Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 64

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 64

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).

Elias F. Rebuck had limited advantages for se-

BERTRAM GALBRAITH, business man of Milton and present tax receiver for that borough, is a native of that place and a member of the third generation of Galbraithis to live there. The mem- bers of this family have borne high reputation for integrity and ability in the conduet of all their enterprises, and in his aetive and many-sided life he has proved a typical representative of the name he bears.

The family of Galbraith has long been estab- lished in America, and in the old country dates baek to the remote antiquity of Scotland. The name is derived from the Celtie and originally be- longed to the Lennox in that country. The Gal- braith chiefs had their residence in the parish of Balderuoch. The Galbraiths of the isle of Ghiga deseended from those of Baldernoch, as may be traeed in the ancient records. having fled thither with Lord James Stewart, youngest son of Mur- doch, Duke of Albany, from the Lennox. after burning Dumbarton, in the reign of James I. of Scotland. They continued to hold that island un- til after 1500. The following lines from the Seoteli show the estimate in which the name was held :

Galbraiths from the Red Tower, Noblest of Scottish surnames.

There is now a small island in Scotland called "Iuch (Island) Galbraith." Upon it are many ruins of castles and villages, the strongholds built by the elan when war was the rule.

When Hon. W. A. Galbraith, of Frie. Pa., was traveling in Scotland, hearing that a family by the same name lived close to where he stopped. he went to call on them. He had with him a coat of arms preserved by the family in America, which he showed them, and they immediately produced

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a precise counterpart, the arms showing three erward reelected without opposition, serving sey- bears' heads, muzzled, on a shield surmounted by eral terms in succession.

a knight's helinet and crest with the motto, which, translated, is, "Stronger from opposition." Thus the origin of the family is established without doubt. James Galbraith, Jr., was born in the North of Ireland in 1703. and died June 11, 1785, in East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county; he is buried in the Derry graveyard. He took up a tract James Galbraith, the first of the line under con- sideration to settle in America, was born in 1650 in the North of Ireland, son of John Galbraith, and emigrated in 1718 with his family, settling in Donegal, Lancaster Co., Pa. He was a man of in- fluence and prominence in his day, and was among the founders of the old Derry Church, in what is now Dauphin county, Pa., near Derry station, and is buried in the old graveyard of that church. He died Aug. 23, 1744. The first regular pastor of this church, Rev. William Bertram, died May 2, 1746, and is buried near the church. Rebecca (Chambers), wife of James Galbraith, was a of land in what is now Derry township, Dauphin county, on Spring creek, not far from the Church Oleon. the warrant therefor being granted him March 13, 1737. The early Provincial records of Pennsylvania speak frequently of him, for he was prominent in inilitary circles and served in 1742- 43 as sheriff of Lancaster county, where he was also justice of the peace for many years. He took an active part in the French and Indian war, serv- ing as an officer from 1755 to 1763, and during the Revolutionary war, in which all his sons served, he was appointed lieutenant for Cumberland county, being too old for active duty in the field ; daughter of Arthur Chambers, who with the Allen, his long experience as an officer gave him consid-

Allison, Armstrong, Boyd, Berryhill, Barnet, Bell, Black, Campbell, Clark, Carother, Crain, Carson, Calhoun, Craig, Caldwell, Cunningham, Coch- ran, Dixon, Dickey, Dougherty, Elder, Espy, Fos- Galbraith, Henderson, Hays, Hampton, Jones,

ter, Ferguson, Gilmore, Goven, Gray, Graham, Christ Church, Philadelphia. Elizabeth Bertram,

who was born in 1714 in the North of Ireland, only Johnson, Kelley, Laird, McCormick, McClure, Mc- danghter of Rev. William and Elizabeth (Gillis- Nair, McKeehan, Mitchel, Murray, McKee, Mc- pie) Bertram. Mrs. Galbraith died Feb. 2, 1799, Creight, McDonald, McArthur, McMurray, Mc- in Derry township, Dauphin county, the mother of Knight, Montgomery, Ramsey. Rogers, Ruther- the following children: William, Bertram, Rob- ford, Reed, Sloan, Sterrett, Snodgrass, Strain, ert, Dorcas, Elizabeth, Thomas, John and Ann.

Stewart, Smith, Simpson, Sturgeon, Todd, Wilson, Wallace and McMahan families set- tled in the district just referred to between 1720 and 1730. Five children were born to James and Rebecca (Chambers) Galbraith, viz .: John, An- drew, James, Jr., Elenor (married Patrick Mc- Kinley) and Rebecca (married a Stewart).

John Galbraith, son of James, born in 1690, resided where the Mount Joy and Marietta turn- pikes cross Donegal run ; he owned a large tract of Iand. He was elected sheriff of Lancaster coun- ty in 1731 and was a prominent man in his local- ity. He died in 1754. In 1757 Janet, his widow, and James Galbraith, sold the mill which he built to John Baley.

Andrew Galbraith, son of James, born in 1692, lived near liis brother John, his home being on the Little Chicques creek. When Lancaster county was organized. he was appointed the first coroner, and he and his brother John were members of the first jury drawn. In 1730 he was appointed one of tlie justices of the peace and of the Common Pleas court, which position he filled with honor until. 1745. In 1732 he was elected a member of the Assembly in a spirited contest, in which his wife took an active part. Mounting her mare "Nelly" she rode around among the Scotch-Irish, who followed her to Lancaster, to the polls, where she addressed them most effectually. He was aft-

crable prestige and authority, and he was fre- quently consulted during the Revolution on mat- ters pertaining to the prosecution of that war.

On April 6, 1734, James Galbraith married, in

Robert Galbraith's daughter Rebecca married Eph- raim Blain, commissary general of purchases dur- ing the Revolutionary war, who was the grand- father of the late Jaines G. Blaine.

Bertram Galbraith, second son of James Gal- braith, Jr., was first lieutenant in Lancaster county during the Revolution, doing excellent serv- ice for his country in that capacity. By his first wife, a daughter of Josiah Strong, of Donegal, he had nine children, the eldest son being Josiah, great-grandfather of the present Bertram Gal- braith, of Milton. Of the others, Harriet married a Hoffman and died at Williamsport, Pa .; Mary Ann married Charles Maus, of Mausdale, Montour Co., Pa. Bertram Galbraith's second marriage was to Henrietta Huling, of Benvenue, Dauphin Co., Pa., and they had two children: Sarah, who married Samuel Morris, of Philadelphia, and Bertram Gillespie, who married Eliza Fagar Bell, of Harrisburg.

Josiah Galbraith, son of Bertram, married and had two sons, one of whom was Bertram, grand- father of Bertram Galbraith, of Milton. Josiah Galbraith settled in Clinton county, lowa, became wealthy, and died there, inany of his descendants still residing in that section, all of his family but Bertram going out to Iowa at an early day.

Bertram Galbraith, son of Josiah. was the grandfather of the present Bertram Galbraith, of

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Milton, Northumberland county. He was born ness, to which he ever afterward gave the greater in 1808 in Lancaster county, near the Dauphin part of his attention. He first represented the county line, and when a young man came to North- Watertown Company of New York, which was later merged into the Sun Company, and he was one of the first agents in this country for the Sun Insurance Office, of London. From 1900 Mr. Gal- braith had his son Bertram as partner in this busi- ness, the firm name being William B. Galbraith & Son .. He built up a most profitable patronage, which he handled with skill and to the satisfaction of his patrons, who extended over a wide radius in this section of the county. umberland county, being the founder of the fam- ily in this locality. He settled at Milton, where he passed the remainder of his days. A man of large build, six feet, two inches in his stocking feet and weighing two hundred pounds, he had a forceful personality, but he was as well known for his in- telligence and strong character as he was for his physical make-up. He was a distiller by trade, but did not follow that occupation long, being for many years the owner of three boats on the west On Jan. 1, 1863, Mr. Galbraith married Mary Ann Hause, daughter of George and Mary (Kee- fer) Hause, and they had tive children : Bertram, a daughter that died in infancy, Maude, Albert C. (a traveling salesman and partner in firm of Bert- ram Galbraith & Bro.), and Blanch (born in 1874, who died in 1881). Mr. Galbraith was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred May 22, 1911, and he was buried in Harmony cem- etery. branch of the canal, and also engaging in other business and serving in public office. He was in the insurance business at Milton for many years. He served as constable and tax collector, and was at one time a candidate for sheriff of the county. In political sentiment he was a Whig. There were few better known residents of the county in his day. He died Sept. 26; 1862, aged fifty-four years, fifteen days, and is buried at Milton.

Mr. Galbraith's first marriage was to Elizabeth Blue, who was born in 1812, sister of Sheriff Fred- erick Blue, of Montour county. She died Oct. 30, 1851, aged thirty-nine years, two months, leay- ing four children : Huling, who served in the Civil war in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and died unmarried (he is buried at Milton, Pa.) ; Mary Ellen, deceased, who married James R. Miller, and menced business with Charles E. Brownell, of Wil- resided in Milton ; Emma J., who married Albert liamsport, their first location being in the Cadwal- Cooper, of Philadelphia; and William B. For lader building, on Broadway. They did business his second wife Mr. Galbraith married his cousin, under the name of Brownell & Galbraith, and Mary Rosetta Galbraith, who was born Dec. 16, dealt in fruits. They were among the pioneers in 1824, daughter of James Galbraith, who settled at Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa. By this un- ion there were three children: Laura, widow of Harry B. Geissinger, who was employed in the cus- tom house at Philadelphia (he died in May, 1910) ; Horace, who died young; and Bertram S., who lives at Milton, Pa. The mother died Oct. 9, 1903.

William B. Galbraith, son of Bertram and Eliz- abeth (Blue) Galbraith, was born in Milton Sept. 19, 1836, on Lower Market street, directly opposite the house in which he resided from 1893 to 1909. He attended the public schools and Milton Acad- emy, which in those days was taught by Rev. P. T. Bucher, but he began work early, being for three years in the employ of W. F. Nagle, for many years the town's leading merchant, whose store was on the site now occupied by the "Bartram" apart- ment building (Mr. Galbraith lived in the "Bart- ram" from 1909 until his death). He was still a boy when he took charge of his father's boating interests on the canal, along the west branch of the Susquehanna. He continued in this line for a number of years, running the business on his own account after his father died, until the fall of 1866. In 1873 he commenced the insurance busi-

Bertram Galbraith, eldest son of William B. Gal- braith, was born Oct. 25, 1864, in Milton, and there received his education in the public schools. - Shortly after the great fire of 1880 he became a messenger for the American Union Telegraph Company, this company later becoming the West- ern Union. When eighteen years old he com-

the daily paper line, the first paper they handled being the Philadelphia Record, the second the Wil- liamsport Breakfast Table, and gradually they came to handle almost all the leading Philadelphia and New York papers, Mr. Galbraith still dealing in this line. In April, 1881, Mr. Galbraith ac- cepted the position of night operator at the tele- phone exchange, where he remained for nearly three years, meantime also continuing his business and attending high school, and he was very well known to his many patrons as Milton's young news agent and rising business man. In 1882 Brownell & Galbraith put up a frame building at the corner of Front street and Broadway, where they established their business, and shortly after their removal to that location Mr. Brownell retired from the association, Mr. Galbraith continuing the business alone with the success which has at- tended all his efforts until 1903, when his brother became a partner in the firm, which is now Bert- ram Galbraith & Bro. For many years he was lo- cated at the corner of Broadway and Front street, on leased ground. When the rent, however, was increased ten dollars per month, being raised from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars, he would not pay it, and to secure another business location

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that section in the middle of the eighteenth cen- tury by one George. Reitz, who settled in Wash- ington township among the earliest pioneers of that region. The members of the family from that time to the present have been ranked among the substantial, respected, public-spirited and alto- gether desirable citizens of this favored commun- ity, prospering by industry, supporting the churches and all enterprises which have for their object the uplifting of their fellowmen and the a fine line of cigars and tobacco, sporting goods, advancement of the general welfare, and in their individual lives upholding the best traditions of their forefathers who helped to found the best institutions of this part of Pennsylvania.

newspapers and supplies, for which he finds a steady demand. As stated, Mr. Galbraith purchased the valuable property at the corner of Arch and Broadway owned for many years by the Fonda estate and occupied by the "Globe Hotel," and he has improved the place until it is now one of the best appointed apartment houses of its size in Northumberland county. In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Galbraith has been interested in the insurance business for the past ten years, hav- ing been in partnership with his father, as junior mieniber of the firm of William B. Galbraith & Son, now W. B. Galbraith's Sons.

In 1906 Mr. Galbraith was elected tax receiver of the borough of Milton, and was reelected in

Andraes (Andrew) Reitz, son of George, was 1909, without opposition, an honor which is suffi- born at Swabian Creek, in Washington township, cient comment on the value of his services and the Jan. 1, 1755, and there passed his life; owning satisfaction they have given to his fellow citizens and oceupying the original homestead of his father generally. IIe is a Republican in political senti- - the place where George Reitz lived, died and ment.

found his resting place. He followed farming.

Mr. Galbraith is widely known socially. He was He married Maria Margaretha Brosius, born May the first dealer in bicycles in this section and be- 17, 1761, who died Oct. 20, 1826, and his death oc- came _an expert rider, winning many prizes in curred March 16, 1837. They are buried at Him- mel's Church. Among their children were : George, Jacob, Johan Nicholas, Philip, John, Margaret (married Daniel Hoch), Lydia ( married Michael Smith), Susan (married George Tryon or Treon), and two other daughters whose names are not given.

local contests, and he was a well known long dis- tance rider when bicyeling was at its height, the newspapers having made many of his trips famous. He was a member of the old Century Wheelmen of Philadelphia. Athletics generally have always claimed his interest. He was the owner and man- ager of the Milton Base Ball Club from 1902 to 1904, and in 1905, with a few other citizens of Milton. formed an association known as the Mil- ton Athletic Association, which aequired its base- ball park through Mr. Galbraith's efforts, it being presented to the team. Mr. Galbraith holds mem- bership in Milton Lodge, No. 913, B. P. O. Elks (charter inember), Lodge No. 84, I. O. O. F., the F. O. E., Modern Woodmen of America and Roy- al Arcanum. He attends the Presbyterian Church. dren were as follows :

Philip Reitz, son of Andraes, was born Feb. 4, 1805, in Washington township, and died Sept. 1, 1875. He owned and lived upon the farm which is now the property of Cornelius Adams, and there all his children were born and reared and there his death occurred. He married Anna Wagner, who was born Oct. 5, 1807, and died Feb. 22, 1866. They are buried at Himmel's Church, of which church both were Lutheran members. Their chil- Daniel lived and died at His numerous relations, social, business, fraternal, Tower City. Schuylkill county: Jacob lived and etc., make him a valued correspondent for various died at Watsontown, this county : Harrison is men- newspapers, including several of the leading Phil- tioned below : Peter was killed while serving in the adelphia papers. He makes his home with his par- ents.

REITZ. This is a name now numerously rep- resented in Washington, Little Mahanoy and Low-

Civil war, at the fall of Richmond : Andrew lives in Oklahoma : Elias died young; Eliza married Samuel Reitz ; Mary married Frank Rebuck ; Susan married Emanuel Conrad : Lydia died young.

Harrison Reitz, son of Philip, was born Jan. 18. er Augusta townships, as well as in various other 1835, in Swabian Creek, and lived in his native

he purchased the "Globe Hotel" property, corner portions of Northumberland county, founded in of Broadway and Arch streets. He moved his frame structure to the new location bodily (leav- ing the old stand March 22, 1900), without tak- ing any of his goods out, doing business all the time his building was on the move, and had elee- trie light every night. On each end of the building was a sign, "It's cheaper to move than pay the rent." It was located next to his apartment house, the "Bartram." He improved both the store and the stoek, which is now comprehensive, including

George Reitz, the pioneer of this family in Northumberland county, settled in Washington township among its earliest residents and was a large landowner there, bis original tract inelud- ing the land now embraced in the farms of Luther Rebuck, William Rebuck, Harvey Rothermel, Charles B. Hetrich and A. C. Adams. He is bur- ied in an unmarked grave near a fenee, in the orehard on the farm now owned by C. B. Het- rich. Among his children were sons Andraes and Michael.

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township until after his marriage, moving aeross Northumberland county on horseback. She died the Mahanoy mountain into Lower Augusta town- Dee. 18, 1853, and she and her husband arc buried ship when he was about thirty-five years old. Here at Himmel's Church, of which they were pioneer he has since made his home, following farining. He owns two tracts in the township, one of thirty-seven aeres (upon which he resides ) and one of eighteen acres, with a substantial set of buildings upon his home traet. Mr. Reitz is a Democrat and has

members, belonging to the Lutheran congregation. All the family were active in the official work of this ehureh, in which Michael Reitz held all the offices, and in 1818, when the old stone church was ereeted, he aeted as building master. He was an served his township two years as supervisor. In all-around useful and prominent member of liis religion he is a Lutheran, and he lias taken his share of the church work, having served as deaeon, elder and trustee.

In 1867 Mr. Reitz married Sarah Reitz, daugh- ter of Henry Reitz and his second wife, Polly (Dunkelberger), and they became the parents of seven children, viz .: Edward died in infancy; Jane is the widow of Wilson Raker ; Joseph is un- married ; Henry I. is mentioned below : Abia mar- ried Michael Hetrich.

ried. Herman Drumheller ; one son died in infancy ; William, unmarried, lives with his parents.

community, and respected accordingly. His ehil- dren were : Michael lived in Jackson (now Wash- ington) township; George settled at Red Bank, Pa. ; Jolin settled at Red Bank, Pa. ; Jonas lived in Washington township ( where William Rebuck now lives ) ; William settled at Red Bank, Pa. : Peter lived at Richfield, Pa. ; Daniel is mentioned later ; Bevvy married Johan Georg Reed; Christina mar-

(Johann) Michael Reitz, son of Michael, was born Aug. 12, 1785, in Washington township, and HENRY I. REITZ, who is now engaged in farming in Lower Augusta township, was born in that town- ship May 11, 1875, and received his education in died July 28, 1874. He married Magdalena Eister (also spelled Eyster and Oyster), who was born Feb. 27, 1788, a member of an early family of the the local public schools and at Selinsgrove Aead- . Mahantango valley, and died Oet. 12, 1846. They emy, which he attended during several spring owned and lived upon the farm which is now the property of Harvey Rothermel (who has a tract of about ninety-eight aeres), and Michael Reitz built the dwelling which still stands on this place. Like the other members of the family he and his wife worshipped at Himmel's Church, being members of the Lutheran congregation, which he served in an official eapaeity. Their children were: Peter. who was a farmer in what is now Rockefeller town- ship; Abraham, who lived in Little Mahanoy town- ship; Christiana, who married Michael Hoch, after whose death she moved with her daughter Sarah, wife of Killian Snyder, and family to Missouri, during the seventies; David, who lived in Wash- ington township ; Leonard, who lived in Washing- ton township : and Jonas. terms. He received his first lieense to teach in Northumberland eounty from Prof. Ira Shipman, his second from Benjamin Apple, and began his work as teacher at Malick's schoolhouse, in Wash- ington township. He taught in all five terms, one in Washington township, two in Upper Mahanoy and two in Little Mahanoy. From 1900 to 1910 Mr. Reitz was employed in the silk mill at Sun- bury, in the spring of 1910 settling on the farin in Lower Augusta township whielt he had purchased in 1906. This traet of sixty-seven acres was for- merly the homestead of Samuel Renn, whose fa- ther, Jacob Renn, owned it first. Mr. Reitz in- tends to devote his attention principally to farm- ing, and if his former sueeess is any indieation of what his future may be he will soon be ranked among the intelligent agrieulturists of his locality. Michael recorded in the above paragraphi, was born The year of luis location in this district-1910-he was appointed a justice of the peace. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics.

On Sept. 5, 1897, Mr. Reitz married Allie Raker, daughter of Daniel and Annie ( Dornsife) Raker, of Little Mahanoy township, and they have one son, Clyde Emerson. The family are active in chureli life as members of St. Elias Lutheran Church in Lower Augusta township.

Daniel Reitz, son of Michael and brother of Aug. 11, 1804, in Washington township, on the farm now owned by Luther Rebuek, which was the homestead of his father. He was a lifelong farm- er, held township office, and was a useful and re- spected man of his neighborhood. He and his fam- ily were Lutheran members of Himmel's Church, in the graveyard of which inany generations of the Reitz family are buried, and there he and his wife rest. He died Jan. 9. 1886. and his wife, Susanna ( Borrell-spelled "Boorel" on the tombstone), born June 26, 1810, died Jan. 12, 1881. They had fourteen children: Mary married Elias Rebuek : Jonas inarried Ellemina Snyder ; Samuel married Eliza Reitz: Catharine married (first) Godfried Rebnek and (second) Andrew Rebuck: Christiana died young; Jolin married Polly Herb ; Susanna died young : Salome married Milton Drumheller :

Michael Reitz, the other son of George Reitz (the pioneer in Northumberland county of this name) mentioned, was born in January, 1757, and owned a place of 125 aeres in Washington township (where Luther Rebuck now lives ) where he died Dec. 17, 1825. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Schnock, was a native of Berks coun- ty, Pa., born about 1766, and made the trip to one son died in infancy; Elizabeth married Jared

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Snyder; Michael married Alice Raker; Harriet died in infancy ; Leonard married Ellemina Shaf- fer ; Daniel married Mary Billman.

Leonard Reitz, son of Michael and Magdalena (Eister), was born Oct. 18, 1822, on his father's farın in Washington township, and was a lifelong farmer there. He worked for his father until he was several years past his majority, and then pur- chased the homestead, which he farmed for several years before he sold it and purchased the property now owned by his son Emanuel. This tract con- sists of three parts, one of thirty-three acres, one of thirty-five acres and one of fifteen acres, and there is a fourth tract of fifty acres of woodland, mak- ing a total of 133 aeres. Leonard Reitz died May 6, 1903, at the advanced age of eighty years, and during his long life he was not only a thrifty farm- er but also an active citizen of his township, serv- ing many years as supervisor and as deacon, elder and trustee of Himmel's Church, of which he was a Lutheran member. He was a Democrat in political sentiment. To him and his wife Susanna, who was a daughter of John Snyder and his wife (who was a Schollenberger), were born six children: One

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 64

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