Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 60

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 60

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years, and also taught high school at Uwehland, Chester Co., Pa., for a time. She was a graduate from the Shoemaker Elocution College, Philadel- phia, and later on from the Dickinson School 11, 1895, aged sixty years, nine months, ten days. of Law at Carlisle, Pa., being the first lady law- They are buried at the Stone Valley Church. yer upon whom that school conferred the degree. Mr. Radel was an active member of the. Lutheran She married Daniel A. Kline, now serving his congregation of that church, and held the offices second term as superintendent of schools of Perry of deacon, elder, treasurer and trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Radel had these children : George, Benjamin, Michael, Marietta (married Harry Spotts), Elmer I., Jeremiah and Frank. eounty, Pa., where they reside, at New Bloon- field. Mr. Kline is a graduate of the State Nor- Emma (married Adam Seaman), Malinda, mal school, having later taken a course at La- fayette College, at Easton, Pa., where he graduated with honors. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have three children, all daughters, namely, Sarah V., aged six years, Margaret, four years and Carolyn, two years. (?) Daniel W., who is unmarried and resides with his father at Dalmatia, served during the Spanish-American war in Cuba and the Phil- ippine Islands.

ELMER I. RADEL, a farmer of Lower Mahanoy township, near Hickory Corners, was born in that township Sept. 3. 1869. He worked for his par- ents until he attained his majority, gaining a thorough knowledge of farm work. and afterward for ten years engaged in threshing, sawmilling and coal digging, owning a coal digging apparatus.

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He was engaged in his own and other counties, the high school in 1888. He then entered Schuyl- having spent about five years, in all, in Montour kill Seminary (now Albright College), at Myers- town, Lebanon Co., Pa., and subsequently studied county. In 1900 he purchased the William Schaf- fer homestead, a tract of 131 acres (some of law in the office of J. E. Bastress at Mount Carmel. which is woodland) near Hickory Corners, upon which he has since made his home. He is suc- cessfully engaged in dairying as well as general farming, having a fine dairy herd, including some registered Holstein cattle, and takes milk daily to Dalmatia and Hickory Corners. He has been road commissioner of his township since 1908.

On June 18, 1892, Mr. Radel married Lizzie Spotts, daughter of Aaron and Sarah J. (Schaffer) Spotts, and they have had children as follows: Charles (deceased), Nevin (deceased), George R. (deceased), a son that died in infancy, Maud H., Clarence E., Margaret E. and Mabel Pauline. In politics Mr. Radel is a Republican, and in religion he is a Lutheran, holding membership in the Stone Valley (Zion's) Church, of which his wife is a Reformed member. He is giving his second period of service as treasurer, and has also been deacon and elder. He has also been active in the

work of the Sunday school, in which he was a to Mount Carmel, Mr. Kehler met with an unfor- teacher for about fifteen years.

DANIEL W. KEHLER, member of the firm of Kehler Brothers, attorneys at law, and who also conduct a real estate and fire insurance busi- ness, at Mount Carmel, is a member of a family of German origin which has been long established in this State. He was admitted to the bar Dec. 22, 1902.

Charles Kehler, grandfather of Daniel W., fol- lowed farming in Eldred township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he died. His son, Charles Z. Keller, was a butcher, and followed his trade for some time. He located in Mount Carmel in 1882, and was, here engaged at day labor until his death, which occurred Jan. 25, 1898. He is buried in the Union Cemetery, in Eldred township, Schuyl- kill county. His widow, Sarah (Wetzel), daugh- ter of Henry and Catharinc (Hoffman) Wetzel, still makes her home in Mount Carmel. . They had a family of seven children, namely: Emma is the wife of S. H. Geist, a merchant of Mount Carmel; Thomas died when nineteen years old ; Daniel W. is mentioned below ; R. W. is employed as car inspector on the Lehigh Valley railroad ; Charles H. is a boss in the employ of the Phila-

Daniel W. Keller was born in 1868 in Schuyl- kill county, came to Mount Carmel in the spring of 1882 with his parents, and graduated from

He was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county Dec. 22, 1902, and to practice in the Su- preme court in January, 1903. In 1909 he formed his present partnership with his younger brother, James G. Kehler. Their offices are at No. 183 North Oak street and in addition to a general law business of growing proportions they deal in real estate and fire insurance. Mr. Daniel W. Kehler has, in his several years of practice, at- tained considerable reputation and gained the con- fidence of his fellow citizens of Mount Carmel, and he is at present serving them as borough solicitor. He has filled other public trusts, having been borough auditor three years and is at present a member of the school board from the Fourth ward. He is a member of the Anthracite Fire Company and was one of the trustees of same for some time.

When a boy, shortly after the family removed

tunate accident while engaged in picking slate at one of the collieries, losing his right arm Sept. 12, 1882. He has, however, completely overcome any disability on this account.

Socially Mr. Keller holds membership in the P. O. S. of A., Washington Camp No. 231: in the I. O. O. F., John Stine Lodge, No. 1150: in the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Red Men. He is a leading member of St. Paul's United Evangelical Church, in the work of which congregation he takes an active part, and he has been an official many years. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.

On Oct. 16, 1904, Mr. Kehler married Carrie Avers, daughter of Alfred Avers. of Mount Carmel, and they reside at No. 32 South Maple street, Mount Carmel. They have had two children, a son that died in infancy and Anna Evelyn.

ALFRED AYERS, father of Mrs. Daniel W. Kehl- er, is one of the oldest residents of Mount Carmel. He was born July 25, 1841, at York Tunnel, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Abram and Anna ( Rus- sell) Ayers, the former of whom was a miner in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, at one time a mine foreman: he also operated a mine on his own acconnt. He moved to Mount Carmel

delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company; Kate in 1853 and there resided until his death, in 1883. is the wife of H. H. Otto and is living at Tremont, Pa. ; James G. was graduated from the Mount Carmel high school, the Bloomsburg State normal school and the University of Pennsylvania and

He married Anna Russell, like himself a native of England, whose father, James Russell, was a pioneer miner of Schuylkill county, where he lived and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Abram Ayers were is now practicing law in partnership with his born the following children : Mary A., Mrs. Frank brother.

Pershing; Alfred; Caroline; Ettie, Mrs. John Bell: Clara, Mrs. John Shaw; and Sarah. Mrs. Frank Shocner.

Alfred Ayers came to Mount Carmel with his

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father in 1853. He began miine work on a breaker, tate interests, which are quite extensive. By good was afterward employed as a loader, and finally became a miner. By faithful work he won promo- tion to the position of fire boss, then became as- sistant boss, and in December, 1888, became in- side foreman at the Alaska shaft.

During the Civil war Mr. Ayers served nine months in Company G, 129th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and received an honorable dis- charge after completing his term. He is a Re- publiean in politics.

On Oct. 18, 1860, Mr. Ayers married Caroline E. Adams, daughter of James Adams, of Mount Carmel, and they had a large family, ten of whom reached maturity, namely : Eliza E. (Mrs. Robert Taylor), Matthew H., Bessie ( Mrs. Charles Hert- zog), S. Matilda, Carrie (Mrs. D. W. Kehler), James, Alfred, Claude, Howard and Irvin.

RICHARD H. EDWARDS, of Trevorton, has

he still owns. Mr. Edwards was born Sept. 29, 1848, in Cornwall, England, son of Henry Ed- wards, who followed farming and worked in the copper mines in England. He came to America after his son had settled here, arriving in this country May 26, 1881, and from that time until his death made his home at Trevorton, North- umberland Co., Pa. He followed farming and hauling after settling here. His death occurred May 6, 1893, and his wife, Catherine ( Pengally), died in Trevorton March 27, 1890, aged sixty- seven years. They are buried in the Methodist cemetery at Irish Valley. Of their children, Rieliard H. is mentioned below ; John, Margaret and Willian died in England; Jessie and Annie M. eame to America with their parents.

When twenty-two years old Richard H. Edwards came to America, and for a short time was em- ployed in the iron works at Mount Hope, Morris Co., N. J. Coming to Pennsylvania, he located at Ralston, Lycoming county, for a short time before settling at Trevorton, where he found em- ployment at mining, in the North Franklin col- liery. He was engaged at such work for about twenty-eight years in all. Meantime he acquired the "Central Hotel" property, and himself con- dueted the hotel for five years, before he gave up mining. In 1898 he made vast improvements in this property, of which he still retains pos- session, the hotel business being now eondneted by William H. Francis. It is a stand well known to the traveling public and a good business has five children, namely: Mary married Benjamin been done there for many years. Mr. Edwards Clement ( who is now deceased ) and they lived retired from active work in 1903. since when he in Jackson township; Jolin T. is mentioned be- has given his attention to the care of his real es- low: Sarah married Samuel Rumberger and they

management and thrift he has gained a position among the substantial men of his community, and has received recognition as one of its trusted citizens, having been chosen to serve as township treasurer. He is a Republican in polities, a Meth- odist in religious connection and fraternally a inember of Lodge No. 528, I. O. O. F., of Trevor- ton. In 1907 Mr. Edwards made a trip to his native country, having a pleasant visit to his old home and friends.

By his first marriage, to Christian Rahmer, Mr. Edwards had no children. His second marriage was to Alma Rahmer, and they became the par- ents of six children: Katie, who married Henry Pengally ; George, of Trevorton ; Grace, who mar- ried William Shuck; Blanche, who married Lewis Sheaffer ;. Emiah, who married D. Fuller ; and John. His third marriage was to Mrs. Emma (Ossman) Umholtz. There are no children of

lived practically retired since 1903, though he this union, but by her first marriage Mrs. Edwards finds his time oceupied to a great extent with the had a daughter, Eva, who is now the wife of management of his real estate holdings. He is Charles Cook and lives at Elizabethville, Dauph- an old miner and former hotel-keeper, having for in Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards make their five years conducted the "Central Hotel," which home on Shamokin street, in Trevorton.

JOHN T. BROWER, late of the borough of Herndon, was one of the substantial and influential residents of that place, with whose progress he had been identified for a number of years, a> a business man being one of the leading factors in its material development. He retired from active business in 1905.

Mr. Brower was born May 18, 1845, in Jackson township, Northumberland county, son of Nathan and Caroline (Troutman) Brower. Nathan Brower was born in Chester county, Pa., June 20. 1817, and when fourteen years old moved to Uniontown, Dauphin county, where he made his home with Isaac. Matthias until he reached the age of twenty years. He learned the milling trade, and after following it several years at Union- town went to Dornsife, Northumberland county, where he was engaged in the same line for a period of . eleven years, doing a prosperous business. Later he became a farmer, acquiring a 115-aere traet in Jackson township, which he continued to eultivate until a few years before his death. He died June 4, 1895, and is buried at Union- town. Mr. Brower was prominent in his section in both business eireles and church life, being active in the work of the United Evangelical Asso- eiation, which he supported with a liberal hand. He married Caroline Troutman, who was born Sept. 28, 1821, daughter of Jacob Troutman, and died Feb. 24, 1901. They were the parents of

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live at Elizabethville; Elizabeth married Henry and Mrs. Brower have had children as follows: Lautenslayer; Daniel is mentioned below.

A. Alice, who is unmarried; Sallie, wife of Daniel Willard, of Jackson township, who has children Olive and Earnest F .; Nellie; Mabel, who mar- ried Charles Kobel and has a son, Daniel E ; and Katie. Mr. Brower and his family attend the

John T. Brower was reared in Jackson town- ship, being trained to farm work from early boy- hood. On March 29, 1865, he enlisted, at Harris- burg, Pa., in Company C, 74th Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years' serv- Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics. ice, but. the war closing he was mustered out Aug. 29, 1865. Upon his return to civil life Mr. WILLIAM P. O'CONNOR, former member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from Northumber- land county, is a resident of Shamokin, where he is proprietor of the "Shamokin House," located at No. 613 North Shamokin street. He is a promni- nent member of the Democratic party, having served as committeeman from his district a num- ber of years. Mr. O'Connor is a native of the borough of Shamokin, born May 4, 1870, son of Michael Q'Connor. Brower engaged in merchandising at Bull Run, in Jackson township, where he continued for one year, coming thence to Herndon, where he was in active business for thirty years, having a suc- cessful career until his retirement, in 1905, when his son John succeeded to the business, which he still conducts. Mr. Brower carried a compre- hensive line of general merchandise, and his pat- ronage was large, being drawn from the surround- ing territory for miles around. He took a public-

Michael O'Connor was born in Ireland and spirited interest in the welfare of the place, and brought his family from that country to America helped to establish several industries at Herndon, built a number of dwellings and business houses in 1868, landing at New York City. After a brief residence in New Jersey, engaged at his in the town, and in various ways contributed to trade, that of potter, he came to Shamokin (in its upbuilding in the best sense. He was instru- 1868) and here found work at mining, follow- mental in the organization of the borough, which ing that occupation the rest of his active years. he advocated warmly as important to the best He lived retired for a number of years before interests of the town. He was a Republican on political questions.

his death, which occurred Jan. 16, 1894. He married Catherine Costello, a native of Ireland, whose people settled at Fall River, Mass .. and are buried at Shamokin. Nine children were

Mr. Brower's first wife, Sarah (Latsha), died in 1886, the mother of two children: Mary, who she died Oct. 17, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor married Lincoln Otto, postmaster at Herndon ; and John, who has succeeded his father in the born to them: Michael, who lives in Shamokin : mercantile business at Herndon. On April 9, Charles, of Trevorton, Pa. ; Thomas, of Shamokin : 1889, Mr. Brower married (second) Emma ( Hen- Patrick, of Shamokin ; James, of Shamokin; Mar- garet, wife of Thomas Lamey, of Shamokin; Wil- liam Francis, who died young: William P .; and F. Henry, who died July 20, 1872, and who was the second person and first male child buried in the Catholic cemetery at Shamokin. " syl) Hoke, daughter of Jesse and Magdalena (First) Hensyl and widow of George Hoke. By her first marriage she had one son, George E., who is located at St. Paul, Minn., attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company:

Mr. Brower died May 21, 1910.

William P. O'Connor received his education in DANIEL BROWER, brother of John T. Brower, the public schools of Shamokin. In 1897 he was was born Aug. 25, 1856, and during his boyhood appointed a letter carrier in Shamokin and was attended the schools of the home locality. Mean- thus engaged for about ten years, until he took time he began his practical training for farm his seat in the Legislature, to which he was elected Noy. 10, 1906. His services began Jan. 1. 1907, and during his term he performed one service for the community which has given him a perma- nent place in the esteem of his fellow citizens : It was through his efforts that the State hospital for injured persons at Shamokin, which cares for the injured from the Shamokin, Mount Carmel and Trevorton coal fields, was established, and he was highly complimented for his labors in behalf work, continuing with his father until twelve years after his marriage; and in 1888 he began farming his present property, a tract of 107 acres in Jackson township, two miles east of Herndon. This was an old Peifer homestead. Mr. Brower remodeled the house and the barn, and has made other improvements to bring his place up to mod- ern requirements, keeping the farm in creditable condition. He makes a specialty of dairving, run- ning a daily milk route to Herndon. Since 1908 of this institution, which has proved such a bless- he lias been a school director of his district.

ing to the locality. Mr. O'Connor is at present

On Dec. 31. 1876, Mr. Brower married Amanda a candidate for reelection to the Legislature. On Swab, daughter of Eli and Nellie (Cooper) Swab, Aug. 1, 1907, he became proprietor of the hotel of Washington township, Dauphin Co., Pa., and known as the "Shamokin House," at No. 613 granddaughter of Jacob Swab and of Jacob North Shamokin street, and he is making a suc- Cooper, of Washington township, that county. Mr. cess of the business, his genial personality and

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good management gaining and retaining a lucra- Northumberland connty from 1824 to 1827. He tive patronage. Fraternally he is well known as married Elizabeth Schwartz, daughter of Philip a member of the Owls, the A. O. H. and the F. Michael and Margaret (Slosser) Schwartz, the O. E., and he was a charter member of the West End Fire Company and is a member of the Vet- eran Firemen's Association, in the work of which he takes an active part. He belongs to St. Ed- ward's Catholic Church.

former of whom eamie to America from Wurtem- berg in Colonial days and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war; he was at Valley Forge, was taken prisoner while in the service and was eventually exchanged. In 1798 Mr. Schwartz

In 1894 Mr. O'Connor married Ella Cotter, came to Sunbury and took up 600 acres of land daughter of Cornelius and Catherine Cotter, and

at Beaver Meadows, where he remained the rest they have a family of four children: Chester, of his active life. He was the father of Hon. William, Cornelius and Saralı.

John Schwartz, who represented the Seventh Con- : Mr. O'Connor is a "double" of Frank McClain, gressional district of Pennsylvania in Congress. He died at Sunbury and is buried in the old cemetery there. Mr. and Mrs. Haas had a family of ten children : Dr. William died at Mount Car- mel ; Elizabeth died young: Margaret married Edw. C. Hannah; Frederick died in Shamokin; Jacob W. is mentioned below; Catharine died un- married ; Francis died young; James H. was a member of Company K, 46th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Cedar Mountain; Charles was a conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad and was killed; John P. M., who served in the Civil war, died in Washington, D. C.

present mayor of Lancaster, Pa., who was formerly . speaker of the State House of Representatives.

FREDERICK HAAS, whose connection with the business and publie life of Sunbury has been important and long continued, is the owner of a thriving industrial establishment at that place and one of its most prosperous business men. He was for two terms-1895-1900-register and reeorder and clerk of the Orphans' court, to which responsibility he was elected although a Repub- lican in what was then a Democratic stronghold. Mr. Haas has been identified with many local organizations, business, social, political, etc., and is a citizen of the most reliable character, one whose work for the community is the best guar- anty of what he may be counted upon to performn.

Jacob W. Haas, father of Frederick Haas, was born June 25, 1833, at Pottsville. Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there passed his carly life. He was en- gaged as a clerk and bookkeeper until his en- Mr. Haas was born May 3, 1858, in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., but his family has been identi- fied with Northumberland county for several gen- erations. The first of the family in America, Frederick Haas, came to this country from Ger- many in 1757, and located for a time in Berks county, Pa., later settling in Northumberland listment for service in the Civil war, Sept. 1, 1861, at Pottsville, where he became a member of Com- pany G, 96th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, with which command he served throughout the war. Hc attained the rank of captain. He took part in all the battles of the Army of the Potomae from 1861 to 1863. After the war Mr. Haas county, at Sunbury, where he remained until his . spent two years in the oil fields of western Penn- death. His son Frederick, who condueted a gen- eral store and had various other business inter- ests in Sunbury, married a Miss Martz, and they had two sons, Frederick and John, the former being the grandfather of the present Frederick Haas of Sunbury.

sylvania. In 1867 he went to Shamokin, and was connected with various collieries in that vicinity for thirty-five years, being clerk and fore- man. In 1880 he made a tour of the Southern States prospecting for the Roanoke Iron Company. During his son's terms as recorder he served as deputy recorder. In 1901 Mr. Haas gave up aetive work and has since lived retired at Sha- mokin. He is a Republican in polities, but has taken little interest in aetive public life. He married Eliza E. Jones, daughter of John J. and Mary (Jenkins) Jones, and they have had four children : Mary, who married E. L. Burkert, of Philadelphia : Frederick ; John, of Brooklyn; and James Franklin, of Shamokin, who is the Asso-

Frederick Haas, grandson of the emigrant and grandfather of Frederick Haas, was born in Sun- bury in 1800. He carried on a tanvard, was en- gaged in merchandising, and ran a line of boats, being one of the busiest men of his day, energetic and thrifty in everything he undertook. Going to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, he engaged in the eoal business as an operator, and after four years at that place moved to Schuylkill Haven, same county, where he carried on the hotel business, ciated Press correspondent at that point.

in which he was also interested at Pottsville. In

Frederick Haas was nine years old when his 1850 he located in Shamokin and for seven years parents settled in Shamokin. He had commeneed was in the hotel business there. He died in 1859, his education in the publie schools of his native and is buried in the Shamokin cemetery. Mr. place, and he took the course in the high school Haas was an old-line Whig and prominent 'in at Shamokin, after which, in 1878, he entered local polities in his day. He was treasurer of the United States Military Academy at West

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Point, N. Y., intending to qualify for the army. Augusta township. He purchased 240 acres, and However, after taking part of the course he was there passed the remainder of his life, dying there obliged to resign on account of ill health, and Jan. 27, 1845. He followed farming and was sue- he returned home. For fourteen years Mr. Haas was engaged as clerk at the Luke Fidler colliery, at Shamokin, and in the recorder's office at Sun- bury, so that when he was himself elected recorder he was well prepared to enter upon the duties , of the position. In 1894 he was the Republican candidate for the office of register, recorder and clerk of the Orphans' court, and though the coun- ty was strongly Democratie at the time he was successful, assuming the office Jan. 1, 1895. In 1897 he was re-elected. and completed his second terin, serving to the close of 1900. He has long been an influential member of his party, and in 1900, during the Mckinley campaign, he was county chairman. He has proved an efficient worker in every capacity.

Upon the expiration of his second term as re- corder Mr. Haas engaged in business, purchasing the Sunbury Coffin & Casket Company, which was organized in 1874 with members of the Clement family as principal owners. Under Mr. Haas's management the business has shown a gratifying increase. The greater part of the trade is found within a hundred miles of Sunbury, but it is growing constantly, and Mr. Haas has made a number of improvements in the equipment of the establishment and the handling of the business which promise to bring about good results.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 60

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