USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 64
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Ward, Rev. Francis M., pastor of the Church of Immaculate. Conception at Tremont, was born at Frankford, Philadelphia, Apr- IO, 1867, a son of Bernard Joseph and Mary L. (Lafferty) Ward. The father was born in Preston, England, and had the unique dis-
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tinchen of being the youngest solcher in the English arms during the Uhcan wat le Gane to America in 1858 and during the war of the Rebelhon he entered the service as a private of Company A. 40th Pennsylvania volunteer militia, July 2, 1800g. He served in the 3d brigade, defenses of l'Iladelphia, and ed brigade, Ist division, de- partment of the Susquehanna, during the invasion of the north by the army of Northern Virginia He was mustered out Ang. 16, 1803. at the expiration of his terms of service. He re-entered the service Is a private of Company F. 12th Maryland volunteer infantry. July 25. If He served in the defenses of Baltimore, 8th corps, middle department, and was mustered out Nov. 8. 180g, at the expiration of his term of service. He again entered the service as a member of Company 1. 11th Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry, Apr. 7. 1805. and was mistered out Aug. 20. 1805, at the clone of the war. After his return home he followed his trade of weaver, and in the year 18(x) he mvented the Turkish bath-towel. The first one was woven in his home, 4201 Paul street, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa. Beloved by all who knew him, he died on July 20, 1904, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was buried in St. Dominick's cemetery. Holmesburg. Pa. The mother, who makes her home with her son in Tremont, was born in Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa., and although she has reached the three score and ten mark she is still vigorous and hearty. Father Ward is the older of the two survivors of a family of five children. The other is Edward M. receiving teller of the Second National bank of Frankford. Philadelphia, where he has been employed for the past fifteen years. Anna and Fergus died in infancy and Cor- nelius, a machinist, passed away at the age of thirty. The subject of this sketch received a preliminary education in the common and Catholic parochial school of Frankford, Philadelphia, and then learned the weaver's trade. After being engaged in that labor for five years, on Ang. 30, 1884, he entered the Catholic seminary at Overbrook, and after an attendance there of ten years he was or- dained to the Catholic priesthood, on May 10. 1804. His first charge was as an assistant at the Church of Our Mother of Sorrows in Philadelphia, where he served from May 26 to Sept. 21, 1804. After a rather short and temporary assignment as assistant in St. Joseph's church in Downingtown. Pa., he was sent as assistant to St. Cather- ine's congregation in Wayne. Delaware county, and he had the honor of celebrating the first mass in the church edifice which he in part was influential in building at that place. Two years after his arrival at Wayne he was appointed pastor of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul at Tower City, Pa. His stay there was from Dec. 7. 1896, to Apr. 24. 1901, and in the time he cleared the parish debt. bought the ground for, built and paid for the parish house, remodeled the church and cleared it of debt. From Tower City he came to Tremont as assist- ant pastor to the Rev. John J. McDevitt, and upon the latter's death, on June 4, 1901. he succeeded to the pastorate. His parish comprises a district of fifteen square miles. Since assuming the charge Father Ward has raised the debt on the Church of the Immaculate Concep-
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tion, remodeled the same, has secured the ground and has built and paid for the Church of Our Lady of the Snow at Keffer's within his parish. He is much beloved by his parishioners and held in high es- teem by the people of the community, irrespective of creed or faith.
Waters, Thomas C., tinner, plumber and gasfitter at Shenan- doah, was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Dec. 2, 1849. His parents both died when he was quite young and he was reared by his grandparents, Watkin and Dinah ( Jones) Waters, natives of South Wales. In 1852 they left their native land, with their three children, for America, and after a tempestuous voyage of nine months, in which they were shipwrecked, reached Halifax, N. S. Mr. Wal- ters received a cash premium for his wife and each child, as was the custom then for any one immigrating to this country and bringing his family with him at the time. From Halifax the family came to Philadelphia, where they arrived in April, 1853. Later they settled at Five Points, where the grandfather engaged in mining. He opened the iron mines at "the tunnel," near St. Clair, and held a lease on a large tract of iron ore lands, his ore being sold to the At- kins iron works at Pottsville and the St. Clair furnace. Thomas C. Waters began his business career when a mere boy in John Cathers' foundry and machine shop at St. Clair. In the time of the Civil war he was one of the most popular drummer boys of Schuylkill county, stirring up the patriotism of the "Boys in Blue" as he escorted them to Pottsville on their way to the front, and in company with Samuel Shaffer, a fifer, he beat the solemn dirge over the remains of those who were sent home for burial. He finally left the machine shop to enter the 100 days' service, as a drummer boy in the Andrew Curtin Guards, of St. Clair, a company named in honor of the governor and commanded by Capt. John Steel, familiarly known as "Scotty" Steel. His grandfather would permit him to enter the army only on the condition that Captain Steel would promise to see that he returned home at the expiration of the term of service. The company broke up in a wrangle at Harrisburg, and the captain insisted upon his return to St. Clair, according to the agreement. But "Tommy" felt it to be a disgrace that his company had not completed its term of enlistment, so he immediately left St. Clair and went to Shenandoah, about the time the mines were opened there by J. O. Roads and his associates. Henry Horncastle, who married an aunt of Tommy's, a daughter of Watkin Waters, was superintendent over the machinery and outside workings, and it was with him that young Waters found a home. For a time, before the colliery was ready for business, he was engaged in carrying milk from St. Clair to his aunt, as no milk wagons were then running in Shenandoah. Once a week he would ride on the old "Hercules" engine to the head of the grade at Frack- ville, and then walk from there to Shenandoah, carrying a two gallon can of milk. When the colliery opened he found employment as a driver boy in the old No. I drift, where he worked until he began serving his apprenticeship as gunsmith, in 1865, in St. Clair. He finished learning his trade in Shenandoah, and in 1872 he started in
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
buone there for himself Subsequently he removed to Bucks county, where he remained about seven years, when he returned to Shenandoah, where he still conducts a successful establishment. Soon after coming to this place, during the war, Jonathan Wasley, general superintendent for Roads & Co, asked him to bring hus drum from St Clair to plans for a military company that was being organized. A little later Thomas Campbell, a fifer, came to Shenandoah, and he and Mr. Water- formed, so far as is known, the first file and drum band in the state. Later Mr. Waters joined the German band, which was a prominent musical organization for many years. Watkin H. Waters, a son of Watkin and Dinah Waters, was a veteran of the Civil war, serving first as a three months' volunteer, then in Capt. Cloud White's company in the 3d Pennsylvania cavalry, in which he re-enlisted for three years, being mustered out with his regiment after the war closed. Waters Post. No. 146, of Shenandoah, is named in his honor. Henry Horhcastle was in the army during the Mexi- can war, and it is related that on the return of the regiment to Potts- ville, when each company was ordered to march in its place, Mr. Horncastle marched alone in the middle of the street, the only sur- vivor of his company. Mr. Waters is a member and trustee of the First Congregational church, to which denomination his grandmother belonged. his grandfather having been a Baptist. In his political opinions he is a Republican, though he votes for those whom he deems best qualified for the office in local matters. June 15. 1867. Mr. Waters married Miss Anna Margaret Sherman, and to this union were born eight children, five of whom are still living. The eldest. Thomas W., is an actor, author of several plays, and an expert pian- ist : Harvey is in the same business as his father and is a fine cornet player ; Lucretia V. is the wife of Charles Bartlett, of Philadelphia. is an excellent performer on the piano, and has three children : Charles B. is a member of the 30th battery. United States army field artillery, and is stationed at Fort Snelling. Minn .; and W. Harry is an apprentice with his father. The mother of these children died March 28. 1002, and on Aug. 10 of the same year Mr. Waters was united in marriage to Mary Treon. To this marriage were born three children, only one of whom, Robert Roosevelt. born Oct. 20, 1003. is living. Mr. Waters had a half-sister and a half-brother. The sister was burned to death at Girardville in 1860, and the brother is now living in Philadelphia.
Weaver. Edward E., junior member of the firm of Daniel Wea- ver & Son, contractors and builders, was born May 5. 1870, in Ta- maqua. Pa., where he is now engaged in business. He is a son of Daniel and .Angeline ( Frantz) Weaver. His father, who was a car- penter and contractor, was born in Lehigh county, but came to Tamaqua in the early 6os and established himself in the planing mill business with Jonathan Alspach, under the firm name of Weaver & Alspach. Later Edward E. Weaver and Isaac 7. Haldeman pur- chased .Aspach's half interest and the firm became Weaver, Son & Haldeman, thus remaining that until 1902. Daniel Weaver died on
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Apr. 26, 1906. He was not at all interested in politics, and was a member of Trinity Reformed church; his widow is still living, as are their three children: Alvin H., Edward E. and Elizabeth. Eliza- beth is now the widow of William Reinhart and is the mother of a daughter, Helen. Edward E. Weaver attended the public schools of Tamaqua, and after he finished his work there he learned the paint- er's trade, doing carriage and house painting. In the winter, when painter's work was slack, lie drove a one-horse lumber wagon for his father and finally decided to become a carpenter. After serving a full apprenticeship he worked at the trade for a time, and on March 4,1894, he entered into a partnership with his father and Isaac Z. Haldeman,
under the firm name of Weaver, Son & Haldeman.
This continued
until 1902, when Edward E. Weaver purchased Mr. Haldeman's in- terest in the business, whereupon the firm name of Daniel Weaver & Son was adopted. Since the father's death he has had the full man- agement of the establishment. The firm does the largest mill busi- ness, besides its retail and wholesale lumber and building-supply business, of all concerns in the county. June 1, 1907, Edward E. Weaver purchased the estate's interest in the business of Daniel Weaver & Son and the business is now carried on under the firm name of Edward E. Weaver. On Jan. 25, 1894, Mr. Weaver married Miss Mary Trewren, daughter of George and Mary (Edmonds) Trewren, who resides in Watertown, Conn. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born two children-Daniel E. and Mary Irene. The father is a member of the Trinity Reformed church and the mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal congregation. Mr. Weaver is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of America, and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Weiser, Franklin P., the capable division engineer of the Phila- delphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, with headquarters at Ashland, was born in Minersville, this county, Aug. 7, 1852. He is a son of Moses and Catherine (Schenck) Weiser, both natives of Berks county and both descendants of old Pennsylvania families. The pa- rents came to Schuylkill county in 1846 and located at Minersville, where the father was an undertaker and cabinet-maker until his death, which occurred in the winter of 1874. The mother departed this life in 1880. Of the ten children born to the parents seven grew to ma- turity, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. The names of the others are: Edward S., Frederick Alexander, George W., James M., Theodore (who was a soldier in the Union army in the Civil war and died in Libby prison), and Isabel (widow of Washing- ton Littledales). Franklin P. Weiser received all the educational advantages afforded by the Minersville public schools and studied mining engineering under W. R. Symons, of Pottsville, from 1872 to 1879. His first employment under the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company began as transit man, in March, 1879. in Ashland, where he has remained ever since. In 1883 he was made resident engineer at Ashland, in 1892 was made assistant engineer, and in 1904 was promoted to division engineer, the responsible position which he
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non holds Dec 18. 1882. Ar Weiser married Miss Martha Lande- fell. a daughter of William and Louise ( Wagner ) Landefeld, of AAsh- To this ummon has been born ofte daughter, Florence MI The tanul are members of the Presbyterian church of Ashland. Polit- sally Mr Weser is a Republican, but has never held office. He is prominent in Masome circles, being a member of Ashland Lodge. No. 21-Griscom Chapter, No 210. Roval Arch Masons : Prince of Peace Commanderv, No 30. Knights Templars; and the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Other organizations in which he claims membership are the Royal Areanum and the Ashland lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is known through- out the county for huts abthty. his integrity, and his publie spirit.
Weissinger, George. & Brother .- This well known and prosper- of business firm represents one of the leading industries of Potts- ville, now operated by the brothers, George and Harry Weissinger. sons of the founder, the late L. W. Weissinger. The firm title is George Wersinger & Brother, and they are extensive dealers in stock and butchers' supplies, but their principal business is in slaughtering and packing, shipping and selling the products of the large institu- non. The father of the subjects of this article was born in Wartem- berg, Germany. Apr. 20, 1837. He was a son of Casper and Cather- me (Segel) Wersinger, natives of Wurtemberg. At the age of almost sixteen years. I. W. Weissinger came along to America and located. temporarily, at Reading. Pa., where he was employed for a short time as a laborer on the canal, at eighty-one cent- a day. He arrived in Minersville, Schuylkill county, on Thanksgiving day. 1853. and was there employed by Conrad Seltzer, in the butchering business. for a period of four months, at a monthly salary of five dollars. His next field of labor was in the employ of John Moser, at a meat market in Port-ville. He remained with Mr. Moser about two years, and was in the employ of Lewis Stoffregen for a few months, but up to this time he had never received to exceed fourteen dollars per month. Mr. Weissinger was employed by Jacob Rhoads, at Schuylkill Haven. for some fifteen months, leaving his employ in March, 1857. On Apr. 1 of that year the firm of Keifer & Weissinger was formed, and they opened a meat market in Schuylkill Haven, this being Mr. Weissin- ger's first venture in business on his own account. Viter nineteen months of prosperous business Mr. Keifer retired, and Nov. 1. 1850. Mr. Weissinger established a market of which he was the sole pro- prietor, and which he conducted successfully until 1865, in which year he discontinued the slaughtering business and turned his atten- tion in dealing in cattle. This was the nucleus to the large business now conducted by the son. The father began this business on a com- paratively small scale, being limited in means, and the growth and progress of the venture were due to his business sagacity, coupled with long familiarity with the details of the trade. By degrees the enter- prise was placed in the foremost rank of similar institutions in the state. His stock yards and feeding pens were established at Potts- ville, as at present, and a trade of from $10.000 to $15.000 weekly was
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BIOGRAPHICAL
nothing unusual. While a resident of Schuylkill Haven-from 1859 to 1865-Mr. Weissinger invested all his savings in the stock of the Schuylkill Haven Direct Iron Company. In 1873, in company with the late Gideon Bast, he rented the plant, improving the works and operating the business until 1874, when he purchased the entire busi- ness enterprise. He enlarged the mill and conducted the business until Jan., 1880, when he sold a two-thirds interest to George R. Kaercher and C. F. Rahn. During the year following his purchase, in 1874, Mr. J. A. Medlar was a partner with Mr. Weissinger, but he was sole owner and manager for about five years, during which time the business was extremely prosperous. In 1869 L. W. Weissinger purchased several tracts of land in the vicinity of Pottsville, and upon one of these farms the family home was established and large and commodious buildings were erected, making one of the finest subur- ban cstates in the county. L. W. Weissinger may very properly be classed among the valued pioneers of Schuylkill county, since he in- augurated new industries and promoted enterprises conducive to the general well-being in the community. Coming into the country a poor boy, entirely dependent upon his own resources, ignorant of the lan- guage and customs of the land, his achievement becomes all the more commendable and praiseworthy. The life, character and success of this honored citizen present a worthy object lesson to the aspiring. struggling youth of to-day, and few there be who have not better opportunities than he did. Mr. Weissinger was married Aug. 26, 1858, the companion in his struggles for success being Miss Rebecca Moyer, of Schuylkill Haven. This happy union was blessed with eight sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to years of maturity. Mr. Weissinger was a man of modest, unassuming manner, quiet and unobtrusive. He was a pronounced Democrat in his political faith, but took but little part in political discussions, giving his undivided at- tention to his family and his business. He never aspired to political offices, but in common with the prominent men of his day bore his share in the "burdens" of local office. He was a man universally esteemed for his sterling integrity and upright character. His death occurred in May, 1903, and thus a valued and useful citizen was con- signed to that abode which awaits us all. George Weissinger was born Aug. 4. 1862, in Schuylkill Haven, and he has been closely identified with the business founded by his father. In Feb., 1897, he and his brother Harry, assumed control of the slaughtering end of the business. He is a Democrat in politics, as is also his brother, and both are able and popular business men. George is married and has three children, and Harry, who was born Dec. 20, 1870, is married and has one child.
Wells, William Guy, a prominent attorney and counsellor-at- law of Pottsville, was born in the town where he is now professionally engaged, the date of his nativity having been March 7, 1859. He is a son of William B. and Anna M. (Kram) Wells. the former of whom was born in Susquehanna county, in 1822. The father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and from 1848 until
the time of his death, in 18ys, was a practicing attorney of Pottsville. The mother died in wog, at the age of sixty-eight years. The fam- ihs consisted of four sons and a daughter, three of whom are now living The oldest. Hard, a mining engineer by profession, died in INos, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving besides his widow two children, Margery H and William B., both of whom are now grown to maturity. Susan, the daughter, is the wife of Dr. George F. Whit- nes, a practicing physician of Orange, N. J. George K., a civil en- gineer, ched in Sept .. 105, leaving a widow and a son, Oliver. Frank. the youngest, is a commission agent of Philadelphia. The subject of this sketch is the second child in order of birth. He received such educational advantages as were offered by the public schools of his home borough, and then matriculated at Lafayette college, in Easton. l'a. This graduation in that institution occurred in 1880 and for two years thereafter he was engaged in pedagogic work. Then he entered In- father's office and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1886. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in his professional practice and has become a leading member of the Schuyl- kill county bar. His especial work is along the line of disputed titles of land and in cases involving real-estate transactions. Politically Mr Wells is independent, although he generally votes the Republican ticket, but he has never aspired to offices of public trust. His church connections are with the Episcopal congregation, and he is a devout communicant in the Pottsville parish of that denomination. Ilis fra- ternal affiliations are with but one lodge. Girard No. 53, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand. He has never married. The Wells family were among the carly settlers of Con- nectient, whence a portion of the descendants emigrated to northern Pennsylvania before the Revolution. The family record also shows a participation of some members in the Continental army in its opera- tions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, taking part, in the latter state. in the battle of Wyoming.
Wenzel, John, member of the firm of Wenzel Brothers, hotel and restaurant proprietors at Tamaqua, was born in Schuylkill county. Feb. 12. 1804. He is a son of John and Susanna ( Korach) Wenzel. The father was a miner for more than thirty years prior to going into the hotel business, which he followed until his death. Aug. 17. 1898. at the age of sixty-four years. His widow makes her home with two sons, John and Martin, and although in her seventy-second year is in vigorous health. There were seven children in the family, of whom five survive. Rebecca is the wife of George H. Winkel, of Tamaqua ; George died at the age of thirty-two, and Catherine is deceased ; La- vina is the wife of Elmer Bailey: Kate is Mrs. William Sieltzer, of Pottsville: and Martin, the youngest, is associated in business with the subject of this sketch, who is the fourth of the children in order of birth. John Wenzel received his early education in the public schools of Tamaqua and then for a number of years was employed on the coal breaker. When he became associated with his father in the operation of the United States hotel he was still quite young, and
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for a number of years he was clerk in the hotel. Upon the father s death the two sons took charge of the business and have been at the head of it since. The hostelry is to-day the best in the city, and it ranks favorably with any in the state. Mr. Wenzel is a director in the First National bank and in the local buikling and loan association, and is treasurer of the Tamaqua club and the Firemen's Relief asso- ciation. On Nov. 1I, 1896, he married Miss Elizabeth Krell, of Tamaqua, a daughter of John and Mary Krell. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still a resident of the homestead farm. Two chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, blessed this marriage. The sur- viving child is Susannah M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wenzel are mem- bers of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Wenzel is also identified with the Masonic order, as a Shriner, with the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the American hose company.
Werntz, John F., a banker and financier of recognized ability and a man who, by perseverence and frugality, has risen from the lowly and more humble walks of life to a position of affluence and wealth in the borough of Pine Grove, was born in Pine Grove (now Washington) township, Schuylkill county, Pa., Apr. 26, 1835. His parents being in very moderate circumstances, his early opportunities for education and intellectual culture were limited to poor schools, and he had little opportunity to attend them, being obliged to assist in weaving carpets, cloth and linens and to chop cord wood, from the early age of six years to that of ten. During this time, with the assist- ance of a kind mother and by attending school for seventeen days, he learned to read the German language quite well. At the tender age of ten years he secured employment as a boat horse-driver on the Union canal. Many were the hardships endured while thus employed ; every twenty-four hours of work and a few hours of sleep made a day, and thirty days a month, and the salary was four dollars a month. This employment he followed for seven years, rising to the position of captain of the crew when but fourteen years of age. While thus employed during the summer season, he worked for farmers and chopped cord wood during the winter, attending school when the weather was too disagreeable to work. At the end of this time he was engaged for one year in building locks and widening the canal. Subsequently he apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade for two years. During his apprenticeship he devoted his leisure moments to study and cultivating his mind preparatory to entering the teacher's profession, which he did in 1855, teaching school during the winter months in this county, and working at his trade in the summer up to 1860, when he abandoned his trade of blacksmithing and followed teaching exclusively for five years. From 1865 to 1886 he was em- ployed as a traveling salesman in various lines, attaining more than an ordinary degree of proficiency. About the year 1875. in connec- tion with his business as a traveling salesman, he embarked in the money brokerage business at Pine Grove, which he conducted success- fully up to 1886, when the demands and necessity for local banking
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