Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 32

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 32

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Benjamin Vastine, born Jan. 9, 1703, son of John, died in August, 1749. He married Mary Griffith, and they were the parents of the follow- ing.children : (1) Hannah married Emerson Kel- ly. (?) John married Rachel Morgan and had children Benjamin ( married Mary Van Zant), Simon, Nancy and Margaret. Of these, Benja- min and Mary (Van Zant) Vastine had three sons : Benjamin, who married Elizabeth Hauck and had Margaret ( Mrs. William Savidge), Amanda, Harriet (Mrs. Alvin Hughs), Algernon and Thomas F. ; Thomas, who married Sarah Ellis and had Ann (Mrs. George Pensyl), Lucinda (Mrs. John Adams), Mary. Samantha, Beneville, Grace Ella, John, Rufus, Thomas J., Jane and Sarah Matilda ; and John, who married Sarah Scott and had Hannah ( Mrs. Mahlon Huff), El- len, Sarah Jane, Benjamin, Catherine and Isa- bella. Simon, son of John and Rachel, married and had a son John. (3) Abraham married Eliz- abeth Williams, and their children were John, Wil- liam, Abraham, Nancy, Mary and Jeremiah. The family lived in York county. Pa., for a time, later moving to Kentucky. (4) Benjamin, who died in September, 1775, married Catherine Eaton, and their children were: Mary married Josiah Innn. Peter married Hannah. daughter of Jonathan Vastine, and had children, Catherine (unmar- ried ), Elizabeth (married John Colket), Benja- min (unmarried ), Mary (married Henry John- son ), Ann (married H. Boone), Lydia (unmar- ried ), Thomas Jefferson (married Harriet Pax- ton and had Peter, Margaret P., Charles, Joseph, Sarah and Hannah), Peter E. (married Mary Miller) and Jeremiah ( unmarried ). Benjamin Frank.

Jonathan and Nancy Ann ( Hughs) Vastine had children as follows: Hngh Hnghs : Lewis, who married Sarah Potts and had one daughter Ann. now the wife of .Alfred Halberstattel and the inother of one child; and Benjamin, who died single.

Hugh Hughs Vastine, son of Jonathan and Nancy Ann ( Hughs) Vastine, married Catherine Zimmerman. and to them were born the following children : Martha Ann died single; William L. married Alice Cardell and had children, Blanche, James, Mary and Cora: Oscar married Ada Gil- laspy : Mary F. married John K. Erdman and had children, Hattie, Sarah, Nora, Alice. Bert. John. Calvin. Kimber, and Frank: Jonathan married Cora Hess and had children. Charles, Katie and Chester : Jacob married M. Smith and bad chil- dren, Ethel, Hatten and Grethel: Lewis married Mary Nunamaker : Sarah C. married Elisha Camp- bell, Jr. : Harriet married William Arnold and . had children, Bessie and Annie: Ida married Charles Hoffinan and had children, Vergie, Ed- win. John. Mary, Wesley, William, Lillie and

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I. C. M. ELLENBERGER. present superinten- high school was small. Professor Schneider served dent of the public schools of the borough of Sun- bury, has been engaged in educational work for over twenty years, about half of that time as teacher and the remainder in his capacity of super- intendent. He was born Oct. 30, 1863, at Gates- burg, Pa., and received his elementary education in the publie schools. He prepared for college at Stone Valley Academy and Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa .. and took his collegiate course at Pennsylvania State College, from which he was graduated in 1890. From 1891 to 1894 Professor Ellenberger was principal of the Bremen Institute, in Kentucky. In 1894 he took the position of principal in the high school of Tyrone (Pa.), fill- ing that incumbency until 1899. when he was made superintendent of the Tyrone public schools. He continued in that work until he came to Sunbury, in 1908, to serve in a similar capacity. Some idea of his responsibilities may be gained from a brief outline of the educational facilities Sunbury affords its youth at the present time.

three years as principal, being succeeded by W. M. Boal, W. H. Black, H. R. Roth, C. D. Oberdorf, Professor Conser, Professor Young, Professor Den- nis and Professor Rhodes, the present principal. The first regular high school class was graduated in 1882, and consisted of three pupils. After sev- eral years it was thought superior school advan- tages eould be secured by consolidating Sunbury and East Sunbury, a project which was consummated in 1895. The school district then consisted of nine wards, a new Central high school was built on Fifth street, at the head of Court street, midway between Market and Chestnut streets. In 1893 the borough superintendenev was established, C. D. Oberdorf being elected superintendent, his place as principal of the high school being taken by Pro- fessor Conser. In 1897 the high school of the Sunbury school district took up its quarters in the new building. Professor Oberdorf was succeeded as borough superintendent by Prof. Ira Shipman, who held the office until 1908, since when Prof. I. C. M. Ellenberger has been the incumbent.

The borough is fairly well provided with large and conimodions school buildings, well equipped The annual reports indicate the steady growth of the schools. In 1860 there were four teachers, 269 pupils, and the school term was eight months. in 1870 there were ten teachers. 672 pupils; term, seven months. In 1880 there were fourteen teach- ers, 822 pupils ; term, eight months. On Dec. 7. 1884, the wards had increased to five, by reason of the increase of the borough population. and there were in all five school buildings. accommo- dating one boys' and girls' high school. two inter- mediate, two secondary and three primary schools. In 1890 there were nineteen teachers, 1.109 pupils, and the term was eight months. In 1900 there were forty-two teachers. 2,100 pupils, and the term had increased to nine months, as at present. In 1910 there were fifty-six teachers. 2,504 pupils. Including the class of 1910 the Sunbury high school has had ?08 graduates, and the East Sun- bury high school 63. The State appropriation has increased from $213.20 in 1860 to $13.131.83, in 1910. for thorough and efficient work. There are eight buildings advantageously located, readily access- ible so as to be convenient for the pupils in all the various parts of the borough. The borough of Sunbury was incorporated as such March 24, 1197, by. Act of Assembly, and divided into two wards, East and West, thus establishing the school district. Some time later the first free school was opened, on Third street, where the post-office now stands. The town grew considerably and was soon divided into four wards, and the schools were managed by a board of six directors, the board meetings being held semi-monthly. Previous to 1870 there was no Central high school in Sunbury, but the sehools in the different wards were partially graded. The first step to establish a central high school was taken by the board of directors in 1870. Bartholo- mew's store room, at No. 35 North Fourth street, was rented for the purpose, and in December, 1870, J. R. Miller was elected first principal. at a salary of one hundred dollars a month : at this time primary teachers received thirty-five to forty LEINBACH. The brothers D. O. and Charles F. Leinbach. of Milton, Northumberland county, are natives of Turbut township, this county. where their father and grandfather lived, but the family is an old one of Berks county, and has been settled in Pennsylvania since 123. dollars a month, secondary teachers, fifty-five dol- lars, and grammar school teachers, sixty dollars. The school term was but seven months. Becanse of poor health Professor Miller resigned almost immediately after accepting. and Prof. Elias Schneider, who formerly taught in the Sunbury The first known ancestor of the Leinbachs was Henry Leinbael, of Langen-Weibolt, Wetterau. Germany, who married Barbara Lerch. Academy. was elected principal in January, 1871. Shortly afterward the high school was moved to the Second street building. opposite the county prison ; Johannes Leinbach. Sr., son of Henry and Bar- then to the building on Front street, near the bara, was born in Langen-Selbold, Wetterau. Reading railroad bridge. the same building the March 9. 16:4: he was baptized by the Reformed academy had occupied for a short time : then it was pastor. In his native land he was an organist. On partly in the Front street building and partly in Oct. 2. 1700. he married Anna Elizabeth Kleiss. the Eighth ward ,building. For some time the who was born in Eidengup, Wetterau, Feb. ?.

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1680, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Schil- township, and died Nov. 13, 1902; he is buried linger) Kleiss, and was baptized in the Lutheran at Paradise. He attained prosperous circumstan- faith, to which her parents adhered. Johannes ces through his own efforts, and was highly re- Leinbach, Sr., came to Pennsylvania Sept. 11, spected by all who knew him. He owned a fine 1723, with his three sons and two daughters: Frederic, John Henry, John (Johannes, Jr.), Joanna Maria and Maria Barbara. the family settling in Oley township, Berks county. He was "vorsteher" of the Oley congregation, into which office he was inducted April 9, 1742.

Frederic Leinbach, son of Johannes, Sr., was born in Hochstadt, near Frankfort on the Main, July 15, 1203, and was baptized by the Reformed pastor, Rev. Mr. Bender. He was a tailor by trade. On June 2, 1737, he married Elizabeth Frey, of Skippack, who was born there July 1, 1719, and was baptized by Count Zinzendorf May 6, 1742.

John Henry Leinbach, son of Johannes, Sr., was born Nov. 26, 1705, in Hochstadt, and was baptized in his infancy by the Reformed pastor, Rev. Mr. Bender. On Nov. 2, 1739, he married Joanna Herman, born in .Conestoga March 16, 1718, and baptized by Count Zinzendorf May 6, 1742, the same day as Elizabeth Frey, above men- tioned.

Johannes Leinbach, Jr., son of Joliannes, Sr., was born in Hochstadt Feb. 13, 1712. He accom- panied his parents to Pennsylvania in 1223, and settled as a farmer. On Aug. 12, 1735, he married Catharine Riehm, of Muddy Creek, and they had eleven children, one of whom died in infancy. the through the States. Territories, and Dominion of others being: Frederick, John Daniel. Lewis,. Canada. Continuing in the service of the above Abraham, Benjamin, Joseph, Elizabeth, Maria named firm, who established the iron business Barbara, Johanna and Catharine.

John C. Leinbach, great-grandfather of D. O. after years of extensive travel became their Phila- and Charles F. Leinbach, lived and died in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa. His son,

· John C. Leinbach, born in 1796, died in 1853. Coming to Northumberland county; he settled in Turbut township about 1820, and there he is buried, at Paradise. He was a tinsmith by trade and a skilled mechanic in various lines, being quite famous for the grandfather clocks which he made ; the last one he made is owned by his grandson. D. O. Leinbach. His wife, Mary (Stitzel), was born in 1799 and died in 188? : she was a member of the. Judge Stitzel family of Berks county. John C. and Mary (Stitzel) Leinbach had two children, Daniel S. and Hannah. The daughter married John Kutz, of Northampton county, who died in Limestone township, Montonr county, the mother of Daniel (deceased), . Emma (married John Wolfinger), Annie (married Judson Derr), Wal- lace (of Milton, Pa. ) and Nelson (of Sunbury, Pa.). . Mrs. Archer Van Dyke, sister of John C. Leinbach, lived in the Juniata valley.

Daniel S. Leinbach, father of D. O. and Charles F. Leinbach, was born Ang. 31, 1822, in Turbut

farm, containing about one hundred acres. located near Follmer's church in Turbut township, re- paired the residence on that tract and built a fine new barn. He was independent in politics and an active member of the Reformed Church, which he served as elder and deacon. Mr. Leinbach married Mary Fick, who was born July 8, 1828, daughter of John Fick, and died Dec. 23, 1891 ; she is buried beside her husband. They became the parents of four children: Annie A. is the wife of John Ditz- ler, of Turbut township, and has three children, Emma, John M. and Charles; John A., now a re- tired farmer, who owns the old homestead in Tur- but township, married Eliza Bieber; D. O. and Charles F. are mentioned below.

D. O. LEINBACH was born July 29, 1839, near Paradise, in Turbut township, Northumberland county, and received his education in the township schools. He remained with his father until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he came to Milton, Aug. 6, 1880. Here he has since made luis home. He learned the trade of machinist at the well known establishment of S. J. Shimer & Sons, in Milton, and continued to follow that occupa- tion as a journeyman until 1887, when he became traveling salesman for the concern, a capacity in which he was engaged until 1894, traveling

known as The Milton Manufacturing Company, he assumed the salesmanship of this company and delphia representative, a position he now holds. He has been in the sante employ for a period of upwards of thirty-one years. Mr. Leinbach's prac- tical experience in the machine shop and his me- chanical skill are valuable supplements to his ability as a salesman and his judgment in business dealings, and the combination of qualities has made him an appreciable factor in the suc- cess of the company in the field over which he- has operated. He is a substantial citizen of Mil- ton. and retains his home there, living in the fine residence which he built in 1906, at No. 398 East Broadway. He is a Lutheran and has been an active worker in the church, which he has served as deacon. In politics he wears no collar, and is- no man's man.

On March 19, 1889, Mr. Leinbach married Ella M. Klapp. daughter of Peter and Catharine ( Haag) Klapp, and granddaughter of John Klapp and John Haag. Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach have one son, W. Dewitt. who was born March 6. 1899. and is now attending the local schools.

CHARLES F. LKINBACH was born JJan. 28, 1866,

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in. Turbut township. Northumberland county, and 100 by 300 feet in dimensions be erected, and that after attending the local schools went to the acad- employment be furnished to at least 250 people. That the success of the plant has surpassed the ex- pectations of its founders and of the Sunbury citi- zens who induced them to choose this location is shown in the simple fact that the main mill in the Ninth ward occupies an area 400 feet square, tak- ing no count of substantial additions, and that a working force of over 800 finds constant employ- ment therein. Moreover, another large establish- mient, the converting works of these mills, has grown out of the needs of this and other mills operated by the same concern, giving employment to another force of 400 workers. eniy at Limestoneville, Montour county, and to the academy at Me Ewensville, Northumberland county. He also spent one year in study at the normal school at Hickory, N. C. Upon his return home, in 1888, he began elerking in the store of W. L. _Raup, where he remained five years, subsequently clerking one year in West Milton and then six years with the Schreyer & Sons Company, at Mil- ton. He has since been in business on his own aecount. He bought out the grocery of D. L. Hogue, of Watsontown, which he conducted for two years, until 1904, that year returning to Mil- ton and establishing hinself at his present loca- tion, No. 436 Broadway. Here he has a first-class store, dealing in groceries, flour and feed, and he enjoys a steady and lucrative patronage, built up by honorable methods and earnest efforts to please his customers, who appreciate his attention to their : wants and his ability to meet all .the requirements. of his trade. Mr. Leinbach is deservedly a much respected citizen of the borough in which he makes his home.

On Dec. 27, 1895, Mr. Leinbach married Sarah C. Lahr, who was born Nov. 11, 1822, daughter of William B. and Sarah (Sterner) Lahr, and died March 24, 190 :: she is interred at the Harmony cemetery, at Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach had one.daughter, Mary Helen, who was born May 20, 1900. The family home is at No. 43? Broadway, Milton.

Socially Mr. Leinbach is a member of Castle No. 265, K. G. E., and Commandery No. 27, K. of M. He is active in the work of St. John's Reformed Church, which he has served as a member of the consistory.

HEINRICH KLERX. general superintendent of the Susquehanna Silk Mills, at Sunbury, stands at the head of one of the foremost enterprises es- tablished in that borough as the result of the ef- forts of local business men to enhance the interests of this place by drawing industrial capital hither with special indneements of convenience and econ- omy of production. That the reciprocal advan- tages for which the Susquehanna Silk Mills agreed to establish a plant at Sunbury have been exceeded to a notable degree may be gathered from the citation of a very few statistics. The Sunbury Board of Trade was organized in 1894, and not long afterward the industrial committee became particularly active in urging the advantages of the borough as an industrial center upon capitalists in search of suitable locations. Through the in- dustrial department of the Philadelphia & Read- · ing Railroad Company it was ascertained that the old established silk manufacturing firm of H. E. Schniewind, of Germany. was considering the es- tablislument of a plant in this country. An offer was made on the condition that a factory at least

The Susquehanna Silk Mills, manufacturers of the famous Suskana silks, are operated by a Ger- man liouse of long standing. H. Schniewind, Jr., is the present president and treasurer of the Amer- ican branch of this concern. Max Siepermann. secretary. For ten years before the establishment of the plant at Sunbury Mr. Siepermann had been the New York representative of the firm. Through him negotiations were entered into with the visit- ing representative of the firm by which a plant of the proportions above given was to be erected and put into operation, a company being incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Heinrich Klerx had at that time been connected with the German house for a period of fifteen years, and through efficient service in various capacities had risen to the position of superintendent. His ability, no less than his long and varied experi- ence, seemed to qualify him particularly for the special responsibilities of the new venture, though he was at the tinie unfamiliar with American meth- ods and business eustoms, and had but slight ac- quaintance with the English language. His re- sourees, however, proved equal to the unusual de- mands made upon them. Assuming control at the outset, he superintended all the de- tails in the construction of the plant and the setting up of machinery, and after the factory commenced operations soon learned by actual contact with conditions here whatever he needed to grasp the local situation. The methods of his native land combined with the best in American commereial tactics have proved sufficient to raise the plant under his con- trol to foremost standing among the industrial institutions of the country. Mr. Klerx has the ad- vantage of being a skilled mechanie. and his inven- tive faculties have enabled him to produce many deviees for saving labor in the Susquehanna Silk Mills, some of his applianees, in fact, being now in general use in similar establishments all over the United States. His familiarity with the execu- tive and financial intricacies of this branch of man- ufacturing is no less comprehensive, and the com- bination of faculties which he has shown in his administration of this great plaut makes his serv- ices invaluable.

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In 1903 the Susquehanna Silk Mills established 1836, respectively) ; Henry D., born Jan. 9, 1810, another plant, at Marion, Ohio, the demand for died Nov: 10, 1889, lived in Washington township, the product having outgrown the capacity of the where he followed the occupations of farmer and stonemason ( his wife Maria Elizabeth, nee Het- rich, born Sept. 21, 1812, died Feb. 3. 186%) : William D. is mentioned below ; Elizabeth married Fred Raker; Catharine married Jacob Groh, and they located in Missouri.

mills at Sunbury. It was erected and equipped under the personal supervision of Mr. Klerx-a high compliment to his management of the Sun- bury plant. Since then two other plants, one at Lewistown, Pa., the other at Jersey Shore, Pa., have been put into operation by this concern, the

William D. Hoffman, son of John, was born

main office being at Sunbury, where Mr. Klerx Dee. 23, 1802, in Colebrookdale township. Berks

Co., Pa., and came to Northumberland county No. 18 West Eighteenth street, New York City. with his parents when a young man. He was a

In 1903 it was found that another plant, for dyeing and finishing the product of the weaving mills, would be a desirable addition, and through resides. There are also salesrooms and offices at

stonemason and farmer in Washington township, his property there including the farm now owned by his son Jacob G. Hoffman; his purchase was

Mr. Klerx' efforts this new establishment was also a much larger tract. He was a Lutheran member located at Sunbury, though it finishes the product of the Himmel Church, where he held various of all the mills of the concern. Mr. Klerx had full offices, and is buried there. His death occurred charge of all the preliminary arrangements, the Oct. 2, 1885. His wife, Maricha or Anna Maria purchase of suitable property and the construction Gonser, born Sept. 17, 1812, was a daughter of of the factory, which is located in the Fifth ward. Daniel Gonser, and came of a very prosperous This new plant, known as the converting works, family. She died May 16. 1899. The children of was completed and set in operation in December, this union were as follows: Daniel Gonser. born 1903. In construction and equipment it is second June 26, 1832, died Dec. 22, 1860; Elizabeth mar- to no establishment of the kind in the State.

Every branch of the silk business has been the object of Mr. Klerx' earnest study. The welfare 9, 1904, aged sixty-six years, three months, nine- and health of employees, no less than the prosperity teen days) ; Jacob G. is mentioned below: Maria of the factory, has received his attention from the time he took up his work here, and it was he who organized the Silk Mill Relief Association, which pays benefits to employees, members incapacitated through accident or illness. Moreover, movements looking to the general welfare have always re-

ceived his hearty support, for a well ordered com- Pillow, Pa .; Benjamin, born April 29, 1850, died munity means healthful, industrial conditions for Feb. 20, 1861; Robert G., born March 2:, 1852, both employer and employee.

Socially Mr. Klerx holds membership and is past Exalted Ruler in the B. P. O. Elks, Lodge No. 267. the Americus Club, and other organiza- tions.

Jacob G. Hoffman was reared to farm life and remained at home working for his parents until he attained his majority. Meantime he attended the subscription schools for a limited period. He JACOB G. HOFFMAN, a venerable resident of Washington township, Northumberland county, has continued to follow, though he has lived was born in that district Aug. 1, 1836, son of William D. and Anna Maria ( Gonser) Hoffman. then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he partially retired since 1892. His first home was in Washington township, whence he moved John Hoffman, his grandfather, was a native of Colebrookdale township, Berks Co., Pa .. and was a pioneer in Northumberland, where he followed farming. He is buried at the Reformed and Luth- eran Church at Rakers, Pa. He made his home in Washington township, along the mountain. His wife, Susanna ( Drumheller), daughter of Nicholas Drumheller. a native of Earl township, Berks county, came with him to this county. They to Upper Mahanoy, but after less than two years' residence there he returned to Washing- ton township, where he was established for eight years. For three years afterward he was in Jack- son township, thence moving to Lower Mahaney, where his home was near Hickory Corners for one year. From there he moved to his present loca- tion, remaining ten years at that time and moving elsewhere for two years, after which he purchased had children as follows: Jacob D. died in Jackson the place where he and his family had made their township and is bnried at St. Peter's Church (he home so long, and there they have resided continu- married Rebecca Snyder, born April 21, 1812, died ously since 1882. This formed part of the Solo- Aug. 15, 1835: their twin sons, Montgomery and mon Campbell homestead, which originally was Cornelius, born Aug. 14, 1835, died in 1835 and very large, Mr. Hoffman owning about 150 acres.

ried a Mr. Drumheller : John G., born April 19. 1835, died Nov. 10, 1868 { his wife Sarah died May

married Elias Hetrick : William G. lives at Pillow, Pa .; Emanuel died in infancy: Henry G., born Sept. 24, 1843, died Feb. 9, 1824; Conrad G. was the next son ; Rudolph A., born Nov. 8. 1842. died Jan. 9, 1886: Louisa married Henry Keihl. of (or Maricha ) was the next in the family: Denah

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 32

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