USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 45
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Daniel Evert, father of our subject, was a man of whom his son and family are justly proud. He was one of the pioneer tanners in the eastern part of the state and his enter- prise did much toward giving to the industrial interests of Shamokin the impetus which eventually produced the very satisfactory re- sults which are to-day evident on every hand. Mr. Evert was born in 1805 and passed to his final rest at his home in Shamokin in 1868. A tanner by trade he erected the first industry, aside from those connected with coal operating, in Shamokin, building and operat- ing a tannery on a site near that of the pres- ent Pennsylvania Railroad station and on which now stands the residence which he built
and which is now occupied by the subject of our sketch. The home is notable as the first brick structure built in Shamokin. About the time of the breaking out of the war Mr. Evert abandoned the tanning business and en- gaged in the manufacture of soap, following the business for several years. He lived a comparatively retired life for two years pre- vious to his demise. Politically Mr. Evert was not active and he never aspired to office. although a man of positive and liberal opin- ions. He was a pioneer of Presbyterianism in Northumberland County and long was an ar- dent and most active supporter and advocate of the doctrine in which he so firmly believed, and he held numerous offices in the early Presbyterian Church in Shamokin. Mr Evert was married twice. To his estimable first wife were born seven children, one son. the subject of this review, and six daughters. Of the children who grew to maturity the eldest daughter, Malinda W., was the wife of Daniel Felix of Schuylkill County, and re- sided in Shamokin at the time of her death; Catharine is the widow of B. F. Boughner; and Sarah E. died at the age of sixteen years. The second wife was Mrs. Margaret Haas (widow) whose maiden name was Lunger, of Danville, Pa. By this union two children. John L. Evert and Mrs. Burton B. Smith, were born, both still residing in Shamokin. The second wife, and second-time widow, de- parted this life February 27, 1899, at the age of eighty-three years.
Our subject was educated in the common schools of Shamokin and at the age of seven- teen he entered the employ of George B. Cad- wallader, druggist, as clerk, remaining in the drugstore in the town of Shamokin until the proprietor retired from business. In response to the call for men to serve in the army against the Confederacy our subject enlisted in Com-
6
ROBERT GOODWILL.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
pany C., 131st. Penna. Vol. Inf. He was de- tailed as hospital steward because of his knowledge of drugs and served nine months with great credit to himself. Returning to his home he entered the employ of the North- ern Central Railway, working for two years as a clerk in the Shamokin office and then being transferred to the weigh-scales, where all the coal received from the east is weighed, as weighmaster. Mr. Evert is an enthusiastic Republican and has been a member of the borough council and also treasurer of his town. He is a prominent communicant of the Lutheran Church.
On May 17, 1866, our subject was united in marriage to Mary J. Kreigh of Catawissa. To them have been born five children as fol- lows: Clara, who is at home; Edward K. and William K., who are general merchants in Shamokin; and Harriet B., and Laura, who also are at home.
R OBERT GOODWILL, who, prior to his death, was president of the Good- will Coal & Coke Company of West Virginia, was one of the most honored and respected citizens of Shamokin, Northumber- land County, Pa. The entire stock of the company was owned by Mr. Goodwill and his family and was directed by the following man- agement: Robert Goodwill. president; An- thony G. Goodwill, vice-president; Philip Goodwill, general manager and treasurer; William Goodwill, secretary. The firm was organized in 1886 by our subject, after hav- ing secured a lease of 800 acres of the famous Flat-Top coal lands from the Flat-Top Coal Land Association.
Preparatory work was immediately begun by Mr. Goodwill in opening up the mines, erecting the necessary machinery, buildings,
coke ovens, etc., and such other improve- ments as are necessary for the shipment of coal and coke. The business was conducted as a firm until December, 1888, when it was incorporated in accordance with the laws of West Virginia as the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company. The first shipment of coal was made in September, 1887; since that time the capacity of the mines has steadily increased until at present the colliery is capable of turning out 1,000 tons of coal daily. With the present shipments, from ninety to one hun- (red men are employed. The plant contains 50 Bee Hive coke ovens, erected in accord- ance with the requirements of the lease, which have a weekly capacity of from 300 to 350 tons.
The mines are systematically as well as ad- vantageously laid out, and are thoroughly ventilated with a 15-foot fan. There are four main openings, with an excellent track system connecting with two tipples, only one of which is used in ordinary shipments. The company is fully equipped in every particular. having a number of comfortable and suitable dwelling houses, a convenient and well-arranged store. offices. etc., commodius stables. saw-mills. mine cars. and a fine artesian well which fur- nishes an excellent water-supply for all re- quirements. Our subject continued as presi- dent of this company until death called him to final rest, December 17, 1898. He was a man of high character. having led a pure and moral life, and his loss was deeply felt by his family and many friends.
Robert Goodwill was born October 7. 1827. at Loan End, Northumberland County, Eng- and. He was a son of Anthony Goodwill of Northumberland, England, and was the tenth in a family of twelve children. At the early age of nine years he commenced work in the mines of England and was engaged first in
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removing coal from the mines in something like a tub or sled. At the age of thirteen he began mining coal, was identified more or less in the business of coal mining up to the time when death claimed him. His parents, al- though they came of humble birth, were in- dustrious and highly respected, being devout members of the Church of England, and through them the son inherited the religious inclinations so characteristic of the man. He was married July 27, 1847, to Catherine Wake, and to them were born five children: three boys and two girls. The girls died in infancy, but the three boys are living. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill celebrated the fiftieth an- niversary of their wedded life on July 27, 1897.
In the middle of May, 1852, our subject, with his wife and son, sailed for America, ar- riving in Philadelphia on June 30, 1852. From there he went to Gold Mine Gap, Dauphin County, Pa., where he worked three years at mining coal. From Gold Mine Gap he moved his family to the Shamokin coal fields, where he was employed at the Lancaster Colliery, better known as the Coal Run Colliery, about three miles east of Shamokin. In 1857 he lo- cated in Trevorton, Pa., about eight miles west of Shamokin, working as a miner and contractor. He remained there for eight years, when, in 1865, he leased the tracts of coal land known as the Greenough and Bear Valley tracts, about three miles west of Sha- mokin, and moved his family there. He op- erated those two collieries very successfully until 1877, when he sold out his interest to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- pany. Although well advanced in years, Mr. Goodwill's active spirit would not permit him to remain idle and, accordingly, he leased a tract of bituminous coal land at Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, Pa., and operated it be-
tween four and five years, until the coal on his lease was exhausted. He then leased what is known as the Carson tract, just on the out- skirts of Shamokin; that he operated for two years, when he sold out to a New York firm. From that time until 1883 he was engaged in various mining enterprises and next secured a lease in the now famous Flat-Top coal field of West Virginia, being one of the early pio- neers of the coal development, with Capt. Welch, J. H. Bramwell, John Cooper, and John Freeman, giving his personal attention for two years to his interests there, when he turned the management over to his son, who is at present the general manager.
A. G. Goodwill, vice-president of the com- pany and eldest son of our subject, was born in Scotland in 1848, and accompanied his par- ents to the United States in 1852. He at- tended the public schools of Pennsylvania, afterward graduating at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Returning to Shamokin he accepted a position as bookkeeper, which he held for sixteen years, resigning to engage in the hardware business in Shamokin, which he still carries on successfully. He became a member of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Com- pany at its incorporation, which business con- nection he still retains. He married Miss R. C. Klase of Ashland, Pa., in 1873, and has one son, Robert, now twenty-one years old.
Philip Goodwill, second son of our subject, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., received a common school education and subsequently pursued his studies for two years at Dickinson Seminary. His father, being engaged in min- ing and shipping coal, naturally brought his sons in contact with every branch of the business from the office to the more respon- sible positions about the mines. In 1874 Philip left Shamokin for Reynoldsville, Pa., where he took charge of his father's large bitumi-
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nous coal interests, and remained in that ca- pacity until 1878, when he returned to Shamo- kin and engaged with his father in the coal business again. Subsequently he entered the law office of Hon. W. Il. M. Oram, but never entered upon the practice of his profession, notwithstanding he was duly admitted to the Northumberland County Bar in 1884. Some time after being admitted to the bar he was elected teller of the First National Bank of Shamokin, which position he filled with satis- faction until 1887, when he resigned to as- sume the management of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company, which position he still re- tains. In 1887 he married the eldest daughter of W. H. Douty of Shamokin, and immediate -. ly thereafter located in Bramwell, W. Va., where he now resides, having one of the most beautiful and comfortable homes in that pret- ty little town. Mr. Goodwill is a past com- mander of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar, of Bramwell; also a mem- ber of the blue lodge and chapter of that place, as well as a member of Beni-Kedem Temple, U. D., of Charlestown, W. Va. He is secre- tary of the Pocahontas Company and is asso- ciated with other business enterprises. He is an influential member of the Presbyterian Church of Bramwell and member of the board of education of Rock district, in which capac- ity he was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the handsome new graded-school building recently constructed in Bramwell.
IV. F. Goodwill, youngest son of our sub- ject, Robert Goodwill, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., and attended the public schools, after which he graduated at Dickinson Semi- nary in 1875, taking a commercial course at the same institution the following year. His school vacations were spent in working about his father's mines in various capacities. After completing his commercial course he returned
to Shamokin and was employed in his father's office as bookkeeper, in which capacity he re- mained until the colliery was sold to the Phil adelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Hle was next employed by L. M. Shuman & Company, grocers, for about one year; then engaged in business at Shamokin as a member of the firm of Derby & Goodwill, in which he continued for some time; disposed of his in- terest to enter the mail service, which occupa- tion he followed for about three years, leaving the service to accept a position as bookkeeper with J. Langdon & Company, at Neilson Col- liery, Shamokin, where he remained until 1889, when he went to Goodwill, W. Va., as secretary and buyer for the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company, the position he still holds. In 1879 Mr. Goodwill chose for his wife and life companion Ida R. Klase of Ashland, Pa. His home is in Shamokin, where his family resides. Mr. Goodwill has never taken an active part in politics, but was elected in 1888 to the Sha- mokin borough council, and now holds the position of notary public for Mercer County, W. Va.
The publishers of this volume take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Robert Good- will appears on a previous page, in connection with the above life history.
T HOMAS C. REESE is a well-known and much respected citizen of Sha- mokin, Pa. He superintends the ma- chine and blacksmith department of the Sha- mokin Iron Works. Mr. Reese is at present also much interested in gold mining. He is the owner of 154 acres of land in McDowell County, North Carolina, which is being large- ly developed under a lease. The firm which is operating. his territory is now erecting a
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ten-stamp mill to be run by water power. This field is rich not only in gold, but also contains other precious metals and valuable minerals. Within a radius of five miles have been found about one hundred and thirty-six different minerals, the rarest of these being diamonds. Mr. Reese reasonably expects to realize in the future a fair profit on his invest- ment.
John Reese, father of our subject, was a na- tive of South Wales and immigrated to Amer- ica in 1846, bringing his family with him; he located in St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa., and at once accepted a position as mine super- intendent in the employ of William H. John- son. He continued in this business until he departed this life in 1853. He was known as an old-line Whig, but could not be prevailed upon to accept office.
Thomas C. Reese was born in Monmouth- shire, South Wales, July 9, 1837, and is a son of John and Mary (Thomas) Reese. He was brought to America by his parents when about nine years of age, receiving his educa- tion in St. Clair, Schuylkill County. When quite young he learned the trade of a machin- ist and when grown to manhood worked at that occupation in Port Carbon, and also at Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa., subse- quently removing to Luzerne County, and thence to Northumberland County, contin- uing to work at his chosen calling. After re- maining in the latter county two years, he spent one year prospecting in the Cumber- land Mountains. He was employed by the Tonzwell Coal & Iron Co. of Virginia to pros- pect for coal.
In 1856 our subject went South to Virginia and engaged in mining for three years. He, at the end of that time, returned North and engaged his services with the Shamokin Iron Works. In 1886 he again went South and
was located in Georgia for a short time, but finally returned to Shamokin and accepted his present responsible position, which he is very creditably filling. He has the reputation of being a skilled mechanic and consequently is quite competent to oversee the departments under his control.
On November 15, 1865, our subject was united in marriage with Mary Henry. They have merry gatherings at their home and both Mr. and Mrs. Reese are well and favorably known in social and religious circles through- out the town.
SHBEL B. LONGSHORE, D. D. S .. a prosperous and popular dentist of Mt. Carmel, with a large practice, is a son of Evan J. and Mary (Segraves) Long- shore, and was born April 2, 1869, in South Easton, Northampton County, Pa. Our sub- ject started on his active business career as a messenger boy and has worked diligently until he has raised himself to a prominent po- sition in his chosen profession and is known as one of the most capable and successful practitioners of dentistry in the county.
After obtaining a comparatively meager preliminary education in the common schools of Scranton, Pa., our subject at the age of fourteen years began to earn his living and set out to make his own way with compara- tively little assistance. He entered the em- ploy of the Postal Telegraph Company and served as a messenger for about two and a half years. Next he was in the employ of the Grand Union Tea Company and, deter- mined to follow out his ambition, he entered Wood's Business College at Scranton. in which he received a fairly good business edu- cation. He then removed to Hazleton, Pa., where he was employed as bookkeeper for the
A. P. YOUNG:
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Lehigh Coal Company. Our subject was for- tunate in having access to the large library of his uncle, Dr. W. R. Longshore, a prominent physician at Hazleton, and he studied assidu- ously while keeping the books of the coal company. Having decided to take up den- tistry as a profession, he entered the Pennsyl- vania College of Dental Surgery at Philadel- phia from which he graduated in 1895. He immediately removed to Hazleton where he practiced his profession for a year and then removed to Mt. Carmel, where he has since been an honored resident and a leader among its professional men.
Dr. Longshore comes of a family of phy- sicians, evidently inheriting the natural apti- tude and liking for the profession in which he has been so successful and in which he stands so prominent. His grandfather, Ashbel Longshore, was one of the first physicians to locate at Hazleton and began his practice there when the town was very small. The father of our subject, Evan J. Longshore, also was a physician and followed his profession in Scranton, Pa., during the major part of his life time. A brother of our subject, Eugene, is now attending the dental college in Phila- delphia.
Our subject is a member of the Mt. Carmel Commandery No. 22, Knights of Malta. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Stager and to them has been born one child, Jennie W.
P. YOUNG, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is one of the most prominent farmers of Green- wood township, Columbia County, and is the proprietor of a well-improved farm of 80 acres, which is located in the fertile region of Green- wood Valley. He was born near Benton, Co-
lumbia County, Pa., November 17, 1835, and is a son of Abram and Ann (Peterman) Young.
Abram Young, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, and in 1812 moved to Columbia County, Pa., working on the way at different occupations. While en route he worked on the river bridge at Harrisburg, which was then being erected. Upon arriving at Benton, Columbia County, he purchased a tract of timberland consisting of III acres, which is now the property of Washington Krouse; he cleared part of his purchase and engaged in farming the rest of his life. In politics he was a strong Democrat and held the office of county commissioner and also was justice of the peace for thirty years. He took an active part in the War of 1812, and was a captain in the militia. He passed from this life at his home in Benton at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was Ann Peter- man, a daughter of James Peterman, who came to where Benton now is from Bucks County, Pa .; he was a blacksmith. Two sons and two daughters were born to this union, as follows: Mercy Ann, deceased, who was the wife of Mathias Roberts; Aaron, deceased. who was a well-to-do farmer of Round Grove, Whiteside County, Ill .; Sarah, who married Eli McHenry of Benton, Columbia County: and A. P., whose name heads these lines.
A. P. Young was reared on his father's farni near Benton and received his education in the public schools and at Greenwood Seminary at Millville, Pa. He then taught in the public schools three years and two years in the Greenwood Seminary. In 1861 he took pos- session of the old farm where he now lives, which consisted of 80 acres of very much worn land, and he has made many improvements, and his farm now ranks among the most pro- ductive in Greenwood Valley. In addition to
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carrying on general farming he also deals somewhat in stock, his farm being well stocked with thoroughbred registered Jersey cattle. For the past twenty years he has been breeding Brahma poultry, and later Bronze turkeys were added. Our subject is one of the stockholders of the Farmers' Produce Ex- change, Limited, of Bloomsburg.
Mr. Young is an active member of the Pa- trons of Husbandry and has filled many of the offices in that organization; has been a mem- ber of the executive committee of the state grange for two terms and county deputy for fifteen years. Politically our subject is a Dem- ocrat; is serving his closing term as justice of the peace; and is a candidate for nomina- tion for member of the Legislature. On Jan- uary 10, 1861, Mr. Young and Rachael Wil- son, daughter of Reuben Wilson, were united in marriage, and to them have been born four children, namely: Alice, the wife of A. H. Potts of Parkesburg, Chester County, Pa .; Ella; Emma; and Mary.
Mr. Young is an industrious and energetic man, a good citizen, and is held in high es- teem. He is adding his quota to the business interests of the township and filling his posi- tion with great credit. Mr. Young is on the state list of lecturers for the Farmers' Insti- tutes of Pennsylvania and has ably held that position for fifteen consecutive years. He has visited many of the neighboring counties in that capacity.
ANIEL FAUST is prominent among the most successful contractors and builders of Shamokin, Coal township, and is a member of the well-known firm of Reed & Faust. This firm is extensively and favorably known for the excellent work done by it in various parts of the town. The firm
makes a specialty of comfortable and hand- some dwellings and enjoys the distinction of having erected many of Shamokin's model residences. Messrs. Reed & Faust employ from twenty-five to thirty competent journey- men carpenters and supervise in person all work entrusted to them. They have a large lumber-yard and workshop well supplied with all kinds of building material and are always prepared to furnish estimates on all kinds of new buildings, or for the remodeling of old structures. Among their patrons are some of the largest real estate owners in Shamokin, and they are noted for doing strictly first-class work at reasonable figures. A few of the beautiful and cozy homes erected by the firm are those of H. H. Keiser, T. B. Hertzog, Ja- cob R. Keiser, Richard Deppen, and their own handsome and modern residences.
Daniel Faust is a son of George and Re- becca (Klingerman) Faust and was born at East Mahanoy Junction, Schuylkill County, Pa., March 15, 1841. He attended the public schools until seventeen years old and then moved to Mahanoy City, where he learned the carpenter's trade; he soon proved himself to be an expert workman and labored indus- triously at his trade in and about his native section for many years. In 1876 he located in Shamokin and continued to work in that town and surrounding country until 1884. when he formed a partnership with Francis T. Reed and embarked in the contracting and building business under the firm name of Reed & Faust. He is now reaping the rewards of his industry and is enjoying a comfortable com- petency in his closing years.
Daniel Faust, our subject, was united in marriage with Susan Seward December I, 1866, and to them have been born four chil- dren, only two of whom are now living: Me- linda, a charming young lady, and Edward E.,
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
now attending the Pennsylvania Dental Col- lege of Philadelphia.
Our subject has a very creditable war rec- ord. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army in Company H, 96th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged from the service June 22, 1865, having served his country nearly three years without missing a single day's duty. He served in the Army of the Potomac and under Sheridan in the She- nandoah Valley. Among the important bat- tles in which he participated were Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Rappahannock Station, where his gallantry was observed by Gen. Henry Upton, who made him his orderly from that time until the close of the war. Socially our subject is a member of Gen. Grant Lodge, No. 575, I. O. O. F .; also of Lincoln Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Shamokin. He is an active member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Church.
John Faust, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Berks County, Pa., but early in life located in Rush township, Schuylkill County, where he was an ideal and practical farmer. Later he removed to Mahanoy, which is now Mahanoy City, and for some time was pro- prietor of the Mahanoy Hotel, but still later he returned to Rush township, where he spent the remainder of his life.
George Faust, father of our subject, was born on the site of Mahanoy City before the town was built. He was educated, reared and lived in that section all his life. He early learned the carpenter's trade and was also very skilful in building wind-mills for cleaning grain. A severe cold contracted by exposure cut short his progress in life's journey, just as he was nearing its forty-second milestone, leaving his widow and nine children to mourn his premature demise.
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