USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 43
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Our subject's great-grandfather was Caleb Reimard, who was born in Germany, and upon coming to America settled in Northampton County, Pa., where he was engaged in tilling the soil. He lived a long and useful life, dy- ing at the advanced age of eighty years. He was the father of the following children: John; George; Catherine; Isaac, the grandfather of our subject; and several others who died in infancy.
Isaac Reimard was born in Northampton County in 1839, but early in life migrated to Montour County, settling near Washington- ville, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits the remainder of his life. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of John Smith of Northampton County, by whom he had the following issue: Daniel; Isa-
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bella; Betsey; Sarah; John, the father of our subject; Mary; Henry; Susan; Harriet; and Isaac, George, and Hannah, who died in childhood. Mr. Reimard died at the age of forty-nine years and his worthy wife survived him many years, dying at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
John Reimard, our subject's father, was born in Northampton County, March 2, 1837, and was eighteen years of age when he moved with his parents to Montour County, where he learned the trade of a brick and stone mason. He, practically, has followed that occupation since and has been exceedingly successful. In 1859 he located in Bloomsburg and erected a home on Sixth street, in which he lived for many years. He finally sold that property and built his present home on the corner of Fourth and Railroad streets. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Matilda Hilde- brand, a daughter of David and Sophia (Pa- den) Hildebrand. Her grandfather was Wil- liam Hildebrand, who was a miller by trade and lived in Fishing Creek township, Colum- bia County. His companion in life was Ade- line Fausby and they reared a family of eight children, namely: David, the father of Mrs. Reimard; Polly; Nancy; Catherine; Betsey; Susan; Martha; and Sally. David Hildebrand was born in New Jersey, removed to Columbia County, where he was engaged in farming in Orange township. He died at the age of eigh- ty-three years and his wife was ten years younger when she passed into the eternal realms. Mrs. Hildebrand's maiden name was Sophia Paden, and the following children were born to them: William; Jacob; Lovina; John; Catherine; Matilda, our subject's mother; Sarah; Elizabeth; Elmira; Samuel; and David. Mr. and Mrs. Reimard's union was blessed by the birth of five children, whose rec- ords are as follows: Harvey, a brickmason by
occupation, married Elizabeth Wolf, and they are the parents of one daughter, Velma; Sa- die, wife of C. E. Whitenight; Howard R., a mason; Emma, a weaver; and Charles H., the record of whose life is here given.
Charles H. Reimard received his education in the common schools and learned the trade of a mason at the age of sixteen years. As he gained rapidly in experience he decided to en- gage in contracting, and accepted his first contract on heavy jobs in 1886. He built the foundations for many of the best residences in the town of Bloomsburg, also for the silk mill, public school, desk works, and other large concerns. He always filled the contracts to the letter, never cutting any part to meet ex- penses, and by his honesty and straightfor- wardness won the confidence and good will of his fellow-townsmen, who never hesitated to place a contract with him. His services were in greater demand as his reputation grew, and in 1889 he was called to the position of super- intendent of masonry on the Philadelphia & Reading R. R., from Catawissa to Milton, and has since served in that capacity. In 1894 he was also made superintendent of the construc- tion of the double track to Muncy River bridge. He had charge of the Catawissa di- vision for three years and was superintendent of the building of the Belt Line R. R. of Bloomsburg. At present he is acting as super- intendent in building the iron bridge across the Juniata River at Birmingham for the state. It is the first river bridge ever built by the state, and Mr. Reimard's work is pronounced first-class in every respect and fully meets the requirements. By his kind, but strict, methods of dealing with the men under his charge he obtains the best results and retains their re- spect and good will.
In 1893 Mr. Reimard built a handsome resi- dence at No. 225 Fourth street, where he and
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his family have since resided. He was united in matrimonial bonds to Ella Madara, a daughter of Charles Madara, a retired stone- mason of Danville, Pa., and they are the hap- py parents of four children: Clara, deceased, who was born at Danville, Pa; Cora Irene, who was born in Williamsport July 9, 1888; John C., who was born in Bloomsburg, Jan- uary 15, 1892; and one who died in infancy. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat.
HRISTOPHER A. KLEIM is one of the enterprising and influential citi- zens of the town of Bloomsburg who is held in high esteem by the citizens of that community, and is proprietor of the leading drug store of that town. He was born in the city of Philadelphia August 30, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Dorotha (Eicholtz) Kleim.
Henry Kleim, the father of our subject, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and during his boyhood days learned the trade of a shoe- maker which he followed until 1846 when he and his family immigrated to the United States and located in Philadelphia. In 1857 he moved to Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., and for a short time followed his trade but soon gave it up and conducted a grocery store on East street; later he disposed of his grocery store and put in a full line of hard- ware at Mt. Carmel and carried on that busi- ness until he retired from active life. Mr. Kleim was united in the bonds of wedlock to Dorotha Eicholtz, a native of Saxony, Ger- many. As a result of this union the follow- ing children were born to them: Christopher A., the subject of this sketch; Annie, the wife of C. McArthur of Wilkesbarre, Pa .; Henry F., a highly respected resident of Wilkesbarre;
and Lizzie, deceased, who was the wife of C. A. Prentiss and resided in New Brunswick, N. J., at the time of her death. The father and mother of our subject were both popular members of the Lutheran Church of which Mr. Kleim was treasurer for many years.
Our subject first attended the public schools of Philadelphia and when his father moved to Bloomsburg, he finished his education in the classical schools conducted in that town by Henry Carver. He then entered the drug store of Moyer Brothers and remained in their employ four years. In 1872 he embarked in the drug business and bought out E. P. Lutz; later he purchased the brick block where Salt- zer's music store is now located and there our subject conducted his business until 1894 when he purchased a vacant lot on West Main street and erected a handsome brick store. The store is a three-story structure, the first floor being used for his drug store and the second and third floors as a dwelling by our subject and family. He carries a complete line of drugs and conducts the largest and best kept drug store in Bloomsburg. He is popular with his fellow-citizens and by his honest and straightforward dealings has suc- ceeded in establishing a large patronage. He also has done considerable building; in 1884 he bought the Buckalew house on West Main street, which he enlarged and remodeled and later sold; in 1885 he built the Reuben Hess residence on Third street; in company with C. W. Runyon he built on Pine alley a large double house; he owns a tenement house at No. 260 East Fifth street.
Mr. Kleim chose for his life-companion Clara J. Seasholtz, a daughter of C. B. Sea- sholtz, and they were wedded in 1872. She passed from this life leaving one child, Harry C., born in 1873, who is clerking in his father's store; he was a graduate from the public
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schools and later graduated from the Blooms- burg High School. Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance September 9, 1884, with Addie Johnson, a daughter of Wes- ley Johnson, a resident of Jerseytown, Colum- bia County. Two children blessed this union, Helen D., born in October, 1891, and Flor- ence, who died in infancy.
Mr. Kleim firmly advocates the principles of the Democratic party and has served as secretary of the Democratic county committee two terms and as. overseer of the poor and school director. He is also vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg and is a director of the Rosemont Cemetery. Mr. Kleim and his family are members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of Bloomsburg.
RS. CHRISTIANNA C. BIRD, who resides in a handsome home 9 in the borough of Northumberland, is the widow of Joseph Bird, who for many years was one of the foremost business men in Northumberland County, Pa. He was a son of Ziba and Hannah (Mentz) Bird, and was born in 1814 on Little Roaring Creek in Rush township, Northumberland County.
James Bird, grandfather of Joseph Bird, was born in Warren County, N. J., and was one of the pioneer settlers of Rush township, Northumberland County, Pa., where he pur- chased a large tract of wild and uncultivated land on Little Roaring Creek. He was the father of the following children: John; Ra- chel; Sarah; Susanna; Ziba; James; Joseph; William; and Sylvanus.
Ziba Bird, the father of our subject, was born in Warren County, N. J., and, upon moving to Rush township, Northumberland County, with his father, he aided in clearing
the farm and later learned the trade of a car- penter. He made the acquaintance of John C. Boyd, a prominent citizen of Danville, by whom he was engaged to superintend his mining operations in Shamokin. Mr. Bird erected the first two buildings in what is now the borough of Shamokin and they are to-day known as the National and Vanderbilt hotels." He also erected many other buildings at that place. He also was interested in coal opera- tions for several years but retired when the business relaxed, moving to Rush township, where he followed farming. He subsequently purchased a home at Red Point, on the Sus- quehanna River, and there resided until his death at the age of sixty-five years. He was married three times, first to Hannah Mentz, who died at an early age. Their children were as follows: Annie; Joseph; Catherine; Sarah; and Elizabeth. His second union was with a Miss Farley and they reared three children : John; Hannah; and Ziba. He next married Margaret Muchler by whom he had the fol- lowing offspring: Mary J .; William; Nel- son; Montgomery; Eliza; Emma; Samuel; Margaret M .; and three who died in infancy.
Joseph Bird acquired his intellectual train- ing in the common and private schools and assisted his father in the duties about the farm. When his father became superintendent in the coal fields at Shamokin and on the rail- road established by Mr. Boyd, Joseph became his assistant and in that capacity gained a wide experience in the business world. He then conducted a coal business in his own behalf at Ashland for one year, and later formed a partnership with J. J. John, M. D., and J. B. Doutz, Esq., for the purpose of operating the Big Mountain Colliery. This they did under the firm name, Bird, Doutz & John, and it proved to be a very valuable coal field. Our subject soon became sole owner and con-
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GEO. W. MEARS.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
ducted the colliery for eight years with the greatest success, when he sold out to the Bird Coal & Iron Company, in which he was a large stockholder. Having previously bought the magnificent building in which the First National Bank of Northumberland was located, he moved to Northumberland in 1866. The bank then moved to Sunbury and a new bank was established which has since been known as the First National Bank of Northumberland Borough. This large brick building, with massive pillars in the front, was the finest and most costly building in the county; in order to appreciate its grandeur it must be seen. It is now furnished in luxurious style and the parlor walls are adorned with fine paintings. Mr. Bird also was the owner of a number of choice farms in that section, one being Packer Island, which is considered one of the best farms in the valley. He was identified with many of the business enterprises of that borough and lived there until his death on June 18, 1882. He was a man of high character and one who merited and enjoyed the respect of all. He was sociable and a pleasant conversationalist, and he acquired and retained the friendship of many people in the various sections in which he resided.
Mr. Bird was joined in hymeneal bonds with Rebecca Kram, a daughter of Jacob Kram, a pioneer hotel-keeper of Shamokin, and they became the parents of three child- ren : Susan, who first married William Sny- der, and after his death married L. L. Haas; Eilzabeth, the wife of Patrick Gillespie; and Wellington, who died at the age of fourteen years. Mrs. Rebecca Bird died at an early age some ten years after marriage, and he sub- sequently formed a second alliance with Cath- erine Hill, a daughter of George Hill of Shamokin, and she died without issue. He
formed a third union with Christianna C. Kram, the subject of this sketch, who is a daughter of David Kram of Bethlehem, Pa., and a granddaughter of Joseph Kram. Mrs. Bird has carried out the plans made by her husband prior to his death with great ability, having remodeled the house, built a mansard roof, and made many other important im- provements. She is a woman possessed of many virtues and is held in the highest es- teem by all who know her. Religiously Mrs. Bird is a consistent member of the Presby- terian Church, as was her husband. Socially Mr. Bird was a member of the Masonic Order.
EORGE W. MEARS, whose por- trait is presented on the opposite page, made an enviable record as a soldier in the Civil War, and is at present serving efficiently as telegraph operator and agent for the D., L. & W. R. R. at Rupert. He is a son of Alexander and Phoebe (Knouse) Mears, and was born in Blooms- burg, Columbia County, January 3, 1843.
Our subject's grandfather, Samuel Mears. was one of the pioneer settlers of Roaring Creek, Columbia County, where he followed the trade of a shoemaker. He was united in marriage with Sarah Evans and they reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, one of whom was Alexander Mears, the father of our subject, who was born in the Roaring Creek settlement and reared under Quaker influences. Early in life he learned the trades of wagonmaker and carpen- ter, and also served an apprenticeship to the trade of machinist. Although he died in the prime of life, at the age of thirty-nine years. he was a man of wide experience and consid- erable mechanical skill. He was employed at the old Irondale furnaces at Bloomsburg for
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many years and also served as a patternmaker for some time at the foundry of Lewis, Moss & Co., of Bloomsburg. He also did some contracting for the old Catawissa Railroad. He was united in hymeneal bonds to Phoebe Knouse, by whom he was the father of three sons, namely: George W., in whom the in- terest of this sketch centers; Alfred M., who was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company M, 112th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and met death at Petersburg, Va., after two months' service; John B., who was a molder by trade and a soldier of the Civil War, be- longing originally to Company H, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., but later enlisted in another company,-he is now a letter carrier in Chi- cago, Ill.
George W. Mears was intellectually equipped for the battles of life in the public schools of Bloomsburg and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in Company A, 6th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., July 4, 1861, and was con- nected with the Army of the Potomac. He enlisted as a private and was later promoted to sergeant. He participated in many im- portant battles, always displaying bravery and an eagerness to do his full duty. He took part in the battles of Dranesville; Grovetown; Second Bull Run; South Mountain; Antie- tam; Fredericksburg; Gettysburg; Rappahan- nock Station; and Mine Run. At Fredericks- burg he narrowly escaped death from a minie ball, which, fortunately, hit his belt buckle and only slightly injured him. During the battle of Gettysburg he and a few of his comrades charged on a log house filled with rebel sharp- shooters who were playing on the Union lines with deadly effect, and for this act of bravery he was awarded a medal by Congress in Feb- ruary, 1897. At Mine Run he was struck by a piece of flying shell, which fractured his left arm and necessitated its amputation at the
shoulder. The surgeons in attendance took out so many pieces of the shoulder bone that they gave up all hopes of his recovery, but liis wonderful constitution and vitality assert- ed itself and in five weeks he was able to re- turn to his home in Bloomsburg. A piece of his shoulder bone is now in the Medical Museum at Washington, D. C. After fully recovering his health he learned telegraphy and became an operator at Danville, where he continued for five years, and then accepted his present position as telegraph operator, station agent, and express agent for the D., L. & W. R. R. at Rupert. He performs his duties in a satisfactory manner and has the respect of all with whom he is acquainted, both in busi- ness and social relations. He is of a genial disposition, and is a pleasant conversational- ist, and his friends delight in hearing him re- late war reminiscences.
On June 9, 1870, our subject was united in marriage with Mary A. Appleman, a daughter of Mathias Appleman, a retired farmer and resident of Bloomsburg. This marriage has been productive of seven children: Welling- ton E., deceased; Elmer A., a car inspector on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at Rupert; H. Reber, who assists his father at the depot; Othello, who died at the age of eleven years; Ulysses Grant; George W., Jr., deceased; and Mathias K. He is past ser- geant of Union Veteran's Legion, No. 32. of Bloomsburg; and was formerly a member of the G. A. R. Politicaly he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party which party nominated him for the State Leg- islature in 1890.
ORTEZ B. ROBBINS, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Green- wood township, Columbia County. late the proprietor of a large wholesale liquor
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house of Bloomsburg, being an enterprising and progressive citizen of that town. He is a son of Daniel W. and Harriet (Ager) Rob- bins, and was born in Greenwood township, Columbia County, September 4, 1858.
Daniel W. Robbins, father of our subject, was a surveyor during his younger days hav- ing learned the profession from his father who also followed that occupation. Later he became a teacher in the public schools in dif- ferent sections of the county. In the early 50's he moved to Lumber City, Clearfield County, Pa., where he erected the first build- ing in that town. Wishing to locate perma- nently he came to Bloomsburg in 1860, and established a wholesale liquor house which he conducted the remainder of his life. He was a man of noble impulses, kind and charitable, and no man stood higher in public esteem. He folded his hands in final rest May 20, 1880, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He was a man of high educational attainments and was thoroughly abreast of the times on matters of current interest. He was united in hymeneal bonds to Harriet Ager and they became the happy parents of two children: Lizzie M., and Cortez B. Although Mr. Robbins took an active interest in matters of a political na- ture he never aspired to office being content to live the life of a private citizen. He al- ways voted uniformly and conscientiously for the Democratic party. He was an Odd Fel- low.
Cortez B. Robbins, in whom the interest of this sketch centers, obtained his primary education from private tutors, attended the Bloomsburg State Normal School for a time and completed his study at Clinton Seminary. He then began clerking in a drug store at Danville, Montour County, but owing to fail- ing health he was compelled to relinquish that occupation for one which afforded more
out-of-door exercise. After his father's demise he succeeded him as proprietor of the whole- sale liquor business and conducted it from that time to August, 1898, when he sold the busi- ness to J. S. Bachman. He had enlarged the establishment to some extent and carried a comprehensive line of fine wines and liquors. He has always been an active and energetic citizen and the promoter of various indus- trial enterprises. A somewhat remarkable and a highly commendable characteristic of Mr. Robbins is that he has never tasted to bacco or used it in any form, nor liquors, to which excellent habits he undoubtedly owes his present excellent health. He has erected a fine brick residence at No. 352 East Sec- ond street, which is fitted with all modern im- provements and is a very desirable piece of property. His mother resided with him at the time of her death, May 17, 1898. Mr. Robbins being a single man, since his moth- er's death his only sister, Lizzie M., has had charge of the household.
Mr. Robbins is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. of Bloomsburg: Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M .: is P. E. C. of Mount Moriah Council No. 10. of Bloomsburg; a member of Crusade Com- mandery, No. 12, K. T .; and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
ICTOR A. LOTIER, publisher and editor of the Daily Record and Week- ly Record of Danville, Pa., is one of the prom- inent journalists of Montour County, and a highly respected citizen. He was born in the city of New York, December 15, 1842. and is a son of Benjamin and Anna (Ronk) Lotier.
Benjamin Lotier was of French descent and was born in the city of New York, and during his early days was a silver engraver.
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which business he followed in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. He wedded Anna Ronk, a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Our subject's father passed from this life at the age of sixty-nine years.
Victor A. Lotier acquired a liberal educa- tion in the public schools of Philadelphia and in 1854 moved to Danville where he found employment in the rolling-mills of that town. In 1862 he was in the state of Rhode Island and shortly after his arrival there he enlisted in Company E, 3d Reg., R. I. Cav., and served throughout the Civil War. He was first elected commissary-sergeant but was soon promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant. He received an honorable discharge at New Orleans, La., in 1865, and then spent one year in traveling through the western states. Returning to Danville, Pa., he as- sumed the duties of his former position in the rolling-mill, remaining until 1871, when he purchased the Danville Marble Works; he also became a stockholder in the Record Pub- lishing Company of that town. April 1, 1878, James Foster, Harry Vincent, and our sub- ject purchased the Danville Record, which was established by A. P. Fowler. The Dan- ville Record was formerly edited by Mr. Brow- er, and was an independent paper, the first edition having been issued March 16, 1876. When these gentlemen took possession of the paper it was known as the Weekly National Record; later our subject became sole pro- prietor and the paper was then known as the Weekly Record. May 23, 1881, our subject started the Daily Record which has a good country from which to draw its patronage; it has a circulation of 700 and the weekly paper about 900 circulation. Mr. Lotier has thoroughly mastered the newspaper business and understands how to conduct a paper. The reading matter of the Daily and Weekly
Record is well selected, its editorials are good, and its local news is admirably presented.
Mr. Lotier was united in marriage to Fanny Hughes, a daughter of Peter Hughes, and a family of two children blessed their home, namely: Homer H., a resident of Camden, N. J., who married Anna Murphy of Philadel- phia; and Walter M., a printer on the Sport- ing Life of Philadelphia, who is married and has a son, Homer.
EORGE S. STERLING, foreman of the Mount Carmel Iron Works, is an esteemed and highly-respected citi- zen of Mount Carmel, Pa., and has done much to further the progress of the town. He is a man of splendid abilities and good judg- ment, his opinion being much sought after. Mr. Sterling is a son of Clinton B. and Lucy (Loreman) Sterling, and was born April 20, 1864, in Bloomsburg, Pa.
Clinton B. Sterling, father of our subject, was born in October, 1837. in Columbia County, where he spent most of his life, and at present his home is in Bloomsburg. Pa. His occupation, in his active life, was always that of a teamster, and he was widely known throughout the county. He has always been a stanch Democrat and has taken a very act- ive part in the town politics, having served as councilman for his native town thirteen consecutive years; then, after a year out of office, he again served two years more, and was urgently requested to continue to serve but refused. In church affairs he has been equally active, being a member of the Presby- terian Church, and has served as elder in the Reformed Church. Mr. Sterling married Lucy Loreman, a daughter of Samuel Lore- man, and they are the parents of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living.
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