Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 91

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 91

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1882, in which year he took up farming on his own account. He was thus occupied for a number of years, until his removal in 1897 to Shamokin, where he has since made his home, residing at No. 800 West Pine street. Though not of recent years an active participant in public affairs, Mr. Reed was long one of the most popular officials in his township, which he served as auditor for a period of twelve years, as school director and as super- visor. In political connection he is a Republican. Like most of his family he is an active member of the Lutheran Church, he and his family attending services at Little Mahanoy Church, which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee.

On Dee. 26, 1876, Mr. Reed married Emma J. Byerly, daughter of Elijah and Mary ( Bower) Byerly, and the following children have been born to this marriage: John E., Beulah J., Molly M., Mary O., Sophia E., Maggie M., Isaiah and Em-

John E. Reed, son of Simon F. Reed, was born Dec. 7, 1877, in Little Mahanoy township, and there received his education in the publie schools. He has lived in Shamokin since 1897, and there learned the earpenter's trade, which he follows, and in which he has been quite successful. Sinee 1906 lie has owned his own home, at No. 14 South First street. On March 17, 1901, Mr. Reed married Rosa Sehlegel, daughter of Daniel Sehlegel, and they have had two children : Franeis, born Oct. 31, 1901, and Forrest, born Dec. 2, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Lutheran Church.

Solomon Reed, son of Leonard, was born on the farm in Little Mahanoy township now owned and occupied by his son Samuel S. Reed, which con- tains thirty-eight acres of cleared land and some woodland. He followed farming during the sum- mer season, in winter finding plenty of work at his trade, that of wheelwright. He prospered, and acquired another farm property, the tract of 11? acres in the Mahantango Valley, about one mile from the Stone Valley church, now owned by Dan- iel Schmeltz and Isaac Reitz: he built the frame house . which now stands on that place. He took an interest in all local affairs, serving as supervisor and school director of his township, and as deacon and elder of the Little Mahanoy Church, of which he was a Lutheran member. In polities he was a Republican. He died Aug. 7. 1901, aged sev- enty-nine years, one month, eleven days, and his wife. Catharine (Shaffer). daughter of Jacob Shaffer, died Nov. 19, 1895. aged seventy years, six months. They had children as follows: Susan- na married Isaac Reitz: Isaac, born in 1849, died in the Mahantango Valley in 1869; Alexander died at the homestead: Samuel S. is mentioned below: Iliram is a resident of Little Mahanoy; Henry M. is mentioned below: Emma J. is the widow of Daniel Reitz : Sarah married E. B. Raker.

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SAMUEL S. REED, son of Solomon Reed, was born of which he was treasurer throughout that period. He is a Republican on political questions.

June 16, 1854, on the farm in Little Mahanoy township which he still occupies, this having been the property of his grandfather, Leonard Ried. He received his education in the local schools and was reared to farm life, working for his parents until he attained the age of twenty-seven, at which time he married. In 1881 he began farming on place now owned by John Daniel, and continued to reside there for twenty years, farming the land

Mr. Reed married Auna Dornsife, daughter of Sammel Dornsife, and five children have been born to this union: Edwin, who married Emma Shaf- fer: David: Snsan, wife of Roy Eyster; Minnie M., and Henry J. The family are Lutherans, belonging to the Little Mahanoy Church, where

his own account in Jackson township, on the Mr. Reed has been deacon and elder.

GEORGE W. MILLER, a prominent farmer on shares for his father-in-law, Daniel Kobel. He and fruit grower of Shamokin township, was born then purchased his father's place, owning seventy- there April 21, 1857, upon the old homestead two acres, forty-five of which have been eleared, taken up by his great-great-grandfather. The and has sinee lived on the property. The old Miller family has long been established in Penn- part of the dwelling was built by Leonard Ried in sylvania. George Miller, Sr., commonly called 1833, and the newer part by his son Solomon in "Hunter George," emigrated from Germany some the seventies. The barn was built by the present tine during the seventeen hundreds, and after owner in 1908. Mr. Reed is an active citizen of taking up considerable land in what is now Sha- his community, has served as supervisor of his mokin township, Northumberland county, built his township, and is at present a member of the school little log house near the large spring of water board, to which he was elected in the spring of on the Miller farm. In the year of 1792 his son 1910. He is a Republican in politics and a Lnth- eran in religion, he and his family belonging to . the Krebs Church at Mahanoy, which he has served officially as deacon and elder.

On Dee. 25, 1880, Mr. Reed married Catha- rine Kobel, daughter of Daniel and Eliza ( Kers- tetter) Kobel, and they have had thirteen children, among whom were: Francis (who died aged twen- ty-one years), Emuna J. (married William Peifer), Daniel. Charles (who is a blacksmith), Katie. Sallie, Cora, Adam, Lena May. .

John Miller purebased from him this land, called Pine Grove, and "Hunter George" took up some land near Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., where he lived the remainder of his days. George Miller, Sr., derived his name of "hunter" from his love of the chase, as he seldom did anything but hunt, fish and take np lands.

John Miller, the son of George Miller, Sr .. and great-grandfather of George W. Miller, was born in 1759. In 1785 he married Catharine Raber. and to them were born two sons and two daugh-

HENRY M. REED, son of Solomon Reed. was ters: George, David, Elizabeth and Sarah. He born Sept. 30. 1859. on the farm in Little Ma- died Feb. 10, 1804, at the age of forty-five. his hanoy township now owned by his brother Sam- wife, who survived him many years, dying Aug. 19, 1854, at the age of eighty-five years. John and Catharine Miller are buried in the old Baptist graveyard near Deiblers station, in Shamokin township. uel S. Reed. He was reared to farming from boy- hood, and at an early age learned the trade of wheelwright. as well as carpentering, practically growing up with a knowledge of such work. For about one year he worked as carpenter. for the

George Miller, the oldest son of John Miller and Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, and grandfather of George W. Miller, was born June was at one time wheelwright and blacksmith for 12. 1794, upon the homestead. He married Dec. 23. 1820. Mary M. Startzel, danghter of George and Elizabeth Startzel. and by this marriage there were twelve children: Elizabeth (deceased ), who married Daniel Smith : Catharine (deceased). who married Silas Farrow : John J., who died in Iowa in 1861: Rosetta. of Rutherford. N. J., who mar- ried Samuel Lewis: Amandus S., who married Hannah J. Wolverton (parents of George W. Mil- ler) : Russia (deceased ), who married Dr. Aaron Savidge: Julian ( deceased ), who married Rev. Ephraim Barker: Allison R., who died in Illinois in 1820: William Jolmson. of Springfield. Ill. : Clara I. (deceased), who married Dr. Isaac Haff : Enna, who married John Epler : and one son who died in infaney. the William P. Zartinan Lumber Company .. In 1882 he began farming on the homestead. eon- tinning there .nntil 1903. when he moved to the fine farin in Little Mahanoy which he has since occupied, and which he purchased in August, 1902. It was formerly owned by Samuel Dornsife, and had been in the Dornsife family for many years. The original tract owned by the .Dornsifes was much larger, however, Mr. Reed having 124 acres, some of which is in timber. There is excellent water, flowing near to the house. Mr. Reed is an up-to-date agriculturist. and his property is in excellent condition. Mr. Reed is a thorough ine- chanie, and during the winter months is employed at sneh work. He has taken considerable interest in the local public welfare, and has served six Previous to the construction of the Reading years in suecession as member of the school board, Center turnpike this locality was not developed

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to any extent. Mr. Miller was one of the most continued farming his grandfather's farm for enterprising men of his day. After elearing his share until the expiration of the lease in 1884, land and assisting in constructing the turnpike when he and his brother Silas W. Miller pur- he moved from his little log house by the spring chased their grandfather's land and divided it into the. large house he built along the pike. He north and south. George W. retaining the old then built a large stone barn, in 1818, and when homestead, to the cultivation of which he has the stage began running Mr. Miller opened a since devoted the greater part of his time and hotel, which he conducted in connection with his farms until the Northern Central railroad was built. In politics he was a Democrat, and he filled a number of the township offiees. He died July 24, 18SO, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife dying three weeks later. They are bur- ied at the Blue Church.

attention. He has 135 acres of land and his place is known as one of the finest along the pike. He makes a specialty of fruit growing, and has mar- keted as many as fifteen hundred bushels of peaeh- es in a season. In 1899 he was elected justiee of the peace, and efficiently filled that office for five years; for four years he served as tax col- lector; and is now filling the office of overseer of the poor for the sixth year. He is a leading mem- ber of the Democratie party in his locality, and in religion is a Lutheran, a member of the St. Jacob's ( Reed's) Church.

Amandus S. Miller, second son of George Mil- ler and father of George W. Miller, was born upon the, homestead Sept. 13, 1828, and there grew to manhood. He received a common school educa- tion and improved his opportunities so well that in early manhood he eommeneed teaching in the George W. and Rosanna V. Miller are the par- ents of nine children : Gussie May, deceased ; Dav- publie schools, which experienee undoubtedly ac- counted for the interest he always took in the id Otto, deceased; Florence Virginia, deeeased ; Ruth Ann : Blanche Helen ; John Vastine; Janet; George Clyde, and Russell Conwell.

cause of education. He was an influential citizen and highly respected, not only foremost in busi- ness matters but looked up to on various other questions. He engaged in farming on an extensive scale, cultivating some four hundred aeres. Al- though he never sought publie office he was eon- tinuously a member of the Shamokin Township Mutual. Fire Insurance Company and assessor, and treasurer of the school board for years. Mr. Mil- ler accumulated a large amount of property in Shamokin township and borongh. He died Feb. 21, 1906, and was widely mourned. He was a Demoerat in polities, and in religious faith a Lutheran:

KURTZ. The Kurtz family to which J. U. and Amandus Kurtz, brothers, both farmers of Turbut township, Northumberland county, belong came to this region from New Jersey, where the former was born. They are sons of Andrew Kurtz and grandsons of Heury Kurtz, who had brothers Jolm and George. Henry Kurtz's children were : Henry and William died in Northampton county, Pa. ; Jeremiah died in Monroe county: Andrew is mentioned below ; Samuel died at Easton, Pa .; Levi died in Columbia county, Pa .; Amelia died in infancy: Charity died in Northampton county.

Amandus S. and Hannah J. Miller are buried in the St. Jacob's cemetery, near Reeds station. Andrew Kurtz, son of Henry, moved to Ber- wiek. Columbia Co., Pa., in 1842, and after one year's residenee there moved (in 1843) to North- umberland county, purchasing a farm in East Chil- lisquaque township on which he settled. IIe fol- lowed farming, and was also extensively engaged Ten children were born to their marriage: Florence T., who died when twenty-three years old; Ida M., deceased, who married John M. Kline; George W .; Silas W., deceased, who married Maggie Kase : Laura E., of Elysburg, Pa., who married W. H. 0. Dyer: Julia F., of Shamokin, Pa., who first in lime burning, producing more lime than any married Elsworth Dyer (deceased) and then W. other one man in that vieinity. He became one F. J. McKee: Addison C., of Sunbury, Pa., who married Lizzie Snyder; John A., deceased; Cora E., deceased, who married Elwood Yoeum; and Lulu V., who married Harry E. Snyder.

George W. Muller was born on the homestead and brought up to farming and received a common school education. When twenty-two he entered the academy at Lewisburg and in the spring of 1819 he returned to farming, for his grandfather, and in connection taught school eight winters in Sha- mokin township. In July. 1880, Mr. Miller's grandparents died, three weeks apart, and the fol- lowing fall, ou Sept. 30, 1880, Mr. Miller mar- ried Rosanna Vastine, of Montour county. He of whom, however, reached maturity : Sophia, Mrs.

of the foremost citizens of his community, filling nearly all the township offices, and he was a highly respected man, holding the confidence of his fel- lowmen to an unusual degree. In politics he was a Demoerat, in religion a staneh Intheran, as was also his wife. they being members of the church at Milton. When the church edifice was destroyed in the great fire at. Milton he was one of the principal movers in the work of rebuilding. toward which he contributed largely. He married Sarah E. Diehl, who died at their old home in April, 1882, and he survived until March, 1885. They were the parents of nine children, only four

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John Fetzer; J. U. ; Aniandus: and Sarah, wife child, Lister: Bessie F. married Irwin Pick and of Abram Clemens, a farmer of East Chillisquaque has one child. George. Mr. Kurtz and his fam- township.

ily are Lutherans, members of the Follmer Church. in which he has held official position.

AMANDUS KURTZ, son of Andrew and Sarah E. (Diehl) Kurtz, was born Jan. 1, 1843, in Northi- ampton county, Pa., and was quite young when he came with his parents to Northumberland coun- ty. He was reared on the old home farm, in his boyhood attending the local schools and later work- ing with his father, with whom he remained until he was twenty-three years old. He has continued to follow farming since he began work on his own account. In 1874 he bought the old Krist farm of about 101 acres in Turbut township, good land- with excellent water facilities, and thereon he has erected substantial outbuildings, his prop -< erty being in fine condition. The third reunion of the Kurtz family was held at his place in the sum- mer of 1909 and was a great success. The first meeting was held at the home of Abram Clemens, his brother-in-law, and the second at the home of his brother J. U. Kurtz. Mr. Kurtz has not only become well known in his district as a good farmer, but also as a progressive and public-spirited eiti- zen, having given evidence of his sterling quali- ties in his faithful performance of the duties of various public offiees. While in Chillisquaque township he was school director for six years, and he has served in that office for the same period in Turbut township, where he has also acted as sup- ervisor. In political connection he is a Demo- crat. and he has been an interested member of the Grange for a number of years. His church connection is with the Trinity Lutheran congrega- tion of Milton.

Mr. Kurtz married Mary C. Shade, daughter of Samuel II. Shade. of Montour county, Pa., and to that section from Northampton county and the Itz family lived formerly in Huntingdon county, l'a., and still earlier in Berks eounty. The name is also found with the spelling Lotts. Many of the family reside in Reading. To Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have been born twelve children : George Mc- also residents of Milton : Sallie M. married C. E. Clellan married Ida Ammon and their children they have had a large family : Herbert E. married Lillie Koser and they are living at Kelly Cross Roads, Union Co., Pa .; Andrew S. married Ida Stamm and their home is in the borough of Mil- ton; Cora A. married O. J. Stocker and they are Raup: Mazzie was accidentally killed when seven are Leroy, Martha, Howard, Robert, Wilson, . months old; Maggie B. married C. S. Murray George and Aliee: William Andrew continues to and is living in Turbut township: Eva M. is at home : Albert, of Sunbury, married Edith Rank ; John A. married Maude Barber and they live at Seattle, Washington.

live at home ; Edward E. married Elizabeth Rover, of Lewisburg, and they have children, Florence. Warren, Ethel, Clarence. Laviere and Oran : Eliz- abeth married John Bender, and has four children. Josiah, Mary, Sarah and Mildred; Margaret mar- ELIAS E. BOWER, engaged in farming near Mandata, in Lower Mahanoy township, is a mem- ber of the fourth generation of his family to- live in this region, where his great-grandfather. J. Mat- thias Bauer, settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century. ried Calvin Hoy and has one son, Paul : Ida mar- ried George Sypher and has one child, May: Els- worth married Emma Gibson; Harriet M. mar- ried Harry Karchner and has one child, Clifton ; Mary Ellen married Elijah Derr and is the mother of two children, Sarah and Robert ; Anna married JJ. Matthias Bauer was a native of Berks county, Pa., born near Reading March 6, 1754. Tradition John Dunkell and has a daughter, Ruth; Clara Jane married George Berkheimer and has one and records apparently relating to him credit him

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J. U. KURTZ was born in October, 1840, in Hanterdon county, N. J. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of Chillisquaque town- ship, which at that time were conducted for only three months each year, during the season when the pupils were not needed to assist with the work at home. Mr. Kurtz spent his summers work- ing with his father on the farm and at lime burn- ing, continuing thus until he was nineteen years old. In 1861, upon the breaking out of the Civil war. he enlisted under Colonel Stewart for three months, at the expiration of which term he re- enlisted, for three years, in Company A, 6th Penn- sylvania Reserves. He received an honorable dis- charge, on account of disability, after twenty-three months of service. After the close of his serviee he went to Williamsport. P.a., where he was en- gaged in the lumber business for five years, in 1868 settling upon his present farm in Turbút township, which has been his home continuously for over forty years. It consists of ninety-two acres of fertile land, upon which he erected a honse in 1870 and a barn in 1908. He continued the active work of farming until 1909, since when he has lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his early labors. Mr. Kurtz has never taken any act- ive part in public affairs, but he was for many years'an interested member of the Grange, P. of H., in Turbut township, which he long served as trustee and treasurer. He is also a member of Henry Wilson Post, G. A. R. In politieal mat- ters lie is a Democrat. .

In 1863 Mr. Kurtz married Sarah E. Bartoe. daughter of Paul and Rebecca (Lutz) Bartoe, of Columbia county, Pa. The Bartoe family moved .

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with service in the Revolutionary war. About 1794 he came with his family to Northumberland county and settled in that part of Jordan town- ship then still known as Jackson township, on the farm now owned by Jonathan M. Byerly. He himself erected the first set of buildings there, having been a carpenter. But he took to farming, having "taken up" and purchased between five Im- dred and six hundred acres of land; 133 acres of this land have never been out of the family name since he took it up. He was a small man, indus- trious and energetic, and it is related that he en- joyed a "serap" occasionally. ( He prospered in his work, and was a useful member of society. He died May 1, 1837, and is buried at the Stone Val- ley (Zion's) Church, having been a member of the Lutheran congregation of that church. Po-

She bore him children as follows: Frederick, who died in Indiana : Jacob, who died in Ohio ; Michael, who died in Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Pa. : Sam- nel; Elizabeth, MIrs. Henry Witmer ; and another daughter who married Samuel Wolf, and they set- tled in Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania.

Samuel Bower, son of J. Matthias, was born in Berks county, March 11. 1790, and was a mere child when his parents came to Northumberland county, Pa. He died Sept. 12, 1867. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Bitterman, he had one son Aaron, who lived in Illinois. For his second wife he married Catharine Witmer, dangh- ter of Matthias Witmer, of Lower Mahanoy town- ship. She was born Feb. 12, 1795, and died Sept. 13, 1873. By this union there were two children : Elizabeth, who married Carl Rothermel; and Elias W.

- Fifas W. Bower, son of Samuel, is now a retired . farm he now owns consists of 156 acres, and was farmer of Jordan township, where he was born the Jacob Still plaee, Henry Peifer owning it be- May 3, 1832. He attended the old subscription fore his day. It was located a quarter of a mile-

schools of his day for terms of two or three months, and worked for his parents. He was married early, Aug. 20, 1850, and the second year of his marriage began as a tenant on his father's farmn. farming with and for him many years. . When Samuel Bower died Elias W. purchased the home- stead, which he continued to farm until his re- tirement, in 1896. He now lives in a house near the homestead buildings. His farm consists of

Democrat in polities. He is a tall, bearded old gentleman, of pleasing appearance, and well liked by all who know him.

Mr. Bower married Sarah Phillips, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Cable) Phillips, granddaughter of Johann Adam Phillips) Mrs. Bower was born July 16, 1832. She was the mother of thirteen children : Harriet is the widow of Samuel Bohner ; Elizabeth married William Wert; Levi is deceased : Galen lives in Jordan township (his wife Lizzie- J., born Oct. 6, 1849, died March 30, 1890) ; Sus- anna married Daniel Schlegel; James M., born July 30, 1859, was accidentally killed July 30, 1886 ; Morris is a resident of Royalton, Pa .; Sivil- la married Michael Hepner ; Cyrus is married and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Samuel is married and lives in Jordan township; Elias E. is mentioned litically he was a strong Democrat. His wife, below; Mary married Jeremiah Miller: Henry is. Catharine, born Jan. 1, 1760, died Nov. 25, 1836, a resident of Jordan township. Mr. Bower and and she is also buried at the Stone Valley Church. his family are Lutheran members of the. Urban (St. Paul's) Church, and he has given faithful service in all the official positions.

Elias E. Bower was born May 20, 1869, and grew up as a typical farm boy. He has continued to farm all his life. For eight years he hired out among farmers in Jordan and Lower Mahanoy townships, and began farming for himself in the- spring of 1897, in Jordan township, where he was. located for seven years-two years on Elias Boy- er's farm and five years on his father's 140-acre farm. He then farmed the Gabriel Adam farm. in Lower Mahanoy, for two years, thence moving to the Mahantango Valley, where he purchased a 116-acre tract which he cultivated two years. Sell- ing that place, he farmed the Mary Adams place for one year, and then moved back to the Serenus Hepner farm for two years, from there eoming to his present place in the spring of 1909. The

north of Mandata.

In March, 1896, Mr. Bower married Alice MI. Wetzel. daughter of Daniel and Rebecea (Glase) Wetzel, and by this union there are three children : Monroe L., William B. and Maud K. Mr. Bower and his family are Lutherans in religion, and on political questions he is a Democrat.

William F. Bower, of Herndon, Pa., is a native 133 acres, 120 acres of which are under cultiva- of Jackson township, born Jan. 23. 1858. son of tion. He himself erected nearly all the buildings2 Jaeob Bower. His grandfather. Jacob Bower, was on the farm, as well as part of the house where one of the sons of JJ. Matthias Bauer, mentioned he lived. In August, 1897, his barn was destroyed by fire, with the season's crops, eausing a heavy loss, only partly covered by insurance. Mr. Bower has been a busy man, and a successful one, and bis integrity and trustworthiness have been reeog- nized by his neighbors, who have chosen him to serve as supervisor and school director. He is a

above, and was a native of Berks or Montgomery county, coming to Northumberland county in early life. He located in what was then Mahanoy township, and became a prosperous farmer, own .- ing several tracts of land. In about 1835 he- moved to Ohio, in the vicinity of Akron, where. he lived until his death. His wife would not ac-

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 2, Part 91

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