USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 27
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and surgery. He keeps abreast of the onward march of the pro- fession, and is allied with the medical societies of the county and state, a member of the American medical association, of which he is an ex-president, and an active participant in their deliberations. He is a Republican in political sentiments and a Lutheran in re- ligious views, and has been choir master of St. James' Lutheran church for sixteen years. Of the social fraternities, he holds mem- bership in the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, of which he is · a past president in his camp ; a member of the Royal Arcanum, and has been its medical examiner since its organization ; medical ex- aminer of the Schuylkill Aerie, No. 524, Fraternal Order of Eagles ; a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Potts- ville from the time of its organization until the institution of the Ashland Lodge in 1898, when he affiliated with the home body, of which he is now lecturing knight. He is master of Ashland Lodge, No. 294, Free and Accepted Masons ; is past high priest of Griscom Chapter, No. 219, Royal Arch Masons; is generalissimo of Prince of Peace Commandery, No. 39. Knights Templars ; is a thirty-sec- ond degree member of Williamsport Consistory, Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite Masons; and belongs to Rajah Temple, An- cient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading Pa .; is president of the Washington Hall association ; vice-presi- dent and director of the Miners' and Laborers' saving fund; a director of the Locust Mountain saving fund of Ashland, Pa. ; and is examiner for the following life insurance companies: Ætna, Equitable, Fidelity, Hartford Mutual of Connecticut, Mutual Life of New York, Mutual Life of Newark, N. J., Philadelphia Mutual, Manhattan, New England Mutual, Security Trust, of Bingham- ton, N. Y., Security Trust of New York City, Sun of Montreal. Travellers, Germania, Washington Life of New York, and Capital of Philadelphia.
Holland, David A., M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon in Mahanoy City, was born in Mahanoy township, Sept. I, 1881, a son of Michael and Mary (Washington) Holland. natives of Ire- land. They had a family of six sons and one daughter, Dr. David A. being the youngest son. The names in order of birth are John, Mark, Thomas, Michael. Patrick, David A. and Bridget. The sister died on May 30, 1887. Dr. Holland was educated in the public schools of Mahanoy township and Mahanoy City, and was graduated in the Mahanoy high school with the class of 1898. He then took up the study of medicine at the Medico-Chirurgical col- lege in Philadelphia and was graduated in the class of 1903. He began practice in Mahanoy City immediately after graduation, and has been accorded a liberal patronage, having established a good practice among the friends and associates of his lifetime. The doctor is a member of the Schuylkill county medical society, and . of the fraternal orders he belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Foresters, Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus, and the Father Matthew Pioneers. the latter being a
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temperance society In political preferences, he casts huis ballot for the nominees of the Democratic party, though he is not aggres- sive as a politician. The subject of this article was happily mar- ried in 1907, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella, daughter of D. J. and Mary (Gill) Cleary, of Mahanay City. The religious affiliations of the Holland and Cleary families are with the Roman Catholic church.
Holmes, Col. William H., editor and proprietor of the spicy little weekly paper known as "Splinters," at St. Clair, was born in that borough April 4. 1850, a son of John and Rosanna Holmes, carly residents of St. Clair. He was educated in the public schools of his native borough, graduated at the First Pennsylvania normal school, and began his business career in mercantile pursuits by opening a store for the sale of stationery, books, wall-paper, no- tions, etc., which he now owns and operates. But one of the prin- cipal features of his business life has been in contract work in painting and decorating. This has been a source of good revenue, to which is added the income from his printing establishment in connection with the publication of his newspaper, the office being thoroughly equipped for job work of all kinds. For many years past Mr. Holmes has been interested in military affairs, and has worked his way to a position of prominence in the National Guard of Pennsylvania. He began his military career in 1875; was major of a regiment during the Spanish-American war; and is now the lieutenant-colonel of the 8th regiment. National Guard of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Holmes is a stockholder and director in the Citi- zens' bank of St. Clair, and is otherwise interested in the develop- ment of business and social affairs in the borough. He was mar- ried Nov. 11. 1877. to Miss Marie Belle Phipps, a daughter of Will- iam and Philena (Pyle) Phipps, of West Chester, Pa., and two children were born to this union, the elder of whom is now Mrs. A. V. Werner, and W. Norman is a young man at college. Colonel Holmes is a member of Camp No. 75. Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and of the Alert Fire Company, being a charter member in both organizations. He is a Republican in political affiliations ; takes an active interest in political affairs ; has served four years as president of the borough council, and nine years as a member of the school board. His parental home was established in St. Clair in 1840, when his father located there as a coal operator and prospector and opened up the large vein which has since been designated as "The Holmes Vein" in reports and publications per- taining to the mines in this section of the anthracite coal regions. He established numerous other workings, and was the inventor of several useful mine machines which are still in every-day use about the mines. The Holmes family adhere to the religious teaching of the great Quaker founder of the State of Pennsylvania.
Horn, William, justice of the peace of Sheppton and a prominent real estate dealer of the borough, was born in 1840 at Pine Grove, a son of Daniel and Susannah (Fager) Horn. He attended the public schools of Tamaqua and Llewellyn until he was twelve
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years of age and then started out to earn his own living, finding employment as water boy for a gang of trackinen building the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, then known as the Little Schuyl- kill road. After a time he came to be a trackman and continued in that capacity until he reached his twenty-first year. Then the somber cloud of war was hovering over the horizon of national unity and President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers. A company known locally as the Scott Rifles was organized at Tamaqua and when mustered into the service of the United States government became Company C, roth Pennsylvania infantry. Mr. Horn was a member of the company and at the close of the ninety days for which he had volunteered he re-enlisted, in Company H, 96th Pennsylvania infantry, taking a three weeks' furlough mean- time. Captain Hipple was the first leader of the company, but subsequently he resigned and Henry Royer became captain. The regiment left Pottsville on Nov. 8, 1861, proceeded by way of Gordon Plain and Shamokin to Washington, D. C., and thence into camp at Bladensburg, Md. It was then moved across the Long bridge into Virginia beyond Fairfax seminary. Henry L. Cake, colonel of the regiment, named the new location Camp Northumberland, in honor of his home county. Picket duty had been the chief work of the organization up to this time, but it left shortly after by boat for Fortress Monroe, and after the evacua- tion of Yorktown the 96th went up the York river to West Point, where a slight skirmish occurred with the Confederate rear-guard. From West Point it proceeded to White House Landing, and then participated with Mcclellan in the Peninsular campaign. On June 27, 1862, it formed the extreme right of the Federal line at Gaines' Mill, and the following day supported the batteries at White Oak swamp. At Malvern Hill it again had the extreme right of the line and with the rest of the army fell back when that engage- ment was over. After participating in the second battle of Bull Run the brigade to which the 96th had been assigned was moved to help intercept the Confederate movement into Maryland. On September 14 was fought the battle of South Mountain and in the charge which was so gallantly made up the slope with the final result of a decisive Federal victory, Mr. Horn received a severe gunshot wound in the breast. After three months in the hospital he was discharged, but his wound incapacitated him for further military service and he returned to Tamaqua. There, in 1863. he married Miss Margaret Van Horn and shortly afterward moved to Mahanoy City. He is the father of four children. all of whom are living-Ella, William F., Bessie and Leo D. At Mahanoy City he had a position as foreman for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, but the wound received in the service of his country still troubled him and he was compelled to resign. He then purchased a beautiful farm in the Catawissa valley, where 'for a number of years he followed agricultural pursuits. Subse- quently he removed to Sheppton to engage in the real estate busi- ness and was shortly afterward elected justice of the peace. Of
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this latter position he has been the incumbent for more than twenty veut's now, and at each election is again honored by retention im the office. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and aside from Ins office as justice has been deputy coroner. He and the family are all members of the Evangelical church of Tamaqua, and Mr. Horn is associated with the Shenandoah post of the Grand Army of the Republic. By his sincerity of purpose, kindly, hearty man- ner and his general worth he has won for himself an enviable place in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.
Housenick, John S., manager of the Shenandoah house of Ar- mour & Co., wholesale meat and provision dealers, was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa .. Sept. 10, 1807. He is the see- ond of eight children born to M. L. and Anna Housenick, and the oldest one now living. Elizabeth, the first-born, married B. B. Freas and died at the age of twenty-six years; Fannie is the wife of Frank J. Long, of Berwick, local auditor for the American Car and Foundry Company; Ezra, John S. and Charles are partners in a mercantile establishment in Berwick ; Atta is the wife of Fred Wasley, a druggist in Shenandoah ; and Ruth is at home with her parents, who now live in Berwick, the father being a retired mer- chant. After attending the Berwick schools and graduating in the high school. John S. Housenick took a course in a business college in Philadelphia and remained in that city for five years, On Sept. 1. 1800, he came to Shenandoah, where he engaged in the manu- facture of hats and caps in connection with J. M. Robbins, under the firm name of Robbins & Housenick, afterwards known as the Shenandoah Manufacturing Company. In May, 1807. he closed out his interest in this business and became cashier for Armour & Co. Two years later he was made manager of the Shenandoah branch, which employs over twenty men and handles a large quantity of dressed meats and provisions. Mr. Housenick was one of the organizers of the Shenandoah Trust Company, and is now one of the directors of that institution. He is also a director in the Schuylkill Railway Company. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511. Free and Accepted Masons: Ashland Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Ashland Commandery. Knights Templars. In his politics he is independent, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. On June 3. 1891, Mr. Housenick and Miss Anna Thomp- son. of Berwick, were united in marriage. She is the daughter of Joseph and Mary Thompson, old residents of Berwick, where her father was engaged in business until he retired. He is now de- ceased, and his wife died June 10. 1907, aged 74 years. Hugh Thompson. the only other member of the family, is now in business in Ber- wick. To Mr. and Mrs. Housenick have been born three daugh- ters, viz : Mary J., Elizabeth E., and Helen K. Whatever degree of success that Mr. Housenick has accomplished has been through his own industry and methodical habits, and it is a compliment to his ability and character that a great concern like Armour & Co. should have selected him for promotion. In this age of great
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corporations the officials of these organizations are on the lookout for good men, and no better testimony to the general qualifications of John S. Housenick is necessary than the fact that he is manager for one of the largest packing houses in the world, a position that he has filled for nearly ten years to the evident satisfaction of his employers.
Hubler, George W., head of the shoe manufacturing firm in Adamsdale, was born at Pine Grove, this county, Feb. 18, 1868. He is a son of Peter and Fietta ( Wagner) Hubler. The father was a farmer and in the lumber business and died while still a young man, leaving two sons and two daughters. The other son is Charles H., a shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, Pa., and the daughters are Sallie E., wife of A. H. Prenzel, a manufacturer of shoes at Halifax; and Annie R., wife of J. H. Adams, of Orwigs- burg, a hardware salesman in the employ of J. H. Long. The mother is still living on the old homestead at Orwigsburg, Pa., where Mr. and Mrs. Adams make their home with her. The sub- ject of this sketch received a common school education in the schools of Landingville and Orwigsburg and at the age of thirteen started in to learn the business of making shoes, in the factory of A. E. Brown & Co. at Orwigsburg. He started in as a finisher and worked up through the various departments until he had completely mastered the industry, and in 1891 became associated with Mr. George Adams, of Adamsdale, in the same business, as general manager. This relationship was continued until January, 1901, when Mr. Adams' death caused a reorganization of the con- cern, which was then incorporated into a stock company with Mr. Hubler as president and general manager: F. P. Adams as vice- president ; and J. H. Adams as secretary and treasurer and assis- tant general manager. The business is on a paying basis and the output increases from year to year. On March 25, 1894, Mr. Hub- ler married Miss Carrie L. Beck, daughter of John C. and Emma C. (Becker) Beck, of Orwigsburg. To this union has been born one son, George Harold, now ten years of age. The family are all members of St. Paul's Lutheran church of Orwigsburg. and Mr. Hubler is one of the deacons. In politics he is a stanch believer in the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy, but has never held nor aspired to public office. Fraternally he is associated with the Orwigsburg Lodge, No. 157, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and Camp No. 86, Patriotic Order of Sons of America.
Hummel, D. F., M. D., a physician of Gilberton, is a native of Hummelstown, Dauphin county, Pa., where he was born Nov. 30. 1872. a son of Henry and Anna Elizabeth (Fox) Hummel. who are descended from old Pennsylvania stock. the village of Hum- melstown having been named in 1738 for Frederick Hummel. the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Dr. D. F. Hum- mel was reared in Hummelstown, in whose elementary and high schools he received his early education, having graduated from the high school with the class of 1889. He later matriculated in the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, at which he graduated in 1895.
and for a time was engaged in the drug business, after which, hans- ing decided to make the practice of medicine bis hie work, he entered the Médico Chirurgical college of Philadelphia, from which Institution he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in Ho2 On Jan. 1, 1001, he entered the State hospital for injured persons of the anthracite coal regions, at Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county, and remained there until July 1. 100g, when he located in Girardvalle, where he has since been engaged in the active prac- tice of medicine, and he is rapidly forging to the front rank of the profession in that locality.
Hummel. Edward, chief clerk in the office of the county com missioners at Pottsville, was born in Washington township, Schuylkill county, on April 29, 1853, and is the only son of Benne ville and Louisa (Zerbe) Hummel, both natives of this county. The father was in early life a boatman on the Schuylkill canal, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. The mother died in 1853. when the subject of this sketch was but six months old, and the father married a second time. ten children being born to the second marriage. These last are George, Jeremiah, Henry. Mrs. Sophia Barr, Mrs. Lydia Zettlemover, Mrs. Mary Wordt and Mrs. Emma Snyder, two who died in intancy and Charles, a school teacher by vocation, who was killed in an accident at the Brookside mine when he was twenty-three years old. The father died in Washington township in 1887, at the age of sixty years. Edward Hummel received a due preliminary training in the public schools of his native township and then matriculated at the Palatinate col- lege at Myerstown. When he had completed his course there he started teaching, although but eighteen years of age. Pedagogic work furnished him employment for ten terms, and his vacations were spent on his father's farm, The year that he attained his majority he was elected to the office of constable of Pine Grove; at the next election he was made justice of the peace, and was three times re-elected to that office. In 1882 he was nominated and elected as the representative of the Fourth Schuylkill county dis trict to the lower branch of the state legislature. He is serving his sixth term in both Pine Grove township and borough as a school director, a period of nine years in each. In January. 10. he received his appointment to his present responsible position. and his tenure of office is for three years. On June 22. 1872, Mr. Hummel married Miss Mary E. Spancake, a native of Washington township, and a daughter of God F. and Rebecca (Kremer) Spancake. The children of this union are eleven in number. Bessie, the eldest, is the wife of John Rausch, of Pine Grove: Oscar E., engaged in mining, was a soldier in the volunteer army during the Spanish -. American war and saw service in Porto Rico : Amy I. is Mrs. William 11. Daubert, of Pine Grove: Stella M. is the wife of Franklin Sotzin ; and the others. Cana M., France- F .. Raymond, Harold I .. Oliver, Milton E. and Robert E., are all at home. It is an unique coincidence that for three generations there have been eleven children in the Hummel family, Mr. Hummel and
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his father cach having been one of eleven. The family are all members of the Reformed church and the father is prominent in fraternal circles, being identified with Pine Grove Lodge, No. 148, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand ; Washington Camp, No. 49, Patriotic Order of the Sons of Amer- ica, of Pine Grove; Pine Grove Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle; the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; the Im- proved Order of Red Men; the Royal Arcanum, and the Knights of the Mystic Chain. Mr. Hummel is an efficient and trusted pub- lic official, a sagacious business man and a worthy, representative citizen.
Huntsinger, Samuel A .- The connection of the Huntsinger fam- ily with Pennsylvania history may be dated from the arrival on Oct. 2, 1743, of John George Huntsinger on the ship Jacob, Capt. Adolph de Grove. The ancestor in question came to this country from Rotterdam, via Shields, England, with 290 more of his countrymen. John George Huntsinger's children were Su- sanna, George, Daniel, Viola, Michael, Henry, John, Jacob and another daughter. Jacob, the youngest son, grew to manhood and lived all his life in the Keystone state, leaving when he died a family of ten children, whose names were George, Samuel, Phoebe, William, Jacob, Edward, Elizabeth, Sarah, Charles and Frank B. George subsequently became the father of eleven children-Elizabeth, Mary, George, William, Joseph, Emanuel, Hannah, David, Reuben, Marcus and Harriet. Reuben married Angeline Artz, by whom he had eight children, viz .: Samuel A., Josiah H., Catherine, Lucy, Emanuel M., Caroline, Reuben R. and Abby. Samuel A., the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day in 1847. His educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools, which he attended until he was seventeen years of age. Then he served a full apprenticeship in the car- penters' trade and when he had mastered it worked as a journey- man for twenty years. In 1884 he started in his present business at Hegins, where he manufactures cabinets, furniture. porch work, handrails, and window frames. Besides this he holds a certificate as an undertaker, doing all the work of that nature in the village. Mr. Huntsinger is the father of a family of nine children-Cora, Catherine A., James V., Ellen G., Mary J., Fran- cis E., Emma E., John E. and Sadie A. Cora, the eldest daughter; is married and also has nine children-Alma, Stanton, Charles, Bulu, Ira, Albert, Laura, William and Myrtle.
Huntzinger, George M., proprietor of a leading general mer- cantile store and a member of the borough council of Tremont, was born in Schuylkill county on July 21, 1864, a son of Frank K. and Caroline (Potteiger) Huntzinger. The mother is deceased, her death having occurred in Oct. 1891, at the age of fifty-six years. The father is retired, and is now living a quiet, secluded life in Tremont. The Huntzinger family came originally from Germany, having settled in this county in its early days. Joseph Huntzinger, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
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was the first of the name to be born in this county. For more than one hundred years members of the family have been buried in the cemetery of the "Oh Red Church." Frank and Caroline Huntzinger had eight children, tive of whom survive. Albert, a clerk, died at the age of forty-five : Andrew J. is a carpenter in Philadelphia, Jane is at home : Margaret 1. is Mrs. George W. Morthimer, wife of the owner and editor of the Daily Leader of Lelighton ; Carrie E., a graduate of the University of Pennsyl- vania, is a trained nurse in New York city : Charles V. is a twin of the subject of this sketch, and Albert, died in infancy. George M. Huntzinger attended the public schools of Tremont and when he had completed his course there be found employment ima mer- cantile establishment as a clerk. He continued at this work until ISot. when he accepted a position as mortgage clerk in the office of the recorder at Pottsville. Six years later he returned to Tremont and purchased the general store which he is now oper- ating. His business has grown to good proportions and in a pecuniary way he is doing exceedingly well. By frugality and careful management he has come to be recognized as a leader in the commercial life of the community and his place of business is one of the most modern as well as one of the best equipped in the county. Mr. Huntzinger has been twice married. On Christ- mas day, 1801. he was united to Miss Bertie Wolfe of Mvers- town, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Wolfe. The death of Mrs. Huntzinger, in her twenty-second year, occurred in the inglowing October, and on June 26, 1905. Miss Edith E. Workman became the bride of Mr. Huntzinger. She was born in Roanoke. Va., and is the daughter of David and Clara J. Workman, now residents of Philadelphia. Mr. Workman is an expert mining engineer and does much in the opening up of mines. Mr. and Mrs. Huntzinger have one child, Joseph W. Mrs. Huntzinger is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her husband is well known in fraternal circles. He is a member of the Blue lodge and the Tremont chapter of the Masonic order and is a past officer in cach. He is also identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Junior United American Workmen and the Royal Arcanum.
Huy. Charles W., the postmaster of Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough on June 21, 1856. He is the son of Isaac and Harriet ( Moyer) Huy and one of eight children, the others being Sophie. Mary. John 1., George, Isaac E .. Abraham L. and William G. The public schools afforded him all the educational advantages which he received and while still a youth he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as a car repairer. After a service of eight years in that capacity he was promoted to the position of car inspector and for twenty years was the incumbent of the position, serving with great sat- istaction to his employers. On Jan. 4. 1903. President Roosevelt appointed Mr. Huy postmaster of Schuylkill Haven and he severed his connection with the railroad company to accept the position.
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