USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 62
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SCHUYLKILL. COUNTY
low regards as the greatest honor and pleasure of his life. Upon the death of Superintendent Patterson, Professor Thurlow was elected superintendent; which position he now tills, Professor Thurlow is a Republican in his political affiliation, and religious- It is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the time-honored Masonic fraternity, and the interest he mam- tus in his old comrades in arms is signified by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. July 15, 1802, was solemnized the marriage of Professor Thurlow to Mary E. Chase, a daughter of Res. F. N. and Eliza- beth (Allen) Chase, of Exeter, N. H.
Tracy, George R., accountant of the Shamokin division of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, with headquarters at Tamaqua, was born in this county. Nov. 4. 1803. He is a son of Henry W. and Catharine B. (Ras) Tracy, both born in Hartford, Conn. The father came to Pennsylvania about 1860 and for ten years was transportation master of the Reading road ; for a time he was paymaster, and from 1870 until 1897 he was superintendent of the Pine Grove division of the road, with headquarters at Pine Grove. He held his position under two receiverships, and through all the reorganization of the road. In religious matters he was always a leader and was one of the founders of the Meth- odist Episcopal church in Pine Grove, in 1876. For many years thereafter he was a member of the board of trustees of the church. Fraternally he was associated with the Pine Grove Lodge. No. 409. Free and Accepted Masons, and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, having been a charter member and officer in each. For many years he was president of the Building and Loan association. In 1897 he succumbed to peritonitis, and his widow died in 1901. The children are three in number. Car- rie E., the eldest became the wife of Charles E. Logan, station agent of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad at Pine Grove; Ilar- ry died at the age of seven ; and the subject of this sketch is the youngest. George R. Tracy attended the public schools of Pine Grove and then entered the employ of the railroad as scale clerk at Pine Grove, holding the position from May 10, 1880, to Aug. 1. 1885. From the latter date until Sept. 1, 1887. he was a clerk in the master mechanic's office at Ninth and Green streets in Philadelphia, and for the following two months was clerk in the transportation office at 227 South Fourth street, that city. On Nov. 1. 1887, he returned to the master mechanic's office and was there an even two years, leaving that position to become chief clerk in the office of the superintendent at Pine Grove. From the latter position he went, on Dec. 10. 1897, to Shamokin to become clerk in the office of the superintendent of the Shamo- kin division. Feb. 25, 1904. he was given his present position as accountant for the division, with headquarters at Tamaqua. Nov. 22. 1888. Mr. Tracy married Miss Ella A. Harding, a na- tive of Rehrersburg. Berks county, and a daughter of John B.
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and Anna M. (Kline) Harding. To Mrs. and Mrs. Tracy have been born four children-Norman Harding, Harold Ray, Everett Heber, and Anna Adele. The parents are members of the Pres- byterian church of Tamaqua, and Mr. Tracy is also identified with Tamaqua Lodge, No. 238, Free and Accepted Masons, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Royal Arcanum.
Tyson, William T., cashier of the Citizens' bank of St. Clair, was born in Pottsville, on June 23, 1880. He is a son of Corne- lius and Catherine A. (Weaver) Tyson, and is one of seven chil- dren, the others being Cornelius B., John W., Mrs. Frank Riley, Agnes C., Mary and Edna. The public schools of Pottsville af- forded him his early educational training, and when he had grad- uated at the high school he entered the employ of the Safe De- posit bank of Pottsville. There he remained until May, 1904, when he came to St. Clair and accepted his present responsible position with the Citizens' bank. Mr. Tyson is a man of great physical strength and has a state wide reputation as an athlete of ability. He is the present holder of the championship for hand ball and in the relay races conducted each year under the auspices of the athletic department of the University of Pennsylvania he has twice, in 1899 and 1900, won prizes. He is a member of the Baxters, a Pottsville social organization, and of the St. Clair athletic club. In politics he takes sides with no party or organization and has never held nor aspired to office of public trust. Mrs. Tyson was formerly Miss Beulah T. Boone, a daughter of William A. Boone, of St. Clair. Mr. and Mrs. Tyson have one son, Cornelius H. Mr. Tyson is a young man of great promise, in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and his many friends feel confident of his ultimate attainment of the best of successful promotion.
Ulmer, Jacob, deceased, for many years prominently identified with the business life and institutions of the city of Pottsville, was born in the kingdom of Würtemberg, now a part of the Ger- man empire, Nov. 24, 1826. His parents. John and Agnes (Reb- mann) Ulmer, were natives of Würtemberg, where they passed their entire lives. Jacob Ulmer attended the schools near his boyhood home, and upon leaving school learned the butcher's trade. When he was twenty-four years of age he left the Father- land and crossed the Atlantic to seek his fortune in America. His first years in this country were spent at Bridgeport, Conn., where he remained until 1852, when he went to Philadelphia. In 1854 he assisted in building the first railroad into Atlantic City. In March, 1855, he opened a meat market of his own in Pottsville. His skill as a butcher, his uniform courtesy to his customers, and his good judgment in the selection of his stock, soon built up for him a lucrative business. In 1858 he purchased the property now used by the Ulmer Packing Company as a retail market on North Center street. His success continued as the years rolled on, and in 1873 he began the erection of the Ulmer packing house. On Dec 1, 1890, this business was incorporated as a stock com- pany and Mr. Ulmer retired from his active management of the
NARU SIKILL COUNTY
corren, though he still retained his interests as a stockholder and head of the company The year following the mcorporation. large additions were made to the buildings, making it one of the largest and most complete institutions of its kind in the state All the buildings ate of brick and iron, five stones in height, with an aggregate floor space of 200,000 square feet. The plant is well compped with all modern appliances, ample yards and feeding pens for both hogs and cattle, has a capacity of son hogs daily. and im its samtars appointments is superior to most of the pack- ing houses in the country. In the Mr. L'imer severed his active connection with the business and removed to Philadelphia, to enjoy a well earned respite from the cares and labors of an active and industrious hie of half a century, his son, Jacob S. assuming the management of the packing company. Jacob U'Imer was a man of more than oudmary business acumen. He usually saw at a glance the possibilities of a commercial proposition, and was equally prompt in giving it tangible shape. Active, progressive and public-spirited, he soon became recognized as one of the most influential and useful citizens in the city of his adoption. In addition to his packing interests he became associated with other industrial enterprises, all of which profited by his ability. He served as a director in the Pottsville Steam Heat and Power Company, the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and other industries in the community. In fact he was always foremost in every movement to give Pottsville better commercial facilities. and many of his neighbors frequently came to consult with him on matters of an important business character. On such neca- sions his advice was freely given and was generally heeded. as all who knew him had great confidence in his judgment and in- tegrity. Financially he prospered, but for every dollar he re- cessed he rendered a just equivalent, strict honesty and correct business methods being the very foundation stones of his career. He died at Philadelphia on Nov. ;. 1004, but his example and influence still live in Pottsville and will be felt upon the affairs of that city for years to come.
Ulmer, Jacob S., president of the Miners' National bank and one of the proprietors of the Jacob Ulmer Packing Company, was born in Pottsville, L'a. Sept. 27. 1858. He was the second in order of birth in the family of four sons and one daughter of the late Jacob Ulmer, a review of whose life will be found in this volume. All the sons are identified with the packing business, and in oper- ating the retail business connected therewith. Jacob S. Ulmer whose name heads this article, was reared and educated in his native town. He began his business career as an assistant to his father in his business, and has worked his way to a position of prominence in business affairs. He was elected a director of the Miners' National bank in Jan., 1807, and in Feb., 1994. he became president of that well known monetary institution. He is also president of the Jacob Ulmer Packing Company, a member of the board of directors of the Pottsville Steam Heat and Power
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Company, the Pottsville Water Company, and up to the trans- fer of the company to other interests, was a director of the Edi- son Electric Illuminating Company. Mr. Ulmer's business in- terests are varied and extensive, and they receive his personal attention, even to the smallest details, Ile is a courteous and affable gentleman, and his numerous employes regard him in the light of a wise friend and counsellor as well as a generous employer. Mr. Ulmer was married June 14, 1888, to Miss Eldora B. Dyer, daughter of Lemuel and Mary (Grove) Dyer, of Pitts- burg, Pa. He has a family of seven children consisting of five boys and two girls and ranging in age from four to seventeen years. In politics Mr. Ulmer is a Republican. He is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church of Pottsville, and is connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.
Ulmer, John G., a representative of a prominent and well known family in Pottsville, is the eldest son born to Jacob and Mag- dalena (Rinkle) Ulmer. A tribute to the memory of Jacob Ulmer appears in this volume. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a native of Alsace-Lorraine. then a province of France. She was born in Sept., 1834, and she is now deceased. John G. UI- mer was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pa., Jan. 13, 1857. He was reared and educated, and has always lived in his native town. He has been identified with the extensive meat-packing business, and retail dealing in meats and provisions during all of his mature years. He is a member of the corporation doing busi- ness under the corporate title of the Jacob Ulmer Packing Com- pany and has special charge of the retail department of the firm's business. John G. Ulmer was married Oct. 13, 1892 to Miss Charlotte, daughter of William and Mary Catherine (Fink) Ber- ner, of Pottsville. William Berner Ulmer is the only child born to this union. Mr. Ulmer is a Republican in political sentiments, and is a member of the German Lutheran church. He is well advanced in Masonry, having attained to the thirty-second de- gree in that time-honored fraternity. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Heptasophs and the Humane fire company. Mr. Ulmer is an active and successful business man and is a citi- zen of high standing in the community where his life has been spent.
Ulrich, John O., a prominent attorney of Tamaqua, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., May 26, 1864, a son of John and Caroline ( Medlor) Ulrich. The mother was a native of McKeansburg. and she died Sept. 10, 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. The father, who was a miller by vocation, moved from Lehigh county to Hughesville, Lycoming county, in 1871. In 1889 he returned to Lehigh county and started a mill, conducting the business in both places until his death, which occurred Oct. 16, 1903. in his sixty-sixth year. He held several of the minor political offices and was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was affili- ated with the German Reformed church. They became the par-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
ents of seven children. After due preliminary traming in the schools of Hughesville, John O. Ulrich matriculated at the county normal school at Maney, where he was a student for two terms. For another term he attended the Central state normal school. at Lock Haven, following it with several terms of graduate work at the same institution. In the fall of 188, he entered the de- partment of law of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a degree therefrom in June, 1880. During his course in law he spent his spare hours in the offices of the Hon. Wayne Me- leigh and George Tucker Bispham. The year of his graduation he was admitted to the bar, and he immediately began active practice in Tamaqua. That town has since been the center of lus active career. In politics he is a stanch believer in the prin- esples of the Democratic party, and ever since he reached his majority he has taken an active and influential part in the state and national campaigns. In the fall of 18gb he stumped the state of New York for the Hon. William J. Bryan. From 183 to 189; he was county solicitor for Schuylkill county and for the past ten years has been the incumbent of the office of borough solicitor for Tamaqua. On Jan. 4. 1889. Mr. Ulrich was united in marriage to Miss Fannie D. Boyd, a native of Tamaqua and a daughter of James and Mary Boyd. The children of this mar- riage are two in number-Helen A., who is a member of the class of 1907 in the Tamaqua high school and Frances O. Mrs. Ulrich is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Ulrich is well known in fraternal circles: he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Frater- nal Order of Eagles, and the Pennsylvania German Society.
Umbenhauer, James W., for some years at the head of Com- pany G of the 4th regiment of infantry of the Pennsylvania Na- tional Guard, is a successful contract miner of Pine Grove. He was born in that borough on Oct. 9. 1849. and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Spancake) Umbenhauer, the former of whom died Feb. 7. 1875, at the age of fifty-seven, and the latter of whom is still a resi- dent of Pine Grove. The father was a laborer. working in later life for the railroad company as foreman of the repair men. Cap- tain James W., of this sketch, is the eldest of seven children. Amanda is Mrs. Levi Aungst, of this county: John was killed when forty-two years old, in an accident in the Lincoln colliery. in 1805: Andrew died in June. 1905. at the age of fifty : Mary is the wife of George W. Hoover, of Pine Grove : Sarah died when a year old : and Rebecca is the wife of John Hagey, of Lebanon. Captain Umbenhauer received his early education in the town- ship schools and his first employment was about the mines. He subsequently became a miner. At the age of twenty he began mining for Miller. Greaff & Co .. and later was similarly engaged for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company doing pillar dropping. In this work he has been engaged almost con- tinuously ever since, and he has become an expert in this line. He now employs about twenty-five men the year around, and
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has all the work he can attend to. The captain's connection with the state militia dates from Jan. 9, 1877, when he became a pri- vate in Company 11 of the 8th infantry. Subsequently the com- pany was assigned to the 4th regiment and became known as Company G. The first service which the organization did was in the Pittsburg riot of July, 1877. After passing from rank to rank Mr. Umbenhauer became captain of the company in 1891. In 1892 the company was called out to suppress the strikers at Homestead, and in 1897 it was called to similar service in the Hazleton region. When war was declared between Spain and the United States the 4th regiment was mustered into the service of the United States and was sent to Porto Rico. When the news of the cessation of hostilities came it was drawn up before Guama ready to give battle. The regiment was mustered out at Pine Grove on Nov. 16, 1898, and after its reorganization was called into service again, at Shenandoah, in 1900, and in 1902. This latter duty kept the men out ninety-two days. On Feb. 17, 1904, Capt. Umbenhauer resigned his active command and was put on the retired list, after twenty-seven years of continuous sevice in the state militia. He has always been active in the pub- lic affairs and has a record of twenty-one years of continuous service in the borough council. It was during his tenure of office that the water-works system was installed, and he was a member of the finance committee, with F. B. Wheeler and Aaron T. Fetty, which had the practical control of the whole affair. Mr. Umbenhauer was married Feb. 4, 1875, to Miss Mary Russell, daughter of William and Susanna (Dewald) Russell, of Pine Grove. Three children have blessed this union. Minnie S. is a teacher in a school for the deaf and dumb at Beverly, Mass. Robert G., is a machinist and is employed at Harrisburg. His wife was formerly Miss Mabel Snoke and they have one child, Paul. Edna E., the youngest, is employed in a millinery store. Mrs. Umbenhauer is a member of the Evangelical church, and the captain is affiliated with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the local union of the United Mine Workers.
Umbenhen, Rev. John H., Ph. D., the much esteemed pastor of Trinity Lutheran church of Pottsville, was born near Myers- town, Lebanon county, Pa., on March 6, 1861, a son of Prof. George and Sarah (Uhrich) Unbenhen. Both parents, who are now living in Myerstown, are natives of Lebanon county. The father received his educational advantages in the Myerstown academy and began teaching while still a young man. For forty- seven years he was continuously engaged in pedagogic work and became one of the best known as well as one of the most popular teachers in the state. He is also a talented musician, and for forty years has been the organist of the Myerstown church. Three children were born to Prof. and Mrs. Umbenhen, of whom the subect of this sketch is the eldest and the only son. The sisters are Mrs. Sallie Kreitzer and Mrs. Anna Stupp, both of
Meserstown, where their husbands are engaged in business Dr Imbenben, after due preliminary training in the Alverstown public schools, entered Palatinate college, and when he had com. plated the preparatory work there he matriculated in Muhlen- berg college, at Allentown, which institution granted him a cer theate of graduation m isso. He then entered upon lus theo- logical studies at the Lutheran semmary, which is now located at Ment Ary. Philadelphia, and he completed a three years' course in that institution in 1883. The same year occurred his ordina- tion as a minister of the gospel by the Lutheran ministerium of l'ennes hama, and his active work began as pastor of the Reams- town parish of Lancaster counts. There be rendered distin- gushed and able service for a period of three years, leaving only to accept a call to a broader and more lucrative field at Mount Jos In ESSO. after he had been pastor at Mount Joy for some three and one half years, he received an offer to become the English assistant pastor of Trinity church. The call was accepted and he was installed as the associate pastor to Res. Dr. Hinterleit- Her. I'm the retirement of the latter, in the fall of 182. Dr. I'mbenhen was selected as his successor and the same year is sumed the full pastorate. This position he has since filled to the most emment satisfaction of the congregation, and he has become a power for good in the civic and private life of the com- munity. The doctor's male ancestors were all strong Repub- lisans, but he is not so allied with any political organization as to allow it to bias his influence of judgment in the support of can- alidates for office. Jan. 2. 1884. was solemnized Dr. U'mbenhen's mariage to Miss Nettie Donges, who was born and reared in Aver-town, a daughter of George and Mary (Tice) Donges. Mrs. U'mbenhen's maternal grandfather was William Tice, who served throughout the war of the Rebellion as a captain in the 17th Pennsylvania cavalry. To Dr. and Mrs. U'mbenhen have been born five children, of whom one. Paul, died at the age of six years. The others are Marie. Annette. Rebecca, and Georgine.
Unger, Claude W., who maintains his home in Yorkville and who is the able and popular manager of the West End knitting mills, of Pottsville, has passed his entire life in Schuylkill county and is a member of one of its honored families. He was born in West Brunswick township, this county, lan. 5. 1882, and is a son of Samuel and Ellen J. (Kimmel Unger, the former of whom was born in Berks county, this state, and the latter in Schuylkill county, daughter of Daniel F. Kimmel, a representa- tive of one of the sterling families of the county. Samuel Unger was for many years engaged in the sewing machine business and in Oct., 1806. he established the West End knitting mills, for the manufacture of women's underwear. The plant is thoroughly modern in its facilities and general equipment, operates four- teen knitting machines and seventeen finishing machines, and gives employment to about forty hands. The business is a sub- stantial one and the annual transactions have now reached an
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aggregate of about $60,000. The founder of the enterprise died in 1905, and the business has since been successfully continued by the estate, under the management of the subject of this sketch, who is known as an able and progressive young business man. Mr. Unger secured his early education in the excellent public schools of Pottsville and since leaving school he has been identified with the business of which he is, now the manager, so that he is thor- oughly familiar with all details of the same and is able to handle its practical and executive affairs with proper discrimination and facility. In politics he is not dominated by strict partisan dic- tates but maintains an independent attitude, and he and his wife hold membership in Trinity Reformed church. In 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Vietinghoff, daughter of William Vietinghoff, a well known citizen of Pottsville, and they have two children-William and Barbara. Mr. Unger takes a deep interest in the geology and paleontology of Schuylkill county, and has probably-with the exception of the one deposited at the United States national museum at Washington-the larg- est and most valuable collection of carboniferous fossil plants in America.
Updegrave, Robert R., dealer in general merchandise at Val- ley View, was born at that place on Oct. 25, 1864. His great- grandparents came from England at an early date and settled in Chester county, Pa. His grandfather, John Updegrave, came to Schuylkill county when a young man and located in Hubley township, where he followed agricultural pursuits for the re- mainder of his life. He married Harriet Kimmel and they had a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. William is a carpenter, Harriet is Mrs. George Spotts, of Miners- ville : Sarah married Harry Witmer : Ella married Isaac Evans; Aaron is a butcher at Allentown; Emanuel K. is a merchant at Sacramento; Richard lives retired at Sacramento ; Justus married Jacob Strong of Sacramento; Elizabeth is Mrs. William Klinger ; Catherine married Samuel Miller of Snyder county, and John died young. Jacob K: Updegrave, the father of Robert, received a moderate education and in 1863 came to Valley View, where he married Matilda, a daughter of Christian Schreiber, a merchant of that place, and the founder of the business that is now con- ducted by the subject of this sketch. Jacob and Matilda Upde- grave became the parents of four children. Jane is Mrs. R. B. Dunkleberger, of Reading, Pa .: Alice F. married John W. Heck- ert, of Hegins : Mary E. is the wife of Daniel H. Lesher. of West- port ; and Robert R. is the subject of this sketch. In 1863, about the time of his marriage, Jacob .K. Updegrave bought the store from his father-in-law and he thereafter conducted it until 1883. From that time until 1894 it was successively run by his sons- in-law, R. B. Dunkleberger, John W. Heckert, and Daniel H. Lesher. Robert R. Updegrave attended the common schools, the normal school at Kutztown, Pa., and schools at Lock Haven, Pa., and Larned, Kansas. He then taught for about seven years. and
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