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 43
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On Dec. 3, 1859, Mr. Butz married Hannah E. Krebs, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth ( Schappel) Krebs, and five children have been born to them: Elmer died young; Libby died young ; Eva, unmarried, lives at home; Carrie graduated from the local high school and the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, and after teaching three years at Coatesville and fifteen years at Schuylkill Haven took a special teacher's course at Columbia University, New York City, spent several years in Germany, and is now one of the leading teachers of German in the Trenton high school. George Wishart is mentioned below.
Jacob Krebs, grandfather of Mrs. Jonathan H. Butz, was a well known man in Schuylkill county, representing his district in the State Legislature for two terms, 1812-13. He died at Orwigsburg, Pa. His children were: Jacob, Daniel, Henry, Philip, Mrs. Jacob Huntzinger and Mrs. Grieff.
Philip Krebs, father of Mrs. Butz, was a well known farmer in North Man- heim township, Schuylkill county. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Schappel or Schaffell) had these children: Andrew, who is deceased; George, living in Tioga county ; Mary, who married Jacob Schwenck; and Hannah E., Mrs. Jonathan H. Butz.
(VII) George Wishart Butz was born March 4, 1879, at Schuylkill Haven, where he attended the local schools, graduating from the high school with highest honors. He continued his studies at Franklin and Marshall Academy, Lancaster, Pa., where he also did good work, securing a scholarship which entitled him to free tuition at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. There he graduated with the degree of civil engineer, in 1903. He was eligible as an honorary member of the Tau Beta Pi society. For a time Mr. Butz was with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, in Pittsburgh, having charge of the engineer corps in the field. Then he was at Baltimore, Md., as transit man for the Western Maryland railroad, and in 1906 was offered a- position with the
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Pittsburgh & Binghamton Railroad Company as chief draftsman, also acting as erecting engineer, etc., in turn. In 1907 he returned to Schuylkill Haven and began to do work for the borough and surrounding towns. In 1910 he again entered the employ of the Western Maryland Company, as resident engincer, stationed at Ohiopyle, Pa., but the following year he returned to his home town once more, taking charge of the mercantile business his father had conducted for half a century. He is now sole proprietor. Though he has been thoroughly successful in business he has not by any means given up the profes- sion of his choice, in which experience has developed his skill until he is con- sidered one of the most reliable men in this part of Pennsylvania. He is borough engineer, and is called upon to do work in many surrounding towns. Mr. Butz is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, of the Engineers' Society of Pennsylvania, of the Civil Engineers' Society of Lehigh University, and of the American Water Works Association, and has mention in the Biographical Dictionary and International Who's Who in the World. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He belongs to the First Reformed Church.
Mr. Butz married Mary Ebling, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Dewalt) Ebling, of Schuylkill Haven, who are mentioned elsewhere.
JOSEPH SCHABLEIN, of Pottsville, has been one of the leading figures in local business activities for a number of years. He has managed his own affairs in the most successful manner, and has done his full share in bringing about prosperous conditions in the borough and vicinity, showing his belief in the principle that business men may conserve their own interests best by catering to the general welfare. Mr. Schablein has intelligent comprehension of the needs of the day, and is one of the farsighted group in the community who are attempting to establish its future prosperity upon a solid basis.
Mr. Schablein is of German extraction. His father, Michael Schablein, was born in Bavaria, in the southern part of Germany, and coming to America when a young man made his home at Pennsylvania. His first location was near Reading, on the Tulpehocken creek, and later he settled at Pottsville for a short time, thence removing to Loyalsock, Lycoming county. Eventually he returned to Pottsville, where he lived for some time before his death. By trade he was a miller, and he followed that business at the various locations mentioned in Pennsylvania. He was a good penman and an excellent scholar, and enjoyed reading and discussion, taking part in many of the German debates which were so popular in his day ; he was the acknowledged leader in this line at Pottsville. Mr. Schablein was a member of the first beneficial association at that place. He became well known and looked up to by his fellow citizens here, though he died at the age of thirty years, in August, 1850. He was a large man, over six feet in height. He is buried in the German Catholic cemetery at Pottsville. Mr. Schablein married Mary Dotterweick, like himself a native of southern Ger- many, and he sent for her after deciding to settle in this country, their mar- riage taking place at Pottsville. Three children were born to this union: Anthony (who died in infancy), Joseph and Frank (who died at Hillside, Pottsville). The mother remarried after Mr. Schablein's death, becoming the wife of Joseph Scherzinger, by whom she had two children, John and Robert.
Joseph Schablein was born Jan. 24, 1846, near Williamsport, in the town of Loyalsock, Lycoming Co., Pa., and was reared at Pottsville from the age of six weeks, receiving his education in the German Catholic parochial schools and in
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the public schools. When a young man he learned the trade of carriage black- smith, which he followed for four years, and the year he attained his majority, 1867, he engaged in carriage building on his own account, his first shop being on West Market street, where the Rettig brewery now stands. From there he moved to the present site of the post office, at Second and Norwegian streets, thence to Coal street, and later to North Centre streeet. When the demands of the business made another change necessary he built the place at Bunker Hill, subsequently located at Hillside, on the Cressona road, and in 1888 built his present factory. Mr. Schablein has up-to-date business facilities and equip- ment, having enlarged his accommodations to keep pace with the growth of the business and the changes to modern methods, and his establishment is admirably adapted to the manufacture of excellent carriages and all incidental work in that line. At present he is making some decided improvements, which will modernize the plant in every particular, and is erecting two new buildings to take care of the increasing business. It has attained good proportions, from ten to fifteen men being constantly employed. Mr. Schablein has interested himself in other local enterprises, and he was one of the first members of the Board of Trade, to which he still belongs, and he has served as a director of this organization, which has done effective work in promoting the commercial and industrial well-being of this section of Schuylkill county.
Mr. Schablein is a Democrat and has taken an active part in the work of his party in the locality. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. On Oct. 31, 1864, he married Elizabeth Hessee, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Yost) Hessee, of Germany, and they have had a large family, namely : Mary married Ralph Regniera, and they reside at Providence, R. I .; Clara mar- ried Timothy Hannah, and they make their home at New London, Conn .; Theresa married Peter Hummel, now settled in Philadelphia, Pa .; George, a painter, resides in Camden, N. J. ; Frank, a painter, is a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; John is employed with his father; Annie resides at home; William died when three years old; Joseph, of Pottsville, is well known as an artist; Robert died in infancy; Lewis is now at New London, Conn .; Loretta, an adopted daughter, lives at home.
ANDREW JACKSON CRAWFORD, late of Minersville, was looked upon as one of the ablest men of his generation in Schuylkill county, particularly on questions of financial policy. Without seeking public position or personal glory of any kind he filled a prominent place in directing the conduct of local affairs, in which the influence of his opinion was felt for a considerable period. His early life was spent in Montour county, Pa., where his father was a leading citizen and one whose force of character made such an impression on his com- munity that it is evident his son's strong qualities were inherent family char- acteristics which have been associated with the Crawfords for many years.
John Crawford, the father, was a lumber dealer, merchant, hotel keeper and postmaster at White Hall, the most prominent man in his section of Montour county for a number of years. He conducted the famous "White Hall Hotel," afterwards engaged in the mercantile business, and in the early sixties was appointed postmaster (succeeding William McBride), his son, George W. Crawford, being his successor in that office. The diversity of his interests brought him into contact with many classes and the circle of his acquaintance was accordingly wide. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Steinman), both died at
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White Hall and are interred in a private burial ground there. They had four children : George W., Andrew J., Henry C. and Christiana (Mrs. Zehner).
Andrew Jackson Crawford was born April 15, 1837, at White Hall, Mon- tour county, and obtained his schooling in the locality. His early experience was acquired in the most practical manner possible, as his father's assistant and partner, in the lumber and store business. He remained at White Hall until the spring of 1870, when he came to Minersville and established the lumber business to which he gave his time and energy principally for about fifteen years. He was next in North Dakota, where he was interested in a large tract of land, and at Duluth, where he owned valuable property, and was highly successful in his ventures in both locations. Returning to Minersville, he remained there the rest of his life, passing his closing years in retirement. He was one of the organizers of the Union National Bank, founded in 1902, and became its first president, serving in that capacity until his death, which occurred Feb. 4, 1910. He is buried at Minersville. Mr. Crawford's ability to handle financial problems was highly valued by his associates in the bank. Politically he was a Republican, but beyond supporting the party at the polls took no direct part in public affairs.
On Feb. 4, 1862, Mr. Crawford married Alona Beaver, daughter of Daniel Hiester Beaver and granddaughter of David Beaver, a member of an old family from the vicinity of Phoenixville, Chester Co:, Pa., later settled in Montour county. Mrs. Crawford continues to make her home at Minersville, where she has numerous friends. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Craw- ford, (I) Norval died when three years old. (2) Norma D., now living at home, is an elocutionist of note, a graduate of the National School of Elocution and Oratory at Philadelphia, and of the Emerson School of Oratory, Boston. She has held professorships (in her chosen work) in Georgia and Kansas, and for a few years past has conducted a private studio in Philadelphia. She is unmarried.
(3) SAMUEL G. CRAWFORD is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State College. class of 1892, and for eighteen years after graduation he followed his pro- fession, civil engineering, mostly with the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Company. In 1906 he married Fannie Lawrence, daughter of F. C. and Lavinia Law- rence, of Minersville. In 1910, after the death of his father, he returned and took up his residence in Minersville, establishing an engineering office and managing the estate of his father. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of Minersville and stands for progress ; he served a two-year term as a member of the school board; is a director of the Union National Bank; a director of the Union Building and Loan Association; a director of the Athletic Association, and a member of the Business Men's League. Politically he is a Republican.
JOHN THOMAS HANNUM was a resident of Schuylkill county from young manhood until he entered the Union service during the Civil war, in which he met an untimely death, caused by injuries received at the battle of Cold Harbor. Mr. Hannum was born at Concordville, Delaware Co., Pa. He learned the trade of tailor, and coming to Schuylkill Haven when a young man made a permanent home here, becoming highly esteemed through his industry and reliable character. He married Amelia J. Keefer, daughter of Andrew Keefer, a well known citizen of the county in his day, and niece of Hon. Simon Cameron, of Lancaster county, Pa. The following children were
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born to this union: Luther K. is now a resident of Pottsville, Pa .; Catherine B. is the wife of William Reiff Hesser, of Reading, Pa .; Ella M. married John T. Deibert, of Schuylkill Haven; Frances A. is the wife of Charles H. Kline, cashier of the Union Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville, Pa .; Harold E. lives in New York State; and Margaret H., now the widow of Jed Hollen- bach, is living at Montclair, New Jersey.
In 1861 Mr. Hannum entered the army, enlisting from Pottsville in the 96th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he was promoted to adjutant. He was wounded at the engagement of Cold Harbor June 1, 1864, had his right arm amputated, and died from the effects of his injuries June 7th, at Alexandria, Va., aged forty years, three months, five days. He is interred in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven, where a fine monument marks his resting place. Mr. Hannum was a member of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven. Mrs. Hannum, who came to Schuylkill Haven with her parents when a girl of seventeen years, has continued to reside there since her husband's death. For the long period of twenty-five years she held the office of postmistress in the borough, where she is one of the most highly respected citizens. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, with whose activities she has always been closely associated, having for forty-two years acted as superintendent of the primary department of the Sabbath school ; through her efforts the Keefer Memorial, a primary department, was created and presented to the society. Mrs. Hannum has done her share in the encour- agement of all worthy movements intended to promote the general welfare.
ANDREW KEEFER, father of Mrs. Hannum, was a native of Littles- town, Adams Co., Pa., born in 1803, and was there reared and educated, having an excellent schooling for his day. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker, which he followed for a number of years at Harrisburg, Pa., living there from 1818 until his removal to Schuylkill Haven in 1847. Meantime he had drifted into the mercantile business, and at Schuylkill Haven he carried on a hard- ware business for six years, doing very well in that line. In 1853, in partner- ship with his sons, John and Luther, he established the foundry and machine shop at Cressona (then known as West Haven), and continued his connection therewith until 1870, in which year he returned to Schuylkill Haven. There he was subsequently engaged in merchandising until his death, which occurred May 1, 1876. Mr. Keefer was a prosperous business man, and his energetic disposition and public spirit carried him into other activities as well. He was very prominent in his connection with the Lutheran Church, during his resi- dence in Harrisburg being a faithful member of the First Church, in that city, and upon his removal to Schuylkill Haven he was one of the founders of the English Lutheran Church in that borough, St. Matthew's. He took a leading part in all the details of its organization, and was one of its most effective workers until his death, at which time he was serving as elder. He had been leader of the choir for fifty years, and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Keefer was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically a Republican from the formation of the party, in which he took a lifelong interest. He was originally a Whig, and served as postmaster at Schuylkill Haven under Fillmore's administration.
On March 24, 1829, Mr. Keefer married Catherine Brua, and they became the parents of three children: Amelia J., born at Harrisburg April 16, 1830, now the widow of John T. Hannum, living at Schuylkill Haven; John B., who was paymaster in the United States army for about twenty years; and
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Luther R., who represented his district in the State Senate for a number of years. The mother of these died in November, 1836. On Feb. 27, 1838, Mr. Keefer married (second) Elizabeth Eby, who died about two years later, the mother of one child, Anna M., now the wife of Alfred H. Schock, of Allen- town, Pa. On Nov. 26, 1844, Mr. Keefer married (third) Rebecca Schafhirt, and to this union were born five children : Charles, Walter, Edwin, and two- Clara and Willie-who died in infancy.
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JOHN W. REESE, now serving his second term as prothonotary of Schuylkill county, has borne an active part in the administration of local government affairs during the last twenty years and more, in various capaci- ties of public trust. For a number of years before assuming his present duties he was superintendent of the electric light plant of the borough of St. Clair, being a machinist by trade. He is of Pennsylvanian birth and Welsh descent, his father, William J. Reese, and grandfather, John Reese, both having been natives of Wales.
John Reese, the grandfather, was born in Monmouthshire, and was twenty- nine years old when he came to America, in 1845. Shortly afterwards he settled at St. Clair, in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he continued to reside until his death, in 1856, at the age of forty-two years. He is buried in the Presby- terian cemetery at Pottsville. Having been a miner in his native land, he followed the same calling in this country. His first position here was as superintendent of the Eagle colliery, operated by William H. Johns, and he was its first superintendent, holding the position to the end of his life. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Church and one of its active sup- porters, and his political sympathies were with the infant Republican party. His wife, Mary (Thomas), also a native of Wales, died at Shamokin. Pa., in 1890. A family of eighteen children were born to them, but only six lived to maturity, namely: Thomas C., who died at Shamokin, was at one time engaged as a coal operator and later was associated with John Mullen, at that place : William J. is mentioned below ; Isaac, at one time an operator in the Shamokin coal fields, is now living in North Dakota; George, also a miner. died at St. Clair, Schuylkill county ; Albert, a miner, lives at Shamokin ; John Henry, deceased, was a miner.
William J. Reese, son of John, was born Feb. 19, 1838, at Nantyglo, Wales, and came to the United States with his family. The rest of his life was passed at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He learned the trade of blacksmith and machinist, which he followed until 1871, in that year becoming outside fore- man at the Eagle colliery, near St. Clair. Holding that position until 1888, he resumed blacksmithing, for several years working at the Pine Forest col- liery as blacksmith, and subsequently engaging in the machine business on his own account. At one time, 1870-72, he was a coal operator in the Shamokin fields. His death occurred in 1900. Mr. Reese took an active part in the affairs of his community, especially in public school matters, serving two terms in succession as a school director. Politically he was a Republican, in religion a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Reese married Ann D. Williams, a daughter of David Williams, of Llamsanlett, Wales. She came to America when six years old. The follow- ing children were born to this union: John W .: Arthur, a conductor on the Reading railroad; George H., foreman for the Coal Company at Shamokin, Pa .; William A., outside foreman for the St. Clair Coal Company; Mary,
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wife of William A. Super; Ida, deceased; Annie, deceased; Maggie, de- ceased ; Alma, storekeeper at Pottsville; and Charles J., of Port Carbon.
David Williams, father of Mrs. William J. Reese, came to America at the same time as John Reese, and also settled at St. Clair. A miner by occupa- tion, he went to California about 1849, at the time of the gold excitement, and died there afterwards. Mrs. Reese had a sister Catherine.
John W. Reese was born June 23, 1861, at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, and took the full course in the public schools there, graduating in 1879. When a boy he began to work in the mines, and when seventeen years old went to learn the machinist's trade at Port Carbon, this county, in the Franklin shops. Following his trade until September, 1892, he then became superintendent of the electric light plant in St. Clair borough, holding that position until 1894. Then he returned to his trade for a time, in 1896-97 serving as steward at the almshouse. In 1900 he again became superintendent of the electric light plant, continuing to act as such until he assumed the duties of his present posi- tion, in 1909. In the fall of 1908 he was elected prothonotary of Schuylkill county on the Republican ticket, by a majority of over twenty-five hundred, and his work was heartily indorsed at the next election, in 19II, when he was re-elected by a majority of over thirty-two hundred. His earlier expe- riences in public office included two years' service as councilman of St. Clair, one year as president of the board of councilmen, and six years as deputy coroner of the county under Dr. A. L. Gillars. Mr. Reese's various successes as a candidate are sufficient evidence of his worth.
Mr. Reese makes his home at St. Clair and has always had the keenest interest in borough affairs. He has been president of the Alert Steam Fire Company ; is a member of the Independent Order of Americans, and a promi- nent worker in the P. O. S. of A., holding membership in Washington Camp No. 75, at St. Clair, in which he has filled all the administrative offices, serving also as secretary and trustee; in 1910-II he was State president of the order, and for a number of years has been a delegate to its national gatherings. He formerly belonged to Camp No. 21, P. O. of T. A., an auxiliary order of the P. O. S. of A., and has filled local and State offices in that body.
On April 29, 1883, Mr. Reese married Bertha Fielding, daughter of Thomas and Mary Fielding, of St. Clair, and she died Sept. 29, 1889, at the age of twenty-eight years. On March 10, 1892, he was united in marriage (second) with Bertha Greenwood, daughter of Luke and Ann Greenwood, of Locust Summit, Northumberland Co., Pa., and seven children have been born to this union : Natalie B., Jay (deceased), Lillian (deceased), Dorris, Annie, Stanley (deceased) and Bertha. Mr. Reese affiliates with the M. E. Church, while his family are Baptists.
JOHN H. DAVIS, late of St. Clair, filled a conspicuous place in the activities of that borough for so long a period that his death affected all circles and classes. Well fitted by nature and training for leadership, he took his responsibilities toward his fellow men seriously, and that he regarded his opportunities to improve conditions in his own community as a duty of privilege may be judged by his earnest efforts in that direction and the enjoy- ment he had in their success. In business he showed initiative and executive ability. He could plan largely and follow his ambitions to prosperous achieve- ment. But he did not restrict those ambitions to the narrow limits of per- sonal benefit. All shared in his good fortune, and the breadth of his sympathy
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was well indicated by the variety of his interests, business, social, religious and benevolent organizations all having their due part in his well rounded life. He owned the Ellsworth colliery and was a coal operator principally, but he had a hand in the organization and management of other important undertakings, and he gave considerable attention to public affairs and other interests not of a business nature, but which he deemed vital to the general welfare.
Mr. Davis was born in 1849 at Minersville, Schuylkill county, son of John R. and Hannah (Rowe) Davis. He grew up in his native town and received the principal part of his education in its public schools, later attending the Crittenden commercial college. During practically all of his business life he was engaged in the mining of coal, being associated with his father until the latter's death, in 1900, and the large and varied operations of the firm afforded him rare opportunities for valuable experience which he used in the most intelligent manner. Moreover, he had plenty of occasion to employ his execu- tive faculties, at the Ellsworth colliery particularly, having a hard struggle to make a success of its development for several years prior to 1900. From that time until his death he was sole owner there, but he also had coal interests at Gilberton, this county, having joined Philadelphia capitalists under the name of the Brighton Coal Company in the construction of the colliery there a number of years ago, and he was treasurer of the company up to the time of his death. He was an incorporator and one of the principal stockholders of the Citizens' Bank of St. Clair, established in 1904, and its president from that time until his death. He was a director of the Schuylkill Pressed Brick Company. It was in the early nineties that he came to St. Clair.
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