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 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
As one of the oldest native-born residents of Port Carbon Mr. Conrad has watched its development with interest and has done his share to promote the good work. In the course of his active business career he has contributed
345
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
greatly to its material improvement, and he has also exerted liis influence in the administration of municipal affairs, having served three years in the borough council. His sound judgment and wisdom in meeting local ques- tions have made him a recognized leader. He and his sons, who have also taken an influential part in public matters, are Republicans in political sentiment.
In 1873 Mr. Conrad married Ellen Marquardt, daughter of John Blasius Marquardt, of Port Carbon. They have had five children : Ilarry is a mem- ber of the borough council at present and has filled the position of burgess ; Lewis, formerly employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- pany, as a mining engineer; now in business with his father, is a member of the Port Carbon school board; William is with his father; Annie is the wife of Dr. N. H. Stein, of New Philadelphia, Pa .; Dr. John is connected with the Pottsville hospital. The family attend the services of the Evangelical Association.
MILTON HENRY MILLER is the owner of the "Ideal Farm" in West Penn township, a property which in appearance as well as name expresses his ambitions in the line of agriculture. Through his efforts this place has been developed to meet the most approved modern standards, and it is a model country estate which shows that it is not impracticable to be governed by good taste in the improvement of a tract primarily cultivated for profitable farming. The physical attractions of the "Ideal Farm" which probably im- press the average visitor first are, indeed, the natural result of the orderly administration and wise economy which have guided Mr. Miller throughout his residence there. Liberal management is everywhere in evidence, but there is no extravagance of waste. The work has been simplified and facilitated in every possible way by the adoption of modern methods and the introduction of machinery. Mr. Miller has almost three hundred acres in the township, his holdings extending in one direction for about two miles. Most of his land is given over to general agriculture, but he makes a specialty of fruit and poultry.
Mr. Miller belongs to an old family of West Penn township, where he was born May 1, 1865, on the farm now owned by his brother, Austin J. Miller. He is a son of Daniel F. Miller and a grandson of Joseph Miller; the latter also was a farmer in West Penn township, where he owned a good sized tract of land. He died when his son Daniel was ten years old, but his wife, Salome (Flexer), lived to the age of eighty-seven years, passing away in August. 1897. She was a daughter of Jacob Flexer. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller had the following children: David married a Miss Wertman, and both are deceased ; Reuben married Julia Rex, and both are deceased; Daniel F. is mentioned below ; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Charles Fry, an old soldier, and a resident of West Penn township; Lena married Daniel Dreisbach, and both are deceased ; Priscilla married David Middlecamp, and both are deceased. Tlie father was a Democrat and a member of Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, where he is buried; the mother is buried at St. Peter's Church in that township.
Daniel F. Miller, father of Milton H. Miller, was born in about the center of West Penn township, in December, 1834, and died April 6, 1884. He was reared and educated in his native township, and after his father's death went to live with his maternal grandfather, Jacob Flexer, who raised
346
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
him. He worked on the Flexer farm until eighteen years of age, afterwards hiring out by the month on different farms until twenty-seven years old, when he married and bought a farm of seventy-five acres, ten of which are still uncleared. This farm is now owned and occupied by his son, Austin J. Miller. Daniel F. Miller remained there until his death, following general agriculture, and he started a good orchard, setting out one hundred apple trees, fifty pear trees and one hundred plum trees. Like his father Mr. Miller was a Democrat and a Lutheran, being an earnest member of Zion's Church in West Penn township, which he served as deacon. He is buried at that church. His widow, Amanda (Gerber), remarried, becoming the wife of Alfred Frederici, who is also buried at Zion's Church. She survives him, making her home now with her son, Charles. She was born Feb. 27, 1844, daughter of Jeremiah and Susan (Ziegler) Gerber. She had no children by the second union. To her marriage with Mr. Miller the following children were born: Austin J., born' March 8, 1863, married Mary Bailey, and lives on the old homestead in West Penn township; Milton H. is next in the fam- ily ; Charles O., born Jan. 21, 1868, married Elizabeth Wehr, and is farming in West Penn township; Elizabeth A., born Oct. 21, 1871, married Alfred Arner, of West Penn township.
Milton Henry Miller received his education in the Wash Creek and North Penn schools, with one course in the fourth grade of the Tamaqua school. He remained at home, working on his father's farm, until twenty-four years of age, when he married and settled on his present home place, which his father had bought one year before his death. The family had continued to conduct the farm, as part of the father's estate, for five years before Milton H. Miller bought it, and at that time only thirty of its 127 acres were cleared. The buildings consisted of a small dwelling 25 by 32 feet, and a small barn, 40 by 50 feet. Now Mr. Miller has ninety acres of this tract under cultivation, and he did all the work himself. He has added to his original holdings by two pur- chases, one of eighty acres and. one of ninety acres, his land stretching out over a distance of two miles. A mere enumeration of the improvements he has made, innovations in methods and machinery, conveniences in home and outbuildings, show how progressive a spirit has dominated his work. In 1891 he built a new barn, 34 by 70 feet, which is up-to-date in every particular of construction and equipment. In 1912 he rebuilt and enlarged the old barn, which is now 54 by 70 feet, designing the structure himself and cutting all the timbers for it. It is provided with both hot and cold running water, the hot water being piped from the house. Both barns have cement floors. Mr. Miller keeps ten cows, principally Jerseys, six working horses and ten pigs. He has five hundred chickens, two hundred of which are young fowl, making a specialty of White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. His chicken houses are modern in every respect. One is 16 by 60 feet, with an annex 16 by 24 feet, and another is 60 by 12 feet. Running spring water furnishes a fresh supply to the chickens at all times. He has raised and planted every tree on his place, having five hundred apple trees, four hundred pear trees, fifty plum trees and fifty peach trees, as well as twenty grapevines of the Concord and Black Warden varieties. Mr. Miller attends the Coaldale and Lansford markets three times a week, and sometimes takes his products as far as Mahanoy City. He has not been sparing in providing high-class implements to carry on his work, having $7,000 worth of farm machinery, all in first- class condition; he bought and used the first dump wagon in his township.
347
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
flis home is in keeping with the rest of the property. In 1908 he built the dwelling, which is one of the finest residences in the township. There are five rooms on the first floor, five bedrooms on the second floor and three bed- rooms in the garret, and nothing is lacking in the way of comforts and con- veniences. The house is heated by steam. an acetylene gas plant furnishes light and fuel for cooking, and modern plumbing, with hot and cold running water, completes the appointments of a model country home. There are cement walks around the house, and an iron fence with cement coping incloses the yard.
Mr. Miller married Elizabeth C. Kemner, who was born March 14, 1869, a daughter of Matthias and Fredericka (Gebhart) Kemner, and they have had a family of six children : Annie L., born June 14, 1888, lives at home; Danicl M., born Feb. 27, 1890, now farming at Mantzville, West Penn township, married Verna Mantz, who was born March 8, 1893, and they have one child, Marian Luella, born Feb. 10, 1915; Oliver C., born May 13, 1892, died July 14, 1909, in the German Hospital at Philadelphia, from appendicitis; Machina A., born June 4, 1893, is the wife of Leroy Zehner (born July 21, 1891), a farmer of West Penn township, and has one child, Claribel, born Dec. 20, 1914; Warren W., born July 12, 1897, is married to Eva Fritz, who was born May 11, 1895, and they reside on the Miller farm, Warren Miller assisting in its operation (he is a stockholder in the People's Trust Company of Tamaqua) ; Claribel, born May 16, 1901, is at home. All the children have been well educated, receiving the best advantages afforded by the local public schools, and Mr. Miller has given his family the best opportunities possible to prepare them for the real work of life. All are members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and Sunday school in West Penn township.
Mr. Miller has always given his hearty support to local enterprises, being a stockholder of the People's Trust Company of Tamaqua, and a stockholder and director of the Rural Telephone Company. Vigorous and enterprising in everything he undertakes, he has been a leader in agricultural progress especially, and the system in operation on his property is a practical demon- stration of his efficiency and ingenuity in taking advantage of present-day methods. All the appointments of his estate are "the last word" in farm equip- ment, the fact that he uses an implement being a sufficient guaranty of its worth. Though he is a busy man he keeps in touch with all the life of his neighborhood ; has served his township three years as school director and two years as supervisor ; is a prominent member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, of West Penn township, of which he has been deacon six years and trustee about twelve years ; is a member of Washington Camp No. 44, P. O. S. of A., at Mantzville, West Penn township; and a member of Blue Ridge Lodge, No. 1153, I. O. O. F., at Sittler, West Penn township. Politically he is a Repub- ican in principle, but votes independently.
Mrs. Elizabeth C. (Kemner) Miller is a native of West Penn township, where she was reared and educated. Like her husband she belongs to St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Her father, Matthias Kemner, born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, died in February, 1899, in West Penn township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., aged seventy-two years. Coming to America when he was twenty- seven years of age, he landed at New York and then went to Philadelphia, later settling at Tamaqua, Pa., where he was married. He was a butcher, and followed his trade there for a short time, then buying the farm in West Penn township now owned by his son Lewis, a tract of fifty acres, half of
348
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
which he cleared. He carried on general farming until his death, and attended market at Tamaqua. Mr. Kemner married Mrs. Fredericka (Gebhart) Walter, who died aged forty-nine years (widow of Christopher Walter), and eight children were born to this union: William, who lives in Walker township, this county, married Emma Schaeffer, now deceased; Matthias, who married Sarah Delp, lives in Tamaqua, Pa .; Lewis, who is on the old homestead in West Penn township, married Catherine Blessing; John married Amanda Nestor, and they live at Tamaqua; Elizabeth C. is the wife of Milton H. Miller; Annie married Ellsworth Zehner, of West Penn township; Daniel died young; Catherine married Frank Zehner (deceased) and (second) William Staump, of Tamaqua. The mother of this family passed away when forty-nine years old. By her marriage to Christopher Walter she had four children: Christopher married Lavina Wagner, and lives at Tamaqua; Rosella is the widow of John Tiley and lives at Tamaqua ; Mary married Michael Bonshoff ; Emma married Lewis Steigerwalt, of Sittler, West Penn township.
Mr. Kemner was a Democrat and interested in local politics. He was an active member of Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, and he and his wife are buried there. Christopher Walter is buried at Tamaqua.
WILLIAM D. BOCZKOWSKI, of Mahanoy City, is president and busi- ness manager of the W. D. Boczkowski Company, owners and publishers of the Saule (Sun), a Lithuanian newspaper, established in 1888 by the father of the present proprietors. It has been conducted by father and sons con- tinuously since, and through its medium they have exerted a notable influence among their countrymen everywhere, having subscribers in all the leading cities of the world.
Mr. Boczkowski was born in 1881 at Baltimore, Md. His father, a native of Russian Poland, came to America in 1879, and first located at Hazleton, Pa. He was a skilled musician, and for a number of years after he arrived in this country was engaged as a church organist. In 1888 he established the Saule, at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where it has been issued regularly since, his sons William D. and Victor L. Boczkowski taking over the owner- ship of the paper upon his death. The former is president of the company, and also managing editor and business manager; the editor is F. W. Boczkowski, another brother, also of Mahanoy City. The paper is published semi-weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays, and it reaches a large percentage of the Lithuanian population of the world, having the largest circulation of any Lithuanian paper published. The aim of the publishers is to afford a means of intercommunication for those of that nationality wherever located, and they claim to represent the interests of over five hundred thousand Lithuanians residing in the United States. The company built a fine, up-to-date newspaper plant at Nos. 337-339 West South Alley, at A street, three stories in height, and thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and all the appointments necessary in a complete establishment.
William D. Boczkowski came to Mahanoy City with his father in boyhood. His education was begun at Plymouth, Pa., and continued at Mahanoy City, and he began newspaper work with his father, under whom he received all his training. His career throughout has been characterized by adherence to the most honorable principles, which have held the confidence of his fellow citizens without reserve at Mahanoy City, no less than those of Lithuanian blood. He is an accomplished linguist, speaking five languages. Progressive and
34 )
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
aggressive, he has been a distinct force for good in municipal life, using his influence wisely. At present he is serving as a member of the borough coun- cil, to which office he was elected in 1913 by a large majority. He is inde- pendent in politics, giving his support as he thinks best. Fraternally he holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks and the Eagles. Mr. Boczkowski and his brother own the well known Boczkowski theatre, located in the First ward of Mahanoy City.
HUSTON ROBISON MOYER, cashier of the Citizens' Bank of St. Clair, has been associated with that institution since December, 1905, through- out the period of his residence in the borough. With natural business capacity developed by experience, and the honorable principles highly important in every position of trust, he has the proper endowment for efficient service in the place he occupies, not only in regard to his relation with the bank, but also as it affects commercial conditions in the community. Mr. Moyer belongs to a family of successful business men. He is a native of Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., where his grandfather, John R. Moyer, established in 1835, with a capital of but one hundred dollars, a drug business which has become the most important concern in its line in that county. It is now carried on by Moyer Brothers, sons of the founder, as a wholesale house.
The late Charles Augustus Moyer, father of Huston R. Moyer, was a stonemason by trade, and for a time was engaged in the marble business with a Mr. Barkley, at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa. He also did business at Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, subsequently clerked for I. W. Hartman, at Bloomsburg, and then was similarly employed in the wholesale drug house there operated by his brothers. His death occurred at Bloomsburg, May 7. 1904, and his widow, Martha R. (Robison), daughter of John Robison, of Espy, Columbia Co., Pa., continues to make her home there. They had one child, Huston Robison. John Robison, Mrs. Moyer's father, was a pioneer settler in Columbia county. On May 14, 1840, he drove over the mountains to Pottsville to take the train for Philadelphia, train service not having been established farther than that point at the time.
Huston Robison Moyer was born March 27, 1877. He was educated principally at Bloomsburg, attending the public schools, and after his gradua- tion from high school taking a short course at the State Normal school there. Subsequently he had some commercial training at the Scranton business col- lege, and for a few months was employed in Scranton, doing office work for F. P. Post. Returning to Bloomsburg, he became shipping and receiving clerk for the Magee Carpet Company, and after filling that position one year was advanced to head bookkeeper. He continued with the firm in that capacity three years, when he came to St. Clair to take the position of bookkeeper in the Citizens' Bank, of which William T. Tyson was then cashier. A few days after Mr. Tyson's death, which occurred Nov. 4, 1907, he was elected cashier, Nov. 12th, and has proved himself fully deserving of the honor. Mr. Moyer's solid character has attracted confidence and good will among his business associates, and his estimable personal traits have drawn him into many pleasant social relations. He has joined the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and Ancient and Illustrious Order, Knights of Malta, since coming to St. Clair, and while at Bloomsburg became a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and Friendship Fire Company. He adheres to the Presbyterian faith, but there being no church of this denomination at Saint Clair he joined the
350
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Reformed Church, and has done his full share in furthering its work, at present filling the office of deacon and teaching the Men's Adult Bible class. He votes independently, using his ballot to support the men and measures he approves on principle. His influence, exerted always on the side of better- ment, is a valued force for progress in the borough.
Mr. Moyer married Harriet Mabel Kline, a daughter of A. H. Kline, formerly of Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., now a resident of Reading, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer have two children, namely: Mabel Adilene, who is attending school, and Thelma Lovilla, at home.
The Citizens' Bank of St. Clair, Schuylkill county, was organized May 16, 1904, with a capital of $50,000, and has been doing business ever since at No. 39 North Second street, in the busy part of that borough. Its present officers are: President, Dr. R. T. Weaver, physician ; vice president, H. L. Daddow, manufacturer; cashier, H. R. Moyer; teller, M. R. Sullivan; runner, J. Wesley Ceaser ; solicitor, J. M. Boone; directors, Dr. R. T. Weaver, H. L. Daddow (manufacturer), J. M. Boone (attorney), E. C. Boone (merchant), WV. P. Jones (merchant ), W. B. Lewis (merchant), W. J. McCarthy (justice of the peace and wholesale liquor dealer), P. Raring (merchant), J. Wellner (confectioner) and T. L. O'Donnell (deputy sheriff of Schuylkill county), all local people. John H. Davis, the first president, Charles Short and W. N. Holnes, members of the original board of directors, have died, but no others have been elected to their places. The bank is known as one of the most prosperous in the State, and under its trustworthy management has every promise of continued success. The cashier's report for Feb. 20, 1914, shows resources and liabilities of $554.361.76, and the surplus and undivided profits amount to $35,000.
JAMES V. BURKE, who has been a business man at Ashland for over forty years, has lived in that borough from boyhood, and is a native of Schuyl- kill county, born April 28, 1849. His parents, Michael and Sabina Burke, were natives of Ireland and came to America many years ago, making their first settlement in Schuylkill county, in the eastern portion, near Minersville. They moved to Ashland when their son James was but a boy. The father died in 1869, and the mother lived to the age of eighty-three years, passing away in 1896. They had a large family, viz .: William J., now a resident of Miners- ville, this county : John J., a resident of Ashland, who for over forty years was associated with his brother, James, in the undertaking business there; Mary Ann, Mrs. Kealy, of Philadelphia; Thomas A., a school teacher, who lives at Ashland ; Michael P., deceased; James V .; Rev. Patrick F., formerly a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, now deceased; and Hattie L .. of Philadelphia.
James V. Burke, as above noted, carried on a furniture and undertaking business in partnership with his brother, John, for over forty years under the name of Burke Brothers, which he still retains. John J. Burke withdrew from the business on May 7, 1913. The establishment has always com- manded a good share of the patronage in Ashland, the Burkes being justly noted as reliable dealers, accommodating to all their customers and enjoying good standing among the most reliable merchants of the town.
Mr. Burke was married in Philadelphia to Regina Patterson, a native of that city, whose parents in the early days lived at St. Clair, this county. The family returned to Philadelphia, however, where Mrs. Burke's parents both
351
1
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
died and were buricd. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke, namely: Margaret R. is the wife of Joseph Shovlin, of Ashland; Cornelius F. is studying for the priesthood, being at present in the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary at Overbrook, Pa .; Vincent A. is a student at the same institution ; Frank L. is associated with his father in business; Edward J. lives with his parents in Ashland. Mr. Burke and his family are members of St. Joseph's Church at Ashland.
HARRY G. FESSLER, of Cressona, has been a leader in more than one respect in his section of Schuylkill county. At present he is serving as chief burgess of Cressona, and his broad-minded interest has drawn him into other local activities, his capacity for useful service having stood many a severc test in responsible positions.
Mr. Fessler is a native of Wayne township, this county, born Nov. I, 1866, son of Elias Fessler, and descended from an old family of German origin which has been in Schuylkill county for several generations. His great- grandfather was a pioneer in Long Run Valley, Schuylkill county, where he followed agricultural pursuits and remained until his death. He was twice married, by the first union having two children, Joseph and John, and his second wife, whose maiden name was Confer, was the mother of the follow- ing: Andrew died in Schuylkill county; Michael died in Berks county ; Abraham died in Shamokin, Pa .; William and George died in Schuylkill county ; Molly married Solomon Luckenbill ; Rebecca married Daniel Minich.
Of the above family, William Fessler, well known in his day as "old Bill Fessler," was the grandfather of Harry G. Fessler. He was born in Long Run valley. Living in this section in the pioneer era, he was a typical man of his day, a great hunter and fisherman, and shot several deer and bear in the Second mountain district in Pennsylvania. He did railroad work, during the early days of the railroad in this region being one of the first men employed on the Mine Hill road, helping to lay the track, later hauling coal, and still later acting as roadmaster, which position he held until 1866. At that time he retired to his land, owning two farms in this section, and continued to live there until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-five years old; he is buried in the Union cemetery at Friedensburg, this county. Few men in this part of Schuylkill county were better or more favorably known. He and William Lark built the Union Church at Friedensburg, and he never lost his interest in church work, in which he took an active part. Politically he was a Republican. In his early days Cressona was known as West Haven. By his marriage to Elizabeth Luckenbill, daughter of Solomon Luckenbill, he had a large family, namely: William, who died in Wayne township, Schuylkill county; Catherine, who died young; four who died in infancy ; Esther, deceased, wife of George Lark; George, who died at Cressona ; Elias, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Jeremiah, now one of the oldest residents of Cressona ; Elizabeth, widow of William Breininger; Henry and James, who live in Wisconsin ; Josiah, a resident of Cressona ; and Amanda, who mar- ried Jolin Lengle, and lives at Cressona. The mother of this family lived to the age of eighty years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.