
never found): Earle; Sarah; Marion; John, deceased; and Charles. (2)
Harry Edward, bom March 29, 1869, died at the age of forty-two years.
He married Emma Shellenberger, of Auburn, Pa., and their family con-
sisted of six children : Ralph ; Lloyd, who was drowned at the same time as
his cousin Joseph; Esther; Harry; Jeremiah, and Florence. (3) Samuel
Irwin, born Feb. 21, 1871, now president of J. F. Bast & Sons, married
Jennie Coldren, and their children are, Lester. Hazel, May, Harold. Ethyle
and Christena. Mr. Bast has been a member of the school board for fourteen
years, and is at present filling a six-year term on that body. He is a promi-
nent member of the First M. E. Church, of which he has been a trustee, and
for six years served as treasurer of the Sunday school. He is the chief of
Liberty Hose Company, No. 4, of Schuylkill Haven, a member of the Jr. O.
U. A. M., of the Royal Arcanum and of the I. O. H. (4) Oliver Oscar,
born Oct. 12, 1873, is mentioned below. (5) George Albert, born Sept.
6. 1877, died when two years old. (6) Thomas Franklin, born Feb. 14,
1879, now engaged as a merchant at Schuylkill Haven, is secretary of J. F.
Bast & Sons. By his first wife, Irene Snyder, who died Feb. 2, 1914. he
has two children, Paul and Donald. For his second wife he married Minnie
Scholl. (7) Homer J., born April 5, 1885, acts as assistant to his brother
Samuel. He married Viola Kaufifman, and their children are Grace and
Carl. The mother of this family died Aug. 10, 1896. In March, 1897.
Mr. Bast married Mrs. Rebecca Boyer, of Schuylkill Haven, who died April
14, 1903. On Nov. 4, 1903, he married Alice May Boyer, of Philadelphia,
daughter of Louis and Catherine (Krause) Boyer. and granddaughter of
Phillip Boyer, an early settler of Schuylkill Haven, who built and conducted
the "Cross-Keys" hotel, now known as the "Columbia"' hotel.
It was as the result of the activities of the Bast brothers and Harry
Shoemaker, and through their devoted efforts, that Liberty Hose Company,
No. 4, acquired its fine quarters. The building was erected at a cost of four
thousand dollars. Thev organized the company in 1909, and it now has a
membership of about sixty-five.
Oliver Osc.\r B.\st was born Oct. 12, 1873, at Schuylkill Haven,
where he obtained a public school education. When a youth of sixteen he
entered his father's mill there to learn the business, which he has mastered
in all its details. When the branch at Cressona was established, on Jan. 7.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 499
1914, he was placed in charge there. Practically all of the finishing of the
garments is' done at this plant, which is located at Fourth and Chestnut
streets, Cressona. It is 45 by 100 feet in dimensions, and the equipment is
up-to-date in every respect. Prom twenty to twenty-live hands are employed
here. When the business of J. P. ISast iS: Sons was incorporated, in lyix,
Oliver O. Past became a director of the concern. His work has provctl llial
he has the executive ability and enterprise typical of the members of this
family, and he is doing his share towards the success of the thriving industry
which they have built up. Pie still maintains his home at Schuylkill Haven,
residing on Pern street, and he is at present a member of the borough council,
in which he has been serving for the last three years.
Mr. Past married Alary L. Fahl, daughter of Josiah Pahl, of .Auburn,
this county, and they have had si.x children, namely: Roy P., Alarlin U.,
Ada N., Leon F., Marj' A. and Oneida P., the last named dying when one
year, two months old. The eldest son, Roy B., is a student at the IVledico-
Chirurgical College, at Philadelphia, preparing for the practice of medicine.
The family are Methodists in religious connection. Fraternally Mr. Past
holds membership in the Jr. O. U. A. J\L, and in the Improved Order of
Heptasophs.
CLAUDE HENRY HAWKLXS, general merchant of Auburn, Schuylkill
Co., Pa., and president of the Auburn Light, Heat & Power Company, was born
at Menges i\lills, York Co., Pa., Oct. i, 1882. He is the son of James H.
Hawkins, grandson of John K. Ilawkins and great-grandson of William
Hawkins, and the family is of English ancestry.
William Hawkins was born at Plandon. Perks Co., Pa., was a farmer and
iron ore miner, and one of the prominent citizens of that section of Pennsyl-
vania in his day. He died at the age of seventy-two years, on the Kauffman &
Spang farm, near Molltown, Maiden-creek township, Berks county, and is
buried there. His wife died at the age of seventy-two also, and is buried at
Kirbyville, Berks county. He was a Lutheran, and his wife was a member of
the Society of Friends. Mr. Hawkins was married to Elizabeth, daughter of
Samuel Kauffman, of Berks county, and their children were: William (de-
ceased), John (deceased), Henry (living). Nicholas (deceased). Wilson,
Emma (deceased wife of John Stout), Marv (widow of Frederick Koch) and
Caroline (who married a Mr. Schlegel). Air. Hawkins was a Republican in
politics.
John K. Hawkins, grandfather of Claude H. Hawkins, was bom at Moll-
town, Berks Co., Pa., and educated in the schools of the town. He was
reared to the occupation of farmer, but entered the iron mines when he was
nineteen years of age. So well did he accomplish his work in this chosen calling
that he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the Aloselem mine,
owned by Kauffman & Spang, in Berks county. In iSCkj he moved_ to York
county and opened five mines for the following companies : John G. Kauffman,
Kauft'man, Brooks, Eckert & Co., and the Leesport Iron Co. During the panic
he moved back to Berks county, and was made superintendent of the mines
near Molltown. He died at the age of fifty-seven, and is buried in St. Peter's
Reformed cemetery at Molltown. Air. Hawkins was married to Lydia Heffner.
who was born Jan. 16, 1843, at A'irginville. Berks Co.. Pa., a daughter of
Solomon and Rebecca (Graef?) Heffner. To this union si.x children were born :
James H., mentioned below: Annie, wife of Walter Brown; John, deceased.
500 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
who married Annie Young; Sallie, who married Truman Lathrop; Mamie,
deceased; and Kate, unmarried. Air. Hawkins was an active member of St.
Peter's Reformed Church at Molltown, and socially he was connected with the
Knights of Pythias at Fleetwood, Pa., and the Junior Order United American
Mechanics at Leesport, Pa. His widow is now living at Auburn, Pennsyl-
vania.
James H. Hawkins was bom at Molltown, Berks Co., Pa., June 22, i860,
and attended the schools at Leesport, Berks county, and Smith's Station, York
county. He then entered the store of Edward P. Kuhn, at Hanover, Pa.,
where he clerked for a time, from there going to work on the farm of the Lees-
port Iron Company, where his father was a tenant. Remaining with his father
a few years, he next accepted a position as manager in the iron mines, where
he remained for thirteen and a half years. Mr. Hawkins was then employed
by the Hamburg Electric Light Company for a short time, but soon moved onto
his father's farm near Auburn, for the first two years being engaged in farm
work. Then he was engaged by the Pottsville branch of the Grand Union Tea
Company as county salesman, having full charge of the territory between Potts-
ville and Fleetwood. After four years on the road he entered the E. & G.
Brooke Diamond Drill Works, at Birdsboro, remained there a short time, and
then returned to Auburn, to enter the general store business. After conducting
the store about nine years he sold out to his son Claude and retired.
James H. Hawkins married Eliza Henry, who was born in Adams county,
Pa., a daughter of Nicholas Henry, and to this union were born children as
follows : Cora, who died in infancy ; and Claude H., mentioned below. Mrs.
Hawkins died in 1887, aged thirty-seven years, and is buried at Molltown, Pa.
Subsequently Mr. Hawkins married Hannah Mengel, who was born in October,
1874, in South Manheim township, a daughter of Bernhard and Rebecca
(SchaefTer) Mengel, and they have had four children: Roy James, who married
Lottie Tobias ; John K., deceased ; and Florence and May, at home. Mr.
Hawkins is a Republican in politics and served for eight years as councilman
of Auburn. He is a member of Wassagahanna Tribe, No. 250, Improved Order
of Red Men, of which he is a Past Sachem, is a member of the Reformed
Church at Auburn and secretary of the Sunday school connected with that
church.
Claude Henry Hawkins was educated in the schools of York county, Moll-
town, Berks county. Auburn, Schuylkill county, and the Pottsville business col-
lege, taking a commercial course, stenography and typewriting, at the latter
place. His first position was with the Charles F. Felin Company, lumber
dealers, of Philadelphia, where he remained for a brief period, returning to
Auburn to work for his father in the latter's general store. In 1908 he bought
his father out and has since conducted the store with great success. Besides
carrying a general stock of goods he handles motorcycles and supplies, selling
the Indian, Reading Standard and Excelsior makes, for which he has created a
large trade. Mr. Hawkins is president of the Auburn Light, Heat & Power
Company, which was incorporated with a capital of $10,000 in 1909, and sup-
plies electricity to Auburn and Port Clinton. He is a member of the Board of
Trade of Auburn and is interested in all that is helpful and for the best interest
of his town and its residents.
Mr. Hawkins was married to Elsie Lindemiuth, daughter of Benjamin
Alfred and Sarah (Ribkee) Lindermuth, and they have one child, Ernest
Allen, born Nov. 9, 1907. Mr. Hawkins is a Republican in politics, and is a
SCHUYLKILL COUXTV, I'EXXSVLXAXJA Ml
member of Auburn Castle, Xo. it)8, Knights uf the Golden Eagle, lie belongs
to the Church uf Cod, in which he is a deacon, and is also a teacher in the
Sunday school.
Airs. Jilsie (Lindermuthj Hawkins was born Dec. 12, 1884, in Auburn,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is a member of an old Berks county family, the founders
of which were natives of Cennany. Her grandlather was Joseph Lindermulh
(LindenmuthJ, who resided in Upper Bern (now Tildenj township, Berks
county, where he devoted his life to larming.
Benjamin Alfred Lindennuth, son of Joseph, was born in Berks county,
Pa., Peb. 4, 1851-52, and was reared upon a farm. At the age of sixteen he
came to Auburn and learned the trade yf shoemaker, following it for about
eight years. He then took up railroading, being in the employ of the Schuylkill
& Susquehanna Railroad Company (now the Keadingj lor twenty-two years.
Having accumulated a sufficient amount of money to go into business on his
own account, he started the Auburn Shirt Company, for the manufacture of
a medium grade of shirts for men, and conducted it for ten years. Then he
opened a branch factory at Prackville with Mr. Belles, of Pottsville, and later
operated another factory at Alohnton, Berks county. In 1910 he retired from
active business and has since devoted his time entirely to church work. Mr.
Lindermuth was ordained a minister of the denomination known as the Union
Pentecostal in 1909. Pie married Sarah Ribkee, daughter of Elias Ribkee, and
they have had nine children, of whom six are living: Lilly married Joseph
Sommers ; Eva married Walter Shaller ; Annie is deceased ; Elsie, Mrs. Hawk-
ins, is mentioned above ; Nathaniel married Susan Berger ; John married Plettie
Kerschner; Charles and Foster as deceased; Elmer is at home. Mr. Linder-
muth is a Republican in his political convictions, and is interested in all that
stands for good citizenship and right living.
NATHANIEL CUNNINGHAM MORRISON is one of the best known
business men of Pottsville. Although raised on a farm, he has had a remarkable
experience as a merchant, in various parts of this county and state, and is at
present in the grocery business at Pottsville. He has many interesting incidents
to relate of his activities as farmer, traveling man and storekeeper, and he is
an authority on the primitive methods of cultivating the earth followed in early
times. Mr. Alorrison was born Nov. 10, 1826, in Huntingdon county. Pa., son
of William Morrison and grandson of Joshua Morrison.
Joshua Morrison was born in York county. Pa., and after reaching his
majority settled in Mifflin county, this State, where he bought a farm which
he cultivated until his death. He was three times married and left a large
family, William being one of the survivors.
William Morrison, father of Nathaniel C. Morrison, was born in York
county, and at the age of five years was taken to Mifflin county by his parents.
Like his father he was a farmer, at one time ow'ning three farms in that county.
He married Margaret Cunningham, daughter of Nathaniel Cunningham, and
she died in 1848, at the age of fifty years. He passed away in 1863, at the
age of sixty-five. Their children were: Edmund, Nathaniel C, Joshua (who
died in infancy), Louisa, Mary, Rebecca, Rachel, William and Hannah.
Nathaniel C. Morrison attended the old subscription schools conducted in
the days before the passing of the free school laws, and also had a few months
at the new schools when the law went into effect. When he assisted his father
on the farm there were no modern implements for the cultivation of the land, so
502 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
the boy served a hard apprenticeship at a vocation even in these times far from
being a sinecure. His stories of the early days of farming are of value and
interest to those who seldom even catch a glimpse of farm work, and they
deserve to be perpetuated by some historian for the enlightenment of genera-
tions to come.
Mr. Morrison began his adventurous mercantile career by entering the store
of John S. Morris, at Pottsville, in 1846, at the age of twenty. He spent one
winter season as clerk for Mr. Morris, went back to the farm for the summer,
and then returned to the store, where he clerked for five years. In 1855 he
embarked in business for himself, opening a queensware and glassware store on
Centre street, having as a partner William L. Yoder, under the firm name of
Morrison & Yoder. In 1856 he bought out his partner, continued the business
until 1857, and then took a position as salesman for Isaac Stirk & Co., a whole-
sale fimi of Philadelphia, for six months. Returning to Pottsville, he again
entered the employ of Mr. Morris, and remained with him for fifteen months.
In 1859 he opened a general store on Market Square, with D. W. Miller as
partner, the firm name being Morrison & Miller, after one year bought out Mr.
Miller, and removed the business first to the General Nagle building and then
to the Foster building on Market, about Third street. While in the latter loca-
tion he supplied clothing and other wearing apparel to the "First Defenders"
of the Civil war. In the spring of 1862 he removed to the Clayton building on
the east side of Centre street, and continued there until 1864, when he sold out
all 'his interests in tliis business. By that time he had a store at Saint Clair
and a half interest in one at Shenandoah.
In the spring of 1865 Mr. Morrison returned to the old homestead in Hunt-
ingdon county, which he had previously purchased, and there resided for a
year, but the spirit of unrest and desire for the mart of trade caused him to
take a position as salesman for a wholesale grocery house in Philadelphia.
While there he formed a partnership with two young men with whom he
opened a wholesale house for the sale of groceries on Third street, in that city.
For a short time this firm operated and then Mr. Morrison separated from the
association and entered into combination with Joseph Hoar and Henry S.
McNabb, both of Lancaster, Pa., under the firm name of Morrison, Hoar &
Co. For three years this business was continued under this name, and then
Mr. Morrison formed a partnership with William M. Sinclair, under the
name of Sinclair & Morrison. In the beginning of 1876 the partnership was
dissolved, and he opened a tea business on Fourth street, ran if for a short
time, and then went on the road for McCahan & Cooper, wholesale grocers, for
one year.
In 1878 Mr. Morrison came to Pottsville to settle permanently, and opened
a general store at the old Town Hall, now the Centennial Hall, on Centre street,
putting in a line of dry goods, notions and groceries. He later discontinued the
dry goods and notions and added flour and feed, moving into the building of Fox
& Bro. on Centre street, above Market, which he purchased. After a few vears
he sold out and later rented a small storeroom from the Strauss estate, on Centre
street, near where the grammar school now stands. After a time he rented a
building on South Centre street, near the store of Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart,
and finally, Sept. i, 1905, bought the place he at present occupies. This was
the old Silliman property and is very valuable, having a sixty-foot frontage on
Centre street and extending back to Second street, with an entrance there for
the reception and delivery of goods. He has his store in the north side of the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 503
property, and the other portion is leased for office purposes. Mr. Morrison is
now the oldest business man in Pottsville and is still as alive to the interests of
the town as he was on his first location here in 184O.
On Sept. 22, 1853, ^^f"- ^lorrison was married to Rebecca Keed, who was
born at Newville, Cumberland Co., I'a., daughter of Nathan and Llizabeth
Reed, and they had seven children: Charles, who died in infancy; Krank,
deceased; Ella, at home; Laura, deceased; Alary, wife of William C. Wilson,
of Pottsville; Horace, manager of his father's store; and Bertha, at home.
Mr. Morrison is a Republican, and at one time served on the borough
council. Jrie is a member of the Methodist Church and for many years has
been a trustee of same.
[Since the above was written Mr. Morrison died, Nov. 13, 1915.]
WILLIAM F. STITZER has been living retired for the last ten years,
after a life of varied usefulness during which he became widely known all
over Schuylkill county, as a business man and official of marked efficiency.
Some of his early experiences brought him into contact with the typical
activities and stirring scenes of the last half of the nineteenth century, and he
has witnessed much of the development of this region in the seventy years of
his residence here. The family was established in Pennsylvania by his great-
grandfather, David Stitzer.
David Stitzer was born March 12, 1750, in Nova Scotia, whence he came to
Philadelphia, Pa. He served in the Revolutionary war, after which he removed
to Reading, Pa., in Berks county. His wife, Barbara Ann Elizabeth (Pafen-
houser), was born in Nova Scotia March 10, 1754, and was brought to
Philadelphia in 1757. Among their children was a son John D.
John D. Stitzer was born at Reading April 8, 1799, and learned the trade
of shoemaker. For a time he lived at Rehrersburg, Berks county, thence in
1844 removing to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, where he followed his
trade, doing repairing and custom work. He died at Mahanoy City, this
county, June 27, 1879, aged eighty years. Mr. Stitzer was originally a Whig,
later a Republican, but took no part in politics or other public affairs. For
many years he was a member of the Lutheran Church. On Sept. 22, 1822, he
was married, by Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg, of Reading, Pa., to Sarah Hockaman,
who was born Jan. 29, 1806, in Tulpehocken. Berks county, and died Sept. 18,
1884, at Minersville, Schuylkill county. Mr. and Mrs. Stitzer are buried
in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Her father, Henry Hockaman,
of Stouchsburg, Berks county, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in
1853, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Stitzer became the
parents of thirteen children, viz.: George W., born Nov. 17, 1823, at Reams-
town, Lancaster Co., Pa., died Oct. 28, 1901 ; Amelia E., born Nov. 19, 1825,
married Morton Swartz, and died Jan. 6, 1906; Mary, born Feb. 28, 1827,
married Anthony Lerch, and died in Ohio June 14. 1904; Harriet S., born Oct.
30, 1828, died unmarried, April 6, 1847; Sarah Frances, bom Jan. 21, 1831,
married Engelbert Geiger, and died Oct. 14, 1902; John Andrew, born Feb. i,
1833, died June 14, i860; William Foster was born Jan. 2. 1835: a daughter,
born Feb. 6. 1837. died in infancy; .Ann Delilah, bom April 19. 1838, lives in
the South ; Francis A., born Aug. 29, 1840, at Rehrersburg, Pa., became a
private in the L'nion army April 17, i86r, and served throughout the war.
being mustered out as a major July 27. 1865 (he served as a deputy collector of
internal reveiuie at Easton, Pa., for fifteen years, and Feb. 20. 1886, removed
504 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to Cheyenne, Wyo., becoming active in business and military circles in that
State, and at present serving as mayor of Laramie) ; David Henry, bom
June 7, 1843, served throughout the Civil war also, afterwards had charge of
Gordon Plane in Schuylkill county for a time, and then removed to Kansas
and engaged in farming, dying in that State Sept. 17, 191 1 ; Catherine E., born
Sept. 25, 1845, married Solomon Hoftas and is living in the South; Samuel,
bom Dec. 21, 1847, died Dec. 6, 1900.
William Foster Stitzer was born at Rehrersburg, Berks Co., Pa., and
attended common school there. He was only nine years old when he com-
menced to work as a driver on the Schuylkill canal, and he followed that line
for the next twenty-three years, becoming a captain in 1855. His boats plied
between Schuylkill Haven and New York City. In the spring of 1868 Mr.
Stitzer was elected constable of Schuylkill Haven, and he served in that posi-
tion for twenty-four consecutive years, by numerous reelections, finally resign-
ing. Meantime he undertook other responsibilities, in 1869 becoming borough
tax collector, the duties of which office he discharged for many years (until
1891), and with such signal ability that he was chosen to collect the taxes for
North Manheim township three times. Port Clinton once, and in 1878 col-
lected ten thousand dollars in Shenandoah. This recognition of his efficiency is
unusual enough to be noteworthy. He attained a reputation as an e.xpert
collector. Mr. Stitzer also followed auctioneering and the real estate business,
buying and selling houses, and for eighteen years he was a special officer in the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, serving during the
period the Molly Maguires were active and having some dangerous duties. He
was corporal at the courthouse when the convicted Molly Maguires were hanged.
On Feb. 9, 1892, Mr. Stitzer became proprietor of a hotel and restaurant,
Stitzer's Cafe becoming a very popular place under his management. He was
thus engaged for some thirteen years, selling out to his son \\'illiam G. Stitzer
when he retired, in 1904. Mr. Stitzer is particularly well known among the
old residents of Schuylkill Haven, and he has made many friends in the course
of his busy life. He has a fine home on L'nion street.
In 1858 Mr. Stitzer married Emma Homas, daughter of the late John
Homas, of Oley, Berks Co., Pa., later of Pottsville, where he died. A large
family has been born to this union, viz.: Charles A., born Jan. 11, 1859, a
druggist, now living in Nebraska, married Grace Craver; Horace E., born June
I, i860, a saddler by trade, lives in Schuyler, Neb. ; Sarah, bom March 7, 1862,
died when fourteen years old; Annie E., born Sept. 21, 1863, married Benjamin
Kline, of Philadelphia ; a daughter, born Jime 23, 1865, died in infancy ; William
G., bom May 27, 1866, succeeded his father in business at Schuylkill Haven;
Katie M., born Oct. 24, 1867, married Lewis A. Graeff, of Pottsville ; Emma R.,
bom April 14, 1870, died in infancy; Susan, born Nov. 14, 1871, married Frank
Heiser, and died at Schuylkill Haven leaving three children; Ella L., bom July
8, 1874, is a deaconess at the Lutheran mother house at Baltimore, I\Id. ; Carrie,
bom Jan. 18, 1876, is at home; Garfield J. A. was born March 4, 1881.
Mr. Stitzer has long been a member of the Lutheran Church. He has
always been a Republican, and taken considerable interest in local politics, and
during the Civil war he showed his sympathy for the Union cause by enlisting,
July 4, 1863, in Company I (Capt. William M. Randall), 39th Regiment, receiv-
ing his discharge Aug. 2d of that year, when the emergency was over. He is
a member of Jere Helms Post, No. 26, G. A. R., of Schuylkill Haven.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENiNSYLVAMA 505
JAMES W. HOEPSTINE, Jr., has been in the municipal service at Potts-
ville for a number of years, and he is at present acting as chief of police, having
the distinction of being the lirst incumbent of that oltice in his borough.
The Hoepstine family is of German origin, Trancis A. Hoepstine, grand-
father of James W. Hoepstine, Jr., having been a native of Berlin, Germany,
born in 1800. His father was a sergeant in the Prussian army. Francis A.
Hoepstine came to America in 1815 and settled at Allentown, Pa. He learned
the trade of printer and went forward steadily in his chosen calling, for several
years conducting a paper at Orwigsburg, this county. In 1849 he was appointed
deputy sheriff of Schuylkill county, serving one term, and later was a clerk in
different otfices in the courthouse. He died Oct. 26, 1857, and is buried in the
Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville. J\lrs. Fioepstine, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Seele, came from Flanover, Germany, and their marriage took place
in 1840 at Allentown. The following children were born to this union : William,
who died young; James W.; Edward, who served in the 13th United States
Infantry during the Civil war, and died in 1870, at Pottsville, Pa. ; Francis A.,
who died in 1902 at Havelock; and Josephine C, who married John Matthews.
James W. Hoepstine, son of Francis A., was born Feb. 5, 1844, at Birdsboro,
Berks Co., Pa., and was a child when he settled at Orwigsburg with his parents.
There he lived until seven years old, when the family moved to Pottsville, at
which place he grew to manhood, and he followed the trade of sashmaker before
the Civil war. On Aug. 22, 1861, he enlisted at Pottsville in Company A, 96th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the 2d Brigade, ist
Division, 6th Army Corps. He served three years and two months, during
which time he took part in all the principal activities of his command, and
received his honorable discharge Oct. 21, 1864. Upon his return to Pottsville
Mr. Hoepstine was employed in a lumberyard for some time, in 1866 entering
the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, with whom he
remained until 1873. The following five years he was in the United States
regular army, as a member of Battery K, 2d Artillery, receiving his discharge
June 13, 1878. In 1879 he became an employee in the shops of the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal & Iron Company at Pottsville, where he continued for a period
of twenty-seven years, retiring in 1905. For a time he lived in the Soldiers'
Home at Erie, Pa. jMr. Hoepstine is a member of Post. No. 23, G. A. R.,
at Pottsville, and of the Union Veteran Legion. His religious connection is
with the German Lutheran Church.
On April 4, 1865, Mr. Hoepstine married Annetta Ebbert, a native of
Schuylkill county. Pa., and she died Aug. 3, 1906, in Pottsville. We have the
following record' of the nine children born to them: William died young; Ida
died in infancy; James W., Jr., is next in the family; Charles, now a resident
of Philadelphia, "married Esther Luckenbille, of Cressona, Schuylkill county
(he was a sergeant in Company H, 8th Regiment, N. G. P.) ; Louis, who died
in April, 1907, married Hattie Lilley and (second) Rosie Cantwell (he was a
sergeant in Company H, 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, during the Spanish-Amer-
ican war) : Jacob, who lives at Pottsville, married Katie Heisler (he was a
private in Company H, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteers) ; John died young; Lucy
is at home ; Edward F. married Helen Stock, and they reside at Pottsville (he
was a sergeant in Company H, 8th N. G. P.).
Isaac Ebbert, father of Mrs. James W. Hoepstine, Sr., was born at Mount
Hope, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Jacob Ebbert. The father came to this coun-
try from Germany and settled at what is now the "Seven Stars" hotel, near
506 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Pottsville, where he continued to reside until his death. He was a boatman on
the canal, became a large landowner, and was one of the substantial citizens of
the day in that locality. He married Madeline Moyer, and they had children
as follows : Abraham, Jacob, Charles, Caroline, Elizabeth, Annetta, Louisa,
Isaac and Sallie.
Isaac Ebbert, son of Jacob Ebbert, became a boatman on the canal and in
that capacity and as a coal operator was a well known business man of this
part of Schuylkill county. He operated what was known as the West Salem
colliery in partnership with a Mr. Walbridge, under the firm style of Ebbert &
Walbridge, and was so engaged for several years. Later he worked small
collieries and he lived retired for several years before his death, which occurred
at Pottsville. He married Lucy St. Clair, daughter of Jacob and Eva
(Hoebolf ) St. Clair, and she also died at Pottsville. They were the parents of
six children, namely : Annetta, Mrs. James W. Hoepstine, Sr. ; Mary, who
died unmarried ; Helen, Mrs. Z. T. Rhoads, deceased ; Harriet, unmarried ;
Honora, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Lehr; and Lucy, unmarried.
James W. Hoepstine, Jr., was born at Pottsville March 26-, 1870, and
received his education in the public schools there. When a youth he commenced
work for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, at Pottsville,
remaining with that concern for twenty-one years, until April 19, 1907, when
he accepted the position of agent for the Humane Hose Company at Pottsville.
Mr. Hoepstine joined Humane Hose Company twenty years ago, and from
May, 1904, to May, 1905, was chief of the Pottsville fire department, filling
that office with the efficiency which has come to be expected of him. On Jan. i,
1914, he was appointed chief of police at Pottsville, a position he is now filling.
He is a competent and conscientious officer and is making a creditable record
in his present office, as he has in every other position of trust, to which his
fellow citizens have called him.
Like his brothers Mr. Hoepstine was in the service of his country during
the Spanish-American war. On Feb. 5, i8go, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania
National Guard, was promoted to corporal in May, 1891, and on May 9, 1898,
was elected second lieutenant of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, to
serve in the Spanish-American war. He was mustered out with that rank
March 7, 1899, and upon his return home was elected first lieutenant of the
National Guard. On Oct. 18, 1902, he was elected captain of Company H, 8th
Regiment, N. G. P., which connection he severed in October, 1913. He is a
Republican in political sentiment, and belongs to Pottsville Aerie, No. 134,
Fraternal Order of Eagles.
On May 18, 1894, Air. Hoepstine married Emma Creary, daughter of John
Creary, of Pottsville. They have one daughter, Ethel.
ELMER D. GRIEFF, of Cressona, is now one of the leading general
merchants of that borough, carrying on the business established over twentv-
five years ago by his father, William Albert Grief¥, who has lived retired at
Cressona since his son succeeded him.
William Griefif, great-grandfather of Elmer D. GriefT, lived to the age of
ninety-four years, and is buried at Orwigsburg. He was a farmer of that local-
ity for many years, and a prominent man of his generation. He served one
term as steward of the Schuylkill County Home. By his marriage to Catherine
Zerbe he had children as follows : William, who died when forty years old :
Daniel ; Mrs. Henry Krebs ; Mrs. Bernert Yeager ; Mrs. John Ege : Airs. Daniel
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 507
Jlillegas; Louisa, who married Jeremiah Yerger, wlio after her death married
her sister Sarah ; and Mary and Lhoelie, who died young.
Daniel Grieft" was born at Orwigsburg and is buried there; he died at the
age of forty-five years. By trade he was a carpenter. He married Maria
Krebs, daughter of Jacob Krebs, and children as follows were born to them:
George; Charles; William A.; Mary, who married L. F. Kimmel, now a retired
farmer, living at Orwigsburg ; Elizabeth, who married Newton l\eed ; and
Emma, who married Uriah Good.
William A. Grieft was reared upon the parental farm at Orwigsburg, and
obtained his education in the local public schools. When a young man he was
engaged as a stage driver for two and a half years, on the route between
Orwigsburg and Landingville. His next occupation was as clerk in the general
store of B. E. Drumheller, at Landingville, with whom he remained two and
a half years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of Henry Deibert,
for whom he worked at boatbuilding for a period of ten years, having learned
the trade in the employ of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. Later he
followed coal mining for about three and a half years. Coming to Cressona he
resumed clerking, being so employed in the general store of A. F. Deibert
for nine years, until he engaged in business for himself, in October, 1889, as a
green grocer and confectioner at Cressona. He established a profitable trade,
and continued the business successfully until 1912, when he sold it to his son
Elmer, who has since conducted the store, the father living retired. For the
last twenty years Mr. Grietif has been treasurer of Grace U. B. Church at
Cressona, which he helped to organize, and he is also president of the Bible
class. He has served as town clerk.
Mr. Grieff married Susan Elizabeth Deibert, who was born Feb. 22, 1850,
daughter of William Deibert, a boatbuilder of Landingville, Pa., and died
March 9, 1889. She is buried in the Cressona cemetery. For his second wife
Mr. Grieff married Mrs. Emma (Bretz) Fenstemacher, widow of Moses
Fenstemacher. All his children are by the first union, viz. : Elmer D. is men-
tioned below : W'alter Franklin, a railroad conductor, married Carrie Bittle,
and they reside in Cressona ; Annie Louisa married Harry Loop, and resides in
Philadelphia, Pa. ; Mamie married William A. Fessler, and they reside in
Cressona; Henrietta Louisa married Lynn F. Fessler, of Cressona; Charles
is employed as yardmaster at Rutherford, Pa. ; four children died young —
Robert S., born in 1880, died in 1885; Carrie E., born in 1883, died in 1887;
Roy A., born in 1885. died in 1888; a son, born in 1887, died the same year.
In politics Mr. Grieff was a Democrat, but is now a Progressive.
Elmer Daniel Grieff was bom Oct. 20, 1876, at Landingville, Schuylkill
county, received his education in the schools of Cressona, and then entered the
employ of his father, as driver of the delivery team. He continued to assist
his father as long as the latter remained in business, buying him out in March,
1912. He is now one of the leading merchants in the borough, carrying a
large general stock. He is prominently associated with borough affairs, being
at present a member and secretary of the school board, to which he was elected
in 191 1, for a six-year term. He also served in the town council, of which
he was secretary for four years. In political sentiment he is a Progressive.
He is a leading member of Grace United Brethren Church, to which he has
belonged for twenty-two years : is organist for the church and the Christian
Endeavor Society : and is equally active in the Sunday school, being assistant
organist, chorister, and teacher of a class of boys. He is secretary of the
508 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Quarterly Conference of the United Brethren Church of Eastern Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. Crieff was a charter member of Cressona Council, No. 812, Inde-
pendent Order of Americans, and at one time served as secretary of that
organization.
Mr. Grieff married Annie Louisa Wagner, who was born Nov. 2, 1882, and
they have two children: Margarite V'iole, born Sept. 19, 1901 ; and Lamar
Joseph, born Aug. 4, 191 1.
Gottlieb Wagner, Mrs. Grieff's father, was the son of a boatbuilder, who
had the following children : Martin, George, Frederick, Henry, Michael, Gott-
lieb, Eva and Mrs. Bealer. Gottlieb Wagner was born in Germany, and emi-
grated to this country with his parents when he was eight years old. The
family settled at Glenworth, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he received his educa-
tion in the district schools. Then he became a boatbuilder for the Schuylkill
Navigation Company, and followed that occupation for a number of years.
Later he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Com-
pany, and was promoted from time to time until he became a locomotive engi-
neer, continuing with this company until he was sixty years of age. Losing
his position as engineer through no fault of his own, he worked at the Diston
Horn factor}', located then on Front street, and which later moved to Williams-
port. After running their stationary engine for quite a few years he worked at
the pits' puddling engines. When the Gordon Plane closed down he was
thrown out of employment for about a year, and was then appointed watch-
man at the Beck shirt factory in Cressona, holding that position until his
death, March 15, 1901, at the age of si.xty-four years. Mr. Wagner owned
and operated a small farm in the borough. He was a veteran of the Civil
war, having enlisted from Cressona and served nine months, as a member
of the I32d Pennsylvania ^ olunteers, under Capt. Michael Whitmoyer and
Charles Albright.
Mr. Wagner married Lydia Ann Kutz, who was born Sept. 4, 1857, daugh-
ter of Joseph Kutz, a native of Friedensburg, Schuylkill county. Children as
follows were born to them : Wesley Charles, who married Sallie Kinsyl, resides
in Erie, Pa. ; David Gottlieb married Carrie Yeik, and they reside in Cressona,
Pa. ; Mamie Matilda is the wife of Howard Schaadt. and resides at Allentown ;
Savilla Augusta, also of Allentown, is married to Milton Schaadt; Frederick
William married Emma Clemmer, and they reside at Allentown ; Kate is
deceased ; Annie Louisa is Mrs. Grieff ; Lewis Albert married Vena Henninger
and after her death Eva Heimbach ; Effie May married Charles Greenawald,
and they reside at Allentown.
Gottlieb Wagner was a Republican in politics. He was one of the founders
of the United Brethren Church of Cressona, and was active in its affairs.
He and his wife, who died Sept. 2, 1895, are buried in the Cressona cemetery.
CHARLES G. WAGNER, of Schuylkill Haven, a progressive business
man and prominent member of the various fraternal bodies of the borough,
was born on the old Dibert farm in the vicinity Nov. 30, 1872, son of Jared
Wagner. The father, a native of Shartlesville, Berks Co., Pa., followed farm-
ing in that county (at Strausstown) and in Schuylkill county until his retire-
ment. He now lives at Auburn, Schuylkill county. To his marriage with
Henrietta Strauss, daughter of Solomon Strauss, were born twelve children,
nine of whom survive at this writing: William, Frank, Emma, Alice, Sallie,
Charles G., Carrie, James and Katie.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 509
Charles G. Wagner was reared iipon the farm and educated in the neigh-
borhood public schools. He has been connected with the undertaking business
ever since he commenced work, at the age of fourteen years entering the
employ of Eli Zeigenfous, at Schuylkill Haven, and remaining with him about
two years. His next position was with Jacob Weber, at I'ottsville, for whom
he worked six years, after which he spent about the same length of time with
Levi Hunmiel. By this time he felt he had experience enough to enable him
to do business successfully on his own account, and he joined Daniel Sharadin
in a partnership, which lasted four years, having an establishment at Schuylkill
Haven. On June 6, 1905, Air. Wagner began the independent business he has
since carried on so successfully in that borough. He has made a point of
keeping in touch with the advancements introduced from time to time in his
line, sparing neither pains nor expense to give his patrons the benefit of modern
methods and conveniences, and the thoughtful attention bestowed on all the
details of his work would be sufficient to account for the general demand for
his services. His equipment includes the most approved appliances known to
the trade, and handsome equipages, including two hearses, one black and one
white. He has an able associate in his wife, who has proved very capable in
looking after many things relating to the efficient conduct of the business.
Mr. Wagner married Lillie Rebecca Boger, daughter of Amos and Sarah
(Kantner) Boger, and they have become the parents of nine children: Flora
L., Bertha J\I., Lillie R., Earle G., Dorothy A. H., Grace E., Annie L., Alma
and Ruth M., the last named deceased. They reside on Canal street.
Mr. Wagner is especially interested in the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, being a past grand of the Schuylkill Haven lodge and a member of the
degree team for the last five years, during which period he has never missed
a meeting. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Red
Men and Owls. In political sentiment he is a Republican, but he takes little
part in party affairs beyond casting his ballot. He holds membership in the
Reformed Church.
JOHN S. STAUDT, late of Pottsville, was in the hotel business practically
throughout the period of his residence in Schuylkill county, for a number of
years as owner and proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel." He was a native of
Berks countv. Pa., where the family is one of old standing.
Staudt (Stoudt, Stout) is one of the early Palatinate names. Members of
the family figured prominently in some of the Crusades. The family spread
northward into Holland, where some of the family attained noble rank. During
the persecution of Bloody Alba some members of the family fled to England,
one of them, Richard by name, enlisting in the English navy. Upon one of
his visits to New Amsterdam he met Penelope Van Princis, who later became
his wife, and thev settled in Middletown, N. J., prior to 16S8, becoming the
progenitors of a large and honorable family. The Staudts of Pennsylvania
came directlv from the Palatinate apd seem to be divided into two groups, that
of Berks and that of Bucks county. Tracing back the ancestors of the well
known family of Berks county, Pa., it is said that from the English family of
the name thirteen brothers caine to Philadelphia, in 1754. one of them eventually
settling in Berks county, becoming the founder of the Staudts of that section.
However, this does not agree entirely with the other accounts.
On Aug. 30, 1737, there landed at Philadelphia John Jacob, Johannes and
Hans Adam Staudt, and on Sept. 24th of the same year Peter Staudt. These
510 ■ SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVAXL\
four, it is claimed, were brothers. The following year arrived Peter and
Daniel; in 1741 another Peter arrived; and in 1744 George Wilhelm joined the
group. It is believed that all the above named were related. John Jacob
settled in what is now Perkasie, and was the father of the following children :
Abraham, Henry K., Jacob, Hannah, Magdalena, Annie Margaret. Abraham
was a man of prominence in his day, serving during the Revolution as a mem-
ber of the Committee of Safety, also of the Committee of Observation, mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and of the Convention of
1789-90. The Stouts of Lehigh and Northampton counties are descendants of
the Bucks group.
At the head of the Berks group stand John Michael Staudt, who took the
oath of allegiance at Philadelphia Sept. 18, 1733. Tradition says that his father
died at sea, and that the headship of the family fell upon him, though he was
only twenty-one years of age. How large the family was we do not know,
but we know that Alathias, aged eight, and Johannes, probably still younger,
were in the group, and we have reason to think that the family was even
larger.
On Oct. 25, 1737, there was surveyed for John Michael Staudt a tract of
land in Bern township, on the west bank of the Schuylkill river, "opposite the
flat meadows," of 180 acres. Later the estate was doubled. The place is
known as Stoudts Ferry. Johannes was probably never married. Mathias
married Anna Margaret Schrader, who was born Oct. 13, 1728, and died May
22, 1797. He was born in 1725 and died in 1795. They resided in Bern town-
ship and raised the following children : John, Mathias, Abraham, Catherine
Maria (married Thomas Umbenhauer) and Elizabeth. Of these, Abraham,
born Jan. 25, 1757, died Oct. 9, 1824; to him and his wife, Maria Elizabeth
(Brown), born June 22, 1756, died Aug. 15, 1824, were born the following
children: Mathias, John, Jacob, Catherine, Magdalena, Anna Maria and
Sussanna. Johannes, Mathias and John Michael were members of the Bern
Church, where their ashes rest in peace.
John Michael Staudt was bom in 1712 and died May 13, 1776. To him
and his wife Barbara were born the following children: (i) Johannes (1737-
Oct. 13, 1801) married Maria Catherine Kerschner (1751-Dec. 21, 1826) and
lived on a farm in Maiden-creek township. Their union was blessed with the
following children: George, Catherine (married to Henry Body), Barbara
(married to George Snyder), Elizabeth (married to Daniel Maurer), Jacob,
John, Daniel and Samuel. (2) Jacob (1735-1802) moved in 1790 from Bern
township to Richmond township, having bought the farm now owned by Edwin
Kutz. To him and his wife Margaret were born the following children : John,
Jacob, Adam, John Henry, Daniel, Barbara (married to John Schucker), Mary
(married to ]\Iiclaael Knittle), Catherine (who died unmarried), and Elizabeth
(who married William Ebling). (3) Michael (1742-1807) married Maria
Elizabeth Brown (1759-1820) and had four sons and five daughters. He
received the old homestead. (4) George Wilhelm (1748-1820) lived in
Maiden-creek township, and became the progenitor of a large posterity. He
married Christina Weidenhammer (1752-1817), a daughter of Johannes (1726-
1804) and Margereth (Ehteigie) (born in Kurpfalz in 1727-died in 1S12), and
their children were: George, Margaret (married to Daniel Gross), Magdalina
(married to John Mohn), Daniel, Maria (married to Daniel Mertz), Adam,
Jacob, Catherine (married to Daniel Mickly). George Wilhelm Staudt and
his brother Jacob lie buried in the Kutztown Union cemetery. (5) John
I
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 511
George and his wife Anna Margareta moved to Tulpehocken township. (6)
Jost and his wife Mary Ehzabcth lived in Bern township. To them were born
the following children: Jacob, Margretha, Catherine and jMagdalina. (7)
Anna Barbara married Baltzer Leach, of Bern township, and this union was
blessed with seven children. (8) Catherine married Christopher Leach and
resided in Heidelberg township. (9) Aijolonia, who married Daniel Aurandt,
moved to Buffalo Valley. (10) Catherine Elizabeth married Peter Wise and
resided in Bern township.
Daniel, son of Jacob (1735-1802), was a distiller by trade. Llis declining
years were spent in the vicinity of Kutztown, where he died in 1853; he was
buried in Llottenstein's private cemetery. He married a Miss Bowman, and
this union was blessed with the following children : Adam moved to Logans-
port, Ind., where he died; George married Hannah Borrel and reared a family
of nine children ; Reuben married Hannah Koch ; Frank died unmarried ;
Margaretha married Jacob Saul, of MoUtown ; Polly and Hannah died unmar-
ried : Maria married Joseph Hampshire and lived at Bowers Station ; Hettie
Ester died young; Isaac served in the ]Me.xican war, and soon after his return
left again for the Western country.
John Staudt, grandfather of John S. Staudt, lived and died in Upper Bern
township, Berks county. He followed farming. His children were : Michael;
Joel ; Joseph ; David ; Lavina, who married Albert Sauser ; Rosilla, who died
unmarried; Mrs. Bagenstose ; Mrs. Potteiger; and ]\Irs. Bender.
David Staudt, son of John, above, was born at the old homestead and like
his father followed farming, spending all his life in Upper Bern township. He
lived to be over sixty years old. By his marriage to ^lagdalena Seifert he
had three children : Daniel, who lived on the old homestead in Berks county,
and died May 18, 1915; Harriet, wife of J. K. Balthauser, living in Upper
Tulpehocken township, Berks county ; and John S.
John S. Staudt was born June 7. 1851, in Upper Bern township, Berks
county, where his boyhood was passed in attendance at the public schools and
assisting with the work on the home farm. He took a higher course of study
in the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Berks county. In 1887
Mr. Staudt came to Schuylkill Haven, this county, where he was in the hotel
business about two years, conducting the "Columbia Hotel." From 1890 to
1896 he was at Friedensburg, Schuylkill county, in the same line, and after
that experience w'ithdrew from business for a year, during which time he
lived at Schuylkill Haven. He then took charge as proprietor of the "Eagle
Hotel" at Pottsville, leasing the property until the year 1904, when he bought
it from the Gressel estate. During his connection with the hotel it was grad-
ually enlarged, as the business required, until there are now seventy rooms, and
Mr.' Staudt built up a good patronage, being a systematic business man and an
excellent host. His guests enjoyed up-to-date service in every way. The
"Eagle Hotel" is located at No. 223 North Centre street, corner of Minersville
street. He carried it on until his death, which occurred April 18, 1915, after
a brief illness, and it is still being conducted by the family.
]\Ir. Staudt married, when a young man of twenty. Matilda Miller, daugh-
ter of George ^Miller, of Upper Bern township. Berks Co., Pa., and ten children
were born to their union : Rosa, deceased : Magdalena : Catherine, who mar-
ried George Snyder; Calvin; Lillian, who married Alexander Robertson;
512 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Edwin ; John ; Howard ; Alma ; and Georg-e, who died young. There are ten
grandchildren.
Mr. Staudt was a member of the Shartlesville Reformed Church, and
socially belonged to the I. O. O. F., which he joined at Strausstown, and to
the P. O. S. of A. Camp at Friedensburg. In Pottsville he held the respect of
all who knew him.
BERT E. DRUMHELLER is associated with one of the recently estab-
lished industries at Orwigsburg, the Orwigsburg Shoe Company, and though
one of the younger business men of the borough has every prospect of attain-
ing a position among the most successful. His executive capacity has been
recognized in his choice for the office of treasurer of the concern, and he
deserves credit for doing his full share towards promoting its prosperity.
Mr. Drumheller is a native of Schuylkill county, born Oct. i6, 1883, at
Landingville, and he belongs to a family founded in Pennsylvania before the
Revolution. The early generations in this country lived in Berks and North-
umberland counties. Members of the Drumheller family came to America in
the early days of this Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Archives (Vol. XVII,
page 447) showing that J. Leonhart Drumheller arrived Oct. 26, 1754, on the
brigantine "Mary and Sarah." That they were for a number of years settled
in Berks county is shown by the Federal census report of 1790. which records
the names of John and Nicholas Drumheller, of Earl township, that county ;
John had one son above sixteen, three sons under sixteen and one daughter;
Nicholas had one son above sixteen, three sons under sixteen and three daugh-
ters. Rev. C. R. Drumheller, of this stock, served as Lutheran pastor of the
Stone Valley Union Church in Northumberland county, 1883-84; and of the
Vera Cruz Union Church, in Dauphin county, 1883-84.
The name was well represented among the Colonial sympathizers during
the Revolutionary war. In the Pennsylvania Archives (5th Series, Vol. IV)
we find (page 318) that George Drumheller belonged to the Continental Line,
serving as a private in the Northampton county militia during that war, and
that George Drumheller later was a Revolutionary soldier from Northampton
county (page 649) ; that Jacob Drumheller was a soldier in the Continental
Line from Berks county (page 212) ; and that Jacob Drumheller was a private
in Capt. John Reese's company (which formed a part of the 2d Pennsylvania
Battalion), commissioned from Jan. 5, 1776, to Nov. 25, 1776.
Johann Nicholas Drumheller, born March 14, 1750, in Odenwald, Germany,
came to America with his brother, and settled in Berks county, Pa. He mar-
ried Margaret Fischer, of that county, by whom he had two children, John and
Nicholas, and after her death he married (second) her sister Catharine, in
1776. They had a family of eleven children : David, Margaret, Catharine,
Abraham, Susanna (married a Hoffman), Philip, Anna Elizabeth, Daniel,
Martin, Elizabeth and Nicholas (bom Dec. 19, 1801, died Aug. 13, 1854, whose
first wife was Elizabeth Hetrich, bom March 29, 1808, died Nov. 24, 1873).
Johann Nicholas Drumheller died in Upper Mahanoy in March, 1825, aged
seventy-five years; his wife, Catharine, born June 14, 1759, died Dec. 18, 1832,
and both are buried at Himmel's Church.
Philip Drumheller, great-grandfather of Bert E. Drumheller, was born in
Northumberland county. Pa., the family living in the Mahantango valley. He
was an early settler at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, later removing to North
Manheim township, and then to Adamsdale and Landingville, both settlements
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLV 513
in that township. By trade he was a blacksmith. His death occurred at Land-
ingville, and he is buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. To his mar-
riage with Elizabeth Enierich were born children as follows : Henry, Joseph,
Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth and Uenjamin.
Benjamin Drumheller was one of the most prominent citizens of Land-
ingville in his day. Eor a number of years he engaged in boatbuilding there,
and then became a merchant, carrying on business for lifty-four years, and also
serving as postmaster. His death occurred April 14, 1890, and he is buried
at Schuylkill Haven. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca (Deibert) Drumheller, has con-
tinued the mercantile business at Landingville to the present time. Nine chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Drumheller, namely : Elizabeth married
Thomas Haesler; Henrietta married James Flemming; Albert is mentioned
below; Mary married Dr. David Shultz ; Laura married Charles Lee; Sallie is
at home; Martha married Howard W. Fehr; Rosa, twin of Martha, died
young ; William married Mabel Roeder.
George Deibert, grandfather of Mrs. Rebecca (Deibert) Drumheller, lived
in North Manheim township. He married Mary Faust, a daughter of Daniel
Faust, and their children were : Daniel, Joseph, William, Susan and Sallie.
Of these, William, who married lienrietta Kolp, was the father of ]\Irs. Drum-
heller.
Albert Drumheller, son of Benjamin, was born at Landingville, and during
the greater part of his business life was associated with the shoe industry at that
point. He carried on the manufacture of shoes for ten years on his own
account, later engaging with H. S. Albright, with whom he continued until
failing health necessitated his retirement. His death occurred in November,
1903, and he is buried at Orwigsburg. His wife, whose maiden name was
Annie Kern, survived until March, 1913, and is buried at Orwigsburg. They
were the parents of three children : Philip K., who lives at Schuylkill Haven ;
Bert E., and Charles A., the last named deceased.
Peter Kern, great-grandfather of ]\Irs. Albert Drumheller, was a native
of Lehigh county. Pa., where he lived and died. His sons settled at Hamburg,
Berks Co., Pa., where they engaged in the iron business and became promi-
nent men of their day. Daniel Kern, son of Peter, was a leading merchant of
Hamburg, and owned valuable property there. He married Lydia Seigfried,
of York county, Pa., and their children were: Fidelia, Henry S., Sarah and
Daniel. Of these, Henry S. Kern came to North ^Manheim township, Schuyl-
kill county, and purchased a valuable farm of 156 acres near Orwigsburg,
where he died Jan. 7, 1907. He married Catherine Mayer, daughter of the late
Rev. Philip Mayer, and their family consisted of eight children : Henrietta,
George, Lucian, Olivia, NeUie, Annie (Mrs. Albert Drumheller), Elizabeth
and Philip.
Bert E. Drumheller was born Oct. 16, 1883, and obtained a good education
in the public schools of the home locality. For twelve years he was in the
employ of the Adams Shoe Company, at Adamsdale, thus learning the busi-
ness thoroughly, and after severing his connection with this concern was em-
ployed for a year by the Bickley & Walborn Shoe Company, at Orwigsburg.
At the end of that time he became a member of the firm, retaining the associa-
tion until 1913, when upon the establishment of the Orwigsburg Shoe Com-
pany he became treasurer of the new organization. His fellow officers are:
Charles P. Alspach, president; C. C. Snayberger, vice president: Edward O.
Mantz. secretary. The output consists of children's and infants' turns and
Vol. 1—33
514 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
McKay shoes. The plant, located on Long's avenue, is thoroughly up-to-date
in equipment and facilities, and twenty-five hands are given steady employ-
ment. Though the business has barely started a good market has already been
found for the product, which recommends itself wherever handled.
In 1913 Mr. Drumheller built a fine residence on South Liberty street,
Orwigsburg, which he now occupies. He married Lydia L. Kolbe, daughter
of Henry Kolbe, a prosperous farmer of North Manheim township, mentioned
elsewhere. Mr. Drumheller is a member of the Reformed Church, and in
social connection belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
GETHING JENKINS, who has recently assumed the position of general
superintendent with the Ellsworth Coal Mining Company, of Newcastle,
Schuylkill county, was until a few months ago engaged at the Pine Hill col-
liery, near the borough of Minersville, in a responsible capacity. He was
employed there for a number of years, and has been a mine worker practically
all his life. Long experience and intelligent comprehension of the business of
coal mining makes him a most valuable man in this connection, and he is
equally well esteemed in all the other relations of life. Like so many of the
miners hereabouts he is a native of Wales, born March 15, 1861, son of Jenkin
Jenkins. The father was also born in Wales, came to America alone in 1865,
and settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he made a permanent
home. He died here in 1886. Throughout his active years he was engaged as
a miner. He married Ann Smith, who was also from Wales, and she followed
him to America in 1866 with their two sons, George and Gething. The fomier
is a miner and makes his home at Minersville.
Gething Jenkins was born i\Iarch 15, 1861, came to America with his
mother in 1866, and received a common school education at Minersville. When
a boy he began work as a slate picker, and he worked up through the various
stages, driving mules, loading coal and taking charge of the inside repair work,
until he became a full fledged miner. For nineteen years he was inside foreman
of the Pine Hill colliery, near Minersville, where his reliability and high char-
acter made him highly regarded. In May, 191 5, he resigned that position, and
immediately thereafter was chosen as general superintendent of the Ellsworth
Coal Mining Company, situated at Newcastle, of which George M. Keiser is
president and C. D. Norton, of Philadelphia, secretary and treasurer. Mr.
Jenkins is a director of the Union National Bank of Minersville, and ranks
among the substantial citizens of the borough. In fraternal connection he is
a Mason, belonging to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. and A. M., and to Schuyl-
kill Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M., also at Minersville. In his earlier manhood
Mr. Jenkins had considerable reputation in this section as a ball player, playing
as a professional with the Mount Carmel and Minersville teams.
Mr. Jenkins married Sarah Evans, daughter of John and Mary (Jones)
Evans, who came from Wales and made their home at Minersville. Pa., where
Mr. Evans died in 1886, when fifty-nine years old. J\Irs. Evans is now living
with her daughter, Mrs. Jenkins, and is almost ninety-five years of age. Mr.
and Mrs. |enl<ins have no children of their own, but they have reared a daugh-
ter, Margaret Lewis Jenkins, who continues to reside with them. The family
are members of the "Methodist Episcopal Church.
ELMER F. SCHLASEMAN is an up-to-date merchant of Pottsville and
ranks among the progressive residents of the city where he has spent most of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, IMiXXSYLX AXIA 515
his life. He is a native of Berks county, Pa., a member of an old family of
that section, of German origin. His grandfather, William .Schlaseinan, for
many years owner and proprietor of the well known "Schlaseman Irlolel" in
Bethel township, Berks county, was born in that township in 1798, and died
at Millersburg, Berks county, in 1873. ^^'^ wife, who was born in i<Soo in
Bethel township, died in i8(jo. .\niong ihcir children were : William, Jonathan,
Jacob A., Mrs. Ellen Seltzer (living at -Millersljurg, Berks county), Catherine
(who married Daniel Gessler), Mrs. Rebecca Berger, Mrs. .'\melia Wunder-
lick, and Pennilla (who married John Wilhelm, proprietor of the "Schlaseman
Hotel" after her father's death).
Jacob A. Schlaseman was born in Berks county, where he was reared.
When si.xteen years old he came to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and became
a clerk in the employ of Jacob lluntzinger, later forming a partnership with
Henry Huntzinger, in the flour and feed business. They were located at I'otts-
ville, on Railroad street. Some time later Mr. Schlaseman went to Gordon,
Schuylkill county, where he enlisted in 1862 in Company H, 17th Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, under Capt. William Thompson, for three years. After the war
he located in Berks county, remaining there until 1872, when he returned to
Pottsville for the remainder of his life, dying in 1880. In 1856 he married
Sarah J. Mann, a member of the well known Mann family of Pottsville and
daughter of Samuel J^Iann, proprietor of the "Pottsville House," which at that
time was located at the northeast corner -oi Centre and Mahantongo streets.
Mrs. Schlaseman survived her husband several years, dying in 1888. They are
buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville. They were the parents of
sixteen children, but only three lived to maturity : Mary, who married A. L.
Wildermuth ; Stanley, who died at Pottsville, leaving two children ; and Elmer F.
Elmer F. Schlaseman was born Aug. 18, 1867, at Schubert, in Bethel town-
ship, Berks county, and was brought to Schuylkill county in 1872. Here he
received a public school education, but he was only a small boy when he began
to clerk for Samuel jNIorgan. He has been in the grocery business all his life.
After leaving Mr. Morgan he worked for J. R. Wood, and then for the George
H. Reed estate, in whose employ he rose to the position of manager. In .'\pril,
1898, Mr. Schlaseman engaged in the business on his own account, and he now
has a commodious and well stocked store at No. 304 North Centre street,
carrying a large variety of groceries and provisions, also dealing in flour, fruits,
vegetables, seeds, etc. Mr. Schlaseman has never spared any pains to familiar-
ize himself with the wants of his customers and the demands of the local market,
and he has always endeavored to see that his patrons are supplied with first-class
goods, and that his store furnishes as good advantages as any for satisfactory
marketing. He has a well earned reputation for honorable transactions and
trustworthiness, which accounts for the steady trade that comes to his establish-
ment.
Mr. Schlaseman married Lydia E. Faust, daughter of Solomon Faust of
Orwigsburg, Pa., member of an old Schuylkill county family. They have three
children : Lester E. and Guy A., who are now associated with their father in
the business: and WilHs C, who graduated from the Pottsville high school in
1914 and is now employed as civil and mining engineer by the Maderia Hill
Coal Company.
Mr. Schlaseman is a member of long standing in various local fraternal
bodies, having belonged to the Knights of the Golden Eagle for twenty-seven
years, to the I. O. O.F. lodge for twenty-four years, and to the Royal Arcanum
516 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for eighteen years. His religious membership is with Trinity Reformed
Church.
CHARLES SHUSTER BENSINGER, of New Ringgold, has spent most
of his life in occupations bringing him into daily contact with his fellow citizens,
and he is one of the most popularly known residents in his section of Schuylkill
county. With a record of over thirty years of successful work as an educator
in the county, and eleven years' efficient service as postmaster at New Ringgold,
as well as other associations, he has filled a creditable place in the community
and done his part in bringing about some desirable changes in the regulation of
local affairs. He is a native of East Brunswick township, this county, born May
14, 1852, and the family has been established there from an early day.
Frederick Bensinger, the progenitor of many of the name in this locality,
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and settled in East Brunswick township
before the Revolution. When the war broke out he was engaged in farming
there, and he left his private interests to go to the assistance of the Colonies. In
his later years he received a pension for his services. He married Mary
Weiman, and had a family of eight children, one of whom, Jacob, married
Hannah Dreher, and was the ancestor of another branch of the family in East
Brunswick township.
Michael Bensinger, son of Frederick, was a farmer in East Brunswick
township, where he owned about seventy-five acres of land. He cleared that
tract, erected a log house and barn, and carried on general farming the greater
part of his life. tie had the following children: Edward married Sarah
Heiser, and both are deceased; William, deceased, married a Miss Fister;
Franklin B. is next in the family ; Benneville married Caroline Fahl, and both
are deceased; Fred married a Miss Bock, and they reside at McKeansburg;
Priscilla married Thomas Hartung, and both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ben-
singer are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East Brunswick township. He
was a Whig in politics.
Franklin B. Bensinger was born in East Brunswick township in March,
1822, educated in the schools of the local district, and spent his youth and
early manhood assisting his father on the farm. After his father's death he
bought out the other heirs to the homestead place, which he operated all his
life. His wife, Catherine (Shuster), born in September, 1821, died in March,
1899, was a daughter of Martin and Magdalena (Koons) Shuster. Mr. Ben-
singer died in March, 1898. They had the following children : John went West,
and is now deceased ; Howard, a farmer in West Brunswick township, married
Emma Leiby; Charles S. married Ida Baer ; Frank L. married Ida Albright,
and resides on the homestead farm ; Harry, who is a foreman in a silk mill at
Tamaqua, married Cora Albright; Thomas, deceased, married Elmira Horn,
who resides at McKeansburg; Dora married W. S. Miller, of East Brunswick
township; Mary married W. H. Yost, of Reading; Susan is the widow of
James Shocner, and lives at Hamburg; Lizzie is the widow of Oscar Kimmel,
and makes her home at Port Carbon; Kate married J. A. Shellhammer. of
Port Carbon ; Carrie married J. A. Yost, of Ringtown, this county. Politically
Mr. Bensinger was a Republican. He was an earnest member of the Church
of God and very active in its work, serving as trustee and in other capacities.
His wife was also a member. They are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in
East Brunswick township. , • , ,
Charles S. Bensinger had the advantages afforded m the township schools.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 517
and later studied for two terms at the Keystone State Normal School, at Kiitz-
tovvn, Pa., where he prepared himself to teach. His professional experience
covered a period of thirty-one years, seventeen in Last Brunswick township,
one at McKeansburg, four in West Brunswick township, three in I'.lylhe town-
ship, three in West Penn township, and the remainder as teacher in the New
Ringgold grammar school. His devotion to duty wherever his work called
him, a high sense of its responsibilities from every standpoint, and conscientious
efforts to maintain his efficiency at the highest standard, commanded the
unqualified respect of his pupils and co-workers.
During President Theodore Roosevelt's term of office Mr. Bensinger was
appointed postmaster at New Ringgold, in which office he is still serving. He
is a Republican in political affiliation. He has been a member of the borough
council twenty-one years, and has been acting as secretary since his election to
that body; and is president of the borough school board, having been elected in
191 1, to serve si.x years. Two such important connections with the adminis-
tration of government in the borough present many opportunities for
valuable service, and it is characteristic of Mr. Bensinger that he turns them
to the best account. Fraternally he is a prominent Odd Fellow (having
belonged to the order for thirty years), a member and past grand of b'.ast
Brunswick Lodge, No. 802, and present secretary of that organization, having
served in that office continuously for twenty-seven years. He has attended
six Grand Lodge Communications as a member of the State body. Mr. Ben-
singer has been a member since 1883 of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S.
of A., of which he is a past president and the present financial secretary, having
served continuously for twenty-seven years in the latter capacity. He has been
a member of the Loyal Protective Association of Boston for the last nine years.
In religion he adheres to the Reformed denomination, holding membership in
the Frieden's Church at New Ringgold, in whose councils he has been active.
He is serving at present as deacon and choir leader in the Sunday school.
Mr. Bensinger married Ida Baer, who was born Oct. 7, 1866, in West Penn
township, this county, and received her education there. They have had three
children: Alice S., iDom June 15. 1S77, married Hardie Hain, a bank clerk
in Philadelphia; Har^-ey Daniel, born Dec. 26, 1878, is a L^nited States wireless
operator between San Francisco and Manila; Ralph Charles, born Jan. 11,
1898, now living at home, is learning telegraph operating with the Philadelphia
& Reading Railway Company.
The late Reuben Baer, Mrs. Bensinger's father, was a farmer in West Penn
township, where he owned a small tract and carried on general farming all his
life. He married Susanna Zimmerman, a daughter of John and Polly (Shoe-
maker) Zimmerman, natives of West Penn township, and they had children
as follows: Frank, of Tamaqua, married Clara Kleckner; Ida married Charles
S. Bensinger; Charles married Minnie Miller, and they reside in Reading,
Pa. ; Pierce married Alice Houser, and they reside at Steinsville, Pa. ; Amandus
married Cora Bachert, and their home is in East Brunswick township ; Kate
married Frank Hafer, of Reading, Pa. Mr. Baer died at the age of fifty-five
years. He was a Democrat, a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S.
of A., of New Ringgold, and had religious connection with Zion's Reformed
Church in West Penn township.
TERE]\HAH MADENFORD. carriage and wagon builder, has been
engaged in that line of business at Pottsville from young manhood, and sevenil
518 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
years ago began it on his own account, being in partnership with John A. Hart-
man, under the firm name of Hartman & Madenford. J\Ir. Madenford was
born April 2, 1861, in Schuylkill county, where the family has been settled
for many years. His grandfather, Nicholas Von Madenford, was a native of
Holland, and coming to America when seventeen years old settled at Auburn,
Schuylkill Co., Pa. Later in life he became engaged in distilling there and
also at Panther Valley, Schuylkill county, and he lived to advanced age. He
and his wife Christian (Fehr) are buried at Summit Hill, this county. They
had the following children : Daniel, James, Lucetta, Nellie, Henry, Susanna
and Edward.
Edward Madenford, son of Nicholas, was born March 17, 1825, near the
Blue Mountain, in Schuylkill county, and is now living retired at Pottsville,
making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Geissler. In young manhood he
learned the trade of blacksmith, and after following it for a few years engaged
in farming in this county. For eight years he resided in Juniata county, where
he also farmed, at the same time carrying on his trade. After returning to
Schuylkill county he continued farming, until his retirement in 1904. During
the Civil war he enlisted in the 5th Regiment, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, for
one year, and served to the close of the conflict. He is a member of the
United Brethren denomination, belonging to the church at Friedensburg,
Schuylkill county. Mr. Madenford married Sarah A. Yerger, daughter of
Amos and Sophia (Buchert) Yerger, who had two other daughters, Lydia and
Esther. Mrs. Madenford died in June, 1904, the mother of the following
children : Charles lived in Washington township, Schuylkill county : Rosie .A..
married Lewis E. Lutz, of that township; Alvin A. also lived in Washington
township; Erma married William H. Berger, of Pottsville; Mary E.. who is
unmarried, is living in Reading, Pa.; Jeremiah is next in the family; Clara M.
is the wife of Charles F. Geissler, of Pottsville ; Milton J. is a resident of Wayne
township, Schuylkill county; Sadie S. married W. W. Ney, of Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
Jeremiah Madenford obtained his education in the public schools of Schuyl-
kill county. Up to the age of eighteen years he worked upon a farm, and then
learned carriagemaking. For a few weeks he was employed at Stouchsburg,
Berks Co., Pa., and at other places in the State, settling at Pottsville, in 1887.
For the twenty-one years succeeding he was in the employ of Daniel Matthews.
Subsequently he spent two years with Mr. Yaissle, and on March i, 191 1,
formed his present association with Joseph A. Hartman, under the style of
Hartman & Madenford, taking over the business formerly conducted by Mr.
Buchholz. Their specialty is carriage and wagon building, and they have facil-
ities for doing all kinds of repairing in that line at their well equipped shop,
which is located at the corner of Railroad and Sanderson streets. They have
also made a specialty of automobile trimming, and the automobile business
has become an important part of their operations. They are men of up-to-date
ideas in business methods and well prepared as tradesmen for the skillful han-
dling of any work which comes into their establishment.
Mr. Madenford is well known in his connection with the United Evan-
gelical Church at Pottsville, in which he is a zealous worker, at present serving
as trustee. Socially he belongs to the P. O. S. of A. In politics he does not
confine himself to any party, voting as he sees fit. Mr. Madenford married
Sallie Fausset, daughter of William S. Fausset, and sister of the well known
attorney William M. Fausset, of Pottsville. They have had six children.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEN N SYLVAN L\ 519
namely: Charlotte F., Olive, Edward, Mary, Donald and Stewart. The family
reside at No. 521 East Arch street, Pottsvillc.
SAMUEL BUEHLER, proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel" at ScluiylUill
Haven, has been an active citizen of that borough in the public service as well
as in business, having been a borough official for about three years. Mr.
Buehler was born on a farm in North Manheim township, .Schuylkill county,
June 9, 1866, son of Peter and Catherine ( Ciroclzingcr ) I'lUchler, natives of
Germany, who came to America from Wurteniljcrg in the year 1850 and first
located at Philadelphia, Pa. In i(S52 they removed to Schuylkill Haven,
Schuylkill county, and for several years thereafter Peter Buehler was em-
ployed on public construction work, on the canal, etc. In 1859 he bought the
farm in North Manheim townshi]) where he made his home, dying there in
March, 1867. His wife survived him many years, her death occurring I'^eb.
26, i8g8. They had a. family of seven children, four sons and three daughters,
namely: John married Rose Geiger, of Tamaqua (he is a freight conductor
on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad) ; George was drowned in the Karitan
canal, at Trenton, N. J., in 1873; Daniel is married and lives at Altoona, Pa.
(he is a conductor on the Pittsburgh division of the F'ennsylvania railroad) ;
Samuel is mentioned below: Christine married Samuel Berger, of Schuylkill
Haven: oMary married John Christ, also of Schuylkill Haven, formerly of
Tremont, this county : Louisa married Jacob Berger, of Schuylkill Haven.
Samuel Buehler attended public school until he reached the age of sixteen.
For several years afterwards he was variously employed until he commenced
railroad work, in the spring of 18S9. His first position was as brakeman on
the Mine Hill road (now part of the Philadelphia & Reading), at Mine Hill
crossing, and he held it until 1891. Then for four years he was employed as a
carpenter, in 1892 joining Company F, 4th Regiment, Pennsylvania National
Guard, with which he served until July 30, 1895, when he met with the accident
which caused him to lose his foot. He was taken to the Pottsville hospital,
where he was the third patient admitted after the opening of the institution.
From 1892 to 1895 he was also engaged at the carpenter's trade. ^Meantime, in
1893, he had begun his career in the public service, as a member of the school
board of North Manheim township, serving five years on that body, during two
years of which time he was secretary. Having been appointed carpenter at the
coupty almshouse, in 1897. he was thus engaged for the next two years, in
March, 1899, moving to Schuylkill Haven, and commencing the hotel business
in which he has since been engaged. For some years he had the "Keystone
Hotel" at Spring Garden, removing thence to his present location on Main
street, in 1907. Here he bought the "Eagle Hotel," which he is still conducting,
having the leading place of its kind in Schuylkill Haven. In his line of business
Mr. Buehler has "naturally become widely acquainted, and he has also been well
and favorably known in his association with the administration of public
affairs. In 1904 he was appointed councilman to fill an unexpired term, at the
end of which, in February, 1905, he was elected for a full term, serving until
November, 1907, when he removed from his ward, thus vacating his office. .At
the same time he was acting as jury commissioner, having been elected to that
position Nov. 6, 1906, for three years. So satisfactory were his services that
he was honored with reelection in 1909, and continued to hold that position
until January, 19 14. Mr. Buehler's close attention to the demands of his public
positions has entitled him to the general support he has received from his
520 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
fellow citizens. He has always been a Republican in political association, and
has done considerable work in his party's cause.
Mr. Buehler has numerous fraternal connections in Schuylkill Haven,
being a member of Carroll Lodge, No. 120, L O. O. F., of which he is a past
grand; of Pecos Tribe, No. 327, L O. R. AL, of which he is a past sachem;
of Pottsville Aerie, No. 134, Fraternal Order of Eagles; and of the Owls. He
also belongs to the Fish and Game Protective Association of Pottsville. His
religious connection is with the German Lutheran Church of Schuylkill Haven.
On Dec. 13, 1898, Mr. Buehler was married to Ida Sheaffer, daughter of
George and Susanna (Deibert) Sheafi'er, of Schuylkill Haven, who had a
family of three children: Ida; Nora, wife of Alden Mayberry ; and George,
who married a Hirleman. Mr. Sheaffer died in 191 1. Mrs. Ida Buehler died
Oct. 5, 1903. In May, 1909, Mr. Buehler married (second) Susan Bernheisel.
There were no children by either marriage.
JOHN GEORGE STRIEGEL, M. D., one of the younger physicians in
practice at Pottsville, was born Aug. 27, 1885, at Shenandoah, Schuylkill
county. He belongs to a respected family of German origin, which has been
resident in Schuylkill county since settling in America.
Charles A. Striegel, his father, was a native of Baden, Germany. He was
twenty-eight years of age when he and his wife came to America, and they
made a home in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., at which place he engaged in the
bakery business. Later they moved to Shenandoah, where he was in the
same line for several years, eventually returning to Pottsville, where he is now
living in retirement. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Hirschel-
man, was born in Bavaria, Germany. Of the children born to their union
three are living: George, who is practicing law at Pottsville, a successful pro-
fessional man ; Catherine, widow of James A. Fadden ; and John George.
Dr. Striegel acquired his early education in the public schools at Pottsville,
graduating from the high school in that borough in 1902. Then he took his
medical course, in the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which
he was graduated in the year 1910, since when he has been in practice at Potts-
ville. During his college course he was active in the fraternities and other life
of the university, being a member of Alpha Tau Delta and Omega Upsilon
Phi, the latter a medical society. For one year he was a member of the college
basketball team. Since beginning practice he has become associated with the
various professional organizations, belonging to the Pottsville Medical Club,
the Schuylkill County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical
Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he holds mem-
bership in the Improved Order of Heptasophs and the German-American
Alliance. By his earnest devotion to his professional work, his thorough prepa-
ration and a sincere desire to give his patients the best attention possible, he
has already laid the foundation for a successful practice. As a citizen he has
the zeal and public spirit essential to useful life in every community.
Dr. Striegel married Neva Amanda Kuhn, daughter of Stephen H. and
Florence A. (Larrison) Kuhn, of Olean, N. Y., and they have one child, John
Garison, born July 30, 1914. Their home is at No. 326 East Norwegian
street, Pottsville, where the Doctor also has his office.
ROBERT J. HOFFMAN is one of a group of wide-awake business men
who have developed one line of industry at Schuylkill Haven until the borough
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 521
has become noted as a center for the manufacture of knitted goods in I'enn-
sylvania. It has benel'ited tlie town directly by providing wliolesonie and
desirable employment for a large number of people, whose income is disbursed
as well as acquired in the locality, thus creating brisk trade conditions which
are apparent in the thriving mercantile establishments of the borough.
The Hoffman family has been settled in Schuylkill county from the time
of Robert J. Hoffman's grandfather, Amos Hoffman, who was a native of
Berks county. Pa., whence he removed to tliis region in the iirst half of the
last century. He lived at Landingville, following agricultural pursuits and
hotelkeeping, and spent the remainder of his days there. All his children were
born to his first marriage, to Mary Reed, whose father was a large land-
owner in the neighborhood of Schuylkill Haven; his second wife was Leah
Achey. The family consisted of the follow^ing: Jonathan, who died at Schuyl-
kill Haven, married Abbie Kitner; Sarah married David W'armkessel ; James
married Mary Deibert; Amos R. is mentioned below; Thomas married l-'.mma
Krammes ; Rebecca married Alichael McCann, and is now living in Philadel-
phia ; George, who lives at Jersey City, married Alice Wagner.
Amos R. Hoft'man w'as bom in 1848 at Landingville, in South Manheim
tow-nship, Schuylkill county, and grew to manhood there. He learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed as a boatbuilder for many years, later
finding employment as carpenter in the Philadelphia & Reading shops at
Schuylkill Haven for about twenty years. He then became janitor of the
school building at Schuylkill Haven, holding that position about eighteen
years, and in all his associations he discharged his duties with intelligence and
conscientious promptness, winning a well deserved reputation for reliability.
His death occurred Feb. 21, 1912, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at
Schuylkill Haven, where his parents are also interred. Mr. Hoffman married
Abba Wagner, daughter of Tobias and Mary (Knittle) Wagner, who lived at
Landingville, Mr. Wagner being employed on the canal for some years and
later as lock tender. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, his wife living to
be eighty-two. They were the parents of children as follows: Amelia married
Moses Betz ; Catherine married Daniel Sheridan ; Daniel married Elizabeth
Shollenberger ; Rebecca married George Reber; Priscilla married William Web-
ber; Abba "married Amos R. Hoft'man; Susan married John Rhoad ; Alice mar-
ried George Hoffman, a brother of Amos R. Mrs. Amos R. Hoffman's
grandfather Wagner was a well known resident of Hamburg, Berks county,
where he died.
Mr. and Mrs. Amos R. Hoffman were the parents of the following children :
Robert J. is mentioned below; Cecelia married Jeremiah Harner and lives at
Schuylkill Haven ; Lulu married Edward Shellenberger. and lives at Schuylkill
Haven; Raymond S., of Pottsville, this county, married Martha Emerich ;
Reuben, of Schuylkill Haven, married Elsie Gerhart ; Newton resides with his
mother ; Blanche' married Frederick Hildebrand and died at Pottsville ; Elsie
died in infancy.
Robert T- Hoffman was born Oct. 29, 1873, at Landingville, Schuylkill
county, attended public school at Schuylkill Haven, and in his boyhood was
employed in a knitting mill for a time. ' He then learned the business of house
painting, which he followed for a period of four years, and again worked in
a knitting mill, from 1895 to 1900. By this time he had acquired sufficient
familiarity with its details'to feel confident he could make a success as a manu-
facturer, and in company with Harry A. Dohner began to operate a factory.
522 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
the firm of Hoffman & Dohner lasting five years. In 1905 Mr. Hoffman
purchased his partner's interest. Then followed a limited partnership with
Dr. P. C. Detwiler, Charles Keller and C. F. Schumacher, the firm being known
as the Eureka Knitting Company, Limited, who did business until their plant
was struck by lightning in September, 1906, and totally destroyed in the fire
which followed. Air. Hoffman has since been in the business alone. He erected
a fine brick building 26 by 100 feet in dimensions, two stories high, and thor-
oughly up to date in equipment and appointments for its purpose, the manu-
facture of ladies' union suits, for which he finds a wide market. His force
consists of from thirty-five to forty hands, and the business ability he has dis-
played in the building up and maintenance of the business entitles him to a
distinct place among the progressive and influential men of the borough.
Mr. Hoffman married Carrie Spindler, daughter of August H. Spindler,
who was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they have a family of three
children : Catherine, Isabelle and William A.
At present Mr. Hoffman is serving his fellow citizens in the position of
councilman, to which office he was elected in January, 1914. For nine and a
half years he was a member of the school board, and secretary of that body
during six and a half years of the time. Politically he is associated with the
Republican party, and has been a member of the local election board. In
fraternal connection Air. Hoft'man is a member of the Heptasophs, in religion
a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
JACOB F. HIME, who is now spending his advanced age in retirement at
Pottsville, was throughout his active years one of the foremost citizens of
Branch township, Schuylkill county. For sixty years and more he was closely
associated with the administration of public aft'airs there, and as an active
participant in religious enterprises and the work of social betterment generally
has been a representative member of a family noted for vigorous moral char-
acter.
Paul Heim (as the name was originally spelled), grandfather of Jacob F.
Hime, came to this section when the Indians were still plentiful here, but his
intercourse with them was always friendly and they never molested him. They
often came to his cabin, and it is said that it was his custom to set a dish of
bread and milk before each Indian that visited him. Paul Heim was a native
of Germany and came to America when eighteen years old. For a time he
lived in Berks county, Pa., in 1747 crossing the Blue mountains, and settling
at what is now Auburn, Schuylkill county, in the earliest days of its settlement.
He cleared land and engaged in farming and assisted in all the other work of
shaping a thriving community. He was especially remembered for his zeal in
the organization of Zion's Church there, and assisted in erecting its house of
worship, known as the old Red Church, some of his fellow workers being:
Peter Schmetgert, Peter Neyman, Jacob Schaeffer, Michael Deibert, Gott-
fried Beyer, Paul Heim, Philip Pausman, Christian Schabet, Casper Prag and
George Huntzinger. The original membership of this famous old church com-
prised about one hundred, scattered over a large territory, as it was the only
organization at that time north of the Blue mountains. The church building
was begun in 1765 and completed in 1770. Mr. Heim served the congregation
faithfully as one of its officials, and both he and his wife were laid to rest in
the burial ground of this church.
lacob Heim, son of Paul, above, was bom and reared on the old homestead
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 523
in Schuylkill county. During his young manhood he followed the carpenter's
trade for a short time, in 1809 settling in Norwegian (now Branch) township,
this county, being the first to locate where the village of Llewellyn now stands.
Here he engaged in farming the rest of his days, dying upon his home place.
Mr. Heim prospered by industry and he was one of the most intelligent citizens
of his day, encouraging and aiding every movement which promised to benefit
the locality. The first township election was held in his home in 1837, and
on that occasion he and John Moore were chosen the first supervisors of the
township. Like his father he was a zealous church worker, one of the founders
of the well known Frieden's Church in Branch township, vv'here he was one of
the first trustees. It is a Union Church, Gemian Lutheran and Reformed.
Mr. Heim married Elizabeth Faust, who died July 23, 1827, and they are both
buried in the Frieden's Church cemetery, in Branch township. Their children
were as follows : Hannah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rebecca, Esther, Jacob F. and
Catherine.
Jacob F. Hime, son of Jacob, above, was bom Sept. 28, 1825, at his father's
old home in Norwegian (now Branch) township. Reared in a home where
diligence, self-reliance and honesty were the guiding principles of everyday
life, he has lived up to the best traditions of an honored race. In his early man-
hood he learned his father's trade, that of carpenter, and he continued to follow
it for over forty years in and around Llewellyn, where many evidences of his
industry still remain. In 1856 he built the present Frieden's Church and much
of his work was in building breakers at the collieries. For fourteen years he
was engaged at repair work in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading
Company. Mr. Hime retired from his trade in 1884. However, he continued
his activities in other directions for many years longer. With an intelligent
comprehension of the needs of his community and no disposition to shirk
responsibilities, he is called upon to perform many services for his fellow
citizens, and has been faithful to every trust. Branch township felt that it
was giving up one of its best citizens when he concluded to withdraw after
many years of participation in public alYairs, and spend his days in retirement
at Pottsville. He had filled numerous township offices, serving as assessor ( for
six years), auditor (one term), treasurer, tax collector and member of the
school board (two terms), and for forty years continuously he acted as justice
of the peace, to which position he was first elected in 1856. So well satisfied
were his fellow citizens with his services in this capacity that he finally had
to refuse to be a candidate for the office in order to unburden himself of its
duties. He was inspector of elections and in fact cooperated with his towns-
luen in conserving the best interests of the township in every way. The name
of "Squire" Hime was a household word in Branch for many years. His wife
dying in the fall of 1912, he had one of his grandchildren stay with him until
the next spring, when he sold out and came to Pottsville to make his home with
his son Allen J. Hime, with whom he has resided since Feb. 8, 1913. He has
followed the custom of his family in his interest in church work, always doing
his share to promote the welfare of the Lutheran Church, of which he was a
faithful member and a devoted official. In May, 1846, he joined the Miners-
ville Artillery, of which he was a member for seven years.
Mr. Hime married Angeline Heim, daughter of Benjamin Heim ("not
related, though of the same name). Her father died in Iowa. Mrs. Hime
passed away Sept. 23, 1912, at the age of eighty-four years, and is buried in
the Frieden's Church cemetery. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
524 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Jacob F. Hime, namely : Charles, Allen J., John B. and David L. The only sur-
vivor is Allen J., who is a pattern maker with the Philadelphia & Reading Com-
pany at Pottsville. He married Clara V. Gabel, and they have one child, Amy,
now the wife of J. H. Rabenoe.
PETER J. SCHNEIDER, late of Pottsville, though a resident of that
borough for only a few years, identified himself with municipal affairs as well
as business, and showed his capable qualities in various associations. He was
a native of Alsace-Lorraine, which at the time of his birth belonged to France,
and was a son of Joseph Schneider, who came to America and settled at Potts-
ville, Pa., during the first half of the last century. He was a soldier in the
Mexican war and won a medal for bravery. Soon after coming to America he
bought a few acres of ground at Germantown, Philadelphia, but he subse-
quently lived among his children. He died in Pottsville, at the home of his
son John, corner of Market and Centre streets. His wife ]\Iary died at Locust-
dale, Schuylkill county. They had the following children : Joseph, August,
George, John and Peter J.
Peter J. Schneider was reared in his native land, coming to America with his
mother when twenty years old. For a few years he was employed at the
Silver Creek mines, Schuylkill county, and later spent a few years at St. Clair,
where he was in the saloon business. He then removed to Pittsburgh, where
he was employed at the mines, remaining there about two years, after which
he located at Ashland, Schuylkill county, in 1862, and embarked in the hotel
business. His residence there covered a period of twelve years, after which
he located at Pottsville, in 1874, continuing in the same line as proprietor of
what was known as the old "Washington House," at the corner of Coal and
Nicholas streets. It was the only hotel in that part of the city, and was very
successful under Mr. Schneider's management. He operated the place until
his death. May 26, 1886, and is buried at Pottsville. Mr. Schneider was a
Democrat and active in politics, and at the time of his death was a member
of the borough council, in which he had served four years. He was a charter
member of the Good Will Fire Company, and belonged to St. John's Society,
being a member of the Catholic Church. He made many friends during his
active life by his genial manners and readiness to oblige whenever possible.
In 1850 Mr. Schneider married Catharine Schlotman, and ten children were
born to this marriage, namely : Mary married Peter Glaub, and they reside in
Philadelphia: Katie married Charles A. Wretman, and (second) George W.
Bernhard, who has succeeded his mother-in-law. Mrs. Schneider, in the hotel
business (by her first marriage Mrs. Bernhard had one son, Carl A., now at
Harrisburg, in the employ of the State Highway Department: he married
Anastatia Keefer, of Harrisburg) ; Charles is a resident of Pottsville ; Helen
married Merrill Walker and lives at Harrisburg ; Henr\', John, Joseph, Louis,
Frank and Theodore are deceased.
After Mr. Schneider's death Mrs. Schneider and her daughter Mrs. Bern-
hard continued the hotel business, carrying on the house with the same policv
which made it so popular under Mr. Schneider's management. In 1905 Mr.
Bernhard, son-in-law of Mrs. Schneider, took charge of the business, and the
house is now conducted under the name of the "Bernhard Hotel," the present
proprietor keeping up the standard which has always characterized this house.
Joseph Schlotman, ]\Irs. Schneider's father, was bom in Westphalia. Ger-
many, and came to America when a young man. For many years he was en-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 525
gaged as a mine boss for the Sillymans of Pottsville. He married Louisa
Osterman.
OLIVER A. BITTLE, the well known undertaker, and associated with
his brother, David AI. Bittle, as furniture dealers at Schuylkill Haven, was
born at Cressona, Schuylkill county, Aug. 30, 1882, son of Albert O. Bittle. He
is a grandson of Jacob Bittle and great-grandson of Jacob Bittle, and traces his
line of descent from a German ancestor who was one of the emigrants who
came to America in 1753.
Christopher Bittle is known to have landed on the soil of the New World
Sept. 24, 1753, when he was but a youth, and he soon after located at Quaker-
town, near Philadelphia. For a time he worked on a farm. Later he married
a Miss Neiman and settled on a fami near Pottstown, Pa. Selling out, he came
to Schuylkill county and bought the farm now owned by the Henney and Reber
families, near Schuylkill Llaven. After a time he sold this farm and bought
another along the road from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known as the
Bartolette farm. He also sold this place, and finally settled on a tract near
Minersville, where his death occurred. This place was later known as the
James farm. Besides farming he was a lumberman, cutting and selling timber
and operating a sawmill. Christopher Bittle had these children : John, Jacob,
Henry, Jonathan, Mrs. Maria Strauch, Mrs. Molly Pott, Mrs. Kate Weaver,
Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver, Mrs. Rebecca Reed, Mrs. Sarah Jennings and Mrs.
Eva Warner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was born in North Manheim township
and attended different schools in the various places to which his father removed
as the years passed. Pursuing the vocation of farmer on the many places his
father possessed at different periods, he finally bought a farm of his own in
Long Run valley, North j\Ianheini township, cleared off the timber, and spent
the remainder of his life there, dying at the age of eighty-eight. His wife, who
was a member of the well known Clouser family of Llewellyn, Schuylkill
county, had passed away some time previous. They both lie in the old ceme-
tery at Schuylkill Haven. They had the following children : William ; Jacob,
mentioned below ; John, who died on the homestead ; Andrew, who died at
Schuylkill Haven ; Maria; who married (first) a Mr. Zerbe and (second) a Mr.
Berger; Katie, wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of Gabriel Groan; and Sallie,
wife of Isaac Ely.
Jacob Bittle, son of Jacob, was bom in Schuylkill county and lived for a
time at Long Run, later removing to Cressona, where he was an employee of
the Mine Hill Railroad Company. He then bought a farm in North Manheim
township, west of Cressona, and followed farming until his death. He was
united in marriage to Catherine DeLong, and their children were : William,
Amanda, George W., Robert L., Albert O., Alice, Peter C, David M. and
Isaac E.
Albert O. Bittle was born at Cressona, Pa., and reared upon the farm,
attending the country schools. Having an inclination for railroading, he fol-
lowed that occupation for many years. Finally he gave up this strenuous work
and settled down to carpentering and contracting at Cressona, which he still fol-
lows. He married Mary Coover, daughter of George W. Coover, and they have
had children as follows : George C. ; Jacob W., a merchant of Cressona ; Bertha,
wife of Calvin Huntzinger ; Sadie, wife of Clayton Ginder; Oliver A., men-
526 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYL\"AXL\
tioned below; David M., partner of Oliver A.; Arthur J.; Bessie, wife of
Newton Blecker; and Mary, wife of Stanley Kulp.
Oliver A. Bittle attended the public schools and when a youth began his
life work with W. F. Weber, the well known undertaker of Pottsville, Pa.,
continuing in his employ for a period of six years. He then accepted a posi-
tion with D. M. Wagner, furniture dealer of Schuylkill Haven, remaining with
him from Aug. 4, 1912, until April i, 1914, at which time he and his brother
took over the business by purchase from Mr. Wagner, operating under the name
of Bittle Brothers. They now carry one of the largest stocks in the county,
and have the only store of its kind in the town of Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Bittle was married to Anetta Huntzinger, daughter of Robert and
Elizabeth (Shurey) Huntzinger, of Hegins, Pa., and they have had one daugh-
ter, Grace L. Mr. Bittle is a member of St. John's Reformed Church of
Schuylkill Haven.
ZACCUR P. MADARA, of Pottsville, is a descendant of a family which
has been identified with the history of the borough for over a century, and
its members in the present generation may well be proud of the substantial
evidences the town has of their skill as workmen and general trustworthiness.
The Madara family is of French e.xtraction, and the name is found
variously spelled — Maddeira, Madery, etc. Sebastian Madery, the ancestor of
the family in Berks county, where it was originally settled on coming to this
country, died at Reading in 1775. It is not known how many children were
in his family, but we have record of Michael, Casper, Samuel and Nicholas.
All of these but Samuel served in the Revolutionary war. Michael, who was
in Captain Will's Company, died in 1823. He was the ancestor of Zaccur P.
Madara.
Nicholas Casper Madara, grandfather of Zaccur P. Aladara, was born and
reared in Berks county, Pa. He was a stonemason by trade. Coming to Schuyl-
kill county in 1806, he was one of the early residents of Pottsville, and much of
the most important construction work was intrusted to him in his day; the
buildings he erected included the Episcopal church and the old Parvin mill,
which later was torn down. He died in Pottsville when fifty-seven years old.
Mr. Madara married Mar}' Dreher, and they became the parents of eight chil-
dren, namely: Jacob, Charles, James, Nicholas, George, Maria, Elizabeth and
Catherine Eliza. Of this family Charles built the stone wall as well as all
the mason work, including the chapel, at the Charles Baber cemetery, Potts-
ville, a notably fine sample of masonry.
Jacob Madara, son of Nicholas Casper Aladara, followed the business of
stonemason and plasterer, and like his father was regarded as one of the leading
men of the day in the borough and county. The construction work of the Henry
Clay monument, of which the community is justly proud, was awarded to him,
and stands as a monument to his conscientious and efficient workmanship. He
died in March, 1884, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a Republican on
political questions and a Lutheran in religious connection. His wife, whose
maiden name was Abigail Hart, also lived to the age of seventy-six years.
Zaccur P. is now the only survivor of their six children, namely: William
George: Zaccur P.; Maria, wife of Frank Schulze ; Nicholas: and Georgiana
and Henrietta, both of whom died young.
Zaccur P. Madara was born Alarch 27, 1840, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county. He received a public school education and learned the trade of brick
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 527
and stone mason with his father, being first employed in that Hne of work.
Later he went to work in the rolHng mills as a roller, and remained there for
about fifteen years, after which for about ten years he was engaged as section
boss on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. In 1885 he became a member of
the police force of Pottsville, with which he was connected for twenty-five
years, retiring from the service at the end of that period. Meantime, in 1907,
he had been elected a member of the council of the borough, in which he served
two terms (six years). Since 1910 Mr. Madara has conducted a grocery store
at No. 329 North George street, where he also resides. His various business
and official associations have brought him into contact with an unusually large
number of his fellow citizens, by whom he is well and favorably known. He
is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Grand Army of the
Republic, having served one year during the Civil war as a member of Company
G, 202d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Politically he is a Republican.
On Feb. 8, i860, Mr. ]\Iadara married Harriet E. Dobbins, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Davis) Dobbins, of ■\Iinersville, this county, the former
of whom died when his daughter was but five years old. ^Ir. and Mrs. Aladara
became the parents of the following children : William George is deceased ;
Laura L. married Edgar Wilson, a brother of Kimbel Wilson, of Pottsville;
Ida E. married John Murray ; Katie married Robert Rogers : Walter Paul, a
resident of Pottsville, married Irene Mader; Nellie is deceased; Abbie L. mar-
ried William Woodward ; Annie E. is deceased ; Matilda, twin of Annie, died
young ; Harriet E. married Fred Schulze ; Zaccur P. is located in Pittsburgh,
Pa.; Bessie died young; Bessie (2) married Weston Bruner (his first wife was
her sister Annie E.). Mr. and Mrs. Madara are members of the Episcopal
Church.
WILLIAM F. DOHERTY, of Schuylkill Haven, is a business man who has
shown considerable enterprise in taking advantage of local conditions. For
over a quarter of a century he has carried on the manufacture of paper
bo.xes, and with the development of various industries in the borough has made
a substantial increase in his business by catering to the manufacturers who
have become established here, suiting his products to their needs so that they
have not been obliged to go elsewhere. JMoreover, he has been wide-awake
and ingenious about learning their special wants, and has made his factory a
convenient adjunct to the plants of his patrons in this section.
Mr. Doherty is of Irish descent, but the family has long been settled in
."Xmerica, his great-grandfather having come to this country from Ireland and
settled at Columbus, Ohio, where he died. His son John, the grandfather of
William F. Doherty, also lived and died at Columbus, Ohio, and John Doherty,
the father of William F., was born there. He removed to Schuylkill Haven,
Pa., where he became engaged as a coal operator, having two. collieries at Mine
Hill Gap. His partner was Charles ^Montgomery Hill. This business he fol-
lowed most all of his active life, died in 1866, and is buried in the Union ceme-
tery at Schuylkill Haven. He married Alary Heiser, a daughter of George and
Catherine (Koenig) Heiser, the former a pioneer at Schuylkill Haven. Mr.
Heiser was a prominent contractor, and assisted in building the Schuylkill canal
in 1816. His residence was on the site where the Bryant homestead is now
located on Main street, Schuylkill Haven. His children were: Dr. Edward,
Joshua, Alary, Margaret, Abigail and Elizabeth. John Doherty and his wife
528 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
had these children: Amanda, Margaret, Ellen, Caroline, Elizabeth, George,
Charles, William F. and Frank.
William F. Doherty was born at Schuylkill Haven in 1859 and attended
the public schools there. In his early life he followed farming, but when a
young man learned telegraphy, at which he was engaged for some time, in
the employ of the Reading Company. For a while he was located at iioyer-
town, iJerks Co., Pa. In 1888 he engaged in his present business, which he
has been successfully conducting without interruption since. The product of
his factory, which is equipped with thoroughly modern machinery, is stitt paper
boxes, for which there is a large local demand. From twelve to fifteen hands
are steadily employed. Mr. Doherty has made a definite place for himself in
the business circles of the borough by his admirable management of the factory
and the establishing of a profitable trade.
Mr. Doherty is a member of St. John's Reformed Church. He is unmar-
ried, but he has adopted the four children of George H. Roeder and his wife
Bertha (Clemens), namely: Helen Roeder, Dora Roeder, Esther Roeder and
Harry Roeder.
ADOLPH W. SCHALCK, late of Pottsville, for many years held a posi-
tion among the most energetic members of the legal profession in Schuylkill
county. His ability and the qualifications of leadership which became apparent
early in his career brought him into influential association with the Democratic
party which continued for many years, and his work as such has a distinct
place in the history of the county. A man of high mental attainments, he had
a broad outlook, which brought him into sympathy with all classes ; and his
thorough understanding of all his fellow citizens in the county made possible a
degree of usefulness of which only one of his keen intellect and deep insight
could be capable. Mr. Schalck was a German by birth. All his ancestors were
natives of Germany, and his parents were the first members of the family to
come to this country.
George Schalck, father of Adolph W. Schalck, was born at Wiesbaden in
1820. He was a son of Christian Schalck, a well-to-do millwright, whose
flourmili was located near there, the business having been founded by his
ancestors who, for generations before him, were men of influence and stand-
ing in that part of Germany. He married Dorothea Hartz. Their son, George,
acquired a thorough education in the schools of his native land and, in his
early life, learned the trades of locksmith and gunsmith, during several cam-
paigns serving as armorer in the German army. Coming to the United States
in 1854, at the request of old friends who had preceded him here, he located
at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he made his permanent home. His
great and versatile mechanical genius and his skill as a marksman were appre-
ciated wherever he was known. His handmade rifles had a national reputa-
tion, and his violins, also made entirely by hand, were well known and prized
in advanced musical circles. He won many valuable medals and other rewards
as a sharpshooter at target, in America and abroad, and made the cannon, with
cheeks for the gun carriage, and ammunition, for the local 96th Pennsylvania
Regiment, \'oIunteers, to take with them to the Civil war in 1861. He was
also an expert engraver, wood carver and wrought iron worker — in fact, a
past master in every conceivable branch of mechanical work._ As a citizen
and mechanical genius, he was much esteemed in the place of his adoption.
Mr. Schalck's wife, Sophia Windisch, was also born in Wiesbaden in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 529
1820. She was a woman of great mental attainments, particularly well read
m Biblical lore, universal history, astronomy and German literature. It was
her custom to sit by the hour in her husband's workshop, reading aloud to
him from the newspapers or educational literature or fiction, her fingers
meanwhile busy with her knitting needles, his hands skillfully occupied with
his work while listening to his wife's reading. He died in 1893. She sur-
vived him eighteen years, passing away in 191 1, when nearly six months over
ninety years old, in full possession of all her faculties almost to the end, her
wonderfully bright mind never failing her. She was a daughter of Davi(|
Windisch and his wife Antoinette Thorn. The former's father was Conrad
von Windisch, who, while still a university student in Austria, for political
reasons renounced his rights as heir to his father's princely title and estates
and, with a younger brother, came to Wiesbaden, where he secured employ-
ment as an artistic china decorator in a nearby porcelain factory. He married
the only child of the owner of the factory, and he and his young wife, Catrina
Briill, then opened the first china store in Wiesbaden, the latter continuing the
business after the death of her husband, in 1809.
Adolph W. Schalck, only child of George and Sophia (Windisch) Schalck,
was born at Wiesbaden, Jan. 16, 1845, and spent the first nine years of his
life there. He began his education in the well conducted schools of his native
city, learning English as well as German. In his later years he continued his
German studies, using his native language fluently and acquiring a wide
familiarity with German history and literature as well as American and gen-
eral universal history and Biblical history and mythology, having inherited
his mother's disposition and studious inclinations. When the family settled
in Pottsville he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school
in 1857, with honors; it was then conducted in the old Bunker Hill school-
house. He then pursued his studies at the Pottsville Academy (held in what
is now the Henry C. Russell homestead). His first inclination was for
mechanics, the line in which his father had proved so successful ; and he
worked for a year in his father's shop after leaving the academy. His father,
however, feeling that the boy did not have the genius for great success in
that work, advised him to change his occupation and, in i860, he went to
Philadelphia, becoming a salesman and clerk in a wholesale glass and china
importing house, with which he remained about two years. Feeling that his
prospects there were not all he could desire, and having determined upon a
professional career, he returned to Pottsville, where he became a reporter for
the Schuylkill Dcmokrat, at that time the German organ of the Democratic
party in the county. He also learned the rudiments of printing in this con-
nection.
Mr. Schalck's entrance into political and public affairs probably had its
inception here, in his opportunity for acquaintance with public men and
events. During the campaign of 1862 he had his first political experience.
That year, Franklin B. Gowen, Esq., was elected district attorney of Schuyl-
kill county, and Mr. Schalck. who had become acquainted with him during
the campaign, became a clerk in his law office, where he soon began the study
of law. After his admission to the bar, on March 16, 1866, when but twenty-
one years of age, he became Mr. Gowen's principal assistant, and when the
latter left Pottsville in 1868 to open an office in Philadelphia Mr. Schalck
remained in charge of the Pottsville office, in association with the late George
DeB. Keim, an old personal friend and law student of Mr. Gowen's, who
Vol. 1—34
530 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\
afterwards succeeded him as president of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
Company.
In 1870, having decided to branch out on his own responsibility, ]Mr.
Schalck severed this association, with its very evident advantages, in order
to give all his time to building up an independent practice. It is noteworthy
that within a few years he had drawn a clientele which compared with the
patronage commanded by the older and best lawyers in the county. His
large and varied practice made him one of the leading members of the junior
set in the legal fraternity at that time. His active association with the legal
profession continued until his death, and his prestige increased from year
to year with legal victories and skillful attention to the interests of his many
clients. His fidelity and zeal in following up everything concerning a case
intrusted to him, his industry in research and his ability to make the most
of every favorable circumstance, won him the absolute confidence of all
who came to him for legal advice. His opinion was sought in nearly every
important case in the county, he being a thorough lawyer in every way, as
a counselor, as a pleader and in argument. His knowledge of the law was
most comprehensive, and he was always ready to meet successfully every
legal point an opponent could present. Though ever modest and unassuming,
he was always master of his subject and of himself.
A few years after entering the legal profession Mr. Schalck, as a zealous
member of the Democratic party, was drawn into political activity, and from
about 1871 until his death was closely associated with public affairs. His
experience as a public speaker, the popularity he gained in that capacity, his
reliable judgment and comprehensive grasp of the needs of the situation,
made him a campaign worker of recognized ability and value ; and he had
an equally high reputation in his party as an organizer, though he never
allowed his Democracy to become blind partisanship or to interfere with
matters most deeply affecting the public good.
In 1876 he became county chairman, and from that time until his death
served repeatedly as chainnan or treasurer of the Democratic County com-
mittee ; and. when not associated with that organization as such, carried on
his activities in other relations, having also been secretary, treasurer and
chairman of the executive cominittees — all without recompense and, it should
be said, often at great personal sacrifice. When serving as chairman in 1890,
at the time of Governor Pattison's second campaign, the county gave Mr.
Pattison a majority of over 4,100, the largest it ever gave to any candidate.
His last service as county chairman was in 1907.
The public positions filled by Mr. Schalck were all in the line of his pro-
fession. From 1875 to 1878 he was solicitor for the directors of the poor
of the county. In 1877 he was elected district attorney, his term from 1878
to 1881 covering the latter part of the period of the Molly ]\Iaguire troubles.
From 1881 to 1884 he was attorney to the county commissioners, later on
serving as attorney to various other county officers and lastly as county
solicitor, from igo6 to igo8. In all of these positions he showed himself to
be thoroughly public-spirited, a fearless opponent of corruption and graft
in the administration of all public offices, and at various times quite promi-
nent in the investigations and exposures of faithless officials, his most promi-
nent case in this line being, as counsel for the county auditors, in uncovering
the big graft in the erection of the new courthouse at Pottsville. when he
recovered $65,000 for the county treasury, refusing offers of large sums
from interested parties who desired him to withdraw from the case.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 531
During the Civil war he enhsted twice, in 1862 and in 1863, serving in
the 6th and 27th Pennsylvania Regiments, emergency troops, raised to pro-
tect the State and drive the Confederates back across the Potomac. He
attempted to enlist at the beginning of the war, but was rejected on account
of his youth and because he lacked a robust constitution. In his later years
he was an active worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to
Gowen Post, No. 23, which he served as quartermaster (treasurer) for twenty-
seven years, up to the time of his death. His chief other social connection
was with the German Order of Harugari, which he served as State president,
the local branch of which disbanded some years ago because death had reduced
the membership to a very few. He was president of the Schuylkill Branch
of the German-American Alliance at the time of his death.
Mr. Schalck took a sincere interest in the history of his county and col-
laborated with the late Capt. D. C. Henning, a former prominent member
of the same bar, in editing and compiling the History of Schuylkill County
published by the State Historical Association in 1907, also being one of the
organizers of and active members in the local Historical Society. Mr. Schalck
was actively associated with all important local movements, among others
having been an officer in the local Soldiers' Monument Association, Civic
Society, the old Board of Trade, Old Home Week Association, and anti-new
county movement. His last active participation in public affairs was in July,
191 1, when he was one of the Fourth of July orators and a member of the
committee of arrangements for the local Schuylkill County Centennial cele-
bration.
Brought up in the Lutheran faith, he was a prominent member of Trinity
Lutheran Church of Pottsville and one of the earnest workers of that con-
gregation all his adult life, serving many years as trustee, for over forty
years as member of the council, and many years as superintendent of the
Sunday school, in which he continued to teach after resigning that position.
He was kind-hearted and charitable, no worthy person ever appealing to him
in vain for help. His public as well as private life always commanded the
implicit confidence and respect of all who knew him. His death, which
occurred Oct. 26. igii, deprived the community of one of its best beloved
citizens. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville, Pennsyl-
vania.
In 1870 Mr. Schalck married Emma R. Haeseler, daughter of Dr. Charles
Haeseler; and of the two children born to their union, Sophie died in infancv.
Louise G. was her father's efficient assistant until her marriage to Dr. W. F.
Doyle, of Pottsville, Pa. They have one son. Francis Schalck Doyle. Mrs.
.Schalck continues to occupy the homestead at No. 320 West Market street.
Pottsville.
Dr. Charles Haeseler, father of Mrs. Schalck, was the eldest son of
Henry Frederick Haeseler and his wife Amalia (Schumacher), and v^'as born
in 1810 at Nordheim, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. He was a
graduate of the Lfniversity of Goettingen, Germany, completing his course
of medical study there. In 1834 he came to America and became one of the
pioneers in the medical profession in this section of Pennsylvania. He and
Drs. Constantin Herring and B. Becker were the first to practice homceopathy
here. He was an active church worker, a man of literary ability and highly
gifted as a writer of poetry, many of his compositions having been published
532 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL-V
in various church publications, especially in the "Evangelischer Botschafter,"
from 1838 to 1850.
From his mother, Amalia Schumacher, Dr. Haeseler inherited, as her
eldest son, the family Bible of her ancestors which had descended to her
because her parents had no male issue. Up to that time it had been handed
down from father to son. This Bible is the oldest known in Pennsylvania,
having been printed in Wittenberg, Gennany, in 1555, with copious illustra-
tions, and having been handed down as a family heirloom from generation to
generation, from the time of its purchase by a member of the family soon
after it was published, being treasured by them and often saved from destruc-
tion by fire and flood.
Dr. Charles Haeseler died in 1870, after a long and successful professional
career. His wife, Louisa H. Riihe, also descended from an old Nordheim
family, had died in 1865. Two of their sons followed in their father's foot-
steps professionally: Dr. Henry, a graduate of Hahnemann College, Phila-
delphia, who located in Iowa, on account of poor health, and practiced there
until his death in 1855 ; and
Dr. Charles Herman Haeseler. their eldest son, who was born in 1830
at Nordheim and was three years old when brought by his parents to this
country. After brief periods of residence in various other parts of Pennsyl-
vania the family settled at Pottsville, and there young Charles obtained his
early education. He began his medical course at Hahnemann College, Phila-
delphia, and then took a further course of study at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York City. Soon after graduating he practiced his
profession for two years in New York City, returning to Pottsville in 1857
to assist his father professionally, his knowledge and skill soon gaining him
a large practice and a high reputation.
While still a medical student, he enlisted in the army of our country and
served in the Mexican war. During the Civil war he served with the militia
under two enlistments and entered the service a third time after the battle
of Gettysburg, being with the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry, a six months' regi-
ment, as assistant surgeon. At the expiration of this term, he was presented
a sword in special recognition of his successful control and suppression of an
epidemic of diphtheria which had broken out in the regiment. He spent most
of the year 1867 in Europe, visiting the hospitals and medical institutions of
many of the great cities, including London, Paris, Berlin. Vienna, Heidelberg,
Rome, etc. Upon his return to America, he published an account of his
travels abroad in the book "Across the Atlantic," issued by the Petersons of
Philadelphia.
In 1871, having been elected to the chair of Pathology and Practice of
Medicine by the faculty of Hahnemann College, Philaddphia, he removed
to that city to enter upon the duties of his new position. There, as in Potts-
ville, he was soon overwhelmed with the professional work of his private prac-
tice, which attained such proportions that he could not carry on both that
and his professorship. He therefore resigned the latter to give all his atten-
tion to general practice.
In 1877, his health having become impaired, he removed from Philadelphia
to Pottsville, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1903. He was
deservedly honored as one of the most distinguished phvsicians of "the county.
Despite the pressure of his medical work,' he found' time, as opportunity
offered, to indulge his taste for literary work, and he contributed largely to
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 533
the medical and literary periodicals of the country. He and his father have
been two of the most prominent physicians to carry on their work in Schuyl-
kill county, Mrs. Schalck's son-in-law, Dr. William Francis Doyle, worthily
representing the third generation of homoeopathic physicians in the family.
JAMES J. BELL, of Shenandoah, is an attorney of the Schuylkill county
bar whose record in the legal profession has added to its prestige. Though
he has not yet reached his prime he has a long list of successes to his credit,
and throughout a busy career has carried the responsibilities of a constantly in-
creasing practice with undiminished vigor and enthusiasm.
Mr. Bell is a native of Shenandoah, born March i8, 1876, of Irish ancestry,
a son of James Bell and grandson of John Bell. The grandfather was born
in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and in his early years learned the trade of car-
penter, which he followed all his life. He married in Ireland, and lived at
Upperhills until he set out for America with his family, ]\Iay i, 1841. For
a short time they lived in Canada, near Niagara Falls, thence moving to Car-
bondale. Pa., and from there to Greenberry, in the Heckscherville valley in
Schuylkill county, Pa. His death was caused by pneumonia, on Jan. 23,
1888, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, Catherine (Jackson), a native
of County Kilkenny, died May 19, 1883, aged eighty-two years, and is buried
with Mr. Bell in the St. Vincent de Paul cemetery at Minersville, this county.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bell had nine sons and two daughters, of whom Samuel
met an accidental death (he was unmarried) ; James was the father of James
J. Bell; Joseph, now deceased, married Ellen Brennan; Wilham, who served
in the Civil war, was killed in the mines; Richard married Mary Nolan and
lives in Philadelphia, Pa. ; Edward is a resident of Heckscherville ; Catherine
and the other daughter died young.
James Bell, father of James J. Bell, was born Sept. 29, 1838, in Kilkenny,
Ireland, and was two and a half years old when the family came to America.
His education was acquired at Heckscherville, where he lived until his removal
to Shenandoah in 1873. At the former place he began work as a slate picker,
and for a few years he was engaged in driving gangways at the Wilham Penn
colliery. When he gave up mining he went into business, and from this time
he was intimately connected with various important activities in the borough,
tilling a large place in its life. He was the first president of the Citizens'
National Bank, continuing to hold that office until his death ; for over twenty
years he was president of 'the Citizens' Building and Loan Association ; and
he was treasurer of the Citizens' Mutual Fire Insurance Association up to the
time of his death He was a member of the Shenandoah board of school direc-
tors and served as tax collector and treasurer of West Mahanoy township.
For' two years he was superintendent of the borough water works. For a
time he was secretary of the Miners' Union in Shenandoah, and a number
of other local organizations had his encouragement and loyal support. He was
a very active member of the T. A. B. Society, which he served as treasurer, and
he was president and treasurer of the temperance board of the C. 1 A._ U.,
connected with the T. A. B. Society. He became a member of St Patnck s
Society in its early history. Mr. Bell is buried in the cemetery of the Church
of the Annunciation. When a boy he was thrown from a pole swing and
received injuries which were probably the cause of his death, though he
reached a good age, passing away May 17. iQJ I- - n^ u ^ \/i
Mr Bell was married at Heckscherville. m St. Kyran s Church to Mar-
garet Conville, who was born in February, 1846, daughter of Patrick and
534 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Catherine (Hughes) Conville. A large family was born to this union: John
William, who died Jan. 22, 191 5, when about fifty years old, was engaged as
a stationary engineer; he married Margaret Kelly. Patrick W., now of Phila-
delphia, where he is engaged as a plumber, married Margaret Loftus. Joseph
W. is engaged as a superintendent of building construction in Albany, N. Y.
Thomas Francis, who died in Shenandoah at the age of thirty-three years, was
a graduate of Lehigh University, from which he held the degree of mechanical
engineer, and had attained quite a reputation as a naval architect, having
designed the battleship "Maine." Four children died in infancy or youth.
James J', is next in the family. Margaret M. and Mary M. are living at
home. Richard Alfonse received injuries which caused his death April 30,
1905, at the age of twenty-two years, when he was just about to graduate
from the normal school at East Stroudsburg, Pa., where he had been pursuing
a preparatory course. William Francis, a graduate of the law department of
the University of Pennsylvania, is now practicing law at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ;
he married Marie Ryan.
Patrick Conville, the grandfather of Mrs. Margaret (Conville) Bell, was
a native of Queen's County. Ireland, and after his death, his wife, Margaret
(Delaney), also a native of Queen's County, came to America with her
son Patrick and other children, and settled at Heckschervalle, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., where she died at the age of eighty years.
Patrick Conville, son of Patrick and Margaret (Delaney) Conville, was
born in Queen's County, Ireland, and was a child when he accompanied his
mother to America. For a number of years he lived at Heckscherville, and
there began mine work, which he continued to follow most of his life. Even-
tually he settled at Shenandoah, where he spent the latter part of his life in
retirement, and he died there. He married Catherine Hughes, who was born
in Queen's County, Ireland, daughter of Richard and Catherine (Bergen)
Hughes, farming }>eople, both of whom died in Ireland. Their children were
Patrick, Edward. Catherine (Mrs. Conville) and Mary (who married Mar-
tin Brennan). Four children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Conville:
Mary married Michael Hughes, and both are deceased ; Mortimer married
Mary Brophy, and both are deceased : ^Margaret, Mrs. James Bell, is the only
survivor of the family ; Julia married \\'illiam Doyle, and both are deceased.
James J. Bell matriculated in the law department of the University of
Michigan, and graduated in 1898, with the degree of LL. B., and in the same
year was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of Michigan. He then
returned to his native city, where he opened an office. In 190 1 he successfully
defended James Horrox, who was charged with the murder of Edward Ball,
and the same year represented the prosecution in the case of John Fronk,
charged with the murder of Edward Hoffman, at Minersville. In the follow-
ing year he was retained for the defense of Charles Shealer and George Stini-
tis. who were accused of brutally beating and leaving for dead Frank Bloom,
and secured their acquittal. In May, 1902, he was of counsel for the defense
in the case in which Matt. Stiavinsky and John and Charles Margavage,
charged with the murder of John Litwinavage, were acquitted. He was of coun-
sel for the State in the case of Arthur Wadsworth, the soldier who shot and
killed William Durham in the strike of 1902, and it was Mr. Bell who set in
motion the process of law that forced the surrender of Wadsworth to the
civil authorities by the military jx)wer, the Supreme court sitting in extraordi-
nary session as committing magistrates to hear the case. Mr. Bell defended
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 535
Joseph Paliewicz for the murder of Joseph Beddall. This was one of the
most closely contested cases ever tried in Schuylkill county. The prosecution
was represented by District Attorney McLaughlin, M. M. Burke, J. F. Whalen
and E. W. Bechtel, all lawyers of recognized ability. The accused was ac-
quitted.
Mr. Bell is a close student of the law and a keen follower of events in
general. He devotes much time to the study of the United States constitu-
tion, its history and interpretation. He takes an academic interest in many
much neglected but important questions, and is affiliated with national socie-
ties whose object is the study of such matters. He takes a public-spirited
stand in all matters concerning the welfare of Shenandoah and enthusiastically
identifies himself with every movement in that direction. Mr. Bell has, with-
out exception, consistently refused to represent the libelant in divorce cases
upon the ground that divorces result in confusion and are therefore uneco-
nomic. He further contends that divorces render the home unstable and will,
in time, affect the stability of the nation. In every case where he has thus far
appeared for the defense in divorce cases, he has succeeded in defeating the
divorce.
On Feb. 21, 1906, Mr. Bell married Mary Catherine Bender, daughter of
the late Lawrence and Anna Bender, of Ashland, and this union has been
blessed with a son, Laurence Justin, who was born on June 23, 1907. Mrs.
Bell is one of a family of eight children. Englebert C, one of her brothers,
is a Philadelphia physician of great promise, who has spent eight years in
college and hospital work, the last eighteen months of that time in Vienna,
Austria, where he was appointed to a place on the hospital staff of the Uni-
versity 'of Vienna. Frank, another brother, is a division engineer for the
P. & R. C. & I. Company at Shenandoah. William is a graduate of the Phila-
delphia School of Pharmacy. Louis E. is in business at Ashland. Anna is
at home and J. Harry is a dental student at the University of Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM HENRY DIEFENDERFER (deceased), of Auburn, was one
of the foremost men of his generation in Schuylkill county. Possessed of un-
usual business ability, he was remarkably successful in the direction of
his private undertakings and equally eft'ective in advancing the welfare of his
borough being intimately associated with public affairs in spite of the demands
of his large business interests. Born May 29, 1854, near Auburn, he was a
son of John Henry Diefenderfer and grandson 0/ John Diefenderfer.
John Diefenderfer was a native of Lehigh county. Pa., and spent his later
years with his son, John Henry, near Auburn, Schuylkill county, where he died
at the age of seventy-three years; he is buried at Auburn. His wife, also
from Lehigh county, is buried at Kimmel's Church in West Brunswick
township Their children were : John Henry ; Christian, who died in West
Brunswick township ; Maria, who died unmarried at the age of eighty years
and is buried at Auburn ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Lloyd, who died at Pottsville, Pa. ;
and Susanna, Mrs. Samuel Moyer, who died at Orwigsburg, and is buried at
Auburn. . „ • t 1 • 1. ^ t3 a
John Henry Diefenderfer was born in 1824 in Lehigh county. Pa. and
remained there until after he had served his apprenticeship to the trade of
stone and brick mason. Moving to Schuylkill county, he made his home in
West Brunswick township, followed his trade, and soon after his arrival here
bought a farm in the township, which he operated for about twelve years.
536 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
Selling that place, he had property below Auburn, on which he was engaged
in farming for seven years. At the end of that period he moved into the bor-
ough, where he worked with his son in the factory for a short time, subse-
quently living retired until his death, April 28, 1903, in his seventy-ninth year.
He is buried at Auburn. Mr. Diefenderfer married Martha A. Wagner, who
was born in West Brunswick township, daughter of William and Elizabeth
(NefT) Wagner, and she still resides at Auburn, being now (191 5) in her
eighty-fifth year. Children as follows were born to this union: Francis
Daniel died when five and a half years old; Allen died when three and a half
years old ; Walter B., M. D., is now stationed at Altoona, as physician for the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company at that point; Horace G., of Auburn, is R.
F. D. mail carrier.
William Henry Diefenderfer spent his youth assisting his father with the
farm work. During the early part of his independent business career he was
engaged in the manufacture of brooms for a time, and subsequently in the
manufacture of hosiery, which he carried on until 1895. That year he embarked
in the manufacture of underwear, ladies' and children's union suits, ribbed
vests and drawers, and this was afterward his main business until his death.
He became associated in that line with W. G. Faust, under the name of W. H.
Diefenderfer & Company, and the plant was known as the Auburn Knitting
Mills. When Mr. Faust died Mr. Diefenderfer purchased his interest, and was
afterwards sole owner. Through his energy and wise business policy the
business grew until from sixty to seventy hands were given constant employ-
ment at the plant, which is 40 by 120 feet in dimensions, two stories and base-
ment.
Mr. Diefenderfer was never limited in his operations by narrow vision,
his active mind enabling him to see the possibilities of modern public utilities
and the benefit to be derived from the introduction of new enterprises into the
community. Thus he was one of the promoters of the Auburn Electric Light
& Power Company; was president of the Renovo Fire Brick & Clay Manu-
facturing Company ; an organizer of the First National Bank of Auburn, of
which he became president, filling that position most creditably until his death.
He was never too busy for participation in the local government aflfairs, was
particularly zealous on the subject of public education, and served twenty-one
years as president of the borough council. Religious enterprises also had his
support, and he was one of the active members of the Church of God, serv-
ing as trustee and as teacher in the Sunday school. Fraternally he was a
Mason, belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270. Mr. Diefenderfer's sudden death
occurred in his home at Atiburn, Jan. 24, 1914, and was not only a loss to the
domestic circle, but deeply felt "by his associates in every relation of life.
His widow, Sebilla Faust (Moyer), daughter of Abraham and Mary (Faust)
Moyer, continues to reside on the homestead at Auburn. They had a family
of ten children, namely: Jennie; Winfield ; Hermie, who married Harry F.
Drumheller and resides at Allentown, Pa. ; Iva, who married Earle Fegley and
resides in Philadelphia : Elsie, Mrs. John Dreher, living at Hudson, N. Y. ;
Arbie, married to Ira Bartlett, living at Hudson, N. Y. ; Earnestine, at home ;
Guy H. : Blanche, married to Augustus McGovern, residing at Cressona, Pa. ;
and Iwilla, at home.
Guy H. Diefenderfer was born Aug. 16, 1889. at Auburn, Pa., where he
grew up, obtaining his early education in the local schools. He graduated from
the Pottsville high school with the class of 1908, in 1909 finishing a course in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 537
the Peirce business college, at Philadelphia, and subsequently studied in the
Perkiomen Seminary, at Pennsburg, graduating from that institution in 1910.
He was preparing for a course at Lehigh College, but instead entered his
father's factory in the fall of 1910 and fortunately had several years' experi-
ence under his father's able guidance, qualifying him to take over the business
when the latter died. He has managed the plant for the estate ever since, and
gives promise of being a worthy successor to one whose name had a promi-
nent place in the history of business development of Auburn, and, indeed, all
over Schuylkill county. His fellow citizens paid him a high compliment when
they appointed him a member of the council to succeed his father. For some
time Mr. Diefenderfer was a director of the Auburn Electric Light, Heat &
Power Company, resigning in 1913. Fraternally he holds membership in
Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., of Orwigsburg. Mr. Diefenderfer
resides at home with his mother.
JACOB KILGUS, of Pottsville, has many substantial pieces of construc-
tion work to show for the quarter of a century he has been doing business in
this part of Schuylkill county. The variety of his operations has made it
possible for him to acquire liberal experience, of which his patrons have
received the benefit. Mr. Kilgus has kept steady pace with the improvements
which have taken place in the building trade in his day. He is one of the thrifty
German citizens of Schuylkill county who have contributed an appreciable share
to the upbuilding of the town.
Mr. Kilgus was born Oct. 31, 1863, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and his
father, Jacob Kilgus, was a contractor and builder in that country. He lived
and died there. His son came to America in early boyhood, first locating at
Mahanoy City, Pa. He learned the carpenter's trade with Solomon Faust,
with whom he remained about one year, after which he was at Tremont, Schuyl-
kill county, for about two years, until he entered the employ of the Philadel-
phia & Reading Railway Company as a carpenter. During the six years he was
in the service of that company he was stationed at diiiferent points, and was
subsequently employed in the planing mill of Weed & Saylor, until their busi-
ness was closed out. In 1890 he engaged in the contracting and building busi-
ness on his own account, and among the structures of notable importance for
which he has had the contracts we may mention the schoolhouse at Mount
Carbon, the Greek church at Brockton, Schuylkill county, a chapel at Mechan-
icsville,' all houses at the Lytle colliery in Cass township— about eighty, all
buildings at the Buck Run colliery in Foster township, Schuylkill county, and
many residences in Pottsville. Mr. Kilgus is a member of the Knights of the
Golden Eagle and the Loyal Order of Moose, and his religious connection is
with the German Lutheran Church. Personally he is respected everywhere for
his honestv and trustworthiness.
Mr. Kilgus married Christina Spath, who was born m Germany, and they
have the following children: Rosa, wife of Fred Zimmerman, residing at
Schuylkill Haven; Fred; William; Barbara; Charles; Harry Lawrence; Edith,
and Jacob. The family home is at No. 414 East Norwegian street, Pottsville.
MICHAEL HENRY HEINE is one of the leading business men of
Orwigsburg in his line and his popularity is based solely upon his reliability,
of which there are many substantial evidences in and around the borough. He
was bom May 16, 1869, in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, son of
Solomon Heine.
538 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
Solomon Heine, the father, was bom about 1847 in the borough of Tamaqua,
this county, and there received his education. Before he attained his majority
he had served an apprenticeship to the plasterer's trade, becoming a journey-
man, and he followed that calling principally in West Brunswick township.
About fifteen years before his death he bought a farm in South Manheim
township, and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation. He was a
citizen interested in local affairs, serving a number of terms as school director,
and was active in the interest of the Republican party, acting as judge of elec-
tion. He was a member of the Evangelical Church of Orwigsburg, of which
he was a regular attendant for many years. He married Mary Hendricks,
daughter of Michael Hendricks, and she survives him, being now (1915)
seventy years old. Mr. Heine died at the age of sixty-eight years, and is
buried in the Evangelical cemetery at Orwigsburg. We have the following
record of their children: Francis W., a farmer in West Brunswick township,
married Fannie Moyer ; Charles H., an underwear manufacturer in Girardville,
married Rose Miller ; Carolina died aged twenty-two years ; Michael H. is next
in the family; Amanda married Charles Potts, a plasterer, of Orwigsburg;
Kate married John Deibert, a shoemaker, of Orwigsburg; James, a farmer in
West Brunswick township, married Mamie Heiser.
Michael Henry Heine was educated in the public schools at Orwigsburg,
and served his apprenticeship to the plasterer's trade with his father. When
he had worked as a journeyman plasterer for several years he took over his
father's business in that line, the older man having given up his trade to go
farming. During the first six years Michael Henry Heine conducted the
business for his father, afterwards carrying it on for himself, and he has added
general cement work to the original line, now commanding the principal patron-
age in Orwigsburg and vicinity. He is a man of the most estimable character,
with a keen sense of responsibility, and in all the relations of life is thoroughly
respected for his actual worth. Fraternally he is connected with Washington
Camp, No. 86, P. O. S. of A., at Orwigsburg; and Orwigsburg Council, No.
437. Jr. O. U. A. M. Like his father he is a Republican in politics, and he
gives his support to the Evangelical Church, although he is not a member.
Mr. Heine married Celia Berger, who was born Jan. 16, 1871, in Auburn,
Schuylkill county, and received her education in the schools of that borough,
attending the high school. Two children have been bom to this marriage :
Edna Marian, on Jan. 7, 1892; and Florence Elizabeth, Dec. 2, 1893. the latter
residing at home. The elder daughter is the wife of Ammon Berkheiser, a
cigarmaker, son of John Berkheiser, of Orwigsburg, and they have one child,
Leroy Warren, bom Dec. 30, 1914.
William Berger, father of Mrs. Heine, was an engineer on the Schuylkill &
Susquehanna railroad for many years, and his death was the result of an
accident on the road. He is buried at Auburn, where he was a member of the
Reformed Church and of the Odd Fellows lodge. Politically he was a Repub-
lican. He married Mary Fahl, daughter of Henry and JIlizalDeth (Wiltemnith)
Fahl, and they had a family of five children: Kate married Jacob Graham, a
stenographer in Harrisburg ; David, a railroader, of Auburn, married Annie
Sowers ; Celia is Mrs. Michael H. Heine ; Bertha married W^illiam Fritz, a
shoemaker of Adamsdale ; Charles, a farmer in South ^lanheim townshiji,
married Clemmie Gouger. The mother resides with her son Charles in South
Manheim township. Her father, Henry Fahl, was a farmer in that township,
where he owned a large tract of land, which he operated until his death. He
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 539
and his wife Elizabeth (Wiltermuth) were members of the Church of God at
Auburn, and they are buried at that place. They had the following children :
Joseph married a Miss Mengel, and both are deceased ; Henry lives in the West ;
John is deceased; Mary marrried William Berger; Elizabeth, deceased, was
the wife of Samuel Heim ; Sarah is the widow of Francis Wiltermuth; Kate
married Manton Shaller ; Susanna married Seth Mengel, and both are deceased.
Michael Hendricks, maternal grandfather of Michael H. Heine, followed
the trade of plasterer all his life. He was located at Eckville, in Albany town-
ship, Berks county, and he and his wife were buried there. They lived to old
age. Her maiden name was Loy, and they had six children : Rebecca, Mrs.
James Schrader; Sophia, Mrs. Peter Heckman, deceased; Hannah, Mrs.
Charles Settelmoyer; Elizabeth, Mrs. Aaron Bailer, deceased; Emma, Mrs.
John Berk ; and Mary, Mrs. Solomon Heine.
HENRY KOLBE is an extensive landowner in North Manheim township,
where he has a valuable farm. He settled on his present place, a large tract
near the Second mountain, in 191 3, and is engaged in general farming and
trucking, being a well known trader in the Pottsville markets, where much of
his produce is disposed of. Mr. Kolbe is a German by birth, and his father,
Jacob Kolbe, had a large estate in Germany and was a prominent man of his
neighborhood. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilhelmina Miller, died
upon their property there. Their family consisted of the following children:
Otto, who was a farmer; Jacob, who was a sea captain, stationed on a German
training ship (he died of yellow fever, and was buried in Germany) ; Mary
Theresa ; Bertha ; Clara ; Selma ; Anna ; PVances ; and Henry.
Henry Kolbe was bom in 1837 in Prussia. He was reared upon the
paternal farm, and was thoroughly educated in his native town. He served
three years in the German army as a cavalryman, under old Emperor William.
After his marriage he remained on the home place until he came to America,
in the year 1884, settling at once at Yorkville, in Schuylkill county. Pa., where
he lived for a year. Then for five years he resided on the well known Shellen-
berger farm, near ]\Iinersville, this county, thence removing to North Man-
heim township, where he had bought the Martin Sheaffer farm of eighty-nine
acres. Later he purchased the Kinney farm of 184 acres, located near the
Second mountain, and he has lived on the latter place since 1913. The farm
is now owned by his son. \'ast improvements have been made on both these
properties since they came into his ownership. He is as systematic and thor-
ough in his work as the members of his race generally, looking after the cultiva-
tion of his land according to the most approved and modern ideas, as its
thrifty appearance testifies. As a citizen he is highly regarded among his
neighbors in North Manheim township, where his many substantia! qualities,
and his intelligent management of his property, have been valuable in maintain-
ing high standards among agriculturists. Mr. Kolbe is an educated musician,
and even at his advanced age a skillful performer on the piano. Since settling
in this country he has made two trips to the old world.
On July 31, 1865, Mr. Kolbe was married in Germany to Anna Heilman,
and they are "the parents of the following children : Emil is a farmer ; Henry, a
contractor and builder, is now settled in California ; Otto is a contractor and
builder in Philadelphia, Pa. ; Armo Oscar is a farmer in North Manheim town-
ship • Frederick lives at home: Annie is the wife of Albert Geiger; Frieda mar-
ried George L. Sommers ; Pauline lives at home, caring for her aged parents ;
540 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Rosa married Ray Rumble; Lydia married Bert Drumheller. The family are
Lutherans in religious faith.
WILLIAM W. BROWN, of Pottsville, is one of the most widely known
citizens of Schuylkill county, his various business, fraternal and official associa-
tions having brought him into contact with an unusually large proportion of his
fellow citizens. He is at present giving his attention principally to the hotel
business as proprietor of the "Central Hotel'' at Pottsville.
Mr. Brown was bom in Wayne township, Schuylkill county, July i6, 1850,
son of Henry Brown and grandson of Valentine Brown. His father was also
a native of Wayne township, where he owned a tract of ninety-two acres and
followed farming very successfully. He died there at the age of seventy-one
years, and is buried at St. Mark's Church. By his marriage to Leah Maclimer,
daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wert) Machmer, he had four children,
namely : William W. ; Lewis J., deceased, who was a well known man of his
day, serving as county commissioner and almshouse steward in Schuylkill
county; Sarah J., who is the wife of George Boyer, and resides at Cressona ;
and Susan, Mrs. Frank Graby, living at Pottsville.
William W. Brown obtained his early education in the public schools, and
later studied at the Myerstown College. In his young manhood he taught
school four years in Wayne township, and two years in Washington town-
ship, Schuylkill county. Later he bought the old homestead farm, which now
contains ninety acres, St. Mark's Lutheran and Reformed Church having ob-
tained two acres of this tract for a building site. Besides fanning, Mr. Brown
was engaged for about six years in the lumber business. In 1888 he took
charge of the "Northwestern" Hotel, now known as the "Park" Hotel, in
Pottsville, subsequently conducting a hotel in Manheim township, this county,
and later was proprietor of the "Newtown" Hotel in Reilly Tp., this county.
Selling out his interest there, he returned to Pottsville, where he held the posi-
tion of court crier for eleven years, under Judge P. M. Dunn, of the Orphans'
court. On Nov. 10, 1913, he took charge of the well known "Central" Hotel,
located at No. 310 North Centre street, Pottsville, and has since given the
principal part of his attention to its management. The hotel has thirty-two
rooms and is a popular stopping place in this part of the State. Mr. Brown's
reputation and his capable management have brought a steady increase of
patronage to the house.
Mr. Brown has been associated with the administration of public affairs in
the county in different capacities. For six years he was constable of Wash-
ington township, and also served as tax collector. While a resident of Port
Clinton he was a member of the school board. In 1885 he was elected poor
director of the county, and served continuously until 1888. Politically he has
always given his support to the Democratic party.
For fifteen years Mr. Brown belonged to the Brown Comet Band, which
he organized, and he built a hall upon his farm which that organization used,
and which is still in existence. Fraternally he belongs to Farmers' Lodge, No.
649, I. O. O. F., of Summit Hill. Schuylkill county; to Washington Camp,
No. 264, P. O. S. of A., of Friedensburg ; "to the Independent .Americans, Lodge
No. 263, of Pottsville ; to Schuylkill Commandery, No 202, Knights of Malta.
of Pottsville (the charter of this lodge is in his name), and to the Improved
Order of Red Men. IMr. Brown has been a prominent member of the Reformed
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 54l
Church, of Wayne township, and assisted in the construction of its present
house of worship.
Mr. Brown married Catharine Ferrebee, daughter of James Ferrebee, and
they had the following children : Harry has been prospecting in Alaska for the
last twenty years ; Harvey W. is a resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ; Elmer W. is
doing teaming and contract work ; William H. died when eighteen months old ;
Lottie M. died at the age of twenty-eight years ; Ida I. married Jacob Schwartz,
and they reside at Minersville, Pa. ; Mabel O. is the wife of Edwin J. May ;
Florence G., who is a gradtiate at the Keystone State Normal School of Kutz-
town, class of 1913 (having graduated when eighteen years old), is now a public
school teacher at Pottsville, Pa. The mother of this family died when fifty-
seven years old.
ELIAS F. SHAPPELL, a farmer of North Manheim township, is one of
the substantial citizens of that section, and the residents of this vicinity feel
that they owe him a debt of gratitude for what he has accomplished in his long
service as road supervisor. His efficient work in the establishing and maintain-
ing of good roads can be appreciated at its true value by those who have been in
a position to observe the notable improvements which have been made during
his membership on the board, and his influence in bringing them about should
not be underestimated.
Jacob Shappell, father of Elias F. Shappell, was a native of France. Com-
ing to America when a young man he first settled in Longswamp township,
Berks Co., Pa., later removing to Schuylkill county, where he lived at Ringtown.
He did day's work there. Afterwards he made his home for a time near
Adamsdale, this county, and then bought the farm near the Second mountain
in North Manheim township, giving most of his time to the cultivation of his
land ; he was also employed as a timber sawyer. He died upon this farm Oct.
27, 1880. Mr. Shappell married Catherine Fisher, daughter of John Fisher,
and they had a large family : Henry ; Albert ; Abraham ; Elias F. ; Mary, Mrs.
William Dress; Susanna, Airs. Louis Reed; Rebecca, deceased, who married
Jacob Sheriff and (second) Gotleib Messinger; Sarah, wife of William
Seifert ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Elmer Wentzel ; Louisa, Mrs. William Fisher ; Elvina,
Mrs To'hn Wissner : and John and Washington, both of whom died young.
liiias F. Shappell was born in the old log house which the family occupied
near Adamsdale, this county, Nov. 24, 1854, and obtained his early education in
the local schools, near the family home. Later he took a course in the State
normal school at Kutztown, Pa., from which institution he was graduated m
1881 after which he taught school for eight years, all in North Manheim town-
ship four terms in the graded school. His work as an educator was highly
successful, and he made an excellent reputation in the profession. Having
decided to make farming his life work, he purchased his place in North Man-
heim township, near the Second mountain, having seventy-six acres of valuable
land, which under his intelligent cultivation is in excellent condition. _ it is well
watered and fertile, and he has made the most of its good pomts, his property
being in creditable shape in every respect. For twenty-eight years Mr. Shappell
has been associated with the administration of public affairs, in his position as
secretary of the board of supervisors, and ten years as supervisor, his long
experience qualifying him to dispose of his duties most satisfactorily. His work
in the construction and improvement of roads wil be c,f permanent value to
this section of Schuylkill county. Mr. Shappell ,s a Republican m politics.
542 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENx\SYLVANL\
With his family he attends the EvangeHcal Church, and there is no citizen in
the borough more highly respected for sterling worth.
Mr. Shappell married Catherine Zettelmoyer, daughter of Samuel Zettel-
moyer, of Lenhartsville, Berks Co., Pa. Nine children have been born to this
marriage: Laura is the wife of William Reichert ; Walter married Ellen Smith;
Mamie Elvina married William Young; William E. married Celia Fisher;
Marion married Thomas Riegel ; Ada married Elmer Riegel ; Calvin, Edna and
Ruth are at home.
SAMUEL A. RlEGEL, an old-time official of Orwigsburg and still serving
the community as member of the borough council, has been a resident of the
place for fifty years. For a number of years he was engaged in business as a
contractor, and in that capacity was intrusted with the construction of some of
the most substantial buildings of the day.
Mr. Riegel is a native of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county,
born May 5, 1845, son of Jacob Riegel. The family was founded in this country
by three brothers, who came from Germany and served in the American Revo-
lution from Philadelphia. They were at Valley Forge, where they were dis-
charged. One of the brothers came to what is now Schuylkill county, settling
about a mile and a half north of Orwigsburg. Another located in Northampton
county, at Riegelsville (now in Bucks county), and the third brother in Berks
county. Pa. The first named was the great-grandfather of Samuel A. Riegel.
By occupation he was a farmer. He died here, and is buried in the cemetery
of the White Church at Orwigsburg. His son, the grandfather of Samuel A.
Riegel, took the homestead property in West Brunswick township, and lived and
died there. He is buried in the old Reformed Church cemetery at Orwigsburg.
His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely:
Daniel, Michael, John, Jacob, Maggie (who married Peter Fisher), Mrs. Bell
and another daughter. Of these, Jacob was the father of Samuel A. Riegel,
and Daniel and Maggie (Mrs. Peter Fisher) also remained in Pennsylvania.
We have the following record of their families. Daniel married Magdalene
Fisher, and they had these children : Daniel, Jr., who married in the West ;
Lydia, who married Jacob Shell; Passila and Catharine, both of whom married
Elias Smith ; Matilda, who married Jacob Herman ; Joshua, who was twice mar-
ried, to Amanda and Hannah Potts ; Elias, who married Catharine Bachert ;
John, who never married; Reuben, who married Tine Shopbell ; Susanna, who
married William Deibert ; Lewis, who married Sylletta Smith ; and Elizabeth,
who married John Gerber. To Peter and Maggie (Riegel) Fisher were born
the following children: William, Peter, Levi. Susanna, Sarah and Amanda,
none of whom married; Emma, wife of John Seibert ; and jNIary, wife of
William Leimaster.
Jacob Riegel, father of Samuel A. Riegel, was born on the homestead farm.
He learned the trade of carpenter and followed that calling in connection with
fanning in East Brunswick township. There he died at the age of twenty-nine
years, and is buried at Bethel Church, in West Brunswick township. He mar-
ried Catherine Steigerwalt, daughter of John Steigerwalt, of West Brunswick
township, and five children were born to them: George, who served in the
Civil war and died in 1876; Samuel A.; Susan, Mrs. James Gerber; Sarah,
Mrs. Fred M. Thomas ; and Josephine, Mrs. Charles H. Heitz.
Samuel A. Riegel remained on the home farm up to the age of eighteen
years, meantime receiving his education in the neighboring schools. He then
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 543
commenced to learn the carpenter's trade at Orwigsburg, and after following
it for some time engaged in contracting and building on his own accovmt, estab-
lishing a most creditable reputation. Mr. Riegel is not only a good mechanic,
but he was able to make all his own drawings for his construction work, and he
drew the plans for the present Red Church building in West Brunswick town-
ship, erected in 1883. Among the many buildings which he put up while engaged
in contracting are the residences of H. S. Albright and George C. Dieffenderfer,
the Albright Shoe factory, and the factory of the A. E. Brown Shoe Com-
pany. In 1900 Mr. Riegel gave up contracting, and his occupation since has
been the cultivation of the sixteen-acre tract which he owns in the borough of
Orwigsburg. It is a valuable piece of property and has increased very
materially in worth under his diligent care. Since 1869. when first elected a
member of the borough council, Mr. Riegel has been connected with the admin-
istration of public affairs. He has been chosen a member of the council many
times since, and is at present serving in that capacity. He also acts as tax col-
lector and is treasurer of the school board. His close connection with the
borough alifairs covering so long a period has given him a familiarity with local
conditions which makes his advice and opinions invaluable.
Mr. Riegel married Phebe Moyer, daughter of William K. Moyer, and they
have five children: Carrie, Oscar B. (lawyer, now located at Snyder, Okla.),
Howell, Theodore and George, the last named deceased. The family are asso-
ciated with the Evangelical Church.
HENRY H. DORNBACH is one of the most energetic residents of Miners-
ville, a fact easily borne out by this brief outline of his various activities. He
is a business man who holds his own with the most reliable of the borough.
True to his German origin, he had extensive preparation for his chosen work,
a fact which is apparent in the substantial business buildings and residences of
his construction which may be found in all parts of the town. His business
ability, combined with honorable traits of character and the social tendency
which has brought him into a number of associations, has made him one of
the most highly regarded citizens of the community in which his life has been
passed. Mr. Dornbach is a native of Minersville, born Dec. 29, 1857, son of
William J. Dornbach.
William T- Dornbach was born near Berlin, Germany, and spent his early
life in that country, learning the trades of stone and brick mason and serving
his allotted period in the army. In 1842 he came to America, and settling at
Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., followed his trade here the remainder of his
life, with the exception of the one and a half years which he spent in Wiscon-
sin. As he did not like the country there he returned to his first location,
and his death occurred at Minersville, when he was fifty-three years old. He
married Henrietta Petry, and they had children as follows: CaroHne, de-
ceased; Henry H. ; William; Amelia, who married F. W. Sheafifer; Charles
A. ; Sarah, unmarried ; Edwin ; and Lucy H., who married C. B. Hughes, of
Pottsville.
Henry H. Dornbach attended the local schools and received a good common
school education. He has had training in almost all of the branches of the
building business. After spending three years at work in a brickyard he was
employed with his father at masonry for about two years, and then at the
carpenter's trade with Gideon Wagner, with whom he also spent three years.
Then for three and a half years he was vyith Alexander Morwitz in the marble
544 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
cutting business, after which he resumed work at carpentry, following his trade
at a colliery, where he was engaged for about six years. He then returned to
work at marble cutting, after which he was with William Sherman as fore-
man on contracting work for a short time. In 1889 he engaged in contracting
on his own account, and erected many stores and residences, including the
homes of Dr. Straub and Charles F. Kear, the Lithuanian parsonage, and
the Levan residence. At times he kept from twelve to twenty carpenters busy.
Socially Mr. Dornbach is widely known. For twenty-one years he played
in the old cornet band of Minersville. He belongs to Minersville Lodge, No.
222, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; to Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159,
R. A. M., of which he is a past officer; to Constantine Commandery, No. 41,
K. T., of Pottsville ; and to Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa.
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, the Red Men and the Royal
Arcanum, and active in all those orders, having been secretary of the Odd
Fellows' Hall Association and member of the Three Links Club, as well as
treasurer of the Red Men. He also belongs to the Mountaineer Hose Company.
He has been an active church worker, being a member of the German Reformed
congregation, which he has served as treasurer, and he has been honored by
his fellow citizens with election to the town council.
Mr. Dornbach was married in September, 1884, to Elizabeth Ludwig,
daughter of Theodore Ludwig, who came from Germany. Mr. and Mrs.
Dornbach have had one child, Edith May, who is married to Edward H.
Quinter, stdu of Harry A. Ouinter, of Pottsville, employed as steam engineer
with the Eastern Pennsylvania Light, Heat & Power Company, Pottsville,
Mr. and Mrs. Ouinter have one child, Arline Elizabeth.
ARTHUR J. BERKHEISER, M. D., one of the leading representatives
of the medical" fraternity in Schuylkill county, is also accounted one of the
really helpful citizens of Shenandoah. He was bom June 9, 1881, near
Auburn, Schuylkill Co., Pa., a son of Aaron W. and Isabella Rebecca (Reed)
Berkheiser.
Jonathan Berkheiser, the grandfather of Dr. Berkheiser, was born in
South Manheim township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there passed his life in
agricultural pursuits. He had eight children : Franklin, Harry, George, Jona-
than, Aaron W., Caroline, Lucy and Sarah. Aaron W. Berkheiser was bom
in South Manheim, and has passed his entire life in that vicinity, being
engaged at this time in the implement business at Jefferson. He is a well
known figure in commercial circles, is popular with a wide acquaintance, and
has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens through a dis-
play of many sterling qualities. He married Isabella Rebecca Reed, a sister
of Sherman Reed, of Cressona, Pa., and they became the parents of the fol-
lowing children: William D. ; George A.; Arthur J.; Bessie; Mabel; Charles,
deceased; and Dora.
Arthur J. Berkheiser studied in the public schools of South Manheim
township in his youth and supplemented this education by attendance at the
Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa. His independent career
was commenced as a teacher in South ^Manheim township, but after twoyears
thus spent he entered, in 1902, Jefferson Medical College, there continuing to
study one year. In June, 1906, he was graduated from the Medico-Chirurgical
College at Philadelphia, and became an interne at the Fountain Springs Hos-
pital, Ashland, Pa., under Dr. J. C. Biddle, continuing to act in that capacity
until 1908, when he came to Shenandoah and began general practice. He has
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 545
attracted a profitable clientele, his professional business having grown from
the start. On Jan. i, 1916, Dr. Berkheiser was appointed surgeon for the
P. & R. C. & I. Company, under the new compensation law.
Dr. Berkheiser was married to Viola Pumell, daughter of Samuel and
Martha (Withers) Purnell, her father being a contract miner of Frackville,
Pa. Mrs. Berkheiser has two sisters, Alary and Martha, and two brothers,
Levi and Samuel. She and the Doctor have two children: Jonathan and
Viola Purnell. Dr. Berkheiser is affiliated with Page Lodge, No. 270,
F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; Griscom Chapter, No. 219, R. A. M.;
Prince of Peace Commandery, No. 39, K. T., of Ashland; Rajah Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. ; the Ptolemy Society of Philadelphia ; the
J. C. Biddle Surgical Society ; the Schuylkill County Medical Society ; the
Pennsylvania Medical Society; the American Medical Association, and the
Shenandoah Aledical Society. His well appointed offices are maintained in
his residence at No. 126 South Jardin street, where he has a large and valuable
medical library, and a stock of modern medical and surgical appliances.
CHARLES C. WAGNER, late of Frackville, was one of the substantial
merchants of that borough for more than a quarter of a century, founding the
business now carried on by his sons, who control the largest retail meat trade
in their section of Schuylkill county. Moreover, his success was not limited
to business operations, for his busy career took in the broader interests affect-
ing the general welfare, and he was frequently chosen for important public
service, where competent advice and well balanced judgment could benefit all.
Of unimpeachable character, and holding wise ideas on progress based on
experience and a keen understanding of local conditions, he was well fittedto
represent the interests of his fellow citizens in legislative and administrative
bodies, and never abused their confidence. His name has a permanent place
in the history of Frackville.
Mr. Wagner was of German descent, and a native of Alsace-Lorraine,
which at the time of his birth was French territory. His father, Henry Wag-
ner, was born July 27, 1807, in Furstenhausen, near Saarbriicken, the latter
a city in the Rhine Province, just across the border of the Province of Lor-
raine. An old German family Bible, printed in 1739, now in the possession of
the widow of Charles C. Wagner, of Frackville, Pa., has the following entry
made by Henry Wagner: "I inherited this book from my father and he inher-
ited it 'from his mother. She was a Swobe. I was born July 27, 1807, in
Furstenhausen, near Saarbriicken, and on March i, 1879, I would wish that
some of mine would remember Henry Wagner. This is written at Frackvdle
and got this Bible rebound and cost $8.00." In 1843 he removed to St. Avoir,
France, where he was superintendent of a distillery for about six years, in
1849 returning to Prussia. There he and his brother-in-law, Jacob Snyder,
operated the stone quarry from which was taken the stone of the building of
the now famous bridge over the Saar river, at Saarbriicken. He was so
engaged until the fall of 1850, when he brought his family to America, settling
atYumbling Run, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. Wagner was engaged m superin-
tending that part of the Schuylkill Valley railroad between Middleport and
Tuscarora until 1872, and in the meantime had purchased a tract of seventy-
two acres tit Tumbling Run, which his children cultivated while he was occu-
pied with railroad work. In 1872 he removed to Frackville, where he spent
the rest of his life, dying there Sept. 18, 1890. at the age of eighty-three years
He purchased a number of town lots, which he improved with substantial
. Vol.1— 35
546 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXL\
buildings, and by good management made the investment pay well. He was a
Lutheran in religious belief and a zealous worker in the church of which he
was a member, hlling all the executive offices at different periods and assist-
ing in all the activities of the congregation. By his first wife, Margaret
(Kline), daughter of Conrad Kline, of Guettingen, Germany, he had two
children, both born in Prussia : Catherine, who married the late Engelbert
Sanner (she lives at Minersville, Pa.) ; and Henry C, who is deceased. The
mother died in 1843, when twenty-seven years old, and Mr. Wagner subse-
quently married her sister, Sophia, born Sept. 4, 1821, who survived him a
few months, passing away July 18, 1891. To this union were born five chil-
dren: Karl (Charles) C. ; William C, born May i, 1848, who married Anna
Blackwell ; Carolina, who married John Patterson ; Reinhart A., bom at Tum-
bling Run, now of Reading, Pa., who married Amanda Hoffman; and Augus-
tus, bom Sept. 20, i860, who died April 18, 1S76.
Charles C. Wagner was born Aug. 2, 1845, at St. Avoir, Alsace-Lorraine,
and was five years old when brought to America. He received a public school
education, and began work early. When thirteen years old he had the mis-
fortune to have his left hand injured while employed about the mines, causing
the loss of three fingers. Later he learned the tailor's trade, serving his
apprenticeship of three and a half years with Charles Bensinger, of Middle-
port. When the Civil war broke out his sympathies were with the Union, and
on Sept. 12, 1862, he 'enlisted in Company B, 19th Pennsylvania Militia, which
was mustered in Sept. 15th, and he was honorably discharged Sept. 27th. On
June 19, 1863, he was again mustered in, as a private in Company E, 27th
Pennsylvania Militia, being discharged July 30, 1863. On Feb. 22, 1864, he
became a private in Company I, 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he
served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Harrisburg June
30, 1865. He took part in many severe engagements, including the Wilder-
ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp,
Petersburg and the siege of Petersburg. On April 2, 1865, he was wounded
in the right leg at Fort Hell.
Upon his return home from the army Mr. Wagner resumed work at his
trade, at Mahanoy City, this county, continuing in that line there until 1876.
For the next two years he was in partnership with his brother William C.
Wagner, conducting a butcher shop at Gilberton, Schuylkill county. The busi-
ness had been started at Frackville in 1 871, by Henry C. and WilHam C. Wag-
ner, under the firm name of Wagner & Bro. In 1878 William C. W'agner
transferred his interest to his brother Henry, who conducted the original busi-
ness until his death in 1881, William C. and Charles C. Wagner removing from
Gilberton to Mahanoy City, doing business there until 1881. That year they
established themselves at Frackville, with their brother Reinhart, under the
fimi name of Wagner Brothers, who carried on a retail meat business until
1891, after which William C. and Charles C. W^agner took charge, so continu-
ing until 1894. Then the business was reorganized, the brothers remaining
together, however, until 1898, when Charles C. Wagner became sole pro-
prietor. He handled the trade with steadily increasing success until Septem-
ber, 1906, when his sons took it over, and they have continued it ever since,
under the name of Wagner Brothers. They not only have the most extensive
local trade, but the largest in the county outside of Pottsville, keeping five
teams constantly employed and busy. They slaughter beef, veal and pork.
The Wagner meat shop at Spring and Balliet streets, Frackville, is thoroughly
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL-\ 547
up-to-date in all its appointments, and a credit to the community it serves as
well as to the enterprising men at the head of the business. The Gillierton
market was discontinued in 1891.
As he prospered in his butchering business Air. Wagner branched out into
other interests, giving his influence and substantial support to various enter-
prises which promised to broaden local operations and made home investments
attractive. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Frack-
ville, and served on the board of directors. He also had valuable interests in
South Carolina, being a stockholder in the"Pennsylvania Lumber Company of
South Carolina, the Scott Lumber Company of Bennettsville, that State, and
the Bennettsville and Cheraw Railroad Company. Mr. Wagner died at his
home in Frackville, and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery there. He was
a Lutheran in religious faith, and his family also belonged to that church.
On Feb. 22, 1870, Mr. Wagner married Susanna Oerther, who was born
Sept. 19, 1849, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Oerther, of Minersville, Schuyl-
kill county, the former a native of Alsace-Lorraine, the latter of Schuylkill
coimty, Pa. Seven children were born to this union ; Claude Stanton, born
Jan. II, 1871, died Sept. 13. 1871 ; Edith Kline, born Feb. 24, 1872, is at home;
Henry August is next in the family; .Appoline Carolina, bom Aug. 30, 1881,
is at home; William Charles, born May i, 1884, is in partnership with his
Ijrother Henry in the butcher business; Mary Louisa, born July 11, 1886, is
married to Frank G. Deitrich, and they live in Frackville; Karl Herman, bom
lune 30, 1890, lives at home. The mother continues to make her home at
Frackville.
lohn Oerther, father of Mrs. Susanna Wagner, was born in France July
18, i8r2, and though he came to America when a young man, saw service in
the French army. Locating at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he became
engaged in the livery business, and he remained there until his death, July
19, 1893. He is buried at Alinersville. His wife, Appoline (Hauner), of
Mahantongo Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., was born Feb. 4, 1820, and died May
17, 1803. They had children as follows: Charles died young; George died
young: Susanna is the widow of Charles C. Wagner; Rebecca married Wil-
liam Miles, of Pottsville, who is deceased ; Mar>- is married to William Geans-
len, of Minersville; Franklin, who lives on the old homestead at Minersville,
and operates a livery, married Kate Weiser; William died young; Emma
married C. G. Clappier, and they are living at Minersville; John, deceased,
married Laura Spatts.
FIenrv Augu-ST Wagner was born Oct. 17, 1877, at Gilberton, Schuylkdl
county. Moving to Frackville with his parents in 1881, he received a good
education there in the grammar and high schools. From the age of eleven
years he helped his father, working Saturdays, looked after the Gilberton shop
' when a mere boy, and has always been engaged in the same line. He was in
his father's employ until he and his brother William took the busmess, m 1906,
and they have operated it since under the name of Wagner Brothers. lu
1909 he was elected a director of the First National Bank of Frackvdle, and
he has acquired creditable standing among the reliable busmess men of the
boroueh He is well known in local Masonic circles, belongmg to Ashland
T od-e No "04 F & A. M. ; Griscom Chapter, No. 219, R. A. M.; Pnnce of
P^fce C^mmandery, No. 39, K. T. ; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of
548 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Reading. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church, and in politics
he supports the Republican party.
Mr. Wagner married Susan Gilfert, daughter of Herman and Elizabeth
(Dalius) Gilfert, and they have two children: Helen I. and Charles C.
JACOB BOLTZ is now conducting two thriving industrial plants in Potts-
ville, and the fact that fifty people are afforded employment thereby gives his
operations an important relation to the domestic economy of the borough.
He has made good in both lines by systematic attention to every detail of
manufacture and marketing, and his steady success has been laid on a solid
foundation which has demonstrated his shrewd judgment and given him pres-
tige among the most substantial citizens of the town.
Mr. Boltz's great-great-grandfather came to this country from Germany
and settled in the Tulpehocken valley in Berks county. Pa. Peter Boltz, the
great-grandfather, was bom in the Tulpehocken valley, where the family had
settled in pioneer days. He followed farming there, and died at the age of
eighty-one years at Fredericksburg, in Bethel township, that county. He
married Margaret ^Klahr, of Strausstown, Berks county, and their children
were Benjamin, Jacob, William, Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth and Catherine, all
now deceased.
Benjamin Boltz, grandfather of Jacob Boltz, was also bom in the Tulpe-
hocken valley, and like his ancestors engaged in farming, settling near the
Blue mountains in Berks county. His family consisted of the following chil-
dren : Isaiah ; Jeremiah, who lives in Berks county ; James, deceased ; Simon,
a resident of Berks county; and Rebecca, deceased.
Isaiah Boltz, father of Jacob, was born in Bethel township, Berks county,
and while he lived there was engaged as a huckster. In 1875 he moved to
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he followed contracting, he and his uncle
William doing the excavating and taking the contract for laying the founda-
tion of the new courthouse of the borough. He died in 1897, and is buried at
Pottsville. To him and his wife Sarah (Ditzler) were bom three children,
Jacob, Mary J. and Sarah.
Jacob Boltz was bom July 7, 1865, in Bethel township, Berks Co., Pa., and
canie to Pottsville with his parents in boyhood. His education was obtained
in the public schools. For some time he worked for his father and then for
six years was engaged in delivering mine timber to the York Fami colliery.
After that, for a period, he ran the York Farm brickyard. In 1901 Mr. Boltz
began the manufacture of paper boxes, his first location being at Tenth and
Market streets. As the expansion of the business made larger and more
convenient quarters necessary, he built his present plant at Ninth and Grant
streets, in 1907. There are three floors, 32 by 80, 20 by 40 and 14 by 24 feet
in dimensions, respectively, and the equipment is up-to-date in every particu-
lar. The product is high-grade and in steady demand. Between thirty-five
and forty people are employed in the factory. In 1913 ]\Ir. Boltz opened what
is known as the Jacob Boltz Knitting Mills, where from fifteen to twenty
employees are engaged in the manufacture of ladies' underwear. Though this
business has been in existence for a comparatively short period a profitable
trade has already been established, with prospects of steady increase as the
product becomes known in the market. For the success of both lines Mr.
Boltz deserves much credit, and he is properly ranked among the manufac-
turers whose establishments have proved a distinct benefit to the borough.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 549
Mr. Boltz married Maude Reed, daughter of Samuel Reed, of Schuylkill
Haven, this county, and their children are: George, Benjamin and Paul. Mr.
Boltz is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and socially he belongs
to the Improved Order of Red Men.
CYRUS AIOORE, late of Minersville, was a highly regarded citizen of
that place for over fifty years, and practically throughout that period an active
business man. Aside from his association with the firm of Phillips & Moore
he had interests which showed his faith in the stability of local enterprises,
and as an official of the county and borough he evidenced public spirit which
made his record one of able, intelligent and conscientious service, thoroughly
consistent with his reputation.
The Moore family has been settled in Pennsylvania for several genera-
tions. Adam Moore, grandfather of Cyrus Moore, was a natit'e of Lancaster
county, this State. When a young man he settled in Schaelterstown, Lebanon
county, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1839, at the age
of seventy-seven years. He was a cooper, and followed farming to some
extent in addition to working at his trade. He was one of the most respected
citizens of Schaeflferstown in his day. an earnest member of the German
Liitheran Church, in whose work he took an active part, sening faithfully in
its various official positions. Politically he was a Democrat of the Jacksonian
type. At Schaefferstown Mr. Moore married when quite young Barbara Bal-
man, of that place, and their family consisted of four children: Henry,
Michael, William and Sarah, all of whom grew to maturity.
Michael Moore, father of Cyrus Moore, was born in Schaefl:'erstown. and
passed all his life there, dying in the yeai" 1828. In his early life he learned
the trade of caqjenter, and followed it for a number of years. He married
Rebecca Groombach, of the same place, and they had two children, Cyrus
and Anna, the latter, Mrs. Reisenbach, settling in Lebanon county. Alichael
Moore was an earnest member of the German Lutheran Church, and a Demo-
crat in politics.
Cyrus Aloore was born Nov. 30, 1826, at Schaeflferstown, Lebanon county,
and was only one year and ten months old when his father died. He was
taken to the home of his grandfather, who brought him up, giving him such
educational advantages as the time and place afforded, and a thorough train-
ing for the practical work of life. He learned the trade of tinsmith, which
he followed at Schaefferstown until 1846, that year coming to Pottsville. Pa.,
where he was employed by William Hill as a tinner. He was so engaged until
April, 1847, when he moved to Minersville and found work with Hill & Wil-
liams,' whose interest he and Solomon A. Phillips bought on Sept. 4, 1887, con-
tinuing the business under the name of Phillips & Moore. Mr. Moore held
his interest in the business until his death, which occurred Aug. 11, 1903, and
meantime the business grew to large proportions under the progressive man-
agement of himself and partner. He also took a great interest in everything
which promised to promote the welfare of the borough, being connected with
the Minersville Water Company, of which he was a director for ten years ;
was one of the organizers of the Minersville Home Fire Insurance Company
in 1873. a director from the time of its organization, and became president m
1891 • and served eighteen years as a member of the borough council and
one term as treasurer of Schuylkill county, to which office he was elected in
1876 on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Moore showed his -strength of character
550 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in his relations with all his associates, as well as in his successful business
operations. All his transactions were above reproach, and his keen sense of
responsibility towards his fellow men was exemplified in all his dealings
with them.
Socially Mr. Moore was well known, belonging for many years to Miners-
ville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., which he served as treasurer for a long
period. He also held membership in Social Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F., of
which he was a past noble grand, and served as treasurer for many years. He
was a member of the Grand Lodge from 1850.
On March 17, 1850, Mr. Moore married Catherine Hiller, daughter of
Jacob and Catherine Hiller, of Pottsville, and she passed away several years
before him, dying Aug. 29, 1894. Five children were born to this union, two
sons and three daughters, namely: Annie, widow of John Straub, lived at
Minersville ; Stephen A. D. was drowned when twelve years old at Long Run
dam, Minersville: Eizabeth M., unmarried, is a resident of Minersville; Cath-
erine, widow of John Prosser, former train dispatcher for the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company at Hazleton, Pa., lives at Minersville (she has two children.
Cyrus and Rodger) ; Haney, who lives at Minersville, married Dasie Russel
and has two children, Cyrus and Elizabeth. All of the Moore family are
associated with the English Lutheran Church at Minersville.
Mr. Moore is buried in the Union cemetery, at Minersville.
ROBERT J. ZIMMERMAN, of St. Clair, Schuylkill county, one of the
popular residents of his section, is a representative of one of the estimable
old families of the locality, being a grandson of Henry Zimmerman, the founder
of the name here. The Zimmermans are of German extraction. John Zim-
merman, great-grandfather of Robert J. Zimmerman, lived and died in
Lebanon county. Pa., where he followed farming. His children were : Jacob,
Kate, Margaret and Henry.
Henry Zimmerman was born in Lebanon county, where he spent his early
life. When a young man he came to Schuylkill county, first locating in Pine
Grove, where he worked by the day and in time became a carpenter. Later
he removed to Tremont, this county, and still later to what was then known
as Fox Valley, where the town of Branch Dale is now situated. He lived to
be eighty-four years old, dying at the home of his eldest son, John, at Clouser's
Mills, in Branch township, Schuylkill county. His wife, Julia (Stahr), daugh-
ter of Piter Stahr, of Branch township, died at the age of seventy-one years,
and they are buried in the Clouser's Church cemetery. They had a large fam-
ily, viz. : John, who was a carpenter, died at Clouser's Mills ; William died
young; Elizabeth married Peter Rhoads, and both are deceased; Joseph H. is
the father of Robert J. Zimmerman ; Jacob died at Mount Carmel, Northum-
berland Co., Pa. ; Susan married Aaron Yoder, and both died in Columbia
county. Pa.; Henry is buried in the State of Illinois; Frank is a resident of
Hyde Park, Scranton, Pa. ; ^'\'i.aam H. lives in Arkansas ; Charles is a resident
of Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county.
Joseph H. Zimmerman, now living in retirement at Pottsville, spent sixty-
three years of his life in mine work. Born April 18, 1835, at Branch Dale,
Schuylkill county, he began picking slate when but seven and a half years old,
at what is now Branch Dale, then called Muddy Branch. After two years
at that \\~ork he was given other employment about the mines, acting as
driving boy inside, loading coal, etc., until he reached the age of fourteen.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 551
when he began to cut coal, at Muddy Branch. He was actively engaged at the
mines until seventy years old, for a number of years holding responsible posi-
tions at various collieries. For some time he was employed as a boss by Col. J.
C. White ; was assistant inside foreman ; boss at the York Farm colliery, for
the Lehigh Company; and then a boss for the Albright Coal Company, at
Silverton, for three years. His last work of the kind was at Eagle Hill, for the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. After living in retirement
for one year Mr. Zimmerman became gate watchman at the Schuylkill county
almshouse, where he continued for fourteen months. Again he had a year's
leisure, and then for three years was night watchman at the courthouse. His
home is at No. 623 Fairview street, Pottsville, and he and his family are highly
respected in that city.
Mr. Zimmerman is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1861 in
Company K, i6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, among the first
ninety-days men. He received his discharge at Harrisburg July 24, 1861. Mr.
Zimmerman was formerly a member of the G. A. R. post at Tremont, chang-
ing his membership to Alahanoy City. He has been a Republican since 1856,
and in his earlier years took considerable interest in local public affairs, serv-
ing ten years as school director of Gilberton, and five years as tax collector
in Reilly township. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church,
and socially he belongs to Washington Camp No. 284. P. O. S. of A., of Gil-
berton, and to Social Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F., of Minersville.
On May 26, 1856, Mr. Zimmerman married Janetta McClay, daughter of
Robert McClay, and eight children were born to this union, viz. : William H.,
who is now living at Shenandoah, this county; Joseph, who died in infancy;
Robert J. ; Jacob, of Gilberton, this county; Jeanette, who married Johli Gorey ;
John, of Springfield, 111.; James, of St. Clair, this county; and Mary, twin
of James, who died young. The mother died Sept. 20, 1871, and is buried in
Clouser's graveyard. On May i, 1872, Mr. Zimmerman married (second)
Mrs. Ellen (Finley) Stewart, whose father, Robert Finley, was a native of
Ireland. She was first married Oct. 14, 1864, to John Stewart, who died Aug.
4, 187 1, and bv that marriage had three children: Eliza (Mrs. Charles Knoll),
Robert and Ellen. To her union with Mr. Zimmerman have been born the
following: Joseph, a resident of Shenandoah; Henry, of Schuylkill Haven;
Franklin, of Pottsville; Annie, who died young; Hugh, who died young;
Charles, who died young; and Alexander, who is living in Palo Alto, this
Robert J Zimmerman, son of Joseph H. and Janetta (McClay) Zimmer-
man was born Feb. 29. i860, at Branch Dale, Schuylkill county. His educa-
tion 'was obtained in the public schools of Reilly township and Gilberton bor-
ough where he moved in 1873. He began work as his father did, as a slate
picker being first employed at the Swatara colliery, m time became a full-
fledtred miner, and for eighteen years was stationed at the Draper colliery,
where he acted as assistant inside foreman. In November. 1901, Mr. Zimmer-
man moved to St. Clair, where he engaged in the hotel business, carrying it
on successfully until 1906, when he sold his interests m that line. He has
valuable property holdings in the borough, to whose management he devotes
the principal share of his attention. Public matters have also occupied much
of his time During his residence at Gilberton he served six years m the
borou-h council, giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned by his fidelity
to the" interests of his fellow citizens, and he has been a member of the St.
552 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Clair borough council for a similar period. The public spirit which charac-
terized his service in both bodies has gained him the confidence and esteem
of a large number of the best citizens all over the county, and at this writing
he is Republican candidate for the office of county commissioner. His previ-
ous record is sufficient assurance that he will do his duty faithfully and intel-
ligently in any position to which he may be chosen. In fraternal connection
Mr. Zimmerman is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Patriotic Order Sons
of America.
Mr. Zimmerman is married to Emma J. Davis, and they have two children,
Raymond and Sarah.
EPHRAIM BARLOW, one of the oldest residents of Mahanoy City, has
been one of the most valuable of his day, identified with the social progress as
well as the commercial expansion of the borough. He has been president of
the Mahanoy City board of health since it was established, twenty-two years
ago. His principal business interests have been in the coal fields, and he is
still operating in the soft coal region in West Virginia, where he and his son
have investments.
Mr. Barlow is of English descent. His paternal grandfather, the first of
the line to settle in America, came to this country from England and made his
home in Montgomery county, Pa., where he lived and died. In partnership
with a man named Evans he owned the land upon which the borough of New
Philadelphia, Schuylkill county, now stands, at that time a wilderness and
known as the Barlow & Evans tract. They bought it at an early day.
Nathan Barlow, father of Ephraim Barlow, was born Jan. 17, 1795, in
Limerick township, Montgomery county. Coming to Schuylkill county he
settled at the site of New Philadelphia about 1824, being the pioneer at that
place and for many years the leading citizen of the town and vicinity. His was
one of the two houses there in 1831, after which the village developed, and he
continued to live there until 1866. In 1868 it was incorporated as a borough.
He was one of the early justices of the township, holding the office for twenty-
five years. During the earlier part of his residence here he taught school at
Lewistown, this county, during the winter months, walking to that point from
his home at New Philadelphia. Later he became a merchant at New Phila-
delphia. The first services of the Primitive Methodist congregation, organ-
ized at Tucker's Hill, were held in Squire Barlow's store. When he retired in
1866 he came to make his home at Mahanoy City, where his son lived, and
died there Feb. 28, 1870. He is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Potts-
ville. Mr. Barlow was twice married, the first time June i, 1817, to Anna
Brooks, of Montgomery county, daughter of John Brooks. She died May i,
1818, at the age of twenty-five years, leaving a son, John Barlow, born that
day; he grew to maturity and died at Pottstown, Pa., leaving a family. On
March 10, 1824, Mr. Barlow married (second) Esther Kulp. who was born
Sept. 6, 1804, of German descent, daughter of Henry Kulp, and died March 15,
1883. Eleven children were born to this marriage: William H., born Sept.
4, 1825, died Dec. 27, 1903, in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Phoebe, born June 16, 1827.
was the fifst wife of the late Andrew Robertson, the pioneer coal operator, and
died Tan. 12, 1859, in Pottsville ; Nathan, Jr., born Nov. 24, 1829. died in
Dayton, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1856, and Andrew Robertson married his widow for
his. third wife; Hiram, born Aug. 23, 1831, died at Dayton, Ohio, Feb. 28,
1856; Daniel, born Jan. 22, 1835, was a merchant and engaged in the lumber
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 553
business at Mahanoy City, where he died Aug. 12, 1883; Ephraim is next
in the family; Alfred, born March 13, 1841, died at Roanoke, Va., in Decem-
ber, 1893 (he was a coal operator in West Virginia) ; Malinda, born Nov. 4,
1843, was the second wife of the late Andrew Robertson, and died March 24,
1867; Esther, born Feb. 21, 1846, was the wife of Joseph Beddall, and died
at Shenandoah, this county. May i, 1882; Harriet, born Nov. 2, 1848, died Nov.
2, 185 1 ; George W., born May 17, 185 1, died June 2, 185 1.
Ephraim Barlow was born Aug. 17, 1837, at New Philadelphia, where
he attended public school. In the year 1854 he went to Dayton, C>hio, to learn
the trade of wheelwright, and remained there about two years. Returning
home, he worked at his trade a short time at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county.
In 1S57 he went to California, where his brother Daniel had gone in 1855, and
he took up mining claims and joined the search for gold. The brothers were
in partnership in mining and lumbering and were very successful. Ephraim
Barlow spent five years in California, coming back to Schuylkill county in
1862, when he settled at Mahanoy City. Until about 1878 he was engaged in
the mercantile business. Meantime he also became interested in the develop-
ment of soft coal property in West Virginia and Kentucky, and he is now presi-
dent of the Elk Horn Coal & Coke Company, which is engaged in large opera-
tions in Mingo county, W. Va. ; he is also president of the Burnwell Coal and
Coke Company, whose mine is on the line of West Virginia and Kentucky,
lying partly in each State. Mr. Barlow has been notably successful in his
mining ventures. He has always been public-spirited in lending his influence
to local projects which promise to benefit the community. When the borough
board of health was organized he was made president, and he has held the
' position ever since, giving the greatest satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He
is a member of St. John's English Lutheran Church and one of its prominent
workers, being at present one of the church council; he has also served as elder.
In 1863 Mr. Barlow married Joanna M. Beddall, daughter of the late
Thomas Beddall, of Schuylkill county, and his wife Mary (Shakespear).
Children as follows have been born to this union : Wallace died in infancy
July 26, 1864; Thomas B. died in infancy March 30, 1866; George W., born
Dec. 3, 1866, is the only sur^'ivor of the family. He has been engaged with
his father in the lumber business and is now interested with him in the soft
coal business. He is a director of the Union National Bank of Mahanoy City.
By his first marriage, to Ida Beddall. daughter of Benjamin Beddall, George
W. Barlow had one child, Ephraim. Jr., who died in his seventeenth year. He
married for his second wife Annie "Skeath, daughter of John and Catherine
Skeath, of Mahanoy City, and they have had five children: Ida, Catherine,
Esther, Marie and George Wilbur.
JAMES D. SCHLEGEL, of Tamaqua, holds a foremost place among local
builders and contractors. In the borough and vicinity are many examples of
the skill and competence bv which he has gained a large patronage, and he
has as excellent a reputation for trustworthiness in all transactions as in hon-
est construction. His contributions to the material development of Tamaqua
are noteworthy and fully up to the best standards of modern building.
Mr. Schlegel is a native of Northumberland county, Pa., born in the
Mahantongo v^alley, near the Schuylkill county line, in 1870, son of Daniel H.
Schlegel and grandson of Charles Schlegel, who also lived in that valley. The
name is an old one in Pennsylvania. John Christian Schlegel, the first Amer-
554 SPHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXXSYLVANIA
ican ancestor and progenitor oi this family, was a native of Germany, and
undoubtedly was the Johanis Schlegel who emigrated on the ship "Bilander
Townsend," which landed (qualiiied) at Philadelphia Oct. 5, 1737. On Aug.
16, 1738, and Nov. 7, 1754, he obtained proprietary warrants for land situated
in Berks county, Pa. In 1759 he paid six pounds tax in Richmond town-
ship, where he had lived since coming to the New World. He was a farmer
and owned more than three hundred acres of land, and in 1797 built a stone
house which is still standing and in good condition, owned and used by his
great-grandson, Abraham, and his children and grandchildren. John Chris-
tian Schlegel and his wife Esther had a number of children, among whom were :
Peter ; Wilhelm ; Christian, born March 25, 1765 ; Elizabeth, born April 9, 1767 ;
Johannes, born Sept. 7, 1768, and Heinrich, born July 15, 1779. Peter and
Wilhelm left that section, traveling on horseback across the Blue mountains,
and settled in the Mahantongo valley in what is now Schuylkill county, then
a part of Berks county. They visited their brother Heinrich at the old
home every two, three or four years, coming on horseback and remaining for
a week or two. One of the sons of John Christian Schlegel lived with the
Indians, liking their mode of life. He was greatly admired by them, because
of his courage, strength and marksmanship, and when he was quite an aged
man he and some of his adopted brethren of the forest came to visit his old
home near Fleetwood. Because of the great journey on which they came,
and the effects of his strenuous life with the Redmen, he became exhavisted
at Dreibelbis spring, and he died soon thereafter, and fills an unknown grave.
This account is based on tradition, and the family papers give brief accounts
of it.
There were two brothers, Wilhelm and Peter Schlegel, of Berks county,
who settled in Northumberland county at an early date and who, according
to the inscription on Peter's tombstone, in the graveyard of St. Peter's Church,
Mahanoy, were sons of Johann Christian and Anna Barbara Schlegel. Wil-
helm Schlegel was born in Richmond township, Berks county, on the original
Schlegel homestead near Fleetwood, May 26, 1782. He came to Northumber-
land county after his marriage, and farmed until his death, Jan. 14, 1856.
He and his wife Elizabeth (Wentzel) had fourteen children, all of whom
grew to maturity and survived the parents.
Peter Schlegel, brother of Wilhelm, was born Oct. 12, 1786; came to
Northumberland county from Berks county; and died Feb. i, 1864. His wife
was Elizabeth (Rettinger), born Sept. 11, 1789, died July 16, 1866. They
are buried at the Herb (Salem) Church. They had sons Peter, David, and
another. Of these, Peter had five'children, Joel, Milton, , Elizabeth,
and another daughter. David's children were Samuel, Peter, and
Charles.
Charles Schlegel. son of David, was the grandfather of James D. Schlegel.
Daniel H. Schlegel, father of James D. Schlegel, was a carpenter by
occupation. For many years he lived in the Mahantongo valley, later remov-
ing to Shamokin, Northumberland county, where he died in 1914. He had the
following children : Nathan, who is superintendent of the Burnside colliery,
at Shamokin, Pa. ; James D. ; Lydia ; Catherine ; Helen ; and. Rose.
James D. Schlegel lived on the farm at Snydertown, Northumberland
county, until nineteen years old, when he went to Shamokin and at once com-
menced an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade with Aucker, Slayman &
Co., who are now operating as the Shamokin Lumber & Manufacturing Com-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 555
pany. After two years there he removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and
entered the employ of the late Lewis Medlar, who gave him full charge of the
erection of the residence of John Zerbey. He was ambitious to vary his experi-
ence as much as possible, and from Pottsville he changed to Reading, where
he was engaged at interior finishing on such important structures as the Fifth
Street Memorial church, being similarly employed at the Keystone State nor-
mal school (at Kutztown) and the State sanatorium at Wernersville. Return-
ing to Shamokin, he took a position as carpenter with the Shamokin Lumber
& Manufacturing Company, with whom he continued until his removal lo
Tamaqua seventeen years ago. There he has won a place among the most
reliable builders in that section of Schuylkill county. For a few years he
worked for the late Daniel Weaver, head of the firm of Daniel Weaver & Son,
and for J. A. Schilbe, and since 1902 he has been doing business on his own
account as an architect and builder. His first contract was for the fine modern
dwelling of Nels Nelsen, the West End florist, which he designed and con-
structed, and many other beautiful residences in and around the borough
testify to his taste and skill. He has also remodeled and modernized a number
of the older homes, notably that of M. A. Gerber, and he designed and built
a six-apartment dwelling and office structure for Dr. George A. Wilford ; the
beautiful home of Mrs. F. P. Spiese, on West Broad street; the Presbyterian
parsonage; a double block adjoining the property of W. A. Pugh on West
Broad street; the Evangelical parsonage; residences of John F. Wagner,
Samuel P. Wagner and Clarence Schultz ; eight tenement houses for B. H.
Seltzer; twelve for Dr. Kate Freudenberger ; remodeled the D. F. B. Shepp,
W. R. Jones and John Roberts properties on West Broad street ; in 1914
built the George Kelner apartment and business block on West Broad street,
and a bungalow for Harry Kramer on Cottage avenue. His own residence,
at the corner of Lehigh street and Cottage avenue, he erected in 1912. As
architect he planned the remodeling of the Courier building, the Trinity Re-
formed church, and many equally creditable undertakings. His exceptional
mechanical ability, combined with executive talent well developed in his wide
experience, has made him a substantial contributor to the material betterment
of the borough, where his work has j.ustly received much appreciation. Mr.
Schlegel is well known socially, belonging to Tamaqua Lodge, No. 238, F. &
A. M., and to Vigilance Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Reading, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Schlegel was united in marriage with Mana Beader, daughter of
Charles Beader, of Shamokin, Pa., and the following children have been born
to them: George J., Verna, Erye, Nelson, Pauline, James and Daniel. The
family are of the Reformed faith in religion.
SAMUEL DEEBEL, who is extensively engaged in farming in East
Union township, has a finely improved property and beautiful home there.
The home place has been owned in the family for almost three-quarters of a
century, Mr. Deebel's father having bought and settled there in 1841.
The Deebels are of German origin, and John F. Deebel, the father of
Samuel Deebel, was the first of the line to come to this country. The grand-
father was a farmer in Baden, owning a small tract of land. He followed
his son to America with the intention of remaining here, but as he did not
like his new surroundings returned to the old country. Later, however, he
became dissatisfied there and decided to try the United States again, and he
was frozen to death while traveling through the forest, on his way to take
556 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL-^
passage. He and his wife are buried in Baden. They had two children of
whom we have record, Andrew and John F. The grandfather was a Lutheran
in religion.
John F. Deebel was born July 28, 1808, in Baden, Germany, and was reared
and educated in that country. He served an apprenticeship at the cooper's
trade, and about the time he completed his term underwent the customary
test of skill in that vocation. The apprentice had to construct a keg without
hoop or band that would hold water, and if successful was considered a good
mechanic, and had the privilege of presenting himself for employment as a
finished tradesman. John F. Deebel followed coopering as long as he remained
in his native land. When a little over thirty years old he decided to come to
America, but not having the money for the journey he borrowed one hundred
dollars from two friends, with the understanding that after he had estab-
lished himself here he would find positions for them, so that they would have
employment ready for them when they arrived. He settled at Tamaqua,
Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he worked at carpentry, and in due time he kept
his agreement and sent for his friends, one a Mr. Thatch, for whom he secured
work as a carpenter at Tamaqua. There is no record of the other, except
that it is known Mr. Deebel fulfilled his obligation. Mr. Deebel did carpenter
work around the breakers, etc., at Tamaqua, working at first for fifty cents
a day, was married there, and soon afterwards turned to the agricultural
opportunities the surrounding country afforded, which seemed to him to
promise very well. In 1S41 he moved to the place in East Union township,
-Schuylkill county, now owned by his son Samuel, having bought a tract of
four hundred acres from Samuel Knaube. Six acres were clear, the rest in
timber. Mr. Deebel cleared a great deal of it in his lifetime, some forty acres
being placed under profitable cultivation through his labors, assisted by his
children as they became old enough. When he came to the property a log
house and log barn stood there, and he used both. .'\s he prospered he bought
more land, his industry and thrift being very well rewarded*. In 1874 he sold
out to his son Samuel and a new house was built, the parents living with
Samuel until they died. The father passed away at his home place May 11,
1894, aged eighty-five years, nine months, thirteen days. He was interested
in politics and local affairs, supporting the Democratic party, and for nine
years he held the office of tax collector. In religion he was a Lutheran, belong-
ing to St. Paul's Church in East Union township, which he served as elder
and deacon.
Mr. Deebel married Mrs. Rebecca (Zehner) Kreitz. who was born Feb.
28, 1808, at Zehner's Alill, in West Penn township, daughter of David Zehner,
a miller of West Penn township, this county, Zehner's mill standing there to
this day, operated by one of his descendants, Jacob Zehner; it is near Zehner's
station, on the Philadelphia & Reading road. Rebecca Zehner was first mar-
ried to David Kreitz, by whom she had two sons, David and William, the
latter now eighty-six years old. To her marriage with Mr. Deebel were bom
the following children : Samuel ; Louisa, widow of Robert Fehr, living in
Mahanoy City; Rebecca, who married Henry Betzenberger, of Walnutport,
Pa.; Elizabeth, who died young; John, of East Union township, who married
Hannah Lorah ; Abraham, deceased, who went W^est and married there ;
Henry, who married Anna Herring; and a son who died young. The mother
of this family died June 20, 1894, aged eighty-si.x years, three months, twenty-
two days. Both parents are buried at St. Paul's Church.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 557
Samuel Deebel was bom Aug. 19, 1842, on the farm in East Union town-
ship which he now owns and occupies. He grew to manhood there, during his
boyhood attending the Lorah school, and received liis training for his Hfe
work under his father's tuition, continuing to work for him after he attained
his majority. When his father was no longer able to do his share of the
farm work he cared for him dutifully, looking after both his parents in their
old age. In 1874 he was given a deed to the home property by his father,
in consideration of the wages due him for his work after he was twenty-one
years old. He has added to the original tract by two purchases, one of thirty-
five acres, the other of seventy acres, of which sixteen acres are cleared. He
works all three tracts, carrying on general farming, in which he has been very
successful, being looked upon as one of the substantial men of his township.
Besides improving his land he built the present dwelling there, and has recently
made a number of changes in the house and grounds, having cement walks
and walls for his garden, and up-to-date appointments in his house. All
three places are equipped with hot and cold water and bathroom. As he and
his wife are great lovers of flowers they have beautified their yard with
uousual care, having one of the most attractive homes in the vicinity.
Mr. Deebel prizes all the possessions which have come down to him from
his ancestors, especially his mother's china, which includes some very fine old
specimens. He has been oft'ered good prices for some pieces, but would never
consent to part with them. He has several fine carriage robes, one specially
fine piece of work, made of coonskins from animals he trapped himself. He
has another made from the skins of groundhogs which he caught, and a fine
black bearskin from a bear which he shot in Centre county, this State.
Like his father Mr. Deebel has been a prominent member of St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, of which he is now elder, having held that office for twenty
years. He has also been deacon, and he is a regidar attendant at Sunday
school services. Politically he is a Democrat, and though never an office
seeker he served as tax collector in 1885. He was a charter member of Ring-
town Lodge, No. 287, I. O. O. F. He is a stockholder in the First National
Bank of Ringtown, and for twenty-two years has held stock in the Mahanoy
City Bank.
Mr. Deebel married Mrs. Rachel (Zimmerman) Eisenhauer, widow of
Samuel Eisenhauer. They have one child. Rebecca, bom April 20, 1902, who
is attending school in the home township.
Mrs. Deebel was born Feb. 2, 1856, in Union township, this coimty, near
Ringtown, where the "Hotel Slitzer" now stands, and was ten years old when
the family moved to Roaring Creek, Columbia Co., Pa. She was married in
Ringtown to Samuel Eisenhauer, who was born near that place, son of Jacob
and Sarah (Kramer) Eisenhauer, and they first lived in Union township,
where he rented a farm, later moving to East Union township, where he died.
He was a Democrat, and his religious connection was with the Old White
Reformed Church in Union township, at which church he is buried. Mr. and
Mrs. Eisenhauer had the following family: Mina Jane, who is deceased;
Sarah Ann, deceased; Benjamin Franklin, who married Lillie Donahoe; David
Jacob, who married Helen Miller; Catherine, deceased; Lizzie May, deceased;
Ira. who married Mary Nungesser; Eva, wife of Charles Scott; William Roy,
who married Margaret Klopp; Ida Pearl, wife of Harvey Barker; and Arthur
John, unmarried, who lives at home. Mrs. Deebel is a member of the Reformed
cono-regation of St. Paul's Church, and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society.
558 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAXL\
John Zimmerman, Mrs. Deebel's grandfather, was born in Union town-
ship, this county, and followed farming, owning seventy acres. He had two
children, Emanuel and David, and died when the latter was young. In
religion he adhered to the German Reformed faith, belonging to the Old
White Church, and he and his wife are buried there. Politically he was a
Democrat.
David Zimmerman was born in Union township, and being quite young when
his father died was reared by his grandfather, John Zimmerman. He became
a farmer, and some time after his marriage, which totDk place in Union town-
ship, bought his father-in-law's farm in Roaring Creek township, Columbia
Co., Pa., consisting of over one hundred acres, upon which he made a perma-
nent settlement. He died there. Mr. Zimmerman married Mrs. Mina (Mil-
ler) Lindermuth, daughter of Daniel and (Kline) Miller and
widow of Michael Lindermuth, by whom she had four children : Frank
and his wife Priscilla are both deceased; Anne is the widow of Samuel
Dresher and lives at Ringtown, Pa. ; Nathaniel married Sarah Snyder, and
they live in Centre county, Pa.; Michael married Sarah Ulshafer, and they
live in East Union township. To Mr. and Mrs. David Zimmerman were
born the following children: Johli married Caroline Maurer; Daniel, deceased,
married Susan Maurer, who lives at Shamokin, Pa. ; Lena is deceased ; Rudolph
married Margaret Leiby, and they live in Roaring Creek; Polly, deceased, was
the wife of Samuel Rupert, of Ringtown, Pa.; Lewis, deceased, married
Sarah Leiby, who lives in Roaring Creek; Rachel is the wife of Samuel
Deebel ; Isaac, deceased, married Emma Leiby, who lives at Elysburg, Pa. ;
Andrew married Ellen Berger, and they live near Elysburg, Pa. ; Catherine
is deceased.
Mr. Zimmerman was a member of the German Reformed Church of
Numidia, Columbia county, where he and his wife are buried. He was a
Democrat on political questions.
FREDERICK RICK WAGNER, D. D. S., is one of the successful dental
practitioners in Schuylkill county, having his office at Mahanoy City, where
this Wagner family has been established for over forty years. His father,
Franklin B. Wagner, was a merchant of high standing in the borough for
more than a quarter of a century, and most of his children are still living there
and taking their part in the life of the community as substantial citizens.
Earlier generations of the Wagner family were in Berks county. Pa., where
George Wagner and his wife, the Doctor's great-grandparents, lived and died.
He was born March 3, 1776, and died Aug. 21, 1857; she was born May 5,
1777, and died aged forty-four years, nine months, three days. They lived
at the old Wagner homestead about five miles west of Hamburg, where he
followed farming. He was married three times and we have the following
record of his children : Solomon died in September, 1898, aged ninety years,
nine months; Daniel, born July i, 1801, died-July 12, 1882; Mrs. Salem died
Sept. 7, 1889, aged eighty-six years, ten months, five days; Benjamin, born
Aug. 29, 1804, died Jan. 3, 1892; Samuel, born Oct. 11, 1809, died in April,
1887, aged seventy-seven years, five months, twenty-five days; William, born
Oct. 14, 181 1, died March 27, 1888; George, born May 10, 1816. died June 10.
1896 ; Elias was born Jan. 25, 1820.
William Wagner, son of George, was born in Upper Bern township, Berks
Co, Pa., Oct. 14, 1811, and died March 27, 1888, at Hamburg, that county,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 559
where he was engaged in farming. His wife was born May iS, 1814, and died
July 27,, ibb6. Iheir children were: Charles died May 18, 1899, aged sixty-
three years, eight months, twenty-seven days; William died May 28 1870
aged thirty-nine years, three months, ten days; Franklin B. died March ^6
1904, aged sixty years, one month, five days; Catherine died Nov i 1889 aged
forty-four years, six months, sixteen days; Sarah died April 19, 1901 ' aged
fifty-four years, twenty-seven days; Adam, born May 25, 1850, died June i,
1876; Fayetta died Dec. 5, 1891, aged thirty-seven years, ten months, sixteen
days ; Jonathan died Nov. 28, 1891, aged thirty-four years, seven months, seven-
teen days; Amelia, bom Dec. 27, 1848, died March i, 1857; Henrietta, born
Aug. 3, 1S55, died May 2, 1861.
Franklin B. Wagner, son of William, and father of Dr. Frederick Rick
Wagner, was born at Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., and was reared and educated
there. He came to Mahanoy City about 1873, and engaged in the mercantile
business, which he carried on successfully the rest of his active life, becoming
widely known and making an enviable reputation both in business and for per-
sonal integrity. He retired about two years before his death, which occurred
March 26, 1904, at the age of sixty years, one month, five days. He is buried
at Hamburg, Pa. Mr. Wagner married Caroline K. Rick, a daughter of George
Rick and his wife, Caroline (Kauftman), both members of old families of
Berks county, Pa. Mrs. Wagner still resides at Mahanoy City. Children as
follows were born to this union : Alice R., now the wife of Dr. C. D. Miller,
of Pottsville, Pa.; Jovina R., wife of Frank Kemery, living at Mahanoy City;
Milton R., who now has charge of the C. R. Wagner store at Mahanoy City;
Catherine R., living at home; Frederick R. ; Carrie, the wife of Harry F.
Newhard; and Frank R., a mining engineer, living at home.
Frederick Rick Wagner was born Nov. 20, 1876, at Mahanoy City, and in
his boyhood had the advantages afforded by the public schools of the borpugh.
Later he attended Alercersburg (Pa.) College, and prepared for his profes-
sion in the dental school of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia,
graduating in 1900. Dr. Wagner began independent work in his profession at
\Vatertown, N. Y., where he continued practice for seven years, at the end of
that period returning to his native place, where he has found an excellent
field of labor. Beginning on the prestige; of his personal worth, he has built
up a large practice by conscientious service to all patrons alike, and their num-
ber has increased steadily in the years of his location here. His office is in
the Dipper building. Dr. Wagner is a Mason in good standing, affiliated with
Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; with
Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, R. A. M. (past high priest) ; and Ivanhoe Com-
mandery. No. 31, K. T. He also belongs to the Woodmen and the P. O. S. of
A. In religious matters he is active as one of the efficient workers in the St.
Paul's Reformed Church. In every association he enjoys the unstinted regard
of his townsmen.
Dr. Wagner married May E. Ross, of Watertown, N. Y., and they have
one child, Doris.
LOY & MINNIG, owners and publishers of The Call, Schuylkill Haven.
This firm is composed of two young men born and raised in Schuylkill Haven,
who in December, 1910, purchased outright the town's newspaper. The Call,
and the job printing department connected with it. and immediately began upon
a plan to improve and enlarge the scope of the publication. In the five years
560 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
the paper has grown from a four-page, six-column, three-quarter advertise-
ment and boiler plate construction, to a six-page, seven-column, all home print
puljlication, containing the news of the town and surrounding communities,
in addition to many special features which are carried only by the larger
metropolitan dailies. A large modern and complete job printing department
is conducted in connection with the newspaper publication.
Harry F. Loy, the business manager of the firm, son of Frank and Mary
Ley, the second eldest in a, family of five children, was born in Schuylkill
Haven on Jan. 28, 1886, and with the exception of a few years in Philadelphia
has spent his entire fife in this town. Mr. Loy is the married member of this
firm. He is a member of the First Reformed Church and a member of the
board of church officials of this denomination. Fraternally he is connected
with Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum, and is a past
grand of Carrol Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Schuylkill Haven. He is the
president of the Sigma Club, composed of the town's most prominent and rep-
resentative young men. His many years' experience in large printing houses
and on several newspapers, and his careful study of the printing art, make
him capitally fitted for the business management and superintendence of the
mechanical and printing department of The Call printing office.
Floyd H. Minnig is the single member of this firm. He is twenty-nine
years of age, having been bom May 6, 1886. He is a son of John and Emma
Minnig, the former being the well known Schuylkill Haven coal dealer for
many years. He received his education in the public schools of the borough
and later took a thorough course in the Pottsville Business College. He se-
cured a position as clerk with a shoe manufacturing firm in Schuylkill Haven,
which position he held for six years, resigning to embark in the newspaper and
printing business. Mr. Minnig is the editor of The Call. His knowledge of
the newspaper game and experience in this line of work was gained through
his years of service on the Pottsville Journal as a local correspondent, and his
training received from the editorial staff of this publication. He is a violinist
of no mean ability and a clever and exacting trap drummer, l* raternally he is
connected with the F. & A. M. of his town, and the Improved Order of Hep-
tasophs of Schuylkill Haven. He is a member of St. John's Reformed Church.
He is secretary of the Sigma Club, and for the past six years, as at present,
has held the position of secretary of the town council of his borough.
JOHN E. BUBECK, for many years a well known resident of Schuylkill
Haven, and an honored veteran of the great Civil war in his adopted country,
was bom at Esslingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America and the
United States in boyhood. He landed at the port of New York and from
there made his way to Philadelphia. With German thrift he accepted the first
job of honest work that came his way, and followed butchering for a short
time before coming on to Schuylkill Haven. Here, while the Schuylkill Haven
docks were being built, he worked in the stone quarry. On March 31, 1864,
he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company B, 48th Pennsyl-
vania Infantry, commanded by Capt. Thomas B. Williams, and saw very hard
service before his honorable discharge, June 26, 1865, at the close of the war.
He participated in the following battles : Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna
River, Cold Harbor, siege oi Petersburg and the mine explosion, Poplar
Spring's Church, and Hatcher's Run, at the last named, in Feb raary, 1865,
being captured by the enemy. He was incarcerated for three months in the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 561
Salisbury prison and afterwards had to be cared for in a hospital at Baltimore.
After his military service had been so faithfully performed Mr. Bubeck
returned to Schuylkill Haven and for a time followed butchering, and then was
employed on the canal at Landing No. i, under John B. Striker, where he con-
tinued for four years. Mr. Bubeck then accepted a position as shipper for
the Reading Railway Company, and continued in that relation until the comple-
tion of the canal, after which he was employed in the storage yards until he
retired from active service, a few years before his death. He was an honest,
upright, industrious man, one who commanded respect from employers and
associates. In his religious belief he was of the Lutheran faith. He is buried
in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. In politics he was a Democrat,
and fraternally was a member of the Knights of the Mystic Chain ; he belonged
also to Jere. Helms Post, No. 26, G. A. R., at Schuylkill Haven.
John E. Bubeck was united in marriage with Mary Eiler, a daughter of
John Eiler, and the following children were born to them : John E., of Cressona,
Pa.; Minnie, wife of John McCanna; William; Frank; George; Charles H. ;
Anna, wife of Daniel Shappell; Marietta, deceased; Clayton W. ; and four who
died in infancy.
Charles H. Bubeck, son of John E. and Mary Bubeck, a well known
business man at Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough Dec. 10, 1868. He
attended the public schools in North Manheim township and afterwards, for
two years, was employed on the Schuylkill canal, and for two years more was
located at the Schuylkill Haven landing. Mr. Bubeck was then employed by
the Reading Railway Company in its repair department for one year, follow-
ing which he was a brakeman on the Mine Hill railroad for nine years. He
then left the railroad for a time and went to Philadelphia, entering the employ
of the Plagens boatyard people, but remained only a short time, and after
coming back to Schuylkill Haven returned to the Reading Railway Company.
Until June 12, igoi, he was engaged in several capacities, and then he went
into the car shops, where he continued until June, 1913. At that time he bought
the stock of L. M. Reichert, an established grocer, at No. 164 Dock street,
and has built up a very satisfactory grocery and green goods business.
Charles H. Bubeck was married to Anetta L. Williams, a daughter of
Charles Williams, who now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Bubeck. Formerly he
was a substantial farmer in Berks county. Four children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Bubeck : Harry, who married Millie Schwilk, and has two sons,
Charles A. and Paul; and Mattie, Paul and Mary, all three deceased. Mr.
Bubeck is a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Fraternally he is identified
with the O. U. A. M. and with the Red Men, both at Schuylkill Haven.
Clayton W. Bubeck, proprietor of the popular "Spring Garden Hotel," at
Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough April 30, 1876, son of John E. and
Mary Bubeck. He attended the schools of Schuylkill Haven until^ he was
seventeen years of age, and then learned the painting and paper hanging busi-
ness, which he followed until 1899. In that year he began work in the car
shop's of the Reading Railway Company at Schuylkill Haven, in the pamtmg
and stenciling department, and continued there until April, 1913, when he
became interested in his present business enterprise. Mr. Bubeck conducts a
first-class, modern hotel, and his twenty-six guest rooms are always in demand,
the traveling public having learned to appreciate the comforts he provides
while the excellence of the cuisine attracts much additional local trade. He and
his brother stand high in the public esteem as good citizens. Politically he is
Vol. 1—36
562 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
a sound Democrat, and for nine years served as committeeman. His connection
with fraternal organizations includes membership in the Sons of America, the
Jr. O. U. A. M., the Red Men, the Heptasophs, and the Rainbow Hose Com-
pany.
Mr. Bubeck married Martha Keip, a daughter of Lewis Keip, and they
have three children : Leon, Ruth and Russell. The family belong to the First
Reformed Church.
JEREMIAH D. GEIGER, of Pottsville, for a number of years foreman in
the shoe factory of Dengler Brothers, is now conducting a similar business on
his own account in the city. Experience and long training have proved their
value in the prosperity which has attended his venture from the outset. Though
but recently established, his plant is in excellent working order, and the
product has been promptly taken up in the market on its own merits.
Mr. Geiger is a native of Schuylkili county, descended from an old family
of Berks county. Pa., located there before the erection of the county, in 1752.
Philip Geiger was born Nov. 20, 1765, and died Aug. 13, 1831. His wife,
Anna Maria Stichter, was born Jan. 18, 1769, and died Nov. i, 1791. They
are both buried in the east side of the old cemetery at Amityville Church. With
them is buried Maria Geiger (1793-1823), probably a daughter, and wife of
Philip Mathias. Another daughter married a Moyer. The number of chil-
dren of this old pioneer couple cannot be definitely stated. There vvas a son,
Jacob, mentioned below; and tradition tells of another son. Philip Geiger
lived in Amity township before 1806, as in that year his name appears on the
tax lists.
Jacob Geiger, son of Phihp, was born Aug. 20, 1795, and died in Amity
Sept. 6, 1868. He was a farmer and owned a tract of 160 acres about three
quarters of a mile south of Amityville. He married Elizabeth Harner, bom
Aug. 21, 1798, died Sept. 17, 1870, and their children were: Jacob H., Mary
Ann, John, Mahlon, Elizabeth (married Alfred Fritz), and Leah Ann.
Jacob Geiger, grandfather of Jeremiah D. Geiger, was born in Berks
county, whence he removed to Schuylkill county at an early date and located
in North Manheim township. There'he carried on the business of wheelwright
and remained until his death. His children were: William, Hannah, Kate,
Lydia and Jacob, the last named dying young.
William" Geiger. son of Jacob, learned his father's trade and also followed
carpentry, becoming well known all over his section of Schuylkill county.
He resided on the old homestead in North Manheim township and died there in
1893. By his marriage to Sophia Schnaufer he had the following children:
John P Frank B., Jeremiah D., Albert, Joanna and Amelia.
Jeremiah D. Geiger was born June 28, 1869, near Orwigsburg. in North
Manheim township, and there grew to manhood, beginning his education in
the public schools of the home locality. Later he went to a private school
taught by Prof. John Bohrman. He taught school one year at Tumbling Run,
in North Manheim township, and then commenced to learn the shoe manu-
facturing business with the old Orwigsburg Shoe Company. He followed his
experience there with emplovment at different factories in Orwigsburg and also
worked at Harrisburg and Rochester, and on his return to Schuylkill county
located at Pottsville, where he became foreman for Dengler Brothers. He
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 563
remained with them until ready to engage in business on his own account. His
factory is at No. ii8 South Sixth street. Mr. Geiger keeps twenty hands
steaddy employed in the production of children's shoes, for which he has found
a good market. His thorough experience has qualified him well for the manu-
facturing end of the business, and his success was anticipated by all familiar
with his thorough energy and comprehensive disposition. Mr. Geiger's religious
connection is with the English Lutheran Church.
Mr. Geiger married Lydia Keefer, daughter of Joseph Keefer, of New
Ringgold, Schuylkill county, and they have three childVen, namely : Effie, Eva
and Florence.
Wn.LL\M FRANKLIN LAUDIG is farming in Union township on the
place where he was born, and he is a typical member of a family whose name
has been among the most respected in this part of Schuylkill county for sev-
eral generations. Peter Laudig, his great-grandfather, was bom Jan. 28, 1760,
was a Revolutionary soldier, and died Aug. 6, 1837. On May 16, 1780,
he married Catherine Lantzer, who was born in Philadelphia June 12, 1760,
and died Oct. 6, 1835. They are buried at the Old White Church near
Ringtown, Schuylkill county.
Jacob Laudig, son of Peter, was born Sept. 28, 1786, and died July 17,
1863. The greater part of his active life was spent in Union township, whither
he moved from Middleport, this county, and he was engaged in farming and
milling, having a tract of about forty-eight acres and a gristmill where T. W.
Rumbel now lives. This mill and farm he sold to John Maurer and then
bought the place where W. H. Rumbel is now located, remaining there until
his death. He was a Democrat in political faith, and his religious connection
was with the German Reformed congregation of the Old White Church near
Ringtown, in whose cemetery he and his wife are buried. Mr. Laudig mar-
ried Elizabeth Wetstone, who was born Jan. 13, 1794, and died Sept. 26, 1863.
Their children were : Solomon married Susan Zimmerman ; William mar-
ried Rebecca Rumbel; Frank died in young manhood; Jacob married Rachel
Stauffer; Leah married John Zimmerman.
William Laudig, son'of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wetstone) Laudig, was born
in April, 1828, probably near Middlejrort, Schuylkill county, and lived to the
age of fifty-nine years, five months. During his youth and early manhood he
assisted his father in the operation of the farm and mill, being the eldest son,
and after his father's death he conducted the mill for the estate. Later he
sold the mill property and moved to the farm now occupied by Wdliam H.
Rumbel, buying that place, upon which he remained for a few years. Then
he sold it to' his brother Jacob and moved to the property near Ringtown now
owned by his son William, buying thirty-six acres from the Lesher tract, then
still in the ownership of the Lesher family, who received it as a grant from the
Commonwealth. This place was all timbered at the time Mr. Laudig purcha.set
it and he built himself a log house and settled in the forest, which he proceeded
to clear Thirty-three acres of that tract were placed under cultivation by him
I ater he bought forty acres about a quarter of a mile from his home, of
Michael Thornton, eleven acres of which were cleared, and he cleared most ot
the remainder, leaving six acres in timber. He continued to improve his home
place, building a new dwelling in 1876. and before then he had erected a new
barn- the sheds attached to it were put up in 1873- . Mr. Laudig followed gen-
eral farming there very successfully all his life, dying on that place, and he is
564 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
buried with his wife at the German Reformed (Old White) Church near
Ringtown. He was a liberal supporter of that church and one of its leading
workers, holding the offices of elder and deacon. Politically he adhered to
the principles of the Democratic party.
Mr. Laudig married Rebecca Rumbel, daughter of Henry and Salome
(Andrews) Rumbel, and she died aged seventy-nine years, eight months, twen-
ty-eight days. Seven children were born to this marriage : Benjamin Henry,
who is farming part of his father's property in Union township, married
Emma Miller ; William Franklin is next in the order of birth ; Susanna mar-
ried William Hartman, and both are deceased ; Lucy married Pierce Fry, and
after his death became the wife of Joseph Wagner, of Ringtown, Pa. ; Caroline
married Abraham Beaver, of Roaring Creek, Columbia Co., Pa. ; Mary is the
wife of Henry M. Eister, of Sunbury, Pa. ; Katie died young.
William Franklin Laudig was born Sept. 12, 1861, and obtained his edu-
cation in Union township. Until seventeen years old he worked on the home
place, and then went to leam butchering with Thomas Jones, in Union town-
ship, with whom he remained three months. For another three months he was
with Albert H. Rumbel, in the same township, and followed with six months
at Sunbury, where he was employed by Jacolj Dindore in the same line. Be-
cause of his father's illness he returned home for six months, after which he
was with Nicholas Tinxmis, in Excelsior, for four months. After a month at
home he returned to Shenandoah to work for James B. Lessig, with whom he
continued thirteen months, until his father's death called him home again.
Then he rented the home tract, his brother Benjamin renting the Michael
Thornton place, and after their mother's death they became the respective pur-
chasers of these farms, which they have continued to cultivate to the present
time. William F. Laudig follows general farming, but he makes a specialty
of truck raising, going to the Shenandoah market all the year round. His
products have a reputation which creates a steady demand for them, and his
business-like methods have been found very satisfactory by all his customers.
-Since 1894 he has also been doing a very successful business as a dealer in all
kind of farming implements and fertilizers.
Mr. Laudig has taken a keen interest in all local affairs. He has just com-
pleted a term as tax collector, has held a position on the board of school direc-
tors for three terms (nine years), and has served as election inspector, work-
ing with the Democratic party. He is a prominent member of the P. O. S. of
A., originally affiliated with Washington Camp No. 112, of Shenandoah, now
with Camp No. 265, at Ringtown, of which he is a past president, and he
gave many years' sen'ice as recording secretary ; he also holds membership in
Shenandoah Commandery, No. 14. P. O. S. of A. ; and in Ringtown Lodge,
No. 287, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. In all these iDodies he has
done \aluable work, and his cooperation has been highly appreciated. The
Reformed Church of Ringtown is his religious home ; he has been chosen
to the offices of elder and deacon, formerly taught in the Sunday school, is a
member of the Home Missionary Society, and was for a long time at the
head of the latter organization.
On Nov. 27, 1884, Mr. Laudig married Mary Jane Bare, who was born
July 6, 1863, in Rush township, this county, and when very young moved into
East Union township, where she received her education. She remained at
home until her marriage. Mrs. Laudig has been an energetic worker in the
Reformed Church at Ringtown. for many years having charge of the infant
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 565
department of the Sunday school, and she was also a member of the Home
Missionary Society. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Laudig, all
of whom have attended the public schools of Union township: Alice Gertrude,
born Feb. 4, 1886, is the wife of Charles F. Hart, a farmer of Union town-
ship, and they have had children, Grace Alvina, Neta Yolanda, Ada Pri.'^cilla,
Evelyn Mary (deceased), Samuel Franklin and Sadie May. Neta Estella, born
March 24, 1888, is married to James Zimmerman, a carpenter of Ringtown, and
their children are Sarah Catherine, Marian Rebecca, Blanche Mary and Emma
May. Sarah Rebecca, born April i, 1890, is the wife of Charles Stauffer,
a farmer in Union township, and their children are William Henry, Samuel
Franklin and Paul Laudig. Emma Priscilla, born July 29, 1892, is at home.
Mary Jane, born March 2, 1896, is a graduate of the Ringtown high school,
and is now living at home.
Mrs. Laudig's grandfather Bare was a native of Berks county, Pa., where
he and his wife are buried. His children were: Joshua, William, Mrs. F'ryer
(of Boyertown, Pa.) and Sarah (who went West).
William Bare, Mrs. Laudig's father, was born in Berks county Sept. 21,
1827, and there received his education. He was but a small child when his
father died. When a young man he came to Rush township, Schuylkill county,
where he worked as a teamster for a number of years, and when he married
bought a small tract of land in that township, which he operated for a while.
He then rented it out and moved to East Union township, where he drove
team for Brandon Reagan for a number of years, and later bought a farm in
that township from William Reagan, containing nearly eighty acres, a great
portion of which he cleared. He followed general farming there. Later he
bought another tract, of twenty-five acres, in the same township, upon which
he settled, and there he died June 24, 1894. It was mostly covered with
brush when he bought it. He is buried at the Old White Church. Mr. Bare
was a Democrat and a member of the German Reformed denomination, belong-
ing to the Old White Church, towards whose support he was a liberal con-
tributor; he held the offices of elder and deacon. His wife, Priscilla (Faust),
was born July 27, 1836, in Rush township, this county. Nine children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Bare: Sarah Malinda, who lives with her mother in
East Union township ; John, of East Union township, who married Angeline
Stauffer- Franklin Pierce, of Cammal, Lycoming Co., Pa., who married Ada
Hostrander; Mrs. William F. Laudig; Alice Catherine, who died young; Wil-
liam Henry, who was killed in a powder mill at Sumneytown, Montgomery
county ; Jacob Allen, Calvin Obediah and Charles Edward, all three of whom
^^ Henry Faust, father of Mrs. Priscilla (Faust) Bare, was born probably in
West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and became a resident of Rush town-
ship where he owned a farm of 1 10 acres which he operated in addition to
his carpenter business. He followed contracting all his life, and built all the
covered bridges in this section of the county. He and his wife, Salome
(Klingerman), probably born in West Penn township, are buried at the
Reformed Church in Rush township, of which he was a member. Pol'tjca y
he was a Democrat. We have the following record of his family: Priscilla
married William Bare; Edward married Polly Hernngw'ho survives him ;
Leah is the widow of Nathan Neifert; Lydia is the wife of Frank Wentz;
Caroline is unmarried ; Mary is the widow of Gottlieb Skeath ; Jacob, deceased.
566 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
married a Messersmith ; Charles married Bertha Skeath; Lewis is deceased;
Henry is unmarried ; Frank married Caroline Wentz, who is deceased.
WILLIAM BASLER, late of Middleport, was a prosperous merchant
there for forty years and had the distinction of being a truly self-made man,
having reached a most honorable position entirely through his own efforts.
The store he carried on so long became one of the leading mercantile establish-
ments of this section of Schuylkill county, and is still conducted by his widow,
who has maintained its popularity by upholding the policy her husband found
so successful, that of obliging service to every patron. Though Mr. Basler
took no direct part in public affairs his influence as a good man was properly
appreciated by his townsmen, who felt that the borough suffered a distinct
loss in his death.
Mr. Basler was a native of Germany, born March 7, 1842, in Fitchbach,
son of Christian and Louisa (Herman) Basler. The family came to America
when he was about four years old and first located near Pottsville, Pa.,
shortly afterwards removing to Brushy Tract, Schuylkill county, where they
remained a number of years. Thence Christian Basler went to Frackville,
this county, and eventually to Port Carbon, at which place he lived practically
retired until his death, which occurred in 1877. He had been thoroughly
trained in the trade of tinsmith, and always had plenty of employment. To
his marriage with Louisa Herman, were born ten children, three sons and
seven daughters, namely : Catherine, Carolina, Louisa, Lena, Elizabeth, Mary,
Mollie, Peter, Christian and William. The father was a devout Catholic in
religious connection. He voted the Democratic ticket.
William Basler had meagre advantages during his boyhood, going to work
at the breaker when but eight years old. He began as a slate picker, and
continued to work about the mines for eighteen years. But though the life
was arduous it did not impair his ambition, and he tried to keep up his studies,
by diligent application acquiring a very fair education, which he found valu-
able when he entered business life on his own account, though the perseverance
he displayed in acquiring it was equally notable. By frugal habits he saved
enough to commence modestly in business, and he became a merchant at
Middleport in 1866, establishing the store which was his chief interest during
the remainder of his life. From the very beginning Mr. Basler showed those
qualities which attract customers, and conser\'atively but surely he added to
the scope of his trade until he was one of the foremost dealers in the borough,
enlarging his quarters as necessary, and always operating his business for the
accommodation of his patrons. He had their friendship and confidence in
an unusual degree, and always proved himself deser\'ing of it. For a number
of years Mr. Basler was also a coal operator, and did well in that line, his
early experience being a great help in matters of judgment. His death
occurred Aug. 21, 1906, at his home in Middleport, and he is buried in the
Odd Fellows' cemetery at Tamaqua. He was a member of Middleport
Lod^e, No. 474, I. O. O. F. In political sentiment Mr. Basler was a Repub-
lican, but in local matters he voted independently, looking to the good of the
community rather than to party supremacy.
On Feb. 28, 1864, Mr. Basler married Mary Catherine Miller, who was
born Dec. 14, 1844, in Blythe township, Schuylkill county, daughter of Eli
T. and lane ( Evans) Miller. We have the following record of the fifteen
children born to this union: J. Allen is deceased; Mary J. is the wife of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 567
Levi Ruch a contractor and builder of Middleport (they have one son, Charles
WillmonB.); Sarah E. married Moses Purnell, formerly of Tamaqua, who
was killed at Middleport m 1914 by a team (his widow resides at Middleport) ■
William J now a merchant at Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., married Catherine
Hopkins; Laura S. is the wife of Richard Purnell, a laborer, and they live at
Tamaqua; John T., who has a hotel at Middleport, married Mary Neison-
Ida M. IS the wife of John Calaway, and they live in Orwigsburg, Pa. ; Charles
E., who clerks in the store for his mother, married Bessie Sherman ■ J Nelson
IS manager in the store for his mother (he is unmarried) ; Eli R., who married
Minerva Bausher, is engaged in the hotel business at Palmerton, Pa.; Eva
Pearl is the wife of John Kline, a wholesale liquor dealer at Middleport;
Carrie E. is married to Harry Eberts, who is a telegrapher at Ouakake, Schuyl-
kill county ; C. G. Roy, who clerks for his mother, married Freda ' Krantz ;
Carrie Delia died when four months old ; one son died in infancy.
FREDERICK REISIG, who now lives retired after a life of honorable
industry, is one of the respected residents of Rush township, Schuylkill
county, making his home on a small tract of land near Lakeside. His active
years were spent in various pursuits, for he is a mechanic skilled in several
lines, and he has also followed agriculture, merchandising and hotelkeeping,
besides finding time for public service and participation in other local affairs.
Mr. Reisig is a native of Saxony, Germany, born Jan. 17, 1842, son of
John Reisig. The father was also born in Saxony, where he lived and died,
but the mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Leitenberger, came to
America and died at Brandonville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. John Reisig followed
farming and also had a pipe factory. His family consisted of five children :
Frederick, George, Bertha, Sophia and Casper. The last named was an
officer in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war and is again
serving as an officer in the present conflict.
Frederick Reisig came to this country when fourteen years old, and first
settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed blacksmithing and
huckstering. He made his home there and at Glen Carbon, this county, until
twenty-five years old. Then for about fifteen years he was established at
Mahanoy City, where he worked at his trade and had a marble yard. His
next location was in Ryon township, where he followed farming and for a
period of eleven years also conducted a store and hotel, thence in 1903 remov-
ing to Rush township, where he has since remained. Here he did considerable
contract work, putting in building foundations, in fact he laid all the walls
for the houses at Maryd, but he withdrew from arduous work some time ago,
and now occupies a small tract which he owns, near Lakeside. During the
course of his active life he accumulated some valuable property, owning yet
221 acres of farming and timber lands in Ryon and Rush townships, including
his home property of one acre, with house and barn.
Mr. Reisig has always been a good citizen, ready to bear his share of the
responsibilities of government, and intelligent in understanding the needs of
the community. He was a school director of Ryon township for seven years
and secretary of the board; and for a simliar period filled the office of town-
ship clerk there. Church work has also interested him and had his warm
su])port. He is a prominent member of the German Lutheran denomination
in his locality, was Sunday school superintendent for sixteen years, and is
still an officer of the church, serving as trustee. During the Civil war he
'568 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
enlisted from Minersville in the Pennsylvania State Militia, serving under
Colonel Chest and Capt. Jacob Lawrence, and was orderly sergeant. His
cornpany was engaged in guarding the capitol at Harrisburg, did guard duty at
Philadelphia and Hagerstown, and moved the army wagons at Philadelphia
under John Arnold.
Mr. Reisig married Mary Hornberger, of Minersville, who died in August,
1908, and is buried at St. Peter's Church in Ryon township. They had a
large family, viz. : Emma, who became a physician, practicing in Philadelphia,
where she died when forty-two years old; Hettie, deceased; Wilfred, who died
young; Frederick, who is now keeping a hotel in Ryon township; John, de-
ceased ; Willis Florence, deceased ; Elmer G. ; Charles, who is a farmer in
Rush township; Edward, deceased; Gertrude, Mrs. Krebs, who formerly had a
hotel at Mount Carmel, which she sold recently, now living in Philadelphia ;
Maude, Mrs. Freudenberger, of Tamaqua (she and her husband are in the
hotel business) ; and Joseph, a farmer in Ryon township.
HON. JAMES E. BRENNAN, for over sixty years a resident of Cass
township, has been one of the leadmg figures in public life in his section of
Schuylkill county, having held many offices of honor and trust within the
gift of his fellow citizens. Mr. Brennan is a native of County Kilkenny,
Ireland, born in June, 1844, son of Patrick and Mary (Maley) Brennan.
The family came from Ireland to the United States in 1852, and soon after
their arrival in this country settled at Forestville, in Cass township, Schuyl-
kill Co., Pa. The father, iDeing a coal miner, soon found employment in the
local mines, where he worked until his death, which occurred in 1865. Of
his family of ten children, six were born in Ireland.
James E. Brennan lived in Schuylkill county until shortly after his marriage,
when he removed to Williamstown, Dauphin Co., Pa. There he was engaged
in driving gangways, but he lost his position because of his connection with
the Workingmen's Benevolent Association, of which he was president for a
time, and very prominent in promoting its interests. Returning to his old
home at Forestville, he continued to live there for many years, being one
of the best known men in Cass township. He began his public service when
a young man. In 1875 he was elected school director, and the following year
became secretary of the board. The next year he was made tax collector,
still continuing his connection with the school board, of which body he was
treasurer in 1881. He collected both State and county taxes. In 1882 Mr.
Brennan was the Democratic candidate for representative of the Second
district in the State Legislature, was elected, and served two years. He has
always been a prominent member of the Democratic party, and has served
as a delegate to numerous county conventions.
In 1880 Mr. Brennan went into business at Forestville, conducting a hotel
and saloon for many years. He returned to mine work for about two years
after his return from the State Legislature. In the fall of 1891 he became
foreman on a branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, then in course of construc-
tion, from Pottsville to the Lytle colliery, near Forestville, by way of Miners-
ville. His work was so well done that the contractor, Joseph Gorman, engaged
him the following year to oversee a piece of the road to Mount Carmel, and
he was occupied at that for three months. Mr. Brennan has never lost liis
interest in the rise of the workingman, which occupied so much of his attention
during his earlier years, and his various experiences in business and public life
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 569
have given him opportunities for observation, and the acquisition of a large
fund of practical information in this most interesting field. He has for some
time made his home at Primrose, a small hamlet in Cass township, and is at
present holding the position of truant officer of that township.
Mr. Brennan married Ellen Shortall, daughter of Patrick and Catherine
Shortall, of Forestville, and twelve children have been born to this marriage,
namely : Mary, who married Thomas McLaughlin, of Shamokin, Pa. ; Kate,
wife of Patrick Purcell, of Forestville, this county; Teresa, wife of Patrick
Brennan, of Forestville; William John, of Forestville, who married Kate
Brennan ; Francis, deceased ; Richard ; Thomas ; Albert ; Frank ; Henry G. ;
Gertrude; and James, deceased.
WILLIAM C. RICHARDS is a very well known citizen at Fountain
Springs and the neighboring territory in Schuylkill county, and as a business
man and farmer has made good in his various undertakings. His lumber
business has grown to profitable proportions under his systematic operation.
As a farmer he is decidedly up to date, helping to keep up the reputation of
his neighborhood by his progressive policy.
Mr. Richards was born not far from his present location, at Centralia,
across the line in Columbia county, Feb. 20, 1869. His grandfather, William
Richards, was one of the early residents of that place and later moved to
Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county, buying a farm which he cultivated until
his death. He was engaged at mining all his life.
Thomas Richards, son of William, was born in Cornwall, England, and
like his father became a miner by occupation. For a number of years he was
engaged in the manufacture of British white oil, used for medicinal purposes,
building up an extensive business, which he carried on until his death. His
location was at Centralia. There he was married to Matilda Black, who
survives him, being now (1914) seventy years old. Her father, David Black,
a native of Ireland, settled near Minersville many years ago, and continued to
reside in that part of Schuylkill county all his life. He was employed at the
mines as a hoisting engineer. His wife's maiden name was Clatchey. To Mr.
and Mrs. Richards were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, of
whom Wilham, the eldest, is deceased; David B. lives with his mother in
Schuylkill county; William C. is mentioned below; Thomas B. is farmmg
in Schuylkill county ; Martha is the wife of Archie Kehler, of Mount Carmel,
Pa. ; Robert is farming in Schuylkill county ; Sarah is deceased.
William C. Richards was educated in the public schools of Centralia.
When still young he began work as a breaker boy at the mines, and as soon
as he was old enough became employed at more responsible duties in the
mines following this line until he reached the age of eighteen years. At that
time he commenced learning the trade of plumber, tinner and gasfitter. at
Centralia and continued to work at it there for five years after completing
his apprenticeship. For a time thereafter he was in the lumber business at
Fountain Springs with his brother Thomas, whom he eventually bought out,
since carrying it on alone, though he has also acquired other responsibilities
meantime Nineteen years ago he bought his farm, a tract of 135 acres m
Butler township near Fountain Springs, which has been undergoing steady
improvement along modern lines since it came into his possession.
On Dec T. i8q8 Mr Richards married Rose Kesselnng, who was born at
Fountain SpringT'daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kissell) Kesselnng,
570 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
pioneer settlers at that point. Air. Kesselring was an old-time railroad man,
and was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company when he met
an accidental death, at Alahanoy Plane, nine years ago. Mrs. Kesselring
died July 26, 1913, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Richards. Mr. and
Mrs. Richards have had one child, Catherine E. Mrs. Richards is a member
of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Richards has been active in the church
at Fountain Springs, which he is serving as trustee.
JOSLA.H HOLSHUE, a retired carpenter and contractor, now residing
at Gordon, Schuylkill county, was born in Little Mahanoy township, North-
umberland Co., Pa., April i, 1830, son of George and Sarah (^Kramer) Holshue,
natives of Northampton and Northumberland counties, Pa., respectively.
George Holshue was an early settler in Northumberland county, and was
a blacksmith by trade. He owned a farm there, and was also engaged in the
coal business for some years. He died in that county in 1871, and Mrs.
Holshue died the same year. She was a native of Northumberland county,
where her parents were among the first settlers ; there are many residents of
that county who spell the name Kremer, who are probably members of the
same German family. To Mr. and Mrs. Holshue were born ten children :
Christiana and Matilda, deceased; Josiah, mentioned below; Abbie, Sarah,
Emanuel and Ellen, deceased; Joseph; Benjamin; and Carrie, the wife of
Daniel Isenhart, of Philadelphia.
Josiah Holshue was educated in the schools of Little Mahanoy township,
Northumberland county, and worked on the farm with his father until he was
twenty-one years of age. He learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed
continuously until his retirement. In 1853 he came to Gordon and found
work at his trade, in 1859 entering the employ of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railway Company, with whom he remained for thirty-nine years. He then
went into the contracting business in Gordon, but during the last few years
has lived retired. Mr. Holshue was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Faust, daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Rarick) Faust, old residents of Schuylkill
county. Mrs. Holshue died in 1871, leaving five children: Orvella, wife of
Alfred Rice, of Gordon, formerly a business man there ; George, who married
Mary A. Isenhart, of Shamokin, and has two sons, George and Gordon ; Ed-
ward, deceased ; Sallie, wife of H. L. NeiT, of Gordon, who has two sons,
Luther and Alfred; and Harry, a resident of Tamaqua, who is married to
Louisa Reed and has one son, Reed.
Mr. Holshue is a member of the Methodist Church, in the work of which
he has been very active, being also interested in the work of the Simday school.
Fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Red Men. He has been
honored with election as chief burgess of Gordon, has been supervisor of the
township, and is now a member of the borough council. He resides in a hand-
some home at Gordon which he built himself, and is devoting his time to the
betterment of local conditions and to assisting in the development and growth
of the town of his adoption.
ELLAS DERR, one of the oldest residents of P.arry township, has farmed
all his life in that section of Schuylkill county. He was born in tliis county,
in the Mahanoy valley, Nov. 11, 1833, son of John and Sarah Derr, both also
nativps of the county. They settled in the valley at a very early day and
owned a farm there. John Derr died in 1848 and was long survived by his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 571
wife, her death occurring in 1885. They had a family of nine children, of
whom Daniel was the eldest; Elias is next in the family; Kate, Mrs. Stone, is
a resident of Williamsport ; Elizabeth, Solomon, Lovina and Hester are de-
ceased; William is living in Barry township; Isaac is deceased.
Elias Derr was reared and educated in Schuylkill county, attending the
public schools. Trained to farming from boyhood, he has always followed
agricultural pursuits and has been successful as the result of persevering atten-
tion to his work, coupled with thrift and judicious management. During the
Civil war he showed his sympathy with the Union cause by entering the serv-
ice as a member of Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he
served until the close of the struggle. His regiment was attached to Grant's
army. He was mustered out at Philadelphia, and returning to his home at
Taylorsville has since been established there. For a number of years he was
a member of the G. A. R. post at Ashland, this county, highly esteemed among
his comrades in that organization as he has been wherever known. He is
venerated for his upright career, having led a useful, honorable life which
entitles him to respect.
Mr. Derr has been twice married and has had three children by each union.
To the first were born : Henry, who is a resident of Ashland ; Alice, wife
of Benjamin Dirk; and John, now deceased. For his second wife he married
Ann Dittweiler, of Ringtown, Schuylkill county, daughter of John Dittweiler,
an old settler in the county, and she died Jan. 18, 1909, the mother of : Ila,
Mrs. Solon Eberhardt, of Butler township, this county ; Mary, who lives at
home; and Daniel, deceased. Mr. Derr is a Lutheran in religious connection.
SAMUEL C. WAGNER, late of Port Carbon, was one of the influential
citizens of that borough for a number of years, showing his interest in its
progress as a private citizen as well as in his official capacity. He was a
native of Reading, Berks Co., Pa., son of Benjamin Wagner. The father was
engaged for some years as a railroad engineer, and after settling at Palo Alto,
Schuylkill county, was foreman in the shops at that place. He died at Palo
Alto 'and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville. By his marriage
to Harriet Co.x, of Reading, Berks county, he had the following family : Sam-
uel C, Ellen, Emma, Benjamin and William. t^ ,- t,
Samuel C. Wagner was born Dec. 11, 1845. on Pme street, Reading, Pa.
and spent his early life in that borough. When sixteen years old he commenced
to learn the trade of machinist, at which he was employed at the time of his
enlistment, Feb. 4- 1864. in Company L, /th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.
He took part in a number of battles and received his honorable discharge Aug.
2^ i86q after the close of the war. Meantime his parents had removed from
Reading to Palo Alto, where he joined them, finding work at his trade in the
shops there, where he won steady promotion until he attained the position o
JSra foreman. He was so engaged for a period of nineteen years and stood
S S avor with his employers as well as the men under hini. Mr. Wagner
was very active m public affairs after his removal to Port Carbon, and his
eoodwo^^k received special recognition in his election as chief burgess in 1902
He hekl that office for a term of three years. His religious connection was with
^mIiwHs? Church He died at his home in Port Carbon Oct. 18, 1910, and
"btufeth^lmerii cemetery there. Socially he belonged to Post No.
,s btined in the ^^^^ ^j^^ M^^„„i^ l„dge at Orwigsburg. this county.
^' In i868"Mr Wagner married Mary A. Thomas, daughter of Abraham
572 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
and Elizabeth (Crawford) Thomas, who were the parents of six children,
namely; Mary A. (Mrs. Wagner), Catherine, John, Alberta, EHzabeth and
Susan. Mrs. Wagner was born at Orangeville, Columbia county, in which
region both the Thomas and Crawford families were early settlers. No chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, but they reared a niece, Mary Harris,
daughter of William and Catherine Harris, who lived with them from child-
hood. She is now the wife of Augustus DeWitt, and they continue to reside
with Mrs. Wagner. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have three children : Marion, Wil-
liam and Albert.
I
JOSEPH BENDRICK, late of New Philadelphia, was a man of remark-
able and versatile abilities, and his untimely decease was considered a public
loss as well as a sorrow in the home circle. A native of Gilberton, Schuylkill
county, born in March, 1873, he was of Lithuanian extraction, and by reason
of his familiarity with the tongue of his race and allied languages, as well as
English, was called upon to perform numerous services, officially and unoffi-
cially, which brought him into intimate contact with many foreigners of sim-
ilar origin in this region. His high character was the natural basis for a
confidence which made him looked up to as a leader. Equally popular among
all his fellow citizens, he filled many local offices, was a prosperous business
man, and worked for the success of every good movement in his borough.
Though he died in his prime, his name is enrolled among the most valuable
citizens of his generation.
Matthias Bendrick, father of Joseph Bendrick, was a native of Lithuania,
Russia, whence he came to America about 1867. Locating at Gilberton, near
Mahanoy Plane, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he was employed at mine work for some
time, and later engaged in farming, which he followed to the end of his days.
He died in 1900 at Coaldale, this county, when fifty-five years old, and his
widow passed away in 1910 at New Philadelphia, Schuylkill county. Her
maiden name was Francisca Nedzinski, and she, too, was born in Lithuania.
Four children were born to this marriage : Anthony, Domicella, Ellen and
Joseph.
Joseph Bendrick was self-educated, for when a youth he had to work hard,
on the farm and at the breaker. He was so ambitious that he would study
until the last minute, his brother and sisters helping him to dress meanwhile,
and all his life he studied up on whatever subjects he found information neces-
sary. For ten years during his youth and early manhood he was engaged in
clerking, first in the general store of John Bobbin, at Shenandoah, with whom
he remained some time. Later he was at Lost Creek and then at Blackwood,
this county, finally coming to New Philadelphia, in which borough he passed
the remainder of his life. Here he clerked for Mi". Briscoe, and in 1897 em-
barked on his own account in the hotel business, which he carried on until 1907.
Meantime he had commenced selling fire insurance, and did considerable busi-
ness in that line until his death, besides acting as agent for the principal trans-
atlantic steamship companies for over twenty-five years. His connection with
the municipal government was long and honorable. From 1904 until May,
1906, he was clerk at the county prison. In 1906 he was appointed to a clerical
position as deputy, in the office of the clerk of the courts at Pottsville, the county
seat, and filled it until 1909, after which he was in the docket clerk's ofl'ice
until his death. He served six years as borough assessor in New Philadelphia;
some years as member of the borough council, of which body he was presi-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 573
dent two years, clerk four years, treasurer one year, and he was serving it as
secretary at the time of his death; he was a member of the school board; and
he was elected justice of the peace a few years before his death, having about
two years more to serve.
Mr. Bendrick was an accomplished linguist, using Polish, Russian and
Lithuanian fluently, and for a long time he acted as court interpreter, attend-
ing many irnportant trials in that capacity. As such he was appealed to on
many occasions for assistance, and his unselfish attempts to ease the per-
plexities of those who relied upon his knowledge of the language and customs
of this country gained him the gratitude and friendship of the beneficiaries,
as well as the admiration of all who had the opportunity of realizing how much
he helped others. He was a member of the Catholic Church and of the Catholic
Slavish Union, a captain of the Knights of Saint Casimir of New Philadel-
phia, and a member of Saint Algerd's Society of Shenandoah. His death
occurred April 4, 191 5.
On Feb. 24, 1897, Mr. Bendrick married Helen Rogers, daughter of John
and Anna Rogers, of Pottsville. Her father, a native of Russia, came to Amer-
ica when a young man and first settled at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
where he followed mining for a time and later engaged in the hotel business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bendrick were born seven children: Blanche, Raphael,
Alice, Cyril, Irene, Joseph and Algerd. Mrs. Bendrick is a member of the
Catholic Qiurch at New Philadelphia, where she continues to reside in the
fine home which Mr. Bendrick established for his family.
HARRY C. MOORE, of Pine Grove, is filling a useful place in the activities
of the borough as a prosperous business man and efficient public servant.
After a varied experience he took a half interest in the manufacturing busi-
ness now conducted by Fox & Moore, of Pine Grove, and has cooperated most
eflfectively in its development. Pine Grove is his native place, and the family
has been associated with the life of that section of Schuylkill county for many
years.
Enoch Moore, grandfather of Harry C. Moore, was born in Lebanon county.
Pa., and coming to Schuylkill county at an early day conducted a mill in Pine
Grove township, where he remained until his death. His son, Franklin E.
Moore, father of Harry C. Moore, was also a native of Lebanon county and
was an iron worker by occupation. During the Civil war he was in the Union
service, being one of the first three months' men enrolled, and he was in the
ranks throughout his term. After being mustered out he returned to Pine
Grove, and he is a member of the G. A. R. post at that place. He is now liv-
ing retired, making his home with his sons. His wife, whose maiden name
was Elizabeth Kantner, was a native of Schuylkill county, and died Oct. 20,
1902. She was a daughter of Jonathan Kantner, who came hither from Berks
county. Pa., was a niiller in the early days, and died in Pine Grove, at the
home of his son-in-law, Franklin E. Moore, when eighty-four years old. Six
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, three still surviving: Clara, wife
of Calvin Hikes, of Pine Grove ; Franklin, of Lebanon, Pa. ; and Harry C.
Harry C. Moore was born in 187 1, and was educated in the schools of Pine
Grove. His school days over, he clerked in a general store in the borough for
a time and then took a position at Pottsvjlle, where he was in the employ of
Dives Pomeroy & Stewart for a number of years, being advanced to the
responsibility of buyer of wash goods and linens. Then he changed to their
574 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEiNNSYLVANIA
large store at Reading, where he was engaged for a time as salesman, subse-
quently having charge of an extensive establishment there, where he was in
business on his own account for two years. He was connected with the George
A. Ravel & Co. dry good store. Returning to Pine Grove he purchased a
share in the shirt factory, which has since claimed most of his attention,
being in an equal partnership with William S. Fox under the firm name of Fox
& Moore. Mr. Fox is now a resident of Pine Grove, but he also has a similar
establishment in Tremont, Schuylkill county. The product of the Pine Grove
factory consists of working shirts, and the output is taken up in the market
as soon as completed. The firm has fairly earned its place as a valuable indus-
trial asset of the borough, and Mr. Moore has done his part in bringing about
its success. The Pine Grove plant is 38 by 120 feet in dimensions, well lighted,
and equipped throughout with modern machinery, and employment is given
to one hundred hands. Mr. Moore is recognized as an able adviser in the
administration of important affairs, and is at present a member of the bor-
ough council, in which he has been doing effective work.
In 1895 Mr. Moore married Sallie Spancake, of Pine Grove, daughter of
John H. and Mary A. (Greenawalt) Spancake, who are well known residents
of the borough. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one child, Mary Elizabeth. Mr.
Moore is a member of the Lutheran Church, and fraternally he belongs to
Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M., of Reading; to the Alasonic Chapter at
Tremont ; to the P. O. S. of A., at Pine Grove ; to Mount Penn Lodge, No. 265,
K. of P., at Reading; and to the Sons of Veterans.
HON. J. WILFRED DONAHOE, of Ashland, Schuylkill countyT'at
present representing his district in the State Legislature, belongs to a family
whose activities in business as well as public circles have won them prestige
among the most valuable citizens of the borough. In the maternal line also
he is descended from a family of ability and worth, which has been prominent
in the community from early days. Mr. Donahoe was born in Ashland Nov.
21, 1880, son of Michael T. Donahoe, and father and son are now associated
in business there.
Thomas and Margaret (McCormic) Donahoe, the grandparents, were
born in the parish of Boyle, in County Roscommon, Ireland, and Michael and
Mary Donahoe, the great-grandparents, also lived in that parish, until their
emigration to the United States in 1846. The family settled at Broad Moun-
tain, near Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and Thomas Donahoe followed min-
ing there until 1855. He then moved to Ashland, where he passed the
remainder of his life, continuing to work as a miner. He died in June, 1864,
when forty-six years old. Of the six children who sunived him, ( I ) John J.,
the eldest, began working at the mines when very young, but later turned his
attention to music and had considerable success as a teacher, gaining a special
reputation as a vocalist. It was he who established the business now carried
on by his brother Michael, with whom he was in partnership for many years.
He met an accidental death July 20, 18S7, at a colliery near Ashland, where
he was then employed. He married, and his family record is given elsewhere
in this work. (2) Mary, the eldest daughter, is the widow of Anthony Mur-
phy, of Salem, Ohio, where she is still residing. (3) Margaret, deceased, was
the wife of Terrence O'Brien, of Decatur, 111. (4) One son lives in Salem,
Ohio. (5) Bridget, deceased, was a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. (6) Michael
T. is the father of J. Wilfred Donahoe.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 575
Michael T. Donahoe was born in 1854 at Broad Mountain, near Pottsville,
Schuylkill county, and has lived in Ashland from boyhood. He. received his
education in the public schools there and began work as a slate picker in the
mines. In 1872 he became associated in business with his elder brother John,
and he has been interested in the same line continuously to the present, dealing
in stationery, musical goods, wall-paper, pictures and books, and fancy goods.
He now has his son Wilfred as assistant in the store. Mr. Donahoe has been
very prominent in local musical circles, having done effective work as teacher
and director of the Catholic choirs in various places in the county, including
Alahanoy City. Mahanoy Plane, Heckscherville and Ashland, having continued
in this work for many years. He was musical director of the Holy Name
Society of St. Joseph's Church, Ashland. For one year he was vice president
of the Ashland Choral Union. Since 1878 he has been associated with public
affairs in Ashland. That year he was elected justice of the peace for two
wards, and he subsequently became chief burgess, in which office he served for
five years, giving the highest satisfaction to all concerned. His excellent judg-
ment and absolute fairness in the administration of all the affairs of the town
won him the approval of all his fellow citizens regardless of their personal
interest. Socially Mr. Donahoe is a prominent member of Father Sheridan
Council, Knights of Columbus, being a past deputy grand knight and grand
knight, and he and his family have long been members of St. Joseph's Catholic •
Church at Ashland. His association with any enterprise in the locality is
justly regarded as a distinct gain. The considerable influence he has enjoyed
for so long a period has always been directed to the advancing of the best
interests of the various organizations with which he has been associated, and
his work, particularly in musical circles, has merited and won high favor.
Mr. Donahoe was married at Ashland to Mary Elizabeth Wingert, daugh-
ter of Frank B. Wingert. a native of Pottsville, whose father was the lirst
cashier of the First National Bank of Ashland. The grandfather was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war. The Wingerts are of German descent, and have
been settled in Schuvlkill county from the early days, having come to this
section from Philadelphia. Her parents had a family of seven children:
Howard; Albert and Harry, both residents of Elizabeth, N. J.; William,
deceased'; Francis, deceased: Bertha, unmarried, who lives at Elizabeth, N. J.;
and Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Donahoe. To Mr. and :\Irs. Donahoe have been
born three children : Frances E. is the wife of Charles E. Pett, formerly of
New York City, now of EHzabeth, N. J.; J. Wilfred is mentioned below;
Gertrude K. is at home.
I Wilfred Donahoe was reared and educated m Ashland, receiving a
thorough training in the public schools. When he began work it was as his
father's assistant, and they have carried on the business together with steady
success His interest in public questions has led him into considerable activity
in local affairs and he has shown the sincerity of his methods and his genuine
desire to be of use to his district during the four years of his service in the
Pennsylvania State Legislature, to which body he was elected m 1910. He is
at present a candidate for reelection, a circumstance which gives ample proof
of the confidence he enjoys in his own party. Socially he holds membership
in the B P O Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles, and m the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, and he is a member of the Catholic Church, belonging to St.
Joseph's parish in Ashland.
576 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DANIEL D. DEIBERT, for more than forty-three years engaged in the
mercantile business and now one of the leading merchants at Auburn, Schuyl-
kill county, was born in this county, at Schuylkill Haven, Feb. 21, 1840, son
of Joseph Deibert.
Michael Deiver (as the name was then spelled) was the founder of the
family here. He was bom in Germany, and came with his family to America,
settling in Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., near Michael's Church. He was
one of a family of five children, and in partnership with his brother Wilhelm
he invested in 300 acres of land in North Manheim township, on the road
leading from Schuylkill Haven to Landingville. Michael's share was the John
Filbert place. The Indians interfered with their planting operations! so in the
course of time they were compelled to flee from the marauding savages, bury-
ing their farming tools until their return. They failed to find them afterwards,
but when the Schuylkill canal was being dug the tools were unearthed.
Michael had five sons and two daughters: Henry married a Miss Kreiner;
Andrew, a Miss Luckenbill ; Michael, a Miss Luckenbill ; Christian, a Miss
Miller ; Catherine married John Dewald ; John is mentioned below ; Elizabeth
married Daniel Repp. Michael is buried at the Red Church in North Man-
heim township, Schuylkill county.
John Deibert was bom in North J^Ianheim township, and was a farmer by
occupation. He is buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He was
twice married, his first wife being a Renchler and his second a Wagner. His
children were as follows : Daniel, who lived at Schuylkill Haven ; George,
mentioned below ; Jacob, who died at Schuylkill Haven ; John, who died at the
same place ; Benjamin, who died at Pottsville ; William, who died in the Upper
Mahantongo valley ; Samuel ; Hannah, who married Henry Hummel, of Selins-
grove. Pa. ; and Christine, who married Henry Shelly, of Pottsville.
George Deibert cultivated the farm now owned by Rubens S. Peale, in
North Manheim township, and there died in his thirty-eighth year. He is
buried near the Red Church. He married Mary Faust, and their children
were: William, George, Joseph, Henry, Daniel, Abraham, Mrs. Sallie Kleine,
Mrs. Susan Wagner, and two daughters who married Rickert brothers and
went West.
Joseph Deibert was born Feb. 22, 1818, on the Peale farm in North Man-
heim township, and attended the country schools. He adopted the occupation
of boatbuilder, working at the trade at Landingville in partnership with his
brother William, under the firm name of Deibert Bros. & Co. In the later
years of his life he removed to Auburn, where he died May 13, 1900. His
remains rest in the cemetery attached to the old Red Church. Joseph Deibert
was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Drumheller, and to them were
bora five children, viz.: Daniel D. ; Susan, who married Morgan Albright;
Mary, who married T- P- Hoffman ; Elizabeth, who died young ; and Guy,
living at Port Richmond, Staten Island, N. Y., where he has a dock and is
engaged in boatbuilding.
"Daniel D. Deibert began working at the trade of boatbuilder with his father
when he was but fourteen years of age, and followed that occupation for a
period of thirteen years. He then opened a store at Landingville, which he
conducted for about twenty years, at the end of that time selling out to his
son Samuel. For a short time he was in partnership with his son Milton
in the shoe business, and then he moved to Auburn in 1893 to engage in the
general business which he now carries on. Mr. Deibert was married to
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 577
Catherine Metz, daughter of Samuel Metz. She died at the age of thirty-
eight years, and is buried at the Red Church. The following children were
born to this union : Samuel, a well known merchant of Orwigsburg, Pa. ;
Frank A., who died young; MiUon, living in Philadelphia: and Elizabeth!
Mr. Deibert married for his second wife Catherine Ann Kepner. daughter
of Bernard and Mary A. (Richard) Kepner, and they have one child, Catherine
May, wife of Harry Runkle, residing at home. Mr. Runkle is a shoe manu-
facturer of Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Deibert is a member of the Methodist denomination, while his family
attend the Lutheran Church. He took an active part in the work of the
Sunday school while he resided at Landingville, and for many years was its
superintendent. He was one of the organizers of the borough of Landing-
ville during the time he served as postmaster there. He also assisted in the
organization of the camp of the P. O. S. of A. at that place. Mr. Deibert
has held the office of tax collector. Since coming to Auburn he has given
all of his time to his store. He is a man of fine commercial acumen and has
a large circle of friends in the town.
DR. DENNIS J. MURPHY, of Girardville, Pa., a prominent dentist, was
bom at Locustdale, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Dennis and Honore (Quick)
Murphy, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Schuylkill county. The
paternal grandfather of Dr. Murphy died in Ireland.
Dennis Murphy, the father, came to America at an early age and settled at
Locustdale, where he followed mining for a number of years, also for a time
being in the hotel business. He died in 1904 at Jersey City, where the family
had moved some years previously. His wife, Honore, moved, in 1906, to
Girardville, where she has since resided with her son. Dr. Murphy. To them
were born children as follows : Sarah, who is a Sister of Charity in New York
State, under the religious name of Sister Margaret Dolores ; John, who died
in 1907; Delia, living at home; Mary, wife of Frank Bradley, of Jersey City;
one child that died in infancy; Catherine, wife of Thomas Burke, of Girard-
ville ; two children who died in infancy ; and Dennis J.
William Quick, the maternal grandfather of Dennis J. Murphy, was one
of the pioneers of Schuylkill county, living near Fountain Springs, where he
cultivated a farm, also engaging in mining. For several years he vvas in the
West, where he operated gold and silver mines, but returned to Girardville,
where he died in 1905.
Dennis T- Murphy began his education at Locustdale, and when the family
moved to jersey City attended the parochial schools at that place, also St.
Peter's College, from which he graduated at the age of seventeen. He then
became employed at the American Type Foundry in Jersey City, for several
years, and when the familv removed to Girardville he entered the employ
of the Reading Railway Company as a telegrapher, remaining with them for
some time. In 1910 he entered the Philadelphia College of Dentistry, graduat-
ing from that institution in 191 2, with honors for proficiency in his studies.
While at college he was made captain of the baseball club.
After his t^raduation Dr. Murphy went to Jersey City and took charge of
the office of Dr Fappelle, but after a short stay there came to Girardville, the
same year and opened his present office. He has built up an extensive practice
in Girardville and vicinity and is popular with the general public. He is a
member of the State and county dental societies, and holds membership in
Vol. 1—37
578 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
several other dentists' organizations ; belongs to Girardville Council, Knights
of Columbus ; Ashland Lodge, No. 284, B. P. O. Elks ; and the college
fraternity of Sigma Kappa Psi, as well as the Alumni association of his
college. Dr. Murphy resides with his mother and sisters at Girardville.
WILLIAM E. ZAPF, of Minersville, bears a name which has been asso-
ciated with business thrift and prosperity in that community for several dec-
ades. He is a son of Charles A. Zapf. and grandson of Charles and Cecilia
Zapf, who reared a family of ten children. The grandfather was a lumber-
man.
Charles A. Zapf was born June 22, 1836, in Baden, Germany, and received
the thorough education and vocational training for which his native land is
noted. He learned the trades of brewer and cooper. Coming to the United
States in 1854, he was first at Philadelphia for a short time, the same year
settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he found employment with the
George Lauer Brewing Company. He was afterwards with F. C. Kuenczler
and J. G. Yuengling in the same town. In 1870 Mr. Zapf moved thence to
Minersville, where he was in the employ of Daniel Frier for five years, and in
1876 was a brew-master in the old Freiler brewery on Laurel street. Then,
in partnership with the late Charles Buehner, he formed the first firm devoted
to the manufacture of porter in Schuylkill county, and in 1879 bought the
present establishment, located at the rear of his home on Sunbury street. His
association with Mr. Buehner continued until 1900, when Mr. Zapf purchased
the entire interest, and he has since carried on the business with his sons,
Fred and William, and his son-in-law, James Clendenning. The plant is the
only brewery in the county devoted exclusively to the manufacture of porter,
and the product is marketed principally in the immediate territory. Mr.
Zapf's business ability and characteristic German perseverance have been
well supplemented by the ability of the younger men associated with the
concern, and the Zapfs have always maintained the highest reputation for
business integrity. The business has grown until seven men are now steadily
employed and three teams are constantly engaged. The product, between
four and five thousand barrels annually, is noted for its purity and whole-
someness. Mr. Zapf's industrious life has given him the respect of all his
fellow citizens, and he is well liked in the home of his adoption.
In 1861 Mr. Zapf enlisted in the Union army for three months in response
to President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men, and served to the close of
his term. His regiment saw service in Virginia, and Iiad trying experiences
of hardship and exposure for raw troops. They were on their way to take
part in the first battle of Bull Run when it was learned that the engagement
was over. Mr. Zapf is a member of the Grand Army Post at Minersville.
On Aug. 17, 1856, Mr. Zapf married Catharina Eberly, who was born in
Schuylkill county. Pa., daughter of the late Christian and Rosena Eberly. Four
children have been bom to this union: William E. ; Fred, who married
Jennie Schrop, and has two children, Clyde and Helen; Matilda, wife of
Patrick Gilmore, of Williamstown, Pa.; and Louisa, who married James
Clendenning, formerly of Chester, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Zapf are members of
the German Lutheran Church, and have reared their children in the same
William E. Zapf was born June 10, 1865, in New York City, and was
reared at Minersville, receiving his education in the public schools. He' has
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 579
always been employed with his father, at present taking charge of all the
inside work, and he has become very successful in this branch of the business.
Mr. Zapf has mingled in local affairs to the extent of long service on the
school board, of which he has been a member for over ten years, was formerly
vice president, and is now treasurer of that body. He votes independently.
Socially he belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and he is a promi-
nent member of the German Lutheran Church, having been secretary of the
Zion's Beneficial Society since he was nineteen years old. Mr. Zapf married
Mary E. Hart, of Minersville, and they have one son, Earle.
WILLIAM E. ZERBE has been established in business at Pine Grove for
over twenty years and is now one of the leading citizens of the borough. The
prosperity of his own undertakings, and the force of his influence in promoting
stable commercial conditions, are sufficient to indicate the ability which has
carried him forward steadily.
The Zerbe family is of French extraction and has been settled in America
for two centuries. The name is found variously spelled — Zerby, Zerve, Zerwe
and Zerben. Lorenz Zerbe, the first progenitor in America of the line here
under consideration, came originally from Lorraine, France, but owing to
steadfast loyalty to their religious faith he and other members of the family
were obliged to seek homes elsewhere, in order to worship according to con-
science. Journeying from France into Germany, and thence to Holland, they
were among those who availed themselves of the invitation of Queen Anne
of England, who offered to transport a large number of emigrants to the New
World. Arriving in England Christmas evening, 1709, they were among the
four thousand who thus set sail for America, fourteen hundred dying on the
way over. Thev landed at New York, and shortly afterwards were sent up the
Hudson, remaining in New York State until 1723. When they heard that
William Penn had been in Germany and brought about the immigration of a
number of Germans, thirty-three families under the guidance of an Indian
made their way into Pennsylvania, down the Susquehanna river into the fertile
valley of the Tulpehocken, in what is now Berks county. In a sketch of
Conrad Weiser we find the following concerning these colonists: Whilst in
his fourteenth year he emigrated with his father and family (which included
himself and seven other children) to New York, landing June 17, 1710. At
that time several thousand Germans were sent to America by Queen Anne.
Shortly after their arrival they were removed to Livingston Manor by the
Governor of New York, to burn tar and cultivate hemp to defray the expenses
incurred by Oueen Anne in conveying them from Holland to England and from
En^rland to America. They labored till 1713 i" this employment under the
direction of commissioners ; then, finding that they were existing under a form
of bondage they protested against the treatment, and thus eftected their release.
About ISO families of them, including the Weiser family, removed to Scho-
harie forty miles west of Albany. The settlers having been disturbed in
heir possessions, Conrad Weiser's father and a number of others migrated to
Pennsylvania. They located in Tulpehocken m the spring of 1723. m he
midst of the Indians; and there they also commenced the improx^ment of the
hnl without permission from the land commissioners. The ndians com-
h ned but he settlers were not disturbed. Subsequently the Indians released
ertl sad about I733 they removed beyond the Blue mountains.
Ripp in his "30,000 Names of Immigrants," shows a Lorenz Zerbe who
580 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
came from Schoharie to Tulpehocken in 1723, and in addition to Lorenz
mentions a John Phihp Zerbe, and a Martin Zerbe, among those above twenty-
one years of age who passed the winter of 1710 and the summer of 171 1 in
Livingston Manor, N. Y., and who may have come to Tulpehocken at a later
period. The name of John or Johan has been a favorite one in the family,
as appears from the tax lists and vital statistics. This bears out the family
tradition that three brothers came over. John Philip Zerbe enlisted for service
in Queen Anne's war in 171 1 and was never afterwards heard from. Martin
and Lorenz Zerbe were among those who settled in the Tulpehocken valley
in 1723.
John Zerbe, son of Lorenz, was one of the company of thirty-three families
who came from New York in 1723. He was a miller, owning a gristmill and
sawmill south of Womelsdorf. His family consisted of twenty-five children,
nineteen sons and six daughters, all of whom reached maturity and married.
One of his sons, Michael, was an officer in the Colonial army during the
Revolutionary war. All the Zerbes in the Tulpehocken valley followed agri-
cultural pursuits.
Philip Zerbe, Sr., son of John, above, died in 1790.
Philip Zerbe, Jr., son of Philip, Sr., was born in 1765 and died in 1831.
Daniel Zerbe, son of Philip, Jr., was born in 1799 and died in 1874.
His son,
Daniel Zerbe, Jr., bom Aug. i. 1824, died Jan. 9, 1882. Like his father
he made his home in Washington township, Schuylkill county. He was twice
married, having three children by one wife (the mother of William L. G.)
and six by the other, three sons and three daughters. One of the latter,
D. O. Zerbe, is a resident of Reading, Pa., superintendent of the Tuberculosis
hospital at that place.
William LaFayette G. Zerbe, son of Daniel, Jr.. was born in 1845, in
Washington township, Schuylkill county, and died in 1905. His own sisters
are also deceased. By trade he was a shoemaker, and he followed that calling
all his life, in 1874 settling at Pine Grove, where he had a shoe store, carrying
it on successfully for many years. He married Melissa Hain, who was born
in 1848, daughter of Henry and Maria (Naftzinger) Hain and a descendant
of Philip Jacob Hain, who came from Germany Sept. 6, 1739. and died Jan.
9, 181 3. He married Anna Maria Burger, who was born March 16, 1752,
and died Oct. 27. 1819. They first settled in Berks county. Pa., where they
were engaged in farming. Later they moved to what is now Schuylkill county
and settled in Wayne township, where they also followed agricultural pursuits.
Jacob Hain, son of Philip Jacob, was born in Berks county in 1776 and died in
"1851. He was a farmer, and his son Henry, Mrs. MeHssa Zerbe's father, also
engaged in that calling. The latter was born in 1824, in Wayne township,
this county, and died in 1864. He married Maria Naftzinger, daughter of
Peter Naftzinger, granddaughter of Jacob Naftzinger and great-granddaughter
of Matthew Naftzinger, and member of a family long settled in this country.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. G. Zerbe had but one child, William E. The mother is
still living.
William E. Zerbe was born Feb. 15, 1868, in Washington township, Schuyl-
kill county, and was but a child when he accompanied his parents to Pine
Grove. His education was obtained in the public schools of the township and
borough, and he subsequently learned the carpenter's trade. In 1893 he
engaged in business for himself as a furniture dealer and undertaker, and in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 581
1905 expanded his field of operations by entering the lumber trade as well
continuing both lines at present. His son, Charles VV. Zerbe. is now associated
witli him, and they are catering to a thriving trade, acquired in years of
watchful attention to the requirements of their patrons. With commendable
enterprise the Zerbes have been on the alert to give their customers the
benefit of all new ideas and methods in their particular line, and this policy
of consideration has been rewarded with increased patronage. At one time
William E. Zerbe was manager of the Pine Grove furniture factory, looking
after the duties of that position besides attending to his other affairs. His
capable direction of his own alTairs commended him to his fellow citizens
for public office, and he has served them conscientiously for six years as
treasurer of Pine Grove township. He has several fraternal connections,
belonging to Pine Grove Lodge, No. 409, E. & A. M. ; Pine Grove Lodge,
No. 148, I. O. O. F., and Washington Camp No. 49, P. O. S. of A.
On March 24, 1888, Air. Zerbe married Lillie N. Shelly, a native of Pine
Grove borough, daughter of Linnis and Eliza (Keeney) Shelly, the father a
merchant at Lititz, Pa., where Mr. and Mrs. Shelly lived to the end of their
lives. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Zerbe, Qiarles W., the eldest,
now associated in business with his father, married Emma Lehmey, of Pine
Grove, and they have one son, Harry. James M., the second, married OUie
Hoy, of Pine Grove, and they have one son, Walter. Annie M., the only
daughter of this family, is at home. John S. is deceased. Mr. Zerbe is a
member of the Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong.
HARRY HAMBLETON STEWART, M. D., of Friedensburg, is a much
esteemed member of the medical profession in Schuylkill county. His inter-
ests have always centered in the calling of his choice, and besides attending
faithfully to the demands of a constantly increasing private practice he has
become associated with the broader activities open to the wide-awake physi-
cian, through the medium of various medical associations and no less through
the opportunities he finds in the course of his daily duties. Familiar contact
with his fellow citizens of all classes has given him real insight regarding the
conditions which prevail in his community, and no one is better qualified to
judge its needs. Hence his participation in local affairs has been welcomed,
and his energy and willingness to aid in all helpful movements have won
grateful appreciation in the best element.
Dr. Stewart is a native of the State of Maryland, born in Talbot county
June 2^, 1869, on the farm where his boyhood was spent. His parents. Perry
W. and Eliza J. ( Malony ) Stewart, were natives, respectively, of Maryland
and Delaware. After the usual attendance at the public schools in his home
neighborhood, Dr. Stewart took a course at the Palm business college in Phil-
adelphia, and on its completion found a position with J. B. Shannon & Sons,
hardware dealers, in that city, as cashier and collector, remaining with them
for two years. Subsequently he spent five years in the employ of William H.
Horstman & Co., as assistant cashier and bookkeeper, and five years as a
clerk in the administration department of the city of Philadelphia. After one
year of special study at the Temple College (now Temple University, Phila-
delphia) he entered, in October, 1902, the Medico-Chirurgical College, Phil-
adelphia, where he took the full course, and after four years there gave
another year to study at the Baltimore (Md.) Medical College, from which
institution he was graduated with the class of 1907. During the next few
582 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
months he was in the dispensary of the Medico- Chi rurgical College at Phila-
delphia, on July 28, 1907, settling at Friedensburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where
he took the practice of the late Dr. Cleaver. The same year he was appointed
deputy county coroner, under Dr. Cillers, and in 1912 he was again appointed,
under Dr. Moore, serving in that capacity at present. He has served as
medical inspector for the schools of South Manheim, Wayne and Washington
townships, under county medical inspector Dr. Rodgers, of Pottsville. He
has taken a prominent part in the work of the local medical societies, having
been president of the Schuylkill County Society in 1913, and for two years
vice president of the Southern Schuylkill Medical Association. He also holds
meml3ership in the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American
Medical Association. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Americans and
the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
As the need and advantages of various public utilities have appealed to him
Dr. Stewart has used his influence in establishing the same in his locality,
and he was the original promoter of the Friedensburg Rural Telephone Com-
pany, which he organized and of which he is now president. He is also a
director of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, and his association with both
enterprises went far to gain them confidence in the community. Politically he
is a Republican, but he takes no active part in the workings of the party in his
own behalf, having no ambition for public honors. Church work has also
claimed a large share of his attention as one of the zealous members of the
United Brethren congregation ; he is a trustee of that organization, and is presi-
dent of the Union Y. P. S. C. E.
On Oct. 18, 1893, Dr. Stewart married Annie E. Brenneman, daughter of
Benjamin and Mary (Kahler) Brenneman, of Lancaster county. Pa. They
have two children: Florence A., born Aug. 11, 1894, and Harry H., born
Sept. 28, 1900.
IRVIN U. YODER, of Hegins, is one of the men of action who have done
substantial service to this section of Schuylkill county in promoting industrial
conditions. The ability which he has demonstrated in the course of his career
as a manufacturer is sufficient to entitle him to a place among the business men
to whom the community may look for profitable development of its enterprises.
The branch of the Yoder family to which he belongs has been established here
since the early days, and his grandfather, John Yoder, was born in the county,
where he passed all his life. He died when his second youngest child, Frank-
lin, father of Ir\'in U. Yoder, was three years old.
Franklin Yoder was bona in the Mahantongo valley in Schuylkill county,
and died Feb. 17, 1914, at the age of sixty years. At the time of his death he
was a resident of Hegins township, occupying the home where his widow,
Eleanor (Gable), still resides. She was bom in Hegins township, daughter of
Charles Gable, who farmed and also followed the trade of mason : he lived
and died in Hegins township. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Yoder: Jane is the wife of Jerome Herb, of Mahantongo; Irvin U. is next
in the family ; Harrison is also engaged in manufacturing: business ; Emma
lives at home ; Estella is the wife of Harvey Reed, a farmer of Heeins town-
ship; Elmer is a minister of the Church of God, at present located at Suedberg,
Pa. : Earl is fixing at home.
Irvin U. Yoder was bom at Locustdale, Schuylkill county, and received his
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 583
education in the public schools in Hegins township. His first regular employ-
ment after leaving school was in the mines, where he continued to work until
1902, in which year he purchased the business to which he has since devoted
all his time. He carries on the manufacture of shirts at Hegins, and has a
practical knowledge of the methods of production which combines well with
his gifts as a business manager. The trade was increased steadily during his
ownership, the patronage, drawn chiefly from the home territory, being now
quite extensive. Mr. Yoder has applied most of his energies to the building
up of the business, and the results are highly creditable. He is a member of
the Evangelical Church and interested in the success of its activities. As a
citizen he ranks with the men of worth in his locality.
In 1 901 Mr. Yoder married Ora Heckert, of Hegins, daughter of John
and Alice (Updegrave) Heckert, who still reside at that town, Mr. Heckert
now living retired. At one time he was engaged in the mercantile business.
Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have five children; Roy, Grace, Violet, Talmer and Ruel.
FRANCIS W. HEINE was a prosperous business man of Orwigsburg for
a number of years, until he returned to the home place in West Brunswick
township ten years ago and settled down to farming. He has about one hun-
dred acres under cultivation, and for up-to-date methods and business-like
management is rated with the most progressive agriculturists in his section of
Schuylkill county. As a citizen his cooperation and influence are valued forces
in the development of his locality. Mr. Heine was born Oct. 26, 1862, at his
mother's home in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Solomon and Mary
(Henricks) Heine.
StDlomon Heine, the father, was born in the borough of Tamaqua, Schuyl-
kill countv, and there received his education. Before he attained his major-
ity he had served an apprenticeship to the plasterer's trade, becoming a jour-
neyman, and he followed that calling principally in West Brunswick town-
ship. About fifteen years before his death he bought a farm in South Man-
heim township, and devoted the remainder of his life to its cuUivation. He was
a citizen interested in local affairs, serving a number of terms as school director,
and was active in the interests of the Republican party, acting as judge of elec-
tion. He was a member of the Evangelical Church of Orwigsburg, of which
he was a regular attendant for many years. He married Mary Henricks,
daughter of Michael Henricks (whose wife was a Loy), and she survives him,
being now (1915) seventy years old. Mr. Heine died at the age of sixty-eight
years and is buried in the Evangelical cemetery at Orwigsburg. We have the
follovving record of their children: Francis W. is mentioned below; Charles
H an underwear manufacturer in Girardville, married Rose Miller (he has
served two terms as poor director, and is candidate for the third term) ; Caro-
lina died aged twenty-two years ; Michael Henry is a successful business man
at Orwigsburg- Amanda married Charles Potts, a plasterer, of Orwigsburg;
Kate married Tohn Deibert, a shoemaker, of Orwigsburg; James, a farmer in
West Brunswick township, married Mamie Heiser. , \ j ■
Francis W Heine was about six months old when his parents located in
East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, on the place now owned by
Tohn Mimm He attended the Bolich school, in the Middle district of that
township and received his business training under the able direction of his
father, for whom he worked until he reached his majority. He was thoroughly
instructed in the trade of mason and plasterer, which he followed steadily for
584 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
a period of twenty-three years. The family moved to West Brunswick town-
ship in 1882, buying the place he now owns. When twenty-seven years old
he married and moved to Orwigsburg, where he made his home for sixteen
years, during that time being engaged as a plastering contractor. Meantime
he had bought sixteen acres of ground in West Brunswick township, and in
igoj he purchased his present property from his father, settling thereon the
same year. He also retains his former purchase, and cultivates about one
hundred acres of his land, following general farming, though he has gone
quite extensively into fruit raising, having at present fourteen hundred young
trees, of many varieties. He has also become interested in bees, having a num-
ber of hives, and has been very successful in this line, which he is following
in the most approved modern fashion. Mr. Heine has not only looked well
after his own interests, but has also taken part in the broader affairs affecting
the community, and while a resident of Orwigsburg served in the borough
council ; he was elected school director immediately upon his removal to West
Brunswick township. On political issues he is a Republican. He belongs to
Protective Council, No. 1256, and to the Grange at McKeansburg, having for
several years been a faithful member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He also
holds membership in Washington Camp No. 86, P. O. S. of A., of Orwigsburg.
Mr. Heine married Fannie Moyer, who was born March 20, 1872, at the
place in West Brunswick township where Joel Degler now resides, received
her education in the neighboring schools there, and remained at home until
her marriage. Six children have been born to this union : Mabel, born May
24, 1890, was educated in Orwigsburg, and is now the wife of W. S. Achey
(born April 18, 1879), by whom she has had three children, Ethel (born
March 18, 1911), William Francis (born Dec. 4, 1912) and David I-eroy
(born Dec. 31, 1913) ; John Solomon, born Jan. 25, 1893, attended the primary
and grammar schools in West Brunswick township and high school at Orwigs-
burg, and is now assisting his father on the home farm ( he is a member of
Industrial Council, No. 437, Order of Independent Americans, at Orwigs-
burg) ; Hannah Elizabeth was born Dec. 12, 1899; Mary Alice, March 13,
1902; George K., March 9, 1904; Carl, born April 3, 1906, died when fifteen
months old. The younger children have attended school in West Brunswick
township. Mrs. Heine and her daughter Mabel are members of the Evan-
gelical Church of Orwigsburg ; the mother attended Sunday school there for
many years.
(George K. Moyer, grandfather of Mrs. Heine, was bom Nov. 15, 1818,
near the Red Church (Zion's) in West Brunswick township, where Mrs.
Celia Mengle now lives. He owned several farms, and was a prosperous farmer
and huckster most of his life ; when he started out for himself he followed
the timber business a few years. He died at the age of seventy-eight years,
two months, and is interred in the burial ground of Zion's (Red) Church,
donated by the Moyer family for that purpose, with the agreement that all
Moyers might be buried there free of charge. George K. Aloyer belonged to
the Salem Evangelical Church at Orwigsburg and was one of its active mem-
bers and officials, a good Christian man in every relation of life, and, what
was unusual in his day, an ardent Prohibitionist. His first wife, Susanna
(Hoy), daughter of Abraham Hoy, died at the age of thirty-four years, the
mother of seven children, namely: Lewis, who died young; John H.; Samuel
H., deceased, who married Carrie Shome, now a resident of Hamburg, Pa. ;
Amelia, widow of Charles Ege, living at Orwigsburg; Susanna, who married
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 585
William F. Gerhard; Mary, deceased; and Mary (2), widow of Samuel P.
Kindt. By his second marriage, to Lavina Faust, daughter of Dewalt Faust,
Mr. Moyer had no children. She .survives him, being now (1915) about
seventy-six years of age, and is a resident of Orwigsburg.
John H. Moyer, son of George K. Moyer and father of Mrs. Heine, was
born June 3, 1845, near Pottsville, was educated in the schools of West Bruns-
wick township, and worked for his father on the home farm until twenty-one
years old. Afterwards he rented the place for twenty-two years, buying it
after his father's death. It contained loi acres, about eighty of which were
cleared, and he continued to operate the tract until about seventeen years ago,
when he sold it and purchased fourteen acres, to whose cultivation he devoted
the next ten years. Retiring, he removed to Orwigsburg, where he bought a
home from his son-in-law, Mr. Heine. He is a member of the Evangelical
Church and a regular attendant at its services, contributing his share towards
the support of the organization and its enterprises. In politics he is a
Republican.
Mr. Moyer married Mary Ann Lessig, who was born Feb. 7, 1847, ''*
Pottstown, Pa., daughter of James B. and Susanna (Baum) Lessig, and died
Sept. 23, 1902. She is buried at Zion's (Red) Church in West Brunswick
township. To this union were born the following children : Susanna is the
wife of Allen McAllister, of Pottsville, Pa.; Walter L., who resides at Schuyl-
kill Haven and is engaged in the operation of a jitney bus between that place
and Pottsville, married Lizzie Moyer; George L., who is deceased, married
Queenie Kircher, who lives at Pottsville; Fannie is Mrs. Francis W. Heine;
Carrie, deceased, was the wife of Albert Redford, of New Jersey ; Katie died
when ten years old ; Mamie died when six months old ; Robert died when one
month old. Since his first wife's death Mr. Moyer has married twice, his
third wife being Katie Smith. There are no children by this marriage.
THOMAS D. DAVIS, postmaster at Girardville, Schuylkill county, was
born June 18. 1873, son of Thomas D. and Gwenney (James) Davis, the family
being of Welsh descent.
David Davis, the grandfather of Thomas D. Davis, was a native of Aber-
dare Wales. He came to America in 1863 and settled in Schuylkill county.
Pa 'near Minersville, where he engaged in mining the rest of his life, bemg
killed in an accident in the mines soon after he came to this section. His
wife died at Scranton, where she had gone to visit her daughter. Both were
buried at Minersville, Schuylkill county. David Davis was married to Mary
Cromaee a native of the same town in Wales as her husband. _
Thomas D. Davis, father of Thomas D. Davis, was born in Aberdare,
Wales and was a miner by occupation. He grew up m that county and was
married there to Gwenney, daughter of Thomas and Jeannette James, both
natives of Wales. To this union were born thirteen children: (i) Maiy
Ann. deceased, was born in Wales. (2) Elizabeth, wife of William Davis,
was the f^rst child of the family born in this country. She resides in Phila-
delphia (3) David is a resident of Girardville, Pa (4) Jeannette, now de-
ceased was the wife of Har^'ey Williams, of Girardville. (5) John is
deceased. (6) Thomas, also deceased, passed away '" yo"* as did his
brother John, their deaths occurring but three weeks ^P^'^*, //\J™
Dnvid is mentioned below. (8) One child died m infancy. (9) Margaret is
Jhe wife S^F Harvey C. Bleam, of Philadelphia. (10) Gwenney is the wife
586 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENXSYLVAXIA
of Alfred C. Bennie, of Washington, D. C. (ii) Lewis resides in Girard-
ville. (12) William is a resident of Philadelphia. (13) George lives at
Shamokin, Pa. Mr. Davis was engaged in mining until he partially lost his
eyesight. In 1868 he removed to Girardville and engaged in the hotel business,
conducting it until his death in 1892, from pneumonia.
Thomas D. Davis attended the public schools of Girardville, and at the age
of sixteen began work in the mines. He followed this occupation until his
twenty-first year, when he took charge of the hotel so long conducted by his
father, managing it for his mother fifteen years very successfully. On May
14, 1908, Mr. Davis was appointed postmaster of Girardville by President
Roosevelt, and on April 5, 1912, was reappointed to the position by President
Taft, being still in office in 1914. On April 27, 1904, Mr. Davis was united
in marriage to Bessie Mae Gallagher, and they have two children, George
and Helen. Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Neiflrert) Galla-
gher, of Tamaqua, old settlers in this county, Mr. Gallagher having been
many years an engineer on the Reading railroad ; and he is now a stationary
engineer at Tamaqua. Mrs. Gallagher died Sept. i. 1908. Mr. and Mrs.
Gallagher had children as follows : Emma is the wife of David Stabler, of
Tamaqua; John resides in Tamaqua; Carrie is the wife of Jacob Henry, of
Tamaqua ; Bessie Mae is Mrs. Davis ; Ella is the wife of William Horan, of
Tamaqua; Etta is unmarried and resides in Philadelphia; Annabelle is the
wife of Edgar Roberts, of Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Davis is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
at Ashland, of Girard Hose Company, No. i, of Girardville, and of the
Foresters of America, of which latter organization he has for some years
been treasurer. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Re-
publican. Like many of the Welsh he is a thorough musician, and he is
noted for his ability in that line throughout the county. He enlisted during
the Spanish-American war as a musician, and served throughout that brief
struggle.
I
REV. CLEMENT D. KRESSLEY, A. :\I., of Hegins, Schuylkill county,
is pastor of the Reformed Church in the Deep Creek charge, where his devo-
tion to his individual responsibilities and encouragement of all good movements
have won him the loyal support of his parishioners and the esteem of every
citizen of the community.
Mr. Kressley belongs to an old Pennsylvania family supposedly of Swiss
origin. It is thought that they moved from Switzerland to Germany, whence
the ancestors of the branch here under consideration came to America. The
family was settled in Lehigh county, Pa., at an early day, where lived Jonathan
Kressley (grandfather of Rev. Mr. Kressley), who later moved to Carbon
county, this State, where he died. By occupation he was a farmer and carpet
weaver.
Daniel Kressley, father of Clement D. Kressley, was born in the town of
Lvnnport, in Lehigh county, Pa. He received an excellent education, and
taught school for many years in Carbon county, where he is now living retired
from business, though active physically. A good farmer in early life, he is still
interested in agriculture, owning a good farm. His experience as an educator
has been useful to his fellow citizens of his home township, where he has
been called upon for service as school director and secretary of the local
board. He is also active in religious work as a member of the Lutheran
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 587
Church, of which he is at present an elder and one of the board of trustees.
During the Civil war Mr. Kressley served the Union cause under two enlist-
ments. He was but eighteen years old when he first volunteered, from Carbon
county, as a member of the I32d Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which he
took part in the battle of Gettysburg, as well as other engagements. He was
a corporal at the time of his discharge. On Aug. 25, 1864, he joined Com-
pany A, 202d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as corporal, and served with
that command until honorably discharged, Aug. 3, 1865.
Mr. Kressley married Mary Ann Dilcher, who was bom in the Mahoning
valley, in Carbon county, daughter of Gabriel Dilcher, a native of Northampton
county, Pa., whence he removed to Carbon county at an early day. He acquired
extensive and valuable farming interests in the Mahoning valley there. Mr.
and Mrs. Kressley are the parents of twelve children: Emma L., the eldest,
is the wife of John Erwin, of Summit Hill, Carbon county; Clement D. is
next in the family ; one son died in infancy ; Thomas Marcus is a minister
of the German Reformed Church, located at Coopersburg, Lehigh county.
Pa. ; Cora Elizabeth is deceased ; Mary Adella is deceased ; a son died in
infancy; Bessie Clara is the wife of Charles D. Gerber, of New Mahoning,
Carbon county, who is in business as a saddler and officiates as justice of the
peace ; Ella Bertha is the wife of William H. Miller, a painter, of New
Mahoning, at present serving as a school director and as an elder in the
Reformed Church ; Caroline Rebecca, fonnerly a school teacher, is the wife of
Walter McClean, a farmer and butcher in the New Mahoning valley, in the
locality known as Beck's Church (so called from the leading church in the
"valley, the old historic organization known as St. John's Reformed Church,
whose house of worship stands on land presented for its site by the great-
grandfather of Clement D. Kressley) ; Esther Susanna is the wife of Frank
Steigerwalt, a farmer of Andreas, Schuylkill county; Florence Chriscilla is
the wife of Edgar Reed, and they are located on the old Kressley family
homestead.
Clement D. Kressley was born Aug. 29, 1869, in what was then known as
the Mahoning Valley near New Mahoning post office in Carbon county, and
obtained his early education in the public schools there. Later he attended
a select school at Normal, Carbon county, and subsequently taught for two
years, at Beaver Run and Strauses Valley. Meantime he also did farm
work. He pursued his classical studies at the Palatinate College, at Myers-
town, Pa. (now known as Albright College and under the Evangelical Church),
and at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., both under the super-
vision of the Reformed Church, graduating from the latter institution June 5,
1894, with the degree of A. B. The same year he entered the Theological
Seminary of the Reformed Church of the United States at Lancaster, from
which he was graduated May 13, 1897. On June 20th he accepted a call
from the Line Mountain charge, in Northumberland county, Pa., and took up
the labors of his first charge without delay. The association proved most
agreeable and was continued over a period of more than ten years, until Dec.
■u 1907 Meantime he had made arrangements for his removal to Hegins
as 'pastor of the Deep Creek charge, which he has been serving since Jan. i,
1908 The pastorate includes six churches : Fneden's at Hegins ; St. Paul's,
at Sacramento : St. Matthew's, at Scheibs ; Zion's, at Klingers (now Erdman) ;
Qirist congregation at Fountain; and St. John's, at Taylorsville, besides a
preaching point. \'alley View. Though Mr. Kressley's duties are numerous
588 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEXNSYLVANL\
and the claims upon his time are constant, as may be judged, he has by
indefatigable attention to his responsibilities not only kept abreast of his work
but in advance of its demands, anticipating the growth of the various interests
intrusted to him. He has been the leader, personally, in many of the most
important changes which have taken place during his administration, and in
much of the development which has made the history of the parish in that
period. Mr. Kressley received the degree of A. M. in course for special work
done from Franklin and Marshall College in 1904. He is a member of the
L O. O. F. lodge at Hegins and of the council of the Royal Arcanum at Tre-
mont, this county.
On Dec. 25, 1889, Mr. Kressley was married to Elmira Nothstein, of the
New Mahoning valley. Carbon county, daughter of Jacob and Matilda ( Amer)
Nothstein, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Nothstein was a Union
veteran of the Civil war, taking part in the battle of Antietam and other
engagements. He was a farmer and boatman all his life. Mr. and Mrs,
Nothstein had a family of nine children : Franklin Monroe, the eldest, was
drowned some years ago in the Lehigh canal ; Martha is deceased ; Nelson
Thomas, who died in July, 1913, lived on the old homestead; Milton William
is engaged in general farming and dairying in the New Mahoning valley ;
Emma Sura is the wife of S. C. Sterner, of Mauch Chunk, Pa. (his father
was a soldier in the Civil war) ; Elmira is Mrs. Kressley; Edwin is deceased;
George Washington is a resident of Newark, N. J. ; William Jacob died in
California.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kressley: Clarmont A.,
who taught school three years, is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy and
at present a student at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., a
member of the Junior class (he has taught school in Northumberland and
Schuylkill counties) ; Clement D. J. is a graduate of the Hegins high school
and at present in Franklin and Marshall Academy, Lancaster, Pa. ; Ruth M.
is a graduate of the Hegins high school and at present pursuing post-graduate
work there; Naomi B. is at this time attending school and expects soon to
graduate from the high school at Hegins. All members of the family are
accomplished in music, all being good singers, the boys being in the glee clubs
in the institutions where they attend school, and all play the piano and string
instruments.
ISAAC C. BITTLE holds a leading place among the progressive farmers
of Wayne township, having one of the finest farms in his section of Schuyl-
kill county. Practically all the improvements oil this property have been
planned and executed by him, and its present condition is as much an illus-
tration of his enterprise and intelligence as it is of the value of modern
methods. Mr. Bittle spent ten years of his life in mechanical pursuits, and
the experience he acquired during that period has helped him greatly since
he returned to agriculture, in which line he has found many occasions for
the application of the ideas gained in shop work.
Mr. B.ittle was born in North Manheim township, this county. Dec. 18.
1853, son of John K. and Sophia (Zerbey) Rittle, and belongs to an old
Pennsylvania family established in the Commonwealth in the middle of the
eighteenth century by his ancestor Christopher Bittle, who arrived in America
Sept. 24, 1753, landing at Philadelphia. His name on the ship's list is spelled
Christopher Biittel. At that time he was only a boy. He first located at
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 589
Quakertown, near Philadelphia, and for a time he was employed upon a farm.
Later he married a Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he
purchased a farm upon which he lived for a while. Selling out, he came to
what is now Schuylkill county, locating on Summer mountain, about a half
mile east of Schuylkill Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the
Henney and Reber families, situated in South Manheim township. He sold
that property and removed to North Manheim township, where he settled on
a tract lying along the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona,
later known as the old Bartolette farm. When he sold this he bought a farm
property near Minersville ( in the same locality as the old Thomas ShoUen-
berger tract), and it was there his death occurred. The place afterwards
became known as the James farm. Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was
engaged to a considerable extent in cutting timber, owning and operating an
old-time sawmill, cutting his timber and floating it down the Schuylkill river.
He had the following children : John ; Jacob, who was a farmer in Long Run
valley, near Schuylkill Haven, and died there ; Henry, who was the owner of
the well known Weissinger farm in North Manheim township. Schuylkill
county; Jonathan, who lived and died in Panther valley, Schuylkill county;
Maria, Mrs. John Strauch ; Molly, Mrs. John Pott; Kate, Mrs. Weaver;
Elizabeth, Mrs. Weaver; Rebecca, who married Squire Jacob Reed; Sarah,
Mrs. Thomas Jennings; and Eva, Mrs. Werner (she and her husband went by
wagon to r)hio and were among the early settlers at Circleville, where they
left descendants).
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of Isaac C. Bittle.
Born in North Manheim township, he accompanied his father on the latter's
various removals, and for a time followed farming on the tract near Miners-
ville. Later he bought a farm in Long Run valley, North Manheim township,
cleared off the timber, and spent the remainder of his life in its cultivation,
dying there when eighty-eight years old. His wife, who was a member of the
well known Clouser family of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, did not attain so
advanced an age. They are buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
The following children were born to them: William; Jacob, who died m
Schuylkill county; John K., who died on the homestead; Andrew, who died
at Schuylkill Haven; Maria, who first married a Zerbe, later a Berger; Katie,
wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of Gabriel Groan; and Salhe, wife of Isaac
Ely
John K Bittle, son of Jacob, was born June ii, 1828, in Schuylkill county,
where he was reared and remained throughout life. His death occurred
Feb 16 IQ07 Farming was his occupation, and he followed it successfully,
being a' substantial, intelligent man, a typical member of the^ respected race
to which he belonged. He was a member of the Reformed Church. His
wife whose maiden name was Sophia Zerbey, was born July 22 1830, in
Berks county. Pa., and died April 27, 1912, m Schuylkill ^^ounty. The_y were
the parents of five children, namely: Lewis; Isaac C. ; Jacob; W^ashington ,
and Sarah, who is the wife of James Fritz and resides in Chicago "''"O's
Isaac C Bittle grew to manhood on the home farm, and received a thorough
common school training in the locality. Remaining w-ith his parents until he
read ed the age of t^^^nty-two years, he then found employment with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in the shops at Schuylkill Haveii,
whSe he remained for ten years, meantime learning the carpenters trade
Soroughly At the end of that time he resumed the calling to which he had
590 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
been trained in boyhood, for two years working on his father's homestead
place and then purchasing his present tract, ninety-two acres in Wayne
township. His operations have been carried on with the view of improving
the property permanently, as well as for immediate profit, and the result is
one of the notably productive areas in this part of the county. It is planted
in general crops, and Mr. Bittle has aimed to secure the maximum output by
judicious rotation, stiiidying the needs of the soil and availing himself of all
possible information concerning the agricultural resources of his locality. He
has been well rewarded for his painstaking efforts. He gives practically all his
time to his work, but takes a good citizen's interest in the success of beneficial
measures and helps to put reliable men in responsible positions. His religious
connection is with the Reformed Church.
On Dec. i8, 1875, Mr. Bittle was married to Louisa Bertsch, who was
born April 11, 1856, in Glenworth, this county, daughter of Jacob and Catherine
Bertsch, and died May 6, 1908. Three children were born to this marriage:
John A. is engaged in farming on the home place; Carrie S. is the wife of
Horace Fidler, of Cressona, Pa., and has a family of five children, Morris T.,
Ruth N., Paul E., Florence L. and Marian M. ; Florence May is the wife of
Andrew Brown, and they have one child, Alfred Andrew.
JOHN H. FAHL is one of the leading spirits of southern Schuylkill
county, prominently associated with its vital business interests, one who has
accomplished much by conscientious public service, and an advocate of wise
progress in every direction. He is one of the native sons of Schuylkill county
who have never failed in loyalty to her interests.
Mr. Fahl was born on the old Fahl homestead in West Brunswick town-
ship, Schuylkill county, near Auburn, May 26, 1872. His grandfather, John
Fahl, was an early settler in that township, where he became a large landowner,
his farm being a fine tract, lying partly on Sculp's hill, a locality which became
very well known during the Indian days. He was born Dec. 18, 1809, and died
Oct. 15, 1876, and his wife, Catherine (Reber), was born Jan. 6, 1819, and
died Oct. 11, 1864. They are buried in the Reformed cemetery at Auburn.
Their family consisted of the following children : Sarah, who married Joshua
Runkle ; James ; David ; Daniel, who went into the Union army during the
Civil war and never returned home ; John ; Isaac ; Jonathan ; Franklin ; Charles ;
and Kate, who married Francis Matz.
James Fahl, father of John H. Fahl, was born on the homestead in West
Brunswick township. He purchased a farm and cultivated it for some years,
until he sold the land to the Delaware Seamless Tube Company, as a site for
their plant. He is now living at Auburn with his son William. His wife, whose
maiden name was Amanda Dietrich, died May 26, 1887, and is buried at
Auburn. They had a family of seven children : Lewis, deceased ; Joshial, who
was killed on the railroad ; William, a resident of .Auburn ; Morris, deceased ;
George, living at Auburn ; John H. ; and Charles, deceased.
John H. Fahl attended public school in \^■est Brunswick township and was
reared to manhood on the homestead farm. At the age of twenty-three years
he located in Auburn, where he was employed at the tube mill for about six
years, and when the mill closed down temporarily he bought the "Auburn
Hotel," which he conducted for a period of ten years. Meantime, one year
before he sold out his hotel interests, he had become interested in the milling
business, purchasing his mill at Auburn from William Wert, and he has given
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 591
most of his time to its operation since. The plant has up-to-date equipment,
full roller process, and Mr. Fahl has a large patronage, having customers all
over southern Schuylkill county. The special brand of flour he produces is
the "White Lily," which has been in popular demand for a number of years.
There are few enterprises in the borough with which Mr. Fahl has not
been in touch in one capacity or another. He has been a director of the First
National Bank since 191 1 ; is a director of the Auburn Shale Brick Company;
and a trustee of the Board of Trade. His townsmen have called him into the
public service so many times that no comment upon his official conduct is
necessary. For many years he was a member of the school board, and served
as secretary of that body. For five years he filled the position of tax collector,
and he is now president of the borough council. On April i, 191 5, he was
appointed postmaster at Auburn, and has had charge of the office since. His
interest in politics as an earnest member of the Democratic party in the fall
of 1914 gained him the nomination for legislator from the Fourth district. He
failed of election, though well supported in his home place. Mr. Fahl's unim-
peachable integrity has made him highly desirable for public trusts, and he
has never abused the confidence shown by his fellow citizens. Everything
affecting the life of the community has his hearty support. He was one of the
founders of the Hose Company, which he is serving as treasurer, and he is
also treasurer of three of the fraternal bodies to which he belongs, the L O.
O. F., P. O. S. of A. and L O. R. M. lodges ; he also belongs to Schuylkill
Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., of Orwigsburg, and the Knights of the Golden
Eagle. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and serves on the church
council.
Mr. Fahl married Elizabeth Ebling, daughter of Thomas Ebling, and they
have a family of five children : Mary, Martha, James, Ruth and Louise.
ANTHONY B. LALLY has been doing business as a contractor and builder
at Ashland for over twenty years, during which time he has made a name for
reliability and has established a high-class patronage. He is a native of the
place, born Dec. 2, 1868, son of Patrick Lally and grandson of James Lally.
The grandfather lived and died in Ireland. His children were : John, William,
Patrick, Anthony, James, and two daughters.
Patrick Lally, father of Anthony B. Lally, was born in County Mayo,
Ireland, where his early years were spent. Early in the fifties he came to
America in company with two brothers, Anthony and James, and they first
settled at Pottsville,'in Schuylkill county, Pa. After remaining there a short
time Patrick Lally removed to Ashland. He worked in the mines for a time
and later engaged in the wholesale liquor business, which he earned on for
several years, returning, however, to the mines. He was accidentally killed
at the mines in the year 1870. At Pottsville Mr. Lally was married to Bridget
McCafiferty daughter of Patrick and Mary (Ganhan) McCafTerty, who on
coming to America located first at Pottsville, later moving to Ashland
Mr McCafferty lived to be one hundred and thirteen years of age, his death
occurring at Ashland; Mrs. McCafferty died at the age of eig-hty years. Their
family consisted of one son and two daughters. Mrs. Patrick Lally died Dec.
2.1 iqo7 She was the mother of five sons and five daughters, namely : James,
who is a resident of Ashland; John; William, deceased ; Patrick deceased ;
Anthony B. ; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Campbell; Bridget
deceased ■ Sabina, who lives in Philadelphia ; Marj'. wife of Thomas Kelly, of
592 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ashland ; and Bridget, wife of Henry Young, a general merchant, of Pottsville.
Anthony B. Lally was educated in the public schools of Ashland. His
first work as a boy was at the mines, but before long he started to learn the
trade of carpenter, which he followed as a journeyman until he started business
for himself, in 1892. As a contractor and builder he is highly successful, and
his conscientious performance of all the obligations of his contracts has
given him a reputation for thorough workmanship, which has kept his ser\'ices
in constant demand.
On Feb. 26, 1894, Mr. Lally was married to Mary Corbe, who was born
in Germany, daughter of John and Mary Corbe, both also natives of that
country. The father died in Germany, and the rest of the family came to
America, settling in Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where the mother died
three years ago. The following children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs.
Lally : James, deceased ; Marie, now a student of vocal music at the Academy
of Mercy, Marion, Pa.; Anthony and Grace, twins; James (2), deceased;
Francis, at home ; and Dolores. The family are Catholics in religious faith,
Mr. Lally belonging to St. Joseph's Church, and he is a member of the Knights
of Columbus at Ashland.
SAMUEL C. AREGOOD, of Pottsville, was engaged in contracting and
building for over thirty years, during which time he commanded all the business
he cared to handle. Examples of his workmanship are plentiful in Schuylkill
county, where the name has come to be associated with the best in building
operations. Mr. Aregood's son was in partnership with him for several years
and is now carrying on the business alone. He has the family characteristics of
system in management and mechanical proficiency.
Isaiah Aregood. father of Samuel C. Aregood, was a native of Schuylkill
county, bom at York Farm, near Pottsville, in 1810. His father was an early
settler in the county, and during Isaiah's boyhood moved to Snyder county.
Pa., where the son learned the trade of tailor. He followed it for some years,
removing to Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, soon after attaining his majority,
and opening a shop of his own, which he conducted for several years. How-
ever, he turned his attention to carpentry, engaging in building work at the
breakers, and in his later life carried on a tin shop, at Port Carbon. He
reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, dying at Port Carbon in
1893, and is buried at that place. Mr. Aregood married Julia Anna Kromer, a
native of Northampton county, Pa., where her parents were early settlers,
and she died at the age of sixty-nine years. The following children were born
to this union : Ossman. who died at Pottsville ; Charles, deceased ; Mary, who
married Eli Thompson; Susanna, who married William Clilf; Hannah, who
married Thomas Mills and (second) William Auer ; Joseph; Henry, and
Samuel C.
Samuel C. Aregood was born May 10, 1840, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county, and there grew to manhood. He had common school advantages and
when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a jour-
neyman for a number of years thereafter. In 1872 he came to Pottsville, where
he began taking contracts on his own account about 1880, and in 1887 he formed
a partnership with Allison Wolf, under the firm name of Wolf & Aregood.
This association lasted until 1900, and then Ossman J. Aregood joined his
father under the name of S. C. Aregood & Son. Their business interests were
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 593
in common for about four years, after which the father again carried on con-
tracting alone until his retirement in 191 1. Besides many residences in Potts-
ville, including some of the finest dwellings in the place, Mr. Aregood was
engaged on the engine house of the Humane Fire Company ; John Raring's
store and the office building on Centre street ; the Green jewelry store ; and other
notable structures. The confidence of such patrons is of itself a gtiarantee of
worth. Air. Aregood is distinctly a man of business and domestic habits, and
has never taken any part in public affairs, but he has taken a good citizen's
interest in local matters and supported beneficial measures with his influence
as well as his vote. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 6th Pennsylvania
Regiment under Col. James Nagle, for three months, and he subsequently
enlisted for a nine months' term in the 129th Pennsylvania Regiment, and in
the 39th Regiment from Pennsylvania for ninety days. He was captured at the
battle of Fredericksburg and held prisoner for four days. He is a member
of Allison Brothers Post, No. 144, G. A. R., of Port Carbon, and has been one
of the active workers in the organization. His religious connection is with
the Reformed Church.
On May 23, 1867, Mr. Aregood married Emma Greiner. daughter of John
and Nancy (Bell) Greiner, residents of Port Carbon. Mrs. Aregood died in
June, 1900, and is buried at Port Carbon ; Mr. Aregood now makes his home
with his daughter, Mrs. Scott. Three of the children born to this union died
in infancy, the others besides Ossman J. being: Mary, wife of William Craw-
shaw; Henry Harrison, of Pottsville, Pa.; Bertha, wife of Lamar Scott; Cora,
wife of William Kearn ; and George W., of Port Carbon.
OssM.VN J. Aregood was born in Pottsville March 9, 1872, and was reared
there. He completed the course in the public schools, graduating from the
Pottsville high school in 1891, after which he learned the carpenter's trade with
his father and Mr. Wolf. He continued in their employ until Mr. Wolf with-
drew from the firm and then was in partnership with his father for four years,
since when he has been in the contracting business on his own account. ^ Among
the many fine residences of his construction in Pottsville are A. W. Seltzer's,
Edward C. Luther's, Mrs. Mayer's and the Parker home. He put up a school
building at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Aregood keeps as many as fifty men em-
ployed. His work has the stamp of character which recommends it to the
most exacting class of the community, and he deserves to be ranked with the
leading builders of the present generation.
iMr. Aregood married Mary E. Phillips, daughter of Ephrann Phillips, of
Pottsville. They have no children. In religious faith Mr. Aregood is an Epis-
copalian. He belongs to the Men's Club of the Episcopal Church, and frater-
nally to the B. P. O. Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose.
lOHN U. KERSHNER. of Tuscarora, has been one of the distinct forces
for progress in his section of Schuylkill county, where he has filled a number of
local offices with the most conscientious regard for the best interests of his fel-
low citizens. By thrift and good management he has succeeded m his own
-iffairs beino- no'w one of the well-to-do residents of the town, and all who
know him agree that he deserves his prosperity and the unqualified respect
which is everywhere accorded him. _ , • r
Mr Kershner belongs to a family which has been m Pennsylvania from
Provincial days, being of the seventh generation in his line in America. Con-
Vol. I— 3S
594 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVAXL\
rad Kershner, his emigrant ancestor, was one of three brothers who came to
America in the winter of 1722-23, landing at New York City. One settled in
Virginia, another in New Jersey, and Conrad, the youngest, in Pennsylvania.
He was born in Germany in 1706, died in 1770, and is buried in the old grave-
yard adjoining the Hains Church in Berks county. He fought in the French
and Indian war, and his son Conrad, born in 1733, was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary war, serving from Berks county. In 1759 the name of Conrad
Kershner appears as a landowner in Bern township, that county. On the
Revolutionary military records the name is found misspelled Cherchner, and
it has also been written Kerschner and Karricher.
John Kershner, grandfather of John LT. Kershner, was born near Sinking
Spring, Berks county, and later settled in Perry township, that county, where
he followed farming. His educational attainments were unusual for his day,
and he gave private lessons in his home, teaching many young men and women.
He died in Perry township, and is buried at Windsor Church. To his marriage
with Catherine Hartz were born the following children : Daniel, John, Cath-
erine, Jacob, Henry, Elizabeth, William, Jeremiah, Esther and Susan.
Daniel Kershner, son of John Kershner, was born in December, 1812, in
Perry township, Berks county, and grew up there, but he came to Schuylkill
county in young manhood, settling at Tuscarora before his marriage. He was
a competent mechanic, taking contracts for stone and brick work, and among
his local contracts were the Zion's Reformed church and the old brick school -
house, as well as many dwellings. He followed this business throughout his
active years, and was also prominent in the public affairs of the locality,
serving as member of the Schuylkill township school board and for fourteen
years as postmaster at Tuscarora. His intelligence and public spirit made him
highly respected, and he was considered one of the most trustworthy citizens
of his day. His death occurred in i8gi, and he is buried at Tuscarora.
Mr. Kershner niarried Elizabeth Umbenhauer, daughter of Samuel Umben-
hauer, of Perry township, Berks Co., Pa., and they became the parents of the
following children : Catherine, widow of Charles S. Moore, residing at
No. 414 Washington street, Reading, Pa. ; Franklin, who is deceased ; Mary E.,
living at the old homestead, who has been postmistress at Tuscarora for the
last twenty-seveo years and is also proprietor of a dry goods and notions
store in the town (she is a member of I\Iahantongo Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution ) ; Daniel, a resident of Aldan, Delaware Co., Pa. ;
John U. ; and William, deceased.
John L^. Kersliner was born Feb. 24, 1859. at Tuscarora, and received his
education in the public schools of that place. When a boy he went to work at
the mines, picking slate and as mule driver, and at the age of eighteen years
became a coal operator, being so engaged for a period of eighteen months. He
also carried on blacksmithing. When twenty years old he went out to Colo-
rado, where he prospected for a time, and he ran the variety theatre at I.ead-
ville, in that State, for one year, spending altogether six years in the \\'est.
Returning to his old home he became engaged in contracting, doing carpenter
work, for the next ten years. He was then appointed, by the taxpayers' asso-
ciation, as supervisor of roads in Blythe, East Norwegian and Schuylkill town-
ships, and performed his duties so well that he has been retained in this posi-
tion continuously since — a period of twenty years. For the last six years
Mr. Kershner has also been a member of the Schuylkill township board of
school directors, of which body he has been president, and is now secretary.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL-\ 595
He was reelected to that position Nov. 2, 191 5, by a three-fourths vote of the
entire township. In his earher years Mr. Kershner was a local officer for the
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, during the troublous period
when the Molly Maguires were active in this section, and he recalls many
interesting incidents of that time and of other events relative to the develop-
ment of Schuylkill county. He may always be relied upon to support and
boost any good cause set on foot in his neighborhood, and is as popular as he
is respected. He has worked hard for all he has acquired, and is properly
called a self-made man. Mr. Kershner has valuable property holdings at
Tuscarora, where he owns twenty-two houses.
In Denver, Colo., Mr. Kershner married Selina Bowers, of Meadville, Pa.,
and they have had the following children : Fannie, now the wife of Arlington
Seltzer; Bertha, who married Boyd Osier, chief engineer for a coal company,
and resides at Hazleton. Pa.; Nellie Irene, wife of Herbert Boone, a business
man of St. Clair. Pa. ; and Estella, wife of Prof. Harry Haag, organist and
choir leader at Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
DAVID A. HOLL.^ND, M. D., of Mahanoy City, has done much effective
work both in his professional capacity and as a private citizen in shaping
desirable social conditions. Held in high esteem by the large number who
depend upon him for professional services, he has a personal following which
wins regard for his opinions on any subject, and he has always endeavored to
use his influence in aid of the most worthy projects. All things that concern
the people generally have his sympathetic support, but he is especially inter-
ested in provisions for wholesome living and recreation, and has entered
heartily into all movements to secure such benefits for all his fellow men and
women.
Dr. Holland was born in Mahanoy township Sept. i, 1880. His parents,
Michael and Mary (Washington) Holland, were natives of Ireland, the
mother coming to America in girlhood. Michael Holland located at Mahanoy
City and followed mining until his death, being killed in the mines in August,
1880, a few weeks before the birth of his son David. His widow survived until
May', 1913. They had children as follows: John, Mark, Michael (deceased),
Thomas. Michael (2) (deceased), Patrick, Bridget (who died May 30, 1877)
and David A.
David A. Holland obtained his literary education m the schools of Mahanoy
township and Mahanoy City, graduating from high school in 1898. He com-
menced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. F. Horn, of Mahanoy
City under whose tuition he remained one year, after which he matriculated
at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was
graduated in the class of 1903. He has since been practicing in Mahanoy City
having purchased the interests of Dr. Horn, and his patronage has increased
steadily on the strength of his proved ability and unselfish devotion to those
who consult him professionally. He belongs to the Schuylkill County Medical
Society and is a popular member of several local fraternal bodies, the fra-
ternal Order of Eagles, B. P. O. Elks and Knights of Columbus ; at present
he is an officer in the Elks. He also holds membership m the Father Matthew
Pioneers, a temperance society. , ^ •,-.■ r u
In the course of his work Dr. Holland has had unusual facilities for observ-
ing the deficiencies and the needs of the present social system, and his best
eftorts have been directed towards overcoming the attendant evils and axerting
596 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
them by wise measures for taking care of the growing generation. He believes
in prevention rather than cure, where possible, and consequently his labors
have been mostly among the young, to providing such interesting and whole-
some occupation for their play hours that there will be no room for demoraliz-
ing influences. He has been active in promoting clean sports of all kinds and
advocating their introduction into the lives of the young. For the last three
years he has been a member of the school board and one of its most enthusi-
astic workers. In politics he is a Democrat in principle, but not partisan when
he feels his support is most needed elsewhere.
In IQ07 Dr. Holland married Ella Cleary, daughter of D. J. and Mary
(Gill) Cleary, of Mahanoy City, the former one of the leading merchants in
this part of Schuylkill county. Dr. and Mrs. Holland have one child, Mark.
They are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN B. GINTHER, of Pottsville, is at present devoting most of his
attention to business, but from the time he reached his majority he has been
more or less associated with public affairs in his locality, and in that connec-
tion has attained favorable standing and wide acquaintanceship among his
fellow citizens. As deputy recorder he came into personal contact with a large
number of the residents of the county. His business atifairs have prospered
under his systematic and commendable enterprise, which has attracted a steady
patronage and gained him personal esteem and respect among his associates.
Mr. Ginther is of German extraction, his father and grandfather having
been natives of Germany. Christian Ginther, the father, came to this country
from the land of his birth during the pioneer period of Pottsville's settlement,
and lived in that borough for a time on Centre street, at the present location
of Kline's cafe. Later he settled at Yorkville, which is now part of Pottsville.
By occupation he was a miner, and eventually became the owner of a colliery,
which he operated. He died in Pottsville at the age of sixty-seven years, and
his wife, Mary (Lutz), passed away here at the advanced age of eighty-six
years. They are buried at Pottsville. They were the parents of fourteen
children, four of whom died young, the others being: Joseph, Jacob, Eva,
Gertrude, Tressia, Otto, Mar)', John B., Anthony and George C.
John B. Ginther was born at Pottsville Dec. 2, 1867, and received his educa-
tion in a parochial school in the borough. His first regular employment was
at the Atkins mill, where he worked for three years, after which he followed
the trade of machinist for a short time, until he became interested with a
partner in the sewing machine business. He was thus engaged for four years,
until he removed to Shamokin, Pa., to take charge of the Singer Sewing
Machine office at that place, remaining there two years. Returning to Potts-
ville he became one of the first mail carriers in the borough, obtaining the
position during President Cleveland's first administration, under Postmaster
James Mudy. He resigned after something more than four years' service to
"take the position of deputy recorder under the late Henry Scheurman, of
Mahanoy City. Mr. Ginther remained in the recorder's office for two tenns, a
period of six years, and since retiring from his duties there has been engaged
in the grocery business on his own account in Pottsville. His first store was
at Ninth and Market streets, and he has been at various locations, being now
established at Third and Race streets, where he is conducting a very large
business. He keeps three teams constantly busy, and by prompt and accom-
modating attention to his customers has increased his trade steadily, being one
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 597
of the most creditable dealers in his line in the borough. Mr. Ginther owns
a tract of eight acres at Twenty-third and Mahantongo streets, Pottsville,
where he has ponds from which he cuts ice regularly during the winter season!
bemg at present the only dealer in natural ice at this place. He has combined
his various interests advantageously, and his substantial character and ability
are sufficient to account for the position of trust he occupies among all those
familiar with his worth.
From early manhood Mr. Ginther has been one of the most effective work-
ers for the Democratic party in his locality, and he himself has made many
friends in this connection. For four years he served as county secretary of the
party. When just twenty-one years of age he represented Yorkville in the
borough council, being the youngest member of that body, arid gave such
excellent promise as a public servant that he has been chosen to other trusts
since. He has filled the position of borough auditor, and in 191 1 wa's a candi-
date for nomination for county recorder, being defeated by only twenty-six
votes.
Mr. Ginther married Celia Heisler, daughter of William C. Heisler, of
Pottsville, at one time recorder of Schuylkill county, and afterwards proprietor
of the "Central" hotel, at Pottsville. He was a well known resident of Schuyl-
kill county. Mr. and Mrs. Ginther have two daughters: Alma, the wife of
John Driscoll, a machinist of Pottsville, and Dorothy, who is at home with her
parents. The family have a fine summer home on Mr. Ginther's land at
Twenty-third and Mahantongo streets. Mr. Ginther's religious connection is
with the German Catholic Church.
MOSES S. GREENAWALT, of Orwigsburg, has recently retired after
a prosperous career as a farmer in West Brunswick township, where he lived
for about thirty years. He has been well known for his activity in church mat-
ters, in which respect he is a typical representative of the name he bears, for
the Greenawalts wherever found are earnest workers in the cause of religion,
leading exemplary lives and following the teachings of Christianity in all their
relations with their fellow men. They are an old family in Berks county. Pa.,
where Moses S. Greenawalt was bom Dec. 22, 185 1, in Albany township. In
Albany township are found many descendants of the emigrant Jacob Greena-
walt, and in that locality at least one place, Greenawald Station, perpetuates the
name, which is variously spelled Greenawalt and Greenawald.
Jacob Greenawalt, born in Switzerland, came to America about 1738, and
upon his arrival in Philadelphia was sold as a redemptioner to a man named
Schuler. In 1741 he married Elizabeth Filhower, a native of Germany, then
of Montgomery county. Pa. In 1742 he and his wife located in Weisenberg
township, Northampton (now Lehigh) Co., Pa., where he claimed several
hundred acres of land, upon which he erected a gristmill, oil mill and tanyard.
He prospered at this place, where were born his six children, four sons and
two daughters, namely: Jacob, Johannes, Abraham, George, Mrs. Grim and
Mrs. Barbara Weise. All of these reared families of their own. The pioneer
and his wife are buried at Ziegel's Church, while others of the family are
interred at Seiberlingville, and some at Jacob's Church, Jacksonville, Lehigh
county. The Greenawalts are a strong, robust and healthy race, and many have
attained ripe old age.
Johannes Greenawalt, son of the pioneer, in 1784-85 settled near what is
now Greenawald Station, in Albany township, on the Schuylkill & Lehigh
598 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
railroad. He was an enterprising man, built an oil mill on the farm now
owned by Isaac Hardinger, on the Pine creek, and later built a gristmill on
that stream, which is now operated by Albert Kutz. The gristmill was oper-
ated for many years by his son John, but he himself operated the oil mill.
Johannes Greenawalt died at the age of eighty-three, and he and his family
are buried at the New Bethel (Corner) Church 'in Albany township. His
children were: John; Abraham, who married a ]\Iiss Hagenbuch and had
Benjamin and Isaac; Jacob, who lived on the Pine creek; and Peter, who died
unmarried.
John Greenawalt, son of Johannes, was born in Berks county April 15,
1784, and died Nov. 10, 1865. He spent all his life in Albany township, living
at the foot of the "Pinnacle," where he owned considerable land, having 100
acres at Greenawald Station. Much of his land was situated between the
"Pinnacle" (the highest elevation in Berks county) and the "Schnide Berg."
Tradition tells us that this locality was an Indian camping ground. At any
rate, many Indian axes, tomahawks, arrow-heads, etc., have been found
between these two points. He farmed and operated an "apple-jack" distillery.
In their later years he and his wife lived alone in a small house on the slope of
the Pinnacle, which belongs to the Blue mountains. He was reputed to be rich,
and it is said he kept his gold and silver coin in a large bag under his bed, and
that he had made a small exit back of the bed which ordinarily would attract
no notice, and which was to be used in case robbers broke in.
John Greenawalt married for his second wife Kate Zimmerman, born
Sept. 24, 1793, died Feb. i, 1866, and they became the parents of children as
follows: Joseph (who at an early date settled out West), Jacob, Amos,
Abraham, Samuel, Dinah (married Enoch Hagenbuch. who settled at La .Salle,
111.), Lesena (married Daniel Stein) and Leah (married Jacob P. Dietrich,
who with his wife and family located in Kansas, where in time they pros-
pered). John Greenawalt married again, his third wife being Hannah G.
Kolb, and they had a son Daniel, whose descendants live at Lewiston, Pa. In
politics he was a Whig, and in religion belonged to the Reformed denomina-
tion, being an active member of the New Bethel Church in Albany township.
He and his three wives are buried at that church.
Amos Greenawalt, son of John, was bom March 18, 1814, in Albany town-
ship, and died Nov. 19, 1879. He was reared in Albany township. Before his
marriage he worked fdr his father, afterward buying one of his father's
farms, a tract of 177 acres, and he carried on general farming until his death,
and also for forty years conducted "Greenawalt's Tavern," at Greenawald
Station. He often acted as auctioneer. Mr. Greenawalt was a very fearless
man, and he had some very exciting experiences with bears. One day, while
going to Hamburg with a four-horse team, he passed the home of Mrs. Borrell,
and saw her running towards the road followed by a bear. Just a's she got
over the fence, the bear ran against it on the other side. Mr. Greenawalt
cracked his whip as hard as he could and scared the animal away. I\Irs. Bor-
rell, who was slightly demented, owned a large orchard in which the apples
were ripe. Seeing something on a tree which she took to be a thief, she
attempted to scare it away, but found the thief to be a bear, which began to
chase her. On his arrival in Hamburg Mr. Greenawalt related the occurrence,
and a large number of men armed with guns at once encircled the woods into
which the bear had gone. The animal was chased out, but the man who saw
it became so badly frightened that instead of shooting he hid behind a tree
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 599
until the bear had escaped. A short time afterwards Mr. Greenawalt in
company with a relative, went to hunt raccoons one night and their doe chased
a bear up a tree. Mr. Greenawalt killed it with a shotgun on the second shot
It was so heavy that it required the strength of the two to carry it home'
Many thought that this was the same bear that had chased Mrs Borrell One
winter night later, Mr. Greenawalt was going home from a farmhouse where
he had been butchering, and had with him a "butcher's sausage" and several
knives. Suddenly a bear that had evidently smelled the sausage jumped upon
the fence near by, and would doubtless have attacked him had he not raised the
knives and screamed lustily, thus frightening the animal away. He had not
gone very far when the bear appeared again, and was scared away for the
second time. From this experience of Mr. Greenawalt's a little bridge near
the gristmill of Albert Kutz is still known as "Bear Bridge."
On March 31, 1834, Amos Greenawalt married Judith Stein, born Nov 25
1816, died Nov. 25, 1891, daughter of George Stein, of Albany township'
Fourteen children were born to them, as follows: (i) John, born June 10
1835, died July 31, 1893; he married Mary Miller, who is also deceased!
(2) Catherine, born June 3, 1836, died Oct. 10, 1867, married Samuel G. De
Turk, who is also deceased. (3) George, born Oct. 25, 1838, served as a Civil
war soldier, and died Oct. 2, 1869. His wife was Lucy Hamm. (4) William,
born June 28, 1840, is now a retired farmer living at Kutztown. He married
Mary Trexler (deceased) and (second) Mary Braucher. (5) Leah, born
Nov. 3, 1841, died Nov. 27, 1868. (6) Mary Magdalene, born June 28, 1844,
married George Dreibelbis, and is deceased. (7) Solomon, twin of Mary, borii
June 28, 1844, died June 3, 1889. He married Sarah Faust. (8) Amos S.,
born Oct. 31, 1845, married EHza Dietrich (deceased) and (second) Mary
Burkey. (9) Emma Judith, born Jan. 28, 1848, died June 5, 1878. She was
the wife of Samuel Oswald. ( 10) Susanna, born March 11, 1850, is married to
David Fister. (11) Moses S. is mentioned below. (12) Eliza Ann, born
Sept. 9, 1854, married James Bitner, of Leinbach, Pa., whom she survived,
both being now deceased. (13) Matilda, born Sept. 9, 1S54, twin of Eliza,
married Seth Heinly, of Virginville, Pa. (14) Alfred, born June 17, 1857, is
deceased. He was organist at Albany New Bethel Church, and later a school
teacher and organist of the Union Church at Bernville.
Amos Greenawalt and his wife were buried at the New Bethel Church,
having belonged to the Reformed congregation there. He was one of its
leading members, having held all the church offices, and also served as singing
master and choir leader; and he started the Sunday school at Greenawald
Station and acted as superintendent for many years. He was always active in
public affairs, holding the township offices of school director, supervisor and
auditor. His political support was given to the Republican party.
Moses S. Greenawalt was educated in the schools of Albany township, and
worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years old. Meantime he had
taught one winter term of school in Albany township, at Eckville, and he sub-
sequently taught another term in that township, at New Bethel Church, eleven
terms in Greenwich township, Berks county, at one school, and one term at
Lenhartsville. He passed examinations under County Superintendents David
Brunner, Mr. Keck and Samuel Baer. After giving up school teaching he
followed bricklaying, stone masonry and plastering, and when not so engaged
did odd jobs, being very ambitious and not afraid to exert himself to get ahead.
In April, 1886, he bought his farm of 107 acres in West Brunswick township,
600 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Schuylkill county, sixty-five acres of which were cleared, and there he carried
on general farming and stock raising, in which he was notably successful.
However, he has been in ill health for thirteen years, and for nine years has
not been able to do any work, so he recently sold the farm and removed to
Orwigsburg.
On Oct. 24, 1874, Mr. Greenawalt married Susanna Fister, who was born
Sept. 26, 1847, in Greenwich township, Berks county, a daughter of Peter and
Dianna (Dreibelbeis) Fister, natives of Greenwich township, Berks Co., Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt have had seven children, of whom we have the
following record: Morris, born Nov. 25, 1878, died Feb. 21, 1879; Eva, bom
July 15, 1882, died Oct. i, 1883; Mattie, born Feb. 17, 1884, married Burd
H. Bachman, and they live in Orwigsburg (they have one child, Elmer M.) ;
Alma, born Aug. 28, 1885, married Oscar Heister, and they live at Lewistown,
Schuylkill county (they have one child, Mae) ; Annie, bom ]\Iarch 29, 1887, is
at home; Ellen Christianna, bom Nov. 19, 1889, died Dec. 4, 1889; Howard
Harvey, twin of Ellen, bom Nov. 19, 1889, is at home.
Mr. Greenawalt has always supported the Republican party. He has been
elected to the local offices of school director and auditor, which he has filled
conscientiously. He is a valued member of Protection Council, No. 935,
Order of Independent Americans, at McKeansburg, and has been one of the
most interested workers in St. John's Reformed Church, Orwigsburg, and
filled all the church offices so' acceptably during his active years that his fellow
members, in recognition of long and devoted service, have made him elder
emeritus. He has long been a liberal contributor to the support of the church.
Peter Fister, grandfather of Mrs. Greenawalt, came from Germany, and
was raised by a man named Fisher, who brought him up from boyhood. He
was a bright child, and when he was grown his adopted father bought him
a farm of two hundred acres and set him up in business. His wife's maiden
name was Gummery, and they had twelve children. Mr. Fister died aged
eighty-two years, his wife at the age of eighty-five, and they are buried at
the Dunkel Church in Greenwich township, Berks county. They were mem-
bers of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Fister was a Democrat in
politics.
Peter Fister, father of Mrs. Greenawalt, was a farmer in Greenwich town-
ship, owning 190 acres of land. Three generations of Peter Fisters have
owned this land. He married Dianna Dreibelbis, and they had the following
children : David married Susanna Greenawalt ; Peter married Mary Dietrich,
and they live on the homestead farm; Ann, deceased, was married to Elias
Dieterich, of Maxatawny township, Berks county ; Susanna is the wife of
Moses S. Greenawalt. Mr. Fister lived to the age of seventy-four years, and
is buried at the Frieden's Church, Lenhartsville ; Mrs. Fister died aged about
sixty years, and is buried at Dunkels Church, in Greenwich township. He was
one of the pillars of the Frieden's German Reformed Church at Lenhartsville.
and not only contributed generously to its upbuilding and support in a financial
way, but also devoted much time to assisting in the furtherance of its work.
He held the offices of elder and deacon.
THOMAS C. McANDREW, a retired engineer, who resides in one of the
most beautiful homes in Gordon, Schuylkill county, was bom near Pottsville,
Pa., April 4, 1844, on the family homestead, now the property of the Delaware
Coal Company. He is a son of Patrick and Maria (Herman) McAndrew, both
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\ 601
of whom were of Irish ancestry. The paternal grandfather was a native of
Ireland.
Patrick McAndrew was born in Ireland, came to America at an early date,
and settled in Pottsville, Pa. He was a railroad contractor and assisted in the
construction of the Reading roadbed. After a time in this country, during
which he accumulated a sufficient sum to warrant the trip, Mr. McAndrew
returned to Ireland and brought over to the New World his mother and other
members of his family, the father being deceased. Patrick McAndrew was
a man of many attainments, being a sculptor, an artist and an accomplished
linguist. He had a fine education, and he made his mark during the time
of his residence in this country. He died in Philadelphia. His wife, Maria
(Herman), who died July 7, 1901, was the daughter of Schuylkill county
pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. AIcAndrew had five children: Thomas C. ; Daniel,
deceased ; Ellen, widow of John Moody, residing in Philadelphia ; Mary,
deceased ; and Fannie, the wife of Henry Wise, of Pottsville.
Thomas C. McAndrew first attended the Cressona schools and later those
at Ashland, the family moving to that place in 1853. In 1868 Mr. McAndrew
came to Gordon and went to work in the colliery, later engaging in railroad
work. He first held the position of brakeman, and was successively promoted
to conductor, fireman and engineer, acting in the latter capacity for twenty-
two years. On May 12, 19 14, he retired from railroad work, and is now
residing in his handsome home in Gordon.
In 1870 Mr. McAndrew was married to Mrs. Sarah Herman, widow of
George Herman and daughter of Abram Moody, natives of Cumberland
county. Pa., near Carlisle. Mrs. McAndrew died June 22, 1914, leaving one
child, Martha, wife of Richard W. Hopkins, a plumber and steam fitter of
Gordon ; they have three children, Thomas, Marie and Willard. Mr. McAn-
drew is a member of the Methodist Church of Gordon, and of the Patriotic
Order Sons of America.
WILLIAM H. DAUBERT, of Pine Grove, is a business man of that
borough and associated with various interests which indicate that he is
thoroughly alive to the trend of modern progress as applied to the advance-
ment of this locality. The Dauberts have been identified with the develop-
ment of this section for some generations, Harry Daubert, the grandfather
of William H., having come to Pine Grove when a youth of eighteen years.
He was bom at Indiantown Gap, and his wife, Eliza (Rehrer), was bom in
Pine Grove township, Schuylkill county, a member of one of the oldest
families of this section. For a tiriie Harry Daubert was engaged in boating on
the Union canal and later in farming in Pine Grove township, where he made
his permanent home. The place where he settled is now occupied by his
o-randson William H. Daubert. He died at the age of fifty-three years, his
wife hving to the advanced age of eighty-three. Of their four children two
survive: Henry, a resident of Lebanon, Pa.; and Mrs. Henry Mmnich, of
Pine Grove. . , , , r n- r-
Thomas Daubert, son of Harry, was bom m the borough of I me Grove,
and in his early life was employed in boating on the Union canal. Later he
was eno-a-ed in railroad work, being with the Philadelphia & Readmg Rail-
way Company for a period of twenty-four years. He was killed in the per-
formance of his duties, in 1900. He married Mary Clemmons a native of
Pine Grove township, daughter of Adam and Catherine (Zeller) Clemmons,
602 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
both of whom died in Pine Grove. Mr. Clemmons was born in Pine Grove
township, and was a tanner by trade. During the Civil war he enlisted from
Pine Grove in Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, and was in the
service for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Clemmons had a family of five children,
three of whom sur\-ive, Mrs. Thomas Daubert, Mrs. Kate Harris, of Phila-
delphia (widow of Jenkin Harris, of Plymouth, Pa.), and Mrs. Alice ]\Ioyer,
of Cressona, Pa. (wife of Samuel Moyer). Peter and Louis are deceased.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Daubert: Lyman, a
resident of Lebanon, Pa.; Frank, deceased; William H.; Bessie, wife of Tyrus
Zimmerman, of Pine Grove ; Katie, wife of John Shannon, of Berwick, Pa. ;
Fannie, wife of Ralph Hummel, of Pine Grove ; Stella, a resident of Shamokin,
Pa.; Edith, wife of John Brennan, of Pottsville; and Ella, married to Rush
Rhodes and living in Berwick.
William H. Daubert was born Aug. 10, 1874, in Pine Grove, and obtained
a public school education there. When a young man he entered the employ
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in whose service he remained
for eleven years. In 1901 he engaged in the bottling business at Pine Grove,
establishing what has since been known as the Mountain City Bottling Works.
Besides, he operates a transfer business, and is well occupied with both lines,
which he has developed to successful proportions by the most commendable
business methods. His fellow citizens have recognized his ability and chosen
him for important service, Mr. Daubert being borough auditor at present,
which ofiice he has filled for several years. For the last fifteen years he has
also been a member of the borough council, the length of his services being a
proper indication of their value. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a
member of Pottsville Aerie, No. 134, F. O. E. ; the Knights of the Golden
Eagle; Improved Order of Red Men; Knights of the Order of Mystic Chain
at Suedberg; and the Foresters of America. He is a past officer in all of these
bodies except the Knights of the Mystic Chain, and a trustee of the Red Men
and Golden Eagles. He is also one of the most active members of the Pine
Grove Fire Company and is now its president.
On June 13, 1896, Mr. Daubert was married to Amy I. Hummel, of Pine
Grove, and they have had eight children: Stanley A., Marion E., Minen'a O.,
Willard B., Ruth E., and three deceased. Mrs. Daubert is a daughter of
Edward and Mary (Spancake) Hummel, natives of Pine Grove, and grand-
daughter of Benjamin Hummel, one of the pioneers of the town ; his wife was
a Zerbe. Edward Hummel was a school teacher for many years, served as
school director of the township, and for many years held the office of justice
of the peace. He died Jan. 17, 1913. His wife, who is yet living in Pine
Grove, is a native of Pine Grove township, daughter of George and Rebecca
(Kramer) Spancake, both of whom were born in Washington township, this
county, where Mr. Spancake died; his wife, now (191 5) eighty-two years
old, is still living in Pine Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel had these children :
Elmira B., wife of Tohn Rausch, living at Pine Grove; Oscar, at home; Amy
I., Mrs. Daubert; Stella M., wife of Frank Sotzin, living with her mother;
Clara, wife of Joseph Campbell, of Williamstown, Pa.; Frances, who was a
teacher for some years, now the wife of William Donmoyer, of Pine Grove ;
Raymond E.. of Philadelphia, a teacher in the Overbrook Academy; and
Harold, a teacher at Friedensburg, Schuylkill county.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 603
THOMAS HART BENTON ZULICK, late of Orwigsburg, was prac-
tically a lifelong resident of that borough, towards the development of which
he contributed his share as a pioneer shoe manufacturer. His foresight and
enterprise were justly rewarded with prosperity, which benefited his towns-
men also, for he had the broad intelligence which enabled him to realize that
the man who labors for himself alone is not the highest type of citizen. The
prestige which came to him synonymous with his honorable name has descended
to its present representatives, his son John S. Zulick being now the head of
one of the largest industrial institutions in the borough, the shoe nianufactur-
uig plant of J. S. Zulick & Co. The ZuHcks have maintained a leading place
in this branch of business from the time of its introduction into Orwigsburg,
and by their success have given an impetus to the advancement of the borough
which has been felt in many directions.
The Zulick family is well known in Schuylkill County. It was founded in
America by John Zulick, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who mar-
ried, in 1796, Wilhelmina, daughter of Franz Bontone and his wife Fredericka
(Gilken). She was born in Alsace, at Frankenheim in Siegenheim, Oct. 27,
1769. They subsequently emigrated to America, in 1799, landing at Baltimore,
where they settled. To them were born five children, three sons and two
daughters, the latter both dying in infancy. John, the eldest, became a minister
of the Reformed Church and settled at Steinsville, Lehigh Co., Pa. He was
a circuit rider for many years, and served many congregations. Anthony, the
second son, located in Philadelphia, subsequently settling at Easton, Pa., where
he died. He married Jane Cummings, of Philadelphia, who was a member
of the Quaker family of that name, and to them were born the following chil-
dren: Anna, who became the wife of William Gile, sometime judge of the
court of Common Pleas, Newark, N. J. ; Mary, who married Thomas Rinek, of
Easton, Pa. ; Meyer C, territorial governor of Arizona during Cleveland's
administration ; Thomas, who was the superintendent of The Schuylkill Navi-
gation Company for many years at Schuylkill Haven ; and Henry B., who was
employed by the Schuylkill Navigation Company.
Godfrey Bontone Zulick, the third son, and the father of the subject of
this sketch, was born in Baltimore, June 22, 1802. He taught school during
his young manhood, and later entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railway Company. He was one of the company's first Morse operators,
and continued in its service forty years. He died at Orwigsburg Feb. 22, 1886,
and is buried in St. John's Reformed cemetery at that place. On Sept. 8,
1833. he married Sybilla Mayer, daughter of Philip Mayer, one of the pioneer
Re-formed ministers of Schuylkill county. She was born at Orwigsburg Feb.
2, 1814, and died there Oct. 9, 1873, the mother of nine children, born as fol-
lows: James M., born Aug. 17, 1834 (deceased) ; John M., born March 12,
1S36 (deceased); Anna, born Sept. i, 1838 (deceased); Amanda L., bom
[uly 23, 1841, living at Reading, Pa.; Thomas H. B., born July 18, 1844
"(deceased); Mary R., born Dec. 10, 1846, living at Schuylkill Haven. Pa.;
Sybilla, born April 24, 1S49 (died in infancy) ; George F.. born March 27,
1852 (deceased) ; and Henry M., born Sept. 30, 1855, living in Orwigsburg.
Thomas H. B. Zulick was born at Orwigsburg and reared there. In 1862,
when but eighteen years of age, he enlisted for the Union service, serving three
enlistments in the Ci\il war: In the 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
the 197th Pennsylvania \ olunteer Infantry, and the 39th Pennsylvania Militia.
During his voung manhood he was employed in the Land Office of the Phila-
604 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANLA.
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company at Potts ville, under the late Mr.
Frank Carter. In 1873 he left that employment to engage in the manufacture
of infants' turned shoes, being one of the pioneers to venture into this business
at Orvvigsburg, where he made the beginnings of the highly successful estab-
lishment now carried on by his sons. His death occurred July 12, 1914, near
the close of his seventieth year, and he is buried in the Evangelical cemetery
at Orwigsburg. Fraternally, he was a past master of Schuylkill Lodge, No.
138, F. & A. M., and a charter member of Camp No. 86, P. O. S. of A., and
its first secretary. He married Fanny Louise Shoener, daughter of George
and Mary (Super) Shoener, and granddaughter of John and Catherine
(Hesser) Shoener; Catherine Hesser was a daughter of Frederick Hesser, a
Revolutionary soldier, who settled in Schuylkill county, and who subsequently
became its second sheriff, serving in 1814, and succeeding William Green, who
was elected in 181 1. Mrs. Fanny Louise Zulick continues to reside in Orwigs-
burg. To her marriage with Mr. Zulick were born seven children : John S.,
born July i, 1872, married Elizabeth .Albright Dec. 28, 1892; Jennie M., born
Sept. 15, 1S74, is the wife of H. B. Haeseler, and they reside in Orwigsburg;
Mary Louise, bom Oct. 25, 1877, married Penrose \V. M. Pressel, and they
reside at Warren, Pa., where Mr. Pressel is Principal of the High School; Lin
B., bom Oct. 19, 1879, married Margaret M. Diefenderfer, and is engaged with
his brother John S. in the shoe business; Dr. Howell S., born June i, 1882,
married Marguerite Patton, of Philadelphia (he is on the staff of the Medico-
Chirurgical Hospital, from which college he graduated ; he also practices his
profession in Philadelphia) ; Dr. J. Donald Zulick, born Sept. 7, 1883, grad-
uated from the Medico-Chirurgical College, and is at present associated with
the well known Dr. Pfahler, Roentgenologist of the Medico-Chirurgical Hos-
pital; Fanny Adele, bom Nov. 16, 1887. is residing at home.
The business of J. S. Zulick & Co. was founded in 1893, succeeding the firm
of Shoener & Co., and was a partnership, composed of John S.. Thomas B.,
and Harry M. Zulick. They manufactured infants', children's and misses' turn
and McKay shoes, and were successful from the start. Harry M. later with-
drew from the firm to engage in the same business in Schuylkill Haven, and
his interest was purchased by the remaining partners. In igo2 Lin B., the
brother of John S., was admitted into the firm, and this partnership continued
until July, 1914, when the father, Thomas 1>. Zulick, died. In 1903, finding
the ])lant at the corner of Center Square and Liberty street too small for their
rapidly expanding business, and an opportunity being afforded to jnirchase
the Folmer factory at the corner of Warren and Tammany streets, they bought
the plant and its contents, and have continued there ; the original plant, how-
ever, has been extended and remodeled, and now consists of the main building,
two stories and basement, 45 by 100 feet, with a wing, constructed of brick,
two stories, 36 feet square. The plant has a capacity of 1,500 pairs per day,
and the present production is 1,200 pairs per day, which will be augmented to
the capacity of the plant during 1916. Slowly, but surely, the quality of the
output has steadily improved, and the character of the line bettered ; and to-day
the product of this factory is well and favorably known from Pennsylvania to
the Pacific coast, and throughout the Southwest, in which territory almost the
entire output is sold. In 1915 they ventured into the e.xport field, with results
quite beyond their expectations, and this new business gives abundant promise
of greater expansion. Less than one per cent of the entire output is sold to
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 605
the wholesale trade, the business coming direct from the retailer, through twelve
traveling representatives, who cover their respective territories twice a year.
CONRAD K. HOCK, president of the Sailor Planing Mill and Lumber
Company and otherwise identified with business interests in Pottsville, par-
ticularly in real estate development, has a record of success in the different
ventures he has undertaken which gives assurance that he will carry out any
enterprise which he takes in hand. Mr. Hock was born at Pottsville Sept. 4,
1865, and is a son of the late Conrad Hock, in his day one of the leading
business men of the borough.
Conrad Hock, Sr., was born May 14, 1826, at Dorheim by Friedburg, in
Hesse, Germany. He received his schooling in his native country, but his
education was mostly self acquired, and as he was a man of studious and
thoughtful disposition, a careful reader all his life, he became exceptionally
well informed. Coming to the United States in 1853, he was soon settled at
Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and became a prominent resident of that place.
For twelve years after settling here he was employed at the rolling mill, first
as an iron cutter and later as accountant. Meantime, by thrift, he had accumu-
lated enough to build a dwelling house for his family, and though it was unpre-
tentious, and he afterwards prospered beyond his early ambitions, he never
forgot the pleasure he took in owning his own home. In 1865 he began busi-
ness for himself, erecting limekilns at Pottsville and Cressona, and the business
so prospered from the very beginning that its expansion and steady success
during the years he continued his association with it were a source of genuine
])ride and satisfaction to him. When he retired, in 1884, his sons George, John
and William took his interest and continued lime burning, having two kilns in
constant operation in Cressona. The storage house and salesrooms are located
at Pottsville. Mr. Hock did not withdraw entirely from business, however,
and for a number of years, until his death, was president of The Sailor Plan-
ing Mill & Lumber Company, of Pottsville, one of the foremost concerns of
the kind in this section.
The ability and acumen he displayed in business were equally plam m all
of his other relations in life. Various activities in the locality had his interest
and support. He was one of the organizing members of the German Reformed
Church at Pottsville and served the congregation as elder and deacon for more
than thirty years, and though he zealously supported his own church was liberal
in his attitude towards the policies of others. He was not ambitious for public
office although he held local positions of trust, serving one two-years temi
as member of the borough council and for nine years as a member of the school
board filling both positions to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. His
political faith was that of the Democratic party, but in local afifairs he was
home on North Second street, and was regarded as a loss to the community
as well as to his immediate family. n o,„
Mr Hock's first marriage took place in Germany on Aug. 29 (or 20). 1^50,
to Maria K. Apple, who was like himself a native of Hesse, Germany, born in
Friehlingen. They became the parents of six children, all sons, born in Potts-
ville viz : William, born Aug. 8. 1854, is now a resident of Cressona ; George,
born April 2 1858, was engaged in the lime business at Pottsville and died in
606 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANL\
1910 at the age of fifty-two years; John, born Dec. 26, i860, is a resident of
Pottsville, engaged in the coffee roasting and malt business ; Henry, born Nov.
3, 1862, is engaged in the butchering business at Roanoke, Va. ; Conrad K. is
mentioned below; Louis, born Sept. 5, 1867, is a resident of Pottsville. The
mother of this family died July 23, 1883, and is buried in the L O. O. F.
cemetery at Pottsville, where Mr. Hock is also interred.
Conrad K. Hock received a public school education at Pottsville. His first
employment was with the Thompson Hardware Company, with whom he
remained about a year as clerk. Afterwards for about ten years he was in the
office of the Evening Chronicle at Pottsville, and having formed a desire to
learn the printing business, while in that connection, served an apprenticeship
as typesetter. He was engaged at that trade for about six years. He has ever
since been associated with the planing mill and lumber business, which is now
one of his principal interests. It was established originallv by Charles Lord,
the firm afterwards becoming Weed & Sailor, and a number of years ago it
was incorporated as The Sailor Planing Mill & Lumber Company. Conrad K.
Hock became manager and subsequently secretary and treasurer. After the
death of Mr. Sailor Conrad Hock, father of Conrad K. Hock, became presi-
dent, acting as such until his death, since when Conrad K. Hock has been at
the head of the business. The present plant is located on the old site of the
Haywood rolling mill, the first of this kind in Schuylkill county. The Sailor
Planing Mill & Lumber Company is extensively engaged in the manufacture
of all kinds of mill work and lumber, and also does a large business in paints,
builders' supplies and similar hardware. It has a distinct place in the business
life of the city, being one of the oldest established industrial institutions there
and one which has contributed its full share to the prosperity of this section.
Under Mr. Hock's direction it has continued to expand along modern lines,
but he has also found time, as opportunity offered, to engage in other activities.
He is a member of the firm known as the Pottsville Land & Improvement Com-
pany, whose officers are J. W. Fleet, president ; S. B. Edwards, secretarj' ;
Conrad K. Hock, treasurer. Having purchased a tract of about fifty acres in
the northeastern part of the city in an ideal location, they are improving it in
accordance with the most up-to-date ideas, grading streets and laying substan-
tial pavements, and at the present writing they have about one hundred and
fifty dwelling houses upon the property. Mr. Hock is also president of the
Mar-Lin Land Company, which has a tract of 150 acres in Norwegian town-
ship, about one and a half miles from Pottsville and one mile from Minersville,
formerly known as the Thomas Shellenberger farm. They propose to develop
this land and establish a town there, having built nearly one hundred dwellings,
the location being highly desirable. Mr. Hock's associates in this company
are T. H. Coombe and George Franklin Brumm. His achievements in all the
other undertakings he has attempted are sufficient to warrant the belief that he
will carry these projects also to successful completion. Mr. Hock is also the
jjresident of the Schuylkill Haven Land & Improvement Company, who are
developing the Fairmount addition to Schuylkill Haven, having a plot near the
heart of the town containing over six hundred choice building lots, more than
two hundred of which have already been sold. In this venture he is associated
with James L. Channell, secretary ; and George M. Paxson, treasurer. Since
1910 Mr. Hock has been a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Potts-
ville, one of the leading financial institutions of the borough. He also has
various social connections, being a member of the Sphinx Club and of the Odd
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 607
Fellows and the Masonic fraternities; he belongs to Pulaski Lodge. No. 216,
F. & A. M.; Mountain City Qiapter, No. 196, R. A. M.; Constantine Com-
mandery, No. 41, K. T., and Rajah Temple. Mystic Shrine; also holds mem-
bership m Lily of the \'alley Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; and his religious connection
is with the Trinity Reformed Church.
On Dec. 5, 1893, Mr. Hock married Helena Snyder, daughter of Frederick
and Catherine Snyder, of Minersville, Pa. Five children have been born to
them, namely : Kathryn, born June 28, 1894, has graduated from the Potts-
ville high school and also from The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pa. ; Robert
was born July 29, 1896; Helen, Nov. 13, 1898; Norman, May 4, 1900; Isabelle,
Dec. 16, 1906.
WILLIAM F. KNECHT, of Tower City, is a newspaper man of long
standing there, and by virtue of his public-spirited support of all good enter-
prises has established himself thoroughly in the favor of the best element all
over his part of Schuylkill county. He has also been prominent in business
associations, upholding the reputation of the family for ability in the handling
of important affairs and trustworthiness in any capacity.
Mr. Knecht is of German extraction, his parents, Charles and Pauline
( Eisensteck) Knecht, having been born in Germany. They came to the United
States in early hfe. He was born Oct. 2^. 1865, at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., and had but limited educational privileges, owing his advancement in life
to earnest application to whatever opportunities for study came his way. He
was quite young when the family settled at Tower City, and he began work at
the breaker of the Brookside colliery, continuing to do mine work for a number
of years, as fireman and in various other positions. During President Cleve-
land's first administration his father was appointed postmaster at Tower City,
and the son became first assistant, as such taking full charge of the office in his
father's term. Following his services there he conducted a bakery for several
years, until he turned to his present line, on March 26, 1898, establishing the
West Schuylkill Herald, of which he has ever since been the editor and pro-
prietor. Its reliable news columns and timely editorials have given it well
deserved prestige among the residents of Tower City and the adjoining terri-
tory in Schuylkill county. Mr. Knecht's intelligent judgment in local matters
makes his opinions authoritative, and his strong personality and progressive
disposition bid fair to leave a permanent impression in the shaping of events
in his borough and vicinity. When the Tower City National Bank was organ-
ized, in 1902, he was one of the men who took an active part in its establish-
ment, has been one of the board of directors ever since, and in 1912 was
made vice president of the institution. He has also held several public offices
of trust, the duties of which he has discharged with characteristic fidelity and
conscientiousness. Since 1913 he has been a member of the Tower City
school board, having been elected for a five-year term. Politically he is a
Republican. 1 Fraternally he holds membership in the Odd Fellows and
Masons, belonging to Tower Lodge, No. 755, I. O. O. F., and to Swatara
Lodge, No. 267. F. & A. M.
On June 25, 1887, Mr. Knecht was married to Alice Klinger, daughter of
William and Maria (Kaufman) Klinger, of Tower City, and they have become
the parents of seven children: Roy S., who studied at the Keystone State
Normal School, Kutztown, Pa., and is now engaged in teaching in Oklahoma;
608 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
William K., a graduate of the Keystone State Normal, also teaching in Okla-
homa; Gilbert; Mildred; Merle; Louise, and Karl.
CHARLES L. HILLANBRAND, of Frackville, former proprietor of the
"Hotel Hillanbrand," had a varied experience as a hotelkeeper in that com-
munity, having followed the business there for over a quarter of a century,
from 1887. He built and opened the establishment mentioned in 1898, and
operated it most of the time until recently, commanding a profitable patronage.
Mr. Hillanbrand is of German descent, his father, Francis Hillanbrand,
having been born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1819. After attending
school near the home place he followed farming until he was nearly thirty
years of age. at which time he emigrated to the United States. Here he located
at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and became an engineer at the Bull's Head
colliery, where he worked for five years. His next position was at the Potts
colliery, at Wolf Creek, near Minersville, Schuylkill county, where he worked
for sixteen years, or until 1870. Then he moved to Ashland, this county,
and worked at the Tunnel colliery, for two years, coming to ^lahanoy Plane
in 1872, and working as engineer there up to 1893, until a couple of months
prior to his death. In 1848 he married Magdalena Zemhart, of Pottsville,
and they had children as follows : Anthony is now a foreman for the Phila-
delphia Rapid Transit Company; Frank died at the age of forty-eight years,
at Manayunk, Pa. ; Magdalena married Killian Huth ; Charles L. is next in
the family: Louisa, widow of John Walsh, lives at Frackville ; Mary, widow
of John Dietrich, lives at Frackville; George died in infancy; Joseph, unmar-
ried, lives at Frackville.
Charles L. Hillanbrand was born in Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Nov.
19, i860. He attended the public schools there and also at Ashland and
Mahanoy Plane. During the summer months of his early teens he worked in
the mines, at the Lawrence colliery, Mahanoy Plane, and after he reached
the age of sixteen he worked there the whole year round, continuing mining
until 1887, when he embarked in the hotel business at Frackville. He opened
the "National House," which he kept for two years, after which he had the
"American House" for three years. In 1893 he opened the "Westminster
Hotel" and carried it on until 1898, when he built and opened the "Hotel
Hillanbrand." Except for a brief period, 1906-1909, he was principally occu-
pied with its management until a short time ago, and his good business methods,
and ability to make guests comfortable, drew a steady patronage to the
house. Recently he has given up the hotel and turned his attention to other
business. He is looked upon as a citizen of reliable character, belongs to
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Frackville, and is a member in good
standing of Lodge No. 811, Loyal Order of Moose, of Shenandoah, this
county. In politics he is a Democrat.
On June 25, 1882, Mr. Hillanbrand married Barbara Keihn, of Frack-
ville, daughter of Anthonv and Mary Keihn, of Frackville. To this union
have been born the following children : Stella married John Mona, of Frack-
ville, and has three children, Barbara, Joseph and Charles ; Louisa married
Richard Fennessy, of Frackville ; Mary married Steve Wagner, of Frack-
ville, and has one child, Helen.
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