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 2

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 752


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 2


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


Reilly, James B.


14


Peifer, Hiram 1132


Reiner Family


1041


l'elechovych, Rev. Joseph.


973


Reinert, Daniel 260


429


Pershing, Judge Cyrus L.


181


Reinhart, Henry


429


Peter Family


Reinoehl, Levi E.


1089


Petery Family


302


Reiseg, Elmer G.


1017


Petery, Oscar D.


301


Petry Family


332


Remaly, Lewis F.


832


Petry, Harvey D.


332 620


Renner, William


1061


Phoenix Hose Company, Shenandoah.


.1162


Renninger Family


970


Pleasants, Gen. Henry. 172


Renninger, John 970


Rentschler Family


614


Portland, Charles A ..


1171


Rentschler, Henry D., M. D. 614


Riee, Aaron L 1082


Rice Family 1082


Richards, William C. 569


Richenderfer, John H.


1137


Rickert Family


39


Rickert, Col. Thomas H.


39


Price, John W. 1108


Ridgway, Thomas S.


610


Pugh, William S. . 176


Riegel Family


542


Purcell, Mrs. Mary Ann. 1153


Purcell, Michael 1154


Quail, Charles Edward, M. D. 117


Quail, Mrs. Emma C. 118


Quandel, Charles 696


Quick, Samuel 772


Quigel Family


672


Quigel, Valentine


672


Quinn, Terence J. 912


Randall, David V 290


Rarich Family 431


Rauch Family 335


Rauch, George B. 335


Raykowski, Waldysluw 1044


Reher Family 244


Reber, George W. 207


Reber, Harry A. 207


Reber, Horace F. 244


Reddy, Christopher C 951


Reed, Albert L. 328


Reed, Charles O. 1046


Reed, Elias 109


Reed Families. 292, 328, 333, 692, 1046, 1207


Reed, Frederick B. 333


Reed, Harry D. 692


Reed, Jacob D.


109


Reed, Samuel


292


Ryon, John Perey


190


Reed, Sherman H.


1207


Ryon, Hon. John W


190


542


Riland (Ryland) Family


852


Rissinger, Abraham F. 1188


Rissinger, Jacob J 1190


Robinhold Family 490


Robinhold, Lewis C., M. D. 491


Robinhold, William L. 491


Rockwell, W. B. 180


180


Robinson, William H., M. D.


108


Romberger, James M.


1048


Romberger, Jesse M.


Romig Family


649


Rooney, Christ .J


1111


Rooney Family


1111


Rosenberger, Clemens


M.


367


Rosenberger Family Rubright, Charles H. 367 S25


Kubright Families .825, 939


Rumbel Families 616, 1157


Rumbel, Richard T. 1159


Rumbel, Trenton W 1157


Rump Family 1098


Rump, William 1098


Ryan, Martin F. 1061


Ryland ( Riland) Family 852


Ryland, William H


832


Ryon, George W. 190


Ryon, Judge James 190


567


Renner Family


1061


Pfeiffer, John


Pollard, John H. 256


Portz, Frederick, Jr. 191


Portz, Frederick, Sr.


191, 203


Portz, Harry K.


203


Pott (Potts) Families 44, 170, 243


Pott, John, Sr 170


Prevost, John 47


894


Perry, Rourindine . 1063


Reinhart Family


398


Reichard, Joseph


Reid, Robert A 325


Reisig, Frederick


Riegel, Samuel A.


Robinson, Moneure


1047


xiv


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


Sabaleski, Mat. 1113


Sabold, William H., Sr. 1182


Sachs Family 801


Scott, John G. 265


Sachs, Henry 801


Scott, Robert S. 265


Scott, Walter W. 707


Seiberling Family 387


Seitzinger, Miss Emma. 240


Seitzinger Family. . 19, 239, 783, 986, 1036


Seitzinger, Henry M. 1036


Seitzinger, Jeremiah 783


Seitzinger, James M. 986


Seitzinger, Col. Nicholas. 19


Seitzinger, Judge Nicholas 239


Seligman, Abraham Pott, M. D. 242


Seligman Family 242


Seltzer, Albert W 110


Seltzer, Conrad 110


Seltzer Families .619, 942, 962


Seltzer, Francis B.


962


Seltzer, Frank P.


942


Seltzer, Miss R. W


963


Seltzer, Wesley A.


619


Shannon, Benjamin Franklin, M. D .. . 162


Shannon, Samuel H., M. D


160


Scharadin, Jacob A


307


Scheaffer, Joseph 1013


Scheaffer, Sebastian 1013


Scheele Brothers


398


Scheele, Carl


39S


Schenck, Fred


940


Schief, Charles F


1110


Schief, Mrs. Sofie. 1110


Schilling Family 671


Schilling, John C. 671


Schlaseman, Elmer F 514


Sehlaseman, Jacob A 515.


Schlear, Alfred 925


Schlear Family 925


Schlegel Family 553


Schlegel, James D 553


Schmeltzer Family 1043


Schmeltzer, Frank A 1043


Schmidt, Christian


336


Schmidt, Philip 336


Schneider, Mrs. Catherine. 524


Schneider, Mrs. Elizabeth.


700


Schneider Families 90,


706


Schneider, John F. 700


Schneider, Peter J. (deceased) 524


Schneider, Peter J. (Locustdale) 762


Schneider, Theodore D. 706


Shoemaker, James A. 913


Shoemaker, John II. 737


Shoener, Edward 780


Shoener, Mrs. Emma. 744


Shoener Families. .279, 743, 750, 910


Shoener, John 910


Shoener, Hon. John T. 278


Shoener, Joseph 743


Siefert, William II .. 748


Silliman, Mrs. Catharine 62


Silliman, Edward S. .


67


Schwalm, George M. 992


Schwalm, Ralph A. 1217


Schwartz, Joseph 331


Scott, Alexander 263


Scott, George 264


Scott, John A. 707


Sassaman Family


457


Saterlee, Britton W 720


Schablein, Joseph 283


Schablein, Michael 283


Schaefer, Charles T 830


Schaefer Family


830


Schaeffer Families


442,


462


Schaeffer, George M.


462


Schaffer Families 807, 1010


Schaffer, Salem B. 807


Schalek, Adolph W.


528


Schalck, Mrs. Emma R.


531


Schalck, George


528


Schaller Family


1008


Schappell (Shappell) Families


541, 682, 733, 988, 1006


Schappell, George W.


988


Scharadin (Sharadin) Families


.211, 308, 312


Scharadin, Harry F 312


Shappell, Andrew J.


683


Shappell, Daniel 683


541


Shappell Families. . 541, 682, 733, 988, 1006


Sharadin, Edward


211


Sharadin (Scharadin) Families


.211, 308, 312


Shaw, John 413


Sheafer, Lesley G. 25


Sheafer, Panl 1176


25


Sheafer, Walter S .. 1175


Sheafer, William L. 24


Shearer, Robert C. 343


Shellhamer Family 755


Shellhamer, Jackson M. 755


Shellhammer, Benjamin F. 1001


Shellhammer Families. . 686, 755, 982, 1001 Shellhammer, James M. 686


Sherry Family


921


Shirey Family


1112


Shirey, John


1112


Shissler, Mrs. Clara K


867


Shissler, Edward L.


866


Shoemaker Families 737, 913


Schoch (Schock) Family 954


Schoeneman, Michael 1102


Schrepple, Gottlieb 650


Schrope, Charles A 674


Schrope Family 674


Schulz, Jacob R. 929


Schulze, Harry F. 1075


Schuyler, Joseph M.


20


Schuyler, Miss Mary I. 20


Schwalm Families


.754, 992, 1217


Silliman (Sillyman) Families.


60, 68, 120, 208


Silliman, H. I ..


20%


Silliman, James K.


60


Shappell, Benjamin


733


Shappell, Elias F.


Sheafer, Peter W.


XV


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


Sillyman (Silliman) Families.


Stiles, Michacl V. 1015


Stine Family 632


Stine, William N 632


Stitzer Family


. 503,


687


Stitzer, William F


503


Stitzer, William G. 687


Stoker Family 93+


Stoudt (Staudt, Stout) Families.


447, 509, 729


Strauch Family 450


Strauch, Robert D .. 450


Stranse ( Strauss, Strouse) Family. 215


Strause, Samuel


215


Striegel, John G., M. D. 520


Strubhar, Aaron 767


767


Stntzman Family


836


Stutzman, Raymond H., M. D. 835


Super Family


433


Swoyer Family 997


Tallman, Henry


1177


Tallman, Mrs. Mary A ..


1177


Tasker, Reese


238


Taylor, William


T


827


Thomas Family


192


Thomas, Thomas L. 193


Thomas, Mrs. Thomas L.


84, 194, 196


Thompson, Alexander


668


Thompson, Hon. Alexander


Thompson, Charles D ..


906


St. Clair, Oscar. 1024


426


653


Stamm Family


879


Starr, David 761


Starr Families .88, 761, 1012


Starr, William A 1012


Staudt (Stoudt, Stont) Families


447, 509, 729


Staudt, John F 447


Staudt, John S ..


509


Stauffer, Arthur Elliott. 482


Stauffer, Elias K. 480


Stauffer Families


480, 845, 1115, 1165


Stauffer, John M.


1115


Stauffer, Norman M ..


1165


Stanffer, William E .. 1166


Steigerwalt, Albert H.


376


Steigerwalt Families 376, 395


Stein, Daniel 324


Stein Families 140, 418


Stein, Jonathan Frank. 417


Stein, Franklin M. 142


Stein, Moses S. 140


Steiner Family 424


Stephens, Albert 1011


Sterner Family


919


Sterner, Frank R 919


Stewart, Harry H., M. D. 581


Stiehter, George H. 625


Stief Family


758


Stief, John A


758


Stiles Family 1015


.60, 68, 120, 208


Sillyman, Samuel 120


Sillyman, Miss Susan J 122


Simmons, Thomas 1075


Sittler, Calvin E.


361


Sittler (Sitler) Families.


361, 470


Slater, Mrs. Clara K.


401


Slater, George W


400


Slater, Henry P.


400


Smith, Charles E.


1172


Smith, Charles H. 1074


Smith, David G.


227


Smith Families.


388, 477, 1074, 1172


Smith, Jeremiah 388


Smith, Joseph G .. 1176


Smith, William E.


108


Smith, William S.


476


Snyder, Charles A


488


Snyder, Frank


316


Snyder, Reuben


316


Spayd, Prof. 11. H .. 126


Speacht, Mrs. Dorothy 393


Speacht Family 392,


401


Speacht, Frederick 392


Spencer, Mrs. Amelia J


47


Spencer, George


45


Spencer, William


45


Spitzner, Valentine


1070


Spohn, Moneure R ..


1023


St. Clair Family.


1024


Thompson Families. . 32, 112, 114, 907, 1053 35 Thompson, Heber H.


Thompson, Maj. Heber S.


32


Thompson, Isaac


669


Thompson, Lewis C. 113


Thompson, Oliver C. 1053


Thompson, Col. William. 112


Tielman, William 1110


Toole, John


1114


Toomey, John 829


Toomey, Michael 829


Trachte, William 494


Tregea Family 1004


Trexler Family 967


Turner Family


921


Tyson Family 742


Underkoffler, Charles M. 772


Unger, Albert A.


495


Updegrave Families 439,


681


Updegrave, Morris 680


Updegrave, Philip H 439


Updegrove Family 661


Updegrove, Walter E 661


Van Horn Family 644


Veith, John


209, 1201


Veith, Jolm, Jr. 211


Vetter, David 704


Vetter Family 704, 977


Wachter, George A


943


Wachter, Rudolph


944


Wadlinger, Mrs. Margaret D.


50


669


St. Peter's Church (Reformed)


St. Mary's Church, Tremont ..


144


Snyder Family


Strubhar Family


xvi


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


Wadlinger, Francis 48


Wadlinger, Judge George J. 48


Williams, Mrs. Annie. 1050


Wagner, Alfred B. 1016


Williams, William 1050


Wagner, Charles C. 545


Wingert, Adam 884


Wingert Family 884


Wintersteen, Mrs. John. 1172


508, 545, 558, 781, 824, 886, 1014, 1016


Wagner, Franklin 781


Wagner, Frederick R., D. D. S 558


Wagner, Henry A. 547


Wagner, Mrs. Mary A. 571


Wagner, Philip


823


Wittmer, Mrs. Mary. 999


Wagner, Samuel C.


571


Wolfgang Family 771


Wagner, William M.


219


Wolfgang, Paul 771


Walborn Families. 156, 1087


Womer ( Woomer) Family 390,


440


Walborn, Ira Guy 157


Walborn, .Jonathan H. 156


Walborn, Joseph A. 158


Walborn, Maurice D. 157


Wallauer, Jacob


379


Walter Families 677,


793


Walter, George W


793


Walters, Henry


92


Walters, William H.


92


Yeager, Alfred A. 819


Yeager Family 819


Watson Families 1175, 1186


Watson, George M. 1186


Weaklim, William T .. 63


Weaver (Weber) Family 912


Weber ( Weaver) Family. 912


Weber, Louis 327


Weber, William F. 327


Weidman Family


864


Weidman, Samuel


864


Weiser, Conrad


158


Weishampel Family


119


Weissinger Family


27


Weissinger, George


29


Weissinger, Harry


30


Weissinger, Leonard W


27


Weldon, Michael 1100


Weldy, Charles II.


95


Weldy, Henry A ..


93


Wellendorf, Joseph 1080


Wertley Family 266


Wertley, Walter


266


Wertley, Wellington A 267


Wertman Family 820


Wessner Family


431


1160


Whalen Family


1160


White Families


978, 1090


White, J. S ..


White, Maj. J. Claude 320


978


Zion's Reformed Church. 426


Zulich, Mrs. E. R. 233


Zulich Family 232


Zulich, Henry B. 232


Zulick Family 603


Wiesner Family


384


Zulick, John S.


604


Wiest Family 478 Zulick, Thomas H. B. 603


322


Young, George 821


Zapf, Charles 578


Zapf, William E 579


Zehner Families 739, 740, 984


Zehner, Lewis A 740


Zerbe Family 579


Zerbe, William E. 579


Zettlemoyer Family 1093


Zettlemoyer, Frank 1093


Zimmerman, Alfred


955


Zimmerman, Edward


1093


Zimmerman Families


.550, 558, 811, 955, 1093, 1205


Zimmerman, George K. 811


Zimmerman, Robert J 550


Zimmerman, William H .. 1205


Zion's Lutheran Church 789


Whitfield, Joseph 928


Whitfield, Mrs. Lottie E. 929


Whitfield, Rowland 928


Wiesner, Dr. Edwin E. 384


Wilhelm, William 224


Withelder Families 1079, 1083


Withelder, Frederick 1083


Withelder, John H 1079


Wittich, Henry W. 1077


Wittmer, Martin 999


Woolcock, John 145


Woomer, Elmer


440


Woomer ( Womer) Family. 390, 440


Yarnall Families 472, 666


Yarnall, Ephraim 666


Warne, Joseph L., M. D ..


1175


Yeingst, Prof. 360


Yerger Family 701


Yerger, Henry 701


Yoder Family 582


Yoder, Irvin U .. 582


Yorkville Fire Company. 456


Yost, Benjamin J.


797


Yost Families. . 322, 402, 446, 660, 798, 924


Yost, Israel


924


Yost, James A.


402


Yost, Jonathan


I


Whalen, Edward J.


1090


White, Joseph R.


Womer, Monroe 390


Wonders, Newton M. 714


Wagner, Charles G. 508


Wagner Families .219,


Charles . A. attkin


Genealogy-Family History Biography


CHARLES M. ATKINS, deceased, was identified with the most impor- tant industries of Pottsville and as president of the Pottsville Iron & Steel Company contributed largely to the prosperity of the city. He was born in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., March 17, 1827, and died at Pottsville, Pa., Sept. 3, 1889, having filled with unremitting industry a life of usefulness and importance to his fellow citizens.


Charles M. Atkins was educated in the common schools of Columbia and sat at the same desk with Thomas A. Scott, afterwards the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He began to work for himself very early in life, his first adventure being freighting on the old Pennsylvania State road, and in a few years he became one of the leading freighters in this part of the State. It was not long ere he had a line of barges on the canal and these, in addition to his teams, made him the most important of the trans- portation men in this section. At the time he came to Pottsville, in 1853, the rolling mills, then owned by Yardley & Co., were about to be sold by the sheriff, and Mr. Atkins at once formed a partnership with his brother, Hanson, and purchased the plant. Soon after they bought the Pioneer furnace, opened the ore banks in Cumberland county and the colliery at Gilberton, and com- pletely reorganized the works. When to this extensive plant was added an outfit of rolling stock, the freighting business was gradually discontinued and the docks closed up. From time to time the furnaces were enlarged and rebuilt, their capacity having been doubled five times in the time of Mr. Atkins's ownership. The rolling mill also grew in capacity during this time and then the steel plant was added. At one time in Mr. Atkins's control there were five thousand names on the payroll. When the works were capitalized anew and incorporated as the Pottsville Iron & Steel Company, with Mr. Atkins as president, he held nine-tenths of the stock, the remainder being held in the family.


Mr. Atkins was so enthused at the opening of the Civil war that he endeavored to enlist, but his friend, General Cameron, persuaded him that he would be of greater value to his country if he remained at home and manufactured the iron so badly needed by the army.


On Oct. 5, 1854, Mr. Atkins was united in marriage to Anna M. Prior, daughter of Rev. Azariah and Isabella (Adams) Prior. Their children were : (1) William, now a resident of Philadelphia, is in the coal business in Virginia. (2)Isabella P. became the wife of Hon. David C. Henning, one of the judges of Schuylkill county, and both are now deceased. Their daughter. Anna, wife of Edwin C. Luther, is now living in Pottsville. (3) Anna P., wife of August Heckscher, lives in New York City. They have two children, Vol. I-1


1


2


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


G. Maurice and Antoinette, the latter married to Hon. Oliver Sylvain Valior Brett, son of Lord Escher of England, and residing near Windsor Forest, outside of London (they have one son). (4) Phoebe WV. married John C. Lee, and they had two children: Dorothy, wife of James G. Lucas, and John C. After his death she married (second) William L. Sheafer, who died April 23, 1912, and his widow lives in Pottsville. They had no children. (5) Hanson E., living in Pottsville, married Ida F. Green, daughter of the late Hon. David B. Green, judge of the Schuylkill county courts, and they have two children, Elizabeth G. and David B. (6) George H., who died May 21, 1912, left a widow, Esther B. (Hoffman), now residing in Pottsville. He left no children. (7) John Shippen died April 30, 1902, at the age of twenty- eight. (8) Elizabeth Inzevand Keim died in 1901, at the age of twenty-six.


Mrs. Charles M. Atkins is living at the old homestead, corner of Centre and Mauch Chunk streets. This building was the first mansion erected in Pottsville and was the work of her husband. It is still one of the handsomest of the many beautiful dwellings in the city.


JUDGE O. P. BECHTEL is an eminent representative of a name whose connection with the legal profession and judiciary in Schuylkill county covers a period of almost fifty years. Retiring from the bench after a continuous service of thirty years in January, 1908, he was succeeded as president judge of Schuylkill county courts by his son, Hon. H. O. Bechtel, present incumbent of that position. Other members of this family have also won high reputation in the profession.


The Bechtel family is of German extraction and has been settled in eastern Pennsylvania since Provincial days. The Judge's grandfather was a native of Bucks county, Pa. John Bechtel, his father, was also born there, near Doylestown, Oct. 6, 1798. For a number of years he made his home in Berks county, this State, where he was well known as proprietor of the "Half-Way House" between Reading and Kutztown, and besides conducting the hotel he was a mail contractor and stage owner, transporting passengers and the mail between Easton and Harrisburg, by way of Allentown and Reading, and from Reading to Pottsville. From Berks county he removed to Northumberland county, Pa., where he was settled for about a dozen years engaged in farming and hotelkeeping on what was known as "Warrior Run Farm"; the stone tavern which stood upon that property, a few miles from Watsontown, was a popular stopping plase in its day. Thence in 1847 Mr. Bechtel removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and in 1851 to Middleport, same county. He became postmaster at the latter place and continued to hold the position during the administrations of Pierce, Buchanan and Johnson. Politically he was an ardent Democrat and maintained an active interest in local, State and national campaigns. His death took place in the latter part of December, 1872. Mr. Bechtel was twice married, his second wife, the Judge's mother, being Eliza S. Beiber, of Berks county, who was born in 1808, daughter of John S. Beiber, a native of Maidencreek township, Berks county. Mrs. Bechtel died at Mid- dleport in June, 1880. John Bechtel was the father of the following children : James B., who died in 1873, was a resident of Reading, Pa., where he served as district attorney ; Louise became the wife of Samuel Young, of Reading, Pa .; Alfred B., deceased, was a traveling salesman and clerk ; Elmira, deceased, was the wife of George L. Medler, of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county : Francis W., who died March 14, 1906, was a prominent lawyer of Schuylkill


3


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


county ; Hettie became the wife of David F. Ritter, a resident of Middleport, Schuylkill county ; O. P. is next in the family; T. H. has been in the wholesale notions business for many years, belonging to the firm of Jones, Bechtel, Shibely & Company.


O. P. Bechtel was born Jan. 31, 1842, in Northumberland county, Pa., where he spent his first years on his father's farm. He received his carly education principally at Middleport, attending public school, and when about eightcen years of age began teaching in Wayne township, Schuylkill county, being later similarly employed in Brunswick township. Not long afterwards he registered at the Allentown Seminary (now Muhlenberg College), at Allentown, Pa., for part of a year. In September, 1861, he became connected with Arcadia Institute, at Orwigsburg, Pa., where he was both teacher and student, and the year following he took control of the school in Mahanoy City, which he conducted very successfully until April, 1864. He then gave up teaching to become bookkeeper for the Preston Coal & Improvement Company at Girardville, Schuylkill county, holding this position until March 20, 1865. It was then he began the study of law in the office of Hughes & Dewees, at Pottsville, Pa. Three years previously he had registered as a student in the office of his brother, James B. Bechtel, at Reading, Pa., and he now com- pleted the course, taking his examination for admission to the bar April 12, 1866, and passing with credit. On May Ioth of the same year he was admitted to practice in Schuylkill county, and immediately opened an office on Centre street, Pottsville. It was not long before his conscientious work and able care of the interests of his clients began to attract attention. He refused the nomination for district attorney, preferring to devote himself to private practice, but in the year 1873 he yielded to the solicitations of his friends in the Democratic party, and accepted the nomination for State senator from the Tenth district. Though there were three opposing candidates in the field he was elected by a majority of nearly fifteen hundred votes, and his three years' service gave the utmost satisfaction. But meantime his pro- fessional work had increased to such an extent that he feared further public service would prejudice his personal interests and he declined a renomination for the senatorship. Until August, 1877, all his time was again given to his law business. Then at the Democratic convention he was unanimously nomi- nated for the office of Judge in the court of Common Pleas, to which position he was elected by a large majority, taking his place upon the bench in Janu- ary, 1878. At the expiration of his ten years' term he was unanimously renominated and was reelected by the largest majority ever given a candidate in Schuylkill county. In 1898 he again received this honor, retiring from the bench the first Monday in January, 1908, with an almost unprecedented record of service.


Judge Bechtel's personality entered largely into his popularity and suc- cess on the bench. His legal learning, acquired in the pursuit of private practice and in painstaking research during the many years he was on the bench, gave him a standing with lawyers generally which held their respect. His absolute impartiality could not fail to command the admiration of all who had opportunity to observe or occasion to test it, yet his sympathetic under- standing, never dulled in all the years of his service as a judge, made all who depended upon his rulings feel that he aimed to be just without respect of persons. In his social relations also his personal qualities have been a con- trolling factor. His considerable influence has been given to the best interests


4


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA


of his city and county. Judge Bechtel is still active in business as president of the Merchants' National Bank of Pottsville. He was made a director of this institution June 19, 1908, and at the same time was elected to the presi- dency, which he has since held. The bank is one of the strongest in this region of the State, and both because of the character of its transactions and of the men at its head deserves the high reputation and standing it enjoys among the best people.


On Sept. 15, 1868, O. P. Bechtel married Mary Elizabeth Epting, of Pottsville, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Myer) Epting. Her grandfather Philip Myer and great-grandfather John Myer both held the office of surveyor general, in that connection becoming very well known in the early days. Two children, Harry O. and Carrie, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel. The son was educated at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, and entered his father's profession.


GUY EDWARD FARQUHAR (deceased), formerly a member of the Schuylkill county bar, was born in 1841 at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., at the old Farquhar homestead, which was located on the present site of the courthouse, a son of George Wildman and Amelia Farquhar.


George Wildman Farquhar, Esq., father of Guy Edward Farquhar, was born in 1802, in the West Indies, and came to Pottsville, Pa., when it was still a small village. Here he passed the remainder of his life, becoming known as an upright, dependable and public-spirited citizen. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Schuylkill county March 29, 1830, and practiced at the old courthouse at Orwigsburg, this county. On Jan. 10, 1842, he had the honor of delivering an address upon the entering of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad into Pottsville; it was delivered at what was then the terminus of the road, Mount Carbon, a short distance below the present city of Pottsville. Among Mr. Farquhar's children were: Guy Edward; Fergus G., born Feb. 21, 1845, who died on East Market street, Pottsville, during 1913; Norman, an admiral in the United States navy, who died some years ago; and Frank, also deceased, who was a prominent engineer, one of his famous works being the designing of the underground government work beneath the falls of St. Anthony, Minnesota.


Guy Edward Farquhar, son of George Wildman Farquhar, proved a close and diligent student, receiving his education in the public schools of Pottsville, the Pottsville academy, and the University of Virginia, which he attended one year, until the war broke out in 1861. Having early determined upon the law as his field of endeavor, he prepared himself thoroughly for his vocation, and was admitted to the bar during the Civil war period, having, at the time of his death, June 17, 1913, just rounded out half a century of practice at the Schuylkill county bar. His early associates included such brilliant Pennsyl- vania attorneys as John W. Ryon, F. W. Hughes, Judge Parry, F. W. Dewees, Lynn Bartholomew, F. W. Bechtel and F. B. Gowen, and he was also an inti- mate friend personally as well as professionally of ex-Judge G. M. Dallas, of the United States District court, who in 1913 was retired after long and faithful service.


In 1868 or 1869 was formed the law firm of Hughes and Farquhar, when Mr. Farquhar entered into partnership with F. W. Hughes, and for years they maintained their standing among the leading legal connections in this section of the State. After the death of Mr. Hughes Mr. Farquhar continued alone,




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