USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 19
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ren T., is manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company's office, Pottsville, Pa. His first employment was in a telegraph office, and by the time he was sixteen years of age he was an operator of no mean ability. For two terms, 1893-1895, he was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, serving as a member of the appropriation committee and several other important com- mittecs. His wife was formerly Miss Susan Hinkley, of Harris- burg, and they have one child, Florence. Ada Jane, the only other survivor of the family, is the wife of Dr. J. J. Wreitz, of Walnut- port, and is the mother of one child, Charles B. Of the other children Charles died at the age of sixteen, Mary J. at two years, and an unnamed baby died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Follweiler are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has held practically all the offices allotted to a layman.
Folmer, Charles Edward, of Orwigsburg, who is now an incum- bent of the responsible office of county recorder, is a native of Schuylkill county and in his career has honored the section which thus represents the place of his nativity. The esteem and confi- dence in which he is held in the county is amply vouched for by his tenure of his present official position. Mr. Folmer was born at Orwigsburg, this county, April 6, 1871, and in the same place were born his parents, George and Susan (Fidler) Folmer, the former of whom was born in 1837 and the latter in 1839. George Folmer removed with his family to Shenandoah in 1871, and lived there until 1893. The present county recorder is indebted to the public schools of this county for his early educational training, and he was thereafter afforded the superior academic advantages of Bucknell university, at Lewisburg, Pa., in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1892, and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Folmer is num- bered among the stalwart supporters of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and he has been an active worker in its ranks in his native county. He served from 1903 to 1906 as deputy recorder of the county and then en- tered upon the discharge of his duties as recorder, having been elected to the office in November, 1905. He is affiliated with Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons.
Freeman, Charles W., son of Benjamin and Esther (Lutz) Free- man, is a native of Wayne township, and was born May 23, 1856. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of seven- teen years, when he began to work on a farm. Later, in partner- ship with his father-in-law, he opened a blacksmith shop, and for twenty years gave his attention to this work. In 1898 Mr. Free- man bought the farm where he is now located and operates it for general farming. He has been twice married, his first wife being Rebecca J. Brown, whom he married Nov. 4, 1876. To this union five children, one son and four daughters, were born-Sallie A .. Emma E., Ellen R., Mabel J .. and Franklin B., all living. Mrs. Freeman died in February, 1896. Nov. 13, 1899, Mr. Freeman
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married Mrs. Kate Manbeck, nee Bearer, daughter of Gideon Bearer, of Ringtown, Pa. Mrs. Freeman had by her first husband nine children, seven of whom were living at the time of her sec- ond marriage : they are Munroe F., Sadie M .. Alice V., Jennie L., Eva R., Annic F., and Effie D. One child. Walter E., has been born to the second marriage. Mr. Freeman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, and of the Royal Protective association. In politics he is a Democrat, but reserves the right of voting inde- pendently when policies or circumstances indicate that to be the better way. He has held the office of school director and of treasurer of Wayne township, being the present incumbent of the latter office. The family is connected with the Reformed church.
Free Public Library of Shenandoah School District .- This he- neficent institution is the outgrowth of the united labors of a few public-spirited and generous citizens, assisted by successive school boards. Jan. 15. 1880, the school board decided to establish a public school library, under the provisions of the then existing law. The only means of procuring books, aside from private do- nations, was in the expenditure of funds arising from commence- ments and other entertainments whereat admission fees were col- lected. The first purchase of books was made Jan. 6, 1881, and consisted of an expenditure of $tty.19, and a donation of books from the enterprising publishing house of A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York, equalling $65.25. This was the nucleus to the present library of about 7,000 volumes. In 1881 the department of public instruction decided that the funds arising from tuition pupils could be used for library purposes, under the provisions of the then existing laws, and these were the sources which sustained the library, with increasing interest and growth, until the passing
of the library act of 1895. The first selection of books was made by Superintendent G. W. Barch, John Cather and John G. Davis. The works were mostly of a professional character, and the use of the library was confined for some time principally to the teach- ers of the public schools. The library was opened to the public, in a room provided in the high school building, March 31. 1881. Small additions were made from time to time until 1887. when a considerable increase was made. Much painstaking labor was given to the work at this time by L. A. Freeman, superintendent of schools; W. N. Ehrhart. principal of the high school; S. W. Yost, secretary of the school board; and Daniel Ogden and John G. Davis, who then comprised the library committee. Under this regime the first catalogue was printed, damaged books were re- bound, and all the volumes were renumbered. This labor was given gratuitously by the committee. The patronage of the library increased rapidly, and it was soon found that the room provided was inadequate to the needs. In 1893 the school board decided to set apart a suitable room in the new school building on West street for the use of the library and a directors' meeting room. This was made the occasion for a general revival of library in-
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terests, and 1,100 new books were added, catalogued and placed on the shelves in the commodions new quarters. The institution was now in excellent condition, since it had been the aim during recent years to bring the library within the scope of the entire community, by the introduction of a line of miscellaneous litera- ture suitable to the needs of all classes of readers. This "broaden- ing" process has been constantly kept in view, and the seven thou- sand volumes now on the shelves were selected with special refer- . ence to the needs of both the schools and the public. In accord- ance with the provisions of an act approved June 28, 1895, the library was placed in the hands of a board of trustees, and on June 2, 1897, the school board appointed Hon. Patrick Conry, Daniel Ogden, Monroe H. Kehler, A. B. Lamb. Thomas E. Manley and M. P. Whitaker as members of the first board of library trustees. Some of these have served continuously since, and the interest in Shenandoah's library has never waned. By virtue of his office, the secretary of the school board is designated as general librarian, and the first assistant in the high school as assistant librarian, subject to the approval of the school board. Under the provisions of a law governing the matter, a tax of one-half mill may be levied on the taxable property of the school district, as assessed for school purposes, for the support of the library. After the organ- ization of the board of trustees, in 1897. it was decided that, in view of the appreciation of the public and the demands upon the library, it should be subjected to a complete reclassification, a new and complete catalogue prepared, damaged books rebound, and about a thousand new volumes added. To defray this proposed expense, the school board was asked to contribute, in accordance with the provisions of the law above cited. This was unanimously granted by the board, and the secretary and board of trustees were empowered to do the work. Since the establishment of the library the school board has been uniformly generous in sustain- ing it, while many individuals in the community have rendered valuable assistance without recompense. The library is now a very valuable auxiliary to the schools, a source of much pleasure and profit to the community, and a feature of the school system in which the people manifest a commendable pride. The board of library trustees for the year 1907 comprises the following named gentlemen: President, Rev. David I. Evans; secretary, Professor J. W. Cooper; members of the board, Hon. Patrick Conry, Monroe H. Keller, Rev. D. I. Evans, Frank Hanna, Thomas E. Manley, Archibald B. Lamb, T. J. Mullahey, James F. O'Haren, and J. W. Cooper. Thomas I. Cummings, secretary of the school board, is, by virtue of his office, the general librarian.
Freiler, Francis S., is a leading citizen of Pottsville, and the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is evidenced by his selection for the position of justice of the peace in the First ward of the city, an office he very acceptably fills. He was born in Minersville, this county, Aug. 28, 1850, being a son of Daniel and Barbara (Finkler) Freiler, both of whom were natives of Ger-
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many. The father came to America in 18447 and the mother about the same time, and they were married in the city of Pottsville. The father's occupation was that of a stone mason, and he was the contractor for the Mine Hill Railway Company, doing all the stone work, erecting bridges, etc., for that company between Schuylkill Haven and Gordon. He continued in the employ of that company until the road was leased by the Philadelphia & Reading Company, and then entered the employ of the Philadel- phia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, with whom he remained until 1001. when he retired from active duties. He died in Potts- ville on July 21. toon, at the age of eighty years, leaving a family of two sons and one daughter-Francis S .: Barbara, who is now Mrs. Joseph Mica, of Pottsville, and Daniel A., who resides in Lancaster, Pa. Francis S. Freiler, who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared in Minersville and received his education in the public schools and at St. Vincent's college, in Latrobe, Pa. He began his independent career as a traveling salesman, and continued in that capacity in the employ of various firms for about thirty years. He is interested in a metal-protector paint works at Cincinnati, Ohio, with which he has been connected for the past eleven years. Mr. Freiler was married Feb. 20. 1873. to Carrie J., daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Nau) .Alber, and to this union have been born six sons and two daughters, more specific mention of whom follows: Joseph, the eldest son, is the cashier of the South Side bank at Wilkes Barre: R. Albert is an attorney-at-law. located in practice at Pottsville; D. Lco is a mining engineer. associated with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company; A. Francis is a mechanical engineer at Newark. N. J .: and V. Robert and W. George are mercantile clerks at Pottsville: Carrie E. and Ethel L. are the daughters. Mr. Freiler and family are members of St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olic church at Pottsville. In politics he gives allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by election to positions of importance and responsibility. He has served for seven years as a member of the Pottsville borough council, and on Feb. 19. 1907. he was elected without opposition to the office of justice of the peace for a term of five years.
Fritsch, Howard C., superintendent of the Eastern Pennsyl- vania Railways Company, with headquarters at Tamaqua, was born in that city Sept. 11, 1875. He is the fifth in order of birth of the seven children of L. F. and Catherine ( Haldeman) Fritsch. The mother is of Quaker descent and is a native of Schuylkill county, and the father. now retired, was born in Berks county and comes of good German stock. He was formerly a wholesale tobacco merchant and is well known throughout the county, hav- ing been a bank director, a school director and tax collector. Both parents are devout communicants of the Trinity Reformed church. Besides the subject of this sketch, their children are Emma, wife of G. O. Lutz. a merchant ; Lucy .\ .. at home : Kate
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()., wife of J. F. Derr, principal of the Tamaqua schools; Ada, at home; Charles, living in Harrisburg, chief clerk of the Harris- burg division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, and during the Spanish-American war secretary to Maj .- Gen. S. B. M. Young ; and Ida, wife of Edward Billheimer, who is chicf clerk of the Shamokin division of the Philadelphia & Reading road, in the Tamaqua office. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his native city and after graduating from the high school he learned telegraphy and bookkeeping. For a number of years he was employed in the capacity of bookkeeper by the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, and then for two years was assistant superintendent of the Tamaqua & Lansford Street Railway Company. When that company was merged with the Eastern Pennsylvania Railways Company, on July 1, 1906, Mr. Fritsch came to his present position and has been holding it ever since, to the entire satisfaction of the company and the patrons of the road. April 5, 1905, was solemnized Mr. Fritsch's marriage to Miss Mabel Buckman, who was born in Bucks county, a daughter of Charles and Henrietta (Anderson) Buckman. Mr. and Mrs. Buckman now make their home in Trenton, N. J., Mr. Buckman having retired from active business life. Mr. and Mrs. Fritsch have one child, Howard C., Jr. They are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Fritsch is prominent in Masonic circles. He is identified with the Blue Lodge, No. 238, of Tam- aqua; the Tamaqua Chapter, No. 177, Royal Arch Masons; and the Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31.
Fulmer, William E., a retired carpenter, contractor and builder of Tremont, was born in Chester county on May 28, 1840. He is a son of John and Hannah (Emory) Fulmer, and on both sides comes of excellent pioneer stock. His paternal grandfather, John Fulmer, was a soldier in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution, and participated in the principal battles of that conflict. A maternal ancestor, George Chrisman, also saw service with Washington. John Fulmer, father of William E., was a farmer all his active life. He was a member of the Quaker faith and his wife was a devout believer in the principles of Martin Luther. His death occurred in 1880 after he had passed the four- score milestone, and his wife died five years later. Of their eight children four survive, a daughter and three sons. Two sons still reside in Chester county, and the daughter is the wife of Abram Huntsberger, a miller living near Alexandria, Va. William E. Fulmer attended the public schools of his native county and when he had completed his scholastic work he learned the millers' trade, in his brother-in-law's establishment. For five years it furnished him a livelihood in his home county and then he came to Tremont and, in partnership with Henry Hare, assumed the operation of the mill. His advent in Tremont dates from March 10, 1862, and he remained in the mill business but a year. Through Mr. Hare, who was a coal operator, he worked into the business of building coal breakers. Subsequently he began contracting in
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connection with his carpentering and building and continued in that work until his retirement from active business life, in Hot. At the time of the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, in 1802, and of Gettysburg, in 1803. Mr. Fulmer be- longed to the Home Guard which was held in reserve at both of these conflicts. He has always been intensely interested in the public welfare and has been the recipient of many honors in offi- cial life. Ile has held all the borough offices and for thirteen successive years was a school director and a member of the bor- ongh council. The marriage of Mr. Fulmer and Miss Harriet Christman was solemnized in 1863. Mrs. Fulmer died in 1896. leaving five children. D. Clinton, the eldest, was a contractor and builder, and lost his life in the Camden (N. J.) shipyard, in his thirty-eighth year. George W. is a druggist in Tower City, Pa. William is a contractor and builder and assumed the management of the father's business when the latter retired. He is married and has five children-George, Bonnie, Joel, William and Mary. Ralph is a druggist at Tremont, and Mary is Mrs. J. J. Quigley, of the same place. The two last named are twins. The family are all communicants of the Lutheran church. Although well ad- vanced in years Mr. Fulmer is well preserved in mind and body and is one of the most respected citizens of the community.
Gable, Augustus Daniel, outside foreman of the West Shenan- doah collieries, was born Nov. 14, 1849, in Darmstadt, Germany, his parents, Louis and Christina Gable, both being natives of that place. In 1854 the family came to America and located at Potts- ville, where the father engaged in mining. The mother died at Pottsville in 1894. and the father at Shenandoah in 1905. They had three sons and five daughters. Augustus D). and Philip are engaged in mining: Louis is a carpenter in Philadelphia; the daughters are Mrs. Soell, of Pottsville; Mrs. Schweinbold, of Orwigsburg: Mrs. Hoehn, of Pottsville: Mrs. Dower, of Shenan- doah, and Mrs. Schultz. of Philadelphia. Augustus D. Gable was educated in the Pottsville public schools and began at the bottom of the ladder in the mining industry. He learned the carpenters' trade in Pottsville and followed that occupation until 1873. when he came to Shenandoah, and on April y of that year entered upon the duties of his present position as outside foreman and super- intendent of the Kohinoor. Turkey Run and West Shenandoah collieries, all using the same breaker. The mines are owned by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, employ from 500 to 600 men, and have an average monthly output of 60.000 tons. In his work about the mines Mr. Gable has met with a number of accidents, but has escaped without serious injury. He is the inventor of a mine and elevator catch, patented in 1906, which is calculated to prevent accidents, or at least reduce the possibilities of such accidents to a minimum. The appliance has been tried in several states and even in the mines of Africa. and its practicul usefulness has been fully demonstrated, though it has not yet come into general use. In his political affiliations Mr.
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Gable is an active Republican and has been a member of the bor- ough council for nine years. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Shenandoah waterworks, being generally recognized as the father of the movement. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through the chairs both in the lodge and encampment. He also belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Royal Arca- num. In 1873 Mr. Gable and Miss Josephine Staley were united in marriage. She died on Christmas day, 1875, leaving a son and daughter, Adam Cleveland and Eva Victoria, both living. In
1876 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Griffiths, and to this union has been born one daughter, Christina, now nine years of age. Mrs. Gable had two children by a former marriage, Esther and William. The daughter is married and the son lives with the family. Mr. Gable is a member of the St. John's Lutheran church, and his wife belongs to the First Baptist church of Shenandoah.
Gallagher, Condy C., M. D., D. D. S., of Coaldale, is one of the able representatives of both the medical and dental professions in Schuylkill county, and his practice is extensive and lucrative. He was born in the village of Dunglow, County Donegal, Ireland, Nov. 6, 1863, a son of Peter and Mary (Campbell) Gallagher, the former of stanch old Irish stock and the latter of Scotch-Irish lineage. The parents of the doctor came to America in 1866 and took up their residence in Coaldale, Schuylkill county, though the father had visited the United States as carly as 1853, in which year he located in California, where the gold excitement was then at its height. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States prior to his return to Ireland. Upon coming to America the sec- ond time he engaged in contracting and building at Coaldale, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. He died on Aug. 6, 1883, at the age of fifty-three years, and his wife passed away in 1904, aged sixty-four years. Both were devoted com- municants of the Catholic church and were persons of superior in- tellectuality and sterling attributes of character. They became the parents of ten children, viz: John J., a priest of the Catholic church ; Condy C., the immediate subject of this sketch; E. P., a prominent attorney of Philadelphia, Pa .; Joseph J., a member of the priesthood of the Catholic church, and now president of Columbia university at Portland, Ore .; Patrick F., a talented sculptor; Grace, who resides in Philadelphia; Annie. a Sister of Mercy in the Catholic church ; Alice, also a member of a Catholic sisterhood and engaged in teaching in parochial schools; Margaret. who is in her final year of a classic course at the University of Notre Dame, and Bridget, a sister of the Carmelite sisterhood in Boston. Dr. Condy C. Gallagher was three years of age at the time of the family removal from the Emerald Isle to America. and he secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of Coaldale. In1 1896 he was matriculated in the Medico- Chirurgical college of Philadelphia. in which celebrated institution he was a student for three years, completing his dental course,
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after which time he took up his medical studies in the Columbia College of Physician and Surgeons, in order to better quality him- self by a more varied experience, and graduated as a member of the class of 1001, graduating in thirty six scientific branches and receiving not only his two degrees, but also the first honors of his class. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Gallagher located in his home town of Coaldale, where he has since been engaged in active and successful practice. He has gained prestige as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the county; enjoys um- qualified popularity in the community, and had the distinction of being chosen the first chief burgess of the borough of Coaldlale after its incorporation, in 1900, which position was secured by him after a legal battle of two years. His political proclivities are shown in the stanch support he gives to the Democratic party. and he and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic church in Coaldale. On June 29. 1802. Mr. Gallagher was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Ryan, daughter of Michael and Mary (Coleman) Ryan, and the surviving children of this union are: Paul, Loretta, Joseph, Alice, and Annic.
Garrahan, Joseph H., attorney and counsellor at law, is a native of Schuylkill county, born at Kelayres, May 3. 1874. He is a son of Hugh and Mary (Stapleton) Garrahan, both natives of Penn- sylvania, the father being born at Nesquehoning, and the mother in Carbon county. After marriage the parents took up their resi- dence at Honey Brook, now known as Kelayres, and later at McAdoo. The father served three years as a member of Com- pany K. 96th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, during the Civil war. He enlisted on Oct. 3. 1861, and was discharged by reason of expiration of term of enlistment, Oct. 3. 1864. Both parents are dead. They had a family of six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom is Joseph H., the subject of this sketch; Thomas F. is a lawyer in Pittsburg: James D. is employed in the banking business in New York city; Ilugh, Edward and Daniel are tele- graph operators, employed on the Lehigh Valley railroad, and Margaret and Ellen reside in Easton, Pa. Mr. Garrahan began his life career in a manner similar to that of nearly all the boys of the coal region, as a slate-picker at breaker No. 5. at Honey Brook colliery, continuing about the mines in various capacities from the age of nine until fourteen. He then attended school for a time. and took up the study of telegraphy. At the age of eighteen he was a telegraph operator in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and continued in this service for ten years. He studied law under the tutorship of James J. Moran, of Potts- ville, and was admitted to the bar on July 28. 1902. Since his admission he has been engaged in general practice at Mahanoy City. Mr. Garrahan was married on Oct. 24. 1906, to Miss Nellie O'Donnell, of Hazleton, a daughter of James R. and Mary (Black) O'Donnell. Mr. and Mrs. Garrahan are communicants in the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Garrahan is a Democrat in political
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