History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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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spent fourteen years preparing for the ministry, learning five different lan- guages. He inherited a large fortune and a landed estate. Marshall Jour- dan under orders of the French Directory (then the ruling power in France), invaded that section of the country, when, in defense of his country, Charles E. raised a company of dragoons, and in an engagement with the French his left arm was so terribly injured that it became partly useless. His por- tion of Germany being over-run, and in possession of the French troops, he gathered together his personal property, abandoned his landed estate, and sailed for America. On the voyage they were overtaken by a French priva- teer, and all their valuables taken from them. Penniless he landed in Phila- delphia with his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Bieser, and eldest daughter. Unable to obtain employment he drifted to Shäfferstown, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. Here, February 10, 1799, his eldest son, William Henry, was born. From Shafferstown they removed to different points in Pennsylvania, locating in Lykens valley, near Berrysburg, where Charles E. Muench engaged in school teaching. His family consisted of seven children: Juliana, born in Germany, who married Jacob Wolf; William H .; Charles F .; Susan, wife of Jacob Reigle; Jacob D., all deceased; Daniel A., of Har- risburg, and Margaret, deceased wife of Peter K. Miller. Charles E. died at Lykens valley, Dauphin county, in 1833, and his wife in 1834, both aged sixty-four years.

WILLIAM HENRY MUENCH was born a cripple, and his parents gave him as good education as possible, a want of means limiting it to English and Ger- man. In 1819 Rev. J. P. Shindel proposed that William H. come to Sha- mokin valley to teach those branches. He located at Reed's Station, where he taught twenty-four years at the same place. He was appointed by Gov- ernor Shultz justice of the peace for Shamokin township, which once included Shamokin, Ralpho, Zerbe, Coal, Mt. Carmel, and Cameron townships, which position he filled thirty years, during which time he married eighty-nine couples, and was known as the "marrying squire." Being an expert and elegant pensman, this opened the way for the use of the pen, and he trans- acted an immense amount of business, making out deeds and mortgages for the early settlers. He served as county commissioner and in all the town- ship offices, and was a man of extensive acquaintance and the early friend of General Simon Cameron. He married in 1820 Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Reed; his death occurred, September 8, 1885. He was an elder and leading supporter of the German Reformed church.

JACOB E. MUENCH was born at the old homestead, September 29, 1823, only child of William Henry and Elizabeth (Reed) Muench. When a young man he taught in the township schools a number of years, but his principal occupation has been that of a farmer, in which business he is extensively engaged. In his early life he was prominently connected with the State militia, serving fourteen years. He was appointed by Governor Johnston

Jacob , Muench.

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first lieutenant, subsequently elected major, and in 1853 was appointed brig- adier general by Governor Bigler. Mr. Muench is a Republican in his polit- ical sentiments; he served in the office of county auditor from 1873 to 1875, and as township auditor several terms. Mr. Muench has always been an earnest friend to the cause of education, filling the office of school director, of which board he was secretary eighteen consecutive years. In 1886 he was elected justice of the peace, and is now serving in that office. He is a mem- ber of the German Reformed church, of which he has been an elder five years. He was married, December 3, 1854, to Lavinia Scholl, who died, Sep- tember 1, 1862, leaving three children: Mary E., wife of Jacob S. Rohrbach, of Shamokin township; William F., deceased, and Emma E., wife of Reuben F. Martz, of Shamokin township. November 28, 1878, he married Hattie S., daughter of John Cooper, of Upper Augusta township.

THE VASTINE FAMILY .- WILLIAM VASTINE, deceased, was born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, son of John and Catharine (Osborne) Vastine. He settled at the age of twenty-one years on the farm where Simon Vastine now lives, and was a farmer and distiller by occupation. He was a large land owner, cultivating some four hundred acres. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics was a prominent Whig and Republican. He married in 1832 Elizabeth, daughter of John Hursh, and their children were: Amos; Jacob H .; Hugh; Simon; Ezra; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Joseph Oglesby, and Daniel. He died in 1859; his widow survived him until the spring of 1890.

AMOS VASTINE, deceased, was born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, son of John and Catharine (Osborne) Vastine. In his youth he came to what is now Ralpho township with his uncle, Thomas Vastine, who settled upon the land now in possession of his daughter, Catharine Persing. His principal business was farming, but at one time he was engaged in the mercantile business at Paxinos. His farm- ing pursuits were extensive, as he owned some six hundred acres of land. Mr. Vastine also owned large real estate interests in Mt. Carmel. He was one of the promoters of the Mt. Carmel Savings Bank, of which he was president from its organization until his death. He was also one of the organizers of the Shamokin Township Fire Insurance Company, of which he was treasurer at the time of his death. Politically he was a Republican, and was county commissioner from 1871 to 1874. He married in 1837 Susan, daughter of Felix Lerch, and by this union they were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: John, of Ralpho township; Thomas, of Ralpho township; Catharine, wife of E. S. Persing, of Ralpho township, and Hattie, wife of William Metz, of Mt. Carmel. The deceased are Sarah and Felix. Mr. Vastine's death occurred, November 15, 1889, his wife having died, July 12, 1888. He was a self-educated man, and a man of rare shrewdness and sagacity in all business relations. He was well read,

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and kept himself well informed on all current events and important ques- tions of the day. He brought to bear during his active life application, vigor, and fidelity, which brought to him many trusts of a public and private nature. In his religious preferences he was a Baptist, of which church he was an attendant. He was a warm friend to the cause of education, and served many terms upon the school board of Ralpho township.

JOHN VASTINE, eldest son of Amos and Susan (Lerch) Vastine, was born upon the homestead farm, November 16, 1844. He waseducated at the public schools, and in 1870 settled upon his present farm of two hundred acres, where he has since resided engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married, February 11, 1869, to Kate, daughter of the late John Bird, of Shamokin. Politically Mr. Vastine is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

THOMAS VASTINE, second son of Amos and Susan (Lerch) Vastine, was born upon the homestead farm, October 24, 1847. His early education was obtained at the common schools and completed at Dickinson Seminary, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Lewisburg Academy. He has always followed farming as an occupation. In 1877 he located upon his present place of one hundred fifteen acres. He was married, January 26, 1871, to Lizzie, daughter of William Haas, and by this union they have had five children, two of whom are living: Amos and Hattie. In his political con- nection Mr. Vastine is a Republican, and always manifests an interest in the success of his party. In religious faith he is a Lutheran.

JOHN BOUGHNER, deceased, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and in 1814 removed to Snydertown, Pennsylvania. In the same year he enlisted in a company organized at Snydertown in defense of Erie. He was a tanner by trade, but after his settlement at Snydertown engaged in the carpenter business, which he conducted until his death. He was one of the enterprising men of his locality, and held many minor township offices. He married Margaret Colkie, a native of New Jersey, and they are the parents of six children: Peter; Mahlon, deceased; Charity, who married Jonas Gil- ger; Susanna, who also married Jonas Gilger; Andrew J., deceased, and William, deceased. Mr. Boughner was a Republican in politics.

PETER BOUGHNER, retired, was born, January 23, 1816, at Snydertown, Pennsylvania, son of John and Margaret (Colkie) Boughner. He received such education as the subscription schools of that period afforded, and sub- sequently learned the carpenter trade with his father. After acquiring his trade he settled in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, entered the employ of the rail- road company, and later was placed in charge of repairs and construction from Sunbury to Mt. Carmel. After the road passed into the hands of the Northern Central, and the new road was laid out, Mr. Boughner in connec- tion with Mr. Dunkelberger laid the track from Shamokin to Mt. Carmel, under contract. In 1850 he was placed in charge of grading and construc-

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tion of the streets of Trevorton. With the exception of this period of eighteen months Mr. Boughner was in the employ of the Northern Central Railway Company thirty years. Boughner & Gilger built the first breaker at Luke Fidler mine and Cleaver & Boughner the first two at Locust Gap. Mr. Boughner was married in 1837 to Margaret, daughter of John Repley, who died in 1877; by this union they were the parents of six children: Henry; Joseph; John, deceased; Katherine, deceased; Lucy, wife of Hoffman Reed, and Somerfield. Mr. Boughner finally retired from active business and purchased the farm where he now resides. He was one of the charter mem- bers of Shamokin Lodges, F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a pronounced Republican.

SEBASTIAN BOUGHNER, deceased, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He enlisted in the regular army and served at Fort Erie with a company from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and at the close of his term of en- listment he settled at Snydertown, Pennsylvania, and engaged at the carpen- ter business. He subsequently removed to Sunbury, where he died. He married Abbie Snyder, and to this marriage were born five children: Rebecca; Isaac; Silas; Harriet, and Lydia.

SOLOMON MARTZ, farmer, was born in Upper Augusta township, North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1818, son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Fagely) Martz. His paternal grandfather was David Martz, who, with his brother Jacob, came from Berks county towards the close of the last cent- ury, and settled on Shamokin creek, three miles south of Sunbury. David was a blacksmith, and engaged in that business in connection with farming. He married Barbara Miller, and to this union were born five sons and two daughters: David; Henry; Peter; Abraham, and George, all of whom, with the exception of Henry, removed to Dayton, Ohio, where they died. The daughters were Susan, who married John Richstine, and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Abraham Arter. Henry, the father of our subject, was born upon the homestead in Shamokin township, Northumberland county. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Chris- tian and Magdalena Fagely, pioneers of Shamokin township. Their children were: Hettie; Katie; Mary Ann, and George, all deceased; Solomon, and Nathan. Both the parents died in Shamokin and are buried at St. Peter's graveyard. When a youth of seven years the subject of this sketch went to live with his uncle, Solomon Fagely, of Shamokin township, with whom he remained until he was eighteen years old, when he entered the employ of his uncles, Amos, George, and Nathan Fagely, as a clerk in their store at Mauch Chunk, where he remained sixteen months, when he returned to Shamokin and entered the employ of William and Reuben Fagely, with whom he remained one year. He then went to Mt. Carmel, and was employed by Solomon Fagely, who kept a tavern there, remaining with him one year. At this period a stage line was started between Mt. Carmel and Shamokin, and

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he was appointed driver and mail carrier, which position he filled a few months. He was then appointed to the same position on the stage line be- tween Pottsville and Northumberland, where he remained one year, and is the last living representative of that useful class in that vicinity. He returned to Shamokin and was elected supervisor of Coal township, having charge of the roads from Mt. Carmel to Trevorton, which position he filled two years. At this time he received a contract from William and Reuben Fagely for hauling coal over the railroad from Shamokin to Sunbury, and was engaged at this seven years, when he settled upon his present farm at Reed's Station. Mr. Martz was married, April 6, 1841, to Hannah, daughter of John Reed, of Shamokin township. They are the parents of seven children: Isabella, deceased; Sophronia, deceased; George; Reuben; John Henry; Jesse, and William F., deceased. In his political affiliations Mr. Martz is a stalwart Republican, and has always taken great interest in the success of his party. He has never desired any public office, but consented to serve in the office of overseer of the poor for one year since he has been a resident of Shamokin township. In religious belief he is a German Reformed, of which church he and family are attendants. When Jacob's Lutheran and Re- formed church was rebuilt in 1870 Mr. Martz contributed the necessary amount of brick, one hundred thousand, for that purpose, and his children contributed the money, twelve hundred dollars, to erect the steeple. Mr. Martz's liberal disposition has prompted him through life to extend a help- ing hand to those in need, and he is respected for his open-heartedness and philanthropic nature, which has contributed in no small degree to his stand- ing as a citizen and success as a man.

SAMUEL SOBER, deceased, a native of New Jersey, settled in Shamokin township shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War. He purchased a tract of land containing about seven hundred acres, situated where the Sober brothers now reside. He married a Miss Moore, a resident of Shamokin township. His children were: John; Michael; Susan, who married Morris Smith; Alexander; Isaac, and Aaron. His death occurred about 1820.

ISAAC SOBER, deceased, was the fourth son of Samuel Sober, Sr. He was born, February 23, 1814, upon the homestead in Shamokin township. He received such education as the schools of those days afforded, and was reared a farmer, which occupation he followed through life. He inherited the home- stead farm which is now in the possession of his family. Mr. Sober was one of the enterprising men of his day; a warm friend of education, he spent a good deal of time and money in establishing the public school system in Sha- mokin township and served on the school board many years. In politics he was a pronounced Democrat, and in religious faith a Presbyterian. Mr. Sober married in 1837 Mary, daughter of George Krickbaum, who survives him. By this union they were the parents of the following children: Free- man W., of Virginia; Harriet, wife of Samuel Swineheart, of Shamokin

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township; Coleman K., of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Clinton D., of Shamo- kin township; Isabella, wife of Francis Geiger, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania; Barbara A., wife of Mahlon Moyer of Shamokin; Amanda, wife of George Startzel, of Shamokin; M. L., of Shamokin township; Martha S .; Adaline, deceased, who married A. J. Campbell, and Clara, wife of Doctor Hollen- back of Shamokin. Mr. Sober died in 1882.

ALEXANDER SOBER, deceased, was born in Shamokin township, Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, upon the homestead farm in 1807, son of Sam- uel Sober, Sr. He was a farmer throughout life, and inherited a portion of the homestead farm. He married Mary Fay, who bore him ten children: Samuel; Beulah; Uriah; Abram; Morris; Isaac; Mary A .; Susanna; Joseph, and William. Mr. Sober died in 1869.

SAMUEL SOBER, the eldest son of Alexander and Mary (Fay) Sober, was born in Shamokin township in 1831. He was reared a farmer, which occu- pation he followed through life. He married, February 10, 1857, Sarah Bloom, and by this union they are the parents of three children: Jeannetta; Ursula, and U. W. Politically Mr. Sober is a Democrat, and one of the respected citizens of Shamokin township.

CLINTON D. SOBER, farmer, was born, August 12, 1844, son of Isaac and Mary (Krickbaum) Sober. He was educated in the public schools and reared upon the homestead farm. He married Maggie, daughter of Rev. J. W. Swank, of Lancaster City, Pennsylvania. In 1878, in connection with his brother, Martin L., they formed the firm of Sober Brothers, and are engaged in farming and the lumber business. Politically Mr. Sober is a Democrat, and is one of the enterprising business men of Northumberland county.

MARTIN LUTHER SOBER, farmer and lumber dealer, was born in 1851, son of Isaac and Mary (Krickbaum) Sober. He received his education at the common schools, and his early life was spent upon the homestead engaged in farming. In 1878 he associated himself with his brother, Clinton D., under the firm name of Sober Brothers, farmers and lumber dealers. He married Sarah A., daughter of John Fisher, and they are the parents of four children: Albert; Zella; Cora, and Gertie. Politically he is. a warm Democrat, and one of the pushing and enterprising business men of the county.

DANIEL, KRIGBAUM, miller and farmer, was born in Snydertown, Pennsyl- vania, in 1813, son of William and Mary (Gonsar) Krigbaum. His paternal grandfather, John Adam Krigbaum, a native of Berks county, settled in Plum Creek valley, and later purchased eighty acres of land at Reed's Station. He married a sister of Governor Snyder, who bore him five sons: John; William; George; Daniel, and Jonathan. William, the second son, was born in Berks county, and removed with his parents to this county when nine years of age. He was a miller by occupation, and was engaged at that business ten years at Snydertown. In 1822 he purchased a farm of one hundred fifty acres of land in Shamokin township, where he remained until 1836, when he pun-

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chased the mill property and a farm of one hundred acres where our subject now resides. His family consisted of five children: Catharine, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Daniel; Harriet, widow of David Reeser, of Shamokin, and Julia Ann, deceased. The subject of our sketch learned the milling trade and succeeded to the business of his father, and is also extensively en- gaged in farming. He was married in 1849 to Sarah, daughter of John Duttinger, of Shamokin township, and they are the parents of seven children: Mary J., wife of Joseph Buddinger, of Mt. Camel; William F., who is engaged in business with his father; Julia A., wife of William H. Mettler, of Rush township; Christian; John W .; Daniel W., and Adam E. In politics Mr. Krigbaum is a Republican, and has always manifested a lively interest in the success of his party, but never sought public office of any kind, and never served in any office of public trust excepting that of postmaster, which posi- tion he filled nine years at Bear Gap. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, and is one of the respected citizens of the township.

SOLOMON R. KRICK, son of George and Mary Krick, was born in Cumru township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1772, and in 1809 settled on the land in Ralpho township, Northumberland county, now owned by his grandson, John Krick. He was thrice married; his first wife was Elizabeth Homan, by whom he had three sons: George; Peter, and David, all of whom are dead. His second wife was Elizabeth Geist, by whom he had one son, Solomon. His third wife was Elizabeth Wearing. Mr. Krick was a man of some local prominence and great force of character, and served in several township offices. In politics he was originally a Whig, and in later years a Democrat. In religion he was a member of the German Reformed denomi- nation, and an elder and deacon in Jacob's church many years. His death occurred, September 27, 1849, and he was buried in the old grave-yard at St. Peter's church. He was a veteran of the war of 1812.

GEORGE KRICK, eldest son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Homan) Krick, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1804. He was reared upon the homestead in what is now Ralpho township, and attended the rude log school house of that period. He learned the trade of weaver, and lived for a time in Rush township and at Snydertown. For several years he was employed upon the construction of the Northern Central railway. After his marriage he cultivated the Hoover farm, and in March, 1849, returned to the homestead, which he inherited at his father's death in the same year. He was an ardent Democrat, and filled the office of school director and other township positions. He was a consistent member of the German Reformed church, and an elder and deacon of Jacob's church for many years. He married Anna Hoover, who bore him a family of six children: Mary E., wife of Robert R. Teitsworth; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. J. J. John, of Shamokin; John; William, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania; Maggie, wife of Rev. Jacob F. Wampole, of Freeburg, Pennsylvania, and Annie. Mr. Krick died, Oc-

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tober 15, 1888, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, leaving an untarnished reputation for honesty and truth. His wife died, June 20, 1883.

JOHN KRICK, farmer, is the eldest son of George and Anna (Hoover) Krick, and was born, August 14, 1834, upon the homestead where he now resides. He was educated in the public schools, and has always been engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Krick was married, December 28, 1863, to Margaret Ellen, dangh- ter of Daniel Swank, of Ralpho township, by which union they have five children: Emma, wife of W. C. Kase, of Montour county; Mary C .; George D .; Charles F., and Lizzie E. Mr. Krick is one of the members of the town- ship school board, and in religious faith a Lutheran, in which church he has served as elder and deacon. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and is one of the worthy citizens of his native township.

THE FISHER FAMILY of Northumberland county are descended from Joseph and Catharine (Minegar) Fisher, natives of Germany, born in April, 1734, and August, 1746, respectively, and married, June 5, 1764. They were the parents of the following children: Catharine, who married Nicholas Shipman; Henry; Mary, who married Samuel Mutchler; Hannah, who be- came the wife of Caleb Farlee; Elizabeth; John; Moses; David; Jacob, and Joseph. It is claimed that the parents settled near the site of Catawissa, in what is now Columbia county, Pennsylvania, some time in the last century, but prior to that they evidently lived in Bradford county, where their oldest son, Henry, was born, July 25, 1767. The latter resided in Columbia county, whence he removed into this county. He was the father of eight children: Jacob; John; Caleb; Clotworthy; Joseph; Sarah; Elizabeth, and Catharine. He located upon the land now owned by Peter Leisenring, where he built a grist mill and tavern, which he operated many years. He also owned about eighteen acres of land adjacent to the mill and hotel property. His death occurred about 1825, after which all his family, except his son John, left Northumberland county.

JOHN FISHER was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1800, son of Henry Fisher. He was a miller by trade, and after the old mill property passed into the hands of the Leisenring family, he was engaged as miller for them until 1851. He then purchased the Sober mill, now known as Reed's mill, on Shamokin creek, which he operated until 1873 in connec- tion with his farm of eighty acres, when he purchased two farms in Ralpho township. His son, Albert S., now resides upon one, and his daughter, Mrs. Charles Paul, possesses the other. He married Hannah, daughter of Nich- olas Yocum. His death occurred, September 17, 1881, his widow surviving him until August 11, 1889. Politically he was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist church. They were the parents of fourteen children, two of whom died in infancy: Clotworthy, of Snyder county; Sarah, wife of Joseph Sanders; Nicholas Y., of Indiana; Esther, widow of Charles Martz, of Shamokin; Charles, of Columbia county; Jacob F., deceased; James B., de-

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ceased; Catharine, wife of John Mc Williams, of Missouri; Peter Y., killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, a member of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; Margaret, wife of Franklin Martz, of Columbia county; Albert S., of Ralpho township; Mary J., wife of Peter G. Bobb, of Paxinos; Harvey E., of Boston, Massachusetts, and Alice, deceased wife of Charles Paul.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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