History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 32

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 32


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Mit Ylkill. COUNTY


married Magdalena Hepler, whose grandfather, Casper Hejder. was one of the ponects of Berks county, and the Best school house in Upper Mahantonge township was upon his land Henry Hep- ler, the father of Magdalena, donated the land for the Zan Isan Actual church and cemetery - the first church m Eldred town- ship. Joseph Klock was born in Upper Mahantango township, Nos. 2), 1824. and his wife was born in the same town hp. Dec. 12. 1925 Two sons were born to Joseph and Magdalena Klock : the subject of this sketch, and William Josiah, who resides on the old homestead and is engaged in farming. Dr. Henry .. klock, was born in Upper Mahantongo township. Schuylkill county. Aug. 10, 1848. He attended the schools of Eldred town ship until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered his inther's store as a clerk and remained in that position for about five years. In August, 18%), he entered the I'mon seminary at New Berlin, Union county, and studied in that institution for one year. In the fall of 186; he took a course in the Quaker City business college, of Philadelphia, and the following year became clerk in the hardware store of Peter E. Buck, at Ashland, School. kill county. From 1870 to 1870 he was associated with his broth- er in conducting the business of the firm of H. A. Klock & Co .. which was engaged in agricultural and mercantile operations m l'itman. He then took up the study of medicine and on March 11. 18-8. he received the degree of M. D. from the Hahnemann med- ical college, of Philadelphia. A month later he formed a partner- ship with Dr. Benjamin Becker, of Pottsville, but on Oct. 9. 1878. he removed to Mahanoy City, where he has been in continuous practice ever since, and has been successful, both in a pecuniary sense and in the treatment of his patients. Dr. Klock is a mem- ber of the Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357. Free and Accepted Ma- sons : General Grant Lodge. No. 575: Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 2335. Knights of Honor; Washington Camp. No. 124, and Garfield Commandery. No. 21. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America; and is a director in the Centennial and Memorial association of Valley Forge. Besides his professional interests he is a director of the Fidelity and the Serial building and loan associations. On June 23, 1872, Dr. Klock and Miss Elizabeth Sidney, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Evans) Seiler, were united in marriage. Her parents were both born in Pennsylvania, of German and Welsh extraction, respectively. Dr. and Mrs. Klock have two sons, Joseph Victor and Egbert Leroy. Both are graduates of the Hahnemann medical college. Joseph in the class of 1805 and Egbert in the class of 1005. Both are now practicing physicians in Mahanoy City, the younger son having taken up his father's practice. He was resident physician of the Homeopathic hospital at Reading. Pa. for one year after receiving his degree. Dr. Joseph V. Klock married Miss Minnie Kerschner, of Shoemakersville, and they have two children, Henry .A. and Helen. The younger son married Miss Annie D. Young,


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BIOGRAPHICAL


of Minersville, and they have one daughter, Olive Elizabeth. Dr. Henry A. Klock was one of the organizers of the Schuylkill county Homeopathic medical society, and is a member of the state medical society of that school of medicine. Although prac- tically retired from active practice, he still ministers to the wants of some of his old patients who insist on "seeing the old doctor." He is a Republican in his political affiliations, though he is by no means an active political worker. The only office he ever held was on the Mahanoy City school board, where he served for eight years, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. The family belong to the United Evangelical church.


Klock, William J., proprietor of "Pitman Farm," at Pitman post-village, Eldred township, was born on the farm which he now owns on Jan. 2. 1853. He is a son of Joseph and Magdalena (Hepler) Klock, who also were natives of Eldred township. Joseph Klock was a son of Peter R. and Elizabeth (Curfing) Klock, num- bered among the earliest settlers of Eldred township. The an- cestral home of these pioneers embraced a portion of the fine farm now owned by William Klock, the subject of this sketch. The genealogical history of this family appears quite fully in the sketch of Dr. H. A. Klock of Mahanoy City, and need not be here repeated. Joseph Klock was an early merchant and post- master in Pitman, and was prominent in various business enter- prises. Both he and his wife died in Eldred township. They were members of the Evangelical church. The father died May 26, 1865, and his widow survived him until March 23, 1904. They had but two children who survived the infantile age, these hav- ing been already mentioned. The early lives of William J. and Henry A. Klock were almost identical for a long period of ycars. They were interested together in farming, in merchan- dising, and in keeping up the parental home. Their mother re- married, her second husband being C. K. Herb, M. D., of Pitman. William J. finally sold his mercantile interests to his brother and retired to the farm, where he has since remained. He was mar- ried Nov. 21, 1869, to Miss Clara Klinger, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Mayer) Klinger, of Minersville. The father spent his life in Minersville as a carpenter and builder. He died in 1858. His wife was a native of Northumberland county. She died March 22, 1881. They had a family of five children, viz : Mary, Clara and Perry, living, the first and last named being resi- dents of Sunbury ; and Emma and Sophia, both of whom died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Klock have but one child, wife of James Witzel, of Pitman, Eldred township; they have four children living and one dead-Bernice, William, Thomas, Hildah (deceased) and Leroy. Mr. Klock has followed agricultural pur- suits as his life work. He owns a valuable farm of seventy-seven acres detached from his home farm, yet near enough to be easily cultivated by the home force. He is engaged in general farming. stock-raising and market gardening. He is local agent for several fertilizer companies, and serves the neighborhood in the capacity


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY


of a veterinary surgeon. Mr. Klock is shipping agent for Grange No. 1325, Patrons of Husbandry, at Pitman. He is a Republican in political views, but has neither sought nor held pubhe office. The family is well known and highly esteemed in the community, and the religious faith of its members is shown by identification with the Evangelical church; they take an active interest in re- ligious work of all kinds.


Knecht, August, proprietor of the Miners' Journal, is a life-long newspaper man and has gained success in his chosen vocation. He was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 24. 1844. He accompanied his parents to America in childhood, and attended school in Pottsville. Pa .. until he was twelve years old. This very brief educational training has been supplemented by a life-time of study and research in various lines of journalism. At the age of twelve years he became an apprentice to the printer's trade. and entered the employ of Hendler & Schroder, the publishers of the Jefferson Demokrat, and subsequently that of Bertram & Snyder, who were then publishing the Americanische Republik- aner (American Republican), which was first issued from the Miners' Journal office, in Sept., 1855. On the death of Mr. Snyder, in 1880, Mr. Knecht assumed the ownership of the paper, and has continued its publication to the present. The Miners' Journal, of which Mr. Knecht is the present owner and publisher, is the evo- lution of a paper started in 1825. and continued under various owners and title> to the present day. It is the oldest newspaper in Schuylkill county. Under the management of Col. H. Ram- sey and Benjamin Bannan, the Journal assumed an influential status in the local journalism of the day, and was by them merged into the Daily Miners' Journal, as appears more fully under an- other title. The first issue of the daily appeared on Sept. 1. 1869. Mr. August Knecht purchased the plant in 1900, and has since greatly improved and strengthened the Journal, making it one of the leading dailies of Schuylkill county. It has always been uncompromisingly Republican in political complexion. Mr. Knecht was a soldier in service for a brief period during the Civil war. Ilis regiment. the 27th Pennsylvania militia, was called into service during the invasion of the state in 1863, and participated in the battle of Wrightsville, when the town of York was threatened. It then moved over the South mountains down in- to Maryland with the Army of the Potomac. The subject of this article was married Nov. 6. 1820, to Miss Elizabeth Lecher, daughter of John and Catherine ( Meyer) Lecher, of Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Knecht have three children living: Bertha, Eliza- beth and Robert A. The son is employed in his father's business. The family are members of St. John the Baptist's German Cath- olic church. The Knecht family were prominent in the political history of Baden, the subject being a grand-son of Benedict Knecht. and a son of Landolin and Catherine (Streigel) Knecht, natives of Baden. Mr. Knecht is a director, and first vice-president of the Schuylkill Trust Company, of Pottsville. He sustains re-


267


BIOGRAPHICAL


lations with various social and beneficial societies, the American hose company, the Central Republican club and the Liederkranz, a German choral society.


Knecht, William F., editor and proprietor of the West Schuyl- kill Herald, at Tower City, was born in Pottsville, Pa., Oct. 23, 1865. His parents, Charles and Pauline (Eisensteck) Knecht, were born in Germany, but came to this country in their early life. William F. Knecht received a limited education in his boy- hood, and this he has supplemented by reading and self-culture until he is a well informed man on almost any topic of general interest. His parents removed to Tower City while he was still comparatively young, and he went to work in the breaker at the Brookside colliery. Later he became a fireman, and he continued in various capacities about the mines until Cleveland's first ad- ministration, when his father was appointed postmaster at Tower City, and he was made assistant, having full charge of the office. After leaving the postoffice he conducted a bakery for several years, and on March 26, 1898, he established the paper which he still conducts. Mr. Knecht was one of the organizers of the Tower City National Bank, and has been one of the directors of that institution ever since it opened its doors for the transaction of business. He is a Republican in his political affiliations and has held several local offices. He is a member of Tower Lodge, No. 755, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes an in- terest in the work and welfare of both orders. On June 25, 1887, Mr. Knecht married Miss Alice, daughter of William and Maria (Kaufman) Klinger, of Tower City, and to this union have been born five children. Roy S. is now a student in the state normal school at Kutztown ; William K., Gilbert, Mildred and Merle are at home with the parents.


Knittle, Albert Daniel, a representative of an old and prominent family in Schuylkill county, was born at Port Carbon, July 2, 1872. He is the son of Francis and Emily Florence (Allison) Knittle. Both families were prominent in Civil war history, as appears more fully under separate titles in this volume. The Grand Army of the Republic Post at Port Carbon is named in honor of three Allison brothers who lost their lives in the great Rebellion of the 60's. The subject of this sketch was educated in the Port Carbon and Pottsville public schools, at Bloomsburg state normal school, and at Pennsylvania state college. Having chosen the law as a life profession, and recognizing the prepond- erance of Lithuanians among the foreign population, he studied and mastered that language, and is able to read, write and con- verse with people of the Lithuanian nationality, being the only lawyer in Pottsville who possesses this accomplishment. Mr. Knittle was admitted to the bar of Schuylkill county in 1895, and at once engaged in an active and renumerative practice. Many clients come to him because of his familiarity with their native language, this gift being recognized as an evidence of sympathetic


NHL YLKILL COUNTY


interest Albert D. kmittle is recognized as a young man of esalter literary, social and professional standing, and has tablished a well grounded reputation as such. He is a zealous worker in the local Young Men's Christian Association, and sus tams relations with his college fraternities, known as the Beta Theta Brand Alpha Upsilon Chapter, at the State college of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Out Door club, of Pottsville. In political relations he is an ardent Republican, though he has never taken an active part in political discussions. nor aspired to official honors. He married Miss Carrie Eliza- beth, daughter of Hon. Oliver Perry and Mary Ihzabeth Betchel. She is a representative of one of the old and honored families in Pottsville. Her father was admitted to the bar of Schuylkill county on May 10, 1800, and at once assumed a prominent place in the legal councils of the district. He was elected judge of the com- mon-pleas court in 1877, and has been re-elected at the close of each decennial period since. In 1888 he was chosen as president judge, a position he now holds. His unanimous re-election in 1807 and his continuous service of thirty years on the bench offer the best evidence of his high standing as a distinguished jurist. Judge Bechtel is a native of Northumberland counts, l'a., born Jan. 31. 1842. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Knittle is Oliver Bechtel, born June 10, 1902. The family attends the services of the First Presbyterian church of Pottsville.


Knittle, Frank, a substantial citizen and prosperous merchant of Port Carbon, was born in Orwigsburg, June 24. 1845, a son of Daniel and Mary (Hechner) Knittle. He attended the public schools of Port Carbon until 1857 when his father removed to Iowa. and he attended the high school there until 18ht, when he removed to Port Carbon, and in Oct., 1861, enlisted in Company C. 90th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. With his regiment he partici- pated in the engagements at Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain. Malvern Hill Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. In the campaign made by Grant from the Rapidan to the James the goth Pennsyl- vania was in the heaviest of the fighting. and at the battle of Spottsylvania Mr. Knittle fell badly wounded. For ten days he lay on the battlefield with his wound undressed and was then taken prisoner to Richmond. After a confinement of three months he received his exchange and in October was honorably discharged! from the service. He returned to Port Carbon and for two years acted as tax collector for the borough, leaving that position to embark in the grocery business. Subsequently he added dry- goods and shoe departments and has continued in business from that time ( 186;) to this. His industry has been affected by local and national conditions and he estimates that in the years since he established the concern he has lost approximately $100.000. but his cheerfulness, his perseverance and his inherent ability have surmounted the obstacles in the way and finally brought him out "on the top of the heap." To-day his department store is the most modern, best stocked and finest equipped place of


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business in and about Port Carbon. Feb. 20, 1867, Mr. Knittle was united in marriage to Miss Emily Allison, of Port Carbon, daughter of Robert Allison. To this union have been born eight children, two of whom, Charles and Mary, are deceased. The others are Robert, Frank S., Albert, Carrie, Nellie and Catherine. The family worships in the Methodist Episcopal church of Port Carbon. In political matters Mr. Knittle is a Republican, and as the successful candidate of that party he has held the office of school director and borough councilman. He has a well deserved reputation among the people of the community as a man of un- sullied honor, business enterprise and high character.


Knoll, William M., of the firm of C. M. Knoll & Bros., con- tractors and builders, of Pottsville, was born in that city on May 6, 1879. His father, William H. Knoll, was a native of Berks county, but came to Pottsville in the early '6os and engaged in the business of contracting and building, founding the business now conducted by his sons. He erected the public school building at the corner of Twelfth and Market streets, as well as a large num- ber of private residences. On Feb. 8, 1866, he married Miss Fi- anna Miller, of Annville, Lebanon county, though she was born in Berks county, and to this marriage were born the following children: Kate, Corine, George, Emma, Charles, William M. and Esther. Kate, Corine and Emma are deceased. The father of these children died in 1893 at the age of fifty-seven years, and the mother is still living, at the age of sixty. Two generations of the family have been engaged in contracting and building and the firm of C. M. Knoll & Bros. was established in 1903, though Charles, the senior member, has been in the business for sixteen years. Their specialty is the erection of fine residences, in which line of work the firm stands second to none in Schuylkill county. William M. Knoll is a member of Lilies of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Encampment No. 4, and the Daughters of Rebekah. He also belongs to Camp No. 36, Patriotic Order of the Sons of America; the Good Intent fire company, and the Carpenters' union of Pottsville, of which he was president for two terms. . In politics he is a Republican and takes a commendable interest in all questions touching the public weal, particularly those of a local nature.


Knowles, Thomas C., principal of the commercial department in the Pottsville schools, is a native of that borough, born Sept. 16, 1871. His father, George N. Knowles, was born in Wolver- hampton, England, in 1840, and came to this county in childhood. He was a worker of iron and steel, in which capacity he was em- ployed in Pottsville during his early manhood years. He enlisted as a soldier during the Civil war and served over three years at the front, incurring disabilities which contributed to his death, Aug. 22, 1883. He served under two enlistments, first in the Na- gle Guards. 6th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and again in Company E of the 3d regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry. The mother of Prof. Knowles was in maidenhood Miss Sarah


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY


Davis, a native of Schuylkill county. la, born at Pottsville, in 1841. of Welsh ancestors. She died in Pottsville, Sept. 10. 1875. George N. and Sarah Knowles were the parents of a numerous fanuly, all of whom died in minnicy or early childhood except the subject of this article and his brother Benjamin. The latter, and younger of the two, is foreman of the bridge-building department of the Eastern Steel Company in Pottsville. He married Miss Name Hester, and they have two daughters, Anna and Albert These brothers received their education in the Pottsville schools and at Mount Joy military academy. Professor Knowles w. graduate'l from the last named institution with the class of 1885 with the rank of major. He was self-dependent from childhood. and earned the means for further education in various lines of work, as occasion required, and was several years in completing his business education. In im he took a course of instruction in D. I. Scott-Brown's business and commercial college in New York city, and he received his "certificate to practice and teach" in 1802. While taking this course and following his graduation he was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, and he remained with this firm, as stenographer and bill clerk, until elected to his present position. in 1901 In fact. his connection with this corporation dated from 1889, with various vacations. Mr. Knowles' election to the principalship of the com- mercial department in the Pottsville schools, in competition with five other applicants for the position, was a high compliment to his ability and social standing. He received the unanimous vote of the board, and has been twice re-elected. The conditions of eligibility to his department are that the student must first have been graduated from the grammar school of the high school. An average of about fifty students are taught in this department, and receive the same instruction which is given in the colleges de- voted exclusively to business education. The expenses are paid from the school funds of the district, the same as other teachers are paid. Thomas C. Knowles was married, in Pottsville. Jan. 16. 1806, to Miss Mary R., a daughter of Rowland and Charlotte Whitfield. Her father was a well known merchant in Pottsville. He died in Son at the home now occupied by his widow and the family of Professor Knowles. Mrs. Knowles was educated in the Pottsville public schools and is a graduate of the high school. She is a lady of culture and refinement, possessing musical accom- plishments of a high degree. The only child born to Professor and Mrs. Knowles is Master Rowland Whitfield, born Sept. 24. 1000. Professor Knowles is financial secretary of Washington Camp, No. 36. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America ; a member of Miners' Lodge. No. 20. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Pottsville Council, No. 265. Royal Arcanum. He has been presi- dent of the Humane fire company for several years, a position which he still holds. In political views he is a Republican, and is a member of the Central Republican club. In religious affiliations he is an Episcopalian and his wife is a Presbyterian.


PASEch.


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BIOGRAPHICAL


Koch, Hon. Richard Urny .-- The annals of Schuylkill county record the history of : wu more prominently associated with


the pioneer history


a Pennsylvania than that of the


Koch family. 1 great grandfather of Richard Henry


Koch took an art a soldier of thefrench and Indian


war. He left - if the night an article. Ile


was born in


att ro ment In childhood and


early youth 1 af and in Oley


townshi WAS he WHO ( : 1


11 ja nily


name i county : he built


mil !...


winship, and the same wi


Thimo Koch was twice married, h.


beng the mother of Henry koch, the


of Judge Koch. of this sketch. Willem koch


: Line in East Brunswick township, May 3. 1532 Brand-


koch was born at the old homestead in East Bruns-


vuiship, Schuylkill county, Oct. 5, 1791, and died at New Pagoll, March 19, 1867. Ile spent his life in the vicinity of h !: birthplace, and was a prosperous farmer, miller and mer- chant. He married Susanna Bock, of German antecedents, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom Daniel, Judge Koch's father, was the eldest. He was born at Kunkle's Mill, near the old mill erected by his ancestors, his birth occurring on . Dec. 24. 1816. On the 24th of Oct., 1839. he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Ann Beck, who represented in old and prominent family in Pennsylvania, One of her ancestors was a gunsmith during the Revolutionary war, by reason of which h was exempted from the performance of military duty. She was born on Jan. 24, 1818, and died '17 26, 1888. Eier


were born to the union of Daniel and Mary Koch,


riet, Francis D., Allen, Jeremia !: Albert B. ids.


Richard Henry, Emanuel, Arenius Late and Any


Ten of the number lived to maturity -


throughout the Civil war, more than the the father and his third son served together during the rimedimy call when the state was invaded by the Confederme Daniel Koch remained in the vicinity of his birthplace ruth 18,4, when he re- moved to Middleport, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1857 he moved to Auburn and r sumed farming operations, his earlier life work, in which he was von accessial. In 1866 he purchased a flouring mill at Morocacy, Derk's county. and the year following purchased a similar prof ity at Fleetwood, in the same county, where he established the anmily home. He coniin- ted to operate his milling business wet'] , alter which time he lived in retirement until his death, it [ ... 1 7, 1903. He was an ardent Republican, and active in the s well. of. the party. He was a candidate for the office of show.f 1×54, and was elected


as a representative in the legislature Richard Henry Koch was born at Middleport. Schwa county, Pa., Apr. -


1.+ chillt. chom William


Koch, was the


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BIOGRAPHICAL


. Koch, Hon. Richard Henry .- The annals of Schuylkill county record the history of no name more prominently associated with the pioneer history of Eastern Pennsylvania than that of the Koch family. The great-great-grandfather of Richard Henry Koch took an active part as a soldier in the French and Indian war. He left a family of eight children, one of whom, William Koch, was the great-grandfather of the subject of this article. He was born in Philadelphia Apr. 1, 1747, and spent his childhood and early youth in his native city, and at Womelsdorf, and in Oley . township, Berks county. It was he who established the family name on the soil of Schuylkill county ; he built one of the pioneer mills in East Brunswick township, and the same was later known as Kunkle's mill. William Koch was twice married, his second wife, Mary Neifong, being the mother of Henry Koch, the pa- ternal grandfather of Judge Koch, of this sketch. William Koch died on his farm in East Brunswick township, May 3, 1832. Grand- father Henry Koch was born at the old homestead in East Bruns- wick township, Schuylkill county, Oct. 5, 1791, and died at New Ringgold, March 19, 1867. He spent his life in the vicinity of his birthplace, and was a prosperous farmer, miller and mer- chant. He married Susanna Bock, of German antecedents, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom Daniel, Judge Koch's father, was the eldest. He was born at Kunkle's Mill, near the old mill erected by his ancestors, his birth occurring on Dec. 24, 1816. On the 24th of Oct., 1839, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Ann Beck, who represented an old and prominent family in Pennsylvania. One of her ancestors was a gunsmith during the Revolutionary war, by reason of which he was exempted from the performance of military duty. She was born on Jan. 24, 1818, and died Aug. 26, 18SS. Eleven children were born to the union of Daniel and Mary Koch, namely: Har- riet, Francis D., Allen, Jeremiah, Albert B. (deceased), Sarah, Richard Henry, Emanuel, Arenius, Kate and Ambrose Ellsworth. Ten of the number lived to maturity. The eldest son served throughout the Civil war, more than three years, and the father and his third son served together during the emergency call when the state was invaded by the Confederate army. Daniel Koch remained in the vicinity of his birthplace until 1844, when he re- moved to Middleport, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1857 he moved to Auburn and resumed farming operations, his earlier life work, in which he was very successful. In 1866 he purchased a flouring mill at Monocacy, Berks county, and the year following purchased a similar property at Fleetwood, in the same county, where he established the family home. He contin- ued to operate liis milling business until 1882, after which time he lived in retirement until his death, on Jan. 7, 1903. He was an ardent Republican, and active in the councils of the party. He was a candidate for the office of sheriff in 1854, and was elected as a representative in the legislature in 1860. Richard Henry Koch was born at Middleport, Schuylkill county, Pa., Apr. 2,




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