History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 53

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

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ough or county & ample promi that sich enterprise is for the good of the community.

Seltzer. J. Walter. D. D. S., a popular dentist of Pottsville. 15 a son of William H and Anna 1 ( Thamm ) Seltzer, both natives of Schuylkill counts, where the Seltzer ianul has been prominent in business and social hie since early pioneer days, Conrad Seltzer, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this article, was a native of Marburg. Hessen, Germany, born Sept. 17. 1817. and came to Potts- ville with a portion of his parental family in 1832. He established the extensive stock and packing business now operated by his sons, Wilham HL. and A. W. Seltzer, the former being the father of Dr. J. Walter, of this sketch. Conrad Seltzer began his business career in America with linnted means, and occupied a small log house at Fish- bach, near the site of the eastern steel mill, but later developed through hi- industry and efficient management the packing company, which is today one of the leading industries of the kind in the county. His first venture in business was as proprietor of a meat market, which was located opposite the Exchange hotel, on Center street. He was in the same business at Miner ville for several years, but in 1858 re- tired In his farm known as the "Bull's Head," and there continued as a general breeder of and dealer in stock until he retired in 180. This was the nucleus of the extensive packing business and trade in stock since developed and maintained by the sons. Conrad Seltzer was married on Dec. 10, 1830. to Dorothy E. Rochrig. . They had a fam- ily of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to years of maturity. Mir. Seltzer served one term as county treasurer, elected as a Democrat in 1804. He was a zealous member of the German Lutheran church, in which he held numerous offices. His death occurred in Pottsville. Sept. 2. H&m. Dr. J. W. Seltzer was born in Pottsville, July 8, 1878, and his elementary education was acquired in the public schools of his native town. He chose dental surgery as his life profession ; was graduated at the Philadelphia dental college in the class of 1902; en- gaged in practice in Philadelphia for about a year. going thence to Mahanny City. Schuylkill county, for two years and a half ; and in September, 1005, he opened his present offices in Pottsville, making his home with his parents. Dr. Seltzer is a young man of excellent professional qualifications and has been successful beyond his most sanguine hopes. He is a member of Pottsville Lodge. No. 207. Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elk-, and the Xi. Psi. Phi. college fraternity. In political views he supports the principles of the Re- publican party and his religious affiliation- are with the German Lutheran church.

Seltzer. Prof. Livingston, the popular and efficient county super- intendent of schools in Schuylkill county, is descended from Revo- lutionary stock and traces his ancestry in the county to the earliest settlers of MeKeansburg. His maternal grandfather. Baltzer Bock, served under Washington in the Revolutionary war, and participated in a number of battles under that renowned chieftain. notably that of Trenton, which resulted in the capture of the Hessians, who there con-

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fronted Washington's army. The paternal great-great-grandfather of Livingston Seltzer, also a Revolutionary soldier, was taken prisoner by the British, confined in their prison pen on Long Island, where he died from exposure and starvation and his ashes still repose near the scene of his cruel death. Baltzer Bock, mention of whom may be found in the historical volume, founded the first English-speaking school in Schuylkill county, this school being opened in 1794 at Mc- Keansburg. He donated land for educational and religious purposes, the church which his beneficence founded being opened for religious worship a few years later than the school. Prof. Livingston Seltzer was born in New Ringgold, Schuylkill county, March 20, 1862. a son of William W. and Hannah M. Seltzer, both natives of Schuylkill county, the former born at Patterson in 1831, and the latter at Mc- Keansburg in 1835. William W. Seltzer was a soldier in the Civil war, serving about two years as a member of Company K, 48th Penn- sylvania infantry, when he was honorably discharged by reason of disability incurred in service, being at the time of his discharge a cor- poral of his company. Professor Seltzer received his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of McKeansburg and then entered upon a course of normal training at the state normal school at Kutztown, where he graduated as president of the class of 1887. He was em- ployed as a teacher in Rush township for one year after his gradua- tion, when he accepted a more lucrative position at Tower City, and continued there for two years, when he was elected to the principal- ship of the Palo Alto schools. This position he held for fifteen years or until elected to the county superintendency in May, 1905. Mr. Seltzer's practical experience in all grades of the teaching profession amply qualifies him for the arduous duties of this important office and his peculiar adaptability to the work is recognized by all. He prefers to stand aloof from party differences in political matters and this char- acteristic in his nature enables him to judge impartially of the merits of all who come before him in an official capacity, with the result that the examination paper under such an official must stand upon its own merits, a condition which does not exist in all cases. Mr. Seltzer has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Kate E., daughter of the late George and Hannah Gangloff. This union was blessed with a son and daughter, Raymond Livingston and Hilda Edith, pop- ular young people just budding into years of maturity, and both about to graduate from the Kutztown state normal school. Mrs. Seltzer died in 1895 and three years later the professor was married to Mrs. Vienna Kershner, his present companion. Professor Seltzer is a prom- inent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a past master of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216; a member of Mountain City Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Constantine Commandery. Knights Templars. He also belongs to the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America and Sons of Veterans.

Sembach, John, a retired miner and one of the substantial citi- zens of Tamaqua, was born in Alsace, France. Aug. 6. 1842. His parents were George and Mary (Yerk) Sembach, both natives of

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France, where the father was a laborer. In 1866 they came to the United States and the father and youngest son obtained employment as slate pickers at the No. 10 colliery of the Lehigh Coal and Naviga- tion Company and did some gardening as well. The father died in 18)3 at the age of seventy three and his wife passed away three years later at the age of seventy-one. They were both earnest and con- scientions members of the Lutheran church. Of their twelve chil- dren but six are now living and but one besides the subject of this memoir. Jacob, a teamster of Tamaqua, is in this county. John Sem- bach came to the United States in 1857 with neighbors and friends. locating first in Troy, N. Y., where he remained for a number of years, working on a farm most of the time. He then purchased a farm in Maryland and sent for his father and mother, but they were not sat- istied with agricultural life and he brought them to Tamaqua in An- gust, 1866. He obtained employment first as a laborer about the mines. but subsequently was made a miner and continued at that labor until he retired in 1900. He has always taken a lively interest in public affairs and for a year was a member of the town council. On April 11. 1808, Mr. Sembach married Miss Salome M. Lercher, who came to the United States from the same region in France where he was born. Five of their children are living. Albert George is a bar- tender in Philadelphia; John married Miss Helen Samuels, of Cata- sauqua, and is a teamster in Tamaqua ; William married Miss Lizzie Smouth and is a barber : Sallie is the wife of John Mellens, a carpen- ter in the Reading shops, and the mother of three sons. John W., and Harry and Ellsworth (twins) ; and Fred is a plumber in Tamaqua. The deceased members are George, who died young: Charles was killed while employed on the railroad, and left a widow, formerly Martha Lindeman, and two children. Elizabeth and Charlotte ; Mary was but thirteen months old when she passed away: Jacob died at the age of seventeen years ; and Hannah, who died in her third year. and Martin at the age of six months, passed away within eleven days of each other. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sembach are members of the Luth- eran church, in which for fifteen years Mr. Sembach was a deacon. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the most respected citizens of the community.

Sheafer, Peter W .- The annals of Schuylkill county present the names of many men prominently identified with the develop- ment of the region, particularly in the coal industry, but no name is more thoroughly endeared to the hearts of the people than that of P. W. Sheafer. He was a man broad enough to embrace the whole scope of human intelligence with reference to those things which engaged his life-time energies, and the results of his labors are of incalculable value to the generations which are to succeed him. Peter W. Sheafer was born in Halifax. Dauphin county. Pa., March 31. 1819. He was the son of Henry Sheafer. a prom- inent pioneer of Dauphin county, who was president of the Lykens Valley Railroad Company: developed and superintended the

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Lykens Valley coal mines at Wiconisco, and in 1834 introduced anthracite coal into the Susquehanna markets. Peter W. Sheafer was educated in the schools of his native locality, and this pre- liminary training was supplemented by a thorough course at Ox- ford academy, New York. His carly associations with his father's business had much to do in shaping his future life-work, and it was in the real battle of life that he finished his education in the full measure of years allotted to man. While but a youth, Mr. Shaefer became interested in the geological formation of the coal measures in the Lykens Valley, with which he was familiar, and this led to further investigations, and ultimately to his being chosen as a member of the first geological survey of Pennsylvania. In 1836 Professor Rogers selected this youth of seventeen as a mem- ber of his corps, and he was assigned to duty with Professor Whelpley, during the years 1837 and 1838, in surveying and mapping the southern and middle anthracite coal fields. At this time was worked out the complex structure of these main basins, showing their canoe-like shapes, their combination of stcep and gentle dips, and the general conformation of the coal measures with such a degree of accuracy that the second geological sur- vey, thirty to fifty years later, simply elaborated their work. Mr. Sheafer resigned his position in 1839, to again assist his father, with whom he remained until 1848, when he moved to Pottsville as a surveyor and engineer, first assisting and then succeeding Samuel B. Fisher. From this time until the end of his life, Mr. Sheafer's services were in universal demand by the land owners and coal operators in the Schuylkill, Mahanoy, and Beaver Mead- ow districts. His reports, of which there are hundreds, cover al- most every tract in these regions. Mr. Sheafer in cooperation with William Parker Foulke and other gentlemen of Philadelphia, succeeded in obtaining a state appropriation, in 1851, to complete the work of the first geological survey, and thereby gave to the world the admirable work of Professor Rogers. With the re- sumption of this work, in 1851, Mr. Sheafer took charge of the underground portion of it, and connected every working mine. with the accurate surface survey conducted by others of the corps. Professor Lesley said of Mr. Sheafer: "He was the geologist of the survey in 1851, par excellence, knowing more of the field than the rest of us combined." There were a number of men engaged on this survey who have attained eminence in their profession. Mr. Sheafer laid out the towns of Ashland, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Mount Carmel, Gilberton, Mahanoy Plane and others of the prosperous towns and villages of Schuylkill and adjoining counties. He located the first mines in the Shenandoah and Mahanoy valleys, and lived to see that part of the county grow from a wilderness to a populous and prosperous community, and the coal production from nothing to millions of tons. His untiring energies were devoted to the development of the coal fields in the anthracite regions, and his familiarity with the geo- logical formations led to his services being sought in other local-

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ities. Mr. Sheafer was employed in the examination of coal lands. and in the development of mines all over the United States and Canada. Has reports cover investigations in Nova Scotia, Rhode Island. Virguma, North Carohna, Mabama, Tennessee, Kentucky. Indian Territory, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Washington. In 1880 he was appointed a member of the coal waste commission to investigate the economical production of anthracite, of which commission he was a member at his death. He was frequently called to give expert testimony on coal and coal lands, one of the latest occasions of this kind being in the celebrated Cose-Lehigh Valley case, before the Interstate com merce commission. During the active years of his life. Mr. Sheafer compiled many maps and tables of the coal trade, this accumulation of valuable statistical matter being sufficient to fill many volumes of rare scientific literature. One of his works was the historical map of Pennsylvania, published in 1875, by the his- torical society of Pennsylvania. This production shows patient research, and wonderful aptitude for statistical details. The En- cyclopedia Britannica was indebted to Mr. Sheafer for an ex- haustive article on coal. published in the American supplement to that work. He also delivered addresses before various scien- tific societies, and read papers before the American association for the advancement of science, of which organization he was an honored member. He was also a member of many other societies of a literary and scientific character, among which may be men- tioned the American philosophical society, the Academy of natural sciences, of Philadelphia, the historical society of Pennsylvania. and the Amercian institute of mining engineers. In local affairs Mr. Sheafer took an active interest, and was foremost in the pro- motion of educational, religious and charitable interests. He was a member of the Pottsville board of education for a number of years, during which time he was instrumental in establishing the high school. He was one of the original members of the Potts- ville benevolent association, organized in 1877, and its kindred charitable institution, the children's home. He was one of the originators of the Pottsville Atheneum, and was the president of this literary society for several years. Many valuable books were donated to this institution from his private library. Mr. Sheafer was largely interested in various enterprises for the employment of the people, and took a prominent part in the development of Pottsville. His political affiliations were always with the Repub- lican party. in the success of which he manifested great interest. He was one of the presidential electors during the campaign of 1884. The only public office which he ever accepted. except as previously mentioned, was the honorary position of United States assay commissioner, to which he was appointed in 1879. Mr. Sheafer was married in 1848 to Miss Harriet N. Whitcomb of Springfield. Vt. Three sons and one daughter survive him. The subject of this article continued an active business career through- out his entire lifetime, never relaxing his energies until stricken

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with the fatal illness which carried him away on March 26, 1891. He died at Brown's Mills-in-the-Pines, N. J., whither he had gone to recuperate failing health. - Mr. Sheafer was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but his philanthropy was not bounded by church creed, and he contributed of his means to the support of religious enterprises of whatever name or doctrine.

Shearer, Robert C., business manager of the Chronicle Publishing Company of Pottsville, was born in that borough on March 18, 1874, a son of James R. and Rachel (Dewald) Shearer. The father, a native of Milion, Pa., was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and after the cessation of hostilities was engaged as a contractor and builder until his death, in 1888. The mother was born in Reading and prior to her marriage was a school teacher in the Pottsville schools. Her demise occurred in June, 1902. The subject of this sketch is the second child of his father's second marriage, the first having died in infancy. He has a half-sister, Mrs. H. E. Wyckoff of Ridley Park, Delaware county. He attended the common schools of his native city, but did not go farther than the grammar grades, leaving school to go into the job printing office of an uncle, Robert D. Colborn. When he had mastered the printer's trade he went to Philadelphia and worked for a time, but upon his return he purchased his uncle's interest. Previous to his return, however, he canvassed for nearly a year in the in- terest of Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia. In 1901 Mr. Shearer disposed of his interest in the job printing plant to the Chronicle Publishing Company and entered the employ of that concern as a solicitor. In that capacity he remained three years and then in May, 1905, Mr. Charles Meyers purchased the plant and Mr. Shearer was placed at the head of the business department, the position he now holds. On Aug. 17, 1899, Mr. Shearer married Miss Amy C. Bassett, a native of Pottsville. The first child born to this union, a son named William died in infancy. A second child, Emily Rachel, is still living. In religious matters Mr. Shearer is identified with the Baptist church and his wife is a communicant of the Episcopal faith. Politically he is a Repub- lican and the only secret order to which he belongs is the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs. He is recognized as a leading busi- ness man and is a prominent factor in the commercial life of the city.

Sheidy, Phaon E., captain of Company G, 4th Pennsylvania infantry, borough treasurer, furniture dealer and undertaker of Pine Grove, was born on Nov. 22, 1874, in the township where he now re- sides. He is the son of Daniel and Allamina (Seidel) Sheidy, both born in Berks county, Pa., where for the earlier part of his life the father was a farmer. For a score of years he was proprietor of the Hotel Pennsylvania, during which time he was a member of the borough council. The mother is now sixty-nine years of age and she and her husband, who retired from active business life some years ago, make their home in Pine Grove. Their six children are Ella, the widow of James R. Merkle of Lebanon ; Linnie V., living in Pine

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Grove: Mary A., propristress of a department store in Pine Grove ; Anna M. a Aleswoman in the same store ; Carrie E., wife of George W. Bover, a lumberman ; and Phaon E., the subject of this memoir The captain received his preliminary education in the public schools of P'me tirove, rounding out his scholastic training with a course in the Westchester state normal school and another in the Eastman busi- ness college. His first employment after leaving school was as a traveling salesman for a Philadelphia firm dealing in ladies' and misses manufactured clothing. In this work he continued for two years and then returned to Pine Grove to enter the store conducted by his sister Mary. After four years, in Feb .. 1004. he became the manager of the Hotel Pennsylvania and has been most successfully conducting it since. In April, 1006, he purchased the furniture and undertaking business of the late P. F. Seidel and has been managing it since that time in connection with his other business. About six years ago he was elected borough treasurer and is still the incumbent of the office. When the call came for volunteers for the Spanish- American war. Mr. Sheidy went out from Pine Grove as a private. The organization to which he belonged, Company G. 4th Pennsyl- vania infantry, was mustered into the service of the United States on April 10, 188. and in July he was made a corporal. After the company was mustered out and again became a part of the National Guard of the state he received, in March, 1800. a promotion to the rank of first lieutenant and in June. 1904. was made the captain of Company G. While in the service of the United States the regi- ment was sent to Porto Rico and was drawn up in line of battle be- fore Guama when the news of the cessation of hostilities was brought. Many times during the past few years the company has been called upon to suppress labor riots. In a religious way the captain is con- nected with the Evangelical church and he stands high in Masonic circles, being a member of Pine Grove Lodge. No. 400; Tremont Chapter. Royal Arch Masons ; Hermit Commandery, No. 24, Knights Templars, of Lebanon : Williamsport Consistory. Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Reading. He is also identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Junior Order of American Me- chanics and the Army and Navy club of New York city.

Shepherd, Watson, F., a prominent and well known attorney in Pottsville, was born in Buckingham township. Bucks county, Pa .. Dec. 28. 1844. The family name has long been established in Bucks county. Joseph Shepherd, the grandfather of the subject having been a native of Plumstead township, a pioneer farmer, who died in middle life. His son, Cornelius Shepherd, the father of the subject of this article, married Jane Fell, a daughter of Eli and Rachel (Bradshaw) Fell. of Bucks county, and this union was blessed by a family of six sons and five daughters. Cornelius Shepherd was a thrifty farmer and a man who took an active in- terest in local politics. He was generally in sympathy with any measure to enhance the public welfare of the community and his philanthropy was shown in his acceptance of the office of director

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of the poor at a time when a cholera epidemic prevailed in the county. Both the Shepherd and Fell families are of Quaker lineage. Eli Fell was of a large family, some of whom attained prominence in public life. Watson F. Shepherd of this sketch is the youngest of seven children who lived to years of maturity. He early evinced a strong propensity for study and as a boy at- tended the public school, known as the "Friendship" school, in his native township. He was then sent by his father to New Britain seminary, where he prepared himself for a teacher. After attend- ing one session at the seminary he taught in the public schools of his native county for two and one-half years, when he entered Tuscarora academy, from which he graduated in 1865. He then entered upon the study of his chosen profession under Hon. Henry P. Ross of Doylestown, a leading lawyer of the county and state, and who served as judge of the courts of Bucks and Montgomery counties. Mr. Shepherd was admitted to practice in Bucks county in September, 1867, but having an ambition to go to a new field, he came to Schuylkill county and opened an office at the beginning of the following year. Here his legal talents were at once recog- nized, his advancement as a successful lawyer at the Schuylkill county bar was very rapid and he went at once to the front rank. He early manifested an interest in politics and was soon recog- nized as a leader in the councils of Democracy. For fifteen years he served as solicitor for the county alms-house and filled other minor offices, but was never an office seeker in the sense in which that term is generally understood until in 1886 he became a standard bearer of the Democratic party for the office of repre- sentative in Congress, and while he and his friends made a gallant fight they went down in the defeat of the party. A fusion of Republicans and Greenbackers strengthened the former to the point of success, although Mr. Shepherd polled more votes than · any other candidate on the Democratic ticket. In 1906; he was again nominated by his party for the same position, but after an animated canvas of several months the election resulted in the choice of the Republican candidate. Mr. Shepherd has been fre- quently a member of the executive committee of his party and of the state organization. He is a member of Camp No. 14, Patri- otic Order Sons of America of Pottsville, and he and his family belong to the first Presbyterian church.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 53

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