History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 8

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 8

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Brooke, Lewis Phillips, deceased, for many years a resident of Pottsville and a pioneer in developing the anthracite coal fields, was born at Valley Store, Chester county, Pa., March 19, 1816. His father, Samuel Brooke, was born in 1789, and died at Potts- ville in 1839, his death having been the result of an accident. In 1813 Samuel Brooke married Miss Priscilla Phillips, who was born in 1793. Both parents were members of the Friends' church. Lewis P. Brooke received an education in the most advanced schools of that period, and became an accomplished musician. He came to Pottsville while still in his youth, where his father en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, but he subsequently removed to Philadelphia to engage in the wholesale dry goods. business. In 1844 Lewis P. Brooke and Miss Margaret Susan Weaver, of Branchdale, Pa., were married in Branchdale. Soon afterward they removed to Philadelphia and later returned to Pottsville, where he became identified with the opening of the anthracite coal industry. During the Civil war he served in the Pennsylvania emergency troops, and in 1865 he went to Lynchburg, Va., where for four years he was in charge of the rolling mills. While living in Lynchburg he served as a member of the city council, where he demonstrated his capacity for handling municipal matters and was recognized as a man of great public spirit. About 1869 he retired from active business associations, returned to Pottsville and there passed to his eternal reward on Jan. 22, 1895, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife was born in 1823 and preceded him to the Great Beyond, her death having occurred in 1891. They were the parents of the following children : Catherine P., Ida B., George.A., Annie M., Walter C. and Henry. Throughout his life Mr. Brooke was an active and energetic citizen. Brought up as he was under the teaching of his Quaker parents, he had a fine perception of right and wrong, and this teaching influenced his every action in his

SHUYLKILL COUNTY

relations with his fellow men. Modest and unostentatious in his habits, he could nevertheless say "No" to any and every proposi- tion that did not meet his moral ideal. The world's progress is due to such men, and the world is the better for his having lived 111 11.

Brosnahan, Timothy B., shipping agent for one of the big col- leries of Schuylkill county, with headquarters at Cressona, was born m Really township in November, 1803. He is a son of Michael and Anna (Quinlan) Brosnahan, and is the third in order of birth of the ten children born to them, seven of whom survive. The others are Mary, Ella, Margaret. Michael, John and Anna. The parents were respectively born in County Limerick and County Cork, Ireland, and immigrated to this country in 1851. locating at Yellow Spring. Dauphin county, and subsequently in Reilly township. The paternal grandparents were Timothy and Mary Brosnahan, and on the maternal side the grandparents were John and Hannah Quinlan. Timothy B. Brosnahan attended the common schools of his native township and at the age of fifteen years started work as a breaker boy. He was promoted by de- grees to the position of clerk of the colliery and subsequently was transferred to the headquarters of the company in Pottsville. In 18go he received the appointment to his present position of responsibility. His retention in the office for more than a decade is ample evidence of the efficiency with which he has filled it. In politics Mr. Brosnahan is absolutely independent, and he and his family are communicants of St. Patrick's church of Pottsville. In February, 1809. was celebrated Mr. Brosnahan's marriage to Miss Mary Carley, a daughter of Peter Carley, of Mahanoy City. Two children, a daughter and a son, John and Mary by name, have been born to this union.

Brown, Frank, general manager of the extensive shoe manufac- turing industry in Schuylkill Haven, was born in the town in which most of his mature years have been spent. llis birth occurred on March 10. 1868. His parents. Daniel and Elizabeth (Deibert) Brown, were natives of Landingville. Schuylkill county. The father enlisted early in the Civil war and served with honor throughout that great national struggle. Frank Brown attended the public schools of his native county, and in early manhood became interested in the shoe manufacturing business. He was for four years connected with the business at Landingville and came from there to his present position in Schuylkill Haven in 1802. Fourteen years of his life have been spent in charge of an industry employing many workmen and requiring the constant supervision of a manager well skilled in the work. That Mr. Brown fulfills this requirement is self-evident. in view of his long continuance in the position. He was married July 10, 1894. to Miss Alice Ehly. She has been an orphan almost from her birth. so that but little is known of her parents, and nothing of her an- cestral history. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have an interesting family of four children, the eldest of whom is Madalene Salome, born

BIOGRAPHIICAL

March 15, 1898; Stanley Hendrick, born July 19, 1900; F. Alfred, born Sept. 18, 1902, and Hamilton, born Sept. 19, 1905. The two first named have entered upon their educational career and arc battling with the mysteries of juvenile life in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Reformed church. He is an independent Republican in his political affiliations.

Brown, Frank A., a member of the firm of Ney & Brown, of Freidensburg, and a son of Joseph and Susanna (Schwartz) Brown, was born in Wayne township, Dec. 12, 1858. He attended the public schools until he was sixteen years of age and then taught school for several terms, after which he entered the mercantile life in April, 1882, at Rock, Schuylkill county, remaining there until 1888. At that time he sold his business to John G. Mauree and moved to Freidensburg, going into business there as a general merchant in company with Mr. Daniel R. Ney, under the firm name of Ney & Brown, the partnership continuing until the pres- ent time. On Nov. 26, 1881, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Lorina Reber, daughter of Charles and Lorina (Overbeck) Reber, of Wayne township, and three children, one son and two daughters, have been born to this union. E. Estella is a stenographer in Pottsville; Grover N. is a student in the Kutztown normal school, and Dora R. is at home. Mr. Brown belongs to Camp No. 264, Patriotic Order Sons of America; to Council No. 1001, Order of Independent Americans, and to Page Lodge, No. 272, Free and Accepted Masons, of Schuylkill Haven. He is a past officer in both the Patriotic Order of Sons of America and the Independent Americans. In politics he is a Democrat. He originated the Brown reunion, which is held annually on the first Saturday in September. The family belongs to the Reformed church of Freid- ensburg, of which Mr. Brown is an elder and is also the represen- tative to the classes held by the church in the county. Besides his mercantile business, Mr. Brown follows the profession of a surveyor, to which he devotes a considerable portion of his time.

Brown, Frank Luther, son of Harry Adam and Regina Marie (Kemmerer) Brown, was born in Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pa., on Jan. 5, 1870. He received his early education in the public schools of Lebanon. On April 13, 1885, he entered the employ of Dr. William B. Means, a druggist in Lebanon, as a clerk, where he served until April 10, 1889, when he accepted a position with Rush P. Marshall (now deceased), of Philadelphia. He remained in that position for about three years, when he embarked in busi- ness for himself at the corner of Main and Pearl streets, Norris- town, Pa., on Sept. 1, 1892. Here he conducted a retail drug business for seven years, when he sold out to Atwood Yeakle, who removed the business to DeKalb and Spruce streets. Mr. Brown remained with Mr. Yeakle for a short time, as manager of the store until the latter could secure a pharmacy clerk. He then entered the employ of the William Stahler Drug Company, whole- sale druggists of Norristown, Pa., where he remained for a short time. Mr. Brown was at one time a room-mate of the son of

" HUYLKILL LOUNTI

Senator Qual, and during the coal strike of mong he entered upon a correspondence with the senator relative to obtaining a supply of waves coal, washed up from the river bed. Through this cor- respondeme, Senator Qual requested Mr. Brown to find a par- chaser for the drug business at Auburn, which finally resulted in the latter purchasing the business himself. He has added to the original business the manufacture and sale of ice cream, both wholesale and retail, and a newspaper and periodical department. Mr Brown entered the Philadelphia college of pharmacy in 1889 and was graduated in the spring of 1801 with the degree of l'h. (. He was married on June 14. 1803, to Emma Marie Nagele and three children have been born to them. One daughter, Miriam. died in mianes, and two sons, Frank Melanchthon and Luther Adolphus, are living. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He has always been much interested in church and Sunday school work : was superintendent of the Sunday school in Norristown. and has been assistant superintendent of the Sunday school since coming to Auburn. Both he and his family belong to the Lutheran church ; he has been president of the Luther League of Berks. Montgomery and Chester counties; has been president for two years of the Schuylkill county Luther League, and has also been a generous contributor to historical works prepared in Lebanon, Dauphin and Montgomery counties.

Brown. Jared S., was born in December, 1853, on the farm where he now lives, in Wayne township, a son of Joseph and Susanna (Schwartz) Brown. His early education was obtained in the public schools and his academic training in the Myerstown college. After finishing his education he entered upon the pro- fession of teaching and followed it for thirty years in his native town. In Ioog he retired from professional life and took up farm- ing as a permanent occupation. He married Miss Sarah A. Berk- heiser, daughter of William Berkheiser, of South Manheim town- ship, to which union there were born three sons and one daughter. all of whom are living, viz. : Herman E., Calvin .A., Richard E. and Lillian D. Calvin A., the second son, attended Kutztown normal school, where he was graduated in 1800. He then entered Franklin and Marshall college in tono, at which he was graduated in 1903. In the summer of 100; he entered the University of Pennsylvania, taking a post-graduate course in mathematics. He has been since 14 professor of chemistry in the Mercersburg (Pa.) academy. Herman E. is also a graduate of the Kutztown normal, finishing the course there in 1800. He then took a business course at Nor- ristown and taught for five terms before entering upon his present position as railway mail clerk between Pittsburg and New York. He married Miss Lizzie Manbeck, of Washington township. Schuylkill county. Richard E. also graduated at the Kutztown normal, in 1900, and in the fall of the same year entered the fresh- man class at Lehigh university, where he is now pursuing his studies. Lillian O. was graduated from the Kutztown normal in 1904. and is now attending Dickinson college, where she is a

BIOGRAPHICAL

member of the junior class. "Mr. Brown is a member of the Pa- triotic Order Sous of America, of Freidensburg, and of the Grange. His son Herman belongs to the former lodge and also to the Masonic fraternity. In his political affiliations Mr. Brown is a Democrat. The family are connected with the Re- formed church. In addition to his other business interests, Mr. Brown is a director of the First National bank of Schuylkill Haven.

Brownmiller, Henry H., superintendent of the Schuylkill county almshouse at Orwigsburg, and for the past seventeen years a justice of the peace, was born in Berks county, Pa., Jan. 23, 1842. He is one of seven children (and the only survivor) of George and Anna (Foose) Brownmiller. The father was a man of varied occupations. For many years he was organist and musical director of a Lutheran church, and after the establishment of the public school system he became a teacher. For a score of years he was justice of the peace. His demise occurred in his ninety-second year and the mother died in 1882 at the age of eighty-eight. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools and in the Oley academy. After the completion of his scholastic work he alternately taught school and worked on a farm until July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company L, Ist Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and he served with that army until the close of the great internal struggle. When his term expired in 1863 Mr. Brownmiller reenlisted in the same company. He was a partici- pant in sixteen battles, among them the second Bull Run, Antie- tam, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and others. While fighting at White House Landing on June 21, 1864, in Sheridan's raid to Trevilian Station, he was twice wounded, once in the left breast and once in the left arm. For nine months he was an inmate of the Carver hospital at Washington. While there gangrene set in and several times his life was despaired of. After his recovery he rejoined his regiment and about five days before Lee's surrender at Appomattox he was badly wounded in a saber fight. His last wound has troubled him more or less ever since. A brother, George W. Brownmiller, was a member of the regular army for twenty-two years and saw service with Scott in the Mexican war. When hostilities had ceased Mr. Brown- miller returned to Pennsylvania and for twenty-eight years was engaged in pedagogic work, serving at Bernville, Berks county, some twelve years, at Orwigsburg four years, Frackville five years, Port Carbon one year, and at other places for different periods. He is now seving his fourth term as justice of the peace. While home on furlough in September, 1864, Mr. Brownmiller was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kline, of Bernville, Berks county, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wagner) Kline. To this union was born one daughter, who in later life became the wife of John Heckman and died in March, 1900, at the age of thirty-four. Mrs. Brownmiller is a member of the

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Reformed church and her husband of the Lutheran congregation. He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of America and the Order of American Mechanics. He has always been active in politics, and his forensic ability has often been called mto requisition, not only during campaigns, but on Memorial days and other anniversaries. Although well advanced in years he is enthusiastic and enterprising in everything he under- takes and is a most efficient incumbent of his office.

Brownmiller, Thomas D., son of Joseph and Hannah (Stine) Brownmiller, was born in Hamlin, Lebanon county Pa., in 1850. He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Reformed church preparatory school known as the Palatinate college, in Myerstown. Pa. He taught music for ten years, but gave it up on account of failing health, and started in the marble and granite-cutting business in Schuylkill Haven, where he manu- factures marble and granite monuments, headstones, marker posts and coping, and also deals in curbing and flagging. The stone- vard is thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances for the best possible workmanship. The time of Mr. Brownmiller's com- ing to Schuylkill. Jan. 6. 1885, was identical with the beginning of this business, which he has conducted with such marked success. He was married in January, 1876, to Fianna Gerhart, of Hamlin. Pa., and to this union have been born five children-Lillie. Harry. Charles, Roy and Annette, all living. Mr. Brownmiller affiliates with the Democratic party and is a strong supporter of the policies of that party. The family belongs to the Lutheran church of Schuylkill Haven.

Bruno, Frank P., cigar manufacturer and merchant of Kelayres and MeAdoo, with a residence in the former place, was born in a little town near Naples, Italy, April 4. 1852, a son of Louis and Mary Bruno. His educational advantages were limited to a year of study in a parish school. His residence in the United States dlates from 1882, when he came to Kelayres. His first labor was in the mines, where after three years he was made a foreman. For fifteen years more he remained in that capacity and then he pur- chased of his brother a general merchandising business. Since that time he has been extending his interests in other directions. In 1904 he built a factory for the manufacture of cigars, where he employs six people the whole year. The output is not limited to any one brand, and the several varieties manufactured are well known because of their high quality. Within the last year Mr. Bruno has opened a shoe and men's furnishing store in Mc. Adoo, conducting it with the aid of a resident manager. Politically he is a stanch Republican and a factor in the councils of that party. At the present time he is chairman of the Kline township Repub- lican committee and of the county executive committee. For a number of years he has been a school director, and in 1899 was appointed postmaster of Kelayres by President Mckinley. Fra- ternally he is a Knight of Pythias and has held the office of treas- urer of the lodge. In 1874 Mr. Bruno was united in marriage to

BIOGRAPHICAL

Miss Josephine Mazzula, and to this union were born two chil- dren, Lucy and Louis. The former is deceased; the latter is mar- ried and the father of two children, Frank and Josephinc. Mr. Bruno's family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church of the Immaculate Conception at McAdoo. The father has come to be recognized as one of the leaders in the commercial circles of McAdoo and Kelayres, and as an example of industry, enter- prise and honesty is certainly worthy of emulation.

Buehler, Samuel, jury commissioner of Schuylkill county, is a son of Peter and Catherine (Groetzinger) Buehler, and was born in North Manheim township, June 9, 1866. His parents immi- grated to Philadelphia from Würtemberg, Germany, in 1850, and located at Schuylkill Haven in 1852. His father was employed in public positions on the canal and in other capacities until 1859, when he bought the farm in North Manheim township where Samuel was born. Peter Buehler died in March, 1867. His wife survived him for over thirty years, passing away on Feb. 26, 1898. The family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Of the sisters Christine married Samuel Berger, Mary married John Christ, and Louisa married Jacob Berger, all of Schuylkill Haven, although Mr. Christ was formerly of Tremont. John, a freight conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading railway, married Rose Geizer, of Tamaqua; George was drowned in the Raritan canal at Trenton in 1873; Daniel, a conductor on the Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania railway, is married and lives at Altoona, Pa. Samuel Buehler was educated in the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he began to work at any odd jobs by which he could earn a livelihood. In the spring of 1889 he went to the Mine Hill railroad, now the Philadelphia & Reading, at Mine Hill crossing as. brakeman. This position he resigned in 1891 and worked as a carpenter until 1892, when he joined Company F. 4th regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, and served until July 30, 1895, when he lost his foot by an accident and was taken to the Pottsville hospital, being the third patient admitted after the opening of that institution. He was elected to the office of school director in North Manheim township in 1893, served for five years and was secretary of the board for two years. In 1897 he was appointed carpenter at the county almshouse and served in this capacity for two years. In March, 1899, he moved to Schuylkill Haven, where he opened a hotel, which he is still conducting. In 1905 he was appointed councilman for an unexpired term, and in February, 1906, was elected to the office for another term, which expires in March, 1909. On Nov. 6, 1906, Mr. Buehler was elected jury commissioner of the county for a term of three years. On Dec. 13, 1898, Mr. Buehler married Ida, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Sheaffer, of Schuylkill Haven. Mrs. Buehler died on Oct. 5, 1903, leaving no children. Mr. Buehler is a member and past grand of Carroll Lodge, No. 120, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Schuylkill Haven ; a past sachem of Pecos Tribe, No. 327, Improved Order of Red Men, of the same place; a mem-

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hur of Pottsville Serie. No. 134. Fraternal Order of Eagles, and belongs to the fish and game protective association of Pottsville. Mr. Buchler is a Republican in politics and a strong supporter of the policies of his party. He is a member of the German Lutheran church of Schuylkill Haven.

Burke, Miles M .. the genial proprietor of "Burke's Pharmacy." at the corner of Main and Lloyd streets, Shenandoah, was born AAng. 5. 1882, in the borough where he now lives. His parents. Mark and Maria (Loftus) Burke, were both born in Ireland. They were married at Minersville, Schuylkill county. Dec. 12, 1800), and Nov. 27. 1871, located in Shenandoah. The father has been identified with mining interests all his active life, and for the past twenty years has held the position of fire boss. He has been an active participant in local public affairs, having served on the Shenandoah school board for three years; was also a member of the borough council for three years, and for a like period heid the office of tax collector. The mother died in Shenandoah on Dec. 31, 1003. They were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living and are all useful members of society. Patrick 1. who for several years edited the Shenandoah Daily News. is a printer in Philadelphia: Annie P., a registered pharmacist, is the wife of Thomas J. Flannagan, a druggist in Mahanoy City, and is a graduate of the Bloomsburg state normal school ; Michael F. is a mechanic in Philadelphia : Mary E. married Edward Gor- man, a civil engineer of Williamsport, Pa. : Sarah G., a graduate of Bloomsburg state normal school, is a teacher in the Shenandoah schools; Miles M. is the subject of this sketch : Adele is a gradu- ate of the Bloomsburg state normal school and is a teacher at Zion Grove, Schuylkill county: Mark is employed in his brother's drug store, having become a registered pharmacist on Dec. 30, 1905 ; and Margaret lives at home with her father. Miles MI. Burke acquired his education in the Shenandoah schools, graduating in the high school with the class of 1898, and was president of the class. He then served an apprenticeship in a Shenandoah drug store, and on July 25. 1003. was duly registered. For six years he was in the employ of Paul W. Hauck and in January. 1905. opened his present place of business, where he carries such a stock as is usually to be found in a first-class drug store. He makes a specialty of prescription trade, and Burke's Pharmacy is noted throughout the city for its "Innovation" soda fountain, one of the latest inventions of its kind. His brother has been with him ever since he began business. The family are members of the Annun- ciation Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Burke was one of the charter members of the Knights of Columbus and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Shenandoah. He also belongs to other fraternal organizations. In politics he is a Democrat. but has never sought or held public office, though he is always ready and willing to do his part toward winning a Democratic victory.

Bushar. Harry Fernsler, a successful young business man of Mahanoy City, was born in Pottsville. Schuylkill county, Pa ..

BIOGRAPHICAL

Nov. 25, 1872. His father, Charles Wesley Bushar, was born in the same borough in 1842, and his mother, who in maidenhood was Hettie Hommes, was born in Schuylkill Haven in 1845. The Bushar family has been identified with the history of Pottsville since 1833, when the grandparents of Harry F. located on a por- tion of the site of the present county courthouse. This land was sold by them to Schuylkill county in 1858. Charles Wesley Bushar, the subject's father, was one of the first letter-carriers appointed in the borough of Pottsville, a business with which he was still connected at the time of his death, in 1886. He was a member of Company G, 39th Pa. Militia, during the emergency call of 1863. His sons are mostly given to mechanical pursuits. The paternal great-grandfather of Harry F. Bushar was a soldier dur- ing the War of 1812, and John K. Fernsler, a great-uncle of the subject, served as private soldier during the war with Mexico. He was also a soldier in the Civil war, and served as first lienten- ant of Company H, 96th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer in- fantry, and commanded his company during most of its term of enlistment. A brother of the subject of this sketch, Fred- erick D. Bushar, served in Company H, 8th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, during the Spanish-American war. (See the chapter on Military History.) Harry F. Bushar ceived his education in the public schools of Pottsville, be- ing graduated from the grammar school in 1886. He was then apprenticed to the printers' trade and followed the "Art Preserva- tive" for a number of years. In 1898 he located in Mahanoy City, and became interested in the establishment of a shirt factory, the purpose of which is indicated by the name. This business he has developed into one of the paying industries of the town, and gives remunerative employment to a number of wage-workers. Mr. Bushar was married on Aug. 7, 1900, to Miss Charlotte Eisen- acher, of Pottsville. She is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine Eisenacher, residents of Pottsville. The only child born to this union is Master Harold Gordon Bushar, born March 7, 1904. The subject of this article is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 357; Mizpah Royal Arch Chapter, No. 252; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, Knights Templars, and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with Mahanoy City Lodge, No. 695. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; Washington Camp No. 36, Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and Pottsville Council, No. 263, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he has never sought or held public office. In the business world Mr. Bushar is rated as successful, and he and his estimable wife are prominent in the social functions of their adopted home city.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 8

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