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 72
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Pa .; Stephen A., of Reading, Pa .; Laura A., Mrs. J. M. Hoffman, of Reading ; and Howard F., of New York.
Mr. Kantner was buried in the family lot in the Schuylkill Haven ceme- tery. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, and in politics a lifelong Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James K. Polk, his last for Woodrow Wilson.
HENRY Y. GERHARD, of Orwigsburg, is a descendant of substantial old Pennsylvania stock, belonging to a branch of the Gerhard family long set- tled in Berks county, this State. The family is of German origin. Ilis great- great-grandfather, Frederick Gerhard, in company with his brother William Gerhard and 340 other passengers came across the ocean on the ship "Samuel," landing Aug. 27, 1737, and settled at Rchrersburg, in Tulpehocken township, Berks Co., Pa., where he resided until his death. He is buried at Bern Church, in Berks county.
Jacob Gerhard, son of Frederick, above, and great-grandfather of Henry Y. Gerhard, was born May 17, 1773, and died April 10, 1837, aged sixty-three years, ten months, twenty-four days. He bought the old homestead from his father, and there followed farming and his trade of wheelwright, living there until his death ; he is buried at Host, Berks county. His children were: Peter, Heinrich (Henry), John, Jacob, William, Catherine, Lydia, Polly, Sarah, Eliza- beth and Lavina.
Heinrich (Henry) Gerhard, grandfather of Henry Y. Gerhard, born May I, 1798, at Rehrersburg, died Nov. 22, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years, six months and twenty-one days. Like his father he was a farmer and wheel- wright. Coming to Schuylkill county in 1828, he bought a farm in West Bruns- wick township April 5th of that year, the old Abraham Werner farm, compris- ing 263 acres, 155 perches. He continued to farm there the rest of his life, dying at that place, and is buried in the Reformed cemetery at Orwigsburg. His wife, Maria Salome, daughter of Philip and Maria (Gilbert) Hoy, was born Jan. 2, 1800, and died Dec. 25, 1863, at the age of sixty-three years, eleven months, twenty-three days. They were the parents of six children : Maria, who married Daniel Alspach ; Sarah, Mrs. Samuel Yost ; Henry : Pris- cilla, who married James Anderson and (second) Edward Mengel; William; and Edward, the last named dying young.
Henry Gerhard, father of Henry Y. Gerhard, was born Aug. 25, 1829, in West Brunswick township, in the house where he still resides. Part of this house was standing when his parents moved here, his father adding to it subsequently. Mr. Gerhard has been living retired since 1912. He attended school in the neighborhood, and farmed throughout his active years. After the death of his father he bought 148 acres of the home property, his brother William taking eighty-three acres, and their brother-in-law, Daniel Alspach, also owning a tract. The latter engaged in the undertaking business. While the cultivation of the property was under Mr. Gerhard's direct management he was one of the prominent farmers in his vicinity and attended the markets of Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Orwigsburg, where he was known as a thor- oughly reliable dealer, all his transactions being above reproach. He is a Demo- crat, served many years as school director of his township, and was one of the prominent members of the Reformed Church, in which he held the offices of elder and deacon for many years.
On June 19, 1852, Mr. Gerhard married Diana Mengel, who was born Aug.
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19, 1833, and died Jan. 3, 1857, at the age of twenty-three years, four months and fourteen days. She was the mother of three children : Charles, born July 16, 1853, died Oct. 8, 1854; William Francis, born March II, 1855; and Diana, born Nov. 5, 1856, died Nov. 10, 1857. On Nov. 5, 1859, Mr. Gerhard married (second) Eliza Yost, who was born June 19, 1838, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Merkel) Yost. Eleven children have been born to this union, as follows: Elwood P., born May 31, 1860, is living at Port Carbon ; Mary E., born Aug. 2, 1862, is married to Joel S. Degler, who is farming in West Bruns- wick township; Henry Y., born Oct. 5, 1864, is a shoe manufacturer of Orwigs- burg ; Samuel, born April 6, 1867, died aged nine years ; Frank, born Feb. 5, 1869, is a farmer of West Brunswick township; Emma M., born Feb. 22, 1871, married Jacob Zuber, and they are farming at Treichlers, Northampton Co., Pa .; George Albert, born April II, 1873, is a stock fitter for The Rehr Shoe Company, Orwigsburg; John, born March 17, 1875, is farming in the borough of Orwigsburg; Calvin L., born July 2, 1876, is farming in the borough of Orwigsburg; Hannah S., born June 20, 1881, married George Seltzer and is living at McKeansburg, Schuylkill county ; and Edwin, born Oct. 20, 1884, is farming the homestead place in West Brunswick township.
Henry Y. Gerhard was born Oct. 5, 1864, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he received his early education, also attending school at Orwigsburg. Afterwards he was employed upon a farm and for some years clerked in a store, and for two years was an employee of the local trolley company of Pottsville. In March, 1898, associated with George A. Rehr and Thomas Schoener, he engaged in the manufacture of shoes, under the name of the Rehr Shoe Company. They began in exceedingly modest quarters, having one room on the second floor of the old courthouse at Orwigsburg, but the business grew steadily from the start and has continued to prosper ever since. The partnership was continued until the sudden death of Mr. Rehr, Oct. 4, 1912, after which the other two partners carried on the business for three months, and then admitted M. L. Backenstose into the company. The business is still operated under the old name. The product consists of infants' shoes, and six men are constantly engaged on the road marketing the output, which goes as far as the Western coast. From fifty to seventy-five hands are em- ployed at the plant, which is under the superintendency of Mr. Gerhard, who is treasurer of the company and general office man. Mr. Gerhard has done his full share towards promoting the prosperity of the plant, keeping up-to-date in every department, and his career as a member of the Rehr Shoe Company and in every other relation has been without reproach. He is a man of broad character and deservedly respected wherever known. Socially he is a member of the Independent Americans, and his religious connection is with the Re- formed Church, which he has served officially as member of the consistory.
Mr. Gerhard married Emma Maranda, born Feb. 2, 1872, daughter of Sendary Knoll, of Rehrersburg, Berks county, and they have had three chil- , dren : Ina Rebecca, born March 1, 1901, who died March 20, 1901 ; Ella Nora, born July 26, 1905 ; and Paul Jacob, born May 25, 1908.
WILLIAM W. MARTIN has a blacksmith shop at Pottsville and does the leading business in that line in the borough, having facilities and equipment which enable him to handle the most important and exacting work. His mechanical skill supplemented by a progressive disposition is manifested in his readiness to take advantage of the opportunities offered by home trade and by
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his prompt response to their demands. The patronage he has established justi- fies the confidence he has in the business possibilities at hand. Mr. Martin was born at Five Points, Schuylkill county, Oct. 26, 1864, son of William W. Martin and grandson of John Martin.
John Martin, the grandfather, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, and there married Elizabeth Thomas. They came to America with their family and settled at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed mining. He died there at the age of seventy years, and is buried in the Welsh cemetery, on Minersville street, Pottsville. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Martin, namely: William W., David, Jane, John and Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. Rolland Wintersteen). The son David served in the Union army during the Civil war, and was held at Libby prison, being exchanged after the close of hostilities. He lived at St. Clair, where he died, and he is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery there.
William W. Martin, son of John, was born in Wales and was brought to America by his parents. By occupation he was a miner, following that occu- pation all his life in Schuylkill county, and he spent his later days at St. Clair, where he died at the age of sixty years. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, and was in the service for three years. He was wounded while in the army. Mr. Martin was twice married, first to Elizabeth Abrahams, who died when twenty years old. Her two children, John and Elizabeth Ann, are also deceased. For his second wife Mr. Martin married Sarah Zimmerman, daughter of Nathaniel Zimmerman, and of German extraction. She died at the age of sixty-two years, and is buried with her husband in the Odd Fellows cemetery, at Pottsville. Ten children were born to this marriage, namely: William W .; Violet, wife of William W. Urch, living at Pottsville, Pa .; Alfred, deceased; Oscar, a resident of St. Clair, this county ; Sarah, married to David David, residing at Pottsville; Frank, a resident of St. Clair ; Henry Paul, deceased; Libby Rebecca, wife of Thomas Morgans, living at Pottsville ; Mary Bella, who married Arthur Mills, and died in December, 1912; and Elwood, who lives at St. Clair.
William W. Martin attended public school, but he was only seven years old when he began to pick slate at the breaker. He was so employed until he reached the age of fourteen years. Then he went to work on a farm at Port Carbon, following agricultural work for about four years. At the end of that period he came to Pottsville and took employment with Guy Farquhar, with whom he remained three years. Subsequently he spent a short time in the employ of John Gilden and J. C. Bright, and on Aug. 23, 1883, he commenced to learn the trade of horseshoer with T. J. Brennan, in his establishment on South Railroad street. Having completed his apprenticeship he located at Port Carbon, where he was in business for himself a short time, returning to Potts- ville in 1886, and starting a shop of his own at No. III South Railroad street. He carried on business there for a period of twenty-one years, until he built the up-to-date establishment which he now occupies, on West Norwegian street, above Second (No. 207). He located there in February, 1908. Mr. Martin employs three skilled workmen steadily, keeping three fires going, and by satis- factory service to his patrons he has acquired the leading trade in the borough. He has also become prominent among his associates in the same line of busi- ness, being a leading member of the National Horseshoers' Protective Associa- tion, which he served for four years as president and for three years as vice president. He is also active in the local society, which he helped to organize.
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Mr. Martin has become well known as a member of various other societies in the borough, belonging to Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F .; P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 36; Knights of Malta; Independent Americans ; Im- proved Order of Red Men, of which he is a past official; Sons of Veterans; and Fraternal Order of Eagles. For five years he was a member of the Penn- sylvania National Guard, serving in the 8th Regiment. He is a member of American Hose Company, No. 2; he was chief engineer of the Pottsville Fire Department for one year, and first assistant engineer one year. The only public office he has filled in the borough is that of councilman. Politically he is a Republican, and his religious connection is with the English Lutheran Church.
Mr. Martin married Sophie Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Pottsville, and she died Dec. 24, 1910, leaving five children : Gertrude, now the wife of Frank Morgan; Bessie, wife of George Moyer; William J., at home ; Elsie and George, both at school. On Oct. 23, 1912, Mr. Martin married (second) Carrie Snyder, daughter of Reuben and Christian Dorothy (Sphere) Snyder. There are no children by this marriage.
Jacob Snyder, Mrs. Martin's grandfather, was born in Germany, and on coming to America settled first at Snydertown, Northumberland Co., Pa. Later he moved to Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and he died at Frackville, this county. Reuben Snyder, his son, learned the trade of tinsmith, which he fol- lowed. He was one of the "First Defenders" during the Civil war, serving in the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, and making an excellent record. He married Christian Dorothy Sphere, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and she came to America when eleven years old. She is now living at Potts- ville, aged seventy-three years. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, namely : Sallie, Walter, Reuben, Elizabeth, Carrie, John, Emma, Annie, Katie, Sophia, and three who died in infancy.
WILLIAM HAGNER. The Hagners are of German origin, John W. Hagner, grandfather of William Hagner, having been born in Wurtemberg in 1779. He brought his family to America in the year 1816, landing at Phila- delphia, and two years later removed to Berks county, this State, where his wife died. After that he moved to Ohio. His son, John C. Hagner, was the father of William Hagner. The latter was born in 1833 in the city of Balti- more, on Sept. 25th, and most of his life has been spent in Pennsylvania. When a young man he began railroad work, and when thirty years old, while acting as a brakeman on the Mine Hill road, he met with an accident in the Cressona yard which necessitated the amputation of his right arm. Then he turned to telegraphy, and in that art he also instructed all his sons and a grandson, who is operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at St. Clair. Mr. Hagner was with the Philadelphia & Reading Company for fifty-one years altogether.
Meantime he was closely associated with the administration of public affairs at Cressona, which place he chose for his home many years ago. For over forty years he held the position of tax collector in that borough, and he was also borough treasurer for a period of sixty years, his long retention in both capacities indicating the quality of his services and the satisfaction he gave to his townsmen in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Hagner has an honorable record of over fifty years of service with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and is now on its retired list. Of his sons, all but one are in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway
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Company, and wherever found the members of this family have won reputa- tion for reliable character and at the same time gained a solid place in the esteem of their fellow men. Mr. Hagner has long been a leading member of the United Evangelical Church, and one of its most valucd workers, having been president of the board of trustees, a class leader, and a teacher in the Sunday school. Mrs. Hagner also holds membership in that church.
On Feb. 21, 1857, Mr. Hagner was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, of Schuylkill Haven, the ceremony being performed by Rev. A. Steigerwalt. She is five years younger than Mr. Hagner, and both are remarkably well preserved and active for their age. On Feb. 21, 1907, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding was appropriately celebrated at the home in Cressona, No. 72 Railroad street, and all their children and ninc- teen grandchildren were present on the occasion, as well as a host of friends, various places in Schuylkill county, as well as the city of Reading, being well represented among the company.
Mr. and Mrs. Hagner have had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: (1) John W., of Reading, died on Aug. 6, 1915, aged fifty-six years, from injuries received in an accident at Womelsdorf, Pa., while in the performance of his duties as engineman for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. He was at the time acting as engineer of the special train conveying a number of officials on a bridge inspection tour. He had been con- nected with the Reading Company practically all his life, having frequently said he started to work for the company as office boy when twelve years old. This was at Cressona, whence he removed to Reading in 1900, living at No. 1026 North Eleventh street. He had been an engineer from 1888, running on all the lines of the road on the Reading, Harrisburg and Shamokin divisions. He was a member of Chandler Lodge, F. & A. M., the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Reading Railway Relief Association. Mr. Hagner is sur- vived by his wife Alice (nee Bittle), and the following children: Arthur, Alvena and Edna, and an adopted daughter, Ethel, of Reading. (2) Elmer E., who is employed at Rutherford and resides at Harrisburg, is married and has the following children: Ralph, Catherine and Marie. (3) Frank J., train- master for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at Allentown, is married. (4) Warren A., train dispatcher for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at Cressona, is unmarried. (5) Rev. H. P. Hagner, pastor of the United Evangelical Church at Akron, Lancaster county, is married and has two daughters, Anna and Harrietta. (6) Catherine, Mrs. Hughes, of Cressona, has children, Charles W., Anna, Joseph, John, Harry, Bessie, Warren, Robert and William. (7) Mrs. John Krapf, of Cressona, has two children, Franklin and Allan.
WILLIAM GEORGE DOEBLER, late of Pottsville, was one of the sub- stantial residents of that borough for over a quarter of a century, and though a man of unassuming character was well and favorably known to a large num- ber of his fellow citizens. A native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born Oct. 20, 1851, he was reared and educated in that land, and had the thorough training typical of its institutions. When twenty-five years of age he came to America, and settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., passed the remainder of his life at that place, where he gained an enviable reputation as a desirable citizen. By trade he was a stonemason, and after following that occupation at Pottsville for many years as a journeyman he became superintendent for M. P. Quinn,
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contractor, who was engaged in railroad bridge building. He continued in this connection, directing Mr. Quinn's operations, for the remainder of his active life. All of the construction work upon which he was engaged showed the intelligence and ability of an efficient workman. He died Feb. 19, 1905, at his home at No. 502 Laurel street, Pottsville, after a life of eminent useful- ness, and is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. Mr. Doebler was a member of the German Lutheran Church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On Dec. 25, 1876, Mr. Doebler married Matilda Mary Vulpius, daughter of Herman and Caroline ( Weber) Vulpius, and she survives him, continuing to occupy their old home on Laurel street. Mr. and Mrs. Doebler had two children : (1) Charles, born at Pottsville, received his education there, and for four years was employed with the late Heber S. Thompson, as an engineer. He is now located in Philadelphia, as superintendent for a construction com- pany. He married Grace Edythe Welker, and they have one child, Caroline May. (2) Caroline Marie married James Robertson, and they reside at Potts- ville.
Herman Vulpius, father of Mrs. Doebler, was born and reared in Germany. After coming to America he lived at Pottsville for a time, and then went West, to Colorado, where he made his home for twenty-eight years. After the death of his wife he returned to his native country, where he has since resided. While in this country Mr. Vulpius took out a patent on a rifle, which is very highly regarded. He and his wife had but one child, Matilda Mary, now the widow of William G. Doebler.
ROBINHOLD. The Robinhold family of southern Schuylkill county is a branch of the old Berks county family, the first of the line to settle in Schuyl- kill county having been Adam Rabnold. The name is also found in the form Raubenhold, at least one branch in Berks county using that spelling.
Adam Rabnold came from Longswamp township, Berks county, and settled in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, where he followed farming, owning about 500 acres of land, which is now owned by Henry Wagner, Joseph Mengel and A. S. and G. H. Robinhold. Adam Rabnold died upon his farm, and is buried at the Red Church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife's maiden name was Sipe, and their children as follows: Peter; William ; Jonas (or Jonathan), who had three children, Hiram, William and a daughter ; Adam, who served in the Mexican war; Mrs. Benjamin Ketner; and Mrs. George Mengel.
William Rabenold, son of Adam, above, made his home at Port Clinton, Schuylkill county. For some years he was engaged in boating on the canal and had teams working on the railroad, and later he was interested in farming and had an extensive timber business, being one of the prominent men of his day. He lived to the age of eighty years, dying at his home in Port Clinton, where he is buried. Mr. Rabenold was one of the founders of the Lutheran and Reformed Church at Port Clinton, and always took an active part in its work. He married Priscilla Schaeffer, daughter of Michael Schaeffer, and the following children were born to this union: William, deceased; Adam S., deceased ; James, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Lewis, who was killed in the Civil war while serving as a member of the 48th Regiment (he was the tallest man in his regiment, standing six feet, six inches in height) ; and George, who is living at Port Clinton.
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Adam S. Robinhold, son of William, above, was born at Port Clinton, and died there Jan. 13, 1904, and he is buried at that place. All his life he fol- lowed farming and the timber business and made a great success in that line, and he was equally prominent in the affairs of the town, with which he was connected principally as a member of the school board, serving thirty-five years on that body. He married Mary Billig, daughter of Levi and Susan ( Seidel) Billig, the latter still living at Port Clinton. They were the parents of two children, William L. and Lewis C.
WILLIAM L. ROBINHOLD was born Aug. 21, 1863, at Port Clinton, and obtained his education in the public schools of his native place. In his early manhood he engaged in railroad work, being an engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad for a period of twenty years. His run was between Potts- ville and Philadelphia. When he gave up this work, in 1908, he became engaged in the manufacture of shirts and nightrobes, and he is still carrying on that business in partnership with his cousin George A. Robinhold, under the firm name of Robinhold & Robinhold. He built the plant at Port Clinton (the main part of the present establishment), a brick building 60 by 35 fect, and his time since has been devoted to the upbuilding of the business, which has grown to such an extent that from forty to fifty hands are now employed, with a steady demand for the product. The goods turned out by Robinhold & Robinhold have come to be regarded as among the most reliable in the market, and the steady increase of business has been gained entirely on the honorable basis of satisfaction to customers and good value. Mr. Robinhold is one of the most energetic citizens of Port Clinton, and is as well liked as he is well known. Like the members of the family generally he has been an enthusiastic sup- porter of good educational facilities, and he is serving at present as a member of the borough school board. His religious connection is with the Reformed Church, which he is now serving as deacon, and he has shown his interest in its welfare by faithful service in other capacities as well. Socially he belongs to Vaux Lodge, No. 406, F. & A. M., of Hamburg ; to Reading Lodge of Per- fection, of which he was a charter member ; to Philadelphia Consistory, thirty- second degree ; and he also holds membership in the P. O. S. of A. camp at New Ringgold.
By his marriage to Lizzie H. Miller, daughter of David Miller, of West Hamburg. Berks Co., Pa., he is the father of five children : Olivia is the wife of Prof. H. L. Seaman, and is living at Lansdale, Pa., where Mr. Seaman is principal of the schools; Adam M. has graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and is now practicing at Hamburg, Pa .; Helen, wife of Harry E. Burkey, is also a resident of Hamburg, Pa .; Mayme is living at home ; Erma E. is attending school.
LEWIS C. ROBINHOLD, M. D., younger son of Adam S. Robinhold, was born Jan. 8, 1869, at Port Clinton. His early education was obtained in the public schools there, and supplemented by a course at the Pottsville high school. from which he was graduated in 1889. Then he entered Jefferson Medical College, where he completed the course in 1891, in which year he returned to Port Clinton to begin practice. After four years' experience in that location he moved to Auburn and purchased the practice of Dr. Schultz, and he now commands a wide patronage in the borough and vicinity. Dr. Robinhold's professional work alone would entitle him to be classed among the most useful members of the community, and he has made favorable standing in the profes- sion, as his various connections show. He is a member of the Schuylkill
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