Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 3

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 3

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Reformed Church.

Schaffer, of Urban, who is now deceased, and to them were born eleven children: Edwin, Samuel,

BYERLY. The Byerly family of the lower end Gordon, George. William. Clara, three other daugh- of Northumberland county is descended from one ters. and two deceased.

Henry S. Byerly, son of Samuel, attended the

Ludwig Byerly, one of three brothers who came from Berks county, Pa., and located to the north old-time subscription schools of Lower Mahanoy of the Blue mountains. He settled at Line Moun- township, and later went to school in Jackson

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

township. He was reared to farm life, and con- born May 3, 1850, and received his education in tinued to work for his father until he reached the the old pay schools 'conducted during his early age of twenty-two years, after which he was hired boyhood, attending only two and a half days at year on the farm . for a year and for another the free school. His boyhood was passed under burned lime for his uncle, Josiah the parental roof, and he acquired a practical Schaffer. In 1864 he engaged in the lime knowledge of farm work assisting his father, for burning and hauling business, being encour- whom he worked until he attained his majority. aged to make this venture by his uncle, Mr. He afterward hired out as a laborer for several Schaffer, and he carried it on successfully for sex- years until he began farming for himself in Wash- eral years. Meantime, in 1865, he purchased a ington township, on a forty-acre tract where he re- small farm near Hebe, in the Mahantango Valley, mained for two years. He moved thence to anoth- where he lived one year, after which he and his er farm in the same township, where he lived for uncle, Josiah Schaffer, purchased a 118-acre farm twelve years, on April 5, 1888, settling in Jordan in Jordan township, in partnership. This was township, on the farm where he has since resided. formerly the Jacob Bohner place. Here Mr. By- This place, which contains about forty acres, for- erly lived for twenty years, in 1885 moving to a merly belonged to Peter Schwartz, from whom 113-acre tract in Jackson township, to which he Mr. Byerly purchased it in partnership with his added until he had 134 acres. Here he lived until elder brother, Henry S. Byerly, and he lias made his retirement, in 1898, since which time he has a success of his work on this property. However, made his home at Herndon. He owns consider- he is particularly well known as a horsedealer and able real estate, all of which he has acquired veterinary surgeon. For thirty-one years he has through his own efforts, being a self-made man, one kept stock horses, and he has always prided him- who has worked hard all his life. He has always self upon the quality and fine condition of the an- been active in public affairs and in church life, imals he handles, being considered the most reli- being a man whom his fellow citizens instinctively able man in that line anywhere in this section. He intrust with matters affecting the general welfare. never took a course in veterinary medicine, but he For six years he was school director of Jordan possesses a natural gift which enables him to di- township, during that time also serving as treasur- agnose and treat animal ailments successfully, and er of the board. In Jackson township he was over- he has saved many valuable animals in the neigh-

seer of the poor several years and tax collector for

borhood, those who know him having the greatest

two years. Since becoming a resident of Herndon confidence in his ability and skill. He has not he has served three years as councilman. He is a only been a useful citizen of his community, but Democrat in politics and a. Lutheran in religion. one who has made so many friends that he is liked He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of and welcomed everywhere. He is a tall man, with the church, is at present serving as treasurer, and l'as been trustee, deacon and elder.

a pleasant disposition and a jovial word for all, and his popularity is well deserved. During the winter months he always keeps a good supply of cider on tap. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served three years as school director. He and his family are Lutheran members of St. Paul's Church, which he has served as trustee, and is at present holding the office of elder.

On July 5, 1864, Mr. Byerly married Abigail Otto, who was born Jan. 8. 1840, daughter of Jolin Otto (whose wife's maiden name was Groh), and died Feb. 22, 1909; she is buried at Hern- don. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Byerly : Luzianna married William Steel, and they have had three children. Lura (deceased ) . In the summer of 1870 Mr. Byerly married Engene and Beulah (they live in Jackson town- Mary Schreffler, daughter of Gottfried and Jestina ship) : Sarah A. R. married Edw. Steel, a brother ( Hepner ) Schreffler, and they have three daugh- of William Steel, and they live at Dalmatia : Cora ters: Emma J. is the wife of John Phillips and Ellen is the wife of William Wayne, a resident of has two children, William and Gertie: Nora E. Herndon, and they have three children, Flossie, married Jacob Tressler and has children, Charles, Alva and Charles ; Catharine Lura died in infancy: Daisy, Mary, John and Goldie : Miranda M. mar- one son died in infancy ; John O., of Dalmatia, ried Andrew Schlegel and has two children, J. married Flora Trautman and they have one child, Charles and Elmer D.

Oscar; Lydia married Penrose Miller, of Hern- don, and they have one child, Mary: Henrietta is

Elijah Byerly, the younger son of Ludwig Byerly the wife of Charles Kebler, of Herndon ( they by his first marriage, was born Oct. 3, 1813, and have no children). Mr. Byerly, the father of this was a lifelong farmer. He began farming on his faniily, though now (1910) seventy years of age, own account at the place where his grandson, Jon- is a well preserved man, and he is widely and favor- athan M. Byerly, now lives, in Jordan township. ably known.

. He married Mary Bower, daughter of Jacob Bower

JOHN S. BYERLY, son of Samuel, is engaged in and granddaughter of Matthias Bower, who was a farming near Urban, in JJordan township. He was soldier in the Revolutionary war. Matthias Bow-

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

er owned the farm which later became the property farm in Jordan township. He still owns the place of Elijah Byerly, who began to farm there upon in Lower Mahanoy, which now comprises 114 aeres his marriage. Later his wife was given ninety- of-valuable land which he bought from the estate nine aeres of the large Bower homestead, and there of his uncle, Benjamin Byerly. The latter bought Elijah Byerly erected a set of buildings and made a Wetzel traet of twenty-five acres to which he his permanent home. He prospered, purchased ad- added until the farm reached its present propor- jaeent land, until the farm comprised over two tions. Jonathan M. Byerly farmed that place un- hundred acres, also starting a hotel which to this til he removed to his present home. which he day is known as Byerly's, and which in the earlier bought in the fall of 1900, from Michael Emerich. days was a great business center. Many cattle and which is a most desirable property of 134 aeres of limestone soil. This place has been seientifieally fertilized under his management, and he has made a number of improvements which have materially

dealers used to stop there, and the place beeame known far and wide. It was conducted by Elijah Byerly's son Josiah until 1900. Elijah Byerly died March 19, 1873, and is buried at the Stone enhaneed the value of the property. Mr. Byerly is Valley (Zion's) Church. His wife, who was born Jan. 22, 1814, died June 21, 1886. Their children, seven sons and three daughters, were: Elias, Benjamin, Henry, Frank, Josiah, Adam, Sovana (died in infancy), Ella (married Penrose long been an active church worker, being one of the Shadle), Maggie (married Adam Binghaman) and Emma (married Simon Reed ) . one of the intelligent, progressive and influential men of his district, where by his useful life he has won the respect of all who know him. He is a Demoerat, has served as sehool direetor, and has leading members of Zion's ( Stone Valley) Church, where he and his family belong to the Lutheran congregation. He has served many years as deacon and elder, and was church treasurer for ten years.

Elias Byerly, son of Elijalı, was born June 16, 1833, where his son Jonathan M. Byerly now lives. Throughout his life he followed farming suecess-

On Jan. 8, 1882, Mr. Byerly married Louisa fully, and at different times he was also engaged Emmerich, daughter of Michael and Hannah in hotel-keeping, during the Civil war conducting. ( Tressler) Emmerich. They have had children. the "National Hotel" at Pillow, Dauphin Co., Pa. as follows: Benedict Beecher, who died when ten He held local offices, serving as school director and months, four days old: Naomi Josephine, wife of tax collector, and was a prominent worker in the John A. Latsha; Claudia Alveretta, wite of C. C. Lutheran congregation of Zion's Stone Valley Miller; Hannah E .; Elias M., married to Lizzie. Church, serving as deaeon, elder and trustee, and Paul; Ellen Salome .; Isaac Theodore; Mand attending divine serviees faithfully : he missed but Heleria, who died in her sixth year; and Mark Jonathan, who died when ten months old. 'one communion in twenty years. He died Oet. 5. 1909, and is interred in the family plot at the Stone Valley Church. His widow. Elizabeth ( Rad- el), daughter of Michael and Catharine ( Bona- witz) Radel, was born Oet. 4, 1834, and though in her seventy-seventh year is well preserved. Eight children were born to this worthy couple: Jona- than M., Mary A .. Josephine E., James M. (died in infancy), Senora C., Ivy (who died in infancy, she and James M. both living to be ten months, fourteen days old), Michael E. and Eva (wife of J. C. Bover). Jonathan M., Michael E. and Eva are the only survivors of this family.

Josiah Byerly, son of Elijah, was born Dec. 28, 1843, at Byerly's, in Lower Mahanoy township, this eounty, and obtained a rather limited educa- tion in the pay ,sehools which were then the only institutions of learning in the locality. He worked for his father until he was of age, and about 1882 began farming at the place in Jordan township where he now lives, having a farm of 145 acres which belonged to his mother, having formerly been a Bower tract. On this place stands a large Swiss barn which was built in 1853 by Elijah Byerly : it is 100 by 45 feet in dimensions, and is an attractive feature of the property.

On Nov. 22, 1868, Mr. Byerly married Catharine Snyder, daughter of John and Anna Barbara (Wert) Snyder, and to them have been born eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely : Harry E., of St. Louis, Mo. : Isaiah F., who lives at. home; Walter C., who lives near his parents : George C .: Jeremiah: Annie, who died young: Martha, wife of J. Lengert : and Mary. Mr. By- erly and his family are Lutheran members of Zion's Stone Valley Church, which he formerly served in the official capacities of deaeon and elder, and he is at present a trustee, which office

JONATHAN M. BYERLY was born June 26, 1858, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there received his early education in the local public schools, later at- tending a select school at Pillow, Dauphin county. In 1880 he received a license to teach from Pro- fessor Bowl, then superintendent of schools in Northumberland county, and began his career as an educator in Washington township, where he taught for two terms. Later he taught two terms in Lower Mahanoy township, and he made a repu- tation as a good disciplinarian as well as a consei- entious instructor. From boyhood he had been ac- customed to farm work, and he began farming for himself in 1882 in Lower Mahanoy, where he re- he has held six years. Politically he is a Demo- mained until his removal, in 1901, to his present crat.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

EDWARD EARLEY, of Shamokin, business tention to detail have been no less factors in his man and member of the borough council, which he prosperity, which he well deserves. served one year as president, has a high reputa- tion for personal worth which has been consider- ably augmented of recent years by his efficient work in the governing body of the municipality. His public spirit and ability won him the name of being one of the most useful officials Shamokin has ever had.

Mr. Earley was born Oct. 27, 1859, at Tama- qua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Patrick Earley, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1851. For a number of years after coming to America Mr. Earley was settled at Tamaqua, where he followed farming, thence re- moving to Carbon county, Pa., where he spent the rest of his life. For several years he was snper- visor of Banks township, that county. He died there Nov. 26, 1895. Mr. Earley married Bridget McGill, who survived him, dying Sept. 6, 1908, and they are buried in St. Ann cemetery, at Drift- on, Pa. Eight children were born to their union: Annie (deceased ) married Thomas North ; Mary Mr. Earley married Cecelia Kearney, daughter died in infancy; Edward is mentioned later; of Patrick Kearney, of Shamokin, and they have Bridget married John F. Cannon and resides at had four children: Mary, who died when four years old; Edward P., a telegraph operator : Locust Gap, Northumberland' county (Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have had seven children, Agnes, who Eileen V., a graduate of the Shamokin high school, class of 1909; and Catherine K., a graduate of

is a trained nurse, located at Reading, Pa. ; Ray- mond; John; William; Anna: Mary, and Cath- the Shamokin high school, class of 1911.

arine) ; William lives in Carbon county, Pa. ; John lives in South Bethlehem, Pa. : James is deceased ; Catherine is the wife of Hugh C. Boyle and lives at Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Patrick Earley was one of a family of seven children, his brothers and sisters being: John, James, Joseph, Mary, Catherine and Bridget. Of this family, Joseph served in the Civil war, and two of his sons fought in the Spanish-American war.

That Mr. Earley has high standing in the city of his adoption is shown by the honors he has re- ceived at the hands of his fellow citizens. In Oc- tober, 1905, he was appointed to fill the unexpired. term of Patrick J. Glennon, as councilman from the Fourth ward, and at the next election he was a regular candidate for the office, elected on the Democratic ticket and indorsed by the Re- publicans. In March, 1909, he was the success- ful candidate for president of the council, which office he filled for one year, with the highest effi- ciency. The amount of business transacted by the council during his year as presiding officer, and the many excellent measures acted upon, are creditable to the entire body, which won universal public- approval for services of a high order. Mr. Earley is president of the local lodge of the An- cient Order of Hibernians (No. 3) and also county president of that fraternity. He is a mem- ber of St. Edward's Catholic Church.

FETTER. There are two branches of the Fet- ter family quite numerously represented in North- umberland county with which this article is con- cerned, those descended from the brothers Hein- rich and Frederick Fetter, who came hither from Berks county in the beginning of the nineteenth century. They are all of the posterity of Philip Fetter, who emigrated to this country from Ger- many. Isaac O. Fetter, of Sunbury, who has been prominently associated with business interests there for some years as an extensive contractor and builder; Nathan E. Fetter, of Upper Mahanoy township, now serving his sixth term as justice of the peace and otherwise active in the affairs of his locality ; and Elias Fetter, farmer of Upper Ma -~ hanoy township, a man of conspicuous intelligence and one of the leading citizens of his community, are all of this stock. We give the record of the early generations from the emigrant ancestor.

Edward Earley began work when but seven years old as a slate picker at the mines at Locust Gap, this county. He moved with the family to Carbon county, where he continued to work as a slate picker until he became a regular miner, fol- lowing that line of work for twenty years. During the great strike of 1887 lie was a prominent work- er in the Knights of Labor. He then gave up mining, and going to Wilkes-Barre found work with the Sheldon Axle Company, with which he remained until his removal to Shamokin, in 1889. Philip Fetter, a native of the Rheinpfalz, Ger- many, landed at Philadelphia in the fall of 1751, and settled in Maxatawny township, Berks Co., Pa. His wife, Anna Maria ( Fissler), was also from Germany, but according to family tradition he was unmarried when he came to this country. Among his children were the following sons : Jacob. Adam, Philip and Conrad all settled west of the Susque- hanna river, in Snyder and Union connties, Pa .: George settled in Northumberland county; John Here he entered the employ of his brother-in-law, W. A. Kearney, who was in the wholesale liquor business, being associated with him until he with- drew to engage in business on his own account, in 1898. He has ever since been located at No. 142 Market street, Shamokin, and has built up a profit- able trade. Besides, he is local agent for the Kaier Brewing Company, of Mahanoy City. Mr. Earley's perseverance and executive ability have won him success, but his industry and faithful at- settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county; Heinrich

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and Frederick settled in Northumberland county. Adam married Sarah Paul; David died young; Heinrich Fetter, son of Philip, was born Sept. Marcus, who was blind, died young; James and Jonathan died young; Edwin died young; Nathan E. is mentioned below; Polly died young. Sev- eral of the children died of diphtheria, within a short time.

6, 1779, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, was baptized by Rev. Philip Jacob Michael, at Ziegel's Church, in Weisenburg township, in what is now Lehigh county, Pa., and was confirmed by Rev. Jaeob Lupold, at the same church. He was NATHAN E. FETTER, son of David, was born Feb. 24, 1852, and grew to manhood in Upper Mahanoy township. He received his early educa- tion in the subscription and free sehools, later attending Freeburg Academy, in Snyder eounty. When nineteen years old he was licensed to teach, and was first assigned to Delp's school, No. 6, in Upper Mahanoy township, following his profes- sion for twenty-two sueeessive terms, all in the same township, a record which speaks volumes for his effieieney and popularity. He is engaged in farming, and for many years has been one of the leading figures in loeal public affairs. He is town- ship clerk, a position he has filled for the past twenty years; and sinee 1882 has served continu- ously as justice of the peaee, in which capacity he has settled many controversies in his ditsrict, offi- eially and unofficially. He has been Democratic the past thirty years and has served as delegate a shoemaker by trade, but engaged principally in farming. Coming from Berks county to North- umberland county in 1810, he first settled on the . farm where Elias Rebuek now lives, later locating in Upper Mahanoy township, on the farm now owned by David S. Paul. He is buried at the Salem Lutheran and Reformed Church, in Sehuyl- kill county, near the Northumberland county line. His wife, Elizabeth (Hartman), was born Oct. 19, 1781, in Whitehall township, Northampton Co., Pa., daughter of Johan Dietrich and Catha- rine (Ruchin) Hartman, and died March 3, 1847, aged sixty-five years, four months, fifteen days. They were the parents of seventeen children, three of whom died young, thirteen sons and one daugh- ter reaching maturity, viz .: Joshua, who went West; Heinrich; David; Mary, who married Sam- · uel Rebuck ; Isaac; Daniel ; Elias, who married a committeeman of Upper Mahanoy township for Miss Bush; Moses; Levi; Philip; John, who was blind; Solomon ; Jonas, who died young; and an- to various eounty conventions, in which he takes other son whose name is forgotten. the greatest interest. Few eitizens are better or

.David Fetter, son of Heinrich, was born Jan. 18, more favorably known. He is a member of the Lutheran congregation at Salen Chureli, and served the church consistory as secretary for two years. Mr. Fetter lives on the road between Leck Kill and Rough and Ready. In his early man- hood he was afflicted with a running sore which eventually caused him the loss of his left leg, but he has never allowed thiis misfortune to interfere in any way with his ambition or usefulness.

1808, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, and was two years old when the family came to North- umberland county. He received his education in the German subscription schools which afforded the young their principal educational advantages during his childhood, and acquired more than the average literary training for the time, being an excellent reader and writing a good German hand. He was a carpenter, following that trade during his earlier manhood and later engaging in farm- Daniel Fetter, son of Heinrich and grandson of Philip, was born Aug. 27, 1815. in Upper Ma- hanoy township, and there passed his life, dying March 1, 1878. He occupied the place where his son Elias now lives, cultivating his farm of fifty- odd aeres and following his trade of shoemaker. plying his craft in the shop now used for weav- ing. In politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Lutheran, he and his family belonging to the Salem Church with which so many of the name have been identified. His wife, Sarah ( Monte- lius), daughter of Peter and Rebeca (Stitzer) Montelius, was born July 13, 1820, and died May 26, 1893. Their children, five sons and three daughters, were as follows: Henry died at the age of thirty-two years; Peter is mentioned below ; Harriet married Benneville Reiner and they live at Tower City, Pa .; Adam (deecased) lived near Trevorton, this county : Emma. who is unmarried. ing, having a forty-seven-acre farm in Upper Ma- hanoy township. A well known man in his com- munity, partly beeanse of his superior edueation, he was active and influential in local polities as an ardent Democrat, helped to hold many elections, and himself served as supervisor. overseer of the poor and auditor of his township. He married Mary Erdman, who was born March 12, 1817, at twelve o'clock midnight, daughter of Jonathan Erdman, and died Sept. 12, 1904, at the same hour. Mr.' Fetter died Nov. 10, 1890, in his eighty-third year, and both are buried at Salein Church, where they and their family worshipped with the Lutheran congregation. He was a trus- tee of that ehureh at the time of his incorporation. Thirteen ehildren were born to David and Mary Fetter, as follows: Henry died voung: Elizabeth married David Ochs; Harriet married Elias Groh and (second) Jolin Kleinginni: Lydia married lives with her brother Elias: Charles died in his Andrew Mover; Catharine married Peter Lucus; thirty-second year; Elias is mentioned below :

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Sarah (deceased ) married Daniel Stitzer. The ducted. This plant is situated between the tracks parents and all their deceased children except Peter are buried at the Salem Church.

Peter Fetter, son of Daniel, was born in 1843 in Upper Mahanoy township, and like his father became a "cobbler," but he also worked in the lumber woods. During the Civil war he served as a soldier in Company A, ?th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and in the course of his army life he contracted disease from which he never re- covered, and which eventually was the indirect cause of his death. His hearing was affected, and he was killed by a fast train on the railroad above Dalmatia while walking along the track, being un- able to hear its approach. The accident happened in September, 1898, when he was fifty-five years old. He is buried at the Stone Valley (Zion's) Church in Lower Mahanoy township. He and his family were Lutherans in religion. Mr. Fetter married Annie Yeagley, who survives him, making her home at Dalmatia. The following children were born to their union: Isaac O .; Lizzie, wife of Harry Klinger and living at Tower City, Pa. ; Charles, of Tremont, Pa. ; Frank, of Sunbury, this county ; Adam, who died when four years old ; Kate; and Samnel, of Philadelphia.

'ISAAC O. FETTER, son of Peter, was born March 28, 1872, in Lower Mahanoy township, and re- Mrs. Fetter reside in the handsome home at No. ceived a common school education. When nineteen years old he went to Shainokin to learn the car- penter's trade, serving his apprenticeship with R. S. Aucker, and remained in that borough six years, in 1897 coming to Sunbury, where he has since been located. Not long after settling here he be- gan contracting and building on his own account, and has followed the business with increasing suc- cess up to the present time, being now one of the leading men in that line in the borough. He em- ploys as many as twenty-five men, and up to date has over a hundred buildings in Sunbury to his credit as a builder. Among those of his construc- tion may be mentioned the Gen. C. M. Clement residence; the Sunbury National Bank building; the First National Bank building at Herndon : the W. H. Druckenmiller residence ; the E. S. Weimer residence ; the addition to the First Evangelical Church edifice; two steel frame buildings for the Keystone Forging Company at Northumberland, one of which is 100 by 150 feet in dimensions : C. S. Miller's ice plant : the M. L. Swab residence on East Market street (which he also designed ) : the F. A. Witmer residence, in the same section, which he designed as well as erected: the F. H. Conrad residence ; and various other buildings. Except where otherwise specified, all these are in Sun- bury. In 1905, for greater convenience in the transaction of his business and carrying out his contracts, Mr. Fetter established the planing-mill and lumber yard on South Tenth street, in the In 1898 Mr. Fetter married Lovina Heim, daughter of John and Lydia (Shott) Heim. of East End of Sunbury, which he has since con-

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 3

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