History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 11

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 11

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BIOGRAPHICAL

eldest of whom, Laura, is now Mrs. Harry B. Maybury ; Charles is deceased; and Bella is a young lady at home. The family are members of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Cockill is a Repub- lican in his political preferences, but has neither sought nor held public officc.

Coldren, Darius D., at the head of the firm manufacturing under- wear at Schuylkill Haven, was born in Reading, on June 15, 1863, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dewees) Coldren. He received the educational advantages afforded by the public schools and at the age of sixteen years became employed as a laborer in a rolling mill. By energy and perseverance he worked up through the various stages until he became a master roller. In that work he remained for a period of fifteen years, leaving it to engage in the manufacture of paper boxes. Subsequently he closed out this business to embark in the hosiery industry and after four years of business in that line he entered the merchant tailoring business. In 1902 he commenced the manufacture of underwear and by 1906 the business had grown to such dimensions that he enlarged his plant by the opening of another mill, which connects with the old one. His patronage has more than doubled within the time he has been at the head of the industry and he has all the orders hie can possibly fill. The two mills contain 8,000 square feet of floor space and in the two thirty-five people are employed. The output consists exclusively of ladies' and children's underwear. On April 28, 1890, Mr. Coldren married Miss Harriet G. Kerkeslager, daugh- ter of Alex. and Minda (Miller) Kerkeslager, of Schuylkill Haven. Three daughters, Helen, Mary and Harriet, have blessed this union. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Coldren was one of the organizers and of whose Sun- day school he was superintendent for the first four years of its existence. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition lean- ings, and as the nominee of the Republican party has been the suc- cessful candidate for borough councilman. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Royal Arcanum.

Conrad, John, senior member of the firm of John Conrad & Son, contractors and builders, and dealers in flour and feed, was born in Port Carbon on Nov. 11. 1848. He is one of five children of Christian and Louisa Conrad, the others being Christian, Jr., an engineer on the Frackville branch of the Philadelphia & Read- ing railroad ; Charles, a foreman in the employ of the same con- cern ; Rose, Mrs. Purnelle; and Mrs. Emma Hartzel. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools until he was nine years of age and then secured work in the coal breakers as a slate-picker. When he was fourteen he found employment in the service of the railroad, leaving it four years later to learn the trade of wheel- wright. In 1883 he left that vocation to become a carpenter, and when he had become a journeyman a year later he started in the contracting business for himself. This he continued until 1900. when, in partnership with his son Harry, he formed the firm of John Conrad & Son to deal in flour and feed in connection with

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the contracting and building industry. The success of the firm in a pecuniary way has been as marked as in other ways, Many of the most modern dwellings of Fort Carbon, the Good Will hose house and the Evangelical church are monuments to Mr. Conrad's skill and workmanship. In 1873 was solemnized Mr. Conrad's marriage to Miss Ellen Marquardt, a daughter of Blas- ins Marquardt. of Port Carbon. Four children-three sons and a daughter-have blessed this union. Harry is in business with his father; Louis is in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron company, as a mining engineer : William is working for his father and Anna is her father's stenographer. The family are attendants of the Evangelical church. The male members of the family are all Republicans in their politics, and as such the father has been a borough councilman and Harry is the present incumbent of the office of burgess.

Conry, Patrick Mellet, of Shenandoah, is a citizen who has long been prominent and influential in the community, and he was one of the brave and loyal soldiers who went forth in defense of the Union when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion. He was born in Ireland. Dec. 19. 1846, and is a son of Michael and Nora (Mellet) Conry, both of whom were born in County Mayo. Ireland, and both of whom passed the closing years of their lives in the home of the subject of this sketch, in Shenandoah, where the father died at the age of seventy-eight years and the mother at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Patrick M. Conry was seven years of age at the time of the family immigration to Amer- ica. and they settled in the village now known as Darkwater, Schuylkill county. Pa., whence they later removed to Ashland, this county, where the family home was maintained until after the close of the Civil war. Patrick M. secured his early educational training in the schools of Ashland, and in the later years he has not failed to gain a large fund of valuable knowledge through the instructions of that wisest of all head masters, experience. He has been a careful reader and close observer and his intellectual development has kept pace with the moving of the years. Mir. Conry's school work was interrupted when there came the call for volunteers to aid in protecting the Union from disintegration through armed rebellion. With the beginning of the war young Conry became thoroughly imbued with the spirit of patriotism and loyal protest and he offered his services in defense of the Union when he was but fifteen years of age. On account of his extreme youth and immaturity parental authority prevented his enlisting on two occasions when he attempted to enter the ranks of the "boys in blue," but he finally succeeded in enrolling himself as a private in Company C. 3d Pennsylvania cavalry. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac, with which grand old organiza- tion he performed valiant service. Participation in many of the battles and cavalry skirmishes in which his command grappled with forces of the dying Confederacy, are recorded to his credit, and it should be remembered that upon the cavalry arm of the

BIOGRAPHICAL

service devolved many heavy and dangerous duties which were spared the infantry. Upon his return to Schuylkill county Mr. Conry found his parents established in a new home, in Shenan- doalı, with whose interests he promptly allied himself, soon attain- ing to a position of prominence and influence. In 1873 he was elected a member of the board of education, of which he was a member for twenty-one years, at the expiration of which he de- clined to continue longer in the office. Of his service in this capacity he was incumbent for eighteen consecutive years. It is needless to say that he had much to do in formulating the excel- lent school system which is the pride of Shenandoah at the present time. In his first year of service on the school board Mr. Conry was appointed to collect the school taxes, and so active and zealous was he in the discharge of this duty that he was able to settle his tax duplicates at the organization of the board in June-an achieve- ment which has never been equalled, before or since. In 1897 Mr. Conry was elected representative of his county in the state legislature, in which body he discharged his duties with the same ability and fidelity which have characterized all portions of his career. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he sturdily refused to accept a railroad pass until the restrictions surrounding its ac- ceptance were removed. In this he stands as a particularly unique figure. In the legislature he was a member of several important committees and attained to a degree of prominence seldom reached by first-term members. But the culminating point in Mr. Conry's political career lies not in high honors or rich emoluments. Local politics in Shenandoah has assumed an intensity almost equalling that of a national campaign. Charges and countercharges have been made with a prodigal liberality attained only during the heat of a political turmoil. The "ins" desired to be continued, and the "outs" were equally zealous to be reinstated to former honors and prestige. It is not within the province of this publication to decide as to the respective merits of either side of the controversy. Suffice · it to say that Mr. Conry was made the standard-bearer of the "outs" for the office of borough tax collector. A hot and pro- tracted contest was inaugurated, and terminated only with the closing of the polls on election night. Mr. Conry's opponent was a prominent and well known business man of the town-one who was willing to accept the office not less by reason of its honors and emoluments than thus to aid in perpetuating the old admin- istration of borough affairs. Never before had so many votes been polled in a municipal election in Shenandoah, and the "outs" won the day, Mr. Conry leading his popular opponent by a safe majority. He has always been a faithful friend of the laboring man and has made his professions consistent by uniting with labor organizations. He was once president of Branch No. 2, Plank Ridge Colliery, and also served as district president and as dele- gate to the executive board. He is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he and his family are com- municants of the Catholic church. For twenty-three years he

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served as president of St. Patrick's beneficial society. He holds a commission in the Irish republican army, was an active par- ticipant in the Fenian movement a number of years ago, and he is distinenively the friend of liberality and liberty. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. January to. 180g, Mr. Conry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Roche, who was born at St. Clair, this county, Sept. 2. 1848, and of their jour- teen children seven are living, the others having died in infancy or early childhood. Sallie is the wife of John B. Schuling, of Phil- adelphia; Frank J. is a representative lawyer of Shenandoah ; William and Thomas are in the employ of the Columbia Bonding Company : Mary and Amelia remain at the parental home ; and Joseph is attending the home schools. The devoted wife and mother was summoned to the life eternal Oct. 10. 1899. The achievements of Patrick M. Conry offer a worthy object-lesson to the generations to follow him. Born in a foreign land, reared amid the environments of an humble home, he has worked out his own destiny. Not only that, but he has also assisted many aspiring young men in overcoming obstacles and realizing their higher am- bitions. He is essentially liberal and generous, and to him is given the unreserved confidence and regard of the community in which he has so long lived and labored.

Conville, Thomas W., a native of Schuylkill county and the present secretary of the Shenandoah school board, was born at lleckscherville, June 12, 1871. The old house in which he was born has long since heen absorbed by the collieries and no trace of it remains. Ile is a son of Murtha and Mary A. (Brophy) Con- ville, the former born in Ireland, whence he came to this country in his infancy, and the latter a native of Heckscherville. They became the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living. Patrick J. is a painter and decorator in Shenandoah ; Thomas W. is the subject of this sketch; John J. is a carpenter ; Katie is the wife of M. A. Kilker, an attorney of Girardville ; Martin is a sales- man: William died at the age of five years and James died in infancy. Thomas W. Conville was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill county, chiefly in West Mahanoy township and the city of Shenandoah, and upon leaving school learned the business of painting, paperhanging and decorating, which occupation he followed in Shenandoah for about fourteen years. In 1903 he was elected a member of the school board, and in June, 1906, was made Secretary and librarian. In his official capacity Mr. Conville takes great interest in his work as librarian, and also in the work of the pupils in the public schools, especially along the lines of drawing and everything pertaining to art. The walls of the library are adorned with sketches, paintings, etc., which are the work of the students. He was elected to the board at the time that abuses existed, and soon won for himself the reputation of a reformer. Through the efforts of himself and his associates six persons served terms in the county jail for dishonest methods in office. Mr. Con- ville served for two years as assistant chief of the Phoenix fire

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BIOGRAPHICAL

company, and was for one year chief of the entire department. He is still a member of the Phoenix company, belongs to the Annunciation Roman Catholic church, and for twenty-five years has been identified with the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, serving for a number of years on the executive board of the society. In politics Mr. Conville is a consistent advocate of Democratic principles and is active in local campaigns. On Jan. 16, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Theresa M. Kelly, of Philadelphia, a daughter of John Kelly. She was born at Camden, N. J., and was educated in the cathedral school at Philadelphia, by the sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. Upon the arrival of himself and bride in Shenandoah they were tendered a grand re- ception at Gorman's opera house by his brothers and the members of the Phoenix fire company. A number of useful and valuable presents were given the happy couple and the program included an elaborate luncheon, with music and dancing until the following morning. The teachers and school officials were also participants in the pleasant affair. After serving his term as director he entered the hardware business at Girardville, under title of the Conville Hardware Co.

Coombe, Thomas H., proprietor of the Coombe Garment com- pany of Minersville, Pa., was born in Schuylkill county, March 25, 1870. He is a son of Thomas and Amelia (Dunstan) Coombe, both natives of the Keystone state. The father's vocation was that of a miner, but at the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in Company I of the 48th Pennsylvania infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and participated in the second battle of Bull Run and the Antietam fight. The father was taken prisoner shortly after the latter battle and after his release he returned to mining. His death was caused by a fall of coal, on Oct. 7, 1886, at which time he was in his forty-eighth year. His widow is still living, a resident of Tamaqua. She had a brother, Isaac Dunstan, who was a lieutenant in a company of a Pennsylvania regiment in the Civil war and participated in seven- teen battles, receiving at Gettysburg a wound from the effects of which he died six weeks later. The children of the family are four in number: Emma L., the eldest, is the wife of Robert Jones, an engineer living in Tamaqua; Isaac A. is employed in the Coombe Garment Company's factory ; and Anna B. is Mrs. Robert Trewren, of Tamaqua. The subject of this sketch, who is the third of his father's family in order of birth, received his educational ad- vantages in the public schools of St. Nicholas. When he had com- pleted his scholastic training he learned the trade of watchmaker and jeweler and worked at it until 1896, leaving it to embark in his present business. His manufactory is one of the largest in- dustries in the city and its output is 2,500 dozen garments of men's underclothing per week. The concern furnishes work for more than 250 people and is the largest of its kind in central Pennsylvania. The product is shipped to all parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. On Sept. 27, 1892, Mr. Coombe was united in mar- riage to Miss Mamie Lawrence, who was born in Minersville. a daughter of Thomas and Sallie Lawrence, who are now living

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retired in Minersville. To Mr. and Mrs. Coombe have been born two children, Myrtle N. and Marion G. Mr. Coombe is associated fraternally with the Blue Lodge, No. 222, of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons of Minersville. He is an enterprising, public- spirited citizen, of excellent business judgment and withal such a man as gives character to a community.

Cooper, Professor John W., the capable and popular superin- tendent of the Shenandoah public schools, was born at Rising Sun. Cecil county, Md. July 5. 1857, and is a son of Samuel A. and Mary W. Cooper. His father, who was a native of Chester, Dela- ware county, Pa .. died in West Nottingham township, Chester county, l'a., June 23, 1800, at the age of fifty-three years. He was of Quaker extraction, and although most of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits he did a considerable amount of business in the real-estate industry. He was twice married, his first wife, Jane Taylor of Media. Delaware county, having departed this life in 1845, leaving four children, all of whom are now deceased. His second wife was Mary Wilkinson, of Chester county, to whom he was united on June 23. 1853. Nine chiktren blessed this union, a daughter and two sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the elder, being the only survivors. Professor Cooper was brought up in Chester county, near Oxford, the family having removed to Nottingham when he was quite young. He received due prelim- inary discipline in the public schools of lower Oxford and Notting- ham township, rounded out by a course at the Oxford Academy. When he was but eighteen years of age he entered upon his peda- gogie career, and he taught in Chester county for six years, with a fair degree of success. In the fall of 1882 he matriculated at the Millersville normal school, completing the elementary course in 1883, and a year later he was graduated in the scientific course. While a student he had the reputation of being diligent, careful and thorough, and his character was unsullied. Soon after gradua- tion he was chosen principal of the public schools of Tremont. and he filled the position with credit to himself and his alma mater until the fall of 1893, when he resigned to accept the principal- ship of the Shenandoah high school. He served in this capacity until March. 1897, and finally resigned to enter, on AApril 5. 1897, a larger field. as superintendent of the city schools. He is an ex- ceptionally fine educator and ranks with the best in the county, always keeping abreast with the most modern thought in educa- tion and making himself master of the advanced ideas of instruc- tion. On two occasions, in 1893 and again in 1896, he was a candidate for the superintendency of the Schuylkill county schools, hun on both occasions was defeated by the then incumbent of the office, by a small majority. His politics are Democratic and he was at one time chairman of the Democratic convention. Professor Cooper has been twice married. On Feb. 9. 1882, he married Miss Ida M. Jackson. the elder daughter of J. Morris and Margaret (Wright) Jackson, of Fulton township. Lancaster county. His second union was to Miss Ella M. Clauser. a daughter of Simon

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BIOGRAPHICAL

and Sarah (Faust) Clauser, of Shenandoah, and was solemnized on June 7, 1900. Mrs. Cooper was formerly one of the teachers in the grammar schools of the borough. The children of the second marriage are two in number-Jonathan Wendell and Anna May. The professor is prominent in fraternal circles, being identified with Washington Camp, No. 76, of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America; Tremont Lodge, No. 245, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and with Swatara Lodge, No. 267, of the Free and Accepted Masons.

Creary, James D., one of the most prominent of the younger generation of the Schuylkill county bar and a resident of Shen- andoah, was born in that borough on Feb. 2, 1880. He is a son of Thomas J. Creary and Elizabeth (Grant) Creary, both natives of Ireland, whence they came to this country with their respective parents when children. Their marriage was celebrated in Schuyl- kill county and to them were born four children, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. Mary, the eldest, is Mrs. Boran ; Patrick J. is a merchant tailor of Shenandoah ; and Ella is the chief nurse at the county hospital. The father, who was a miner all his active life, died in 1881. James D. Creary attended the public schools of his native city and graduated at the high school in the class of 1895. When he had completed his scholastic learning he entered the office of Hon. T. R. Beddall of Shenandoah and in 1904 he was admitted to practice at the bar of the supreme and other courts of the state. He at once established himself in offices in the Hub building, and although his advent in the profession was not a great while ago he has laid the foundations of an excellent general practice and has come to be recognized as an attorney of force, energy and ability. Politically Mr. Creary is a Democrat, but has never aspired to public office, preferring to become well established in his profession before attempting to perform the duties of official position. In his religious affiliations he is a com- municant of the Church of the Annunciation, of Shenandoah. Mr. Creary is unmarried and makes his home with his widowed mother.

Crossley, Benjamin, for a number of years a locomotive engi- neer on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad and now a general merchant in Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough Nov. II, 1864. He is a son of Daniel and Caroline (Ellsmore) Crossley, the former a native of England and the latter of Schuylkill Haven. The maternal grandparents, Thomas and Ann (Harris) Ellsmore, both came to Schuylkill county from the British isles, and the paternal grandparents are still living there. Benjamin Crossley received a public-school education, attending the borough schools until he was thirteen years of age. Then he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad as a call boy, and after a short service went into the shops. For a year after he left the latter position he was employed as locomotive fireman and then was given an engine. He remained with the company as an engi- neer for eight years and then an accident which caused the amputa- tion of one of his hands compelled him to relinquish his position.

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When he was sufficiently able he embarked, in 1901, in the general merchandise business in Schuylkill Haven, and this enterprise he is still successfully conducting. Mr. Crossley was united in mar- riage on June 27, 1891, to Miss Clara M. Moyer, daughter of George M. and Emma E. Moyer. Seven children, two daughters and five sons, were born to this union. One daughter, Alva May, died at the age of two years. The living daughter is Meta Caro- line and the sons arc Lester Eugene, Wilmer Ellsmore, Ray Dall- forth, Stanley Nelson and Miles Quinten. The family all attend the Reformed church of their home city. Mr. Crossley has a brother and six sisters-John H., Mary A., Martha, Alice, Lucy, Caroline Jane and Clara-all living in this county. In politics he is inde- pendent, but generally votes the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is prominent, being a member of the Cressona Lodge, No. 426, Free and Accepted Masons; the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; the Junior Mechanics and the Improved Order of Red Men, and being a past officer in the last named order. He is a man of great popularity personally and is recognized as one of the most enterprising citizens of the borough.

Currier, Frederic Chalmers, foreman of the car shops of the Pennsylvania Company at Pottsville, is a native of Canada. He is a son of David and Margey (Barker) Currier, and was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on June 11, 1849. David Currier, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Gagetown, New Brunswick, Nov. 12, 1800, and was one of a family of seven children, the others being Daniel, William, George, John, Harriet and Maria. David Currier was twice married, the first time, in Feb., 1828, to Maria Bartlett, by whom he had five children, David, Jr., Louise, George, Maria and Charles. The first wife died in 1841 and two years later, on March 16, 1843, he married again, Margey Upton Barker becoming his bride. The second wife was born Sept. 21, 1824, in Sheffield, New Brunswick, and was one of the nine children of her parents, the others being George, Whitehead, Jane, Charles, Henrietta, Adelaide, George II, and Bess. Besides the subject of this sketch there was but one other child of the second union-Maria Louise, who was born March 25. 1844, and who was married on Dec. 11, 1872, to John Cameron, of Frederic- ton, New Brunswick. Frederic Chalmers Currier attended the private and public schools of his native town until he was eighteen years of age and then commenced his active business career as a salesman in a book store in Fredericton. Subsequently he received an appointment as messenger for an express company, and held the position for two years. At the end of that time he left Fred- ericton and went to St. Johns to accept a position as clerk in a grocery store. This was in the fall of 1867, and two years later he left St. Johns to go to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he again found employment in the grocery business. In the spring of 1872 he came to the United States, locating first in Boston, Mass., but his sojourn there was not for any great length of time. When he arrived in Philadelphia, shortly afterward, he secured a position

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 11

Author: Schalck, Adolf W. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: State Historical Association Number of Pages: 700

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700