Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 45

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 45

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strongest real estate concern within the limits of the Empire State, the management of which rests upon the shoulders of John E. Bastress. The light and power plant of Cambridge, Md., was built and personally owned by Mr. Bastress, who sold it

Socially Mr. Bastress belongs to the I. O. O. F.,

16. 1900, Mr. Bastress married Blanch M. Green, daughter of John Green, of Bainbridge, Lan-

Mr. Bastress has had a busy life from boyhood till now, and in whatever office, whether as tutor or student, lawyer, banker or business man, his ambitions and capabilities have assigned hini to high places.

JOHN JUNIUS REIMENSNYDER, A. M., attorney at law, Sunbury, Pa., was born in Au- gusta county, Va., June 2, 1812, son of Rev. George Henry and Christina Reimensnyder. His father, a graduate of the University of Göttingen, Germany, was a theologian and author of note. The family has been a professional and literary one for more than a century and a half. the sis- ters as well as the brothers being engaged in edu- cational work.

J. J. Reimensnyder received his education un- der the tuition of his father and at local academies. He was largely a self-made man, but went over the entire collegiate course, including the Latin. under private tutors. He was a fine German scholar, frequently acting as interpreter in the court. He was the first superintendent of public instruction in Northumberland county, laying the foundation for the system of graded schools. He served in this capacity for six years. He retired from the ministry after a service of twenty-one years because of a throat affection, He received the honorary degree of A. M. from Roanoke Col- lege. Salem, Va. He was twice nominated for Congress in his own county. He was elected pro- thonotary of Northumberland county and served two terms. During this period he was admitted

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to the practice of the law, having studied law in and the author of several books and pamphlets. his earlier years, Hon. Alexander Jordan, president His books on "Reason, History and Religion" and "Ancient History and the Chronology of the Bi- ble" liave a large circulation and are used in teacher training classes and have the indorsement of many of the best educators and professors in the church. On Sept. 2, 1873, he was married to Miss Clementine C. Creveling, of Espy, Coluni- bia Co., Pa. Five children were born to them, Anna C., Mary V., Luther M., Thomas C. and Florence I.

judge, stating that he passed the most brilliant examination of any applicant in his experience. In 1838 lie was married to Susan Margaret Bryan, daughter of Benjamin Bryan, the first captain in the war of 1812. He was the father of eight chil- dren, all of whom received a liberal education. Of the five sons two practiced law, two became ministers of the Gospel and one was a druggist. Hon. J. J. Reimensnyder died in Sunbury May 2,1899.

Cornelius Reimensnyder, the eldest son, prac- ticed law in the West.

Rev. J. B. Reimensnyder, D. D., LL. D., the second son, has been for the past twenty-six years pastor in New York City, and was this year (1911) elected president of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States at its session in Washington, D. C.

Rev. J. M. Reimensnyder, D. D., pastor of Trin- ity Lutheran Church, Milton, Pa., is the third son. He was born at Smithsburg, Washington Co., Md., Jan. 5, 1847, attended the public schools of Mil- ton, and prepared for college at the old McEwens- ville Academy. In 1870 he graduated at Pennsyl- vania College, Gettysburg, Pa., taking the full college classical coursc. He then studied the- ology, passing the best examination of his class, and was ordained in 1871. His first charge was Espy, Columbia Co., Pa. He then served as pas- tor for twelve years at Lewistown, Pa. On Sept. 2, 1911, he entered the twenty-fifth year of his present pastorate at Milton, Pa., where he is still serving one of the largest congregations in central Pennsylvania. During liis college course he was chosen orator in the great literary contest, his- torian of his class and literary society and speaker at tlie literary anniversary of the institution. He was two years president of the Pennsylvania State Sabbath School Association and seven years editor of its organ, the "Pennsylvania Sabbath School Review." He was four years chairman of the Sunday School committee of his denomination in this country. He has served for years as director of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. and frequently as delegate to the General Synod of the GOODWILL. The naine Goodwill has been closely associated with the coal and coke interests of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and Sha- mokin, Northumberland county, has been the liome of the family for many years, here dwelling the late Robert Goodwill, founder and in his life- time president of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Com- pany of West Virginia ; and his sons, Anthony G. Goodwill, now a hardware merchant at Sha- mnokin, member of the firm of Boughner. Good- will & Co .; and William F. Goodwill, who retains his mining interests. Lutheran Church .. He has served as president of each Synod of which he has been a member. He received. the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg College, in 1896. In 1908 he was se- lected by the board of directors of the Gettysburg Theological Seminary to deliver the endownient lecture on the Augsburg Confession, before the Theological Seminary. He is a prominent lecturer and speaker on many important occasions in pub- lic gatherings. For the past ten years his Sunday morning sermons have been published weekly in the local city daily and have a large circulation. Robert Goodwill was born in October, 18?7, in He is a regular contributor to Lutheran periodieals the County of Northumberland, England, son of

George B. Reimensnyder, A. M., Esq., attorney at law in Sunbury, Pa., born at Smiths- burg, Washington Co., Md., July 27, 1849, is the fourth son. He was educated in the public schools and academy of Sunbury and received the hon- orary degree of A. M. from Pennsylvania College, in 1886. He began life as an apprentice in the office of the Sunbury Democrat. In 1863 he en- tered tlie prothonotary's office at Sunbury as dep- uty clerk, retaining that position until 1870. Aft- er teaching one year he entered the office of the register and recorder, in which he was employed nine years, seven years as deputy clerk. This laid the foundation of his study of the law. He was ad- mitted to the bar Aug. 6, 1877. He rose rapidly in the practice of his profession until he reached the highest point as an able and efficient attorney, hav- ing a legal practice equal to any attorney in central Pennsylvania. He has been a member of the ex- amining committee of. the local bar association since 1881; was borough solicitor. 1888-89; is a director of the Sunbury Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and solicitor for that institution. IIe stands high in the church and is one of the most prominent laymen in his denomination. He was president of the Pennsylvania State Convention of the Young Men's Christian Association at its session in Bellefonte, in 1881. He is a direetor in the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., and associated with many other religious and benevolent organizations. On Nov. 22, 1887, he was married to Miss Clara B. Stackhouse, of Phil- adelphia. He has one daughter, Miss Lillian, born at Sunbury March 23, 1889.

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Anthony G. and Margaret ( Fleeman) Goodwill, & Coke Company. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill cele- and was tenth in their family of twelve children. brated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding July 27, 1897.

When but nine years of age he went to work in the mines, and at thirteen was mining coal. His home during the last years he spent in the old country was in Scotland. He was married in his native land, and his eldest son was born before the emi- gration to America. In May, 1852, Mr. Goodwill, with wife and son, sailed for the New World, land- ing at Philadelphia on June 30th of that year. He went to Gold Mine Gap, and was employed there three years, mining coal. From there he moved to the Shamokin coal fields, and was em- ployed at the Lancaster colliery, about three miles east of town. In 1857 he located at Trevorton,

ANTHONY G. GOODWILL, son of Robert, was born in Scotland in August, 1848, and accompanied his parents to America in 1852. He attended the public schools and was graduated from Dickinson Sentinary, at Williamsport, Pa. He was only nine years of age when he worked for a time as a slate picker. In 1869 he became a clerk for W. R. Kutzner. selling hardware and drugs, remaining in that position until 1885, when he engaged in busi- ness for himself, at No. 228 East Sunbury street, the original firm name of Boughner, Goodwill & Co. being retained to the present time. When Pa., about eight miles west of Shamokin, where the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company was incorpo- he worked both as a miner and contractor. At rated he became a member of the company, and the end of eight years, in 1865, with A. A. Heim is still interested in the mining business. He as a partner, he leased the tracts of coal lands has built up a good trade in the hardware business, three miles west of the town, tracts that were and ranks among the leading citizens of Sliamo- familiarly known as the Greenough and Bear Val- kin. In 1873 he married Regina C. Klase, of ley tracts. They operated these until Nov. 15, Ashland, Pa., daughter of. Abraham Klase, and they have one son, Robert W., of Shamokin. In his political faith Mr. Goodwill is a Republican, and in his religious faith a Methodist. Fraternally he is a Mason, being a member of Shamokin Lodge, F. & A. M. He also belongs to the B. P. O. Elks and to the Cresco Club. 1887, when they sold out to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Heim & Good- will leased the Diamond Gas & Coal Company's colliery, and the Pentecost, both at Reynoldsville, Jefferson Co., Pa., which they operated for ten years. In December, 1869, they acquired a quar- ter interest in the Monitor colliery, and in March, 1870, disposed of this interest with profit. Dur- ing 1877 Mr. Goodwill occupied the position of superintendent with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, and in 1878 he built the Carson colliery, operating it three years. after which he retired from active business. He was, however, of too. active a temperament to remain long in retirement and in 1886 he organized the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company, of Philippi, W. Va., and leased a colliery from the Blue Stone Coal Company, in connection with which he ope- rated fifty coke ovens. The first shipment of coal was made in September, 1887, and the capacity of the mines was increased to one thousand tons per day.

WILLIAM F. GOODWILL, son of Robert, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., and was educated in the publie schools and in Dickinson Seminary, Wil- liamsport, graduating from the latter in 1875, and taking a commercial course at the same institution the following year. He worked from an early age in his father's mines during the summer vacations, and after completing his business course became a bookkeeper at his father's colliery, remaining until the business was sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. For one year he was employed by L. M. Shuman & Co., gro- cers, and then became a member of the firm of Derby & Goodwill. This venture was followed by three years in the mail service, after which he was bookkeeper for J. Langdon & Co., at the Neilson colliery, Shamokin. In 1889 he became buyer for the Goodwill Coal & Coke Company, and in 1905 returned to Shamokin, where he erect- ed a comfortable home at No. 153 North Eighth street. He is still interested in the mining busi- ness, but is practically retired from an active par- ticipation in the work. In 1879 Mr. Goodwill married Ida R. Klase, of Ashland, and their chil- dren are: John J., born May 26, 1885, gradu- ated from the University of Virginia in June, 1908; and M. B., born April 13, 1893. a member

Mr. Goodwill was reared by parents who were faithful members of the Church of England, but he departed from the faith of his fathers and be- came a Methodist, being a trustee of the Metho- dist Church for fifteen years, and of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church for four years. In his political faith he was a Republican. He died Dec. 17, 1899. On July 27, 1847, he married Catherine Wake, born Dec. 28, 1827, died May 20, 1902, daughter of Philip and Margaret Wake. She is also deccased, and both she and her hus- band rest in the cemetery at Shamokin. Five of the class of 1910, Shamokin high school. Mr. children blessed their union, of whom the two Goodwill has never been an active politician, but daughters died in infancy : the sons were, Anthony G., Philip (of Bramwell, W. Va.) and William F., all of whom were members of the Goodwill Coal

was clected in 1888 to the Shamokin borough council. While in West Virginia he was notary public for Mercer county.

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WILLIAM FIELD SILAY, of Watsontown, mained three years. Soon after attaining his ma- . who as solicitor, and a former chief executive of jority he was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Watsontown, where he has ever since the borough, and in other relations, has been one of the most prominent citizens of that place, been established. He has been admitted to prac- was born at Northumberland, this county, son of tice in all the courts of the central Pennsylvania Philip and Mary E. (Wallis) Shay.

counties, as well as in the Superior court, the Su- preme court of Pennsylvania, and the United States Circuit and District courts. He became solicitor for the Central Pennsylvania & Western (Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick) Railway Company at its inception, and has held the posi- tion many years. He has been solicitor for the borough of Watsontown for many years, and also berland, Pa. Later he became connected with the for the Watsontown National Bank.

Philip Shay was born in 1813 in Pittston, Ken- nebec Co., Maine. In his early manhood he went to Baltimore, Md., to assist his brother-in-law, Abi- athar Field (formerly of Brookline, Mass.), in the establishing one of the pioneer oyster pack- ing houses there, and in the interest of this busi- ness Mr. Shay subsequently located at Northuni- packet company, in which connection he was pop- ularly known as "Captain" Shay. He finally set- tled at Muncy, Pa., where he engaged in the mer- cantile and lumber business. In 1868 he removed to Watsontown, Northumberland county, and again engaged in merchandising. He became one of the foremost men in the community, in official as well as business circles, served with credit as a member of the school board and in 1871 was elected chief burgess. He was much interested in many of the developments affecting the early growth of the borough. He was one of the cor- porators and charter members of the Watsontown Bank, was appointed by Governor Geary the first notary public of the bank and town and, at the close of his administration, was reappointed by Governor Hartranft. For eleven years he accep- tably filled the position of postmaster at Watson- town, he being the first Presidential appointee of the office, serving until his death, which occurred Feb. 2, 1885. Mr. Shay was one of the organizers and influential members of the First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown, in which he held thie of- fice of trustee for many years.

He was first married to Mary Elizabeth Wallis, daughter of Dr. Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Cow- den) Wallis, and granddaughter of Samuel Wal- lis, the noted pioneer of the West Branch Valley. surveyor and land owner, who was so important a figure in the early life of that region. By this marriage there was one son, William Field Shay. After the death of his first wife Mr. Shay married Priscilla M. Llewellyn. To them were born four children, Charles P., Edward E., Mary V. and Priscilla L. The mother died when the latter was an infant. He was married the third time to Emma J. Stoughton, and two children, Frank S. and Enima E. Montgomery, wife of James M. Montgomery, blessed their union. Frank S. Shay died in 1898.

William Field Shay received his elementary edu- cation in the public schools. He clerked for his father as a young man, and subsequently became a law student with Oscar Foust, Esq., of Watson- town (now Judge of the Allen and Woodson coun- ty, Kans., courts), under whose instruction he re-

Few citizens of Watsontown have done more for the best interests of the municipality than Mr. Shay. Its important public enterprises have had his aid in their fostering and development, not- ably the waterworks, electric light and sewer sys- tems, and educational facilities. He has served on the school board, and in that relation took the deepest interest in the cause of public education, serving as chairman of the State Association of School Directors when Supreme Justice John P. Elkin was president of that body, and succeeding him in that office in 1901. It was through his efforts that the terminus of the Central Pennsyl- vania & Western railroad (now S. B. & B. rail- road) was secured, to the town. He has been a member of the town council, and in 1906 he was honored with election to the office of chief burgess, the nomination and election coming without so- licitation on his part. His administration was progressive and effective. Mr. Shay has acquitted himself creditably in every public trust, and has justified the flattering support accorded him on every occasion when he has been a candidate for official honors. His public spirit and intelligent insight regarding the affairs of the community are best illustrated in the measures brought about through his influence. On political questions he is identified with the Republican party.

Mr. Shay has long been an active and prom- inent member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M., of which he has been Worshipful Master, served as secretary for a long period, and is still acting as treasurer, an office he lias held for years ; he is Past High Priest of Warrior Run Chapter. No. 246, R. A. M., of Watsontown, has been sec- retary of that body and is now serving under his twelfth annual appointment as the Deputy to the Grand High Priest in the Eighth capitular district, which comprises the counties of North- umberland, Montour, Columbia, Union and Suy- der. He is also a member of the Council, and the Commandery : the A. A. S. R. and the Shrine, and has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Grand Lodge and of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania.

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For a number of years Mr. Shay has been a tive land, he sent his son James out to look after member of the Board of Trustees of the State the estate. Hospital for the Insane at Danville and is now James Dougal, son of James and Mary Dougal, mittee of legislation he has done efficient work in the securing of large appropriations for the improvement of the institution, now having the care of over sixteen hundred patients, it being the second largest in the State.

He has been foremost in the general State move- ment for good roads, advocating the log drag gen- erally for dirt roads, and the building of the more substantial highways between all the towns and other main points. As solicitor for Delaware township he secured the two roads at the north and south of Watsontown, and has been consulted and has received departmental approvement of lo- cal roads of great moment for the locality in the bill just passed, contemplating the taking over of all the roads under the care and management of the State Highway Department.

President of that body. As chairman of the com- was born June 4, 1769, at Londonderry, Ireland, and was a young man when sent by his father to look after his property in America. The ves- sel on which he made the voyage was wrecked off the coast of Delaware, James Dougal and a man who later lived at Muncy, Pa., being the only two passengers who were saved. Young Dou- gal was robbed of all his money and other valu- ables and lett stranded among strangers. But he was a young man of fine personality, and being able to speak French was given a position as tutor to the son of a man whom he met, being thus engaged until he earned enough money to take him back to his native land. After finishing his literary and professional training, graduating from the College of Surgeons at Edinburgh, Scotland, he settled in Cookstown, County Tyronc, Ireland, and began the practice of medicine. He mar- ried, and his two children were born there. But he became involved in the political uprising led by Emmet, his friend, and when Emmet was cap- tured he escaped in disguise to the United States, leaving his native land with a price on his head. Being a friend of the well known Dr. Priestley, who was then located at Northumberland, Pa., he went to him for advice, on the strength of which he settled at Milton. As previously mentioned, he was the first physician to settle there, and his success was immediate and lasting, He soon (1803) erceted the stone mansion at Front and Mahoning streets which remained in the -family for one hundred years (being now occupied by Dr. E. L. Keiser), and continued in active prac- tice until his death, July 18, 1818, caused by a fall from his horse. His practice extended over a large part of the territory now embraced in the counties of Northumberland, Montour. Colum- bia, Lycoming, Union and Clinton, and he was naturally one of the most widely known men in his section of the State in that day, his broad mind and energetic personality winning him the friendship and esteem of the forceful characters of the day. He retained his patriotic spirit and impulses to the end of his days, and during the war of 1812 sent his son James into the ranks of the American army to fight for the liberty so dear to all of this name.

With all his interests, involving much work and requiring much time for their successful contin- uation, Mr. Shay has found time for enjoyment of literature and for researches into local historical matters, in which line he has found pleasure and recreation, though his labors have been serious enough to command recognition, a number of lead- ing articles from his pen having found their way into print. He has compiled and contributed much historical data which will be useful for future reference, and is regarded as an authority in the lines which he has followed.

Mr. Shay has been happily married to Mary Alice Hower, only daughter of the late Hon. Charles Hower, of Selinsgrove, Pa., who was a leading member of the bar in Snyder county. Mr. and Mrs. Shay are members of the First Pres- byterian Church of Watsontown, and occupy a comfortable home in the beautiful Main street in Watsontown.

JAMES STARRETT DOUGAL, M. D., of Milton, Northumberland county, is a member of the Dongal family which has had a representative of the medical profession there ever since the time of his great-grandfather, Dr. James Dougal, who was the first physician to locate permanently at that point. As a family of physicians the Dougals are known all over the State of Pennsylvania. their personal and professional worth having won them unquestioned standing, maintained without interruption or diminution during the century and more of their residence here.

On Oct. 14. 1793. Dr. Dougal had married Jane Starrett. like himself a native of Ireland, and they had two children. James and Margaret, both born at Cookstown. Ireland, His wife and children followed him to America a few years after his escape.

The Dougal family is of Scotch-Irish origin and has a history well worth recording. The first of whom we have definite record is one James Dr. James S. Dougal. son of Dr. James and Jane (Starrett) Dougal, was born Oct. 2. 1794, at Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and was Dougal, who came to this country from Cooks- town, Ireland, and took up a large tract of land in the Cumberland Valley. Returning to his na- reared at Milton, Pa., where he attended school

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and also received private tuition under , Rev. Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was a Re- Thomas Hood. He read medicine with his father, publican. and graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1817. When his father died, the following year, he succeeded to the extensive

By his first marriage, to Sarah Clingan, of Union county, Pa., Captain Dougal had one daugh- ter, Sarah, who is the wife of William C. Lawson, practice and continued actively engaged in the Jr., of Milton. His second wife, Agnes (McCor- duties of his profession for fifty-eight years, dying mick), daughter of Robert and Eliza (Montgom- May 23, 1878, in his eighty-fourth year. His ery) McCormick, of Milton, was a descendant of reputation and patronage were widespread. In two well known families of the West Branch Val- politics he was originally a Democrat, later join- ing the Republicans, and as previously mentioned he served when but a youth in the war of 1812.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 45

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