Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 10

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2 > Part 10

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).

GEORGE W. MALICK, a successful young busi- ness man of Herndon, is descended through the excellent reputation among dealers.

line of Henry, one of the emigrant brothers nanted as progenitors of this family.

lived in the Mahantango Valley, and is buried in that section. His son Henry, who was a miller in Mahantango Valley, is buried at St. Peter's Church, in Jackson township. Northumberland eounty. Among his sons were John and George Henry, besides others who died young and are buried at Himmel's Church, near Rebnek.

George Henry Malick, father of George W., was a miller in his early life, later becoming a drover and butcher. While engaged in that line lie lived at Lake Hill, but he afterward became engaged in farming at Herndon, owning 175 acres. He died

ness. He then opened a mill for Madeira & Wan- ner, at Lyon Station, Pa., continuing there for one year, when the establishment was moved to Fleetwood. Mr. Lyon embarked in the business on his own account at Lyon in November, 1902, and was there for two years, late in 1904 removing to Herndon, where he has since been located. He has a two-story building 58 by 28 feet in dimen- sions, where he runs twenty-five machines, giving employment to thirty-five people, and he also op- erates a mill across the Susquehanna river, at Port Treverton, where twenty machines are oper- ated, giving employment to twenty-five people. Mr. Malick is sole proprietor of both establish- ments, the one at Port Treverton. however, being under the management of Henry Morrow. A ready market is found for the product, which has an

In 1899 Mr. Malick married Priscilla Rhoades, daughter of Henry and Lila (Levan) Rhoades,

John Malick, great-grandfather of George W., of Shamokin, and they have had two children, Ir- win George Henry and Lila Priscilla. Mr. Malick and his family are members of the Reformed Church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, F. & A. M., at Selin's Grove, Pa., and to the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the lodge at Herndon. He is a Republican in poli- ties, and is serving at present as member of the Herndon school board.

John Malick, brother of George Henry and uncle . of George W., was the historian of the family. He was educated for the medieal profession, but never

537

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

engaged in practice. In early life he was inter- 1874, he left Trevorton and went to Locust Dale ested in the milling basiness, but discontinued it to run the bull pumps at the Keystone colliery, a and took up farming at Lake Hill, where he made position he held for three and a half years. In his home. He sold musical instruments and dealt 1878. he was appointed ontside foreman of the . in various other commodities. He was married North Ashland colliery, and served in that position twice, and was the father of one child. Mr. for four and a half years, after which he engaged Malick died in 1897 and is buried at Lake Hill. in the bottling business at Ashland for a very The day of his death he walked twelve miles. He short time. When he sold out his bottling busi- had foretold the event, and called neighbors to his ness it was to become boss at the Knickerbocker assistance. giving them instructions about his colliery, near Shenandoah, Pa., of which he took funeral and burial.

charge in February, 1882, and continued in that position until Dec. 1, 1903, when he was made

JOSEPH P. KNAPP, outside superintendent outside superintendent of the Mount Carmel and of mines for the Mount Carmel and Shamokin Shamokin collieries, consisting of seven breakers. collieries, with residence at No. 34 North Sham- On Nov. 24, 1874, Mr. Knapp was married to okin street, Shamokin, is one of the best known Susan Veith, daughter of former mine superin- men in the Pennsylvania coal fields. as well as one tendent John Veith, a native of Bavaria. Seven of the most widely experienced. He was born in of the thirteen children born of this union are Wurtemberg. Germany, May 11, 1846, son of living, namely: Charles L., Minnie M., Catherine Gregory Knapp.

B., J. Frederick, Leo W., Alphonso J. and Gregory A. Mr. Knapp is a member of St. Edward's

Gregory Knapp, the father, came from Germany to America in 1849 and located at Minersville, Roman Catholic Church, and has reared his fam- Schuylkill connty, where he remained two years, ily in the faith of the Church of Rome. His only and in 1851 he moved to Trevorton, following his fraternal connection is with Lincoln Post, No. trade of carpenter. He died at Trevorton in Oc- 140, Grand Army of the Republic. tober, 1813. aged fifty-five years. His wife, Mary B. Peters, bore him fonrteen children, of whom five grew to maturity, namely: Joseph P., John T., Mary, Gregory and Frank.

OTTO. The Otto family has had many credit- able representatives in Northumberland county since its establishment here early in the nine-

Joseph P. Knapp accompanied his father to teenth century by Conrad Otto, the great-grand- America in 1849, and as a boy worked as a slate father of Abraham L. Otto and Edward J. Otto, picker at the old Trevorton colliery. In 1861 his brothers, the former now postmaster at Herndon. parents removed to Ashland, and there he con- the latter station agent and merchant at Otto. tinued the same work for two years, after which named after this family. John B. Otto, who is he took up steam engineering. While there the now living retired at Trevorton, Northumberland county, after a busy and successful life, is a

Civil war broke out, and his loyalty to his adopted country showed in his enlistment March 18, 1864, grandson of Conrad Otto. in Company A. ith Pennsylvania Cavalry, for Conrad Otto, born about 1766, came to North- three years. This company was recruited in umberland county from Berks county and was an Schuylkill county, and was sent to the Sonth, in early settler in what is now Jackson township. He the Army of the Cumberland. playing a brave part was one of the early schoolmasters in that locality. in the battle at Selma. Ala .. April 2. 1865. After and also worked as a laborer. It is said that dur- serving eighteen months he was honorably dis- ing the earlier part of his residence in this county charged. the war closing. Mr. Knapp returned he lived at Trevorton, but he passed the greater to his home in Trevorton. and for two years was part of his long life in the vicinity of Mahanoy employed as an engineer at the powder mill. From and died in Jackson township at an advanced age. October, 1865. to April 2, 1866. he was engaged His wife, Barbara (Seiler), born March 24. 1769. died Jan. 20, 1857. They are buried at Mahanoy at powdermaking. but on the latter date the mill was blown up and he was badly injured and was church (St. Peter's). Their children were: John : under the physician's care for several months. Adam: Elizabeth, who died in Jackson township : This mill, owned by Kline & Heim, was at Fisher's and Bevvy, who became Mrs. Peifer and had one Mill, below Shamokin. After recovering his daughter. Betzy, who married a man named strength Mr. Knapp worked at mining for some Michael ( Bevyy and her daughter died in Illinois).

nine months. and then again took up powder- The Federal Census report of 1790 records making. following it for two and a half years. He Henry and George Otto as residents of Northum- then spent six months in Sunbury in the employ berland county and heads of families, Henry hay- of Ira. T. Clement, at the end of that time return- ing four sons under sixteen, and George having ing to Trevorton to engage in mining at the bot- one daughter. tom of the No. 1 slope. For some time he fired Johan (, Oito, born Jan. 22, 1770, died Nov. the boilers, and then became engineer. In August, 5, 1854, and buried at St. Peter's church at Maha-

538

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

noy, was undoubtedly a brother of Conrad Otto, land county. He received his early education in mentioned above.

John Otto. son of Conrad, was the grandfather of Abraham L. and Edward J. Otto. He was born May 7, 1804, in Berks county, and came to this county with his father at an early age. He was a cobbler by trade, but later farined in Jackson town- ship, where he owned a tract of land, and he was engaged as a workman on the construction of the Schuylkill canal. He lived retired at Herndon for nearly twenty years before his death, which oc- curred there Aug. 3, 1886. John Otto was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Groll, who was born Oct. 28, 1810, and died Dec. 20, 1845. They had children as follows: Washington is men- tioned below ; Caroline, who is now over seventy years old, married Gabriel Adams and lives at Mandata, Pa .; Harriet, now living at Hickory . Corners, Northumberland county, married Josiah Schaffer ; Abbie (deceased ) married H. S. Byerly; William C. is deceased. Mr. Otto's second mar- riage was to Lydia Leader, who was born Nov. 23, 1807, and died March 12, 1889. They had : Re- becca married Isaiah Snyder, of Millersburg, Pa. ; Saniuel died at Verdon, Nebr., April 18, 1907. of the relations of life.

the public schools, later attending Union Semin- ary, at New Berlin, Pa., and in 1887 began teach- ing, being thus engaged for three terms in Jack- son township. He was reared to farming, but has not followed that occupation since he began life on his own account. In 1891 he settled at Hern- don, in Jackson township, where he engaged in the lumber and sawmill business, following that line for eleven years. He did a good business, giving employment to twelve men, and he is still inter- estedl in same, having been a director of the Sha- mokin Lumber & Manufacturing Company since 1905, and being also a stockholder in the W. P. Zartman Lumber Company. He is interested in the Auburn Shale Brick Company of Schuylkill county, and in these various relations keeps well in touch with commercial affairs. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Herndon by President McKinley, and has filled that office continuously since. It is an office of the fourth class. He is one of the best known men in his section, a sub- stantial citizen in a business way and respected by all who have had dealings with him, in any

Washington Otto, son of John, was born May

In 1891 Mr. Otto married Mary Brower, daugh- 4, 1833, in Cameron township, Northumberland ter of Jolin Brower, Sr., of Herndon, and a mem- county, and died June 24, 1897, at Mahanoy ; he ber of an old family formerly of Chester county, is buried there, at St. Peter's church. He was this State, whence Nathan Brower came to North- engaged as a plasterer and stonemason in his ear- umberland county, settling in Jackson township; lier manhood, later following farming, having a he was a miller and farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Otto have no children. They are miem- bers of the Reformed Church, which he has served as deacon. Politically he is a member of the Re- publican party. valuable tract of 140 acres. He also established the coal, bark and lumber business at Otto station (named in his honor), on the Herndon branch of the Philadelphia & Reading road, building up an extensive and profitable trade, to which his son Edward J. has since succeeded. He was serving as trustee of St. Peter's Church at the time of liis death.

EDWARD J. OTTO was born Feb. 11, 1877, and was educated in the public schools. His father trained him to business life, it being his wish that his sons Edward and John should succeed the age of twenty-five, as previously recorded, and the management of the business fell upon the shoulders of the younger brother, Edward, who continues to carry on the various lines established by his father, comprising the trade in coal, bark

On Aug. 2, 1860, Mr. Otto married Harriet him in his mercantile enterprises. John died at Bower, and to them were born twelve children, of whom we have the following record: (1) Wil- liam H. H., born Oct. 31, 1863, died March 31, 1902. He settled at Shamokin, this county, where he became a prominent merchant in the wholesale grocery and confectionery line. (?) Abraham L. and railroad ties. The various other branchies of is mentioned below. (3) Agnes is unmarried. his business he has added himself as opportunity offered or demand warranted, and he now has an excellent patronage in the original lines and also in grain and allied commodities. He handles from 150 to 200 carloads annually of the various products he carries, his place being the business center for a wide territory. His lumber is shipped largely into the coal regions, for use at the mines. In addition to other things he handles farm imple- ments. He keeps three men employed regularly to assist him in looking after the numerous de- (4) George L., who died Jan. 1, 1908, aged forty years, was long an invalid. (3) Mary married E. S. Hibush, a farmer, and they live near Otto station. (6) Lydia married D. P. Russell, of Otto, who is engineer at the pumping station there. (?) John C., born in 1874, died Nov. 3, 1899, and was buried on his twenty-fifth birthday. (8) Edward J. is mentioned below. (9) Cora married George S. Wilson, who is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, and they live at Barto, Pennsylvania.

ABRAHAM L. OTTO, son of Washington, was born . tails of his various interests. He has been station April 22, 1865, in Jackson township, Northumber- agent at Otto for some time, having succeeded his

339

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA

brother Abraham L. (who was the first agent at

After the war Mr. Otto returned to his uncle, the station) in that position. Mr. Otto owns his with whom he remained three years longer, en- father's old homestead farm of 140 acres, located at Otto (in Jackson township), and he cultivates this land. In the spring of 1904, because of fail- ing health, he gave up the farm work, selling his large farin stock, but having regained his health he resumed the management and operation of the place in the spring of 1909. He erected his beauti- ful residence at Otto in 1903. There are few citi- zens of the locality busier than he, but he has nevertheless found time to serve his fellow citizens in local office, having been tax collector from 1906

to 1909, and in the spring of the latter year he period of five years. He is a Republican in poli- was elected roadmaster of Jackson township.

On April 16, 1903, Mr. Otto married Sallie at Shamokin. Mr. Otto is very fond of hunting

Shipman, daughter of Selesia and Lydia (Dunkel- berger) Shipman, farming people of Lower. Au- gusta township, this county, and they have had one

In 1869 Mr. Otto married Charlotte Sweinert, son, named John William in memory of his two daughter of George Sweinert, of Little Mahanoy deceased uncles. Mr. Otto and his family are members of St. Peter's Reformed Church at Ma- hanoy, and socially he unites with Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, of Selinsgrove, Pa. He is a Re- publican in political matters.

Adam Otto, son of Conrad, was born March 1, 1808, in Jackson township, and followed farming throughout his active years. Moving out to Wayne county, Ohio, he engaged in agricultural pursuits there for about twenty years, prospering in all he undertook. Returning to his native township, lie was killed by a train at Herndon, Feb. 27, 1861. His wife, Susan (Burkert), also met a tragic death, being fatally burned in Cameron township, this county, when her son John was but three months old. They were the parents of three chil- dren : George, who went West when a young man and served three years in the army west of the Mississippi, in the heavy artillery; Sarah, who married Josialı Henry, of Sunbury, Pa .; and John B.

JOHN B. OTTO was born Ang. 26, 1837, in Lit- tle Mahanoy township, this county, and was reared by his uncle, Jonathan Dunkelberger, who lived in that township, remaining with him until he reached the age of twenty years. He attended school in that neighborhood, and learned the brick business. On Sept. 2, 1861, be enlisted in Com- pany C, 47th Regiment, P.J., and during his long service, which covered over four years, took part in the following battles of the Civil war: Fort Finnegan, St. Jolin's Bluffs, Pocotaligo, S. C., Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Can Run, Mansura, La., Berryville, Va .. Opequan Creek, Kindt.

gaged in sawing lumber. He then began lumber- ing on his own account in Cameron township, where he was engaged until 1896, the year of his removal to Trevorton. Mr. Otto is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of his section. He engaged in the mercantile business at this point for several years before his retirement, and as a business man has always maintained a high repu- tation for integrity and straightforward dealing. Since becoming a resident of Zerbe township he has served as supervisor and tax collector for a

tics, and socially belongs to Post No. 140, G. A. R., and fishing, in which recreations' he indulges as frequently as opportunity offers.

township. She died Aug. 23, 1908, and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Little Mahanoy. No children were born to this marriage. Mr. Otto makes his home at Coal and Eighth streets, Trev- orton.

The Otto family in Berks county is descended . from Dr. Bodo Otto, who was the most distin- guished physician and surgeon at Reading, Berks county, from 1773 to 1787. He was born in Han- over, Germany, in 1709, and was thoroughly edu- cated as a physician. He emigrated to this conn- try on account of political dissensions and revolu- tion, landing at the port of Philadelphia Nov. 10, 1755. After practicing his profession at Phil- adelphia until 1773 he removed to Reading, and the spirit of revolution beginning to assert itself in the community he distinguished himself by his patriotic devotion to the cause of freedom. He was conspicuously engaged as surgeon general during the whole period of the Revolution, from 1776 to 1783. He died at Reading. His last will and testament, made Feb. 22, 1780, was probated July 26. 1787, and is on record in Will Book B, page 207. He made ample provision for his wife Margaret, bequeathing hier the pewter, brass and copper utensils. He was thrice married, and had five children, three sons and two daughters, those named in the will being Frederick Christoph, John Augustus, Dr. Bodo (deceased ) and Maria Elizabeth Marx (en). Of these, Frederick died in 1827, and his German will is on record at the Berks county courthouse in Will Book 6, page 121. The executors were Daniel Merkel and Samuel

. Dr. John Augustus Otto, son of Dr. Bodo Otto,

Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Va. He received an honorable discharge Jan. 11, 1866, having made was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1751, and ac- a creditable record for faithful service, and he has many interesting reminiscences of the army days.

companied his parents to Pennsylvania when they emigrated in 1755. He was thoroughly educated in the schools of Philadelphia and read medicine

540

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

under his father. He settled in Reading in the management of his own work and an excel- 1773 and carried on an active and lucrative prae- lent eitizen in his relation to the community, sup- tiee until his deeease in 1834. He was prominent- porting all progressive movements and taking par- ly engaged in the Revolution as a surgeon, and ticular interest in the question of free education. filled various public positions with distinction. He is a member of the Methodist Church. His last will, made in 1833, was probated Jan. 1. Mr. Park married Estella E. Zarr, daughter of Lloyd T. Zarr, of Columbia eounty; Pa., and they have had two children, Harold E. and Lloyd T. 1835. His wife Catharine ( Hitner) (daughter of George Hitner, of Marble Hall, in Philadelphia- now Montgomery-county ), whom he married in 1776, was amply provided for in the will, whiel JOSIAH RHOADS, who has been superin- tendent at the Greenough colliery, at Locust Gap, for the past ten years, has been a ininer all his life, having begun work at the mines in the humb- lest eapacity and worked his way forward to re- sponsible position. He is a native of Shamokin, born Jan. 20, 1864, and is a son of Henry Rhoads. His grandfather lived in Columbia county, Pa., and died there. One of his sons, Jacob, was killed is on record in Will Book ~, page 244. He speaks of these children: Margaret, who married Benja- mia Whitman ; Mary, who married Gabriel Hies- ter, a prominent local and State offieial ; Elizabeth, who married Hon. Henry M. Richards, of Reading, and had a son Washington : Sarah, who married Jonathan D. Hiester, attorney of Reading: John Bodo, who married Esther Green Witman; and Daniel Hitner, who married Sarah Whitman. A in the Civil war. granddaughter, Catharine Elizabeth Otto Wood,

Henry Rhoads was born Jan. 30, 1821, in Col- was a legatee : it appears her mother, Maria, who umbia county, and eame to Shamokin among the married Joseph Wood, was deceased. Of this fam- ily, John Bodo Otto died in 1858; his will is on record in Will Book 10, page 489, and his son John A. Otto and others, were executors.

SILAS B. PARK, a substantial farmer and land . "owner of West Chillisquaque township, was born there Oet. 1, 1864, son of James Park. . The founder of the family in this county, James Park, Nine children were born to them: Frank. who came from New Jersey and settled near what is now the borough of Northumberland. His son John settled in Chillisquaque township and pur- mokin; Theodore, of Shamokin; Josiah: Daniel, -chased a farm. He married Annie Stillson, and deceased; and Amos, whose home is in Missouri. they reared children as follows: Sarah, who mar- ried William Painter; Elsie; James: Mary, who married James Park, of New York State: J. S. : and Hezekiah, who married a Miss Van Devender.

James Park, son of John, was born in 1825, married Araminta Brees, and died in 1908. Four children were born to this couple: John Minard, Amy (deceased), Ira (deceased ) and Silas B.

Jolin Minard Park, son of James, was born Dee. 15, 1855, married Clara Huntingdon Noss, and has the following children : Isabella C., born to the Greenough, in May, 1900, as superinten- Feb. 12, 188?, who married Daniel Smith and has dent. This colliery, located at Marion Heights, one, son, John M. : James T., born Oct. 7. 1883: is one of the best known in the eoal region, about David J., born July 20, 1885; Amy J .. born Oct. 21, 1887; Elsie M., born Dee. 10, 1889: William L., born Ang. 6, 1893; Olive M .. born Jan. 15, 1895; and Mary R., born Feb. 24. 1900.

Silas B. Park attended the public schools of his in his charge.

native locality and later was a student at Bucknell , Academy, from which he was graduated. In 1894 he bought part of the old homestead farm in West Chillisquaque township, in 1904 purchasing an- -other part and in 1909 a third, the latter portion comprising 100 acres. He resides on the adjoin- ing tract of fifty acres, which is good farming land and well cnitivated. Mr. Park is thrifty in affiliation.

early residents of the borough. He was a carpen- ter, and followed his trade throughout his active years in this seetion. building breakers and later doing house earpentry. He died at Shamokin March 28, 1891, and is buried in the Shamokin cemetery. Mr. Rhoads married Annie Adams. member of an old family of Ralpho township, this county, born Nov. 24, 1824, died March 15, 1893. lives in Shamokin; Isaiah, deceased : William, de- ceased ; Louisa, deeeased ; Henry, a resident of Sha-

Josiah Rhoads attended the publie schools for a few years, but he was only a boy of ten when he commeneed pieking slate at the Buck Ridge colliery, continuing at that work for four years. He then commenced mining at the Henry Clay colliery, where he was employed about five years. after which he learned the earpenter's trade, at which he was engaged, about the breakers, for seven years. His next work was as boss at the Union colliery, and after ten years there he eame

550 inen and boys finding employment there. Mr. Rhoads's reputation for faithful and intelligent work is well deserved, and he has the thorough respect of his employers and of the many workers

On May 21, 1887, Mr. Rhoads married Mary Luke, daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Harris) Luke. of Shamokin, and they have had five ehil- dren : Adam Stanley, Josiah H., Ruth E., Clande A., and a son that died in infancy.

In polities Mr. Rhoads is independent, voting for the candidate he prefers, regardless of party He is a member of the Reformed

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Church. and socially holds membership in the Kellagher was not only a good business man, but I. O. O. F. and Encampment and the B. P. O. one of the best known citizens in public life in Elks. .

THOMAS L. BRENNAN, proprietor of the "Kellagher Hotel" at Locust Gap, in Mount Car- niel township, has but recently settled at that place, and until he took charge of the hotel was office he served two successive terms.

engaged in mining. He is a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., born April 14, 1871, at Pottsville, and is of Irish descent, his father, John Bren- nan, having been born in Ireland.

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. 2, Part 10

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1024