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 24
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Michael Kerkeslager spent his youth and early manhood at Hummelstown, and learned his father's trade. He was also a well known school teacher in his day, following the profession for a number of years in Dauphin county, and later at Schuylkill Haven, to which place he removed about 1822. He was a pioneer resident of the borough, and spent the rest of his days there. living retired during his closing years. On Jan. 10, 1816, he married Catherine Cider, who was born Jan. 15, 1796, and died March 11, 1873. He survived her only a few months, dying July 7th, and they were buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They had a large family, born as follows: Jeremiah, Nov. 1, 1816; Sarah, Sept. 4, 1818; George W., April 25, 1820; Rebecca, Nov. 21, 1821 ; Noah, Sept. 9, 1823; Michael, May 15, 1825; Elijah, April 19, 1827 ; Martha, June 24, 1829; William, June 27, 1831 ; Joseph, July 8, 1833; Catherine, Jan. 28, 1836; Alexander W., June 26, 1838; and Peter, Jan. 26, 1841. All of this family are now deceased.
Alexander W. Kerkeslager was born at Schuylkill Haven, and was one
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of the most prominent citizens of his generation in that borough. When only fourteen years old he began to learn the trade of butcher, and he con- tinued to follow that calling throughout his life, becoming one of the best known men in Schuylkill county. For several terms he served his fellow citi- zens as chief burgess. He was a Republican in politics, and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, Sr. O. U. A. M., and Sons of America lodges in the borough, and belonged to St. Peter's Evangelical Church. His death occurred Jan. 1, 1886. He is buried in the Union cemetery.
On July 13, 1861, he married Mary Elminda Miller, who was born at Schuylkill Haven, Feb. 27, 1840, daughter of Conrad and Mary (De Long) Miller, and still resides there, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Darius D. Coldren. Mr. and Mrs. Kerkeslager had two children: Harriet G., born April 4, 1863, wife of Darius D. Coldren ; and Minnie Eva, born Feb. 18, 1866, now the wife of J. V. Poley, of Royersford, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania.
F. P. MORTIMER, SR., leading dealer in ready-to-wear and ready-to-use goods at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., is a member of the third generation of his family to reside at that place, where its representatives have been promi- nent as merchants for over three quarters of a century. A number of the family are still counted among the prosperous business men of the town.
The family is of English extraction and has long been settled in Pennsyl- vania, since before the Revolution, during which period its members were associated with the Colonial cause. John Mortimer, great-grandfather of F. P. Mortimer, Sr., lived and died in Robeson township, Berks Co., Pa. His children were: William, Michael, Washington and Morgan.
William Mortimer, grandfather of F. P. Mortimer, Sr., was an early settler in Schuylkill county, coming from Valley Forge, Chester Co., Pa., in 1826. He became one of the most prominent citizens of this county, which he represented in the State Senate, refusing reelection. He owned the prop- erty now belonging to J. Miehle & Son, Inc. ( the site of the past Mountain City building), conducted a hotel where the Miehle Sons, Inc., are now situated, and in connection also carried on a mercantile business for many years. Politically he was a strong Democrat, and one of the local leaders of the party.
William Mortimer, Jr., son of William, above, also became a prominent business man of Pottsville. He was a dry goods merchant, owning and occupying the corner where his son, F. P. Mortimer, does business, No. I Centre street. For many years he was a director of the Miners' National Bank of Pottsville. He was a native of Valley Forge, born in 1810, and died Aug. 14, 1875, in Pottsville. His wife, Susan Frances Simpson, daughter of John Simpson, died March 18, 1898. Fourteen children were born to this union, namely : Mary Frances, who died May 25, 1898, aged about sixty years, was the wife of William H. Robinson, of Schuylkill Haven; Sarah Matilda is the widow of John Engle, of Pottsville; Emma I., who died Aug. 14, 1913, one hour after her brother Charles, was the wife of James I. Muir, a prominent dealer in powder and mining supplies of Pottsville, whose death occurred a few years before hers; Susan J. is the widow of Dr. Charles T. Palmer, and lives at Los Angeles, Cal. ; Charles W., who died Aug. 14, 1913, at Atlantic City, N. J., was a prosperous business man of Pottsville, engaged as a dealer in men's furnishings ; George Wesley, who died Nov. 21, 1911, was a prominent real estate and insurance man of Pottsville; F. P. is mentioned
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below; William Horace is in the jewelry business in Pottsville ; Minnie Allen married John J. Garvin, of Pottsville, photographer and dealer in photograph supplies; Joseph Gilmore is a jeweler of Pottsville; Walter, William John, Ellen W. and James died in infancy or early childhood.
F. P. Mortimer, Sr., was born Jan. 20, 1853, at the corner of Centre and Norwegian streets, Pottsville, on the site of his present dry goods store. He had public school advantages in his early life and also attended a private school. His first work was as messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company, he being the first boy employed in that capacity at Pottsville, and his salary was ten dollars per month. After that for some time he was employed as a messenger between Pottsville and Philadelphia. He learned telegraphy and was employed as a telegrapher by Focht & Co., of Philadelphia, for one year. In 1872 he entered the employ of the firm of Richard & Morris, of Pottsville, who conducted a general store, and with whom he obtained his first experience as a merchant, remaining with them one year. He was next employed by Mr. Althouse, who had a dry goods and notion store, and with whom he continued only a short time, however, going from him to Mr. Junkerth. Mr. Junkerth later failed, and Mr. Mortimer had charge of the selling of the stock. On April 16, 1874, he established the business which he has ever since successfully carried on. It has grown with the development of the town, how much may be judged from the fact that his first store had less than five hundred square feet of floor space, while his present store is just twenty times as large. He began very modestly, doing all his own work as well as buying and selling. Now there are twenty-five clerks employed in his up-to-date store, and his business occupies a three-story and basement building, as well as a storage house. His business is conducted along modern lines, Mr. Mortimer engaging New York buyers, who are constantly in the market picking up attractive things for the house, and he is well known to many of the large eastern firms as well as in his home community. On April 16, 1913, when the thirty-ninth anniversary of the opening of the business in Pottsville was celebrated, he received many congratulatory letters and telegrams from various large firms with which he has done business, and his clerks presented him a loving cup filled with roses. He is one of the best known men in Pottsville and one of the most popular, and is not only working hard to promote the success of his own business affairs but also in the interest of the locality. We quote from an article in a recent paper : "He represents a strong cog in our business and civic machinery. He is a man who has made good for himself and such men always add great strength to a community." Mr. Mortimer is a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
On Feb. 11, 1878, Mr. Mortimer married Clara H. Seltzer, daughter of the late Conrad Seltzer, of Pottsville, mentioned elsewhere. Five children have been born to this union: Marion, now the wife of Harry Williams, resides at Gothenburg, Nebr., where Mr. Williams has a ranch of 14,000 acres ; F. Pierce is mentioned below; Marguerite is the wife of Dr. John W. Free- ston, dentist, and they reside at Pottsville; Norman and Elizabeth are at home.
F. PIERCE MORTIMER, JR., has the honor of being the first mayor of the new city of Pottsville, and was one of the leaders in the movement to have the new form of government established. This young man was born at Potts- ville, July 20, 1883, and there received his education. He graduated from
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the Pottsville high school, class of 1900. After leaving school he at once took up active work in his father's store, and in this modern establishment has obtained a thorough business training. There are few young men of the community who have been more active in its interests. Independent in politics, he was the first nominee for the office of city comptroller of Potts- ville, in 1911, nominated on three tickets, Republican, Democratic and Key- stone, but as the city charter was not granted at that time he was not elected. On Nov. 4, 1913, when the first election for city officers was held, he was the leading candidate for mayor, and won by a large majority, carrying seven of the ten precincts. Upon him and his fellow officials devolves the task of organizing and inaugurating the commission form of government in the new city of Pottsville, and the responsibility for its proper introduction. The cam- paign was one of the most vigorous in the history of Pottsville, the activities of the workers resulting in bringing out an unusually large number of voters, and the interest aroused will undoubtedly extend over the present administra- tion, which is expected to demonstrate the value of the new plan for which so many citizens have been fighting. Mr. Mortimer took office Dec. Ist, and has the distinction of being the youngest mayor in Pennsylvania. He has been an active member of the local fire company. Athletics have always claimed much of his time and attention. For seven years he was especially interested in basket-ball, has played baseball as a semi-professional, and has served as president of the Baxter Association, one of the leading athletic organizations in this part of the State. Socially he is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, Business Men's Association, Rotary Club, Historical Society and Y. M. C. A. He belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, and is a member of its . choir, of which he is soloist. He has sung considerably for charity.
On March 25, 1908, Mr. Mortimer married Edna C. Umbenhauer, of Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of Capt. J. W. Umbenhaner, borough treasurer.
FRANK BROWN has been prominent in the business circles of Schuyl- kill Haven in several associations, notably the manufacture of shoes, in which he has been engaged for twenty-five years. He is now president of the Walkin Shoe Company, which was organized in 1910. Mr. Brown is a native of North Manheim township, this county, born near Landingville March 10, 1868, son of Edwin Brown.
Edwin Brown was born Dec. 7, 1835, near Kutztown, in Berks county, Pa., and was only a young man when he settled in Schuylkill county, making his home near Minersville. He became very well known as a boatbuilder, which business he followed for some years, and in which he was associated with the late George Adams at Landingville. Later he became engaged in farming in North Manheim township, in the same vicinity, and spent the rest of his life at that calling, dying April 30, 1872, at the early age of thirty-six years. He is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Brown had served in the Civil war, and he was a member of Post No. 26, G. A. R. He married Elizabeth Deibert, daughter of William Deibert, and member of a pioneer family of that county. She subsequently married William S. Zuber, of Orwigsburg, Pa., where she died and is buried. Her children by Mr. Brown were as follows: Mary, who married William B. Heim; Hannah. who died in infancy; Susanna, wife of John Gangloft (both are deceased) ; Amos, deceased; Katie, who married Manden Zuber, of Landingville; Frank; and
L
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William, who lives at Chester, Md. By her second marriage she had four children : Henrietta, who is deceased ; Alice, wife of R. S. Luckinbill ; Emma, deceased ; and Harvey, who lives at Haddon Heights, New Jersey.
Frank Brown attended school in a log building near Landingville in his native township, and was reared upon the farm. When eighteen years old he began to learn the shoe business at Landingville, being employed in the factory there for three years, and became thoroughly familiar with all its details. For the next four years he traveled as a shoe salesman, and mean- time, in 1889, became interested in the manufacture of shoes at Schuylkill Haven, as a member of the firm of Berger, Brown & Company. Twelve years later some changes were made in the ownership, and the business was con- tinned under the name of the G. H. Gerber Shoe Company, Inc. In 1910 the present organization was effected under the name of the Walkin Shoe Company, with the following officers: Frank Brown, president ; G. H. Michael, treasurer; F. B. Keller, secretary.
The product consists of infants', chil- dren's and misses' turn and welt shoes, which have a reputation in the trade throughout the district east of the Rocky Mountains and in the South and Southwest. The equipment has been improved and enlarged as the increase of the business necessitated, and the plant now occupies a building 40 by 165 feet in dimensions, with a wing 26 by 30 feet. Two hundred and fifty hands, including a large number of skilled workmen, are steadily employed, which means that a large proportion of the industrial workers in Schuylkill Haven depend upon this establishment for occupation. The goods are of such excellent quality as to keep up the demand, and they are handled in the market according to the most up-to-date system and manner, for every department of the Walkin establishment is operated along the most modern lines, the executive, manufacturing and other divisions being in the most competent hands. Mr. Brown, himself, is a skilled workman, and keeps track of all the work at the plant, being able to instruct his employees in the practical work as well as the principles of his business, and his thorough knowledge of its requirements has been a factor of inestimable value in the growth of the concern.
Though his principal attention has been given to the shoe business, Mr. Brown has naturally taken on other responsibilities in the course of his active career. He was one of the organizers and an original director of the First National Bank of Schuylkill Haven, and is still a member of the board; is a director of the Textile Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Schuylkill Haven ; of the Schuylkill Haven Fire Company, and several other important local concerns. His achievements entitle him to a place among the foremost busi- ness men of the county.
On July 10, 1894, Mr. Brown married Alice Ehly, whose parents died when she was very young. Six children have been born to this marriage, namely : Madeline S., Stanley H., F. Alfred, Hamilton, Paul (deceased) and Frederick. The family is associated with the Reformed Church.
THOMAS J. DAVIS, of Minersville, is an extensive coal operator and still engaged in the business, though his interests have been in outside fields for some time. His early training, however, was gained in the local territory, where he began in the humble capacity of slate picker, and made his way up through the various stages of mine work to important duties. At present he is one of the owners and general manager of the Kohinoor Coal & Coke
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Company, operating near Logan, in Logan county, W. Va. He has also had valuable interests in the borough, but he has given them up since outside activities occupy so much of his time.
Mr. Davis is a native of Wales, born Aug. 21, 1843, and came to America from that country in 1848, with his father, Jacob Davis, who settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. The father was a miner by occupation, and lived and died at Minersville. After picking slate at the breaker for a time Thomas J. Davis did inside work of various kinds at the collieries, cutting coal for a short period, and finally becoming foreman in the Potts Coal Company, in whose employ he rose to the position of superintendent. Sub- sequently he was similarly engaged by Kane, Haggert & Cook, and then with Miller, Graeff & Company, being one of the first to hold that position with the concern named. Following several months of prospecting in the South, he began operating in the soft coal fields in Tennessee, where he continued for thirteen years, at the end of that time selling his interests there and turning his attention to West Virginia, where he has heavy investments. About one hundred men are employed in the operations of the Kohinoor Coal & Coke Company, and there is a steady demand for the output.
Mr. Davis has also encouraged local enterprises, and for a time was vice president of the Union National Bank, of Minersville, but he resigned from the position when he found that frequent absences from the borough were necessary. He continues to hold membership in Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of Tremont, Schuylkill county.
Mr. Davis married Anna Dando, daughter of Edwin Dando, of Miners- ville, and they have two children: Esther, wife of Matthew Beddou; and Thomas J., Jr., who is engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes at Schuyl- kill Haven. Edwin Dando, father of Mrs. Davis, was a native of England.
FREDERICK H. HAUSE is taking a place in the business circles of Pottsville thoroughly in keeping with the reputation attaching to the honored name he bears. A son of the late Frank Hause, he has continued the tobacco business which the latter established so many years ago, and his association with other local institutions of importance to the community shows him to be in active sympathy with everything affecting the well-being of the place.
The Hause family was founded in Pottsville by Emanuel Hause, grand- father of Frederick H. Hause, who was born May 14, 1801, in Chester county, Pa., and when a young man settled at Pottsville. At that time there were only a few houses in the town and he was the pioneer blacksmith here, continuing to follow his trade until his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1859. His wife was born Aug. 21, 1808, in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., and died Jan. 4, 1884. They are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville. Their family consisted of the following children: Catherine married Henry Miller ; Mary A. married Henry Shomo; Henry, who died in Pottsville, mar- ried Charlotte James; Lewis, who died in Ashland, Pa., married Joanna Wilson : Charles died unmarried in Pottsville; Frank is mentioned below : Edward, who died in Pottsville, married Clara Zweibel; Sarah married Andrew Turnbull ; Isabella married Edward Lebold.
Frank Hause was born May 7, 1838, at Pottsville, and was given such public school advantages as the town then afforded. In early manhood he began dealing in tobacco, and built up his business so successfully that he became one of the leading men in his line in this part of Pennsylvania, having
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a large wholesale as well as retail trade. He established himself at the corner of Centre and Norwegian streets. Mr. Hause was the first in Pottsville to handle the popular Miners' Extra tobacco, and for many years had the sole agency here for that brand. He also dealt in leaf tobacco, making large purchases in Lancester county, Pa. In fact, he carried on his business with all the resources of a keen intellect to make the most of its possibilities. His other affairs received the same efficient care, and he had a part in the promo- tion and establishment of several enterprises of genuine service to the com- munity. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Pottsville Steam Heat & Power Company, as well as active in the inception of other important enterprises for which he and various progressive associates saw the need. He was a director of the Pennsylvania National Bank of Pottsville and con- tinued to serve as such until his death. He gave valuable service to the borough as a member of the school board, and was also known in his con- nection with the Union Veteran Legion and the Society of First Defenders. When twenty-two years old he enlisted for the defense of the Union and after serving a three months' term reenlisted, for three years. With his family Mr. Hause attended the Second Presbyterian Church. He built the substantial home at No. 315 West Market street where Mrs. Hause still resides, and where his death occurred June 6, 1900. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery.
On Feb. 4, 1868, Mr. Hause married Louisa S. Haeseler, daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Swalen) Haeseler, and children as follows were born to them: Ralph E., who is a clerk in the Merchants' National Bank of Pottsville; J. Florence, living at home; Frederick H .; and Dorothy H., wife of Gustav A. Muehlhof, of Pottsville. Mrs. Hause takes an active part in matters of general interest in the borough. She is a member of the Historical Society of Schuylkill county and vice president of the Pottsville Mission.
FREDERICK HAESELER, father of Mrs. Hause, was a resident of Pottsville from the early sixties. A native of Germany, he came to America with his parents in early life, and subsequently returned to the Fatherland to study, receiving a thorough education. He also had a comprehensive military train- ing. Coming back to America he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., before his removal to Pottsville, where he carried on a real estate business and organized several insurance companies. His learning and high principles gained him many friends. To his marriage with Catherine Swalen were born children as follows: John, Frank, Albert, Louisa S., Anna A., Emma S., Sarah and Catherine. Mr. Haeseler died in 1880, his widow in 1893, and they are buried in the Charles Baber cemetery.
Frederick H. Hause was born in 1880 at Pottsville, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of the borough. He began work with his father when a boy, and though only twenty years old when his father died continued the business, which was conducted under the name of the Frank Hause Estate until 1906. That year Frederick H. Hause bought the business for himself, and has since carried it on under his own name. The stand is one of the oldest in the city, and Mr. Hause not only commands a large wholesale and retail trade in the tobacco business, but also manufactures cigars, having factory No. 398. Among the well known brands which he produces are the "Agord" and "Ryo Hondo." Besides dealing in leaf and manufactured tobacco and cigars, he carries a large stock of snuff, pipes, etc., and small goods.
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Mr. Hause is associated with the Pennsylvania National Bank of Pottsville. one of the leading banking houses in this section, of which he has been a director since 1911. Mr. Hause is a valued member of the Central Republican Club, and of the Schuylkill County Historical Society. His interests have been managed with acumen and good judgment, and he is justly regarded as one of the most competent business men of the borough.
Mr. Hause married Alverta Kehler, of Shenandoah, and they have one child, Marion.
JONATHAN HENRY WALBORN, now living retired at Orwigsburg, has been one of the leading men of his section of Schuylkill county for a long period. Diligent and enterprising during the years he was engaged in farming, he became associated with the live interests of the locality. For a number of years he has been active in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Schuylkill County, serving as secretary for the last twenty-two years. Mr. Walborn is a native of the county, born March 15, 1853, in West Brunswick township, son of Daniel Walborn and grandson of John Walborn.
John (or Johan) Walborn, the grandfather, was born near Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., June 30, 1799, and died Aug. 13, 1872. By occupation he was a farmer. Coming to Schuylkill county he settled in West Brunswick township, about two miles east of Pinedale, there continuing to farm until his death. He is buried at the historic Zion's (Red) Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Albright, was born Dec. 4, 1804, and died Oct. 30, 1884. They had children as follows: Daniel, born Sept. 19, 1825, died March 29, 1906; Urias, born Sept. 22, 1827, died Dec. 15, 1913; William. born June 28, 1831, died Sept. 17, 1914; Peter, born July 6, 1834, died Oct. 16, 1911; Rebecca, born Sept. 21, 1837, married Daniel O. Mohl, who is deceased ; Catharine, born Aug. 2, 1845, married John Ketner, who is de- ceased : Cyrus, born Aug. 28, 1839, died Aug. 29, 1858; and Diana, born Oct. 21, 1848, died Nov. 20, 1912, married Martin Moyer. Of these children. Rebecca and Catharine are still living.
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