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 68
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Samuel Bachman was educated in the East Brunswick public schools, and worked on the farm during the summer season until twenty-two years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade with Harrison Rarich, and later served two summers with John Gallagher, a contractor at Coaldale, Schuylkill county. His next employment was on the farm of Jacob Gottshall, in East Brunswick township, and while located there he was married. Subsequently he did general carpenter work for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, around the breakers and houses for a few years, and on Oct. 11, 1890, entered the employ of the Lehigh Railroad Company as section laborer, under William De Clinging for four years, and under Mandus Fritz until Feb. 10, 1899. The
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next day, Feb. 11, 1899, he became an employee of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railway Company as section laborer at New Ringgold, under Foreman Franklin Reichelderfer, and so continued until Sept. 1I, 1907, when he suc- ceeded to the foremanship of Section No. 36, which includes the trackage from half a mile below New Ringgold to two miles below Reynolds. He has been employed in that capacity to the present time, with a record for trust- worthiness which has gained him the respect of all his superiors.
On July 25, 1885, Mr. Bachman was married to Riley Sassaman, who was born June 2, 1865, in East Brunswick township, a daughter of Emmanuel and Mary (Smith) Sassaman, and they have had four children: (1) Harry Erasmus, born May 28, 1886, is married and has had two children: Delmus Huntington, born Nov. 4, 1908, who died when three months old; and Ethel May, born Oct. 15, 1909. Harry E. Bachman was educated in New Ringgold, learned telegraphy, and is now employed as a telegrapher for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at Tamaqua. He resides in New Ringgold with his parents, and is the present burgess of New Ringgold. (2) James Martin, born May 16, 1887, died May 15, 1892. (3) Stella May, born April 19, 1891, is married and has one child, Eva May, born July 8, 1907, who attends school at New Ringgold. (4) Mamie Victoria, born Oct. 3, 1901, is attending school in New Ringgold.
Mr. Bachman has served his fellow citizens of New Ringgold as council- man four years, has been a member of the board of school directors two terms, and has also filled the office of borough auditor. He has been inspector and clerk of elections, having been a faithful worker in the Republican party. Socially he is a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, is a past president and now trustee; belongs to the Philadelphia & Reading Relief Association; and is a regular attendant at the services of Frieden's Reformed Church at New Ringgold. For a number of years he was superintendent of Bachert's Sunday school in East Brunswick township.
George Sassaman, grandfather of Mrs. Bachman, was born in Germany, and came to America with his parents when one year old. The family settled in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there the boy was edu- cated and learned cabinetmaking. He was an excellent mechanic, especially noted for his skill and fine workmanship in the manufacture of coffins, beds, etc. He became the owner of a seventy-acre tract in East Brunswick town- ship, which he operated in connection with his trade. He married Elizabeth Koenig, by whom he had the following children: Emmanuel was the father of Mrs. Bachman; Joseph, deceased, married Mary Ann Moyer, who resides at Tamaqua ; Samuel married Rebecca Moyer, and both are deceased; George was a soldier in the Civil war and died from the effects of his army experi- · ences ; Isabella married Daniel Kleckner, and they reside at Tamaqua; Mary married Daniel Mantz, of Iowa; Hannah married William Gottshall, and both are deceased; Angeline lives in Iowa; Priscilla married Jacob Schaeffer, and both are deceased. The parents are buried at the Frieden's Church, New Ringgold. They were members of the Reformed congregation of that church. Mr. Sassaman was a Democrat and interested in local activities of the party. He served on the election board.
Emmanuel Sassaman, the father of Mrs. Bachman, was born in East Brunswick township Jan. 8, 1831, was educated there, and learned the trades of stonemason and plasterer, which he followed until five years before his death, which occurred July 6, 1906. He bought a farm of twenty-five
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acres from his father, and when his children were old enough they and their mother operated the place, while Mr. Sassaman followed his trades. He mar- ried Mary Smith, who was born in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., and died April, 1909, aged seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Sassaman are buried in the Frieden's cemetery at New Ringgold. They were members of the Re- formed congregation of Frieden's Church and he was a Democrat in political opinion. They had children as follows: James married Irene Miller, and they live at Tamaqua ; Mary married William Dreisbach, of Tamaqua; Emma married Daniel Bolich, of East Brunswick township; Wilson, who married Amanda Bachert, was killed in the Weldy Powder Mills, above Tamaqua, Oct. 9, 1906; George married Mary Vetter, and their home is at Tamaqua; Riley is Mrs. Samuel Bachman; Amanda married Oliver Dillinger, of Hecla, Pa .; Maggie died when two months old; Freddie is unmarried; Susie married Samuel Rarich, of Tamaqua.
ALBERT S. KISTLER is now devoting his attention to agriculture on the farm in West Penn township operated for many years by his father, the late John Kistler. For seventeen years he was engaged in educational work in the county, where he bears a high reputation for character and intelligence. He belongs to a family which as a race has been noted for solid qualities, thrift and good judgment in business, unselfish public service and loyalty to church and family obligations, and in his individual career has maintained the high standards which have come to be associated with the name.
On the records of Jerusalem Church in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa., known in the eighteenth century as the Allemangel Church, there are recorded the baptisms of hundreds of Kistler children, while in the cemetery under the shadow of the church are many graves marked with the same name. Near the center of the oldest part of the cemetery lies a slate stone (which is now being replaced by the descendants with a marble slab) bearing the inscription "I. G. K. 1767." This is supposed to be the stone that marked the burial place of the progenitor of the American Kistlers, who was legally Known as Johannes, but was called Joerg or George by Pastor Schumacher in his record and Hanjoerg or John George by his neighbors.
Johannes Kistler was a native of the Palatinate, in Germany. On Oct. 5, 1737, he came in the ship "Townshead" from Amsterdam to Philadelphia, and soon after to Falkner Swamp, or Goshenhoppen, in what is now Montgomery county, Pa. It is supposed he was accompanied by his wife, Anna Dorothea, and his oldest children. In 1747 he took out a warrant for land and moved to Albany township, Berks county, where he made his permanent home, although the territory was then wild and barren. The vicinity was named "Allemangel" or "All Wants." Johannes Kistler was taxed in 1756 in Albany, and was naturalized in 1761, on Sept. Ioth of which year he and his neighbor, Michael Brobst, appeared before the Supreme court of Philadelphia, and there received the papers which made them citizens of Pennsylvania. He was a Lutheran and served for a number of years as elder of the Allemangel Church, where his children were baptized and confirmed. His children were: (I) Jacob left seven children, Philip, Jacob, Michael, Solomon, Daniel, Cath- arine and Magdalene. Samuel Kistler Brobst, a teacher of James A. Garfield, was a grandson of Philip; and so was Michael Kistler, the tanner, whose son Stephen had at one time the most extensive tanning business in eastern Pennsylvania. (2) John remained on the homestead after his father's death.
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The name John runs through at least five generations, and the trade of black- smith follows it. John's children were: John William, born May 20, 1757; and Abraham, born Dec. 20, 1761, who is the ancestor of the Perry county Kistlers, for whom the Kistler post office was named. A descendant, Rev. Dr. John Kistler, has for many years been professor at the oldest Lutheran Theological Seminary in America, located at Hartwick, N. Y. (3) George remained in Berks county. In 1779 he was the owner of 248 acres of land and a gristmill. In 1778 he was elected elder of the Allemangel Church, and as he was referred to as George Kistler, Sr., he doubtless had a son George. The archives of Pennsylvania show that a George Kistler served in the Con- tinental army during the Revolution. (4) Philip, born Oct. 19, 1745, is next in the line we are tracing. (5) Michael moved to Ohio, and is the ancestor of the large Kistler settlements in Indiana. His family consisted of John, Michael, Joseph, Nathan, Monroe, Salome and Judith. (6) Samuel, the youngest son of his father, married Elizabeth Ladich and Catherine Brobst, and had three children by the first marriage and twelve by the second. (7) Barbara married (first) a Brobst and (second) Michael Mosser, of Lowhill. (8) Dorothea married Michael Reinhart. (9) Elizabeth married a Mr. Kel- ler, near Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Philip Kistler, son of George, above, was born Oct. 19, 1745, and died Aug. 28, 1809. He had nine children: Jacob, John, Ferdinand, Philip, Jona- than, Barbara, Maria, Catherine and Elizabeth. Of these, Jacob was a lieu- tenant in the war of 1812.
Jonathan Kistler, son of Philip, was born Nov. 10, 1799, in Berks county, and was raised on the place where his grandson Charles S. Kistler now lives. He was reared by Jacob Wehr, worked among farmers while young, and after he was married started out for himself. In 1829 he built a gristmill which still stands and is known as the Kistler mill. He also became the owner of about two hundred acres of land, a great deal of which he cleared and cultivated, and followed milling and farming on this place until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-nine years of age. His wife, Sarah (Shellhammer), born Aug. 4, 1800, a daughter of Simon and Catherine (Long) Shellhammer, died aged eighty-one years. They were the parents of children as follows: Polly married Michael Houser; Rebecca married Jacob Wertman; Hannah married Joseph Shaeffer; Daniel married Rebecca Sechler; David, who resides in West Penn township, married Mary Hagen- buch, now deceased; John is mentioned below; William, who was a school teacher, never married; Nathan never married; Jonathan K. married Lydia Shellhammer ; Elizabeth married Timothy Zehner. The father retired some years before his death. He took an active part in politics as a member of the Democratic party, and was a justice of the peace for forty-four years, and a leader in Zion's Lutheran Church, in West Penn township, serving as elder, deacon and trustee. He and his wife are buried at that church.
John Kistler. son of Jonathan, was born March 24, 1832, in West Penn township, and was educated there. He assisted with the work on his father's farm while young, and later bought the farm of about seventy-five acres where Ambrose Lechleitner now resides. He operated that farm for a num- ber of years, sold it, and bought the farm of ninety acres which is now owned by his son Albert S. Of this farm, about eighty acres are cleared. Mr. Kistler carried on general farming, and for many years also followed the stonemason's trade, which he learned when he was a young man. He attended market at
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Tamaqua. Mr. Kistler was an active man up to the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 23, 1909. He is buried in the cemetery of Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, of which church he was a devout member and faithful officer, serving as elder and deacon. He held the township office of school director, and was a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Kistler's first wife, Caroline (Hagenbuch), was born March 4, 1836, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Bailey) Hagenbuch, and died Jan. 19, 1856, the mother of one child, Jonathan, born July 6, 1855. He is married to Alvina Mantz, and they reside in Allentown, Pa. Mrs. Kistler is buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. For his second wife Mr. Kistler married Cordelia Hagenbuch, who was born March IO, 1839, a sister of his first wife, and a large family was born to this union: William, born July 15, 1858, married Ella Meyerhoff, and their children are Rosie, Bert and Ray- mond; Mary, born Nov. 18, 1859, died Feb. 22, 1860; Sarah, born Dec. 27, 1860, married Uriah Reber, of Neffs (P. O.), Lehigh Co., Pa., and has chil- dren, Willian, Charles, Ralph, Jennie, Francis and Harvey; Amanda, born June 1, 1863, died Feb. 4, 1884, the wife of Mahlon Lutz and mother of one child, Laura, who is deceased; Alice was born April 28, 1865; Ida, born March 26, 1868, married William Brobst, of Owl Creek, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and has had three children, Charles, Mabel (deceased) and Alice; Oliver was born Jan. 4, 1870: Franklin, born Dec. 8, 1871, died aged forty years; Amandus, born Aug. 18, 1873, lives in Missouri; Rosa, born Jan. 9, 1876, is married to Jolın Nester, of Tamaqua, and has had two children, Mary (deceased) and Herbert, born Aug. 18, 1897; Albert S. is next in the family; Alvin, born May II, 1881, now living at Reynolds, this county, married Sadie A. Gerber, and their children are Percy A., Edward L., Myrtle H., John W. and Frank F. The mother of this family is now living at the home of David K. Kistler, in West Penn township.
Albert S. Kistler was born March 9, 1878, on the place in West Penn township he now owns and occupies. After attending public .school in the township he had four spring terms at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, and then took up teaching, which he followed for seventeen years in different schools in West Penn township. In March, 1912, he bought the place he now operates from his father's estate, and is engaged in general farming. He carries his produce to Tamaqua. Mr. Kistler is a Democrat, but not specially identified with politics or other public affairs. He is a mem- ber of Washington Camp No. 615, P. O. S. of A., at Andreas, in West Penn township, and of Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of Independent Ameri- cans, at Chain, this county. Like a number of the Kistlers he belongs to Zion's Lutheran Church in West Penn township, and he has taken a special interest in the Sunday school, of which he was superintendent for about nine years.
Mr. Kistler married Bessie Gerber, a daughter of Frank and Angelina (Eckert) Gerber, and they had three children; Evelyn L., born April 29, 1909; Osville G., Aug. 4, 1912; Bessie R., Oct. 21, 1913. Mrs. Kistler was born Sept. 8, 1887, and died Nov. 23, 1913. She is buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. Mr. Kistler has since married Mrs. Katie Louisa Minnich, the widow of Joseph Minnich and daughter of John and Catherine (Guldner) Wert. They have one child, Sela C., born Aug. 16, 1915. Mrs. Kistler was born June 13, 1876, in Walnutport, Northampton Co., Pa., received
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her education in the schools of Cherryville, that county, and remained at home until her first marriage.
Joseph Minnich, son of Irvin and Elmira (Steinmetz) Minnich, was born Oct. 16, 1877, at Howersville, Pa., and was educated there. He first learned the trade of millwright, later taking up carpentry, which he followed for the last six years of his life. He was employed at the cement works at Copley, Pa., and meantime resided in Siegfried, Pa., later moving to Cherryville, where he died Oct. 30, 1910. He was a Republican in politics; socially a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. at Siegfried, Pa .; and belonged to St. Paul's Reformed Church near Cherryville, which he served officially as deacon. He is buried there. To Mr. and Mrs. Minnich were born three children: (I) Harold John, born Sept. 5, 1898, died April 23, 1899. (2) Marian Irene, born Sept. 10, 1899, attended Cherryville grammar and Berlinsville high schools, in Northampton county, Pa. (3) Sallie Elmira, born Sept. 5, 1902, attends school in West Penn township.
Jacob Wert, Mrs. Kistler's grandfather, was a farmer all his life, living at Heidelberg, Lehigh Co., Pa., where he had a tract of sixty acres. He mar- ried Hannah Frederick, and to them were born the following children: Maria is the widow of William Beers; Eliza married Conrad Kern and after his death John Long; Rosie married John Hartline; John is the father of Mrs. Kistler; Benjamin married Saralı German; Hiranı married Emma Kern, and both are deceased; Wilson, deceased, married Flora Kern; Alvin has been twice married, first to Kate Remaly. The father was a Republican in politics. He is buried at the German Reformed Church in Heidelberg, Lehigh county, where he was a very active member, serving as elder and in other offices. His widow remarried, becoming the wife of Carl Myers; they are buried at Slat- ington, Pennsylvania.
John Wert, father of Mrs. Kistler, was born at Heidelberg, Lehigh Co., Pa., March 21, 1850, and there received his schooling. He learned the car- penter's trade with Benneville Bloss, and followed it for a number of years, principally in Northampton county. He rented a farm of seventy-two acres near Cherryville, which he operated for nineteen years, when he moved to Cherryville, and has been following his trade to the present time. He married Catherine Guldner, who was born Nov. 27, 1852, in West Penn township, a daughter of Reuben and Sallie (Kuntz) Guldner, and they had children as follows: Sallie Ann, born Sept. 8, 1873, lives at home in Cherryville; Katie Louisa is Mrs. Albert S. Kistler; Annie Messina, born March 31, 1880, mar- ried Robert Stoudt and resides at Palmerton, Carbon Co., Pa., and their chil- dren are Elda Esther and Irene Elizabeth. Mr. Wert is a Republican, a member of the Order of Independent Americans at Cherryville, and belongs to St. Paul's Reformed Church near Cherryville, which he has served as elder and deacon, and superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mrs. Bessie (Gerber) Kistler was born and educated in West Penn town- ship, Schuylkill county, where her father, Frank Gerber, is a prosperous farmer, residing near Reynolds. He owns about four hundred acres of land. He married Angelina Eckert, and they have had children as follows: Bessie married Albert S. Kistler; Leon M. married Minnie Balliet; Frank C. mar- ried Lulu Zehner; Hattie, unmarried, is at home; Willard C. married Emma Zehner. Mr. Gerber is a Democrat, and has been elected school director. He is a member of Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of Independent Americans, at Chain, this county, and a past councilor of Washington Camp No. 132,
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P. O. S. of A .; and holds membership in Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township, which he has served officially as elder and deacon.
JOHN H. LIME, though one of the oldest residents of the borough of Port Carbon, is still taking an active part in the administration of its public affairs, and maintains a zealous interest in the welfare of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has long been connected. He is one of the best known citizens of this part of Schuylkill county and commands the respect of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Lime was born in Harrisburg, Pa., May 8, 1829, son of Jacob Lime, a native of Holland, who came to America when young, and was living at Harrisburg during the war of 1812. In 1833 he settled at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, where he was engaged as a shipper on the canal for many years, in his later life being in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- way Company. His death occurred in 1879 when he was eighty years old, and his wife, Sarah (Hampton), died at the age of eighty-one. They are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Port Carbon. They were the parents of the following children : John H., Cyrus, Mary Jane, Anna, Henrietta, James and Isaiah.
John H. Lime accompanied his parents to Port Carbon in childhood, and was reared here. His educational advantages were very good for the time. As a boy he was employed at the docks at Port Carbon, later becoming a ship- per on the canal, and was so engaged until it was closed at Port Carbon in 1870. He was then transferred to the collector's office at Schuylkill Haven, where he remained for seventeen years, in the year 1887 becoming ticket agent at Valley Station, Pa., where he remained two years. From that time until he was retired by-the company in 1903 he was assistant ticket agent at Port Carbon, in which capacity he became known to practically all the resi- dents of the borough. During his younger manhood Mr. Lime served as a member of the Port Carbon school board, and he is the present treasurer of the borough, in which position he has given great satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church and fills the office of elder, besides doing everything in his power to make all church enter- prises successful.
On Sept. 12, 1854, Mr. Lime was married to Margaret T. Laing, who was born in September, 1833, at Port Carbon, in the house where she and her husband now reside. Though past eighty Mr. and Mrs. Lime are both in the enjoyment of excellent health, and there is no more highly respected couple in Port Carbon. They were the parents of the following children: Alice, Irene (deceased), Jessie, Harriet, Margaret (deceased), Sadie, May. Frank and Harry.
GEORGE M. SCHAEFFER, of North Manheim township, is a progress- ive farmer and business man of his section of Schuylkill county, where the family has been settled for many years. His grandfather, Jacob Schaeffer, lived in Friedensburg. Wayne township, and later made his home with his son William, at Pinedale, where he died. His children were: Joseph, William, Sarah, Matilda, Mary and Elizabeth.
Joseph Schaeffer, son of Jacob, was born in Wayne township, this county, where he lived and died, and he is buried at the Red Church. For a number of years he was employed on the canal, tending locks and boating, and he
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also worked several years for the late George Adams. He married Lucy Alspach, daughter of John Alspach, and she survives him, residing at Sculp's hill, in West Brunswick township, with her daughter Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer were born the following children: Amanda, who married Henry Bausch ; David, who lives at Summit Station, Schuylkill county ; Charles, of Adamsdale, this county ; Diana; Kate, widow of Reuben Fegley; Mary, who married Edward Renninger; Ella, who married William Young, and resides at Orwigsburg; and George M.
George M. Schaeffer was born Jan. 29, 1862, in West Brunswick township, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. He was thoroughly trained to farm work, which he has followed all his life, and has owned his present farm since 1902, purchasing it from Mr. Anderson. In 1906 he erected the fine barn on his property, and has a number of other good buildings, being constantly engaged in the improvement of the place, which has increased greatly in value during his ownership. This was formerly an old hotel stand, at one time owned and conducted by Solomon Moyer, and later for many years by Joseph Heffner. The hotel was then discontinued, and Mr. Anderson purchased the property, owning it until he sold it to Mr. Schaeffer. He is engaged in general farming and for ten years also had a milk route in Orwigsburg, but gave this up in April, 1914. Mr. Schaeffer attends the Orwigsburg markets twice a week, and he keeps up with the times in supplying the demand of the local trade as well as in his methods of operat- ing his farm and caring for his property. Its appearance testifies amply to his progressive ideas and energetic policy.
Mr. Schaeffer is recognized by his fellow citizens as a substantial member of the community, and they have shown their faith in his honesty and enter- prise by retaining him in public office for an unusually long period, his service on the school board of West Brunswick township covering eighteen years. Part of this time he has been president of the board. In religion he is a Lutheran, holds membership in the historic old Red Church in West Bruns- wick township, and socially he belongs to the Independent Americans.
Mr. Schaeffer married Mary Schweigert, daughter of George Schweigert, of South Manheim township, and they have two children: William D., of Orwigsburg, who married Annie Wildermuth; and Paul Joseph, who lives at home and attends school.
LAMBERT HESS has been one of the foremost citizens of the borough of Mount Carbon, this county, and an official whose trustworthy services have been of the greatest value in placing the town politics upon a solid foundation. As president of the town council for fifteen years he has had the opportunity of influencing the direction of public affairs so as to conserve the best interests of the townspeople, who are properly grateful for the spirit he has shown in their behalf. Mr. Hess is a native of Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa., born May 16, 1861, son of Christopher Hess.
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