USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 33
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Dr. Hemingway is of a kind and sympa- thetic disposition and has made friends rap- idly in the various communities in which he has lived. On July 29, 1883, he and Sarah Swift, a daughter of Dean Swift and a native of Mirfield, Eng., took the marriage vows, and they are the happy parents of four chil- dren : Reginald S .; Vera E .; Rowland F .; and Harold G.
J OSEPH L. SHANNON. The largest. and best equipped meat market in Danville is that conducted by Joseph L. Shannon, the subject of this biographical sketch, and his son, under the firm name Shannon & Company. The establishment is located on Mill street, in Danville, but Mr. Shannon makes his residence in Riverside, Northumberland County, where he owns a fine home at D avenue and Sixth street.
Mr. Shannon was born in Muncy township. Lycoming County, September 14, 1832, and
is a son of Jesse and Rebecca (Lewis) Shan- non. His grandfather was Daniel Shannon, who was a native of New Jersey and a pioneer farmer of Northumberland County, Pa .. where he lived during his latter days. He was the father of the following children: Daniel; John; Jesse; Wesley; Susan; Mary; and Hettie.
Jesse Shannon, the father of our subject, was born in Milton and, after learning the cooper's trade, moved to Bloomsburg. Co- lumbia County, in 1834. He followed his trade in that town until 1843, when he moved upon a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until he retired to spend his declining years in ease. He passed into the unknown beyond in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty years. He served as constable of Blooms- burg for three years, and was also tax collec- tor for some time. He was one of the old pioneers who established the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Bloomsburg and vicinity and helped to build two churches. He was an act- ive worker in the Sunday School and was a liberal supporter of the church financially. He was united in marriage with Rebecca Lewis. a daughter of Joseph Lewis, and they were the happy parents of the following children: Samuel, who died at the age of forty-three. was a Methodist minister; Joseph L., in whom the interest of this sketch centers: John WV .; Jared Y., deceased; Jesse, deceased: James, who died in childhood; and Mary J .. the wife of H. F. Omens. Mrs. Shannon passed to her eternal rest at the age of forty- nine years, and Mr. Shannon formed a sec- ond alliance with Annie E. Evans, and their children were: Joshua A .; Sarah R .: and one who died in infancy.
Joseph L. Shannon attended the public schools and at the age of eighteen years be- came an apprentice to the harnessmaker's
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trade with John Markle of Providence, Pa. After a period of three years he moved to Bloomsburg, Columbia County, where he en- tered the employ of J. K. Grotz, remaining with that gentleman until 1854, when he en- gaged in the boating business for one year. He then associated himself with a Mr. Bom- boy, under the firm name Bomboy & Shan- non, in the meat business at Bloomsburg, which they followed with good results until the spring of 1862, when the firm was dis- solved by mutual consent. In October, 1862, our subject was drafted to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War, but sent a sub- stitute. In 1865 he enlisted in Company B, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. 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 complete stock of groceries, and conducted it with good results until 1870, when he disposed of it and took up 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., he established a meat market on Mill street in Danville, which they still conduct. Mr. Shannon's varied experience and com- prehensive knowledge of the business has given to him the skill by which he is enabled to choose only the best meats for his custom- ers. He not only handles beef, but deals in pork, mutton, lamb, veal and poultry, as well as cured and smoked meats and sausage. The firm 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 Anna M. IIess, a daughter of
Jacob and Margaret Hess of Bloomsburg, Co- lumbia County. To them have been born the following children: John Lewis, deceased; Anna Maria, deceased; Ralph C., a florist of Riverside; 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 Philadelphia, with an office at 1414 South Penn Square; Sophia Ann, a teacher in the public schools, is one of twins born to her parents, the other dying in infancy; Eva Mary, who is Mrs. John Landua, also had a twin sister who died young; and Catherine Elizabeth, a teacher.
Mr. Shannon has been 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 edifice for that denomina- tion, in which Grace Episcopal Church is now located. In 1878 he aided in building the present M. E. Church, of which Rev. F. S. Vought is the present pastor, 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.
NTHONY GLOCKLER. In the lit- tle country village, Lake Run, the gentleman whose name appears on the above 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.
born in Plufendirf, Baden, Germany, May 8, 1826, and is a son of Martin and Rosalia (Glockler) Glockler, 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 opportunities for a young man just starting out in life, in 1854 he left his native 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- dren, all of whom are highly esteemed and classed among the prominent citizens of the different communities in which they reside.
Mr. Glockler was wedded in Germany to Margaret Banmunk, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Retig) Banmunk. Her parents reared the following children : Margaret, Bar-
bara, Adam, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Louisa. Mrs. Glockler was born in Reisenbach, Hes- 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, who 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 Myra; Elizabeth, born May 8. 1860, wedded to E. J. Porter and their home has been blessed by four children,-Rosalia. Georgia. Orphelia, and Roy; David, born June 21, 1861, was united in marriage in 1889 to Mat- tie Whiteleg, by whom he reared three chil- dren,-Albert, Charles, and Roy: Caroline. born 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 13, 1877, the wife of Glen Warner. and they 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-
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zens among whom he has spent nearly his entire life. He has a distinct recollection of Bloomsburg when it was in its infancy and there were but two frame houses in the town, in one of which he was born October 22, 1810. He is the son of Abraham and Mary (Kuhn) Grotz, who at his birth dwelt in a frame house on the corner of Iron and Sec- ond streets.
Abraham Grotz, father of our subject, was born in Easton, Pa., and in 1806 removed to Bloomsburg, where he built the first frame housein the town. Therehe was engaged in the manufacture of silk and fur hats by hand until 1832, when he moved to Ohio. He located near Uniontown, Stark County, O., where he purchased a farm and became a prosperous farmer, remaining there until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-five years. He was united in marriage to Mary Kuhn, a daughter of John Kuhn, who also attained an advanced age before overtaken by death, and they became the parents of the following chil- dren : Eliza; Julia Ann; David; Rachel; John K., in whom the interest of this sketch cen- ters; Maria; Rebecca; Susan; and Abraham. These children were reared under religious in- fluences and upon reaching maturity became a credit to the various communities in which they lived.
John K. Grotz learned the trade of a har- nessmaker early in life and followed the trade with Isaac Green until September, 1830, at the head of Market street. In 1830 Mr. Green went west and our subject succeeded to the ownership of the establishment. He then pur- chased the lot where he now resides and erected a shop there and later a residence. He continued to follow harnessmaking until 1866, when he retired to devote his attention to a tannery which he built in 1851 on a lot on Hemlock street, which he purchased in 1850.
He continued to operate his tannery with al- most phenomenal success until 1870, when, on account of his declining years, he decided to retire. Our subject is a typical self-made man, having had nothing but his own efforts, industry and enterprise to aid him when he started in business. He is an enterprising man, ever having the interest of his native town and county at heart. He has been iden- tified with many other local business ven- tures and has always been regarded as a valu- able counselor, much respected for his excel- lence of character, gentleness and kindness of disposition, and politeness of manner. He has an excellent memory and is almost daily referred to in regard to some event which transpired during his young manhood, and he never fails to answer correctly and satis- factorily all queries put to him. Mr. Grotz is wonderfully preserved for one of his years, his mental faculties being unimpaired, and physically he is as strong and active as men many years his junior.
Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance with Elizabeth Fister, a daughter of Henry Fister of Catawissa, Pa., and they became the proud parents of five children : Mary M., widow of the late Norman J. Hendershot; Hervey H., cashier of the Bloomsburg Bank- ing Company; Henry C., who lives in a house in Hemlock township, where the tannery for- merly stood; and a daughter, who died in infancy. In religious belief Mr. Grotz is a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. So- cially, he was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He has been closely identi- fied with numerous enterprises, and was one of the original stockholders and directors of the National Bank of Danville; was one of the original organizers and stockholders of ยท the First National Bank of Bloomsburg, but sold his interest in 1870 and became a director
REV. EDWARD A. SHARRETTS.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
of the Banking Company of Bloomsburg; he is a director of the B. & L. R. R., and a stock- holder in the D., L. & W. R. R. He is a Democrat in his political belief and has served many times as treasurer of the board of poor directors for the district of Bloomsburg, which office he has held for the past twenty years, and has held many other minor offices.
R EV. EDWARD A. SHARRETTS, one of the oldest ministers of Colum- bia County, who has had charge of the Lutheran Church at Briarcreek, Colum- bia County, for the past twelve years, was born in Carlisle, Pa., October 8, 1825, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Gaugler) Sharretts.
Frederick Sharretts, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Beavertown, Snyder Coun- ty, Pa., and in his early manhood learned the trade of a harnessmaker, which business he followed a number of years. When the War of 1812 broke out he enlisted in the army and at the close of the war held the rank of ma -- jor. Returning to that part of Union County now known as Snyder County, he followed farming a few years and then moved to Car- lisle, Pa., and after residing there a short time he became register and recorder of Cum- berland County, which office he filled several years. In 1838 he moved to Johnstown, Pa., where he became collector of tolls on the Pennsylvania Canal and the old Portage Rail- road, having been appointed by Gov. Ritner. Later he took up his trade as harnessmaker, which he followed until his death. Politically he was a stanch Whig. and served as justice of the peace for a number of years, and up to the time of his death. In religious views he was a member of the Lutheran Church
and served as deacon and elder of that church a number of years. He was united in mar- riage with Catherine Gaugler, a native of Snyder County, and as a result of the union seven sons and six daughters were born to them, namely: Rev. Nicholas G., deceased, who was a Lutheran minister residing at In- diana, Pa .; Elizabeth, deceased, who was twice wedded,-first to John Rudisill, and upon his death, to Moses Canon of Johns- town, Pa .; John Frederick, a retired citizen of Baltimore, Md., who was for many years a clerk for the U. S. Government at Wash- ington; Isabella, widow of the late William Swartz of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Benjamin, de- ceased; William, deceased; Cordelia, de- ceased, who was the wife of William Dysert of Gettysburg, Pa .; Jacob R., a soldier of the Rebellion, who is a resident of Johnstown. Pa .; Susanna, who married John K. Sheyock, both now deceased; George E. W., a prom- inent merchant of Smicksburg. Pa .; and Ed- ward A., the subject of this sketch.
Edward A. Sharretts supplemented his pri- mary education received in the common schools by a thorough and complete course of study at Pennsylvania College at Gettys- burg, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1851. He then entered the Lutli- eran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. where he remained one year. He then taught school at Selinsgrove, Pa., for eighteen months, and while there accepted an offer made by John S. Crumbach, then principal of the Lancaster High School, to assist him in teaching his classes and to study theology at the same time, and a short time later was licensed to preach by the Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania, in 1853. Rev. Mr. Sharretts was ordained at Bloomsburg in 1854 and re- mained in charge of the Bloomsburg charge six years, when, on account of his health. he
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
moved to Mount Pleasant, Pa. After a rest of six months, he accepted a pastorate at Orangeville, where he remained six years. He next had charge of the Lutheran Church at Danville, Pa., and then was called to Mun- cy, Lycoming County. This charge was com- posed of two churches, Muncy and Hughes- ville. He remained there three years. He then returned to Columbia County and ac- cepted a call to the Briarcreek Church, re- maining there eight years. He was then sent to Espy to preach, and after nine years of service there returned to Briarcreek, and has retained his position as pastor of the church for the past twelve years. Rev. Mr. Shar- retts has been a minister of the Lutheran Church for forty-five years.
Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity; has been a member of the board of directors of the Susquehanna University for the past ten years; was one of the found- ers of the Susquehanna Synod, and has been a member since it was organized, in 1868. He has been united in marriage three times; his first wife was Sophia Strickhouser of Gettys- burg. His second wife was Charity Creveling. a daughter of the late Andrew Crev- eling of Bloomsburg, and to this union three children were born, namely: Luth- er Keller, an employee of the B. & O. R. R. at Brunswick, Md .; Andrew Fred- erick, a machinist residing at Berwick, Co- lumbia County; and Edward Lincoln, who is employed by The Jackson & Woodin Man- ufacturing Company of Berwick. He formed a third matrimonial alliance with Eliza A. Kelchner, a daughter of Abraham Martz Kelchner, deceased, who was a prominent citizen of Briarcreek township, Columbia County, Pa. Mrs. Sharretts died November 26, 1898, aged sixty-four years and three months.
As 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 appears on a preceding page in con- nection with the above sketch of his life.
J AMES H. MERCER, postmaster and proprietor of the leading drug-store of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., and one of the representative citizens of that town, was born at Mt. Vernon, Otis township, Knox County, Ohio, June 20, 1858, and is a son of William and Nancy (Honey) Mercer.
William Mercer is a son of Levi Mercer and is a native of the state of Pennsylvania. He lived the most of his life in Knox County, where he was engaged in tilling the soil on the old homestead; he was also local preacher in the Baptist Church of his town for many years. He was joined in marriage to Nancy Honey, and the following children were born to them: Alban R .; James H., the subject of this sketch; Frank T .; Carrie E., deceased; Clement L .; William C .; George S .; Susan M .; and Lee D.
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 Pharmacy at Philadelphia 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 purchased 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, 1893, our subject was appointed postmaster of Bloomsburg, which position he still holds
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
and fills to the satisfaction of the public 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 John Brugler and great-granddaughter of Pe- ter Brugler. Peter Brugler, Sr., was a native of Limestone, Montour County, Pa., and about 1790 he moved to Jerseytown, Colum- bia County, Pa., and later to Hemlock town- ship, Columbia County, where he purchased 200 acres of uncultivated land. He cleared part of his farm and engaged in farming, and 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- sided 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 moved to Bloomsburg 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 world 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 druggist residing in Philadelphia; and Martha, a school teacher residing in Bloomsburg. 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 that township. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been blessed by the following children: James Clyde, born September 20, 1887; Irene B., born January 4, 1889; one, who died in in- fancy; and Robert Honey, born in May. 1896.
Since Mr. 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.
ARVEY A. McKILLIP, a distin- guished attorney-at-law and a highly respected citizen of Bloomsburg. was born in Martinsburg, Blair County, Pa., and is a son of Charles A. and Delilah (Skyles) McKillip.
Our subject received his intellectual train- ing in the common 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 he mastered the pro- fession and was admitted to the bar in 1891.
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He 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 large practice, mainly private coun- sel. He is a man of sound judgment, probity, broad intelligence and many sterling quali- ties, and has the respect and esteem of the community at large. As a citizen Mr. Mc- Killip is interested in everything that pro- motes the good and welfare of the commu- nity. He is an attendant at the Presbyterian Church. Besides his law practice he is inter- ested in some of the manufacturing indus- tries of Bloomsburg and is a director in the Bloomsburg Brass & Copper Company.
Mr. McKillip was united in matrimonial bonds to Mary C. McKelvey, a daughter of Dr. James Boyd McKelvey, who is one of the oldest and most prominent physicians and surgeons in Bloomsburg. 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 read medicine under the preceptorship of the late Dr. John Ramsay of Bloomsburg, Pa .. and later attended the University of Penn- sylvania, where he received a diploma as a physician and surgeon in 1849. He imme- diately after entered upon practice at Mif- flinville, Pa., where he remained for some time, and then moved to Kentucky, Pa., later going to Arkadelphia, Ark. After engaging in practice there for one year, he returned to Bloomsburg, where he has since remained, and has had a wonderfully successful practice.
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