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 20
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Mr. Sillyman died Oct. 19, 1859, after a long and painful illness, at his residence in Pottsville, and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery; the remains were later removed to the Charles Baber cemetery. Citizens from all parts of Schuylkill county and many from beyond its limits came to attend the funeral services, and seldom have all the elements of the community been so united in showing respect to one man. At one o'clock on the day of the funeral the stores, hotels and other places of business closed. The bells of the First Presbyterian, Trinity Episcopal and St. Patrick's Catholic Churches, as well as the courthouse bell, were tolled while the funeral procession moved. There was genuine grief in the many circles affected by his departure, and the inspiration of his well spent life kept his influence alive long afterwards. Mr. Sillyman was a member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Sillyman married Margaret Shelley, a native of Orwigsburg, this county, who survived him, dying at Pottsville in 1882. Children as follows were born to this union: Alexander S .; Amanda S .: Rebecca; Susan J .; Thomas H., a resident of Nevada (he served on the Union side during the Civil war, and was brevetted captain of Company H, 48th Pennsylvania Regi- ment) ; Elizabeth H .; George F., now of Altoona, Pa .; Joseph S., also of Altoona ; Samuel, for many years a mail carrier in Pottsville, who died in 1914; and Fannie, wife of Tilghman Johnston, of Wilmington, Delaware.
Thomas Sillyman, a brother of Samuel, was the first postmaster at Potts- ville, the office being established Jan. 11, 1825. He served only a few months, being succeeded in June by George Taylor. On April 6, 1861, Mrs. Margaret Sillyman, widow of Samuel Sillyman, was appointed, and she and her daughters continued to fill the position for the quarter of a century succeeding, discharg- ing its duties so satisfactorily as to merit the substantial approval their services
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received. The Miners' Journal of Pottsville, issue of June 22, 1886, devoted almost a column of its editorial page to a review of their work, and the account is of sufficient value to be quoted here in full :
Yesterday, June 21, completed the term for which Miss Elizabeth H. Sillyman was commissioned Postmaster at Pottsville, her appointment having been made by President Arthur, June 21, 1882. Miss Sillyman still continues in charge of the office pending the announcement of her successor, but as it is understood that this will transpire within a few days her administration may be regarded as virtually terminated. The eve of a change which cannot but be regarded as fraught with deep interest to this entire community, is deemed by the Miners' Journal a fitting occasion for a cursory review of the history of the office, and more particularly of its administration under the auspices of various mem- bers of the Sillyman family.
The Pottsville post office was established January 11, 1825, the first Postmaster being Thomas Sillyman, an uncle of the present incumbent. His successors, in chronological order, were as follows: George Taylor, appointed June 7, 1825; Charles Boyter, September 20, 1827; Enos Chichester, August 18, 1828; Joseph Weaver, February 21, 1839; John T. Werner, September 8, 1841 ; Michael Cochran, August 16, 1844; Daniel Krebs, February 15, 1847; Andrew Mortimer, May 2, 1849; John Clayton, April 18, 1853; Henry L. Acker, June 14, 1858; Mrs. Margaret Sillyman, April 6, 1861 ; Miss Amanda S. Sillyman, May 17, 1882; Miss Elizabeth H. Sillyman, June 21, 1882. It will thus be observed that, in addition to the first five months of its existence, the office has for a period of more than a quarter of a century past been continuously in the hands of the Sillyman family. It is, therefore, with no purpose to disparage the efficiency or fidelity of former incumbents, but for the reason that the administration of Mrs. Margaret Sillyman and her successors is more familiarly identified with the experience of the present generation of the community, that the Journal at this time confines its reflections to a resume of the admirable record made by these ladies in the conduct of the office. Mrs. Margaret Sillyman, who was the widow of the late Samuel Sillyman, one of Pottsville's earliest and most honored citizens, was the first female in the United States appointed to office by President Lincoln, and entered upon the duties of the office on April 20, 1861. The clerical force installed by her consisted of her two daughters, Amanda S. and Elizabeth H. Sillyman, her two sons, Alexander S. and George F. Sillyman, and Daniel L. Krebs, son of the former Postmaster, Daniel Krebs. Mr. Alexander S. Sillyman in time retired from the office to engage in other business, and Mr. Krebs subsequently became cashier of the Pennsylvania National Bank, although never wholly severing his connection with the post office, in which his valuable services have been esteemed as practically indispensable. How efficiently and satisfactorily, both to the department and the community, the business of the office was conducted under the control of Mrs. Sillyman, is perhaps best attested by the fact that she received commissions from four successive Presidents-Lincoln, Johnson, Grant and Hayes-continuing to hold the office until her death, which occurred April 15, 1882. Mrs. Sillyman was succeeded by her daughter, Miss Amanda S. Sillyman, who first served as Acting Postmaster and was regularly commissioned May 17, 1882. Her administration, which was characterized by the same efficiency as had prevailed under the incumbency of her mother, was of brief duration, her death occurring five days after her appointment. The duties of the office then devolved upon her sister, Miss Elizabeth H. Sillyman, who was regularly appointed Postmaster on June 21, 1882. The clerical force then and still on duty consisted of Mr. George F. and Miss Sue J. Sillyman, Miss Alice A. and Mr. Daniel L. Krebs. Under this regime the high standard of efficiency attained by the office suffered no depreciation, but it fully maintained its record as without a superior among offices of like grade in the United States. Since the accession of Mrs. Margaret Sillyman the business and importance of the Pottsville post office has vastly expanded. The letter- carrier system was introduced during this period, greatly augmenting the labor and responsibility of the Postmaster, and although perhaps few deliveries from offices of the same class cover a wider field or involve the handling of a greater number of pieces, so intelligent and faithful has always been the force of carriers employed that errors or delinquencies have been wholly unknown. . A high standard of capacity, coupled with strict fidelity to duty and a hearty spirit of accommodation, have uniformly characterized the conduct of the Pottsville post office during the past twenty-five years, and have combined to render it the model establishment which it is conceded to be by the Post Office Department authorities as well as by all who have enjoyed its facilities. Miss Sillyman's successor must expect to be judged by this high standard, and although he will enter upon his responsible duties with the best wishes of the Journal and the com-
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munity of Pottsville, and doubtless with a determination to relax no effort to that end, he will be fortunate, indeed, if he shall succeed in maintaining the honorable distinction handed down to him by his immediate predecessor in the office.
THOMAS GORMAN, late of Pottsville, was a resident of Schuylkill county for over seventy years, most of that period having his home at Port Carbon. The reputation he gained in his energetic /business career, however, was not limited to this vicinity. After a few years' experience on the canal he became interested in coal mining, and as one of the earliest individual operators in the anthracite fields, and owner and operator of numerous collieries during the twenty years that followed, he was an active figure in the industry and highly successful until the- panic of 1873 swept away the results of his persevering exertions. His life was full of activity and his various interests brought him into contact with many coal men and others connected with the development of the oil and mineral resources of the state.
Mr. Gorman was an Irishman, born in 1822 at Cashel, Ireland, and his father, Thomas Gorman, brought his wife and family to America from that country when the son Thomas was six years old. About one year after their arrival in this country the parents settled at Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there made a permanent home. The son Thomas was consequently reared and educated there. In his earlier days the boating industry afforded occupation for many in that location, and Mr. Gorman began to follow it, on the Schuylkill canal, about 1840. Within a few years he was the owner of a boat, and during the fifties, when the canal trade was flourishing, he owned several boats, buying and shipping coal by the canal to New York and other points. This line he developed to such an extent that for two years he took the prize from the canal company as the largest individual shipper. About 1857 he began the mining of coal, in which he achieved his greatest success and became widely known. His first operations were below Mill Creek and St. Clair, in Schuylkill county. Mr. Gorman would develop mines and sell after the operations were well established, buy again and work up another operation, and thus at different times he had mines at Wolf Creek, east of St. Clair ; one near Glen Carbon ; a small one near Tuscarora ; at Mahanoy City the following-the "Hartford Colliery," the "Delano Col- liery" and (in partnership with Benjamin Eshleman) the "East Mahanoy Colliery." He and James Carter had one at Locust Gap. Associated with Andrew Robinson and Henry Ginterman he had two near Shamokin, the "Greenback" and "Henry Clay" collieries, which they conducted under the firm name of Robinson, Ginterman & Gorman. As an individual operator Mr. Gorman was a pioneer in the anthracite fields. Like most operators he suffered reverses from time to time which somewhat offset his great suc- cesses, but he was nevertheless very prosperous.
In 1870 Mr. Gorman started to prospect iron ore lands and take options. He had an idea that the condition of affairs would warrant the establishment of an iron works on the Hudson river near tidewater, and his attempt to realize on this, in connection with other speculations, had him involved badly when the panic of 1873 came. He lost everything he had. If this panic had not occurred the story of his life would no doubt have had a different turn. He mined ore at Staten Island and Lake Champlain as well as in western Pennsylvania, and was also interested in oil lands in the latter region. He had offices at New York, Boston and Philadelphia. For about
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twelve years before his death Mr. Gorman was practically an invalid, and during his last years was so incapacitated that he was unable to leave the house. His closing days were spent at Pottsville, whither he moved from Port Carbon in 1896, and where he died at the age of seventy-eight years, March 13, 1900, at the home of his son Joseph, No. 413 East Mauch Chunk street. He was buried in St. Stephen's cemetery, at Port Carbon, after High Mass at St. Stephen's Church, which was filled to overflowing with sympathizing friends come to pay their last respects. Many attended from other points of the State, and the six officiating priests represented churches in various parts of Schuylkill county. Such was the esteem which Mr. Gorman, in a life of faithful endeavor, gained wherever his interests called him. His equable temperament, modest in prosperity and unruffled in adversity, endeared him to every associate, and his reputation for integrity was never sullied by questionable dealing or sharp transactions. His sympathy for those less fortunate than himself, and his desire to alleviate the lot of the poor, were unostentatiously but conscientiously expressed. Every Christmas he remembered the poor of his home town generously, and for many years the recipients never knew the source of the gifts.
Mr. Gorman was survived by the following children: Owen J., now a resident of Dallas, Texas, is a mechanical engineer, especially interested in the construction of waterworks, septic tank sewer systems and similar work ; Dennis F. is a resident of New York City; Joseph H. is mentioned below ; Mary, who died in 1897, was the wife of James P. Donahue, a machinist, and left three children, Mary, Anna and Martha, who reside with their aunts in Pottsville; Annie M. and Julia T. are unmarried and occupy the Gorman home at No. 413 East Mauch Chunk street.
JOSEPH H. GORMAN, son of Thomas Gorman, was born at Port Carbon, this county, and was one of the prominent business men of that place and Pottsville, where he resided during the last sixteen years of his life. He was reared at Port Carbon and educated in the public schools of that place, and at St. Francis College and Villa Nova. For a number of years after commencing work Mr. Gorman was associated with his father, whom he assisted in operating collieries, one near Shamokin and another in the Schuyl- kill valley. Later he was manager for his father of an ore mine in Lehigh county. Then he entered the contracting business on his own account, and when water was brought into the town of Port Carbon laid the first pipes. His work as a contractor took him all over his own county and into many other sections of the State. For several years he followed mining near Tuscarora, and he also engaged in the insurance business. Though he formed a wide acquaintance in his various other associations, he was probably best known as the proprietor of the famous Gorman boat and bathing pier, being one of the first to obtain a lease on the Tumbling Run upper dam. His genial manner and sincere friendliness won him such popularity that numer- ous patrons of the pier never failed to call on him when visiting Tumbling Run. For the last ten years of his life he ran his business there with steady success, hundreds coming to hire his steam launch and rowboats during the season. He had a genuine interest in all his patrons, never failing with cheerful manner and kindly words to make them feel a welcome. Like his generous father, he was charitable and liberal in all his benefactions, and the news of his death called forth many expressions of sincere regret in all the circles where he was known. He never held any public offices except for
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his services as clerk during the term of his uncle as poor director, Mr. Gorman died in the Pottsville hospital Sept. 23, 1912, at the age of sixty-two years, following an operation. He had been ill about three weeks.
Mr. Gorman was a Catholic, a member of St. Patrick's Church at Potts- ville and a charter member of Schuylkill Council, No. 431, Knights of Columbus. His funeral services at St. Patrick's Church were largely attended ; he was buried in No. 3 cemetery.
Mr. Gorman married Katherine M. Brennan, daughter of Thomas F. (deceased) and Elizabeth (Logue) Brennan, and a descendant of one of the oldest and most respected families of Pottsville, where she was born and reared. She received her education in the parochial and public schools of the borough. Mrs. Gorman died four years before her husband, and less than five years after their marriage. She passed away unexpectedly, after an illness of four weeks' duration, and her death came as a shock to the many friends she had made during her happy and useful life. Her pleasant disposition and friendliness endeared her to all included in the circle of her acquaintance. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Church, and held membership in the Daughters of Isabelle. After her decease Mr. Gor- man resided with his sisters at the home on Mauch Chunk street.
PROF. H. H. SPAYD, of Minersville, has been established in that borough since he came to take the position of principal of the school there in 1871. In that connection, and in his subsequent responsibility as superin- tendent of schools, he accomplished so much for educational progress that his name will have a prominent place in the history of public schools in Schuylkill county. Though he gave up the superintendency several years ago he is still connected with the work in an active capacity as a member of the Minersville school board, in the operations of which body his practical advice and comprehensive experience have been of the highest value. He takes a special pleasure in his services on the board, which keep him in close touch with the interest to which over forty years of his life were entirely given.
Mr. Spayd was born at Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., Oct. 26, 1845, son of John and Catherine (Haak) Spayd and grandson of George Spayd. His early ancestors were German, and the founders of the family in this country settled here before the Revolution. George Spayd was born at Ephrata, Lancaster county, and about 1826 settled in Lebanon county, this State, near Minerstown. In his youth he learned the trade of cooper, but as he did not care for the work he followed farming most of his life, and he died in the vicinity of Myerstown, about 1875. His religious connection was with the German Baptist Church. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Conrad, had a family of eight children.
John Spayd, father of H. H. Spayd, was born in 1819 at Ephrata, Pa., and died in 1891 at Schaefferstown, Lebanon county. He followed farming throughout his active years. Originally a Whig in politics, he was one of the organizers of the Republican party in his vicinity, and took an active and intelligent interest in public affairs. To his marriage with Catherine Haak, who was born at Myerstown, daughter of William Haak, of that place, was born a family of ten children. Mrs. Spayd survived her husband for a num- ber of years.
H. H. Spayd had excellent advantages in his early life. He attended public school at Myerstown, and the academy there, and subsequently studied
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at the Millersville State Normal School and at Palatinate College, Myerstown. He also had a course at the business college at Elmira, N. Y. Early in the Civil war he entered the Union army, joining Company C, 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and took an active part in many of its severe battles, including Pollock's Mills, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Todd's Tavern, Toto- potomy, Six Mile House, Boydtown Road, Petersburg (battle and siege), the Weldon Railroad engagement intended to shut off the enemy's source of sup- plies, and the two battles of Hatcher's Run. Besides the engagements men- tioned they were in numerous skirmishes and other important field service. In the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg the soldiers at the front were within range of the enemy continuously. Mr. Spayd was wounded three times, first on July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, where he was left on a part of the field which afterwards fell into the hands of the enemy. He was unable to walk and he was allowed to be recaptured by his own comrades and was under treatment in the hospitals at Gettysburg, Baltimore and Germantown for nearly six months before returning to the field, in December, 1863. He was twice wounded during the activities of the Wilderness campaign, having been actively engaged in the operations which began in May, 1864, and ended at Appomattox Court House. Mr. Spayd served as corporal and sergeant and was discharged as color bearer of his regiment.
At the conclusion of the war Mr. Spayd was occupied in the mercantile business for a short time in Philadelphia, but soon returned to his old home and took up educational work. He was only nineteen years old when he began teaching, his first position being in Lebanon county, whence he changed to Rush township, Schuylkill county. For three years he was a member of the committee on permanent certificates for Schuylkill county, and served as chairman of same. For two years he was principal of the schools at Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, and resigned to accept the principalship of the Minersville grammar school, and for forty years following was connected with the schools of that borough, either as principal or superintendent, being chosen to the latter position in 1883 to succeed Dr. J. W. Danenhower. He acted as super- intendent until 1908. Mention of the various educational associations with which Mr. Spayd maintained active connection is sufficient to show the breadth of his interest and the earnestness with which he continued the work of his choice. As a life member of the State Teachers' Association, a member of the National Educational Association, one of the councilors of the American Institute of Civics, member of the National Geographic Society, of the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science, the History Teachers' Asso- ciation of the Middle States and Maryland, and of the Schuylkill County Historical Association (he is a charter member of the last named), he had opportunities for observation of the trend of the finest thought in his profes- sion and he has contributed materially to its progress. He was always active in the work of the local institutes, and left such an irreproachable record for practical work that since giving up the superintendency he has been chosen to continue his efforts in behalf of the schools as member of the local board. In 1911 he was elected to that body, and is still serving, being now vice president and chairman of the health and sanitary committees. Mr. Spayd is well entitled to the high place he holds among educators, and his high personal character has won him the esteem of all who have come under his
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care as well as the confidence of his fellow citizens who have had the oppor- tunity to judge the excellent work he has done.
Professor Spayd was one of the organizers and original directors of the Union National Bank at Minersville, and for two years after his withdrawal from school work he was engaged as a clerk in that institution. He served as a member of the building committee when the present home of the bank was being constructed. In 1910 he became engaged in business with Mr. George F. Bowman, under the firm name of Spayd & Bowman, and they have since dealt in books, stationery, wallpaper, etc., having a well stocked and well conducted store at Minersville.
"Professor Spayd has not confined his efforts for the betterment of society to his duties in the schools. He is also interested in other public affairs. including politics, and though a Republican in his political views has acted independently whenever he considered it necessary for the best interests of the community. However, he has been a loyal party worker, having served as a member of the county executive committee, and being one of the valued representatives of the party in Schuylkill county. The Baptist Church of Minersville has counted him among its most efficient workers for many years. He has been associated with that denomination all his life and has been a licentiate for many years, holding official position in his home church when called upon to assist in its activities. He has also been an efficient worker in the Sunday school, which he has served as teacher and superintendent. By reason of his services in the Civil war Professor Spayd belongs to the G. A. R., holding membership in Post No. 17, and he has not. only held practically all the positions in that organization, but has also filled appoint- ments on the staff of the department and National commanders. For a number of years he served as inspector at large for Schuylkill county. In fraternal affiliations he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Myerstown Lodge, No. 358, and to Encampment No. 149 at that place.
Mr. Spayd married Sarah Donaberger, daughter of David D. and Saralı Donaberger, of Myerstown. Mrs. Spayd died in February, 1910. They had no children of their own, but reared and educated their nephew, A. Bond Warner, who for a time was engaged in business as a shoe merchant. He is now a professional accountant in Philadelphia.
HON. SAMUEL ALFRED LOSCH, late of Schuylkill Haven, will live in the history of his time as one who improved many opportunities for use- fulness in an exceptionally active career. At the time of his death he was representing his district in the State Senate, and his demise was deplored as untimely by all classes in Schuylkill county. No exaggeration is necessary to set forth the qualities which he possessed or the value of his life in its relation to the general advancement. Born Dec. 19, 1842, in Uniontown, Dauphin Co., Pa., he was of English descent, and the record of his ancestry shows that he came of a family of vigorous mentality and executive gifts. His great- great-grandfather in England was associated with George Stephenson, the famous inventor of the locomotive. Jacob Losch, the great-grandfather, came to America and established himself as a manufacturer of gunpowder at Ger- mantown, Pa. When the struggle for independence came on he was a zealous patriot, and remained loyal to the Colonial cause though it cost him his fortune, his works and property being destroyed at the time of the battle of German- town. Many interesting things concerning him are preserved in the Pennsyl-
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