Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 33

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 33

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died March 1, 1857; Caroline, born Jan. 12, 1857, died May 13, 1866; Ernestus G. lives at Pillow.

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There are two dwellings on the place. Part of his present residence is of log construction and was built before 1800, and the stone house was built in 1819. There is good water on this farm, and Mr. Hoffman has been successfully engaged at his trade and in agricultural pursuits. He has taken an interest in local affairs, was overseer of the poor for twelve years, school director six years and supervisor one year. Politically he is a Democrat.

In 1860 Mr. Hoffman married Sarah Drum- heller, who was born July 29, 1840, daughter of Nicholas Drumheller and granddaughter of Nicho- las Drumheller, a native of Berks county, the family being prominent and fully mentioned else- where in this work. Twelve children have been born to this union: Emma R. married Frank Rothermel and died at the age of twenty, the moth- er of three children. one of whom survives: Lilian A. married Adamı Rebuck and has two children (she is now-1911-fifty years of age) ; Frank- lin L., of the Mahantango Valley, married Cath- arine Strohecker, and they have had fourteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living; Francis W., who is engaged in farming his father's land, married Bertha Klock, and they have had four children, all of whom survive: Daniel M. died when four years old ; John T., who lives in the Mahantango Valley, married Louisa Klinger and they have had five chil- dren, all living; Sara J. married Daniel Bordner and died at the age of nineteen, the mother of one child, deceased; Ira I. died when six months old: Ida J. married John H. Hoffman and has had five children, three of whom are living ( they live in Lykens, Pa. ) : Rosa May, born March 30, 1879, married Daniel Kahler, of Washington township, who was born Sept. 1, 1875. and they have had seven children, Harry A. (born Jan. 3, 1900), Howard J. (June 18, 1901), Jennie M. (March 26, 1903), Nora Alice ( Oct. 23. 1905), Mary Agnes (Feb. 3, 1907), Irwin D. (Aug. 11, 1908) and Claude A. (Sept. 9, 1910) ; Jacob Edwin, who lives in Schuylkill county, married Lizzie Weist and they have had two children, both of whom are living; Charles Elmer, who lives in the Mahan- tango Valley, married Nora Wiest and has two children. Mr. Hoffman and his family are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.

born March 6, 1897 (died Oct. 3, 1900) ; Dela Direne, born July 16, 1900, and Ruth E., born Feb. 17, 1909.

CHRIST. Several members of this family have been associated with the business interests of Mount Carmel as butchers and dealers in meat, the brothers B. F. Christ and J. M. Christ now conducting well equipped stores in the borough, where their father, John Christ, was established in the same line from 1877 until his retirement. All have been substantial and useful citizens, a credit to their name and the community in which they have lived and worked.

The father of John Christ died when a com- paratively young man, in Schuylkill county, Pa. His widow married a Mr. Snyder. She had three children by her first marriage. namely: Emanuel, who settled at Ashland, Pa., where he died ( his son Isaac lives at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county ) : Elias, who died in the Mahantango Valley, unmarried ;. and John.

John Christ was born Feb. 3, 1831, and died in October, 1905. Early in life he became a drover and butcher, and he made Western trips to buy cattle, which he drove East in the early days. He was, however, one of the first dealers to ship cattle by railroad. In 1877 he came to Mount Carmel and some time later entered the retail branch of the business, in which he continued until his re- tirement, selling out to his son B. F. Christ some time before his death. Mr. Christ was a promi- lent member of the United Evangelical Church, in which he was an active worker. He married Han- nah Heckert, who survives him, still making her home at Mount Carmel, and they had a family of five children, viz .: Emma, widow of J. E. Huber, resides at Mount Carmel ; Agnes is unmarried and living with her mother: Jeremiah M. is men- tioned below : Hannah N. is the wife of Rev. C. D. Huber, now located at Sunbury, Pa., as pastor of the First United Evangelical Church ; and Ben- jamin Franklin is mentioned below.

Michael Heckert, Mrs. Hannah ( Heckert) Christ's first ancestor in America, emigrated from Germany some time during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and settled in lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland Co., Pa. Of his chil- dren, Francis and Yost went West: Peter was the father of Mrs. Christ: Elizabeth married Jacob Miller, who moved to Armstrong Valley, in Dau- phin county, Pa. There may have been other chil- dren.

Katon H. Hoffman, son of Henry, was born Feb. 24, 1848, and married Elizabeth Bellinan, born the same day. Their children were born as follows: Paul, March 14, 18:2 ; a son ( that died in infancy ), Aug. 9, 1873: Susan E., Sept. 3, 1814: John II., March 18, 1876: William Harvey, July 12, 1878: Peter Heckert. son of Michael. served in the war of 1812-15, was honorably discharged, and received two tracts of bounty land for his services. He re- mained in Lower Mahanoy township, having taken up farm lands there, and died at the age of eighty- five years. His wife. Eva. died at the age of forty- Einma J., Nov. 11, 1879 : Daniel L., Oct. 14, 1881 : Mary E., Nov. 29, 1884: Solomon Carey, Nov. 28. 1886; Samuel Howard, July 5, 1888. Of these Susan E. married William Dornsife. born Feb. 20, 1867, and they have had four children: A daughter, born dead April 16, 1895; Edith E., nine. They had children as follows: George:

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Michael ; Peter ; Elias; Isaac; Benjamin ; Joseph; partnership and located in Buffalo, N. Y., where he Riley; Elizabeth (Mrs. Isaac Lenker) ; Polly (Mrs. Harry Weaver) ; Sallie; Catherine ( Mrs. Jacob Wentzel) : Christina ( Mrs. Aaron Conrad) ; Hannah (Mrs. John Christ) : and two who died in youth. Elias and Hannah ( Mrs. Christ) are now the only surviving members of this large fam- ily, of which the following settled and lived in Northumberland county: Peter, whose son Jacob is a marble cutter at Millersburg, Pa., and son Willis a railroader living at Georgetown ( Dal- matia ), Northumberland county: Elias (now- 1910-aged eighty-three), who has ten children. all living, Henry A. ( of Kansas City. Mo.), Emma E. (Mrs. I. J. Shroyer, formerly of Shamokin, now living in Dauphin county, Pa.), Riley W. (a farmi- er of Northumberland county), John W. (a mer- chant at Hegins, Schuylkill county), Mary A. (Mrs. . John K. Maurer, of Schuylkill county), Sarah J. (Mrs. Jacob Maurer, of Schuylkill coun- ty), Joseph L. (a baker, in Girardville, Schuylkill On June 3, 1897, Mr. Christ married Alice Fagely, daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Leipens- berger) Fagely, of Topton, Berks Co., Pa. They have had two children, Lydia C. and Benjamin Franklin. county), Lydia A. ( Mrs. John W. Bahner, residing near Stonington, Northumberland county), Lizzie A. (Mrs. Elmer A. Bohner, of Northumberland county ) and Eli P. (principal of schools at Schuyl- kill Haven, Pa.) : Benjamin, who was for years a leading furniture dealer and undertaker in Sunbury, and whose children are Dr. Charles G. Heckert (president of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio). Emma (Mrs. Savidge, of Sunbury, Pa.) : Jennie May ( Mrs. Sharon Stephens, of Harrisburg, Pa.) and B. Frank

(attorney at law. of Sunbury) ; Polly, . Mrs. above stated, and whose interest he purchased in

Harry Weaver, whose son George lives in Shamokin ; and Hannah. Mrs. John- Christ, whose children have been previously mentioned. Joseph and Christina ( Mrs. Aaron Conrad) re- sided in Perry county. Pa. : Joseph was a soldier in the. Civil war and was shot while in the act of relieving a picket. who did not recognize him. Mr. Conrad was also a soldier in the Civil war, and died of typhoid fever after a forced march to Get- tysburg, in 1863. after his term of enlistment had expired. Catherine, who married Jacob Wentzel, resided in the State of Indiana.

JEREMIAH M. CHRIST, son of Jolin and Hannah (Heckert) . Christ, was born March 16. 1867, in Eldred township, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He began his education in the schools of that locality, re- ceiving the rest of his schooling at Mount Carmel. whither he removed with his parents in 1877. He was in his father's employ until 1892, when he went west, spending eighteen months traveling throughout the West and Northwest, finding em- ployment at different places. After his return home he again worked for his father, until he was thirty-two years old. at which time he and his brother became associated with their father under the name of John Christ & Sons. At the end of a year Jeremiah M. Christ withdrew from this

engaged in business on his own account. Return- ing to Mount Carmel, he established his present store, at No. 221 South Market street, in 1906. He deals in groceries, provisions, butter and eggs, . as well as fresh and smoked meats, and carries a large and comprehensive stock in all those lines, catering to a fine class of trade. By upright deal- ing and close attention to the wants of his ens- tomers he has built up a profitable patronage, which continues to show a steady increase. Mr. Christ has found time to interest himself in the public affairs of the community, and has been chosen to represent the Second ward in the council. He was formerly a Republican in his political views. but since 1909 has supported the Socialist party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in social connection belongs to Mount Carmel Lodge. No. 378, F. & A. M., to the Sons of America and to the Knights of Malta.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHRIST, son of John and Hannalı ( Heckert) Christ, was born Nov. 3, 1874, in Eldred township, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He re- ceived all his education in the public schools of Mount Carmel, and learned the butcher business under his father, with whom he was associated as a member of the firm of John Christ & Sons. as 1903. In 1907 he built his fine store at No. 123 North Oak street, one of the most complete and up-to-date meat markets in this district. He also conducts another market at No. 135 South Oak street. Mr. Christ commands a thriving trade. and gives constant employment to from twelve to fif- teen men. He has a stock farmi of his own. com- prising 150 acres at Stonington. in Shamokin township, this county, and there keeps his cattle until they are ready for slaughter. an arrangement which gives him many advantages over the aver- age dealer. He is a business man of ability and resource, enterprising in his ideas and methods. and his prosperity is the best evidence of his sound judgment, on such matters. Mr. Christ was one of the organizers of the Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company of Mount Carmel. one of the most important financial institutions of the borough, and has served as one of the directors. throughout the period of its existence. Frater- nally he unites with the Sons of America and the local lodge of Elks (No. 356), and in religion he is a member of the Evangelical Church.

On Oct. 14, 189%, Mr. Christ married Annie Gross, daughter of Frederick Gross, of Mount Car- mel, and they have two children, John Frederick and Emil Marshall.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

WILLIAM H. ROHRBACH, late of Sunbury, was throughout his active years thoroughly iden- of George Rohrbach and his son William H. Later Jacob Rohrbach ( another son of George) was ad- mitted, the style becoming Rohrbach & Sons. who continued to carry on the business until 1883. when the plant was sold to Halfpenny Brothers.

tified with the business interests and material growth of that borough. He was associated with his father for a number of years in the foundry business, was superintendent of the Sunbury wa- terworks for a period of eight years, and as an in- telligent and public-spirited citizen was esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who had known him well through years of business or personal association.

Mr. Rohrbach was a member of an old Penn- sylvania family, of German origin, descended from John George Rolurbach, who emigrated to America about the middle of the eigliteenth century. He settled in eastern Pennsylvania, in Berks county, in the territory now embraced in District township, and the family is now quite numerous in the east- ern end of that county. The ancestral homestead is still owned by one of his descendants. He was twice married, and by his first union had a son Lawrence. By his second wife, Christiana Moser, he had five children, George, John, Simon, Eva and Christiana. Those of the name now living in Berks county are descendants of Lawrence and John; Simon is said to have moved to Catawissa, Columbia county ; George to have gone West : Eva married Jacob Finkbohner, who after her death married her sister Christiana.

The grandfather of William H. Rohrbach devoted himself to his business affairs and was a successful and influential man of his day, although he had no aspirations toward public honors and took no part . in anything outside of his private interests. For. many years he conducted a charcoal furnace in conjunction with farming. He married Catharine Fenstermacher, and to them was born a large falu- ily.

George Rohrbach, father of William H. Rohr- bach, was born in 1808 in Columbia county, Pa. He early. became interested in the iron industry and continued to follow the foundry and furnace business all his active days. In 1838 he moved to Northumberland county, locating in Upper Au- gusta township, where he resided a few years, after- ward removing to Sunbury. There he lived for · more than half a century, until his death, in 1894. He was one of the oldest citizens of the borough at that tiine. In 1838 he had established a small foundry a mile east of Sunbury. between the Center turnpike and Shamokin Valley railroad. Two years later, having secured a location on the south side of Chestnut strect, between Fourth and Fifth streets, he removed his business to Sunbury, his being the first foundry at that place. He contin- ued to operate it for some years, either individually or in association with his brothers William, Jacob and Daniel. They were succeeded by Clinton D. and Jacob Rohrbach, the latter retiring in favor of T. G. Cooper, and in 1866 the firm of Rohrbach

& Cooper gave place to Rohrbach & Son, composed

George Rohrbach was an active member of the Lutheran Church and one of the founders of the church of that denomination in Sunbury, in which congregation he served as trustee for a long time and also held other official positions. He married Mary C. Artley, who died in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They had a family of nine children, two of whom died in infancy. those who reached maturity being: Clinton D. carried on lumbering and farming as well as the foundry business, and died in Upper Augusta township: he married Sarah Engle. Jacob engaged in the foundry business, was afterward postmaster at Sunbury, subsequently lived in retirement and died in 1911. Elizabeth is the widow of Henry G. Cooper, of Sunbury. Catharine, widow of Harry Bourne, also lives at Sunbury. Lloyd T. was a business man of Sunbury. Edward died at the age of eighteen years. William H. is mentioned below.

William H. Rohrbach was born Feb. 14, 1845, on Chestnut street, Sunbury, and died in that borough Feb. 9, 1898. He learned the trade of molder and long followed the business with which the family has been so closely identified in Sunbury. being connected with his father's foundry for eighteen years. He also acted as bookkeeper for the concern. For eight years he filled the re- sponsible position of superintendent at the Sunbury waterworks. He was quite active in the material improvement of the borough, and erected many lrouses there as a builder, the house in which his widow now lives, at No. 440 North Eighth street, being in fact the third which he put up for his own use. Thoroughly public-spirited. he took an active part in the promotion of many movements which had the benefit of the community generally for an object, and though he was a shrewd business man he was not selfish in advancing his own in- terests at the expense of others. He had hosts of friends, and was highly esteemed wherever known. With his family he worshipped at the Intheran Church, and for years he gave of his time and means to the furtherance of its work, serving many years as deacon and for twenty years as Sunday school superintendent. In politics he was a Republican, and he served in the Union army during the Civil war. under two enlistments.

Mr. Rohrbach married Jennie F. Miller, dangh- ter of William M. and Annie ( Strickler ) Miller. of Lower Augusta township, and granddaughter of Alexander Strickler, who lived in Sunbury. The following children were born to this union : Lloyd M., who died in infancy: Alexander S., who died when eight months old; Annie E .; Jacob . :

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Franklin L., a graduate of State College, an elec- LEWIS CHAMBERLIN, son of Cabel and Mary trical engineer by professsion, and at present en- E. ( Krissinger), was at the time of his death, gaged as superintendent of a plant at Spokane, April 11, 1911, a retired farmer of Shamokin Wash. (he is fond of athletics and an able busi- township. He was born there Aug. 2, 1834, and ness man ) : Hattie M. ; Charles E. who is an in- was reared to manhood upon the paternal farmi. valid ; and Clarence G.

In 1857 he went to Shamokin borongh, where he remained for three years, engaged in running a stationary engine. Returning to his native town-

CHAMBERLIN. The Chamberlin family of Shamokin township has been settled in that part ship, he leased the farm of Michael M. Sober, his of Northumberland county from pioneer days. Jo- father-in-law, and conducted that property for a seph Chamberlin, grandfather of Joseph H. period of five years as a renter, in 18:3 purchasing Chamberlin and Silas Chamberlain (as one branch the tract, which consists of 130 acres of valuable of the family writes the name), and of the late land. It is located in Trish Valley. He erected Lewis Chamberlin, cousins, all of whom make their all new buildings on this farm, and the farm at homes in Shamokin township. was born in New present is one of the very finest in this section, due Jersey, whence he removed to Pennsylvania at an to his unreniitting and intelligent care. In addi- early date, settling on land in Northumberland tion to general farming he made a specialty of county now owned by Silas Chamberlain. He dairying for about twenty-five years, selling his had a tract of about two hundred acres, and there milk in Shamokin. Mr. Chamberlin retired from he lived and died, reaching the age of eighty-seven active pursuits in the spring of 1910, his son years, seven months, fourteen days. Vast im- George W. taking charge of the farm. He always provements were made upon the property during held the respect of his fellow citizens. and was his lifetime. Though frequently in danger of be- elected school director of his township. filling that ing molested by the Indians in the early days he position faithfully and efficiently. In politics he persevered in the work of clearing his land and was a Republican, in religion a devout member of getting it under cultivation. He and his wife, the M. E. Church, in the work of which he took Mary (Young), are buried in the cemetery of the an active part. He is buried at the Summit church Upper Valley M. E. Church. They had the fol- in Shamokin township. Socially he held member- lowing children : Peter. who died in Jefferson ship in the P. O. S. of A. - county, Pa .; Rachel, Mrs. Alexander Tharp; Mr. Chamberlin's first wife. Esther (Sober), daughter of Michael M. Sober, died in 1868, leav- ing three children: Calvin, who died at the age Annie, Mrs. Moorey: Huldy. Mrs. William Fur- man : Mary, who married Mahlon Hull : Cabel and Isaac, mentioned below : Lewis. who died in Sham- of twenty-three: Ada, who died when five years okin township; Lemuel. mentioned below; and old; and Ella May, wife of George Lawton, who Aaron, who died in Shamokin township. is in the coal business and lives in Virginia. Mr.

Cabel Chamberlin, son of Joseph, was born in Chamberlin's second marriage was to Mrs. Eliza- 1813, and died May 2, 1884, aged seventy-one beth (Sober) Dresher, widow of Jacob Dresher, by years, four months, one day. He was a farmer, whom she had these children : Harris M. : Mary and owned part of the old homestead. the farm F., wife of Lemuel Tharp ; Spencer H .. of Shamn- having been divided between him and his brother okin; William H .. of Shamokin township: Clara. Lemuel. In his young manhood he was engaged wife of C. C. Wilson : and Jacob G .. a teacher of Shamokin township. Two children were born to Lewis and Elizabeth (Sober) Chamberlin: Ed- in teaching for some time, first in the subscription schools then commonly conducted in this region and later as one of the first teachers under the free ward O., who died in 1906; and George W., now school system. He was intelligent and energetic engaged in farming the homestead in Shamokin and for many years a leader in his community. township, who married Ada Scott and has chil- On political questions he was a Republican. He dren, Austin L., Wilfred F., Ella G. and Margaret died upon his farm, and is buried with his wife, O. Mrs. Lewis Chamberlin died April 8, 1905.

Mary E. (Krissinger), at the Upper Valley M. E. church. She died Nov. 20. 1866. aged fifty-two years, eleven months, fifteen days. Eleven chil- Isaac Chamberlain, son of Joseph, was born May dren were born to this worthy couple: Sarah mar- 29, 1814, and died on the old homestead Jan. S. ried Isaac D. Kline; Lewis is mentioned below: 1906, in his ninety-second year. He was reared Elnorah married Jared Haupt : Annie died Nov. upon the home farm. and farming was his prin- 6. 1865, aged twenty-four years: Catharine died cipal work throughont his active years, though in April 4, 1864, aged twenty-five years: Hulda died his young manhood he taught school for a tune. Jan. 20, 1866, aged nineteen years : Emeline mar- first in the pay schools and later in the free schools. ITis wife was also a school teacher in her early

ried Newton Morgan: John died in 1846, when three years old: Mary Ellen died Ang. 19, 1861. years. Mr. Chamberlain was not only one of the aged six years: Alfred died at Trevorton, Pa. : best known men in his listeiet, but one of the most highly esteemed, having many friends who ad-

Oliver died when twenty-two years old.

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mired and appreciated his sterling qualities. His education in the local public schools, and re- wife, Mary (Campbell), died May 14, 1885, aged seventy-one years, seven months. nineteen days. They were the parents of four children: Jane is deceased ; Silas is mentioned below ; Martha is the wife of Tobias Dunkelberger, of Shamokin town- ship; Rhode (deceased) was the wife of Aarou Raker and had a large family. all dying young but one son, Adam G., who died in April, 1911, aged twenty-seven years.

SILAS CHAMBERLAIN was born July 30, 1848, in Shamokin township, and there obtained his educa- tion in the public schools. He was reared upon the homestead farm, where he has spent all his life with the exception of four years after his marriage. proved convenient in many emergencies. Mr. during which time he was engaged in farming else- Chamberlin was one of the organizers of The Irish where. Returning to the old home he took the Valley & Seven Points Telephone Company, and farm, which originally contained about 130 acres, is serving as one of its directors.

and has added to his holdings until he now has 160 acres. His industry has been well rewarded, and he is considered one of the substantial farmers and Susanna ( Weary) Grove, of Mahantango of his neighborhood, where his honorable life has gained him high standing personally as well as in a business way.

In 1875 Mr. Chamberlain married Derresa Adams, daughter of David Adams, of Ralpho town- ship, this county. They have had a family of nine children : Lorenzo D. married Mary B. Moore and they have a son, James F. ; Ellsworth L. mar- ried Maud E. Osmun and they have a son, Lamar Ellsworth ; William .A. is still at home: Martin L. married Myrtle Hamilton and they have three children, Elwood H., Glendine M. and Cornelia : Mr. Chamberlin is an active member of the Keturah L., Adam, Roselda, Evelyn Viola and Ira United Brethren Church. In politics he is a Rankin are at home. Mr. Chamberlain and his Democrat, and he has long been prominent in the family are members of the M. E. Church. He public affairs of his township, which he has served votes independently, supporting the candidates he sixteen years as school director, also holding the considers best regardless of their party affiliations.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 33

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