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 55
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
Returning from the army, Mr. Sittler engaged in the general store business
366
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
at the location which later became known as Sittler's (the post office is Sittler), and he was instrumental in having the post office established there. He was appointed the first postmaster, holding the position until his death, when his son Calvin E. Sittler succeeded him. Mr. Sittler was a man of energetic dis- position and entered heartily into local enterprises, in which his intelligent co- operation was properly valued. He represented the Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, and had charge of the district em- bracing West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and the Mahoning Valley, Carbon county. He served his home township as school director, and was known as one of the most faithful members of the Ben-Salem Lutheran Church, just across the Schuylkill county line in East Penn township, Carbon county. He is buried there. Mr. Sittler was a member of Bertolet Post, No. 484, G. A. R., of Lehighton, Pa., and remained a Republican to the end of his days.
Mr. Sittler married Louisa Hunsicker, a daughter of Henry and Abigail (Arner) Hunsicker, and they had the following children: Dr. Warren C., born Feb. 2, 1868, now resides in Mahoning township, Carbon Co., Pa .; he married Hattie Zeliner, and they have one child, Earl, who is attending the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa. Calvin E. is next in the fam- ily. Jennie E., born Jan. 27, 1873, is married to Harry N. Cannon, manager of the Childs restaurants in Baltimore, Md .; their children are Burdelle and Harry. Lulu M., born Jan. 27, 1880, is the wife of Rev. J. S. Kistler, of East Stroudsburg, Pa., and has one child, Louise. LeRoy A., born Feb. 15, 1881, is a truck farmer in Lehigh county (on Macungie R. F. D. Route No. 2) ; he married Katie Dennenhauer. Elsie Sallie Lufonta, born Dec. 18, 1887, a grad- uate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1905, lives at home. George C., who completes the family, is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having enlisted in Company C, ¿Ist Regiment, United States Regular Infantry, in 1898, at the recruiting office in Pottsville, Pa. He was sent to Fort McPherson, Ga., and then to Austell (Lithia Springs), that State, and after a short period spent in these two camps of instruction proceeded to Cuba, by way of Tampa, Fla., for active service at the front. He participated in the engagements at Matanzas, Cienfuegos, El Caney, San Juan, Guantanamo and Santiago. After the surrender of the Spanish army he was transferred to Plattsburg Barracks, in New York State, and was there discharged in Febru- ary, 1899, under orders of the adjutant general's office, which gave him the privilege of receiving his discharge after the ratification of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain. While at Austell, Ga., he was struck by lightning, the accident shattering his health. He holds a medal as a first- class marksman (sharpshooter), for which honor he qualified at the Platts- burg rifle range.
Calvin E. Sittler, who has succeeded his father as general merchant and postmaster at Sittler, was born Feb. 12, 1871, in West Penn township, and received his preparatory education there in the public schools. Later he was a student at the West Chester State Normal School and the Eastman Busi- ness college, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and his practical business training was gained as clerk in his father's store and assistant postmaster. Upon his father's death he was appointed postmaster, and has served as such to the present time, looking after the office in connection with the operation of his general store, which is the largest and best equipped establishment of the kind in the territory. He succeeded his father as representative of the Farmers'
.
367
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and by his honorable transactions has come to occupy the same enviable position his father held in the general esteem. Fraternally he is a member in good standing of Lodge No. 1153, I. O. O. F., of Sittler, Pa .; formerly he belonged to Joseph Webb Camp, Sons of Veterans, of Lehighton, Carbon county. He holds membership in the Ben-Salem Luth- eran Church, and was at one time a teacher in the Sunday school.
Mrs. Louisa (Hunsicker) Sittler, mother of Calvin E. Sittler, was born July 6, 1844, daughter of Henry Hunsicker and granddaughter of Henry Hun- sicker. The latter was a farmer in Mahoning township, Carbon county. He married Eva Moser, and they had children as follows: John; Henry, father of Mrs. Sittler; Joseph, who married Polly Gerber and (second) a Mrs. Houser ; Catherine, Mrs. Charles Xander; Leah; and one daughter who mar- ried David Nothstein. In his political views Mr. Hunsicker was a stanch Re- publican, and he was an active member of the Ben-Salem Church, where he and his wife are buried.
Henry Hunsicker, father of Mrs. Sittler, died when she was two years old. By his marriage to Abigail Arner there were two children, namely: Louisa, Mrs. Sittler ; and Emmaline, now the widow of Thomas Musselman, residing at East Orange, N. J. Mr. Hunsicker was a Republican. His widow married (second) Amos Riegel, a very prominent Republican politician of Carbon county, where he served as sheriff and county commissioner. He was a veteran of the Civil war, during which he served in the home guards, and belonged to Bertolet Post, No. 484, G. A. R., at Lehighton. By occu- pation he was originally a drover. While sheriff he bought several farms, where Packerton is now located, and cut them up into building lots. He was a member of St. John's Reformed Church in Mahoning township, Carbon county, and helped to build the church at Lehighton, to which he was a liberal contributor. He died at the age of eighty-four years, and is buried at Lehigh- ton. His wife is buried at St. John's Church in Mahoning township, Carbon county. They had four children, namely: Jerome married a Miss Koch, and both are deceased; Tilghman died young; Johann married Caroline Balliet, who is deceased (he was a ranchman in South Dakota for many years ; he has served as justice of the peace at Lehighton) ; Sallie resides at Lehighton.
CLEMENS M. ROSENBERGER, of Pottsville, has risen to a note- worthy position among the successful business men of this region on his own merits. Beginning as a breaker boy at the coal mines, he has become a pros- perous coal operator, and he and his brothers have filled the wants of the large local trade, finding an immediate market for their production. Mr. Rosenberger also takes a keen and active interest in municipal affairs, feeling that all matters affecting the general welfare are worthy the attention of pub- lic-spirited citizens.
Mr. Rosenberger's grandfather, Andrew Rosenberger, came to this coun- try from Germany, settled in Pottsville, Pa., and was a section boss on the first railroad in this locality. John Rosenberger, son of Andrew, was born at Pottsville, and died Sept. 23, 1899, aged fifty-three years ; he is buried at Pottsville. He followed mining, for a time operating the Billheiser colliery at Pottsville. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wanamaker, died in Pottsville May 28, 1909, aged sixty years. Thirteen children were born to this marriage: Elizabeth married Philip Ploppert; John A. is a contractor and builder of Pottsville; Benjamin is engaged in the coal business
.
368
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
with his brother Clemens; Clemens M. is next in the family; Christina mar- ried Lepold Horner, of Pottsville; Kate married Fidus Smith; Emma mar- ried George Sowers; Gertrude married Frank Schaffer; George is a car- penter; William is also a carpenter; Lewis is in the coal business with his brothers; Annie is unmarried; Ella died in 1911, the wife of August Pfluger.
Clemens M. Rosenberger was born Oct. 29, 1874, at Pottsville, and obtained his early education in the public schools of the borough. Subsequently he took a course at the Scranton Correspondence Schools. He began work as a breaker boy with his father, was promoted in time to the position of gig boss, and afterwards became breaker boss at the Lehigh Valley colliery, York Farm, holding this position for four years, until the colliery was closed. He then became boss for the Manhattan colliery, located at Forestville, near Minersville, being so engaged for about six years, in 1898 beginning operating on his own account on the Richard estate, lying south of Pottsville and on the north side of the Sharp Mountain. His brothers Benjamin and Lewis are associated in business with him, and they are now operating three veins, taking out the free burning coal, all of which is disposed of to the local trade.
Mr. Rosenberger has taken a prominent part in the workings of the Demo- cratic party, and has served a number of years as judge of election of his district. He was elected a member of the Pottsville council, and gave three years of faithful service in that body. He is a popular member of the York- ville Fire Company, in which he has held office, and he is a Catholic in religious faith, belonging to St. John's German Church.
Mr. Rosenberger makes his home at No. 1709 West Market street. He married Margaret Ballmann, daughter of Benjamin Ballmann, of Egg Harbor City, N. J., and they have had four children, Joseph, the eldest, dying when fifteen months old. The survivors are Margaret, Josephine and Elizabeth.
FRANK C. REESE, of Pottsville, is a native of Schuylkill county, born Feb. 11, 1865, at Wadesville. His parents, John and Flower (Codrington) Reese, were natives of Wales, coming to America from that country about 1863, and first settling at Wadesville, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania.
John Reese soon became prominent in mining and railroad circles, and held positions of responsibility during the period when the "Molly Maguires" were in their ascendancy. He was soon spotted as a man who should be removed. being one of six men in the county who were sworn to secrecy and to whom, with the aid of that celebrated Detective James McFarland, Captain Linden, of Philadelphia, and Franklin B. Gowen, of Philadelphia, the task of removing the blot on the county was intrusted. Numerous attempts were made to carry out the nefarious schemes they planned for the riddance of so able an opponent. At one time three men were detailed from among the "faithful" to kill him, but he was warned and escaped. Numerous times they visited the home of Reese, but were thwarted in their hellish purpose by the men on guard : for two years it was necessary to have from two to five police on guard at his home. His house was made the headquarters for the law-abiding citi- zens of his community, and members of the family were obliged to remain on upper floors to escape violence from prowling "Mollies" for a period of seven months. Though Mr. Reese was fired at on four different occasions, and his clothing pierced with bullets, he escaped personal injury from that source. He was killed by an explosion of gas in the Kehley Run colliery, in July, 1880, two other mine superintendents losing their lives at the same time.
Franck b. Quest 一
369
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
As a division superintendent of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- pany, and an authority on mining and expert on the mine damps and gases, his services and advice were greatly in demand. He had attained a high reput- tation and standing in the social and business affairs of the county.
Frank C. Reese, then but a lad, rendered valuable service in the capacity of messenger boy during the Molly Maguire troubles. Often at night he was sent on an errand with important letters, followed by an officer who saw that the lad was not molested as he made the delivery of same to different bosses or clergy and to the detective himself, or to Captain Linden, who had charge of the operations of the detectives at work. So close was the secret held that although Captain Linden made his headquarters in the Rcese home for a period of nine months, Mrs. John Reese had never during that time met the Captain or his hired men, as the meetings were all held at night. But Frank was the messenger, and to avoid danger in the delivery of the important mail the letters were placed in his shoe and taken from it by the person to whom the delivery was to be made. At that time Thomas J. Foster, who is now president of the Correspondence Schools at Scranton, was owner and editor of the Shenandoah Herald, printed in Shenandoah, and as he was doing heroic work in exposing the doings of the Mollies it was almost impossible to get his papers delivered. Frank C. Reese was put to work making the delivery, and many evenings he distributed his papers with an officer of the law on each side of him to protect him from harm. His close association with the dangers of the time, at a period of his life when deep impressions are made, and the opportunity he had to go over his father's private affairs, left to him by his father's death, render him to-day one of the best authorities on Molly Maguireism in Schuylkill county.
Mr. Reese attended the common schools of his native locality, but his education was broken into by the untimely death of his father. Frank was then fifteen years old. Being the eldest of six small children, he shouldered the responsibility of providing for them and his widowed mother. At the death of his father the mine bosses raised and delivered to his mother $1,000, with which she purchased a home, and Frank began to work at the breakers, picking slate and doing other work such as his age would permit. His mother opened a little grocery store, and after working in the daytime Frank hauled out the goods at night. He was then placed in charge of an office at one of the collieries and took up telegraphy, which he learned on one of the old- style paper or tape machines, as they were called in those days, in the year 1880. Any spare time he had he devoted to studying mathematics and finance. In 1883 his mother borrowed enough money to send him to Dickinson Semi- nary at Williamsport, where he spent seven months. Returning from school with his efficiency much increased along the line of clerical work, he soon established an enviable reputation among the officials of the Philadelphia & Reading Company in his service as clerk of various collieries operated by that company. In his spare time he applied himself to the settlement of financial differences of private individuals, and was always in demand in the settlements of tax collectors in his locality, and often called as an expert witness on finan- cial matters in dispute before the county courts. Very early in life he became interested in Soule's shorter methods in mathematics and soon became an expert accountant, applying methods wholly unknown to the average clerk, yet reaching accurate solutions of complicated problems in incredibly short time. This has been a feature of his life work. In 1891 he attended a performance given by Professor Kellar, the well known magician, at which Kellar offered a Vol. I-24
370
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
prize of one hundred dollars to anyone in the audience who would detect an error in his calculations on cubing of numbers. Mr. Reese's quick eye and mental calculations were brought into play, and the Professor had not gone far until he had him caught. Kellar admitted the error and paid over the money, and Mr. Reese that evening at a supper given in honor of the Pro- fessor's visit to the town took a blackboard and for one hour demonstrated the Soule system, to the wonder and satisfaction of the select party, proving that he had done in a practical way what the Professor accomplished with the aid of two other persons used in the computing.
In the year 1890 Mr. Reese was borough and school auditor, also assessor and register of voters in Shenandoah. In 1892 he brought before the people of Shenandoah the fact of the unjust assessments of property, and through his efforts had the same adjusted and the school appropriation due from the State increased $6,000 per year. In 1892 he was chairman of the Legislative convention. He was a candidate for the office, but withdrew on the day of the convention. The same year, when the Baker ballot law was to become operative, he organized an election board, he being the judge of same; and traveled over the county giving. advice and holding mock elections so as to instruct the voters in the new law.
In 1893 and for years afterwards he was financial secretary of musical festivals which were held here. The best talent obtainable in both vocal and instrumental music was assembled and prizes offered, by which means musical art was advanced materially in the county. For years Mr. Reese managed excursions to the different parks, etc., the proceeds going to charitable insti- tutions.
In 1893 he was appointed chief clerk in the county controller's office, but after he had served a short time the act under which the appointment was made was declared unconstitutional and the office done away with. He then returned to clerking at the mines, working thus a short time, until he became assistant manager of the Shenandoah Water and Gas Company. About this time he and two others drafted the bill known in the State as the Mines and Mining Bill, which is at present in force with new acts passed since that time, and is one of the most important acts of legislation now on our statute books for the protection of employees working in the anthracite regions.
In 1895 Mr. Reese was appointed deputy controller of the county under a new act of legislation and served in that capacity until Dec. 31, 1896. In 1896 he became the candidate for register of wills and clerk of the Orphans' court of the county, was elected, and served until Dec. 31, 1899. He was a candidate for reelection in November, 1899, and was defeated by a small majority. In 1897 he with others tried to place a hospital known as the American Hospital for the Care of Women and Children in the Shenandoah valley, Mr. Reese acting as secretary of the movement; but while money enough was raised by private donation, and land donated on which to build, the movement was defeated by jealous politicians, who had the governor of the State veto the bill which had been passed giving the aid for which the State was responsible, for the maintenance.
In the year 1907 Mr. Reese was a candidate for county chairman of the Republican party, and before the people received ninety-three delegates to the opposition's sixty-two; but when the convention met he was defeated by a small margin. In 1909 and for some years prior ballot box stuffing, as well as other criminal acts in elections, was being practiced in the county, but
371
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
after two years of persistent endeavor he with two others brought the culprits to the bar of justice, and as a result of their hard work sixteen of the "stuff- ers" were placed in jail for the crimes they had committed. Some few escaped, taking French leave before the officers could get them. It was during those trials that the first ballot box in the State of Pennsylvania was impounded, thereby making it possible to convict. Mr. Reese's record shows that while he has been active in politics all his life he has always fought for honest elections, and stood up for clean politics.
In 1912 he was a candidate for the Legislature, receiving the nomination on the Republican, Progressive, Prohibition, and Independent tickets, and was elected by a large majority. In the session of 1913 he served with distinction, holding membership on important committees, to wit: Appropriations, Legis- lative Appointments, Mines and Mining, Counties and Townships, Municipal Corporations, and Banks and Banking. He took up the fight against the impeachment of the learned Judge Hon. C. N. Brumm, believing him the victim of some unscrupulous politicians, and his enemies were thwarted in their desires. He also was one of the strongest advocates of the famous Parkway bill in the House, supported the movement for the increase of the State con- stabulary, was active in the defeat of the bill to divide the county, and pre- sented the bill called Pure Coal Bill, to give to the consumer a better grade of coal. In 1915 he was a candidate for county treasurer before the Republican and Washington parties, and was defeated by the Republicans and nomi- nated by the Washington party. Throughout his political life he has been in demand in the caucuses of his party, and it is claimed that he has been sponsor for more successful candidates for office than most men.
Mr. Reese has the record of educating some thirty-four young men in the line of business, fitting them to battle with the trials of the business world. In business life he is known from one end of the State to the other, and has had a remarkably successful career. His quick appreciation of possibilities and practical ideas about their working out combined with a sound sense of judgment which makes him thoroughly trustworthy are qualities which have attracted business and established confidence to such an extent that he has been "on the ground floor" in almost every local enterprise proposed. Some conception of the extent and variety of his interests may be gained from a mere mention of a number of his associations: He was secretary of the Shenandoah Water and Gas Company of Shenandoah for years. During the years from 1886 to the present time he has promoted and held offices of trust in the following companies: president, Kehley Run Ice Company, Shenan- doah; president and secretary, Shenandoah Powder Company, Shenandoah ; president, Black Diamond Powder Company, Scranton, Pa .; manager and secretary, Snow Shoe Lumber Company, Pottsville, Pa .; manager and secre- tary, Pottsville Ice & Cold Storage Company, Pottsville, Pa. : manager, G. A. Bitting Lumber Company, Pottsville, Pa .; manager, D. Duffy Lumber Com- pany, Pottsville, Pa .; manager, Reese & Brumm Lumber & Supply Company, Pottsville, Pa .; manager and secretary, the Anthracite Lumber Company, Minersville, Pa .; president, Reese Garage & Motor Company, Pottsville, Pa. He was one of the promoters and owners of the Penn Tobacco Company, Wilkes-Barre ; one of the owners of the Daily and Weekly Local, a newspaper published in Ashland, Pa .; also promoted the Dauphin Ice Company, Harris- burg, and backed them in the supply of ice for two seasons. Mr. Reese is- still connected with numerous enterprises of noteworthy importance, backed
372
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by unlimited capital, in his close relations with the heads of large and wealthy corporations in distant cities and States. In addition to the above he has been identified with other promoters in the looking up of data for investors in the following investments: Bond issues, savings funds, cold storage Scranton, telephone franchises, water plants, shovel manufacture, fire clay, patents, and land deals, as well as minor products in commercial life. He represented geologists and mining experts in getting data on several occasions, being in different Southern States upon this work. He has always been in close touch with the current events. As a friend he needs no eulogy here, being always on the alert to help any in trouble. He has always espoused the welfare of the workingman, and no person in his county is in closer touch with the poor and needy.
The twenty years Mr. Reese spent in the management of lumber camps in the Allegheny mountains were crowded with very interesting incidents and funny experiences, as well as dangers. In 1899 he and two other men nearly lost their lives crossing the Broad mountain, being caught in a blizzard, and they were saved only by prompt relief, parties being sent out after them. In 1903 Mr. Reese was caught in the wreck on the Pennsylvania railroad near Hazle- ton, in which three persons were killed, and he was so injured that for years he suffered from the nervous shock.
In 1886 Mr. Reese was married to Lizzie Girton, a daughter of John and Martha Girton, of Shenandoah, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Reese's mother died four years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Reese became the parents of eight children, only three of whom are now living: Mabel, born Jan. 3, 1891 ; John F., born Oct. 12, 1892 ; and Frank C., Jr., born Sept. 26, 1900. Blanche, Hazle, Ruth and Margaret all died in childhood, the eldest being but eight years old. The family home is at No. 1001 Market street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Fraternally Mr. Reese is a member of Washington Camp No. 112, P. O. S. of A., Shenandoah, and was secretary of this camp for a number of years ; he is a past grand of John W. Stokes Lodge, No. 515, I. O. O. F., Shenandoah ; past chief patriarch of Shenandoah Valley Encampment, I. O. O. F., Shenan- doah ; a member of the State grand lodge of both I. O. O. F. orders ; a member of Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, B. P. O. E., Pottsville, Pa .; of the West End Hose Company, Pottsville ; of the Pottsville Historical Society, Pottsville ; of the Schuylkill County Motor Club; Pottsville Business Men's Association ; Commercial Club, Pottsville; The Druids, a Welsh association, at Shenan- doah ; and of the T. P. A., Post O, of Pottsville. He is a Methodist in religious connection.
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.