USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 10
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he lived in Rhode Island, he has known no other occupation or home for a period of thirty-four years. Mr. Carr is a zealous worker for the success of the Democratic party, and as the can- didate of that party was elected borough councilman in the carly 90's, but resigned soon after taking his seat. He is a resident of the Fifth ward of Ashland, and has lived in that bailiwick since 1884. In 1906 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the state legislature, but was defeated in the election. He is a devout communicant of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and fra- ternally is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Carr's father was supervisor of Ashland at the time of his death, in 1896, and was succeeded in office by his son, William A., who died six weeks after taking office.
Casale, Thomas, a prosperous fruit dealer of Pottsville and one of the most intelligent Italians of the city, was born in. Torriglia, Italy, on May 1, 1863, a son of Charles and Santina (Costa) Casale. The father, who was a veterinary surgeon, is now living in retirement in his native country, where the mother died on April 26, 1905. Of the nine children in the family four, includ- ing the subject of this sketch, have come to the United States to make their homes. They are David, Isadore, Thomas and Mary, the third, fifth, seventh and ninth in order of birth. Those who remained to work out their destinies under the sunny skies of Italy are Louis, John, Catherina, Louisa and Peter. Thomas came to the United States when he was twenty-four years of age, and located in New York. He had learned the trade of baker in his native land and with his brother David he embarked in the bakery business at 39 Baxter street, New York. For ten years the enterprise furnished them a profitable means of livelihood. When the partnership was dissolved David moved to West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa., where he engaged in the fruit busi- ness. Thomas came to Pottsville and opened his present store in 1896, and since that time has most successfully continued in busi- ness. He is a leader among the people of his race in the county, and his ideas are progressive and wholesome. In 1901 he received an appointment as notary public and he does all the work in that line for the Italian people of Pottsville. He is also the agent for one of the large steamship companies, and gives the corporation considerable business. Mr. Casale was married in his native country, before coming to America, to Louisa Gattavora, who died shortly afterward, leaving him a son, now also dead. In 1890, in New York, he was again united in marriage, this time to Mada- lena Garbarino, who has borne him six children, three of whom- Charles, Peter and Theresa-are now living. The family are all communicants of the Italian Roman Catholic church of Pottsville. Mr. Casale is a Republican in his political beliefs, but never aspired to office. Fraternally he is associated with an Italian order known as Brotherly Love. He has always been an aid to the officers charged with keeping the peace, and has thereby won the enmity of a lawless class among his own people. Early in the
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winter of my, as he was returning home from his store at a rather late hour, he was set upon by a gang of four ruffians, who sought to avenge a danced wrong by stabbing him. The affair some very near to being fatal to Mr. Casale, but after six months in the hospital and an expenditure of nearly Stood he was enabled to return to work, although very much broken in health. The assault elicited the sympathy and indignation of the law-abiding people of the city and aroused them to action, with the result of suppressing in large measure the illegal practices of a dissatisfied
Cassimatis, Nicholas Emanuel,-In the ages long past the in- habitants of Greece were regarded as representing the acme of human intelligence. They were intellectual far beyond their asso- ciates in the Roman empire, and succeeded in dividing the Church of Rome on questions of orthodoxy. They have maintained their position from the second century of the Christian era to the present time. The Greek church is the second in power and importance in the world, unless the protestant churches be considered as one, in which case the Greek church would be the third in numerical strength. Athens has been the seat of learning from time im- memorial, and has many colleges and institutions of higher learn- ing at the present day, hence the Greeks who immigrate to the New World, comparatively few in number, come from a land of progres- sion and are generally highly educated in their native language. The subject of this article was born on the island of Cythera, at the southern extremity of Greece, July 11, 1873. He received a thorough education in the schools of his native land, and spent three years in the army, in the Red Cross service. During this service he was assistant to the chief surgeon. in the hospital at Zanion, his principal being Professor S. Condoleon, in charge of the public hospital. This service covered a portion of the period of war between Greece and Turkey. Completing his service in the army, he passed a very creditable examination in surgery, based upon his extensive experience in treating all kinds of wounds. broken bones and serious injuries. He is a member of the Red Cross society at present. He spent five years in travel in Euro- pean and Asiatic countries, and came to America via Italy, Spain and France, arriving at Pittsburg, Pa., July 24. 1901. There he was employed in Emergency hospital for three years, and he then decided to change his line of business. After visiting several cities in the middle West and the South, Mr. Cassimatis returned to Pittsburg and opened a coffee house and restaurant at No. 115 Fourth avenne. This investment proved unprofitable by reason of labor troubles which soon followed in the locality, and the busi- ness was discontined after eight months. He came to Pottsville Ang. 1. 1905. as an employe of the Eastern Steel Company, hay- ing the position of foreman in one of the departments. But he desired to engage in business on his own account, and accepted the first opportunity of doing so. On East Norwegian street he purchased a small business stand which gives employment to
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three or four men in polishing shoes, cleaning and shaping hats, etc.,-a business which has yielded a greater per cent. of profit for the money invested than any other enterprise in the town. The "shining parlor" is fitted up with handsome upholstered seats and electric lights, is heated with steam and rendered a comfortable rendezvous for his many customers. In April, 1907, he leased the four-story building at 14 North Center street, one of the finest locations in the city, the building being 150 feet deep, and here he conducts a first-class barber shop and cigar store, a branch of his shoe-shining parlor and a shower and Turkish-bath house. The various departments are modern in equipment, being up to date in every detail, and the whole is known as the Olympia shaving parlors. Nicholas E. Cassimatis has held his citizenship papers since January, 1907, is an American in spirit, and bids fair to be- come a useful and valued citizen of his adopted country. He is well informed as to the history and traditions of the country whose scholars and philosophers of ancient times have done so much for the literature of the world. He is a representative of a prominent and well-to-do family, being a son of Emanuel and Anita Cassi- matis, both natives of Cythera, where the former was born in 1844 and the latter in 1854 and where they both still reside, being the owners of a fine estate. He has three brothers living in Amer- ica. They are Theodore, a machinist in San Francisco, Cal., and Peter and Andreas of Pottsville. The last named came to this county in the autumn of 1906, having then finished a course in college at Athens. John, who was a blacksmith, died of typhoid fever on Nov. 20, 1906, aged twenty-six years. He was unmarried. One sister remains in her native country. She is married, and has three children. Cythera, the birthplace of Mr. Cassimatis, is one of the group of Ionian islands in the extreme southern extremity of Greece. These seven islands were formerly English territory, and at the deposition of King Arthur, and the installation of King George by the English sovereign, the territory was transferred to Greece by Queen Victoria. This section of the country is noted for its wines and for the culture of olives, oranges and lemons.
Cather, William A., owner and manager of the Franklin Iron works of Port Carbon, was born in St. Clair, in 1863. He is one of the six children of John and Jane (Allison) Cather, the others being John H., Harry I., Jennie, May and Louise (Mrs. Hesse). The family moved to Shenandoah when William A. was about three years of age and there he attended the public schools until he was sixteen years old. When he had completed all the courses afforded by the common schools he went to Bloomsburg where he entered the normal school, in which he was graduated with the class of 1879. For the seven years following he was engaged in pedagogic work, the last year attending La Fayette college at the same time. In the fall of 1886 he embarked in the stationery busi- ness. The following year he and his brother John succeeded their father in the ownership and management of the iron works in Shenandoah, and in 1889 the stress of the latter occupation took
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so much time that he disposed of the stationery trade. That same year the brothers removed their business to Bluefield. West Va .. and three years later the subject of this sketch acquired by pur- chase the controlling interest in the concern. On det. 1. 1901, he came to Port Carbon and purchased of Robert Allison the Franklin Iron works, and since that time he has made Port Carbon his home and his active business the management of the works. In 1002 he disposed of his Bluefield interests so that he could devote his whole time to the management of the extensive plant, and that he has made a success of it is evident from the increase in busi- news from year to year. In politics he is a Republican and while a resident of Bluefield he served a term as city recorder. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Bluefield Lodge, No. 85, of the Free and Accepted Masons: Camp No. 112 of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, of Shenandoah, and the Pottsville Council. No. 005. Royal Arcanum. In a religious way he is a member and at the present time treasurer of the Presbyterian church of Potts- ville, and is a director of the Pottsville Young Men's Christian Association. In 188, Mr. Cather married Miss Kate I. Scheifly of Shenandoah, a daughter of John Scheifly. Three children blessed this union, of whom but one, a son. William .A., Jr .. sur- rives. Although a comparatively recent acquisition to the social and commercial life of Pottsville, Mr. Cather, by his inherent gentility, keen business sagacity and sterling integrity, has become a large part of it.
Christ, George M., a successful contractor and builder of .Ash- land. was born in that borough on Dec. 28, 1873. a son of Isaac and Harriet (Hepler) Christ. The Christ family is of Revolu- tionary stock, the great-great-greadfather having served in the Revolutionary war with the rank of captain in the Continental army. The grandparents. Emanuel and Judith (Yoder) Christ, were the first members of the family to settle in Schuylkill county. They located at Ashland in the early 50's and here the grandfather engaged in carpentering. They came from Berks county. The maternal grandfather. Jacob Hepler, was a native of Eldred town- ship and was a minister of the Church of God. Isaac Christ was born in Eldred township in 1852 and remained in that township until he was eighteen years of age. In 1870 he located in AAshland and found employment as a carpenter. Subsequently he engaged in contracting and building and became the pioneer breaker builder of the section. He is an inventor of some note, the contrivance which has brought him the most fame being the "Christ jig." which is used in jigging anthracite coal, iron, gold and silver ore, or any other material with a different specific gravity from the materials about it. The jig was first put on the market in 1889 and is now in general use all over the United States and Europe. Another of his inventions is the Christ patent rivetless chain, an all-steel chain which does away with the objectionable features of a riveted chain designed for heavy work. In 1889 Isaac Christ re- moved to Tamaqua and established the Tamaqua Manufacturing
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company for the making of the Christ jig, coal and iron-ore separators and the Christ rivetless chain. He is the father of eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth. The others are William H .; Charles E .; Lizzie, wife of William Major; Hattie, wife of Albert Johnson; Kate; Ervin ; Lillie ; Robert and Allen, twins; and Clarence. George M. Christ was brought up in Ashland until he was thirteen years of age and then removed to Lansford, Carbon county, with his parents. After six years in Carbon county the family returned to this county, settling in Tamaqua. Mr. Christ attended the public schools of the countics in which his boyhood was spent and com- pleted his scholastic training with a course at the Keystone state normal school at Kutztown. He started an apprenticeship in the carpenters' trade at Landsford and finished it at Tamaqua. Under the instruction of his father he became an expert breaker builder and for a number of years he was a foreman in that work for his uncle, H. K. Christ. He was engaged in the coal business at Tamaqua from 1898 to 1903, as a member of the firm of Christ & Boyle, identified with what are known as the High mines. In 1903 he returned to Ashland and since 1904 has been conducting a busi- ness of his own. He has met with a success far exceeding his most sanguine expectations and does as large a business as any one in the county. At the time of this writing he is constructing three breakers. On Dec. 27, 1894, Mr. Christ married Miss Jennie Morgan, a native of Wales, and a daughter of David and Mary (Reese) Morgan of Lansford. Five children have blessed this union- Isaac, David, Mary, George and Clifford. Mr. Christ is a member of the Evangelical church and in his political relations is a Demo- crat. He has always taken an active interest in the success of his party and has seven different times represented his residence dis- trict at county conventions. Fraternally Mr. Christ is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is known through- out the community as a skilled and capable workman, a man of absolute integrity and a wholesome, genial citizen.
Christ, Isaac S., a representative of one of the pioneer families of Schuylkill county and a prominent business man of Tamaqua, was born in Eldred township, Feb. 4, 1852. He is a son of Emanuel Christ, who was born in the Mahantongo valley in this county, March 25, 1825. The latter's father likewise bore the name of Eman- uel and was born in Berks county, but removed to the Mahanoy valley in an early day ; he died in Mahontongo township in 1837. The founder of the family in America was the paternal great- grandfather, Jacob Christ, who located in Berks county, coming from Germany before the Revolutionary war. He owned a farm in Berks county and he sold the property during the great de- preciation of Continental currency. which, when estimated at its current value, left him almost penniless. He came into the Will- iams valley, in Schuylkill county, and, in company with other early pioneers, secured a large tract of land, extending from the present site of Pine Grove down the valley, and there he engaged in man-
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miacturing lumber and in clearing up a farm. His nearest market place was Philadelphia, which seemed very remote in these days of "blazed roads" over mountains and unbridged streams. Some- thing of the hardships, dangers and trials of this family is told in the historical volume of this work. Emanuel Christ. father of Isaac S. of this sketch, married Elizabeth Shankweiler, and they had a family of six sons and four daughters, Mrs. Christ died, and the father married for his second wife Miss Judith Klock, who bare hmm four children. This family lived at their farm home in the Mahantongo valley, the father working his land, and also follow- ing the trade of a carpenter and cabinet-maker until 1805, when they sold their farm and removed to Ashland. The father was quite active as a Democrat, and held a number of official positions at Ashland, and also in the township from which he removed. Isaac S. Christ was educated in the public schools, and when quite young began to work at the carpenter's trade, and that business has engaged his attention, mostly, through life. For many years he followed breaker-building throughout the coal regions. Hle was foreman for John Shelly for a number of years, and was master- builder for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, with his home at Lansford. In 1802, when the Tamaqua Manufacturing Com- pany was reorganized, Mr. Christ bought an interest in the com- pany. and was made its superintendent, which position he hekl until 1895, when he resigned in favor of his son Charles E., and he was then elected president of the company, which position he now holds. Mr. Christ had a number of valuable patents granted, mostly for improving the preparation of coal. His first patent was granted in the year 1875. Mr. Christ has traveled extensively in this country and abroad, successfully introducing his patents. Mr. Christ was married Ang. 20, 1871, Miss Hattie Hepler being the lady of his choice. She is a daughter of Rev. Jacob Hepler, a min- ister in the Church of God. Thirteen children have been born to this happy union, viz: William Henry, Charles E .. George Monroe, Lizzie May, Ilattie J., Katie V., Erwin J., Albert J .. Lillian Grace, Emma Jane. Robert Cleaveland and Allan Bayard, twins, and Clarence Clayton. Albert J. and Emma Jane are dead : William HI. is a minister of the gospel; George M. follows the business of his father, as general contractor and breaker-builder: Charles E. is general manager, Erwin J., machine foreman, and Robert C. an employ in the pattern department of the Tamaqua Manufacturing Company.
The Church of the Holy Family is the German Catholic church in the city of Shenandoah and its spiritual and temporal affairs are in a most excellent condition. The parish was organized about 1870 and the church building was soon afterward erected, on Chest- nut street. At that time there were to be found in the borough of Shenandoah about thirty-five Catholic families of German birth or antecedents, and these formed a part of the German parish at Mahanoy City until 1874. Fathers Buening and Maus supplied the two congregations from the organization of this church until it
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4
became a separate charge under the pastorate of Rev. Father Marus Graetzer, who remained until February, 1878. Rev. Father Deham was then installed as pastor and began a long and useful work in this field. He continued in pastoral charge of the parish until his removal to Philadelphia in 1888, in which year he was succeeded by Rev. A. Fritz, under whose charge a new rectory was built. He was changed to South Bethlehem and was succeeded by Rev. A. Schuettelhoefer in 1891. In 1879 the church edifice was re- modeled and was enlarged to accommodate the increasing member- ship. The congregation now numbers among its members many of Shenandoah's most prominent and influential business men and the parish is in a most flourishing condition. The present priest in charge is Rev. Father Francis P. Holtgreve, who succeeded Rev. Father Schuettelhoefer, the latter of whom died in 1904. The church membership comprises ninety families at the time of this writing (1907).
Clark, James P., a prominent official and active worker in the interest of united labor, was born in Ashland, his present home, on Jan. 1, 1869. He is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Cawley) Clark, the former a native of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, Pa., and the latter of Ireland, both being of Irish ancestry. The father located in Ashland in the pioneer days of the coal development, in the early 50's, and there spent the remaining years of his life in mining operations. He was prominently identified with the growth and development of the town, and was a public-spirited and useful citizen. He served two terms as a member of the borough council, and held other offices of trust and responsibility. His death oc- curred March 4, 1904. His widow still survives him. They be- came the parents of ten children, of whom James P., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest, the others being: Mary, wife of Joseph Burang : Cecilia, Katie, John F., Anna, Ella, Theresa, Mamie and Francis J. Cecelia, Ella, Theresa and Mamie are deceased. Francis J. graduated from the Dickinson school of law in June, 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After receiving the elements of a public-school education, terminating at the age of nine years, the subject of this article took his place in the coal breaker, and thus commenced at the foot of the ladder in mining operations. With the passing years he received tardy promotions, and he con- tinued to work in and about the mines until 1902, when, through his intelligence and manifest interest in the cause of the working man, he received recognition as a prospective leader in the councils of united labor. He is now a member of the executive board of the United Mine Workers of America, and is president of Local Union, No. 1517, at Ashland. By reason of his official positions, Mr. Clark has attended many meetings of the United Mine Workers of America in different cities throughout the United States. He is an active woking Republican in political affairs, and it is at this time a formidable candidate for a prominent county office. The subject of this sketch was married Sept. 26, 1905, to Miss Catherine Seibert, of Mahanoy Plane, Schuylkill county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs.
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Clark are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church Ashland. Fraternally, Mr. Clark is a member of Aerie No. 524. Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Knights of St. Joseph.
Cleary. John F., of the firm of Cleary Brothers, bottlers and dealers in hquors at Shenandoah, was born at Shaft, Schuylkill county, March 25. 1822. His parents, John and Winifred to Mal- les ) Cleary, were natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity and were married. In 1863 they came to America, first beating at Ashland, but soon afterward removing to Shaft, which place was first known as Griscomb, then as William Penn, and still later under its present name. The Cleary family were the first to settle at this place, where the father opened the first mine for a Mr. Grant, and they continued to live there until his death, in 1879. The greater part of his active life was spent as a contractor in connection with the mining industry, though in later years he was engaged in the liquor business. The mother is still living and resides in Shenandoah. They were the parents of the following children: Anthony, Mary, Bridget and Nora, born in Ireland, and P. J., James, Kate, John, Celia, Julia and Anna, born in Schuylkill county. James is associated with the subject of this sketch as a member of the firm of Cleary Brothers, and Anna is deceased. John F. Cleary grew to manhood in his native village, where he received his schooling. In 18yo he came to Shenandoah and started the business of which he and his brother are now the pro- prictors. The firm handle a complete line of wines, spirituous and malt liquors, and bottle all kinds of carbonated beverages or "soft" drinks. They employ six men besides themselves and have a large and constantly growing trade. Mr. Cleary was formerly a Democrat in his political views, but in tyof he made a trip to Europe, since which time he has been independent, with leanings toward the idea of protection. In 1905 he spent his vacation in the middle West and he is planning a more extensive trip for the near future. Ile is a charter member and past president of Aerie No. 103. Fraternal Order of Eagles, and belongs to the Annuncia- tion Roman Catholic church. In the prime of manhood, active. energetic and popular, it is safe to predict that the future holds greater successes for him than he has achieved in the past.
Cockill, Timothy, a well known manufacturer and prominent business man of Mahanoy City, was born at Llewellyn, Schuyl- kill county, Pa., Oct. 21. 1853. He is a son of Ezra and Eliza C. ( Bacon) Cockill, natives of Germantown, a suburb of Philadelphia. His father was born March 20, 1820, and his mother's birth oc- curred on October u of the same year. From the very brief out- line in the hands of the biographer it is gleaned that the subject of this sketch is a practical mechanic, operating a large and pros- perous business in the manufacture of wagons and carriages at Mahanoy City, where the family home is now located. He was married on Sept. 6. 1873. to Miss Amelia. daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Zimmerman) Bensinger, of Tremont, Schuylkill county. Mr. and Mrs. Cockill have had three children born to them, the
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