USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Dennebaum, Nicholas, general foreman in the brewing estab- lishment of D. G. Yuengling & Son, is a native of Germany, born in U'ntershausen, Province of Montabaur, Prussia, Feb. 26, 1848. llis parents were Adam and Catherine (Hubinger) Dennebaum. The father was a native of Untershansen, Germany, in the vicinity of which place he spent his life. He served as burgomaster in his native city. The mother was born in Stahlhofen, in the same province as her husband. Nicholas Dennebaum was educated in Untershausen. Germany, and at the United States brewing academy in New York city. He came to America in 1868, and on May 2 of that year located in Pottsville, Pa. For six years he was employed as a cooper at the Lauer brewery, when he entered the employ of D. G. Yuengling & Son, and was engaged in various lines of work about the premises until he became familiar with all details of the brewing business, when he was made foreman of the establishment. in 1881. So faithfully and intelligently has Mr. Dennebaum performed the duties of this responsible position that he has been retained in it for more than a quarter of a cen- tury. He was married on Nov. 6, 1872, to Miss Eliza, daughter
113
BIOGRAPHICAL
of John and Margaret Spohn, of Pottsville, and they have two children, Mary Margaret, who is the wife of Clifford W. Kissin- ger, a real estate and insurance dealer at Reading, Pa., and a young son at home. Mr. Dennebaum has been prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity for many years, and has attained exalted rank in that time-honored organization. He has devoted much time and study to perfecting himself in the work, and has reached the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Of the purely social organizations, he is a mem- ber of the Liederkrans, a German musical society of high order. He is a Democrat in his political relations, and he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church.
Devine, Alex. J., ranks as one of the leading educators of the county of Schuylkill, and his efficiency is due not only to a natural adaptability, but also to a lifetime's devotion to the noble pro- fession of teaching. He was born in the village of Cumbola, where he now has charge of the public schools, Dec. 17, 1876, a son of Patrick F. and Bridget A. (Toland) Devine, the former of whom was a native of Ireland and the latter of Blythe township, Schuyl- kill county. The paternal grandparents were James and Martha Devine, natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1852 and settled in the township of Blythe, this county, where the grandfather followed the vocation of mining for several years, remaining a resident of that township until his death. He reared a family of eight children, of whom the following mention is properly made in this connection: Esther is the wife of William Brislin ; Thomas served as a watchman for a number of years at the Shoo Fly colliery, and while in the performance of his duty was shot by members of that nefarious gang known as the "Molly Maguires"; John is a resident of Nebraska; Patrick F. was the father of him whose name introduces this review ; Joseph ; Hannah is the wife of George McNeely; Jeremiah, and William. The maternal grandparents were Michael and Bridget (Huton) Toland, also natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1847 and located in the township of Blythe. Schuylkill county, where the grandfather followed the vocation of mining. These parents reared three children: Bridget, the mother of the subject of this review; Dennis, and Michael, all born and reared in the township of Blythe, where they still reside. Patrick F. Devine, the father of Alex. J., was reared in the township of Blythe from the age of four years, and received his education in the common schools and at a normal school in Kutztown. He adopted the pedagogic profession as his occupation and followed teaching con- tinuously for thirty-three years as principal of the public schools of Blythe township. He died Oct. 6, 1892, at the age of fifty-four years. He and his good wife reared to maturity a family of nine children : Martha, Michael, Alex. J., Bridget, Patrick F., Jr., James, Annie, Joseph, and Regina. Alex. J. Devine, who is the immediate subject of this review, was reared in the township of Blythe and
8-Vol. II
111
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
received his preliminary education in the public schools of that townslup. He then attended the normal school at Kutztown and titted himself especially for the occupation of teaching. He be- gan his pedagogic career as a teacher in the common schools, re- manning so employed for six years, and since the autumn of lox has been principal of the Combola public schools, a position in which he has given universal satisfaction. In assuming the duties of that position he succeeded his younger brother, Patrick P. Devine, who had officiated in that capacity during the three previous years, and who is now principal of the public schools of Tuscarora. Pat- rick F. Devine is a graduate of the state normal school at Lock Haven. Alex. J. Devine is a member of the Church of the Holy Family at New Philadelphia, and in his political views he renders an unswerving allegiance to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party. In 1902 he was elected to the position of jus- tice of the peace for a term of years ending May 6. 1997. In assuming the duties of this office he succeeded his honored father. who had occupied that official station for a continuous period of twenty-nine years.
Diamond, Theodore A .. proprietor of the "Philadelphia quick lunch rooms," at 113 East Norwegian street. Pottsville, was born in Macedonia. Turkey, Jan. 10, 1884. The historic land of which he is a native was better known in the carly history of the Chris- tian Era as being the home of Macedonins, who founded the "Macedonian Heresy," in A. D. 341. at which time he was Patri- arch of Constantinople. Macedonia embraces a considerable area of territory in southern Turkey, bordering upon Greece and the MEgean Sea. Mr. Diamond's birthplace is a city of about 10,000 inhabitants, one of the greatest manufacturing centers in the so-called state of Macedonia, and is famous throughout Europe for its rare wines. Theodore Diamond was educated in the public and gymnasium schools of his native land, his primary education being in the Greek language. Ile served an apprenticeship of one year at Volo, Thessaly, Greece, where he learned the art of cooking, according to the methods of that country. Ile desired to perfect himself in this business, and came to America in 1900 with that end in view, but circumstances compelled a temporary divergence. lle was employed in a cigar factory in New York city for fifteen months. engaged in making Egyptian cigarettes. His employers. the wealthy and prominent Buron Brothers, of Volo, treated him as a social equal and trusted employe, thus making his first ex- perience in America a chapter in his life to which he always looks back with pleasure. He spent six months in the employ of a telephone company in the same city, and was in the employ of a private family at Brooklyn during one summer. Following this, he was employed in cooking in restaurants, hotels and private boarding-houses in New York. He was quick to learn both the language and business details, and was a partner in the Palace cafe at Hazleton, Pa., for seven months, when the lease expired and could not be renewed. On Ang. 21. 1903, he started in business
115
BIOGRAPHICAL
at Pottsville, his first location being at No. 54 West Norwegian street. On May 1, 1904, he moved to his present location. Here he has a well-appointed restaurant and quick lunch rooms, which are noted for cleanliness, excellent cooking and courteous treat- ment of guests. Mr. Diamond has made a success of his business, and is constantly adding to and improving his establishment. In 1905 he established a planit for the manufacture of ice cream, the product of which is served on his tables or sold at wholesale and retail as required. This feature of his business was established at a cost of more than $1,000. It is operated by electricity, and is modern in all appointments. The parents of Mr. Diamond, Anas- tacios and Elizabeth (Dragumano) Diamond, were natives of the same locality as himself, where the mother died at the age of forty-eight years. The father is living, and is being cared for by his son, Christ, who was with the subject in Pottsville for a year and a half, but returned to Greece to fulfill this filial duty. The sister, whose name is Mary, is married and has three children in in her native country. The family are members of Saint Joseph's Orthodox church in Naoussa, Macedonia. Mr. Diamond became a citizen of the United States in May, 1906, and at once espoused the cause of the Republican party. He speaks, reads and writes the English language with fluency, and is an intelligent and com- panionable young man. He employs an average of six assistants in the various lines of his business, and conducts a quiet and popular resort which is frequented by many of the best people of the town. He is a man of exceptionally good habits, a feature in his character which has been conducive to the success which he has achieved.
Diefenderfer, George C., member of the shoe manufacturing firm of H. S. Albright & Co., of Orwigsburg, was born in that place on Jan. 28, 1855. He is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Kimmel) Diefenderfer, both natives of the Keystone state. The father was a mason in his early life, but later became a locomotive engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. In April, 1862, he enlisted in the 97th Pennsylvania infantry, then with the Army of the Potomac, but was later transferred to the 116th Penn- sylvania infantry. While fighting with the latter regiment at Ream's station he was captured and late in 1864 succumbed to exposure and starvation in a Salisbury, N. C., prison. His widow passed away on Jan. 5, 1883, leaving five children. John A., the eldest, lives in Orwigsburg; Anna is Mrs. George H. Bickley, of the same place; Alice is Mrs. Daniel F. Shoener, of this county ; and Louis K. is a hosiery manufacturer at Wiconisco, Dauphin county. George C. Diefenderfer, the subject of this sketch, is the second of the family in order of birth. He received a scholastic training in the common schools of his native town and later at Waynesburg college. When he had taken advantage of all the educational opportunities offered him he embarked in the mer- cantile business at Wiconisco, Dauphin county, but subsequently disposed of his interests there and came to Orwigsburg to become
116
SCHUYLKILL. COUNTY
a partner in the Albright & Co. shoe manufactory. He has now (on;) been associated in this industry some twenty-four years. Beatles this he has numerous other interests, among them a directorship in the First National bank, the presidency of the Orwigsburg school board (now serving his twenty-second year). and the presidency of the Orwigsburg building and loan asso- ciation. From 1876 to 1880 he was postmaster of the borough of Wiconisco. On Nov. 9. 1880, Mr. Diefenderfor was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Maurer, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Dr. A. G. L. and Margaret (Mayer) Maurer. Three children have blessed this union. Alan L., a Princeton graduate, is a member of the class of 1008 of the department of medicine in the University of Pennsylvania; Florence E. is at home : Margaret M. is a graduate of the high school and is now devoting her time to the study of both instrumental and vocal music. Mrs. Diefenderfer is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and her husband is a regular attendant. He is a Shriner of the Masonic order and a thirty-second degree Mason. and has held various offices in the different stages of Masonry. He is a man of exceptional business ability and is well and favor- ably known throughout the county.
Dietz, Gottfried, a Minersville citizen of wealth and influence. a dealer in flour, feed, hay, grain, etc., and a lumber merchant, was born in Germany. The place of his nativity was Würtemberg and the date Oct. 24. 1833. a son of Gottfried and Kate ( Klein) Dietz. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his active life, and his death occurred when the subject of this sketch was still a youngster. Gottfried Dietz is the youngest of the four children born to his parents and is the sole survivor. He received all his scholastic advantages in the public schools of his Father- land and in 1853 came to the United States, locating at once in Alinersville. For the first ten years of his residence he clerked In a store and then embarked in the grain and feed business, which he has so successfully been operating ever since. In 1875 he added the timber business to his other interests and has undoubtedly sold more timber to the mines than any other man in the same part of the county. In politics he is a strong exponent of the doc- trines of the Republican party, and at several successive elections has been the successful candidate of that party for election to the borough council. On April 14. 1858, Mr. Dietz married Miss Katie Schwartz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Jacob and Katie Schwartz, both of whom died in the old country. Mrs. Dietz died on May 1. 1893, at the age of sixty-six years. She was a woman of rare attainments, kindly, thoughtful and matronly. and her death was a distinct loss to the community. Besides the bereaved husband she left four children. Fred, the eldest. mar- ried Annie Ferg. and is employed by his father. Katie is the wife of William Filsburg and the mother of seven children-Elsie L., George G., Robert E .. Ruth. William J., Franklin D. and Ben- jamin Carl. Charles is connected with his father in business. He
117
BIOGRAPHICAL
married Emma Morgan, by whom he has eight children-Lina (now Mrs. David Hinkin, and mother of an unnamed daughter), Godfrey H., Mabel, Charles, Nettie. Helen, Martha and Edgar. Mary is now Mrs. Peter Zupert, and her husband is engaged in business with her father. They have eight children-Laura M., Robert, Horace, Edna, George, Freda, Mary and Raymond. Mr. Dietz is a pillar in the German Lutheran church, of which his wife was a most devout communicant, and their children have all been reared in that faith. Although well advanced in years he retains a wonderful grasp on the business and social activities of the community in which he has been an important influence for good for so many years.
Ditchey, Charles F., manager of the Lauer Brewing Company's business in the anthracite coal district, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Schuylkill county, his grandparents, John and Wilhelmina Ditchey, having come from Germany and lo- cated at Whitfield patch, near Middleport, in 1847, and there the grandfather was engaged in mining until killed by a fall of coal about 1857. They had a family of eight children, of whom Jacob W., the father of Charles F., was next to the youngest. He was born near Middleport in September, 1853, and was therefore about four years of age when his father was killed. He grew to man- hood in the county, married Miss Elizabeth O'Keefe, and was for some time employed as a breaker builder about the mines. In 1881 he was "closed in" in the mine and when rescued gave up his occupation, never even returning to the mine for his tools. Subsequently he engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor busi- ness, in which he was successful. He and his wife are both liv- ing, being residents of Tamaqua, where he is now in the mercan- tile line. He owns considerable real estate in the county. Charles F. Ditchey is the eldest of eight children born to his parents, the others being Franklin J., who is engaged in the liquor business at Tamaqua; Minnie, wife of Albert Berigan, of Ashland; Elmer J., foreman in Wise's bakery : Sarah A., a student with Dr: Shiffer- stine, of Tamaqua ; Jacob W., Jr., at home with his parents; Ber- nard J., engaged in mercantile pursuits, and John K., in school. Charles F. Ditchey was born at Mahanoy City, March 31. 1880. He was educated in the schools of Tamaqua and began his busi- ness career in the same line of activity in which he is now engaged, his father having been agent for the same company, so that he has been thoroughly educated in all the details of the business. He began driving a delivery wagon for the company in 1890 in Tam- aqua, and in 1901 became the agent there, holding that place until 1903, when he came to Shenandoah. On Feb. 4. 1904. he established the present agency and still has personal supervision of its affairs. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Tamaqua So- cial club; the Citizens' Fire Company of Tamaqua, and of the standing committee of the Tamaqua Democracy, with which party he affiliates and has always taken an active part since attaining
118
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
his majority. He was elected assessor of Tamaqua, but resigned the office when he came to Shenandoah. On Nov. 9. 1904, Mr. Ditches married Miss Augusta M., daughter of Adolph and The- resa Kline, of Shenandoah, and to this union has been born one daughter. Elizabeth Theresa, born Aug. 12, 1905. The family are members of the German Catholic church.
Doherty, Henry W., superintendent of the Baber cemetery, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Oct. 11, 1867, a son of John B. and Mary (Brown) Doherty. Both parents were born in County An- trim, and there the father carried on his vocation of linen bleacher in an establishment of his own until his death, which occurred on Feb. 15, 1800. In the fall of that year the mother left the Emerakl Isle for this country in company with her sons, and is now living in Germantown. The other surviving sons are John B .. Robert A., William J., E. G., J. R. L., and Frederick G., all living in Philadelphia and all married with the exception of William and Frederick. Henry W .. the subject of this memoir, took advantage of the educational opportunities afforded by the schools of his native land and then learned the trade of landscape gardener. For five years prior to his coming to the United States he was em- ploved in that work and has followed it continuously since his arrival, most of the time in Philadelphia. He was hokling a good position when the commissioners of the Charles Baber cemetery association made him the proposition which gave him charge of the cemetery in Pottsville, and which he accepted. On June 15, 1906. he arrived in Pottsville and assumed his new duties. Al- though his service has been of a rather short period there is plenty of evidence of his skill and artistic ability and promises of still greater improvement. On Sept. 18. 1904. Mr. Doherty married Miss Rebecca Brown, a daughter of William Brown, and a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. The father is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Doherty, and the mother died in Ireland. Politically Mr. Doherty is a fearless exponent of the principles of the Republican party, but has never held office. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and at one time he was connected with several fraternal organizations, but has resigned from all of them. He is a firm believer in life insurance and carries several heavy policies.
Dolan, Hugh, is one of the successful mining contractors of his native city of Pottsville, where he was born on Feb. 22. 1874. He is held in high esteem as a citizen and as an enterprising and reliable business man, and is a son of Joseph and Jane (Homer) Dolan, the former of whom was born in Pottsville and the latter in England. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of Ireland and was one of the sterling pio- neers of what is now the city of Pottsville, where he followed the carpenters' trade for a long term of years. James Homer, the maternal grandfather, came from England to America and like- wise was an early settler of Pottsville, where he continued to re- side until his death. Joseph Dolan was reared to maturity in
119
BIOGRAPHICAL
Pottsville and became a prominent and prosperous mining con- tractor, continuing to be identified with this line of enterprise during the greater portion of his active business career. He died in Pottsville in 1893, at the age of fifty-two years. Of his four children the subject of this review is the eldest, and the others are Mark, Paul, and Louise. Hugh Dolan received his prelimi- nary educational discipline in the public schools of Pottsville and supplemented this by a course of study in the historic Mount St. Mary's college, Emmitsburg, Md., an institution w which was founded in 1808. Later he studied mining engineering under the able preceptorship of A. B. Cochran & Son, of Pottsville, and after following the work of this profession for three years he engaged in independent business as a mining contractor: He initiated his efforts in this line in 1896 and has since continued with marked success, being associated with his brother in business, under the firm name of Dolan Brothers. In politics Mr. Dolan maintains an independent attitude, and he is known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen. He is at the present time (1907) president of the council of the borough of Yorkville, is a member of the West End Fire Company, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1899 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dolan and Miss Esther Jennings, daughter of Adam and Esther (Galbraith) Jennings, of Pottsville, and they have six children-Joseph, Hugh, Jr., Homer, Esther, Frank, and Robert.
Dolan, Michael, son of Michael and Ann (Phillips) Dolan, was born in Branchdale, Reiley township, Schuylkill county, Pa., Jan. 27, 1868. He has four sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary Ann and Kate, and one brother, Bernard. He received his education in the public schools, attending during the winter terms, until he was ten years old, and working in the coal breaker in the summer. At that age he left school and his whole time was occupied in the breaker until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to work in the mines, becoming a practical miner. He remained in this employment until the spring of 1902, when he became under- keeper of the insane at the Schuylkill county almshouse, which position he occupied for four years. April 1, 1906, he was made head-keeper over this department, which position he now holds. He has full charge of this department, and has four men and four women assistants, who have the care of seventy-six male and thirty-five female inmates. Mr. Dolan was married on April 9, 1901, to Miss Kate Doran, daughter of Patrick and Julia (De- Laney) Doran, all natives of Tower City. Schuylkill county. Three children, Julia, James and John, have been born to this union. Mr. Dolan is a member and past officer of Division No. 14. Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Branchdale. In politics he is a Democrat, and his family belongs to the St. Ambrose Roman Catholic church of Schuylkill Haven.
Donaghue, Louis F., M. D., a successful and popular physician of Mahanoy Plane, was born at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pa.,
120
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Jan. 1. 1872, and IS of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, Dr. James A. Donoghue, was born in Dundee, Scotland, and his mother. whose maiden name was Anna Walsh, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland. The father was a graduate of the Royal col- lege of physicians and surgeons of Belfast, Ireland, where he com- pleted the course about 1857, and he soon afterward came to America. He first located in this country at Summit Hill, but after practicing for ten years there he removed to Girardville. Schuylkill county, where he continued in active practice until his death, in 1903. After coming to America he took a course of lec- tures in the Bellevue hospital college of New York, thus thor- oughly equipping himself for the practice of his profession in the land of his adoption. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: James, a physician in New York city ; Vincent, of Girardville: Francis, deceased; Louis F. ; Theresa, a druggist at Girardville: Joseph, a druggist in Philadelphia. Dr. Louis F. Donoghue was reared at Girardville and educated in the schools of that borough. He then took up the study of medicine with his father and in 1808 graduated at the Medico- Chirurgical college of Philadelphia. In August of that year he located at Mahanoy Plane, where he has been eminently success- inl in the practice of his chosen profession, and has built up a lucrative business. During the years 1904-5 he was state quaran- tine inspector for Schuylkill county, and was for several terms the secretary of the board of health. In addition to his regular pro- fession he is a registered pharmacist and keeps fully in touch with the new discoveries in the field of medical investigation. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 1907 he was nominated by his party for the office of coroner. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. In 1902 Dr. Donaghue married Miss Agnes, daughter of James and Ellen ( Wison) Dewey, of Mahanoy Plane, and to this union have been born three children-James. Louis and Francis, the first named being deceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.