USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 198
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JACOB M. SCHAPPERT, coal operator, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Hanover town- ship, this county, June 29, 1864, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Beline) Schappert. His maternal grandparent, Thomas Beline, a native of Germany, was for some years manager of the late Judge Conyngham's farm in Wilkes-Barre, now comprising Derr's addition to the city, and afterward purchased a farm in Jackson township, where he died. His father located in Wilkes-Barre in 1854. For twenty- eight years he was associated with Conyngham & Paine (now Conyngham, Schrage & Co.) as clerk, manager, and as a member of the firm, and since April, 1891, has been in the grocery business for himself. His children numbered seven, six of whom are living: Lucy (Mrs. John C. Hessa), Jacob M., Amanda (Mrs. John Kaschen- bach), Emma (Mrs. Henry Kosek), Frank and George. Our subject was reared in Wilkes-Barre, and educated in private and German schools, graduating at fourteen years of age. For several years thereafter he was clerk and assistant bookkeeper for C. M. Conyngham, Esq .; from December, 1886, until 1891, he was assistant 76
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clerk and deputy register of wills for the Orphans' Court, since which time he has been engaged in mining and coal operating. October 19, 1887, Mr. Schappert mar- ried Miss Margaret, daughter of John E. and Susannah (Slater) Kirkhuff, of East Mauch Chunk, Pa. Mr. Schappert is a member of the Catholic Church, while his wife is a Methodist. Politically, he is an independent Democrat.
JUSTUS SCHAUB, builder and general lumber dealer, Hazleton, was born September 6, 1851, in Germany. He came to America at the age of fifteen, and located in Hazle- ton, Luzerne county, where he has resided ever since. After working one year at the breaker, he commenced the carpenter's trade. In 1883 he embarked in business for himself as builder and lumber dealer, and has carried it on successfully to the present day. Politically, Mr. Schaub is a Democrat.
HARRY SCHEIDEL, proprietor of the "Commercial Hotel," Wilkes-Barre, was born in that city October 16, 1857, a son of Adam and Margaret (Schappert) Scheidel, natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a carpenter by trade, for eighteen years was in business as a contractor and builder, and for eleven years engaged in farming in Jackson township, this county; the mother a daughter of Anthony and Margaret (Reinhart) Schappert, who settled in Wilkes-Barre in 1854. Their family consisted of fourteen children, ten of whom survive: Harry, Margaret (Mrs. Adam Gabel), Peter, Cassie, Joseph, George, Lucy, Lizzie, Adam and Fred. Our subject was reared in Luzerne county, and educated in the public schools. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and followed it eight years. Later he served as clerk in a hotel three years and eight months; next kept the "Windsor Hotel," Pittston, one year and ten months; has been in the hotel business in Wilkes-Barre since 1882, and proprietor of the "Commercial" since April, 1891. In 1880 Mr. Scheidel married Miss Carrie, daughter of F. X. Blessing, of Reading, Pa., and has five children living: Francis, Mary, Agnes, Katie and Adam. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
H. A. SCHEIDY, general merchant, Butler township, P. O. Saint John's, was born December 25, 1843, near where he now resides. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Benner) Scheidy, the former a native of Butler township, born in 1809, and died in 1869. He was engaged in farming and lumbering during his entire life. His father came to Butler Valley from Berks county in 1792, and died there at the age of seventy-five. Elizabeth Benner was born in Lancaster county, this State, in 1814, and died in 1890. Her parents were of English origin. Mr. Scheidy is one in a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. He was reared and edu- cated in Butler Valley, and worked with his father until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he went to Hazleton, where he remained three years. He then returned to Butler Valley, and was engaged in farming two years. He then engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since followed. He has also been in the real estate business, and has devoted much of his time to lumbering. Mr. Scheidy was married, in 1878, to Miss Della, the accomplished daughter of the late George Hughes, of Hughesville (now Saint John's); Mr. Hughes died July 23, 1892, at the age of eighty-two years. He was one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of the Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Scheidy have born to them one child, Florence, a bright seven-year-old daughter. The family are members of the Reformed Church; in politics he is a Democrat.
AUGUST SCHENCH, foreman, Hazleton, was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, June 25, 1847, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Craup) Schench, also natives of Germany. Our subject, who is the youngest child in a family of three, was educated and reared in Germany, and at the age of eighteen came to this country, locating at Hazleton, Pa., where he worked as a carpenter for A. Pardee & Company, continuing in their employ for several years. He then did contracting and building on his own account for six years, retiring at the end of that period to his old position. In 1882 he was given charge of a large force of men who are engaged in stripping for coal. He was first united in marriage, July 4, 1869, with Martha Heckroth, of Hazleton. Five children were born to this marriage, namely:
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Henry, Lizzie, August, Willie and Albert, of whom August was killed by a locomo- tive at the stripping August 18, 1892. The mother of this family died May 5, 1882, and Mr. Schench was married, November 7, 1886, to Miss Catherine Buche- nan, of Hazleton, Pa., by which union have been born two children, Kate and Rose. In politics Mr. Schench reserves the right to vote for the best man, and in church matters he stands with the German Lutheran Brethren. He is a member of the . following orders: Good Brothers, I. O. O. F., and Knights of the Mystic Chain. He is assistant chief of the Fire Department, chairman of the team committee of the Fire Department, and is a member of the Hazleton Liberty Band.
JACOB W. SCHILLING, Wilkes- Barre, conductor, Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road System, was born in Wilkes-Barre, November 12, 1848, a son of Joseph and Susan (Hutmaker) Schilling. His father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob Schilling, and, coming to America in 1854, settled in Wilkes-Barre, where he was engaged as a contractor and builder until his death, which occurred January 14, 1876; his mother, a daughter of Jacob and Dolly (Siglin) Hutmaker, of Ran- som township, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, Pa. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom five survive: Dollie (Mrs. William H. Hofford), Jacob W., Katie (Mrs. Philip Huntzman), Thomas E., and Sarah F. Our subject was reared in his native city, educated in the public schools and St. Vincent's College, Lathrope Pa. He worked two years at the carpenter's trade with his father, and began life as a clerk. Later he was employed as brakeman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company six years, fireman seven months, and since 1886 as conductor. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M., William J. Byers' Council Number 282, of Wilkes-Barre. Politically he is a Democrat.
KARL SCHIMPFE, pianist and teacher, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Scranton, Pa., September 28, 1862, a son of Jacob, Sr., and Caroline (Robinson) Schimpff, natives of Germany, who settled in Scranton in 1861. Our subject was reared in his native city, where he received a public-school education. At quite an early age he dis- played remarkable aptitude for music, and when he was twelve years old he could play a number of difficult pieces on the piano; at sixteen he decided to make music his profession, and went to the home of his uncle J. B. Schimpff, in Germany, with whom he obtained elementary instructions in harmony, and qualified himself for the celebrated Stuttgart Conservatory of Music. Mr. Schimpff's progress at the Con- servatory was rapid and thorough, and in the year 1881, at a concert given in honor of the King of Würtemberg, he was honored with a place on the programme, and the Tagblatt, in the course of a critical notice of the entertainment, said of him, that he was not ouly a well-instructed pupil, but that "his playing and fine execu- tion revealed the coming artist." This was high praise indeed, from a source so scrupulous, and in a newspaper that prided itself on not being over prodigal with its compliments. Mr. Schimpff's diploma shows that his course at the Conservatory was eminently successful. He has in his possession letters of which any artist might be proud, from the following eminent masters of Germany: Professor Dr. Imanuel von Faisst, instructor of the organ, harmony and counterpoint, and Pro- fessor Wilhelm Krueger, pianist to the court of Würtemberg. Mr. Schimpff settled in Scranton in 1882, and removed to Wilkes-Barre in 1891. Upon this removal the Scranton Truth had the following to say: "Karl Schimpff, Scranton's talented young pianist, has removed his studio to Wilkes-Barre, and is comfortably located in a pleasant suite of rooms in the Hollenback Coal Exchange, corner of River and West Market streets. In making this change Mr. Schimpff has yielded to special induce- ments of a most favorable character. Without diminishing his income he has more time that he can call his own, and which he is anxious to apply to study. Scran- tonians will wish Mr. Schimpff abundant success in his new field. He is an accom- plished artist, and has created a decided taste for classical music in this community. The Truth regrets his departure from Scranton, but will be pleased to learn of his progress wherever he goes. The music-loving people of Wilkes-Barre are to be congratulated upon Mr. Schimpff's removal to that city." Mr. Schimpff is greatly
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
appreciated in Wilkes-Barre, where he has a class of enthusiastic young ladies, and last year gave a series of six pianoforte recitals with pronounced success, before the most refined and cultured people of the place. At these delightful musicales Mr. Schimpff played from memory nearly one hundred compositions of classic and modern piano literature. His success as a teacher has been remarkable.
FRED SCHLEPPY, foreman, Lattimer Mines. This promising and enterprising young gentleman was born at Drum's, Pa., June 1, 1865, the youngest of the seven children of Abram and Elizabeth Schleppy, early settlers in Butler Valley. Mr. Schleppy was reared and educated in his native town, and at the age of eleven years he began to work in the mines in the summer months, attending school during the winter. He did general work about the mines until 1886, when he entered the breaker as screen-boss, remaining for about six months. He again entered the mines, continuing there until 1888, at which time he was given charge of the stripping gang at Nos. 1 and 2 Lattimer Mines, where has charge of fifty men and two steam shovels. March 4, 1884, Mr. Schleppy married Miss Hattie, daughter of James and Marie (Henry) Green, natives of Luzerne county, and of this union have been born three children, viz. : Earl, Garnet and Leon H. In political matters our subject is a decided Democrat, and he is a member of the P. O. S. of A.
CARL F. SCHMITT, teacher of music, was born in Wilkes-Barre, January 29, 1867, and is a son of Fred G. and Charlotte (Rittersbacher) Schmitt. His father, who was a native of Germany, was a machinist by trade, and came to America in 1861. He was a volunteer in the Civil war, as a member of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He has been chief bookkeeper of the Vulcan Iron Works since 1867, and treasurer of the same since 1890. His wife was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Habelt) Rittersbacher, also natives of Germany, who settled in Wilkes-Barre in the " thirties." The children of Fred G. Schmitt were four in number: Carl F., Julius (deceased), Frieda (deceased) and Fred. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Carl Anton Schmitt, was a soldier under Napoleon the Great, and participated in all his cam- paigns. Carl F. Schmitt was reared in his native city, educated in the public schools, and received his musical education at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Leipzig, Germany, where he was graduated in 1888. In September of same year he began his career as a teacher of vocal and instrumental music, in Wilkes-Barre, and is one of the most successful teachers in the city. He is the organist of the First M. E. Church, a member of the Concordia Musical Society, and in politics is a Repub- lican. On August 17, 1892, Mr. Schmitt married Miss Mary E. Coddington, young- est daughter of John and Susan (Keller) Coddington, the former of whom was of French-English descent, the latter's parents being of Pennsylvania German descent. Mrs. Schmitt is a graduate of the Mansfield (Pa.) State Normal School, class of 90; a member of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church, and was, until her mar- riage, a teacher in the public schools of Wilkes-Barre. She was born August 14, 1872, in Wilkes-Barre.
JOHN A. SCHMITT, stone and brick contractor, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Ober- kirchen, Prussia, August 15, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Forve) Schmitt, who came to America in 1852, and in April of the same year settled in Wilkes-Barre, where the father still resides. The latter was a stone-cutter and stone-mason by trade, and for many years was engaged as a contractor in Wilkes- Barre. He was the father of six children who grew to maturity, viz. : John A., Peter, Jacob, Otto J. (deceased), Henry H. and Nicholas. Our subject was reared in Wilkes. Barre from four years of age, and received a limited education in the pub- lic schools. He is a stone-mason, stone-cutter and brick-layer by trade, which he has followed twelve years; since 1878 he has done an extensive business as a con- tractor of stone and brick work, and among the principal buildings he has erected in Wilkes-Barre may be mentioned the first M. E. church, St. Nicholas Catholic church, Hollenback Coal Exchange, the Anthracite building, the Loomis block, Y. M. C. A. building, and many others. Mr. Schmitt was married October 15, 1874, to Victoria Kenly, step-daughter of Mr. Martin Ruf, of Wilkes-Barre, and has eight
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
children: P. John, Mary B., Mathias, Otto (deceased), Frank, Elizabeth, Frederick, and Lena (deceased). He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics, is a Republican.
OSCAR WILLIAM SCHNELL, foreman of the Delaware & Hudson Colliery, No. 3, Plymouth. Coal mining has at the present day reached such a stage of develop- ment, and has been systematized to so great an extent, that in selecting a man to oversee and superintend the intricate workings of a mine with all its appurtenances, it is necessary to choose one who not only has practical experience, but who has theoretical knowledge as well, and the young man whose name opens this sketch belongs to that class. He was born at Berwick, Pa., April 9, 1860, and is the fourth in the family of six children of Augustus and Wilhelmina (Kroeller) Schnell, natives of Dillenburg, Germany. The father emigrated to this country from Ger- many in 1848, locating at Philadelphia, where he remained but a short time, after- ward coming to Berwick, Pa., where he was interested in a paper-mill. Here he remained four years, at the end of which time he came to Plymouth, where he took charge, as outside superintendent, of the Old Grand Tunnel Mine, then operated by W. L. Lance. Afterward he was outside superintendent at the Lance Colliery (now the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre No. 11), until 1870, when he assumed charge of the Fuller Shaft, remaining there nine years. In 1854 Mr. Schnell was married at Philadelphia to Wilhelmina, daughter of Ernest D. and Louisa Kroeller, natives of Germany, and six children were born of this marriage, viz .: Emma H., now Mrs. Fred Hedrich, of Scranton; Julia J., a teacher in the Plymouth schools; Augusta L .; Oscar W .; Lizzie H., wife of Charles Keller, Wilkes Barre, and William L., deceased. The father of this family died June 6, 1886, and Oscar W. is living with and caring for his aged and respected mother. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and at the early age of eight years began life as a slate- picker, which occupation he followed four years. From the age of twelve to seventeen he did nearly all kinds of outside work connected with mining, and at that age took charge of a stationary engine, which he ran until 1883, when he went on the repair corps for a short time. In 1884 he accepted the position as weigh- master, which he held until 1889, when his promotion to foreman took place, which position he has since occupied. There are employed 125 men and boys outside at this colliery, and there are mined on an average 1,000 tons daily, hoisted from a depth of 350 feet. In politics Oscar W. Schnell, like his father before him, is a Democrat. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
HENRY N. SCHOOLEY, miller, Luzerne. This gentleman was born in Wyoming, March 4, 1842, and is a son of Jediah and Cornelia (Belding) Schooley, the mother a native of Canandaigua, N. Y., and the father, of Warren county, N. J. The latter was one of the early settlers in the Valley, and at one time owned a large powder- mill in this vicinity. He died in 1848, his wife in 1863. Mr. Schooley was edu- cated in Luzerne county, and lived with J. Sharp from 1848 until April 24, 1861, when he became apprenticed to David Polen for the purpose of learning the black- smith's trade. After completing his apprenticeship in 1864, he located at Wash- ington, D. C., and worked at his trade until July 13, 1864, when he accepted a a position as clerk in a sutler's store, where his service continued until April 10, 1865, when he engaged in the oil business at Pit Hole City, Pa. This he discontin- · ued the following autumn, and once more became a member of the Sharp family, where he remained and took a business course at the Commercial College at Kings- ton, from which he was graduated April 1, 1866. In May, the same year, he was employed by the East Boston Coal Company in the weighing office and as fireman, but subsequently took charge of the mines as outside foreman, a position which he filled until July, 1871, when he purchased the mill property formerly owned by John Bartholomew. He continued business there until July, 1891, when he pur. chased the David Atherholt property, where he is now doing a prosperous business. Mr. Schooley was married September 3, 1867, to Miss Mary, daughter of George and Rhoda (Lamareaux) Snyder, natives of New Jersey, and has had three children
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
living and one dead: Eugene R., the eldest, is in partnership with his father; Newell died November 8, 1877; Stanley is at present taking a course at the Wyoming Semi- nary; and Edna is aged three years. Mr. Schooley is a stanch Republican; a member of the Presbyterian Church; and is a Freemason.
JACOB SCHOOLEY, lumberman, Cease's Mills, was born in New York, May 16, 1847. He is a son of Peter P. and Sarah E. (Sickler) Schooley, the former born in New Jersey in 1812, the latter in Exeter, Wyoming county, Pa. Peter P. is a son of Nathaniel Schooley, who moved from New Jersey to this county about 1813, locating in Carverton, where he successfully engaged in farming. He reared a family of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is the sixth in the family, and was reared in this township and educated at the common schools. Mr. Schooley had but limited educational advantages, and may be classed among our self-educated men. He always confined himself to the lumber business, learned the sawyer's trade by actual experience in his business, and is proficient in the manufacture of lumber, shingles, etc. In 1878 he built a sawmill on Harvey's creek, about four miles north of Nanticoke, where he has facilities for turning out 5,000 feet of lumber and 5,000 shingles, and can plane 3,000 feet of flooring per day. He also manufactures fence pickets and lath. Mr. Schooley is a man of push and energy, who, by patient application of business prin- ciples to his lumber trade, has built for himself not only a large trade, but also a reputation for honesty and industry. On August 12, 1871, he married Miss Liva, daughter of Samuel and Sarah McKeel, by whom he has three children, all of whom are living. Mr. Schooley and wife are members, in good standing, of the Baptist Church.
JESSE B. SCHOOLEY, who was in his lifetime a prominent citizen and coal operator of Wyoming borough, was born April 1, 1811, a son of Joseph P. and Margaret (Barber) Schooley, natives of Greenwich, Warren Co., N. J. They came to this county in April, 1818, and purchased a large farm at Wyoming (then called New Troy); the father was born August 17, 1785, in New Jersey, and educated in the common schools. He was married, December 12, 1809, to Miss Margaret Barber, and they reared a family of nine children, viz. : Jesse B. (our subject), Jediah (deceased), Mary Ann (deceased), William (deceased), Elizabeth (Mrs. J. S. Carpenter, of West Pittston), Mehitable (deceased), Joanna (a maiden lady of West Pittston; she was born July 3, 1823, educated in the common schools, and a few years after the death of her father, built her cozy home at the corner of Wyoming avenne and Warren street, West Pittston, where she has since resided), Joseph P. (deceased) and Margaret (deceased). Joseph P. Schooley was a son of Jediah, a grandson of John, who came from Lancashire, England, about 1700, and settled in Sussex county, N. J .; Joseph was a man of many sterling qualities, and was greatly missed after his death, which occurred January 28, 1875. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and, at an early age, learned the carpenter's trade, then engaged in boating on the Morris & Essex Canal for a short time. He then became a merchant at Wyoming and later at Pittston; he was also largely interested in the coal works at Pittston. Mr. Schooley was married February 20, 1838, to Eliza J. Breese; they reared a family of eight children, three of whom are living, viz. : Joseph P., Jesse B. and James M. Mr. Schooley died December 15, 1884.
JESSE B. SCHOOLEY, a prominent resident of Wyoming borough, was born March 20, 1854, and is a son of Jesse B. and Eliza J. (Breese) Schooley, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of English origin. They reared a family of eight children, three of whom are living. Our subject, who is seventh in order of birth, was educated in the common schools and at the Wyoming Seminary. At the death of his father, which occurred in 1884, he purchased the homestead from his mother and brothers, and has since devoted himself to the management of his general business interests in and about Wyoming. He was married, November 4, 1884, to Miss Minnie E., daughter of C. Martin and Marie Steel, which union was blessed with two children, viz .: Arthur B., born April 26, 1886, and Allan D., born July 9, 1890, died August 18, 1892.
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Schooley attend the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming. Mr. Schooley is a member of the F. & A. M. ; politically he is a strong Republican, and was post- master at Wyoming from 1873 till 1885; he was the first treasurer of the borough.
JAMES M. SOHOOLEY, a prominent property owner of Wyoming borough, was born March 7, 1857, at Wyoming. His parents, Jesse B. and Eliza J. (Breese) Schooley, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of English origin, reared a family of eight children, three of whom are now living. Our subject is the young- est of the family in order of birth. He was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, and, since the death of his father, which occurred December 15, 1884, has given his entire time to the management of his portion of the large estate which he left. He was married, November 2, 1881, to Helen M., daughter of John D. and Rebecca (Heberling) Hopper, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and Germau origin, respectively. Mr. Hopper was foreman of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western Car Shops at Kingston, where he resided. Mr. and Mrs. Schooley attend the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming. Mr. Schooley owns a large portion of the coal lands of his section; he is a strong Republican in politics, and has the love and respect of all who know him.
CHRISTIAN A. SCHOOLEY, farmer, P. O. Trucksville, was born, April 9, 1826, reared and educated in Kingston township. He is a son of Isaac and Catherine (Atherholt) Schooley, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Bucks county, Pa. Isaac was a son of Nathaniel, who removed from Schooley's Mountain, N. J., to Franklin township, Luzerne county, soon after the Wyoming Massacre. He owned 100 acres of land, which is now the property of the De Witts. Nathaniel Schooley was a wagon and pattern-maker by occupation, and a man of large experience, whose influence was felt and sought after. He reared a family of ten children, none of whom are now living. Isaac Schooley began life on the Kingston Mountain, where bis son, William C., now resides. His farm comprised 135 acres, to which he added fifty more; he also owned a fifty-acre lot in another place, the latter being timber land. He possessed considerable genius, being a mechanic by nature and practice, and following the trade of a wagon-maker. He was a man of sound principles and ster- ling qualities, and had a large share of common sense. By his labor and directions he succeeded in clearing a farm of 120 acres. He reared a family of seven children, five of whom are now (1892) living. Christian A. is the second of the family in order of birth, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He resided at home till he reached his twenty-seventh year, when, March 31, 1853, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Fanny Wilcox, by whom he has had nine children, seven of whom are now living: Elizabeth, Marvin L., Ruben L., George, Mary, Ezra and Ida. In 1853 Mr. Schooley removed from the old homestead to his present farm, com- prising fifty-six acres. He is a practical farmer, doing with his might whatsoever his hands find to do, and doing it well. He is a Christian in religious faith, a Demo- crat politically, and a perfect gentleman in the true sense of the word.
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