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 41
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Lucian H. Allen, son of Hubbard Allen, was born in Vermont in the year 1827, and passed his early life there and in Cayuga county, N. Y., whence he came to Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., in 1846. The last part of the trip, from the Schuylkill valley, was made on foot. John K. Smith had just opened and commenced the operation of his machine shops, and there young Allen shortly found employment. So rapid was his advancement that five years later he became associated with John and Richard Carter in the owner- ship of the same works, and he continued his connection with the remunera- tive foundry and machine business there carried on for many years. In 1858 William Carter, of Philadelphia, succeeded his uncle, and in 1868 Charles F. Shoener became a member of the firm. An incendiary fire on Dec. 9, 1873, the work of the Molly Maguires, destroyed the shops, which were then run- ning at full capacity, but they were at once rebuilt, on a much larger scale, the business having expanded steadily from the beginning. Soon afterwards, in 1875, Mr. Carter withdrew, the firm becoming Shoener & Allen, who continued it in partnership until 1880, when Mr. Allen, desirous of relinquishing the cares of the business, sold his interest to Mr. Shoener, making an amicable settlement. But he was not to be spared for long. The very same year the ownership of the plant reverted to Carter, Allen & Co., Mr. Allen being obliged to return to his responsibilities because his tact and experience were indispensable at the time, and thus the works were conducted until closed out, in 1886. Subsequently they were run by the Vulcan Iron Company, of Wil- liamsport, in which, however, Mr. Allen had no interest. They are closed
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now. Mr. Allen's conspicuous talent for business was supplemented by admir- able personal characteristics which made him esteemed and highly regarded wherever he went, and he was well known all over eastern and central Pennsyl- vania. But the extent of his interests never obscured his solicitude for his home town, and he kept in close touch with local public affairs and politics. National politics he always followed with zest, and he was a stanch Repub- lican in his convictions, though not always partisan when the issues at hand involved no sacrifice of principle. His death occurred in November, 1890.
Mr. Allen married Hannah Hudson, and three children were born to this union : Frank H., of Tamaqua, superintendent and executor of the Allen estate ; Charles F .; and Mary L.
Charles F. Allen was born Aug. 14, 1853, at Tamaqua, and began his edu- cation in the local public schools. Later he attended the Pennsylvania Mili- tary Academy, at West Chester, and after leaving school he learned the trade of machinist in his father's establishment, following it for a period of five years. In 1880 he took the position of bookkeeper with Carter, Allen & Co., and was so engaged until the plant was closed, in 1886, that year taking charge of his father's estate as executor and manager. He was a large owner of real estate in Tamaqua, and at the time of his death was devoting himself chiefly to its management, his holdings including some of the most desirable property in this section of the county. For a number of years he was the man- ager of the Allen Opera House, and when he died he was the owner of the "United States Hotel" in the borough. He passed away Nov. 7, 1915. Though he had retired from any arduous responsibility, his various interests made him an active figure in local business circles. Mr. Allen was always a sincere Republican and did good work in the county for his party, which hon- ored him with nomination for more than one important office. The confidence of his fellow citizens generally was well shown in his election as county auditor in 1890, for a term of three years, and as county commissioner in 1893; lie also served one term of three years in the latter position. His public services were marked by unselfish devotion to the best interests of Schuylkill county.
In 1877 Mr. Allen was married to Katie F. Boughner, daughter of John F. and Mary Boughner, of Tamaqua, and they had the following children : Hannah Mary is the wife of Peter Keilman, a leading shoe dealer of Tamaqua ; Bertha died when six years old; Frances L. is married to William L. Leopold, of Philadelphia, Pa .; Hubbard L., a railroad man, living in Tamaqua, married Mary E. P. Wall; Clara Bell is the wife of Clarence H. Evans, who is en- gaged in the lumber business at Tamaqua ; Maude A. and Charles H. are liv- ing at home; Frank B., who is in the electrical business at Tamaqua, married Sarah Mattern.
JEREMIAH KLINE, a resident of Schuylkill Haven for the last sixty years, is now living retired. He has had a long and intimate association with the social as well as business life of that borough. He followed the business of painter and decorator very successfully for half a century, and as a musician was in demand at private and public gatherings in the borough as long as he was actively engaged in that profession. Mr. Kline is a native of Berks county, Pa., born near Shoemakersville in May, 1841, son of Rev. Jacob Kline, one of the most noted ministers of his day in Schuylkill county. His grandfather lived at Centerport, Berks county, where he followed farming until his death. His children were: John, Benjamin, Stoffel, Rev. Jacob, and two daughters.
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REV. JACOB KLINE was born Aug. 24, 1805, near Centerport, Berks county, and moved to Schuylkill county in his early life, living first at Pottsville, after- wards at Schuylkill Haven. He was a self-made man, acquiring his education and preparing for the Reformed ministry entirely by his own efforts, and there was no more beloved minister in his day in Schuylkill county, few men enjoying a wider acquaintance or the friendship of more people in this section than "Father" Kline, as he was familiarly known. Among the charges he had in Schuylkill county were those of Minersville, Llewellyn, McKeansburg, Orwigs- burg and Schuylkill Haven, in connection with which he served the churches at Summer Hill and Friedensburg. He was elected pastor at Schuylkill Haven, his last charge, Oct. 22, 1854, and served until he resigned, Jan. 9, 1891, with undiminished popularity. His was one of the longest and most successful pastorates of that congregation. During his long service in the ministry he preached 3,250 regular sermons, conducted 1,298 funerals, baptized 3,750; confirmed 1,017, performed 810 marriages and administered to 12,537 com- municants.
On Nov. 4, 1826, Mr. Kline married Sophia Cook, and they lived to see their golden wedding anniversary, which was celebrated in their home on the corner of Main and Haven streets, Schuylkill Haven. Of the ten children born to this union, six died before the father, who passed away July 7, 1889. His living descendants at that time numbered two sons, two daughters, thirty- three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Eighteen ministers were in attendance at Mr. Kline's funeral services, and six of his ministerial brethren were honorary pallbearers. Sermons were preached in both English and German. We have mention of six of his family, namely : Israel, Jacob, Samuel, Jeremiah, Sarah (Mrs. William Auchenbach, living at Schuylkill Haven) and Rosie (who married Morton Bittle).
Jeremiah Kline came to Schuylkill Haven with his parents, and has lived here ever since. He learned the business of painter and decorator, which he followed in his home county from early manhood, retiring in 1911. For twenty-five years he was one of the best known figures in local musical circles, acting as organist of St. John's Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven for many years, as leader of the Schuylkill Haven band, and being also a very proficient teacher of music. He has also become well known in other relations in his part of the county, being a past master of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven. He is a Republican in politics, and was a Union sympathizer during the Civil war, serving during the emergency in 1863 in Captain Randall's company, of the 39th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Mr. Kline married Elizabeth Butz, daughter of Nathan Butz, mention of whose family will be found elsewhere. Mrs. Kline died in 1912 and is buried in the Union cemetery, at Schuylkill Haven. The following children were born to this union : Annie married Philip Shoen ; Elizabeth married C. E. Berger, a well known attorney in practice at the Schuylkill county bar; Laura is the wife of Thomas Selliman, of Pottsville, Pa .; Francis is in business as a decorator at Pottsville; Charles, a patternmaker, is settled at Philadelphia; Samuel, a painter, is also at Philadelphia ; Edward, decorator, is located at St. Louis, Mo .: Harry is deceased ; one son died in infancy. Mr. Kline resides on Main street.
ANDREW SELTZER KIMMEL, though one of the successful business men of Pottsville, belongs to the younger generation, yet he has already made a place for himself among the responsible men to whom the community looks
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to uphold her prosperity. He is a son of Jacob F. Kimmel and grandson of Andrew Kimmel, and belongs to a family which have been associated with the growth and development of Schuylkill county for many years.
Andrew Kimmel, the grandfather, was born in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and owned a large farm there, following agricultural pur- suits throughout his active days. Several years before his death he removed to Orwigsburg, this county, where he lived retired to the close of his life, at the age of seventy years. His wife, Esther ( Faust), also died at Orwigsburg. They were the parents of fifteen children, three of whom died in infancy, and we have the following record of the others : George married Susan Steiger- walt; Daniel married Sarah Marberger; John married Isabella Albright; Hettie married Thomas Whalen; Maria married Daniel Boyer ; Elizabeth mar- ried Christ Dieffenderfer; Jacob F. married Amanda Seltzer; Benjamin died at the age of twenty-four years; Andrew married Margaret Cavily; Lewis married Mary Grieff, and is the only one of this generation living ( he resides at Orwigsburg) ; Sarah married Daniel Thompson; Hannah married Israel Dreher.
Jacob F. Kimmel, son of Andrew, was born Jan. 24, 1840, at Kimmel's Church, Schuylkill county, and was brought up in West Brunswick township, receiving his education in the local public schools. Throughout his active life he was engaged in the cultivation of the homestead property, and he was also interested in other affairs in his vicinity, for thirty years acting as treasurer of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company. He served his township for several terms in the capacity of school director. Mr. Kimmel was a member of the Church of God, and always zealous in the promotion of its enterprises and generous in their support. The church of that denomination in West Bruns- wick township, known as Kimmel's Church, was so named in honor of the Kimmel family. On Feb. 7, 1867, at Reading, Pa., Mr. Kimmel was married to Amanda Seltzer, daughter of Michael and Mary (Fryer) Seltzer, and she survives him, making her home at Orwigsburg. His death occurred Jan. 22, 1908. The children of this marriage were as follows: Robert, born Feb. 10, 1870; George, June 27, 1873; Estella, Aug. 6, 1875; Annie, Nov. 30, 1878; Lottie, Sept. 21, 1881; Andrew S., June 22, 1883; and others who died in infancy.
Andrew Seltzer Kimmel, the youngest of the family, was born in Schuylkill county, one mile east of Orwigsburg, and received his early education in that locality, taking a course at the Orwigsburg high school. His school days over, he went to Reading, Pa., where he learned the trade of machinist in the shops of Orr & Sembower, remaining with this firm for about two years. Then for a year he was in the steel plant at Bethlehem, Pa., returning from there to Schuylkill county, and located in Pottsville, where in company with H. F. Scharadin he organized the Penn Knitting Mills. This was in 1906, and the business has been continued with increased prosperity to the present, the trade having widened to such an extent that whereas only five people were employed at the beginning there are now forty, and sixty machines are kept in operation. Mr. Kimmel gives all his time to this concern, and the solid basis upon which its affairs have been placed is thoroughly typical of his own reliable character. He is universally respected, for what he has accomplished has been through his own efforts.
Mr. Kimmel is married to Florence Lloyd, daughter of Edward Lloyd, of Tamaqua, this county. They have no children. His fraternal connections are
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with the Order of Independent Americans at Orwigsburg, and Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., Pottsville.
JAMES CHARLES GRAY, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Cressona, Schuylkill county, for the last thirty years, is one of three brothers who have made the name famous in the medical profession in this county. Dr. Robert Bruce Gray has been established in practice at Port Carbon since 1894, and the late Dr. John McKelvey Gray also followed his profession there.
The Gray family is of Scotch extraction, John Gray, the Doctor's father having been born at Johnson, Renfrewshire, Scotland, July 14, '1832. He was only two years old when he came with his mother to America, and until 1837 they lived on Cape Breton Island and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. They then removed to Pennsylvania, settling at Minersville, Schuylkill county, where John Gray spent most of his youth and acquired the principal part of his education. Mrs. Gray, however, after a short residence there, married Robert Johnston, and removed with her family to Maryland, where she lived for a few years. Returning to Minersville, she passed the remainder of her life there. John Gray lived at various places as the family moved around during his early life, including Pottsville and Reading, Pa., coming to Cressona in 1856. Here he made his permanent home. He had learned the trade of machinist and blacksmith at Minersville, and he followed it until 1870, being obliged to give up such work on account of his health. Then he was appointed foreman in the railroad works at Cressona, controlled by the Philadelphia & Reading Company, and held that position practically to the end of his active years. By his first marriage, to Agnes Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson, of Pottsville, he had one child, who is now deceased. Mrs. Gray died Feb. 21, 1857, aged twenty-two years, five months. Mr. Gray's second marriage was to Agnes McKelvey, who was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, at East Norwegian and Coal streets, where the Pennsylvania depot now stands. Of the eleven children born to this union, seven sons and four daughters, ten reached maturity, namely : Isabella married Samuel Klock, formerly a butcher in Lebanon, Pa., but he subsequently moved to Truly, Mont .; James Charles is mentioned below ; William Lincoln, a machinist, lives at Shickshinny, Pa .; Jennie B., who died in 1913, was the wife of Adam Applegate, of Pottsville, Pa .; Robert Bruce is practicing medicine at Port Carbon, Pa .; Annie Eliza- beth married William Kline, and lives at Great Falls, Mont .; Agnes May taught school at Cressona before her marriage to Rheinold Plath, now of Great Falls, Mont .; John McKelvey was the second Schuylkill county student to graduate from the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, and after serv- ing at the Miners' hospital and the Schuylkill county almshouse settled down to practice at Port Carbon, where he had been located for seventeen years at the time of his death, Feb. 8, 1914; George Andrew was a ranchman at Great Falls, Mont., and was killed near that place, having been thrown from a horse on his ranch (the place is named Gray Butte in his memory, though he is interred in the family lot at Cressona, Pa.) ; Allen Eugene took up a claim and is engaged in ranching; Chester Hutchison died in infancy. The mother of this family died May 26, 1902, at her home in Cressona, and the father died a few months later, Feb. 3, 1903, in Montana. They are buried at Cressona. Mr. Gray was a Republican in politics.
David McKelvey, father of Mrs. Agnes (McKelvey) Gray, emigrated to
Samuele Frag Ma,
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this country from Scotland about 1820, and the family were early residents at Pottsville. He was engaged on work in the early development of the coal fields there, and was the first miner to meet his death in the gate vein, being killed by a falling timber under the site of the present courthouse. His widow nobly undertook the burden of rearing her family of four children, leasing the Mount Hope farm, which she carried on, selling milk, fruit and vegetables in town. She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Centre street grammar school, in a vault containing the bodies of thirty-five of her relatives.
James Charles Gray was born Feb. 13, 1860, at Cressona, Schuylkill county, where he passed practically all his life. He obtained his early education in the public schools there and taught for four terms in the borough during his young manhood. Meantime he had commenced the study of medicine under the late Dr. G. W. Brown, of Port Carbon, Pa., and then entered Jefferson Medical College, graduating in 1884. He has since been practicing at his native place, and now occupies the old homestead there. There are few citizens who, with- out aspiring to public office or honors, have done more to promote the progress of the community generally. For thirty years continuously he has been a member of the school board of the borough, and for many years of that time has served as president of that body, his work in the cause of education alone being sufficient to entitle him to the gratitude of his fellow citizens. As a physician he has been highly successful, and his thoughtful attention to his patients has made him beloved as well as trusted over a wide territory. His strong personality, combined with professional skill, has made him a leading citizen of southern Schuylkill county. Though he has been a professional man primarily, he has been interested in business to some extent, being a director of the Schuylkill Haven Foundry Company, and a stockholder in the First National Bank; when the establishment of this bank was first proposed and a canvass of the city made for subscribers to its stock, his name was on the original list, and he has retained his interest ever since. He is a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society, of which he was vice president for some time, and has been a delegate to the State Medical Convention. Fra- ternally he belongs to Washington Camp, No. 73, P. O. S. of A .. of which he is a past president, and to Miami Tribe, No. 82, I. O. R. M. In his earlier manhood Dr. Gray was an ardent Republican, but of late years he has given his influence and support to the Washington party. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a very useful worker.
On April 1, 1897, Dr. Gray married Sarah R. Herring, daughter of Henry Herring, of Washington township, Schuylkill county. They have a family of five children: John D., George H., Agnes McKelvey, Alma R. and Catherine.
JOHN MURPHY, deceased, lived in practical retirement at Schuylkill Haven for about twenty years, except for the management of his property interests. He was an old-time boatman, having begun that business when he came to Schuylkill Haven at the age of twelve years, and continued it on the Schuylkill canal for a number of years. When business here dwindled to such an extent as to become unprofitable he changed to the Erie canal, where he did business until he retired.
Mr. Murphy's father, John Murphy, was born in Ireland, came to America Vol. I-18
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when a young man, and settled at Tarrytown, N. Y., where he engaged in the hotel business. He spent most of his life at this calling, although he was a stonecutter by trade. His death occurred at Tarrytown. His children were: Susan and Mary Jane, both of whom died in New York City, and John.
John Murphy was born Feb. 15, 1838, at Tarrytown, N. Y., where he spent his early years. When a boy of twelve he removed to Schuylkill county, Pa., and until he was nineteen years old was employed in boating on the Schuylkill canal. He then spent several years in Colorado, during the early part of his residence there prospecting to some extent, and he also drove government teams through Kansas as far west as Salt Lake City, Utah, being thus engaged for two years. On June 27, 1861, he enlisted in the Ist Colorado Cavalry, and served for three years, four months, during the Civil war, being discharged with the rank of second lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Garland, Colo., and also in New Mexico, and acted as division inspector of the Territory of Colorado. Mr. Murphy had many typical Western experiences and profited greatly by his sojourn in that section. Returning to Schuylkill Haven in the sixties, he resumed boating on the Schuylkill canal, operating his own line of boats until 1870. It was then that he transferred his interests to the Erie canal, owning and operating six large boats, with a capacity of 8,000 bushels of grain each, between New York City and Buffalo. This business occupied the prin- cipal part of his attention for a .quarter of a century, and when he sold out, in 1894, he retired and returned to Schuylkill Haven, where he made his home until about two years before his death, removing then with his family to West Philadelphia. His valuable real estate interests here required consider- able attention, but aside from that he was not actively engaged in business. Mr. Murphy always took an active part in affairs of general interest, served at one time as a member of the school board of Schuylkill Haven, and was member and past master of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., in the borough, as well as a member of Post No. 26, G. A. R. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection a member of the Reformed Church. He died suddenly on Christmas afternoon, 1915, at his home in West Philadelphia, and was buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
By his first marriage, to Mary Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, Mr. Murphy had a family of four children : William, Sherman, Ethan and John. In 1889 he married (second) Alice Moyer, and by this union also had four children, of whom Allen died in infancy ; Rebecca, Isaac and Leonard are at home. The family occupied a fine home on Main street, Schuylkill Haven.
Jacob Moyer, Mrs. Murphy's great-grandfather, lived and died in Long- swamp township, Berks Co., Pa. His son, Isaac, her grandfather, was born in that township, and became a prominent citizen of Pinedale, Schuylkill county, where he bought a large tract of land, and was prosperously engaged in farm- ing. He died at Pinedale, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, Rebecca (Ketner), daughter of Frank Ketner, was also born in Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa., and died at Pinedale, when eighty-five years old. They are interred in the burial ground of the historic old Red Church. They had children as follows: Sarah married Andrew Boyer; Isaac is mentioned below ; Jackson married Mary Christ, and is still living in Schuylkill county; Polly married Samuel Moyer, a second cousin; Rebecca married Charles Rahn ; Catherine married Frank Hoover ; Matilda married Martin Hummel; Abraham married Rebecca Kramer; Morgan married Elizabeth Hill; Anna died un- married.
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Isaac Moyer, Jr., was born May 10, 1815, at Pinedale, Schuylkill county, and was one of the most respected men of his day in this section. He learned the trade of tanner, but after a time became engaged in boating on the Schuyl- kill canal, following this occupation for a period of forty years. He spent his last years in retirement at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Murphy, dying March 25, 1898, and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Moyer was a member of the German Reformed Church, and always took an active part in its work, serving faithfully in the office of deacon. He mar- ried Anetta Bossart, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Mill) Bossart. She died at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moyer were the parents of ten children, namely : Rebecca married William Weissinger; George married Christine Hein; Mary married Gotleib Burkert ; James married Mary Fisher ; John married Elsie Schrapp; Charles died unmarried; Alice is the widow of John Murphy ; Catherine married Frank Hunnel; William married Mary Boyer ; Emma died young.
LORENZ IMSCHWEILER, late of Pottsville, was a resident of Schuylkill county for over half a century and one of the enterprising business men of his generation. The confectionery establishment now carried on by his son-in-law, E. J. Miller, was founded by him over thirty years ago, and though he lived to be over seventy he continued his active interest in affairs almost to the close of his life, with remarkable and unabated energy and undiminished efficiency. He was of German birth, born in 1830 in Scheersfeld, Little Bavaria. His early life was spent in his native land, where he learned the trade of tailor. In his twentieth year he came to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel and landing Jan. 7, 1850. His first location was at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., whence he soon went to Tamaqua, this county, following his trade during the seven years of his residence at that place. Meantime he became acquainted there with the Jacobs family, from whom he learned the confectionery business.
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