Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 103

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 103

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA '

Catherine (Beck) Hill had the following family: who was born May 10, 1767, in Germany, and it. Mary, who married Peter Wenrich; Eliza, who married Henry Wesner ; Rebecca, who died unmar- ried : Sarah, born May 10, 1828, Mrs. Charles Koch, now the only survivor of the family ; Henry ; Elijah, and Daniel.

To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Koch were born the following children : (1) Samuel H. lives in Mil- ton. (2) Mary A., who died in October, 1904, was the wife of Henry. A. Moll. (3) Anna C. married Meyers Brautigam, and they are the parents of Harry, Charles, Margaret, Elizabeth and Ruth. (4) Edward died young.

SAMUEL H. KOCH, son of Charles, was born March 12, 1848, in Chillisquaque township, and was educated in the public schools and in the se- lect school taught by Professor Rhoad, later at- tending the academy at Milton. Then he taught

James Best, son of John, born April 23, 1794, school, in 1868. While a young man he learned, in Hunterdon county, N. J., was a pioneer in Chil-

the carpenter's trade with his father, with whom he began to work in 1869, at the trade, being as- soeiated with him up to the time of his retirement, when he began contracting and building for him- self. He has been notably successful, having built up a business which entitles hin to rank among the substantial men of the borough.

In 1871 Mr. Koch married Susan E. Strine, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Strine, and grand- daughter of Matthias and Catherine (Welchans) Strine. Henry Strine died Dec. 30, 189?, aged eighty-two years, six months, eighteen days; his wife Eleanor died April 2, 1872, aged fifty-six years. Matthias Strine died Dec. 30, 1861. aged eighty-five years, seven months, eight days: his wife Catherine (Welchans) died Feb. 23, 1860, aged seventy-seven years, eight months, fifteen days. Mrs. Koch died April 15, 1903, the mother of one child, William A., who died Jan. 12, 1903; , he had married Anna Boyle, and they were the parents of one daughter, Miriam Eleanor. Mr. Koch resides with his daughter-in-law and grand- child at No. 309 Hepburn street, Milton. Soci- ally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In political faith he adheres to the principles of Dem- ocracy, but he may be classed as an independent voter.

JAMES H. BEST, a prosperous farmer and truck raiser of Chillisquaque township, Northum- berland county, is a grandson of one of the pi- oneers of that township and himself one of its in- telligent and respected citizens. His son, Samuel D. Best, is established in business in the borough of Sunbury as a dealer in general merchandise.

seems reasonable, though it is by no means certain, that both she and her husband were of foreign parentage. However, the emigration in either case or both may have taken place in an earlier gener- ation. John and Mary ( Haas) Best had ehildren as follows: Mary, born June 6, 1788 (Mrs. Rush) : John, April 3, 1791: James, April 23, 1794; Peter, May 13, 1797; William, March 27, 1800: Eleanor, Dec. 7, 1802 (Mrs. Bond) ; Jacob, April 11, 1804. This family gradually scattered, some settling in New York, others in Ohio, north- ern Indiana and southern Michigan. The parents both died in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Best April 24, 1822, Mr. Best in April, 1839. They are buried in the graveyard in Chillisquaque, Northumber- land county.

lisquaque township, this county, where he settled in 1812 on a large farin now owned by one J. H. Work. He was a lifelong farmer. He died Sept. 17, 1847, and was first buried at Williamsport, his son John later interring his remains in Harmony cemetery at Milton, this county, where the Bests have a family plot. He was an Episcopalian in religious connection. His wife, Sarah (Kevitt), born June 26, 1790, was also a meniber of a New Jersey family, hier father, Henry Kevitt, having been born there Feb. 27, 1767 : her mother, Cath- arine, was born Dec. 24, 1770. To James and Sarah ( Kevitt) Best were born six ,children, as follows : Catharine Ann, born Oct. 10, 1817; John, Sept. 11, 1819: Mary E., Oet. 29, 1821: Henry K., Jan. 24, 1824: Jacob H., Oct. 8, 1826; Sarah Jane, Dec. 20, 1829 (who died in January, 1905, at the home of her nephew, James H. Best, in Chillisquaque township). After the father's death the mother of this family purchased a farm of seventy-six acres in Chillisquaque township, which her son John conducted for her from 1851 until 1860. In 1855 she sold some of her land to the Sunbury & Erie Railway Company (now the Philadelphia & Erie Railway Company ) for $525. She died in 1868, and is buried in the family plot ~ in Harmony cemetery, at Milton.

John Best, son of James, born Sept. 11, 1819, at Riverside, Northumberland Co., Pa., moved thence with his parents to Lycoming county, this State, where the family settled on what was known as the Judge Grier farm. He received his early educa- tion in the common schools of that neighborhood ·and later attended a higher institution of learning at Williamsport, from which he was graduated. He acquired a very thorough literary training for that day. From early life he had been familiar with farm work, and he was thus engaged in Lycoming county until he came with his mother to Chillis-

John 'Best, the first of this family of whom we have record, was born June 15, 1759, in New Jer- sey, probably in Hunterdon county, and was likely of Seotch descent. He had brothers James, Wil- liam, Cornelius and Michael, and a half-brother, quaque township, Northumberland county, in 1851. Daniel. On Nov. 2, 1784, he married Mary Haas, from which time until 1860 he cultivated the farm

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of seventy-six acres which she owned. He then re- Mary E. Shuck and living in Philadelphia, where moved to the Heburn property at Milton (now he is employed by the' Shipe Lumber Company ; Mabel C., wife of John Fetter and living in Lew- isburg, Union Co., Pa .; Martha J .; Samuel D .; Arthur N., a telegraph operator ; and Merrill V.

all embraced within the limits of that borough) and there lived until 1863, for the next cight years living upon a farm in Point township, the place now owned by William Martz. In 1872 he removed thence to Paradise valley, in Turbut township, where he died June 6, 1874. Mr. Best was a mem- ber of the school board in Point township, and served as treasurer of that body. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics.

On Feb. 2, 1854, Mr. Best married Caroline Hilgert, who was born May 25, 1829, daughter of Peter Hilgert and sister of the late Philip Hilgert, of Williamsport. The Hilgert family hold annual reunions, and in 1910 met at Milton. Mrs. Best died Jan. 20, 1896, and she and her husband rest side by side in the Best family plot at Milton. They were members of the Reformed Church. They were the parents of eight children, born as follows: James H. and Catharine M., twins, Dec. 8, 1855 (she died July 29, 1856) ; Mary Ellen, June 8, 1857; Martha Jane, June 9, 1859 ; John P., Dec. 8, 1860; Robert R., Aug. 20, 1863; Wil- liam W., Oct. 13, 1865; Elmer E., Nov. 21, 1867.

JAMES H. BEST was born Dec. 8, 1855, on the farm in Chillisquaque township where he now lives, and received his education in the common schools of the home district. As his health was poor his studies were interrupted considerably. He was reared to farm life, which he followed until the spring of 1877, when he went to Texas and found work with W. E. Mayes, in a mill, grinding corn and ginning cotton. He was thus employed until August, 1882, when he left because of fail- ing health, and returning to Pennsylvania he again made his home in Chillisquaque township, where he was engaged as an engineer in the F. A. God- charles nail factory for several years. After fol- lowing farming a few years he resumed his work as engineer in the nail factory, until April 1, 1910, when he returned to farming. He has the home- stead which has been in the family since it was purchased by his grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Best, in 1851, and upon which she built the present brick house in 1852. It consists of seventy-six acres situ- ated midway between Milton and Montandon, and Mr. Best has the land under profitable cultivation. He is an intelligent and public-spirited citizen, and has served some years as overseer of the poor in his township. He is a Democrat in his political views. He and his family are Methodists in religious faith, and lic is serving the church at present as trustee.

SAMUEL D. BEST, son of James H. and Mary C. (DeBolt) Best, was born April 29, 1887, in Chil- lisquaque township, and there received his ele- mentary education in the public schools. Later he attended the Sunbury Business College and the Milton Commercial College, taking a course in stenography at Sunbury, and subsequently be- came shipping clerk in a wholesale establishment in that borough. In 1906 he engaged in business there on his own account, first settling opposite his present location, at the corner of Fourth and Ragan streets, where he erected his present store in 1908. He has a large building, well stocked, carrying a full line of general merchandise, and has built up a fine patronage by obliging service and fair dealing. His business has prospered from the start, and his standing among the younger business men of the borough has been won by en- terprise and commendable methods, which have been well rewarded.

On Aug. 8, 1906, Mr. Best married Bessie Blank, daughter of Daniel C. and Emma (Sensenbaugh) Blank ; her father is now living retired in Sunbury. Mr. and Mrs. Best have had two children, D. War- dell and Elvira L. Mr. Best and his family wor- ship at the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM S. CLAPP (name also spelled Klopp and . Klapp), now living retired at Milton, Pa., is a native son of Northumberland county, whose years of active work have placed him in such substantial position that his declining days find him free from care. He was born in Lewis town- ship Oct. 19, 1835, son of John Klopp (3).

John Klopp (or Klapp) emigrated from France with his two brothers, the latter settling in the North and West. He himself located in Bern town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., where he became a large land owner and where he died. He was the father of a large family, as follows: John (?) ;, Abraham, who died in Berks county; George, who settled in the West; Jacob, who died young; Daniel, who died at Pottsville; Peter, mentioned below; Cath- arine, who married a Snyder; and Christian, who married a Nauel.

Peter Klopp, son of John, was born in Berks county, and on coming to Northumberland county located at McEwensville, where he engaged in tanning for a year. At the end of that time he went to Union county, and there followed farm- ing, and died at the age of fifty-eight years. He is buried in Harmony cemetery, Milton. He mar-

On Dec. 24, 1877, Mr. Best married Mary C. DeBolt, daughter of Samuel W. and Caroline (Houser) DeBolt, of Lancaster county, Pa., and granddaughter of John and Sarah ( McClauchlin) ried Catharine Haag, by whom he had fourteen DeBolt, of Lancaster. To their union have been children, seven sons and seven daughters: Rcu- born six children, namely: Hedley, married to ben, Jared, Sophia, William, Sarah, Kate, Mary,

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

John, Rebecca, Daniel, Samuel, Charles, Delia and In his political belief he is independent of party, Ella. voting as he thinks best. For three terms he filled

1 John Klopp (Klapp) (2) was born June 22, the office of school director in Lewis township, 1784, in Berks county, Pa., and died Oct. 1, 1828. and two terms he was the acceptable overseer of the " About 1818 he came from his native county by poor in Milton. He is a citizen who has won the . team to Northumberland county, and bought a respect and esteem of all who know him, bearing an farm in Lewis township, near Turbutville, where untarnished reputation for honesty and integrity. he made his home, devoting the remainder of his life to its cultivation. He married Elizabeth Kline,

LINDNER. The Lindner family is of English born Feb. 27, 1787, who died July 15, 1836, and origin, but the branch here under consideration has they are buried at. Paradise Church. Their chil- been at home in America through six generations. dren were: Samuel; John (3) ; Molly, Mrs. Raup; It is now well and worthily represented in North- Benneville; Daniel; Kate, Mrs. Hoy; Sarah, who umberland county by Francis W. Lindner, former married Philip Ranp; Thomas; Adam, and Maria, county commissioner and a well known merchant Mrs. Leinbach.

John Klopp (Klapp) (3), son of John (2), was quaque township, and his son and successor, Har- born in Bern township, Berks county, Sept. 1, 1811, and died in 1880. He accompanied his parents to Northumberland county in 1818, and as a young at Milton, with a branch house at Pottsgrove.

man learned the carpenter's trade. Later he was engaged in farming in Lewis township, where he

now retired from active work and living in Chillis- vey L. Lindner, dealer in agricultural implements, wagons, carriages, harness, fertilizers, seeds, etc.,

(I) Thomas Lindner, born in England, came to America long before the advent of steamships, died. He was thrice married. In 1834 he married and was several weeks on the water. He married (first) Maria Glase, daughter of Peter Glase, and in America, and later returned to England, where their children were: William S., born Oct. 19, he died. His wife refused to take the voyage across 1835; Mary E., Nov. 10, 1836 ; Sarah J., Aug. 16, the water, and so remained in America. Among 1838 ; Margaret C., Nov. 4, 1839 : Thomas L., Feb. their children was a son Thomas.

(II) Thomas Lindner (2), son of Thomas, set-

11, 1841 ; Anna L., Sept. 21, 1842 (died July 16, 1843) ; Angeline, Aug. 10, 1845; Emeline and tled in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he dicd. Caroline, twins, Aug. 19, 1848; John D., Feb. 13, (III) Samuel Lindner, son of Thomas (2), was 1850; Maria, April 10, 1851 (died June 11, 1851) ; a farmer in Schuylkill county, where he and his and Mary B. In 1852 he married (second) Mary wife, whose maiden nanie was De Fran, are buried. Truckenmiller, who died leaving no children. In Their children were: Martin, Moses, Israel,

1868 he married (third) Mrs. Mary E. McNinch, Charles, Samuel, and Lydia (married John Aret). and to this union was born a daughter, Mabel. (IV) Israel Lindner, son of Samuel, was born Mr. Klopp and his first two wives are buried at in Schuylkill county Jan. 9, 1827, and died in McEwensville, while the third wife is buried at Milton.

Montour county, Pa., in 1901 ; he is buried at Oak Grove cemetery, in Liberty township. He was a tailor by trade, an occupation, however, he did not follow long. Later he engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Lindnerville, in Rush township, Schuyl- kill county, and there built a stone hotel which is

William S. Clapp received his education in the district schools, which he attended during the win- ter time, but as he was the eldest of a large fam- ily it early devolved upon him to assist in the fam- ily's support. He began farming on his own ac- still standing. He carried on his store and hotel until in 1865, when he removed to Liberty town- ship, Montour county, where he bought a farm, following agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he removed to Pottsgrove. and there lived retired until his death. In politics he was a Democrat, and in Schuylkill county served as county auditor and as justice of the peace, receiving his commis- connt in 1861 in Lewis township, but the next year he removed to Delaware township, where he was engaged in farming until 1879, when he re- turned to Lewis township and took up his abode on the old family homestead. There he continued until 1889, when he moved to Milton and opened a milk business, also doing some teaming. From 1904 to 1907 he was employed in the car shops, sion from Governor Pollock, late of Northumber- but since then he has lived retired at his home in Broadway, which he built in 1895.

land county. He married Catharine Messersmith, daughter of Jacob Messersmith. and she survives. Their children were: Francis W. : Mary, who mar- ried Hiram Hagenbuch ; Benjamin .C .; Sarah J., who married Frank Coleman. of Milton ; and Jo-

In 1861 Mr. Clapp was united in marriage to Elizabeth Eshbach, daughter of David and Eliz- abeth (Rishel) Eshbach. Two daughters were born of this union, namely: Minnie, wife of seph, who died aged four years. John Y. Buoy, a prominent merchant at Milton : (V) FRANCIS W. LINDNER, son of Israel, was and Bessie E., who is at home. Mr. Clapp is a born Feb. 22, 1852, and attended the public schools .member of the Reformed Church, and served as of Schuylkill county, remaining with his father one of the church officials while in McEwensville. until he was twenty-one. He then farmed in. Lib-

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erty township, Montour county, for six years, and ers who had so long known his father, and winning in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland coun- many more for himself.

ty, for three years. In 1882 he entered the bus- Pottsgrove. This business he carried on until 1890, when he was elected county commissioner of Northumberland county, and served two terms, or Mr. Lindner married Jennie M. Kent, daughter *iness world as -a dealer in farm implements at of Isaac J. Kent, of Milton, and they have one daughter, Anice. Socially Mr. Lindner is a inem- ber of Milton Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M., Wil- liamsport Consistory, thirty-second degree, and until 1896, during which time he lived at Sunbury. - Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. : of the B. P. O. Returning at the end of that time to Pottsgrove, E .; Artisans, and the I. O. O. F. His religious he there carried on the mercantile business he had connection is with the Reformed Church.

established some years before, and this he contin- ued until 1899, when he resumed the implement business, conducting establishments at Pottsgrove, Milton and Watsontown. He was very successful until his retirement, in 1907, his son . Harvey L. succeeding him. That year he built his fine resi- dence at Pottsgrove, equipped with modern con- veniences that contribute much to the material comfort.

ISAAC J. KENT, father of Mrs. Harvey L. Lind- ner, was born in Columbia county, Pa., Aug. 22, 1850, son of Isaac Kent and grandson of John Kent. The Kents were of English origin, but the family left England and settled in Germany, whence they came to America. The great-grand- father of Isaac J. lived in Northampton county, Pa., where he reared a family. John Kent, the grandfather, was a farmer and lived and died in Northampton county. His wife was a Ilubley, and their children were: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Eve, John, Mary, Martin and Solomon.

Mr. Lindner is a Democrat in politics, and in addition to his service as county commissioner, re- ferred to above, he has been assessor of his town- ship, and at the present time is serving as president In religious faith he is a Lutheran, while his wife is a Presbyterian. Fraternally Mr. Lindner is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Artisans, and he was a charter member of Sunbury Lodge of Elks, No. 267.

Isaac Kent, son of John, born Nov. 10, 1804, of the East Chillisquaque township school board. died July 6, 1872. He was a stone niason and came to Northumberland county in 1853, locating in Turbut township, two miles east of Milton. In 1863 he moved to Milton, where he followed his . trade and also engaged in farming. He married Rosanna Glass, who was born in Northampton Mr. Lindner has been twice married. His first county. Their children were: Anna M., who mar- wife, Alice Van Horn, daughter of William Van ried William T. Crumb ; Elizabeth, who died aged Horn, died in 1901, and is buried in Oak Grove nineteen years; Joseph; Charles T .; Henry J .: cemetery. To this marriage were born: Harvey Thomas W. ; James P. ; Amandus, and Isaac J. L., mentioned below ; Charles W., of Muncy, who Isaac J. Kent attended the schools of Turbut township, and learned the carpenter's trade as a young man, serving his apprenticeship at Milton, . where he worked for twenty years. He and his brother Charles T. engaged in contracting. On Feb. 11, 1875, he married Anna C. Martin, dangh- ter of John and Jane Birch, and their children married Cora Hunter, and has two children, Irwin and Desna : Alfred R., a salesman at Milton, who married Edith Trego and has a son, John : James C., a bookkeeper at Milton, who married Ida Comp- ton and has a daughter, Isabell ; Lee E., of Sham- okin, a telegraph operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, who married Lena Allender, were: Jennie M., born May 25, 1877. married and has one child. Alice; Francis W .. a clerk at Harvey L. Lindner, of Milton: Blanche E., born Milton, unmarried; and Margaret, who married Sept. 12, 1879, died aged two years, five months; James E. was born April 21, 1892. Albert C. Dieffenbach, a retired navy officer at Philadelphia. Mr. Lindner's second marriage was to Elizabeth Moore, daughter of John and Cath- arine ( Varis) Moore. She taught school for four- this sketch, was born in Northumberland, Pa., on teen terms, and is an artist of considerable talent.

(VI) HARVEY L. LINDNER. son of Francis W., was born' in Liberty township, Montour county, Sept. 24, 1876. He was educated in the Sunbury schools and graduated from the high school there in 1893. He began his preparation for the com- mercial world by clerking in Sunbury for a short time and then engaging as a traveling salesman, spending nine years as salesman for machinery and farm implements. He bought ont his father's bus- iness at Milton in 1907, and since that time has been doing a large business, retaining the custom- was engaged in special work covering the territory

FRANK M. VAN DEVENDER, the subject of Sept. 16, 1867. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and in early life was ambitious to be self-supporting. For several years he was engaged in farm work during the summer and clerking in one of the general stores during the . winter. He later secured a minor position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at North- umberland and after some years of service was advanced to the position of chief clerk and agent of the Adams Express Company. During the last two years of service with the above company he

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

between Harrisburg and Renovo. He resigned loyal service to them and his genial personality. his position with the railroad company Jan. 1, together with his ability to make and keep friends, found him at the expiration of his first term a candidate for reelection. He was nominated by acclamation and reelected by a handsome majority in November, 1903. At the expiration of his term in office lie engaged in the work of public index-

1901, to take up the duties of register and re- corder of Northumberland county.

The Van Devenders. have long been resident in Northumberland county, Mr. Van Devender's great-grandfather, Richard Van Devender, hav- ing been a farmer in Rush township, this county, ing. where he is buried at the old Rush Presbyterian Church. John Van. Devender, his grandfather, was born in Rush township and when a young man moved to Point township, this county : there he en- gaged in farming. He married Mary Morgan, daughter of Joseph Morgan.

Josephi C. Van Devender, his father, was born Nov. 26, 1834, in. Point township. In his boy- hood he attended the public schools and assisted in the farm work, but in his young manhood he went to Northumberland and learned the trade of it means the advancement of his home town. stonemason, which he continued to follow through- out his active life. He was regarded as one of the best workmen at his trade. Up to a few years ago when his health failed he was exceptionally strong and healthy, with a vigor and energy which many mnight envy. He was probably the oldest Odd Fellow in Northumberland and one of the oldest members of Eureka Lodge, No. 404, F. & A. M. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty years. In October, 1862, he mar- ried Harriet E. Gossler, daughter of Henry Goss- ler, who was sheriff of Northumberland county in 1840. They became the parents of four children : Harry G., cashier of the Grange National Bank, Hughesville; John E., bookkeeper of the Milton National Bank: Frank M., the subject of this sketch, and' Jennie G., who married Harry C. Holt, of Elrama, Pennsylvania.

The death of Mr. Joseph C. Van Devender oc- curred Sept. 2. 1910, following a stroke of ap- oplexy. The funeral was held from his late resi- dence, and he was buried in Riverview cemetery. in Tulpehocken township.

Honest and straightforward, Mr. Van Devender was a man .of unquestioned integrity and liked by all who knew him; he was highly esteemed and respected for his many sterling qualities.

Mr. Frank M. Van Devender is an ardent Dem- oerat and an earnest worker in the ranks of his party. At the age of twenty-one years he was elected a member of the Northumberland borough even though his town is strongly Republican, he was elected chief burgess-the Borough's highest

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 103

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

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