USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 5
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4-Vol. II
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but now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker have been born two children-Mabel Aberta and Reynokls C. H., the latter now a student at McCann's business college. The family are all members of the Reformed church, in which the father served three years as a deacon. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, and has passed through all the offices of both organizations. He is also a member of the Tamaqua club and in toon was the incumbent of the office of president of that organization. He is also a member of Tamaqua Lodge, No. 592, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and was a member of the Pennsylvania cornet band of Tamaqua for twelve years as one of the bass players.
Bedea, Daniel W., postmaster at Shenandoah, was born in Union county, l'a., June 10, 1854. He is a son of George and Mary ( Williams) Bedea, both natives of Wales, who came to the United States with their respective parents when children. Their marriage occurred at Bloomsbury, Columbia county. The father was a miner and was eminently successful in a financial way. Both parents died at Shamokin, the father in 1889 at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother in 1897 in her seventy-first year, Waving a family of three sons and two daughters. Thomas W .. the eldest, is superintendent of a rolling mill at Danville ; William 11. is a boiler maker at Scranton ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of David Griffiths, died at Shamokin ; and Mary A. is the widow of Edward Lewis and lives in Danville. The subject of this sketch acquired a public school education in Union county and at Dan- ville. He worked on a farm until he was nineteen years of age, then for three years was employed in the iron works at Danville and a little later employed at Shamokin. For a period of years im- mediately following he was agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Mauch Chunk and elsewhere and left that business to accept a position as coal and iron policeman. He continued in that capacity for six or seven years and his duty required his presence in Shenandoah, where he then located. On Feb. 1. 1898, Presi- dent Mckinley made Mr. Bedea postmaster of Shenandoah and on April 3, 1903 he was reappointed to the position by President Roosevelt. The office is in the second class and Mr. Bedea has fulfilled his duties in it with accuracy and thoroughness. In Octo- ber, 1892, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Harriet E. Craw- shaw, a native of this county. The Crawshaw family was well known in the early days of Schuylkill county history, Joshua L. Crawshaw being one of the first stationary engineers of Pottsville, coming there with his wife, Mary .A., when Pottsville had but eighty houses. To Mr. and Mrs. Bedea has been born one son, George C. Mr. Bedea is an active Republican in his political views and is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Blue lodge of Shenandoah, the chapter and commandery at Mahanoy City, the consistory at Philadelphia and the Shrine at Reading.
Bell, James Jackson, a prominent member of the Schuylkill county bar and a resident of Shenandoah, was born in that city on
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March 18, 1876, a son of James and Margaret (Conville) Bell. The father was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to Heck- sherville, Schuylkill county, from Canada, in childhood. From Hecksherville he came to Shenandoah in 1870 and for many years conducted a general store and livery on West Coal street. About 1890 he retired with a competence, and is now living easily in Shenandoah. The mother is a native of Queens County, Ireland, and although well advanced in years is still hale and robust. Of the thirteen children born to them eight are living. John, the eldest, is a stationary engineer in Shenandoah; Patrick W. is a plumber and gasfitter; Joseph, who for many years was a prom- inent resident of Shenandoah, having served in the council, is now a building contractor at New Rochelle, N. Y .; Thomas F. is a graduate of Lehigh university with the degree of mechanical engi- neer, and was the draughtsman of the new U. S. battleship "Maine ;" Margaret and Mary are at home; James J. is the subject of this sketch ; and William F. is a student in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania. Of the deceased Richard A., on the eve of graduation from the state normal school at East Strasburg, received injuries which resulted in his death on April 30, 1905, and the others died in infancy or early childhood. James J. Bell, after a due preliminary training in the public schools of Shenandoah, matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan in 1895 and took three years of work in that institu- tion, meantime pursuing some special courses in literature and medicine. He graduated with honors in 1898, with the degree of LL. B., having carried during the three years all the work allowed by the faculty, and in the same year was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Michigan. He then returned to his native city, where he opened an office and soon began to attract notice as a criminal lawyer. In 1901 he successfully defended, single- handed, James Horrox, who was charged with the murder of Ed- ward Ball, and the same year represented the prosecution in the case of John Frank, charged with the murder of Edward Hoffman, at Minersville. In the following year he was retained for the de- fense of Charles Shealer and George Stinitis, who were accused of brutally beating and leaving for dead Frank Bloom, and secured their acquittal. In May, 1902, he defended and secured the acquit- tal of Matt. Stiavinsky and John and Charles Mingavage, charged with the murder of John Litisinavage. He was counsel for the state in the case of Arthur Wadsworth, the soldier who shot and. killed William Durham in the strike of 1902, and it was Mr. Bell who set in motion the process of law that forced the surrender of Wadsworth to the civil authorities by the military power. In con- nection with Charles N. Brumm, Mr. Bell defended Joseph Palie- wicz for the murder of Joseph Beddall. This was one of the most closely contested cases ever tried in Schuylkill county. The pros- ecution was represented by District Attorney Mclaughlin, M. M. Burke, J. F. Whalen and E. W. Bechtel, all lawyers of recognized ability, yet the accused was acquitted, Mr. Bell receiving con-
gratulations from all sources for Is skillful and upright defense. These are but a few of the many criminal cases in which Mr. Bell has been retained. His cases are always carefully prepared and users precaution taken to guard against technicalities. ite par- telpates in a legal battle with all the enthusiasm of his nature, and leaves no stone unturned to win in an honorable was his points. With a keenness of perception that is remarkable, he often changes his tactics so suddenly and deftly as to overwhelm his opponents, and by making use of a fine point of law at an un- expected moment turns the tide of the case in his favor. He is the In ognized leader of the younger members of the Shenandoah bar. and as a criminal lawver his well earned reputation extends be- vond the great state of Pennsylvania. Endowed by nature with a judicial temperament and fitted for his profession in one of the best law school in the country, it is safe to predict for him greater successes and higher honors in the future. He is a member of the Schuylkill county bar association and the alumni association of the University of Michigan. Politically he is an unswerving Democrat and takes an active part in the deliberations of his party councils, where his judgment is found to be as sound as when he is pleading a case before a jury. On Feb. 21. 1906, Mr. Bell mar- ried Miss Mary Catherine Bender, daughter of the late Lawrence and Anna Bender, of Ashland, and this union has been blessed with one son, whose birth occurred on June 23. 1907. Mrs. Bell is one of a family of eight children. Englebert C., one of her brothers. is a young physician of great promise, who has spent eight years in college and hospital work, the last eighteen months of that time in Vienna, Austria, where he won the distinction of being appointed to a place on the hospital staff of the University of Vienna. Frank, another brother. is a civil engineer : William is a graduate of the Philadelphia school of pharmacy ; and Louis E. is associated with his mother in business at AAshland.
Bendrick, Joseph, well merits representation in this work by reason of being a scion of one of the honored families of the county of which he is a native son, and also by reason of his standing as one of the able business men of the younger generation in the county. He is engaged in the fire-insurance business at New Phil- adelphia, where he also has the agency for leading trans-Atlantic steamship lines, and is also incumbent of a clerical position in the office of the clerk of the courts at Pottsville, the county seat. Mr. Bendrick was born at Turkey Run, this county, March 16, 1872, a son of l'eter and Francisca (Nedzinski) Bendrick, both of whom were natives of Lithuania, Russia. The father came from his native land to America about 1867 and located near Mahanoy Plane, Schuylkill county, Pa., and thereafter he followed the voca- tions of mining and farming in this county during the remainder of his life. He died at Coaldale, in 1900. at the age of fifty-five years, and his widow still resides in this county. The subject of this sketch was afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native county and made excellent use of the opportunities thus
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afforded him. He began his business career as clerk in a general store and followed this vocation for a period of ten years, during which time he was located in Shenandoah, Lost Creek and New Philadelphia, this county. In 1897 he engaged in the hotel busi- ness in New Philadelphia and he made a success of the enterprise, with which he continued to be identified until 1907. In 1904-5 he was clerk of the county prison and in 1906 lic was appointed to his present position in the office of the clerk of the courts for the county, in both of which offices he has given most efficient service. For the past three years he has conducted a general fire-insurance business at New Philadelphia, where he has a good clientage, and for fifteen years has been agent for various steamship companies. He has taken a zealous interest in public affairs of a local nature and has long been an ardent worker in the camp of the Republican party. He was assessor of the borough of New Philadelphia for six years ; was for three years a member of the borough council ; president of that body for two years; clerk for four years, and for one year he was its treasurer. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at New Philadelphia, where he still maintains his home. On Feb. 27, 1898. Mr. Bendrick was united in marriage to Miss Helen Razas, daughter of John and Anna Razas, of Potts- ville, and they have four children: Blanche, Raphael, Alice and Cyril.
Bensinger, George I., a leading druggist of Schuylkill Haven, was born at Summit Station, Schuylkill county, Jan. 22, 1876. His paternal great-grandparents, Solomon and Anna (Frailey) Ben- singer, were the first settlers of McKeansburg in this county. His maternal grandfather was Henry Trumbo and he is a son of Irvin and Sarah (Trumbo) Bensinger. His early educational training was received in the schools of Schuylkill Haven and his technical education in the college of pharmacy at Philadelphia, at which he was graduated in the class of 1896. For about eighteen years he was in the employment of other druggists and then, in May, 1904, he purchased the store which he is now conducting. Not only is his place of business one of the most modern in every detail, but the patrons are also assured of gentlemanly treatment and a dis- position to please. On Aug. 31, 1904, Mr. Bensinger was united in marriage to Miss Eva Schlappich, a daughter of Daniel Schlappich. of Reading. They have no children. Mr. Bensinger is a Repub- lican in his political beliefs but has never held nor aspired to office. He and his wife are both members of the United Evangelical church of Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Bensinger has written consider- able on the history of Schuylkill county and he is regarded as an authority in that line.
Berk, John K., M. D., a well known and popular physician of Frackville, is a descendant of some of the pioneer families of Berks county, Pa., and is of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, Henry Berk, was a prominent farmer of Berks county, married a Miss Greenawalt there and reared a family of children, one of whom was John G. Berk. the father of the subject of this sketch.
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The maternal grandparents were Isaac and Louisa ( Haas) Kal- bach, both of whom died in Frackville. John G. Berk married Mary Jane Kalbach and in 1873 located at Girardville, Schuylkill county, where he clerked in a general store for about one year, when he came to Frackville as the senior member of the general merchandise firm of John G. Berk & Co. He continued at the head of this concern until his death in 1881, at the age of thirty-live years. He left two sons, viz: William II., a clergyman of the Lutheran church, and Dr. John K., who was reared from infancy in Schuylkill county, though he was born at Hamburg, Berks county, Aug. 22. 1872. He received his education in the Frackville public schools and the Keystone normal school at Kutztown, where he graduated in 1802. Ile then taught for one year at Lewistown, Schuylkill county, and in 1894 began the study of medicine. After due preparation he entered Jefferson medical college, of Phila- delphia, where he received the degree of M. D. as a member of the class of 1800. In October of that year he opened an office in Frackville, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession, and where he has built up a remunerative busi- ness. He is one of the progressive physicians of Schuylkill county ; is a member of the American and State medical associations and the Schuylkill county medical society, and keeps fully abreast of the march of medical progress. Dr. Berk is also interested in other enterprises, being one of the charter members and a director of the First National bank of Frackville. He is a member of the Lutheran church. On June 6, 1900. Dr. Berk was united in marriage to Miss Rac Ethel Hand, daughter of Ludman and Hester (Goff) Hand. of Cape May Court House, N. J., and to this marriage has been born one son, John William.
Bibelheimer, Robert W., a well known and prosperous business man of Port Carbon, was born in Blythe township on July 14, 1868, a son of Daniel and Lavina ( Heninger) Bibelheimer. His educational opportunities were limited to the courses afforded by the public schools and at the age of sixteen years he left school to go to work. After serving a full apprenticeship in the plumbers' and tinsmiths' trade he worked as a journeyman for a period of four years and then left that vocation to accept a clerkship in his father's timber business. Subsequently he became manager of the business, remaining in the capacity until November. 1898, when the father died and the son purchased from the estate the con- trolling interest in the concern. Since that time he has been at the head of affairs and the increase of business. the lack of labor troubles, etc .. show how well he has managed. His business affairs also include a third interest in the Schuylkill Crushed Stone Company of Pottsville. In his political relations Mr. Bibelheimer is a Republican and as the successful candidate of that party is now the incumbent of a seat in the borough council. On Christ- mas day. 1890, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Emma L. Dalton, a daughter of George Dalton of East Norwegian town- ship. This union has been blessed with three children, Olive, Pearl
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and Bruce. The family all worship at the Presbyterian church at Port Carbon. Mr. Bibelheimer is prominent in fraternal circles, Being a member of Schuylkill Lodge, No. 27, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Port Carbon; of St. Clair Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and the Pottsville Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is ranked as one of the leading business men of Port Carbon, being conservative and able.
Biddle, J. C., M. D., surgcon-in-chief and superintendent of the State hospital for injured persons, at Fountain Springs, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1854. His preliminary educational dis- cipline was received in the common and public schools and under private tutors in the vicinity of his boyhood home, and while he was still a youth he engaged in teaching. After three years of such work in private schools he discontinued it to enter, in 1874, the Jefferson medical college of Philadelphia. He was president of his class when he graduated in 1877 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and he at once located in Shenandoah, where he began the general practice of his profession. It was not long before he had acquired an enviable reputation as a skilled surgeon and a successful phy- sician, and in 1883 he received an appointment as surgeon-in-chief and superintendent of the State hospital for injured, at Fountain Springs, where he has since rendered distinguished service in that capacity. Professionally Dr. Biddle is identified with the Schuyl- kill county medical society of which he served as president in 1883; the State medical society; the American medical associa- tion ; the Lehigh Valley railroad surgeons' association, and the association of military surgeons of the United States. He is surgeon for the Reading and Lehigh Valley railroads. The doc- tor's business interests are wide and varied, and include the presi- dency of the Cambridge Bituminous Coal Company, the vice- presidency of the Schuylkill Railway Company and a directorship in the Citizens' National bank of Girardville and Orwigsburg. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. Fraternally he ranks high in the Masonic order, having attained to the thirty-second degree. Dr. Biddle stands in the front rank of his profession and is much esteemed by all classes in the com- munity.
Birston, Pius W., general insurance agent and dealer in real estate at Shenandoah, was born Feb. 7, 1870. He is the oldest living child of Joseph and Annie (Smeltzer) Birston, both natives of Lithuania, where they were married. Two sons born to them in their native province both died there in infancy. In 1870 they came to America, locating first in Boston, but later removing to the anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania. The father died at Shenandoah in 1891, and the mother is now living at Sheppton. They had a family of seven sons and five daughters. Those living are Pius W., Margaret, Joseph F., John R., Mary I., Catherine E., Annie E., Edward and Theresa. Margaret is the wife of William Strolis of Shenandoah; Joseph and John both reside in Shenandoah: Annie graduated at the Keystone state
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
normal school at hurtown in top and & now a teacher in the Shenandoah public school; Theresa is now a student in the senior mass of that school. Mary is a graduate of the Medico-Chirurgical nurse school and is now engaged as a private nurse in the city of Philadelphia, and Catherine is a dressmaker in Shenandoah. Dur- ing the Spanish- American war John and Joseph served in the snus, the former in the 21st U. S. infantry and the latter in the 1st IS artillery. Pius W. Birston received his education in the School of Schuylkill county, chiefly in Butler township and at Erardville, and as a boy began life for himself as a state picker in the mines. He followed mining in various capacities until 1888. when he became a clerk in a general store at Shenandoah, where Ins family had located in 1886. After about two and a half years in the store he made a trip through the far west, being away from nome for fourteen months. Part of that time he spent in Colum- Ins. O., where he completed his education. Upon returning to Shenandoah he taught in the business college there for about a year. In his political view- Mr. Birston is a stanch Republican, and in 18033 was the candidate of that party for the office of county recorder, but was deicated in the election. About that time he started his real estate business, in which he has ever since been interested. In 1800 he was appointed justice of the peace by the governor, and was subsequently elected for a full term of five years, but owing to a controversy over the question of jurisdiction he never qualified. For about three years he was associated with 1. M. Kazuna- in the drug business, but in 1000 he retired from that line and added a general insurance business to his real estate interests, to which he now gives his entire attention. Mr. Birston i- a leader among the people of his nationality, and in May, 1900. was elected president of the Lithuanian Alliance of America at the Chicago meeting of that body. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Ile has always taken a keen interest in questions touching the public weal, and from 1900 to 1905 was secretary of the borough council. He also served one term as treasurer of the school board.
Bissell, John Robertson, M. D., is one of the representative phy- icians and surgeons of the county and is engaged in the practice of his profession at Mahanay City. He was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 27. 1807, and is a son of Augustus and Susan Helen Bissell, the former of whom was born at Bantam Falls, Litchfield county. Conn., and the latter of whom was born at Fairdale. Susquehanna county. Pa., March 0, 1832. The doctor is a descendant of Zebulon Bissell, who settled at Bantam Lake. Litchfield county, Conn., hay- ing received a grant of land from King George IV. Direct ancestors of Dr. Bissell-in both the paternal and maternal lines-were patriot soldiers under General Washington in the war of the Rev- olution. Dr. Bissell is especially well read in the learning of his profession, being a graduate of Jefferson medical college, Phila- delphia. Prior to completing his medical course he had taken a course in pharmacy in the same city. He controls a large and
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representative practice and is one of the influential and popular citizens of Mahanoy City. The doctor is married but has no chil- dren.
Blaney, Harry F., a popular teacher in the public schools of Coaldale, is a representative of one of the well-known families of Schuylkill county, which has been his home from the time of his birth, at Centerville, Dec. 31, 1879. He is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Jennings) Blaney, whose birthplace was County Tipperary, Ircland, where both were reared to maturity. The father came to America about 1862 and located in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he worked in the mines until his death, which occurred in 1884. He is survived by his wife and ten of their eleven children. The subject of this sketch was deprived. of a father's care and guidance when he was a merc child, and early began to depend largely upon his own resources. He worked in the mines for ten years and through his own efforts secured a good education, as is evident from the success which he has attained as a teacher. He began teaching in 1903 in the public schools of Coaldale, where he has gained distinctive prestige and popularity, being known as an able and conscientious instructor, thoroughly en rapport with the work of his chosen vocation. In politics Mr. Blaney gives his support to men and measures meeting the appro- val of his judgment, rather than holding to strict partisan lines. He served one term as assistant assessor of Rahn township. He and his wife hold membership in St. Mary's Catholic church, of which both are communicants, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Father Norton society. On June 22, 1905, Mr. Blaney was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cavanaugh, also a teacher in the public schools, and a daughter of James Cavanaugh, of Coaldale. They have one son, James.
Bleiler, Charles A., M. D., for twenty-two years a practicing physician of Frackville, was born in Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pa., June 24, 1859. He is of that sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock that has done so much to develop the resources of the great Keystone state, his father, David Bleiler, having been a native of Weisenberg township, Lehigh county, where he fol- lowed the vocations of farmer and harness-maker all his life. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of fifty-eight years. His father was John Bleiler, also a native of Lehigh county, and a farmer and tanner by trade. David Bleiler married Sarah Seiberling. the youngest of the ten children born to John Seiberling, who was a member of the same family as the well known Seiberlings of Ohio, manufacturers of the Buckeye harvesting machinery. To this marriage were born eight children, seven of whom grew to ma- turity. Of these John, Elizabeth and Amanda are deceased : next is Thomas F .: Peter O. is a physician at Allentown, Pa. : William is a farmer in Lehigh county, and Charles A. is the subject of this sketch. Dr. Bleiler received his elementary education under the private instruction of Alvin Rupp. now superintendent of the Lehigh county schools, after which he taught in his native town-
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