USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 25
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BIOGRAPHICAL
father in reclaiming the land to cultivation and has ever continued to make his home in Eldred township, where he owns a finely im- proved farm and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of this section of his native county. He has long been prominent in local affairs ; is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities ; has held various offices of public trust; has served on the jury for thirty-one times ; was tax collector for twenty-eight years ; assessor nineteen years; school trustee twenty-five years; school director twenty-four years, and township clerk two years. He is one of the pillars of the Church of God in Eldred township and has been an elder in the same for twenty-two years. He has also rendered long service as trustee of the church and was its treasurer for a number of years, being active in all departments of the church work. For several years past he has lived essentially retired, enjoying the re- wards of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. He is well pre- served in both physical and mental faculties, is a man of broad in- formation, and takes a lively interest in the questions and issues of the day. Mr. Hepler's first marriage was solemnized in 1848, when he wedded Miss Rebecca Cartman, of Eldred township. She died in 1862. Concerning the eight children of this union the following data are given : Rachel, now residing with her father, is the widow of Jeremiah Bishop and has one daughter; Henry and Daniel are twins, the former a prominent farmer of Eldred township and the latter a resident of South Bend, Ind .: Henry has seven children and Daniel three ; John, an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road Company, resides at Shamokin, Pa., and has five children ; Emanuel, in charge of his father's homestead farm, married Emma Lucas and they have four children; Lydia is the wife of Samuel Hornburg and they have six children ; William, a resident of Sha- mokin, is likewise an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road Company, and his children are five in number ; Rebecca, resid- ing at Pennington, N. J., is the widow of Jacob Hunt and has two sons. For his second wife Mr. Hepler married Miss Lydia Snyder, of Northumberland county, and her death occurred in March, 1900. Four children were born of this marriage: Priscilla is the wife of Richard Hubler, of Ashland, Pa., and they have eight children ; George is a bachelor and remains at the paternal home; and Laura and Josiah are deceased.
Hepler, William F., who is now living essentially retired on his fine farm in Eldred township, bears a name which is known and honored throughout Schuylkill county and which gave title to the village of Hepler. He is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of the county and one which has played well its part in the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. William F. Hepler was born on the old Hepler homestead, in Eldred township, Feb. 6, 1847, a son of Henry Hepler, who was born May 12, 1795, and whose death occurred July 5. 1864. Henry Hepler was a son of John Casper Hepler, born May 20, 1751, and died Dec. 27, 1816. His wife was born on March 27, 1755, and died on Jan. 27, 1831. John C. Hepler was the founder of the family in 14-Vol. II
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Schuylkill county He was born in Germany, and upon com to America first settled in Berks county, Pa, where he removed to Schuylkill county, and bought a large tract of wild land in Eldred townslup, where he was one of the first settlers He reclaimed a good farm in the midst of the forest and became one of the influ ential citizens of the locality. He was a zealous member of the Lutheran church. He seared a large family of children and many of his descendants still remain residents of Schuylkill county. llenry Hepler, father of the subject of this sketch, passed his cu- tire lie on the old home farm, to whose reclamation he contrib- uted, and was one of the prominent and honored citizens of Eldred township. He first married Salome Bolech, who died on Feb. 10. 1816. The maiden name of his second wife was Eva Kindern, who was born on July 30, 1797, and died on Feb 4. 1821. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Dunkelberger, who was born on Oct. 20, 1700, and who died Sept. 17. 1827. The fourth marriage was to Eva Wintzel, of Northumberland county, who was born March 10. 1806, and who died Aug. 19. 1884 No children were born of the first marriage, and the three children of the second marriage are all deceased. Three children were born of the third marriage and all are now deceased. Of the children of the fourth mar- ringe one died in early childhood; Lydia and Abbie died later : Sarah J. resides in South Dakota; Susanna is deceased; and Will- iam F. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Henry Kepler was engaged in the four and feed business for many years, having built and operated what is still known as the Hepler mill. He was a man of marked energy and progressiveness and left a definite impress for good upon the community in which his entire life was passed. He was a most zealous member of Zion Evangelical church and was loyal to all the duties of citizenship, though he never sought public office. William F. Hepler, whose name intro- duces this article, was reared to maturity on the old homestead and his entire active career was one of close and successful identi- fication with agricultural pursuits. His fine farm comprises 250 acres, 200 of which are under effective cultivation. The buildings are of substantial and attractive order and the place is recognized as one of the best farms in the township. In politics Mr. Hepler is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and he has served as school director and school supervisor of his district. He and his family are members of Zion United Evangelical church in Eklred township, and he has long been one of its honored pillars, having served as class-leader and having been active in all departments of the church work. Mr. Hepler's first marriage was solemnized in 1870, when he wedded Miss Mary Dunkelberger, of Hegins township, a member of one of the old and honored families of this section of the state. Mrs. Hepler was summoned to the life eternal on Dec. 4. 1892, and of her chil- dren the following brief record is entered: Monroe. a rural mail carrier, residing at Pitman. this county, where he was formerly a
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successful teacher, married Jennie Adams, whose death occurred in February, 1906; Henry G., a moulder by trade and vocation, resides at Lansford, Pa., and married Clara Rhodenburger; Lizzie is the wife of John N. Buffington, of Pillow, Pa .; Charles is a suc- cessful farmer of Eldred township; Della is the wife of Monroe Manner, of Eldred township; Joseph resides in Girardville, Pa .; Mamie resides with her brother Monroe; and William F., Jr., has charge of his father's farm. The second marriage of the subject of this sketch occurred in 1894, when he wedded Sarah Newgard, of Eldred township, where she was born and reared.
Hermany, Phaon, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon in Mahanoy City, was born in Jacksonville, Lehigh county, Pa., Sept. 16, 1840, one of a family of eight children born to John and Salome Hermany, both natives of Lehigh county. The names of these brothers and sisters are as follows: Mrs. Didama Brobst, born in 1833; Mrs. Sallie Crietz, born in 1835, and died in 1862; Mrs. Mary Wuchter, born in 1837; Edwin, born in 1838; Lydia, born in 1842; John, Jr., born in 1844; Martha M., born in 1850. The birth- place of the entire family was at the old homestead in Jackson- ville, Lehigh county, Pa., and most of the survivors still reside in that vicinity. Dr. Hermany was educated at Mount Pleasant sem- inary, and was graduated in the medical department of the Uni- versity of New York, March 3, 1863. He established himself in practice in Mahanoy City soon after his graduation, and has been in continuous practice in Schuylkill county for more than forty years. His career has been crowned with success, and as a physi- cian in the county he sustains his standing in the profession. He was married in Mahanoy City Dec. 6, 1863, to Miss Mary J., daughter of David and Susan (Lentz) Bowman, and four children have been born to this union, all located in their native town. They are Horace David, Robert K., Susan L. B., and Sallie K. B. The eld- est daughter is now Mrs. Dyatt. Robert K. died in 1872. The family are members of the English Lutheran church. Dr. Her- many is a Republican in his political affiliations, and though never an office-seeker, he has always manifested a strong interest in the supremacy of Republican principles. He served many years as deputy county coroner. The doctor has attained high standing in the councils of Free Masonry, is a member of all the Masonic bodies, and has passed through all the official stations, except in the Scottish Rite Consistory of Philadelphia, Pa., to which he be- longs. Of professional societies, he holds membership in the Schuylkill county medical society, the Pennsylvania state medical society, the American medical association and the Lehigh county medical society.
Hess, Charles Elmer, assistant trainmaster of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Palo Alto, was born at Girardville on Aug. 14, 1866, a son of Jacob Wilson and Emma (Wolf) Hess. He is of Dutch and German descent, his paternal great-grandfather having come to Bloomsburg, Columbia county, where the grandfather, Jacob Hess, was born. Maternally his lineage is German, his
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great great-grandfather having immigrated from the Fatherland Io Northumberland county in an carly day. It was in Northum- berland county that Jacob t. Woli, the grandfather, was burn. Emma (lol) Hess was born in Lewisburg and Jacob Wilson Hess near Bloomsburg, Columbia county. The latter during the Civil war raised three companies of volunteers for service in the I'mon army, and was made second heutenant of the last one, sub- sequently being promoted to the rank of captain. He was a par- Heipant in the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg, and while the great struggle was in progress at Gettysburg his regiment was held in reserve between that town and Shippensburg. In 1805 he received an honorable discharge from the service. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Northumberland county until he was nine years of age and then moved with his parents to Whitehall. Md. After he had completed a course in the preparatory school there he went to Baltimore, where he took a course in the Baltimore City college and then engaged in peda- gogic work for a year. At the end of that period he returned to Baltimore and for three years was engaged in the dry goods busi- ness. During his residence in Baltimore he learned telegraphy, and when he left his position with the dry goods firm it was to go to Nanticoke, Luzerne county. Pa., in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. as an operator. He remained in Nanti- coke until toot, when he left to go to Williamsport to accept a position as chief clerk in the freight office of the Philadelphia & Reading railway. In the year tyot he removed to St. Clair, where he was made yardmaster for the company. After a rather short service there he was promoted to the position of assistant train- master at Palo Alto, and has since been the efficient incumbent of that office. On Nov. 24. 1887, Mr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Ada Wertz, a daughter of William and Mary ( Remer) Wertz. of Lewisburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hess are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Hess is asso- ciated with the Prohibition party where the temperance issue is involved, but where that question is not paramount he exercises his right of franchise as his conscience and judgment dictate.
Hess, Henry William, sexton of the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Shenandoah, was born at Tamaqua. Schuylkill county. Jan. 17. 1855. His parents. Valentine and Elizabeth (Ginter) Hess, were both natives of Germany. The father was a soldier during the Civil war and died at Tamaqua in 1899, the mother having passed away the preceding year. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four are living. Henry W. is the ellest, and his three sisters live in Philadelphia, where Johanna is the widow of John Stiltz: Ida is the wife of Charles Icupp: and Annie is the wife of George Reber. Mr. Hess' mother was a widow at the time of her mar- riage to his father, and had one daughter, Christine, by a former marriage. She is now the wife of George Hess, an uncle of the subject of this sketch. Henry W. Hess spent his early years in working about the mines at Tamaqua. In 1872 he came to Shen-
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andoah, where he was employed in the mines until July 17, 1889, when he was appointed to his present position. No better recom- mendation of his capability and attention to duty can be presented than the mention that his tenure of office is dependent upon the cemetery committee, which has annually reappointed him since 1889, and he is now serving his eighteenth year as sexton. The cemetery is the principal one about Shenandoah and is the only one established for the accommodation of Protestants. The Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows owns the grounds and the order attends to the management of the cemetery, which contains about 7,000 graves and a number of handsome monuments. Mr. Hess takes pride in his work, as the condition of the grounds will show even to the casual visitor. On Feb. 20, 1875, Mr. Hess was mar- ried to Miss Matilda Stichler, a native of Germany, who came to this country about the time she was twenty-one years old, accom- panied by her aunt Philopena. They have four sons and three daughters, all living and all useful members of society. Lena is the wife of Enoch Davis, superintendent of the Atlantic Oil Com- pany's business at Shenandoah ; George is a plumber and tinsmith in that city, doing a good business; August Gerhard is fire boss at the Keeley Run colliery : he served for six months in the army during the Spanish-American war ; Frederick is employed with his father in the care of the cemetery: Lizzie is the wife of John Niswenter, who is engaged in the manufacture of commercial fer- tilizers; Ida and Charles are at home with their parents. The residence occupied by the family is owned by the Odd Fellows' cemetery association and is located on the crest of Locust moun- tain. on a plateau at the west entrance to the cemetery. It is one of the most commanding locations in the county. and from the door-yard is obtained a beautiful view over the adjoining territory, showing the mountains, valleys, collieries, villages, etc. Mr. Hess has been a member of Lodge No. 515. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for twenty years, and has always taken a keen interest in the work of the order. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and with his family belongs to the German Lutheran church. In politics he is independent.
Hesser, Albert A .; station agent of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Schuylkill Haven, was born in Orwigsburg on June 17. 1842. He is a son of Henry and Rebecca L. (Shoemaker) Hesser, and comes of good American stock, his grandfather having been a soldier in the Continental army in the War of the Revolution. His educational advantages were acquired in the public schools of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and his first labor was for the Philadel- phia & Reading railroad in 1858 as an office boy. From that posi- tion he was promoted to be wood agent, and remained in that capacity until coal became the fuel for locomotive engines. Then he was made train despatcher at Cressona. from which position he rose to be superintendent of the Mine Hill or Reading division of the road. In 1878 he was transferred to become assistant super- intendent of the largest division in the coal fields, known as the
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Mahaney division, and extending from Port Clinton to Newbury Junction In a year he had risen to the inll superintendentes and retained it until 1850 That year the road passed into the hands of receivers and most of the officials from the president down to the superintendents were relieved, Mr. Hesser being among the number. Probably one of the most valuable inventions in use by the railroad companies to safeguard against accident is the de railing switch. The importance of the invention can best be real used when it is known that it is in universal use by all the large railway corporations in the U'united States and in general use m European countries. Mr. Hesser is the inventor of this device and tells a rather remarkable story in connection with the concep- tion of the idea embodied in it. On May 15. 1878, a gondola car loaded with rails was placed on the rear of a colliery track at the Mount Eagle colliery on the top of Broad mountain. A heavy grade of five miles extended from the colliery toward Tremont. In the evening when the breaker crew attempted to drop the car a short distance down the track the brake chain gave way and the car, gaining speed with every yard, rushed madly down the grade toward Tremont at the base of the mountain. Doubtless it would have caused a fcarini destruction of property and possibly a los of human life had not its velocity been such that when it struck a Sharp curve a mile west of Tremont it was fortunately derailed. The incident suggested to Mr. Hesser' the idea of the derailing switch, and putting his ideas into shape he perfected the device. It was first tried near the Mount Eagle colliery and since that time has been installed all over the country. Mr. Hesser's present posi- tion came to him in 1903. On May 13, 1880, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Alice J. Coxe, and to the union have been born four children-Henry D., Marion C .. Albert .A., Jr., and William K. The family is allied with the Reformed church in religious affairs, but Mr. Hesser lends his support to all faiths. In political matters Mr. Hesser is absolutely independent, exercising his right of franchise for the man he considers best fitted for the office in question. lle is a man of much resource, sincere integrity and withal an exemplary citizen.
Higgins, James C., M. D., one of the younger and most promi -- ing members of the medical profession in Schuylkill county, and a resident of Shenandoah, was born at Tamaqua on Sept. 27. 1875. a son of John F. and Margaret ( Franey) Higgins. The paternal grandfather, William Higgins, was a railroad worker in the carly days of transportation in this county, having assisted in the con- struction of the railroads about Tamaqua, and had the unique distinction of firing the first locomotive ever operated in the county. The father was an iron molder by vocation, and although he followed that occupation during the larger part of his career he was for a time engaged in the shoe business in Shenandoah. He was one of the constructors of the engine which hoisted the stone of which the Philadelphia city hall is built. The mother was born in Ireland and was a daughter of Martin Francy, for
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many years a prominent merchant in Shenandoah. Both parents are deceased, the father departing this life in 1893 and the mother in 1901. Dr. Higgins is the fifth son in order of birth of the ten children born to his parents. The names of the others are Alice ; William, an undertaker at Mount Carmel; George, station agent for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Shamokin; Melissa ; John F., who served four years as a member of the state senate; Nellie ; Catherine ; Charles, a medical student at Philadelphia ; and Julia. Of the total six are married. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the public schools of Shen- andoah and attended the high school until he reached his junior year. He then took a course in the state normal school at Lock Haven and studied under private tutors for a number of years until he took up the study of medicine at the Medico-Chirurgical college at Philadelphia in 1900. Just prior to his entering the latter institution, however, he was a clerk in the Shenandoah city col- liery for several months. He was granted his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1904 and for the following year was employed as an interne in the Medico-Chirurgical hospital at Philadelphia. He then returned to Shenandoah and established himself in his pro- fessional practice, and although he has been located there but a short time he has met with a cordial and exceptional reception and has laid the basis of an excellent practice. He is professionally identified as a member of the Shenandoah medical society. On March 7, 1905, Dr. Higgins married Miss Stella M. Hinch, of Philadelphia, a daughter of the late William E. Hinch, who for many years was one of the most prominent business men of the Quaker City. Mrs. Hinch is a lady of broad culture and many accomplishments, having received her training in the Notre Dame seminary of Philadelphia. Both the doctor and his wife are mem- bers of the Church of the Annunciation, under the pastorate of Rev. Father O'Reilly. Fraternally Dr. Higgins is associated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a young man of enthusi- asm and ambition, and his many friends predict for him a magnifi- cent future.
Hinkley, Frank, a retired machinist and locomotive engineer of Tamaqua, was born in the city where he now resides on March 4, 1838, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Ruch) Hinkley. The former was born in Massachusetts and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father's birth occurred on July 4, 1800, and his death in 1876. Be- fore the days of railroads he drove the daily stage between Port Clinton and Tamaqua, covering a distance of forty miles. Sub- sequently he had charge of the teams of the Little Schuylkill Rail- road Company. The subject of this memoir is the second in order of birth of the four survivors of twelve children. James, the eld- est, resides in Reading; Margaret is the widow of William Ellis, of Terre Haute, and Melista is now Mrs. William Bachelor, also of Terre Haute. Frank Hinkley attended the common schools of his native county until fourteen years of age, and then for six years served his time as an apprentice in the machinists' trade.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Then for a time be tired on a freight locomotive, working at that until promoted to be an engineer His first employment on the railroad was with the Little Schuylkill Company, and he remamed on the line with the Philadelphia & Reading after it had absorbed the smaller road until 1802 He then went with the Baldwin laco- motive works and for five years was the traveling construction agent of that firm. His residence was then in Norristown, l'a. for a time, and for two years in Manch Chunk, where he was in charge of the roundhouse. About Christmas time, 1903, after his return to Tamagua, he resigned from active participation in rail- road life and has since given devoted and most unselfish attention to his invalid wife. On Aug. 10. 1858, Mr. Hinkley was united in marriage to Miss Esther Davis, born in Wales on April 14. 1812. Mrs. Hinkley came to the United States when she was but six Years of age. Four children have blessed this union. William Henry, the eldest, is the subject of a sketch in this volume. Albert Francis, like his older brother, is a locomotive engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. Clara Elizabeth was born March 7. 1808, and died Feb. 18, 1874; and lane Davis, born Oct. 12. 1820, died Jan. 8. 1872. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley are zealous communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Hink- ley has been trustee, steward and librarian of the Tamaqua con- gregation. Fraternally he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a much respected citizen of the community.
Hinkley. William H., a locomotive engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, whose home is at Tamaqua, was born in that city on Feb. 12, 1859. a son of Frank and Esther (Davis) Hinkley. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this volume. William 11. Hinkley attended the public schools of Tamaqua until he was fifteen years of age and then accepted a position as fire- man on one of the Philadelphia & Reading locomotives. After three years of service in that capacity he was promoted to the posi- tion of engineer, and since that time has been continuously "at the throttle." For more than thirty years he has been a locomo- tive engineer, and eighteen years of that time has had the same run. In eighteen years he has lost but eighteen days' time, part of which was due to an accident resulting from a jump from his locomotive when a careless switchman had left a switch open and his engine ran upon the turn table. Although he is the oldest in point of service of any engineer on the Shamokin division he has been "called up" to the superintendent's office for reprimand fewer times than any other man in the same capacity, only one ' offense of the kind being charged up against him. Mr. Hinkley has been twice married. In 1877 he married Miss Louisa Me- Kelvy, daughter of C. W. and Deborah MeKelvy. The father. who was a paper manufacturer, is deceased, but his widow is still living, an honored resident of Scranton. Pa. Three children were born to this union, of whom the eldest, Charles F., is a foreman of the American Car Company at Berwick. He married Miss Eliza- beth Filbert. of Hazleton. and they have had two children-
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