Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 98

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 98

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George Reynolds, son of William, was born in

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Northumberland county, and passed most of his Edna and Leona. Mr. Reynolds and his family are life at Turbutville, Northumberland county, where menibers of St. James Lutheran Church.

he died in 1876 and is buried. He did laboring work and threshing, and was an industrious, re- spected citizen, his fellow citizens showing their confidence in him by electing him to various local offices. He was constable a number of years, coun- cilman, and served in other borough offices, giving faithful service in every capacity. In political affiliation he was a Democrat, in religion a member of the Reformed Church. His wife. Rebecca (Dreisbach), daughter of Daniel II. Dreisbach, still survives, making her home at Turbutville. She is now (1910) sixty-three years old. To Mr. and Mrs. George Reynolds were born the following children : Daniel, who is a resident of Williams- · port, Pa .; Lizzie, married to Charles Moser ; Wil- liam N .; Augustus, of Turbutville: and George, a lawyer, who is now a prominent member of his profession in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM N. REYNOLDS, son of George, a busi- ness nian of Turbutville, was born Feb. 14, 1872, where he now lives. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of the borough, graduating from the high school in 1890, after which he learned the trade of tinsmith from Fred Heisler, at Dallastown, York Co., Pa. In '1898 he embarked in business on his own account at Turbutville, where he has since been located, occupying a large building and carrying a full line of stoves, ranges, heaters, pumps, cream separators, paints, gas generators, and other things in the same line, his stock being very complete and up-to-date. He is agent for HENRY ABRAM REYNOLDS, son of Henry, was born Nov. 24, 1854, in Moreland township, Ly- coming Co., Pa., and received the greater part of his education at Turbutville, Northumberland county. In his younger manhood he was engaged the celebrated Columbian stoves, ranges and fur- naces, made by the Keeley Stove Company, of Columbia, Pa., and for the De Laval cream sep- arators. He deals in all kinds of house furnish- ing supplies, including a large assortment of for twelve years in school teaching, two years of enamel and tinware. He installs plumbing and this time in Northumberland county and the oth- occupation was long civil engineering, which lie has followed for the most part in his native State. He was thus engaged for three years in Florida. He has been prominent in the administration of heating apparatus, also doing general job work, in er ten years in Montour county, but his principal which line he commands a wide patronage, keep- ing two men constantly employed. His business ability has been well demonstrated in the good judgment he has shown in the management of luis establishinent, being conservative yet progressive to public affairs in Turbutville, serving nine years such an extent that he wins and holds a high class as assessor of the borough, and two years as miem- ber of the council, and in February, 1906, he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still continues to fill. He is a man of ability and intel- ligenee, and his high character has won him the universal respect of his fellow citizens. 1 of trade. Local enterprises have received his sup- port and encouragement, he having been one of the organizers of the Turbutville National Bank in 1910 ; he became a member of the board of direct- ors, and is vice-president. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, and lie is at present serving on the school board of the borough, and as secretary of that body. Fraternally he holds membership in the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On June 24, 1897, Mr. Reynolds married Lillie Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, of Watsontown, this county, and they have had four children : Earl, Gladys (who died when nineteen months old),

Henry Reynolds, son of John and Hester (Fos- ter) Reynolds, was born Dec. 16, 1810, in the neighborhood of Willow Grove, Montgomery Co., Pa. He was a shoemaker, his brothers George and Hiram also learning the trade. For some time he lived near Turbutville, in Lewis township, North- umberland county, later moving to Lycoming county, and thence to Montour county, where he continued to live until his death. He en- listed for service in the Civil war, but was accidentally killed March 15, 1863, at Tur- butville, before entering the arniy. He and his wife, Kitty Ann (Barrel), who died March 28, 1880, aged sixty-three years, nine months, eighteen days, are buried side by side in the old grave yard, at Turbutville. She was a sis- ter of Hester Barrel, wife of his brother William. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reynolds, namely: Theodore lives in Anthony township, Montour county ; William is a resident of Kingston, Dekalb Co., Ill. (he was a soldier throughout the Civil war) ; Charles died young ; George died young; Hiram, who served as a sol- dier throughout the Civil war, died when past forty in Denver, Colo .; Mary E. married John T. Kamp and they lived most of the time in Turbut- ville; Henry Abram is mentioned below; Alex- ander Smith lives at Kingston, . Dekalb Co., Illinois.

On May 19, 1888, Mr. Reynolds married Mar- garetta Butler Wetzel, daughter of Henry E. Wet- zel, of Montour county, Pa., and granddaughter of John Jacob Wetzel, of Montour county. Three chil- dren have been born to this union : Frances Helen, John Lloyd and Edward Levering. Mr. Reynolds and his family are members of St. James Lutheran Church.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 437

DAVID L. BLY, present owner and conductor of the Watsontown ferry, is engaged in a business with which his family has been connected for the past fifty-five years. The ferry has been owned in the family since 1866. Mr. Bly is a son of James C. Bly and grandson of Capt. John Bly, whose father lived and died in Virginia. He was probably a farmer by occupation. The family is of Scottish descent.

Capt. John Bly was born Dec. 18, 1814, in Vir- ginia, and came to Pennsylvania in young man- hood. He was one of the original settlers at Wat- sontown, Northumberland county, in which vi- cinity he resided for over fifty years, having his home in White Deer township, Union county, until 1865, when lie came across the river to Watson- town. He was one of the first to promote the establishment of the ferry at that place, across the ated the ferry for over twenty years, until his re- Susquehanna, conducting it from 1861 until his death. He bought it in 1866. For about fifteen years he was captain of a canalboat on the Penn- sylvania canal.

In 1835 Captain Bly married Lydia Rhoads, who survived him for many years, his death oc- curring in 1883, when he was within six days of his seventieth ycar; he was buried at Watsontown. Mrs. Bly died July 24, 1902, at the age of eighty- eiglit. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her husband gave liberally to the sup- port of the church. He was a member of the I. O. R. M. Ten sons were born to this couple, all growing to maturity except Edwin, the youngest, who died when seventeen months old. The others were as follows : Joseph, of Watsontown, who died in April, 1896, in his sixty-first year : David, men- tioned below; James C., mentioned below ; Wil- liam R., mentioned below ; Manoah, of Watson- town ; Charles, of Watsontown : Alem, of Mon- toursville, Pa .; Phineas (twin of Alem), of Wat- sontown : and John A., of Buffalo, N. Y., who died near Pittsburgh, Pa. Fonr of the sons, Joseph, Civil war.

William R. Bly, son of Capt. John Bly, was born in Union county, Pa., at White Decr, Dec. 1, 1844, and when thirteen years old left home to live with a relative in Turbut township, Northumber- land county. . When seventeen years old he en- listed for service in the Civil war, becoming a mein- ber of Company B (commanded by his brother David), 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers, on Ang. 1, 1862. He served nine months with that com- mand, subsequently for three months in the 194th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and for one year in the ith Pennsylvania Cavalry. On his return to civil life he engaged in the lumbering business on White Deer creek, after which he purchased the Bower homestead in White Deer Valley. Upon the death of his father, in 1883, he purchased the Watsontown ferry and farm property, and oper-

tirement, about 1905, in which year he sold the ferry to his nephew, David L. Bly. He died at his home on West Third street, Watsontown, Dec. 25, 1908, after a long illness, and was buried at Wat- sontown with Masonic rites, having long held membership in the Masonic fraternity, in Watson- town Lodge, No. 401; he was also a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Bryson Post, No. 225. His religious connection was with the First Luth- cran Church of Watsontown. Mr. Bly was a sub- stantial citizen, and one of the stockholders in the Watsontown National Bank. He was twice mar- ried, the first time Dec. 23, 1869, to Mary Bower, who died Feb. 7, 1884, leaving four children : Eliz- abeth, John, Minnie and William. His second marriage, on Feb. 14, 1887, was to Annie M. Wal- lize, of Watsontown, daughter of Samuel and Re- becca (Clark) Wallize, who survives him. Three children were born to this union: Rhoads, now of Houston, Texas; Minnie, married to Harley Sterner, of Williamsport; and Elizabeth, who lives at home.

James C. Bly, son of Capt. Jolin Bly, was born

Only four now survive, James C., 1840, and attended the Leisz school in his home Charles, Alem and Phincas. David, James C. and William R., served in the in White Deer township, Union Co., Pa., Jan. 16, district. In his younger life he followed sawmill- Joseph Bly, brother of Capt. John Bly, lived in White Deer township, Union Co., Pa., and was a carpenter by occupation. He had a son William, years in Kelly township, Union county. He then of Hagerstown, Md., and daughters Hattie and Mary. ing and lumbering at Williamsport for about seventeen years, after which he farmed for eight moved to White Deer township, that county, where he lived for eighteen years, meantime beginning railroad work, with the Philadelphia & Reading

Capt. David Bly, son of Capt. John Bly, was at one time engaged as a broker at Williamsport. He Company. He was employed on the construction saw active service in the Civil war, enlisting in Company G, 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers, when

of the south bound track. For four years he worked in the planing mill at Watsontown. His

the war broke out, and later becoming captain of brother David having purchased the White Deer Company.B, 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers. He gristmill, Mr. Bly assisted hini in the milling busi- took part in a number of battles, notably Antie- tam, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, South Mountain and Fredericksburg. He died at Wil- liamsport in 1901, quite suddenly, of heart dis- ease.

ness for nine years. In 1905 he came to his pres- ent location on Second street, in Watsontown. along the river bank, where he has a home of his own. On Aug. 1, 1862, Mr. Bly enlisted in Com- pany B, 131st Pennsylvania Volunteers, at Wat-

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sontown, for nine months' service, his captain be- town, where he was a pioneer manufacturer. He ing his brother David. He was discharged at Har- died there Nov. 30, 1714. His descendants are risburg May 25, 1863. Mr. Bly's second enlist- scattered all over the United States. ment was for one hundred days, in Company A (Capt. George H. Jones), 194th Regiment, with which he was connected from July 11, 1864, until his discharge at Baltimore Sept. 9; 1864, because of his third enlistment, Sept. 10, 1864, in Company D, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for one year, under Capt. M. Breckbill. He was discharged June 17, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee.

On Jan. 21, 1868, Mr. Bly married Mary E. Campbell, daughter of John Campbell, who lived in White Deer township, and she died in 1883, aged thirty-two years, one month, eleven days, the mother of six children: Grace, Mrs. John Lu- pold; Bertha, Mrs. Elmer Sanders; David L .; Lillie L., widow of Harry Harding, who was killed on the railroad in 1904; Mary, who is unmarried; and Charles, a traveling railroad telegraph oper- ator.

David L. Bly was born Aug. 12, 1875, in Kelly township, Union Co., Pa., and received his edu- cation in the public schools of White Deer. In 1892 lie commenced to learn telegraphy at White Deer, and followed the work for eleven years at that point. He then went to New Haven, Conn., where he was engaged as assistant car distributor for a period of three years. In July, 1905, he bought the interests of his uncle, William R. Bly, in the Watsontown ferry, and has since devoted himself to its operation. He has installed a com- plete new equipment, and by strict attention to business is making a success of the institution which has so long been associated with the pros- perity of the Bly family. Mr. Bly has a fine resi- dence at the corner of Fourth and Elm streets, Watsontown, which he and his family have occu- pied since 1908. He is a well known Mason of his locality, being a member of Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1908, and a member of Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246, R. A. M.

On Nov. 25, 1908, Mr. Bly married Amy R. Nicely, daughter of William A. Nicely, and they have one daughter, Ruth Mozley.

MAURICE KEYSER, a truck farmer of West Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county, has a small but valuable tract in that township and attends the Sunbury markets. He was born Sept. 25, 1863, in Chillisquaque township, and comes of a family which has been settled in America since early Colonial times.

Dirck Keyser, the founder of the family in this country, was born in 1635 at Amsterdam, Hol- land, son of Gerretts Keyser, who married Corn- ella, daughter of Tobias Govertsz Van den Wyn- gant, a Mennonite minister. Dirck Kevser landed at Philadelphia in 1688, and settled in German-

John Keyser, grandfather of Maurice Keyser, was born Jan. 17, 1796, in Germantown, and died Feb. 24, 1880. When a young man he settled at what is now Freeburg, in Snyder county, Pa., later coming to Northumberland county, where he made his home at Chillisquaque, in the township of that name. There he bought a tract of land, but he followed his trade, that of shoemaker, during most of his active life. His wife was Elizabeth Hack- enburg, daughter of Peter, and they were the par- ents of the following children : Peter, born in 1822, died in New York State; Samuel, born in 1823, died in Chillisquaque ; Jacob, born in 1826, died in Chillisquaque; Daniel, born in 1828, is living in Sunbury ; Mary, born in 1830, died in 1833; Al- pheus W., born in 1832, died in New York State; Josephi was the father of Maurice Keyser.

Joseph Keyser, born May 24, 1835, at what is now Freeburg, Snyder county, was about four years old when brought to Chillisquaque township, to the farm he occupied until his death, May 24, 1911. He was one of the oldest residents of his district, where he was well and favorably known. Mr. Keyser was a lifelong farmer and trucker, and attended the Sunbury markets as such. He also followed boating upon the canal to some extent. He married Maria Garber, daughter of Augustus Garber, of Union county, Pa., and they had a large family, namely: Annie, Mrs. William Whalen; Maurice ; Ada, unmarried; Ella, Mrs. Charles Hall : Sarah, unmarried ; Virgie, Mrs. Boyer ; Nor- mand, who lives at Montandon ; Augustus G., of Montandon; Joseph, living in Chillisquaque ; and four deceased, Harry, Elizabeth, Carrie and Maria.

Maurice Keyser attended the public schools of his native township and remained with his fa- ther until eighteen years old, since when he has been engaged in trucking on his own account. In 1905 he bought his present farm in West Chillis- quaque township, twenty-two acres of fine land especially adapted to truck farming, which he has since followed most successfully, finding a steady demand for his products in the Sunbury markets. He is an industrious worker and a good business man, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow cit- izens. In 1904 lie was elected school director and has since served continuously in that office; for two years he was secretary of the board. He is a Republican in his political views.

Mr. Keyser married Mary Vandling, daughter of Peter Vandling, and they have the following children: Lucy, a graduate of the Montandon high school, who has been teaching the Chillis- quaque school since 1906: Laura: Clifford, who is a member of the class of 1913 at Bucknell Col- lege, Lewisburg, Pa. : Lester; and Elizabeth. The family are Lutherans in religious connection.

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FRANKLIN S. FRIES, of Montandon, North- heimer, daughter of Henry Berkheimer, and they umberland county, who has conducted a black- smith shop at that point since 1900, was born Jan. 1, 1861, in Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa., son of Fred- erick Fries and grandson of Rev. Jost Heinrich Fries.

Rev. Jost Heinrich Fries was born in 1777 in Germany, where he received his classical and theo- logical education. When a young man he came . to America, where he became a highly success- ful preacher, his vigorous mind and high attain- ments, no less than his open honesty and true character, winning him a high place in the minis- try. Though blind for some years before his death his astonishing memory enabled him to con- tinue his forceful preaching, and he commanded the confidence of his people to the end. He was a fearless preacher and a forceful writer, contribut- ing many articles to the press. A quotation from one of his sermons shows the directness with which

are the parents of two daughters, Florence Emma and Pearl Eva. Mr. and Mrs. Fries have also reared Harvey Berkheimer, who married Maggie MeKean and has one child, Helen E .; they live at Milton, Pa. The entire family are members of the Reformed Church.

William Berkheimer, grandfather of Mrs. Fries, was born in Berks county, Pa. He married Mary Hillhart, and they had the following children : Samuel, who lived at White Deer, Pa .; George, who lived at White Deer; Frank, who died in Chil- lisquaque, Northumberland county ; Henry ; Jacob, who died in Chillisquaque; Mary, who married Andrew Fetzer; Margaret, who married Daniel Keiser ; and Susan, Mrs. Shannon.

Henry Berkheimer, son of William, was born March 28, 1827. and married Adeline Haupt, who was born Oct. 28, 1831. Their children were born as follows: William H., Nov. 26, 1851; Mary M., he addressed his remarks : "Money rules the world, Oct. 4, 1853: Sarah J., April 20, 1856 (died Nov. ignorance Brush Valley. Like calves I haye led 23, 1858) : Isabella, March 23, 1858: Charles F., Ang. 2, 1860 (living in Jersey City) ; Clara, Dec. Horatio S., May 9, 1868; Jamella, June 19, 1870; you on, like oxen I now leave you. Farewell." . His death, which was caused by blood poisoning, 11, 1862: Adeline E., Feb. 17, 1865 (Mrs. Fries) ; occurred Oct. 9, 1839, when he was sixty-two years, five months, sixteen days old, and he was buried in James, Jan. 24, 1875. Mifflinburg cemetery, in Union county. In his last illness, in full possession of his senses, he re- JOHN HOFFMAN, a retired citizen of Wat- sontown, Northumberland county, has been a res- ident of that place since 1884. He still owns two farms, one in Lewis township, near MeEwensville, fused to take medicine, saving "I wish to die." He was twice married, and by his first wife, Cath- arine (Groff), had two children. His second wife, Susanna (Groff), bore him eleven children. One and another in Delaware township, and occasion- of his sons was Judge Henry W. Fries, who died in Wisconsin.

ally works on his land, but he gave up the arduous duties of farming many years ago.

Frederick Fries, son of Rev. Jost Heinrich and Mr. Hoffman was born Nov. 6, 1832, in Lancas- ter county, Pa., son of John and Mary (Kauff- Susanna (Groff) Fries, was born in Union county Sept. ? , 1826, and died July 11, 1885. He was a man) Hoffman. His grandfather died a number farmer, living near New Berlin. A consistent and of years before his grandmother, who remarried, her second husband being a Mr. Stertzler, of Berks county, Pa. John Hoffman, the father, was born in 1802, lived for several years in Lancaster county, active member of the Reformed Church, he served many years as member of the consistory, and also acted as superintendent of the Sunday school. He married Elinira Hassenplug, who was born Feb. 17, Pa., and for some years was a resident of Maiden- 1829, and died Jan. 26, 1907. Five children were creek township, Berks county, where he was en- born to them, as follows: Franklin S., born Jan. 1, 1861 : Rachel C., born March 3, 1863, who mar- ried William H. Smith, and died Jan. 23, 1885 ; a daughter, born Nov. 27, 1864, who died in in- fancy; Alexander, horn Aug. 5, 1866; and Sue M., born April 6, 1868.

Franklin S. Fries attended the schools of New Berlin and Union Seminary at that place. He served his apprenticeship to the trade of black- smith with William Derr, near Milton. Northum- berland Co., Pa., and subsequently opened a shop of his own in that vicinity, where he remained un- til his removal to Montandon, in 1900. He has built up an excellent business, enjoying the good will and esteem of all with whom he has had deal- 'in 1814, daughter of Daniel Kauffman, a promi- ings, in business or social relations.

gaged in farming near Halfway House. Thence he moved in 1844 to Northumberland county, set- tling in Turbut township, where he had a farm of 127 acres upon which he spent the remainder of his life, dying there in 1858, at the age of fifty-six years. He is buried at Paradise Church, in Turbut township. He was a rugged man, apparently able to endure anything, and in the winter exposed himself fearlessly to the elements, but his hardi- hood in this respect proved his undoing, for his death was caused by drinking cold water while overheated after haymaking. He was a Lutheran in religions faith, a Democrat in politics. Mr. Hoffman married Mary Kauffman, who was born nent publie man of Berks county. who lived at

Mr. Fries married Adeline Elizabeth Berk- Leesport. Mrs. Hoffman died in 1893, aged sev-

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- enty-nine years, the mother of the following chil- gone style seldom seen nowadays, even aniong curi- dren : Matilda married Thomas Carl : John is men- osities. tioned below; Susanna married Samuel Clapp; Jacob died in Montour county ; Mary married Ed- ward Kerchner ; Adamı died young.

Jacob Hoffman, brother of Jolin Hoffman, Sr., died near Blandon, Berks county. He was mar- ried, but had no family.

John Hoffman was a boy when his parents came to Turbut township, Northumberland county, and there he attended the common schools. He worked for his father until twenty-four years of age, in the spring of 1857 beginning farming on his own ac- count, on shares. After eleven years' work on that basis he bought a thirty-acre farm near Paradise Church, which he tarmed for two years, at the end of that time selling out and again farming on shares, which he continued for another three years. Buying a ninety-one-acre farm in Lewis township. near McEwensville, he farmed that place for four- teen years, until he settled in Watsontown, in 1884. He still works on his farm when occasion requires, but has not been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits since he took up his home in the borough.

Frederick Stahl, son of Adam, was born in 1801 In addition to his Lewis township property Mr. in Union township, Snyder county, and there Hoffman has a farm of 103 aeres in Delaware passed his whole life, engaged in farming. He died township, which he rents out. He also owned property at Springtown, Northumberland county. Mr. Hoffman has not been particularly active in public affairs, but he is interested in the welfare of the community and has served six years as school director. He is a Democrat in politics, and in re- ligious matters he and his family are Lutherans. He served a long term of years as deacon of the Paradise Church.

In the fall of 1856 Mr. Hoffman married Su- sanna E. Kerschner, daughter of John Kerschner, and she died May 9, 1909, at the age of seventy- three years ; she is buried in the family plot at Wat- sontown, where the Hoffman monument has been erected. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman had no children of their own, but they adopted a daughter, Lizzie Ulrich, who came from Berks county, and who lived with them from the age of nine years. She

is now the wife of C. J. Yagel, who is engaged in of Kelly Point, Pa. ; Harvey M .; John, of Lewis- burg; Sarah, wife of Edward Bondeman, of Read- ing, Pa .; Willian, who died at the age of six- teen ; Adam, of Montandon, Northumberland Co., Pa. : and Frederick, of Lewisburg.

operating a gristmill at Exchange, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Yagel have a family of seven children, one of whom, George H., was adopted into the Hoffman family when a mere child and has been given the name Hoffman legally ; he was born in the Hoff- man home.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 98

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