USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 56
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Sillyman, Conard B., an insurance agent of prominence, whose place of business is at 122 West Mahantongo street, Pottsville, was born at St. Clair on July 13. 1871. He is a son of Conard B. and Mary E. (Van Horn) Sillyman, both natives of Schuylkill county, and on the father's side is a descendant of a long line of Schuylkill county pioneers. The father was in his earlier life engaged in mining. but abandoned it to enter the insurance business, in which he contin- ued until his death, in 18)2. at the age of fifty-three years. The mother and the four children are still living. The eldest child. I. Hiram. is engaged in the insurance business in Cleveland. O .: James S. is a salesman in Pittsburg: and the daughter, Mrs. E. S. Layson, resides in New York. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the four. He attended the public schools of Pottsville and when he had com- pleted his education he began his business career in his father's office. There he continued to work until the father's death, when he assumed the management of the whole establishment. The business includes three branches-life, fire and accident insurance-and from year to year has increased in volumes until it now ranks among the largest agencies as regards the amount and the number of policies issued. In politics he is independent, but is generally ranked with the Repub-
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licans. He has never aspired to nor held office or any official posi- tion. In 1900 Mr. Sillyman married Miss Minnie B. Heebner, of Port Carbon, a daughter of Henry R. Heebner, a general merchant of that place. They have no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sillyman are members of and earnest workers in the First Presbyterian church of Pottsville, and Mr. Sillyman is recognized as one of the most public spirited and enterprising of Pottsville's citizens. .
Simonds, Prof. Benjamin S., principal of grammar school No. I, of Pottsville, and an educator known all over the county, was born at Hartland, Vt., July 2, 1865, the eldest of a family of four children born to Benjamin S. and Mary Jeannette (Kean) Simonds, the for- mer born in New Hampshire and the latter in Vermont. The father was engaged in the lumber business all his active life until his death, which occurred in October, 1902. The mother died in 1877. The other members of the family are William, who is in the lumber busi- ness in Woodstock, N. H .; Mary is the wife of A. H. McLean, also in the lumber business at Lincoln, N. H. ; and Robert is a prominent member of the bar at St. Johnsburg, Vt. Professor Simonds re- ceived his preliminary educational opportunities at the McIndoe academy, where he prepared for college. In the fall of 1884 he en- tered Dartmouth college in the classical course, graduated there in 1888, and. after three years more of work was given the degree of Master of Arts. His padagogic career was begun the same year that he entered college and he was engaged in teaching all the time he was in the institution. Immediately after receiving his master's degree he was offered a position as professor of mathematics in the Bradford county institute of Starke, Fla., which he accepted and held for a year. When he returned north to spend his vacation he was elected assistant in the Pottsville high school and assumed the charge that fall. He continued in the position until 1906, when the board of school directors se- lected him to take charge of grammar school No. I, at the head of a teaching force of three instructors. In 1896, at Ludlow, Mass., Pro- fessor Simonds married Miss Marion J. Quick, a native of Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Simonds is a graduate of an academy at Plainfield, Conn., and of Mt. Holyoke college in the class of 1891. Just prior to her marriage she was engaged as a teacher in a private school of Pottsville. To Mr. and Mrs. Simonds have been born three children- Carlton N., Robert T. and Marion B. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and the father is identified with a number of in- surance and beneficial societies. He is a past grand of Miners' Lodge, No. 20, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of Franklin Encampment, No. 4. He also claims membership in the American academy of sciences, the Midwinter educational club, the Schuylkill county educational association, and the board of trade of Pottsville. Of the two last named organizations he is the secretary. Professor Simonds is very prominent in all professional and social affairs of the community, and is recognized as a man of broad culture and fine intellectual capacity.
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Skweir, Andrew, a merchant of MeAden and postmaster of the borough, was born in Austria in June, 1857, one of eight children born to l'inko and Anna ( Daulnak ) Skweir. A brother, AAlbert, who lives in Ohio, is the only other member of the family in the United States Another brother, Nicholas, and five sisters, Anna. Mary. J'aulina, Fannie and Eva, are all living in Austria. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of his native country until he was fifteen years of age and then for five years worked on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-three he came to the U'nited States and located in Jeansville, Pa., where he obtained a position as hoisting and pump engineer. After eight years in that place he re- moved to Hazleton and engaged in the wholesale liquor and grocery business Two years later he came to Me. doo, which was then a settlement with but few inhabitants, erected a building and engaged in the grocery and hardware business, which he has since been most successfully conducting. For some time now he has held the office of postmaster. In 188; was solemnized Mr. Skweir's marriage to Eva Yankowicz, of Jeansville, a daughter of George and Mary Yanko- wicz. She has three brothers and a sister, viz .: Andrew, Wasiel. John and Julia. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Skweir are ten in number. viz .: Antonio (1), (deceased) : Anna, John, Antonio ( II). Michael. Mary. Paulina (deceased). Andrew ( deceased). Julia and Helen. The family are all communicants of the Greek Catholic church of Mc. Adoo. In politics Mr. Skweir is an ardent believer in the tenets of the Republican party, and as the candidate of that party was twice elected to terms, a period of six years, in the borough con- cil. He is also a prominent member of the Citizens' club of Me.Adoo.
Slater, Harry P., a real estate dealer and proprietor of the Cen- tennial hall at Pottsville, was born in that city Aug. 29, 1844. His parents, George W. and Anna S. ( McCartney) Slater, were both na- tives of Pennsylvania, the father of Union county and the mother of Germantown, their families having been among the pioneers in those sections of the state. George W. Slater located in Pottsville in the carly 'Jos, and engaged in the grocery business and mining. In 1803 he purchased the town hall, which had been erected in 1840, and conducted it as a place of amusement until it was destroyed by fire in 1876. The structure was immediately rebuilt in more modern style from the first story up and he continued to operate it until his death. when it passed into the possession of his son. The mother also is deceased. Harry P. Slater was educated in the schools of his native city and in early life learned the printer's trade. During the Civil war he served for nearly four years as a marine in the United States navy, serving under Porter. Dahlgren, Farragut and other illustrious commanders. In 1868 he went west and spent several years in Den- ver. Col .. and Helena. Mont. He then returned to Pottsville, which city he has ever since considered his home, though he worked for some time in the government printing office at Washington, and was also employed in the treasury department, He is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations and takes a keen interest in all questions
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pertaining to the public welfare. He is a member of George G. Meade Post, No. 6, Army and Navy Veterans, of Pottsville. He married Miss Clara K., daughter of Frederick Speacht, of Pottsville. Her grandfather, who settled at Pottsville in 1831, served under Na- polcon and was at the burning of Moscow. Mr. Slater is regarded as one of the wide-awake, public-spirited men of Pottsville, always ready to do his part to further any movement for the advancement of the material interests of the city, while his judgment as to values of realty is second to none in the county.
Slattery, Daniel I., is the senior member of the firm of Slattery Bros., at Tuscarora, the fame of which general merchandise estab- lishment is by no means confined to the limits of the village in which it is located, but extends throughout all of the surrounding country from which it draws a gratifying patronage. Mr. Slattery was born in Tuscarora, Aug. 31, 1869, a son of John J. and Alice (Kelly) Slattery, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of New Phila- delphia, Schuylkill county. The father migrated to the United States in the carly '6os and settled in Port Carbon, where he followed the business of boating on the Schuylkill canal for a number of years. In 1864 he located at Tuscarora and engaged in the general mercantile business, which occupation he followed until his death in March, 1895. He left a family of seven children, viz .: Margaret, wife of James Kenna ; George, deceased ; John J. ; Daniel I. ; Thomas F. ; James B. and Dennis J. Daniel I. Slattery, to whom this review is more particularly dedicated, was reared in Tuscarora and received his edu- cational training in the public schools of that place. At the early age of twelve years he secured employment as a slate picker and began his independent career. Later he worked in the mines for seven years and then entered his father's store, where he was employed until the time of the parent's death. He and his brother, Thomas F., then suc- ceeded to the business and have since conducted the same under the firm name of Slattery Bros. They have the oldest as well as the leading mercantile establishment in the village of Tuscarora, and the sons are well maintaining the reputation so firmly fixed by their hon- ored father in the matter of upright and honest dealing. Daniel I. Slattery .is a member of St. Jerome's church at Tamaqua, and fra- ternally he has membership in Tamaqua Lodge, No. 591, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Lodge of Foresters at Tus- carora. Aside from his mercantile business he is interested as a stock- holder and operator of the Bell colliery, located in Schuylkill town- ship, and the Slattery Bros. are proprietors of the Port Carbon col- liery, located in East Norwegian township. In politics Mr. Slattery is a Democrat and during the past twelve years has filled the position of justice of the peace.
Smith, Albert, a resident of Yorkville, who holds the position of section foreman on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, June 4, 1846, a son of Albert and Magdalena (Siegel) Smith, the former born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, and the latter in the province of Alsace-Lorraine,
It YIKIIt. COUNTY
which was then under French dommmmion. The father came to America about 18:0 and located in Yorkville, Schuylkill county. Pa, where he became identified with the coal mining industry. He later engaged in farming and for many years was in the employ of the Mme Hill Railroad Company as foreman. He shed in his forty- ninth year and his wife survived him by a number of years Of their minic children seven grew to maturity The names of the children are here entered in order of their birth: Elizabeth, Albert, Henry, An- drew, Margaret, John, Kate, Joseph, and Bernard. Elizabeth, An- drew, Margaret, John, Kate and Joseph are now deceased. The sub- jest of this sketch was reared to manhood in Schuylkill county and received limited educational advantages in his youth, as he early as- sumed the practical responsibilities of life. In 1850 he entered the employ of the Mme Hill Railroad Company as water boy, and since ISog he has been continuously in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. Since 1870 he has heldl his present posi- tion as foreman and has resided in Yorkville during the long inter- vening period. In politics he is independent and he and his wife are communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic church in their home town. He is a member of the Philadelphia & Reading relief association. . letter which Mr. Smith received from Rufus Wilder, of Cressona. former superintendent of the Mine Hill Railroad, dated Jan. 31. 1900. contains statements which are worthy of reproduction in this sketch : "I remember your father. Albert Smith, who was section foreman of the Mine Hill railroad from West Wood to Germantown. I also re- member you as a very good little boy for the repair force on that section. I am glad to hear that you are still employed by the com- pany. It shows you have always been a faithful employe, as your father was before you. A half century has passed since you entered the service of the company, and I trust that in that time you have carned and received deserved promotion." On May 28. 1871, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Christ, daughter of George and Margaret ( Rice) Christ, of West Wood, and they have seven children-Eliza. Albert, Jr .. George, Margaret. Edward, Charles and William. Eliza is now the wife of Howell Quinn.
Smith, Daniel H., a merchant and dealer in farm implements at Haas, Pa .. was born in Eldred township. Schuylkill county, Oct. 9. 1850. a son of John S. and Judith ( Herb) Smith, the father being a mechanic in Haas during all of his mature years. He was a master at his trade of blacksmithing and was able to design and make any- thing within the sphere of his business. The paternal grandfather of Daniel H. Smith was also named John Smith and was among the pioneer carpenters and boat builders of Pottsville. He located in Eldred township in an early day and both he and his son John S. were identified with the development of that township, contributing their share toward its material growth and prosperity. They owned farms which they tilled in connection with their mechanical work. John S. Smith was a Republican in political preferences, and a mem- ber of the Church of God. Daniel H. Smith is the eldest of ten chil-
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dren born to his parents, the others being Charles, of Ashland, Pa. ; William, in Eldred township; Felix, deceased; John, a farmer in Eldred township; Mary, of Mount Carmel; Catherine, deceased; Liz- zie, of Tower City, Pa .; Sarah, wife of William Beisel of Sha- mokin, Pa., and Lewis, deceased. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools and at the age of nineteen started on his business career independent of home counsels or restrictions. He married Miss Susanna Derr, of Fountain Springs, Pa., and they have four children living. the youngest of the family, John, having died at the age of four years. The eldest is Emma, now the wife of James Knerr, of Eldred township; Jane is married to E. W. Brosius, also of Eldred township; Cyrus, a blacksmith by occupation, married Clara Hepler and resides at his parental home; Dirzah became the wife of William Trcon and resides at Locust Dale, Pa. Mr. Smith served an ap- prenticeship to the blacksmith's trade during his youth, and worked at that business for thirty-four years. He owns a farm which he conducts in connection with his mercantile business at Haas. This includes a full line of staple and fancy groceries, drugs, confectionery, tobacco and cigars, farm implements, etc. He has been assessor of Eldred township for fifteen years; served twelve years as a member of the township school board; has been local agent of the North Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company for twenty years; and has been postmaster at Haas for twenty-one years. He is a man thoroughly well read, and a leader in the councils of Republicanism. His friends are legion, and his acquaintance extends to the remotest corners of the county.
Smith, Francis H., a representative dairyman of the borough of Yorkville, is a native of Schuylkill county and a member of one of its honored families. He was born in the family home on the site of the present academy of music in the city of Pottsville, Nov. 7, 1842, a son of William C. and Diana (Cake) Smith, the former born in the city of Philadelphia and the latter in Pottsville. The maternal grandfather, Levi Cake, was a scion of one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania, of which he was a native, and he himself was one of the early settlers of Pottsville. He was a boat and ship builder by trade and assisted in the building of many of the boats that plied the. canal between Pottsville and Philadelphia in the early days. He con- tinued to reside in Pottsville until his death. William C. Smith settled in Pottsville in 1840. He was a machinist by trade and upon coming to Pottsville entered the employ of Wren Bros., who then conducted what was known as the Eagle foundry. Three years later he became superintendent of the machine shops of Haywood & Snyder and later held the same position with the firm of Snyder & Millens, with whom he remained until 1855, when he formed a partnership with Benjamin Pomeroy and son, under the name of Pomeroy, Smith & Pomeroy, in the same line of business. The partnership was dis- solved three years later and Mr. Smith thereafter conducted a machine shop of his own until 1861, when he engaged in the coal business at Hekscherville, this county, operating the East and West Pine Knot
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colheres until it In 1800 be removed to Shamokin, Northumber- land county, where he successfully operated the Lancaster colliery until the time of Ins death, which occurred on Nov 20, 1800, at the age of seventy seven years He left a competency to his widow and children Of the five children the subject of this sketch was the first born, l'amma, now deceased, was the wife of Jacob R. Kiser, who was sansted with her father in the coal business ; Ralph H. is deceased; Warren M. went to Australia in 1880 and died there ; and Burton B. is engaged in the hardware business in Shamokin. Francis H. Smith was reared to maturity in Pottsville, in whose common schools he received his early educational discipline, learned the machinist trade under the able direction of his honored father, and was identified with the work of his trade for twenty-one years. He was in the em- plos of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company for twenty-one years, having previously been superintendent of the Monmouth Vein Consolidated Coal Company, at Locust Gap, Northumberland county. trem 1804 to 1808. For the past decade he has successfully conducted a dairy farm at Yorkville, where he has a finely improved property and controls a large and appreciative patronage. Mr. Smith was a leal and loval soldier of the Union in the Civil war, having enlisted on Ang. 18, 1862, in Company B. 129th Pennsylvania volunteer in- fantry, with which he took part in numerous engagements, the more important of which were the battles of Antietam, Kearneysville. Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He received his honorable dis- charge at Harrisburg. Pa., May 18, 1803. In his political adherency Mr. Smith is found arraved as a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and both he and his wife are members of the English Luth- eran church. Dec. 20. 1864, recorded the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Caroline Heller, daughter of Henry and Magdalene (Byle) Heller, of Mount Carbon, this county, and of their four children only one is living-Calantha, who is the wife of Frank J. Cavanaugh, a successful railroad contractor.
Smith, William Frank, who conducts a modern and well- equipped general store in Nuremberg, was born in Nescopeck, Luzerne county, Pa .. May 10. 1860. a son of Albert and Sarah Jane ( Raber ) Smith. He attended the public schools of his native township, round- ing out his educational preparation by a course in the Orangeville academy and subsequently attended the Bloomsburg normal school. During his attendance he was abo engaged in pedagogic work, this arrangement continuing for eight years. On Oct. 11, 1893. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ida May Readler, daughter of Philip and Lydia ( Hess) Readler, of Luzerne county, by the Rev. W. D. Donat. pastor of the Wapwallopen charge. Pa. In 1806. in partnership with William M. Kershner, he opened a general store under the firm name of Kershner & Smith. In January. to01, the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Kershner resigning and being succeeded by Mr. John C. Weiss. The concern was managed under the firm name of Smith & Weiss until September, 1004. when Mr. Weiss withdrew and Mr.
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Smith undertook the entire responsibility. That he has made a suc- cess of his venture is evident by the increase of patronage from year to year and the continual enlargement of the capacity of the store. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of and active workers in the Emanuel Reformed church of Nuremberg, and he is identified with the Nuremberg Lodge, No. 1075, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, being a past officer in the same. He is a man of good business capacity, absolute integrity and well-merited respectability.
Smoll, Rev. Edwin H., the eloquent and popular pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran church at Schuylkill Haven, is a native of Philadelphia, where he was born April 2, 1861, a son of Rev. B. S. Smoll, a native of Upper Hanover, Montgomery county, Pa. The father was a Lutheran minister, in which laudable work his life has been spent, and his grandfather, Peter Smoll, was a soldier during the Revolutionary war. Peter Smoll's wife, though not bearing arms, contributed her share of service to the cause of national independence, as she accompanied her husband in his perilous work and assisted in every way possible to render his burdens lighter. The hand of this noble woman soothed the pains of the sick and wounded and ten- derly cared for the dying. She was of Irish birth, devoted to her young husband and the cause which he served, and no sacrifice was too great for her to make for the benefit of cither. Rev. Edwin H. Smoll received his elementary education in the schools of Pennsburg, Montgomery county, Pa., and on June 25, 1882, was graduated at the Muhlenberg (Lutheran) college of Allentown, Pa., after which he completed the course in theology at the Lutheran seminary on Franklin street, Philadelphia. He was ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran church at Allentown on June 2, 1885, and in August of the same year was called to the Millersville parish in Lancaster county. There he served three congregations until Nov. 7. 1886, when he was called to his present charge. This embraces three churches, with the central congregation at Schuylkill Haven. Christ church is a strong and prosperous organization, embracing on its roll of membership many of the leading citizens of the borough. A handsome new church edifice has been erected within the years 1905-1906, and it is one of the principal church buildings in the town. In addition to this, Mr. Smoll has pastoral charge of the congregations at St. Paul's church, in South Manheim township, and St. John's church at Fried- ensburg. These are all very old organizations, established in early pioneer days, and are under the control of the general council of the Lutheran organization in the United States. Mr. Smoll was married on Oct. 2. 1889, to Miss Mada A., daughter of Charles F. and Ellen (Laubenstine) Weaver, of Cressona, Pa. Their only child, a daugh- ter named Ruth Irene, was born March 22, 1892, and is now a diligent student in the high school. Mr. Smoll is independent in his political views, holding aloof from party ties and obligations. He votes for men rather than measures, and regards the political machinery of the country as too much under the domination of so-called "party lead- ers."
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Snyder, A. J., proprietor of a bottling establishment in Tama- qua, was born in Schuylkill county on Sept 4. 1857. a son of Michael and Salome Suyder. The mother was born in this counts and the father in Northumberland county. He was a millwright by trade. but the latter part of his active hie was spent in farming in Schuyl- kill county. He died m 1887 at the age of sixty years and his wife passed away a year later at the age of fifty-nine. Several of the minor political offices were filled by the father and he was for many years an officer in the Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth of the twelve children in the family, of whom ten survive. Amanda is Mrs. William Lemke, of Tower City: John 11. is an invalid : James W. is a railroad man with headquarters in Har- risburg : Aaron L. met his death in an accident on the railroad in 188 ;: Amos F. resides on the old homestead in Barry township, this county ; Simon P. is a mill owner of Barry township : Michael F. is a farmer in the same township: Mary is married: Sarah is the wife of Charles Okenhause, a farmer living near Tower City : another sister is Mrs. Schwalm, of Gowen City. l'a .; and the other child died in infancy. A. J. Snyder attended the public schools in his native town- ship and spent the first few years of his life after the completion of his scholastic training on his father's farm. From the farm he went to Taylorsville, where he was actively engaged in the hotel business for four years and for four more conducted a saloon. From .Ash- land he removed to Tamaqua and embarked in the bottling business. For fourteen years now ( 1907) he has been most successfully con- ducting this business and is now regarded as one of the most substan- tial business men of Tamaqua. He is now serving his second term as member of the school board, for three years, under Dr. D. S. Mar- shall, he was deputy coroner, and also served as deputy under Dr. C. A. Bleiler. of Frackville. On May 27. 1882, Mr. Snyder married Miss Christina Billman, born in the township of Barry on Jan. 5. 1856, and a daughter of C. M. and Christina Billman. Mrs. Snyder died on May 2, 1006, leaving besides the bereaved husband five chil- dren. Lizzie Ann is the wife of Albert Weidner. of Carbondale, and the mother of a son. Albert Jackson: Martha E. is now serving her fourth year as a teacher in the Tamaqua schools; and the others are Verna S., Edna Florence and Andrew Charles. The family are com- municants of the Lutheran church and the father is fraternally iden- tified with the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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