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 26
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thought his scheme could not be carried out, as the States had usurped from the general government the power to issue money and as the latter had so long acquiesced in their action the States would never surrender it. He even pre- pared circulars embodying his views and distributed them among the two houses of Congress, but they received very little attention from any of the members. Four years elapsed and the war of the Rebellion broke out, and the national currency became a necessity. He communicated with and after- wards visited Secretary Chase, recalled the circular, and compared it with the bill Secretary Chase had prepared, and the latter was found to be in perfect accordance with Mr. Bannan's plan of 1857, except in a few unimportant particulars and one important feature not incorporated in the bill-the intro- duction of an expanding limit. This was not done, as it was impossible to foresee what the exigencies of the country might demand. The idea of hav- ing an issue of currency in proportion to the wealth of the country and ex- panding it on that basis seems to have been original with him. It was sub- mitted to the late Stephen Colwell, of Philadelphia, who was also a writer on currency, and who had collected all the works written on currency and money, in all languages, from all countries, numbering more than seven hundred vol- umes and pamphlets, and in none of them had he observed the expression of a similar idea.
As a thinker and writer on important public matters Mr. Bannan belonged to an advanced school, and earned for himself an honored and respected name; and wherever he was known, either at home or abroad, his opinion and advice were solicited and made use of. As a practical man he was farseeing and liberal, and was ever among the foremost in proposing and carrying out ideas and projects tending to the improvement and advancement of his fellow men, particularly of the laboring classes. As a writer on matters pertaining to the coal trade, his experience of over twoscore years in the anthracite region fitted him with special and peculiar qualifications. As a coal statistician he was the foremost in the country. The trade grew up with himself, and in reality it had almost become second nature to him; particularly on account of the use he made of the opportunities that fell in his way in the matter of statistics. On coal his figures and tables are made use of in every publication in the country and abroad. In two large works he is not only quoted, but highly complimented, and his tabular statements given are conclusive. As a high test of the value of the statistics he collected in the coal trade, we need only refer to the fact that the Bureau of Statistics at Washington on several occasions honored him by asking him to furnish them with information on this important subject. The great work which he undertook to publish, and which he had prepared for publication principally by Samuel H. Daddow, mining engineer, Mr. Bannan only furnishing the statistics and outlines for the same, is entitled, "Coal, Iron and Oil." It was the most expensive single volume issued by any publisher during the Rebellion, reflects great credit upon him, and elicited from the London Mining Journal the statement that no single volume ever published in England affords so much information on the subjects treated of in that publication.
Influenced by the peculiar circumstances of the time, Mr. Bannan eventually published a monograph on "Our National Currency and how to improve it." which takes the ground, as originally suggested in his first circular in 1857, of adopting an expanding limit to its issue, keeping the paper issue uncon- vertible into coin on demand hereafter, but allowing a proportion of it to be
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received in payment of duties; the legal tenders of the government to be re- ceived in payment of taxes and debts due to the government; the issue of national banknotes to be apportioned to the several banks in proportion to their wealth ; the fractional currency to be cancelled and a debased silver coinage substituted which would, therefore, always remain at home; this was done in England nearly fifty years ago, and as a consequence England has always retained her silver. These features may strike the average reader as being somewhat novel and startling at first, but Mr. Bannan discussed his proposi- tions so clearly and forcibly that by many it is believed they will be received with more favor as they are studied and comprehended by impartial and un- biased minds. Mr. Bannan was a worker all his life; it was only when he could no longer hold the pen that he at last suffered it to drop from his fingers. In losing him the country lost a man whom it cannot replace, and whose merits will always be acknowledged.
THOMAS FOSTER was prominently identified with the business and political affairs of Schuylkill county and Pottsville. He was born in Ports- mouth, N. H., July 20, 1819, and came to Pottsville in 1830, at the age of eleven years, making his home with his uncle, Solomon Foster, who had pre- ceded him by several years. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Foster removed to Philadelphia with his uncle, Solomon, and for the next two years was engaged with him in the whip manufacturing business. At the age of seventeen he returned to Pottsville, and was apprenticed to Haywood & Snyder, machin- ists, builders of engines and mining machinery, but did not follow the trade, and engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in partnership with James Focht. After several years the firm of Focht & Foster was dissolved, and Mr. Foster entered the retail shoe business with Frederick L. Foster, on South Centre street, Pottsville. In 1858 Mr. Foster bought out the shoe business of his uncle, Solomon Foster, at Centre and Market streets, Pottsville, and engaged in that business until his death.
Politically Mr. Foster was a Democrat, and took a keen interest in politics all his lifetime. Elected county commissioner in 1851, Mr. Foster was to a great extent personally instrumental in the building of the present County Jail, successfully opposing the erection of a smaller building, as contemplated by his colleagues, having a firm belief that Schuylkill county was destined to become one of the most populous counties in the State.
In 1862 Mr. Foster was married to Amanda M. Ruch. To this union six sons and one daughter were born. Mrs. Foster, who was born Aug. 25, 1822, is still living. Mr. Foster died at Pottsville, Dec. 13, 1886.
CHARLES D. KAIER, deceased, was long accounted the chief animating spirit of business and social progress in Mahanoy City. Many undertakings affecting the public welfare inaugurated by him, or guided to successful issue through his efforts, have become permanent institutions of the borough and vicinity and keep alive an influence which it was his pride to exercise always for the benefit of his fellow citizens. The ability he developed with increased responsibilities carried him far beyond his early ambitions. With their realization he found himself in important business relations with the community, and he assisted in advancing its affairs in many ways. His judg- ment was so favorably regarded that his faith in an enterprise was sufficient . to guarantee its success, and he aided many local projects as much by the con-
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fidence his personal investments engendered as by the investments themselves. The thoroughness characteristic of his race was apparent in everything he undertook.
Mr. Kaier was born March 6, 1839, in Baden, Germany, and there spent his early life, coming to this country at the age of about fifteen with his par- ents, Andrew and Crescentia (Witmer) Kaier. The family lived at Morris- town, Pa., for a couple of years after their arrival in the United States, Andrew Kaier finding work at his calling, that of blacksmith, and Charles be- ginning to learn the trade of baker and confectioner, at which his early years were spent. In 1856 they removed to St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where the youth finished his apprenticeship in the bakery of Fred Epping and remained until his enlistment as a Union soldier, in the spring of 1861. He responded promptly to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, becoming a private in Company H, 9th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months, and served out the term, being discharged Aug. 21, 1861. The next year he married and moved to Mahanoy City, which was the center of all of his interests from that time on. Forming a business association with Frederick Gantert, he was so engaged until he began the bottling of ale and porter, on his own account, erecting a building for the purpose at No. 113 East Centre street. It was in this venture that Mr. Kaier made his first notable success and gave evidence of the ability which continued to carry him forward until he was the acknowl- edged leader in the borough and all of upper Schuylkill county. His large brewery was the outgrowth of the comparatively modest bottling establishment. In time he took the local agency for Bergner & Engel, the great brewing firm of Philadelphia, which he represented in Schuylkill, Columbia, Carbon and Northumberland counties, Pa., and he developed the possibilities of the territory so effectively that the business experienced a surprising expansion, the agency becoming one of the best paying in the State. Meantime Mr. Kaier was working towards his particular ambition, to start a brewery of his own, and while doing his utmost in behalf of his employers was acquiring the necessary familiarity with the details of the business in which he hoped to find his road to fortune. In 1883 he erected a brewery at Mahanoy City which was the beginning of the great plant now operated by the Charles D. Kaier Company, Limited, who are also engaged as wholesale dealers in liquor and tobacco. The plant has had an interesting history during the thirty years and more of its existence. The founder laid his plans well and executed them so skillfully that by 1800 the business needed better accommodations, and the brewery was rebuilt and enlarged to afford the facilities required to keep pace with its growth. The equipment was brought thoroughly up-to-date. Nothing was left undone which the increase of trade warranted, in fact preparations were confidently made for its further extension. The mere statement that the plant of the Kaier Company is still the leading industrial establishment of the borough shows how well this was accomplished. Mr. Kaier conducted it alone until Sept. 1, 1892, when a partnership was formed under the name of Charles D. Kaier Brewing Company, Limited, and he remained at the head of the concern until his death, several years later. By that time it ranked with the largest breweries in the State, with an annual production of over 100,000 bar- rels, and affording employment to 150 men.
While Mr. Kaier's main interest was always in the business which bore his name he harvested rich rewards in other fields as well, for the most part in his home county. Looked up to as a judge and an authority on matters
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of prime importance in the material evolution of this region, it was his pleas- ure to give his encouragement and support to the various enterprises incidental to the broadening of the life of the community. He was connected with sev- eral banks, at Shenandoah, Girardville and Mahanoy City, at the time of his death being vice president of the Union National Bank of Mahanoy City. Originally as an accommodation for the brewery business, he founded the Broad Mountain Ice Company, of which he was virtually the head to the end of his days. He also controlled the Anthracite Light, Heat & Power Company, which is still doing business at Mahanoy City. Many of the most desirable improve- ments of the borough originated with him or counted upon his sanction for their favorable reception. But nothing indicated more unmistakably his pub- lic spirit than the beautiful opera house which he erected, and which "in the completeness of its appointments and the elegance of its decoration is unsur- passed in the State." Such was the comment made in a Mahanoy City paper at the time of his death. It was burned a few years ago, and at the time of her death his widow was planning to replace it with a structure even more splen- did, for it was her pride as well as his. Much other property was acquired by Mr. Kaier in the course of his prosperous career, and there was never anything questionable about its acquisition or indeed about the business methods he used in accumulating any part of his large fortune.
Mr. Kaier's liberality was not confined to generosity in his business transac- tions and open-handedness in connection with public enterprises. He gave freely to church work and charities, without regard to the religion or national- ity of the recipients, but though many of his gifts were known there were many unknown except to the beneficiaries. His death, which occurred in Philadelphia, May 31, 1899, was mourned in many circles in the town and surrounding ter- ritory whose vital interests had been so close to his heart. He had been in poor health for several years prior to his decease, and had gone abroad in the hope of obtaining relief, but the most skillful medical aid in this country and Europe was employed in vain. Mr. Kaier was a member of Severn Post, No. IIO, G. A. R., of Mahanoy City, and of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of Philadel- phia. He was buried in the family lot in St. Fidelis cemetery at Mahanoy City, having been a member of the Catholic Church. Politically he was a Democrat.
In 1862 Mr. Kaier married, at Pottsville, this county, Margaret Curry, a native of that place, the ceremony being performed in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She survived him until Dec. 4, 1913, and it is a singular coincidence that like him she did not close her life in the beautiful home at Mahanoy City, her death taking place in New York City, where she was visiting. Mrs. Kaier rests beside her husband in St. Fidelis cemetery. Their family life was ideal. Companions in the truest sense, they cooperated in works of benevolence, and after her husband's death Mrs. Kaier kept up the home at Mahanoy City and continued to take a zealous interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the town, where she had the loving friendship of the many who were proud to be in her circle of acquaintance. A member of St. Fidelis German Catholic Church, she gave bountifully to all its enterprises, but she did not stop there, having the same broad sympathies which characterized her husband's life and character. Her spirit of helpfulness will keep her memory alive among the residents of Mahanoy City for many a day. From the time of Mr. Kaier's death she was the head of the Charles D. Kaier Company, Limited, and nowhere were her tact and kindliness more apparent than in her relations with her
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employes, all of whom entertained the highest regard for her. Her whole- some, intelligent mind saw opportunities for usefulness everywhere, and was reflected in a life so well rounded and harmonious that her memory is a bene- diction to all who knew her. Mrs. Kaier was always proud of having had the honor of presenting the first American flag to the first company of soldiers organized in Pottsville for service in the Civil war.
Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kaier six are still living, and she was survived by twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The daugh- ter Ella married John B. Leiberman and is deceased; Josephine is the wife of M. J. Haughney, of Mahanoy City ; Margaret became the second wife of John B. Leiberman, whom she survives (she lives at Mahanoy City) ; Crescentia is the wife of Charles Kirby, of Harrisburg, Pa .; Amelia is the wife of Henry Schreyer, a merchant of Mahanoy City; Mary, who is unmarried, lives at the old home in Mahanoy City; Charles F., the only son, is manager of the Kaier estate. He lives with his sister Mary at the old home in Mahanoy City, at Sixth and Centre streets. It is one of the landmarks of the borough, having been occupied many years by Dr. Philip Weber, one of the first physicians here.
CHARLES NAPOLEON BRUMM is the son of George Reinhardt Brumm, of Zweibruecken or Du Pont, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, and Salome Zern- holdt, of near Strasburg, Alsace-Lorraine, France; both parents were of Huguenot stock. He was born at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., on the 9th day of June, A. D. 1838; acquired all his education in the common schools with the exception of one year at Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa .; served an apprenticeship and worked for four years as a watchmaker; studied law two years in the office of the late Howell Fisher, Esq. He left his studies and enlisted in the Civil war, entering the service as a private under the first call of President Lincoln for three months' men, and was elected first lieutenant of Company I, 5th Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the expiration of his term he reenlisted, Sept. 15, 1861, for three years ; was elected first lieutenant of Company K, 76th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Nov. 18, 1861 ; was detailed on the staff of General Barton, as assistant quartermaster and aide-de-camp, which position he held under Generals Barton and Pennypacker, until the expiration of his term of service; resumed the study of law under the late Judge Parry.
Mr. Brumm applied for examination for admission to the bar in 1868, but was not permitted to be examined, because of an order of court as follows: "The Court having learned that the applicant has been instrumental in spread- ing reports derogatory to the dignity of the Court, at Harrisburg, we there- fore appoint John W. Ryon, Frank Dewees, Decatur Nice, John W. Roseberry, and Christopher Little a committee to investigate his actions, and report their findings to Court." These reports were based on the following facts: During the Civil war the anthracite coal fields, and especially Schuylkill county, had a large element of disloyal citizens known as "Copperheads" and "Buckshots." So violent did they become that the government found it necessary to draw a number of regiments of infantry, artillery and cavalry from the front and quarter them in this locality to prevent rioting, and to enforce the draft, among the troops so employed being the 10th New Jersey Infantry, Dana Troop Cavalry, Durell's Battery, Hawkin's New York Battery, and several regiments of the Invalid Corps. After these troops had been recalled, lawlessness reigned supreme in this section, and gave rise to the organization known as the Molly Maguires. Criminals charged with murder and other high crimes could not be
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convicted. The better citizens organized themselves into a society known as the Loyal Legion, by means of which a move was started to have certain legis- lation passed at Harrisburg, for the protection of our citizens, among which were: Ist, the State Police bill, known as the "Snapper police bill;" 2d, the Jury bill, requiring minority representation on the board of jury commissioners ; 3d, the Criminal Law Judge bill, which created a criminal court having juris- diction over Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin counties, with exclusive criminal jurisdiction in this county. To aid and bring about the passage of these bills, Benjamin Bannan, editor of the Miners' Journal, and Charles N. Brumm were selected by the Union League to go to Harrisburg. They got the bills passed through the Legislature, and the then governor, John N. Geary, signed the bills. Mr. Brumm's successful efforts in the passage of these bills were the acts complained of by the court. The committee appointed to investigate these acts never reported to court; or if it did, no action was ever taken on such report.
In the meantime, the applicant presented his petition for examination to Judge Pearson of Lebanon and Dauphin counties, who made the following order: "Whereas, the applicant, Charles N. Brumm, was refused admission to the Schuylkill county bar, for reasons unknown to the law, and contrary to any rules of court in this Commonwealth, we therefore appoint Messrs. Funk, Miller and Weidman, as a committee to examine said applicant for admission." After the examination they certified him to the court for admission, whereupon he was sworn in as a member of the Lebanon county bar. Application was then made in the Schuylkill county court, by Hon. Owen Parry, ex-judge, for admission on this certificate, but the court still refused to take any action, until some time in 1871, when "the gang" was about to submit the bill known as the Additional Law Judge bill. Brumm and his friends opposed the passage of said bill, when Brumm's former preceptor, Howell Fisher, Esq., was notified that if Brumm and his friends would withdraw their objections to the passage of that bill they would admit him to the Schuylkill county bar. This being agreed to, he was sworn in without any further examination, or report ever having been entered.
During this time Mr. Brumm was appointed deputy revenue assessor. The Income Law bill was then in force, and as many of the miners were earning sufficient to require theni to make a return of their incomes it was very danger- ous to go through the outlying districts to make the assessments. Many threats and attacks were made upon the assessor by the lawless element, but through his determined, fearless conduct he escaped without serious injury.
Mr. Brumm was always very much interested in all public questions, and took a leading part in politics even in his early days. He stumped the county during the Fremont campaign in 1856, although only eighteen years of age, and has been on the stump in the States of New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. He has always been a bitter enemy of ring rule and political bosses. In 1878 he was elected to Congress, to rep- resent the Thirteenth district of Pennsylvania, but was counted out by 192 votes. President Harrison appointed him deputy attorney general, but he declined to accept the appointment. He was tendered the post of minister to Brussels by President Mckinley, but declined that position also. He was counsel for District No. 9, United Mine Workers' Association, before the strike commission appointed by President Roosevelt in 1902, and was the author of the basis upon which the strike was settled, viz. : that the tolls should
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be eliminated from the sliding scale, and wages regulated exclusively on the price of coal. He was elected to the Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses, and to fill the unexpired term of Hon. George R. Patterson, deceased, in the Fifty-ninth Congress, and to the Sixtieth Congress, serving nearly fifteen years. Mr. Brumm became so dis- gusted with the autocratic rulings of Joseph Cannon, speaker of the House, and the conduct of the political bosses at that time, that he refused to run for Con- gress again, but became a candidate for judge of the Common Pleas and Quar- ter Sessions and Equity courts of Schuylkill county, and was elected in 1908. So bitter was the gang against him that an official elected on the same ticket filed exceptions to his election account ; and, notwithstanding that said excep- tions were entered and dated after the time limit for the filing of any excep- tions, yet proceedings went on for some time, until finally they were withdrawn upon motion of petitioner.
The Judge had not been long on the bench when the famous ballot-box stuff- ing cases were all brought before him for trial, and petitions were filed on affidavit of various citizens, asking the court to impound the ballot-boxes, which was done in every instance, and resulted in the Sheriff, Capt. Clay WV. Evans, securing the boxes before the custodians knew the order had been issued. The result was that some twenty-odd ballot-box stuffers and election officers were convicted and punished, with the effect of putting a number of the professionals out of business and securing fairly honest elections.
Some time after this the old opposition showed again, when "the Judge's enemies, headed by the official who filed exceptions to his account, got a man whom he had restrained from inciting to riot to have articles of impeach- ment preferred against him before the Legislature at Harrisburg. After the taking of considerable testimony the majority of the committee, consisting of Hons. Judson W. Stone, D. Lloyd Claycomb and Donald Glenn, reported against the impeachment, while Hons. Morris J. Speiser and A. W. Mitchell reported in favor of it ; but when it came to a vote of the House on the minority report there was but one vote cast in its favor, after which the majority report, exonerating the Judge, passed unanimously."
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