USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Maurer, David P., is engaged in the blacksmithing business in his native town of Hepler. where he was born Apr. 23. 1850. and he is
31:
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
also the owner of a well improved farm in this county. Mr. Maurer has won success through his own efforts and has exemplified the value of consecutive industry, in the meanwhile so ordering his life as to merit and retain the confidence and good will of his fellow- men. He is a representative of the third generation of the Maurer family in Schuylkill county, and is a son of John H. and Nellie (l'aul) Maurer, the former of whom was likewise born in Hepler and the latter of whom was born at klingerstown, this county. They continued to reside in the county until their death, the father pass- ing away May 8, 1905, and the mother Apr. 17, 1907. Henry Maurer. grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the founder of the family in Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death. John H. Maurer was a shoe- maker by trade, but in later years his attention was given to farm- ing. He was a stanch Democrat in politics and served as constable for a number of years. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the Lutheran church. They became the parents of eight children. of whom five are living : David P., the immediate subject of this re- view : Catherine, a resident of Philadelphia ; Fayette, of Vineland, N. J. : Amelia, of Tremont, Pa. ; and Cecilia, likewise a resident of Tremont. David P. Maurer was reared on the home farm and was afforded the advantages of the common schools of the locality. At the age of nineteen years he left the parental roof and began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, under the instruction of Daniel Klock, of Hepler, with whom he remained two years, he- coming a skilled workman. He started in business for himself, and later passed three years on the old homestead farm, after which. in 1872. he built and equipped his present shop, where he has worked at his trade during the long intervening period and where he has built up a successful business, based upon his technical ability and his personal popularity in the community. He is the owner of a valuable farm of 107 acres. in Wayne township, and the greater portion of the tract is under effective cultivation. The place is now in charge of his eldest son. Mr. Maurer gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and he has been called upon to serve in various offices of local trust. He was justice of the peace for more than five years, a director of the school board for six years, and treasurer of the school district for three years. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Lutheran church and are active in its work. In 1870 Mr. Maurer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Erdman, who was born and reared in this county, and of their eleven children six are living, namely : Donald, who is a successful farmer in Wayne township and who also learned the blacksmith trade, under the di- rection of his father : he married Lillie Hartzog; Jane, who is the wife of Frank Herb, of Frackville. this county; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Edwin Snyder, of Northumberland county ; Charles. who is a successful farmer in Wayne township and who married Ger- trude Klinger : and Edgar and Raymond, who remain at the pa- rental home.
313
BIOGRAPHICAL
Maurer, Elmer Harold, M. D., a representative medical practi- tioner at Ashland, Pa., was born at Pitman, in Schuylkill county, Pa., Jan. 16, 1878. He is a son of G. S. and Elmira (Kramer) Maurer, both of whom were born in this county. The father, G. S. Maurer, has been a teacher in the public schools of the county for the last thirty-five years, and is known as a successful educator. Both parents are now living at the family homestead at Lavelle, this county. Dr. Maurer has two sisters, Mrs. Delilah Lloyd, wife of William Follwell Lloyd, and Miss Mamic Maurer, both residents of Philadelphia and graduated trained nurses. Mrs. Lloyd was graduated in 1896 from the Hahnemann training school for nurses, and Miss Mamic has just completed a full course of training at the Children's Homeopathic training school for nurses, both institutions being located in Philadelphia. Dr. Elmer H. Maurer entered the State normal school at Kutztown at the age of fifteen and was grad- uated with the class of 1895. He then engaged in teaching for three years, after which he entered upon the study of his profession at Hahnemann medical college, in Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1902. He at once engaged in active practice at Ashland and has continued successfully to the present. Dr. Maurer was married Apr. 14, 1904, to Miss Florence, daughter of William G. and Katherine (Baer) Hinterleiter, of Kutz- town, Pa. One little bud of promise has come to bless this happy union and brighten the domestic fireside, Miss Catherine Elmira, born Feb. 9. 1905. The doctor is a Republican in his political affili- ations, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church in Ashland. Dr. Maurer is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge No. 294, Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 219, Royal Arch Masons; Commandery No. 39, Knights Tem- plars; Williamsport Consistory, and Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Lodge No. 384, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, No. 84. He is a past president of the Schuylkill County Homeopathic medical society, and is a mem- ber of the Hahnemann alumni association. He is also the medical examiner for the Baltimore Life Insurance Company.
Maurer, John Jacob, a prominent contractor and builder of Ash- land and the owner of a lumber yard at Girardville, was born at Minersville, Feb. 12. 1860. He is a son of John Jacob and Mar- gariethe (Schwartz) Maurer, both natives of Bavaria. Germany. The father came to the United States about 1845 and located in Pottsville, where he obtained employment as a bottler in a brew- ery. In the late '5os he engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business at Minersville and continued in it most successfully until after the close of the Civil war, by which time he had secured a suf- ficient competency to allow him to retire. In May, 1874, he located at Ashland, where he remained until his demise, 1887. in his sev- enty-seventh year. He reared to maturity a family of five children -Mary Louise, John Jacob. Fred W., Lucile, now Mrs. Peter A. Waldner. and George H. John Jacob Maurer. the subject of this
311
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
sketch, received his education in the schools of Minersville and Ashland, completing his scholastic training in the high school of the latter borough. For a period of three years he served an apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade, with AAdam Waldner, and when he had successfully mastered the technical points of the vocation he served for five years as a journeyman. During that time he did some contracting, and in 1889 he entered business on his own ac- count as a contractor and builder. He has met with success beyond Is most sanguine hopes and many of the modern dwellings and public buildings of Ashland are monuments to his skill and ability. lle is especially proficient in the erection of churches and has many times been called upon to put up edifices in other boroughs. In the fall of 1905 Mr. Maurer purchased the lumber yard of R. K. Beaker in Girardville and has since been conducting it, in connection with his other business, through a resident manager. Apr. 26, 1890, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Roper, a daughter of John and Sarah Ann (Kline) Roper, of Ashland. The children of this union are Luther. Carl F. and Sheldon. Politically Mr. Maurer is a Democrat, but has never hell public office of any kind. In a fraternal way he is a member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His family are all communicants of the Methodist church, and he him- self is a Lutheran.
McDonald, John J., president of the school board and agent for the Adams Express Company at Shenandoah, was born in that city March 22, 1870. His parents, John and Mary (O'Donnell) McDon- ald. were born in Ireland, but were married in this country and were among the early settlers of Shenandoah. The father, who was a miner, died when he was about fifty-five years of age, and the mother is still living in Shenandoah. Five of their children are liv- ing. viz .: Mary. John J., David. Joseph and Nellie. Mary lives at home with her mother : John J. is the subject of this sketch : David is employed in Pittsburg; Joseph is a miner. and Nellie is a grad- uate of the State normal school at Bloomsburg, and is now a teacher in the Shenandoah public schools. John J. McDonald received his education in the schools of his native city and began his career as a worker in the mines, where he continued in various positions for about fifteen years. He then took a place as driver of one of the Adams Express wagons and gradually worked his way up with that company until, in Feb., 1903, he was appointed agent at Shen- andoah. Politically Mr. McDonald is one of the active Democrats ni Schuylkill county. He served three years as borough auditor: was elected to the school board in the spring of 1901. He has been twice re-elected, and in June. 1906, was made president of the board. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and he and his family are communicants of the Annunciation Roman Catholic church. In Oct .. 1900. he was united in wedlock to Miss Nora Mc- Grath, who at the time of their marriage was a resident of Mahanoy Plane. To this union have been born four daughters: Mary. Anna, Helen and Margaret.
315
BIOGRAPHICAL
McGettigan, Rev. Hugh J., pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church at Ashland, is a native of Schuylkill county, having been born in Blythe township, in May, 1860. He is a son of Hugh Mc- Gettigan, who was for many years a successful teacher in the schools of this county. Both parents of Father McGettigan were natives of Ireland, the father immigrating to America and locating in Port Carbon in 1852 and later removing to Blythe township. The family in the mother country has given to the Roman Catholic church some of its most distinguished leaders among the clergy of past generations. Hugh McGettigan, father of the subject of this arti- cle, received in this native country an education far above the aver- age afforded to the laity, and came to America well qualified for the honorable station which he filled so acceptably during the last thirty-two years of his life. This was no doubt a material aid in shaping the studies of his son, who aspired to the exalted station which he now fills many years before his hope was gratified. Ilugh McGettigan was a man of broad and liberal views, highly esteemed by the community in which he lived, and possessed the good will of all who knew him. He was a devout Catholic and did much to cx- tend the influence of the church in the community in which he lived. He died May 31, 1891, at the age of sixty-five years. He was sur- vived by a widow and six children. The subject of this sketch passed his youthful days in attendance at the district school and in work- ing about the mines, devoting all his leisure moments and holidays to private study and to preparation for his contemplated calling. At the age of fifteen he was found qualified to teach school, and he entered into this pursuit with a determination to turn the oppor- tunity to good account in the furtherance of his well grounded ambi- tion, and also with excellent results as a careful, conscientious in- structor. He entered upon a course of study at St. Charles semi- nary, at Overbrook, Pa., to prepare himself to enter the ranks of the Catholic clergy. Having completed his work in the seminary he was ordained to the ministry of the Holy Catholic church June 15. 1889. He was immediately appointed assistant pastor of St. Patrick's church in Pottsville, and remained in that position for three years. June 11, 1892, he became rector of St. Mary's church at St. Clair. He was transferred from this charge to the rectorship of St. Joseph's church in Ashland on July 24, 1894. This is the oldest English speaking congregation in the county north of the moun- tain, having celebrated its golden anniversary March 17. 1907. Father McGettigan is a genial, scholarly gentleman, who sustains the highest regard of the people, irrespective of church affiliations. He is alive to the importance of his work and enters into it with an enthusiasm indicative of his personal interest in the spiritual wel- fare of humanity. Father McGettigan has been at the head of the board of health of the city since its inception in 1902, and is always to be found prominently identified with all matters pertaining to the public welfare.
McGinnis, John C., president of the First National bank of Frack- ville, was born in Pottsville, Pa., Dec. 18, 1857. His parents. Henry
316
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
and Mars ( Fhaugan) Metannis, were both natives of County Down. Ireland, where the father followed his trade of weaver For a num- ber of years prior to coming to America he was in the employ of the Moreland Linen Manufacturing Company at Belfast and Down- patrick, the company being still in existence. In 1853 the family came to this country and located at Pottsville. The father was employed at that place until March, 1803, when he went to Big Mine Run, near Ashland, where he continued to live until his death, in 1885, at the age of eighty years. He and his wife had nine chil- dren, six of whom grew to maturity, Elizabeth married Nicholas Schu and is now deceased: Celia is the widow of John Murphy ; Edward enlisted at the beginning of the Civil war in Company E. 48th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, was captured during the siege of Petersburg, and died in prison at Salisbury. N. C. : James is deceased : and Henry H. and John C. reside in Schuylkill county. John C. Mcginnis was educated in the public schools of Butler township. Schuylkill county, and at the age of seven years began working about the mines. He was promoted through the inter- mediate positions from breaker hoy to superintendent, holding the latter position for thirteen years at the Cambridge mines at Shenan- doah. In 1903 he became interested in bituminous coal mining in Cambria county, as a stockholder, and was subsequently elected secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Cambridge Bitumi- nous Coal Company, a position he still retains. He is also inter- sted in the Cambridge Slate Company, of Slatington, of which he is a director and secretary. In 1883 he took up his residence in Frackville, where he has since been identified with various move- ments and institutions for the advancement of the moral and ma- terial interests of the community. He was one of the founders of the Broad Mountain Building and Loan association, organized in 1887, and one of the best in the state, and has been president of the association since 1895. When the First National bank was organ- ized. on Sept. 5. 1905. he was elected president, and has held this office continuously ever since. He was active in the organization of this bank, and much of its usefulness is due to his efforts and superb executive ability. Mr. McGinnis is a Republican in his po- litical convictions and is always active in promoting the welfare of his party. He was for seven years a justice of the peace. and is now serving his second term as a member of the Frackville city council. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church. and is a liberal contributor to its worthy charities. Jan. 7. 1885. Mr. MeGinnis and Miss Katie C. Dechan were united in marriage. She is a daughter of Bernard and Catherine (Egan) Dechan, of St. Clair. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis became the parents of seven children. Mary is de- ceased and those living are Ida. Harry, Marguerite. Helen, Bernard and Clement.
McGinty. John P., is president of the First National bank of Tamaqua and is one of the most prominent and enterprising busi- ness men of that city. He was born in Tremont. Pa .. Aug. 1. 1864, and is one of the seven childen of James and Mary (Foley)
317
BIOGRAPHICAL
McGinty. His father, now retired, was a contractor and miner well known in the carher days of the county. While the railroad known as the Pine Grove line was being built he was employed as a water-carrier, and before the line was completed between Leb- anon and Williamsport, he had become one of the contractors. Dur- ing the Civil war he and a Mr. Bettinger opened and mined thic Sharp Mountain colliery between Tremont and Blackwood. James McGinty and his wife now make their home in Mahanoy City. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Mahanoy City and when he started out to earn his own living his first employment was as a driver of mules and other light work about the mines. In 1888 he engaged in the grocery business but did not remain in it long, removing to Tremont in 1890 to become an agent for the sale of the Bergner & Engle Brewing Company's products. From Tremont he removed to Tamaqua and engaged in the wholesale li- quor business which he still conducts. About 1896 he erected a brew- ery and started the manufacture of beer. The concern is known as the McGinty Brewing Company and employs about twenty-five men. In Jan., 1894, Mr. McGinty was made one of the directors of the First National bank of Tamaqua and upon the death of Mr. Cal- loway, in 1895, he was honored with election to the presidency of the institution. For many years he has been a director of the Building and Loan association, serving much of the time as chair- man of the loan committee. This association is one of the best paying ventures of the city. In 1905 the borough council granted Capt. E. M. B. Shepp and Mr. McGinty a ten-year franchise to fur- nish light for the city, and they at once organized the Tamaqua Light, Heat and Power Company, which began operations Jan. I, 1906. The plant is equipped with the most modern appliances and machinery and is amply qualified to light a city of twice the size of Tamaqua. About twenty-five men are employed in the opera- tion of the plant. Every enterprise Mr. McGinty has undertaken has been a financial success and his name in connection with the promotion of any venture insures a patronage not otherwise re- ceived. He is the owner of much valuable realty in and about Tamaqua. June 10, 1890, Mr. McGinty married Miss Mary Bran- non, a daughter of James and Mary Brannon, of Shenandoah. Her father is a retired merchant. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McGinty are seven in number-Frank, Florence. Marion, Nellie, Vera, Clare and Margaret. . The family are communicants of St. Jerome's Ro- man Catholic church and the father is a charter member of the Tamaqua Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the county association of brewers and one of the executive committee of the same. He is one of a number of prominent business men who secured a charter to operate an electric-trolley railway between Tamaqua and Mahanoy City. As the right of eminent domain has been signed by the governor of the state, it is the intention to build this road, running through Delano, Park Place and adjacent villages, as soon as all arrange- ments can be made.
31%
McLoughlin, Michael P., a well known attorney of Pottsville. was born at Bou Ridge, a hamlet in Blythe township, Schuylkill county, l'a .. Sept. 3, 1853. He is a son of James and Mary J. (til- lespie) Mcloughlin, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Philadelphia. The College family were pioneers in the School- kill valley, and were a robust and long lived race of people. Mr. Mcloughlin spent his early hie working at the coal breaker, and after his muth year divided las time between picking slate and attending the district school. He attended the Schuylkill county normal school, then conducted at Port Carbon, and thus qualified hunself for teaching. He taught four terms of school in Blythe township, and then turned his attention to the study of law, becom- mg a student under the tutorship of Major James Ellis, then con- -el for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company in the Schuylkill region. He prosecuted his studies with great energy, and readily showed adaptability to the profession. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 18-8, and at once engaged in practice. Apr. 1. 1884. Mr. McLoughlin was admitted to prac- tice in the supreme court of the United States, and this evidence of superior qualification secured for him a legal position in the land department of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. During the nine years of his connection with this position Mr. McLoughlin was in constant contact with complicated cases in- solving a thorough knowledge of the laws pertaining to real (- tate, taxes, township and municipal laws, etc., as well as the rights of individuals within the sphere of this work. The knowledge thus acquired has been of incalculable value to him in the general practice of law, and especially so in all cases of litigations over the question of land titles, etc. Jan. 1. 1893. Mr. McLoughlin severed his connection with the coal and iron company mentioned and became first deputy in the office of District Attorney Ryon. Hle continued in this position for three years, and was an assistant to Mr. Ryon's successor. E. W. Bechtel, until he was himself elected to the office of district attorney, in 1899. Since completing his term of office, in 1902, Mr. McLoughlin has been engaged in a large and lucrative private practice. Mr. McLoughlin married Miss B. M. Gannem of Ashland, Pa. She was a daughter of Martin and Honora Gannon. This happy union was blessed with five daugh- ter --- Mary, Nora, Margaret, Catherine and Eleanor. Mrs. Mc- Loughlin died on Oct. 30, 1000. The family are Roman Catholics in religious faith. Mr. McLoughlin is a Democrat in political affiliations, and is a recognized leader in the councils of his party. For many years he has taken an active interest in the fraternity of Catholic Knights of America, and has served as local and state president of the organization. He is a thorough lawyer, a close -tudent, an eloquent speaker and an accomplished gentleman, who sees pleasure as well as profit in the versatility of his life.
McMahon, Rev. P. J., pastor of St. Vincent de Paul's church at Minersville, was born in St. Clair, Schuylkill county. Pa .. March 10. 1866. Ilis parents. Patrick and Eliza (Downing) McMahon.
319
BIOGRAPHICAL
were natives of Ireland, and came to this county from their native land in 1845, locating in the mining districts of Silver creek. They later removed to St. Clair and subsequently went to Philadelphia, where the father died in 1898; his widow is now living in St. Clair. Two sons in this family are clergymen, Father P. J. McMahon, of this sketch, and Rev. Father John J. McMahon, a younger brother, who is stationed at Sharon Ilill, Delaware county, Pa. Henry is a plumber in Philadelphia, and the only living sister, Mrs. John Quigley, resides in St. Clair. Four of the children are deceased. Father P. J. McMahon received his elementary education in the public schools of St. Clair. After being graduated from LaSalle college, in Philadelphia, he entered upon his professional studies in philosophy and theology in St. Charles seminary, at Overbrook, Pa. He was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church in May, 1893, and his first call to pastoral duty was as as- sistant to Rev. Father Beresford (since deceased), at Minersville. He was stationed at Bethlehem at the beginning of the Spanish- American war and gallantly offered his services as a volunteer chaplain. He entered the service with the 9th regiment, though he attended to general pastoral duties throughout the army at Chickamauga. He was also engaged for a time as an army chap- lain in Kentucky. Returning to his charge at Bethlehem, he was soon transferred to St. Monica's church, in Philadelphia, where he remained for more than a year, and whence he came to Minersville, as rector of St. Vincent de Paul's church, Feb. 14, 1900. This church is one of the landmarks of Catholicism in Schuylkill county. The first religious services of the English speaking Catholics were held in rented rooms which stood on the site of the Mountaineer opera house, and were conducted by Rev. Nicholas Cantwell, late vicar-general of the archdiocese, but then rector of St. Patrick's church at Pottsville. These services were commenced as early as 1842, and soon thereafter a small frame church was erected on the hillside at the lower end of the parish cemetery. The Irish popu- lation rapidly increased with the opening of collieries and the gradual development of business, and the little church soon became too small to accommodate the needs of the parish. A lot was pur- chased on Sunbury street, then, as now. one of the main thorough- fares of the town, and in the spring of 1846 the work of excavating for the foundation was commenced. The corner stone was laid July 19, 1846, by the Right Rev. Bishop F. P. Kendrick, an occa- sion of great rejoicing among the faithful band of Catholics whose energies, hard labor and generous contributions had brought about so desirable a result. A substantial stone structure was erected. This has met the necessities of the growing congregation for sixty years and is to-day in keeping with its surroundings. The dedica- tory services were held Dec. 6, 1846, and the name of St. Vincent de Paul was chosen, as exemplifying historic conditions and per- petuating a name sacred in the annals of Catholicism. The first resident pastor was Rev. Hugh Fitzsimmons, a most devoted .. faithful and earnest worker, upon whose shoulders fell much of the-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.