USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 20
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BIOGRAPHICAL
affiliations and a member of the Knights of Columbus of Mahanoy City.
Geary, Joseph W., a civil engineer by vocation and county sur- veyor of Schuylkill county, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 1, 1866, a son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Kingsworth) Geary. The father was a native of Bristol, England, who came to this country in 1852, and was a civil engineer, well educated in his profession. At different times he was a resident of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Pottsville, Pa., and Cumberland, Md., where his death occurred on April 25, 1899. He was engaged in the con- struction of the Lebanon Valley railroad and became a permanent resident of Pottsville in 1856. During the Civil war he was a member of the Union army, as a private in the 26th Pennsylvania infantry, and later as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. John C. Fremont. Toward the close of the war he was assigned to the paymaster's department of the United States navy, in the North Atlantic squadron, and on Aug. 3. 1865, was mustered out of the service. The father was twice married, his first union having occurred in 1855 to Miss Mary Bishop, of Berks county, Pa. The two sons who blessed this union, John P. and Harry K., both died in young manhood. The second wife was Elizabeth Kingsworth, born in Philadelphia in 1838. The children of the second union are four in number, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Another son, Frank L., is a printer by vocation at Cum- berland, Md., where the mother and the two daughters, Mary and Cecelia Elizabeth, now reside. Joseph W. Geary received all the educational advantages afforded by the public schools of Potts- ville and learned his profession from his father. He continued to work for his father eight years and in 1892 was elected to the office of county surveyor, being the candidate of the Republican party for that position. He served five years in the capacity, and in 1904 was again elected to fill the same office. He is also en- gineer for the boroughs of Shenandoah, Port Carbon, Middleport and Palo Alto. On July 12, 1891, Mr. Geary married Miss Annie B. Platch, a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Platch, both born in Germany. Mr. Platch achieved success in the mining business, and both he and his wife spent their last days in Ashland, leaving three children. Jacob, the only son, is a miner at Ashland, and Lena is the wife of Charles Preiser of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Geary have been born two children, Joseph W., Jr., aged thirteen, and Margaret D., five years old. The family are all com- municants of the Lutheran church. Fraternally Mr. Geary is identified with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a skilled work- man in his line and a trusted public servant.
Geist, Henry W., manufacturer of wagons, at Valley View, is a native of Schuylkill county, having been born in Hegins town- ship, March 27, 1877. His father, Josiah Geist, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., and his mother, whose maiden name
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was Sarah Wolfgang, was born in legins township. In early life Josiah Geist learned the trade of miller and followed that occu- pation for many years. He now lives at Shamokin, l'a., where he is a dealer in pianos, organs, sewing machines, etc. Henry W. Geist grew to manhood in Legins township, where he received a common school education. Upon leaving school he started in to learn the wagon-makers' trade with Paul Wolfgang, of Valley View. After serving five years and learning the details of all parts of wagon construction he, in 1902, built and opened his present factory, where he has since continued. He manufactures all kinds of farm and spring wagons, and does a general repair business. Honest material, honest workmanship and reasonable prices are his stock in trade, and it is upon this basis that he has built up his patronage. Starting in life as a poor boy he has suc- ceeded by his industry, close attention to business, and square dealing with his customers. In September, 1900, Mr. Geist was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Haas, of Northumberland county. Pa., and they have two children, Arthur and Anna. Mr. Geist is a member of the United Brethren church and takes an interest in promoting its good works.
Gerber, Elmer, foundry and machine shop foreman, and one of the stockholders in the Eagle Iron Works of Tamaqua, was born in Schuylkill county on May 17. 1873. a son of Mahlon A. and Amelia ( Dry) Gerber. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this volume. After acquiring the educational advantages offered in the common schools of his native county. Elmer Gerber served an apprenticeship in the machinists' trade, and when he had be- come a master of it worked at it for five years. Then for a period of seven years he was employed at the Greenwood colliery as out- side foreman. At the end of that time he was made foreman of the Eagle Iron Works, of which his father, with other men, had gained control. It is in a large measure due to his ability in handling the 35 or 40 men under him, his business sagacity and his familiarity with the details of the business that the establishment has been put upon its feet again. He has now (1907) been in his present position for three years. On Oct. 14, 1902, Mr. Gerber was united in marriage to Miss Hermina Riebe, a native of Carbon county, and a daughter of Herman and Barbara Riebe, residents of Lansford. Carbon county. To this union has been born a son, Mahlon Riebe Gerber. Mr. Gerber is identified with the Reformed church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a past exalted ruler of the latter.
Gerber, Mahlon A., superintendent of Beddell Bros.' colliery, No. 13, of the Furnace Coal Company at Gilberton, and man- ager of the Eagle Iron Works and machine shop. was born on Jan. 15. 1846. at McKeansburg, Pa. His parents were John and Louise (Buck) Gerber, both natives of Schuylkill county, where the father followed agricultural pursuits all his life. The mother's demise occurred in December, 1894, in her seventy-sixth year, and
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the father passed away in April, 1906, at the age of eighty-four. Both parents were devout members of the German Reformed church, and did much in their lifetime to promote and encourage the growth of that institution. The paternal grandfather, John Gerber, was also a native of this county and a farmer of affluence. The maternal grandfather was Andrew Buck, and Mrs. Gerber was a child of his third marriage. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of thirteen children, all of whom were living on Jan. I, 1905. After receiving what educational advantages the schools of his native county afforded, in March, 1864, he enlisted in a Pennsylvania infantry regiment of the Army of the Potomac. He was detailed for guard duty with his regiment and while serving in this capacity was stricken with typhoid fever. The ravages of the disease put an end to his military career, and in August, 1865, he received an honorable discharge from the service. When sufficiently recovered he returned to the coal region and became employed as a driver of a timber team for a colliery, leaving that labor to assume a position on a boat hauling coal from Schuylkill Haven. Subsequently he worked for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad as repair man and brakeman, and then learned the trade of boat-builder. He quit the latter occupation to embark in the breaker-building business, and after a number of years became out- side foreman for the Lehigh Coal Company. Some years ago Mr. Gerber leased a dirt bank of P. W. Shafer and put into operation the first washer of any dimension in the anthracite region. From this bank he has shipped more than 100,000 tons a year ever since. About 1890 he got possession of an old colliery shipping about six tons a day, and by careful management and skillful development made it a paying venture, some 30,000 tons being shipped the first year. From year to year the output increased until it reached 60,000 tois a year. Then Mr. Gerber formed a partnership with the Beddell Bros. and erected a new breaker, which brought the shipments up to 100,000 tons annually. With S. A. Beddell and D. B. Klein Mr. Gerber obtained the controlling interest in the Eagle Iron Works, at the time in a defunct state. In 1905 the firm did $30,000 worth of business, and now employs about 40 men. In 1877 Mr. Gerber was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Dry, a native of this county, and a daughter of Paul and Hannah Dry, both deceased. . To this union have been born five children. Elizabeth, the eldest, is the wife of James Kalbach, and the mother of two sons, Paul and Ray ; Bertha is Mrs. Jesse Long and has two children, Wilbur and Maud; a sketch of Elmer, the only surviving son, appears elsewhere in this volume; Annie is Mrs. Aaron Burn- inger, and Charles died at the age of two years. Mrs. Gerber is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her husband of the German Reformed church. He is also identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is known as a man of fine business capacity, keen intellect and upright char- acter.
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Gerhard, Prof. Frederic, instructor in music, leader of the Third Brigade band and Gerhard's Symphony orchestra, was born at Hummelstown, Dauphin county, Pa., Jan. 17, 1864, a son of Charles and Jane (Bickel) Gerhard. The father was a native of Alsace- Lorraine when it was under French dominion and after coming to this country was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. The paternal grandfather, Frederic Gerhard, was a soldier under Napoleon in the ill-fated Moscow campaign. The mother, who died in Philadelphia on May 30, 1903, was a direct descendant of Simon Sallada and Margaret Everhart, who became famous in the carly history of Schuylkill county. The family consisted of two sons and three daughters, of whom the professor is the eldest. Annie is now Mirs. AAdelbert S. Jordan, of Philadelphia : Julia M. is unmarried and with Margaret and Edward C. lives in Philadelphia. The professor's early life was spent in Ashland. Ringtown and Shenandoah and he acquired his limited education in the schools of these boroughs. While still a young boy he started to earn his own living as a slate picker in the Shenandoah mines and subse- quently went to work as a core maker in a foundry. When he came to Pottsville in his nineteenth year it was to enter the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company in their foundry. Before this time he had shown an aptitude for and an ability in music which had surprised even the most critical, and after his arrival in Pottsville he began the systematic study which is required of every good musician. For the period of time that he was engaged in foundry work he spent his evenings playing in the theater orchestras. In 1889 he went to New York city and spent a year there as a student under Dr. Eugene Thayer and Gustav Dannreuther, pursuing a course in theory and composition under the former and taking violin lessons from the latter. Upon his return to Pottsville in 1890 he was elected leader of the Third Brigade band, of which he had been a member for some eight years previous to his going to New York. This organization was brought together first on Oct. 19. 1879. being constituted entirely of residents of Pottsville. It attended many state and national functions, among them the inaugurations of presidents and gov- ernors, the Dewey jubilee, and the state encampments of the National Guard. . An act of the legislature passed in 1903 did away with the brigade band as a military organization, but it has been continued for other purposes since that time. Prof. Gerhard has organized an orchestra called Gerhard's Symphony orchestra and a string quartette which fulfills concert engagements during the season. He has large classes in violin and piano instruction and has deservedly won for himself a fine reputation by his suc- cess in this line. On Oct. 30. 1888. Mr. Gerhard married Miss Minnie G. Brown, daughter of the late Charles Brown, a merchant of Pottsville. The Brown family was one of the first to locate in Pottsville and is now well established there. To Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard have been born two children, Grace Jane and Charles William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard are members of the Eng-
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lish Lutheran church, with which Mr. Gerhard has been associated ever since he was sixteen years of age. Fraternally he is affiliated with Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, Frce and Accepted Masons, Moun- tain City Chapter, No. 196, Royal Arch Masons, and Constantine Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templars.
Goas, Charles H., a harness-maker by vocation and a justice of the peace of Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough on Feb. 28, 1861, a son of John C. and Christiana (Stegmier) Goas. Both parents were born in Germany, but in different provinces. The other four children of the family are John M., Thomas F., Mary C. and Harry A. Charles H. Goas attended the public schools of Schuylkill Haven and at the age of twelve years began earning his own living by driving a team for E. Emery. After a few years he started in to learn the harness-makers' trade and in January, 1890, embarked in this business for himself. By his energy and perseverance, combined with exceptional skill as a workman in his trade, he has made a financial success of the business and his patronage is well established. In politics Mr. Goas is a firm be- liever in the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy and has been the successful candidate of his party for numerous offices. For some time he was borough councilman and in February, 1894, was first elected justice of the peace in his ward. Probably no better evidence of his popularity can be found than the fact that he has been continuously reelected to the office at each successive election in a ward which is overwhelmingly Republican in its votes on other candidates. In a fraternal way he is well known over the county, being a member of the Schuylkill Haven Lodge, No. 270, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, Royal Arch Masons, of Pottsville. Mr. Goas' wife was formerly Miss Kate A. Mengle, daughter of Michael Mengle, and his marriage to her occurred in October, 1893. The children of this union are five in number-Marion N., Charles M., John L. C., Christina S. and Catherine K. The family attend the Evangelical church of Schuylkill Haven.
Godrycz, Rev. John, Ph.D., LL.D., D.D., a man of exceptional intellect and broad culture, rector of St. Casimir's Polish Catholic church in Shenendoah, was born in Russian Poland in 1876. His educational training was acquired in his native land and in Rome, three years being devoted to the study of medicine. After the death of his parents he was sent to Rome under the patronage of Count Strogonoff to study ' philosophy, the natural sciences and divinity. At the end of six years of tireless work and study he was granted the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Divinity and was sent by his church to fill the chair of professor of philosophy in the theological seminary of Detroit, Mich., under the Rev. Bishop Foley. After five years in this capacity he re- turned to Rome to become a student of common and civil law and divinity. In three years' time he was granted doctorates in all three courses and returned to Detroit to accept a chair of common law, philosophy and moral theology. but filled it only a year. At
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the end of that period he began his ministerial duties as a member of the diocese of Philadelphia and was sent to thester, where he established a Polish parish and built a church. When, after eleven months, he had completed the duty assigned him he was trans- terred to Shenandoah. This congregation had been organized by Rev. Alexander Lenarkiewicz, who had built the church edifice in 18-8. After his death in July, 1001, the charge was assumed temporarily by Rev. Father Biela and later by Rev. M. Monkie- wicz. On Nov. 25. 1905. Dr. Godrycz was duly installed as rector and has been serving in the capacity since. The membership. which is made up wholly of people of Polish nationality, numbers 500 families, and the church edifice, built of brick and stone, is one of the handsomest and largest in Shenandoah. It has a seat- ing capacity of 900 and is most elaborately finished and furnished. the paintings alone having cost some $2,000. In the fall of 1905 the exterior of the building was painted and renovated. There is also a parochial school under the direct supervision of the pastor. conducted by the Sisters of St. Bernard, which was established in 1809. Dr. Godrycz has established a system of societies and or- ganizations with a view to bringing the people of the parish into closer touch with the church and Christian life. One of these, the name of which translated is Moderation in Life, is for young men between the ages of sixteen and thirty ; another, called Education. is for girls and young ladies over the age of fourteen. Altogether there are fourteen of these organizations, two of which are for married women, and some of them carry the benefit feature. Dr. Godrycz is a writer of national fame, his contributions being along the line of philosophical thought, and the same careful study and broad intellectual grasp which have marked his work as a teacher and pastor are evident in his literature. He has received the high- est commendation from leaders of public thought and the personal thanks and appreciation of Cardinal Gibbons and others.
Gore, Samuel Helms, prothonotary of Schuylkill county. Pa., and a resident of Pottsville, was born in that city on Aug. 13. 1863, a son of William Henry and Sophia E. (Helms) Gore, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia. Pa .. April 20, 1841. and died ()ct. 23. 1870. and the latter was born at Womelsdorf, Pa .. Fcb. 28. 1845. and died in March. 1880. They were married Ang. 20. 1860. Mrs. Gore being a daughter of Samuel and Marie (Smith) Helms, and they became the parents of three child- ren : Susan Norbury, who was born in Pottsville. Oct. 31, 1861. became the wife of Elmer E. Veter; Samuel Helms, the subject of this review : and William Henry, who was born in Pottsville. Nov. 6. 1868. William Henry Gore, the father, was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He received his education in the schools of Philadelphia and Pottsville, and his active busi- ness career was spent in the latter city, first as a printer and later as agent for an express company. During the Civil war he enlisted as a musician in the 48th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry,
ABB Graeff
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and later enlisted Tanks m the three months ervice Samuel H. Gore, i mediate wi 14 " view, dates his ancestry back 1. olutionas on both sides have beer aly colonia 51.1-grand
father, Joseph Tech Norbitt the War of
1812, and It . craved as - county while a pro ! prandfaili : wir sought in 1.1. patriot ruke throughout fin he chinger
educated in the public ; hools of Pottsville and in Nov. 002. "local to the office of prathenolaty of his pali eauty for a ton of three year ..
i this im. Stit. ....
portant
Ta et Intent Fire Company afu. . np vo. 36, Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and v: 134, Fraternal Order of Lagles, On Aug. 23, 1802, he was muted in marriage to Mary ETzabeth a d'erhier of John Show of Pottsville, and to this Barn . Frank Miller Gore, the date of his I .... Gotshall, William H., the genial host colle, was born at Sunbury, Pa. in Februar. of Henry and Harriet (Cressinger) Gotshall and ch. good German stock. His paternal grandfather, Daniel with was a wheelwright by vocation and -pept all His life in Noit'. cumberland county. The mother's father Sarl; an agriculturist of Northumberland. was a soldier in the Union army duri a wound in one of the engagements .. 1901, leaving a family of four chilor this sketch is the second in order o: phine, wife of George Duham; Eliza' ' trude, wife of Daniel Oyster. Will ... his educational advantages in the ! was reared. When he had finished li. the employ of the Sunbury Gas Comp. for seven years. Subsequently for a months he was a driver for the brew. This latter position he left in 1901 . at Lavelle, in which he has successi In 1895 was solenmizta Mr. 1 Reabuch, daughter of Flias and !!
land county The children of " Herbert, Walter, Grohlie Helen. are communicants of the Lutheran shall is a z dans Democrat. F. : Improved in of Red Men. .. the Sims Extrarens. Graefi. deiman B .- Tamamı able pion ; . vre March 21.
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and later enlisted in the ranks in the three months' service. Samuel H1. Gore, the immediate subject of this review, dates his ancestry back to the Revolutionary period, his ancestors on both sides have been of sturdy colonial stock. A paternal great-grand- father, Joseph Heath Norbury, was a sca captain in the War of 1812, and later served as prothonotary of Philadelphia county, while a great-grandfather on the maternal side fought in the patriot ranks throughout the Revolutionary war. Mr. Gorc was educated in the public schools of Pottsville and in Nov .. 1902, was elected to the office of prothonotary of his native county for a term of three years. That his administration of the duties of this im- portant office was successful and highly gratifying to his con- stituents is evidenced by the fact that in November, 1905, he was reelected, and is at present occupying that position. Mr. Gore is president of the Good Intent Fire Company and fraternally is a member of Camp No. 36, Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and Aerie No. 134, Fraternal Order of Eagles. On Aug. 23, 1892, he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Shaw, a daughter of John Shaw of Pottsville, and to this union one child has been born: Frank Miller Gore, the date of his birth being Aug. 1, 1893.
Gotshall, William H., the genial host of the Eagle hotel at Lavelle, was born at Sunbury, Pa., in February, 1868. He is a son of Henry and Harriet (Cressinger) Gotshall and comes of good German stock. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Gotshall, was a wheelwright by vocation and spent all his life in North- umberland county. The mother's father, Samuel Cressinger, was an agriculturist of Northumberland. Henry Gotshall, the father, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and received a wound in one of the engagements of that struggle. He died in 1901, leaving a family of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth. The others are Jose- phine, wife of George Duham; Elizabeth, also married; and Ger- trude, wife of Daniel Oyster. William H. Gotshall received all his educational advantages in the schools of Sunbury, where he was reared. When he had finished his scholastic labors he entered the employ of the Sunbury Gas Company, with which he remained for seven years. Subsequently for a period of nine years and four months he was a driver for the brewery firm of Rockefeller & Co. This latter position he left in 1901 to embark in the hotel business at Lavelle, in which he has successfully continued since that time. In 1895 was solemnized Mr. Gotshall's marriage to Miss Kate Reabuch, daughter of Elias and Harriet Reabuch of Northumber- land county. The children of this union are six in number- Herbert, Walter, Goldie, Helen, Beulah and Harry. The family are communicants of the Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Got- shall is a zealous Democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Sons of Veterans.
Graeff, Herman B .- Tamaqua has been the home of this vener- able pioneer since March 31, 1849. He was then a young man of
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nineteen and came from his parental home at Temple, Berks county, to engage in life's duties on his own account. Young Giraett entered the employ of Bowman, Moyer & Richardson in the capacity of bookkeeper, and served eight years with this firm and other mercantile establishments of those early days. He was elected tax collector of the village in 1857, and served six years in that office. He also served several years as justice of the peace prior to 1875. He began the study of law in the office of .1. W. Leyburn, and after three years spent in study in con- nection with his other business interests, he was admitted to the Schuylkill county bar in 1861. He at once opened an office in Tamaqua, and has been in constant practice in that borough since. He has always been considered a very successful lawyer, and a wise and conservative counsellor. His experience has been varied, and covers every phase of legal practice in the courts of the county and contiguous terri- tory. Mr. Graeff has always taken an active interest in any public measure calculated to enhance the interests of Tamaqua, or for the benefit of the general public. He has never aspired to public office, but has been content to devote his time and talents to his professional work. He was clerk of the borough council for six- teen years, and has also served as a member of the school board. He began his political career as a Whig, and cast his first ballot for the principles of that party in 1851. Four years later, the Repub- lican party came into existence, and Mr. Graeff has been a firm adherent to the doctrines of Republicanism for more than half a century. Herman B. Graeff was born at Temple, Berks county. Pa .. Oct. 27. 1830. a son of Daniel and Arasmy (Beard) Graeff. also natives of Berks county, the father born at Kutztown in 1801, and the mother near Reading, at the then village of Birdsboro. In 1841 the parental home was transferred from Berks county to Schuylkill Haven, where the father engaged in the hotel business. He died there in March, 1850. His widow survived him for many years, and died in Tamaqua. She was an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. These were the parents of six children, only three of whom are now living. viz .: llerman B., the subject of this sketch ; Francis B., a retired mann- facturer living in Tamaqua, and Michael B., who went to Colo- rado in 1860, and has spent his life in the mining business in the west. The subject of this article has been twice married. first in 1856. to Miss Lenora Lattimore, of Northampton county. She died in 1874. leaving four children who lived to years of maturity. Those living are Charles, who has been associated with his father in the law business for the last fifteen years, and Mary L., widow of .A. J. Rhodes, late of Tamaqua. Mr. Graeff married his present companion, who was Miss Evelyn B. Maxton, in 1875. and three children have been born to this union, James H .. Lenora L., and Robert J. Mr. Graeff was adjutant of the 176th Pennsylvania mi- litia during the Civil war, and served a brief term at the front during the invasion of the state.
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