History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 152

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

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FRANK KELLER (deceased) and his wife (who is still living) emigrated to this country from Mont Simsim, Biran, Germany, in 1854, locating at Pittston, Pa., after which they moved to Wyoming. Mr. Keller worked as overseer at the Old West Pittston Shaft for several years, when he was made overseer of machinery at the Exeter Shaft, where, on March 9, 1875, he was caught in a side cog-wheel and killed; he left a widow and seven children. Mrs. Keller and her son, John, are proprietors of a restaurant on Wyoming avenue. The other children are Eva (Mrs. Jacob Rhinehart); Martin, a bottler [see sketch]; Mary, who is a Sister in a convent in Baltimore; George, a clerk in Wilkes-Barre; Frank, in the Wyoming Shovel Works, and Jacob, in the Terra Cotta Works. Mrs. Keller opened her restaurant in 1877, and has since catered to the public, and her son, John, who presides at the bar, spares no pains to please all, having won a host of friends. He is one of the most prominent Democrats in Wyoming borough, and has been a member of the Democratic County Committee several times. The family are all Democrats, and members of the German Catholic Church.

HARRY M. KELLER, M. D., physician in charge and superintendent of the Hazle- ton Hospital. This successful young physician was born at Stroudsburg, Pa., November 24, 1866, and is a son of Charles B. and Mary (Walton) Keller, natives of Monroe county. He was reared in his native town, where he attended the high school, and in 1884 he entered the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he graduated in the class of 1887. Immediately after grad- uating he entered the Philadelphia Hospital as resident physician, where he

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

remained sixteen months. This was not his first experience at hospital work, how- . ever, as his vacations had been spent in St. Mary's Hospital, where he had a large practical experience. After graduating, he accepted the position as assistant to Dr. George S. Wentz, of Jeddo, Pa., where he remained two years. He was then elected superintendent and surgeon of the Hazleton Hospital, which incumbency he has since successfully and most ably filled. An appropriation of $60,000 was in 1887 made by the State for this magnificent building, and it is a notable fact that the commission in charge of the work kept the whole expense of erecting this remarkably large and convenient hospital within the amount appropriated by the State. It was handsomely furnished by funds raised by public subscription. The building is a handsome two-story brick structure, located in the eastern part of the city. The departments are conveniently arranged; there are two large wards containing twenty-four beds each, and a convenient modern operating room, office, parlor and council rooms, besides the cozy apartments for those who are employed about the place. The hospital staff consists of the following members: Superintendent and surgeon, assistant surgeon, three trained male nurses, one clerk, a chief engineer, two firemen, five domestics, and a matron. The record for the first year, 1891, shows that 222 cases were admitted for treatment, and there were 136 dispensary cases. Dr. Keller is known as a skillful and courteous practitioner, and his conduct of the institution under his charge has on many occasions been warmly com- mented on.

JOSEPH H. KELLER, farmer, P. O. Larksville, was born in Plymouth township, July 13, 1864, a son of Philip and Ellen (Hunter) Keller, the former born in Plymouth, the latter's birthplace not known. Philip was a son of Joseph Keller, who removed from Northampton county here about 1807, locating in Plymouth township on a farm containing about 150 acres, and under which were valuable coal fields. Before his death, he disposed of the coal and retained the surface. After the death of Joseph, Sr., his son Philip bought out the heirs and retained the home- stead. Philip was a practical farmer and a good business man. His family con- sisted of six children, all of whom are living. Our subject, the fifth by birth, was educated in his native town at the common schools, and always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. September 3, 1888, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Waters, and by her had two children, both of whom are living; Harry H. and Laura. Mr. Keller owns a farm of forty acres of valuable land in good condition, on which he raises a general crop. He is independent in politics. Mrs. Sarah Keller was born in Wales, and came to this country when two years of age.

MARTIN KELLER, bottler of lager beer, porter, and soft drinks, Wyoming borough, was born January 7, 1854, second in the family of seven children of Frank and Barbara (Endres) Keller, natives of Baiern, Germany. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-five years began life for himself at blacksmithing, at which trade he worked for seven years, when he embarked in his present business, and has since carried on a general bottling trade, delivering his goods by wagon to all the smaller towns in his section. Mr. Keller is an honorable, upright man, doing a large business, and has made many friends. He is a member of the German Catholic Church, and in politics he is a strong Democrat. In 1887 he built his present home.

GEORGE M. KELLY, farmer, P. O. Larksville, was born in Plymouth township May 26, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Harriet (Howard) Kelly, the former of whom was born in 1810, in Ireland, the latter in Plymouth township. Thomas Kelly came to this country when twelve years of age, first locating in Plymouth, where he made his permanent home. He was a miner by occupation, and also a boat-man on the canal for some years; he was a man of nerve and physical strength, who worked hard and accumulated some means previous to his death, which occurred July 24, 1887; his wife died in 1885. Their family consisted of two children, one now living, George M. The latter was reared in Plymouth and

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

educated in Wyoming Seminary, and in early life studied telegraphy, but does not follow it at present. He has lived in Plymouth all his lifetime, and is now retired. April 8, 1876, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of James and Almeda Washburn, and they have had five children, one of whom is living, Joseph B. Mrs. Kelly was born in Carbondale, in 1856. Mr. Kelly owns a farm of twenty-seven acres, besides twelve houses. He is a well-read and intelligent man, with a keen eye to business. Politically he is a Democrat.

JOHN KELLY, of Georgetown, Wilkes-Barre township, a native of County Long- ford, Ireland, was born in .1816, and is a son of John and Ann (Dempsey) Kelly. He was reared in his native county, where, after attaining his majority, he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he came to America, locating in what is now South Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and in 1866 moving to his present residence in George- town, where he has since resided, and where he has been principally employed about the coal mines. In 1852 he married Margaret, daughter of Farrell and Catherine (Doran) Reilly, of County Westmeath, Ireland, and by her had seven children: Mary A. (Mrs. Patrick Donahue), Patrick F., Kate (Mrs. George Black), Margaret (married to James McGinty, and has one son, Frank P.), John, Ellen (deceased), and Sarah. Mrs. McGinty has been a popular teacher in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre township, twelve years, and Miss Sarah Kelly since 1890. Mr. Kelly and family are members of the Catholic Church; in politics, he is a Democrat.

JOHN E. KELLY, fire-boss, Empire Shaft, Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Longford, Ireland, January 14, 1863, a son of John and Margaret (Riley) Kelly, who came to America in 1865, and settled in Wilkes-Barre township, where they still reside. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre township from two years of age, educated in the public schools, and began life as a slate picker in the breaker at nine years. He worked as a miner five years, and has held position of fire-boss at the Empire Shaft since March, 1890. October 28, 1891, Mr. Kelly married Miss Mar- garet, daughter of Michael Millnamow, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and served one term as assessor of Wilkes-Barre.

PATRICK F. KELLY, merchant, P. O. Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Longford, Ireland, January 14, 1855, and is a son of John and Margaret (Reilly) Kelly, who came to America in 1864, locating in Wilkes-Barre township, where they still reside. Their children were Mary A. (Mrs. Patrick Donohue), Patrick F., Catherine (Mrs. George Black), Margaret (Mrs. James McGinty) John, Ellen (deceased) and Sarah. Margaret and Sarah are teachers in the Wilkes-Barre township schools. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre township from nine years of age, was educated in the public schools of same, and began life as a slate-picker in the breaker. He later worked as a carpenter in the mines until 1886, when he embarked in merchan- dising, in which he has since continued. In March. 1882, he married Margaret, daughter of Bernard and Margaret (Sheridan) Reynolds, by whom he has had five children; Henry, John, Daniel, Bernard (deceased) and James. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Catholic Church; in politics, he is a Democrat, and is one of the school directors of Wilkes-Barre township.

GEORGE W. KELLMER, of the Kellmer Piano & Organ Works, Hazleton. Among the many large manufacturing concerns of Hazleton, perhaps none are more promi- nent or ably represented than the Kellmer Piano & Organ Works, with which the subject of this sketch is prominently identified. Mr. Kellmer was born June 21, 1868, at Hazleton, Pa., and is a son of Peter Kellmer, one of the pioneers of this sec- tion, and the first man to establish a photograph gallery in Hazleton, which gallery is still operated by the sons, who do a thriving business. The gentleman whose name opens this sketch was educated in the public schools of Hazleton, and, after completing the high-school course, learned the piano and organ manufacturing business, in a short time becoming skillful in not only constructing the instruments, but in tuning as well. The business was established in June, 1883, by Peter Kell- mer. The new factory was built during the years 1883 and 1884, and opened for

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

business in April, the latter year. The establishment is located in a convenient part of the city, and consists of an immense brick building, which is divided up into commodious store-rooms and work-shops. The Kellmer piano needs no commenda- tion in this work, as its reputation is already established, both in this country and in Europe. Our subject was married August 6, 1891, to Miss Alma M. Kupp, daughter of S. H. Kupp, a resident of Scranton.

GEORGE W. KELLNER, foreman at Deringer Colliery No. 2, Gowen, was born in Germany December 4, 1853, a son of George and Christine (Knease) Kellner. They came to America in 1856, first locating at Hazleton, and later removing to Eckley, this county, where the father engaged in mining and resided until his death. His children were George R., Christine, Lizzie (Mrs. William Diehl), and Catherine. Our subject was reared in Eckley, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade, which he has followed since 1874, holding his present position at Deringer since 1887. Mr. Kellner was married November 29, 1888, to Maria, a daughter of John and Lovina (Heimbach) Knelly, and they have three children: Lovina C., and Rudolph W. and Ralph G. (twins). Mr. Kellner is a member of the Lutheran Church, and of the F. & A. M., and in politics is a Democrat.

JOSEPH KELSHAW, mine foreman, Jeansville, was born in Shropshire, England, July 31, 1839, a son of William and Harriet (Vaughn) Kelshaw, natives of England. He is the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children, and was reared and educated in England. At the age of sixteen he became a coal miner, and one year later he began sinking shafts, continuing in that occupation for ten years. When twenty-six years old he was appointed underground viewer in England, and followed that business three years in Staffordshire, three years in North Wales, seven years in South Yorkshire, and four years in South Wales. In 1880 Mr. Kelshaw came to America, locating at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he worked at mining for one year. He then removed to Beaver Meadows, Carbon county, and secured a position as mine foreman with Coxe Bros. & Co., in which capacity he remained for five years. In 1887 he came to Jeansville, and took his present position as mine foreman at No. 4, Jeansville Colliery, operated by J. C. Hayden & Co. Mr. Kelshaw was married, October 14, 1861, to Miss Emma, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Jones) Brown, natives of Wales. To this union have been born thirteen children, namely: William, Jonathan, Emily, Joseph H., Thomas, James, Richard, Harriet, Margaret, Florence A., Matilda, Albert E. (deceased) and Albert E. (also deceased). Mr. Kelshaw is a supporter of the Republican party; he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Sons of Temperance, and Knights of the Golden Eagle.

DANIEL W. KEMBEL, outside foreman, Parsons, was born in Lower Mahanoy, Northumberland Co., Pa., May 25, 1836, and is a son David and Lydia (Wert) Kembel, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and of Holland (later of New Jersey) origin, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, and of Holland lineage. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools and began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, learning the miller's trade, at which he worked in the following places: Millersburg, Mount Joy, Mahanoy City and Sunbury. On August 19, 1861, he enlisted, at Allentown, in Company C, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers, which company was sent to Washington, D. C., and from there to Arlington Heights, thence to Key West, Fla., where they were stationed in the Gulf Squadron. He was in the following engagements: Hilton Head, Port Royal, Beaufort and Pocataligo; did provost duty at Key West for one year, and was then sent on the Red River expedition, where he was at the battles of Pleasant Hill, Sabine Cross Roads and Alexandria, was on the march to Appalachee Bay, and was at the capture of Fort Finegan. He was then sent to Washington, and served under Sheridan through- out his Shenandoah raid, and was discharged at Berryville, Va., September 19, 1864, his term of enlistment having expired, and returned home. He was then engaged in railroading and milling until 1870, when he came to Parsons and accepted his pres- ent position at Laurel Run Mine. Mr. Kembel was married January 1, 1865, to

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Miss Julia, daughter of Thomas Foults, of Derbyshire, England, and they have five children, viz .: Thomas A., married to Addie, daughter of Rev. W. D. Thomas; Adelia, married to Herbert T. Dolan, weighmaster at Parsons; Jennie, Lulu May and John E. Mr. Kembel and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a Republican, and has held the following offices: assessor, school director, tax collector, burgess and councilman, which latter office he now holds.

WILLIAM KEMP, P. O. Drum's, who is among the leading well-to-do farmers of Luzere county, is a native of Prussia, born February 4, 1836. He was reared and edu- cated in his native land, and at the age of fifteen came to America, locating in Sugar Loaf township, where he worked three years. He then removed to Butler township, where he engaged in farming and lumbering, carrying on the most extensive lumber trade of any one in Butler valley. He has been the owner of several sawmills, and always kept two or more running full capacity, constantly employing not less than twenty-five men. He now devotes bis entire attention to farming, having one of the finest farms in the well-known Butler valley. Mr. Kemp was married Septem- ber 1, 1857, to Miss Maria Ero, of Hollenback township. This union has been blessed with nine children, viz .: Louisa, married to Ellick Thresher, Freeland; Christiana, married to Daniel Krummis, Butler township; Emma, married to Henry Yager, Butler township; Edna, married to Daniel Foust, Drum's; Samuel; Ella; Allen; Stella and Ellick. Mr. Kemp, by industry and honesty, has helped himself and the land of his adoption. In politics he is a firm Democrat.

CLARENCE KESTER, of the firm of John Kester & Son, furniture dealers and under- takers, Shickshinny, was born at Arch Bridge, Union township, this county, Sep- tember 22, 1869, and is a son of John and Lavina (Sorber) Kester, the father being a son of John and Martha Kester, the mother a daughter of Adam and Sarah Sorber. The father was also a native of Union township, and is now a resident of Arch Bridge, where he is engaged in the lumber business. He served one year in the Civil war. He has a family of four children: Hattie (Mrs. Merritt Scott), Clarence, Martha and Lena. Our subject was reared in Union township, educated in public schools, and began life as a clerk in the furniture store of George W. Sorber, of Shickshinny, in which capacity he served four years. In October, 1891, he embarked in the business for himself, and since April, 1892, the firm has been known as John Kester & Son. Mr. Kester has already succeeded in building up a first-class trade, and is one of Shickshinny's enterprising business men. He was married September 22, 1892, to Miss Fannie Morley, of Harrisburg. Mr. Kester is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, P. O. S. of A., and American Protestants; politically, he is a Democrat.

C. M. and JOHN KESTER, manufacturers, Shickshinny, were born in that place, the former April 11, 1851, the latter July 17, 1848. They are the sons of John and Martha A. (Wright) Kester, the former born in Nescopeck, in 1807, the latter in Hanover township. John was a son of Jacob Kester, who was also a native of Nescopeck. The latter's father, whose name has not been learned, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country, settling in Nescopeck. He was a farmer of some means and influence in his own vicinity. John Kester, Sr., followed the example of his father for some years, but finally became a manufacturer-as his sons are now. He removed to Union township in 1851, where he owned a few acres, on which he erected a house, and entered the general lumber business, supplying ties, wood, etc. He was a man of enterprise and energy, succeeding in his under- taking, and died in December, 1869. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are living, John being the seventh, and C. M. the eighth by birth. They were reared and educated at the common schools of Shickshinny and Union township, and have always followed in the same line of business as their father, but on a much larger scale. They are extensive manufacturers of mine supplies, and handle lumber to a large extent; also have a shop wherein they do turning for the supply of cable rollers for mines. John has established a furniture store in Shickshinny, under the

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firm name of J. Kester & Son. The Kester brothers are successful business men, full of energy and enterprise. They both reside a mile north of Shickshinny, at a place called Koonsville, and have built themselves beautiful modern structures in which they reside. John has a farm of sixty-two acres, C. M. has less.

On January 1, 1873, C. M. Kester married Miss Rose Myers, born in Fairmount township, June 20, 1854, a daughter of Wilson and Roxanna Myers, by which union were born three children, two of whom are living: Maude and Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Kester and daughters are consistent members of the M. E. Church.

John Kester married in May, 1867, Miss Lavina Sorber, who was born in New- port township in 1844, a daughter of Adam and Sarah Sorber, and by her were born five children, four of whom are living: Hattie, Clarence, Martha and Lennie. Mr. Kester was in 1864 mustered into the United States service as a member of Company B, Ninety-seventh P. V. I., for one year. He served creditably till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 257.

JAMES KESTER, foreman of the Pennsylvania Canal Company, was born in Schuyl- kill county, Pa., Juue 23, 1837, a son of John and Martha (Wright) Kester. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Kester, a native of Northampton county, was a pioneer of what is now Conyngham township, this county, locating on what is now known as " the Nicely farm," which he partially cleared, and died there. He there reared his family, consisting of the following named children: John, Jacob, Daniel, Peter, Catherine (Mrs. Joseph Campbell) and Susan (Mrs. John Lebick). Of these, John (father of our subject) was born in the old homestead, and became a farmer, most of his life being spent in Union township, where he cleared a small farm near Arch Bridge, and there died. His wife was a daughter of John C. Wright, and by her he had nine children who grew to maturity, viz. : Daniel, William, Jacob, James, John, Charles, Harrison, Susan A. (Mrs. John Baer) and Mary (Mrs. George La Bar). Our subject was reared in Union township, educated in the common schools, and fol- lowed farming until he was twenty-five years old. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-third P. V., was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and June 12, 1865, was honorably discharged. Since the war he has been a resident of Shickshinny, and for twenty years has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Canal Company. In July, 1865, Mr. Kester married Sabina, daughter of Lewis Post, of Union township, and has one son living, Elias Post, who is married and is a successful druggist in Lopez, Sullivan Co., Pa. Mr. Kester is a member of the M. E. Church and of the G. A. R .; politically, he is a Democrat, and is one of the school directors and councilmen of Shickshinny.

J. T. KERN, farmer, P. O., Pittston, was born in Exeter township, May 4, 1819, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Linaberry) Kern, both of whom were born in New Jersey, in 1790. Henry was a son of Henry Kern, also a native of New Jersey, who was born in 1763, and removed to this county about 1815, locating in Exeter township, where his granddaughter Ellen now resides. His farm consisted of 175 acres, under which there was an abundance of then undiscovered coal. He was a tanner by occupation, a vocation he gave up when he removed to Luzerne county. He died April 11, 1834, at the age of sixty-one years, having reared a family of eight children, all of whom are dead. His son Henry was about twenty-five years old when he came to this county. He was a farmer of considerable ability. In 1883 be removed from Exeter township, this county, to Lackawanna county, where he remained about sixteen years as a farmer. He, however, desired to return to his first point of location, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying Janu- ary 19, 1849, at the age of fifty-eight years; he was much respected by his neighbors for his own worth as a man. His family consisted of seven children, two of whom are now living. J. T. is the third member of the family in order of birth. He was reared and educated in his native town, and always followed agricultural pursuits. He owns a farm of ten acres of surface, which he devotes to vegetables, of which he raises an abundance, supplying the Pittston market. In 1864 he married Miss

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Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah Honeywell, by whom he has had four children: William, Anna, Elizabeth and Gertrude. Mr. Kern is a man of sound principles, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with several township offices, which he has filled with credit.

O. P. KESTER, Sybertsville, was born in Greenwood township, Columbia Co., Pa., June 20, 1831, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Parker) Kester. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Kester, a native of Chester county, Pa., with three brothers-Joseph, Aaron and Jacob-were among the pioneers of Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., where they all cleared farms and died. The wife of Jesse Kester was a daughter of Ephraim Parker, formerly of Warren county, N. J., and one of the pioneers of Columbia county, Pa. By her he had seven children: Sarah A. (Mrs. Jacob Rishel), Rebecca (Mrs. Jonathan Ebner), Margaret, David, Ephraim, Oliver P. and Isaac. Our subject was reared in Columbia county, Pa., learned the trade of wheelwright, and followed the business for twenty-eight years, twenty-three years of the time in Sybertsville, of which place he has been a resident since 1855. Since 1878 he has been engaged in trucking and marketing. In 1853 Mr. Kester married Christiana, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Vance) Fer- guson, of Greenwood township, Columbia Co., Pa., and by her he had five chil- dren: Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Haines), Mary A. (Mrs. Franklin Drumheller), James H., Ira P. and Jennie M. Mr. Kester is a member of the M. E. Church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and held the office of justice of the peace of Sugar Loaf town- ship fifteen years.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 152

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532