Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 108

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 108

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Hiram married Nellie Jamson, of Danville; Flor- ence married Gilbert G. Kulp, of Shamokin, Pa. in central Pennsylvania. He is a director of the Danville National Bank and a trustee of the Dan-

Andrew Billmeyer, born in 1756, died upon his ville Asylum.

Henry Billmeyer received his. education in the

farm in Liberty township Feb. 2, 1825, aged sixty- eight years, two months, ten days. His wife, pay schools conducted in the neighborhood of his Fanny Bruner, born in 1758. died Feb. 8, 1823, home during his early life, and at a tender age aged sixty-five years, five months, sixteen days, and commenced to assist his father on the farm, learn- they are interred in a private burial ground upon ing the practical lessons of life with far more the homestead. Their children were: Andrew, Jr., George (born 1779, died 1853), Martin, Mrs. Mary Lesher, Mrs. Benjamin Knauss and Mrs. Kelly. years old he often drove an old yoke of oxen (be-

thoroughness than was considered necessary for literary training. When he was about twelve longing to his father) for his father and grand- father, who lumbered at the old water sawmill. He was young, but did what his grandfather told him to do. When a large cow which they owned

Martin Billmeyer, son of . Andrew, was born in 1777 in Montour county and there passed his en- tire life, dying Dec. 6, 1855, aged seventy-eight years, three months, twenty-eight days. He was a farmer and distiller of rye; apples and peaches, had twin calves, it was decided to raise them for and was a prosperous and well known man of his an ox team. They were black, with white faces. time. His wife, Margaret (Himerich), born in The grandfather told Henry he would give him 1790, died March 4, 1870, aged eighty years, twen- ten dollars to break them and the boy took the ty days, and they too are buried in the family offer. When the grandfather took sick and made plot before mentioned. Their children were as his will, he willed the twin oxen to Henry. This follows: Jacob ; Polly, who married John Hower; proved to be the main team used to get the logs Catharine, who married Isaac Blue; John, who into the mill, and also did most all the plowing died unmarried; Daniel, born in 1817, diedl in work. His sisters, who also drove them, made mus- 1884, who married Christian Cumings, born in lin fly nets for them. Henry and his brother 1822, dicd 1893 (they left no children) ; Peter, Alex lumbered with them until Henry was almost who married Hailey Roat; Sarah, who married twenty-one years old, at which time he was drafted for the Union service for three years or during

John Gouger; Martin, who- married Maria . Kramm : Fanny, who . married Benjamin Gresh; the war. At that time the oxen were about twelve Andrew J., born in 1831, died in 1906, who mar- years old. To help raise money for a substitute- ried Malinda Bowers; and Harriet, who married he had to hire a man not subject to draft or go Jackson Moss.

himself-he sold them to his uncles in Juniata

Jacob Billmeyer, son of Martin, was born upon county, Jacob and George Hower, taking them the homestead, and died there May 30, 1881, aged over the mountain through Northumberland to seventy-two years, six months, seventeen days. He Selinsgrove, and got seventy-five dollars, which was followed farming throughout his active years. He all the money he had. He rode them like horses. married Eliza Hower, who was born in 1813, and He had to report at Bloom to be examined, and died Feb .. 5, 18:3, and they rest in the family bury- was found fit for service. He and his brother Al-

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exander then pledged two colts and a buggy which ty, whence he moved it to his lower farm in Mon- they had for two hundred dollars-and all the tour county, its present location. There he still nioney they had was two hundred and seventy-five continues to do custom work, and he looks care- dollars. Meantime he had reached his majority. fully after his agricultural operations, which are His brother advised him not to go into the army extensive. His lower farm was an old McMahan farm, and when he first bought it contained ?20 acres, to which he has since added; it has fine buildings. The soil is excellent, and the place is valuable in every way. Mr. and Mrs. Billmeyer spend their summers there, making their home in Milton the rest of the year. He is one of the most progressive citizens of his section, and his undertakings have not only proved profitable to him but also a benefit to every locality in which he has had interests. at onee, so he hired a substitute, a man named George Smith, from Canada, for $625 .. He prom- ised to come back if he lived, but that was the last Mr. Billmeyer ever saw of him. Mr. Bill- meyer has always felt that this team of twin oxen which helped him in his early lumbering and farm- ing operations, and then sold for enough to partly defray the expense of hiring a substitute for army service, contributed much to the beginning of his success. When he and his brother Alexander were young inen they left the cornfield one day in 1863

On Jan. 17, 1869, Mr. Billmeyer married Han- to buy timber. Their capital was five dollars in nah Flora, who was born Dec. 30, 1851, daughter gold, and they gave three dollars to Andrew Rob- of James and Sarah A. (Smith) Flora, and they inson for a fine dog they wanted, paying the other have had three children : Sarah. A., wife of H. B. Montgomery, of Milton; Carrie Ellen, wife of John D. Swanger, of Milton ; and James H., born Sept. 1, 1872, who is unmarried and assists his father in business.

two down on some timber. Such was the humble start from which these two well known business men built up their prosperous mill 'and lumber operations. Mr. Billmeyer would cut the timber and haul it to the mill in the daytime, and he

James Flora, father of Mrs. Billmeyer, was born and his brother would saw the logs with an up in Montour county. He followed farming for a and down saw run by water power, doing this number of years, and later engaged in the hotel work at night by the light of pine knots. In business at Mausdale, that county, maintaining a time they leased a sawmill from Judge Moore and high reputation for integrity and strict manage- Mr. Snyder, of Danville, and located it on the ment. His wife, Sarah A. (Smith), was the daughter of John Smith, and they are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery, at Danville, Pa. They were the parents of seven children : Jane E., Sallie, Mary C., William C., Hannah, Caroline and one that died young. The family are Lutherans in religious belief. Simington farm, in Montour county, and as they prospered they were able to buy it, paying $3,000 for it. It was a thirty-horse power plant, and they turned out a large amount of work with it. After buying it they moved it to John Watson's farm, near Washingtonville, Montour county, and the brothers divided the work, Henry Billmeyer attending to all the teaming and cutting of the REUBEN JOHN GLICK, attorney at law of Shamokin, Northumberland county, is a member of an old Schuylkill county family, being a de- scendant in the fifth generation from his emigrant ancestor, John Gliek, a native of Germany, who came to this country with four brothers and set- tled in the upper part of Bucks county, in what is now Lehigh county, Pa. There is a Johannes "Klick" buried at Wessnersville, Berks Co .. Pa., who was born Oct. 29, 1715, and died March 23, 1181. His wife, Magdalene, was born April 23. 1624, and died April 23, 1790, on her sixty-sixth birthday. timber and Alexander Billmeyer looking after the sawmill. They moved it still later to George Smith's farm, Mr. Smith being an uncle of Mrs. Henry Billmeyer, and here the accommodations were at first so inadequate that they had to sleep in the sheds and stables until they could build suitable quarters. For about two years before dis- solving partnership the brothers were located on a large tract which they had bought from James Lowery. When they divided their interests Henry Billmeyer took the old homestead of 111 acres in Liberty township, his brother continuing the mill alone, still selling to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, which took their mill output.

After the old homestead came into his posses- sion Henry Billmeyer improved it greatly, putting .up an entire set of new buildings, and he also continued milling, buying a plant and doing saw- ing for his brother. His mill was stationed first at Mooresburg, in Montour county, whence he ment until his death.

John Glick, Jr., son of the emigrant, and the next in line to Reuben John Glick, was born in what is now Lehigh county and passed the greater part of his life in that region, tilling the soil and owning and operating a distillery. He continued thus until he reached the age of seventy, when he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, living there in retire-

shipped his product to Wooden & Jackson, of Reuben Glick, son of John Glick, Jr., was born Berwiek, Pa. Later it was on the Frederick farm in Lchigh county, on the old Glick homestead, in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland coun- March 19, 1809. He passed all his life there,

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

engaged in the peaceful pursuits of farming, and He married Lucretta Gable, daughter of John died Jan. 1, 1892. He was a member of the Gable, and a large family was born to their union, Evangelical Church and in political faith was an as follows: Harriet, who married Thomas Cher- old-line Whig until after the disruption of the ington (they reside at Catawissa, Pa.) ; Mary Mar- party, in 1858, when he became a Republican. He garet, Mrs. Glick; Emma, wife of George W. Barn- married Elizabeth Allen, who was born July 5, hart; Elizabeth, wife of S. K. Cleaver; Clara, wife of John W. Mertz; John; Clinton, deceased ; Wil- 1807, daughter of Moses Allen, the latter born Sept. 16, 1781, of English descent; Mr. Allen liam E .; Albert L .; and Thomas, deceased.

lived for a number of years in Warren county, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Glick had six sons and one daughter : William Wallace C., born Dec. 19, 1830 ; Moses, Dec. 25, 1833; Hannah Charity, Sept. 8, 1837; 'Joseph Miller, Aug. 13, 1840; John W., Sept. 12, 1842; Edward A., Feb. 16, 1845; James Monroe, Aug. 12, 1847.

Reuben John Glick was born Aug. 15, 1874, at Girardville. After his preparatory education lic attended the Bloomsburg normal school, from which he was graduated in 1891. He then entered Lafayette College, from which he was graduated in 1895, locating in Shamokin July 31st of that year. He was admitted to the Northmnberland county bar July 30, 1898, and has since been en- gaged in legal practice. Mr. Glick has gained a lucrative clientage, and the fact that he is solicitor for the poor district shows that he has the confi- dence of his fellow citizens generally, his high Mr. Glick has his office in the MeConnell building.

Joseph Miller Glick was born Aug. 13, 1840, in Lehigh county, was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of his native township. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company C, 133d Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, with which he personal character being his best recommendation. served four months. In 1866 he settled at Girard- ville, Schuylkill county, where. he passed the re- mainder of his life, becoming one of the most as a member of the Republican party, of which

Mr. Glick is quite prominent in local politics he is a firm supporter. He holds membership in the Elks at Shamokin. As a wide-awake, ener- getic and disinterested citizen he is making a name and place for himself in the home of his adoption which is but the just reward of his industry and intelligent efforts.

HEIM. The Heim family of Northumberland county is numerously represented in this portion of Pennsylvania. It is descended from George Heim, one of three brothers from Wurtemberg, Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania on their arrival in America-John in Berks county, An- doni (or Andrew) in the Buffalo Valley and George in the Mahantango Valley, in that section now embraced in Schuylkill county. He is buried at On Aug. 26, 1866, Mr. Glick married Mary Margaret Hower, daughter of John Hower, of Girardville, and she preceded him to the grave, dying in October, 1887. Mr. Glick died May 17, 1894. They are buried at Girardville. They were the parents of three sons: George W., born Feb. 2, 1872, is a mail agent on the Philadelphia & Reading road and makes his home at Shamokin ; he married Jennie Traylore and they have one child, Alma. Reuben J. was born Aug. 15, 1874. A. Hower, born Dec. 9, 1883, is now inanaging the Glick shoe store at Girardville; he is unmar- ried. Klingerstown in Schuylkill county, his grave be- ing in a garden, but unfortunately it has no mark- er. He was a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence and of good education, was one of the early schoolmasters of that region, and also followed surveying, doing all the surveying required in his section at the time. He purchased consider- able land from the Indians over which there was subsequently litigation with the Penns, they claiming title. Heim had a large strip of land which extended from the Himmel Church in the direction of Klingerstown. He resolutely opposed John Hower, Mrs. Mary Margaret (Hower) Glick's father, was the first settler at Girardville, Schuylkill county, where he built a hotel which he called the "Girard House" in honor of Stephen Girard, who often stopped there. It was the. first public house at the place and Mr. Hower con- the window tax imposed by the English Crown upon the pioneers during the Colonial days. He probably was single when he came to America. His wife, however, was of foreign extraction, being of Irish stock. They had among others these chil- dren : John (grandfather of William H. Heim, of Sunbury), George (great-grandfather of ducted it until his death, which occurred there. Charles A. Hime, of Jordan township, and of Dan-

prominent citizens of that place. He engaged in the shoe business, building up a lucrative trade in that line, in which he was interested until his death, meantime also acquiring other valuable business interests. He was secretary of the Girard- ville Savings Fund and Loan Association, the Gi- rardville Gas Company and the Palace Theatre Company. In 1875 he was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National Bank of Ashland and served as a director from that time until his death; he was also one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Girardville. Mr. Glick was a stanchi Republican, and before Cleveland's first ad- ministration held the office of postmaster at Gi- rardville for fourteen years. He also served as a member of the borough council.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

jel D. Heim, of Shamokin), Paul (had a son ufaeturing enterprise in the same line, being one Paul), Peter and Matthias.

of the organizers of the Sunbury Nail, Bar and Jolin Heini, son of George, was born in 1756, in Guide Iron Manufacturing Company, of Sunbury, Upper Mahanoy, and died in 1824, aged sixty- of which he was vice president from its inception. eight years. He is buried at Klingerstown, in a For some years he was a director of the First Na- garden. He was a prominent schoolmaster of his tional Bank. He prospered throughout his busi- ness career, and at the time of his death, which occurred April 17, 1895, in Sunbury, he was in comfortable circumstances. He was buried at Pomfret Manor cemetery.

day and also followed farming, having consider- able land. He was a leading and respected mem- ber of the community, doing all the writing and similar business for his section. In 1790 the Fed- eral Census records him as a resident in that scc- tion of Berks county now embraced in Schuylkill

Mr. Heim served one year (1871) as chief bur- gess of Dunbury, elected as the Republican candi- county, in the Upper Mahantango Valley, in date. He was a Democrat until 1860, joining the Republican party as one of Lincoln's supporters. four sons-all under sixteen years of age-and two He was always interested in the cause of free edu- cation, being its most active advocate, in fact, dur- ing his residence in Upper Mahanoy township, where he served as school director. In his earlier manhood he was very prominent in local military

which Klingerstown is now located. He then had daughters. He was twiee married, and by his first union had seven children (another account says he had seven sons and one daughter by first wife). His second wife was Sophia Kohl, who remarried after his death and died about 1863, at the ripe affairs, in which he took keen enjoyment. Before , age of eighty-eight years, and is buried at St. the war he was captain of militia and lieutenant John's Church in Upper Mahanoy township. of a volunteer company, and during the adminis- Eight children were born to this union, namely : Molly married Peter Beisel: Christina married a Straub ; John, a carpenter, located in Richfield, Snyder Co., Pa .; George lived near Heplers, Pa .;

tration of Governor Johnston was commissioned major of a uniformed volunteer battalion, hold- ing that rank five years. Of large physique and dignified carriage, he made a most impressive ap- seemed particularly well fitted. He always rode a fine horse. Six feet, four inches in height. straight even in his old age, liis was a commanding pres- ence, and a picture taken when he was seventy-nine years old shows that he retained his aristocratic bearing .and coneliness to the end of his days. In

Rev. William was an Evangelical preacher (he pearance in his military capacity, for which he ' had an only daughter, Sallie, who married Dr. Hensyl, of Howard, Pa.) : Peter lived at Watson- town, Pa. (he had a son John, who is deceased, and three daughters) ; Daniel is mentioned later ; Jonathan, who located in the West. had a large family, now located in Iowa and Indiana.

Daniel Heim, seventhi child of John and Sophia fact, he was generally conceded to be the finest (Kohl) Heim, was born Jan. 15, 1816, in Wash- looking man in his section. He was highly re- spected by all who knew him, in any of the rela- tions of life, for his resolute character and striet honesty. He was well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., of Sun- bury, and to Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R. A. M., and was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, building St. John's Church, in Upper Mahanoy township. ington township, Northumberland county. His mother's second marriage occurred when he was about twelve years old, and he soon afterward entered upon the battle of life among strangers. For three years he found employment among the farmers, and then in Union county learned the carpenter's trade and followed that and mill- wrighting eighteen years. In 1850 he engaged in the merchandise business in his native township, at Greenbrier, and followed it there for sixteen years, building the large brick store and residence there which he occupied. Thenee he came to Sun- bury and remained one year, in 1867 moving to Danville, where he kept the "Danville Hotel" one year. In 1870, in partnership with his son John, he embarked in the hardware business at Sunbury, a business still carried on by his sons at the old location. John Heim retired from the business in 1879, after which Mr. Heim continued to conduct and died May 20, 1863 (she is buried at St. John's it on his own account during the rest of his life, Church in Upper Mahanoy) ; Louise Anna, widow signing his own checks until two days before of Albert Haas, of Sunbury; James B., who lies his death. The large brick store at No. 415 Mar- in the National cemetery at Baltimore, having ket street, still occupied by the business, was built died in 1865 on his way home, after being mustered by him. Meantime he became interested in a man- out at the close of his service in the Union army ;

On Oct. 23, 1863, Daniel Heim married in his native township Mary Hornberger, daughter of George and Polly ( Maurer) Hornberger, the lat- ter a sister of Felix Maurer, at one time sheriff of Northumberland county. She died in October, 1896. To Mr. and Mrs. Heim were born ten ehil- dren, namely: John H., of Sunbury: Lydia, who married Peter Gonsor ; Hattie, who married Sam- nel H. Snyder, and died in July, 1909; Sarah A., born Nov. 3, 1843, who married Charles Schlegel,

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

George W., of Sunbury; Capt. William Henry; Mary Ellen, who died in 1863; and Percival Os- car, of Sunbury. Sunbury, was born at Greenbrier, in Upper Ma- hanoy township, Jan. 26, 1861, son of Daniel CAPT. WILLIAM H. HEIM, son of Daniel, was Heim. He was educated in Sunbury, graduating from the high school, and began clerking at an born at Greenbrier, Northumberland Co., Pa., early age in his father's hardware store. For three

Sept. 13, 1855. His early education was obtained in the township schools, and he was one of the first pupils at the Sunbury high school, then taught by one Professor Miller. In 1869 he went to learn the job printing business under Young- man & Keefer, and one year later became associated with his father as clerk in his hardware store, with which he has since been identified. After the death of his mother the business was purchased by his brother, George W. Heim, who continued with it for twelve years, William H. and P. Oscar Heim meantime entering into partnership with him. In 1899 William H. Heim purchased their interests, and he now conducts the business as D. Heim's Son. He is a substantial business man and highly respected in commercial circles, has served as school director of Sunbury, and was tendered the nomination as representative of his district in the State Legislature, but refused the honor, though he takes a public-spirited interest in the welfare of the community. He has been active, however, in fraternal life, and especially prominent in local military affairs. He is a member of Lodge No. 267, B. P. O. Elks, of Sunbury, and was a delegate to the meeting in California in 1909 ; is a member of Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M. (pursuivant for many years), Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R. A. . M., and Mount Hermon Commandery, No. 85, K. T., all of Sunbury, Pa. ; of the West Branch Consistory, and also of Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

Capt. Heim has been connected with the Nation- al Guard since 1870. He saw active service in the railroad riot of that year. He first became a mem- ber of Company E, 8th Regiment, which company later was transferred to the 12th Regiment. In 1877 he organized Company E, and in 1898 or- ganized Company C. He is now captain of Com- pany K, 12th Regiment, having held that office since June, 1898 : Companies E and K. have a large armory at Sunbury. The Captain is a Republican in politics and a Lutheran in religion, holding membership in Zion's Church at Sunbury.

Captain Heim has been twice married. On Oct. 25, 1877, he was married to Annic L. Eyster, daughter of Dr. Joseph Eyster, of Sunbury. She died June 30, 1895, aged thirty-eight years, the mother of two children, Daniel Cland (a farmer above Sunbury) and Mary Mabel (a trained nurse, of Philadelphia). In 1906 Captain Heim married Daise Rose DeHaven, daughter of John DeHaven, whose father built the Northern Central railroad from Harrisburg to York. There is one child, school when the snow was deep rather than de- Lenora DeHaven, by this union.

years he was in partnership with his brothers George W. and Capt. William H. Heim, finally selling out to Captain Heim and opening up a store of his own at No. 438 Market street. He is still established at that location, having built up a profitable trade. Mr. Heim has the reputation for business sagacity common to the members of his family, and is one of the esteemed citizens of Sunbury in business and social circles.

In 1890 he married Ellie Houghendobler, daughter of Zacharias Houghendobler, of Milton, Pa., and they have had one child, Helen. They are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a Republican in politics.

George Heim (2), the great-grandfather of Charles A. Hime, of Jordan township, and of Dan- iel D. Heim, of Shamokin, was a son of the George who came to this country from Germany, as previ- ously recorded. He was a resident of Mahanoy (now Washington) township, and was probably buried at the Himmel Church. He had, among other children, Philip, who it is said was a preach- er and lived in lower Northumberland county.

George Heim (3), son of George (2), was born March 20, 1791, and died Jan. 26, 1860 ; his wife, Susanna (Herb), born April 18, 1794, died Oct. 28, 1872. They are buried at Himmel's Church, of which he was a Lutheran member, and he was engaged as a laborer on the construction of the old stone church, wheeling the stones up an in- cline. He lived near this church, in Washington township, and did laborer's work, owning but a few acres of land. His children were: John, Harry, Jonas, Daniel, Jacob, Isaac, Anthony, Hettie (who married twice, her first husband being named Bohner ) and Susan (Mrs. Kautz).

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 108

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