USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 22
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Twice has our subject entered the matri- monial relation. He first was united to Aman- da Leahmy, who bore him five children, one dying when young. The surviving children are: Frederick, who is with his father, and three daughters, each happily 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.
HARLES E. HAZEN is section fore- man on the Eagles Mere Railroad and performs his work in such manner as to win the respect and confidence of his superior officers. 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; William C., the father of our subject; Charles; Han- nah; Lucinda; and Mary Ann. John F. 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, Pa., and died there at an advanced age. He was the pro- genitor of nine children, namely: Elizabeth; Catherine; Leah; Sally; Jane Ann; 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 A. 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, Amy, and Emmens; Charles and Thomas, de- ceased; John Franklin; William B .; Walter; and Harry.
Charles E. Hazen attended the public schools of his native town and his remaining boyhood days were spent in assisting his father about the homestead thus acquiring a good education in the art of farming. Leav- ing home after attaining manhood he entered the employ of the W. & N. B. R. R. as fore-
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man of this section of the railroad and occu- pied that position some three months, but was in the road's employ eight years, when in July, 1898, he accepted a like position on the Eagles Mere Railroad. Our subject com- mands the respect both of the men of whom he has charge and of the citizens of the com- munity who recognize him as a man of sterl- ing worth. He purchased the Robert Whit- aker property, which consists of a good house and one acre of land, and has remodeled the house into a handsome home.
Mr. Hazen was joined in hymeneal bonds to Carrie B. Phillips, a daughter of Griffin Phil- lips, a prominent farmer of Davidson town- ship, and to this happy union one son has been born, Kenneth George, born March 28, 1898. Fraternally Mr. Hazen is a member and past president of the P. O. S. of A .; religiously he and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Church. Politically our subject is an unwavering Democrat and although he takes an active part in local politics he has never sought a public office, but in 1897 he served as supervisor.
ATTHEW KEAR WATKINS, cashier of the First National Bank of Mount Carmel, is a man of much business ability and energy, ever ready to give encouragement and his best efforts to an en- terprise which has for its purpose the general advancement of the town which he adopted as his home and in which he is recognized as an energetic and public-spirited leader. Few enterprises have been inaugurated in Mount Carmel which have not had the benefit of Mr. Watkins' rare business ability and have not profited by his influence and guidance.
Our subject is a son of James and Mary A.
(Kear) Watkins, natives of Wales, and was born June 11, 1851, in Minersville, Schulykill County, Pa., soon after the emigration of his parents from Wales to this country. His ancestors on the paternal side may be traced back to Welsh origin and those on the mater- nal side to English root. The father of our subject was born in South Wales in 1793 and was reared in that country. He came to the United States in 1851 and located in Miners- ville, Pa., where he resided until his death in 1861. The grandfather of Mr. Watkins on the maternal side, Matthew Kear, was a native of England, where he remained during his life- time. The Kear family were among the early settlers in Minersville, where they were coal operators. James and Mary Watkins reared five children, as follows: Ann; Mrs. Robert Wilson; William; Lizzie; and Matthew Kear, the subject of our sketch.
After attending the public schools of Mi- nersville, our subject, at the age of fourteen years, started out to earn a living and to make his way through the world. He began as a messenger boy for the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad, and while working in that ca- pacity for a year he studied hard and also learned to operate and rapidly acquired the art of telegraphy. He was appointed oper- ator at the Philadelphia & Reading station at Ashland and subsequently, in 1871, was trans- ferred to Mount Carmel as station and ticket agent of the railroad, which position he suc- cessfully and satisfactorily filled for five years. In 1875 he engaged in business as a stationer, dealing also in books, newspapers, etc .. and doing a good business, in which he con- tinued until November, 1878. Determined to remain active and to make headway, Mr. Wat- kins, in 1879, added to his business as a sta- tioner that of newspaper publisher, purchasing the Mount Carmel Progress, which was
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founded in December, 1877, by Owen Fow- ler, and was the pioneer newspaper of Mount Carmel borough. He altered the name of the journal, renaming it the Mount Carmel News, and also enlarging it. In 1881 the paper was further enlarged and E. E. White assumed the editorship, thus relieving Mr. Watkins of many duties to which he scarcely could give the attention he desired because of the in- crease in his original business as well as the gratifying prosperity of his venture as a news- paper publisher. In 1882 Mr. Watkins pur- chased the entire plant of the Gloucester City Tribune of Gloucester, N. J., and removed it to Mount Carmel, thus materially increasing his facilities and demonstrating his enterprise. Mr. White bought an interest in the paper in 1883, and for four years the News was pub- lished by Watkins & White. In 1887 Mr. Watkins retired from the firm, his place being taken by R. J. Wilson, who was associated in the publication of the News with Prof. White for some time, and finally bought the business, which he yet controls. Mr. 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 opened 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-president, John T. B. Gould; cashier, M. K. Watkins, our subject; direc- tor's, William A. Phillips, George W. Davis,
John T. B. Gould, M. K. Watkins, E. C. Tier, Bernard Harvey, S. E. Bergstresser, L. W. Johnson, E. C. Herb, William McFee, Sr., and William H. Heaton. 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 McFee, Sr., William Kiefer, J. H. Smith and H. T. John.
Mount Carmel is notable as the first town in the world to have electricity as artificial light. This was brought about by the or- ganization of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, in the formation of which Mr. Wat- kins was very active. 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 $25,000, and Mr. Watkins, who was its secretary upon 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 capacity 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 Mount Carmel Water Company, which also was incorporated on the same day as the Electric Illuminating 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 Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Carmel, of which he is a trustee. Politically Mr. Watkins is a Republican and has served as a member of the board of school directors and he was president of the boroughi council
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for three years. He is an influential 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 Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M., of the Chapter, R. A. M .; a Knight Templar; a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 630, I. 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 Vivian. Mrs. Watkins was a most lovable woman, was prominent in the M. E. 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.
AMES P. MILLER, superintendent of the Trust Company Tannery at Mun- cy Valley, 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 Newville, 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 six years. He then engaged in clerking at Williamsport and Chamouni, after which he located in Muncy Valley 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. .. Robinson of Middle Valley, N. Y., in 1876, who in turn sold the business 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 business 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 week 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 position 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 has the Grim Messenger entered our subject's home and
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robbed it of a cherished jewel. The summons came to Mabel when 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.
R. JOHN W. BEALOR, a successful practitioner of Shamokin, Coal town- ship, who has reached the pinnacle of fame in his profession, is the distinguished subject 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 immigrated to America and lo- cated in Berks County, 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 quit 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 returned to Philadelphia, where he lived a retired life until the autumn of 1897, when he laid down the burden 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 an act- ive part in local politics; was deeply interested in all work of his party, 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 Academy, 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 pro- ceeded to Elliottsburg, Perry County, where he opened an office and entered into the prac- tice of his profession. He soon was enjoying a lucrative 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 office he owns a large drug-store and handles not only his own drugs, but sells pure drugs to the public and fills prescriptions for other less for- tunate physicians. His years of medicinal and surgical experience have made him cool, col- lected and practical in treating critical cases, and have given him an enviable 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 Northumberland Medical Society; also belongs to Washington Camp, No. 178, P. O. S. of America, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL, DISTRICT.
ACOB H. REED, justice of the peace in Mount Carmel and one of its best known and most popular residents, is a member of one of the pioneer families 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 elected 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 office for his lifetime. He held the office 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 panther, 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 Williamsport, Pa., where he served as alderman for twenty-
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- nersville, Schuylkill County, April 16, 1819. He was reared and educated in his native county and went into the mines when quite young and followed mining in its various branches for forty years as miner and superin- tendent of collieries. He resided at St. Clair, Schuylkill County, for fifteen years, during ten of which he was justice of the peace. On the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Reef 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 quartermaster, 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-
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ceived by Thomas H. Rickert, a quartermaster now residing at Pottsville, Pa., which showed that $25,000 had been disbursed properly, were captured by the enemy. The loss was of vital importance, as subsequently developed, for twenty-five years after the war ended the government sought to recover the sum from Mr. Rickert, alleging that no vouchers existed showing that he had disbursed the money. Fortunately Mr. Reed was alive and Mr. Rick- ert was able to communicate with him. Mr. Reed was a witness in behalf of Mr. Rickert and he testified to having made out the re- ports of the disbursing of the large sum and forwarded them to the secretary of war, thus substantiating the claims of his former su- perior officer. Upon the testimony of Mr. Reed, the case was dismissed by the judge be- fore whom it was heard without being given to the jury.
Upon his discharge from the army, in Sep- tember, 1865, and after his service in Nash- ville, Tenn., Mr. Reed returned to Mount Car- mel and resumed mining operations. He was superintendent at several mines in the vicinity of Mount Carmel. In 1879 he removed to Ma- hanoy City, where he was actively engaged as mine superintendent for over three years. He then returned to Mount Carmel, where he continued mining operations until his death, on Feb. 18, 1890. In politics Mr. Reed was a Republican. He was a candidate for clerk of the quarter sessions at Schuylkill early 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. He was the first secretary of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 378, 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. Mr. 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 De Freighn, who bore him eight children, as follows: Emma Eliza, 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 infancy; Rebecca E., the wife of William Curnow of Mount Carmel, and who survives him; Carrie, deceased, who was the wife of William Umple- by; John Edgar, general manager for Collins & Co., railroad contractors; and Kate Irene, who is Mrs. H. P. Helwig and resides in Alex- andria, Va. His second wife, Eleanor F. (Teague) Adams, survives him.
The subject of this review, Jacob H. Reed, was educated in the public schools of Mount Carmel. At the age of eleven years he went to work as a slatepicker at a mine with which his father was connected, working steadily ex- cept in winter, when he pursued his studies in school. When nineteen years old Jacob de- termined to seek his fortune and he worked in the mines for some time. Then he secured a position with the Adams Express 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 Republican and has been variously honored by his party. He has fre- quently 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. 116, P. O. S. of A., of Mount Carmel.
On June 21, 1889, our subject married Mary E. Wightman, daughter of Charles Wightman of Mount Carmel. She was for
SHAMOKIN DAILY HERALD.
1
WILLIAM H. R. SMINK.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
several years a teacher in the public schools of Mount Carmel. Their children are: Edith, Estelle, Miriam, John Edgar, and Charles W., Katharine, a younger child, having died in infancy.
ILLIAM 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. Mr. 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.
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