Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 107

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 107

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).

the employ of Harry Bastian and Isaac Reitz. In School, from which he was graduated in the spring of the latter year, in the department of heating and plumbing, and upon his return to Pennsyl- vania he formed a partnership with A. H. Mutsch- ler in Middleburg, Snyder county, with whom he was in business from April 1st to September 1st, 1904, when he sold out to his partner and came

George E. Kuebler was born Dec. 20, 1843, at Shamokin, and was three months old when his parents moved to Pottsville, in which city and vicinity he grew to manhood. He attended the local schools, and in his carlier manhood followed to Sunbury. Here he installed the heating sys- butchering and carpentry in Schuylkill county, tem in the cottage houses for the converting works. ing contractor of Northumberland county, and in 1905 he commenced the plumbing and heating business for himself at No. 445 Market street, at which location lic remained about three years. In 1907 he built his present place of business at Nos. 49-51 North Sixth street. Mr. Kuchler cm- ploys four men, and is doing a prosperous busi- ness, which he has built up by the most creditable methods and honorable dealings. eventually settling down to farming there, in for George H. Keefer, of Mount Carmel, a lead- North Manheim township, where he remained for some years, on. the old homestead. Thence he moved to Rockefeller township, Northumberland county, in 1883, buying the Krigbaum homestead of twenty-five acres upon which he has since made his home. Mr. Kuebler has proved an intelligent and useful citizen of the different communities with which he has been identified, served three years as auditor of Schuylkill county and held various local offices, and has served sixteen years On Feb. 18, 1909, Mr. Kuebler married Nellie

478.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Krebs, daughter of Robert F. and Mary ( Felker) Alger, Virginia. He is at present a major in the Krebs, of Sunbury, and they have a son, Robert. 12th Regt., N. G. P. Edward. Before coming to Sunbury Mr. Kueb- ler was a member of the Plum Creek Lutheran FRANK J. McDONNELL, merchant at Locust Gap, Northumberland county, has been a lifelong resident of that place, having been born there April 3, 1873. The family has been settled in this portion of Pennsylvania for about seventy-five years. Church and active in its work, serving as deacon and as secretary of the church council. He and his family are now connected with the Zion's Lutheran Church at Sunbury. Socially he belongs to the Protected Home Circle.

WILLIAM H. STRAUB, now successfully en- gaged in the hardware business at Milton, Pa., is one of the progressive and enterprising citi- zens of Northumberland county. He was born near Womelsdorf. Berks county, Jan. 18, 1860, son of Jacob Straub.

Jacob Straub, the father, was a native of Stutt- gart, Germany, who came to America in 1850, settling in 'Reading, Pa. In a short time lie moved to Tulpehocken township, Berks county, and there followed his trade of tanner and cur- rier. In 1867 he went to Danville, and after twelve years came to Milton, Pa., where he was employed at tanning by Wm. Reber. He died in 1900, and is buried at Milton. He married Leah Ebling, a native of Berks county who died in 1902. To this union were born two children, Pauline and William H. Anthony Straub, a brother of Jacob, also a native of Germany, came to America and settled at Reading, Pa. Like his brother he gave his services to his adopted country during the Civil war, and he died at the National Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio. Jacob Straub was a sergeant of Company F, 167th Pa. Vol. Inf., from Nov. 12, 1862, until Ang. 12, 1863, under Capt. Josiah Groh, and Col. Charles A. Knoderer. William H. Straub attended the public schools of Danville, spending three years in the high school. He came with his parents to Milton, and here learned the painter's trade, which he followed for himself for a period of twenty years. In July, McDonnell died in 1895. Nine children were born 1904, he bought the hardware business located at No. 16 Broadway, from H. Judson Raup, one of the leading stores of the district. He has devel- per, of Ashland), George, Andrew, Mary (wife of oped the business on a broader scale, and has a fine patronage.

Mr. Straub married Mary Bower, daughter of Harrison Bower, of Selinsgrove, Pa., and they have

John McDonnell, Mr. McDonnell's great-grand- father, lived and died in Ireland. His children were: Patrick, who came to this country and set- tled in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he died; John, who died at sea in 1843, while on his way to America : Michael, who died at Locust Gap, Northumberland Co., Pa. ; and Peter.

Peter McDonnell, son of John, was the grand- father of Frank J. McDonnell. He was born in Ireland, and came to this country in 1838, landing at New York City. Coming thence to Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he followed mining there until 1861, in which year he located at Locust Gap, Northumberland county, among the early settlers at that place. He was employed in the mines for some years and then engaged in the hotel business (conducting the hotel later run by his son) from 1865 until the year of his death, 1875. He is buried at Beaverdale, this county. He was an intelligent and active inan, and took part in the public affairs of his home neighborhood in both Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, serving as supervisor of Cass township while a resident of Schuylkill county and as school director and audi- tor of Mount Carmel township after settling in Northumberland county. He was a member of the Catholic Church. His wife, Hannah (Patton), a native of England, was a daughter of Thomas Patton, also a native of England, who settled in Minersville, Schuylkill county, in 1838; his sons opened the first coal mines in that region. Mrs. to Peter and Hannah (Patton) McDonnell, viz. : John, Thomas, Elizabeth J. (wife of Thomas Pep- Jacob R. Betz), Hannah (wife of Henry J. Om- lor), and Catherine and . Mary A., who are de- ceased.

John McDonnell, son of Peter, was born Dec. one daughter, Leah, who graduated from the Mil- 27, 1840, in Schuylkill county, and was reared ton high school, class of 1911. Mr. Straub is a Republican in politics. With his family he attends the Reformed Church. Fraternally he belongs to Milton Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M. ; Lodge No. 84, I. O. O. F. : and Castle No. 265, K. G. E.

there, at Mine Hill Gap. He began work at the mines as a laborer, and came to Locust Gap in 1860, being now one of the oldest residents at that point. After about nine years employment around . the mines here he was made inside fore-

At the outbreak of the Spanish American war he man at the Locust Gap Colliery, in 1869, holding was appointed captain of Co. C, Second Bat- talion, 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers. After being out twenty-four hours he was commissioned major of the regiment. They were stationed at Camp

that position about four years, when he was given the place of hoisting engineer, being thus cm- ployed until 1882. For the next ten years he was in the hotel business at Locust Gap, being propri-

479

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

etor of the "National Hotel" until 1892, when he survives him with five children. They made their engaged in the wholesale liquor business, in which home on North Second street, Sunbury. Mr. Mc- he still continues. Though aged seventy years, Donnell was a member of the Locust Gap Division and one of the oldest living residents of Locust of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Mount Gap, Mr. MeDonnell is still active in its affairs and looks after his business with the same eare he has always given to its management. It is many years

Carmel Lodge of Eagles and the Mount Carmel Lodge of Elks. His remains were taken to his fa- ther's home at Locust Gap, where the funeral was since he severed his connection with the mines, held from St. Joseph's Catholie Chureh.

but he is still interested in that leading industry of the locality and has many interesting remi- niscences of his experienees in the old days when the "Molly Maguires" flourished. He is a Demoerat in his political views and a Catholic in religion. He served three years as school director of Mount Carmel township.

On May 20, 1865, Mr. MeDonnell married Cath- erine MeCarthy, who was born Oet. 12, 1839, and died Jan. 10, 1899. She was a daughter of Fran- cis and Ann (Lyneh) McCarthy, both of whom all his attention at present to that line, in which came from County Longford, Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell were born eight children : Peter A .; Anna, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased ; Frank J .; Mary, who married Daniel J. Harvey; Agnes, now Sister Marcellian, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county; Catherine, wife of James V. MeAndrew ; and John, deceased.

PETER A. MCDONNELL, eldest son of John Mc- Donnell, was born at Loeust Gap Feb. 22, 1866. For several years he was employed as a telegraph operator and later was engaged as a clerk in a col- liery office and as bookkeeper in Mount Carmel. During Mr. Frank VanDevender's first terin as register and recorder he was employed as a clerk in the office, being retained during Mr. VanDe- vender's second term. He resigned near the end of that terin to accept the appointment of warden . at the Northumberland county prison, which of- fiee he had been filling two years at the time of his sudden death, Jan. 23, 1908. Mr. MeDonnell suc- cumbed while being operated upon for appendi- eitis. To quote from the Sunbury Daily Item of Jan. 24, 1908 : "As jail warden he displayed great executive ability and during his time of service saved the county $5,000, even though he had more prisoners under his care than ever before in the history of the jail. Personally he was possessed of those qualities which won for him the lasting friendship of all who knew him and but to know him was to love him. Always of a cheerful dis- position, his life was one bright ray of sunshine which was helpful to everybody with whom he carne in contaet and made him one of the most companionable of men. Of sterling worth and integrity, he was always upright and honest, true and steadfast to his friends, who were legion. He was the embodiment of all that was good and right and was a man in the true sense of the word, whose death is deeply mourned and is a personal loss to the entire community."

Mr. McDonnell married Mary Grathwhole, who

FRANK J. McDONNELL received his elementary education at Loeust Gap and later attended St. Mary's College at Emmitsburg, Md. Returning to Locust Gap, he became a elerk for James A. Me- Carthy, continuing with him ten years, during four years of which time he was manager of the store. He then engaged in the hotel business, which he carried on four years, selling out in 1910. Mean- time, in June, 1909, he had entered the general merehandise business, which he now owns, giving he has met gratifying sueeess. He has a full line of goods, keeping a supply in advance of the de- mands of his eustomers, whom he pleases by ex- cellent serviee and a large, well seleeted stock. He is one of the leading eitizens of Locust Gap, al- ways ready to lend his aid or influenee to projeets for advaneing the welfare of the community.

On June 12, 1900, Mr. McDonnell married Mary Ruane, who was born in Ireland. They are members of the Catholic Church, and soeially he holds membership in the Mount Carmel Lodge of Elks, the A. O. H. and the Foresters. He is a Democrat in political matters.

L. H. GUYON, who eonduets an old established merehant tailoring business in Sunbury, was born Aug. 26, 1878, in Harrisburg, Pa., son of Lucian Joseph Guyon.

Joseph Guyon, his great-grandfather, lived near Lake Erie, in New York State, where he died. His son. Joseph Guyon, grandfather of L. H. Guyon, spent most of his life in Wayne county, Pa., where he was a farmer. He died there. His wife was Sarah A. Jones, and they had two sons: Charles, . who died in York State; and Lueian Joseph.

Lucian Joseph Guyon was born in Wayne county, Pa., in 1844, and died in Sunbury, in July, 1899. He was a well known railroad man and for many years was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, first as engineer, later being promoted to road foreman of engines. In 1890 he located at Sunbury, in which borough he remained till his death. His wife, Margaret ( Hays), died in 1804, and they are interred at Harrisburg. Mr. Guyon was a Mason, a member of the chapter and com- mandery at Harrisburg, and of Lu Lu Shrine, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

L. H. Guyon attended the public schools of Harrisburg and for two years was a student at State College. He then eame to Sunbury and learned the machinist's trade in the Pennsylvania

· 480

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

railroad shops, following this work from 1896 to until he commenced as fireman, and by 1876 he 1901, after which he condueted a foundry and was a full-fledged engineer. He has been engaged machine shop for a time. For a few years he as such ever since, and is now on the Milton branch, was with the Edison Electric Light Company. In running the Milton annex. He is one of the well 1907 he engaged in the merchant tailoring business known and faithful old employees of the company, at Market Square, taking the establishment

justly enjoying the confidenee and esteem of all founded by his father-in-law, T. W. Scott, in 1881. with whom he has been associated in his many He has managed the business admirably, the trade years' service as an engineer. being in a thriving state.

Socially Mr. Guyon is a Mason, a member of Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., Northumberland Chap- ter, No. 174, R. A. M., Mount Hermon Command- ery, No. 85, K. T., and Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Harrisburg. During the Spanish- 'American war he was a member of Company E, 12th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Mr. Guyon married Mary E. Scott, daughter of T. W. Seott, of Sunbury, and they have a family of four children : Mary F., Lucian J., James T. and Hayes S.

ELMER F. SMITH, of Milton, Northumber- who married Grace Reed.

land county, has made his home in that borough ' from boyhood and is one of the respected eitizens of the place. He has long been engaged as an en- gineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad.

Mr. Smith was born May 1, 1855, at Fitchburg, Mass., son of Elijah Smith and grandson of John Smith. The grandfather was a native of New England and spent most of his life in that region, eventually settling at Birdsboro, Berks Co., Pa., where he followed his trade. shoemaking, until his death. His children were Elijah, Eliza and Har- riet (who married John Culp, of Reading).

Elijah Smith was born in Massachusetts and his death, which occurred when lie was in his . during his young manhood followed farming in prime, June 10, 1847. On Oct. 19, 1821, he married Maria Donnel, who was born in Sun- bury Oet. 10, 1803. She died in Sunbury, and they are buried in the old cemetery at Sunbury. his native State. In 1869 he eame to Northum- berland county, Pa., later settling in Montour county, where he carried on farming the remainder of his days. He died May 4, 1893, and was buried Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Whar- at the Exchange in that county. He was twiee ton, six dying unnamed. The others were: Mary married, his first wife being Angeline Walks, by Elizabeth, born July 11, 1824, who married Dr. whom he had seven children: Molly, who mar- D. W. Shindel; Henry D., born Nov. 28, 1826; ried Jolin G. Coder, a contractor of Harrisburg (he Charles D., born May 5, 1829; Edward Gobin, died 1910) : Adam, who is living in Illinois: El- born Aug. 25, 1833: Amelia Donnel. born April mer F .; Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of 15, 1839, who was the wife of the late Thomas David Fry; Howard, living at Mechanicsburg, D. Grant; and Durell Jordan, born Sept. 18, 1843. Cumberland Co., Pa .; Agnes, deceased : and Mil- ton, a resident of Montour county.

Henry D. Wharton, eldest son of Charles Dough- ty Wharton, Sr., was born in Sunbury Nov. 28. 1826. He learned the trade of printer under Col- ville, Pa., and for several years was employed in

Elmer F. Smith received his early education in the schools of his native place, and coming to onel Best, then editor of the Intelligencer, at Dan- Northumberland eounty with his father when fourteen years old also attended school at Milton the office of the Sunbury. American, where he was for a time. He remained with his father until he working when the Civil war broke out. One of was eighteen years old, when he went to learn the the first to respond to the call for volunteers. he carpenter's trade at Milton, following that work went to the front April 23, 1861, as a member of for a period of five years. In 1872 he entered the Company F (Capt. Charles J. Bruner), 11th Penn- employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway sylvania Volunteer Regiment, with which he Company, being engine house man for a few years, served his term of three months. At its expiration

Socially Mr. Smith holds membership in the Knights of Malta, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Independent Fire Company, and he is well known in the local ranks of the Democratic party. He has served three years as member of the borough council of Milton.

On Oet. 15, 1874, Mr. Smith married Annie A. Fryer, daughter of Jacob Fryer, of Milton, and they reside at No. 220 Mahoning street, Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Smithi have had two children: Lot- tie, who is the wife of Harry Kint and has one child Robert; and Charles Franklin, an employee of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company,

. CHARLES DOUGHTY WHARTON, SR. (de- ceased), was an active and well known figure in the business life of Sunbury for many years as proprietor of what was in his day known as the "Washington Hotel," now the "Neff House." He conducted one of the best hotels in the distriet, where few men enjoyed wider acquaintance or more deserved popularity. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., born Feb. 27, 1798, Mr. Wharton when a young man came from that city to Sunbury, of which place he continued to be a resident until

481

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he enlisted for three years in Company C (Capt. sylvania Volunteers, afterward enlisted in the 45th J. P. S. Gobin), 47th Regiment, and he served Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers . (Governor to the close of the war, having reenlisted at the Beaver's old command), was in Company F, 36th end of the three years, in the same command. Pennsylvania Volunteers, and in Company G. His record throughout was one of faithful and 184th Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving until dis- honorable service.

charged July 14, 1865, by reason of the close of the war. Among the principal engagements in South Mountain, Falling Waters and Petersburg. After the war he returned to his trade, that of molder. On March 11, 1886, he entered the Penn-

At the close of the war Mr. Wharton resumed his trade, having been given a position in the which he took part were Gettysburg, Antietam, government printing office at Washington. . Sev- eral years later he was transferred thence to the interior department, afterward to the subtreasury

department in Philadelphia and eventually to a sylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Erie, position in the United States mint, in that city, where he remained until his death, in 1887, at the age of fifty-eight years. An Erie paper said,

which he was holding at the time of his death, Feb. 1, 1898. However, he was not in the gov- in an obituary notice:

"He was a grand hero, yet his gentle, childish ways would never give the impression that he had fought hand to hand with Mexican lancers, or, with yardarm locked to yardarm, served the smok- ing guns. Probably not half a dozen of his com- rades in the Home know his record."

Services were held over his remains at the Home, as clerk in. the office of Hon. J. B. Packer, for and the body was then sent to his son at Sunbury for burial beside his wife, who had died some years before. A detail of comrades accompanied the remains to the railroad station. "He lived always cordial in his ineetings with friends and the life of a soldier, and the good deeds he did acquaintances. He was a member of the Presby- live on and help to make the world better."

Mr. Wharton married Mary Irwin, daughter of bury identified with the church choir, of which Martin and Rachel (Irwin) Irwin, and a sister he was an interested and faithful member. A of Jarid C. Irwin, of Sunbury, Pa. They had few years before his death, while engaged at a these children : William A., John A., Charles MI., manufacturing plant in Philadelphia, he was Mary A. and Edith E.

Durell Jordan Wharton, only surviving mem- ber of the family of Charles Doughty Wharton, St., was born in Sunbury Sept. 18, 1843. He learned shoemaking, and has followed that trade Mr. Wharton was a prominent member of G. A. all his life. Like his brother, he served his coun- R. 'Post No. ? , of Philadelphia. in which body try faithfully during the Civil war, becoming a he had high standing. He was buried in Monu- ment cemetery. He was twice married, but left no children.

soldier in the 3d Pennsylvania Artillery. On June 8, 1868, he married Isabella Thompson. daughter of Samuel Thompson, of Sunbury, and she died

Charles D. Wharton, Jr., son of Charles Dough- Dec. 10, 1910, aged fifty-nine years. nine months. ty Wharton, Sr., was born May 5, 1829. When five days. By this union there were three chil- the war with Mexico broke out he was serving in dren : Annie Jordan, born April 6, 1870, who died the United States navy, and he took part in the April 1, 1871 ; Mary L., born April 16, 1872; and Henry Donnel, born Jan. 1, 1874, who died April operations at the siege of Vera Cruz, being boat- swain and one of a small number who rowed 25. 1877.

ashore and in a hand to hand fight, with cutlass- Mary L. Wharton, daughter of Durell J. Whar- ton. was married Feb. 22, 1911, to Charles Cald- well, who was born at Columbia, Pa., Sept. 5, 1873, a son of Joseph R. and Emma F. Caldwell, residents of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell took an extensive wedding trip, through the South, visiting among other places Washington, D. C., es, drove back a squadron of Mexican lancers who had surrounded Gen. Phil. Kearny, whom they succeeded in rescuing. For this brave act Congress passed a special vote of thanks. a copy of which, bearing the seal of the secretary of the navy, Mr. Wharton preserved to the end of his life, as well as a document showing his part in and Old Point Comfort. Mr. Caldwell is a whole- the affair. He also received a sum of money in sale dealer in cigars in Sunbury, manufacturer consideration thereof. On the breaking out of the of the well known brand El-Serena, and does a Civil war he enlisted in Company F, 11th Penn- large business. Mrs. Caldwell is an active worker

ernment service continuously throughout this pe- riod. . Under Cleveland's administration he shared the fate of many Republicans, being removed from office, but he was reinstated during Mckinley's second term. He spent various periods in Sun- bury between his terms of service in the govern- ment employ, and for several years was employed whom he had the warmest friendship and admira- tion. He had many friends in the borough, being a man of kindly disposition and genial manners,

terian Church, and during his residence in Sun- knocked down and clubbed by a robber, his inju- ries being so severe that he never wholly recov- ered from the effect. He was at work in the mint, however, up to within a few days of his decease.

- 482

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in the Presbyterian church, and highly respected ing ground on the old homestead. A family of among a large circle of friends and acquaintances. seven children was born to them, namely: Hon. She owns her home at No. 242 Chestnut street. Alexander is mentioned below ; Henry is mentioned below ; Sarah married Martin Blue; Mary married

HENRY BILLMEYER, lumberman and farm- Frank Umstead, of Washingtonville, Pa .; Margar- er,. of Milton, Northumberland county, has car- et married David Springer, who is deceased, and ried on operations in both lines on an extensive she makes her home in Liberty township; Howard scale, and is one of the best known men of his married Kate Luekens and lives in Montour coun- section. He is a large land owner, and still over- ty: Daniel is living in Montour county.

sees his agricultural work and does custoni mill work, but does not undertake as large contracts

Hon. Alexander Billmeyer, son of Jacob, is a prosperous lumberman and the owner of fourteen as he handled in his younger years, though he has large farms, thirteen of which are situated in . not by any means relinquished business activity. Montour county. On Nov. 1, 1902, he was elected Mr. Billmeyer was born Oct. 17, 1842, on the Congressman from his district, the Sixteenth, and old family homestead in Montour county, Pa. served two years. He married Angelin Blue, The family is of German origin, and his first daughter of Daniel Blue, and they have had five' ancestors in this country settled at Lewisburg, children: Ella married Glenn Crawford; Alice Union Co., Pa., where they were among the pio- married Thomas Vincent, of Danville, Pa .; Mary neers. Three brothers, Martin, George, and Andrew married Dr. H. A. Sweigert, of Lewistown, Pa .; Billmeyer, moved thence to what is now Liberty township, Montour county, where they took up land which is still owned by their posterity. Of Mr. Billmeyer is one of the most prominent men these, Andrew was the great-grandfather of Henry Billmeyer.

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.

Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 107

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