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 35
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John W. Lynch was born Feb. 25, 1870, at Forestville, in Cass township, Schuylkill county, and grew up there, in his early boyhood being allowed the advantages of the public schools. When nine years old he began to pick slate at the old West breaker, No. 2, and he continued to work at the mines for a considerable period, advancing until he became a full-fledged miner. He was so employed until 1900, in which year he built his present hotel and resi- dence at Forestville, and he has since devoted considerable attention to operating his hotel, which is known as the "Bellmore." Mr. Lynch has built up a profit- able custom by the most commendable methods, paying the closest attention to all the details necessary to make his guests comfortable, and his success has been well deserved. His other business enterprises have also prospered. He has acquired extensive real estate holdings in Cass township and Minersville, and is a stockholder in the Union National Bank at Minersville ; besides he is a member of the Log Mountain Coal Company, whose property is located in Bell county, Ky., and has proved a valuable investment. Mr. Lynch has always used his influence to further the best interests of his home community,
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and his activities in this respect are recognized and appreciated by his fellow citizens. He holds membership in the Foresters of America and the Improved Order of Red Men, and his religious connection is with the Lutheran Church at Minersville. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
On April 30, 1897, Mr. Lynch married Margaret Jane Moore, daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Gilgour) Moore. Her father, who was a fire boss at the Phoenix colliery, No. 3, in Cass township, died July 23, 1914. Her mother, a native of Philadelphia, has lived in Cass township from early life, being still a resident of Forestville. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have two daughters, Ahna A., who is attending the Minersville high school, class of 1917; and Eleanor I., who attends the Cass township high school, at Forestville.
George Washington McClure, maternal grandfather of John W. Lynch, lived and died in Branch township, near Phoenix Park No. 2. He owned a team and hauled timber for the collieries. He and his wife, Catherine (Rays- ter), who also died in Branch township, are buried there in the Clouser cemetery. We have the following record of their children: Amelia married Capt. John Williams, who served as a captain in the Civil war from Schuylkill county, Pa .; Catherine was the wife of Abraham Lynch; Utica died young ; Clara married William Shultz: Matilda died unmarried : John, who served three years in the Civil war (he was in the battle of Gettysburg), was killed in the mines at the Wadlinger colliery, in Cass township; Amos also met his death in the mines, at the Woodside, in Cass township; Elijah, who died in 1907, in Branch township, married Kate Bradley, and now resides at Miners- ville. The McClure family has been established in America from the early days, and the ancestor of George W. McClure served on the side of the Colonies during the Revolution.
DAVID G. SMITH withdrew from active association with business a few years ago and is enjoying himself in comfortable leisure after an honorable and busy career. For several years he took a hand in the municipal govern- ment of his town, Pottsville, serving as a member of the borough council, and he has always been a citizen who could be relied upon for cooperation in movements looking to the advancement of his community. He is a native of Lebanon county, Pa., where his father, David Smith, was a well known farmer for many years, eventually removing to Jonestown, that county, where he resided until his death. He married Lydia Gerberich, daughter of George Gerberich and member of a prominent Lebanon county family. Among their children were Amanda, Rebecca, David G. and Ellen. The last named married Moses F. Arndt, son of John Arndt and one of the leading men of Jonestown, Lebanon Co., Pa., engaged in the tanning business, and also vice president of the Jonestown Bank.
David G. Smith was born Aug. 15, 1846, in Monroe Valley, and attended public school in his native county. He gained an excellent education and taught school during his young manhood, his first engagement being at Schneck, in Washington township, Schuylkill county, where he taught both German and English. He was next at the Conrad school, where all of the instruction was in English. Meantime he continued his studies, attending summer school at Mount Joy Academy, in Lancaster county, at Annville, Lebanon county, and New Berlin, Pa., as well as other places. For five terms he taught in Lebanon county and then turned his attention to business, buying out the general store of John Phillips, at Monroe Valley. After two years at that location he went
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to Ono, Lebanon county, where he was also established for two years, was subsequently at Jonestown for a few months, and in 1872 came to Schuylkill county and took the position of clerk with George E. Hoffman, at Cressona. He remained in Mr. Hoffman's employ for ten months and then engaged in business on his own account at Pottsville, his first store being at the corner of Eleventh and Markets streets, where he did business for four years. At the end of that time he purchased the corner property at Twelfth and Market streets, where he was established until his retirement, building up a large trade as a first-class grocer. Mr. Smith was noted throughout his career for prompt attention to all his business obligations and reliability in all the relations of life, and he always had the confidence and respect of his patrons and em- ployees. The esteem of his fellow citizens was substantially expressed in his election to the borough council, of which he was a member for four years, giving the efficient service which had been expected of him. Politically lie has been associated with the Republican party. He retired from business in April, 1908.
In August, 1869, Mr. Smith was married to Sarah K. Moyer, daughter of Martin and Mary (Kreider) Moyer, of Lebanon county, who had a large family, only three of whom survive, namely: Fannie, widow of John Ebersole; Daniel, retired, who lives near Annville; and Mrs. David G. Smith. Martin Moyer, the father, was a large landowner near Annville, Lebanon county, and also had valuable limestone quarries. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one child, Lillian M., who married Otto Shuman, and after his death became the wife of Dr. J. G. Kramer, a well known physician of Pottsville, who has his office at Fourth and Market streets. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reside at No. 1124 West Market street. They are members of the First Methodist Church of Pottsville, and he belongs to the P. O. S. of A. He has many friends in the borough and a wide acquaintanceship throughout this section of Schuylkill county.
LYMAN D. HEIM, M. D., of Schuylkill Haven, a physician of high stand- ing in his section of Schuylkill county, belongs to one of the oldest families in this portion of Pennsylvania and numerously represented here from Colonial days.
This branch of the Heim family is descended from George Heim, one of three brothers from Wurtemberg, Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania on their arrival in America-John in Berks county, Andoni (or Andrew) in Buffalo valley and George in the Mahantango valley, in that section now em- braced in Schuylkill county. He is buried at Klingerstown, in Schuylkill county, his grave being in a garden, but unfortunately it has no marking. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and education, was one of the early schoolmasters of that region, and also followed surveying, doing all the surveying required in his section at that time. He purchased considerable land from the Indians, over which there was subsequently litigation with the Penns, they claiming title. Heim had a large strip of land which extended from the Himmel Church in the direction of Klingerstown. He resolutely opposed the window tax imposed by the English crown upon the pioneers during the Colo- nial days. He probably was single when he came to America. His wife, however, was of foreign extraction, being of Irish stock. They had among others these children: John, George, Paul (had a son Paul), Peter and Matthias.
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John Heim, son of George, was born in 1756, in Upper Mahanoy, Northum- berland county, and died in 1824, aged sixty-eight years. He is buried at Klingerstown, in a garden. He was a prominent schoolmaster of his day, and also followed farming, having considerable land. He was a leading and respected member of the community, doing all the writing and similar business for his section. In 1790 the Federal census records him as a resident of that section of Berks county now embraced in Schuylkill county, in the Upper Mahantango valley, in which Klingerstown is now located. He then had four sons-all under sixteen years of age-and two daughters. He was twice mar- ried, and by his first union had seven children (another account says he had seven sons and one daughter by his first wife). His second wife was Sophia Kohl, who remarried after his death, and died about 1863, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years ; she is buried at St. John's Church, in Upper Mahanoy town- ship, Northumberland county. Eight children were born to this union, namely : Molly married Peter Beisel : Christina married a Straub; John, a carpenter, located in Richfield, Snyder Co., Pa .; George lived in Schuylkill county, Pa .; Rev. William was an Evangelical preacher (he had an only daughter, Sallie, who married Dr. Hensyl, of Howard, Pa.) ; Peter lived at Watsontown, Pa. (he had a son John, who is deceased, and three daughters) ; Daniel married Mary Hornberger ; Jonathan, who located in the West, had a large family, now located in Iowa and Indiana.
George Heim, grandfather of Dr. Lyman D. Heim, was born in South Man- heim township, Schuylkill county, and always lived there, following farming. He died at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife, Susanna (Lutz), daugh- ter of John Lutz, lived to the age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Heim are buried at the Summer Hill Church. They had children are follows : Mary, wife of Daniel Reber ; George L. ; Susanna, wife of Daniel Warmkessel; Caro- line, deceased ; and Joel, who lives in South Manheim township.
George L. Heim, son of George and Susanna (Lutz) Heim, was born in South Manheim township May 24, 1842, and died Nov. 22, 1903. He is buried in the Summer Hill cemetery in his native township. Mr. Heim was reared to farming, and in his youth hired out to his uncle Daniel for some time. Eventually he became engaged in farming on his own account on the William J. Berkheiser property, and in 1899 bought that fine property con- sisting of 128 acres, one mile west of Landingville, which he cultivated until his death. He married Lucy Ann Berkheiser, daughter of William J. and Esther (Bressler) Berkheiser, and they became the parents of seven children, viz .: Alvin W., Willoughby F., Emma A. (Mrs. George Gangloff ), Oscar A., Minnie E. (who lives at home), Lyman D. and George F. ( who lives at home, managing the farm for his mother).
Lyman D. Heim was born Feb. 14. 1877, at Landingville, where he was reared. His education was begun in the public schools of the home district and his early training was well supplemented by a course at the Kutztown State Normal School. He taught school for one term in South Manheim township before taking up the study of medicine, which he began under the tuition of the late Dr. Dechert, of Schuylkill Haven. Later he entered Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1902, since when he has been established in practice at Schuylkill Haven. He has been a busy man throughout his career, his personal qualities combining with efficient attention to his patrons to gain him wide popularity, and his reputation among physi- cians, as well as with the laity, is irreproachable. He is a member of the
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Schuylkill County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, and he also holds mem- bership in the Royal Arcanum. In all the relations of life he measures up to a high standard of manhood and citizenship set up by his worthy ancestors.
Dr. Heim married Annie Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson, and they have two children, Emeline and Hugh.
EDWARD CHARLES BROBST, at present serving as county commis- sioner of Schuylkill county, was a business man of Shenandoah up to the time he entered upon the duties of that office, to which he is now giving practically all of his attention. As a successful groceryman, he was one of the leading merchants of his town for almost thirty years, and his business talents were considered sufficient assurance by his fellow citizens that he would make an able public servant. His record has justified the confidence that they showed in him when he was elected to the office by a large majority.
The Brobst family is of old Berks county stock. From the Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XVII, pp. 75-77-81, it is learned that one Hans Michael Brobst (or Probst) and his family emigrated from Switzerland or Germany on the ship "Samuel," which qualified at Philadelphia Aug. 17, 1733. This family was listed as follows: Michael Probst, aged fifty-four; Johan Michael, aged twenty-one; Barbara Brospts, aged fifty-three; and Barbara Brospts, aged eight.
In 1759, in Albany township, Michael Brobst was tax collector, and on the list of taxes were: Michael Brobst, fourteen pounds (or $37.24) ; Martin Brobst, fourteen pounds (or $37.24) ; and Valentine Brobst, sixteen pounds (or $42.56). These amounts were reckoned by allowing $2.66 United States money for a Pennsylvania pound.
The will of Martin Brobst, of Albany township, was probated June 9, 1766, and Anna Elizabeth Brobst was named as executrix. This document is in German script, and mentions several children.
According to various accounts the early home of this family was in Wur- temberg or Lower Saxony, Germany, and Philip Brobst and his wife Cerine came to this country in 1720 from Germany or Switzerland. He settled in what is now Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., and there followed his trade of potter in connection with farming, the latter of necessity engrossing most of his time. He had three sons, Martin, Michael and Valentine, and three daughters. who married respectively N. Kutz, C. Hechler and J. Fetteroff or Fetherolff. The will of Philip Brobst, made in 1747, and probated March 21, 1760, made provision for his children as follows : Michael, one hundred acres of land and a good gristmill belonging thereto; Martin, a tract of fifty acres and a good new gristmill; Valentine, his just portion of the estate; Eva Catharine, fifty pounds in money ; and Dorothy (wife of Johannes Fetherolff), fifty pounds in money. Michael and Martin each built for himself a mill in the same neigh- borhood. They were all devout believers in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.
"In 1740 Parson Muhlenberg gave them a small tract of land on which the three brothers, with the assistance of some new settlers, built a church and school-house which is occupied from that day to this for the worship of God, by the name of 'Allimingle Church.'" Michael Brobst's wife was Elizabeth Albright.
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Valentine Brobst, mentioned above as son of Philip and Cerine, emigrated with his brothers from the Old World. He lived in Reading for some years, and tradition says for a time in Albany township, where his brothers, Michael and Martin, were also large landowners, as indicated by the amount of taxes paid. The Christian name of Valentine's wife was Catharine. He died prior to 1775, and his wife in 1775. The executors of the will of Valentine Brobst were Frederick Hill, a brother-in-law, and Henry Brobst, a brother's son. Among the items were: "Cath. Snyder, my aforesaid wife's sister's daughter, shall have fifty pounds ; Jacob Brobst shall have the plantation I bought from Jacob Gortner (Jacob was a son of Michael, the latter a brother of Valentine) ; Catharine Stine (daughter of Martin, another brother of Valentine) shall have fifty pounds; my sister Dorothy married to Johannes Fetherolff shall have fifty pounds." The witnesses to the will were: Philip Staumbog, George Kistler and Matthias Brobst. The will of Catharine, widow of Valentine Brobst, is on record in Will Book 2, p. 236. Like his brothers, Valentine Brobst engaged in farming and milling. Among his children were Valentine (2) and Martin, of whom the latter removed to Catawissa, Pennsylvania.
Christian Brobst, grandfather of Edward C. Brobst, lived for a time in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged in business. By trade he was a harnessmaker. Moving thence to Pottsville, he was engaged in business there for several years, and put up the first buildings on Centre street- what is now the property of the Mortimers ; he owned this land back to Centre street. He was a man of recognized ability, was chosen commissioner of Schuylkill county back in 1817, at which time Orwigsburg was the county seat, and was one of the energetic figures in the life of his day. He had served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Philadelphia, and took an active part in the work of the Evangelical Church, to which he belonged. In fact, he crowded much usefulness into a comparatively short life, for he died at Pottsville when forty-one years old. He was interred in the old Centre street burial ground there. Mr. Brobst married Sarah Zoll, of Orwigsburg, daughter of Jacob Zoll, who built the first iron works in Pottsville. She died two years after her husband. The following children were born to this union : Peramus, who married Mary Yeager, died in Pottsville : Mary married Michael McBride and died at the age of ninety-one years, in Sullivan county, Pa. ; Catherine, Mrs. Brewer, went to Minnesota, where her husband became a mail carrier, and on his third trip home was frozen and starved to death ; Benewell was drowned in the canal at Pottstown, Pa., when a young man; George died young; Annetta married Daniel Yeager, of Reading, and died at the age of eighty-three years, at No. 805 North Norwegian street ; Casper married Tamsen Stichter.
Casper Brobst, father of Edward C. Brobst, was born at Orwigsburg, and like his father never reached his prime, dying at the age of forty-two years. He learned the business of saddler with his father, for a time conducted a boarding stable for horses at Pottsville, and was afterwards variously engaged until his death. He served in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting from Pottsville. By his marriage to Tamsen Stichter, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca Stichter, he had five children, namely: Emma, deceased, wife of Henry Warnick: Sarah, deceased, wife of Howard Jones, of Philadelphia ; Edward Charles ; Cassilda, wife of John M. Bock, living at Shenandoah ; and Annie, married to Morton Knox, of Pottstown, Pa. The mother of this family died
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at the age of forty-one years. The father was a Baptist in religious connec- tion. He is buried in the Presbyterian Church at Pottsville.
Edward Charles Brobst was born Oct. 31, 1858, in Pottsville, and had common school advantages there, up to the age of nine attending throughout the school year. He then took employment in the mines during summer, con- tinuing his schooling during the winter season at William Penn, Schuylkill county. After doing work about the mines for seven years he began clerking for Thomas Bedford, in whose employ he remained three years, changing to work for Charles Bowman in a similar capacity. He was in Mr. Bowman's grocery store for ten years before engaging in business on his own account, in 1884. He began in a rented store at the corner of Jardin and Centre streets, Shenandoah, and the location proving satisfactory he purchased it in time, and continued there as long as he carried on the business, building up a fine trade. In 1910 he erected a fine up-to-date building on that site, a substantial three- story structure, which is a credit to the town and an indication of the pros- perity which marked his career. Mr. Brobst conducted the grocery business until Jan. 1, 1912, when, having been elected county commissioner by a large majority, he gave up the business to devote himself to his new responsibilities. He has served as a member of the board of health of Shenandoah. Politically he is a Republican, and an influential worker for the success of his party in this region. Socially he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Masons, in the latter connection holding membership in Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511, F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1911; in Mizpah Chapter, No. 252, of Mahanoy City ; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 31, K. T., of Mahanoy City; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. He also belongs to the B. P. O. Elks lodge at Shenandoah.
Mr. Brobst married Annie Thomas, daughter of John Thomas, of Miners- ville, Pa., and five children have been born to them: Charles, now carrying on the grocery business at Shenandoah, is married to Jessie Loucks; Eily is at home ; Florence graduated from the Shenandoah high school in June, 1914, and later from the college at Lutherville, Md .; George is attending Wyoming ( Pa. ) seminary ; Margaret is at school. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY B. ZULICH, late of Schuylkill Haven, was a familiar figure in and around that borough for many years, in his capacity of superintendent for the Schuylkill Navigation Company at this point becoming well known to the majority of his fellow citizens. His executive ability and upright character made him a valuable employee of the company in whose service most of his mature life was spent. Aside from that connection he was principally inter- ested in the work of the Reformed Church, belonging to St. John's congregation, in which he was active for many years.
The Zulich family is well known in southern Schuylkill county. It was founded in America by John Zulich, grandfather of Henry B. Zulich, who came from Germany and landed at Baltimore, Md., where he settled. Of his five children three died young, the two who reached maturity being Godfrey B. and Anthony. Godfrey B. Zulich was born at Baltimore, on the site where Fort McHenry is now located, June 22, 1802, the night his parents arrived there after their voyage from Germany.
Anthony Zulich, son of John, removed to Philadelphia, where he lived for some time, later settling at Easton, Pa., where he died. He married Jane
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Cummings, of Philadelphia, who was a member of the Quaker family of that name, and to them were born the following children: Anna was the wife of William Guild, of Newark, N. J .; Mary married Thomas Rinek; Myer C., now living in Newark, N. J., attained the dignity of governor of Arizona ; Henry B. is mentioned below; Charles is deceased; William H. is deceased ; Thomas is deceased ; Dr. Morton completes the family.
Henry B. Zulich was born Dec. 15, 1832, in Philadelphia, and received an excellent education, attending Lafayette College at Easton. When a young man he came to Schuylkill Haven, where he soon found employment with the Schuylkill Navigation Company, and in a short time he had won recognition which gained him promotion to the position of superintendent. He continued to fill this responsible position until his death, which occurred in January, 1898. Mr. Zulich became very well known in this section and was especially popular with children, with whom he was always on terms of the greatest friendship. This interest was shown in his connection with Sunday school work, for which he was well fitted by nature, filling the office of superintendent of the Sunday school of St. John's Reformed Church for many years. He was an earnest member of that church and always concerned for its welfare.
In 1858 Mr. Zulich married Emma R. Hesser, who was born Aug. 22, 1840, daughter of the late Capt. Henry B. Hesser, and a large family blessed this union, namely : Samuel M., born July 4, 1859, is deceased ; William, born Sept. 30, 1860, is an attorney at law, practicing in Ohio ; Henry Hesser, born Aug. 9, 1862, is cashier of the Ringtown National Bank, in Schuylkill county ; Jennie M., born Oct. 19, 1863, is at home; Ellen S., born July 23, 1865, is deceased ; Albert A., born Sept. 16, 1867, is deceased; Elizabeth S., born April 27, 1869, is at home; Anna M., born Jan. 9, 1871, married William Abbott, of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; John G. K. was born Jan. 23, 1874; Ollie, born Feb. 5, 1876, is deceased ; Thomas Renek, born June 7, 1878, is located in New Jersey ; Persey, born May 14, 1882, is deceased. The mother of this family is still a resident of Schuyl- kill Haven, where she is well known and held in the highest esteem.
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