History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 29

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BIOGRAPHICAL

were born, namely: Errol, Anna and Lizzie. Mrs. Jones died in 1896, and July 20, 1898, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Mary J. Wicks, his present companion, and a lady of culture and refinc- ment. Professor Jones is a Republican in political preference, but has neither sought nor held official position. He is devoted to his profession, and gives but little attention to anything outside of that and the church.

Jones, William W., a prominent citizen of Minersville, where he is a dealer in stationery, books, notions and fancy goods, was born in the borough where he now resides, on Feb. 2, 1863, and is a son of William H. and Dorothea (Wertley) Jones. The pater- nal grandfather, who was a native of Wales, came to Miners- ville in the early days of the settlement of that place. He became a prominent merchant and coal operator, and was the father of three children. William H., the eldest, was born in Wales, March 6, 1835; Elizabeth, who was born on the' ocean while the family was en route to America, became the wife of Henry Rausch of Philadelphia; and Louisa married Robert Andrews. Philip Jones was a Republican in politics and in his religious relations was a member of the Welsh Baptist church. His demise occurred about 1871. William H. Jones received his educational advantages in Minersville and at the tender age of nine years went to work in his father's colliery as a slate-picker. It was not long, however, before he had risen to the dignity and responsibility of running an engine. He remained in his father's employ until the breaking out of the Civil war, and then was one of the first to enlist for the preservation of the Union. The regiment he was assigned to duty with was sent through Washington to Alexandria, where it was stationed for some days. At the end of his term of enlistment he returned to Minersville and became employed as a mine machin- ist, which vocation he followed until his death. His marriage to Miss Dorothea Wertley, who was born in Port Carbon. Dec. 27, 1839, occurred in July, 1860. She was a daughter of George and Magdelena (Roehrig) Wertley, the former a native of Wurt- emberg. Germany; and the latter of Alsace-Lorraine. The chil- dren of William H. and Dorothea (Wertley) Jones are three in number. Roy H., the eldest, was born Apr. 12, 1861, and was edu- cated in the Minersville public schools. He entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, as a telegraph operator and rose through the various stages until he became yardmaster at Reading, a position which he is now holding. He married Miss Sally Cummings, and they have one son, Ramsey. The second son of William H. Jones is the subject of this sketch, and the third is Henry L., who is now general storekeeper for the Northern Pacific Railroad company at Brainerd, Minn. He married Miss Ida Johns, and has three children, Roy H., Mae Dorothea and Harold. William W. Jones, who is the immediate subject of this review, attended the public schools until the death of his father, which occurred Jan. 10, 1878, made it necessary for him to go to work to assist in the maintenance of the family.

16-Vol. II

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M HUSEKILL COUNTY

Its test labor was as a slate-picker in a colliers, but he did not long seman thus employed, leaving to serve an apprentice- ship to the trade of printer, in the office of the Weekly Schuyl- kiff Republican After three and a half years he had mastered the vocation and for a year thereafter was employed at di- ferent places as a journeyman printer. In 18St he returned to Minersville and purchased of William J. Mellroy the Isiness which he has so successfully been operating since that time. Nov. 12, 1891, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Mary b. Kear. who was born in Mmer-ville. Nov. 18, 1807. She is a daughter of Wilham G. hear and for several years was a teacher in the county, in which vocation she established for herself an enviable reputation. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are three in number, Dorothea, born Aug. 20, 1802; William Grant, born Sept 10, 1800; and Mary Elizabeth, born July 23. 1903. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith the children are being reared, and Mr. Jones has been sec- rotary of the Sunday School for twenty-five years. He is a stanch exponent of the principles of the Republican party, but has never held or aspired to public office. Fraternally, he is identified with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow- and the Sons of Veterans.

Kaercher Edward E., division superintendent of mines, for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, is a native of Pottsville, where he was born June 20, 1859. His father. Franklin B. Kaercher, was likewise a native of this county, hav- ing been born in South Manheim township, Sept. 18, 1821. and having died in Pottsville. Aug. 20, 1881. He was a soldier and officer during the Mexican war, and was prominently identified with journalism during many years of his life. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Miners' Journal, being an ap- prentice under Benjamin Bannan; worked as a compositor on the Daily Sun, of Philadelphia, and founded the Anthracite Gazette in Pottsville, in 1844. He was a member of the military organiza- tion known as the Washington AArtillerists, and went into service in the war with Mexico as second lieutenant of Company B. un- der Captain James Nagle. He was elected county treasurer of Schuylkill county, on the Whig ticket. in 1850, though his party was largely in the minority, and served three years in that office ; for a like period he was clerk to the county commissioners. Franklin B. Kaccher was in the hotel business in Pottsville for a number of years, being seven years the proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, and four years in the Pennsylvania Hall. Ile was five years superintendent of the Girard estate. He was extensively interested in coal operations at Lost Creek and Shenandoah. and was one of the organizers of the Safe Deposit Bank, of which he was treasurer and secretary at the time of his death. He was married Sept. 3. 1844. to Susanna, a daughter of Samuel and Eleanor Huntzinger, of Pottsville. Ten children were born to this union, the eldest of whom was George R., who was a member of

Chass four

243

the first class graduated from the Pott ih high school. He was a prominent lawyer in his nadie town and his career of usefulness was summarily ended in a railroad wrec !. Franklin P. was cdu- cated for a business carcer at Eastnim busines, college, and was secretary of the Pennsylvania & Reari! "il and fron Company

at the time of his death. Samuel il. Attorney ; William 11. is a resident of Boston M .... Pt of this sketch ;

Daniel W. is an att. .

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L. is the wife

: Day, of Ha!

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Susanna

1 Rev. J. P. HA

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Daniel and Catherine (

His fath . palist of Hamburg. Berks comuni,

1 dont of Pottsville, where he roman ( muiti

I8 1 Philadelphia, where he died in ,291. he

i 1812. His wife was a daughter of Dreher

WWW. wigsburg, Schuylkill county, and they became the

" eleven children, all of whom are long since deceased. Edward E. Kaercher was educated in the public schools of Potts- ville and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1878. In the spring of 1879 he accepted a position as a member of a surveying and engineering corps in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, and made headquarters at Ashland for three years. Returning to Pottsville, he continued in the same employment for another year, when he was appointed transitman, and was stationed at Shamokin for the succeeding five years. In July, 1887, he was appointed assistant to Frank Hill on the state geological survey, and was employed in making surveys of the southern anthracite coal fields until Nov .. TSSS. In this year he was made division engineer of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, and placed in charge of their business in the Tremont district. Sixteen years De was continued in this onerous position, and then, in August, muy He was '90). moted to assistant division superintendent of nunes for the Min- ersville and Tremont district. A year later he waser mited to his present position, with office in the company's elegant building at the corner of Mahantongo and Second street, Pottsville. Mr. Kaercher was married March 30, 1882, to Miss Emma C. Schaef- fer, of Ashland. Two daughters have been born to this union, Ger- trude T. and Edna L. Mr. Kaercher is a Democrat in political views. He served several terms as a member of the Tremont school board, and was president and secretary of the organization. He has also been a delegate to conventions of his party. Of the social and beneficial fraternities he sustains membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal dream and Masonic fraternity. in all of which he has held prominent official stations.

Kaier, Charles D., deceased, for many years prominently identi- fied with the commercial life of Schuylkill county, was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, March 6, 1839. When he was about fifteen years of age he came to America with his parents .. Andrew and Crescentia (Witmer) Kaier, who first located in

Chart 87

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BIOGRAPHICAL

the first class graduated from the Pottsville high school. Hle was a prominent lawyer in his native town and his career of usefulness was summarily ended in a railroad wreck. Franklin I'. was edu- cated for a business career at Eastman business college, and was secretary of the Pennsylvania & Reading Coal and Iron Company at the time of his death. Samuel H. is an attorney ; William H. is a resident of Boston Mass .; Edward E. is the subject of this sketch ; Daniel W. is an attorney in Pottsville; James M. is deceased; Ida L. is the wife of Franklin N. Day, of Hazleton ; Ellen is deceased ; Susanna C. is the wife of Rev. J. P. Hawkes. Franklin B. Kaercher was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Shotts) Kaercher. His father was a native of Hamburg, Berks county, Pa., but in early life became a resident of Pottsville, where he remained until 1843, when he moved to Philadelphia, where he died in 1861. He served in the war of 1812. His wife was a daughter of Dreher Shotts, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, and they became the parents of eleven children, all of whom are long since deceased. Edward E. Kaercher was educated in the public schools of Potts- ville and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1878. In the spring of 1879 he accepted a position as a member of a surveying and engineering corps in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, and made headquarters at Ashland for three years. Returning to Pottsville, he continued in the same employment for another year, when he was appointed transitman, and was stationed at Shamokin for the succeeding five years. In July, 1887, he was appointed assistant to Frank Hill on the state geological survey, and was employed in making surveys of the southern anthracite coal fields until Nov., 1888. In this year he was made division engineer of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, and placed in charge of their business in the Tremont district. Sixteen years he was continued in this onerous position, and then, in August, 1904, he was pro- moted to assistant division superintendent of mines for the Min- ersville and Tremont district. A year later he was promoted to his present position, with office in the company's elegant building at the corner of Mahantongo and Second streets, Pottsville. Mr. Kaercher was married March 30, 1882, to Miss Emma C. Schaef- fer, of Ashland. Two daughters have been born to this union, Ger- trude T. and Edna L. Mr. Kaercher is a Democrat in political views. He served several terms as a member of the Tremont school board, and was president and secretary of the organization. He has also been a delegate to conventions of his party. Of the social and beneficial fraternities he sustains membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum and Masonic fraternity, in all of which he has held prominent official stations.

Kaier, Charles D., deceased, for many years prominently identi- fied with the commercial life of Schuylkill county, was born in the- grand duchy of Baden, Germany, March 6, 1839. When he was. about fifteen years of age he came to America with his parents,. Andrew and Crescentia (Witmer) Kaier, who first located in

211

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Norristown, where the father followed his occupation of black- smith and the son began learning the trade of baker and confec tioner. In 1850 the family removed to St. Clair, and here Charles entered the bakery of Fred Epping, with whom he completed his apprenticeship. When President Lincoln called for 25,000 men in the spring of 1801. Charles D. Kater was one of the first to re- spond. He enlisted as a private in Company H. oth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and after serving for three months was hon- orably discharged on Aug 21, 1801. In 1802 he located in Mahanos City, where for a time he was associated in business with Fire erick Giantert. He then erected the building at 113 East L'entre street and engaged in bottling ale and porter. Subsequently he became the agent for Bergner & Engle, the great brewing firm of Philadelphia, his territory embracing the counties of Schuyl- kill, Columbia, Carbon and Northumberland. To this position he brought all his energy and fine executive ability, and in a short time his agency became one of the best known and most profitable in the state. His desire, however, was to be a brewer on his own account, and his work as agent for Bergner & Engle was but a stepping-stone to that end. In 18gt he erected a brewery, equip- ped with all the latest improvements, and began the manufacture of malt liquors. This establishment was enlarged from time to time, until at the time of his death it was one of the greatest brew- eries in the state, having a capacity of over 100.000 barrels a year and employing constantly 150 men. Mr. Kaier was also interested in other business institutions in the county. He was connected with banks in Shenandoah and Girardville ; was one of the organ- izers and at the time of his death was vice-president of the Union National bank of Mahanoy City; was the founder and controlling spirit of the Broad Mountain Ice Company, which he operated in connection with his brewing interests ; and also controlled the operations of the Anthracite Light. Heat and Power Company. Hle owned the opera house, as well as other valuable property in the city where he had lived for nearly forty years, and although he was one of the well-to-do men of the place, not one dollar of his wealth had been accumulated except by the most upright methods. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and was a member of the Roman Catholic church. But his charity was not limited by nationality, party line nor religious creeds. Many instances of his generosity and kindness might be mentioned. though it is highly probable that many more would remain un- known, as his benevolence was of that unostentatious kind that "let's not the left hand know what the right hand doeth." He was a member of Severn Post, No. 10. Grand Army of the Re- public, of Mahanoy City, and of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in Philadelphia, where he died on May 31. 1800. Mr. Kaier had been afflicted for several years, and had gone abroad in search of health, placing himself in the hands of the most skillful physicians of both this country and Europe. His remains were brought to Ma- hanoy City and interred in the family plot in St. Fidelis cemetery.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Mr. Kaier married Miss Margaret Curry, of Pottsville, and of the ten children born to this union seven reached the age of maturity. Ella .married John B. Lieberman and is now deceased ; Josephine is the wife of M. J. Haughney of Mahanoy City; Margaret is Mrs. John B. Lieberman ; two daughters, Mary and Crescentia, are unmarried; Amelia is now Mrs. Henry Schreyer; and Charles, the only surviving son, is interested in the management of his father's estate. Concerning the career and death of Mr. Kaier, the Mahanoy City Record said: "In his death Mahanoy City loses not alone its foremost business man, but one who by the confidence which he manifested in its welfare inspired others to invest, and awakened faith in the future of the community. To his pride in the town was due some of its greatest improvements, and notably an opera house which in the completeness of its appointments, and the elegance of its decoration is unsurpassed in the state. In his family relations he presented an excellent example of husband and father. Devoted to his wife and fond of his children, he was constantly aiming to provide for their pleasure and gratification. These special occasions in the history of families which mark domestic history were always observed in a manner to make them memorable and fragrant memories." This encomium from one who had known him in his life is an index to his character and in few words shows what manner of man he was in his relations with his fellow-inen. His death was deeply felt, not only by the surviving widow and her children, but also by the entire com- munity which he had done so much to elevate in a moral and material sense.

Kaier, Franz X., the superintendent of the Charles D. Kaier Brewing Company, of Mahanoy City, was born in Baden. Ger- many, in 1852. His father, Plasius Kaier, was a school teacher by vocation and lived out his years in the German fatherland. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his native country and there learned the art of brewing in the thorough man- ner of which only native Germans are capable. His coming to the United States is dated in 1882, and his first home in the new world in which he sought his fortune was in Pottsville. After six months of work in that city he came to Mahanov City, where Charles D. Kaier had preceded him by some years and had become well established in the brewing business. It was in this establish- ment that he first obtained work, and when the concern moved into the new and larger quarters necessitated by the increase of business, Mr. Kaier was made superintendent, a position which he has filled with proficiency and ability every since. He has been twice married, and by his first wife, neé Theresa Guenther, who was born in Ashland, he is the father of three sons-Frank, John and Edward. After death had severed the first union he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Kate Kline. a daughter of William Kline, of Mahanoy City. Three children blessed this union-Faver, Harry and Charles. Fraternally, Mr. Kaier is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of

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is a man et tering integrity, geral manner and public Spirit and

Kalbach, Capt. George R., inspector for the Pottsville Walter company, to a destralent of some of the oldest families of Schull i paternal rundtather, John kalbach, was born in Wane dert. Hecks & muts, in this, and at the age of twenty you- -anlegen Foutsull', where he followed his trade of cabinet masker

and also conducted an undertaking establishment He married Mais Keef, why was born in trwaesburg. Schul ill county The maternal grandfather of Capt Kalbach was John Boland, a native of Ireland, who settled in his early ble at New Philadelphia. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret Hunthan. He was a min- ing contractor for the greater part of his serve life tapt. hal- bach was born in Pottsville, No. 21. 185 %, his parents, Chark . 11. and Mary (Bdlinh kalbach, both being native of Schuylkill county The father is now conducting a plumbing establishment in l'ottsville The lubdren of Charles W and Mary Kalbach are Leurse K. John G. William, Elizabeth M. Lila, Walter and Rob- ert. Lapt Giunge R. Kalbach was educate ! in the Pottsville pub- he school and then servel an apprenticeship at the plumber's trade, following that occupation for a while; thereafter he was fireman in the Federal building for three years, and since Jan. 1. 1002. he has held his present position. Jan. 3. 1503, he enlisted as a private n Company I. ith regiment Pennsylvania National Guard. He was promoted to corporal on May 15. 1904 : sergeant on Oct. 25. 18: and was commissioned second lieutenant May 14. 1807. With this rank he was mustered into the United States service on May 12. 1808, at Mount Gretna, for duty in the Spanish- American war, lis company being assigned to the 4th regiment. commanded by Col. D. R. Case. He served with his command at Chickamauga, Gia. Newport News, Va., and in Porto Rico. On No. I. ISS, he was mustered out of the Federal service and re- sumed his old rank of scound lieutenant in the same company and regement of the National Guard as before the war. Capt. James Archibald commanding the company. Un May 7, wol, he was made first lieutenant, and on Oct. 4. Hot, was commissioned cap- tain, holding that rank until Sept. 4. 1009. Capt. Kalbach has testimonial- from congressmen, state officials and prominent citi- zens, attesting his qualifications as a member of the National Guard and his general character. He is a member of the fraternal Order of Eagles, the Royal Arcanum, the Pottsville Turtle club, and is a Republican in his political affiliations. On Jan. 1. 1904. he was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn, daughter of William R. and Cecelia (Quinny Schaefer, of Cressona. Schuylkill county, and they have one daughter, Kathryn Elizabeth.

Karsch, Rev. Carl G., a minister of the gospel in Miners- ville and the regularly installed pastor of Zion's Evangelical Luth- eran church, was born in Silesia, Germany, Feb. 16. 1871. He is a son of the late Herman and Leopoldine ( Thomas) Kar-ch. The

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father came to the United States in 1865, but owing to the Prus- sian-Austrian war he returned in 1866. He was a surgeon, a grad- uate of the University of Berlin, Germany, and spent a part of his life in surgical practice. The mother died in 1894, at the age of sixty-six years, and the father passed away in 1900 at the age of eighty. The father was a devout Lutheran, and it was in this faith that the ten children were reared. Of the ten, six are living, two-Theodore and Mrs. Mary Boehn, of Philadelphia and At- lantic City respectively-besides the subject of this sketch, being in this country, and the other three, Adolph, Bertha and Hedwig, remaining in Germany. Rev. Mr. Karsch received his preliminary educational training in the public schools and college of the father- land. His theological training was received in the Lutheran sem- inary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, and his ordination to the ministry came early in 1898. His first connection was with St. Mark's church, in Philadelphia, where he remained but a few months. On the first Sunday in December, 1898, he was duly installed as pas- tor of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church. The church is the oldest in the community, the building itself having been crected sixty-eight years ago, and the congregation was organized even before that time. The membership roll today shows a total, ex- clusive of the children, of 450, and the Sunday school has an aver- age attendance of 300. Mrs. Karsch was formerly Miss Kate W. Scheuermann, a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of Adam and Frederica (Schnering) Scheuermann. She is a graduate of the Girls' Normal school of Philadelphia, having received her cer- tificate on June 14, 1888, following which she was a teacher in the Daniel Webster school for a period of two years. She had a most excellent record both as teacher and pupil. Mr. and Mrs. Karsch have one child, Carl Henry, now a pupil in the public schools. Mrs. Karsch is an earnest and devout worker in both church and Sunday school and is superintendent of the primary department of the latter. Her husband is a regular member of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and adjacent states and was president of the Pottsville conference for the term which ended in 1906. Personally Mr. Karsch is a man of pleasing presence, both in the pulpit and elsewhere, and of excellent bearing. He is a gentleman of broad culture, scholarly attainments and exemplary Christian character.

Kaufman, Charles F., proprietor of a modern, well equipped general store at Gordon, was born in Schuylkill Haven, Jan. IO, 1840. He is a son of George and Maria (Bover) Kaufman. and is one of nine children in the family, the others being John G., Louis, George B., Alexander, Samuel, Edward, William and Alice, all of whom are living except John and William. Charles F. Kaufman attended the public schools of his native borough until he was seventeen years of age and then left his scholastic work to earn a living. He opened a restaurant and subsequently a store, which he managed in connection. After a few years he closed out his interests and in 1865 came to Gordon, where he engaged in the

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Schalck, Adolf W. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: State Historical Association Number of Pages: 700

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700