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 48
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Mr. Snyder married Regina Kuech, daughter of George Kuech, a carpenter foreman at the Pine Hill colliery, and a resident of Minersville. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two children, Elvin and Ronald.
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CHARLES P. ALSPACH has been associated with the business of shoe manufacturing from practically the beginning of his independent career, and after a number of years' employment with some of the important concerns in this line at Orwigsburg is now engaged in the trade on his own account.
The Alspach family has been represented in Schuylkill county for several generations. Philip Alspach, grandfather of Charles P. Alspach, lived and died in West Brunswick township. His children were: Daniel, Philip, Louis, Jonas, Rebecca, Amanda and Edward.
Edward Alspach, son of Philip, was born Feb. 16, 1837, in West Brunswick township, and spent all his life on the old homestead there. Farming was his occupation, and he was widely and favorably known in his day. His death occurred Aug. 4, 1908, and he is buried in the cemetery at the Red Church. His widow, Mary (Boyer), daughter of Benjamin Boyer, continues to reside on the old homestead farm in West Brunswick township. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Alspach were the parents of eight children: George William, Francis, Albert, Philip, Thomas, Ida, Charles P. and Edward.
Charles P. Alspach was born Oct. 5, 1877, in West Brunswick township, and attended the public schools of that locality. In his early years he was engaged at the calling of his ancestors, remaining on the home farm until eighteen years old. He then entered the employ of the Adams Shoe Company at Adamsdale, this county, and became thoroughly familiar with the shoe busi- ness during the six and a half years he remained there. For a short time fol- lowing he was with the Kepner Scott Shoe Company at Orwigsburg, his next change being to the factory of H. S. Albright, at Orwigsburg, where he was employed for a period of eight years. Then, after a brief connection with Bickley & Walborn, he became interested in the organization of the Orwigs- burg Shoe Company, in 1913, and has been president from the start. Though one of the new houses of the kind at Orwigsburg, the Orwigsburg Shoe Com- pany is becoming well known in the trade, turning out a product of recognized reliability, which is winning popularity with salespeople and customers alike. The business is under capable management, and Mr. Alspach's comprehensive experience in the trade is proving exceedingly valuable as a guide in the dis- charge of his present responsibilities. Personally he is a man of the highest worth, and his standing is favorable with all who know him. He holds mem- bership in the Independent Americans and in the P. O. S. of A., and belongs to the Reformed Church, in which he has been a prominent worker ; for six years he held the office of deacon, and is now serving as elder.
Mr. Alspach married Emma Heim, daughter of Jonas Heim, of West Bruns- wick township, and they have one son, Marvin Heim Alspach. Mrs. Alspach is a Lutheran in religious connection.
MICHAEL M. DONOHUE, of Pottsville, has within the last few years built up a business of decided worth to the community from the industrial standpoint. Every establishment that provides profitable and helpful occupa- tion in the borough is an attraction for industrious, desirable citizens, who will remain where employment is plentiful and the surroundings wholesome. Mr. Donohue's contribution to the wealth of the borough is easily appreciable. Personally he is a man of unassuming habits, devoted principally to his business, but with a public-spirited concern for the local welfare which gives him a strong position among the best element.
The Donohue family is of Irish extraction. Martin Donohue, father of
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Michael M. Donohue, was born in Ireland, and was about ten years old when he came to America. From that time he lived at Middle Creek, in Frailey township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and he became a miner, engaging in mining throughout his active years. His death occurred in 1908. His wife, Bridget (Walsh), like himself a native of Ireland, still resides in the homestead at Middle Creek. The following children were born to their union: Thomas died when forty-eight years old ; John died when forty-five years old ; Matthew died when two years old; Martin, who is an engineer, lives at Branch Dale, this county ; James is a cigar manufacturer at Middle Creek; Michael M. is men- tioned below; Mary is married to Peter McGinn, of Shamokin, Pa .; Anna is the wife of Edward Brennan, of Shamokin; Bridget M. is the wife of Frank Gulong.
Michael M. Donohue was born Feb. 5, 1873, at Middle Creek in Frailey township, Schuylkill county, and had such educational advantages as the local schools afforded. However, he was but a boy when he commenced work at Middle Creek shaft as a slate picker. He continued to be employed in and about the mines until twenty-two years old, when he came to Pottsville, becom- ing clerk in a hotel, and working in that capacity eighteen years. At the end of that time he went to Minersville, Schuylkill county, and engaged in the hotel business on his own account, carrying it on there for five years, when he returned to Pottsville. He has since been engaged in his present business, the manufacture of ladies' underwear, in which he employs steadily eighty-five hands. The plant, at No. 701 North Second street, which he erected specially for the accommodation of his business, is 40 by 40 feet in dimensions, two stories and basement. Mr. Donohue has not only been a student of market conditions and the demands of the market, but he has always been enterprising about producing goods which create a demand of their own, and his trade as a consequence has become wider, his goods being shipped to all the States and to England and Canada and South America as well. He is progressive in all things, as he is in his business, and is considered a most valuable citizen. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, and also belongs to the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
Mr. Donohue married Sarah L. O'Connor, daughter of Michael O'Connor, of Coal Castle, Cass township, Schuylkill county. They have four children, Mary, Francis, Clement and Charles.
MARCUS BITTLE (deceased) was a worthy member of a family which has been represented in what is now Schuylkill county for several generations, and its members have always been among the most respected citizens of their section, industrious, thrifty, and not only zealous in promoting their own interests but doing their share in the advancement of the general welfare.
Christopher Bittle, great-grandfather of Marcus Bittle, came to America Sept. 24, 1753, and first located at Quakertown, near Philadelphia, Pa. Rupp's Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776 says (pages 308-309) that the ship "Neptune" (John Mason, master), from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, arrived at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1753, and gives the name of Christoph Büttel among her passengers. At that time he was only a boy. For a time he was employed upon a farm. Later he married a Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he purchased a farm upon which he lived for a while. Selling out, he came to what is now Schuylkill
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county, locating on Summer Mountain, about half a mile east of Schuylkill Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the Henney and Reber fam- ilies, situated in South Manheim township. He sold that property and removed to North Manheim township, where he settled on a tract lying along the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Cressona, later known as the old Bartolette farm. When he sold this he bought a farm property near Minersville (in the same locality as .the old Thomas Shollenberger tract), and it was there his death occurred. The place afterwards became known as the James farm. Besides farming, Christopher Bittle was engaged to a considerable extent in cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill, cutting his timber and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He had the following children : John ; Jacob; Henry, who was the owner of the well known Weissinger farm in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county; Jonathan, who lived and died in Panther valley, Schuylkill county; Mrs. Strauch; Mrs. Pott; Mrs. Kate Weaver ; Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver ; Mrs. Rebecca Reed; Mrs. Sarah Jennings, and Mrs. Warner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of Marcus Bittle. Born in North Manheim township, he accompanied his father on the latter's various removals, and for a time followed farming on the tract near Miners- ville. Later he bought a farm in Long Run valley. North Manheim township, cleared off the timber, and spent the remainder of his life in its cultivation, dying there when eighty-eight years old. His wife, who was a member of the well known Clouser family of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, did not attain so advanced an age. They are buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. The following children were born to them: William; Jacob, who died in Schuylkill county; John, who died on the homestead; Andrew, who died at Schuylkill Haven : Maria, who first married a Zerbe, later a Berger ; Katie, wife of Isaac Berger; Tina, wife of Gabriel Groan; and Sallie, wife of Isaac Ely.
William Bittle, son of Jacob, was born on the farm near Minersville, Schuyl- kill county, and himself became a farmer, also dealing quite extensively in horses. He owned two farms, one lying half a mile west of Schuylkill Haven, in North Manheim township, and they contained seventy-three and one hundred and five acres, respectively. all valuable land. During the Civil war Mr. Bittle had charge of the recruiting office for Schuylkill county, which was established at Pottsville, and he became well known throughout the county in the pursuit of his various activities. His wife, Elizabeth (Berger), was the daughter of Ludwig Berger, a man of wealth and highly respected in Schuylkill county in his day. Mr. Bittle died Oct. 19, 1881, his wife in February, 1883, and they are buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. They were the parents of four children : Marcus; Frank, who is living at Schuylkill Haven ; Samuel B., also of Schuylkill Haven ; and Mary Elizabeth, who married Charles Phillips.
Marcus Bittle was born Dec. 21, 1846, on the old homestead in North Man- heim township, in Long Run valley, was reared there, and followed farming practically all of his active life-for a period of forty years. He bought part of his father's farm (which was owned previously by the Kerchner family), having a tract of forty-eight acres now included in the borough of Schuylkill Haven and very valuable. Part of it has been sold for building lots, Mrs. Bittle still retaining thirty acres, where she resides. Mr. Bittle also carried on the ice business in Schuylkill Haven, having a pond made on the farm from which he derived his supply, and he made a success in both lines of work. His
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death occurred in March, 1909, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Bittle married Rosa Kline, daughter of the late Rev. Jacob Kline, of Schuylkill Haven, for many years affectionately and familiarly known there as "Father" Kline. To Mr. and Mrs. Bittle were born five children, all of whom reside at Schuylkill Haven : Annie E., wife of William Spotts ; Charles H., who is a merchant at Schuylkill Haven; William; Ralph, and Claude. The last named remains at home with his mother, and they are carrying on the farming and ice business in partnership.
Mr. Bittle was a Republican, and actively interested in the success of his party, serving as a member of the election board. His religious connection was with St. John's Reformed Church, and he was one of its efficient workers.
> MAJ. J. CLAUDE WHITE filled an important place in the economic affairs of Schuylkill county throughout his long residence there, covering practically half a century. Much of the work inaugurated by his enterprise is still going on, bearing witness to the wise judgment that guided him in all of his plans, most of which were laid with the broad purpose of fostering industrial conditions in this region as well as affording employment for his own time and capital. Reilly township, where he located upon his arrival in the county, has rich coal deposits upon which her population depends almost entirely, for the meager agricultural resources have not been valuable enough for development. The business men in the town draw their patronage from the mine employees. In the nearby township of Hegins Major White estab- lished his large estate, which his widow still owns, and which has made this section known all over the country.
A native of England, Major White was born May 17, 1829. His father, Rev. John C. White, was an Episcopal rector, located in Essex, where he lived and died. J. Claude White was reared and educated in the country of his birth, coming to the United States in the year 1851. For a time he was with an uncle in New York City, in 1852 settling in Schuylkill county, Pa., and devoting himself to the operation of coal properties in Reilly township. He became a member of the firm of Brown & White, the Swatara Falls Coal Company, who opened what was known afterwards as the Pyne colliery, in its day one of the largest collieries in Schuylkill county and one of the most successful coal properties in this region. In 1858, having sold his interest in the Swatara colliery, Mr. White opened the Eagle Hill colliery, near Potts- ville. Closing operations there in the latter part of the year 1860, he removed to Elizabeth, N. J., and in 1861 opened an office in New York City, intending to do business as a merchandise broker and general commission agent. But the sudden breaking out of the war, before he had fairly started upon this venture, changed his plans, and he locked his office to go into the Union army.
After serving three months he recruited a company in Schuylkill county with which he went to the front as captain, and was still serving in that capacity when assigned to the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry. To quote from the records: "The first twelve companies of cavalry available for the purpose, whether by reason of their presence at the seat of government or by their being at the time in its vicinity, were brought together and organized during the months of July and August, 1861, into a regiment designated 'The Kentucky Light Cavalry,' William H. Young having received a commission dated July 10th, 1861, as colonel and authority to raise a regiment by that name. For what
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possible or sane reason it was so named cannot now be ascertained, for eleven of the companies composing it had been raised in Pennsylvania. The unfortunate fact that it was so called lost the regiment its numerical precedence when, sub- sequently, it was assigned to the quota of Pennsylvania. Company 'L' was raised in Schuylkill county, Pa., and was mustered into service on Aug. 22, 1861, for three years, under Captain J. Claude White, First Lieutenant Howard Edmunds and Second Lieutenant William H. Bright." The date of Major White's commission (as major) is Dec. 1, 1862. Col. William W. Averell was colonel of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry when he was promoted. Mr. White was given his commission soon after. Owing to ill health he resigned from the service in August, 1863.
For a short time thereafter Major White was interested in a fertilizer factory at Alexandria, Va., but sold this business and returned to Schuylkill county, Pa., in 1864 taking charge of the operations of the Swatara Falls Coal Company, then owned by C. T. Yerkes and other Philadelphia men. It has been known as the Pyne colliery since taken charge of by the Philadel- phia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. It came into Major White's posses- sion again about 1871-72, and he ran it alone profitably until shortly after he met with an accident in May, 1875. His active connections with prop- erties in the anthracite regions extended all through the Molly Maguires' reign of terror, and many of his personal experiences during that period were dan- gerous but interesting. After giving up mining he gave his attention entirely to the management of his Hegins township estate and personal property. It was probably his fondness for horses and skill as a horseman that led him into the purchase of seven hundred acres in Hegins township, which he developed into a fine stock farm. He bred high-grade horses and cattle for which the estate became famous all over the country.
Major White used his influence to further the best interests of the com- munity, and it was no doubt this unselfish public spirit which made him so popular with his fellow citizens of Schuylkill county. Few men had more real friends, and his death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1902, was sincerely mourned by the many whose lives had been affected by contact with his. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery at Pottsville. Major White was a Mason, a member and past master of Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., of Tremont, this county. Possessed of ability, foresight and qualities of leader- ship, Major White had none of the grasping ambition which places personal interest above any other consideration, and though he was successful in handling his own affairs their prosperity was shared by the whole community. The feeling of high regard which prevailed among all who ever knew him showed how generally this was recognized.
Major White married Mary A. Brown, daughter of David Wilson and Elizabeth (Percy) Brown, who survives him. Though she spends much time in travel Mrs. White maintains the old home at Swatara, in Reilly township, and retains ownership of the estate in Hegins township. It is not operated as a stock farm at present. About one-third of the property is in timber.
JOHN LEONARD, deceased, was a resident of Pottsville for over forty years and became very well known in this section of Schuylkill county, his operations on railroad construction work bringing him into close contact with its development and with many of the men who were active in that connec- tion in his day. He was well liked personally, being a man who made and kept Vol. I-21
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friends, taking the part of a public-spirited citizen in local affairs, and by his enterprise and force gaining a place among the favorably known characters of his generation.
Mr. Leonard was born in County Derry, Ireland, Nov. 4, 1825, son of Elias Leonard, also a native of Ireland, who died in March, 1852, aged seventy- six years. He was an officer in the English army and a pensioner at the time of his death. His wife, Elizabeth (Simpson), died Oct. 10, 1846, at the age of sixty-five years. They had a family of sixteen children, eight sons and eight daughters. One of the sons, Godfrey, served in the Civil war from Potts- ville, Pa., enlisting among the "First Defenders"; he lived and died in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
John Leonard grew up in his native land and came to America in young manhood, first settling at Philadelphia, Pa. In 1852 he located at Pottsville, and for many years thereafter was engaged as a railroad contractor, subse- quently for several years conducting a hotel. He lived retired for three years before his death, which occurred May 14, 1896. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. Mr. Leonard was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in religion adhered to the faith of the Episcopal Church. He served his fellow citizens at Pottsville as a member of the council. On June 19, 1850, Mr. Leon- ard married Mary A. Whittle, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Thompson) Whittle, and a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She came to America with her parents when fourteen years old. They were thirteen weeks on the voyage, having the misfortune to be wrecked in midocean. Being transferred to another vessel, they continued their voyage, but were unable to land at Quebec, Canada, as they had intended, being obliged to go on up the river to Montreal, where they landed in 1847. Mrs. Leonard has a vivid recollection of this memorable trip to America, and also of the early life at Pottsville. She continues to reside in the old home at No. 203 Court avenue, Pottsville, where Mr. Leonard estab- lished the family in 1865. Her daughter and her granddaughter reside with her. She is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard: Isabella was the seventh person buried in the Charles Baber cemetery, Pottsville; Elias is living in New York City ; John is deceased ; Elizabeth resides with her mother ; Margaret married John Young, of Newark, N. J .; Godfrey is a resident of Lansford, Pa .; Mary died young ; Robert lives at Lebanon, Pa. ; Harry is located at Roselle Park, N. J .; Howard is living at Kearney, New Jersey.
JONATHAN I. YOST, a leading citizen of Walker township, business man and farmer, and especially prominent in the furtherance of religious work, is holding true to the standards which his ancestors have upheld for generations. Guided by Christian principles and faithful to their ideals of right, they have been honored members of their respective communities wherever established, and though Mr. Yost's life is regarded as exemplary it is also recognized as exactly what his family and friends could expect of him. Beloved in his home and admired throughout the locality, he is bearing a worthy name well.
The Yost family is of long standing in Pennsylvania. Daniel Yost, great- grandfather of Jonathan I. Yost, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1759, and removed at an early day to what is now McKeansburg, Schuylkill county, where he died in 1839. He was an active, enterprising man in his day. A Whig in political faith, he always interested himself in public affairs, believing it the duty of every good citizen to protect and foster the common good, and
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he stood deservedly high in the community, not only because of his honorable character but also for his intelligence and good judgment. He was called to various positions of trust, being justice of the peace for a number of years in his township, and discharged the duties of the office with such marked ability and signal impartiality to all concerned that he was called up higher, being elected associate judge of the county. Judge Yost married Barbara Hillogus, and they had a family of ten children.
Jonathan Yost, son of Daniel, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1797, and died in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, in 1866. He came to this county with his father, learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it a number of years, but gave it up to go farming, which was his work during the last twenty years of his life. He was an active and ardent member of the German Reformed Church at McKeansburg, serving in nearly all the official positions in the church organization. He married Mary Kleckner, a daughter of Andrew Kleckner, one of the` earlier emigrants from Germany into East Brunswick township, this county, where he followed farming and where he died. To this union were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters.
Daniel J. Yost was born July 22, 1820, in East Brunswick township, where he grew up, receiving a rather limited education. He learned the trade of miller early in life, and after working at this calling for fourteen years purchased a gristmill, in 1855, in Schuylkill (now Walker) township, operating it until 1889, when he transferred it to his son Jonathan. Then he embarked in a mer- cantile business at McKeansburg, which he carried on successfully for a period of ten years. He died Oct. 16, 1899. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics a Republican.
On Dec. 25, 1846, Mr. Yost married Charlotte Klotz, a daughter of Christian Klotz, of Carbon county, and to this union were born two children, both now deceased, Ellen and Alice. His second union was with Lydia Bretney, of Carbon county, Pa., April 16, 1854. She died Oct. 16, 1910, and is buried with her husband at McKeansburg. They had a family of seven children : Milton (deceased), Ellen, Jonathan I., Alice (twin sister of Emma, married to James E. Greenawalt, of McKeansburg, a merchant), Emma (deceased), Rev. Cal- vin D. (a graduate of Ursinus College, class of 1891, and of the seminary in connection with the college, 1893, now instructor in German and English at that college), and James A. (formerly a clerk in his father's store, now proprietor of a store at Ringtown, this county).
Jonathan 1. Yost was born Sept. 20, 1858, at the place in Walker town- ship where he still resides. His early education was gained in the local public schools, and he subsequently had the advantages of a year's academic study at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. He then learned milling with his father, for whom he worked from 1879 to 1889, after which he took charge of the mill, renting it for a time and then purchasing it. His principal interests have been there since. The establishment is now known as the Lewistown Mills, and includes a custom gristmill, sawmill and cider mill. Mr. Yost has sixty- three acres of valuable land adjoining his mill property and is interested to some extent in farming, having twenty acres under cultivation, and he also has an extensive trade as a dealer in feed. The neighboring town of Hecla is his shipping and receiving point.
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