Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 26

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 26

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

DANIEL M. ZARTMAN, son of Abraham, was was built upon his ground. His wife, whose maiden born Oct. 21, 1848, in Jackson township, and en- name was Hannebach, bore him the following children : Raymus, Lydia, Sallie, Henry (de- ceased), Maria (deceased), Harriet, Reuben, and Elizabeth (deceased ) . tered upon his busy career at an early age. In 1877 he sneceeded Joseph Reitz in business at Dornsife, in Little Mahanoy township, a railroad station on the Herndon branch of the Reading railroad. It is a busy place, being the nearest railroad station for the farmers up the Swabian Creek Valley, and for twenty-nine years Mr. Zart- man was at the head of its principal activities there. He was not only a general merchant, but also conducted the "Dornsife Hotel," and handled

Henry Wolf, son of Joel, was born in Rockefel- ler township, where he passed his life, following the trade of carpenter. He died in August, 1896, at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Wolf was a Lutheran in religion, as are the members of his family. He married Elizabeth Yordy, daughter of Joel Yordy, and to them were born seven chil- coal during the early years of his residence there, dren: Clara married Gabriel Klinger ; Olive mar- ried Samuel M. Zartman; Annie married George Long ; Frazier lives in Rockefeller township : Ray- mus is a resident of New York; two died in in- fancy.

later adding the lumber business to his other in- terests. He purchased the old Sholly homestead, and in time several other tracts. A thorough busi- ness man in everything he undertook, he gained a large and profitable trade, employing three men and doing well in every line he entered. He was the first postmaster at . Dornsife, his service begin- ning in 1879. He died Sept. 21, 1909, and is buried at St. Peter's, of which church he was a Lutheran member. In politics he was a Demo- crat, and he served some years as township treas- urer.

On Jan. 18, 1868, Mr. Zartman married Lana Peifer, daughter of George and Kate (Zimmer- man) Peifer. They had one son and one daugh- ter: William P. is an extensive lumber merchant, · having his office and home in Shamokin ( he em- ploys many men) ; Cassie married Fred Dornsife and they live at Dornsife.

SAMUEL M. ZARTMAN, son of Abraham, was born Feb. 3, 1855, in Jackson township, was edu- cated in the township schools, and continued to work on the farm until 1885. That year he began working for the National Transit Company, a sub- sidiary of the Standard Oil Company, in which employ he still remains. Since 1892 he has made his home at Latsha's pumping station (his post office being Dornsife). In 1900, after his father's death, he obtained the homestead of 145 acres in Jackson township, which he has since rented out. In 1909 he built a large barn, 85 by 38 feet in dimensions, upon the property. The old log house still standing upon the place is one of the land- marks of this region. It is now roughcast. Mr. Zartman is a substantial and respected citizen of his community, a member of the Lutheran con- gregation at St. Peter's Church, Mahanoy, to which his family also belong.

On June 25, 1882, Mr. Zartman married Olive Wolf, and they have had three children. one of whom is deceased, the survivors being: Aura Mabel, who is unmarried and living at home : and Lottie May, wife of Burlington Bohner, of Jack- son township.

David Zartman, grandfather of William E. Zart- man, farmer of Jackson township, was born Dec. 30, 1:99, son of Martin Zartman, grandson of Jacob Zartman and great-grandson of Alexander Zartman, the emigrant. He was a weaver by trade, and lived in Washington township, dying Oct. 30. 1819, aged seventy-nine years, ten months.

Isaac D. Zartman, son of David, was born Nov. 25, 1835, and is now living at Dalmatia. He mar- ried Sarah Campbell.

WILLIAM E. ZARTMAN was born Feb. 23, 1864, on the Zartman homestead in Washington town- ship, son of Isaac D. and Sarah ( Campbell) Zart- man. He was reared to farm life and educated in the township schools, at the close of his school days hiring out among farmers in Washington and Jackson townships. In 1894 he began farming for himself, having purchased a tract of eighty-six acres in Jackson township, one and a quarter miles northeast of Herndon, where he has since made his home. The water facilities on this place are unusually good, and Mr. Zartman has cultivated. the place successfully and profitably. He has by good management succeeded in accumulating, property, owning several houses in Herndon. In the administration of local public affairs he has done his share as a good citizen, serving six years as school director of Jackson township. In politi- cal opinion he is a Democrat:

In 1884 Mr. Zartman married Alice Drumhel- ler. daughter of Nicholas Druntheller. Three chil- dren have been born to them: Abbie married Cleveland Klock ( who works for Mr. Zartman, his father-in-law ) and they have two children. Hilda E. and Felix William: Carrie L. and Thomas Eugene are at home. Mr. Zartman and his family are Lutherans in religious connection. .

ARTHUR R. TREXLER, of Sunbury, propri- Joel Wolf, Mrs. Zartman's grandfather, was a etor of the largest department store in Northum- farmer in Rockefeller township, owning land there. berland county. is naturally one of the best known He is buried at Wolf's Cross Road church. which

business men of this region. He has been sole

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Trexler is a native of Snyder county, Pa., and comes of a family which has been settled in Pennsylvania from the early days, being one of the oldest and most numerous in Berks county, where the first of the line of whom we have record, Peter Trexler, made his home before 1220. We . give a record of the early generations in chrono- logieal order.

owner of this large establishment since 1893, and previous to that time, as a member of the firm of Whitmer & Trexler, was part owner. The busi- ness is the oldest in the borough in the dry goods line, and has always been foremost among local commercial enterprises. (II) Peter Trexler (2), son of Peter the emi- grant, was born Feb. 11, 1721, and was bequeathed the homestead near Breinigsville, which had been deeded to him in 1248. He became a man of con- siderable importance, and was justice of the peace from 1752 to 1776, as such, under the Colonial system, sitting in the courts at Easton. The first election in Northampton county occurred Oet. 1, 1752, many of the voters being obliged to travel twenty-five iniles to deposit their ballots. The op- posing parties were the Irish and German settlers. Peter Trexler was elected one of the three county commissioners. He was a frugal man, of method- ical habits, and in favor of education. When com- pelled to be away from home to attend court, he filled his saddlebags with provisions so he could board himself. When schools were established in Pennsylvania by the English nobility for the pur- pose of teaching the English language. Peter Trex- ler was made one of the trustees of the William Parsons school at Easton. He died Aug. 25, 1298, and was buried in the family cemetery on the home farm. He married Catharine Winck, born Aug. 7, 1728, died Aug. 14, 1815, aged eighty-seven years, daughter of Casper and Gertrude ( Kemp) what is now the John R. Gonser farm. On Nov. Winck. According to the Lehigh Church book, at her death she left sixty-two grandchildren and seventy-nine great-grandchildren. Seven children, three sons and four daughters, survived Peter Trex-

(I) Peter Trexler came to Berks county before 1720, settling in Oley township. As early as Sept. 5, 1720, he was one of the petitioners for · the ereetion of the township. It was but a short time afterward, however, that he left Berks coun- ty, moving to what is now Upper Macungie town- ship, Lehigh county, which territory then, covered with brush and scrub oak, offered very little in the way of attraction to the early settler except the abundance of water with which it was blessed. He settled near Breinigsville, his land embracing 18, 1729, he obtained from Casper Wister, the patentee, a deed for this land, which deed is one of the earliest, if not the earliest, in that region. A seven-years residence was required before nat- ler. The sons were Peter, Jonathan and John. uralization, and Peter Trexler did not take out The daughters: Maria Christine, born Nov. 3, 1253, who married Aug. 13, 1726, Peter Haas, and died Sept. 13. 1829, the mother of ten children ; Mrs. Philip Fogel: Mrs. Henry Grim ; and one of whom there is no record. his papers until 1230. He and his family were the first white settlers in Macungie, and Dr. Helf- rich, in his history of the various congregations in Lehigh and Berks counties, says: "Way down in the valley near what is now Breinigsville lived. before the general migration into this neighbor- hood, a Trexler family, with whom the Indians were very friendly. Mother Trexler often pre- sented the Indians with gifts and gave thein bread, and in return they brought her wild skins and showed friendship to the pale-faces."

(III) Peter Trexler (3), son of Peter of Ma- cungie, and the third of the name, was born Aug. 15, 1748, and is known as Mertztown Peter: fre- quently in the records his name appears as John Peter or Hom Peter. He was a patriot of the Revolution, serving as captain of the 5th Company of Colonel Breinig's 2d battalion of militia, and on May 5, 1283, was made lieutenant colonel. He was elected county commissioner in 1782: repre- sentative in the General Assembly, 1:85-86-87-88, thus serving four years, the time limit set by the constitution of 1776. He died March 13, 1828, aged seventy-nine years, six months, twenty-eight days, and was buried in the family cemetery. His will [see Will Book 6, page 187] was made Feb. 15, 1825, and entered April 3, 1828, his sons Peter. Jacob, Reuben and Jonas being executors. He married Catharine Grim, daughter of Henry Grin, youngest son of Geittie Grim, the ancestor of the Grim family so prominent in that section.

Peter Trexler died in 1:58, and his will, dated Dee. 17, 1744, divides his estate among his widow, Catharine, and three sons and three daughters --- Jeremiah, John, Peter, Anna, Catharine and Mar- garet. The son Peter (2) was made executor of the will. Peter Trexler and his wife were both buried in the family cemetery on their farm, but the graves, originally marked by soft sandstones now wasted away, cannot be definitely located. ' Steps were recently taken by the Trexler Family Association, in reunion Ang. 28, 1902, to restore this ancient burial place of their ancestors, and to place a tablet to the memory of Peter Trexler and wife. Of the daughters of Peter. Trexler noth- She was born July 30, 1252, and died July :, 1828, ing is known, but in the diary of Rev. John Cas- aged seventy-one years less twenty-three days. per Stoever, Nov. 9, 1:32. is the record of the Eleven children were born to Peter and Catharine marriage of John George Schumacher and Cath- (Grim) Trexler, namely: (1) Maria married John arine Trexler, of Macungie. Folk, and had children, Joshna, John, Benben ..

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Anna (Shuman), Catharine (first married to a 18, 1829, at Mertztown, went to live at Kutztown, Keizer and second to a Hilbert), Caroline (Guise) Berks county, when a boy, and later to Reading, and Lydia (Guise). (2) John Peter (Jan. 2, that county. In 1854 he went to Union county, 1777-March .6, 1828) married Rachel Fogel (Sept. Pa., where he first followed farming, being a large landowner, and he subsequently engaged in the mercantile business at Shamokin Dam, Snyder county, where he prospered, becoming one of the substantial and well known citizens of that sec- tion. He retired from active pursuits ten years prior to his death, which occurred April 6, 1906, when he was aged seventy-seven years. He is buried in the family plot in the Pomfret Manor cemetery, Sunbury. . Mr. Trexler married Mary Elizabetlı Good, daughter of George Good. She was born near Milton, Pa., and survives Mr. Trex- ler, still residing at the old home in Snyder coun- ty. To Mr. and Mrs. Trexler was born one child, Arthur R. 11, 1784-Jan. 1, 186?) and had children, Caro- line (Horlacher), Sarah (Seiberling), Maria ( Fo- gel) and Jonas. (3) Jacob became the father of Reuben, David, Peter, Jacob, Mrs. James Breinig, Catharine (Breinig) and Mrs. Stephen Sawyer. (4) Reuben (1682-1846) was an ironmaster, re- siding in Mertztown, Longswamp township, Berks county, where he also carried on farming and was well and favorably known. He married Anna, . daughter of Jacob Lesher, a charming, charitable woman of refined tastes, and they lived in the old Trexler mansion in Longswamp. They had chil- dren, Col. William (1816-1905), Horatio (who lived at Reading, where he was president of the National Union Bank), Dr. Lesher (of Fort Wayne, father of Mrs. Anna Wertz, of Allentown, and Mrs. Judith Reno, mother of Claude Trexler Reno, of Kutztown), Lucinda (wife of Gen. James Rittenhouse) and Caroline (wife of William Schall). Mrs. Anna (Lesher) Trexler died in 1848, aged fifty-four years. (5) Benjamin (1784- 1855) married Maria Drescher, by whom he had nine sons and two daughters, and (second) Cath- arine Bolich, who bore him one daughter. (6) Catharine married a Mr. Haas and had children, Judith (Gregory), Nathan, Leana (Butz), Kate (Hoffman), Tallie (Hoffman), Jonathan T., Reu- ben T. and J. P. T. (?) Jonas is mentioned be- low. (8) Anna married Philip Dresher, and had two children, Nathan and Judith ( Reiter). (9) Nathan lived in Longswamp township, where he died in February, 1865. His will is on record in to be considered a leader in his line of business in Will Book 11, page 363. His wife Phebe bore him four children, Edwin H., Mary ( Mrs. George Schall), Amelia (Mrs. Jonathan B. Grini) and Sarah (Esterly). (10) Daniel died leaving no children. (11) Judith married Rev. Isaac Roeller and was affectionately known as "Aunty Roeller." She died in 1885, leaving no children. On Aug. 17, 1809, Peter Trexler bought his son Benjamin a large family Bible, printed in 1798, costing seven dollars. This is now in the possession of Oliver Trexler (born Dec. 21, 1852), son of Na- than and grandson of Benjamin.

(IV) Jonas Trexler, son of Peter (3), was the grandfather of Arthur R. Trexler, of Sunbury. He was born at Mertztown. Berks county, where he lived and died. He married Sarah Hottenstein, daughter of -Dr. Hottenstein, and they had eleven children born to them. We have mention of the following : Willoughby ( married Amelia Filbert), Ahal (or Abyle) H., David H., Peter ( married May Himmel), Sarah ( married George Ludwig), Angeline (deceased, wife of Milton Ahlin). Eliza (married Harry Miller) and Jonas.

(V) Jonas Trexier (2), son of Jonas, born Nov.

(VI) Arthur R. Trexler received his carly edu- cation in the schools of his native place and took a business course at the famous Eastman commer- cial school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Returning to Shamokin Dam, which is near Sunbury, he entered mercantile business on his own account, continu- ing thus for six years, meeting with success and gaining valuable experience. He has since been identified with the business of which he is now sole owner. This store was founded by Whitmer & Foster, which firm was succceded by Whitmer & Trexler when Mr. Trexler acquired an interest. As previously stated, he has been sole proprietor since 1893. By progressive methods, by anticipat- ing the needs of this growing community, by ca- tering successfully to the various demands of a wide patronage, Mr. Trexler has proved his right Northumberland county. The fact that his house is known as "The Old Reliable" is ample proof that he merits the confidence and support which have been his throughout his career in the com- munity ; while the growth of his establishment, in keeping with other business advances inade in the borough during his mercantile experience there, shows that he meets their appreciation with in- creased service and better accommodations. even more than the local trade would seem to warrant to one less enterprising. The store has maintained its place as the largest and best stocked in North- umberland county for many years, the lines now carried including dry goods and ladies' wearing apparel of all kinds, ready to wear suits, cloaks, waists and other articles of dress. while the gro- cery department is fully stocked with the best and most desirable goods of every kind. Mr. Trexler has long given his principal attention to his store, though he has other interests, being a director in the Sunbury Trust Company and otherwise identi- fied with local concerns. His business standing is irreproachable.

On Jan. 12, 1884, Mr. Trexler married Lillian

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Thompson, daughter of W. G. Thompson, formerly the following dates, from Little Mahanoy ceme- of Thompsontown, Pa. They have two children : tery, would apply to Conrad and wife: Conrad Raker, born in Montgomery county, Pa., June ?, Thompson A., who is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; and Mary E. The 1778, died Sept. 4, 1849; his wife Barbara (nee family oeeupy a beautiful residence on Arch street, Dunkel), born April 5, 1619, died Dee. 17, 1838.) Sunbury.

RAKER. The Raker family, now numerously represented in several seetions of Northumberland county, is of German extraction, the founder of the name in America coming from Baden, near Wurtemberg, Germany, and settling in Montgom- ery county, Pa., where he lived and died.

Frederiek Raker, son of Conrad, was born Dec. 21, 1804, in what is now Rockefeller township, and spent all but three or four years of his life in his native county. He went to Lycoming county after his marriage and returning to Northumberland settled in Little Mahanoy township, at Little Ma- hanoy Church. He was a blacksmith. and also followed earpentering and farming, besides keep- ing "Raker's Hotel" for many years. He died in Little Mahanoy Aug. 4, 1844, and is buried at Raker. Like his father he was a well known and aetive, eitizen of his section, serving as justice of the peace and taking a prominent part in the work of the Lutheran Church. He was a Demo- crat in polities. In 1825 Mr. Raker married Eliz-

Conrad Raker, son of the emigrant ancestor, was born in Montgomery or Berks county and came to Northumberland county among the pio- neers. According to tradition he first settled at the "Block House," in one of the eastern counties of the State, and he had a brother who located in one. of the upper counties of Pennsylvania. Dr. William Raker, of Pillow, Pa .. and his brother, abeth Hoffman, daughter of John and Susanna Dr. Morris Raker, of Augustaville, Pa., were see- (Drumheller) Hoffman, who settled in Washing- ond cousins to the descendants of the second gen- ton township, this county, in 1813. Mrs. Raker was born in District township, Berks county, in 1806, and survived her husband, dying at the age of eighty-seven. She is buried at Raker. Seven ehildren were born to this union: Con- H. married

eration from Conrad Raker, the pioneer in Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland county. After his marriage Conrad Raker settled at Augusta- ville, in what is now Rockefeller township, whence he moved two years later to Little Mahanoy town- rad Susan Dornsife and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work; ship, settling on the Little Mahanoy ereek and following farming there until his death. His Susanna died young; Jeremiah married Jane holdings comprised between five hundred and six Martin and died in Philadelphia; Harriet married Israel Dunkelberger, who was killed in the Civil war, and (second) Samuel Dornsife. whom she also survived ; Catharine married Sam- uel Frederiek ; John H. died Jan. 14, 1862, while serving in the Civil war, at Rolla, Mo. ; Jane mar- ried a Mr. Beehtel. · hundred acres, and he gave a farm to each of his sons. He was a strong man, of "chunky" build, was a great hunter and fisherman, shot many a deer, and had a fight with a bear in which his life was saved by his faithful dog. His. adven- turous spirit made him well known in this respect. In publie and church affairs he was a prominent man in his day, serving as county commissioner in 1837 and 1838, and helping to build two ehurehes, the Emanuel Lutheran in Little Ma- hanoy township and the Stone Church at Augusta- ville. In religion he was a Lutheran, in polities a Democrat. He is interred in a private burial ground on the farm now owned by Kerstetter & Kraemer, at Raker, in Little Mahanoy township; this place was named in honor of the family. Conrad Raker married Elizabeth (or Rebecca) Dunkelberger, of Northumberland county, daugh- ter of Frederick, and they had children as follows : Frederiek, Jaeoh, William D .. Isaac D. and Enoch D. are all mentioned in detail below : John moved out to Illinois, where he died ; Mary ( Molly) mar- ried Elias Peifer and died at Raker; Barbara Alice married Joseph Gass : Esther ( Hettie) mar- ried Daniel Zartman and died in Lower Angusta township; one daughter married George Savage : and Kate. ( Conrad's wife's name is given as Eliz- abeth or Rebecca here, while in another account it appears as Barbara; if it was Barbara, then

Jaeoh Raker, son of Conrad, was born April 26, 1808, in Little Mahanoy township, and was one of the well known citizens of that loeality in his day, living near the present railroad on part of the homestead near Dunkelberger station. He followed farming, and died in Little Mahanoy Dec. 28, 1869, living to be sixty-one. His wife, Margaret, . whose maiden name was Zartman. was born Jan. 4, 1813, and died June 12, 1883. They had children as follows: Lucinda, Harry, Wil- liam, Samuel Z. (died Aug. 19, 1892, aged forty- eight years, eleven -months, fourteen days; wife Margarette died Jan. 21, 188S, aged thirty-four years, seven months, twenty-three days), Enoch, Daniel Z. (died July 13, 1898, aged sixty-two years, two months, twenty-four days; his wife, Annie, died Aug. 20, 1905, aged seventy years, .ten months, fourteen days), Abbie, Rebecea, Con- rad. Cornelius, Alice and Joseph.

William D. Raker, son of Conrad, was born June 2, 1812, in Little Mahanoy township. where he died in February, 1887. He is buried at Little Mahanoy Church. He was a farmer, owning

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

thirty acres near Little Mahanoy Church, also years, five months, twelve days. His wife Cath- owned the farm now in the possession of his son arine (Rothermel), daughter of William Rother- mel, died Jan. 12, 1899, aged sixty-two years, one month, twenty-four days. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James F. Raker: William, of Shamokin ; Mary, of Hunter, Pa. ; and Lewis R. Isaae F., and had houses in Trevorton. He was an active and progressive citizen, held the office of supervisor for many years, and was prominent in the Little Mahanoy Church, which he served as deacon, elder and trustee. He is buried at that church. His wife. Catharine (Fink), daughter of John Fink and sister of David Fink, bore him a large family, namely: Martin (deceased), Henry (deceased), James F. (deceased), Isaac F., Lewis (deceased), Galen (who lives on his farm in Little Mahanoy, and is unmarried, his unmarried sisters living with him), Elizabeth (unmarried). Mary (married Adamı Reitz), Sarah (married John Kiehl), Hettie (unmarried), Lovina (married William Kiehl ), Rebecca (who died unmarried) and Susan (deceased, who was the wife of Wil- liam Reitz).

Enoch D. Raker, son of Conrad, was born on the farin now owned by his son Edward B. Raker, in Little Mahanoy township, and died in that township June 23, 1888, aged sixty-six years, six- teen days. He was a fariner, and owned the 120- acre tract now in the possession of his son Edward B. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took an On Nov. 11, 1899, Mr. Raker married Cora Deppen, daughter of John Deppen, of Lower Ma- hanoy township, this county, and they have one daughter, Verna May, and one son, William Lewis. interest in politics and local public affairs, hold- ing office for many years, and was also active in the religious life of the community, being a Lutheran member of the Little Mahanoy Church, ISAAC F. RAKER, son of William D. Raker, was of which he was a deacon, elder and trustee. He born April 20, 1846, on the homestead, and re- married Sarah Bingaman. daughter of John Bingaman (locally known as "Jack"). To Enoch D. and Sarah Raker were born three children: Edward B .; and Alice and Jane B., twins, the for- mer married to Robert H. Hoffman, the latter to James Rose.

Isaae D. Raker, son of Conrad, was born Dec. 6, 1825, and died March 11. 1907. He lived in Little Mahanoy. During the Civil war he served ¿as county commissioner and subsequently was a jury conummissioner. In politics he was a Demo- crat. His wife, Phoebe A. (Witmer), born Dec. 6, 1824, died April 5, 1890. Their children were : Alvin, Willie, Clinton, Nelson, Laura, Minnie and Jennie.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 26

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