Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 102

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090


USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 102


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).


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Frederick Weiser, fourth child and third son of Conrad Weiser, was born Dec. 24, 1728, at Scho- harie, N. Y., and was baptized by John Bernhart von Duehren, a Lutheran clergyman, his sponsors being Nicklas Feg and wife. He settled in Berks county, in the territory now embraced in Schuylkill county, and is buried at the Klinger's Church, near Klingerstown, in the western part of Schuylkill county. It appears that at the time of his death, however, in 1796, he was a resident of Heidelberg township, Berks county. He and his family were was a tall man, well proportioned, raw-boned and Lutherans. One of the foremost men of his day museular though weighing about two hundred in his seetion, he served as "squire" for a quarter pounds, dignified in his bearing, possessed a reso- lute will and held strong convictions of right and wrong, was educated aud intelligent, and applied his energies to such good purpose that he became the most substantial man in his section. His homestead is now owned by John Philips. He was of a century, and was a man of dignified bearing and rugged honesty, true to the noble teachings of his pious parents. He became possessed of consid- erable wealth, being one of the most substantial men of his generation. He was a farmer and large land owner. in the Mahantango Valley. His a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type and served as will is on record in the Berks county court- commissioner of Northumberland eounty. His house. . On March 10, 1798, the . Orphans' wife Catharine, daughter of George Malick, was court of Berks county appointed Richard Lea, born Aug. 24, 1788, and died May 31, 1852. They had children as follows: George; Catharine, who married Henry Fasold ; Solomon: Elizabeth, who inarried George Kieffer: Margaret, born Aug. 9, 1815, who married in 1844 John Snyder and died March 19, 1856; Sarah, boru July 31, 1812, who married John C. Evert and died Dec. 7, 1893. Joseph Hiester and William Green auditors of his vast estate, which they found amounted to 6,052 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence. Dan- iel Levan, of Maxatawny township, was one of the executors of Frederick Weiser. In release as executor of the estate of his father, Frederick Weiser, Conrad Weiser in 1797 was given clear George Weiser, eldest son of Philip, was born on his father's homestead, as were all his brothers and sisters, and there spent his youth. He married Margaret Malick, who lived only two miles from title by his four sisters (three of whom were mar- ried to Kehls-the latters' relations not known). By the death of Frederick Weiser his executors be-


county, bought in 1774, and sold in 1788. A large sum of money was involved, and the case was bit- terly fought by the ablest legal talent in Berks county, the suit resulting in a verdict for Daniel Womelsdorf for 588 pounds, 14 shillings, 173 pence. A balance of 5,219 pounds, 12 shillings, 6 pence was distributed among Frederick Weiser's heirs. His children were: Conrad, John, Peter, Eve Collins ( who was a widow in 1797), Catharine (wife of Jacob Kehl), Hannah wife of George Kelil) and Sarah (wife of John Kehl).


Conrad Weiser, son of Frederick, was born April 16, 1753, and on Nov. 12, 1775, was married to Elizabeth Klinger, daughter of Philip. He died Sept. 19, 1804, and is buried at Klinger's Church. They had children as follows: Frederick, Jacob, Philip, Hannah, Mrs. George Hepner, Catharine, Elizabeth and Sarah.


Philip Weiser, grandson of Conrad, was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., May 13, 1787, and died Nov. 16, 1863. He is buried at the Plum Creek Chureh, in what is now Rockefeller township, Northumberland county. He donated the land up- on which that church is built, and which was in the heart of his possessions in that section, several hundred acres of fine land. His farm contained the best land in the township. He erected the set of buildings still used on that property, and they are typical of the substantial structures put up by the descendants of Conrad Weiser wherever they have settled. He himself did much of the work on these buildings, and he was an industrious man in all his undertakings. A stanch Lutheran, he was a pillar of the Plum Creek Church and its foremost member, being an elder at the time of his death. A monument marks his last resting place there. He


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where he was reared, daughter of Peter Malick, of tending Missionary Institute (now Susquehanna Lower Augusta township, and after his marriage College) at Selinsgrove and normal school at Elys- moved six miles west of his father's home, in the burg. When nineteen years old he was licensed to teach by Prof. Samuel Shipman, then county su- perintendent, and for six terms was engaged as teacher in the local schools. But when his father died his plans were changed, his sisters requesting him, as the only son, to take charge of the farm, which they wished to keep in the family name, and he accordingly settled down to agricultural pur- suits, which he has since followed. The property is a large and valuable one, an ideal modern farm, with model barns, the most up-to-date and trimly kept in the section, and though much care and time have been bestowed upon appearances the bus- iness has not been allowed to suffer in any way, the land being fertile and under profitable cultivation. Mr. Weiser suffered a heavy financial blow in 1891, when his barn and sheds were totally destroyed by fire on Sunday morning, Sept. 1st; the big barn


same township, settling on one of his father's fine farms. This place, now comprising three hundred acres, is owned by Peter Weiser, son of George -- ot the fifthi or sixth generation from Conrad Weiser. This farm is considered one of the very best tracts in Lower Augusta township. There are many his- torical associations about the place. A log house formerly stood there which was one of the earliest buildings in the section, was used as a fort or re- treat from the Indians, and was conducted as a private hotel, many travelers resting there and find- ing safety as well as shelter under its roof. Dur- ing the French and Indian war, 1753-1763, it fre- quently afforded protection from Indian attacks, the cellar with its strong wall being a safe place of refuge during the savage onslaughts. In 1857 this landmark was razed by George Weiser, who erected the same year the spacious brick residence was filled with the year's crops.


now the home of his son and granddaughters. It iş 40 by 36 feet in dimensions, with an addition high and surrounded with commodious porches. George Weiser was one of the substantial men of his section and one of its foremost citizens, but though a leader of public thought and progress hie steadfastly refused to hold any office except that of school director, though he might have re- ceived many honors at the hands of his fellow cit- izens. He was a strong advocate of the cause of public education, was prominent in local church and social circles, and in every respect a worthy representative of a noble race. Through his influ- ence the New Lutheran Church was erected in the neighborhood and he was virtually its pillar, pay- ing the bills as they came in and helping the work along in many ways. He was of muscular build, five feet, six inches in height and ordinarily weigh- ing 160 pounds, all bone and musele. Politically he was a Democrat, in religion, as intimated, a Lutheran, and he is buried at the New Lutheran Church, known as St. Peter's, in Lower Augusta township. His wife Margaret, born Oct. 2. 1818, died Oct. 30, 1858, and she is buried at Mount Zion United Brethren Church (known also as Malick's Church) in Lower Angusta township : she was a member of that denomination. George Weiser's children were as follows: Sarah Jane married Augustus Rebuck : Mary Catharine mar- ried Carey Batillion ; Peter is mentioned below : Je- mima is the widow of Charles Fritz, the foremost


PETER WEISER, son of George, was born Oct. 27. 1853, at the place where he now lives. He was reared under the parental roof and obtained his early education in the township schools, later at-


Mr. Weiser is a Democrat and prominently iden- tified with the activities of the party in this county,


15 feet square erected since, two and a half stories but he has never been an aspirant for public hon- ors, the only office which he would consent to ac- cept being that of school director, which he has filled for twelve years.


On Dec. 25, 1880, Mr. Weiser married Emma J. Riland, daughter of James and Maria ( Wolver- ton ) Riland, of Upper Augusta township. She died Jan. 3, 1894, aged thirty-seven years, ten months, seventeen days, and is buried at St. Peter's New Lutheran Church. Three children were born to this union : Cottie May, Anna Laura and Em- ma Blanche. The two first named graduated from the State normal school at Bloomsburg in 1906 and are now engaged in teaching in Northumber- land county ; Emnia Blanche, who is at home, took a commercial course at Susquehanna University. Mr. Weiser and his family are members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee.


SAMUEL F. PHILLIPS, senior meniber of the firni of. Phillips & Son, proprietors of the City Roller Mills, manufacturing high grade flour and dealing in feed, grain, hay, etc., at Milton, Pa., is one of the truly self-made men of that place, and he has won a place among the substantial citizens of the county. He was born at Turbntville, Pa .. Oct. 3, 1869, son of Samuel Phillips, and grand- son of Adam Phillips.


Adam Phillips, the grandfather, was born Nov. citizen of Trevorton for many years, who died. 1, 1810, and died June 30, 1848. He early left. there in the spring of 1910, aged eighty-five years ; and Margaret Alice, born in 1858, died in 1871. his native county of Berks and came to North- umberland county by team, settling at Turbutville, where he followed farming. He married Mary Wurtman, of Berks county, born Ang. 25, 1810, died April 28, 1899. Both are buried in the ceme- . tery at Turbutville. Their children were: Sam-


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uel; John, who married Elizabeth Leiser; Israel, they are buried in Harmony cemetery at Milton. who married Susan Weidel; Daniel, who married They had children as follows: Catherine married Rachel Derr; Henry, who married Mary Strauss ; Maria, who married David Fink; and Emma, who . married George Westley.


Samuel Phillips, son of Adam and father of Samuel F., was born Dec. 16, 1830, and died Oct. through this district. 11, 1869. His wife Abbie died March 25, 1872.


Samuel F. Phillips had his own way to make in the world from early childhood, as he was but a few days old when his father died and but two when his mother, too, passed away. He was reared by his uncle William Strieby, of Lycoming county, above Williamsport, and there he remained until he was sixteen years old. He then went to Wil- liamsport, and learned the milling business with the Noble Milling Company, where he worked for nine years, or until they sold out to J. H. Hays & Co. He continued tlirec years with the successors, and then leased the Eagle mill in White Deer Val- ley, Lycoming county, which he operated for sev- en and a half years. He sold out and went to Blank & Gottshall, millers at Sunbury, with whom he continued for one year. In January, 1907; he came to Milton, and in partnership with Charles H. Witmer, under the firm name of Phillips & Witmer, leased the old City Roller Mill, one of the oldest mills in this part of the State. Mr. Witmer withdrew from the firm in April, 1910, and George B., son of S. F. Phillips, became his father's partner. They replaced the machinery with new and modern build, and have done a thriving business, both merchant and exchange.


Mr. Phillips married Clara Stalilnecker, daugh- ter of Benjamin Stahlnecker, and they have one son living, George B., member of the firm of S. F. Phillips & Son. Mr. Phillips is a member of Wat- sontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M.


FREDERICK SCHELL, late of West Chillis- quaque township, a prosperous farmer who also gained considerable reputation as an inventor, was a prominent citizen of his section, where he passed all his life. He was born April 7, 1856, son of Jolin Schell and grandson of Frederick Schell.


Philip Derr; John is mentioned later; Margaret died at the age of 103 years, unmarried ; Matilda married John C. Trinnel ; Michael was killed dur- ing the construction of the Pennsylvania railroad


John Schell, son of Frederick and Catharine Schell, was born in Germany Oct. 29, 1819, and died Aug. 27, 1876, upon the farm where his son Frederick afterward lived. Coming to America with his parents, he farmed with his father until he was twenty-seven years old, when the father gave him his 105-acre farm, to which he added twenty-six acres by purchase. He lived on this property until his death, improving it greatly, built a fine house and barn, and was a prosperous farmer and one of the most respected citizens of his neigh- borhood. His wife, Catharine (Derr), born in 1828, died in 1893, aged sixty-five years, nine months, twenty-two days. They were the parents of the following children: (1) Mary married Wil- liam Smith, and her children were Catharine, Car- rie, John, Cleveland and Martin. (2) Frederick is mentioned below. (3) Catharine married Peter Bellas and has a son George, who is now in Cal- ifornia. (4) Saralı died young. (5) John died when twenty-eight years old. (6) Lizzie A., born March 26, 1863, died July 8, 1907. (?) Louisa married Albert Snyder, and they have had chil- dren, May, Eva (deceased), Fred, Jacob and Vel- ma. (8) Ida died when sixteen years old. (9) Charles married Laura Wagner, and they had three children, Pearl (married to . William Osmer), Flora and Andrew C. (who after his mother's death was reared by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Schell). For his second wife Charles Schell married Anna Yarnison, and they have had three children, Robert, George and Ralph, the last named deceased.


Frederick Schell obtained his education in the public schools and continued to work for his fa- ther until the latter's death. He then farmed the old place three years for his mother, and in 1883 bought.ont the interests of his brothers and sisters " in the property, which afterward belonged to him. It is one of the finest farm places in the valley, consisting at present of about 125 acres, under profitable cultivation. Mr. Schell's farming op-


Frederick Schell, the grandfather, born in Ger- many in 1782, came to America with his family, tlie voyage, which was made on a sailing vessel, taking sixteen weeks. They settled in Northum- berland county, Pa., where he took up land, hav- erations were conducted in the most intelligent ing holdings in different parts of the county, manner approved by modern agriculturists, his ex- among them the farm owned by his grandson, the cellent work and good results entitling him to a . late Frederick Schell. The tract as he owned it, place among the leading farmers of his section. however, comprised 135 acres. At that time there He was the inventor of an agricultural implement known as Schell's subsoiler. a plow attachment of obvious value simple in construction. convenient to use, and also possessing labor-saving qualities which recommend it to the modern farmer. was an old log house on the farm, wherein he and his family lived. Late in life Frederick Schell re- moved to that part of Turbut township. this coun- ty, now included in the borough of Milton, and there lie died in 1867. Ilis wife. Catharine, born On June 12, 1878, Mr. Schell married Hannah in Germany in 1279, died at Milton in 1865, and L. McWilliams, daughter of Cruser McWilliams,


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and they have four children : Harry C. married James R., a physician at Buckhorn, Pa. ; John S., Emma Fetter and has two sons, Frederick and a merchant at Pottsgrove; Mary E., who married Harry C .; Susan B. attended school at Bloom and Charles N. Marsh, of Milton; Sarah A., who mar- taught three terms- in Montour county, and she ried William Eckman, a farmer in Chillisquaque also taught three terms in her native county, teach-


township, Northumberland county; Daniel M., a ing the local school, in East Chillisquaque town- merchant at Pottsgrove; William A., a farmer, the ship, until her marriage, April 18, 1911, to Clyde owner of the old homestead; H. Bryson ; Clara B .; M. Taylor; Catharine E. attended the Pottsgrove and Alice Jane, who married Rev. William B. Academy and Kelly's Business College, at Lewis- Sheddon. burg, and is now at liome: John F. married Lizzie


H. Bryson Montgomery, son of Hugh R., was Springer, and they are now living at Pottsgrove. born Aug. 27, 1868, in Liberty township, Montour The family are Lutherans in religious faith. Mr. Schell was a Democrat, and served his township three years in the capacity of school director. He died Dec. 27, 1909. Co., Pa. He received a good common school edu- cation, and in his young manhood became inter- ested in photography, a line he followed for some years in Milton. Naturally artistic, he soon gained a wide reputation for good work, but some time after his marriage he and his father-in-law-in 1903-purchased the island located between Mil- ton and West Milton from Ex-Sheriff John Noir-


John Me Williams, grandfather of Mrs. Schell, married a Miss Cruser. He was of Seoteh-Irish extraction. Cruser McWilliams, son of John. mar- ried Susanna Rissel, daughter of Jacob S. and Eliz- abeth (Diehl) Rissel, and they were highly re- eonk. This island contains about seventy aeres, spected farming people of their community. They fifty of which are under cultivation. In 1906 Mr. had children as follows: John W., of Whitehall, Pa. ; Elizabeth A., Mrs. Jonathan Foust : Jacob R., who died when four years old ; Hannah L., widow · of Frederick Schell ; Michael R., an extensive farn- er of Nebraska, owning over six hundred aeres of land ; Mary A., who married Benton Runveon, and


Montgomery bought out his father-in-law's inter- est, and has since developed the sand bank, ship- ping from 250 to 300 earloads of sand a year. He has sold out his photographic studio, Mr. Swanger becoming his successor, and now devotes all of his time to his sand business. Mr. Montgomery still died at Jersey Shore. leaving one son, Raymond; owns the property in which the studio is located, and he has other real estate interests. He is very


Deposit Company, of Milton, who lives in Milton ; prominent in local affairs, a man of good judgment


William D., secretary of the Milton Trust & Safe Martha E., deceased, who married George Hunty; and Jennic, who is married to John Montgomery and resides at Pottsgrove.


H. BRYSON MONTGOMERY, who holds an no children.


important place in the business world of Milton, Pa., as the owner of one of the largest sand beds in Northumberland county, comes of substantial Seoteli-Irish ancestry.


James Montgomery. his grandfather, was a na- tive of the North of Ireland, and became a. sea cap- tain. After some years spent in that calling he came to America, about 1760, and became the own- er of a tract of land in Montour county. Pa., along the Chillisquaque creek. He was an energetic man, active in work for the improvement of his county, and he became one of the founders of the Chillis- quaque Presbyterian Church. He was first mar- ried to a Miss Sheddon, and second to a Mrs. Burns (born Harvey).


Hugh R. Montgomery, son of James, was born in Montour eounty in 1819. He was a farmer by occupation, and became prominent in public life, working faithfully with the Democratic party. For nearly thirty years he held the office of justice of the peace, and lic was also overscer of the poor. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian. He died in 1881, survived by his wife, Sarah S. Moll, of whom lived in Northampton county. daughter of Daniel F. and Mary (Seidel) Moll. Jonas Koch, son of Adam, was born Dec. 26. Nine children were born to them, as follows: 1807, in Northampton county, and was baptized


On March 20, 1895, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage with Sarah A. Billmeyer, daughter of Henry and Hannah Flora Billmeyer. They have and of fine executive ability.


KOCH. There were a number of Kochs in Chil- lisquagne township and that section of Northum- berland county descended from the brothers Adam and Daniel Koch, the latter of whom came huither from Northampton county in the early days. John Koch, the first of this family in America, came to Northampton county in 1773, settling near Easton.


Adam Koch, grandfather of William H. Koch (a retired farmer of Chillisquaque township now living at Pottsgrove), lived at Petersville, North- ampton county, and followed farming for some years. He was an intelligent man, well read for the times, and served for a long time as a justiee of the peace. He had three brothers, John, Daniel and Rev. Henry. Adam Koch married Elizabeth Strauss, a native of Northampton county, who sur- vived him some years, his death occurring in 1870. They were the parents of the following children : Christian, Mrs. Hoffman ; Mary Ann, Mrs. Scl- freez : Susan, Mrs. Noll : Elizabeth, Mrs. D. Riee ; Jonas ; and Reuben, William. Henry and Jacob, all


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Mareh 6, 1808, his godparents being Jolm and enterprising. in his agricultural work as in other Catherine Koch. When a young man, while still matters being a recognized leader in his distriet. Mr. Koeh has served his township six years as school director and was auditor for a number of years. . He has been offered other offiees, but de- elined. . For sixteen years he was an elder of the Reformed Church at Milton, and he is a most es- teemed eitizen, enjoying the respect of all who knew him. residing in Northampton county, he drove a four- horse stagecoach, carrying mail and passengers between the towns of Bath, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Siegfried. This was before there were any railroads in this section. Coming to Northumber- land eounty in 1836 he went to farming in Chillis- quaque township, where he remained six years. Moving thenee to Lewis township, same county, Mr. Koch married Mary L. Everitt, daughter of Asa and Susan (Adams) Everitt, and their union has been blessed with three sons: Jonas, who mar- ried Mary Frederiek; and William A. C. and Franklin, who are at home. he lived in Fort Rice, where his son William was born. He remained there seven years. In 1850 he moved onto the Giffee farm, where he lived one year, and in 1851 purchased the farm in Chillis- quaque township upon which he spent the re- mainder of his days. In 1856 he built the house, Daniel Koeh, one of the brothers of Adam Koch, above, was born in Northampton county, Pa. When a young man he came to Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county, following farming there until his removal to Milton, where he died ; he is buried in the Upper cemetery. Mr. Koeh married Christana Bachman, and they were the parents of the following children: Joseph went out West, where he died : Rachel married Samuel Reichel- derfer; Kate married William Ritter; Charles is mentioned below : Samuel died at Washingtonville, Pa .; Levi moved to the West and died in Iowa; Priseilla died at Muney, Pa., and is buried at Mil- ton : Anna married Anthony Hipp. in 1857 the barn, and in 1858 the large shed. The buildings liave sinee been enlarged by his son Wil- liam, the present owner of the property. Mr. Koeh was a progressive man, a leader in his community, served as sehool director for a number of years, and filled other township offices. He was a eonsist- ent member of the Reformed Church. His wife, Leah (Baehman), daughter of John F. and Cath- erine (Cole) Bachman, was born Aug. 23, 1814, and died Feb. 16, 1899. The Bachmans were natives of Northampton county, Pa., where the ancestors of the family settled about 1723. John F. Baeh- man was born Nov. 3, 1783. and died in January, 1845 ; his wife Catherine (Cole) was born Feb. 29, 1788, and died July 16, 1852. They came with their family to Chillisquagne township. Northum-


Charles Koeh was born in Northampton county, Pa., and was a boy when his parents moved to Northumberland county, making the journey with berland eounty, in 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Conestoga wagons. He resided upon the home Koeh were born three children: Mary Ann, who farm until he became of age, when he learned the married C. M. Rissel and had a son Jonas: Eliza- carpenter's trade, continuing to follow it for some beth, who married J. H. Cawley ; and William H. years. Later he began contracting and building,


WILLIAM H. KOCH was born July 28, 1845, in in Milton, Pa., and was thus engaged up to the Chillisquaqne township, and spent his early life time of his death. Mr. Koch built many houses on his father's farm. His early education was ae- still standing in Milton and the surrounding quired in the publie schools of his native township. and he later attended the Milton high school, Limestoneville Academy (under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Court) and the Milton Academy (under Rev. Mr. Wyley). When seventeen years of age he he- gan teaching school in his native township, follow- ing the profession for eleven years there, after which he taught one term in Montour county, at the Mexieo sehool in Liberty township. During the remainder of his active years he was engaged in farming. Upon the death of his father he pur- chased the old homestead, which contains 135 aeres. In 1894 he purchased the William Waldron farm, in Turbut township, a traet of 135 acres. In 1904 towns. He did a large business and employed a number of men. In polities he was a Demoerat and beeame overseer of the poor while he lived in Tur- but township, and when his home was transferred to the borough he was elected overseer of the poor there. He died June 18, 1889, in the sixty-eighth vear of his age, as the result of exposure during the great flood of that month. His wife, Sarah (Hill), was a daughter of John K. and Catherine (Beek) Hill, the latter a daughter of Henry Beek. Mr. and Mrs. Beck were among the earliest set- tlers in Union county, Pa., and they are buried at Lewisburg. He was a grandson of Johannes Thomas Beck, who eame to America in 175?, and he bought the home at Pottsgrove which he now oc- a son of Henry Beck, born in 1748 in the old count- cupies. In 1906 he relinquished the laborious work ship of Hanau, who was married in 1775 in Berks county, Pa., to Margaret Wolfegang, and died in 1824: they are buried in the old cemetery at Mil- ton, Pa. John K. Hill was one of a family of four of fammiing because of ill health. which has left him somewhat an invalid, but notwithstanding this he retains his cheerful disposition and takes an un- diminished interest in local affairs and general pub- ehildren : Elizabethi (Betsy), Mrs. Boshan : Katie, lie doings. As a farmer he was wide-awake and Mrs. Werline : John K., and Daniel. John K. and.




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