History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 155

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

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Steam Planing Mill since 1880. He was twice married. His first wife was Emma J., daughter of Samuel and Maria (Fisher) Wagner, of Sugar Loaf township, and by her he had six children: Samuel F., Stella D., George H., Cora, Edgar and Susan M. His second wife was Amelia (Hughes) Beisel, daughter of George and Barbara (Scheidy) Hughes, of Butler township. Mr. Knelly and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

GEORGE H. KNIGHT, huckster, Parsons, was born at Abington, Lackawanna Co., Pa., April 27, 1840, son of Zurial W. and Lucinda (Tompkins) Knight, the former a native of Rhode Island and of New England origin, the latter of New York, and of German descent. He enlisted at Waverly, Pa., September 27, 1861, in Company F, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers and participated in the following engage- ments: Fair Oaks, Seven Days Fight, siege of Charleston, Lee's Mills, Williams- burg, Chickahominy, reconnoissance to Seven Pines, Bottom's Bridge, White Oak Swamp, Carter's Hill, Matthews county, Gloucester and Yorktown, and was mustered out July 12, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., whence he returned to Abington and engaged in farming for a time. He then commenced work at the blacksmith's trade, and was next engaged in railroading for about two years at Green Ridge, and in May, 1882, came to Parsons, and engaged as section boss for the D. & H. R. R. Company, on the Baltimore section, where he remained eight years, when he embarked in his present business. Mr. Knight was married, July 21, 1866, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Fredrick and Mary (Fetzer) Stull. They have three chil- dren: William C., born September 21, 1867, brakeman on the D. & H. R. R .; James H., born July 10, 1871, brakeman on the D. & H. R. R., and Lewis M., born June 4, 1874, died September 5, 1875. Mr. Knight is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a decided Republican.

J. M. KNox, senior member of the firm of Knox & Company, wholesale dealers in groceries and produce, Hazleton. This active, enterprising gentleman was born at Jersey Shore, Pa., March 29, 1845, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Moran) Knox, natives of Lycoming county. He is the second in a family of four children, and was educated and reared in that county. At the close of his school days he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Col. Richard Coutler, and participated in many of the hottest battles of the war. At Gettysburg he was severely wounded in the arm, and was so far disabled as to be unfit for further service. He came north, and in 1866 removed to Hazleton, where he was employed as clerk for Markle & Pardee, in which he continued until 1880, when the present business was opened. Mr. Knox is a Republican, and a member of the Loyal Legion, G. A. R. and Elks.

NOAH MOYER, the junior member of the above-named firm, was born November 20, 1846, in Lehigh county, and is the youngest in the family of eleven children of Peter and Catherine (Gerrerd) Moyer, natives of Pennsylvania. He was educated in his native county and commenced his career by enlisting in Company K, Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Col. Nelson. Mr. Moyer took part in a great number of battles, and was twice wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and at Farmville. He served until the close of the war, and after returning home entered school again, and continued until 1866, when he came to Hazleton and was engaged as clerk by A. Pardee & Co., remaining with them seven years. At the end of that time he engaged with J. A. Schlepp in the flour and feed business. Two years later he represented Lester & Co., of Binghamton, N. Y., in the capacity of travel-

ing salesman. With them he remained until the present business was established by himself and Mr. Knox. In his political preferences, Mr. Moyer votes the Repub- lican ticket; he is a member of the G. A. R. and Sons of America. In church con- nection he is an Episcopalian. The block owned and occupied by these gentlemen is in every way equipped with all modern appliances for the carrying on of the large business which their establishment enjoys; and the members of the firm are familiarly known as business men of progressive methods and strict reliability, enjoying the highest esteem of all in this locality.

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E. L. KOOHER, engineer at the Wright Slope, Plymouth. This veteran engineer was born in Huntington township, Luzerne Co., Pa., February 19, 1851, and is the fourth in the family of five children of George and Delia (Davenport) Kocher, natives of Connecticut. The father of our subject was one of the first coal operators in this part of the State. Emanuel L. received an ordinary common-school education, and quite early in life began boating, first as a driver and later as proprietor of a line of boats. He followed this occupation until 1871, running through different portions of Pennsylvania and New York, and then came to Plymouth, where he was employed by the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, first as fireman and later as engineer. He has been at the Wright Slope as engineer for ten years, and is still in charge there. Mr. Kocher was united in marriage, iu August, 1872, to Miss Jennie, daughter of James and Jane (Vanfield) Oates, natives of Cornwall, England, and six children have blessed this union, namely: Fred L., Linnie J., Emma, Edith, Minnie and Della. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Kocher is a Democrat.

GEORGE K. KOCHER, cabinet-maker and funeral director, White Haven borough, was born in Morrison, Luzerne Co., Pa., November 24, 1847, a son of George and Esther (Kurtz) Kocher, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. Our subject is the third in a family of ten children, six of whom are living. He was educated at the common schools, and at the age of twenty-two began working in a sawmill, where he remained four years. He then went, as an equal partner with his father-in- law, Charles Albert, into the cabinet-making and undertaking business, and after five years bought out Mr. Albert's interest, having since conducted the business alone. He was married, March 12, 1872, to Miss Abbie, daughter of Charles and Susan (Brown) Albert, natives of Pennsylvania and of German and English origin, respectively. She is the youngest in a family of eight children, and was born April 7, 1854. This union was blessed with ten children, five of whom are living: Robert H., born January 3, 1873; Marion, born April 16, 1884; George, born September 3, 1886; Bradley W., born January 16, 1878, and Alexander M., born August 22, 1891. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kocher is a member of the Order of the World, P. O. S. of A., and Jr. O. U. A. M. ; in politics he is a sound Republican, and is at present serving as constable of the borough.

J. H. KOCHER, farmer, P. O. Gregory, was born in Newport township December 22, 1847, son of Jacob and Maria (Vandermark) Kocher, both of whom were also born in Newport township. Jacob is the son of Thomas Kocher, who removed from Northampton to this county in its very early history, and is said to have been the first man who discovered and sold coal in the Valley, and he operated in coal when mining was in its infancy. Thomas was a son of Thomas Kocher, who was a native of Holland, and never removed to this country. Thomas Kocher, Jr., was also a farmer and did much to advance agricultural pursuits in those days. Jacob Kocher, father of our subject, began active life as a farmer in Newport township; he also became an extensive hotel keeper, a business he followed successfully for thirteen years. His influence was much sought after and tendered where it could do the most good. He served as justice of the peace for five years. He is hale and hearty, and is now foreman in a mine in Scranton at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife is also living, at the age of sixty-seven. Their family numbers five children, all of whom are living: James H., Estella, Milton, Lyman and Martha. James H. is the eldest in the family, and was reared and educated in. Wilkes-Barre, in early life learning the miller's trade, at which he labored sixteen years. He worked in various mills in the Valley, and in 1866 went to Indiana, where he took charge of a large flouring-mill for five years. He then returned to Luzerne county and worked for the same man with whom he had learned his trade when a boy, working there one year. In 1873 Mr. Kocher gave up his position in the mill for one in the Stanton Breaker, as boss, where he worked six years, after which he removed to Hunlock township, where he purchased a small farm, on which he now resides; there are splendid water privileges on his place. Mr. Kocher married, on

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November 10, 1869, Miss Ellen, daughter of Reuben and Rachel Oplinger, and they have had six children, five of whom are living: Harvey, James, Fanny, Murray and Bertie. Mrs. Kocher was born in Newport in 1848. Mr. Kocher is a general, practical farmer, and confines himself principally to "trucking." Politically he is a Republican.

SYLVESTER KOCHER, blacksmith, P. O. Ruggles, was born, July 4, 1846, reared and educated in Lake township. He is a son of John B. and Hulda (Davenport) Kocher, the former born in Newport township, Luzerne county, July 9, 1813, the latter in Union township, February 27, 1816. John B. was a son of Thomas, who was born in Northampton county, Pa., of Dutch descent, and who removed to this county, locating in Newport township about 1812, on a lot of 100 acres of land. He had fourteen children when he located, who helped him materially in clearing and beautifying his farm; he buried four, having a family of eighteen in all. He was a hard-working man who, with his family, did much for the advancement of agri- culture. One of his sons, Nathan, was a leading man in his township. He was elected to the office of county commissioner at one time, and at another justice of the peace. He lived to be eighty years of age, his death being caused by the effects of having his toe frozen. His wife lived to be eighty-eight years of age. John B. removed to Lake township in 1839, locating on the farm now occupied by his son Sylvester. He moved into the wilderness, where he built himself a log house, which in time was succeeded by a more elaborate building. He made many improve- ments during his lifetime in buildings and in clearing his farm, forty acres of which he brought under cultivation. He died September 26, 1889, at the age of seventy- six years. His family numbered eleven children; nine grew to maturity, of whom eight are now living. Sylvester is the fifth, and in early life learned the blacksmith trade at which he works, in conjunction with the cultivation of his farm of forty- three acres. He is a first-class mechanic and a practical man of business. On February 15, 1870, he married Miss Eveline, daughter of Henry and Sarah Poole. They have had two children: Lena A., now aged twenty-one; and Earl L., aged thirteen. Mrs. Eveline (Poole) Kocher was born in Monroe township, Wyoming county. Mr. Kocher has held several township offices. Politically he is a Democrat.

T. T. KOCHER, farmer, P. O. Outlet, was born in Union township, May 24, 1834, a son of Josiah and Mary (Davenport) Kocher, the former born in Hollenback township in 1804, the latter in Union township in 1807. Josiah is a son of Thomas Kocher, who was born in Northampton county, Pa., of Dutch parentage. He removed to this county in 1812, locating in Hollenback township on a farm of 125 acres or more; he was a hard-working man, possessed of good moral principles. He lived to be an old man, after rearing a family of eight children, all of whom are dead. His son Josiah remained in Union township till 1838, when he removed to Lake township on a lot of 100 acres of unimproved land; which by industry and economy he succeeded in clearing, cultivating aud improving till it became a model of perfection, his buildings being numerous and commodious, his fruit trees thrifty and prolific. He was a great hunter, and in those days there was an abundance of game of all kinds. In politics he was a Democrat. He died May 4, 1883, at the age of eighty-one years. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are now living, T. T. being the third in order of birth. In early life our subject taught school several terms. He learned the wheel and millwright trades, and is considered a first-class workman in these lines. Mr. Kocher was married twice; in 1857 he wedded Miss Lydia, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Davenport, by which union he had four children, two of whom are living: William R. and Lizzie, the former of whom married Miss Geraldine Benscoter; the latter married C. L. Hoyt. In 1869 our subject married Miss Edrei, daughter of Andrew and Massie A. Sharpe, and by her he had six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Josiah T. (married to Miss Olive Green), Kate A., Lillie A., Fannie L. and Arthur C. Mr. Kocher is one of the pioneers of Lake township, having come here at four years of age

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(in 1838), and has since then been a continuous resident. In 1858 he removed on his present farm of 100 acres, about ten of which were cleared, but without any buildings; now there are seventy acres cleared, and a number of buildings erected to accommodate the in-gathering of the crops in harvest time. Mr. Kocher is a practical farmer, keeping well abreast of the times, not only in the agricultural department, but in mechanics also. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been elected to several offices of trust, serving as justice of the peace, and in other minor offices. He has a large pond on his farm, which is well stocked with carp.

JOSEPH H. KOEHLER, justice of the peace, West Hazleton borough, was born in Sybertsville, this county, December 1, 1857, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Koehler) Koehler, natives of the Province of Hessen, Germany. Joseph H. is the youngest in a family of five children, was reared and educated in Hazleton, and, at the age of nine years, began life as a slate-packer, at which he worked two years, and then returned to school for one year. During the next five years he was employed by Charles Altmiller; then clerked for different merchants in Hazleton for about sixteen years, when he again engaged in the mining business, which he followed until 1883, when he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he has ever since held. During the year 1890-91, he was burgess of West Hazle- ton. On August 24, 1884, Mr. Koehler was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Reinmiller) Gleam, natives of Germany, and four children were born to this union, namely: Harry G. (deceased), George, William H. and Robert. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Koehler belongs to the P. O. S. of A. In political matters, he is always to be found with the Republican party.

DANIEL B. KOENIG, dealer in pianos, organs and sewing machines, Hazleton. This gentleman was born in Stockton, Pa., May 30, 1859, and is third in the family of twelve children, of Daniel and Eva (George) Koenig, natives of Germany. He was reared and educated at Stockton, and early in life learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1889, when he engaged in the sewing-machine business, representing the Domestic Company. In January, 1892, he added to his business by putting in a stock of the famous Kellmer pianos and organs. Mr. Koenig was united in marriage, February 2, 1884, with Christiana, daughter of John Reckroth, of Hazleton, and four children have been born to this union, namely: George, Kate, Edith and Harry. Politically Mr. Koenig is a thorough Democrat, and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Patriotic Order Sons of America. The family attend the German Reformed Church.

W. M. KOENIG, farmer, P. O. Pittston, was born in Germany, October 23, 1866, son of Andrew and Eva S. (Sohns) Koenig. They are both natives of Germany, where they are now living and are well-to-do farming people. Their family con- sists of seven children, all of whom are living. W. M. is the first born, and was reared and educated in the land of his birth, in early life learning the butcher's business. In 1881 he emigrated to this country, locating in New York City, where he remained about five years. From there he went to Connecticut, where he spent one year, and, in 1887, he removed to this county, where he has since resided. Mr. Koenig now lives on one of the oldest homesteads in the Valley, formerly the Schooley property, and yet in the hands of a descendant (Mrs. Carpenter), and devotes his time and farm of twenty acres to " trucking." He is a promising young man of more than ordinary intelligence, who looks the world squarely in the face and says, "I'll succeed." In March, 1890, he married Miss Rose, daughter of Daniel and Caroline Marks; they have one child, Lizzie Louisa. He and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church, in which he is a deacon. He now holds the office of policeman in Exeter borough; politically, he is a Republican.

DE WITT CLINTON KOONS, lumberman, P. O. Rittenhouse, was born in Huntington township, March 21, 1835, and is a son of William and Sarah (Fuller) Koons His paternal grandfather, Daniel Koons, formerly of Cherry Valley, Monroe Co., Pa., and by trade a tanner, settled in Huntington township. The father of our subject

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was born in 1800, and died December 14, 1885. He was a tanner, farmer, mer- chant and lumberman; served one term as commissioner of Luzerne county, and one term as sheriff. He was an iron founder, and had furnaces at Shickshinny and Hunlock Creek. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Fuller, of Huntington town- ship, by whom he had nine children: Rachel (Mrs. John Smith), Bernard D., Will- iam B., Isaac M., De Witt C., James S., Tarble M., John M. and George W. Our subject was reared in Huntington township, educated in common schools and Wyo- ming Seminary, and since attaining his majority has been principally engaged in lum- bering; he has been a resident of Fairmount township since 1865. In 1859 Mr. Koons married Henrietta S., daughter of Daniel and Charlotte (Tubbs) Culver, of Huntington township, and has three children: John S., Cordelia H. (Mrs. Thomas R. Search) and Susan Maud (Mrs. Henry G. Long). The mother is now deceased. Our subject is a Democrat, and has held the office of jury commissioner one term.

F. A. B. KooNs, a prominent farmer and paper manufacturer, Huntington town- ship, P. O. Huntington Mills, was born April 7, 1831, at New Columbus, and is a son of John and Anna (Fellows) Koons, natives, respectively, of Monroe and Luzerne counties, and of German and English origin, respectively; the father was a mer- chant and surveyor, and at one time was associate judge of the county. He came to the county in 1819, and died February 8, 1878, aged eighty-three years. Our suh- ject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. He was educated in the common schools and Dickinson Seminary, and when twenty-two years of age engaged as clerk with a hardware firm of Philadelphia, with whom he worked two years. He then opened a hardware store in Pittston, which he conducted for two years, and then sold out. He then traveled for a year in the West, and after his return opened a general store at Harveyville, where he remained two years. He was then engaged for two years in the same business at Town Hill, whence he removed to Huntington Mills, where he also conducted a store until 1880. In 1867 he, with two brothers, built the Huntington Valley Paper Mills; in 1884 he purchased the interest of one brother, and the other one having died in 1868, our subject became manager. He also owns two fine farms in Huntington township- one of 111 acres, and one of sixty-three acres-both worked by tenants. Mr. Koons was married June 30, 1855, to Miss Helen R., daughter of Theopolis and Elizabeth (Smith) Larned, natives of the Wyoming Valley, and of English origin; she was the youngest of twelve children, and was born August 30, 1836. Mr. Koons is a mem- ber of the G. A. R .; he is at present holding the office of school director, and takes great interest in educational matters. He enlisted, November 8, 1861, in Company C, Fifty-sixth P. V., participating in the second battle of Bull Run, and various minor engagements. He was taken prisoner August 28, 1862, and held in Libby Prison for six weeks. During his service he was promoted to captain, being dis- charged in January, 1863. Mr. Koons is a sound Democrat, and one of the most prominent of the party in his township. He is a grandson of Daniel Koons, a native of Northampton county, a tanner by trade, who came to Luzerne county in 1819.

HENRY C. KOONS, Freeland, is among the foremost, successful business men of the county, and has established a reputation for fair dealing, throughout the broad section of the country where his business extends. He is a native of Lehighton, Carbon county, born December 17, 1843. His parents were John and Maria (Snyder) Koons, both natives of Northampton county, Pa., the former of whom died in 1856, the latter in 1880. Henry C. received his education in the public schools at Weissport, and when thirteen years of age found employment as clerk in a store at Mauch Chunk, where he remained over three years. He then returned to Weiss- port, where he clerked five years, thence removing to Eckley, where he was appointed manager of the general store of Sharp, Wise & Co. This position he held four years, during which time he was also postmaster at Eckley. In 1875 he came to Freeland and began business on his own account. His was the first general store in Freeland, and still continues to be the leading store of the town. He has been forced to enlarge his store to keep pace with his rapidly-growing trade, but his

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place of business has remained substantially on the original site. His furniture department occupies spacious premises adjoining his general store. Mr. Koons was married in 1871 to Miss Rhoda Giffon, of Buck Mountain, Carbon county. They have four children: Anna (married to Charles Raudenbush, of Freeland), Laura, Freddie and Thalie W. Mr. Koons is connected with every important public enter- prise, and is one of the energetic business men of Freeland. He is stockholder in the Freeland Water Company, and vice-president of the Citizens' Bank of Freeland; he is a member of the American Legion of Honor, the P. O. S. of A., and the I. O. O. F.

JAMES S. KOONS, P. O. Harveyville, owner and operator of a large flouring-mill and planing-mill, Huntington township, was born April 1, 1837, in same township, a son of William and Sarah (Fuller) Koons, natives of Pennsylvania, of German and Scotch origin, respectively. William Koons was a farmer and merchant by occupa- tion, and died December 14, 1885, aged eighty-five years; he was a son of Daniel and Susanna (Brown) Koons. Our subject was the sixth in a family of eleven chil- dren, six of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age began farming the homestead farm on shares; this he followed for two years. He then operated a grist-mill in Sullivan county for two years, and then the mill he now owns for two years, after which he went to Arch Bridge (now Koonsville) and conducted a general store for twenty-three years, when he purchased his present property. He was married, January 1, 1859, to Jerusha C., daughter of William P. Robinson, of Fairmount township. This union was blessed with six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Bertha (Mrs. William Eveland), of New Columbus borough (has one child, Fred); Lizzie (Mrs. C. P. Horned), of Koonsville (has one child, Warren K.); Ernest B., married Nette Kingsbury, and has one child, Esther R. (he is superintendent in his father's planing-mill); Sue L., at school at Bloomsburg; and Ruth R., at home. Mrs. Koons is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Koons is a sound Democrat, and has been school director and auditor of his township.

J. S. KooNs, miner, Shickshinny, was born at Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa., April 1, 1851, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Koons. The paternal grand- father, John Koons, a native of France, in the early part of the present century settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he died. The maternal grandfather was Martin Smith, a farmer of Berks county, Pa. The father of our subject was a native of Berks county, and now resides in Lebanon county. John S. Koons was reared in his native State, educated in the common schools, began work in the mines of Schuylkill county when eighteen years of age, and has since followed mining. He has been a resident of Shickshinny since 1887. In 1870 he married Solmy, daughter of Jacob Houtz, of Tower City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and by her had thirteen chil- dren, eight of whom survive: Oscar, James, Sally, Charles, Bessie, Benjamin H. and Caroline (twins), and Ridgway M.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 155

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