History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 67

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

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MIL YLKILL PUT STY

et three year Mr Woll was married in 1853 to Aliss Catherine Brennan, a native of Schuylkill county, and to this umon were born ten children- Wilham (deceased. Mary. Gerue, Katie, Lizzic. Bertha. Agnes, Joseph, Ir. Hildegarde and Engene. Katie. Vier- trude and Joseph are married All the family are communicants of the St John Roman Catholic church. Mr. Woll was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. St John the Baptist association, and the Good Intent fire company. His death occurred Nov 20, 1005.

Wonders, Newton M., who conducts a photographic studio at In West Market street, Pottsville, is a native of New Franklin, Ohio. where he was born (ict. 17. 1802. Hle is a son of Peter D. and Fred- erica ( Bammerlin ) Wonders, the former a native of Berks county. Pa. and a carpenter and cabinet-maker by vocation. His death occurred in Alliance, Ohio, in 1877. The mother, a native of Ber- lin. Germany, is living in Cleveland, Ohio, and is still hale and vig- orous, although she has passed her eighty-fifth year. Of the twelve children born to the parents there are seven survivors. Lafayette lives in Alliance, Ohio: Benton M. in Cleveland: Mrs. Marietta Thomas in Hiram, Chio; Francis M. in Frankfort. Ind. : Mrs. Laura P. Teeters in Cleveland, Ohio: Solon L. in Lancaster. Pa. ; and the subject of this sketch in Pottsville. The deceased members are Mrs. Lucy 1 .. Metilone, who died in Los Angeles. Cal. in 1808: Allan. who died of fever while serving in the Union army during the Civil war. in his twenty-first year: Emma J., who died at the age of eighteen : and Florence and Louise, who died in infancy. Newton M. Wonder- received his preliminary education in the public schools of Alliance, Ohio, and when he had completed his scholastic work he went to work for his brother in the photographic business. . After he had mastered the trade he worked at it with his brother in Alli- ance and other places and then went to Cleveland, where he was very successful in a remunerative way in compact work. His resi- dence in Pottsville dates from 1891, in which year he came to Potts- ville and purchased the excellent studio which he is now managing. He has undoubtedly the bulk of the business in his line of work, and his success has been attained by hard work and a desire to please his patron. In 1880 Mr. Wonders married Miss Anna E. Weitzel, of Lebanon. a daughter of H. P. and Emma E. Weitzel, hoth of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wonders have been born three children. one of whom. Dorothy I ... died at the age of eight years. The others are Jettie I .. and Henry P. The parents are members of the English Lutheran church.

Woolcock. John, is a well known resident of Pottsville and has been identified with the coal mining industry from his boyhood days in the present. being now concerned in the operation of mines in West Virginia, where he has valuable interests in the line. He was born in County Waterford. Ireland. Aug. 8. 1844, and is a son of William and Grace ( Jober Woolcock, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America in 1845 and made Frackville. Schuylkill county, Pa .. their destination. Here the father

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BIOGRAPHICAL

was employed in the coal mines until his death, in. 1865, as the result of an explosion in the mines. His wife survived him by a number of years and remained a resident of this county until her demise. Of their eleven children nine attained to years of maturity: Edward, Elijah, Thomas, Elizabeth A., William, Mary J., John, Joseph and Amelia. Elizabeth is the wife of George Robinson, and Mary is the wife of Eli Lee. John Woolcock, the immediate subject of this sketch, was an infant in arms at the time of the family immigration to America and he was reared to maturity in Schuylkill county, to whose common schools he is indebted for such educational advantages as came to him in his boyhood and youth. Like the average boy in this mining section he early began to work in the mines, and he ad- vanced through the various grades of promotion to the holding of positions of importance and responsibility in and about the mines of Schuylkill county. In 1886, having acquired an interest in mines in the Pocahontas coal region of West Virginia, he removed to that section, where he maintained his residence for the ensuing sixteen years, and where he still retains important coal mining interests. In 1904 he returned to Schuylkill county and located in Pottsville, where he has since resided. In politics he exercises his franchise in support of those men and measures approved by his judgment, not being held to close partisan lines. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons and both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1877 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Woolcock to Miss Jennie Dolbin, daughter of Goodman and Mary (Thomas) Dolbin, of Frackville, this county, and the children of this union are Wilbur, Goodman and Sarah.

Wren, George H., proprietor of the Grant iron works at Maha- noy City. is a native of Pottsville. born Nov. 12, 1847. He is a son of Thomas and Mary ( Hay) Wren, the former of whom was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 10, 1823, a son of William and Jane (Macbreth) Wren. When Thomas Wren was quite young his parents immigrated to Nova Scotia, where his father died. His mother brought her family to Pennsylvania, and finally located at Pottsville. There Thomas served an apprenticeship of four years and eight months at the molder's trade, in the machine shops of Messrs. Haywood & Snyder. He then formed a partnership with his brothers, John Y. and James, and carried on business for about two years at the old Eagle foundry, then on the present site of the freight depot of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. In 1850 Thomas Wren and brothers built the Washington iron works in Pottsville, and in 1851 they manufactured the machinery for the first rolling mill in the country which made the "T" rail and bar iron. that plant being located at Fishbach, a suburb of Pottsville. The Washington Iron Works Company was dissolved by mutual consent in 1864, and Thomas Wren turned his attention more closely to coal operations. in which he had been interested for some years pre- viously. He owned and operated collieries at St. Clair. Mount Laf- fee, and had large interests in the workings at Eagle Hill. Besides

hi extensive connection with the coal and won business, Mr Wren has long been dentihed with banking interests both in Pottsville and Mahanos Litt, and also in the organization and operation of manu- Facturing industries and savings associations in other localities He established the Grant iron works at Mahanay City in 1805. this be- ing the industry now owned and operated by George IL Wren, the subject of this article. Thomas Wren has been twice married, six children being born to his union with Mary Hay, his first wife. She del Mar in, 1853. Det. 1. 1808, he was muted in marriage with Sarah P' Shorno, by which union three children were born. George H Wren was educated in the public schools at Pottsville and at Fast- man's business college, Poughkeepsie. New York. He was gradu- ated from this institution in Nov., 1804. He went to Mahanay City in 1805 and accepted the position of manager and bookkeeper in the Grant iron works, then owned and operated by his father. In 1807 he formed a partnership with R. R. L.ce, the firm title being Lee & Wren, and purchased the father's interest in the business. This copart- nership existed for ten years, during which time the firm had built the Elmwood colliers and sunk the slope for the same, and also com- menced the operation of the Rough Diamond colliery. These mining interests have decreased very materially since the absorption of most of the coal lands in the vicinity by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company. Much of the iron work required in operating the mines, or in establishing new collieries in the vicinity of Maha- noy City, has been made by the Grant iron works, as well as a large amount of machinery for other manufacturers. The plant is equipped with modern appliances for turning out a diversified class of work and affords remunerative employment to an average of fifty or more skilled mechanics. The buildings are substantial and amply suffi- cient for all requirements. See history of Mahanoy City in Vohne 1. Mr. Wren was married Nov. 8, 1870, to Miss Lillie ... daughter of Thomas and Mary Bedall, of Port Carbon. They have two chil- dren. Mary B. and Thomas B. Mr. Wren is a Republican in political affiliations, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the family arc Presbyterians in religious preferences.

Yearick, Rev. Zwingli A., the popular pastor of Trinity Re- formed church of Shenandoah, is a native of Madisonburg. Center counts. Ha., where he was born on Ang. 12. 1845. He is one of right children born to Rev. William R. and Susanna ( Hackenburg) Yearick, both natives of Center county, and is the representative of the fifth generation of the family in America. The name Yearick was originally George, but the orthography was changed in the early years of Res. William R. Yearick's lifetime so as to preserve as nearly as possible the original German pronunciation of the name. The founder of the family in the United States was John George George, who left his home in the Palatinate in southern Germany in 1753 and sailed from Amsterdam and located in Lowhill township. Lehigh county, Pa. His son. Adam George, removed to Center county in 178; and his son. John George, was the father of Rev.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

William R. Yearick. The latter served the Reformed church for a period of forty-two years continuously and died at the age of seventy- one years. The children of his marriage to Susanna Hackenburg, who died at the age of thirty-six years, were, in order of birth : Zwingli, who is the subject of this sketch; John Nevin, who died at the age of fifteen years and was buried with his mother; Sarah M., who is the wife of Rev. T. S. Land, D. D., president of the Allen- town college for women; Ada O., who died at the age of thirty-six years ; Talitha A., who died at the age of fifty years; Carrie E., who lives at Sellersville, Bucks county ; Ursinus W. D., who prepared for the ministry of the Reformed church at the theological seminary at Lancaster and died at the age of forty years; and Calvin H., who died at the age of fifteen. After death had annulled the first union the father married again, Miss Wilhelmina Harple, of Bucks county, becoming his wife. To them were born six children, of whom but two survive-Susan E., the wife of Dr. L. C. Johnstonbaugh, of West Bethlehem, and J. Leidy, now studying in the Lancaster theo- logical seminary to become a minister of the Reformed church. Rev. Zwingli A. Yearick of this sketch received his collegiate education at Franklin and Marshall college, in Lancaster, and upon graduation he had the honor of delivering the philosophical oration. His theo- logical training was received in the seminary in the same city and his ministerial life was begun in the summer of 1875, when he was assigned to the pastorate of the New Berlin charge, where he had four congregations under his care. Two years later he was trans- ferred to Turbotville, Northumberland county, and there had charge of three congregations for five years. At the end of that period he removed to Aaronsburg, Center county, which at the time had three congregations in the pastorate. Before he left, in 1889, to assume a position in a larger field at Mercersburg, he had organized two new congregations and had been the moving spirit in the erection of three church edifices. The Mercersburg charge comprised three congregations at the time of his assumption of the pastorate, and in the six years he was there one new congregation was organized, two churches and a parsonage were built, another church was rebuilt and the fourth was extensively repaired, besides which a heavy debt was raised. In Dec., 1895, Mr. Yearick was made pastor at Lewis- burg, which at the time comprised but one congregation. He soon afterward organized a second, and served both. His pastorate in Shenandoah dates from March, 1899, when he assumed the charge of Trinity church, with a membership of 450. His coming. gave an impetus to the work; the debt of $1,000 which was on the church has been raised and the building has been materially repaired and renovated, at a cost of $1,500. The sum of $3.500 has also been raised for a parsonage and its improvements. The Sunday school has an enrollment of 300 students, under the charge of twenty-two teach- ers, and the church societies are the Missionary society, the Ladies' Aid society and the Willing Workers' society, the last mentioned being for children. On Sept. 20, 1881, Mr. Yearick married Miss

Mars Emma Shorts, who was born near forlotsalle, a daughter of Frederick and Margaret A Shurtz. Mr Shurta, who was a farmer. thed Ma 18, 1802. 0 Shenandoah, lowa. Mrs. Yearick received her educational advantages in the public schools of White Pigeon, Mich. whither her father removed while she was still a young girl. The chuldren of Res Mr. and Mrs Yearick are seven in mumber. Will- sam, the oldest, is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall college and Is Boss principal of schools at Mexandria, Pa .: Bertha Vice is a sin- dent in the semor year at the Keystone state normal school, at Kutz- town, and the others, Clara May, Emma M .. Mary A., Ruth E. and Susan W, are all in the public schools of Shenandoah. Mr Yearick Is at present the secretary of the ministerial association of Shenan- deah, a position he has held for several years. lle is an independent in his political views and does much good in a quiet and unassuming

While a believer in the cause of temperance he is sane and rational in has sentiments and does not believe that the moral status of the community can be helped by a violent antagonism to the saloon element. He is persuaded that a rigid, conscientious enforcement of the laws by the court and by the county and municipal officials. the enactment of local option, the use of moral suasion, the inculca- tion of religions principles, and the development of a proper public sentiment, are the correct methods by which to undo all social evils. whether they be inherent in the saloon or in other vicious institutions.

Yoder, Nathan D., proprietor of the "Grand View" farm, near Hegins, was born in Eldred township, Schuylkill county. Sept. 4. 1842. He is a son of William and Briggitta ( De Long ) Yoder, both natives of Pennsylvania-the father of Schuylkill and the mother of Berks county, George Yoder, the grandfather of Nathan, and his brother. Abraham, were the first of the name to settle in Schuylkill county, locating in what is now Eldred township, where they secured large tracts of land and engaged in farming. Abraham also built a saw and grist mill, one of the first in the county, and this mill is still standing. George Yoder married Elizabeth Reiner, of Berks county, and they had six children-Mary, Sallie, Hattic, Elizabeth. William and Charles-all now deceased. William Yoder was a carpenter by trade, as well as a farmer. He also taught school for a while and was an active worker for the temperance cause. He was interested in music, was a good singer and a fine performer on the clarinet. When the old Lutheran church was built in Eldred township he was one of the contributors and always took great interest in its work. In politics he was a Democrat of the old school, though he was never a secker for office. He was a poet of considerable ability. He died at the age of forty-five years, and his widow, who lived with her son Nathan during the last twenty-four years of her life, died at the age of seventy-eight. They had five children. Mary Jane mar- ried George Hepler, and is now dead. and the others are living at Hegins, where Eno. D. i. a watchmaker and jeweler; Lewis D. is a wheelwright, and William D. is a painter. Nathan D. Yoder was educated in the local schools and at Freeburg academy, after which

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BIOGRAPHICAL

he began teaching. His first term was at Helfenstein, his second at home, and he then taught six terms at Fountain. He then moved to Hegins and has taught in all twenty-four terms. In 1865 he bought sixty-five acres of land in Hegins township and commenced farming. In 1888 he bought the farm of 112 acres, known as the Wagner place, some of which he has sold off as lots in the village of Hegins. He devotes considerable attention to fruit and stock growing, though he raises all kinds of grain, and also owns and operates a saw mill. His farm is one of the best improved in the township and shows evidence of the intelligence and industry employed in its manage- ment. Jan. 29, 1864, Mr. Yoder was married to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Jacob and Hannah ( Maurer) Hepler, of Eldred township, and they have had the following children: Oliver H., a teacher, married Lillie Jones and their children are Howard, Clarence, Nel- son, Irene, Dorothy and Alice; Hannah died in childhood; Jennie is the wife of Walter Till, of Philadelphia, and has one daughter, Mildred; Ida, who is the wife of Albert Strausser, who is in the asylum, a disabled engineer, has one son, Albert, and lives with her father, following the occupation of dressmaker; Mima taught for a time and is now the wife of Rev. E. S. Faust, a minister of the Reformed church, at St. Thomas, Pa., with one son, Lawrence Y .; William F. taught for several years, graduated at the state normal school in West Chester, and is now attending Franklin and Marshall college, at Lancaster; Alvina is at home with her parents; Emma also is at home; Clara died at the age of twenty-two years; Jacob H. is attending school at West Chester preparing for college; Lu- ella is teaching at Reinerton; and Daisy is deceased. Mr. Yoder is a Republican and was for ten years a justice of the peace. . He belongs to Hegins Lodge, No. 726, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of which he was secretary for thirty years, and served four terms as district deputy grand master. He and family are members of the United Evangelical church. He is a friend of popular educa- tion and is a careful reader of scientific agriculture as well as Chris- tianity and political subjects.

Yuengling, David G., deceased, founder of the great brewing establishment of D. G. Yuengling & Son, of Pottsville, was born on March 6, 1806, in the kingdom of Würtemberg, now a part of the German empire. He received his education in the schools of his na- tive province, learned the brewing business there and in. 1827 came to America. His first two years in this country were spent in Balti- more, Md., where he landed, but in 1829 he went to Lancaster, Pa., and after a short residence there came to Pottsville. Here he built a small, unpretentious brewery on Center street, and from this hum- ble beginning has developed the extensive plant of the D. G. Yueng- ling & Son brewery, one of the best equipped in eastern Pennsylva- nia. Mr. Yuengling continued actively connected with the concern until his death, which occurred in 1877. For almost half a century Mr. Yuengling was closely identified with the commercial life and municipal affairs of Pottsville. During this time he was active in

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NIN YLKILL. COUNTY

promoting the interests of the city in various ways. Not only was he necessiul in the uploading of the brewing concern which still bras his name, but he was also connected with other industrial en- serpentes that have been of great benefit to the city. He was the first president of the Pottsville Gas Company, holding the office for a number of years, and the present successful status of the company is due in a great measure to the superb executive ability he displayed in the management of its affairs during the earlier years of its exist- ence He was for some time one of the directors of the Pottsville Water Company, and was actively associated with several institutions of similar character. Politically he was a Democrat, and in mumici- pat politics wielded a large and beneficent influence, as he also did in county affairs. Mr. Yuengling was a member of the German Lutheran church and took a commendable interest in all its good works. For several years he held the office of vestryman and when the German Lutheran church was erected in Pottsville he gave Storno to the cause. While this fact is generally known and ap- plauded, he gave away many a dollar in unostentatious charity, of which no one knew except the beneficiary and the all-wise Creator. Mr. Yuengling married Miss Elizabeth Betz, and they became the parents of three sons and seven daughters. One son. Frederick, succeeded to the management of the brewery upon the death of his father. [Sce sketch elsewhere. ) Notwithstanding Mr. Yuengling took great concern in public matters he could never be prevailed upon to accept public office. He was a business man and his highest ambition was to achieve success in his chosen vocation. In all his long and useful career he never trampled upon the rights or im- mumties of his fellow men, but was always open and above board in huis dealings, strictly honest, and "even his failing- leaned to vir- the's side." Consequently his death was sincerely mourned by a large number of friends and his loss will be felt for years to come. especially among those with whom he was most intimately asso- ciated.

Yuengling. Frank D .- The gentleman whose name begins this article represents the third generation of his family who have been prominently identified with the brewing establishment of D. G. Yuengling & Son. He is a son of Frederick G. Yuengling. a sketch of whom will be found in this volume, and was born in Pottsville. Sept 27. 1876. Neither time nor money was spared in his education, and perhaps the trend of his life-work was changed by the untimely death of his father. After leaving the public schools of Pottsville he attended the Hill school in this city for three years; pursued a two year-' course at Phillips academy. Andover. Mass .. and a course of two years at Princeton university, Princeton, N. J. He was then called home to assume charge of the business which now engages his attention, and which was conducted by his father until his death. This arduous duty involves the superintendence of the large and in- tricate business in all its varied details. Somewhat more than a hun- dred men are employed in the various departments and about thirty

А. У. Усендвич-

teams and wagons 1 product to the retail the wholesale demand 1 ៛

11 - of excellent business al 24, 1907, he married . Aca 1 - are well known and pomalu - Mr. Yuengling holds merh nevolent and Protective (),5

nity. He is a member of the United State

Pottsville club, Pottsville commercial club, 1

a director of the Pennsylvania National bank. . 10k co association.

Yuengling, Frederick G., de Elizabeth ( Betz) Yuengling, was bon 1848, and died in our city on Jan.

Pottsville public an Center county, graduati al & frith

Y .; in 1865, and then completed On

college, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. L,on fi! had the management of his father's beywir. when he went to Europe to study the all .. When he returned he entered the chiple u 1

Brewing Company, of Philadelphia, for th 1 more practical knowledge of the business, and

sociated with his father bc firm name “

Son. ( Sce sketch of D) .. 0 . "angling. )

tained by the brewery. th nl to their eternal reward.

tongo street. Pottsville ; emploi 11 ments ; about thirty i.P str i product to the retail trade it: t. sale trade extends throughout Sol Lebanon, Luzerne and Lycoming cotini

Philadelphia, Boston and other large success of this brewery is due in a ? preparation and technical sky! 1

the best years of his life to mulige !! and porter, which have since established. Mr. Yuengling v. enterprises, though he is he, reut ich great brewery that still bears his nann Pottsville Gas Company: vice-president Railway Company and the Schuylkill Real

and Trust Company ; and a director in po Site 1

Pottsville Water Company.

of his executive ability wa- him as a man of rare tact affairs. In fraternal circles 1

216. Free and Accepted \

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BIOGRAPHICAL

teams and wagons are in constant requisition in distributing the product to the retail trade in surrounding towns and villages, while the wholesale demand is very large. Mr. Yuengling is a young man of excellent business attainments and fine executive ability. On Apr. 24, 1907, he married Augusta C. Roseberry, of Pottsville, and they are well known and popular among the young people of Pottsville. Mr. Yuengling holds membership in Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the Masonic frater- nity. He is a member of the United States Brewers' association, the Pottsville club, Pottsville Commercial club, Good Intent fire company, a director of the Pennsylvania National bank and of the Union Hall association.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 67

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