USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 22
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has devoted much time to the study of smallpox and its treatment, and in 1901 during an epidemic of the disease he resigned his posi- tion as president of the borough board of health to take charge of the afflicted citizens. Before the ravages of the dread disease had ceased Dr. Gruhler had treated 163 patients, and the final extermi- nation of the disease was due in large measure to his untiring efforts. On May 23, 1894, was celebrated Dr. Gruhler's marriage to Miss Minnie Gertrude Hoover, who was born in Pottsville, a daughter of Albert and Minnie Hoover, of Shenandoah. To Dr. and Mrs. Gruhler has been born one child, a daughter, Miss Helene D. The doctor is a member of the Lutheran church and his wife is of the Presbyterian faith. Politically Dr. Gruhler is a Republican, but aside from the two years he served as president of the borough board of health he has never held public office. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Gruhler, Martin, one of the leading pharmacists of Shenandoah, was born at Joppa, Palestine, Feb. 10, 1867, and is the eldest of five children born to John and Carolina (Kreuz) Gruhler, both natives of Germany, the former having been born in Würtemberg and the latter in Saxony. The father was educated at the Uni- versity of Heidelberg and spent his life as a minister of the Lutheran church. For seventeen years he was a missionary in Palestine, where the family was living at the time the subject of this sketch was born. Of the other children Christian was born in Joppa ; Mary, now Mrs. P. J. Bierman, was born in Germany. and Fannie D. and Frederick in America. Thus the family are natives of three continents-Asia, Europe and America. Both the sisters now reside in the city of Philadelphia; Frederick is in business at Lambertville, N. J. In 1871 the parents located in the town of Shenandoah, where Martin received his education. He then entered the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, where he graduated in 1893, and soon afterward established a drug store in Shenandoah. In April, 1905, he opened a branch store in the same town, and it is no disparagement to the other druggists of the city to say that he is the leading pharmacist of the place. Mr. Gruhler is also interested in other business enterprises. He was one of the founders and is the present secretary of the Mutual building and loan association of Shenandoah; was a member of the first board of directors of the association; and is a director in the First National bank, his father having been one of the charter members of that institution. In politics Mr. Gruhler is a Socialist. From 1900 to 1903 lie served as tax receiver of Shenandoah. dis- charging the duties with ability and fidelity. He is a member of Shenandoah Aerie, No. 103, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and he and his wife both belong to the German Lutheran church. In 1895 was solemnized the marriage of Martin Gruhler to Miss Anna Elizabeth Lehe, a former teacher in the Shenandoah public schools, and a daughter of George Lehe, who came to Shenandoah from
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Pottsville. To Mr. and Mrs. Grubler have been born three chil- dren-Caroline, Ruth AA. and John. Caroline is the only child now living. In all his business transactions Mr. Gruhler is guided by a spirit of uprightness and square dealing. He takes a commend- able interest in the general welfare of the community and is always ready to and any honorable undertaking to further the interests of the city in which he lives, or to promote the health and morals of the people. In short, he is one of Shenandoah's public-spirited. enterprising and representative citizens.
Guldner, John L., a conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, and one of the old and faithful servants of that road, was born in this county on Sept. 18, 1862. He is a son of John C. and Sarah A. ( Moll) Guldner, both native Pennsylvanians. The father was for thirty-seven years an employe of the Philadelphia & Read- ing. He died at the age of sixty-two years and his wife passed away in February, 1002, at the age of sixty-one. The father was a member of the Lutheran church and the mother of the Reformed congregation. Of the nine children four are living. Ida May, the eldest, born Nov. 3. 1859. died April 13. 1875: Edward E. is a railway conductor : Laura Ellen, born April 6, 1866, died AApril 1. 1874; Mary Elizabeth, horn Nov. 20, 1809. died Aug. 23. 1873: Joseph Monroe, born Sept. 12. 1873. died Aug. 25, 1878; Sarah Jane is the wife of William Geasing, a blacksmith of Hazleton ; Oliver Isaac, born Feb. 4, 1884, is deceased ; and Susan Rebecca is the wife of Conrad Zeigler. a blacksmith. The subject of this sketch is the second of the children in order of birth. He acquired a scholastic training in the common schools and then was occupied in various lines until September. 1881. At that time he entered the employ of the railroad and has been with the company ever since. After about five years of service as a brakeman he was promoted to be a conductor. His long and faithful service is ample evidence of the trust in which his employers hold him. Through careful management and strict attention to the duty in hand he has gone through all his service without an accident. On May 15. 1884. Mr. Guldner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Weiss, a daughter of the late Henry and Catherine Weiss. Her father was killed in 1880, while acting in his capacity of car inspector, and the mother died in 1891. Their seven children are Julia, now Mrs. Peter Fourour, of Philadelphia ; Philip, in Tam- aqua : Mary, who died at the age of three years; Louisa, wife of J. G. Schad: Henry N., a baker of Tamaqua: Frank, living in Mauch Chunk, where he is employed by the railroad company ; and Mrs. Guldner. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Guldner are five in number. Thomas John, the eldest. died at the age of three years, and Henry Weiss, the youngest, died when but three weeks old. The others are Louella, Helen Louise and Augusta. The family are all communicants of the German Lutheran church, and the father is identified with Tamaqua Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the encampment of the same order.
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Hadesty, P. H., an enterprising hardware merchant of Tamaqua, is a native of Schuylkill county and a son of James M. and Eliza- beth (Kantner) Hadesty. Both parents were born in Pottsville and the father came to Tamaqua in 1850, where he started in the hardware business and continued in it until his death in 1903. Hc was one of the most prominent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and for years was a trustee of the Tamaqua congrega- tion. Fraternally he was closely identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been one of the charter members of the Tamaqua lodge. With Dr. Fethrolf he was one of the organizers of the Odd Fellows' cemetery association, which main- tains one of the most beautiful as well as one of the best kept burial grounds in this section of the state. The mother died in 1904 at the age of sixty-five. She was a matronly woman, whose kindly Christian influence was felt in many a sick room, and whose demise was a loss to the whole community. The subject of this sketch received the educational advantages afforded by the public schools of Tamaqua, and upon the completion of his scholastic work he entered his father's employ as a clerk in the hardware store. He served in this capacity until 1900, when he was made a partner and the firm became Hadesty & Son. Since the father's death he has had full control of the business, which has grown in proportions under his able management. Mr. Hadesty is unmar- ried. He is recognized as one of Tamaqua's most conscientious, progressive and substantial business men.
Hafner, George L., a carpenter and builder of Shenandoah, was born in Pottsville, Pa., Dec. 1, 1863, a son of Martin John and Catherine (Philipps) Hafner, both natives of Germany. The father was a tailor and dealer in clothing and furnishing goods, first in Pottsville and later in Shenandoah, removing to the latter city on June 4, 1873. His death occurred on May 15, 1878. He and his wife had a family of seven sons and one daughter. Frederick, a carpenter, died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving a widow and two children . Edward died in California in June, 1905, a widower with four children; Louisa is the wife of Carl Schurz, of Shenandoah; William F. is a carpenter in Phila- delphia, married, and has two children; George L. is the subject of this sketch; Charles died at the age of four years; Louis F. is married and lives in Shenandoah, where he is a clerk in the Reading freight station; Harry V. is employed in the freight department of the Pennsylvania railroad at Wilkes Barre, married and has one child. After the death of the father of these children, Mrs. Hafner married Rev. John Gruh- ler, formerly a missionary to Palestine. He died in Philadelphia. George L. Hafner was educated in Pottsville and Shenandoah and worked about the mines until he was grown. He then learned the trade of breaker-builder and house carpenter, which occupation he has since followed-a period of twenty years. Mr. Hafner is a member and past grand of John W. Stokes Lodge, No. 515, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and for the past two years has
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held the office of district deputy grand master in the order, He is also a member of Camp No. 112, Patriotic Order, Sons of America. and was district president during the years 19 22-3 in district No. 5. Hle is a member and past state president of the Patriotic Order of Americans, an auxiliary of the former organization, also past coll- mander of the Shenandoah Commandery. NNo. 14. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, and at present recorder of the same ; belongs to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church and is one of its active workers, having served as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years; a member of the church council for six years; leader of the church and Sunday school choirs for the same length of time: is now lieutenant of the United Boys' Brigade of America, a semi-military organization to teach its members Chris- tian faith and obedience; and has been secretary of the Shenan- doanh Young Men's Christian association since its organization. In his political views he is an unswerving Republican and has always taken an active interest in political affairs. In 1900 he was elected to the school board for the Third ward for a term of three years. and in the spring of food was returned for a second term of the same length. He is now serving that term and is a member of the committees on text-books and supplies : exonerations ; finance. and non-resident pupils. Mr. Hafner is a bachelor and makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Schurz.
Hahn, George A., chief of police of the city of Tamaqua, was born in this county on Feb. 1. 1870. Hle is a son of George and Mary ( Ruff) Hahn, both native Germans. The father was a har- ber across the seas and followed that vocation after coming to the United States in the early '505. When the War of the Rebellion opened he enlisted as a private in a regiment belonging to the Army of the Potomac and served until the close of that historic struggle. lle was discharged as a corporal after he had partici- pated with his regiment in the grand review at Washington. Four wounds. all rather severe, one in the leg. one in the arm and two in the body, bore witness that he had in no way shirked his duty. Short- ly after being mustered out be removed to Williamsport, Pa., and in 1868 to Tamaqua, where he was actively engaged in the bar- ber business until his death, on Dec. 16. 1002, at the age of sixty- eight years. The mother's parents. Stephen and Barbara Ruff, were probably the first settlers of Tamaqua. Stephen Ruff died in the (o's and his wife some twenty years later, at the age of eighty-two years. Their eldest son. Charles, was a mechanical genius. As early as 1874 he made the first automobile known in this part of the state. Its motive power was steam, and it was known as the steam carriage. Mrs. Hahn is still living, an hon- ored resident of Tamaqua. The chief is the second in order of birth of the five children in the family. Louisa. the eldest, is the wife of Philip Trout, of Tamaqua: Richard is an interior deco- rator, working at his trade in his native city: Anna is forewoman in a shirt factory in Bayonne. N. J .: and Eva is employed in the same factory. The subject of this sketch received what education
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the public schools of Tamaqua offered, and after completing his scholastic labors he engaged in paper hanging, interior decorating and sign painting, and followed that until 1900. In that year he was chosen chief of the department of police of Tamaqua, and his retention in the office is ample proof of the efficiency with which he has filled the position. For fifteen years Chief Hahn was a member of the state militia, and during the Spanish-American war was quartermaster-sergeant, his regiment being stationed at Augusta, Ga., for four months. On Aug. 23, 1899, Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Metzger, a native of Tamaqua and a daughter of Christopher and Priscilla Metzger. The mother is deceased, but the father is still living, working at his occupation as teamster in Tamaqua. To Mr. and Mrs. Hahn has been born a daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth. Mrs. Hahn is a devout coinmuni- cant of the English Lutheran church. Fraternally the chief is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the fire company, the Maennerchor, and the International Association of chiefs of police of the United States and Canada. Mr. Hahn is undoubtedly one of the most pro- ficient men in his profession.
Halberstadt, Andrew Howell, M. D .- This venerable practi- tioner of Pottsville is a representative of three generations of physicians bearing the name of Halberstadt who have practiced medicine in Pottsville. He has long been recognized as the dean of the medical fraternity in Schuylkill county. Dr. A. H. Halber- stadt was graduated in the department of arts and sciences at Marshall college, in 1850, and in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1853. Soon after graduation he located in Pottsville and began an active professional career, which has continued to this day. He has been identified with all phases of medical practice, covering a period of more than fifty years, and long years ago he established a professional reputation second to none in eastern Pennsylvania. His career has been one of un- bounded success and well-merited popularity. During the Civil war Dr. Halberstadt rendered valiant service to the "boys in blue" in the department of medicine and surgery as acting assist- ant surgeon in the United States army, continuing in service until the close of the war. He has been active in the state, na- tional and local professional societies. He was one of the original organizers of the Pottsville hospital; has always contributed of his means and talents to the promotion of its interests, and has been chief of the staff of visiting surgeons during the eleven years of its existence. Dr. Halberstadt was married on May 25, 1854, to Miss Augusta M. Baird, a daughter of Thomas I. and Eliza (Carey) Baird, of Philadelphia. Four children have been born to this union, the eldest of whom, Dr. George H., of Pottsville, is a prominent physician and surgeon; Baird is a well-known mining engineer and geologist, with offices in Pottsville. Alfred Howell and Henry Carey complete the family circle. They are both located in Pottsville and all are prominently identified with the
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social and business affairs of their native borough. The family are Episcopalans in religious views, and in political affiliations are Republicans. Dr. A. H. Halberstadt is a son of Dr. George Halberstadt, a native of Philadelphia, born in 1805: he was grad- nated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in the class of 1827, and practiced in Pottsville until his death. 1 1800. He was prominently identified with the organization of the Pennsylvania state medical society, as appears more fully in the article on Medical Societies, in Volume 1. of this publication. Dr. George Halberstadt married Miss Mary Summers, of Phila- delphia. She was born in 1808. They had a family of four sons and two daughters, only three of whom are now living. Dr. An- drew H. Halberstadt was born in Pottsville, Aug. 11, 1831, and has been a resident of that borough all his life. The family is of German lineage, but long established on American soil.
Hall, Charles G., one of the leading merchants of Shenandoah. was born at Dantzic, Prussia, Feb. 21, 1864. His parents, Peter and Christina Hall, were both natives of Dantzic, the former having been born on July 23, 1826, and the latter on Sept. 6. 1826. In 1870 they came to America, first locating at Jersey City, N. J .. but later removing to Brooklyn, N. Y., where both died, the father in January. 1890, and the mother in 1898. Their remains rest in Greenwood cemetery. Of their children Peter is a farmer in Oregon : John is a sailor ; Annie is now Mrs. Gaede, and lives in Hoboken, N. J .: Mary died in 1876; Charles G. is the subject of this sketch ; and Minnie is now Mrs. Breitfield, of Brooklyn. When the family came to this country they were accompanied by the paternal grandmother, who died in Brooklyn. Peter served in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. Charles G. Hall received his education in the schools of his native land and at Brooklyn. In 1895 he came to Shenandoah, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits on a small scale, thus laying the foundation of his present well appointed establishment and large patronage. Owing to the good judgment with which he selected his stock to meet the demands of his customers, his affable and kindly treatment of all who came to his store, and that thrift that is such a marked characteristic of the German people. he has built up a business that is second to none in the city. In fact. it is gen- erally conceded that he carries the largest stock of general mer- chandise in Shenandoah, constantly employing seven clerks, be- sides himself and wife, who takes great pride in assisting her hus- band. Mr. Hall is independent in his political affiliations, believ- ing that good government depends more on having honest men in office than mere party candidates. On Feb. 28, 1891. Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Etter, daughter of Michael and Margaret Etter, of Danville. Pa. Four children have been born to this union, viz .: Alice. Joseph. Daniel and Paul. Daniel died in infancy. Mr. Hall is a member of the Lutheran church and his wife of the Episcopal church, and both take a com-
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mendable interest in promoting the good works of their respective denominations.
Harris, John M., editor-in-chief of the Tamaqua Evening Cou- rier, a daily paper with a circulation of 2,000 copies, was born at Tamaqua on May 4, 1878, a son of Robert and Sophia (Meyers) Harris. The father was born in Plymouth, England, but came to the United States while still a young man and settled in St. Nicho- las, where he grew to manhood. There he learned the printer's trade and in 1870 came to Tamaqua and with Daniel Eveland pur- chased the Courier, then a weekly paper. Six years later he pur- chased Mr. Eveland's interest and from that time until his death, on Jan. 14, 1896, he conducted the paper himself. He was well known in public life and his editorial utterances framed the course of public opinion in many instances. For four successive terms he was a member of the school board. His widow is still living. The subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth of the four children in the family. Marie A. is a teacher in the public schools and is now serving her thirteenth year; Ray F. is Mrs. Edward C. Hillegas, of Tamaqua; and Robert H. is the solicitor and col- lector of the Courier. John M. Harris was educated in the public schools of his native town and after he had completed his course went into his father's office and learned to set type. After the father's death, although he was but eighteen years of age, he took charge of the paper. In 1899 he changed it from a semi-weekly to a tri-weekly publication, and on June 1, 1900, made it a daily. Its high-water circulation mark was 2,400, attained during the strike year, and its average for the past three or four years is easily 2,000. It is the only daily publication between Mauch Chunk and Pottsville, so its area is not limited to Tamaqua. Mr. Har- ris is a young man of exceptional ability in his chosen vocation, and his success with the paper so far certainly augurs well for the future.
Hartman, Rev. George W., pastor of St. John's Reformed church of Orwigsburg, Pa., is a native of Pennsylvania. He is a son of George C. and Rebecca J. Hartman, both born in the Keystone state. The father was a farmer and wholesale lime dealer, formerly a resident of Leinbachs, but now living at West Leesport, Pa. He was always greatly interested in educational matters, and for many years served as school director. The father is now about sixty-nine years of age and the mother is some seven years younger. After due preliminary training in the common schools the subject of this memoir, who was one of eight children, attended the Keystone state normal, after which he was engaged in pedagogic work for several years, and then for a time assisted his father in the management of his coal and lime business. Then he matriculated at the Franklin and Marshall college of Lancaster, taking a theological course, and in 1895 was graduated at that institution. Three years later he completed a graduate seminary course and took his first ministerial charge-the pastorate of St. John's Reformed church at Orwigsburg. His continued retention
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In the service of that church is ample evidence of his faithfulness and capability. The church has a membership of about 300, and a Sunday school with an average attendance of 250. The corner- stoffe of the present edifice was laid on Aug. 28, 1831, and on the same date in town the seventy fifth anniversary of the church was celebrated with great ceremony. The congregation is an out- growth of the old Red Church of history, the separation from that institution coming in 1830. On May 20, text. Mr. Hartman mar- ried Miss Carrie M. Reed, of Doylestown, a daughter of George and Mary Reed. The children of this umon are two in number George Edwin and Esther Lydia. Mrs. Hartman is a graduate of the keystone state normal school, and for three years before her marriage was a teacher. St. John's congregation is contemplating the erection of a new edifice, the old structure being too small.
Hauck. Calvin Albert, postmaster of Brandonville, and the lead- ing general merchant of the town, was born in Shenandoah on Aug. 13. 1877. He is a son of Jeremiah and Rachel tHeimbrook ) Hauck, and one of six children, the others being Emma, Sadie, Nora. Mamie and Gertrude. The public schools of Ringtown afforded him what educational advantages he received and at the age of fourteen years he began work as a manufacturer of blast- ing powder. After six years in this line of business he and a partner opened a general store in Brandonville, under the firm name of Faust & Hauck. At the end of two years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hauck assumed entire charge of the inter- ests of the concern. He has been conducting the business under his own name since that time, and has been most successful in a financial way. On April 19, toot, President William Mckinley appointed Mr. Hauck postmaster of Brandonville, and he has been the government official since that time in connection with his other business. On Oct. 13. 1809, he married Miss Miranda Ilering, of Ringtown. a daughter of John and Miranda (Eisenhauer) Hering. and one of six children, the others being Isaac. Sallie, Ida, Clara and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Hauck have two children, a son, Willard. and a daughter. Mabel. The family are members of the Reformed church, of which for the past three years the father has been a deacon. He is recognized throughout the county as a business man of ability, upright dealing and unassailable character.
Hausman, Prof. Rudolph A., the subject of this biographical re- view, is a talented and highly accomplished musician in Pottsville. He is the youngest of a family of twelve children born to William and Anna Hausman, natives of Bohemia, Austria, where Professor Hausman was born. reared and educated. But two of. this family are now known to be living, and the subject of this article is the only one who came to America. Rudolph .A. Hausman was born July 2. 1864, and at the proper age he entered the high school of his native city, where he prepared for the profession of teaching. The laws of his country required that this preparation should in- clude a course of seven years and when this was completed Mr. Hausman turned his attention to music instead of pedagogy. He
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