Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 76

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 76

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In 1890 Mr. Geist married Katie Geist, dangh- ter of Daniel H. and Cecellia ( Updegraff) Geist, of Upper Mahanoy township, and granddangh- ter of Andrew and Mary Magdalena (Hepler) Geist. They have had a family of seven children : Gertie S., who married Raymond Haas: Jennie children were: Jacob, Simon, John H. and Eliza- beth.

C .; Walter W .: Maurice D. : Stella G .; Harry C., and Jolin. Mr. Geist and his family worship at St. John's Church, belonging to the Reformed congregation. He is a Democrat in political con- nection, and has served for a number of years as supervisor of Upper Mahanoy township, where he is a most respected citizen.

EDWIN A. ADAM, who carries on a lumber business at Mount Carmel, Northumberland coun- ty, was born Nov. 10, 1851, in Hereford town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., and is a member of one of the long established families of that region.

Anthony Adam, a potter by trade, was born in the Fatherland in the year 1716, and emigrated to America in the year 1741. He sailed from Rot- terdam on the snow "Molly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch, which vessel arrived at Phil- adelphia, and the passengers, having taken the oath of allegiance to the English sovereign, were qualified to land Oct. 26, 1741. His age is en- tered on the passenger list as twenty-five years. On Feb. 7, 1748, he received from the proprie- taries of the Province of Pennsylvania a warrant for a tract of 136 acres, 146 perches, of land in Albany township, then a part of Philadelphia county. This land was surveyed for him by the surveyor general of the Province, June 6, 1752. Andoni Adam, as he wrote his name, received a warrant for a tract of 135 acres and 47 perches "above Maxatawny," Feb. 7, 1748. In 1761 he sold 140 acres of his land in Albany township to John Reinhard. In 1766 he was administrator of the estate of Albrecht Stimmel, being the chief creditor. His administration account was audited and approved in December, 1768. The date of death of Anthony Adam, of Albany, is not known. It is known that he had sons Abraham, Anthony and Bernhard, who settled in Schuylkill county; and Peter. The name of Simon Adam, great- grandfather of Edwin A. Adam, does not appear among the known children of Anthony (2) or Peter, so it would appear the line in which we are interested would be traced through Abraham or Bernhard.

Simon Adam was married Feb. 13, 1776, to Catharine Eck, who died April 27, 1828. He died March 27, 1803. Their children were born as follows : John, Nov. 22, 1776; Anna, Sept. 30. 1778 (married Andrew Schnabel) ; James, Feb. 6, 1781; Catharine, Jan. 4, 1783 (married David Schnabel) : John James, Feb. 2, 1785: Sabina (married George Dappen) ; Elizabeth, June 20. 1788; John, Sept. 6, 1792; Paul, Feb. 5, 1797.

John Adam, son of Simon, was a well known farmer in Hereford township, Berks county, where he passed all his life. He and his wife Catharine (Hammerstine), daughter of Andrew and Bar- bara Hammerstine, are buried at Bally. Their

John H. Adam, son of John, was born April 27, 1814, and followed farming. owning the old homestead. He died Feb. 10, 1883, upon his farm, and he and his wife are buried at Bally. Her maiden name was Mary M. Klehs (also spelled Klase), and she was born April 30, 1808, and died June 21, 1879. They had five children : Elizabeth, born Dec. 15. 1840. died Oct. 15, 1877: John M. lives at Mahanoy City: Charles died in Berks connty when twelve years old : Lucy A. died Jan. 24, 1906; Edwin A. is a resident of Mount Carmel.

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Edwin A. Adamı was born Nov. 10, 1851, in and various entertainments; it was headquarters Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa., and was there for the Springfield Band. On Aug. 4, 1910, the hotel building was completely destroyed by fire, the loss being thirty thousand dollars. With his customary enterprise Mr. Kunkel at once com- menced rebuilding, on the same site, his new hotel being thoroughly up-to-date and a credit to the community as well as to the owner. Kunkel's hall, built on an adjoining lot, is 60 feet square. In connection with his hotel Mr. Kunkel has a livery business, keeping ciglit horses, for which there is constant demand. reared upon the homestead farm, following farm- ing until he attained his majority. Meantime he received his education in the common schools of the locality. Upon leaving home lie located at Shamokin, Northumberland county, where he was in the employ of the late Darlington Kulp for a period of thirteen years, since when he has been engaged in the lumber business on his own ac- count, at different places. He has lived at Mount Carmel since 1890, and for eleven years was a merchant in the borough. As a business inan and citizen he occupies a substantial place in the com- munity.

Mr. Kunkel is well known socially, holding membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Red Men, East End and Friendship Hose Companies, several Polish societies, and St. Stanislaus church. He is a Democrat in political matters.

Mr. Adam married Mary C. Crowl, daughter of Jackson Crowl, of Elysburg, Pa., and to them have been born nine children: Gordon T. (of On Nov. 26, 1892, Mr. Kunkel married Ger- Mount Carmel), Lillie E., Mary M., Wheeler E., trude Green, daughter of William Green, of Mount Flora A., Harriet Rella, Jolin J., Mark J. (who Carmel, Pa. They have four children, namely : died when three years old) and Anna L. Mr. Clement, Florence, Violet and Alma. Adam is a Catholic in religious faith.

CHARLES A. KUNKEL, engaged in the ho- tel and livery business in Shamokin, is a young man whose enterprise and good management are bringing him success. He was born in Shamo- kin Feb. 29, 1876, son of Leo Kunkel, a native of Germany, born in. 1846, who came to America when a young man of twenty-two. He first locat- ed at Pittsburg, Pa., where he spent two years, thence coming to Shamokin. Here he followed mining until his death, in 1877, and is buried at Shamokin. Mr. Kunkel married Rosa Gafinski, who is now living in Wisconsin, and the five chil- dren born to them were named as follows: Joseph (who is deceased), Charles A., Tillie, Mary and Polly.

Charles A. Kunkel received his education in the public schools of Shamokin. When thirteen years old he became a slate picker at the mines, where he continued to work in various capacities until he reached the age of twenty-one years. At that time he engaged in the hotel business, but after conducting his place one year sold it and became bookkeeper for Squire Kreiger, with whom he con- tinued for a period of three years. He then em- barked in the wholesale liquor business on his own account, being thus engaged for one and a half years, when he sold out to the Mount Carinel Brewing Company. In 1906 he bought fromn Squire Kreiger the hotel stand where he has since done business. He enjoyed a large business from the time he took the management, having twenty- four rooms, and his being the only hotel in that section of Shamokin he had a thriving trade. which he succeeded in widening steadily by good business methods and satisfactory service. There was a fine hall on the top floor of the old build- ing, which Mr. Kunkel rented for fairs. dances

BENJAMIN F. BASTIAN, of Sunbury, who carries on an up-to-date bakery on Eckman ave- nue, between Line and Race streets, was born July 31, 1868, in Upper Augusta township, Nortlı- umberland county, son of Matthias D. Bastian. He is a member of the fourth generation in that township, being a great-grandson of George Mi- chael Bastian, who founded the family there, and from whom we give the family record.

George Michael Bastian was a native of North- ampton county, Pa., born Marchi 13, 1768, and died Feb. 18, 1845, in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, where he had followed farming, having a 200-acre tract known (and so called in the deed) as "White Lily Garden Farnı." He and his wife dicd on that place, and they are buried in the old cemetery at Sunbury. Her maiden naine was Susanna Bollender, and she was born Oct. 7. 1770, in Greenwich township, Berks county. Their children were as follows: Jesse lived in Sunbury : Peter died at Milton, Pa .; Dan- iel is mentioned below: George died in Sunbury : Catharine married John Renn and they lived in Sunbury ; Christianna married Henry Conrad and they lived in Rockefeller township: Rachel mar- ried John Sinten and they lived at Alaska, this county; Elizabeth died unmarried, in Rockefeller ; Lucy married Jeremiah Zimmerman and died in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.

From public records in the courthouses at Sun- bury and Lewisburg has been taken the follow- ing information, which is here given not only as being of interest in this connection, but also as it has considerable bearing upon the spelling of the name, which seems to have been written Bas- tian from the time the records begin, in 1791, with two exceptions. Both these times it was found written Bostion, but it must be noted that

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on one of these two occasions the signer made his a carpenter, died Feb. 3, 1807, aged sixty years, mark.

George Michael Bastian, Sr., eame from Nortli- ampton county in the year 1791, and on June 16, 1791, bought 500 acres of land from Riehard Wil- lings of Delaware county, Pa., about two miles below Sunbury, Pa., on the west side of the Sus- quehanna river, and in the body of the deed the name is written George Michael Bastian. On June 11, 1798, George Michael Bastian, Sr., sold to George Michael Bastian, Jr., 176 aeres of the above tract of 500 acres and in the body of this deed the name is written George Michael Bostion; the deed is also signed George Michael Bostion.

sold the above 176 acres to Lewis Dewart; he feller township. During the Civil war he enlist-

On May 10, 1819, George Michael Bastian, Jr., signed his name in German and it is written George Michael Bastian, and his wife Susanna Bastian signed by mark, her name being written the same way. On the same day and year Lewis Dewart sold to George Michael Bastian 300 acres in Augusta township about three miles southeast of Sunbury ; in the body of this deed the name is written Bastian. On May 15, 1841, George Michael Bastian, Jr., sold to Henry Gass 76 acres of land in Augusta township, and in the body of this deed the name is Bastian : it is also signed George Mi- chael Bastian. In the year 1844 George Michael Bastian, Jr., made his last will and testament and in the body of the will we find the name Bostion; it is signed Bostion, but by mark.

In the year 1845 George Michael Bastian, Jr., died, and on the tombstone is inscribed Bastian. His son George was one of his executors, and all papers signed in settling up the estate show the spelling Bastian.

In the year 1791 George Michael Bastian, Sr., gave a mortgage to Richard Willing, and he signed himself George Michael Bastian. In the year 1809 George Michael Bastian, Jr., gave a mortgage to Lewis Dewart, and it is signed George Michael Bastian.

One Daniel Bastian had a lawsuit in 1797.

Daniel Bastian, son of George Michael, Sr .. was born Aug. 8, 1806, in what is now Snyder county, Pa., and was a young man when he came aeross- the river into Upper Augusta township. There he married Elizabeth Draver, daughter of Mat- thias Draver, and they were Lutheran members of the Lantz Church in what is now Rockefeller township, both being buried at that church. Mrs. Bastian died Jan. 21, 1869, aged fifty-nine years, three months, twenty-seven days. Mr. Bastian lowed his trade in Sunbury and Upper Augusta township for many years, in his later life also en- gaging to some extent in carpentering. Mr. and Mrs. Bastian had a large family, as follows: Sarah died in childhood; Joseph was killed while serv- ing in the Civil war (he was married) ; George,

five months, ten days; Matthias D. is mentioned below : Henry died in young manhood, in Rocke- feller township; Polly married Jeremiah Cooper and they lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Landis is a farmer in Upper Augusta; Daniel died Sept. 25, 1878, aged thirty-one years, two months, twelve days; Mary Ellen married Samuel Fry and died Aug. 5, 1879, aged fifty-six years, ten months, twelve days; Jeremiah, of Sunbury, is a painter ; Anna married Henry Nase and they live in Chi- cago.

Matthias D. Bastian, son of Daniel, was born Oet. 11, 1838, in Northumberland county, and was brought up on the farm in what is now Rocke- ed in Company B, 184th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private one year and four days. He was wounded in action in front of Petersburg and as a result had his right arm am- putated while a prisoner at Libby, where he was confined for eighty-two days. After the war, how- ever, he resumed farming, engaging in general ag- rieulture and trucking until about 1893, when he retired and settled in Sunbury. His home is at No. 803 Market street, in that borough. Mr. Bastian is a Republican in politics and has served as constable and as jury commissioner of North- umberland eounty. He is a member of Bruner Post, No. 335, G. A. R., and of Lodge No. 203, I. O. O. F., both Sunbury organizations.

On Aug. 19, 1862, Mr. Bastian married Lydia Poyer, daughter of Abitha and Rebecca ( Miteliell) Pover, of Sunbury, and twelve children have been born to their union: Charles E .. Elizabeth (mar- ried to Abraham Roger), Maclay. Benjamin F., Daniel, William, Joseph, Cora, Alberta, Jennie, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Bastian and his family are members of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Bastian died Mareh 30, 1900.

Benjamin F. Bastian was educated in the pub- lic schools in the neighborhood of his early home. He was reared to farming, and followed agricul- tural work until he reached the age of eighteen years. when he learned the trade of baker. In 1900 he came to Sunbury, embarking in business about that time, and he has built up an extensive trade. employing four men at present. His spe- cialties are bread and pastry. In 1910 Mr. Bas- tian erected the modern establishinent he now oe- cupies, a store 22 by 64 feet on Eckman avenue, equipped with the most modern facilities known to the trade. His oven cost $1,500, and the rest clean and sanitary, the entire place being a credit to the owner and to the community.

died Dec. 29, 1879. He was a potter, and fol- of the place is in keeping. Store and bakery are

On June 20. 1903, Mr. Bastian married Suc Broscious, daughter of Jared and Susan (Renn) Broscious, who died at Sunbury. Mr. and Mrs. Bastian have a large and comfortable home of

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their own at No. 144 North Fifth street. He is Wahl; Catharine, wife of Henry Noll; Rebecca, a member of the United Evangelieal Church of Mrs. Buskirk; Lydia, Mrs. Wahl; and Daniel. Sunbury, and holds offiee at present.

EZRA C. KELLER, proprietor of the "State Road Hotel," at Weigh Scales, in Ralpho town- ship, has been there a comparatively brief time, but he has had considerable experience in the ho- tel business, and his establishment has shown great improvement under his management. Mr. . Keller was born Oet. 19, 1867, at Strausstown, Berks Co., Pa., son of George W. Keller and grandson of John O. Keller, and he comes of an old family of Berks county.

The Keller family of Roekland is of German extraetion, being descended from Jolui Christo- phiel (Christoffel) Keller, better known as "Stof- fel" Keller, who was born in Nitsehe, Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, son of Jacob Keller, a well known weaver who resided at that place. Jacob Keller was the father of six children, two of whom died in childhood. Two sons, both named Jolian Adam, were distinguished by being called "der grosse Johan" (Big John) and "der kleine Johan" (Little Jolin). John Christophel eame next, and there was one daughter, Elizabeth Catharine. In 1764 John Christophel Keller, then seventeen years of age, came to Ameriea. His father gave him considerable money in gold, which he sewed in a belt and carried on his body. He made the voyage on the "Brittania," Captain Arnot, from Rotterdam to Philadelphia, where young Keller landed September 26th. From Phil- adelphia he walked to Roekland township, Berks county, where he found a home with the Reieliert family, who were also from Nitsche, Mrs. Reichert having at one time worked for his father. With them he followed his trade of weaver. In 1765, at the age of eighteen, he married Catharine Delp, daughter of John Nieholas Delp, a large land- holder of Rockland, and soon after his marriage secured a tract of land from his father-in-law. He began to clear this land, and it is said his wife assisted in the work. This home remained in the connection for over one hundred years, and the old log house, built before 1770, is still standing and in good condition. Stoffel Keller died there, in November, 1834, at which time he was living with his son-in-law, Squire Joseph Speeht. His property in Rockland comprised about forty acres. He was a man of great force of character and considerable intelligence, was a school teacher, and preserved his mental vigor to the last. He served in the war of the Revolution. His wife, Catharinc, died over ten years before him. Their children were as follows: (1) Maria, 1767-1850, married Michael Welder and had nine children. . (2) Jacob married Betsy, daughter of John Specht, and they lived and died near Pricetown. They had children: John, who married Elizabeth

(3) Catharine married Daniel Speelt and ( see- ond) Peter Muthart, and had five children. (4) Conrad married Polly Neiman, whose first hus- band was killed by the Indians in 1781. Their children were John, who married Esther Clouser ; George, who married Luey Bast: David, who mar- ried and lived in New York City; Charles, a prominent eitizen of Berks county and later of Montgomery county (where he died March 7, 1897, aged eighty years), who married Harriet Moyer. (5) Elisabeth married Henry Mover and had seven children. (6) Susan married Joseph Speelit, Esq., and they had seven children. She died in 1832 and he subsequently married a Mu- thart, by whom he had two sons. He died in 1854. (7) George married Kate Keller and they lived and died near Pricetown. Their children were Abraham, Magdalena and Joseph. (8) Magda- lena married Henry Sterner and had six children. (9) Abraham married Magdalena Specht, daugh- ter of John and sister of Squire Joseph Specht, and they had two children, both of whom mar- ried, and both moved to Wauseon. Ohio, where their deseendants reside. ( Benjamin who was mar- ried four times, last time to Mrs. Sarah DeLong, daughter of Squire Joseph Speeht, was a son or a brother of Abraham.) (10) Samuel died unmar- ried at the age of twenty-six years. (11) John married Betsy Egolf. They had no children. (12) Mary (Peggy), 199-1879, married Jaeob Ster- ner and had eight children.

From this souree eame John O. Keller, grand- father of Ezra C. Keller. He was born in Rock- land township, Berks county, and followed farni- ing at Prieetown, that county, where he died. He and his wife Sarah had children: Jacob. John. Joel, Henry, Daniel, George W., Sarah, Mirs. Reinheimer, Mrs. David Welder and David.

George W. Keller, son of John O. Keller, was a stationary engineer as well as fariuer. For eight- een years he lived upon a farm near Fleetwood, Berks county. He subsequently farmed at Shaef- ferstown and thenee moved to Strausstown. Berks county, where he still makes his home. He has continued to follow farming to the present. He has been twice married, his first union being with Henrietta Sheaffer, daughter of Daniel Sheaffer, luis seeond to Leanda Gerhert. His children. all by the first union, were: Mary, Oscar and Ezra C., the last named being the only survivor.

Ezra C. Keller was reared upon the farm Aft- er spending four years at Akron, Lancaster Co., L'a., he returned home and went to school for a year. He then located at Helfenstein. Schuylkill eonnty, where he was engaged as a clerk for John Pureel & Co. two years, at the end of that time going to Shamokin, where he beeame a clerk for D. A. Haas. He was thus employed for four

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months, after which he took a position as clerk at 1871, and Mr. Brown passed away March 10, 1581. the "Eagle Hotel," where he remained three years. They are buried side by side at the Salem Church, and seven inonths, having charge of the stables Their children were as follows: Fromena, born in for two years. In 1896 he bought the "Eagle Ho- August, 1829, married Elias Erdman and (ser- tel," which he conducted for two years, selling out ond) Daniel Romberger; Lovina, born in 1831. married Jacob Paul; Jacob, born in 1833, died aged fourteen years; Hannah, born in 1836, died unmarried ; Simon is mentioned below ; a son born in 1841 died in infancy; Elias, born in 1813, died aged six years: John F. is mentioned below ; Cath- arine, born in 1850, married Monroe Shadel. to George Brewer. For the next four and one half years he conducted the "Mansion House," and then for a similar period had the "Forks Ho- tel." On Nov. 1, 1907, he bought his present place, the "State Road Hotel" at Weigh Scales, where he has made many friends during the short time he has been at that point. Under his direc- tion the establishment has been vastly improved, and travelers are given special attention. His ho- tel is a popular piace for dinner and supper par- tics, and the patronage is steady. Mr. Keller has won the respect of the community, where he is re- garded as a most desirable citizen. He is a mem- ber of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and is a Republican in political sentiment.

Mr. Keller married Mary A. Gross, daughter of Eberhart and Lena (Hafer) Gross, and they have three children : Viola II., Lena H. and Cath- arine I. The family are Lutherans in religious 'connection.

BROWN. The Brown family has been identi- fied with Upper Mahanoy township and that re- gion of Northumberland county for over a cen- tury. having been founded there in the early days by Michael Brown, a native of Lougswamp town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., born Feb. 16, 1772. Com-

JOHN W. BROWN, son of Simon, is a former in Upper Mahanoy township, where he was born Oct. 2, 1870. He obtained his education in the home locality, attending the common schools, and was trained to farin work from boyhood. beginning ing to this section he became a farmer in what farming on his own account at his present bowe is now Upper Mahanoy township, on the property in 1901. This was once a Delp homestead. was now owned by John Fetter and Albert Gessner. later owned by Jacob Paul, and after him by Si- He died May 9. 1851, and his wife, whose maiden mon Brown, father of John W. Brown. It con-

name was Cherry, was born March 30, 1770, and died Feb. 18, 1814 .. They were members of the Reformed congregation at the Himmel Church. They were married July 15, 1794, and nine chil- dren were born to this couple, as follows: Rebecca, March 10, 1796; Magdalena, Jan. 19, 1798; Cath- sists of ninety-five acres located a quarter of a mile from the Schuylkill county line, and is well improved, though the house and bain are struc- tures of long standing. Mr. Brown has gained a position among the most honorable and trusted citizens of his locality, and he has been chosen to arine, June 18, 1800: John, March 17, 1803; An- . serve as anditor of his township. In politics he draes, Aug. 16, 1805: Michael, July 13, 1807; is identified with the Democratic party.

On Nov. 28. 1891, Mr. Brown married Harriet

George, April 26, 1809 (died July 13, 1861; wife Lydia, born Jan. 20, 1813, died March 27. 1892) ; Rothermel, who was a daughter of Solomon and

Peter, Aug. 16, 1811 (died Sept. 12, 1878; wife Lydia, born Sept. 23, 1817, died March 27, 1887) ; Susanna, March 5, 1814.

John Brown, son of Michael, born March 17, 1803, lived on the place now occupied by his son John F. Brown. He was not only a farmer, but a carpenter and weaver as well, doing house and shop carpentry, making considerable furniture and in his earlier years many coffins, and he wove all sorts of woolen wear and carpets. He was active in church life and held various church offices. His as deacon of his congregation.

wife, Catharine ( Fetter), daughter of Friedrich Fetter, was born Aug. 27, 1806, and died Jan. 3, (Fetter) Brown, is a well known farmer citizen

Simon Brown, son of John, was born Ang. 31. 1838, on the farm of his father in Upper Mahandy township, and was a lifelong farmer, an indus- trious, thrifty, successful man. His property ad- joined the homestead to the south. An active member of. the Reformed congregation at the Sa- lem Church, he served as deacon and elder, and he is buried at that church. His death occurred Jan. 17, 1902, when he was aged sixty-three years, four months, seventeen days. Mr. Brown married Catharine Paul, who was born Dee. 19, 1838, daughter of Abraham and Esther (Merkel) Paul, and died Aug. 2, 1906. They were the parents of nine children : John W., Hettie, Cassie (married Elsworth Erdman), Adam H. (deceased), a son that died in infancy, Polly (deceased), Milica (deceased), Abraham and William.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 76

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