Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 136

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 136

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Mr. Ringbloom was married in Sweden April 4, 1880. to Christine Carlson, and had a family of eight children: Elmer, born in Sweden, now a resident of Armstrong county, Pa., married May Olsen, and they have two children, Evelyn and Genevieve; Gust, born in Sweden, was killed in the Rattlesnake mines when twenty-one years old; Harry is unmar- ried : Carrie is at home : Fred Oscar was edu- cated in the public schools and is now employed in the mines ; Victor, Walter and Vernon are at home with their parents.

NICHOLAS SCHETTINO. Though he was born in Italy this popular young business man of Reynoldsville has maintained his home in that thriving little borough since his boy- hood, there gained his early education in the public schools and there has found opportunity for the achieving of definite success through his own well ordered endeavors. He now con- trols a substantial and prosperous enterprise as a dealer in fancy groceries. is the owner of his well equipped and attractively appointed store building on West Main street, and is one of the progressive and wideawake young busi- ness men and popular citizens of Reynolds- ville.

Mr. Schettino was born in Italy on the 12th of May, 1890, and thus was about six years old when, in 1896, his parents, Alphonzo and Mary (Pierrow) Schettino, left their native land and came to America, where they felt assured of better opportunities for the win- ning of independence and the giving to their children of superior advantages. Soon after their arrival in the United States the family came to Jefferson county and the home was established at Reynoldsville. where the father entered the employ of the Elk Tanning Com- pany. Alphonzo Schettino and his wife still reside in this attractive place, practically re- tired, and of the children Nicholas is the eld- est, the others being Anthony, Samuel, Mary and Rosie.

Nicholas Schettino is indebted to the pub- lic schools of Reynoldsville for his early edu- cation and in the same continued his studies until sixteen years of age. For one year there- after he was employed by the Elk Tanning Company, and by industry and frugality saved from his wages three hundred dollars. With this financial reinforcement he engaged in his present line of business on a modest scale, in 16,00, and by careful methods and acceptable service to his patrons soon developed a pros- perons business, which has continued to ex- pand and which marks him as one of the rep- resentative young merchants of the community in which he has lived from his boyhood. Mr. Schettino has gained a wide circle of stanch friends in Reynoldsville and vicinity, is loyal as a citizen of his adopted land and his energy and honorable policies are certain to still further increase his prestige in his vocation. Ile is one of the charter members of the Reyn- oldsville Chamber of Commerce, was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church and is a communicant of the same. He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

SPRANKLE BROTHERS, of Punxsu- tawney, are young business men recently es- tablished in the borough and making good by reliable workmanship and prompt attention to the wants of the patrons of their blacksmith and wagon shop. The firm is composed of Mangus and Angus Sprankle, twin brothers. Their previous experiences were comprehen -- sive and varied enough to prepare them for the many kinds of job and emergency work which constitute so large a part of the shop duties, and as general blacksmiths and wagon- makers they have shown a familiarity with the requirements of the business which en- titles them to the confidence of customers, who depend upon them completely for the proper handling of all sorts of repairs and construc- tion work in their line.

The Sprankles are an old family in this section of Pennsylvania, whose founder, Fred- erick Sprankle, settled at an early day in what is now Oliver township, Jefferson county ; he was a native of Germany. He was one of the pioneers in that region, where he built the well known Sprankle mill. Later he settled on a farm in the adjoining county of Indiana, where he died. He was widely known in both coun- ties. John Sprankle, son of Frederick, was the grandfather of the Sprankle brothers.

William Sprankle, son of John, was born at

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Trade City, Indiana Co., Pa., and spent most of his life in that county. For a short time he lived at Sportsburg, Jefferson county, sub- sequently settling upon his farm in Indiana county, where he lived retired before his death, which occurred in 1912. He followed farming and carpenter work principally, but was also engaged in various other lines, being a clever mechanic and able to do many things well. In his earlier years he rafted on both Little and Big Mahoning creeks down to Pittsburgh, many a time returning home on foot, as the raftsmen were often obliged to do in those days of meager transportation facilities. He oper- ated a sawmill for a time and also did gun- smithing, his versatility being particularly use- ful in the old days, when communication was slow and difficult and the need for a mechanic could not always be readily supplied. He served his township as overseer of the poor, and was an active member of the Lutheran Church, taking an interest in all the enterprises which concerned his community. Mr. Sprankle married Malinda Heitzenrater, who survives him, continuing to make her home at the old farm in Indiana county. Of the eleven chil- dren born to them, Emerson lives at Cloe, Jef- ferson county, where he has a sawmill and follows farming; Annie and Gertrude are at home; Benjamin died when twelve years old ; one died in infancy; Mangus and Angus, twins, are mentioned below; Irene is the wife of George Jacobs, of Charleroi, Pa .; Minta and Kemp are at home.

MANGUS SPRANKLE was born June 6, 1885, and grew to manhood upon his father's farm, meanwhile attending the local public schools until he reached the age of fifteen years. For about fourteen years thereafter he was em- ployed at sawmilling, in Jefferson as well as Indiana county, and in October, 1915, em- barked in his present enterprise, he and his brother Angus forming a partnership under the name of Sprankle Brothers. They have a well equipped shop in Indiana street, in Punx- sutawney, and do general blacksmith and wagon work of all kinds. A good volume of trade came in from the first, and the high-class service they have been able to give is a guar- antee of prosperity for the future as long as such standards are maintained. The shop has proved a valuable convenience to many local business men and vehicle owners. Mangus Sprankle was married to Blanche Hadden, daughter of Archibald Hadden, and they have made their home at Punxsutawney since Mr. Sprankle moved his business interests to the

town. They are Lutherans in religious con- nection.

ANGUS SPRANKLE was born June 6, 1885, and had the same early training and educa- tional advantages as his brother, spending his youth on the home farm in Indiana county. He began work in the lumber business, at which he continued for eleven years, until he opened a blacksmith shop at Trade City, In- diana county, remaining at that location for a period of three years. He then sold out and turned to farming for one year, following with a year and a half at Valier, six months at the mines and one year in a smith shop. From there he came to Punxsutawney, where he was in the employ of E. S. Beck for two years, until he formed his present association with his brother. He married Alice E. Ross, daugh- ter of Milton Ross, in September, 1916, and resides at Punxsutawney. Like the family generally, he is a Lutheran in church con- nection. The brothers are young men of char- acter and purpose, and have made creditable progress during their brief residence in Punx- sutawney.

EVERETT WARREN REITZ, of Pansy, Jefferson county, is a member of one of the best known families of this region, being a son of Simon Reitz, who lives in Beaver town- ship one mile south of Belleview, on part of the Holt place, the homestead of Mrs. Simon Reitz's ancestors. Everett W. Reitz was born in Beaver township Sept. 25, 1889, and has spent most of his life in that vicinity. He had excellent educational advantages and ap- preciated them. While yet in his teens he be- gan to teach, following the profession in Beaver and Warsaw townships, and meantime he also undertook to fit himself for engineer- ing, first working as fireman on a locomotive. Just after his marriage he obtained a respon- sible engineering position in the sheet steel mills at Vandergrift, Pa., not far from Pitts- burgh, which he continued to hold for six years. However, he was ambitious to begin an independent career, and in April, 1911, bought the interest of his brother-in-law, B. C. Reitz, in the general store at Pansy which he has since conducted. Mr. Reitz has kept the popularity of this establishment up to its best mark by his able efforts to give his patrons the merchandise and service they have been taught to expect, and the trade has continued to in- crease under his management. The post office of Pansy has been in the store throughout the period of his ownership. He was appointed

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postmaster Jan. 10, 1913, and is the present incumbent.

Mr. Reitz is well known in Beaver township and has done his share toward promoting the various interests of the community. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Malta, and of the local M. E. Society, the Chestnut Cliff Church. Politically he is a Republican.

On June 22, 1904, Mr. Reitz married Daisy Reitz, daughter of Aaron and Matilda (Spare) Reitz, mention of whom will be found in the biography of their son, B. C. Reitz, in this work. They have two children, Allen Kenneth and Morgan Stanley.

HECTOR CAMPBELL has been identified with coal mining from youth. He was an ambitious and sturdy young Scotsman upon his immigration to America in 1881, since when his home has been in Pennsylvania, being now a sterling and honored citizen of Young township. Jefferson county. He has been closely identified with the mines of the Adrian district, and since 1907 has superintended the weighing there.

Mr. Campbell was born at Burintland, Scot- land, June 9. 1850. His parents passed their entire lives in their native land, his father, James Campbell, being for many years a rail- way engineer. When he was a lad of but nine years Hector Campbell began coal mine work, continuing this employment in Scotland until his ambition and self-reliance led him to sever home ties and seek here the better oppor- tunities which he believed awaited him. On June 23, 1881, he landed at New York City, soon proceeding to Bradford county. Pa., where he secured work in the mines, and there remained five years. when he revisited the old home in Scotland. Upon his return he found employment in Elk county. Pa., where he remained as a miner two years. In 1888 he came to Adrian, and for twenty-seven years has been identified with the local mines. His steadfastness and ability drew the attention of his superiors, and he was transferred to the weighing department. He has attained an en- viable record for efficient and loyal service, and has ever held the confidence and high re- gard of his employers as well as of all fellow workmen, his duties affecting the vital in- terests of both.

Mr. Campbell has entered fully and loyally into the spirit of American institutions and is a broad-minded and public-spirited citizen. His political allegiance is given to the Repub- lican party, and for seventeen years he has

been a valued and efficient member of the school board, filling the offices of president. secretary and treasurer of that body, still serv- ing in the latter capacity. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and he and his wife are devout members of the Presbyterian Church at Adrian, which he is serving as secretary and elder. Ever a worker in the Sunday school, he is now its superintendent, and has taught a class faithfully. In 1904 Mr. Camp- bell indulged himself in another gratifying trip to Scotland, renewing old associations.

In the year 1872 Hector Campbell married Margaret Geddes, in Scotland. She has re- visited the familiar scenes of girlhood no less than eight times, and though content with America still feels that "my hame is where the heather blooms." Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell seven are living, namely: Hector, Jr .. Johana, Henry, John, Robert, Margaret and Alexander.

NICHOLAS G. ROEMER has been a resi- dent of Pennsylvania from the time of his birth, and save for an interim of three years has maintained his home at Brookville since 1881. He has been identified with various business interests, and his course has been so ordered that he has a secure place in the pop- ular confidence and esteem.

Nicholas George Roemer was born in Venango county. Dec. 17, 1854, and is a son of Herman and Christena Roemer, both of whom were born in Germany and died near Franklin, Venango county. Herman Roemer was a young man when he came to the United States, and he settled in Venango county, where he married and where he continued his activities as a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife survived him sev- eral years. Nicholas George is the only living child of this union. John Daniel and Conrad William are deceased.

In his native county Nicholas G. Roemer received his education in the public schools. and continued working at the old homestead until the death of his father. In 18SI he came to Brookville, where he found employment in the old T. K. Litch sawmill. After several years' association with lumber manufacturing he was for about five years a valued assistant in the Humphrey brick manufacturing plant. He then returned to his native county, and after remaining three years at Franklin came again to Brookville, where he has since re- sided and where he is now an employe at the brick plant previously mentioned.

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As a young man Mr. Roemer wedded Georgia A. Loflin, who was born near Brook- ville and reared in that borough, being a daughter of George W. and Eliza (Swartz) Loflin. Mr. and Mrs. Roemer have four chil- dren : Pearl is the wife of George D. Statler, of Mayport, Pa., and they have three chil- dren, Alberta, William and Marian; Perry, who remains at the parental home, successfully conducts a racket or novelty store at Brook- ville, and since 1911 has also filled the posi- tion of mail carrier; Ruby G. is the wife of Gould A. Guthrie, of Summerville; Blanche, wife of Austin C. Miller, has two children, William and Edward.

In her early life Mrs. Roemer learned tailor- ing and followed that work for a number of years, and she has always been an industrious and capable needlewoman, devoting much of her time to sewing. She has been an active worker in the Lutheran Church and Guild, and is also interested in local public affairs, keeping well informed on questions of the day of general interest.

George W. Loflin, father of Mrs. Roemer, was born and reared in the State of Maryland. For many years he was a resident of Brook- ville, where he settled in 1850, and where he followed his trade of bricklayer, helping on the construction of the "Commercial Hotel" and many others of the principal buildings there. He was also engaged on the construc- tion of the courthouse at Franklin. He built the house now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Roemer, the family moving there when she was but fourteen months old, so that prac- tically all of her life has been spent there. It is one of the oldest residences in Brook- ville occupied without interruption by the same family. Mr. Loflin was a Democrat on polit- ical questions and a Baptist in religious con- nection. He died in Brookville in 1880, at the age of sixty years, his wife, Eliza (Swartz), who survived him some twenty years, reaching the age of eighty-three. They were married at Lewistown, Pa., and were the parents of three children: William was for some time owner and editor of The New Era at Brookville, studied law, and was about ready for admission to the bar at the time of his death, which occurred in 1865, when he was but twenty-one years old; Sophia is the wife of C. A. Barr, of DuBois, Pa .; and Georgia is the wife of Nicholas G. Roemer.

JOHN H. WEBER represents one of the pioneer families, and is upholding the honors of a name that has been most worthily and

influentially linked with the annals of social and material progress in this favored section. IIe owns and resides upon the fine old home- stead which was the place of his birth, and is known and valued as one of the substantial agriculturists and progressive citizens of Young township.

Born Aug. 9, 1859, Mr. Weber is a son of Christian Weber, a native of the Kingdom of Bavaria, born June 16, 1831, and reared on the farm of his father, Joseph Weber, a life- long farmer of that country. Christian Weber continued active association with agricultural industry until he had attained to the age of twenty years, when, in 1851, he showed his ambition and self-reliance by coming to the United States, where he felt assured of better opportunities. Landing at New York City, he there passed three years as a workman in the manufacturing of brick. He then came to Jefferson county, investing his savings in a tract of 131 acres in Young township. Only a small part of this land was then available for cultivation, and upon him devolved the ar- duous task of clearing and reclaiming it, much of the original growth of heavy timber still remaining on it. His industry and energy recognized no limitations, and with the pass- ing years the farm was brought under effective cultivation, generous prosperity smiling upon the ambitious owner, whose zeal as a worker was equaled by his integrity of character. Christian Weber was accredited with being one of the sterling pioneer citizens, and continued to reside on his old homestead until he passed from the stage of life, May 20, 1909, at the venerable age of seventy-seven years, eleven months, four days. He served effectively as supervisor of Young township and also as school director. He was most earnest and zealous as a member of the Reformed Church. serving as one of the building committee in the erection of the present church edifice in Punxsutawney. He also was a trustee of the church and his remains are laid to rest in its cemetery. The maiden name of his life com- panion was Catherine Weber, and she was born and reared in Jefferson county. hier father, Nicholas Weber, having been another of the honored pioneers here. She preceded her husband to the grave. Of the children of Christian and Catherine Weber, the eldest is William, now a resident of California ; Mary and Philip are deceased: John H. was the next : Annie is the wife of Philip Clover. of Clarion county, this State; George A. is a resident of Kentucky: Caroline is deceased ; Thompson completed a course of study in

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Oberlin College, Ohio, and has high standing as a successful and popular teacher, his vaca- tion periods being customarily passed at the old homestead; Samuel D., the youngest of the family, died when five years old.

John H. Weber attended the public schools and from his youth has had close association with the work and management of the old farm, of which he assumed control upon the death of his father. He displays familiarity with modern scientific methods and progres- sive policies in the conduct of all departments. and for a number of years operated a coal bank situated on his land. But he now has leased the coal deposit, which is being more extensively mined by others.

Mr. Weber is a Democrat and has given most effective service as supervisor, besides which he served fully a quarter of a century as a member of the election board. He and his wife are active members of the Reformed Church in Punxsutawney.

In the year 1889 was recorded the marriage of John H. Weber to Mary .A. Lewis, a daugh- ter of Henry Lewis, born and reared in Dur- hamshire, England, and who upon coming to the United States became concerned with coal mining in Pennsylvania. He resided for vary- ing intervals in Schuylkill, Clearfield and Jef - ferson counties, having been for some time a farmer in Young township, and passed the closing years of his life at Brookville. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have seven children, namely : Oakley, Ida, Olive, Leonard, Margaret, Wini- fred and John Frederick.

WILLIAM J. KEARNEY. It is specially gratifying to note the large percentage of na- tive sons who have found ample scope for achievement and who have not faltered in fealty to their native county. Such a one is William James Kearney, one of the enterpris- ing farmers of the younger generation in Sny- dler township and whose popularity attests the estimate placed upon him. On the excellent "Maple Shade Farm," of which he is now owner, Mr. Kearney was born and reared, the date of his nativity having been Nov. 7. 1883. He is the only child of his parents. In the old Beechtree Junction school, not far distant. he acquired his early educational discipline. and among his teachers were Jennie Bovaird, Elwood MeClelland and Jennie Roundtree. In the meanwhile he had given effective cooper- ation in the work of the home farm, not being denied a full quota of arduous toil.

"Maple Shade Farm" has continued the scene of his productive enterprise. He has not

followed the beaten path of methods and poli- cies of the past, but has adopted approved modern systems and accessories in all depart- ments of farm enterprise. Mr. Kearney is a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party, and his civic ideals are otherwise shown in connec- tion with community affairs. Both he and wife are popular factors in social life as both are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Lane's Mills.

On the 19th of March, 1913, Mr. Kearney married Lillian Bell Humphreys, daughter of the late Henry H. Humphreys. Mrs. Kearney was born on the homestead of her parents, Jan. 13. 1878, and her early education was ob- tained in the public schools at Lane's Mills. Later she took a course in the school for train- ing nurses of Adrian Hospital, at Punxsutaw ney, such training proving valuable in her min- istrations of the afflicted in her home com- munity. They have one son, William Vietor. born May 29, 1915.

William Kearney. father of William J., was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 23d of November, 1825, and .. s a youth of fifteen came with his widowed mother, two brothers and one sister, to America. Landing in Phila- delphia they went to Cecil county, Md., where the home was maintained for several years. lle was still a young man when he came in the early fifties to Jefferson county, in con- pany with his younger brother, the late James Kearney, becoming a pioneer settler in the beautiful Beechwoods district. He secured a tract of valuable timber land in Snyder town- ship, which he developed into a fine farm now owned by his son, William J. William Kear- ney returned to Philadelphia, and in 1882 mar- ried Miss Jane Griffith, who was born in Ireland, about the year 1842, a daughter of John Griffith, and who died when her son, William J., was six weeks old. It was not un'il after the close of the Civil war that Wil- liam Kearney made permanent location on his farm in the Beechwoods, continuing his activ- ities as one of the most honored citizens and substantial farmers, until the close of a long and useful life. He was a man of superior intellectual grasp and of inflexible integrity in all the relations of life. His political allegiance was given unreservedly to the Democratic party and he was a zealous member of the Beech- woods Presbyterian Church, as was his wife, who died at the old home in 1910, surviving him four years. In October. 1886, he had married (second) Mrs. Lou Woods. His only child was William J., successor in the proprie- torship of "Maple Shade Farm."

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NICHOLAS GIANNOPOULOS, of Punx- sutawney, is one of the foreign-born residents of that place who have achieved the ideal for which most of them sought America, financial independence-or at least the opportunity to attain it. Though one of the younger business men of the place he has through his own efforts become well-to-do. being truly a self-made man whose success shows that there are still promising rewards for those who have the courage to try for them. 1Ie is a native of Greece, born Sept. 18, 1888, about fifty miles from Athens, son of Athanasius (or Thomas) Giannopoulos. His parents sent him to the elementary and high schools, and graduating from the latter in 1905 he soon afterwards went to northern Greece, where he was em- ployed as a clerk for two years in a dry goods store.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 136

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 972

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972