History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 111

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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JOHN H. REILLY, late inside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, was born in Cass township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1853, son of Terence and Ann (McManus) Reilly, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. They came to America in 1851 and settled in Cass township, Schuylkill county, where they are still residing. They are the parents of four children: John H .; Francis; James B., and Mary, wife of William Reilly. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill county, and at the age of seven years commenced working in the mines. He followed the life of a miner up to 1881, when he embarked in the coal trade at Forestville, where he carried on business one year. He was subsequently foreman for Harrison & Company one year, and afterwards employed about the mines of that section until his removal to Mt. Carmel in 1886. He then became inside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, which position he held until his removal to Tennessee in 1890. Mr. Reilly was married in December, 1878, to Mary A., daughter of Francis and Ann

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McCabe, of Schuylkill county, but formerly of Ireland. Five children are the fruits of this union: Annie C .; Kate F .; Mamie; Ella, and Cittia. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and the family are adherents of the Catholic church.

BENJAMIN H. WILLIAMS, miner, was born at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1833, son of David and Sarah Williams. His father was a native of South Wales, and came to America in 1829. He first located at Carbon- dale, where he remained some time, filling the position of foreman for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. In 1836 he removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill county; after remaining there for some time he removed to Sum- mit Hill, Carbon county, where he operated a mine known as Spring Tunnel five years. At the expiration of this time he accepted the position of general agent for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, which he filled until his death, November 6, 1848. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native State and received his education in the common schools. In 1852 he went to California, where he remained five years, engaged in mining, after which he returned to Pennsylvania for one year, and again went to Califor- nia in 1858, where he made his home until 1874. He then returned to Penn- sylvania and located at Mt. Carmel, where he has since resided, engaged in coal mining. Mr. Williams is a Republican.

JOSEPH BEIERSCHMITT, inside foreman of Merriam colliery, was born at Wartenburg, Germany, May 7, 1843, son of Michael and Catherine (Herman) Beierschmitt, who came to this country in 1846. They first located at Potts- ville, Schuylkill county; three months later they removed to St. Clair, where the father was employed in the mines until his death in 1864. His first wife died in Germany; his children by her are: Mary, Mrs. Matthias Kline, and Peter, who was killed in a mine at St. Clair. Those by his second wife are: Katherine; Rosa; Josephine; Joseph; John; Lizzie; Lena, and Margaret. The subject of this sketch was reared at St. Clair, where he began work in the breaker at the age of eight years, and when thirteen years old began work in the mines, at which he continued fourteen years. In 1870 he lo- cated at Locust Gap, this county, where he was assistant foreman at the mine two years. He was then appointed inside foreman of the Monitor colliery, which position he held seventeen years. In 1889 he was appointed to the same position in the Merriam colliery, and removed to Mt. Carmel. He was married, May 19, 1868, to Mary, daughter of Frank and Magdalena Frey, of St. Clair, a native of Germany. They are the parents of eight children: Lizzie; Mary; Frank; Josephine; Joseph; John; Henry, and Albert. The family are adherents of the Catholic faith, and in politics Mr. Beierschmitt is a Democrat.

THOMAS J. WOODSIDE, outside foreman of the Merriam colliery, was born in Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1829, a son of Thomas and Mary (Yarger) Woodside. His paternal grand- father, John Woodside, was of Irish descent; he was reared on a farm in

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Dauphin county, in which his father was one of the first settlers. His maternal grandfather was also reared in Dauphin county, of German descent, and was a farmer. The father of our subject was also a farmer, and lived and died in Dauphin county. . The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, where he received a limited education, and before attaining his majority, had served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1854. He then located at Lykenstown, and had charge of the carpenter work in the collieries of that place three years, after which he entered the employ of the Lykens Valley Railroad Company, with which he remained until the fall of 1862. In November of that year he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Seventy third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1863. The following year he built a forge and iron works at Oakdale; in September, 1864, he located at Shamokin, where he held various responsible positions in the collieries until 1869. He then removed to Locust Gap, being employed about the mines in various capacities for the period of eight years. In 1876 he located at Mt. Carmel, and has held his present position nine years. Mr. Woodside married in October, 1859, Kate, daughter of James L. Pell, late of Locust Gap, and has four children: William W .; Josephine, Mrs. Charles Strauss; Mary, Mrs. Robert Benning, and Edith. Mr. Woodside is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., and politically is a Democrat.

MATTHEW P. WARD, engineer, son of James and Margaret (Coleman) Ward, was born in Staffordshire, England, March 16, 1838. He was reared in his native country, where he served a twelve years" apprenticeship as mechanical engineer. He came to America in 1861, locating in Philadel- phia, and for over a year was in the employ of Simons & Jenkins, govern- ment contractors. In 1862 he located at Ashland, Schuylkill county, Penn- sylvania, and for three months was engineer for Bast & Pearson, at Big Mine Run. In the fall of the same year he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Ashland, he again entered the einploy of Bast & Pearson, with whom he remained until 1865. He then settled at Mt. Carmel, where he has since resided, and has been employed as engineer in and outside of the principal collieries of the place. Mr. Ward is the patentee of several of his inventions, and is the inventor, patentee, and manufacturer of the Miners' Safety Tube, to prevent miners from being burned with powder. He is also the inventor of a square and spirit level for truing engines, and a pulley for carrying wire ropes. In 1860 Mr. Ward married Margaret George, a daughter of Edward George, of North Wales. He is a member of the Episcopal church, in politics a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R.

SAMUEL OWEN, outside foreman of Black Diamond colliery, was born in Staffordshire, England, May 25, 1854, and is a son of William and Emma A.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

(Cooper) Owen, who came to America in 1856 and settled in Trevorton, this county, where the father engaged in mining four years. He then removed to Shamokin, where he resided until his death in 1879. The last seven years of his life he was inside foreman of Helfenstein colliery, and seventeen years prior to his coming to America he was inside foreman of a colliery in Eng- land. His family consisted of fifteen children, seven of whom grew to matu- rity: Thomas, a minister of the Methodist church; Sarah, Mrs. Joseph Tay- lor; Richard, paymaster of the Piedmont Air Line railroad, West Point, Vir- ginia; William, assistant principal of the public schools of Shamokin; John, shipping clerk of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company; Job, a machinist of Shamokin, and Samuel. The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in Northumberland county, and began life in the breakers at Trevorton when nine years of age. He worked as a miner until 1879, when he was appointed assistant outside foreman, which position he has filled to the present time. Mr. Owen has been twice married; his first wife was Ella Willson, of Shamokin, the second, Anna L., daughter of William Salter, of Shamokin. By the latter he has three daughters living: Minnie B .; Hazel S., and Emma A. He is a member of the Methodist church, has served three terms as member of the borough council of Shamokin, and in politics is a Republican.

JOSEPH SCHWARTZ, miner, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 25, 1845, a son of John and Mary Schwartz, who came to America in 1851, locating in Philadelphia, and residing there until 1854, when both parents died of chol- era. The subject of this sketch was reared in Philadelphia, where he learned the shoemaker trade. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. After two years' service he re-enlisted, February 26, 1864, in Company L, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was honorably dis- charged, August 7, 1865. After his return from the army, he worked at his trade at St. Clair, Pennsylvania, six months, and later at Tremont. In 1868 he located at Excelsior, near Shamokin, and worked at mining three years, and in 1871 located at Mt. Carmel, where he has been employed in the mines ever since. In 1867 he married Mary, daughter of John Harner, of Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, and has six children living: John; Emma; Clara; Sallie; Ida, and George. Mr. Schwartz is a member of the G. A. R., and was the commander of Burnside Post, G. A. R., No. 92, in 1888. Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES WIGHTMAN, miner, was born in Derbyshire, England, April 3, 1829, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Booth) Wightman. He was reared in England; in May, 1854, he came to America and located at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining two years, after which he removed to La Salle, Illinois, worked at mining two years, and declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. He then went to Trevorton, this county, where, with the exception of three months of service in the army, he

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was engaged in mining until 1866, when he removed to Locust Gap, and worked in the mines there six years. He came to Mt. Carmel in 1872, where he has since resided, being employed about the mines in various capacities. Mr. Wightman was married in 1859 to Sarah A. Jones, of Trevorton, Penn- sylvania, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom eight are living: Mary R., Mrs. Jacob Reed; James; Charles; John; Sallie; Edith; Warren, and Phebe. The family of Mr. Wightman are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He enlisted in 1862 in Company I, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged after three months' service. He is a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., has held the offices of assessor, councilman, and assistant burgess of Mt. Carmel, and in politics is a Republican.

FRANCIS MCCARTHY, deceased merchant and postmaster, Locust Gap, was born in Aughagreagh, County Longford, Ireland, June 4, 1826, son of Michael and Catherine (Farrelly) McCarthy, of the same county, where both spent their lives. Francis passed his boyhood days in his native land, and soon after reaching his majority he immigrated to Pennsylvania and settled at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill county, where he engaged in mining coal. While thus employed he met Mary Jane Robinson, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Patton) Robinson, natives of England and residents of Mine Hill Gap, whom he married in Philadelphia, at St. Peter and St. Paul's chapel, January 1, 1862. She was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1842, and bore him a family of four children: Michael A., of Locust Gap; Elizabeth A., wife of Thomas Donlan, of Mt. Carmel; Francis G., of Locust Gap, and Mary Florence, deceased. In March, 1862, Mr. McCarthy located at Locust Gap, and in partnership with Thomas Scott opened the first regu- lar hotel in the place. He also engaged in mining, which he followed three years in connection with hotel keeping. The firm of Scott & McCarthy then opened a general store, and carried on the hotel and mercantile business three years longer, when Mr. McCarthy purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor. In 1875 he abandoned hotel keeping, but continued merchandising up to his death. For a number of years he was in partner- ship with the late Conrad Graeber, and the firm of Graeber & McCarthy conducted the principal mercantile establishment of Locust Gap throughout its existence.

Politically Mr. McCarthy was an ardent Democrat, and took a very active interest in local affairs. On the 14th of February, 1871, he was appointed postmaster of Locust Gap, by J. W. Marshall, first assistant postmaster general, and served continuously through the several administrations for nearly seventeen years, and at his death was succeeded by his eldest son, Michael A., who has since held the office. He was a life-long member of the Catholic church, and died in full communion with that faith, November 6, 1887. Mr. McCarthy was a careful, honest, and successful business man,

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and was respected by the community in which the last twenty-five years of his life were spent. He was a kind father and husband, and left to his widow and children a handsome estate.

MICHAEL A. MCCARTHY, merchant, Locust Gap, was born at Locust Gap, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1862, and is the eldest son of Francis and Mary Jane (Robinson) McCarthy. He was reared in Locust Gap and educated in the common schools and at Pottsville Business College. He commenced his business life as a clerk in his father's store, and was admitted to a partnership in 1883, under the firm name of McCarthy & Son, in which name the store is still conducted. He is also interested in the dry goods and millinery store of McCarthy & Donlan in Mt. Carmel, which was established in December, 1888. Mr. McCarthy was married in January, 1884, to Anna, daughter of Thomas and Anna Carney, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of two children, one of whom, Ambrose, survives. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been postmaster of Locust Gap since the death of his father in 1887, who filled the same office nearly seventeen years. Mr. McCarthy and family are adherents of the Catholic church, and he is one of the most enterprising and best known business men of his vicinity.

JAMES A. MCCARTHY, dealer in general merchandise, Locust Gap, was born at that place, February 10, 1864, son of John and Maggie (Mahan) McCarthy. The paternal grandparents, Francis McCarthy and wife, were natives of County Longford, Ireland, and came to America prior to 1840. They settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. John McCarthy was born in Schuylkill county, was an engineer by trade, and prior to the year 1863 removed to Locust Gap, thenceforth his residence until his death, which occurred in July, 1865. His wife was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, daughter of James and Catharine (McGwyn) Mahan, who immigrated to New Orleans in 1841 and subsequently removed to Pittsburgh, where both died. To John and Maggie McCarthy were born three children: Frank; James A., and John. Our subject was reared at Locust Gap, received his education at the common schools, and at the Bryant and Stratton Business College of Philadelphia, and began his business life as door-keeper in the mines. In the year 1841 he became clerk in a store, and on the 26th of August, 1889, embarked in his present business, and conducts one of the leading stores at Locust Gap. Mr. McCarthy married Bridget, daughter of William and Bridget (Cannon) Harvey, December 31, 1885; to this union two daughters have been born: Mamie and Margaret. He is a member of the Catholic church, and in his political affiliations an ardent Democrat.

MICHAEL KELLAGHER, proprietor of Locust Summit Hotel, Locust Gap, was born at Forestville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1857, son of Patrick and Jane (Lynch) Kellagher, natives of Counties Fermanagh and Cavan, Ireland, respectively. His parents came to America in 1840 and

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settled in Schuylkill county, where his father began work in the mines; he is still following that occupation, and has resided at Locust Gap for the past twenty-one years. They are the parents of twelve children, two of whom are deceased. Those surviving are: Michael; Mary, Mrs. John McHugh; William; Jane; Robert; John; Anna; Kate; Susan, and Elizabeth. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and at the age of nine years began work in a coal breaker. He was engaged at the mines until twenty-one years old, when he established his present business at Locust Gap in which he has been quite successful. April 14, 1887, he married Margaret, daughter of Simon and Mary (Casey) Brown, of Danville, Penn- sylvania, and to this union has been born one daughter, Jane. Mr. Kella- gher is a Catholic in faith, a Democrat in politics, and has filled the offices of school director and of county commissioner; the latter office he filled for two successive terms, being first elected in 1881.

JOHN MCDONNELL, proprietor of the National Hotel, Locust Gap, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1840, son of Peter and Hannah (Patton) McDonnell, natives of Ireland and England, respect- ively. The father came to America in 1838 and located at Pottsville, Penn- sylvania, where he was engaged in mining until 1861, when he removed to Locust Gap. Here he worked in the mines for several years, and during the latter part of his life kept the hotel now conducted by his son. He was the father of seven children: John; Thomas; Elizabeth J., Mrs. Thomas Pepper; George; Andrew; Mary, Mrs. Jacob R. Betz, and Hannah, Mrs. Henry J. Omlor. The grandfather of our subject, Thomas Patton, was a native of England, and settled in Minersville, this State, in 1838, where his sons opened the first coal mines in that region. Our subject was reared at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and began life in the mines as a laborer. In 1860 he located in Locust Gap, where he was employed about the mines for nine years. In 1879 he was appointed inside foreman of Locust Gap colliery, which position he held four years, and was then transferred to the position of hoisting engineer, which he filled until 1883. He then engaged in his present business, and has continued it with good success. He was married, May 20, 1865, to Catharine, daughter of Frank and Ann (Lynch) McCarthy, natives of County Longford, Ireland, by whom he has had eight children: Peter; Anna, deceased; Lizzie, deceased; Frank; Mary; Agnes; Catharine, and John, deceased. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. McDonnell has served three years as school director, and in politics is a Democrat.

CHARLES DUGAN, proprietor of the Harvey House, Locust Gap, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1829, son of Hugh and Bridget (O'Don- nell) Dugan. He was reared in his native country and came to America in 1852, locating in Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he remained twelve years engaged in mining. In 1864 he removed to Locust Gap, where he

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worked in the mines until 1883. From this time to 1886 he was super- visor of the roads of Mt. Carmel township. He then engaged in the hotel business, in which he has since continued with good success. He was mar- ried in 1863 to Susan, daughter of Michael and Isabella (Friell) Dougherty, of Ireland. Of the children born of this union, five are living: Charles E., Cassie; Belle; Mary A., and John. He is a member of the Catholic church, and a Democrat in politics.

CHARLES H. DOUGHERTY, proprietor of the Locust Gap Hotel, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1856, son of Michael and Mary (Boyle) Dougherty, both of Irish parentage. The father was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and the mother, of Pennsylvania. They settled in Locust Gap in 1866, where the father followed mining sixteen years. He reared a family of five children: Charles H .; James F .; Edward; Michael, and Mary. Our subject was reared in Locust Gap, and was educated in the common schools. He began his business life in a breaker at the age of eight years, and worked about the mines fourteen years. In 1875 he was employed as clerk in the store of Graeber & McCarthy, at Locust Gap, with whom he remained two years, and afterwards held the same position with William Harvey & Son two years. He then became clerk of a hotel and store combined, of which he has been proprietor since 1886. He was mar- ried in 1886 to Margaret, daughter of John and Ellen Hogan, of Locust Gap. To this union one daughter has been born, Gertrude. He and wife are members of the Catholic church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

PETER BRECKER, mine foreman, Locust Gap colliery, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 5, 1844, son of Peter and Magdalena (Omler) Brecker, who emigrated in 1849, and from that date until 1871 the father was em- ployed in the mines of Schuylkill county. In the latter year he removed to Locust Gap, where he was killed by the fall of an embankment, May 5, 1875. Of his family five children are living: Peter; Nicholas; Harriet, Mrs. Alexander Butt, and Charles. Their maternal grandparents, John and Magdalena (Colby) Omler, natives of Germany, settled near St. Clair in 1851. There Mr. Brecker received his education, and began life as a miner. In 1871 he came to Locust Gap, and assumed his present position in 1875. May 15, 1867, he married Mary A., daughter of Peter and Magdalena (Luck) Steinfeld, natives of Bavaria, and to this union seven children have been born: Henrietta C .; Elizabeth; Peter N .; Josephine M .; Joseph J .; Henry W., and George F. In politics Mr. Brecker is a Democrat, and has been in- trusted with various township offices; the family is Catholic in faith.

MARK WHALEN, engineer, was born at Locust Gap, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1863, son of John and Julia (Brennan) Whalen, natives, respectively, of Counties Queen and Kilkenny, Ireland. His father came to America in 1845 and located at Mt. Carmel, where he labored in the mines fifteen years. Later he removed to Brookville, where

Mkallagher

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he remained five years, and in 1866 he removed to Locust Gap, where he has since resided. Up to 1887 Mr. Whalen worked as a miner; he then received the appointment of watchman at Locust Gap colliery, which posi- tion he still holds. The mother of the subject of this sketch is a daughter of John and Eliza (McCormick) Brennan, who were among the earliest residents of Mt. Carmel. They are the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are living: Mary; James; Mark; Margaret; Bridget; John; William, and Kate. The subject of our sketch was reared and educated at Locust Gap, where he learned his trade, and has occupied his present position eleven years. He is a member of the A. O. H. and the Catholic church, and polit- ically he is a Democrat.

JOHN DAVIS, engineer at Locust Gap colliery, was born in Buckley, Wales, November 7, 1849, son of Thomas and Anna (Reed) Davis. He was reared and educated in his native town, and served a six years' apprenticeship at his trade. In 1869 he immigrated to Pennsylvania and located at Mahanoy City, where he found employment at Lawton's colliery. He subsequently went to Colorado, where he spent two years, and returned to Doutyville, Northumberland county, where he remained four years. He then located at Locust Gap and has since filled his present position. Mr. Davis has been twice married. His first wife was Alice, daughter of John and Ellen (Reed) Boyer, natives of England and Scotland, respectively. She bore him four children, all of whom are dead: Anna; Ellen; Sarah, and Thomas. His second wife was Anna, daughter of William and Sarah Rodgers, of Sher- manville, of which union four children have been born: Thomas; George; Emma, and Sarah. In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican, and is an adherent of the Episcopal church.

PETER SMITH, engineer at Locust Gap colliery, was born, October 16, 1858, in Riley township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Dennis and Margaret (Wall) Smith, natives of County Cavan, Ireland, who came to America about 1850 and located in Schuylkill county, whence the father, who was a carpenter by trade, removed with his family to Locust Gap in 1865, and resided there until his death in 1882. He had five children: Edward, deceased; Mary, deceased; Ann, who married James Donlan; Kate, Mrs. Robert Broderick, and Peter. The last named was reared from eight years at Locust Gap, and began his active life as slate picker in a breaker. For eight years he had charge of the breaker machinery, and since 1887 has held the position of engineer at Locust Gap colliery. He is a member of the K. of L., an adherent of the Catholic church, and a supporter of the Democratic party.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 111

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