History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424

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THOMAS H. LIPPIATT, photographer, was born in Somersetshire, England, January 3, 1853, son of Henry and Ann (Hodges) Lippiatt. He came to this country with his parents in 1864 and settled at Locust Gap, and in 1865 came to Shamokin, where he attended the public schools, and at an early age commenced working in the mines, where he was employed seven- teen years. In 1881 he commenced the manufacture of picture frames, and subsequently engaged in the photograph business in connection with the frame business. His place is situated on Independence street, and his art room contains a splendid collection of oil, crayon, and photographic works of art. Mr. Lippiatt in the development of his business brought energy and close application to the object he had in view, which has resulted in building up one of the largest trades of the kind in this part of the country. He was married in 1875 to Clara, daughter of George Zimmerman, of Upper Augusta township, by which union they have had seven children. Mr. Lip- piatt is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Methodist church, in which he is class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics he is a Republican.

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JOSEPH HENNINGER, superintendent of public works, was born in Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, son of Thomas and Catharine (Karl) Henninger, natives of Berks and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania. He received a limited education in the common schools. In 1838 his parents settled in Cameron township. He learned the trade of miller in Schuylkill county, and followed it eight years. He then returned to Cameron town- ship and in 1850 commenced mining, which he followed twenty years, hold- ing the position of inside boss for Zimmerman & Pursel, the Lancaster Coal Company, John Langdon & Company, and Patterson, Llewellyn & Fagely. In 1866 he located in Shamokin, and in 1882 was elected burgess, filling the office two terms. He then engaged in the cattle business, which he carried on two years, when he was elected superintendent of public works, and, February 18, 1890, was elected receiver of taxes for Shamokin. Mr. Henninger was twice married. His first wife was Sarah, daughter of George Reed, of Jackson township, who died, April 13, 1869; by this marriage were born thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity: Ephraim; Emanuel, deceased; Joseph; Charles; J. Monroe; Cellotes; Zacharias; Cephas; Priscilla, wife of Henry Knorr; Kate, and George. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Eveland, daughter of Henry Fry, of Shamokin, and by this union they have one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Henninger is a warm Republican, and enjoys the confidence of the citizens of Shamokin. In his religious belief he is a Lutheran.

JOSEPH H. DAVIDSON, justice of the peace, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1831, son of William and Elizabeth (Hempton) Davidson, natives of Ireland and Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, respectively. After the death of his father, which occurred a few months after his birth, his mother removed to Schuylkill county, where the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. He learned the painter's trade, and at the age of eighteen years returned to Wiconisco, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of Miller & Company as a clerk, where he remained ten years. In 1859 he accepted a position in West Virginia, where he remained a few months, when he returned to Schuylkill county and entered the employ of P. W. Sheafer of Girardsville. He then entered the United States service as assistant dispatcher and commissary to the railroad employees of the Orange- ville and Alexander railroad. In 1862 he was transferred to the post com- missary department under Captain Wilson, of the regular army, and was stationed at Warrenton Junction, Virginia, and at other points at the front. He returned home and again entered the employ of P. W. Sheafer as super- intendent of his coal business at Mahanoy Plane, where he remained until 1879. In 1880 he located at Shamokin and engaged in the grocery business a short time, after which he worked at his trade. In 1887 he was elected justice of the peace, and has served in this office continuously to the present time. Mr. Davidson was marrried, December 8, 1856, to Harriet M., daugh-

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ter of Michael Shaffer, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and by this union they have had eight children, five of whom are living: Emma, wife of J. C. Connor; Eleanor; Harry; Annie E., and Edith. Politically he is a Repub- lican.

FRANCIS A. MILLER, justice of the peace and insurance agent, was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1859, son of Daniel S. and Elmira (Schwartz) Miller. He received his education at the public schools of Sha- mokin and learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he was occupied until 1880, when he entered the employ of J. H. Adams as clerk in his general store. In 1885 he bought a one-half interest in the same, and the firm name was changed to F. A. Miller & Company, which business they conducted until 1887. Mr. Miller served in the council as a member from the Fourth ward for the years 1883 and 1884, and in 1887 was elected assistant burgess. March 14, 1889, he was appointed by Governor Beaver justice of the peace for Shamokin borough, and was elected to the same office in February, 1890, to serve for five years. In connection with this office he is engaged in the general insurance business. Mr. Miller was married in 1880 to Martha J., daughter of J. H. Adams, and they are the parents of six children: Ella V .; Olive M .; J. Frances; Emma F .; Julia A., and George D. Politically Mr. Miller is an ardent Republican.

WILLIAM K. ERDMAN, insurance agent, was born in Upper Mahantango township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1837, son of George and Mary (Knorr) Erdman, of German and Scotch extraction. He had limited advantages of an education; six months cover the entire tuition received by him. His life until twenty-four years of age was spent upon the homestead farm. In 1861 he came to Shamokin and obtained employment as a laborer upon the railroad. He subsequently obtained work at the Big Mountain colliery in loading cars, where he remained five years, when he was promoted to outside superintendent, which position he filled three years. He then worked at the Buck Ridge colliery several years, leaving there to engage in carpenter work, and was employed by Daniel Weaver, Joseph Kaseman, and others. In 1873 he opened a small grocery store, shortly afterward entered the employ of J. K. Haas as clerk, and in 1875 entered into partnership with Mr. Haas, which continued two and a half years. In 1869 and 1871 Mr. Erdman filled the office of street commissioner. In 1873 he was elected justice of the peace, serving until 1878. At this period he estab- lished his insurance business. He was again elected justice of the peace in 1883, and filled the office five years, after which he was elected clerk of the directors of the poor, which position he filled two years. In 1888 he was again elected to the office of justice of the peace, discharging the duties of the office two years, when he resigned. Mr. Erdman has filled the office of constable, has served two terms in the borough council, and was a member of the first school board elected after the erection of Shamokin borough. In

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politics he has ever been a strong Democrat and an active worker in his party. His reputation for intelligence and force of character gives him an influence that does much to further the success of his party. He possessed no early advantages, but employed his leisure hours in study and by self- application he gained in book knowledge; he also educated himself by close observation and judgment of men and things, which has contributed in no small degree to his standing as a citizen and success as a man. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. He was married to Mary Dimick, of Northumberland county, and to them have been born seven children: Clara T., wife of D. B. Felix; Luther M .; Oscar O .; Ida M., wife of L. M. Fisher; Emma S .; William E., and Lizzie M.

JAMES A. SHIPP, borough clerk and manager of the City Hotel, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1843, son of John and Susanna (Askins) Shipp. He received his education at the public schools of Shamo- kin, after which he learned the trade of machinist. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he was corporal. At the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, he received a gun-shot wound in his left shoulder, was taken prisoner and sent to Staunton, Vir. ginia, and transferred from there to Libby prison, where he remained until January, 1863, when he was paroled. In 1868, under the firm name of Boughner & Shipp, he was engaged in the coal business, operating the Penitentiary colliery. In 1872 he was operating the Frank Gowen colliery, and was burned out by the Mollie Maguires. He then, in connection with Isaac May, Jr., engaged in the mercantile business until 1876. In 1878 he was engaged in the oyster business, and was elected in this year secre- tary of the borough council and market clerk. In 1879 he was appointed a member of the borough police, and served four years. In 1881 he was appointed a member of the coal and iron police, and was at the Houtzdale riots in Clearfield county. In 1881 he was appointed depot master for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. January 1, 1890, he ac- cepted the position of manager of the City Hotel. In 1871 Mr. Shipp was elected lieutenant of the Shamokin Guards, and in 1873 became its com- manding officer, and was at the Shenandoah riot in 1874, Williamsport in 1872, and the Pittsburgh riots with his company. He was one of the charter members of Lincoln Post, G. A. A .; he is also a member of the Masonic order and the K. of G. E. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Shipp was married in 1864 to Kate Boughner, of Shamokin, who died, July 25, 1889, leaving two children: Harry R. and Charles A.

FRANCIS SCHLEIF was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1852, son of Francis and Barbara (Stien) Schleif. He was reared and educated in his native county and commenced work as a miner, which occu- pation he followed in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. In 1885 he

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engaged in the grocery business, at which he continued until 1887, when he was elected to his present position as secretary of Coal township poor dis- trict, and re-elected in 1889. He was married in 1889 to Mary Schwoyer, of Shamokin, and by this union they have had six children, four of whom are living: Francis; Solomon; Eva, and Clara. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and of the K. of P. Mr. Schleif is a member of St. John's Re- formed church, and politically a Republican. He is now filling the office of secretary of Coal township poor district, to which he was re-elected in 1889.

ISAAC G. KASE, teacher of music and dealer in musical instruments, was born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1834, son of William H. and Ann (Haugh) Kase. He was reared on the homestead farm and educated in the common schools of the township. He learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of twenty-two he purchased from his father his tannery business and conducted it thirteen years. He then found employment at his trade upon the construction of the bridges for the Sunbury, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre railroad. Having educated him- self for the musical profession, he subsequently engaged in teaching vocal music. In 1876 he located in Shamokin, and engaged in teaching vocal and instrumental music and the sale of pianos and organs. Mr. Kase was mar- ried in 1856 to Sarah J., daughter of B. P. Kase, of Rush township, who died leaving three children: William E .; Sarah L., wife of J. R. Sharpless, and Agnes, wife of H. Hardrex. His second wife was Jennie, daughter of Isaac Snyder, of Shamokin, who has borne him three children: Maud; Mal- colm, and Clara A. While a resident of Rush township Mr. Kase served in the offices of auditor, constable, and school director. In 1883 he was elected borough assessor, and in 1884 was appointed to the same office by the com- missioners. Politically he is a Democrat, and was a member of the county committee nine years. Mr. Kase is a member of the Presbyterian church.

JOHN J. DELANEY, local manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Com- pany, was born in Forestville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1859, son of John and Sarah (Dougherty) Delaney, both natives of Schuyl- kill county. His paternal grandfather, John Delaney, was a native of Canada, and settled in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, about 1810. His maternal grand- father, Patrick Dougherty, a native of the North of Ireland, settled in early life in Pottsville, where he held the office of justice of the peace fifteen years. John Delaney, father of our subject, was inside foreman at different collieries for many years, and was killed at Eagle Hill shaft, July 9, 1870. He was a soldier in the Rebellion, serving in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers three months, and fifteen months in the Forty-eighth regiment. Our sub- ject was reared in Pottsville up to the age of twelve years, and afterwards lived in St. Nicholas until 1874, when he lecated in Mt. Carmel, Northum- berland county. For several years he worked in a breaker, firing and run- ning the engine at Alaska shaft for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and

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Iron Company. In 1882 he engaged in the sewing machine business, which he followed in Mt. Carmel and vicinity until May 26, 1890, when he removed to Shamokin and became local manager for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Mr. Delaney was married, December 26, 1879, to Mary, daughter of John and Ellen (Flanigan) Flynn, of Mt. Carmel, who has borne him four children: John, deceased; Ellen; Sadie, and Margaret. Politically he is a Republican, and is a member of the Sons of Veterans, at Mt. Carmel. The family are members of the Catholic church.

THOMAS L. MCNAMARA was born in Mt. Pleasant, Schuylkill county, Penn- sylvania, in March, 1859. He is a son of Richard and Helen (Lee) McNamara, natives of Ireland, both of whom are dead. His father served in Company K, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Our subject was reared and edu- cated in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and learned the engineer's trade. He ac- cepted a position in Atkinson & Brother's machine shop, in Pottsville, which he filled two years. He then removed to Williamstown to accept the posi- tion of loader boss at the Mineral mine, where he remained ten years. He then came to Shamokin and clerked for E. C. Hamilton, of the Exchange Hotel, which position he filled for three years. In April, 1890, he leased the hotel at Paxinos, which he conducted until 1891, when he returned to Shamokin. Mr. McNamara was married in February, 1883, to Ida, daughter of William and Sarah Patrick, of Williamstown, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of three children: Richard; William, and Sadie. He is a mem- ber of the S. of V., Camp No. 29, and the K. of L., Lodge No. 210, both of ·Williamstown. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of St. Ed- ward's Catholic church of Shamokin.

CHAPTER XLIV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MILTON.

DR. JAMES AND JANE (STARRETT) DOUGAL, natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Milton, were married, October 14, 1793. The former was a gradu- ate of the College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Scotland, and was practicing medicine in Ireland when he became involved in the Irish rebellion of 1798, and was compelled to escape in disguise to the United States, whither his wife and two children, James and Margaret, followed him. He located in Milton, Pennsylvania, where he erected the stone house in 1803 now occu-

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pied by his grandson, and practiced his profession until his sudden death, July 18, 1818, caused by a fall from his horse. He was the pioneer physi- cian of Milton, and a gentleman of marked ability and patriotism, whose loyalty to the emblem of freedom in his adopted home was as fervent as his hatred of tyranny in his native land. During the war of 1812 he did all in his power against English oppression, and sent his son, James S., into the ranks of his country's defenders to fight for the flag of liberty.

DR. JAMES S. DOUGAL was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, October 7, 1794, and came to Milton with his parents, Dr. James Dougal and wife, where he received a good education. He read medicine with his father, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1817. Upon his father's death the following year he succeeded to his practice, and for fifty-eight years he was actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He served in the war of 1812, against the oppressor of his native land. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but in later years united with the Republican party. Doctor Dougal was married, July 2, 1818, to Sarah, daughter of William Pollock, and sister of the late ex-Governor James Pollock, who was born, July 16, 1799. She died, April 1, 1873, and he survived her until May 23, 1878. They had a family of eight children: James, a physician, and Will- iam P., both deceased; Sarah Jane, widow of James Gilmour; Mary Louisa, wife of R. H. Duncan, of Washington, D. C .; Caroline, deceased wife of Horace A. Beale, of Chester county, Pennsylvania; Margaret P .; Charles H., of Milton, and Elizabeth E., wife of Robert Bailey, of Williamsport, Penn- sylvania. Doctor Dougal was a gentleman of enterprise and public spirit,' and was for many years one of the leading citizens of his adopted home.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM P. DOUGAL was the second son of Dr. James S. and Sarah (Pollock) Dougal, and grandson of Dr. James Dougal, the second res- ident physician of Milton. He was born, December 28, 1823, in the sub- stantial stone house erected by his grandfather on the corner of Front and Mahoning streets, Milton, Pennsylvania, early in the present century, and was educated at the old Milton Academy. In early manhood he engaged in farming in Union county, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1860. Upon the breaking out of the civil war he at once gave his active support to the Union cause, and September 4, 1862, he was commissioned first lieuten- ant of Company D, One Hundred and Fiftieth (Bucktail) regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, which company he recruited in Union county, where he then resided. His regiment was at once sent to the front, and afterwards became celebrated as one of the fighting regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Lieutenant Dougal was promoted to the captaincy on the field of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, where he was so severely wounded as to necessitate his retirement from active service, and he was finally discharged, February 1, 1864. The firm of Murray, Dougal & Company was organized the same year, and the Milton Car Works established, with which Captain Dougal

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was actively identified until 1878, when he withdrew from the firm and lived a retired life up to his death, July 8, 1890.

Captain Dougal was twice married, first to Sarah Clingan, of Union county, who bore him one daughter, Sarah, wife of William C. Lawson, Jr., of Milton. His second wife was Agnes, daughter of Robert and Eliza (Mont- gomery) McCormick, of Milton, a descendant of two well known pioneer families of the West Branch valley. Seven children were the fruits of this union: James; Robert; William; Eliza; Charles; Agnes, and Margaret, all of whom are living except the eldest. Captain Dougal was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which faith his widow and family also adhere, and in politics he was an ardent Republican. He was a director of the Milton National Bank, and always manifested a deep interest in the social and material growth of his native town. He was affable, kind, and generous in all the relations of home and family, and in business life he was recognized as the soul of honor and integrity.

CHARLES H. DOUGAL, physician, was born in Milton, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 20, 1838, son of Dr. James S. and Sarah Dougal. He received a good common school education, and subsequently entered Princeton College, New Jersey, where he graduated in the spring of 1859. He then commenced the study of medicine in his father's office, but in 1861 entered the United States service under General Stoneman, as a medical cadet. He was taken prisoner, July 1, 1863, and was confined in Libby prison five weeks, when he was exchanged and assigned to duty at Eckington hospital, near Washington, D. C., where he remained until the following September. He then returned to Milton and resumed his medical studies, and in March, 1864, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He has since been one of the active practitioners of Milton, and has built up a large practice. Doctor Dougal was married, January 4, 1866, to Annie M., daughter of Samuel Oakes, of Montour county, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to them, one of whom is living, J. Starrett. Mrs. Dougal died, March 26, 1873, and he was again married, March 19, 1891, to Miss Emma Clinger, of Williamsport. Politically the Doctor is a Republican; he has been chief burgess of Milton and has served in the borough council three terms. He has also served in the school board. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church, and a mem- ber of the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity.

DR. WILLIAM MCCLEERY was for many years one of the best known medical practitioners in the county. He was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, and a son of John McCleery, a merchant of Harrisburg and subse- quently of Milton, who died on his farm near the latter place. William re- moved with his parents to Milton in boyhood, read medicine with Dr. James S. Dougal, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in the class of 1827. For more than thirty years he practiced his profession in Milton and the surrounding country for miles in every direction, and shared with his

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contemporaries a large and lucrative practice. Doctor McCleery married Margaret, daughter of William Pollock, and a sister of the late ex-Governor James Pollock, who bore him six children, five of whom survive: J. P., of Milton; Mary, wife of Joseph D. Potts, of Philadelphia; Julia J., wife of Jesse Merrill, of Lock Haven; John, of Milton, and William P., of Troy, Pennsylvania. In 1857 Doctor McCleery turned over his practice to his eldest son, Dr. J. P. McCleery, and engaged in the lumber business. He erected the first steam saw mill on the river at Milton, and followed the lum- ber trade up to his death, December 4, 1867. His wife died fourteen years prior to his decease.

J. P. MCCLEERY, physician, is the eldest son of Dr. William McCleery, and was born in Milton, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1832. He received a good education at the schools of Milton and McEwensville. He began the study of medicine with his father, and attended Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating in March, 1857, and since that time has prac- ticed his profession in Milton. June 4, 1870, he was united in marriage with Margaret S., daughter of John McCormick, of Lewis township, this county, and by this union they have five children: Annie M .; Mary H .; Martha G .; William, and Josephine P. Doctor McCleery is a Republican in politics, and the family are adherents of the Presbyterian church.

ABRAHAM STRAUB was born in Milton, Northumberland county, December 9, 1794, son of Andrew Straub and twin brother of Isaac Straub. He re- ceived the ordinary education of that period, learned the tanner's trade, and carried on a tannery in Milton until 1824, at which time he sold out and joined his brother Isaac in what were known as the Birchwood Mills, on the island opposite Milton, where they were engaged in the lumber and milling business a number of years. They invented and introduced into their mill the first reaction water wheel probably ever used in the State. They also had a railroad track to their mill and yard. In 1832 and 1833 they erected the first bridges over the West Branch of the Susquehanna at Milton, which were carried away by the flood of March 17, 1865. In 1834 Isaac retired from the firm and went to Lewistown, where he engaged in merchandising. Abraham continued to operate the mills until 1840, when he took down the grist mill and moved it to Muddy run, two miles above Milton, where he continued the milling business until 1853, when he sold the same and erected a bridge across the Susquehanna river at Uniontown. After the completion of this undertaking he turned his attention to the invention of a centrifugal pump. He was a self-educated surveyor, and became one of the foremost in this section of the State. November 29, 1821, he married Nancy Balliet, whose father was a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and a settler in Limestone, Montour county. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: John Andrew, deceased; Ambrose White, who died in infancy; Stephen Daniel, of Hagerstown, Maryland; Elizabeth Caroline, wife of Rev.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829- Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424