History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 6

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

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SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

ship for two years and then two years in Christian county, Ill. In 1882 he began the study of medicine with his brother, who was then located at Denver, Lancaster county, and graduated at Jeffer- "on medical college, of Philadelphia, with the class of April, 1885. Immediately upon receiving his degree he located at Frackville. purchasing the business and good will of Dr. Elijah Reigle. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession there, and has built up a lucrative business. From 1888 to long he also conducted the principal drug and hardware store of Frackville. Dr. Bleiler is a Democrat in his political con- victions. From 1899 to 1901, inclusive, he hekl the office of county coroner, and was for two terms the school director of Frackville, the duties of both positions being discharged with conscientious fidelity. He is a member of the American and Pennsylvania State medical associations and the Schuylkill county medical society, in all of which he has a high professional stand- ing. In fraternal circles he belongs to District Lodge, No. 823, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511. Free and Accepted Masons, and in his religious affiliations is a member of the Reformed church. Dr. Bleiler has been twice married: first to Miss Mice E., daughter of Daniel B. Kistler, of Lehigh county, and to this union were born three children, viz: Blanche L .. a graduate of the Keystone normal school, at Kutz- town, and now a teacher in the Frackville public schools ; Horace D .. a student of mining engineering in the technical school at South Bethlehem, Pa. : and Edgar C., at home. Mrs. Bleiler died on June 6, 1885, and in September, 1886. Dr. Bleiler married Carric E .. daughter of Benjamin Adams, of Frackville. In addition to his professional duties Dr. Bleiler is vice-president of the First Na- tional bank of Frackville and a director in the Schuylkill Railway Company.

Bock, James W., draughtsman in the office of the master carpenter of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, is a native of Schuylkill county, having been born in Pottsville. Pa., Sept. 12. 1849. a descendant of an carly-established family in the county. llis father, William A. Bock, occupied a position similar to that of his son, though his life work was principally along mechanical lines. He (the father) was born at McKeansburg. in East Bruns- wick township, April 28. 1819. His father, whose name was Will- iam Bock, was born at Hamburg. Berks county, Pa., in 1790, but resided at McKeansburg from infancy until his death, in 1860. This was the paternal grandfather of James W. Bock, the subject of this sketch. He was a man of considerable genius, being able to work at almost any line of mechanics, though his life was spent, mostly, in agricultural pursuits, in which he was successful. Tracing the ancestral line still further. it is found that the pater- nal great-grandfather of the subject was born in "Old Haslan," in the Province of Hessen, Southwestern Germany. This was Baltzer Bock, whose history appears more fully in the historical volume of this work. His birth occurred in the year 1747. and in 1755 he

BIOGRAPHICAL

accompanied his parental family to America, and settled in Berks county, Pa. There he learned the wheelrights' trade, and followed that business for many years. In 1793 he moved to McKeansburg, where he owned a farm of 400 acres and ended his days as a farmer in that locality. He donated the land for the first church and school in McKeansburg, that town being laid out in the year of his removal there. Baltzer Bock was soldier under Washington during the War of the Revolution. He married Miss Susanna Bolich, by whom he had a family of four sons and one daughter who lived to years of maturity. He died in 1828, at the age of eighty-one years. William A. Bock, father of the subject of this article, remained in his native village until seventeen years of age, when he became an apprentice to the carpenters' trade at Orwigsburg. After completing his apprenticeship, he remained employed at his trade in Orwigsburg until 1845, in which year he became a resident of Pottsville. In 1846 he was employed by D. G. Yuengling as superintendent of the carpenter work connected with the Yueng- ling brewery, a position which he held until 1872. During this time and subsequently he was also extensively engaged in contract work in building houses and business buildings, until the infirmi- ties of old age compelled his retirement. He died on Jan. 17, 1894. He married Miss Mary, a daughter of James and Mary Reed, of Pottsville, and they had two sons who lived to years of maturity, i. e., James W. of this sketch, and Frank S., who is engaged in mercantile pursuits. James W. Bock married Miss Mary Miller, who was born in Pottsville March 24, 1851, and they are the parents of two children-Charles Miller and Mary Catherine. Frank S. wedded Miss Etta Webb. The Bock family is further connected with the pioneer history of Schuylkill county through inter-marriage with the Albright family, the first wife of William Bock, father of William A., and grandfather of James W., being Miss Mary M., daughter of Henry Albright. The second wife of this honored ancestor was Miss Susanna Sheip, and a large family was reared to each union.

Boone, George Hughes, M. D., a native of Saint Clair, Schuyl- kill county, Pa., was born Sept. 21, 1871. He received his ele- mentary education in the public schools of his native town, and in the high school at Pottsville. He was graduated from Hahne- mann medical college at Philadelphia when but twenty-three years old, and immediately engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Boone was resident physician at Hahnemann hospital for one year after his graduation, and in 1895 opened his offices in Potts- ville. The homeopathic system of medicine is a popular one, and the doctor at once entered upon a successful and remunerative pro- fessional career. Dr. Boone is a son of the late Ransloe Boone, of St. Clair. He was a son of William and Elizabeth (McKelvy) Boone. The doctor's mother was in maidenhood Miss Anna E., a daughter of George and Ann (Harder) Hughes. George H. Boone was the fourth child in a family of nine, the eldest of whom is

SHE YLKILL COUNTY

Willum Agard, Hurit is the wife of William W. Abbott, of Philadelphia, l'a , Frances married F. O. Bostley, of Williams- port. l'a ; George H, the subject of this sketch, was next in order of birth, I'dwm Chapm & a wholesale dry goods merchant, and extensively interested in manufacturing: Margaretta became the wife of A T. Dice, the general superintendent of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad; May J. is a young lady at home ; John Milton Is a promising young attorney in Pottsville, and Harry R. is inter- estedl n rearing fancy stock, and is also a resident of Pottsville. Dr. Hoone was married on Dec. 4. tout, to Miss Arline, daughter of Henry (, and O'reilla chram) Russell, of Pottsville. They have two children, Kanske and Arline. Dr. Boone and wife are mem- ber of the Episcopal church.

Boone. Thomas, a cousin three times removed of the famous Panel Hoone of history and a retired citizen of Port Carbon, was born in Columbia county, near Roaring creek, on Dec. 16, 1838. In the spring of 1844 his parents, Jeremiah and Rachel Boone, removed to Port Carbon and it was there that the subject of this sketch obtained his educational advantages. At the age of four- teen years he left the public schools and for two years attended a select school. At the age of sixteen he entered the employment of I- father, who owned and managed a lumber business. This work continued for about eight years, and then the father disposed of his interests and the son worked about the home and on the farm for a time. After the father's death, in 1807. Thomas went to Berks county, where for fourteen years he was in the employ of an uncle. At the end of that time he returned to Port Carbon to make his home with a sister. He has led a quiet life since his return, a small business in money-lending and as a broker being his only occupation. Mr. Boone was never married. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired in office. He is a mem- ber of no church, but each Sabbath attends some one of the Port Carbon places of worship and contributes liberally to the support of all.

Boose, Jacob Leander, a retired hotel man of Me Adoo, was born in York county. l'a., in 1847. a son of Emory and Sarah (Snodgrass) Borse. His maternal grandfather. George Snodgrass, and his paternal grandparents. Henry and Sarah Boose, were pioneer- of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch attended the common school until he reached his seventeenth year, when he left home and went to work on a farm near Gettysburg. Ile remained there two years and then went to . Ashland. Md .. where he held the position of stable foreman for a large concern. From Ashland he returned to Audenreid, Carbon county, and there remained for a period of twenty-five years in the employ of the Lehigh & Wilkes Barre Coal Company as a stationary engineer. When he relinquished that position he came to Me.Idoo and erected the building which became known as the United States hotel. After successfully conducting it for fourteen years he retired from active business life and now for the past three years

BIOGRAPHICAL

has led a quiet and uneventful career amid the surroundings he has come to love. Mr. Boose never married and is the only sur- viving member of his father's family. Politically he has been an influential factor in the local councils of the Republican party and for five years he was the incumbent of the office of borough treas- urer. Besides this office he was for six years one of the school directors. Fraternally he was at one time identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Good Templars, the Keystones, and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America. He is allied with no religious organization, but is an attendant at both the German Reformed and the Lutheran churches and is a liberal contributor to the support of each. Throughout the borough he is respected as one of the most substantial citizens and a man whose life has been most exemplary.

Boughter, Amos H., a general merchant and a substantial citi- zen of Pine Grove, was born in Lebanon county. Pa .. Feb. 18, 1857, a son of John and Leah (Hay) Boughter. The father was a boatman in early life and later followed agricultural pursuits, re- maining in the latter vocation until his death in June, 1905, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife passed away in July of the year previous at the age of eighty. The subject of this sketch is one of the seven survivors of a family of ten children. He took advantage of the educational opportunities afforded by the public schools and then until he was sixteen years of age he worked as hired help on the farm. From that time until 1893 he was em- ployed as a clerk in a store, relinquishing his duties as such to teach two terms. Then he purchased the stock of Mr. Edward Hummel and since that time has been conducting the business for his own interest. His success speaks for itself. By scrupulous honesty and a strict adherence to the principle of the square deal he has won an enviable place in the commercial life of the com- munity. On Nov. 28, 1882, Mr. Boughter married Miss Amelia Fegley, a daughter of the late Charles Fegley and his wife Cath- erine. Mr. Fegley was a miller and was one of the pioneers of the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Boughter has been born one child, a son, Isaac. Both parents are members of and workers in the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Boughter is a trustee, is serving his tenth year as superintendent of the Sunday school, and is also church treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has lived in Pine Grove since 1889. Before that he lived for eight years at Grantville, Dauphin county, and prior to that on the old homestead in Monroe valley, Lebanon county.

Bowen, James R., deceased, who was the proficient superinten- dent of the Pottsville gas works, was born in that city on Feb. 19. 1869. He was a son of Theodore C. and Catherine (Becker) Bowen, both natives of the Keystone state, who now reside at the corner of Twelfth and Laurel streets. The father operated a dairy for twenty-five years and accumulated enough so that he could retire and live comfortably for the rest of his days. There were

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

two sons in the family, the younger of whom, Robert G. Bowen, is a machinist by trade and is employed in the Philadelphia & Reading railroad shops at Pottsville. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native city and when he had completed his scholastic training he learned the jewel- ers' trade in Philadelphia. For eight years he was engaged in that business in Pottsville, operating a store under his own name. He leit the vocation in December, 1892, to accept a position as fore- man in the gas works, and was gradually promoted to the posi- tions of engineer and gas maker, and in lyon to the responsible position of superintendent, which he held at the time of his death. March 19. 1907. He gave the greatest degree of satisfaction both to his employers and to the patrons of the company, and was acknowledged to be the most efficient of all who ever filled the position. On Feb. 14. 1893. Mr. Bowen married Miss Catherine D. Shelley, a native of Pottsville and a daughter of Charles and Mary Shelley, who are among the pioneers of the city. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen-Theodore S. and Joseph .A., aged thirteen and eleven years. Mr. Bowen was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Pottsville, his wife also being a member of that church, in which faith the sons are being reared. For four or five years Mr. Bowen was a teacher in the Sunday school of that institution. In his political beliefs he was a Republican, but was never an aspirant for office.

Bower, Samuel, vardmaster at Haucks on the Catawissa divi- sion of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, and whose postoffice address is Quakake, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Pa., March 30, 1839, one of thirteen children born to David and Catherine ( Haynes) Bower. Samuel Bower acquired his scholastic learning in the public and select schools of Lycom- ing county, and at Williamsport he learned the printers' trade. This vocation furnished him a livelihood for three years, when he went to Clarion, where he became engaged in teaching and took up the study of medicine by himself. From Clarion he re- moved to Shamokin and again entered the printers' trade, leaving it to join the Union army in the 'civil war. His enlistment was as a private in the 131st Pennsylvania infantry, and he served nine months with that organization, receiving an honorable dis- charge at the close of his term of service. He again enlisted. in the 210th Pennsylvania infantry, and was mustered out within a year. For a time after the cessation of hostilities he taught school at Centralia, and subsequently was appointed agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at that place. This last position he held until 1870, when he removed to Tamanend to take the agency of that station for the Catawissa Railroad Com- pany, the line which has since become the Catawissa branch of the Philadelphia & Reading system. In 1877 he was transferred to Quakake, and after a service there of ten years he was appointed agent again at Tamanend. His appointment to his present posi- tion came in 1900, and he has retained it ever since. For more

BIOGRAPHICAL

than a quarter of a century he has been a resident of Rush town- ship, for twenty-six years of the time he has been justice of the peace, and is now serving his seventeenth year as a member of the board of school directors. In 1869 was solemnized Mr. Bower's marriage to Miss Sarah R. Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. Bower nave no children. Both are devout communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which Mr. Bower has been a member for more than forty years. He is well known in fraternal circles. For more than forty-six years he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past officer of the local lodge. His connection with Masonry dates from 1867 and he is a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery of the order, being a past officer in the first two. Besides these orders he claims membership in the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Royal Arcanum. His politics are strongly Republican, but he is conservative and allows no party prejudice to bias his judgment in the selection of men for positions of public trust. Although well advanced in years he is extraordinarily well preserved in both mind and body and is a man who has the respect and esteem of the whole community.

Boyle, Andrew D., an old resident and prominent business man of Coaldale, was born at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pa., Aug. 15, 1858. His parents, Andrew D. and Susan (Maloy) Boyle, were natives of County Donegal, Ireland, and were among the early settlers of Tamaqua, where the father located in young man- hood and took a position as traveling salesman, a business which he followed until his death, in 1884, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow survived him some years, and died at Summit Hill, Carbon county, at the age of eighty years. Seven children were born to these parents, viz: James, Patrick, Annie (who be- came the wife of John F. Brislin), Dennis, Michael, Condy and Andrew D. These all reached years of maturity, while several children died in infancy or early childhood. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Schuylkill county, and began his business career in the manner of nearly all the boys of his time- viz : at the coal breaker picking slate. He was identified with the mining interests for some six years, when he became a clerk in a general store at Coaldale for a year. He then accepted a position in a rolling mill at Allentown, and five years were spent in that business. He became a resident of Coaldale in 1885, and has since been identified with the business affairs of that prosperous and growing borough. He was one of the members of the borough council elected at its incorporation in March, 1906, and is now serving as president of that body. He has also served as school director of Rahn township, and has otherwise demonstrated his interest in public education. Mr. Boyle is a Democrat in political affiliations, and has always taken an active interest in the success of his chosen party. He was married in December, 1879, to Bridget McHugh, of Rahn township, Schuylkill county, and a

NHUYLKILL LOUATI

tighter of Joseph and Nora flaske) Mellugh, natives of Ire- land Thirteen children who lived beyond the mintile age were bom to this umon, and eight reached years of maturity. Of these " are now Iving: Hannah, Agnes, Joseph, Marguerite, Thomas and Rosalyn Anna and Marcella die in young womanhand. The tanul are members of the Roman Lathohe church.

Boyle, Dennis J., wholesale liquor dealer at Coaldale, Pa., was In m that town leb, to, 1882. a son of Samuel and Mary (Boyle) Hole, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America and located a toadale about 1821. The father has been engaged in the mines from the date of his coming until the present. The parental family consists of ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The names are: Dennis J., John, Samuel. George. I'Inhp. Mary. Daniel, William, Katie and Rose. Dennis J. Boyle was reared and educated in his native village, which is now a pros- perons and growing borough, incorporated to that dignity in Je, being thus the youngest borough in Schuylkill county. He began his business life at the age of twelve, and was employed about the mines, and in blacksmithing, until 1905. He served an apprenticeship of three years with Lewis Hughes in acquiring a knowledge of his trade, and after completing his term followed blacksmithing for about two years, or until Sept. 1. 1005. In February. 10.2. Mr. Boyle purchased his present business, and has since conducted it successfully. At the organization of the borough school board in March, 1906, he was elected secretary of that body, a position which he still holds. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church in Coaldale, and sustains an active relationship with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Father Norton's beneficial and literary society. He is a young man who sustains high relations in the councils of the local Democracy, and wields a strong influence among the young voters of Coaldale and Kahn township.

Boyle, John R., is one of the well-known and honored citizens of the borough of Coaldale, where he is incumbent of the office of justice of the peace and principal of the Bull Run public school. and where he is also engaged in the fire-insurance business. He i- a native of Schuylkill county, having been born at Tamaqua, Feb. 18. 1858. a son of Michael and Mary (O'Donnell) Boyle, both of whom were born and reared in fine old County Donegal. Ireland. Michael Boyle came to America and took up his resi- dence in Schuylkill county in the early 50's. He established his home in Tamaqua and became identified with the coal-mining industry of the county. He assisted in driving No. 7 tunnel. and finally contracted miner's asthma, which resulted in his death, in 1875. at the age of forty-five years. His wife survived him for thirty years. Both were communicants of the Catholic church, in whose faith they were reared. They are survived by six children, viz: John R .. James M .. Mary A., Hugh M., Hannah, and Michael. Mary A. is the wife of James Carr, and Hannah is the wife of James Cullen. John R. Boyle, whose name initiates this

BIOGRAPHICAL

paragraph, passed his boyhood days at Summit Hill and Coal- dale, this county, and attended the public schools as opportunity afforded. At the age of eight years he was given employment on the coal breakers at Coaldalc. and in 1869, when eleven years of age, was knocked from a coal car by a bridge and received injuries which necessitated the amputation of his right arm. He continued to be identified with mining work, however, until 1881. Through personal application in a private way he rounded out his education, which he further amplified by special school work, and in 188t he was granted a teacher's certificate. He has put his scholastic acquirements to a good use, since he has suc- cessfully followed the pedagogic profession from the year men- tioned to the present time, and is one of the popular teachers of his native county. Since 1889 he has served consecutively as principal of the Bull Run public school. Mr. Boyle has valiantly fought the battle of life under serious handicaps, and his career has been distinguished by inflexible integrity and unselfish mo- tives. After the death of his father the support of the family fell almost entirely upon him, and though afflicted through the loss of his arm, he never lost courage, but pressed forward to the goal and made his life count for good in all its relations. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and is loyal to all the duties and responsibilities of enlightened citizenship. He is now (1907) serving his fourth consecutive term as justice of the peace of Coaldale, and conducting a very successful fire-insurance agency, in which he represents a number of leading companies. He has attained to no little local reputation as an architect and is a man of distinctive versatility. Mr. Boyle was president and later secretary of the first building and loan association organized in Coaldale and remained one of its able executives until its maturity, at the end of nine years. He is now secretary of the second Coaldale building and loan association, which was organ- ized in 1897, and whose shares, paying $200 each, matured in nine years and nine months. He is also president of the Panther Valley building and loan association, of Lansford, and a director in the Citizens' National bank of that borough. He has been a zealous worker in behalf of the Panther Valley hospital association, of which he is treasurer. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church and are identified with the parish of St. Mary's. On Dec. 29, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Boyle to Miss Alice McHugh, daughter of Andrew and Mary McHugh, of Lansford, Carbon county, and they have six children-John, James. Frank, Mary, Susan, and Gregory. The two eldest sons are graduates of the Coaldale high school, in which John completed the prescribed course at the early age of thirteen years, and is now preparing himself for the priesthood of the Catholic church.

Boyle, Neil J., president of the Coaldale school board, and a prosperous young miner of that borough, was born in the town in which he lives, and where he has thus far spent his life. His birth occurred on Sept. 6, 1879. He is the eldest of nine children

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 6

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