USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 4
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SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
in Ringtown and Shenandoah. In connection with his gardening he conducts a dairy of considerable proportions. In politics Mr. Barrow is affiliated with no party and exercises his right of fran- chise as he sees tit. In INSS he was united in marriage to Mis Mary M. Madara, of Broad Mountain, a daughter of John and Hannah (Okom) Madara. Mrs. Barrow is one of eight children born to her parents, all of whom except a son, George, are now living. The others are Harry E., Carrie, Ella, Hannah M., Maude M. and Sadie E. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrow have been born four children-John A. George M., Harry B. and Helen 1 .- all of whom are living except Helen. The family are all devout members of and workers in the Reformed church of Ringtown. The father's fraternal relations are with the Ringtown Chapter. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, Ringtown Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Shenandoah Lodge of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Barrow is known throughout the county as a man of integrity. enterprise and sterling worth.
Bartho, Fremont K., the leading pharmacist of Tamaqua, was born in Schuylkill county on May 16. 1870, a son of Gabriel and Magdalina (Kessler) Bartho. The father was a carpenter and miller and worked at those vocations in this county for many years. His death occurred in 1897 in his seventy-eighth year. The mother now makes her home with her five surviving children. These are Emma. Mrs. Preston Blyler: Amanda. Mrs. Rabuck ; and Dr. B. F. and W. H. Bartho of Mount Carmel. The subject of this sketch, the youngest of his family, attended the public schools of Schuylkill county and when he had completed his scholastic work he secured employment in a mine. Subsequently he learned the carpenters' trade and then secured a position in a pharmacy where he served a full apprenticeship. He then took a full course in the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, passed the state examination and was given a certificate as a registered pharma- cist. For a time he was employed by other pharmacists and in 1903 he was enabled to purchase his present store on West Broad street in Tamaqua. Since that time he has been most success- fully conducting his business to the eminent satisfaction of a large patronage. The store is well stocked with drugs and medicines and the sundries are the most modern to be found in the city. On Jan. 12. 1809. Mr. Bartho married Miss Jennie C. Mayer, daughter of Cornelius and Sarah (Heater) Maver of Sacramento. To this union has been born one child-Margery. Mr. and Mrs. Bartho are members of and leading workers in the United Brethren church. In a fraternal way the former is identified with the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Mac- cabees of the World, and in the latter order is the incumbent of the office of keeper of the records. Mr. Bartho is progressive and enthusiastic in whatever he undertakes and is one of the city's most enterprising citizens.
Bast. Jeremiah F., proprietor of the Royal knitting mills of Schuylkill Haven, was born in Rockland. Berks county. Pa., Oct.
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13, 1841. He is a son of Henry and Esther (Focht) Bast, the father a native of Macedonia, Berks county, Pa. He was descended from Jewish stock, his grandfather being one of the early settlers of Berks county. Henry Bast was born on Sept. 24, 1820, and died on May 18, 1892, at Pottsville. He served throughout the Civil war and was mustered out at its close. Esther F. Bast was born on July 22, 1822, and died on Jan. 31, 1890. Gideon Bast, late of Schuylkill Haven, was a granduncle of the subject of this sketch, a man well known in his day. The subject of this article was educated in the subscription schools in vogue during his boyhood days, and when quite young became an apprentice to the carpen- ter's trade, a business which he followed until twenty-eight years old. He was employed during part of this time as a foreman for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. In 1888, he opened his present business in Schuylkill Haven, and was a pioneer in the knitting mill business in Schuylkill county. He began on a small scale, adding to his building and machinery from the profits of his business until he now owns and operates one of the largest industries of its kind in the county, giving steady and remunerative employment to 110 employes in the various lines of the work. Mr. Bast has been especially unfortunate in the matrimonial field, having been four times married, two of his wives, the first and third, having died within a comparatively short time after mar- riage, though the second in order of marriage, survived for thirty- one years, and was the mother of his six sons who are now living. His first marriage was solemnized on Jan. 1, 1863, when Miss Susanna Kramis became his wife. She was a daughter of David and Lovina Kramis. One daughter was born to this union, and mother and daughter died in 1864. On June 6, 1865, Mr. Bast was married to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Reed) Reber. This union was blessed with the birth of the following named sons, all of whom are living, except one, and engaged in life's struggles on their own account. They are profitably em- ployed, or engaged in business, and all are residents of Schuylkill Haven: Walter Milton, was born Oct. 22, 1866; Henry Edward, March 29, 1869; Samuel Irwin, Feb. 21, 1871; Oscar Oliver, Oct. 12, 1873 ; George Albert, Sept. 6, 1877, deceased ; Thomas Franklin, Feb. 14, 1879; and Homer Jeremiah, April 5, 1885. The sons are all married and have homes of their own. The mother of this family died on Aug. 10, 1896, and in March, 1897, Mr. Bast was married to Mrs. Rebecca Boyer, of Schuylkill Haven. She died April 14, 1903, and on Nov. 4, 1903, Mr. Bast was united in mar- riage with his present companion, who was in maidenhood, Miss Alice May Boyer, of Philadelphia. She is a daughter of Lewis and Catherine (Krouse) Boyer, and a granddaughter of Philip Boyer, an early settler of Schuylkill Haven. Philip Boyer built and con- ducted the "Cross Key" hotel, now known as the Columbia hotel, in Schuylkill Haven, and Miss Krouse was one of the public school teachers there, having previously taught in Philadelphia. Mr. Bast has always taken an active interest in the growth and material
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NHUYLKILL COUNTY
progress of Schuylkill Haven and has given prompt response to reasonable demands upon his means, time and influence as tending to that end. He was one of the organizers of the First National bank and is a director and stockholler in that institution at present. He has assisted in the building of churches, and has al- ways been a firm supporter of the public schools. In political views he is an ardent Republican, but is tolerant of the political and religious opinions of others. He has served the borough as a member of the school board, and has been a member of the borough council.
Baum, John H., a farmer of Hegins township, was born in Dauphin county, Pa .. April 22, 1852. His father, Henry Baum, was born in Schuylkill county, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Scheffler, in Berks county. The father learned the blacksmiths' trade in early life and followed that occupation for a while in Dauphin county and later in Schuylkill. He was also a veterinary surgeon, was a Democrat in his political views and held some minor offices, and belonged to the Lutheran church. He died on Dec. 10, 1900, and his wife in October, 1001. They had the following children : Elizabeth, now the wife of Joel S. Dinger. of Hegins: Delila. Mrs. Frank B. Schreiber, of Clearfield, Pa. : John H., of Hegins; Daniel, now a resident of Pittsburg; Mag- dalena. wife of Aaron Mussman, of Tremont ; and Rebecca, now Mrs. Maurice Kiver, of Dayton, Ohio. John H. Baum received a common school education and at the age of fifteen years started in life for himself as a farm-hand. Subsequently he was employed in the mines at Donaldson, East Brookside, Lincoln, Mount Carmel and other places. In 1803 he bought his present farm, known as the old George Dinger place, in Hegins township, consisting of 72 acres, about 50 of which was cleared. Here he has since con- ducted a general farming business, giving considerable attention to growing vegetables, most of which are sold at Minersville. Mr. Baum is also the possessor of a fine Percheron stallion named "Charley." a horse that he raised himself. In society circles Mr. Baum is well known, as he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. Hegins Grange, No. 1242, at Hegins, and belongs to Pomona Grange. at Pottsville. Politically he is a Republican and has served as auditor, supervisor and inspector for East Hegins township. In religious matters he affiliates with the Lutheran church. On Dec. 7. 1872, Mr. Baum was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of George and Kate Haines, of Barry township. Her parents were both born in Berks county, and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have one son. George W .. born Dec. 27. 18;3. now a farmer and justice of the peace at Sacramento, and also Harry Chester, an adopted son. now eight years old.
Beacher. Benjamin F., Jr., wholesale and retail dealer in con- fectionery, in the city of Shenandoah. is recognized as one of the representative young business men of his native county and such is his standing as a citizen and scion of one of the honored families
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BIOGRAPIIICAL
of this section of the state that he is well entitled to specific mention in this volume. Mr. Beacher was born in Shenandoah, Feb. 7, 1879, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Sarah Jane ( Jacobs) Beachier, both of whom were likewise born in Schuylkill county -- the former in 1846 and the latter in 1851. The paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch was William Beacher, who was one of the pioneer lumbermen of Schuylkill county, and who died at Ringtown. The maiden name of his wife was Eisenhaut, a member of a family which was early founded in the southern part of this county. William J. Jacobs, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Bcacher, was likewise an honored pioneer of the county and in the carly days, before the establishing of railroad lines, hie drove a stage between Pittsburg and Baltimore. He passed the closing years of his life in Shenandoah. Benjamin F. Beacher, Sr., still resides in Shenandoah, where his wife died at the age of forty-five years. Of their children two sons and five daughters are living- Arthur G., a prominent painter and decorator in Shenandoah ; Emma, wife of Alford Harrox, of that city ; Laura, wife of Thomas Heywood, of Girardville, Pa .; Sarah, who resides at Mount Carmel ; Angeline, widow of Isaiah Womer, residing at North Braddock, Pa .; Benjamin F., Jr., the immediate subject of this sketch ; and Mary, wife of William Derrick, of North Braddock. The father was a loyal and valiant soldier of the Union during the Civil war, as a member of Company F, 7th Pennsylvania cavalry, which com- mand made a gallant record. He is now living retired, making his home with the subject of this sketch. Benjamin F. Beacher, Jr., has passed his entire life thus far in his native city and was afforded the advantages of its excellent public schools. He was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1893, and initiated his business career by securing a position as clerk in a grocery store. He has ever since continued to be identified with mercantile affairs in his native city, and in 1901 established his present business enterprise, first occupying quarters at the corner of West street and Apple alley, where he remained two years. He then removed to 43 West Coal street, and two years later located in his present commodious quarters at 35 North Main strect. At the time of his removal here he purchased the property, which includes a substantial three-story block. 15 by 150 feet in dimensions, with the best of facilities for the operation of the candy factory and for the handling of the large wholesale and retail trade. The establishment is thoroughly metropolitan and its equals are to be found only in the larger cities. The products of the factory are held in high favor by the retail dealers throughout this section and the trade in the wholesale department, as well as the retail, is constantly expanding in scope and importance. The average annual business of the concern has now reached an aggre- gate of fully $40,000. Mr. Beacher has shown marked progressive- ness and energy in the upbuilding of his fine business and has gained to himself and his establishment an enviable reputation for reliability. In local politics he maintains an independent attitude,
N IR YLKILL COUNTY
list in national and state affairs he gives unqualified support to the Republican party. He & a member of Horncastle Camp. No. 49. Sons of Veterans, and both he and his wife are zealous mem- heis of the U'mted Evangeheal church, taking an active part in the various department of church work, especially the Sunday school, in which both are teachers. May 10, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Reacher to Miss Bertha P. Sayder, daughter of Charles I Snyder, now a resident of Allentown, l'a. She was horn in Shenandoah and secured her education in the schools of Frackville. Mr. and Mrs. Beacher have a winsome little daughter, Pvclyn Ruth, who was born April 1. 1900.
Bearstler. James Oren, D. D. S., a prominent and well known practitioner, was born m Pottsville. Feb. 6. 1877, a son of William Henry and Mary Elizabeth ( ren) Bearstler, natives respectively of Pottsville and Port Carbon, and representatives of pioneer fam- ilies in Schuylkill county, Pa. His grandfather. James Oren, was a soldier from this county during the war with Mexico. It would be a pleasure to record with more fullness the history of this old family, but the meager outlines furnished do not justify an attempt. Dr. James Oren Bearstler was educated in the public schools and high school of Pottsville, supplemented by a course in a commercial college. He was graduated in the Philadelphia dental college with the class of 1902, began practice immediately. and has established himself at the head of the profession in Potts- ville. He gives special prominence to porcelain inlay work, and crown and bridge work in all details receives careful attention. The doctor is a Republican in his political views, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is allied with the Masonic fra- ternity, Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He holds membership in the Central Republican club, and in the college fraternity known as the Ni. Xsi, Phi fraternity. He was married on Oct. 20, 1004. to Miss Carrie, daughter of George W. and Mary May Beddall, of Port Carbon. The mother is de- ceased. Dr. Bearstler and wife sustain high social relations in the town and community.
Bechtel. Edgar W., the subject of this biographical review, is a son of the late Hon. Francis W. Bechtel whose life history is indissolubly connected with the Schuylkill county bar. Francis W. Bechtel was born in Northumberland county, Pa .. April II, 1837, and was a son of John and Eliza ( Beeber ) Bechtel, natives of Bucks county. Pa. Ile received his elementary education in the school of Middleport, attended the postoffice as clerk, finally engaged in teaching in Berks county, being thus employed for two years, when he returned to Middleport, and was there em- played in teaching for three years. Subsequently he became prin- cipal of the schools at Schuylkill Haven, and while thus employed. he was united in marriage with Miss Alicia Wilson on Aug. 6. 1813. He served one year as freight and ticket agent of the Mine 11ill & Schuylkill Haven railroad at Minersville, and while thus engaged received the appointment as clerk in the county com-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
missioners, a position which he held for four years. But prior to this time, in the fall of 1862, he had registered as a law student in the office of Franklin B. Gowen, and completed his studies in the office of Hon. John W. Ryon. He was admitted to practice before the bar of Schuylkill county on May 18, 1868, and from that day until his death, on March 14, 1906, he was assiduously devoted to his profession. In the year 1870 he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and prosecuted many cases to a successful conclusion before that body, as well as in the courts of other counties throughout the state. He was county solicitor of Schuylkill county from 1870 until 1874, elected as a Democrat. Mr. Bechtel was an active worker in the councils of Democracy, and was honored by his party. His family con- sisted of one daughter and two sons, the eldest of whom, Mary A., now deceased, was the wife of Philip E. Womelsorff, a civil and mining engineer residing at Philipsburg, Center county, Pa .; Elmer F. is a civil and mining engineer now located at Steelton, Dauphin county, Pa. Edgar W., the subject of this sketch, was the last in order of birth, being born in Pottsville, Dec. 28, 1866. After his graduation from the high school, he taught school for four years; one in Pine Grove and three in Mount Carbon, and then took up the study of law under the tutorship of his father. He was admitted to the bar in 1892; served as deputy district attorney during the term of Hon. J. W. Ryon, and also served one term as principal in that important office. Mr. Bechtel was married on Nov. 28, 1894, to Miss Myra L. Whitehouse, daughter of David and Maria (Shakespeare) Whitehouse, natives of England. She is a sister to the well known Pottsville attorney, WV. J. White- house. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel, namely: David W., Dec. 9, 1895; Mary A., Feb. 27, 1898, and
Virginia A., Jan. 18, 1900. The subject of this article is a talented and successful lawyer, occupying the offices lately occupied by himself and father jointly. His mother was a lady of education and refinement, and enjoyed the distinction of being a grand- daughter of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the religious sect bearing his name.
Beck, Isaac G., son of Edward and Mary (Strauch) Beck, was born in Beckville, North Manheim township, Sept. 28, 1865. He was educated in the public schools of the township, the period of his attendance extending until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he began a clerkship in the store of Chas. F. Beck in Cressona, which lasted for three years. His father needing his held on the farm, he left the store and returned to the parental home where he was employed in teaming and other work until 1895. He then leased the hotel at Beckville which is now con- ducted by William J. Beck, which he successfully conducted for five years, returning to his father's place in 1900, where he is now engaged in farming, teaming and lumbering. He continued to work with his father until the death of the latter, and now lives upon the old homestead, where his father was born and reared. At
NHUYLKILL COUNTY
present his main business is teaming for the Cressona powder mills Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Kate L. Kubert. daughter of Michael Rubert, of North Manheim, the ceremony occurring in June, 1880. From this union one daughter, Dorothy, is living. Mrs. Beck died in Angust, 1906. The members of the family are connected with St. Mark's Reformed church of Cres- sona. Mr. Beck is a Democrat in his political affiliations and has held the office of school director for four years. He is a member of the Cressona Lodge, No. 420, Free and Accepted Masons.
Beck. William J., of Cressona, has long been identified with the business and civic affairs of Schuylkill county and is one of its well known and highly esteemed citizens. He was born in Beck- ville. North Manbeim township, this county, May 25. 1850, a son of John and Jane ( Hudson ) Beck, old residents of the county, where the mother is still living. He was afforded the advantages of the public schools, which he continued to attend until he had attained In the age of about twenty years, after which he was employed for one year by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, llc then learned the wheelwright trade and later engaged in the business of carriage building, serving an apprenticeship of six years, at the expiration of which he engaged in the same line of business on his own responsibility. Hle continued to be identified with this enter- prise for a quarter of a century and was successful in his efforts. In 1900 he sold the business to Harry Scheaffer, and the same year established himself in the hotel business in Cressona, where he has since conducted a prosperous hostelry and built up a high reputation as an able and discriminating hotel man. He is affil- iated with the Masonic lodge in his home borough, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, with which last mentioned he has been identified for the long period of forty years. He has served as vice-president of the Pottsville Fish and Game Protective Association for the past twenty years. In politics he maintains an independent attitude and for thirteen years he has been tax receiver of the township. Ile and his family are members of the Reformed church in Cressona. In February. 1877. Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Esther Major. of Cressona, and they have six daughters and one son, namely : Olive, wife of Irvin Dyer, of Pottsville: Harvey, a resident of Beckville ; Elsic, a successful teacher in the public schools of the county ; and Nellie, Grace. Annie, and Mary, all of whom are at the parental home.
Becker, Christian, a wagon-maker and blacksmith of Tamaqua, was born in Germany on April 7. 1851. A brief biography of his parents may be found in the sketch of Henry Becker, a brother, elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Becker came to the United States and to Tamaqua with his parents while still a child and acquired his education in the schools of Schuylkill county. When his school days were over he worked for six years as a wiper in the round- house of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad and then served a full apprenticeship in the wagonmakers' trade. For ten years he
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BIOGRAPHICAL
worked at the business for other people and then started an estab- lishment of his own. This was in 1879 and since that time he has been most successfully operating a shop and the industry has grown to such proportions by this time that the employment of five men has become necessary. On Sept. 15, 1877, Mr. Becker married Miss Amanda Geisinger, a daughter of Jesse and Cath- erine Geisinger of Tamaqua. This union has been blessed with twelve children, ten of whom are living. Edward F., the eldest, is a blacksmith ; Minerva is Mrs. Arthur Lambert and the mother of two children, Harry and Daisy; and the other living children are Emma, Christian, Jr., Herbert H., John C., Harry L., Charles, Robert and Howard. Two others died in infancy. The family are all identified with the Reformed church. The father is prominent in fraternal circles, having passed through all the offices of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and has been delegate to the grand lodges of both organiza- tions, at Pittsburg, Altoona, Harrisburg and Reading. He is also identified with the Deutsche Gesellshaft.
Becker, Henry, a prominent carpenter and contractor of Tamaqua, was born in that town on March 8, 1859. His parents, Adam and Margaret (Fiebach) Becker, were natives of Germany, where the father was a tailor. After coming to this country, in 1854, however, he did almost anything that offered. He was a musician of ability and was well known because of his talent in that line. His death occurred on July 14, 1870, at the age of fifty- four years, and his widow passed away on March 9, 1902, in her eighty-third year. The seven children in the order of their ages are as follows: Christie is the wife of John Scheidegger, a miner ; Sophie is the widow of George Harspersberger, a butcher of Wilkes Barre, Pa .; a sketch of Christian appears elsewhere in this volume; George died at the age of twenty-seven; Maggie is the wife of John M. Caldwell, a merchant of Tamaqua; Henry is the subject of this sketch; and Lewis is a painter living in Phila- delphia. Henry Becker attended the public schools of Tamaqua and when he had taken advantage of the educational opportunities offered there he found employment with his brother Christian, where he learned his trade. Subsequently he became associated in business with J. A. Schilbe under the firm name of Becker & Schilbe and remained in that partnership ten years until Mr. Schilbe purchased his interest. Then he started a concern under his own name and has since been continuously in the contracting and carpentering business, besides doing a wholesale and retail lumber business. Some of the recent and most modern dwellings of Tamaqua, among them his own, are monuments to Mr. Becker's skill and ability. He is himself a very careful and thorough work- man and employs ten or twelve men the year round. He held the office of assessor for three terms and in 1900 was elected one of the directors of the poor for Schuylkill county and served a full term. On July 29, 1882, Mr. Becker married Miss Kate Wetterau, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Wetterau, formerly of Tamaqua,
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