Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 46

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 46

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ley. Seven children were born to the second union : James, Robert, William, Eliza, Charles, Agnes and Margaret.

On July 2, 1818, Dr. Dougal married Sarah Charles Hammond Dougal, M. D., son of Dr. James S. Dougal and brother of Capt. William P. Dougal. was born Sept. 20, 1838, in Milton, where he received a good preliminary education in the common schools. He then took a course at Princeton, graduating from that college in the spring of 1859, after which he began to read medicine in his father's office. His professional Pollock, who was born July 16, 1799, daughter of William Pollock and a sister of the late ex- Governor Pollock. and she died April 1, 1873. They had a family of eight children: James, a physician who died at Milton Feb. 20, 1847; William P .: Sarah Jane, widow of James Gilmour . and living in Milton: Mary Lou- isa, wife of R. H. Duncan, 'of Washington, D. studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the

C .; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of Hor- ace A. Beale, of Chester county, Pa. : Margaret P .; Charles Hammond ; and Elizabeth E., wife of Robert Bailey, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Civil war, as he entered the Union service in 1861 under General Stoneman, as a medical cadet. He was captured July 1, 1863, and taken to Libby prison, being held there five weeks. At the end

Capt. William P. Dougal, second son of Dr. of that time he was exchanged and assigned to James S. Dougal, was born Dec. 28, 1823, in the duty at Eckington Hospital, near Washington, D. stone mansion built by his grandfather. He at- C., where he remained until the following Sep- tended the old Milton Academy, and became a tember.

prosperous farmer, settling in Union county, Pa., when a young man, and there engaging in agri- cultural pursuits until 1860. At the breaking out of the Civil war he gave his active support to the Union cause, and on Sept. 4, 1862, was com- missioned first lieutenant of Company D, 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers, better known as the Bucktail Regiment, and celebrated as one of the fighting regiments of the Army of the Potomac. He had recruited his company in Union county, Pa., where he had his home at the time. The command was sent to the front at once, and did 'notable service, in which he bore his full share. He was promoted to captain July 1, 1863, on the field at Gettysburg, where he received injuries so severe as to necessitate his retirement, and he received his discharge Feb. 1, 1864. He became a member of the firm of Murray, Dougal & Co., which was organized that year and established the G. A. R. and in the Masonic fraternity.

Milton Car Works, with which he was actively identified until the year 1878, when he withdrew from the firm. He lived retired thereafter until his death, July 8, 1890. He always took a deep interest in the advancement and betterment of the boroughi and was instrumental in promoting the success of other enterprises besides his main re- of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Returning to Milton at the close of his army service, Dr. Dougal resumed his medical studies, entered the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in March, 1864. He at once entered upon practice at Milton, building up a large pat- ronage, and finding himself with the ability and inclination to do as his father and grandfather before him had done, to win and hold the confi- dence and esteem of the entire community. Such a record of usefulness and service, of well sus- tained personal and intellectual standards, is held by few families. Though a busy man he found time to serve the borough in various public capac- ities, as member of the school board, member of the town council (for three terms) and chief bur- gess. In politics he was a Republican. on na- tional questions. He was a Presbyterian in church connection and socially held membership in the

Dr. Dougal married, Jan. 4. 1866, Annie M. Oakes, daughter of Samuel Oakes, of Montour county, Pa., and they had two children, Charles (who died young) and James Starrett. Mrs. Dougal died March 26, 1873, and on March 19, 1891, the Doctor married (second) Emma Clinger,

James Starrett Dougal, son of Charles Ham-

sponsibility : he was a director of the Milton Na- tional Bank. His many friends in Milton felt mond Dougal, was born in Milton Feb. 1, 1871. that the place lost one of its best citizens in his He received his early education there in the pub- decease. He and his family were members of the lic schools, graduating from the high school in

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1889, after which he entered his father's office John II. and Charles K. Eagle are looked upon and read medicine for three years. His formal as benefactors to this borough. They are both well known and genuinely liked. The mills are preparation -was made in the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated in 1893, now managed by Mr. James C. Brown, sketch since which time he has been engaged in success- of whom follows. ful practice at Milton, keeping up the traditions of the family in every relation of life. His lo- JAMES C. BROWN, general superintendent cation is at No. 146 Sonth Front street. It is of the Eagle Silk Mills, is a native of Scot-

sufficient to say that he enjoys the patronage and rank which the Dougals have been accorded for generations. He is a member of the Lycoming County Medical Society and of the State Medical Association. Fraternally he is well known, being a charter member of Milton Lodge, No. 913, B. P. O. Elks, 'and a member of Milton Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politi- cal sentiment.

In 1900 Dr. Dongal was united in marriage with Mary Emma Johnson, daughter of M. P. and Ann Johnson, of Milton, Northumberland county.

EAGLE. The name of Eagle is synonymous with progress and prosperity in Shamokin, and the Eagle Silk Mills, owned by John H. and Charles K. Eagle, have a reputation that extends the length and breadth of the land. To the city of Shamokin the mills are most important. They have proved of inestimable value to the com- munity, affording employment to more than six hundred operatives.

The history of the Eagle Mills reads like a ro- mance. Mill No. 1 was erected at Edgewood by Shamokin capitalists, and was operated with such indifferent success, closely bordering on failure, that in 1896 Mr: John H. Eagle, then a New York banker, was obliged to take the mill to save himself from financial loss. Mr. Charles K. Eagle, also of New York, came to Shamokin to assume personal management and his executive ability soon changed the balance to the proper side of the ledger, and spread the fame of the mills from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Many extensions and additions were made in the Edgewood mill; in 1898 the Trevorton mill, employing 125 hands, was started, and since then the Rock street mill- modern in every respect-has been built. The last named mill is the best equipped of its kind in the country. It is a three-story brick structure, fireproof, run entirely by electricity, each looni having its individual motor, while the ventilation is perfected by a blower and humidifier which 'change the entire cubic contents of the building

every fifteen minutes. The rise of the firm has been rapid. A wholesale house has been estab- lished in New York. When the Messrs. Eagle took the mills it was thought that local capital- ists were fortunate in getting rid of such prop- erty, but the outcome, has proved what close ap- plication of brain and energy can do, and both

land, born at Glasgow Oct. 25, 1870. He was brought to America by his parents in his child- hood, and was but thirteen when he began work- ing in the silk mills at Paterson, N. J., as bob- bin boy, for $2.50 a week. He applied himself diligently to his task, and with the untiring perse- verance and thoroughness of the true Scot learned all branches of the silk manufacturing business. His reputation spread and in 1904 he came to Shamokin from Phillipsburg, N. J., to take charge of the mills for J. H. & C. K. Eagle. Not only has he a thorough understanding of the manufac- turing end of the business, but he has superior executive and business ability, and the mills have prospered under his wise administration.

Mr. Brown is a Mason of high degree, belong- ing to Delaware Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., of Phillipsburg, N. J., of which he is past master ; Eagle Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M., of Phillips- burg; Shamokin Commandery, No. 77, K. T .; Williamsport Consistory, thirty-second degree ; Ra- jah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading; and the Temple Club. He also belongs to Lodge No. 355, B. P. O. E. He has a beautiful home at Edgewood.

PROF. SAMUEL B. KNISS, an educator of long experience now engaged in teaching at Hern- don, Northumberland county, is an influential citizen of that conimunity, justice of the peace, active in church work, and interested in all things that concern the good of the people generally. He was born Sept. 22, 1852, in Upper Augusta township, this county, son of Peter Kniss and grandson of Michael Kniss.

. Michael Kniss, the grandfather, lived near Sun- bury, in Upper Augusta township, where he fol- lowed farming. He died at the age of eighty- two years, and is buried at Lantz's Church. To him and his wife Juliana were born : Peter, John, Harry, Samuel, and two daughters.

Peter Kniss, son of Michael, was born Dec. 8, 1818, in Lower Mahanoy township. this county, and when a young man settled in Jackson town- ship, where he passed the remainder of his long life. His death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1898, was sudden, being cansed by a railroad accident at Shamokin, this county. On Sept. 12, 1847, Mr. Kniss married Lucy Ann Batdorf, daughter of John and Mary Batdorf, and she survives him, being now (1911) in her ninetieth year. She makes her home with her daughter Mrs, Erdman. Four

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children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kniss: Hattie, now the wife of Rev. F. E. Erdman, of Locust Gap, this county, and is buried at Shamo- Reading, Pa .; Franklin, who died young; Sam- uel B .; and Willie, who died young. kin. They were the parents of eleven sons, only three of whom grew to manhood, namely: John, who is living in Shamokin; Edward; and George, who lives at Mount Carmel, this county.

Samuel B. Kniss was reared to farm lite, which he followed until eighteen years old. at that time taking up the trade of painter and paper hanger. He has continued to do such work at times ever since, but for many years he has been well known as a teacher in this vicinity, having begun teach- ing in 1871 in Jackson township. Up to the present time he has taught thirty-two terms, all in the one township, Herndon borough, where he is now engaged, being located in that township. moving to Herndon, Northumberland county,. In 1890 he obtained his professional certificate, and in 1895 was granted a State teacher's per- manent certificate.

Mr. Kniss has the confidence of his fellow citi- zens, and has long served them in public capac- ities, having been assessor of Jackson township for fourteen successive years, and he is now fill- ing his second term as justice of the peace of Herndon borough. He is agent for a number of fire insurance companies and has donc consid- erable business in that line.

On Oct. 18, 1877, Professor Kniss married he went to Shamokin, where he continued at the Mary A. Albert, daughter of John and Amelia same kind of work, following mining for about thirty-five years in all, at different collieries, until his retirement therefrom in 1900. After that he- was engaged for five years at the Luke Fidler colliery, as machinist, and he was afterward em- C. (Stroh) Albert, and to them have been born five children : Charles S., Arthur E., Myrtle V., Clarence A. and Lester C. Professor Kniss and his family are active in the work of the United Evangelical Church at Herndon, and he is one ploved in Coal township. He was a very active of the pillars of the church, which he is serving in several official capacities, as trustee, steward and class leader.

GEORGE E. HANCOCK, who is at present serving as county commissioner of Northumber- land county, has been identified with the public service in various capacities. He was engaged in the hotel business for several years, and in these different associations has come in contact with a large number of the residents of this section and become very well known. He was born in this county June 15, 1872, in Coal township, near Shamokin.

married Patience Haines, who died in 1860 at.

Edward Hancock, son of Thomas, was born July 15, 1846, in Monmouthshire, a county on the border of South Wales, and died in Coal town- ship, Northumberland Co., Pa., Jan. 22, 1911. He came to America with his mother in the fall of 1851. The family landed at New York City and came thence to Dauphin county, Pa., thence about the time the first bridge was under construc- tion at that point. The next removal was to Trev- orton, this county, where they lived for three and a half years, at the end of that time going to Big- Mountain, in Coal township, where they remained five years. From that place they moved to Beaver- dale, in Mount Carmel township. Edward Han- cock began work at Big Mountain, picking slate. at the mines for about four years, and he began reg- ular mining at Excelsior, in Coal township, where he was employed about six years. About 1856

citizen in that township, having served three years as member of the school board of the township- (during which time he was secretary of the board two years and president one year), one year as assessor and three years as poor director. He was a Republican in political sentiment. a member of the Methodist Church (to which his family also belong), and socially belonged to James A. Gar- field Lodge, No. 1623, I. O. O. F., and to the- Knights of Malta.

On Dec. 11, 1869, Mr. Hancock married Sylvia Tiley, who was born April 16, 1848, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Tiley (her parents were first‹ cousins ), and died May 3, 1908: she is buried in Shamokin cemetery. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hancock: Thomas S. died when two years old; George E. is mentioned below: John died when one year old : Jacob C. died in infancy : Adam D. is engaged in teaching in Coal town- ship, this county ; William W., a blacksmith, lives at home ; Oscar died when three months old : Sam- uel died when seven months old; Benjamin A. is employed with the York Bridge Company : Eva M. lives at home.

Mr. Hancock is of Welshi extraction. Thomas Hancock, his grandfather, was born in 1819 in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and came to America in 1849, his family following him two years later. His first location was in Dauphin county, Pa., where he followed mining, and he came thence to Northumberland county, where he was em- ployed at the mines during the greater part of his active life. He died in Shamokin in 1895, at the age of seventy-six years, and is buried in the Sha- mokin cemetery. Mr. Hancock took an interest George E. Hancock attended public school dur- in the general welfare of his adopted community, ing his early boyhood, but he was only ten years and served as supervisor of Coal township, where old when he began to pick slate at the Greenbach he was a well known and respected citizen. He colliery, later finding employment at the Luke Fid-

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ler colliery. He then learned the barber's trade, John Nicholas (under twenty-one), John, George, which he followed for six years at Shamokin, his Peter, Christian and David. next venture being in the hotel business in Coal township, at Springfield, where he was located for four years. About this time he was elected Re- publican county chairman, and he was appointed deputy sheriff, serving two and a half years in that capacity under Sheriff Dietrich. He was then

Of a later date is the will of Peter Conrad, Senior, pioncer, who lived in Augusta township, Northumberland county, and whose wife was Mag- dalena. He evidently died advanced in years, and Iris will, made May 30, 1837, was probated June 12, 1837. The children were : Jacob, John, Henry, made jail warden, holding that position for three' Christian, David, Daniel (obtained homestead), years. In 1904 he bought the "Van Kirk House" Catharine ( Mrs. Wagner, deceased), Magdalena at Northumberland, which he conducted for three years, selling out at the end of that time. (married Samuel Kreager), Elizabeth (Mrs. In Kreidinger, who lived in French Creek, Crawford 1908 he was elected county commissioner, and is Co., Pa.) and Mary (Mrs. Barger).

at present filling that office. During his residence in Coal township he was elected to the school board, of which he was a member three years,

Taking up the early records of the Conrads, we find that John Conrad, the great-grandfather of George M. Conrad, owned a farm of some four and he served the same length of time as tax hundred acres east of Sunbury. This John Con- collector. He is a member of the Fraternal Or- der of Eagles, the Order of Moose, the Owls and the Red Men, and his acquaintanceship in this region is wide.

Mr. Hancock married 'Elizabeth Perry, daughter of Lewis Perry, of Coal township, and they have had children as follows: Olive, George, Violet MI., . William S. and Clinton. The family are Meth- ria, Daniel, Decaton ( married Mrs. Maria Diet-

odists in religious connection.

GEORGE M. CONRAD, of Sunbury, a eitizen of that borough in touch with its best interests, commercial, official, social, and one whose intelli- gent activities have made liim a power in all those circles, bears a name which has been identified with this region for several generations. Jacob and Adam Conrad are shown by the records to have been taxables in Augusta township, North- umberland county, in 1774. In the maternal line Mr. Conrad is a member of another prominent family, the Fasold family, the branch to which his mother belongs having been settled in North- umberland county for about a century.

At the Sunbury courthouse are recorded wills of two Jacob Conrads. One lived in Sunbury borough, and his will, made May 20, 1811, was probated July 7. 1812. He purchased the home- stead on which he died, a property of 150 acres, from George Harrison. Mention is made of nine children : Nicholas. Jacob, Peter, Henry, John (who was given the homestead). Mary ( married David Melick), Elizabeth (married Jacob Hen- brook), Susanna (married George Hall) and Cath- arine (married George Long). The daughter Susanna was given the plantation where she and her husband, George Hall, lived.

George Conrad. son of John, born Aug. 26. 1808, died May 12, 1877. He owned a large farm, comprising some two hundred and fifty acres, upon which what is now the eastern portion of Sunbury is built. He married Hester Reeser, born July 26. 1811, died Nov. 11, 1886, and they became the parents of the following children: Catharine married .Albert Beckley and had four children. Florine (married Charles Zerbe), Clara (married Jolin Evert ), Alice (died young) and Hattie: Wil- liam died young : Harriet married Philip Eckman and had a daughter Esther: Henry H. married Sophia Fasold: Gideon was the next in the fam- ily; Silas married Ellen Clark: Amandus Aaron. the youngest, married Mary Wise.

Henry H. Conrad, son of George, was born in 1843, and died Oct. 16. 1894. He and his wife Sophia ( Fasold), daughter of George and Mary (Kreiger) Fasold. who survives him, were the par- ents of seven children: George M., who is men-

The other Jacob Conrad, farmer of Augusta township, "being sick and weak." made his will July 8, 1815, and it was probated Aug. 29, 1815. His wife's name was Catharine. and the follow- ing sons and daughters are mentioned : Catharine tioned fully below: Cora I., wife of W. P. G. (married John Zerfoss), Jacob, Elizabeth, Henry. Hoffman: Esther; Charles A .; Ida MI., who is 45

rad, born Nov. 18, 1727, died June 11, 1839. He married Julian Cooper, who was born June 1, 1778, and lived and died in Augusta township, passing away Dec. 22, 1841, aged sixty-three years, six months, twenty-one days. They had children as follows: Susanna married Samuel Herb; Ann Maria married Decaton Herb and had Julia, Ma-

rich) and Samuel ; William married Susan Huey and (second) a Miss Bartholomew, and had a son George; Eli married Polly Geringer : George mar- ried Hester Reeser; Daniel married a Miss Wolfe ; Sarah married Samuel Garinger; Julia Ann mar- ried Henry Gass : Catharine ( Kate) married a Mr. Cooper : Elidia married a Mr. Schrader; Molly married William Miller.

One Henry Conrad, who is buried at the Au- gustaville Church, was born Oct. 8, 1779, and died March 29. 1854. He had a brother John -- possibly the John mentioned above.

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the wife of J. B. Gould ; Emily, who died in 1906, residence on East Market street, Sunbury, which and who was the wife of William Scott and the Mr. Conrad built in 1900 and enlarged and re- mother of two children, Thomas and Henry: and William, teller in the Sunbury National Bank, who married Maud Reitz. modeled in 1908, further beautifying what was already a charming home. It is one of the at- tractive homes which adorn the "Hill" in Sun-

George M. Conrad, son of Henry H. and So- bury. phia (Fasold) Conrad, was born in 1864 in what In the fall of 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Conrad visited was then Upper Augusta township, Northumber- her mother in Idaho and took a trip to the Pa- land county, in which region the Conrads have cific coast. Her father died in 1874.

long been numerous and prominent. In 1898 he established himself in- business at Sunbury, with which borough he is now identified as one of its of Conrad & Shotsberger, proprietors of the "Fairmount Hotel," Sunbury, was born in that borough Feb. 12, 1870, son of Henry H. and So- phia ( Fasold ) Conrad.

foremost residents. Mr. Conrad is an extensive dealer in coal, flour, grain and feed, making a specialty of the commodity first named, in which line he has built up so large a trade that he is now the largest dealer in anthracite coal in the , borough. His place of business, on South Third street, has been enlarged to meet the demands of expanding trade until it now covers nearly half of a city block. The office is at No. 135 South Third street, adjoining the warehouses, vards and switch- es, the whole plant being well adapted to the . handling of the immense business carried on.

Although his business affairs have attained such large proportions, Mr. Conrad has shown himself an able manager, and he has found time for public- spirited service to the borough in spite of the heavy Socially Mr. Conrad is a member of the P. O. S. of A., F. O. E., Sunbury Lodge of Elks, Conclave, and No. 1 Fire Company. He is a Democrat in politics. demands made upon him by his private interests. His name has been associated with almost every project of local importance for years, and he has taken an active part in the civil administration, Mr. Conrad married ( first) Emma E. Lawrence, daughter of Abraham Lawrence, and after her death, which occurred in. 1901, he married (sec- in various important capacities. For two years lie served as niember of the school board : for one vear filled the office of borough treasurer: and for ond) Bertha Oyster, daughter of George Oyster. four years was a member of the borough council, They have three children : Helen, Ruth and

during the last two years of his service in that Charles.

body being its efficient president. He has always been identified with the Democratic party, of which he is an ardent and influential supporter.

In 1903 Mr. Conrad assisted in organizing the Sunbury National Bank, and has since been one of the directors of that institution. He has long been a prominent member of the First Re- formed Church, of which he has been treasurer for a number of years, also taking a leading part in the work of the Sunday school. which he has served as superintendent for about fifteen years, still holding that position. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Patriotie Order Sons of America and of the Masonic fraternity, in the latter connection belonging to Maclay Lodge, No. 632. F. & A. M .. of Sunbury; to Mount Hermon Commandery, K. T., of Sunbury; and to Williamsport Consistory, A. A. S. R.

CHARLES A. CONRAD, member of the firm

Mr. Conrad attended the publie schools of Sun- bury and in his early years was employed with his father at farming and teaming. He also clerked for his brother George M. Conrad. in his store, for a period of twelve years. He then engaged in the hotel business in 1894-95, after which he was associated with his brother George M. in the coal business for a period of seven years. In 1901, in connection with Galen Shotsberger, he began to conduct the "Fairmount Hotel." which has had a prosperous existence under his efficient manage- ment.

MARTIN MARKLE. late of Shamokin, was a resident of that city for over thirty years and dur- ing that time maintained business connections which placed him among the most successful as well as progressive inen of his day. For over twenty years he conducted the Eagle Run Brewery, located in Coal township, near Shamokin ; he was one of the builders and part owner of the "Hotel Graemar," one of the finest hotels in the State: he was interested in the First National Bank ( now the National Bank of Shamokin), and in the pro- motion of various public utilities : and he will al- ways be remembered as a man whose publie spirit was a perceptible factor in the city's advancement throughout the period of his residence there.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 46

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