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 80
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For fifteen years Mr. Brown belonged to the Brown Cornet Band, which he organized, and he built a hall upon his farm which that organization used, and which is still in existence. Fraternally he belongs to Farmers' Lodge, No. 649, I. O. O. F., of Summit Hill, Schuylkill county ; to Washington Camp, No. 264, P. O. S. of A., of Friedensburg ; to the Independent Americans, Lodge No. 263, of Pottsville; to Schuylkill Commandery, No 202, Knights of Malta, of Pottsville (the charter of this lodge is in his name), and to the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Brown has been a prominent member of the Reformned
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Church, of Wayne township, and assisted in the construction of its present house of worship.
Mr. Brown married Catharine Ferrebee, daughter of James Ferrebee, and they had the following children : Harry has been prospecting in Alaska for the last twenty years ; Harvey W. is a resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Elmer W. is doing teaming and contract work; William H. died when eighteen months old; Lottie M. died at the age of twenty-eight years ; Ida I. married Jacob Schwartz, and they reside at Minersville, Pa .; Mabel O. is the wife of Edwin J. May ; Florence G., who is a graduate at the Keystone State Normal School of Kutz- town, class of 1913 (having graduated when eighteen years old), is now a public school teacher at Pottsville, Pa. The mother of this family died when fifty- seven years old.
ELIAS F. SHAPPELL, a farmer of North Manheim township, is one of the substantial citizens of that section, and the residents of this vicinity feel that they owe him a debt of gratitude for what he has accomplished in his long service as road supervisor. His efficient work in the establishing and maintain- ing of good roads can be appreciated at its true value by those who have been in a position to observe the notable improvements which have been made during his membership on the board, and his influence in bringing them about should not be underestimated.
Jacob Shappell, father of Elias F. Shappell, was a native of France. Com- ing to America when a young man he first settled in Longswamp township. Berks Co., Pa., later removing to Schuylkill county, where he lived at Ringtown. He did day's work there. Afterwards he made his home for a time near Adamsdale, this county, and then bought the farm near the Second mountain in North Manheim township, giving most of his time to the cultivation of his land ; he was also employed as a timber sawyer. He died upon this farm Oct. 27, 1880. Mr. Shappell married Catherine Fisher, daughter of John Fisher, and they had a large family : Henry ; Albert ; Abraham ; Elias F .; Mary, Mrs. William Dress ; Susanna, Mrs. Louis Reed; Rebecca, deceased, who married Jacob Sheriff and (second) Gotleib Messinger: Sarah, wife of William Seifert ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Elmer Wentzel ; Louisa, Mrs. William Fisher ; Elvina, Mrs. John Wissner : and John and Washington, both of whom died young.
Elias F. Shappell was born in the old log house which the family occupied near Adamsdale, this county, Nov. 24, 1854, and obtained his early education in the local schools, near the family home. Later he took a course in the State normal school at Kutztown, Pa., from which institution he was graduated in 1881, after which he taught school for eight years, all in North Manheim town- ship, four terms in the graded school. His work as an educator was highly successful, and he made an excellent reputation in the profession. Having decided to make farming his life work, he purchased his place in North Man- heim township, near the Second mountain, having seventy-six acres of valuable land, which under his intelligent cultivation is in excellent condition. It is well watered and fertile, and he has made the most of its good points, his property being in creditable shape in every respect. For twenty-eight years Mr. Shappell has been associated with the administration of public affairs, in his position as secretary of the board of supervisors, and ten years as supervisor, his long experience qualifying him to dispose of his duties most satisfactorily. His work in the construction and improvement of roads will be of permanent value to this section of Schuylkill county. Mr. Shappell is a Republican in politics.
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With his family he attends the Evangelical Church, and there is no citizen in the borough more highly respected for sterling worth.
Mr. Shappell married Catherine Zettelmoyer, daughter of Samuel Zettel- moyer, of Lenhartsville, Berks Co., Pa. Nine children have been born to this marriage : Laura is the wife of William Reichert ; Walter married Ellen Smith ; Mamie Elvina married William Young; William E. married Celia Fisher ; Marion married Thomas Riegel; Ada married Elmer Riegel ; Calvin, Edna and Ruth are at home.
SAMUEL A. RIEGEL, an old-time official of Orwigsburg and still serving the community as member of the borough council, has been a resident of the place for fifty years. For a number of years he was engaged in business as a contractor, and in that capacity was intrusted with the construction of some of the most substantial buildings of the day.
Mr. Riegel is a native of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, born May 5, 1845, son of Jacob Riegel. The family was founded in this country by three brothers, who came from Germany and served in the American Revo- lution from Philadelphia. They were at Valley Forge, where they were dis- charged. One of the brothers came to what is now Schuylkill county, settling about a mile and a half north of Orwigsburg. Another located in Northampton county, at Riegelsville (now in Bucks county), and the third brother in Berks county, Pa. The first named was the great-grandfather of Samuel A. Riegel. By occupation he was a farmer. He died here, and is buried in the cemetery of the White Church at Orwigsburg. His son, the grandfather of Samuel A. Riegel, took the homestead property in West Brunswick township, and lived and died there. He is buried in the old Reformed Church cemetery at Orwigsburg. His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely : Daniel, Michael, John, Jacob, Maggie (who married Peter Fisher), Mrs. Bell and another daughter. Of these, Jacob was the father of Samuel A. Riegel, and Daniel and Maggie (Mrs. Peter Fisher) also remained in Pennsylvania. We have the following record of their families. Daniel married Magdalene Fisher, and they had these children: Daniel, Jr., who married in the West ; Lydia, who married Jacob Shell; Passila and Catharine, both of whom married Elias Smith ; Matilda, who married Jacob Herman ; Joshua, who was twice mar- ried, to Amanda and Hannah Potts; Elias, who married Catharine Bachert ; John, who never married; Reuben, who married Tine Shopbell; Susanna, who married William Deibert; Lewis, who married Sylletta Smith ; and Elizabeth, who married John Gerber. To Peter and Maggie (Riegel) Fisher were born the following children: William, Peter, Levi, Susanna, Sarah and Amanda, none of whom married; Emma, wife of John Seibert; and Mary, wife of William Leimaster.
Jacob Riegel, father of Samuel A. Riegel, was born on the homestead farm. He learned the trade of carpenter and followed that calling in connection with farming in East Brunswick township. There he died at the age of twenty-nine years, and is buried at Bethel Church, in West Brunswick township. He mar- ried Catherine Steigerwalt, daughter of John Steigerwalt, of West Brunswick township, and five children were born to them: George, who served in the Civil war and died in 1876; Samuel A .; Susan, Mrs. James Gerber ; Sarah, Mrs. Fred M. Thomas; and Josephine, Mrs. Charles H. Heitz.
Samuel A. Riegel remained on the home farm up to the age of eighteen years, meantime receiving his education in the neighboring schools. He then
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commenced to learn the carpenter's trade at Orwigsburg, and after following it for some time engaged in contracting and building on his own account, estab- lishing a most creditable reputation. Mr. Riegel is not only a good mechanic, but he was able to make all his own drawings for his construction work, and he drew the plans for the present Red Church building in West Brunswick town- ship, erected in 1883. Among the many buildings which he put up while engaged in contracting are the residences of H. S. Albright and George C. Dieffenderfer, the Albright Shoe factory, and the factory of the A. E. Brown Shoe Com- pany. In 1900 Mr. Riegel gave up contracting, and his occupation since has been the cultivation of the sixteen-acre tract which he owns in the borough of Orwigsburg. It is a valuable piece of property and has increased very materially in worth under his diligent care. Since 1869, when first elected a member of the borough council, Mr. Riegel has been connected with the admin- istration of public affairs. He has been chosen a member of the council many times since, and is at present serving in that capacity. He also acts as tax col- lector and is treasurer of the school board. His close connection with the borough affairs covering so long a period has given him a familiarity with local conditions which makes his advice and opinions invaluable.
Mr. Riegel married Phebe Moyer, daughter of William K. Moyer, and they have five children : Carrie, Oscar B. (lawyer, now located at Snyder, Okla.), Howell, Theodore and George, the last named deceased. The family are asso- ciated with the Evangelical Church.
HENRY H. DORNBACH is one of the most energetic residents of Miners- ville, a fact easily borne out by this brief outline of his various activities. He is a business man who holds his own with the most reliable of the borough. True to his German origin, he had extensive preparation for his chosen work, a fact which is apparent in the substantial business buildings and residences of his construction which may be found in all parts of the town. His business ability, combined with honorable traits of character and the social tendency which has brought him into a number of associations, has made him one of the most highly regarded citizens of the community in which his life has been passed. Mr. Dornbach is a native of Minersville, born Dec. 29, 1857, son of William J. Dornbach.
William J. Dornbach was born near Berlin, Germany, and spent his early life in that country, learning the trades of stone and brick mason and serving his allotted period in the army. In 1842 he came to America, and settling at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., followed his trade here the remainder of his life, with the exception of the one and a half years which he spent in Wiscon- sin. As he did not like the country there he returned to his first location, and his death occurred at Minersville, when he was fifty-three years old. He married Henrietta Petry, and they had children as follows: Caroline, de- ceased; Henry H .; William; Amelia, who married F. W. Sheaffer ; Charles A .; Sarah, unmarried; Edwin; and Lucy H., who married C. B. Hughes, of Pottsville.
Henry H. Dornbach attended the local schools and received a good common school education. He has had training in almost all of the branches of the building business. After spending three years at work in a brickyard he was employed with his father at masonry for about two years, and then at the carpenter's trade with Gideon Wagner, with whom he also spent three years. Then for three and a half years he was with Alexander Morwitz in the marble
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cutting business, after which he resumed work at carpentry, following his trade at a colliery, where he was engaged for about six years. He then returned to work at marble cutting, after which he was with William Sherman as fore- man on contracting work for a short time. In 1889 he engaged in contracting on his own account, and erected many stores and residences, including the homes of Dr. Straub and Charles F. Kear, the Lithuanian parsonage, and the Levan residence. At times he kept from twelve to twenty carpenters busy.
Socially Mr. Dornbach is widely known. For twenty-one years he played in the old cornet band of Minersville. He belongs to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; to Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M., of which he is a past officer ; to Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville ; and to Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, the Red Men and the Royal Arcanum, and active in all those orders, having been secretary of the Odd Fellows' Hall Association and member of the Three Links Club, as well as treasurer of the Red Men. He also belongs to the Mountaineer Hose Company. He has been an active church worker, being a member of the German Reformed congregation, which he has served as treasurer, and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to the town council.
Mr. Dornbach was married in September, 1884, to Elizabeth Ludwig, daughter of Theodore Ludwig, who came from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dornbach have had one child, Edith May, who is married to Edward H. Quinter, son of Harry A. Quinter, of Pottsville, employed as steam engineer with the Eastern Pennsylvania Light, Heat & Power Company, Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Quinter have one child, Arline Elizabeth.
ARTHUR J. BERKHEISER, M. D., one of the leading representatives of the medical fraternity in Schuylkill county, is also accounted one of the really helpful citizens of Shenandoah. He was born June 9, 1881, near Auburn, Schuylkill Co., Pa., a son of Aaron W. and Isabella Rebecca (Reed) Berkheiser.
Jonathan Berkheiser, the grandfather of Dr. Berkheiser, was born in South Manheim township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and there passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He had eight children : Franklin, Harry, George, Jona- than, Aaron W., Caroline, Lucy and Sarah. Aaron W. Berkheiser was born in South Manheim, and has passed his entire life in that vicinity, being engaged at this time in the implement business at Jefferson. He is a well known figure in commercial circles, is popular with a wide acquaintance, and has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens through a dis- play of many sterling qualities. He married Isabella Rebecca Reed, a sister of Sherman Reed, of Cressona, Pa., and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children : William D .; George A .; Arthur J .; Bessie ; Mabel; Charles, deceased ; and Dora.
Arthur J. Berkheiser studied in the public schools of South Manheim township in his youth and supplemented this education by attendance at the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, Pa. His independent career was commenced as a teacher in South Manheim township, but after two years thus spent he entered, in 1902, Jefferson Medical College, there continuing to study one year. In June, 1906, he was graduated from the Medico-Chirurgical College at Philadelphia, and became an interne at the Fountain Springs Hos- pital, Ashland, Pa., under Dr. J. C. Biddle, continuing to act in that capacity until 1908, when he came to Shenandoah and began general practice. He has
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attracted a profitable clientele, his professional business having grown from the start. On Jan. 1, 1916, Dr. Berkheiser was appointed surgeon for the P. & R. C. & I. Company, under the new compensation law.
Dr. Berkheiser was married to Viola Purnell, daughter of Samuel and Martha (Withers) Purnell, her father being a contract miner of Frackville, Pa. Mrs. Berkheiser has two sisters, Mary and Martha, and two brothers, Levi and Samuel. She and the Doctor have two children: Jonathan and Viola Purnell. Dr. Berkheiser is affiliated with Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, Pa .; Griscom Chapter, No. 219, R. A. M .; Prince of Peace Commandery, No. 39, K. T., of Ashland; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. ; the Ptolemy Society of Philadelphia ; the J. C. Biddle Surgical Society ; the Schuylkill County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania Medical Society; the American Medical Association, and the Shenandoah Medical Society. His well appointed offices are maintained in his residence at No. 126 South Jardin street, where he has a large and valuable medical library, and a stock of modern medical and surgical appliances.
CHARLES C. WAGNER, late of Frackville, was one of the substantial merchants of that borough for more than a quarter of a century, founding the business now carried on by his sons, who control the largest retail meat trade in their section of Schuylkill county. Moreover, his success was not limited to business operations, for his busy career took in the broader interests affect- ing the general welfare, and he was frequently chosen for important public service, where competent advice and well balanced judgment could benefit all. Of unimpeachable character, and holding wise ideas on progress based on experience and a keen understanding of local conditions, he was well fitted to represent the interests of his fellow citizens in legislative and administrative bodies, and never abused their confidence. His name has a permanent place in the history of Frackville.
Mr. Wagner was of German descent, and a native of Alsace-Lorraine, which at the time of his birth was French territory. His father, Henry Wag- ner, was born July 27, 1807, in Furstenhausen, near Saarbrücken, the latter a city in the Rhine Province, just across the border of the Province of Lor- raine. An old German family Bible, printed in 1739, now in the possession of the widow of Charles C. Wagner, of Frackville, Pa., has the following entry made by Henry Wagner: "I inherited this book from my father and he inher- ited it from his mother. She was a Swobe. I was born July 27, 1807, in Furstenhausen, near Saarbrücken, and on March 1, 1879, I would wish that some of inine would remember Henry Wagner. This is written at Frackville and got this Bible rebound and cost $8.00." In 1843 he removed to St. Avoir, France, where he was superintendent of a distillery for about six years, in 1849 returning to Prussia. There he and his brother-in-law, Jacob Snyder, operated the stone quarry from which was taken the stone of the building of the now famous bridge over the Saar river, at Saarbrücken. He was so engaged until the fall of 1850, when he brought his family to America, settling at Tumbling Run, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. Wagner was engaged in superin- tending that part of the Schuylkill Valley railroad between Middleport and Tuscarora until 1872, and in the meantime had purchased a tract of seventy- two acres at Tumbling Run, which his children cultivated while he was occu- pied with railroad work. In 1872 he removed to Frackville, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there Sept. 18, 1800, at the age of eighty-three years. He purchased a number of town lots, which he improved with substantial . Vol. I-35
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buildings, and by good management made the investment pay well. He was a Lutheran in religious belief and a zealous worker in the church of which he was a member, filling all the executive offices at different periods and assist- ing in all the activities of the congregation. By his first wife, Margaret (Kline), daughter of Conrad Kline, of Guettingen, Germany, he had two children, both born in Prussia: Catherine, who married the late Engelbert Sanner (she lives at Minersville, Pa.) ; and Henry C., who is deceased. The mother died in 1843, when twenty-seven years old, and Mr. Wagner subse- quently married her sister, Sophia, born Sept. 4, 1821, who survived him a few months, passing away July 18, 1891. To this union were born five chil- dren: Karl (Charles) C .; William C., born May 1, 1848, who married Anna Blackwell; Carolina, who married John Patterson; Reinhart A., born at Tum- bling Run, now of Reading, Pa., who married Amanda Hoffman ; and Augus- tus, born Sept. 20, 1860, who died April 18, 1876.
Charles C. Wagner was born Aug. 2, 1845, at St. Avoir, Alsace-Lorraine, and was five years old when brought to America. He received a public school education, and began work early. When thirteen years old he had the mis- fortune to have his left hand injured while employed about the mines, causing the loss of three fingers. Later he learned the tailor's trade, serving his apprenticeship of three and a half years with Charles Bensinger, of Middle- port. When the Civil war broke out his sympathies were with the Union, and on Sept. 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 19th Pennsylvania Militia, which was mustered in Sept. 15th, and he was honorably discharged Sept. 27th. On June 19, 1863, he was again mustered in, as a private in Company E, 27th Pennsylvania Militia, being discharged July 30, 1863. On Feb. 22, 1864, he became a private in Company I, 48th Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Harrisburg June 30, 1865. He took part in many severe engagements, including the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, Petersburg and the siege of Petersburg. On April 2, 1865, he was wounded in the right leg at Fort Hell.
Upon his return home from the army Mr. Wagner resumed work at his trade, at Mahanoy City, this county, . continuing in that line there until 1876. For the next two years he was in partnership with his brother William C. Wagner, conducting a butcher shop at Gilberton, Schuylkill county. The busi- ness had been started at Frackville in 1871, by Henry C. and William C. Wag- ner, under the firm name of Wagner & Bro. In 1878 William C. Wagner transferred his interest to his brother Henry, who conducted the original busi- ness until his death in 1881, William C. and Charles C. Wagner removing from Gilberton to Mahanoy City, doing business there until 1881. That year they established themselves at Frackville, with their brother Reinhart, under the firm name of Wagner Brothers, who carried on a retail meat business until 1891, after which William C. and Charles C. Wagner took charge, so continu- ing until 1894. Then the business was reorganized, the brothers remaining together, however, until 1898, when Charles C. Wagner became sole pro- prietor. He handled the trade with steadily increasing success until Septem- ber, 1906, when his sons took it over, and they have continued it ever since, under the name of Wagner Brothers. They not only have the most extensive local trade, but the largest in the county outside of Pottsville, keeping five teams constantly employed and busy. They slaughter beef, veal and pork. The Wagner meat shop at Spring and Balliet streets, Frackville, is thoroughly
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up-to-date in all its appointments, and a credit to the community it serves as well as to the enterprising men at the head of the business. The Gilberton market was discontinued in 1891.
As he prospered in his butchering business Mr. Wagner branched out into other interests, giving his influence and substantial support to various enter- prises which promised to broaden local operations and made home investments attractive. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Frack- ville, and served on the board of directors. He also had valuable interests in South Carolina, being a stockholder in the Pennsylvania Lumber Company of South Carolina, the Scott Lumber Company of Bennettsville, that State, and the Bennettsville and Cheraw Railroad Company. Mr. Wagner died at his home in Frackville, and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery there. He was a Lutheran in religious faith, and his family also belonged to that church.
On Feb. 22, 1870, Mr. Wagner married Susanna Oerther, who was born Sept. 19, 1849, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Oerther, of Minersville, Schuyl- kill county, the former a native of Alsace-Lorraine, the latter of Schuylkill county, Pa. Seven children were born to this union: Claude Stanton, born Jan. II, 1871, died Sept. 13, 1871; Edith Kline, born Feb. 24, 1872, is at home ; Henry August is next in the family; Appoline Carolina, born Aug. 30, 1881, is at home; William Charles, born May 1, 1884, is in partnership with his brother Henry in the butcher business; Mary Louisa, born July 11, 1886. is married to Frank G. Deitrich, and they live in Frackville; Karl Herman, born June 30, 1890, lives at home. The mother continues to make her home at Frackville.
John Oerther, father of Mrs. Susanna Wagner, was born in France July 18, 1812, and though he came to America when a young man, saw service in the French army. Locating at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he became engaged in the livery business, and he remained there until his death, July 19, 1893. He is buried at Minersville. His wife, Appoline (Hauner), of Mahantongo Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., was born Feb. 4. 1820, and died May 17, 1893. They had children as follows: Charles died young; George died young : Susanna is the widow of Charles C. Wagner; Rebecca married Wil- liam Miles, of Pottsville, who is deceased; Mary is married to William Geans- len, of Minersville; Franklin, who lives on the old homestead at Minersville, and operates a livery, married Kate Weiser; William died young; Emma married C. G. Clappier, and they are living at Minersville ; John, deceased, married Laura Spatts.
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