■■-■••i-!''.A;- «•■■■; .■.■■":t'""^"v: ' I../' ,V ,t t'^ "V: ..1 . . :V;-: ■ f. '^'^'^i'r.k'y. Jt:-: '•',1 : ' • , ■•-■ •'''■* • \ V r BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. THIS VOLUHE CONTAINS Biographical Sketches OF Leading Citizens OF THE Seventeenth Congressional District PENNSYLVANIA. 'Biography is the only true history." Emerson. BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, BUFFALO, N.Y. CHICAGO, ILL. 1899. PREFACE. AVING broiig;ht to a successful termination our labors in the Seventeenth Con- gressional District in compiling and editing the sketches herein contained, we desire, in presenting this liook of biographies to our patrons, to make a few remarks, necessarily brief, in regard to the value and importance of local works of this nature. We agree with Ralph Wahlo ICmerson that "Biography is the only true historw" and also are of the opinion that a collection of the biogra- phies of the leading men of a nation would give a more interesting, as well as authen- tic, history of their country than any other that could be written. The value of such a production as this cannot be too highl\- estimated. With each succeeding 3'ear the haze of Obscurity removes more and more from our view the fast disappearing landmarks oi the past; Oblivion sprinkles her dust of foregetfulness on men and their deeds, effectuall}' concealing them from the pul)lic eye; and because of the many living objects which claim our attention, few of those who have been removed from the busy world linger long in our memory. Even the glorious achieve- ments of the present age may not insure it from being lost in the glare of greater things to come, and so it is manifesth' a duty to posterity for the men at the present time to preserve a record of their lives and a story of their progress from low and humble beginnings to great and noble deeds, in order that future genera- tions may read the account of their successful struggles, and profit by their ex- ample. A local history affortls the best means of preserving ancestral histor\', and it also becomes, immediatel}' upon its publication, a ready book of reference for those who have occasion to seek biographical data of the leading and early settled families. Names, dates and events are not easily remembered b}' the average man, so it behooves the generations now living, who wish to li\e in the memory of their descendants, to write their own records, making them full and broad in scope, and minute in detail, and insure their preservation b\- having them put in printed form. We firmly believe that in these collated personal memoirs will be found as true and as faithful a record of the Seventeenth Congressional District PREFACE as may be obtained anywhere, for the ver)' sufficient reason that its growth and development are identified uitli tliat of the men who have made it what it is to-day — the representative leading men, whose personal sketches it iias been a pleasure to us to write and give a place in this volume. From the time when the hand of civilized man liad not yet violated the \irgin soil with desecrating plow, nor with the ever-ready frontiersman's ax felled the noble, almost limitless, forests, to the present period of activity in all branches of industr\-, we may read in the histories of the district's leading men, and of their ancestors, the steady growth and develop- ment which has been going on here for a century and a half, and bids fair to continue for centuries to come. A hundred years from now, whatever records of the present time are then e.xtant, having withstood the ravages of time and the cease- less war of the elements, will be viewed with an absorbing interest, equaling, if not surpassing, that which is taken to-day in the history of the early settlements of America. It has been our purpose in the preparation of this work to pass o\er no phase or portion of it slightingly, but to give attention to the smallest points, and thus invest it with an air of accuracv', to be obtained in no other way. The result has amply justified the care that has been taken, for it is our honest belief that no more reliable production, under the circumstances, could have been com- piled. One feature of this work, to whicli we have given special iirominence, and which we are sure will pro\e of extraordinary interest, is the collection of portraits of the representative and leading citizens which appear throughout the volume. We have tried to represent thi> different spheres of industrial and pro- fessional activity as well as we might. To those who have been so uniformly obliging and ha\e kindly interested themselves in the success of this work, volun- teering information and data which ha\e been very helpful to us in preparing this Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District, we desire to express our grateful and profound acknowledgment of their valued services. Chicago, III., May, 1899. THE PUBLISHERS. N O T E All the biographical sketches published in this volume were sub- mitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers from whoni the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time alloted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate. A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contained errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more \'aluable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book. BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. Book of Biographies seventeenth congressional district pennsylvania. CHRISTIAN KREUKKICK KNAl'l' Book of Blodrapbks Seventeenth Congressional District /^IIRISTIAN FREDERICK KNAPP, I J| one of the most widely known resi- ^*— ^^ dents of the state of Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Bloomsburg. He was born in the city of Besigheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, October 12, 1822, and is a son of John Baltas and Sophia Dorothea (Kontzman) Knai)p. John B. Knapp was born in the city of Besigheim, \\'urtemberg, Germany, in March, 1784, and was a vine-dresser until April, 1831, ^\■hen, with his wife and six sons, he came to this country, landing in the city of Phila- delphia August 9, 1 83 1. Later he moved to Kensington, Pa., where he worked twelve years as a glassblower; he then moved to Pottsgrove township, Montgomery County, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his active days, engaged in the cu]ti\ation of the soil. He died at the age of eighty-seven years. He was united in marriage with Sophia Dorothea Kontzman, who was liorn in Stadten, Ger- many, August 9, 1 791, the nu])tials occurring in April, 1814. As a result of this union the following children were born to them : Chris- tian G., born August 7, 1819; Louisa Clara, born May 7, 1821; Christian F., our subject; Gottleib Ernst, born February 6, 1S25; Charles August, born December. 16, 1826; Gottleib, born September 17, 1828: William Frederick, born January 11, 1830; Caroline Dorothea, born February 3, 1834, who is the wife of J. E. Van Natta; John George, born May 4, 1836; and Jacob, born May 11, 1838. The mother of our subject passed from this life at the age of fifty years. Christian Frederick Knapp was educated principally by his father, who was a good Lat- in scholar and took great pride in assisting his children to acquire a good education. Our subject inherited many of the good traits of character of his father, who was aide-de-camp on Napoleon's staff during the Russian cam- paign, at the burning of Moscow, and at the battle of Berdine. Our subject's first active labor was to drive a team on the canal, and wdiile a mere lad he passed through various degrees of a boatman's life to captain; he then became a teamster during the construction of the first furnace erected there; he then chose the trade of a mason and, after serving an ap- prenticeship for three years, became a skilled 12 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. workman. W'liile workiiiq' at liis trade he fell ihn)u>jli a fuiiiace. wliicli fall nearly cost him liis life: nixni recoverintj Jiis health he was a])iM liiiicil assistant resenue assessor and ser\ed as such through I.incoln's administra- tion. Subseciuently he turned his attention to the fire insurance business and represented six of the leading insurance companies as agent, and was also special agent and adjuster througlioiU the state for the companies he rc])resented. Mr. Knapj) erected a fine iiouse at No. 346 East Main street, where he now resides. Our subject formed a matrimnnial alliance with Maria I'-lizabetli \'an Xatta. a daughter of I'eter Van Natta of Bloomsburg, and they were wedded October 13, 1846. She was born ill liloomsburg. October 18. 1825. and died December Ji, 1891. To our subject and wife were born the following children: Caroline Margaret, born July 18, 1847. who is the wife of William F. Bodine, a i)ainter and pajjcr dec- orator; Sophia Amelia, born February 3. 1849, wife of John Harvey Long of Madera, Cal., and they have reared two children. Chris- tian Frederick and Carrie, another, Harold, having died in infancy; John Ellis, born March 10, 1850. died in 1856; Peter Ernst, born Sejiteniber 23, 1853, wedded Clara Wicht, and they are the ])arcnts of two chil- dren, — Mary Smith and Jennie Stowell; and Mary Catherine, born October 14, 1859, who is the wife of George Sloan Robbins of Bloomsburg. who had one child, Katherine Marie, who died May jfi. 1897, at the age of nine years. Air. Kn;ipp joined the 1. O. O. F. in 1846: was secretary of Van Camp Lodge, No. 140. and for thirty-two years district deputy grand master: a memljer of Suscpiehanna Encamp- ment, No. 60; and district deputy grand patri- arch seven years. Mr. Knajip is a fine speak- er. Certainly there is not another man in the state of Pennsylvania, if in the I'nited .States, will) is as well j^osted in Masonry as is Mr. Knapp. He has traveled all over this state and has been given many banc]uets; a'so been presented with many valuable and hand- some presents in token of his services in tiie Masonic fraternity. On September 23. 1851. he recei\ed his first degree in Free .Masonry, in Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & .\. AL; in October of the same year he received the sec- ond degree and in November the third de- gree. In January. 1852, he resigned his mem- bership in the Danville Lodge for the ]5ur]jose of starting a lodge in Bloomsburg, and in Au- gust a charter was granted by the 1\. \\'. Ci. Lodge of Pennsylvania to Washington Lodge, No. 265, to be held in Bloomsburg, and C. F. Knap]) was namecl in the warrant as its first Junior Warden. In December he was elected W. M. of the lodge and served until December, 1854, when he was elected secretary, having per\'ed as such up to the IMCsent time. He was apjiointed by the P. W. (i. M. as D. D. G. M. for the counties of Un- ion. Snvder. .Xortliuniber'and. .Montour. Co- lumbia and Wyoming, and served as such for eight years, when lie resigned. He received the Mark Master Degree in (iirarcl Mark Lodge, No. 214, at Philadelphia, from Har- nian Bauch, (jrand High Priest; November 21, 1855, he received the Most Excellent and R. .\. degrees in Catawissa Chapter, No. 178; passed the chairs of said chapter and was ap- pointed and served as D. D. Ci. High Priest for six years: in 1869 he resigned from the Cbajiter and obtained ,-i charter for Blooms- burg Cha])ter, No. 218, P. .\. M.. and has since served as secretary of the same. On March 6, 1856. he was Knighted in Park Fn- cam])mcnt. No. 11. K. T., and appendant or- ders bv Char'es Blumenthal, Grand Master: SE\ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 13 in May, 1856, received a charter for Crusade Commandery, Xo. 12. K. T.. and was named in the same as tlie first Eminent Conmiander, and served as such for three years; also served as recorder since. In May, 1857, our subject was elected G. Captain General; in 1858, G. Generallissimo; in 1859, G. Deputy G. Com- mander; and in i860, G. Right Eminent G. Conmiander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania. In May, 1861, he was elected G. Lecturer of the Knights Templar of the state and served in 1862-63; and in 1864 was elected G. Division Commander of the state of Pennsylvania and ser\-ed as such in 1864 and 1865. On November 21. 1856, J^Ir. Knapp took the council degrees in Palestine Council, No. g. of R. & S. Masters, at Pottstown. Pa., and resigned for the purpose of starting a Council of S. M. at Bloomsburg; was made, by Alfred Creigh. L. L. D., M. P. G. Master of Penn- sylvania; obtained a charter for Mt. Moriah Council, No. 10, in the same year, being men- tioned in the warrant as the Second Officer; in December, 1857, was elected as T. L G. M. and served four years; in December, 1861, was elected recorder of same and has since served in that capacity; in May, 1868, w-as elected M. P. G. M. of Pennsylvania, and was re-elected until he retired, in 1876. In May, 1856, he received the degrees A. A. S. Rite from the 4th to the i8th, inclusive, in Harrisburg at the hands of R. H. \'an Ren- .salier, G. Commander, N. AI. Jurisdiction, and during the same year recei\'ed the degrees from the i8th to the 32d, inclusive, Harris- burg Consistory, S. P. R. S. ; in May, 1857, received a charter for Enoch Lodge of Perfec- tion, 14th Degree, and the charter for Zerrub- babel Council. P. of Jer.. T6th Degree, and Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croi.x, 18th De- gree, serving as first officer in each of the three bodies for one year, and then as secre- tary of each body up to 1879. In May. 1858, he received the charter for Caldwell Consis- tory, S. P. R. S., 32d Degree, and was named as its first 111. Com. -in-Chief, serving as such twenty-six years; in May, 1868, was elected an honorary member of the Supreme Council and received the 33d Degree at Cincinnati, O.; in 1870 he was elected to the active 33d Degree in .Supreme Council and was crowned as such in New York City. In September, 1879, he resigned his active membership and returned to the honorary rank; December 7, 1870, he received the order of Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, Knights St. John, Viceroy Eusebeus Prince Mason and Holy Sepulchre, at the hands of Sir Alfred Creigh. L. L. D., in the city of Philadelphia, he being the Chief Intendant General for the U. S. of A., by authority of the Imperial Council of England, and from- him obtahied a charter for Orient Conclave, No. 2. to be held in Bloomsburg. his name being enrolled on the book of the Imperial Council in London. England. On December 16, 1876, the number, 15. of Orient Conclave was changed to No. 2, as above, C. F. Knapp being the first Sovereign of the same. In 1872 he retired from that position, having served during the years 1871 and 1872. In December, 1872, the Grand Council of Pennsylvania being formed at Reading (independent of England), he was elected as G. Viceroy and served three years. In February, 1875, he was elected G. Sover- eign of the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, and ser\-ed as such one year. June I, 1875, the G. Imperial Council of the U. S. was formed and Mr. Knapp was elected Grand Senior General of that body; was elected Deputy G. Master of the G. Imperial Council for the U. S. in the citv of New York; 14 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ill 1S77 lie was elected (jraml Master ul that liixly ill kocliester, X. ^'. in l-'elji'iiary, 1874. he received the urder of (irand Cross at tlie hands of C. L. Stowell, G. Sov'ereign of Pennsylxania. at tlie age of fifty- two years. Xo nation can ha\e more than fifty ii\ing- nieniljcrs of tliis order. In June, 1877, at a (Iraiid Ciiai)ter of (irand Crosses, lie was elected a second time as the second grand officer of that body for the United States. In June, 1879, at a Grand Chapter of Grand Crosses, he was elected as Grand .Master of the U. S. In June 1880, Mr. Knapp retired from that office. The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that a ])ortrait of Mr. Knapp is presented on a preceding ])age. OHX R.. FLEMING, who is promi- nently known as the proprietor of the old Rogers ^^'o()len Mills near Forks- ville, Sullivan County, Pa., is also en- gaged in farming, owning a fine farm adjoin- ing the mill. lie is a man of great industry and iiis success has been due to his own ef- forts. He was 1)orn in Elkland township, Sul- livan County, November lo, 1862. and he is a son of I^aniel and Catherine M. (Osier) Fleming. Daniel Fleming, the father of our subject, was a prosperous farmer of Elkland township at the beginning of the Civil W'nv and in 1864, when the duration of the war was uncertain and the successes of the South had cast deep gloom over the loyal states, he. like many another bra\e man. willed that his country should live, and he immediately olTered his services. He enlisted in Company D, Heavy .Artillery, leax'ing a happy home, a family and nian\- friends. .\t the l)attle of the Wilder- ness, on June 17th, he was wounded and three days later passed into the unknown world. 1 le was united in marriage witii Catherine .M. Osier, by whom he had one son, John R., our subject. She is a daughter of John H. and Jane (Myers) Osier, and her grandfather was a soldier in the \\'ar of 1812, in which he was killed. After the hitter's death liis wife mar- ried a ^Ir. Bryan and settled in Sullivan Coun- ty, Pa., where John H. Osier was reared. .'Mter reaching manhood he moved to Elkland townshi]) and engaged in farming: later he mo\-etl to what is now Forksville and engage. 1 in woolen manufacturing, purchasing the mills our subject now owns. These he con- ducted for a period of tliirty-fi\e years. He died at the age of eighty-four years and his wife at seventy-nine. The children born to them were: Jeremiah M.. of Elkland town- ship; Sarah Jane, deceased; Catherine M., our subject's mother; John S. of Elkland township: Clay Al. of Forks township; Ly- dia. who married Perry Benfield of Forks\-ille: David W. of Lycoming County; and Edwin R. of Halestown. Md. The widow of Daniel Fleming formed a second alliance with Daniel T. Huckell. deceased, a record of whose life ap])ears elsewhere in this Piook of Biog- ra]diies. John R. Meniing was reared on a farm and obtained a good common school education, after which he took u]) the occupation of a farmer and followed it until 1884. He then, in association with 1). W. Osier, Estp, bought the old Rogers ^\'oolell Mills in Forksville of J. II. Osier and jmrchased a tract of fifty acres adjoining. In 1SS7 the firm dissolved partnerslii]). our subject retaining the farm and Mr. Osier the mill. .Since then Mr. Fleming has leased the mill and is engaged in the man- ufacture of woolen yarns and doing general custom work. I!e has a full set of cards and HON. SIMON P. \\OL\KK10N SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 17 tlie capacity of his factory is seventy-five pounds per day. The Rogers mills were es- tablished early in the Nineteenth Century, and are widely known throughout the county, as they were for a time the only woolen mills in that section. Mr. Fleming still owns the farm, with the exception of one lot, which he disposed of to his wife's mother. Mrs. F. B. Glidwell, on which she has erected a handsome residence. He is a man of thorough Inisiness habits, enterprising and industrious, and has led an exemplary life. Mr. Fleming was united in marriage on June 6, 1888, with Delia Cdidwell, a daughter of Franklin B. and Malinda (Boyle) Glidwell, and a granddaughter of William and Mary (Little) Glidwell. James Glidwell was the earliest ancestor in this country and came from iMigland. locating in Sullivan County, Fa., where he was among the early settlers. He married a Miss King and six children blessed their home: John; Thomas; Betsey; Sally; David; and \\'i'.liani. William Glidwell was born in Northumber- land County. Pa., where his parents stooped a short time prior to locating in Sullivan County. He grew to manhood and purchased a farm in Elkland township where he followed farming and ran a threshing machine for some years. Then, selling out, he bought the stone gristmill with Dr. Randall as a partner and was engaged in operating the mill during the remainder of his days. He married Mary Lit- t'e. and their children were: Daniel; Sarah Ann; Sarah Ann; Esther; Daniel; Elizabeth; George; William K.; Franklin B.; and Sa- linda B. The first three named died in their infancy. Franklin B. Glidwell took up agricultural pursuits at an early age. purchasing a farm in Elkland township, but later operated a mill at Forksville for twenty years, owning it for seventeen years of that time. Having sold that, he engaged in market gardening in part- nership with our subject, taking produce to Forksville and Eagles Mere, principally to the latter place. He was united in marriage to Malinda Boyle, a daughter of John Boyle of Elkland township, and they have two chil- dren : Delia; and Ivy. who died at the age of twenty-four years. ( )ur subject and his wife have one daughter, Grace, who was born August 11, 1889. Polit- ically he is a firm Republican. He is a school director, and for the past nine years has been a member of the town council. ■g] ON. SIMON P. WOLVERTON of Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pa., whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, is one of the foremost at- torneys and one of the most successful and formidable corporation lawyers in this state, and ex-Representative in Congress from the Seventeenth Congressional District. He is a son of Joseph and Charity (Kase) Wolverton, and was born in Rush township, Northumber- land County, January 28. 1837. Our subject truly is a self-made man. Start- ing out to make his way in youth he had as his resources an unusually brilliant intellect, a sturdy physique and a constitution which seems to have been built as of iron. From comparative obscurity, by his untiring indus- try and his personal merit and effort, he has risen to a position in the front rank of Penn- sylvania's men of great attainments, and all who know him and realize his worth as a man and a citizen rejoice that he has won the hon- ors and the success to which he is so justly entitled. In his youth Mr. Wolverton, who had secured a fairlv good schooling, taught 18 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. scliool, receiving a meager salary, determined to earn enough to pay in's expenses through college. Subsequently, when he began the study of law, he read lilackstone day and night so eager was he to adopt the profession to which he was attracted and for which his strong and logical intellect seemed so well to ht him. As in his youth, Mr. Wolverton m his young manhood continued to be a dili- gent student and a hard worker, and the same traits of character have well served him through the remarkably successful career he has enjoyed as a lawyer and as a statesman. A man of even temper, of indomitable will and possessing the best of health, he has known no such thing as failure, nor has he encountered defeat. As a lawyer, Mr. Wolverton is very thorough in the preparation of his cases and in the courts he handles them with masterly skill. ^ In his young manhood \\r, Wolverton completed his education at Danville Academy and Lewisburg University, in this state. In the university he doubled his studies and by liard work and persistent effort accomplished the work of the Juni<,r and Senior courses in one year, doing that which ordinarilv re(|uires two years' study in the single year, and grad- uated from the institution in i860. Following his graduation from the university our sul)^ ject entered the office of Hon. Alexander Jor- dan in Sunbury, ^Ir. Jordan then being the presiding judge in the Eighth Judicial District as then constituted. Mv. ^\•o]^•erton was ad- mitted to the bar in April, i86j, and imme- diately entered upon the practice of law. His practice was interrupted when (ien. Stuart, the great Rebel connnander. made his raid into this state, our subject raising a companv of emergency men, of which he was captain, who did effective service. Wlu-n a second in- vasion of this state was thrcaienecrwick, is held in high esteem by his employers and by his fellow-workmen. Our subject was born in Perthshire, Scotland. August .24, 1857, and is a son of John and Mary (Gardiner) Hempsted. John Hempsted was born in Scotland and is one of the successful tillers of the soil in that countrv. He was joined in the bonds of wed- lock to Marv Gardiner, also a nati\e of Scot- land, and a large family of children was born to them. Our subject recei\ed his intellectual train- ing in the public schools of his native town, and for seven years he served an apprentice- ship to the trade of a mechanic. In 1883 he immigrated to the United States and located in lioston, Mass., where lie found employment in the Hinkley Locomotive Works for two years; later he was employed as foreman of the forging department of the Cape Ann .An- chor Works at (jloucester, Mass. His next mo\e was to Pittsburg, Pa., where he was foreman in the forging department of the Carnegie Lower Union Mills and sub- sequently foreman in the Pittsburg Loco- motive Works at Pittsburg, Pa. In 1893 '^^ removed to Berwick. In 1884 The Jackson & Woodin plant was moved from the Hill and enlarged to its present capacity and is now do- ing all kinds of railroad forging and black- smithing. Our subject's department contains ten steam hanuners; two Bradley hanmiers: two drop hannners; about ninety other ma- chines for manufacturing forgings; and thirty- four forges, which require 340 men to operate them. Mr. I lcmi)stcd is an excellent mechan- ic and a thoroughly reliable workman and is held in high esteem for his ability and sterling worth. Mr. Hempsted was joined in the l)onds of matrimony to Marie Evans, a daughter of Capt. James Evans of Cornwall, England. Three children were the result of this union: James E. and John B., twins, born December 10, 1897; '"'"1 Ellen, born June 25, 1890, died .\ugust I J, 1890. He is a member of the Ma- sonic Order and the .\. O. L^. \\'. Since Mr. Plempsted has resided in this state he has i le v- tified himself with its interests and is cons'd- ered one of its most \aluable citizens. He has done all in his power to assist in the bui'ding \'i:kv ke\erknu john joskph koch. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 23 up of his own commmiity, and is considered one of its mainstays. ^/^y the firms of wdiich he has been a member, and the large business which he has built up. Leaving Mr. Winter- stein, Mr. Mullen took an interest in the firm of Robert Alli.son & Co., general machinists and manufacturers of machinery. Two months after he joined the tirm its shops in Port Carbon were destroyed by fire, and our subject lost the hard-earned .savings which he had invested. The sho])s were subsecjuently rebuilt by .Mlison & Bannan and Mr. Mullen was installed as foreman, holding the position until 1870, when he removed to Shamokin, SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 31 fdimed a copartnership with David Huffman, and tlie firm of Mullen & IIulTuian leased and conducted the Shaniokin Inm Wutks. a Imsi- ness which was started in iS^S by the late S. Bittenbender. In 1876. on the death of Mr. Kuffman. his interest was purchased by his co- partners and the business continued by Messrs. Mullen and Bittenbender. under the firm name of John Mullen & Co. In 1880 Mr. Bittenbender retired from the firm, Mr. Mul- len buying his interest, and the business was continued by Mr. Mullen until 1889, wdien he admitted his eldest son, Thomas, the firm becoming John Mullen & Son. as it is to-day. The junior member of the firm is a practical master machinist and a man of marked exec- utix'e ability, energy and sound judgment. The extensive plant of the firm ctintains the most modern machinery and appliances, and in- cludes a foundry 50 by 80 feet in dimensions, a machine-shop 40 by 100 feet, and a boiler- shop 30 by 50 feet, the whole constituting what is declared to be the finest plant in Northumberland County for the manufacture of high-class engines, boilers, general and spe- cial machinery. The firm has built many of the large stationary engines in use at coal mines in Pennsylvania, also many engines for mills and factories; also is the sole manufac- turer of Allison's cataract steam pump, having the largest capacity for heavy mine work. This pump is said to be the most perfect in action and ease of any in the world when fitted with the isochronal valve movement. The firm employs upwards of one hundred men in its works. When the First National Bank of Shanio- kin was organized, in 1883, Mr. Mullen was one of its charter members, and he has been its president since 1889. He is also treasurer of the Edison Electric Light Co., which ofiice he has held since the organization of the cor- poration. He was one of the prime movers in forming the coiupau}-, which was the first company furnishing incandescent electric lights organized outside of New York City. It is notable, too, that the church of which Mr. Mullen is a faithful and active member, St. Edward's Koman Catho'ic Church of Sha- niokin, was the first church in the United States to be lighted with the incandescent light. ( )ur subject is vice-president of the Shamokin Gas Co.: a trustee of the Vega Silk Co.; treasurer of the Shamokin Arc Light Co.; president of the Shamokin Coal & Coke Co., which is mining 15,000 tons of coal every month, has 150 coke ovens, pro- ducing I, ceo tons of coke per month, has 1 ,350 acres of coal lands under lease and em- ploys 3C0 hands: president of the Shamokin Powder Co.; a charter member of the Shamo- kin Steam Heating Co.; a director in the Shamokin Manufacturing Co.; vice-presi- dent of the Shaniokin Building & Loan Asso- ciation; a stockholder in the West Ward Building & Loan Association; and a member of the Home Building & Loan Association. A veteran of the Rebellion, Mr. Mullen is a leading member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R. He served three months in the 9th Reg.. Pa.. Yo]. Inf. The Post some time ago erected a fine monument in Shamokin commemorating the deeds of the soldiers and sailors and the raising of the fund to erect it, amounting to several thousand dollars, was most energeti- cally and successfully directed by our subject, who was treasurer of the committee which had the matter in charge. Our subject is a Repub- lican and was a member of the liorough coun- cil in 1884 and 1885. ]\Iiss Mary B. O'Brien, now deceased, of Herkimer County, N. Y., was united to Mr. Mullen in marriage Septemher 3, 1861. Ten children were the fruit of the happy union, as 32 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. follows: Tlionias J., wlin is liis father's co- l)artncr and mainstay in the husiness of which our siil)ject is tlie liead; Alary P>., who was the wife of Cornelius j. McCarthy of Shenandoah, I 'a., and is deceased; \\'illiani A., superintend- ent of the Shaniokin Powder Co.; and Nellie I'".., Clara G.. Edward F., Charles R., Lettie .\.; and Jose])h and John, who died in in- fancy. AMES McFARLAXl'.. who is familiar to e\ery family in Su]li\an County as one who has done more to promote the jniblic welfare of Laporte and the county at large than anv other man. is proprietor of the largest general merchandise store in that bor- ough and is an extensive lumber merchant, owning al)out 6,000 acres of land, nearly all of which is coxered with a rich growth of hem- lock timber, lie was l)orn in .Arbroath, Scot- land, and is a son of the Rev. James and Eliz- abeth (.Anderson) McFarlane. Rev. James McFarlane emigrated from his native land, Scotland, and settled in what was known as tlie "English Neighborhood" in New Jersey. He was a devout Christian and a faithful minister, and during the remainder of his life preached in the Presbyterian Church. He was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth An- derson, who was born at Ratho, near Edin- burgh, Scotland, and their union was blessed by the birth of the following children: James, the subject of this personal history; John, who is engaged in the limiber business in New York City; Kate, who married H. J. Tappan, who also resides in New A'ork City; Eliza- beth, deceased; and \\ illiani, a dry goods tnercli;mt in TToboken, N. J. James McFarlane, after obtaining a good education in a private school and attaining his m.HJority, became a member of the lirtn Thorn, McFarlane & Co., composed of himself, Jona- than and William Tliorn, dealers in hides and leather, with headquarters at No. 76 Gold street. New York City. Being men of ambi- tion and energ\- the firm soon grew to be one (jf intluence and bought many tracts of land in Pennsylvania and erected a number of tan- neries, owning at one time as much as 40,000 acres of vahiable l;uid. The tn-iii purchased the Laporte tannery, which at the time was a very small concern, at a sherifT's sale and im- mediately rebuilt "it, and subsequently added to it from time to time until at the present day it covers many acres of land and ranks among the foremost tanneries of the state. Much of the land which the firm owned was covered with hemlock forest and our sul)ject moved to Laporte in order to superintend its clearin.g. and at the same time built many tenement houses. He established the Thorndale tan- nery, which he operated very successfully for fifteen years, established a small general store, and in all gave employment to several hun- dred men. In 1893 the firm disposed of its entire estate to the Union Tanning Comi^any, and Air. AIcFarlane, who owned a jjrivate es- tate of four hundred acres and a store in La- porte, remained in the latter borough and has since conducted the store and operated the farm, which lie improved to such an extent that it is now considered one of the best es- tates in that vicinit}-. The store buildin,g was a two-story affair, the second floor being use;l as a Sabbath School room and the first floor as the store, which was ojierated on a small scale. L^pon assimiing the management of the latter our subject re-stocked it with a new and complete line of general merchandise, util- izing l)oth floors, and made many improve- ments. Business increased with great rapid- ity, and the building has since been enlarged and he now handles a'most e\'erv article that SE\'ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 33 may be demanded liy his customers, carrying a complete line of (lr\- "oods, ready-made clothing, groceries, crockery, hardware, drugs, hats and caps, l)oots and shoes, oils and paints, and many other useful articles. He built a saw-mill near the railroad station w Inch he operates extensively, as he obtains the tim- ber from his land in Forks township. Mr. Mc- Farlane is a man of public spirit and he has done all within his power to elevate the stand- ing of the town of Laporte. While the tan- nery was under iiis superintendence he built the depot at that point, in which he permitted the Roman Catholics to hold services, and also allowed it to be used as a school-house until the new building was built, the latter being erected upon land which he liberally donated. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat and has served as councilman and superintendent of schools. He has ever per- formed the obligations of a dutiful citizen and is held in high esteem by a large circle of ac- cpiaintances throughout the section. Mr. IMcFarlane was joined in hymeneal bonds to Augusta L. Lovett, daughter of John Lovett, a retired merchant of New York City, by whom he is the father of three chil- dren : James, Jr., who is associated in busi- ness with Austin. Nicholas & Co., of New York City; Ada, who resides at home: and William, whose sad death at the age of twenty years, just prior to the time of his graduation fri)in the Steidiens College of Hoboken, re- sulted from too close confinement to his studies. ARRY CLARK WALLIZE, who stands foremost among the business -men of Upper Augusta township, Northumberland County, Pa., now resides on a fine farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres and is engaged in huckstering. He is a man of integrity, and is accorded the esteem of all w ith whom he has Ijeen in any way con- nected. He is a son of Samuel H. and Re- becca (Clark) Wallize. and was born in Lewis township, Northumberland Countv, }ulv 14, 1844. ' " • ' John Wallize. the grandfather of our sub- ject on the paternal side, was a native of Berks County. Pa., and was the first of his familx' to settle in Northumberland County, where he followed his occupation as a farmer. He and his wife Sarah were the parents of the follow- ing children: Michael, a carpenter by trade: Samuel: John, a farmer: Noah, a carpenter living in Illinois; Silas; Charles, a stock- dealer residing in Decatur. 111. ; Catherine, the wife of John Speck; Hamiah. the wife of Sol- omon Eshbach; Sarah, the wife of Samuel Watson: Abbie, who married John Grey; Elizabeth, wife of Rev. George Billman ; Mary, the wife of Jerry Raker; and Rebecca, who married Joseph Moyers. and resides in Grundy County, 111. Samuel W'allize. the father of our subject, was born in Lewis township, March 12, 18 12, and learned the trade of a miller in Lycoming County, where he lived for some time. He then went to Jersey Shore. Pa., where for four years he plied his trade as a miller on his own account and then entered upon agricultural pursuits in Derby township. Montour County. Two years later he mo\ed to Liberty township of that county, where he purchased a farm and lived from 1847 to 1855, when he returned to Lewis township, Northumberland County, to care for his parents in their old age and con- duct the affairs of the two farms owned by liis father. He lived there for a period of twelve years and was a large land owner and pros- perous farmer. Shortly after the death of his jiarents he moved to Watsontown. where 34 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Ill' li\c(l a retired life. In liis latter days, how- e\er. lie li\t'(l with liis son. jnliii I., in i\usli tdwnsiiip, and his death occurred January 3u. 189J. Tliroui;ii()ul his active career he was eiiga,i;ed in dr()\in<;- and liuckstering to a cer- tain extent, and in a!) lines of business met witli success. Religiously lie was a member of tlie Lutheran Church. He married Rebecca Clark, who was born in Upper Augusta town- ship, Noveml)er 3, 181 1, a daughter of John Clark, a farmer who came from Scotland and located in Upper Augusta township, North- umberland County. Mr. Clark was the father of the following children : Elizabeth, the wife of William Cooner; Alary, the wife of Solo- mon .Starner: ^^'illianl: John; Jonathan; (ieorge; Wesley; Samuel; Reljccca, the mother of our subject; and Margaret. Mr. AVallize and liis wife reared the following chil- dren ; Ennna. the wife of Martin (lillingerof I'Jush townshi]); \\'illiam E., who died young; John ].; Sarah E., the wife of Thomas H. Kissner; Harry C, subject of this sketch; .\nnie, the wife of William Bly; Silas, a clerk in the railway shops at Grand Rajiids, Michi- gan; and George, a liveryman of \Vatson- town. Pa. Mrs. Wallize at the present time resides with a daughter in ^^'atsontown. Harry Clark \\\'illize was reared on the farm and attended the public schools and Warren Institute at Warren\ille, III., living at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he located at lluntley Station, McHenry County, 111. He was em])loyed there as over- seer on a dairy-farm at first, but he was sub- sequently called upon to act in the capacity of superintendent, continuing for a ])eriod of one and one half years. He then retm-ned home anil counted lumber in a saw-mill for a like period, after which he lived with his brother in Rusli township for three years. In iSji he was married and then engaged in farming in Ujiper Augusta township, near his present hcmie, for a period of si.\ years, but - later conducted a store in I'.ast I'ulTalo \'al- ley. Union County, Pa., for two years. He then sold out and returned to L'])per .\ugusta township, where he engaged in the manufac- ture of brick and operated a flagstone (juarry. After a period of three years spent at that bus- iness he bought his jiresent farm of one hun- dred and forty-seven acres, known as the old H. G. Kline homestead, and has since lived there. He rents a major jjortion of the land, Init carries on market gardening himself, mak- ing on an average of three trips a week to Sha- mokin to dispose of his produce. He has also dealt in fertilizers for some years, and his success has been great in whatsoever line of l)usiness he has undertaken, owing to his nat- ural industr\- and general business capacity. On A larch \<^. 1S71. Air. Wallize was joined in hymeneal bonds with Elizabeth C. Kline, a daughter of Harmon G. and Marx- Kline of Upper Augusta townshi]). Her father was a farmer and a school teacher and is now li\ing" in retirement in Snnbury. This union re- sulted in the birth of two children, namely; .\rthnr !>.. a ])roniising \oung man who is now in attendance at Easton College; and Bertha Estella, who died at the age of five years. Politically our subject has always been an unswer\-ing su])porter of the Republican ]iart\-, and has at \arious times been called into ])ublic office. He ser\'ed as auditor of the townshi]) at the time East Snnbury was taken from the townshi]); school director for six years, and was secretar)- of the board during the entire period. .\t the ])resent time he is a director of the AIntnal hire Insurance Com- l^any, ojierating in L'i)i)er and Lower Augus- ta, Rockefeller and Alahanoy tow'nships. In religious attachments he is a inember of the Methodist Eniscojial Church and is \erv act- HON. GRANT HF.KKINC;. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. i\'e in its workings. He is a class-leader in the Sunday Sciiool and is now acting as superin- tendent of that hod}-. He is also an acti\'e worker of the Epworth League. He is a prominent memher of the Farmers' Alliance. ON. GRANT HERRING, who has attained much prominence as a practi- tioner of law and in politics in the town of Bloomshurg, Columbia County, Pa., was formerly collector of internal revenue for the Twelfth District of Pennsylvania and re- cently served as president law judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial District. He repre- sented the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District in the State Senate for a term of four years. He is a son of George A. and Mary A. (Hess) Herring, and was born at Centerville, now known as Limeridge, Columbia County, May 19, 1862. The Herrings were originally a family of German peasants, and Christopher Herring, his wife, and their eight children were brought to this country prior to the Revolutionary War as "redeiuptioners," their services being sold to pay their passage. Of these children two were killed in the battle of Brandywine and another, Ludwick, who was the great- grandfather of our subject, settled in Orange- ville, Columbia County, Pa., in 1800. He was a teamster and was engaged in hauling pro- duce and goods from Orangeville and Potts- ville to Reading before the introduction of the railroad system in that section. John Herring, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Orangeville, Pa., in 1808 and there resided throughout his active life. He was a carpenter by occupation and for twenty years was foreman of carpentering on the Pennsylvania Canal, lietween Nanticoke and Sunbury. Politically he was a Jacksonian Democrat, casting his first vote for Jackson, and adhered to the Democratic party until his demise. For ten years he was justice of the peace at Orangeville. He moved to Blooms- burg in 1889 and during the following years lived in retirement, dying in 1893. He mar- ried Rebecca Snyder, a sister of the late Sher- iff John Snyder of Orangeville, and they had eight children, six sons and two daughters. George A. Herring, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Orangeville, December 24, 1833, and obtained his education in the acad- emy at that place. At the age of twenty years he moved to Bloomsburg and learned the trade of a molder, which he followed for a period of four years in Bloomsburg, 111., and in Michigan. He then returned home and en- gaged in carpentering with his father, l)uild- ing canalboats at Limeridge, Columbia County. He continued carpenter work and boat building until 1864, when he purchased a colliery, now known as No. 3, at Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Pa., in connection with J. W. Williams, Esq., operating it for a few years under the firm name of Williams & Herring. He then met with a serious accident which nearly resulted in his death and which termi- nated his connection with the mine. He dis- posed of his interest and engaged in merchan- dising in Shenandoah up to the year 1876, when he sold out. During this period he was elected treasurer of Schuylkill County, serving from 1870 to 1873. He was one of the organ- izers and a director of the Shenandoah Water Company; also a director of the Shenandoah Valley Bank. In 1876, owing to poor health, he sold his store and moved to Bloomsburg, purchasing a farm two miles from there and also renting a tannery, which lie operated un- til 1882. He then disposed of the tannery, but has since owned the farm. From 1881 to 1887 38 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. lie served ns deputy treasurer of ("(iluml)ia Count}' and for the follow in;j;' tlu'ee }'ears as treasurer. In 1S94 lie was made deputy eol- leet(jr of internal revenue for the Twelfth Dis- trict of I'ennsxhauia. with office at Scranton. under his son Grant, and lie has since held that office. Politically Mr. Herring is a firm sup- ])orter of Democratic principles and has fre- (|ucntly ser\ed as delegate to state conven- tions from Columbia and Schuxlkill Counties. He was a delegate to the con\ention which nominated Pattison for governor, and the delegation from Columbia County, being the last to cast its \-ote, had the distinction of naming the Democratic candidate, as the vote was \-ery close. Mr. Herring married Mary A. Hess, who died in 1893 at tiie age of fifty- seven years, and they liecame the parents of three children: Grant, the suliject of this bio- grai)liic;d record: Ida, who resides with her father at IJloomsburg; and John, who died in March. 1890, at the age of twenty-two years. The latter was graduated from Lafayette Col- lege in June, 1889. atid during his Junior vear in college he recei\'ed three honors in orator- ical contests. I^])on leaving school he began the study of law with our sid)jcct and contin- ued it until his death. Grant Herring attended the common schools of Shenandoah until 1876, when he entered the liloomsburg State Normal School to prepare for college, remaining there until 1879. He then took a classical course in La- fayette College, graduating therefrom in June, 1883. He is an excellent sjicaker and a llucnt writer, and in his Junior year took first hon- ors in the oratorical contest. In September, 1883, he began the study of law with L. R. Ikeler, Esq.. afterwards president judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsyl- vania. l)eing the immediate jiredecessor of our sulijecl in that ol'lice at Bloomsburg. being ad- mitted to the bar in l-'ebruary. 1885. lie formed a ])artnership with .Mr. Ikeler ou the same day under the luin name Ikeler & Her- ring, and they continued together for four years, until .Mr. Herring was elected to the bench. He has since practiced alone, and has admission to the County, United States, State and District Supreme Courts. He had a good corporation jiractice, being solicitor for the Farmers' National Bank, attorney for the Pliiladel])liia & Reading Railroad, for The Jackson 1.K; W'oodin Manufacturing Company of Berwick, and a number of other prominent firms. He ]30ssesses essentially a legal mind and is indefatigalile in the prosecution of cases which he under- takes, and has met with unusual success. Politically he has been <|uite acti\e in the af- fairs of the Democratic party, and represented the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District of Pennsyhania in the State Senate from 1890 to 1894, being in the extra session called by Gov. T^attison in 1893 for the investigation of state officers. He was delegate-at-large from Pennsybania to the DenK)cratic National Con\-ention in iS()_' which chose Cleveland as the party candidate, and was also a delegate from bis district in 1896 to the Chicago Con- \ention. He was apjiointed collector of inter- nal revenue for the Twelfth District of Penn- s\l\ ania, assuming the duties of office on Feb- ruary 3, 1894. He was appointed judge of the Twent\-si.\th Judicial District .\ugust 12, 1898, but was not ;i candidate for election at the polls in \'(i\enil n-r. I Ic I'esumed the jiriic- tice of his profession in January, 1899. On September 4. 1885, Mr. Herring was united in marriage to l'"nima Jones of Blooms- l)nrg. and thev are the parents of three chil- dren, as follows: Donald, born September 25. 1886, who attends the Bloomsl)urg High School; I.;un';i. born December J4. 1887; SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 39 and Mildred, born September 24, 1893. Our subject is a man of strong personality and has a large following in Eastern Pennsylvania, ;md it is with pleasure that we announce that his portrait is presented on another page of this work. M U\'AL DICKSON, station agent of the D., L. & W. R. R., also agent for the United States Express Company at Berwick, one of the popular and energetic Inisiness men of that town, was born in Xorthumberland County, Pa., and is a son of Rev. James and Jeanette (Duval) Dickson, grandson of Archibald and Elizabeth (W'aite) Dickson, and great-grand.son of .\rchibald Dickson. Archiba'.d Dickson, Sr.. was a native of Ke'so, Roxburyshire, Scotland, and during his boyhood learned the trade of a shoemaker, and. attaining manhood, engaged in the shoe business, following that line of business the rest of his active days. He was the father of four children, namely : Roliert: Jane; Eliza- l)eth: and Archibald. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson each lived to the age of seventy years. .\rchibald Dickson, Jr.. the grandfather of our subject, was born in Kelso, Ro.xburyshire, Scotland, and from his father he learned the trade of a shoemaker and conducted a shoe store all his life. He was joined in marriage to Elizabeth W'aite, also a nati\e of Kelso, and to their union the fol'owing children were born: James, the father of our subject ; Mar- garet; Robert; Jessie; John; and three who died in infancy. ]\Ir. Dickson died at the age of fifty years. James Dickson, the father of our subject, received his intellectual training in the Nor- mal School at Glasgow, Scotland, ,-ind in 1843 went to the West Indies, where he was en- gaged in missionar\' work for ten years. In 1853 Mr. Dickson innnigrated to the United States, and located in Philadelphia, and. ha\- ing prepared himself for the ministry in the meantime, he was ordained to preach on Sep- tember 13. 1834. in the Eourth Presbyterian Church of that city. While in that city he serx-ed as secretar_\- for Albert Burns for sev- eral months. Since that time he has preached in the following churches: at Camden, N. J., in 1854; Rausch Gap and Gold Mine, Pa., in 1854-55; Birmingham, Pa., in 1854; Mt. Pleas- ant, Pa., in 1859; Northumberland, from i860 to '67; Berwick. Pa., from 1868 to '79; Mclntyre. Pa., 1880; Penndale. Slack's Run and Baden, from 1881 to '89; Dayas Mines, in 1890; and did missionary work to 1892. Thus he has spent thirty-eight }ears and six months in the pulpit, and his salary has been contin- ued at the same rate for the remainder of lis lifetime. He is now living in retirement in the town of Berwick, Columbia County. Mr. Dickson has been twice married. Pie was united to his first wife, Mary Carlisle, a daugh- ter of Warren Carlisle of Brownville. Pa., June 9. 1844. and the following children were born to them : Elizabeth Agnes, born June 29, 1847; Mary Carlisle, born February i, 1849, who is the wife of C. N. Farrer; Agnes D., born July 8, 1850; Warrand C, born January 7, 1852; and James Irving, born January i, 1853, and died young. Rev. Mr. Dickson's wife died at the age of twenty-six years, and he subsequently married Jeanette Duval, a daughter of Michael and Eleanor (Hatfield) Duval, both natives of Normandy, France. Michael Duval served under Napoleon the First; he came to the United States and lo- cated in Dauphin County, Pa., where he spent the rest of his life, passing away at the age of sixty-six }-ears. His wife died aged seventy 40 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. years. Tliey were the ])arciits of tliree chil- dren, namely: William Jv; Jeanette; and l^noch S. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson reared the following children: William Sterling, horn August 18, 1858. is paymaster at The Jackson & \\'oodin ^Manufacturing Company and mar- ried Lillie Bauclicr, wlio here him two chil- dren, Conway and David. William S. formed a second marriage with Martha Helenrich. Alexander Whilden, born December 12, 1859, is a commercial traveler, and married Sally Freece, now deceased, and five children blessed their union, namely: Edna J.; James H.; Freece; Pauline; and Alexander W^ Con- way, born December 20, 1862, is a preacher in the Methodist Church at Marysville, Pa. James, born October 7, 1865, wedded Annie B. Low, who bore him one child, Myron Low. Archibald, born March 19, 1867, is a sten- ographer and had charge of the Colunil)ia Business College for five years. Duval Dickson, the subject of this personal history, began business life as a foreman in the lumber yards of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company and remained in the conijjany's empio}- for three years. In 1885 he began learning telegraphy and was soon appointed operator on the D., L. & W. R. R., and was given charge of the station at Ber- wick, a position he still holds to the satisfac- tion of the public, as well as to his superiors. He is also engaged in the wholesale and retail coal business, and is L'nited States Express agent. He is poi)ular ;uid is held in high es- teem by his fellow-citizens, who know him to be an honest, straightforward business man. Our suliject also owns a farm (if eighty-fi\'e acres located at the foot of Berwick Heights, which is known as the old S. l'^. Smith i)rop- erty. He has made many improvements and sjjends manv of his leisure hours working upon the farm. Mr. Dickson was wedded to Amelia Long, a daughter of C. C. Long of Danville, Pa., and one child has blessed their home: Clark L., born July 20, 1892. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Church; and is also a mem- ber of the Knights of ]\Ialta. T^EV. DAXIEL THO^LVS HCCK- I r\ EI-L, deceased, who throughout his -*- v_ ^ entire life resided on the old liuck- ell homestead near the town of Forksville, in Sulli\'an County, was a minister of the Cjos- pel and held charges in Forksville and vicinity for many years. He was a true Christian in every respect and his life was an exemplary one. Fie lived for others and his many kind acts and charitaljle deeds will long be recalle:l by those who knew and loved him. Rev. Mr. Huckell was born on the home farm in Forks township, Sullivan County. Pa.. June 2^. 1833, and was a scmi of John and I'^.l- len (Little) Huckell, and a grandson of Thom- as Huckell. The latter was a native of Eng- land, who came to America, where we first find him located in Northumberland County, Pa. Jle there became accjuainted with Dr. Priestly, a land agent, and also a na- tive of England, and of him he purchased for one dollar per acre a tract of 300 acres of land in Forks township, Sullivan County. Prior to coming to this country his vocation was that of a merchant and he intended following that line of business here, bringing with him many things which he found to be utterly use- less in the wilderness in which he made his home. In that section there were no roads and only the Indian trails along the creeks afl'ordcd passage to civilization. He chose a tract of well covered timberland and also fiat- land, on which he built his first house, a ruile SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 41 affair of logs and in tlie rear of wliere the beautiful home now stands. Ahly as- sisted hv his wife and children, he cleared a good farm, and there they lived haiii)ily, al- though they had few neighbors within a radius of many miles. This hardy pioneer lived to reach the age of seventy years before passing into the realms of the unknown. He married Sarah Ann Lambert, a native of England, who died at the age of seventy-seven years, and their children were: Benjamin, who died in Eng'and; Sarah, the wife of G. Lyon; Wil- liam; Ann, the wife of J. Ball; Catherine, the wife of Thomas Raper; John; Mary, wife of J. Rogers; and Harriet, who married Wil- liam Bowen. John Huckell, the father of our subject, was b(irn in Iingland and came tu this countrx' with his ]iarents. He assisted his father on tlie farm and upon his father's cfeath succeeded to the ownership thereof, residing upon it un- til his tleath. He was past seventy years of age when lie died and his wife was near eighty. His wife's maiden name was Ellen Little, and four children blessed their union : Benjamin, who died young; Sarah Ami, the wife of J. L. Snyder; Daniel T., the subject of this biographical record; and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas IMolyneux. Daniel Thomas Huckell was reared on the family homestead and obtained a good edu- cation in tlie district schools, as he was a boy of more than ordinary diligence and always displayed great fondness for reading and study. He determined to enter the ministry and teach his fellowmen the word of God and thereby aid them in their various walks of life, and as a result of this resolve he directed his studies toward that end. His father, however, persuaded him to remain at home and assist liim for a time and this he did, but in 1882 he entered upon his first charge and officiated in the pulpit until his demise. His pastoral work was principally in Forksx'ille and vicin- it}-. and he worked faithfully in the interest of the church and for the cause of Christianity. He continued as ])roprietor of the homestead and sold fifty acres which were laid out in town lots, on which many fine buildings now stand. In 1885 he erected one of the hand- somest residences in Forks township and im- proved the grounds, setting out fine shrubs and trees, and doing what he could to add to the general appearance of the place. Rev. Mr. Huckell was fond of good horses and always drove spirited animals. At one time he was drawing wood with a fine span of blacks and upon unloading he stood at the front end of the wagon. The hi)rses. taking fright at some- thing, started u\k and he became tangled in the whiffie-tree and was thrown into the air, alighting on his back and side. Upon exami- nation it was found that three ribs had been broken and his death finally resulted, Novem- ber 7, 1896. His death was greatly mourned, not only by liis loving wife and children, but by a large circle of acquaintances throughout Sullivan Count}-. September 2t,, 1870, Rev. Mr. Huckell was united in marriage with Mrs. Catherine j\L Fleming, nee Osier, and they had one child. Sarah Ann. a teacher and student of Lock- haven State Normal School. For more than thirty years he served in an official capacity as justice of the peace and was also a member of the State Board of Agricultural Commis- sioners. Mrs. Huckell is a daughter of John H. and Jane (Myers) Osier, and was born in Sullivan County. John H. Osier was reared in Sul.i- van County, where his mother settled after forming a second union with a Mr. Bryan, her first husband having been killed in the \\ ar of 1812. After reachinL;- manhood he engaged 42 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. in iIk' uddlfii niaiuifacturini;' liusincss for a ])eri(i(l of tliirty-fivo years in Klkland town- sliip. There he died at the age of eighty-four years and liis wife at the age of seventy-nine. 'I'lieir childi'cn were as follows: Jeremiah of i\lklan(l township: Sarah Jane, deceased; Catherine -M.. the widow of our subject; John S. of f'^lkland township: Clay M. of Forks township: I.ydia: ])a\i(l W. of Lycoming County: Henry W'., who tiled young; and Ivlwin R. of C.alcstown, Md. Catherine M. ( )sler fornidl a matrimonial alliance with Dan- iel Mcniing. who was engaged in agricultural pursuits in l^lkland township, in the Civil War he enlisted in Co. D of the heavy artil- lerv, and was woimdcd in the battle of the Wilderness, June 17, 1864, and his death re- sulted on June 20th, three days later. This union resulted in the birth of one son, John R. Fleming, a |)rosperous woolen manufac- turer of Forksville, a record of whose life ap- pears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies. Mrs. Huckell is now living in the home built by her huslxmd and is surrounded by 'scores of friends, in whose midst she has lived these many years, who hold her in high esteem for her many excellent traits of character. She was a worthy helpmeet in the good works accomplished by her husband, being of a symi)athetic and charitable nature, and she can never stand by and see others in distress without doing her utmost to relieve them. t)HX G. KIMBLF. This expert miller has been successfully engaged in that occupation more or less all his life, and is now senior member of the firm of Kimble & Jones, manufacturers of White Rose tlour and buckwheat tlour, corn-meal, etc. He was born in T,oyalsock township, Lycoming Countv, Pa., six miles al)o\e the \illage of .Montoiu'sville, October 7, 1S45, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (.McCiarin) Kimble, I'eter Kimble, grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and was of Ger- man descent. Fie was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary W'ar and after independence had been gained he moved to Lycoming County, Pa,, where he followed his trade as a blacksmith. He jjassed from this life at his home in Fair- field in 1845, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Jacob Kimble, our subject's father, was born in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1806. He attended the district school a short time and spent the major part of his leisure hoiu's work- ing in the blacksmith-shop owned by his fath- er and soon became quite proficient in that trade. Attaining his majority, Peter moved to Loyalsock. where he ]nn-sued the occupa- tion of a blacksmith for thirty-five years. In 1857 he purchased a mill in Columbia County, Pa., located two miles above Benton, on West Creek, now the property of our subject. He successfully o])erated that mill until i8f)9. when he returned to his native count)' ami settled in Hughesville, where he s])ent his re- maining days in retirement. His death oc- curred in 1884. Religiously he was a meiuber of the Christian Church. He was united in marriage to Mary AlcClarin, 1)y wliom he reared four sons and three daughters, namely ; Lucinda, wife of Samuel Wilson of Clinton, 111,: Peter F., a luerchant residing at Spring- field, 111.: Smith W.. a well-known inventor residing in New \'oi-k City: Asher, a luiller bv trade, wdio died in 1864: Jennie, a resi- dent of Hughesville, Pa.; Annie, wife of Ira J. Thomas, proprietor of the old Kimble mills in Benton township: and John (i., our sub- ject. iohn (i. Kimble was educated in the public ^ i HON. THOMAS CHALFANT. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 45 bchools of Benton township and then worked with his father, learning the miller's trade, at the West Creek Mill. He remained in the em- ploy of his father until 1876, when he moved to Springfield, 111.; there he continued his former occupation for three years and then went to Mechanicsburg in the same county and engaged in the milling business four vears. After spending eight years in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he followed his trade, he returned to ]\Iechanicsl)urg, 111., and followed milling two years. In 1894 our subject returned to Columbia County and in partnership with his lirother-in-law, Ira J. Thomas, he purchased the Jonestown Mills. Mr. Thomas sold his interest in this property, and on January i, 1899, Mr. A. W. Jones was admitted into partnership with our subject and the_\- are operating under the firm name of Kimble & Jones. The mill is a four-story frame building, 40 by 50 feet, is operated by water-]3o\\er, and has a capacity of 100 bar- rels per da\'. The firm's fayorite flour is the White Rose, which is made from select winter wheat, and commands a read)' sale in the market. In the spring of 1898 our subject and J. W. ]\Iathews purchased, under the firm name of Kimble & Mathews, the Benton Flouring Mills, which they propose to remodel and equip with the latest and most improved ma- chinery. This mill is also operated Ijy water- power. Mr. Kimble chose for his life companion Stella Jones, a daughter of James N. Jones, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the section, and they were united in mar- riage December 29, 1869. Two children have blessed their home, namely : Lawrence, a miller by trade, residing at And^oy, Minne- -sota; and Clinton, a miller, living at home. Mr. Kind)le casts his \-ote in support of the Democratic party. ^1 ON. THOMAS CHALFANT, the ■=n ])resent popular postmaster of Dan- * ville. Pa., and one of the honored and influential citizens of Montour County, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1819. Our subject traces his ancestral history back to Robert Chalfant, a member of the Society of Friends, who, with William Penn, emi- grated from Stoke Pogis, England, to Amer- ica and settled on land at Doe Run, Chester County, Pa., which is still in the family name. He is also a descendant of John Peden on the maternal side, a Scotch-Irish Covenanter, who immigrated to the American Continent and settled in Pennsylvania in 1732. He was one of the founders of the Covenanters Church in Philadelphia, which is located on Spruce street. Hon. Thomas Chalfant was reared and edu- cated in the city of Philadelphia, and when a young man he learned the trade of a carpen- ter ami patternmaker, which occupation he followed in his nati\'e city until 1840. He then moved to Danville, Pa., and in 1847 went South and located in the state of Georgia, where he assisted in the erection of a number of sugar and cotton mills. Returning to his native state he became a resident of Danville, where, in partnership with his l)r()ther-in-law. Dr. Isaac Hughes, he openetl and conducted a drug-store for many years, meeting with the greatest of success. On October i, 1853, our subject was commissioned postmaster of Dan ville and held that position until July 15. 1861, when he took charge of the Danville Intelligencer, one of the leading papers of Montour County. June 28, 1863, he enlisted in the Union Army for a term of three months and was commissioned as captain of Co. D, 53r(l Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., October 6, 1866, Air. Chalfant was elected a member of the 46 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. State Le_<,nslaturc as a representative of Co- lunil)ia and .Mimtoiir Counties, and was re- elected to the same otfice in the following year. During his latter term he was largely instrunienlal in passing the hill appointing conunissioners to select a site for the erection of a state hospital for the insane, and the se- lection of a site in Danville was also due to the efforts of our subject. In 1872 Mr. Chal- fant was again honored with a seat in the State Senate, representing Columbia, IMontour, Ly- coming and Sullivan Counties. In 1883 he was appointed one of the trustees of the Dan- ville State Hospital, which position he still re- tains. Mr. Chalfant was elected [iresident of the I'ennsvlvania State Editorial .\ssociation in 1881 : anil in 1885 he was appointed post- master (if l)an\ilk' under Clex-eland's admin- istration, and has held that ])Osition to the present time, filling it with great credit to himself and entire satisfaction of the citizens of Danville. In 1842 Mr. Chalfant married Eliza Hughes, a daughter of Ellis Hughes of Dan- ville, and two sons and two daughters blessed this union, of whom none survive but Charles, e.x-publisher of the Danville Daily Sun, and now a ])romincnt attorney of Danville. In ]i()litics our subject is strongly Democratic and endorses the views of his partv conscien- liously. Mr. Chalfant is one of the repre- sentative men in this section of the state and his opinions are sought and valued as those of a man of deliberate and tem])erate judgment and intelligent thought. APT. JAMES BOYD ROBISON, who serxcd with great credit as a captain in the l^iion .Army during the Civil War, is a man who has attained particular pruminence as an atlorney-at-!aw in Blooms- burg, Columbia County, Pjl He resides in a handsome home at l"-s])y, but e\ery day fmds him in his office in I'loonisburg looking after his extensi\e jjractice. He was born in Bloomsburg, January 3. 1838, and is a son of William and Betsey (Barton) Robison. His great-grandfather was William Robi- son. who was born in the North of Ireland and was of Scotch- Irish parentage. He was unmarried when he came to America, but sub- sequently was joined in wedlock with Martha Huston, a native of this coinitry. They re- sideil in the beginning of the last century in the Juniata region, where he was engaged in agricultural ])ursuits the remainder of his life. In religious attachments he was a strict be- lie\er in the Presbyterian faith. He was the ])rogenitor of the following chiklren : James: Hugh; John; .\lexander; David; \\ illiaiu; Joseph; Margaret; .\gnes; Elizabeth; Jane; and Rebecca. -Alexander Robison. grandfather of our sub- ject, also took to agricultural ]iursuits at Mc- X'eytown, Pa., where he was born and li\ed all his life. He married Elizabeth McKee and among the children who blessed that union was William, the father of our subject. W'illiam Robison was born in McA'eytown, Pa., January H). 1789, and was reared u]3on his father's farm, obtaining bis intellectual ed- ucation in the district schools. In 1810 he located near Orangeville, Columbia County, where he opened and conducted a genera! store for four or fi\e years, and then moved to Bloomsburg with his brother John. They operated a tannery at the corner of Third street and Miller's alley with much success until 1826. In connection with the tannery they built the stone house, corner of Third street and Miller's alley. It was first occupied b\' William and his wife on their marriage. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 47 January 30, 1816, and is now the oldest house in town. In 1822 W'ilHani Rol^ison was ap- l)ointed sheriff of Cohimbia County, serving in that capacity for a short time. From 1826 to 1840 he conducted a first-class hotel at the corner of Second and Center streets, where Afoyer's drugstore is now located. During this period he was also extensively engaged in staging, — providing the only transportation from Bloomsburg to many points, and he did a very large business. In 1840 he rented his hotel and became interested in farming, pur- chasing a large farm in Hemlock township, which is now owned by J. Trout, Esq., and continuing there until 1846, when he again returned to Bloomsburg and carried on a mercantile business in the hotel building for eight years. Being past sixty-six years of age, in 1855 he retired from active life and lived happily until his demise, in 1866. Politically he was originally a Democrat and then a Clay Whig, lint later l^ecame a Republican, remain- ing so the rest of his life. He owned one-thiril of the lot on which the court-house stands and presented it to the county. In religious views he was a Presbyterian. Socially, he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. January 30, 1816, he married Betsey Barton, who was born in Bloomsburg, January 30, 1799, and was a daughter of Elisha Barton, one of the early prominent men of Bloomsburg, and this union resulted in the following issue: Alex- ander, deceased, who married Mary E. Thompson; Jane McKee, wife of Lynd El- liott; Anna Maria, wife of Ariovistus Pardee; Martha Elizabeth, who married Andrew M. Rupert; Harriet, wife of Charles E. Frazer; Ellen Boone, wife of Dr. \Mlliam B. Hawkins; F.mily A., wife of George B. Alarkle; Isabelle, wife of Nathaniel L. Campbell; \\'illiam Bar- ton, who died at the age of four years; Mary Augusta, deceased; James Bovd. the subject of this biographical record; Isaiah B., a sol- dier in the Civil War who gave up his life for the cause of his country at the battle of Peach Tree Creek in 1864; and Hannah Amelia, wife of Fred E. Barber. James Boyd Robison attended the public schools and the Bloomsburg Academy and ap- ])lied himself with such diligence that he was considered c|ualified to teach and received an appointment in MitTlin township, Columl)ia County, January 10, 1854, just one week after his sixteenth birthday. On August 19, of that year, he was awarded the first permanent cer- tificate issued by Carbon County. He taught at Summit Hill for seven months and then served for two months on a corps of engineers who laid out the Yeddo Branch of the Hazle- ton Railroad. In 1855 he entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., from which he re- ceived the degree of A. M. in 1867, but in 1857 he went to Washington, D. C, where he was engaged in writing ])atents for the land office for fi\'e months. He held a position as bookkeeper at Mauch Chunk, Carbon Coun- ty, for three months, when he went to Illi- nois, where he engaged in teaching school and selling books from 1858 to 1859. In August. 1859, he began to prepare himself for the legal profession, entering the ofiice of Jason T. Giebner, a well-know n lawyer of Mercer, Mer- cer County, Pa., in the meantime making enough as a clerk in the sheriff's office to su])- port himself. When the first shot, which startled the world, was fired at Fort Sumter in 1861, opening the real hostilities between the Union Army and the Secessionists, our subject was one of the first to oft'er his aid to his country. On the day after receiving intel- ligence of the first encounter he drew up an enlistment paper and headed it with his own name. This was the iirst enlistment in Mer- cer Count \-. The company was soon organ- 48 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ized and was at first known as the Mercer Rifles, but was mustered in June 17, 1861, as Company (i, lotli Keijt. I'a. \'ol. Reserves, under Capt. A. J. Warner, for a period of tliree years. Mr. Rohison was a sergeant of tlie company and remained in tlie ser\-ice until lie received a se\'cre wound in the left hand at the second battle of Bull Run. when he was sent to the hospital, receiving his discharge December 18, i86j. In June of the year fol- lowing he was elected captain of Company H, of the 35th Regiment, at Harrisburg. Pa., with which he ser\ed until .\ugnst, 1863. when he returned home and thence to Mercer and resumed his studies, being admitted to the bar in November, 1863. During the follow- ing winter he taught school at Sandy Lake, Mercer County. ( )n June 1. i8f)4, he went to Washington. 1). C, as a clerk under Capt. J. T. Giebner in the cc)nnnissary department, who was assigned to the 19th .\rniy Corps luidcr Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Val- le\. It was his misfortune to be captured by the Rebels on September 26, and on (Dctober 1 7 he was cast into Libby Prison, where the L'nion men received the treatment commonly accorded Union prisoners of war. On Febru- ar\- 17, 1865. he secure. 1889; and William A., born September 4, 1896. |^|jA'. martin L. shindel, a gen- tleman of scholarly attainments and a devout Christian worker, has served faithfully and most efticiently as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dan- ville since March, 1874. He has devoted his time and energy to the cause of Christianity with a zeal and a lo\e for his work which could not but result in the accomidishment of much good to his charge and his fellow citizens, and there is not a member of his church who does not love and respect him. He is a son of Rev. J. P. and Susanna (McCollough) Shin- del, and was born in Sunbury. Northumber- land County, Pa. Rev. J. P. Shindel, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Lebanon County, Pa., and when young decided that his life's work lay in the ministerial field. He became pastor of the Lutheran Church of Sunbury and served as such for a period of forty-five years, when he retired owing to his advanced age. five years prior to his death. He married Susan- na McCollough of Lei)anon County and they were the parents of a family of e'even child- ren, as follows: Jeremiah, a minister: Rev. John P.; Jacob J. G.: Solomon; Newton, a physician, deceased: Dr. Daniel \\\. deceased; Martin L.. our subject: Philip M.: Louise, the wife of Gideon Leisem"ing: Maria, the wife of Benjamin Hendricks; Susanna, the wife of Samuel Gobin, is the mother of Lieut. - Gov. J. P. S. Gobin of Pennsylvania. .M.irtin L. Shindel recei\cd a good educa- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 55 tion, graduating from the Susquehanna Uni- versity, after which he studied for the ministry and was ordained to preach in 1861. His first charge was at !\lcAHstcr\illc, I 'a., wlierc he remained for three vears, after wliich he had tliree congregations at Selinsgrove, Pa., for a period of seven years. He then removed to nan\-ille, ]\Iontour C()unt\-, as the successor to l\e\'. U. Graves as pastor of the EvangeHcal Lutheran Church, of wliich he is pastor at tlie present time. This church was originally a part of St. John's German Lutheran Church of Danville, which was established in 1820 by Rev. Peter Kessler, who for some years was the only pastor of that denomination in that section of the state. He had charge of all the congre- gations in Montour and adjoining counties. In 1830 the Lutherans and Iqjiscopalians joined in building a house of worship in which each was to hold its services, but after a year or two dissatisfaction arose, and the Luther- ans erected a church of their own in 1844. The congregation assumed large pro]iortions in a remarkably short time and it became ap- parent that the size of the church was insuf- ficient to comfortably accommodate all who wished to attend. Many of the members again became dissatisfied and the English- speaking members withdrew, resulting in the incorporation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on April 29, 1852. They erected a handsome brick church on Pine Street in 1858, a building 45 by ^2 feet in size, with a large basement for a Sunday School room, and Rev. P. P. Lane was installed as the first pastor. He in turn was succeeded by the fol- lowing in their respective order: Rev. M. J. Stover, Rev. E. A. Sharretts, Rev. George M. Rhoads, Rev. U. Graves, and Rev. Martin L. Shindel, our subject. The trustees of the church at present are: Jacob Eish, William E. Case, Charles Pusey, and Charles Werkheiser. Adjoining the church, but facing on Mulberry street, is the parsonage which is in every way in keeping with the church edifice. L'uder the successful guidance of its present pastor the church has increased in member- ship to an enrollment of two hundred, and is in good financial condition. Rev. Mr. Shindel during his long pastorate and faithful devotion to his duty toward God and man, has won a high place in the affections of the people. Our subject was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Catherine Young, a daughter of John Young, and they reared a daughter, Elizabeth B., now the wife of Sam- uel McCoy, town clerk of Danville, Pa. Mrs. Shindel died at the age of fifty-five years, and our subject formed a second marital union with Mary O. Tillson, a daughter of Darius and Mary Tillson of Danville, and they have one daughter, Susan Mary, born October 23, 1889. M ANIEL McHENRY, for many years ItT) I "^ prominent lumberman of Columbia and adjoining counties, is now living in his fine old residence at Stillwater, Fishing- Creek township, Columbia County, Pa., which was the first property his grandfather ac- quired after coming to this country, and he is extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, being a large land owner in that section. He is a son of Moses and Martha (Edgar) Mc- Henry, and was born at Stillwater, May 15, 1827. Daniel McHenry, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the North of Ire'and and was of Scotch-Irish parentage. Coming to America prior to the struggle -for independ- ence, he enlisted in the Colonial Army and fought, valiantly for bis adopted country. He 56 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. settled in Colunihia t'nuiUy. I'a., where he bought a tract of land where the village ot Stillwater is now located and there built a log house, the first building erected in the county, north of Orangeville. Soon after his wife followed him to their new home where their nearest neighbor was at Orangeville, six miles distant, and their nearest market, Northumberland, thirty-four miles distant. There they li\ed and labored in happiness, and. dying, their ])roperty descended to their children, most of it now l)eing owned bv our suijject. Daniel joined in wedlock with Mary Stevens, a sister of Col. William Stevens, a distinguished oi^cer of the War of 1812, and a well-known horseman of Steuben County. N. v., and their children were: Benjamin, who owned a part of the old homestead, fol- lowed farming and lumbering and died of the yellow fever while going down the Sus- quehanna River with a raft: Daniel, a farmer and lumberman on the old home estate, who was widelv know n as a man of upright char- acter and as a dex'out Christian: John, the grandfather of John (i. Mcllenry, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Criah, who was a shoemaker by trade; Moses, the father of our subject; Elias, a farmer and lumljerman, who was also a colonel in the state militia and a \er\- acti\e man; Airs. Martha CoUey; and Mrs. Susan Edgar. Daniel McHenry lies buried at St. Gabriel's Church in Sugarloaf township, and his wife in the Stillwater cem- etery. Moses McHenry, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in 1791, and he was a farmer and lumber dealer. He ownerl about 300 acres of the original famih' estate and an acUlitional tract of 200 acres which he purchased. He rafted logs down Fishing Creek to the Susc|uehanna. thence down to tidewater, and did a xerv large business for many _\'ears. He was one of the greatest hunt ers of his time and to him hunting was not only a pleasant pastime but a very profitable one. llis brother John was likewise fond of tiie sport and in the proper season they took jaunts u|) into the mountains, always return- ing with many deer, numbering close to one hundred, w hich they disposed of at the Phila- delphia markets.' Moses was a strong Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and was also a captain in the state militia. He was a man of marked religious character and was the founder of the Christian Church at Stillwater, where he was the first man baptized by im- mersion. He passed to his final rest in 1855. He married Martha Edgar, a daughter of James Edgar, a record of whose life will be found in the biography of T. H. Edgar, Escp, and the\' became the ])arents of six sons and li\e daughters: Cynthia, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel McHenry of Benton town- shi]); Isabella, deceased, wife of Tunis Karns; l^lias, deceased, who was at one time a farmer, but during the latter years of his life was en- gaged in the insurance business; Mary, widow^ of Samuel Appleman of Stillwater; James, deceased, a merchant of Cambra, Luzerne Count}', who twice represented that county in the State Legislature; John J., a merchant of Benton, I'a.; Ellen, deceased, who was the w ife of the late John Evans of Madison, Lack- awanna County; Daniel, the subject of this personal history; Cyrus B.. deceased, a farmer who resided near Stillwater, and was at his death, in 1890, associate judge of Columljia County; Martha, widow of Hiram McHenry, a farmer of Fishing Creek township; and Si- las, deceased, who was a farmer on the old homestead. Daniel McHenry was brought ui.) on his father's farm and received his education in the old "subscription" schools. As a youth he X K < SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 59 was ainhitious and cneri^ctic and l.tefore lie attained his majority he embarked in the mer- cantile business as a partner with his brother James, and they continued as partners for five years, when our subject became sole proprie- tor. His etiforts in this direction met with the best of success and he conducted the store for ten years, when he disposed of it to his nei)hew. i\Ioses McHenry, who now runs it. In the meantime Mr. McHenry had become much interested in the lumjjer Inisiness in Co- lumbia and neighboring counties, and upon retiring from the mercantile business he de- voted his attention mainly to the lumber busi- ness. His operations were very extensive and he continued with good results until 1890, when he retireias Reed of Irish \'alley, Northumberland County, which union resulted in the following issue : Galen, a farmer of Northumberland County; William, an agriculturist and canner; Nelson M., a rec- ord of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies; Clinton S., the subject of this personal history; Laura, the wife of Dr. Kline, a well-known physician of Read- ing; and Clara, who married Lafayette Lech- ler, a farmer of Gearhart township. Clinton S. Smith, after attending the public school at Kipps Run and the academy of Dan- ville, taught school for two terms with good results, proving himself an able instructor. He then turned his attention to farming in Gear- hart township, at which he continued for a period of se\en vcars cm the old homestead farm. He then removed io South Dan\ille. Pa., where he purchased the general store owned bv D. R. Iickman on Sunbury street, which he has since conducted. The building- was erected some thirty years ago by Jordan Sober, and is now the property of Peter Gear- hart. Mr. Smith has a complete and high- grade stock, and the manner in which he caters to the wishes of his customers has not only added greatly to his patronage but made him many personal and lasting friends as well. In connection with the store, he was deputy postmaster for many years, and in May, 1897, was appointed postmaster and is still serving in that capacity. He owns considerable prop- erty in South Danville, including a double house just below Railroad street, and another fine double house on Sunbury street. Mr. Smith was joined in marriage to Cath- erine M. Wilson, a daughter of David Wilson, a prominent farmer of Valley township, Mon- tour County, and five children have blessed their union, namely: Viola G. ; Nora M.; Nellie; Reed N.; and Bertha. In religious views Mr. and Mrs. Smith are faithful mem- bers of the Baptist Church. In politics our subject is a Republican and has always taken an acti\e part in local affairs. ILLIA}.! C. WILLIAMS, the genial and popular proprietor of the Ho- tel Baldy of Danville, has established an en- viable reputation throughout Montour and adjoining counties and his hostelry is widely known as a "haven of rest" for the weary traveler. Mr. \\'illiams was born in the town of Danville, July 7, 1856, and is a son of \\'illiam M. and ^Martha (Phillip) ^^■illiams. 82 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. William M. Williams, tlie father of our sub- ject, was born in Wales w here he was reared and received his education after which he look up the occupation of a farmer and also con- ducted a hotel. By strict ai)plication to busi- ness and the jjractice of economy he accumu- lated mone\' and in 1847 he possessed the snug sum of six thousand dollars in gold. With commendable foresight he realized the aihantages offered on the American Conti- n*?nt and in the year stated immigrated to this country, locating in Pottsville, Pa. Remaining there but a short time, he migrated to Dan- \ille, Montour County, where he was em- ])loyed in a blast-furnace, but seeing that there was no opportunit)- to better his posi- tion, he gave up the work and ]:)urchased the Washington House in Danville. He remod- eled and enlarged the building and conducted it very successfully for about fifteen years, when he ilccidetl to retire from ])u1)lic life, and as a result purchased the Crosley farm in West Hancock township upon which he erected a large barn, rebuilt other buildings, and made many other inipro\ements. He conducted the farm with fair results for two years, at the expiration of which time he rented it and bought a residence in Danville. He next bought the White Horse Hotel, built a large two-story brick addition on an ad- joining lot, and there conducted the hotel un- til his death two years later, aged seventy-two years. He was a man of sterling cjualities and might rightfully be termed the architect of his own fortune, as he began life in humble cir- cumstances and at the time of his demise owned consideralile property and was we'l to do. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- tha riiillip, relict of John Phillip who died in England, and a daughter of James and Mary ( lu-ens) Plhllii). They reared a family of four children, of whom but two are now living. namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Tittle, the proprietor of the White Horse Hotel of Danville: and William C, the subject of this personal history. By her lirst marriage Mrs. Williams had one daughter, Alary, who is the widow of Charles Green of Danville. William C. Williams, our subject, after com- pleting a course in the public schools of Dan- \i!le, engaged in the huckstering business which he followed for a period of five years. Like his father he was of an aiubitious nature and was dissatisfied until some advancement marked his career. He was a very industrious worker and was successful from the start. In 1879 he took charge of the White Horse Ho- tel and conducted it until 1891 when he pur- chased the Hotel Baldy, a handsome four- story brick structure on Mill street, contain- ing twenty-three finely furnished rooms. The rooms are all large, with high ceilings, well- lighted and ventilated, and ec|uipped with steam heat, baths and all modern conven- iences for the pleasure of the traveling public. This hostelry under the efficient guidance of Mr. Williams immediately sprang into popu- larit}-, which has constantly increased as he became better known throughout this section of the state. One of the pleasantest features of this house is the unexcelled taljle, upon which appear viands that would satisfy the . wants of a king. The culinary department is under the supervision of the landlord's hos- pitable wife, and nuich of the popularity of the hotel is due to her efficiency in this depart- ment. Mr. Williams is genial and good na- tured. wideawake as to his interests and the comfort of his patrons, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. Air. Williams was united in marriage to Caroline Shultz in 1877 and they are the proud parents of two sons, as follows : Prof. William Joseph, a musician of merit wdio is ^^^^^|P^^H^BS^^-^~<^ ■ ■ 3.- ^^ 1i>^^^l H ^1* .i'.-!^ ^^^^H fc ■ ^BbBB' ™>i: ^^H ^^^^1 ^^^^^^^^^^^B^^^ ." V^^ > ^ ^|H ^^B:- i!S ' TM ^^HH^^^Kf^^v'^'' m E»UMguiwii.:vgiB WILLIAM CLAYTON MASON. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 85 organist in Christ's Episcopal Church, born November 29, 1878; and Lewis Perry, who first saw the light of day September 25, 1894. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Joseph and Josephine (TTouk) Shultz, and a grand- daughter of Martin and Barbara (Brown) Shultz. Martin Shultz, who was a shoemaker by trade, passed to his eternal reward in 1848, aged sixty-four years, and his worthy wife died at the age of fifty-four years. Their union resulted in the following issue: Cres- sence; Magdalene: Catherine; and Joseph. Jo.seph Shultz, who has charge of the Beaver estate of Danville, has always been a gardener, recei\ing excellent training in that line of work in the garden of a large castle in Germany, wiien a young man. After his marriage to Josephine Houk, a daughter of Joseph Houk, they sailed for America on the "Trumble," landing in New York City in 1853. - They settled at Marietta, Lancaster County, Pa., where he was employed in a furnace for seven years, after which they mo\ed to Baltimore, Md., where he followed gardening until 1863. Li that year he moved to Danville and became manager of the grounds and hot-house of the Beaver man- sion, which responsible position he has since held, with the exception of brief inter\'als when he resigned his position, but each time was persuaded to again take up the manage- ment of the place. The grounds ha\'e al- ways presented a beautiful appearance and show the excellent character of his work. Upon the death of Mr. Beaver, the entire es- tate was placed under his management. Mr. Shultz is the father of the following children: Joseph, who died young: Clara C, the wife of our subject; Lena, who married R. Det- rick; and William, a mechanic, who married Jennie Burns. Mr. Williams is a memlier of Lotus Con- clave, No. 127, L O. IT.; and of the Elks. Politically he supports the principles of the Republican party. ILLL\M CLAYTON MASON. Prominent among the civil engi- neers and surveyors of this section of the state, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this narrative and whom we repre- sent with a portrait on the opposite page, who is pursuing that profession in Sullivan Coun- ty, making his headquarters in the town of Laporte. Our subject has followed this pro- fession nearly all his life. lia\ing learned it during his boyhood days by working with bis father who was also a ci\il engineer and sur- ve\-or. This highly esteemed citizen was born on the site of his present home. July 1 1. 1853, and is a son of \\'illiam A. and Mary .\. (Cheney) Mason, and grandson of Eliphalet and Roxy (Fowler) IMason. This prosperous family is supposed to ha\'e originated from one of three brothers. John. Robert and Nathaniel, who emigrated from England during Cromwell's war. These three brothers settled in Ashford, Windham Coun- ty, Conn., where they purchased farms and engaged in farming: it is thought that this branch of the family sprang from Robert Ma- son, whose farm remained in possession of his descendants until after the time of Elien- ezer Mason, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, after whose death the farm passed through many different hantls. Ebenezer married Mary Hastings and they reared se\'en sons and three daughters; three of the sons. David, William and Alva settled in Philadel- phia; Eliphalet, Ebenezer and Chester lo- cated in Monroetown, Bradford County, Pa., and the remaining son, Rufus, settled in Xew York State, near Johnstown. BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Eliplialet Mason, our subject's grandfather, was born June 23, 1780, and was named after his uncle, Eliphalet, who was a Revolutionary soldier and died in a prison-ship in New York harbor. Our subject's grandfather prepared himself for the ministry but later took up sur- veying and followed that profession the great- er part of his active days. He resided in Brad- ford County, Pa., during his early life and in connection with his profession he taught pen- manship, being an expert with the quill, and also taught singing, during the years 1822 and 1823. Later he moved to Monroetown, Pa., near which place he built a grist-mill which he ojjerated until his death; the mill is now situated within the limits of the town called Masontown. named in honor of our subject's grandfather. Elii)halet was wedded June 22, 1802, to Zilpah Coburn, who passed from this life shortly after their mar- riage; he was again married October 22, 1804, with Roxy Fowler, who was born July 16, 1786, and who died February 15, 1851. Our subject's grandfather died March 11, 1855. He was the father of the following children; Zilpaii, born June 26, 1806; Roxy, born De- cember 10, 1807; Gordon, born January 19, i8to; Rufus, born January 31, 1 81 2; Elipha- let H., born April 28, 1815; William A., the father of our subject; Samuel A., born March 22, 1821 ; and Mary, born August 13, 1824. William A. Mason, father of our subject, was born in Towanda, Pa., September 29. i8j8, and his boyhood dax's were spent at- tending the district schools and working with his father learning the profession of a civil engineer and surveyor, which profession he made his life's work and so thoroughly mas- tered it that his surveys and charts are of great value to-day. In 1848, when the town of Eaporte originated, Mr. Mason located in that little \illasje where he laid out the town; he also did much surveying throughout Sul- livan and adjoining counties. He erected a frame house on tlie site where our subject re- sides; it was the third house built in the \'il- lage and is now standing on an adjoining lot. He continued in his profession all his life, with the exception of one year when he was en- gaged in the ])h<)tograi)h business at Towan- da. At the expiration of that time he re- turned to Laporte, where he fcjllowed his pro- fession until 1868 when he removed to Mon- tour and was resident engineer for the S. L. & S. R. R. for about three years, when he returned to Laporte. Mr. Maseru was widely known throughout the county as a man of sterling worth, and he was a man of nnich weight as his oi)inion and judgment was often sought by his fellow-citizens. He served as associate judge of Sullivan Comity; was the first justice of the peace of Laporte, in which capacity he remained many years; was county treasurer, and also held the ofifice of postmast- er. Mr. Mason was called from this earth Jan- uary 7, 1892, and iiis demise was deeply la- mented by a large circle of friends and ac- (|uaintances, who hold him in high esteem. He was united in marriage with Mary A. Cheney, a daughter of .\bel and Priscilla Cheney, who was born in Cortland, N. Y., October 28, 1820. Her parents removed to the state of Pennsyhania when she was a small girl. Tier father was a bricklayer by vocation. The mother of our suljject resides in her beautiful home in Laporte and is a lady well preserved for one of her years, not having a single gray hair in her head, and looks much younger than her age signifies. She was a faithful wife, is a kind and loving mother and a good neighbor, and is highly respected by a host of friends and acquaint- ances. She is the mother of the following children: luhlen M., a teacher, born No- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 87 vember 17, 1842; Ida Add, born July 11, 1845, was the wife of Warren T. Waters, and died September 26, 1891; Mary Ellen, born November 22, 1847, and died in 1874; Will E., born May 18, 1850, and died two years later; William Clayton, the subject of this personal history; and Gordon Hastings, born June 22, 1861, and died in 1863. William Clayton Mason, our subject, ac- (|uire(l a good education in the public and private schools of his native town and at the Mannsville Normal School. His leisure hours were spent working with his father, learning the profession of a ci\il engineer and sur\-evor, and he continued to work with him throughout his early life and uiion his father's death he succeeded him in the work. Our subject also studied under l\c\'. H. Arm- strong, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman and an excellent instructor. Mr. Mason has been very successful in his chosen profession and is the possessor of many valuable maps and charts; he has all the field notes of the late ]VIichael Meylert who made surveys of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, Pike, Wayne, Tioga and Sullivan counties; he has the field notes of his father of the above counties and of Columbia. Ly- coming, Northumberland, L^nion and otlier counties; has Baird's book of maps on the lands of the Asylum Company; and notes and maps of the late Gordon F. Mason of To- wanda, Pa. Our subject is chief engineer for the W. & N. B. R. R. and is also chief engi- neer for the Eagles Mere R. R., and is the most prominent civil engineer and sur\-eyor in Sulli\an County. It was under his super- vision that the W. & N. B. R. R. was con- structed from Halls to Nordmont; he also located the line from the latter place to Satter- field, the eastern terminal. The road w;is buill. practically, on his location. On December 20, 188 1, Mr. Mason was wedded to Eliza Stormont, a daughter of Rob- ert Stormont of Laporle, Pa., who was born May 31, i860, and died October 15, 1895, leaving the following children: Mary Irene, born December 2, 1882; William Robert, born August 24, 1885; Ethelyn lone, born Januarv 9, 1889; and Marjorie Ida, born August 14, 1894. Our subject in politics, as was his father, is an ardent Republican and has served fifteen years as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a meml)er and past chief patriarch of the Encampment, I. O. O. F., and district deputy grand patriarch of Sulli- van Countv. ON. SAMUEL Y. THOMPSON, M. D., who has ably attended the ■^ V • citizens of Danville in his medical practice more years than any other physician and surgeon now residing in that borough, and who is now serving his seconil term as associate judge of Montour County, was born in Danville, October 29, 1843, and is a son of John G. and Hannah (Yorks) Thompson. ^^'illiam Thompson, the grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a native of Ireland. \\'ith his brother Hugh he bade farewell to his native country and came to the United States, locating in Ber- wick, Pa. Later he settled in Espy, Columbia Countv, Pa., and, having learned the trade of potter during his boyhood days, established a plant and began the manufacture of pottery, which business he continued until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty years. He was twice married and was the progenitor of three sons: John G., \\'illiam, and Hugh. John G. Thompson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Espy where he spent his vounger davs, attending school and assisting 88 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. his father in his work. Attaining his man- liood lie went to Bloomsburg, and learning the tailor's trade he worked as a journeyman several years. Locating in Danville he con- ducted a merchant tailor-shop on Bloom street ior ten years, when he sold his slK)p to his son-in-law, J. B. Crawford, and retired from active life. He purchased the J. K. West residence and resided there until his leath. He was united in marriage to Hannah Vorks, a daughter of Sanuiel Yorks who was an early .settler of Danville. Three children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomp.son: Dr. Samuel York Thompson, the subject of this narrative; Margaret E., the wife of J. E. Gearhart; and John P.. a druggist of Stock- ton, Ct)lo. The father of our subject passed from this life aged eighty years; his wife en- tered the unknown Ijeyond at the age of sixty- three years. Dr. Samuel York Thompson acquired a good education in the schools of his native town and then studied medicine under Dr. P. H. Long of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Entering the Long Island Hospital of Brooklyn he was graduated in 1866, and one year later he com- menced practicing his chosen profession at Danville where he soon established a large and lucrative practice. In coimection with his medical practice he owns and operates a drug-store which alone yields him a hand- " some income. Had he not been blessed with Nature's best gift, a large and finely-developed body, a strong constitution and a disposition to make the best of all things, he never could have stood the enormous practice he has ac- quired, but to-day finds him in the best of health. At No. 345 Mill street the Doctor owns a large two-story block, and upon the first floor is located his drug-store, which is the finest in Danville, and on the second tloor are his parlors and examining rooms. Dr. Thompson is now serving his second term as associate judge of Montour County, and has served two terms as burgess. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Annie E. Ege, a daughter of Rev. (Jli\er Ege of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and they are the i)arents of two children, Margaret Florence, the wife of Dr. C. Shultz of Danville, and Kate Olive. Our subject is a member of Dan\ille Lodge, No. 780, 1. O. O. P., and past sachem of Mahoning Tribe, No. yy, T. O. R. M. UDGE HENRY DIVEL. Prominent among the progressive and energetic business men of the town of Danville is the above-named gentleman who is a mem- ber of the firm Hoffman & Divel, the largest meat dealers in Montour County. He was born in IMilton, Pa., December 26, 1839, and, is a son of Joseph and Maria (Bowers) Divel, and a grandson of Joseph Divel. Joseph Divel, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Germany, and was a butcher and marketman of \\'urtemberg, Ger- many, all his life. Joseph Divel, the father of our subject, was also born in Germany, and followed the trade of a butcher all his active days. In 1839 Josejjh immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City; later he moved to ^lilton. Pa., where some of his relatives resided, lie next went to Har- risburg where he worked as a journeyman for a short time and then returned to Milton, where he formetl a iiartnership with Jacob Bowers and opened a butcher shop. They continued that business for two years and then dissolved partnership, and Mr. Divel mo\eower and AI. E. Jackson, and under the name of I. & H. R. I'.ower they conducted a mercantile store on the corner of Eront and Alulberry streets. The firm conducted the business under the above name until 1870 when Mr. Jackson retired. In )88o our subject became sole proprietor ;uid successfully carried on the business until 1891 when he wisely concluded to retire from active labor and care and leave the field open to younger and more vigorous men. Mr. Bower has bought and sold considerable prop- erty and is still the owner of several fine tene- ment houses; he" also owns a handsome resi- dence on West Second street which he makes his home. Mr. Bower has served in the town coun- cil a number of years and has been secre- tarv of the council for si.x years; president of the board of health; and secretary of the I'er- wick Cemetery .Association twelve years. He chose for his life companion Rebecca Martz, a daugiiter of John Martz, a resident of Briar- creek townshij), Columbia County. As a re- sult of this union five children were born to them, namely: Layman F., treasurer of the Dickson Locomotive Works of Scranton, Pa., who united in marriage to Gertrude Hen- ninger who bore liim four children, — Flor- ence, Russell, Harold, and Layman, Jr.; Aaron B., a Methodist minister residing at Scranton, Pa., who wedded Harriet Garney and three children were born to them, namely, — Helen, Harriet, and Wallace; Frank, who died aged three years; Minnie, who is the wife of Wil- liam C. .Smith of Tarrxtown. X. •'N"., and lias one child, Lenoi'a; and Elizabeth, who wedded Luther W, Mendenhall of Pittsburg, Pa., an 1 is the mother of one child, Luther W. Our subject is a member of tiie Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and is also past grandmaster of the same. Mr. Bower and family are all members in good standing of the Alethodist Episcopal Church. Oiu- sub- ject occupies an enviable position in his com- munity as a good citizen, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Bower has served one year as president of the County Sunday School Association and is now holding the oflice of county fieldsman. .\t the State Sunday School Convention of 1898 he was elected president of the Sixth District, comprising Cohmibia, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. ^> HI LIP PETERMAN is one of the leading and enterprising business men of Sullivan County, Pa., and has for the past two years been successfully engaged in merchandising in the \illage of GENERAL JOHN' KAV CLEMENT. COLONEL CHARLES M. CLEMENT. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 103 Nordmont. He is a native of Laporte town- ship, tliat county, his l)irth occurring FcIm-u- ary ii, 1870, and is a son of James and Han- nali J. (Hunter) Peterman. James Peterman was born and reared in Sngarloaf township, Columl^ia County, Pa., and was a son of Benjamin Peterman, who was a well-to-do farmer of Columbia County. James received a common-school education and in early life purchased a farm in his native township and carried on agricultural pursuits. In 1861 our sul)ject's father was offered a pro- fitaljle price for his farm; accepting the same he moved to Sullivan County and purchased a new and uncultivated tract of land; he cleared a portion of his purchase and carried on both farming and limibering with marked success. He passed to the unknown beyond at the age of fifty-nine years. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Hannah J. Hunter, a daugh- ter of John Hunter, a well-to-do and prosper- ous citizen of Sullivan County. As a result of this happy union ten children were born, as follows: Jennie; Carrie; Minard; Philip, the subject of this biography; Susie; Shadrach; Glen, who is operating the homestead; .Mice; Chester; and Harry. Our su1)ject's mother re- sides on the homestead with her son and is surrounded by many friends, who hold her in high esteem. Mr. Peterman was well known and took an active interest in local politics, giving his support in favor of the principles of the Democratic party. He ser\ed as super- visor, tax collector, overseer of the poor, and school director. Religiously, he and his fam- ily were members of the ^Methodist Church. Philip Peterman, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on his father's farm and accjuired a liberal education in the public schools of his native township. In 1896 he re- moved to the village of Nordmont and bought out the mercantile store of M. W. Botsford. On September 11, 1897, the store was de- stroyed by fire, and, although our subject met with a severe loss, he innnediately relniilt and has greatly increased his stock, now owning and conducting one of the best general stores in his section of the country. Our subject also owned a part interest in the Temperance Hotel, conducted by his brother Minard, which was also destroyed by fire. He is now erecting a modern hotel, 30 by 40 feet, three stories high, and when completed it will be one of the finest hotels in the village. Mr. Peterman is recognized as one of the valued members of the community and lends his in- fluence toward all enterprises that tend to ad- vance the interests of his adopted village. He is an honest, upright citizen, and enjoys the confidence and respect of a host of acquain- tances. In his political views he upholds the principles of the Democratic party, both by acts and ballot. Socially, he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., whilst religiously he is a member of the Evangelical Church. /^5*^ ENERAL JOHN KAY CLE- I ^jT MENT, deceased, was one of the ^-^ most prominent criminal lawyers of the state of Pennsylvania and participated in many of the most famous cases tried in the section in which he lived. He lived at Sun- bury, Northumberland County, Pa., where he acfjuired a very extensive practice, mainly criminal, and was for many years a well- known figure in the public eye. Pie was a son of Evan C. and Hannah (Kay) Clement, and was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January i, 1820. Gen. Clement descended from a prominent family of Quakers in England, the earliest an- cestor of whom we have any record being Gregory Clement, who was one of the famous body of Regicides and with four others was 104 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. hanged. When Gregory was arrested in 1660, his son James escaped and emigrated from his native country to America, lanchng on Long Island. He subsequently located in Camden County, N. J., near Camden, where he found- ed the village of Clementon nearly 150 years ago. He became a large landowner and sur- veyor and his descendants continued at that occupation for a ntnnber of generations fol- lowing. His ccjmpanion in the pathway- of life was Sarah ]'"iclrominent and hustling business men of Dan\ille. and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens and ac(|uaintances. f^u F.XERAL GEORGE B. CADWAL- \^^J_ L.\DER, who made a brilliant and interesting record in the Ci\il War, is one of the most progressive and promi- nent business men of Sunbury, being super- intendent of the Sunbury Water Company, one of the foremost industries of the borough. Ele is a son of Dr. Peter and Hannah (Magill) Cadwallader, and was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, I'a.. October 20, 1830. Oiu" subject's ])arents were both natives of Bucks County and were of Scotch ancestry. Dr. Peter Cadwallader died in 1832 and his wife survived him to the ripe age of eigiity \ears. Their Ii;i])pv union resulted in the birth of four children, three sons and one daughter, our subject, George B., being the only one now living. George B. Cadwallader was reared in Bucks County and there received his preliminary ed- ucational training, but subsequently attended the 1 )an\ille Acadcnu- in l)an\ille. Montour Count \ later decideil to follow the profession of a druggist and. entering the Phila(lel])bia College of i'harmacy, graduated from that institiUion and engaged in the drug business at Dan\ille. He followed that busi- ness there until 1857, when be established a drug-store at Shamokin and continued with much success until the outbreak of the Civil War. In April. iSfn, he enlisted as 1st lieu- tenant of Com])any .\, 8th Reg.. Pa. \'ol. Inf. He served for three months and then re- enlisted, with tlie same rank, in Company K, 46th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf. He was ever a \villing and conscientious soldier ami his rise in the ranks was steady. On September 17, i86i, he was ist lieutenant arid (|uartermas- ter of his regiment, and ser\ed in tliat ca])acit\' until July, 1863, when he was advanced to captain and assistant-quartermaster, V. S. .\. In March, 1865, he was brcvetted major and lieutenant-colonel, and afterwards was brev- etted colonel for bis meritorious services throughout the war. In N^ovember, 1865, for faithful and efficient services in the ipiarter- master's de]3artment, he was bre\etted briga- dier-general, which rank be held until his dis- charge. During this period be was quarter- master of Williams' Brigade, .\rmy of Vir- ginia; quartermaster of the ist ISrigade, 2d Corps, Army of Virginia; (|uarlermaster of the 1st Brigade, ist Division, i2tli Corps, Army of the Potomac; post-quartermaster at Dechert, Tenn., and .\tlanta, Ga.; was in cliarge of transportation on Sherman's mem- orable inarch to the .\tlantic Coast: in charge of the (|uartf rmaster's depots at Cleveland, Ohio, and Riclnuond, \'a.; and in charge of the national cemeteries at Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, and Htjllywood. He was finally mus- tered out of service, September 10, 1866, at Richmond, \'a. .\ftcr the close of the war Gen. Cadwalla- der locateil at Sunbnrv and entered the floiu' SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 121 and feed business in association witli his Ijrotiier, Jolm. tlie rtrni name heins^ Jolui M. Cadwaliader & Company. They operated three mills in ditterent sections of the county and did a large and paying business. In 1869 our subject purchased the drug-store con- ducted by Dr. John G. Markle & Company in Sunbury and followed that business with good results until 1884. He then became con- nected with the Sunbury Nail, Bar & Guide Iron Manufacturing Company, in the capacity of general superintendent, and faithfully served as such until 1891. In that year he acceptetl a position as superintendent of the Sunbury Water Company, and the success which has attended his efiforts as such is clear- ly evidenced by the prosperous condition of the company to-day. He is a man of keen intellect, a shrewd manager of business affairs, and is ever faithful to the best interests of the firm which he represents. In the private walks of life he is equally popular as in business cir- cles, and his friends and acquaintances throughout the county are numerous. In 1870 Gen. Cadwaliader was united in marriage with Mrs. Georgiana (Markle) Wol- verton, and they became the parents of two daughters : Mary and Anna. He was bereaved of the companionship of his beloved wife by death on Alay 9. 1885. Socially our subject is a member of Sunbury Lodge. Xo. 22, F. & A. M.; Northumberland Chapter. No. 174, H. R. A.; the Loyal Legion of the United States; and is prominent in the G. A. R. He assisted in organizing the first G. A. R. post in Sunbury and was chosen its first command- er. Religiously the General is a believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. H. FURMANN is recognized as a public spirited citizen of Shamokin. progressive, highly educated and He is at the head of one of the largest and most important pursuits which have so great- ly contributed to the prosperity and advance- ment of the town as a conmiercial and manu- facturing center. Our subject was born in Ba\aria in 1863, received a thorough education and graduated from a college at Frankenthal, Germany. After leaving college he assumed a responsible position with Kline. Shanzlein & Becker of Frankenthal. manufacturers of brewing ma- chinery, thus gaining extensive and valuable knowledge of the machinery used in and of the brewing business which he has well util- ized. In 1880 Mr. Furmann came to this coun- try and accepted the responsible position of superintendent for the Charles D. Kaie Brew- ing Co., at Mahanoy City. So efificientl\ did he apply his knowledge of brewing and so wisely did he manage the affairs of the con- cern that the business was surprisingly in- creased and he was rewarded by being taken into the firm in 1892, remaining a member un- til his removal to Shamokin. Mr. Furmann was married to Caroline B. Hahn of Philadelphia on November 3, 1896, and to them has been born one son, Harry, born October 3, 1897. ^Ii'- Furmann is a prominent member of the Benevolent Order of Protective Elks. Our subject is to-day at the head of one of the most modern and most complete brewing plants in the state which is regarded as a great credit to the commercial progress of Shamo- kin, as well as a fitting monument to the en- ergy, skill and integrity of Mr. Furmann. Away back in 1855, when beer was a new beverage in Shamokin. the brewery was founded by Gottleib Fritz, being a compara- tively insignificant concern with a small out- put. Not until 1 87 1, when Martin Markle secured control of the plant, were improve- ments made which were of significance and 122 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. then the capacity was so increased as to afford an output of 10,000 l)arrcls per annum. On Marcli I, 1895, our subject laecamc the pro- jirietor of tiic l)re\\ cr_\- l>y |)urcliase and he im- mediately added improxed machinery and modern methods and infu.sed new Hfe into the entcr])rise, doubling the output of beer in a brief lime. Being an astute and progressive man Mr. Furmann determined to meet the demands of the lower anthracite coal fields and added to his already large business the manufacture of ale and porter, the output of which averages about 5,000 barrels per an- num. Our subject remained sole proprietor of the business until October i, 1896, when Mr. Max Schmidt joined him. The brewery since has been conducted imder the firm name Furmann & Schmidt. The new firm erecteil at Washington and Commerce streets a fine two-story, brick, cold storage house and bottling works which is 75 feet square and architecturally handsome. In this building also are the finely finished offices of the firm, and adjacent to it the large stal)les. [^ I':\'IX U. FUNK, one of the leading barristers of Columbia County, is one of the most prominent men of I'loomsburg. He has been closely identified with many enterprises which have added to the growth and wealth of the town and given it a prestige as a thriving business center. He is a son of Rev. Henry and Matilda (Snyder) Funk, and was born in Bloomsburg in 1852. Rev. Henry Funk, the deeds of whose short life remain fresh in the memory of those for will mi he labored, was born near Hagerstown, Md., May 7, 1816, and was reared under reli- gious influences in his youth, the foundation then ])eiiig laid for his subsequent work in the cause of humanilx-. Fndowed Ijv nature with a superior intellect, he improved every op- portunity and recci\ed a high education. He was eighteen years oi age when he entered Marshall College at Mercersburg. Pa., and he was graduated in 1841, immediately afterward entering the Theological Seminary of the Re- formed Church. Ha\ing spent a period of nine years in these two institutions he was licensed to preach, and for the first six months occupied the pulpit of the Bloomsburg charge during the absence of the regular pastor. In the fall of 1844 he was called to Bloomsburg as assistant English pastor to Rev. D. L. To- bias, and on December 8tli, of the same year, he was ordained to the ministry and installetl in his charge at Orange ville, Pa., by Rev. E. Keiffer and Rev. H. Harbough, who were a committee appointed by the Sus(iuehrmna Ciassis. His field was a large one, but with unflagging zeal and devotion he faithfully dis- charged his pastoral duties for a period of ten years, or until the dread usurper in the form of slow consumption deprived him of his strength. He died April 16, 1855, and was buried in the grounds of the Reformed Church of Hagerstown, Md. He lived a life of self-sacrifice, wholly for others, and his ac- complishments were but the foundation which made possible greater deeds in the hands of his successor. His devotion to the cause of Christianity was always evident and it is said that he prepared a sermon for each day of the year. The church relied upon him, the town respected him, and his friends lox'ed him. His pleasant face, kind maimer and good heart endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. His maxim was that of the old Earl of Devonshire: "I shall pass this way but once; if, therefore, there be any good I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow- being, let me do it now." And many a neigh- bor and friend can bear witness to his kindiv SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 123 words and deeds. He was united in marriage with Matilda Snyder, a daughter of Daniel Snyder of Bloomsburg. and they had one son, Nevin U., our subject. Nevin U. Funk was educated in the Liter- ary Institute and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg. He then went to Princeton College, where he diligently pursued his stud- ies until 1874, when he graduated with the de- gree of B. A. In the succeeding year he took up the study of law, attending the lectures at the Columbia Law School, and subsequently studying under the direction of Hon. Charles R. Buckalew, being admitted to the Columbia County Bar in the year following. He has since been engaged in practice, and has ob- tained a large and paying clientage. He is a keen man of business and always devotes his whole energy to the success of his client. He has always had the interests of his native bor- ough at heart and has been associated with several business enterprises. He is one of the original stockholders and a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg. In 1890 he, with others, organized the Blooms- burg Land Improvement Company, which has laid out the eastern end of the borough in lots, streets and walks, and has built forty fine houses. He is a director of the School Fur- nishing Manufacturing Company and also its treasurer. He is also a trustee of the Blooms- burg State Normal School. In 1881 Mr. Funk was joined in hymeneal bonds with Mary L. Elwell, a daughter of Judge William and Mary L. (Thayer) Elwell; they have three children: Elwell N.; Marie E. and Harry E. Religiously he is a member and elder of the Reformed Church. Politi- cally he is a Democrat and has served as dele- gate to state conventions, besides standing high in the councils of his party. OHN M. SMITH, who formerly was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Madison township, Columbia County, where he owns an excellent farm of 200 acres, is now a resident of Jerseytovvn, where he is living in retirement. He is a son of Elisha B. and Mary (Miller) Smith, and was born on the Smith homestead, near Jerseytown, March 8, 1826. John Smith, tlie grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Jersey, who located in Briarcreek township, Columbia Count)-, where he remained a few years before remov- ing to Madison township. In the latter place he purchased a tract of 400 acres of land and followed farming until his death. He and his wife Eleanor reared the following children : Henry; John; Francis; Hugh; Alexandria; Elisha B., the father of our subject; Eliza- beth; Margaret; and Ann. Elisha B. Smith, after reaching manhood, succeeded his father on the old homestead in Madison township, where he was successfully engaged in cultivating the soil all of his life. He was called to his final rest in 1844, at the age of fifty-one years. In his political affil- iations he was a Democrat and voted uniform- ly for that party. Religiously he was a mem- ber of the Reformed Church. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Mary Miller, a daughter of Joseph Miller, a farmer of Mon- tour County, Pa., by whom he had three sons and two daughters : John M., the subject of this biographical record; Joseph, deceased, who was a farmer in Michigan; Margaret, de- ceased, who was the wife of George F. Fague of Muncy, Pa.; Elizabeth J., a maiden lady who resides with our subject; and Wilson W., a well-known business man of Hazleton, Pa. John M. Smith was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the common schools of his native town, after which he took up the 124 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. occupation of a farmer. He resided on the old homestead, wliere he owned 200 acres of land and followed farmint^ with excellent re- sults until 1897, when he was enabled to retire from active labors and spend his declining years in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. He is now residing in the village of Jerseytown, where he has a large circle of acciuaintancc'^ who hold him in high esteem as an estimable citizen and a true friend. During the Civil War he was unable to enter the service and consequently paid $600 for a substitute. Mr. Smith is a musician of considerable ability and for twenty-five years was teacher of a singing school. In 1862 our subject was joined in hymeneal bonds to Mary Pursel of Frosty Valley, Hem- lock township, and they are the parents of three children: Elizabeth; Herman D., a bookkeeper of Williamsport, Pa.: and Ger- trude. Mrs. Smith was called to her final rest in 1885, at the age of fifty-four years. lOXRAD KREAMER, one of the rep- resentative farmers of Madison town- ship, Columbia County, lives in a beautiful residence near Jerseytown, where he o\\ ns a large tract of 400 acres of land which embodies the fruits of many years of indus- trious toil. He is a son of Conrad and Cath- erine (Bowman) Kreamer. and was born in Philadelphia, Pa., November 28, 1824. Conrad Kreamer, Sr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was young when he came to America, locating in Philadelphia. There he followed the trade of a baker for several years, but finally moved to Columbia County, near White Hall, AFon- tour County, where he purchased a farm of 130 acres and followed agricultm\'il pursuits until his death, which occurred while he was yet in the prime of life. In religious attach- ments he was a member of the Eutheran Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Catherine Bowman, who was also a na- ti\e of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they be- came the ])arents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, as follows: Conrad; Catherine; John, deceased; Margaret, de- ceased; Charles; Joseph; William; Freder- ick; Christian, deceased; and Jacob. Conrad Kreamer, the subject of this bio- grai:ihical record and the first child born to his parents, received a limited school train- ing, but is w'ell-read and posted on the current topics of the day. He has always I)een en- gaged in tilling the soil, and during his voung- er days was also engaged in buying ami selling lumber. In 1857 he embarked in the mercan- tile business in Jerseytown and also in the lumbering business, which he continued with marked success until 1893, a period of thirty- six _\-ears. He is a man of superior business pro])ensities and untiring industry, and he has accumulated a handsome competency. In March, 1853, he moved to his present home, which lies in the outskirts of a l)eautiful valley near Jerseytown, and comprises 400 acres of fertile land suitably adapted to stock raising, of which Mr. Kreamer has always made a specialty. He is a man of intelligence and high ideas and occupies a prominent place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. On January 28, 1855, our suljject was united in matrimonial Ijonds to Mary Hender- shot, a daughter of Edwin Hendershot, for- merly of Jerseytown. Pa., but now a resident of Michigan, and this hap])\' union has been blessed b}- the birth of the following children : Margaret Jane, deceased; W'illiam. a collector and clerk in Milton, Pa.; Ida. the wife of Charles Carey of ^ladison tdwnship, Colmn- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 125 bia County; George Frederick, a clerk in a wholesale house at Naugatuck, Conn.; Jolin Jacob, of Jerseytown, Pa.; Charles A., a farmer; Anna, the wife of E. F. Johnson of Harrislnirg. Pa.; Evan H., who follows the occupation of a farmer; Florence P>.; and Lewis. Mr. Kreamer was bereaved of his be- loved wife's companionship by death, March 25, 1898, she being aged sixty-three years three months and ele\'en days. She was a loving wife, a kind mother and a true friend. Religiously she was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Kreamer is a firm Democrat and has served as poor director for se\'eral years, and former- ly served as school director. M R. JESSE E. SHUMAN, who has a thorough knowledge of the medical profession, has been actively engaged in practice in the village of Jerseytown since 1 89 1 and is patronized by the leading citizens of that vicinity. He is a son of John W. and Harriet (John) Shuman, and was born July 30. 1869, in Mainville, Columbia County. The Shuman family is of German descent and has been connected with the history of Columbia County for many years back. Jacob Shuman located where the village of Main- ville now is about the year 1802, being one of the early settlers of that community. He settled upon the farm on which his son, John W., now resides, and there conducted an inn and followed the occupation of a farmer the remainder of his life. He also engaged in lumbering. Religiously he was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. He was united in marriage to Mary Miller of Lime- ridge, Columbia County, by whom he had four children: Abraham, a farmer of Morris County, Kans. ; John W., our subject's father; Erastus. a broker of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Lloyd, a farmer of Catawissa township. John W. Shuman was born on the old homestead at Mainville. .April 30, 1847, where he is now residing and is engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. For a time he was engaged in lumbering and in 1ime-l)urning at Lime- ridge, but later turned his attention to farm- ing. He owns 204 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, upon which is a good home and fine buildings. Mr. Shuman is a man of high ideals, is well informed on sub- jects of current interest, and stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. At the age of sixteen years he displayed his patriot- ism by volunteering his services to tlif cause of the Union, and served for a period of nine months. Politically he is a Democrat and has served as justice of the peace about thir- teen years. In religious attachments he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and an active worker. Socially he is a member of Catawissa Lodge, F. & A. M.; and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Mainville. He was joined in wedlock to Harriet John, a daughter of Jesse John, who was formerly a farmer of Catawissa township, ])ut now resides with Mr. Shuman. This happy union resulted in the following issue: Dr. Jesse E., in whom the interest of this sketch centers; Warren, a stu- dent of Dickinson College; Myron, a student of the Bloomsburg State Normal School; Howard; and Edith. Dr. Jesse E. Shuman, after completing the prescribed course in the Bloomsburg State Normal School, taught for three terms, and in 1888 began the study of medicine with Dr. J. J. Brown of Bloomsburg. He then took a course in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in May, 1891. Lnme- 126 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. diately thereafter he took up his practice at Jerseytown, MacHson township, wliere lie lias remained from that time to tliis. He acquired a large and lucrative practice and quickly won his wav to the i^'ood-w ill cjf tlie citizens of that section, estahlishing' an enduring reputation as a skilful ])hysician and surgeon. He is of genial and good-natured disposition and has many friends among his patients. He is vice- ]:)resident of the Columhia County Medical Society and of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania. January i, 1892, Dr. Shuman was joined in hymeneal honds to Mary John, a daughter of the late Briton and Hannah (Fetterolf) John. Mr. John was killed by being kicked by a horse at a coniparatixely }-oung age. One daughter, Harriet John, has blessed our subject's home. Fraternally our subject is a Mason and belongs to Washington Lodge No. 265 of Bloomsburg. Both Air. and ]\Irs. Shuman are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Jerseytown, Pa. EDGWICK B. KARNS, a promising young attorney residing at Benton. Pa., who has been practicing before the Columbia County Bar since the spring of 1898, was born in Benton township, Columbia County, Pa., November 14, 1868, and is a son of Hon. Russell and Elmira (Cole) Karns. Peter Karns, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was of German origin and was a resident of Columbia County all his life; he resided in Benton township, where he successfully pursued the vocation of an agriculturist. Hon. Russell Karns, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Benton township, March 17. 1842. He carried on general farming in his native township until 1880, when he l)ecame a resident of Laporte, Sullivan County. Fa , where he has since been proprietor of the La- porte Hotel; he is a very popular citizen and landlord and his hotel is made the headquar- ters of all traveling men who make that town on their route. He is a \eteran of the Civil War and served as lieutenant of Company E. -'ogth Reg., Pa. \'ol. Lif. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and is' an active and consis- tent worker in his party. He represented Sul- livan County in the State Legislature from 1891 to 1893. Mr. Karns was united in the bonds of wedlock to Elmira Cole, a daughter of William Cole, a prominent citizen of Ben- ton township, Columbia County, and they are the parents of si.x children, three of whom are now living, namely : Sedgwick B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Cora Stomont, widow of the late Robert M. Stomont of Laporte, Pa.; and Harry A., a law student of Laporte and an active worker of the P. O. S. of A. Sedgwick B. Karns acquired a liberal edu- cation in the public schools of his native town and then attended the Susquehanna Colle- giate Institute, graduating in 1891; he then took a one-year course in the Law Depart- ment of the Lhiiversity of Pennsyhania, and returning to Laporte he completed his law studies in the oftice of T. J. and F. H. Ingham, the leading attorneys of that borough. Decem- ber J", 1896, he was admitted to the Sullivan County Bar and practiced in Laporte one year and three months. In the spring of i8g8 our subject was admitted to the Columbia County Bar and has since practiced in the town of Benton, where he is winning hosts of friends and bids fair to become one of the leaders of his communit\'. Mr. Karns is a member of Russell Karns Camp No. 319, Sons of Veterans, of Benton; and a member of Washington Camp No. 123, P. O. S. of .\., of Benton. In i)olitics our THOMAS H. EUGAR. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 129 subject is a solid Democrat. In November, 1890, Mr. Karns was united in tlie bonds of niatrinionv to Carrie S. Keeler of Laporte. and they are the parents of two cliildren. Helen Corinne and Ruth Louise. HOM.\S H. EDG.\R, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Stillwater. Fishing- Creek township. Pa., whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is successfully engaged in operating a planing-mill in that village. He is a son of James and Sarah (McHenry) Edgar, and was born in Fishing Creek township, Columbia County. Pa., near the village of Stillwater, February 15, 1845. The Edgar family is of Scotch extraction. James Edgar, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of New York state. Init resided in Columbia County, Pa., nearly all of his active days. He resided in Fishing Creek and Benton townships for many years and was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and his latter days were spent in the state of Ohio, where he died at an advanced age. His wife was a Miss Buchanan, a native of Long Island, N. Y., and a relative of 'President Buchanan. These children were born to the coujile as follows: John, who married Hester Zimmer- man; Robert, who wedded Susanna McHen- ry; Martha, who was the wife of Moses Mc- Henry and resided in Fishing Creek township, Columbia County: Ellen, who was the wife of Elias McHenry: Elizabeth, who was united in marriage to John Jackson: Edward, who resided in the .state of Ohio; Christina, who was the wife of Silas McHenry and resided in the state of Ohio; and James, the voungest, the father of our subject. James Edgar was l)orn on his father's farm in Fishing Creek township, August 22, 1806, where he was engaged in farming and lumber- ing a number of years: later he sold his farm in that township and became a resident of Benton township, where he remained a short time, when he returned to his native place. Mr. Edgar took an active part in public afifairs and was one of the leading and pro- gressive men of his community. He served as constable for many vears. In 1828 he was joined in marriage to Sarah ^IcHenry, a daughter of Daniel McHenry, a son of one of the pioneer settlers of that section. She was born April 28, 1810, and died in Fishing Creek township, September 10, 1882. This union resulted in the birth of nine sons and one daughter, namely: Daniel, who died October 23, 1890, was a miller by trade, and his wife was Louise Stoker of Luzerne Coun- ty, Pa.; Robert died February 25, 1897, aged si.xty-four years; Emanuel, a stonemason by trade who wedded Martha McHenry; George \V., a farmer residing in Clay County, Neb., and was united in marriage to Nellie Smith of Pittston, Pa.; William E., late a farmer of Fishing Creek township; Hiram R., who is a farmer and stockraiser of Loup County. Neb.; James C, who married Rose Smith and is a resident of Pittston, Pa.; Thomas H., our subject: Benjamin Franklin, who died April 22, 1898; and a daughter who died in infancy. Our subject's father passed from this life April 16, 1883. Thomas H. Edgar, our subject, was edu- cated in the district school and at New Co- lumbia Academy and remained under the pa- rental roof until he attained the age of eigh- teen years, assisting his father in his labors about the farm. He then went to Cambria where he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, which trade he followed in that village until 1867; he then .spent two years at Rohrsburg, 130 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Pa., and one year at Centralia, engaged in tlie mercantile business. He also kept a store at Mount Carmel, Pa., wliich was destroyed by fire. Moving to Benton township he worked in a planing-mill, anil later oper- ated a mill at North Mountain; in 1877 he returned to Stillwater, where he erected a planing-mill 51 by 72 feet and has since car- ried on that business to the present time; he also built a chopping-mill 30 by 36 feet. He manufactures all kinds of building material, including sashes, doors, wintlows, staircases, and mantel pieces. Our subject is also en- gaged in general Iniilding and contracting and has erected eighteen houses in Bloomsburg. and many of the finest residences in Stillwater. Mr. Edgar is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. of Stillwater, and in religious views he is a Christian. On December 26, 1867, he" was united in marriage to Cecilia Alice McHenry, who was born July 26, 1848, a daughter of James D. McHenry. Three children have blessed the home of our subject and wife, namely: Harry O., born April 16, 1869, died February 18, 1888; Leiia I., born June 11, 1871, who is the wife of W. L. McHenry, a farmer of Fishing Creek town- ship; and Orvis Roy, born February 8, 1883. who is attending school. lARTIN L. BROBST, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Columbia County, Pa., who resitles on a fine farm of 240 acres in Hemlock township, is one of the highly respected farmers of his com- munity. He was born in Columbia County, Pa., August I. 1 861, and is a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Johnson) Brobst, and a grand- son of Jacob Brobst. Jacob Brobst, the grandfather of our sub- ject, and his brother innuigrated to .\merica about one hundred years ago and located in the state of New York, and in some way they became separated and never heard of each other afterwards. Our subject's grandfather located in Valley township, Montour County, Pa., and was classed among the pioneer set- tlers of that count)-. He was a luan of great force of character, sturdy and independent in views, and possessed all the characteristics re- quired by a man in order to make his way suc- cessfuU)- in those rugged days. At that time tlie country was covered by a dense forest, and 'Mv. Probst's neighbors were the Indians and wild animals that roved through the woods. He purchased a large tract of land and in due time cleared a farm from the wilder- ness and established a comfortaljle homestead. upcMi which he remained until he passed to the silent land. His home was used as a trad- ing-post between the Indians and the white settlers, who would journey there from nian\- miles distant; our suliject's grandfather had many skirmishes w ith the Indians, who would burn his hay-stacks and commit other depre- dations. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; his wife was a Miss Mowery, a de- scendant of one of the early families of Mon- tour County. The following children were the result of this union : Jonathan, formerh- a blacksmith of Valley township, Montour County; Elizabeth, widow of a Mr. Miller, who now resides in Frosty Valley. Montour County; Daniel M., our subject's father; David, a retired wagonmaker of Bloomsburg, Pa.; Jacob, a farmer of Valley township; John, a shoemaker of Bloomsburg, Pa.; Adam, a farmer of Valley township; Kate, the wife of Nicholas Fish of Danville, Pa.; Lydia, the wife of John Stoffer of Hemlock town- ship, Columbia Count\'; and Michael, a farm- er of X'alley township, Montoiu" County. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 131 Daniel Brobst, father of our subject, was born in ^'alley townsliii), Montour County. Pa., July 8, 1833, and was a shoemaker by trade, which occupation he followed all his life: he also conducted a store many years in connection with his shoe business. In 1886 he moved to Columbia County, where he has since lived in retirement, enjoying- a well- earned competency. In religious \'iews our subject's father is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Rebecca Johnson, and they are the parents of the following children : Stinson L., one of the well-to-do farmers of Hemlock township, Columbia County; Edward D., who spent fourteen years in the Colorado gold fields, where he was employed as an engineer, and, returning to Bloomsburg. operated the I)umps at tlie Bloomsburg Water Company. — he and our subject own a large farm in Hem- lock township: Benjamin F., also a prosper- ous farmer of Hemlock township. Columbia County; Alartin L.. the subject of this sketch; Mary E., the wife of John Guliver. a success- ful farmer residing in \'altey township, Mon- tour County; and three children who died in their infancy. Martin L. Brobst acquired a limited educa- tion in the public schools of his native town and in 1884 went to Blackhawk, Colo., and for six years worked in the gold fields of that section. He oiierated the machinery in the mills for a short time and later operated the mine pumps at a depth of i.ioo feet below the surface. In 1891 our subject and his brother, Edward D.. returned home and pur- chased a farm in the central part of Hemlock township, Columbia County. The farm con- sists of 240 acres of highly cultivated land, and they have made many improvements upon the same, built new outhouses and a fine resi- dence, anil the farm now ranks second to none in the county. In connection with farming, the brothers conduct a dairy and have a large milk route in Bloomsburg. Martin L. Brobst was united in marriage in 1891 to Olive Flint of Blackhawk, Cole, and their home has been blessed by two children, Edith C. and Nettie May. Mr. Brobst has been very successful in his undertakings, and as a man of wise judgment, of great industry, and honorable dealings he is held in high es- teem in the community of which he is a prominent and worthy member. B ANIEL L. MILLER, the efficient postmaster and merchant of Eldreds- ville, Sullivan County, Pa., was born in Point township, Northumberland County, Pa., April 4, 1848, and is the youngest son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Cline) Miller and a grandson of Jacob Miller of New Jersey. Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Miller, served as a private soldier in the Revolution- ary War under the illustrious Washington and had an honorable militarj- record of which his descendants speak with just pride. He fought bravely in the struggle for liberty and after the successful termination of the conflict he purchased a farm near Riverside, Pa., and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. On this ex- cellent property he lived a peaceful and happy life to an advanced age. Only one shadow was cast upon his happiness;' his wife never enjoyed vigorous health, but suffered much in her declining years till called to lay down life's burden and enter into her deserved rest. Three children were born to them: Sarah, who was twice married, her first husband being Suel Gibbs, who served in the Mexican War, and her second husband. John Schwarts: Peter: and Leonard. i;32 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Leonard Miller, father of our subject, was, practically, a farmer all his life. He enjoyed the enviable reputation of being a just, fair- minded and honorable man. ]'y conducting his business with ability and success he pro- vided very comfortably for his family and thus opened splendid opportunities for them. He died at the age of si.xty-seven years, and his life was considered well and nobly spent, and lie was mourned by all who knew him. Elizabeth Cline, daughter of Godfrey Cline, became his wife and lived peacefully by his side until she attained the age of sixty years, having borne him eight children: William; Clarkson; Jacob, who now resides at Dan- ville; Thomas; Mary; Charles, who is lo- cated at Turbutville, Pa.; a daughter, who died in infancy; and Daniel L., our subject. Daniel L. Miller obtained a good education in the pidilic schools of Point township, Xortlnnnberland County, Pa. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and being handy with all kinds of tools, he soon became an ex- ])ert workman, and for some time worked suc- cessfully at his trade in his native county. Looking about for a location he settled in Kikland township, Sullivan County, where he ])urchascd fifty acres of land in 1876 from Jo- ■scph Pardoe, whose daughter, Jane Pardee, became his wife and was a willing helper in making the many improvements needed on his farm, which is now well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Miller is as- sisted on the farm by his two sons, Charles and Howard, who are learning all the rural arts and successful schemes of the shrewd granger. About two and a half years ago Mr. Miller leased the G. A. Mcllwain house and store, directly adjoining his farm. There he resides and carries on a general country store, also the postoffice, which has been in his charge since 1896. Some time ago Mr. Miller was called upon to bear the loss of his wife; this loss was a severe blow to him, also to her bereaved children and to her many de\oted friends. She died lea\'ing three children : Rena. a lov- able young lady, who has learned to wield the birch and who is "teaching young ideas how to shoot" in a way to command success; Charles; and Howard. Mr. Miller is a man of very decided political views, favoring Democracy, but is gentleman- ly in his e-xpression of them. He is intensely interested in local matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. He has been jus- tice of the peace fourteen consecutive years; school director for three years; town clerk one year; assessor for three years; and a member of the election board for nine years. Quite recently Mr. Miller sought and won the heart and hand ni Lydia Norton, daugh- ter of Thomas Norton. She is well and favor- ably known in the social and religious circles of Elkland township, being a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. AMES C. BROWN, a gentleman prom- inent in public affairs in and about Bloomsburg, is the proprietor and edi- tor of the Columbia County Repul)lican, a well-edited and influential paper of the coun- ty. He is a civil engineer by profession and for the past six years or more has been acting in mdfather of our subject, was born in War- ren County, N. J., and moved to Mififlin town- ship, with the rest of the family, making that his home throughout life. His father having [jurchased 600 acres of land there, upon his death divided it among four of his children, Samuel receiving the old homestead. This he cultivated until his death in 1823, at the age of forty-five years. He married Dorothy Nice, by whom he had a family of nine children, as follows : John, deceased ; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Samuel Creasy, now deceased; Sarah, wife of George A. Bowman; William N.; Mathew; James; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Alexander Thompson; George B.; and Elisha B., all of whom are deceased. William N. Brown was horn in Mifflin township, Columbia County, on the old home- stead, February 15, 1807, and took up the \'ocation of a farmer. He continued in that line of work with good results until 1870, when he moved to the village of Mitflinville, renting his farm. He built a house and lived in peaceful retirement until his demise, Sep- tember 16, 1876. For many years he also con- ducted a grist and flouring mill. Religiously he was an active member in the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding various offices, among them steward and trustee. He mar- ried Nancy Freas, a daughter of John Freas of Center township, Columbia County, and thc\- had fi\e children: George A., deceased; Albert, a farmer of Ottawa County, Kans. ; John F., who lived on the old homestead in Mifflin township until 1898, when he, because of ill health, retired from farming and moved to Mifflinville; Almira, of Mifflinville; and Dorcas, deceased. Mrs. Brown died in 1845 and he formed a second alliance in 1847 ^^'th Loretta Yonker, a daughter of Henry Yonk- er, a native of Germany, who, upon coming to this country, located in Mifflinville, Pa. This marriage resulted in the following off- spring: James C, the subject of this personal history; Martha, deceased; Samuel C, em- ployed in the Railway Postal Service between New York and Pittsburg; Malissa J., de- ceased; and Victoria, the wife of George W. Hess of Bloomsburg, Pa. James C. Brown received his preparatory education in the pul)lic and select schools of Mifflinville, after which he entered the Dick- inson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., gradua- ting therefrom in 1868. He then began teach- ing, accepting a position as professor in the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, which he held for three and one-half years, the last half year of which he was principal. In the spring of 1872 he engaged as civil engineer in locating the N. & W. Branch Railroad and was associated with the enterprise until its completion in 1882 as a member of the board of directors, as well as engineer. He also did work in that line for other railroad companies during that time and since has followed that as his profession. He has been engineer of the borough of Bloomsburg for six or eight years and has frequently rendered service to other boroughs in the vicinity. Being a man of much experience, he is frequently called into court to give expert testimony on civil engineering in damage suits. In September, 134 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 1875, lie purcliased tlie plant of the Colunihia County Republican, a four-page, ei,e;lit-col- uinn publication, which makes its appearance weekly, and has since edited it. It is Repub- lican in politics and has a large following, having a good circulation throughout the county, and also in adjoining counties. Mr. Brown is one of the Republican leaders in his section and is indefatigable in his ef- forts to bring success to the party. He is frequently a delegate to state conventions, and was a delegate from what was then the Elev- enth Congressional District of Pennsylvania to the Re])ublican National Convention at Chicago in 1884. He also speaks for the state connnittee during the campaigns. He made a tour of the state as a member of Gen. Has- tings' staf? during the gubernatorial contest in which Cen. Hastings was a candidate. He is a Huent and convincing speaker and is well versed on all subjects of interest to the people. He is now ])resident of the board of school directors and has been a member of that body for almost twenty years. He is also a director of the Bloomsburg School Furnishing Com- pany and of the Bloomsburg Steam Heating Company, and a trustee of the State Normal School, being vice-president of the board. He is a member and treasurer of the Columbia County .\gricultural Society. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is very active in church work. For some fifteen or twenty years he- has been secretary of the board of trustees. Mr. Brown is a man of high character, and no oth- er in the countv is held in higher esteem. [f^OWELL NORTON, who is located at Campbellville, Sullivan County, is one of the most enterprising busi- ness men of I'orks townshi]). lie was born January 31. 1841. in Forks townshi]i, being a son of Thomas and Mary (Bird) Norton. Thomas Norton, the father of our subject, was born in England, ^lay 6, 1808, and in 1830 immigrated to America with his brother Charles. Both bought tracts of wild and un- cultixated land of Dr. Priestly, Thomas buy- ing one hundred acres on what is now known as Norton's Ridge in the northwest part of Forks township. After clearing a small part of the land which was heavily covered with timlier, r\Ir. Norton built a small log cabin and began life there with small resources, but a most resolute determination to succeed. Mr. Norton married Mary Bird, born No- vember 8, 1 81 6. and a daughter of Powell Bird. .\s the years passed they cleared the farm and made many new impro\-ements thereon. Mr. Norton was a blacksmith by trade. In his younger days he worked some at Eagles Mere; later in life he did all of his own blacksmithing and most of that of his neighbors. He was a stanch member of the Democratic party, and ser\-ed the township as supervisor, collector, etc. Mr. Norton died February 2, 1884, at the age of seventy-six years, and was buried in the Bird cemetery. He and his good wife were the parents of eight children, as follows: Esther, wife of George Schill of Elkland township: William, a farmer in Forks townshiji; Powell, our sub- ject; Emeline, who died at the age of fifteen; Ira, who died at the age of one year; Lydia, wife of Daniel Miller; Maria, who married W. S. PiefYenbauch; \\'ashington, who died at the age of twenty-five; George B., who mar- ried Jennie Campbell of Estella, Pa.; and James, who died at the age of fourteen. Powell Norton married I\Iary B. Bedford, daughter of Rev. Richard and Arvilla (Wheat) Bedford. Rev. Richard Bedford was a son of Richard lledford. :md was born in luigland. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. l.te His father immigrated to this country when he was about twelve years of age and two years later his mother died. His father then mar- ried Laurena Waller. He moved to Forks township, Sullixan County, Pa., where he set- tled on the estate now owned and li\ed upon Ijy Mrs. Watson Fawcett. His children by his first wife were named Richard, Hannah and Franklin. By his second union he had two children : Varley and Alice, both deceased. Rev. Richard Bedford studied theology and was ordained a Methodist minister, which profession he followed many years, settling in his later life on the old Bedford homestead in Forks township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was one of the most active and [)rominent men in his district. He was a man of superior education and fine intellect and, although books in his day were high- priced, he gathered the largest and most up- to-date library in Sullivan County. A portion of the library is now in the possession of Mr. Norton and he has added many valuable vol- umes. Mr. Bedford was the first superintend- ent of schools in Sullivan County and served as one of the first associate judges of the coun- ty, filling the judgeship for two terms. He also represented Sullivan County two terms in the State Legislature. Rev. Mr. Bedford's useful life was closed at the age of seventy-one years, his wife departing this life at the age of sixty. Their children were: Mary B., wife of our subject; Ada, who married Watson Faw- cett; and three who died in infancy. Powell Norton, the subject of this biog- raphy, attended the public schools of his na- tive place where he received a p^ood funda- mental education. When a young man he started as a farmer for himself, buying the Rogers farm in Forks township which con- sisted of 140 acres. Besides making manv improvements on the land he built a new house and barns. Together with John W. Norton he bought the Campbell Hour and feed mill. John W. Norton was succeeded as our subject's partner by S. M. Hotteinstein, the firm now being Norton & Hotteinstein. They do a large custom trade, dealing exten- sively in flour, feed, meal and grain, and also handle all kinds of agricultural implements necessary in that section. They own a trac- tion engine and do threshing, silo-work and the like. Mr. Norton erected at Cam])bellvirie a house and store which he rented for a period of years to Mr. Merithew, but now he con- ducts a country store in the place. He is a'so postmaster, having serveil in that capacity for fifteen years. This post office was established in 1843 '^y t'le father of our subject's wife and John Campbell was the first postmaster. Mr. Norton owns his father's homestead which is conducted by his only son now living, Richard W., who married Lizzie Hotteinstein. George L, a second son, died at the age of seven years. EORGE K. FAGELY, ex-sherifT of Northumlierland County, is one of the enterprising and energetic business men of Shamokin and a prominent and prosperous citizen. He was born in Shamokin township. Northumberland County, November 24, 1845, and is a son of Solomon and Mary E. (Klase) Fagely, and grandson of Christian Fagely. The Fagelys are of German descent, ami have been residents of this state for the past two centuries. Christian Fagely, the grand- father of our subject, who was a native of Alaiden Creek township, Berks County. Pa., in 1808 with his family moved to Shamokin townshi]). Northumberland County, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in the culti- lae BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. vation of the soil. He purchased a large tract of uncultivated land wliich he cleared and greatly inijiroved, and was one of the fore- most agriculturists of his community, wiio not only thoroughly understood the occupation in which he was engaged, l)ut was one of those who attained success in following the same. I !e was the progenitor of seven cliildren all of whom are now deceased. Religiously, Mr. I'^agely was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He passed from this earth December 31, 1845, at the advanced age of eight\-one years, three months and twenty- eight days; his wife died June 19, 1843, aged seventy years, two months and one day. Solomon Fagely, the father of our subject, was born in Maiden Creek township, Berks County, in 1802. He was but six years of age when his parents moved to Northumber- land County and settled in Shamokin town- ship. He received a liberal education in the common schools and was reared to agricul- ture which was his chief occupation through- out his entire life. He also conducted a hotel at Mount Carmel for two years, and later oper- ated a mill at Paxinos for several years. He then returned to the old homestead and con- tinued farming imtil his death. He was one of the prominent men of his township and by the exercise of his natural energy, industry, and all those qualities which constitute a good citizen and business man, he became a useful and \;ihR'd member of his community. Mr. h'agely was originally a Douglas Democrat, but after the Civil War broke out he af^liated with the Republican party. He formed a mat- rimonial alliance with ^^lary E. Klase and a family of eleven children was born to them, namely: \'alentine, a retired citizen residing in Shamokin township, Northumberland Comity: William, who died .A-Ugust 5, 1856. aged twent\-two \ears, eight months, and fif- teen days; Henry K., a resident of Sunbury. is the proprietor of the Standard Wire Nail \\'orks and a general merchandise store; George K.,the subject of this personal history; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married Solo- mon Weaver of Sunbury. Pa.; Caroline, who married W. Haas of Shamokin township: Catherine, deceased, who married Scott Mc- Williams of Shamokin, Pa.; Rosanna, de- ceased, who married Henry Tricellis of Sun- bury. I'a.: Harriet, who died in infancy: Ella, who married Scott McWilliams, who is now deceased; and Mary, who died unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Fagely and family were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fagely entered the world of rest September 6, 1883, aged eighty-one years, two months and seven- teen days. The mother of our subject joined her husl)and February 13, 1S87, at the age of eighty-three years, two months and ten days. Our sul)ject received what education he possesses in the common schools. His early life was passed on the old homestead in as- sisting his father in the labors on the farm until he was sixteen years of age; he then engaged as a clerk in his brother's store and remained there two years, and then clerked in a store at .\shland. Pa., for a short time. During the Rebellion, when President Lin- coln issued a call for troops, our subject laid aside all plans for the future, and enlisted June 16, 1863, in Company .\, 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged July 27, 1863. March 13, 1865, our subject re- enlisted for three years or during the war, in Company E, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out at Xewbern. N. C, June 25, 1865. Returning home to his native state he settled in Snyder County where he con- ducted a mercantile store for four years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Shamokin. Northumberland Countv. and en- LINCOLN H. BOOUV. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 139 gaged in luickstering and ran an individual car on the railroad. Tiie next ten years were spent in Snyder County, and in 1880 he re- turned to Shamokin, where lie again took up merchandising and carried on that line of bus- iness until January i, 1896. He was one of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Shamokin and by his straightforward meth- ods of dealing he succeeded in establishing a large and enviable patronage. In the fall of 1895 Mr. Fagely was a candidate for sheriff of Northumberland County and was elected by a majority of 1,227 votes, which shows his jiopularity and the esteem and respect in \\hicli he is held by his fellow-citizens. He is a strong Republican and has contributed much toward the success of his chosen party. He has also served as a councilman and as a school director of Shamokin. Our subject is now conducting a wholesale flour and feed store on Independence street and also operates a roller process flour mill in Snyder County. Mr. Fagely is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, F. & A. M., of Selinsgrove; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M. ; Shamokin Commandery, No. y^, K. T. ; Calvary Commandery. No. 123, Knights of Malta; Washington Camp, No. 149, P. O. S. of A.; and Lincoln Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Shamokin. He was a director in the post, which is probably worth $70,000, and is one of the richest G. A. R. posts in the state of Penn- .sylvania. Our subject was joined in the bonds of mar- riage November 17, 1867, witli Mary A. Vo- der of Snyder County, and one child was born to them, Mary N., now deceased. Mrs. Fag- ely passed from this life September i, 1869. Our subject formed a second marriage with Anna Keeler January 6. 1871, and one child blesses their home, namely: Solomon Grant, who is now deputy sheriff under his father. tlNCOLN H. BOODY. Among the prosperous business men of Columbia n"*^ County who have succeeded in life mainly on account of their energy, persever- ance and economy, coupled with the fact that success in life depends considerably upon at- tending to one's business and not mi.xing in the affairs of neighbors, is the subject of this biograi)hical sketch, whose portrait is shown on a preceding i)age. Mr. Boody is one of the hustling business men of the town of Rupert and is the proprietor of the Rupert Granite & Marble Works. He was born at Mullica Hill, N. J., September 28, i860, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Looper) Boody. The Boody family is of English origin, and the first of that name to locate in this country settled in the state of New Jersey, where they were engaged in tilling the soil. George Boody, the grandfather of our subject, owned a large farm where the \-illage of \'ineland, N. J., now stands. David Boody, the father of our subject, was a millwright, carpenter and cabinetmaker l)y trade, and followed those occupations at inter- vals throughout his entire life. He also con- tracted for building and erected many large manufacturing plants throughout the country. Mr. Boody was an author of considerable note and his most valuable work was a history of the Ci\-il \\'ar, which was not completed by him on account of his death. When the Civil War broke out he assisted in forming the first company that left the state of New Jersey in response to the call issued by President Lin- coln. After three years' gallant service he fell a martyr to the Union cause. He was united in the bonds of matrimony to Elizabeth Loop- er. a daughter of John Looper, a well-to-do resident of Gloucester, N. J. As a result of this union three sons and three daughters were born, namely : R. H., a hotelkeeper re- 140 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. siding at Tivoli, Pa.; David, who is employed in the iron mills; Rachael, who was drowned at the aije of eighteen years; Amy, wife of William C'anini of r.ridgeton. N. J.; Lincoln J!., our subject; and llattic, wife of Jolni I'letcher of Fairton, N. J. Upon the death of Mr. Boody our subject's niulhcr, after losing considerable property, mo\ed to Alullica Hill with her family and our subject at a very early age was compelled, at the age of nine years, to go to work in a nail factory. After remaining there a short time he was employed as a cabinboy and as- sistant cook aboard sex'eral x'essels. continuing iliat line of liusiness a numl)er of years. In 1876 he moved to Philadelphia, where he worked in a market at No. 12 Market street. His next move was to Rupert, Columbia County, Pa., where he servetl an apprentice- ship to the stonecutting trade. After learning the trade he became a salesman and later he \vas taken as a partner in the works owned by his brother, R. H. Boody. They success- fully carried on that business and later started another granite and marlile works at Hughes- villc, Columbia County. In 1888 the firm dis- sohed partnership and our subject became sole pro|)rietor of the Rupert w'orks, and in 1896 he ])urchased the works at Hughesville. Mr. Boody is now carrying on a successful 1)usiness and is evidently on the high road to pros])erity. He is a fair-and-square business man, and, though young in years, has made his mark in the connnuiiit}- where he resides. He lias a large and increasing trade and is esteemed throughout the county for his strict business principles and upright character. He is at present carrying a stock worth twelve thousand dollars and also owns considerable property in and al)ont Rupert, including a Inie farm. Oiu" subject was one of the first in this section to engage in the bicycle busi- ness, and besides he is an expert rider and has won many prizes for l)oth speed and trick rid- ing. ]\Ir. Boody is an unwa\ering Democrat. On December 21, 1887, Sarah L. Nichols of Bridgeton, N. J., and our subject were united in marriage, and as a result of this union three children blessed their home : Mary Catherine; Porter Rupert, who died in infancy; and Letitia Morgan. As one of the esteemed citizens of Columbia County, Lincoln Boody occupies an envial)le position. He possesses more than ordinary intelligence, is truly a self-made man, of high principles, upright and iionorable in all his dealings, and is a citizen whose worth is ap- preciated at its full value. was lan( EW C. FOSNOT, the subject of this short sketch, the able editor of the Watsontown Record and Star, born February 8, 1848, in Cumber- County, Pa., and is a son of Jacol) and Mary (Vanderbilt) Fosnot. Jacob Fosnot, our subject's father, was born in 1804, and died in 1850. He was a wea\er by trade. He married Mary Vanderbilt. who was born in 1804. and died in 1872, surviving her husl)and twenty-two years. Their family consisted of twelve children, eight of whom grew to maturity, as follows: William C. ; Mary Jane; Martha M.; JohnC. ; Joshua V.; Edward \\'. ; Lew C. ; and Henry J. Lew C. Fosnot, oiu' suljject, received a good education in the public schools and then learned the printer's trade. Feeling it his duty to serve his country in her hour of need he enlisted as a jjrivate on January 30, 1864, in Battery G, 2d Reg,, Pa. Artillery, and ser\ed until January 29, 1866, going with the armies of the Potomac and James. He was also em- ployed in the L^nited States \\'eather Bureau SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 141 for tliree months. In 1877 he became the editor of the W'atsontown Record, and in 1882 began the publication of the West Branch Star, which lie has continued to edit with marked success until the present time. In 1884 the Record was consolidated with the Star under the name of the Record and Star. In politics the paper is independent, always championing that which is best for the town and county. Mr. Fosnot has ever upheld the principles of the Democratic party, and is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. On January 2T,. 1871, he was united in marriage with Belle Westafer of Newville. Pa., and three children blessed this union, but only one son, John Clyde, survives, the two daughters. Lu- lu Maud and Bessie Irene. ha\ing gone to a better world. RIAS BLOO.M of Sunbury, North- umberland County, formerly was register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of the Orphans' Court of the coun- ty. He is a son of Hiram and ]\Iaria (Hile- man) Bloom, and was born in Lower Augusta, now Rockefeller townshi]i. Northumberland County, April i, 1854. Our subject's ancestors were pioneers of Northumberland County and for five gener- ations the family has been prominent and in- timately connected with the growth and his- tory of the county. The first of the family to locate in the county, Stephen Bloom, settled there prior to 1795 as is demonstrated by his will. A son of Stephen, Samuel Bloom, was the father of Jacob Bloom, and Jacob was the parent of Hiram Bloom, the father of our subject. Samuel Bloom was commissioned a justice of the peace in Februarv. 1809, was county commissioner from i8i.-^ to 181 5, and was county treasurer in 1834-36. He bought the farm on which he long resided from Mar- tin Raker and wife in 1797 and the property, which is near the old stone church in Rocke- feller township, is now owned l)y the subject of our sketch who prizes it highly. Hiram Bloom, father of our subject, was born in what is now Rockefeller township, October 22, 183 1, and was a son of Jacob and Julia Ann (Bartholomew) Bloom. He was a carpenter by trade, also was a farmer, and for some years ran a saw-mill. He married Maria Hileman, mother of our subject, in 1852. She was a daughter of Daniel Hileman of Rockefeller township. The subject of this sketch, L'rias Bloom, is the eldest of nine children, eight of whom are living. He was educated in the common schools and when sixteen years old began work as a school teacher, which he continued for four years when he accepted a clerkship in the ofBce of Lemuel Shipman, then recorder. He served also under the successor of Mr. Shipman. George D. Bucher, remaining a clerk in the recorder's office until 1886 when he assumed his duties as register of wills and recorder of deeds to which office he was elected in 1885 as a Democrat. In 1885, when he first stood for the office. Mr. Bloom's popu- larity was well demonstrated by the fact that he ran 250 votes ahead of the other candi- dates on the Democratic ticket. He was re- elected in 1888, when he surprised even his closest friends and all of his admirers by run- ning over 1,200 \otes ahead of his ticket. Mr. Bloom was married in Lower Augusta township, November 25, 1879, to Anna M. W'intersteen and their union has been blessed with four children, Essie L^arda, Grace Imo- gene, Goldie Edna, and an infant son. Mr. Bloom is a Mason, also an Odd Fellow, and is a member of the M. E. Church. 142 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. GRACE BREECE, who has been the efficient secretary of tlie Y. M. C. A. of licrwick since October, 1893, is a son of Daniel and Alary (Case) Breece, and was born in Colnmbia Connty, Pa., in Daniel Breece, father of onr snliject. was born in L)Coniing Connt_\-. where he learned the trade of a mechanical engineer which he followed for many years at Irondale. He then moved to Bloomsbnrg, where he resided the remainder of his life. He was nnited in marriage to Mary Case, a danghter of Wil- liam Case, and they were the parents of nine children: Jane, wife of J. B. Robinson; Mar- garet, deceased; George, deceased; Horace, in whom the interest of this .sketch centers; ]''liza, deceased; Hannah, a teacher of Blooms- bnrg; William 11., who was born October 3, 1863, in Bloomsbnrg and learned the trade of a mechanic; he entered the employ of The Jackson & W'oodin Manufactnring Company in 1886, and later held a position in the boiler- room. In 1893 he was promoted to the posi- tion of engineer, and has since had charge of the wonderfnl Porter-Allen cut-ofY engine with ;i horse power of 900, which fnrnishes power by Manila cables to the machine shops, fonndry, framing-shoii, and other departments of the ])lant. He was nnited in marriage to Emma Lnndey, a danghter of Pierce Lundy of Berwick, and they have an adopted daugh- ter. D. Ollie, who was born July 17, 1890. The remainder of the children born lo Air. and .Mrs. Breece were: Dr. Ervin, deceased; and Dora, a teacher. Mr. Breece was called to his eternal resting place at the age of seventy _\ears. His wife survives him and li\-es in the old homestead at Bloomsbnrg. Horace Breece attended tlie i)nblic schools of Bloomsbnrg. after which he learned the trade of steam engineering which he followed for three years. In 1879 he removed to Ber- wick and became an engineer for The Jackson & W'oodin Manufacturing Company, and failhfidly acted in that cajiacity for fourteen years, when he was appointed secretary of the Berwick Y. M. C. A. The association was organized in 1878 in the basement of the M. E. Church by C. H. Zehnder. who was as- sisted by George S. Bennett and George Lep- pard. They elected the following officers : C. G. Jackson, president; Isaiah Bower, vice- president: and C. H. Zehnder. secretary, without pay. It was establisheil in rooms donatetl by The Jackson & \\'oodin Manu- facturing Company which also furnished the light and heat free of cost to the association. As the institution flourished and the meml)er- ship increased rapidly, the rooms were found to be too small, and the erection of a more adequate building was planned, the following donations having been generously offered : $6,000 and tlie light by Mr. C. R. W'oodin; a three-story dwelling house and $3,000 by Mrs. E. S. Jackson; and liljeral subscriptions by many of the prominent business men. This enabled the association to begin work on the present building in 1884 and it was dedicated April 7, 1885 with suitable services. 'It is a handsome brick building, 45 by 66 feet, con- taining two stories and a basement: has a beautiful library containing 5,000 volumes; a large and spacious reading room; two social rooms on tiie first floor; an auditorium with a seating capacity of 350 peoi)le; parlors: and in the basement a large gynmasium for the accommodation of athletic young men; and also good baths. The building is well sup- plied with electric lights and gas and is heated by a hot-air system. There has been an ever- increasing membership under the faithful guidance of Mr. Breece and preceding secre- taries, and there are now over three hundred » \ ULYSSES BIRD. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 145 members enrolled. ]\Ir. Breece is a man of purimse and it has ever been his aim to ele- vate the social and mora! standing of the com- numity. OiH" snbject was joined in the bonds of mat- rimony to Sadie \'an Horn, a daughter of Abraham and Susan Van Horn of Blooms- burg, Pa., and they became the parents of the following children : George, who died in in- fancy; May L.; Fred N. ; and Horace Wil- lard. Mr. Breece is past commander of the Knights of ]\Ialta, a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and a member of the Junior Order of United American ^lechanics. LYSSES BIRD, a representative farmer and surveyor of Elkland township, is descended from one of the oldest families of Sullivan County. He is a son of George C. and Harriet (Kaye) Bird, and was born on the farm on which he now resides, October 3, 1856. The great-grandfather of our subject, Pow- ell Bird, was born in Norfolk, England, and came to this country in 1792, locating in Northumberland County. Pa. He made the acquaintance of Dr. Joseph Priestly, who owned extensive landed interests in what is now Sullivan County, and offered choice tracts of land as an inducement to the early settlers to make that their home. In 1794 Mr. Bird located on a tract of 150 acres, all of which was located in Forks township on the Little Loyalsock Creek, upon which J. K. Bird now resides, and, with William Moly- neux and John Warren, was the first to locate in the county. They all lived within a few miles of each other, each having cleared a piece of land on which to erect log cabins and tiien been joined by their families. The cen- tennial of the settlement of these three old pioneer families was celebrated at the Forks- ville Fair. October 5, 1894, and excited much favorable connnent. This hardy old ancestor of our subject de\()ted the remainder of his life to clearing up the place. Being a weaver by trade he built a loom and wove all of the cloth for his own family and neighbors. Liv- ing as they did out in the forest far from civili- zation with none but the wild animals for friends, these pioneers met with many thrill- ing experiences and at times narrowly averted death. Mr. Bird was a man of education and during the last years of his life acted as local Baptist minister. It may indeed be said that his was an exemplary life, one of which his descendants are justly proud. He married Lydia Hannant and they became the parents of twenty-one children, nineteen daughters and two sons, the following being the only ones of whom there is any record : Mrs. Mary Jones; George; Mrs. Rebecca Molyneux, the first white child born in Sullivan County, who was born June i, 1797; Mrs. Sarah Bennett; Mrs., Ruth Bennett; Mrs. Lydia Yours; Mrs. Eleanor Bull; Esther; Philip I.; Mrs. Elizabeth Summers; and lona. Powell Bird lived to the age of eighty years, dying April 13, 1829; his wife died June 29, 1832, both being buried in the Bird family cemetery, a portion of th^ original purchase. George Bird, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in 1790 and after reaching man- hood inherited the old homestead upon which he Iniilt the frame house, which is still stand- ing and in good condition. He followed farming all of his life and, as his sons grew up, with their aid built and operated a saw-mill, the lumber from which he tloated down the river on rafts to market. He was a Whig in politics. Mr. Bird was famous as a hunter and killed many panthers and wolves and H6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. l)ears without limit. Me once saved the Hfe of his nephew, Joh .Summers'. l)y (lespatcliing; a panther which held .Mr. Sunmiers in its em- brace. Mr. Bird married Sarah King and their children were as follows : Phoebe, who married Jolin Fawcett; I'owell, who married Sarah Molyneux; Mary, who married Thomas Norton; Thomas, who died in early youth; iLsther who married Richard Biddle; Lydia, who married Joseph Fawcett: Charles, who married Harriet ^lolyneux; William, who died at an early age; George C. ; Ann; and John K., who married Carrie Yonkin. Mr. liird died on July 14, 1872, and his wife passed away in 1867 at the age of seventy-nine years. George C. Bird, our su1)ject's father, was l)orn on the old homestead February 14, 1829. He assisted his father in the duties about the farm until 1855 when he purchased a tract of 106 acres on the Strong Run Creek. At the time of his purchase the tract was a wilder- ness untouched b\- tlie hand of man, and after clearing fifteen acres he erected a board cabin, the lumber for which was obtained with great difficulty, a portion of it being carried by hantl, as there were no wagon roads. There he located with his bride, and they have lived there to this day, clearing away the forest and converting the land into rich and cultivated fields. After a time the cabin became unsuited to the marked advancement which had been made in other particulars and in 1857 it was replaced by a commodious house. Mr. Bird took great pleasure in hunting and fishing. He killed several bears, about 300 deer and scores of small game. Game became scarce in his locality and he made several trips up the West Branch of the Susquehanna River on most successful hunting expeditions. Al- though Mr. Bird is now almost three-score and ten he is hale and hearty and his business transactions are extensix'e. he being a large dealer in lumber. Politically he is a stanch Republican and has served as jury commis- sioner and assessor, and has filled a number of township ofifices. He is a man of marked abil- ity and is well known to the citizens through- out his section of the county. His union with Harriet Kaye resulted in the following off- spring: Ulysses; Alma, who is the wife of W. F. :Miller; Mary, the wife of G. C. Bird- sail; Jennie, wife of J. P. Rogers; Nellie, who married Charles Clark : and Isadore, who mar- ried B. R. Plotts. Ulysses Bird, the subject of this biograph- ical record, attended the public schools and the Normal National University of Lebanon, Ohio, where he took a special course in sur- veying and bookkeeping, graduating with high honors in the class of 1885. Our subject has a permanent certificate from the state for teaching and has already taught twelve terms. He has since devoted his time principally to farming and surveying in Sulli\an and Brad- ford counties, being highly successful. In 1885 he purchased fifty-six acres of the old homestead farm, upon which he built a fine modern home, and has since bought an addi- tional tract of one hundred and fifty acres of timberlanti, engaging in lumbering to a great extent. He is a man of exceptional business ability, honest and energetic, and he occupies a high place in the estimation of his fellow- citizens. ]\fr. Bird has held all the offices in the Sullivan County Agricultural Society and at this date is president of the organization. Mr. Bird was united in marriage with Emma McCadden, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Lockwciod) McCadden. Thomas McCadden was born in England in 1832 and came to the United States in 1868, locating in Philadelphia. At the time of his death, in 1898, he was living in the city of Brooklyn. He was the father of the following children : SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 147 Joseph: Mary; Joseph; Alfred; George; Emma; Herbert: Mary H.; Selina; James; Earnest; Lillie; Dora; Delbert; and Arthur. Our subject and his wife are the happy par- ents of five children : Carl Orlando, born April 28, 1886; LaRue, born April 5. 1887; Victor, born January 18, 1889; Lloyd Vernon, born September 7, 1890; and Myra, born October 29. 1894. Mr. Bird has been a life-long Re- publican and he has served as school director, county auditor for six years, for ten years as justice of the peace, and in 1890 he was census enumerator. In religious views he is a Wes- leyan ^Methodist. He is a member of the Pa- triotic Order Sons of America and of the Grange. His portrait is shown on another page of this work. rgl IRAM H. BROWN is one of the hon- ■=^ ored and prominenc farmers of Scott township, Columbia County, Pa., and is also successfully engaged in raising and selling the Italian honey bee. He was born in Mifflin township, Columbia County, June 29, 1837, and is a son of John and Jane (Hutchison) Brown. There is in the Brown family an old Bible and on a fly-leaf the following lines were written by James Brown, the great-great- great-grandfathcr of our subject: "England is my native land and Long Island my home," and dated 1716. He probably moved to Hainesburg, N. J., and there spent his re- maining days, at least his son John, the great- great-grandfather of our subject, resided there and was the owner of considerable property. The latter built an old stone house and above the door appears the date 1789; this ancient building is still being used and is owned by a Mr. Brugler, one of his descendants. John Brown disposed of his property in the state of New Jersey and moved to Mifflin town- ship, Columbia County, Pa., and purchased a large tract of land four miles east of the town of Mifflin. Finding his purchase unsuitable for farming land he sold the property and bought what is now known as the Rosebud farm, which is in Mifflin township. In addi- tion to farming he was a gunsmith and black- smith by trade; he served throughout the Rev- olutionary War, and besides doing the duties of a regular soldier, he shod the horses in camp and repaired guns. He was treasurer of the Nescopeck Bi-idge Company at Berwick, Pa., as is shown by a share of stock. No. 105, now in possession of his great-grandson, the sub- ject of this sketch, which share is dated Aug- ust 6, 1814. He was twice married and was the father of five children, namely: James, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Samuel Brown, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was reared on his father's farm, and was a farmer and miller. He operated what is now known as the Brown Mills which were supposed to have been erected by his father. He was wedded to Dortha Nice of Philadel- phia, and they reared the following children : John, the father of our subject; Mary Mar- garet, who' was the wife of Samuel Creasy of Mifflin township, both now deceased; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of George A. Bowman, also of Scott township: William N., deceased, was formerly a farmer of Mifflin township, but later owned the Brown Mills, — he is the father of James C. Brown, editor of one of Bloomsburg's most flourishing papers; Mathew, late a farmer of Mifflin township; James, deceased, who was a boatman on the Schuylkill Canal; Elizabeth, who wedded Alexander Thompson of Berwick, Columbia County; George B., deceased, who was a den- tist and book and stationerv dealer of Dan- 148 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ville. Pa.; and F.lislia. late a merchant of Mifflin. John Brown, tlic fatlier of our subject, car- ried on farniins' and operated the Brown 'SU'.h (hiring his early manhood, and was also en- gaged in the mercantile business at Mifflin. He was a \-ery i)rominent member of his community and took much interest in public affairs. Tolitically he was an old line Whig. H'e passed fmni this life February 21. 1855. lie was twice married and by his first wife, Mary Freas, a family of three children was reared, namely: Samuel, deceased, who was engaged in farming on the homestead; Freas, deceased, who started in life as a miller but later embarked in the mercantile business at Columbus, Fa.; and \\'illiam, who died in his infancy. His second marriage was to Jane Hutchison, whose father was a well-to-do farmer of Center townshi]), Columbia County. As a result of this union two sons and two daughters were born, namely: Margaret M., the wife of Hiram B. Freas, who reside in Chicago, 111.; our subject: Flizabeth, wife of William Hill, a farmer of Center townshi]). Columbia County; and ^lark, who died in his boyhood days. Hiram H. Brown was reared upon the farm until he was eleven years of age, when his father moved to Mifflin. Our subject was educated in tlie public and select schools of Bloomsburg, commenced teaching at the age of seventeen years, and taught twelve winters: during the summers of 1855-56 he attended the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa. In 1857 he located at Limeridge, Columbia County, wdiere he was engaged in the lumber business until 1865. In the spring of 1866 he moved upon the old Britton homestead and has since been engaged in the cultivation of the soil: he also deals extensively in Italian bees, and in bee colonics, combs, foundations and extractors. Mr. Brown was one of the chief organizers of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, which entered upon its business career De- cember 2g, 1874, and on January 11, 1875, he was elected vice-president of tlie company, and has held that ofifice fourteen years. Jan- uary 1 1, 1892, he was elected secretary, which office he still holds. During the time when the Farmers' Grange flourished in this section, he was one of its most active supporters; was deputy grand master of Columbia and Lu- zerne counties from 1S73 to 1880, and during that period he assisted in organizing twenty- seven local (iranges. In i860 he joined Mountain Lodge. I. O. O. F., and in 1870 withdrew to become a charter member of the Espy Lodge, No. 681, of which he is now past grand master: in 1863 he was elected to membership in \\'ashington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg; is a charter member of Camp No. 17, P. O. S. of A., of Light Street, and was district president of the same in 1895. In religious views Mr. Brown is an acti\-e member of the Methodist Church. He was school director three years and asses- sor of the township eighteen years. On March 21, 1861, Mr. Brown and Elizabeth Conner were united in the bonds of matrimony, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Eber A., a mechanic of Light Street, who married Anna E. Beers of Bloomsburg, Pa., and they have a son, Claude C, born October 7, 1898; Morse, who died in infanc)': and Hannah J., who married H. \\'. Black of White Hall, Pa., and they have one child, Edith. The Conner family is of Irish de- scent. John Conner, the grandfather of Mrs. Hiram Brown, was a well known tanner and farmer of Center township, Columbia Count)', and was one of the wealthiest men in that sec- tion of the state. He was a member of the Prcsbvterian Church. Mr. Conner was twice T. (f^ <^Mm JUDGE ROBERT TAYLOR. JR. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 151 marrieil; his first wife was Miss Hill who bore him tlie following children : Mary; Thomas; Samuel: Isaiah; John: and Charles. His second wife was Elizabeth Nyer and two children resulted from this union, Joseph P. and Rebecca. Thomas Conner, the father of our sul)ject's wife, was ])orn in Center town- ship where he was engaged in farming all. his life. He died in September, 1862, at the age of fift_\--four years. He was a member of the Presbxterian Clun-cli. He formed a matri- monial alliance with Hannah Laubach, a daughter of Frederick Laubach, a farmer of Renton township, Columbia County. To this imion three sons and two daughters were born : John Freas, a farmer residing in Kan- sas; George, a farmer of Scott township: Eliz- alDCth, the wife of our subject: Alfred, de- ceased, who worked in a supply house and fur- niture store at Cape May, N. J.; and Marx- Catherine, wife of W. S. Conner, a resident of Trenton, N. ]. UDGE ROBERT TAYLOR, Jr., who for five }-ears faithfully served in the capacity of associate judge of Sullivan County, Pa., is now extensively engaged in farming and lumbering on liis estate of 370 acres in Davidson township. He is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Edkin) Taylor, and was born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan County, October 2, 1832. Our subject comes from one of the oldest and a leading family of the county, and is a grandson of Robert Taylor, who was the first of the family to locate in Sullivan County. He came from Lewistown, Pa., and took up a tract of land, thickly covered with timber, which he cleared. He ne.xt built a house and carried on farming in connection with oper- ating a grist-mill and a distillery. Thus he continued until his death at the age of sixty- two years, and became quite wealthy, owning at one time some 600 acres of land. He formed a marital union with Elizabeth Mayhue, and among their children was Frederick, the fath- er of our subject. Frederick Taylor was born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan County, where he lived most of his life, and became a prominent citi- zen of Muncy Valley. He was a Democrat in politics and served as supervisor in the town- ship and as school director for many years. He was united in marriage with Margaret Edkin, a native of England, who came to this country with her father, George Edkin, who settled in Shrewsbury township, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of eighty years. Mrs. Taylor's mother lix-ed to reach the ripe old age of nine- ty-three. This union was blessed by the birth of eight children, namely: Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Beaver Kitchen, who re- sides at Montgomery Station, Pa.; William, deceased, who married Mary Anderson, who now resides in Shrewsbury township; Robert, Jr., the subject of this per.sonal history; George E., a record of whose life appears else- where in this Book of Biographies; Sophia, the widow of John Foust, resides in Muncy. Lycoming County; Deborah, deceased, was the wife of John Roach, who is also deceased: Margaret, deceased; and Theodore, who lost his life in 1865, while serving in the Union .\rmy. Mr. Taylor died on ALirch 13, iSSri, and his wife joined him lieyoncl the ri\er of Death in February, 1891. Robert Taylor, Jr., after receiving intel- lectual training in the common schools, at the age of eighteen years began working on the farm for his father and also engaged in lum- bering, continuing with his father until after his marriage. He then moved to his present 152 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. farm, which consists of 370 acres of good land, and tliere has since carried on general farming and lumbering, besides dealing extensively in cattle. He has impro\ed the land to such an extent that it is one of the most valuable pieces of property in the section. He is a man of great energy and enterprise and has been decidedly successful in his various lines of business. In ])ri\ate life he is a good neigh- l)or and a kind friend, and possesses the es- teem of a large circle of acquaintances. In 1868 our subject married Sarah Sellers of Lycoming County, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Sellers. The former was a blacksmith by trade, and both are now de- ceased. This union resulted in the following offspring: ( )cy, the wife of A. T. Armstrong, a merchant, lumber dealer, and the proprietor of a grist-mill at Sonestown, — they have four children, Rita, Taylor, Erma and ]\fary; Harry, born October 30. 1871; and Edna, who lives at home. In political affiliations Mr. Taylor is an unswerving supporter of the Democratic party, and for five years served the county as associate judge. He has been ta.x collector and supervisor, and has held mail)- township offices of minor importance. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A recent portrait of Mr. Taylor is shown on a preceding page, in connection with the above sketch of his life. OHN JEFFERSON, foreman in the Alaska Colliery at Mount Carmel, Pa., has been actively engaged in the min- ing business for many years, and by honest labor and untiring energy has worked his way from a lowly position to a well paying and prominent one. He enjovs the respect and esteem of his many friends and is ranked among the substantial citizens of the borough. He is a son of Joseph Jefferson and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Jefferson, and was born in Potts- ville. Pa., May g, 1840. Joseph Jefferson, the father of our subject, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1805, and about 183 J innnigrated to this country with his wife and two children, locating at Potts- \iile, P'a. He was a miner by occupation and followed mining in that vicinity for a time. He first operated the Young's Landing Colliery under a contract, but had the misfortune to lose three thousand dollars in the venture owing to the absconding of the man of whom the mine was leased. He later was injured in the mines and was coni])elled to give up that line of work, but he soon took to agricultural pursuits at which he was more successful. He was a man of nuich natural ability and com- manded the good-will of all with whom he was accjuainted. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wilkinson, and their union re- sulted in the birth of eight children, as follows : Mary, deceased; Robert, deceased; \\'illiam, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Ellen, who died in infancy; Charles and Henry, twins; and John, the subject of this biographical record. John Jefferson was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill County and in Green- wood Seminary. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to the trade of a machinist tmder \\'illiam H. DeHavers and served for fourteen months, when he became dissatisiied, during the panic which prevailed in 1857, and gave up his ])osition. He then went into the mines as a laborer where he worked with a faithfulness to lie rewarded at the expiration of five years by promotion to a position as fire-boss. He continued in that capacity until 1874 when he was again given an atKance, becominsr a foreman, and as such SEX'ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 153 lie has been serving up to the present time, with the exception of six years when he was su]ierinten(hng tlie Shamokin cohieries. He has been in the employ of the Reading; Com- l)anv for many years and is now inside-fore- man of the Alaska Colliery. He has ever been faithful to the best interests of his employers, who place high value on his services. Mr. Jeft'erson was united in marriage with Mary James, bv whom he had the following children: Jane; Elizabeth; John E., a rail- road man in the employ of the Lehigh X'alley Railroad; William, deceased; ]\Iary: Laura: Elizabeth: Joseph; Margaret; and Garfield. Our subject formed a second matrimonial al- liance with Ellen Six Smith, and two children blessed their imion, one of whom, Carrie, is now li\'ing. Politically our subject is a Republican, but is rather inclined to be independent, always supporting the man who in his opinion is best deserving of the ofifice and will best serve the people. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Mount Carmel ; the Odd Fellows Lodge at Shamokin; and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America at Mount Carmel. He is also a member of the Mount Carmel school board. Wko^ IGTON MADISON MOX- This honored citizen of Rupert, Pa., is successfully engaged in the manufacture of powder kegs and is agent for the Dupont Powder Companv. He was born in Aluncy, Lycoming County, Pa., Sep- tember 3. 1838 and is a son of Isaac S. and Elizabeth (Davis) Monroe, grandson of Ben- nett and Lucy (Sprague) ^Monroe, and great- grandson of Bennett ]\Ionroe. Bennett Monroe, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland and with his brothers, Joseph and Nathan, immigrated to this country. One brother located in the state of Virginia and among his descendants was President James ^lonroe; another set- tled in the state of Rhode Island; and Bennett settled near the village of Woodstock, Vt., where some of his descendants yet reside. Bennett Monroe, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Woodstock, Vt., and died at his hinne in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1845. His wife was Lucy. Sprague, a member of the hon- ored Sprague family, of which Gov. Sprague was a descendant. Isaac S. Monroe, the father of our subject, was born in Woodstock, A't., in 1804. He possessed a good education and during his early life was engaged in contracting and pul)- lic work; in 1833 he moved to Catawissa, Co- lumbia County, where he built one and one- half miles of the Pennsylvania Canal. He took one of the first boats loaded with coal down the Schuylkill Canal from Pottsvil'.e to Philadelphia; he also took a boatload of pig iron from Catawissa to Harrisburg. Pa., over the Susquehanna River, which was probably the only successful trip ever made over that route. Later he engaged in the distilling bus- iness at Muncy, Lycoming County, and from there he moved to Columbia County where, from 1847 to 1863, he was extensively en- gaged in the lumber business. In 1863 he erected a building at Rupert and began the manufacture of powder kegs, which business he followed until his death, on February 4, 1879. Mr. Monroe was internal revenue as- sessor of what was then the Thirteenth Con- gressional District but is now the Seventeenth Congressional District, from May, 1863, until November, 1865. From 1861 until his death he was general agent for the Dupont Powder Company, and the following seven counties were assisfued as his territory: Columbia. 154 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Montour. Snyder, Lycoming, Sullivan, North- uin])erlan(l and Schuylkill. On February i, 1870, he \va.s appointed by the governor as associate judge of Columbia County, and on November 9, 1870, he was elected to the same office for a term of five years. Politically Mr. Monroe was a stanch Democrat until the breaking out of the Rebellion when he joined the ranks of the Republican ]3arty. lie was a member of Gov. Porter's stafY with the rank of major. Socially our subject's father was a member of Catawissa Chapter, No. 178; past grand master of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, F. Sz A. M.; and a member of Catawissa, now l)an\ille. Conmiandery, No. 37. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Jt)lm Da\is who was formerly a farmer of Montgomery County, but later of Franklin township, Columbia County. Seven children blessed the home of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Monroe, three of whom died in their infancy. Those who grew to maturity were as follows : Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Peter R. Baldy of Catawissa; Lucy S., died aged seventeen years; our subject; and Mary, de- ceased, who was the wife of Austin H. Church of Wyoming County, Pa. \\'ashington M. Monroe, the only member of the family living, was educated in the public schools of Catawissa and in the Hill School of Pottstown, Pa. He was then employed by the Catawissa Railroad Company as operator and ticket-agent at Catawissa and after re- maining in the road's employ three years, in 1865 became a partner with his father in the manufacture of powder kegs; ui)on his fabler's death our subject succeeded him in the Ijusiness, and has since been agent for the Dupont Powder Company. The keg factory is a building 40 by 60 feet, has a capacity of 1,000 kegs per day and gives employment to fifteen men. In politics Mr. Monroe is an unwavering Republican and has contributed much toward the success of his party in his community; his first vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. Religiously he and his family hold member- ship in the Episcopal Church; socially he is a member and ])ast master of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349. I*". i<: A. M.; Catawissa Chapter, No. 178; and r^anville Commandery, No. 37. February 19, 1861, Mr. Monroe and Ellen B. Leonard, daughter of George T. I,eonard of .\mity township, Berks County, were unitero])crty into productixc farms, owning at the time of his death some ten farms in Northum- berland and adjoining counties. In the spring of 1886 Mr. Kulp and his eldest son, Monroe 11.. the subject of this historical review, oijcned a mcrcantiie store under the firm name of 1). K. Kulp & Son, which they con- ducted three years and then sold to J. O. Keeler. D. R. Kulp was first president of the Roaring Creek Water Cf)mpany and a di- rector of the Shamokin Water Company. Po- litically he was a \\'hjg and later a Republican. He was an emergency man diu-ing Gen. Lee's invasion of Penn.sylvania. He served in the borough coimcil and as supervisor of the poor in Coal townshij). Though reared in the Ger- man Reformed Church. Mr. Kulp afliliated with the Lutheran Church after locating in Shamokin. He was a member of Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & .\. M., and Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, F. & A. M. He died Jan- uary 29, 1893, having earned for himself a splendid reputation as a progressive, enter- prising citizen, and an honest, upright man. Monroe H. Kulp was seven years old when his parents removed to Shamokin and at- tended a public scliool there during the winter months, and. when not engaged with school duties, worked about the collieries, so that at the age of seventeen years he had worked in nearly every branch of the coal industry. He entered the store of his father and worked there until the firm of Kulp & McWilliams was formed, in 1878. when he entered their employ and began studying the business in which he has since become so successful. Having a desire for a more liberal and ex- tended education, our subject entered the State Normal College at Lebanon, O., in 1879. and for two years pursued such studies as he thought would best adapt him for an active business life: and in 1881 he completed his school life by graduating from Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. V.. where he made a decidedly creditable record, graduating from the business course of that institution in a shorter time tlian any other student had completed the course, and his work being highly complimented by the fac- ulty. On his return from Poughkeepsie, Mr. Kulp took charge of the Ijooks of Kulj). Mc- Williams & Company, and filled the position of bookkeeper and cashier in a most satis- factorv manner until the dissolution of the firm in 1886, when his father assumed the en- tire lumber business formerly operated by the firm, and from the above date mitil 1892 he was active in the management of the business conjointly with his father. During 1892 his father was stricken with the disease which re- sulted in his death and the entire rcsponsi- l)ility of the management of the business de- volved upon the son. The luidertaking was a big one as it included the sui)er\ision of busi- ness operations in timber in nine comities of Pennsylvania and West \"irginia, the timber tracts aggregating 20,000 acres and giving employment to 300 men. The executive abiiitx' which our suljject displayed and the SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 163 business-like manner in which he discharged every duty in his new capacity attracted the attention of his friends and has contril)uted mucli to his subsequent success following the death of his father in 1893. Becoming one of the executors of his father's will, he managed the estate until October 5, 1895, when the firm of ]\Ionroe H. Kulp & Company was formed. This company soon began an investi- gation of some timber lands in Union Coun- ty, Pa., with the result that a company was formed and incorporated in 1897 for the pur-, pose of purchasing and developing this large tract of timl)er land. The company was formed under the title of M. H. Kulp & Com- pany, incorporated, and consisted of M. H. Kulp, president and general manager; G. Gilbert Kulp, vice-president; and D. C. Kase- man, secretary and treasurer. This company- purchased a tract of timber land aggregating 25,000 acres and immediately set al^out de- veloping it with the characteristic energy of its head officer. It soon became apparent that in order to develop the lands a railroad must be built and a company, of which Mr. Kulp was president and general manager, was in- corporated for this purpose under the title of the Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley Railway Company. The company built a road eigh- teen miles in length connecting with the Pennsylvania and Reading roads at Lewis- burg and extending into this timl)er field. It is a well-equipped road for the transportation of timber products to Lewisburg, where the company operates a large steam saw-mill. This industry, which is perhaps the largest of its kind in the state, is devoted 'to the man- ufacture and shipment of lumber. Prior to the death of Darlington R. Kulp, the firm of Kulp, Thomas & Company had been formed, consisting of Darlington R. Kulp, Chester B. Thomas, and Monroe H. Kulp. This firm which operated at Milroy, Mifflin County, Pa., continued until the death of Mr. Kulp. ^^'hen the estate was settled, Monroe H. purchased the landed interests of this firm and the style of the firm has con- tinued the same to the ])resent time. This firm has also a large tract of timber land which acids consideral)le to the already exten- sive lumbering enterprises and includes about 5,000 acres of white pine, yellow pine and oak forests, which is rapidly being converted into lumber through the agency of their big saw-mills, being reached In' the means of a fifteen-mile railroad. In addition to the above lumbering enter- prises of great magnitude and far-reaching- consequences in the (le\-elopnient of the in- dustries of the respective sections in which they are located, Mr. Kulp is largely inter- ested in a number of business corporations in the town of his residence. He is a director in Shamokin Water Company: Shamokin Street Railway Company; Shamokin Steani Heat & Power Company; Vega Silk Company of Shamokin; and the Salt Lick Oil & Gas Com- pany. Mr. Kulp has always been an ardent Republican and in 1894, when the protective interests of the business luen demanded fair representation within the halls of Congress, Mr. Kulp, without any solicitation on his part, was nominated for representative from the Seventeenth Congressional District of Penn- sylvania against Hon, Charles R. Buckalew, and, notwithstanding the usual ad\-erse ma- jority, was elected the first Rei)ublican rcj)- resentative in the history of the district. At the end of his first term he was re-elected by an increased majority, a fitting reward for his earnest efforts in behalf of his constituents. At the end of his second term, owing to his increased business, he declined a renomina- tion preferring to give his entire time to his 164 BOOK OF BIOGRAPUIES. business interests. Socially and fraternally our subject stands deservedly high; he is a member of se\eral branches of the Masonic fraternitw and was one of the organizers of tlie Cresco Club of Shamokin; is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Pottsville Club; Harrisburg Club; Sun- bur)- Club; Ross Club of W'illiamsport ; The Turf Chd) of Philadelphia; and Union League of Pliiladelphia. June 8, 1897, he was united in marriage with Sarah Detweiler, a sister of Col. \V. C. McConnell of Shamokin, Pa. As one of the most widely known men in the Seventeenth Congressional District, we take pleasure in presenting Mr. Kulp's port- rait on a preceding page, in connection with the foregoing sketch of his life. Tk7\ GEORGE BENNl \y\ spected citizen ai -*- V— ^ ness man of ' lETT, a highly re- and successful busi- Shamokin, North- umberland County, Pa., was born January 31, 1837, in Warwickshire, England. He- is a son of (jeorge and Harriet (Lane) r>ennctt, of England. He reccixed his early education in the schools of England but was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. At the age of thirteen or fourteen years he left the home of his father, who was a wood-sawyer by trade, and became appren- ticed to a shoemaker, which trade he mastered in about three years. Soon after reaching his majority, Mr. Ben- nett was united in marriage with Martha Ed- wards, on January 11, 1859. Their home w'as blessed by one daughter, Martha Elizabeth, who was born June i, i860. Our subject came to America in 1865. He first located at Cumbola, Pa., where he remained for about nine years, a jiortion of which time he was engaged in mining; l)ui subsequenll}-, at the urgent request of a number of his friends, principally miners, he changed his business plans and worked at his trade. He made shoe- making his sole vocation thereafter, and soon enjoyed an excellent trade, supplying not only miners and their families with footwear, but also many others who heard of the excellence of his work and the material he usetl, and trav- eled from miles aroimd to patronize him. At first he carried on business on a very small scale, but. as his patronage increased and the demand for his goods l)ecame greater, he im- proved and enlarged his place of business, and made ready to meet all demands for shoes. At the end of eight or nine years, by careful man- agement and strict economy, he had accumu- lated the neat sum of three thousand dollars. Wishing to still further enlarge and extend his business he felt the necessity of going to a larger place, where the demand for footwear would be greater; accordingly he remo\ed to the borough of Shamokin in 1873, leased a house, and continuctl the s;uue business on a larger scale. Again suc- cess crowned his efiforts, and in 1878 he ])ur- chased the grounds adjoining his i)lace of bus- iness and erected thereon a handsome and commodious brick building three stories high, 24 by 150 feet, which has a large basement, upper floor, hall, and middle floor. This ele- gant structure is on North Market street, and in this building Mr. Bennett has enjoyed a successful business for the past twenty years. Mr. Bennett carries a large and well-as- sorted stock, not only of shoes, but of general merchandise. In another part of the city, on Shamokin street, he also has a branch shoe store. By industry and frugality, he has built up a large and exceedingly profitable business, the fruits of w hich he is now enjoying. Martha Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of our snl)ject, was first united in marriage with Rev. DR. WILLIAM McCLELLAN REBER. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 167 Thomas Philip, a Methodist minister now de- ceased. ;md a natixe of Cornwall. England. Mrs. riiilip was deeply attached to her first luisband and monrned his demise for seven years when she entered a second union with Rev. William Opie, also of Cornwall, Eng- land. Again death deprived her of her com- panion. Rev. Opie died in July. 1897. having led an exemplary and useful life as a Metho- dist minister for a period of thirty-five years. Mr. Bennett enjoys the confidence of the people of Shamokin and occupies several posi- tions of trust. He is treasurer of the Anglo- American Building & Loan Association; also treasurer of the Guarantee Building & Loan Association of Philadelphia, for the Shamo- kin district. He has executed the trusts that lia\e de\'olved u])on him faithfully and ef- ficiently, and is deserving of the high reputa- tion he enjoys for uprightness and fair deal- ing. He is a devout Episcopalian. Fraternally he is a mendjer of Black Diamond Lodge. L O. O. F. ; also a mcmher of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. B R. \VILLL\M McCLELL.VN RE- BER. who is closely identified with many of the business interests of Bloomsburg and is a physician by profession, is a gentleman whose trained al:)ilities and skilled resources have brought him into public notice and have won for him tine regard, es- teem and respect justly due a man of his use- fulness in the conmnmity. The work of a physician from its innate nature is of the kind which Ijriugs him into the closest relationship with the people. The way in which he car- ries his responsibilities is ever to the public a matter of the most vital importance. That Dr. Reber fully knows the ethics of his pro- fession as well as the teachings, and every day of his life li\es up to them, admits of no dis- cussion. His high standing everywhere proves his fidelity to his patients and his suc- cess demonstrates his talents. Pie is a son of David and Margaret (Musser) Reber, and was born in Lewisburg, Pa., March 4, 1842. The family is of German origin and the parents of John Reber, the grandfather of our subject, came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, locating in Berks County, Pa. John Reber was born in Berks County, but in 1803 moved to Union County, where he purchased a farm in Buffalo Valley and fol- lowed farming. Having acquired a compe- tency, in 1 83 1 he moved to Lewisburg Pa., where he died in June. 1852, at the age of eighty-two years. He was the progenitor of the following children: John, deceased; James, deceased; Thomas; Sanuiel, deceased; David, deceased; Susan (Kleckner); Elizabeth (Vorse); Leah (Hei.sler); Margaret, deceased; and Mary (Dunkle), deceased. David Reber. the father of our subject, was born in Buffalo Valley, near Lewisburg, June 19, 18 1 7, and spent his entire life in that localitv. He was reared on a farm and re- ceived his education in the public schools, but he was not fifteen years old when his parents moved to the village of Lewisburg. There, after clerking a few years, he engaged in the general merchandise business on his own ac- count and continued it until 1854, when he entered the Lewisburg Savings Bank, which was subsequently merged into a state bank and finally into the Lewisburg National Bank. \\'ith such good faith did he discharge his duties he was promoted to cashier of the bank on May 4, 1859, continuing in that capacity until his death on September 11, 1894. He was also engaged in the manufacture of bricks for a period of forty years and attained the 168 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. liit,^hest success. He was a Repiililican in pol- tics and took an active interest in all matters of local prominence, tilling some of the town offices. Religiously he was a member and a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church. He was joined in wedlock with Margaret Musser, who died June 14, 1897, at the age of eighty years, and their union resulted in the birth of two children : William McClel- lan, the subject of this biographical record, and John Alusser, who has been engaged in merchandising in Boston for more than twenty years. Dr. Reber obtained a good mental training, attending the Lewisburg Academy and Lew- isburg University up to the Junior year, when he took up the study of medicine with Dr. William Haye's of Lewisl)urg. His second year of study was under the direction of Dr. William H. Pancoast of Philadelphia, and he a])i)lied himself with such diligence that he was enabled to graduate from the JetYerson ]\Iedical College in March, 1863. He then en- tered the United States Navy as assistant-sur- geon, being stationed at the naval hospital at Norfolk, Va.. and sul)se(|uently at the naval hospital in Brooklyn, N. V. He next saw ser- vice on a gun-boat fleet for one and one-half years on the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennes- see rivers, being division surgeon of the loth District of the Mississippi Squadron, and then on the U. S. S. Lackawanna, which went on a cruise to the Sandwich Islands, stopping at Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, passing through the Strait of Magellan, and then stopping at Valparaiso. While at Valparaiso he with other of^cers visited the beautiful city of Santiago, capital of Chile. He left the service in De- cember, 1868, and in the following February located at Bloomsburg, where he has since practiced, having acquired a large general clientage. He is a member of the National, State and County Medical associations, and has served as president, and also as secretary and treasurer of the last named organization almost continuously for nearly thirty years. Besides the attention devoted to his practice and his profession he has identified himself with many business enterprises, among them: as director of the Bloomsburg School Fur- nishing Company; director of the Blooms- burg W'ater Company; director of the North Branch Furnishing Company of Bloomsburg, of which he is president; and is financially in- terested in the Bloomsburg Steam Heating Company; the Bloomsburg Ele\ator Works; the Bloomsburg Land Improvement Com- pany; the Bloomsburg Silk Mill; and the" Bloomsburg Carpet Mill. He is a trustee of the Bloomsburg State Normal School. On September 12. 1871. Dr. Reber was united in marriage with Elizaljeth McKinney, a daughter of David L. and Martha H. Mc- Kinney, ami they are the parents of two children : Edith ]\IcKinney and William Mc- Kel\'_\'. I^e is a Republican, but only takes that interest in politics shown by all dutiful and intelligent citizens, having never sought office. He has been secretary of the board of health of Bloomsburg since its organiza- tion. Socially he is a member of Blooms- burg Council, No. 957, Royal Arcanum, be- ing a charter member and its meilical examiner since its incorporation. He served as U. S. Examining Surgeon from 1879 to 1889, when a board of examining siu\geons was ap])ointed and he was made president of this Ijoard and seized until 1893. \vhen he and the other Republican members were remoN'ed. The publishers of this volume take pleasure in annt)uncing that Dr. Reber's portrait ap- pears on a preceding page in connection with the above account of his life. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 169 OHN H. VINCENT. Esq., one of Xi)rtliuiiili(.Tlanirs most estimable citizens, is a leading- attorney-at-la\v who enjoys a large and Incrative practice. He is a son of Isaac and Reliecca (Comly) Vin- cent, and was born in Delaware township, Northumberland County. Pa., December 2, 1826. Our su1)ject is of Dutch descent and traces his lineage back to his great-grandfather, John Vincent, who came to this country as early as i '/T2 and became one of the pioneers of Northumlserland County. One of his sons, Daniel, became the owner of about 400 acres of land near Fort Freeland, lying along War- rior Run Creek, and in the year 1790 he built the first mill in that vicinity. This was re- modeled in 1818 and is now standing: he did the work for the farms for many miles dis- tant and was a very prominent man. He was at Fort Freeland when it was attacked liy the Indians and he and his wife were taken prison- ers, but. as she was in a delicate condition, she was sent back to her friends on horse-back. Mr. Vincent was taken up into Canada where he was held in bondage for four years, during which time he acted as butcher for his captors. During his tights with the Indians he sus- tained an injury in the side which gradually grew worse and finally resulted in his death. He and many members of his family now lie buried in the ^^'ar^or Run Cemeterv. His wife's maiden name was Angeline Huff and their children were as follows: Phoebe; Isaac, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines; John; and Elizabeth. The old family property was divided ecjuall)- between the two sons, John and Isaac. Isaac \'incent was born on the old home- stead in Northumberland County and early in life took to agricultural pursuits. He fell heir to one-half of his father's estate, and lived on it throughout his entire life. He was united in marriage w ith Rebecca Comly. a na- ti\e of Philadel])hia, Pa., and the following children were born to bless their home: Ezra C. ; a child who died in infancy; Nancy; Daniel; Charles; Caroline; Isaac; John H., the subject of this biographical record; Re- becca; Hannah I\I.; Elizabeth; and Henry Clay. John II. A'incent attended the public schools and the McEwensville Academy after which he taught school for some time; saving his earnings he was enal)led to enter Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., and there remained until he had passed the junior year, when he enrolled at Williams College, Mass. He graduated from the latter institution in 1849 and then went to Charlestown, S. C, where he engaged as a school teacher. He later re- mo\ed to Alabama wdiere he also taught school until he returned home and began his preparation for the legal profession, entering the law of^ce of Gov. James Pollock. One year later he took up his study in the Mc- Carty Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, immediately thereafter beginning practice at Easton. He displayed much abil- ity as a practitioner and remained in Easton until 1857 and then located at Milford. Pike County, where he resided when the Civil War broke out. In 1862 our subject enlisted as a private in Company B, 151st Reg.. Pa. Vol. Inf., but was made 2d lieutenant before the company saw service. He was later promoted to 1st lieutenant and served as such in the bat- tle of Chancellorsville. and in many skir- mishes, receiving his discharge in 1863. Re- turning then to Milford, Pike County, he took up his practice of law and remained there un- til 1867, since which time he has been located in Northumberland. He has a large practice, being patronized by an influential class of 170 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. citizens and he is ret^arded as one of tlie fore- most business men of the borough. In 1877 he built a large and handsome brick residence and office on Ouccn street, where he has since been located. Mr. \'inccnt has twice been it)ined in hy- meneal bonds, first with Mary C. Davis, a daughter of John Davis of liaston, and the\- had two children : Julia, who died at an early age; and May. the wife of J. W. Elliott of Keno\a. I'a. Airs. X'incent died young and our sul)ject formed a second matrimonial al- liance with Caroline M. Montgomer)-. who comes of a very prominent family of this sec- tion. She is a daughter of William Montgom- ery and traces her ancestry back to Robert Montgomery who. at the age of thirty-two N'ears emigrated to this cuuiitr\- from County Armagh, Ireland, settling in Dauphin Coun- ty, Pa. He located on the site of the ]iresent cit\' of Harrisburg and served as one of the fiv^l gi'and jurors of l)au])liin Count}'. He died in 1776 at the age of seventy-one years. He and his wife Sarah l:)ecame the parents of li\e children, namely: William; Thomas: Hugh; Da\id: and John. John Montgomery was born in Irelanil, and was four years of age when brought to this country by his par- ents. He grew to manhood in Dauphin County, Pa., and became a farmer liy occupa- tion. In 1773 he exchanged an improved farm in that county for a wild tract of lanil in Turbot township. Northumberland Coun- ty, the other j)arty to tlie exchange being William Patterson, ft ])roved to be a good transaction on John's part, and he realized a good ad\antage and started his career there under better conditions than did most of the ])ionecrs. .\fter getting his affairs straight- ened out and in a prosperous condition, his home was attacked by a band of Indians and he was obliged to flee with his family to Fort Freeland for safety. It was while at that fort that, on July 28, 1779, they were attacked by a party of over 300 Indians and British soldiers; then John sought refuge at his old home in Dauphin Count}-, settling near Har- risburg. When ])eace had tinally been de- clared, in 1783. he returned to his home in Northumberland County, rebuilt the build- ings which had been destroyed, and erected a limestone house which still remains standing. He continued in his work about the farm until November 8, 1792. when he was killed by a falling tree while building the Derry road. He was fifty-eight years old. His wife died on March 2, 1821, aged eighty years; both lie buried in the Chillisquaque burying-ground. Religiously they were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Montgomery's maiden name was Christianna Foster. To them were born the following children: Rob- ert: John: William; David; Jane; and Sarah. William Montgomery, the grand- father of Mrs. Vincent, was born at what is now Paradise, Turbot township, Northumber- land County, and succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead on whicli he followed farming all of his life. He died August 22, 1853, at the age of seventy-six years and his wife died in 1806, at the age of twenty-six years. He married Rachael Simpson, by whom he had three children : Nancy, the wife of Robert Van Valzah, M. D.; John T., who married Hannah Hower: and William, the father of the wife of our subject. William was born on the old homestead on March 7, 1805, and earl\ in life settled at Limestone Ridge, but later bought a fine property at McEwens- ville. where he engaged in farming. He was \-er)- successful and at his demise owned a fine estate. He died in l'"ebruary, 1875, as a result of small-pox. lie was united in m:u- riage with Mollv Caldwell, a daughter of |nhn HON. P. C. NEVVBAKER. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 173 Caldwell, and their children were : William C, who married Hadassa G. Dearmond; Mary Jane, who resides with our subject and who married John M. Thatcher, a hot-water fur- nace manufacturer of New' York, now dead; Caroline M.; antl Sarah F.., the wife of \'al- entine S. Truckcrniiller of Truckerniiller's Mills. ()nr suhject and his wife had four children, two of whom are now living: John, a law stu- dent living' at home; and Caroline, who is al- so at home. Those deceased were : William M., and Ella. Mr. \'incent is a Democrat in politics. He has held the office of justice of tlie peace since 1889, with the exception of one year; he also has been a school director .-ind lias lilled minor ofhces for several vears. ON. P. C. NEWBAKER, one of the oldest and most prominent physi- '- V._^ cians and surgeons of Montour County, Pa., whose portrait we take pleasure in presenting on the foregoing page, is a resi- dent of Danville, and is held in high esteem by the citizens of that place. He was born near tlie village of Halifax, Dauphin County, Pa., August 13. 1843, and is a son of Dr. John B. and Caroline Elizabeth (Maize) Newbaker, and a grandson of Philip Newbaker. The great-great-grandfather of our subject was Martin Newbaker who emigrated from Ger- many to America prior to the Revolutionary War. The family name was originallv spelled Neubecker. His son Philip, our subject's great-grandfather, was a lieutenant in a Co- lonial regiment and after Independence was won settled at the mouth of Powell's Creek, Dauphin County, Pa., on the banks of the Sus<|uehanna River and there carried on agri- cultural pursuits the remainder of his active days. His son, Philip second, our subject's grandfather, then became the owner of the jiroperty and lived there until the time of his death in 1865. Inglenook Station on the Northern Central R. R. is located upon the farm, and Inglenook Club House, where the business men of Harrisburg spend many of their leisure hours fishing and otherwise en- joying themselves, is built upon the river bank near the old homestead. Our subject's father. Dr. John B. Newbaker, was born and reared upon his father's farm and received a good education in the district schools after which he studied medicine and graduated from the Jeft'erson Medical College, Philadel- pliia, in the class of 1852, subsequently re- moved to Northumberland Countv, Pa., and at present resides at Trevorton, in the same county, where he still successfully practices his profession. He was asst. -surgeon in the 56th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., in the Civil War and represented the Northumberland-Montorir District in the H. R. Pa., in 1872. Our subject acquired a good academic edu- cation in the \\'est Branch High School at Jersey Shore, Pa., and at Missionarv Institute at Selinsgrove, Pa.; after teaching several months he entered the office of his father and commenced the study of medicine. On April 2^, 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company F, iith Reg., Pa. \"ol. Inf., first three months' call, was in one of the first engagements of the war at Hokes Run, ^V. Ya., and was discharged at Harris- burg, Pa., July 31, 1865, by reason of expira- tion of term of service. On August 12. 1862, he re-enlisted in Comjiany K. 15th Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav., at Philadel])hia for a term of three years and his regiment was assigned to duty under General Rosecrans, where he saw hard service and was in a number of engagements in the Army of the Cumberland. On account 174 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. urchasc(l three valuable lots there and erected a fine residence in which he has since resided, devoting his leisure hours to the culti- vation of small fruits and berries. Fie is a man of high principles and good character, and has many friends wherever known. In 1 87 1 Mr. Pardoe married Celinda \\. (didwcll. a daughter of William (didwell of E!k!and township, and later of Forksville, and they reared two children : Laura M., aged seventeen }ears: and Mary E., who is fifteen years of age. Mrs. Pardoe was called to rest in 1895 ^t the age of forty-seven years. Mr. Pardoe is a Republican and has held numerous township offices such as commis- sioner and tax collector. Religiously he is a Friend and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. RANK HANNAN. one of the most enterjjrising and influential l)usiness men of Forksville, Sullivan County. Pa., has efficiently served as postmaster of the bor- ough since July 7, 1897. He is a son of Fran- cis and Abigail (Ely) Hannan, and was born in Bath, Steuben Countv, X. Y., August 29, 1838. Francis Hannan. father of our subject, was born in 1798 and was forty-two years of age when he met with a sad accident, in 1839, being killed by a falling tree. But little is known concerning his life. His union with Abigail Ely resulted in the following issue: Lucretia; Harriet: Mary; Jane; Louisa; Helen; and Frank, the subject of this bio- graphical record. Mrs. Hannan attained the advanced age of seventy-nine years. Frank Hannan was reared in Bradford Count\ , Pa., and obtained his mental training 186 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ill the Collegiate Institute at Towanda, after w hich lie engaged as a teacher for four years, three years in the schools of Forksville. Upon the outlircak of the Ci\il War in 1861 he en- listed in Company 1. 6th Pa. Reserves, on .\pril 22, just ten days after the declaration of war. He served gallantly for three years and was ])romoted from ])rivate to the rank of sergeant, which rank he held at the time of his discharge in 1864, at Harrisburg, Pa. In all he participated in seventeen important en- gagements, and establisiied a good record as a true and l)rave soldier. At the close of the war he returned to Asylum. Bradford County. I'a.. where he remained a year. He then lo- cated in Mill view where he engaged in lum- bering with much success for twenty years. He then engaged in the insurance business which he continued until he received his ap- pointment as postmaster of the borougii of Forks\ille. Since his occupancy of that of- fice he has erected a fine postofifice on Bridge street, ;m(l the manner in which he has dis- charged his official duties has won for him the highest esteem and good will of the citi- zens tlironghoul that section. Mr. Hannan owns considerable property, including a hand- Mime residence on Main street and a farm of two hundred and forty acres which is partly timber land. L"])()n the latter he has made many improxemenls, built new barns, remod- eled the other buildings, and erected a saw- mill, w hich he conducted during the period he was engaged in lumbering. Mr. Hannan was united in marriage to Vic- toria Wood, daughter of George Wood of Bradford County, Pa., and they are the proud parents of two children, namely: Richard G., a conductor on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, who married Anna Mahaffey and has one child, Murrell; and Dora, who is a dress- maker by occupation. Politically Mr. Han- nan is an ardent Republican. He served as auditor for fourteen years. Socially he is past grand master of the (Jdd Fellows Lodge; and past commander of the G. A. R. Post of Forks\'ille. LVIX P. MILLER, the efficient fore- man of the Trust Com])any Tanner\- at Muncy Valley-, Pa., formerly known as the Stephens tannery, has been en- gaged in that line of business nearly all his life and is held in high esteem by both his su])erior officers and his fellow-workmen. He was born in Schoharie C(junt\'. X. Y., June 8, 1859, antl is a son of Hiram and Malinda (Bailey) Miller, both of whom are living in retirement in Schoharie County. To the ])arents the following children were born; Charles A., who married Miss Bernice Ben- nett, a sister of our subject's wife, — they re- side in Muncy Valley and have two children, Ruth and Buela; our subject; George, who married and resides in Hudson, N. Y. ; Carrie, who married John Striker and resides in (jil- boa, Schoharie County, N. Y.; William, re- cently married and resides in Schoharie County, N. Y.; and Jennie, who resides with her parents. Ah'in P. Miller was educated in the dis- trict scliools of his native township and then began to serve an apprenticeship to the tan- ner's trade in tlie Stephens tannery; he soon became prt)ficient ami w;is one of the most skilled mechanics in the shop. \\ hen the Stephens tannery was mo\ed to Aluncy \'al- ley, Sulli\an Countw Pa., our subject was offered a good position if he would accom- pany it to the new field of operation and he accepted. He gradually worked his way uj) until 1897, wdien he was given his present position as inside foreman in this mammoth HON, ROBERT R. LITTLE. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 189 tannery. He has charge of sixty skilled me- ciianics wiio work in the leather department, dressing hides, which are known as bnffalo hides of South America. These are of the best quality and much depends upon Mr. Mil- ler in their tanning. Our subject some time ago purchased a small tract of land which he is fast developing into a good farm on which he has erected a fine home and has built a large Ijarn. Mr. Miller is an intelligent and public-spirited citizen and is respected Ijy all who know him. Mr. Miller was joined in matrimunial l)onds with Libbie Bennett, a daughter of George W. Bennett of Shrewsbury township, Lycoming County, Pa., and this happy union has l)een blessed 1)y three children, as follows : Arthur O.; George B.; and Edna M. In politics our subject is a firm supporter of the Repidj- lican party; religiously he and his family are prominent members of the Methodist Clun-ch. ON. ROBERT R, LITTLE, presi- dent judge of the Twenty-sixth Ju- dicial District, to which position he was elected on November 8, i8y8, stands among the foremost practitioners in the legal profession at Bloomsburg. He is a son of Ephraim H. and Eliza (Seibert) I^ittle, and was born in Berwick, Columl)ia County, Pa., May 30, 1852. Our subject's great-grandfather, George Little, who was a native and life-long resident of Connecticut, from which state he entered the Continental Army during the Revolution- ary War, served throughout that memorable conflict. His son, George Little, the grand- father of our subject, when a young man left his native state and located in Delaware Coun- ty, N. Y., subsequently removed to Wayne County. Pa., and finally settled at Montro.se. Sus(|uelianna Ciiunt}-, Pa., where he died in 1 85 1, aged seventy years. He was a tanner and furrier by trade, but during the latter years of his life was a merchant. He married Mary Esterbrook, by whom he had six child- ren, as follows: George A.; Ralph B.; Wil- liam E.; Ephraim H.: and Mrs. Mary L. Gro\er, who resides at Jacksonville, Fla. Ephraim H. Little, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., March 23, 1823, and soon after his birth his family moved to Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. He read law with his brother, Ralph B. Little, who was an eminent lawyer and the preceptor of Justice J. B. McCollum, a distinguished jurist. At. the age of twenty years he took what money he possessed and started West with the intention of going to Chicago by the way of the Great Lakes. By good fortune he managed to catch the last boat to make the trip that season, and the journey was a long and tedious one as the boat was greatly de- layed by the roughness of the water which caused a number of accidents. Upon arriving in Chicago, which was then a mere hamlet, he found himself with but twenty-five cents in his pocket, and forty miles from his destina- tion, Joliet, 111. The latter part of his journey had to be made liy stage and realizing that he tlid not have enough money to pay his fare, he offered the quarter to the stageman in consideration that he haul the trunk to the desired place. This the stagedri\-er refused to do, saying: "No, I will carry you and your baggage and you can pay me at another time." Landing in Joliet, Mr. Little again took up the study of law and in 1845 was ad- mitted to the bar. Soon after he purchased the Joliet Sentinel on credit and conducted it for six or eight months. He then sold out 190 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. and removed to Morris, (irundy County, 111., which a short time previous had been inatle liie county seat, and he was llie lirst lawyer to locate there. He continued his law practice with much success a few years, when he met with an accident which caused him the loss of an arm. The knowledi^e of surgery at the time was \ery limited and he was confined to his bed for six or eight months, finally being com- pelled to submit to amputation of the injured arm. This reduced his physical strength i;really and he determined to get out of that malarial section of the country, acting on his physician's advice. He returned East, locat- ing at Beach Haven, Luzerne County. Pa., where he acted as weigh-master at Weigh Lock on the Pennsylvania Canal. The canal was under the control of the state and it had been customary for l)oats to l)e run on Sun- day, but Mr. Little, true to the Christian in- fluences untler which he had been reared, re- fused outright to perform his labors on the Sabbath. The boatmen were wroth and pe- titioned for his remox'al, but the governor of the state refused to remove him and the canal was thereafter closed on Sundays. W'hile there Mr. Little made the acquaintance of Eliza Seibert, whom he married December lo, 1850, and soon after they moved to Berwick, Co- lumbia County, Pa., where he lived until April, i860, when he remo\etl to Blooms- burg. He there engaged in the practice of his profession and continued with the best of suc- cess until 1893 when he retired and moved upon his farm, just outside the corporate lim- its of Bloomsburg. As a lawyer he was unex- celled and his opinion was frecpiently sought by other prominent attorneys on intricate legal problems. He is a Democrat in liis po- litical afliliations, and has serveil three terms as district attorney. Rising to a place of prominence in the i)rofessional world, he com- manded the respect and esteem of the entire community, and in his retired life he has been surrounded by many friends. Religiously he is an active and consistent member of the Baptist Church and has held many of the church offices. His marriage resulted in the birth of a son, Robert R., the subject of this personal history. Robert R. Little was eight years of age when his parents moved from Berwick to Bloomsburg. and there he was reared, receiv- ing a good education in the Bloomsburg State Normal School from which he was gradu- ated in 1872. He subsequently entered the University of Rochester at Rochester, N. Y., and then attended Hamilton College at Clin- ton, X. V. In 1873 he entered his father's office and ajjplied himself with such diligence as to be able to pass the bar examination two }ears later. He immediately became his fath- er's partner and they practiced under the firm name E. H. & R. R. Little until the former's retirement. Our subject has since practiced alone and is patronized by a leading class of citizens and business men. having a large and profitable clientage. He is a man of great energy and indomitable will, and is untiring in the prosecution of every case he undertakes. He served as district attorney form 1873 to 1881, two terms in all, and filled out two terms as county solicitor. He was also solic- itor for the borough one term. October 15. 1878, Judge Little was united in marriage with Deborah T. Tustin of Bloomsburg. and they are the happy parents of three children: Henry J.: Josiah T. ; and Catharine T. Socially he is a member of Washington Lotlge, No. 265, F. & A. M. In religious attachments he is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Judge Little's por- trait accompanies this sketch, being presented on a previous page. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 191 tLBERT KAY is one of the progres- sive and enterprising farmers of Elk- ^,_^ laud township, SulHvan Connty, Pa., where he has resided since childhood. He is a son of William and Ann (Bedford) Kay. and was born in Yorkshire, England, March i8, 1847. His grandparents were George and Sarah A. Kay. William Kay, our subject's father, was horn in Yorkshire, England, in 1801, and in 1849 innnigrated to the United States and obtained employment in the Barclay mines in Bradford County, Pa. He subsequently purchased a farm of ninety-two acres in Elkland township, now owned by Albert Kay, of a Mr. Bedford, and upon this he built a frame house, clearing the entire land and following farming the re- mainder of his life. He was a man of good business principles and attained a high degree of success in the pursuance of his occupation. Religiously he was a member oi the Evangeli- cal Church. He married Ann Bedford, who was born in 1807, and their children were: Joseph; Henry; Elizabeth; Harriet; Wil- liam; Sarah Ann; Mary Ann; Caroline; and Albert. Albert Ivay, whose name heads these lines, attended the public schools after coming to this country and followed farming and lum- bering up to the time of his father's demise. During his younger days many diiTiculties were encountered in transporting lumber from the great timber-lands of Sulli\-an Coun- ty to the markets owing to the narrow but swift streams down which timber had to be floated. It required a man of great skill to safely conduct timber down the Loyalsock Creek to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, and the trips had to be made during the freshets in the spring and fall. Mr. Kay was unexcelled as a raftsman and made three or four trips every year, always returning by foot. He entered into this line of business as a steersman, but his services w^ere soon sought as a pilot and he followed that occupation for tweh'e years, during w hich time but once was his raft caught and held fast. Upon his fath- er's death he pnrch;ised the homestead and later bought land adjoining and has followed farming and teaming up to the present. He l)nilt an elegant modern house, which is well furnished and is supplied with many conven- iences; he also erecteil new barns and out- buildings, and everything about the place is in first-class order for successfully carrying on farming. He is \"ery industrious and his busi- ness enterprises have not only turned out well, but in prixate life he occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. Our subject was united in marriage with Susie King, a daughter of Job L. and Jane (Converse) King. Mr. King was a farmer of Sullivan County and for many years was county surveyor. He later settled at Columbia Cross Roads, where he died at the age of sixty-nine years. He married Jane Converse, and they reared si.x children, namely: Orlan- do; Rufus; Septor; Alice; Susie, wife of our subject; and Sadie. Upon the death of his first wife he married Lucinda Brenchley and they had one daughter, Lillian. Our subject is a stanch Republican and has served as com- missioner of the township and school director. He is liberal in his religious views. Frater- nally he is a member and grand past master of Lodge No. 532, L O. O. F., of Forksville. 1:^; ILLL\M FAUST, a representative and progressive citizen of the town of Berwick and superintendent of the erecting car-shops of The Jackson & Woodin Manufac- turing Company, was Ijorn in Locust Valley, 192 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Sclniylkill County. Pa.. July 3. 1845. aiul is a son of William and Rebecca (Lindenmouth) Faust and a grandson of John and Rosena (Ilungsinger) Faust. John Faust, the grandfatlier of our subject, was a farmer and lived to a ri]3e old age. He was wedded to Rosena Hungsiiiger who bore him the following children: John, George, William, Henr)-. Jameson. Phoebe, Betsey, Jacob, and Rosena. William Fau.st, the father of our sul)ject, was l)orn in this state ;ind when he grew to manhood he moved to Locust \'alley. Schuyl- kill County, where he purchased four hundred acres of timberland. He built a saw-mill, cleared part of the property and carried on farming the remainder of his active days. Mr. Faust was one of the progressive and success- ful farmers of his comnnmitN' and took an active part in all measures which tended to benefit the conditions of his fellow-country- men. Pie entered the world of rest at the age of fifty-two years; his wife passed from this earth July 17, 1897. Mrs. Pucetta Thomp- son, sister of our sul)ject, now owns part of the original liomestead. Mr. Faust was united in the bonds of wedlock to Rebecca Linden- mouth, and a family of fourteen children were born to them, namely : Israel, deceased; John, deceased; Joseph, a contractor residing in the town of Berwick; Henry and Eli, deceased; William, our subject; George, a resident of St. Nicholas, Pa.; Amos, who resides in Ma- hanoy City, Pa.; EHza, deceased, who was the wife of D. S. Scheipe; Ami, wife of J. J. Walborn. Mahanoy City, Pa.; Catherine, who was united in marriage to William Allen; Ro- sann;i. who wedded J. B. Koppenhafifer; Lu- cctta. wife of J. R. Thom])son; and Rebecca, who married H. R. Manger of New Boston, Pa. William Faust, the subject of this review. remained under the parental roof and at- tended the public schools until he was four- teen years of age. He then moved to Mid- dleport, Pa., where he learned the trade of a cabinetmaker. \\'hen President Lincoln is- sued a call for men to put down the Rebellion, our subject being sixteen years of age and too young to enlist as a regular, enlisted as a musician August 14, 1861, in Company I, 48th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and remained in the service throughout the war. He served through all the battles with his company, which belonged to the Ninth Army Corps under the command of Gen. Burnside. Among the most notable battles in which our subject took part were Second Bull Run; South Mountain; Antietam; and Fredericks- burg. He then returned to his home on a furlough of thirty days and when he returned to the front lie joined Gen. Grant's Army, and was in the battles of the Wilderness; Spott- sylvania; Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. Our subject received an honorable discharge June 17, 1865. Returning home, in 1867 he mo\ed to Berwick anil for eleven years he worked in the car-building department and did general carpenter work for The Jackson & \\'oodin Manufacturing Company, or until 1878 when lie was promoted to be foreman of the same de])artment. He has eighty men under his charge and they turn out fifteen cars per day. 'Sir. Faust is a self-made man in every respect and has succeeded in life by his own industry and perseverance. He is an honest and faith- ful workman and is considered by his employ- ers one of the company's most reliable fore- men. As a citizen he is one of the valued members of his communitv. and is held in high esteem by all his accpiaintances. Mr. Faust has served as a member of the town council several times, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Berwick. Our GEURGK F. GEISINGEK SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 195 subject was joined in tlie 1:)oncls of matrimony to Mary J. Smith, a daughter of Jolui Smitli, a resident of Black Creek, Luzerne County, Pa. Three children have blessed the home of Air. and Mrs. Faust, as follows: Frank, who is employed by The Jackson & \\'oodin Manu- facturing Company; Emma, the wife of W. S. Johnson, who is the mother of two child- ren. Clark and Frederick: and Charles, who died in infanc\'. RS. ABIGAIL A. GEISINGER. nee CORNELISON, who resides in a handsome residence on Center street, is the relict of George F. Geisinger and a descendant of an early and prominent family of the borough of Danville, Montour County. Pa. When her grandfather. Josej^h Corneli- son, first located there, Dan\-ille was but a small settlement and presented an appearance in striking contrast with the now thriving business center which is widely known throughout the state. This sturaying \rd- tronage. Li 1897 our subject organized the Xorth Branch Furniture Company, formerly the Bloomsburg Furniture Company, whose officers are: \\'. 'SI. Reber. president: F. \\'. Redeker. secretary: Theodore Redeker, su- perintendent: \\'. J. Correll, manager and treasurer; and W. II. Slate, assistant mana- ger. The company has two large factories, one 60 by 80 feet and the other 50 by 100 feet; the machinery is operated by an en- gine of one hundred horse-power, and the plant has its own electric-light power. The company employs upwards of seventy-five men, who turn out a fine grade of work, and makes large shipments throughout the East- ern States. Mr. Redeker was united in the bonds of matrimony to IMary E. \"an Buskirk of Hu2'hes\-ille, Pa., and as a result of this union jt^ ^■'-■j:^f WILLIAM HARTMAN WOUUIX. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 205 four children bless their home, namely: An- nie, Robert, Florence, and Marie. Mr. Red- eker is now in the prime of life, enjoying the i comforts of a neat little home and surrounded by a happy family. His strict attention to business has secured him a fair share of this world's goods, while his uprightness in all his dealings, combined with his genial deport- ment, has won him the respect and affection t)f all who know him. In politics he acts with the Democratic party. While at Hughesville he served as borough auditor and school di- rector. /^LEMUEL RICKETTS WOODIN is I J| too well-known throughout the Sev- ^s its goods all through the Eastern States, it o])erates two plants, one 60 by 80 feet and the other 50 by 100 feet; the machinery is operated by an engine of one hundred horse-power, and the company also supplies its own power for the electric lights by which the buildings are lighted. Mr. Slate was united in the bonds of mat- rimony to Nellie C. Packer, a daughter of John B. Packer of Sunbury, Pa. They reside in a neat little home at No. ij Fifth street. ON. JOHN B. PACKER, deceased, whose portrait is shown on the oppo- site page, was at his death the Nestor of the Northumberland County Bar. During the period of forty-seven years in which he was actively engaged in practice there was scarcely a case of any ]:ironn'nence in that section of the state in which he was not retained as counsel for one party to the suit. His knowledge of law was comprehen- sive and, being a man of conmianding appear- ance and i)leasing personality, he always cre- ated a favorable impression on court and jury. As a speaker he was both argumentatixe and eloquent in style, and he entered upon a case with enthusiasm and energy which could but bear good results to the cause of his client. He gained renown as a lawyer and financier and at his demise he was counsel for several prominent railroad corporations, and was also president of the First National Bank of Sun- bury. It has been well said that no man pos- sessed the respect and confidence of the citi- zens of Sunbury to a greater extent than did John B. Packer. Mr. Packer was a son oi Samuel J. and Rachel (Black) Packer, and was born at Sun- bury, Northumberland County, Pa., March 21, 1824. He receis'cd a high classical educa- tion under the excellent tutorship of Cale Pel- ton and Frederick Lebrun in the Sunbury Academy, which had been established but a short time jM-eviously. In 1839 he was ap- pointed a member of a cor])s of engineers em- ployed in the sur\ey and construction of pub- lic improvements for the state, continuing in that capacity until 1842, when he entered upon the study of law under the direction of Ebenezer Greenough. He made rapid ad- vancement, lieing admitted to the bar of Northumberland County August 6, 1844, and then liegan his practice. He received an ap- pointment as deputy attorney general and served as such for a period of three years, the position giving prominence to his ability. His clientage soon grew to large proportions and he practiced not only in his native county but in various counties in the state and also before the Supreme Court. He was one of the or- ganizers and a director of the Susquehanna 212 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Railroad (now known as the Northern Cen- tral), and during the remainder of his life served as its counsel. He served in a like ca- pacity for many years prior to his death for the Philadelphia & Erie, the Pennsylvania and other railroad companies. He was also con- cerned in the sale and reorganization of the railroad properties of the Shamokin \'alley & Pottsville Railroad. In 1855 he identified himself with the Bank of Northumberland, be- coming president of the same in 1857, and continued as president until his demise, al- though in 1864 the bank was merged into the I'irst National Bank of Sunbury. He was connected with banking interests at Selins- grove and Lewisburg. Pa. He was also a very large landowner, in fact one of the largest landowners in this section of Pennsyh'ania. Politics entered largely into Mr. Packer's career and he was called upon to fill many offices of trust. He was originally a Tariff Democrat: he represented his inirty in the State Legislature two terms, 1849 and 1850. Pie was actively connected with that organi- zation until 1856, when he allied himself with the newly-organized Republican party, and iu 1868 was elected to Congress from the Four- teenth District of Pennsylvania. He served four terms which were marked by the greatest activity on his part, being a member of many committees, among them being the commit- tees on banking and currency; railways and canals, of which he was chairman; postofifices and post-roads, of which he was also chair- man; and the committee on foreign affairs. He declined a nomination for a fifth term as representative. On May 22, 1851, Mr. Packer was joined in hymeneal bonds with Mary ]\T. Cameron, a daughter of the late William Cameron of Lewisburg, and they became the happy par- ents of five children: William C. who died June 4, 1886, was born May i, 1852, and be- came one of the leading young barristers of the count}' ; Rachel, who is the wife of I"". K. Hill of Sunbury; James C, an attorncy-at-law at Sunbury; Mary; and Nellie C. Although niucli of his life was given to business affairs, Mr. Packer found his greatest pleasure in the companionship of his family; he was a true husband and a kind father. He had many friends, and at his death, on July 7, 1891, Sun- bury mourned the loss of a public benefactor. Samuel J. Packer, a brother of the late Hon. John B. Packer, is president of the First Na- tional Bank of Sunbury and also one of the first citizens of the borough. He was born on June 19, 1831, and is a son of Samuel J. and Rachel (Black) Packer. He obtained his education in the public schools and in Sun- bury Academy, acquiring a good intellectual training. Subsequently he read law under the preceptorship of his brother, John B. Packer, deceased, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland Count}- on April 4, i860. Immediately thereafter he entered actixel}' upon the practice of his profession and con- tinued until his election as cashier of the Bank of Northumberland, November 19, 1863. When the bank was merged into the First Na- tional Bank of Sunbury in 1864 he accepted a similar position with the new organization, and continued until his brother's death, in 1891, when he was elected to succeed him as president. He continues in that capacity, and conducts the aft'airs of the bank with the judg- ment and foresight which have always char- acterized his business transactions. tr RANCIS P. DRINKER, one of the I is honored and highly respected citizens of Bloomsburg, who is spending his latter days in enjoying the labors of his past, was SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 213 born in Covington township, Luzerne Coun- t\, Udw Lackawanna County, Pa., November \S3J. and is a son of Ricliard and Lydia L. (Wragg) Drinker, and grandson of Henry Drinker. Edward Drinker, the great-great-grand- father of our subject, was tlie first wliite child l)orn where the city of I'liiladelpliia now stands. His ancestors were natives of Eng- land who came to America about the time of \\'illiam Penn. Our subject's great-grandfather, Henry Drinker, resided in Philadelphia all his life and was cashier of the Bank of Nortli America of that city. He was united in marriage to Mary Howell and they reared a large family of children. He passed from thisjife about 1830. Henry Drinker, Jr., grandfather of our suljject, purchased a tract of 25,000 acres of land in Luzerne County, which was taken care of by his two sons, Henry \V., and Richard, the father of our subject. Richard Drinker studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar at Philadelphia: he and his brother Henry received a charter for the railroad from Great Bend to the Delaware River, now known as the D.. L. &l W. R. R. They also built fifty miles of turnpike in Lu- zerne County. Richard served over twenty years as justice of the peace; he was a large landowner and in 1846 bought a farm near the town of Bloomsburg, now known as the Troup farm. Li 1854 he moved to Scranton, Pa., where he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1861. He was wedded to Lydia E. Wragg. a daughter of John Wragg, a native of England who came to America about the time of the French Revo- lution: he was captured and was thrown into prison for a long time and upon his release located in Luzerne County, Pa. Later he moved west to Beloit, Wis., where he died at the age of ninety years. To Mr. and Mrs. Drinker were born the following children: Richard W.. Eliza M., Edward R., Francis P., Alfretl C, Rebecca H.. Charles N., and Mary A. Francis P. Drinker was educated in the Bloomsliurg Academy. In 1846 he accepted a position as bookkeeper and superintendent of the Bloomsliurg Iron Company; he re- mained in the employ of that company until 1888 when he retired from active life. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, 6th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., for a term of three years. Later he was attached to Anderson's Cavalry, and at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was taken a prisoner by Wheeler's Cavalry; after being in their hands a short time, and being stripped of his uniform, he was paroled and turned loose to do the best he could. He was stricken by typhoid fever after being in Nashville, Tenn., and was in a hospital for some time. He finally reached his regiment and was discharged in 1863; he re-enlisted in the Emergency Militia, served a short time and was discharged in 1863. Mr. Drinker was united in the bonds of matrimony to Mary Chamberlin, a daughter of John M. Chamber- lin of Bloomsburg. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Drinker, as follows : Martha C, who is the wife of E. N. Perrin and they have one child. Edwin O.; William W., a civil engineer in the employ of the D., L. & W. R. R., who resides at Scranton; Margaret, wife of W. P. Meigs of Bloomsburg, and they are the parents of one child, Margaret; and Francis P., Jr., a draftsman in the car-shops of Bloomsburg. Our subject resides in his beautiful home at No. 211 Main street, which he built in 1886. In politics he is independent; in 1892 he was elected president of the town of Bloomsburg, and was re-elected to the same ofifice at the 214 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. following two elections. Religiously Mr. Drinker is a member of the Episcopal Church, although he was reared a Quaker. Socially he is a nienihcr of the P. O. S. of .\. XDREW D. ROBERTSON, a busi- ness man who is of high standing among his fellow-cilizens of Sha- mokin, is a son of Andrew Robertson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and Phoebe (Barlow) Robertson, and was born July 31, 1853, in New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, Pa. Up to the age of ten years our subject at- tended the j)ublic schools at his birthplace, and at that age he started out to earn some- thing on his own account, going to work at the J'lagle Hill Colliery near Port Carbon, which was then conducted by his father and 'J'homas Beddall. Our subject worked as a slate-picker for some time until his father re- moved to Pottsville. Young Andrew at- tended the public schools in Pottsville for a short tiiue and then went to Mill Creek where he worked in and about the mines in the sunmier and later attended the select schools in West Chester until he reached the age of se\enteen years. He then returned to Potts- ville and eiUered the Washington Iron Works in which he worked for three vears, learning the machinist's trade under the direction of James Wren. After learning his trade Mr. Robertson migrated to Mahanoy City where he entered the employ of his uncle, Daniel Barlow, who ran a wholesale flour and feed business, remaining with Mr. Barlow until 1875 when he removed to Ralston. At Ral- stoti he was in tlie employ of his father and .\le\ander Fulton, \vho then w'ere mining coal under a large contract with the ^Mclntvre Coal Company, our subject being bookkeeper for the firm. Subsequently our subject re- turned to Mahanoy City and engaged in the flour and feed business in w hich he was very successful and which he contiiuied until April, 1880. He then reiuoved to E.xcelsior where he became assistant superintendent of the Ex- celsior Colliery, of which his father, Andrew- Robertson, was part owner and superintend- ent. He sub.sequently took an interest in the company and continued as its assistant su- perintendent. He is also assistant superin- tendent of the Corbin Colliery which has long been operated in comiection \\\{h the E.xcel- sior Collierv. In 1882 Mr. Kol)ertson purchased the in- terest of Nathan J. Robertson, now deceased, who owned a flour mill in Sliamokin and conducted the business successfully for about a year when the firm became Robertson & Parnde}-. This firm occupied the present mill ]M-operty, a three-story brick structure, 40 by 75 feet, which was erected by our subject's father. The firm also has a grain ele\ator in the rear of the flour mill which is 100 by 3'') feet. The capacity of the mill is 100 barre's of flour per day. In 1887 the firm became Robertson, Parmley & Co., and a year later l)ecame Robertson & Osier as it is to-day. Mr. Parmley retiring. An acti\e man of great energy, our suljject has de\'oted nnich of his time and taleiUs to local enterprises to which his business ability and energetic direction have been of great benefit. Mr. Robertson is secretary and treas- urer of the Elkhorn Coal & Coke Comiiany of Mayberry. ^^'. \'a., of which he was one of the incorporators, and has held those of- fices since the organization of tlie company. I The company operates luines in the famous Plat Top or Pocahontas region of ^^'^est Vir- ginia, whicn were opened in 1888. The MATTHIAS CR0N1NC;KR. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 217 company was one of the first operators to ship coal througli tlie Mill Creek Tunnel. The Pocahontas coal is known as the best steam- I)ro(lucing coal mined and it is used by the Cramps, the noted shipbuilders, on all vessels \.hich are being tested or are tried for speed. ( )ur subject is a director of the Shamokin Coal & Coke Co. ; a stockholder in the Booth-Bowen Coal & Coke Co. of West Vw- ginia; vice-president of the Shamokin Pow- der Co. ; a stockholder in the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Shamokin; and a stock- holder in and vice-president of the First Na- tional I'.ank of Shamokin. .Mr. Robertson is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Shamokin of which he is an active member. In May, 1882, Mr. Robertson took as his life-partner Clara A. HetYner, daughter of Charles Heffner of Pottsville, Pa., and to them have been born two children: Chester Kings- ley, who is at home; and ]\Iary Margaret, de- ceased. m .VTTHIAS CRONINGER, who is recognized and greatly admired by his fellow-citizens- as one of the most enterprising men in Shamokin, is a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Kretz) Croninger. and was born January 18, 1846, in Germany. With a common school education Mr. Cronin- ger started out to win success and fortune, beginning his active career at an early age as a slatepicker in a coal-breaker, then working as a miner of coal, and by assiduous effort and perseverance he worked to the top and to-day is one of Shamokin's most prosperous and en- ergetic leaders in business. The father of our subject, Jacob Croninger, was a native of Germany, who came to the United States when a voung man, located at Tremont, Schuylkill County, and subsequent- , ly resided at Trevorton, Xorthumberland County. He responded promptly to the call for troops soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion and was killed at Reams Station, \'a. His family subsequently moved to the ^ vicinity of Shamokin, and his mother is a resi- dent of that town. After at'tending the public schools our suIj- ject, w hen quite young in years, obtained em- ployment as a slatepicker and later as a miner, working in the mines in the vicinity of Sha- mokin for about si.xteen years. Determinetl to l)e something more than a miner, Mr. Cro- ninger abandoned the work beneath the hills and learned the trade of butchering, and eventually went into business on his own ac- count as a butcher. Then he again followed the bent of his ambition and became a drover, buying cattle and shipping them to the East- ern markets, continuing as a l:)uyer and sel'er of cattle for about thirteen years. Tn 1892 our subject resumed business as a butcher and re- established his individual market, which has so grown in proportions and trade that it is now one of the largest and leading commer- cial interests of Shamokin. In 1893 Mr. Cro- ninger associated himself with the Shamokin Packing Company, and the firm now consists of Holden Chester and our subject, who man- ages the live-stock branch of the immense business. It is estimated that the business of the company averages about $1,000 ])er day. In addition to looking after his department of the packing concern, our subject also con- ducts his personal business, which occupies an extensive plant on \\'est \\'alnut street, consisting of a slaughter-house, shop and a modern equipment with which is manufac- tured artificial ice. Our subject is a Democrat and has been active in the interests of the party in whose 218 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. principles he is an enthusiastic believer. His ]i()])ularity was forcibly demonstrated in 1884 when he was the nominee of his party for county treasurer and was defeated by a ma- jority of 300 votes. Mr. Croninger frequently has served as delegate to local conventions and he has been overseer of the poor ami a councilman. He is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. ()64, I. O. (). F., and als'o is prom- inent as a member of the local tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. Twice has our subject entered the matri- monial relation. Tie first was united to Aman- da Lealimy, who bore liim five children, one dying when voung. The surviving children are: hrcderick, who is with his father, and three daughters, each happil_\- married and re- siding in Shamokin, as follows : Jennie, the wife of Lewis Erieg; Annie, wife of Roy Bixler; and Sadie, wife of Jesse Bird. Mr. Croninger's second marriage was to Mrs. Mary Rausch, nee Mary Herrold, and to them have been born two children, Rosa and Jesse. Mr. Croninger's portrait, executed from a recent photograph, taken expressly for this work, appears on a preceding page. TTN HARLES E. HAZEN is section fore- l J| man on the Eagles Mere Railroad ^•— ^-^ and performs his work in such manner as to win the respect and confidence of his superior ofificers. Our subject is truly one of the self-made men of the village of Sonestown, and his worldly possessions are the result of his own perseverance and untir- ing energy. He was born near his present home in Sullivan County, January 25, 1868, and is a son of William C. and Lydia (Whit- aker) Hazen, a grandson of John F. Hazen, and a great-grandson of Thomas Hazen. John F. Hazen was a millwright by trade in Davidson township, Sullivan County, and was the founder of this well-known family in the county. He was the father of the follow- ing children: Jacob A.; George; \\'illiam C, the father of our subject; Charles; Han- nah; Lncinda: and Marv Ann. John V. Hazen learned the trade of a mill-wright and carpenter of his father and he erected nearly all the mills in the vicinity at that time, and many of them are still in operation. He spent his latter days at Hughesville, I'a., and died there at an advanced age. He was the pro- genitor of nine children, namely: Elizabeth; Catherine; Leah; Sally; Jane .\nn; William C. ; John N.; and George and James, de- ceased. William C. Hazen is a retired and much re- spected citizen of Sonestown and has pursued various vocations throughout his active days, and was born at Hughesville, March 16, 1838. He was united in marriage with Sarah Whit- aker, a daughter of William and Lydia (Little) Whitaker; her father was a large land-owner of Sullivan County and was a farmer; his farm is now the property of .V. T. Armstrong. A family of eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hazen,' namely: George B., who mar- ried Minnie Weed by whom he reared a family of five children : Stella Belle, who is the wife of Thomas Houseknecht, and five children blessed their home. Pearl, Blanche. Cressie, .\my, and Emnicns; Charles and Thomas, de- ceased; John l'"raidaper ])ublisher. In 1882 Mr. Watkins pur- chased the entire i)lant nf the (iloucester City Tribune of Gloucester, X. J., and remo\ed it to Mount Carmel, thus materially increasing his facilities and demonstrating his enterprise. Mr. \\'hite bought an interest in the jiaper in 1883, and for four years the News was ])ub- lished by Watkins & White. In 1887 Mr. Watkins retired from the lirni, his jjlacc l)eing taken by 1\. J. Wilson, who was associated in the publication of the News with Prof. \\' hite for some time, and finally l)ought the business. \\liich he yet controls. Air. Watkins con- ducted his stationery business until 1889, when he sold it and took an active part in or- ganizing the First National Bank of Mount Carmel, which o])ened its doors for business on April 8, 1889, with a capital of $50,000 and seventy-four stockholders, embracing the principal business men of the borough. Mr. Watkins was elected cashier of the bank and he has ever since occupied the position, so ably managing the affairs of the institution that the directors have insisted that he con- tinue to preside over the very important du- ties which fall to him as the active executive of the bank. Upon its organization the offi- cers of the bank were as follows: President, E. C. Tier; vice-iiresident, John T. B. Gould; cashier, AI. K. Watkins, our subject; direc- tors, William .\. Phillips, George W. Davis, John T. B. Gould, M. K. Watkins, E. C. Tier, Bernard Harvey, S. E. Bergstresser, L. W. Johnson, E, C. Herl), A\'illiam AIcFee, Sr., and William 11. Meaton. The present offi- cers of the bank are: President, E. C. Tier; vice-president, George W. Davis; cashier, M. K. Watkins; directors, E. C. Tier, M. K. Watkins, George W. Davis, S. E. Bergstres- ser. William AIcFee, Sr., William Kiefer. J. H. Smith and II. T. John. Aiiiunt Carmel is notable as the lirst town in the world to have electricity as artificial light. This was brought about b\- the or- ganization of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, in the formation of u hich Air. W'M- kins was \ery acti\e. The company was in- corporated November 17, 1883, with a capital of $16,000. In 1890 the company was reor- ganized and its capital increased to $23,000, and Air. Watkins, who was its secretary ujion its organization, was elected president. Un- der his vigorous management the plant was removed to its present site and its capacity considerably increased within a brief period. Originally the plant had a cajiacity of 500 lights, which has been constantly increased until the present capacity is something over 2,500 lights. Our subject was the first secre- tary of the Alount Carmel Water Company, which also was incorporated on the same day as the Mlectric lllumin.ating Company, and he is now its treasurer. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Citizens' Building & Loan .Association, of which he has been secretary since its formation, a period of about nineteen years. Religiously, our subject is an attendant of the Alethodist Episcopal Church of Alount Carmel, of which he is a trustee. Politically Air. Watkins is a Republican and has served as a meml)er of the Ijoard of school directors and he was president of the borough council SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 221 for tliree years. He is an innueiUial Repub- lican and always takes an active part in fur- thering the interests of his party and his friends. Our subject is a member of .\shland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. A I., of the Chapter, R. A. M.; a Knight Templar; a member of Mount Carmel Lodge. No. 630, L O. O. F., and of the Royal Arcanum. Twice has Mr. Watkins entered the mar- riage relation. He was first united to Sarah J., daughter of the late Richard Curnow, a pioneer coal operator of Mount Carmel. Four children were the fruit of the union : James Marshall; Shirley S. ; Matthew K.; and Rich- ard Vi\ian. Mrs. Watkins was a most lovable woman, was prominent in the M. F. Church of Mount Carmel, and was beloved for her many excellent qualities of mind and heart by all who knew her. She died December 27, 1889. As his second wife Mr. Watkins mar- ried Helen M. White of Baltimore, Md., and to them has been born one child, Genevieve Elizabeth. Mr. Watkins is an extensive owner of real estate. He is the largest stockholder in the electric light and other corporations with which he is connected. AIMES P. MILLER, superintendent of the Trust Company Tannery at Mun- cy \^alley, Sullivan County, was born in Bradford County, Pa., in 1847. He is a son of William and Huldah (Wells) Miller who lived in Bradford County, Pa. William Miller, father of the subject of this sketch, was a progressive and well-to-do farm- er, and James P. was given the advantages of the public schools at New\ille, Cumberland County. Being naturally a studious boy. by diligent application to his studies he built a good foundation for the busy life which has since marked his progress. Upon completing the course of studies pre- scribed at the Newville schools he engaged in teaching, which calling he zealously followed for .si.x years. He then engaged in clerking at Williams]Kirl and Chamouni, after which he located in Muncy \'alley to take up the duties of the important position of superintendent of the L. A. Robinson tannery at that place. This manufacturing enterprise was organized by L. R. Bump who was succeeded by L. A. Robinson of Middle X'alley, N. Y.. in i87r), who in turn sold the l)usiness to D. T. Stephens & Son in 1877; later the U. S. Leather Company or Union Tanning Com- pany, as the firm was known at different pe- riods, assumed control, and the Inisiness is di- rected now by the Trust Company estate. The tannery is known as the Muncy Valley Tannery all over the state and is one of the largest of its kind in this section, employing upwards of one hundred men and using twen- ty-one leaches per w'eek with ten tons of bark to the leach. Mr. Miller's duties include the keeping of the books and the general super- vision of the men and teams employed and the many hundred tons of bark that are used in tanning the yearly output of leather. So well has our subject performed his va- rious duties that he has kept his po.sition through all the changes which have taken place, giving entire satisfaction to the various owners and employees; thus the merit of his work has secured for him his position and is the most powerful factor in helping him to maintain it. Our subject was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock to Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Perry O. Johnson of Sullivan County, Pa. Eight children blessed this union, as follows: Maud; Myrtle; Ernest; Blanche; Ralph; Jamie; and Donald. Thrice lias the Grim Messenger entered our subject's home and 222 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. robl)ed it of a cherished jewel. The summons came to Mabel wlien ten years old; then to Ernest, aged five: and last, to Ralph at the age of four. Politically our subject is an Independent Democrat. He is postmaster, which position he has held since Cleveland's first administra- tion. He is a devout Christian and worships in the M. E. Church in which he is steward. M R. JOHN W. BEALOR, a successful practitioner of Shamokin, Coal town- ship, who has reached the pinnacle of fame in his i)rofession, is the distinguished sul)ject of this personal history. He was born March 19, 1854, in Perry County, Pa., and is a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (Weibley) Bealor, and grandson of John Bealor of Berks County, whose sole vocation was farming, and who removed to Perry County with his father, Mark Bealor, great-grandfather of our sub- ject. Mark Bealor was formerly a resident of Germany, but innnigrated to America and lo- cated ill Berks Countv, afterward in Perry County, where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. He is credited with having rendered valuable service to our country in the Mexican War. Benjamin F. Bealor, father of our subject, was born in Perry County, Pa., and the great- er part of his life was spent in pursuing the same occupation followed by his father and grandfather before him, but his health failed and caused him to (|uit farming and remove to Virginia in the hope of benefiting his health by the change. This change, however, did not restore his health, and later on he returne:l to Philadelphia, where he lived a retired life until the autunm of 1897, when he laid down the l)urden of life and entered into eternal rest. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Reformed Church and took an active interest in all church affairs, serving as a deacon of the church for a number of years. He advocated the principles of Democracy and took afi act- \\e part in local ])olitics; was deeply interested in all work of his ])arty, and served as overseer of the poor for two terms. Our subject is one of a family of twelve children, seven girls and five boys; he was educated in the public schools and in the Bloomfield Academ\-, from which he grad- uated in 1873. He then began the study of medicine under G. A. Richardson, as precep- tor, in Newport, Perry County, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Baltimore, from which he graduated with high honors in 1876, and at once ])r()- ceeded to Elliottsburg, Perry County, where he opened an ofifice and entered into the prac- tice of his profession. He soon was enjoying a !ucrati\e practice, which he continued for four years, when he removed to Shamokin, where he is engaged in active and successful practice. In connection with his ofiice he owns a large drug-store and handles not only his own drugs, but sells |)ure drugs to the |)ublic and fills prescriptions for other less for- tunate phxsicians. His years of medicinal and surgical experience have made him cool, col- lected and practical in treating critical cases, and have given him an envialjle record as one of the leading physicians of the town. Dr. Bealor was united in marriage with Mary C. Albert and six children have been added to their home, namely: Benjamin; Florence E.; Quilla E.; Henry Mark; Helen Mary; and John Watt, who died when only two years old. Our subject is a valued mem- ber of the Nortlunnberland Medical Society; also belongs to Washington Camp, No. 178, P. O. S. of America, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 223 ACOB H. REED, justice of the peace in Mount Carmel and one of its best known and most jjopular residents, is a member of one of the pioneer famihes of Eastern Pennsylvania. He is a son of John B. and Catharine (De Freighn) Reed, and was born June 21, 1857, in St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa. The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Reed, was a son of Thomas Reed, a native of Schuyl- kill County, but early removed to Pottsville, being among the first settlers in that town. He was a Whig politically, and soon after settling in Pottsville was electetl a justice of the peace. He was twice re-elected and, hav- ing served three terms, was entitled according to the law which then prevailed to the of^ce for liis lifetime. He held the ofifice for about fifty-five years, performing the duties thereof up to within ten days of his death. When he located at Pottsville the hamlet was in the midst of wild country, and family tradition has handed down a very interesting story of an encounter, which Jacob had with a ])anther. in which he narrowly escaped being killed. The grandfather took an active part in the construction of the Schuylkill Canal, and for a number of years ran a line of boats on it. His wife was Rebecca Bittle, and to them were born these children : Rebecca, who mar- ried Jacob Bittle. a widower, now living in Ashland at the age of about eighty years; Mary Ann, who was the wife of Quill Marsh, now deceased, and who now resides in North- ampton County; Morgan, deceased, who was a justice of the peace in Pottsville for several years; George H., who was a breaker con- tractor and who died when a comparatively young man; and Tillie, deceased. Jacob Ree 1 spent the latter part of his life in Wi'.liamsport, Pa., where he served as alderman for twentv- five years, and was quite prominent in poli- tics and business. John B. Reed, father of the subject of this sketch, was a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Bit- tle) Reed, and was born in what is now Mi- nersviile, Schuylkill County, April 16, 1819. He was reared and educated in his native county and went into the mines when ([uite young and followed mining in its various branches for forty years as miner and superin- tendent of collieries. He resided at St. C'air, Schuylkill County, for fifteen years, during ten of which he was justice of the peace. On the breaking out of the Rebellion IMr. Ree;! enlisted, in July, 1861, in Company A, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was commissioned by Gov. Curtin as quartermaster, ranking as lieutenant. He had served eighteen months in that capacity when he was informed by a superior officer that no such rank in the army discipline existed and that, in reality, he had no official title. Mr. Reed returned to his home, and after a few days' rest returned to his troop with a bona fide commission as regi- mental ciuartenuaster, acting in that capacity until the troop re-enlisted in 1864, when he was detailed as chief clerk in the quartermas- ter-general's department. Mr. Reed was cap- tured by the Rebels and was held a prisoner for twenty days in the celebrated Anderson- ville Prison, escaping from it and returning to his headquarters. He was never wounded, but his nose was broken by a sabre cut. He was a thorough business man and excellent penman and during his service in the army was detailed much of the time to important clerical work. He was clerk in the commis- sary department under Gen. Thomas of Ohio, and after the close of the great struggle re- mained with that officer for a year at Nash- ville, Tenn., winding up the accounts of the department. During the war, vouchers re- 224 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ceived l^y Thomas H. Rickert, a quartermaster now residing at Pottsville, Pa., which showed tliat $25,000 had l^een (Hsljursed properly, wore c;ii)tured by the enemy. The loss was of \ital importance, as subsequently developed, for twenty-five years after the war ended the government sought to recover the sum from Mr. Kickcrt, alleging that no vouchers existed showing that he had disbursed the money. I'"(irtunately Mr. Reed was alive and Mr. Rick- ert was able to connniniicatc with him. Mr. Uted was a witness in behalf of Mr. Rickert and be testified to liaxing made out the re- liiirts (if the disbursing of the large sum and forwarded them to the secretarv of war. thus sul)stantiating the claims of his former su- |)erior officer. I'pon the testimonv of Mr. Reed, the case was dismissed bv the judge be- fore wboni it was heard without being gi\'en to the jury. Upon his discharge from the army, in Sep- tember, iS()5. and after his ser\ice in Nash- ville, Tenn., Mr. Reed returned to Mount Car- mel and resumed mining operations. He was su])erintendent at se\'eral mines in the vicinity of .Mount Carmcl. In iSji) be remo\ed to Ma- hanoy City, where he was actively engaged as mine superintendent for over three years. 1 le then returned io Mount Carmel. where he continued mining operations imtil his death, on Feb. 18, 1890. In politics Mr. Reed was a l^epublican. He was a candidate for clerk of the quarter sessions at Schuylkill carlv in the 50's and was defeated by but one vote. He served as a justice of the peace in Mount Carmel at different periods, about twenty years in all. Tie was the first secretarv of .Mount Carmel Lodge No. ;^/i^. F. & A. M.. and was once vice-president of the supreme body of the P. O. S. of A. of this state. He was an ardent member of the Methodist Church. Afr. Reed was the first free-school teacher in Schuylkill County, and second burgess of Mount Carmel. The father of our subject was twice married. His first wife was Catharine l)e b'reighn, who bore him eight children, as follows: luuma I'^iiza, who is Mrs. David Huffman of Shamokin, Pa.; Sarah Jane, un- married; Mary, wife of John Stahl of Phila- delphia; George H., who died in inf.mcy; Rebecca E., the wife of William Curnow of Mount Carmel. and who survives him; Carrie, deceased, who was the wife of \\'illiam Cniple- by; John I-ldgar, general manager for Collins (Jt Co., railroad contractors; and Kate Irene, who is Mrs. H. P. Helwig and resides in ;\lex- andria, \'a. His second wife, I'Lleanor I"". ( reague) .\dams, survives him. The subject of this review. Jacol) II. Keed, was educated in the ])ublic schools of Mount Carmel. .\t the age of eleven vears he went to wx)rk as a slate])icker at a mine with which his father was connectetl, working steadily ex- cept in winter, when he pursued his studies in school. When nineteen years old Jacob de- termined to seek his fortime and he worked in the mines for some time. Then he secured a position w ith the .\dams Ex])ress Company, which he held for about nine years. In 1896 he was elected justice of the peace, which po- sition he now fills with ability and dignity. In politics he is a Re])ul)lican and has been variously honored by his party. He has fre- cpiently been a delegate to county conven- tions, has served two terms as director of the poor and has held other minor offices. Mr. Reed is prominent in the Masonic fra- ternity, being a leading member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A. M. He also is a member of Washington Camp No. iiTi, P. O. S. of .\., of Mount Carmel. On June 21, 1889, our subject married Mary E. \\'ightnian, daughter of Charles Wigbtm.an of Mount Carmel. She was for WILLIAM H. R. SMINK. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 227 several years a teaclier in the public schools of Mount Carmcl. Their children are: Edith, Estelle, Miriain, John Eds4ar, and Charles \\'., Katharine, a younger child, having died in infancy. W^: [LLIAM H. R. SMINK, a popular and respected citizen of Shamokin, Pa., a portrait of whom is shown on the preceding page, has the distinction of be- ing proprietor of the largest drug-store in this state, and his retail trade is said to be among the largest of its character in Pennsylvania. Our subject is a son of Daniel C. and Eva Ann (Kaseman) Smink, and was born April 29, 1852, in Shamokin township, near what is known as Blue Church. Air. .Smink's career strikingly illustrates the old belief that perse- verance, energy and careful attention to the "little things" win" success despite most for- midable obstacles. The grandfather of oiu^ subject on the pa- ternal side, Jacob Smink, settled about 1830 in the vicinity of Shamokin or Mahanoy town- ship. He built many of the saw-mills which were erected and operated in the earlv davs when the wilds were slowly but surely cleared for the use of the white settlers. Daniel C. Smink, father of the subject of this review, was born in Xorthumberland County, in one of the saw-mills which his father had built. He was reared in the envi- rons of Shamokin. in the woods, and followed carpentry and blacksmithing for many years. He has been for the past forty-five years a resi- dent of Shamokin, where he is a dealer in paints and wall-paper. Mr. Smink was origi- nally a \\'hig and subsequently allied himself with the Republican party. He served one term as a justice of the peace. The mother of our subject is a granddaughter of Joseph Kaseman. a native of Germany, who came to this country when eighteen or nineteen years of age. He located near Blue Church and passed his days on a farm. He passed to his final rest in 1866, having reached the rare age of 107 years. Our subject, W. H. R. Smink. is one of four children, two of whom, Rosalie and Elizabeth, are dead, and the fourth child, Albert H., is a physician in Shamokin. When eight years old the subject of this sketch went into a coal- breaker as a slatepicker. At the age of eleven years he entered the office of the Shamokin Herald to learn the printer's trade, working in the newspaper office until April 14, 1865, when President Lincoln was assassinated, w hen he was thrown out of work by the clos- ing of the office. After working at odd joI)s for some time young Smink went into the general store of R_\er Bros. & Company as a cellar-boy. He worked for the firm five years, during the final two years of his service acting as bookkeeper, which was quite an achieve- ment for one so young, as the store was a large one and the principal business house in the town. For two years William slept in the store, and, being fond of reading, he sought to educate himself by so doing at night after he had finished his labors of the day. His health failed and he was compelled to give up his position. Subseciuently, with his father, he put up the first planing-mill in Shamokin and they operated it for a year, when it was burned, wiping out the entire capital possessed by father and son. Compelled again to seek employment, Mr. Smink went to Chambers- burg, Pa., where for a year he conducted a toy and confectionery store. He then returned to Shamokin and entered the dry goods store of Leader, Muir & Company, after trying the toy and candy business for a short time, and for two ^•ears he was the onlv clerk in the em- 228 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ploy of the firm. In 1877, on the breaking out of tlie great strike of railroad men which ex- tended to ten slates, including Pennsylvania, Mr. Smink went to Uerks County and took charge of a general store in Seisholtzville owned by his father-in-law, Henry Guiterman. He had entire charge of his father-in-law's books, as Mr. Guiterman was principally oc- cupied in looking after iron ore mines in which he was interested. After running the store for six years, upon the death of Mr. Guiterman, our subject was appointed super- intendent of the iron ore mines, which posi- tion he filled to the satisfaction of the execu- tors of the estate for three years. He then returned to Shamokin in i8'°"»V^ Laundry a SULT is the well-known if the Berwick Steam at No. 318 East Front street, Berwick, one of the most successful in Central Pennsylvania. He has not only a large patronage in Berwick, but an established reputation in the principal cities in this section of the state, having a good custom in Scran- ton, Wilkesbarre, Catawissa, Pittston, North- umberland, and many smaller villages. He is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Geddes) Suit, and was born in Berwick, April 4, 1845. He is a grandson of Peter Suit, who was born in Northampton County, where he fol- 236 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. lowed the trade of a cooper until 1823 when he moved to Berwick, Columbia County. There he followed his trade until his death and was a very prosperous man. He served in the borough couficil and was supervisor for a number of terms. He was united in marriage to MagdaTena Kester, and they reared the following children: James; Ste- phen, of Lockport, N. Y. ; Julia, wife of John Switzer; Mary, wife of David Wagoner; Daniel; Charles of Peoria. 111.; Sarah, wife of C. A. Becker; Eliza, who married James Hover; and William, a resident of Peoria, III. yir. Suit died at the age of seventy-four years, and his worthy wife was sixty-nine years of age when she closed her e\'es in final sleep. Daniel Suit, father of our subject, was born in Northampton County, Pa., and came to Berwick witli his father when young. He was employed as a mechanic by The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Companv. after which he was track manager for the D., L. & W. R. R. from Kingston to Northumberland. He then worked at the carpenter's trade until 1863, when he was employed in the pattern shop of The Jackson & Woodin Alanufactur- ing Company, continuing until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. He was united in marriage to Catherine Geddes, a daughter of Thomas Geddes. and they were the hapi\v l^arents of four children : Sarah, who mar- ried a Mr. Reichard; .\dclia E., deceased; Alonzo J., the subject of this personal history; and Jessie P., deceased. Alonzo J. Suit received his intellectual training in the pul)lic schools of Berwick, af- ter which he learned the trade of a stationary engineer. He was then in the employ of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com- pany for thirty years after which, on January I, 1S93, he became |)ro[3rictor of the steam laundry which he has since conducted. The laundry occupies a two-story building, 35 by 43 feet, and is supplied with the latest-im- proved machinery which enables him to do first-class work in every respect. The plant is heated throughout by steam, and lighted by gas and electric lights. By his courteous and straightforward manner of dealing with every one, Mr. Suit has worked up a good patronage which will compare favorably with any in this section of the state. He employs only skilled workmen and the work turned out is always satisfactory to his customers. He has a comfortable home on the same lot with the laundry, which he has remodeled and sup- plied with all modern con\-eniences. Mr. Suit was united in matrimonial bonds to Nancy J. Boyles, a daughter of James Boyles of Berwick, and they are the happy parents of six children, namely: Walter M., bookkeeper for the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. at \\'ilkesbarre. Pa., who married Elizabeth Campbell, and they have one daughter, Mar- garet; Daniel, assistant to his father, who married Ella Brown, by whom he had one son, Alonzo; Lloyd F., a bookkeeper and stenog- rapher for the P. & R. R. R. at Wilkesbarre, who wedded Elizabeth Stifnagle; A\'illiam B., a laundryman, whcj married Ida Berklieimer; Robert E. P., who is a student; and Mar- garet, the first born, who died at the age of two years. On July 2, 1862, Mr. Suit enlisted in Company H, 84111 Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., but was discharged October 3, of the same year, owing to an attack of typhoid fever. He again enlisted with Company B, 194th Reg., Pa. A'ol. Inf.. anil received his dis- charge November 5, 1864. February 7, 1865, he re-enlisted in Company A, 74th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge August 29, 1865. In political views, he classes himself as an ALF.M HKITTOX WHITK. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 239 Independent. Socially he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and the Knights of the Golden Eagle of which he is past chief. I.EM BRITTON WHITE, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page, was successfully engaged in the mercantile business in Light Street, Scott township, Columbia County, Pa., for many years, and is now agent for the Bloomsburg cc Sullivan Railroad at Light Street. He is a son of Joseph and Lydia Ann (Robbins) White, and was born in Fishing Creek town- ship, Columbia County, May 9, 1833. Tlie White family is of German extraction. Peter White, the grandfather of our su1)ject, was a prominent agriculturist of Scott town- ship where he resided on a farm near Light Street which is now owned by the widow of H. C. Hartman. He passed to his eternal resting place in 181 5 while yet a young man. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Eliza- beth Britton by whom he had eight sons and five daughters, a record of whom is here given : Harry, the only surviving member of the family, is a farmer residing in Indiana; Mary Maud married a ^Ir. Garrison, a farm- er of Salem township, Luzerne County; Ze- beth, who was a farmer and resided in Michi- gan; John, who was a farmer and resident of Richlaufl County, Ohio; Joseph; William, who was a farmer on the old homestead; Sam- uel followed agricultural pursuits in Rich- land County, Ohio; Peter, who also made his home in Richland County, Ohio; Catherine, who was the wife of Samuel Oman, who was a farmer in Mt. Pleasant township, Columbia County; Sarah, who was the wife of Andrew Melick, also a farmer of Mt. Pleasant town- ship; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Emerson, a farmer of Indiana; Isaac, who was a farmer and lime-burner of Scott township; and Hen- ry, who was a resident of Indiana. Joseph White, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead March 15, 1800. and after attaining man's estate went to Pine township where he engaged in tilling the soil and was a very well-to-do farmer. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he was steward and trustee. He passed into the unknown beyond at lola. Greenwood township, December 2, 1858, aged fifty-eight years. He took the marriage vows twice, his first union being with Lydia Ann Robbins, a daughter of John Robbins, a farmer of Greenwood township, and they became the happy parents of eight children, namely: Sarah C, the wife of John Johnson, a farmer of Greenwood township; Alem Brit- ton, the subject of this biographical sketch: Melissa J., deceased, who married Henry Mil- ler of Watsontown, Xorthumberland County; John A., a carpenter and mechanic of Rich- land County, Ohio; Mary E., deceased, who married David Oman of Mt. Pleasant town- ship, Columbia County; Anna A., widow of Samuel ^^^^ite of Fairmont township, Luzerne County; Harriet M., wife of Thomas \\'right. a carpenter by trade and a farmer of Green- wood township; and Eliza R., the wife of S. B. Fornwald of Washington, Ind. Mrs. White died December 7, 1835, at the age of thirty-eight years. Joseph's second wife was Deborah Fowler and they reared two child- ren, — Florence P., the wife of N. H. White of Almedia, Columbia County; and Joseph, a merchant of Light Street. .Mem Britton WHiite was reared on the farm and obtained his mental training in the public schools and Greenwood Seminary at Milhille. Pa., after which he began teaching- school at the age of fifteen years. He taught in the public schools, then for three terms was 240 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. assistant in the Bloomsburg High School, and finally, for six months, tanght in the Green- wiiod Seminar}-. In the spring of 1H65 he accepted a clcrkshi]j in a store at Blooms- burg where he remained nntil August when he entered upon the duties of a similar posi- tion for H. \V. Creasy, a merchant of Light Street, where he remained until April, 1866, when he engaged in the mercantile business on his own account at Ashland, Schuylkill C"ounty. He contimied in business there un- til August, 1868, when he returned to Light Street and again clerked for Mr. Creasy until .\l)ril, 1871, when tliat gentleman died. Our subject then purchased the general merchan- dise store of Peter l^nt of Light Street and successfully conducted it until 1895 when he retired in favor of his brother Joseph, who has since managed it. Upon the death of Mr. Ent he purchased the property upon which the store is situatetl and has since owned it. lie was also engagetl in the lumber, coal and fertilizer business which he still conducts. He was made agent of the Bloomsburg & Sulli- van Railroad, when it was opened in 1888 and served as agent for the United States E.xpress Company since it opened business in Light Street in 1892 until June, 1898. He is a man of superior business ability, and has been de- cidedly successful in all of his business ven- tures. On March 2^, 1869, our subject was united in marriage to Esther E. Geisinger, a native of Luzerne County and a daughter of the late Samuel Geisinger, by whom he had one daughter who was called home in infancy. They have since adopted a daughter, Bessie, who is living at home. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party. He is a member of Locust Mountain Lodge, L O. O. F., of Ashland, Pa., and of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg. Religiously he is a member and trustee of the Methodist Church, also superintendent of the Sundav School. HE BLOOMSBURG STATE NOR- MAL SCHOOL at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., is one of the largest and most flourishing schools of its kind in the United States. It catalogues each year some- thing o\er 600 students and has a faculty of al)out twenty-eight ladies and gentlemen, graduates of leading colleges, univer.sities and training schools, luich year about 150 young men and women are graduated in the different departments of the school. Its alunmi num- bers nearly 1,500, and, as may he seen by ref- erence to this list in the catalogue, a remark- ably large number of them occupy positions of influence and responsibility in Pennsyh'ania and other states. The school is one of the best disciplined in the country, while the edu- cational work has been so carefully super\ised that a strong corps of university and college- trained teachers has been brought together to form a faculty. As a result, the young men and women graduated in the professional and college preparatory courses are taking high rank among their fellows, and reflecting great credit on their Alma Mater. The school ])roperty attracts nuich atten- tion, being situated at an elevation of over 1 50 feet above the Susquehanna. The view from this elevation is almost unrivaled. The river, like a ribbon, edges the plain on the south, and disappears through a bold gorge three miles to the southwest. Rising imme- diately beyond the river is a precipitous ridge 400 feet high, backed by the majestic Cata- wissa Mountain. The town lies at the feet of the spectator. Hill and plain, land and water, fiekl and forest, town and ct)nntry. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 241 manufacture and agriculture, are combined in tlie \aried scene. Fourteen acres of campus aft'ord ample space for lawns and athletic grounds, anfl include a large and beautiful oak gro\-e, while six large buildings are ad- mirably adapted to their different uses. There is not s])ace here for a complete description of these buildings. Institute Hall is the oldest building (built in 1867), and contains six spacious class-rooms and a beautiful audi- torium which occupies the entire second floor. The Alodel School Building is a handsome two-story building, and is next to Institute Hall. It covers about eighty feet by ninety feet, and contains about twenty-six study and recitation rooms, well ventilated and supplied with light, Idackboard surface, and the most improved furniture. The Dormitory is four stories high and was originally in the form of an inverted T, having a frontage of 162 feet and an extension of seventv-five feet. Ex- tending toward the river from the J_ is a wing 104 by 40 feet in dimensions, thus: £. The North End Addition, while connected with the dormitory described above, is a dis- tinct four-story building, 130 by 50 feet in size. The Gymnasium is 90 by 45 feet in size, and IS one of the handsomest and best to be found. The Employees' Dormitory is about 40 by 70 feet, three stories high, with a basement which contains the laundry. The top floor is fitted up as an infirmary. The school was originally called the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and was opened and dedicated in 1867. In 1868 a proposition was made to the board of trustees by the State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion, Hon. J. P. \\'ickersham, to organize the school into a state normal school. After much heated discussion, the board of trustees passed the following resolution: "Resolved that the trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute agree to establish in connection with the same a state normal school under the Act of the 2(\ of May, 1857, and to procure the grounds and put up the necessary buildings, etc." It will be seen by this resolution that none of the functions of the Literary Institute were canceled when it became a normal school. The charter name is "The Bloomsburg Liter- ary Institute and State Normal School," and the courses of study originally provided for the Institute are still maintained, according to the terms of the original agreement with the Commonwealth. As a consequence of this action the school is perhaps different from other normal schools in that it prepares more students for college, and maintains courses in both vocal and instrumental music. The work of the Institute has not in any way interfered with the training of teachers. In fact, the necessity of keeping well-trained instructors in the sciences, languages, mathematics, his- tory, and literature to comply with the ad- vanced recjuirements of the Literary Institute, has provided better instruction in the elements of these branches for students in the normal department. The school at all times has at least 125 representatives in the various col- leges and universities. The first principal of the school was Prof. Henry Carver, who held the position until 187 1. He was an excellent disci]5linarian and organizer and had tlie hajipy faculty of in- spiring young people to make the most of themselves. After his withdrawal from tlie principalship, the school passed through a financial struggle that is best described in the words of Col. John G. Freeze, in his "History of Columbia County," as follows: "The very large amount of money required, the falling ofi" of subscribers, the want of prompt payment of those which were good, the talk of those who were not in .sympathy 242 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. witli the movement, were all discouraging cir- cumstances. The trustees were therefore ob- lige the principal industries of the remark- ably industrious town of Bloomsburg is the Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company, of which the gentleman whose name heads these lines is president. He is well cjualified to di- rect the affairs of that well-known concern, as he has had twenty-three years' experience and is a man of the highest mechanical skill. He has been connected with numerous similar enterprises, and has done more to promote the mechanical industry in Bloomsburg than any one individual during the equi\'alent number of years. He was born in Scranton, Pa., De- cember 19, 1857, and is a son of Jacob F. and Josephine (Robert) Richard. Jacob F. Richard, the father of our subject, a mechanic of renowned skill, was a native of France where he learned the trade of a me- chanic. He came to the United States and followed his trade in Scranton, Pa., New York City, and W'aterbury, Conn., and was very prosperous. He died in W'aterbury and his worthy wife has since resided in New York City. As a result of his marriage with Jo- Frederick j. York Citv and public schools, ehanical abilitv sephine Robert, four sons and one daughter were born, namely : Frederick J., in whom the interest of this sketch centers; Henry J.; George J.; Jacob J.; and Elizabeth, who was united in marriage to E. Hosbach of Wood Haven. Richard was reared in New received his education in the He inherited his father's me- and love for mechanics, and early in life begged his father to allow him to choose the trade of machinist as his life occu- pation. His father would not consent until he had tried other lines of work, and met with disappointment, when he was finally allowed to enter the employ of Bliss & Williams of Brooklyn. He served an apprenticeship of five years during which time he became thor- oughly acquainted with the trade and was thoroughly qualified to undertake the duties of the next position offered him. He was ap- pointed foreman of the Manhattan Brass Company and, as his work proved very satis- factor}-, he was soon after ajjpointed super- intendent. He later took charge of the Brass Tube Works of Holmes, Booth & Haven of Waterbury, Conn., which is known far and wide as the Brass City, and held that position for three years. For the following two years he was superintendent for Randolph & Clauss, manufacturers of- seamless brass and copper tubing. In 1891 he removed to the thriving town of Bloomsburg and, in association with J. L. Richardson, Iniilt the Brass & Copper Company's plant, manufacturers of seamless brass and copper tubing. The factory is a two-story brick structure, 175 by 75 feet, and is fitted throughout with machinery of the company's own manufacture. Our subject was made the manager and superintendent and under his careful guidance the venture was eminently successful. In 1892 the 250 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. rilddinslinri^' Ilrass & Copper Company was formed and he was made superintendent. In i8y3 lie built the plant of the Shickshinuy Tube Company, of which he is a director and stockholder. He was also a director and stockholder in the Bloomsburg Elevator Com- pany, builders and makers of machinery. In partncrshi]) with J. L. Richardson, he built the Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company's plant in 1893; the building was 60 by 40 feet, and the boiler-room was 30 by 30 feet, both being made of brick. The company manu- factures a large variety of articles, cuspidors, oil-cans, currycombs, etc. In 1894 a stock company was formed with the following of- ficers: F. J. Richard, president; George J. Richard, vice-president: and L. E. Waller, di- rector. As the growth of the business had been so rapid it was found necessary to en- large the building. Another story was added to it, the length increased to no feet and an L, 50 bv 25 feet, added. Machinery was put in for the manufacture of carpet looms for the Bloomsburg Carpet Manufactory, and al- so six cutting and stamping machines. Mr. Richard is the most experienced and skilled mechanic in this sectiiMi of the state, and de- signed and made most of the machinery now in use in the factory. An average of fifty competent workmen is regularly employed, and their output is the finest on the market and finds a ready sale in the larger cities. Our snliject's sterling qualities are a source of admiration and respect among his fellow-citi- zens who regard him as a man of great worth and influence in the community. Our subject was joined in hymeneal Ijonds to Catherine Cook, a daughter of Andrew Cook of Wood Haven, and they became the happy parents of the following children : Wil- liam, deceased: Catherine: Julia: Lizzie, Lil- lia and Ereil J., deceased; and Jennie. Mr. Richard was deprived of his beloved wife's coni])anionship by death in 1897, aged thirty- seven years. In Noxember, 1898, he joined in marriage with Hannah S. Christ of Blooms- burg, Pa., daughter of George T. and ]VIar- garet Christ of Bloomsburg. He has been a member of the town council several terms and his great popularity is shown by the fact that at a recent election he received the larg- est vote ever cast for a candidate for council- man. Socially our subject is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M.. of Waterbury, Conn. He resides in a fine resi- dence on Normal Hill and is also the owner of a large tenement house on Light Street road, and one on Fourth street. As a representative and prominent citizen of Bloomsl)urg we show on a previous page a recent portrait of Mr. Richard. OSEPH S. NEWMAN, an enterpris- ing and progressive citizen of Nord- mont, Sullivan County, Pa., is general station agent on the \\'. & N. B. R. R. and e.xpress agent at that point, where he has faithfully served the company's interests since 1890. He is a son of George Newman, and was born in Prince, Williams County, Va., March 7, 1866. He is of English descent and is a great-grandson of Thomas Newman, who was one of the early settlers of Lycoming County, Pa., where he was known far and wide as a man of integrity and honesty in his every business transaction. He now lies bur- ied in the Newman cemetery of that county. He was the progenitor of one son, Joseph, who became the owner of the old homestead in Lycoming County. He disjiosed of that property and settled at Tivoli, in the same countv, where he followed lumbering and SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 251 farming. He closed his eyes in final sleep at tiie age of seventy-four years. George Newman, tlie fatiicr of (iur subject, was born near Hnghesville, Lycoming Coun- ty, but moved to Ti\oli with liis father, where he resides at the present time. He is a man of great industry and, as a dealer in lumber and a farmer, success has attended his every effort, and he is now one of the substantial men of that section. Joseph S. Newman, the subject of this bio- graphical record, obtained his mental training in the public schools and in the high schools of Williamsport and Tivoli. In 1884 he was oft'ered the position of station agent at that town, which he accepted and retained for one and one-half years, serving in Sonestown for a time subsequent to 1886. He was the first and is the only member of the Newman family whose lot has been cast within the bounds of the Seventeenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. From Sonestown he went to Muncy Valley, where he remained until 1890, when he accepted his- present position at Nordmont, Sullivan County. He has a thor- ough understanding of the many responsible duties of his position and has discharged them to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the road, thereby gaining the approval of his em- ployers. For some years he was financially associated in the mercantile business in Nord- mont, under the firm name of Botsford & Newman, with M. W. Botsford, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book. Mr. Newman was united in the liolv bonds of wedlock to Mary S. Sinclair, a daughter of William and Martha J. Sinclair of Laporte township, and their happy union is blessed by two children : Hazel Martha and Lester S. Politically our subject is a stanch Republican, whilst in religious attachments he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So- cially he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and of the Odd Fellows, i le is a man of admirable ciiaracler and hal)its and has won many friends since his residence in Nordmont. EV. WILEIA.M I. STEANS, pastor of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church of Danville, Pa., is an earnest and conscientious laborer in the vineyard of the Master and is held in high estimation by his parishioners. The church of which our subject is now pastor dates back to 1778 or 1779, when Gen. William Montgomery raised enough money by subscription to ha\'e a minister journey to and preach in the old log-house which stopd where the Grove Church now stands. Li 1786 a congregation was organized and two ser- mons were preached every Sunday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. There was neither sto\e nor fireplace in the old log church, and. as there was a pit in the center of the church, a charcoal fire was built to heat it: the noon-hour was spent in lunching and late in the afternoon the second sermon was preached. The ground upon which this log church stood consisteil of three and seven- tenths acres and was purchased September 8, 1775, at a cost of £5. In 1826 the church was torn down and a brick building erected. The following ministers hatl charge of this church from 1826 to 1850: Rev. Hugh Morrison, Rev. John Bryson, Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. John B. Patterson, Rev. David M. HoUiday, and Rev. John W. Yeomans, all of whom were local preachers. In 1850 the congregation of this church numbered 325, and. being so large, its members decided to abandon the old church and erect a new one. Accordinglv, in 252 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 1853, tlie old church was sold and the present one erected, and it was dedicated November 16, 1854, and sermons were preached by Rev. William Plumer, Rev. Sinonton, and Rev. Da- vid M. Holliday. A few of the members, who resided near the old site, organized a new con- gregation which is still in existence and is called the Grove Presbyterian Church. The Mahoning Presbyterian Church is located on Ferry street and is a handsome structure. The society has the largest congregation of any church in Danville. Since 1865 the following ministers have successively been pastor of this church: Rev. Dr. Yeomans; Rev. William E. T. Tjames; Rev. Alexander B. Jackson; Rev. Thomas R. Beeber; Rev. R. L. Stewart; and the present pastor, W. I. Steans. The ruhng ciders are : Josiah Reed, James Oglesby, H. M. Hinckley, R. B. Voris, David Shelhart, Sam- uel Bailey H. B. Schultz and H. H. Furman. Our subject was born Alarch 20, 1854, and is a son of William Steans and a grandson of John Steans, who came from Leicestershire, Fug., to this country while a young man; he located in BulTalo Valley, Northampton County, Pa., and was one of the prominent farmers of his day. He died at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was Agnes Bo- vard and they were the parents of six chil- dren, namely : William, the father of our sul)- ject: Catherine; Jane; Hannah; Nancy; antl Sarah. William Steans followed the vocation of an agriculturist all his life on the old homestead. He married Caroline Irwin, a daughter of Wil- liam Irwin, a native of North Ireland. Fom^ children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Steans, namely: John C, a practicing physi- cian of Mifflinbm-g, Pa.; William I., our sub- ject; Jennie R.; and Ralph, also a physician. Rev. William I. Steans ac(|uircd a good ed- ucation in the Columbia Seminarv, was then graduated from Lafayette College in 1879, and later entered the Theological Seminary of Princeton, and was graduated with the class of 1882. He immediately began his service for God and humanity in his first field of labor, the Washlnu'n Street Presljyterian Church at Scranton, Pa. On June i, 1891. he took charge of his present pastorate, in which he has been very successful, and his zealous ef- forts for the good and betterment of the com- numity have been crowned with tlie best of re- sults. His labors are well p'.aimed and he is able to get through with a large amount of work because of the several years of expe- rience he has had in the religious field. Broad in his views, sincere and outspoken in his atti- tude on living (piestions that concern the lives and welfare of the people, and zealous and earnest in all that he sets his hand and his heart to, Rev. Mr. Steans is a man whose in- fluence is felt on all sides, one who will leave a lasting ini])ression on the coiununiity in which he so zealously labors. Our subject, some time a^o, was united in marriage to Jen- nie Wells, a daughter of C. H. Wells of Scran- ton, Pa. ENRY S. BETTS, a successful and ar- '^1 tistic photographer of Shamokin, - V - , Northumberland County, Pa., was born July 2, 1862, in Merthyr Tydvil, South Wales. He is a son of Alfred and Zilpah (Carr) Betts. Our subject was educated in England. He followed in the footsteps of his father, with whom he learned the father's trade, photog- raphy. He also pursued his chosen vocation in several London photographic houses, after which he engaged in business in his native country. Coming to the United States in October, ISAIAH BOWER. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 255 i88y, Mr. Betts engaged in his business in Mount Cannel, Northumlierland County, wliere lie prospered and remained until April. 1898, when he removed to Shaniokin, his pres- ent home. Our subject, being of artistic tem- perament and having liad valuable experience abroatl, hokls high rank as a photographer and is well known because of the excellence of his photographic work of all classes. Mr. Betts was happily married to Margaret Chambers of England. Their happiness has been crowned by the issue of four lovable chil- dren, Frank, Zilpah, Arthur and Ada. fSAIAH BOWER, one of the oldest and most prominent merchants of Columbia County, Pa., whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has been a resident of Ber- wick for many years, and it is owing to the efforts of such men as he that the borough, as a business center and manufacturing point, leads all other boroughs of ecpial size in the state of Pennsylvania, ^^dlen quite young he engaged in business there and in a short time was at the head of a large industry, which added wealth to the town and aided in its growth, as the success of his undertaking served as an inducement for other enterprises to locate there. Berwick steacHly grew in size, and we find that Mr. Bower, from the time of making his home there, has been fore- most in promoting its interests and has erected more residences and business houses than any other man. A gentleman in whom the people have always reposed the greatest confidence, we find in his ad\'anced age a large retinue of acquaintances throughout the county who are pleased to be called his friends. He was born at Evansville, Briarcreek town- ship, Columbia County, March 19, 1829, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Zahner) Bower. ( )ur subject's grandf.ithcr, George Michael Bower, was born in Germany and came to this country at the uge of thirteen years, tak- ing up the occupation of a farmer. He first purchased a farm in the Lehigh Valley, l)Ut later settled in Columbia County where he purchased a partially-improved farm in Briar- creek township of a Mr. Disserand, a French- man. At the time, prior to the Nineteenth Century, that section was sparsely settled and there was but a single house where Berwick is ncnv located. Mr. Bower cleared some one hundred and twenty acres, wdiich land is now owned by Mr. John Fester, and there resided the remainder of his life. His wife's maiden name was Hill, and their miion resulted in the following offspring: Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Daniel; Phelina; and Catharine. Michael Bower, the father of our subject, as a youth was extremel}- precocious and al- though little opportunity in the way of schooling offered, he acquired a good edu- cation as a result of his indix'idual efforts and became a teacher, a position for which he proved well qualified, teaching in liis own home and in those of his neighbors. He learned to weave wool and flax, and followed weaving for some time, weaving for many families in his locality. He came into pos- session of a portion of the old home estate on which he erected a log house, and there he followed farming and reared a large family of children. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Mary Zahner, a daughter of George Zahner, who was also an early settler in Briar- creek township, and they had the following children : Sarah, the wife of William Whit- mire; Isaac; Reuben; Samuel C. ; Daniel; Hannah, wife of Henry Martz; George, who lives in Briarcreek township; Catharine, the 266 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. wife of Charles Whitmire. who Hves in Center township; Enos, who died young; and Isaiali, tlie subject of this personal history. Mrs. Bower died at the age of sixty-eight years, and her husband died si* years later, in De- cember, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years, six months, both being buried at Evansville. Isaiah Bower early in life learned the trades of carpenter and machinist, following the former occupation but one year, when he be- came a machinist at the plant of The Jackson iS: W'oodin Manufacturing Company at Ber- wick. After continuing in that cai)acity for two and one-half years, he rented the plant and manufactured plows with much success, making the Bull plow, the Walker plow, and the Bower plow, which he patterned himself. The Ijuilding in which his establishment was located was situated where the casting and l)ipe factory of the Jackson & W'oodin com- l)any is now located, but has since been burned to the ground. In 1864, in association with Mr. M. E. Jackson and Air. H. R. Bower, and under the firm name of I. & H. R. Bower, he established a general merchandise store at the corner of Front and Mulberry streets. In 1870 Mr. Jackson disposed of his interest to the other members of the firm, who con- ducted it with the best results and also bouglit the ^'oke & Michael Agriculture Works, which they conducted until 1880. In that year they divided their business, H. R. Bower taking the store and our subject the manu- facturing plant which he oi)erated until 1884. In 1883 he built his present store, w'ith dwell- ing attached, located on the corner of Pine and East Second streets, and since 1884 has given his attention mainly to that business. He has a fine store and enjoys a large patron- age. He is a man of great enterprise and good judgment and the success which he has attained is due solelv to his own efforts. He owns fifty-six acres of the original family homestead on which he has erected substan- tial buildings; a farm of ninety-two acres which he bought from his brother; the Lay- man Morse farm of one hundred and twenty acres; and the Morteller farm. He has greatlx' improved all the farms and hires men to cul- tivate them, being a wonderfully busy man for his years. He has over twenty tenement houses in Berwick and Nescopeck. In 1850 Mr. Bower married Hannah Hag- enbach, a daughter of Simeon Hagenbach of Center township. They are faithful members of the United E\'angelical Church, in which Mr. Bower has held a number of of^ces. He has always lived an upright, honest, and tem- perate life, being a strong advocate of tem- perance. He has sympathy for the deserving and is very liberal in his charity. In political belief he was originally a Democrat, but for some years has been a Prohibitionist; he has served in official capacit)- as burgess of the borough, and has held numerous minor of- fices. ILTON W. BOTSFORD, a pronu- inent merchant of Nordmont, Sul- li\an County, is the eldest son of John C. and Martha (Pennington) Botsfonl, and was born in Davidson township, Sullivan County, Pa., August 17, 1849. John Botsford, great-grandfather of our subject, was the founder of the Botsford fam- ily in America. He was born in England, came to .\merica, and ser\ed in the French and Indian War. He was twice married and had two sons, John and Levi; the latter was accidentally killed at Utica, N. Y. The for- mer. John, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Oxford County, Conn., and earlv in life was a glassmaker at Utica, SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 257 N. Y. He removed to Schuyler County, Pa., in 1S44. Having saved some money he next ]iurL-hased sixty acres of forest land in Da\id- son township, Sullivan County, Pa., now owned by William M. Stephens. He engaged in clearing and cultivating the land, building a dwelling house and other buildings and es- tablishing a home for himself and family. He died at the age of eighty-four; his wife. Louise McEwen, lived to the good old age of ninety- two. They were blessed with five children: Louisa, Nancy, Emeline, Sarah, and John C, the father of our subject. John C. Botsford, father of Wilton W. Botsford, was born in Oneida County, N. Y. Early in life he bought a tract of land in La- porte township, cleared it, and there he has lived ever since, enjoying the reputation and success of a practical farmer. There he and his wife are spending their declining years in peace and in the same surroundings which characterized their years of toil. Their ages are, respectively, seventy-four and seventy-six years. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Botsford, viz.: Milton W., our subject; Jesse, who is married and resides in Nebraska; Mary, who married William Stanley and re- sides at the Botsford homestead; Arthur, wdio married Ella Mosteller, and, together with Judson, who married Minnie Kimer, reside in Athens, Pa.; and Zenus. At the district school Milton W. Botsford obtained a good practical education, which he found of value to him in after years. After he left school he found employment in the lumber business for seven years, when he went into business for himself by starting a small store at L^nityville, Lycoming County, Pa. He continued at this business for eight years, then sold out and removed to Nordmont and pur- chased the C. \V. Reeder store and engaged again in the mercantile business. Li this en- terprise he was prospering when he received an unwelcome visit from fire September 11, 1897. His store, also his house and barn, near by, were destroyed by the fire; but, out of the ruins rose a new^ building, typical country store, with genial Mr. Botsford again behind the counter. Mr. Botsford was united in marriage with Annie Hirleman, daughter of Henry Hirle- man of Waller, Columbia County, Pa. Their children : Rush, Ernest, Charles, who died at the early age of four years, Harry and Frank. The positions of honor and trust held by Mr. Botsford are the best evidences of the high esteem in which he is held by his frientis and neighbors. He has been elected at different times overseer of the poor, inspector of elec- tions, auditor and justice of the peace, and is at present postmaster, which j)osition he has held at Nordmont and L^nity\'ille for a period of twenty years. Our subject's wife is a faith- ful and willing worker in the United Evangel- ical Church. AY H. DAVENPORT, although a young man, is possessed of wonder- ful business ability and holds the responsible position of superintendent for the Berwick Store Company, Ltd., one of the largest department stores in the state of Pennsylvania. The store is located in a handsome three- story brick building which is heated by steam and lighted throughout by electric lights. The south side of the store is devoted to a large stock of groceries, crockery, hardware, confectionery, etc., wdiile the north room on the first floor is stocked with a complete line of men's furnishings in the front, and in the rear is a meat and produce market. The 258 ROOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. second floor is equi]1j)ecl with everything in the line of ready-nuuk' clothing', hats and caps, boots and shoes, and l)icycles. The tiiird floor is heavily stocked with a comprehensive line of household furnishings, having a great variet}- of the best furniture, carpets, curtains, (Irai)cries, etc. In the near \icinit\-, the com- pany has a large coal yard, also a store where are sold feed, flour and grain. In fact, every- thing that could be desired by the i)ublic is kci)t in this estabHshment, and thirty-five clerks, fl\e delivery-men, and eight book- keepers are constantly em])lo^•ed to care for the ever increasing business. The store is well arranged and everything is carefull}' systematized: the clerks are polite and cour- teous and it is a pleasure for customers to trade there. Ray H. Davenport, the subject of this re- view, was born February 4, 1874, in Craw- ford County, Pa., and is a son of Levi and Civil (Hills) Davenport. He remoxed to Ber- wick in 1 891 and became entry clerk in the store of Jackson & Woodin, serving in that capacity for five years. At the expiration of that time the firm was merged into the Ber- wick Store Company, Ltd., when our subject, on account of his thorough knowledge of the affairs of the firm, was made superintendent and has since faithfully performed the duties of that position. He is a man of marked abilit)- and has won not only the approval of his emploxers. l.)ut the confidence and respect of those under his supervision. Mr. Da\enport formed a matrimonial al- liance with Idella Bloss, a daughter of John Bloss of Berwick, and they are the happy par- ents of two children, name!)- : Donald H., and John B. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Malta, and Lodge No. 246, I. O. O. F., of Berwick. Politically Mr. Davenport is a Republican. SCAR LEWIS. The gentleman whose name heads this review is a highly es- teemed and respected citizen of Sulli- van County, Pa., and stands foremost among the representative agriculturists of Davidson township. He is an ideal farmer, owning one hunilred and fiftv-three acres of highly im- proved land located near the village of Nord- mont, and has been engaged in the prose- cution of that independent calling, farming, all his life. He was born in Sugarloaf township, Columbia County. Pa., March 3. 1838, and is a son of Da\id and Hannah (Robbins) Lewis, and a grandson of Daniel Lewis. Daniel Lewis was a native of the state of Xew Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade; early in life he became a resident of Sugarloaf township, Columl)ia Count}-, k)cating on Coles Creek: there he follow^ed his chosen occupation in connection with some farming. He was the father of the following children : l)a\i, York County, Pa., where he engaged in farming and milling for several years, and li\ed at the time of his death. He married Mary A. Eckert, a daugh- ter of Jacob Eckert of Northumberland. To them were born three children: Clinton, who died young: Horace William, our subject: and Somers, now deceased, who was engaged in mercantile business. Our subject's father was a Whig in his political preferences, and later a Republican. He served as justice of peace, besides officiating in many other minor offices. Horace William Burg, our subject, was a young lad when his mother, after the death of his father, returned to Northumberland, where she resided the remainder of her life. He attended the public and high schools there, and then attended the New Ber- lin Academy and Dickinson's Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., and also graduated from the W^illiamsport Commercial College in 1873. He read medicine with his uncle, Simon W. Burg, M. D., of New Berlin, and at a later period with Josejih i'riestly, M. D., of North- umberland. 1 le was graduated from Jefferson SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 267 Medical College in 1877, and at once located in Northumberland and opened an office for the practice of his profession. His success in his chosen calling has been most gratifying, and to-day he stands pre-eminent among the best physicians and surgeons of the county. He has a very extensive practice in the sur- rounding country and is called upon to at- tend many cases in Sunbury. In 1875 Dr. Burg married Cora H. Simpson, a daughter of Col. A. C. Simpson, an attorney at Selins- grove, who formerly lived in Northumberland, Pa. These children have blessed our subject's union: Edwin; Stoddard; Mary Blanche, who died at the age of three years; one who died in infancy; and Dorothy. Dr. Burg re- cently enlarged his tine residence and bui'.t a new barn; he has also erected on the same lot a neat and commodious office with all modern improvements. He is a very active Democrat; he served one term as burgess some time ago and is now filling out the second year of the present term; he has also been assessor and has held many other minor offices, and in so doing he has contributed much to the prog- ress and improvement of the borough. Our subject. Dr. Burg, is of a social dispo- sition, and so has considered it both pleasant and profitable to become a member of the fol- lowing societies, in which he has served as an officer: Jr. O. U. A. M.; Knights of Pythias, and Conclave of the same order; and Ivnights of Malta. Professionally he is a member of the Sunbury Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. His wife is an Episco- palian, while he is inclined to be liberal in his religious views. -VVID CAMP, who is interested in sev- eral of the most important enterprises in Mount Carmel and formerly was a very prosperous merchant, is known as one of M the most enterprising and public-spirited resi- dents of Mount Carmel, this county. Mr. Camp is a son of Benjamin and Magdalena (Hink'e) Cam]) and was born November 22, 1834, in Elysliurg, Nortluunberland County. Pa. His paternal grandfather, Henry Camp, and ma- ternal grandfather, Abram Hinkle, were pio- neers who were farmers near Elysburg. Both died near Bear Gap and were buried in the Reed Church cemetery. Henry Camp and his wife reared a family of seven children: Benjamin, the father of our subject; Samuel; David; Laml)ert: Mary, who became Mrs. John Long; Sarah, who married Daniel Hill; and a daughter who was the wife of Daniel Bloom, all of whom are dead. The father of our subject, Benjamin Camp, was born in Northumberland County. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, also a farm- er, combining both occupations very success- fully. In 1837 he removed from his farm near Elysburg to the lower part of Columbia Coun- ty, this state, where he died in 1870 at the age of seventy-two years. In politics the father was an ardent Republican, having formerly been a Whig. Init he never sought office. He was an active and influential member of the Lutheran Church. To him and his beloved wife was born a family of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy, and the others were reared as follows: Abram; William, who was killed in a coal-breaker August 8, 1854, at Green Ridge, Pa.; Lavinia, widow of David Everett; Samuel, a farmer residing at New Media, Columbia County, Pa.; Benjamin, who is in the employ of the Dupont Powder Com- pany, at Ashland, Pa.; Daniel, who resides in r^Iount Carmel; David, the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Jacob Gulp of \\'est Shamokin; Hannah, wife of Joseph Boyer of Mount Carmel; Sarah, who is Mrs. Joel Cox and resides near Millville, Columbia Countv, Pa. 268 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Our sul)ject, David Cami), was reared in Coluniljia County and lie received a meagre education. lie attended a "subscription school" and up to the age of twenty-one years cducate him and remained in that capacity for ten or twelve years and then moved to E.xcelsior and accepted a similar charge. He was an industrious and energetic man and for the long period of nineteen years and eight nicmths he discharged his duties in a manner ahove criticism, acquiring the good will and approval of his employers and the respect of his suhordinates. In Octoher. 1895, he returned to Mount Carmel, where he has since lived in retirement, in the midst of his family and a host of stanch friends. Mr. Raup was united in marriage with Sarah J. Treaher, and the follow ing children were born to them: Roland and Juhvard, de- ceased; Aaron, who resides in Sunhury, Pa.; Efifie, deceased, who was the wife of (jeorge Hough; Charles, who is employed at the col- liery at Excelsior; Lottie May; Minnie; Mary, the wife of Chester Williard; Harry, who lives at Atlantic City, N. J.; and Ray, deceased. Religiously oiu" subject is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a deacon. In politics our subject is a Republican. He has ser\-ed three years as a member of the board of school directors and also three years in the borough council of Mount Carmel. ^yOHN CARL, who by reason of his years of experience in connection with the mining interests, is widely known throughout the vicinity of Mount Carmel, Xorthumberland County, Pa., is superintend- ent of the collieries of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. He is a son of ITenry and Catharine (Kline) Carl, and was born in Prussia, October 2, 1835. Ilenry Carl, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, in which coimtry he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer, also that of a weaver for some time. In 1853 he imiui- gr;ited to America and located at St. Clair, Schuylkill Coiuit)', Pa., where he took up the trade of a weaver. He contimied at that until 1881, when he remoxed to Shenandoah and there spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1893, at the advanced age of eighty- fi\e years. He was joined in Hymen's bonds w ith Catharine Kline, to whom were born the following offspring: Philopena, the wife of Peter Bauer; John, the subject of this per- sonal history; Frederick: .\nna, the wife of .\(Iam lionnersborough: Conrad; Peter; and Ilenry. Jn religious attachments Mr. Carl and his family were iueml)ers of the Lutheran Church. John Carl, our subject, was reared in his nati\e country and there oljtained his intel- lectual training in the public schools, after w-hich, at the age of eighteen years, he came to this coiuitry with his parents. He began work in the mines and continued at that until the outbreak of the Civil War when he took up arms for the cause of the Cnion. On April 27, 1 861, he enlisted in Company A, 9th Reg.. Pa. \'ol. Inf., but in the following August, he re-enlisted in the 7th Pennsyl- \;ini;i Ca\alry. He remained in the service until the termination of the terrible struggle. He served with credit to himself and his regi- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 289 ment, was cool and collected at critical mo- ments, and was ever eager to discharge his full duty. After the close of the war he re- turned to Schuxlkill County and was em- ployed in the capacity of a miner from 1865 to 1867, when he became a superintendent in the colliery. He was three years later sent to Berks County hy the company by which he was employed to look after ore mines in that section, but he remained !)ut seven months. Returning to Schuylkill County he again became colliery superintendent and served as such for seven years, when he was appointetl to his present position with super- vision oxer seven collieries. He moved to Mount Carmel. Northumberland County, in March, 1879, where he has since been one of the most active and enterprising citizens. He is a man of high character, thoroughly con- versant with the ways of the world, and is highly respected by his fellow-men. Politically he is a Republican and is a member of the local school board. On September 26, 1865, Mr. Carl was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was a daughter of Leonard and Lena (Best) Kline. Leonard Kline, a native of Germany came to America with his family and located at St. Clair, Schuylkill County. Pa., where he was an ore-worker in the mines. His union with Lena Best resulted in the birth of the follow- ing children: Mary, who died in Germany; Peter, who died in St. Clair; Christina, the wife of John SchafYer of Delaware, Schuylkill County; Helen, the wife of Frank Erb of Mahanoy City; Mary, the wife of Michael Hilbert, deceased, who resides in Mount Car- mel ; Lena, the widow of Joseph Tabold ; John of Mount Carmel; Nicholas, a resident of Mahanoy City; and Elizabeth. Our subject and his worthv wife are the parents of eight children, as follows : John, who married Polinda Kramer, and is a super- intendent of collieries at Mount Carmel ; Peter, who married Carrie Philip, is also en- gaged in the same line of business; Mary, the wife of Charles Miller, who is engaged in the hotel business at Fountain Springs; Josejih; Lizzie; Millie; George; and Alice. Socially our subject is a member of the Ma- sonic Order, the Odd Fellows, and the (Irand Army of the Republic. Religiously he is con- nected with the Lutheran Church. (MIX P. WILLIAMS, a very success- ful, energetic and enterprising busi- ness man of Mount Carmel, North- umberland County, is a son of Abram and Anna (Whitehead) Williams. He was born near Centralia, Columbia County, Pa., De- cember 7, 1859. When twelve years of age, following in the footsteps of his father, the subject of this re- view, John P. Williams, began to earn his living by working about the mines at Girard- ville. He worked his way up until he was made loader-boss at the Shenandoah City Col- liery which position he faithfully fufilled for some time. He then removed to Strong, the mining suburb of Mount Carmel. where on September 7, 1892, he took the position of assistant inside-boss at the Pennsylvania Col- liery. Mr. Williams is also engaged in the ice business in Mount Carmel, being a mem- ber of the firm of Cross & Company, extensive dealers in ice, his son-in-law, Mark Cross, being the active manager of the business. Li politics Mr. Williams is an active Repub- lican. He was api)ointe(l postmaster at Strong a year after removing to Mount Car- mel and engaging in the mines at Strong. 290 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Fraternally our subject is a member of Shen- , andoab Lodtje. Xo, lu. I'. ( ). S. of A., of Shenandoah. Mr. Williams won as his wife Mrs. Mary U'illiams. widow of Hector Williams, ami their family consists of four very brii^ht rmd j interesting children : Ruth, who married Mark i Cross of Sunbury on June 17. I(S96, and they have one child. Stuart; .\brani; Letitia, and Jolm. In mining and in general business our subject has exhibited excellent ability and he has |)U>hrd r;i|)iilly to the front. He is re- garded as one of tlie most energetic and pro- gressive of the younger business men of Mount Carmel and his friends unite in i)re- dicting for him a vvrv bright and prosperous business career. .\bram Williams, father f)f our subject, was a native of Wales wliere he was born in 1825. He left his native home and came to the United States when fourteen years of age. He first settled at Minersville. Schuylkill County, where he followed mining. Subsecjuently he went to the bituminous coal fields but later he returned to the antliracite fields and be- came a boss for the Rijjplcr Colliery between .\shland and Centralia and he was a boss or superintendent in mines during the remainder of his acti\'e lifetime, excepting a brief period when he was engaged-in the grocery business at Shenandoah. He was an earnest member of tlie Methodist Church in which he was very active. He died at the age of sixty-eight years, lea\ing these children : Jennie, born in 1850, who tirst married Thomas Gibson of Danville, Pa., and had one child. .\nna. and whose second marriage was with William Wiest of I'hiladelphia; William, born in 1854; Aljrabam, born in 1857; Lizzie; John P., the subject of this review; and .\dam. William is an assistant inside-boss at the Strong Col- lierv and m.nrried Hattie Worthlv who has borne him a son. Lear. .Mjraham. who mar- ried Mary Harris, is a fire-boss at the Shen- andoah City Colliery and has three children : Annette, Lizzie and .\braham. Lizzie is the wife of .\sbury Wilde, of \\'est Pittston. Pa., a screen manufacturer, and they have five child- ren : Harry. Kenneth. Harriet. Eugene and Leon. Adam was born January 26, 1868. worked about the mines in various capacities and in 1894 removed to the Pennsylvania Col- liery where lie has since been a stable-boss. He is a Republican and a member of the Jr. (). C. .\. M. He manied Cora Moll on. January 28, 1893, and to them have been born four children, as follows: Anna; Harold, who died in infancy: Cora: and Addison. ENRY BEDFORD, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Elkland township, Sullivan County, Pa., was born in Yorkshire, England, September 22. 1822, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Seeker) Bedford. Mr. Bedford has already passed beyond his three-score years and ten, the length of life allotted man; and, although he has had two strokes of paralysis, he and his friends still hope he may li\'e at least to Fee the dawn of a new century and. if it be God's will, much longer. Our subject's father came to America in 1822 and landed in New York City. Soon after he found emploxincnt in a starch factory at Bull's Head, New Jersey. He worked there for several years and then sent for his wife ;uid children, who had remained in England. Aliiiiu litis time he moved to Sullivan County, w here he ])urchased a tract of land, now occu- pied by Thomas King. He built a suitable house and barns and busied himself clearing the land ;uid culli\ating the soil. Li those SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 291 primitive clays tlic women were very strong, able-bodied and accustomed to working out- of-doors. It was so with our subject's mother. She was as handy with the axe as her husband and assisted him in clearing and tilling the land, besides rearing a famih' of children; thus she accompanied him in a befitting manner through all trials and tribulations to prosper- ity. They had both attained the age of about seventy when the final smnmons came for them to lay down their earthly burdens and enter into rest. Their children were all born before coming to America. They were : John, Ann, Richard, James, Harriet, Jonas and Henrv. Our subject's father was a strong be- liever in the principles taught in the old En- glish Church. He was a sturdy, hard-working man, and was well liked by all who knew him. Henry Bedford, our subject, lived the or- dinary life of a boy on a farm in those pioneer days, and when grown to manhood, pttrchased loo acres of the Thomas B. Merritt tract and laid the foundation of a fine farm. Later he added another loo acres to it, this last pur- chase being ofif the Bishop White tract. All this was heavy timberland and in those days there was very little market for wood. Our subject had before him the gigantic task of clearing this land before he could cultivate the rich soil. This he accomplished, little by lit- tle, as by perseverance and patient ettort he expects to accomplish all he sets out to do. He built a log house, like other i)ioneers of his day, and in time had the lower lOO acres cleared into fine fields, surrounded by wind- breaks. These fields he cultivated and they soon yielded him handsome returns; thus, by inheritance and by his own exertions, he became the owner of a fine fanu of large di- mensions, the greater part of which he cleared in the subsequent years of his occupancv. With the exception of the few years in which he dealt in horse-rakes he has followed gen- eral farming. He has Ijecn a hard wt)rker and of sterling worth to all. On September lo, 1846, our subject was united in marriage to Martha Ann \'augh, who was born in 1825 and died in 1856. leaving four sons as a legacy to her husband. Three of these sons are now Methodist ministers. Pier children were: Rev. Sylvester, who married Elizabeth Rath- l)one and now has a family of foiu' children, Harry C, Dean, Anna, and Edna, located at Houghton, N. Y.; Rev. John X., who is a teacher in theology at Houghton. N.V.. where he lives with his wife, who was a Xellie Rud- duck, and has a bright little child named .\lpha; I-Jcv. Oliver, whose wife's naiue was Bertha Wing, — their home is blessed with two little ones, Clayton and Dena; and Sunuier. who now' has charge of the homestead farm, — he married Carrie Fields, and has the follow- ing children, Bruce, Lynn, Grace. Nellie and George, who died at the age of four. After the death of his first wife our subject contracted a second marriage, being united^ to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Brobst) Hun- singer, in 1859. She was born June 2, 1831, "and has been a cheerful help-mate and com- panion for more than forty years, and is still a solace to Mr. Bedford in his old age. This second union was Ijlessed with three children, namely: Cordelia, who died aged four years; Ulysses, wdio married Sarah Brackman, and was the father of twins, Edna and Edgar, now- deceased; Clara, wife of Frank Black, who now reside in Delaware and have four child- ren. Floyd, Mabel. Delia, and Lulu Edna. Mr. Bedford was for many years a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party, but, believing that intemperance does more to ruin oiu" nation than anything else, he became an ardent Prohibitionist. He never 292 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. sought office but was persiiailcd 1>y his friends to serve as supervisor for a sliort time. Mr. I'edford was so firm in liis belief in tlie doc- trines of tile W'esleyan Methodist Cliurch tliat his tliree oldest sons became \\'esleyan Methodist ministers as before-mentioned. This church i^rew out of a sc|)aration from the Methodist Church, the result of its con- nection with slavery. W'esleyan Methodists o])posc all kinds of oppression, believing God to be the governor of nations and that the supreme authority of Tfis revealed will should be acknowledged 1)\ tlie constitutions of states and nations. i\CA)/ 1 M-I.\A1 U. PAULES, M. D. The subject of this narrative is one of the foremost physicians of the Seven- teenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania anil is a valued citizen of Danville, in which town he owns and conducts a large drug store. Jle was born in Marietta, Pancaster County, Pa.. November 24, 1863, and is a son of i)a\id and Elizabeth (Rumbaugh) Pau'es David Paules is of German descent and was born in Lancaster County, Pa. His father was one of the leading agriculturists of his connnunity and, having been reared upon the f.-iriu, it was but natural that David should follow that occupation. .Attaining his major- ity he purchased a farm near the village of Marietta ancl bv his good luanagement and industrious efforts he has accuiuulated a small fortune and has one of the best farms in T-ancaster County. In the spring of 1898 Mr. Panics retired to the town of Marietta to en- joy the emoluments of his past progressive .and honored life. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Elizalieth Pmnb.augh ;ind a fam- ilv of eight children was born to theiu, all of whom received a liberal education and arc poi)ular and well-to-do citizens in the com- munities in which they reside. Dr. Paules was reared njion his father's farm, attended the district school imtil he was twelve years of age and then entered the higii school and was graduated four years later. He then continued his studies at the Millers- ville State Normal School, from which he graduated with the class of 1883. He then engaged as a teacher, but not being satisfied with a position that afforded work only a few- months in the year, he decided upon a medical career, and accordingly took up his studies with 1 )r. Norris, a prominent physician of .Marietta. In 1886 he located in Danville and clerked in the drug store owned by Dr. S. Y. Thompson. He next entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and was grad- uated witli the class of 1890. He soon after entered upon the practice of his profession at Danville, and lias since followed it continu- ously with markcil success. He also owns a neat and well-kept drug store, which has proven a profitable venture. He purchased the Clrier property on the corner of Bloom and Ferry streets and has enlarged and re- built the same into a handsome residence. Our subject wedded Florence Peifer, a daughter of George \V. Peifer, and the follow- ing children have blessed their happy home, naiuely : Parvin Elwood, born Jul}' 24, 1892; and Mary Elizabeth, born June 15, 1897. Dr. Paules is a member of Dan\ille Lodge Xo. 780. L O. O. F.. and Lotus Conclave, L ( ). H. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Clun-cli of Danville. Dr. Paules has labored diligently and industriously to perfect himself in his ])rofession and has been remarkably suc- cessful. He is a popular man, has built up an extensive jiractice, and has won a place among the foreiuost of his profession. SAMUEL McKAMEY. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 295 AMUEL McKAMEY, who for many years lias efficiently serNcd as fore- man of the Pennsylvania Canal yards at Espy, Columbia County, is a progres- sive and enterprising citizen and is held in high esteem. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Caldwell) McKamey, and was born in Espy, Scott township, Columbia County, October ]6, 1830. The McKamey family is of Scotch-Irish or- igin, and Samuel McKamey, the father of our subject, was born in the North of Ireland. He emigrated from that country with his wife and one daughter. They first located in New York City, but soon after removed to Ply- mouth, Pa., where he lived for a few years. He then came to Espy, Scott township, where he lived until his death, aged si.xty-two years. His trade was that of a weaver, which he fol- lowed throughout his life with fair results. During the War of 181 2 he served as one of the emergency men. He was united in matri- monial bonds to Elizabeth Caldwell, by whom he reared a family of nine children, all of whom have passed away but our subject, as follows : Mary, who married George Shuman, of Maine township, Columbia County; Catherine, who was the wife of Samuel Boone, of Catawissa Valley; Dr. Alexander, who served as lieu- tenant in the company commanded by his uncle, Capt. James Caldwell, during the Civil War, — his imcle ha\ing been killed in an en- gagement, Alexander was made captain and served in that capacity until the close of the war, — prior to the war he had practiced medi- cine and, after its close, he went to Williams- burg, Blair County, where he practiced until his death; Isaac, who w-as a boatbuilder and justice of the peace at Espy; John, who was a chairmaker and painter at Espy; the others died in infanc\-. In religious attachments Mr. ]\K-Kamc)' was an adherent to the faith of the Episcopal Church. Samuel McKamey, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of his nati\x' town and early in life learned tlie trades of a carpenter and stairbuilder, which occupations he followed until 1873, when the Pennsylvania Canal Company built a boat- yard at Espy. He became one of the em- ployees of that company, for whose interests lie worked faithfully and conscientiously, and in 1883 he was promoted to the position of foreman and general manager of the yard. He has since conducted that business in a very satisfactory manner, although the business transacted now is but a shadow of that done in former times, owing to the advent of railroads in this vicinity, which have usurped a large share of the traffic. About twenty-five men are constantly under the supervision of Mr. McKamey. By his excellent methods of hand- ling his men he not only derives the best pos- sible results from their labor, but also retains their goodwill and respect. When Lee's in- vasion into Pennsylvania caused such a stir among the residents of this .state, he, with a number of other patriotic citizens, volun- teered his services and marched with them as far as Hagerstown, Md. Mr. McKamey has twice been united in the holy Ixinds of wedlock, his first union be- ing with Martha Hicks February 12, 1856, by whom he had ten children, namely: Ella, Elizabeth and Anna all died of scarlet fever within four days; Lottie, who died at the age of two years; Susie, who died at five; Sallie, deceased, who was the wife of Seymour Phoe; Jennie, who was the wife of J. M. Lehman, of Espy; and Anna and Blanche, who are at home. Mrs. McKamey was called to her eter- nal resting i)lace in March, 1875, aged forty- five years. In May, 1876, our subject married 296 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Mrs. Symaiillia Monlaii, of Espy. Religious- Iv, Ini-slKind and wife arc memljcrs of the M. E. Churcli, of wliicli our subject is a trustee. Politically, Mr. McKamey is a Republican and lias served as school director for three years. We are jileased to announce that a portrait of tlie subject of the foregoing biograi)hy ap- pears on a preceiling page. M Win FRED REICHERT, wholesale ,„ . agent, is one of the representative (jerman-.\merican citizens who are so prominent and active in the ranks of the responsible business men of America. In- deed, it is sometimes said that to be a Ger- man-. \iuerican means to be a better citizen than the native-born American and in that re- s])ecl Mr, Reichert is one of whom any nation might be proud. Honorable and upright in every way, he takes a deep interest in the wel- fare of his county and is ever ready to forward its interests, either b\- ])ersonal service, or Hnancially. as seems most desiraljle. Air. Reichert was born in Trevorton, Pa., .\pril 21, 1862. lie is a son of John Charles and Caroline ( ^'uengling) Reichert, and grandson of (iottleib Reichert of Rohordorf, Germany, who spent his entire life in that country. Not so with the fatliei- of our subject who was born in Rohordorf in 1819 and immi- grated to this country when a lad, starting out in life with less than one dollar, thus giving an e.\ami)!e of the courage and get-ahead spirit which has so fully descended to his son, the subject of our sketch. Before leaving his na- tive country Mr. Reichert had learned the brewer's trade; but not immediately succeed- ing in getting work in that line he at once began to earn his living bv hewing timber in and about the mines of .Sclunlkill County, Pa., and spent two years in the mines at West \\'ood as a laborer, .\fter a short time spent at that occupation, working at Swatara, near Tama(|ua, Pa., he accepted the position of brewer with the \'uengling Brewing Com- pany of Pottsville, Pa., where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Northumberland County where he, in company with (iottleib I'ritz. founded a brewery, now known as the Eagle Run Brew- ery and operated by Furmann & Schmidt. After three years of partnership, Messrs. Reichert and Fritz decided to separate their interests and that was done, the former selling out to the latter. Mr. Reichert then removed to Trevorton, Pa., where he accepted the po- sition of wholesale agent for the Yuengling Brewing Company in Shamokin and Trevor- ton, this being in the year 1857; and at the same time was united in the bonds of holy matrimony to his present widow; he retained this position until his death on Sei)tember 29, 1883. His wife, who is a daughter of Jacob Yuengling of Aldingen, Germany, and to whom he was married in 1857, is still living. Mr. Reichert was one of the founders of the I^utheran Church in Trevorton, Pa., and a regular attendant thereof. To his marriage four children were born; Mary, who is mar- ried to Clement Martz of W'illiamsport, Pa.; Caroline, who li\es at home; l)a\id I'^red, our subject; and Clara, the wife ui Walter Grant of Philadeljjhia, Pa. David Fred Reichert was educated in the public schools of his native town, Trevorton, and remained at home with his father until 1880, wdien he began to work in the mines; how^ever, he only remained there for fifteen months, when he was so seriously injured that he was compelled to lay of¥ for six months; at the end of that jieriod he again entered the employ of his father and retained the position SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 297 until his father's deatli. That event caused the transfer of the business to his mother for one vear, during which time he remained as man- ager. At the expiration of that period the business was put entirely into ^Ir. Reichert's hands, his mother retaining a nominal interest in it. As a wholesaler of beer and liquor, Mr. Reichert has a large trade and in connec- tion with that he carries on a bottling busi- ness, putting up sodas, porters and beers. He is also interested in real estate in the vicinity of Trevorton. Politically 'Sir. Reichert is a Democrat and has tilled several oftices, show- ing the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen, having been township audi- tor for two terms, tax collector for one term, township treasurer for one term, and at the present writing he holds the position of town- ship school director. Following in his fath- er's footsteps, Mr. Reichert is a devout Lu- theran, and was largely instrumental in ob- taining the funds for the erection of the fine church of the Lutheran congregation which now adorns the town of Trevorton, and upon which was expended nearly $6,000, a large sum to be raised in a small town. Mr. Reichert was married to Jane Dunkel- berger, daughter of Simon S. Dunkelberger of Trevorton, Pa., Ji-ine 7, 1887, and their union has been blessed with the birth of five child- ren : Esther Mabel, born October 20. 1888; Bertha Clara and Frederick William (twins), born March 26, 1889: Charles S., born ]\Iay 19, 1890: and Roy R.. born September 10, 1896. As a good citizen, husband and father, Mr. Reichert stands among the first of Tre- vorton's influential men. OHN H. BECK, a prominent farmer of Rockefeller township, Northumber- land County, was born in Fraley township. Schuylkill County, Pa., August 30, 1850. He is a son of John Jacob and Eliza- beth (Shadel) Beck, of Lykcns X'alley, Dau- phin County, Pa. John H. Beck, our subject's paternal grand- father, was born in Northampton County, Pa., and settled in Lykens Valley, Pa., where he made a life-work of farming. He married Su- san Greenswicht of Northampton County and the following children blessed their union : Daniel; John and David, twins; Jonathan; George; John Jacob, our subject's father; Polly; Harriet; Susanna; and Christianna. David Shadel, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Northunil)erland County. He married Polly Hofifey of Lykens Valley and to them were liorn six children: Elizabeth, our subject's mother; Henry; Car- oline; Sarah; Catherine; and Eve. He was engaged in the lucrative business of hat man- ufacturing and lived most of his life in Ly- kens \'alley. John Jacob Beck, our subject's father, was born June 24, 1820, and died May 15, 1883. He lived in Audenried, Pa., for several years and was a coal miner; he resided near Hazle- ton. Pa., three years. He was married in the spring of 1848 to Elizabeth Shadel, who was born in Schuylkill County, .\ugust 24, 1822, and after his marriage he moved to Rockefel- ler (then Lower Augusta) township, North- umberland County, and bought a farm of eighty acres of David Shipe, and there he lived until his death. He carried on general farming and later invested in more land and added to his farm. He was a Republican in politics, but preferred to advance his friends in office rather than himself. He was an ac- tive niemlier of the Lutheran Church. Three children were born to our subject's parents, namely: John H.; David, who died at the age of seven years; and Louisa, who married W. B. Eister, Esq., a merchant and post- 298 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. master oi Se\cii Points, ]';i. Jolm 11. and Loui.sa were ei, 1872; David Albert, born May 6, 1871, married Alberta Dunkelberger, and is a dairyman at Irish \'alley, Shamokin township, Nortluunberland County; Mary Alice, born August 26, 1872, married Harvey E. Miller, a butcher, at Sunbury, Pa.; Daniel J., a farmer of Rockefeller township, born December 13, 1873, married Emma J. Maurer, and has two children, Laura V., and Lloyd E.; George \V., born June 18, 1875, and works on a pipe line at Buffalo Valley, Pa.; Harry Luther, born July 18, 1877, mar- ried Susanna Dunkelberger, and lives in .Shamokin township; John Norman, born June 26, 1881 : Susan Elizabeth, born October 12, 1883, and married Theodore P. Bennett of Columbia County; Eranklin W., born Jan- uary 20, 1886; .\bbie M., born Sejjtendjer 30, 1888; Kate ]•'., born May 30, 1890; Esther X., born September 13, 1892; and Orville E., born July 23, 1895. The seven younger children live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Reck are members of the Lutheran Church, lie has held many townshi|j oflices; is a stanch Republican; is a member of Lodge No. 414, E. & A. M., at Elysburg, Pa., of which he is past master; a member of Camp No. 139, P. O. S. of A., of Seven Points. Our subject is a good musician and has contributed to his own and others' enjo\nient by i)laying the B-tlat cornet for seven years in the Seven Points Band and tenor horn for five years in the same band. His hard work and sterling business ipialities have brought the success which he deserves, the impro\e- ment of his property, and the respect and fa\or of the community in which he lives. ILLIAM A. HARTZELL, the popular proprietor of the City Hotel and the l-'ashion Livery, is one of the leading and enterprising business men of the town of Bloomsburg. He is a son of Wil- liam and Martha (Clark) Hartzell, ami was born in Danville, Montour County, January 8, 185 1. His gradfather is Solomon Hartzell, a prosperous farmer of Northumberland Count}-. William Hartzell. the father of our suliject, was born in Norllnnnberland County, Pa., and his first work in his own interest was as a rail-straightener in the shops at Danville. He also ownetl a farm and was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was a stockholder in the Danville Nail Manufacturing Company and spent the latter years of his life in retirement. He afifiliated in marriage with Martha Clark, a daughter of Rew Clark, of Northumberland LLOVU T. ROHRBACH. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 301 Count}', and they reared the following chil- dren : Mary; Alice; Amanda; Minnie; Isa- bella, deceased; WilHam A., the subject of this sketch; (leorge W., deceased; and Edward C, of Sunbury. ]Mr. Hartzell died at the age of sixty-four years. William A. Hartzell was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools in the vicinity. He spent the early portion of his life in farming on the old homestead and in 1876 he moved to Blooms- burg and established a teaming and trucking business and also opened a boarding and feed stable at the Exchange Hotel barns. He con- ducted his affairs in a successful manner and remained in these businesses until he pur- chased the Stearns Hotel, which is now known as the City Hotel. He has made many improvements in the hotel, which has seven- teen well-furnished rooms. The landlord, by the genial and courteous manner which he manifests toward every one, has won a large share of the patronage of the public and is respected and esteemed as a man of real worth to the community. The hotel is at No. 121 West Main street and is a handsome three- story brick structure. In connection with the hotel Mr. Hartzell conducts one of the finest livery barns in the town, known as the Fashion Livery. He is a good judge of horse flesh and has aliout fourteen of the best roadsters to be found in the vicinity of Bloomsburg. He also owns several valualile trotting horses, which he keeps merely for his own pleasure. His vehicles are in keeping with the horses, being- very stylish turnouts of every kind. Mr. Hartzell and his family reside at the hotel, but he owns a large double tenement house in Bloomsburg, which he rents. Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance with Hannah Brewer, a daughter of Henry Brewer, of Danville, and they have been blessed by eight children : Edward, Flora, Harley, and Eugene, deceased; George W., who is clerk in the hotel; Charles, who has charge of the livery; Martha G.; and Mag- gie E. Politically, Mr. Hartzell stanchly supi)orts the principles of the Democratic party. LOYD T. ROHRBACH, ex-prothono- tary and clerk of Northumberland County Courts, treasurer of the Sunbury Nail, Bar & Guide Iron Manufactur- ing Company, treasurer of the Sunbury Water Company, dealer in ice and coal, and manu- facturer of brick, is also a lawyer by profes- sion, and an active, all-around business man. He was born in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland County, Pa., January 22, 1839, and is a son of George and Mary C. (Artley) Rohrbach. The family is of German descent 'and was among the earliest pioneers of Eastern Penn- sylvania, where our subject's grandfather was engaged for many years in conducting a char- coal furnace in conjunction with farming. He was a sedate man who attended strictly to af- fairs of his own concern; he was adverse to praise or flattery, had no aspirations for i)ub- lic life, and strictly adhered to his occupation and was a very successful and influential busi- ness man. He married Catherine Fenster- macher and they reared a large family of children, among them George Rohrbach, father of our subject. George Rohrbach was born in Cohunbia County, Pa., in 1808. He became interested in the iron industry and was engaged in the foundry and furnace business all of his active days. In 1838 he located in Upper Augusta township where he resided a few years, then removed to Sunbury, living there more than ;M2 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. half a century and passing from this life in 1894. He was an active member of the Lu- theran Church and was one of the founders of that church in Sunbury; he filled the ofifice of trustee for a long time and also served in other offices of the church. He chose for his life companion, Mary C. Artley. They had a family of nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were: Clinton, who mar- ried Sarah Engle and was engaged in lumber- ing, farming and the foundry business, mak- ing a success of this trio of enterjjrises, — he died in L'pper Augusta township: Jacol). who was also engaged in the foundry business, was afterward appointed postmaster at Sunbury, and is now living a life of retirement; Eliza- liclh. the widow of Thomas G. Cooper of Sun- bury; Catherine, the widow of Harry Bourne, also of Sunbury; Lloyd T., subject of this sketch; Edward, who died at the age of eigh- teen years: William, who engaged in foundry work for many years, later was superintendent of the Sunbury Water Works, and died Feb- ruary 9. 1898. Our subject's mother passed to the life beyond in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Lloyd T. Rohrbach received his primary education in the Sunbury ])ublic schools after which he entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, passing through the freshman class, and subsequently entered the Susque- hanna L'niversity at Selinsgrove, Pa., and was graduated therefrom in 1861. In A])ril of the same year he enlisted in the L'nion Army and was assigned to Company F, nth Reg., Pa, Vol. Inf., and served as clerk of the company. He was in the battle of Falling Waters, Va., and did army ser\ice for about three months, when he returned home and entered upon the study of law, reading in the otifice of the late Horatio Wolverton, and later in the ofifice of Judge William M. Rocke- feller of Sunbury, Pa. In 1865 our subject was admitted to the bar of Northumberland County and innne- diately began the practice of his profession in Sunbur_\- anil continued the same to the ex- clusion of all else until 187J. meeting with much success and bringing himself promi- nently before the people. In 1868 he was ap- pointed L'. S. commissioner and filled that ofifice until 1872 when he resigned to accept the oftice of prothonotary and clerk of the Orjihans" Court. He was re-elected to the same office in 1875. serving in all a ]:)eriod of six years. Air. Rohrbach has always been a Republican, taking a leading part in the coun- cils of his party, in county, state and national politics. At the time of his first election the county was conceded to be Democratic by a majority ranging between 1,200 and 1,500, yet Mr. Rohrbach was elected on the Republican ticket by a majority of 600 votes, and was re- elected by a majority of about 300 votes. In 1896 he was a prominent candidate for the nomination for state treasurer and had a strong following, but withdrew his name be- fore the balloting began. In 1878 he engaged in the manufacture of lime, also dealing in coal and ice, which business he has since con- tinued, excepting the manufacture of lime, which he relinquished a few years ago. He assisted in organizing the Sunbury Water Works Company, which organization was ef- fected in 1883, and has since been its secre- tary and treasurer. On December 20, 1866, our subject was united in the bonds of wedlock with Jennie C. Haas, daughter of John P. Haas of Sunbury, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. They are the parents of three chil- dren, John Haas, deceased; George Edward; and WilHam R. George Edward is a mem- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 303 her of the firm of Rolirl)ach & Son. dealers in coal and ice. He is also engaged exten- sively in dealing in land and hnnber, having an interest in the firm of jVI. H. Kulp & Com- pany. To reach a correct idea of the magni- tude of the land and lumber speculations of this enterprising tirni, M. 11. Kulp & Com- ])any, see personal history of Al. II. Kuli), to be found in another part of this \olume. George E. is also interested in the sand busi- ness. William R. is attending Sus(piehanna University. For many )ears our subject has been elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun1)ury and is a prominent and leading church work- er, contributing liberally to the support of his favorite denomination. He has always been an aggressi\e business man, and his suc- cess is not surprising to those who know his traits of character. He is a gentleman, pleas- ant and genial in his manners, large-hearted and liberal in his views, and thoroughly tem- perate in all his habits; in fact, he is a model citizen, one whose presence would be wel- come in any connuunity. Socially he is a member of Sunbury Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., also of the Chapter. His portrait is shown on a page in pro.ximity in connection with the foregoing sketch. JB R. CHARLES \V. RABB, a young and very popular dentist of Blooms- burg, has a well-established patron- age and his work in dentistry is unexcelled in Columbia County. He was born in Blooms- burg June 13, 1873, 'Ti'l is a son of William and Abigail (Bell) Rabb. His grandfather was Frederick Rabb, a native of Lubeck, Prussia, who came to Amer- ica with his family in 1839 and settled in Lit- tle York, York County, Pa. In 1842 he came to Bloomsburg and ojjened a bakery on Third street, where Schuyler's hardware store now stands, and was later associated in business with his son-in-law, John Rheam, who suc- ceeded to the ownership of the business. He was united in marriage to Caroline Young, and they were the parents of the following children: Augustus; William; Lewis, de- ceased; twins who died in infancy; Hannah, deceased; and Charles F., the only one of whom was born in America. Mrs. Rabb passed into the world of rest in 1870, at the age of seventy years, and was followed by her husband in 1872, aged seventy-three years. William Rabb, father of our subject, was born in Lubeck, Prussia. June 3, 1828, and came to this country in 1S39 with his parents. He served an apprenticeship to the cabinet- maker's trade in Norristown. L^pon attaining man's estate he came to Bloomsburg and started in business where Ringler's drug store is at present, where he continued for thirty years. \\\ 1891 he built the building which is now standing upon that site. At the expira- tion of the period in which he followed cabi- netmaking, he sold out and purchased a farm of 116 acres in Madison township, Colundjia County, where he lived for three years, and then, renting the farm, returned to Blooms- burg. He then conducted a grocery store until 1890, with good results; but in that year he retired and is spending his declining vears in the peaceful (piiet of home life. He is a shrewd business man and a successful mana- ger, and during the active period of his life he accumulated a comfortable competency. He has owned as many as forty stores and houses and at present owns fourteen, all of which are very valuable and well located. He takes great interest in educational matters and for many years served as school director. 304 BOOK OF RIOGRAPHIES. He was also a member of tlie town council for eight years. In 1856 he was united in mar- riage to Abigail Bell, a (laus;hter of .\liraliam Bell, a native of tlie county, ami they are the liappy parents of the following children: Luther Isaiah, a dentist, who married Camilla K. DeSheppard and the\' ha\e si.K children, — Fredericka, ^^'illiam, May, Inez. Robert and Arthur; Martha A., at home with her parents; Clara E., wife of Charles W'elliver. and they have three children, William, Walter and Charlotte; Ida \'.. wife of (ieorge 1'. Ringler, druggist; and Charles \\'.. in whom the inter- est of tliis sketch centers. ^Iv. and Mrs. Rabb are enjoying the best of health and their many friends join in wishing them many more years of continued happiness. Dr. Charles W. Rabb attended the public schools of Bloomsburg and the Bloomsburg State Normal School, after which he took uj) the study of dentistry with his brother and graduated froiu the University of Pennsyl- vania in 1896. He then took a special course in gold-crowning from that well-known in- structor, Frederick Pesso, of 1'hiladelphia, and in that line of work he has no superior ill this section of the state. Immediately after completing his course of study he came to Iil()t>nisburg and opened dental parlors at No. 6 Fast Main street, wliich are handsomely furnished. He was successful from the start and his patronage has ever been on the in- crease. He has great fondness for his profes- sion and he gives the strictest attention to his work. He is a young man just entering tiie prime of life and has a brilliant future before him. AMES VAN DYKE, proprietor of a drug store, located on Third street, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pa., and a leading and progressi\'e citizen of that borough, was born in Northumberand County, Pa., in September, 1853, and is a son of James and Hannah (Bell) Van Dyke, and grandson of Joseph Van Dyke. Joseph Van Dyke, the grandfather of our subject, is of Hollandish extraction, and was a nati\e and life-long resident of Northum- berland County. He was one of the greatest pilots on the Susquehanna River and piloted boats from Northumberland to Fort Deposit to New York City; he ])ursued that line of business many years prior to the building of railroads in this section of the state. In later years he conducted a hotel and was one of the leading men of his community. He was united in marriage to Miss Elsworth, an English lady, and they were the parents of a large fam- ily of children. James Van Dyke, the father of our subject, was also born in Northumberland County, where he resided until 1857. In 1856 he was elected high sheriff of Northumberland County and January i, 1857, moved to Sun- bury. Northumberland County, Pa. In 1865 he returned to Northumberland borough, re- maining there until 1869. when he again moved to Sunbury, where he resided the rest of his active days. He passed from this life in 1880, at the age of hfty-five years. During his younger days he was a pilot on the Susque- hanna Ri\-er, but later he embarked in the hotel business, conducting the Washington Hotel. After he was elected sheriff' he discon- tinued the hotel business to take up the duties of sheriff. In 1860 he built the Central Hotel at Sunbury and conducted it until 1865, when he erected the Van Kirk House in Northum- berland. Later he built the Keystone Hotel at Sunbury and, after conducting it for two years, it was destroyed by fire in 1870. Mr. Van Dyke enlisted in the Civil War in 1862 as (|uartermaster of the 47th Reg., Pa. \"ol. Inf. DAMKL A. WIKST. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 307 He also dealt extensively in horses, selling them to the government during the Rebellion. He was married to Hannah Bell and they reared and educated a family of two sons and two daughters. James Wan Dyke received his mental train- ing in the public schools of his nati\'e town and at New Berlin Academy. Leaving school when young, he was employed in the drug store owned by Dr. Haupt, of Sunbury. with whom he remained six years, giving up his position on account of ill health. He then worked on the railroad for two years, after which he returned to Sunbury, and in Decem- ber, 1877, entered the drug store owned by Dr. Charles AI. [Martin, remaining in his em- ploy fifteen years. In 1893 '^^ engaged in the drug business on his own account and opened a store on Third street, which he has since managed, doing a large business. Politically, Mr. Van Dyke is an unwaver- ing Republican and has served in the liorough council and as clerk. Socially, he is a member of Sunbury Lodge No. 203, L O. O. F. ; Sun- bury Lodge No. 267, B. P. O. E. ; Col. James Cameron Camp No. 160, Sons of \'etcrans of Sunbury: the A. O. JJ. \\'.; also a member of the Royal Blue. In January, 1877, our subject was united in the bonds of matrimonv with Hannah Noth- aker, of Sunbury, and two children bless their home, namely : James P. and Mary L. M \NIEL A. WIEST. whose portrait. executed from a recent photograph. appears on the opposite page, is a pronn'nent citizen of Trevorton, Zerlie town- ship, and is outside foreman of the North Franklin Colliery; he accepted his present situation in 1888 and realizes and fulfils to the fullest extent the responsibilities of his duties. Mr. W'iest has led a varied and remarkable career and is still in the prime of his life. He was born March i, 1849, in Sacramento. Schuylkill County, Pa., and is the only son of Edward F, and Elizabeth (Smeltz) Wiest He was highly educated, passing through the high school of Pottstown, and afterward at- tended Dickinson Seminarw .\t the age of twenty years our subject joined the engineer corps of the Philadel- phia & Reading Railroad and continued at that occupation for o\er a year. He subse- c|uentiy took a trip West and combined busi- ness with pleasure by clerking for nearly a year at Denver, Colo., after which he" drifted back to Pennsylvania and at Mount Carmcl began railroading on the Sunbury Branch of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, re- maining about one year and serving as fire- man and brakeman. He next accepted a po- sition as shipper for the Reading Company at Locust Summit and worked there for sev- en years, discontinuing the same only to accept a similar and more lucrative position at the North Franklin Colliery, where he was also telegraph operator. He retained this position also for seven years, after which he was advanced to his present situation. Per- severing, continuous and energetic efforts are factors of his success. On May i, 1873, our subject was united in marriage with Mary J. Evans, and they have one son and three daughters, namelv: An- nie, Frank, Katie and Beulah. Air. Wiest takes an active interest in educational mat- ters, being a member of the l)oard of school directors of Zerbe township. Fraternally he is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M.; Shamokin Chapter: Shamokin Commandery; and Camp No. 124, Sons of X'eterans, at Trc\'orton. Religionslv he is 308 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. an active member of tlie Methodist Episcopal Cliurdi and is ])resi(lciit of tlie 1)oard of trus- cees of that churcli and also superintendent of the Sunday School, lie has faithfully and lionestly performed the duties of every posi- tion he has held and he has i^ained the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen to the fullest extent. Daniel \\'iest. ^grandfather of oiu" subject, was a native of Berks County, but removed to Klingerstown, Pa., and subsequently to Sacramento, lie was a drover and was also engaged in the mercantile business. At one time he was a large real estate owner, own- ing the greater ])arl of the land now in- cluded in the Brooksiile Colliery at Tower City. Later he operated a colliery at Ranch's dap. Edward V. W'iest, father of our subject, was born in January. i8j8. and was reared and educated in Schuylkill County. He be- gan life as a farmer, but later went into the hotel business at 'rremont. He rendered valuable service to his country in the Civil War. He was among the first to enlist, first .serving in Company C, 25th Regiment, for three months: he then re-enlisted in Com- ])any A, 50th Regiment, as first lieutenant, and served three years four months and ten days. After the war he engaged in the coal operating business as foreman at Mahanoy Valley for a short time, after which he again adopted the calling of an agriculturist, and is now spending" his declining years in retreat at his elegant country home at Gratz, Dau- phin County. When Gen. Kossuth, the Po- lish patriot, made his famous visit to .America in 1S54, ]\Ir. AX'iesl was on the staff of (len. Wyncoop. He holds four commissions from different governors of the state of Pennsyl- vania. He was a member of the old state guard fir militia and took a very prominent jiart in the organization. He was aide-de-camp on Gov. William Bigelow's stafT with rank of lieutenant-colonel. He and his wife were blessed with two children: Daniel .\.. the subject of this sketch, and Katie, wife of Pu- laski Gensel of Ashland, Pennsvlvania. .\MES L. RIEHL. president of the Agricultural Society of Dan\ille, and owner of the Montour Hotel, which he conducted for many years, is one of the popu- lar and esteemed residents of the town of Dan- \ille, and is s])ending his latter days in enjoy- ing the fruits of the labors of his younger years. He was born in Northampton County, Pa., near the town of Easton. in July, 1829, and is a son of John and Susanna (Shinier) Riehl, and a grandson of John Riehl. Sr. John Riehl, the father of our subject, was born at Easton, Northampton County, Pa., and his early days were spent working in a blacksmith shop; later he purchased a fine farm and was one of the leading farmers of his connnunily. By the e.xercise of economy, he succeeded in accumulating enough money to purchase another farm, and now owns two of the best farms in his section of the county. Our subject was reared upon his father's farm, where he assisted him in his labors, but in 1851 he became a hotelman, which proved to be the calling to which he was best adapt- ed, as he built u]) a reputation that will stand as an example to the rising generation. His first hotel was known as the American House, at Easton. Pa., but ;i few years later he mo\'ed to Bethlehem, Pa., where he opened the .American House and conducted that hotel for some time, when he mo\ed to Mauch Chunk, Pa., and opened the Mansion Hotel. In i860 he went to Danxille and boutjht the Mon- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 309 tour House, wliicli was a part of the Mont- gjomery estate, of Magill & Boyd. He en- larged and remodeled his purchase into a three-story building, which has fifty-six finely furnished rooms and a large dining-room, office and salesroom. The hotel is on the cor- ner of Mill and Market streets, one of the best locations in Danville for his business. In 1892 our subject retired from active life and has leased his hotel to his nephews, Augustus L. and Samuel B. Cressman. who have contin- ued the business to the present time. In 1888 Mr. Riehl was made president of the Danville Agricultural Society. This asso- ciation dates hack to February i. 1856, when the first fair was held in Montour County, then Columbia County. For many years Danville held the largest fairs in this section of the state; May 8, 1892, the name of the so- ciety was changed to the Montour County Agricultural Society of Danville. The society owned a tract of land consisting of seventy-six acres, well equipped for a fair ground. In 1896 the buildings on the grounds were destroyed l)y a heavy wind and Mr. Riehl, being a large stockholder, purchased the fair ground. For some time our subject has contemplated put- ting the fair ground into a farm, as the land is well adapted to farming purposes, but as yet the ground is still used for the fair. Mr. Riehl was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Cressman, a daughter of Samuel B. Cressman, of Bucks County. Pa., and our sub- ject was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved companion, who passed from this life in 1887, at the age of fifty-nine years. One child was the result of their union, Lizzie, who died, aged six months. Mr. Riehl purchased of Mrs. Susan W'oodside the property at No. 9 East Front street; he has remodeled and en- larged the same into a handsome residence. He is a member of the Danville Lodge Xo. 224, F. & A. M.; Danville Chapter No. 239, R. A. M., and Cal\'ar_\- Commandery No. },~. K. T. GRACE G. SUPPLEE. who efficient- ly served as manager of the Farmers' Produce Exchange from 1886 until he purchased the establishment in 1898, is one of the leading citizens of Bloomsburg. He was born at White Hall. Pa., October 27, 1859. and is a son of George W. and Sarah (Hamer) Supplee. His grandfather was Samuel Supplee, who was a prosperous farmer of Chester County, and who married Catherine Reinwald, both of whom lived to reach an advanced age. George W. Supplee, the father of our subject, was born near Phoenixville, Chester County, and settled on a farm in Montour County in 1857, and eight years later purchased a farm at Jerseytown, upon which he made man\- im- provements and followed agricultural \)W- suits for many years. Subsequently he sold the estate, which is now owned by A. J. Zeis- loft. and retired to Bloomsburg, where he re- sided until his death, in October. 1896. aged seventy-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Hamer, was born July i, 1826, and is a daughter of Murphy and Mary (White) Hamer, both of whom died at an early age. and were survived by the following children: Martha; Jane; William; James; Sarah, our subject's mother; Hannah: and Robert. As a result of their union I\Ir. and Mrs. Supplee became the parents of the fol- lowing children : .Vntoinette. wife of C. De Mott; Gertrude, whose union with A. Girton resulted in the following issue. — Raymond. Frederick, Otto, Robert and Archie; Horace G., the subject of this personal history; .\nna. 310 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. who married J. Nuss, and has two children, Ruth and Preston; and George, wlio (Hed at the age of seventeen years. Horace G. Supplee, after comi)leting the prescribed course in the ])nblic schools, at- tended Greenwood Seminary and the Blooms- hurg State Normal Schot)l. He then engaged in teaciiing for se\en terms, uv until 1886, when he acce])ted his present position as man- ager of the Farmers' Produce E.xchange, one of the most enterprising concerns in the town. It was established in iSSj, in a large brick building, three stories high, which was erect- ed at a cost of $8,000 and was incorporated with a capital of $10,000. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Supplee purchased the entire i)lant. He carries a complete line of general merchan- dise, grain, fertilizers, ]>laster, salt, groceries, llour. feed. hay. wooden and willowware. boots, shoes and all kinds of country produce; in fact, everything that is needed by a house- keeper, including furniture and caqiets. The .store is well arranged, neat in appearance, and everything about it has an air of prosperity, which bespeaks the excellence of Mr. Sup- plee's management. The Exchange is very de- sirably located, being situated at No. C)Oi Market street. Mr. Supplee was unitetl in matrinionial bonds to Eleanora Bryfogle, a daughter of Daniel and Emma (Gould) Bryfogle, and they are the hai)py parents of two children : Mabel, born in Bloomsburg November 4, 1889; and George W., also born in Bloomsburg Febru- ary 21, 1894. Mr. Supplee served in the town council one term. He is a Republican in his political views. He is a member of the Bap- tist Church, of which he has been a deacon for several years. Socially, he is a member of Washington Lodge No. 265, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 218, R. A. M.; Crusade Com- niandcry No. 12, Knights Templar; and Cald- well Consistory of Bloomsburg, of which he is treasurer. AMERON SHULTZ. M. D., is one of the rising young physicians of the town of Danville, Pa., and a highly esteemed citizen of the community. He is a son of Benjamin F. Shultz, one of the oldest and most highly-respected physicians and surgeons who ever practiced in the borough of Danville. Peter Shultz, grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Plainfield, N. J., for a num- ber of years, but later he became a resident of Derry townshi]), Montour County. Pa., and, l)urchasing a large tract of land, he erected a hotel, which he conducted for several years; he also carried on general farming. During his latter days he gave up his hotel business and devoted his entire attention to agricul- tural pursuits. He was joined in marriage to Sarah Robbins and a family of nine children was born to them. Benjamin F. Shultz, the father of our suIj- ject, was born on the old homestead in Derry townshi]). Montoiu" County, March 19, 1828. He first atteiuled the primary schools of his native town.ship. He taught school in the borough of Danville and, while teaching, studied medicine under Dr. James Straw- bridge, A. M., M. D., of Danville. Subse- (|ucntly he studied under Dr. Pancoast, of I'hil;idelphia, and then entered the Jefferson Medical College of that city, and was gradu- ated from that institution in 1852. He then began ])racticing his chosen profession in Danxillc, I 'a., where his labors were crowned with success and he soon won the confidence and esteem of his community. He continued in his ])rofession with great success, but in 1S77 he was obliged to retire from the medical SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 311 field because of poor Iiealtli. He accordingly purchased a farm of three hundred acres, which is now the property of his daughter, Mrs. Vincent, and there he quietly and happi- ly spent the last six years of his active life. He also ownetl a large block. No. 425 Mill street, and one at No. 510 Bloom street. Politically. Dr. Shultz was an unwavering Republican and always lent his aid towartl the success of his chosen party. In religious views he was in- clined to be liberal. He passed from this life February i, 1896, and left a good name, that will stand as an incentive to the rising genera- tion. In 1857 he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Elizabeth Mower, a daughter of John Mower, and two children blessed the union; Dora Elizabeth, who is the wife of O. R. Drumheller, who is proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, at Shamokin, Pa.; and Clar- rena, who died in infancy. Mrs. Shultz died in 1861 and he formed a second marital union with Mary Heckert, a daughter of John Heckert. She died at the age of forty-eight years, leaving the following children : Cam- eron, our subject; Florence, wife of A. H. Grone; Deborah, who wedded T. G. Vin- cent; Arminda, a student at Irving College, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Maggie and Wil- liam, who died in infancy. Our subject acquired a good education in the public schools of Danville and then read medicine in his father's office for some time. He then entered the JefYerson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, and was graduated with the class of 1892. He immediately returned to his home and opened a general practice, which he continued until 1896, when he went to New York City and took a special course in the diseases of the stomach. He has since built up a large and successful practice and is the only specialist on diseases of the stomach in this part of the state. Dr. Shultz pur- chased the handsome mansion on Market street, which was built by Peter Baldy at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars, and in which he has his offices and parlors. Dr. Shultz's mansion is located on a large lot 273 by 80 feet in dimensions and the house is sur- rounded b\' a beautiful and well-kept lawn, wliicli greatly adds to the beaut)- of his home. Dr. Shultz chose for his life-companion Margaret Frances Thompson, a daughter of Hon. S. Y. Thompson, M. D., of Danville, and one child is the result of this happy union, namely; Amiie Mary, born in Danville, Pa., August 19, 1893. The Doctor is a member and past grand master of Montour Lodge No. 109, I. (). O. F. ; a member of Washington Camp No. t,C^. P. O. S. of A., and of Lotus Conclave No. 127, I. O. H. OHN FLEMING, who for many years was a prosperous farmer near Camp- liell's Mills, Forks township, Sullivan County, Pa., is now living in happy retirement in the town of Forksville, where he is held in the highest esteem. He is a son of John and Ann (Curl) Fleming, and was born in the state of New Jersey, April 29, 1827. John Fleming, the father of our subject, lo- cated in Luzerne County, Pa., and there fol- lowed his trade as mason during the remain- der of his life, dying at the age of fifty-five years. He married Ann Curl, who died at the age of about eighty years, and their child- ren were as follows; Martha; Mary Ann; Rebecca; Julia; Rosella; Daniel, who was killed in war; John, the subject of this sketch; Russell, a resident of California: and two who died in infancy. John Fleming upon reaching the age of twelve years went to live with Joseph Warren 312 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. of Forks townsliip, a faniKr l)y occupation, and after allainini; man's estate. lic ])urcliasecl a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of timl)erland and inunediately set about to clear it. Tliis land is located near Campbell's Mills, Forks township, Sullivan County. There he erected a house and other substantial build- ings necessary for carrying on his business. He transformed the tract from a wilderness to a beautiful farm, and beginning with little or no means he applied himself with great energy and accumulated sufficient wealth to enable him to retire in 1889. Tie disposed of his estate to F.dward I'ahl, and purchased a valuat)!e lot in Forksville at the corner of Water and Main streets upmi which he built a handsome house and a good barn. He has since resided there and has gained a large number of friends who hold him in the high- est esteem. Mr. Fleming formed a marital union with Zili)ha Ann Rogers, who was born .\ugust 2, 1829, and is a daughter of Moses .\. Rogers, a record of whose life ajipears elsewhere in this Bocjk of Biograijhies. This union resulted in the following issue: Isaac R.. born October 25, 1854. a merchant of I'ictiirc Rock, and who married Minerva Matthews, by whom he has three children. Ora, Carl, and Bruce: Annie J., born April 7, 1856, married Charles Nye. and has one son, Claire; Clara B., born October 7, i860, married to O. IT. Gardner of the city of Minneapolis: Melvia .\.. born December 15, 1861, married Barton Moly- neux of Buffalo, N. Y., and tlu-y have three children, Lee. Myrtle, and Chester; Mary S., born January 2, 1863, married (ieorge Snyder of ForksN'ille, and they have two children: Marion, and Lou; Delia J., born February 14. 1868, married Dr. ^^'illiam F. Randall, a resi- dent of Dushore, and they have a son, Ralph; William R.. born .\ugust 18. 186^. resides in Grafton, X. D.; C. Q., born October 14, 1870, who lives in Scranton, Pa.; Bertha, born Sep- tember 21. 1872, lives at home with her par- ents; and Blanche R., who was born March 28, 1875, "I'l*' ''''^'' January 17, 1897. aged twenty-two years. Politically Mr. Fleming is an independent Republican and has held several minor offices of the township, such as assessor and tax col- lector. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. fplAjou i-:maxcel clay IIA.M- ILTON. The subject of this re- view is gratefully remembered as one of the most energetic, progressive and public-spirited citizens of Xorthumlierland County. He is survived by his witlow, who is now a beloved resident of Shamokin, and by four children. Our subject was born in the city of Lancaster. Pa., February 13, 1835, and was.a son of Peter Hamilton and a great- grandson of a former governor of this state who was reared in the Colonial days. Mr. Hamilton traced his ancestry to an English- Scotch origin, the family being one of the earliest to settle in Eastern Pennsylvania. Part of the site of the city of Lancaster is ground which originalh- was deeded to our .'.ubject's ancestors by William Penn. When cjuite young our subject evinced a great fondness for study and he applied himself diligenth- to obtaining an excellent education. |)rincii'>ally through his ow'n effort, and well e(|uipped himself for the active and unif(/rmly successful career he subsequently enjoyed. In 1852 Mr. Hamilton went to Baltimore, Md., where he resided five years; then he returned to this state and located in Lewistown. When the darine Rebel leader. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 313 Gen. Robert E. Lee, sought to invade Penn- sylvania our sul)ject was one of the first to grasp a musket and assist in repulsing the Confederates and driving them out of the state. Early in 1865 Maj. Hamilton was ap- pointed postmaster of T.cwistown by Presi- dent Lincoln, which position he most accept- ably filled for some time. He also was agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Lewistown borough, having entire charge of the com- pany's interests there. While at Selinsgrove Maj. Hamilton did most effective service and won an enviable rei^utation as a shrewd and capable detector of criminals and acted as as- sistant to Detective W. V. Lyon of Reading, Pa. With Detective Lyou our subject solved the mvstery and arrested the ])erpetrators of one of the worst crimes ever committed in this state, the murder of the aged Knistlers, a case which was celebrated. I>ink liy link the chain of evidence was put together by the sleepless and vigilant officers and the crime fastened upon L^"iah and Jonothan Moyer, Emanuel Ettinger and Israel Erb. The Moyer brothers were hanged. Ettinger committed suicide in jail and Erb was sen- tenced to life imprisonment in the peniten- tiary in Philadelphia. In 1877 Maj. Hamilton removed from Lewistown to Adamsburg, Pa., where he con- ducted the Merchants' Hotel for three years, then locating in Selinsgrove, where he a'so engaged in the hotel business for si.x years. He removed to Shamokin in .1887 and became proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, which he ran until 1890, when he retired from the lousi- ness and devoted his attention and his marked aljility to promoting and successfully insti- tuting street railway enterprises. He was the leading spirit in the formation of the Shamo- kin Street Railway Company in 1892 and he was the first president of tlie company, hold- ing the office for two years, when he sold his stock in the corporation and immediatelv be- gan to agitate the formation of the Shruuokin & Mount Carmel Street Railway Comi)any. which was tpiickly organized, the line being- built and put in operation in 1894. He was made president of the company and subse- quently was succeeded in that ofiice by G. M. Snntli, remaining one of the directors until iiis death. Our subject was united in marriage to Cornelia Beam of Lancaster, Pa., on July 26, i860. Their happv union was blessed with five children, as follows: John D., now dead, wdio was station agent at .Vdamsburg when fifteen years of age, and who married Cora Earhart of Snyder County, Pa., who bore him two children, E. C. and Mertie Irene; Samuel A., who has been in the employ of the Pemisylvania Railroad for eighteen years, since he was fifteen years of age, and is now a resident of Roaring Springs. Blair County, Pa.: a daughter, the wife of Charles A. Heintzman of Shamokin. who was one of the first letter-carriers in that city and is now in the postal service: Nellie, who is the wife of Charles La^rk, a leading attorney of Shamo- kin: Bertie, who is with her mother. Maj. Hamilton took great interest in fraternal so- cieties and was a Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner: an Odd Fellow: and an enthu- siastic member of the Benevolent Order of Protective Elks. In politics he was a stanch Republican and was ver_\' active in the coun- cils of his party. LISHA M. ECKMAN of Kline's Grove is postmaster and one of the most prominent and active men in the community. He was born in Upper Augus- ta township, Northumberland County, Pa.. 314 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. May lo, 1847, and is a son of Charles and Elizal)eth J. (Kline) I^cknian. The i)atcmal .qrandfather, Cliarles Eck- nian, was horn in \e\v Jersey and was the first of the family to locate in Upper Augusta townshi]). He married a Miss DeWiu. and they raised a large family of children. The maternal grandfather was John Kline of Rush township, who married i'lleanor Campbell. He was a shoemaker and always practiced his tr.ide in Rush township. His children were as follows: Rol.ert; Elizabeth: Caroline: Elisha; David. Our subject's father, Charles Eckman. was bnrn in l'p])er .Augusta township and lived there all his life, following the trade of black- •smith, and later in life was a farmer. Mr. Eckman was well known in politics, being an active member of the Whig i)artv. and during the war held many township ofifices. He was treasurer of the Bounty Fund and a member of the Alethodist Church, being clas.s-leader in the church for many years. His death, which occm-red in February. 1890. M-as greatly mourned by all, for he was a man of knid deeds and w.-u-ni heart, always willing to lend a helping hand. His wife. Elizabeth J. Kline Eckman. came from Ui)per .Augusta township and now li\es on the old home- -stead. She bore him ti\e children: John Ed- gar, a .soldier in the Rebellion, who died in 1868, and who married Theresa Forrester: I'llisha M.. our subject; Margaret, deceased; Claris.sa Ann, deceased, who married H. C. Savidgc, and l)ore him two children, Grace and ICdgar: James 1^.. who lives with his mother on the old homestead and has been a teacher for a number of years. Elisha M. Eckman, the subject of this bi- ography, was educated in the common schools and lived at Ik. me until he was twen- ty-eight years of age. working at the car- i)enter tra.le for several years. On Januarv -'6, 1875. he married Mary Elizabeth (Reed) Campbell, widow of Harmon K. Campbell of Upper Augusta township, who died in 1871. Ho was a miller and also a farmer at Kline's Cirove, and had one son, Edward R. Camp- bell, who was bom January 18, 1865. Edward R. is a farmer, merchant and assistant-post- master at Kline's Grove. He was married March 30, i88r,, to Afary E. Hanpt of Snn- Inu-y, Ra., and they are blessed with two chil- dren, Melville, born July 22. 1887; and Har- mon E.. born July 10, 1897. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Eckman. our sub- ject's wife, was born January 19, 1840, at Reed's Station, Shamokin township, and is a daughter of Jacob G. and .Maria (HofYman) Reed; the latter was born November 13. 1818: both, however, were born in Shamokin township. Mr. Reed was a farmer and died January 12. 1852; his wife .still resides on the old homestead. They were the parents of sev- eral children, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of our subject: Sarah Jane, who died single; John H., who also died single: .Abraham H.. a farmer in Shamokin township, who married Lucy .\. Bugner; T.ydia .\nn, deceased, who was the wife of Peter Overdorf; Jacob G.. wheelwright and blacksmith at Pottsgrove, Pa., who married Elizabeth Teets, and who has two daughters. Belle and Gertrude. After his marriage our subject took up farming in Rush township, also working at his trade, continuing this until 1883, '^vhen he bought the Kline's Grove Mill property, a Mour and grist-mill. Mr. Eckman now runs a chop and saw-mill. He is a firm upholder of the Re])ublican party and has always voted Its ticket. He lias been postmaster at Kline's Grove for twenty-five years. He is known all o\er the county as an honest, upright cit- izen. Mr. lu-kman is also known for his ^^i^^::^^^ SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 317 warm and generous heart, never refusing help to a person in distress or in misfortune. Religiously ]\Ir. Eckman is an attendant of the Methodist Church. Ygl OLDEN CHESTER, a retired mine r^H operator of Shamokin, whose por- -^ V_^' trait is shown on the oppo- site page, has won an enviable reputa- tion among the best business men and is recognized as the personification of honor and integrity. He was born in the Green Mountain state, near tiie Canadian line, Sep- tember 30, 1833. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah Chester. He went with his parents to Schuylkill County, Pa., when quite young and was reared in that county. As his father died on a trip west when Holden was still a lad, he received no education worthy the name, but began life in the mines at the age of nine years, first working as a slate-picker. He continued working in and around the mines in that capacity, also assisting miners and dri\ing horses and mules inside, until he attained the age of fourteen years. At that age he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a blacksmith at Tamaqua. serving six years and working from Pottsville to Tamaqua, a distance of sixteen miles. Having served the full apprenticeship and completely mastered the trade, at the age of twenty he began black- smithing in the coal regions, working at var- ious places, and continuing until about 1854, when stationary engineering engaged his at- tention for six years. He then served as out- side mine boss in the Schuylkill coal region until .\ugust, 1861. Our subject, in August, 1861, enlisted in the Union Army as a private in Company L. 3rd Reg., Pa. \'ol. Cav., serving for three years; his service during the last six months was as a veterinary surgeon, acting under a commission from the Secretary of War, and as such he was mustered out of service, after serving all three years in the Army of the Potomac. After the war he again engaged as mine boss, taking charge of the erecting of a large collier)- at Williamstown, Dauphin County, remaining there for eight years as foreman or boss. In 1873 he removed to Sha- mokin, and has remained there ever since. He engaged as superintendent of the Mineral Railroad & Mining Company, comprising five collieries, all in the vicinity of Shamokin, antl served in thrit capacity until the Ijeginning of 1880, when the Lykens \'alley and Williams- town collieries, three in number, were added to the five previously described, and Mr. Ches- ter was appointed general superintendent of all those collieries, which position he held un- til 1886. About that time he purchased an in- terest in the Union Coal Company, which op- erated three collieries in the vicinity of_ Sha- mokin; after taking charee of the mines he continued as superintendent of those collier- ies until 1893, when he sold his interests and withdrew. Since then he has looked after other affairs and has been interested in the bituminous coal fields of West Virginia, be- sides other enterprises in Shamokin. In 1883 Mr. Chester assisted in organizing the Shamokin electric light companies and, with the exception of one year has served as president. He is also president of the Sha- mokin Gas Company; is a director of the Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company; is a director of the Shamokin Pow-der Com- pany, and has been ever since its organiza- tion; he is president and largest stockholder of tiie Shamokin Packing Company. In the autunm of 1857 Mr. Chester was united in marriage with Christina C. Wilson, 318 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. a native of Scotland. He and his wife have no cliil(h-en of tlieir own, but have reared sev- eral. Mr. Chester is actively interested in the subject of education, having served as school director for several years. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church and, fraternally, is a member of Lincoln Post No. 140, G. A. R.; Millcrsburg Lodge, F. & A. M.; Shamokin Cha|)ter No. 264, R. .\. M., and Shamokin Commandery, Knights Templar. ()R1!1':S Jl. \'.\NN.\N, a born mechanic ^ and a member of the firm of Curry & \'annan. who (i])erate a large foundry and machinc-sho]). is one of the popular and enterprising citizens of the town of Dan\ille. Pa. He descends from the sturdy Scotch race, liaxingbccn born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of James \'annan. who was also a native of Scotland. James X'annan, father of our subject, re- sided in Scotland many years, where he was engaged as a machinist. He departed from his nati\'e country and settled in Carbondale, Luzerne County, Pa., where he followed his trade as a machinist. Later he nioxed to Kingston, Luzerne County, Pa., then to Wilkesbarre, Pa., where he sjient the remainder of his life in retirement. He died at the ad\anced age of eighty-two vears. He was joined in the l)onds of weillock to .Mar\- Ijinning, who ]);issed from this life aged forty-five years. .Mr. and Mrs. Vannan were tiie parents of a family of five children, as follows: Mary, who is the wife of James Eaton; James, a machinist in the shops of the D. & H. R. R. at Carbondale, Pa.; Joseph, a foundryman, and also a resident of Carbon- dale, Pa.; Forbes H., our subject; and Thomas, a tinsmith and gasfitter, who resides at Carbondale. Forbes H. A'annan, our subject, came to this country with his father and served an aj)- prenticeship to the machinist's trade in the D., L. & W. R. R. machine shops at Scranton and, owing to his rapid progress, he was soon made foreman of the D., L. & \V. R. R. shops at Kingston, Pa. He subsequently became superintendent of the Wyoming Valley Manu- facturing Company at Wilkesbarre. Pa., from whicli place he remo\ed to Danville in 188S and accepted a position as master mechanic in the rolling mills of that town. On Septem- ber 10, 1895, in partnership with Daniel M. Curry, he leased the Mahoning Foundry and Machine Shops and the firm has since been doing a large and successful business. \\ hen the rolling mill property went into the hands of a receiver, Curry & \'annan ])urcliased the entire foundry and machine-shop plant. -The firm manufactures all kinds of machinery, has the latest and most improved machinery in the shops and employs from fifty to ninety men continuously. They have also erected a large three-story pattern-house and have one of the best machine-shops in the town of Dan- ville. Mr. \'annan was imited in marriage to Emeline A. Parr, and three children ha\e blessed their home: Irvin, a mechanic: George, who died in infancy; and Walter. Mr. Vannan and family are highly esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances and are amply filling their station as good citizens and valuable members of their community. In politics, our subject is a stanch Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln. OHN E. GALLAGHER, a youn- and enterprising business man of ]\hmcy Valley, Sullivan County, holds the responsible iiosilion of bookkeei)er of SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 319 the Union Tanning Company, the duties of which he has performed faitlifully and in a manner sucli as to gain llie Iiearty appnnal ot Iiis employers. He was born at Dushore, Sullivan County. January 15. 1865, and is a son of James and Mary (Brown) Gallagher. His paternal grandfather was Michael Gal- lagher, who was born in County Mayo, Ire- land, and inmiigrated to America, locating on a farm which he purchased at Dushore. Pa. This he cleared and resided upon until his death, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife was Sarah Dougherty, who died at the age of eighty years. Their union was blessed by eight children: Michael; James: An- thony; Sarah; Mary; Catherine; Bridget; and Ellen. James Gallagher, father of our subject, was also born in County Mayo, Ireland, and immi- grated to this country with his father. He succeeded to the ownershio of the family es- tate at Dushore and there has since followed farming. He is one of the substantial citi- zens of the community ami is held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He was united in marriage with Mary Brown. a daughter of Patrick and Mary (O'DonakD Brown, by whom he had se\'en children : Martin; Michael P.; John E. ; James J., and William, deceased; Thomas H.; and Mary E. John E. Gallagher attended the public schools of Dushore. after which he took a course at the Mansfield Normal School, and finally at Rochester University, from which he graduated in 1889. Previous to that time he taught for seven years in the public schools. After leaving college he moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where he was employed as a bookkeeper for two years. He then re- turned to his home at Dushore, where he accepted the position of clerk to county commissioner in 1894. and continued as such for three years. In 1S98 he accepted his present position with the Trust or L nion Tanning Compan\-, and is located at their Muncy \^alley ofticc. He has had years of experience in that line of work, and his rec- ord since assuming the duties of bookkeeper stamps him as a man well cpialified to bear its responsibilities. He is of a genial dispo- sition, is a pleasant companion and is very popular with his fellow-citizens. Mr. Gallagher was joined in matrimonial bonds with Catherine Kennedy, a daughter of Jeremiah Kennedy of Laporte. Sullivan County, whose biograjdiical record appears elsewhere in this volume, and they became the parents of the following children : James F. ; Thomas E.; Margaret; and Agnes. Po- litically our subject has always supported the Democratic party ami has held numerous local oiifices. In religious faith he is a Ro- man Catholic. OSEPH KOPP, a veteran of the Civil War. and inside-foreman at the Ster- ling Colliery near Shamokin. Xorth- umberland County, was born May 11, 1 84 1, in Schuylkill Haven. Schuylkill Coun- ty, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Harriet (Hain) Kopp. Jacob Kopp. our subject's father, a native of France, upon 'coming to the United States located in Schuylkill Haven, where he was engaged in mercantile business. He died when our subject was about five years of age, leaving two children: Joseph; and Mary. who. when she grew to womanhood, married Wil- liam Steinmetz, a boss at the Big Mountain Colliery. Northumberland County. Joseph Kopp, our subject, was reared in 320 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Schuylkill County and was employed in col- lieries until he was eighteen years of age, after which he traveled around the country for about two years. In i860 he located in Shamokin, Pa., and became a coal miner, w orking in various collieries about Shamokin for several years. He then held the position of assistant foreman for Patterson, Llewellyn & Co. for about a year, after which he was promoted to the position of inside-foreman and remained with the company twelve years. Mr. Kopp next entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co., at Burnside Colliery, as inside-foreman, and in January, 1893, assumed that position at the Sterling Colliery, where he has since remained. During- the progress of the Ci\il War, in 1862, he enlisted in Conii)any K, 36th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served about three months, but did not participate in any engagement, arriving on the tiekl just one day too late for the battle of Gettysburg. On Independence Day, 1861, Mr. Kopp married Henrietta Voder, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Beisel) Voder. Mrs. i\o]ip was born August 3, 1841, in Mahan- tango \'alley, Schuylkill County, where her father was born and reared, but when she was two years old, he removed to Shamokin and assisted in building the first railroad in that section of the county. Our subject's family consists of the following children : William and Mary, both deceased; Adam, who mar- ricil Susan Specht, is a loader-boss at the Sterling Colliery, and makes his home in the Mahanoy Valley; E^■a, the wife of Daniel Phillips, a miner and resident of Shamokin; Joseph D., a loader-boss at the Sterling Col- liery, who married Annie INIiller and resides in Shamokin; Jacob, deceased; Nora, the wife of William Bonscr of Potts\-ille, a car- penter by trade; and Sallie and Bertha, who are both at home. Socially our subject is a member of I>in- coln I'ost, No. 140, G. .\. K.; Schickalamy Tribe, No. 148, 1, O. R. M.; and also the De- gree of Pocahontas, all of Shamokin. ^ I EV. WILLIAM A. HOUCK, a prom- inent clergyman of Mount Carmel, Pa., is a man of superior mental endowments and of e.xcellent education and character. He is a native of Huntingdon County, I'a., was born January 25, 1837, and is a son of Adams and Mary (Clark) Houck. The paternal grantlfather of our suljject was of German origin, and lived in Virginia; from there he went to Maryland, and thence to Huntingdon County, Pa., and was one of the pioneers of that county. One of his brothers, William Houck, served in the Revolutionary War. Adams Houck, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Huntingdon County, and followed farming and lumbering in that coun- ty until his death. Our subject's mother was of English origin; her father was Thomas Clark. Rev. William A. Houck, the sul)ject of this biography, was reared and educated in Hunt- ingdon County, attending the common schools and also the seminary at Cass\ille, Huntingdon <^"ounty. He taught school three winters, also taught in a select school, and then began the study of theology. In March, 1859, he joined the East Baltimore Conference and since that time he has preached continuously, most of his labors hav- ing been in what is now called the Central Pennsylvania Conference, He entered the Union Army in 1864 as chaplain of the 205th Reg., Pa. \'olunteers. and remained with that SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 321 regiment until it was mustered out, in June, 1865. He was presiding elder of the Harris- burg district for four years. Among his more proniineiU appoiiUnients ha\'e been Williams- port, Danville, Lock Haven, Bellefonte, Mil- ton, Hazleton, and Mount Carmel. Rev. Mr. Houck has the largest congregation in Mount Carmel, and the church has had continual and sul)stantial growth under his cliarge. Our subject married Lydia M. Dorland of Blair County, Pa., and several children have resulted from this union, as follows: Gertrude, the wife of W, B. Norris, an attorney of St. Joseph, Mo., who at one time held the otifice of district attorney; Florence N., the wife of W. T. Hildrup, a manufacturer of Harrisburg, Pa.; Evangeline M., the wife of Dr. H. M. Stine of Harrisburg, Pa.; Charles .\. B., an electrician at Hazleton, Pa.; Grace 15., living at home; William Herbert S., in the Auditor- General's Department at Harrisburg, Pa.; and Frank D., in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Telephone Company at Lebanon, Pa. Rev. Mr. Houck is well known throughout the eastern and central parts of the state, and is a man of strict princiiiles and sjilendid judg- ment. He is highly respected, and is known to be a man who thoroughly practices all that he preaches. He is a man of much learning and wide experience, and has done nuich to advance the religious welfare of Mount Car- mel. » R. JAMES R. has a large ant and ^MONTGOMERY ucrative practice in about the beautifully situated and prosperous village of Buckhorn, Colum- bia County, Pa. He is a son of Hugh R. and Sarah (Moll) Montgomery, and was born in Liberty township, Montour Countv, May 15,1858. ' ." The Montgomery family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and James Montgomery, our subject's grandfather, was born in the North of Ire- land, and after following his profession, that of sea-captain, for some years he came to America about 1760, locating on the banks of the Chillisquaque Creek, in what is now Lib- erty township, Montour County, when that section was almost a wilderness and inhabited onlv by Indians and wild beasts of the forest. He was joined in wedlock with a Miss Shed- den, and they reared a family of children, one of whom was Hugh R., the father of our sub- ject. He formed a second alliance with a Mrs. Burns, nee Harvey, who was a native of that section of the county. Hugh R. Montgomery was born on the old homestead in Liberty township, in 1819, was one of the leading agriculturists of that sec- tion, and followed farming in the fertile val- ley of the lovely Suscpiehanna until his death in 1881. In his political afifiliations he was a Democrat and served as justice of the peace for manv years. He was a consistent member of and elder in the Presbyterian Church. As a result of his union with Sarah S. Moll, a daughter of Daniel F. and Mary (Seidel) Moll, five sons and four daughters were born, name- ly: James R., whose name heads these lines; John S., a merchant of Pottsgrove, North- umberland County; Mary E., the wife of Charles N. Marsh of Milton, Northumber- land County; Sarah A., the wife of William H. Eckman, a farmer of Chillisquaque town- ship, Northumberland County; Daniel M., a merchant of Pottsgrove; William A., a farm- er who lives on, and owns, the old homestead; H. Bryson, a photographer of Milton; Clara B., who with her mother lives at Pottsgrove, Pa.; and Alice J., the wife of William B. Shedden, a theological student at Princeton, N.J. 322 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Dr. James R. Mi)iit,<^oniery was rearc>^.\. when he en- gaged in the boating business for one year. He then associated himself with a Mr. Bom- boy, under the firm name Bomlwy & Shan- non, in the meat Inisiness at Bloomsburg, which they followed with good results until the spring of iSbj, when the firm was -dis- solved by mutual consent, fn October, 1862, our subject was drafted to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. but sent a sub- stitute. In i8C)5 he enlisted in Company B, 103d Reg., T'a. \'ol. Inf., as a sergeant, serv- ing faithfully to the close of the war. In 1866 he again opened a meat market in Blooms- burg, to which he added a com])lete stock of groceries, and conducted it with good results until 1870, when he disposed of it and took u]) his residence in Riverside, where he has since resided. On market days he conducted a curb market in Danville until October i. 1884, when, in partnership with his son, Jesse H., lie established a meat market on Mill street in Danville, which they still conduct. Mr. Shannon's varied experience and com- IM'ehen.sive knowledge of the bu.siness has given to him the skill by which he is enabled to choose only the best meats for bis custom- ers. He not only handles beef, but deals in pork, mutton, lamb, veal and pt)u!lry, as well as cured and smoked meats and sau.sage. The tirm does a very large business and numbers among its patrons the leading citizens of Dan- ville. Our subject is a courteous and agree- able gentleman, highly esteemed in business circles as a man of strict integrity, and fully deserves the success he is meeting. On May 17, 1853, our subject was joined in wedlock to .\nna ^1. Hess, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Hess of Bloomsburg, Co- Ir.mbia County. To them have been born the following children: John Lewis, deceased; .\nna Maria, deceased; Ralph C, a florist of Ri\'erside; Jesse H., who is in business with his father, married Maggie Gulick, and they have three children, Helen, Ethel and Clyde; Charles L., deceased; Rebecca Jane, the wife of William Kimble; Emma A., the wife of R. B. Bird, a record of whose life appears else- where in this Book of Biographies; Joseph Wellington, Esq., a resident of Phila(lel])hia. with ;ui olTice at 1414 South Penn Scpiare; So])liia .\nn, a teacher in the pulilic schools, is one of twins born to her parents, the other dying in infancy; Eva Mary, who is Mrs. John Landua, abso had a twin sister who died yoimg; and Catherine Elizabeth, a teacher. Mr. Shannon has l)een very active in pub- lic affairs and was chief burgess of Riverside for four successive terms. Religiously he is a Methodist and in 1871 organized the first class in the Sunday School of the M. E. Church, and the meetings were held in the school house. In 1872 he assisted materially in building a church edilice for that denomina- tion, in which ( irace ICpiscopal Church is now- located. In J 878 he aided in building the present M. E. Church, of which Rev. F. S. Vought is the ])re,sent ])astor, and has since acted as steward, trustee and an active class leader. Mr. Shannon's portrait is shown on another page in connection with the above sketch. XTIK ).\A- CLOCKLER. In the lit- tle country village. Lake Run, the gentleman whose name appears on the aboxe line is successfully engaged in con- ducting a grocery store and is also the pro- prietor of a farm in that vicinity. He was SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. ;i29 born in Phifendirf, Baden, Germany, May 8, 1826, and is a son of Martin and Rosalia (Glockler) Cilockler, both of whom were na- tive and life-long residents of Germany. Anthony Glockler was brought up in his native country and was apprenticed to the cabinet-making trade, which he pursued many years. Convinced that the United States af- forded more opjiortunities for a young man just starting out in life, in 1854 he left his nati\'e country and shortly after his arrival in New York City he learned of other German families residing in Sullivan County. Pa., and consequently he joined them. Having but little capital he purchased fifty acres of land north of his present home; there he cleared the land and erected a house and, in addition to carrying on farming, he also made chairs and other household furniture for the settlers. Our subject, who had been quite successful up to that time, with many other settlers found that his title to his purchase was worth- less, which meant the loss of a home and con- siderable money. By perseverance and cour- age he bought his present homestead of fifty acres of George Schill. He has erected a house and substantial barns and outbuildings and made many other improvements, putting the land under a fine state of cultivation. He has erected a small store, carries a good stock of groceries and also keeps the postoffice for the village. Mr. Glockler is a shrewd, sub- stantial business man and is greatly respected by his many friends for his sterling worth. He has reared and educated a large family of chil- ilren, all of whom are highlv esteemed and classed among the prominent citizens of the different communities in which they reside. Mr. Glockler was wedded in Germany to Margaret Bannnmk, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Retig) Banmunk. 1 ler parents reared the following children : .Margaret, Bar- bara, Adam, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Louisa. Mrs. Glockler was born in Reisenbach, Hcs- sen-Darmstadt, Germany, August 3, 1834. and is the mother of the following family of chil- dren : Josephine, born in New York City, August 10, 1856, wdio is the wife of Frederick Knepper, and they are the parents of three children, — Annie, Carrie, and Mary; Rose, born March 9, 1858, was wedded in 1878 to .Austin Brown and four children were born to them, Carrie, deceased, Maggie, Julia, and Alyra; Elizabeth, born May 8, i860, wedded to E. J. I'orter and their home has been blessed by four children, — Rosalia, Georgia, Orphelia, and Roy; David, born June 21, 1861, was united in marriage in i88g to Mat- tie Whiteleg, by whom he reared three chil- dren, — .\lbert, Charles, and Koy; Caroline, l)orn August 18, 1862, was united in mar- riage in 1882 to Charles Heinze, and three children were born to this union, — Anthony, Lillie, and Nora; Anthony, born May 26, 1864, and in 1884 wedded Annie Hugo, who bore him two children, — Mamie and Julia; Philip, born March 13, 1866, was wedded in 1898 to Carrie Hess; Charles, born March 24, 1868, wedded Rose Bowers in January, 1896, and died March 31, 1896; Adam was born February 19, 1870; Ada, born June 27, 1872; Christina, born March 15, 1875, and died May 18, 1876; and Annie, born July J 3, 1877, the wife of Glen Warner, and the)- are the parents of two children, — Ruby P. and Ira. Religiously our subject is a Lutheran. In politics he is independent. OHN K. GROTZ, who for many years was engaged in the harnessmaking trade and conducted a tannery, is now living in retirement in the town of Blooms- burg where he is held in high esteem and has the confidence and respect of his fellow-citi- 330 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. zens among- wlnnn lu- lias spenl nearly liis entire life, lie has a distinct recollection of P.loomslnirg when it was in its infancy and there were but two frame hotises in the town, in one of which he was born October 22, i(|uelianna Cni\ersitv for the ])ast ten years; was one of the found- ers of the Sus(|uehanna Synod, and has l)een ;i member since it was organized, in 1868. He has been united in marriage three times; his first wife was Sophia Slrickhouser of Gettys- burg. His second wife was Charity Creveling, a daughter of the late Andrew Crev- eling of Bloomsburg, am three children were born, to this union iiamelv; Luth- er Keller, employee of the B. &■ O. I\. I\. at Bnmswick, Aid.; .\ndrcw Fred- erick, a machinist residing at Berwick, Co- lumbia County: and iMlward Lincoln, who is employed by The Jackson & Woodin Man- ufacturing Company of Berwick. He formed a third matrimonial alliance with I'iliza A. Kelchner, a daughter of Abraham .Martz Kelchner, deceased, who was a jiromiiient citizen of Briarcreek township, Columbia County, Pa. Mrs. Sharretts died November 26, 189S, aged sixty-four years and three months. -\s one who has labored long and well in the service of the Master, we take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Rev. Mr. Sharretts ap])ears on a preceding page in con- nection with the above sketcli of his life. -\MLS 11. MLUCIlR, postmaster and I)roprietor of the leading drug-store of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, I'a., aiid one of the representative citizens of that town, was born at Mt. Vernon, Otis townshi]), Knox Countw Ohio, June 20, 1858, and is a son of \\'illi;iin and Nancy (Honey) Mercer. William .Mercer is a son of Levi Alercer and is a iiatise of the st;ite of l'eniis\l\ ani;i. ! !e li\ed the most of his life in Kno.x County, wliere he was engaged in tilling the soil on the old homestead; he was also local preacher in the PjajHist Church of his town for many years. He was joined in marriage to Nancy Honey, and the following children were born to them: Albaii R.; James H.. the subject of this sketch: iMank T. ; Carrie E., deceaseil; Clement L. ; William C; George S.; Susan M.; and Lee 1). James H. Mercer attended the public schools and remained under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age and then began clerking in a store at Utica, Ohio. Later he entered the College of Pharmac\- at I'liiladelphia and was graduated from that institution in 1881; he immediately went to Mt. Holly, N. J., where he was employed as a clerk in a drug-store. In 1884 he removed to Bloomsburg and purciiased the drug-store of J. H. Kinport, which he enlarged, and to- day he conducts one of the best patronized drug-stores in Bloomsburg. On February 8, 1803, our subject was a])i)ointed postmaster of liloomsburg. which position he still holds SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 335 and fills to the satisfaction of the pnl^hc and Post Office Department. Our subject was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Annie Mary Brugler, a daugh- ter of Peter Brugler, a granddaughter of Jolm Brugler and great-granddaughter of Pe- ter Brugler. Peter Brugler, Sr., was a native of Limestone, Montour County, Pa., and about 1790 he nxoved to Jerseytown, Colum- liia County, Pa., and later to Hemlock town- ship, Columbia County, where he purchased 200 acres of uncultix'ated land. He cleared part of his farm and engaged in farming, ana was one of the pioneer settlers of that district. He passed from this life aged ninety-four years; his wife died at the age of seventy years. They reared one son, John, who mar- ried Mary A. King of New Jersey; they re- sitled upon the old homestead, and he pur- chased a tract of 160 acres which adjoined the original homestead. He retired to the town of Bloomsburg, where he died, aged sixty years; his wife died aged fifty-nine years. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters : Peter; James R.; Elisha; Martha, wife of Layton Runyon of Blooms- burg, and Mary, widow of Rev. Edward War- din, formerly of Bloomsburg, who died in Carthage, Mo., in 1897. Peter and Elisha carried on agricultural pursuits until 1872, when Peter Brugler nio\ed to Bloomsliurg and retired from active life, with the excep- tion of looking after his estate. He erected on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets a handsome residence and spent the remain- der of his life there, living in happiness and comfort. He entered the worfd of rest Jan- uary 7, 1888. He was wedded July 16, 1862, to Sue Billig, a daughter of Daniel and Mar- tha (Talbert) Billig, and they reared five chil- dren, namely: Anna May, the wife of our subject; Lizzie J., deceased; John, deceased; Elmer, a tlruggist residing in Philadelphia: and Martha, a school teacher residing in BloomsI)urg. Mrs. Brugler survives her hus- band and resides with our subject in Blooms- burg. Peter Brugler, the father of our sub- ject's wife, was born in Hemlock township, Columbia County, October 7. 1824, and was one of the foremost agriculturists of tliat township. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been blessed by the following children : James Clyde, born September 20, 1887; L-ene B., born January 4, 1889; one, who died in in- fancy; and Robert Honey, born in May, 1896. Since ]\Ir. Mercer's arrival in the town he has been prominently identified with its in- terests and is considered one of its most val- ued citizens. He does all in his power to as- sist in the building up of the community and is considered one of its mainstays. He is an esteemed citizen, carrying on his business in a quiet and unostentatious manner, and is honorable and upright in his transactions. ARVEV A. :\IcKILLIP, a distin- guished attorney-at-law and a highly respected citizen of Bloomsburg, was born in Martinsburg, Blair Coimty, Pa., anil is a son of Charles A. and Delilah (Skylcs) McKillip. Our subject recei\'ed his intellectual train- ing in the conunon and high schools of his native town, after which he was engaged in clerking for some time. He then formed a partnership with his brother, and they were engaged as photographers in Bloomsburg. As our subject was of studious habits he put in his spare moments reading law. By hard and continuous study lie mastered the pro- fession and was adnn'tted to the liar in 1891. a36 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. lie immediately after entered practice and was successful from the start. He is a fluent and ready speaker and has the happy faculty of being- able to repeat a fact once learned, and his wonderful memory stands him in good stead in the practice of law, as he can readily recall the statutes of the law without reference to his books. His ability is well known and he has a larsj;c practice, mainly private coun- sel. He is a man of sound judo-ment, probity, i)road intelligence and many sterling quali- ties, and has the respect and esteem of the comnuiiiity at large. As a citizen Mr. Mc- Killi|) is interested in everything that pro- motes the gf)od and welfare of the commu- nity. He is an attendant at the Presbyterian C'hurcli. Besides his law practice he is inter- ested in some of the manufacturing indus- tries of P)loomsburg and is a director in the l'>l()(imsl)urg Brass & Copper Company. Air. McKillip was united in matrimonial l)onds to Mary C. McKelvey, a daughter of Dr. James Boyd McKelvey, who is one of the oldest and nmst prominent physicians and surgeons in Bloomsl:)urg. Dr. James Boyd McKelvey was educated in the common schools of Bloomsburg and in Lenox Acad- emy at Lenox, Mass. He also took a com- plete course in Williams College, from which institution he graduated in 1845. He then rc;iil UK'diciiic under the prcce]it(>rshi]) of the late I )r. lohn Ramsay of Bloomsburg. Pa.. and later attended the University of Penn- svlvania, where he received a diploma as a ])hysician and surgeon in 1849. Pie inune- dialely after entered U]K)n practice at Mif- ninville, Pa., where he remained for some time, and then moved to Kentucky, Pa., later going to .\rkadelphia. Ark. After engaging in practice there for one year, he returned to Piloomsburg, where he has since remained, and has had a wonderfully successful practice. December 25, 1851, he married Mary Eliza- beth Abbett, a daughter of George and Mary (Craig) Abbett. .\rdently American in his ideas, Mr. Afc- Killip has taken a leading part in Republican politics and has been honored by his party in receiving the nomination for the State As- sembly, and for two years has been chairman of the county committee, Mr. McKillip is very prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity in the state. He is a past officer of the State Grand Council, Grand Chapter, Grand Commandery, and A. C. of Constantine, an active member of the Grand Cross of the L^. S., and is a Thirty-third De- gree Mason. He is yet a young man, an un- tiring worker, and, from the records of the past, we do not hesitate to predict a brilliant future for him. 7^ HARLES C. EVAXS, attorney and I J| counselor-at-law, residing ami prac- ^ " ticing in the town of Berwick, was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia County, Pa., January 10, 1858, His ])reparatory education was obtained in the common schools of the district and at the Bloomsburg State Normal School, During the winter of 1876-77 he taught the Martz- vi'.le public school in Briarcreek township. In the fall of 1877 he entered Lafayette College, taking a four years' course, and was grad- uated therefrom in June, 1881. In July, 1881, he entered the office of Hon. Simon P. W'ol- verton as a law student, and was admitted to the Xorthumberland County Bar July 14. 1883. In August of the same year he opened a law office in the borough of Berwick, Co- lumbia County. ( )n l'\'bru:ir\- j^, iSSS, our sid)ject married JOSEPH U. THOMPSON. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 339 Annie Wendle Sloan, the youngest daughter of Morris C. Sloan, of Bloomsburg, Pa. Mr. Evans is president of the Berwick Wa- ter Company and the Berwick School Board. He enjoys a large and lucrative law practice. Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican. In the fall of 1898 the judicial conferees of Co- lumbia County were instructed for Mr. Evans as a candidate for president judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial District. OSEPH D. THOMPSON, one of the prominent and well-to-do citizens of the town of Berwick, Columbia Coun- ty, Pa., whose portrait is shown on the oppo- site page, is principally engaged in hauling sand for The Jackson & Woodin Manufactur- ing Company. He was born in Berwick No- vember 7, 1821. and is a son of Hugh and Ann (Dodson) Thompson and a grandson of Paul Thompson. The Thompsons are of Scotch- Irish des- cent, and Paul Thompson, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Countv Derry, Ireland, March i, 1754, and died at his home in Berwick, Columbia County, Pa.. Julv 8, 1807. His wife Nancy was born May 10. 1754, and passed from this life September 16. 1823. Mr. Thompson and family bade fare- well to their native country Julv q, 1792, sailed for America and K)cated in Dillsburg. York County, Pa. Paul Thompson learned the trade of a potter in his younger days and followed that occupation throughout his en- tire life. He remained in York County until 1798, when he and his family moved to Ber- wick, Columbia County, and there he built the first pottery that was erected in that sec- tion of the county. His plant was located where the Methodist Church now stands, and the earthernware he made he sold to the set- tlers along the Susquehanna River; he owned a flatboat which he used to convey his goods up and down the ri\-er. When the grandfather of our subject took up his residence in Ber- wick there were but few houses in the town, and he lived to see a fair-sized and prosperous community grow up around him. In reli- gifjus \iews he was a meml:)er of the Presby- terian Church. He was the progenitor of two sons and three daughters, namely: Hugh, the father of our subject: Jane, born in Ire- land November 21, 1781, died April 14, 1807; Margaret, born January i. 1783. died April 15, 1855; Alexander, born May i, 1790, who was engaged in the pottery business all his life; and Ann, born January 6, 1792. and died November 29, 1856. Hugh Thom])son, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1780 and came to this country with his parents in ijgj. He spent his boyhood days working with his father and learning the pottery trade, which he contin- ued to follow until within a few years of his death. Upon his father's death he succeeded him in his business, immediately enlarged the plant and built up a large and paying lousiness. He was also engaged in the culti- \ation of the soil and was the proprietor of a farm consisting of 150 acres of productix-e land. A part of his farm is now in the town of Berwick and a part is now the homestead owned liy our suliject. He was an emergency man during the War of 18 12. Mr. Thompson was one of the \alued members of his com- munity, and his home for many years was made the stopping-place of the Methodist ministers of the section. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Ann Dodson, and to this union three sons and three daughters were born, as follows: Paul, wIkt died in in- fancy: Richard, born June 14, 181 1. died May 340 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 25. 1895. will I was a fanner Ijv occupation and a partner with liis Ijrothcr in tlic potter\- busi- ness; Alexander, born October 6, 1813, died Decend)er 12. 1881, was formerly enga_<^ed in the pottery business and later in the foundry at Tunkhannock, Luzerne Ctjunty, Pa., and also was justice of the peace many years; Su- san, born February 22, 1816, died December 27, 1895, was the wife of Rev. E.^-e, a well- known Methodist minister of the Baltimore Conference: Jane, born Deceniber 5, 1818, was the wife of 1 )r. I'.erket; onr subject; and F.lizal)eth .\nn, born March 3, 1828, who is the wife of P. C. ^^^-ldswortl^, who was justice of the ])cace of 'i'ownliill, Luzerne Countv, Pa., many years. Joseph D. Th()m]isiin. our subject. ac(juired a good education in the conunon schools of his natis'e town and tluii worked in his fath- er's potter}', and when he attained the age of twenty-one years he and his brother, Richard, succeeded their father in the business and suc- cessfully carried it on until i'^53. when the firm dissolved i)artnersliip and our subject be- came sole i)ro])riclor. In 1863 Mr. Thomp- son discontiiuied the business, as the demand for earthernware became very light, moved upon his ])resent farm, where he has since re- sided. Since 1870 he has been engaged in h;uding sand for The Jackson (.H: W'oodin Manufacturing Comjiany of P.erwick, for which work he requires the contimial use of from si.x to eight mules. Mr. Thompson was wedded in 1846 to Mary Bonham, and this union was blessed by the birth of one child, .\lmira, who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Thom])son ])assed from this life December 2t, 1850, and on Fel)ruary 23, 1858, our subject was again united in mar- riage to Mary Hull, and they are the parents of two children, namely: Hugh, who is en- gaged in hauling sand with his father; and .'\nnie E., the wife of J. S. Housneck, treas- urer ancl bookkee])er for the Armour meat market at Shenandoah, I 'a. .Aaron I lull, father of our suliject"s wife, was a native of Faslon, Pa., and was a mill- wright by trade. Jle removed ti> I'.erwick in 1840 and served as toll collector on the lier- wick bridge a nund)er of years, llis death occurred in 1867, at the age of sixty-nine )ears. Religiousl}- he was a member of the Methodist Church. He was marrie. : ami Martha K., tlie mother of our subjeet. Mr. and Mrs. Creasywere the parents of ti\e cliildren, all of whom died young except our subject. They were as follows: Alice and Wilbur, deceased, were twins and were born March 26, 1859; Samuel, our subject; George Edwin, died May 29, 1863; and Maggie A., died February 17, 1867. Our subject, with his mother, moved to lUoomsburg in 1871, where Samuel attended the State Normal School and later the King- ston Seminary. Upon leaving school he clerked for a period of three years, and in 1883 he embarked in the lumber business on a small scale. Later he took in Mr. Wells as a partner and they now have their yard located between Sixth and Seventh streets, which is the largest lunil)er-yard in the coun- t)'. The\' also carr_\- a complete line of sashes, (k)ors, blinds, and other house furnishings, and give employment to a large force of men. They own a mill and cut and saw their own lumber, and have purchased many liundred acres of timberland in the vicinity. The pro- prietors are men of hustling ability and have established a trade second to none in the county, and our subject has not only sold many houses in the town but has erected more houses than any other man in Blooms- burg, ^ifr. Creasy is one of the most ener- getic and active 1)usiness men of Iiloomsburg, and has assisted in many of the most flour- ishing enterprises in the borough. He is pop- ular, and is held in high esteem by his fellow- citizens. Samuel C. Creasy was united in the bonds of matrimony to May Wells, a daughter of ]•'. C. Wells, whose sketch also appears in this Book of Biographies. Seven children have blessed this happy union : Annie, Mar- tha, lulward, Ruth and Ethel; and Clifton and Clyde, deceased. Mr. Creasy has ser\ed his fellow-citizens as president of the town council and has held other public offices. v. Vi ney A^I FIELD SHAY, an attor- of Watsontown, is one of the most prominent and active men of the bor- ough, also a literary man who has com- piled and contributed much historical data for useful reference for the rising generation. He was born in Northumberland, Pa., and is the only son of Philip and Mary Elizabeth (Wal- lis) Shay, the latter a daughter of Dr. Samuel H. ^^'allis. and a granddaughter of Samuel \\'allis. the pioneer of the West Branch \'al- Icy. Philip Shay, our subject's father, was born in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, in 181 3, and was a son of Michael and Anna Shay, both of whom died in 1821. In his early manhood Philip Sha}- went to Baltimore. ]Md.. to assist his brother-in-law, Abiathar Field, formerly of Brookline, Mass., to establish one of the pioneer oyster packing houses at the Monumental City, and in the interest of this business Mr. Shay located at Northumber- land, Pa., and at a later period became con- nected with the packet company in \\hich lie became "Captain" Shay. Li 1854 he settled in Muncy, Pa., where he engaged in the mer- cantile and lumber business. In 1868 he re- mo\'ed to \\'atsontown and again engaged in mercantile business, and in 1871 he was elected chief burgess and became very much interested in many of the developments of the early growth of the borough. He was one of the corporators and charter members of the Watsontown Bank, and was appointed by Gov. Geary as notary public, and at the close of his administration, re-appointed by SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 349 Gov. Hartranft. For eleven years he accept- ably filled the position of postmaster of Wat- .sontown. and death alone removed him, on February 2, 1885. After the death of his first wife ^Ir. Shay married Priscilla M. Flewellyn, who died in 1862. To them were Ixirn four children: Charles P.; Edward E.; Mary \\: and Priscilla L. He was married the third time to Emma J. Stoughton, and two children. Frank S. and Emma E., blessed their home: Frank S. Shay died in 1898. Mr. Shay was one of the corporators and influ- ential members of the First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown, in which he held the ofifice of trustee for many years. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father and a man of sterling- worth. William h^ield Shay, oiu' suliject, after a good preliminarv education in tlie ])ub'.ic schools became a law student under the in- struction of Oscar Foust of Watsontown, with whom he studied three years, when he was admitted to the bar and began the prac- tice of his profession at Watsontown. He has been admitted to practice in all the courts in this section of Pennsylvania, as well as the Supreme Court and the District and Circuit courts of the United States. He is fond of literary work and has given considerable at- tention to local historical matters, and a num- l)er of meritorious articles have appeared from his pen. He is one of the leading and most enterprising citizens of Watsontown, and has done much to advance the best interests of the borough, l^eing one of the promoters of the waterworks and he secured to the town the terminus of the Central Pennsylvania & Western Railroad and since its inception has been solicitor for the road. In politics our subject supports the principles advocated by the Republican party. Mr. Shay has an estimable wife in the per- son of M. Alice Hower, only daughter of Hon. Charles Hower of Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pa. Socially he is a member and officer of the following societies : ])ast- master of \\'atsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M.; past high priest of Warrior Pun Chapter, No. 246, R. A. M.; a member of both the Grand Lodge and the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania, and in the years 1885-86 was deputy to the grand high ])riest for the counties of Lvcoming, Elk, Snyder, Lhiion and Northumberland; he is a!so a member of the A. and A. Rite, 32d degree. ^> EORGE ^LVTTHEW OUICIv. at- 3 1 torney-at-law and ex-prothonotary of Columbia County, is one of the most prominent members of his profession in the town of Bloomsburg. He is finely edu- cated, well versed in the intricacies of his call- ing and stands high among the members of the legal profession. Our subject was l)orn in Montour township, Columbia County, Pa., November 15, 1857, and is a son of William drier and Sarah (McBride) Quick, and a grandson of John H. and Sarah (Moore) Quick. John H. Quick was a native of the state of New Jersey and during his early days he followed the trade of a shoemaker. Later he settled in Rush townsliip, Northumberland County, but in 1831 he moved to Montour township, where he purchased a farm of 155 acres and there carried on general farming the rest of his life. Mr. Quick was one of the progressive farmers of Montour township, and the position Rush holds among her sister townships is due to the efforts of such men as Mr. Quick, w ho braved the hardships of pioneer life and, by persevering toil, subdued 350 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. the laiul and hrous^lit it to its present state. He was united in marriage to Sarah Moore, who bore him the following children : John G., deceased; Charles, deceased; William G., deceased; Rosetta, who was the wife of Elias Dietrich; Mahala, wife of Eddings Barkley; Hettie, who wedded James Barton; Cather- ine; and Sarah, who married Thomas Thorn- ton, both of whom are now deceased. ]\Ir. Onick died aged si.xty-five years. William Grier Quick, father of our subject, \\as born in Rush township, Northumberland County, Pa., September 4, 1815, and from his father learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed for a short time. Attain- ing his manhood, he moved to ^Montour town- ship and purchased a small farm and carried on farming until he became lock-tender; later he became foreman of the North Branch of the^Pennsylvania Canal between Danville and Stonytown; he remained in charge of that position for nineteen years and then was fore- man of the Wyoming Valley Branch for ten years. Later he was supervisor for the Penn- sylvania Canal Company for eleven years, thus making forty years' service in the com- pany's em])loy. In 1868 'Sir. Quick was elected county commissioner for a term of three years. He was joined in wedlock to Sarah McBride, a daughter of \Mlliam Mc- Bride of Hemlock township. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Quick was born a family of si.x chil- dren, namely: ^\■illiam M.. a blacksmith by trade; Hugh D., a resident of Rupert, Pa.; James, also a resident of Rupert; John B., who resides in Orangeville, Columbia County; Samuel M., deceased; and George M., our subject. Our subject received his primary training in the public schools and the Bloomsburg State Normal School. Upon his father's death he became foreman (mi the Pennsxl- \ania Canal and remained in the position for two years, when he resigned to accc])t the ofifice of deputy prothonotary, which he tilled for ten years; he was then elected prothono- tary by the largest vote ever cast for a candi- date for that office. After serving six years he was admitted to the bar January 2, 1897, upon the following resolutions of which he may be justly proud, a comi)limenl never l)c- fore given to any retiring prothonotarv in the Commonwealth : '"Now, January 2, 1897, at a meeting of the Columbia County Bar Association, regularly called and held at 9 a. m. this day. the fol- lowing was, on motion, — 'Resolved, That the rule of court as to the admission of attorneys to the Bar of Columbia County be suspended to permit the admission of G. M. Quick, Esq., as a member of said bar in recognition of his sixteen years' continuous and ])articularlv efficient service as Prothonotary and Clerk of the several courts of said county; and that the bar hereby join with the board of exam- iners in reconuucnding his admission' — unanimously adopted." Upon opening his law office in Bloomsburg -Mr. Quick was given a reception by the attor- neys of that town. Mr. Quick chose for his life companion Miss Eva Bidleman, a daughter of William J. and Rebecca Bidleman of Bloomsburg, and two children bless their home. William G. and Eugene. In politics our subject is a Democrat and wide-awake to the interests of the party. He stands high in the estimation of the people and is one of the prominent citizens of the conuuunity in which he resides. Socially he is a niend)er of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Quick has fine natur;il abilities, is a good speaker, exceedingly diligent and careful and, being a man of magnificent presence and fine manners, has risen rapidly to distinction. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 351 /^5^0RGE M. GEARHART, a scion V p I of one of the oldest and most prom- inent families of Northumberland County, is at present assistant cashier of the Danville National Bank, with which he has been connected since 1864. He is a son of Bonham and Elizabeth S. (Boyd) Gearhart, and was born in Rush township, Northum- berland County, March 18, 1841. The great-grandfather of our sul)ject, Jacob Gearhart, was a nati\'e of Strangsberg, Ger- many, and came to America prior to the Rev- olutionary War, locating in New Jersey, in what is now Hunterdon County. He fought throughout the Revolution as a captain in the Jersey State Militia and rendered \'alu- able aid to the cause of liberty. The war hav- ing closed, and as he had friends residing in what is now Northumberland County, I\a., he migrated to that section with his family. By means of horses and wagons they made their way over uncultivated and almost pathless land to their new home, stopping to rest on the property now owned by William F. Gear- hart, where they found a small and rude log cabin which was vacant. They took a sur- vey of the surrounding country, and, the land upon examination proving very fertile and well adapted for cultivation, decided to settle .there. Mr. Gearhart made purchase after pur- chase, until he owned about 500 acres of good but uncleared land, upon which he built one of the first frame houses in the county, the one in which William F. Gearhart now re- sides, which is still in good condition and will stand for many years. With the assistance of his children he cleared some 200 acres and set out a large orchard which was totally de- stroyed by a hail-storm in 1846. This sturdy old pioneer lived a long and useful life. His worthy wife was Katherine Kline, by whom he had the following offspring: Jacob, born in 1763, died in 1841; Herman, born in 1765, died in 1835; William, died in 1854, at the age of seventy-eight years; George; Tunis: John, died in 1858, aged seventy years; Charles, born in 1783, died in 1863; Isaac; Catherine; Mary; and Betsey. George Gearhart, the grandfather of our subject, was born in what is now Hunterdon County, N. J., and after attaining man's es- tate his father transferred a tract of land to him, which is situated about one mile from the river bridge on the Susquehanna River. He erected good substantial buildings and was successfully engaged in the cultivation of the soil all of his life. He added to his property from time to time and at his death owned some 300 or 400 acres lying along the Susquehanna. The buildings upon this ])roi)- erty have long since been torn down and the estate laid out in lots, now forming a portion of the village of South Danville, adjoining Riverside. George was joined in wedlock to Achsah Reynon, who died at an early age, and they became the parents of the following children: Bonham R., the father of our sub- ject; Benjamin; Eliza; and Rebecca. Mr. Gearhart formed a second alliance, with Phoebe Lott, which resulted in the birth of three children: Achsah; George; and Her- man. Bonham R. liearhart was born in the same room, in the same month, and same day of the month as our subject, and obtained his schooling in the common schools. He was a natural scholar, and at the age of twenty- one years was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College. He immediately after took up practice at Sunbury, and later at Washing- tonville, where he remained for a time before locating in Turbot\ille, whence he moved to Danville, Montour County. He was a skilled physician and had a large practice through- 352 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. DUt llie tcjwnsliip. iiiinil)(.Ting among liis pa- tients many of the leailing citizens of Dan- ville. He was well posted on' all advances made in medical sciences, and was np-to-date in his treatment of complicated diseases. He was very highly thought of by all classes of people as he treated many cases for which he knew he would ncxcr receive pa)-. I!e was called to his final rest at the age of forty- two years, as a result of an attack of pneu- monia. He was united in hymeneal bonds to Miss Eliza1)eth ]!oyd, a daughter of \\'il]- iam Boyd of Danville, and they l)ecame the parents of the following children: Aclisah; William ]■. of Danville; George M., whose name heads these lines, had a twin sister whose death occurred in infancy; Bonhain R., Jr., of Danville; Jasper B.; James B.; Alex- ander M., a record of whose life appears else- where in tliis Book of Biographies; and M. (Jrier. Mrs. Gearhart is now past ciglity- four years of age and is enjoying life as a resident of Danville, where she has many life- long friends. George M. Gearhart received a good e(Ui- cation in the j-jublic schools and in the high school at Danville, from which he graduated. He learned the drug trade with Michael C. Grier, and, as the telegraph office was in the same store, he learned telegraphy and subse- quently was train dispatcher at Kingston, I'a., on the D., L. & W. Railroad, at which he con- tinued until 1864, when he moved to Dan- \ille and became teller in the Danville Na- tional Bank. He served in that capacity for twenty-seven years, during which time he thoroughly familiarized himself with l)anking business and banking methods and was thus well cjualified for his next step in life, assum- ing the duties of cashier of the bank, which position he held in a satisfactory manner until 1S96. when he was obliged to give u]) work on account of ill health. Mr. Gearhart s])ent some time in retirement and has now recuper- ated to such an extent that he can do work about the office and is now acting as assistant cashier. He is a man of excelleiu business ability, is shrewd and calculating, and has been decidedly successful in his business af- fairs. He has many excellent traits of char- acter and we may safely assert, without fear of contradiction, that no citizen of Danville ever had more friends or was held in higher esteem than Mr. Gearhart. He lives in a beatuiful residence on Market street and owns considerable other property in the town. He is treasurer and secretary of the Dan\ ille Bridge Goiupany, and has served on the school board for three years. Our subject was united in marriage to Cor- delia Clark, a daughter of David Clark, de- ceased, who was cashier of the Danville Na- tional Bank from 1850 to 1893, and was also l)resident of that institution. This liajipy union has been blessed by the birth of the fol- lowing children : David Clark, who died at the age of three years and six months; Charles W'illits, a graduate of f.ehigh University, who is electrical engineer at the power-house of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City; and Eleanor Clark, the wife of Frederick C. Kirk- end.'ill. b_\- whoiu she has one son, Charles F. Religiously jNIr. Gearhart is a member of the I'resbvterian Chiu-ch, of which he is an elder. OK A. EOCLVN. We are pleased to give a short sketch of the popular and talented eilitor of the Miltonian. This is one of the best weekly papers of the Sev- enteenth Congressional District; it was es- tablislied in iSif) as a strong Whig paper by (ien. Henrv I'^rick. The first nimiber was is- HON'. JKXNIXGS U. KIKTZ SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 355 sued September 21, 18 16, and tlie paper has continued since under the same name. Since Fremont's campaign it has advocated the I)rinciples of tlie Repuhhcan party and lias been owned and pubUshed by the foUowing persons: Gen. Henry Frick; Robert Frick; Robbins & Brown; L. H. Funk; Morton & Mervine, witli wliom F. Bound was later as- sociated; P. L. Hackenberg; L. B. Housel; and in 1880 Strine & Logan. Our subject succeeded his partner in 1S82. The paper has been enlarged and its circulation has been increased to 1,200. It is a fact worthy of spe- cial mention that the office and printing es- tablishment has always been located within half a square of the present kjcation. Joe A. Logan, our subject, was born in Milton, Pa., January 12, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and Rose (Sties) Logan. The for- mer was born in Philadelphia and there mar- ried his wife, who was a native of Germany. They settled in \\'ilkesbarre, but in 1840 re- moved to Milton. Our subject attended Milton Academy until he was fifteen years of age, when he enlisted in Company E, 131st Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., and later in Company E, 51st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He is a past commander of Henry Wilson Post, G. A. R.; and is a niemlier of Milton Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a stockholder in the Milton Trust Company, the Milton Safe Deposit Company and the IMilton Driving Park & Fair Association. He has taken such an active interest in the general improvement of his native town that he has gained much prominence in the conmuuiity. Since 1880 he has devoted most of his time to his paper and his fellow-citizens show their appreciation of his efforts by subscribing liberallv. The year 1882 marked an interesting event in his history, i. e., the celebration nf his marriage with Lulu Tilden, a daughter of Enos and Isabella Tilden, who were natives of Massa- chusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our subject and wife are the hai)])y parents of three children : ISoIton, Inez, and Joe A., Jr. Mr. Logan was postmaster under President .Arthur and has served as a member of the town council. He has e\'er been a stanch supporter of the Republican party. ^ ON. JENNINGS U. KURTZ, whose ^^ portrait is shown on the opposite page, is efficiently serving in the ca]iacity of associate judge of the Twenty- sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and is a prominent business man of Berwick, being- proprietor of the Berwick Marble & Ciranitc Works, one of the largest establishments of its kind in this section of the state. He is a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Schlabach) Kurtz, and was born at Summer Hill, Briarcreek township, Colundjia County, Julv 3, 1856. His grandfather was Henry Kurtz, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania and came of German parents. He took up the occupation of a farmer and at an early dav located in Northampton County, Pa., where he died in 1830, at the age of si.xty-five years. He was also a soldier in the War of 181 2. He married Charity Snyder, and their union resulted in the birth of ten children : Andrew : Levi; Henry; Millie, the wife of Frederick Ullmer; Jeremiah; William; Samuel: and three who died in childhood. Levi Kurtz, the father of our subject, was born in Forks township, Northampton Coun- ty, March 25, 1825, but in 1843, at the age of nineteen years, he moved to Columbia County, Pa., with his brother Andrew, who is now deceased, and there he followed farm- ing. After a time, he took up the cigar- 356 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. maker's trade and followed it with consider- al)]e success at W'ashingtonxille; while thus engaged he sa\cd a sufficient sum of money to purchase a farm at Summer ITill, which he did at about the time of his marriage. Fol- lowing farming a short term of years, he then traded his farm for a store at Foundryville. where he engaged in nicrcrnililc pursuits, lie followed that line of husiucss there and at Evansville until 1863, when he relinquished it to engage in the insurance business. In 1870 he purchased the Marble & Granite Works of \\'illiam l\uch, and started in business in a \ery small way. He was an energetic man and as success attended his efforts, lie en- larged the business and in 1879 took his son, our subject, into the firm as a partner. They were located on .M.arkcl street at lirst, but as the enterprise grew in size, they moxed to larger ([uarlers on hront street. Ife con- tinued in business until his death in 1888, at the age of si.\ty-t\\(i years. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schlabach, a daughter of Daniel and .\nnie (Moore) Schla- liacli, and they became the parents of twelve children, si.x of whom are still living, namely: C. Louise, the wife of S. H. Ruch; Jennings v.. the subject of this sketch; Daniel Morris, who has charge of the reading notices of the New York A\'(>rld; Annie S., a teacher in the public schools of I'.rooklyn, N. Y. ; Kittic Tv, the wife of .\rthur Lewis of Wilkesbarrc, I'a.; and S. T>ur(<)n. an accomplished artist of New York City. Le\i Kurtz was original- ly a Democrat in his political affiliations, but from 1856 until his demise was a Republican. Jn religious attachments he was a member of the Methodist F.pisco])al Church, whilst so- cially he was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Mrs. Kurtz, who was born in 1830. died in August, 1898, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and was brought to Berwick and interred in the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery in tiiat town. Jennings V. Kurtz attended the public schools until he reached the age of fomteen years, when he entered his father's business, and continued in his employ until twenty- three years of age. when he was taken in as a partner, the lirm becoming L. Kurtz & Son, which has been the firm name up to the ])rcsent time. They established a reputation for good reliable work and erected many handsome monuments throughout the coun- ty. They accpiired an extensive patron.a.ge and the prestige, which the firm enjoyed prior to the death of the senior Mr. Kurtz, is still in evidence as our subject does w^ork for the leading men in this section of the state. He has always labored for the best interests of the borough and b_\- bis coimection with many worthy enterprises may be classed among its first citizens. He has been a member of the school board and was a trustee on building at the time the beautiful addition to the Mar- ket Street School was erected. He was also on the building couuuittee for the erection of the present opera house. He served witii credit as school director for six years, three years of which he was president of that bodv. He was associated in building the block on Market street now owned by C. C. E\ans, Ks(|. In 1889 he purchased of C. .\. Becker what was known as the Pottery, which was one of the first industries of the place. This property, located at Pine and Second streets, he rebuilt for his business and there he h.as a large spacious salesroom, office and yard, necessary for his business. He is a man oi' excellent qualities and is respected and highly esteemed by all with whom he is acquainted. Mr. Kurtz was imitcd in the holv bonds of wedlock with b'anny M. Suit, a daughter of l^aniel Suit, w ho w as a i);Uternmakcr b_\' trade. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 357 and they are tlie proud parents of five child- ren: .Pearl Elizabeth; Ruth Suit; Claude Morris; Nellie May; and Katherine. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican. In March, t(S97, he was ap|)ointed associate judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Mordecai Millard, and was re-elected in 1897. Socially he is a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.; Berwick Castle, No. 249, K. of G. E., of which he is past chief; \\'asliington Camp, No. 105, of which he is a past president ; and W. T. Sherman Com- mandery, No. 23, P. O. S. of A., in which he has held many of the offices. RANK R. KITCHEN. Prominent among the business men of the town of Berwick who have contribtited largely to- ward the growth and prosperity of that town, is the subject of this sketch, who is justice of the peace and secretary of the council of the borough. He was born in Berwick and is a son of Oliver H. and Evangeline (Johnson) Kitchen, grandson of Amos and Margaret (Campbell) Kitchen, and a great-grandson of Enoch and Jerusha (Aloore) Kitchen. Enoch Kitchen's father was a native of Eng-lantl and of Quaker descent; he was the first of the Kitchen family to immigrate to America. Enoch Kitchen, the great-grand- father of our subject, was a chairmaker by trade and followed that <,)CCupation nearly all his life. In those days furniture was made principally by felling trees and making it up into chairs and other furniture by hand. Later in life Mr. Kitchen moved to Montour Coun- ty, Pa., and located six miles from the town of Danville, where he remained the remainder of his active days, dying at the age of eighty years. He was united in wedlock to Jerusha Moore and four children were reared l)y them: Andrew; LTriah; Amos; and Jerusha. Amos Kitchen, grandfather of our subject, during his early days learned the trade of a tailor and conducted a tailoring establishment in the town of Danville, Pa. In 1823 he moved to Berwick, Columl)ia County, and for many years conducted a tailor-shop where Heller's saloon is now located. He married Margaret Campbell, a daughter of Alexander Campbell, and the following children blessed their home, namely: INlatilda; Oliver H.; Pemberton; Edwin; Permelia; John; Clinton; William; Ely, who died young; and Ely. Mr. Kitchen passed from this earth aged forty- two vears; his wife died at the age of eight}- three years. Oliver H. Kitchen, the father of our sub- ject, when InU a mere lad learned the trade of tailor from his father and when his father passed from this life he succeeded him in the business; his workmanship was of first- class order and he established a regular trade and was the leading tailor of Berwick. His establishment was located in the Seesholtz property on Market street, and in 1892 the building was burned down, and with his son, our subject, inunediately rebuilt the present fine block. In 1868 he built a fine residence; later he built another residence on the rear end of the lot, facing the other street, and in 1898 our subject built another on the same lot. Mr. Kitchen has been in the tailoring business for fifty years and is now passing the sunset of life in retirement. He is truly a self-made man, having accumulated what he has of this world's goods through his own energy and good judgment, and is one of Berwick's recognized business men of push and tact. He has assisted in building up the county and community, and has watched with interest its progress. It has been an inter- 358 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. esting review in wliich he may justly feel pride in liavino- l^cen a sharer. Mr. Kitchen has ser\e(l thirty-ci!.:;ht years as overseer of the i)0()r of C'olnnihia County. He takes S'reat interest in the old cemetery, and lie formed a company and raised funds to put it in ^ood shape, and built a fence around it. lie was assisted by Leroy Thomp.son and E. A. Wilson, and the three gentlemen had chars^e of the cemetery until 1892. It al- ways has been one of the best kept cemeteries in C"oIunibia County, and is such at the pres- ent time. Mr. Kitchen formed a matrimonial alliance with .Mary Conyus and two children are the result of this happy union, as follows: Margaret, the devoted wife of E. Clinger, a resident of llerwick; and Annie, who mar- ried M. 1.. Thornton, and resides in Huntington, West \'a. Mr. Thornton is general agent for the Ensign Car Works of llnntington. Mr. Kitchen's sec- ond union was with Angeline Johnson, daughter of Barter Johnson, of Briarcreek township, and by this union two children blessed their home: Frank T\.. the subject of this sketch; and Jennie K.. who resides at home. h'rank K. Kitchen, the only son of his parents, was born in the town of Berwick, Pa., November 10, 1S57, and received his in- tellectual training in the public schools and high scliool of Berwick; upon his graduation from the latter institution he clerked in a gen- eral merchandise store at b'.spy. Pa., for two \'ears. {_)ur subject then learned the trade of ;i niolder which he followed tnUil 1X92. when he was appointed justice of the peace, the duties of which position he is honestly and f;iithfully discharging. He has also served as secretary of the town council. Mr. Kitchen is the manager of the V. O. S. of A. opera- house, a position he has held since the erec- tion of that building. Ele has won the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and is recognized as one of the solid citizens of I'.erwick. He possesses force of character, is decided in his opinions and fearless in the expression of thai which he l)elie\'es to l)e right. He is now attending to the care of Ins beIo\ed ])arents. CBERT D. LANCASTER, a highly esteemed resident of Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., was for many years a prosperous merchant there, but since 1S94 he has been living in practical retire- ment. He is a son of Richard and Eanny (Mcllwain) Lancaster, and was born in South Sterling, Wayne ComUy, Pa., December 13. 1S25. His grandfather was William Lancaster, a nati\'e of England, who immigrated to this country and located in Philadelphia, where he remained until 1821. In that year he moved to South Sterling, Wa_\-ne County, Pa., and there followed his trade as a carpenter until his death at the age of seventy-six years. He was joined in marriage bonds to Margaret ])unle\\', who also came of a well-known luiglish family, and they reared three chil- dren : Richard, the father of our subject; Americns: and Clara. Richard Lancaster was born in England and was nine )ears of age when he came to .\merica with his ]iarents. At an early age he and his brother Americns learned the jew- eler's trade and did job work for Mr. Duboys, a well-known jeweler of Philadelphia. In 1833 Richard turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits and became one of the most prominent citizens in Wayne County. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and was well thought of bv his fellowmen. In SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. ;%9 1840 he was elected sheriff of Wayne County and subsequently was chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature. He was also justice of the peace for many years and held many minor offices. He was united in marriage with Fanny ?klcllwain and the fol- lowing children were born unto them: Rich- ard; William; George; John; Franklin; Hugh A.; Robert D., the gentleman whose name heads these lines; Christopher C. ; Margaret; and Jane. Mr. Lancaster passed away at the age of sixty-eight years and his wife at the age of sixty-five years. Robert D. Lancaster attended the public schools and the Wayne Institute, receixing a good intellectual training, and then taught school for one year. He next went to Beth- any, \\'ayne County, and accepted a clerk- ship with E. W. Hamlin, Esq., with whom he remained for four years. He then pur- chased the store of his employer and suc- cessfully conducted it for four years, when he removed to Salt Rapids, Minn., as a land surveyor for the government, remaining there about three years. L'pon returning East he engaged in the mercantile business in con- nection with his brother, William, at New Albany, Pa., and also in the lumber business at Cape Mills, from 1862 to 1867. In 1867 he moved to Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., and purchased the store opposite what is now the Forksville House, anil conducted it for two years alone. At the expiration of that time he took in G. A. Mcllwain and they con- ducted the store for three years. His partner then retired and the store was conducted un- til 1875 ^y our subject. At that time he dis- posed of his store and went to Bethany, ^^'ayne County, for one year. Upon return- ing to Forksville at the expiration of that time, he again took charge of his old store and engaged in general merchandising until he retired from business in 1894. He has since assisted his son, Brenton S., who con- ducts a drug store in Forks\ille, and is also engaged in business in Towanda, Bradford County. He resides in a handsome home in Forksville and is surrounded by a large circle of friends. Mr. Lancaster was united in marriage with Serenda Mathers, who died in 1890 at the age of thirty-eight years, and they reared the following children: Hammond D.; Brenton S. : and Gertrude .\. Our subject is a Demo- crat and has served as school director, county auditor and justice of the peace. In religious attachments he is an attendant of the Episco- pal Church, but his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. OHN B. ZIMMERMAN comes from a family which has long been noted for natural mechanical talents. .\t an early age he entered his father's shop to learn the blacksmith's trade. His father was a skilled blacksmith, as also was his grandfather. As our suljject grew older he became a skilled workman and displayed unusual apt- ness in his chosen trade. He erected a large and cununodious shop in Shamokin, where he manufactures wagons, carriages, a'nd all kinds of vehicles. Being sensible, ui)right and shrewd in his business affairs, he has built up a trade reaching over a wide expanse of terri- tory. New plans which promise any real ad- vance in his business are readily added to his present system, thus aft'ording him facilities for carrying on an enterprise second to none of its kind in Shamokin. Mr. Zimmerman employs a force of ten or twelve men to assist him in furnishing his trade with celerity and ])romptness. and his present prospects point to a still greater expansion of the business. 360 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. In the spring of 1899 onr subject changed the location of liis plant from the corner of Independence and Market streets, where he had carried on his business since 1868, to West Sixth street, in the vicinity of the high bridge. Our sul)ject is a son of Jeremiah and Har- riet (I'riglit) Zimmerman, and was born in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Mav 22, 1851, receiving his education in the i)ul)iic schools of Shamokin. His paternal grand- father, George II. Zimiuerman, was a native of Berks County, but subsequently located in Sunbury, Northumberland County, where he was a prominent blacksmith. He rendered \aluable service to his country during the War of 1S12. His maternal grandfather, Ja- cob liright, was a jeweler by trade; he, too, fought bravely during the Wiw of jSij, and afterward died at Sunbury. Jeremiah Zinmierman, father of our sub- ject, was a man of such unusual jiromiiience that a brief sketch of his life deserves men- tion here. He was born in Berks County. Pa., in January, 1820, and was brought to this county with his i)arents at the early age of seven years. His aihantages for securing an education were uf the poorest and he re- cci\'ed but three niDnths' schooling. In his father's shoj) he learned the blacksmith's trade, whicii business he followed in Sutd)ury for many years, discontinuing it after being elected justice of the peace, w'hich position he retained for several years. Later he moved to the borough of Northumberland and was collector for the Pennsylvania Canal, at which time the management was under the control of the state. He served in this capacity three years, after which he engaged in business as a coal operator, being a member of the firm of Zimmerman & Pureed. This business was carried on very successfully for a few years, but the company met with reverses and finally failed in 1856. While in the coal business Mr. Zinnuerman was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature and served two terms; he was also president of a Shamokin Banking Institute. After going out of the coal business he was engaged by various firms as l)ookkeeper. also as superintendent for various coal operators, and in 1864 he located permanently in Shamokin. He was a Demo- crat of the most ardent type and was active and untiring in the interests of his party. He served as burgess for the town of Shamokin for three terms, rounding out his closing years as an efficient public servant wliose record of- fers a splendid example of what may be ac- com])lished in the voyage through life with- out educational advantages in youth. He died in 1893. He had been a Mason for over fifty years. Nine children blessed the union of Jeremiah Zimmerman and his excellent wife, tw^o of whom died in infancy, and the following grew to manhood and womaidiood : F.lla Lucy, now deceased; Harriet, wife of Paul Roth of Shamokin; John B., subject of this sketch; George, a painter by trade, in the employ of our subject, and lives in Shamo- kin; Ro.sa, wife of Samuel Haas, also of Sha- mokin; Milton, an attornev of note, residing in Danville; and William Cameron, who is a ])aiutcr and resides in Philadelphia. On April 5, 1874, our subject was united in marriage with Jane Newberry of North- uml)erland borough, and six children were born to Idess their home: Ida Mav; Edward B., now his father's able assistant as book- keeper; Harriet ]\I.; John; Clara; and Gro- ver Cleveland. Mr. Zimmerman, like his fath- er, is a strong lieliever in the principles of Democracy, but has not sought political hon- ors. He was persuaded to serve as assistant burgess of Shamokin, which position he filled SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 3H1 with credit and distinction. He is a pleasant gentleman and is a valued member of his com- nnmitv. RI'IDERICK GROSS, a successful and prosperous general merchant of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, is a man who began life on a farm, but worked his wav u]) until now he is tme of Mount Carmers leading business men, while at the same time retaining his fondness for and interest in farming. He was born in Union County, this state, January 9, 1846, and is a son of Charles and Annie (Forsyth) Gross. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, and when he came to this country settled in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, finally locating in Union County, wiiere he died. The father of our subject was born in Ly- coming County. Pa., and when a young man he removed to Union County, where he fol- lowed his trade as a shoemaker and also en- gaged in farming. He died in the spring of 1864, at the age of se\enty-two years. Mr. Gross' mother was a native of Union County. She died in 1891, at the age of nearly eighty- five years. The family of Charles and Annie Gross consisted of ten children, a,s follows : Jackson, who resides in Union County, this state; Margaret, who died young; Martha, who is a resident of Fulton County, III; Charles, Catharine and Alary, who reside in Union County, Charles occupying the old family homestead; two, who died in infancy; Frederick, the subject of our sketch; and Samuel, who resides in New Berlin, Union County, Pa. Our subject, Frederick Gross, was reared on the homestead of his parents in Union Count}' and obtained a connnon school edu- cation. He remained on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when, having an ambition to be something more than a farmer, he set out on his own account. He learned the trade of harness-maker, at which he worked for some time. In 1865 he removed to Mount Carmel, where he secured an ad- vantageous opening as a clerk in a general store. He remained in the store for several years, mastering every detail of the general- merchandise business, and finally engaged in business for himself. By his energy, careful attention to small details and his uniform courtesy he immediately placed himself on a popular basis with the ])urchasing comnumity and was very successful from his start in busi- ness on his own account. He has since fol- lowed the mercantile Ijusiness and now has one of the largest and principal stores in Mount Carmel. In addition to his store, Mr. Gross owns a farm in the Buffalo Valley, Union County, which contains 130 acres and to which he gives considerable attention. In politics our subject always has been an ardent Republican antl, although he never has cared for or sought oiifice, he has been called upon to fill the offices of school director and councilman, in which he displayed the same ability which has made his Inisiness so successful and served to the entire satisfaction of his friends and constituents. Religiously Mr. Gross is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Mount Carmel, of which he has been a member for twenty-five years and in which he was for several years an active leader and an ardent worker. Mr. Gross is a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 630, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1868, and for seventeen years he has been secretary of the lodge. In October, i8r)3. Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Susan Hcim, daughter of John 362 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Hciin. To tliem lia\'e l^een 1)orn these chil- dren : Charles S., who resides in Mount Car- nicl. and who niarrieil Ilattie Fisher, and is engaged in the mercantile business with his father; Calvin E., who also resides in Mount Carmcl and married 1 )ella Klase, who died at the birth of her first child: Agnes, unmarried; Alice, who died at the age of eleven months; and .\nnie, who is the wife of Frank Christ of Mount Carmel. ON. liliNRV Al. JllXClvLEY, one of Danville's most eminent and hon (iroederick H. Politically he is a Republican and takes an active interest in all aftairs of a ])olitical nature. In religious attachments he is a member of the Episcopal Church and an active worker in the Sunday school. Socially he is a member of the James Cameron Camp, No. 60, S. of v., and Pa. Div. S. of R. JSAAC KINNEY KRICKBAUM LAU- BACH, who has been engaged exten- sively in farming and lumbering for many years, is one of the progressive business men of Benton township, Columbia County. He is a son of Peter and Susan Catherine (Krickbaum) Laubach, and was born in Ben- ton township October 28, 1849. He is a descendant of sturdy Hollanders, whose home was the native country of John G. Laubach, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who immigrated to Philadelphia, Pa., as early as 1736 and lived there the re- mainder of his life. He was the progenitor of the following children: Susan; John Mich- ael; John; John Christian; Ann Mary; John Conrad, who died in infancy; John Conrad, 390 liOOK OV BIOC.RAPHIKS. second of that name; Anna Margaret; Cath- erine: Jolni George; \\'ill)cr,L;: and J^lizaheth. John Christian Laubach, the great-grand- father of our su1)ject, was born June 30, 1764, in the city of Pliiladelphia. and was the first to locate in Coluinljia County, settling there in ijgo. Three years later he moved to Sugarloaf township, took up a tract of four hun(h'ed acres of land on what is now known as Fritz 11 ill and followed farming until his death, on .March 15, 1825. He was united in marriage to Mary Frutchy, who was born Feljruary 3, 1773. and was called to her final rest July 8, 1823. They reared a large fam- ily of children, namely: Susan, who mar- ried John ]\roore, was the mother of eight children, and withstood the vicissitudes of for- tune for ninety-one years before succumbing to the ine\itai)le; George, who married Eliza- betli Coleman, a daughter of Benjamin Cole- man, was one of the cirly settlers of Sugarloaf township. l)ut diu'ing his later years resided in Michig;ui; Frederick, who took as his wife Marv T.arish. bv whom he had eigfht children; Peter, who died in childhood; Han- nah, who became the wife of Thomas Con- ner of Bloomsburg and had three sons and two daughters; Elizabeth, who was the wife of A\'illiam Cole and bore him nine children; Anna ]\fargaret, who married William Ikeler and died in Fishing Creek township; Polly, wife of John Ikeler, moved to Michigan; Catherine, who married John R. Davis, was tlie mother of nine children and resided in I'lcnton township, Columbia County; Chris- tian, w ho was united in marriage with Hannah Hetley and lived in Danville, Montour Coun- ty; and John, the grandfather of our subject. John Laubach followed tlie calling of a farmer all of his life in Sugarloaf township, and was a very prosperous man. In connec- tion with farming he carried on a distillery. He was joined in wedlock to Ann Kline, a daughter of Abraham Kline, Jr., and their union resulted in the following issue: Abra- ham, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who died in the state of Washington; Rhoda Ann. who married J. H. Harrison and died January 29, 1884, in Union township, Luzerne County; Isaac, who mar- ried Sarah Ash, a daughter of Christian Ash, was a soldier of the Civil ^^'a^, serving for three years, — at the expiration of that time he enlisted for three more years, but the war came to a termination shortly after, — At present he is conducting a farm and dairy in Southeastern Iowa; Peter, our subject's father: (ieorge, who married Charlotte Mc- llcnry, a daughter of Henry McHenry, Jr., and ser\ed for one year in the 199th Reg., I'a. Vo]. Inf., receiving an honorable dis- charge; Christian, united in marriage to Sally Ann Pennington, a daughter of Jonathan C. I'ennington; John Frutchy. whose wife was Susan Tailor, died October 24. 1863; Dan- iel .S.. who married Elizabeth Young andnow resides in Bloomsburg; David Kline, who married Mary Pennington, served in the 199th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf.; and Frederick, who married Lucy Harrison, a daughter of Rev. M. E. Harrison, enlisted in the army during the Civil War for three years' service and again for a similar period, but received his discharge before his time expired. — his death occurred October 29. 1881. Peter Laubach was born April 15. i82t, in Sugarloaf township, on the old Laubach homestead. At the age of eight years he went with his parents to Benton township, where he li\ed on the old John Laubach property. After attaining his majoritv he conchicted a store in Benton for about nine months, and in 1847 lis purchased 100 acres of land in that townshii). He improved it greatly and culti- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 391 vated it with good results for many years, buying more land from time to time until he had 440 acres in all. He was a good citizen and one of the leading farmers in the northern section of Columbia County. Politically he was a supporter of the Republican party, whilst in his religious belief he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was trustee and elder, anil was one of the building committee for the erection of the present church edifice. Socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. ]\Ir. Laubach lived a long and useful life and was called Home May 28, 1890. As a result of his union with Susan Catherine Krickl)auni, the following children were born : Isaac Kinnev Krick- baum, the subject of this biographical rec- ord; John C, who died in childhood; Rlidda Ann, wife of Henry C. Learn of Ber- wick, and Margaret Ann, wife of Frank P. Dildine of Benton, twins; Sarah E. Brown and Freace Brown, also twins, — the former died in infancy and the latter is married to Alvin W. Dresher of Benton township ; Win- field Scott, who is farming on the old home- stead, and married Elizabeth C. Roberts, a daughter of Samuel Roberts; and Susan Ma- tilda, who died in 1866. Isaac Kinney Krickbaum Laubach was reared on the farm and obtained his intel- lectual training in the public schools of his na- tive town and in the New- Columbia Acad- emy and the Bloomsburg State Normal School. After receiving a good English edtt- cation he left school and turned his attention to lumbering and farming, wdiich vocations he has followed since. He is one of the leading and progressive business men of his section of the county and stands high in the- estimation of the public. He is a man of high principles, honest and straightforward, and numl)ers his friends by the score. July 3. 1875. 'le married Annie Gibbons, a daughter of the late Thomas Gibbons, a farm- er of Benton township, and their union re- sulted in the following offspring: Laura L., the wife of P. E. Tubbs, a mason and plasterer of Benton township; Susan, who died in in- fancy; Peter Clyde; Sadie E.; and Letha ]\I. Mrs. Laul)ach was called to her eternal rest May 27, 1897, aged forty-eight years and six days. Politically Mr. Laubach is a Republi- can. He was jury commissioner from 1895 to 1898, a!so school director for a number of years. Socially he is past grand and an active member of Benton Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; member of the Patrons of Husbandry; and secretary of the Grange, w-hich of- fice he has hekl for a number of years. Re- ligiously our subject is allied with the Presby- terian Church of Raven Creek, Pa., in which he is trustee and elder, offices he has faithfully filled for several vears. OHN F. SCHAFFER, an attorney-at- law of the town of Sunbury, North- umberland County, where he enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, is a son of John F. and Sarah A. (Houghton) Schafifer, and was born in Sunbury, September 20, 1867. The family originally came from Switzer- land, John Schaffer, the great-grandfather of our subject, being a native of that country. He was a soldier in the Napoleon wars and after receivingf a serious wound in the chest he left the army and came to this country, lo- cating in the city of Reading, where he lived until his death. He was the father of John Schaffer, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Reading and early in life learned the trade of a tailor, which trade he thereafter followed. He took an active part in the po- litical affairs of his day and was a mcmlier of 392 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. the Democratic party, spendiiifj time and moncv in aiding liis friends to office. He was a nicnil)er of tlie Reformed Clnu'ch. in wliich lie was an active worker and was Sunday School superintendent. He was twice before the matrimonial altar, his first wife being Louise Winckler, by whom he had four chil- dren, including John F., the father of our sub- ject. John F. Schafifer was born in Reading, Au- gust 3, 1834, where he grew lo manhood and learned the trade of a tailor with his father. In 1S55 he went to Lewisburg, Pa., where he engaged in merchant tailoring until 1864, wlien he returned to Reading and in the fol- lowing spring removed to Sunbury, where he remained until his death, on August 3, 1878. He engaged in his trade at Sunbury with good results. He was also an artist of more than ordinary ability. He was united in marriage to Sarah A. Houghton and thcv became the parents of one son and one daughter. John F. Schaffer, the subject of this liio- graphical sketch, was reared in Sunl)ury and obtained his education in the i)ublic schools, graduating from the high school in the class of 1884. Fie then was a clerk in the office of the register and recorder and clerk of the Orphans' Court in Sunbury. In 1887 he went West, spending three years in California, Col- orada, and Arizona, during the time of the great boom. He was employed in an abstract and title company's office at Los Angeles, and later by Fred Harvey, the proprietor of a chain of eating houses from Kansas City to San Bernardino, Cal. Prior to his departure for the \\'est our subject passed the preliniinar\ examination and upon his return to Sunliury in 1890 he read law under the direction of Hon. John B. Packer, a distinguished lawyer of that place, and upon the latter's death in 1891, he continued to study under George B. Reymonsnyder of Sunbury. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1894, and has since been successfully engaged in practice. From 1891 to 1894 he served as deputy prothono- tary in a satisfactory manner. Politically Mr. Schaffer is a member of the Democratic party, but has never aspired to of- fice, taking only the interest of a dutiful citi- zen in politics. Religiously he is a member of the Presbvterian Church. W". [.LIAM HENRY SMALL, one of le enterprising farmers of La])orte township, Sidlivan County, Pa., was born at Clift'ord Corners, Susquehanna County, this state, the date of his birth beimr August 8, 1835. He is a son of Bradner S. and Harriet (Hunter) Small, and a grandson of Matthew Small. Matthew Small was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and died at Havana, N. Y., at an advanced age. His wife died aged eighty years. Little is now known of Matthew Small, but that he was a soldier of the Revolutionarv War and saw active service on Staten Island, N. Y. He was the father of Bradner S., our subject's father; Jane; Sarah Ann; Hannah; Lydia Ann; and Elias. In politics our sub- ject's grandfather was an active Democrat; in religious lielief he was inclined to be lil)- eral. Bradner S. Small was born in ( )range Comi- ty, N. Y., where he grew to maturitv: he learned the trade of a miller and wood-carver and, practically, followed these lines of busi- ness all his life. He passed from this world at the age of sixty years. In ])olitics he tinnly upheld the principles advocated by the Demo- cratic party. He was the father of the follow- ing children : Asneth, now deceased; our sub- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 393 ject; Jolin Thomas, deceased: Esther, who married Henry White and resides in Virginia; ]\rary married Ehner Shewmann, and tliey re- side in Corning, N. Y. : Julia, who resides in Ithaca, N. Y.; Sarah EHza, who married By- ron Rogers, now deceased, and hves in El- mira, N. Y. WilHam Henry Small was but seven years of age when his parents became residents of Ithaca, N. Y., and there he received his men- tal training and grew to manhood. Leaving home he went to Benton, Luzerne County, Pa., where he apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade for three years. From Benton he went to Laporte, his present adopted town, and there carried on his trade until 1 86 1, the beginning of the most disas- trous and bloody war of modern times. In response to a call issued by President Lincoln for troops to put down the Rebellion, our sub- ject immediately enlisted in the iith Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., for a term of three months. He took part in the skirmishes at Haines Run, near Williamsport, Md., and later his regiment camped within four miles of Martinsburg; there our subject was ill a short time before his term expired and was sent to the hospital at Hagerstown, from which place he was hon- orably discharged. He then went to Harris- burg, Pa., where he was again taken sick, and upon his recovery he returned to Laporte, where he took up his former trade. In 1864 he moved upon the farm owned by the father of his wife, and upon Mr. Clark's death she fell heir to her present tine mountain-top or table- land farm of eighty-eiglit acres. Mr. Small has since purchased twenty acres of timber- land adjoining the estate, and on the Clark part of the farm has since been erected a fine two-story, modern farm-house and a commo- dious barn. He is a hard-workins:, careful farmer and his home and surroundings show tliat he is prosperous and progressive. Mr. Small was united in marriage in 1863 with Florence Clark, a daughter of Edward and Alary (Van Fleet) Clark of Laporte, Pa., and they are the proud parents of six chil- dren, namely: Hattie, deceased; Andrew married Millie Fritz and at present resides at home; Emmet, deceased; Edward, Frank, and Merlin, all single. Politically Mr. Small is a Republican. In his religious views he is liberal. HJJAM H. RHAWN, one of Co- lumbia County's most prominent attorneys-at-law, was born in Catawissa, Oc- tober II, 1856, and is a son of Casper and Catherine (Kruck) Rhawn. The grandfather of our subject was Flenry Rhawn, a native of Montgomery County, where he resided most of his life. He was the father of a family of children, one of whom was Casper, the father of our subject. Casper Rhawn was born at Halifax, Pa., in 181 4, where he obtained his intellectual train- ing and learned the trade of a tailor. In 1835 he removed to Catawissa, Pa., where he followed his trade until his death in 1882. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Catherine Kruck, a daughter of Jacob Kruck, a native and resident of Berks County. Mrs. Rhawn, who was born in 18 18, survives her husband and is enjoying good health for one of her age. Their union was blessed by the birth of the following children : Susan (Koslen- bauder); George B. ; Stephen; Ctitherine (Haas); Jacob; William H.; and Jessie. Mr. Rhawn was a firm supporter of the Demo- cratic party and always took an active inter- est in local afTairs, serving as postmaster of Catawissa for manv vears. 394 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. William 11. Uhawn, a record of wliose lift- is here given, received his education in the public schools of Catawissa and in Dickinson Seminary, after which he took up the study of law under the preceptorship of W. TI. Ab- bott of Catawissa. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1879, and has since lived in Catawissa, where he maintains his office, but his largest practice is at the Columbia County Bar. He is an active and energetic business man and his great success cjn only be attrib- uted to his own superior natural abilities and professional qualifications. He is a strong worker and when he enters upon a case it is with the firm determination of doing justice to his client and to himself. He is attorney for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, the Catawissa Fiber Company. Ltd.. and for the Catawissa First National Bank, of which be is a stockholder. In his pohtical views Mr. Rbawn afiiliates with the Democratic party and has frequently been spoken of as a senatorial candidate ow- ing to his. well-known executive ability and his popularity. R. MARTIN ELIAS PLUMSTEAD, a successful practitioner of medicine \^£^ of Hill.sgrove, Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, is a man of good education and has had much practical experience in the performance of his professional duties. He is a son of John and Lydia (Crayton) Plum- stead, and was born in Bradford County. Pa., May 31, 1873. John Plumstead-, the fatlicr of our subject, was born in Elmira, N. Y.. where he resided until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the i6ist Reg., N. V. \iil. Inf.. of Elmira. He was injured on a boat on the Hudson River while in the discharge of his duty, and upon his discharge from the regi- ment he returned to his home. There he lived for some time and then moved to Frank- lin, Bradford County, Pa., where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He finally moved to Sayre, Bradford County, in 1885, and is now a resident of that place, being employed in the locomotive works. He was united in marriage with Lydia Crayton of Bradford County, and they are the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: William K., a mason by trade and a resident of Sayre, Pa., who mar- ried Florence Northruj); Minnie, the wife of ]'"rank L. Garrison, a car-inspector living at Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Lewis, a laborer residing in Sayre, Pa.; Martin Elias, the subject of this sketch; and Norman, a youth of thirteen years, living at Sayre, Pa. ■ Dr. Martin E. Plumstead recei\ed his edu- cation in the common schools of Sayre, Pa., after which he entered the employ of the Le- high Valley R. R., working as fireman for a period of two and one-half }ears on the main line. He then resigned that position and be- gan the study of medicine in the Medical De- partment of the University of Cleveland, at Cleveland, Ohio. He attended school there for one year, after which he took a two years' course in the Chicago Homeopathic School. As his means were limited, it was with great difficulty that our subject was able to attend school; it required labors outside of school work, but he was ecpial to the demand, pay- ing his tuition by aiding the janitor in his duties. He was graduated and received a certificate to practice on March 23, 1897, immediately thereafter locating at Sayre, Pa. He received his certificate to practice in Penn- sylvania on June 24, 1897, and practiced in Sayre until August, 1898, when he moved to Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, where he has acquired a good practice. He has met with SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 397 pleasing success since his residence in Hills- grove and as a result contemplates conduct- ing a first-class drug-store there in the near future. He has identified himself with all of the interests of the township and has made many friends in that vicinity. On June 5, 1898, Dr. Plumstead was mar- ried to Hattie Brougham of Sayre; she was bom in January, 1873, and is a daughter of Spencer and Lottie (Mills) Brougham. Her father is a machinist by trade. The doctor was on the board of health at Sayre, and was also examiner of the Metropolitan Life In- surance Compan)' there. Socially he is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. In politics he is a memlier of the Republican party. Religiously he is a faith- ful member of the Baptist Church; his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. /2; EORGE W. RYON, attorney of \J^ I Shamokin, Pa., a portrait of whom is shown on the opposite page, is wide- ly known as one of the most thoroughly pro- gressive citizens of the Keystone State. Com- bining rare business ability and tact with a thorough knowledge of law, he has been fore- most in adxancing the material interests of the town in which he resides and practices his profession. Mr. Ryon was born in Elkland, Tioga County, Pa., April 30, 1839, and is the oldest son of George L. and Hannah (Hammond) Ryon. the latter a descendant of a Connecticut family which early settled in this state. The princiiial material for this sketch is taken from "The Prominent and Progressive Pennsylvanians of the 19th Cen- tury," published liy the Record Publishing Co., of Philadelphia, Pa. Our subject's great-grandfathers on ijoth ancestral lines were soldiers in the Continental Army and served throughout the Revolution, one attaining the rank of colonel and com- missary-of-subsistence in the division com- manded by Gen. Anthony Wayne. John Ryon, Jr., grandfather of our subject and a son of one of the Continental warriors, re- sided in the \\'\(iming \^alley until about eighteen years of age. He tlien settled in Elkland where he quickh- took a high place in public afifairs. He represented the Tioga- Bradford district as state senator for eleven years, being elected as a stanch Democrat. He also was for fifteen years associate judge in Tioga County, which position lie filled with dignity and honor. While a member of the senate he introduced a resolution favoring the election of Andrew Jackson to ihc presidency, which resolution was passed liy both houses of tl:e State Legislature. Se\ent_\- years ago Mr. Ryon was superintendent of the Penn- sylvania Canal, and carved in stone in the western end of the Shamokin dam opposite Sunbury his name as sucli uufler the date, 1829. When our sul.)ject was ten years old his parents removed from Elkland to Lawrence- ville, in the same county. George W. grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the Lawrenceville Academy, the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and at a commercial college in Roches- ter, N. Y. After graduating from the Rocli- ester college he was employed fnr a year as a civil engineer on the Kenosha, Kockford & Rock Island Railroad, having his head- quarters at Rockford, 111. In 1859 Mr. Ryon went to Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, Pa., where he began the study of law in the ofifice of his uncle. Judge James Ryon. Two years later he passed a very creditable exaiuinatimi and was admitted to the ])ractice of his pro- fession at Pottsville, Pa. He soon afterwards 39S BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. took up his practice in Lawrenceville, sub- sequently seei Horton, president; 'SI. F. Hammond, secre- tary; A\'. H. Newton, treasurer; A. S. Buck- ley, general superintendent of the tanneries; and C. B. Farr, general superintendent of bark and timber. The officers are all promi- nent residents of Williamsport, Pa., with the exception of Mr. Buckley, who resides at Athens, Pa. Mr. Flynn, while a resident of Jamison, was appointed postmaster of that village and held that office until 1897. He was wedded Sep- tember 25, 1894, to Mary A. Breiger, a daughter of Charles and Frances Breiger of Laporte. Two children bless their home, namely: Joseph, born December 31, 1895; and Charles, born June 6, 1898. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Flynn are prominent members of the Catholic Church. He has served as a member of the borough council, has been member of the school board and board of health for the past five years, and in his politi- cal affiliations is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party. He has been a member of the Democratic standing committee for the past three years; he served as delegate to the state convention held at Altoona, Pa., in 1898. ^ ROF. ELMER E. GARR, the super- vising principal of the public schools of Berwick ami principal of the Ber- wick High School, has served in those capaci- ties, for which he has exhiljiled marked fjuali- fications, since 1891. During his term of office he has brought the schools to a standard of efficiency that is uneciualled by any in the county, and, after a pupil has completed the : academic or high school course, the founda- tion of a good English education has been laid, and he is thoroughly prepared to enter college or to enter upon a business career. The method of instruction adopted is to in- culcate the habit of research into the very depths of a subject with as little assistance from the teacher as possible. Large campuses surround the schools and are well adapted for all kinds of sports, and due attention is given to the physical development of the pupils. Prof. Garr is popular not only among the pu- pils and his fellow-educators, but also with the general public, which is ever ready to appre- ciate honest endeavor and superior work. Prof. Elmer E. Garr is a native of the state of Pennsylvania, ha\ing been born at Easton, Northampton County, and is a son of Hilarius Garr, a resident of Edelman, Northamptcjn County. He received his primary education in the Easton Academy, from wliich he grad- uated in 1886, and immediately thereafter en- tered Lafayette College. He took a full course and graduated from that well-known institu- tion in 1890. He is a man of scholarly attain- ments and was well ([ualified to enter upon the responsible duties attached to his present du- ties when called in 1891. The high school building is a pleasant two-story structure, well fitted throughout with the apparatus neces- .sary to illustrate the subjects under study, and furnished with comfortable desks. Works of reference are provided for the use of the pu- pils, who also have access to the library of the Y. M. C. A., which comprises 4,000 volumes of literary, scientific and historical works. I'pon the board of education are to be found 404 BOOK OF BIOCRAPillES. some of the leading citizens of Berwick, name- ly: Charles C. Evans, ])resi(lent; H. E. Wal- ton, secretary; S. W. Dickson, treasurer; V. W. Bower; M. G. Smith; and John A. Smethers. The faculty consists of the follow- ing capable instructors: Elmer E. Garr, su- l)ervising principal; W. L. Houck, vice-prin- cipal; William E. Elmes; Eva D. Stiles; and N. W. Bloss. Having made for himself a place in the difficult life-work he has under- taken, Prof. Garr commands the respect of the entire community and is regarded as an au- thority on matters educational. Our sul)ject formed a matrimonial alliance with Eaura Hester, a daughter of Nelson Hes- ter of South Bethlehem, Pa., and they are the happy parents of three children: Florence 1"]., Ruth H., and Marion F. Socially our sub- ject is connected with the following orders: Master of Knapj) Eodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.; member of W. T. Sherman Commandery, No. 23, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick; past com- mander of Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta; and of the Royal Ar- canum. In religious belief he adheres to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Prof. Garr purchased the property formerly owned by Lyman Fowler, made many improvements upon it, and now has a very comfortable home. We present his portrait on a preceding page. -♦•-». (^A.M1':S BOYD McHENRY, ex-sheriff of Columbia County and one of the valued citizens of Benton, who is highly respected for his many sterling quali- ties, was born in Greenwood township, Co- lumbia County, Pa., February 8, 185 1, and is a son of Benjamin and Lovinia (Conner) Mc- Henry, grandson of Daniel and Mary (Cole- man) McHenry, and great-grandson of Daniel and Mary (Stephen) McHenr\-. Daniel McHenry, great-grandfather of our subject, was of sturdy Scotch-Irish descent and was one of the pioneer settlers of Co- lumbia Count}'. With an ax and provisions for six months he left his home and came to the county and took up a claim of several hundred acres of land in Fishing Creek town- slii]). which is now the property of his grand- son, Daniel McHenry. He felled trees and l)uilt a log cabin, and then returned to his for- mer residence and brought his family to their new home. He cleared a part of the farm and then engaged in the tilling of the soil. He was married to i\Iary Stephen, who bore him the following children: Benjamin; Mattie; Daniel; Jiirg High School. Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance September 9, 1S84, with Addie Johnson, a daughter of Wes- ley Johnson, a resident of Jerseytown, Colum- bia County. Two children blessed this union, Helen D., born in October, 1891, and Flor- ence, who died in infancy. Mr. Kleim firmly advocates the principles of the Democratic party and has served as secretary of the Democratic county committee two terms and as overseer of the poor and school director. He is also vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg and is a director of the Rosemont Cemetery. J\Ir. Klcim and bis family are members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of Bloomsburg RS. CHRISTIANNA C. UlliD. who resides in a handsome home in the borough of Nortlumibcrland, is the widow of Joseph Bird, who for many years was one of the foremost business men in Northumberland County, Pa. He was a son of Ziba and Hannah (Mentz) Bird, and was born in 1814 on Little Roaring Creek in Rush township, Northumberland County. James Bird, grandfather of Jo.seph Bird, was born in Warren County, N. J., and was one of the pioneer settlers of Rush township, Northumberland County, Pa., where he pur- chased a large tract of wild and uncultixated land on Little Roaring Creek. He was the father of the following children: John; Ra- chel; Sarah; Susanna: Ziba; James; Joseph; \\'il!iam; and Sylvanus. Ziba Bird, the father of our subject, was born in Warren County, N. J., and, upon moving to Rush township, Northumberland Countv, with his father, he aided in clearing the farm and later learned the trade of a car- penter. He made the acquaintance of John C. I>oyd. a prominent citizen of Danville, by whom he was engaged to superintend his mining o])erations in Shanidkin. j\Ir. Bird erected the first two buildings in what is now the borough of Shamokin anil they are to-day known as the National and Vanderbilt hotels. He also erected many other buildings at that place. He also was interested in coal opera- tions for several years but retired when the business relaxed, moving to Rush township, where he followed farming. He subsequently purchased a home at Red Point, on the Sus- quehanna River, and there resided until his death at the age of sixty-five years. He was married three times, first to LLannah Mentz, who died at an early age. Their children were as follows: Annie; Josejih; Catherine; Sarah; and Elizabeth. His second union was with a Miss Farley and they reared three children: John; Hannah; and Ziba. He next married Margaret Muchler by whom he had the fol- lowing ofifspring: I\Iary J.; William; Nel- son; Montgomery; Eliza; Emma; Samuel; Margaret M.; and three who died in infancy. Joseph Bird acquired his intellectual train- ing in the common and private schools and assisted his father in the duties about the farm. When his father became sui)crintendent in the coal fields at Shamokin and on the rail- road established by Mr. Boyd, Joseph became his assistant and in that capacity gained a wide experience in the business world. He then conducted a coal business in his own behalf at .\shland for one year, and later formed a partnership with J. J. John, M. D., and J. B. Doutz, Esq., for the purpose of operating the Big Mountain Colliery. This they did imder the firm name. Bird, Doutz & John, and it proved to be a very valuable coal field. Our subject soon became sole owner and con- GEO. W. MEARS. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 429 ducted tlic colliery for eight years with the greatest success, when he sold out to the Bird Coal & Iron Company, in which he was a large stockholder. Having previously bought the magnificent building in which the First National Bank of Northumberland w'as located, he mo\-ed to Nortluunberland in 1866. The bank then ino\'ed to Sunbury and a new Ijauk was established which has since been known as the First National Bank of Northumberland Borough. This large brick Iniilding, with massive pillars in the front, was the finest and most costly building in the county; in order to a]ipreciate its grandeur it nnist be seen. ft is now furnished in luxurious style and the parlor walls are adorned with fine jiaintings. Mr. Bird also was the owner of a number of choice fru'ins in that section, one being J'ackcr Island, which is considered one of the best f.'irms in the valley. He was identified with man\- of the business enterprises of that borough and lived there until his death on June 18, 1882. He was a man of high character and one who merited and enjoyed the respect of all. fie was sociable and a pleasant con\ersation;dist, and he accjuired ;md retained the friendship of many people in llie wu'ions sections in which he resided. Mr. I'lird was jciined in lunieneal bcmds with Keliecca Kram, a daughter of Jacob Kr;im. a pioneer liotel-kee])er of Shamokin, and they became the parents of three child- ren: Susan, who first married William Sny- der, and after his death married L. L. Haas; Eilzabeth, the wife of Patrick Gillespie; and Wellington, who died at the age of fourteen years. Mrs. Rebecca Bird died at an early age some ten years after marriage, and he sub- sequently formed a second alliance with Cath- erine Hill, a daughter of George Hill of Shamokin, and she died without issue. He formed a third miion with Christianna C. Kram, the subject of this sketch, wdio is a daughter of David Kram of Bethlehem, Pa., and a granddaughter of Joseph Kram. Mrs. Bird has carried out the i)lans made 1)\' her husband prior to his death with great ability, having remodeled the house, built a mansard roof, and made many other im])ortant im- l)rovements. She is a w-oman possessed of many virtues and is held in the highest es- teem by all who know her. Religiously Mrs. Bird is a consistent member of the Presby- terian Church, as was her husband. Socially Mr. Bird was a member of the Masonic Order. 1^) FORGE W. MEARS, wno.se por- 3l trait is presented on the opposite l)age, made an enviable record as ;i soldier in the Civil War, and is at present serving efficiently as telegraph o])erator and agent for the D., L. & W. K. R. at Rupert. He is a son of .Alexander and Phoebe (Knouse) Mears, and was born in Blooms- burg. Columbia County. Jamiary 3, 1843. Our subject's grandfather, wSamuel Mears, was one of the i)ioneer settlers of Roaring Creek, Columbia Comity, where he followed the trade of a shoemaker. He was united in marriage with Sarah Evans and they reared a family of si.x children, four sons and two daughters, one of whom was Alexamler Mears, the father of our subject, who was born in the Roaring- Creek settlement and reared under Quaker influences. Early in life he learned the trades of wagonmaker and carpen- ter, and also served an apprenticeship to the trade of machinist, .\lthough he died in the prime of life, at the age of thirty-nine years, he was a man of wide experience and consid- erable mechanical skill. He was employed at the old Irondale furnaces at Bloomsburg fcjr 430 r.doK OF BIOGRAPHIES. many years ami also servcil as a pallcrnmaker for still K' lime at the fdiimlrv nf Lewis, Moss iV Co., of IJloomshtii ;;'. lie also did some iKiiiractiiiy for tlic oM Calawissa Railrinid. lie was united in luiiieneal l)on(ls to Phoelie Knoiisc, liy whom he was the father of three sons, namely; Cleorj^e \\'., in whom the in- terest of this sketch centers; Alfred M.. who was a soldier in the C'i\il War. servinj.;' in C"nmi)any M, 112th Reg., l*a. \'ol. Inf., and met death at Petersburg. \'a.. after two months' service; John B., who was a niolder hy trade and a soldier of the Civil War, be- longing originally to Comi)an\- H, 10311 I'ieg., Pa. Vol. Inf., but later enlisted in another compan}', — he is now a letter-carrier in Chi- cago, III. (ieurge W. Clears was intellectually ecjuippcd for the battles of life in the ])ublic schools of Bloomsburg and at the breaking t)Ut of the war enlisted in Com])any A, Ath Keg., Pa. Vol. Inf., July 4, i8bi, and was con- nected with the Army of the Potomac. He enlisted as a ])ri\-ate and was later promoted to sergeant. He i)articipated in many im- portant battles, always displaying bravery and an eagerness to do his full duty. He took jtart in the battles of Dranesville; Grovetown; Second Bull Run; South ^Mountain; Antie- tam; Fredericksburg; Gettysburg; Rappahan- nock Station; and Mine Run. At Fredericks- burg he narrowly escaped death from a minie l)all, which, fortunately, hit his l)elt buckle and only slightly injuretl him. During the battle of Gettysburg he and a few of his comrades charged on a log house filled with rebel sharp- shooters who w'ere playing on the Union lines with deadly effect, and for this act of bravery he was awarded a medal by Congress in Feb- ruary, 1897. At Mine Run he was struck by a piece of flying shell, which fractured his left arm and necessitated its amputation at the shoulder. The smgeons in attendance took out so many pieces of the shouliler Ixme lh.it they gave u]) all lio])es of his recovery, but his wonderful constitution and vitality assert- ed itself and in i"i\e weeks he was able to re- turn to his home in liloomsbnrg. A piece of his shoidder bt)ne is ikjw in the Medical Museum at Washington, D. C. After fully recovering his health he learned telegraphy and became an operator at Danville, where he continued for five years, and then accepted his present position as telegraph operator, station agent, and express agent for the D., L. 1.^ W. R. R. at l\ii])ert. He performs his duties in a satisfacttiry manner and has the respect of all with whom he is ac(|uainted, both in busi- ness and social relations. He is of a genial disposition, and is a i)leasant conversatimial- ist, and his friends delight in hearing him re- late war reminiscences. On June 9, 1870, our subject was united in marriage with Mary A. A])])lcman, a daughter of Mathias Appleman, a retired farmer and resident of Bloomsburg. This marriage has been productive of seven children; Welling- ton E., deceased; Elmer A., a car inspector on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at Ru])ei"t; H. Reber. who assists his father at the depot; Othello, who died at the age of eleven years; Ulysses Grant; George W^. Jr., deceased; and Mathias K. He is past ser- geant of L'nion ^'eteran's Legion, No. 32, of Bloomslnirg; and was formerl}- a member of the (j. A. K. I'oliticaly he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party w hich party nominated him for the State Leg- islature in 1890. 7^ ORTEZ B. ROBBINS, a descendant of I J| one of the pioneer families of Green- ^^i ' wood township. Columbia County, late the [jroprietor of a large wholesale liquor SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 431 house of Bloomsl:)urg", being an enterprising and progressive citizen of that town. He is a son of Daniel A\'. and Harriet (Ager) Rob- bins, and was born in Greenwood township, Cohnnbia County, September 4, 1858. Daniel W. Rol)l)ins. father of our subject, was a sur\'eyor during his younger days hav- ing learned the profession frhc esteem, ffe folded his hands in final rest May jo, 1880, in the fifty-innth year of his age. lie was a man of high educational attainments and was thoroughly abreast of the tinics on matters of current interest. He was united in hymeneal bonds to Harriet .\ger and th.ey l)ecame the happy parents of twu children: Lizzie M., and Cortez B. Althougli Mr. Robbins took an active interest in matters of a political na- ture he never aspired to of^ce being content to live the life of a private citizen. He al- ways voted uniformly and conscientiously for the Democratic party. Pie was an Odd Fel- low. Cortez 1j. Robbins, in whom the interest of this sketch centers, obtained his [jrimary education from private tutors, attended the Bloomsburg State Normal School for a time and completed his study at Clinton Seminary. He then began clerking in a drug store at Danville, Montour County, but owing to fail- ing health he was compelled to relinquish that occupation for one which al'forded more out-of-door exercise. After his father's demise he succeeded him as proprietor of the whole- sale licpior business and conducted it from that time to August, 1898, wheri he sold the ]:)usi- ness to J. S. Bachman. He had enlarged the establishment to some extent and carried a comprehensive line of fine wines and litjuors. He has always been an active and energetic citizen and the promoter of various indus- trial enterprises. A somewhat remarkab'e and a highly commendable characteristic of Mr. Robbins is that he has never tasted to- bacco or used it in any form, nor licpiors, to which excellent habits he undoubtedly owes his present excellent health. He has erected a fine brick residence at No. 35J East Sec- ond street, which is fitted with all modern im- jjrovements and is a very desirable piece of property. His mother resided with him at the time of her death. May 17, 1898. Mr. Rob])ins being a single man, since his moth- er's deatli his only sister, Lizzie M., has had charge of the household. Mr. Robbins is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. of Bloomslnirg; Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.; is P. E. C. of Mount Moriah Council No. 10, of Bloomsburg: a mcml:)er of Crusade Com- mandery. No. 12, K. T. ; and a member of the Mvstic Shrine. ICTOR A. LOTIER, publisher and editor of the Daily Record and Week- ly Record of Danville, Pa., is one of the prom- inent journalists of Montour County, and a highly respected citizen. He was born in the city of New York, December 15, 1842, and is a son of Benjannn and x-Vnna (Ronk) Lotier. Benjamin Lotier was of French descent and was born in the city of New York, and d.urino- his earlv davs was a silver engraver. 433 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. wliicli business lie fullowccl in Xcw \nvk Citv. Boston, Jind Philaiiclpliia. lie wedded Anna Ronk, a native of J'ougidveepsie, X. Y. Our >-ul)ject's faliier ])assed from lids life at the age uf sixty-nine years. \ ictor .\. Lotier acquired a liberal educa- tion in llie i)id)lic schools of rhiladeli)hia and in 1854 moved to I)an\ille where he found, emiiloyment in the rolling--niills of that town. In 1862 lie was in the state of Rhode Island and shortly after his arrival there he enlisted in Company E, 3d Keg., R. 1. Cav., and served tln-oughout the Civil War. He was first elected conimis.sary-sergeant l)ut was soon promoted to the rank of orderlv sergeant. He received an honor.ible discharge at New Orleans. La., in 1863. and then s])ent one year in traveling through the western states. Retnrm'ng to Danville. I'a.. he as- sumed the duties of his former position in the rolling-mill, remaining until 1S71, when he purchased the Danville Marble Works; he also became a stockholder in the Record Pub- lishing Company of that town. April i, 1878, James Foster, Harry A'incent. and our sul> ject purchased tlie Danville Reconl. which | was estalilished by A. P. Fowler. Tlie Dan- \ille Record was formerly edited by Mr. Brow- er, and was an independent paper, the first edition having been issued March 16. 1876. AVhen these gentlemen took possession of the paper it was known as the Weekly National Record; later our subject became sole pro- l)rictor and the paper was then known as the Weekly Record. May 23, 1881, our subject started the Daily Record which has a good country from which to draw its jiatronage; it has a circulation of 700 and the weekly paper about 900 circulation. Mr. Lotier has thoroughly mastered the newspaper business and understands liow to conduct a paper. The reading matter (.)f the Dailv and Wcekl\- Record is well selected, its editorials are good, and its local news is admirably presented. Mr. Lotier was united in marriage to b'annv Hughes, a daughter of Peter Hughes, and a family of two children blessed their Ixinie. namely: Homer H., a resident of Camden, X. J., who married Anna ^^ln-phy of Philadel- phia; :md Walter M.. a printer on the Sport- ing Life of Philadelphia, who is married and has a son. Homer. — — • • ♦. — — /^3)b:oR(.;E .S. .S-rh:RlJX(i. foreman of \|5| the Mount C.irmel iron Works, is an esteemed and highly-respected citi- zen of Mount Carniel. Pa., and has done mucli to further the progress of the town, lie is a man of splendid ;d)ilities and good judg- ment, his opinion being nuich sought after. Mr. Sterling is a son of Clintcjn B. ;md Lucy (Loreman) Sterling, and was born .\pril 20, 1864, in Bloomsburg, Pa. Clinton B. Sterling, father of our subject, was born in October, 1837, in Colundiia County, where he spent most cjf his life. ;nid at present his home is in Bloomsburg. Pa. His occupation, in his active life, was always that of a teamster, and he was widely known throughout the county. He has alwavs been a stanch Democrat and has taken a verv act- ive i)art in the town politics, having served as councilman for his native town thirteen consecutive years: then, after a vear out of ofifice. he again served two years more, and was urgently requested to continue to serve but refused. In church affairs he has been equally active, being a member of the Presby- terian Church, and has served as elder in the Reformed Church. Mr. Sterling married Lucy Loreman, a daughter of Samuel Lore- man, and they are the parents of nine chil- dren. si.\ of whom are li\inc;'. SAMUEL EDWARD UeARMOND. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 435 Georg'e S. Sterling-, the subject of tliis l)iog- raphy, was educated in the common schools of BIoomsl)urg, and at the age of seventeen entered tlie wood department of the Blooms- hurg Car Sliops, wliere he remained one year, leaving at the end of that period to attend school. After one year's schooling, on March 6 of the following year, he entered the em- ploy of Harman & Hassert to learn the trade of a molder. .\ftcr six years in that ))usiness he was ill for a year. When his health jier- niitted he began work in the r>]ii(misl)nrg J^esk l'actcir\', ami remained wiili ilial com- ]ian\" for fixe \cars, when he remoxed to Momil ('armel and hecp.nie n'lc of the organ- i/ers of llic MomU (armel Irun WUrks. Me was one of the directors imtil iSnj, when he resigned. Mr. ."Sterling h;is splendid lnisiness abilities, and li.i> .ilw.avs apphed himself with earneslnt'^s and diligence. lie has .-ilw.'us been an active worker in the town ])olitics, and is constanth' looking after the interests of his parl\-. lie is ;i member of the 1. ( ). (). F. lodge at Mount Carmel. Mr. Sterling married Jtllen Neyhard, a daughter of Samuel Neyhard of P>loomsbm\g, and they have been blessed with two children, Myron and Francis. Mr. .Sterling has a large circle of warm friends in llie count\' and is wi-ll known. AMUEL FDW.Ma) De.VRMOND, retirerl, and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of \\'atsontown, Northumberland Countv, I'a., was born in Delaware townshi]) in the county in which he now resides, lirst seeing the light of day near the \\'arrior's Run Church on June <;. 1855. He is a son of the late Samuel and Rebecca G. (Ferguson) De.Xrmond. a grand- son of Samuel and Fsther (Wallace) De.Xr- mond, and a great-grandson of Thomas De- Armond, whose wife's name has not been handed down in the family record. Our subject comes of a family wdiose found- ers were among the earliest settlers in this state and he possesses among other relics a deed for land purchased by his great-grand- father, Thomas De.\rmond, as far back as 1793. This deed, which is of great historical interest, was given by John and Thomas Penn to Frederick Watts and is dated June 22, 1775. It con\eyed a tract of joo acres which subse- quently was bought l)y Thomas DeArmond and now forms ]iart of the estate which finally descended to the subject of this sketch. Educated in the public schools and at the Eloomsburg State Normal School, Sanuiel Edward De.Xrmond has devoted his abilit\' .•mil energ\', sub.stantialh', to excellcntlx' car- ing for his pareiUs and successfulK' managing the estate, lie has lieen a large dealer in real estate and has been also foremost in pro- moting the growth and jirogress of W atson- town, in which he always has taken an active and most helpful interest. Our sul)ject is a stockholder in the Farmers' National Bank of Watsontown, which owes much of its jiros- perity and success to his energetic ami wise efforts. As have been his father, and mother anil the family back for generations, Mr. De .Xrmond is a I 'resl>\'terian. In politics he is a l)emocral, but ne\er has ;ispired {o hoM of- fice. Thomas De.Xrmond, great-grandfather of our subject, with his wife and children, came from County Donegal, Ireland, to this coun- try and first located in Dauphin County, this state. In 1793 the family removed to North- umberland County, the head of the f;nnil\- buying the tract of land heretofore referred to. Thomas De.Xrmond partly cleared the land and passed the remainder of his \e.ars upon 430 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. the spot chosen as his final ht)nie. lie and his wife Hved to "ripe old age" and both ])eacefully lie in the cenieter)' at W'arrior's ]^nn Church. Their children, so far as the fam- ily can state, were three sons, — Sanniel, John and Robert. Of these, Samuel was born in Ire- land and was ten years old when his father settled in Northumberland Count}-. Samuel assisted in clearing the tract of land, followed farming all his life and died in 1842. His wife survix'ed him until 1851, when she, too, was laid in the cemetery at \\'arri{)r's Run Church. Their children were: John; Thom- as; Samuel, father of our subject; ^\'illiam; Hester; Martha; Margaret; and Mattie. The father of our subject, Samuel DeAr- mond, was born on the farm herein mentioned on March 22, 181 1. He received a common school education. He and his brother Thom- as were left the handsome estate to which they added considerably until it became cjuite a valuable property. Samuel was unusually successful in his ventures and he retired from active farming or other pursuits in 1873 and built the handsome brick residence on the southeast corner of Sixth and Mum streets in Watsontown where he died April 3, 1898 — twenty-five years to a day since he arrived in the township. This residence is now occu- pied by our suljject and his wife. Thomas re- mained on the farm until his tleath'. Samuel was a Democrat and somewhat active in local politics. He served as auditor of the town- ship and a member of the school board in W'atsontown. Mrs. DeArmond, mother of our subject, ])assed from this life November i, 1898. She was born Septeml)er 20, ]8]2, and was a daughter of Andrew Ferguson of Northum- berland County. Tliese children were the re- sults of the happy union of Samuel DeAr- niuiiil and Miss I-'erguson: Hadasah G., Wil- liam \\'., .\ndrew Woods, Thomas I )ull()n and Samuel Edward. Our subject was united in marriage on Jan- uary 26, 1899, to Kate I), iiall of Philadel- phia. A portrait of Mr. De.\nnond is shown on a previous page. 7^ IIARLES W. MILLER, who is identi- V Jj '''^'' ^^'^'^ many public enterprises anil ^*-— '^ who has the advancement of the in- terests of the town of Bloomsburg at heart, is an able attorney-at-law. who has been en- gaged in the practice of his prijfession there since 1867. He comes of an old and well- known famil\- of Columbia County, is a son of Stephen H. and Lavina (Kline) Miller, and was born in Mifflinville, Mifflin townshi]), Co- lumbia County, November 20, 1844. Our subject's grandfather was Charles Mil- ler, of German descent, who at an early age left his home in Lehigh County, Pa., and lo- cated in Mifflin townshij), Columbia County. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and was a man of considerable prominence. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Sarah Mann, wlm li\cd In the age of seven- ty-two years. Stephen II., the father of our subject, was sherifl' of Columbia County from 1855 to 1858. after which he was engaged in the mer- cantile business. He was marrieil to Lavina Kline, of Scotch-Irish descent, whose grand- parents were among the prduiinent carl\- set- tlers of Fishing Creek townshi]), Columbia County. Religiously they were of stanch Presbyterian stock. Mr. Miller died on No- vember 8. 1S91, at the age of se\'ent}--t\v<) years, and his wife died September ]2, 1883, at the age of seventy years, leaving to sur- vive them two children: Isaac K., a sales- man; and Charles W. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 437 Charles W. Miller, in addition to completing the recjuired course in the common scliools. took a course in the -Nlillersville State Normal ScIiodI, after wliich he read law with \\'il!iam (i. llurty and I'".. II. Little. Since his ad- mission to practice in 1867 he has resided in Bloomsburg and has been engaged in the practice of law. While he is of the Demo- cratic school of politico he has nc\er entered acti\el\ into political affairs. lie has eni- ])loyed himself contiiuiallv in promoting the general welfare of ihf town, es])eci;dl\ by iden- tifsing himself with nian\- enterprises, and he is proud of the f;ict that the town li.as pros- pered to ;i degree th.at is not ouh couunend- able, but leaves it without a ri\;d in the state for \'ariety of industries, growth ;nid gen- eral appearances. \\ h.n es]iecial part he has t;dsH'n in forw.Mrding the \arions eiUerprises ol wliicli w c- h;i\r spoken will pi'oli;ibl\ never be known through him, as he is greatK' op- ])osed to speaking of his own .accomplish- ments. However it is well known that he was one of tlie organi/.ers and is now more or less interesteil in the following business \entures: Woolen mill, silk mill, carjiel mill, desk works, furniture factory, brass and cop- ])er plant, novelty works, e1e\ator works, elec- tric light works, gas works, steam heat- ing company, water company, artificial ice company, cold storage company, creamery, m.atch f.actory and electric^ rail- way. He has been and is now exten- sively engaged in real estate transactions. As a lawyer he is engaged more especial'y in efforts to keep people (nit of litigation, rather than to relieve their difficulties by legal pro- cess. Mr. Miller's residence is on Centre street, where he has lived since his marriage. On October 11, 1866, our subject was united in marriage with Cora L. Eshleman. a daughter of Pienjamin L. Eshleman of Port Carbon. Schuylkill County, Pa., being a de- scendant of the fcnmder of Pottsville on her mother's side, and on the ])aternal side a descendant of the Eshlemans and Martins who were early residents of Lancaster Coun- ty, Pa. This union is blessed with the fol- knving children: Mrs. Annie Miller Melick. now residing in I'hiladelphia, Pa.; Vida; b'rank K.. recently a private secretary and clerk for the Cross Creek Cfjal Comp.any of Luzerne Cmmty and now a law student in the (jffice of his father; Charles W.. jr.. now a resident of I'dorida; (Gertrude, who now re- sides in Mexico; and Cor;i Iniogt-ne, a stud- ent. ( )ur subject is a member of the L ( ). O. (J. F. ; and is also a Mason. OSl-'.ni llLn[:)lN(ik:R. ihe leading meat mercb.ant of MoniU Carmel. Northumberland County. P;i., ;uid ;i prosperous and enterprising citizen, was born in Wurtend)erg. Ciermany, March 7, i8_i7. and is a son of Anthoin- and Juli;i (b'ricker) Buddinger. ,\nthon)- Buddinger, the father of our sub- ject, was l)orn in Germanv ;md came to .\mer- ica in 1849, locating in Mount Carmel. wIutc he li\'ed until his death in 1898. He learned the trade of carpentering in his nati\e c(nm- try, where he followed it some years; be also folkjwed it at Mount Carmel nearly alt of the years of his residence there. l^Ie was united in marriage with Julia Fricker and they reared four sons and two daughters: Conrad, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War; E. William, formerly a machinist by trade, who is now engaged in the butcher l)usiness in Mount Carmel; Ji>se])h. the sid)- jeet of this sketch; Mathias, who follows the trade of a carpenter; Julia, who died shortly 4m BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. after landing in this country; and Teresa, the wife of William Reamsnyder of \\'illianis])ort. Pa. Joseph Buddinger was al)oul si\ years of age when he was brought to Mount Carniel 1)\- his parents, and soon after entered the pub- lic schools, which he attended for the brief lieriod of three months. Although his .school- ing was limited, he has accpiired a very ex- tensive knowledge of tlie affairs of the world l)y constant contact with business men and men of high education. J le early in life learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed until 1)^73. when he went into the butchering business, which he has since ccju- linued. He was first located on Fifth street, but later moved to his present excellentl}' lo- cated establishment on Oak street, about the year 1880. He carries the highest grades of meats of all kinds and is patronized by the leading citizens of Mount Carmel. He has many friends and is highly esteemed. Mr. Buddinger enlisted in the Civil War in Company D of the 48th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., March 10, 1864, and served with great credit until its close; he actively participated in the following important engagements; Battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Weldon Rail- road, Spott.sylvania, Spottsylvania Court- house, and before Petersburg. He was wounded on June 17, 1864. at Weldon Rail- road, slightly wounded in front of Petersburg in 1865, and at the battle of Cold Harbor re- ceived a wound which resulted in deafness in one ear. Our subject was first united in marriage with Sarah Kutz of Schuylkill County, Pa., by whom he had two children, namely. Carrie E., the wife of William Strauj) of Mount Car- mel; and Katie, the wife of George Clark of Mount Carmel. His second union was with Josephine Kreighbaum, and they ha\e three children: Sally; Julia; and Adam Lawson Lee. Politically Mr. I'.uddinger is now a con- sistent Prohibitionist, but formerly was affil- iated with the Republican ])art\-. J-'raternally he is a member of Mount Carmel Lodge Xo. (130, L O. O. 1'.; Mount Carmel Connnand- ery No. 22, Knights of Malta; and liurnside Post No. 92, G. A. R. rHOMAS J. BARTON, one of the most enterprising and progressive cit- izens of Bloomsburg, is ])roprietor of the White Mill of that town and enjoys a large and paying custom. He was born on the old Barton homestead on West .Main street, near where the pottery now stands, September 28, 1840, and is a son of Caleb and Sarah (Ru- pert) Barton. Our subject comes from an old and promi- nent family whose members have long lieen connected with the growth and develoi)ment of Bloomsburg and Columbia County. His great-grandfather was I'disha Barton, one of the early settlers of Bloomsburg. who was the son of Thomas Barton. Thomas Barton, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was of English birth and came to the United States with two brothers early in the eighteenth century, settling in Vir- ginia. His companion in life was Hannah Clark, a native of England, and they were the parents of the following children: Daniel; Elisha. the great-grandfather of our subject; Theo])bilus; Roger; I^ndrel; Thomas: Clark; Amelia: Sarah; and Isabella. Elisha was born in \'irginia, June 21, 1742, and li\'ed there until 1 7S i . when be came to Columbia Count}' and located near the town of Bloomsburg. He purchased land on Fishing Creek and built what became known as the SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 439 Red Mill at tin- loot of a bill .-iiid not far dis- tant from the stream. It was (ine of the lirst mills erected in this section of the country and was on the site ui^m which oiu' subject's mill is now located, lie jnit in a wbeatstone chopper and plaster grinders and did the cus- tom work for the farmers for many miles dis- tant. He also owned a large tract of land on the opposite side of the creek which he cleared, giving the lumber for the erection of the First Episcopal Church. He was one of the most prominent men of the county and was held in higii esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He was active and. energetic and served for a number of vears as justice of the peace. His first marriage was with Mary Simonton, whose death occurred short- ly after they moved to Northumberland Coun- ty. They reared one son. Thomas. On July lo, 1 771, he formed a second union with Ann McCarty, who was born in New Jersey. March 20, 1754, and they were the [jarents of the following children : Mary, who was born De- cember 16, 1772, and married John Boone; Amelia, bom October 2, 1774; Elisha, born September 2, 1777. and married Rachel Mil- ler; Isaiah, born June 21, 1780, whose wife was Mary Thornton; Hannah, the wife of James Boone, born May 25, 1783; John, who was born May 10. 1785. and married May C. Kreider; Anna, the wife of Abraham Klotz, was born January 6, T778; Sarah, born May 2, 1790; Caleb, who married Mary Craig, born November 26, 1792; one, who died in infancy; Cyrus, whose birth occurred May 3, 1796, and who was united in marriage to Catherine Brewer; and Betsey, wife of Wil- liam Robinson, 1:)orn January 30, 1799. After living a long and useful life Mr. Barton passed into the world of rest September 12, 1816, and his belo\'ed wife sin-vived him se\'en years, dy- irrg Januar\- 11, 1823. Isaiah Barton, grandfather of our subject, followed farnu'ng until 1842, when he pur- chased the mill property and, after tearing down the mill erected by his father, built the one which is now operated by our subject. He conductecl a custom mill and found it a \ery remuneratixe occupation, as he was well patronized. He lived but a sliort time after the completion of the mill. Jle was united in marriage to Mary Thornton and they reared a large family of children, one of whom was Caleb, the father of our subject. Caleb Barton was born August 30, 1812, and lived upon the homestead farm during the early part of his life. He took cliarge of the farm, while his father conducted the affairs of the mill, until the hitter's death, when he suc- ceeded to the ownership of the mill. He suc- cessfully operated the mill until his deatli. In 1855 he built the handsome residence in w hich his son-in-law, Thomas ^^'ebb. now lives. Jn February, 1836, he was united in marriage to Sarah Rupert, a daughter of Peter Rupert, a member of one of the oldest families of the community, and they became the happv par- ents of si.x children: Evelina B., the wife of Dr. W. H. McReynolds; Mary, deceased; Thomas J., the subject of this biography; Catherine B,, the wife of Alfred Ale; Emma B., the wife of John Moore; and Anna B., the wife of Thomas Webb. In J862 he formed a second union with Delilah Creveling. Mr. Barton folded his hands in thial rest in Bloomsburg in 1895, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In politics he was a Whig until the death of that organization, when he l)ecame a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In religious attach- ments he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas J. Barton, our subject, was reared on the farm and after attaining his majoritx- 440 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. learned tlie trade of a l)'acksmitli, which he followed in lUoomshnri;- for ei,a;ht years. He then returned to the homestead farm, where he carried on (general farmint;- for twenty years, oi" mitil i<^u5. when he ])urchased the old Barton Mill property, and after making many improvements ojjcrated it. He has fitted it up with improved machinery and op- erates the mill in an up-to-date manner in e\ery respect. He turns out a hitjh grade of rtour. the best brand being the AVhite Lily, ;md it linds a ready sale on the market. Tie is a man in wiiom the i)eople do not hesitate to ])lace their confidence and he has many friends throughout Columbia County. In the fall of iSi;~ he built a fine residenci- on West Main street, where he has since resided. Mr. P.arton served as a nnisician in the (i[\\ I'a. Keserses f. After his I'eturn he was drafted and became a mem- ber of Company .\, 171st I'Jeg., Pa. Militia. and served about ekwen months, bis regiment ;icting ;is scout during thai lime. Mr. Ikirton formed a m;iti'imoni.al .alliance with lienrietta (inilil. a daugliter of .\aron ( iuild of licmlock township, ;md six children li;i\e blessed tlu'ir h;Lp]i\ union, nameb : I'jl- w.'ud, wlio m.uried .\imie l''owler, and has two of four children living, Malik- and lames; (".atherine, deceased: Is.aiah, ;, silk weaver, who m,-uried .Mar_\ ( )s\\ell, .and the\ ha\e the following children, — May, 'fhomas, Leone, iielen. Caleb, kreil, l-lay. iM'ancis, deceased, and l'"rank: Caleb, a miller; Harry, a teacher; and Maud, a graduate of the Bloomslnirg High .^cliool. Mr. Ii.arton is ,a Republican in bis political aflilialioiis. Li religious belief he is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church. AMES J. HARDING is a tiller of the soil, having commenced that occupa- tion in 1SX3, since which time he has occu])ied a tine farm in .Shrewsbury township, Sulliiau Count w I'a. lie is of sturdy English extraction and was born in London, England, December 24. 1S50. lie is a son of j.imes and Elizabeth (l""remont) Harding. James Harding, the father of oui' subject, was also born in I'jigland, but in iS3_^ be bade farewell to his nati\e country and with his family of two children immigrateil to the Cnited States and settled in Montours\ ille, L\coming Count\ , Pa., where he still resides. He was in the arm\ during- the ( i\il War. He has accumulated a fine estate and has re- tired from active work. Mrs. Harding was also born in F.nglaiid .and is tin- mother oi the follow ing children ; James J., whose name appears ,at the head of these lines; k'.lix.abeth. who is the wife of (ieorge l'"\enden, who is a florist at W'illi.amsport, P.a. ; Willi.am, pas- tor of St. John's Lutheran ("hurch in W'il- liamsi)ort. Pa.; .\bary I'.ell. who w ,as joined in the boiiils of wedlock with Robert P. Hiet- rich. a prominent merchant of .Montoursville, Pa.; .and Charles, .a prosperous gardener of Montonrs\ ille. Pa. Mr. 1 l.-nding gave all his chililren .-i good ednc;ition ;uid ;ill .'U"e well-tarati\ely retired life for two vears ])re- vious to his demise. Politically Mr, Invert was not active and he never r.si)ired to office, although a man of i)ositi\e and liberal (>])in- ions. He was a pioneer of I'resbyterianism in Northumberland County and long was an ar- dent .and most active sup])orter and .advocate of the doctrine in which he so llrnih' believed, and he held numerous otVices in the early Presbyterian Churcli in Shamokin. Mr, F.vert was marrie stables, saw-mills. mine cars, .and a tine artesian well which fur- nishes f the C'innch of J'lngland. and lludugh them the son inherited the religious inclinations .so characteristic of the man. lie was married July Jj, 1847, to Catherine Wake, and to them were born live children: three boys and two girls. The girls ilied in infancy, but the three boys are living. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill celebrated the hftieth an- ni\-ersai-y of their wedded life on |ul\' 27, 1.S97. In the middle nf May, 185J, our suf)ject, with his wife and son, sailed for America, ar- riving in riiiladelphia on June 30, 1852. From there he went to Gold Mine Gap, Dauphin t'ounty. I'a., where he worked three years at mining coal, brom Gold Mine Gap he moved his faniil)- to the Shamokin coal fields, where I'.e was employed at the f.ancaster Colliery, better known as the Coal Run Colliery, about three miles east of Shamokin. In 1857 he lo- cated in Trexorton, Pa., about eight miles west of Shamokin, working as a miner and contractor. He remained there for eight \ears, when, in 1865, he leased the tracts of coal land known as the (ireenough and Bear X'alley tracts, about three miles west of Sha- mukin, and nioxed his familv there. He op- erated those two collieries very successfully until 1877, when he sold out his interest to the I'hiladelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- l)any. Although well advanced in years, Mr. Goodwill's active spirit would not permit him to remain idle and, accordingly, he leased a tract of bituminous coal land at Re\-nol(lsville, Jefferson County, I'a., and ojjcrated it be- tween four and five years, until the coal on his lease w as e.xhausted. He then leased what is known as the Carson tract, just on the out- skirts of Shamokin; that he operated for two years, when he sold out to a New York firm. From that time until 1883 he was engaged in various mining enterprises and next secured a lease in the now famous Mat-Top coal field of \\'est Virginia, being one of the earlv i)io- neers of the coal development, with Capt. Welch, J. H. Bramwell, John Ct)oi)er, and John Freeman, giving his personal attention for two years to his interests there, when he turned the management over to his son, who is at present the general manager. A, G. Goodwill, \ ice-president of the com- pany and eldest son of our subject, was born in Scotland in 1848, and accompanied his ])ar- ents to the United States in 1852. lie at- tended the i)ublic schools of Pennsylvania, afterward graduating at Dickinson Seminary, ^^'illiamsport, Pa. Returning to Shamokin he accepted a position as bookkeeper, which he held for sixteen years, resigning to engage in the hardware business in Shamokin, which he still carries on successfully. He became a member of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Com- pany at its incorporation, which business con- nection he still retains. He married Miss R. C. Klase of Ashland, Pa., in 1873, and has one son, Robert, now twenty-one years old, Philip Goodwill, second son of our subject, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., received a common school education and subsequently pursued his studies for two years at Dickinson Seminary. His father, being engaged in min- ing and shipping coal, naturally brought his sons in contact with every branch of the business from the office to the more respon- sible positions about the mines. In 1874 Philip left Shamokin for Reynoldsville, Pa., wdiere he took charge of his father's large bitumi- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 447 nous coal interests, and rcinaiuoil in thai ca- pacity until 1878, wiicii he rctm-ncil In Slianin- fviii and engaged witii liis father in tlic cnal business again. Sul)scc|nciul\' \\v entered the law office of lion. \V. 11. M. Oram, but never entered upon the practice of his profession, udl withstanding he w :is dnl\ adnn'llcd to the Nortlnnnherland County liar in 1884. Some time after being admitted to the bar he was elected teller of the First National Bank of Shamokin, which position he filled with satis- faction until 1887, when he resigned to as- sume the management of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company, which ])osition he still re- tains. In 1887 he married the eldest daughter of W. II. Douty of Shamokin, and innnediate- ly thereafter located in Brannvell, W". Va., where he now resides, !ia\ing one of the most beautiful an\' L. .M . Slunn.in iS.' Com|)an\-. grocers, for aliont one year; then engagi'd in business at Shamokin as a member of the firm of 1 )erb\- \: (ioo(l\\ill, in winch lie continued for some time; disposed of his in- terest to enter the mail service, which occupa- tion he followed for about three years, leaving the ser\ice tf) acce])t a position as bookkeei)er will: J. I.angdou iS: Companw at Neilson Col- lier)', .Shamokin. where he remaineil until 1889, when he went to (nxxlwill, W. \'a., as secretar\- and l)U\er for the (ioodwill t'oal iK; C(jke C(.)m])an\', the position he still holds. In i87() Mr. (ioodwill chose for his wife and life companion Ida K. Klase of .Ashland, I'a. 1 lis home is in Shamokin, where his family resides. Mr. Goodwill has never taken an active ])art in ])olitics, Ijut was elected in 1888 to the Sha- mokin borough council, and now holds the position of n(jtar\' ptd)lic for Mercer County, W. Va. The ])ublishers of this x'olnme fake pleasure in announcing that ;i portrait of Robert (iood- will appears on a pre\ious jiage, in connection with the above life history. HC)M.\S C. REESE is a well-known and much respected citizen of Sha- mokin, Pa. He superintends the ma- chine and blacksmith department of the Sha- mokin Iron W'orks. Mr. Reese is at present also much interested in gold mining. He is the owner of 154 acres of land in McDowell County, North Carolina, which is being large- \y de\'elope(l under a lease. The firm wdiich is operating his territory is now erecting a 448 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ten-stamp mill to be run by water power. 'I'liis Ik'lil is rirli luit cinl\- in .^nld. Imt also contains (iiIkt ])ii'c-i(iiis nirtals and vakiable minerals. \\ illiin a railins nf l\w miles have been fonml alunn (Hic Inmdied and thirty-six (lifTcrenl minnals. llie rarest of these lieinj;' diamonds. .Mr. Reese reasonably expects to realize in the t'ntnre a fair |)rofit on his invest- ment. John Reese, father of onr snbject, was a na- tive of South Wales and innni^rated to Amer- ica in 1X46, brinyin;.;- his family with him; he located in St. Clair, Sclm\lkill ( onnty. I'a.. and at once accepted a position as mine snper- intendent in the cmi)loy of William II. b)hn- son. lie conlinned in this bnsiness nntil he iK-pai-ted this life in iS?,^ lie was known as an old-line W Iht^'. hnt conld not be ])re\ailed npi in to acce])t office. Thomas t". Reese was l)cirn in .Monmonth- shirc, South Wales, Jnly 9, i.^y. and is a son of John and Mary (Thomas) Reese. He was bron^ht to .\mcrica by his parents when abont nine years of ai;e, recei\ing" his ednca- tion in St. (_'lair, Schnylkill County. When <|uite yonns.;- he learned the trade of a machin- ist and when .<;ro\vn to manhood worked at that occu]iatiiin in I'Mrl ("arbon, and also at iManch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa., subse- (|uently removinj;- to Luzerne County, and thence to Northumberland County, contin- uing;' to work at his chosen calling. After re- maining in the latter county tw^o years, he si)ent one year ])rosi)ecting in the Cumber- land .Mountains. He was em])loyed by the Tonzwell Coal & Iron Co. of \'irginia to pros- ])ect for eoal. In 1856 our subject went South to Virginia and engaged in mining for three years. He, at the end of that time, returned North and engaged his services with the Shamokin Iron Works. In 1886 he again went South and was located in Georgia for a short time, but finally returned to Shamokin anrl accejjted his present responsible position, which he is \ery creditably tilling. He has the reputation of being a skilled mechanic and consequent!}- is (juite comi)etent to Cv). locating at Fa'l River, Mass. He prc]):ue(l himself for the ministry in England, and preached in I'"an reiver for a number of years, but devoted the greater part of his life to the ministry in this state, where he is widely known. Retiring, he moved to Wyoming, Pa., where he is now spending the declining years of his life. He chose for his life companion Caroline Reid, and they reared a familv of fwc rhildren : Joseph Pf., the subject of this review; Ralph C. H., a professor in the University of Chi- cago; William H., an engineer and assistant superintendent of the American Car and Foundry Company's Rolling Mill at Berwick; Alfred H., a prominent physician residing in Chicago, 111.; and George H., who is now at- tending college. Joseph H. Catterall in 1880 moved to the town of Berwick, Columbia County, and was employed in the erecting sho]) of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company; later he was employed in the rolling mills, where he afterwards acted as clerk. Having proved himse'.f a reliable and competent workman, in 1890 he was promoted to the superintend- ency of the rolling mills, and has retained that position nj) to the present time. The mills were built in 1872 and comjjrise four trains ol rolls, one a nine-inch, one a twelve-inch, and two eighteen-inch trains. The mill is lo- cated at the corner of West Third and ( )ak streets, and 325 men are employed in this de- l)artnicnt. The entire plant of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company pas.sed into the hands of the American Car & Foun- dry Company Maridi i, i8(;9. ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY GEARHART. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL "DISTRICT. 463 Mr. Catterall formed a matrimonial alliance with Jennie Frantz, a danolucr of I-'.niannel Frantz, a native of Wurtemhcr^-. ( ierniany, and they are the parents of two children: Anna, born Augnst 5, 1884; and Joseph II., horn Jannary 25. 1891. ( )nr snhject has pnr- chased the Opdike residence, which he has remodeled and transformed into a handsome home. Mr. and Mrs. Catterall are both regu- lar members of the Baptist Church of Ber- wick. He is a member of the L O. O. F. ; the Knights of Malta; College of the An- cients; and also of the Royal Arcanum. In political views he is .an adherent to Repub- lican principles, and has served as auditor; in the town council, of which l)ody he was elected president; and as a county commit- teeman. Mr. Catterall is a valued citizen of his community, is upright in his dealings, and is faithful in the discharge of all duties de- volving upon him. LEXANDER MONTGOMERY GEARH^ART, whose portrait ap- .-pears on the opposite page, the pop- ular station agent of the D., L. & W. R. R., and one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Danville, was born in Danville, July 26, 1846, and is a son of Boii- ham R. and Elizabeth S. (Boyd) Gearheart, grandson of George Gearheart, and great- grandson of Capt. Jacob Gearheart. The great-grandfather of our subject, Ijorn in Germany, immigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, antl located in the state of New Jersey in what is now known as Hunterdon County. .\s he had many friends in Eastern Pennsylvania he sold his jjroperty and with his family moved to North- umberland Countv bv means of horses and wagons, encountering many difficulties and hardshi])s on tlic way. Upon reaching the farm now owned l)y William F. Gearhart the party stopped to rest in a deserted log- cabin wliich stood there; upon examination they found the land \'ery fertile and at once decided to locate there; Mr. Gearhart pur- chased land and, being an industrious work- er, made money rapidly and, as his means justified, he purchased more land from time to time until he owned 500 acres. With the aid of his sons he set about clearing his pur- chase and built the frame house in which \\'\]]- iam F. Gearhart now resides, which was erect- ed over one hundred years ago and the Ikhisc is still in good condition. He set out an or- chard which was completely destroyed in 1846 by a hail storm. ■ He was a man of strong constitution which has been one of the char- acteristics of the family up to the present time. He lived to old age as did his wife, Catherine Kline. He was the father of the following children: Jacob, born in 1763, died aged seventy-eight years; Herman, born in 1765, died aged seventy years; William, who died in 1854 at the age of seventy-eight years; George, the grandfather of our subject; Tunis; John, died in 1858 aged seventy years; Charles, born in 1783, died aged eighty years; Isaac; Catherine; Mary; and Betsey. The beautiful farm of 200 acres located one mile from Riverside, along the bank of the Susquehanna River, was the propert\' of George Gearhart, the grandfather of our sub- ject, it being a present from his father, lie resided there throughout his entire life, fol- lowing the pursuits of an agriculturist; his farm is now a part of South Danville. He was twice married, his first wife being Achie Runyan, who died young, leaving the follow- ing children: Bonham R.; Benjamin; Eliza; and Rebecca. His second marriage was w-ith 4H4 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Phoelje I.utt, hy w lioni he reared three eliil- ih'en, namely: Achic, Cicorge, anil llernian. Bonhani R. (iearliart, our sul)ject's father, was Ixirn on his father's homestead, and, af- ter allaining a liberal education in the com- mon schools of that townshi]), entered JefYer- son Medical College of Philadelphia, gradu- ating therefrom before lie attained his ma- jority. Trior to his locating in Danville, he l)racticeil his profession at Washingtonville, Turhotville, and Sunhury; he was regarded as one of the most skilful and successful physi- cians and surgeons of Montour County. He passed from this life, aged forty-two years, the cau^e of his death being pneumonia. His wife was h'.li/abeth S. I'oyd, a daughter of William I'.oyd, a resident of Danville. She is now past her eiglity-second year and is en- joving fairlv good health. I lei children were: Achie, deceased; \\'illiani I!.; ( ieorge .Mc: a d.-mghter who died in infancy; llonham K.; James 11.; Jasper B.; our subject; and M. Grier. Alexander Montgomery Gearhart attended school until he was fourteen years of age and then began his business career as a news- 1)OV on the railroatl; later he became freight agent on the Catawissa R. K. at Danville; sub- sequently he was employed in tlie D., D. 6v: W. R. R. freight office of that iHjniugh, ;ind in 1869 became clerk, in which capacity he remained four years, when he was promoted to his present jiosition. succeeiling William Rote. ( )m- subject served six years on the school board and was its treasurer for thirteen years: three years marked his service in the town council, one year as president, lie is now treasurer of Danville Lodge, No. 127, \. O. H. Mr. Gearhart was wedded to Martha Y. McCoy, a daughter of Robert McCoy, ;i n;i- ti\e of Northumberland C'ount\, I'a. Mr. McCoy was a carpenter b\- trade who came to Dan\ille wiien a young man ami carried on contracting many years, building some of the best business blocks and dwellings in the city, lie erected the G. M. Slioop mansion; Conk- lin I Slock; Schultz Block; and many other buildings in the surrounding towns. He died in iSSf) aged sixt_\-three years; his wife was lileanor Vorise, a daughter of James Vorisc, aqd she died in 1892 at an advanced age. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Martha, tlie wife of our subject; Mar- garet, the wife of P>. 1'. Knmbaugh; John P)., of Danville; Samuel .\., also a resident of Dan\ille: Jeimie. who married W. F. Jacobs; .\rthnr, deceased: and J;unes. William, .\nnie, and Sally, who died in youth. Our snbjt'ct rmd wife h;i\e reared two chil- dri'u: N'ell lloiiliani ni;u-i'ic(l Willi.am I.. Mc- (hne. tiller of the h'irst National P)aidv of Dansille, .and they are the parents of two chil])ected in the community. He was a man of generosity and he never failed to remember the mother across the sea, alwavs sending her part of his earnings. He was an Odd Fel- low and a Free Mason. Mr. Sanger's wife was married first to Pierce Oliver, and by him were born two children, namely: Emma, the wife of William Wragg, outside-foreman at the Hickorv Ridge Colliery; and Mary K., wife of William R. Pratt of Shenandoah. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanger were as follows: Thomas Sanger, the subject of this biography; Annie, wife of David I'odine of Plainfield, N. J.; Johanna, wife of John ]\. Pratt of Philadelphia; and (iertrude. .Mrs. Sanger's third husl)and was Paul Ouick, now deceased. Thomas Sanger, the subject of this sketch, was educated at Girard College, Philadelphia, and after leaving college entered the employ of J, B. Lippincott & Co., as stock-clerk, re- maining with them for one and one-half years, when he w-ent to Delano and engaged as draughtsman for six years for the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. He then became draughts- man for Goyne Bros., manufacturers of pumps at Ashland, and remained there two years, when he entered the employ of the Mount Carmel Iron Works in 1897 as draughtsman, and remained in that capacity until February 11, 1899, when he was pro- moted to the position of superintendent of the works. Politically Mr. Sanger is a firm Republican and takes an active interest in the politics of the county. He is chairman of the Repub- lican standing committee of Mount Carmel. Our subject is a member of several fraternal orders, including the Knights of Malta at Mount Carmel; Jr. O. U. A. M., Council No. 874 at Mount Carmel, also of the national and state body, being a delegate to the national conventions, having served five years, attend- ing the various meetings throughout the country; also a member of the P. O. S. of A. 466 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. He is presideiU of the Citizens' Ifook & Lad- der Company, luning hceii one of the ort^an- izers. Mr. Sanger niarried. May lo, 1S93. Jennie Louisa Williams, a daughter of John L. Wil- liams, and they have heen blessed with two children, I'^thel Vivian and Thomas. Mr. San- ger is a man of s])len(lid ])rineiples and strict- est integrity, and is always willing to assist in anything whicli is for the gootands fore- most among the worthy men <>f Co- Inmljia ( Ountv as an energetic, able and n|)right attornev. a courteous gentleir.an. and a kind neighlxir and friend. lie was born in I'isiiing (reek township, ('ublican, whilst in his religious \ievvs he is inclined to be liberal. IRA.M W. BOWICR, who is engaged in cnntracting in masonry and plas- tering work, is one of the enter- prising and successful business men of the borough of Berwick. He is a son of William and Sarah (Stephens) Bower, and was born in Center township, Columljia County, Pa., March 11. 1854. Michael Bower, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Saxony, Germany, and came to this country at the age of thir- teen years. After his marriage he located in Kutztown, Berks County, but later came to Columbia County, and the family has since lieen closely identified with the county's growth and development. It was in the latter part of tlie last century that Micliael came to Columbia Coiuitv and |)urchased a small clear- ing in Ihiai'creek township and liecame one of the substantial agriculturists of that communi- ty. He also cleared a 120 acre tract, which is now^ owned by John Fester. His wife's maiden n;ime was Hill and they reared the following children: Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Dan- iel, the father of Francis \V. Bower, of Ber- wick; I^bilena; Catherine; and Abraham, the grandfather of our subject. .\braham Bower was born in Kutztown, Berks County, and was a young man when he came with bis father to Briarcreek tovwishiii. He learned the trade of a mason, but after liis marriage he bought a farm which he oper- ated, although he still made masonry his chief means of support. He was united in mar- liage to Helen Remley. a daughter of Michael and Susan Remley of Berks County, but later of Columbia County, and they were the par- ents oi the following children: Sanuiel, de- ceased; I'hebe, whose first union was with Daniel Miller, and second with Abraham C iilp: l^lizal)eth, who married Caleb Fowler; William, the father of our subject; Abraham, who died young; Susanna, who also died in infancy; Lavina, who married (jeorge John- son: Catherine, the wife of Thomas Evans; {•'.Hen, deceased; Rev. Aaron, a minister ui the Methodist Episcopal Church, now retired; Hiram, who is living in retirement at Ber- wick; and Matilda, who also married Ceorge Johnson, becoming his second wife. In po- litical belief Ah". Bower was a stanch Demo- crat and ser\cd his town as supervisor cnid school director. He passed into the unknown beyond at the age of seventy-eight years antl his worthy wife died at the advanced age of eiglity-four }ears. William Bower, the father of our subject, was born in Center town.-.hip, Columbia SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 475 County, April 27, 1818, and with his father learned the trade of a mason and plasterer. He followed that trade for about forty years, the latter of which were spent in Berwick where he erected a fine home on Fifth street. After passing a long and useful life he folded liis hands in final rest, April 12, 1897. Re- ligiously he was an adherent to the doctrines jiromulgated in the Union Evangelical Church. He and Sarah Stephens took the marriage vows and their union was blessed liy the birth of the following children: Flora Deli'ah, who married Dr. M. E. Brown and is a resident of Seattle, Wash.; John S., born March 16. 1844, and died February 16, 1853; Lavina, born April 19, 1846, is the wife of G. P. Stiner of Orangeville; Emeline, born February 5. 1848, is the wife of George Herring of Orangeville; Catherine, the wife of \Mlliam F. Kline of Kansas, born Decem- ber 30, 1849; Elizabeth, deceased, born March 9, 1852, and married A. Kisner; Fliram \\'.. the subject of this personal history; Mary N., uho was born ^March 3. 1856, and died Aug- n.st 23. 1877: Elwood. born December 26, 1858; Ida, who died in infancy; Isaac Scott, who was born February 12, 1862, and is a resident of Salina, Kans. ; Sarah M., I)orn ^lav 3, 1864; and Eva May, born August 5, 1867, who married Wesley Cool of Nanti- coke. Pa. Mrs. Bower passed to her eternal rest March 18, 1888, aged sixty-seven years, one month, and twenty-two days. Hiram W. Bower attended the public schools until he was nineteen \ears of age, and then he learned tiie trade of a mason and plasterer. In 1878 he moved to Ells- worth, Kas., and after spending a year at his trade there, returned home. He soon after went to Nanticoke, where he clerked in the grocery store conducted l)y George O. Wel- liver, but being fond of travel and favorably impressed with Kansas on his first trip there, he decided to return to that state. After clerking there for some time he received an appointment as detective on the Union Pa- cific Railroad and during his service in that capacity he had several narrow escapes and thrilling experiences which were enough to test the bravery of any man. He performed the duties faithfully and was rewarded by a position in the general ofifices at Wallace, Kans., where he learned telegraphy. Later he was advanced to foreman of the mason, con- structing and building department of two di- visions extending from Brookville to Denver, a distance of some four hundred and thirty- nine miles. In 1882 he returned to his home in Berwick in order to enter the realms of matrimony, and has since made that borough his home. He has since been engaged in con- tracting in masonr)- and plastering. He has had years of ex])erience in that line of busi- ness and has had the contract for many of the largest buildings in his section of the county. He lias done the masonry and plastering on the following buildings: The opera house of Berwick, the l:)eautiful residence of C. R. Woodin of Berwick Heights, the wheel foun dry of the Jackson & Woodin Company, and the residence of J. W' . Evans, and many of the residences of Berwick and vicinity. Mr. Bower's honestv in dealing with others has never been cpiestioned and he is firmly estab- lished in the good-will and friendship of his fellow-citizens. On January 3, 1882, our subject formed a iiatrimonial alliance with Hattie Suit, a daughter of James Suit of Berwick, and their happy union has l)een blessed by the birth of the following children : Odell S., who was born in Salem township, Luzerne County, September 3, 1883; Randall, born in Berwick in December, 1884: Blanche, born October 476 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 24. 1886: Ralph, bom May 17. 1888: one wlio ilied in infancy: Arllun'. deceased, horn Fel)rnary 7. 1891; Martha, liorr June 24. 1892: and Lewis, horn No\eniher 18, 1893. In rcHt^ions attachments, the family are Meth- (;(hsts. ( )ur suhject is a stanch snpporter of tlic ])rinciples of the Democratic iiarty. He is a mcmhcr of the P. O. S. of A.; jjast chief of the Knights of the Golden Eagle; past com- mander (.f the Knights of Malta; and a mcm- hcr of l!lu')msl)urg Lodge, No. 436, Elks. OW'ARl^ D. AVERY is ])rominently idciitilied with the cultivation of the soil in Sullivan County, Pa., and if the owner of a handsome farm located near I'.agles Mere, in Shrewsbury township. He was horn in Sullivan County, N. ^'., .\pril 4, JS39. and is a son of John F. and Hannah ( Lukins) Avery. John F. Avery was born in Plaintield Coun- ty, Conn., from which place he moved to Sul- livan Cf)unty, X. Y., where for six years he followed his trade as a watchmaker, jeweler and sibersmith; lie then became a resident of Wayne County, Pa., where he worked at l-.is trade several years, but was obliged to give it up on account of his eyesight failing him. Farming then became his occupation, which he successfully continued until his death, which was in the fall of 1872. He was mar- ried to Hannah Lukins, a native of Phila- delphia, and she passed from this life at Scran- ton, Pa., in the fall of 1894. This union re- sulted in the birth of eight children, as fol- lows: Mary, who is the widow of H. W. Mitchell and resides in Americus, Kans.; John T., who died in Minnesota in 1874; Addie, the widow of Thomas Young, who now re- sides in LeKov. Minn.; Frank H., who died in Minnesota in 1885; Howard D., our sub- ject; Linnie, the wife of R. Y. Mitchell of Findlaw ( )hio; .\cllic. joined in marri;ige with H. ]'. Woodward, an editor residing at Scran- ton, Pa.; and Richard L., wiio lives at Chi- cago, 111. Howard 1). .\ver\- attended the district schools and remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of the Civil War. when, en Se]5tembcr 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company 1, 84th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., serving under Cols. Bowman and M. Opp and Capt. John R. Ross of \\'ayne County. This company took part in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, which included the notable bat- tles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wil- derness, Si)ott.sylvania, and Petersburg, Va., and was close to Gen. Lee when th;it famous soldier surrendered. After ])eace had been restored our subject received an honoraljle discharge at Harrisburg, Pa., June 5, 1865. Returning to his home in Wayne County he began tilling the soil, remaining there until 1873, when he removed to Sullivan County, and located on his present farm; with the ex- ception of four years which were s])ent in farming in Morgan County, West X'irginia. our subject has remained on his present farm v.]i to the present time. He owns fifty rich and fertile acres of land and has made all the improvements himself, as when he first took possession of the land it was covered with a dense forest, that has since been entirely' cleared away. Our subject is a hard-working :nan, is enterprising and industrious, and his duties to the public are performed in such a manner as to make him hosts of friends. Mr. Avery, on August 27, 1862, wedded Victoria E. Mitchell, born in \\'ayne County, Pa.. June 7, 1841, and a daughter of Rev. John T. and Elmira (Wheeler) Mitchell; her father was a Bai)tist minister and he and his wife are LINCOLN S. WALTER. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 479 now (leceasetl. Our sul)ji'ct ami wife were blessed by the birth of four ehildren. as fol- lows: Howard E., who died aged twenty- three years; Laura E., died aged twelve years; Arthur L., a contractor, builder and painter at Williamsport, Pa., who was joined in mar- riage with Phoebe Roller; and Friend, who assists his brother at Williamsport. and also attends commercial school there. Politically Mr. Avery is a strong^ Prohibitionist; socially, he is a member of Simmons Post. G. A. R., of Sonestown; religiously, he and his wife are mcnd)ers of the Baptist Church. INCOLN S. WAI/ri'lR, an inHuential citizen of Mount L'arniel. .\orthum- beil.'un! County. Pa., whose recent porlr.-iil is shown on the ojjpositc page, is a lawyer of recognized ability. He is a son of Solomon B. and Catherine (Mark) Walter, and was born in Chilliscjuaciue township, Northumberland County, July i, 1862. He is of Scotch descent and is a grandson of George ^Valter, a native of Scotland, who, upon coming to this country, located in Union County, Pa., where he lived until his death. Solomon B. Walter, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Union County in 1822 and resided there until he was twenty-two or twen- ty-three years of age, when he moved to Chil- lisqnaque township. He was a man of super- ior educational attainments, being well versed in both the luiglish and German languages, and taught school in Union County for a number of years. .\t the outbreak of the Civil War he offered his services in behalf of the L'nidU but the>' were rejected on the ground of j^hysical disability. He was deeply- interested in politics, being a supporter of the Republic.'ui party, ancl he served for sev- eral years as school director in his township. In religious attachments he was a member of the Evangelical Church. Pie was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Catherine Mark, who was I)orn in 1827 and is now en- joying life at an ad\anced age; her father was of German ancestry and a well known resident of Snyder County. The union re- sulted in the following offspring: Cyrus F., a merchant of Lcwisl)urg, Pa.; George M., a farmer of Chillis(|uaque township; Lincoln S., the subject of this personal sketch; Chester 1'.. who is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Chillis(|uaque township; Mary, the wife of .\bram Grove, a farmer of Union County; Lillian, the wife of Dr. G. W. Furey of Sun- bury; Joanna, the wife of Rev. 1"". 11. Sher- nier, a minister of the P»a]itist Church at Cape ]\Lay Courthouse, N. J.; Lavina, who resides at home; and Maggie, deceased, who was the wife of Wesley U. Herr of Clinton County, Pa. Lincoln S. Walter received his primary edu- cation in the public schools of Chillisquaque townshi]). after which he entered Bucknell University, from which institution he was graduated in 1886, having completed a full classical course. After teaching school for two years in Pottsgrove Academy, he be- gan to prepare for his chosen profession, that of law, entering the office of J. Nevin Hill of Sunburv. He was admitted to the bar in September. 1889. and at once located at Mount Carmel, where in a short time he rose to a position of prominence as a lawyer. Our subject is shrewd and possessed of more than an ordinary amount of energy and, having un- dertaken a case for his client, he fights it stubbornly to the end. His knowledge of the principles of law is extensive and he has the hai)])v faculty of ajiplying them to the intri- cate questions which arise in every-day busi- ness affairs. In politics Mr. \\'a]ter is affdi- 4H0 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS. ated with the l^epuhlican party and enters actively into the workinjjs nf that organiza- lidu. Tie lias been a dele^ale to state con- \entions and has been frei|uentl\ called upon to place candidates in nomination. (_)n June 26, 1890, our subject was united in marriage with Carrie R. McNinch, a daugh- ter of Samuel McNinch, who for many years was a leading citizen and tanner of Potts- grove, and they are the parents of two sons: Mark M., born December 21, 1891; and Stuart M., born July 17, 1895. Fraternally our subject is a meml)er of W'ashington Camp, No. 35, P. O. S. of A.; Lodge No. 256, P.. P. O. K. ; and the Commandery. Knights of Malta, ha\-ing passed through all of the chairs, being at present past com- mander. Mr. Walter was a passenger on the train which was wrecked on the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Dunellen, X. J., on January 9, 1899, and was seriously injured. He sus- tained a compound fracture of his left leg. Seventeen persons in the car in which Mr. Walter rode were killed, and ]\Ir. Walter's escape from death ajipears almost miraculous. 'AMUEL E. PERCiSTRESSER is rec- ognized as one of Mount Carniers fore- most and most progressive business men, being jjrojirielor of a large hardware business and also being in the lire insurance business, representing several .; John Walter; Catharine K.; and Sanuiel .\. The subject of this sketch, Samuel E. Berg- stresser, comes of a family of pioneers in this state who lived useful and honorable lives in Eastern Pennsylvania, where they were among the earliest settlers. Samuel A. Berg- stresser, the father of our subject, was born December 25, 1816, near Mifflinsburg, for- merly in this county but now in Union Coun- ty. He is a son of John and Ann (Auchmuty) Bergstresser. His paternal great-grandfather was John Jacob Bergstresser, a native of Ger- many, who came to this country in 1731 and settled in the eastern ]iart of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, with his three brothers, he re- moved to Union County, where they were among the earliest settlers. The paternal grandfather of Samuel A. Bergstresser, Philiji Bergstresser, was a native of Montgomery County, this state, was a farmer by avocation, and died in Union County. The father of Mr. Bergstresser and the i)aternal grandfather of the subject of our sketch. John I'.ergstresser, was born in Union County, October 8, 1775, and resided in that county for a number of years. He removed to Dauphin County, Pa., where he died March i-j, 1852. He was a luillwright by trade and ran several saw and grist mills, building one at Fisher's Eerrv in he successfully operated f or nnie 1S17, which years. He served as ca])tain of a comi)anv of American volunteers in the War of 1812. His wife, .-\nn :\uchmuty, was a daughter of Sam- uel and Ami (AIcMahan) Auchmuty. Samuel .\uclimuty was born near Selinsgrove, Pa., where he resided nearly all his life time. He served with the patriots in the War of the l\e\'olutiiin from iz/f) to 1781. lie was a jirivate in Capt. Stephen Chambers' conipanv of the I2tli Regiment: was transferred to the 3d Regiment in July, \'J'/'^, and was dis- charged from the American .\rmv januarv 25, 1781. John Bergstresser was the father of ten children, as follows; Jacob; William; Mary, wife of Joseph Shipman; John; Lot; Phebe, wlio became Mrs. Jonathan HofTman; Sam- uel A., the father of our subject; Hannah, Mrs. Daniel Rumbarger; Asa; and Julia, Mrs. A. B. S|)rout, all of whom are deceased ex- cepting Samuel A. and Asa. Samuel A. Bergstresser, the esteemed fath- er of the subject of this review, came to Northumberland County with his jiarents in 1817. He received some education in a suli- scription school, but, as his father died when he was quite young, he was obliged early in his youth to "paddle his own canoe." He learned the trade of millwright of his father and followed it for about twelve years in the vicinity of his home. In 1847 he took his mod- est savings and went to Elysburg, where he entered into business, opening a general store, which he conducted very successfull)- until 1870, a period of twenty-three _\'ears. He 482 liOUK OF BIOGRAPHIES. removed U> Mount Carmel in 1870 and there engat^ed in general nien-liandising, soon pos- sessing a large and \ery successful IniNiuess. He continued as the active head of the busi- ness until 1873, when lie practically retired, leaving the business in charge of his son, Sam- uel E., the subject of our sketch. In politics the father of our subject was originally a Whig, and naturally he was one of the organ- izers of the Republican party, with which he has been allied since its formation in 1856. In 1853-54 Mr. Bergstresser served as a member of the State Legislature for Northumberland County, and in 18C10 he was a delegate in the Republican national convention at Chicago which nominated Lincoln for president. He has frequently served the borough as school director and councihnaii. He is an elder in the Tresbytcrian Church, of which he has been a member for o\er fifty years. He was one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Carmel, which was organ- ized July ID, 1887, being one of the first board of elders. He was a charter member of Elys- burg Lodge No. 414. l". & A. M.; a memlier of Griscomb Chapter i\o. 2i V^ Shamokin, is iiurel sceiU. HEMINGR.W, Sr., a esteemed citizen of ]")urelv of English de- le is a scju of John and Ann (Ellis) SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 487 1 leiniiis^ra}- and was lidni April 22, 1826, at till' family lioniesteail in I 'crbyshifc, luigland. ■ Jolm liemingray, father of our subject, was horn in llie villas^e of Heage, Derln'shire, Eng- lanil, aliout 1783. He was reared and edu- cated in the same village, where he followed the occupation of a miner for many years, but finally conceived the idea of trying to better his condition in life by coming to America. He brought with liim his wife, formerly Ann Ellis of Castle Dunington, England, and his son William, and located at Mt. Laffer, Schu}lkill County, Pa., where he again turned his attention to mining, but death overtook him in 1846, just ten weeks after coming to America. His widow fifteen years later crossed to the unknown shore. \\'illiam Hemingray had very poor advan- tages for ol)taining an education during his boyhood, which was s])ent in England. \Vhen twent}' Acars old he left England with his parents and came to .\merica. They reached the mining" districts of Penns\lvania and lo- cated in Schuylkill County, where he engaged- in mining-. After mining there about five years he located at Yellow Springs, Dauphin Countv, where he continued the same occu- pation for one xcav. and was jiromoted to the position of pit-boss, which position he re- tained for three years, gi\ing entire satisfac- tion to his employers. His next move was to the liituminous coal regions of Chesterheld County, in Eastern Virginia, where he re- mained for two years, and then returned to Dauphin County. Pa., and took charge of the outside workings of a colliery at Ranch's Gap, where he remained for some time. He was ;-fterwards locatcil at the following places: Kanawha \'alle\ . W. \'a.. where he was em- ploved as mine-foreman by Col. Garland', and remained for three years; Lykens. Dauphin Counts', where he continued lo laluir till the I (/Utbrcak of the ixcbcllion; Gil).)erton, Schuxd- kill County, at which ])lace he was foreman of the South Side Colliery for one year and a half; Ashland, where he had charge of Rep])- tier's colliery for a term of three A-ears, re- signing his position to accept the more im- portant position of mine inspector. He yielded to the urgent solicitations of his friends and became a candidate for this office in 1873, be- ing elected by a majority of the examining board. He served in that capacity five years, making his headquarters at Shamokin. Mr. Hemingray had nia.de mining a life- study, and, having worked about mines all his life, he was thoroughly qualified to fill this high office in an able manner and discharge its duties most ;iccepta1)]y. He still makes Shamokin his home. ( )f late years he has done no active work in the line of mining, ex- cept locating mines in the anthracite region. He has made a study of geological subjects, especially iron ore and coal, and is considered good authorit}- on this sul)ject. Rebecca Chaimdy became his wife. She is deceased, having passed away May 30, 1895. But two of their children grew to maturity: William, Jr., born June, 185 [, was united in marriage with Ella Samuels, born in 1856. Their home was blessed by the presence of one daughter, Cora, horn in 1876. She was reared in Sha- mokin and is highly educated, being a grad- uate of the Shamokin High .School. She is now a very successful teacher in her natix-e city. Lizzie, wife of \\'illiam Morgan, died, lea\ing two children as a legacy to her husband: I.ila, who lives with her father in Shamokin, and is his joy and comfort; and Derby, who now resides near Philadelphia. Our subject has always taken an active ]>art in educational aft'airs in his community, and has served a term of five years as school direc- tor. He is an earnest Republican and zealously 4«H BOOK OF lilOGRAl'IIIKS. advocates tlic ])riiici])les of liis party. Socially lie is a inenil)er of tiie I. ( ). C). ¥., and affil- iates witli tile nieiiiliers of Sliaiiiokin Lodge. He is a willing- worker in the M. E. Chnrch and lias lived rni acti\e and nscfnl life. I'.TT'IR G. MILl.l'.K, ,i wlioles;ile and retail dealer in coal and wood located at No. 86i Market street, I'.loonis- hnrg, Columbia County, Pa., and one of the most enterprising and ]irosperous citizens of that town, was hoiMi at Tittston, Luzerne Countv, I'a., October ii, 1SO3, and is a son of Jacob Miller, also a native of Luzerne County. ( )ur subject was educatt'd in the pulilic schools of i'ittston and in 1SS7 he renio\ed to liloonisburg and engaged in the tobacco and cigar business on .Market street, wliere J. Moyer now resides. He discontinued that business one year later and rented the old Jacoby coal yards which he conducted for two years; at the expiration of that time he i)ur- chased the yards and built new stables, ice- iKUises, an office, and two dwellings, one of which is a handsome brick structure and is the home of our subject. Mr. Miller ope- rates the largest coal and wood yards in Co- hnnbia County. His coal is delivered to him by canal-boats and he owns a storage-dock which has a capacity of four thousand tons. Mr. Miller was united in the bonds of mat- rimony to Margaret Jacoby, ;i daughter of Oliver and Eliza (Hartniant Jacoby, and granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Weikle) Jacoby. John J.'icoby was born in Hillstown, Rucks County, I'n., and his wife was a native of Coopersburg, I'a.; soon after their marriage, they movetl to r.lonnisburg. where he followed his trade as a wheelwrighl. They were the parents of the following child- ren : Melvjua; Maria; Oliver y\.; Arminda; Enos; and Martha M. He died voung and his wife i)assed fnmi this life aged eighty-four years. 01i\er A. Jacoby, the father of our sub- ject's wife, was born near the city of Philadel- phia, October 12, 1820, and died in 1S90. He was a very successful man in business and suc- ceeded in accunudating a comfortable fortune. He was wedded to I-lliza llartman who bore liim the following children: Leonora, wife of (_/. A. AlcKel\e\'; George, tleceased; Jennie, also deceased; and Margaret, wife of our sub- ject. Mr. Jacoby was a strong Republican in jx)litics, was a luember of the L O. O. F. of Lloomsburg, and served as a school ilirec- tor several years. Religiously he was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. To Mr. :uid Mrs. Miller has been born one child, i''dw;u"d J. In ])olitical \iews, our sub- ject tirnd\- su])ports the Rejiublican ]);u'ty. Mr. j\liller is in the prime of life, prosperous, and surrounded by many warm friends. He is a wide-awake and energetic business man and has given aid and comfort to numerous enterprises other than business ones. T,BERT C. FISHER, a well-known citizen of Trevorton, Northumber- land County, Pa., is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Bower) Fisher, and was born September 25, 1859, in Trevorton, Pa. The ]>aternal grandfather. Christian Fisher, was a nati\e of W'urtemberg. (Jermany. and never came to America. His son, Jacob, our subject's father, was born April 23, 1828, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to Amer- ica in iS3ri. loc;Uing at Trevortcju, Pa. Al- though he had learned the trade of a silk- wea\er in Germanv, he worked in the mines, SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 489 being engaged tliere for a period of thirty years, after tliat time assisting liis son in tlie store. He is a meml)er of the Evangelical Church. His wife has been dead several years. Their children were : Bertha, whose first hus- band was Albert Wetzel, and whose second husband was Daniel Reitz of Bear Valley; Albert C, our subject; Jacob, a laborer living in Golden, Colo.; and Mary, the wife of George B. Raker of Trevorton. Albert C. Fisher, the subject of this biog- raphy, A\as educated in the common schools and learned the trade of a baker at Ashland, Pa. He has since followed that business con- stantly in Trevorton, Pa., also carrying on the mercantile business. He does an extensive business and is favorably known for his up- right dealings with all. Politically Mr. Fisher has always been an unswerving Republican, but has never as- pired to otifice. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. Mr. Fisher married Ella Fritz, an es- teemed lady of Trevorton. OLOMON SCHOENER, a highly respected citizen of the borough of Mount Carmel, who for many years was employed in the collieries in that locality, is a son of John and Anna (Evans) Schoener, and was born near Womelsdorf.. Berks Coun- ty, Pa., May 15, 1830. John Schoener, the father of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Pa., but emigrated to Berks County and settled near the village of Rohrersburg, where he lived until his death. His occupation was that of a black- smith and he always followed it successfully. He married Anna Evans, by whom he had a family of eleven chiklren, namely: Andrew, deceased; Mary; William, deceased; Sarah; Afahlon, a fanner living in Berks County; John, also a resident of Berks County; Solo- mon, our suljject; Frank, a resident of Berks County; and three others who died in in- fancy. Solomon Schoener was reared in Berks County, where he resided until fifteen years of age, when he removed to Union County, and there learned the trade of a tobacconist. He subsequently removed to Schuylkill Coun- ty, where he resided until he removefl to Mount Carmel. in April, 1876, where he was employed in the collieries several years as a laborer in getting out timber for the mines. He is a man of excellent judgment, is ener- getic, and possesses the confidence of all with whom he has any business or social relations. In political attachments he is a firm supporter of the Prohibition party, both by influence and vote, but he was at one time a member of the Republican party. He has served as a councilman in the borough a number of times to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In addition to his other business interests he has always dealt quite extensively in real es- tate in Mount Carmel, at one time owning the Mount Carmel House. He was for some time the largest real estate dealer in Mount Carmel, but as the town grew and the demand for building property increased he gradually disposed of his holdings. At the present time he owns three tenement houses and five va- cant lots in Mount Carmel. He owns also two tenements in Mahanoy City, and is also interested in real estate in Lewisburg and Wyomissing, the latter a suburb of Reading. Mr. Schoener has l)een twice joined in hymeneal bonds, his first union l)eing with Maria Wonier, by whom he had three chil- dren, as follows: Irvin, deceased; Franklin, a confectioner at Mount Carmel; and Anna, the wife of Harry Woodley of Mount Carmel. He formed a second alliance with Catherine 490 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Womer, now deceased, a sister of his first wife, and they had nine cliildren: Jolm, deceased; Charles, deceaseil; William, who holds a cler- ical position; Delia, the wife of Elmer John, an attorney-at-law of Monnt Carmel; An- drew, a resident of Mount Carmel, who was admitted to the l>ar at Carlisle, Pa., in Jnnc, 1898; Ada; Catherine; and two others whose deaths occurred in childhood. Religiously our subject is a member and trustee of the United Evangelical Church of Mount Carmel. REDERICK ]IA,\S, a representative and influential citizen of Sunbury, and register of wills, recorder of deeds, and clerk of the Orphans' Court of Northumber- land County, Pa., is a son of Capt. Jacob W. and Eliza fjones) Haas, and was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa., May 3, 1858. The Haas family is of German stock and the original emigrant was Frederick Haas, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who came from Germany and settled in East- ern Pennsylvania during the early colonial period. His son, also named Frederick, and great-grandfather of our subject, was for many years a resident of .Sunbury. Frederick Haas, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Sunbury in 1800 and died in Shamokin in iSfe, having moved there during his latter days, lie was auv of the leading business men of the county, and in early life was engaged in merchandising and tanning. Politically, he was a Whig, and served as treasurer of the county from 1824 until 1827. He was united in the bonds of wedlock to Elizabeth Swartz, a daughter of Michael Swartz, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, to America prior to the Revolu- tion, in which war he was a soldier. In 1798 Mr. Swartz came to Sunbury and took up 600 acres of land in Beaver Meadows, where he remained the rest of his active days. He was the father of Hon. John Swartz, who repre- sented the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania in Congress. Mr. and Mrs. 1 laas were the parents of si.x: sons and four daughters, one of whom was Jacob W., the father of our subject, who was born in Potts- ville, Pa., June 25, 1833, where he grew to manhood. He was employed as clerk and bookkeeper up to the breaking out of the late war, and on September 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, 96th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served throughout the war as captain of his company. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1863. After the war he spent two years in the oil fields of Western Pennsylvania. In 1S67 he went to Shamokin, Pa., and was con- nected with various collieries in that vicinity; he was clerk and foreuKui until 1890, when he took a tour through the Southern States, prospecting in the interests of the Roanoke Iron Company. In 1895 he Ijecame deputy register and recorder of Northumberland County, which oftice he still retains. Politi- cally he is a strong Republican. He was mar- ried to h^liza Jones, and they re;u-ed a family iif cliildren. b'rederick Haas, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, at the age of nine years went ti) Shamokin with his ])arents. He received his primary education in the public schools of his native town, and later attended the high school at Shamokin, taking a regular course. He then was admitted to the U. S. Military .\cademy at West Point, N. Y., in 1878, and after studying part of the course there he re- signed on account of ill health and returned home, and the next fourteen years were spent clerking at the Luke Fidler Colliery at Sha- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 491 niokin, Pa., and in the recorder's office at Sunhnry. )'".nterin<; pulitics as an acli\e and aggressive Republican in 1894 lie was elected register and recorder and clerk of Orphans' Court of Northumberland County, whicli was at that time a strong Democratic county. In 1897 he was re-elected, and holds that po- sition at the present time. In 1877 our sub- ject became a member of Company B, 7th Reg., N. G. Pa., and in 1S80 he was pro- moted to lieutenant and four \ears later lie resigned from the company. He is a meml)er of Rescue Hose Comiiany of Shamokin: also a member of Mount Taljor Lodge No. 125, I. (). O. I'.: and Sunbury Lodge No. 22, F. & .\. M. In 1892 Mr. Haas was united in marriage to Nellie Murray of Shamokin, ami two chil- dren has l)lessed this union, namely: h'rank M., and Frederick, Jr. AMES POLLOCK McCLEERY, M. D., the oldest practicing physician and surgeon of Milton, Northumberland County, Pa., commands an extensive practice throughout that section of the county. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the med- ical i)rofession and he skilfully treats the most complicated cases with promptness and de- cision, which give his patients the greatest confidence in his al)ility. He is ever a kind friend to his patient as well as the physician, and it pleases his many acquaintances to be called his friend. Dr. McCleery is a son of \\'illiam and ^largaret (Pollock) McCleery, and was born in Milton, Northumberland County, Noxember 13, 1832. John McCleery, grandfather of our subject, was born at the forks of the Conestoga, Lan- caster County, Pa., October 13, 1767, and was a son of Michael and Janet McCleery. Michael was born in County Carlow , Ireland, his an- cestors having settled in that country at the time of the early persecutions in Scotland. John McCleery and Mary Lytle, who was bt)rn at Lytle Ferry, Dauphin County, on the Susquehanna, March 16, 1774, and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Lytle, were united in marriage by Rev. Nathan Souden, September 23, 1802. -Her father was pf Eng- lish descent and her mother Irish. This union was blessed by the following offspring: Wil- liam; Sarah, the wife of John L. Watson, born P"ebruary 18, 1805; Joseph, born Janu- ary 10, 1807; Jane, who became the wife of Rev. David X. Junkin, was born February 4, 1809; Elizabeth, born September 10, 1811; and Mary, born Alarch 16, 1814, and married Rev. Nathan Shotwell. Early in life John Mc- Cleery was a merchant at Harrisburg, but suIj- sequently he moved to Milton, Northumber- land County, where he was among the first business men. He opened a general merchan- dise store on South Front street, where Fol- mer's grocery store is now, and did a very- large business, buying produce and grain, which he shipped down the ri\-er in arks to the larger cities, receiving merchandise in ex- change. He finally retired from this business and purchased a farm, which is now a part of the \\'illiam Cameron estate, and there erected good substantial buildings which are still standing. He was always classed among the leading citizens of his community, and was very successful in lousiness affairs, leaving a considerable estate at the time of his death. He and his wife now lie in the Harmony Cem- etery at Milton. Dr. William McCleery, the father of our subject, was born at Halifax, Dauphin Coun- ty, Pa., July 31, 1803, and early in life was brought to Milton by his parents, practically 492 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. growing up with that borough. He was a very apt scliolar and obtained a good mental training in tlic ])ublic scliools, after which he began the study of mcfhcinc under the direc- tion of Dr. James S. Dougal, and graduated from tlie Jefferson Medical College at Phila- delphia in 1827. He was a man of well-known ability and established a very large practice, possessing tlie respect and esteem of every one. As liis oldest son, om- subject, grew to manhood he directed him in the study of med- icine and with great ])ridc watched his marked advancement. In 1S57 he turned his entire practice over to his son and retired for the time being, but an active brain such as he i)os- sessed is nc\er content unless in full o])eralion, and it was but a sliorl time until he built the first steam saw-mill ever erected on the West Branch of the .Sus(|uehanna, at Milton. It was situated where the car manufacturing es- tablisluuent is now located, and Dr. Mct'leery ojierated it until his death, on December 4. it office, excei^t in a minor capacity in tlie borough. B R. WILL L. SHINDEL. Prominent among the successful profes.sional men of Northumberland County stands its jiresent coroner. Dr. \\'ill L. Shin- del, a prominent iihysician and expert sur- geon of Sunbury. His portrait is shown on a preceding page. He is a son of Dr. Daniel W. and Sarah E. (Irwin) Shindel, and was born in Sunbury, January 7, 1867. Dr. ^\'ilI L. Shindel obtained part of his education in the schools of his nati\'e i>lacc, but educated himself mainly by self-tuition and newspaper work. In early life he was employed on the staff of the Sunbury Daily as reporter, and subsequently was the city editor of the Shamo- kin Daily Dispatch. During that time he was also staff correspondent for several met- ropolitan papers, among them the New York .Sun, New York Press. While engaged in newspa])cr work he also stutlied medicine un- der his father, afterward taking a course at the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- phia from which he was graduated in 1893, after three jears of hard study and work, a full-fledged M. D. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Sunbury and met with much success. In 1893 he was nom- inated and elected coroner of the county by his party, the county being at the time a Democratic stronghold, and was re-elected to the same office in 1896. The family is of German origin and the name was originally "Von Schindel." The first of whom we ha\e an account is one Conrad Schindel who, with his wife, Barbara Schin- del, lived at Gemmelsl)ach, Germany, in 1678. Their son. named Johanna Conrad Schindel, was baptized October 18, 1685, and was mar- ried January 22. 1710, to Susanna Trexler. Subsequently the Schindel family removed from Gemmelsbach. the home of the husband atid his ancestors, to .\irsbach. the home of 496 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. tlic wife and lier aiiccsttn's. I'^roni tliat time 1111, Airsliacli was the home of tlie Scliiiulel family. Tlie next and tliird in line of de- scendants was Johanna Peter Sciiindel, Ijorn at Airshach Fehrnary 28, 1732, and baptized March 2, of the same year. He married Maria Margaret Gel)hart and in 1751 immi- i^rated to tlie United States, settling in Leba- non Cmiiity. Pa., where his death occurred May 29, 1784. He was one of the earliest ]>ioneers of Lebanon Valley. Fourth in line of descent was also Johanna Peter Shindel, born in Lebanon County, Pa,, August 21, 1766. and died there September 17, 1829: he married Maria Menges and reared a large family, one of whom, Rev. John Peter Shindel, 1). U., was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Lebanon Coun- ty, Pa., October 3, 1787. He obtained a classical education, graduating and receiving the degree of D. D. He was one of the ab- lest and best known Lutheran ministers of Pennsylvania: ho went to Sunbury, June 4, 1812, and his death occurred there October 26, 1853. He ])reached from 1812 to 1851, co\ering a period of forty years, in the ser- vice of the Sunbury church and other con- gregations ill the vicinity. Rev. Mr. Shindel was a Huent speaker and an effective organ- izer of church work; he was the leader of the New Church mo\-ement, which resulted in the establishment of the East Pennsylvania Luth- eran Synod, in the 40's and was the first president of the Synod, He married Susanna McCullough, of Irish descent, by whom he had eleven children, as follows: Rev. Jere- miah, a Lutheran minister, who served in the Assembly and two terms in the State Senate as a Democrat, and resigned to become chap- lain of the iioth Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., in the Civil War, serving three years; John Peter, Jr., D. D.. who was also a prominent Luth- eran clergyman, s]»ciiranch Iron & Steel Comi)any. i le was united in marriage to Amanda Gulick, a uaut;luer of Samuel Gulick of ]\Iontour Count}", and as a result of this union four chil- dren were l)orn, namely: \\'illiani L., the sub- ject of this biographical sketch; Charles A., an attorney residing at Simbury, Pa.; Horace A,, who is engaged in farming on the old homestead; and Sanuicl G.. who died in in- fancy. The father of our subject died in 1891, aged fifty-seven years. The mother of our subject still resides on the homestead with lier son Horace. Air. Sidlcr was an unwa\-er- ing Democrat, and was supervisor and tax collector; religiously he was attached to the Lutheran Churcli. He was a man greatly re- spected for his many fine qualities and was recognized as one of the active and progres- sive men of his conmumity. \\'iniam I.. Sii'ler acquired a gooil educa- tion in the ])ul)lic schools: he then taught several years in the public and granunar schools of Danxille. Later he sup])lcmented his education i)y a course in Princeton Col- lege, fr(jm which institution he was graduated in 1S88: lie then began the study of law im- dcr the direction of Edward S. Gearhart, and was admitted to the liar in 1890. In 1891 lie began i)racticiug his chosen profession with the abo\-e-named gentleman, and has been meeting with the greatest of success. He is regarded as one of tlie promising young at- torneys of his community. He was elected register and reconler of Alontour County, which office he still holds, the duties of whicli he is honestly and faithfulh' fultilling. Our subject was united in marriage to Mary E. Divel. a daughter of lion. Henry Divel, a liromiuciit citizen of Dau\illc, whose sketch may also be found in this Cook of Biog- rai)hies. Fou.r ciiildren blessed the iiome of Air. and Mrs. Sidler, namely: Margaret R., born August 10, 1891: Franklin William, born .\ugust 1. 1894: Mildred, born Feb- ruary 28. 1896; and a son born January 24, 1899. Mr. Sidler is a member and past mas- ter of the Alahoning Lodge No. 516, F. & A. M.; Danville Commandery, Knights Temjjlar, No. 37, of which he is captain general: Mon- tour Lodge No. 109, I. O. O. F. ; and Beaver Lodge No. 132. K. of P. Religiously he i? a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. LHiL'ST C. MERR. a worthy German- American citizen of l^haniokin. and -inside-foreman of the Luke Fidlev Colliery, was born May 8. 1835, in Bremen, (jermanv, and is a son of Lewis and Sophia (Willis) Herr. The father was a native of (iermanx' and li\ed there until his death in 1866. when only forty-five years of age. August C. Herr attended the schools of his nati\e countr_\- until thirteen years old when he went to sea on a \essel of the North Cierman Lloyd line, and remained with that coiU])au\- until 1870, being in luigland when war was declared between Germany and France. I'rom England he came to Hobok- en, N. J., where he secured leave of absence from the shi|) on which he was em])lo\e(l with the understanding that he would go l:)ack as soon as the ship returned. He did not re- turn. howe\er. but went to St. Mary's, Elk Countv, Pa., where he workeil in the soft coal mines until March, 1873, and then re- moved to Shamokin Pa., where he worked at the Luke Mdler Collier\- as a miner for a JACOB H. VASTINE, M. D. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIOXAL DISTRICT. 501 period of about three months. He then be- came a miner at the Cameron Colliery and after a term of fifteen years was promoted to assistant foreman, in which capacity he was employed five years, servino- in all for a period of twenty years, and was connected with the Mineral Railroad & Mining- Company exactly twenty-six years. In 1893 he became inside- foreman at the Luke Fidler Ccjlliery, in which jKisition he has since efficiently served. On I-"ebruary 21. 1875. Mr. Herr married Minerva Milbrand, whose parents were lost at sea on tlie voyage from the < )ld World to .\merica. and to them hax'e heen born the following children : Charles Augustus. Ijorn August 10, 1875, who married Mary E. Ker- stetter, and is living in .^hanidkin. I'a.: Min- nie, will) died when fi\e or six davs old and was born .\pril 19, 1877; Clara W'ilhelmina, born .\pril 21, 1879, is the wife of Har\ey C. Kerstetter; Ludwig C born June 16. 1880, resides at home: \\'illiam, born October 26, 1882; Ida, born December 21, 1884; Franklin Monroe, born July 30, 1887: John Alfred. i)orn September 15. 1889: Edward Benjamin, born March 22, 1892; and Annie May Allen, the pet of all, wdio came to bless their home on October 8, 1895. Socially our subject is a niend)er and past grand of Shamokin' Lodge, No. 664, L O. O. F. ; and a member and past master of Lodge No. 225, F. & A. M.; also a member of Shamokin Cha]iter No. 264, R. A. M.: and memlier of Shamokin Commandery No. 'j'j . K. T. (sJT ACOB H. VASTINE, M. D., one of the influential and honored physicians of Columbia County and a highly es- teemed citizen of Catawissa, was born in Rush townsliip, Northumberland County. Pa., .\])ril 2, 1836. Our su1)ject is a descendant of y\mos Vas- tinc. who emigrated from Holland and set- tled in Bucks County, Pa. His son, John, was a native of Bucks County, but with his parents moved to Northumberland County, where he engaged in farming and distilling the rest of his active days. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Catherine O.s- man. a native of Hackettstown, N. J., and they reared seven children, as follows: Eliza- beth, William. Amos, Marguerite, Sarah, Thomas, and John. Mr. Vastine died aged sixty-two years: his wife passed from this life at the age of eighty years. \\'illiam \'astine, the father of our subject, was liorn in Rush townslii]), Northumberland County, Pa., in 1812. and his l)oyhood davs were spent working with his father, .\ttain- ing his majority, he purchased a farm and suc- cessfully carried on general farming all his life. He was joined in marriage with Eliza- beth Hursh, a daughter of John Hursh, a na- tive of Rush township, Northumberland County. The father of our subject entered the world of rest in 1859. Mrs. Vastine passed to the unknown beyond in 1890, aged eighty- one years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. \'astine: Amos, a retired farmer of Danville. Pa.: Hugh, a farmer re- siding near Ixiverside, Pa.; Simon, who re- sides on the old homestead; Ezra, deceased, who was a retired farmer and resided at Dan- ville, Pa.: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. James Ogleby of Danville: Daniel, who died at the age of eleven years; and Ellen, who also died at the age of elex'en years. Mr. \'astine was a Whig; religiously he and his family fa\ored the Lutheran Church. Dr. Jacob H. Vastine received his ]irimary education in the common schools of his native town, which was later supplemented b\- an academic course in Danville .\cadem\ and 502 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Shamokin Collegiate Institute. He then en- tered Jefferson Medical College and was grad- uated with the class of 1858. He inmiediately began practicing his profession at Elyslnirg, Fa., and after remaining there two years went to Numidia, Columbia County, Pa., and suc- cessfully followed his profession in that dis- trict for a period of twenty-one years. In 1 881 he removed to Catawissa, where he has since resided. Dr. \'astine has always liad a large and lucrative practice, and during his younger days he covered a field in which three doctors now work. Until recently the Doctor has been a strong, robust man, never refused a call, and for thirty-five _\ears he was not once compelled to take to his bed on ac- count of sickness. He was a director of the old Bank of Catawissa, and since the forma- tion of the First National Bank he has been its ])resident. Dr. \'astine was married in 1861 to Sarah Hughs, a daughter of George Hughs of Cata- wis.sa, and they are the parents of the follow- ing children: Henrietta, wife of .'\sa Spencer of Lansdale, I'a. ; Elizabeth, deceased; Dr. George H. Vastinc, who was educated in the University of Sus(|uehanna and then took a medical course in the University of Pennsyl- \ania,— after spending one year abroad he re- turned and began ])racticing in Catawissa, and has since been united in marriage with Nellie I 'fabler ui Catawissa; William, cashier of the h'irst National I'ank of Catawissa, who re- ceived his education in the Susquehanna Uni- versity and later graduated from Gettysburg College in 1893; Marion, a me(>/. m;nried Mary Poole in 1704. Sanuiel and Alary (Poole) Cary came tc_) this country after their marriage and located in Dutchess Comity, N. Y. They had eight children of whom the eighth, Eleazer, was born in 171S and was a direct ancestor of the subject. Fleazer mi- grated from Connecticut in i/O^^), whither he iiad gone from New ^'ork, and located in the Wyoming Valley, Pennsyhania. 1 !e married a Miss Sturtevant and they had a family of six children. Their second child, Jolni. was iiorn May 7, 175'^). antmx'd by the Indians and held by them for six years, and was supposed by the family to have been killed. In 1744 Sanuiel returned to the X'alley where be passed the remainder of his days. The great- grandfather of our subject had eleven child- ren, the sixth being the maternal grandfather of our subject, Miner Cary. He was one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of what is now Scranton and owned a large part of the land which is now occupied by the site of the city of Scranton. He married Sarah Deans and to them were born eleven children, of whom E.sther P. Cary, mother of our subject, was born in Scranton, Pa., March 17, 1817, rllOM.XS J. I'RICI':, sui)erintendent of the Mahoning Rolling Alill Com- pan\- of l)an\ille, and a highly re- s])ected citizen of that town, was born at Tredegar, Wales, February 26, 1833, and is a son of Prof. John M. and Mary ( Rol)erts) Price, and a grandson of Thomas Price. The father of (nir subject was born at Rhymny. Wales, in 1S28, and came to the United .States in 1834, locating in Xew \nvk City. In the same year he mo\ed to Dan- ville, Pa., where he became boss-roller (jf the Montour Rolling Mills. In 1863 he \\as em- ployed in the Rough and Ready Mills, now the Mahoning Rolling Mill Companx', and two years later he went to Syracuse, N. ^'., where he acceiited a position as sui)erintend- Kl I rS K. POLK. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 507 ent of the Syracuse Rolling Mill Company. In 1881 he retired from tliat line of business and devoted his time to music, having studied music when young and also while working at his trade. Mr. Price possessed a beautiful voice. While a resident of Danville, Pa., he organized a cjuartet composed of John A. Jones. Robert James, Joseph Parry and him- self. This quartet acquired an e.xtended repu- tation, and in 1865 they took a trip to Eng- land, where they were cordially received. Mr. Parry received numerous prizes for his excel- lent compositions and was made professor of music in the College of Swansea, Wales. Mr. Price is now successfully engaged in follow- ing the musical profession in New York City. He was united in marriage with Mary Rob- erts, a daughter of Thomas Roberts, a native of Wales. The following children resulted from this union: John T., superintendent of the Spuvten Duyvil Iron Foundry of New York City; George T., assistant superintend- ent of the Spuyten Duyvil Iron Foundry of New York City; Ella J., wife of Thomas Hos- kins of New York City: Frank S., a sergeant of the New York City police: Mary .\., a teacher in music; Sarah, who died at the age of three years; Jeannette, a music teacher and stenographer residing at Rome, N. Y.; and Thomas J., our subject. The mother of our subject died in 1867 at the age of thirty-four years. Thomas J. Price came to the United States with his mother in 1856 and settled in Dan- ville, Pa., where he received his intellectual training. At Syracuse he assisted his father in the iron works, learning the iron and steel trade. He then went to New York City in 1879 and was engaged with the Sjiuyten Duy- vil Rolling Mill Comi)any until 1883, when he returned to Danville to accejjt the position of boss-roller at the Glendower Rolling Mills. In 1885 he went to Harrisburg, Pa., and en- gaged as a boss-roller in the Lochiel Steel Works until 1886, when he resigned his posi- tion and returned to Danville to accept the position of superintendent of the Mahoning Rolling .Mill C(impan\, in which cap;icit\- he has since served. Mr. Price was married to Sarah Folew a daughter of lulward Foley of Danville, and to this union three children were born, name- l_y: John, who died at the age of two years; .\nnie Florence: and Edward F. Our sub- ject ser\-ed as chief burgess of I)an\ille from 1890 to 1896, and was school director one year. He is a sujjporter of the princi])les ad- \ocate(l by the Rc]niblican party. Socially he is a member of Danville Loilge. No. 780. I. O. O. F.; and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He was a]:)pointed postmaster of Danville, February 15, 1899, and took possession of the postofficc .\i)ril i, 1899. H-jlUFUS K. POLK, of Danville, Pa., is general manager of the North Branch Steel Company, Danville, and one of the firm of Howe & Polk, manu- facturers of structural tubing aivd s]iecial shapes in iron and steel products. Mr. Polk was born in Columbia, IMaury County, Tennessee, August 2^. 1866, and re- moved to Pennsylvania when sixteen years of age; he was educated at Lehigh University, where he graduated, taking first the degree of B. S. and afterwards that of Mining Engineer. Immediately after his graduation he located in Danville, Montour County, where for many years he was chemist of the Montour Iron & Steel Company; he finally became assistant superintendent of this company, and left there to become the general manager of the North 508 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Ilranch Steel Company. ( )ii Feljruary 17. 1898, the firm of Howe uckhorn, lias been successfully engaged in wagon-mak- ing there since 1862. He is a son of John and Joanna (Appleman) Moore, and was born in Madison township, Cohuubia County. March 17, 1824. The ])aternal great-grandfather of our sub- ject was a native of England and came to America prior to the War of the Revolution, settling on the New Jersey side of the Dela- ware River just abme Philadel]>hia, where he owned two farms. He reared a family, one of his children being Samuel Mocjre, the grandfather of our subject, who was a soldier of the Re\olutionarv \\'ar. He was a great ch;un]iion of Washington, under whom he .served, and during his latter days would not stand by and hear the Father of his Country, criticised. .\t the close of the war he settled on a farm near Petersburg, Northumberl.aud County, and later in .Madison township, Co- lumi)ia County, where he owned two farms, aggregating 224 acres. 1 le was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as elder for many vears. John Moore, the father of our subject, the youngest of a famil_\- of ten children, was born in Northumbcrlantl County, Pa., in 1797. He was one of the jjrosperous farmers of West ilendock townshii), Montour County, where he owned ;t farm of 124 acres of good land. I )uring his early life he was for a short time eng.aged in distilling. Religiously he was an ;ulherenl to the faith of the Presbyterian Church. In jKilitical \iews he sided with the Democratic party. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Joanna Appleman, a daughter of Mathias Appleman, a farmer of Benton township, Columbia County, and they are the happy parents of seven children : N. Patterson, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of these lines; Mathias; Sanniel; John; AN'illiam P.oyd; Sarah Cox; and Mrs. Mary Ellen Purcel. N. Patterson Moore recci\-ed his intellect- ual training in the public schools and at Bloomsburg Academy, after which he taught school for one term. He then learned the wagon-making trade, which he followed llrst in Northumberland County and then in Hun- terdon County, N. J., where he was employed in a lirst-class shop. In 1848 he moved to Benton, Cohuubia Comitv, where he con- ducted a sho]) in connection with agricultural ]nirsuits mitil 1862. when he moved to Buck- horn, and has since been engaged in the wagon-making trade. I )uring his m.anv X'cars SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 509 at liis trade he has acquired great skill and liis services are always in demand. He is held in his.;h esteem In* his fellow -citizens. (_)n June 6, 1840, our subject was united in marriage to Araminta Kline, a daughter of Isaac Kline, who was for many years a justice of the peace in Orange township, Columbia CouTity. and they are parents of three daugh- ters and two sons, namely : Mary Joanna, wife of John Shultz, a farmer of Madison township, Columbia County; John, a wagon- maker of W'ilkesbarre; Lavina. who was for- merly a teacher but is now a luilliner; Charles H., ex-county surveyor of Columbia County, and now a teacher and principal of the Nesco- peck schools; and Elizal)eth, a graduate of the State Normal School of Bloomsburg and for seven years a successful teacher, who is now the wife of John H. Wingert, a promi- nent farmer and teacher of Lewisburg, Pa. Politically Mr. Moore is a Democrat and was elected justice of the peace in May, iSfig, which oiifice he has since satisfactorily filled. Socially he is a member of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M. ; Catawissa Chapter. No. 168; Crusade Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar; and a member of the Masonic Con- .sistory, of which he is past high priest and eminent connnander. /^TTiORGE .\. ERIEG, the efficient V ST manager of J. M. Otto's baking es- tablishment at Shamokin, Northum- berland County, Pa., is a son of John G. and Catherine (Kiehl) I"lrieg, and was born in April, 1859, at W'illiamsport. Pa. He received his education in his native place and learned the trade of a baker from his father. In 1875 he became a jjartner with his father, their business being conducted under the firm name of John G. Erieg & Son. This firm continued until the death of his father, after which our subject managed the business for his mother until her death. The business was then sold to settle the estate. Three days after the sale Mr. Erieg engaged to work for George A. Kiehl, who at that time purchased the Sha- mokin Bakery of William Henry & Son. Not desiring to continue the business longer, Mr. Kiehl sold out at a ver_\- large profit to J. Al. Otto, the present owner, and Mr. Erieg was retained as manager. Under his splendid management the business has increased in val- ue and prospered until the present out]iut is enormous, being estimated at $100,000 worth of stock sold a year. On December ij, 1898, Mr. Erieg took a Southern trip, arriving on the Island of Cuba on January 2, 1899, and there he remained for live weeks. Imme- diately after his arrival there he became a member of the Casino Espanol, a very fash- ionable club, and received the benefit of its hospitality while in Havana. In connection with this organization is a hospital of seven wards, employing thirty-two ]ihysicians and one hundred nurses, and the mernbership of the club inimbers 12,000. The grounds sur- rounding the club-house are most beautiful, Ijeing set out with trees and shrubbery of var- ious kinds. Mr. Erieg combined business with pleasure on this excursion and secureil an option on two of the fmest tobacco ]tlanta tions in Cuba, one of which he has since bought. This trip was one of greatest i)leas- ure and one to which our subject will always look back with enjoyment, as it was one of the most interesting events in his life. Bertha M. Hagenbouch, a daughter of Sam- uel Hagenbouch of Blooiusburg, Columbia County, Pa., became the wife of our subject and their home has been blessed by one son, Charles A. Mr. Erieg is a worthy member of 510 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. the Lutheran thurcli and is (|uit(.- liberal in tlic support (it' the same. Socially he is a nieni1)er of the Crescu ( 'luh of Shamokin. John Ci. Iu"ieg, our subject's father, was horn in 1 Icsse-Darnistadt, (iermany, as was also his father before him, and learned the trade of a baker most thorou,nhly in his native ; country bv i)assin,tj thronL;h the diflereiit j^'rades of apprenticeship, .\fter immii^ratin^' to this country he located in the city of Lan- caster, i'a., but .shortly after removed to Co- lumbia, where he en,t>afied in his cliosen occu- ]iation. lie was subsecpiently at Stmbnry, then at Williams])ort, where he enjoyed the distinction of beinij the first baker in the city. In 1865 he removed to \'ork. Pa., where he assisted in o])cratini; the mineral water estab- lishment of his brother-in-law, George Kiehl. .\fter i)ursuin,';- that occn]iation for a couple of }ears he branched I'orth as a lumber and real estate dealer in York, but subsequently re- moved to Williamsport in 1870 and engaged with the insurance firm of McVeigh & Sny- der. lUit he was not satistied to remain at that, so he tried his luck at dealing in gro- ceries and (|uecnsware for about three years, but I'mally returned to his former trade as baker. He added a new branch to the busi- ness which greatly increased the magnitude of his .stock as well as his profit. He included with bread-making the manufacture of crack- ers and all kinds of fancy cakes. Previous to that time both crackers and cakes were strict- ly home-made articles and a bakery where such edibles could be purchased was quite a novelty. From that time on he followed this occupation continuou.sly until his death, after which his widow operated the same business. witli the able assistance of our subject, unti! she died. In order to settle the estate the es- tablishment was .sold to the United States Baking Company. ( )nr subject's father was a stanch I )cmocral and was active in ])arty alfaii's, being a]wa\^ jjleased at the success of his party, lie was a member of the school board for a mmiber of years and served in the common and select councils for about thirt\' vears. .\t his death he was a member of the select council, lie was a \alued rmd consistent member of the Lutheran (hiu'ch and was for man\- vears su- ])erintendent of the Sabbath .School of that denomination. Pic and his worthy wife had a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, nameh': William ('•., a resident of Shamokin; George, subject of this sketch; Mary; KateS.; Louis E., of Shamokin; Eliz- abeth, the wife of John M. Otto, proprietor of the Shamokin Inikery; and Frank, who is attcndino- the Lni\ersit\' of I^ennsxhania. fl ARCUS D. H(3RN. This prominent and enterprising young farmer is successfully engaged in the culti- \ation of the soil in Davidson township, Sul- livan Countx', Pa., where he owns a handsome farm, which ranks among the foremost in the tow nship. He was born in Laporte township. July 27, 1861, and is a son of Daniel Horn and grandson of .\ndrew Horn. .\ndrew Horn, the grandfather of our sul)- ject, was one of the ])ionecr settlers of La- porte and was the owner of the Rogers i)rop- crty; shortly after purchasing the property he set about clearing a portion of the farm, and engaged in tilling the soil. Later in life he moved to Waller, Columbia County, Pa., and died there at the age of eighty-two years. He was joined in the bonds of matri- monv with Eve Roracli. and a family of nine children was born to them, namcK': lohn; SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 511 Daniel; Freeman; Benjamin; William; Bet- sy; Angeline; and Sarali. Daniel Horn, the father of our subject, was born in Columbia County, and lived in that county until sixteen years of age, when his parents removed to Laporte township. His _\ounger days were spent in assisting his father in clearing the homestead and in attending the common school. He was educated in ag- ricultural pursuits and carried on that voca- tion all his active career. He bought a farm in Laporte township, which consisted mostly of timber land, and cleared the same, making it one of the best farms in his neighborhood. He was well-known thi-oughout his township and i^ossessed the confidence and esteem of a host of acquaintances. He entered the w orld of rest at the age of thirty-four years. He was the father of a family of five children, as fol- lows: Malinda; Alveretta; Keturah: Jean- nette; and Marcus D., the subject of this ])er- sonal history. The mother of our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with Levi Hess, and they became the parents of four children: Ella; Harvey; Hugh; and Clarence. Marcus D. Horn was inlellectuall}- trained f(ir the battles of life in the i)ublic schools of his nati\-e township, and spent his leisure hours aiding his father in the work aljout the farm, thus ac(|uiring a good education in farming. l7pon attaining his manhood he purchased a tract of land in the wilderness of Davidson township and began lumbering and farming, in which occupations he has been very suc- cessful. He has cleared a part of his pur- chase and made many other improvements upon it, such as erecting a new house, out- buildings, and jnitting the land under a high state of cultivation. When our subject's time is not occupied in clearing the farm or har- vesting he is engaged in selling nurser)' products, being a salesman for the C. W. Stewart >S[ Company and the I'erry it Com- pany nurseries; he is also engaged in the in- surance business, representing the New York Life Insurance Company. Mr. Horn is widely known throughout Sullivan County as an en- terprising and progressive citizen and enjoys the res]:)ect and good will of his many friends. Mr. Horn formed a matrimc)nial alliance w ith Eunice Foust, a daughter of Amos Foust of Davidson township, Sullivan County. Two sons blessed the ha])py home of our subject and wife, namel}': Koland, and Herbert. In po- litical views our subject firmly supports the Democratic part\-, and has served as school di- rector and in minor township offices. Reli- giouslx' he and his family are devoted members of the Evangelical Church. Socially he is a member of the local lodge of the I. O. O. F., and the Encampment of Laporte. tIEUTENANT ANDREW JACKSON STROH, one of the oldest and most ^^ energetic and progressive citizens of Sunbury, Pa., was born on February 21, 1828, in Upjier Augusta township, and also was reared in that Idwnshi]). He is a son of Philip and Margaret (Farrow) Stroh. A vet- eran of the Civil \\'ar, Mr. Stroh has an ex- cellent record as a soldier of which he and his family are justly jiroud. Seeking a suital)le field for his energy and industrv, Philip Stroh. father of our subject, removed from Canistoga Center, near Lan- caster, in 1808 and settled in Lpper Augusta township where he engaged in farmin*^. a distilling enterprise, and also added to his occupations that of butcher. A cooper by trade hediad practically abandoned the occu- pation which he had followed in his youthful 512 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. days. In jiolitics .\Ir. .^troli was allied with the Whigs and he filled several local offices to the entire satisfaction of his neighbors. At the age of seventy-eight years he died in Upper Augusta township on January 23, 1838. Our subject's father twice entered the bonds of matrimony, his first wife being Miss Spindler and the miion resulting in a family of six children. His second marriage was to iMargaret, daughter of James Farrow who migrated from "Jugtown," now the "West luid." in New Jersey near Ivistern Pennsyl- \ania, and settled in L'jjpcr Augusta town- ship where he followed blacksnu'thing all his life. Mr. Farrow cikUmI his earthly jdurnex in 1840 at the age of sixtv-five years, iiis wife was Miss T.ac_\' and their family consisted of nine childiTU. ( )ur subject's mother was b(irn ill I'pper ,\ugusla ti)wnshi[). i'"ebruar\- 28, 1802, and died in the same township in 1867, leaving two sons, (jeorge W., ;nid .\n- drew J. .\fter receiving a public school education the suliject of our sketch, Antlrew Jackson .Stroll, learned his trade as a harness and sad- dle-maker at Danville, finishing his appren- ticeship in three years. In the spring of 1849 he engaged in liusiness for himself in Sun- bury continuing there until the spring of 1857. lie then went to Ih'cmer ("ounlv, la., where he followed farming and also his trade, mak- ing s.'iddles on the jirairie. Internal strife thre;itened the destin\- of the nation .'uid the lirst drums of war had sounded Ibeii' alarms. .\mong the first to respond to his country's call was our subject who, in July, 1861, en- listed in the 9th Iowa \'ol. Inf., serving one year as orderly sergeant of Company G. He served in the Army of Southwest Missouri under Gen. Samuel R. Curtis and participated in the imyjortant and severe battle of Pea Ritlge which \'iclor_\- for the I'liion troops had so imi)ortant bearing upon the subsequent movements of the Union forces; and subse- c|uently our sid^ject fought with Gen. Franz Sigel when the threatened inva.sion of Wash- ington by ( Icn. Lee's army was prevented. At the expiration of his first year's service Mr. Stroll was discharged because of sickness and returned to Sunbury. ^\'llile the excite- ment preceding the battle of Antietam was greatest he assisted in raising an emergency company of prominent citizens of Stmbury of which he was first lieutenant under Capt. Charles P>runer, the company being desig- nated as Company D, 3d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. 'I'lic com])any did duty at Hagerstown, Md., witnessing the battle of .\ntietam within plain hearing of the fearful cannonading, ami w-as on duty for eleven days. When the Confed- cr;ilcs ni.uK' tlii-ir raid which culminated in the sanguinary struggle at Gettysburg our sub- ject again ])roniptly aided in raising an emer- gency com])any which was known as Com- jiany I", 3'ith Reg.. Pa. Yn]. Tnf., under com- mand of Col. II. C. .\IIcman. The coni])any went to Gettysburg .and was in service from July 5tli to .August 1 ith, 1863. Returning to his home after the services stated. Mr. Stroh engaged in business which has grown constantly until it is now among thi- nio^t imporlaiU in Sunbury. He acts as an auctioneer, is proprietor of the "I'".agle Livery," is a wholesale manufacturer of har- ness and horse collars and jobber in wagons, buggies and sleighs on Fast Market street, doing an extensive and lucrative business. He is an honored member of William A. P.runer Post. No. 335, G. A. R., and of Fort Augusta Lodge, No. 620, I. O. O. F., and also is a pa.st grand in the order named and has served as representative in the grand lodge of the state. ()ur subject married La\'ina Farnsworth of SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 613 Sunhury in 1850 and unto tlie happy couple lia\e l)cen Ijoimi four chiler 4. 1856, and died in 187S. became the wife of John Reicliwine. and left two chiltl- icn. William and Mary, of Sagon, Northum- berland County; M;uy, born in 1844. wife of John Schweitzer, is the mother of the follow- ing ten children, — William, Enuua, Kate, John, Mary, Matilda, Charles. Fred, Frank, and .\ndrew. Charles h'ritz, cm- subject, was united in marriage November 19, 1882, with Jemima Weiser, a daughter of George Weiser of Fow- er Augusta township, Northumberland Coun- ty. To them have been born si.x children ; Mary Jane, born October 12. 1883; Sarah Alice, born July 3. 1885. anti died on Christ- mas Day 1891; Charles William, born Octo- ber 3. 1887; Emma Bertha, born March 8, 1890; Alartin Luther, born October 9, 1893; Irene Jemima, born January 10, 1897. George W'eiser, father-in-law of our sub- ject, deserves especial mention in this sketch. He was born in 1812 and died in the autunni of 1882. He was uni\ersallv esteemed as a DR. WILLIS H. PURMAN. SE\ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 623 e^ood citizen, faithful to every trust placed in his hands; he was a man of character and possessed more than ordinary intelligence, which, joined to a large fund of conmion sense, made him a man of prominence in his connnnnit\-. He was a man of good judg- ment, was stern in his \icws, vet he was kind- hearted and charitahle; as a neighbor, he was ])c;iceable and ever readv to lend a hel])ing hand. He was not indifferent to the great questions of the day in religion or ])olitics. He was one of the founders of St. Peter's I^utheran Church at Ilollow I\nn and one of its most liberal supiiorters. 11 is life was considered well and noblv spent and his death caused universal grief. Our subject is a luost \-alucd member nf the Lutheran Church in which he served as dea- con six years, after which he resigned. He is class-leader and Sunrlay school sn]jerintend- cnl for the ticrman dc])artment. I'oliticall_\- he is a good Democrat, and has served one term as auditor, during which he made a good record. He was one of the organizers of the Trevorton Mutual Fire Insurance Com])anv. has served as its vice-president, and is one of its present directors. M R. \MLLIS H. PURMAN. Colum- bia County enjoys the reputation of having in her midst some of the most skilled physicians of the state, and not l)y any means the lea.st of them is the gentleman whose name appears abo\'e and whose portrait precedes this sketch. Dr. Purman possesses that peculiar insight into the hidden causes of various forms of disease which will ever he the greatest recommendation of a success- ful jdiysician. A case once clefinitelv diag- nosed loses much of the dread that surrounds it, and the mistakes that are occasionalh- made by even the best practitioners result invariably from an incorrect diagnosis. Our subject was born in Clinton Count}', I'a., and is a scni of the distinguished physician. Dr. John Iv. Pur- man, grandson of Rev. Dr. Mclchior Purman, and great-grandson of Dr. John Purman. Dr. Jolin Purman was ;i nati\e of Cermany and was graduated froiu the .Medical Science University of Germanx-; he practiced iiis pro- fession in that comitrv fur manv vears ;md then innuigrated to .\merica with his fann'lv. locating in Xew N'ork City, where he g.'iined a wide re]nitation as a physician. Melchior Purman. the grandfather of our sid)iect. |)re- jiared himself for the ministry, an.d occupied a pulpit in Harrisburg for a nundier of vears. He was joined in the bonds nf wedlock with a Miss Kindile, and they rearcfl a f.amily of four children, namely : I'dizabeth. the wife of Dr. Myers; Catherine, the wife of Mr. Bech- tle; William, deceased, who was prepared for the ministry; and John K., the father of our subject. Dr. John Iv. Purman graduated in medi- cine and followed his chosen profession in Harrisburg. Pa., but later retired to the vil- lage of Dauphin, Pa. He passed from this life at the age of seventy-four years. During his latter days he spent many of his winters in Jacksonville, Fla. He chose for his life companion Sarah Harter, a daughter of John Harter of Center County, Pa., and eight chil- dren blessed their home, as follows: W'illi.am J., a graduate of medicine, and e.\-Member of Congress, now residing in \\'ashington, D. C, where he is engaged in dealing in real estate; Louis C. a prominent physician of Wash- ington, D. C. ; Willis H., whose name heads these lines; Mary, wife of William Taylor; Sadie, wife of John A. Williams: Susan, whose first husband was M. O. White, formetl a sec- ond matrimonial alliance with John Wolf; 524 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Eliza, deceasc'il; and Luclla, wife (if (jeorge E. Tracy. Dr. Willis II. I'lirnian commenced study- ing medicine with Dr. Ira M. Mitchell in Jacksonville, l-"la., after which he entered the University of liar\-ard, from \\hich he was graduated in 1886. Later he completed his education by taking a special course in the University of W'ashington and the Medico- Chirurgical College of I'hiladel])liia, I'a. He then began practice in the Providence Hos- pital at Washington, D. C, but subsequently removed to Northumberland, I'a., where he was appointed ])h\sician anil surgeon for the Penn.sylvania & Erie K. R., continuing" in that capacity until 1895. At the c.\])iration of that time he moved to llloomsburg, Columbia County, where, b_\- the gentlemanly demeanor which he has manifested toward every one, he has W(jn the good-will and respect of the entire community. Dr. Purman was united in marriage with Anna E. Scheaffle, wiio also comes of a prom- inent famil\- of physicians, her father lieing Dr. C. W. .SheafHe of Lewisburg, J 'a. Her great-grandfather, a native of Germany, was a celebrated physician and chemist of his day, and came to the I'niled .Stales witli his son, the grandfather of .Mis. I'm-m;u). Her broth- ers are physicians and pharmacists in their respective localities, as follows: Wilson W. of I'liiladeljihia; Earnest ui .Mmphv. Cal.; and Clarence C. of .S.-m Francisco, C.il. Her sis- ters are as follows: Sarah, the wife of John Packer Haas, whose biogra])hy ai)])ears else- where in this work: l.aura, wife of William Sutton of Philadelphia, Pa.: .and XelHe of Washington, D. C. In politics our subject is a st.anch l\e])ub- lican. Socially he is a mend)er and ])ast grand of the T. O. O. 1". Lodge \'o. !(/>: a nu-mber of the Knights of Malta: and Patriotic Order Sons of America. Dr. Purman has kept in step with the won- derful advance made by his profession during late years. He may be said to be wedded to his profession, and as he is, by nature as well as by education, eminently qualified for his the most benevolent of all professions, he com- mands and enjoys the res])ect and conlidence of his m;my patrons. ILLIA.M II. DEETER, justice of the peace in Coal township, was l)orn in Hegins townshi]), Schuylkill Count v. Pa., December 13, ]80i, autl is a son of Peter and Phoebe (l)over) Deeter and a grandson of y\ndrew Deeter. Andrew Deeter was of German parentage and lived the greater part of his life in Schuyl- kill County, Pa., where he followed the occu- pation of a farmer. Later in life he remoxed to Lykens, Dau|)hin County, where he died. Peter Deeter, our subject's father, Inst saw the light of da\ in Hegins township, Schuvl- kill County, Pa. lie recei\'ed the ordinarv education of a farmer's bov. and, like his father, when grown to m.anhood follo\vetiire. fnUuwing this occupation for about two months. In 1890 he \\as elected justice of the peace for Coal township by a large majorit}'. He at once established an office and was so fair and honorable in his legal dealings with the people that he was re-elected at the close of his first term l)y a still greater majority. Mr. Deeter's record stands clear and clean, he hav- ing made an honorable and upright judge. Our subject's mother was born September 27, 1838, and is a daughter of Daniel Boyer, a native of Orwigsburg, who removed late in life to Hegins township, Schuylkill County, where he passed the remainder of his days, respected and honored by his pioneer neigh- bors. Cinderella J. was the only daughter of Peter and Phoebe Deeter; she died at the age of five years and twenty-nine days. April 26, 1894, our subject was joined in the holy bonds of matrimonv with Marv Sophronia Taylor, a charming and accom- plished lady, both are well and favorably known and have numerous friends in all p;u"ts ol the comity. Puliticaib' otu' subject is a Republican, never fails to take an active in- terest in ])olitical matters in his township, and has served a nunil)cr of times as a member of the election board. \TTON A. PENSYL, Esq., of the lorough of Snydertown, Pa., was born in Danville, Pa., July 2, 1853. He is a son of George and Mary A. (Vastinc) Pensyl, ami grandson of John Pensyl, Sr., of Shamokin townshi]). John Pensxd, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Shamokin townshi]), but dieanon County, Pa., and was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common schocjl education. He went to Sheridan wlien (juite a _\-oung- man and learned the milling business, whicli he followed until i8r)5. Sub- sequently he started in the knitting business for himself. ' Mr. Forry was the proud possessor of the first circular knitting machine ever brought into the state of Pennsylvania. This machine inmiediatel}' was a source of wonder to the inhabitants of ^\"omelsdorf, where Mr. Forry resided, and it was a ])leasure to its owner, who exhil)ited it with delight and enjoyed showing the skill and rapidity with which he turned out hosiery from it. Many circular machines are now in use and it is impossible for hand-work to compete with them in point of econoni}- and beaut_\- of workmanship. Our subject's father is now senior member of the firm of I. ^^^ Forry & Son, who own and operate a large knitting factor} at Sha- mokin. Coal township, the management of which Ijusiness is entrusted to William F. Forry, our subject. Mr. Forry has a branch factory atAIyerstown, Lebanon Comity, hav- ing been located there for the past thirteen years. He is a scientific man and devotes much of his time to the improvement of knit- ting machinery. William F. Forry, our subject, received the rudiments of an education in the public schools of Womelsdorf. At an earlv age he learned the knitting business with his father, which he thoroughl)- mastered when quite }oung. He now has a thorough knowledge of his vocation and is familiar with all the par- ticular features of the business and daily puts them into use. At the age of twenty-one years he became a member of the firm of I. W. F"orry & Son. and at the present time has the management of the l)usiness at Shamokin. This factory, running on full time, employs 150 hands, and is engaged in manufacturing half-hose, women's, children's and infants' hosiery, besides many specialties. The yearly output of this factory is about 100,000 dozen, which is sold to jobbers in the dift'erent states. The factory has an excellent reputation for the fine quality of the yarn used and for the ex- cellence of its goods. It is an interesting sight to visit this factory, see the busy workers, hear the click, click, of the machines, and witness the rapidity with which articles are made. December 24, 1889, our subject was united in marriage with Amelia Adaius, daughter of Richard Adams of Bern township, Berks County, Pa., and unto Mr. and Mrs. Forry were born the following children: John and Frank, twins, born on the anniversary of the birth of the Father of our Country, February 22, 1893; and Richard, the youngest, born August 8, 1896. Mr. Forry disijla_\s marked ability in the management of this industry, and it is fair to predict a life of usefulness and prosperity for him. AMES E. SMITtl. The thriving town of Berwick is well represented by a thorough-going, wide-aw ake and ener- getic class of business men. among whom J. E. Smith is prominent. He has served two years as president of the borough council. He is senior member of the widely-known firm of Smith Bros., dealers in general merchan- dise, and is a member of the firm of Lilley & Snnlh, shirt manuf;icturers. Our subject was born in Morris County, N. J., August 22, 1859, and is a son of Isaac S. Smith, a retired merchant of Stephensburg, N. J. The great-grandparents of our subject, on both the paternal and maternal sides, were of 530 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Scotch-Irish origin and were born in the Nortli i)f Ireland. The paternal great-grand- fatlier, Isaac Smith, came to this conntry and located near i.lairstown, N. J., where he fol- lowed farming, lie married Miss Wintermnte of Sussex County, N. J., ;nid ihey reared the following children: lohn; C'h;u"lcs; I'jioch; Isaac; Henry; Jdshu.i: .Valium S.; and Sar- ah .\. (Cook). Ji)lm Smith, the grandfather of our subject, resided near the old homestead all his lifetime, ^\■as a farmer and was ])r()Si)erous and promi- nent, lie was united in marriage with Kath- arine Kinney i)f N'ew jersey, and to them were born the following children: Isaac S., the father of the sid)jecl of this biographical sketch; Marg.aret: K.itliarine; Sarah; ;md Rachel. Religiously, John Smith was a I'res- byterian. Isaac S. Smith, in October, 1S57. m.irried .\nn Elizabeth lieatty, eldest daugh- ter of James and Sarah .\. ( h'ritts) Beatty of Pleasant Gro\e, X. J. To them were born: James E. ; Florence: W'illard; Mary F., de- ceased; Bertha; and Katharine. James E. Smith has been engaged in the mercantile business ever since he attained his majority. In 1887 he moved to Berwick, and in March of that \ear he and liis brother, W'il- lard Smith, embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, succeeding Freas Brothers. In 1889 they moved their store to the corner of Front and Market streets, where they occupy a large and connnodious store-room. They enlarged their already extensive stock, and now carry a complete line of dry goods, groceries, Crock- er}', and all the other articles suited to the \\ants of every houselu)ld that go to make up a general store. The store is one of the largest of its kind in Cohnnbia ("ounty, and such has been the character of the pro])rietors, their dealings being always honorable and upright, and their manners genial and affable, they have secured a large trade. In 1896 the Ber- wick Manufacturing Company was established with our subject and Mr. Lilley as proprietors. The\' have erected a large two-story building, 30 by 90 ft., with an engine room 15 by 20 ft., on the corner of Xorlh and I^ine streets. They em])lo\- sc\enty luuuls, who are con- stantly kept busy in the making of men's shirts and ladies' shirt-waists. Mr. Smith h;is purchased the W. 15. Freas residence, which is a very handsome house, and makes it his home. He also possesses other houses and is the owner of a large tenement house on Rail- road street. Our subject is one of the leaders of his com- nnmity and takes an active interest in the af- fairs of Berwick. 1 le has served on the school board; has been a member of the town coun- cil six \ears, and is actix e in Christian work, liaving joined the church in childhood, of which his father is an elder (Pleasant Grove, \. J., Presbyterian); on removing to Penn- sylvania he transferred his membership, and is now ser\-ing as a ruling elder and trustee in the First Presbyterian Church of Berwick. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Hattie Petty, a daughter of M. H. Petty, a prosperous farmer of Briarcreek townshi]), who was born in Wilkcsbarre, Pa. His father, William Petty, was born in Northampton Comity, Pa., and was a son of John Petty, who came from Comiecticut to Northampton County, and was one of the pioneer farmers of that .section. William Petty was a farmer and was extensively engaged in lumljering. In i8j7 he moved to Luzerne County, Pa., where he purchased a large tract of land in Hanover township, and erected a grist-mill, which he operated in comiectioti with farm- ing. He passed from this life in 1869, aged eighty-three years. His wife was Lydia Stroll, who was born in Berks Countv, Pa., and died SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 531 in ii'^H^, at the age of eighty-six years, leaving the following children: Peter; Levi; Amy; and Mathias H. Mathias H. Petty, the father of onr snliject's wife, was born November 25, 1832, and on December 28, 1854, he wedded Alary Pell, and left his father's home to estab- lish one of his own. He followed farming four- teen years in his nati\e township and six years in Salem township; in 1876 he moved to Briarcreek township, Columbia County, where he has since been engaged in his chosen occu- ]jation. He owns one of the best farms in his section of the county and is recognized as a leader in the comnnmity. He is the fath- er of ten cliildren, all of whom are well-to-do citizens in the various localities in which they reside. They were named as follows: Hattie, the wife of our subject; Amy; Samuel; Wil- liam: Charles M.; Margaret; Mary; Louise; Edyth; and Emily. Mr. and ]\lrs. Smith are the parents of three children, namely: Rose Lee, born in 1885; James Howard, born in 1887; and Arthur Mathias, born in 1893. Mr. Smith is a past master of Knaj)]! Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.; a member of IJerwiok Lodge, No. 246, I. O. (). r. : Washington Camj), Xn. 105, P. O. S. of A.; and Royal Arcanum. His portrait is shown on a preceding page. IMON HUBLER, a successful physi- cian of Elysburg, Pa., was born July 12, 1843. near Millheim, Center Coun- ty, Pa., and is a son of Jacob K. and Catherine (Frank) Hubler. The ]iaternal grandfather, (ieorgc Hubler, was a miller and disiiller, and married a Miss Kepler. They lived in Rebersburg, Pa., and reared four children: John; George; Jacol); and Maggie. The maternal grandfather, Phil- \[) Frank, wa.s a watchmaker who came from the banks of the Potomac and located in New Berlin, Union Count)-, where he married a Miss Shreffler. Mr. b'rank's grandfather was killed by Lidians. Of twelve daughters born to him four are now living, as follows: fane; Harriet: .\nn: and Polly C. Jacob K. Hul>ler, liie fatiier of our subject, was born in Center County, Pa., at Millheim, and subsequently lived in Rebersburg, Pa., la- ter moving to Luzerne County, Pa. He mar- ried Catherine Frank of New Berlin, Pa., and located in Huntington X'alley, living there thirty-five years, when he mo\'ed to Mill City, Wyoming County, Pa., and later to Pittston, Pa., where he died in i8g('), his wife following him one year later. Mr. Hul)ler was a pros- perous man and was well known throughout the county. For several years he conducted a grist-mill in connection with the manufacture of woolen goods. At one time he manufac- tured toys and owned and operated for sev- eral years a general store. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he was an active worker in the Repulilican party. Mr. and Mrs. Huliler were the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, who married M. Benciter, and who lived in Muhlenberg, Pa.; Perry, who died in 1862 in Maryland; Alfred, a mill-man of Xew Albany. Pa., who married iiarriet Sober: Simon, our subject; Charles, who died in 18O7; Jennie, who married Wil- liam Walters, a real estate dealer of ^^^est Pittston, Pa.; Philip iMank, a physician of West Pittston, Pa., who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1877, and mar- ried Minnie McClusky: Jesse Robert, who is engaged in the Hour and planing-mill busi- ness in Mill City, Pa., who married Lizzie Keim. Simon Hul>ler, the subject of this biog- raphy, received his early education in a com- uKju school and later at Lowell's Academy, 532 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. Bingliamlon. X. \'. Au!4ust u, 1862, he en- listed ill Coiii])any I. i43r(l I'Jej,^, Pa. Vol. Inf., under Cajit. C. K. iluolies, tlie reg-imcnt be- ing coninianded hy Col. l\. L. Dana. Mr. Hubier's first battle was C'hancellorsville, and he also fought in the battle of Gettyslnirg and in the first two days' lighting in the battle of the Wilderness. ( )n May 7, 1864, he had the end of his left thnmb shot off and he was obliged to enter the hospital. After recov- ering from Ills wound he joined the regiment at Petersburg and took |)art in the three davs' conflict on the W'eldon Railroad, and also fought in the first and second battles of Hatch's Run. llis next move was to New York, whitlier he went by i;iil, ;iud guarded prisoners at Hart's island, remaining there imtil the close of the war. fie was nuistered out at llarrisbnrg as a lieutenant, ha\ing re- ceived his C(jnnnission a sluni time before. .After being released from his military oljli- gations our subject assisted his father for two years in the former's store, when they moved the establishment to New Albany, Pa. After one more year in the store Simon worked two years in his father's factory. At the end of th;it time he nuned to Wvoniing, Pa., where he conducted a saw-mill for a short time. Tie married, December 25, 1872, Julia r>ird of C'uiuiingham, Pa., a daughter of Hen- ry and Margaret (Davis) Bird. Mr. I'.ird was born at liear (iap. Pa., and (le|)arted this life in 1884: his wife, who was born in I'eaver, Pa., died in 1875. The}- were the p.irents of si.K children, as follows: Sarah; Jane C, de- ceased; Julia, the wife of our subject; Isaac, a commission merchant, who married Mary Dungau; Esther, who married Charles Brash; and H. A., a grain dealer at Mount Carroll, Pa., who married Florence Vought. After the summer of 1876 Dr. Hubler at- tended the Cni\ersitv of l'enns\l\ ;inia and was graduated in the .spring of 1879, locating first at Ilerrick, Susquehanna County, Pa., remaining there five years, when he moved to Elysburg, where he has since resided. Dr. Hubler has a large and lucrative practice, be- ing very well known in the county of his pres- ent residence and in the adjoining counties. He is honored and res])ected by all and has many warm friends. Politically he is an un- swerving Republican, and allhough he has never acce])ted any |)olitical office, he is a well- know n figure in the townshi]) |)olilics. He is a member of the Methodist Cluucli. Dr. Hub- ler has one son, Harry Clark, who was born January 16, 1876. He is a bright young man, with a s|)lendid future before him. He grad- uated from Dickinson College and is now at- tending the Dickinson Law School. I S.\.\C D. \\'EST, whose reputation as a surveyor, civil and mining engineer ex- tends throughout Central Pennsylvania, is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of the town of Danville. He is a son of George \V. and Catherine A. (Ivase) West, and was born in Danville, Mon- tour County, Pa., Se])tember 25, 1865. Thomas West, the great-grandfather of our subject, was of English-German descent, and was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he built a log house near the homestead of his father, and carried on farnnug for many years. He was a soldier of the Ive\'olution- ary War, and was captured and held for a time by the British troops. However, he made his escape and inmiediately thereafter organized a foraging conipanv of which he was captain and served throughout the re- mainder of the war, making an enviable rec- ord as a soldier. In 1808, or soon after, he and his family remo\ed to -\r.arat, Suscjue- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. sas lianna Countv, Pa., where \k took up a tract of land and resumed his occupation as a farmer, continuing until his death. His death occurred at the age of si.xty years, his wife sur\iving him many years and dying at the age of eighty. Their union resulted in the fc)ll(j\\ing issue: Thomas: Hannah: Jones; Uenjamin; \\'illiam: N'athanicl: I'er- mclia: and Eunice. \\ illiam West, our subject's grandfather, was born in the \icinit\- of Schnectady, Scho- harie County, N. V., where he followed the occupation of a blacksmith during his younger days, lie mo\ed to Sus{|uehanna County, Pa., witli his parents, where he cleared a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He later moved to Masonxille, Delaware County, X. ^'., where he continued at the trade of a black.sniith until his death, aged seventy-five years. He married Eliza Rogers, whose fath- er, Robert Rogers, was for manv years a sea captain, but although he loved the water he gave up his sea life in order that his family might receive the benefits to be derived from living on the land. He bought a farm in Delaware County, and followed the life of a farmer for some time, but at last built a large boat in which he and his famil)- sailed down the ri\er to Chesapeake Bay, where he re- sided the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. \\'cst reared two sons — George W'illiston and Hobert Rogers. The death of Mrs. West oc- curred at the age of twenty-seven years, and her husband formed a second .nlliance with Hannah Demenstoy. liy whom he had three sons: Milo, Filo, and Jabez. George Williston West, the father of our subject, after the death of his mother, entered the employ of a farmer of Ararat, Pa., wdien but thirteen years of age. By saving wdiat he could from the small compensation which he recei\ed for his serx'ices, he accunudated enough to enable him to enter Beech Woods .\cademy at the age of nineteen years. After remaining in that institution for one term, he attended Wyoming Academy, which had been established Init a very short time pre- vious, and there took up the study of sur- veying. He taught school for the following si.x years after leaving school in what is now Montour County, formerly l)eing included in Cohunbia County. In 1H50 he received the appointment as surveyor of Afontour County, and has continuously served in that capacity since. He is considered an authorit)' on lines and bovmdaries in this section of the state, his work not being confined to the lim- its of Montour County, as he is often called to dififerent counties in Northern and. Central Pennsylvania, lie is now past eighty years of age, and enjo\s the best of health, lie is a prominent figure throughout this section and is held in high esteem by ;i large circle of friends. He owns a residence at N'o. 212 Pine street, where he has resided for the ])ast few }'ears. He has also ser\ed for twenty- four years as clerk for the county connuis- sioners. In 1854 he formed a matrimonial al- liance with Catherine .\. Kase, a daughter of John Kase of Elvsbnrg. Pa., by whom he had eight children: John, who died in in- fancy: Charles W., a carpenter and jiainter of l)an\ille: Eleanore Eliza, the wife of Oliver Deihl of Marionville, Pa.; William Kase, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies; George M., the man- ager of the gas and electric light plant of Dan- ville; Louise M., who is living at home with her parents; Isaac D., the subject of this personal history; and Catherine, who died in infancy. Isaac D. West obtained his intellectual training in the public schools of Dan\-ille, after w Inch he studied surveving and civil and min- 534 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. ing engineering with liis fatlu'r. He began teaching scliool in 1H84 and continued for fonr years. ])rior to and during which time he was associated in business with liis father, learning e\'ery detail of such i)n)fcssions, soon building up a fine patronage, making a specialty of mining engineering. He is considered an ex- jjcrt in that line and has done work for most of the ])romincnl coal companies of Central I*cnnsylvania. lie has also made a specialty of real estate and mining laws in both of which he has met with c(|ual success. He re- sides just outside of the borough of Dan\'ille's limits, in a very comfortable and commodi- ous residence. Mr. West was united in marriage in 1890 to Miss M. Pauline (jroff, a daughter of the l^ev. J. R. Cirofif of T^oylestown, Pa., and they arc the happy ])arents of three children: Elizabeth, deceased: Karl (jrolT, and .Man He- witt. Socially he is a member of Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. i*l- .\. M. ().\ JOSia'li (i,\.\'Si':i., who is n.iw- ^^ lixing in practical retirement on his . farm just beyond the corporate lim- its of the borough of Muncy Valley, has long been a |)rominent figure in the business and ]Militic;d circles in that section and at one time served as associate judge of Sullivan County. He was born in .\littlin tuwnshi]), Colnml)ia County. Pa.. January 4, 1818, and is a son of Gideon and Catherine (Fisher) Gansel. .\dam Cansel, our subject's grandfather, was born in Germany, where he learned the trade of a weaver. He came to America a single man and followed his trade in connec- tion with farming until his death at the age of eighty-seven years. He married Phoebe Bubamoyer, who lived to reach the aiKaiiced age of eighty-two \-ears, and they had the following offspring: John; Gideon; Daniel; Jacob; Susanna; Mary (Polly); Lydia; and Betsey. Mr. Gansel for many years was a resident of Roaring Creek township, Colum- bia County, Pa., where he li\'ed at the time of his death. Gideon Gansel, the father of our subject, was born in Roaring Creek township and at an early age learned the trade of a shoe- maker which he followed for a time, and then engaged in the mercantile business at Cata- wissa Forge. During the later years of his life he followed the occupation of a farmer. His union with Catherine Fisher resulted in the following issue: Phoel)e; John; Joseph; Ocladiah: Samuel; Peter; Jacob; David; Sarah; and Rebecca. Mr. Gansel died in 1843 at the age of sixt_\-four years, and his w ifc passed away at an age two years younger. Joseph Gan.sel, the subject of this record, lirst attended the German schools and subse- tpicntly the luiglish schools, following farm- ing during the sunmier months until he was twenty-one years of age. After his marriage at the age of twenty-two years, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, but relinquished it to accept the ])ostmastershi]i of lleaver Val- lev. He was later elected constable and served in that capacity mitil he engaged in the m;uuifactnrc uf shoes at h'oundry ville, Pa., also clerking in a store while residing there. He was elected assessor of I'.riarcreek town- shi]i, Columbia County, and ser\ed as justice of the peace for a period of five years. In 1 85 1 he moved to Dnshore. Sullivan County, w here he engaged in the general merchandise business during the following nine years, or until he was elected sheriff of the county in i860, when he located at Laporte. He served as sheriff for three years and three months, after which he b(.)ught a tract of land in Pa- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 635 porte township which he cleared and supplied with new buildings. There he successfully followed farming for sex'eral \'ears. hul dis- posed of the farm to Mr. Phillip, its pres- ent owner, when he was elected associate judge. He filled that oflice in a highly satis- factory manner for one term and three months, when he moved to Aluncy X'alley and accepted a position as su])erintendent of tlie hark i)eeling business in connection with D. T. Stevens & Son's tannery. Four years later he built the Pennington Hotel, a tem- perance house, and conducted it with excel- lent judgment until 1894, establishing a good reputation as a landlord, lie also owned and conducted a stage line from Muncy Valley to Eagle's Mere, using four and five teams daily during the sunnner season to convey ])assengers. He also hauled provisions and building materials. em])loying on an average from ten to fourteen teams. Before the establishment of a railroad system between these points the thoroughfare was extensively used and at all times presented a lively ap- pearance. He disposed of his hotel in 1894 and purchased a house and three lots com- prising" six acres adjoining the borough. He erected his present modern home on one of the vacant lots and now lives practically re- tired. He is well known throughout the county and has many friends who esteem him highly. Mr. Gansel married Polly Michael, a daugh- ter of Adam Michael of Beaver township, Co- lumbia County, and they had two children: Catherine, who died at the age of twelve years; and !Mary, whose union with Mathias Trough has been blessed with three children, Charles. Joseph, and Harvey, Mrs, Gansel died three and one-half years after her mar- riage, and Mr, Gansel formed a second mari- tal union witli Marv .\nman, a daughter of John Anman, of Catawissa township, and they are the parents of nine children: Sarah Ma- tilda, the wife of John Sperry, by whom she has four children, Charles, William, Roy, and Lizzie; Clementine D,, the wife of Murray Henry of Philadelphia; James, a mason by trade, who marrietl Emma Culley; John, a mason of Laporte, whose wife was Annie Keller: Charles D,, who was a teacher, died at the age of twenty-two years: Carrie, the wife of Walter Pardo, who has four childien, Lee, Clarence, Lottie, and Opal; William, a resident of Laporte, who married Effie Swich- er; George L., a master of mathematics who lives at home; and Jessie, the wife of Samuel Eddy of Sonestown, Politically Mr. Gansel has always been an active supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a good s])eaker; he has served as delegate to the constitutional convention and has held man\- minor offices. Religiously our subject has always been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has served as trustee, steward, superintendent of the Sunday School and as a class-leader. Socially he is a char- ter member of the Bushore and Laporte lodges of the Odd Fellows and is past master. In 1894 he was asked to serve in a very diffi- cult capacity for the Trust Company tan- neries, to estimate the amount of bark on 11,000 acres of timberland, having as assist- ants in this undertaking a surveyor and an- other. It took from October 2d to Decem- ber 25th. and they covered from- eight to sixteen miles per day, liesides the amount of riding w hich the\' did. Mr. Gansel completed the work to the satisfaction of the company. ZARIAH CAMPBELL, a most re- spected resident of Shamokin, and a ^member of one of the oldest families in Northumberland County, is a son of John 536 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. K. and CallRTiiie (W'illiour) Campbell. He wa.s born June i i, 1842, at tbe family home- stead in the Irish X'allcy, where his grand- father settled when the section was wild and comparatively iminlialjited ccnmtry, and was only tra\'ersed b_\- the Shanioliokin tribe of In- tlians. The gran. is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Shamokin and has been in the service of the companv for thirteen years; Jane is the widow of Frank Bickert and resides in Shamokin; and Plarriet, who is the wife of J. J. Gillespie of Shamokin. ( )ur subject, .\zariah Campbell, followed farnu'ng on the homestead ])ractically all the time until .\ugust 13, 1862, when he re- sponded to the nine-months' call and enlisted in Company C, 131st Reg., Penna. Vol. Inf. lie re-enlisted in 1864 in Com])any C, 103d Reg., Penna. \'ol. Inf., and served until the end of the Rebellion. Our subject partici- [jated in many of the most inipt)rtant and severe battles of the war. including Antietam and Chancellorsville, and at the battle of I'rcdericksburg he marvelously escaped death — fniding ;ifter the ligiu ended that thirteen bullets had ])assed through his uuift)rm, leav- ing r;igged holes as reminders that he had been in the thickest of the scrimmage. On his return to Shamokin at the close of the war Mr. Campbell was variously employed until 1880 when he engaged in the huckster- ing business and subsequently opened a store which he now conducts. 1 'oliticalb' our sub- JESSE L. BEA\'EK. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 539 ject is a consistent Prohibitionist and has served three years as a councilman and one year as assistant Inn-gess. Possessing- strong inclinations religiously, he is a valued mem- ber of the First IMelhodist Church. On De- cember 23, 1866, Mr. Campbell married .\me- lia E. Hoover and to them have been born several children, including" Amy, deceased; Bessie, who was the wife of J- J- ^ >wen and who left a son, Wilfred C: John J., deceased; and six others who died in their infancy. ESSE L. BEAVER, superintendent of the Thomas Beaver Free Library of J )an\ ille, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was born in Newport, Perr\' County, Pa., November i, 1850, and is a son of Jesse and Mary Ann (Swartz) Beaver, and a grandson of Peter and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Beaver. Peter Beaver, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, and was the first of the Beaver family to locate in America, having settled in Lebanon County, Pa., in 1755. Rev. Peter Beaver, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Franklin County, Pa., December 25, 1782, was ordained in 1809 by Bishop Asbury of the Methodist Church at Elkton, Md.. and served in the pulpit until his death, which occurred in 1849. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gilbert, who died in 18 18. They were the parents of the following children: George; Samuel; Ja- cob; James A.; Jesse, the father of our sub- ject; Thomas: Peter; Sarah: Eliza; Cath- erine; and Mary. Thomas Beaver, our subject's uncle, was Ijorn in Pfout's \'alley. Perry County, Pa., Novemljer 16, 1814, and at the age of thirteen years began working on a farm at a salary of $2.50 per month; later he clerked in a store until 183,^, when, in ])artncrship with Peter Ne\-ius, he began merchandising at Lewis- burg, Pa. In 1835 he sold his interest in the store and worked for J. iK: T. Beaver of Mil- lerstown. Pa. In 1857 he moved to Danville to take charge of the Montour Iron Works, of which he was a large stockholder. He was the owner of considerable property in Dan- ville, including the Beaver Mansion, situated at the foot of Baldhead Mound, which is one of the most beautiful residences of Montour County, and is surroimdecl by a beautiful and well-kept lawn and shrubberies. In 1886 Mr. Beaver donated to the town of Danville, as a memorial to himself and wife, the handsome Liljrary and "S'. ]\f. I". .\. Inu'lding at the cor- ner of Market and I'Y-rry streets, where the old Danville Hotel was situated. It is now known as the Thomas Beaver Free Librar)- and Y. ^t. C. A., and was erected at a cost of $195,000, and the corner-stone was laid July 5, 1886. The building has fortj^-eight feet frontage on Market street and seventy- eight feet on Ferry street; it is built of Ohio gray-stone, with granite trimmings and Scotch granite columns. The first floor is laid with marble tiling, and on this floor are the ladies' and men's jjarlors and reading- rooms, superintendent's office and library proper, an open two-story room with six al- coves on each floor, and which is filled with 1,300 \olumes of selected books. Miss Mollie Wentzel is librarian, a position she probably may hold as long as she chooses. On the sec- ond floor is the reception room, game room and the trustees' room: and on the third floor are the sewing and art rooms. The building is of hard-wood finish, heated throughout by steam heat, and lighted by gas. Mr. Beaver also left an endowment of $50,000 for the 540 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. niaiiitcnancc (if tliis IiaiKlsoinc lilirary and Y. M. C. A. huililing'. 'J'lie ofticers are: Samuel A. York, president; W. RI. Gearhart, secre- tary; B. K. Gearhart. treasurer; Miss Mollie W'eutzel. lil)rarian; and Jesse L. Beaver, su- perintendent. Tlie trustees are: J. Svveisfort, William J. Baldy, W. E. Gosh, F. M. Har- rington, W. E. Lunger, Lewis Uodenhoper, Capt. Joseph Johnson, Samuel Goldsmith, ]'"rank Dcrr, John Pesper, and W. F. McCor- miek. .Mr. Beaver also bequeathed $30,000 to the Dickinson College of Danville. Jesse Beaver, the father of our subject, was born March 8, 181 1, and served an appren- ticeship to the printer's trade during his boy- liiiod (la\s, and later clerked in his father's store. IJc then opened a general store in Perry County, which he conducted until 1857, when he suld out and moved to Union Coun- ty, where he conducted a like store. In 1863 he removed to Danville and successfully en- gaged in the coal business for many years, and then retirceaver was an active politician, a shrewd bus'i- ness man, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. He owned a handsome double brick house on Market street, now^ the property of D. Bright, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1891. In 1833 lie was united in marriage with Mary Ann Swartz. a daughter of Dr. Christian Swartz, and she died in 1891, at the age of seventy-six years. They reared and educated the follow- ing children: Maggie, the wife of John Kra- mer; Theoilore. a prominent attorney-at-law, residing at Niles, Mich.; Jennie, wife of Wil- liam Gearhart ; Charles, a resident of Jackson- \-ille. Fla.; Marion, who is the wife of John Gaskins; Thomas, who resides at Harrisburg, Pa.; Clara; Jesse L., our subject; Emma, who wedded John Roate; and John, a promi- nent real estate man of Dan\ille. Jesse L. Bea\er. upon completing his educa- tion in the public schools, learned the trade of a tinner, w hich business he followed some sev- en years, and then engaged in agriculture with his brother Thomas. In 1886 he was appointed superintendent of the Thomas Beaver Free Library and Y. M. C. .\., which position he has continued to hold up to the present time. Me was joined in marriage with Anna Thom- son, a daughter of Egbert Thomson, and they are the i)arents of five children: J. Belle, Laura, Mary. Josephine, and Sarah. In po- litical attlliations Mr. Beaver is a stanch Re- publican and held the office of assessor of the b'irst Ward of Danville, Pa. In religious be- lief Mrs. IJeaxer is a member of the Presby- terian Church of Danville. J. Belle, the old- est daughter of our subject, is a member of the b'piscopal Church. REDERICK HENRY KNlGlir is known throughout Northumberland County as one who has grown up with Watsontown, his present home, and who has heeii the longest engaged in Imsiness in that town of any of its residents. Beginning to make his way in the world against odds and under circumstances which would have dis- couraged man\- with less will-power, the sub- ject of our sketch, by "keeping e\'erlastingl\- at it," has been very successful, and now is at the head of one of the largest business lirms in the county, lie comes of Revolutionary lighting stock. He was born in Perry Coun- ty, Pa., and is a son of Richard Knight and a grandson of Richard Knight. His grand- father came to this country from Germany, but he was of Scotch-Irish descent. He first .settled on Long Island, subsequently remov- ing to York County. I'a., wilh his family, SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 541 where he died upwards of eighty years of age. He was a farmer. He served in the Revo- lutionary War. His children were Richard, Cornelius and George. Richard Knight, father of our subject, was Ikmu on Long Island, N. Y., in 1768. He be- queathed to his family a record as a patriot, of wliich his descendants are rightly proud. At the age of eleven years he was overflowing with the stirring patriotism of the period and he did such part as a boy could assume, serv- ing through the War of the Revolution as a drummer-boy. His ser\ices were stated in the records tletailing the memorable struggles of our forefathers, and to his daughter, Mrs. r>. F. Gregory, was presented a handsome medal by the Daughters of the Revolution, conunemoraling the fact that she is the youngest daughter living at present wdiose father was a soldier in the Revolutionary W^ar. Mr. Knight forsook his trade, that of tailor, and engaged in business as a general merchant in Harrisburg, Pa. While there he did excel- lent service as a captain of a company of vol- unteers in the War of 181 2. He held a large contract on the Pennsylvania Canal when it was built, which contract was performed with fidelity and to the satisfaction of the state. In 1832 Mr. Knight remoxed to Liverpool, Pa., where he built a hotel and also purchased a large farm, conducting both until his demise, in 1850, his iron constitution and exemplary habits having spanned his lifetime to four score years and over, he being eighty-two years of age at his death. The hotel stood on the site now occupietl by the Onus Hotel in Liverpool. The father of our subject thrice was united in marriage, first to Miss Mclrwin, who bore him one child, Abner, deceased. His second marriage was to Sarah, daughter of Henry Berry of Freeburg, Pa., who died at about the age of fort_\--six _\cars and left sur- viving her Frederick Henry, the subject of this sketch, and two daughters, Annie M., wife of I>. F. Gregory, and Sadie, who married F. .A.. Rccn, two of her children, Delilah and James, lieing dead. Mrs. Mar\- Rumbach was the third wife of Mr. Knight, the union resulting in no issue. Our subject's father died when Frederick was young and he, with the other children, was placed under the care of a guardian, who neglected his duties, in that he did not prop- erly look after the interests of the little ones. Realizing that he must shift for himself, Fred- erick took advantage of every opportunity to improve himself. Fndowed with good judg- ment and pluck, at the age of seventeen years he had saved suf^cient money to enable him to attend the Free1)urg Academy, which he did for one term. Then he taught school for two years, after which he applied his earnings as teacher -to paying for a special course of instruction at the Millersville Normal School. He again resumed teaching, which he aban- doned on the breaking out of the Rebellion to enlist in the Union Army, but he was re- jected because he was of small stature. He was determined, however, to serve his nation, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 147th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., as a private. He served to the close of the war and was promoted to cor- poral, sergeant and sergeant-major. At the end of the war Mr. Knight entered business on a small scale in Watsontown as a tinsmith, making a specialty of tin roofing. He was successful, and has continuously added to the business until he now is an extensive dealer in general hardware, stoves, house-furnishing goods, oils and paints. He has a fine resi- dence and his store is large. He began busi- ness when Watsontown scarcely was a bor- ough. In politics our subject is a stanch Re- jiublican. He has served as burgess for three 642 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. \c;n"s aiu.l ;is a iiK'Hilicr nf the scliuul Imai'il anil tuwii (.-oiiiKil. I k' and liis family arc act- i\i.' iiu'iiiIrt- of tlic l.ullicraii Church. .Mr. Kuit^lU is a prnmiiicnl iiicmher of the (j. A. K.. a past master of llic !•". (\: .\. .M., i)ast high priest ill the 1\. A. M.. ami a Knii;ht Tem- plar. .Mr. Kniulu was married to .\imie, daughter of Sim .Sehoeli of New Berlin, Union County, I'a.. and to them has l)een horn a son, Harry S. Knight, who is a leading attorney in Sun- burv. I'a. U. r,F.\-J.\MIX FRANKLl.X e;.\RD- .XI^K, whose ecjual as an expert JB r-*-^ niani])ulator of the surgeon s knife has never been known in Columbia County, has been engaged in the jiracticc of medicine and surgcr\ in the town of litoomsburg for manv vears. He has also been in close touch with many enterprises which have not only proven remunerative to him, but have also been of material aid in the advancement of tile interests of the town. He received a good eilncation in the schools of the South, after which he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorshi]) of Dr. I'aul H. (_)t- le\-. a distinguished surgeon, and later grad- ■ nated from the ^ledical College of X'irginia. Dr. Gardner recei\'ed an a])])ointment as surgeon in the Confederate Army n])on the breaking out of the Civil War and served faithfully until its close. In 1874, after the country had sufficiently recovered from the elTects of the terrible war, he was appointed surgeon in chief of the Alabama & Chat- tanooga Railroad during its construction and administration. He was a member of the North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Penns\l\ania medical societies, and of the American Medical .\ssociation. He gained greatl}- in skill while str\ing as railroad sur- geon, and upon coming to I'dooiiisburg later he soon ac(|uire;cr\ed in Comjianv C, of that regiment, imd \\;is nmstered out of ser- N'ice in the following year. After lea\'ing the arm\' Mr. Miimlc\' fol- lowed his trade as butcher in .\shland, where he was associated with an uncle, also in Ma- hanoy City and at Mount Carmel, removing to Shamokin in 1868, of which town he has since been a resident, folUnving butchering continuously. His is the oldest butcher's shop in the town, and he has built up an extensive and ])rofital)le business. Our subject was united in the bonds of mat- rimony tpe(l direct!}- to New York City, where they own a large wholesale warehouse, and from there they are shipi)ed throughout the United States. ]\lr. Staver is a stock- holder in many other enterprises of Blooms- burg, and is regarded as one of the most pro- gressive business men of his community. Mr. Staver is a member of La Belle Valley Lodge, No, 232, F. & A. M., Jersey Shore, Pa.; past high priest and treasurer of Blooms- burg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.; past grand master and treasurer of Mt. .Moriah Counci', No, 10; past E. M, commander and treasurer of Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T. ; V. J. G. W. of the Ancient and Accepted Order of Scottish Rite; mendjer of Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection; past E. S, P. G. master of Zerrubabel Council, P. of J-. i6th degree; G. O. of Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croi.x, 18th degree; second Lt. Com. of Caldwell Con.sistory, S. P. R. S., 32nd degree; past junior general of Orient Conclave, No. 2; and member of Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Staver"s portrait is shown on a j)receding page. ARRY E. WALTON, one of the lead- ing and enter])rising business men of the borough of Berwick, is an cm- balmer and funeral director and is proprietor of one of the most attractive stores in the bor- ough, dealing in jjictures, picture frames, mouldings, furniture, etc. He was born in Salem township, Luzerne County, July 8, 1865, and is a son of Morris and Caroline (Kline) Walton, Morris Walton, the father of our subject, was born in Luzerne Count}-, where he was educated and prepared for the ministry, but owing to poor health was obliged to sacrifice his plans. He then took up farming and fol- lowed that occupation during the remainder of his days. He died in .\ugust, 1870. He was united in ni;irriage to Caroline Kline and they reared a family f)f children, one of whom is Harr}' E., whose name heads these lines. .\fter her beloved husband's death Mrs. Wal- ton removed to l'ei-\\ick. where she has since resided. Harr\' E. \\ altdu rcnioxed to Berwick with liis mother ami was educated in the common schools, after which he learned the trade of a car])enter and workeil as a journeyman at Nanticoke, Wilkesbarre, I'a., :ind Newark, X. J. He then engaged in contracting in P>er- wick, continuing from 1891 to 1893. He then removed to N^ewark, N, J,, and while there at- tended the United States Embalming School at New- York City, from which he gradnateages, in connection with the al)o\e life account, ex- cellent portraits of l)rs. f'rancis J. ;md J- Florian Meek are shown. ISAAC MOWREY, one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Columbia Coun.ty, residing in the section of Mon- tour township, known as Dutch \'alley, where he owns a tract of fifty-si.K acres of as fertile land as the county affords, is a son of John and Catherine (W'ireman) Mowrew and was born near Danville, AlotUour County, I'a., March ]/, 1832. The paternal great-grandf;ithei- of our su]> ject was a native of Germany and came to America almost a century and ;i h;df ago, lo- cating in Eastern Pennsylvania, ])robably in Montgomery Coimt}'. His son, Peter Mow- re)-, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer in Montgomery County for many years, but during his l;itter days was engaged in tilling the soil near Seneca Lake, N. Y. He was the father of the following children: Vc- ter; John; J;icob; Joseph; Isaac; Chris- tianna; and Ivlizabeth. They all remained in the state of Pennsylvania excejiting Isaac, who moved to Michigan, and Joseph, who went to lb-own County, Ohio. John Mowrey, our subject's father, was horn in Montgomery County and removed to wh.-it is now Montour County, then Northum- berl.-md, ;d)out iSjo. He learned the trade of a stonemason, but after moving to Montour County he purchased a farm one mile east of Danville, which was but partially improved. He built a stone and a brick house, which are still standing on the property. He was also engaged in nn'ning ore to a considerable ex- tent on his own farm ,-nid became a very [)ros- perous man for those limes. In religious be- lief he was a member of the Reformed Church. He was joined in wedlock to Catherine Wire- man, a daughter of Jacob ^^'ireman of Mont- gomery County, and they became the parents of nine sons and four daughters, a record of whom is as follows: Jonas, Charles, Mary, W'illi.nu, Henry, and Peter, all deceased; Ja- col), a resilient of Michigan; Isaac, the sub- ject of this personal history; John, w-ho lives in Xoi-thumberl;uid County; Elizabeth, de- ceased, who was the wife of Dr. B. F. Shullz; Michael .S., of Michigan; Sarah, the wife of ( )tis l\n,-ii)p of Montour County; ,-uid C;uher- ine, the wife of Michael Ib-eckbill, an cx-sher- ilT of Montom- County. Isaac Mowrey was reared on the f.u-m and educated in the ])ul)lic schools of his nali\e town. As his ancestors were all members of the agrictdtural class it was but natiu-al that he should .-dso chose farming as his life occu- ])ation. Me was engaged in farming until 1851, wlu'U he beg;ui working in iron ore mines in the \icinitv, conliiming until 1854, SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 55.3 a period (if tliree years. He then moved to Cdlinnliia C"(iunt\- ami purcliased his present excellent farm, about a quarter of a mile dis- tant from Grovania, which he has since been engaged in cultivating. He is a very indus- trious man, of careful habits, and during his active life has accumulated considerable prop- er! \-. He also owns another farm consisting of lO! acres of good land in Dutch Valley. In 1854 Mr. Mowrey chose as his life-com- panion Eleanore Yost, a daughter of the late John G. Yost of Bloomsburg, by whom he had torn- children: George, a farmer of Montour township, who married Elizal)eth Lazarus and has four children, Guy A., Ursa M., Dora S., Ruth E.; Olevia, who died at an early age; Mary Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of D. E. Heljerling, by whom she had three chil- dren, namely, — Elanora, Bertha May, and Pearl E.; and Lloyd Franklin, a ticket agent for the Lehigh A'alley Railroad at Wilkes- liarre, who married Hattie R. Bidleman, and has had two children, R. Blair, deceased, and i-I()\(l Glenn. i^aI'ILR WENDLL\G, outside-foreman of the Bear Valley Colliery, is a son ^ of Adam and Phoebe (Wentz) Wend- ling, and was born [anuarv iSfiT, near Patterson, Schuylkill Count\', Pa. The grandfather on the maternal side was I^eter Wentz. a nati\e of (iermanx', who ne\er came to America. The father of our subject, Adam W'endling. was a coal miner, and a resident of Schuylkill County, Pa. To him and his wife were born ten children as fol- lows: I\Iary, Ennna, Louisa, Rose. Kate, Phoebe, Sarah, i\dam, Peter the subject of this sketch, .and George. Peter Wendling, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and began work in the factor^• at Manavunk at the age of thirteen years and continued for two years when he went to Shenandoah. There he entered the breaker, picking slate and, alternately, working in various stores for about eight years. At the end of that time he took up outside work around the collieries near Shenandoah, remaining there until |unc I, 1896. Prior to moving to Bear Valley Colliery, he was foreman at Schuylkill Col- liery, Mahanoy City, Pa. On October 15, 1891. our subject married Elizabeth Frost, and their union has been blessed with two children: Thomas .\clson and Phoebe Elizabeth. Mr. Wcmlling is well known in Northumberland County and has many warm friends. He is a member of Council No. 367, Jr. O. U. .\. M., of Shen- andoah, Pa. E\'. THO.ALVS MISICKI, D. D., was born in Przeworsk, Galicia, Austria, ^ v,_^ December 31, 1866. He attended the schcjols of his native city and when ten years of age further continued his education at Cracow, where he attended high school for a period of eight years, studying the Latin, Greek, German, French and Polish languages, together with mathematics, geography, his- tory and the physics; after graduating there- from he entered the Catholic Seminary, where he began the study of theology. PTe com- pleted his education and prcjiaration for the priesthood by a four gears' course at the Ja- gellonic Austrian Lhiiversity, and was or- dained a priest by the late Cardinal Alliin Dunajewski. Prime Bishop of Cracow, ALiy 19, 1889, after which he visited Germany, France and Spain. During his extensive trav- els through these countries he prepared his doctorate of theology, and the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him February i, 1892, which degree in Austria is given only to can- 554 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. (lidates passing four rigorous examinations showing proficiency not only in tlicolog}-, his- tor\- of the cliurch and common law, but also a tliorougii knowledge of the four Eastern lan- guages, viz: llehrew, S\riac, Chaldaic and Arabic, as well as all i'.ible sciences. With the permission of the Austrian L'niversity, after four years of stutly in Latin and Greek, on August 30, 189J, he was made eligible as a teacher of llicse languages in Austria. In i(S93 our subject came to the United States and first located in Winona, Minn., where he was connected w itli the clergy of the St. Stanislaus Church for a brief period. His next pastorate was in Kerea, Ohio, where he was appointed rector of St. Adalbert's Church in the Diocese of Cleveland, .and, after a term of ser\ice there, he went to Meriden, Conn., as pastor of the Tolisb church, and while there enjoved the distinction of being the only I'o- lish priest in the state. A few months later he was transferred to Mount Carmel, where, under Bishop Thomas McCovcrn of Harris- burg (now deceased) he had supervision of one of the largest parishes in the state. He remained there until bA'bruary 13. 1897, when he was transferred by the Bishop to the pastor- ate of St. Stanislaus Kostki's Church at Sha- niokin. A brief history of the church is here ap- l)enurposes, and contains about 450 pu|)ils, taught by se\en sisters and ;i layman. The church meiubershi]) includes about 2,800 souls in 650 families. Since blather Misicki took charge of this jjarish he has lifted $3,500 of the church del it and added to the inside ap- jiearance of the church by remodeling and re- decorating. The decorator having charge of the work is Francis Baraldi of I 'hiladelphi;i, one of the most famous decorators in Pennsyl- v.mia. The windows are from Munich, Ba- \aria, .and cost $.^.^5 each, .and are works oi r;ire .artistic merit, leather .Misicki is .assisted in bis labors bv Rev. Francis Wengrzynowski. OSl'.IMl P.. QUIRK, the genial suiw- intcndent of the Prudential Life Insur- ance Company for the Shamokin dis- trict, was born at Pottsville, Schuylkill Coun- tv, P.a.. June 4, i8r)7. and is a son of Thomas and .\licia (Mcl'.arren) (}nirk. Thomas Quirk was a native of Pottsville, the county-seat of SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. bhb Sclitnlkill ruperior. In this manner all the business transacted in the district has to pass through Mr, Ouirk's hands, and he alone is responsible for the success of the business. L'nder Mr, (Juirk's efficient management the business in his district has increased so ra])idly that he now has a force of seven as- sistant superintendents ;nid lhirt\-(hree field men. with a line prospect for still greater in- crease in force, 111 .\])ril. i(S<;o, our subject w.as united in marriage with luiinia l^\eland. a most charm- ing lady; their home has been- made hapi)y by the presence of four beautiful children, three sons and one daughter, namely: James, Ethel, Norman, and llarrv. Our subject is an earnest J^epublican, of firm views, and does much to further the in- terests of his party. Mr, Ouirk can trni)' be called a self-made man, working his wax- from a common book agent, going from house to house to his present jiosition, where he is li\- ing ill aftluent circumstances. Flis manner of ilischarging his duties refiects credit on his ability and is a source of pride and gratifi- cation to his eni])loyers, Mr, Ouirk is a pleas- ant gentleman and is respected and admired b_\- all who ha\e the gooil fortune to know him. URTON B. SMITH, a prominent hardware dealer, who is the junior member of Boughner, Goodwill & Company, in Shaniokin. Coal township, was 556 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. horn Fel)ru;irv _'i. 1X57, in Pottsville, Schuyl- kill County, Pa., and is a son of William C. aufl Diana (Cake) Smith, and a grandson of Samuel Smith of Thiladelphia. He receiveted the sniierinlendency of Iwii collieries at Locust Clap, being employed by the .Mammoth \'ein Coal Company. These collieries are still in operation. He remained with that com])any four years, when coal oper- ating engaged his attention, and his next en- terprise was a partnership with his son-in-law, Jacob R. Keiser, at Lancaster Colliery, near Shamokin. They operated the colliery with much success until ATay. 1893, when they sold out to the Shipman Coal Company, realizing a neat ])rofit on their investment. At this juncture Mr. Smith retired from active busi- ness pursuits. A number of }ears prior to his death he was a director of the First National Rank of Shamokin. i le married Diana Cake, who was born at Pottsville, August 7, 1824, and lived until January 22, 1897, surviving her husband, who died November 21, 1895. They were the progenitors of a family of five children, who were: Francis PL, who resides at Pottsville, and carries on a truck business; Emma E., now deceased, who was the wife of Jacob R. Keiser; Ralph IL. who died near Reading, I'a.; \\'arren IM., who died in 1890 in Australia, and was an engineer in the em- ploy of the English government. ( )nr subject was united in marriage with Lillian Ex-ert, daughter of Daniel Evert of Shamokin. This hai)])y event was consum- mated December 2J, 1886, and their home is blessed with the presence of five children: Charles C; William C; Edwin F.; Martha E. ; and Harold H. Mr. Smith is a member of Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. & A. AL, and his presence is highly appreciated at the meet- ings of the lodge. ( )SEPH SI I AR I'LJ'.SS, an honore.l and highly respected citizen of the town t)f liloomsbnrg. was for many years ])ro- prictor of a foundr\ on (. enter street and a leading business man, lieing one of the sub- stantial citizens who made the town what it is to-day. Shrewd and energetic in his busi- ness affairs, he accnnuilaletl a handsome com- petencN which enabled him to retire in 1879 and spend the declining years of his life in the peace and quiet of i)rivate life. He is a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Bonsall) Sharpless, and was born at Catawissa, Colum- bia County, December 6, 1808. ( )ur subject is descended from John Sharp- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 657 less, a iiatix'C of iMij^laml. \\Iii> came to America at about tlie same lime as William Penn, and located in Chester County, Pa. There the family lived for many years, Ben- jamin Sharpless, the father of our subject, be- iny the first to settle in this district. He was l)orn August 7, 1764, and after reaching man's estate he learned the trade of miller. In 1795 he crossed the mountains and located in Sun- bury, Northumberland Countw where he operated a mill for two vears in partnership with Robert Coburn, but later was associated with Enos Sharpless. He also was employed as a teacher in the schools for some time. In 1805 he disposed of liis lousiness and moved to Catawissa where he iiinxdiased a farm ad- joining the village, which is now laid out in town lots, and carried on agricultural pur- suits. Four years later he purchased a grist- mill and conducted it with much success until 1812 when he built a paper mill in company with John Clark on the site of the present paper mill and nianufactiuxd paper b}' hand, making it of rags as pulp paper was at that time unknown. He lived a long and useful life and jiassed to his final rest May 28, 1857. He owned a fine home in Catawissa which was erected by him in 1835.. In Philadelphia in 1782 he was unitetl in marriage to Hannah [•onsall, a daughter of Edward Bonsall, and the following children blessed their union; Alai'y Ann, who married a Dr. Wadsworth; Eliza, who died at the advanced age of ninety- four years; Edward; William; Joseph, the sub- ject of this biographical sketch; Bonsall, who died in infancy; John; Plarriet, the wife of George Reifsnyder; Sarah, the wife of Louis ^'etter; and Kersey J. Mr. and ]\Irs. Sharp- less were faithful members of the Society of Frienrls and liberally contributed to its sup- port. Joseidi Sharpless, our suljjcct, assisted his father in the jxaper factorv until he attained his majority, when, in 1841, he went to Roar- ing Creek and engaged in the general mer- chandise business for fi\e years. His next ))usiness venture was at Berwick, Columbia County, where he conducted a founchy for two and one-half years. Pie then became in- terested in the manufacture of charcoal and l)ig iron at Foundryxille, at which lie con- tinued imtil 1849. He then moved to Blooms- burg and purchased the Morse foundry on Center street, where Mr. Rollin's house now stands, and there operated the Sharpless Foundry for thirty years. He was extensive- ly engaged in the n!anuf;ictnre of stoves, coal- breakers, and other articles in that line and b}' tlie use of good judgment in his manage- ment met with almost unbounded success. His rise to a place of prominence in the af- fairs of the town was due entirelv to his own efforts, as he began life without cajiital and ste]) by step worked his way to the front rank The career of this wortliv gentleman is an excellent example of thrift and industr\- and the results thereof, and is well worthy of imi- tation by the coming generation. Since re- tiring from his foundry business in 1879 he has not been actively identifie_'. 1841. was twenty years of age when he enlisted in Company .\, ()th Reg. Fa. Reserves, in the Civil War, and contin- ued in the service until nuistcred out in June, iS()4. lie then learned the trade of a moul- der and in 18(18 became a i)artner in the firm, Sharpless & llarman, proprietors of the Eagle Iron Works, and later succeeded to the own- crshii) of his father's establi.shment at Blooms- burg, which he operated with good results until 1893, when he remodeled the building, which is located on the corner of Center and Sixth streets, and fitted it up for stores and dwellings. He now occupies a portion of it with a well stocked shoe store which is prov- ing a very remunerative business. He was united in matrimonial bonds to Sophia Hart- man, a daughter of Charles Hartman, by whom he has had six children, namely: Jos- eph L., a clerk, Charles H., a grocer. 1-Jay V.. Arthur, and two who died in infancy. He is also president of the Bloom.sburg Land and Improvement Comjiany and is one of the good substantial citizens of the town. Loretta A., born January 4, 1843, is the wife of Jeffer- son Vanderslice: Clara, born I\^ovember i_', 1844, died .\pril 4, 1S49. Elizabeth, born Sep- tember 7. 1846, married Wesley Eyer. Ara- minta E.. born November -'4, 1848, married Jasper \\'ilson. Mary Ellen, born October 16, 1852, died September 9, 1853. Harry F., born October 4, 1863, is an extensive real es- tate dealer of Pueblo, Col. Politically Mr. Sharpless is an unswerving Republican and has fre(|uently served as coun- cilman and school director. He and his be- loved wife are liberal sui)i)orters of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, of which they have been attendants for many years. W- A.M ELLIS STARR has fol- (1 the milling business ever since starting out in active business life, and is the lessee of the oldest mill in Sulli- van County, Pa., the Lewis mill. He manu- factures a high grade of buckwheat Hour and wheat-flour, also does a large amount of cus- tom milling. He is a native of Lycoming County, Pa., and is a son of Anthony and Hannah (Berger) Starr. Our subject was intellectually trained in the schools of his native township and early in life learned the trade of a miller, which he has since pursued. In 1873 he located in Hills- grove townshi]), Sullivan County, and leased the old Lewis luill on Loyalsock Creek; the mill was erected by Charles Snell, our sub- ject's ancestor. Mr. Starr has placed a new foundation under the mill and added another story; it has three sets of stones used for grinding. Our subject does all kinds of cus- u.m work and his Hour always commands a JOHN WATSON BUCK. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 561 good price on the markets, which tends to demonstrate its higl: grade. Mr. Starr has made many friends and cnstomers by his strict attention to business and honest dealings and is performing all the duties of a good citizen. Mr. Starr formed a matrimonial alliance with ]\Iaria J. Green, a lady of many excellent \irtues. and a daughter of \\'heeler Green, whose sketch also appears in this Book of Bi- ographies. As a result of this happy union a family of six children blessed their home, as follows: Wheeler Lloyd, a miller by trade; Florence and Leon Anthony, deceased; Hat- tie Irene; Clyde Raymond; and John Sidney. Mr. Starr is Republican in politics and has served as school director for fifteen years; re- ligiously he and his family are attendants and liberal supporters of the Methodist Church. 'OIIX WATSON BUCK. Among the prominent and energetic business men of Sullivan County, Pa., is the gent'e- man named above and whose portrait appears on the opposite page, who is recognized as one of the leading merchants of Sonestown, where he owns a large general store. He is exceedingly popular in both business and so- cial circles, and is ready to assist in all move- ments that tend toward the advancement and prosperity of his adopted township. He was born in what is now Strawbridge, I^ycoming County, Pa., June 9, 1853, and is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Rishel) Buck, and grand- son of John and Magdalena (Springer) Buck. Our subject traces his ancestral history back to his great-grandfather John Buck, the founder of this prosperous family in the Unit- ed States, who emigrated from Germany to America at an early date. He was the father of three children: Benjamin, Polly, and John. John Buck, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Northampton County, Pa., September 23, 1807. He learned the trade of a gunsmith but engaged in farming the most of his life; he first settled in White Hall, Montour County, Pa., then removed to Sullivan County. For about two years he lived at North Mountain and then he pur- chased the farm now owned l)y Robert Tay- lor, Jr., at Muncy Creek; aft.er residing there for some years, he removed to the state of ^\'isconsin, and later to Missouri, where he passed from this life at the age of eighty years. As a result of his marriage with Magdalena Springer he had the following children : Ja- cob. Lydia, Nancy, John, Mary, Phebe, and Eliza. All of these grew to maturity. His wife died at the age of aliout seventy-seven years. Jacob Buck our suljject's father, was born November 2, 1829, and in his early manhood worked in a saw mill until about i860, when he bought a farm on North Mountain and for twenty-three years was engaged in farming, with the exception of one year, which he and his family spent in the West; but liking the climate here so much better, he concluded to return to his farm. At the expiration of that time he accordingly settled in Muncy Creek, Lycoming County, where he resided until his death and was the owner of one of the finest farms in that section of the county. He died March 17, 1899. He was married July 22, 1852, to Hannah Rishel, a daughter of Jos- eph and Martha (Phillips) Rishel. and grand- daughter of Jacob Rishel. Joseph Rishel was a carpenter by trade; he also followed weav- ing and farming, pursuing the latter vocation during the major portion of his active days. He first settled in Bloomsburg. Pa., later in Davidson township. .Sullivan Countw l>ut fin- 562 1!0(1K OK blOGRAPHIES. ally in Penn townsliii), l.yi-diiiiny County, where lie died at the age (jf cii;hty-one years; his wife departed this life when aged eighty- four vcars. Thev reared three children, name- ly : (ieorge W., Hannah, and Martha. Our subject's mother was born June 2, 1833. M-r. and Mrs. Kuck are the parents of the follow- ing children: John Watson, our svd^ject; Martha Jane, who was born April i, 1856; Lewis Harvey, born December 28, 1859, wdio is clerking in our subject's store, married Sadie Derrick, by wliom he has two children — Harry and Clayton;. James Leonard, born November 27, 1861, is clerking at Williams- ]iorl. and is married to Lizzie Hoffer, by whom he has one child — Ethel; Lucy Alda, born .\ugust 10, 1868, is the wife of Morgan (iavitt of Lajjortc, Pa., and they have reared three cliildren, — .Miniccnt, lUake. and Fred- ericka; Carrie Adella, born September 19, 1869, died January 21. 1898; Laurette May, born April 14. 1872, died June 9, 1898; Mary, bt)rn June 2"], I'i'/l, resides with our subject; and Annie Eliza, born June 27, 1875, who is residing at home most of the time. John \\'atson Buck possesses a fine educa- tion and started out in life as a school teacher, teaching 'for live years and working at car- ])entering during the summer vacations; he then accei)ted a position with A. T. Arm- strong of Sonestown. Remaining there a little over one year, he resigned and took one term at the Muncy Normal School and then accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper with Jeremiah Kelly of Hughesville, Pa. Re- maining there during the winter of 1881 and 1882, he then took a course at the Williams- port Commercial College, graduating Decem- ber 12, 1882. His next position was with Mr. Armstrong of Sonestown, Pa., \vith whom he remained a year and a half: he then became bookkeeper antl general assistant for the lirm of Hicks & Piurnley of Williamsport, Pa. In 1885 he returned to Sonestown and again en- gaged with Mr. Armstrong, with whom he remained about two vcars. He then went to work for Rodine & A\'arn in Sonestown and for nine years acted as manager of their store. .\t the expiration of that time he bought out the tirm; be also purchased the two-story building, in which the store was located, which was built in 1876 by Robert Whitaker. Mr. Buck inmiediately increased the stock, and now carries a complete line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, gents' furnish- ings, hardware, paints and oils, and all kinds of farming implements; his store is one of the most complete general stores in the county, and by his honest and straightforward deal- in.gs he has built up a large and enviable pat- ronage. He is enterprising and public-spirit- ed, and enjoys the respect and good will of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Buck was joined in the bonds of matri- nion\- with Jennie Gavitt, a daughter of Peter (ia\itt of Laporte townslhi), Sullivan County. Pa., and they are the parents of five children, namely: Lela, Vera, MiUlred, Staimton C., who died at the age of seven months; and Grant. Religiously he is a uKMuber of the Cnited E\-angeIical Church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist R]iiscopal. In ]iolitics he is a Republican and served as school director live years. Socially he is a member of Sonestown Lodge, L O. O. F., of which he is past grand and past representa- ti\e member; past chief patriarch of the En- campment of Laporte; and past president of W^ashington Camp, No. 344, P. O. S. of A. of Sonesto.wn, Pa. During iiis many business changes, Mr. Buck has always held his resi- dence in Sonestown and has ne\er \oted in any other place. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 563 EV. CHARLES B. SCHNEDER, pastor of St. John's Reformed Church IP V^^ of Shaniokin, is a son of Baltzer and Elizabeth (Bowman) Schneder, and was born January 5, 1861, at Bowmanville, Lan- caster County, Pa. His education began in the pul)Iic schools of his nati\'e township and was continued at the Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, Pa., where he took part of his preparatory course. He afterward took a course at the academy at Lancaster, Pa., after which he entered Franklin and Marshall College, from which he graduated in 1885, being a salutatorian of the class. He then entered the Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., from which he graduated in 1888. On July 15, 1888, he was ordained and accepted as his first field of labor the Pine Grove charge, Schuylkill County, Pa. This charge consisted of five congregations, all sur- roiuuling Pine Grove. He remained connected with that parish until 1891, at which time he w as chosen to fill his present responsible posi- tion in Shamokin. Since his connection with the church in Shamokin our subject has been an untiring worker and has liuilt the present edifice, cost- ing about $30,000. \\'hen he accepted the charge flt St. John's the congregation num- bered 456 members. Rev. Schneder is a man of pleasing address; he is generous and lib- eral in his sentiments, positive in his convic- tions, and firm in expression of his views. He has ever exhibited the genuineness of rehgious experience by living a true Christian life, and by his earnest efforts has added to his flock until his congregation now reaches a mem- bership of 950, while his Sunday School num- bers about 1.000. Rev. Schneder keeps abreast of the times by having all the subsi- diary organizations connected with the church, lie has served the church as a dele- gate to the district and general synods. He has served on the board of beneficiary educa- tion and as a member of the board of trustees of the East Susquehanna classis, of which he is a memljer, and while in Schuylkill Coun- ty was stated clerk of the classis. Rev. Schneder is purely of German origin. The Schneder family in this country was founded by John Schneder, who came from Germany and located near New Holland, Lan- caster County, Pa., where his remains lie buried. He was one of the earliest pioneer settlers and became a tiller of the soil; his broad acres were not easily counted, and late in life he was enabled to build a large, com- fortal:)le and substantial homestead, and within its doors strangers as well as old-time friends were entertained with generous hospitality. His eldest son was called Jacob, whose son, Baltzer, was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. Amos Schneder. son of Baltzer and grand- father of our subject, was born and reared in Lancaster County, Pa. He was a veterinary surgeon and farmer and lived to the age of ninety-one years. His son Baltzer, our sub- ject's father, was born in 1831 and still lives at the old homestead on his grandfather's farm enjoying the peaceful and quiet life of a farm- er. He was originally a shoemaker, but later in life engaged in farming, and has since re- sided on the old homestead farm. He has taken a very active interest in church affairs, and is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Reformed Church of the United States. He is serving as an elder of that church at the present time. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Bowman, a pious lady, and their home was blessed by the presence of four sons and two daughters. Of these Sarah, the wife of James K. Fox, lives in Missouri; David B. lives in Sendai, Ja])an, where he is occupying 664 HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. the cliair of dogmatic theology in tlie Re- formed Theological Seminary; Charles B. is our subject; Mary B. is the wife of David B. lieudcr, lives in Lancaster County, Pa.; Amos B. is at ])resent a member of the junior class in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, T'a.. is living temporarily in that city; and Martin died in childhood. [9, R. K0BI<:RT a. KENNEDY, a prom- inent and successful practitioner and one of the most active citizens of Slia- niokin, I'a., is well known, not onl\- in meili- cil associations, but also in social circles tlnoughout the Seventeenth Congressional District. After years of useful prei)aration, during wliirli lie was obliged to work his \va\' through the medical college. Dr. Kennetly reached the goal of his ambition and became a fnll-lledged M. D., graduating from the Pennsylvania Aletlical University in 1881. He immediately began the practice of his profes- sion in Shamokin, where he has energeti- cally ap])lied himself for years and succeeded in building u]) a substantial and lucrative l)ractice, enjoying the reputation of being a very successful specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. He thorougliK' (|ualified himself for these special dej^artments by taking courses of study in the best medical institutions in New York and Phil;idelpliia. Our subject was born August 12, 1853, in Shamokin, and is a son of William and Maria (Ammerman) Kennedy, and a grandson of Jonathan Kennedy, of Scotch-Irish stock, who emigrated from the North of Ireland and located in White Deer township, Lycom- ing County, Pa., where he is registered as ecu one of the pioneer settlers of naxinc h that county. He engaged in agricultural pur- suits and general development of the country. He was known to all, far and near, as a man of just and upright [irinciples, full of i)rogres- sive ideas about ])ractical farming. He was a \\'!iig and as such took a very active in- terest in local ]Kjlitics. He died at the old homestead in the comnuuiit_\- where he was iionored and respected by all. William Kennedy, father of our subject, was born at the family home in Lycoming Coun- ty abiiul i\ the earliest settlers of th;il place, going there early in the 40's; he w;is also one of the first merchants in Sha- mokin, where he carrietl on a successful and remuiierati\e business until late in the 6o's, when he located in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his days. He was united in marriage with Maria Am- merman and their union was blessed with five children. Death mercilessly robbed them of all except one, Robert A., the subject of this sketch. William Kennedy spent the closing years of his life in contracting and speculat- ing. He died at the age of si.Kty-ti\'e years, having lived to see his only surviving son a successful physician and surgeon. ( )ur subject began his education b_v attend- ing school in Shamokin, after which he took an academical course at Ehsburg, and then entered Bucknell University at Lewisburg, from which he graduated in 1873, having con- ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Then began his struggle to ob- tain a medical education. He commenced to study medicine under a preceptor, Dr. S. M. Todd, in Berks County, at the same time en- gaged in teaching in the Mount Pleasant Seniiiiar\- at Boxertown: this enabled him to w^ PETER G. BOBB. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 567 take several courses of medical lectures at the Pennsylvania University, after which he suc- ceeded in getting an appointment for one year at the cit}- hospital of W'ilkesbarre. Pa. He next went to Danville and studied under the late Dr. James D. Strawbridge, after which he was in charge of the drug store of Dr. Ran- kin at Muncy for about one year. He was then financially able to complete his medical education by attending the Pennsyh'ania Uni- \ersity until 1881, when he graduated with honors as before mentioned. Our subject was united in marriage with Sallie Magec, which happy event was consum- mated March 2, ]88_'. I*"(,ur children ha\e been l)orn to them, (inh- one of whom is liv- ing. Roberta A., who was born July 18, 1896, and is a joy and comfort to her parents. Dr. and Mrs. Kennedx' are bdth consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are very liberal supporters of it. Dr. Kennedy was one of the organizers of the Northumberland County Medical Asso- ciation and is also a member of the \\'est Branch ]Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and American Medical Association. He is an earnest Republican and gives his support to the nominees of that party. Educational matters have shared his generous support and for six years he cheerfully gave his time and services as a member of the school board of the city of Shamokin. He is an active mem- ber of the following lodges and organizations: Past master of Shamokin P>Iue Lodge, No. 255, F. &; A. M.; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. yj, K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory Scottish Rite Masons, consisting of 32 degrees; Rajah Tem- ple Mystic Shrine: past president \\'ashington Camp, No. 660, Patriotic Order Sons of America; Shamokin Council of the United Order American Mechanics; Black Diamond Lodge, No. 1092, L O. O. F.; past exalted ruler of Shamokin Lodge, No. 355, Order of Elks; and Liberty Hose Company of the Sha- mokin b'ire Department. T^FTER G. BOBB, deceased, whose por- "-^ trait appears on the opposite page, was - a well known and much respected business m;m of Paxinos, ]'a., and was born in Jackson township, Northumberland Coun- ty, Sejjtember 28, 1842. He was a son of Michael .M. and Flizalieth (Gonsar) Bobb, of JcHckson townshi]), and graiidsim of Michael Bobb, a native of Germany, who was the first of the family to locate in Jackson townshi]). Michael M. Bobb, the father of our subject, was born Se])tember 28, 1812, at Big .Ma- hanoy. Pa. He grew to manhood in Lower Augusta and followed the trade of a tailor there for about nine years. In 1852 he re- moved to Shamokin townsliiii, locating at SnutTtown. where he worked at the tailor trade and farming. He later sold out and moved to Union County, near Miffiinburg, where he carried on farming, but he subse- cjuently mo\'ed to Rockefeller township, where lie resided, enjoying the fruits of his labor, until he departed this life at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him nine years, dying at the age of seventy-five. Mrs. Bobb was a daughter of Daniel Gon- sar, a farmer of Jackson township who lived to the age of sixty-two years. Our subject's parents were members of the Lutheran Church. They had eleven children, namely : Mary Ann, now deceased, who married J. .\. Treats, a resident of Snufftown; Daniel, who operates a planing mill in Sunbury, Pa.: Eliz- abeth, deceased, who married William Biles of Mount Carmel, Pa.; Caroline, who was the 568 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. wife of Jacolj Dundure, deceased, a cattle drover; Peter Cj., wliose luiiiic lieads these lines; Sarah, the wife of C. Frederick Lindig, a resident of Lewisburg, Pa.; \\'ilHam W., deceased; Michael, who died young; I'Vank- lin Pierce, who married Mary Bone, and now operates a planing mill at East Lewisbnrg. Pa.; and Louisa, widow of James Havens, who lives in Lewisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Bobb gave their children the benefits of an educa- tion in the public schools. Peter G. Bobb lived at home luuil he was eighteen years of age, when he taught school for two years, and then clerked in a store at Paxinos for John Nesbit for three years. He was married in 1865 to Mary Jane Fisher, a daughter of John and Hannah (Yocum) Fisher, the former a miller of Paxinos. They Ijecame parents of four children and the three youngest still brighten their mother's home: Bessie, the first born, married John H. Kase, a farmer of Mayberry township, Montour County; Carrie Belle; Alfred Cameron; and Mildred P. After 1867 our subject went intt) the general merchandise business for himself at Paxinos and so continued until 1868, when he sold out to Thomas Metz, and then he clerked for three years. He was ai)pointed postmaster of Pa.xinos and was not permitted to relintpiish his ])osition for twenty-three years. He was also appointed ticket and freight Agent at Paxinos for the Northern Central Railroad in 1871, continuing until 1894. He then started the business now op- erated b_\- his son, and dealt in farm imjile- ments of all kinds, harness, whips, coal and fertilizers, etc. He also owned two farms in Ralpho township. Mr. Bobb departed this life on February 8, 1899, and the business which he placed on a firm basis is Ijeing suc- cessfully conducted by his son, Alfred Cam- eron Bobb. Politically ^Ir. Bobb was a fnin adherent to the principles of the Republican party, but was not an ofifice-seeker. The Methodist Church found in him a worthy and active member. He enlisted in June, i8()3, in Com- pany A, 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was in service until June 27, 1863. Having lived in Paxinos for over forty years and having at- tainetl a position of prominence in the com- munity, his success is often cited by his friends, who desire their children to emulate his example.' ENRY E. FAWCETT, who is exten- sively engaged in general farming and ^ ^ dairying, is a highly respected citi- zen of Elkland township, Sullivan County, Pa. He w'as born on the farm on which he now resides, September 3, 1857, ami is a son of John and Phoebe (Bird) Fawcett. His grandfather was Henry Fawcett. a na- tive of England, who inunigrated to America in 1819, locating on the farm now owned by J. Kline, Esq., in Sullivan County, Pa. It was a tract of timberland which had not under- gone the improvements which civilization brings. He cleared a piece sufificient in size on which to build a cabin, and after its erec- tion he and his wife lived there the remainder of their li\-es, working liand in hand, conx'crt- ing a vast wilderness iiUo fields fit for cultiva- tion. John Fawcett, the father of our subject, was born in Engiaml in JS17, and was two years of age when his parents came to this country. His opportunities for obtaining an education uere few, but he made the best of them and acquired a good business training. Upon reaching maturity he purchased the farm now owned by our subject, built a good house, and during the remainder of his days followed SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 5fi9 farming, making great improvements on his property. In tlie latter \cars of his life he erected a new and modern home, the one in which Henry E. Fawcett now lives, hut it was not entirely completed at his death. He was a man of excellent qnalities and always aided tliose who had lieen less fortunate in life than lie. He passed into the realms of the unknown Septemher 21, 1881, and his death was greatly mourned hy a large circle of friends and ac- (|uaintances. He married Phoebe Bird, a daugliter of George and Sarah (King) Bird, who was horn in 181 3, and is now living with her son .\sa in Elkland township, being a well- ])reserved woman fur her _\cars. The children resulting from this union were: riiilinda, the wife of James Hart; Lydia, the wife of David .McLartv: George; Asa, who married Iaz/ac Sohrader; Sarah; ]\liner\a, the wife of Wells AlcCarty; and Henry E., the subject of this personal history. Mr. Fawcett was a stanch Republican in his political affiliations; in re- ligious views he was a Wesleyan Methodist. Henry E. Fawcett was reared on his fath- er's farm and educated in the district schools. The happiness and success of his father in the pursuance of agricultural pursuits influenced him in choosing farming as his life's work. He purchased the old homestead, improved it, antl at the present time has a fine farm of 160 acres under a higli state of cultivation. He is engaged in dairying and raises grain and other farm produce; and for many years he ran a threshing machine and was also engaged in the lumber and bark business. He is a man of good Inisiness capacity, and good results have attended his efforts on all sides. Mr. Fawcett was joined in hymeneal bonds with Arvilla Mullen, a daughter of John and Selena (Woodhead) Mullen, and a descendant of an old and well-established famil\- in Sulli- van Countv. Anthon\- Mullen, the earliest ancestor of whom there is any record, lived in New York City and was a drununer in the Revolutionary War. He was a sea captain and was finally lost at sea, leaving a very large property in New York City. His son, Charles Mullen, at an early day moved to Sullivan County, Pa., where he was given a tract of fif- ty acres ])y Dr. Joseph Priestley as an induce- ment for him to locate there. He cleared the land and built a log house, the work being greatl\- facilitated by the use of tools which he was enabled to make, as his trade was that of a blacksmith. He subseciuently took u\i more land, but as he was at a distance of thirty miles from the nearest mill, he finally located on our subject's farm, where he died at the age of sixty-five years. He married Eliza- beth llo.'igland, and they reared the following children: Hannah; Charles; Joseph; Mar- tha; William; John; and Anthony. John Mullen, the father of Mrs. Fawcett, was edu- cated in the district schools and in the college of Jersey Shore, in which he took a complete course under Prof. Nehemiah Ross, gradua- ting at the age of twenty-two years. He canie into possession of the homestead property, and has since followed farming. He married Selena Woodhead, and the following children were born to them: Almeda, Cecelia, Lettie, Rose, Frank, Lillie, Janie, Arvilla, Melville, Clara, Charles, Luella, and Ada. Mr. Mullen was born in Elkland township, Sullivan Conn- tv, March i, i8ji, and is now an honored member of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett are the parents of two children: Lee and Lena. Politically Mr. Fawcett is very active and is one of the most popular men in the Republican party in Sulli- van County. He was the party nominee for sheriff in 1895 and ran away ahead of his tick- et, Init was defeated by the small margin of sixty-five votes. He has served as constable. 570 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. school director, and superintendent of roads. In religious views he is a Wesleyan Metho- dist, and lie and his wife both take an active part in church and sabbath school work. M AVID L. SOLLENBERGER, the popular postmaster at Shamokin, and one of the best known newspaper men of Pennsylvania, is a son of Samuel S. and Anna M. (Lehn) SoUenberger, and was born October 14, 1853, in Mechanicsburg, Cum- berland County, Pa. At the age of sixteen years he Ijecame a compositor in the office of the Newville Pennsylvania Star, at Newville, Cumberland County, Pa., where he served three years; in 1873 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he worked at his trade as a jour- neyman until 1877, when he removed to Northumberland County and purchased the Watsontown Record and i>ublished it ten months, when he sold out and bought a half interest in the Sunburs' Democrat, and was associated with it until Jime, 1879. In No- vember, 1879, he purchased a half-interest in the Shamokin Times, and continued in con- nection with it until 1891. In 1886 he formed a partnership with \V. S. Ginterman and founded the Shamokin Daily Dispatch, which he continued to publish until 1891, when he severed his connection with the Dispatch and Times and entered a new held of labor, that of editing the Sunbury Evening Item. August 24, 1894, during the latter part of the Cleveland administration, our subject was appointed .postmaster at Shamokin. His pop- ularity and worth as a public servant have been recognized by the head of the Postoffice Department at Washington and Mr. Sollen- berger has been honored, as well as rewarded, for his ef^cient service, by being continued in office under the present administration. John Sollenberger, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1774, but removed to Cumberland County, locating in Monroe township, near Carlisle, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He died in 1856, having attained the ripe age of eighty-five years. (^ur subject's maternal grandfather was born in Lancaster County in 1794, and was a farmer by avocation; he died at the old home- stead in Cumberland County in 1878, lacking but one year of having lived as many years as did his venerable father. Religiously, he was of the German Baptist persuasion. The grand- father on the maternal side was David Lehn. Samuel S. Sollenberger, father of our sub- ject, was born in Mechanics1nn-g, Pa., in 1830, and lived all his life in his native county. In the later years of his life he engaged in teach- ing school. He was a valued citizen, and his l)remature demise was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. His death occurred in 1873, he having crossed the threshold of only forty-three years. The marriage of Samuel S. and Anna M. Lehn was blessed with but one child, David L., subject of this sketch, who was educated in the common .schools of the countv of his birth, lie was a close student anil by diligent application to his studies at school he accpiired a good ]:)ractical education. Politically our subject is a Democrat and al- wavs has taken an active interest in ])arly work and is a successful party organizer. In 1884 he was a delegate to the .\llentown state convention and an alternate to the national convention of the same year. Socially he affil- iates with the Odd Fellows and is a member of Lodge No. 9. I. O. O. F., of Pittsburg, Pa. November 29, 1876, he married Annie .\. Brown, an accomplished and charming lady, GKoRCiK |. hk;c;ins. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 573 and to them liave been l:)orn five cliildren: Erie G.; Helen Pearl; Mary G.; Vida C., who died Angnst 22, 1898; and David B. rEORGE J. HIGGIXS, local agent if the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road and also agent of the United States Express Company, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is among the well-known citizens of Shamokin. Xorthum- berland County, Pa. He enjoys the distinc- tion of being a self-made man in every sense of the word, having worked his way up from messenger boy to his present responsible and lucrative position of freight and passenger agent at the above station. At tlie age of fif- teen years he was an expert sound operator and was appointed operator at the Reading station at Shenandoah. He was a faithful and untiring worker and his promotion fell to bun step by step. At the age of eighteen he was again promoted, to the post of assistant weigh-master at the Frackville scales, at which place he spent two and one-half years in weighing coal and then accepted the chief clerkship at the Reading depot in Shenan- doah. In 1888 he was promoted to the posi- tion of station agent at Allenwood, on the Reading system, and two months later was transferred to a similar position at Locust Gap, where he remained until June i. 1891, when his services were rewarded by another ])romotion and he was sent to Shamokin as station agent for the Reading. Our subject was born in Tamaqua, Schu\l- kill County, Pa., July 27, 1865, and is a son of John F. and Margaret (Franey) Higgins, well-known residents of Shenandoah, and grandson of William Higgins, a native of Ire- land, who came to America when a young man, .some eightv vears ago, and located in Schuylkill County, being one of Tamaciua's pioneer settlers, the entire region at the time 1)eing a vast, untouched wilderness. John F. Higgins, the father of our subject, was born in Tamaqua in 1837. He was a molder by trade; later in life he discontinued working at his trade and engaged in the shoe business. He died at Shenandoah in 1893, at the age of fifty-six years. He endorsed the principles of Democracy and took a very active in- terest in local politics: he was tax collector of Shenandoah in 1891 and 1892. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Higgins besides George J., the subject of this sketch : Alice, wife of Edward Ratcb- ford. of Shenandoah, Pa.; William J., an un- dertaker of Mount Carmel, Pa.; John F., Jr., who is state senator of the Thirtieth Sena- torial District, and lives at Shenandoah; Me- lissa M.; James C; Nellie E.; Kate.M.; Charles C. ; Julia A. ^Most of the family live in Shenandoah, Pa. On October 21, 1891, our subject was united in marriage with Julia M. Tobin. the accomplished daughter of John and Margaret A. (Turner) Tdbin, well known residents of Shenandoah. They, with their two children, Margaret E. and John F., now reside at No. I South Shamokin street, Shamokin. Mr. Higgins is a thorough niilmad man, possesses progressive ideas, is popular with the masses, and makes an all-round ideal agent and citizen. He is an active member of Sunbury Lodge, B. P. O. E., of which he is exalted ruler; and is also a member of the Cresco Social Club of Shamokin, of which he is a trustee. fGNATIUS B. BINDER, a worthy cit- izen and retired merchant of Shamokin, Coal township, is of German-Bohemian descent. He is a son of Joseph and Agnes 674 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. (Sterski) Binder and was I.nrn July 30, 1845, in Austria-Bohemia, liis ])arcnts were na- tives of Bohemia. The father of our suhjcct was born in 18 jo, immigrated to .\nKMica in 1873 and located in Nortliampton County, wlierc lie purchased a large farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In this calling lie nicl with nuicli suc- cess, and after some years of careful work he fnially died at lierlinville in 1884, at the age of sixty-four \ears. lie and his good wife were parents of eleven children, three of whom died in the ( )ld Country and the fol- lowing grew to manhood and womanhood, be- sides our suliject: l""erdinand, Anthony, .\doJpli. .\ll)crl, I'lhlip, Mary, and i\udolph. {''erdinand, .\nthon\, Albeii, Philip, ;nid i\u- dollih are residents of iMauch Chunk, while .\dolpii lives in J'erJinN'iJle ;uid Mary is a nurse in Sf. Louis, Mo. Ignatius B. Binder received a good educa- tion in his native country, where he also learned the butclier's trade. He immigrated to America several }'ears before his parents, lo- cating in Bethlehem in 1867, \vhere he fol- lowed butchering al)oul one year. He then removed to Catasau(iua, where he carried on the same business for al)out two years, return- ing to Bethleiiem again for a short time. He sold out his business to good advantage and spent some time traveling in the states and thus familiarizing himself with the scenery and customs of America. After spending three months in travel throughout the West he re- turned to the I'last and again embarked in business, following his trade (juite success- fully in Heidelberg, Leliigh County, Pa., then in Lehigh ( lap, and finally located per- manently in Shaniokin in 1872. After being actively engaged in butchering for about twentv years he decided to discontinue the butcher business. In 1893 he engaged in general merchandising, at which he prospered for two years. ] laving accumulated a snug sum of UKiuey and ha\iug no family ik']>end- ! ing upon him, he retired from active business pursuits, and he and his amiable wife are I spending their days in comfort :uid ease, in a way to suit tlieir fancy. On July ]<), 1870, Amelia Kautter became the wife of our subject. She is a daughter of Conrad Kautter of Stuttgart, W nrtemberg, Ciermauy, and first saw the light of day Fcl)- ruary 4, 1845. Her sister, Paulina Slo])ey, widow of F.clward Slopey, also resides in this country. Our subject anil jiis wurlh) wife were de- nied a famib' of their own, Iml one of his brother's childi'cn was taken into their home and thc\- i-earcd and loved her as their own. 'i'his was Mary, now the wife of Wesley Ber- ren of Shamokin. Mr. Binder is a faithful member of St. Edwarrenizer) Gross, and was JKirn at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, I'a., January 4, 1852. James D. Gross, father of our subject, was liorn near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Coun- ty, and was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Barnhart) Cjross. The family on the paternal side came from ATar\land, and his mother was a natixe of Cumberland Count\', Pa. The father was a man of high educational attain- ments and was a siraduate of Dickinson Col- SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 575 lege at Carlisle, Pa. He chose medicine as his profession and graduated from the Jeffer- son Medical College of Philadelphia, after which he commenced practice at Shepherds- town, Pa. He later went to White Pigeon, Mich., and finally located at Flat Rock, O., where he died at the age of forty-three years. He married Ann Brenizer, a daughter of George Brenizer of Cumberland County, and they had but one child, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Gross passed awax' in her sixty- fifth year. Frank M. Gross was but a child when his father died, and his mother jiassed away March 20, 1888. He attended the public schools of Mechanicsburg and later the Cum- l)erland \'alley Institute, Ijeing possessed of high amliitions and determined to obtain a good education. Noting the success attained by his father as a physician, he decided to study medicine, and entered the ofifice of Dr. Harshbarger, now of N^ew .\lbany. Pa. He graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1881, and, with a grim determination to succeed, he entered upon his practice at Burnt Cabin, Pa. He subsequently followed his profession in the following places: New Albany, Pa.; Forkston, Wyoming Coun- ty, Pa.; Loomis, Mich.; Little Meadows, Sus- quehanna County, Pa.; Powell, Pa.; and in 1897 located at Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., succeeding to the practice of Dr. Ormsby and forming a partnership with Dr. Blake E. Gamble. He has attained a high degree of ethciency in the diagnosing and treatment of cases and his efforts have been attended by the best of results. Dr. Gross was united in marriage with Ar- metta Simpson, a daughter of Isaac D. Simp- son of Waverly, N. Y., and they have one daughter, ]\Iaud. who was born at West Au- burn, Suscjuehanna County, Pa., June 12, 1 88 1, and is a student of the Waverly Acad- emy. Dr. Gross is an Odd Fellow. ^/7lle XfoV ly-esi AM G. HOLLISTER, a high- '-esteemed resident of Mount Car- mel, Northumberland County, Pa., is a well-known manufacturer of shoes, hav- ing followed that line fif business ever since embarking in the business world. He is a son of Isaac and Jane (Mahood) HolHster, and was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., March 2, 1854. He is of Irish descent and is a grandson of Samuel Hollister, a native of Ireland, who, upon coming to this country, located in Schuylkill County, Pa., with his family. Isaac Hollister, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1828, and at an earlv age was brought to America by his parents. They resided in Schuylkill County until 1853, when they removed to Mount Carmel, North- umberland County. Isaac was a shoemaker by trade and throughout his life plied that trade with good success. In 1863 he was the only Democrat in the village, but with the courage of his convictions he cast his vote for Woodward, his jiarty candidate for governor. He was at all times an enthusiastic supporter of the Democracy, but never aspired to office. Mr. Hollister was called to his final rest on July 20, 1895. His companion in life was Jane ]\Iahood, who was born in 1830, and their hap- py union was blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren, a record of whom follows: W'illiam G., the subject of this biographical record; Sam- uel, a shoe merchant at Locust Gap, North- umberland County; Isaac H., deceased, who was appointed postmaster in February, 1894, and served until his death, on July 13, 1895: Lydia, deceased; Jane, the present postmis- tress of Mount Carmel. who was appointed to 576 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. succeed lier Ijrother upon his death; Mary Emma, who died at an early age ; James, who resides at Mount Carmcl and is a fireman at the Reliance Colliery; and Mary, who lives at Mount Carmel with her mother. William G. Hollistcr, the subject of this sketch, was reared at Mount Carmel and re- ceived his educatiiiu in the pulilic schools, after which he learned the trade of a shoe- maker with his father, lie was quick of per- cci)tion and in a short time was a very .skilled workman for his years. He was hut thirteen years of age when he completed his first pair of boots, and he has continued in shoemaking up to the present time. He carries a full stock of shoes, and for the past year also has been successfully engaged in the niaiuifacture of mining and mill slides, fur which there is a good demand in that section, lie is a reliable business man and is respected by his fellow- men wherever known. On July 3, i8yi, Mr. llollister was united in marriage with Mary Cavanaugh, and four children have been born to them: ^lary Ger- trude; James; Josc]ih: William T.co; and Samuel Edgar. OHN McCLEERV, president of the Milton Trust & Safe Dejjosil Com- jjany, through whose efforts it was or- ganized in 1887, has for many years been prominently identified with business enter- prises in ]\liU()n, Xorthumberland County. Pa. He is a man of great energy and strong personality and his eft'orts in various under- takings have met with gratifying and deserved success. He is a son of Dr. William and Mar- garet (Pollock) McClecry. and was born .\pril 8, 1837. Our subject's ancestors were natives of Scotland, who, at the time of the early perse- cutions, established a home in Ireland, where Michael IMcCleery, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born. He had a brother John, who came to America and served as a captain in the Revolutionary War, being killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. John McCleery, the grandlatiier of om- sub- ject, was born at the forks of the Conestoga. in Earl township, Lancaster County, Pa., Oc- tober 13, i7'')7, and at an early age engaged in mercantile pursuits at Harrisburg. lie later mo\ed to ^ililton, .Xorthumberland County. Pa., being among the first to engage in business there, and opened a general mer- chandise store on the corner of South Front street and liro.idway, where l'"olmer's grocery store is now situated. He dealt large- ly in produce and grain, but the means of trans])(>rtation to markets were very limited and he had to ship them down the river in arks to the larger cities, where he would trade for merchandise. He finally retired from that business and purcha.sed a farm, which now forms a part of the William Cameron estate, and there successfully engaged in farming the remainder of his life. On September 2^. 1802. he and Mary Lytle, who was born at Lytic I'errv. on the Sus<|uehanna River, in Dauphin County, March iC). 1774. and was a daugh- ter of Joscpli and Sarah Lytle, were united I in marriage by Rev. Nathan Souden. Pater- nallv she was of English descent, while ma- ternalh' her ancestors were of Irish extraction. Their union resulted in the following issue: William; Sarah, the wife of John L. Watson, was born February 18. 1805; Joseph, born lanuarv 10. 1807: Jane, who married Rev. David X. Junkin. was born February 4, 1809; Elizabeth, born Sei)tcmber 10, 1811; and Mary, born March \C), 1814, who wedded Rev. Nathan Shotwell. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 677 Dr. William McCleerv, tlie father of our subject, was born at Halifax, Daui)hin Coun- ty, Pa., July 31, 1803. and early in life was brought to Alilton 1)}- his i^arcnts. practicalh' growing up with that borough. His educa- tion was obtained in the Milton .Academy, Rev. David Kirk])atrick, D. D., principal. He then attended the Washington College at Washington, Pa., and later graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadeli)hia in 1827. He then entered u])()n the practice of his profession at Milton, and in a \ery short time established a very large clientage, which he retained until 1857, when he was succeeded b\- iiis son. Dr. janies P.. who is a promi- nent ph\'.>ician of (he borough at the pres- ent time. He then li\ed in retirement for a brief period, gaining a nuich nceileil rest, but a state of idleness was antagonistic to his energetic teni])erament, and he was soon ac- ti\-ely engaged in business, building at Milton the first steam saw-mill erected on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, it being sit- uated where the car manufacturing establish- ment is now located. This saw-mill was erected in 1844. This he operated until tleath, which occurred on December .j, 1867, at the age of sixty-four years. He was originally a W'hig in his political affiliations, as was his lather, but he later became a Republican. He built the handsome residence in which our sul)ject now lives, in which he spent his latter da3s. He was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Margaret Pollock, a daugh- ter of William Pollock, and a sister of the late James Pollock, ex-governor of Pennsyl- vania, and they were the parents of the follow- ing children: Mary. l)orn September 9, 1830, if the wife of Joseph D. Potts of Philadel- phia; James P., a record of whose Hfe ap- pears elsewhere: Sarah, deceased, was born November 5, 1834; John, the subject of this ])ersonal history; William P., born April 27, 1834, was a captain in the i8th Reg. U. S. Inf. in the Civil War, and later served against the Indians on the western jjlains, — he re- signed his commission in 1868 and is now engaged in business at Troy, Pa.; and Julia J., deceased, who was born October 18, 1841, was the wife of Gen. Jesse Merrill. Mrs. Mc- Cleery died in 1842 aged thirty-six. John McCleery was etlucated at the Milinn .Vcadeniy.Tuscarora .\cademy. Juniata, and in Princeton College, from which he was grad- uated in 1858. Immediately after leaving col- lege he accejjted a position as assistant princi- ])al of the Milton Academ_\', being associated with l\e\-. W. T. \\'\lie, and at the same time he read law with Hon. James Pollock, and continued until the Ci\il War broke out, when he entered the serxice, being mustered in June I, 1861, as cai)tain of Company H, of the 5th Regiment of Pennsyhania Reserves. He was severely wounded in the Ijattle of the Charles City Cross Road in the seven days' fighting before Richmond, and was taken prisoner on June 30, 1862, being incarceratemsl)ur_i;'. The father of our subject is a member of Wasliinoton Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsl)urg-: Blooms- l)iirg ('liai)ter Xo. 218, R. A. M.: Mt. Moriali Council No. 10. 1\. it S. M.; Crusade Com- niandcrv Xo. 12, K. T.; Orient Conclave, No. J. Red Cross of Constantine; and Caldwell Consistory. S. P. \\. S., 32nd degree, N. M. J. janics I'. ]\r. Shew received his intellectual training in the pidjlic schools of his native liiwn and at the age of eighteen years began working in the paper mills of Bloomsburg. which were owned by his father. Since 1894 our subject has been general superintendent of the mills and is one of the most popular workmen in the plant. He is also recognized as one of the most valued citizens of Blooms- burg and is held in high esteem for his many excellent trails of character. ^!r. Shew is a member of \\'ashington Lodge, Xo. 265, F. I'v A. ^1. of Bloomsljurg. Politically he is an ardent Rei)ul)lican. Ori May 23, 1888, our subject was united in the bonds of matrimony with Permelia A. Brown, a daughter of the late Charles Brown, and they are the parents of two children: Guy, and Helen Martha. Dr. Fredrica, the maternal great-grandfather of our subject's wife, was a native of France and was a physician in the .\merican .\rm}- during the Revolutionary \\':u\ Joseph Brown, the paternal grand- father of our subject's wife, was a resident or Bloomsburg and was the progenitor of a fam- ily of sons, namely: William H., bookkeeper and paymaster on the Lehigh Valley R. R. and a resident of Cunningham, Pa.; Hiram, a- resident of Beech Haven, Pa.; George, pro- prietor of the Central House of Bloomsburg; Clark, died at Hamburg, Pa.; and Dr. Rob- ert, deceased, who was a well-to-do physi- cian residing at Tower Flill, Pa. Charles I'.rown, the father of Mvs. Shew, was born in IShnjmsburg and during his younger days learned the trade of a tailor which he followed a number of years. He was for some time foreman in the tailor-sho]) owned by George Bnrch of Manayunk, Pa. He passeil from this life February 29, 1887, at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and was well \ ersed in Masonry. Iveligionsh- he was a member of the Methodist Church, lie was united in wedhick with Lydia I'^redrica, a daughter of Henr)' Fredrica, formerly a resi- dent of Mififlin\ille, Columbia County, Pa. I'"ive sons and two daughters blessed the home of Air. and Mrs. llrown, namely: Clark \\ . ; Joseph, deceased; E. Reed; Albert C. ; Daniel L. ; ALirtha J., wife of William XTewman; anil Permelia A., wife of our subject. OIIX McELWEE. Another prominent and ])opular business man, well and fa- \orably known in railroad circles in the Se\enteenth Congressional District, is our subject, who is special agent for the Xorthern Central R. R. Co. He is actively engaged in looking after the interests of the company in any and every line in the vicinities of Sunbury, W'ilkesbarre, Hazleton, Pottsville, Tamacpia, and other sections. His interests are closely identitied with those of the company he repre- sents; and as he is thoroughly alive and en- ergetic, he is quick to secure advantages for the com])an\- in detecting and reporting im- |)Ositions and frauds. Afr. McElwee is of Irish descent, as his name indicates, and was born in County Don- egal, Ireland, in 1843. He is a son of George and Mary (Morrison) McElwee, and immi- grated to America when about eighteen years old, havinij recei\ed his education in Ireland. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 685 He first locatCtd in Tamaqua, Schuylkill Coun- ty, Pa., for a short time, but subsequently moved into Luzerne County. Not being fa- vorably impressed \vith his abode, and believ- ing the advantages were better at his former place of residence, he returned to Tamaqua in 1862 and remained there about one year, when he again mo\-ed, locating in Shamokin. Our subject found employment in and around the mines until April 25, 1865, when he entered the emplo}^ of the Northern Cen- tral R. R. Conipany as brakeman, was soon advanced to the position of fireman, and fi- nally appointed a conductor. At this post he was always pleasant and accommodating, but scrui)ulously exact and honest in the dis- charge of his duty, and served the compau)' so well in this capacity that he was still further promoted to the position of yard-master in 1872. His proficiency in performing the du- ties of this position is fully attested by the fact that he remained yard-master for a period of twenty-four years, discontinuing in 1896 to accept his present confidential and trusted po- sition, that of special agent, as before men- tioned. Mr. McElwee carefully avoids licing drawn into the meshes of politics. He is such a thor- ough railroad man that he takes little interest in matters not pertaining to the success of his company. Our sul)ject was twice mar- ried and has two children as the result of his first marriage: John l\., l)orn January 20, iSfi^, now in the employ of the Northern Cen- tral R. R. Co. in the capacity of engineer; and Mary Jane, born August 30, 1876, who resides at home. AMUEL F. GILBERT, M. D., a phy- sician of well-known repute, now liv- ing in Elysburg. Northumberland County, Pa., is a son of Jacob and Susan (Fet- terhoff) Gilbert, and was born in Halifax township, Dauphin County, Pa., August 4, 1845- The paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Gilbert, was born August 10, 1743, and died April 18, 1826. He married Catherine Saul, who was born December 11, 1757, and died June II, 1805. He was a tanner and lived in Lebanon County, Pa. The grandfather, Jacob Gilbert, was born April 2, 1783, in Lebanon County, and moved, in 181 5, to Lykens Val- ley and later to Millersburg. His first wife was Elizabeth Long of Dauphin County, who was born March 17, 1785, and died February 19, 1827. His second wife was Elizabeth Mark, who was born Decemljer 23, 1783, and died April 10, 1854. His first union resulted in six children: Samuel, born October 2, 1805; John, born December 12, 1806; Jacob, our subject's father: Sarah, born September 24, 1809; Catherine, born August 30, 1812; and George, born December 31, 181 3, and died November 10, 1869. Jacob Gilbert, the father of our subject, was born near Jonestown, Lel)anon County, Pa., Pebruary 24, 1808. and married Susan Fetter- hoit, daughter of Col. Fetterhoff of Lykens Valley, Dauphin County; Mrs. Gilbert was born February 20, 1808. Jacob Gilbert was a farmer, miller and tanner by trade, and car- ried on farming in Halifax township the great- er part of his life, dying there on June 10, 1888. He was very active in politics, being a stanch Republican, and holding many offices. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, being one of the leading workers. His wife died in 1882. They had nine children, as follows: George, a retired farmer living in Halifax, Pa., who was born December 11, 1829, and married Lavinia Garman; John, born December 23, 1831, died April 21, 1853; Mary, born July 7, 1834, married Paul Riland, 586 liOOK OF BIOGRAl'FIIES. a retired farmer of Halifax, Pa.; Elizabetli, Ihii'ii Ma_\' C), 1837. married Amos Cirim. and Uiey li\c in Halifax, Pa.; Sarah, horn Sep- tember 16, 1839, died September 28, 1842; Catherine, born December 16, 1841, died Jan- uary 9, 1842: Jacob, born April 21, 1843, died IMarcli \(\ 1844; Samuel F., our subject; Isaac, a retired farmer of Halifax, Pa., born April ji). 1849. The children were all edu- cated in the ])ubHc schools. After conipletinj:;;' his education Dr. Gilbert taught school for five years and then attended Lebanon \'alley College. In 1870 he entered the L"ni\ersity of Pennsylvania and was grad- uated in 1872, when he at once began prac- ticing in Sunbury, Pa. He then moved to .\ugusta\ille, Xorthumberland Count}-, l^a., where he ])racticed for four years, going from there in 1876 to Elysburg-, Pa., his present lo- cation. He was married on February 17, 1876. to I'^lla Seasholtx. of I'jjper Augusta township, a tlanghter of Jacob and Ruth (Rockefellow) Seasholtz, both of Upper Augusta township. Mr. Seasholtz was a contractor. He is dead, but his wife still resides in Up])er Augusta townshi]). Dr. Gilbert took up the practice of Dr. Robbins of Elysburg, and has built up a \cr_\- large and lucrative clientage in Northum- berland County and adjoining districts. The Doctor has several farms and also owns the Dr. Robbins homestead, on which he now lives. He is a strong temperance worker, a member of the F. and A. M. Lodge, No. 414, of El\sburg, and an attendant of the Re- formed Church, of which his wife is a mem- ber. He has been blessed with several chil- dren, as follows: Amy E., born August 11, 1879; Carrie C, born August 17, 1880; Ruth, born .April 3, 1887; and Grace, born February 2, 1889; all of whom reside at home. The people of Elysljurg and vicinity speak only in the highest terms of Dr. Gilbert, and he has a host of warm, well-wishing friends. He be- gan the battle of life a ])oor l)o_\', but with un- tiring energy and unllinching will he has reached the goal of success. "LT " g. HART:MAX, one of the well-to- 1*1 . do and intluential citizens of Danville, I^a., who is the proprietor of the Xcnioloton Silk ]\Iills of that town, was born at Scranton, Pa., May 3, 1861, and is a son of John G. Hartman, deceased, who was a nati\e of Germany and a mechanic b\' tracle. F. Q. Hartman i)ossesses a good education which he recei\'ed in the public schools of Scranton. Lea\ing school when a mere lad he sought eniplovment in the Sagnoit Silk Mills of Scranton remaining with that com- pany many years during which time he be- came thoroughly familiar with the manufac- ture of silk. His wide experience in busi- ness affairs attracted the attention oi the Dela- ware & Hudson Railroad Company ofificials who offered him a position as assistant-pay- master of the railroad, which position he ac- cepted: not only did he fulfill his duties with great credit to himself but to his superior ofli- cers as well, and upon his resignation from that position of trust he was begged to recon- sider his action, and as an inducement, he was offered an increase in salar_\-, but our sub- ject had determined to enter into business on his own account. He remoxed to Dan\ire and erected a large two-story brick building 53 by 125 feet on \\'ater street and engaged in the niaiuifacture of silk. The nii'.l is equipped with sixteen thousand spindles and gives employment to about three hundred hands who are kept constantly busy in order to keep up with the orders. In 1896 the mill was destroyed by a cyclone and our subject sustained a se\ere loss: he immeiliatcly re- GEORGE G. BAKER. SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 589 Iniilt and enlarged the mill, which is ecjuipped with tlie most modern machinery. The mill i.-^ lighted throughont 1j_\- electricit}-, which is supplied 1)_\- its own dx-nanio. Our subject was united in the I)onds of matrimony to Geue\'ic\e Atwnod, a daugh- ter of Eugene Atwood. a silk manufacturer of Stonington, Conn. Mr. Ilarlnian is con- sidered an important factor in the business and industrial interests of Danville, aiding ma- terially in de\elo|)ing its resources. /2y EORGE G. C.\KER, the well- \ 1^ I known undertaker of the town of I'lloomsburg, Columbia County, and ;i nuMuber of the (Inu, Baker & W'anicli. man- niaclnrci's of the U bed s]iring, is a son of b'rederiek 11. and Jane (Seward) Baker, and was born in Huntingdon, Luzerne County, I'a., October 20, 1864. Frederick Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Cambria, Pa., where he followed farming and milling and was a very prosper- ous man. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Jane Seward, \\ho was a native of Fairmont Springs, Pa., and tliey reared a family of cliildren, one of whom was George (r., the subject of this personal history. George G. Baker was reared on his fath- er's farm and after attaining man's estate went to Shickshinny, Luzerne County, where he l)ecame an undertaker and cabinetmaker, un- der the tutelage of John L. Pealer. He o])ened a business at Pleasant Hill in connec- tion with John Baker, continuing for a period of two years. He then disposed of his inter- est and associated with P. P. Copeland at Shickshinny, until the latter's death, when he removed to Bloomsburg and bought out the business of E. R. l""urnian and has conducted it since November 29, 1887. He is an hon- est and conscientious worker and possesses the patronage of the leading citizens of Bloomsburg and innnediate vicinity, lie has fine hearses and one of the finest and l)est- groomed teams in the county. He patented the U bed spring, which is the most perfect s])iral bed spring luade, and, in partnership with John X. \\'auich of Bloomsburg, manu- factures them in all styles and sizes. Mr. I!ak- er is genial and possesses the friendship and esteem of all with whom he is accjuainted. Our subject fcjrmed a matrimonial alliance with Lenora C. Sterling, a daughter of Clin- ton li. Sterling of Bloomsburg, and thev lie- came the parents of four children, namel\-: Charles C. ; Lucy; Robert; and Mary. .Mr. I'aker is a member and past grand of the I. ( ). ( ). F.; is ])ast captain of the Sons of Veterans; past president of the I'. O. S. of A.; and master workman of the A. O. U. W. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. I\Ir. Baker's portrait is shown on a page in proximity to this. rHOMAS S. L.MRD, a blacksmith of considerable prominence at Nord- mont. Laporte township, Sullivan County, Pa., is purely of Scotch descent, as his name indicates. He is the second child and eldest son of William and Sarah (McNeil) Laird, and was born at W'ashiugtonville, Montour County, Pa., January 21, 1831. Col. William Laird was the first of the Laird family to come to America. He was born in Scotland and came to this country at the age of seven years in company with some friends. He grew to manhood in the midst of the most e.xciting times in our country's historv, at ;i 590 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. time when young men for love of country left fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, and husl)an