Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 27

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 27

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Henry Keiser, son of Henry the pioneer in Northumberland county, was born in May, 1811, in Northumberland county, Pa., and grew up on the home farm. He assisted his father with the agricultural work, and also learned how to make spinning wheels, at which he was engaged for some time. He then bought a tract of land at Trevor- ton, which he cleared, but in time he sold it and in 1834 removed to Shamokin, being one of the pio- neers of that now thriving borough. For a number of years he followed contracting and teaming, in 1856 entering the mercantile business in partner- ship with Joseph Porter. This venture did not. last long, however, as they were obliged to discon- tinue after a year, during the panic, and Mr. Keiser turned to a new industry, being one of the first men to contract timber to the mines in this sec- tion. He died at Shamokin in June, 1872, of smallpox. Mr. Keiser was a member of the Evan- gelical Church. He married Catherine Raker, and they had children as follows: Maria married David Fisher; Isaac R. became the father of Jos- eph A. Keiser ; Harner married John R. Bough- ner; Jacob R., born May 1, 1845, is deceased ; Henry H. was for many years a prominent mer- chant at Shamokin; Reuben is living in Shamokin.

Isaac R. Keiser, son of Henry, was born June 30, 1839, and died March 29, 1901, at the age of sixty-two years. He was for a number of years a well known merchant of Shamokin, where he en- gaged in business in 1869 and continued until 1880, in which year he removed to Mount Carmel. He followed the same line there until his demise. Mr. Keiser married Elizabeth Wolfgang, daughter of George Wolfgang, and she still resides in Mount Carmel, continuing the business formerly owned by her husband. Four children were born to theni: Joseph A .; Missouri, who married Harry Haas; George H., of Mount Carmel; and Isaac N., of Akron, Ohio.

JOSEPH A. KEISER, son of Isaac R. Keiser, was born Feb. 10, 1862, in Shamokin, and there at- tended the public schools and Shamokin Academy, graduating from the latter institution. In 1879 he went to Joliet, Ill., where he spent some tine. and returning home assisted his father in the gro- cery business which he had meantime established in Mount Carmel. He has since continued in this line, his location at the corner of Third and Maple streets being well known and well patronized. His excellent business methods and honorable dealing have gained him a large custom, which he retains by accommodating his patrons in every possible way. He is well known in various associations in the borough, being president of the school board at the present tinie, is a director of the Anthracite Building and Loan Association, member and chap- lain of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378. F. & A. M., and member and recorder of the local organiza- tion of the Knights of Malta. He also belongs to

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the P. O. S. of A., and is secretary of the Loyal learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for Association. His activities have also extended to three years, subsequently finding employment about the coal mines. In 1900 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company, with which he has since been engaged at railroad work. church life, Mr. Keiser being a leading member of the United Evangelical Association and at pres- ent serving as trustee of same. In political matters he is a Republican.

On April 6, 1886, Mr. Keiser married Alice J. Herb, daughter of Rudolph Herb, and they have one daughter, Emma E., who is a student at Buek- nell University, member of the elass of 1912.

GEORGE HENRY KEISER, son of Isaae R., was born in Shamokin, Pa., Nov. 3, 1867. He attended the public schools of Shamokin and afterward clerked in his father's store, moving with his par- ents to Mount Carmel where he continued in his father's employ until the latter's death, when his inother continued the business, which is conducted by the two sons, Joseph A. and George Henry.

Mr. Keiser was married May 28, 1890, to Ella H. Swank, daughter of Jacob Swank. Socially Mr. Keiser is a member of I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 1150, of Mount Carmel. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in polities is a Republican. He is a director of the People's Building and Loan Association.

HON. JOHN T. MCMULLEN, of Shamokin, Northumberland county, present representative of his district in the State Legislature of Pennsyl- vania, is an employee of the Pennsylvania Railway Company and well known among his fellow work- ers as well as in local publie affairs. He was born May 6, 1877, in Montour county, Pa., son of Sam- uel MeMullen, who has become well known in both Montour and Northumberland counties in various connections.

Samuel MeMullen was born in 1847 in Montour county, and during his early life became familiar with farm life. But when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has sinee followed. For a number of years he was engaged as a con- tractor at Danville, Montour county, employing six men, but sinee 1893 he has been carpenter foreman at the Natalie colliery, at Natalie, North- umberland county. He is a stanch Republican, has served as county commissioner and jury commis- sioner of liis native county, and while a resident of Danville was prominent as an Odd Fellow, filling all the chairs in the local lodge. He is a member of the German Reformed Church. His wife, Mary Alice (Geist), is a daughter of David Geist, of Catawissa, Pa., and to them have been born eiglit children: John T .; Truman F., Florence C., David and M. Frances, all of whom residle with their parents at Natalie ; and three who are deceased.

Mr. McMullen is a veteran of the Spanish- American war, in which he served as a member of Company E, 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers; he is a member of Aerie No. 534, F. O. E., at Sham- okin, and of the Brotherhood of Railway Train- men, which he has served as seeretary of the Gen- eral Grievance committee sinee 1902. In politics he is a Republiean and has been active in the local affairs of the party, on whose tieket he was elected Nov. 8, 1910, to represent his district in the State Legislature, his plurality being 260 votes. This was his first candidaey for county office. He is favorably regarded in the party and in his com- inunity, where he has many friends.

On June 14, 1898, Mr. MeMullen married Fav E. Ditty, daughter of Thomas and Rebecea (Tail- or) Ditty, whose ancestors were from Lower Ma- hanoy township, this county. Three children have been born to this union, namely: Ruth R., Thom- as S. and Aliee B. Mr. MeMullen has made his home in the borough of Shamokin since 1900.

GEORGE W. HARTLEIN, of No. 430 West Pine street, Shamokin, has been secretary-treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America in Dis- triet No. 9 since its organization, in 1899, his work covering four counties and about fifty-one thousand, two hundred mine workers. His long retention in the office is the best evidence of his satisfactory services. He is a native of Shamokin, born June 21, 1865, son of Joseph Hartlein and grandson of George Hartlein, and comes of old Berks county stoek, the Hartleins or Hartlines having long been prominent in that section. The family is of German origin and has been a part of the substantial German element of Pennsylvania citizenship sinee the first half of the eighteenth century.

John Jacob Hartlein was born Sept. 8, 1699, in Saxony, Germany, son of Nicholas and Dorotha Hartlein, as indicated by the Hill Church records. On Sept. 28, 1726, he married Julia, daughter of John Christian and Appolonia Dressler, born July 4, 1694. They came to America in 1732, and set- tled in Earl township, Berks Co., Pa. To them were born six children: John Jacob and Jacob both died young ; Margaret, born in 1729, married John -; George was born in 1632 ; Anna Dorotha. born in 1734, died in 1736: Nicholas, born in 1736, died in 1741.

George Hartlein, son of John Jacob, was born

John T. MeMullen received a publie school ed- in Saxony, Germany, in 1732, shortly before the ucation, attending the borough school at Danville emigration of his parents to the New World. ID for four years, and night school at Natalie for one 1750 he was a taxable in District township, Berks year. When sixteen years old he commenced to county, as was also George, Jr. In 1755 he mar-

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ried Maria Catharine Bochum ( Boehm), who was ( No. 9) at Mount Carmel, forming District No. born in 1430, daughter of Conrad Bochin, a native 9, which includes the counties of Northumberland, of Fehrfeld, Wurtemberg, Germany, born about Schuylkill, Dauphin and Columbia, with the main 1705, who came to America in 1732. George Hart- office at Shamokin. Mr. Hartlein was elected sec- lein aml wife had the following children: Jost retary-treasurer at the time of the organization, (or. Yost), born Jan. 8, 1767, died Dec. 21, 1852, and has filled that office continuously since. As and is buried at Oley church, and by his side is there are over fifty-one thousand mine workers in buried Sarah Hartlein, born Oct. 18, 1780, died the district, his duties are varied and heavy, but Sept. 24, 1873 (it is not known whether she was he has discharged them to the satisfaction of all his wife or his sister) ; George, Jr., was born concerned. Besides his membership in the mine Jan. 11, 1481: There were perhaps other chil- workers' body he is associated with the P. O. S. dren, but the names of these two alone are of ot A., having been a charter member of Camp No. certain record.

187 and later transferred to Camp No. 149.

Mr. Hartlein married Elma Drumheller, daugli-

George Hartlein (the name George is very com- mon in this family), grandfather of George W. ter of Levi T. and Lydia (Daniels) Drumheller, Hartlein, was a farmer in Berks county, where he of Northumberland county, and they have had six died, at Spangsville. His wife, whose maiden children: Grover C., who died in infancy; Lydia, name was Mosser, bore liim the following children: who died in 1902, when sixteen years old; Clar- Isaac, who died in Michigan; Joseph; Jared; ence W., of Shamokin, who married Hattie Nei- hart; Nola, at home; George O., at home; and a daughter that died in infancy. Mr. Hartlein has three grandchildren.

George, living in Philadelphia ; and Mary, who married Samuel Brosius and is living at Stoning- ton, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania.

In political sentiment Mr. Hartlein is a Demo-

Joseph Hartlein was born Dec. 15, 1829, in Berks county, and when a young man came to crat, but he votes independently. His religious Northumberland county, settling in the Mahantan- connection is with the Reformed Church. go Valley. He was a wheelwright, and followed the trade for many years, in time moving to Paxi- MILLER. The brothers John L. Miller and J. nos, where he lived for a while before coming to Adam Miller, of Sunbury, are natives of Germany who came to this country in boyhood, the former taking up his residence in the borough in 1879, the latter in 1890. The family came to America in Shamokin. After settling in the latter borough he followed mining and the lumber business until 1890, from which time until his death he lived retired. He married Lydia Rebuck, who was 1860, landing at Baltimore, Md., after a mnost thrilling experience. They had taken passage for

from' the Mahantango Valley, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Maurer) Rebuck, and she died New York, but were captured en route by a man- Nov. 28, 1881. Mr. Hartlein died July 9, 1893, of-war and taken to the island of Saint Thomas, and both are buried in the Shamokin cemetery. one of the West Indies, where they were obliged They had a large family, viz. : Mary married Ga- to pay three hundred dollars' ransom before re- briel Snyder and they live in Shamokin ; they have leased. The Millers proceeded from Baltimore to had seven children. Amelia married Harvey Ashland, Pa., where the family settled, the father, Maurer, of Shamokin, and has had sixteen chil- Andrew Miller, finding work in the coal mines, as dren. Abbie married Charles Kerstetter, of Sham- did also his son John. As soon as they became okin, and has had fifteen children. Jared died old enough the sons all had to work in the mines. in infancy. Elmira married John Drumheller, of There the mother died in 1862, and the family Shamokin, and has had twelve children. Mar- of six children consequently became scattered. garet married August Ross and they are living at JOHN L. MILLER, son of Andrew, was born Shamokin; they have had ten children. Harry March 19, 1848, in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany, died in infancy. George W. is mentioned below. and cane to this country with the family as re- Alice, who died in Shamokin in 1895, was the wife lated. Thoughi only a boy at the time of the Civil of Frank Sheetz and had five children. Frona, war he enlisted in the Union service, becoming a who lives in Indiana county, Pa., married Joseph member of Company H, 79th Pennsylvania Volun- Powell and has had eight children. .

teer Infantry, with which, among other experi-

George W. Hartlein received his education in the ences, he participated in Sherman's famous march public schools of Shamokin, but his educational to the sea. Upon his return to civil life he began advantages were limited, for when only seven to learn the trade of carpenter, at Williamsport, years old he began picking slate at the Bear Val- Pa., from which place he came to Sunbury in 1879. ley breaker. He continued this work until he He has been connected with a number of important reached the age of fifteen, when lie commenced business enterprises in the borough during the mining, at which he was engaged until 1900. thirty and more years of his residence there. He Meantime, on Oct. 21, 1899, the United 'Mine has been extensively engaged in contracting and Workers of America organized in this district building, and became senior partner of the firm

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of Miller & Heim, manufacturers of extension

Sunbury, in May, 1910, commencing the grocery tables. Mr. Miller has had many large and re- business in which he is now interested. sponsible contracts in Sunbury and the surround- Mr. Miller has always taken the interest of a public-spirited citizen in matters affecting tlic general good, served as assessor for three years while a resident of Rockefeller township, and since settling in Sunbury has served as borough au- ditor. He does not give his allegiance to any par- ticular party, voting for the candidates he considers most suitable. Socially Mr. Miller holds member- ship in the Knights of Malta at Sunbury. ing territory, among others the interior fitting of the present First National Bank building. Mr. Miller has acquired extensive interests in the Adams Clay Mining Company, of New Jersey, which operates extensively in the manufacture of buff brick, and he has been a director of the concern for a number of years. His activity and success have made him an influential member of local com- mercial circles, his ability having been demon- While in Rockefeller township Mr. Miller met Miss Conrad, whom he married. They have had one daughter, Mabel Grace, who is at home. Mr. Miller and his family are Lutherans, and while liv- ing in Rockefeller township he served as deacon of the Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church. strated in a number of prosperous undertakings. Moreover, he has taken prominent part in other local affairs of interest to those who have the wel- fare of the community at heart, having served most efficiently as school director. During his serv- ice the schools of East Sunbury were raised to a high standard, and his good judgment and disinter-

WILLIAM KNAPP is engaged in the furniture ested labors were highly appreciated by his fellow and undertaking business at Trevorton, carrying citizens. Mr. Miller also took a conspicuous part is securing the establishment of the Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home near Sunbury, and in 1897 became its first president and superintendent, resigning that position in 1901 when his duties in connection with the Adams Clay Mining Company demanded so much of his attention that he did not feel he could do justice to both.

Mr. Miller is also widely acquainted in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason, and he is also an active member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. At the Odd Fellows convention held in .pursue that kind of work. He was successful, and Sunbury April 26, 1905, he was grand marshal, and as such deserves high credit for the successful manner in which the affair was conducted.

J. ADAMI MILLER, son of Andrew Miller, was born Aug. 11, 1833, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and attended school there for six months before the family came to America. Since his mother's death he has lived in Northumberland and Lycoming counties, Pa., principally the form- er, however. He acquired an excellent practical education, sufficient to enable him to enter the teaching profession, which he began in Shamokin township, this county, in 1822. He taught six- teen terms in all, fourteen in Northumberland county and two in Lycoming county. For ten terms he was engaged in Rockefeller township, where he was licensed by Prof. Sanl Shipman. For one term, after he began teaching, he was a student at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. Mr. Miller carried on farming in Rockefeller township for two years before his removal to Sunbury, in 1890, at which time he took a position in the clerical de- partment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was thus engaged for fourteen years, giving up the work on account of his health, and for a time solicited insurance. Then for six years he

on the business established some fifty or more years ago there by his father, who was one of the first men in his line to settle at the place. Mr. Knapp was born in 1843 in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of John Michael Knapp, who brought his family to America in 1857. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel, and they landed at New York after a voyage of forty-three days. Locating in Trevor- ton, Northumberland Co., Pa., Mr. Knapp, who was a skilled cabinet-maker, followed cabinetmak- ing and undertaking, being one of the first here to was so engaged until his death, which occurred in December, 1871. He married Margaret Ebbling, and they had the following children: Michael, Fredericka, Christiana, Margaret and William.

William Knapp came to America with the fam- ily and has lived in Trevorton ever since. Under his father's able instruction he learned the trade of cabinetmaker, and upon the death of his father himself assumed the business. At one time he made all the caskets himself, but of late years he has obtained them from the factories. Under- taking is his specialty. but he also deals in furni- ture, of all kinds, and has a lucrative patronage ~ in both lines, being one of the leading business men of the town. His store is located on Shamo- kin street. He is a citizen who holds the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen, and has been chosen to fill various local offices, having served as school director, tax collector and overseer of the poor of Zerbe township. Politically he is as- sociated with the Republican party.

In 1869 Mr. Knapp married Eva Rosina Pfes- terrer, who was born June 29, 1845, in Germany. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are members of the Evangelical Church.

JOHN DAVID PFESTERRER, father of Mrs. Knapp, was employed at the Susquehanna Silk Mills, in was born Aug. 11, 1810, in Wurtemberg, Germany,

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and came to America in 1834, making the voyage native of England, whose parents, Abraham and in a sailing vessel which brought him to New Jane Roper, were also born in that country. York City. His first location in the New World James Cooper, son of James and Jane (Sun- was at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., from which derland) Cooper, was born Nov. 18, 1850, in place he came to Trevorton in the early days of that town. Here he followed his trade, that of carpenter, and was an industrious and respected citizen until his death, which occurred May 6, 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Margareta Ott, followed him to America in 1856 with four of their children. She died in 1890. They had the following family: John George is living at Trevorton; Maragreta married John Ross ; Christiana married George Walter, who was killed at a breaker at Trevorton; John David was killed in the mines at Trevorton; Eva Rosina is the wife of William Knapp.

JAMES COOPER, proprietor of the well known "Cooper's Hotel" at Trevorton, is conduct- ing practically the same business which his father entered forty years ago, and is a worthy successor of that much respected citizen of Trevorton. His son, Alexander Cooper, is engaged in the bakery and general store business, and has been other- wise prominent in the life of the town, where the name is associated with public-spirited citizenship in all that term implies.

years. Coming to America in the year named, with his family, he landed at New York City and was soon settled at Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he found work at mining. Later he removed to Shamokin, this county, where he was turned to Trevorton, working at the mines. In 1870 he went to Mahanoy City, but the following year came back to Trevorton, in 1872 becoming proprietor of the hotel known as "The House of All Nations," which he had bought in 1869. From that time until his death he was success- fully engaged in the hotel business, becoming one of the best known men in his section. He was one of the oldest miners of the region. a man respected and trusted by all who knew him, served as super- visor of Zerbe township, and stood high in the community as a man of sterling qualities. He was a Republican in polities, and socially held membership in the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. He died in 1899.

On Nov. 15, 1845, Mr. Cooper married Jane Sunderland, of England, who died May 26, 1885, the mother of seven children, all now deccased but James and Mary A., the latter the wife of Otto Lout, of Trevorton. On Nov. 17, 1885, Mr. Cooper married (second) Mrs. Betsy Whittle, a its leading member. It is a valuable factor in the

Staffordshire, England, and came to America with his parents. At an early age he commenced min- ing, and in 1879 he made a prospecting tour in the Black Hills, where he was associated with Colonel Cody ("Buffalo Bill") and had many in- teresting experiences. But he returned to min- ing in Pennsylvania, being long in the employ of Baumgardner & Douty, at Shamokin. In 1899, after the death of his father, he took over the hotel business, which he had purchased, and this busi- ness he has since continued. For some time Mr. Cooper was in Clearfield county, this State, en- gaged in the horse business, and he is still inter- ested in that line, which he carries on in connec- tion with his hotel business. Mr. Cooper has a notably fine array of mounted birds, the collec- tion of which has been a hobby affording him much interest and pleasure. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and of the Knights of Malta, and in political matters he is identified with the Republican party.

Mr. Cooper married Isabella Matheason, daugh- ter of Alexander Matheason, and they had a fam- ily of seven children: Alexander : James W., who is employed at the North Franklin Colliery (he is a leading member of Trevorton Fire Company No. 1, of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and of

William and Susan (Jones) Cooper, grand- parents of James Cooper, never came to America. Their son, James Cooper, born Jan. 26, 1818, in Staffordshire; England, lived in his native land. the Trevorton band) : Isabella, deceased; Jennie. until 1863, following mining from the age of ten deccased ; Clara E .: Bertha M., and Charles. The mother of this family died April 4, 1909, and is buried at Trevorton.

ALEXANDER COOPER, eldest child of James and Isabella ( Matheason) Cooper, was born at Trey- orton March 10, 1872, and there obtained his edu- employed in the mines until 1869, when he re- cation in the public schools. Like his forefathers he began work in the mines, as a slate picker, and continued to follow mining, of both soft and hard coal, until 1904. In 1905 he bought out the bak- ing business of A. C. Fisher, who is now cashier of the Trevorton Bank, and he has continued this business to the present time, having a large and steadily developing trade. In addition, he has dealt in groceries, notions and general merchan- dise, building up a profitable trade, which reflects great credit upon his management and enterprise. He is considered one of the live business men of the town, and has the good will and respect of his many patrons and friends.

Outside of his private business concerns, Mr. Cooper's special activity has been in the interest of the Trevorton Fire Company, which he organ- ized in 1900, being its chief promoter and becom- ing its first president and first chief. It is prac- tically through his efforts that the town is able to boast of so efficient an organization, and he is still

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 27

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