Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 23

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 23

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ied at the Klinesgrove Church, where Mr. Stroh and his family were members of the Lutheran con- gregation. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Stroh had the following children: Peter lived near Seven Points, this county; Samnel, a machinist of great ability, who built rolling mills, lived for a time at Danville, Pa., and later at Reading, Pa .; Mary Ann married Jacob Evert and they lived in Upper Augusta township; Eliza- beth was Mrs. Kocher; David, a carpenter, lived and died at Danville; John, a farmer, lived at Riverside (he was the father of Mrs. Rinehart) ; Solomon is mentioned below; William, who was a blacksmith, lived and died at Pittston, Pennsyl- vania.

Charles P. Rinehart attended the schools of Sun- bury, and began to assist his father at an early age, boating on the canal from 1860 to 1868. When seventeen he settled on the farm with his father, and has ever since been occupied with the culti- vation of that place. On Dec. 16, 1868, he and his father commenced the dairy business, which he has continued ever since in connection with general farming, having now made a specialty of that line for a period of forty-two years. He is considered Solomon Stroh, son of Philip, was born June 13, 1825, in the State of New York, and was brought by his parents to this section. The re- moval was made by wagon. He learned the trade of blacksmith, and proved to be a mechanic of unusual skill, making hinges, handcuffs, and iron work for bridges, mills, houses, ete. He was a re- markable man in many ways, and one of the no- table citizens of his time in this region, taking an active part in every movement with which he was identified. He served some years as council- man in Sunbury. He was one of the organizers of the volunteer fire department of the borough, rendering valuable service to the community as head of the Washington Fire Company for a num- ber of years. He was a prominent Democrat, party chairman of his ward, and chosen as delegate to many county conventions. A prominent member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, he was past grand of Lodge No. 203, passed all the chairs in the en- one of the most reliable dairy farmers in this dis- trict. At present he keeps twenty cows, and his dairy products are marketed in Sunbury. Mr. Rinehart's farm contains 184 acres and is one of the best in the township, not only because of the quality of the land but in the way of improve- ments, the buildings being substantial and in good order, and. the other improvements up-to-date in every respect. In 1891 hè built the large brick residence, which is equipped with all modern con- veniences and is a valuable addition to the prop- erty. He has not only found time to attend sys- tematically to his personal interests, but he has taken a public-spirited interest in the general wel- fare and has held various local offices. For three consecutive terms he was anditor of his township; has been a member of the board of supervisors, and since 1899 has been a school director, during that time filling all the offices of the board ex- cept that of secretary. Politically he is a Demo- campment, and was the first representative from

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

his town to the meeting of the Odd Fellows' Or- Bloom, whose name opens this article, and of phans' Home Association, located near Sunbury. Amos Bloom, also of Sunbury, took up a large tract of land in Clearfield county ; the third set- tled in a valley near Bellefont, in Center county, where a large number of his descendants have since lived. For many years he acted as chaplain of his lodge. In the days of the old State militia lie was an officer, and did efficient work in that capacity. A strong, robust man, six feet in height, and of commanding presence, he was an attractive figure, and he was as popular as he was widely known. He was a member of Zion's Lutheran Church and a zealous worker in its behalf, serving as deacon and elder, holding the latter office at the time of his death. For some years he was superintendent of the Sunday school, which he served efficiently as librarian for the long period of thirty years, being active in all the departments of the church and Sunday school, in both of which he was highly esteemed. He died at Sunbury April 12, 1898.

On Sept. 12, 1850. Mr. Stroh married Mary Zimmerman, who was born May 4, 1827, daughter of George and Mary (Hall) Zimmerman, and still makes her home in Sunbury. Though past eighty she is well preserved and still active, and she is highly esteemed in Sunbury, where she has had her home for so many years. She, too, is an active member of Zion's Lutheran Church, and.she taught one of the classes in its Sunday school for fifty-five years, relinquishing the work only be- cause of her advancing years. Her sympathies have always been practically shown in her activity in the church work, and she also sang in the choir for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Stroh were born eight children, as follows: Naomi, born in 1851, married W. A. Heller, and is deceased ; George, born in 1853, died in 1856; Samuel, born in 1855, is a resident of Sunbury; Jeremiah, born in 1857, died at Sunbury in 1906: William, born in 1859, lives at Sunbury : Annie E., born in 1862, died in 1874; Stella and Miriam are unmarried and at home.

ISAAC BLOOM, now living retired in Sun- bury, has made his home in that borough since 1872. His active years were for the most part spent in lumbering, and as raftsman and pilot on the Susquehanna river he became thoroughly fami- liar with that stream, upon which he has had many interesting experiences. He was born Jan. 27, 1842, in Pike township, Clearfield Co., Pa., son of John Bloom, and is a descendant of a family now numerous in Northumberland and Clearfield coun- ties, descended from two brothers who came into Pennsylvania from New Jersey. In the archives of that State are recorded the names of five Bloom brothers who served in Baxter's Brigade of New Jersey volunteers. One was killed in action. Af- ter the war one remained in New Jersey, the other three coming to Pennsylvania. Of these, Stephen Bloom. the ancestor of Urias Bloom, of Sunbury, settled in the Shamokin Hills, in North- umberland county; William, the ancestor of Isaac

William Bloom, as stated, took up a large tract of land in Clearfield county, at what is known as the "Peewee's Nest." He was born in New Jer- sey in 1752, and lived to the age of 104 years ; he is buried at Curwensville, Clearfield county. He followed farming on land which he himself cleared, and where he erected a log house and barn. His wife, like himself a native of New Jersey, also at- tained an advanced age, living to be ninety- eight. They were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Abraham, James, Isaac, John, William, Benjamin. Peter, Mary (married Matthew Caldwell) and three daughters whose names are not recalled.

From the above source there is a large poster- ity, and we quote the following from the Phila -- delphia North American of Aug. 18, 1909, as be- ing of interest in this connection :

"The Bloom reunion was held at the 'Peewee's Nest,' on the bank of the Susquehanna river, near Curwensville, Pa. The Bloom clan is one of the largest in Clearfield county. They are descend- ants of William Bloom, a native of New Jersey, and a Revolutionary war veteran, who came to Clearfield county with his wife in 1796. They came up the West branch of the Susquehanna river in a canoe and settled on the spot where the family reunion was held. The ancestor Bloom and his helpmate had eleven children, seven sons, four daughters, and from them are descended the many hundred of Blooms of Clearfield and sur- rounding counties. The eighth generation of the family participated in the reunion in 1909. The Blooms have figured extensively in the affairs of Clearfield county since its organization. They are a hearty and tall people, noted for longevity and multiplicity. Ross Bloom, of near Curwensville, who was eighty-eight years old, attended the gath- ering of the family. Benjamin Bloom, who at- tended the reunion, is seventy-seven years old, and the father of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. He has so many grand- children that he fears missing some should he en- dleavor to count them, scores of great-grandehil- dren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

"The Blooms are members of the Democratic party. During the Civil war the family sent many of its sous to do battle for their country."

Isaac Bloom, son of William, was like all his brothers and sisters born in Clearfield county. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned the farm on which he died. He married Mary ( Polly) Apgar, who survived him, dying in 1820 at a ripe old age, and they had a family of twelve children,

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

six sous and six daughters. namely: John, James he attained his majority, having missed but two A., William, George, Reuben, Benjamin, Caro- elections in all that time. He has long been a leading member of the Methodist Church, of which he has served as trustee and steward since 1880. As a citizen he has commanded the respect of his fellow men in every relation of life. line (Mrs. Owens), Priscilla (married John Norris and had eighteen children), Geneise (married Samuel Taylor), Mrs. George Ogden, Margaret (married Nicholas McCracken) and Mrs. George Garrison.

In 1867 Mr. Bloom married Sarah E. Kline, daughter of John F. and Eliza ( Mittler) Kline, and to them have been born nine ehildren : Carrie K., who is engaged in school teaching; J. Byron, who makes his home in Sunbury ; and Charles W., Arthur M., Lucy, Chester C., Emma, Henry O. and Mary E., all of whom died in infancy.

John Jordan, Mr. Bloom's inaternal grand- father, was born Dee. 4, 1790, and Eva, his wife, was born Ang. 8, 1792. They had a large family, born as follows: Mary Ann, April 9, 1812 ; John, May 12, 1814: David, June 10, 1816; Margaret, June 15, 1818; Samuel, Nov. 12, 1820; Rachel, Nov. 17, 1822; Daniel, July 2, 1825; Janiza, May 15, 1827 ; one that died in infaney, May 10, 1829; Leir, June 17, 1830; Susan, May 12, 1832; Wil- liam, April 29, 1834; Sarah Ann, July 9, 1836.

AMBROSE PERSING, senior member of the firin of Persing & Cooke, of Arters, Northumber- land county, proprietors of the Shamokin Valley Roller Mills, was born Dec. 29, 1860, at St. Clair, Seluylkill Co., Pa., son of Matthias Persing, in his day a prominent contractor of this eounty. Several generations ago the family was settled in New Jersey, where William Persing, great-grand- father of Ambrose Persing, lived, at Greenwich, in Sussex county. There all his children were born. among them being William, Jr .. and John, both of whom eame to Northumberland county, Penn- sylvania.

William Persing. Jr .. born in New Jersey April 23, 1773, settled in Shamokin township, Northum- berland county, where he died Feb. 19, 1853. He is buried at the old Blue Church. He was a man of enterprise and had large interests, engaging in farming, building a gristmill which he operated, and also carrying on a rope walk and distillery. He was an extensive fruit grower, the most ex- tensive in his section. using the fruit in his dis- tillery. He also made peppermint products. Wil- liam Persing was twiee married, his second union being with Margaret Dimmick. The children of his first marriage were born as follows: Mary, 1795; Philip, 1797; Matthias, 1800: William. 1802 ; Samuel, 1804: Isaac, 1807 : John. 1809. To the second marriage were born: Hannah, 1812: Elizabeth, 1814: a son and a daughter, twins, who lived only a few days: Abigail. Feb. 11, 1817: Peter, June 28, 1819; Rebecca. Dee. 24. 1821: Daniel, April 10, 1825: and Susanna and Marg- aret, twins. July 2, 1829.

John Persing. the other son of William Persing who came to Northumberland county, was born

Jolin Bloom, Jr., son of Isaae, was born Feb. 4, 1809, in Pike township, Clearfield Co., Pa., and was a prosperous farmer, owning about three hun- dred aeres of land. He served three years as eon- stable, and for a number of years as supervisor, and was a man well known in his district. He was a Demoerat in politics and a Methodist in re- ligion. On Oct. 24, 1833, John Bloom married Mary Ann Jordan, who was born April 9, 1812, eldest of the large family born to John and Eve (Lawyer) Jordan, and granddaughter of Peter and Mary Magdalena Lawyer. Mr. Bloom died in August, 1883, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife died at the age of eighty-five. They are buried at Bloomington, Clearfield county. Their children were born as follows: Frederiek, Sept. 24, 1834: Eliza, Mareh 3, 1836; Matilda, Nov. 10, 1837 ; Rachel, Dec. 11, 1839 ; Isaac. Jan. 27, 1842; John Jordan, April 8, 1844; Mary J., Dec. 21, 1845: Sarah A., Dee. 24, 1847; Susan, April 7, 1849; Jerusha, May 11, 1851; Eva A., Nov. 7, 1853; Alfred, May 27, 1856.

Isaac Bloom received his edueation in the com- mon sehools of Pike township. He was reared up- on the farm, and after reaching manhood eontin- ued to follow farming during the summer season, in the winter time working in the lumber woods, with which he was also familiar from boyhood. Rafting on the river was a great business in those days, and he was thus engaged on the west branch of the Susquehanna for many years, making his first trip when only fourteen years old. He made two trips every spring for about fifteen years, bringing some of the finest square timber ever sent down the river to Marietta. Some of the logs he brought down contained 125 feet of good, solid timber. For seven years Mr. Bloom engaged as a pilot on the Susquehanna, where there are many dangerous falls and roeks to be avoided or skillfully passed. all known by name to the pilots, as "White Break," "Side Poeket." "Stepping Stone," "Sandy Harbor," "Meshannon Falls." "Wood Rock." "Karthus House," "Buttermilk Falls," ete. In 1872 Mr. Bloom and his family moved to Sunbury, where they have since resided. After settling in this place he was engaged in su- perintending lumber jobs for different parties, later served five years as street commissioner of the borough, was janitor at the courthouse for three years and for another three years was boss of the earpet weaving departinent at the Northi- umberland county jail before his retirement, in 1908. He has been an active Demoerat ever since

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

March 12, 1275, and on removing to Pennsylvania Ida V., Mrs. Adolphus Hartman, deceased; and Ambrose.

settled in Schuylkill county, where he followed farming. Coming later to Northumberland conn- ty, he settled in the Irish Valley on land later owned by Joseph Bird, and engaged in farming and distilling. He died March 18, 1858, at the home of his son Matthias, and is buried in the old Presbyterian graveyard near Deiblers station, be- low Shamokin. Mr. Persing was married in 1297 in New Jersey to Anna Eve Larkins, who was born March 28, 1:26, and died July 13, 1850. They were the parents of the following children : William, born March 28, 1791; Mary, born Sept. 12. 1800, who married John Shipman; George, born Feb. 1, 1802, who died Nov. 23, 1824 (his death was caused by a falling tree) ; Sallie A., born March 28, 1804, who married Michael Tay- lor; Catharine, born Oct. 18, 1806, who married Isaac Teitsworth; Benjamin, born April 2, 1809; Matthias, born Dec. 21, 1810; Susanna. born Feb. 10, 1813, Mrs. Willitt; Nancy, born April 19, 1815, who married Jacob Goss; Washington, born June 3, 1818, of Illinois; and Alfred, born Sept. 15, 1822, who died Oct. 23, 1824.

Ambrose Persing began his education in the schools of the home locality, later attending Elys- burg Academy. At the age of eighteen years he commenced to learn milling, at Paxinos, and in 1885 engaged in milling upon his own respon- sibility, leasing the mill at Arters for two years. He then became associated with Ritter & Son, of Lairdsville, Lycoming Co., Pa., continuing with them for two years, at the end of which time he and his brother Emanuel S. Persing formed a part- nership, buying the Shamokin Valley Roller Mills at Arters, in Upper Augusta township, which they operated under the firm name of Persing Brothers. In 1892 Frederick W. Cooke bought the interest of Emanuel S. Persing in these mills, and he and Ambrose Persing have since done bus- iness together as Persing & Cooke. They turn out a number of popular brands of wheat flour, Gold- en Sheaf and White Falcon among others, and make a specialty of buckwheat flour, which is famous over a wide territory, having few equals. The firm also deals in flour, feed, grain, etc., and has a large patronage in every line. The busi- ness has long been the leading industry of the town and vicinity. Mr. Persing has taken an ac- tive part in the public affairs of his community, having served fourteen years as auditor of Upper Augusta township, and he is at present assistant postmaster at Arters. In political connection hie is a Republican, and socially he is a Mason, he- longing to Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M.

Matthias Persing, son of John, born Dec. 21, 1810, in New Jersey, was reared on the farm in Shamokin township. and himself took up farm- ing, owning a 100-acre tract, now the property of K. C. Leisenring. By trade he was a stonecutter, and he did contracting in that line, one of the last large contracts which he filled being for part of the stone work on the Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre railroad. After this he was associated in the contracting business with Andrew Knoble, On March 28, 1885, Mr. Persing married Ida E. Cooke, daughter of Edwin and Catharine (Casey) Cooke, and sister of his business partner. Mr. and Mrs. Persing have no children. They are members of the Church of Christ at Sunbury. under the firm name of Persing & Knoble. Among other important work which Mr. Persing per- formed was the mason work on the large coal breakers at Shamokin, He was one of the lead- ing men of this region in his day, employing large numbers of men, and showing great ability in all FREDERICK W. COOKE, member of the firm of Persing & Cooke, proprietors of the Shamokin Valley Roller Mills, at Arters, in Upper Angusta his undertakings, which were ambitious enough to give him a place among the most progressive men of his time. He died April 25, 1874, at Elys- township, is not only one of the able business men burg, and is buried in the graveyard at Reed's of his section but also well known in his connec- Church, at Reed's station, below Shamokin. Po- tion with its public affairs. He was born July litically he was a Republican, socially a Mason, a 27, 1861, in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Edwin Cooke, and has passed all his life in Northumberland county. charter member of Elvsburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M., of which he was a past master "by merit." In religion he was a Presbyterian, and served as Edwin Cooke was born in Shropshire, England. came to America in 1857, and settled down to farming in Ralpho township, Northumberland Co., .Pa., where he had a tract of 150 acres. He was a Methodist in religion and particularly in- terested in church affairs, helping to rebuild the deacon of his church. He married Joanna Parent. daughter of John Parent, an Englishman, among whose children were also John, Elizabeth, Sophia, Sarah, Caroline and Ellen. Mrs. Persing died about 1871. The following children were born to this union : Emanuel S., born in August, 1843, present Oak Grove Church. He died in 1902, at who died in 1909 : Alson, who died in infancy : Jo- the age of sixty-five years, and is interred in the Oak Grove burying ground, near Paxinos. He mar- ried Catharine Casey, a native of Limerick. Ire- land, whom he met aboard the vessel while com- anna, who died in infancy : Emma, Mrs. George W. Heffly, deceased : Hamilton S., who died at Williamsport. Pa. (he left a daughter. Carrie C.) : Edward E., who died in 1907 at Altoona, Pa .; ing to America. She still survives, living on the

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

old homestead, and is well preserved in spite of her advanced years. Six sons and five daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cooke; Edwin H., now of Union Corners. Pa. ; John J., who lives near the homestead, in Ralpho township; Sarah J. Martha L. Huff.

(deceased), who married Hamilton Persing ; Fred- erick W .; Ida E., wife of Ambrose Persing ; George W., of Ralpho township; Daniel W., of Pittsburg, Pa .; James A., of Rush township; Kate, who died aged five years; Kate, wife of W. E. Fisher, of Paxinos; and a daughter that died in infancy.

Frederick W. Cooke began to learn the trade of miller at Paxinos when twenty years old. For seven years he conducted the Shamrock Mill, lo- cated near Paxinos (then known as Hughes sta- tion mill), and in 1892 formed his present part- nership with Ambrose Persing, with whom he has since been engaged in the milling business un- der the name of Persing & Cooke. This firm has had a career of continuous prosperity, and has a large custom, drawn from a wide territory. In addition to manufacturing, they deal in flour, feed, grain, etc. Among their various brands Golden Sheaf, White Falcon and Silver Cloud are the leaders, and their buckwheat flour, of which they make a specialty, has a wide reputation, so much so that the supply has never been equal to the de- mand, although they have never advertised it, or done any soliciting.

Mr. Cooke has no political affiliations, voting independently, but he has taken considerable part in the public affairs of his locality, having served eighteen years as overseer of the poor in Upper Augusta township. He was also supervisor one term, refusing to serve longer though re-elected. He was elected justice of the peace, but refused to accept the honor. He was instrumental in having the postoffice at Arters-the only one in the township-established, in 1895, was the first

On Jan. 29, 1885, Mr. Cooke married Laura Fenstermacher, daughter of G. Washington and Caroline (Zhenders) Fenstermacher, of Franklin township, Columbia Co., Pa. She died Oct. 27, 1908, aged forty-four years, the mother of six children : Frank married Josephine Feffingwell and they live in Upper Augusta township: George W. married Margaret Ruch and they live at Northumberland ; Frederick W., Jr., was drowned

when seventeen months old; Jesse A. died of dipl- theria when five years old; Roy A. is at home; and Ida L. is at home. On Nov. 19, 1910, Mr. Cooke married (second) in Philadelphia Mrs.

GEORGE W. PARMLEY, deceased, for many years successfully engaged as a florist and mer- chant at Shamokin, was of English blood but American birth. He was born at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, in 1858, son of Samuel and Matilda (Ellis) Parmley.

Samuel Parmley was born in England, and came to America with his first wife. After a short time in New York his wife died, leaving two children, Henry (since deceased) and Elizabeth (who mar- ried Dallas Van Horn). Mr. Parmley married (second) Matilda Ellis, and to this union were born : Charles S .; George W .; Thomas J., of Car- lisle, Pa .; and Mary E., deceased wife of Llew- ellyn James. Mr. Parmley after his second mar- riage settled at Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county, where he engaged in a mercantile business and prospered.

George W. Parmley came to Shamokin in 1884, and was first engaged in a milling business with Andrew Robertson. Later he became a florist, and acquired a wide reputation by his success in that line. He also carried on a china store, located at Independence and Orange streets, one of the best locations in the city, and was so engaged until his deatlı.

Mr. Parmley married Minnie F. Douty, daugh- ter of William H. Douty, and to this union were born : George W., Jr. ; Samuel C. : J. Hillmer ; and Dorothy L. Mrs. Parmlev resides in her coin- fortable home at No. 126 Church street.

DOUTY. Mrs. Parmley is a member of a fam- postmaster, and is still serving in that capacity. ily that was active in pioneer days in Pennsylvania. In 1900 Mr. Cooke took a course in Spencerian penmanship under Prof. A. C. Crawford, of Sun- bury, and he became a master of skillful and legi- ble penmanship, having a high reputation in that capacity. Socially he is widely known, belonging to Lodge No. 22. F. & A. M., of Sunbury, and to Lodge No. 203. I. O. O. F., of Sunbury. He was originally a member of Elysburg Lodge. No. 414, F. & A. M., of which he was worshipful master. He and his family are members of the Church of Christ at Sunbury. of which he is the elder.

JOHN BLUNDIN DOUTY, her grandfather, was a prominent man in the coal regions. He was born near Lambertville, N. J., May 30. 1812, son of William and Mary ( Blundin) Douty, who came to Rush township, Northumberland county, about 1822. Four years later they removed to Potts- ville, where the father became the owner of five boats on the Schuylkill canal. John B. being placed in charge of one of them. He worked as a boat- man until 1842, when he became interested in the coal trade at the East Delaware mines. After a few years there he went to the West Delaware mines where he operated until the failure of the company in 1851 caused the loss of all he had ac- einulated. In 1852 he came to Shamokin and be- gan mining in a small way at the Gap, as a mem- ber of the firm of Kase, Douty & Reed. This ven- ture met with little success, and in 1856, with others, under the name of Bird, Douty & John, he leased the Big Mountain colliery, which in the

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 23

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