Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 6

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 6

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in the country districts in the southwestern part 1906 and is now engaged as bookkeeper for the of the county, were numerous. He was buried Shamokin Lumber & Manufacturing Company ; at St. Peter's church. Dr. Haas owned a farm Willard F. died in infancy ; Chester \. and Graee of about two hundred acres in Jackson township, Z. are still, in school.

and looked after its cultivation, which he found

Mrs. Sarah A. (Zartman) Haas was born Nov. quite profitable. He was a Democrat in politics, 12, 1857, in Jackson township, daughter of Dan- and though not active in public matters with any iel and Catharine (Seiler) Zartman, and grand- daughter of Martin Zartman, a native of Lancas- ter county, Pa., who on removing to Northumber- land county settled in Jaekson township. He is buried at -Kneass station, in that township. His idea of obtaining favors for himself took an in- terest in such things as affected the general wel- fare. He was instrumental in the establishment of the free school system in his township and served as a member of the first school board. So- children were Daniel, Samuel, Isaac and Eliza- cially he was a Mason, holding membership in beth. Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., of Sunbury.

Daniel Zartman, father of Mrs. Haas, followed On Oct. 23, 1855, Dr. Haas married Mary Frances Peal, daughter of Dr. John W. Peal, of Sunbury, and they were looking forward to the celebration of the golden anniversary of their mar- farming upon the homestead in Jackson township, where he died. His children were: Harriet died aged twenty-one years : Daniel died when five years old: Isaac married Elizabeth Daniels, and died riage when he was so suddenly taken away. Mrs. at the age of forty-three; Mary is the widow of Haas, who is now (1910) eighty-one years old.

lives at the old homestead with her son Edward : Samuel married Susan Fenstermacher: Elizabeth

she has been blind since November, 1904. Four · sons were born to Dr. and Mrs. Haas : Dr. Richard of John P. Haas, of Shamokin.

P., of Williamstown, Pa. ; John P .: Edward L .; and William H., a farmer at Dornsife, Northumn- berland county.

David Knorr; Rebeeea married H. B. Longsdorff ; married H. S. Zimmerman ; Sarah A. is the wife

EDWARD L. HAAS, son of Dr. Joseph, was born Nov. 10, 1860, on the farm in Jackson township where he now resides, near Mahanoy. He ac- quired his early schooling in the township, and later was a student at Berrysburg Academy and the State normal school at Lock Haven. Pa. Mr. Haas has always followed farming, working for

. JOHN P. HAAS, son of Dr. Joseph, was born Sept. 4, 1858, in Jackson township, where he was reared. He began liis education in the local schools, later attending Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa. Returning to Jackson town- his father until the latter's death. In the spring ship, he worked upon the home farm until he at- of 1910 he purchased his father's homestead place,

tained his majority, since which time he has been a tract of forty-six acres, upon which he lives, and which formerly belonged to Sylvester Hilbush, earlier to his father, Jacob Hilbush. who built the present barn (Aug. 13, 1839) and the large brick house (1855). Mr. Haas is an industrious farm- er, intelligent in his business transactions and bearing the highest reputation for integrity and solid worth. He has served his township as sehool director, and has also been quite active in the Lutheran congregation of St. Peter's Church at Mahanoy, where he and his family worship and business affairs have prospered under judicious of which he has been deaeon two years. He is a Democrat in his political views. a resident of Shamokin. He began life here as a clerk, and after gaining the necessary experi- ence embarked in business on his own account, in 1893, establishing himself in the grocery busi- ness at Sixth and Spruce streets, where he is still loeated. He does a large business, being one of the foremost merchants in his line in the West End of Shamokin. He is a director of the Market Street National Bank and of the West and Black Diamond Building and Loan Associations. His management, and he is a substantial and respect- ed eitizen, giving all his time to his private in- On Nov. 20, 1888, Mr. Haas married Clara Raker, daughter of D. Z. and Annie ( Dornsife) Raker, of Little Mahanoy township. They have had four children: Claud (who died of typhoid terests and taking no part in publie matters. He is a Demoerat politieally, and fraternally a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Royal Areanum and Wood- men of the World. His religious connection is fever May 18, 1906, aged seventeen years). Effie, with the United Evangelical Church.

Lester Leroy and Willie Raker.

Mr. Haas married Sarah A. Zartman, and they have had a family of seven children: Charles W. CHARLES HAAS, who is now living retired in Sunbury, was born Jan. 6, 1835, at "Haas's Mill." where all his brothers and sisters were born. He learned the milling business from his father and continued to follow it for seventeen years, after which, until his retirement, he was engaged at died in infaney: F. May graduated from the Shamokin high school in 1900 and has taught public sehool in that borough eight years ; Howard R. graduated from the Shamokin high school in 1904 and is now in the office of Kearney & Ra- ker, attorneys (he married Estella E. Zaring) : various vocations. He filled various township of- Clarence R. graduated from the high school in fices, and for ten years was janitor of the First

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Presbyterian Church, giving up that work in the £ On Dec. 28, 1868, Mr. Haas was married, after . spring of 1910. He is a member of the Pres- a romantic courtship, to Emma Thayer, dangh- byterian Church, and a venerable and esteemed ter of James and Zenecia (Bassett) Thayer, who resident of the borough in which he makes his lived in Yates county, N. Y. Mr. Haas had gone home.

to New York to buy apples, and thus came to Mr. Haas married Sarah Houck, who was born deal with James Thayer, whose daughter Emma Jan. 4, 1830, and died April 16, 1894. She is he subsequently married. It was a case of love buried in the South Fourth street cemetery. Sey- at first sight between these young people, and a happier union never was known. She is of "Yan- en children were born to this union: David, John C. (deceased ), Henry E. (deceased), Mary A., kee" origin, being a descendant in the ninth' gen- . Franklin C., Samuel E., and Emma J. (deceased).

eration from. the famous Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. The Eddy family, to which Zenecia Bassett, her mother's mother, be- longed, intermarried with the Williams family. Mrs. Haas is a member of Fort Augusta Chapter, D. A. R., of Sunbury, and is the present secre- tary of that organization, of which she was treas- urer five years. She is a prominent member of the Iris Literary Club-of Sunbury, of which she is the librarian. This club, which has a member- ship of fifty, meets once a week at the home of Judge Savidge, whose wife, Mrs. C. R. Savidge, is president. It subscribes to a traveling histori- cal library conducted under the auspices of the South Fourth street cemetery. Six sons and six. State of Pennsylvania and has proved a most in- teresting organization as well as an avenue of cul- ture to all who enjoy its privileges.

Daniel Haas, son of John, was a native of Sun- bury, Pa., born in 1806, and at the time of his death. Jan. 9, 1891, was the oldest native resi- dent of that borough, where he spent all his life. He was a cabinetmaker, and had an establishment in Sunbury, which he long conducted in partner- ship with George Renn. They did an extensive business in their day, making furniture and bed- steads, and also carried on an undertaking busi- ness. Daniel Haas died at the age of eighty-five years, his wife Margaret (Zimmerman) when sev- enty-five years old. They are buried in the old daughters were born to the couple: Peter, now (1911) seventy-eight years old, lives in Sunbury; Samuel died in Council Bluffs, Iowa (he became very wealthy, making his fortune in cattle ranches, and in the packing business; he left a family

To Mr. and Mrs. Haas were born three daugh- ters : Eva Thayer is the wife of Dr. J. B. Cress- inger, a prominent physician of Sunbury; Cora who still live out there, his sons Harry and Charles B. married Bert S. Hopkins, a jeweler and op- being at Council Bluffs) ; John B. is mentioned tician, and they live at Penn Yan, N. Y., where below ; Albert died at Sunbury, where his widow, Mrs. John B. Haas spends her summers; Mary Lucy ( Heim), is still living: William, who died died of diphtheria in 1881, aged six years. Mr. in Sunbury, was a soldier in the Civil war; Jerry Haas was an Episcopalian, like the other members was killed while in active service in the Civil of his family.

war: Elizabeth died of typhoid fever at Sunbury in her twentieth year; Miss Harriet Haas lives

BENJAMIN F. W. LATSHAW, a retired farm- at No. 231 South Fourth street, Sunbury, she er of Jackson township, in his active years one and her brother Peter making their home together ; of the prominent citizens and business men of Clara married Jacob Swank. train dispatcher of his section, was born there May 19, 1845, in the Sunbury, Pa., for the Pennsylvania Railway Com- house built by his great-grandfather, Henry Lat- pany ; Catharine married Dr. Elijah Franklin Or- sha, and which he and his son still occupy. ser, and she lives with her sister Harriet - and brother Peter: twin daughters died small. The six sons were born first. then the six daughters.

Henry Latsha and his brother Johannes (grand- father of the late Frederick W. Latsha, of Wash- ington township) were the founders of the Lat- JOHN B. HAAS was born in Sunbury Dec. 6, sha or Latshaw family now represented among 1835, and was there educated in the public schools. He became a grocer and fruit dealer in Sunbury, the best citizens of this part of Northumberland county. They were pioneers in this region, and handling large quantities of fruit, and also dealt both are buried in the graveyard of St. Peter's extensively in potatoes, buying apples and pota- Church at Mahanoy. The earlier home of the toes by the carload. He bought beans in large

family in this country was in Berks county, Pa .. quantities. from New York, where entire fields and we give something of its history as found were devoted to their cultivation, and throughout in a recent Berks county work. One Frantz his life was a successful business man. widely (John Francis) Latshar, a native of Switzerland. and favorably known. His business establishment came to America on the "Mortonhouse," which was near the First National Bank, and the prop- qualified at Philadelphia Ang. 24, 1728. On the ertv at No. 242 Market Square still belongs . to. list of passengers his name is spelled "Frans Lat- his widow. His home was at No. 320 Arch street show." His first settlement in Pennsylvania was near a place called Upland, in Chester county.

for thirty-eight years.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

where he remained a few years, and then went this is taken says Heinrich ( Henry) lived for a to Oley, Berks county, later settling in the Tulpe- time in Clayton, Berks county, and then left for hocken Valley in the latter county, where he died. parts unknown. Evidently he is the Henry Lat- sha who founded the Northumberland county branch of the family with which this article deals, and Henry and Johannes (born in Washington township, Berks county, 1756, died 1810) Latsha were brothers and sons of Abraham Latsha (Lat- shar). According to the family Johannes was a son of the emigrant, but that does not agree with the more complete account, and as John the son of Frantz received his father's homestead it seems more likely Johannes was the son of Abraham. And further, it is said that among his father's children were also Henry, who settled in Maha- noy township (which then included a large part of the lower end of Northumberland county) bc- fore the Revolutionary war, and Abraham, who settled in Chillisquaque township, Northumber- land county. He made a permanent home in Colebrookdale township. His last will and testament, made in 1781, was probated Oct. 29, 1795. He was twice married, the first time in Switzerland, and tradi- tion says his first wife died leaving him a num- ber of small children and no one to help in the house. Accordingly he went to Philadelphia (as the pioneers were obliged to do in those days for merchandise or help) for a woman to look after his home and children. He was told of a young woman of good repute whose husband, a Mr. Gabel, had died on the voyage to America, leav- ing his wife with two small children. At Phila- delphia she began a struggling life with her chil- dren, finding a place as servant in a Germantown family. Mr. Latshar became acquainted with her, persuaded her to accompany him home as house- keeper, and later they were married. Her son, Henry Latsha, recorded as son of Abraham and Catharine (Sauer) Latsha, was born Aug. 21, 1754, in this country, was baptized by Rev. Mr. Duppendorf, and confirmed by him, when twenty- seven years old, in the faith of the German Re- formed Church. He was early in Northumber- land county, his name appearing in the list of taxables of Mahanoy township for 1778. He took up 373 acres of land in what is now Jack- son township, near Malianoy, on the Mahanoy creek, by warrant from the Province of Pennsyl- vania dated July 11, 1769, and ninety-five acres of this tract have never been in any other name. It is now owned by B. F. W. Latshaw, great- grandson of Henry Latsha. The Latsha pumping station is built on the land taken up by Henry Latsha. The first house which he built stood Henry Gabel, was taken along with them, and early in life was taken into the Rutter household, the Rutters being the early ironmasters of Cole- brookdale, and he fell heir to some of the Rutter money, also being remembered in his stepfather's will. He was a Mennonite, and is buried at Boy- ertown; his birth occurred in 1734. Frantz Lat- shar and his second wife had children also. Her maiden name was Sowers, and she was from the Tulpehocken Valley, in Berks county. He left a large estate, which he divided .equally among his children, those mentioned in his will, as re- corded in Book B, page 398, being John, Frantz, Abraham, Jacob, Mary Lantes (Landis), Henry Gabel (step-son), Rebecca Shelly (deceased, the mother of six . children), and Catharine Lantz (step-daughter), of whom Abraham lived on the about sixteen feet due east from the present resi- Hereford township (Berks county) farm and dence, and was accidentally destroyed by fire short- Frantz elsewhere in the same township. We have ly before 1798, in which year the dwelling which the following account of the sons.

John Latsha lived in Colebrookdale township, where he died in 1794. He made his will in 1787 (Will Book B, page 360), dividing his es- tate among his brothers and sisters. He made his home with his brother Jacob, and if he was married he had no children.

Frantz Latshar (Latchar) made his will April 1, 1802, and it was probated July 1st of the same . year. His wife Esther survived him and was given 400 pounds in gold. They had three sons, Frantz and Jacob receiving all the land in Here- ford township, and John the homestead.

Abraham Latsliar lived in the section of Cole- brookdale township now included in Washington township. He died in 1814. His will, in English script, but German words, is on record in Volume 4, page 114. His children were: Samuel, Jolian- nes, Jacob, Anna, Elizabeth, Catharine, Heinrich, Alexander and Abraham. The record from which

still stands was erected. It was built of logs, now weather-boarded, and is still in fine condition, being occupied by Benjamin F. W. Latshaw and his son B. B. Latshaw and family. Thus the sixtli generation eats and sleeps in the house which sheltered the pioneer Henry Latsha, who died there Aug. 7, 1823. He is buried at St. Peter's Church, Mahanoy. Henry Latsha followed farm- ing, and had all the experiences which confronted the adventurer into these regions in these primi- tive days. The Indians were his neighbors; he shot many a deer, and wolves and bears were not uncommon in this section then; the creeks swarmed with fish, which the coal dirt and sul- phur attendant upon modern industrial operations have killed. A man of more than ordinary educa- tion, he conducted a typical subscription school of the time, the "Lehrer" receiving two or two and a half cents per pupil daily in exchange for the elementary educational privileges then afford-

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ed. A family or baptismal record, 10 by 18 inches Rodger; Michael was the father of Benjamin F. in size, printed on heavy paper, in red ink, made W. Latshaw. by Henry Latsha, is a tangible testimonial of Michael Latsha, son of Henry, was born Oct. -

his skill and acquirements, and is a highly prized 21, 1813, on one part of the homestead farm, possession of his great-grandson, Benjamin F. W. and himself became a farmer, owning eighty-four Latshaw. He was nearly six feet in height, well built, weighing about one hundred and ninety pounds, and possessed the endurance necessary for a successful battle with the conditions of those .early days. He used to walk to and from Wash- ington township, Berks county, where his people lived, and while making the trip one winter lost his path on the Broad (Blue) mountain; in order to keep from freezing to death he forced himself to walk all night around a big tree, but in spite of his heroic efforts the toes of both feet had to be amputated.

On Aug. 30, 1781, Henry Latsha married Mrs. Catharina Fredericka (Schott) Emrich, Rev. Mr. Enderlein performing the ceremony. One son, Henry, was born to this union. Mrs. Latsha was born May 8, 1745, at Dorrenbach, Germany, daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary Margaretha (Kunst) Schott, and was baptized by Rev. John Daniel Engel, her sponsors being Conrad Rab and his wife Cath- arina Frederica Irbach. She was brought to this .country in 1754 and confirmed in 1759 by Pastor Kurtz, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and on April 11, 1765, she became the wife of Valen- itine Emrich, Rev. Mr. Kurtz marrying them. Four sons and one daughter were born to her union with Mr. Emrich. Mrs. Latsha died March 17, 1811.

Henry Latsha, only son of Henry, was born March 3, 1183, in Northumberland county, and becanie a farmer, owning the farm which now belongs to his grandson, Benjamin F. W. Latshaw. He also engaged in merchandising, owning the 'first store in his section of the county, his busi- ness establishment standing opposite the present 'home of Elias Hilbush, near the Latsha pumping station. Mr. Hilbush's farm was part of the tract «of 373 acres taken up by Henry Latsha. A hollow is now the only indication of the site of the store. Mr. Latsha obtained his merchandise by team · from Philadelphia or Reading, whither he also or his son owned this valley.)

hauled what he had to sell or exchange. Like

his father he was a man of more than ordinary life, and during his father's lifetime also assisted

intellectual acquirements for the day, and he was : a substantial and influential citizen. He dicd Feb. 21. 1863, when only a little less than eighty years old, and is buried at St. Peter's Church, Mahanoy, of which he was a Reformed member. . His wife, who was a daughter of John Michael Emrich (born in 1756), was born Aug. 11, 1785, and died June 29, 1861. They had three sons and three daughters: Catharine died unmarried ; Henry married a Miss Blasser and (second) Re- 'becca Lease: Jacob married Eliza Grissinger ; : Sallie diedl .unmarried : Elizabeth married Henry his family, in which he is much interested. In

acres of the tract of 373 acres taken up by his grandfather. One John Daniel now owns the 84-acre farm. Michael Latsha had a coal yard at Latsha pumping station and dealt in coal for many years; owned and operated the gristmill on the Mahanoy now owned and operated by S. J. Wilkinson ; engaged in butchering ; and in his vari- ous undertakings proved himself a man of much more than ordinary business ability. He served as supervisor and in other township offices, and was active in the work of St. Peter's Church, at Mahanoy, being a prominent member of the Luth- eran congregation, which he served in every official capacity. He was a regular attendant at divine services, and for many years one of the most faith- ful supporters and workers of that church. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Latsha died July 12, 1868, and is buried at St. Peter's. His wife, Sarah ( Wolf), was born March 18, 1816, and died Dec. 13, 1885. She was a daughter of Anthony Wolf, whose wife, nee Kneiss, was captured by the Indians when quite young and held in captivity for six years. To Michael and Sarah (Wolf) Lat- sha were born children as follows: Henry, born Oct. 22, 1838, died July 29, 1879, married Eliza- beth Kobel, born Aug. 25, 1840, died April 4. 1892; Daniel married Mary Reitz; Mary married Andrew Geist; Hannah married Peter Keiffer : Benjamin Franklin W. is mentioned below ; Sarah married John Brower, Sr .; Lovina married Adam Trautman; William married Mary Treon; Galen married Alice Zartman.

(N. B .: One Henry Latsha had another tract of land in Jackson township which extended west- ward from the farm of the late Rev. J. Charles Smith, located on the road between Mahanoy and Mandata. This tract was one and a half miles long and extended east and west from one moun- tain to the other, embracing the whole valley. This, however, he sold. Either Henry the pioneer

Benjamin F. W. Latshaw was reared to farm in the mill and the coal yard, later conducting the coal yard which his father had established. He has sold large quantities of coal in his time. Mr. Latshaw had a successful business career, from which he retired in 1904, and he has ever since made his home with his son, B. B. Latshaw, and family. He is a tall man, six feet in height, and stout, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, and he enjoys robust health and a good memory, be- ing thoroughly conversant with the early history of his district as well as with the genealogy of

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

polities he is a Democrat, and has served as sup- rich Hepner, Forn April 15, 1809, dying Feb. 6, ervisor of Jackson township. He and his family 1864. His second wife was Catharine ( Bonawitz), have long been Lutheran members of St. Peter's widow of Michael Rade !. All his eleven children were born to the first union : Kate, Benneville, Harry, Anna, Amanda, Mary, Louise, Jesse, Sarah, Isaac H. and Lizzie. Church at Malianoy, in whose work he has been active, having served as deacon, elder, trustee and treasurer.

ISAAC H. WITMER, son of Jacob, was born Jan.

On March 29, 1874, Mr. Latshaw married Wil- helmina Schweinhart, daughter of James Schwein- 13. 1849, in Lower Mahanoy township, Northum- hart (whose wife was a Kobel), and she died June 11, 1904, aged fifty-five years, six months, Latsha station. berland county. He was reared to farm lite, working for his parents until he attained his ma- six days. She is buried at St. John's Church, at jority, since when he has followed agricultural pursuits on his own account. For five years be- fore settling on the place where he has made his home since March, 1881, he was a tenant in this district. His forty-acre tract is located a mile

BURLINGTON BENJAMIN LATSHAW, only child . of Benjamin F. W. and Wilhelmina (Schwein- hart ) Latshaw, was born Aug. 27, 1877, in the old Latsha home where he still lives. He west of Uniontown (Pillow), near the Witmer worked on the pipe line for some years, but since schoolhouse, and formed a part of the old Daniel Witmer homestead. Since 1886 Mr. Witmer has done business as a huckster, selling his produce in Shamokin, to which borough he makes weekly trips. He is a substantial and respected citizen of his neighborhood. 1904, when his mother died and his father retired, he has been farming the homestead place. He is a substantial and respected young farmer of his community. On Aug. 27, 1896, he married Sarah' Stetler, daughter of Rev. D. M. Stetler, formerly of Mahanoy, now the Lutheran pastor at Trevor- ton. Seven children have been born to this union : Millie (deceased ), Ralph, Anna, Luther, Paul, Fred and Daniel.

On Ang. 18, 1873, Mr. Witmer married Lucetta Lenker, daughter of Isaac Lenker. and they have had one danghter. Clara, who is now the wife of Morris Snyder, of Uniontown. Mr. Witmer and his family are Reformed members of Zion's Stone Valley Church, which he is serving as trustee. The church is the third on that site, the first 1775, the second in 1796 and the present edifice in 1900. In politics Mr. Witmer is a Democrat, and he has served his township as school director.

WITMER. . The Witmer family, which has many representatives in Northumberland county at this day, was founded there by Christophel house of worship there having been erected in Witmer, who by his wife Christina had children as follows : Christophel ( 1762-1825), Sarah (1767- 1852), Heinrich (1:58-1825), Mathias (June 10, 1757-May 5, 1824) and Mrs. Daniel Zerbe. The Witmers with which this article deals are descend- ed from the sons Mathias and Christophel.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 6

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