Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 71

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 71

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a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in re-

Peter Getter, born May 10, 1816, was a tailor, ligious connection.

and followed his trade in Northumberland county, On Feb. 25, 1864, Mr. Getter was married to Thursa Rhoads, daughter of William and Eliza (Gordon) Rhoads, and she died May 1, 1874. His second marriage, Nov. 25, 1874, was to Lavina D. Yocum, daughter of James and Eliza Yocum, of Ralpho township, and his third marriage, Dec. 14, 1899, was to .Mary W. Young, who survives. His where he made his home for many years, living in Northumberland, Sunbury and Shamokin, re- spectively. He settled in the last named place in 1849, and died there Dec. 21, 1884, aged sixty- eiglit years, seven months, eleven days. Mr. Get- ter was originally a Democrat in politics, but went over to the new Republican party. He married children were all born to the first marriage, viz .: Sarah Beck, born Feb. 10, 1816, died April 17, Harry H. resides at No. 2448 North Thirtieth street, Philadelphia ; William E. is deceased ; Sar- 1894, aged seventy-eight years, two months, seven days, daughter of Jacob Beck, of Northumberland ah married Edward M. Seitzinger, of Shamokin, county. To them were born eleven children: Ja- and they have children, Thursa, Lavina and Har- cob B., James, Edwin, Susanna (widow of Theo- riet. dore Jones), Edgar, Eliza, Florence. Eva (wife

Mrs. Jacob B. Getter is a granddanghter of Rev. of Hugli Coulton), Clara (widow of Robert Jolin Wolverton, who was a Baptist minister of Gorre), and two who died in infancy." Northumberland county. Her father, Isaac Wol- Jacob B. Getter attended the public schools of Sunbury. He came to Shamokin with his father in 1849, and here enlisted, April 22, 1861, from Shamokin, for three months, in Company A, 8th Pennsylvania Infantry, being at once made corpor- verton, was a merchant for several years and later became a farmer in Shamokin township, where he died at the age of thirty-seven years. He married Anna Vastine, daughter of Benjamin L. Vastine, and their children were: John, Benjamin. Jon- al. At the end of the three months he returned athan, Eliza, Mary (Mrs. Getter) and Lewis, all home, but remained only sixteen days, when he of whom are deceased except Mrs. Getter. Mrs. again enlisted, for three years' service, in Company Getter was born in Shamokin township July 5,

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1828. She married (first) Jacob Weimer Young ried, and among his children was a daughter, Eva and (second) Jacob B. Getter. By her first mar- Elizabeth, who was born in 1785 and died unmar- riage she had two.children, Nora A. and Harry ried in 1804. L. Young.

BENJAMIN F. TROUTMAN, proprietor of the Opera House Cafe at Shamokin, has been doing business at his present location on Independence street since 1895, and is one of the most popular men in his line in the borough. He is widely ac- quainted among the business men and citizens

hantango Valley, in Schuylkill county, Pa., July 14, 1865, son of James B. Troutman, and is a mem- ber of an old family of Berks county, being a grandson of Abraham or Peter Troutman.

The Troutman family of western Berks county had settled prior to the organization of the county, in 1752, in Tulpehocken township, where Hier- onimus Troutman on Oct. 13, 1752, obtained two cated in that part of Lancaster county now em- and Abraham Troutman (a relative) jointly ob- tained a warrant for 152.80 acres of land in North- umberland county. The records show that at this time he was a taxable in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, the Pennsylvania Archives recording the following in 1768: "Peter Troutman, eighty acres of land in Tulpehocken; Philip Troutman, 100 acres; Valentine Troutman, six acres; and Michael Troutman, 2173 acres." Previously, in 1759, one John Troutman paid eleven pounds tax in Tulpehocken township. In 1779 the tax lists show : "Valentine, single-man ; John, single-man and tailor, and Peter, weaver." In 1779 Michael · Troutman owned 275 acres of land, six horses, six cattle, and paid seven pounds, thirteen shillings tax, showing that he was a large property owner. It is traditional, and records confirm it, that Hier- onimus Troutman had these sons: Michael, born Nov. 8, 1746, died Nov. 1, 1804; Valentine, born June 17, 1752, died April 19, 1823; Johannes, born Feb. 4, 1755, died Dec. 2, 1823; Johann Philip, born Aug. 9, 1758, dicd Feb. 23, 1830.

Michael Troutman, the eldest of this family, made his will Aug. 3, 1804, and died about three montlis later. In the will he mentions his wife Susanna, who was to receive the property in Tul- pehocken township on which they lived, besides other items. Ample provision was made for her. They had no issue. After leaving a bequest to Host Church of twenty pounds, to care for his grave, Michael Troutman divided the rest of his estate among his brothers, whom he mentioned thus: Valentine, John who had a son Michael, and Philip.

Valentine Troutman served during the Revolu- tion in September, 1776. in Capt. Michael Furrer's company, and was sent to Long Island. He mar-

Philip Troutman married Magdalena, a born Trontman, possibly a descendant of Abraham, who was a relative of Hieronimus. She was born Feb. 16, 1753, and died Dec. 29, 1834.

All of the above Troutmans are buried at Host church, in the old graveyard adjoining it on the southwest. Many of the gravestones are brown sandstones. Immediately back of the church is an generally. Mr. Troutman was born in the Ma- old sandstone on which appears the following in- scription :

"Eva Elizabeth Troutman Sei ist gaboren den 6 Januar, im yalır 1716, und starb am 1 Januar in yahr 1794. Bracht ehr alter zu 78 yahr, 4 monat, und 3 tag." This possibly was the wife of the ancestor Hieronimus Troutman, and the mother of the sons before mentioned.

Johannes Troutman, son of the ancestor, was warrants, each for twenty-five acres of land lo- born in 1755 and died in 1823. He was married (first) May 13, 1787, to Maria Elizabeth Hoffman, braced in Lebanon county. On March 23, 1802, he and (second) to Sybilla Himmelberger, who was born Jan. 7, 1774, and died Nov. 29, 1858. Among his children were: Michael, born Aug. 2, 1787, died July 19, 1840; John Jacob, born May 18, 1791, died March 6, 1862 ; Elizabeth, born in 1796, died in 1866.

The grandfather of Benjamin F. Troutman, of Shamokin, owned a farm in the Mahantango Val- ley, along the creek of that name, near Uniontown, in Dauphin county, and there followed farming un- til his death. His family consisted of seven chil- dren, viz. : Daniel, who was killed in 188? by two Rumberger brothers who wanted to rob him of his money, and who were hanged for the crime at Har- risburg ; Elias, who took the homestead in the val- ley ; James B .; Josiah, who served in the Civil war, enlisting twice; and three daughters.

James B. Troutman was born on the homestead in Dauphin county in 1821 and died at Kratztown Sept. 26, 1894, aged seventy-three years, one month, eigliteen days. He is buried at St. David's church in Northumberland county. He was a carpenter by trade and also owned a farm near the homestead, where he operated a sawmill and during the winter followed the butchering business, at the time the Molly Maguires were in this section. His wife, Sarah (Seitzel), died in 1813. Their children were as follows: Uriah; David L. : Benjamin F .; Mary, wife of Tobias Wiest, living at Herndon; Malinda, wife of Benjamin Yeager (both de- ceased ) ; Sarah Ellen, deceased ; Syvilla, who mar- ried Isaac Daniels; and Catharine, who married Christ Cleninstine and lives at Tremont, Penn- sylvania.

Benjamin F. Troutman attended the schools in the neighborhood of his birthplace and assisted his father with the farm work until he was eighteen

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years old, when he commenced to learn the ear- Josephi, who died at Shamokin: Catharine, who penter's trade, following it for six years. He then married Enoch Howell; and Elizabeth, who mar- ried John Yarned. To the second marriage were born five children : Mary, who married Daniel Evert; Rebecca, who married Daniel Rote; Wil- liam M. ; Rosetta ; and Solomon, of Sunbury.

engaged in the hotel business, and since 1895 has conducted the Opera House Cafe on Independence street, in the borough of Shamokin, a well known and well patronized business stand, which under his management has held its share of the local pat- Frederick Weaver, the other son of Michael mentioned previously, was born in Rush township and there passed all his life, engaged in farming. He served in the war of 1812. He married Cath- arine Bockire, who died in 1844, and his death oc- curred in 1854. He is buried at the Presbyterian church in Rush township. Their children were as ronage. He has built up his business by the most approved methods and is considered one of the substantial men of Shamokin. He has represented the Ninth ward on the school board since 1903, is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. O. E., local Nest of Owls, P. O. S. of A., Liberty Fire Company and Shamokin Auto Club. He is a Republican in follows: Henry; Martin, who married Rebecca political faith, and in religion a member of the Reformed Churel, belonging to St. John's con- gregation. .

On Jan. 8, 1893, Mr. Troutman married Helen F. Bennage, daughter of William Bennage, of Un- ion county, Pa., and they have four children : Flor- ence May, Marion H., Charles Frederick and Wil- liam L.

Simon Bennech, from whom Mrs. Troutman traces her descent in the paternal line, was thir- teen years old when he arrived in America with his family in 1732. His father died on the voy- age to America. He settled in Heidelberg town- ship, Berks county, where he died in 1757, leaving a family. The family is of French Huguenot or- igin and the name is a notable one in the annals of the Huguenots. The members of the family were scattered by persecution into Switzerland, the Palatinate and England.

WEAVER .. The Weavers are well known in' their long connection with work in the collieries of Shamokin, and the three brothers partieularly men- tioned in this article, William H., Peter M. and John A. Weaver. employed respectively at the Cameron, Luke Fidler and Bear Valley collieries, are respected citizens of that borough. They are members of an old family of Northumberland county, of German origin, whose first aneestor in this country was Michael Weaver, a native of Wur- temberg. Michael Weaver emigrated to this coun- try in 1769. His first settlement was in Berks county, Pa., where he remained only a short time, however, coming to Northumberland . county in

Noaker and died in Rush township (they had two . children ) ; Philip, who married Mary Hoffman and died in Rush township: Rebecca, who died unmar- ried ; Sallie, who married Levi Miller; Catharine, who married Samuel Gillinger ; Mary, who died at Sunbury in 1909, aged eighty-three years; and Peter.

Henry Weaver, son of Frederick, was born in Rush township and followed farming there. Mov- ing to Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa., he there en- gaged in the hotel business, which he later carried on at Danville. His next location was at Trev- orton, the site of which was then a farm, the buildings consisting of one log house and three old frame houses. He kept the first place of pub- lic entertainment there, remaining at Trevorton until his death. He was a prominent man of his day in that section and one of the most interested workers in the establishment of the town, getting up the dinner to promote the sale of town lots.

Mr. Weaver married Catharine Ephlin, daughter of Peter Ephlin, of Rush township, and they be- came the parents of six children: Larissa. born June 15, 1831, now the widow of Richard Brace. came with her father to Trevorton. was the first school teacher there, and is now the oldest resi- dent of the place : Lorenzo Dow is mentioned be- low ; Lyman died unmarried : Elizabeth married S. B. Lndlow : Ellen B. died unmarried ; Alice married Jesse Metz and they reside at Trevorton.

Lorenzo Dow Weaver was born in 1833 near Muney, Pa., and eame to Shamokin, Northumber- land eounty. in 1878. His earlier years were passed at Trevorton. and he followed railroading many 1770 and locating near Liberty Pole, in Rush town- years, his run being between his home place and ship. He took up a large tract of land on which he lived to the end of his days, dying there in 1834; he was buried on his farmn. During the Revolu- tionary war he supported the Colonial canse and served in the army seven years. He had married in Germany and had a family of thirteen children, he married Matilda Metz, daughter of Peter and among whom were Martin and Frederick. Baltimore. Atter settling in Shamokin he became a breaker boss at the Bear Valley colliery, holding this position until his death. which occurred July 15, 1894, in his sixty-second year. He was well known in Shamokin and highly respected. In 1853 Rebecca (Barndt) Metz, and she made her home in Shamokin with her son William H., where she

Martin Weaver, fourth son of Michael. was born in Rush township in 1270 and died in 1844. He died April 11, 1910. The following children were was twice married, and by his first union. to a born to this union : William Henry, Peter M., Hannibal HI., John A., Lyman F., Jesse G., Thom- Miss Hirsh, of Rush township, bad three children :

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as E., Charles A., Elizabeth (wife of Joseph A. Jesse W., Florence M. and Thomas. Eugene Kline, of Trevorton ), Mary A., and Ellen R. (wife died in infancy. of William Woolridge).

WILLIAM H. WEAVER, assistant superintendent at the Cameron colliery, Shamokin, was born Oct. 23, 1856, at Trevorton, Northumberland county, son of Lorenzo Dow Weaver. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native place, and when a young man began work in the mines as a slate picker at the breakers. In time he began to work as fireman at stationary engines, being thus engaged for six years, when he became a sta- tionary engineer. He was employed in that ca- pacity at the mines for fifteen years. For two years afterward he was assistant foreman at the Cameron colliery. Mr. Weaver's next position was that of outside foreman, which he held for four years and six months, in Jannary, 1908, assuming the duties of his present position. that .of assistant superintendent at the same colliery. His long retention at the same colliery bespeaks the excellence and value of his services.

On July 31, 1881, Mr .. Weaver married Florence L. McGiness, daughter of James P. and Mary A. (Jones) McGiness, the former of whom was a pioneer coal operator in Schuylkill county. Six children have been born to this union: John R. (married Mary Scovack), Rebecca (died in in- fancy). Lydia (wife of Howard D. Moore, whose children are Margaret A., Florence L. and Howard D., Jr.), William H., Jr., Stephen J. and Dan- iel D.

Mr. Weaver has been active in religious work as a member of the Chestnut Street Methodist Church, which he has served as steward, trustee and Sunday school superintendent, also taking a prominent part in the Epworth League.

PETER M. WEAVER, son of Lorenzo Dow Weaver, was born Oct. 31. 1858, at Trevorton, Northum- berland connty, and there attended the public schools. He was only eight and a half years old when he commenced picking slate at the breaker during the summers, continuing. his education in the winter months. Later lie tended door in the mines and then learned engineering, at which he was chiefly engaged about the mines, though he was engaged as a regular miner for five years, do- ing tunnel work and mining. In 1901 he became breaker foreman at the Luke Fidler colliery, at Shamokin, which position he has filled to the pres- ent time. Mr. Weaver has one hundred men and boys in his charge, and he has proved a responsible man for the work assigned him, having a high rep- utation for faithful and intelligent work.

Mr. Weaver has done his share in promoting the welfare of the community and is well known in various capacities, having served as a member of the board of school directors of Coal township, and as treasurer of that board. He is a Repub- lican in politics and was committeeman of his dis- trict three years. Fraternally he has belonged to the I. O. O. F. since 1877, is treasurer of the Temple Association of the I. O. O. F. and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. Club. He belongs to the Methodist Church.

JOHN A. WEAVER, son of Lorenzo Dow Weaver, was born at Trevorton, this county, March 5, 1863, received a public school education and when old enough found employment at the mines. He fired a boiler one year and for the past twenty-six years has been stationary engineer at the Bear Valley colliery, where he has been employed in all for the long period of thirty-three years, being among the oldest employees at the colliery. His long service and efficient work make him a valued and trusted man, and he has the respect of his em- plovers and fellow workers without reserve.

On Oct. 26, 1883, Mr. Weaver married Sarah Jane McCollum. daughter of Ephraim S. and Sarah Jane (Allvord) McCollum, and they have had a family of ten children, namely: Ephraim S. (married Gertrude Stahl), Minnie (married Francis Goldman). Florence (married Ray Dun- kelberger ), Tillie (married Frank Gross), George, Edna, Clarence. Elsie, Ethel (deceased ), and a son that died in infancy. The family reside at No. 704 West Pine street, Shamokin. Mr. Weaver is a Republican in politics, a member of the Evangelical Church, and an Odd Fellow in fraternal connec- tion.

JOHN E. ALLEN, superintendent of the silk mills at Shamokin conducted by J. H. & C. K. Eagle, has a responsible connection with one of the important industries of the borough, and has been engaged in that line of work practically all his life-ever since he began to earn his own liv- ing. He is a native of Paterson, N. J., born Oct. 22, 1872. son of Peter Allen, who was born in England and came to America when a young man. He located at Paterson, N. J., where he was en- gaged in the silk business.

Jolm E. Allen attended the public schools of his home district, and when a youth of seventeen be- gan to work in a silk mill, on the floor. He was employed at different mills while acquiring his ex- tensive knowledge of the business, and in time entered the employ of Bamford Brothers, at Pater- son, as superintendent, remaining with this well known concern for a period of eighteen years. The Bamfords have mills at Paterson and Belvidere.

On Oct. 16, 1880, Mr. Weaver married Cath- arine Shney, daughter of Christian and Mary (Miller) Shuev, and to them have been born fourteen children, nine of whom survive, namely: Joseph A. (married Lizzie Maurer), Annie S., Charlotte M., Emma C., Charles A., George D., in New Jersey, and at Wilkes-Barre, in Pennsyl-

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vania. In April, 1909, Mr. Allen came to Sha- ness meu in the west end of the borough. In his mokin to assume the duties of his present position line he is undoubtedly the leader. His business at the Eagle mills, where he has proved himself has been built up by honest values and a high class well qualified for his work. He is a self-made of bakery products, including bread, cakes and man, intelligent, industrious and enterprising, and by elose application to his ealling has beeome thor- oughly versed in the work in its various branches, being considered a valuable employee.

pies of all kinds, all made of the best materials, put together by skilled tradesmen. He still super- vises the work personally, being just as careful of the good will of his customers now as he was in ernized from time to time to keep paee with the

Mr. Allen is a well known member of the Ma- his struggling days. His equipment has been mod- sonie fraternity, belonging to Warren Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., of Belvidere, N. J., of which he is demands of his trade and as improvements have- a past master ; to Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. been made in the devices used in the business, and A. M. ; Williamsport Consistory, thirty-second de- not many years ago he put in a modern Vienna gree ; and to the Temple Club at Shamokin. In oven and a patent dough mixer. His business is the largest in its line in the borough, and his goods

religious connection he is a Presbyterian.

Mr. Allen married Ella Cole, of Belvidere, N. have a wide reputation for being up to the stand- J., and they have had three children : Myrta, Roy ard in every respect. D. and H. Marion.

WILLIAM M. YOCH, one of the most suecess- ful bakers in Shamokin, where he is at present running three establishments, is a self-made man, having attained his present substantial position by hard work and thrift. His goods are high-grade and reeommend themselves to the best elass of patrons in the borough.

Mr. Yoch has devoted practically all of his time to business, and is not active in polities or other local publie matters, though he takes the interest in the welfare of the borough which every publie- spirited citizen should feel. He is fond of good horses and has several fine driving animals. In religious connection he is a Lutheran.

KIEFFER. The Kieffers or Keiffers of Wash- Mr. Yoch was born June 10, 1862, at Easton, Northampton Co., Pa., and is of German descent, his father, Herman Yoeh, having been born in Saxony, Germany, in 1829. He married Amelia Fischer, like himself a native of Saxony, and they ington township, Northumberland eounty, to which family Abraham Kieffer and Daniel M. Keiffer, both residents of that distriet, belong, have been located in this part of Pennsylvania for several generations. The family is of French origin, the came to America in 1856, loeating at Easton, Pa., name in that language being Sonnellier, and they moved from their native France to Zweibruecken, Germany, in the year 1685, eoming thenee to Amer- ica in 1732. One Abraham Kieffer is buried in Snyder county, this State.

where he followed his trade, that of slater, which he had learned thoroughly in the old country. In 1871 lie eame to Shamokin and here also worked as a slater, slating the old St. Edward's and Polish Catholic churches. After spending about twenty

Abraham Kieffer, the ancestor of the braneh here years in the Western States he returned to Sha- under consideration, was a native of Richmond mokin, where he is now living retired with his township, Berks Co., Pa., born March 15, 1751, son William. He and his wife have had ehildren and coming to Northumberland county settled in as follows: Francis, who lives at Seigfried, Le- Washington (then Jackson) township, where he high Co., Pa .; Mary, wife of Clinton Kech, of owned a large tract of land, 300 acres. It is now Allentown, Pa. ; William M .; Charles, residing in subdivided, and owned by the Rebueks and Kris- California; and Herman, who is engaged in the singers. He followed farming. He died July 15. pretzel business in Shamokin.

1832, and is buried at the Himmel Church, of which he was a member. There also is the grave 1758, and died March 6, 1810. They had sons John and Daniel, and several daughters.

William M. Yoeh came to Shamokin with his parents and when thirteen years old beeame an of his wife Margaretha, who was born May 15, apprentice to the baker's trade. In 1886 he went to Richmond, Va., where he was in business for eighteen months, at the end of that time returil- John Kieffer, son of Abraham, was born Aug. 15, 1790, and was a young man when he eamne from Berks eounty and located in Washington township. He was a lifelong farmer, but he was ing to Shamokin, where he has sinee remained. He began business in the borough in 1889, at No. 70 Chestnut street, where he has since maintained an establishment, having built an addition to the also a handy man at mechanical work and made original place as the demands of business made shoes. He was quite a prominent citizen of his more room necessary. Meantime he has opened distriet, serving in various loeal offices, and was two more stores, having one on Spruce street an active member of the Reformed congregation of the Himmel Church, which he served in different and one on Raee street, and now gives employment to twenty men and runs four teams. He is re- official capaeities. He died Dec. 8, 1880. He mar- garded as one of the leading and successful busi- ried Magdalena Heim, daughter of Matthias Heim,

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born March 13, 1792, died Aug. 20, 1864. Chil- terprising young man, and holds the respect of all who know him.

dren as follows were born to this union: Jonathan is mentioned below; John, born Aug. 31, 1829, On May 25, 1900, Mr. Keiffer married Henri- etta Geist, daughter of Daniel and Cecelia (Upde- grove) Geist, of Upper Mahanoy township, and they have two children, Stella M. and Norman L. Mr. Keiffer and his family are Reformed members lived in Washington township, and died Jan. 2, 1864; George lived in Washington township; Peter died young; Elizabeth married Jaeob Krebs; Su- san married Henry Bohner ; Marieha married John Eister; Magdalena married John Hepner; Abra- of the Himmel Church, which he has served as ham is mentioned below.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 71

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