Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 33

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 33

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During the administration of the new partner's employer, the establishment had been known for its excellent facilities, its reliability and complete line of stock. However, it was only a short time before the new manager made decided improve- ments. A heavier and more complete stock of im- ported and domestic wines, gins, brandies, cordials, straight and blended whiskies, etc., was secured, and the facilities were made the very best, enabling the firm to supply the constantly and rapidly growing trade in the largest quantities on the shortest notice, and to quote prices and terms which made it possible for Mr. Zimmerman to canvass this section of the State and vie with the largest and best lionses in Pennsylvania with his stock of goods. The trade now extends over a radius of one hundred miles from Shamokin, covering all the territory in this section of the State. The house has been so long established, and the firm name so well known, that its repu- tation as to reliability, to the age, value and qual- ity of its supplies to-day is accepted without ques- tion by many who have dealt with the establish- ment for years. In this State the house has a reputation second to none.

KETNER. The records of Zion's Kirche (the Red Church). in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, one and a half miles southwest of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, tell of the firing, in 1755, by the Indians, of the first log church just completed by the settlers, the massacring of the people and the laying of their homes in ashes. Those who could escape, among them Henrich Adam Ketner and his wife Katharine, who came there in 1755, fled across the Blue mountains into Berks county ; subsequently returning with others, they built the church and reestablished their homes. It was at this date that a frightful massacre occurred at the site of what is now Or- wigsburg. The old Red church, near Orwigsburg, was built in 1754, and has since been rebuilt four different tinies.

John D. Ketner, a moderately wealthy resident of Pueblo, Colo., is a descendant of these pioneers. One of his sons, William H. Ketner. resides in Shamokin. Pa. The son of the latter, John H. Ketner, is at present employed in the capacity of city editor of the Shamokin Dispatch. An- other son, Clyde F. Ketner, is doing reportorial work on the Shamokin News. Both are graduates of the Shamokin high school, the former leaving that institution in 1909 and the latter in 1911. Mrs. W. H. Ketner is a sister to Frank Zimmer- man of the firm of Feldhoff & Zinunerman, Sha- mokin, Pennsylvania.

Several years ago Mr. Zimmerman's business in- These are the only Ketners in Shamokin, with the exception of a Robert Ketner, a distant rela- tion, who lives with a Van Ormer family, at the corner of Chestnut and Market streets. and Mrs. C. C. Leader, whose maiden name was Ketner and who is a relative of W. H. Ketner. Miss Carrie Ketner, sister of Mrs. C. C. Leader, resides at Mount Carmel. Other Ketners are scattered thoughout Schuylkill and Berks counties, a num- ber of them being located in Reading, Pottsville, Orwigsburg, Hamburg, Auburn, Pinedale and oth- stinet made him realize that the quarters occupied for so many years by the firmi, the site of the present federal building, were inadequate to meet the growing demands of the business. He accord- ingly negotiated a deal whereby hie purchased tlie large three-story brick. browustone front building and other valuable property. Here it was possi- ble to carry out more thorough ideas, to modern- ize and greatly increase the business. The brown- stone front building is located at No. 326 East Sunbury street, and, as well as being one of the er places. Several are owners of industrial plants.

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The original home of W. H. Ketner and family for his courtesy and attention while filling this is at Auburn, Schuylkill county, from which place they came to Shamokin about 1896. position, presented him, Nov. 27, 1875, an elegant gold watch as a testimonial of their regard. Mr. HARRY LANDAU, who has been superintend- ent of the Sunbury Water Company since 1909, is a native and lifelong resident of that borough. He was born Dec. 12. 1870, son of John P. Lan- dau, and grandson of Jolin Landau. His father, a contracting bricklayer of Sunbury, is fully men- tioned elsewhere in this work. Shuster became a resident of Northumberland county in 1869, locating at Mount Carmel. In 1876 he resigned his position with the Northern Central Railway Company, removed to Shamokin, and purchased an interest in the mercantile busi- ness of J. M. Shuman & Company. He is now en- gaged as special agent of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J. He lias been a warm friend to the cause of education, which he has aided by his influence and means, and served as a member of the school board eight years, being president of the same in 1888. In 1881 he served as councilman of Shamokin bor- ough, and in 1903 he was elected chief burgess, be- ing honored with reelection in 1904 and 1905. In politics he is a Republican. In his religious prefer- ences he is a Presbyterian, he and his family at- tending the church of that denomination; Mr. Shuster organized the choir and served as chor- ister a number of years. Socially he is connected with the P. O. S. of A. and the B. P. O. Elks. He is interested in the Hamilton Car and Wheel Man- ufacturing Company of Catawissa, Pa., and is one of the directors of the same.

Harry Landau was educated in the public schools of Sunbury, graduating from the high school in 1888. The following year he became chief clerk for the Sunbury Water Company, with which concern he has since been identified, in 1909 being made superintendent. Mr. Landau is a cit- izen of recognized ability and trustworthiness, and the confidence of his fellow citizens has been shown in his selection as city clerk, in which capacity he has served Sunbury for a period of six years.

Mr. Landau married Gertrude L. Hard, daugh- ter of Dr. Hard, of Sunbury, and they have one son, James Hard.

Socially Mr. Landau is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, which he is serving as trustee and secretary, and he is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. On political questions he is a Republican. He holds membership in Zi- on's Lutheran Church, and has been active in its work as a teacher in the Sunday school.

DAVID E. SHUSTER, business man and for- mer chief burgess of Shamokin, was born in Hum- melstown, Dauphin Co. Pa., Dec. 21, 1845, son of Dr. John A. and Mary A. (Brefore) Shuster. His parents were natives of Germany and France, re- spectively.

In 1876 Mr. Shuster married Kate Weaver, who was born Oct. 13, 1850, died Nov. 30. 1904. By this union there were two children, William W. and Lulu B. The latter married John F. Oram, an attorney, and they have children, Louise, John and James.

William W. Shuster, son of David E. Shuster, was born Dec. 23, 1882. He received his educa- tion in the Shamokin public schools, graduating in 1901, after which he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railway Company in the motive power department, at Sunbury. After fifteen months' service he resigned said position, in Sep- tember, 1902, to enter Lafayette College, at East- on, Pa., where he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of civil engineer. Then he again entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Com- pany, July 5. 1906, as rodman in the assistant en- gineer's office on the Sunbury division, being lo- cated in Sunbury. He was transferred Nov. 1, 1909. to the Renova division, in the division en- gineer's office, at Renova, and having served ten months in this office was transferred to the prin- cipal assistant engineer's office, of the Erie Grand division, located at Williamsport, Pa. On March 15, 1911. he was promoted to transitman at Phil- adelphia, in the office of the engineer of mainte- nance of way.

When Mr. Shuster was seven years old his par- ents removed to Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., where he was reared, securing such education as the schools of the village afforded. Contrary to the wishes of his parents, who desired to educate him for the medical profession, he apprenticed himself to his uncle, Jolin Preston, to learn the trade of shoemaker, and completed liis trade with H. F. Snyder, at Newville, Pa. In 1863 he went to Harrisburg, where he entered the employ of George M. Groff, continuing to work at his trade until 1869, in which year he entered the employ of the Northern Central Railway Company, fill- ing the position of passenger brakeman between Harrisburg and Sunbury. He was shortly trans- ferred to the Shamokin Valley & Pottsville di- vision, and promoted to baggage and express agent, which position he filled until 1871, when he was promoted to passenger conductor upon the same THOMAS LEMON, one of the first settlers in Point township and one of the first justices com- division. This position he filled with credit to himself, making hosts of friends among the trav- missioned for Northumberland county, was born eling people, who, as a mark of their appreciation on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were en

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route from Scotland to America, two weeks be- and served as delegate to a number of State con- fore they landed. They settled at Winchester, Va. They reared two sons, Robert and Thomas.

Thomas Lemon married Margaret Haugh, of Laneaster, Pa., daughter of Matthias and Mary Hangh, who in 1769 deeded a large traet of land in the North Branel valley to Thomas and Mar- garet Lemon. They settled near that river about five miles above Northumberland, in and around which borough are found a number of their de- scendants. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Joseph Engle, of Philadelphia.' Three of the sons removed to the Genesee valley, in New York, and John, the only one who remained in this county, beeame the owner of the parental estate in Point town- ship, his home being on the site of Cameron sta- tion. He married Rachel Fleming, daughter of George and Martha Fleming, of Middletown, Pa., and his death occurred in 1840. His children were: Pierce, Thomas, James, William, Martha, Rachel, Rebeeca and Margaret. Of these, Martha was twiee married, first to William Cooke, son of the first sheriff of Northumberland county; and after his death to Jesse C. Horton, well known as _ber of the board of school directors since 1906. a stage proprietor and for some time prominent in the polities of the county.

MONTGOMERY. Robert Montgomery, the pro- genitor of a numerous and respected family of the northern part of Northumberland county, lived in Paradise Valley, and the stone residenee he built on his homestead plaee there in 1799 is still standing, in a good state of preservation, and now tenanted by the sixth sueeessive generation of Montgomerys. The walls are eighteen inches thiek. The original Montgomery traet, taken up by his father, John Montgomery, consisted of 900 acres, and belonged formerly to an Indian reservation. John died July 26, 1792, aged fifty-eight years. Of Robert's children, we have record of John and David, the former having been the father of the late Robert Montgomery, who died June 18, 1892, while serving as sheriff of Northumberland county.

Robert Montgomery was born June 1, 1830, on the old homestead of the family in Lewis town- ship. He was educated partly in the local schools, later attending the Tuscarora school, in Juniata county, and still later the military sehool at Har- risburg, receiving a liberal training. Returning to the farm, he followed agricultural work all his life, and owned the homestead, which now contains some eighty aeres. The stone house previously mentioned stands on this tract.

ventions. In religion he was a Presbyterian and attended Warrior Run Chureh. He is buried at. MeEwensville. His wife, Elizabeth Vincent, born Sept. 17, 1833, was a daughter of Isaae Vincent, of near Watsontown, who owned and operated the Vineent Mills (now Pioneer Mills) near Watson- town. Mrs. Montgomery died in July (the 17th or ?2d), 1902, aged sixty-nine years. She was the mother of three children, Jolin, Grace (married Robert MeKee, and they live in Delaware township, near Dewart ) and Harry B.

Harry B. Montgomery, born Jan. 12, 1863, on. the homestead, was married in 1888 to Nettie L. Pardo, daughter of Frank and Margaret ( Rissel) Pardo, of Chillisquaqne township. She died in February, 1910, aged . seventy-two years. Mr. Montgomery is a farmer on the homestead. which property he and his brother John own. . His fam- ily consisted of six children: Margaret, Robert (died young), Elizabeth, Rebecca, Grace and Don- ald. Mr. Montgomery and his family are Presby- terians in religious faith. He served several terms as auditor of Lewis township and has been a mem-

John Montgomery, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Vineent) Montgomery, is a farmer of Lewis town- ship. He was born on the homestead March 24, 1855, and like his brother Harry had the advan- tages of an academic edueation. For six years he taught school in Lewis township. He was deputy sheriff for four and one-half years, two years under his father; was deputy warden at the Sunbury jail for three successive years, and has since served as such off and on for several years. . He has been assessor of Lewis township since 1906. He is one of the active and representative Democrats of the upper end of the county, popular in his loeality, and frequently mentioned for public office. He is a member of the State Grange.

David Montgomery, another son of Robert ( who built the old stone house on the Montgomery homestead), lived in Paradise Valley, Lewis town- ship, and was a farmer by occupation. His wife was Agnes Shaw, and their children were: Da- vid B., who became a prominent public man ; John G., Esq., of Danville; Pa., who was a prom- inent Demoerat and was elected to Congress but never served, having been one of several who were poisoned while attending the inauguration of Pres- ident James Buchanan : William Shaw : Caroline, Mrs. Edward Lyon ; Margaret, Mrs. Robert Mont- gomery (she married a cousin) ; Nancy, Mrs. Jo- seph Nesbit ; and Mrs. Robert McCormick.

. Mr. Montgomery was a member of the State Legislature from 1810-1872, and was sehool direct- William Shaw Montgomery was born in 1809 on the homestead and he died in Milton in 1882, in or of Lewis township for thirty years. In faet, he was the foremost man of his distriet. In 1890 his seventy-fourth year. He is buried in the upper he was elected sheriff of the county, holding the cemetery at Milton. His wife was Jane S. Correll office until his death. He was an active politician. (or Caldwell), born 1808, died 1896. They were

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

farming people, and he was a prominent man in Thomas; Amelia, who married John Cooper; and his locality. He had considerable valuable land, one that died in infancy. which he superintended. His home was in Lewis stownship. His children were: David C. lived in Minnesota several years and later in Colorado, where he died; Margaret married Capt. James A. Brison ; Robert C. is mentioned below ; Oliver P., born in 1839, lived on the homestead and there died in 1880; Edward is a resident of Grand Rap- ids, Michigan.

Robert C. Montgomery, of MeEwensville bor- ough, was born Dec. 24, 1836, and was educated in McEwensville Academy. He was a farmer in his active years, and for thirty years lived on a 100-acre farm one and one-half miles from Mc- Ewensville, in Lewis township. He has another Daniel Eisenhart, son of Jonas and Polly, was born at Leck Kill Sept. 6, 1830, and died in Sham- traet, where he now lives, of the same acreage, and there is no better land in the county. He is a okin Jan. 13, 1906. He was engaged in the mer- Republican ; was school director. He and family cantile business at Leck Kill with his father-in- :are Presbyterians; was trustee.

Mr. Montgomery married Mary Lowry, daugh- ter of Samuel and Helen ( Cole) Lowry, and they have had six children : William, who i .deceased; Helen, who married George Marr .and lives at Swarthmore, Philadelphia; Low- ty. During the three years he held that office he rie, of Philadelphia, an attorney; Fannie, a school teacher, who has taught in the high school of Bryan, Ohio, for five years ; Jennie, who is at home, and Margaret B., at home.

JOHN H. EISENHART, a well known mer- .chant of Shamokin, Pa., has long been a factor in the commercial world, and before entering busi- ness on his own account had a long experience in the line in which he has inade so distinet a sue- cess, Mr. Eisenhart was born in Snyder county, Pa., Oct. 18, 1869, son of Daniel Eisenhart.

Jonas Eisenhart, grandfather of John H., was born in Berks county, Pa:, and there followed farming until about 1800, when lie came to North- umberland county, settling at Leek Kill. From there he moved to Snyder county, Pa., where he also engaged in farming. There his children grew up. He made his home at Port Treverton, along the river, and there he died in 1883. He is buried :at Leck Kill." He married Polly Geist, daughter of Andrew and Christina ( Snyder) Geist, and she died at Leck Kill, and is buried there. They had sixteen children, namely: William, who died in Jefferson county : Daniel: John, who died in Ne- braska : Jonas, who died in Central America; Ga- briel, who died in Snyder county, Pa. ; Emanuel, living in Philadelphia : Lewis, who died in Sham- okin : Edward, who died young : Lucina, who mar- ried Jacob Shankweiler, and died at Shamokin ; Sarah, Mrs. Starr, who died near Leck Kill; Car- oline, who married John Erster; Mary, who mar- ried John Diehl. and died in Indiana; Harriet, Mrs. Snyder; Catharine, who married Daniel

Jonas Eisenhart had two brothers, Stephen and Reuben, who both died in Shamokin. Andrew Geist and wife, Christina Snyder, parents of Mrs. Jonas Eisenhart, had children as follows: John, George, Andrew, Daniel, Josiah, Peter, Abraham, Elizabethi (married Isaac Sheaffer), Christina (married Paul Gerhart), Susan ( married Fred- eriek Kohler), Lydia (married Mr. Bixler), Polly (married Jonas Eisenhart ), Sallie (married Sol- omon Falck), Rebecca M. (married Solomon Shankweiler) and Molly (married Joseph Feger). Mr. Geist reared his family at Greenbrier, North- umberland county, where he lived and died.

law, Peter Beisel, their successor being D. S. Leit- zel. When Mr. Eisenhart moved to Snyder eoun- ty he bouglit out John Diehl, in Washington town- ship, and was engaged in business there until 1876, when he was elected sheriff of Snyder coun- lived at Middleburg. During his ineumbency the murderers of Mr. Kintzler were apprehended and convieted. Mr. Eisenhart eame to Shamokin Jan. 1, 1879, and engaged in business with his son, R. G. Eisenhart, under the firm name of D. & R. G. Eisenhart. This association continued until 1882, when he sold out to Haas & Sowers and re- tired from active work. He was a director of the National Bank of Shamokin; of the Shamokin Street Railroad Company ; of the Shamokin Light, Heat & Power Company (of which he was one of the organizers) ; and he was a member of the build- ing committee in charge of the erection of the.pres- ent St. John's Reformed Church building. He was made a Mason in Selinsgrove Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. Eisenhart's wife was, in her maidenhood, Sar- ah Beisel, born Feb. 17, 1830, died Dec. 31, 1887, daughter of Peter Beisel. Mr. Eisenhart and his wife are buried in Shamokin cemetery. Their children were: R. G .; Amelia. who married N. C. Wolverton, deceased, and resides at Shamokin : Emma C .. who married B. P. Stroub, and lives in Snyder county : Alice, who married G. M. Shindel, prothonotary of Snyder county ; Ella: Martha J., who married J. A. Wert, a merchant at Shamokin ; and John H.

John H. Eisenhart was born Oct. 18, 1869, in Snyder county, and came to Shamokin with his father. He attended the local schools, and in 1887 he became a clerk for his brother-in-law, J. A. Wert, with whom he remained until 1893. From that time until 1899 he was engaged in the book and stationery business at Shamokin on his own account, and at the end of that time returned

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to his brother-in-law's store, remaining until 1904. Rosetta, deceased; and Solomon, a resident of He then bought out his sister, Mrs. Wolverton, at Sunbury.

Spruce and Market streets, and he has sinee eon- ducted a general grocery, having an old established stand, and doing a large business. He is also engaged in job printing. Mr. Eisenhart is one of the rising young business men of the town, and is very popular with a large circle of friends.

In 1895 Mr. Eisenhart married Elsie M. Rupp, daughter of Jonathan Rupp. She was born at Mount Carmel. One son. Leon D., has blessed this union. Socially Mr. Eisenhart is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, the K. of P. and the Modern Woodmen. His religious eonneetion is with St. the homestead and resumed farming, remaining John's Reformed Church.

JOHN A. WEAVER. of Shamokin, distribut- ing agent for the E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Pow- der Company, which has two magazines in this loeality, one at Paxinos, Northumberland county, and one at Alaska, Northumberland county, has been connected with this line of business for twen- ty-five years. He has long been one of the fore- most citizens of the borough of Shamokin, having served two terms as chief burgess, and as some not- able improvements in the management of munici- pal affairs were inangurated under his regime he may be said to have made a permanent impression on the life of the plaee.

The Weaver family is an old one in Northum- berland eounty, having been founded here by Mr. Weaver's great-grandfather, Michael Weaver (the name was originally spelled Weber), a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Ameriea about 1769. He first located in Brecknoek town- ship, Laneaster Co., Pa., later in Berks county, and in 1770 in Northumberland county, near Liberty Pole, Rush township, upon land subsequently owned by the heirs of Peter Hughawaut. There he died in 1834 and was buried upon the farm. He was a taxable in Shamokin township in 1788. He joined the American army during the Revolution, in which he served seven years under Washington. He married before coming to this country, and was the father of thirteen children. X

William M. Weaver, son of Martin, was con- sidered the best known citizen of Northumber- land county in his day, and in his death this sec- tion lost a valuable man. He was born in Sham- okin township Ang. 30, 1816, was reared npon the homestead farm, and spent his early life in agri- cultural work. He also learned harnessmaking, which he followed for some time. In 1837, as- soeiated with his brother-in-law, he engaged in the mercantile business at Snydertown, Pa., eontinu- ing in that line until 1841, when he returned to there until 1844. In 1845, removing to what was then the village of Shamokin, he leased the "Sham- okin Hotel," later known as the "United States Hotel" and the "Hotel Vanderbilt," now the "Graeinar," and conducted that house for five years. He then purchased what was known as "Weaver's National Hotel," being its proprietor from 1851 until his election to the office of sheriff, in 1863. After serving his term of three years he resumed the hotel business, in the spring of 1867, continuing it until he was again elected sheriff, in 1878. Upon the expiration of his see- ond term he again took charge of his hotel, eon- ducting it until 1886, after which he lived in re- tirement until his death, which occurred in De- eember, 1896, at his home in Shamokin, on the corner of Pearl and Commeree streets.

Mr. Weaver was one of the oldest residents of Shamokin, and he took an intelligent interest in promoting the development and prosperity of the eity throughout his active career. In 1858. in as- soeiation with C. P. Helfenstein and William H. Marshall, he undertook a work for which he will be remembered with gratitude by many, assuming a large amount of unpaid inortgages which were upon nearly all the homes in different parts of the borough and preventing many foreclosures, thus obviating considerable loss and distress. He was. one of the organizers of the Northumberland County Bank, and interested in various other en- terprises of loeal importance, among them the purchase and laying out of the Shamokin cemc- tery. In politics he was always identified with the Democratic party. He was a Mason in fra- ternal connection, belonging to Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M.

Martin Weaver, fourth son of Michael, was born in 1770 in Rush township, and died in 1844. He was a farmer by occupation, and also engaged in , the hotel business, being for many years propri- etor of one of the old-time taverns in Shamokin township, situated eight miles east of Sunbury. On Aug. 26, 1843, Mr. Weaver married Lydia Smith, who was born April 15, 1823, in Shamo- kin township, daughter of John Smith, of Snyder- town, Pa., and she died in Shamokin. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are buried in the Shamokin ceme- tery. They were the parents of six children : Mary E. ; Martin, deecased : Catharine E., born Oct. 13, 1850, who married David E. Shuster (ex-burgess. of Shamokin, where he still resides) and died Nov. He was twiee married. first to a Miss Hirsh, of Rush township, by whom he had three children : Joseph, who died in Shamokin : Catharine, widow of Enoeh Howell : and Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Yarnel (both are deeeased). There were five children born to his second marriage. to Catharine (Lodsleger?) : Mary, who married Daniel Evert and is deceased ; Rebecca, who mar- ried Daniel Rote and is deceased; William M .; 30, 1904; John A .; Clara J., widow of Frank

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 33

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