USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 41
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1 taim unty two years ago when he rented the tari, what i finne to work He does general farming and ala has a market and truck garden May 22. 187, Mr. Mover was married to Miss Mary Kron me , daughter of Charles krommes, of Cressona They have one Con, But Mr. Masser is a member of the Junior Order of I'mted American Mechanics, of Friedensburg, and m his political affiliations is a Republican The family are members of the Reformed church.
Muldoon, Harry J., a promment business man of Shenandoah and proprietor of the modern hostelry known as the Hotel Muldoon. was born in Cass township. Schuylkill counts, May 1, 1859. He is one of the six children born to Henry and Mary ( Mcliale) Muldoon, the others being Patrick. Edward, Michael, Thomas and Ella. The two last named are deceased. Thomas departing this life in young manhood and Ella when she was thirty years of age. The father was a mme foreman for the greater part of his active hie. continuing as such until he lost an arm in an accident. Then he established the Hotel Muldoon, and he continued to be its genial host until his death. The subject of this sketch received his educational discipline in the public schools of Shenandoah. He started out to earn his own living as a clerk in the grocery business, and in 18&t left that occupation to become associated with his father in the management of the Hotel Muldoon. Since his father's demise he has been the sole owner of the property and in a financial way has made an immense success of the business. Politically Mr. Muldoon is a zealous exponent of the principles of the Democratic party and has been influential in the local councils of that organization. During one campaign he served a year as chairman of the county committee and has been elected to several offices. He is at the present time incumbent of the office of borough councilman and has served six years as a member of the school board. one year as school treasurer and six years as county controller. Sept. S. 1807. Mr. Muldoon married Miss Mary E. Stuck, a native of Shenandoah, and for some years a teacher in the borough schools. Of the six children four are living, namely: Henry, Anna. Edward and Eleanor. John and Mary died in infancy. The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Muldoon is associated in a fraternal way with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is past exalted ruler, and with the Shen- andoah acrie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is recognized as one of Shenandoah's well-to-do citizens, a large part of his wealth lxing represented in valuable realty. His popularity was well at- tested when he received, on his first election to the county controller- ship, the largest vote ever given by Shenandoah citizens to a candidate for office. and at his re-election to the office there were but 500 votes cast against him in the city.
Mulholland, Patrick J .- Success is methodical and consecutive and comes only to those valiant souls who are endowed with pluck, perseverance and determination. Among those who, overcoming
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many obstacles, have attained to success and honor in connection with the practical activities of life is Patrick J. Mulholland, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Shenandoah. He was born at York Tunnel, South Cass township, Schuylkill county, Pa., March 17, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Turley) Mulholland, both natives of Ireland, the father having been born in county Armagh and the mother in county Tyronc. Their marriage was solemnized in the Emerald Isle and they had two children at the time of their immigration to the United States, in 1850. Peter Mulholland became a naturalized citizen in 1855, and he continued to reside at York Tunnel, this county, until his death, in 1869. His wife died at the same place, in 1864. During his residence here he was variously employed in connection with the mining industry. The subject of this sketch is the only son, and he has three sisters living, all resi- dents of Pennsylvania. When Patrick J. Mulholland was but three months of age he fell from a bed and suffered a dislocation of the left hip, an injury which caused a permanent lameness. The financial conditions of the family were such that he early began to depend upon his own resources and to assist in the support of the family. He started to earn his own living as a slate-picker at the mines, receiv- ing in compensation for his services the munificent sum of one and one-quarter dollars a week. He labored assiduously and faithfully in various capacities about the mines and with the passing of the years his ambition prompted him to seek to establish himself in an inde- pendent business. He had been a total abstainer from intoxicating liquors, and had well learned the habits of frugality and economy, having felt to the full the lash of necessity .. Having accumulated a few hundred dollars, he invested the same in a small grocery store at Brownsville, and he conducted the same until 1884, when he en- gaged in the retail liquor trade in Shenandoah, continuing until 1888 and thereafter having charge of the bar at the Ferguson House until 1889, when he was elected chief burgess, on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected in 1890 and at the expiration of his second term he located in the city of Philadelphia, where he was employed as a stationary engineer until Apr., 1892, when he returned to Shenan- doah, where he has since continued in business. When the law creat- ing the office of controller went into effect Mr. Mulholland was the first man on either side to receive a nomination for that office, al- though there were eight Democratic candidates. He was defeated in the election, which resulted in a landslide in favor of the Repub- lican party. He has been for years a most active and efficient worker in the ranks of the Democratic party and he wields much influence in political affairs of a local nature. He is the present warden of the Schuylkill county prison, at Pottsville, to which office he was ap- pointed in Jan., 1906. Mr. Mulholland is the pioneer member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in the county, having originally affiliated with Aerie No. 42, in the city of Philadelphia, and having later effected the organization of Aerie No. 103, of Shenandoah, which he repre- sented in the national convention of the order in May, 1901, in the
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city of San Francisco The following estimate of the character and starling of Mr. Mulholland was published in a local news part of recent date: "In pohties Mr. Mulholland is far sighted, shrewd and resourcetul He is an unuring worker, strong in his friendship and loval to the last extreme. His word is as good as a bond and nothing is too much trouble for him when the interests of a friend are at stake. These characteristics, together with a strong, magnetic per- sonality, are accountable for the host of loyal followers he has throughout the county." June 19, Hot, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Mulholland to Miss Bridget Mc.Menamm, who was born and reared in this county, and they have two children- l'eter, who was born Apr. 1. 1002, and Francis, who was born May 1, 1003. Mr. and Mrs. Mulholland are communicants of the Cathohe church.
Neiswinter. Daniel H., a prominent and well known pioneer citi- zen of Schuylkill county, was born in Eldred township, Nov. 15. 1828. He is a son of Daniel, who was a son of Michael, the founder of the family in America, and one of the earliest pioneers of Schuylkill county. Michael Neiswinter secured 150 acres of wild land, covered with heavy hardwood timber, and this, through hard labor, was gradually prepared for the plow, and finally became a valuable and fertile farm. Daniel Neiswinter, father of the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until their death and was a hard-working farmer. He was a Democrat and a member of the German Lutheran church. He married Mary Hepler, a representative of another pioneer family in that lo- cality. She was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Hepler, of Eldred township. Following is a brief record concerning the children of Daniel and Mary Neiswinter: Samuel enlisted in the Union army and never returned : Daniel H. is the subject of this sketch ; George died at Mount Carmel, in 1006; Michael is a resident of Mount Carmel : William is a farmer at Pitman, this county : Peter is a stock dealer at Mount Carmel : Elizabeth and Mary are deceased : Kate, wife of Amos Weizel, and Sarah, who married August Weizel, both live in Eldred township. this county : Mary and Susan are deceased. Mr. Neiswinter, of this review, received a limited education in the subscription schools of his boyhood days, and lived at the parental home. He married in 1853 Miss Rebecca Herb. of Eldred township. She was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Herb. Her father was a distiller, drover, and farmer in Eldred township where the family were early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Neiswinter had a family of twelve children, and those now living are: Mary is the wife of John Wilkin, of Shamokin. Pa. : Mason is a hotel-keeper at Mantua. Pa. : Charles is at home and works the parental farm: he married Mis, Hattie Pfeiffer : Sarah is the wife of John Sevmbal, of Shamokin : Hannah married William Hinkle and lives at Gilberton. Pa .: Kate is married to G. Jones, and lives at Gilberton : Francis owns the old homestead : Borte married Joseph Wenn and lives at Shamokin: Aggie, Dannic and Susanna died in childhood. The subject of this article was a hard-working man during his productive years, and took a somewhat active part in public affairs. He has been retired from active labors since 1885. His political af-
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filiations have been with the Republican party since its organization. He served seven years as supervisor in Eldred township, and many sessions as a juryman, and has always been a public-spirited citizen. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty-eight years, being a charter member of Lodge No. 822, at Pit- man. He and his family adhere to the religious faith of their ancestors, that of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Neiswinter was spent a lifetime in careful reading and observation, thereby adding greatly to the limited opportunities of his early life, and becoming thoroughly well informed. He is well preserved for a man of his years, and enjoys the highest esteem of the community in which his life has been spent.
Nelsen, Nels, a florist, was born in Veile, Denmark, May 30, 1857. He is a son of Nels Henriksen and Anna (Clausen) Henriksen. The father was a florist and for many years a member of the town council of Veile. He lived to be eighty-six years of age and his wife died when she was seventy-six. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Denmark and then took a botanical course in the botanical gardens in Copenhagen. At the age of twenty he entered the Danish army, in which he served three years, rising from the rank of private to that of sergeant. For a year he worked in his native country and then, in 1884, came to the United States, landing on American soil at Perth Amboy, N. J. The first eighteen months after his arrival were spent working at odd jobs and he then obtained employment in connection with the Lehigh Valley Railroad as florist, with headquarters at Delano, Pa. This work fur- nished him with a livelihood for eight years and in 1893 he came to Tamaqua and engaged in business as a florist. At the first he had but 500 feet of glass, but his persistence and the increase of business have compelled him to enlarge his quarters from time to time until now he has 30,000 feet. He is thoroughly acquainted with each detail of floriculture and his ambition, energy and business ability have made his venture a success. For two terms he was a member of the town council. Oct. 12, 1894, Mr. Nelsen was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Stahler, a native of Schuylkill county, and a daughter of Reuben and Bennetta Stahler. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsen have no children. They are members of the Reformed church and in fraternal matters he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Elks.
Newhard, Irwin C., D. V. S., chief of the veterinary department of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, with head- quarters at Ashland, was born at Allentown, Pa., March 14, 1872. He is a son of James D. and Elizabeth (Bachman) Newhard, and comes of excellent German stock. His preliminary educational ad- vantages were those of the public schools of his native city and he later attended Muhlenberg college. He studied veterinary surgery in that department of New York university, where he was graduated in 1893. He began the practice of his profession in Harrisburg. Pa., the same year and subsequently became connected with the Philadelphia & Reading Company. For a year he was in Pottsville for the company
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and im is he came to Asbland to assume Is present responsible position. He has general supervision of the live stock stables and the feed and gram department of the company and each year delivers a course of lectures on the "Care of the Mule" before the company's employes. Nov. 20. 1899. Dr. Newhard was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Price, a daughter of Abram and Julia (Conk) Puce, of Harrisburg. The only child of this union, Charles Price, chied in child- hood. Dr. Newhard and his wife are devout members of the Eng- lish Lutheran church of Ashland. Politically the doctor is a Republi- can, but he has never held office. In a professional way he is awo- ciated with the Schuylkill Valley Veterinary Medical association, the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Medical association and the alumni association of the university of New York. His fraternal relations are with Ashland Lodge. No. 204, Free and Accepted Masons; Griscom Chapter, No. 219. Royal Arch Masons ; Prince of Peace Commandery, No. 30. Knights Templars; Rajah Temple, No. 277, AAncient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading; and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a charter member of the AAshland lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Newman, John M., shipping clerk of the E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Powder Company, of Tamaqua, was born in Berks county, Pa .. Sept. 25. 1850. He is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Startzer) Newman. The father was a stone-mason and he died in the early '6os at the age of thirty-three years ; his widow is still living, an honored resident of Lebanon, l'a. The subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth of the four children in the family. Henry, for many years a merchant tailor at Steelton, Dauphin county, died at the age of forty-four ; Emma is Mrs. John Sheeler, of Lebanon, Pa .; and AAnnie became the wife of John Leininger, of North Heidelberg, Pa. John M. Newman acquired his scholastic training in the common schools of Berks county and at night schools. When he had completed his education he spent two years as an apprentice in the shoemaker's trade, then for two and a half years was employed in an oil refinery in South Chester, Pa., and the two following years on a farm in Illinois. Since that time, more than a quarter of a century, he has been a dynamite manu- facturer, first in Stoutsburg. Pa., then Lebanon, Five Locks, Stony Creek and Tamaqua, at which last place he has been located since 1891. He has the distinction of having been at the trade for a longer continuous period than any other man, having missed but five months in more than twenty-five years. His place of business in Tamaqua is on Pine street, and he is one of the most prominent citizens of the community. For six years he served as school director in Rush town- ship and has often been the recipient of other honors. He is not identified with any political party but exercises his right of franchise as his conscience and judgment dictate. In religious matters Mr. Newman is affiliated with the Reformed church and in fraternal circles is well known, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Improved Order of Red Men. the Knights of Pythias. the Junior Mechanics, the Deutsche Gesellschaft, of which he was a
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charter member, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a past officer of both the order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Newman has been twice married. Feb. 14, 1883, he married Miss Emma Becchey, a native of Lebanon and a daughter of the late Levi and Sarah Beechey. The one child of this union, Harry B., married Miss Sarah Clark and has a son Harry. Death annulled this marriage on Nov. 12, 1885, and Apr. 14, 1886, Mr. Newman led to the altar Miss Lydia Garloff, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Bennival and Sarah Garloff. Mr. Garloff is de- ceased but his widow is still a resident of Lebanon. The children of Mr. Newman's second marriage are five in number-Paul I., Emma E., Walter T., Laura I., and John C.
Ney, Daniel R., senior partner of the firm of Ney & Brown, of Friedensburg, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Roeder) Ney, and was born in Wayne township, near Summit Station, Oct. 17, 1843. He received his early education in the township schools and later at- tended the McAllisterville Academy, in Juniata county, the Millers- ville normal school, the Collegiate seminary in Montgomery county, and the Myerstown academy. During the eight years that he was pursuing his education at these schools he was also teaching. At the age of twenty-six, with J. B. Kremer as partner, he went into the mercantile business at Summit Station, where he remained twelve years. While engaged in this business he also taught school for two terms. After leaving Summit Station he bought Roeder's mill, where he carried on the milling business for a year and a half, when he sold to Harrod Klahr, exchanging the mill for a store and again engaging in mercantile business. This was in Shartelsville, Berks county, and he closed out the business there after remaining six months. He then moved to Rock, Schuylkill county, and later to Lebanon, where he again went into mercantile business, remaining for a year and a half. In Strausstown, Berks county, he was partner in the firm of Ritzman & Ney, for one year, selling his share to his partner at the end of that time. In 1887 he went to Buena Vista, Colo., remaining five months and returning to Strausstown in the fall. In the spring of 1888 he removed to Friedensburg and went into partnership with Frank A. Brown, under the firm name of Ney & Brown. This part- nership has continued to the present time. On Jan. 19, 1867, Mr. Ney married Mary Brown, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Swartz) Brown, of Wayne township. Three children have been born to them, the oldest, a daughter, dying in infancy. One son and one daughter are living. The son, William W., lives at Harrisburg, and is a rail- way mail clerk on the Pennsylvania railroad. He was a teacher for five years in Wayne township before entering the mail service. The daughter, Cora Martha, is a graduate of the Keystone state normal school and taught school in Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg, Wayne township, and Ellwood, before her marriage to George D. Strubahr, of Pottstown. Mr. Strubahr is a draughtsman for a large construc- tion company of that place. Mr. Ney is a charter member of Farmers' Lodge, No. 649, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Summit
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Station, and is a past officer of the same. He has served as deputy district grand master for one year. He is also a member of Camp 204. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, of Friedensburg, and has been secretary of the same for eighteen years. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has been a member of the school board for four years. He is secretary of the Washington Hose Company and has been a director of the South Schuylkill Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Ney is a member of the Lutheran church of Friedensburg, and has been an elder in the same for sixteen years.
Nice, Walter R., deceased, for several years a prominent con- tractor and builder of Frackville. Pa., and later engaged in the furni- ture and undertaking business in that city, was born in Hamburg. Berks county, Pa .. July 17, 1841, and was a son of Benjamin and Margaret Nice. He was a pioneer citizen of Frackville, was a cabinet- maker by trade and later a carpenter, and for ten years he was actively engaged as a contractor and builder. In 1876 he established the furniture and undertaking business which he successfully conducted until his death, June 4. 1888, at the age of forty-seven years. He was a man of sterling integrity and worth, always displayed a deep interest in matters pertaining to the public welfare and was honored and esteemed by his fellow townsmen. He was a member of the Lutheran church and fraternally was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. After his demise his widow conducted for a period of nine years the business which he had founded, and it was then taken over and has since been most successfully conducted by the estate. June 12. 1862, Mr. Nice married Sarah Adams, a daughter of John and Polly (Becker ) AAdams. of Berks county, Pa., and they became the parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Sarah, who became the wife of Lewis Morgan: Lizzie, wife of Howard Deisher : Curtis, deceased : Marion, wife of Frank Weller ; Woodward A., more extended mention of whom follows ; and Walter. Woodward A. Nice, undertaker, coal dealer and general contractor of Frackville, Pa .. was born in this borough Aug. 15. 1873. and was reared to man- hood in the city of his birth, receiving his early education in the public schools. After the death of his father, in 1888, he assisted his mother in conducting the business left by his father until 1807, when he took charge of the undertaking establishment on his own account, in which venture he has been eminently successful, being also a licensed em- balmer. In 1005 he entered the general contracting business, and in 1906 became a member of the firm of Grabey & Nice, dealers in coal : all of these ventures are proving successful. In politics he gives allegiance to the Republican party, and he has served one term as a member of the borough council of Frackville. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Royal Arcanum. Feb. 27. 1001. he married Sadie Moore. a daughter of Richard and Harriet (Faust) Moore, of Frackville, and they are the parents of a daughter, Wildla.
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Niswenter, William, is one of the highly esteemed citizens and prominent business men of Shenandoah, and his prosperity stands as the diametrical result of his own efforts, for he carly began the battle of life on his own responsibility. He was born in the Mahantango valley, Schuylkill county, Pa., and is a son of Samuel Niswenter, who was a man of sterling character but who was in moderate circum- stances in the matter of material prosperity. When the Civil war was precipitated upon a divided country the father of the subject of this sketch entered the service of the Union, though he was compelled to leave his little family ill provided for, their main source of income being the meager pay which he received from the government as a private soldier. HIc was finally captured by the enemy and was in- carcerated in Libby prison, where he died. His family was thus de- prived of its only source of revenue, and his widow found that upon her rested a heavy burden of responsibility, which the subject of this sketch aided in uplifting to the extent of his power while yet a mere boy. He initiated his labors when but nine years of age, and, as may well be imagined, his early educational opportunities were most limited, as he aided in the support of his widowed mother and younger brothers. He was but a child at the time when the family established their humble home in Shenandoah, and here he has worked his way to the front and proven his stability of character and his integrity of purpose. That he has retained through the intervening years the implicit con- fidence and esteem of the community stands as the best voucher for the worth of the man. The most eligible occupation offered to boys at the time in this locality was that of picking slate in the coal breakers, and this vocation was then even less inviting than at the present, as the idea of a steam-heated breaker had not then been conceived, and the work itself lacked the modern facilities. After having been employed for a few years in the capacity noted. Mr. Niswenter was "promoted" to the dignified position of mule driver on the dump. He continued to be identified with the various labors of the collieries until 1885, and by economy had by this time accumulated about five hundred dollars. With this capital he engaged in business on his own account, equipping himself with a one-horse wagon for hauling coal. As time passed he invested, his savings in horses and finally he engaged in the livery busi- ness. He began operations on a small scale, but through this means laid the foundations for the large and profitable enterprise which he now controls in this line. He has attained to success of no indefinite sort and his interests in the town are now of varied and important order. Success thus won merits all of commendation, and Mr. Nis- wenter is now recognized as one of the substantial business men and alert and progressive citizens of Shenandoah. He has one of the best equipped livery establishments in the county and has other capital- istic interests of important order. He is a member of the directorate of the First National Bank of Shenandoah and of the Citizens' Elec- tric Light Company, as well as of that of the Bloomburg Oil & Gas Company. He is the one interested principal in the Shenandoah Fertilizer Company, and at all times he has stood ready to lend his
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