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 61
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State of Pennsylvania, for which he was paid $35,000. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hensyl had a family of ten children, as follows: Catherine, wife of Levi Conrad, a miner, of Trevorton, Pa .; Lot R .; Nathan, a railroad engineer, residing at Shamokin, Pa .; Daniel, who died at the age of thirty-eight years; Mary, who died in infancy ; Silas, also an engineer, living in Shamokin; Rev. John, formerly pastor of the Evangelical Church of Mahanoy City, Pa., and at the time of his death, in 1913, pastor of the Evangelical Church of Shenan- doah, Pa .; Louisa, wife of William Vanzandt, a railroad engineer, of Sha- mokin; Sallie, wife of Peter Neidig, a merchant of the same place; and W. L., a practicing physician of Shamokin.
Lot R. Hensyl was born Jan. 6, 1840, near Trevorton, Northumberland county, and remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age, when he went to Philadelphia and began clerking in the coal office of his uncle, Samuel HI. Rothermel, where he remained several months. Return- ing home, he worked for his father during the summer in a sawmill, while through the winter season he attended school until twenty years of age, thus acquiring a good literary education. He then began reading medicine with Dr. S. S. Smith, but on the outbreak of the Civil war laid aside his books and enlisted in Company D, 52d P. V. I., under Capt. James Chamberlain. For over three years he valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union; he helped to storm all the forts in South Carolina; at Morris Island he was detailed as shipping clerk, and by special order was sent to Jacksonville, Fla., where he served in that capacity for three months. By order of General Foster he then returned to Morris Island, and was in the ordnance depart- ment until discharged in 1864. He was a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty. Returning home he resumed the study of medicine with Dr. C. P. Herington, of Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., with whom he remained for two and a half years, in 1866 and 1867 attending lectures at Jefferson Medical College. On receiving his diploma Dr. Hensyl located at Howard, where he soon built up a large and flourishing practice, which his skill and ability justly merited. He remained there until his death, Jan. 1, 1900.
Dr. Hensyl married Sarah Elizabeth Heim, who was born in Lebanon, Pa., Oct. 15, 1849, a daughter of Rev. William and Lydia (Hepler ) Heim, the former a native of Nothumberland county, the latter a native of Schuyl- kill county, Pa. Rev. Mr. Heim was born in Upper Mahanoy township, a son of John and Sophia (Kohl) Heim, and his paternal grandfather was one of the pioneers of that locality. He bore the name of George Heim, and in the early records of Northumberland county we find him paying taxes in 1778. He often traded with the Indians, and was never molested by the redmen except once, which was a short time before the French and Indian war and the Wyoming massacre. He had sent his family and drove of cattle to Read- ing, and while he was all alone the Indians knocked at his door and were admitted. After he had given them milk and such food as the early settlers had at that time, a young Indian began flourishing a tomahawk around him, showing what he intended to do, but Mr. Heim arose and with his closed fist knocked him out of the house. After thus disposing of the leader, the rest became his friends, telling him that he had done right.
John Heim, the grandfather of Mrs. Hensyl, was a farmer and school teacher by occupation, and died in 1824. He was twice married, by the first union having one son and seven daughters, while by the second there were
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six sons and two daughters. Sophia (Kohl), his second wife, lived to the ad- vanced age of eighty-eight years. Her children were as follows: John, of Richfield, Juniata Co., Pa .; George, of Upper Mahanoy township, Northum- berland county ; Diana, wife of John Straub, of Lykenstown, Pa. : Mollie, wife of Peter Beisel, of Upper Mahanoy ; Peter, of Watsontown, Northumberland county ; William, the father of Mrs. Hensyl; Daniel, of Northumberland county ; and Jonathan, a resident of Illinois.
Rev. William Heim remained upon the home farm until twenty years of age, when he entered the ministry of the Evangelical Association, and ever afterwards devoted himself to the preaching of the gospel. His death oc- curred at Millersburg, Dauphin county. He was the father of five children : Frederick, Catherine, Charles and Sophia, all of whom died in infancy ; and Sarah E., Mrs. Hensyl. Her maternal grandparents were John and Catherine ( Maurer) Hepler, natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.
Five children were born to the union of Dr. Hensyl and his wife, namely : (I) Blanche E., who acquired her education in the Union Seminary at New Berlin, Pa., is now the wife of William Weber, a merchant of Howard. (2) L. Louise is a most accomplished lady, and an artist of considerable merit, several of her elegant paintings adorning the walls of the home; for a time she at- tended Central Pennsylvania College, and was also a student in Miss Wilson's Female Seminary, at Williamsport, and at Bucknell Institute, Lewisburg, Pa. (3) Annie I., who is a fine musician, is the wife of Dr. W. J. Kurtz, of Howard. (4) William C. and (5) George S. complete the family. The mother died June 4, 1909. Fraternally Dr. Hensyl held membership in the I. O. O. F., and the G. A. R. and Veteran Legion, belonging to the local bodies at Howard. His political support was given to the Republican party. A talented, cultured gentleman, he held an honorable position among his professional brethren, and in social circles also stood high.
George S. Hensyl was born Oct. 27, 1883, at Howard, Center Co., Pa. His education was begun there, in the public schools, and he took his classical course at Albright College, Myerstown, Pa., and his medical course at Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1909, of which he was president. Dr. Hensyl gained his first practical experience at the Fountain Springs Hospital, Ashland, Schuylkill county, where he was stationed for twenty months after his graduation. He has since been at Mahanoy City, where his skill and faithful attention to duty have attracted an extensive circle of patrons, whose confidence is based on repeated proofs of his earnest desire to serve them conscientiously. He is a well known Mason, belonging to Bellefonte Lodge, No. 268, F. & A. M., Wil- liamsport Consistory (thirty-second degree), and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading ; he also holds membership in Lodge No. 384, B. P. O. E., Ashland, and Mahanoy City Aerie, No. 167, F. O. E.
Dr. Hensyl married Helen K. Bacon, daughter of Mrs. Harriet Bacon, of Mahanoy City.
DAVID BAUSCHER, a resident of East Brunswick township, has come into special prominence in his section of Schuylkill county through his ener- getic labors in behalf of the public schools. His effective work in every ca- pacity where the interests of his fellow men are concerned shows how sincerely he desires to do his duty in the responsibilities intrusted to him. In this regard
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he has given evidence of a spirit characteristic of the family, whose members have been noted for their honorable lives and fidelity to every obligation.
Mr. Bauscher is a great-great-grandson of Daniel Bauscher, tracing his line through Philip, Christian and Nathan Bauscher. The emigrant ancestor of the Bauscher family came to Pennsylvania from Germany, but the origin of the family is French. Tradition says that Daniel Bauscher (who spelled the name in 1790 "Boutcher") came to this country from the Palatinate in 1765. In 1790 he was a resident of Albany township, Berks county, and lived on the farm which is still in the family name. The Federal census of that year records him as the father of three sons (above sixteen years of age) and two daughters. He was, however, the father of seven children, namely: Philip; Jacob, who settled in Windsor township; Anthony, who removed to the Glades, Westmore- land Co., Pa., and who is the forbear of J. N. Boucher, Esq., of Greensburg, Pa .; Henry, who removed to Somerset county, Pa. ; Peter, who located in Hamburg; and two daughters, one of whom was Barbara.
Philip Bauscher, son of Daniel, bought land of John Penn in Albany town- ship, Berks county. He is buried at New Bethel Church. His children were: Jacob; Christian, 1799-1875; Maria, married to Peter Laubenstein; Kate, married to John Dietrich; Rachel, married to John Dietrich; and Leah, mar- ried to John Hartzel.
Christian Bauscher, son of Philip, was born in Albany township in 1799, and died there in 1875. He had a farm of 180 acres, part of which he cleared. His father, Philip, had also cleared part of the same tract. In 1852 Christian Bauscher put up a stone house in place of the old log dwelling, and thirty years later, in 1882, his son Henry put up a brick residence. The large Swiss barn was built by Christian. He retired about ten years before his death. He married Maria Dietrich, a daughter of John Dietrich, and she lived to be nearly eighty years old. Their children were as follows: Catherine married Andreas Kunkel; Lydia married Nathan Trexler; Abbie married Jonas Werner; Nathan married Brigitta Smith; Henry married Sarah Kunkel and (second) Sarah Sassaman. The parents are buried in the cemetery of the New Bethel Church in Albany township, of which they were members. Mr. Bauscher was a Democrat in politics.
Nathan Bauscher, father of David, was born Dec. 6, 1828, in Albany town- ship, Berks county, and there had his early training in the public schools. Later he went to Kingston, Luzerne Co., Pa., and took a course in English. Subsequently he located in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., Pa., and rented the farm where his mother was reared, in time buying the place, which he con- tinued to operate until he sold it to his brother-in-law, Mr. Smith. Removing thence to West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, he bought Dr. Medlar's property of over eighty acres in Red valley, but later sold it and bought a farm in Schuylkill (now Walker) township. This place consisted of 136 acres, and there he remained eleven years, at the end of which period he sold it to his son Levi and removed to East Brunswick township, settling in the vicinity of McKeansburg, where he bought a farm of 145 acres. He operated that place until a short time before his death, when he sold most of the farm to his son David, reserving for himself abont thirteen acres, which he cultivated as much as his age would permit. He died in March, 1900. Mr. Bauscher was a Democrat, and took an active part in politics, serving as school director and tax collector in Schuylkill township, and performing the duties of these offices with his customary efficiency. A leading member of Christ Reformed Church
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at McKeansburg, he held all the church offices, declining such honors, however, during the last few years of his life. The last position he served in was that of elder. He and his wife are buried in Christ Church cemetery at McKeans- burg.
Mr. Bauscher married Brigitta Smith, a daughter of Joshua Smith, and she died when sixty-seven years old. They had the following family: David is mentioned below; Levi married Rebecca Teter, and they live at McKeansburg, Pa .; Ellen is the widow of Isaac Koch; Sarah Jane married Charles Stamm, of Philadelphia, Pa .; Amanda Susanna married Dr. W. H. Matten, of Mc- Keansburg, Pa .; Amelia married Harry Enterline, who is now deceased, and she lives at McKeansburg; Ida Nora married Howard W. Sallada, of Harris- burg, Pennsylvania.
David Bauscher was born Dec. 25, 1855, at Jacksonville, Lehigh Co., Pa. He began his education in the public schools of Schuylkill township, and had one year's study at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa. After teaching school for a while, four terms in Schuylkill township and six terms in East Brunswick township, he turned to agriculture, for two years renting a half of his father's farm, and later buying the place, which he has been operat- ing ever since. He is an intelligent and successful worker, one of the substan- tial men of the neighborhood.
On Dec. 18, 1880, Mr. Bauscher married Emma Bolich, a daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Sechler) Bolich, and four children have been born to this union : (1) Bessie May, born Aug. 22, 1884, married Rev. Calvin DeLong, pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, of East Greenville, Mont- gomery Co., Pa. They have one child, Emma Mary. (2) Edna Prudence, born Oct. 13, 1887, died aged nine months, seventeen days. (3) Olive Mabel, born Dec. 29, 1889, is a grammar school teacher in McKeansburg, Pa. (4) Elva Emma, born June 12, 1891, is a teacher in the third grade at Schuylkill Haven, Pa. All the children are graduates of the Keystone State Normal School.
Mr. Bauscher is greatly interested in the cause of public education, and has served a number of terms as a member of the school board, to which he was recently reelected for a six-years term under the new code; he is now treasurer of the board. For sixteen years he has been a justice of the peace, at present serving his fourth term. He is an ardent Democrat, and has done excellent work as a member of the election board. Socially he is a member of Protection Council, No. 395, Independent Order of Americans, and his religious connection is with Christ Reformed Church at McKeansburg, where he has been a prominent worker. He has been choir leader for thirty years and superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty-five years.
Mrs. Emma (Bolich) Bauscher was born Nov. 23, 1853, in East Brunswick township, and received her education there. She is a daughter of William Bolich and granddaughter of John Bolich, who farmed in East Brunswick township, where he owned about three hundred acres of land. He followed general farming throughout his active years, but retired many years before his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years old. His wife, Susan (Fisher), died at the age of fifty, and they are buried in the cemetery of the Frieden's Lutheran Church, of which organization they were members. Politically he was a Republican. Their children were as follows: John mar- ried Hannah Sechler; George married Priscilla Wanamaker; Daniel married Elizabeth Sechler; Samuel did not marry; William married Mary Sechler; Benjamin married Mary Reinhard; Joseph married Sarah Oswald; Susan mar-
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ried Joseph Alspach; Kate married Jesse Sechler; Hannah married Charles Dreher; Mary married Jacob Steinmetz; Diana and Sarah never married.
William Bolich was born July 12, 1820, in East Brunswick township, and was educated there. He worked for his father on the farm for some time and before his father's death bought about eighty acres of the place, later pur- chasing another farm of 100 acres, to which he removed. He cultivated that tract until his death, which occurred when he was aged fifty-seven years. He was actively interested in politics as a member of the Republican party, served as school director, and belonged to the Frieden's Lutheran Church at New Ringgold; he is buried in the cemetery of that church. Mr. Bolich married Mary Sechler, who was born March 10, 1823, in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., Pa., daughter of Jacob Sechler; her mother's maiden name was Fusselman. Mrs. Bolich survives her husband, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Bauscher. Mr. and Mrs. Bolich had three children: Charles married Sarah Kindt, of New Ringgold, Pa .; Maria married Salem Koch, of Rauschs, Schuylkill county ; Emma is Mrs. David Bauscher.
SAMUEL HELMS GORE (deceased), a lifelong resident of Pottsville, held a creditable position among his fellow citizens reached by his own exer- tions. Having filled the office of prothonotary for two successive terms he became well known all over Schuylkill county, where he is held in kindly remembrance among the many friends he won and kept by his high character and estimable personality. He was born at Pottsville Aug. 13, 1863, son of William Henry Gore, and his ancestors in both paternal and maternal lines were in this country as far back as the Revolutionary period. A great-grand- father in the paternal line, Joseph Heath Norbury, a sea captain during the war of 1812, later served as prothonotary of Philadelphia county. A great- grandfather on the maternal side fought for the Colonial cause in the Revo- lution.
William Henry Gore was born April 20, 1841, in Philadelphia, Pa. He had two brothers, Joseph and Robert. He was educated in his native city and at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and his business life was spent in the latter place, where he was first employed as a printer and later as agent for an express company. He was a stanch Republican in politics and during the Civil war was a loyal Union supporter, enlisting twice, first as a musician in the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and later for three months' service. He became a member of Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., and also belonged to the P. O. S. of A. and the Knights of Pythias. He served as a member of the Pottsville fire department. His religious connection was with the Presbyterian Church.
On Aug. 20, 1860, Mr. Gore married Sophia E. Helms, who was born Feb. 28, 1845, at Womelsdorf, Pa., daughter of Samuel and Marie ( Smith) Helms, and died in March, 1880. Mr. Gore's death occurred Oct. 23, 1870. They had a family of three children: Susan Norbury, born in Pottsville Oct. 31, 1861, married Elmer E. Teeter ; Samuel Helms was the eldest son; William Henry was born in Pottsville Nov. 6, 1868.
Samuel Helms Gore obtained his education in the public schools at Potts- ville, and during a lifetime of honest endeavor became one of the substantial citizens of his native borough. He was recognized as a self-made man of solid worth, having made his way by his own perseverance and industry, and though he died in his prime had made an honorable reputation which survives
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among the many who knew and respected him. Just before his death he had served as county prothonotary for two terms, having been elected in Novem- ber, 1902, for a three-years term, and reelected in November, 1905. No higher praise of his services could be given than this indorsement of his fellow citi- zens. His death occurred Dec. 3. 1909, when he was forty-six years of age, and he was laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemetery at Pottsville, mourned by his family and by his associates in all the relations of life. Mr. Gore was president of the Good Intent Fire Company; a member of Washington Camp No. 36, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and of Acrie No. 134, Fraternal Order of Eagles ; and he was a prominent member of the Pottsville Game and Fish Protective Association, and for many years secretary of the County League organized for the same purpose.
On Aug. 23, 1892, Mr. Gore married Mary Elizabeth Shaw, who survives him, residing at No. 425 Laurel street, Pottsville, with her son Frank Miller Gore, the only child of this union. He was born Aug. 1, 1893, and is engaged as a patternmaker with the Reading Company.
JOHN SHAW, late of Pottsville, father of Mrs. Gore, was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry upon its organiza- tion. He was assigned to Company G, and the regiment was attached to the 9th Army Corps. Mr. Shaw was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1862. He was employed for a number of years as machinist in the C. & I. shops at Pottsville, resigning some years before his death to take a position in the United States mint in Philadelphia. He retired from the latter several years ago, owing to advanced age, and died Dec. 30. 1913, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gore, at Pottsville, when seventy-three years old, after an illness of four weeks. He had been in failing health for some time previous. Born and reared at Pottsville, he held a high place in the esteem and affection of many of his fellow townsmen, his neighborly disposition winning him many friends, and his interest in the general welfare indicating commendable public spirit. At the time of his death he was probably the oldest member of Good Intent Fire Company, No. I, and he was also a member of Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R.
Mr. Shaw's wife died twenty-four years before him. During his later years he divided his time with his daughters, Mrs. Gore and Miss Clara Shaw, the latter engaged in the dressmaking business in Philadelphia. His son, Ralph, is a resident of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Shaw was also survived by one brother and two sisters: George, a member of the police force at Pittsburgh ; Mrs. James Stinson, of Long Beach, Cal .; and Mrs. Emma Marquardt, of Philadelphia.
MICHAEL J. BRADY, of Cass township, is undoubtedly one of the best known men in that section of Schuylkill county. For years he was engaged in educational work, through which he kept in touch with a large proportion of old and young in the community, and some time before he gave up the profes- sion became interested in hotel keeping, which is now his principal business. Mr. Brady has been practically a lifelong resident of Cass township, where he was born Sept. 29, 1860, son of Edward Brady, who followed mining here.
Mr. Brady obtained his early education in the local public schools. When nineteen years old he began teaching, and he continued to follow that pro- fession for thirty years in all, twenty-eight in Cass township and two in Branch township, this county. For several years he was principal of the Cass town- ship schools and long held a place among its most honored educators. During
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the school vacations Mr. Brady turned his attention to mining. He gave up his profession in 1909, and has since been devoting his time to the hotel busi- ness, having an up-to-date establishment known as the "Brady Hotel," on the south side, near Forestville, on the main road leading to Minersville. He built this place several years before retiring from school teaching, and has been doing business there ever since. Mr. Brady has shown himself enterprising in business as he was conscientious in his professional work, and has the unquali- fied respect of all his fellow citizens in his part of the county. He takes quite an active part in Democratic politics in his township, and several times has been delegate to political conventions. He has served one term on the town- ship school board, 1884-1887, and was elected tax collector of the township for the year 1889. His religious connection is with the Roman Catholic Church.
On Sept. 23, 1887, Mr. Brady married Julia J. Dormar, daughter of John Dormar. She taught school in Cass township from 1876 until the year of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brady have had the following children: Loretto graduated from the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., in 1909, and has succeeded her father as principal of the Forestville schools ; Gertrude, also a graduate of the normal school at Kutztown, 1909, taught three terms in the Wilbur school near South Bethlehem, Lehigh Co., Pa., and is now teaching in Minersville, Schuylkill county; Edward, a graduate of the Kutztown Nor- mal, class of 1911, taught two terms in Branch township and one year in Union township, Schuylkill county, and is now a student at Dickinson College, Car- lisle ; Marion was a member of the class of 1915, Minersville high school, and is now a student at the Kutztown Normal; Clair is a member of the class of 1916, Minersville high school; Marie and Harold are deceased.
WILSON HENRY, of West Penn township, has practically retired from farming, but he continues to reside on his farm, which is now operated by his son. He has lived there since his marriage. Mr. Henry is a native of Lehigh county, Pa., born Feb. 23, 1846, at Wanamakers, in which locality his father and grandfather passed all their lives.
Adam Henry, the grandfather, was born Jan. 23, 1774, at Wanamakers, and was a general farmer all his life, owning a tract of about 150 acres, a great portion of which he cleared. He was a Democrat and a Lutheran, holding membership in the church at Jacksonville, Lehigh county. His wife, Polly (Eckroth), born Nov. 10, 1782, died Sept. 28, 1854, aged seventy-one years, ten months, eighteen days. He died March 16, 1854, aged eighty years, one month, twenty-three days. They are buried in a private graveyard on the property of Robert Henry. They had the following children: Christian; Adam, who mar- ried a Miss Correll; Joseph, who married a Mrs. Stein; David; Sallie, Mrs. Henry Heiser; Susanna, Mrs. Eli Heiser; Polly, Mrs. Samuel Zettlemoyer ; Mrs. David Ziegler ; Brigetta, Mrs. George Guldner; Kate, Mrs. Jacob Rausch; and Mrs. Lloyd.
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