Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 72

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 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Henry Gass, son of Jacob, born July 29, 1805, died July 1, 1897. He lived in the Plum Creek district and is buried at the Plum Creek Church, where many Gasses have found their last resting place. He was twice married, his second union be- ing to Julia Ann Conrad, who died Dec. 16, 1857, aged fifty-four years. His son Jacob, now a ven- erable resident of Upper Augusta township, is liv- ing at Hamilton : during the early part of 1911 he married Susannah ( Malick) Raker, widow of Wil- liam Raker. Other sons were William and George, and there were daughters Maria, Susan, Louisa and Harriet.

GASS. The Gass family, which has several rep- resentatives among the best citizens of the borough of Sunbury, has been identified with that section of Northumberland county since the founder, Ja-

Joseph Gass, Sr., son of Jacob, born Dec. 20, 1810, was a prosperous farmer and prominent cob Goss, came hither from Berks county, Pa., citizen of his day. He lived in the Plum Creck

where the immigrant ancestors apparently first settled upon coming to this country.

seetion, owning a farm of 148 acres which he cul- tivated profitably, of which 100 acres is now owned

This family name was originally written Goss, by David Furman. A Democrat in politics, and and was anglicized to Gass about 1800. The immi- prominent in the affairs of his party and in pub- lie matters, he served as county commissioner from 1863 to 1866. He died Dee. 28. 1879. On Ang. 12, 1834, Mr. Gass married Maria Raker, who was born Jan. 27, 1814, and died Oct. 25, 1874, and grants of this name are recorded as follows: Carl Goss, ship "Christian." qualified Sept. 13, 1749; Stephan Goss, ship "Brothers." qualified Sept. 22. 1752; Johannes Goss, snow "Lonisa," qualified Nov. 8, 1152; Johann Kraft Goss, ship "Edin- both are buried in the cemetery of Lantz's Ger-

318

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

man Reformed Church, in Rockefeller township. Workmen, and holds membership in the Northum- They had children as follows: Martin R., born berland County and Pennsylvania State Medical July 6, 1836, died Jan. 12, 1888 (his first wife, Societies and in the American Medical Association. Mary Ann, born Sept. 20, 1835, died Oct. 16, He has various social connections, being a mem- ber of Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., at Sunbury ; of Camp No. 194, P. O. S. of A., of Sunbury; and of the W. O. W. His church membership is with

1862 ; his second wife, Abigail, died July 26, 1892, aged fifty-five years, seven months, eight days) ; Samuel, born March 10, 1838, died Nov. 5, 1901, aged sixty-three years, seven months, twenty-five the Reformed denomination. Dr. Gass is a Demo- days (his wife Sarah died July 4, 1905, aged six- crat in political opinion, and he takes a genuine ty-five years, four months, eight days) ; Mary Ann interest in public affairs, especially movements af- fecting the welfare of his home community, for whose good he has done much effective work. His unquestioned position and strong intelligence make him an influential factor in any enterprise which enlists his sympathies. was born July 29, 1840, and died in Sunbury Sept. 18, 1900; Lucendia, born March 25, 1842, died in February, 1843; Joseph. Jr., is mentioned be- low ; Barbara A. was born Feb: 24, 1842. and died in Snyder county ; Isaac, born July 18. 1849, died Ang. 9,-1849 ; Rev. Richard F., born Nov. 19, 1852, graduated from Franklin and Marshall Theolog- ical Seminary at Lancaster, and at present is serv- ing his old home church.

On June 28, 1900, Dr. Gass married Gertrude E. Kuebler, daughter of George E. and Sarah ( Fasold) Kuebler, of Rockefeller township, and a descendant of Conrad Weiser. They have had one child, Mark Kuebler Gass.

Joseph Gass, Jr., born Dec. 13, 1844, in Rock- efeller township, is engaged in farming there. He married Ruth Shipman, daughter of the late Judge Abraham Shipman, of that township, and they have had four sons : Horatio Warren is mentioned

William Gass, one of the four sons of Jacob Gass above mentioned, was a resident of what is now Shamokin township, Northumberland county, and below; George Nevin died in infancy ; Rev. Rich- engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning the large ard Ira is a minister of the Reformed Church, sta- farm now the property of Alfred Schlegel. He tioned at Mainville; Foster W. married Rachel R. served many years as school director of his town- Grier, daughter of Albert C. and Catharine ship, was a Democrat in politics, and in religious

(Gann) Grier, who lived in Lycoming county, Pa., matters a member of the German Reformed and a member of a family which numbers many Church, which he served a number of years as minister's, doctors, teachers and editors among its member of the church council. He died March members, Albert C. Grier's father having been Dr. 23, 1897, aged eighty-one years, six months, eight Jolın Wilson Grier, of Nippenose Valley, Lycom- days, and his wife, Susanna (Strickline). born ing county, and his grandfather a Presbyterian Jan. 27, 1820, died May 29, 1888; they are buried minister who lived and preached at Jersey Shore at the Eden Church in the Plum Creek section. for fifty years. Their children were: Jacob, born in 1842, who

HORATIO WARREN GASS, M. D., a successful phy- died in 1858: Joseph A .; Simon W., who is out sician of Sunbury, Northumberland county, was West: Isaac N., of Sunbury, Pa. ; Harriet A., de- ceased, who was the wife of Francis Campbell ; born Sept. 9, 1868, in Plum Creek, Upper Augus- ta (now Rockefeller) township. He received his Emma J., who married John Taylor and (second) early education in the schools of the home locality, Charles Feese; and Annie E., who married Cyrus later attending the Kutztown Normal school, af- Tucker.

ter which he was engaged as a public school teacher JOSEPH A. GASS, son of William, was born Sept. in his native county for seven years. In the year 8. 1844, in Shamokin township, and passed his 1894 he began the study of medicine, and in Octo- early life upon the farm. When eighteen years old he became an apprentice to the carpenter's okin township, commencing at a salary of eighteen dollars a month. He taught thirty terms in all- nine terms in one school, and seven terms in Snydertown borough. All his schools were un- graded, and some idea of the amount of work ex- pected from one teacher in those days may be gained from the fact that he had 114 pupils en- rolled in Coal township, in 1864-65: 111 enrolled

ber, 1895. entered the Medico-Chirurgical College in Philadelphia, graduating therefrom with his trade, which he followed for five years. Mean- degree of M. D. May 21, 1898. In June he passed time, though he had no special educational advan- tages in boyhood, he had improved his mental ac- the examination of the State Board and in Aug- ust began practice at Mount Actna, Berks county, quirements by evening study and application, and where he located Aug. 8th. In 1901 he removed in 186? he began teaching public school, in Sham- his . office to Sunbury, where he is located at the corner of Fairmount avenue and Market street. Dr. Gass has not only acquired a large private practice, but other interests of a professional na- ture 'in which he has won wide repute and high standing. He was jail physician at Sunbury from 1906 to 1908, inclusive, has been medical exam- iner for the Mutual Life and Travelers' Insurance Companies, and for the Ancient Order of United in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county; and 88

319

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

enrolled in Snydertown borough. His school work Richard A. Gass, son of Martin, was born' Oet. 12, 1845, in Upper Augusta township, and ob- tained his early education in the local schools. Later he attended Dickinson Seminary, at Wil- liamsport, Pa .. and afterward taught school for some time, in Upper Augusta township and East Sunbury borough. For several years be engaged in the mercantile business at Sunbury, until he be- came traveling salesman, being at present engaged thus for the Chase Brothers Nursery Company. He has been selling for a quarter of a century and has been highly successful. In politics Mr. Gass is a Democrat and has been active in his party, hav- ing served from 1905 to 1908 as county auditor. was done for the most part in the winter season, his summers being devoted to farming in Rockefeller township. In 1889 he began dealing in fertilizers, being one of the first agents in his section, and in the spring of 1898 he removed to the borough of Sunbury, where he has since been engaged in busi- ness, being established on North Eighth street, off Market street. There, in addition to phosphates, of which he sells about four hundred tons annu- ally, he is engaged as a dealer in and agent for buggies, runabouts and wagons of all kinds; agri- cultural implements, steam and gasoline engines, light plants, pumps, etc. He handles considerable International Harvester goods, machine mowers, He and his family are members of the Reformed Church.

In 1822 Mr. Gass married Emily A. Garinger, daughter of Charles and Deborah (Haas) Gar- inger, of Sunbury, and to them have been born four children : Laura G., Carrie D., Charles M. and Ed- ward F.

CHARLES M. GASS, D. D. S., now engaged in the practice of dentistry in the borough of Sunbury, was born there May 4, 1878. He received his lit- erary education in the public schools, including the high school, and on Oct. 1, 1897, he entered the dental department of Pennsylvania College, from which institution he was gradnated in 1900. Re- turning to his home town he opened an office at No. 805 Market street, where he has since been es- ily are members of Zion's Lutheran Church at Sun- tablished. He has built up a lucrative practice bury, and he has been active particularly in Sun- and occupies creditable standing in his profession. Dr. Gass is a member of the Modern Woodmen and day school work, having served as superintendent in his country district and in Sunbury, and he is of the Reformed Church.

On May 28, 1873, Mr. Gass married Isabella A. Hansewart, daughter of Samuel I. Hausewart and his wife Hulda ( Farley ), and they have had chil- dren as follows: Hulda Susanna. who has been en- gaged in teaching in Sunbury since 1895; Maggie S., wife of George S. Conrad, of Sunbury : Harriet A., a stenographer, at York, Pa. : Isabella M., wife of Charles Schlegel, of Suubury : Samuel J., born June 27, 1883, who is now assisting his father; in their line in Sunbury and the adjoining country, Francis C .; and Nellie P.

keeping four men regularly employed, besides working themselves. They also carry a full line

Martin Gass, another son of Jacob Gass, lived in of all kinds of electrical supplies and equipment, Upper Augusta township, where he was engaged in and are up to date in everything pertaining to their business.

farming at the Gass schoolhouse. He is buried in the old cemetery at Sunbury. By his first wife, On Sept. 3, 1909, Mr. Gass married Frances E. Brand, daughter of William F. and Laura (Tay- lor) Brand, of Sunbury, the Taylor family coming froui near Laporte, Sullivan Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Gass have had one son, Charles Joseph. They reside at No. 806 Court street, Sunbury. Mr. Auna Hower, who was born Dec. 5, 1815, daughter of Jacob Hower, and died Jan. 22, 1850, he had four children: Elizabeth J. (deceased), who mar- ried William Mackert: Richard A. ; Jacob F. : and George W., of Sunbury. His second wife was Mary Conrad, widow of Eli Conrad. No children were Gass is a member of the Modern Woodinen of born to this union.

America, the Americus Club and the Reformed

reapers,. etc. Mr. Gass was the chief organizer of the Augusta Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was agent, secretary and director for fif- teen years : it has grown to be one of the large and successful insurance companies of this region. In every way he has been a useful and energetic man, taking an active part in the various interests and organizations with which he has been identified. Socially he was connected with the Odd Fellows and Encampment, the P. O. S. of A. and the Knights of Pythias, which latter fraternity he helped to organize at Northumberland, Pa. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and he has served as school director of Sunbury, at present representing the Ninthi ward on the school board. He and his fam-

now superintendent of the Union Sunday school at the East End of the borough. His services in this capacity have covered a period of fifteen or eighteen years.

EDWARD F. GASS, member of the firm of Wetzel & Gass, of Sunbury, the leading electrical firm of that region, was born Dec. 12, 1883, at No. 805 Market street, Sunbury, and received his education in the borough. Graduating from the high school in 1900, he subsequently worked for the United Telephone Company, doing business in Sunbury and vicinity, for a period of six years, during which time he studied the science of electricity. On Aug. 28, 1906, he formed his present partner- ship with Arthur B. Wetzel, under the firm name of Wetzel & Gass, and they do the leading business

320

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Church, in which he has been quite active, having Making the trip to Sunbury by team, he came up been secretary of the Sunday school since 1905. the river above Northumberland to the Chillisqua-

que creek, where he erected the first mill. the iron Jacob F. Gass, son of Martin, was born Oct. 17, for which was poled np the river from Columbia 1848, in what is now Rockefeller township, and at in a canoe. He then built a mill on the White

an early age began clerking in the store at Sun- bury. In 1880 he engaged in the grocery business. there on his own acconnt, at the corner of Fourth and Market streets, where the Sunbury Trust Com- pany is now located, but owing to ill health he gave up this business in course of time and took to carpenter work and contracting. in which he continued until his death. Jan. 25, 1909. He had been a resident of Sunbury for many years.

On June 8, 1880, Mr. Gass married Sarah Jane Keefer, daughter of George Keefer. They had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Gass worshipped at the first Reformed Church, Sunbury. In politics he was a Democrat.

JACOB STRAUB, a venerable resident of East Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county, has spent his life in that section with the exception of the three years he was in the West, and there is no more respected citizen in the district. Born Oct. 19, 1826, in what was then known as Chillis- was originally associated with him in planning quaque township, he is a grandson of Andrew. what is now the borough of Milton, but he bought Straub, the founder of what is now the prosperous borough of Milton.

Andrew Stranb's father was born along the southern border of Germany, and as his parents de- sired him to become a priest he attended the Cath- olic schools of that country until he reached young manhood. However, he did not complete his prep- aration for the church, but coming to America be- came a land owner and farmer, settling at Coluni- bia, Lancaster Co., Pa., where he took up land, cleared it and followed farming to the end of his days. He was a good neighbor and true. friend, and was on very friendly terms with the Wright brothers, the founders of Columbia and Wrights- ville. He married after his arrival in this country. and his children were: Andrew: Valentine, who settled along the Tulpehocken creek in Berks coun- ty, Pa. ; Mrs. Hougendobler ; and Mrs. Merkle.

Andrew Straub, son of the emigrant, was born Feb. 14, 1748, on his father's farm just back of the town of Columbia, in what is now Lancaster coun- ty. When a boy he was bound out to one Mr. Bashore, near Columbia, to learn the trade of mill-

Deer creek, in what is now Union county. Return- ing to Columbia he enlisted in the Continental troops for service in the Revolution. but when the conflict was over his mind again turned to the new country in which he had worked and in April, 1784, he returned to this section, locating at what is now Milton, and engaging in work at his trade, going back to his former home, however, in the spring of the following year. On May 1, 1783, he married Mary Eveline Walter, and in 1790 took up his residence at Milton. where he built a log house on the lot now occupied by the Milton Na- tional Bank. Two years later he built a house near what is now the intersection of Center and Filbert streets and removed thither with his fan- ilv. He obtained a large tract of land, and in 1795 had completed a residence upon the eastern part of his farm, at or near the corner of Center street and Turbut avenue, where he resided until his death, Ang. 2, 1806. One Christian Yentzer

Mr. Yentzer's interests in 1791 and laid out the town in 1792. An enterprising. farsighted and public-spirited man, his activity in promoting the interests of the new town was effective, and his name will ever be associated with its growth along the most beneficial lines. He made donations of .ground for church and school use, established mills, encouraged local business and manufactur- ing enterprises, and lived to see Milton prosper, one of the most thriving towns in the valley of the West branch. He was kind to the poor. and a lib- eral supporter of every cause which was good and just, and no one citizen of the community has probably done as much as he did to place its for- tunes upon a substantial basis. His children were as follows: Joseph; Andrew: Snsanna. Mrs. Rhoads: Esther, Mrs. Lawrence: Rachel, Mrs. Jodon : Mary, Mrs. Smith : Abraham and Isaat, twins. born Dec. 9, 1794; Christian: and three who died young.

Abraham Straub, born in Milton, learned the tanning trade and followed the business until 1824, when he sold ont and became associated wright, but he remained with him only four weeks, with his twin brother in what was known as the his master making him work at the trade during Birchwood Mills, on the island opposite Milton. There they were engaged in milling and lumber- They invented and intro- duced into their mill the first reaction water wheel probably ever used in the State. They also had a railroad track to their mill and vard. In 1832 and 1833 they erected the first bridges over the West the daytime and split rails at night. This was too hard for the youth, so he returned home, and ing for many years. the Wrights gave hini employment in the same line. in wifieh, being a natural mechanic, he soon be- came expert. Before the Revolutionary war Mr. Wright asked young Straub if he thought he could come up along the river to build a mill for the branch of . the Susquehanna at Milton, carried soldiers at Fort Augusta, and he agreed to do it. away by the flood of March 17, 1865. In 1834

321

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

.Isaae retired from the firm and went to Lewis- that time he returned to the homestead where he town, where he engaged in merchandising, leav- had been brought up, and bought fifty-three acres ing that town in 1838 and going to Cincinnati, of the old farm, upon which he built his present where he died Dec. 17, 1875. Abraham Straub home in 1869. He followed farming and truck- ing here for forty years, retiring in 1902, since when his son has conducted the farm. Mr. Straub is intelligent, and having a good memory has be- come well informed through reading, of which he is fond. He is an entertaining conversationalist, and though in his eighty-fifth vear continues to take the deepest interest in all that concerns the community with which he has so long been identi- fied. He has two heirlooms which he values high- lv, a grandfather eloek that was made in the year 1786 and has been in the family for one hundred vears, and an old secretary which was made in Milton in 1821, all the work done by hand. continued to operate the mills until 1840, when he took down the gristmill and moved it to Mud- dy Run, two miles above Milton, where he con- tinued the milling business until 1853. He then sold it and built a bridge across the Susquehanna at Uniontown, after the completion of which work he turned his attention to the invention of a een- tritugal pump. Though a self-educated survey- or, he became one of the foremost in that pro- fession in his section of the State. He laid out Harmony cemetery, at Milton. He died Aug. 21, 1864. On Nov. 29, 1821, he married Naney Bal- liet, who was born in 1804, and whose father was a native of Lehigh county, Pa., and a settler in On April 19, 1864, Mr. Straub married Aramin- Liniestone, Montour county. She died Dec. 25, ta Agnes Schlebby, who was born April 21, 1836, 1861. They had children as follows: John An- and died April 30, 1904. She is buried at Milton. drew, Ambrose White (died in infaney), Stephen Two children were born to this union: Kate and Daniel, Elizabeth Caroline (married Rev. Wil- John L. The daughter, born Aug. 22, 1872, now liam Goodrich), Clement Calvin (born Nov. 23, keeps house for her father. Mr. Straub is a Re- 1833), Ambrose White (?), William Alfred and - publican in politieal preference.

. Mary Louisa.

JOHN L. STRAUB, now engaged in farming in West Chillisquaque township, was born Sept. 11, 1873, in Chillisquaque township, son of Jacob. Straub. He attended the Harrison school in his native township, and when old enough commeneed to work with his father, with whom he continued

Christian Straub, ninth child of Andrew, taught school and was a merchant in Schuylkill county, served as sheriff of that county, and was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature and in Congress. He died before the expiration of his term as Congressman, and is buried at Wash- to farm until 1909. He then removed to the old ington, D. C., in the Congressional burying Dougal farm, in the same township, near the bor- ground.

Joseph Straub, son of Andrew, was born Feb. 10, 1793, at Milton, and in his early life followed

ougli line of Milton, where he carries on general farming. He married Lois May Balliet, daughter of Charles Henry and Catharine ( Hall) Balliet,

tanning and distilling. He owned considerable and they have had two children, Annie Catharine land in what is now Chillisquaque township, and and Andrew Jacob. Mr. Straub is a Republican in followed farming until his death. Like his father, politics. he is buried in the Harmony cemetery at Milton. His first wife, Elizabeth (Follmer), daughter of

PARDOE. The Pardoe family of Northum- Henry and Susanna (Stahl) Follmer, was the berland county has long been one of prominence. inother of these children : Susanna, who died un-

It was planted here by Thomas Pardoe, a native of married : Mary, widow of Reuben Follmer, resid- London. England, born March 4, 1795, who came ing in Milton; and Jacob. To his second mar- to America with his parents in childhood. He riage, with Mrs. Maria ( Bright) Orwig, widow of Dr. Orwig, were born the following chil- dren: Franklin died in Ohio; Joseph served in the Civil war: John . was killed at the and for a time he lived in Point township. After battle of Gettysburg: Charles died young, of smallpox; Barbara married Dr. Koenig; Kate himself to farming, milling and distilling, and al- inarried William Moyer.

settled in Chillisquaque township, Northumber- land county, where he became the owner of a large tract of land. At first his father bound him out, his loeation in Chillisquaque township he devoted and performed similar offiecs. As justice of the peace he married many couples. He was school di-

Jaeob Straub, or, as he is familiarly known among his large circle of relations and friends, primitive facilities of those early days, and he was "Uncle Jake," received such education as the pay ealled upon to settle up many estates, wrote deeds,

schools of the home district afforded. He learned the trade of stonemason, which he followed only a comparatively short time, however. In 1864 he reetor in his district, and also held the office of su- went out to Nebraska, where he remained for three pervisor. He died April 21. 1873. On March 2, years, living among the Indians still numerous in that region and following farming. At the end of who died Nov. 18, 1876. They were members of 21

so had a general store. Naturally given to study, he acquired what education he could with the 1824, he married Sarah Hause, born Oet. 13, 1801,

322

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the Presbyterian Church. Their children were: Sarah C., born. Sept. 8, 1857, married Joseph Elizabetlı, born Nov. 26, 1824, married John

Wolfe, of Milton ; Thomas E., born Feb. 6, 1860, .Troxel, and died Feb. 23, 1859; William, born married Sallie Pfleeger, and lives in Chillisquaque Jan. 28, 1826, is mentioned below : Charles, born township; Lizzie T .. horn Oct. 5, 1863, married Jan. 21, 1828, died Jan. 3, 1833; Peter H., born

A. C. Yarger, of Milton ; Franklin L., born Nov. Jan. 25, 1830, died Sept. 5, 1850; Sarah A., born 19, 1867, married Lola MeClain, daughter of April 19,.1832, married William Fordsman, and Charles and Maria ( Berger) McClain, of Chillis- died in 1906; Hannah H., born Sept. 6, 1834, quaque township, and they have two sons, Oscar W. married John H. Gotschall, and lived in Michigan and George W., and an adopted daughter, Nora E. (she died in 1910) ; Franklin C., born Aug. 28, TROXEL. Abraham Troxel, grandfather of Mrs. 1836, married Margaret A. Rishel, daughter of Lucy Louisa (Troxel) Pardoe, was an early settler Jonathan Rishel, and died in 1909 in Chillisqua- of Chillisquaque township, where he followed farm- ing. He married Catherine Derr, and both are

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 72

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