History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 50

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SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

his residence. Mr. Schaeffer gives a loyal and unswerving allegiance to the Republican party and is one of the leaders in its local ranks. He is an active worker in the party cause, has served as chairman of the board of county commissioners and as a member of the city council, from the third ward, of which latter office he has been the incumbent since 1002. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his wife and daughter hold membership in the Reformed church. In 1873 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schaeffer to Miss Ella Mayer, a native of Columbia county, Pa., and a daughter of Moses and Catherine Mayer. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer have one child, Annic. now superintendent of the telephone office in Shenandoah and one of the popular young ladies of the city.

Schalck. Adolph W., was born Jan. 16, 1845 in Wiesbaden, Ger- many. He acquired his primary education in the public schools of his native city, and continued his German studies, so that he is today a fluent German speaker and versed in German literature. Com- ing to America when only nine years old with his father, the late George Schalck, they at once settled in Pottsville, which has been the home of the family ever since. The father was well known as a gunsmith, and was himself a celebrated marksman. He was also a mechanical genius, and for many years a highly esteemed citizen of Pottsville. Young Schalek on his arrival in Pottsville was at once sent to the public schools, and having learned some English in his native country, he made rapid progress, graduating with honors in 1859 in the high school, then in the old Bunker Hill school-house. He then visited the Pottsville academy (now the Henry C. Russell homestead) to further pursue his studies. He wished to become a mechanic like his father and after leaving the academy worked for a year in his father's shop. but it becoming apparent that he had not inherited the father's mechanical skill and genius, and that his ap- prenticeship was not a success, the father himself advised him to look for some other occupation. In 1860 and 1861 he was engaged in Philadelphia as a salesman and clerk in a wholesale china and glass importing house, but as the prospects for advancement and future independence were poor, and as he became ambitious for a profes- sional career, he returned to Pottsville. He then became a reporter on the "Schuylkill Democrat." at that time the German Democratic organ of Schuylkill county, where he also learned the rudiments of the printers' art. He thus early became interested in politics and public affairs and acquainted with public men. His first political ex- perience was in the campaign of 1862, when the late Franklin B. Gowen, I subsequently president of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road. and Coal and Iron Companies ) was elected district attorney of Schuylkill county. Mr. Schalck having thus become acquainted with Mr. Gowen, accepted a clerkship in his office after the latter's election, and for six years was closely associated with Mr. Gowen, first as a law student and clerk and later, after his own admission to the bar on March 16, 1866, as his principal assistant. When Mr. Gowen left

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Pottsville in 1868 to open a law office in Philadelphia, Mr. Schalck was put in charge of the Pottsville office, having associated with him the late George De B. Keim, an old personal friend of Mr. Gowen, who later succeeded him as president of the Reading Company. In 1870 Mr. Schalck voluntarily severed his associations with these gentlemen in order to establish an independent practice and to open an office for himself, which he successfully did, soon ranking among the foremost members of the junior bar of that period, and acquiring a large and varied practice in the courts of Schuylkill county. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profes- sion and is recognized as one of the best read and best equipped all- around lawyers at the Schuylkill county bar, being noted for his in- dustry and research and for his perseverance, zeal and fidelity to the cause of his clients. Following his early training and instincts, he, like so many other young lawyers, soon became active in politics and public affairs. He has been for many years prominent as a public speaker and as one of the leaders and campaign managers of his party, serving also as county chairman a number of times, his first chair- manship being in the Centennial year, when Governor Tilden of New York swept the county for president. He was chairman in Governor Pattison's second campaign, when the county gave him a rousing majority, and also in other generally successful campaigns. During these years he also served his party (when not as chairman) in various other capacities, at personal sacrifices and without recompense. He has always been a firm believer in the principles of Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy and a patriot, but never a narrow-minded or hide-bound partisan. In 1877 he was elected district attorney of the county, serving from 1878 to 1881, during the termination of the Mollie Maguire troubles, which was one of the most trying periods in the history of Schuylkill or any other county. He also served as county solicitor for a number of years, and is at present serving in that capacity. In his long professional and public career he has al- ways been known as the foe of corruption and graft in municipal and political affairs, and at various times has been prominent in in- vestigations and exposures of grafters and boodlers. Mr. Schalck also saw some strenuous military service during the Civil war. By reason of his youth and for want of a robust constitution, he was rejected when he sought to enlist in the early part of the war, yet he actively participated in the campaigns of 1862 and 1863, in the 6th and 27th Pennsylvania regiments, whose duty was to drive the Confederates out of Pennsylvania and back across the Potomac. He is an active Grand Army man, and for over twenty-seven years has been the quarter-master of Gowen Post, No. 23. Grand Army of the Republic, of Pottsville. He is interested in other patriotic movements and is well known as a public spirited citizen. He was raised in the Luth- eran church; for forty years he has been a member of the church council of the Trinity Lutheran church of Pottsville, and was for many years the superintendent of its Sunday school, in which he is still a teacher. He is, however, most liberal and tolerant, recognizing and

S HUSBAND COUNTY

espousing the rights of all other religions denominations to the fullest exercise and enjoyment of their relgion- hierties Mr. Schalck mar ried Emma R Haeseler, slaughter of the late Dr. Charles Hace eler. who was the pioneer homeopathic physician of Schuylkill county, for many years in active practice here, and whose son, the late Dr. Charles Il Haseler ( Mr Schalck's brother-m-law ), was for many years fre- ognized as one of the ablest and most emment physicians of the county. They have but one child, Muss Louse G Schalck, who is at hole, an efficient helpmate to her father.

Scheibelhut, Leonard C., is one of the leading general merchants of Yorkville, which place has been his residence during all of his comparatively short but exceedingly active business career. He was born there on Nov. 3. 1800, a son of Clemens and Christiana ( Veidert ) Scheibelhut, both of whom were born in Hesse Darmstadt. Germany. The father was among the pioneer miner- of Schuylkill county, built a home in Yorkville and lived there until 1878, when he removed to Raven Run to assist in the opening of the mine of Will- iam Heaton. Later he removed to Shenandoah and from there to) Tremont, where he was killed while sinking a slope at Kalmia in ISS2. He left a family of five children, viz: Mary, wife of Joseph Stock: John; Monica, wife of Frank Hock; Leonard C. and Cath- erine. Leonard C. Scheibelhut, the immediate subject of this review. was reared in Schuylkill county, and at the tender age of eight years started an independent career a- a slate-picker in the employ of Will- iam Heaton at Raven Run. At the age of sixteen he entered the mines and followed that occupation until 1802, when he embarked in the mercantile business at Yorkville. He has since given his entire attention to that line of endeavor, and in the pursuit of trade has met with a degree of success commensurate to his honest and pains- taking efforts. Mr. Scheibelhutt was married on Sept. 23. 1895, to Catherine, daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Yost) Haupthy, of Yorkville, and to this union have been born five children: Clemens. Paul. Anthony, Laura and Albert. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church of St. John the Baptist at Pottsville. Mr. Scheibelhut is a member of the Yorkville Fire Company. No. 1 : has served as treasurer of the Yorkville school board until the consolida- tion of the borough of Pottsville and Yorkville when he resigned in favor of the Pottsville treasurer: was president of the Yorkville common council two term. In company with his brother John he operated a colliery on Sharp mountain for five years. from 18m to 1001. Politically he gives an unswerving allegiance to the time- honored principles of the Democratic party, but has never appeared in the role of an office-secker, and the honors that have been given him have come unsolicited on his part.

Schilbe, J. A., one of the more prominent citizens of Tamaqua and a carpenter and contractor by vocation. was born in Tamaqua on Oct. 23. 1858, his parents being Christian and Sophia ( Webber ) Schilbe, both natives of Germany, but married in this state. The father was a miner who came to the United States in 1847 and settled

111

BIOGRAPHICAL

in Tamaqua, where ! practe ; the rest of the life he was outsi le foreman on the borders for Little Soft Skill Company. Both parents are decease l'e fat.j. kath Have occurred on April 13,

1889. Of then five oidreu th 'e living. front , the oldest, a numer,

died at the me o 10 -siv Willia 1 red, wa the husband

of Dora Saab; .. ma i auch ; and William, a

miner married .perin hy of five children

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butsi For nine years he was a partie 1 T . : mit a ik iem: that he has conducted a business of

How empl. Gratify-two men and has erected many of the met modern Jw Bing's and buildings, among them the Lutheran chan' and i J. F. McGinty residence. Besides his lumber yard he was and operates a planing mill of goodly proportions. Ile is also one of the directors of the First National bank and the incumbent of the office of treasurer of the school board. On Oct. 13. 1801 Mr. Schilbe was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wetteran, da ig net of Jacob and Christina Wetterau of Tamaqua. Both her parents are leccased. Mrs. Schilbe had two sisters and a brother. Malby : Mr Jolin

Greasing. and Catherine is Mrs Homy Becker in

Tamaqua. The brother, a twin of Mrs. Schib of h, at the

age of twenty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs.

four children. Erma Anna and George Ather

died at the ages of three and six months

living are Clement, aged twelve, and Herb

years. In religious matters Mr. Schilbe is

Lutheran church and is also prominent .

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reached the thirty-second degree of MAN !! night Templar

and since he was twenty-two years of Linember of the

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. has been treas-

urer of the Tamaqua Lodge and has " been a delegate to

the Grand Lodge. He also claims 1 the Patriotic Order

of the Sons of America, and is a | four of the order -.

Throughout the county he is recog . han of business sagacity of the most scrupulens honesty &: with

Schirmer John C. F., M. D .. and surgeon ni

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came 5 .: states in 1821 al bem in Delaware river. near Fas .. hampton county. il ur by vocation Wu:

411

BIOGRAPHICAL

in Tamaqua, where for practically the rest of his life he was outside foreman on the breakers for the Little Schuylkill Company. Both parents are deceased, the father's death having occurred on April 13, 1889. Of their five children three are living. George, the eldest, a miner, died at the age of fifty-six; John William, deceased, was the husband of Dora Raab; Sophia is Mrs. George Schmauch; and William, a miner, married Catherine Raab, and is the father of five children. The subject of this sketch, the youngest of the family, completed the course in the Tamaqua public schools, and began his industrial career as a slate-picker. He then learned the trade of cabinet and pattern making at Bishoff's establishment, after which he was for eight years with Carter & Allen and was then for two years with the Tamaqua Manufacturing Company. Under the first administration of Grover Cleveland he served for a time as postmaster, filling out the unex- pired term of Dr. R. Boyer. Upon leaving the office, in June, 1889, after the inauguration of President Harrison, he started in the lumber business on a small scale. For nine years he was a partner of Henry Becker, but aside from that he has conducted a business of his own. He now employs twenty-two men and has erected many of the more modern dwellings and buildings, among them the Lutheran church and the J. F. McGinty residence. Besides his lumber yard he owns and operates a planing mill of goodly proportions. He is also one of the directors of the First National bank and the incumbent of the office of treasurer of the school board. On Oct. 13, 1891, Mr. Schilbe was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wetterau, daughter of Jacob and Christina Wetterau of Tamaqua. Both her parents are deceased. Mrs. Schilbe had two sisters and a brother. Martha is Mrs. John Greasing, and Catherine is Mrs. Henry Becker, both living in Tamaqua. The brother, a twin of Mrs. Schilbe, died in 1896 at the age of twenty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Schilbe have been born four children. Erma Anna and George Albert, the first and last born, died at the ages of three and six months respectively; the two sons living are Clement, aged twelve, and Herbert Lawrence, aged seven years. In religious matters Mr. Schilbe is identified with the German Lutheran church and is also prominent in fraternal circles. He has reached the thirty-second degree of Masonry, is also a Knight Templar and since he was twenty-two years of age has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since 1894 he has been treas- urer of the Tamaqua Lodge and has several times been a delegate to the Grand Lodge. He also claims membership in the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, and is a past officer in four of the orders. Throughout the county he is recognized as a man of business sagacity, of the most scrupulous honesty and sterling worth.

Schirner, John C. F., M. D., deceased, for many years a lead- ing physician and surgeon of Schuylkill county, was born at Easton, Pa., March 4, 1827, a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Schirner. The father was born in Saxony, Germany, about 1802. came to the United States in 1821 and located on the Delaware river near Easton, Northampton county. He was a tailor by vocation, but

412

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

most of his life was engaged in the mercantile business. His death occurred in 1870, ten years after his wife's demise. The doctor was the youngest of the three children in the family. Maria M. is the widow of Aaron Serfass and Rosanna C. was the wife of C. M. Weygandt. After a due preliminary training in the schools of Easton the subject of this sketch matriculated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and in March, 1850, was graduated at that institution with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Imme- diately after graduation he located in Tamaqua and from that time until his death on Sept. 7. 1804. he was continuously engaged in his professional practice. He acquired a wide reputation for surgical . skill and was often called by other physicians to assist when surgery was necessary. A man of high ideals, kindly, sensitive nature and sympathetic touch, he was almost the ideal physician. On June 11. 1848, Dr. Schirner married Miss Anna M. Seip, daughter of William and Anna M. Seip of Bucks county, Pa. Mr. Seip was a tinsmith and plumber all his life. Of his seven children two. besides Mrs. Schirner, are living. They are Miss Margaret, a resident of Bucks county, and Quintus, now in Missouri. The deceased members are Frances, Sarah, Catherine and Elizabeth. Dr. Schirner and his wife had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Ella, the eldest. married Roscoe Reich and is the mother of four children-Mabel, Evelin, Herbert and Charles Owen. William Gibson married a Miss Clark and has two children-Ida and Asa Frederick. Charles C. was united in marriage to Miss Anna Alsbach and they have four chillren-Clarence. Clifford, Guy and J. Charles F. Anna Louise is at home. Elwood, deceased, was a doctor of dental science. His wife was Miss Theo Knower, and they had one child. Helen. Edith is the wife of William H. Williams, a chief train despatcher, and they have one child. Emily Schirner. The death of Dr. Schirner was not only a loss to a large circle of friends, but to the whole community.

Schmicker, Anthony, director of the poor of Schuylkill county, the cordial, genial host of the modern hostelry in Shenandoah known as the "Hotel Franey." was born in Germany on Sept. 11, 1864. and is the eldest of the seven children born to William and Wilhelmina (Hotta) Schmicker, who came to Ashland in 1867. The father was a representative of different breweries in Shenandoah and vicinity, and remained in the employ of the last one for more than twenty years. His death occurred on Feb. 18, 1903. The mother is still living, a resident of Shenandoah, where the family has been located for some thirty-seven years. Of the children Lizzie is employed as a seamstress at the almshouse in this county; William is in Reading ; Wilhelmina is a Sister of Christian Charity at St. Louis: and Kath- erine. Frank and Joseph are variously employed in Shenandoah. The subject of this sketch was still an infant when his parents removed to this country and all his educational advantages were acquired in the public schools of Schuylkill county. After the completion of his school work he was variously employed in Shenandoah until Novem- her. 1902, when as the successful candidate of the Democratic party

Obvistian Behnicht

11.3

1. GRAPHICAL

he was elected to the lo . of hicetor of the poor. He recently purchased the Hotel [. ny and now conducting it in a manner eminently satisfact . the 1 'ie at large. The hotel is finely equipped and appealed throughing, having been refurnished and re- fitted when Vii Schmicker : umed the control msc ha all the modern con mances of tram heat, electric light, hot and cold water, etc. The dining room is especially handsome in its furnishings, and is frescoed with great att. ne tapp. Br milan 1 . all port of the establish;

. i ' 110. 1, 1887, Mr. Schmicker was united

in 1 & Males u! noty wedlock to Miss 31. W .Hale, a daughite

Walter and Mary McHIale. Mi. and M : both natives of morriago in the Emerald Is . 1. Incated at Miners-

ville, where the father was for many years tigagru

inte. han tam I iem and the father now makes his a 1 1

Mrs. bisher is one of nine children born to ner paicht John. Patrick, Richard, Walter, James, Delia, Anna and rate, th last named of whom died in infancy. To Mr. and Mn Schmicker have been born eight children, five of whom are living. They are William, Joseph, Anna, Madeline and John and the deceased mem- bers were Mary, John and an unnamed mfant. The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic faith, though the father is a member of the Holy Family congregation, a German speaking organ- ization, and the mother of the Church of the Annunciation, where services are conducted in English. Are. Schmicker is prominent in the Ladies' Aid society of her church . her husband . mm- ber of all the societies conducted under church supervision .. The eldest son of the family is a talented m". · tudying the piano, and although but eighteen years of age i ! and ambitious. Probably no man in the county is better 1 :.. L : popular than Anthony Schmicker.

Schmidt, Christian, is president of the II. Company of Shenandoah. This is one of the leading i concerns in the borough and was incorporated in wal M. Schonmit, who was the prime mover in its establishment and other mess men. The brewery is the outgrowth of a recognition on the part of the organizers of the possibilities of success in the upbuilding of a home industry which could successfully compete with the product of out- nie manufacturers. The buildings erected were fuit ap with an intelligent appreciation of the needs of such a plant and in harmony with the modern scientific methods in the brewng of beer There was no labor nor expense spared to obtain the best of help and up- plance, and the determination of the management was to excel. It his bien ph von by the testimony and examination of expert chemists and physicians that the acme of cleanliness and purity has been at- tained in the court of the Home Brewing Company. It was recog- nized at the onet that to establish a patronage and hold it the

413

BIOGRAPHICAL

he was elected to the office of director of the poor. He recently purchased the Hotel Franey and is now conducting it in a manner eminently satisfactory to the public at large. The hotel is finely equipped and appointed throughout, having been refurnished and re- fitted when Mr. Schmicker assumed the control, and has all the modern conveniences of steam heat, electric light, hot and cold water, etc. The dining room is especially handsome in its furnishings, and is frescoed with great artistic taste. By no means a small part of the establishment is the bar, furnished with the choicest and best brands of liquors and cigars. On Feb. 1, 1887, Mr. Schmicker was united in the bonds of holy wedlock to Miss Mary McHale, a daughter of Walter and Mary McHale. Mr. and Mrs. McHale are both natives of Ireland, and after their marriage in the Emerald Isle came to America in 1862 with two of their children. They located at Miners- ville, where the father was for many years engaged in mining. The mother died on June 1, 1904, and the father now makes his home in Philadelphia with two of his children, Patrick and Anna. Mrs. Schmicker is one of nine children born to her parents, the others being John, Patrick, Richard, Walter, James, Delia, Anna and Kate, the last named of whom died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Schmicker have been born eight children, five of whom are living. They are William, Joseph, Anna, Madeline and John and the deceased mem- bers were Mary, John and an unnamed infant. The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic faith, though the father is a member of the Holy Family congregation, a German speaking organ- ization, and the mother of the Church of the Annunciation, where services are conducted in English. Mrs. Schmicker is prominent in the Ladies' Aid society of her church and her husband is a mem- ber of all the societies conducted under church supervision. The eldest son of the family is a talented musician, is studying the piano, and although but eighteen years of age is self-reliant and ambitious. Probably no man in the county is better known or more popular than Anthony Schmicker.

Schmidt, Christian, is president of the Home Brewing Company of Shenandoah. This is one of the leading manufacturing concerns in the borough and was incorporated in 1900 by Mr. Schmidt, who was the prime inover in its establishment and other business men. The brewery is the outgrowth of a recognition on the part of the organizers of the possibilities of success in the upbuilding of a home industry which could successfully compete with the product of out- side manufacturers. The buildings erected were put up with an intelligent appreciation of the needs of such a plant and in harmony with the modern scientific methods in the brewing of beer. There. was no labor nor expense spared to obtain the best of help and ap- pliances and the determination of the management was to excel. It has been proven by the testimony and examination of expert chemists and physicians that the acme of cleanliness and purity has been at- tained in the output of the Home Brewing Company. It was recog- nized at the outset that to establish a patronage and hold it the

111

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

product of the concern must not only be the equal but the superior of that at outside concern which had a strong foothold in Shenandoah. That this and has been achieved as evidenced by the fact that many of the rivals have been supplanted altogether and others have found their patronage greatly decreased The man to whose energy and effort so much of the success of the company is due is Mr. Schmidt. He was born at Treverton, Northumberland county, in 1858, a son of Philip and Anna Marie & Schussler ) Schmidt, both native Germans. who m in removed to Ashland, and after five years there to Girardville. At the end of three years another change was made and the paternal home was established in Shenandoah. While still in his borhood Mr. Schmidt went to work in a coal breaker and for eighteen years was employed in different capacities about the mines. At the age of twenty-six he embarked in the hotel business and at the same time accepted a position as distributing agent for the Laner Brewing Company of Reading, continuing to serve with this company until he became established in his own business in two. In 1880 Mr. Schmidt married Miss Catherine Bender, a native of Germany, who came to the United States with her parents when she was but eleven years of age. To this union have been born these children-Mary. wife of Charles Knapp of Yatesville: Elizabeth, Catherine. Christian, J .. Agnes, Annie, Helena and William. The family are all members of the Catholic church and devout and regular attendants. Politically Mr Schmidt is an active worker in behalf of the Democratic party and as the candidate of that party has been elected to the offices of borough councilman, tax receiver and member of the board of health, and in the latter position he is now serving hi- tenth year. He is a member of certain social organizations recognized by the creed of hi- church and of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company. His own experiences in his struggle for existence in earlier days have made ot him a valuable friend to the working man. Personally he is un- assuming and unobtrusive and is classed as one of the most progres- sive and influential citizens of Shenandoah.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Schalck, Adolf W. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: State Historical Association Number of Pages: 700

Author: Schalck, Adolf W.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: State Historical Association
Number of Pages: 700