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 17
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Edward Beck, son of Jacob, was born March 11, 1829, on the old home- stead, where he died in 1904, spending all his life in North Manheim township.
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He received his education in the local public schools, and assisted his father at home until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in lumbering, also carrying on a sawmill. Milling was always his principal industry, but in connection therewith he carried on farming rather extensively, and his inter- ests in both lines brought him into a number of business transactions in his vicinity. His lumber operations quite naturally led to various land deals, and at one time he owned 600 acres in North Manheim and Wayne townships. As executor of his mother's estate, a large share of his attention for some years was devoted to its management. Mr. Beck gave evidence of unusual business ability in everything he undertook, carrying on his own affairs intelligently and managing a number of concerns intrusted to him by others with the utmost integrity and regard for their best interests. Though he took no special part in public affairs, he was well known throughout his section of the county. Like his father he was a Democrat in politics, though he did not invariably support the measures of the party. His religious connection was with the Reformed Church. On May 2, 1857, Mr. Beck married Mary Ann Strauch, daughter of Isaac and Kate Strauch, of Cressona, this county, and Isaac G. was the only child of this union. Mrs. Beck died in March, 1911, and is buried with her husband at Cressona cemetery.
Isaac G. Beck was born Sept. 28, 1865, at Beckville, and attended public school in the home locality until he was sixteen years old. For the three years following he was a clerk in the store of Charles F. Beck, at Cressona, but returned home to help his father, and gained an excellent business training in the management of his family interests. He did teaming and other work until 1895, and for the next five years carried on a hotel at Beckville, now operated by William J. Beck, in 1900 returning to the home place, where he has since been variously occupied. He was associated with his father until the latter's death, and has settled on the homestead, being in the lumber business, and retaining the ownership of much valuable property, his holdings being the most extensive individual interests in the vicinity. Like his fore- fathers he has done much to promote the industrial prosperity of his section, having the characteristic energy, ability and resource of the thrifty family to which he belongs. For years Mr. Beck did considerable teaming, at one period giving most of his time to hauling for the Cressona Powder Mills. Mr. Beck has been associated with local public affairs to the extent of giving his services as school director and supervisor, holding the former office for four years. He is a Democrat in politics, and like his father connected with the Reformed Church, he and his family belonging to St. Mark's Congregation, of Cressona. Socially he is a member of Cressona Lodge, No. 426, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master.
In June, 1889, Mr. Beck married Kate L. Rubert, daughter of Michael Rubert, of North Manheim township, and she died in August. 1906; she is buried at Cressona. They had one child, Dorothy, now the wife of George Knecht, of Scranton, Pa., and the mother of one son, George Isaac. Mr. Beck's second marriage was to Catherine Paule, daughter of John and Catherine Paule, of Schuylkill Haven.
CHARLES DOUGLAS MILLER. M. D., is a physician whose work has been conducted along the broadest lines of medical practice. His father was in practice in Schuylkill county from 1867 until his death as a physician and dentist, and few families have a more creditable record of long continued
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service to their fellow men than the Millers have gained in Schuylkill county. They are an old Berks county family, Joseph Miller, the grandfather of Dr. Charles D. Miller, having been born in the vicinity of Hamburg, that county, where he followed farming. His children were as follows: Joseph; Jacob; Alexander M., who was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a successful physician ; Richard A. M., now the only survivor of the family, living at Hamburg, Berks county; George Merkel; Mrs. John Swoyer; Mrs. Reuben Kolback, and Mrs. Peter D. Hottenstine.
George Merkel Miller, M. D., D. D. S., was born at Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa. He received his literary education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., subsequently taking a course in dentistry at the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery. He also graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia. During the Civil war he served as a surgeon in the Union army. In 1867 Dr. Miller removed with his family from Hamburg to Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he practiced his professions until 1885. That year he located at Pottsville, in which borough he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-two years. From the time of his settlement there he confined his attention to the practice of dentistry. He was a pioneer.in the use of ether in the extraction of teeth, a departure from the customs of his time typical of his progressive nature and his freedom from prejudices of any kind; in fact, he gave much of his time to the study of anæsthetics and their practical application, and did much to promote their proper use in both of his professions and to remove the opposition which the pioneers in their use had to meet in many cases in spite of the advantage which would seem to need no defense. As early as the sixties he was enthu- siastic in this particular work of the medical profession, and in 1872 he published a pamphlet on anæsthetics, discussing the subject in popular language, "giving the origin, history, etc., of the most popular and useful anæsthetics, designed to prove to the masses their harmless character." The arguments he presents are interesting, showing the fear of anæsthetics entertained by many people in that day.
Dr. Miller married Elizabeth A. Geiger, daughter of Charles R. Geiger. of Pottstown, Pa., and they became the parents of children as follows: Anna E. died when four years old; Ida, deceased, was the wife of J. P. German, a Lutheran minister; Charles Douglas is mentioned below; Mary S. is the wife of Dr. A. L. Gillars, a physician of Pottsville, Pa .; Harvey Harris died when six years old.
Charles Douglas Miller was born Oct. 17, 1861, at Hamburg, Pa., and was but a young boy when the family moved to Mahanoy City. There he received a public school education, and was graduated from the high school in 1880. Meantime, during school vacations, he had served an apprenticeship in the office of the Mahanoy Gazette, where he was employed from 1874 to 1877, and from 1877 until 1882 he spent his time out of school in his father's drug store. He also began his medical studies under his father's tuition, during which time, in 1881 and 1882, he taught school. In September, 1882, he became a student at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating from there March 29, 1884. In 1886-87 he took a post-graduate course at the same institution. In April, 1884. he commenced practice at Mahanoy City, and shortly after his father's removal to Pottsville followed him to the borough, settling there permanently Nov. 9, 1886. It was not long before his professional work had drawn him into the larger activities of service to his
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fellow men. In January, 1887, he was appointed outdoor physician for the poor of Pottsville and vicinity, serving as such until 1889. His large private practice has not shut him out from general usefulness as a citizen, whether in his professional capacity or otherwise. For several years he was on the medical staff, as visiting physician, of the Pottsville Hospital. Since 1907 he has been physician to the Children's Home of Pottsville, located near the borough, at Mechanicsville. He is a prominent member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society, of which he was secretary in 1888-89 and treasurer in 1890, and is also a prominent member of the medical society of the State of Pennsylvania. He has served as medical examiner for several life insur- ance companies, and is a member of the board of pension examiners for Schuylkill county. His thorough command of German as well as English has aided him greatly in his work. Dr. Miller has his office and residence at No. 204 West Market street, Pottsville. He has made a number of contributions to medical literature, his writings including a Thesis on Rheumatism; a "Dis- cussion of Bergeon's Treatment for Consumption" published in the "American Medical Digest" of September, 1887 ; an article entitled "Diphtheria Antitoxin Employed in the Treatment of Scarlet Fever," published in the "Pennsylvania Medical Journal" in August, 1904; and an article which appeared in the "Penn- sylvania Medical Journal" on typhoid fever, in which he proposes the use of carbolic acid and iodine as a specific treatment. Dr. Miller has published in pamphlet form three of his essays, the first being his graduation essay, written on the completion of his high school course in Mahanoy City, "First Darkness, Then Light"; the subject of the second, "Acute Articular Rheumatism," his graduation thesis on completion of his course in the Jefferson Medical College ; the third, on "Laws of Nature," was delivered at the annual meeting of the High School Alumni Association of Mahanoy City, June 4, 1885. Dr. Miller is also one of the editors of "Modern Researches" by Bayer, United States, having charge of the volume (285 pages) published in 1904.
Dr. Miller is a member of the board of directors of the Pottsville Y. M. C. A., and has done splendid work for the borough in that connection. He belongs to the English Lutheran Church, of which he has been treasurer for fifteen years, and has also held the positions of deacon and elder, giving his best efforts to the promotion of its interest and work. Socially he belongs to Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F., to Franklin Encampment (Odd Fellows), to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Improved Order of Heptasophs.
On Jan. 5, 1889, Dr. Miller married Alice S. Wagner, daughter of F. B. Wagner, a merchant of Mahanoy City. They have had two children, Eliza- beth Caroline and Charles Douglas.
ADAMS. Several decades ago the late George Adams settled in North Manheim township, in the southern part of Schuylkill county, at what is now known as Adamsdale. A carpenter by trade, he engaged in the building of boats at that point, branching out into other lines of business as opportunity offered, and practically laid the foundations of the thriving community which has since borne his name, and whose principal activities are still conducted by the members of the Adams family. He was a member of the fifth genera- tion of his family in this country, and we give herewith the record of the early generations.
Anthony Adam, as the name was then spelled, was born in the Fatherland
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in the year 1716, and emigrated to America in the year 1741. He sailed from Rotterdam on the snow "Molly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch. His vessel arrived at Philadelphia, and the passengers, having taken the oath of allegiance to the English sovereign, were qualified to land Oct. 26, 1741. Anthony Adam's age is entered on the passenger list as twenty-five years. On Feb. 7, 1748, he received from the proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania a warrant for a tract of 136 acres, 146 perches of land in Albany township, then a part of Philadelphia county. This land was surveyed for him by the surveyor general of the Province June 6, 1752. The farm is now in the possession of Jacob Weisner, of Round Top, Albany township, Berks county.
Anthony Adam, or Andoni Adam, as he wrote his name, received a warrant for a tract of 135 acres and 47 perches "above Maxatawny," Feb. 7, 1748. In 1761 he sold 140 acres of his land in Albany township to John Reinhard. He was administrator of the estate of Albrecht Stimmel, of Albany township, in 1766, being the chief creditor. His administration account was audited and approved in December of 1768. The date of death of Anthony Adam, of Albany township, is not known.
Anthony Adam (2), son of Anthony of Albany township, was born about the year 1736, and was a resident of the adjoining township of Windsor in 1758, described on the tax list of that year as a single man. He married Rosina Dunkel, widow of Vincent Lesher, of Richmond township. Anthony Adam served during the Revolutionary war as a private in Capt. Jacob Ladich's company, Col. Samuel Ely's battalion, of Berks county militia, as appears from a muster roll showing that this company was in the service of the United States from Oct. I to Oct. 17, 1781 (Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. V, pp. 279-281). In 1799 Anthony Adam (2) received from the State of Pennsylvania a patent of 307 acres of land called "Manheim" on Briar creek, in Northumberland (now Columbia) county, Pennsylvania, and in 1806 received a patent for another tract of 426 acres called "Quincy." on the same creek. These lands he conveyed to his four sons. Anthony Adam died some time after April 27. 1809. He had at least four children, as follows : Peter was a resident of Windsor township, Berks county; Anthony (3) was of Briarcreek township, Columbia county; Jacob Adam, of Richmond town- ship, Berks county, married Susan Kline; Abraham, of Briarcreek, born Oct. 7, 1799, died in Briarcreek July 6, 1855, married Sarah Miller.
Peter Adam, grandfather of George Adams, born Oct. I, 1765, died July I, 1849. He lived in Windsor township, Berks county, and was a farmer all his life. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, and a Demo- crat in politics. He married Catharina Hausknecht.
Samuel Adams, son of Peter, lived and died at Windsor Castle, in Windsor township, Berks Co., Pa. He was born in that township in the beginning of the nineteenth century, and lived to be only twenty-five years old. He was engaged principally at the carpenter's trade. To his marriage with Catherine Stausser, daughter of Henry Stausser, were born three children, Hannah, George and Catherine (who died at the age of eighteen years, unmarried) ; and by his second marriage there was one child, Hettie, Mrs. Neiswender, of Tilden township, Berks Co., Pa. Hannah was twice married, first to Edwin Skeen and second to John Carl. She died Sept. 12, 1905, at Pottsville.
George Adams was born March 3. 1828, in Windsor township, Berks county, and had somewhat limited educational opportunities, attending the common schools there in his early boyhood. He early learned the trade of
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carpenter. Upon coming to Schuylkill county in 1847 he first located at Ashland, thence removing to Middleport, where he became engaged by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at his trade, as foreman in charge of the building of bridges and stations. He built a number of breakers for individual coal operators. When he gave up work for the railroad company he became employed in one of the boat works at Landingville, in 1858 begin- ning the building of boats on his own account, meeting with such success that he did the principal business of the county in his day and locality. He often had as many as fifty men working for him and six boats under construction at one time. In 1866 he purchased a fine farm at what is now Adamsdale, owning a tract of 200 acres, and here he established his business, which was practically the center of the life of the town. He continued boatbuilding for over thirty years, until the canal between Schuylkill Haven and Port Clinton was abandoned-the only outlet for the larger type of boats built during the later years of the industry in this section. The first boats built for the Schuyl- kill canal were of eighty tons capacity, but those of later construction, used in the trade to New York and Baltimore and New Haven, could carry cargoes up to three hundred tons. Though the decline of industry on the canal meant great loss to a number of business men, it was not so with Mr. Adams, who had acquired other interests in the meantime, and he turned his energies into other lines when he gave up boatbuilding. He had done considerable as a cattle dealer ; in 1875 he erected a hotel, and later he put up a store, establishing the general merchandising business which is still carried on by his estate ; he also established a wheelwright shop, repairing and building carriages, and ran a sawmill and paint factory. He sometimes operated the brickyard located on his property, at other times leasing it. On Jan. 1, 1891, in partnership with G. W. Hubler and A. H. Preuzel, he established the Adams Shoe Company, at Adamsdale, for the manufacture of infants' and misses' shoes of the Mckay and Goodyear styles, and Mr. Adams acted as general supervisor and man- ager. The factory was first located in the rear of his general store, but in 1900 a three-story frame building was erected for the purpose, 40 by 100 feet in dimensions, providing commodious quarters for the business, which had attained considerable importance. About forty hands were employed in his day, and the business has been carried on continuously since, his son, John H. Adams, being now president of the Adams Shoe Company, his son, Franklin P. Adams, vice president, and a third son, Robert W. Adams, secretary. To the original products have been added a line of ladies' and children's shoes, and thus for over twenty years the business has maintained its place as a most important industry in that section of the county. The employees now number one hundred. George Adams built up a fine trade as a general merchant, carrying an excellent stock, which attracted customers from a wide territory, and his heirs have been no less successful in keeping up to the high standards of the establishment. The farm land he owned at Adamsdale, consisting of two valuable tracts, was highly developed under his able man- agement, and he gave his attention to its cultivation for nearly forty years. Mr. Adams showed surprising versatility in the management of his numerous interests, combining his various operations to their mutual advantage, and he was one of the important figures of his day, much of the local prosperity depending upon his enterprises. Personally he was a man of the highest char- acter, honorable in all his dealings, and his death, which occurred March
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5, 1901, was universally mourned in this section. He is buried in the cemetery of the Red Church.
Mr. Adams married Eliza Deiner, daughter of Peter Deiner, of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and of the children born to this marriage four died in infancy, the survivors being: George C .; Richard S., at one time foreman in Bradley's agricultural works at Chicago, Ill., now on the homestead at Adamsdale; Catherine E., wife of Morris Runkel, of Landingville, a dispatcher in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Com- pany; Franklin P., agent for the Pennsylvania Railway Company at Adams- dale ; Charles S .; John H .; and Robert W. The second union was to Mrs. Diana Schall, daughter of Rev. Philip Mayer, who for forty-nine years was a minister of the Reformed Church. Mr. Adams also belonged to that denomina- tion. He was a Democrat in his political convictions.
GEORGE C. ADAMS, eldest surviving son of the late George Adams, was born Dec. 31, 1858. He received a public school education, and an excellent business training in his father's employ. After following farming for some time he became manager of the store at Adamsdale, and on May 24, 1892, was appointed postmaster there, which office he has held continuously since. He married Mary M. Kramer, daughter of Jacob Kramer, and they have one daughter, Hannah.
CHARLES S. ADAMS, born Aug. 11, 1870, at Adamsdale, is clerking in the general store there now conducted by his father's estate, and also acts as assistant postmaster. He married Emma J. Snyder, daughter of Lewis Snyder. They have no children.
JOHN H. ADAMS, now president of the Adams Shoe Company of Adams- dale, was born at that place April 10, 1872. After attending the local schools he took a course at the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa., graduating in 1901, and for three terms taught school in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county. For a time he had charge of the office work of his father's shoe company, and he took advantage of his opportunity to learn the business thoroughly. When the Adams Shoe Company was incor- porated he was made secretary and treasurer, being associated with the concern in this capacity until he became the executive head, in January. 1913. Like his father and brothers he is a man of unquestioned business ability, and the upbuilding of the business had gone on steadily under his able direction. He makes his home at Adamsdale, and gives all his attention to the management of the shoe business. Mr. Adams married Charlotte R. Haeseler, daughter of John T. Haeseler, of Orwigsburg, a member of one of the old established families of Schuylkill county. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one child, Marvin L. In religious faith this family adheres to the Reformed denomination.
ROBERT W. ADAMS, youngest surviving son of George Adams, was born April 7, 1875, at Adamsdale. He attended school at Pottsville, this county. For a number of years he was variously employed, being with the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company at Pottsville, and with the Eastern Steel Company, and for a time was employed at clerical work in New York City. On Nov. IO, 1910, he returned to Adamsdale, where he has since been giving his attention to the business of the Adams Shoe Company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. He has proved a vital factor in the administration of its affairs, which have been gaining in measure yearly, the high grade of its product maintaining its popularity with the dealers and public generally. Mr. Adams married Clara Von Fleet, of Mauch Chunk, Pa., and they make
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their home at Adamsdale. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Pottsville, this county.
The Adams Shoe Company, so modestly started, now has a thoroughly up-to-date plant, conveniently appointed, and equipped with modern shoe machinery, for the manufacture of ladies', misses', children's and infants' shoes. It was incorporated under the present title in June, 1903, and since March, 1913, all of the stock has been owned by the sons of the late George Adams. The conduct of the business, jobbing as well as manufacturing, is now entirely in their hands, and judging from the favorable reputation of the company and its product is most capably managed in every department.
WILLIAM HENRY ROBINSON, M. D., was not only one of the most successful private practitioners of his day in Pottsville but also one of the most useful members of the profession who have lived in the community. Availing himself unselfishly of the opportunities for service to his fellowmen which came to him daily in the course of his duties as a physician, he saw the need for wide plans to benefit them which now form part of the record of his helpful life. He was a native of Schuylkill county, born May 1, 1845, son of Morris L. Robinson, who was a coal operator in the county. After reading medicine for a time with the late Dr. Andrew Howell Halberstadt, of Pottsville, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, graduat- ing in 1868. Returning to Schuylkill county, he at once began practice at Pottsville, where he established a position among the leading physicians of the borough and vicinity. Before long he became proprietor of a drug store in the town, and by combining irreproachable service to his patrons with up-to- date methods developed the business until it ranked with the most prosperous in its line.
Dr. Robinson's various activities were mostly such as his profession led him into. For several years he was secretary of the board of health, and he took a deep interest in the success of the Pottsville hospital. serving on its staff and in other capacities rendering service of great value to the institution. He was an honored member of the County Medical Society, and fraternally was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, being a member and past master of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., and a member of Miners' Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F., both of Pottsville. As a sincere Republican he gave his support to the party, and he did his share towards promoting good government in the town, serving as member of the town council and acting as president of that body. He lived in the home at No. 17 North Centre street occupied by his widow until January, 1914-a valuable piece of property. His death occurred Nov. 4, 1912, and he is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery.
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