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 51
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Company demanded his undivided time. His experience in the business and local territory made him the logical leader in the formation of this company, which was organized Dec. 20, 1899, with William L. Kramer, attorney, as the first president; Walter W. Rynkiewicz, secretary; Christian Schmidt, treas- urer ; in company with Hon. Joseph Wyatt, of Mahanoy City ; J. M. Schaeffer, of Shenandoah; George Rettig, of Shenandoah; William Neiswinter, now of Frackville; Leo Donoskey, of Shenandoah; and Joseph Grosskettler. A charter was granted to the company Jan. 10, 1900, and they purchased from Josiah Johnson a site 120 feet by 150 feet (deep), on North Main street near Line street, immediately starting to erect a plant. The engine house and part of the main building were first constructed, being added to from time to time according to the requirements of the business, and as it stands to-day it is one of the most up-to-date breweries in the United States. As Mr. Schmidt has supervised the process of building from the very start, its thoroughly modern facilities are indicative of his progressive tendencies. He believes that true economy consists in wise expenditure rather than undue conservatism, and the success of the establishment has justified every improvement he has made. Its equipment includes an up-to-date ice plant, and its capacity being greater even than the business requires the surplus product is sold to the public; the steam-heating facilities also are in excess of the needs, and many houses in the borough are supplied with heat from the brewery. These features are typical of what has been done in every department.
The Home Brewing Company began business in Shenandoah on the strength of the large trade which outside brewers were enjoying in the borough and vicinity. They felt that a home plant could not only supply the local needs, but would add to the resources of the town by keeping in this terri- tory the large revenue which was going to enrich other sections. But the business had to be built up from the bottom, and there was only one way to get the patronage of the surrounding country-to cater to patrons with a better product. This the Home Brewing Company has endeavored to do from the start, and the liberal patronage of dealers in the vicinity has been reciprocated in many ways. The plant has been built and operated on the most approved lines, and the product is unrivalled for purity, being manufactured under the most scientific conditions known to the trade. It consists of light and dark beer, porter, ale and Weiss beer, and the annual capacity is between fifty thousand and sixty thousand barrels. Besides, there is a modern bottling department, where Weiss beer and all kinds of soft drinks are bottled, and which, also, is provided with the latest mechanical appliances and characterized by the excellent sanitary conditions which prevail all through the brewery proper. This department is conducted under the supervision of an expert, and the greatest care is exercised in preparing its products for the market. Sixty- five men are given employment in this extensive establishment, and agencies are maintained in Mount Carmel, Northumberland county, and Centralia, Columbia county, though the market is principally in Schuylkill county. The company as at present organized consists of Christian Schmidt, president ; Hon. Joseph Wyatt, vice president, and principal agent at Mahanoy City; Joseph Grosskettler, superintendent of the brewery; Charles C. T. Smith; George Bolinski; and Christian J. Schmidt, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Schmidt's other interests include his connection with the People's Arti- ficial Ice Company of Shenandoah, of which he is president ; the Miners' and Mechanics' Building and Loan Association, of which he is vice president;
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the Merchants' National Bank of Shenandoah, of which he is a director; and he is a stockholder in several other banks, at various places. He is a trustee of the State Hospital at Fountain Springs. Formerly he was a director of the Ashland Miners' and Laborers' Building Association. In fact, his sympathies are too wide to be restricted to his own town, though it has always held first place in his affections. He has never hesitated to share the burdens of local government, giving his townsmen the benefit of the wise judgment which has brought him such success in his private affairs. For one term he served in the borough council, two terms as tax receiver, and ten years as member of the board of health, for which work his knowledge of sanitation specially quali- fied him. He has been a member of the Rescue Hook & Ladder Company many years. A liberal contributor to all worthy movements set on foot in the community, Mr. Schmidt has shown that his enterprise is not confined to the furtherance of his own interests. Mr. M. E. Doyle, editor of the Anthracite News, of Shenandoah, says of him: "Christian Schmidt is one of our solid, sensible men ; his word is as good as a bond. Enterprising and enthusiastic to a degree, he is straight, white, clean and devout. There is no trickery in Chris- tian Schmidt, and his life since he worked as a slate picker, at the age of eight years, is an honorable example. He has no use for hypocrites or double dealers. He is the father of a large family, and all his interests are centered in Shenandoah. He employs a large number of men, all of whom hold him in high esteem. If any difficulty arises he meets his men in person and not by proxy. Christ. Schmidt is a fine specimen of the self-developed man."
Mr. Schmidt is a member of the German Catholic Church of the Holy Family and one of the most liberal contributors to its support. He was one of the organizers of the Washington Beneficial Association of Shenandoah and is a past officer of that body, as he is of the St. Michael Association ; he has also been treasurer of the latter for many years. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but is now a member of the Republican party.
In 1880 Mr. Schmidt married Catherine Bender, who was born Jan. 6, 1860, at Gergeshausen, Nassau, Germany, daughter of Adam and Annetta Bender. She received her education in Germany and at Shenandoah, Pa., having been eleven years old when the family came to America. Her father was a tailor by trade, but after settling here worked around the mines. Mrs. Schmidt died Ang. 4, 1910. She was the mother of a large family: Mary M. graduated from the Bloomsburg State Normal School and taught school in Shenandoah until her marriage to Charles L. Knapp, who is outside foreman at the Shenan- doah City colliery ; they have children, Anna M., Mary M., Catherine M., and Rita. Elizabeth Catherine is the wife of John Grosskettler, foreman of the Home brewery, and their children are Agnes Mary, Gertrude Mary and Mary Josephine. Christian J., who is secretary and treasurer of the Home Brewing Company, is a graduate of the Thune School, a member of St. Michael's So- ciety, the Washington Beneficial Association, the Columbia Hose Company, and the B. P. O. Elks, Lodge No. 945: he married Helena Hart. Agnes is the wife of John J. Beyer, proprietor of a hotel in Shenandoah ; their children are Helena and Christianna. Anna and Helena, educated at the Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, Pa., live at home. William is a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. Margaret, Philip and Joseph are deceased. Mrs. Schmidt is buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenan- doah, toward the maintenance of which Mr. Schmidt has been a generous con- tributor.
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For his second wife Mr. Schmidt married Catherine Mentzer, a native of Shenandoah, where she received her education, attending the Holy Family parochial school and the public schools. She lived at home until her marriage. Like her husband she is a member of the German Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family.
John Mentzer, father of Mrs. Schmidt, was born Nov. 3, 1848, in Nassau, Germany, obtained his education there, and came to America when a young man. Settling at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he became a miner, for thirty years employed at the Suffolk colliery. Having been injured in the mines and incapacitated for mining, he was engaged during his latter years as a re- pairman, remaining at the Suffolk colliery until his death, Feb. 19, 1913. He is buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenandoah. Mr. Mentzer was mar- ried in Shenandoah, by Rev. Father Graetzer, to Theresa Mary Hartenstein, who was born Oct. 18, 1857, and to this union were born the following children : Catherine, Mrs. Christian Schmidt; John, who is employed as car inspector at the Shenandoah City colliery, Shenandoah; Minnie, who married Richard Lewis, engineer and pumpman, and has children Mary and Catherine; Mary, a dressmaker, living at home; Joseph, who died when eleven years old; and Joseph (2), driver at the Shenandoah City colliery, who married Margaret Everhart (they have no children). Mrs. Mentzer resides at No. 209 West Coal street, Shenandoah. Mr. Mentzer belonged to the Church of the Holy Family ; to St. Michael's Society, of which he had been secretary for twenty years, serv- ing up to the time of his death; and to the William Penn Beneficial Society of Philadelphia. Politically he was a Democrat.
Peter Hartenstein, Mrs. Mentzer's father, was born in December, 1825, in Nassau, Germany, where he spent his early life, receiving his education in the local schools. When twenty-eight years old he came to this country, settling near Pottsville, Pa., where he found work about the mines and also as inside repairman. He came to Shenandoah in its early days, and worked around the mines there for many years, but after the death of his wife he went to Chicago, Ill., where he lived with his son John, retired from active labor, until his own death, Feb. 19, 1902. He is buried there. In Pottsville Mr. Hartenstein mar- ried Catherine Stahl, who was born in Nassau in January, 1826, and whom he had long known in the old country. She, too, came to America at the age of twenty-eight years. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstein : Catherine, who died when sixteen years old; John, who is employed at the stockyards in Chicago, Ill .; Theresa Mary, Mrs. John Mentzer; and Mary, who died when five years old. Mrs. Hartenstein died in March, 1890, and was buried in the Annunciation cemetery at Shenandoah. The Hartensteins were members of the Holy Family Church at Shenandoah, and Mrs. Harten- stein also belonged to St. Michael's Society. He was a Democrat in his polit- ical views.
George Stahl, Mrs. Schmidt's great-grandfather in the maternal line, was a native of Nassau, Germany, whence he came to this country. He lived at different points in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, Pa., doing work around the mines, and was a resident of Trevorton, Northumberland county, at the time of his wife's death. Thereafter he made his home with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Michael Peters, at Locustdale, Schuylkill county. He lived to the age of eighty-two years, and is buried at Ashland, this county. He and his family were members of the German Roman Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl had a family of four children: Catherine, Mrs. Peter Hartenstein ;
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Theresa, Mrs. Michael Peters, now (1915) the only survivor of the family ; Margaret, who married Martin Gracium, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; and John, who married Margaret Nalbach, who since his death has become the wife of Jacob Noll, of Shenandoah.
JOHN McKELVEY GRAY, M. D., late of Port Carbon, was the young- est of the three Gray brothers whose conspicuous attainments and unusual skill in the field of medicine have brought honor to the name in every part of Schuylkill county. Personally he had a remarkable life, and though he passed out in his prime had reached a position of eminent influence and filled a large place in the activities of his chosen community.
The Gray family is of Scotch extraction, John Gray, the Doctor's father, having been born at Johnson, Renfrewshire, Scotland, July 14, 1832. He was only two years old when he came with his mother to America, and until 1837 they lived on Cape Breton Island and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. They then removed to Pennsylvania, settling at Minersville, Schuylkill county, where John Gray spent most of his youth and acquired the principal part of his education. Mrs. Gray, however, after a short residence there, married Robert Johnston, and removed with her family to Maryland, where she lived for a few years. Returning to Minersville, she passed the remainder of her life there. John Gray lived at various places as the family moved around during his early life, including Pottsville and Reading, Pa., coming to Cressona in 1856. Here he made his permanent home. He had learned the trade of machinist and black- smith at Minersville, and he followed it until 1870, being obliged to give up such work on account of his health. Then he was appointed foreman in the railroad works at Cressona, controlled by the Philadelphia & Reading Company, and held that position practically to the end of his active years. By his first marriage, to Agnes Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson, of Pottsville, he had one child, who is now deceased. Mrs. Gray died Feb. 21, 1857, aged twenty- two years, five months. Mr. Gray's second marriage was to Agnes McKelvey, who was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, at East Norwegian and Coal streets, where the Pennsylvania depot now stands. Of the eleven children born to this union, seven sons and four daughters, ten reached maturity, namely : Isabella married Samuel Klock, formerly a butcher in Lebanon, Pa., but he subsequently moved to Truly, Mont .; James Charles is practicing medicine at Cressona ; William Lincoln, a machinist, lives at Shickshinny, Pa .; Jennie B., who died in 1913, was the wife of Adam Applegate, of Pottsville, Pa .; Robert Bruce is practicing medicine at Port Carbon, Pa. ; Annie Elizabeth married Wil- liam Kline, and lives at Great Falls, Mont .; Agnes May taught school at Cres- sona before her marriage to Rheinold Plath, now of Great Falls, Mont .; John McKelvey is mentioned below : George Andrew was a ranchman at Great Falls, Mont., and was killed near that place, having been thrown from a horse on his ranch (the place is named Gray Butte in his memory, though he is interred in the family lot at Cressona, Pa.) ; Allen Eugene took up a claim and is engaged in ranching ; Chester Hutchison died in infancy. The mother of this family died May 26, 1902, at her home in Cressona, and the father died a few months later, Feb. 3, 1903, in Montana. They are buried at Cressona. Mr. Gray was a Republican in politics.
David McKelvey, father of Mrs. Agnes (McKelvey) Gray, emigrated to this country from Scotland about 1820, and the family were early residents at Pottsville. He was engaged on work in the early development of the coal fields
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there, and was the first miner to meet his death in the gate vein, being killed by a falling timber under the site of the present courthouse. His widow nobly undertook the burden of rearing her family of four children, leasing the Mount Hope farm, which she carried on, selling milk, fruit and vegetables in town. She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Centre street grammar school, in a vault containing the bodies of thirty-five of her relatives.
John McKelvey Gray was born in February, 1872, at Cressona, this county, where he acquired his early education in the public schools. He began read- ing medicine with his brother, Dr. James Charles Gray, and when but seventeen years old entered the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, being the second Schuylkill county student to complete the course there. He was graduated before he reached his majority, as an honor man, though one of the youngest graduates of the institution. For a short time thereafter he was in practice at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county ; for two years was stationed at the Min- ers' hospital, Pottsville; and resigned to become resident physician at the County almshouse, where he also remained two years. At the end of that period, in 1897, he married and located at Port Carbon, where he was in gen- eral practice until his death. Though devoted to his profession, Dr. Gray was more than a successful physician. He found outlet for his wide sympathies in many other lines of action as well, and his life was well rounded. Always a student, he nevertheless owned and conducted a drug store at Port Carbon, was also engaged in the real estate business, and kept in close touch with local public affairs, holding the office of school director for three years. In 1900 he patented the first authentic thermos case, which has been in wide demand among medical men. He also patented an ice creeper, for use on icy sidewalks. He was a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society.
Dr. Gray married Violet A. Moose, daughter of George W. Moose, of Schuylkill county, and she survives him, occupying the home at Port Carbon and looking after the interests he had acquired. Four children were born to this union: Ruth A., Galen McKelvey, Violet A. and June D. Dr. Gray passed away at his home in Port Carbon, Feb. 8, 1914, and was buried at Cressona.
CHRISTIAN G. CLAPPIER, of Minersville, has been in business in that borough for over thirty years, and is probably equally well known there in his musical associations, having been leader of the Minersville Cornet Band for a long period. He is a member of a family of French origin, which remained in France until driven out of the native country by religious persecution, when the Clappiers took refuge in Germany.
Peter Clappier, father of Christian G. Clappier, brought his family to America in 1854, making the voyage on the ship "Hillside," which landed then at New York City, May 30th. For a short time they lived in New Jersey, in 1856 coming to Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. Clappier followed the trade of shoemaker, and as his son Christian has taken up the same line, their association in that business at Minersville covers over half a century. During the Civil war Peter Clappier served in Company A, 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. He married Wilhelmine Wetz, and they died at Minersville, where they are buried. Of their two children, Minnie and Christian G., the daughter resides in Read- ing, Pennsylvania.
Christian G. Clappier was born Jan. 24, 1853. in Wurtemberg, Germany,
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and was reared at Minersville, where he obtained a public school education. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he was only a mere child when he began work as a slate picker at the mines. Afterwards he learned shoe- making, which he has been following since 1874, and in 1882 he engaged in business on his own account, now having a leading establishment in his line at Minersville. He carries a most complete line of men's, women's and children's shoes, his stock including the finest goods, and his store is thoroughly up-to- date in every respect and conducted along the most approved lines. His patrons receive skillful service and courteous attention, and Mr. Clappier has neglected no detail for their accommodation. Business has occupied the greater part of his time and music is his chief recreation. For thirty years he was the leader of the Minersville Cornet Band, and his zeal and devotion con- tributed a large share to the success and popularity of that organization. His only connection with the public service has been as member of the school board, on which body he served two terms. He belongs to the English Lutheran Church, and socially to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member ; to the Knights of the Golden Eagle; and the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Clappier has made one return trip to his native land in 1874 visiting his birthplace, and also England and Wales. As a citizen, he holds the unquali- fied esteem of a wide acquaintance.
ROBERT C. SHEARER, of Pottsville, has been associated with the Chron- icle Publishing Company continuously since 1901, for the last ten years in the capacity of business manager. He has earned his share of the credit for the success of the paper during that period, by which it has maintained its present high standard in Schuylkill county, the effect of his strong personality per- meating every department of its activities. Mr. Shearer is a "native son" of Pottsville, born March 18, 1874, and his parents, James R. and Rachel (Dc- wald) Shearer, were also Pennsylvanians, the father born at Milton, North- umberland county, the mother at Reading, Berks county. James R. Shearer was a Union veteran of the Civil war, and after his service in the army fol- lowed contracting and building the remainder of his life at Pottsville, dying there in 1888. He was twice married, and a daughter born to the first union, Mrs. H. E. Wyckoff, is a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. To his second mar- riage, with Rachel Dewald, were born two children, the eldest dying in infancy. Before her marriage Mrs. Rachel D. Shearer taught school in Pottsville, where she died in June, 1902.
Robert C. Shearer received his education in the Pottsville public schools, leaving when he had completed the grammar school course. He then applied himself to learning the printer's trade in the job office of his uncle, Robert D. Colborn, and after the completion of his apprenticeship worked as a journey- man in Philadelphia for some years. For almost a year he was engaged as a book seller, handling Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia. Returning to Potts- ville be bought his uncle's interest in the business previously mentioned, and in the year 1901 sold it to the Chronicle Publishing Company, with which he became connected as solicitor. When Charles Meyers purchased the plant, in May, 1905, Mr. Shearer was made business manager. The practical course he has adopted with regard to the paper and plant, and his efforts in behalf of sound commercial standards for the borough and county, have been so suc- cessful as to gain him a distinctive place among the trusted heads of business
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in the community. He was one of the charter members of the Rotary Club at Pottsville, and has been diligent in the promotion of its activities.
The Evening Chronicle was started in 1875 by the Chronicle Publishing Company, as a one-cent daily, edited by Solomon Foster, Jr. Before long he became sole owner, and conducted the paper until June, 1877, when he sold it to the Standard Publishing Company, a corporation formed by leading local Democrats. The Chronicle is now a Republican paper. As one of the fore- most journals in Schuylkill county it has considerable influence upon the trend of public opinion in this section. It is only fair to say that it is a well edited paper, always ready to present the best interests of the community to its read- ers and advocate their support.
Mr. Shearer married, Aug. 17, 1899, Amy C. Bassett, a native of Potts- ville, and they have had two children: William, who died in infancy, and Emily Rachel. Mr. Shearer is a member of the Episcopal Church as well as his wife. Socially he holds membership in the Improved Order of Heptasophs. On political questions he is a Republican.
JOHN L. CONRAD, one of the leading business men of Port Carbon, has had a definite part in the upbuilding of that borough, where he has spent all his life. He was born there Nov. 11, 1848, son of the late Christian Conrad, for many years a well known employee at the Reading car shops in the town.
Christian Conrad was a native of Germany, and died at the age of seventy- four years in Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he is buried. He set- tled there upon coming to America, in 1844, and found employment at the Reading car shops, where he continued to work throughout his active years. His wife, Louisa, died at the advanced age of ninety years. They had children as follows: John L .; Christian, an engineer on the Frackville branch of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad; Charles, a foreman for the same company ; George ; Rosa, Mrs. Purnelle ; Louisa ; and Emma, Mrs. Hartzel.
John L. Conrad attended public school until nine years old, when he com- menced work as a breaker boy, picking slate. At the age of fourteen he went to work for the railroad company, in whose employ he remained four years, at the end of which period he started learning the wheelwright's trade. He followed it until 1883, when he turned to carpentry, and a year later had suffi- cient knowledge of the latter line to undertake contracting on his own account, continuing it for about twenty-five years, with satisfactory success. Mean- time, in 1900, he formed a partnership with his son, Harry, to engage in the lumber business and flour and feed trade, and they did business together, under the firm name of John Conrad & Son, also keeping up the contracting business. Besides many of the most attractive dwellings in Port Carbon, the Conrads have erected the home of the Good Will Hose Company, the Evan- gelical church, and other notably substantial structures which add to the thrifty appearance of the borough. Mr. Conrad now has three of his sons associated with him, Harry, Lewis and William, and the partnership is known as John L. Conrad & Sons. In addition to the original establishment they have a large planing mill, operating the only plant of the kind at Port Carbon. It is a convenience much appreciated by local builders, and has paid from the beginning.
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