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 29
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The Burke and Alvord Memorial contains the following account of the name and family :
The name of Burke, Bourke or Bourck, as it is variously spelled, was originally written De Burgh, and in that form is an ancient name and of much note in the Old World. It may be traced back to the eighth century, and has for its head Charles, Duke d'Ingheim, fifth son of the Emperor Charle- magne. In the fourth generation from him we find Baldwin de Bourg, his great-grandson, a renowned Crusader, whose son Baldwin founded the House of Blois in France, and was the (a) progenitor of the noble families of Burgh and Vesey in Ireland.
Early in the fourteenth century lived and died John, Earl of Comyn, and Baron of Tonsburgh in Normandy, a descendant of the above, "who, being general of the king's forces, and governor of his chief towns, obtained the surname of de Burgh," a name particularly pertinent, not only on account of its meaning, which signifies "pertaining to a city," but also because the name had belonged to one of the earliest progenitors of the family. Being, there-
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fore, a prominent Norman family, it is not unnatural to suppose that they found their way to England when the connection between the two countries became so intimate that the first Norman kings of England passed a great part of their time in what was to them their old home. Accordingly we find them mentioned in early English history from time to time, verifying their descent from the stanch old Crusader by deeds of piety and fidelity to their king.
In the reign of Henry II a branch of the De Burghs went over into Ireland. Prior, in his "Life of Edmund Burke," says, "The Burkes, or Bourkes, though now thickly strewn over the whole of Ireland, particularly the southern part of it, were not an aboriginal, or as their English invaders term them, a mere Irish family ; but descended from the Norman Burghs, or De Burghs (of which Burke is merely a corruption), who went thither as adventurers under Strong- bow, in the reign of Henry II ; not as temporary marauders, whose visits might soon be over, but to conquer an inheritance, seize upon such possessions as their strength would permit and permanently hold what they had thus seized. The name figures in Irish history from this time down until it is merged in other names equally famous, and perhaps more familiar to modern ears. Even then it is retained as the family name. It is frequently involved in the wars and struggles which pervaded that riotous kingdom, and in most cases is found on the side of law and order, when law and order was the dangerous and unpopular side.
It was William Fitzaldelm (uncle of Hubert De Burgh, Chief Justiciary of England during the reign of Henry III) who accompanied Strongbow into Ireland, remained there with the little English colony, was appointed governor of Wexford by the king, and afterwards intrusted with the management of affairs in the kingdom. In 1177 he was appointed governor of Ireland and about that time founded the monastery of St. Thomas, near Dublin. He obtained a great part of the Province of Connaught ; died in England in 1204. His son, Richard De Burgh, Lord of Connaught and Trim, had the conquests of his father confirmed to him by King John in 1215, on condition of his doing homage therefor and paying the yearly rent of three hundred marks. He was made lord lieutenant of Ireland in 1227. Died on a voyage to France in 1243.
His two sons, Walter and William, became incorporated into the two noble families of Ulster and Clanricarde, Walter, the elder, marrying Maud, daughter of the Earl of Ulster, and becoming Earl of Ulster in her right upon the death of her father. He died in 1271 and was succeeded by his son Richard.
William, the younger brother, served with his father in France, was in many battles with his brother, and died in 1270. His son William was appointed Custos of Ireland and died in 1324. The descendants of William were gov- ernors of Connaught for many generations, and the one who was governor during the reign of Henry VIII was made by that king Earl of Clanricarde and Baron of Dunkellin. He died in 1544. His son and successor, Richard, was lord lieutenant of Ireland, a position later occupied by one of his descend- ants, in 1650.
The Earls of Mayo are descended from a collateral branch of the De Burghs, having, with the Earls of Clanricarde, a common ancestor in William, who was Custos of Ireland in 1 308. '
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CHARLES M. KAUFMAN occupies an important place in the business activities of Tower City, Schuylkill county, being at the head of several of the most valuable enterprises of the borough. His uniformly successful management of these various interests stamps him as a man of versatile ability, with keen insight for conditions and remarkable breadth of judgment. He belongs to thrifty old Pennsylvania stock of German origin, two brothers, Jonas and Christian Kaufman, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, having come to this country in 1680. They were among the first settlers in Lancaster county, Pa., and their descendants located in the Lykens valley, in what is now Schuylkill county, when the Indians were still numerous in that region. Time and again the savages forced them to leave their settlements, but after taking their families to Pine Grove to safety they returned and held posses- sion of their homes.
Samuel Kaufman, the great-grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman, was born in the Lykens valley, Schuylkill county, in what is now known as Hubley township, where he spent all his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a large, fertile farm there. He died there when comparatively young, and is buried with his wife Eveline ( Klinger) at Klinger's Church in that town- ship; she also passed away in Hubley township. Mr. Kaufman was a Whig in political sentiment, and a Lutheran in religious faith. His children were: Samuel, a civil engineer, served one term as county commissioner and repre- sented Schuylkill county in the Pennsylvania Legislature for one session, and he was long cashier of the First National Bank of Minersville; Jonas was the grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman; Jacob, deceased, was a mer- chant in Lykens Valley; Emanuel followed merchandising for a time, went West, enlisted for service in the Civil war, and had been promoted to captain when he died, of typhoid fever; John, a farmer, is deceased; Henry is deceased; Elizabeth married William Alspach; Molly was twice married, first to a Mr. Reed and later to Jacob Becker, of Trevorton, Northumber- land county.
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Jonas Kaufman, grandfather of Charles M. Kaufman, was born in 1815 in the Lykens valley. He learned the trade of millwright, at which he was profitably engaged for many years. For a time he lived in Lancaster county, and afterwards built many mills in the west end of Schuylkill county, finally settling at Llewellyn, in Branch township, where his latter years were spent. He had been in the mercantile business at Valley View for a time, until 1845. when he removed to Llewellyn, at which place he was similarly engaged until 1850. Then he sold out and devoted all his time to contracting. employing many men in the construction of breakers and houses. His death occurred at Llewellyn in 1859. and he is buried in the cemetery of Clouser's Church, in Branch township. Like his father, he was a Whig and a Lutheran. Mr. Kaufman married Sarah Boyer, daughter of Peter Boyer, who originally lived in Berks county. Pa., removing to Stone Valley, Northumberland county, where he died. To this union were born the following children: John, deceased, was a merchant and postmaster at Wiconisco, Pa .; Benjamin was a coal operator, one of the owners of the Brookside colliery, was a member of the State Legislature from Schuylkill county, and died at Tremont; Elias is the father of Charles M. Kaufman ; Sarah married Frederick Fulmer ; Mary J. married Adam Miller; Esther married Lewis Beach; Catherine died unmar- ried.
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Elias Kaufman was born May 16, 1838, at Valley View, Schuylkill county, learned the carpenter's trade, and in time became a boss carpenter. He was the pioneer at Tower City, where he settled in 1868, built the first breaker at the Brookside colliery, and later became outside superintendent of that colliery, which was owned by Savage Brothers & Kaufman (the latter his brother) and later by Repplier, Gordon & Co. Mr. Kaufman continued with the latter company until its interests were purchased by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, in whose employ he remained until the year 1885. He was one of the most competent mine men in this section, for three years winning a cash prize for good management at his colliery. In 1885 he engaged in general merchandising at Tower City, where he opened a large, up-to-date store, which he carried on until 1912, since when it has been owned and conducted by his sons Frank H. and Edward H., who are doing business under the name of Kaufman Brothers. Elias Kaufman has always maintained a public-spirited interest in local affairs, especially the im- provement and progress of the schools. He has been a member of the school board, and was serving when the present fine high school building was erected in 1894, the other members of the board at that time being: \V. F. Jones, president ; B. F. Stuck, secretary ; H. G. Lebo; W. L. Zerbe; Jacob Searer.
Mr. and Mrs. Elias Kaufman are the oldest residents of Tower City. He married Lydia Ann Haertter, who was born Sept. 25, 1839, in Jackson town- ship, Northumberland Co., Pa., and the following children have been born to them: Jonas C., of Tower City ; Charles M .; John N., deceased ; Luther G., a merchant of Reinerton, this county; William J., of Floral Park, N. Y .; Emma D., wife of Prof. David Detler, of Annville, Pa .; Lydia Ann, wife of Charles Boyer, of Atlanta, Ga .; Sadie E., at home; Edward H., of the firm of Kaufman Brothers; Franklin H., of that firm; and three who died young. The family are Lutherans in religious belief. Mr. Kaufman is a Mason, belonging to Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of Tremont.
Charles M. Kaufman was born July 2, 1862, at Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, and for a few years during his early boyhood attended the public schools. In 1872, when but ten years old, he went to work as a slate picker at the Brookside colliery. In 1885 he took charge of a general store at Tower City. For a number of years he has been associated with big enterprises in his section. In 1891 he was one of the promoters of the Williams Valley railroad, and was one of the organizers of the company, of which he was elected president and general manager. On Jan. 22, 1902, the Tower City National Bank was organized, the original board of directors being: C. M. Kaufman, president; G. Schoffstall, vice president; W. O. Schwalm, secre- tary ; W. E. Kahler, cashier ; original directors, W. F. Knecht; J. I. Delaney ; F. J. Douden ; Isaac Mossop; W. O. Schwalm; I. A. Evans ; A. Fortenbaugh, and Ellsworth Schwalm. Mr. Kaufman is still president of the bank, but the other officers have changed, Mr. Knecht being now vice president. A. D. Lewis is the cashier, and A. C. Schreiner, teller. The present directors are : Isaac Mossop, F. J. Douden, Ellsworth Schwalm, I. A. Evans, A. Forten- baugh, W. E. Kahler, C. M. Kaufman, W. F. Knecht, John Pfeiffer., Mr. Fortenbaugh, who is a resident of Harrisburg, Pa., is president of the Halifax National Bank and a director of the Harrisburg Trust Company. In 1904 Mr. Kaufman assisted in the organization of the Williams Valley Bank, at Williamstown, Pa., and was the first secretary of the board.
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In 1900, upon the organization of the Citizens' Water Company of Tower City, Mr. Kaufman was made president and is still serving in that capacity, and also as superintendent. In 1896 he established the Greenwood cemetery in Porter township, near Tower City, one of the finest burial places in Schuyl- kill county, which he still owns, and which is cared for in the manner typical of everything handled by him. Mr. Kaufman owns considerable real estate, timber and farming land, in the vicinity of Tower City. He is a member and past master of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of Tremont, Penn- sylvania.
EDGAR W. BECHTEL holds a foremost place among the practitioners at the Schuylkill county bar, with which the name has been long and honorably connected, several members of the family having distinguished themselves for eminent ability in the law.
The Bechtels are of German descent, and have been settled in eastern Pennsylvania since Provincial days. Mr. Bechtel's great-grandfather was a native of Bucks county, this State. John Bechtel, the grandfather, was also born there, near Doylestown, Oct. 6, 1798. For a number of years he made his home in Berks county, this State, where he was well known as proprietor of the "Half-Way House" between Reading and Kutztown, and besides con- ducting the hotel he was a mail contractor and stage owner, transporting passengers and the mail between Easton and Harrisburg, by way of Allen- town and Reading, and from Reading to Pottsville. From Berks county he removed to Northumberland county, Pa., where he was settled for about a dozen years engaged in farming and hotelkeeping on what was known as "Warrior Run Farm." The stone tavern which stood upon that property, a few miles from Watsontown, was a popular stopping place in its day. Thence in 1847 Mr. Bechtel removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and in 1851 to Middleport, same county. He became postmaster at the latter place and continued to hold the position during the administrations of Pierce, Buchanan and Johnson. Politically he was an ardent Democrat and main- tained an active interest in local, State and national campaigns. His death took place in the latter part of December, 1872. Mr. Bechtel was twice mar- ried, his second wife being Eliza S. Beiber, of Berks county, who was born in 1808, daughter of John S. Beiber, a native of Maiden-creek township, Berks county. Mrs. Bechtel died at Middleport in June, 1880. John Bechtel was the father of the following children : James B., who died in 1873, was a resi- dent of Reading, Pa., where he served as district attorney ; Louise became the wife of Samuel Young, of Reading, Pa .; Alfred B., deceased, was a travel- ing salesman and clerk; Elmira, deceased, was the wife of George L. Medler, of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county ; Francis W. was the father of Edgar W. Bechtel; Hettie became the wife of David F. Ritter, a resident of Middle- port, Schuylkill county ; O. P. was president judge of Schuylkill county for thirty years and was succeeded by his son H. O. Bechtel, the present incum- bent; T. H. has been in the wholesale notions business for many years, belonging to the firm of Jones, Bechtel, Shibely & Company.
FRANCIS W. BECHTEL, father of Edgar W. Bechtel, was born April 11, 1837, in Turbut township, Northumberland Co., Pa., son of John and Eliza S. (Beiber) Bechtel. His early education was acquired at Middleport, where
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he was later clerk in the post office, and during his young manhood he was engaged in teaching for some years, two years in Berks county, whence he returned to Middleport, where he taught three years. Then he became prin- cipal of the schools at Schuylkill Haven, this county, continuing thus until 1863, in which year he became freight and ticket agent for the Mine Hill & Schuylkill Haven Railway Company at Minersville, holding that position one year. Meantime he had been appointed clerk to the county commissioners, and held that position four years. In the fall of 1862 he had registered as a law student in the office of Franklin B. Gowen, at Pottsville, where he studied for some time, completing his course in the office of another celebrity of that day, Hon. John W. Ryon. On May 18, 1868, he was admitted to practice in Schuylkill county, and in 1870 was admitted to the Supreme court of the State, before which body he prosecuted many cases to a successful con- clusion. His work took him into the courts of many counties of Pennsylvania besides his own, and he had a highly creditable career from the time of his admission to practice until his death, which occurred March 14, 1906. In 1870 he was elected solicitor of Schuylkill county, and filled that office for three years, until 1874. For many years Mr. Bechtel was one of the most prominent Democrats in the county, serving as chairman of the county com- mittee, and was highly valued in its councils. During the Civil war his sym- pathies were with the Union, and in 1863, when southern Pennsylvania was invaded, he enlisted in Company B, 27th Regiment, Pennsylvania Emergency Corps, and he was at Wrightsville in June of that year, when the Confeder- ates burned the bridge. After this engagement the regiment was sent to Carlisle, thence to Chambersburg, and from there to Hagerstown, Md., being mustered out in the fall of 1863, after two months' service.
On Aug. 6, 1863, Mr. Bechtel was married to Alicia Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, and granddaughter of Alexander Campbell, founder of the religious sect bearing his name. They had three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Mary A., deceased, was the wife of Philip E. Womelsorff, a civil and mining engineer, of Philipsburg, Centre Co., Pa .; Elmer F., a civil and mining engineer, now at Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pa., married Irene Scheu- man, daughter of William Scheuman, of Pottsville; Edgar W. completes the family.
Edgar W. Bechtel was born Dec. 28, 1866, at Pottsville, where he received his early education in the public schools, graduating from the high school. Thereafter he taught for four years, one in Pine Grove and three at Mount Carbon, before taking up the study of law with his father. On Sept. 5, 1892, he was admitted to the Schuylkill county bar, at which he has since been practicing, and during the early years of his independent practice he was deputy district attorney during Mr. Ryon's term and later for one term district attorney. He and his father had offices together in Pottsville until the latter's decease, and Mr. Bechtel is still established in the same quar- ters. He has shown the talents characteristic of the family in the legal pro- fession, and the nature of his clientele indicates that his personal standing is equal to the best in the county.
On Nov. 28, 1894, Mr. Bechtel married Myra L. Whitehouse, daughter of David and Maria (Shakespeare) Whitehouse, natives of England, and sister of W. J. Whitehouse, a well known attorney of Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel have had three children, born as follows: David W., Dec. 9. 1895; Mary A., Feb. 27. 1898; and Virginia A., Jan. 18, 1900.
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GEORGE W. RYON is a representative of one of Pottsville's most honored families. He is a son of Hon. James Ryon, late a prominent lawyer, who served as president judge of Schuylkill county from 1862 until 1872, and represented the county in the State Legislature. He was also extensively interested in coal operations. In 1856 he was married to Charlotte A. Wolf, daughter of George Wolf, Lancaster county's largest iron manufacturer at one time, and of this union three children survived their parents, being George W. Ryon, Mrs. Florence R. Patterson (since deceased), and John P. Ryon. Judge James Ryon was a brother of Hon. John W. Ryon, a prominent lawyer of this county. He was a native of Tioga county, and was the son of Hon. John and Susan (Tubbs) Ryon. His American genealogy is traceable beyond the French and Indian war, and he is a lineal descendant of Colonel Dorrance, who fell at Wyoming, while two other ancestors served on the American side during the Revolutionary war, one as a staff officer under Washington.
Judge James Ryon and his brother, Hon. John W. Ryon, had their offices together, although not partners. Both were noted land lawyers, and when together were frequently engaged in important ejectment suits, both in the courts of Pennsylvania and in those of the United States. Just as frequently they were on opposite sides of a litigation, when the fight was equally interest- ing. Both were considered very able trial lawyers in any branch of the law. Judge Ryon died in 1900 from the result of an accident, while John W. Ryon died in 1901.
George W. Ryon was born at Columbia, Lancaster county, on March 24, 1862. He was educated in the Pottsville high school, and was graduated at Lafayette College in 1884, receiving the degree of bachelor of arts, and three years later that of master of arts. He was admitted to the bar of Schuylkill county in March, 1887, and has practiced law ever since. He early identified himself with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, having enlisted in 1887 as a private in H Company, 8th Regiment, and by various promotions he became lieutenant colonel and assistant commissary general on the staff of the commander-in-chief. Gov. Robert E. Pattison. Colonel Ryon retired from the service at the expiration of his term. Ile was married, Oct. 9, 1888, to Mary Bruner, a daughter of Dr. William and Jane (Woodworth) Bruner, of San Francisco. Four children have been born to this union, the eldest being James Bruner, born July 23, 1889, married to Emily Peck, of Lock Haven ; he is now a forester of the state, being a graduate of Mt. Alto Forest Academy. George Wolf, born June 18, 1892, a graduate of the agricultural course of Pennsylvania State College, is now engaged in that business ; he married Annette Umbenhen, a daughter of Rev. J. H. Umbenhen, of Potts- ville. Walter Greenland was born July 5. 1894, and John Woodworth, born Sept. 20, 1901. Mr. Ryon is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, being a member of the board of trustees.
JOHN PERCY RYON, also a son of Hon. James Ryon, was born at Pottsville, Sept. 25, 1866. He attended both Lafayette College and Lehigh University and was for several years connected with the engineer corps of the Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley railroads. He later resigned, entering the brick manufacturing business, having constructed the Auburn Vitrified Brick plant, now a corporation, and later the Schuylkill Pressed Brick Com- pany, both of which are in a flourishing condition. He has been active in street paving contracts in the East, and is a dealer in building materials of all kinds. In 1892 he was married to Blanche C. Silkman, of Scranton, and
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to this union were born two children: John Leslie, born Aug. 4, 1894, has been educated at Lawrenceville Academy and Lafayette College, where he is now a student, and is active in athletics; Helen was born in 1908. Mr. Ryon is identified with several clubs of town, including the Pottsville club.
FREDERICK PORTZ, JR., belongs to a substantial German family of Pottsville, which has several members among the prosperous business inen of the city. He started out on his own account as successor to C. F. Seltzer, carrying on the old established harness business at No. 117 East Norwegian street. Mr. Portz was born at Pottsville Oct. 24, 1874, son of Frederick Portz, Sr. His grandparents lived and died in Bavaria, Germany, the grandmother passing away in 1878, the grandfather in 1905.
Frederick Portz, Sr., was born in Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 13, 1841, and there grew to manhood. He served in the 13th Infantry, in the war between Prussia and the South German States. Mr. Portz came to America in 1867, landing at New York City March 12th, after a voyage of nineteen days. For fourteen years he was employed at Yuengling's Brewery, Pottsville, Pa., in the position of foreman of the fermenting department, and in 1881 he engaged as a liquor dealer on his own account, at No. 122 North Centre street, where he has since been doing business. He has been a well known worker in the Democratic party for many years, and in 1892 was elected a member of the board of county poor directors of Schuylkill county, to fill a vacancy for one year. In 1903 he was reelected for a full term of three years, and in the fall of 1906 was a candidate, this time on the "Lincoln Party" ticket, suffering its general defeat in the county. He is a member of Humane Fire Company, and fraternally belongs to Hayden Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran Church. On May 19, 1872, Mr. Portz married at Pottsville Lucinda Klare, who was born in Pottsville in 1851, and seven children have been born to this marriage: Catherine E. married Howard Manwiller and second Gustaf Zierle ; Frederick is mentioned below ; Emma L. married Fred Bernett, a merchant of Pottsville; George A. married Martha Schwartz; Harry K. married Hester Jones ; Edward and Valentine died within the same week.
Henry Klare, father of Mrs. Frederick Portz, Sr., was born March 7, ISII, in Hanover, Germany, and learned the tailor's trade in his early life. Coming to America on a sailing vessel in 1849, he spent thirty-six days on the water, landed at Philadelphia, and after one day's stay in that city came to Pottsville, where he became employed at his trade. He continued to follow it throughout his active life, and died April 2, 1899, aged eighty-eight years. He is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. His wife, Catherine (Luther), like himself a native of Germany, accompanied him to America, and she died at the age of sixty-five years. They had a large family, namely: Catherine married Thomas Miller ; Christian W. is a resident of Pottsville; Matilda married Fred Eberle, of Pottsville; Lucinda married Frederick Portz, Sr .; Henry A. is a resident of Pottsville; William is deceased; Charles lives at Pottsville; Mary is the wife of August Appelstadt, and resides at Pottsville ; George A. is deceased; Lewis is a resident of Philadelphia. Henry Klare's father served under Napoleon I, was in the disastrous campaign of Moscow. and never returned home.
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