USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 49
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Rynkiewicz, Walter W., the proficient secretary of the Home brewing company of Shenandoah, is a native of Russian Poland,
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where he first saw the light of day on May 8, 1870. When a child he came to Shenandoah with his parents, and since that time he has known no other home. His educational advantages were those of the public schools of his home borough, and the first work he did for a livelihood was as a clerk. When he had served a year in that ca- pacity he embarked in the meat business under his own name. This he continued most successfully until wxx, the year of the incorpora- tion of the Home brewing company, in which he had become finan- cially interested as a stockholder and a director. At the first meeting of the stockholders of the new corporation. Mr. Rynkiewicz was made the secretary of the company, and at each annual meeting since that time he has been re-elected to the position. Politically he has Democratic leanings, especially in regard to national affairs, but the exercise of his right of franchise in local elections is influenced only by his own judgment. The only elective office he has ever held is that of justice of the peace, of which he was the incumbent for one term. In 1807 Mr. Rynkiewicz married Miss Agnes Kubilus, a native of Shenandoah, but of Polish parentage. To this union there has been born one child. Helen, who is now an attendant of the pub- lie schools Mr. Rynkiewicz is a son of Felix and Dominica Ryn- kiewicz, both natives of Poland. The father died on March 10, 1904. leaving, beside his widow, a family of six children. These in order of birth are Frank, Walter W .. Bertha, Henry. Ella and Felix. The two oldest are married and the others make their home with their mother in Shenandoah.
Ryon, George W .- The subject of this biographical review, Col. George W. Rvon, is a representative of one of Pottsville's most honored families. He is a son of Hon. James Ryon, late a promi- nent lawyer, who served as president judge in Schuylkill county from 1802 until 1872, and represented the county in the state legislature. Ile was also extensively interested in coal operations, being a mem- her of the firm doing business under the title of John Anderson & Co. He was married in 1856 to Miss Charlotte A. Wolfe, and of their three children the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being John P. Ryon, of Pottsville, and Mrs. Florence R. Patterson. Judge James Rvon was a brother of Hon. John W. Rvon, a well- known lawyer and politician in Pottsville. Both were natives of Tinga county, Pennsylvania, but spent the active years of their lives in this county. Their American genealogy is traceable beyond the period of the Revolutionary war. and two of their ancestors served as sol- diers in that strife for national independence, one of them having been a quartermaster under Washington. Hon. James Ryon was born at Lawrenceville. Tinga county, in Oct. 1831. His wife was a native of York, Pa. She died in Jan., 1808, and her husband's death occurred just two years later. George W. Ryon, the subject of this article, was born in Columbia. Lancaster county, Pa .. March 24. 1862. He was celucated in the Pottsville high school and at Lafayette college, in which last named institution he was graduated with the class of 1884. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the
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degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. Colonel Ryon was admitted to practice before the bar of Schuylkill county in 1887, and has since been engaged in the active work of his profession. He is devoted to the law, and ignores the allurements of office and the uncertainties of politics. Colonel Ryon has been prominently asso- ciated with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, having enlisted as a private in Company H, of the 8th regiment, in 1887. By various promotions he became lieutenant-colonel and assistant commissary- general on the staff of the commander-in-chief, Governor Robert E. Pattison. He retired from the service at the expiration of his term, in 1895. Colonel Ryon was married Oct. 9, 1888, to Miss Mary Bruner, a daughter of Dr. William and Jane (Woodworth) Bruner, of San Francisco. Four children have been born to this union, the eldest of whom is James Bruner, born July 23, 1889; George Wolfe was born June 18, 1892; Walter Greenland was born July 5, 1894; and John Woodworth was born Sept. 20, 1901. Mr. Ryon is a Dem- ocrat in political views. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church in Pottsville. He is not affiliated with any social or beneficial fraternities except the Order of Heptasophs. He is an active mem- ber of the Schuylkill county historical society.
Sabold, William H., Sr .- The subject of this sketch, has been in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company for more than forty years, a record in railroading which is seldom equalled, and a standing recommendation as to faithfulness and effi- ciency. Mr. Sabold entered the employ of this company during the Civil war, and served in various capacities until in 1883, when he was promoted to his present position, that of yard-master of the ex- tensive yards at Palo Alto. Mr. Sabold served about a year in the army during the Civil war, as a member of Company H, 175th Penn- sylvania infantry, under command of Colonel S. A. Dyer and Cap- tain Steele. He was born at Pottstown, Montgomery county, Pa., Oct. 5, 1840, and his parents, John and Mary (Schick) Sabold, were also natives of the same county. They are both deceased. Mr. Sa- bold was reared and educated in Pottstown, Pa., where he was mar- ried in 1862, choosing for his life companion Miss Annie Favinger, a daughter of Charles and Lydia ( Mauger) Favinger, of Pottstown. Six children were born to this union, the eldest of whom, Sallie, died in 1864; William H., Jr., resides in Palo Alto; Anne Liddle died Sept. 5, 1906; Harvey is a resident of Pottsville; Mrs. Mary Berger resides in Palo Alto, and Miss Bertha is still under the pa- rental roof. Mr. Sabold is a Republican in political views, and the family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The parents of his wife, like his own, are both deceased. The family resides at No. 404 West Bacon street, Palo Alto, and is well and favorably known throughout a large circle of acquaintances in Schuylkill countv.
Sallade, J. Frank, a practical marble worker and proprietor of an establishment at 1401 West Market street, Pottsville, was born in Berks county on July 25, 1866, the second in order of birth of the Vol. II-26
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ten children born to Wilham H. and Elizabeth (Gerry Salade. The family is of Huguenot extraction and the father was a teacher and a marble cutter. The other members of the family are Mired. Louisa, Mary, Jerome, Sarah Jane. Annie, Henry, Ira and Stella. Of these Henry and Jerome are deceased ; Alfred is a carpenter in Lehigh county ; Ira is a cigar manufacturer in Montgomery county. in which three of the sisters live. the other two reading i Berks county. All are married with the exception of Stella. The subject of this sketch remained at home until he had reached his majority. attending the public schools and learning his vocation from his father. When he had become a master of the stone-cutter's trade he hired out at different places as a journeyman, in the course of his labors entering the employ of Richard Collins, of Pottsville There he re- mained for a period of fifteen years, at the end of which time, in September, 1903, be established himself in the business and has been measurably successful. He employs one journeyman and does all kinds of stone and granite cutting, including monumental and build- ing work. On Dec. 27. 1002. Mr. Sallade married Miss Helen I .. DeTurk, of DeTurksville, and a daughter of Samuel G. DeTurk. who was one of the county commissioners at the time of the build- ing of the new court house. To Mr. and Mrs. Salade have been born two children. Amy Evelyn, now twelve years old, and Roy Ed- gar. eight years of age. Both parents are members of the German Lutheran church, in which faith the children are being reared. Mr. Sallade is a proficient musician, playing several different instru- ments, and since January, 1889, has been clarinet player in the Third Brigade band of the Pennsylvania National Guard. During the sea- -on of theatrical engagements he is often employed at the different houses in Pottsville as a member of the orchestras. His ability in this line has been of much practical value to him as it has meant his at- tendance with musical organizations at inaugurations of president and governors. National Guard encampments, etc. Politically Mr. Sallade is absolutely independent, exercising his right of franchise as he pleases. Fraternally he is identified with Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, and Franklin Encampment. No. 4. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Washington camp. No. 30, Patriotic Or- der of the Sons of America. He is a skilled and capable workman, of rare business sense, and withal an exemplary type of citizen.
Sanner, Fred W., one of the most influential members of the commercial life of Tremont and a prominent citizen of that borough. was born in Miner-ville, Pa., Sept. 8, 1870, a son of the late Rev. Daniel and Elizabeth ( Helentahl) Sanner, both natives of Germany. The parents immigrated to this country in 1855. coming direct to Schuylkill county, where the father obtained employment in the mines. In his spare moments he devoted his time to preparing for the Lutheran ministry, under the Rev. Mr. Hinterleitner, of Potts- ville, and for thirty-seven years after he had completed his studies he was a minister of the gospel, thirty-two years of the time being spent as pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Tremont. In 1801
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he left the ministry to become the cashier of the private bank of Mr. John Werntz, of Pine Grove, and remained the incumbent of that position until Dec. 19, 1897, the day of his death. ITis widow, now in her seventieth year, is still hearty and robust and an honored resident of Tremont. There were eight children in the family. The eldest, a coal operator, was drowned in the south. Annie is the wife of Lewis Ebener of Tremont, and Josephine is the wife of Rev. Dr. Nicum, pastor of the Lutheran church at Rochester, N. Y. He is also a prominent member of the faculty of the Wagner Memorial college. Louise is Mrs. John Michel, of Tremont, and Alvena is the wife of Mr. W. C. Hack, of Shamokin. Mr. Hack is a very promi- nent hardware merchant and is interested in business with Mr. San- ner. He is also president of the Treinont National bank. The sub- ject of this sketch is the sixth member of the family in order of birth. He attended the schools of Schuylkill county and then for five years was employed as a clerk in the hardware store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Hack, in Tremont. From there he removed to Tamaqua and for another period of five years was a salesman for E. J. Fry. The following six years he spent as a salesman for Seligman & Co., of Tamaqua, and then he returned to Tremont, where he and his brother, E. D. Sanner, bought the hardware store of W. C. Hack. Since Dec. 29, 1903, Mr. Sanner has been the sole proprietor of the Tre-
mont store. In July, 1906, he opened a branch store in Minersville and operates it through a resident manager, Mr. R. A. Neifert. He does a jobbing business largely and has salesmen on the road from both houses. His employes number twenty-six men and his patron- age is by no means limited to a small area. Aside from his hard- ware business he has a rather extensive trade in steam heating and plumbing. He is also a director of the Tremont National bank, pres- ident of the board of school directors, president of the Business Men's association, and a member of the board of health. On Sept. 25, 1895, Mr. Sanner married Miss Anna Kleckner, a daughter of Nathaniel and Louise Kleckner, formerly of Tamaqua. The mother is deceased, but the father is living and makes his home with his daughter in Trement. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanner have been born two children-Elizabeth Louise and Harold Linn. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanner are devout communicants of the Lutheran church.
Santee, George O. O., M. D., of Schuylkill Haven, resident physician of the Schuylkill county almshouse and secretary of the county medical society, was born at Petersville in Northampton county on Nov. 6, 1875, and is one of four children of James M. and Diana (Kuntz) Santee, the others being Herbert J., Anna M. and Arta L. The father is a prominent miller and represented his dis- trict in the lower house of the state legislature during the recent ses- sion. In early life the doctor attended the public schools of his na- tive borough, and subsequently took a course in the Keystone state normal school at Kutztown. Then for three years he was engaged in pedagogic work before entering the Jefferson medical college of Philadelphia, where he took a three years' course and was gradu-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
ated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine In September, 1857. he began his practice at Cressona, and continued in his private profes- sional work until January, 1900, when he received the appointment of resident physician of the Schuylkill county almshouse, and at the present time is serving in that capacity, In politics he is a Republican. but has never served in any official position. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Masonic order and the Royal Arcanum. In July. 180)3. Dr. Santee married Rosa Kleppinger, daughter of Frank Klep- pinger, of Northampton county, and to this union have been horn two sons and a daughter: Russell S., Sterling G. and Annic M .. all living. The family are all members of the Reformed church of Cres- sona, and the father is a member of the county historical society. He is also prominently identified with the state and American medical societies. He is a man who has come to the front through his enter- prise and ability.
Saterlee, Britton W., assistant trainmaster for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Cressona, was born Sept. 4. 1864, at Karthaus, Clearfield county, Pa., a son of Britton W. and Lucy ( Fenderson ) Saterlee. The paternal grandparents were Edward N. and Lucy (Falkner ) Saterlee, the former a native of northeast New York, and the latter of northern Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents were John and Lucy ( Clemens) Fenderson, the former born in Ban- gor, Maine, and the latter in Massachusetts. Mrs. Fenderson was a first cousin of Edward Everett, the historian. Britton W. Saterlee, Sr., enlisted in March. 1864, in Company L. of the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry and the following month succumbed to typhoid fever. After his death his widow became the wife of John C. East, who was a member of the 146th Virginia Confederate infantry in the Civil war, but who took the oath of allegiance prior to the cessation of hos- tilities. By this marriage she was the mother of three sons and as many daughters-Martha M., Mildred E. ( deceased). John L., Will- iam T., Carrie S. and James E. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of New York state from 1869 to 1875 and the sol- (liers' orphans' school at White Hill, Cumberland county, from 1875 to 1880. His first employment was as a mechanic with the Lycom- ing Rubber Company of Williamsport, where he remained for a period of eight years. For one year he was with the Perkins & Miller Lum- ber Company, of Westlake. La., and then in 1800 he accepted a posi- tion as clerk for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Williamsport. In 1803 he was made freight agent at Shippensburg and six years later was promoted to the position of assistant trainmaster at Palo Alto. The next year he went to Allentown in the same capacity and in 1903 was assigned to his present position at Cressona. On Sept. 10. 1882, Mr. Saterlee married Miss Eda L. Managan, a daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Bixby) Managan, of Tioga. Nine children blessed this union, five of whom survive. Arletta, the eldest. is the wife of William H. Hansford. of Philadelphia, hut formerly of Rich- mond. Va. The others are Harriet L., Ida M .. Gerald B. and Eda Hilma The family are all members of the First Presbyterian
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church of Pottsville. Mr. Saterlee is a member of Cressona Lodge, No. 426, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Pottsville Council, No. 965, Royal Arcanum. In his political views he is absolutely inde- pendent of any party or organization. Although his residence in Cressona has been of comparatively short duration, he has come to be one of the most respected citizens of the community.
Sauerbrey, William A., outside superintendent for the Phila- delphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, with headquarters at Ashland, is a son of Frederick and Minnie F. Sauerbrey, and a native of Germany, having been born at Hanover on Aug. 14, 1846. He came with his parents to the United States in 1854, before his eighth birthday, and located in Pottsville, where the father found employ- ment as a miner. Less than a year after his arrival the father was killed by an explosion of gas in the mine. The widowed mother still survives and on Feb. 25, 1907, celebrated her 103d birthday .. Of the six children in the family there are but three survivors, the two daughters-Mrs. Joseph Reighter, of Hazleton, and Mrs. Rebecca Kerschner, of Mahanoy City-and the youngest son, the subject of this memoir. The deceased members were Frederick, Charles and Ernest. The mother's eyesight and hearing have become somewhat impaired, but otherwise she is remarkably well preserved in mind and body. The death of his father made it necessary for William to go to work while still a boy and shortly after that sad event he entered the employ of a mining company as a slate picker. Mining has been his life work and he has worked through all the grades until he be- came outside foreman for the St. Nicholas Company at St. Nicholas. On leaving that company he accepted a similar position with the Phil- adelphia & Reading concern at St. Nicholas, and for twenty-three years, until Feb. 19, 1904, he continued in that capacity. Then he was promoted to his present responsible position and removed to Ash- land and has filled that position since with capability and thorough- ness. On Jan. 24, 1866, Mr. Sauerbrey married Miss Mary Beck, of St. Nicholas, a daughter of John and Margaret (Schultz) Beck, natives of Saxony, Germany. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sauerbrey were nine in number, viz .: Emma J., the wife of Ivan Welhaf; Mary M., who married Andrew Bradbury, and is now de- ceased ; Minnie L., now Mrs. George Mathias; William J. ; Kate M., now Mrs. William Coombe ; Charles F .; Chester ; Harry and Rhoda, wife of Edgar Maschal. The family are all communicants of the English Lutheran church. In politics the father is an exponent of Republican principles, but has never held office. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Royal Arcanum, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Scanlan, William J., M. D., of Shenandoah, Pa., was born in Port Carbon. Schuylkill county, Oct. 20, 1869, and is a son of Michael C. and Isabella (McManagle) Scanlan, the former of whom was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1825, and the latter in the State of Penn- sylvania in 1827. Michael C. Scanlan was an active worker in the
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ranks of the Republican party and in 18St held the office of sheriff of Schuylkill county. His wife, Isabella MeManagle, was one of the first female passengers who rode over the famous switchback rad- real at Mauch Chunk. Dr. Wm. 1. Scanlan received his elementary education in the public schools of Girardville, Pa., and later attended the Kutztown normal school, where he graduated in 18OL. After his graduation from the normal school, he engaged in the pedagogie profession for five years, when, having decided to make the medical profession bis hie work, he entered the Machen-t'hirngical college of Philadelphia m 18%) and received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medieme from that famous institution m &m) After his gradua- tion he located in Shenandoah for the practice of his profession and is rapidly forging to the front rank among the physicians of that city. Dr. Scanlan is a Republican in politics, is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and is also a member of its attending organizations, the Knights of Columbus and Knights of Annuncia- tion. He is also a member of the Ramblers social club and the Shen- andoah medical society.
Schaeffer, Rev. Isaac M., pastor of Zion's Reformed church at Ashland, Pa., was born near Lyon Station, Berk- county, Pa .. May 31. 1807. Four generations of this family have been represented in Berks and Schuylkill counties, the founder of the family in America having been George Schaeffer, a native of Rotterdam, Germany, who came in 1750, and settled in Oley township. Berks county. He was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war, fought in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, was at the capture of the Hessians, by Washington. and died in 1702. His son. Philip Schaeffer, paternal great-grand- father of Rev. Isaac M., succeeded to the pioneer homestead, and spent his life in Berks county, engaged in farming. Rev. Isaac M. Schaeffer is a son of Daniel B. and Lydia (Merkel) Schaeffer. natives of Richmond township. Berks county, the former born on Jan. 13. 1830. and the latter on Jan. 2. 1842. Daniel B. Schaeffer is a son of Isaac and Rachel ( Peters) Schaeffer, who spent their lives on a farm in Berks county, and Isaac was a son of Philip, thus com- pleting the American genealogy. The parents of Rev. Mr. Schaeffer are both living on the old homestead near Lyon Station. Rev. Isaac M. Schaeffer received his elementary education in the public schools. and prepared for college at the Kutztown normal school. He entered the sophomore class of Franklin and Marshall college in 1886 and was graduated with second honors in the class of 18&). He was graduated at the theological seminary at Lancaster. Pa., in 1802, and on June to. of that year, entered upon his pastoral duties at Zion's Reformed church in Ashland. He was married on Sept. 27. 1893 to Miss Margaret E. Berstler, of Lancaster county, Pa., a daughter of Evan and Catherine Amelia ( Dague) Berstler. Two children have been born to this union. Marion Naomi and Harold Daniel. The church of which Rev. Mr. Schaeffer has had pastoral charge for the last fifteen years, is one of the religious land-marks in Ashland. Three church buildings have stood upon the site ; the first was erected
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and dedicated in September, 1858. Rev. Rudolph Duenger, D. D., was the first pastor, and to his untiring energy and devotion to the cause is due the success which crowned the efforts of this struggling congregation after many years of discouragements. He remained with the church for thirty-five years, and his resignation was re- luctantly accepted on April 20, 1891, he being then eighty-three years old. The second church building was erected under Father Duenger's pastorate, and was dedicated on Feb. 10, 1883. It was later enlarged and improved, and served the purposes of the congregation until replaced, in 1901, by the present handsome edifice, remodeled and re- built from the old structure, at a cost of $12,000. At a congregational meeting held on Dec. 31, 1892, Father Duenger was elected pastor emeritus, at a salary of $200 per annum, and this generous action was reiterated each succeeding year until his death, on March 16, 1902, when he had passed the ninety-fourth milestone in his eventful career. The organization is in a very prosperous condition, and steadily growing in numerical strength, the present membership being over 1,100. This church enjoys the rare distinction of having had but two settled pastorates during its entire history of fifty years.
Schaeffer, John M., is one of the representative business men and influential and honored citizens of Shenandoah, with whose ma- terial and civic upbuilding he has been prominently identified. He is further entitled to recognition in his history by reason of the fact that he is a native of the old Keystone state, where his entire life has been passed. Mr. Schaeffer was born at Jeansville, Luzerne county, Pa., Dec. 2, 1852, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Billman) Schaeffer, both of whom were born in West Penn township, Schuyl- kill county, and were residents of Tamaqua, this county, at the time of their death, the father having passed away in 1889 and the mother in 1892. Isaac Schaeffer was a blacksmith by trade and vocation, and removed from Jeansville to Tamaqua in 1865. In the family were three sons and one daughter: William enlisted for service in de- fense of the Union in the Civil war, becoming a member of the 10th New Jersey volunteer infantry, and died while in the service; Jacob died in 1880 in Tamaqua; Emma is Mrs. Albertson, a widow, and resides at Lansford, Carbon county ; and John M. is the youngest of the children. The subject of this review was reared to maturity in Tamaqua, where he duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools and served a thorough apprenticeship at the harness- maker's trade. In 1874 he opened a harness shop at Mahanoy Plane, this county, and continued in business there for three years, when he moved to Shenandoah, where he has since been actively identified with the same line of enterprise, in connection with which he has attained to distinctive prominence and success. He has a large and well equipped establishment, gives employment to three men. and in connection with his manufacturing department carries full lines of harness, saddlery, turf supplies, trunks, suit-cases, satchels, etc. He owns the building in which his store is located, at 108 North Main street, and the substantial and attractive structure also constitutes
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