USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 46
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Reed, Thomas M., justice of the peace at Frackville. was born at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, May 14, 1862, his parents, Obadiah and Catherine (Bensinger) Reed, both being natives of that county. The paternal grandfather of Thomas M. Reed was a farmer and wheelwright of West Brunswick township, and the maternal grand- father was a shoemaker at Orwigsburg. Obadiah Reed learned the trade of pattern-maker in his youth and followed that occupation for many years in Schuylkill county, living for more than half a century at Port Carbon. The last five years of his life were spent at Allen-
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town. Pa., where he died March 31, 1907, aged ninety-four years. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Francis. who was killed at the battle of Shelbyville, Tenn., June 27, 1803: Eli. Mary, and Emily, now deceased ; Charles W., David A. and Thomas M., still living. Thomas M. Reed was reared in his native county and received his education in the public schools. Selecting the tailor's trade for a vocation, he graduated in Mitchell's cutting school in 1882, and in 1886 established himself as a merchant tailor and fur- nisher in Frackville, also handling sewing machines in connection with his business, His skill as a cutter soon brought him a good trade and he continued in this line of activity until :898, when he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holls. He is still interested in the tailoring and furnishing concern that he established. Mr. Reed is a Republican in his political views, and was elected to his office as candidate of that party, having previously served one term as a member of the Frackville council. He was a member and secretary of the board of health from the time of its organization until he was elected justice of the peace. He was one of the founders of the Broad Mountain building and loan association, of which he was president for several terms, and of which he has held the office of secretary since 1808. In religious matters he belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is a member of District Lodge, No. 823, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Frackville: Frackville Coun- cil. No. 828. Junior Order of United AAmerican Mechanics, and Frack- ville council. No. 1656, Royal Arcanum. On Jan. 4. 1887. Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Edith L., danghter of Samuel and Adeline ( Robinson ) Baynton, of Pottsville, and to this union have been born four children-Catherine, Adeline. Frances and Thomas N.
Reese, Frank C., is the son of the late John Reese, who was prominent as a division superintendent of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad, as a mine superintendent. as an opponent of the "Mollie Maguire" movement, and in the social and business affairs of the county. He and his wife, who in maidenhood was Flower Codring- ton, were natives of Wales, whence they came to America about 1863. and established their first home at Wadesville, in this county. John Reese soon became prominent in mining and railroad circles, and at- tained to positions of responsibility when the "Molly Maguires" were in their ascendency. He was soon spotted as a man who should be removed, and numerous attempts were made to carry out their nefa- rious schemes. At one time three men were detailed from among "the faithful" to kill him, but he was warned and escaped. He was fired at on four different occasions, and his clothing pierced with bullets, but he escaped personal injuries and was finally killed by an explosion of gas in Kchley Run colliery, in July. 1880. Two other mine superintendents lost their lives at the same time. The house of John Reese was made the headquarters for the law-abiding citizens of the community, and members of the family were obliged to remain on upper floors to escape violence from prowling "Mollies" for a period of seven months. Frank C. Reese, of this sketch, then a lad
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in knee-breeches, rendered valiant service in the capacity of messenger boy, warning people of threatened disaster, and communicating with the officers of the law. His close association with the dangers of the time, at a period in his life when deep impressions are made, renders him to-day one of the best authorities on Mollie Maguireism in Schuyl- kill county. His mother contracted a second marriage and now lives in Shenandoah. Frank C. Reese was born at Wadesville, Schuylkill county, Pa., on Feb. 11, 1865. He attended the common schools of his native locality, but his educational career was much abbreviated by the untimely death of his father. Being but fifteen years old and the eldest of six small children, he nobly shouldered the responsibili- ties of providing for them and his widowed mother. He secured employment about the coal-breaker, and in time saved the means of paying for an eight months' course in Dickinson seminary, at Will- iamsport. After returning from school with his efficiency much in- creased along the line of clerical work, he soon established an en- viable reputation among the officials of the Philadelphia & Reading Company, and served as clerk at various collieries operated by this company. The people of Shenandoah, where he then lived. also recog- nized his ability and faithfulness, and he was honored with numerous borough offices, including those of assessor and auditor. Very early in life he became interested in Soule's shorter methods in mathematics and soon became an expert accountant, applying methods wholly unknown to the average clerk, yet reaching accurate solutions of complicated problems in incredibly short time. This has been a feature of his life work. He was appointed deputy county controller, under Ben- jamin Severn, in 1894, and served until 1896, in which year he was elected register of wills and clerk of the orphans' court. He termi- nated his service in that office Jan. 1, 1901. Since retiring from offi- cial life Mr. Reese has turned his attention to the promotion of busi- ness enterprises, in which he has had a varied and successful career. Being quick in discernment, ready in the application of means to ends, well and favorably known as a man of ability and integrity, busi- ness often comes to him without solicitation, and he is "on the ground floor" in almost every proposed enterprise which is to be launched. As an evidence of the vast amount of business with which he has been prominently associated within a few years, it is only neces- sary to cite the following: He was secretary of the Shenandoah Water and Gas Company ; president of the Kehley Run Ice Company; president and secretary of the Shenandoah Powder Company ; presi- dent of the Black Diamond Powder Company, of Scranton : manager and secretary of the Pottsville Ice and Cold Storage Company : man- ager and secretary of the Snow Shoe Lumber Company ; manager of the D. Duffy & Co. Timber and Lumber Company; president and manager of the G. A. Bitting & Co. Mining and Prop Timber Com- pany ; manager of the Reese & Brumm Lumber, Building and Supply Company, limited ; and secretary and manager of the Anthracite Lumber Company of Minersville. He was one of the promoters and owners of the Penn Tobacco Company. of Wilkes Barre, and was one
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of the owners of the daily and weekly Local, a newspaper at Ashland. But while the foregoing has reference principally to business enter- prises which were organized and put into successful operation and then sold out, Mr. Reese has also a long list of enterprises still in progress, and is backed by boundless capital in the furtherance of many business ventures of which the public knows nothing. Ile stands in close relations with the heads of large and wealthy corpora- tions in distant cities and states, and his business sagacity and versa- tility are everywhere recognized. Frank C. Reese was married in 1886 to Miss Lizzie Girton, a daughter of John and Martha Girton. of Shenandoah. Both parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reese became the parents of eight children, only three of whom are living. These are Mabel, born Jan. 3. 1801 : John F., born Oct. 13. 1802; and Frank C .. Jr .. born Sept. 26. 1900. The deceased children were Blanche. Hazel, Sadie. Ruth and Margaret, all of whom died in child- hood, the eldest being but eight years old. Mr. Reese is a Republican in political views and a firm adherent to the doctrines of his party. He has always taken an active part in local politics, and is a recog- nized leader in Republican councils, He is a Methodist in religious sentiments. Mr. Reese is a member of John W. Stokes Lodge. No. 515. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Shenandoah, in which he is a past grand. He also passed the principal official stations in the Shenandoah encampment, a higher branch of the same fraternity : the local encampment is now disbanded. He is a member of Wash- ington Camp. No. 112, Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, at the same place, and served several years as secretary of the camp. In Pottsville he is a member of Lodge No. 207. Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and the Manufacturers' commercial club, and also the West End Hose Company and the Commercial Club of Potts- ville.
Reeser, E. R., a leading plumber and tinsmith of Tamaqua, was born in Berks county. Pa .. Dec. 10. 1863. a son of Benjamin and Mary (Moser) Reeser. The father was a stone and brick mason in the later years of his life, although he had formerly been an hotel-keeper and a butcher. He died July 4. 1801. in his sixty-sixth year. and his wife died July 3. 1896, at the age of sixty-three. Seven of the nine chil- dren born to them are still living, two of them in this county. The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Tamaqua. after which he learned the trade of tinsmith and plumber. For fifteen years he was in the employment of the late E. J. Fry, and then was made superintendent of the water department of Tamaqua. In 1903, after twelve years' service in that capacity. he resigned, and for a year thereafter operated a pipe-scraping device which he himself had in- vented. When the Hudson Contracting Company of New Jersey purchased that business he embarked in the plumbing and tinning in- dustry. His patronage has increased from time to time until now he does work all over the county, big jobs as well as smaller ones. In the fall of 1906 he laid the pipe of a new line of the Citizens' Gas Company, and at the present time has several other large contracts
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on hand. July 22, 1889, Mr. Reeser married Miss Sallie Adams, a daughter of Solomon and Cordelia ( Hendricks) Adams, residents on a truck farm in Walker township. Mr. Adams has the finest plum orchard in Schuylkill county, and is one of the most prosperous truck gardeners in the vicinity. The eleven children of his family are Re- becca, widow of Peter Lowall, of Allentown; George W., a moulder living in this county; James M., a farmer living in Walker township; Sallie, now Mrs. Reeser ; Harry, a miller of Tamaqua; Alfred, on a farm in Walker township; Edward, unmarried, at home; Isabel, wife of Ira T. Andy, of Allentown ; John, at home; and Charles and Will- iam, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeser have been born three chil- dren-William, a student; Edwin Franklin; and an unnamed infant who died soon after birth. Mr. Reeser himself is the youngest of nine children. His brothers and sisters are Albert, a confectioner of Allen- town ; Sarah, wife of O. A. Hunsicker, a farmer in the western part of the state; Kate, wife of Joseph Gilbert, a contractor and builder of Lehighton, Pa .; Samuel, a farmer of Walker township; Isabella, de- ceased, was Mrs. Henry Endy, of Allentown; and Frank, Mary and Charles, deceased. Mr. Reeser is identified with no secret order, but both he and his wife are devout members of and earnest workers in the Reformed church. . For the past fifteen years he has been prom- inent in the state militia, the first five years as a private, five years as a sergeant and for the past five years as second lieutenant of Company B, 8th infantry regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Reeves, William, assistant postmaster of Shenandoah, was born in Mahanoy township, on June 22, 1870, a son of Thomas and Jean- nette (Morris) Reeves. The parents are natives of South Wales, where their marriage was celebrated. The father first came to the United States on a prospecting trip and then returned to his native land for his wife. His second arrival in this country was on the day that President Lincoln was assassinated. He located at Mahanoy City and engaged in mining, moving thence to Jackson's Patch, to do the same sort of labor. There he remained until his death, which oc- curred March 17, 1873. The mother is now living in Shenandoah with her son Henry. Of the five children born to the parents three are living. John, the eldest, was a miner living in Shenandoah, and he died in Sept., 1893, leaving a wife and two children; Henry is assistant mine foreman at the Turkey Run colliery; Thomas is em- ployed in the same mine ; and a daughter died in infancy. The subject of this sketch, who was the fourth child in order of birth, received his educational advantages in the schools of his native township. His early life was spent about the mines, chiefly as. a slate-picker. Then for a time he was a mail-carrier and subsequently assistant shipper at the Knickerbocker colliery. He left the Knickerbocker concern to be- come shipper at the Shenandoah City colliery, and later held the same position, combined with that of telegraph operator, at West Shen- andoah. Feb. 14, 1898, he was appointed assistant postmaster. under Daniel W. Bedea, at Shenandoah, and was reappointed to the same position on April 3, 1902. Nov. 30, 1893, Mr. Reeves married Miss
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Elizabeth A. Hughes, a native of North Wales, and to this union have been born the following children: John Burton, Charles Wesley, and Witham Hughes, The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Reeves is a member of the boards of trustees and stewards. Fraternalky he is connected with Shenandoah Lodge. No. 511, Free and Accepted Masons: Shenandoah Lodge, No. 1377. Royal Arcanum : Major William H. Jennings Council, No. 307. Junior Order vi U'mited American Mechanics ; and is a charter member of Washing- ton Camp. No. 183. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. Polit- ically he is a Republican, but has never aspired to political office.
Reick, Robert A., a prominent member of the Schuylkill county bar, with office and residence at Frackville, is a native of the county. having been born at Gordon, on Aug. o. 1877, and is of German and French extraction. He is a son of Christopher C. and Ella J. (Towns ) Reick, the former a native of Würtemberg. Germany, and the latter of Danville, Pa. The paternal grandfather was among the early settlers of Cressona, Schuylkill county, where he was employed for a number of years by the Mine Hill & Schuylkill Haven Railroad, now a part of the Philadelphia & Reading system. He was with this com- pany up to his death, and his remains rest in the Spring Garden come- tery at Cressona. Christopher C. Reick came from Würtemberg with his parents and is now the superintendent of the Mahanoy planes for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, a position he has held since 1800. Prior to that time he was superintendent of the Gordon planes for several years, but these are now abandoned. Robert .A. Reick is one of three sons born to Christopher C. and Ella J. Roick. Harry I. is a druggist at Mauch Chunk and J. Heilner is a druggist in Phil- adelphia. Robert A. Reick availed himself of the advantages of the schools of his native borough and graduated at the Dickinson sem- inary, of Williamsport. in the class of 1803. He then entered the law office of William .A. Marr. additional judge of the Schuylkill county courts, as a student, and on Jan. 2. 1800, was admitted to practice in the courts of the county. June 3. 1902. he was admitted to the supreme court. Mr. Reick located at Frackville on Feb. 1. 187), and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession at that place, where he has built up a representative clientage. Since March 4. 1809. he has held the position of solicitor for the boroughs of Frackville and Gordon. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 1900 he was the secre- tary of the county committee of that party. He is a member of Dis- trict Lodge. No. 823. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Frack- ville, of which he is a past grand: belongs to Mahany City Lodge, No. 695. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks : is a past regent of Frackville Council. No. 1656. Royal Arcanum ; and is a member of Frackville Council. No. 828. Junior Order of American Mechanics. and of Washington Camp. No. 62. Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. Sept. 3. 1002. Mr. Rick was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle, daughter of George and Laura ( Christian) Bauchman, of Frackville.
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Reilly, James B .- This well known attorney and politician is a native of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he was born Aug. 12, 1845. He is a son of Bernard and Margaret Reilly, natives of Ireland. His father was born in Westmeath county in 1821 and came to America in 1842, locating in Schuylkill county, P'a., where he died in 1889. He resided in Pottsville from 1850 until his death, and spent his business career as a railroad contractor. In this he was engaged in a number of important undertakings, being employed by the Canada & Atlantic, the Schuylkill & Susquehanna, and the Phil- adelphia & Reading Railroad companies. James B. Reilly was edu- cated in the Pottsville high school and by careful, systematic reading and study throughout his lifetime. He began the study of law under the tutorship of Hon. F. W. Hughes, and was admitted to practice before the Schuylkill county bar Jan. 11, 1869. From that day until the present he has devoted himself assiduously to his profession, and has acquired a large and lucrative practice in the courts of his own and adjoining counties, as well as in the state and United States supreme courts. His first political office of prominence was that of district attorney, to which he was elected by the people of Schuylkill county in 1871. Upon retiring from this office, after a service of three years, he was made the Democratic standard bearer for congressional honors, and was elected in 1874 to a seat in the forty-fourth congress. Two years later he was re-elected to the forty-fifth congress, and at the expiration of his term he resumed the practice of law at Pottsville. In 1888 he was elected to the fifty-first congress and was re-elected to the fifty-first and fifty-second congresses, serving until March 4, 1905. His service in the national house of representatives covers a period of ten years out of twenty-a most distinguished honor when the uncertainties of Schuylkill county politics are considered. During these many years of service Mr. Reilly was ever active and vigilant in the interests of his constituency and the supremacy of Democratic principles. He was a member of several important committees, among which may be mentioned the Pacific Railroad committee, the select committee on the Columbian exposition, and the committee on mines and mining. He was one of the framers of the bill granting pensions to soldiers' widows, and was the author of that feature of a bill which relates to the preferred claims of workingmen in the case of bankrupts. Mr. Reilly's congressional career was a feature of his life work to which both he and his posterity can refer with just pride. He has been a prominent figure in Schuylkill county politics for many years, and has served his party in various positions of a purely honorary nature. He was a delegate to the national convention which nomi- nated General W. S. Hancock for the presidency, and has served as chairman of state conventions, etc. Mr. Reilly is interested in a num- ber of business enterprises in Pottsville, being a member of the board of directors of the Schuylkill Real Estate, Title, Insurance & Trust Company, and is also a member of the Pottsville board of trade. James B. Reilly was married in 1868 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Owen Hoey, a native of Ireland, who has spent his manhood years as a
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resident of Pottsville. Frank X., the oldest som born to Mr. and Mrs. Reilly, is a prominent architect in Pottsville. J. B. Reilly is a man of strong intellectual force, an independent thinker, and a logical reasoner, but is exceedingly tolerant of the opinions and convictions of others. He is a Roman Catholic in religious affiliations. He was appointed United States marshal for the eastern district of Pennsyl- vama during the second term of President Cleveland, and established his offices in the Federal building in Philadelphia, but retained his law offices in Pottsville. He now gives his undivided attention to his ex- tensive law practice.
Reinbold, Samuel A., a dealer in timber, oil and scrap-iron, was born in Lebanon county on Oct. 0. 1873. a son of Benjamin F. and Catherine (Wolfe) Reinbold. The father in early life was a mill- wright and white employed as such invented a flour bolt which came into great demand. It later life he was employed in the building of coal breakers and while engaged in that work he received injuries which resulted in his death, on Feb. 23. 1003, within a month of the sixtieth anniversary of his birth. For many years he was a school director and he was always an influential factor in the Lutheran church. His widow is living at fireen Point, Lebanon county, at the age of fifty-eight. Of their sixteen children ten survive, and only one, William Henry, justice of the peace at Tremont, besides the subject of this sketch, resides in this county. Samuel A. Reinbold received a limited education in the public schools. When a lad of five years, in company with David Hummel and Harry Wolfe, a cousin, he was riding behind a spirited team, when the rig was struck by a railroad train. Wolfe was instantly killed and Hummel died from the effects vi his injuries. Mr. Reinbold had his left arm broken in four places and his left leg fractured in three different places, besides other in- juries, of the head and body. Three physicians despaired of his life, but owing to the watchful care of Dr. L. A. Shirk, of Lickdale, his life was saved, although he was crippled in his left arm for life. When he had completed his common school labors he learned telegraphy, and for seven years was the operator for the Philadelphia & Reading rail- road at Cold Spring in Lebanon county. While there he was also postmaster under the Mckinley and Roosevelt administrations. The station was discontinued by the railroad company and Mr. Reinbold came to Pine Grove and embarked in his present business. He has done exceedingly well in a pecuniary way, notwithstanding the fact that he has had to fight trust influences at every turn. On Dec. 31, 1808. Mr. Reinbold was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude M. Gates. of Lebanon City. Pa., a daughter of Franklin P. and Ada (Boughter) Gates. Mr. Gates is deceased, but his widow is living, a resident of Dunbar. Fayette county. One child, Parthenia Vinetta by name. has blessed this union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reinbold are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Reinbold is identified with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America and the Royal Arcanum, in the latter of which he is sentinel. He is also a member of the Philadelphia & Reading relief association. In his political beliefs he upholds the tenets
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of the Democratic party. By hard work and perseverance he has risen to a position of affluence' and influence in the community. He is now serving his second term as a member of the school board.
Reinhart, George, proprietor of Reinhart's hotel-formerly the Lion hotel, corner of Tenth and Market streets, l'ottsville, was born in the house where he now resides, June 10, 1856. His parents, George and Agnes (Klitsch) Reinhart, were both natives of Hesse- Cassel, Germany. They came to America in 1848 and settled at Potts- ville, where the father followed his trade of shoemaker for about fifteen years, in the meantime founding the Lion hotel, which he conducted in connection with his other business. After giving up the shoe shop he continued to conduct the hotel until his death, in 1871, at the age of forty-eight years. The widow and a son Anthony carried on the hotel for several years, or until 1898, when it passed by purchase into the hands of its present proprietor. George and Agnes Reinhart had eleven children, five of whom grew to maturity, viz: Catherine, An- thony, Mary, George and Samuel A. George Reinhart, the son, re- ceived a limited education in the public schools of his native city. Upon leaving school he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for five years, and thereafter he was employed in the Potts- ville brewery for twenty-four years. In 1898 he bought the hotel property, as above noted, remodeled and refurnished the house, and has since conducted it under the name of Reinhart's hotel. Mr. Rein- hart is a Democrat in political views, but has never been a seeker for office. He is a member of the German Mechanics' benefit society, . and Aerie No. 134, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and with his family belongs to St. John's Roman Catholic church. June 6, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Reitzel, whose parents, Henry and Barbara (Memmel) Reitzel, were natives of Germany and pioneers of Yorkville. Her father died April 7, 1870, from the effects of a burn received in the Pottsville mines. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart have five children-Mary. Frederick, William, Catherine and Margaret.
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