USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. X > Part 14
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The first Baldwin settlers in New Eng- land were all related, but not all brothers. The name has extended all over the United States, and Baldwins are honor- ably represented in the professions, busi- ness and in public life. A Henry Bald- win was judge of the Supreme Court of the United States; several have been governors of States; members of Con- gress; generals in the Army; Divines and authors. An Abram Baldwin sat as a delegate in the convention which framed the constitution of the United States; Matthias Baldwin was an expert machinist, rising from lowly position to be the head of a great plant, building locomotives, and wherever there is a railroad there is a Baldwin locomotive. The coat-of-arms used by the Connecti- cut family of Baldwins is thus described : Argent: A Saltire Sable. Crest : On a mount Vert, a Cockatrice Agent combed wattled and beaded or, ducally gorged and lined of the last.
John Baldwin, the founder of this branch, was born in England, came to New Haven early in life, and in 1639 was among the first planters of Milford, Con- necticut. He joined the Milford Church, March 19, 1648, and his mortal remains were laid at rest, June 21, 1681. Both his wives were named Mary, the second wife, Mary Buren, coming from Stapleton in Cheshire, England. She died September 2, 1670. There is no further record of Mary, the first wife, save that she was the mother of John (2) Baldwin, through whom this line continues. Joseph, born in 1642; Samuel, 1645; Nathaniel, Eliza- beth, and Joseph, the last named bap- tized November 9, 1651. John (1) Bald- win also had issue by his second wife, and from him sprang a long line of
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descendants eminent in Connecticut and in other States of the Union.
John (2) Baldwin, eldest child of John (1) Baldwin and his first wife, Mary, was born in Milford, Connecticut, in 1640, and baptized in the Milford church, March 26, 1648, his father having joined the church the previous Sunday. He married (second) Ruth Botsford, they the parents of Nathaniel Baldwin, born in 1690, through whom the line is traced. Nathaniel Baldwin married (first) Mary Conger, they the parents of Elijah Bald- win, born in 1717. The line continues through Nathaniel Baldwin, son of Eli- jah Baldwin; Jared R., son of Nathaniel; Charles B., son of Jared R .: William C., to whom this review is inscribed, son of Charles B. and Laura (Camfield) Bald- win.
Jared R. Baldwin, born in 1798, came to the Wyoming Valley from Newark, New Jersey, settling in Jackson township, be- tween Trucksville and Huntsville. There he purchased a farm of two hundred acres of unimproved land, which he cleared and brought under cultivation and managed until his death at the ripe age of eighty- four. He was not the first of his family in the Wyoming Valley, another Jared Baldwin, son of Caleb of Milford, Con- necticut, having moved to Luzerne county after the Revolutionary War in which he served, and settled on a large tract not far from where Jared R. later came. His wife was Damaris Booth, and they reared a large family. Jared R. Bald- win served his township as recorder and justice of the peace for many years, and after the formation of the Republican party affiliated with that political organ- ization. He married Mary Baker, daugh- ter of John Baker, a soldier of the Revo- lution, they the parents of Jeanette L., Elizabeth, Philo B., Andrew J., E. Bowen, Charles B., of further mention; and Ma- tilda W. Baldwin.
Charles B. Baldwin, youngest son of Jared R. and Mary (Baker) Baldwin, was born in Jackson township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, 1829, died May 3, 1880. He obtained a good education in the schools of his section, and for five years after completing his own studies taught in the neighborhood schools. He settled in Nicholson, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, there engaging as a con- tracting carpenter and builder, having previously learned the carpenter's trade. In 1869, he moved to Wyoming, Luzerne county, there continuing his contracting business and erecting many houses and other buildings in and around Wyoming, continuing active in his building opera- tions until his early death at the age of fifty-two. Mr. Baldwin was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Wyoming Lodge ; - Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and De le Veut Com- mandery, Knights Templar. In religious faith he was a Methodist Episcopal, be- longing to the Wyoming congregation.
He married Laura Camfield, of Trucks- ville, Pennsylvania, they the parents of William C., of further mention ; Andrew, deceased ; and Wesley, deceased.
William C. Baldwin of the eighth American generation of his family, eld- est and only living son of Charles B. and Laura (Camfield) Baldwin, was born at Trucksville, Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, May 17, 1852, and obtained his edu- cation in the public schools. He began his business life early, his first venture being as newsboy on a railroad train. From the train he graduated to a more stable occupation, learning the painter's trade, which he followed for a few years. He then became a traveling salesman for different firms, and for twenty-two years he followed that line of business activity. In 1902, he began the manufacture of cold water paints, and in that line his energy and ability has been amply rewarded, as
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his paints are sold all over the world. His success has been fairly earned, and is built upon quality of goods and integ- rity of character. He is one of the mem- bers of the original board of directors of the First National Bank of Wyoming. He is an attendant of the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of quiet, home-loving disposition, taking no active part in public affairs, but is highly esteemed in his community.
Mr. Baldwin married, July 23, 1873, Annie Jenkins, born August 12, 1854, daughter of George and Emma (Rinker) Jenkins, of Wyoming county, Pennsyl- vania, and Middletown, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are the parents of : Clarence, born May 28, 1874, married Helen Williams; Harry J., born Decem- ber 25, 1877, married Laura Frederick, their children, Joseph, William and Harry J. 2. Ethel, born November 23, 1893, married George Williams, and died De- cember 20, 1916, leaving a child named Mason Baldwin Williams.
SUNSTEIN, Abraham J., Manufacturer.
Among well-known Pittsburgh busi- ness men is Abraham J. Sunstein, one of the active factors in manufacturing cir- cles. He was born January 26, 1861, son of the late Cass and Tillie (Shapira) Sun- stein.
Abraham J. Sunstein was reared and educated in Pittsburgh. Since early youth he has been engaged in the whole- sale liquor and distilling business, the firm name being C. Sunstein & Sons and the Thompson Distilling Company. Mr. Sunstein has been very active in State and National distillers' organizations, and was president of the National Wholesale Liquor Dealers' Association for a number of years. As a public-spirited citizen, Mr.
Sunstein is always ready to give prac- tical aid to any movement which in his judgment would advance the public wel- fare. Although he has been and is far too busy a man to take any active part in politics, no man is more keenly alive to the affairs of the City and State, concern- ing which his advice is often sought. His allegiance is given to the Republican party, but he has steadily refused to par- ticipate in political controversies or to become a candidate for office. He is a member of Rodef Shalom congregation, and has been for many years a member of its board of trustees. Mr. Sunstein is also trustee in a number of local and national philanthropic associations. The personal qualities of Mr. Sunstein are such as to win for him the warm regard of a large circle of friends. He is a mem- ber of the Westmoreland Country Club, the Press Club of Pittsburgh, the Ameri- cus Club and the Concordia Club. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Allequippa Lodge, No. 375, member of the Chamber of Com- merce of Pittsburgh, member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Manufacturers' Associa- tion of the United States.
Mr. Sunstein married, October 27, 1887, Nora Oppenheimer, of Pittsburgh, and they are the parents of the following children : Tillie, wife of A. C. Speyer, of Pittsburgh; and A. Cass, born in 1891, married Aimee Rauh, of Pittsburgh.
SCHAPPERT, N. Louis, M. D., Physician.
Dr. N. Louis Schappert, of No. 57 South Washington street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, one of the most prominent specialists in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in this part of the State, is a member of a family that has resided in
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this city for many years, being founded here by his grandparents, Anthony and Margaret (Reinhart) Schappert, both born in Reborn, Bavaria, who came to this country in the year 1854. Anthony Schappert was a prosperous merchant in Bavaria, and also in this country after his arrival here. He settled at Wilkes-Barre, where he lived for a time, but later re- moved to Hanover township. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children: Anthony, Jr .; John; Catherine, who became the wife of Anthony Reber ; Henry; Joseph; Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Schaab; Margaret, who became the wife of Adam Scheidel ; Jacob ; Peter, mentioned below; Michael, and George.
Peter Schappert, the father of the Dr. Schappert of this sketch, was born April 30, 1840, in Reborn, Bavaria, Germany, and passed the first fourteen years of his life in his native land. In 1866 he entered the hotel business and met with great success, becoming the proprietor of Schappert's Hotel in 1885, one of the most remunerative houses in the city. He conducted this until 1896, and then retired from active business life. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and a Democrat in politics. He married, October 6, 1864, Sophia Smith, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Thom) Smith, born in Haimbach, Prussia, Germany, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Amelia, who became the wife of Fred J. Stegmaier ; Wina, who resides with Mrs. Fred J. Stegmaier; P. George, who resides in Brooklyn, New York, where he is engaged in a success- ful mercantile enterprise; Emma, who became Mrs. J. William Morris; Louise, who became the wife of William Goeckel ; and N. Louis, with whom we are here particularly concerned. Peter Schappert
Pa-10-7
died January 27, 1903, and his wife, May 19, 1899.
Born June 10, 1876, at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Dr. N. Louis Schappert attended the St. Nicholas School and the public schools of his native city. He then went to Brooklyn, New York, where he secured a position in the pharmacy of John Krausche. In 1892 he went to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and there entered the office of Dr. William R. Longshore, and took charge of his drug department. He had conceived an ambition to follow the medical profession himself and, under the preceptorship of Dr. Longshore, stud- ied zealously his chosen subject. In the year 1893 he went to Philadelphia and there attended a course of lectures for three years at the Medico-Chirurgical College, returning during the summer vacation in each year to Hazleton to assist Dr. Longshore. In 1896-97 he took a post-graduate course in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat at the Polyclinic Hospital in Philadelphia, while at the same time he assisted Professor Webster Fox in the eye department of the Medico- Chirurgical Hospital. It was in the month of January, 1898, that he came to Wilkes-Barre and here established "himself in general practice. For three years he continued thus engaged, and then turned his attention exclusively to the subject in which he has since special- ized. In this branch of his profession the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, he has built up a very large and successful practice. His office was located during the time of his general practice on Northampton street, but upon taking up his specialty he moved to No. 31 South Washington street. When he first came to the city he was appointed a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital. In 1907 he removed to his present offices at No. 57 South Washington street, and here has
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conducted his most successful practice ever since. In 1912 he was appointed to the staff of the Wilkes-Barre City Hos- pital, and at the same time resigned from Mercy Hospital with which he had been connected for a number of years. Dr. Schappert is an active member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, the Pennslyvania State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Webs- ter Fox Society of Philadelphia, and the James M. Anders Medical Society of that city. He also is affiliated with Council No. 302, Knights of Columbus, of Wilkes- Barre, the local body of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Gesang Verein Concordia. Dr. Schap- pert is a member of the Roman Catholic church and attends the Church of St. Nicholas in Wilkes-Barre. He is a Re- publican in politics.
On April 29, 1908, Dr. Schappert was united in marriage with Clare L. Boos, daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Kind- ler) Boos, natives of Huntington, Indi- ana. Dr. and Mrs. Schappert reside at No. 251 South River street, and are the parents of the following children: Fred- erick, born January 9, 1912; Clare, born January 21, 1915; and Maurice, born April 8, 1917.
HOOK, Virgil A., Osteopathist.
Dr. Hook, of Wilkes-Barre, enjoys the distinction of having been the first of his profession to practice Osteopathy in the State of Pennsylvania, and the proud possessor of the first license issued in the State to his profession. He furthermore founded and conducted the first School of Osteopathy in the East, and from that institution, the Atlantic School of Oesteo- pathy, went out many healers to minis- ter to human ills without the use of
drugs. As an exponent of the "drugless" treatment, he occupies a leading position in his profession, and continues practice in Wilkes-Barre, but the institution he founded was removed to Buffalo, New York, in 1904.
Virgil A. Hook is a grandson of Mat- thias Hook, a native of Ohio, who with his family moved to Shelbyville, Ken- tucky, where he engaged in farming. His son, James Henry Hook, was born September, 1824, in Ohio, and died in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1908. He was eight years of age in 1832, when his par- ents moved from Ohio to Shelbyville, and there he grew to manhood at the farm his father purchased. He remained at the Shelbyville, Kentucky, farm until reaching legal age, then went to the State of Iowa, there purchasing a farm upon which the city of Keokuk now partly stands. He built a house on the Iowa farm and there continued an agriculturist until about 1860, then sold his property, and moved to Scotland county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm covered with natural timber. This tract he cleared, brought under cultivation, and thereon resided several years. After selling his farm in Scotland county, he settled on a Government grant of a quarter section under the homestead law, and there he built a house and resided until his clos- ing years. He was a very devout and prominent member of the Christian church, belonged to the Masonic order, and in every community in which he resided was esteemed by his neighbors as a man of energy, intelligence and integ- rity.
James Henry Hook married Sarah A. Morris, born in 1828, died in 1907, daugh- ter of Richard Morris, of an old Ken- tucky family. Mr. and Mrs. Hook were the parents of sixteen children, thirteen of whom grew to mature years, and all
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are living but one. These are: Phoebe able rooms he ministers to a large clien- Ann, Nancy C., Matthias, Henry C., tele without the aid of drugs. Susan Elva, Mary Jane, deceased ; Albert E., John P., Virgil A., of further men- tion ; Emma E., Ida May, Rebecca, and Charles O.
Virgil A. Hook, son of James Henry and Sarah A. (Morris) Hook, was born at Bible Grove, Scotland county, Mis- souri, October 13, 1861. He was quite young when his parents moved to the Government claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Sullivan county, Missouri, and in both Scotland and Sullivan county public schools he secured a good, prepar- atory education. He then entered the Missouri State Normal School at Kirks- ville, there completing the required courses. After graduation he spent twelve years in the West, returning to Kirksville, in 1894. He there prepared for the profession he has since fol- lowed, Osteopathy, entering the Ameri- can School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, continuing through a full course, ending with graduation in 1898. He practiced in his home locality for a few months, then settled in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he has since practiced his profes- sion very successfully. His first location was in the Simon Long building, but a year later he established the Atlantic School of Osteopathy, bought the old church on Ross street as a home for both the school and his private practice. This school, the first of its kind in the East, was conducted personally by Dr. Hook, and under his guidance many students were instructed, graduated, and sent out as duly certified practitioners of the "drugless" method of treating human ailments. In 1904 the school was removed to Buffalo, New York, Dr. Hook's con- nection with it then ending. His offices are now located in the Second National Bank building, and in commodious, suit-
Outside his professional practice, Dr. Hook has many interests of varied nature. Appointed by Governor Tener, and re-appointed by Governor Brum- baugh, he served six years as a member of the State Board of Examiners of Os- teopathy. He was secretary-treasurer of the board during his term of office, from which he resigned in 1917, the demands of his practice forbidding that he longer continue in the State service. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America, is a Republican in politics, and in religious preference is of the Christian church.
Dr. Hook married, October 30, 1883, Sophronia Bailey, of Green City, Mis- souri, and they are the parents of a son, Roy C. Hook, now residing in Trenton, New Jersey.
SCHREINER, John W., Contractor, Publio Official.
Since the year 1898, Mr. Schreiner has been engaged in business under his own name as a contractor of rock work, sink- ing shafts and driving tunnels, slopes and kindred work of many kinds. He is one of the successful business men of Nanti- coke, Pennsylvania, well known and highly esteemed. He is a grandson of John Schreiner, who came to Pennsyl- vania from Germany in 1853, located in Hazleton, Luzerne county. He left sons, George F. and Adam, and a daughter, Barbara.
George F. Schreiner, the eldest son, was born in Germany in 1839, and four- teen years later was brought by his par- ents to this country. He was educated in the public schools of Hazleton, Penn- sylvania, and after completing his school
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years learned the blacksmith's trade at Sybertsville, Sugar Loaf township, Lu- zerne county. He followed his trade half a dozen years, then purchased a farm in Butler township, upon which he lived in contentment and prosperity until his retirement in 1901. After retiring from active life he settled in Freeland, Penn- sylvania, and there now resides. He married Elizabeth J. Stump, they the parents of fifteen sons and daughters, eight now surviving: Elizabeth, married Stephen Woodring; John W., of fur- ther mention; Catherine, married George E. Hoffsomer; George, now in business in Philadelphia; August, now in busi- ness in Pittsburgh; Lewis, a resident of Jeddo, Pennsylvania ; Irene, married Fos- ter Beisel; Harry, now serving in the United States Army.
John W. Schreiner, son of George F. and Elizabeth J. (Stump) Schreiner, was born at Hazelbrook, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1867. He was educated in the public schools of Butler Valley, and early began learning the blacksmith's trade, becoming a skilled worker in metal. He was employed by the Sandy Run Coal Company, as black- smith, and later by Davis, Binnin & Moser, rock contractors, continuing until 1890, when he located in Nanticoke, and for eight years was in the employ of various concerns, four of these years being spent with the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Coal Company. In 1898 he began business for himself, and has built up a large contracting business in tunnel driving and shaft sinking, the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company being his largest and most constant patron. He is the most successful, best known and prominent rock contractor in his section, and is very popular. He is secretary-treasurer of the Benjamin & Schreiner Construction Company, a direc-
tor of the Nanticoke National Bank, direc- tor of the Susquehanna Lumber Com- pany, director of the Nanticoke Construc- tion Company, and is identified with all that pertains to the welfare of Nanti- coke. He is prominent in the councils of the Republican party, and served as coun- cilman of the Fifth Ward of Nanticoke for four years on the Republican ticket, and was president of the board for three years. He was connected with the Vol- unteer Fire Department of Nanticoke for twelve years.
In Free Masonry, Mr. Schreiner holds all degrees of the York Rite, and is a past master of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons, a companion of Nanticoke Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons, a sir knight of Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; and a noble of Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. In Scottish Rite Ma- sonry he has attained the thirty-second degree. Other orders to which he belongs are: Nanticoke Council, Junior Order United American Mechanics, of which he is past councillor ; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Order of Owls; and the Pa- triotic Order Sons of America.
Mr. Schreiner married, October 4, 1904, Elizabeth J. Rees, born December 27, 1875, daughter of Morgan and Anna Rees, of Nanticoke. They are the par- ents of: Glenwood R., born July 29, 1905; J. William, born August 5, 1907; Leona, born October 4, 1909; and Mor- gan, born December 5, 1912.
KISTLER, Douglas Seidel, M. D., Physician, Surgeon.
The beautiful three mile Kistlers Val- ley, in Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, was so named from the fact that its population was nearly all
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descendants of the old German emigrant, George Kistler, who settled there in 1734, hence no name so appropriate for the valley as Kistlers. George Kistler was the progenitor of many of his name, and in the male line Kistlers have been num- erous among the profession and business men of Eastern Pennsylvania. Dr. Doug- las S. Kistler, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania, a physician and surgeon of note, is of the sixth generation in Pennsyl- vania, and for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury he has practiced his healing art most successfully. He practices according to the teachings of Hahnemann, and is one of the leading physicians of the city.
George Kistler came from the Palatinate of the Rhine, Germany, in 1734, and settled in Lynn township, Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, where he owned a farm of three hundred acres which he reclaimed from the wilderness. The valley in which he settled in time became so filled with the children and grandchildren of the founder, that Kistlers Valley it is until this day. George Kistler not only cleared his farm and built his farmhouse and barns, but also helped to win freedom for his adopted land by serving in the Continen- tal Army. He married and had a very large family of sons and daughters, one of them Samuel, the next in this line.
Samuel Kistler was born at the Kist- lers Valley homestead in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, there followed farming and operated a distillery which he built on his farm. He married and was the father of twelve children, one of them a son, John Kistler, who was born at the old home- stead in Kistlers Valley, and succeeded his father in the ownership of the dis- tillery and farm. John Kistler also mar- ried and had a large family, the next in descent being John (2), known as "Stout" John Kistler.
"Stout" John Kistler was also born
at the Kistlers Valley homestead, and obtained a good education in Bloomsburg and Catawissa schools, walking from the farm to school every day. He too became a farmer, but he brought new land into the family through a tract adjoining the homestead. He married a Miss Brobst, of Catawissa, also of an old Pennsylvania German family, her family having the distinction of owning the first parlor organ ever brought into the valley. They were both members of the German Luth- eran church, "Stout" John Kistler being one of the leaders in erecting and sup- porting the church still standing, known as the New Jerusalem or Red Church.
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