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 60
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州風
Hany Pollater.
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of marines on the sister ships "Kearsarge" and "Iroquois," to follow and destroy the Confederate cruiser, Mr. Slater being included in the battalion on the latter vessel. On that expedition they cruised in the South Atlantic without success, as the "Kearsarge" discovered the Rebel cruiser in Cherbourg harbor, France, and challenging her, sunk and destroyed her. Mr. Slater's vessel went to St. Thomas, W. I., where it lay for several days for repairs and general overhauling, and where the news of the destruction of the "Alabama" first reached the men. They sailed for the United States, soon reaching Philadel- phia, where Mr. Slater was honorably discharged after over three years' service, and returned home.
Mr. Slater spent fifteen years in the West, from 1868 to 1883, in Denver, Colo., and Helena, Mont., where he followed his trade. He then came back to Pottsville, taking charge of his father's estate, of which he was sole heir, and with the exception of the period he was employed in the government printing office and the treasury department at Washington, D. C., resided here until his death. He acquired rather extensive real estate interests in the borough, most of his activities being in the line of real estate operations, in which he was very successful. In that connection, naturally, he was keenly interested in the improvement of the borough, but his participation in all movements for its advancement was by no means actuated entirely by selfish motives, as his assistance of many worthy projects demonstrated. He was considered an authority on property values throughout the county.
A man of broad sympathies, kindly disposition and friendly nature, Mr. Slater had many pleasant associations among his fellow citizens. He kept alive his interest in army and navy affairs as a member of the Union Veteran Legion and George G. Meade Post, No. 6, Army and Navy Veterans of the United States, of which latter he was vice commander. He was especially solicitons for the welfare of his old comrades in the navy, and used his means generously to aid those less fortunate than himself, though such acts were always per- formed modestly and with thoughtful consideration for the feelings of the beneficiaries. In all the relations of life he established the kindliest fellowship with those he met, and he is held in loving memory by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Like his father, he was an artist of considerable ability.
Mr. Slater first married Cynthia A. Eccles, and two children of this union survive, George W. and Bessie. In 1886, at Camden, N. J., he married (sec- ond) Clara K. Speacht, who continues to occupy the handsome home at No. 800 North Second street where they resided from 1894; it was built in 1869. Mr. Slater died there Dec. 23, 1912, and is buried in the family plot in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
Mrs. Slater's family, the Speachts, are of French descent, her great- grandfather having been a native of France and a prominent man in his local- ity. John Speacht, her grandfather, was born in France, and when a youth of sixteen entered the army under Napoleon, serving for six years ; he was under the great leader at Moscow and Waterloo, was wounded in the service, and his two brothers who were serving during that war were lost in the Alps. After- wards he located in Paris and followed his trade, that of goldsmith, until he came to America in 1831, settling at once in Pottsville, Pa. The town was too small to afford him sufficient employment at his trade, and he moved to the vicinity of Selinsgrove and Sunbury, in Union county, Pa., where he became engaged in farming. Later he returned to Pottsville, where he died. His children were as follows: Magdalena, who married Richard Hyde ; Elizabeth, Vol. I-26
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who married George Frazer; Sarah, who died unmarried; John; Frederick; Sophia, who married Frederick Moser; and Mary, who married Edw. Henry.
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Frederick Speacht was born at Sunbury, Pa., April 20, 1835, and came to Pottsville with his parents in 1848. He was always in the flour and feed business. Starting to work when only sixteen years old, he was employed by Mr. Hetherington, Mr. Huntzinger and Ruch & Evans, and in 1886 engaged in the business on his own account, continuing therein until his death. His thorough familiarity with all the branches of the business, and its operation in this territory, brought him steady success, and he became one of the sub- stantial merchants of the borough. He died July 17, 1906, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. Mr. Speacht married Dorothy Guers, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Bortle) Guers, and she is still living, at Greenwood Park, Pottsville. They had a family of eight children, of whom are living: Clara K., widow of Henry P. Slater; Daniel Franklin, who married Kate Hoke, of Tower City; J. Frederick, married to Lillie Pickle, of Pottsville ; and Edward, who has been married twice, to Anna Dechant and Kate Hyde, both deceased. The four deceased are Mary Louise, Emma Elizabeth, Florence Aurilla and one that died in infancy unnamed. The three brothers are engaged in the flour and feed business in Pottsville under the firm name of Speacht Brothers, and they have a large and growing business, endeavoring to maintain the high standards of their father's honorable career. Mrs. Speacht con- ducted it for one year after her husband's death and then transferred it to her sons, who are associated under the firm name of Speacht Brothers. They are established at No. 209 South Railroad street. The father was an honored member of the English Lutheran Church.
Daniel Guers, Mrs. Speacht's father, was a farmer near Lewistown, Schuylkill county, where he died. To his marriage with Mary Bordel were born children as follows: Dorothy, Mrs. Speacht; Peter, who served in the Civil war from Schuylkill county; Louis; Jacob; Henry; Mary; Sophia; Susan, and Louise.
JAMES A. YOST, of Ringtown, is the leading general merchant of that borough and its present postmaster. Mr. Yost is a typical member of his family, enterprising in the management of his own concerns and wide awake to the opportunities of the locality, which he has helped to further in many ways. The force of his vigorous personality has quickened every activity with which he has allied himself, and his honorable character leaves no room for doubt as to the kind of influence he endeavors to exert. The duties of the various public positions he has accepted have been performed with the same generous and scrupulous regard for the rights of his fellow citizens that he has observed in his private life, making him worthy of the confidence so often manifested.
The Yost family is of long standing in Pennsylvania. Daniel Yost, great- grandfather of James A. Yost, was born in Montgomery county, this State, in 1759, and removed at an early day to what is now McKeansburg, Schuyl- kill county, where he died in 1839. He was an active, enterprising man in his day. A Whig in political faith, he always interested himself in public affairs, believing it the duty of every good citizen to protect and foster the common good, and he stood deservedly high in the community, not only because of his upright character but also for his intelligence and keen judgment. He was called to various positions of trust, being justice of the peace for a
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number of years in his township, and discharged the duties of the office with such marked ability and signal impartiality to all concerned that he was called up higher, being elected associate judge of the county. Judge Yost married Barbara Hillogus, and they had a family of ten children.
Jonathan Yost, son of Daniel, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1797, and died in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, in 1866. He came to this county with his father, learned the blacksmith's trade and fol- lowed it a number of years, but gave it up to go farming, which was his work during the last twenty years of his life. He was an active and ardent member of the German Reformed Church at McKeansburg, serving in nearly all the official positions in the church organization. He married Mary Kleck- ner, a daughter of Andrew Kleckner, one of the earlier emigrants from Germany into East Brunswick township, this county, where he followed farming and where he died. To this union were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters.
Daniel J. Yost, son of Jonathan, was born July 22, 1820, in East Bruns- wick township, where he grew up, receiving a rather limited education. He learned the trade of miller early in life, and after working at this calling for fourteen years purchased a gristmill, in 1855, in Schuylkill (now Walker) township, this county, which he operated until 1889, when he transferred it to his son Jonathan. Then he embarked in a mercantile business at Mc- Keansburg, which he carried on successfully for a period of ten years. He died Oct. 16, 1899. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics a Republican.
On Dec. 25, 1846, Mr. Yost married Charlotte Klotz, a daughter of Christian Klotz, of Carbon county, and to this union were born two children, both now deceased, Ellen and Alice. His second union was with Lydia Bret- ney, of Carbon county, Pa., solemnized April 16, 1854. She died Oct. 16, 1910, and is buried with her husband at McKeansburg. They had a family of seven children: Milton (who died in 1879), Ellen, Jonathan I., Alice (twin sister of Emma, married to James E. Greenawalt, a merchant of McKeansburg), Emma (deceased), Rev. Calvin D. (a graduate of Ursinus College, class of 1891, and of the Seminary in connection with the college, 1893, now instructor in German and English at that college), and James A.
James A. Yost was born Nov. 9, 1870, at Lewistown, in Walker town- ship, Schuylkill county, at the homestead now owned by his brother Jonathan. His education was obtained in the district schools of the township prin- cipally, supplemented with a term in the preparatory department of Pala- tinate (now Albright) College, at Myerstown, Pa. He taught one term of school at McKeansburg, at that time an independent district. In 1892 he took charge of his father's general mercantile business at McKeansburg, continuing there until his father's death, in 1899, when he bought the busi- ness, which he carried on successfully until 1905. Meantime, when the rural free delivery service was established, in 1902, he was appointed carrier out of New Ringgold, and he served as such for a period of three years. Then, selling out his business interests at McKeansburg, he moved to Ring- town and engaged in general merchandising there, now having a large, well equipped store, stocked with a varied assortment of the goods in demand in his locality. Mr. Yost has catered very obligingly to his patrons in the borough and vicinity, and has been well rewarded by their steady support. He understands the details of the business thoroughly, and by his up-to-date
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methods has made his store a convenient trading center. During President Taft's administration he was appointed postmaster, which office he has filled for five years very satisfactorily.
Everything that affects the general progress receives Mr. Yost's hearty encouragement. He is one of the directors of the United Telephone & Tele- graph Company, and a director and secretary of the Ringtown Light, Heat & Power Company, both of which operate public utilities of great benefit to the section. For some time he served as a school director of East Bruns- wick township, and he is the present auditor of his borough, elected on the Republican ticket, which he supports faithfully. Socially he holds member- ship in Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold; in Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, of McKeans- burg, of which he is a past councilor, and he was financial secretary for twelve years; in Guardian Castle, No. 500, Knights of the Golden Eagle of Ringtown; and in Maple Leaf Camp, No. 246, Woodmen of the World, which he is serving as treasurer. At one time Mr. Yost was an active mem- ber of Christ Reformed Church at McKeansburg, which he served as elder, deacon and assistant Sunday-school superintendent. He now belongs to St. Paul's Reformed Church at Ringtown, and is assistant superintendent of its Sunday-school. His wife is also a member of that congregation and inter- ested in its work, being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Mr. Yost married Carrie Bensinger, who was born Oct. 22, 1869, in East Brunswick township, where she was reared and educated, remaining at home until her marriage. They are the parents of five children: Russell Ben- singer, born July 16, 1899, is attending high school at Ringtown, assists his father in the store, and is also in the newspaper business; Daniel Albert. born July 19, 1901, and Edward Lloyd, born April 3, 1903, are attending the Ringtown grammar school; Harold Bretney, born March 19, 1905, and Cath- erine Lydia, born Sept. 3. 1907, are in school at Ringtown.
The Bensinger family has been established in East Brunswick township from an early day. Frederick Bensinger, Mrs. Yost's great-grandfather, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and settled here before the Revolution. When the war broke out he was engaged in farming, and he left his private interests to go to the assistance of the Colonies. In later years he received a pension for his services. He married Mary Weiman, and had a family of eight children, one of whom, Jacob, married Hannah Dreher, and was the ancestor of another branch of the family in East Brunswick township.
Michael Bensinger, son of Frederick, was a farmer in East Brunswick township, where he owned about seventy-five acres of land. He cleared that tract, erected a log house and barn, and carried on general farming the greater part of his life. He had the following children: Edward married Sarah Heiser, and both are deceased; William, deceased, married a Miss Fister: Franklin B. is next in the family: Benneville married Caroline Fahl, and both are deceased; Fred married a Miss Bock, and they reside at Mc- Keansburg; Priscilla married Thomas Hartung, and both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bensinger are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East Bruns- wick township. He was a Whig in politics.
Franklin B. Bensinger was born in East Brunswick township in March, 1822, and was educated in the schools of the local district. He spent his youth and early manhood assisting his father on the farm, after his father's death buying out the other heirs to the homestead place, which he operated
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all his life. His wife, Catherine (Shuster), was born in September, 1821, and died in March, 1899, a daughter of Martin Shuster ; her mother's maiden name was Koons. Mr. Bensinger died in March, 1898. He and his wife had the following children: John went West, and is now deceased; Howard, a farmer in West Brunswick township, married Emma Leiby; Charles S. married Ida Baer; Frank L. married Ida Albright, and resides on the home- stead farm; Harry, who is a foreman in a silk mill at Tamaqua, married Cora Albright ; Thomas, deceased, married Elmira Horn, who resides at Mckeans- burg; Dora married W. S. Miller, of East Brunswick township; Mary mar- ried W. H. Yost, of Reading; Susan is the widow of James Shoener, and lives at Hamburg; Lizzie is the widow of Oscar Kimmel, and makes her home at Port Carbon; Kate married J. A. Shellhammer, of Port Carbon; Carrie is the wife of James A. Yost. Politically Mr. Bensinger was a Republican. He was an earnest member of the Church of God and very active in its work, serving as trustee and in other capacities. His wife was also a member. They are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East Bruns- wick township.
JOHN C. BROWN has done a prosperous business in West Penn town- ship as a lumberman and farmer for many years and is one of the substan- tial citizens of that section of Schuylkill county. Though not active in public affairs he has given his influence and support to all worthy movements affect- ing the general welfare, and has always done his share in the maintenance of religious work especially. He belongs to an old Berks county family, founded there by his great-grandfather, Michael Brown, who came to this country from the Old World and settled in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., in the section now known as Pike township. Among his children were: Jacob, who had no family; John; Daniel, who it is believed settled in Maxa- tawny township, Berks county; and two daughters whose names are not known.
John Brown, son of Michael, was born in Pike township, Berks county, and later lived in Rockland township, that county, where he owned a farm. He sold that place and bought another near Lobachsville, whence he removed to Schuylkill county, and there he died at the home of his son George during the fifties, when about fifty-eight years old. He followed the tailor's trade in connection with agriculture. His wife, Hannah ( Maul), was a daughter of George Maul, a native of Germany, and she survived him about six years. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are buried in Christ Church cemetery, McKeansburg. They had four sons: Ephraim, George, Charles ( who lived in Pottsville, Pa.) and John ( who died young ).
Ephraim Brown. son of John, above, was born Jan. 4. 1820, in Pike town- ship. Berks county, and was there reared and educated. He learned the trade of butcher and followed it until his death. Moving to Schuylkill county he resided at different locations here until he made a permanent settlement at McKeansburg, where he bought a house and several acres of ground and continued work at his trade. He was originally a Whig in politics, later a Republican, and his religious connection was with the Reformed denomina- tion, as a member of Christ Church at McKeansburg. In Pike township, Berks county. Mr. Brown married Rachel Haite. daughter of John Haite (whose wife was a Young), and she died in 1852, the mother of the follow- , ing children: Amanda ; Catherine, wife of John Knittle; John C .; Daniel,
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who went West (he married Mrs. Ellen Parks) ; and Jacob, who is unmarried. Mrs. Brown was buried at the Frieden's Church, New Ringgold. For his second wife Mr. Brown married Susanna Heiser, daughter of William Heiser (whose wife was a Deibert), and to them were born three children: William, who married Emma Beebleheimer; James, who married Mary Wertman and (second) Lizzie Haas; and Joseph, who married Susanna Kistler. Ephraim Brown and his wife Susanna are buried at Christ Church, McKeansburg.
John C. Brown was born Sept. 7, 1846, in Pike township, Berks county, and was one year old when brought thence to New Ringgold, Schuylkill county. The family resided at different points in the county before settling at McKeansburg, and he received his education at the Steigerwalt school near the latter place. He began work for his grandfather, John Brown, on the farm where James Wehr now resides, meantime making his home with his grandfather. When the latter died he continued to live on the same farm with his uncle George, who bought the place, remaining with him until he reached the age of seventeen years. At that time, in July, 1863, he enlisted to serve in the Union cause, being a member of the company of Captain Moll (of Tremont), in the Pennsylvania militia, for four weeks. On Feb. 14, 1864, he reenlisted, from McKeansburg, joining Company I, 48th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years or during the war, was mus- tered in at Harrisburg under Capt. Benjamin Schock and Col. James Nagle, and assigned to the Ist Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, under General Grant. He participated in the battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania (where he was shot through both legs), Poplar Springs and Petersburg, and when Petersburg was evacuated followed the army as rear guard to Appomattox. He took part in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Harrisburg July 20, 1865. Returning to McKeans- burg Mr. Brown did farm labor for a while, worked in the mines near Mahanoy City, and then turned to lumbering, being also employed as a sawyer. Later he bought a farm of two hundred acres near his present place in West Penn township, of which 135 acres were cleared, and he did much clearing on the property himself during the thirteen years he resided there. Selling that land he came to his present location, in the same township, where he has thirty-four acres, bought from his father-in-law, Samuel Hartung. About sixteen acres of this tract are cleared, and Mr. Brown carried on farm- ing there in connection with his lumbering operations until the spring of 1914. He has been interested in lumbering since he disposed of his first farm, buying timber tracts, engaging sawmills to cut the timber, and selling the lumber. He has served his township as supervisor, and has been promi- nent in the work of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church, of which he is treasurer and trustee. He has continued his association with his Civil war comrades as a member of Bertolet Post, No. 484, G. A. R., of Lehighton, Pa., and in July, 1913, attended the grand reunion at Gettysburg, in celebra- tion of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Brown married Mary Hartung, who was born March 1, 1853, in West Penn township, where she was reared and educated. She is a Lutheran member of Zion's Church. To this union have been born the following children: Clara Minnie, born June 25, 1880, is the wife of Oliver Leeser (born April 23, 1876), who now operates her father's farm, and they have one child, Edgar Oliver, born Jan. 23, 1905, at present attending school in
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West Penn township. Lizzie Viola, born Oct. 12, 1882, is married to William F. Gumbert, a farmer in West Penn township. Mary Fayetta, born Sept. 24, 1898, is attending school in West Penn township. John Franklin, born June 8, 1893, was educated in the public schools of West Penn township and the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, and is now employed at the Bethlehem Steel Works, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Michael Hartung, Mrs. Brown's grandfather, was born Feb. 10, 1788, and died Oct. 20, 1861. He was a farmer in West Penn township, a Lutheran member of Zion's Church, and a Whig and Republican in political faith. His wife, Anna Maria ( Billman), born May 18, 1795, died Dec. 10, 1856, and both are buried at Zion's Church. They had three children: Anna, David and Samuel.
Samuel Hartung, son of Michael, was born in West Penn township Oct. 29, 1813, was educated there, and became a very prosperous farmer. After working for his father on the homestead place he bought a farm just above that of John C. Brown, owning altogether about four hundred acres, which his father had purchased originally for nine hundred dollars. He cut a great deal of timber from this land, and followed farming all his days. Mr. Har- tung married Abigail Benninghoff, who was born Sept. 23, 1813, in West Penn township, daughter of Jacob Benninghoff, and died Nov. 17, 1884. Mr. Hartung died June 12, 1887, and they are interred at Zion's Church in West Penn township. He was a member of the Lutheran congregation of that church, and a Republican in political sentiment. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Har- tung were the parents of the following family: Christian, of West Penn township, who married Catherine Wertman; John, of West Penn township, who married Catherine Nies; Gideon, deceased; Thomas, who married a Miss Faust and is in' Iowa; David, who married Kate Balliet; William, who mar- ried Masetta Shellhammer, both now deceased; Caroline, wife of Charles Troxell, of West Penn township; Mary, Mrs. John C. Brown; and Alvena, Mrs. William Daubenspeck.
GEORGE S. HENSYL, M. D., of Mahanoy City, has passed all his pro- fessional life in Schuylkill county, and though one of the younger practi- tioners in this section has a large patronage. It would seem that he has inherited his taste and love for the calling of his choice, his father having been for years an eminent physician of Center county, Pa. The family has been settled in the State for several generations, the first of whom we have record being the Doctor's great-great-grandfather, a native of Germany, who came to this country when twelve years old. His son George married Eva Dunkelberger, and they spent their lives upon a farm in Northumberland county.
John D. Hensyl, son of George and Eva Hensyl, was born in Northum- berland county, was an extensive lumber merchant and farmer, and a promi- nent and influential man in his community, in which he served with distinction in several offices. He was a Republican in politics and a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. He died Nov. 26, 1895, at the ripe old age of eighty-two, and his wife, Susan (Rothermel), also a native of Northumber- land county, passed away Dec. 30, 1894, at the age of eighty years. She was a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hunter) Rothermel, who made their home in Reading, this State, and an own cousin to Peter Frederick Rother- mel, the celebrated artist, who painted the "Battle of Gettysburg" for the
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