Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 62

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 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Casper Adams, fourth son of Casper and Eliz- abeth (Hinkle) Adams, was born April 10, 1796, on the homestead farm in Ralpho township, and was there reared to farmi life. When he became of age his father deeded 100 acres of land in Ralpho township to him, this being the farm aft-

David Adams, son of Casper, was born in 1830 in what is now Ralpho township, and was reared to farming pursuits, which he continued to fol- low all his life. He died in 1867, at the early age of thirty-seven years, and is buried at the Blue Church. Mr. Adams married Margaret Martz, daughter of David Martz, of the same locality, and she died Sept. 23, 1874, at the age of forty- three years. To them were born eight children, as follows: William H., who lives at Dryville, Berks Co., Pa. ; Richard F., of East Orange, N. J. ; David N .; Harvey F., of Germantown, Phila- delphia, Pa .; Curtis M .; Lorenzo, who died in in- fancy ; Mary H., who died of smallpox, in Sham- okin ; and Harriet L., wife of Harvey C. Sober, of Spring Grove, Va. (she visited Sunbury in the summer of 1910, after an absence of twenty years from the North).

DAVID N. ADAMS, son of David, was born July 7, 1859, near Elysburg, in Ralpho township. aud there received his education in the public schools. He was engaged at farm work until he reached the age of twenty years, when he went to Danville for a year, in 1880 coming to Sunbury, where he has since made his home. Here he learned the trade of painter and paper hanger, for fourteen years re- maining in the employ of Ira T. Clement, until, in 1895, he commenced business on his own ac- count. He has a shop in the rear of his residence, at No. 108 North Fourth street, and has a large trade, which has shown a steady increase up to the present time. He employs from four to ten skilled men, according to the amount of work on hand.

Mr. Adams served nine years as member of the erward occupied by his son George C., near the Sunbury school board from the Second ward, and Blue Church. Mr. Adams was a man of active for one year of that time was treasurer of the board. He is a Republican in political sentiment. His religions connection is with the Methodist Church and socially he is a member of the Knights of Malta, belonging to Commandery No. 112. mind, one who interested himself in the general welfare as well as in the promotion of his own in- terests, and he was one of the foremost men of his locality for many years, well known as a stanch Democrat and as one of the most liberal support- On Feb. 21, 1889, Mr. Adams married Chris- tina Baldy, daughter of Thomas and Delilah (Bright) Baldy, and they have had a family of six children, all still at home with their parents. namely : Frank, Harry, Catharine. Thomas, Da- vid N., Jr., and Margaret. ers of the Blue Church, with which he was identi- fied all his life; he served as elder of that church and was one of the most generous contributors toward the erection of the church edifice. He mar- ricd Susanna Startzel (daughter of John), who was born March 14, 1800, and died Jan. 22, 1873: CURTIS M. ADAMS, son of David, was born April 4, 1862, in what is now Ralpho township, and was brought up to farm life. In 1890 he en- gaged in the livery business in the borough of Shamokin, in partnership with E. H. Martz, and there remained two years, in the spring of 1892 coming to Sunbury, where he established himself in the same line. He continued in the livery busi- ness here until 1910, making a success of same, Mr. Adams died Jan. 28, 1882, and is buried at the Blue Church. Their children were : Benjamin, who died in 1895, at the age of seventy-four years (his children were Edward, William and Lucinda) ; Daniel H., born in 1822. who died in 1892: Cas- per, deceased; George C., born Aug. 17, 1826; David, born in 1830; Jacob, born in 1833, who died in 1895; Samuel, deceased; William; Eliz-

526

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

but in the meantime, in 1905, he had started his live with his uncle, Solomon Fagely, in Shamokin present business, to which he now gives all his at- township, remaining with him until he was tention. His store at No. 506 Market street is well eighteen years old. He then entered the employ stocked with a complete line of horse goods and of his uncles Anos, George and Nathan Fagely, shoe findings, being the leading leather store in who had a store at Mauch Chunk, clerking there sixteen months. Returning to Shamokin he en- gaged with William and Reuben Fagely in a sim- ilar capacity, continuing for a year, after which he went to Mount Carmel to work for Solomon Fagely, who kept a tavern there. He remained with him a year. At that time a stage line was started between Mount Carmel and Shamokin, and he was appointed driver and mail carrier, work- ing as such for a few months. He then took the same position on the stage line between Pottsville and Northumberland, for one year, and he was the last survivor of those connected with this method Northumberland county, and he manufactures harness to order. Mr. Adams's previous experienec in the livery business gave him thorough insight into the requirements of his present line, and he is in every way fitted to conduct what is recognized as the foremost establishment of the kind in this section. His business methods and standing are most creditable. Politically he is a Republican, has served as a member of the borongh council, and is known as a public-spirited citizen. He has been an active member of the I. O. O. F. for some years, being a past grand of Lodge No. 203 and since 1908 a representative to the Grand Lodge. He of transportation in central Pennsylvania at. that is a member of the Lutheran Church.

On April 4, 1893, Mr. Adams married Alice Sil- vius, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Tucker) Sil- vius, of Sunbury. Mrs. Adams's father died in November, 1908, aged eighty-one years. Her moth- er died in 1901. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams, namely: Ruth, Mary, Robert (who died in his third year), Florence and John Jacob.

REUBEN F. MARTZ, farmer and lumberman of Shamokin township, was born Aug. 27, 1852, Mr. Martz was always interested in the welfare upon the homestead farm at Reed's station, son of of the community and the success of those enter- Solomon Martz. The early members of the Martz prises that affected all its members. His gener- family in America came from Germany and set- . osity to those less fortunate than himself, his benev- tled in Berks county, Pa., whence David Martz, olence to all philanthropic movements, his sym- great-grandfather of Reuben F. Martz, moved into Northumberland county.

David Martz and his brother Jacob moved from Berks county toward the close of the eighteenth century, settling on Shamokin creek, three miles south of Sunbury. He was a blacksmith, and fol- lowed his trade in connection with farming. He married Barbara Miller, and they had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters: David, Henry, Peter, Abraham and George, all of whom bnt Henry moved to Dayton, Ohio, where they died; Susan, who married John Richstine, and Elizabeth, who married Abraham Arter.

Henry Martz, son of David, was born on the homestead in Shamokin township, Northumber- land county, and was a farmer by occupation. He ard) Reed, of Shamokin township, and to this un- married Elizabeth Fagely, daughter of Christian ion were born seven children: George O .; William F., who died young; Isabella, who died in 1875, 1874, at the age of thirty-three years: Reuben F., John Henry and Jesse R., all of whom live at Reed's station, Jesse being on part of the old home- stead. and Magdalena Fagely, pioneers of Shamokin township. Mr. and Mrs. Martz both died in Sha- aged thirty-one years; Sophronia, who died in mokin and are buried in St. Peter's graveyard. They had six children : Hettie, Katie, Mary Ann, George, Solomon and Nathan, all now deceased but Nathan, who resides in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

Solomon Martz, son of Henry, was born March 22, 1818, in Upper Augusta township, Northum- berland county, and when seven years old went to

time. Returning to Shamokin, he was elected supervisor of Coal township, having charge of the roads from Mount Carmel to Trevorton, and filled that office two years. During the next seven years he was engaged in hauling coal over the railroad from Shamokin to Sunbury for William and Reu- ben Fagely, under contract, at the end of that tinie settling on the farm at Reed's station where he passed the remainder of his days. He died Oct. 4, 1894, aged seventy-seven years, and is buried at Reed's Church.

pathy with all who needed it, were as much the cause of the esteem he, enjoyed as his industrious and successful career. He and his family attended the German Reformed Church, and when St. Jacob's was rebuilt, in 1870, he contributed all the brick necessary, one hundred thousand, his chil- dren giving the money to erect the steeple, $1,200. In politics he was a stanch Republican and great- ly interested in the success of the party, though he never had any political aspirations for himself. He was overseer of the poor for one year after settling in Shamokin township.

On April 6, 1841, Mr. Martz married Hannah Reed, born in 1815, died Dec. 13, 1895, aged eighty years, daugliter of John and Eva ( How-

Reuben F. Martz received his early education in the public schools of the home locality, later at- tending Elysburg Academy. After working some

777

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

timc for his father he entered the timber business, they were not only active in the church and in furnishing props for the mines. This he has con- the choir but also in the singing schools held at that day. To Johann Nicholas and Anna Maria Schneider were born six children: Johan Jacob, Johan Peter, Abraham, George, Maria Christina (1779-1859, married Andraes Geist) and Anna Catharine (born July 6, 1792, married Johan Georg Erdman, 1787-1858 ; she died Aug. 20, 1842, and is buried at Herb Church). tinued to carry on in connection with farming, owning a tract of 120 acres, part of the old home- stead, his property adjoining the lands of his brothers Jesse R. and John H. He has erected fine buildings on the place since it came into his possession, putting up his residence in 1903, and the property is not only valuable for its natural ad- vantages but also for the judicious improvements which have been made on it. He has devoted all his time to his private affairs, taking no part in public life, though he has the public-spirited in- terest in such matters which every good citizen feels. He is a Republican in politics.

Mr. Martz married Emma MI. Muench, who was born in 1860, daughter of Jacob E. Muench, and died Jan. 7, 1902 : she is buried at Reed's Church. Eight children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : William, a graduate of Pennsylvania State College, now located in Chicago, Ill .; Hattie, wife of Edw. Michael, living in Sunbury; Solomon, a graduate of Bucknell College, now living at home; Freder- .ick, who died when seven years old; Emma ; and Ada. The family are Lutherans in religion.

SNYDER (SCHNEIDER). The Snyders or Schneiders are a numerous and respected family of the southeastern section of Northumberland coun- ty, with which region they have been identified for several successive generations. Their first ancestor of whom we have record was one .

(I) Peter Schneider, who settled in Berks county, Pa., in 1719, coming from New York with the first colony under the leadership of Con- rad Weiser.

(II) Abraham Schneider, son of Peter, had a son

(III) Daniel Schneider, who was born in Bethel township, Lancaster (later Berks) county, and who was the father of

(V) Johan Jacob Schneider, son of Johann Nicholas, was born Nov. 22, 1780, in Upper Ma- hanoy township, and died May 29, 1851. He was a lifelong fariner, succeeding his father in the ownership of the homestead ; his dwelling was near Greenbrier. He married Magdalena Erdman, born June 2, 1783, died Oct. 31, 1861, and both were Lutheran members of Himmel's Church, where they are buried. They had a family of thirteen children: Jacob, John A., Joseph, Jonathan, George, Samuel, Peter, Andrew, Heinrich, David, Sallie (married Jacob Hoffa), Kate (married Jacob Hetrich) and Lydia (married a Moritz).

(V) Johan Peter Schneider, son of Johann Nicholas, born Sept. 10, 1782, died Oct. 17, 1841. He was a farmer, and lived in Washington town- ship, Northumberland county, near his brother Johan Jacob. His wife, Gertraut Maurer, born July 5, 1779, died April 1, 1844. They had sons John and George and daughters Sallie (married Jonathan Smith), Elizabeth (married Nicholas Drumheller), Catharine (married John Hetrich) and a daughter who married Abraham Deppen.

(V) Abraham Schneider, son of Johann Nich- olas, born Sept. 4, 1788, died Feb. 8, 1873. He lived south of his brother Jacob, in the same township, and his farm continued in the family, being owned until recently by his grandson, A. Morris Snyder. His wife, Susanna (Schweitz- er), born May 14, 1790, died Jan. 23, 1870, and both are buried at St. John's Church, in Upper Mahanoy township. They had children as fol- lows: Abraham (died April 18. 1894, aged 76 years, one month, five days ; his wife, Susanna, died Nov. 13, 1898, aged eighty years, four months, eighteen days), George ( who moved away from this region ), John S., Daniel S., Simon, William (lived in Allentown, Pa.) and Catharine (married George Kahler).

(IV) Johann Nicholas Schneider, the first of the family in Northumberland county. He set- tled in what is now Upper Mahanoy township, being one of the very early settlers of the valley. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived on the farm now owned by Andrew Geist, the original place comprising a large acreage. He was born (V) George Schneider, son of Johann Nicholas, born in Upper Mahanoy township Dec. 5, 1794. died Oct. 26, 1875. He lived in the extremne east- em end of Upper Mahanoy township, on the farm near Howerter's Church now owned by his son Aaron W., and followed farming. Mr. Schneider learned the carpenter's trade with his brother Ab- raham, and followed it to some extent, helping to build the Old Stone Himmel's Church in 1818. His farm comprised 230 acres, and he built there- `on the first house and the barn now used by his son Sept. 10, 1749, and died Oct. 28, 1821 : his wife Anna Maria, born Nov. 25, 1756, died Dec. 23, 1827. They are buried at Himmel's Church, in which vicinity the family is numerously repre- sented. Johann Nicholas Schneider and his fam- ily were Lutherans, and in 1778 helped to organ- ize Himmel's Church, and in 1818 he assisted in the building of the new church. the old log struc- ture being replaced by one of stone. Many of his descendants are buried there also. The early mem- bers of the family were all good singers, and AAaron, the latter being erected in 1841. He held

778

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the office of township supervisor and local elec- berger, who came from Albany township, Berks tion offiees, and was a Democrat in politics.

county, and his second wife, Judith (Diehl), a

On Marel 4, 1818, George Schneider married native of Berks county, was a daughter of Michael Catharine Wagner, daughter of Jacob Wagner, and Sarah (Schollenberger) Diehl, her mother be- born May 18, 1797, died Jan. 25, 1885; they are ing a sister of Maria, his first wife. Mrs. Judith

buried at the Howerter Church, of which all the Snyder died Jan. 30, 1907, aged ninety years, two months, six days. Mr. Snyder had fifteen children by his first wife, eight sons and seven daughters, namely: Solomon, Michael, Benjamin, Amos, Jared, Aaron, John, a son not named, Re- gina, Susanna, and five daughters who died young, several close together, of diphtheria. To the sec- family were Lutheran members. Mr. Schneider was a trustee of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider had a family of twelve children: Sol- omon (who died young ), Elizabeth (married San- uel Schmink), Charles, Hannah (married Abra- ham Erdman), Catharine, Lydia and Mary (twins, the latter dying young), Gideon, Helen, George ond marriage were born six, three sons and three (married a Long), Aaron W., and Abbie (married a Mr. Adkin).

(VI) AARON W. SNYDER, son of George, was born April 14, 1840, on his father's farin, and was reared there, and with the exception of

daughters: Peter D., Jeremiah, Tobias, Hannah (married David Schoffstall ), Lydia (married John Schoffstall, brother of David) and Sarah (married James S. Reitz).

(VII) Peter D. Snyder was born in the Swab-

one year when he lived with his brother-in-law, ian Creek Valley, and there lived for some time Daniel Reed, has passed his life on this place. after reaching maturity, following his trade, that He attended the old subscription schools which afforded the only advantages obtainable in the lo- cality in his youth, and was reared to agricul- ture, which he has always followed. But he has also become a good mechanic, being a first-class carpenter and blacksmith. In the spring of 1868 he began farming for himself on the old place, which is in Upper Mahanoy township, and he has prospered steadily, having a valuable farm, well managed and productive. of saddler. In 1876 he moved to Jordan town- ship, on the farm now owned by his son John M. Snyder, whielt lie purchased in 1882. Here he passed the remainder of his days, following both farming and his trade. He died Oct. 8, 1901, aged fifty-two years, and is buried at Klingers- town. His wife, Fietta Reiner, daughter of Charles and Peggy (Masser) Reiner, from Berks county, frequently visited relatives and friends there. She died June 8, 1906, at the age of sixty, and is buried in the Snyder family plot at Kling- erstown. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder had two children, John M. and Charles, the latter of whom lives in Portland, Oregon (he married Sallie Deibert and has one ehild, Jesse).

Soon after the Civil war Mr. Snyder married Lizzie Erdman, daughter of Abraham Erdinan (who married a Trautman), who lived near Rough and Ready, Schuylkill county, and nine children have been born to this marriage: Cora, who is unmarried ; George, of Upper Mahanoy, who mar- (VIII) JOHN M. SNYDER, son of Peter D. Snyder, was born Ang. 7, 1872, in Upper Ma- hanoy township, and was reared upon the farm, working for his parents until about twenty years old. Meantime he also learned the saddler's trade from his father, and followed it for some years ; ried Jennie Trautman (they have had three chil- dren, Earle, Rema and Elwood, the last named being deceased) ; Bertha, who died in childhood ; Walter I., a farmer of Upper Mahanoy, who mar- ried Sallie Miller and has three children, Bessie, Minnie and Charles: Carrie, who married George since lre has made farming his principal business Hornberger; Emma, who died young ; Della J .; Charles D., and Mamie A.

(VI) John A. Snyder, son of Johan Jacob, was born Mareh 29, 1803, in Upper Mahanoy township, where he lived and died, passing away April 18, 1867. He was a lifelong farmer, own- ing a fine place of 140 acres along the south side of Line Mountain, near Greenbrier. He was a Lutheran member and one of the most liberal supporters of and active workers in Himmel's Church, holding all the church offices, and helped to work on the old stone church inentioned previ- ously as having been erected in 1818, helping to gather stone from the mountain. He was twiee married, and both his wives were Reformed mem- bers of that church. His first wife, Maria . (Schol- lenberger), is bnried there. She was a daughter Schadel, daughter of William and Catharine of Benedict and Christian (Moyer) Schollen-

he has confined his work at the trade to his own needs and work for his neighbors. In 1908 lie began farming on his own account, but since 1906 he has owned the seventy-two acre farm in Jor- dan township, a half mile northwest of Klingers- town, upon which he lives, and which was formerly his father's property. It is just five minutes' walk from the point where Schuylkill, Dauphin and Northumberland counties converge. This was the old Samuel West homestead, and the house, whieli is of log construction, was built about eighty years ago. Mr. Snyder is enterprising and up-to-date in his farming operations, and gives special attention to the raising of chickens and hogs.

On March 18. 1909, Mr. Snyder married Hattie (Strobeeker) Schadel. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are

779

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lutheran members of the Klingerstown Church, and Anna (they live in Upper Mahanoy town- and he is a Democrat in political principle, with ship).

inclinations for independent action when the occa- sion demands.

(VI) Jonathan Snyder, son of Johan Jacob, (VII). TOBIAS SNYDER, son of John A., was was born in the Swabian creek section of Upper born Dec. 11, 1851, on his father's homestead, Mahanoy township, and died in 1876, aged sixty- seven years. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned the place which is now one of the Tobias Snyder farms. He was active in church matters as a Lutheran member of Himmel's Church, and held various church offices, and he is buried at

and received his education in the common schools. He made good use of his opportunities for study- ing German, in which he is quite proficient. He was reared to farm life, and when he became of age took up farming on the place where he was born, and where he has continued ever since. His that church. He married Susanna Schollenberger, farm is a nice level tract of 140 acres, well im- proved under his management, and he has greatly remodeled the dwelling, making an addition to the west side. The east part is a log house built by Benedict Schollenberger, and when Mr. Snyder remodeled it, in 1897, it was exactly one hundred years old. He is energetic and progressive, and has been successful in his work, so much so that besides his home property he owns four of the nicest farms in the valley ; one is across the line in Wash- ington township, adjoining Upper Mahanoy. His acreage is greater than that of any other one man in the section. One of his farins was the Abra- ham Geist homestead; another the Daniel Gonser homestead ; another the Jonas Reitz homestead ; and a fourth his uncle Jonathan Snyder's home- stead. He has built new houses on three of these places, and the Snyder properties are easily dis- tinguished from the fact that the houses are all painted white. Thrifty management and neatness of appearance characterize all his farms. Mr. Snyder is a representative citizen of Upper Maha- noy township, esteemed for his honorable and use- ful citizenship, and has given efficient service as overseer of the poor. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his day, and has an excellent memory, being particularly well versed in the early history of his family. He belongs to the Lutheran congregation of Himmel's Church, which he has served as deacon and elder, and he assisted liberally when the present beautiful church was erected in 1904.

daughter of Benedict Schollenberger, of Albany township, Berks county, and they had children as follows: Simon S. is mentioned below; Jacob S. died on his farm at Leck Kill April ?, 1894, aged sixty-three years, ten months, twenty-nine days, his wife, Catharine, dying Aug. 26, 1903, aged sixty- seven years, three months, nine days; Cornelius, who was a carpenter by trade, built the famous Elijah Byerly barn in Lower Mahanoy township, the most inodern barn in that township, and later removed to Laporte, Ind., where he died; Enoch, a blacksmith, went to the defense of his country in the Civil war, and because of his extraordinary strength was selected as one of the four hundred men detailed to erect the pontoon bridge across . the Rappahanock river, being shot while engaged on that work, in December, 1862; Emanuel died at home, during the epidemic of spotted fever; Gehret (or Gehred), of Bloomsburg, Pa., was for- merly a shoemaker, but has lately entered the liotel business, being proprietor of the "Exchange Hotel" at Bloomsburg; Henry M. is mentioned below; Lydia married Gabriel Reiner; Elizabeth married William Kehres; Sarah married William Kauffman.

(VII) SIMON S. SNYDER, son of Jonathan, was born March 2, 1829, and died Jan. 3, 1904. Dur- ing his earlier life he was a shoemaker and saddler, later becoming a farmer, and he owned the fine property which is now in the possession of liis son Edwin W. He built the large Swiss barn (100 by 50 feet in dimensions) which stands on the place in 1871. He took some part in local affairs, serving as overseer of the poor in his district, and for a number of years was a deacon of St. James Church in Upper Mahanoy township, of which he was a Lutheran ineniber; he and his wife are buried at that church.

In 1880 Mr. Snyder married Emma Reitz, daughter of Jonas Reitz, and five children have been born to them: James L., a farmer of Upper Mahanoy township, married Mary Schreffler, and they have had three children, Charles, Florence and Dory ; C. Howard, a farmer of Upper Maha- noy township, married Teney Smith, and they have Mr. Snyder married Leah Wetzel, born Nov. 20, 1829, died June 21, 1886, daughter of Peter Wetzel, and six children were born to this union: Lizzie (married Peter Paul). William W., Edwin W., Kate (married Joel Daniel and later Preston Fretz), Sarah E. (married Edwin Beisel and later Sammel Herb) and 'Susan (married Daniel Run- kel). had three children, William, Helen and Flossie ; Ira C., who lives with his father, married Minnic Snyder, and they have had two children, Ambrose (deceased) and Edna; D. Francis, who lives on his father's Washington township farm, married Mary Rebuck and they have had two children, Einma and Sarah: Jennie M. married William Schreffler, brother of Mary. (who married James (VIII) EDWIN W. SNYDER, son of Simon S., L. Snyder), and they have had two children, Lloyd is one of the foremost agriculturists in his dis-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 62

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