USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; genealogy-family history-biography; containing historical sketches of old families and of representative and prominent citizens, past and present, Volume I > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
General Nagle was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine Kaercher, of Pottsville, Dec. 15, 1852. To them were born nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Emma is the widow of James A. Bowen, former superintendent of the Pottsville Gas Works; James W., of Philadel- phia, married to Josephine Hutchinson, is at present advertising agent for the Philadelphia Inquirer; John D., who died in 1911, was secretary and treasurer of the Textile Record, Philadelphia, and was married to Mary Crosland; Laura was the wife of John Dooley, conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading rail- road, and both are deceased ; Marcus H., of Pottsville, married Sallie Helms, of Pottsville; Frank L., of Boston, Mass., connected with the Textile Record of Philadelphia, and principal agent, married Laura Rosengarten, of Potts- ville, Pa .; Kate A. is the wife of Lincoln Phillips, a jeweler of Jamestown, N. Y. The mother of this family died Aug. 17, 1900.
In politics General Nagle, in the earlier part of his life, supported the Whig party, and upon the organization of the Republican party transferred his allegiance to the same. At the time of his death he was a member of the borough council of Pottsville. He held membership in the Lutheran Church.
General Nagle -was preeminently a military man, and a patriot. His life was permeated with the military spirit, and broadened and devoted citizenship. After his return from the Mexican war the citizens of Schuylkill county, in token of his eminent services and the good will they bore him, presented him a valuable sword. He is still remembered by many of his townsmen, and will ever occupy a place in their affections and esteem.
EDWARD S. SILLIMAN, without question the foremost citizen of Mahanoy City, has been prominent in every avenue of local progress since he entered business life. But it is as the chief promoter of important public utilities in the borough that he has been most helpful to his fellow citizens. In this field his influence and large means have been employed to the best advantage, affording benefits to all in the community and enabling it to maintain success-
68
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ful rivalry with others in this section. In this regard Mr. Silliman has lived up to the traditions of a name associated with the forward march of Schuyl- kill county ever since its earlier members came here.
The Silliman family has an interesting history, the members of its several branches in this locality showing characteristics of mental and moral strength which have come to be expected of them. The original spelling of the name, Sillyman, has been changed by some of the family to Silliman, and it is also found in the form "Selliman." The Schuylkill county family here treated is allied with several others of the locality, and they are descended from a Berks county family of honorable standing. James Sillyman, great-grandfather of the present Edward S. Silliman, lived at Hamburg, in Bern township, Berks county, where he spent all his active years. His sons having established them- selves at Pottsville, he removed to that place late in life and ended his days there. He is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery. He married Susanna Hughes, of Bucks county, Pa., and children as follows were born to them: Alexander, who served in the war of 1812; Thomas, who was the first post- master of Pottsville, appointed Jan. 11, 1825, served until succeeded by George Snyder, who was appointed June 7, 1825, and died there (at one time he owned most of the land upon which the borough of Cressona now stands, and he sold a valuable farm there to the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Com- pany) ; James, who died in Pottsville; Samuel, late of Pottsville, mentioned elsewhere in this work; John, deceased at Pottsville, who was the grandfather of H. I. Silliman, well known in the borough and Schuylkill county as editor of the Tamaqua Evening Courier; Mary, who married Jeremiah Kirk, and died at Pottsville; Susan, Mrs. Fister; and Jane, who died unmarried.
James Silliman, son of James and Susanna (Hughes) Silliman, lived at Bern, Berks county, and at one time served as sheriff of that county, to which office he was elected in 1832. Later in life he removed from Berks county to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in the coal business, being one of the early operators. He also carried on a general store in the borough, where he died. His wife's maiden name was Schotz, and they had children as follows : Alexander ; Eliza, Mrs. Henderson ; Morgan ; Edward S .; and five daughters who died unmarried, Mary, Amanda, Sarah, Ellen and Matilda.
Edward S. Silliman, son of James, above, was born June 20, 1820, at Bern, Berks Co., Pa., and received a common school education. He spent all his life in this part of the State, coming to Pottsville in young manhood and resid- ing there for a time. His observations and investigations led him to believe that there were rich coal deposits in the Mahanoy valley which could be profitably developed, and he determined to test his ideas. Accordingly he purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of Mahanoy City from Biddle, Troutman & Dundas, of Philadelphia, and coming to Mahanoy City about the beginning of the Civil war undertook operations on his own account, being one of the first to start mining in this part of the anthracite district. In all he operated seven collieries in this section. In 1861 he sank the first shaft and built the first breaker in the Mahanoy valley, opening what was then known as the Silliman colliery-now the North Mahanoy colliery, and the property of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. The nearest coal operators at that time were ten miles away, at Girardville. The first shipment of coal for the new breaker was made Jan. 14, 1862, and it was also the first shipment sent from the territory within a radius of eight miles around Mahanoy City. The
69
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
annual production of this inine was 100,000 tons, and three hundred and fifty men were employed, and Mr. Silliman and his father were profitably engaged in its operation for a period of eight years, selling out then to the Crane Iron Company, of Catasauqua, Pa. A little later a strike occurred among the work- men and the breaker was burned, and not long afterward the present owners acquired the property, which became one of the best paying collieries in the region. Mr. Silliman leased this land, the company leasing the land to indi- vidual operators with the understanding that each was to mine and ship a cer- tain amount of coal during the year, and "E. S. Silliman was the only one of the lessees that carried out his contract in full." Some houses were built about this time down Spruce street, and Silliman's men lived in them. They are still known as "company houses," the Silliman houses at the North Mahanoy colliery.
Mr. Silliman's next venture was the construction of an iron furnace at New Ringgold, but the time was not auspicious, there being a general depression in the iron market at the time which accounts for the fact that the industry did not prosper. The coal fields offered the best promise for the employment of his enterprise and capital, and he began operating in soft coal, having a large mine at Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Pa., in that district, as at Mahanoy City, being one of the first to engage in the development of coal properties. But his main interests were always in Schuylkill county, where in time he became owner of 1,600 acres of valuable coal lands near Sheppton. Though so thoroughly interested in exploiting one of the most important of the natural resources of this region, Mr. Silliman did not neglect its incidental commercial and financial activities, and he allied himself with many of the most ambitious projects un- dertaken for material betterment, and exercised a friendly influence in the aid of every movement in that direction. Through his efforts the First National Bank of Mahanoy City was established Sept. 27, 1864, and he was one of the most active members of its board of directors until within a few months of his death, serving as president of the institution from 1866 to the close of his life -a period of nearly forty years. It is situated at the northeast corner of Main and Centre streets. He organized the Mahanoy City Water Company, which furnishes the water supply for many neighboring collieries as well as for the city, and served as president of the concern from the beginning, until his death; he was one of the incorporators of the Mahanoy City Electric Light, Heat and Power Company and of the Mahanoy City Gas Company (serving as president of both)-all enterprises which needed men of courage and administrative skill to launch them into successful operation. Moreover, his character and judgment attracted local capital, and he never betrayed the con- fidence thus shown. Even as a young man he showed the traits which when developed made him a trusted leader, and he was taken seriously as one of the forces which were to mold the destiny of the county.
Though practical by nature Mr. Silliman did not narrow his interests to the accumulation of the profits of his industrial operations. While promoting business schemes he did not overlook the importance of establishing high standards of community life, and helped plan its educational and moral insti- tutions, the conservation and protection of all these interests which affected the every-day life of his fellow citizens. He used his large means wisely in his liberal support of public enterprises and his generosity to those less fortunately situated than himself. Without vanity or undue pride in his personal achieve-
70
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ments, he was easily approached and kindly in manner, with no disposition to hold himself aloof from men in any walk of life.
Mr. Silliman was a charter member of the Humane Hose Company, and the organizer, in 1875, of the Silliman Guards (mustered in Nov. 27th of that year), which still continue their existence as Company E, 8th Regiment, P. N. G. He belonged to the Episcopal Church, and on political questions supported the Republican party.
In 1858 Mr. Silliman married Siraha Keller, a native of Berks county, who died in 1894 at Mahanoy City. His death occurred May 1, 1904, and they are buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Six children were born to this marriage: Ellen, who married George H. Jackson, of Philadelphia ; Edward S .; Howard, who died in infancy; James Keller; Emily A., deceased in infancy ; and Charles, of Mahanoy City.
Edward S. Silliman, son of the late Edward S. Silliman, was born Nov. 4, 1864, at Mahanoy City, where his education was acquired in the public schools. In early manhood he manifested an interest in business and other activities, and an intelligent comprehension of their relative importance which foretold the leading part he was to play in the development of local resources and the introduction of the conveniences which are the feature of modern municipal life. His large investments in home enterprises have not only indi- cated his own faith in their paying qualities and the cooperation to be expected from the community, but have had the effect of keeping other capital in use here instead of seeking attractive propositions elsewhere. For several years he was the owner of the gas works. He was interested in the establishment of the electric light plant, and also of the water company, and is still presi- dent of the latter, succeeding his father in that position, as also in the presi- dency of the First National Bank. This is the oldest national bank in Schuyl- kill county. Every good cause can count upon him for friendly assistance and substantial encouragement when needed. The various social organizations of the borough and county have had his loyal support. He is a member of the Pottsville Club; Outdoor Club ; Central Republican Club of Pottsville; Wash- ington Hook and Ladder Club of Mahanoy City; of the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia and the Union Republican Club of Philadelphia ; of the Schuyl- kill County Historical Society ; was a charter member of the Pottsville lodge of B. P. O. Elks, and now affiliated with the Elks lodge at Mahanoy City ; and he is a vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
On Dec. 7, 1905, Mr. Silliman married Mabel S. Beck, daughter of William and Matilda (Strauch) Beck, of Beckville, North Manheim township, this county. They have had four children: Mary B., born in September, 1906; Sarah, who died in infancy; Edward S. 3d; and Jane. The family home is one of the most modern and conveniently appointed to be found in Schuylkill county.
GEORGE ROBERT PATTERSON, at the time of his death Member of Congress representing the Twelfth district of Pennsylvania, was a resident of Ashland, Schuylkill county, for twenty years. His achievements during that period have a place in the history of the city and county. But however important his public work, whatever he accomplished in business, it would seem to be his sterling character and sympathetic attitude towards his fellow men which have left the deepest impression. Among his colleagues in all the associations of life appreciation of his abilities went hand in hand with admira-
71
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
tion for his personal traits. Mr. Patterson was a native-born Pennsylvanian, the only child of Rev. James A. Patterson, a Presbyterian minister. The father was born in Juniata county, this State, and from an early age lived at Lewistown, in Mifflin county. He graduated from Princeton University, and for a tinie had charge of a parish at Lewistown, his first regular charge being at Lawrenceville, where he died in 1864. He married Anna G. Patton, who survived her son as well as her husband, living in Washington (D. C.) for a number of years. The Patterson family is of Revolutionary stock.
George Robert Patterson was born Nov. 9, 1863, in Lewistown, Mifflin county, where he was reared, receiving all his education in the public schools and academy there. Leaving school in 1880, he entered the employ of a large hardware house, and continued in that line of business until 1894. After several years' employment in his first association, during which time he had risen to the responsibility of traveling salesman, he came to Ashland in March, 1886, and formed a connection with the wholesale and retail hardware concern of Peter E. Buck & Sons, with whom he remained for several years. The last twelve years of his life he traveled as flour and feed salesman, first for a large firm at Lewistown and later for one of the big Minneapolis mills, covering territory in central Pennsylvania. Such is a brief record of his busi- ness career. It was prosperous and had greater possibilities for him. But he had lived a broader life than the routine of his business afforded.
Always a Republican, Mr. Patterson was actively interested in politics from young manhood, served a number of times as delegate to local and State con- ventions, and during his Congressional career as delegate to the National con- vention, held in Chicago, in June, 1904. Meantinie, in 1900, he was elected to represent his district (the Twelfth) in the Fifty-seventh Congress, where his services met with such popular favor that he was reelected in 1902 and again in 1904, filling his third successive term at the time of his sudden death, the election statistics showing that he was chosen each time with increased support, on the last occasion by the largest plurality (5,414 votes) ever given to any candidate for any office on any ticket in the district, where Democratic officials have always been the rule. Such records tell more forcibly than words how much general approval his actions had won. On March 20, 1906, Mr. Patterson returned to Washington-after a visit home to Ashland-in response to a call from the speaker to be present at the next day's session. Arriving at the capital shortly after nine o'clock, he went direct to his mother's home at No. 1745 Q street, N. W., where he met his private secretary, Burd W. Payne, with whom he spent a couple of hours going over the mail and talking on business matters. Beyond being tired after his long trip he was apparently in his usual health and spirits, and his mother was surprised to hear him astir about five the next morning. On going to his room she found him taking a dose of medicine, as he was not feeling well, but it seemed to be nothing alarming, and she left him after a few moments. Half an hour later she heard him moaning, and hurrying to his room found him in so serious condition that she summoned medical aid at once. Mr. Patterson passed away within a few moments, taken thus suddenly in his forty-third year and at the very height of his usefulness.
The outpouring of sympathy and grief which Mr. Patterson's unexpected demise occasioned, in Washington as well as in his home place, was the sincere expression of regret that one so beloved, so useful, so anxious to serve, should be cut off in the midst of a busy career, whose possibilities were only beginning
72
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
to be realized. Mr. Patterson's remains were taken back to Ashland for burial, and the funeral services were conducted by Rev. Francis S. Hort, formerly of Ashland, at that time pastor of the Presbyterian Church of South Bethlehem, Pa. The services were simple, in accordance with Mr. Patterson's known tastes, and the profusion of beautiful floral tributes brought kindly messages of sympathy from his associates in all the walks of life-the various fraternal bodies to which he belonged, social, business and political friends in many parts of Pennsylvania, Washington and elsewhere. Hundreds of citizens of Ashland and other sections of Schuylkill county turned out to pay the last tribute of respect. Senator Penrose, and a number of members of the lower house, besides those appointed, came on a special train from Washington to attend the services. His colleague in Congress, Mr. Samuel, expressed the general feeling of the district in his address at the memorial services of the House of Representatives when he said :
"The Twelfth Congressional district of Pennsylvania has no more popular and respected citizen than George R. Patterson. His long residence there has made him known to all the people. He was the kind of a man whom people liked. His good nature was spontaneous and always put those about him in good humor. He was very bright and cheerful, and gloom never had a part in his composition. He always had a good story and he knew how to tell it. And he was always a gentleman, ever courteous and agreeable. Kindness was one of his marked traits. It was never too much trouble for him to do a favor for a friend, and no one will ever know of his innumerable acts of kind- ness, both in his political and private life. Wherever he was he was the life of the party. His goodness of heart and mind fully covered any fault, if there was any fault in him. George R. Patterson was a clean man. There was no blot or stain on his character, private or public."
It was Mr. Samuel who announced to the House the death of Mr. Patterson on the morning of March 21, 1906, and offered the following resolutions :
Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. George R. Patterson, a Representative from the State of Pennsylvania.
Resolved, That a Committee of thirteen Members of the House, with such members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral.
Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized and directed to take such steps as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of these resolutions; and that the necessary expenses in connection therewith be paid out of the contingent fund of the House.
Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.
After agreeing to the resolutions and appointing a committee the House adjourned until the next day as a mark of respect. On March 27th it was ordered that Sunday, April 15th, be set aside for "addresses on the life, character and public services of Hon. George R. Patterson," but on April 5th this was amended, appointing April 22d for said services, which were accord- ingly held, the House meeting at twelve o'clock, noon. Mr. Cannon designated Hon. John Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, as speaker pro tempore, and resolutions were at once offered and adopted suspending the business of the House, to make opportunity for the services, and to adjourn immediately at their close. Mr. Samuel spoke fittingly of the work and worth of his distinguished col- league, of his signal fidelity and loyalty, of the honored respect in which he was held in his home community, and of his last hours and the many marks of
73
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
esteem shown at the obsequies. "It is a great pleasure to-day to hear the candid and sincere praise bestowed upon our departed friend, even by those who sometimes differed with his judgment and convictions. He always fought a fair fight in the battle of life. It is not a difficult task to speak of him on this occasion, but he deserves a better eulogium than the writer is able to pronounce. We can comfort ourselves, however, with the fact that his life and character speak forcibly and eloquently for him. Death has made more vivid that which we felt was strong and symmetrical in him. It throws sunlight in among the shadows, so that we now appreciate him the more thoroughly.'
The address of Mr. Kline, of Pennsylvania, touched on so many points of Mr. Patterson's character with sympathetic understanding that we quote it in full :
Mr. Speaker: I had not designed to take any part in these proceedings, but upon reflection I have thought that hy reason of the contiguity of the respective districts represented by the deceased and myself it was due to the memory of the gentleman who has so recently and unexpectedly died that I should make a few observations.
I had no acquaintance with George R. Patterson, who formerly represented the Twelfth Congressional district of Pennsylvania, known as the "Schuylkill district," until a considerable period after my election to the Fifty-eighth Congress. The intercourse I had with him from and after my first introduction in Congress and outside of these walls was of a most agreeable and delightful character. In coming to and returning from Washington I frequently met him on the train, and found him to be a frank, hospitable. happy, and open-hearted gentleman. I found him to be a good companion, genial, and of high and fascinating social qualities.
His sudden and unexpected demise was a surprise and shock to every member of the House, and the great esteem in which he was held was evidenced by an adjournment immediately after the reading of the Journal and announcement of his death. To know him was to love him.
Chosen to fill the honorable public position as a Representative in Congress for three consecutive terms, which he held at the time of his decease, he continued to discharge the obligations imposed with firmness and fidelity to the last, ever enjoying the con- fidence, esteem, and affection of his constituency.
He represented a district in the heart of the anthracite coal region. His consti- tuency represented numerous nationalities, engaged in numerous and diversified kinds of trade, occupation, and business, and by reason thereof the political sentiment of his people had been for many years of a fluctuating character. Whilst a large majority of the county offices of his district. including the judges of the several courts, are now and have been filled by men of Democratic faith, the popularity and esteem of the deceased was so great and manifest that he was for three consecutive terms elected over his Democratic competitors by increasing majorities.
His death was mourned by a large circle of friends, as was evidenced by the large number in attendance at his funeral, coming in from all stations in life and from all parts of his district, in friendship's tribute to the memory of their deceased friend, neighbor and Representative. Had you been in attendance at his funeral, in his home town of Ashland, in a mining locality, and witnessed the throng of thousands of his friends, neighbors, and those bound by fraternal union, who came from far and near to pay the last mark of respect to their deceased Representative; had you observed the profound impression which the recollection of his life and many good traits and virtues left upon an entire community, you would have concluded that there was something to live for beyond the attainment of political position. You would have realized that it is not all of life to live, nor all of death to die.
The deceased was engaged in business before his entrance in public life and election to Congress. He did not make any pretense of oratory, leadership, or statesmanship. He was faithful and diligent in committee work, conscientious and active in the per- formance of the work assigned to him. He was always ready to help a friend or colleague if it was right and consistent and the request was just and reasonable. He would never consent to become compromised or commit an act of which he couldn't approve at the time or ratify in the future. Neither the railings of a partisan press nor the taunts of political opponents could swerve or deter him from the performance of such official duty as conscience told him he ought to do, nor could such influences
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.