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 71
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
478
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Daisy and Harold. (S) Sarah is the wife of Oscar Arndt, of Snyders, Pa., and their children are Matilda, Mary, Charles, Jennie, Arline, Walter, Hattie, Roland and Howard. (9) William S. is next in the family. (10) John and (II) Ellen died in infancy.
William S. Smith was reared in West Penn township, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools. From boyhood he assisted his father with the work on the farm, where he has spent all his life, succeeding his father as tenant of the church farm and also as organist of the church. He has a high reputation in the neighborhood as a musician, both vocal and instrumental, having taught piano and organ for fifteen years, and for a number of years conducted a singing school in the parish. Local affairs have always interested him, and he has been especially helpful in securing good men for township offices. As a Democrat, he has been identified with the party forces, served ten years as election inspector, and has been a member of the board of school directors for his township for four years. Like his father he is a member of the Lutheran congregation at Zion's Church, and socially he holds membership in Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A., at Schwartz's in West Penn township. He is a citizen of recognized worth, a creditable representative of the substantial family to which he belongs.
Mr. Smith married Anna Christianne Wiest, who was born Dec. 20, 1889, and they have had four children: Willis Eugene, born Dec. 7, 1907; twin of Willis E., born dead; Verna Alma, born April 1, 1909; and Norman Wilbur, born Nov. 28, 1912.
John Wiest, grandfather of Mrs. William S. Smith, came to this country from Germany and first settled in Baltimore, Md. Later he made his home in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he owned a small tract of land, spending the latter part of his life there. He is buried in the Frieden's cemetery at New Ringgold. He was married four times.
William Wiest, son of John, was born in Baltimore, Md., and moved with his father to East Brunswick township, where he followed farming. His wife's father, Elias Heiser, gave her a farm of fifty acres in that township, nearly all cleared, and Mr. Wiest cultivated this place until his death, which occurred April 9, 1897, when he was forty-two years old. His wife, Amanda (Heiser), born July 20, 1855, daughter of Elias and Susanna (Henry) Heiser, still lives on her farm. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Alvina, who is deceased; Edward Franklin, a resident of New Ring- gold; this county ; Anna Christianne, Mrs. William S. Smith ; Lenora, deceased; Katie Susanna; one that died unnamed; and Martha, living at home. Mr. Wiest was a Democrat in political opinion. Fraternally he was an Odd Fel- low, belonging to East Brunswick Lodge, No. 802, of New Ringgold, and his religious connection was with the Lutheran congregation of the Frieden's Church, in New Ringgold. He is buried there.
CHARLES F. OST, of Pottsville, has made his home in that borough for over a quarter of a century, during much of which period he has been asso- ciated with the Rettig Brewing Company in a responsible capacity. He is also interested in business on his own account as president of the Mountain City Knitting Company, of which his brother, August W. Ost, is general manager.
Christian Ost, their father, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. He fol- lowed farming and stone quarrying in the Fatherland. In 1887 he came to
479
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
America with his children, landing at New York City, and several years later settled at Pottsville, where he has since resided, engaged in the milk business. He married Christina Yuengling, daughter of Jacob Yuengling, and she died in Germany when about forty-seven years old, leaving five children, namely : Christian, Charles F., August W., Annie and Wilhelmina.
Charles F. Ost was born July 4, 1868, in Wurtemberg, and was reared in Germany. After his school days were over he assisted his father in quarry- ing and upon the farm. Coming to America with the rest of the family, he remained about six months in New York City, and then joined the family at Pottsville. After a few months' work upon a farm here he found employ- ment with the Yuengling Brewing Company, where he learned the business, becoming assistant foreman four years later. He remained there in that posi- tion for seven years, and on Nov. 6, 1899, entered the employ of the Rettig Brewing Company, with which he has since been associated, being at present brewmaster for that concern. Mr. Ost has been thoroughly successful in his chosen work, and the output of the brewery has increased considerably since he took charge of the production. He is a man of substantial character and well liked in his various connections. Fraternally he belongs to the local lodges of the B. P. O. Elks and the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Humane Fire Company. His religious connection is with the German Luth- eran Church.
Mr. Ost married Sarah Crone, daughter of Francis Crone, of Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Pa., and they are the parents of five children, namely : Charlotte, Frederick, Lester, Francis and Karl. The family reside at No. 809 West Market street, Pottsville.
AUGUST W. OST, youngest son of Christian Ost, was born July 7, 1875, in Germany, where he received his early education, being twelve years old when he came to America with his father, in 1887. He also accompanied him to Pottsville, where he has since had his home. Learning the trade of butcher in his youth, he followed it for nine years in all, and then for ten years was employed by the Rettig Brewing Company. In March, 1913. he turned his attention to the knitting business, becoming general manager of the Mountain City Knitting Company, of which his brother, Charles F. Ost, is president, and Charles F. Hay secretary and treasurer. They have a two- story factory on Water street, equipped throughout with up-to-date machinery, and steady employment is given to twenty hands. By judicious marketing the product has been well introduced, and has given such excellent satisfaction that orders are repeated and increased steadily, so that the demand has grown at the most encouraging rate. The output consists of ladies' vests, athletic shorts and ladies' union suits. Though a comparatively new business, the Mountain City Knitting Company has respected standing among the reliable concerns of the city.
August W. Ost was married to Annie Gross, daughter of Ernst Gross, of Pottsville, and they have one son, Leroy, now attending public school in the city. Mr. Ost is well known socially as a member of the Odd Fellows (lodge and encampment) and of the Good Will Hose Company, and his religious con- nection is with the German Lutheran Church; he also belongs to the Zion Society. His high personal character, no less than his business ability, has been a valuable asset in the fortunes of the Mountain City Knitting Company.
480
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ELIAS K. STAUFFER, of Ringtown, has attained a substantial posi- tion through the exercise of his remarkable mechanical talents, but he is no less known for his participation in official and social activities. For years he was one of the most popular figures in the locality in musical circles and his son has inherited his ability in this direction, still sustaining high standing among musicians in his section of the county.
The Stauffers are a very old family in Pennsylvania, descended from Hans Stauffer, who was a Mennonite and a native of Switzerland, born in 1655 at Altzheim or Weisenau. In 1710 he came to America with his sons Jacob, Daniel and Henry, and he is buried in the Mennonite cemetery at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Jacob Stauffer, son of Hans, was born in Switzerland in 1696, came with his father to America, and is buried in the Mennonite cemetery at Bally, Pennsylvania.
Christian Stauffer, son of Jacob, was born Dec. 18, 1728, died July 14, 1797, and is buried at Bally, Berks Co., Pa. He was a Revolutionary sol- dier, serving throughout the war, was under the command of "Mad Anthony" Wayne, and took part in the battles of Three Rivers, Canada, Ticonderoga, Brandywine, Monmouth, Stony River, Green Spring and Yorktown.
John Stauffer, son of Christian, was born Dec. 24, 1758, and was the sec- ond child and only son of his parents. He died March 5, 1845, and is buried in Locust valley, near Mahanoy City.
David Stauffer, son of Jolin, was born Feb. 21, 1804, near the Trappe, in Montgomery county, Pa., and was four years old when the family moved to Ryon township, Berks (now Schuylkill) county, settling on the Klinga- man farm, five miles southeast of Mahanoy City. Later he moved to Potts- ville, Pa., in which town he was a pioneer settler, and thence to Tuscarora, Schuylkill county. He was superintendent of construction on a portion of the Schuylkill Valley railroad, and also of the opening and operation of im- portant coal workings, serving mostly as outside foreman. In May, 1839, he moved to Union township, Schuylkill county, where he bought five hundred acres of land, principally timbered, and he sold considerable of this tract to his brothers, retaining 160 acres for himself. He built a log cabin thereon and set about the work of clearing, making great improvement in the property. The log cabin was his dwelling for almost six years, until he completed a better residence a short distance from it, moving into the new house in 1844. He continued to make his home on that place until 1855, when he purchased a tract of sixty-five acres in what is now Ringtown borough, on which were lo- cated a store, dwelling and hotel. Having formerly been in the hotel busi- ness at Middleport he resumed it at this new location, carrying on the hotel there for three years and retiring in 1858. Mr. Stauffer enjoyed a long life, dying July 12, 1887. His father was a Mennonite, as the earlier ancestors had been, but he was converted to the Lutheran faith by Rev. Mr. Schaeffer, a Lutheran missionary stationed in his district, and was duly received into the denomination by confirmation. He was an earnest member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Ringtown.
Mr. Stauffer married, on Jan. 26, 1829, Maria Anne Andreas (or An- drews), who was born Jan. 13, 1809, in what was then East Penn township, Northampton Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel and Maria Gertrude (Guldnerin) Andreas, whose children were: Salome (Mrs. Henry Rumbel), Maria Anne, Catherine (Mrs. John Bankes), Peter and Rebecca (Mrs. John Rumbel).
481
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Daniel Andreas came from Northampton county to Union township, Schuyl- kill county, where he worked at his trade until he died; he was a harness- maker, and also followed shoemaking. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religion he adhered to the Reformed faith. Mrs. Maria Anne ( Andreas) Stauffer survived her husband a few years, passing away Jan. 21, 1892, and hers was the first funeral held in the new Reformed Church at Ringtown. She is buried with her husband in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery near that borough. They were the parents of the following children: Daniel M., born May 18, 1831, died Aug. 16, 1898; he was twice married, to Amanda De Frane and Amanda Maurer, respectively. Joseph, born May 18, 1833, married Retta Lindermuth, of Ringtown. Benneville, born April 8, 1836, married Mary Ann Brobst, and they are mentioned elsewhere. Angeline, born Nov. 29, 1838, is the widow of J. A. Seeley, and lives at Hazleton, Pa. Sarah A. G., born April 13, 1841, married Jacob Rumbel (deceased) and (second) Joseph A. Long, and lives in the Conyngham valley in Luzerne county, Pa. David, born June 22, 1843, married Lucy A. Zimmerman, and they live at Ringtown, Pa. William, born June 10, 1845, married Martha Bean, and died March 3, 1876. Franklin, born Jan. 29, 1848, married Mary Ann Barrow, and they live at Hazleton, Pa. Elias K., born Feb. 15, 1850, married Sourie Ann Goho, and they live at Ringtown. Mary C., born April 27, 1854, is the wife of Theodore A. Breisch, and they live at Nuremberg, Schuylkill Co., Penn- sylvania.
Elias K. Stauffer was born Feb. 15, 1850, in Union township, Schuylkill county, and was there reared and educated. He first attended the pay schools conducted in the home locality, later the public schools of the township. When his father thought he was old enough to go to work he apprenticed him to learn the trade of clock and watch maker, which he mastered so thor- oughly that he is still considered one of the most proficient in that line in his part of the county, people coming from miles away to have him repair their timepieces. After completing his term at that trade he served an apprenticeship with his brother David at the coachmaking and wheelwright business, remaining with him three years. He then went to Schnecksville, Lehigh county, where he was employed by John Sachs for a period of three months in the same line. Returning to Ringtown he went to learn tele- graphy in the Philadelphia & Reading station there, later taking a position as operator at Williamsport, Pa., under his brother-in-law, M. C. Croll, who was chief operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at that point. After thirteen months there he was transferred to Ringtown as operator, hold- ing the position for three years, when he resigned and resumed his trades, watchmaking, wheelwrighting, etc. He built a general repair shop on his prop- erty at Ringtown, and had so many calls for his services that he found himself doing work at many trades, painting, paperhanging and other mechanical occu- pations. In fact, his natural and acquired gifts are such that he could put up a building from the foundation, and finish it. He is still working at his various trades. Mr. Stauffer was one of the first to advocate the establishment of a bank at Ringtown, was secretary of the preliminary organization, and after the bank was established became assistant secretary for one year, until elected vice president, which position he has filled continuously to the present.
Mr. Stauffer was the leader of the Ringtown Cornet Band for five years, and for many years taught vocal music, holding classes at different points in North Union, Union and East Union townships. For years he was choir leader Vol. I-31
482
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
in the Old White Church, directing the first choir that sang four-part music there. His own church connection was with St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Ringtown, and he served as superintendent of the Union Sunday school of Ringtown for over twenty-one years.
Mr. Stauffer has long been a prominent member of the Democratic party in his neighborhood. He gave efficient service as school director in Union township and was president of the board for five years, before the borough of Ringtown was incorporated. He was also township assessor, and since Ring- town has been a borough has held that position continuously. He has filled all the positions on the election board, and has never missed an election since he reached his majority. Fraternally Mr. Stauffer has been prominent in the Odd Fellows, belonging to Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, of which he is a past grand, and he was a trustee of the lodge for years. He also holds membership in Shen- andoah Valley Encampment, No. 258, of which he is a past chief patriarch, having the past patriarch's degree conferred upon him at Pottsville, and the grand encampment degree at Pittsburgh.
Mr. Stauffer married Sourie Ann Goho, who was born Nov. 1, 1846, in Union township, and they have one child, Arthur Elliott. Mrs. Stauffer was reared and educated in her native township.
Daniel Goho, father of Mrs. Sourie Ann (Goho) Stauffer, was born Jan. 9, 1812, near Light Street, Columbia Co., Pa., was reared among strangers, and learned the trade of blacksmith. He moved from his native county to Union township, Schuylkill county, and died here Dec. 8, 1860. His wife, Mary (Zimmerman), born Dec. 9, 1818, in Union township, died June 19, 1895. They had children as follows : Samuel died at a Soldiers' home, and his widow, Jane (Fulton), is living at Williamsport, Pa .; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Frederick Wright, lives at Hazleton, Pa .; Daniel died unmarried; Catherine, now a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., married Elijah F. Bodey and (second) Crossley Wilt; Sourie Ann married Elias K. Stauffer; Jacob married Ella Stauffer, and they live at Nuremberg, Schuylkill county; Henry (deceased) married Ura Horn, who since his death has become the wife of George Gilbert, and they live at Barnesville, Schuylkill county; Rebecca married M. C. Croll, and they are residents of Williamsport, Pa. The parents are buried at the Old White Church, of which Mr. Goho was a member. He was a Democrat on political questions.
Mrs. Mary (Zimmerman) Goho was born in Union township, daughter of Roland Zimmerman, who was a lifelong farmer. He was a Democrat and a Lutheran, belonging to the Old White Church, where he and his wife, Eliza- beth (Vocht), are buried. They had children as follows: Sourie Ann, Mrs. Rudolph Breisch; Lucy Anne, who married Matthias Haldeman; Seth, who married Sarah B. Adams (they reared Mrs. Sourie Ann Stauffer) ; Rebecca, Mrs. P. M. Barrow ; Rudolph, who married Sarah Fenstermacher; Marietta, Mrs. Frederick Ponsoldt; Roland, who married Sophia Fry; Fayetta, Mrs. Jacob Breisch ; Catherine, Mrs. Jacob Fenstermacher; and Mary, Mrs. Goho.
ARTHUR ELLIOTT STAUFFER, only son of Elias K. Stauffer, was born Nov. 6, 1873, and spent his youth at Ringtown, obtaining his early education in the public schools there. Later he took the teacher's course at the Keystone State Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893, being granted a teacher's diploma. He taught one year at the Krebs school in Union township, and then turned to the painting and paperhanging business, which he learned under his father's instruction, working with him until 1896. Since
483
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
then he has been in the business on his own account, and has continued it suc- cessfully.
Mr. Stauffer is a musician of ability, especially proficient on the violin, taught music in Ringtown for a number of years, and is still active in local musical enterprises. For two years he was leader of the Citizens' Musical As- sociation of Ringtown, and he is able to play any of the brass band instruments. He is a member and past grand of Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, I. O. O. F., and was secretary of that lodge for a number of years. Like all the rest of his family he is a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Ringtown, which he joined in 1900, and he taught in the Union Sunday school, of which his father was superintendent.
Mr. Stauffer married Celestia Frances Lindenmuth, who was born Sept. 17, 1875, in Union township, where she received her education. She remained at home until her marriage. Mrs. Stauffer is also a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Two children have been born to this marriage: (1) Katie Bodey, born May 27, 1895, was educated in the public schools, grad- uating from the Ringtown high school in 1912, and is assistant postmaster at Ringtown under James A. Yost. She is a pianist of marked ability. (2) Mayme Rebecca, born May 30, 1899, has received her education in the public schools, being now a member of the class of 1916 at the Ringtown high school.
John Lindenmuth, grandfather of Mrs. Arthur E. Stauffer, was a native of Berks county, Pa., whence he moved to Schuylkill county, settling in Union township, where he farmed the rest of his life. He was a Democrat and a Lutheran, belonging to the Old White Church. He married Hannah Penne- packer, and they are buried in the Lindenmuth private cemetery in Union town- ship. Their children were: Susanna, widow of Lewis Fuhrman, living at Ring- town; Jacob J .; Elizabeth, who married Frank Rhodes, both now deceased ; Rachel, widow of Daniel Rhodes, living at Rupert, Columbia Co., Pa .; Amanda, who married Peter Fry, both now deceased; and William, who married Sallie Lindenmuth (deceased) and (second) Eliza Deleplaine, who survives him and lives at Zion Grove, Schuylkill county.
Jacob J. Lindenmuth was born Dec. 16, 1832, in Union township, on the place now owned by Daniel Shoup. He was reared and educated there, and worked for his father until his marriage, after which he was employed chiefly in the timber woods to the end of his life. However, he also farmed for some time, having bought his father's place some years after the latter's death. When he retired he built a home in Ringtown, where he died Jan. 25, 1907. His widow still resides there. Mr. Lindenmuth was a Democrat, and was elected supervisor of his township, filling the office faithfully. He held membership in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is buried at the Old White Church.
Mr. Lindenmuth married Catherine Ulshafer, who was born April 10, 1842, daughter of Thomas Ulshafer; her mother died when she was two weeks old. To Mr. and Mrs. Lindenmuth were born eleven children: Hulda Anne married Mayberry Heffner, and they live in Union township; Franklin Pierce married Ida Shoup, and they live in Union township; John married Mary Lindenmuth, and they are living in Egypt, Lehigh Co., Pa .; Willis died when twelve years old; Stephen Grant, who is a hotel-keeper in Union township, married Missouri Fuhrman; Sarah Matilda is the wife of Frank Gessley. of Shenandoah, Pa .; Beulah Emma is the wife of Albert Lindenmuth, of Ring- town ; Celestia Frances is the wife of Arthur E. Stauffer; Morris died when six
A
484
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
years old; Daisy Irene is married to Benjamin Faust, of Williamsport, Pa .; Isa- bella is the wife of William Jones, of Brandonville, Schuylkill county.
FRANKLIN KANTNER, late of Cressona, Schuylkill county, where he died in July, 1913, when almost ninety years of age, a veteran employee of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company and lifetime resident of that place, was associated with many of the phases of its development and incidents of historic interest. Mr. Kantner was employed by the original Mine Hill Rail- road Company, when coal was hauled to the Schuylkill Navigation docks at Schuylkill Haven by mule power, over wooden rails, before locomotives were used in America. Charles and Robert Hill were the weighmasters there. Mr. Kantner helped to install the first wood-burning locomotive brought over from England, and was made engineer of one of the first two constructed by the Baldwin Company, his engine being No. 2.
In 1847 the Mine Hill tracks were rebuilt for coal-burning engines, and in 1853 Mr. Kantner became engineer of one of these locomotives, No. 23, which he ran for twenty-two years. In his later years as an engineer he was employed by the late Henry Hazel, master mechanic, on the trial trips of new engines. His regular runs were on the Mine Hill road, except when he was sent out as pilot on other Philadelphia & Reading lines. After quitting the engine, on account of advancing age, he became a yard boss, and he often expressed his pride in the beautiful campus with its maple trees around the old Mine Hill office; he superintended the planting of the trees and always had great interest in their thrifty growth.
Mr. Kantner was employed by Superintendent Chapman in building the massive walls of the old "Mansion House," at the upper end of Cressona, which was recently torn down by the Philadelphia & Reading Company. He was a personal associate of the late F. K. DeForest, pioneer of the New York & Schuylkill Coal Company, and as well of Benjamin DeForest and John Cresson, president, and B. A. Wilder, civil engineer and later acting president of the company. The last named, who died four years before Mr. Kantner, at the age of ninety, was a lifelong neighbor and personal friend. When well along in the seventies Mr. Kantner became one of the first pensioners of the Reading Railway Company, after fifty-six years of continuous service with the Mine Hill and Reading Railway Companies.
Though almost ninety years old when he died Mr. Kantner retained his clear intellect to the last, and was daily sought by statisticians and historians because of his memory, which was wonderfully accurate, his recollections prov- ing correct in every detail. A man of strong convictions, and noted for the courage which impelled him to denounce emphatically whatever he thought was morally wrong, he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was frequently appealed to for practical counsel, and helped many a relative and neighbor in business. "He furnished the initial capital to many a business man in the community, many of whom succeeded, while in many others he lost heavily." Though frugal in his own tastes and requiring little for his personal wants, Mr. Kantner was a great provider for his family, for whom he never hesitated to make sacrifices when they needed financial or other aid. He married Caroline Kershner, whose death occurred thirteen years before his. and was survived by six children : Alice, Mrs. W. H. Neiman, of California ; Henry, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Emma, Mrs. John Butz, of Schuylkill Haven,
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.