History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 59

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LODGES AND SOCIETIES.

Carroll Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F. was organized August 14th, 1845. The first officers were: Henry Say- lor, N. G .; Charles Huntzinger, V. G., Mark Melton, S .; S. R. Dickson, A. S .; John J. Kœhler, T.

The lodge met at several places till the erection of the school-house on High street. Its meetings were then held in the upper story of this house, then in Washing- ton Hall, and afterwards in Metamora Hall, the present place of meeting. The lodge has accumulated a fund of $1,300. The present number of members is 47. The present officers are: W. R. Leader, N. G .; Joseph Ma- berry, V. G .; C. V. B. Deibert, S .; John Byerly, Asst. S., and Pliny Porter, T. The trustees are Henry Boyer, Jacob S. Schaubacher and D. S. Byerly.

Metamora Council, No. 66, O. U. A. M. was instituted in 1847, with 71 charter members. The first officers were: Franklin Feger, C .; William Anman, V. C .; Jacob Miller, R. S .; Philip Kauffman, A. R. S .; Charles Coburn, F. S .; John Rader, F .; Joseph M. Feger, In .; Joseph Frecht, Ex .; William Kercher, I. P .; N. Klechner, O. P.

The first place of meeting was Temperance Hall, on Main street, now Haurigan Hall. Then meetings were held in the school- house on High street, and since 1870 in Metamora Hall, which was built and is now owned by this council. This hall, which stands on Main street, is a brick building, 70 by 32, three stories in height. The first story is fitted up and used as a store. The second is a public hall, and the third is the place of meeting of this and other societies. It was built for the council by Sterner Brothers. Its cost was $13.720.

This council is incorporated. The career of the coun- cil has been one of uniform prosperity. Its present mem- bership is 95. The present officers are: E. M. Moyer, C .; Enoch Binckley, V. C .; W. F. Stitzer, R. S .; Jeremiah Laudenbacher, A. R. S .; Emanuel Maberry, F. S .; Pliny Porter, T .; W. R. Leader, In .; W. H. H. Mayer, Ex .; Englebert Geiger, I. P .; D. S. Fisher, O. P. The trus- tees are J. H. Sterner, W. R. Leader and Joseph Ma- berry.

Theodore Koener Lodge, No. 41, D. O. H. was institu- ted February 26th, 1853. The charter members were: August Hammer, past president; John Goos, president; William Geiger, vice-president; Nicholas Baumann, treas- urer; Heinrich Ulmer, secretary; and John Betz.

During two years the lodge met in a hall at Spring Garden. It then purchased from the Sons of Temper- ance their hall on Main street, which was rechristened Haurigari Hall. It has a value of about $2,000. In addition to this real estate, the lodge has a fund of about $1,000.

The present officers are: Isaac Miller, past president; John Yost, president; Nicholas Goos, vice-president; E. B. Reed, treasurer; John Schumaker, secretary. The trustees are Nicholas Goos, John Jost, and John Goos. The present membership is 48.

Page Lolge, No. 270, Free and Accepted Masons was constituted and instituted June 7th, 1853, all the charter members being former members of No. 138, Orwigsburg, the oldest lodge in the county. The first officers of the lodge were; W. M., Charles Saylor; S. W., John C. Stan- ton; J. W., David H. Baker; secretary, S. R. Dickson; treasurer, Henry Hesser. Of the old charter members none remain but Henry Hesser, John L. Coho, and Ken- nedy Robinson, M. D. From this lodge Cressona Lodge No. 426 was formed. The present officers of Page lodge are: W. M., Jeremiah Kline; S. W., Charles B. Palsgrave: J. W., Hugh R. Wilson; secretary, James K. Helms; treasurer, Jeremiah Sterner.

The past masters have been as follows: Henry Hesser, William A. Field, John B. Keefer, Dr. O. L. Saylor, James K. Helms, Peter D. Helms, Henry J. Saylor, F. D. Sterner, Albert Robinson, Charles Laudenbacher, Henry C. Voute, Edwin Robinson and William B. Rudy.

256

HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

Washington Camp, No. 47, Patriotic Order of Sons of Reibseman, R. S .; Daniel Deibert, A. R. S ; Frank Meck, America was organized October 17th, 1857, with Charles F. S .; Charles K. Bowen, F .; and Robert Sterner, D. S. Barr and Frank Reed, trustees. P. and Alfred M. Saylor, Sylvester Kantner, Ulysess A. Bast, John W. Coho, Theodore W. Saylor, Robert Roan, As will be seen from the number of this council the order is of comparatively recent origin, but it has had a very prosperous career. Edwin Robinson, John G. Dengler, J. Albert Saylor, John G. Kaufman and George P. Koons as charter mem- bers. Messrs. Kantner and Robinson are yet in good The present officers of this council are: E. L. Deitzer, C .; Fank Kantner, V. C .; G. I. Worts, R. S .; J. E. Raber and George D. Maus, trustees; George I. Wurts, W. R. Leader, S. J. Deibert and John P. Schwarts have been deputy State councillors. standing in the order. On the 7th of May, 1858, James K. Helms, now past national, and past State president of the order, was received into 47, and he has continued an active member of the camp ever since. To him is principally due the existence of the camp to-day, and he Mountain Lodge, No. 84, K. of P. was instituted June TIth, 1868. Its officers were: F. W. Snyder, P .; Charles J. Christian, C. C .; C. V. B. Deibert, V. C .; John M. Frehafer, K. of R. & S .; Lewis L. Huntzinger, M. of E .; Robert Sterner, M. of F .; Charles B. Palsgrave, M. at A. is known throughout the order as "the war-horse." The order is purely patriotic, and in connection therewith has a beneficial feature. On the 29th of April, 1861, Camp 47 suspended for an indefinite period, to enable its members to volunteer in defense of their flag. Every It met first in the third story of the school-house, and afterward in Metamora Hall, it present place of meeting. The lodge has assets to the amount of $2,200. The present membership is 108. member on the rolls of the camp volunteered, and on the 28th of December, 1865, the first meeting was held after the suspension. During this time the property of the camp was held by one of the members, W. Theodore The officers are: John L. Baltze, P. C .; Albert W. Schwartz, C. C .; Edward Boyer, V. C .; B. F. Gehrig, P .; William F. Stitzer, M. of F .; Pliny Porter, M. of E .; C. V. B. Deibert, K. of R. & S .; Harrison Moyer, M. at A. Stitzer, and the old treasurer, S. H. Kantner, held the money, which he promptly paid over after a lapse of over four years. Camp 47 now numbers 115 members, and has a well furnished room and over $4,000 in its treas- ury. The principal officers are: President, A. W. Felix; The trustees are George W. Raber, Harrison Moyer and Benjamin Kline. vice-president, Dr. I. D. Wiltrout; M. of F. and C., George F. Dengler; secretary, M. F. Pflueger; treasurer, Robert Jones.

Jere. Helms Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Re- public was organized on the 8th of February, 1867, and is now one of the oldest posts in the department of Penn- sylvania. The charter members were the following old soldiers: Captains Charles E. Brown, James K. Helms and Daniel F. Burkert; Lieutenants S. A. Losch, John Mur- phy and A. P. Parrett; George Schwenk, S. C. Stouch, James M. Saylor, Henry Hill, John B. Martz and Amos Homan. The first commander was Captain Helms, and the principal officers of the post now are: Commander, Jeremiah F. Bast; S. V. C., J. S. Deibert; J. V. C., A. P. Garrett; adjutant, James K. Helms; quartermaster, E. W. Frehafer; surgeon, Dr. O. P. Piper; chaplain, Rev. L. B. Beckler. This post was named after the drummer boy of Company C, 50 Pennsylvania volunteers, who was fatally wounded at Antietam, Md., September 17th, 1862, he volunteering to take a musket in the ranks. The post has expended over $2,000 for charity since its foundation, and has bought a large soldiers' lot in the main cemetery of the borough, and surrounded it with a neat iron railing at a cost of $640. It has sent over fifty soldiers to the home at Dayton, Ohio, from the county almshouse, and at present numbers one hundred and sixteen members.

Webster Council, No. 23, J. O. U. A. M. was organized November 16th, 1867, with 27 charter members. It has now (August, 1880) roo members. The first officers were: Jacob S. Genguich, C .; George I.Wurts, V.C .; George W. ton are the present trustees.

The Workmen's Saving Fund and Building Association of Schuylkill Haven was organized January 8th, 1873, with the following officers: Dr. B. F. Shannon, president; William Gensemere, vice-president; James K. Helms, secretary; William B. Rudy, treasurer; C. N. Brumm, solicitor. Six series of shares have been issued, and 300 | of these shares remain standing; $130,000 have been re- ceived and paid out by this association. The present officers are: D. H. Stager, president; George S. Melot, vice-president; M. F. Pflueger, secretary; William B. Rudy, treasurer.

Schuylkill Haven Castle, No. 66, A. O. Knights of the Mystic Chain was instituted in 1873, with 50 charter members. The first officers were: Jonathan Billig, chap- lain; Jeremiah F. Bast, S. K. C .; Daniel Kromis, S. K. V. C .; William Rittenhouse, S. K. F. L .; E. W. Frehafer, R. S .; George Hoofmeister, A. R. S .; George J. Jones, F. S .; and Isaac Berger, T.

The first place of meeting was Metamora Hall. The castle now holds its meetings at Haurigari Hall each Thursday evening.

The present number of members is 60. The present officers are: William Rittenhouse, chaplain; George A. Shaefer, S. K. C .; Isaac Paxton, S. K. V. C .; Christian Spindler, S. K. F. L .; James B. Doherty, R. S .; John F. Lader, A. R. S .; Milton F. Pflueger, F. S .; Jeremiah F. Bast, T.

Milton F. Pflueger, George A. Shaefer, and Isaac Pax-

B. J. Sharinar

257

DRS. S. H. AND B. F. SHANNON.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

SAMUEL H. SHANNON, M. D.

Dr. Samuel H. Shannon, who died at Schuylkill Haven, January 17th, 1879, was born at Shannonville, Montgomery county, Pa., April 27th, 1814, of ancestry on both sides identified with the early history of the county. His father, Robert Shannon, a farmer and merchant of that place and a thoroughgoing business man, was a grandson of Robert Shannon, one of the five commissioners appointed by the State authorities to fix upon a site for the seat of justice and organize the county of Montgomery, in 1784. Their judicious selection and the handsome borough which has grown from it are an enduring memorial of the family, which in all its genera- tions has been one of the most respectable. Robert Shannon, the father of our subject, died in 1844, at the age of 59, honored and respected. The mother of Samuel H., Elizabeth Porter, was from Revolutionary stock, her father being a brother of General Andrew Porter. Mrs. Shannon was a most estimable woman, possessing strong traits of character. She died in 1865, at the advanced age of 80.

Samuel H. Shannon in early life in common with his elder brother Charles P., who with his sister Mary L. still resides in the ancient family homestead served a useful apprenticeship on his father's farm at the rugged work so necessary to the development of a healthful and manly physique. After obtaining the education availa- ble in the best schools of the locality and a limited train- ing under private instructors he entered Jefferson Medi- cal College, graduating with honor in 1836. The same year he located at Schuylkill Haven. As remarked by one of the county papers in a notice of his death, " Dr. Shannon never occupied any important public position, as he cared nothing for political honors. In 1856, dur- ing the Congressional campaign, he was offered the Democratic nomination. but peremptorily declined it." He loved his profession, and he had a warm, tender, generous sympathy for the afflicted in every condition of life, while his medical skill was always recognized. It is thought his valuable life was shortened by devotion to the duties of his profession and by turning out in inclem- ent weather to treat a critical case several miles away from his office, at a time when he himself rather needed a doctor's care. Dr. Shannon was one of the most modest, genial and unassuming of men, and, although wealthy, was no respecter of the distinctions that money mere confers, believ- ing that "a man's a man for a'

that." He was affable and courteous to all and made friends wher- ever he went. His hospitable mansion was always the home of the non-resident visiting ministers of his church. His contributions to religious and benevolent purposes were unostentatious and much more liberal than his in- timate friends imagined. His many benefactions to the poor were known only to them and to "the Father who seeth in secret." He was physician at the county alms-

house for several years, when he resigned in favor of his brother, Dr. B. F. Shannon. He was also for many years a valued director of the Miners' National Bank. He was the owner of several farms, the management of which, with other real estate and his financial operations, to- gether with his numerous professional calls, kept him, as he delighted to be, always busy. While advancing in years he did not feel old-his firm, elastic step and clear, unclouded mind betokening a much younger man-until a few short months before his death.

Early in his professional life he married Esther Man- non, a most devoted helpmeet to her husband. With her family she now occupies the comfortable home he pro- jected, the site having been selected and the title secured some time before his death. The fruit of this union was four daughters: Jane E., who died in infancy; Mary K., Elizabeth T. and Harriet E .; who seem to have largely inherited their father's capacity for business, having man- aged their large estates with rare tact and judgment. :

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SHANNON, M. D.

Dr. B. F. Shannon was born in Shannonville, Mont- gomery county, Pa., February 9th, 1829, and was the youngest in a family of nine children of Robert and Elizabeth Porter' Shannon. His great-grandfather emi- grated from Ireland with his family and settled in Penn- sylvania, giving name to the town in Montgomery county where he settled. The old homestead has been held in the family for four generations and is now (1881) owned and occupied by Charles P. Shannon, the eldest child of the family. The doctor's father was one of the most ex- tensive farmers in that portion of the State. Both father and mother died and are buried in Shannonville.

Dr. Shannon passed his boyhood at home, receiving his primary education in the district school of his native town. At the age of twelve he entered the Westchester Academy, in Chester county, where he remained four years. He then entered the Pennsylvania College at Philadelphia, where he took a four years' course in medicine, receiving his diploma from that institution April 7th, 1849.

Immediately after his graduation he located at Schuyl- kill Haven, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. From the first he took high rank as a prac- titioner, and built up a reputation as a successful physi- cian and surgeon second to none in that locality. He responded to all calls, serving the rich and poor alike. In his death the latter class lost a friend indeed. For more than twenty years he was the attending physician at the alms-house hospital of Schuylkill county, and its inmates always found him not only a good physician but a sympathizing friend. He was steadfastly devoted to his profession and was an indefatigable worker. His territory extended over an area of miles through the farming districts. In spring and fall he was accustomed to travel for many miles on horseback, often riding thirty or forty miles a day for weeks at a time. This profes- sional life at all seasons, in sunshine and storm, day and

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

night, with loss of sleep, irregular meals and annoyances known only to the faculty, will certainly make inroads on the health of the most robust. The first decided effect upon the health of Dr. Shannon, who possessed a remark - able physique, became evident in the spring of 1876, and from this time forward his health varied, never recovering sufficiently to answer fully the demands made for his pro- fessional services. Each successive attack was more se- vere, while the recuperation was more protracted. His disease was one of the neuroses-congestion of the medulla, followed by gradual tissue change, until the scene of suffering was closed in death on the 8th day of August, 1878.

Dr. Shannon was married twice. His first wife was Sally, daughter of Mark and Sarah Reed. She died in 1853. October 3d, 1867, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Gideon and Mary Bast, who was born in Minersville, September 10th, 1833, and who survives him.

The doctor was a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society. He was a member of the German Re- formed church of Schuylkill Haven, ard to the substan- tial aid rendered by him is very largely due the handsome edifice belonging to that society. In politics he was identified with the Democratic party. He was a great reader, and after devoting the entire day to his patients would often carry his reading far into the night. His reading not only embraced the latest medical works, but took in a wide range of subjects. In society he was agreeable and entertaining; and, indeed, in all the relations of life it may be truly said of him he filled well his part.

O. P. PIPER, M. D.

Oliver Perry Piper, M. D., was born near Milton, Northumberland county, April 18th, 1848, and about 1875 came to Schuylkill Haven, where he has since been

recognized as one of the leading physicians. He married Annie Eskleman, of Ashland. Dr. Piper holds a diploma from Pinceton College, N. J., dated in 1868, and he is also a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- phia, of the class of 1872. He is a grandson of Dr. T. Piper, who commenced the practice of medicine in Potts- ville about the year 1810, and who also served in the war of 1812.

GIDEON BAST.

Gideon Bast was for many years one of the most prom- inent merchants and coal operators in the county. He was born in Berks county, Pa., April Ist, 1801. His father was John Bast. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Pender. The latter died when he was very young, the former when he was about twelve years old, leaving quite a property, which was lost by unfortunate management be- fore Gideon was old enough to legally claim his share. He passed the years of his boyhood in hard work on the farm, and enjoyed only the most meager educational ad- vantages. When he was not more than fifteen his natural bent for trade developed itself so strongly that he embarked in mercantile life as a peddler, carrying his stock in trade in a pack on his shoulder over the hills and through the valleys of Berks and Schuylkill counties. He was affable, energetic and honest; consequently he was successful. In time he traveled by wagon, extend- ed his operations over a larger territory, carried a more extensive line of goods, and reaped greater pecuniary re- wards for his enterprise. Having accumulated some lit- tle capital, at the age of twenty-five he opened a general store at Hartford, Berks county, having his brother-in- law, Samuel Heilner, as a partner. Here they traded about eight years, at the expiration of which time they removed to Minersville, Schuylkill county, where they engaged in trade, and became well known as coal opera- tors. In 1835 Messrs. Bast and Heilner dissolved part- nership, and Mr. Bast removed to Schuylkill Haven, where he opened a store in a building now (1881) occu- pied by George Kauffman; at the same time engaging in mining operations at Wolf Creek, in partnership with Lewis Audenreid, and at Ashland with Davis Pierson. He disposed of his coal interests about 1838, and ceased to trade in 1845, or thereabouts. The elegant homestead of the Bast family, a view of which appears on another page, was erected in 1845, and has been occupied by them since, most of the children having been reared under its ample roof. Mr. Bast was married August 5th, 1833, to Mary Moyer, of Berks county, who survives him and has borne him ten children, four of whom are living. Of these, two sons, Emanuel and George Bast, are well known. The former is largely interested in gold mines in Georgia; the latter has been identified with various anthracite interests. Mrs. Bast's parents were Samuel and Lizzie (Yerder) Moyer, formally from Lancaster county, Pa. Emanuel Bast, as his father's successor, was for some years a merchant at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Bast was a self-made man, and his success was a remark- able example of what may be achieved from small begin- nings by the exercise of energy, perseverance, good judgment and honesty. He was a Christian gentleman, and it was largely through his liberality that Jerusalem church, near his residence, was built in 1878, to replace an old structure which long stood on the same ground. He died March 10th, 188c, deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends and social and business acquaitances. He was noted for his affability and hospitality, and his house was ever a home in the truest sense of the word.

G. Bust

"OLD HOMESTEAD" RES.,OF MRS, GIDEON BAST, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

260

HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

G. W. WEISS.

George W. Weiss, who has been for four years principal of the Schuylkill Haven High School, and also borough superintendent of schools, and is now county superin- tendent, has been for eleven years a resident of Schuyl- kill county, but is a native of Milford township, Bucks, county, Pa., where he was born January 25th, 1844. Professor Weiss may justly claim to be a "self-made man." He lost his father when he was sixteen years old. He worked on the farm and in a mill and taught during the winter months, beginning to teach when only seventeen years of age. He attended Freeland Seminary twenty weeks in 1865, and in the autumn of 1866 entered the State normal school at Millersville, Pa. Here he grad- uated in July, 1870, receiving a diploma. At both these institutions he paid his own expenses. Immediately after graduating he was offered the principalship of Port Car- bon schools, which position he filled acceptably for seven years. He then resigned and accepted a similar but more remunerative position at Schuylkill Haven, which he held for four years. Since 1870 he has been giving instruction during the suminer seasons in six local normal schools, which were largely attended by teachers of the county. Before coming to Schuylkill county Mr. Weiss taught seven years in ungraded schools in Berks county, and a year at the soldiers' orphan school at Quakertown,

in that county. Thus he has had twenty years' experience in teaching. He became for the first time a candidate for the county superintendency of schools in the spring. of 1881, when, at the election held May 3d, he was elect- ed by a majority of 58 over Jesse Newlin, then holding. the office. His official term began in June following. He has also been chairman of the committee on perma- nent certificates for eight years.

Professor Weiss married Miss Harriet IIenderson, of Port Carbon.

CHARLES A. MECK.

Charles A. Meck, an enterprising merchant, real estate owner and lumberman of Schuylkill Haven, was born in Heidelberg, Berks county, Pa., June 16th, 1831. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ruth) Meck, and were well-to-do farmers. Up to the age of fifteen Mr. Meck remained at home, working on the farm and enjoy- ing unimportant advantages for the acquisition of an education. Then he embarked upon a long and success- ful mercantile career, as an assistant in the store of Mr. J. B. Myers, in Bethel township, Berks county. A year later he entered the service of Mr. Peter B. Lutz, of Fryerstown, Berks county, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to Schuylkill Haven, and engaged as a salesman in the store of B. F. Kitner. A year later he was admitted to a partnership in the business, which be- came entirely his by purchase in 1860. In 1862 he re- moved to his present location, where he has since con- ducted a large and very successful business. He has also speculated in timber land and farms very extensively. At present (1881) his real estate includes twenty-eight different tracts of timber and farm lands. Dealing ex- tensively in such commodities as found a ready market from time to time, from the demand existing for them in the various improvements of the section, he has handled large quantities of tan-bark, railroad ties and similar mer- chandise. The lumber firm of C. A. Meck & Co., of which he is the leading partner, is composed of Charles A. Meck, Millard F. Nagle and Edward B. Peal, and is largely interested in manufacturing lumber, having had two saw-mills in operation for several years past.

All of the credit which is due one who, from boyhood, fights unaided the battle of life and wins the victory, is directly attributable to Mr. Meck. With one steady pur- pose in view, he has pushed forward unintermittingly and unfalteringly, and, aided by honesty, perseverance, a clear head and friendly ways, has been so successful as to stand in the front rank of the self-made men of the Schuylkill coal region, where fortunes have been made as quickly and ventured and lost as recklessly by un- thinking men as in any part of the world. From prin- ciple Mr. Meck is a Republican, but never has sought or accepted official preferment. He was married December 12th, 1852, to Priscilla Hartman, of Bethel, Berks county, Pa. They have had seven children-four sons and three daughters-six of whom are living.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell Number of Pages: 604

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604