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 40
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Mr. Miller married Mary A. Rice, daughter of George Rice, who lived at Minersville, Pa., later moving to William Penn, near Shenandoah, where he was employed by the Reading Company. He died there. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: Charles is deceased; Richard E., Jr., is assisting his father in business (he is a Mason, belonging to Caldwell Con- sistory, at Bloomsburg, Pa., and to the Shrine at Reading) ; Howard is in the bakery business at Tamaqua (he is also a Mason) ; Prof. Heber is a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa., and now superintendent of public schools at Lansford, Pa .; Ralph Samuel is in the government employ at Washington, D. C. (he is also a Mason) ; Harrison is superintendent for a company at Hauto, Carbon Co., Pa .; Arthur, William and Mary are at home; Allen is deceased. In religious connection the family are Lutherans. Mr. Miller is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Summit Hill, Carbon county.
JOHN M. HARRIS, of Tamaqua, editor and proprietor of the Tamaqua Evening Courier, has found his life work in the conduct of that journal, with which the family has been associated for over forty years.
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The Harrises are of English extraction. John F. Harris, grandfather of John M. Harris, was born in Devonshire in 1823, and lived in his native country until after his marriage, coming to the United States in 1859. He spent the remainder of his life in Schuylkill county, Pa., first locating in the vicinity of Mahanoy City, where he lived for a number of years, and in 1874 removing to Frackville, where he subsequently made his home. In England he had been a rock miner and contractor, and continued in practically the same line in this country, following mining. Though he was never actively associated with public affairs he took a keen interest in their progress. His convictions led him to support the Republican party, and when the Labor Reform party came into existence he followed its fortunes eagerly, its prin- ciples appealing to him, but he could never be prevailed upon to become a candidate for office. Mr. Harris married Mary A. Greening, daughter of George Greening, a native of Devonshire, England, and they became the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter.
Robert Harris, son of John F. and Mary A. (Greening) Harris, was born June 1, 1854, at Plymouth, Devonshire, England, and there passed his early years. His mother and the children did not join the father in America until 1869. Meantime, in 1862, he was apprenticed to the printer's trade, at which he served two years in England. When he came to this country he found work at his trade with the Mahanoy Gasette, finishing his trade in that office in November, 1871. That year he came to Tamaqua and commenced his association with the Courier as foreman for Eveland & Shiffert, the owners and editors at that time, who published the paper as a weekly under the name of the Saturday Courier. In February, 1872, he purchased Mr. Shiffert's interest, becoming a partner with Daniel M. Eveland in the ownership of the paper, and six years later he bought Mr. Eveland's interest therein, being sole owner thereafter until his death, which occurred when he was in his prime, Jan. 14, 1896. Mr. Harris's business ability was well evidenced in his com- petent management of the Courier, which gained steadily in popularity and circulation during his ownership, and his clear intellect showed itself in his vigorous editorials, which were looked up to as a guiding influence in many quarters. His estimable personality and unimpeachable integrity made him trusted wherever known, and his insight regarding current conditions was so well recognized that he was considered an authority by his fellow citizens in Schuylkill county. Though he did not seek office he never evaded the respon- sibility of securing good government in his locality, and he served four terms in succession on the school board, doing highly acceptable work. He was a prominent member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Tamaqua, helonging to Tamaqua Castle, No. 68, of which he was the first presiding officer; for five years he was its representative at the Grand Castle, and he was master of the historical records until December, 1892.
On May 1, 1874, Mr. Harris married Sophia M. Myers, who survives him. Her father, Marcus Myers, was a native of Bavaria, Germany. Of the children born to this union four reached maturity, two sons and two daughters, namely : Marie A. is a public school teacher ; Ray F. is the wife of Edward C. Hillegas, of Tamaqua ; Robert H. and John M. are engaged in the conduct of the Courier, the former as solicitor and collecter.
John M. Harris was born May 4, 1878, at Tamaqua, where he has spent all his life. His education was received in the public schools of the borough, and he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Courier, becoming so
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thoroughly familiar with the operation and requirements of the business that when his father died he at once assumed its responsibilities, although he was only in his eighteenth year at the time. It was published as a semi-weekly until 1899, when he began to issue it tri-weekly, and since June 1, 1900, it has been a daily. For a number of years it has carried over two thousand names on the subscription list, and during the year of the big strike the circulation reached 2,400. As it is the only daily between Mauch Chunk and Pottsville its patrons are not confined to the local field. Mr. Harris has evidently inherited his father's gifts as an editor and manager, and it is saying much to record that though he was a mere youth when he undertook the publication of the Courier he kept it going on a successful basis-a forecast of the pluck and self-reliance which are still characteristic of him.
The Evening Courier is really the legitimate successor of the first news- paper established at Tamaqua, the Legion, founded in 1849 by J. M. and D. C. Reinhart. In 1855 it became the Tamaqua Gasette, and two years later the Tamaqua Anthracite Gasette, whose publication was suspended for two months in 1861, in which year it was sold to R. N. Leyburn. He changed the name to the Anthracite Journal, and when he enlisted in the army the next year its publication was undertaken by Fry & Jones during his absence at the front. Later it was bought by the Monitor Publishing Company and appeared under the management of Albert Leyburn as the Saturday Courier until sold again, in the early seventies, to Eveland & Shiffert. About that time Robert Harris became connected with the paper, succeeding Mr. Shiffert, and it was con- tinued by Eveland & Harris as the Tamaqua Courier until 1875, when the Anthracite Monitor was merged with it, the latter a labor journal which had been established in 1871 and was well received in the community. "Through various evolutions, the Monitor conveyed title to the old Legion, and thus the Courier became the oldest paper in the town," where it was then the only one. After Mr. Eveland's retirement, in 1878, the firm was Harris & Zeller until 1881, after which Robert Harris was sole proprietor until his death. Except for a few months when Mr. Harris attempted its daily publication the Courier was issued weekly until 1893, when he began publishing it twice a week, and it was changed to a tri-weekly and then to a daily under the present editor, John M. Harris. It is independent in politics.
ALEXANDER SCOTT, late of Frackville, was the leading merchant of that borough throughout the most important period of its development, in which, indeed, he was an influential factor. The enterprise which brought about the expansion of his own business had also far-reaching results in its effect on the general prosperity, and he was always looked to for progressive action in local affairs. His activities covered all of the territory in this section of Schuylkill county and were not confined to any one branch of trade, his uniform success in the diverse interests which engaged him betokening a rare gift for management and unusual insight into business principles.
Mr. Scott was a member of a respected Schuylkill county family, being a son of George and Agnes Scott. His father, during his latter years a mer- chant at Glen Carbon, this county, was one of the best known men in the coal fields here, where his long and varied experience brought him into contact with hundreds of colliery employes. He was the first of this family to come to America, his father. John Scott, following him. The latter was a native of the County of Northumberland, England, and was a miner by occupation,
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finding work in that capacity at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He died at Germantown, near Ashland, where he is buried. By his marriage to Ann Shatton John Scott had four children: Robert, who died at Minersville, Pa .; George; James, who died at Mount Carmel, Pa .; and John, who died at Locust Gap, Pennsylvania.
George Scott, son of John and Ann (Shatton) Scott, was born July 5, 1817, in the County of Northumberland, England, and spent his early life in that country, coming to the United States in the year 1837. He settled at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and like his father was a miner. His skill brought him responsible work and an enviable reputation. From Mine Hill Gap he removed to Heckscherville and thence to Llewellyn, this county, at the latter place becoming inside foreman for Marcus Heilner in 1850. After two years there he was changed to Coal Castle, as inside foreman for two years, and then became superintendent for Mr. Heilner, holding that position until 1860. He was engaged during the following year at the Beaverdale colliery, and subsequently for two years at the Hazel Dell colliery, Centralia, from the latter place going to Yorktown, Carbon county, to take the position of superin- tendent of mines for George K. Smith & Co. Later for about five years he was superintendent for Heckscher & Co., at Heckscherville, transferring to the Otto colliery, where he was inside foreman for a period of nine years. During the two years following he was at the Beachwood colliery, at Mount Laffer, this county, at the end of that time retiring from mine work. There- after he was in the mercantile business, having a general store at Glen Carbon to the close of his life. He passed away Aug. 17, 1884. His wife, Agnes (Govan), born May 23, 1825, in Ayrshire, Scotland, died May 29, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had a large family, namely: John G., born Nov. 25, 1844, is now living at Girardville, Schuylkill county; Jane, born June 28, 1846, died July 4, 1846; Alexander, born April 16, 1848, died April 8, 1915; George, born Dec. 15, 1850, is a coal operator in Center county, Pa., living at Philipsburg ; James G., born Dec. 24, 1852, is living at Minersville, this county ; Jane Ann, born April 26, 1855, died Feb. 13, 1907; Agnes G., born Aug. 23, 1857, is the widow of Richard Moore and lives at Alden Station, Luzerne Co., Pa .; Win- field W., born Nov. 13, 1857, died June 27, 1910; Grace, born Oct. 4, 1861, died Oct. 15, 1861 ; Annie S., born Aug. 2, 1863, is living at Girardville, Pa. (she formerly made her home with her brother, Alexander) ; Hannah Deiter, born April 1, 1866, died Oct. 28, 1908.
Alexander Scott, the second son of the above family, was born April 16, 1848, and was associated during almost all of his active and successful career with Schuylkill county and her enterprises. He made his home at Frackville, where he conducted the principal general store and also carried on the grain and hay business, being president of the Scott Grain & Hay Company. A branch of the general store was located at Gilberton, this county. In 1890 he bought the interest of C. H. Haeseler in the shoe firm of Kepner, Haeseler & Co., of Orwigsburg, and the firm became Kepner, Scott & Co., under which style the business was continued until it was incorporated as the Kepner Scott Shoe Company. They had a three-story frame factory 40 by 90 feet in dimensions, well equipped in every department, and a large operative and sell- ing force was occupied in the production and disposal of the goods, which were in popular demand wherever known. They were marketed chiefly in the Southern and Western States. Mr. Kepner was president of the business until
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his death, March 24, 1913, after which Mr. Scott filled the office during the remainder of his life.
Many other equally important undertakings claimed his attention. He had coal mining investments at Minersville, and was interested with other substan- tial citizens of Schuylkill and adjoining counties in the lumber industry in the South, being president of the Scott Lumber Company. He was a director of the First National Bank of Frackville and of the Merchants' National Bank of Shenandoah, and connected as a director or in an executive capacity with other enterprises. Mr. Scott's prominence was not limited to his association with business affairs. He was a zealous politician, having on more than one occasion attended national conventions as delegate. He served as sheriff of Schuylkill county for one term, being elected in 1894 and holding office in 1895-96-97. Socially he was well known in the Masonie fraternity, belonging to Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., at Tremont; to the Chapter; and to Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville. But the power of his means and position were only one feature of the influence he possessed among his associates. Far more to him and to his family was the high regard in which he was held for his personal qualities, for his unselfish citizenship, his ungrudging friendship, his helpfulness to those less fortunate than him- self, and an exemplary domestic life. It was for these that the grief mani- fested at his death was so universal. He died April 8, 1915, after an attack of pneumonia, at his home in Frackville.
Mr. Seott is survived by his wife, Elizabeth A., and two sons, Harry B. and Robert S., of Frackville, and one daughter, Mrs. W. R. Trautman. There are also four grandehildren.
The sons Robert S. and Harry B. Scott are now conducting the mercantile business at Frackville which their father established and carried on until his death. They have the largest and best stocked general store in their section of Schuylkill county, and are operating it in accordance with the high stand- ards set up by the original owner.
JOHN G. SCOTT, brother of Alexander Scott, was born at Mine Hill Gap Nov. 25, 1844, and is now a resident of Girardville, this county. He became a reliable stationary engineer, and after some work at the mines in that eapac- ity was intrusted with an executive position at the mines, being outside fore- man for twelve years, at the Courier colliery and the workings of Lantz, Lillie & Co., at Park Place, this county. Then for two years he was engaged as superintendent for the Buck Mountain Coal Company, in Schuylkill county ; was next superintendent for the York Farm colliery for a similar period; of the Sidney Coal Company, of Maizeville, this county, one year; and of the Ebervale Coal Company for six years, in charge of three collieries. His next location was at Girardville, this county, where he was with the W. R. MeTurk Coal Company for nine months. After several years' experience as traveling salesman for a Philadelphia and New York City house he turned his attention to the manufacturing business which he has since operated so successfully. On Dec. 31, 1907, he obtained the patent for the Scott Rivetless Transmission Manila Rope Socket, his own invention, for which he has created a wide market by judicious salesmanship with a most desirable product.
Mr. Scott has been twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth (Briggs), a native of England, born Dec. 14, 1848, died Jan. 29, 1879, the mother of four children : George, who is a resident of Minersville, Pa .; Mary Jane, married to George Johnson and living in Philadelphia; Thomas, also of Philadelphia ;
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and Robert G., who died in infancy. Mr. Scott's second marriage was to Mar- garet A. Griffith, of Tamaqua, Pa., born Dec. 3, 1852, by whom he had three sons : Winfield W., now of Tamaqua; Alexander H., deceased ; and John G., an artist, of Philadelphia.
WERTLEY. Of the many engaged in the various building trades in Potts- ville probably none are better represented in local construction work than the Wertleys. Their part in the development of the town architecturally has been a considerable one, as the number of residences and business houses bearing the stamp of their workmanship shows. The business of Walter Wertley's Sons was founded over twenty years ago by the late Walter Wertley, and has grown to such proportions that eight men are now employed regularly in the work they handle directly, some of their contracts being sublet when more conveniently taken care of in that manner. The history of the Wertleys in the three genera- tions they have been settled in Schuylkill county has been one of industry and good citizenship.
George Wertley, grandfather of the three brothers who became associated in business as Walter Wertley's Sons, came to this country from Germany when a young man, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., for many years living at Schuylkill Haven. He was a baker, and followed his trade there a number of years, eventually engaging in the business at that place on his own account. In connection he also conducted a hotel. He was a man of energetic char- acter, and was active until his death, which occurred in middle age. His fam- ily consisted of the following children: Dorothy, Sarah, Ellen, Mary, George, Henrietta and Walter.
WALTER WERTLEY was born at Schuylkill Haven June 13, 1851. In his early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade with a Mr. Kreamer, at Miners- ville, this county, and he continued to work along that line as a journeyman until 1891. That year he established himself in Pottsville, where he became a leading business man, although he retired fifteen years afterwards. He conducted a planing mill, and became extensively engaged as a contractor and builder, the various branches of his business working together so harmoniously that one was an aid to the other, rather than an extra line demanding more attention. By steady application he accomplished much, and many of the best residences in the city were built by him, so readily did he find his place among the contractors whose services were in constant demand. Among the buildings he erected we may mention the residences of Paul Sheafer, Superintendent Hundon, Barton Cullum, John Wilcock, Willing Rettig and Mrs. Rettig; a block of houses for the Rettig Brewing Company ; and Mr. Wertley's own home at No. 914 West Market street. He retired in 1906, selling the business to his sons Wellington A., Harry F. and George H. Wertley, who continued it as Walter Wertley's Sons. Walter Wertley was a prominent member of the Pottsville Building & Loan Association and retained that connection after his retirement from the building business until his death, which occurred Sept. 9. 1913. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. His loss was regarded with general regret in Pottsville, where his worthy character had attracted many friends who esteemed him highly. He was particularly interested in the history of Schuylkill county and made himself very familiar with the sub- ject. Being fond of sports and outdoor life generally, he found much enjoy- ment in hunting and fishing, and he traveled extensively all over America, especially in the West and South. In 1912 he made a trip to Panama. He
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was a member of the local lodge of B. P. O. Elks, No. 207, and also belonged to the Episcopal Church, his wife holding membership in the same congregation.
Mr. Wertley married Lindin Augusta Bush, who was born May 22, 1852, in Minersville, Schuylkill county, and they became the parents of four chil- dren, three sons and one daughter: Wellington A., Harry F., George H. and Ida L. The daughter is the wife of Charles H. Leaman, a native of Reading, Pa., now a resident of Pottsville, where he is engaged in the knitting business. Mr. and Mrs. Leaman reside in the old Wertley home there.
WELLINGTON A. WERTLEY, eldest son of Walter Wertley, was born in May, 1870, at Minersville, Schuylkill county, and attended school at that place and in Pottsville. When a boy he began work at the mines, but followed it only two years, returning to school at Minersville for a short time. Com- ing to Pottsville he was employed for about six months in a cigar box factory, afterwards worked four months in a wheelwright shop, and then "found his gait" in the planing mill business, in which he was interested ever after. When he began contracting and building in addition he formed the association with his brothers in which he remained until his recent death, in February, 1915, doing a highly successful mill and lumber business as well. The mill is situated at Twelfth and Arch streets, Pottsville. Wellington A. Wertley was outside man for the firm, and among the numerous buildings they erected are the business place of John J. Royal, wholesale grocer, on Centre street, the Twelfth street schoolhouse, the public school at Minersville and the Pottsville armory, all structures costing forty thousand dollars or over; thirty of the eighty houses on Greenwood Hill, Pottsville; a block for N. C. Morrison ; an apartment house for Ben Troutman ; as well as many others. For themselves they built a row of houses on Market street, between Seventeenth and Eight- eenth streets, which are rented. The substantial structures erected by this firm, adequate and of appropriate architecture, and the large proportion of local construction intrusted to them, justifies their reputation as the leading contractors and builders in Pottsville. Upon his father's death Wellington A. Wertley was elected to succeed him as a director of the Pottsville Building & Loan Association. He was active in other concerns of the city, and a mem- ber of various social bodies, the B. P. O. Elks (Lodge No. 207), Knights of Malta, P. O. S. of A. and the West End Fire Company. His religious mem- bership was with the Episcopal Church. Everything affecting the welfare of his town enlisted his attention and ready sympathy, his influence in the promo- tion of all local projects being highly valued.
Mr. Wertley married Annie W. Greenwood, daughter of the late James Greenwood, of Pottsville, and they had four children: Walter, who is a plumber ; James, who is learning the carpenter's trade in the Wertley employ ; Robert; and Helen Louise.
HARRY F. WERTLEY, second son of Walter Wertley, was born at Miners- ville Jan. 17, 1873, and received his education at Pottsville, graduating from high school with the class of 1890. He joined his brothers in business. He married Sarah Violet Boltz, and their three children are Lindin A., Blanche V. and Ruth E.
GEORGE H. WERTLEY, youngest son of Walter Wertley, was born at Potts- ville April 9, 1876, and was reared and educated at his native place. He is married to Mary J. Glassmire, daughter of Frank W. Glassmire, and they reside at No. 1536 North Norwegian street. They have no family.
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HENRY BUSH, father of Mrs. Walter Wertley, was a native of Bristol, England, and was twenty years old when he came to America. Settling at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he passed the rest of his life there, following mining throughout his active years. His wife, Elizabeth Ann (Arkell), was born in England May 30, 1820, came to this county alone in 1849, and two days after her arrival was married to Mr. Bush. They had been sweethearts in England. She died at the age of fifty-six years. Children as follows were born to them: Harrison, Lindin A., Sarah J., Eliza, Ida Anna, William, Han- nah M., Lillian, Franklin and Jane.
CHARLES F. ALLEN, late of Tamaqua, was a busy factor in the devel- opment of that borough in his generation. As a man of large personal inter- ests he was keenly alive to the importance of her material growth, and at the same time exerted his influence in fostering social and municipal advancement, which he was able to assist in an appreciable degree. Gifted like his father with those qualities which win success, he used them well in the conduct of his own affairs and also in the furtherance of the broader activities which relate to the everyday existence of the whole community. The sum of his achievements makes a creditable chapter in the history of the borough.
The Allens are representative types of the sturdy New England stock, rugged of physique and vigorous of intellect, to which they belong. Hubbard Allen, the grandfather of Charles F. Allen, was born in 1803 at Rutland, Vt., and when yet a young man removed with his family to central New York, settling in Cayuga county, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1873. By trade he was a shoemaker. He had married before leaving Rutland, his wife's maiden name being Crowningshield, and they became the parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters. The father was a Democrat in his political views.
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