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 50
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Samuel B. Bittle was born Dec. 1I, 1852, in North Manheim township, Schuylkill county. He was given common school advantages for the acquisi- tion of an education, and was reared a farmer, his early experience proving very valuable to him in the business he has since adopted, enabling him to understand the needs of his customers and the relative efficiency of the imple- ments he handles. In 1879 he began dealing in farm machinery and harness, and he has built up a large trade by his accommodating methods. His immense stock is well selected, from the best and most approved goods in the market, and is so complete that the farmer knows he can supply all his wants there- from. Mr. Bittle keeps his place in excellent order, economizing both space and time by his up-to-date methods and convenient arrangement of the large
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line he carries. He handles gas and gasoline engines, wagons of various kinds, buggies, surreys, and agricultural implements, besides looking after repairs on same, and the advantage of having so thoroughly equipped an establishment in the vicinity is fully appreciated by those who deal with Mr. Bittle. He has a familiar knowledge of machinery and is skilled in patents, having himself invented several devices. The most notable was the magnet to extract all metallic substances from wheat as it passes into the rollers, though he was "done" out of the credit for this invention and never reaped any of the rewards. For his own pleasure Mr. Bittle has given considerable time to paint- ing, his artistic talent being shown in a number of pictures he has produced, among them an excellent likeness of Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Bittle united with the Reformed Church some years ago. On political questions he is associated with the Republican party. He is unmarried.
JOSEPH SCHWARTZ held an honored place among his fellow citizens in Wayne township, Schuylkill county, through a long and useful career, and at Schuylkill Haven, where he passed the closing years of his worthy life, was regarded with equal esteem. As an agriculturist who won unusual success, he was looked up to as an authority in his chosen calling, and he was no less ad- mired as a man, his admirable qualities manifesting themselves in helpful asso- ciation with all he knew. His life and work had an appreciable effect on the community where his lot was cast, and though he never presumed to leader- ship he set an example well worthy of emulation. Mr. Schwartz was born in Wayne township Jan. 7, 1834, son of Wendel Schwartz, and of German descent. His father lived for a time in Berks county, Pa., finally settling in Wayne town- ship, Schuylkill county, where he died. By occupation he was a farmer. He was twice married, and Joseph, born to the second union, had one full brother, William, who died unmarried in Wayne township, and one sister, Annie. He had three half brothers, Daniel, Samuel and George.
Joseph Schwartz was reared to farm life and spent all his active years in the cultivation of the soil in Wayne township, where he acquired the ownership of two fine farms, about three miles from Friedensburg, comprising about one hundred and fifty acres each. Their care and management occupied most of his life. In 1907 he built a fine residence on Bern street, in Schuylkill Haven, to which he removed, and thereafter lived retired until his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1912, when he was aged seventy-eight years. He is buried in Friedens- burg Church cemetery in Wayne township. Mr. Schwartz was a Lutheran in religious faith. Township affairs interested him, and he did a good citizen's share in the administration of the local government, serving for many years as a member of the school board. He was one of the best known men of his section, where he had many friends, and his intelligent conduct of his extensive farming interests stimulated many ventures in his locality which aided its progress.
Mr. Schwartz married, March 13, 1858, Mary Ann Sheafer, who was born May 31, 1840, in Wayne township, a daughter of Jacob Sheafer, and she con- tinues to occupy the Bern street home in Schuylkill Haven. Seventeen children were born to this union: Caroline E., Franklin W., August, Sallie, Catherine, Andrew J., Jacob, Joseph, Marion (who died in infancy), one that died in infancy unnamed, Rebecca, Ellen, Matilda, another that died in infancy unnamed, Charles M., Phronie B. and Mary A. The youngest daughter, Mary A., is at home with her mother.
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HARVEY D. PETRY, of Pottsville, bears a name which has been honored in Schuylkill county from the days of its early settlement, he being a member of the fifth generation in this region. The family is of German origin and the name was originally spelled Petri. His great-great-grandfather was the ancestor who came to this country from Germany and settled in Berks county, Pa. He and also his son Jacob, the great-grandfather of Harvey D. Petry, lived in what is now West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, near Auburn. The latter had a farm of 129 acres and prospered in its cultivation, building a new house and barn to take the place of the old log structures originally erected there in pioneer days. Jacob Petry died on the farm at the age of eighty-eight years and was buried at Auburn. His children were as follows: Daniel; Jacob; Mary, who died unmarried; Catherine, who died unmarried; Rebecca, who married Jacob Seltzer; and Elizabeth, who married Conrad Moyer.
Daniel Petry, son of Jacob, was born in 1825 on the old homestead place, and in his earlier manhood followed carpentry, building boats for use on the canal. Later he turned his attention to farming, operating the home property. He died in June, 1911, at the age of eighty-six years, and is buried at Leesport, Berks county. By his first marriage, to Lavina Reichendolfer, he had the fol- lowing children: Joseph, who is living at Auburn, this county; Charles, of Reading, Pa .; Emma, who married John Mengel, and died at Frackville; Joanna, the wife of Oscar Seidel, of Reading, Pa .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Sanders, who died in Bethlehem, Pa .; and William. For his second wife Daniel Petry married Catherine Louden, who is now living at Leesport, Pa. To this union were born three children : Jacob, who lives in Philadelphia ; Ella, wife of Harry Baltzer, of Leesport, Pa .; and Louisa, deceased.
William Petry, son of Daniel by his first marriage, was born Nov. 22, 1851, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he was reared and educated. He was brought up to farming, which he continued to follow for about six years after commencing regular work, but since 1872 he has been in the employ of the Reading Company. He married Matilda Moyer, daughter of Simon Moyer, and they have a family of five children: Wilmer, of Schuylkill Haven ; Lillie ; Herman, who lives at home ; Harvey D. : and Elvina, at home.
Harvey D. Petry was born April 28, 1886, near Auburn, Schuylkill county, and his education was acquired in the public schools of Auburn and Schuylkill Haven. When he began work he was in an underwear mill at the latter place, and he learned the business thoroughly during the twelve years of his employ- ment in that establishment. From there he went to Philadelphia, where he was employed in the same line of work for two and a half years, at the end of that time returning to Schuylkill county and locating at Pottsville, where, in Sep- tember, 1909, he formed his present business association. In partnership with E. I. Elliott and R. C. Horn, Mr. Petry owns and operates the Glen Knitting Mills Company, whose plant is at the rear of Tenth and Market streets, Pottsville. It is a two-story building, completely equipped with all the neces- sary modern machinery for the manufacture of ladies' fine ribbed underwear, and the volume of the business has multiplied several times since its inception. Fifteen people were employed at the start, while the regular force now consists of from seventy-five to eighty hands. Mr. Petry is president and manager of the concern and Mr. Elliott, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Petry has spared neither time nor effort to familiarize himself thoroughly with the requirements of his business and the development of the Glen Knitting Mills Company has been carried out along the most conservative and approved business lines. Mr.
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Petry and his partners deserve great credit for the progress they have inade during the comparatively brief existence of their business, and its value to the community is greatly appreciated.
Mr. Petry is married to Ida Fenstermacher, daughter of George Fenster- macher, of Cressona, Schuylkill county. They have had two children, Leona and Wayne. Mr. Petry has been a member of the Reformed Church at Potts- ville for many years, and socially belongs to the Jr. O. U. A. M. council, at Schuylkill Haven.
FREDERICK B. REED, of Schuylkill Haven, present postmaster of that borough, is known to practically all of its citizens, and he has been engaged in the post office continuously almost from youth. Born June 21, 1885, at Schuyl- kill Haven, he is a son of Gordon D. Reed and a member of the Reed family which has been established in Schuylkill county for several generations.
John Reed, great-grandfather of Frederick B. Reed, lived at Reedsville, Schuylkill county, and was one of the well known farmers of that section in his day. He owned the tract now in the possession of Oscar Mengle. He was twice married, his second wife's maiden name being Kimmel, and they are buried at Reedsville. To this marriage were born children as follows: George, William, Daniel K., Elias, Hannah (married Peter Reed), and Elizabeth (mar- ried William Fehr).
Daniel K. Reed, son of John, above, was born at Reedsville, and like his father followed farming. He was also an auctioneer, his services being in great demand. After his marriage he removed to Wayne township, where he had a farm of eighty acres, and he died there at the age of fifty-four years ; he is buried in the cemetery at Friedensburg. He married Susan Berger, daughter of Ludwig Berger, of North Manheim township, and they became the parents of the following children: Lyman G. lives at Friedensburg, this county ; Mendon died at Friedensburg ; Elizabeth married Lewis Brown, who lived at Cressona, and who was at one time county commissioner; Arabella married William W. Berkheiser, and is living in South Manheim township; Ida married Lewis Brown, of Washington township, and both are deceased ; Gordon D. is the father of Frederick B. Reed; Sherman H. is a farmer and auctioneer, living near Cressona; Annie married George Emerich.
Gordon D. Reed was born Nov. 19, 1862, at Friedensburg, and spent his youth in the manner usual among farmers' sons. When old enough he went to learn the carpenter's trade, which he has followed practically all the time, for fourteen years as an employee in the car shops. From 1896 to 1897 he was steward of the county almshouse. During his residence in Wayne town- ship he filled the office of school director for two terms and took the census in 1890, but he never held any public position during his residence in Schuylkill Haven, whither he moved in 1898, though always interested in local affairs and willing to do his share towards securing competent officials and conditions favorable to the general welfare. Politically he is a Republican ; socially a member of the P. O. S. of A., Jr. O. U. A. M. and the Veteran Relief ; and he belongs to the Lutheran Church.
To his marriage with Elizabeth B. Riland, daughter of Burkhart Riland, of Friedensburg, this county, has been born a family of eleven children, namely: Frederick B., Annie, Elizabeth, Mary, Helen, Gordon D., Jr., Elsie, Alice, Dora, and two that died in infancy.
Frederick B. Reed obtained his education in the public schools of Schuylkill
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Haven, attending high school. During Speaker Walton's term at Harrisburg, Mr. Reed was appointed page in the House of Representatives, serving during the session of 1903, and on his return to Schuylkill Haven became assistant postmaster. He served in that capacity until 1910, after which he was acting postmaster for one year, and on Dec. 12, 1911, was appointed to the office for a four years' term. His long experience in the office had made him so thoroughly familiar with its duties that he was well prepared to meet its require- ments to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens, and his services have been highly creditable. He is a director and secretary of the Textile and Sterling Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, both of Schuylkill Haven, of the former since 1910, the latter since 1913.
Mr. Reed is well known in fraternal bodies, belonging to Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of which he has just been chosen master for the year of 1915; to Philadelphia Consistory ; to Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading : to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Jr. Order United American Mechanics ; and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. Like the family generally he is identified with the German Lutheran Church.
Mr. Reed married Viola McDonald, daughter of William McDonald, of Schuylkill Haven.
C. FRED KULL, deceased, came to Ashland over fifty years ago and throughout the period of his residence there was associated with the furniture and undertaking business, a few years after his arrival founding the establish- ment which he carried on until his death, and which has since been conducted by his son and namesake.
Mr. Kull was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and his father, Christian Kull, died in that country. Coming to America in 1855, C. Fred Kull settled at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker and incidentally also followed chairmaking. In 1863 he moved to Ashland, this county, where he worked on his own account in the Mandler house. Before long he entered into a partnership with a Mr. Humble, under the firm name of Humble & Kull, their operations at first being as manufacturers and deal- ers in furniture. In time they added the undertaking business, and continued to carry on both lines for forty-four years, during which time the present business site was purchased. Eventually Mr. Kull bought the interest of his partner, and he retained his connection with the business until his death, which occurred Aug. 2, 1907. He was a typical representative of his race. He had the skill acquired in thorough training, and his work could be relied upon in every particular. When he began business on his own account his thrift and foresight soon enabled him to place his affairs on a substantial basis, and he never did anything to impair the high standing which he enjoyed in the com- munity. Mr. Kull was married at Pottsville to Sophia Mayer, a native of Germany, where her parents died. She came to America when fifteen years old with two uncles, and still makes her home at Ashland. Six sons and two daughters were born to her marriage with Mr. Kull, the eldest being C. Fred. Jr., who is mentioned fully below : Emma is the wife of Albert Binder, of Newark, N. J .; John H. is a business man of Ashland, dealing in dry goods. notions and carpets, and also has an interest in the furniture and undertaking business of his deceased father : August is also interested in the business con- ducted by his father's estate; Mary lives at home: Elmer is connected with the furniture and undertaking business; Albert and William are deceased.
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C. Fred Kull, eldest son of the late C. Fred Kull, is manager and executor of his father's estate. He received his education in the schools of Ashland and from the time he entered business assisted his father, becoming so thor- oughly familiar with the trade in its various branches that upon his father's death he took full charge of the place. Under his management the establish- ment has continued its prosperous career, and he has proved himself thoroughly capable of handling the interests of the estate to the best possible advantage. Like his father he is a man of high character and many substantial qualities.
In 1884 Mr. Kull married Jennie Umlauf, a native of Ashland. Her par- ents, Jennie and Peter Umlauf, are both deceased. Four sons and two daugh- ters have been born to this marriage, Albert, William and Louis surviving. Mr. Kull and his mother are members of the German Lutheran Church at Ashland, the rest of the family being associated with the English Lutheran Church.
GEORGE B. RAUCH, of Schuylkill Haven, is a member of a family which has been associated with the growth of Schuylkill county for several generations and at all times identified with the substantial element of citizen- ship. His grandfather, Benjamin Rauch, was born in or near Schuylkill Haven, followed farming, and died at that place, where he is buried. His wife was a Kramer, and their children were: John, Henry, David, Mary and Annetta.
John Rauch, father of George B. Rauch, was born in Schuylkill Haven, and is buried at that place. In early life he became employed upon the canal, and after following boating for a time entered the service of the Reading Rail- way Company, by faithful and efficient service winning promotion to the posi- tion of engineer. He met an accidental death when forty-two years old at Palo Alto, this county, receiving fatal injuries when he fell from his engine. His wife was Amelia Leipensberger, daughter of George and Hettie (Miller) Leipensberger, the former a native of Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., where he died. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Rauch ; Benjamin, who died young; George B .; and Ellnora E., widow of W. C. Kepner, of Orwigsburg.
George B. Rauch was born March 15, 1862, at Schuylkill Haven, where he was reared. After receiving public school advantages he commenced boat- ing on the Schuylkill canal and followed that occupation for a period of fifteen years. In 1892 he became engaged in the coal business at Schuylkill Haven as a retailer and built up a profitable trade as a dealer in that line, which he con- tinued until April, 1900, at that time selling out to E. H. Borda. He has since been interested in the same line as a wholesale dealer, and in that connection has established an extensive business, his customers being in Reading, Phila- delphia and other cities of eastern Pennsylvania. He represents the St. Clair and Mount Hope Coal Companies. His home is at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Rauch owns a fine farm of 140 acres in South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and from 1906 to 1912 gave a considerable part of his time and atten- tion to its cultivation and management. He now rents the property. Though the widening of his interests has drawn him away from his home borough to some extent, he is as deeply concerned for its welfare as ever, and is never backward in the support of worthy local enterprises or in public-spirited activity for the promotion of any movement designed for the benefit of the community. He is widely known in and around Schuylkill Haven, a member
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of the German Lutheran Church, and has given honorable service as a member of the town council, in which body his practical good sense, and ability to carry to completion successfully whatever he felt was necessary for the good of the town, made him highly valued by his colleagues.
Mr. Rauch married Mary C. Croll, daughter of Daniel A. Croll, and they have a family of three children: John, Albert and Sarah, all at home.
CHRISTIAN SCHMIDT, of Shenandoah, has achieved in the building up of the business of the Home Brewing Company a triumph for local indus- trial interests of permanent value. He has been at the head of the company throughout the period of its existence, so most of the credit for its develop- ment is due to him. Though not one of the oldest concerns in the borough it is one of the largest, and in its relation to the volume of business done in the town and surrounding territory one of the most important. It has occupied the chief place in Mr. Schmidt's business activities since its estab- lishment, but with the passing of time he has acquired other responsibilities, in Shenandoah and elsewhere, through which he is closely associated with the progress of this region in a broad sense. With strength of character he possesses many other admirable traits, which have brought him personal popularity irrespective of his standing in the more conventional relations of life.
Mr. Schmidt is of German origin and parentage. His grandfather, Peter Schmidt, was a native of Nassau, Germany, and owned a small farm which he operated in connection with work at his trade, being a terra cotta molder. He died in 1847, when about sixty years old, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Dorndorff, Nassau, having been a member of that parish. His widow, Mary (Stahl), came to this country, and died when about seventy years old; she is buried at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Their children were : Peter; John, who remained in Germany; William; Philip; Jacob, who was burned in a powder explosion at the Kohinoor colliery, Shenandoah; and Herman, a retired miner, now living in Chicago, Illinois.
Philip Schmidt, father of Christian Schmidt, was born in Nassau, March 17, 1834, and received his education in the schools of the home parish. As he was but thirteen years old when his father died, he went to live with his mother's brother, who conducted a hotel, the boy assisting him there. He was also employed hauling the finished product from the terra cotta works in the vicinity over the mountains, there being no railroads there at the time. Thus he continued until twenty-six years old, when he came to this country. locating at Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he married Anna Maria Schissler, who had heen his sweetheart in the old country, and who preceded him to America by about one year, Mr. and Mrs. Schissler and seven daughters making the journey together. For two years Mr. Schmidt labored in the gangways of the mines in the vicinity of Trevorton, and then came to Schuylkill county, Pa., first settling at Ashland. He worked in the local mines for five years, thence moving to Girardville, this county, where he was a miner for the next three years, at the end of which time he came to Shenan- doah, where he found employment in the Kohinoor and other collieries. For a time he gave up mining and conducted a hotel, but sold out and resumed his old occupation, taking a position in the Plank Ridge colliery, where he had been working but three days when killed by a fall of rock, on July 16, 1881. He was an expert miner and timberman. Mr. Schmidt was buried at Ash-
Christian Schmidt
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land, in the plot where his mother is interred. He was a member of the German Catholic Church, one of the original members of the Church of the Holy Family at Shenandoah, and also belonged to St. Michael's Society. In politics he held to the principles of the Democratic party, and he took a keen interest in the affairs of his adopted home, and was elected a member of the borough council.
Mr. Schmidt married Anna Maria Schissler, who was born in 1835 at Seitzou, Nassau, Germany, daughter of George Schissler, who was a farmer while in his native land, but after settling in America found employment as stable boss at the collieries at Trevorton. Mrs. Schmidt died in March, 1889, and is buried at Shenandoah, in the cemetery of the Church of the Annuncia- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt had the following children: One daughter died in infancy; Christian is the eldest son; Lewis, who is an employe of the General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y., married Catherine Tannen- baum, and they have a large family; Joseph married a Miss Lechleitner, and both are deceased (they left no children) ; George, who lives at Colorado, Schuylkill county, and is an outside employe at the Shenandoah City colliery, married and has two sons and two daughters (he had quite a reputation as a fancy dancer) ; Philip died in infancy; Herman, of Elizabeth, N. J., an employe of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, married a Miss Long (they have no children) ; Elizabeth is the wife of Martin Jernick, a tailor, of Newark, N. J., and they have six children ; Michael, a farmer in Northumber- land county, Pa., married a Miss Thruan, and they have two daughters ; Mary is married and has five children (her husband is a brass molder, of Orange, New Jersey ).
Christian Schmidt was born Feb. 25, 1858, in Trevorton, Northumberland county, and for a few years during his early boyhood attended public school in Schuylkill county, at Ashland, Girardville and Shenandoah. When he was eight years old he did his first regular work, as a slate picker at the Hunter colliery, and he spent most of the next eighteen years in and about the mines, employed in various capacities. Until he was sixteen he was engaged at outside work, running engine, plane engine, etc., and then he went into the West Shenandoah colliery with his father, who was an expert timberman, and under whose skillful guidance he acquired a thorough knowledge of that line, his inherited mechanical traits enabling him to pick it up readily. He also became a first-class miner. Later he worked with his father in the big vein of the Kohinoor colliery, robbing pillars. Leaving the mines for a time he went to Philadelphia and learned the baker's trade, upon his return to Shenandoah embarking in the business on his own account. But after carry- ing on a shop for a year he returned to the Kohinoor workings, and was subsequently at Gilberton (being there when his father was killed), St. Nicholas (driving breasts) and the Knickerbocker colliery at Yatesville, where he did his last mine work. His mother, who was then an invalid, persuaded him to enter the hotel business when he was twenty-six years old, and as the eldest son he took good care of her until her death. His establishment was at the corner of Coal and West streets, and while conducting that place he also represented the Lauer Brewing Company, of Reading, Pa., as local distributing agent. When the Brooks high license law was enforced he sold his hotel and turned all his attention to the Lauer Company's business, which under his fostering had grown to large proportions, and he continued in its employ until October, 1900, when the growing interests of the Home Brewing Vol. I-22
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