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 16
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Along with business ability, Mr. Weldy had qualities of confidence and perseverance which brought him success. But he was modest in bearing and agreeable in manner, and his pleasant relations with his business associates and social companions were the basis of a feeling of good will which made him generally liked, regardless of class. It was conceded by all who knew him that he did well because he deserved to do well, and that in making his own success he helped, not hindered, others in attaining theirs. For a number of years he served his townsmen as a member of the borough council. Politi- cally he gave his support to the Republican party. In 1902 Mr. Weldy returned to Reading, where he made his home afterwards at No. 135 Windsor street. He had a fine summer home in Spring township, Berks county, where he spent part of each year. His death occurred at his home in Reading Oct. 18, 1909, and he is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Tamaqua.
On Nov. 19, 1854, Mr. Weldy married Ann Lambert, daughter of George and Kate Lambert, of Sinking Spring, Berks Co., Pa., and her death occurred
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in 1900. Four children were born of this marriage: Charles H .; Kate G., now the widow of George Hursh, living at Newville, Pa .; John E., who died in 1912; and Clarence S., who died in 1900.
CHARLES H. WELDY, son of Henry A. Weldy, was born Aug. 10, 1855, at Tamaqua, and there received his education in the public schools. Most of his business life has been spent in the powder manufacturing business, with which he was connected from 1875 to 1904. After the plant was sold to the larger concern Mr. Weldy continued with it in their employ until 1904, and he is now devoting himself to agricultural pursuits, having a fine 116-acre farm in Rush township, Schuylkill county, in whose development he has found agree- able and profitable occupation. He has built a comfortable bungalow on that property and lives there during the summer months, spending the winter season in the borough of Tamaqua. Mr. Weldy has a find herd of Jersey cattle on his farm, and makes a specialty of the production of butter, finding a steady demand for the fine quality for which his dairy has become noted. He has been keenly interested in the proper administration of municipal affairs in Tamaqua and has shown his willingness to do his share in obtaining good government, having served three years as councilman and twelve years as school director, with commendable efficiency. In fraternal connection he is an Elk, belonging to Tamaqua Lodge, No. 592.
Mr. Weldy married Henrietta Smitham, daughter of the late James Smitham, of Carbon county, Pa. They have two children: Annie S., now the wife of Guy Ellick, of Tamaqua ; and Harry A., living at home.
HARRY R. CARL, of Auburn, has shown versatile ability in business, having met with equal success in all the various lines he has followed. Most of his interests are in Schuylkill county, where he has the esteem and confidence of the best element. Business, financial and social affairs and the duties of public office have all claimed their share of his attention, and increased respon- sibilities have only been the means of developing his executive talent and bringing out the substantial qualities which he has so generously placed at the service of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Carl belongs to a family of old standing in Schuylkill county. The first of the line in this county was a native of Ireland. Henry Carl, his great- grandfather, lived and died in Hubley township, Schuylkill county. His children were: Moses, Edward, Conrad, Elias and Katie.
Elias Carl, grandfather of Harry R. Carl, was also a resident of Hubley township, where he died. He married Mary Hoffa, of near Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, daughter of John Hoffa, and she survived Mr. Carl, after his death becoming the wife of Dewalt Faust, of southern Schuylkill county. By her marriage to Mr. Carl she had six children: Amanda married Adam Shuey ; Emanuel was the father of Harry R. Carl; Elizabeth married James Hand; Mary married Harry Bomberger ; Katie married Fred Schuffler; Alice married Jonathan Wagner.
Emanuel Carl, son of Elias, was born in Hubley township, and for some years lived at Tremont, Schuylkill county, where he died in 1879. He is buried at that place. By occupation Mr. Carl was a miner. He married Malinda Rebuck, and three children were born to them, Mamie, Harry R. and Monroe.
Harry R. Carl was born Dec. 14, 1875, at Tremont, Schuylkill county, and was but three years old when his father died. He was reared by his grand-
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mother, Mrs. Faust, and had ordinary educational advantages, attending the Tremont and Jefferson schools. In his youth he was employed for four years in a printing establishment at Philadelphia, after which he attended a business college. Subsequently he became engaged in the lumber business at Auburn, Schuylkill county, and has been especially active in the development of this line, being now very extensively interested in the business. He owns large tracts of land in Virginia, Delaware and Maryland. Mr. Carl has also acquired large land holdings in the vicinity of Auburn, where he has five farms, and he also owns the light plant at that place. He was one of the organizers of the Auburn Board of Trade, serving as president of that body, and he is indisputably one of the first leaders of business progress in the southern end of Schuylkill county. Mr. Carl was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Auburn, in September, 1908, becoming vice president at the time of its organization, and continuing to hold that position until the death of the president, William H. Diefenderfer, in 1914, when he succeeded to the chief executive position. The other officers in 1914 are: L. C. Robinhold, vice president ; John H. Fahl, W. B. Ketner, F. A. Faust, J. H. Adams and Joseph Frederici, directors; H. H. Koerper, cashier. Mr. Carl is a member of the Pottsville Club, and his religious connection is with the Reformed Church. He has taken a hand in the local government, having served several years as a member of the borough council. Few men are better entitled to be called self-made, for he has worked his way up unaided, taking due advantage of his opportunity without infringing on the rights of others.
Mr. Carl married Bessie K. Nagle, daughter of Daniel W. Nagle and grand- daughter of Col. Daniel Nagle, of Pottsville. Mrs. Carl died July 26, 1914, leaving two children, Harry D. and Bessie J.
HIESTER S. ALBRIGHT, of Orwigsburg, head of the firm of H. S. Albright & Company and president of the First National Bank of that place, has demonstrated his fitness for the manipulation of large interests by his success in the direction of both these institutions. The firm of H. S. Albright & Company now is the largest shoe manufacturing concern at Orwigsburg, and in the expansion of its activities has also established plants at Landing- ville and New Ringgold, having thus been instrumental in promoting industrial prosperity in various sections of Schuylkill county.
The Albrights are an old established family of this county, where Peter Albright, great-grandfather of Hiester S. Albright, was born, on the farm in West Brunswick township afterwards the birthplace of his son Joseph and grandson William S. Albright. Peter Albright lived upon that farm, engaged in its cultivation, and died there May 5, 1836. He is buried in the Reformed cemetery. Among his children were Abraham, Jonathan, Joseph, Peter, Daniel, Rebecca, Sarah, Diana, Susanna, Esther and Catharine.
Joseph Albright, son of Peter, lived and died on the homestead in West Brunswick township, reaching the very advanced age of over eighty-four years. He was a lifelong agriculturist and prospered in his work, and an active and devout member of the German Reformed Church. With his wife he is buried in the Reformed cemetery at Orwigsburg. In 1834 he married Esther Shara- din, daughter of Jacob Sharadin, and she died April 5, 1883. They were the parents of seven children, namely: William S .; Thomas S., who lived on the old homestead; Susanna, who became the wife of Solomon R. Moyer, a prominent business man of Orwigsburg; Morgan S., who is now steward of
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HO. S. albright.
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the Schuylkill County Home; Josepli, who died young ; Benneville, deceased ; and Lucian, deceased.
William S. Albright was born May 31, 1836, on the old homestead in West Brunswick township, where he passed his early life. About 1860 he moved thence to Orwigsburg, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying Sept, 5, 1868, when but thirty-two years old ; he is buried in the Reformed cemetery. While on the home place he followed agricultural pursuits, and for two years was also engaged in milling, after his removal to Orwigshurg carrying on a stock business as a drover and horse and cattle dealer. He married Amanda Bodey, who still makes her home at Orwigsburg. Five children were born to them, viz .: Hiester S .; Bella Virginia, who lives with her mother ; Pauline, deceased in infancy ; and Minnie and Nellis S., who died young.
Mrs. Amanda (Bodey) Albright was born Jan. 1I, 1837, in Manheim town- ship, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of Benjamin and Mary M. (Heffley) Bodey, who had the following children: Esther, who died at the age of six years; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Susanna, Mrs. Samuel Bossard, de- ceased; Catherine, Mrs. William Brook, deceased; Benjamin; Charles, deceased ; Amanda, now the only survivor of the family; and Mary, who died young.
Hiester S. Albright was born June 20, 1856, on the old Albright farm in West Brunswick township, and was only a young child when the family removed to Orwigsburg. There he attended public school regularly up to the time of his father's death, when, though a mere boy of twelve, he had to start earning his own living. Entering the employ of Moyer & Son, general mer- chants at Orwigsburg, he remained with them one year, until offered a better position with another merchant of the town. He was with him for two years, until his employer sold out, when he entered the factory of the Orwigsburg Shoe Manufacturing Company, first in the packing and shipping department. But he soon began to learn the shoe business, serving an apprenticeship in the cutting department, in which he continued for two years after mastering the business. In the late seventies he decided to try his fortune in the West, but after a brief experience concluded that the advantages in his old home were fully equal to those afforded in the undeveloped part of the country, and he has never had any reason to regret his return. In the autumn of 1879 he took a position with the Philadelphia & Reading Express Company, by whom he was employed until the spring of 1880, since when he has been doing business on his own account. At that time he formed a partnership with A. E. Brown, under the firm name of Albright & Brown, and they carried on the manufac- ture of shoes until July 1, 1883, when George C. Diefenderfer acquired Mr. Brown's interests, and he and Mr. Albright have been closely associated ever since. They are engaged in the manufacture of shoes under the name of H. S. Albright & Company, and do a large business in that line at Orwigsburg. Their plant has been thoroughly modernized to meet the development of their trade, and in accordance with the latest ideas which have met with approval in this line of manufacture. The factory, located on Market street, is 64 by 140 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and there are one hundred employees at Orwigsburg, engaged in the production of ladies', misses' and children's shoes. By judicious salesmanship a wide demand for the product has been created. the territory over which the goods are sold extending as far as the Pacific coast. In 1896 the firm established a plant at Landingville, and in 1913 another at New Ringgold, both of which are in full operation at Vol. I-7
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the present time. H. S. Albright & Company have set the pace for shoe manufacturers in Orwigsburg for many years, and have never lacked initiative and enterprise of the most commendable order, their influence in the business and in its relation to the community having always been a positive force for good.
Mr. Albright has always given his principal attention to the furtherance of his manufacturing interests, but he has also supported other local enter- prises which promise to be of benefit to the community, and it is to him more than to any other one person that the establishment of the First National Bank of Orwigsburg should be credited. When it was opened, in September, 1890, he became the vice president, and for several years he has been its president. He has been a director and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Com- pany of Pottsville, Pa. Mr. Albright has always been an interested member of the Republican party, and in his early manhood frequently served as dele- gate to county, State and national conventions, but he has not of late years taken much part in politics. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason of the North- ern jurisdiction of the United States, belonging to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., Constantine Com- mandery, No. 41, K. T. (of Pottsville), Harrisburg Consistory and LuLu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. (of Philadelphia) ; at the present time he is vice president for Pennsylvania of the National League of Masonic Clubs. His religious connection is with the German Reformed Church.
On Jan. 6, 1886, Mr. Albright married Virginia F. Newhard, of Lebanon, Pa., daughter of the late James J. Newhard, a jeweler of that place. Mrs. Albright died in February, 1899, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one child. Nellie Virginia, born April 17, 1887. The daughter is a graduate of the Allentown College for Women, class of 1905.
REV. JOSEPH McCOOL, a member of the Presbytery of Lehigh, died in Pottsville, Pa., April 15, 1884. Mr. McCool was born in Philadelphia, on the Ist of May, 1804. His father died when he was very young, and he was brought up with great religious care by his pious mother, who was a devoted member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, under the pastoral care of Rev. George C. Potts. After his mother's death he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and being a youth of decided piety and intellectual ability he soon felt himself called upon to take a public stand for Christ, that he might warn those around him to flee the wrath to come. He was therefore carefully examined by Rev. James Bateman, presiding elder of the district, in the presence of the Quarterly Conference. His examination being entirely satisfactory, the Conference proceeded to license him to preach the gospel. He continued preaching in the city of Philadelphia and its vicinity until the spring of 1826, when he was placed on Dauphin circuit as assistant minister, under the auspices of Rev. Joseph Lybrand, presiding elder of the Schuylkill district. In April, 1827, he was received into the Philadelphia Annual Conference. In 1828 he was appointed pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the city of Lancaster, Pa. In 1830 he was appointed pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the borough of Pottsville, Pa. In 1832 he was appointed pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the borough of Easton, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1833 Mr. McCool changed his ecclesiastical connection and returned to the church of his fathers. After a thorough and searching ex-
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amination on the doctrines and qualifications necessary to the Presbyterian ministry he was unanimously received by the Presbytery of Newton. He immediately took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Allentown, Pa., as stated supply, and in the summer of 1835 received a unanimous call from the First Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, which he accepted, in October of the same year being installed pastor by a committee of the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia. He continued pastor of this church for nearly thirty years, when his health declined and he voluntarily resigned his pastorate. From that time to his departure he was a great bodily sufferer, but bore his afflictions with perfect resignation and submission to the divine will. He was a man of strong convictions, determined purpose, clear judgment and consistent character.
PROF. FREDERIC GERHARD, late of Pottsville, did much for musical interests in the community, and his work as leader of the Third Brigade band and the Gerhard Symphony Orchestra was particularly appreciated. He was a son of Charles and grandson of Frederic Gerhard, the latter a Frenchman by birth and a soldier under Napoleon in the ill-fated Moscow campaign.
Charles Gerhard was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, born when it was under French dominion. He came to America when seventeen years old and located at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., for a short time, afterwards living at Girard Manor, this county, but soon moving thence to Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pa., to assist his father-in-law in building a bridge at that place. He next located at Gratz, Dauphin county, and from there went to Ashland, Schuylkill county, and later in turn to Ringtown and Shenandoah. Most all the time he was employed at his trade, as a wheelwright and wagonmaker. In 1881 he came to Pottsville, where he lived until his removal to Philadelphia in 1890, following his trade and also devoting considerable time to the musical profes- sion, in which, though self educated, he made a decided success. During 1875-1876, when at Shenandoah, he was the leader of the well known Grant band, with which he attended the Centennial at Philadelphia. This band had a very fine reputation in its day and was considered the leading organization of the kind in this part of the State. After he came to Pottsville Mr. Gerhard played cornet in the Third Brigade band under his son, Prof. Frederic Gerhard. From Philadelphia he removed to Scull's Hill, N. J., where he followed farming until his death, which occurred there Oct. 8, 1909. He is buried in Mount Peace cemetery, at Philadelphia. Mr. Gerhard was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. He married Jane Bickel, a direct descendant of Simon Sallada and Margaret Everett, whose names are associated with the early history of Schuylkill county. Five children, two sons and three daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard: Frederic; Annie, Mrs. Adelbert S. Jordan, of Philadelphia ; Julia M .; Margaret, and Edward C. Mrs. Gerhard died in Philadelphia May 30, 1903.
Frederic Gerhard, son of Charles, was born Jan. 17, 1864, at Hummels- town, Dauphin Co., Pa. His early years were spent at Ashland, Ringtown and Shenandoah, all in Schuylkill county, and he attended the public schools in those places. But he was still a young boy when he commenced to support himself, working first as a slate picker at the Shenandoah mines. Afterwards he was employed as a coremaker in a foundry. In his nineteenth year he came to Pottsville to begin work in the foundry of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. While thus engaged he spent his evenings in the
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systematic study of music and played in theatre orchestras. His aptitude for music had been apparent from boyhood, but his ability as a performer was a surprise even to great critics. Under competent instruction he improved rapidly, so much so that he soon decided to become a professional musician. In 1889 he went to New York City, where he spent a year studying under Dr. Eugene Thayer and Gustav Dannreuther, taking theory and composition from the former and violin lessons from the latter. Returning to Pottsville in 1890, he was elected leader of the Third Brigade band, with which organiza- tion he had been playing for some eight years before he went to New York. It had been founded Oct. 19, 1879, and is composed entirely of residents of Pottsville. A success from the start, it has been one of the most popular bands in this section. Its service has been called upon for many State and national functions, including the inaugurations of presidents and governors, a Dewey jubilee, and State encampments of the National Guard. Though an act of the Legislature did away with the band as a military organization it has continued in existence to the present time with unabated popularity. Besides acting as its leader Prof. Gerhard organized his symphony orchestra and also a string quartette, which fills concert engagements during the season. Though these obligations took considerable of his time he also had many pupils, taking care of large classes in violin and piano instruction. Prof. Gerhard's struggles to obtain a thorough musical education probably increased his appreciation and love for his chosen profession, in which his unbroken success proved that he made no mistake in choosing his life work. His sudden death from apoplexy, Oct. 7, 1913, was mourned deeply by thousands, and it was an unusual mark of the great respect and admiration of his friends in the community that all places of business were closed during the funeral ceremonies.
Socially Mr. Gerhard was a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M .; Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M .; and Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T. With his wife he was a member of the English Lutheran Church, which he joined when sixteen years old.
On Oct. 30, 1888, Professor Gerhard married Minnie G. Brown, daughter of the late Charles Brown, a merchant of Pottsville and member of one of the oldest families established there. Two children were born to this union, Grace Jane and Charles William.
ISAAC G. BECK has extensive interests at Beckville, in North Man- heim township, Schuylkill county, where he resides on the old homestead in the settlement founded by his grandfather, Jacob Beck, nearly one hundred years ago.
Jacob Beck was born in 1789 in Reitlingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, where he grew to manhood and married. The year of his marriage, 1817, he came to the United States, and settled in the Schuylkill valley in Pennsylvania. For a number of years he was employed on the Schuylkill canal, between French Creek and Pottsville, and he was afterwards engaged in constructing and repairing canal locks, acting as a carpenter foreman. He had considerable knowledge of civil engineering and drafting, and was engaged to some extent in railroad surveying in his locality, acting as assistant engineer in the survey of the Mine Hill railroad, which was constructed in 1828-30. In 1818 Mr. Beck made his home at Pottsville, in 1822 removing thence to Manheim township, where he purchased a farm of 100 acres, soon erecting a sawmill upon that place, and in 1829, a gristmill. (The latter came into the possession of
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William Beck in 1861.) His activities became the nucleus of the settlement which came to be known as Beckville, and he was one of the leading men of the locality up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1850. During his later years he devoted himself entirely to farming and milling. Mr. Beck was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and a devoted worker in all of its enterprises, filling many of the important offices and at the time of his death holding the position of treasurer. He was a Democrat in his political convictions. His principal connection with public affairs was in the interest of the free school system, which he advocated from the beginning, and he showed his sincerity by serving as one of the first board of school directors in his township, filling the position until his death, when he was succeeded by his son Frederick, and in 1872 William, another son, was elected to the position, which he held for over twenty years.
As previously mentioned, Mr. Beck was married in 1817 to Anna Maria Beider, who was born in 1794, and died in 1870. In 1851, the year following his death, she erected the substantial brick residence which still stands upon the homestead place ; the bricks were wood burned, and were made by Abraham Bertolet near Schuylkill Haven. The place has been thriftily cared for up to the present, and though over sixty years old is still a handsome and attractive residence. Nine children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beck, of whom we have the following record: (1) Elizabeth married Joseph Wilde, whom she survived, her death occurring at Hazleton, Pa. Their children were: George (deceased), William, Joseph, Bide, Tillie, John J., Charles and Libby, the last named deceased. (2) Jacob died young. (3) Frederick, born Dec. 6, 1824, died in North Manheim township. He married Magdaline Hurleman, and they had three children: George J., who is de- ceased; Mary L., who married Dr. J. W. Weist, of Schuylkill Haven ; and Charles F., a well known merchant of Cressona. (4) George, who died in North Manheim township, had the following family: Mary J., who married George Coover (he is deceased) ; William H., living at Hazleton, Pa. ; Barbara, wife of Charles Smith; George, who died leaving no family; Edward, living at Schuylkill Haven ; David, deceased, and Katie, Mrs. Bonner. (5) Edward was the father of Isaac G. Beck. (6) John, who died at Beckville, had a family of three children: William J., who lives at Beckville; Blanch; and Maria, deceased. (7) Mary married Emil Stecker, and died at Mount Carmel. Pa. She had children as follows: George, who lives at Mount Carmel; Henry, deceased ; Naomi, Mrs. Lord ; Joseph, living at Mount Carmel ; Ada, wife of Dr. George Wentz, of Scranton, Pa .; and Katie, Mrs. Sement, who died at Frackville, Pa. (8) Catherine, who married David Clark, is the only survivor of this family, and is eighty years old. She resides at Hazleton. Her five children were: Jennie, Mrs. Engle : George, deceased ; Catherine, Mrs. Samuel Price: Frank, who lives at Chambersburg, Pa. ; and Potter, deceased. (9) William, who was a miller by occupation, lived and died at Beckville. His children were as follows: Ada, widow of George Dechert; John J., of Reading, Pa .; Catherine, Blanche and Annie, all un- married; Mabel, wife of Edward Silliman, now of Mahanoy City, Pa .; Clar- ence, who lives at Kingston, Pa. ; and Effie, deceased wife of George Stichter, of Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beck, the parents, are interred in the old burial ground at Schuylkill Haven.
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