Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 22

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 22

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Mr. Bingeman is well known socially, belong- ing to Aerie No. 970, F. O. E., of Williamsport, to the Owls at Sunbury, and to No. 1 Fire Com- business men of the borough.

I. O. O. F. and in religion united with the Re- pany, one of the leading companies in the State, formed Church. He died March 31, 1889. To whose membership of 341 includes the leading

his first marriage, with Louise Brosius, was born one son John, who lives in Virginia. By his sec- In 1884 Mr. Bingeman married Ida L. Roth- ond marriage, with Mary Wiest, who survived ermel, daughter of Andrew Rothermel, of Dal-

: 88

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

matia, and they have had two children: Clarence, born April 28, 1854, in Lower Mahanoy township. who died when four years old; and Clinton C., his He worked on the farm for his father until he be- father's assistant in business, who married Effie came of age, meantime obtaining his education in Fegley.

Abraham Bingaman, son of Adam and grand- son of John the emigrant, was born Oct. 22, 18-, and died Feb. - , 190 -. He was a life-long farmer, owning and cultivating the 123-acre farm which is now the property of his son William E., and there making his home. He built the pres- ent house on the farm now owned by J. M. Kiehl and Daniel Kauffman. Mr. Bingaman served as school director of his township before the estab- lishment of the free schools. To him and his wife Rebecca (Enterline) were born the following chil- dren : Adamı E., William E., Jacob E., Belle (mar- ried Philip Drumm), Mary (deceased wife of John Host) and Jennie (married Adam Dubendorf).

Adam E. Bingaman, son of Abraham, was born Dec. 25, 1851, on the original Bingaman home- stead farm in Lower Mahanov township, and was reared to farm life, working for his parents until he attained his majority. He was then in the employ of his uncle Elias Wiest for some years, and for four years burned lime for different par- ties: For another year he was engaged in hauling powder for the Berry Powder Company, and then farmed for the same employer three years. For one entire year he was ill and unable to work. Following this he was engaged in farming for his father, for a period of three years, in Lower Mahanoy township, and during the next five years found work in the lumber woods. He then set- tled on the Harry. Dornsife farm, where he was engaged in farming for six years, after which for four years he was in business threshing and cut-, ting wood in Little Mahanoy and Jackson town- ships. Selling his threshing outfit, he began farming at his present place in Little Mahanoy township, near Hunter station, in March, 1902, this being the old Conrad Raker homestead (his post office is Raker). It consists of some fifty acres, which Mr. Bingaman has under successful cultivation.

In 1872 Mr. Bingaman married Margaret Eliz- abeth Byerly, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Bow- er) Byerly, and they have had a family of twelve children : Benjamin F., who died when eight years old; Abraham, of Little Mahanoy township; Mary A., who died when five years old; Israel and Joseph, both of Little Mahanoy township ; George and Charles, both at Shamokin; and John, Wil- liam, Fred, Isaiah and Eve, all at home.

Mr. Bingaman and his family are Reformed members of Zion's Stone Valley Church. He is a Democrat politically, was formerly supervisor of his township and is now serving as member of the township road board ..

the subscription schools then conducted in the neighborhood and . the public schools established during his boyhood, and still later he attended the academy at Freeburg. He received a thorough training, and received a license to teach public school in Northumberland county in 1874, spend- ing his first term at what is known locally as the Washington schoolhouse in Lower Mahanoy town- ship. In all he taught five terms in his home dis- trict. His salary was a dollar a day, or twenty- two dollars a month for twenty-two days' teach- ing. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Bingaman be- gan farming on his father's place, on shares, and in 1882 he purchased his present home in Lower Mahanoy township, which at that time contained thirty-five acres, to which he has since added about thirteen acres. This farin, which is located on the road between Hickory Corners and Pillow, was owned long ago by Isaac Witmer, a tailor: later by Elijah Byerly: next by Jacob Schaffer, and after him by William L. Schaffer, whom Mr. Bingaman succeeded in the ownership. He is a respected and reliable citizen of his township, one who holds the confidence of his fellow citizens, as evidenced by the fact that for six successive terms he was chosen auditor of his township. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are Reformed members of Zion's Union Church of Stone Valley. He has been a deacon of that church since 1888. On Jan. 8, 1876, Mr. Binga- man married Mary M. Kiehl, daughter of John and Esther ( Frymoyer) Kiehl. They have no children,

JACOB E. BINGAMAN, son of Abraham, was born May 19, 1857, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there grew to manhood. After attending the local schools he went to Uniontown Seminary, then taught by Prof. Harry Eisenhower, and in 1880 received a license to teach, following the profes- sion a few terms. His first term was spent in Jordan township, his second and third at the Stone Valley schoolhouse, and he gave excellent satisfaction. However, he returned to the pur- suit to which he had been trained from boyhood, farming the Lessman place in Lower Mahanoy township for three years. He was next engaged as a huckster, driving a produce team weekly to Pottsville, Minersville and Tremont for six years, during which period he and his family resided at Hickory Corners. In the spring of 1896 he be- came proprietor of the "Keystone Hotel" at Hick- ory Corners, conducting that house very success- fully for the next eleven years, and in the spring of 1907 moving with his family to Dalmatia (Georgetown), where from July 2d until the spring of 1908, he was engaged in no special line.

William E. Bingaman. son of Abrahamn, was On the latter date he assumed charge of the "Na-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tional Hotel" at that point, the leading first-class Alexander Bingaman, son of Adam and grand- hotel of this region. It is situated near the North- son of John the emigrant, was born Aug. 25, 1838, ern Central depot, and has twenty-two guest in Lower Mahanoy township, on what was the rooms, provided with all modern conveniences and homestead of both his father and grandfather. comfortably furnished. This hotel is conducted along modern lines, the accommodations are of the best, and the place has an appearance of thrift, neatness and good management which attracts the best element of the traveling public. Mrs. Binga- man is an excellent cook, noted for the preparation of dainty and original dishes, and her assistance has done much to add to the popularity of the

He was a farmer by occupation, for forty-nine years cultivating the tract now owned by his son Jeremiah A. Bingaman, erecting the house and barn on that property in the year 1845. He and his wife began housekeeping there Jan. I, 1846, and he passed all his life on that place. One of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of his locality, he was for a number of years an official hotel. Mr. Bingaman owns a lot in Dalmatia, of Zion's ( Stone Valley) Church, of which he was some limestone quarry property and four tracts of a Reformed member, held the office of township supervisor fifteen years, and served about the same length of time as constable and overseer of the poor. Politically he was a Democrat. Mr. Binga- man died in his native township July 29, 1895, and is buried at the Stone Valley Church. His wife, Catharine Radel, daughter of Michael Radel, was born Dec. 25, 1834, in the second house north land-totalling twenty-one acres-in Lower Ma- hanoy township. He has been active in citizen- ship, having served three years as township clerk in Lower Mahanoy, and after the expiration of his term in that office was twice elected auditor, for terms of three years each. He is a Democrat on most political questions; but independent when he thinks it necessary to follow his own convic- of the place where she settled upon her marriage, tions.

In September, 1881, Mr. Bingaman married Fietta Harris, daughter of Isaac and Polly (Kemp) Harris, and granddaughter of George and - (Batteau) Harris, who came from Berks county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Bingaman have had children as follows: Clara E., who is the of John Fetterolf, of Lykens Valley.

widow of Harry H. Engel (she has a daughter, Helen) ; Jay A. ; Winton V .; Melvin H .; Beulah G .; Garrett Q., and Fara U. Mr. Bingaman and his family worship at .Zion's (Stone Valley) Church, he being a member of the Reformed con- gregation, his wife of the Lutheran.

Jay A. Bingaman, son of Jacob E., was born Oct. 15, 1884, in Lower Mahanoy township, at- tended the local schools, and later took a course in a Philadelphia Business college and a business course in the Seranton Correspondence . School. He then obtained a position as clerk in a Philadel- phia hotel, where he was engaged for four years, in the spring of 1908 returning to Dalmatia, where he became clerk for his father at the "Na- tional Hotel."

On Aug. 1, 1908, Mr. Bingaman married Jen- nie R. Lenker, daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca (Witmer) Lenker and granddaughter of Isaac Lenker and of Isaac Witmer. One daughter, Hel- en Constance, has been born to this union. Mr. Bingaman and his family worship with the Re- . formed congregation at Zion's (Stone Valley) Church. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. at Dalmatia.

Melvin H. Bingaman, son of Jacob E., was born Feb. 28, 1889, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there received his education in the public schools. He is at present engaged in assisting his fatlier. He is a Reformed member of Zion's (Stone Valley) Church.

and though now over seventy-five years old is well preserved and in the enjoyment of good health. Five children were born to this marriage: Sophia. who died in her fourth year: Agnes, who died in her fourth year : Alveretta, wife of John Reitz, of Harrisburg; Jeremiah Adam ; and Malinda, wife

JEREMIAH ADAM BINGAMAN, son of Alexander, a prosperous farmer and teacher of Lower Mahan- oy township, was born in that township June S. 1867, at the place which is now his home. He was reared to farm life, and began his education in the schools of the home district, later attending the National Pen Art Hall and Business College. then located at Canfield Ohio, and the West Farmington College (also in Ohio), from which latter he was graduated in 1892, with the degree of B. S. After his graduation he went to Chicago, Ill., where he engaged as bookkeeper with the Sykes Steel Roofing Company, having general charge of their office from June 11. 1892, until June 16, 1894. During the World's Columbian Exposition, held at that city in 1893, he was a guard at the fair grounds for seven and a half months. He left Chicago Dec. 23, 1894, and re- turning to Pennsylvania taught school in his na- tive township for three consecutive terms, at the Mahantango schoolhouse. He then taught the Stone Valley school for two terms, and Byerly's school in the same township for one term. and ac- cepted a school for the following term which, how- ever, he resigned after four months to take a po- sition with the Standard Oil Company. He was with the Baltimore branch, which has headquar- ters at Salisbury, Md., and filled the position of district manager, his territory comprising Wicon- ico and Dorchester counties, Md., and Northamp- ton and Accomac counties. Va., as well as the ad-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

jacent island in the Atlantic. IIe held this posi- line, and he has been one of the leading workers tion from February, 1902, until his resignation, in that congregation. serving as class leader and trustee, and in official positions in the Sunday school, of which he has been superintendent for many years. in August, 1907, when owing to the condition of his health he deemed it advisable to resume farm- ing. He cultivates his father's old homestead, which consists of sixty-four acres of fine, fertile On Aug. 10, 1888, Mr. Bingaman married Jen- nie Peiffer, daughter of Henry C. Peiffer, and they have had a family of five children: Roy (who is a teacher in Lower Mahanoy township), Spur- geon, Hale, Gertie and Harry. land, and is making a thorough success of his work. In addition to farming he acts as agent for the Aermotor Company of Chicago, manufactur- ers and dealers in wind machinery, and he also installs bathtubs and does various kinds of work in these lines. He has been quite active in the Elias Bingaman, son of Nicholas and grandson of John the emigrant, was born Oct. 12, 1838, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there received his public affairs of the township, of which he is an auditor, and he has been Democratic committee- man of his township since 1908, being one of the early education in the pay schools then conducted party's stanch supporters in his locality.

in the vicinity, attending the free schools for one winter. He worked for his parents until he be- came of age, when he began farming on a ninety- acre place adjoining his present home, remaining there for twenty-five years. Since 1889 he has William W. Bingaman, son of Nicholas and lived at his present place in Lower Mahanoy, a

On Dec. 24, 1896, Mr. Bingaman married Laura J. Wert, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Em- erick) Wert.

grandson of John the emigrant, was born April 8, farm of ninety-one acres, but he is not now actively engaged in its cultivation, living retired in the enjoyment of the earnings of his earlier years. He is a man of upright character and consistent Christian life, a faithful member of the Trinity Evangelical Church, in which he has been a most dutiful worker, serving many years as classleader, trustee and exhorter. 1836, at the place in Lower Mahanoy township where he still lives. With the exception of two years when he was engaged with George Bohner as an apprentice at the saddler's trade he always followed farming throughout his active years, beginning on his own account at the age of twen- ty-two years, on his father-in-law's farm. He lived eight years at that place, which period and About 1867 Mr. Bingaman married Lucinda the two and a half years he spent at Uniontown Dunkelberger, daughter of John and before his marriage, while in the employ of Mr. (Geist) Dunkelberger. She passed away Feb. Bohner, constitute his entire absence from the 28, 1904, aged sixty-five years, eleven months, four home farm. This place comprises ninety-six acres, days, and is buried at the Trinity Evangelical which Mr. Bingaman sold in 1910 to his son Ben- Church.

jamin, who is now cultivating it. Mr. Bingainan always did his own harness-making and similar work while engaged in farming." He was a quiet, industrious citizen, prospering by hard work and good management, has never touched intoxicat- ing liquor of any kind, and has never been in court even as a witness. In 1855 he married Polly Kocher, daughter of Peter and Sarah Kocher, and to them were born ten children, four of whom are deceased, including Charles. The survivors are Jane, Joseph, Benjamin F., William, Lindon and Alice. Mrs. Bingaman was born at Orndorf.

Benjamin F. Bingaman, son of William W., was born Jan. 2, 1860, in Lower Mahanoy town- ship, and was two months old when his parents set- tled at the old Bingaman homestead. He has `been used to farming from earliest boyhood, and in 1892 began to work for his nnele Elias Binga- man, with whom he farmed for six years. He then moved upon his present farm, taking possession of same in the winter of 1910. He is an intelli- gent and thrifty worker, a reliable citizen, and a . man respected wherever known. He and his fam- ily are members of Trinity Evangelical Church (also known as Bingaman's Church) at the county

SAMUEL STILL, farmer and fruit grower of Lower Angusta township, belongs to a family which has for several generations been settled in Dauphin county, this State, where the Stills were represented among the early residents. The Federal Census Report of 1790 shows Benjamin, Charles, Christian. David, Elisabeth. John, Samuel, Thom- as and William Still as heads of families in the sev- eral. counties of Pennsylvania. The family to which Isaac Still. grandfather of Samuel Still. belonged is known to have moved to Dauphin county from another section of the State, and it is known that the Stills were located in the Lykens Valley before 1800.

Mr. Still's great-grandfather was an English- man. and his wife was a. German woman. She died at an advanced age, suffering a stroke while sitting at the table. This was when her great- grandson. Samuel, was a boy of about seven years.

Isaac Still. the grandfather, passed his earlier life at Elizabethtown, along the Sweet Arrow creek, in Lancaster county, and when his son Jacob was about six years old moved across the Peters mountain in Armstrongs Valley, one and three-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

quarters miles from Halifax, Dauphin county, where he remained until his death. He was a farmer, and willed his farm to his son Jacob. Of his six children, one son and five daughters, we have record of but three: Jacob, Polly (married John Miller) and Elizabeth (married James Buchanan).

Jacob Still, only son of Isaac, was born in 1808, and passed practically all his life in Halifax, Dau- phin county, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-six. He was a farmer, and came into possession of the paternal farm, which he contin- ued to cultivate throughout his active years. His wife Elizabeth (Bailey), born in 1812, died in 1869. They are buried at Long's Church in Dau- phin county. Twelve children were born to this couple : Mary, Sallie, Jacob, Samuel, David, Han- nah, Nancy, William, Maggie, a twin of Maggie that died in infancy, Daniel and Louisa.

Samuel Still was born Oct. 11, 1840, in Hali- fax, Dauphin county, and was reared upon the farm, where he began work at an unusually early age. He handled the plow when only eight years old, and continued to work for his parents until he was seventeen, after which he learned the pot- ter's trade at Elizabethville. After four years in that line he turned to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for nearly forty years, in the boroughs of Shamokin and Herndon and the ter- ritory surrounding them. He worked on houses in Herndon when the place contained only four dwellings. For one year he assisted on bridge work at Rondout, N. Y. He rose to the grade of boss carpenter, and taught the trade to a number of apprentices. In 1886 Mr. Still bought his present property, the "Klondyke". fruit farm, in Lower Augusta township, to which he has added until now it contains eighty-two acres, in 1902 buying the homestead of Samuel and Harriet Col- dren, formerly a Clements homestead. Mr. Still raises considerable fruit, and though now seventy years old continues to attend the Sunbury markets weekly, finding ready sale for all his products. He is a progressive fariner, and has reaped rich returns for his up-to-date methods and careful management.

In 1866 Mr. Still married Rebecca Zearing, daughter of Jolin Zearing, of Halifax, Dauphin Co., Pa., and to this union were born eight chil- dren, of whom but two survive: Harry, who lives at Sunbury; and Sylvester D., of Lewistown, Pa. Mrs. Still died about 1883, and she and her six children are buried at Zartman's Church, in Jackson township. In about 1884 Mr. Still mar- ried (second) Rosilla Coldren, daughter of Sam- tel and Harriet Coldren, and they have one daugh- ter, Hattie J., who is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Still is a member of the Evangelical Church at Herndon.

CHARLES P. RINEHART, a prominent cit- izen of Upper Augusta township, engaged in gen- eral farmning and dairying, a man who has been thoroughly identified with the development and progress of his section, was born May 19, 1851, in Sunbury, near which borough he now lives. He is a grandson of John Rinehart ( Rhinehart), a native of Germany.

Jolın Rinehart was born in 1772, and emi- grated to America about 1290. He had to serve three years to pay the expenses of his passage, and his time was bought by one Gideon Wolf, of Lan- caster county, Pa., in whose household was also Elizabeth Oberhoff, like himself a native of Ger- many, who had come to America eighteen months before John Rinehart. She was to serve five years to defray the cost of the voyage, but when John Rinehart's period of redemption had. expired, the young couple having decided to marry, Mr. Wolf released her from the remaining six months of her period of service. Young Rinehart could nei- ther read nor write at that time, but he was strong and industrious, and he made his way in the world without assistance. The young couple mar- ried as soon as Mr. Rinehart was free, but contin- ued to live in the Wolf family for another two years, after which they continued to live in Lan- caster county for several years longer. He was naturalized there. He kept hotel until his re- moval from that county, paying twelve dollars for his license. Removing to Montgomery county in 1812 he remained there a few years, thence com- ing to Sunbury, Northumberland county, and soon thereafter settling in Upper Augusta (then Augusta) township, where Mr. Rinehart acquired a farm of 100 acres. He also had a piece of prop- erty in Sunbury. Besides farming, he did thresh- ing, and one season after threshing his own grain he worked out for a tenth, receiving ninety bushels of grain as his share that year. He continued to farm in Northumberland county until his death, which occurred in 1837, and he is buried in the lower cemetery at Sunbury. In religious faith he and his wife were Lutherans. She died in 1845. . They had children as follows: Elizabeth," Mrs. Steel, lived in Philadelphia: Sarah, Mrs. Collins, lived in Baltimore: Mrs. Crosby lived in Philadelphia ; Mary married Martin Huhn and they lived out West; Louisa, Mrs. Reed, lived in Sunbury ; John went to Michigan in an early day and there followed farming; Charles was the father of Charles P. Rinehart.

Charles Rinehart. youngest son of John, was born Jan. 31, 1817. in Augusta township, this county, and was reared on the homestead. In his early life he assisted with the farm work at home. but when a young man he commenced boating on the Pennsylvania canal, and followed that occu- pation for about a quarter of a century. Mean-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

while he resided in Sunbury, where he became a crat. Socially he belongs to the Royal Arcanum well known citizen, filling a number of the borough and the Conclave of the Lance and Shield at Sunbury. When he was a boy of nine years he was in Philadelphia just after the election of Lin- coln, whom he remembers seeing there.

offices. He built a residence on Front street, where he resided from the time he began boating until he left Sunbury. In 1868 he bought the farm in Upper Augusta township, near Sunbury, now On March 12, 1885, Mr. Rinehart married Clara Ella Stroh, daughter of John Stroh, of Riverside, and they have had five children: William C., who graduated from the township schools and later at- tended Susquehanna University, now assisting his father; Mary A .; Charles O., who died when two years old; John J., who graduated from the Sunbury school in 1911, when sixteen years old; and Anna E. Mr. Rinehart and his family are Lutherans in religious connection. owned by his son Charles, and there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was seventy-three years and one day old. He is buried in the lower cemetery at Sunbury. Mr. Rinehart was a Democrat up to the time of the Civil war, when he gave his support to Lin- coln and thereafter was identified with the Repub- lican party. He was actively interested in political issues, and did his share in the administration of local public affairs, serving as overseer of the Philip Stroh, the pioneer of Mrs. Rinehart's family in this section, was a native of New York State, and came to Northumberland county, Pa .. about the year 1825. He settled in Upper Augusta township, at what is now known as Klinesgrove, and there followed farming, owning a tract of land. He died in New York State and is buried there. His wife, Elizabeth (Oberdorf), daughter poor and as school director of his township, where he was considered a highly useful citizen. In religion he was a Lutheran. Mr. Rine- hart married Mary Crissinger, who was born April 24, 1808, daughter of Jacob Crissinger, and died in 1884, aged sev- enty-seven years. Six children . were born to their union : Martha married George W. Fisher, of Peter Oberdorf, long survived him, and is bur- who is now deceased, of Sunbury: Sarah C. mar- ried George P. Krohn, of Sunbury; Amelia died when thirteen years old: Susanna married Charles F. Martin, of Sunbury; Margaret Louisa mar- ried William Kreisher, of Sunbury; Charles P. lives on the home farm.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 22

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