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 49
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Mr. Yost has not confined the exercise of his ability to the promotion of his private interests. For twenty-one years in succession he held the position of township auditor, and during that time also acted as secretary of the town-
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ship. He has been school director and secretary of the school board for a period of seven years, and under the new code member of the board of super- visors and secretary of that body one year. In politics he has been associated with the Republican party, and he has been active at the elections, serving as inspector and clerk for many years. He holds membership in some of the local social organizations, having belonged to Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, since 1880, and to East Brunswick Lodge No. 802, I. O. O. F., of New Ringgold, since Oct. 7, 1891. In religious work he is a prominent member of Zion's Reformed Church at Lewistown, which he is now serving as elder. He has been a member of the choir for forty years, and secretary of the congregation twenty-five years. Mr. Yost has been particu- larly enthusiastic in the Sunday school, has taught the same Bible class for thirty-eight years, and for thirty-five years he has been superintendent of Zion's Union Sunday school, having been first elected in May, 1880, and served uninterruptedly since. His work has been highly acceptable, not only because his interest has shown no diminution, but also on account of the progressive spirit which has kept him at the head of all forward movements. Always anxious to keep abreast of the times, in 1913 he took the teacher's training course outlined by Oliver, and graduated with an average of ninety- eight per cent. Zion's is a "front line" Sunday school, with an enrollment of 125 members and a high average of attendance, thanks to the hearty coopera- tion of the superintendent and devoted assistants. Among its members were formerly Rev. Dr. George Stibitz, of the Central Theological Seminary, and Dr. Charles Boyer, of the Keystone State Normal School, who left the year Mr. Yost took the superintendency.
On Dec. 27, 1884, Mr. Yost married Catherine Ann Stein, who was born Nov. II, 1866, at Lewistown, in Walker township, this county, received her education in the district schools, and remained at home until her marriage. In girlhood she was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, but upon her marriage changed her membership to the Reformed Church, where she has worked loyally side by side with her husband. She has been a teacher in the infant department of the Sunday school for some years. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Yost: (1) Herbert Daniel, born April 21, 1886, began his education in Walker township and had a year's study at the Kutztown State Normal School. He is now assisting his father at the mill. On Oct. 3, 1908, he married Hilda Lilly Billman, born Dec. 25, 1883; and their children are: Nevin Lester, born March 13, 1910, and Myrtle Catherine, born Nov. 27, 1914. (2) Laura Lydia, born May 29, 1888, graduated from the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1911, and is now a teacher in East Brunswick township. She taught school in Walker township for four years and has taught four years in East Brunswick township. (3) Claude Calvin, born April 9, 1890, died Feb. 24, 1891. (4) Charles Henry, born March II, 1894, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1911, also attended Schissler's business college, at Norristown, Pa., and took a summer course at the University of Pennsylvania. He is now a teacher of the commercial depart- ment in the high school at Clearfield, Pa. (5) Paul Jonathan, born June 17, 1900, is attending school in Walker township.
Daniel Stein, Mrs. Yost's father, was born May 24, 1818, in Albany town- ship, Berks Co., Pa., son of George and Magdalene (Smith) Stein, who are buried at Bethel Church, in Albany township. He obtained his education in the pay schools conducted during his boyhood, and in 1855 moved to Walker
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township, Schuylkill county, where he bought a tract of 100 acres upon which he resided until his death. General farming was his occupation, and he was thrifty and prosperous. He married Lessina Greenawalt, who was born Feb. 24, 1820, and died Feb. 24, 1893, a few months after his death, which occurred Dec. 19, 1892. They are buried in the graveyard of Zion's Reformed Church, at Lewistown, of which congregation he had been a prominent member, serving many years as elder. Politically he was a Republican. They were the parents of the following children: Mollie Ann married Simon Ruch ; Willoughby, deceased, married Amanda Ringer; Lydia Ann married Simon Merkle, who is deceased; Eliza Ann married John F. Ringer, who is deceased; Jonathan married Mary Rine; Solomon married Matilda Zehner; Nathan married Messina Ringer ; Levi died when four years old: Catherine Ann is the wife of Jonathan I. Yost.
ROBERT A. REID, retired, a resident of Pennsylvania for the last sixty years, is a native of Scotland, born Jan. 22, 1842, near Stirling. George Reid, his father, was a native of Scotland also, born in 1795, and there following the manufacture of linen and woolen goods until he brought his family to America, in 1854. They landed at New York and came at once to Pottsville, Pa., where Mr. Reid followed weaving until his death. He is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. His wife, Janet (Graham), born in the same town as her husband, died at Pottsville, she and her husband passing away in the home at No. 51I East Norwegian street, which they built and which is now owned by their son Robert. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a large family, namely : William, Janet G., John G., George, Mary, Thomas D., Ellen, Robert A., James W., Andrew and Christianna.
Robert A. Reid obtained most of his education in Scotland, attending public school for a few years at Pottsville. Leaving school at the age of sixteen he found employment at the old Fishback rolling mills, as hooker up at the rolls, and continued at this work for two years. He then went to Palo Alto mills, run by Mr. Haywood, where he was employed until the Civil war broke out, in September, 1861, enlisting in Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he served for three years. The following appears in Mulholland's His- tory of Honor, published in 1905: "Mr. Reid was born at Raploch, near Stirling, Scotland, Jan. 22, 1842, enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served at the front for three years ; was discharged with his regiment Sept. 30, 1864, at the Weldon R. R., Va. This is part of his record: At Petersburg, June 17, 1864, captured the flag of the 44th Tennessee Infantry, and these few words tell of a severe fight, of a hand to hand struggle in which Mr. Reid conquered. A splendid soldier and true son of old Scotland, brave, fearless and heroic, and took part in all the engagements of his regiment, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and siege of Petersburg, and was never wounded."
After his return from the army Mr. Reid settled at Pottsville, and resumed work in the rolling mill, remaining there for ten years. Removing to Danville, Montour county, he continued to work as a roller, being engaged there for a period of twenty years, at the end of which time he returned to Pottsville. Thereafter until his retirement, in the fall of 1913, he was employed in the Reading Company's shops. Mr. Reid is a citizen of public spirit, and has always found time to do his share in promoting the best interests of the com-
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munity. He believes the provision of excellent educational advantages is one of the most important duties of the government, and he has served as a men- ber of the school boards both at Pottsville and Danville, at the latter place acting as president of the board, and at present (1914) as secretary of the Pottsville public school board. In political connection he is a Republican. Mr. Reid is well known among local social organizations, belonging to Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; to Mountain City Chapter, R. A. M .; and the Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which he is a charter member. By virtue of his military service he holds membership in Gowen Post, G. A. R., and the Medal of Honor Legion, and is secretary of the Survivors' Association of his regiment, whose headquarters are at Potts- ville.
Mr. Reid married Sarah Jane Beacham, daughter of John Beacham, an Englishman by birth, who came to America many years ago and followed mining. Seven children have been born to this marriage: John G., a civil engi- neer, a graduate of the Lehigh University, class of 1893, is now located at Philadelphia as chief of surveys for the Traction Company ; Bessie B., unmar- ried, resides at home; William is a mining engineer in the employ of the Girard Estate and lives on South Jackson street, Pottsville; Thomas D., a stenographer, is a resident of Philadelphia; George, Janet and Thomas are deceased. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
IRWIN H. BECKER is conceded to be the leading contractor and builder at Schuylkill Haven, and with a large share of the most substantial buildings of the borough to his credit is fairly entitled to such reputation. He has been doing business independently since 1886, being now the oldest man in the borough in his line, so far as the length of his career is concerned. As to his standing, the class of construction turned over to him is enough to make it clear that there is no more reliable man in the vicinity. As he owns and operates a lumber and planing mill, he has special convenience for facilitating his work which makes it possible for him to fill his contracts promptly, the various branches of his business working to their mutual advantage.
Mr. Becker belongs to a family which has been well known in Schuylkill county for many years. Charles Becker, his grandfather, was born in South Manheim township, this county. He was a carpenter by trade, but after follow- ing this calling for some time settled down to farming in South Manheim township, where he owned a tract of III acres. He continued its cultivation until eight years before his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years old, at the home of his son Jonathan. He is buried at the old cemetery in Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Becker married Mary Shower, a native of Berks county, Pa., who died at the age of seventy-four years, and is buried at Sum- mer Mountain Church, in South Manheim township. They were the parents of seven children: Henry; Rosa, who married David Schwenk; Jonathan ; Mary, Mrs. Fisher ; Charles ; and two who died young.
Henry Becker, son of Charles, was born in Schuylkill Haven. For a nun- ber of years he was engaged in boating on the canal, and was afterwards employed running a stationary engine. His death occurred in 1912, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He married Sarah Wilder- muth, and they had children as follows: Mary, Irwin H., Walter S., William, Samuel (deceased), and Harry.
Irwin H. Becker was born Feb. 8, 1862, at Schuylkill Haven, and had
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common school advantages in his youth. He was employed on the canal for a few years during his earlier life, afterwards learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman for three years before commencing busi- ness for himself. Since 1886 he has been contracting on his own account, and his business has expanded to such proportions that he now employs from thirty to forty hands, usually having from ten to fifteen carpenters alone on his staff. Practically all of the modern buildings in the borough are of his construction, including most of the factories and the Methodist church, the First National Bank building, and the Trust Company building. Outside of the borough some of his most important contracts were for the Methodist church at Tremont, and two railway stations for the Philadelphia & Reading Company, one at Auburn and one at Minersville, this county. Mr. Becker has made steady progress at his work, adding facilities as the increasing demands of his work permitted, and gathering a complete equipment for carrying on his business. He has aimed to keep abreast of. modern ideas on construction, and to embody the most approved ideas in the work intrusted to him, and the severe tests which his construction has stood are enough to prove that the confidence of his patrons in his trustworthiness has not been misplaced. His strong per- sonality, honorable methods, and wide-awake disposition are the forces which have given him a foremost place among business men in his community.
Mr. Becker married Kate Berger, daughter of Isaac Berger, and they have the following family: Edwin, Raymond, Blanche, Nathan, Samuel and Henry. The family belong to the Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven.
WILLIAM F. WEBER, of Pottsville, is a business man of high standing and one who has turned his ability to account in assisting various local enter- prises to success, besides his private interests. He is carrying on an old estab- lished undertaking business, one of the oldest in this section, his father having founded it many years ago, keeping alive a name which has been associated with the business prosperity of the borough and county for half a century.
Louis Weber, father of William F. Weber, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was engaged as a sashmaker. He came to America when a young man, and landing at Philadelphia remained in that city for one year, during which time he was employed as a chairmaker. He then came to Potts- ville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he found work with Mr. Gressang, who had a furniture and undertaking business, remaining with him for about ten years. In 1870 he established a business of his own, in the furniture and undertaking line, his first location being on Centre street, near Minersville street. From there he removed to Railroad and East streets, where he did business for two years, when he erected the building on Minersville street, near Fourth, where he afterwards had his business and place of residence. He built up a profitable patronage and attended to it until his retirement, in 1884, when he sold the business to his son Jacob. His remaining years were spent in the enjoyment of the ample means he had acquired. His death occurred Feb. 5, 1907.
Mr. Weber married Dorothy Kraus, who, like himself, was a native of Germany, Wurtemberg, and came to America, when a young girl. She pre- ceded him to the grave, passing away in October, 1904. The following children were born to their union: Caroline married John Rubert; Jacob, as above noted, took over his father's business, and for some time was located where the Francis Schramm hotel now stands, on Centre street, later moving back to the place on Minersville street, which his father had built, continuing in the
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business there until his death, May II, 1896 (he had two brick buildings on Laurel street, which connected with the store on Minersville street) ; Lewis died in Chicago, Ill. ; William F. is mentioned below ; Clara lives at home ; Eliza- beth married Boyd Gilmore; Emma is at home.
William F. Weber was born in Pottsville Oct. 22, 1864, and had the advan- tages afforded by the public schools of the town. When old enough to work he began to assist his father, remaining with the latter until his retirement, when he went to Philadelphia. In that city he was engaged in the confectionery business for one and a half years in partnership with his brother-in-law. Re- turning to Pottsville, he found employment with his brother Jacob until May, 1888, when he went to Germantown, Pa., and took a position with Kirk & Nice, undertakers, in which employ he continued for a period of eight years. After the death of his brother Jacob, in 1896, he bought out the business in Pottsville established by his father and has since conducted it very successfully. The large trade has increased steadily under his management, and he is one of the best known men in his line in Schuylkill county, and, in fact, throughout this section of Pennsylvania. His business and place of residence are at No. 306 West Market street. Mr. Weber has numerous social connections, and is particularly well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., of Pottsville; Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M .; Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T .; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading ; Philadelphia Consistory ; and the Sphinx Club. He has been promi- nent in the work of the local Y. M. C. A., being at present one of the board of managers and a member of the executive committee; he is also a member of the board of managers of the Pottsville hospital, and chairman of the real estate committee of that body. Mr. Weber's religious connection is with the German Lutheran Church, in which he is quite active and is at present one of the trustees; he was chairman of the building committee when the present beautiful church was constructed. Mr. Weber has proved a useful and desirable citizen in his various associations.
On Oct. 22, 1889, Mr. Weber married Mary M. Moser, daughter of John Moser, of Pottsville. They have no children.
ALBERT L. REED, of Orwigsburg, is a member of the firm of the Reliable Shoe Company, which has a large plant and gives employment to about one hundred people. Mr. Reed's association with this concern dates from the year of its establishment, 1894, and its advancement to a leading position among the factories of this vicinity may be credited largely to his persistent endeavors. Mr. Reed is a son of the late Solomon Reed, of Orwigsburg, and his grand- father lived and died near Pine Grove, Schuylkill county. The latter's family consisted of twelve sons and one daughter.
Solomon Reed, father of Albert L. Reed, followed the trade of machinist at Hazleton, Pa., until his removal to Orwigsburg. There he was engaged as a wheelwright by Edw. Peale, in whose employ he remained for twenty-three years. He died at Orwigsburg in 1898. His wife, Catherine (Fisher), of North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, died in 1891, and they are buried at Orwigsburg. They had a large family, namely: Louisa, deceased; George; William, deceased; Emma, who married Abraham Zuber; Albert L .; Edward H., one of the partners in the Reliable Shoe Company ; Frank, a cigarmaker ; Ella, wife of William Thomas; and Gertrude, living at Orwigsburg.
Albert L. Reed was born in March, 1868, at Orwigsburg, and obtained his
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education in the public schools of the borough. He is a self-made man, having advanced entirely through his own efforts. After doing farm work for four years, he entered the shoe factory of Shoener & Company, where he was employed for a period of fourteen years, until he left it to enter business for himself, as a member of the Reliable Shoe Company. His associates are O. S. Heist, who is treasurer, and his brother Edward H. Reed, and in 1911 they were joined by Joe L. Ege, who became the office man. The concern has attained a leading position among the industrial establishments of the section. The product is infants', children's and misses' fine shoes, high-grade turns, Mckay and welts, and is marketed in the South and West. The large plant now necessary to accommodate the business is equipped with the most modern and approved machinery, and provided with thorough facilities for the prompt execution of orders. Every department of the business is managed with the utmost regard for efficiency and well judged economy. Albert L. Reed has charge of the stock room, and also attends to the buying of leather in his department.
Mr. Reed has given his fellow citizens the benefit of his best efforts in their service, and is at present filling his third term as member of the borough council. He has taken a leading part in the deliberations of that body, and is chairman of the street and water committees, both handling matters of the greatest importance to the general welfare. The high regard which his towns- men have of his personal worth as well as his executive ability is shown in the hearty support he has received at the ballot, having always had the highest vote on the ticket. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and socially of the P. O. S. of A. and the Independent Americans.
Mr. Reed married Kate Andreas, daughter of William F. Andreas, of Lehigh county, Pa., and they have a family of four children: Martha, who graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1915; Vernon; Albert, and Arthur.
SAMUEL B. BITTLE is widely known among agriculturists in his section of Schuylkill county and to the business men of Schuylkill Haven, where he has been dealing in agricultural implements and harness for the last thirty-five years. He is established at the western limits of the borough. Mr. Bittle is an accomplished mechanic and has had considerable experience with patents of various kinds, and in all his relations with his associates has proved an intelligent, reliable adviser, never abusing the confidence which his patrons repose in him.
The Bittle family is one of long standing in Schuylkill county, where the emigrant ancestor, Christopher Bittle, settled before the days of its organi- zation. He came to America Sept. 24, 1753, at which time he was only a boy, and first located at Quakertown, near Philadelphia. 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. For a time he was employed upon a farm. Later he married a Miss Neiman, and settled at Pottstown, Pa., where he pur- chased a farm upon which he lived for a while. Selling out, he came to what is now Schuylkill county, locating on Summer Mountain, about half a mile east of Schuylkill Haven, where he bought the farm later owned by the Henney
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and Reber families, situated in South Manheim township. He sold that prop- erty 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 consider- able extent in cutting timber, owning and operating an old-time sawmill, cut- ting his timber and floating it down the Schuylkill river. He had the follow- ing 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. Maria Strauch ; Mrs. Molly Pott; Mrs. Kate Weaver ; Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver ; Mrs. Rebecca Reed; Mrs. Sarah Jennings, and Mrs. Eva Warner.
Jacob Bittle, son of Christopher, was the grandfather of Samuel B. Bittle, of Schuylkill Haven. 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 Minersville. 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 Schuyl- kill 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 hun- dred 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 Schuyl- kill 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 (living at Schuylkill Haven), Samuel B. and Mary Elizabeth (who married Charles Phillips).
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