Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 81

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 81

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He encouraged and started projects for the opening up of this section, and showed his faith in its future by investing in new public utilities and in loealities affected by them. His high per-

Mr. Kulp lived in Shamokin from the age of seven years. He was born in Barto, Berks Co., Pa., Oct. 23, 1858, son of Darlington R. and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Kulp. Attending the pub- lic schools of Shamokin during the winter months in his early boyhood, between times he did such work at the collieries as those of his age were em- ployed at, and by the time he was seventeen he had worked at nearly every branch of the coal in- dustry. Then he entered the store of his father, antee Trust & Safe Deposit Company of Shamokin ; continuing with him after the formation, in 1878, of the firm of Kulp & McWilliams, in whose em- ploy he gained his early knowledge of the business in which he was so suceessful. However. he began to feel the need of more schooling, and in 1879 he entered the normal sehool at Lebanon, Ohio, where for two years he studied the branches he thought would be most helpful to him : he then went to the Eastman Business College, at Pougli- keepsie, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1881 with so creditable a record that his work was highly complimented by the faculty.

After this period of study Mr. Kulp returned to Shamokin and took charge of the books of Kulp, MeWillians & Co., of which firm his father was

in nine eonnties in Pennsylvania and West Vir- ginia, having twenty thousand acres in timber traets and employing three hundred men. After his father's death, in 1893, having been appointed an exeeutor of the will, he took entire charge of the estate. Upon the settlement of the estate the Monroe H. Kulp & Co. firm was organized, and this coneern purchased the landed interests which they afterward continued to conduct. Mr. Kulp was president of the Kulp Lumber Company of Pennsylvania, of the Kulp Lumber Company of Allegany county, Md., and of the Kulp Planing Mill Company, Incorporated, of Lewistown, Penn-

Mr. Kulp's real estate holdings and investments in Shamokin enterprises were very considerable. Edgewood, Fairview and Kulpmont, three delight- ful suburbs of Shamokin, owe their development to sonal qualities made him a popular figure for his activity, and his own home at Edgewood is one many years, and few men have retained so promi- of the handsomest residences in or around Sha- nent a position in any community for so long a period.

mokin. Edgewood Park, the finest pleasure re- sort in the coal regions, is another of his projects brought to ideal completion. The excellent trol- ley serviee which Shamokin and the immediate vieinity enjoy is due to his efforts in the improve- ment of local transportation. He was a director of the Shamokin Street Railway Co. and at the time of his death president of the Shamokin & Edge- wood Electrie Railway Co. He was president of the Mount Equity Coal Co., and of the Leader Pub- lishing Co. of Shamokin ; a director of the Guar- and of the Pennsylvania Lighting Company. He was a prominent member of the Board of Trade, and was serving as chairman of the executive com- mittee of that organization. Hardly a single pro- jeet of importance in recent years has been pro- moted without his aid and influence, and no one citizen labored more disinterestedly for the com- mon good. He died Oct. 19, 1911.

Mr. Kulp represented his district, the Sev- enteenth, in Congress for two terms. In 1894 he was nominated without the least solicitation, and his popularity, to say nothing of the confidence he inspired, may be judged from the fact that al- though a Republican he was successful at the election, being the first member of his party so

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honored in the district. He was nominated and largest and most complete along the line of the elected for a second term, but refused the nomi- Pennsylvania railroad between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. He is also a director of the Colum- bia Co., manufacturers of cane seats, with head- quarters at Jersey City, New Jersey. nation for a third, his business interests demanding his undivided attention. He went into Congress for the second term by an increased majority, and his services throughont his membership in that body were eminently satisfactory. His knowledge of land conditions was recognized in his appoint- ment to the committee on Public Lands, of which he was sub-chairman, and he was also a member of the Manufacturers committee.

Mr. Kulp's progressive instincts, however, have led him to aid with his capital and influence oth- er undertakings which not only promised profit but benefit to the community, and thus he was one of the organizers of the Shamokin & Edgewood Electric Railway Company, and Edgewood Park, treasurer and executive manager of the Leader Publishing Company; a director of the Mount Equity Coal and Coke Company, of Riddlesburg, Bedford Co., Pa., and a member of the firm of Kulp & Savidge, which developed the suburbs of Edgewood and Fairview. His interest in local institutions has aided them materially, his ideas being thoroughly up-to-date and for the good of the people generally. He has a genial. unselfish

Mr. Kulp had many fraternal and social connec- of which he is vice-president : hic is vice-president. tions, uniting with the Elks, the Eagles, the Red Men and the Masons, in the latter associating with Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M .; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M. : Shamokin Command- cry, No. 77, K. T. : Philadelphia Consistory, thir- ty-second degree : and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He was one of the organizers of the Cresco Club of Shamokin, was a member of the Ross Club of Williamsport, of the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia, and Union League of Philadelphia. nature, which has made him many friends, and he has a personal reputation above reproach.

Mr. Kulp is a member of the Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler, and of the Masonic fraternity, in the latter connection having been one of the organizers and belonging to Shamokin Lodge, No. 355, F. & A. M., Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M., Shamokin Commandery, No. 77, K. T., Williamsport Consistory. thirty-second degree, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. In 1905 he represented the Shrine at the im- perial council held at Niagara Falls and in 1906 he represented it at Los Angeles. He is a prom- Monroe H. Kulp & Co. from early manhood, and is inent member of the Larry's Creek Fish and Game Club, of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of Cresco Club.

On Oct. 26, 1899, Mr. Kulp married Florence Billmever, daughter of ex-Congressman Billmeyer, of Washingtonville, Montour county, and they have

Mr. Kulp was born in Shamokin June 15, 1873, had two sons, both of whom died in infancy. son of Darlington R. Kulp and grandson of Chris- tian Kulp.

THOMPSON BOWER, late of Watsontown, Northumberland county, was a resident of that

George Bower, the grandfather, served seven years as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Thompson, are buried at the Stone Church in Brady town- ship, Lycoming county. They were the parents of the following children : George, who married : Mar- tha, Mrs. Smith, who moved to New York: Eliza-

On June 7, 1897, Mr. Kulp was united in mar- riage with Sarah Detweiler.

GEORGE GILBERT KULP, of Shamokin, is undoubtedly one of the most progressive residents of that city, well known not only in Northumber- land county but also in other sections of Pennsyl- vania and even outside of the State. His busi- ness interests are numerous and varied, and he has handled thiem with such judgment and care as to make the most of all their possibilities. He has been a member of the important lumber firm of connected with many other enterprising concerns, in the management of which his ability has been counted an appreciable factor, for he is a worthy member of the well known family whose name he bears.

George Gilbert Kulp received an excellent edu- cation, attending the public schools of his native borough for a quarter of a century before his death, . borough, Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Pa., and and for twenty years was the efficient president of the Watsontown National Bank, which was the first bank in the borough and for several years the only financial institution there. He was a native of Lycoming connty, Pa., born in Washington township March 9, 1826, son of John Bower and grandson of George Bower. the Eastman National Business College, at Pougli- keepsie, N. Y., from which latter institution he was graduated with honors. In October, 1895, up- on the organization of the firm of Monroe H. Kulp & Co., he became a member, and the lumber business has always been his principal interest. He is one of the best known men in that line in his section of Pennsylvania, his connections there- in, besides the one just mentioned, being with the Kulp Lumber Company of Maryland and the Kulp Planing Mill Company, of Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Pa., lie being vice-president of both these con- cerns. The plant of the latter firm, for the man- ufacture of lumber and mill work, is one of the beth, Mrs. Farley ; Eve, Mrs. Henting; Mrs. Syph-

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er, who died May 10, 1883: Ellen, Mrs. William died July 27, 1877: Frederich, who married a Autis, who died May 11, 1883; and John.

John Bower, son of George, was born in 1799 P. Harley and had children, Margaret. Bertha, in New Jersey, and died in 1872. He married Sarah Quinn, who was born in Ireland in 1793, and they spent the greater part of their lives in Lycoming county, Pa. Their children were as fol- lows : (1) James Q. married Elizabeth Sedan and moved to Illinois, where she died and he remar- ried ; there were six children by the first union, Robert, William, Ann E., Jennie, Ella and James, and five by the second ; James Q. Bower died April 27, 1900. (?) Thompson, twin of James Q., is imentioned below. (3) Lewis married Tisha Lem- on and died Oct. 6, 1907. (4) Mary Ellen married Daniel Foresman and has daughters Sallie (wife of James Piatt and mother of two children) and Maggie (a trained nurse).

Thompson Bower was reared on a farm and con- tinued to follow agricultural pursuits for a num- ber of years after beginning life on his own ac- count, living in Lycoming county and later in Union county prior to his removal to Watsontown, in 1884. In 1883 he had purchased the large briek house which he and his family occupied from the time of their settlement at that place, and which is the oldest honse in the borough. He retained valuable interests in Union county, own- . ing several large and fertile farms there. After taking up his residence in Watsontown he was prominently connected with its most important business interests, and for twenty years was the executive head of the Watsontown National Bank, which owes much of its high standing to his wise policy and shrewd direction of affairs. While liv- ing in the country Mr. Bower served his commun- ity as member of the school board, but he took no part in public life during his residenee in Watsontown. He was a Democrat in politics and a Lutheran in religion, holding membership in the First Lutheran Church in Watsontown, which he served as elder for many years.

On Nov. 15, 1848, Mr. Bower married Cathia- rine A. Gosh, who was born in Black Hole Val- lev, in Lyeoming county, Pa., daughter of Chris- tian and Margaret (Dietrich) Gosh. later of Northumberland county. Her grandparents. Chris- tian and Catharine ( Wiest ) Gosh, were natives of Holland, and coming to America settled in Ly- coming county. Their children were Christian, Daniel and John (who married a Miss Coats, of Philadelphia). Christian Gosh, father of Mrs. Bower, was born in 1807, and died in 1871. He 27. 1901, to March 31, 1911.

married Margaret Dietrich, who was born in 1809, daughter of Frederich Dietrich and his wife ( whose maiden name was Knauer), natives of Columbia county, Pa., and among the early settlers in Black Hole Valley. Mrs. Margaret ( Dietrich) Gosh was the mother of five children: Levi, who died in 1854; Dr. John, who married a Hancock, and

Miss Armstrong; Ellen M., who married Dr, J. Lulu, and Dr. John (of Williamsport, Pa. ) ; and Catharine A., Mrs. Thompson Bower.

Mr. and Mrs. Bower reared three children : Laure E. married R. M. Griffee and had a daugh- ter Catharine; John G., now a resident of Hagers- town, Md., married Ada Follmer and has children John and Rolland (John G. Bower went to Europe in 1907 and spent some time in travel) : Maggie G. married George W. Crane, who died Feb. 3, 1900, and she and her children, Thompson B., Margarette B. and Catharine B., went to reside with her parents. They have an ideal household. Though long past man's allotted span at the time of his death, Mr. Bower continued hale and ener- getic to the, end, pursuing lite's work with una- bated interest, and he enjoyed a most honorable position in the connnunity, commanding the es- teenr of all who knew him.

FERDINAND KERLIN HILL was born at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa., Oct. 5, 1850. In 1858 he, with his father. George Hill, who was a practicing lawyer, moved to Sunbury, Pa., where he has since resided with the exception of several years which he spent in Illinois. He was educated in the public schools of his home town, studying also for some time at the Wiley Academy in Mil- ton, Pa., and at the Kreiner Academy in Sun- bury. He studied law with his father and was ad- mitted to the Northumberland county bar in 1871. In January, 1822. he went West and settled at Freeport, Ill. He was admitted by the Illinois Supreme court to practice law anywhere in the State. While in Freeport he was elected to the- office of justice of the peace. and after serving a year and a half resigned his commission and returned to Sunbury, Pa., where he entered into partnership with his father in the practice of law. After being ten years in the law business he re- tired to engage in other pursuits. On April 1, 1892, he assumed the management of the Sun- bury American. one of the pioneer Republican newspapers of the State. founded by the late Henry B. Masser, in 1840. On Dec. 16. 1893, Mr. Hill established the daily Erening Item. and made it a successful and important publication. In July. 1904. he retired from the newspaper business to give his whole time to the business of the post office, as postmaster, which office he held from April

On Dec. 6, 1822, Mr. Hill was married to Rachel Jane Packer. eldest daughter of the late Hon. John B. Packer, of Sunbury, Pa. Three children were born to them : William Cameron. Mary Mar- tha, and Nelle Packer, wife of Mr. Frank L. Rabe, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hill has always taken a deep interest in

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the affairs 'of his town. He was appointed as a communities: (1) Dr. Luther B. was educated member of the first board of health established in the Sunbury public schools, and professionally in the place, and served three years. He also in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Since seryed a term as school director, and largely his graduation he has been practicing at Cata- through his exertions the cause of modern school wissa, Columbia county. He was vice president buildings was brought to the attention of his fel- of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society in low members of the board and the people of the town. The result was the large and . handsome high school building. the pride of the town, which stands on Fifth street, which was planned and built during his term and was the forerunner of several other fine buildings, erected since.

Mr. Hill has always devoted a great portion of his time to the science and study of music, and has for many years been closely identified with the musical development of his town. He has al- ways advised and encouraged the cultivation of the higher order of music, especially the classics of the old masters. He served over thirty-five years as organist of the First Reformed Church of Sun- bury, and has written considerable music, princi- pally for church service. Among his compositions is the music of the comic opera "Rhoda," the libretto of which was written by the late Gilbert T. Israel. The opera has never been given on the professional stage. but has had many renditions. at different times, by amateur companies for chari- nell Academy, and Lafayette College, receiving the table benefits, and never failed to receive enthusi- astic applause by large audiences.

J. SIMPSON KLINE, attorney, of Sunbury, local counsel for the Pennsylvania and Northern Central Railway Companies in Northumberland county, is a native of Upper Augusta township and a member of an old Pennsylvania family which long ago settled in this county. The family came from England to New Jersey, and thence to Penn- sylvania.

Isaac Kline, his grandfather, was a native of Northumberland county, and followed farming near Sunbury, in the village of Kline's Grove. He married Elizabeth DeWitt, and reared a good- There he read law with Charles G. Barkley, Esq .. sized family, was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county

Harmon G. Kline, son of Isaac, was born in in February, 1891, and has since been engaged in Northumberland county in 1818. and became a practice at Sunbury. At the close of that year he lifelong farmer, as was his father before hin. He entered the office of James C. Packer, Esq., with was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal whom he was associated professionally in the set- Church, and was liberal with both his time and tlement of the Packer estate. He has attained means in endeavoring to advance its interests. He prominence in his profession, served several years married Mary Bassett, who was born in 1821,

as borough solicitor for Sunbury and Northumber- daughter of Luther Bassett, a native of New Jer- land. and is now local counsel for the Pennsylvania and Northern Central Railway Companies. He is also attorney for the First National Bank of Sun- bury, and a director of that bank.

sey, who removed to Northumberland county, and followed farming there, living to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Kline enjoyed more than half a century of wedded happi- ness. Mr. Kline has been deceased several years. Mrs. Kline is living and in good health, in her ninety-first year. They were the parents of nine children, who all grew to maturity, the survivors being men and women of real value to their several

1910-11. (2) Elisha B. graduated at Williams- port Dickinson Seminary, read law with Hon. S. P. Wolverton, and was just ready for admission to the bar when he died. (3) Elizabeth Cecelia was also sent to Williamsport Seminary, and after finishing her course married II. C. Wallize. (4) George M. was educated at Williamsport, and is now a merchant in Union county, Pa. (5) Mar- garet Eleanor was educated at Dickinson Seminary, and is the widow of I. Lewis Bender. She re- sides with her son, Prof. Harold H. Bender. of Princeton University. (6) Dr. David C. attended Bloomsburg normal school, Dickinson Seminary, and Hahnemann Medical College, from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1883. The same year he settled at Reading, Pa., where he has since been engaged in practice. He is ex-president of the Homeopathic State Medical Society of Pennsylvania. (7) I. Clinton was educated at Bloomsburg normal school, Union Seminary, Buck-

A. B. and A. M. degrees from the latter institu- tion. He read law with Hon. John B. Packer J. Simpson was the next in order of birth. (9) and has practiced in Sunbury since 1894. (8) Rachel Estelle is the wife of Prof. William S. Hall, who is head of the Department of Mining Engineering of Lafayette College. He is author of several college text-books on mathematics.

J. Simpson Kline was born in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, and during his boyhood worked on the farm and attended country school. He was also a student of Union Seminary. at New Berlin, and of Lafayette College, at East- on, and taught school for a time at Bloomsburg.

Mr. Kline has been active in the Masonic tra- ternity, being past master of Knapp Lodge, No. 462. F. & A. M., of Berwick, Pa. ; past master of Maclay Lodge, No. 632. F. & A. M .. at Sunbury. and secretary of the latter: past high priest of Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R. A. M .:

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member of Mount Hermon Commandery, No. 85, Dec. 13, 1833. But we also find that one Nicholas K. T., of Sunbury ; and of Irem Temple, A. A. O. Brosius died Dec. 6, 1832. and his wife Anna or N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Ann died Oct. 30, 1836. Their sons were Nicho- BROSIOUS OR BROSIUS, two of the common- las, George, Peter (who lived in New York), Michael ( ?) and John, and there was evidently a est forms in which this name is found, is the daughter Elizabeth, born Aug. 10, 1780, who died patronymie of a family now numerously represent- March 29, 1821. Of these, George, born March 25, 1788, died Oct. 1, 1854: his wife, Eve Cath- arine, daughter of Michael and Rosana Schafer, born May 30, 1792, died April 11, 1868. ed in Northumberland county, where several dis- tinct branches reside. It is said that the family was settled in Lancaster county before coming to this region, and that Sebastian Brosius, from whom inany of the name trace their line. came from that county. . About 1780 he obtained from Wil- liam Dunbar a tract of land in the lower end of this county upon which Dalmatia ( Georgetown) is now located, and this land he left to his son John George Brosius, who opened a store and erected a mill. This mill as originally built by George Brosius was a log structure, situated on the Stone Valley creek at the lower end of Dal- matia, and is said to have been the first in the southern part of Northumberland county. It sub-

John Brosius. evidently son of Nicholas and Ann, was born July 2, 1290, and was a farmer by occupation. Ini his earlier years he lived near Hickory Corners, where Jacob Phillips now re- sides. later settling on the place now occupied by David HI. Witmer, and there he died Sept. 30, 1861: he is buried at Georgetown. He married Catharine. Spotts, who was born Jan. 15. 1795, daughter of John Spotts, and died Dec. 27. 1878, when nearly eighty-four years old. They had the following children: Charles: Sarah, who never married; Mary Ann, born in 1819, who died in sequently became known as the Witmer mill.\ Se- 1875: and Napoleon, who lived near Mount Pleas- bastian Brosius must have been in this section ant, Pennsylvania. before the land transaction mentioned, as in 1775, when Mahanoy township was organized. he became

its first constable. Unfortunately he left no will, stead, the farm now occupied by David H. Wit- and there seem to be no records to show definitely who his children were, but the following were undoubtedly his sons : Peter, Abraham, John (head of the Lower Mahanoy branch) and another son who founded the Jordan township branch.

Members of the family were also in Berks coun- was a Lutheran member. all his family also be-

tv, Pa. The last will and testament of one Nich- olas Brosius, of the borough of Reading, on record in Will Book 3, page 134, at the Berks county courthouse, was proved June 28, 1790. He was married Feb. 12, 1789, and his wife Franees was appointed executrix. They had no children. His who died in 1865: Catharine, who never married ; only brother, Henry Brosius, "shall have all my Sarah, married to William Scheib (they live near

wearing apparel of every kind whatsoever. together with the sum of ten pounds in gold and silver money, all to be settled by my executors three months after my decease: rest shall belong to my beloved wife Frances, who shall be my sole heir and executor." This Nicholas Brosius died at Reading in June, 1790.

In 1806, when Mahanoy township, which origin- ally embraced all that area now divided into Jack- son, Washington, Upper Mahanov, Jordan and Lower Mahanoy townships, was divided, one Nich- olas Brosius was one of the supervisors of that section now called Upper Mahanoy, and Abraham Brosius was one of the two overseers of the poor of said township. In 1845 George Brosius was one of the organizers of the Georgetown Clmreh, Lutheran and Reformed.

Charles Brosius, son of John, was born in Lower Mahanoy township, and lived on the Brosius home- mer. He followed farming throughout his active years, retiring some years before his death, which occurred Feb. 4, 1889, at the age of seventy-four vears, four months, twenty-nine days. He is bur- jed at Zion's Stone Valley Church, of which he longing there. He was active in the life of his congregation. holding several church offices. His wife was Rebecca Emerick, daughter of Michael Emerick, and their children were the following: George: Henry ; Isaac E .: Charles, born in 1862,

Gratz. Pa.) : Susanna. wife of Henry Fetterolf: Elizabeth, who married Foster Spotts, of Valley View, Pa. : and Louisa, who married Alexander Deppen.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 81

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