USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 16
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study in the office of his preceptor. On the ist of July, 1889, he was admitted to practice before the Schuylkill county bar. At this time Judge Koch was serving as district attorney, and much of the private practice of the office came to the young attorney, who thus was at once initiated into active practice. Mr. Enterline was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Pennsylvania in 1892, and soon thereafter he was admitted to the superior court. March 11, 1896, on motion of General W. W. Dudley, he was ad- mitted to practice before the supreme court of the United States, at Washington, D. C. He is a wise and safe counsellor, being a clear and logical interpreter of the law. He stands very high as a lawyer, and sustains an unsullied record as an honest and upright citizen. For many years Mr. Enterline has taken an active interest in religious work, the Young Men's Christian Association being an object of his special care. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Pottsville organization, and has held every office within the gift of the membership. He has also served on the execu- tive board of the anthracite field of the state Young Men's Chris- tian Association, and has been secretary of the Ashland Young Men's Christian Association since its organization, in 1903. In the fraternal organizations he has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, and holds active membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He served eight or more years as a member of the church council of the English Lutheran church, filling the offices of deacon and elder. He also served as president of the Christian Endeavor society and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is the president of the Ozone Real Estate and Improvement Company, of Brooklyn, New York; president of the Pottsville Real Estate Company, of Potts- ville, and of the Keystone Medical Company of Pottsville. Mr. Enterline is a Republican in political views, and he served as deputy district attorney under his preceptor, Hon. R. H. Koch. He was married Dec. 24, 1885, to Miss Millie B., daughter of Daniel M. and Mary (Bolich) Kepler. Two sons have been born to this union. LeRoy Earle, who was born Dec. 20, 1886, is now a student in the junior year at Gettysburg college; George Stanley, who was born Nov. 20, 1890, died March 17, 1894.
Enterline, Thomas E., the leading general merchant of Lavelle and for sixteen years prior to Jan. 1, 1907, the postmaster of that borough, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., June 14, 1860. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Malich) Enterline and comes of pioneer German stock, his ancestors on both sides having been among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Mr. Enterline was reared in Schuylkill county from the time he was seven years of age, and he received his preparatory education in the common schools of the county. He completed his scholastic work with courses in the Gratztown and New Berlin seminaries and then taught school in Northumberland county for two terms. His
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advent in the general merchandise business was in 1880, and since that time he has known no other means of livelihood. About 1800 he was appointed postmaster of Lavelle, but of late years the growth of his mercantile trade has been so large as to take more of his time and consequently he was compelled to give up the gov- ernment work, his resignation taking effect on Jan. t. 1907. In 18 Mr. Enterline was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Estella Strawhecker, of Barry township, a daughter of Samuel Strawhecker. The children of this union are six in number - Grace. Samuel Bright, Marie, Russell, Anna and Hampton Lamar. In politics Mr. Enterline is a Republican, but aside from the posi- tion of postmaster he has never held public office. The family are attendants of the United Evangelical church of Lavelle. Fra- ternally Mr. Enterline is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. He is a man of business sagacity, absolute integrity and genial, hearty manner.
Estler. William C., the proficient superintendent of schools of Ashland, was born in Chester county, Pa., Dec. 21. 1854. a son of William and Mary (l'anl) Estler. Both parents were Pennsyl- vanians by birth, but the families are of German origin. Profes- sor Estler was reared in Fountain Springs and acquired his pre- liminary education in the common schools and the Freeburg acad- emy of Snyder county. His pedagogic training was received at the state normal school of Millersville, Lancaster county, where he was graduated in 1879. Ile did his first teaching while a lad of sixteen years, in the Schadel school of Perry township, Snyder county. where he served one term. His next work was in Butler town- ship. this county, where he remained for a period of three vears. When he had completed his course in the state nor- mal school he secured a position as principal of the male grammar school of Ashland. an office he held for two years and two months. In November, 1881, the Ashland school board made him principal of the high school, a position he retained until 1888. In that year Professor Estler was elected to his present responsible position at the head of the city schools, and he has been six times re-elected for terms of three years each. He is recognized as one of the most modern and thorough educators of the county, and his work in the Ashland schools has demonstrated his ability to keep up the high standard of scholarship which has made a name for the institutions. On June 3, 1880. Professor Estler married Miss Mary Strohmeier, a daughter of William and Mary Elise ( Reinhart) Strohmeier of Ashland. Mrs. Estler's parents are natives of Germany, but have been residents of Schuylkill for more than half a century and of Ashland for forty-seven years. To Professor and Mrs. Estler have been born four children-May N., wife of Karl F. Schoew, and William S., Grace P. and Irving E. The parents are both mem- bers of the Reformed church and worship at Zion church of that denomination in Ashland. Fraternally Professor Estler is identified
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with Sheridan Council, No. 1128, Royal Arcanum; Locust Moun- tain Lodge, No. 538, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Shekinah Encampment, No. 134 of the last named order. At the present time he is secretary of all three lodges and president of the Mahanoy Fire Insurance Company. In politics he is a believer in the tenets of the Republican party, but has never allowed his name to be used in connection with any public office.
Evans, Charles W., M. D., a prominent and successful physician and surgeon in Pottsville, is a native of Schuylkill county. He was born at Tremont, Sept. 15, 1859, and is a son of Abram B. and Elizabeth (Mckinney) Evans. Abram B. Evans was born at Minersville, this county, in the year 1834. His parents died when he was a child, and he was reared in the family of Mr. Troutman, a merchant in Minersville. He soon demonstrated that he was specially adapted to the mercantile business, and at the age of eighteen years he was made sole manager of his foster father's ex- tensive establishment. He showed marked efficiency even at this early age and continued with Mr. Troutman until his marriage,
when he engaged in business at Tower City. He there combined the coal business with merchandising, and later became extensively interested in the real estate business. He invested largely in lands in the immediate vicinity of Tower City, and as the coal interests developed in that locality he soon found himself possessed of some valuable mining lands. His business interests in Tower City were prosecuted under the firm title of Evans, Althouse & Co. The well known East Brookside colliery is located on some of the coal land formerly owned and developed by this firm. Abram B. Evans was a man of exemplary character, a devout Methodist in religious affiliations, and an uncompromising Republican in polit- ical views. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Mckinney, and two sons and two daughters were born to them. The eldest of these is Emma, who married Isaac Cook, an extensive stock raiser and famer in Kansas; Sybilla J. became the wife of Dr. S. S. Koser, a practicing physician at Williamsport, Pa .; Dr. Charles W., of this sketch, was the third in order of birth; and Milton H., a dental surgeon in Philadelphia, completes the family circle. Charles W. Evans received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town. This was supplemented by a thorough course in the Millersville state normal school. He prosecuted his preparatory work in medicine under the tutorship of Dr. S. S. Koser, then a prominent physician in Tremont. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in the class of 1884, after which he engaged in prac- tice in his native town for a number of years. He soon established a large and lucrative business in Tremont, but owing to the more central location and other advantages possessed by the county-seat. he removed to Pottsville. Here he has built up a good practice and stands high with the medical profession as well as in the social affairs of the town. Dr. Evans is a member of the county and state medical societies, and is a close student of professional litera-
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ture. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and has attamed an exalted position in the councils of that order. He was married Oct. S. 1880, to Miss Sue C. Cockill, of Middlesboro, Av.
Evans, Clay W., the subject of this review, is a representative of a family antedating the Revolution on American soil. The an- cestors of the American branch of the family settled in Chester county, Pa., about the year 1770. They were of Welsh extraction on the paternal side, and English on the maternal. Lot Evans, the grandfather of Clay Webster Evans, was an early settler of Saint Clair, and was the first borough clerk of that town, elected in 1850. From that day to the present, the family has been prom- inently identified with political, social and business affairs in Schuylkill county. The subject of this article was born in Saint Clair, Feb. 10, 1844. He is a son of Thomas Worth and Eliza (Tomlinson) Evans. His father was born in Romansville, Chester county, Pa., Nov. 25, 1821, and the mother was a native of North- umberland county, where she was born May 13, 1826. Like many of the "boys" of the 60's, Clay W. Evans laid aside his studies at the call of his country, and shouldered his musket in defense of the Union. He enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, as a private in Company B, 129th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and was assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac. He reached the front just at the close of the disastrous Peninsula campaign, and took part in the ma- noenvers of the army under Pope. participating in the second battle of Bull Run and the marching and skirmishing leading up to that desperate and fruitless conflict. He was in the battle of Kearneys- ville, on Oct. 16, 1862, followed by the campaign against Fred- ericksburg, under Burnside. This also resulted disastrously to the Union arms, and 13,000 men were sacrificed in a vain attempt to dislodge the enemy. The battle continued from the 11th to the 15th of December, the principal assault being made against Marye's Heights on the 13th, when Mr. Evans was slightly wounded. He went on Burnside's "mud march," Jan. 20 to 24. 1863, and participated in the Chancellorsville campaign under Gen- eral Joe looker. He was discharged at the expiration of nine months under his first enlistment, and Feb. 24. 1864, he re-enlisted. as a member of Company G. 48th Pennsylvania infantry, with which honored organization he participated in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6 and 7, 1864: Spottsylvania. May 8 to 11; and Spottsylvania Court House, May 12. In the last named engage- ment he was seriously wounded in the left hand and right leg. thus being disabled for active service at the front for several weeks. The next battle in which Mr. Evans took part was that known as the battle of the Weldon Railroad, Aug. 18 to 21. 1864. This was followed by the engagement at Poplar Spring church, which com- menced on Sept. 30 and continued until Oct. 2. On Dec. 4, 1864, Mr. Evans was discharged from the 48th Pennsylvania to accept promotion to the rank of second lieutenant in the Unitedl States army, and was assigned to duty in Company E of the 31st United States colored troops. He was soon after promoted first
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lieutenant of Company G of the same regiment, and was dis- charged from the service at Hartford, Conn., Dec. 3, 1865, with the rank of captain. His command comprised a part of the besieging force in front of Petersburg, Va., during the winter of 1804-5, and participated in the battle of Hatcher's Rum, the capture of Petersburg, the final chase after Lee's retreating army, and the surrender at Appomattox. Immediately after the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, Captain Evans embarked with his troops, thereafter comprising a portion of the Army of the Rio Grande, and went to Texas, where they did patrol duty along the Rio Grande from Brazos de Santiago to Eagle Pass. During his term of service Captain Evans was attached to the 5th, 9th and 24th army corps in the Army of the Potomac and the 25th corps in the Army of the James, in addition to his service in the extreme South, as just related. His service covered a period of more than three years at the front, during which time he was three times wounded but never lost a day's duty from other causes. Forty years and more have passed since the close of the Civil war, but the record of heroic achievement never should grow old. The youth of the 60's gave the best years of their lives to the preservation of the Union and the cause of human liberty. Their future life work was, in most cases, distorted and educational opportunities were sacrificed. The activities of mature years were upon them, and they mingled in the throng of business. A large proportion of the returned veterans of the 60's, like Captain Evans, attained their majority while in the service, and the four most useful school years of their lives were sacrificed to the sterner duties of national preservation. When these facts are considered, the severity of the criticism heaped upon the indigent old soldier should be modified to a feeling of pity and commiseration, for there is a tangible reason, both for his infirmities and his apparent improvidence. But Captain Evans was one of a large majority who took ad- vantage of opportunities and forged to the front. Returning from the war, he immediately engaged in mercantile pursuits in his native town, and continued uninterruptedly for thirty years. Dur- ing this time he was also prominently identified with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, first as captain of Company K, 7th regi- ment, from July 21, 1873, to July 31, 1878. He was then captain and aide-de-camp on the staff of the 3d brigade commander, after which he was ordnance officer and inspector of rifle practice, with the rank of major, on the staff of General Seigfried, until August, 1883, when he resigned. Major Evans has also borne a prominent part in political affairs in the county, and is recognized as a leader in the councils of the Republican party. He has held numerous offices within the gift of his party, and has twice repre- sented his district in the state legislature, in the sessions of 1879- 80. He was steward of the county alms house in 1898, and from that position he retired to assume that of deputy collector of in- ternal revenue, serving from Oct. 1, 1899, until Nov. 5. 1906, when he resigned to accept the office of sheriff of Schuylkill county. He
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was elected to this position on Nov. 6. 1900. Major Evans was married Sept. 3. 1867, to Miss Emily E. Allison, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Hunt) Allison, of Saint Clair. The three children of this union are Cad. M. Guy H. and Robert A. Major Evans is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, his initial member- ship being with Anthracite Lodge, No. 285, of which he is past master. Ile is a member of Mountain City Chapter. No. 190. Royal Arch Masons, and Constantine Commandery, No. 11. Knights Templars. He is a past grand of Mineral Lodge, No. 285, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and past commander of Ennis Post. No. 47. Grand Army of the Republic.
Evans, Rev. David Ivor, pastor of the First Baptist church at Shenandoah, was born at Maesteg. Glamorganshire, Wales, Jan. 25, 1849, a son of David and Hannah (Jenkins) Evans. He was educated at Pontypool college, now a part of the University of Cardiff, and upon completing his course was licensed to the min- istry. For three years he was pastor of a church at Cardiff, in his native county, but in April, 1882, he came to America. He first settled at Oliphant, near Scranton, where he remained in charge of a Baptist church for five years, at the end of which time he removed to Lansford, where he served as pastor of a church for two years. From Lansford he went to Jackson township, Susque- hanna county, and in Jan., 1891. he came to Shenandoah to take charge of his present congregation, where he is now serving his seventeenth year. Mr. Evans was one of the organizers of the Shenandoah ministerial association, and was for twelve years its president. Before leaving his native land Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Bethia Tilley. She was an accomplished woman and translated many of the Welsh hymns into the English language. To this union was born one daughter, who died at Oliphant, about a year after the family came to this country. Mrs. Evans died at Shenandoah in Jan .. 1892, and on April 12, 1893. Mr. Evans married Miss Mary Davis, who was a friend of his first wife and who had been a co-worker in the Sunday school at Cow- bridge, Wales, where he was pastor. To this second marriage have been born a son and daughter-Vivian Ivor, aged eleven years, and Blodwen Mary, aged eight (1907). Mr. Evans' parents came to America in 1883 and located at Nanticoke. Pa., where the father died Feb. 9, 1892. The mother is still living, at the age of eighty-three years. She is probably the oldest member of the Bap- tist denomination in the United States, having been baptized into the church, in Wales, when she was but ten years of age. Of the brothers and sisters of Mr. Evans. John and Mrs. Ann Davis still reside in Wales : Daniel E. is a practicing physician at Newcastle, Pa. : and William and Arthur D. live in Nanticoke, where they are identified with the mining industry. Mr. Evans is a talented speaker and has occupied every Protestant pulpit in Shenandoah. He is a public-spirited citizen, alive to the best interests of the community, was one of the foremost champions of the curfew law, is an ardent temperance advocate, and is deservedly popular,
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as his long service in his present charge bears testimony. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has fre- quently been called upon to deliver addresses before gatherings of this society. His whole life has been marked by energy and determination. In his college days he stood at the head of his classes and since that time his career has been distinguished by the same characteristics that gave him preeminence among his fellow students. In politics he is an unswerving Republican and an active worker for the promotion of his political opinions. A student of history and full of patriotism, he has delivered a num- ber of addresses on Decoration day, and these addresses have al- ways been of such a character as to instill into the minds of his hearers the lessons of patriotism and respect for the laws and in- stitutions of his adopted country.
Evans, Frank K., bookkeeper for the Pine Grove branch of the Milwal Drug Company, of Philadelphia, and the Democratic nomi- nee of his district in the fall of 1906 for election to the state legis- lature, was born in Chester county, Pa., Aug. 25, 1878. He is a son of Samuel and Annie (Wilkinson) Evans, both native Penn- sylvanians. The father was for fifteen years supervisor of the Pine Grove division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. He was a man widely and favorably known in many circles, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death occurred Oct. 20, 1897, and he left a widow and nine children. Elizabeth, the first born, is the wife of William Davis of Lindale; Horace is a machinist by trade and a foreman in the plant of the American Iron & Steel Company at Lebanon ; Flora is Mrs. John Shaffner, of Pine Grove; Caleb E. lives in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a train dispatcher for the Rapid Transit Company of Coney Island ; Charles T. is professor of chem- istry in the Hill school at Pottstown; Emily H. is at home; and the other two, Bessie R. and Annie M., are twins, the former being the wife of J. Howard Smith, professor of mathematics at the Mercerburg academy. The subject of this sketch is the seventh member of the family in order of birth. After completing the courses offered in the Pine Grove schools he secured employment in the scale office and remained there until the office was closed. Then he went to Tamaqua to become assistant weighmaster at that point for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad and remained there three years. Subsequently he was manager for his father-in-law's timber business, continuing in that capacity until the spring of 1906, when he accepted his present responsible position, noted in the opening lines of this sketch. He has always been intensely interested in the public welfare and active in politics and in the fall of 1906 the Democrats of his district honored him with the nomination for representative in the state legislature. In the spring of the same year he had been made a school director. July 9. 1900. Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Schultz, a daughter of William and Catherine Schultz of Schuylkill county. Mrs. Schultz died in 1888, but the father is still living, being the
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owner of a large timber industry. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have had one child. Ivan S., who died in infancy. Mrs. Evans is a member of and earnest worker in the Evangelical church and her husband is identified with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, in which he is at the present time secretary of the local organization, and with the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Evans. Thomas Edward, the successful superintendent of the mills of the Eastern Steel Company at Pottsville, was born in Whitten Park, England, June 7, 1866. He is a grandson of Thomas and Aun Edwards and a son of John and Hannah (Edwards) Evans, all natives of Wales, and is one of the five children in his father's family, the others being Mrs. David Dyer, George, John and Mary. Both his father and his maternal grandfather were mill superintendents, and his capability in that line is inherent. When he was but six months okl his parents came to the United States and located at Pittsburg. His scholastic advantages were limited to the three years of training received in the public schools be- tween his seventh and eleventh years. It was at the latter age that he became seized of a desire to earn his own living, and his father, who was known throughout the mill as "Little Jack." gave him work as "pulling-up boy" at the furnace. Subsequently he became a fire boy, and still later an extra helper and then for two years he worked as a level hand with his father. When he was fourteen years of age his father died and he was left to support his mother and four small brothers and sisters. Tle left the bar mill depart- ment of the works and entered the plate mill, serving under Cap- tain L. F. Brown as scrap shearman. At the age of seventeen he received a promotion to the superintendency of the night turn, and served in that capacity for a period of five years. At the end of that time he was made assistant superintendent of the day turn, holding that position for the following five years. When he left the employ of the Moorhead-McCleave Company it was to accept a position as superintendent of the plate mill department of the Republic Iron & Steel Company, on Twenty-fifth street, south side. Sept. 11 he entered the service of the Carnegie Steel Com- pany as night manager of the Twenty-ninth street mill. The change was made at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Dillon and L. T. Brown, and after a service of about three and one-half years he was made day manager. Six months later he was made superintendent of the Thirty-third street or upper mills of the Carnegie Company, and he continued in the position to within three days of four years. At that time labor troubles had arisen at the lower or Twenty- ninth street mills of the company and the management felt that a change was necessary. After consultation the directors determined to place Mr. Evans in charge and within thirty-five minutes after his arrival at the scene of the trouble the men had returned to work and the mills were in full operation again. During the five years of his incumbency of the superintendent's position at the lower mills the production of them was increased one hundred per cent. Feb. 6. 1906, Mr. Evans received the offer of a responsible
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