Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 75

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 75

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).

"His last end proved his character to be consist-

string he could open the door and watch the In- ent. He met the grin messenger calmly ; 'for he dians. The moment he pulled the door open two knew in whom he had trusted' ; and he could walk balls came into the house, and the Indians rose to through the valley and shadow of death, fearing no

advance. He fired and wounded one, and both evil.' The frame was bent, and the muscles re- retreated. After waiting to satisfy himself that laxed; but the mind-the immortal mind-could no others remained he followed them by the blood, but they escaped.

"For many years Colonel Kelly held the office of a magistrate of the county. In the administra- tion of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to do right, and the same disregard of selfish gain, which had characterized him in the military service of the country. He would at any time forego his own

not be obscured. It brightened more and more 'unto the perfect day.' At the age of eighty-eight years he departed, leaving his memory to our care and his virtues for our imitation." Colonel Kelly's death occurred Feb. 18, 1832.

Colonel Kelly married Sarah Polk, who died Jan. 2, 1831, aged seventy-seven years, and they reared a numerous family, of whom David H. was fees, and if the parties were poor pay the con- the youngest: John, the eldest son, who settled in stable's cost, to procure a compromise: while, by industry and economy, his own pecuniary circun- stances were comfortable and easy, he seemed to desire the prosperity of all men, and most anxious- ly to desire that all neighbors should be friends. No man ever in vain songht his interposition to reconcile conflicting interests, to soothe angry pas- sions, to stand as the defender and protector of

Penn's Valley, was the father of Hon. James K. Kelly, United States senator, of Portland, Ore- gon : James also made his home in Penn's Valley : William, who married a daughter of Archibald Allison, of Center county, died Jan. 27, 1830: An- drew, born Oct. 30, 1783, died Sept. 25, 1867, un- married : Sammel settled in Armstrong county. Pa. : Elizabeth married Simeon Howe: Mary mar- the poor man, the widow and the orphan. He ried John Campbell. of Lewisburg; Robert died April 12, 1865, aged seventy-seven; Joseph died March 2, 1860, aged sixty-six.

obeyed the injunction, 'be given to hospitality.' It is true that so general is the hospitality of his neighborhood that the want of it would be consid- ered a great vice : but in him it was a part of the same character, indicating a freedom from selfish- ness, an inability to enjoy fully God's bounties alone; a feeling that a good thing is rendered far more valuable by participation : and a conviction that the diffusion of happiness is not merely right in itself, but the source of great joy to every well regulated mind. Colonel Kelly was an affectionate

David H. Kelly was born Nov. 5, 1798, on the old homestead, in a house built by Colonel Kelly before the Revolutionary war. He was reared as a farmer boy, his father's extensive estates afford- ing him plenty of work as his strength devel- oped, and his education was obtained in the sub- scription schools of that time. His mind was of a high order, and the limited instruction of his early days was so supplemented by study and ob-

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servation that he became well informed upon ser- Annie (Hauk) Kelly, is living; Jane E., born Nov. 29, 1849, is the widow of John W. Frederick; H. Brady, born Oct. 15, 1851, resides in Buffalo township, Union county ; Clara M., born July 25, 1854, died April 22, 1856; a son, born Feb. 27, 1858, died in infancy. eral topies, and his opinions were held in high re- spect by his associates. He was a stanch Demo- crat in politics, and held every office in Kelly township except that of justice of the peace. In 1859 he was elected county commissioner. In re- ligious matters he was also active, adhering to the doctrines of the Reformed Church and attending BECK. The brothers William H. and John A. Beck, of Milton. Northumberland county, both identified with the manufacturing concern of S. J. Shimer & Sons, in that borough, the former as secretary, and the latter also in business for him- regularly the Union Church at Mazeppa, in which he served many years as an official. He followed farming exclusively, and although he owned a gristmill at Kelly Cross Roads he did not operate it. He was six feet tall, and weighed 180 pounds, self as a florist, are descendants of a family which and his robust and well built frame enabled him has been established in Pennsylvania for a cen- tury and a half. to do much hard work as well as to perform some notable feats in hunting and fishing, of which Johann Thomas. Beck, the common ancestor of this branch of the family, was born in Germany, in what was then the countship of Hanau. In 1752, with his wife Esther and children, he em- barked for America, but he never reached the new land, dying at sea. The family landed at Philadel- phia, where the widow again married, and the chil- dren became scattered. One son, Henry, went to Berks county, Pa., married Margaret Wolfgang. and reared a family of seven children. The other son, John, settled in Northampton county, where and Henry, settled in White Deer Valley in the early part of the nineteenth century. Of these, sports he was very fond. His home life was pleas- ant, and he delighted in gathering about him a gay company of neighbors for whom he would evoke sweet strains from his violin, visitors often gathering at his house to dance an evening through. On Feb. 10, 1831, he married Mary Baker, who was born Feb. 8, 1812, daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Rockey) Baker, and resided until her marriage upon the same farm. Their first home was upon an estate in Kelly township given to David H. Kelly by his father, but in the he lived and died. Three of his sons, Jacob, John spring of 1858 he bonght another farm in Buffalo township which was at one tinie owned by Wen- dell Baker, a well known pioneer of Buffalo Val- John Beck married Elizabeth Snyder, a native ley. Both these farms descended to the heirs to- of Northampton county, and later they settled in gether with a large tract of mountain land. David Center county, where they reared their family, H. Kelly died Feb. 11, 1875, and was buried in which comprised the following children : Daniel, John G., Sarah, Mary, Charles Simon, Catharine, Henry, Joseph, Margaret, Elizabeth and Susan. Baker's cemetery, where all the deceased mem- bers of the family have been interred except his son David S. Mrs. David H. Kelly, who survived Jacob Beck, son of John and grandson of Johann Thomas, settled in Lycoming county, near Alvira, Pa. He is buried at the Messiah Church near that place. He was a large land owner and followed farming all his life. His family was large, viz .: Charles lived and died in Lycoming county ; Henry and Peter lived and died in Ly- coming county; Benjamin is mentioned below : Catharine married John Breon: Mary married Mahlon Bower; George and William lived and died in Lycoming county; Hannah married Mr. Wenrick; Thomas lived and died in Lycoming county. her husband and reached an advanced age, died in her ninety-third year. We have the following record of the large family of children born to David H. and Mary ( Baker) Kelly: John A., born in Kelly township Nov. 21, 1831, occupies the farm in Buffalo township, Union county, upon which his father spent his last years; Catherine R., born April 18, 1833, married Dr. L. B. Meyers, of Fremont, Ohio, who died Dec. 24, 1896: Jacob B., born Sept. 6. 1834, died June 7, 1891, in Kelly township; Sarah E., born June 14, 1836, is the widow of Joseph Kleckner, of Buffalo township: Robert H., born Feb. 14, 1838, was a student of pharmacy, and died Nov. 26, 1860; at Elmore, Ohio ; William W., born Dec. 29, 1839, is a drug- gist at Ottawa, Ohio: Mary A., born Dec. 3, 1841, married J. S. M.Creight, of Lewisburg, Pa .; James B., born June 28. 1844, died Feb. 8, 1884, Montour county, about three miles east of Potts- in Buffalo township: Emma Caroline, born April grove. Pa. He was thus engaged to the close of 1, 1846, is the widow of David P. Frederick: Da- his life, dying in his prime, April 16, 1863, at the vid S., born Dec. 21, 1847, was a merchant of age of forty-nine years. He married Eliza Derter, Fremont, Ohio, and died Sept. 10, 1887, at San of Northampton county, born in 1818, who died Jacinto, Cal., while traveling for his health, and Dec. 22, 1882. and they are buried at Center was buried at Ottawa, Ohio, where his widow, Mrs. Church, in Liberty township, Montour county.

Benjamin Beck, son of Jacob, was born in 1814 in Northampton county and removed with huis fa- . ther to Lycoming county. In early life he learned stone cutting, which he continued to follow after he took up farming, having purchased a farm in

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They were members of the Center Lutheran bia counties, and he was also president of the Church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. local organization. Fraternally he unites with Benjamin Beck: Matilda, who married William the Royal Arcanum and for six years was district Gaskins, of Danville, Pa. ; Catharine, who married deputy grand regent. William R. Miller ; George A. ; William H .; Ella, who married Charles Weinland ; and John A.

Mr. Beck married Anna M. Angstadt, who was born Nov. 28, 1850, daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Eckbert) Angstadt, and died Aug. 23, 1891; she is interred in Harmony cemetery, at Milton. Three daughters were born to this union : Lottic. who is married to Walter J. Nail and has one son, William ; Lulu J .. who is at home; and Elenora E., now a student at Wilson Seminary.

WILLIAM H. BECK was born April 9, 1852, in Liberty township, Montour county, and there re- ceived huis early education in the public schools, also attending the Franklin select school for one terin, during the period it was taught by Charles Lesher. He was also a student at the Milton high school. For a time he was employed as clerk in the general store of Heinen & Schreyer. after which he took a course at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and on his return to Milton entered the employ of the Adams Ex- press Company. He was engaged by that com-

JOHN A. BECK, son of Benjamin and brother of William H., was born May 11, 1858, in Montour county, Pa. He received his education in the pub- lic schools, but his father dying when he was very young he has had to make his own way from an carly age, and his -education has been mostly of pany as driver four years, at the end of that time the practical kind. For several years after com- being promoted to the agency, which he held for five years. In 1881 he resigned to accept a posi-

mencing to work steadily he was employed on farms in his own county and in Northumberland tion as bookkeeper in the establishment of S. J. county, in 1876 locating in the borough of Milton. Shimer & Sons, with which concern, one of the where he has since made his home. In 1879 he most important in Milton, he has since been as- entered the employ of S. J. Shimer & Sons, as sociated. A year after entering the employ of the firm he was sent, upon the death of the father of George and Samuel J. Shimer, to Northamp-

clerk, and has served in such position ever since, his . long experience in this capacity making his services most valuable. However, he has also ton county to superintend the construction of a had other business interests, having for almost new plant, remaining there one year. Upon the twenty years, since 1891, been conducting a green- house at No. 319 Hepburn street, where he also where he took charge of the order department, has his home. He makes a specialty of cut flow- ers and floral designs, and his taste for the work, combined with industry and good management. has made his venture profitable.

completion of the plant he returned to Milton, in this capacity traveling widely for the firm. In 1903, when a corporation was formed without change of name, Mr. Beck was elected secretary, which position he has since filled. He has proved a valuable member of the corporation, the condi- tion of whose business has a material bearing on the well-being of the borough.

Mr. Beck married Ella Hill, daughter of Charles and Kate ( Hanse) Hill, and they have one son. Charles L. The family are Lutherans in religious connection. Mr. Beck has been quite active in bor-

In various relations outside of business Mr. ough affairs, having served eleven years as mem- Beck has proved a useful citizen, his aid and in- ber of the council. He is a Republican in political fluence counting for much in the promotion of affiliation, and socially is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. many desirable local enterprises. For six years he was a member of the Milton borough council, and as an active worker in the councils of his party,

RAKER. The Raker family, to which the late the Republican, he has assisted in securing cred- Cornelius Raker, of Shamokin, belonged. is of itable candidates for local offices, having served German extraction, the founder of the name in America coming from Baden, near Wurtemberg, Germany, and settling in Montgomery county, Pa .. where he lived and died. as cominitteeman and as borough chairman. For years he was a prominent member of the Luther- an Church, which he served as deacon, trustec and financial secretary, superintendent of the Sun- day school and teacher of the Bible class, extend- ing his Sunday school work to activity in the County Sunday School Association, of which he

Conrad Raker, son of the emigrant ancestor, was born in Montgomery county and came to North- umberland county among the pioneers. After his marriage he settled at Augustaville, in Rockefeller was recording and corresponding secretary, and is township, whence he moved two years later to Lit- still a member of the executive committee. He tle Mahanoy township, following farming there in- now attends the Presbyterian Church, where he til his death. He is buried at Raker. He was a teaches the men's Bible class. For a number of vears Mr. Beck was district president of the Y. M. C. A., his district embracing Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Lycoming, Montour and Colum-

prominent man in his day in public and church affairs, serving as county commissioner in 1837 and 1838, and helping to build two churches, the Emanuel's Lutheran in Little Mahanoy township

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and the Stone Church at Augustaville. In pol- which he assisted his father for a time, until he ities he was a Demoerat. Conrad Raker married .commeneed to learn the gunsmith's trade. He Rebecca Dunkelberger, of Northumberland coun- followed that in connection with farming in Little ty, daughter of Frederick, and they had children Mahanoy township, where with the exception of as follows: John, who died in Ashland county, four years spent in the Western States he always Ohio: Kate; Frederick: Jacob, who died in Little lived. In 1899 Mr. Raker removed to Shamokin, Mahanoy township; William, who died in Little where he has since lived in retirement. He was Mahanoy township: Enoch D., who died in Little quite active in local affairs while a resident of Mahanoy township June 23, 1888, aged sixty-six Little Mahanoy, serving as school director and auditor of the township, and was the first post- master at Raker, holding the office seven years. Raker station and postoffice were named in his honor. He is a Democrat in politics and, like the members of the family generally, a member of the Lutheran Church, which he served as trustee. years, sixteen days, and is buried at Little Maha- noy Church (his wife died Sept. 25, 1903, aged seventy-six years, five months, twenty-one days) ; . Isaac D., born Dec. 6, 1825, who lived at Sham- okin and died March 11, 1907 (his wife, Phoebe A., born Dee. 6, 1834, died April 5, 1890) ; Bar- bara. who married George Sordogn and died in On April 27, 1856, Mr. Raker married Susan Upper Augusta township; Maria, who married Dornsife, who was born March 22, 1832, daughter Joseph Gass and died in Upper Augusta township; of Daniel and -Mary ( Herb) Dornsife, and died Esther, who married Daniel Zartman and died in Lower Augusta township; and Mary, who married

Nov. 5, 190 -; she is buried at Raker. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Raker, as fol- Elias Peiffer and died at Raker. (N. B. : Conrad's lows: Dr. Frederick Daniel is a resident of Sham- wife's name is given Rebecca here, while in an- other account it appears as Barbara; if it was Bar- bara, then the following dates, from Little Ma- hanoy cemetery, apply to Conrad and wife: Con- rad Raker, born in Montgomery county, Pa., June 7, 1778, died Sept. 4, 1849; his wife Barbara, nee Dunckel, born April 3, 1779, died Dee. 17, 1838.) okin: Mary Elizabeth married Alvin Raker, of Shamokin, and they have three children, Florence, Helen and Walter ; Rev. John Henry, a graduate of Muhlenberg College, at Allentown, is a Lutheran minister now stationed at Allentown, Pa. (he is married and has two children, Ruth and Reberta) ; Lydia J. married John Schlegel, of Shamokin, and has one child, Clarence; Ida married Jobn Hil- bush, lives in Shamokin, and has two children, Ed- ward and Susan; Hattie, who married Samuel Mover and lives in Shamokin, has two children, Franeis and Lydia: Albert is living on the old homestead at Raker; Susan died in infancy ; Con- rad, twin of Susan, lives in Lower Mahanoy town- ship, is married, and has one son, Frederick ; Ed- ward, who studied at Muhlenberg College, now an attorney at law of Shamokin, is married and has two children, Marion and Grace; one son died in infancy.

Frederiek Raker, son of Conrad, was born Dee. 21, 1804, in what is now Rockefeller township, and spent all but three or four years of his life in his native county. He went to Lyeoming eounty after his marriage and returning to Northumberland settled in Little Mahanoy township. He was a blacksmith by trade, and also followed carpenter- ing and farming. He died in Little Mahanoy Aug. 4, 1844, and is buried at Raker. Like his father he was a well known and active citizen of his see- tion, serving as justice of the peace and taking a prominent part in the work of the Lutheran Church. He was a Democrat in politics.

Jacob Raker, son of Conrad and grandson of the emigrant, was born April 26, 1808, in Little Ma- hanoy township, and was one of the well known citizens of that locality in his day. He followed farming, and died in Little Mahanoy Dee. 28. 1859, aged fifty-one years. His wife, Rebecca

In 1825 Mr. Raker married Elizabeth Hoffman, daughter of John and Susanna ( Drumlieller) Hoffman, who settled in Washington township, this county, in 1813. Mrs. Raker was born in District township, Berks county, in 1806, and survived hier husband, dying at the age of eighty-seven. She is (Zartman), born Jan. 4, 1813, died June 12, 1883. buried at Raker. The following children were They had children as follows: Lucinda, Harry, William, Enoch, Daniel Z. (died July 13, 1898, aged sixty-two years, two months, twenty-four days: his wife, Annie, died Aug. 20, 1905, aged seventy years, ten months, fourteen days), Abbie, Rebecca, Conrad, Samuel (deceased), Cornelius, born to this union : Conrad H. is mentioned below ; Susanna died young : Jeremiah married Jane Mar- tin; Harriet married ( first) Israel Dunkelberger and (second) Saminel Dornsife, whom she also survived : Catharine married Samnel Frederick; John H. died Jan. 14, 1862, while serving in the Alice, and Joseph, the last named deceased. Civil war, at Rolla, Missouri.

CORNELIUS RAKER, son of Jacob, was born Mareh 14, 1838, in Little Mahanoy, near Raker,

Conrad H. Raker was born Nov. 8, 1828, and was about three years old when his parents re- and was reared upon the farm in his native town- turned to Northumberland county. He attended ship. When a young man he went to Washing- the local schools and was reared to. farming, at ton, D. C., and there learned photography, in the

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fall of 1865 locating in Shamokin, where he was the pioneer in his line of work. He followed it un- til his retirement in 1890, enjoying a steady and profitable patronage, and naturally was widely known in the borough and vicinity, where he had a high reputation for first-class work and courtesy

Dr. Emerick's grandfather, John George Emer- to patrons which was his best advertisement in all ick, was the first of the family in Northumberland the long years of his business career. Though a man of unassuming life and quiet habits he was considered a most useful and desirable citizen, and his death, which occurred June 1, 1901, was re- garded as a loss throughout Shamokin, where he had many friends and well wishers. He is buried in Shamokin cemetery. Mr. Raker accumulated con- siderable valuable real estate; he bought his first lot, on Independence street, for $55, and the ad- vance. in values is well illustrated by the statement that it is now among the most valuable property in the borough. Mr. Raker was a member of the Methodist Church.

On July 26, 1865, Mr. Raker married Mary E. Machamer, daughter of Israel Machamer, and three children were born to them : Emma, who mar- ricd (first ) Thaddeus B. Strine, by whom she had one son, Harry C., and (second) L. W. Smith, a druggist of Shamokin : Elizabeth, deceased: and Elmer E., who died April 26, 1911. Mrs. Raker resides at the old home, No. 148 East Independence street.

John Machamer, Mrs. Raker's grandfather, was" a tailor, and followed his trade at Lewisburg, Un- ion Co., Pa. Later he went West, where he died. His children were: Eli, an attorney, who died at Leavenworth, Kans. : Israel; John, who died in the West ; Mary, and Julia.

Israel Machamer, father of Mrs. Raker. was born. at Lewisburg, Pa., and learned the trade of his father, which he followed for many years. For a long time he was located at White Deer, Union county, removing thence to Trevorton, where he died in 1880; he is buried at Shamokin. Mr. Machamer married Susan Knauss, daughter of Benjamin Knauss, who died at the age of ninety- four years. Mrs. Machamer, born Oet. 16. 1820, is now the oldest resident of Shamokin. She en- joys good health and a clear, bright mind, discuss- ing the topics of the day with interest and intel- ligence, and enjoying life as she deserves to do. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Machamer : Margaret married Peter Metz and died in Shamokin : Mary E. is the widow of Cornelius Raker; Clara became the wife of Herbert Ward, of Trevorton, where she died : Benjamin lives in Trey- orton ; Katie was the wife of John Smith, of Trev- orton, where she died: John, Emma and Matilda all died young.

HENRY M. EMERICK, M. D., physician and surgeon, and a leading citizen of the borough of Milton in his private as well as his professional

capacity, has been settled there since 1892. He has established an extensive practice, and for real worth as a inember of the community hie ranks among the residents of the borough who have worked steadily along lines for its advancement.

county, whither he came from Schuylkill county, Pa., with his brother Michael. They settled in Lower Mahanoy township, on adjoining farms. Michael inarried, but had no childreu. John George Emerick, besides following farming, built a tannery on his place and conducted it for many years, becoming particularly well known in that connection. He and his wife, Magadela (Zart- man), died on the farm and are buried at the old Stone Valley church near Hickory Corners, in Lower Mahanoy township. Their children were: George died in Uniontown, Pa .; John died in Illinois; Elias was the father of Dr. Emerick; Michael died in Jordan township; Joseph, born in 1834, now living in Sunbury, married (first) Sarah Wert and had .six children, Henry M., Charles L., George W., Sarah J., Mary M. and Minnic Alice, and (second) Sophrona Elizabeth Krosteder, by whom he had no children.

Elias Emerick, son of John George, was born in 1826 at the old home in Lower Mahanoy town- slip, Northumberland county. In 1852 he moved to Lower Augusta township, this county, where he purchased the old Clark farm, upon which was the hotel called the "Lower Augusta Inn," or dur- ing his day more commonly known as "Emnerick's Hotel," situated on the old Tulpebocken road. He conducted the farm and hotel until 1862, after which he gave all his time to farming for three years, at the end of that time engaging in the mercantile business, which he continued until he sold out, in 1875. He then moved to Selinsgrove, Pa., and engaged in the coal business, which he followed until his death, which occurred at Sel- insgrove in 1892; he is buried at the Stone Church in Lower Augusta township.

Mr. Emerick married Anna Mary Stine, a na- tive of Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, daughter of John Stine. Mrs. Emerick died in 1880, at the age of fifty-two years. She was the mother of eight children: Louisa J., who married John M. Boyer, their home being at Selinsgrove, Pa .: Henry M .; Benjamin Franklin, a well knowu druggist and leading business man of Carlisle. Pa., who died in 1910; Martin L., a physician, also of Carlisle, and four children who died young.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 75

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