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 83
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Charles H. Bubeck was married to Anetta L. Williams, a daughter of Charles Williams, who now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Bubeck. Formerly he was a substantial farmer in Berks county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bubeck: Harry, who married Millie Schwilk, and has two sons, Charles A. and Paul; and Mattie, Paul and Mary, all three deceased. Mr. Bubeck is a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Fraternally he is identified with the O. U. A. M. and with the Red Men, both at Schuylkill Haven.
CLAYTON W. BUBECK, proprietor of the popular "Spring Garden Hotel," at Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough April 30, 1876, son of John E. and Mary Bubeck. He attended the schools of Schuylkill Haven until he was seventeen years of age, and then learned the painting and paper hanging busi- ness, which he followed until 1899. In that year he began work in the car shops of the Reading Railway Company at Schuylkill Haven, in the painting and stenciling department, and continued there until April, 1913, when he became interested in his present business enterprise. Mr. Bubeck conducts a first-class, modern hotel, and his twenty-six guest rooms are always in demand, the traveling public having learned to appreciate the comforts he provides, while the excellence of the cuisine attracts much additional local trade. He and his brother stand high in the public esteem as good citizens. Politically he is Vol. I-36
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a sound Democrat, and for nine years served as committeeman. His connection with fraternal organizations includes membership in the Sons of America, the Jr. O. U. A. M., the Red Men, the Heptasophs, and the Rainbow Hose Com- pany.
Mr. Bubeck married Martha Keip, a daughter of Lewis Keip, and they have three children : Leon, Ruth and Russell. The family belong to the First Reformed Church.
JEREMIAH D. GEIGER, of Pottsville, for a number of years foreman in the shoe factory of Dengler Brothers, is now conducting a similar business on his own account in the city. Experience and long training have proved their value in the prosperity which has attended his venture from the outset. Though but recently established, his plant is in excellent working order, and the product has been promptly taken up in the market on its own merits.
Mr. Geiger is a native of Schuylkill county, descended from an old family of Berks county, Pa., located there before the erection of the county, in 1752. Philip Geiger was born Nov. 20, 1765, and died Aug. 13, 1831. His wife, Anna Maria Stichter, was born Jan. 18, 1769, and died Nov. 1, 1791. They are both buried in the east side of the old cemetery at Amityville Church. With them is buried Maria Geiger (1793-1823), probably a daughter, and wife of Philip Mathias. Another daughter married a Moyer. The number of chil- dren of this old pioneer couple cannot be definitely stated. There was a son, Jacob, mentioned below; and tradition tells of another son. Philip Geiger lived in Amity township before 1806, as in that year his name appears on the tax lists.
Jacob Geiger, son of Philip, was born Aug. 20, 1795, and died in Amity Sept. 6, 1868. He was a farmer and owned a tract of 160 acres about three quarters of a mile south of Amityville. He married Elizabeth Harner, born Aug. 21, 1798, died Sept. 17, 1870, and their children were: Jacob H., Mary Ann, John, Mahlon, Elizabeth (married Alfred Fritz), and Leah Ann.
Jacob Geiger, grandfather of Jeremiah D. Geiger, was born in Berks county, whence he removed to Schuylkill county at an early date and located in North Manheim township. There he carried on the business of wheelwright and remained until his death. His children were: William, Hannah, Kate, Lydia and Jacob, the last named dying young.
William Geiger, son of Jacob, learned his father's trade and also followed carpentry, becoming well known all over his section of Schuylkill county. He resided on the old homestead in North Manheim township and died there in 1893. By his marriage to Sophia Schnaufer he had the following children: John P., Frank B., Jeremiah D., Albert, Joanna and Amelia.
Jeremiah D. Geiger was born June 28, 1869, near Orwigsburg, in North Manheim township, and there grew to manhood, beginning his education in the public schools of the home locality. Later he went to a private school taught by Prof. John Bohrman. He taught school one year at Tumbling Run, in North Manheim township, and then commenced to learn the shoe manu- facturing business with the old Orwigsburg Shoe Company. He followed his experience there with employment at different factories in Orwigsburg, and also worked at Harrisburg and Rochester, and on his return to Schuylkill county located at Pottsville, where he became foreman for Dengler Brothers. He
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remained with them until ready to engage in business on his own account. His factory is at No. 118 South Sixth street. Mr. Geiger keeps twenty hands steadily employed in the production of children's shoes, for which he has found a good market. His thorough experience has qualified him well for the manti- facturing end of the business, and his success was anticipated by all familiar with his thorough energy and comprehensive disposition. Mr. Geiger's religious connection is with the English Lutheran Church.
Mr. Geiger married Lydia Keefer, daughter of Joseph Keefer, of New Ringgold, Schuylkill county, and they have three children, namely : Effie, Eva and Florence.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN LAUDIG is farming in Union township on the place where he was born, and he is a typical member of a family whose name has been among the most respected in this part of Schuylkill county for sev- eral generations. Peter Laudig, his great-grandfather, was born Jan. 28, 1760, was a Revolutionary soldier, and died Aug. 6, 1837. On May 16, 1780, he married Catherine Lantzer, who was born in Philadelphia June 12, 1760, and died Oct. 6, 1835. They are buried at the Old White Church near Ringtown, Schuylkill county.
Jacob Laudig. son of Peter, was born Sept. 28, 1786, and died July 17, 1863. The greater part of his active life was spent in Union township, whither he moved from Middleport, this county, and he was engaged in farming and milling, having a tract of about forty-eight acres and a gristmill where T. W. Rumbel now lives. This mill and farm he sold to John Maurer and then bought the place where W. H. Rumbel is now located, remaining there until his death. He was a Democrat in political faith, and his religious connection was with the German Reformed congregation of the Old White Church near Ringtown, in whose cemetery' he and his wife are buried. Mr. Laudig mar- ried Elizabeth Wetstone, who was born Jan. 13, 1794, and died Sept. 26, 1863. Their children were: Solomon married Susan Zimmerman; William mar- ried Rebecca Rumbel; Frank died in young manhood; Jacob married Rachel Stauffer ; Leah married John Zimmerman.
William Laudig, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wetstone) Laudig, was born in April, 1828, probably near Middleport, Schuylkill county, and lived to the age of fifty-nine years, five months. During his youth and early manhood he assisted his father in the operation of the farm and mill, being the eldest son, and after his father's death he conducted the mill for the estate. Later he sold the mill property and moved to the farm now occupied by William H. Rumbel, buying that place, upon which he remained for a few years. Then he sold it to his brother Jacob and moved to the property near Ringtown now owned by his son William, buying thirty-six acres from the Lesher tract, then still in the ownership of the Lesher family, who received it as a grant from the Commonwealth. This place was all timbered at the time Mr. Laudig purchased it, and he built himself a log house and settled in the forest, which he proceeded to clear. Thirty-three acres of that tract were placed under cultivation by him. Later he bought forty acres about a quarter of a mile from his home, of Michael Thornton, eleven acres of which were cleared, and he cleared most of the remainder, leaving six acres in timber. He continued to improve his home place, building a new dwelling in 1876, and before then he had erected a new barn ; the sheds attached to it were put up in 1873. Mr. Laudig followed gen- eral farming there very successfully all his life, dying on that place, and he is
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buried with his wife at the German Reformed (Old White) Church near Ringtown. He was a liberal supporter of that church and one of its leading workers, holding the offices of elder and deacon. Politically he adhered to the principles of the Democratic party.
Mr. Laudig married Rebecca Rumbel, daughter of Henry and Salome (Andrews) Rumbel, and she died aged seventy-nine years, eight months, twen- ty-eight days. Seven children were born to this marriage: Benjamin Henry, who is farming part of his father's property in Union township, married Emma Miller; William Franklin is next in the order of birth; Susanna mar- ried William Hartman, and both are deceased; Lucy married Pierce Fry, and after his death became the wife of Joseph Wagner, of Ringtown, Pa .; Caroline married Abraham Beaver, of Roaring Creek, Columbia Co., Pa .; Mary is the wife of Henry M. Eister, of Sunbury, Pa .; Katie died young.
William Franklin Laudig was born Sept. 12, 1861, and obtained his edu- cation in Union township. Until seventeen years old he worked on the home place, and then went to learn butchering with Thomas Jones, in Union town- ship, with whom he remained three months. For another three months he was with Albert H. Rumbel, in the same township, and followed with six months at Sunbury, where he was employed by Jacob Dindore in the same line. Be- cause of his father's illness he returned home for six months, after which he was with Nicholas Timmis, in Excelsior, for four months. After a month at home he returned to Shenandoah to work for James B. Lessig, with whom he continued thirteen months, until his father's death called him home again. Then he rented the home tract, his brother Benjamin renting the Michael Thornton place, and after their mother's death they became the respective pur- chasers of these farms, which they have continued to cultivate to the present time. William F. Laudig follows general farming, but he makes a specialty of truck raising, going to the Shenandoah market all the year round. His products have a reputation which creates a steady demand for them, and his business-like methods have been found very satisfactory by all his customers. Since 1894 he has also been doing a very successful business as a dealer in all kind of farming implements and fertilizers.
Mr. Laudig has taken a keen interest in all local affairs. He has just com- pleted a term as tax collector, has held a position on the board of school direc- tors for three terms (nine years), and has served as election inspector, work- ing with the Democratic party. He is a prominent member of the P. O. S. of A., originally affiliated with Washington Camp No. 112, of Shenandoah, now with Camp No. 265, at Ringtown, of which he is a past president, and he gave many years' service as recording secretary ; he also holds membership in Shenandoah Commandery, No. 14. P. O. S. of A .; and in Ringtown Lodge, No. 287. I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. In all these bodies he has done valuable work, and his cooperation has been highly appreciated. The Reformed Church of Ringtown is his religious home; he has been chosen to the offices of elder and deacon, formerly taught in the Sunday school, is a member of the Home Missionary Society, and was for a long time at the head of the latter organization.
On Nov. 27. 1884, Mr. Laudig married Mary Jane Bare, who was born July 6, 1863, in Rush township, this county, and when very young moved into East Union township, where she received her education. She remained at home until her marriage. Mrs. Laudig has been an energetic worker in the Reformed Church at Ringtown, for many years having charge of the infant
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department of the Sunday school, and she was also a member of the Home Missionary Society. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Laudig, all of whom have attended the public schools of Union township: Alice Gertrude, born Feb. 4, 1886, is the wife of Charles F. Hart, a farmer of Union town- ship, and they have had children, Grace Alvina, Neta Yolanda, Ada Priscilla, Evelyn Mary (deceased), Samuel Franklin and Sadie May. Neta Estella, born March 24, 1888, is married to James Zimmerman, a carpenter of Ringtown, and their children are Sarah Catherine, Marian Rebecca, Blanche Mary and Emma May. Sarah Rebecca, born April 1, 1890, is the wife of Charles Stauffer, a farmer in Union township, and their children are William Henry, Samuel Franklin and Paul Landig. Emma Priscilla, born July 29, 1892, is at home. Mary Jane, born March 2, 1896, is a graduate of the Ringtown high school, and is now living at home.
Mrs. Laudig's grandfather Bare was a native of Berks county, Pa., where he and his wife are buried. His children were: Joshua, William, Mrs. Fryer (of Boyertown, Pa.) and Sarah (who went West ).
William Bare, Mrs. Laudig's father, was born in Berks county Sept. 21. 1827, and there received his education. He was but a small child when his father died. When a young man he came to Rush township, Schuylkill county, where he worked as a teamster for a number of years, and when he married bought a small tract of land in that township, which he operated for a while. He then rented it out and moved to East Union township, where he drove team for Brandon Reagan for a number of years, and later bought a farm in that township from William Reagan, containing nearly eighty acres, a great portion of which he cleared. He followed general farming there. Later he bought another tract, of twenty-five acres, in the same township, upon which he settled, and there he died June 24, 1894. It was mostly covered with brush when he bought it. He is buried at the Old White Church. Mr. Bare was a Democrat and a member of the German Reformed denomination, belong- ing to the Old White Church, towards whose support he was a liberal con- tributor ; he held the offices of elder and deacon. His wife, Priscilla (Faust), was born July 27, 1836, in Rush township, this county. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bare: Sarah Malinda, who lives with her mother in East Union township; John, of East Union township, who married Angeline Stauffer ; Franklin Pierce, of Cammal, Lycoming Co., Pa., who married Ada Hostrander ; Mrs. William F. Laudig; Alice Catherine, who died young; Wil- liam Henry, who was killed in a powder mill at Sumneytown, Montgomery county ; Jacob Allen, Calvin Obediah and Charles Edward, all three of whom died young.
Henry Faust, father of Mrs. Priscilla ( Faust) Bare, was born probably in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and became a resident of Rush town- ship, where he owned a farm of 110 acres which he operated in addition to his carpenter business. He followed contracting all his life, and built all the covered bridges in this section of the county. He and his wife, Salome (Klingerman), probably born in West Penn township, are buried at the Reformed Church in Rush township, of which he was a member. Politically he was a Democrat. We have the following record of his family: Priscilla married William Bare; Edward married Polly Herring, who survives him; Leah is the widow of Nathan Neifert; Lydia is the wife of Frank Wentz; Caroline is unmarried; Mary is the widow of Gottlieb Skeath ; Jacob, deceased,
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married a Messersmith; Charles married Bertha Skeath; Lewis is deceased ; Henry is unmarried ; Frank married Caroline Wentz, who is deceased.
WILLIAM BASLER, late of Middleport, was a prosperous merchant there for forty years and had the distinction of being a truly self-made man, having reached a most honorable position entirely through his own efforts. The store he carried on so long became one of the leading mercantile establish- ments of this section of Schuylkill county, and is still conducted by his widow, who has maintained its popularity by upholding the policy her husband found so successful, that of obliging service to every patron. Though Mr. Basler took no direct part in public affairs his influence as a good man was properly appreciated by his townsmen, who felt that the borough suffered a distinct loss in his death.
Mr. Basler was a native of Germany, born March 7, 1842, in Fitchbach, son of Christian and Louisa (Herman) Basler. The family came to America when he was about four years old and first located near Pottsville, Pa., shortly afterwards removing to Brushy Tract, Schuylkill county, where they remained a number of years. Thence Christian Basler went to Frackville, this county, and eventually to Port Carbon, at which place he lived practically retired until his death, which occurred in 1877. He had been thoroughly trained in the trade of tinsmith, and always had plenty of employment. To his marriage with Louisa Herman. were born ten children, three sons and seven daughters, namely: Catherine, Carolina, Louisa, Lena, Elizabeth, Mary, Mollie, Peter, Christian and William. The father was a devout Catholic in religious connection. He voted the Democratic ticket.
William Basler had meagre advantages during his boyhood, going to work at the breaker when but eight years old. He began as a slate picker, and continued to work about the mines for eighteen years. But though the life was arduous it did not impair his ambition, and he tried to keep up his studies, by diligent application acquiring a very fair education, which he found valu- able when he entered business life on his own account, though the perseverance he displayed in acquiring it was equally notable. By frugal habits he saved enough to commence modestly in business, and he became a merchant at Middleport in 1866, establishing the store which was his chief interest during the remainder of his life. From the very beginning Mr. Basler showed those qualities which attract customers, and conservatively but surely he added to the scope of his trade until he was one of the foremost dealers in the borough, enlarging his quarters as necessary, and always operating his business for the accommodation of his patrons. He had their friendship and confidence in an unusual degree, and always proved himself deserving of it. For a number of years Mr. Basler was also a coal operator, and did well in that line, his early experience being a great help in matters of judgment. His death occurred Aug. 21, 1906, at his home in Middleport, and he is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Tamaqua. He was a member of Middleport Lodge, No. 474, I. O. O. F. In political sentiment Mr. Basler was a Repub- lican, but in local matters he voted independently. looking to the good of the community rather than to party supremacy.
On Feb. 28, 1864, Mr. Basler married Mary Catherine Miller, who was born Dec. 14, 1844, in Blythe township, Schuylkill county, daughter of Eli T. and Jane (Evans) Miller. We have the following record of the fifteen children born to this union: J. Allen is deceased; Mary J. is the wife of
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Levi Ruch, a contractor and builder of Middleport (they have one son, Charles Willmon B.) ; Sarah E. married Moses Purnell, formerly of Tamaqua, who was killed at Middleport in 1914 by a team (his widow resides at Middleport) ; William J., now a merchant at Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., married Catherine Hopkins; Laura S. is the wife of Richard Purnell, a laborer, and they live at Tamaqua; John T., who has a hotel at Middleport, married Mary Neison ; Ida M. is the wife of John Calaway, and they live in Orwigsburg, Pa .; Charles E., who clerks in the store for his mother, married Bessie Sherman ; J. Nelson is manager in the store for his mother (he is unmarried) ; Eli R., who married Minerva Bausher, is engaged in the hotel business at Palmerton, Pa .; Eva Pearl is the wife of John Kline, a wholesale liquor dealer at Middleport ; Carrie E. is married to Harry Eberts, who is a telegrapher at Quakake, Schuyl- kill county; C. G. Roy, who clerks for his mother, married Freda Krantz; Carrie Della died when four months old; one son died in infancy.
FREDERICK REISIG, who now lives retired after a life of honorable industry, is one of the respected residents of Rush township, Schuylkill county, making his home on a small tract of land near Lakeside. His active years were spent in various pursuits, for he is a mechanic skilled in several lines, and he has also followed agriculture, merchandising and hotelkeeping, besides finding time for public service and participation in other local affairs.
Mr. Reisig is a native of Saxony, Germany, born Jan. 17, 1842, son of John Reisig. The father was also born in Saxony, where he lived and died, but the mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Leitenberger, came to America and died at Brandonville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. John Reisig followed farming and also had a pipe factory. His family consisted of five children : Frederick, George, Bertha, Sophia and Casper. The last named was an officer in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war and is again serving as an officer in the present conflict.
Frederick Reisig came to this country when fourteen years old, and first settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed blacksmithing and huckstering. He made his home there and at Glen Carbon, this county, until twenty-five years old. Then for about fifteen years he was established at Mahanoy City, where he worked at his trade and had a marble yard. His next location was in Ryon township, where he followed farming and for a period of eleven years also conducted a store and hotel, thence in 1903 remov- ing to Rush township, where he has since remained. Here he did considerable contract work, putting in building foundations, in fact he laid all the walls for the houses at Maryd, but he withdrew from arduous work some time ago, and now occupies a small tract which he owns, near Lakeside. During the course of his active life he accumulated some valuable property, owning yet 221 acres of farming and timber lands in Ryon and Rush townships, including his home property of one acre, with house and barn.
Mr. Reisig has always been a good citizen, ready to bear his share of the responsibilities of government, and intelligent in understanding the needs of the community. He was a school director of Ryon township for seven years and secretary of the board; and for a simliar period filled the office of town- ship clerk there. Church work has also interested him and had his warm support. He is a prominent member of the German Lutheran denomination in his locality, was Sunday school superintendent for sixteen years, and is still an officer of the church, serving as trustee. During the Civil war he
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enlisted from Minersville in the Pennsylvania State Militia, serving under Colonel Chest and Capt. Jacob Lawrence, and was orderly sergeant. His company was engaged in guarding the capitol at Harrisburg, did guard duty at Philadelphia and Hagerstown, and moved the army wagons at Philadelphia under John Arnold.
Mr. Reisig married Mary Hornberger, of Minersville, who died in August, 1908, and is buried at St. Peter's Church in Ryon township. They had a large family, viz .: Emma, who became a physician, practicing in Philadelphia, where she died when forty-two years old ; Hettie, deceased; Wilfred, who died young; Frederick, who is now keeping a hotel in Ryon township; John, de- ceased; Willis Florence, deceased; Elmer G .; Charles, who is a farmer in Rush township; Edward, deceased; Gertrude, Mrs. Krebs, who formerly had a hotel at Mount Carmel, which she sold recently, now living in Philadelphia ; Maude, Mrs. Freudenberger, of Tamaqua (she and her husband are in the hotel business) ; and Joseph, a farmer in Ryon township.
HON. JAMES E. BRENNAN, for over sixty years a resident of Cass township, has been one of the leading figures in public life in his section of Schuylkill county, having held many offices of honor and trust within the gift of his fellow citizens. Mr. Brennan is a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, born in June, 1844, son of Patrick and Mary (Maley) Brennan. The family came from Ireland to the United States in 1852, and soon after their arrival in this country settled at Forestville, in Cass township, Schuyl- kill Co., Pa. The father, being a coal miner, soon found employment in the local mines, where he worked until his death, which occurred in 1865. Of his family of ten children, six were born in Ireland.
James E. Brennan lived in Schuylkill county until shortly after his marriage, when he removed to Williamstown, Dauphin Co., Pa. There he was engaged in driving gangways, but he lost his position because of his connection with the Workingmen's Benevolent Association, of which he was president for a time, and very prominent in promoting its interests. Returning to his old home at Forestville, he continued to live there for many years, being one of the best known men in Cass township. He began his public service when a young man. In 1875 he was elected school director, and the following year became secretary of the board. The next year he was made tax collector, still continuing his connection with the school board, of which body he was treasurer in 1881. He collected both State and county taxes. In 1882 Mr. Brennan was the Democratic candidate for representative of the Second district in the State Legislature, was elected, and served two years. He has always been a prominent member of the Democratic party, and has served as a delegate to numerous county conventions.
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