USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
89
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
carried on that line until his death, which oc- curred in 1885 at the age of seventy-five years. Our subject's father was twice united in mar- riage, his first wife was Maria Bowers, a na- tive of Germany, and they reared two child- ren : Henry, the subject of this personal his- tory; and Mary, the wife of John Moyer of Milton, Pa. Mr. Divel chose for his second wife, Catherine Griff, who bore him the fol- lowing children: Sophia, wife of Robert Mills of Lockhaven, Pa .; Joanna, who wedded Simon L. Ritter of Mooresburg, Pa .; Joseph F., a veteran of the Rebellion; and three who died in their infancy.
Henry Divel received a liberal education in the common schools of his native town and at the age of sixteen years worked with his fath- er, learning the trade of a butcher, which busi- ness he has since followed to the present time. In 1859 he removed to Danville and worked as a journeyman for Moyer & Lyon for six years and seven months, and during his em- ployment with this firm, he never lost but one week's work and that was owing to a felon on one of his fingers. July 4, 1865, in company with John Rockfellow, he opened and con- ducted a butcher shop at No. 334 Mill street. April 1, 1875, Theodore Hoffman, whose sketch may also be found in this Book of Biographies, purchased the interest of Mr. Rockfellow, and the firm has since been known as Hoffman & Divel. The firm has since erected new stables and built a large slaughter-house 50 by 80 feet on Montgom- ery street; also has a stock-yard 200 by 80 feet, and as the firm makes large shipments to the western part of the state, the D., L. & W. R. R. laid a side-track to its yards.
Mr. Divel was united in Hymen's bonds to Barbara Fleckenstein, a daughter of Peter Fleckenstein, and their home has been blessed by the following children: Emma, wife of
S. G. Johnson, a large real estate dealer of Carthage, Mo .; Elizabeth, who was wedded to W. L. Sidler, register and recorder of Mon- tour County, Pa .; Lilly May, united in mar- riage to Henry Woolheater, a farmer of Union County, Pa .; Charlotte; Maggie: Laura; El- la; Minnie: Joseph; and Annie. Our sub- ject owns a handsome residence, No. 404 Church street, which he makes his home; also two large tenement houses. He and his fami- ly are members of the Lutheran Church of Danville; politically he is an earnest adherent of Democratic principles and lends the weight of influence to the support of his party. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his townsmen, and has served one term in the town council, and was associate judge from 1890 to 1895, and was re-elected in 1895 for his second term. Socially Judge Divel is a member of Danville Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M., and is past master of the same.
ETER S. KASHNER, one of the most energetic and progressive farmers of Montour township, Columbia Coun- ty, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Strohm) Kashner, and was born in Cooper township. Montour County. August 29, 1835. The Kashner family originally came from Ger- many and its members were among the early settlers of Berks County, with whose growth and advancement they have been closely con- nected for many years.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the pioneer settlers of Montour County, locating at the head of Stony Run Hollow, Cooper township, when that country was one vast timberland; he spent his entire life in clearing and cultivating his farm and many of his descendants are still residents of that vicinity. Before leaving Berks County he
90
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
was united in marriage and reared a large family of children, one of whom was Daniel, the father of our subject.
Daniel Kashner was born on the old home- stead in Cooper township, and at an early age learned the trade of a carpenter. He fol- lowed that occupation for a few years but finally turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits in Montour township, Columbia County, near the town of Catawissa. He owned ยท sixty acres of fine land and was one of the substantial men of that community. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Religiously he was an active member of the Lutheran Church which he liberally sup- ported financially and otherwise. He was overtaken by the silent reaper, Death, in 1875, at the age of sixty-six years. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Elizabeth Strohm, a daughter of Abraham Strohm, a farmer in what is now Mahoning township, Montour County, and this happy union was blessed by the birth of nine child- ren : Peter S., the subject of this sketch; Caro- line, wife of Nathaniel Krum of Catawissa; Elizabeth, relict of Lloyd Miller of Catawissa; Harriet, the wife of John Peifer of Blooms- burg; William, who is a superintendent in the blacksmithing department of the Blooms- burg Car Shops; Amos, a laborer of Cata- wissa; and three who died.
Peter S. Kashner was reared on the farm where he remained for several years, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. Upon leaving the parental homestead he en- gaged in boating for a couple of seasons, after which he engaged in burning lime in Mon- tour township for about eight years, or until 1872, when he located upon his present farm. For the first ten years he not only cultivated his own farm but also a large farm, lying along the banks of the river, which he rented. He
was a hard, industrious worker and, being a successful manager, he soon accumulated a handsome competency. In 1882 he gave up the large farm and has since conducted the one which he now owns, consisting of forty acres of good land and well supplied with all the necessary buildings for successful farming. He is now leading a quiet life devoting most of his time to dairy work. He also owns another tract of ten acres which he rents.
In 1856 our subject led to the altar Eliza Breisch, a daughter of Samuel Breisch, late a farmer of Cooper township, Montour Coun- ty, and one child was born to their union, who died in infancy. They have always had a marked fondness for children, however, and have reared two orphans, Mrs. George Shaf- fer and I. W. Baylor, a well-to-do farmer of Montour township. Politically Mr. Kashner takes an active interest in the Democratic party, and has held the offices of school di- rector, supervisor, constable, collector, aud- itor, and judge of elections, all of which he has filled in a highly satisfactory manner.
R. LOUIS J. ADAMS, one of the most prominent and skilful phy- sicians and surgeons of the village of Evansville, Briarcreek township, Columbia County, Pa., and a highly esteemed citizen of that town, was born on his present homestead, March 5, 1849, and is a son of Stephen and Julia Ann (Hutchins) Adams, and grandson of Anthony Adams.
The Adams family is of English descent and Anthony Adams and his three brothers were the first of that name to locate in Briar- creek township. Anthony was the progenitor of one son and five daughters.
Stephen Adams, the father of our subject and his parents' only son, was born in 1818
DANIEL MONTGOMERY BOYD,
93
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
and passed from this life on the old home- stead in 1860. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation mostly through- out his active days. Politically he was an ar- dent Democrat and firmly supported the prin- ciples of his chosen party; he has also repre- sented his fellow-townsmen in many town- ship offices. He was a member of the old state militia. Mr. Adams was united in mar- riage to Julia Ann Hutchins, a native of Briar- creek township, and to this union six children were born, namely: Louis J., the subject of this narrative; Alice S., the wife of Milton Williams of Nescopeck, Luzerne County, Pa .; and four who died in infancy. Our subject's father was one of the progressive citizens of his community, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Dr. Louis J. Adams was educated in the public schools of New Columbus and Orange- ville, and at the Bloomsburg Seminary. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching and taught some eight years. In 1874, having determined upon a medical career, he began studying medicine with Dr. J. J. Brown then of Miffinville, now of Bloomsburg; then, go- ing to Cleveland he entered the Cleveland Medical College where he remained one year. He then entered the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia from which he was grad- uated March 10, 1877, after taking a two- years' course. Upon leaving school he re- turned home, proposing to rest prior to his locating, but he received so many calls that he concluded to remain there and has since built up a very large and lucrative practice. Our subject's practice extends over much of Co- lumbia and Montour counties, and while he has not made any one branch of the profession a specialty, he has been most remarkably suc- cessful in the treatment of diphtheria.
Dr. Adams formed a matrimonial alliance
with Clara V. Smith and they were happily wedded June 15, 1882. She is a daughter of the late Isaac Smith who was formerly a farm- er of Nescopeck township, but later a retired citizen of Berwick. To Dr. and Mrs. Adams has been born one child, Edna A. Our sub- ject is a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M. In religious views he is an active member of the United Evangelical Church. In politics he strongly supports the Demo- cratic party, has served as school director, was secretary of the school board for nine years, and has held several other township offices. Dr. Adams is already recognized as the lead- ing physician of Evansville; he is well read, and takes a worthy pride in striving to become a master of the profession through which dis- ease is made to yield to the ingenuity and the intelligence of man.
ANIEL MONTGOMERY BOYD, president of the First National Bank and a gentleman closely identified with many industries of Danville, Montour County, Pa., whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is now retired from active busi- ness, owing to ill health, and resides with his family in his handsome home, No. 5 Bloom street.
The Boyd family for many years past has been connected with all of the important busi- ness projects in the vicinity of Danville and is accredited with having done much toward elevating the borough to its present standing among the industrial communities in Penn- sylvania. The annals of history accord the family due credit for establishing one of the first railroads in that section, thus making possible communication with other markets and indirectly promoting all business enter- prises. Our subject is recognized the county
94
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
over as a man of sterling worth to the com- munity and his friends are without number. He is a son of John C. and Hannah (Mont- gomery) Boyd, and was born in Rush town- ship, Northumberland County, Pa., April 23, 1826.
The family was established in this country by our subject's great-grandfather, William Boyd, who with his brother, Thomas, left his native home at Armagh, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1732. He was of Scotch- Irish parentage and was an adherent to the faith of the Protestants. He settled near the Half-Way House in New Garden township, Chester County, Pa., and on March 26, 1773. was appointed justice of the peace under King George and served in that capacity during the remainder of his life. He was also a member of the provincial council and his name ap- peared for the last time upon the records in 1761. He was a faithful member and officer of the Presbyterian Church at Fagg's Manor. Chester County. Late in life he moved to the village of Oxford where he resided until his death in 1767. He reared the following child- ren : James; John; William; Jane; Mary: and Hannah.
John Boyd, the grandfather of our subject, served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade, but upon the breaking out of the Revolution- ary War he enlisted in the army and served until he received his honorable discharge in 1782, proving himself a man of valor and one in whom his country could place dependence. He was subsequently appointed general of the First Brigade, Third Division, of the Penn- sylvania State Militia by the governor of the state. After his marriage on December 18, 1782, he established a tannery at West Fal- lowfield, Chester County, Pa., which he con- ducted with much success. He served in the legislature many years. He was a ruling elder
in the Presbyterian Church at Fagg's Manor for a period of twenty years. He married Mary Cowan, a daughter of James Cowan of Octoraro, Chester County, and they reared the following children: Jane; Joseph; Wil- liam: James; John C .; Mary; Hannah; and Eliza.
John C. Boyd, father of the subject of this biography, was joined in marriage, on May 18, 1820, with Hannah Montgomery, a daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery, after whom the borough of Danville was named. He then settled in Danville and conducted a store. where his wife's father had previously lived, until 1824 when he sold out and removed to what is now known as the Boyd farm, a gift to Mrs. Boyd from her father at the time of her marriage. There he erected a large man- sion and continually added to the land until he possessed a farm of nine hundred acres, nearly all of which was under cultivation. Ably supported by his sons and Gen. Mont- gomery, Mr. Boyd planned many projects to promote the interests of the town and aid in its growth, the most important of these being for the construction of the Danville & Pottsville Railroad. It was he who first con- ceived the idea of using wooden rails. It is not to be imagined however that he did not encounter many difficulties in this enterprise, but with renewed energy and characteristic good judgment he finally obtained the desired results. He also built a furnace on a tract of land at Shamokin, Northumberland County, and this he operated with good success. He was a man of irreproachable character, digni- fied, and at all times courteous, and there were few who could boast of more friends or who were accorded a higher degree of confidence by their fellow citizens. His useful life was ter- minated August 18, 1849, at the age of fifty- six years, as the result of an attack of dysen-
95
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
tery. Mr. Boyd and his wife became the proud parents of seven children: Mary L., the wife of William Neal, proprietor of the Neal Furnace of Bloomsburg; Daniel Mont- gomery, the subject of this biographical rec- ord; H. Eliza, deceased; James, who mar- ried Louise Yeomans, a daughter of Rev. J. W. Yeomans; J. Alexander, who married a Miss Titus and resides in Philadelphia; Christ- ianna, the wife of Col. William McClure; and Joseph C., who married Anna Butler, a daughter of William Butler of Danville.
Daniel Montgomery Boyd received a good education in the Danville Academy and short- ly after leaving school he became a coal dealer at Pottsville, Pa., and also engaged in opening and developing mines in the Shamokin Coal Basin. He and his partner in business were among the first to introduce the improved coal-breakers in that section. In 1862 he went to Havre-de-Grace and conducted business under the name of Hilles, Boyd & Company, selling coal and shipping it by vessel to vari- ous points in the South and West; as this proved a very remunerative occupation he continued it until 1881 when he was obliged to relinquish it owing to ill health. Our sub- ject lived in retirement for some time in Dan- ville, but as soon as his health permitted he associated in many important business ven- tures. He became president of the First Na- tional Bank of Danville, president of the Dan- ville Nail Manufacturing Company, and is a liberal supporter financially of all worthy en- terprises. He was also president of the board of trustees of the State Hospital for the In- sane, but recently resigned that office. He continued to improve in health until the win- ter of 1897-98, when he took to his bed, owing to an attack of la grippe which left him in a very weak condition.
Mr. Boyd has twice married, his first wife
being Caroline A. Bockius, a daughter of Sam- uel Bockius of Germantown, Pa., to whom he was united in 1869. After her death in 1876 lie formed a second matrimonial alliance with Ida Cottrell, a daughter of Joseph W. and Esther A. (Sloan) Cottrell, he being a pros- perous hardware merchant of Columbia, Pa. This union resulted in the birth of two child- ren: Daniel Montgomery, deceased; and El- sie M. Mr. Boyd and his family are con- sistent members of the Presbyterian Church. of which he is a trustee.
EORGE E. MOOREHEAD. Among the prosperous and enterprising citi- zens of the town of Berwick, a man highly respected for his many sterling qualities, is the subject of this narrative, who is foreman of the pipe foundry of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company. He was born at Pine Grove, Cumberland County, Pa., Sep- tember 29, 1835, and is a son of William B. and Susan (Deemer) Moorehead, and grand- son of Edward Moorehead.
Edward Moorehead the grandfather of our subject, was the father of a large family of children, one of whom was William B., the father of our subject, who learned the trade of a molder and followed it all his life. Mr. Moorehead, with Mr. Samuel Henry, moved to the town of Foundryville, Pa., and there engaged in the making of stoves, bells, plows. etc. They carried on that business for two years when they dissolved partnership and our subject's father moved to York, Pa., where he again took up with his former busi- ness. He passed from this life at the age of fifty-seven years. He was united in wedlock to Susan Deemer, a daughter of Peter Deem- er, a prominent man of York Springs, Pa .. and a shoemaker by trade. Mr. Deemer re-
96
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
tired from active life at the age of seventy- two years, and died aged ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Moorehead reared a family of seven children, namely: Amanda L .; George E .; Samuel J., who died in his childhood days; William T., a veteran of the Civil War; John M .; James H., also a veteran of the Rebellion; and Elizabeth.
George E. Moorehead attended the primary schools during his boyhood and at the age of fifteen years he began to learn the trade of a molder from his father. He served an ap- prenticeship to the molder's trade for three years and then worked at Philadelphia, Foundryville, Scranton and Wyoming as a journeyman until 1857. when he removed to Berwick and worked in the moulding depart- ment of The Jackson & Woodin Manufactur- ing Company for about one year. He then found employment in York, Riceville, Pa., and Baltimore, Md., for several years, and in 1864 he returned to Berwick and took up his former position. In 1884 our subject was made foreman of the pipe foundry, which is one of the largest industries of its kind in the state. He has as high as 100 men under his management and they cast from three to six- teen-inch water pipes, and four to sixteen- inch flange or mining pipes, which are from one-half to two inches in thickness, and these pipes are put under 300 pounds' hydraulic pressure before shipping. The foundry also turns out lamp and hitching posts.
Mr. Moorehead chose for his life companion Falla B. Garney, a daughter of Barney Gar- ney who was a resident of Wyoming, Pa. Mrs. Moorehead entered the unknown beyond at the age of fifty-five years, leaving a large family of children, a kind husband, and a large number of friends to mourn her death. Their children were as follows: John, a molder of Berwick, who married Priscilla Shea who
bore him four children, namely,-Nellie, Ruth, Frank, and Philip; Ella, who is the wife of Joseph Sherwood and the mother of two children, Florence, and Austin; Bernard, who wedded Catherine Krull, and one child blesses their home, Ernest; George, a molder by trade, united in wedlock to Annie Furman, and they are the parents of four children,- Olive, Elizabeth, Richard, and Curtis; Mary, wife of William Lynville, having one child, Lettie M .; and Harriet. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Berwick. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
HEODORE HOFFMAN, of the firm Hoffman & Divel, the largest meat dealers of Montour County, who conduct a shop on the corner of Mill and Mulberry streets, Danville, Pa., is one of the wide-awake and energetic business man of the borough. He was born in Rheinpfalz, Kingdom of Ba- varia, Germany, January 28, 1834. and is a son of Frank and Rosanna (Ederitch) Hoff- man.
Frank Hoffman was a native of Germany and was a butcher by trade, as were his an- cestors. He wedded Rosanna Ederitch and they reared a family of children, one of whom is the subject of this personal history. Our subject possesses a liberal education. During his younger days he worked in the meat-shop owned by his father, and has since followed the trade of a butcher. In 1855 he immigrated to America and for a short time worked as a butcher in New York, Philadelphia and Lewisburg, Pa., and finally located in the town of Danville in 1856, and has since been engaged at his occupation. April 1, 1875. he bought out John Rockfellow, of the firm of
97
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Rockfellow & Divel. The present proprietors are both popular and highly respected citizens of Danville and by their honest methods of dealing have succeeded in establishing a large patronage. They kill on an average of twelve head of cattle per week and always keep a fresh supply of meat in their shop. They have a slaughter-house 50 by 80 feet and a stock- yard 80 by 200 feet, located on Montgomery street, and ship extensively to the western part of the state.
Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Elizabeth Gouchu, a daughter of Frederick Gouchu. She passed from this life at the age of fifty-two years, leaving the following child- ren : Henry, who died at the age of five years; Theodore, a butcher; Frank, who is pros- pecting in the Western States; George, a teamster residing in Danville; Simon, a but- cher by trade and a resident of Danville; John, who is also prospecting in the West; Louise; Lena; Lizzie; Caroline; Mary; and Clara. Our subject owns a handsome resi- dence, No. 200 Mulberry street, which he has acquired by his own industry and economy. He has served one year as a policeman, and is now overseer of the poor of Montour County. Mr. Hoffman is a self-made man, and has made a bright mark in the community of which he is a member. His energy and enterprise have already been productive of the best results, and a natural and inherited perse- verance insures for him unlimited success in the future.
IRAM R. BOWER. This highly re- spected citizen of the town of Ber- wick is a retired merchant, now enjoying the fruits of his early toil and living quietly in his comfortable home on West Second street. He was born in Center town-
ship, Columbia County, Pa., October 30, 1831, and is a son of Abraham and Ellen (Remley) Bower, and a grandson of Michael Bower.
Michael Bower was a native of Germany. and at the age of thirteen years he left his home in Saxony, Germany, and came to America, and located in Kutztown, Berks County, Pa. After his marriage to a Miss Hill he moved to Columbia County and pur- chased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of Mr. Desser, which is now the prop- erty of John Fester. He successfully carried on the pursuits of an agriculturist and was one of the prominent men of Berks County. He was the father of the following children : Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Daniel; Philena; Catherine; and Abraham.
Abraham Bower, the father of our subject, was born in Kutztown, Berks County, Pa., and during his early manhood he moved to Center township, Columbia County, where he purchased a farm of fifty acres, which is now the property of Mr. Wolverton. He imme- diately erected a set of new buildings and successfully carried on general farming. He also followed the occupation of a stonemason, which trade he had learned in his youth. He was joined in wedlock to Ellen Remley, a daughter of Michael and Susan Remley, both natives of Berks County, Pa. Later they moved to Columbia County and located in Center township where they spent the re- mainder of their days. Mrs. Bower's father died at the age of eighty-nine years and her mother passed from this earth at the advanced age of ninety-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Bower were born the following children : Samuel, deceased; Phoebe, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Miller; Rachel, who wedded John Sloan; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Caleb Fowler; William, deceased:
98
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
Abraham and Susanna, deceased, who reached maturity; Lavina, deceased, who was united in marriage to George Johnson; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Evans; Ellen, deceased; Aaron, a Methodist minister residing at Mattamora, Ill .; Hiram R., the subject of this sketch; Matilda, deceased, who twice married,-her first husband was George Johnson and after his death she was wedded to Daniel Bahr. Mr. Bower died at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother of our subject died aged sixty-four years. Mr. Bow- er was an unwavering Democrat and served his fellow-citizens as supervisor and as a school director.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.