Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 78

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 78

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ANDREW ADAMS, son of Bernhard and Ma- tilda, is a well-to-do farmer of Washington township, where he was born July 28, 1852. He attended subscription school near his home until the establishment of the public schools, in which he was a pupil for about eight winters. Rearcd to farm life, he worked for his parents until he became of age and about 1877 began farming at his present home, having a ninety-acre tract about two miles south of Rebuck. It was formerly a Schreffler farm, and earlier belonged to the Beissels, and the barn, which is very old, was built by a Beissel. There is a stone house on this farm now considerably over one hundred years old, being in fact the oldest landmark in this section. The wall is very substantial, and it is built over a good spring. The large frame house now used as a dwelling was erected by Mr. Adam about 1885. He has been a thrifty farmer and has done well, and he bears a high reputation among his neighbors and friends. He is an active church worker, he and his family belonging to the Reformed congregation at the Himmel Church, which he is at present serving as elder; he for- merly held the office of deacon. Mr. Adams is a Republican in politics.

Mr. Adams was first married to Polly Brosius, who was born Jan. 20, 1851, daughter of Daniel and Sarah ( Wenrich) Brosius, and died April 17, 1888; she is buried at Himmel's Church. Of the children born to this union, Jemima died when eight months old: Eva married . Daniel Price ; and several died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Adams married Mrs. Mary (Trautman ) Hoffman, widow of George Hoffman, and they have had one son, Leon Thomas, of Washington township, who married Sallie Schraeder and has one son, Daniel R.

ADAM CORNELIUS ADAMS. son of Bern- hard and Matilda, also a substantial farmer of Washington township, was born Aug. 10, 1863, on the old homestead of the Adams family. He obtained his education in the township schools, was reared to farm life, and assisted his father in horse dealing, butchering and huckstering in his earlier manhood. In the spring of 18SS he began farming for himself at the place where he now lives, a farm of 108 acres which formerly belonged to the Reitzes, first to Philip Reitz and later to his son Andrew Reitz. It is on the road between Rebuck and Greenbrier. Mr. Adams renrodeled the house and enlarged it, and in 1908 he built an addition to the large barn' erected by Philip Reitz, who also built the house. Mr. Adams also owns forty acres of woodland, and his father's old hoine- stead of about 138 acres, which adjoins his own home farm, and which is one of the most valuable tracts in the township. His son Clements now cultivates it. Mr. Adams is a Republican in

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politics, and he has held the position of super- visor of the township for some time, still serving in that capacity. He and his family are Reformed members of Himmel's Church, which he served as deacon and elder for a number of years.

On July 1, 188?, Mr. Adams married Mary Crissinger, daughter of William and Susanna (Rebuck) Crissinger, of Washington township, and they have had four children: Clements 1 .. George C., Eugene F .. and Mamie S. Clements I. Adams, who farms the old Adams homestead. married Annie Adams, of Shamokin, a very dis- tant relative, and they have one son, Sydney.

Nicholas Adam, the ancestor of a large number of this name, was a native of Berks county, born July 5, 1758, and coming to Northumberland settled in the Swabian Creek district, in what is now known as Washington township. He was a farmer, owning the farm which later became the property of Isaac Tryon, a large tract, and he also owned what are now the farms of Nathan Adams, Mrs. James. Troutman, Cornelius Adams and Galen Stepp, besides land along the Deep creek. In fact, he was one of the most extensive landowners in his section. He died April 11, 1826, and is buried at Himmel's Church or in a private burial ground. His death was caused by consumption. His sons were: John, who left children Gabriel and Nathaniel; Gideon, mentioned below; Absa- lom; Nicholas, who left children, Abraham, Nicholas, Adam, and daughters; Adam, who died unmarried ; Bernhard, and several daughters.

Gideon Adams, son of Nicholas, was born in the Swabian Creek district, was a plasterer, and followed his trade in addition to farming, having a tract of 120 acres located along the Middle creek in Washington township. He was active in the interests of the locality, was a member of the Republican party, served as supervisor, and belonged to Himmel's Church, in which he held office. His wife was a daughter of Solomon Campbell, and they had the following children : Elizabeth married Henry Welker: Julian mar- ried Jacob Welker (brother of Henry) ; Polly died unmarried : Jeremiah is mentioned below ; Molly married Benjamin Danicl.

Jeremiah Adams, son of Gideon, is buried at Himmel's Church, of which he was a Reformed member. He was the owner of the homestead farm, now the property of Helena Trontman. To him and his wife Hannah (Wentzel), daughter of Abraham Wentzel, were born the following chil- dren: Timothy married Louisa Kutz; Lucetta married Andrew Panl and (second) Andrew Brosius; Priscilla married Allen Wiest : Louisa married Tobias Strohecker : Elizabeth died young : Erisman married Sallie Adam: Jeremiah mar- ried Susan Wolfgang; James E. married Sarah

J. Haag; Emanuel is mentioned below; Andrew M. married Ellen Brosius.

EMANUEL ADAM, a prosperons farmer living along the Mahantango creek in Lower Mahanoy township, was born July 28, 1857. in Washington township. He has followed farming all his life, and in 1877 began his independent career as a tenant in Washington township, continuing thus about two years. The second year at that place he also engaged in the lumber business, which he followed for two years, and then for two years carried on farming in Lower Mahanoy township. At the end of that time he bought a farm of ninety-two acres, the homestead of Christopher Colpha (a native of Berks county). In 1906 he purchased the place in Lower Mahanoy where he at present resides, a tract of 163 acres which formerly belonged to Emanuel and Peggy Heckert. Mr. Adam is an energetic man, and he has made many improvements in the property since he took possession, notably the new house which he built in 1909. He is a good manager and has his land under profitable cultivation, adopting new meth- ods where practicable and showing thrift and good judgment in all his undertakings.

In 1880 Mr. Adam married Catharine E. Clark, of Jordan township, daughter of Ed. Clark, who gave his life to his country during the Civil war; Mrs. Adam never saw her father. Mr. and Mrs. Adam have had a large family, viz. : Clara (mar- ried Charles Bover), Charles . (deceased), Oscar (married Dora Deibler), James, John, Elmer, Milton, Roy, Sadie, Harry, Mark, and Raymond. Mr. Adam and his family are members of the Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association, and he has been quite active in its work, having served as exhorter, class-leader and trustee. Po- litically he is a Republican.

Absalom Adam, grandfather of Tobias and Nathan Adams, farmers of Washington township, was evidently a son of Nicholas, above, and lived to an advanced age, dying about 1849. He was a farmer, owning property which is still in the family name, the farm now owned by his grandson, Nathan Adams. He was a pioneer in Washington township, where he came to live when the land was nearly all covered with .timber, settling in the hills because he thought good hay could be grown in the valleys. The house in which he lived, near the mountain, stood for many years, being torn down by Nathan Adams in 1908. Mr. Adam and his family are buried at the Himmel Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Wentzel or Wetzel, died before him, being stricken with paralysis while engaged in sweeping. She was advanced in years at the time. Ten children were born to this couple: Leah married Mr. Williams ; Eliza married JJames Anders, of Miners-

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ville; Rebecca married Abraham Bressler: Sallie second term as elder. He was a deacon for soine married Peter Howerter; Jestina married Peter years. Baer; Hannah married Henry Schroeder; Gideon NATHAN ADAMS, son of Nicholas. and Eliza-

lived in the Mahantango Valley, but died in beth (Schireffler) Adams, was born Feb. 2. 1858.

Shamokin when over eighty years old; Nicholas He'obtained his education in the local subscrip- tion and common schools, and was reared to farm life, working for his parents until he became of is nientioned below : Adam lived for many years in Shamokin, where he died when nearly seventy; John, who had lived in Illinois, died on the age. Since 1890 he has farmed his present prop- field of battle during the Civil war.

erty, the old home place, having one hundred .along the Middle creek. Mr. Adams sells his produce at Ashland, running a huckster route to that point, where he makes weekly trips. Politically he is a Republican, and he and his family worship with the Reformed congregation at Himmel's Church. Mr. Adams is a substan- tial citizen, and a much respected member of his community.

Nicholas Adam, son of Absalom, was born in acres, sixty under enltivation. This property lics Washington township on the farm now occupied by his son Nathan, owned that property, and was a lifelong farmer, though he learned the trade of stonemason and followed it to some extent in his earlier manhood. He died March 4, 1889, aged sixty-eight years, five months, twenty-six days, and he and his wife are buried at the Himmel Church, of which they were Reformed members. He served his congregation as deacon, elder and

On April 12, 1905, Mr. Adams married Mrs. trustee. In politics he was a Republican. His Lena ( Wolfgang) Klinger, daughter of Daniel Wolfgang and widow of George Klinger. She had six children by her first marriage: Oliver, Wil- liam, Jennie, Mary (deceased), Annic and Edith. No children have been born to her union with Mr. Adams.

WILLIAM R. IRVIN, furniture dealer and undertaker at Mount Carmel, is one of the lead- ing men in his line of business in this section of Pennsylvania. He has owned his fine store in the borough since 1906, and previous to that for several years was in partnership with his father in the same establishment, so though but a young man he has had long and valuable experience and

Mr. Irvin's grandfather was born in England the property of Rev. Augustus Bergner, Mr. and on coming to America settled at Wilmington, half years. He owns a thirty-five-acre farm one is well fitted to conduct the business along the mile east. of Rebuck, in Washington township,- mnost approved lines.

which was fomerly an Eyster homestead and later Adams's father-in-law. On Jan. 26, . 1873, Mr. Del.

Richard B. Irvin, his father, located at Adams married Odelia Bergner, daughter of Rev. Centralia, Cohunbia Co., Pa., where he was em- Augustus and Augusta . ( Feltdrop) Bergner, ployed at the mines for a time. Later he came to Mount Carmel, where lie learned cabinet making, and in 1870 he engaged in business as a cabinet maker at what is now the corner of Oak and Avenue streets. There he constructed the, first two hearses he built, the first a very crude affair, the second a substantial vehicle which his son still uses in making long trips. Mr. Irvin con- tinued to be active in the business until he sold out to liis son in 1906 and retired, now making his home at Germantown, Philadelphia. He married Ellen Wier. natives of the vine region of the Fatherland; their eldest child was born before they came to America, the others in this country, their family consisting of six children, Louisa, Francis, Hetrich, Amelia, Luther and Odelia. Rev. Mr. Bergner was a Lutheran minister, and preached at Mahanoy and in all the other Lutheran churches in that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born seven chil- dren : Francis ; Flora and Rosa, twins, the former the wife of Rufus Schwalm, the latter the wife of Robert Schmeltz; Henry, who died when five years old ; Katie and Amelia, twins, the latter married William R. Irvin was born Aug. S, 1877, at Mount Carmel, and received his education at that place, graduating from the high school in 1896. He then entered the Pittsburg College of Em- balming, where he remained for a year, fitting to William Griffith; and Monroe. The mother died Dec. 5, 1906, aged fifty-eight years, five montlis, twenty-three days, and is buried at the Himinel Church. Mr. Adams and his family worship with the Reformed congregation at himself thoroughly for his life work. Returning Himmel's Church, where he is now serving his to Mount Carmel he was his father's assistant from

wife, Elizabeth (Schreffler), died Sept. 30, 1900, aged eighty-one years, five months, twenty-nine days. They had children as follows: William, Tobias, Sarah (who died yonng), John, Nathan, and Aaron (deceased).

TOBIAS ADAMS. son of Nicholas and Eliza- beth (Schreffler) Adams, was born May 20, 1850, on the old homestead. He attended school until he was sixteen years old, studying at the sub- scription schools then conducted in the neigh- borhood, and the instruction was entirely in the German language. Working for his parents until about the time he attained his majority, he after- ward worked for other farmers for three and a

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that time, in 1897 becoming a partner in the busi- aged eighty years: he is buried at Trexlertown. ness, which, as previously stated, he bought from Pa. A large family was born to this couple: William; John; Israel; Jacob, who located in Northumberland county; Charles, who located in Northumberland county; Daniel; Stephen; Jos- eph; James; Sallie, who married George Heil; Polly, who became the second wife of George Heil and lived at Trexlertown : and Rose, who married Charles Deterline. Joseph, of Freeland, Pa., alone survives. his father in 1906. His fine store, located at Nos. 29-31 North Oak street, has a larger stock of furniture than any other establishment of the kind between Williamsport and Reading, and he does the largest furniture business in his part of the state. His goods are up-to-date and of high quality, and his patrons appreciate the fact that they can obtain as desirable a selection, at . reasonable expenditure, as the stores in the larger cities afford. Like his father, Mr. Irvin takes a pride in making his honse a synonym for the best of everything in the furniture and undertaking line, and his efforts have been rewarded with a class and volume of trade creditable alike to him and to the community in which his busi- ness is carried on.

Mr. Irvin married Gertrude Davis, of Shamokin, this county, and to them liave been born three children : William D., Margaret and Richard.

Socially Mr. Irvin belongs to the Elks, the Odd Fellows (and Rebekah degree), the P. O. S. of A. and the Masons, in the latter connection holding .membership in Mount Carmel Lodge. No. 378. F. & A. M., Griscomb Chapter, R. A. M., and Prince of Peace Chapter, of Ashland, Penn- sylvania.

CHARLES A. SENSENBACH, of Sunbury, has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company for over thirty years, and since the year 1895 has been foreman of the blacksmith de- partment at Sunbury, being a master blacksmith. He was born April 6, 1861, at McEwensville, Northumberland county, son of Charles Sensen- bach.

Charles Sensenbach was a native of North- ampton county, Pa., born Ang. 8, 1820. He came thence to Northumberland county, and after living in McEwensville moved to Sunbury, re- maining in that borough until 1871. He died at Sunbury July 27, 1878, and is buried at Mc- Ewensville. In his earlier life Mr. Sensenbach was a cabinet maker, and he subsequently fol- lowed the trade of painter. During his residence in Sunbury he became quite well known, serving as member of the council from the old West ward. He was a Republican in politics and a Lutheran in religion. His wife, Rosanna Aralia (Gold), daughter of David Gold, of McEwensville (who followed farming and operated a grist mill), died Sept. 8, 1875, aged forty-eight years, three months. They were the parents of fourteen children : Cloyd ; Elizabeth, married to Daniel Paden ; Emma, mar- ried to D. C. Blank ; James ; Angusta ; Charles A. : Elmer; David; and six who died young. All this family were born at McEwensville.

Charles A. Sensenbach received his education in the public schools near his home. In 1880 he began learning the trade of blacksmith in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, whose employ he had entered in April, 1879, and' after finishing his apprenticeship continued as journeyman for eleven years, being promoted to his present responsible position in 1895. As fore- man of the blacksmith department he has thirty- five nien under his direction. Mr. Sensenbach com- mands the respect of his associates and the esteem of his fellow citizens generally, and their confidence in his integrity and ability was shown in his elec- tion as councilman of the Fourth ward, in which position he served two years. He has lived in Sun- bury sinee 1871.

Godfrey Sensenbach was a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany, and came to Pennsylvania via New York, accompanied by his cousin Charles · Sensenbach. They were redemptioners. At New York they were purchased by a man named Knauss, from Bath, Northampton Co., Pa., to serve for their passage. They afterward decided to remain with him, and did so for some years. Charles Sensenbach never married. Godfrey Sen- senbach succeeded his employer as butcher, and after Mr. Knauss's death continued butchering Mr. Sensenbach married Adalaid Rhoads, daugh- ter of William and Hannah K. Rhoads, and sister of Walton F. Rhoads, eashier of the First National Bank of Sunbury. Four children have been born to this union : William H. died in infancy ; Walton F. R. graduated from the Sunbury high school in 1903 and is now employed as a blacksmith by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company (he is a meniber of the Masonic fraternity) : Cloyd R. had both legs cut off in an accident on the railroad and died five hours later, when fifteen years old; at Bath, Pa., until after the building of the Lehigh canal. He then sold out the business and moved to Roekport, Carbon Co., Pa., where he engaged in the mereantile, hotel and boatbuilding business until the panie of 1857, which caused him to fail. After the panie he took his son-in-law, Charles Deterline, into partnership, but the freshet of 1862 wiped out their establishment. Godfrey Sensenbach was tall and well built, and was a man of ability and energy. He was a member of the Reformed Church. His wife died Rachel is the only daughter. Mr. Sensenbach and about 1860, and he died during the early sixties, his family are members of Zion's Lutheran Church

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at Sunbury. He is a Republican in political branch of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia & matters, and is interested in the success of the Reading railroads, and he also conducts a cloth- ing and men's furnishings store. party. He gives his support to all worthy move- ments, particularly those affecting the advance- ment of his own community.

GEORGE W. TURNER, JR., proprietor of the Paxinos Hotel, was born in 1870 in Longton, England, son of George W. and Annie ( Robinson) Turner. His grandfather died in that country at the age of 106 years.

Mr. Miller was born April 2, 1822, in Riga, Russia, of which place his father, Matthias Miller, was also a native, born in 1848. The father came to America in 1888 and was engaged as a fruit dealer in Reading. Berks Co., Pa., having a store on North Ninth street, until his death, which occurred in 1890. He is buried in the Jewish centetery at the Green Tree, in Cumru township, Berks county. His wife, Annie (Conn), also from Russia, still resides in Reading, now (1910) sixty- nine years old. She is familiarly and affectionately called "Grandma Miller" by many in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Miller had children as follows : Benjamin, who lives at Danville, Pa .; Minnie, married to Morris Brody, of Reading; Mike; Jacob, of Danville; and William, who died in Denver, Colo., and is buried in Cumru town- ship, Berks county.

George W. Turner, the father, was born in Eng- land, where he owned a coal wharf and also en- gaged in horse dealing. In 1876 he came to America with his family, landing at Philadelphia, and he has lived in Northumberland and Schuyl- kill counties, at present residing on a farm in the latter county, near Mowry postoffice. He fol- lowed mining for some time and also dealt in horses. He married Annie Robinson, daughter of Colonel Robinson, who gained considerable fame because of the part he took in the Sack war in Mike Miller came to America with his parents in 1888, the family arriving in December. He began life in Reading as a peddler of clothing, traveling all over Berks and Montgomery counties, and was thus engaged for twelve years. In 1901 England. Mrs. Turner was born on the ocean while the family were en route to India, in which country she remained until fourteen years old, when she went to England. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have had nine children : Mary, Annie, George W., he came to Sunbury and embarked in his present John H., William, Edith, Martha, Lillie and Elmer.

line of business, dealing in all kinds of junk. Mr. Miller has extended his business until it is now one of the largest of the kind in this part of Pennsylvania, twelve men being regularly em- ployed. In 1907 he erected a three-story building, 32x80 feet, at the location above mentioned, the site of his place of business being a tract 150 by 200 feet in dimensions. Mr. Miller opened up a clothing and men's furnishings store at No. 347 Market street, Sunbury, in April, 1911. He has prospered by industry, excellent management and a spirit of enterprise which has well merited the reward it has won. He is a substantial and re-

George W. Turner, Jr., came to America with his parents. After beginning work he was en- ployed at the mines for some time and then en- gaged in the butcher business and the baking busi- ness which he followed until 1909. That year he erected the fine apartment building at Nos. 30-32 Market street, Shamokin, known as the Turner building, which contains forty-five fine rooms. Mr. Turner has a theater on the first floor of the building, which has been well patronized ever since it was opened. The location is excellent, and adds considerable to the value of the structure, spected citizen and has the good will of all who which has proved a good investment. On April know him. 9, 1910, Mr. Turner became proprietor of the Mr. Miller was naturalized March 21. 1895. before the late Judge James N. Ermentrout of Reading, is a Democrat in political opinion and quite active in the local councils of the party. Fraternally he belongs to the Owls, the F. O. E .. "Paxinos Hotel," a well known establishment, one of the best known hotel stands in the county. He is a member of the Independent Fire Com- pany.

On Feb. 16, 1891, Mr. Turner married Sarah C. Germania Lodge. I. O. O. F., the Conclave and Nenmeister, daughter of Charles and Ehnira the Encampment. (Yoder) Neumeister, and they have two children, Sylvia V. (married to William E. Haines) and George L.

On Aug. 1. 1897, Mr. Miller married Rebecca Fink, daugliter of Morris and Annie Fink, of Reading, formerly of Russia. and to them has been born a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Morris, Matthias, Nathan,

MIKE MILLER, of Sunbury, has been a resi- dent of that borough since 1901 and during the Molly, Solomon, Abraham, and Sarah and Saul, few years of his location there has established a twins. prosperous business. As a wholesale dealer in iron, metal, rags, paper, etc., he is one of the most PATRICK KEARNEY. one of the oldest resi- successful dealers in his line in this section of dents of Shantokin, now living retired, has been the state, having a large establishment between a citizen of that place since 1850. He is a veteran Seventh and Eighth streets and the Shamokin of the Civil war.

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Mr. Kearney was born March 15, 1828, in County Mayo, Ireland, son of Patrick and Bridget (Carey) Kearney, farming people of that county. The father lived and died there. His children were : Mathew, who died in Shamokin, Pa .; Mary, wife of John Devitt; Patrick; John, who died young, in Ireland; Catherine, wife of Patrick Carey ; Bridget, who died young, in Ireland; and Belinda.

Patrick Kearney came to America when nine- teen years old, landing at Boston May 2, 1847, and during his first fourteen months in this country remained in the State of Massachusetts. He then came to Pennsylvania, first locating at Scranton, where he lived for two years before settling in Shamokin, in June, 1850. For thirty- five years after coming to Shamokin Mr. Kearney was engaged at mining, for several years working in the Enterprise colliery, owned by the late Thomas Baumgardner, of Lancaster. He then engaged in business on his own account, as a bottler, and was also in the hotel business, con- tinuing same until his retirement; in 1903. His home is at Webster and Pearl streets, Shamokin. Mr. Kearney has led an industrious and useful life, and is highly respected.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 78

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