USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 12
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George B. Cadwallader was reared in Bucks County and there received his preliminary ed- ucational training, but subsequently attended the Danville Academy in Danville, Montour County, Pa. He later decided to follow the
profession of a druggist and, entering the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduated from that institution and engaged in the drug business at Danville. He followed that busi- ness there until 1857, when he established a drug-store at Shamokin and continued with much success until the outbreak of the Civil War. In April, 1861, he enlisted as Ist lieu- tenant of Company A, 8th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. He served for three months and then re- enlisted, with the same rank, in Company K. 46th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. He was ever a willing and conscientious soldier and his rise in the ranks was steady. On September 17, 1861, he was Ist lieutenant and quartermas- ter of his regiment, and served in that capacity until July, 1863, when he was advanced to captain and assistant-quartermaster, U. S. A. In March, 1865, he was brevetted major and lieutenant-colonel, and afterwards was brev- etted colonel for his meritorious services throughout the war. In November, 1865, for faithful and efficient services in the quarter- master's department, he was brevetted briga- dier-general, which rank he held until his dis- charge. During this period he was quarter- master of Williams' Brigade, Army of Vir- ginia; quartermaster of the Ist Brigade, 2d Corps, Army of Virginia; quartermaster of the Ist Brigade. Ist Division, 12th Corps, Army of the Potomac; post-quartermaster at Dechert, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga .; was in charge of transportation on Sherman's mem- orable march to the Atlantic Coast; in charge of the quartermaster's depots at Cleveland. Ohio, and Richmond, Va .; and in charge of the national cenieteries at Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, and Hollywood. He was finally mus- tered out of service, September 10, 1866, at Richmond, Va.
After the close of the war Gen. Cadwalla- der located at Sunbury and entered the flour
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and feed business in association with his brother, John, the firm name being John M. Cadwallader & Company. They operated three mills in different 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 accepted a position as superintendent of the Sunbury Water Company, and the success which has attended his efforts 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. Cadwallader 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 May 9, 1885. Socially our subject is a member of Sunbury Lodge, No. 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 commercial and manu- facturing center.
Our subject was born in Bavaria 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 we'll 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 efficiently 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. Mr. 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 1871, when Martin Markle secured control of the plant, were improve- ments made which were of significance and
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then the capacity was so increased as to afford an output of 10,000 barrels per annum. On March 1, 1895, our subject became the pro- prietor of the brewery by purchase and he im- mediately added improved machinery and modern methods and infused new life into the enterprise, doubling the output of beer in a brief time. 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 1, 1896, when Mr. Max Schmidt joined him. The brewery since has been conducted under the firm name Furmann & Schmidt. The new firm erected 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 stables.
EVIN U. FUNK, one of the leading barristers of Columbia County, is one of the most prominent men of Bloomsburg. 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 whom he labored, was born near Hagerstown, Md., May 7, 1816, and was reared under reli- gious influences in his youth, the foundation then being laid for his subsequent work in the cause of humanity. Endowed by nature with
a superior intellect, he improved every op- portunity and received a high education. He was eighteen years of 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. Having 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 8th, of the same year, he was ordained to the ministry and installed in his charge at Orangeville, Pa., by Rev. E. Keiffer and Rev. H. Harbough, who were a committee appointed by the Susquehanna Classis. 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 loved him. His pleasant face, kind manner 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 kindly
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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 Jerseytown, 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, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Jersey, who located in Briarcreek township, Columbia County, 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
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occupation of a farmer. He resided on the old homestead, where he owned 200 acres of land and followed farming 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 acquaintances 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.
ONRAD KREAMER, one of the rep- resentative farmers of Madison town- ship, Columbia County, lives in a beautiful residence near Jerseytown, where he owns 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, Mon- tour County, where he purchased a farm of 130 acres and followed agricultural 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 Lutheran Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Catherine Bowman, who was also a na- tive of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they be- came the parents 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- graphical record and the first child born to his parents, received a limited school train- ing, but is well-read and posted on the current topics of the day. He has always been en- gaged in tilling the soil, and during his young- er days was also engaged in buying and 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 years. He is a man of superior business propensities and untiring industry, and he has accumulated a handsome competency. In March, 1855, he moved to his present home, which lies in the outskirts of a beautiful 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 subject was united in matrimonial bonds to Mary Hender- shot, a daughter of Edwin Hendershot, for- merly of Jerseytown, Pa., but now a resident of Michigan, and this happy union has been blessed by the birth of the following children : Margaret Jane, deceased; William, a collector and clerk in Milton, Pa .; Ida, the wife of Charles Carey of Madison township, Colum-
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bia County; George Frederick, a clerk in a wholesale house at Naugatuck, Conn .; John Jacob, of Jerseytown, Pa .; Charles A., a farmer; Anna, the wife of E. F. Johnson of Harrisburg, Pa .; Evan H., who follows the occupation of a farmer; Florence B .; 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 eleven 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 several years, and former- ly served as school director.
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 1891 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 lime-burning 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 the 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, but 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. Imme-
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diately thereafter he took up his practice at Jerseytown, Madison township, where he has remained from that time to this. He acquired a large and lucrative practice and quickly won his way to the good-will of the citizens of that section, establishing an enduring reputation as a skilful physician and surgeon. He is of genial and good-natured disposition and has many friends among his patients. He is vice- president of the Columbia County Medical Society and of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania.
January 1, 1892, Dr. Shuman was joined in hymeneal bonds 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 comparatively young 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 Mr. and Mrs. 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 became
a resident of Laporte, Sullivan County, Pa .. 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 veteran of the Civil War and served as lieutenant of Company E. 209th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. 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 six 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 University of Pennsylvania, and returning to Laporte he completed his law studies in the office of T. J. and F. H. Ingham, the leading attorneys of that borough. Decem- ber 17, 1896, he was admitted to the Sullivan County Bar and practiced in Laporte one year and three months. In the spring of 1898 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 community.
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 A., of Benton. In politics our
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THOMAS H. EDGAR.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
subject is a solid Democrat. In November, 1890, Mr. Karns was united in the bonds of matrimony to Carrie S. Keeler of Laporte, and they are the parents of two children, Helen Corinne and Ruth Louise.
THE HOMAS H. EDGAR, 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, but 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 couple 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 youngest. the father of our subject.
James Edgar was born 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 affairs and was one of the leading and pro- gressive men of his community. He served as constable for many years. In 1828 he was joined in marriage to Sarah McHenry, 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 sixty-four years; Emanuel, a stonemason by trade who wedded Martha McHenry; George WV., 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.
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