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 22
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Mr. Kear married Elizabeth Gregg, whose father, Francis Gregg, was born in South Wales and came to the United States in 1850. In 1859 he moved out to Missouri,where he died a few years later, at the age of seventy-seven. Ten children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy, eight growing to maturity, namely: William G., Mary (deceased), Margaret, Rich-
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ard C., Edward G., Charles R., Harrison A. and Frank G. Of these, Richard C. Kear, born in Minersville, lived there nearly all his life. He graduated from Dickinson Seminary in 1856, and in 1864 became associated with his brothers in the coal business as a member of the firm of Kear Brothers & Company, with which he was connected until they sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Then with a partner he operated the Wolf Creek colliery until 1874, when it was abandoned, after which he was a mem- ber of the Minersville Coal & Iron Company for two years. Meantime he had also been interested in the manufacture of brick for one year, and then went West, locating at Salina, Kans., where he was engaged in banking and the real estate business until his death. He was accidentally drowned in 1892. Mr. Kear was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served under General Rosecrans. He married Elizabeth Bartholomew, and they had two children. Margaret Kear, the only surviving daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gregg) Kear, was married in 1852 to Stephen Dando, a native of England, who came to the United States in 1846 and settled at Minersville. He became a promi- nent business man of the borough. He died Sept. 21, 1883, and his widow is now residing near Philadelphia. They had a family of six children: Mary, deceased ; Franklin, deceased : Jennie, Mrs. Straub; Mary (2), wife of Charles E. Steele; William and Minnie, both deceased.
WILLIAM G. KEAR, late of Minersville, Pa., was the eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Gregg) Kear, and the only member of the family born in South Wales. His birth occurred May 9, 1830, and he was only a young child when he and his mother joined the father at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. His educational advantages were very limited, for he was only nine years old when he began to work at a coal breaker, picking slate, and was so employed until he reached his seventeenth year. He then began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he continued to follow until 1853, in which year he made a trip to the Pacific coast. In California he was employed by Benja- min Haywood in the manufacture of fireproof building equipment and sup- plies, and remained with him until 1856, in which year he returned home and resumed his trade, which he then followed for about a year. The next year he was in the butcher business, and then took the position of outside foreman at the Mine Hill Gap colliery, at that time operated by his uncle. There he also continued for a year, and in 1860 became engaged in the shipping of coal for that colliery to Schuylkill Haven, but he soon resumed charge of the outside operations of the colliery, remaining there until his uncle's death, in 1864. After that he became associated with his sister, Mrs. Dando, and Charles, Edward, Harrison and R. C. Kear, under the firm name of Kear Brothers & Company, who took control of the Mine Hill Gap colliery. They were together until 1872, when the property was sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, following which change William G. Kear became one of the organizers of the Minersville Coal & Iron Company, to which he devoted his energies principally until 1880. In the meantime he became interested in the mercantile business, which he carried on in connection with his other affairs until 1888, in which year he retired from active business life. The remainder of his years was given to the management of his exten- sive private interests. His home was on Kear's Hill, at Minersville, where he had a farm, which has been divided into building lots and sold for residence property, the locality still retaining the name of Kear's Hill. He died at his
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home Dec. 28, 1906, and is buried in the M. E. cemetery at Minersville. Politi- cally Mr. Kear was a Republican, like most of the name.
On Dec. 26, 1860, Mr. Kear married Sarah Borda, daughter of Joseph Borda, of Schuylkill Haven, and she still occupies the homestead at Kear's Hill, at what is now No. 117 Spruce street. Of the eight children born to this union six died young, namely : Mary, William O., William F., Joseph, Jessie and Jessie (2) ; Bertha married Howard M. Jones, a salesman for the Ulmer Packing Company, of Pottsville, and they have one son, Jesse Kear; Mary is the wife of William W. Jones, of Minersville, dealer in stationery, toys, etc., and they have three children, Dorothy M., William G. and Mary E.
CHARLES R. KEAR was born Sept. 22, 1846, at Minersville, and received his education there and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Soon after leaving school he joined the Union army, enlisting in July, 1862, in Company K, 39th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Emergency Troops, for three months. He had commenced work at a very early age, and upon the expira- tion of his army service returned home and became employed as a shipper at the Mine Hill Gap colliery, which was operated by his uncle, Richard Kear. He was in this employ until he became a member of the firm of Kear Brothers in 1864, he and his brothers succeeding their uncle in the conduct of the colliery, which they carried on until it was sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. During these years he had acquired other interests, in 1867 becoming a director of the First National Bank of Minersville, of which in time he became vice president, about 1886 succeeding his father as president. He has ever since been the executive head of this financial institution, the leading one in Minersville. Other local associations of importance include his connection with the Minersville Water Company, in which he owns the con- trolling interest, and of which he was elected secretary and superintendent in 1883. At one time he was the principal stockholder in the Minersville Coal & Iron Company and one of its board of directors. He has also been one of the chief forces in the Minersville Building & Loan Association, which he formerly served as director and treasurer. He has been otherwise connected with the real estate interests of the borough, as agent for a large tract of land in the vicinity. His public service, as member of the borough council, came up to the best expectations of the citizens who supported him for that office. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Kear is a member of Capt. George J. Lawrence Post, No. 17, G. A. R.
On Feb. 6, 1869, Mr. Kear married Josephine Seltzer, daughter of Conrad and Dorothea Seltzer, of Pottsville, and they occupy a handsome home at Minersville. They have had a family of eight children, seven sons and one daughter :
(1) Charles F. Kear was born at Minersville, attended the public schools there, and later took a course at the Bryant & Stratton College of Commerce, Philadelphia, in 1889. For a short time he was assistant secretary to his father for the Minersville Water Company, and in 1890 was appointed station agent and Adams Express agent at the Lehigh Valley station, where he re- mained in that capacity until 1902. He was then elected to his present posi- tion, as teller in the First National Bank of Minersville. He has been interested in the insurance business since 1897, represents several of the old-line com- panies, and controls the largest business in the borough in that line. He has been manager of the Opera House since 1891, treasurer of the Water Com- pany since 1894, and served ten years as town clerk, in every connection prov-
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ing himself typical of the capable stock to which he belongs. In 1891 he married Emma Moll, daughter of Henry Moll, of Pottsville, Pa., and they have two children, Richard C. and Collier Harrison. Mr. Kear is a member of the Mercantile Club and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
(2) Conrad A. Kear, now engaged as assistant foreman in the pattern shop of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, at Pottsville, Pa., married Katie Bender, and they have two children, Josephine and Bertha.
(3) Albert Seltzer Kear was born July 28, 1873, at Minersville, and obtained his education in the public schools of the borough. He has been connected with the Minersville Water Company throughout his career, begin- ning his association therewith in boyhood, and the broad experience he acquired at the different stations and in various capacities has well fitted him for the office of superintendent and secretary which he has held since January, 1903. The other officials of this company are: Joseph Gerz, president ; and Charles F. Kear, treasurer. The Minersville Water Company is noted for its efficient service and is fortunate in having a supply not only abundant but remarkably pure. Mr. Kear served the borough two years in the capacity of tax collector. He is well known socially, being an active member of the Mercantile Club and a Mason of high standing, connected with Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M .; Schuylkill Chapter, No. 154, R. A. M .; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Reading. Mr. Kear married Sarah Dress, daughter of Jeremiah and Anna Dress, of Shamokin, Pa., and they have two children: Carl Irvin and Alice Elizabeth.
(4) Robert S. Kear is an electrician for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, and makes his home at Minersville.
(5) George S. Kear, who died in Kentucky, was engaged as a steam tester for the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia.
(6) William Kear is employed in the pattern department of the Phila- delphia & Reading Railway Company, of Pottsville, Pa., where he resides.
(7) Mary Kear is the wife of Dr. J. E. Pickett, of Minersville.
(8) Frank Kear is a resident of Minersville.
EDWARD G. KEAR, late of Minersville, was born there Feb. 22, 1842, son of William Kear, Sr., and had the advantages afforded by the local public schools. During his young manhood he ran an engine for his father at the mines for a short time, and in the course of his active business career he was connected with the First National Bank at Minersville and the Minersville Water Company, being a stockholder in both. For a period of six years he carried on the shoe business at Minersville, retiring at the end of that time. His death occurred Sept. 5. 1913, and he is buried in the Charles Baber ceme- tery at Pottsville. His religious connection was with the Methodist Church, and he was thoroughly respected by his fellow members in the congregation, as he was wherever else his activities carried him. On May 10, 1862, Mr. Kear married Mary Borda, daughter of Joseph Borda, and they had a family of four children, namely : Edward H., now foreman in the office of the Shamokin Dispatch, a daily newspaper, married Susan Mealing, and they have one child, Mary ; Irene May is the wife of George Scott, of Minersville, and they have two children, Bessie and Mary; Irvin B. attended the Pottsville business college and later became engaged in the jewelry business at Minersville, where he died Sept. 25, 1903, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Potts- ville (his widow, whose maiden name was Prilla Beddou, resides at Miners-
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ville) ; Joseph B., now engaged in the cigar business at Minersville, married Mary Rupp, and they have one son, Edward G.
Mrs. Kear still resides in the old Kear homestead on Front street, and is one of the most esteemed residents of the borough. Joseph Borda, hier father, was a native of France and came to America when nineteen years old, the trip, which was made in a sailing vessel, occupying forty-two days. He settled at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co., Pa. By trade a millwright and carpenter, he acted as foreman for the canal company, taking charge of the work from Port Clinton to Auburn. He continued to work for the canal company throughout his active years, dying at the age of eighty-three, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He married Mary Runkle, of Schuylkill Haven, and they had a family of seven children : Priscilla, Henry, Mary (Mrs. Edward G. Kear), Joseph, Sarah (Mrs. William G. Kear), Albert and Louisa.
HARRISON A. KEAR has maintained all the traditions of the fine stock to which he belongs in his well rounded career. At present he is the executive head of the school board, a director of several important local concerns, and active in everything which promises to stimulate the growth of the borough along the most desirable lines. He was born Jan. 11, 1849, at Minersville, where he received all of his early education, attending the high school. Later he was a student at Dickinson Seminary. His first business position was as teller in the First National Bank of Minersville, and he was afterwards appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the Fifteenth division of the First district, comprising Schuylkill county, holding that position for about nine years. For a number of years he was active in real estate circles, selling build- ing lots for the Kear estate on what is known as Kear's Hill. He is now a director of the First National Bank and of the Home Building and Loan Association, of Minersville, which latter he helped to organize. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Minersville Water Company. For many years Mr. Kear has given loyal service to his fellow citizens as a member of the school board, of which body he has been president for the last ten years. Socially he is well known in the Masonic bodies, belonging to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; to Schuylkill Chap- ter, No. 159, R. A. M., of which he is a past officer ; to Constantine Com- mandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville. He has always taken an active interest in politics, associated with the Republican party.
Mr. Kear married Annie Scott, daughter of Robert Scott, the latter a native of England. Mr. Scott was superintendent of the East Pine Knot Coal Company, whose mines are near Minersville. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kear: Harrison W. and Margaret D., both at home.
FRANK G. KEAR, youngest son of William and Elizabeth (Gregg) Kear, was born at Minersville March 10, 1854, and like the rest of his family was educated there and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Then he further prepared himself for his business career by a course in civil and mining engi- neering at the Philadelphia Polytechnic Institute, completing his studies there in 1879. For a few years afterwards he was engaged in the brewing business in partnership with Daniel Frieler, under the firm name of F. G. Kear & Company, doing a successful business until 1883, when he withdrew. In 1878 he became a director of the First National Bank of Minersville, and is still serving on the board; and he has also been a director of the Minersville Water Company since early in 1878. As a member and director of the Minersville
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Coal & Iron Company, a director and president of the Minersville Fire Insur- ance Company, he has been intimately connected with local business matters, and he is the owner of the Mountaineer Opera House, of which he was formerly manager, his nephew, Charles F. Kear, now holding that position. His only public position has been that of member of the borough council. He supports the Republican party. Socially Mr. Kear has been associated with a number of local bodies, Umatilla Lodge, No. 287, I. O. R. M., of which he was a charter member; Washington Camp, No. 46, P. O. S. of A., and the Mercantile Club of Minersville.
On Oct. 23, 1878, Mr. Kear married Kate Hoenich, daughter of Henry and Catherine Hoenich, of Minersville, and to this union were born three children, of whom Cara and Harvey are deceased; Laura C. is the wife of Harry H. MacKirgan, and they reside at Jacksonville, Fla. The mother died July 21, 1889, at the age of thirty-one years, and Mr. Kear subsequently married (sec- ond) Kate Snyder, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Snyder, of Minersville, on April 23, 1890. They have had two children: Helen, who graduated from the Minersville High School and is now a student at Walnut Lane School, Philadelphia ; and Frank J., a public school pupil at Minersville.
MOSES S. STEIN, senior member of the firm of Stein & Co., of Potts- ville, Schuylkill county, wholesale and retail dealers in flour, feed, hay and straw, has been a business man of that place for over fifty years and at his present location for the last twenty years.
The Steins are an old family of this part of Pennsylvania, having been settled in the adjoining county of Berks since 1742. The name Stein is German, meaning stone or rock, but the family is known to have been French as far back as 1688 and originally called Pierre, which name appears among those of the French nobility. It is supposed the family changed the name upon removing from France to Germany.
During the year 1742 Jacob Stein and his wife came to America from Germany, and they settled in what is now Richmond township, Berks Co., Pa., where he took up the large tract of land, to whose cultivation he devoted the remainder of his life. Here he and his wife died. They had children: Hein- rich, who was born at sea while the parents were coming to America ; Michael : Peter ; Jacob, and Jonas.
Jonas Stein, son of Jacob, the emigrant, was born Aug. 16, 1766, in Rich- mond township, and followed farming in Greenwich township, Berks county, being a well known resident of that locality in his day. He lived to the age of seventy-five years, dying Jan. 16, 1842. His wife, Maria (Berk), born about 1774, died about 1848. To them were born children as follows: Jacob, Peter, Benjamin, Daniel, Solomon, Hannah (married Joseph Brownmiller). Elizabeth, Hetty, Mrs. Zeare, Mrs. Seitler and Mrs. Gramer. Of these, Jacob, born Feb. 16, 1794, became engaged in farming and distilling on an extensive scale, owning five hundred acres of land, which he divided into five farms, erected substantial buildings thereon, and made other improvements. He was public-spirited and built a schoolhouse near his home for the township. He died March 2, 1874, in his eighty-first year, long surviving his wife, Sarah (Sunday), who had passed away in February, 1846. They had the following children, all born in Greenwich township, Berks county: Solomon, Adam, Nathan, Annie (who married William Schaeffer), Lavina (married Daniel Deisher), Lucinda (married Henry K. Seigfreid), Jacob and Henry.
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Peter Stein, son of John and Maria (Berk) Stein, was born Dec. 28, 1797, in Richmond township, Berks Co., P'a. He followed the carpenter's trade for some time, and carried on agricultural pursuits there most of his life. He died on his farm Feb. 28, 1865, and his wife, Elizabeth (Spohn), daughter of Conrad Spohn, born in Greenwich township, Berks county, Nov. 8, 1807, died on the farm in 1864. They are buried at the Dunkel Church in Green- wich township. Fifteen children were born to this marriage, and we have the following record of this family: Nathan S., born Jan. 5, 1832, died Jan. 4, 1914, in Oskaloosa, Iowa; Adam S., born Aug. 15, 1833, died in infancy ; Jonas S., born Aug. 29, 1834, died March 22, 1906; Moses S. is mentioned below ; Lelia S., born Aug. 28, 1838, died Jan. 8, 1840; Daniel S., born Dec. 23, 1839, is living at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa .; Maria S., born Jan. 31, 1841, is the widow of P. W. Woliver, and resides at Lafayette, Ind .; Solomon S., born Jan. 30, 1842, lives at Newark, N. J .; Noah S., born March 25, 1843, is living at Bristol, Ind .; Anna S., born Nov. 11, 1844, died Feb. 3, 1879, was the wife of Ephraim H. Mattern, who died Nov. 14, 1907; Joel S., born Sept. 16, 1846, is living in Mitchell, S. Dak .; Sammel S., born July 14, 1848, died Aug. 9, 1848; Lavina S., born Aug. 14, 1849, died Sept. 23, 1849; William S., born July 30, 1852, died March 7, 1853; Florenda S., born Feb. 25, 1854, died Aug. 6, 1854.
Moses S. Stein was born Aug. 26, 1836, on the homestead in Greenwich township, Berks county, and received his early education in the local public schools. Later he was sent to a select school, at Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa., and he taught school for three years in his native township. Mr. Stein came to Pottsville April 9, 1860, and engaged in the grain and feed business. After a year in that line he became interested in flour milling in the old John Pott mill at Pottsville, and was there established until 1893, in which year he erected his present place of business at the corner of Coal and Washington streets. Since 1893 Mr. Stein has had his son, Franklin M. Stein, associated with him, and the firm was known as Stein & Co., Limited, until Aug. 23, 1913, when the style was changed to Stein & Co. They carry a general line of flour, feed, hay and straw, being engaged in both the wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Stein has always done business along the most progress- ive lines possible, and his foresight and good judgment have prompted him to make departures from old established customs which he felt have out- grown their usefulness and retarded the expansion of trade rather than promoted it. He was the first man to ship solid carloads of grain from the West into Pottsville, commencing in 1863. Until that year no grain ship- ments in carload lots came to Pottsville or other points in this section from the West, all grain from that part of the country being reshipped. Mr. Stein undertook to arrange for through shipments, and the change proved a great convenience to dealers in this part of the State. He is now one of the oldest men in his line in the town and vicinity, and has a substantial position among the most successful merchants of his section. He is thor- oughly respected by all who have had dealings with him. Mr. Stein has always been one of the active men of the community in advancing matters that tend to promote its welfare, and he was one of the organizers of Trinity Reformed Church of Pottsville, in which he still retains membership. He is the only surviving member of the original consistory of that church. His participation in the local government has been confined to several years' service
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as councilman. Socially he is a member of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., and of the Sphinx Club.
On June 4, 1864, Mr. Stein married Fiannah B. Myers, daughter of Michael B. Myers, of Bethel township, Berks Co., Pa., and she died Oct. 14, IgII, the mother of these children: Catherine E .; Franklin M .; Emma E., who is deceased; Minnie M., and Anna M.
FRANKLIN M. STEIN was born in Pottsville Nov. 1I, 1866, and acquired his education in the public schools there. After commencing work he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for a period of six years, at the end of that time changing to the Philadelphia & Reading Company, in whose employ he remained for eight years. Since 1893 he has been interested in dealing in flour, feed, hay and straw with his father, though he did not give all of his time to the business until 1900. From that year to the present he has been manager for Stein & Co., for whose steady success he deserves considerable of the credit. He is a member of Lily of Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Trinity Reformed Church. He is unmarried.
JEREMIAH CHARLES LAUTENBACHER is one of the leading men in an industry for which the borough of Schuylkill Haven has become famous, employing on an average about ninety people in the manufacture of knitted underwear. He has been engaged in this line for almost thirty years, having begun as a manufacturer of hosiery, and from a modest start he has attained a position among the large employers of labor in the borough. The output of his establishment is in popular demand in all parts of the country. As the founder of the first factory in the borough Mr. Lautenbacher deserves much credit for taking the initial step in the introduction of the business which has proved of great value in maintaining prosperous conditions in the borough and vicinity.
Mr. Lautenbacher is a native of Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., which place was so named in honor of his maternal ancestors. His father, the late Charles Lautenbacher, was born July 15, 1832, in Germany, being a native of Ballafengen, in the grand duchy of Baden. Coming to America when nineteen years old, he first located at Philadelphia, Pa., living there for some time, and he was employed in the construction of the stone work of the well known "Continental Hotel" in that city. Thence he removed to Baltimore, Md., and subsequently to Alexandria, Va., and Camden, N. J., his next location being at Kutztown, Pa., where he remained some time and married. From there he came to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, where he made a permanent home, engaging in his calling of marble and stone cutter until his death, which occurred Aug. 9, 1881. At Kutztown he met and married Sarah Ann Graeff, who was born Dec. 17, 1831, daughter of John and Mary (Kutz) Graeff, and died Aug. 17, 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Lautenbacher were born seven children: Jeremiah C., Irvin L., Flora, Mamie (deceased), Charles (deceased), and two who died in infancy.
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