Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 13

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 13

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Col. Thomas Grant, son of Alexander and Anna (Gordon) Grant, was a colonel in the Con- tinental forces during the Revolutionary war. and settled in Sunbury after its termination. He was a farmer by occupation and remained with his father on the homestead, becoming the owner of the extensive farm, which is now within the limits returned to Milton, and the same year he was hon- of the borough. He was a man of intelligence and ored with election to the office of chief burgess, enterprise, a leading citizen of his day, and was which he is now filling. He is also deputy protho- supervisor of the turnpike company. He died notary of Northumberland county. It was in June 16, 1815, aged fifty-eight. while his wife

NORTHUMBERLAND. COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Deborah (Martin), who was from Northumber- in this connection he was known of all over the land, this county, born Jan. 19, 1763, died Feb. State. He was one of the oldest Episcopal Church 22, 1845. They had children : George, Mary, Ju- officers in Pennsylvania, having been a vestryman lian, Deboralı, . William, Thomas, Martin, Sarah, of St. Matthew's Church, at Sunbury, for a period Robert (who died in infancy) and Robert S. Of of nearly sixty years, from early manhood until his these Deborah married Kenderton Smith and had death. All his church duties were efficiently and children; Elizabeth, Virgellia, Deborah, Julia, Annie, Thomas, Mary A., Kenderton and Cad- wallader. William (son of Col. Thomas Grant), born Nov. 7, 1788, died Feb. 28, 1838 ; he married Dorcas Montgomery (born Dec. 5, 1790, died July 3, 1863), and their children were Clarinda,

promptly performned, and he was a regular attend- ant at services as long as his strength permitted. Sincere and unostentatious in his religious lite, he carried the principles of Christianity into all his relations with his fellowmen. "His life has been an open book, full of usefulness, consider- Thomas, Robert Montgomery (born Feb. 2, 1816, ation for others and gentleness. All his ways died Dec. 27, 1840), Deborah (born Feb. 15. 1818, died Feb. 1, 1851), Margaret Ann (born in 1820, died in 1823), and Mary (who married Dr. Reed and had sons Thomas and William).

Robert S. Grant, son of Col. Thomas, was born Dec. 4, 1804, in the brick house which is still standing on the old homestead place, and passed his life there, dying April 25, 1849. He followed speaking well of others or not at all, and was so

farming. He married Elizabeth Dyer, who was from the Wyoming region, being of Wilkes-Barre, and to them were born three sons: William T. is mentioned below : George M., born in 1831, died in 1853; Thomas D., born Nov. 21, 1834, died Aug. 13, 1879, while his wife Amelia D., born April 15, 1839, died Jan. 15, 1875. There was also a daughter, who died young. The mother

were ways of gentleness, for he was a gentleman, and taken all in all his life is worthy of emulation. It can be truthfully said the world is better for his having lived in it and there are many sorrow- ing hearts in this community, for his friends and acquaintances were legion." His "consideration for others" was a trait he carried to the extent of marked that it was always a pleasure to meet. him. his unfailing kindness and courtesy being a matter of heart as well as of principle. In the home circle, as well as among his neighbors and friends, he was cheerful and thoughtful, a delight- ful companion and loving father and husband, whose first thought was for others. Among his business associates he was no less esteemed for his

of this family died Feb. 27, 1837, at the age of clear judgment and fairness to all. His last years, thirty-one. after his retirement from business activities, were

William T. Grant spent his. boyhood at the enjoyed in simple outdoor life, in the cultivation home place and received his education in the of flowers and vegetables, for which he seemed to sehools of Sunbury. At an early age he entered have a gift. his success with such ventures being the employ of Henry Yoxtheimer, who at that time remarkable. It was undoubtedly his method of had one of the largest general stores in this part living which so prolonged his years, for with the exception of the last few months he enjoyed un- usual vitality throughout his long life of nearly eighty-two years, his death taking place in August, 1910, at his home on Arch street, Sunbury. He was buried in Pomfret Manor cemetery. Mr. Grant was probably one of the oldest Masons in the State at the time of his death, having been a member of and for many years he took an active part in the work of the fraternity. He was master of his

of Pennsylvania, and there he became familiar with business methods and laid the foundation of his future success. Marrying Mr. Yoxtheimer's daughter, he and another son-in-law of that gen- tleman, John W. Fryling, formed a partnership and became proprietors of this extensive business. Mr. Grant followed merchandising successfully for a number of years, later becoming interested Lodge No. ?? , E. & A. M., for over sixty years, in the coal trade in the Shamokin region, mak- ing large shipments from his wharves in Sunbury. It was in this connection that he became one of lodge in 1857.

at Sunbury until he retired because of advancing age a few years before his death.

the founders and officers of the Shamokin National Bank. After giving up the coal business he was in the . Pennsylvania Railway Company's service daughter of Henry and Nancy ( Bacon ) Yox- theimer, and she survived him, with seven children, namely: George E., who is at present secretary of the school board of Sunbury : Charles, of North-

Though he never aspired to public honors Mr. Grant had such close association with varions umberland, this county : Robert D., who makes his

home in Los Angeles, Cal., engaged in the mining

phases of the life of his borough that he was very well known. He was always ready to do his full business (his wife, Ruth Lola Gaylord, born at duty as a citizen in private life. and during his Waterbury, Conn., July 9, 1868, died at Salt active business years was diligent in the care of Lake City Sept. 1, 1903) : Annie ; Elizabeth : Kath- his own enterprises, but he invariably found time erine: and Edith, Mrs. William L. Dewart, of to be a devoted and faithful church worker, and Sunbury.

On Sept. 23. 1852, Mr. Grant married Rachel A. Yoxtheimer, who was born Sept. 30, 1830,

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

HON. CHARLES HEBER DICKERMAN, of both deceased: Eliza Knapp, who married Ralph Milton, president of the First National Bank, and HI. Eaton ; Charles Heber ; Payson Kingsbury ; and Mary Louisa, who married Clement R. Woodin.

ex-Congressman from the Sixteenth Congressional district, is one of the citizens to whom this bor-

interests. As member for many years of the firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Limited, which had one of the large industrial plants at that point, he was of business which materially increased its pros- perity. As a public-spirited citizen he has been at the front in most movements calculated to in- crease Milton's attractiveness. His business in- terests, though centered at Milton for many years, have not been confined to that plaee. His business and political connections have made him well known all over the State, and beyond its limits.

Charles Heber Dickerman was born Feb. 3, 1843, ougli proudly refers as representative of its best in Harford, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and there re- ceived his early education in the public schools. He supplemented this with a course at Harford University, being graduated from that institution instrumental in bringing to the borough an amount in 1860. For several years afterwards he was en- gaged in teaching in the public sehools of Susque- hanna and Luzerne counties. In 1862 he was reg- istered as a law student in the office of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, at Binghamton, N. Y., but in 1863 he abandoned the law and accepted a position with Carter & Son, coal operators at Beaver Meadows, Carbon Co., Pa. In 1868 he removed to Bethle- hem, Pa., and engaged in the coal commission bus- Though a native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Dieker- man belongs to an old New England family, trac- ing his ancestry in America back to the early Co- lonial days, when in 1635 Thomas Dickerman came from England and settled in Dorchester, Massa- chusetts. iness. In 1869 he became interested in the Chap- man Slate Company, Chapman Quarries, North- ampton Co., Pa., ininers and manufacturers of roofing slate and other slate products, was elected secretary of that company, and in 1870 was ehosen general manager. In 1880 he became associated

John Dickerman, of the sixth generation of the with S. . W. Murray in the manufacture of freight Diekerman family in this country, and the grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was born in

cars, and removed to Milton, where he has since resided. The firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Lim- Vermont March 17, 1764. At the age of sixteen ited, with which Mr. Dickerman was associated, he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, in engaged extensively in the building of railroad which he served about nine months. During the freight cars, and Mr. Dickerman continued his latter part of his serviee he was employed as a active connection with the establishment until the scout. In 1789 he married Thankful Smith, a entire plant was sold, in 1899, to the American native of Granby, Mass., daughter of Seth and Car & Foundry Company, the present owners. Thankful Smith, of that place, the former of The firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Limited gave whom served as a eolonel in the Revolution. Mr. employment to several hundred men, and was an Dickerman moved to New Haven, Conn., when a important factor in the industrial welfare of the young. man, and there learned blacksmithing. community. About 1800 he removed with his family to Guil- Mr. Dickerman has been interested in numer- ford, Chenango .Co., N. Y., where he followed his ous financial institutions. He was for many years trade, also engaging in farining. Later he removed a director of the Second National Bank of Maueh to Otsego county, N. Y., where he died Nov. 6, Chunk, Pa., of the Lehigh Valley National Bank, 1848. His wife died at the same place Oct. 7, of Bethlehem, Pa., of the Sunbury Trust & Safe 1856.

Deposit Company. Sunbury. Pa .. and of the First National Bank of Milton, Pa., of which latter he became president in 1897, and is still serving in that capacity. He has always been an unswerv- ing, uncompromising Democrat, and a fearless, outspoken advocate of Democratic principles. He served for three years as chairman of the county committee of Northumberland county. In 1891 convention to form a new constitution for this State, and was a delegate to the National eonven- tion in 1892. In November, 1902, he was elected

Clark Dickerman, father of Charles Heber Dick- erman, seventh in the family of John and Thank- ful (Smith) Dickerman, was born June 12, 1803, in .Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y. He received there an academic education, and afterwards took a medieal course in Jefferson College, Philadelphia. Pa .. Dr. Dickerman was twice married. his first union being with Eliza Knapp, whom he married he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional in November, 1829, and who died Nov. 9, 1830. He was married Oct. 14, 1833, at Gibson, Susquehan- na Co., Pa., to Sarah Adelia Chandler, who was born July 30, 1815. daughter of James Chandler, a member of Congress, representing the Sixteenth a member of the Chandler family of Vermont and Congressional district, served as a member of the Fifty-eighth Congress, and declined a renomina- tion and reelection, preferring private life. In 1905 he was appointed by President Roosevelt del- egate to the Peace congress which met at Brussels. Michigan. He settled in Harford, Susquehanna : Co., Pa., where he engaged in the aetive practice of his profession until his death, which occurred there Aug. 5, 1853. To his second marriage were born six children : James Bedell and Eugene Durand. Belgium, on Aug. 14th of that year.

lest Wickerman

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Dickerman was married March 10, 1869, at county-that part of Mahanoy now embraced in Beaver Meadows, Carbon Co., Pa., to Joy Ivy, Little Mahanoy township. He received from the daughter of William and Margaret Carter, natives State a warrant for more than two hundred acres of Cornwall, England, where Mrs. Diekerman was born. Four children were the fruits of this union : Adelia Margaret (Mrs. Howard H. Williams, Plainfield, N. J.), William Carter (vice president of the American Car & Foundry Company, No. 165 Broadway, New York City), Graee Beatrice (Mrs. Guido C. Vogel, Milwaukee, Wis. ) and Joy Chand- ler (Mrs. G. W. B. Fletcher, Philadelphia, Pa.). The family are attendants of the Presbyterian Chureh, and Mr. Diekerman is a member of the Masonic fraternity. and of the Lawyers' Club, of New York City.

DUNKELBERGER, a name well represented in Northumberland eounty, originated, aeeording to tradition, fromi Dunkel Berg, a spur of the Black Forest. Little is known of the Dunkel- bergers before the time of the Reformation. Dur- ing that period they espoused the cause of the Re- formers, and their deseendants to the present day have continued to adhere to Protestant denomina- tions. Up to the time of their emigration to the New World they were industrious and patriotic citizens of what is now the Kingdom of Wurtem- berg, in lower Germany, but being deprived there of their religious liberty they turned to America, coming hither in 1:28 by way of the Rheinfeld, down the Rhine to Holland, whence they sailed in the English ship "Morehouse," landing at Phila- delphia Aug. 28, 1728. They proceeded at once to what is now Berks county, Pa., locating in Wind- sor township, a little southeast of what is now the borougli of Hamburg. They were frequently molested by the Indians. These emigrants were Clement, Daniel and John Dunkelberger. Clem- ent, who was the ancestor of the others (the name of his son Daniel, however, does not appear in his will), at onee paid taxes to the English Crown. "Clementz Doncleberger" is on the first list of taxables of Windsor township (1754). He paid £6 tax in 1759. At the time of his death, in 1782, his home was in Windsor township. His will, made Feb. 12, 1776, was probated April 8, 1782, and is on record in Will Book B, page 38. At the time the will was made his wife Anna Maria was still living. Their children were (no record of Daniel) : Clemens, who obtained the planta-

Early members of the Dunkelberger family (probably sons of John Sr. and of Frederick) were David, Joseph, Samnel, Solomon, John and Daniel (who was lame). The following Dunkel- bergers were mentioned in the first assessment list tion : Catharine, married to Andrew Winiger; of Little Mahanoy township in 1814: John, Fred- Mrs. John. Beck; John: Frederick: Christopher ; eriek, Christopher, Christopher, Jr., and Philip. Elizabeth, married to Michael Deck: Philip: Se- vila : Magdalena ; and Dorotha.

John Dunkelberger, grandson of Clement, was born in Windsor township, near Hamburg, in 1740. He married there and had two sons by that marriage, in 1780 (at which time he was a wid- ower) moving with his son George to the northern part of the Mahanoy Valley, in Northumberland

of land, located north of Line Mountain and he- tween that and Mahanoy creek. The Indians were his neighbors. and were friendly to him, but dur- ing the terrible Indian disturbanees his family on several occasions had to flee for safety. There he built a stone grist mill and stone dwelling house. In 1814 he is credited with a grist and saw mill on Mahanoy creek which mill is said to have been the first in that seetion. He built the mill several years after locating in that distriet. On the John Dunkelberger homestead still stands a large stone house, 45 by 35 feet in dimensions, and two and a half stories high, which was built in 1818. the year in which this pioneer died. Large, well-selected stones were used in its eonstruetion and the wall is exceptionally strong.

After settling here John Dunkelberger married again and had two sons by his second wife, Solo- mon and Jonathan, from whom most of the Dun- kelbergers are descended. These pioneers are buried on their own farm on an elevation below a piece of pine woods, about fifty feet northeast from a publie road. Their graves are marked by marble tombstones, inseribed as follows :

"Hier ruhet Johanes Dunkelberger Gabo. den 28 Sept. 1745

Storb den 27 Novem 1818 Alt 73 yahr 2 mo 1 Tag Text I Buch Moses 48 Capitel 21 \" "Hier ruhen die gebine von Elizabeth Dunkelberger war Eine geborne Kahwel war geboren den 20ten Marz. 1761, und starb den 3ten September, 1827 Ist alt worden 66 Yahr 5 monot und 12 tag. Text Heob.

17. Capitel den 11, ver. 5''

Christopher Dunkelberger, who died in Little Mahanoy township in 1835, made his last will and testament (on record at Sunbury courthouse ) Feb. 12, 1834, and it was probated March 2, 1835. He made ample provision for his "beloved" wife Cath- arine. Items of the will: She shall have two cows. two beds and their beddings, privilege of the house, and of one horse to ride when she

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wants to go abroad. Their children: Abraham lived in Upper Mahanos township, and had land (received the homestead, cattle, sheep and swine), at Mahanoy which the Saibals had before him. Susanna, Catharine, Ester, Salomey. Elizabeth, Of George's children, Jacob, the eldest, born in Henry, Daniel, Magdelina, John, Peter, Hannah. 1802, in 1850 moved to Hegins township, Schuyl- In a private graveyard in Little Mahanoy. kill county, where he had bought a large farin and township, on a farm formerly owned by Frederick gristmill near the present town of Hegins. There Dunkelberger (now owned by Galen Raker), is he died in 1874, and was buried in the Evangelical a tonibstone bearing the inscription :

"Hier ruhet Friederich Dunckelberger gebo. 1747, storb d. 24, Jener 1815 alt. 67 y. 9 mo."

cemetery. He had married in 1828 Catharine Maurer, and they had eight children, Moses. William, Emanuel, Caroline, Lena, Hannah, Mary and Salome. Of these, Moses, born in Ma- hantango in 1829, married in 1853 in the locality mentioned, Elizabeth Bensinger, and they are

His wife, Catharina, nee Hauer (in), is buried both living at present at their homestead in the at Little Mahanoy church, where may be found town of Hegins. Their children are: R. B. Dun- record of her birth and death. Oct. 18, 1749, and kelberger, a prominent business man of Reading. Jan. 17, 1831, respectively. Her will is on record Pa. ; Mary Jane, wife of John H. Schrope, a pros- in Will Book III, page 83; executor, Leonard perous farmer of Hegins township : and James H.

Dunkelberger, living on the liomestead farm with Reed.

On a farm in Little Mahanov, on Little Maha- his two sons, Harry and Ray.

John Dunkelberger, son of George, was born

noy creek, formerly owned by Christophel Dun- kelberger (now owned by Jacob Dreibelbis), is a in the Mahantango Valley Sept. 16, 1806. and he

tombstone with the following inscription : died March 23, 1892, aged eighty-five years. six "Hier ruhet Christofel Dunckelberger worde geboren den 27 Hornung, 1773, und Storb den 29 Jenner 1827 Ward alt 53 yahr 11 mo nat 2 Tag" months and seven days. He was a farmer and lived in Rockefeller township, near the Shamokin township line. His farm consisted of 212 acres, upon which he built two barns, rebuilt the present house, rebuilt the sawmill and erected all the other buildings now standing. This farm is now owned There is another stone with the inscription : "Hier Rhuet ein Sohn von David Dunkelberger b. 1831, d. infancy."' by John Erdman. John Dunkelberger was a short, stout man and was known as "Der dick John," or "Sawmiller John." He married Lydia, daughter of Daniel Beisel, born April 14, 1811, and died Nov. 30, 1890, aged seventy-nine years. seven Eve Feister, the wife of Christophel Dunkelber- months and sixteen days. John and Lydia Dun- ger, is buried at the Little Mahanoy Church: she kelberger are buried at Dunkelberger's graveyard, was born July 8, 1780. and died Nov. 30, 1830. at what was formerly known as the "White

George Dunkelberger, eldest son of the John Church," in Rockefeller. They were the last mem- Dunkelberger who came into Northumberland bers of this church. John Dunkelberger gave the county in 1780, settled in the Mahantango Valley, ground for this church and graveyard, and was one in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township, of its foremost members. They had fifteen chil- about 1802, being one of the early pioneers in dren, all deceased, save two, Jeremiah, of Holt that region. He attended the Reading markets Co., Mo. ; and Jesiah.

from there. Shortly before his removal he was

JESIAH DUNKELBERGER, son of Jolin, is married (in 1800) and he had four sons, Jacob, a citizen of Rockefeller township. Born Jan. 16, Samuel (who lived in Little Mahanov) Daniel, 1849, on his father's homestead, he was reared (who died July 18, 1865 : his wife, Catharine, nee there, and here spent his entire life. He worked Wagner, born Aug. 29, 1816, died July 6. 1863) for his parents until he was twenty-one, then for and John. George Dunkelberger died in August, three years farmed the homestead for a quarter 1837. ' His will, on record at Sunbury, Pa., in share of his father's stock. After that he began Will Book III, page 282, provided by item for with his own his wife Elizabeth as follows:

stock for one-half interest. which he did for three more years. He then la-

She shall have a cow, spinning-wheel. 9 bushels bored one year when he purchased a farm of rye, 3 bushels wheat, 24 pounds beef, 25 pounds nearly forty acres in Lower Augusta, living there pork, iron pot, one pan, one bucket, kitchen uten- one year. In 1877 he purchased his present farm sils, etc. The will speaks of four children, but of sixty-eight acres in Rockefeller township and only three are mentioned, as follows: Samuel and built the present barn. He markets his produce Daniel shall have homestead ; John shall have that at Shamokin.

Jesialı Dunkelberger was married in December.

certain tract of land of my old farm, etc. The ex- ecutor was John Mowrer. George Dunkelberger 1872. to Susan Raker, daughter of Solomon and

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Elizabeth ( Dornsife) Raker, of Rockefeller town- Locust Dale, Pa., and at the latter place was also ship. Their children were six in number, viz .: Ir- in the general store business for a time. On June win G., who married Ella Conrad, and lives at 12, 1893, he moved to Shamokin, and from that Kutztown, Pa .; Edwin G., Daisy and John time lived retired, occupying his home at No. 536 E., who died young: S. Pearl, who married North Second street during the winter season and Harry Moyer, of Trevorton, Pa .; and Jesse in the summers moving with his family to a farm E., wlio married Emma Riland, lives at at Seven Points which he had purchased. Mr. home and has a son Harry J. Mr. Dunkel- Dunkelberger was a man of upright life and high ideals, and for years was a prominent church worker, belonging to the United Evangelical Church, where he taught a class of young men in the Sunday-school. For one period of three years berger is a Republican, and served as supervisor for three years. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church at Seven Points, where the United Evangelical Church is now located. Mrs. Dunkelberger was the granddaughter of he missed but one Sunday at Sunday-school. He Jacob Raker, who lived in Lower Augusta town- was a great Bible student and well versed in the ship. He was the father of William; George, Ja- Scriptures.

cob, Solomon, Lovina (Mrs. George Long).

Mr. Dunkelberger married Susanna K. Kehler, John (Johannes) Dunkelberger, known as "Lit- and they had one daughter, Jennie, the deceased wife of Charles Geist, a young business man of

tle Johnny" (brother of George), the other son of John by his first marriage, was born in Northum- Shamokin. Mr. and Mrs. Geist have one son, berland county, Sept. 14, 1775. He died May 17, Paul Jonathan. Mrs. Dunkelberger still lives at 1835, and was buried in Howerter cemetery in the old home on Second street. She is a grand- Upper Mahanoy township. He was a farmer and daughter of John Kchler who lived and died in like his brother George settled in Mahantango Val- the Mahantango Valley, as did also her father, ley, in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township, John Kehler. The latter was a farmer. He mar- Northumberland county. He married Susanna ried Kate Knerr, and to them were born the fol- Zimmerman, born in April, 1785, who died Jan. lowing children : Elias, Joseph, Frank, Joel 19, 1860, and their children were: Daniel (set- Jolin, Benjamin, Charles, Catharine (married Jo- tled in Mahantango Valley), Catharine (married seph Dreibelbis), Harriet (married Jacob Hepler) a Mr. Knerr), George, John, Joseph, Magdaline, and Susanna (married Jonathan Dunkelberger), Susanna (married Abraham Howerter), Solomon all now deceased but Mrs. Hepler and Mrs. Dun- and Elizabeth (married - Klock). George, kelberger.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 13

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