Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 1

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY Pa

PENNSYLVANIA

974. 801.

val. 2 Nº195

CONTAINING

A genealogical record of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and Biographical sketches of prominent citizens, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information.

ILLUSTRATED Chicago J. L. Floyd & Co. 1911

Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 For : 46801-2270

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

495

hundred miles of Shamokin. Mr. Seiler has been seendants of the other two sons still flourish in gradually retiring from the active work of the busi- Berks county. The widow of Balthaser Schultz, ness. He has proved his worth by his efficient Susanna ( Dieterich), and her four children, services in a number of corporations whose very George, Susanna, Maria and Barbara, accompanied about forty other followers of Kaspar Schwenkfeld to America in 1734. existence las meant a great deal to the develop- ment of Shamokin. He is vice president of the Guarantee Safe Deposit & Trust Company, of The Shultzes here under consideration come from the foregoing source. Governor Shultz of Pennsylvania was of the same stock. The great- grandfather of Charles H. Shultz was known as "Squire" Shultz and was a man of prominenee in liis day. A portrait of him done in India ink, and in typieal Colonial style, portrays him standing in front of a high writing desk, goose-quill in hand, a high stool by his side, and pictures hini as a man of dignified and honorable inien. This portrait is now in the possession of his great-grandson, Charles . H. Shultz, of Sunbury, who also has ex- cellent likenesses of his paternal grandparents done in India ink. which he was an organizer and first treasurer; president of the Shamokin Street Railway Com- pany ; president of the Board of Trade; vice presi- dent and one of the organizers of the Anthracite Fire Insurance Company ; treasurer of the West Ward Building & Loan Association ; treasurer and one of the organizers of the Black Diamond Build- ing & Loan Association ; and a leading member of the Anthracite Association, which was organized in 1898 to promote the sale of anthracite and to seeure reasonable prices for same. He is a Re- publican, and has served in the council. He is an elder in St. John's Reformed Church.

In 1869 Mr. Seiler was married to Caroline Bower, daughter of Michael Bower, of Lower Ma- hanoy township; Three children have been born to them: One died in infancy; Cora B. married Dr. Richard H. Simmons, of Shamokin; Lula is at home.

CHARLES H. SHULTZ, master carpenter for the Pennsylvania Railway Company at Sunbury, Northumberland county, has been in the service of that company continuously since 1884, and lias been at his present location since the year 1901. He was born July 24, 1846, at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is a son of Henry Shultz, a native of Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa., and a descendant of an old and distinguished Berks county family.

The Shultzes (or Schultzes) were among the adherents of the religious sect known as Schwenk- felders, founded by Kaspar Schwenkfeld (1490- 1561), a Silesian nobleman and mighty factor in the Reformation, who settled in Hereford town- ship, Berks county, and the adjoining region of upper Montgomery and westein Lehigh counties. They trace their lineage to one Mathias Schultz, who was born in 1612, lived through the Thirty Years' war and died in 1682, in his seventietli year, at Lower Harpersdorf, in what was then the principality (now a government district) of Liegnitz. Silesia. His son, Melchior Schultz, is said to have been born in 1647. and died in 1708, leaving among other children two sons, Melchior (1680-1734) and Balthaser (1682-1:2:). Both of these sons died in Saxony, the former at Ber- thelsdorf, about two months before the emigration burg, Pa. : and Irvin, who died in infancy in 1864. to this country, then being contemplated. Mel- chior Schultz (1680-1734)

was the father of George, Melchior and Rev. Christopher Schultz, all of whom married. The son Melchior married of fifteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, twice, but had no children by either wife. De- which he has ever since followed, sinee 1884 in the

Henry Schultz, grandfather of Charles H., lived in the vieinity of Womelsdorf, Berks county, in what was known locally as the "Schmaltz Goss," and there died at the age of forty-five years. He is buried at Womelsdorf. In religion he was a member of the Evangelical Association. By trade he was a tailor, and he also acted as nurse among the sick, occasionally. His wife, Christian (Mil- ler), long survived him, living to be nearly ninety years old. They had the following family : Henry, father of Charles H. Shultz; Samuel, a tailor and merchant, who lived at Schuylkill Haven ; Rebecea, Mrs. Hackman ; Maria, Mrs. Wil- liam Shaner; and Susan, Mrs. Jacob Snyder.

Henry Shultz was born at Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa., and lived for many years in Sehuvlkill county. He was a prosperous earpenter and con- tractor at Schuylkill Haven, that county, building a large number of houses, churches, schools and other buildings at that place and in the adjoining territory, among others the Methodist and Evan- gelical churches at Pine Grove. He gave employ- ment to as many as ten men. A prominent mem- ber of the United Brethren Church at Schuylkill Haven. he was regular in attendance on church worship and served as trustee of that congregation. Mr. Shultz died May 20, 1909, at Harrisburg, Pa., in his eighty-seventh year, and he and his wife Catharine (Geiger) are buried in the Charle; Evans cemetery at Reading, Berks county. She was a daughter of Henry and Catharine ( Moyer) Geiger, of near Orwigsburg, Schuvikill Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz had four children: Sanntel, who is deceased : Charles H. : John A .. of Harris-

Charles H. Shultz was educated in the schools of Schuylkill Haven, whither his parents moved when he was but nine months old. At the age

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

service of the Pennsylvania Railway Company. He follows: Polly, born June 28, 1807, who was mar- has been stationed at different places, having been ried April 3, 1821, to Daniel Vandemark and died at Reading and Harrisburg before his assignment in 1826; Annie, born May 31, 1809; who married Henry Styer in 1825 and died in 1844; Margaret, born May 14, 1811, who married John Rosencrantz in March, 1830; John, born Feb. 19, 1813, who married Martha Line in 1836; Rosannah, born May 21, 1815, who married Cornelius Styer, of Montour county, in 1833; Wil- liam, born May 13, 1817; Elizabeth, born May 16, '1819, who inarried Peter Kutz, and died in 1871 ; Priscilla, born Aug. 31, 1821. who married Matthias Raisley, of Butler county, Pa. ; Solomon, born May 15, 1823; Isabella, born June 16, 1825, who married Ziba Kramer, of lowa; Martha, born June 10, 1828, who died in 1835; Emily, born Dec. 29, 1830, who died in 1834, and Abram, born Dee. 25, 1832. to Sunbury, in - 1901. At Reading he was as- sistant master carpenter for a period of sixteen years, and throughout his location in Sunbury has been master carpenter there, having a foree of sixty men. He has a high reputation as a me- chanic, and in the discharge of his present re- sponsible duties has proved himself possessed of excellent executive ability as well. He is a worthy representative of an honorable old family and thoroughly respected by all who know him. At the time of the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania in the Civil war he was in the Union service for ninety days as a member of Company I, 39th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

In 1867 Mr. Shultz married Ellen Koch, daugh- ter of Daniel and Catharine (Heiser) Koch, of Schuylkill county, and to them have been born three children : (1) Katie is the wife of Rev. An- drew Smith, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and theologieal seminary, and now a minis- ter of the Reformed Church, stationed at York, Pa. (2) Harry, who died Dee. 20, 1910, was a train- master in the service of the Pennsylvania Railway Company at Harrisburg. (3) Mamie died when nine months old.

FAIRCHILD. There are few names in the upper section of Northumberland county better known than that of Fairchild. The brothers Sol- omon and Abram Fairchild, the former now liv- ing retired, the latter recently deceased, were for years among the most prosperous farmers of Chil- lisquaque township, where Solomon Fairchild still resides. Farming always elaimed their principal attention, but they also interested themselves in the various industrial and financial institutions of the county, so that they were associated with much of the progress of the region in other respects as well : and they made and maintained a high repu- tation for business sagacity and judgment, for in- telligent foresight and enterprise of the most com- mendable quality.

. The Fairchilds are of a Luzerne county family. John Fairchild. their grandfather, lived and died at Newport, Luzerne county, where he followed his trade, that of blacksmith. He married Mary Van Dine, of Holland.

SOLOMON FAIRCHILD was born near Nan- tieoke, in Luzerne eounty, May 15, 1823. was reared in his native eounty and received his edu- cation there in the public schools. He followed farming throughout his active years. Moving to Northumberland county from Luzerne in 1874, he settled at his present home, near Milton, parebas- ing the Creasy farin from Daniel Fisher. It con- tains 114 acres of excellent land. and there Mr. Fairchild has ever since made his home. He re- modeled the buildings soon after taking possession. and has made numerous improvements on the place which make it one of the most desirable and valuable country homes in that neighborhood. Throughout his active years as an agriculturist Mr. Fairchild stood foremost among the progres- sive farmers of his locality, his success being revog- lized as the result of the most intelligent manage- ment backed by well directed energy. He may well be classed among those who have made farmi- ing what it is today-the most valuable practical science of the age. Mr. Fairchild was long a di- rector of the First National Bank of Miltou, and he was likewise interested in the administration of local public affairs, serving as school director and in other township offices in Luzerne county. He is a Republican in political faith. Honored and respected by all who know him. he is a citizen whose life has been a credit to the cominnnity in which it has been lived.

On Dec. 23, 1852. Mr. Fairchild was married to Emily Lines, daughter of Abram Lines, of Luzerne county. She died in 1853. On April 29, 1856, Solomon Fairehild, son of John, was born Oct. 17, 1783, in Luzerne county. and learned the trade of his father, which was his occupation for many years. He also engaged in farming. He died in 1854. * On Jan. 19. 1806. he married Elizabeth living in Union county, who married Ada L. Dun- Lutsey, like himself a native of Luzerne county, Mr. Fairchild married Sarah Robbins, who was born in 1834, daughter of Jonathan Robbins, of Luzerne county, and died in 1897. Eight chil- dren were born to this union : Ambrose, now kel (children: Solomon. Helen. Blanch. de- born May 23, 1789, who died in 1839. They were ceased, Edward. Hunter. Donald and Christine) : inembers of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Franklin P. : George W., who married Julia Rishet Mrs. Solomon Fairchild reared a large family, as (they had children, Sarah, Leo. deceased, Pearl,

Abram Fairchild

Solomon Fairchild

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

George A., Kate and Lester) ; Solomon L., who lives at Lewisburg. They have three children, married Mary L. Pontius (they had children, Rov Maria, Baker and Elizabeth. (?) Angus A., who lives on the homestead, married Annie Auten, a sister of Judge Auten, of Northumberland county, and has four children, Myron, DeWitt, Anna and Abram, Jr. (8) Clara J. married O. B. Gran- cell, and they have two children, Fairchild and Ruth. (9) Milo Wesley died when twenty-four

.P. and Sarah R.) ; Sarah Elizabeth, who married C. C. Brown, of Chambersburg, Pa. : Linda May, at home; Minnie, living in Pittsburg, Pa .: and Grace D., who married Harry Stein, of Lewisburg, Pa. Mr. Fairchild and his family belong to the Presbyterian Church at Milton.

ABRAM FAIRCHILD was born Dec. 25, 1832, years old: He married Mary J. McCurdy and had in Luzerne county, and was there reared and edn- one son, Thomas. (10) Benjamin died when three years old.

cated. He made farming his occupation, and fol- lowed it in his native county until the year 1874, when he removed to Northumberland county and CULLEN FRAZER SHIPMAN, legal practi- tioner of Sunbury, is one of the prominent young men of that borough, where he has become well established in his profession during the compara- tively short period of his practice. . He is con- nected with the foremnost fraternity and club cir- cles of the city and enjoys high standing among a wide acquaintanceship. settled upon the farin in West Chillisquaque town- ship, where he contiued to make his home until his death. He followed farming until his retire- ment, in 1905, with the success which has made this name a synonym for all that is best in agri- culture in this region. Moreover, he always en- couraged, by word and support, enterprises which promised to benefit the locality generally, as his Mr. Shipman was born Jan. 11, 1874, in Lower Augusta (now Rockefeller) township, Northum- berland county, and was reared there. He te- ceived his early training on the farn, meantime at- tending the district school, and at the early age of sixteen he began teaching the school in which he had formerly been a pupil, in the home neigh- borhood. During the several terms he taught there he continued his studies, by himself and as a stu- dent at the Pennsylvania State normal school, at Millersville, and the Missionary Institute at Selins- grove, Pa., which he attended in the spring terms, after the common schools had closed. In the fall of 1894 he entered the freshman class of Susque- hanna University, at Selinsgrove ( formerly known as the Missionary Institute), where he completed the first two years of his college course. He then entered the junior class at Bucknell College, where connection with various important local institu- tions goes to show. He was until his decease a di- rector of the First National Bank of Milton : a di- rector of the Union National Bank, of Lewisburg; a stockholder in the Milton Knitting Company ; in the Milton Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and in the Milton Driving Park and Fair Asso- ciation. No man in the district was more prom- inently identified with its progress, and his per- sonal popularity was ample evidence that his efforts were recognized as unselfish and appreciated by his fellow citizens. After coming to Northumber- land he took no part in public life, but while in Luzerne county he served two years as supervisor, two years as constable, and nine years as township auditor. He was a Republican in political matters. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his family also belong. He died May 20, he finished his classical course, graduating in 1899, 1911, and was buried in Harmony cemetery, Mil- ton.

In 1854 Mr. Fairchild married Hannah Miller, who was born in 1834, daughter of Barnet Miller, and died in 1905. She is buried in the Lower cemetery at Milton, where a fine monument marks her resting place. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild: (1) Eudora is deceased.

in the first rank. Immediately afterward he took up the study of law in the office of the late Hon. S. P. Wolverton, in Sunbury, and he was admitted to practice in the courts of Northumberland county June 23, 1902, since when he has devoted all his time to legal practice. He was admitted to the Su- preme court of the State May 21, 1906. His office has been at Sunbury throughout this time,

(2) Elizabeth married E. F. Colvin and lives and he has built up an extensive patronage. in

at Milton, Pa. Their children are: Abraham, general legal work, receiving his share of the local law business. He represented the appellant com- pany in the case of the Shamokin Wagon Works against the Ohio German Fire Insurance Company. in which a point of law not formerly settled in Pennsylvania. on question of agency. was decided in favor of his client. Mr. Shipman is a member of the Northumberland County Bar Association, and socially he is a member and secretary of the Bucknell Alumni Club of Sunbury: member and who married Mary Savage and has two children : Martin : Ruth ; Dora, who married William Has- senkleck, and has one child, Colvin : and Dix Col- vin. (3) Annie M., wife of John D. Derr, of Steelton, Pa., has three children, Hannah. Cramer and Margaret. (4) Milton O., a farmer. of Union county, Pa., married Margaret Rissel, and they have four children. Barnet ( married to Mary Grove and had one child, Christine, deceased), James R .. Elmer and Margaret. (5) Elmer died when six past president of the Ameriens Club: member of years old. (6) Mary married Ever Spyker and the Sunbury Board of Trade; and member of 32

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., of which he is a past man Reformed members of St. Jacob's Church. It master ; he had the honor of opening the first meet- is known that Mr. Masser was a tall man, and his ing of that lodge held in the new Masonic temple wife was a typical member of a family noted for. at No. 220 Market street, in April, 1910. Po- strength. They had the following children: Fer- litically he is a Democrat.

dinand, who was an extensive farmer, lived near Uniontown, Pa .; John, who was a very rich man

On Jan. 25, 1909, Mr. Shipman married Effa Savage, daughter of Dr. Robert H. and Adelia F. at one time, lived at various places and died at (Garinger) Savage, of Sunbury, and granddaugh- Gratz, Pa .; Jacob is mentioned below; Maria ter of Charles Garinger, of Sunbury, who con- Magd. (1802-1880) married Charles Reiner (1799- ducted the "Shamokin Dam House" in that 1878). borough.

MASSER. The Masser family, to which the late Dr. Franklin B. Masser, of Sunbury, North- umberland county, belonged, as also the late Jacob C. Masser and his younger brother, Felix C. Mas- ser, both of Upper Mahanoy township, the latter still engaged in farming and a large land owner, was established in Berks county, Pa., in the latter half of the eighteenth century.

Matthias Masser, the first of this family to come to America, was a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and in an early day settled in Alsace town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., where he followed farming and at the time of his death owned a plantation. His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Ber- ger, was a native of Switzerland, and they are buried side by side at Zion's Church, known local- ly as Alsace Church. His death occurred July 20, 1797, in Alsace township, but no date of her death is given. His last will and testament. made Dec. 12, 1795, and signed "Mathias Maaser," states "I amı old in years." It was witnessed by Jacob Young and John Spyker, and was probated soon after his death. His seven children were: Jacob, Johannes, Henry, Abraham, Maria, Esther · and Christian .(deceased wife of Jacob Clauser ; time of his death. He died May 29, 1895, after a they had one child).

The early Massers worshipped with the German Reformed denomination and were identified with the Spiess and Jacksonwald Churches, at which many of the name are buried. The family is still quite numerous in Berks county, some of its mem- Mr. Masser married Catharine Christ, who was horn Oct. 14, 1816, daughter of Jonathan Christ and his first wife Maria ( Hepler), and sister of Emanuel Christ (1794-1831). Mrs. Masser died bers still living in the locality where the emi- grant ancestor settled, and in 1909 there were nine adult members of the family in the city of Read- ing. Augustus W. Masser, a seed merchant of that Dec. 15, 1890, the mother of fourteen children. city, bears a 'strong physical resemblance to Felix eight of whom died before the father:

C. Masser, of Northumberland county.

Johannes Masser, son of Matthias, was a native of Berks county and settled in the western part of Schuylkill county, Pa., near the Northumber- land county line, taking up a large tract of land and following farming. The farm now owned by Joel Sclilegel, in Eldred township, Schuylkill connty, was his property. He married Margaretha Fick (Fickin), also a native of Berks county, born JACOB C. MASSER, son of Jacob, was born June 8, 1838, just across the Northumberland line in Schuylkill county, and was a farmer and stone- April 21, 1772, who died Sept. 30. 1847, and she is buried at St. Jacob's ( Howerter's ) Church. ITis burial place is not known. They were both Ger- mason of Upper Mahanoy township, living on his

Jacob Masser, son of Johannes, was born Oct. 29, 1812, on his father's farm, where he was reared. He lived and died on the farm now owned and oc- cupied by his son Felix C. Masser, to whom he willed it, a property consisting of 128 acres of rolling, fertile land, on the south side of Line Mountain in Upper Mahanoy township, a half mile from the Schuylkill county line. This place was once the homestead of the pioneer Jacob Wag- ner (1725-1802). Jacob Masser was not only a successful farmer but also an excellent mechanic. in which line he was particularly well known. He learned the carpenter's trade and being called upon to inake inany coffins followed undertaking also, conducting many funerals in his day. He made considerable furniture, of all kinds, and his son Felix has a cupboard of his make which is a most creditable sample of his workmanship. He made a cupboard for each of his daughters. Late in the for- ties he built the barn which stands on the farm, and he also built a part of the present residence there. In politics he was a well known Democrat and he filled the office of supervisor in his town- ship. He and his family were members of the Re- formed Church, which he served a number of years as deacon and elder, holding the latter office at the life of over eighty-three years in which he had en- joyed unusually good health, having been sick but once, shortly before his death. He was a well- built and vigorous man, a good walker, and ener- getic all his days.

Daniel, born May 12, 1835, who died Dec. 2. 1859 : Helena, born Sept. 8. 1836, who died July 22, 1860: Jacob C .; Emanuel, born June 23, 1840: Polly : John : Henry: Gabriel, born June 1, 1848, who died Oet. 14, 1866: Luzetta : Charles; Felix C .: Alice, who married Frank Geist; Katie: and E. Celesta, born Aug. 20, 1861, who married Rev. W. Weicksel. and died June 4, 1892.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

eighty-acre tract in the extreme castern end of the county. He is an intelligent and successful farmer, township, on the south side of Line Mountain. one who has the entire respect of his fellow citi- When a young man he learned his trade, which he zens and the good will of all who have had deal- followed first at Ashland and later at Lost Creek, ings with him. A prominent and active member of St. Jacob's Union Church (which is located in Upper Mahanoy township, near the Schuylkill county line), he was a deacon of the congregation for thirty years and has given faithful service in every capacity. His family are also identified with that church. both in Schuylkill county, for about ten years, after his marriage working in Upper Mahanoy township, this county. Most of the land in his farın belonged to his father, but it was he who put up the buildings on the place, after his mar- riage. During the Civil war he was drafted and paid $300 for a substitute. He died July 17, 1909, and is buried at Howerter's Church.

Mr. Masser married Catharine Wagner, daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Haas) Wagner, grand- daughter of Jacob Wagner and great-granddaugh- ter of Jacob Wagner (July 6, 1725-Nov. 30, 1802) and his wife Lovina (March 1, 1736-July 1, 1827). Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Masser: (1) Richard Masser is a merchant of Hegins, Schuylkill Co., Pa. (2) Nora Masser married Moses Trautman, who is engaged in busi- ness as a merchant in Shamokin, this county. (3) MONROE H. MASSER was formerly a public school teacher, having taught for six terms in Upper Mahanoy and West Cameron townships, this county, and is now the carrier on Rural Route No. 2, from the postoffice of Pitman, Schuylkill county. He also conducts the homestead farm, where he and his mother inake their home, and which adjoins the property of his uncle, Felix C. Masser.

Mr. Masser was a Reformed member of St. Ja- his business, dealing in general merchandise there- cob's (Howerter's) Church, in which he held offi- after, and he continued in that business until

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 1

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024