Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 70

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 70

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).

812

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

farmer, owning 110 acres in Lower Augusta town- does a large business in the production of manu -. ship, the original Shipman plantation, and he was factured feed. not only known in his community as a success- ful agriculturist, but also for his participation in its various activities. He was a Democrat, and served as school director and road director; was a Methodist and interested in church life, as were also the members of his family ; and took pleas- ure in using his influence to further the welfare of his section, where he enjoyed considerable prom- inence. He had one hobby, being a true sports- man, and was often on the mountain when the snow was a foot deep, taking great delight in fox hunting ; he killed three foxes in one day.

During the sixties Mr. Wilkinson married Abi- gail Snyder, who was born Feb. 28, 1840, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Shipman) Snyder and sister of former Associate Judge Shipman. Mrs. Wil- kinson died July 18, 1908, at the age of sixty- eight. She was the mother of the following chil- dren : Melvin, who died aged twenty-eight years, unmarried ; Samuel J .; John, who lives near Trevorton, this county; Dr. Boyd, of Trevorton; and Ira, who died unmarried, at the age of twenty- one years.

In May, 1897, Mr. Wilkinson married Rebecca French, daughter of John and Frances (Sharp) French, and a native of Sussex county, Del. Mrs. Wilkinson was born Dec. 9, 1878, and died May ?, 1909. She is buried in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church on the Wilkinson homestead, which was taken up by the Shipman family early in the eighteen hundreds. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin- son had the following children : Abigail, Ida, Llew- ellyn, Alton and Laura. Mr. Wilkinson and his family are members of the Boyle's Run Methodist Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and was committeeman of Mahanoy township three years.

DANIEL GEISE (deceased), for many years a most respected citizen of Jordan township, was well known as a prosperous farmer and a faith- ful public official. He was born July 18, 1836, son of George Geise and grandson of Heinrich Geise, of Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., among whose children were George, Samuel, Daniel and Jacob.

George Geise, born July 20, 1788, settled in what is now Jordan township, and died there, on the farm now owned by the widow of his son

SAMUEL J. WILKINSON, son of Aaron, was born Nov. 26, 1871, in Lower Augusta township, and there obtained his early education in the public. Daniel, Sept. 2, 1869. He was a miller by trade, schools. Later he attended Central Pennsylvania Academy, at New Berlin, Union county, which institution was conducted under the auspices of the Evangelical Association. When a young man of twenty he was licensed to teach public school, and taught two terms in Cameron township, later being engaged for one term in West Cameron township, after the district became subdivided.

but in time devoted himself entirely to farming, owning the farm which is still in the family name. His wife Catharine, daughter of Peter Schwartz, of Berks county, was born Dec. 10, 1796, in Berks county, and died Jan. 9, 1875, and they are buried at St. Paul's (Schwartz) Church, Urban. Their children were born as follows: Hannah, Aug. 2, 1817; Benneville, June 23, 1819; Peter, Jan. 20,

For the next five years he followed farming, in 1822; Catharine, June 26, 1824; Rachel, June 13, 1896 engaging in the milling business in Mahanoy 1827; Elizabeth, Jan. 21, 1830; George, March township. In 1904 he became proprietor of his 26, 1832; Daniel, July 18, 1836; David, June 25, 1838 (died Sept. 11, 1906; wife. Catharine. died July 14, 1901, aged sixty-three years, fourteen days).

present establishment, known as the Mahanoy Val- ley Roller Mills, at Dornsife. This mill is located on Mahanoy creek, and the property includes sev- enteen acres of land. The plant is an old one, Daniel Geise was a lifelong farmer, owning and occupying the place where his widow now resides, a tract of 149 acres located a quarter of a mile south of Urban. This was originally a Schwartz homestead. Besides general farming, Mr. Geise engaged in lime burning and in cattle dealing, and he made a success of his various undertak- ings. He was a man who took a keen interest in the local welfare and administration, serving the township in the offices of treasurer and over- seer of the poor. Politically he was a Democrat and in religion a Lutheran, belonging to the Luth- eran congregation at St. Paul's Church, where he is buried. His death occurred Jan. 2, 1900. the mill having been built by John Dunkelberger. Since his day it has passed through many changes of ownership, having been owned 'successively by Reitz, Kobel, the latter's son, Bowman and the present owner, who bought Mr. Bowman out in 1904. It has always been a leading business cen- ter of the district, and has lost none of its old prestige under the present management, Mr. Wil- ·kinson having remodeled the mill and equipped it with roller process. The trade has increased five- fold since he acquired the plant, his patrons com- ing from a radius of many miles, and he finds a ready market for his flour in Shamokin, Trevor- ton and the surrounding territory. He manufac- Mr. Geise married Froenica Trautman, daugh- tures a straight grade known as Wilkinson's Best, ter of George and Rebecca (Heckert) Trautman, and his other well known brands arc White Rose, and ten children were born to this union : David ; Banner, Spring Patent and Triumph. He also Katie, married to Galen Bower; Mary (twin of

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA 813

Katie), married to William Piekering; Sallie, mar- team goes daily. Mr. Geise is one of the most ried to Elias Phillips; George; Ellen, married to Charles Deppen; Rebecea, married to Harry Drum; Louisa, married to Charles Tressler ; Em- ma, married to Albert Phillips: and John. The family is highly respected, enjoying the best stand- ing in the community. Mrs. Geise is a member of the Reformed congregation at the Schwartz (St. Paul's) Church.

Samuel Geise, son of Heinrich and brother of George (above), was born in either Berks or Northumberland county, and died at Kratzerville, Snyder Co., Pa., in the seventies; he is buried there. He was a buteher by trade, and owned a small traet of land in Monroe township, Snyder county, where he lived. He was well known at Northumberland, where he sold his meat. In re-

On June 20, 1882, Mr. Geise married Mary Jane Dagle, daughter of Jolin Frederick Dagle, and they have beeome the parents of nine children : Charles H., who married Marie Von Bargen and ligion he was a Lutheran. To him and his wife resides at Sidney, Ohio : Edna G., who died when seventeen years old: Frederick D .; Martin L .; Nora E., who graduated from the Bloomsburg State normal school in 1910 and is now a teacher in Point township : Mary I .; Susan L. : John F., and Mildred L. Mary, Susan and John now at-

Hannalı (Bowman) were born seven children : Hannah, Mrs. Walter ; Henry; Polly, who died unmarried ; Samuel, who lived in Dry Valley, Union Co., Pa .: Sarah, who died unmarried : Moses, who owned the homestead and who died unmarried (he had very weak eyes) ; and Eliza, tend the Northumberland high school. Mr. Geise who never married.

Henry Geise, son of Samuel, was born Jan. 15, 1818, in Ohio, whither his father had emigrated from Mahanoy township, making the trip by wag- on. The family remained in that State only one year, however, returning to Pennsylvania and set- tling in Snyder county. Mr. Geise passed his earlier years in Snyder and Union counties, ope- In Will Book A, page 75, Berks county court- house, is found record of the will of George Adam Geiss, made Jan. 26, 1784, probated March 4, 1784. The witnesses were Matthias Staudt, Matthias Sonnenlieh and Joseph Conrad. George Adam Geiss was a farmer of Bern township, Berks county. His wife Anna Barbara and son Michael were the executors, and the following division was made of the property: "Son Michael shall have 10 pds first of all of my personal estate for his birthright and rating gristmills, and about 1850 eame to Point township, Northumberland county, where he en- gaged in farming and passed the remainder of his long life, dying July 9, 1900. He is buried at Northumberland. He owned his own farm of eighty-one acres, which he eultivated until his re- tirement, being succeeded there by his son Samuel. who is now deceased. In religion Mr. Geise was a Lutheran. His wife, Susanna, was a daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Frederick) Brouse, of Kratzer- each of my three daughters shall be equal to the ville, Snyder eounty, and they were the parents of two children, Samuel and Henry F. The former was a farmer in Point township ; his children were William, Dora, Harvey, Ammon, and Anna (de- ceased ).

Henry F. Geise was born in Point township, and there received his early education in the publie schools, later attending a select sehool at North- umberland. For one term he taught the sehool in his native township which he had previously at- tended as a pupil. He was reared to farm life, and continues to follow agricultural pursuits. giving special attention to dairying. His farm is in the eentral part of Point township, a tract of 180 acres, which he conduets on modern lincs. Since February. 1902, he has been engaged in dairving, now keeping twenty-seven cows and selling his milk at Northumberland. to which place his milk

progressive citizens of his locality. He was one of the organizers of the Northumberland National Bank, and served three years as director of that institution. For eleven years he served as tax colleetor, was at one time a inember of the town- ship board of school directors, and is at present one of the supervisors, having held that office since the new road law went into foree. Politically he is a Republican, a well known worker in the party in his section, having been eounty committeeman sinee 1896 and served as delegate to various eounty conventions.

and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, and he helped to organize Trinity Church in his township, of which he is a trustee. Prior to the organization of this church, in 1897, he and his family belonged to St. John's Church, at the borough of Northumberland.

eldest in their first marriage each shall receive the same as the other ; son Michael shall have all iny real estate but he shall pay to each of his sisters the sum of 700 pounds." The son Michael had a son George, born in 1788, who may have been the George Geise mentioned at the beginning of this article as the father of Daniel Geise, of Jordan township, Northumberland county.

THOMAS A. EVANS, proprietor of the "Val- ley House" at Mount Carmel, has been a resident of that borough sinee 1894 and has been engaged in various pursuits, for several years holding the offiec of ticket agent of the Lehigh Valley & Penn- sylvania Railway Company there. He has been interested in the local administration for some years, at present serving his third term as mem- ber of the borough council.

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Evans was born in 1869 near the city of 5, 1794, aged eighty-three years, leaving a widow, York, in York county, Pa. His father, John H. five daughters, Barbara, Hannah, Maria, Catharine and Elizabeth, and two sons, John and Jacob, of Oley township. The family here under eonsidera- tion springs undoubtedly from this souree.

Evans, a native of Wales, eame to Ameriea when a young man and lived in York eounty, Pa., for some time. He then went to Shenandoah, Pa., where he remained until his death. He was a rock eontraetor. He and his wife had a family of six children: Elizabeth, who is now the wife of O. B. Williams, a well known eontraetor of Tam- aqua, Pa. ; William J .; Hannah, wife of Thomas Mullahey, a tailor of Mount Carmel ; Thomas A. : Hugh J .. a United States marshal, now stationed at Seranton, Pa. ; and Nellie, wife of Robert Good- will.

Thomas A. Evans received a common sehool ed- ueation. His first employment was as a clerk, and after being thus engaged for a time he beeame a Inerchant, carrying on a general store at Shen- andoah for four years. In 1894 he eame to Mount Carmel, where he followed mining for about five years, at the end of that time beeoming ticket agent of the Lehigh Valley & Pennsylvania Railway Company. He was thus engaged until the spring of 1910, when he became proprietor of the well known "Valley House" at Mount Carmel, in the conduct of which he has been very snceessful. He is an up-to-date business man, and his methods and good management promise to hold the trade this house has always enjoyed and to inerease it. Mr. Evans was elected a member of the borough couneil in 1904, on the Republican ticket, and has sinee been a member of that body, at present serv- ing his third successive term. His continuanee in offiee is the best guaranty of the satisfaction his serviees have given to his fellow eitizens.

John Lesher, a native of Germany, born Jan. 5, 17.11, was the only son and heir-at-law of Nich- olas Lesher. of the Fatherland. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734 and was naturalized in 1743. He first settled in Bucks county, and later in Oley township, Berks county, where he became proni- inent as an ironmaster. He represented the county in the Constitutional Convention of 1776, and from 1776 until 1782 served in the General Asseni- bly, helping to prepare the "Declaration of Rights," and being extremely prominent during the Revo- lutionary war, rendering valuable service to his adopted country. He died in Oley township April

Samuel Lesher, the grandfather of Cornelius Lesher, was born Mareh 12, 1782, and died Mareh 12; 1844, aged sixty-two years. Upon settling in Northumberland eounty he made his home in Stone Valley, owning the farm which is now the property of Elias Philips, which was and is still considered the best farm in the township. He ereeted buildings on that place. He was prosper- ous, and also owned an adjoining farm, his hold- ings eomprising fully three hundred aeres, so that he was one of the substantial men of his time. He was a member of the . Evangelieal Association and he and Frederiek Bohner were the first of that denomination in the township and .instrumental in the establishment of Troutman's Church and Bohner's cemetery. The United Evangelical Church there now numbers fully one hundred mem- bers. Mr. Lesher was a devout Christian and a well known exhorter. He was twiee married. and the children born to his first marriage were: George, John, Henry, Jacob, Samuel and Sarah (Mrs. John Troutman). His second wife, Maria (Smith), was born Aug. 12, 1799, and died Jan. 11, 1877. She and Mr. Lesher are buried in the Uniontown cemetery. Their children were: Har- riet (Mrs. John Troutman), Isaae (born Jan. 1, 1832), Daniel, Elias, Jonas, Mary (Mrs. Charles Snyder) and Elizabeth (died unmarried).

John Lesher. son of Samuel, was born Marel 11, 1810, in Stone Valley, Jordan township, and daughter of Jaeob Troutman, was born June 10, 1814, and died Oet. 4, 1893. They were members

On Sept. 20, 1893, Mr. Evans married Mary E. died Nov. 9, 1884. His wife, Polly (Troutman), Moyer, daughter of James Mover, and they have one son, Delroy. Socially Mr. Evans is a member of the Elks and the Eagles, and he also belongs to of the Evangelieal Association and faithful in their the Anthracite Fire Company. attendanee at publie worship. They are buried in CORNELIUS LESHER, a highly respected farmer of Jordan township, was born there Nov. 15, 1842, son of John Lesher and grandson of Samuel Lesher. The latter eame to this region from Berks county, where the Leshers have been settled for a number of generations. the Uniontown cemetery. Mr. Lesher followed farming, owning a seventy-five-aere farm (now the property of David Leitzel) near Hebe, where he reared his large family. Twelve children were born to him and his wife: One daughter, Sarah. died young ; Carolina married Jesse Sehadel; one daughter married Simon Riegel and (seeond) Adam Bohner; Annie married Henry Sehadel : Cornelius is mentioned below : Magdalena married Samuel Masser : one daughter married Moses Mas- ser, cousin of Sanmel Masser: Cassie married Joel Strohecker : John is a resident of Dauphin county, Pa. : Samuel is deceased ; Jacob lives at Trevor- ton, Pa. ; George L. is mentioned below.

Cornelins Lesher was reared under the parental roof, working for his father until he attained his majority. After following the earpenter's trade for two years he commenced farming as a tenant in Jordan township, and he has been engaged in agrieultural pursuits on his own aeeount for nearly

815 .

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

forty years. In Lower Mahanoy township he known in this end of Northumberland county for owned a farm of eighty acres which he farmed for several generations. In 1828 one John Geist was a trustee of the Reformed congregation at the old established Himmel Church, in Washington town- ship, with which the Geists have been prominently identified down to the present day. . When St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Church, of Upper Mahanoy township, was organized in 1853, Peter Geist was one of the first trustees. three years, at the end of that time selling it to Gilbert Troutman, and for the next two years again farmning as a tenant. He then bought a farm of 100 acres, the old homestead of Heinrich Troutman, who was the father of Jacob and grand- father of John Troutman, and there he lived and worked for twenty-eight years, finally disposing of the place to Samuel R. Reed. Mr. Lesher has always been considered one of the thrifty and in- telligent farmers of Jordan township, and he has a complete farm stock, believing in working to the best advantage if the best results are to be expected. Physically he is short and well set, capable of do- ing a good day's work, and by industry and good management has attained a creditable position in his community. He has served his township effi- ciently as treasurer and overseer of the poor, is a Republican in political connection, and is a leading member of the United Evangelical Church at Un- iontown, to which his family also belong. For a number of years he served as church trustee and he was a class leader for six years.

In December, 1863. Mr. Lesher married Polly Lease, who was born Jan. 1, 1841, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Troutman) Lease, of Maha- noy, Pa., and died Feb. 20, 1868. She is buried in the Uniontown cemetery. Of the three children born to this union two are deceased, the survivor John H. Geist, son of Abraham, lived for a num- ber of years in Upper Mahanoy township, of which he was one of the best -known residents in his day. He was a most enterprising business man, a iner- chant, huckster, butcher, hotel-keeper and farmer, being Lizzie, wife of David Eister, a farmer; they live near Mahanov. In 1869 Mr. Lesher married (second) Carolina Troutman, daughter of Moses and Rebecca ( Bohner ) Troutman, and they have had four children: Daniel, who lives at home: owned Leck Kill and several large farms there, was Ida, Mrs. John Schmeltz : Wilson, of Jordan town- ship ; and Irwin, at home.

GEORGE L. LESHIER, younger brother of Cornelius Lesher, is a farmer in Jordan township, where he was born Aug. 15, 1859. He was reared to farm life, which he has always followed. Working for his parents until .he reached young manhood. he hired out to others for a time, and in the spring of 1886 began farming on his own account, in Jor- dan township. * He had a farm of 106 acres which he sold in the fall of 1909, in the spring of 1910 moving to his present place. In September. 1885, he married Kate Troutman, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth ( Rothermel) Troutman, and they have had six children, two of whom died un- named. The others were: Joy, who died aged four years; S. Edgar, who died aged nine years ; Norman, and Beulah. Mr. Lesher and his family attend the United Evangelical Church. He is a Republican in politics.

WILSON O. GEIST, of Herndon, proprietor and owner of the "Herndon House," and agent for farm machinery, is a man widely known in and around that borough, and the family has been well

Abraham Geist, grandfather of Wilson O. Geist, was born March 20, 1813, in Upper Mahanoy town- ship, and was not only a successful farmer but also an enterprising business man. being one of the first dealers in live stock in his district. He had the best farm in the township, a place of 160 acres. He died Aug. 28, 1883, and is buried at Himmel's Church, as is also his wife, Elizabeth ( Hepler), who was born June 10, 1813, and died July 14, 1888. She was a large and powerful woman, weigh- ing nearly three hundred pounds. Besides John H. Geist they had children as follows: Christian (daughter), born in 1834, who died in 1835; Frank: William; Samuel; Lizzie, who married Alexander Gonser and lives at Lewisburg; William (?) ; Lydia, who married Daniel Swartz and lived at Urban, Pa. ; Hettie, who married Jacob Snyder (they are buried at Leck Kill Church ) ; and Polly, who married Michael Powell and (second) a Mr. Shoemaker.

postmaster at Leck Kill, and in every way the lead- ing spirit of the place. For ten years before his death he conducted the "Central House" at Wil- liamstown, Dauphin county, and his son John has succeeded him as proprietor of this place. He died there in 1905, at the age of sixty-one years. > His widow. Harriet ( Beisel), is still living at Wil- liamstown. They had children: Wilson O., Wil- liam B., Anson, Charles, James, Martin, John and Laura ( married to George Troutman and living in Snyder county).

Wilson O. Geist, son of John H. and Harriet ( Beisel) Geist, was born Sept. 14. 1861, in Upper Mahanoy township, this county, and was reared to farm life. But he began his business training early, assisting his father in the store and hotel, and running a huckster team for him, collecting produce and poultry. Continuing thus until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, he then began business on his own account, having a bot- tling establishment at Herndon. Afterward he embarked in the livery business, and in 1898 he be- came proprietor of the "Herndon House." pur- chasing the property in the year 1907. This is the oldest established hotel in the town and a relic of

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the early days, the building itself being the oldest K. 46th Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer In- in Herndon. It was built by Peter and Henry Ziegler, and during the construction of the North- ern Central railroad to Sunbury and Williamsport served as headquarters. It is on the main road to Pottsville, what is known as the old stage route road, and was the stopping place for the old-time stage coaches which ran between Lewistown and Pottsville. Mr. Geist has a first-class livery at-

fantry, serving first as second lieutenant and on March 18, 1864, being appointed first lieutenant. This office he held until his discharge, when he re- turned home to remain about five months, at the end of that period going to Philadelphia and en- listing in Company D, 2d Pennsylvania Provi- sional Cavalry ; he was mustered out after a service of unusual length and severity in September, 1865, taclied to the hotel, and also deals in horses. He is at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Getter saw much active service, and was wounded in the left knee at

district agent for the Osborn Machine Company, selling all kinds of farm implements, and in the Chancellorsville and in the right leg at Dallas, Ga. pursuit of his various interests has become very He took active part in all the movements of the well known and popular among his associates. He Army of the Potomac. After the battle of Gettys- burg the 11th and 12thi Corps went West, remain- ing in the Southwest under command of General Hooker, and took part in Sherman's march to the sea. Mr. Getter tells many interesting stories of the Civil war. does a thriving business in all these lines, and is a natural-born hotel proprietor, understanding the wants of liis guests and looking out for their com- fort in every way. He is a member of Herndon Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 132.

In 1882 Mr. Geist married Sevilla J. Upde- graff, daughter of Jacob Updegraff, of Valley View, Schuylkill Co., Pa. They have four children : Har- vey, married to Laura Lahr; Irwin, who is at home; Carrie, wife of John Borrell : and Hattie, at home.

Upon his return to Shamokin after his army service Mr. Getter commenced mining, which he followed for many years, beginning with the Sham- okin Coal Company, in whose employ he remained for two seasons. When the free delivery system was put in operation at Shamokin he was one of the first mail carriers appointed, and served seven and a half years, resigning in 1898. He is now living retired, making his home at No. 140 East Sunbury street.

JACOB B. GETTER, an old resident of Sham- okin, where he is well known in various connec- tions-as a Civil war veteran, charter member of the Independent Fire Company and one of the Mr. Getter is a prominent man in local G. A. R. first mail carriers in the city, has had his home circles, having been long a member of Lincoln there since 1849. He was born April 15, 1839, at Post, No. 140, of Shamokin, of which he has been commander. He was a charter member of Northumberland, Northumberland county, son of Peter Getter. His grandfather lived and died in the Independent Fire Company of the city. He is Northampton county, this State.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 70

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