History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 34

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

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and Italy The church in the United States as represented by Father Laurisin is under the jurisdiction of the Latin bishops, a condition not wholly satisfactory and one from which relief has been sought An effort is being made at the present time to sepa- rate the American Greek Catholic church and place it under a bishop of its denomination. An appeal to the Hungarian govern- ment resulted in the sending of a prelate as a visitator to this country to ascertain the true condition of the church and report upon the advisability of a separation. Since the arrival of this visitator it has been shown that he is serving rather the political and national interests of the Hungarian government than disin- terestedly working out the problem of the church. Consequently his recall has been asked and is ultimately expected. Father Lau- risin was married in his native country before taking the orders of priesthood. the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Volkav. Four children blessed this union, three of whom, Mary, Michael and Stephen, died in childhood, while the other daughter. Annie, died in tono at the age of seventeen years Since the demise of the last named daughter. Mrs. Laurisin, who had been in ill health for some time, was summoned to her rest eternal on Dec. 27. 1005. Father Laurisin became a citizen of his adopted country as soon after his arrival as the law would allow, and he has done mnuch to imbue his parishioners with high ideals of loyalty and patrio' m. He was one of the organizers of the Shenandoah Trust Company. and during his residence in Shenandoah was one of the directors. In 1892 he formulated the general plan which resulted in the or- ganization of the "Greek Catholic Union," an association having for its object the home protection of its members. The society provides for the payment of weekly benefits in case of sickness or inability to labor on the part of the members, and in case of death pays out to the widow and children the sum of $1.000. The mem- bership of the organization now numbers 16,000 and conducts a publishing enterprise which prints a weekly paper in the Russian language. The reserve fund at the present time amounts to about $100.000. Father Laurisin was the first secretary of the union. and subsequently held the offices of president and spiritual ad- viser. He is a man of broad culture and fine intellect and his thorough knowledge of the English language has heen of immense value to his people in their litigations and deliberations. He has often been called into consultation with the clergy of the Roman Catholic church, and possesses the unbounded confidence of all the people of the community, irrespective of creed or nationality. On May 1. 1007. Father Laurisin removed to Clairton, Pa. he- coming rector of Ascension Greck Catholic church.

Lautenbacher, Jeremiah Charles, a prominent resident of Schuyl- kill Haven, was born in Kutztown. Berks county. Pa .. Tune 26. 1857. His father. Charles Lautenbacher, was born in Germany. July 26. 1832, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Graff, was born in Kutztown. Berks county, Aug. 16. 1831. Her ancestors were among the earliest pioneers of Berks county, and

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shared the dangers of the time from Indian depredations. A well established family tradition relates that her great-grandfather had a secret cave to which he and his family would retire in times of danger, and that the Indians never succeeded in finding this fam- ily hiding place. The subject of this article was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill Haven, and began his business ca- reer at an early age. He learned the marble cutter's trade and followed that as a profession from early youth until he was twenty-eight years old, when he established a factory for the manufacture of hosiery, this being the first factory in Schuylkill Haven, and was subsequently enlarged to include the manufacture of underwear, the line of business in which he is at present en- gaged. It is a well established and prosperous enterprise, afford- ing steady and remunerative employment to a large number of employes. On Sept. 6, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lau- tenbacher, the woman of his choice being Miss Angella Emerich, daughter of Elijah and Sarah Ann (Raudenbush) Emerich, of Schuylkill Haven, early pioneers of Schuylkill county. Mr. and Mrs. Lautenbacher have three daughters, Irene, Mary Flora and Sarah May. The first named is the wife of Thomas Tindall. liv- ing in Schuylkill Haven ; Mary Flora married Howard Herliman, also of Schuylkill Haven, and the youngest daughter is still under the parental roof, attending school. Mr. Lautenbacher has been a life-long Republican in his political preferences. He has served three terms as a member of the borough council, and was, for two terms, president of that body. He is prominent in the councils of Free Masonry and has attained to the thirty-second degree in that time-honored fraternity; is a member of Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Royal Arcanum, all in Schuylkill Haven. The church affiliations of the family are with the United Evangelical organization in Schuylkill Haven.

Lawlor, James J., general blacksmith and wood-worker, Shen- andoah, was born in that city June 20, 1869, a son of William and Bridget (Ryan) Lawlor, both natives of Ireland, who came to America in youth and were married at Minersville. The father was a stable boss for over thirty years, and died in 1899 at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow is still living in Shenandoah. They had a family of four sons and two daughters. Alice is the wife of Thomas Mahon and lives in Philadelphia; Nora is the widow of Anthony Gallagher and lives with her mother ; Martin is a stable boss for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company ; John occupies a similar position with the same com- pany ; James J. is the subject of this sketch; Harry is a mechanic at the Reading colliery. James J. Lawlor was educated in the schools of his native city, where he has always lived. After leav- ing school he served an apprenticeship at his trade with Andrew Elliott, worked three years as a journeyman, and in 1890 started in the business for himself. He owns the three-story building in

which has shop is located, the mat floor bem deveted in bind- smithing, the second to wood working, and the third is the paint shop. He does a general blacksmithing and wood working bus ness, but gives special attention to horseshoeing, and employs tive or six mechanics constantly in the various departments. l'olit- cally Mr. Lawlor is a Democrat, but the only office he has ever held is that of member of the city school board, to which he was elected m 1001 He always takes an active part in campaigns, however, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Phoenix Fire Company, the Horseshoers' association, and with his family belongs to the Annunciation Roman Catholic church. He is also a member of the Annunciation temperance society. On Sept. 22. ISof. Mr. Lawler married Miss Margaret, daughter of Patrick and Bridget ( Hanahan) Finnegan. She, too, is a native of Shenan doah. They have the following children : William, born in July. 1848: James, who died in infancy : Joseph, six years of age; Alice, aged three and a half years; and Emmett, one year old.

Lawrence. Franklin C., a leading merchant of Minersville, was born at Milton, Northumberland county. July 11. 1829, a son of George and Esther (Stranb) Lawrence. The progenitor of the family was Maurice Lawrence, who settled in Pennsylvania in the days of Indian occupancy. He lived to be one hundred and nine years, six months and twenty-one days old and when he was one hundred years old he walked from Milton to Sunbury, a distance of fourteen miles, which he covered in a few hours. He had a son John, to whom in turn was born in 1788 a son George, the father of the subject of this sketch. George Lawrence was a carpenter by vocation, but in the earlier part of his life he found it more profitable to deal in horses and cattle. Later he was a sub-con- tractor in the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio canal, three of the sections having been completed by him. He erected at Minersville the first steam mill ever built in this section of the state, and operated it for a number of years, leaving it to engage in agricultural pursuits near Milton. In the war of 1812 he was captain of a company of volunteers and rendered distinguished service. His wife's family were of German origin, the father, An- drew Straub, having come to the United States from the Father- land in the carly part of the nineteenth century. The children of Andrew Straub and his wife, who was a Miss Walter, were seven in number, viz. : Abraham and Isaac (twins). Joseph, Christian M., Esther, Rachel and Mary, and all settled in or near Milton. Christian M. became a personage of some note, serving as a mem- ber of Congress from his district, and while sheriff of his county he had the unique distinction of hanging the first man to suffer the penalty of capital punishment in the county. George Law- rence died in 1863, while acting in the capacity of postmaster of Milton. Besides his widow, who died shortly after, he left a fam- ily of twelve children. The names of these in the order of birth follow : Washington, Mary. Abraham. Susan. George I., Jacob HI., Sarah, Franklin (. James, Margaret. Hettie and Willi -.

233

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Ohio; Gertrude ; George; and two who died in immunicy. Air 1 1W- rence is a stanch exponent of the principles of the Republic party, but aside from the office of treasurer of the board of school directors, which he has now held for a number of years, he has never aspired to positions of puthe trust. He inomuch revered and respected by his fellow-citizc: Bouger. Il advanced in years is remarkably preserve 1 mitei . e

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was a native of England, wh r . : 1 in the year 1932,

stanch and worthy lineage. Mon of Richard and Isa-

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some time Upon his return to Pois,:

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Franklin C. Lawrence is the sole survivor of this large family. Ile received a somewhat limited education in the public and sub- scription schools of Milton, and at the age of twelve years left school to go into a general store as a clerk. He remained in that capacity until he had mastered every detail of the business and then, in 1856, he launched a general mercantile business of his own in Minersville, which he has continued to manage since. For twenty-seven years he occupied the building in which he first started his business and then removed to the large and commodious quarters which he now occupies. In connection with his mercantile interests he was for thirteen years extensively in- terested in mining as an operator, working some valuable proper- ties, which were a source of large income. In 1857 Mr. Lawrence married Miss Lavina Bath, a native of Berks county, and a. daugh- ter of Jonas Bath. This union was blessed by the following chil- dren: Hettie, who became Mrs. Morris Stupp, and died Feb. 15, 1906, leaving one child, Lavinia; Carrie ; Willis, who married Sada Palsgrove and has three children, Ruth, Clara and Mary; Frank W .; Fanny, who married Samuel G. Crawford, of Cleveland, Ohio; Gertrude; George; and two who died in infancy. Mr. Law- rence is a stanch exponent of the principles of the Republican party, but aside from the office of treasurer of the board of school directors, which he has now held for a number of years, he has never aspired to positions of public trust. He is much revered and respected by his fellow-citizens, and although well advanced in years is remarkably preserved in mind and body.

Lee, Riollay F .- It is well and just that a record of a worthy and useful life be not allowed to perish and that its perpetuation shall be held to serve a noble purpose in offering to later genera- tions both lesson and incentive. The publication at hand has a definite and two-fold purpose, and not the less of the two elements is that which touches the biographical and memorial reviews, whose value can not but be cumulative. The history of the city of Pottsville and that of Schuylkill county were enriched through the able efforts and exalted character of this honored citizen, who was called to the life eternal Apr. 25, 1891, and none is more worthy of a tribute of respect in this volume than he. Mr. Lee was a native of England, where he was born in the year 1832, of stanch and worthy lineage. He was a son of Richard and Isa- bella Lee, who came to America when he was only one year old. They settled in Pottsville, Pa., as pioneers, and there passed the residue of their lives. The gracious home surroundings in the youth of the subject of this memoir tended to mold his character for good during its formative period, and he was afforded such advantages as the common schools of the locality and time could offer. He initiated his career in connection with the prac- tical affairs of life by securing a position as clerk in a general store conducted by James B. Beatty, of Pottsville, and later as- sumed a similar position in Harrisburg, where he remained for some time. Upon his return to Pottsville he entered the employ

of Haywood & Suyder, in whose office he occupied a eletical po sition, was rapolis advanced and finally became chief clerk He carly developed that self reliance and mitiative power which so distinctly marked his independent and highly successful business career throughout its entire course, and it is well to note that from beginning to end there can be found on his record no shadow of wrong or injustice. While still a young man Mr Lee engaged in business for himself, becoming a member of the firm of Lec. Grant & Co., coal operators, the other interested principals being his father and William Grant They operated the Plank Ridge colliery at Shenandoah for many years, and it was here that Mr. Grant was killed by a fall of top coal, soon after which fatality the colliery was sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company The subject of this review was one of the original stockholders of the Pennsylvania National bank of Pottsville, which was organized in isto, and on Jan. 14. 1873. he was elected president of this old and solid institution an office of which he remained the incumbent until his death. He administered the affairs of the bank with great acumen and wisdom and gained for it the high reputation which it now holds as one of the most sub- stantial banks in the state. His energy and progressiveness found divers fields of action and his public spirit was ever in evidence. He was one of the heaviest stockholders in the Pottsville Gas and Water Companies and the Anthracite Electric Light Company, besides being identified with various other enterprises in a capi- talistic and executive way. In national and state affairs, where definite issues and policies were involved, he gave his support to the Republican party, but in local matters he held an independent attitude, lending his aid and influence to such candidates and measures as met the approval of his mature judgment. He was at one time a member and president of the borough council. He was essentially a man of affairs, kept in touch with the questions and issues of the day, and was well informed and broad-minded. He served for a long time as a member of the city council of Pottsville and was its president for several years, Mr. Lee stood forth as one of the best known and most honored citizens of the Schuylkill valley, a leader in public thought and action and in the upholding and upbuilding of enterprises for the general good. His integrity was inviolable and he ever demanded the approval of conscience for his action, countenancing no unworthy motives on his own part or that of others. His success was achieved through well directed effort; he was instant in sympathy and in a desire to help others, especially young men, so that his life widened into gracious symmetry and his influence in all relations was beneficent. Many who are now prominent in the business and capitalistic world owe the initiation of their success to this honored citizen. On Tuesday. Apr. 28, 1891, at a meeting of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania National bank the follow- ing resolutions were adopted: "Whereas. Our esteemed associate in the board of directors of the Pennsylvania National bank, after

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a long and severe sickness, was taken from our midst by the stern messenger, death, on the 25th day of April, 1891; and, Whereas, The bank has sustained a very great loss, the community has lost a valuable citizen and his wife and children have lost a good husband and a kind and indulgent father; Resolved, That we ex- tend to the wife and family of our deceased president, in this hour of their affliction, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy and the hope that the Most High, who orders all things for the best, will be their comfort and guide in their great sorrow. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this meeting and that a copy of the same be sent to the family of the deceased and to each of the daily papers." In the death of Mr. Lee the people of his home city of Pottsville felt a sense of personal loss and be- reavement, and on every side, from all classes, were heard words of testimony to this effect. Mr. Lee was a member of the Epis- copal church. On Dec. 25, 1855, he married Miss Augusta R. Curry, a daughter of John W. and Tamsen (Stichter) Curry, and they became the parents of the following children: Bertha, who married Frank Roseberry, of Pottsville, Pa .; John C., who married Phebe A. Atkins, of Pottsville; and Martha, who became the wife of Charles H. Moore, of New York City.

Lee, William Thomas, the popular proprietor of the Hotel Fer- guson, at Shenandoah, is a native of Schuylkill county, born at St. Clair, Apr. 21, 1867, and is the eldest in a family of thirteen, born to John T. and Harriet (Harblaster) Lee, natives, respectively. of England and Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1838, and died in Shenandoah in June, 1905, and the mother was born in 1841 and died in the same city in 1884. The parents were poor, and wholly dependent upon the father's earnings as a miner, and later as a mine foreman, in which vocation his income was more in keeping with the domestic requirements in the sustenance of a large family. But he was never forehanded, being much handi- capped by sickness, and the family was reared and educated amid the environments of poverty, not to say absolute want. The sub- ject of this sketch, being the eldest of the family, bore the brunt of privations, which, he is happy to relate, were not the portion of some of his younger brothers and sisters. At the age of about nine years he went into the mines in whatever capacity his serv- ices would best subserve the parental interests, and continued in various lines of mining work, often with but scant supply of the necessaries of life. Yet no word of complaint does he utter against his parents, but philosophically says: "They did the best they could." With the lapse of years he began to command better wages, the father was promoted to mine foreman, and thus the income was materially augmented and an air of comfort pervaded the parental home. Then the common enemy of all invaded the home circle, the idolized mother was removed and another in the person of a Mrs. Foltz came to preside over the destinies of the younger children. She was an exemplary wife, and performed hier onerous duties as a stepmother with more than ordinary patience

and to shoot. net She is still living in Shenandoah, as does also her son, Caleb 1: les. the only survivor of her two children born to les umon with John I La of the large family of children but His are living. These are William Thomas, the subject of this sheich. Joseph & carry, a superintendent for the Philadelphia & Reading toal and Bon Company, located at Pottsville, Hatte. Bile of D. K Simmonds, of Shenandoah, Mass Mattie \ , matton and superintendent of Cottage state hospital, at Hossburg, l'a . John C. cashier for Armour & Co., at one of their stations in New York, and Rhoda May, now Mis. C. P. Holtzer, of Kansas City, Ho All have attained to positions of social of business promi- Hence in the r several careers as individuals, and have been sine cessful in the battle of life. William Thomas Lee, the subject of this article is distinctively a self-made man, as that term is un derstood His opportunities for acquiring an education were very limited in his youth, as may be mierred from what precedes, but while working in the most mental employments, he did not neglect to improve his mind at every opportunity. His studies were ele mentary. tis true, and confined to a very small sphere, but in time he had the opportunity of broadening hes curriculum, and eventu- ali becand interested in the history of his state and nation, and from the sounds of these became interested in general politics. Dur ing alci his mature years he has been an ardent Republican, and Has taken a very active part in local and general political policies. He pa recognized leader among the young Republicans of Shen . noch and Schuylkill county and wields a potent influence in the councils of Republicanism in the state. For the last seven years he has been a member of the state committee, and has held minor offices within the gift of local Republicans. He was a formidable conduite for the Republican nomination for legislative honors, but was dafa of in the convention by the narrow margin of two votes. But his popularity and prominence in the heated contest gave him the prestige of naming the successful man, both in the convention and at the polls. Mr. Lee has been deputy county coroner for "ne vars past and is also a member of the board of health in Shenandoah. He severed his connection with mining interests in 105, having saved during all his previous years of toil and sati- retideum . is250! This was the nucleus to his engaging in the Hotel Isiness, which has occupied his attention since. In 1904 he laan . the proprietor of the Hotel Ferguson, the principal hotel in Shenan bah, and has continued in the operation of this popular hostelry to the present time. Though it has many competitors. the "Ferguson" stands at the head in the estimation of the travel- mg public. It is fully equipped with all the modern convenience". an | reflects credit not only upon the zealous and active propric- tor, but also upon the town. It is located at the corner of Main and Center streets, in the business population, and is conveniently accessible from all depot -. The father of Mr. Lee was a man of Sterling integrity and uprightness of character. He held numer- our offices of trus and responsibility in the borough, and always

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discharged his official duties with strict fidelity to himself and the people. He served a number of years as a member of the borough school board-a thankless and unrequited position, though one of great responsibilities. Ile lived retired from active labor during the last fifteen years of his life. W. Thomas Lee was married on Jan. 15, 1889, to Miss Mary. Preston, a daughter of James and Sarah Preston, natives of Ireland, but for many years residents. of Shenandoah, where the father died, after which the mother removed to the west, where she died. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have had three children born to them, the eldest of whom, Jolin, died at the age of nine years from the effects of a fall. Miss Mabel, just budding into womanhood, is a student in the high school, and Harry is busy with his studies in a lower department. It is a source of great satisfaction to the indulgent father to know that his children are enjoying privileges which he longed for during all his early life, yet was never able to attain. The trials of his youthful years will never be known to his children, except as a vague idea is transmitted to them through tradition, or the pages of history. Mr. Lee regards it as a sacred duty to posterity to properly educate and train the rising generations with a view to future usefulness in the world, and deplores the apparent tendency in the opposite direction, as often witnessed on the streets of Shen- andoah. Mr. Lee is a member of the Primitive Methodist church and his wife is a communicant in the Methodist Episcopal organi- zation. Of the fraternal associations, Mr. Lee sustains member- ship in Ashland Lodge, No. 384, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Aerie No. 103, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Camp No. II2, Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. He is a genial and companionable gentleman-an ideal "landlord," as well as a warm- hearted, generous friend. He is highly esteemed in the commu- nity as a useful, public-spirited citizen, and his acquaintance with leading people of Pennsylvania extends far beyond the boundaries of Schuylkill county.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 34

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