USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 73
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Clem G. Beishline, who was junior member of the firm of Edgar & Beishline, and a man of excellent business propensities, was a son of John W. and Sarah E. (Hess) Beishline, and was born in Benton township, September 29, 1869.
His great-grandfather was Michael Beish- line, who was born in Germany, and in the early part of the eighteenth century located in America. He settled in Butler township, Lu- zerne County, where he followed the occupa- tion of a farmer. His son, John B. Beishline, was also one of the leading agriculturists of that section, but the later years of his life were spent in Benton township, Columbia County, where John W., our subject's father, was born, February 15, 1840. In early life John W. Beishline followed teaching in connection with farming, but later learned the trade of a carpenter. He was quite proficient at that occupation and became an extensive con- tractor and builder, doing work throughout the county. His career came to a sudden end while working upon the residence of Capt. C. G. Jackson of Berwick, August 14. 1878. at the early age of thirty-eight years. He was a soldier of the Civil War, first enlisting as a musician, but after the expiration of his term again enlisted as a lieutenant. When he left the service he was captain of Company A, 74th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. Politically, he was a Democrat, whilst in religious belief he was
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
a member of the Reformed Church. Socially, he belonged to the I. O. O. F. He was united in marriage with Sarah Hess, a daugh- ter of Benjamin Hess, a farmer of Fishing Creek township, and they reared one son, Clem G. Mrs. Beishline is now residing at Pond Hill, Luzerne County.
Clem G. Beishline received a good English education in the public schools and at New Columbus Academy, and after arriving at ma- turity was engaged in several different lines of work until he formed a partnership with Mr. Edgar and operated the Crystal Springs Distillery. Socially, he was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge and the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Berwick. On January 25, 1893, he was united in marriage with Laura McMichaels, a daughter of James McMichaels of Berwick, and one daughter was born to them, Virginia.
RS. PHOEBE E. MAGARGEL, who, until January 2, 1899, was proprietor of one of the most popular public houses in the southern part of Sullivan County, is the widow of the late Thomas S. Magargel, who was born in the city of Philadelphia and who was a son of Britten and Ann (Schuster) Magargel.
Britten Magargel was of Scotch descent and settled in Lairdsville, Pa., during his later years, where he conducted a mercantile store and later engaged in general farming.
Thomas S. Magargel possessed a fine edu- cation and his boyhood days were spent assist- ing his father in running the store and later aided him in the labors about the farm. Aft- er his marriage he settled in Sonestown, where he rented the old Taylor Hotel, and through
his successful management of the same ac- cumulated enough money to purchase the property, and, in 1886, he erected a three and one-half story hotel of 17 rooms; the rooms were large, comfortable and well furnished, and Mr. Magargel gave the business the clos- est supervision and no expense or trouble was spared to make the hotel service perfect, even to the smallest detail. That these efforts were not lost on those accepting of his hospitality was evidenced by the fact that once guests they were always guests when business after- wards called them to that locality. He was very popular with the transients, and aided by his loving wife did all in his power to make it as homelike as possible. The demise of Mr. Magargel, which occurred in the year 1889, was greatly lamented by a host of friends, who recognized him as a man of sterling worth and strict integrity. He was an upright citi- zen, highly esteemed in his community, and exerted his influence in the promotion of its best interests.
Mr. Magargel chose for his life companion Phoebe E. Houseknecht, who has proved her- self a kind and loving wife, and much of the success of her husband was due to the part she had taken in the management of the hotel. She is a daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Sones) Houseknecht, and her father was born in Lycoming County and was a son of John Houseknecht who was a farmer and who died aged eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Houseknecht were the parents of the follow- ing children: John: Julian; Peter; Betsey; Jacob; Benjamin; Daniel; Charles; Mary Jane; Issachar; and Phoebe E., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Magargel conducted the hotel after her husband's death until January 2, 1899, and has won the highest respect of the traveling public as a landlady; the hotel, as operated by her, was by all odds the best in
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its section of the county, was well furnished, and the meals served by this establishment also added greatly to its popularity with the traveling public.
Mr. Magargel was a solid Democrat in poli- tics, and served as commissioner and as con- stable; fraternally he was a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Ma- gargel reared the following children: Harry, a farmer by trade, was married to Belle Ray by whom he reared four children,-Brewnard, Schuster, Emerson, and Wort; Ella May is the wife of Lincoln Sheets; Clara is the wife of Charles Starr, and two children blessed their home,-Celia and Frank, the latter de- ceased; Jacob B. is a prominent merchant of Sonestown; Frank, a merchant of Muncy Val- ley, Pa., was wedded to Cora Crawley; Ralph is living at home; and Maude, deceased.
HARLES KRUG, one of the oldest contractors and builders residing in the town of Bloomsburg, by his reliable work and straightforward methods of doing business has attracted to him hosts of friends and patrons. He was born in Penn township, Berks County, Pa., November II, 1844, and is a son of Adam and Annie E. (Isenhardt) Krug.
Adam Krug, the father of our subject, was a native of Germany, and while in that coun- try learned the trade of a tanner. Immigrating to the United States, he located in Penn town- ship, Berks County, and again took up his former trade. Later he moved to Lycoming County and purchased a tract of land and en- gaged in the cultivation of the soil; he retired to Union County, where he spent his remain- ing days.
Our subject acquired a liberal education in the common schools of his native town and (luring his boyhood days learned the carpen- ter's trade; at the age of twenty years he moved to Bloomsburg and followed his trade as a journeyman until 1871, when he engaged in building and contracting, which business he has continued to the present time. He has erected some of the handsomest dwellings and business blocks in Bloomsburg, and the State Normal School and the court-house, which were erected by him, demonstrate the excel- lency of his workmanship. He also owned and operated a planing-mill until it was de- stroyed by fire. In 1897 our subject built his present home on East Third street, which is a handsome brick structure. Mr. Krug is an industrious and energetic man, a good citizen, and is held in high esteem.
Mr. Krug is the parent of seventeen chil- dren, all of whom are living, and bid fair to follow in the footsteps of their excellent par- ents and become important members of the communities in which they reside. His first wife was Frances Ann, a daughter of John Yeager of Roaring Creek township, and she entered the world of rest at the age of thirty- six years. As a result of this union the follow- ing children were born: Laura A., the wife of Henry C. Jones; Willet, a foreman in the lumber mills of Bloomsburg; Elwell, foreman for W. A. Shepard & Sons of Wilkestown: Cora, united in marriage to Harry Beishline; Annie; and William, Morris, Arthur, John and Paul, all carpenters by trade, who reside in Bloomsburg. Our subject's second mar- riage was to Mary M. Fredrick, a daughter of Samuel Fredrick, a resident of Catawissa, and a family of seven children has blessed this union: Sarah; Julia; Helen; Charles H .; Margaret; George; and Grace.
RUSSELL C. BUCKALEW.
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R USSELL C. BUCKALEW, whose portrait we show on the opposite page, is the well-known proprietor of one of the favorite livery stables of the town of Bloomsburg, and by fair-and-square deal- ings has become well and widely known throughout the town and county. He was born in Cambria, Luzerne County, Pa., July 9, 1836, and is a son of John and Rachel (Creveling) Buckalew, grandson of James Buckalew, and great-grandson of John Buck- alew.
John Buckalew was a descendant of Francis Buccleuchs, who traced the name back to the time when Queen Mary of Scotland left her native country for France. Francis and Gil- bert, who were his brothers, immigrated to America and located on Long Island, which was then in the possession of the Dutch. Their name Boileau, and Francis spelling his, Buck- alew. Francis later moved to South Amboy, N. J., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of one hundred and ten years. He had a son, Samuel, who died aged ninety-six years; Samuel was the progenitor of one son, John, the great-grand- father of our subject, who was born in Octo- ber, 1754. He was a millwright and miller by trade and followed those occupations in Mun- cy, Pa., for several years. In 1873 he was joined in marriage to Mary McKenney, who was born in 1754. In 1776, under the Frank- lin Central Committee of Philadelphia, he was appointed one of the committee of safety for Turbot township, Northumberland County, and in 1778 he was obliged to leave that coun- ty on account of trouble with the Indians. He accordingly moved to Maryland and rented a mill at Rock Run, which he operated until the close of the Revolutionary War, when he re- turned to Northumberland County and set- tled on Chillisquaque Creek. He passed his
remaining days there, dying July 3. 1833; his wife passed from this life November 25, 1829. They were the parents of five sons and seven daughters, one of whom was James, the grandfather of our subject.
James Buckalew was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Cambria, Luzerne County, Pa .; he built a hotel and store and conducted them for many years. His hotel was destroyed by fire. In company with Mr. Stephens, James Buckalew built a section of the Shickshinny Canal. He was one of the prosperous busi- ness men of his community and at one time owned nearly all the land where the town of Cambria is now located. He formed a matri- monial alliance with Catherine Jones and they reared the following children: John, Elmira, Evans, Sally Ann, Mary, Eli, Elizabeth, and Harriet. Mr. Buckalew entered the world of rest at the age of eighty years.
John Buckalew, the father of our subject. was reared in Cambria and when he grew to manhood took charge of his father's store and conducted it for several years. Later he en- gaged in the cultivation of the soil and was the owner of a fine farm in Fairmount township. He was joined in wedlock to Rachel Creve- ling, a daughter of Samuel Creveling, and the following children were reared: Russell C .. the subject of this sketch: Amos, deceased; Sheridan, a farmer; Sarah C., the wife of John Robinson, a resident of White Haven, Pa .: Evans, who resides in Wilkesbarre, Pa .: Eli, deceased, who was a veteran of the Rebellion; Samuel S., who is engaged in farming on the old homestead; Mary R .; and James M., who also resides on the old homestead. Mr. Buck- alew died aged seventy years. The mother of our subject died aged sixty-four years.
Russell C. Buckalew was reared on the farm and remained under the parental roof until
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
1861, when he answered President Lincoln's call for more troops to put down the Rebell- ion, and enlisted in Company F, 7th Reg., Pa. Reserves. He was mustered out in 1864, after serving three years and three days; the prin- cipal battles in which our subject participated were: the seven-days' engagement which oc- curred between Manassas and Washington, D. C., August 26,-September 1, 1861, in which the battles of Second Bull Run and Chantilly were fought; Harper's Ferry; South Mountain; and Antietam. He returned home in 1871, engaged in business and became ship- ping clerk for Dufais & Walter, the largest cotton brokers in New York City. He served as cotton sampler, being licensed by the New York Cotton Exchange, and held that respon- sible position until October 1, 1879, when he removed to Bloomsburg and, with his brother Amos, purchased the Ricewick livery stables. He has since become sole proprietor of the stables and keeps a fine assortment of horses and carriages, and has both night and day service for the accommodation of his numer- ous patrons. His business is conducted in a thoroughly systematic manner and Mr. Buck- alew is very popular with those who have an occasion to deal with him. He also runs a bus line to the D., L. & W. and Reading de- pots.
Our subject was joined in Hymen's bonds. January 28, 1880, to Mary E. Gager, a daugh- ter of Andrew Gager of New York City, and three children have blessed their happy home: Louis Walter; Lillian Barton; and Raymond Gager. Mr. Buckalew is a member of the G. - A. R. and the U. V. L. Our subject has been very successful in his business career. He has one of the best conducted stables in the town, he is obliging and courteous, and his business is rapidly increasing.
ISS MARGARET MCCORMICK HULL, one of Milton's most esti- mable ladies, is a descendant of one of the early settlers of Northumberland County. She was born in Washingtonville, Montour County, and is a daughter of the late and greatly esteemed Dr. Thomas R. Hull, who was born near Milton, in Turbot township, February 19, 1815. Her grand- father, William Hull, one of the early settlers of Turbot township, Northumberland County, Pa., was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 17, 1771.
William Hull was a direct descendant of Benjamin Hull, whom tradition says was a Frenchman, who came to America and settled in Massachusetts in 1640. Later he went to Sussex County, N. J., being among the earli- est settlers of that county. His son, Benja- min, lived near Newton, Hampton township, Sussex County, N. J., for many years on the farm his father settled; this estate was known later as the Bale farm. Benjamin's son, John, settled in Wallpack township, Sussex County, N. J., when his son Benjamin was ten years old.
Benjamin Hull, son of the Benjamin named above, resided in Sussex County, N. J., near Newton, and there married Anna Duer. There they continued to live, and to them were born the following children: Charity (Jones); Nan- cy (Bell); Sarah (Kays); Mary (Morris); Rhoda (Ryerson); Elizabeth (Ryerson); Mar- tha (Young); Ruth (Hopkins); John, who married Margaret Lantz; Benjamin, who mar- ried Elizabeth Case; Phoebe (Warfesse); Wil- liam, our subject's grandfather; and Dorcas (Price).
William Hull, the grandfather of our sub- ject, settled in Northumberland County, Pa., before 1800, where he married on January 12. 1797, Hannah Marr, a daughter of Joseph
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Marr. She was born March 23, 1777, and died February 10, 1858, surviving her hus- band thirty years. They were the parents of fourteen children, but only nine of these grew to maturity. The names of the nine were: Susan, who married Samuel McCarthy; Eli- zabeth; Jesse; David; Alem; William P .; Thomas R., our subject's father; Sarah A., who married J. H. Brown; and Hannah, who married Robert M. Slater. Mr. Hull lived near Milton with his large family on a farm now owned by Mr. Grosh, and the buildings standing to-day are monuments of his energy and industry, and the fine estate which he left is an indication of his financial success.
Dr. Thomas R. Hull, our subject's father, was reared on a farm and attended the Milton Academy. Choosing the profession of medi- cine, he became a student under the instruc- tion of Drs. James S. Dougal and William McCleery, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1838. As Washingtonville, Montour County, was a flourishing borough and near the place of his nativity, he chose that place in which to begin his professional career. Being thoroughly prepared for his life work, and with abilities beyond the average, he soon established a reputation second to none in the surrounding country, and his practice extended for many miles in every di- rection. The arduous life of a physician, who lias a large practice, sooner or later brings ex- haustion, and this exhaustion Dr. Hull began to feel in 1861, when he sold his practice and removed to Milton with the intention of re- tiring; but, as his services were eagerly sought, he would never refuse a call of dis- tress so long as he lived. He was a true man. His generous, kind and affectionate nature won for him many friends, who deeply felt the loss of his valuable life when he was taken from their midst. During his later years he
was financially interested with his son, Wil- liam Hull, of Milton, in the coal and grain business. Dr. Hull was married, February 23, 1843, to Elizabeth McCormick, who survived her husband several years. They were the par- ents of six children, the eldest being our sub- ject, Margaret McCormick, the others being as follows: William, now living in Philadel- phia; Alem P. is a physician practicing in Montgomery County; Thomas R., of Milton; Ilarry B., an attorney of Grand Rapids, Mich .; and Elmer S., a physician who married Mary E. Weimer, by whom he has three children,-Elmer E., Alem P., and Edwin Weimer.
Miss Margaret McCormick Hull lives at Milton in the residence purchased by her father, Dr. Hull. It was the Hayes property and was formerly called the McCurly Hotel, which, after being enlarged and improved, makes a home worthy of the highly respected subject of this sketch.
DWIN C. CASWELL, the senior mem- ber of E. C. Caswell & Company, one of the largest industries of the vicin- ity of Bloomsburg, is a son of Whipple and Olive Houghton (Blackmar) Caswell, and was born in the town of Thompson, Windham County, Conn .. July 16, 1838.
Whipple Caswell was born in Douglas. Mass., in 1808, and during his younger days followed farming there. In 1852 he located at Burrillville, R. I., where he followed farming for some time, but spent the lat- ter years of his life in retirement. He was united in marriage to Olive Houghton Black- mar, who was born in Abington, Conn., in 1812. They reared the following children: Alonzo W., of Worcester. Mass .; S. Alphon-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
so, who was born in Donglas, Mass., March 8, 1836, and at twelve years of age entered an apprenticeship in the cotton mills at South- bridge, Mass. At nineteen years of age he be- came overseer in the woolen mills at Burrill- ville, R. I., and in 1874 entered into partner- ship with our subject and George and William Youngman. They leased the Nippenose Mills at Antes Fort, Lycoming County, Pa., and ran them for eight years. Alphonso and Ed- win C. Caswell then established the Blooms- burg Woolen Mills. They took in their broth- er, Marcus, who died one year later. Alphon- so continued with the firm until his death, July 6, 1887; the remainder of the family were: Edwin C., the subject of this personal history; Whipple, Jr., of Adams, Mass., who died in January, 1898; Jerome, of Fort Wayne, Ind .; Osborne, of Dayville, Conn .; Everett, deceased; Marcus, deceased, who left a wife, Mary (Antes), and a son, Carlton A., who has charge of the second floor of our subject's plant; and Emma, who lives with her brother. Carlton A., a son of Marcus and Mary (Antes) Caswell, after graduating from the Bloomsburg High School attended the Textile School of Philadelphia, graduating at the head of his class and winning first prize, a gold medal, for the general excellency of his work. He later took a thorough course in Palm's Business College of Philadelphia, grad- uating in December, 1897, and has since had charge of the weaving and designing depart- ment for E. C. Caswell & Company. Mr. Whipple Caswell, the father of our subject. was called to his final resting place at the age of eighty-two years, his wife having preceded him many years, dying at the age of sixty- nine.
Edwin C. Caswell attended the common schools until he was nine years of age, when he received his first instructions in the cotton
mills at Woodstock, Conn., as a mule boy. At the age of fourteen years he began work in the woolen mills of Burrillville, R. I., where he learned the art of weaving fancy cassimeres and later became designer, in the meantime attending school at intervals until he was six- teen years old. He followed his trade in Mass- achusetts and Rhode Island until 1868 when he accepted a position as boss weaver and de- signer at Johnstown, Pa., being the most skill- ful workman in that line in the state. He again returned to Massachusetts where he held several prominent positions until 1874, when he and his brother formed a partnership and established a factory at Antes Fort, Pa., continuing until 1882 when they moved to Bloomsburgh and established the plant of which Mr. Caswell is at the head. They erect- ed a structure, 54 by 124 feet, three stories high, with a boiler and engine-room 26 by 36 feet, at a cost of $15,000. The mill was fitted with the latest machinery for the manufacture of fancy dress goods, at a cost of $30,000. Forty skilled laborers are employed the year round, and XX merino wool is all that is used. After the death of our subject's brother, the present firm of E. C. Caswell & Co. was or- ganized, E. C. Caswell and J. M. Staver, be- ing the members. There are three sets of cards, 1,260 spindles, and fourteen looms. September 30, 1896, at I a. m., the third floor of the building was carried away by a tornado. completely destroying the machinery and causing a loss of $8,000. Ten days previous- ly 1,000 of the window lights had been broken by a hail storm, but in spite of all misfortune, only two months' work were lost. The busi- ness is now in a prosperous condition. The mill employs sixty hands. In 1888 the firm began to manufacture all-wool cassimeres which are shipped directly to their wholesale house in New York City, from whence they
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
are shipped to all points in the United States.
Mr. Caswell resides in a beautiful residence at the corner of West and Fifth streets, which he built a short time ago. Socially he was a Mason while in Massachusetts, and is now a member of La Belle Valley Lodge No. 232, F. & A. M. of Jersey Shore, Pa.
AMUEL JASON PEALER, a civil engineer and surveyor of good repute, who resides at Asbury, Fishing Creek township, Columbia County, Pa., is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with great credit to himself and to his family, who justly look at his record with pride. He is a man of tried business ability, and stands high in his community. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Sheidy) Pealer, and was born January 18, 1833. Our subject is of English and Ger- man descent, and the family name was origi- nally spelled in two ways, Peale and Beale, but later it was altered to Pealer and Bealer.
Paul Pealer, the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Berks County and a soldier of the Revolutionary War, serving in the Con- tinental Army until the close of that struggle. He then returned to his home in Berks Coun- ty, where he lived until his demise.
Samuel Pealer, the father of our subject, was born in Reading, Pa., in 1787, and early in life settled in Columbia County, where he bought a large tract of land. Having pre- viously learned the trade of a millwright, he erected a mill on his property, which was lo- cated near Jonestown, and there followed that line of work in connection with farming for many years. Several years prior to his death he leased his farm to his eldest son and then purchased a small property in Fishing Creek township, where his wife died. While mak-
ing a visit to his daughter in lowa he passed away, in 1854, at the age of sixty-eight years. In politics he was originally a Democrat, then a supporter of Henry Clay and the Whig par- ty, and finally a Republican. He was joined in marriage to Mary Sheidy of Luzerne Coun- ty, Pa., and they became the parents of the following children: Paul, Peter, David, Levi, George, Mary, Catherine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Sevilla, Margaret, and Samuel Jason, the sub- ject of this review. Paul Pealer had four sons, as follows: Isaac K., who enlisted in 1861 in the Ist N. Y. Dragoons, and was killed instant- ly by a bullet which struck him in the forehead at the battle of Cold Harbor; S. L., who also served in the Ist N. Y. Dragoons and was shot in the head at Winchester; Frank A., who was in Company E, 209th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf .. and was wounded in the thigh at Bermuda Hundred; and S. F., who was orderly ser- geant of Company A, 198th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. Peter, second son of Samuel and Mary Pealer, was a resident of Fishing Creek town- ship. His son, Oscar, served in Company F. 209th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was taken pris- oner at Bermuda Hundred, dying of starva- tion and inhuman treatment in Salisbury Pris- on, N. C. David, third son of Samuel and Mary Pealer, who resides at Wyoming, Iowa, was mustered into service July 22, 1861, by Maj. Wood at Lafayette, Ind., in Company E, 20th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and participated in the following battles: Flood Hatter's Inlet. No- vember 2, 1861; the engagement between the Monitor and Merrimac. March 8th and 9th, 1862; the Seven Days' battle before Rich- mond, near Fair Oaks, Va., June 19. 1862: Glendale, June 30, 1862: Malvern Hill. July I, 1862; Second Battle of Bull Run, August 29 and 30, 1862; Chantilly. September, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 11, 12 and 13. 1862; Cedars, May 12, 1863; Gettysburg,
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