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 8

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 752

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 8

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Mr. Parker was married in 1871 to Mary E. Sparks, a daughter of Jabez Sparks, and she died in 1877, leaving three children : Jabez S., who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and is now a practicing physician in West Philadelphia, Pa .; Emily Y., now the wife of Otto E. Farquhar, attorney, of Pottsville (they have one daughter) ; and Jessie C., wife of W. T. Jennings, an electrical engineer in the employ of the Reading Company at Pottsville. On Sept. 4, 1885, Mr. Parker married Julia F. Sparks, sister of his first wife. She died May 14, 1912.

Mr. Parker continues to reside in Pottsville at No. 1707 West Mahantongo street. Like his father he has been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, and fraternally he belongs to Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., of Potts- ville, the chapter and commandery ; and to Miners' Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican, and though he had no desire for the honors of office he has occupied the position of school director, serving as a member of the Pottsville school board for a number of years.

COL. THOMAS H. RICKERT, late of Pottsville, was one of the energetic spirits of his generation in this part of Pennsylvania, associated with its most ambitious projects. Particularly successful in the building of railroads, to which the later years of his business life were devoted, there are many evidences in existence of his competence and trustworthiness as a contractor. It was characteristic of him that his undertakings were all of the kind whose value is permanent, marking progress and leading it. This was true of his ideals as well as his material accomplishments, many of which were indeed the realization of visions long cherished. Colonel Rickert was a native of Schuylkill county, born April 8, 1834, near Schuylkill Haven, in North Man- heim township. He was a son of George Rickert and grandson of Richard Rickert.

Richard Rickert was born in Bucks county, Pa., and his father dying when he was quite young came alone to Schuylkill county when a youth, settling near Orwigsburg. There he spent the remainder of his long life, which terminated about 1857, at the age of eighty-five years. He was prin-

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

cipally occupied in farming and mining, though he also did other work. In spite of his lack of early advantages he became a well informed man, and he was thoroughly respected for his substantial qualities and upright life. He was particularly well known as a zealous worker in the Evangelical Associa- tion, helping to found the church in his neighborhood and always giving his best efforts towards its successful maintenance. Politically he was a Whig and interested in the doings of the party, and he was remembered as an ardent admirer of Henry Clay. His wife's maiden name was Gilbert, and they were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters.

George Rickert, son of Richard, was born in November, 1810, at Orwigs- burg, where he was reared. When but fourteen years old he began mining on his own account, at Minersville, hauling his coal to Mount Carbon, whence it was shipped to Philadelphia by way of the Philadelphia & Schuylkill canal. He was one of the first to ship coal from this section. He also built boats for transporting coal and other freight, at Landingville, Pa. He continued mining in Schuylkill county, at New Philadelphia and other points as well as his original location, until his retirement in 1872. Thereafter he lived at Potts- ville until 1891, in which year he removed to Reading, and he died at Phila- delphia, while on a visit to his daughter there. Like his father Mr. Rickert was an earnest member of the Evangelical Association, faithfully filling its important offices and doing all in his power to promote its welfare. He was a Republican in political sentiment, and did his duty as a citizen, having a high sense of his obligations to his fellow men. To his marriage with Amelia Hammer, whose family was at one time one of the most prominent in Schuyl- kill county, was born a family of five children: Mrs. Elizabeth Linder, of Orwigsburg ; John R., of Reading, Pa. : Mrs. Emma Bohannon, of Philadelphia : George L., of Virginia ; and Thomas H. The mother died in July, 1890, aged seventy-eight years.

Thomas H. Rickert received a public school education, attending at Norristown, Pa. He followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a coal operator, first in association with his father and later independently, and met with substantial success. Though it was not until ISSI that he began taking contracts for the construction of railroads, he did notable work in that line, assisting in laying the Buffalo extension of the Lehigh Valley road, besides work on the Cumberland Valley, Schuylkill Valley, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia & Reading, and other roads. His work has stood the test of time, a worthy monument to the mind that planned and executed it. As a man of capital Colonel Rickert was naturally concerned in having stable financial institutions in his section, and he was one of the directors of the Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville, and also of the Miners' Bank of that city. He was also a director of the Edison Illuminating Company and in other associations identified with the improvement of material conditions in his borough.

Colonel Rickert was a Republican, and although never a politician felt strongly on national questions. When the Civil war broke out his sympathies were with the Union, and he showed his convictions by enlisting for service early in the struggle. He was made quartermaster of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and subsequently served in that capacity with different divisions and corps of the army of the Cumberland, remaining with the army until the spring of 1865, when he resigned. He saw active service in practically all the engagements of the Army of the Cumberland, including the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta cam-

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

paign, after which he returned to Tennessee with General Thomas and fought at Franklin and Nashville. He kept up association with his fellow soldiers by his membership in Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., the Loyal Legion, and Encampment No. 19, Union Veteran Legion. Colonel Rickert's fine appear- ance, attractive personality and friendly manner, his often proved publie spirit, his kindness towards the unfortunate or lonely, and the cheer of his social qualities, will keep his memory alive for many years. His death, which occurred Nov. 19, 1899, was deeply mourned.

On Sept. 23, 1856, Colonel Rickert married Elizabeth Van Dusen, and they had a family of five children, two of whom survive: Anna T., wife of Dr. T. W. Swalın, of Pottsville ; and G. Van Dusen, who married Allie McMurtrie, daughter of George K. McMurtrie, of Belvidere, N. J., and has three children, Thomas H., Van Dusen and Helen.

Colonel Rickert's widow continues to occupy the old homestead at No. 201 West Mahantongo street, Pottsville, beloved throughout the wide circle of her acquaintance.

The Van Dusen family is of Holland Dutch origin and has been settled in New England from early Colonial days. Mathew Van Dusen, Mrs. Rickert's grandfather, was born in Massachusetts. For a number of years he lived at Pottsville, Pa., returning to his native State, where he died. His son, Henry Van Dusen, Mrs. Rickert's father, was born also in Massachusetts, came to Pottsville in 1829 with his parents, and became one of the prominent citizens of this region. For a time he was engaged in the tanning business at Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., later retiring to Berwick, Columbia county, where his wife, Catherine (Boyd), died; but his death occurred in Pottsville. Of their nine children only three survive: Elizabeth, widow of Colonel Rickert ; Catherine, and Henry J.

FRANCIS WADE HUGHES, in his day one of the most distinguished citizens of Pottsville, probably made his greatest reputation as a lawyer, yet the record of his activities in other fields would indicate that he could have been successful in any line. For years he looked after a large legal practice, took a prominent part in politics, and meantime carried on business concerns which would have been sufficient in themselves for the whole attention of the average man. That none of his interests was neglected emphasizes one particular trait of his character, his faculty for going directly to the heart of things without wasting any time in preliminaries. It was a great quality, and characterized everything he undertook to do.

Mr. Hughes was a native of Montgomery county, Pa., born Aug. 20, 1817, in Upper Marion township, son of John Hughes, a man of wealth for his generation and one of the important citizens of his locality. He had large agricultural interests, and was a gentleman farmer, leasing most of his land to tenants. The Hughes family had settled upon the estate before the time of William Penn, and in Colonial and Revolutionary days had held prominent positions of honor and trust. John Hughes married Hannah Bartholomew, eldest child of Benjamin Bartholomew, who was of French Huguenot stock, and served through the entire Revolutionary war as captain of a cavalry com- pany.

Mr. Hughes in his early childhood gave evidence of the remarkable ability which rendered him so successful at the bar. Although he had the natural fondness of a boy for outdoor sports and exercise, he manifested an aptitude

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

for study which an intelligent father observed and encouraged. Rev. David Kirkpatrick, of Milton academy, at that time deservedly enjoyed the reputa- tion of being one of the best teachers in the State. To his instruction young Hughes was confided. At this academy he acquired a good classical and mathematical education. In the fall of 1834 he commenced the study of law with the late George W. Farquhar, in Pottsville. The following winter he entered the law office of John B. Wallace, of Philadelphia, under whose able guidance a broad, practical knowledge of the law was acquired. The knowl- edge of pleading gained at that time Mr. Hughes often in the trial of causes displayed to the wonder and astonishment of the court and bar. After the death of Mr. Wallace, which occurred in the latter part of 1836, he entered the law school at Carlisle, then under the direction of Hon. John Reed, the president judge of that judicial district. Here he met a number of his old schoolmates at the Milton academy, among them Andrew G. Curtin, afterwards famous as the war governor of Pennsylvania. The same avidity of learning previously displayed Mr. Hughes manifested at the law school, and his fellow students testified to the extent of his learning, the facility with which it was acquired, and his brilliancy and clearness of expression. He was admitted as an attorney in August, 1837, and immediately commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Pottsville. His practice, which from its commencement was lucrative, became extremely varied, his business important as a class, and his suits in all of the courts. It is said he tried, probably, more causes than any other man in the State of Pennsylvania. He was familiar with, and at home in, all branches of the profession. In 1839 he was appointed deputy attorney general by Hon. Ovid F. Johnson, then attorney general, and though he resigned this office three several times he was subsequently reappointed, and held it altogether for eleven years. His knowledge of criminal law was consequently thorough, but his practice was mainly in the civil courts. He ranked among the first of the few great land lawyers of the country; was a fine equity practitioner ; and understood, in all its branches, patent as well as commercial law. He had few equals as a nisi prius lawyer in the country. He prepared a case rapidly, but with great skill and accuracy ; examined and cross-examined a witness with great ability; argued with force, law and fact to court and jury, and in the general management of his cause enlisted the admiration of all. Although naturally impulsive, he held himself under complete control during the trial of a cause, rarely lost his temper-never his balance. His most extended reputation, perhaps, was gained in the argument of cases in the superior courts on appeal. As a lawyer and a gentleman he was universally respected by bench and bar.

But while Mr. Hughes led a wonderfully busy life as an active practitioner at the bar, he always took a personal interest in politics, as well as in subjects pertaining to the general welfare. In 1843, when but twenty-six years of age, he was elected to the State Senate by the Democratic party, by a large majority, there being in this county only 149 votes against him. He resigned his office as senator in 1844, and returned to the practice of the law. Whilst in the Senate he formed close friendly relations with Hon. William Bigler, who when elected governor of Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1851, appointed him secretary of the Commonwealth. In March, 1853, he was appointed attorney general of the State, which office he filled until the early part of the year 1855. Although deeply interested in politics, Mr. Hughes's tastes and business cares prevented him from holding many political offices. He was

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

one of the presidential electors in 1856, and had been a delegate to many county, State and national conventions, over many of which he presided. He was, however, a politician of the old school; believed in the power of organ- ization, and regarded parties as representatives of principles, not as mere machines for personal advancement. In February, 1861, he was a member of the State convention at Harrisburg, known as the Peace convention, and was a prominent member of the committee on resolutions. When the war broke out his support of the Union was prompt, energetic and valuable. He aided in fitting out one of the first five companies that reached Washington. Ile maintained, with voice and pen, the legal right of the government to put down rebellion with force of arms. He aided in the raising of regiments, and one regiment was familiarly known as his regiment. But he was a Democrat ; was chairman of the Democratic State committee in 1862, and in the unrea- soning political zeal of the times was denounced by his political opponents. Efforts were made by them to have him arrested, which would probably have been successful had it not been that Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, then secretary of war, was his personal friend. Secretary Stanton telegraphed him that there should be no order for his arrest without first granting him a hearing. As there were no charges affecting his loyalty to the government, except such as were manifestly founded on malice, no order was ever issued.

Eminent as Mr. Hughes was as a lawyer and politician, his operations as a business man were extensive. He originated and aided in many enterprises ; in the purchase and improvement of lands; in the opening and working of coal and ore mines ; in the establishment of factories and iron works. He was essentially a man of enterprise, and his county and his State have been enriched through his efforts. He embarked in a scheme for the reclamation of marsh lands about Long Island and Staten Island, and in this he lost many thousands of dollars. Eminent as a lawyer, disinterested and earnest as a politician, in his death, which occurred at Pottsville Oct. 22, 1885, the borough not only lost one of her most beloved citizens, but the State one of her most distinguished sons.

E. F. C. DAVIS was at the time of his death president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and one of the most deserving men ever chosen for that honor. That the greater part of his professional career was spent at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, and some of his most important work executed in the improvement of her industrial plants, is a proper occasion for pride on the part of the community. Mr. Davis came here a young man, full of ambition and, as it proved, the practical ability to bring his plans to fulfill- ment. Here he remained, progressing steadily in the work of his choice, until a few years before his death, when he left to assume greater responsi- bilities. He had the most coveted reward of the true scientific man, the recog- nition of his fellow workers in the same field.

Mr. Davis was born in 1847 at Chestertown, Md., and was well educated, taking a classical course at Washington College, from which institution he was graduated in 1866. His parents intended him for the legal profession, but his tastes were all in the line of mechanics, for which, indeed, he showed great aptitude even in his early years. He was a mere boy when he con- structed a small oscillating steam engine. For several years after his college days he was in the United States merchant marine service, which he left to enter upon an apprenticeship with Brinton & Henderson, machinists, of Phila-

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

delphia, Pa. His preparation included thorough training in both the machine and drafting departments. The first position that Mr. Davis held thereafter was with Hoy, Kennedy & Co., of New Castle, Del., and he assisted in trans- ferring their plant from that city to the Atlantic Dock Iron Works, at South Brooklyn, N. Y. While with that concern he was engaged in making the drawings for the Mutual Gas Works of New York City. It was from there he came to Pottsville, Pa., to take a place in the drafting department of the Iron & Steel Company, and in the course of his connection therewith he worked out many improvements in the older machinery, and eventually designed the new plant of the company. He was next in the offices of the George W. Snyder foundry on Coal street, following with some experience as draftsman and assistant to S. B. Whiting, then superintendent of the Colliery Iron Works, at Pottsville. Meantime the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company came into existence, and Mr. Davis entered its service in 1879, in the capacity of mechanical draftsman. A year later he was made superintendent of the shops, filling that position for the ten years succeeding, during which the duties originally assigned him increased greatly in scope and importance. In 1883 the Colliery Iron Works were added to the plant, and their reorganiza- tion, to fit them into effective cooperation with the Philadelphia & Reading works, was manipulated principally by Mr. Davis. In 1887, when Mr. Whiting resigned as mechanical engineer, Mr. Davis succeeded him, and proved most capable in the discharge of his manifold responsibilities, which called for executive as well as mechanical ability. He was the pioneer in the intro- duction of electricity into Pottsville, and the first to apply it for use in the mines.

In 1890 Mr. Davis resigned his superintendency of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company to become the general manager of the Rich- mond Locomotive Works, of Richmond. Va. There his talent, employed in a special line, brought about some noteworthy improvements in railway loco- motives. In April, 1895, he severed his connection with the Richmond works to take the presidency of the Hunt Iron Works, of New York, and at the time of his death he was also connected with the Brighton Iron Works on Staten Island. His accomplishments in these various associations are known to mechanical engineers everywhere. In January, 1895, the dignity of presi- dent of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers was conferred upon him, and he was deeply appreciative of the significance of his election to that position, which he filled worthily.

Mr. Davis died Aug. 6, 1895, being instantly killed when thrown from his own horse, in Central Park, New York City. His remains were brought to Pottsville for interment in the Charles Baber cemetery. He married Joanna H., a daughter of the late Col. John Potts Hobart, of Pottsville, and she survives him with four children: John Hobart, George Lynn Lachlan, Meredith and Mary Clare.

JOHN POTTS HOBART, late of Pottsville, generally known as Colonel Hobart, was a citizen of that borough from the time it became the county seat of Schuylkill county. He was a lawyer, and made a distinguished record in his profession, and his citizenship was what might have been expected from a member of the Hobart and Potts families, for he was a son of the late Nathaniel Potts Hobart and his mother was a member of the Potts family,

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after whom Pottstown was named. His grandfather was Robert Enoch Hobart and his uncle the well known Bishop Hobart of New York City.

Nathaniel Potts Hobart was born in Philadelphia, and became prominent as an attorney, being well known throughout the State of Pennsylvania. He practiced his profession in both Philadelphia and Pottstown, Pa., serving as auditor general under Governor Ritner, and was an old-line Whig in political connection. He died when past middle age in Schuylkill county, in the town of Pottsville. Mr. Hobart married Joanna Potts, of Alexandria, Va., who belonged to the family which founded Pottstown during the Revolutionary period. They were the first to engage in the iron industry in Pennsylvania. Seven children were born to Mr. Hobart and his wife, namely: John Potts, Sarah Potts, Eliza Ramsay, Anna Sophia, Robert Henry, Nathaniel Potts and Ellen Goodin.

John Potts Hobart was born Aug. 22, 1814, at Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pa. His education was begun in the private schools there and at Reading, and he also attended a military school at Mount Airy. He read law with William Biddle at Carlisle, Pa., and was admitted to practice in the courts of Cumberland county. Settling at Orwigsburg, which was then the seat of Schuylkill county, Pa., he remained there until Pottsville became the county seat; moving to the latter place at that time. His professional ability. gained him enviable standing in the law, and he became a prominent citizen in other associations also, serving one term, 1858-61, as sheriff of Schuylkill county. He was colonel of a regiment of militia and was generally known in his home community by that title. Mr. Hobart continued in the practice of his profes- sion until his death, which occurred on March 24, 1892, at Pottsville. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery there, formerly the old Mount Laurel cemetery. His religious connection was with the Episcopal Church, and he was a Republican in politics. A man of sterling personal qualities, strong and well-trained intellect, high principles and courageous in the expression of his opinion, he was admired and esteemed by all with whom he came in contact.

On April 5, 1838, Colonel Hobart was married in Philadelphia to Anne Amelia Smith, who was born March 13, 1816, at Huntingdon, Pa., daughter of William Rudolph Smith, and died July 4, 1890, at Pottsville. Of the ten children born to this union two died in infancy, the survivors being: Eliza Smith : Julia Biddle; Joanna Holland; Mary; Nathaniel Potts; John Potts ; Cecil Willig, and David McKnight.

WILLIAM SPENCER. Through a period of seventy years and more there flourished at Minersville or in the nearby Pennsylvania coal territory George and William Spencer, father and son, who in turn held a prominent place among coal operators in this section, from the early thirties until after the opening of the present century. Many of the most profitable collieries in this region were opened and worked under their management. Each was counted among the ablest citizens of his generation, and William Spencer was influential in the commercial and municipal development of Minersville, where his name is held in honored memory by his contemporaries in every walk of life.

George Spencer, the father, was of English birth and ancestry, a son of George and Hannah (Hearst) Spencer. Born in 1806 in Yorkshire, he spent his early life there, coming to America in 1828. He was soon at work as a

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

miner in Schuylkill county, Pa., settling at the village of West West, near Minersville, was promoted to mine boss at the old North America mines near Pottsville, and in the early thirties began mining on his own account, being a successful operator until his death. Moving to Minersville in 1837, he acquired an interest in the Wadesville mines in that vicinity, and was later associated with others in the operation of a colliery at Beaver Meadow and the opening of a new one in Carbon county, where they founded the village of Jeanesville, located over the line in Luzerne county. For a few years Mr. Spencer was located at Jersey City, N. J., removing there in 1850 to take charge of the coal shipments for the mines in which he held interests, returning to Minersville in 1853. After that he opened the Peach Orchard colliery and subsequently the Oak Hill colliery, in the southern part of Cass township, this county. Following this he leased the Harper colliery at Minersville, operating it until his death, Jan. 4, 1862, caused by a gas explosion there. He had also operated the old Spohn vein, at Fishbach, where the Williams colliery is now located. A pioneer in the Schuylkill county anthracite fields, he was one of its most prosperous operators, the mines he started and worked com- paring well with the best producers in the territory. Mr. Spencer showed the same good judgment in the conduct of all his affairs that he did in busi- ness, and though he acquired ample means retained always the good will and confidence of his fellow men, a tribute to his upright character which gratified him greatly. As a member of the community he was progressive, ready to give his encouragement to local movements and liberal in his support of worthy enterprises of all kinds.

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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 8

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 752

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 752