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 85
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J. Wilfred Donahoe was reared and educated in Ashland, receiving a thorough training in the public schools. When he began work it was as his father's assistant, and they have carried on the business together with steady success. His interest in public questions has led him into considerable activity in local affairs, and he has shown the sincerity of his methods and his genuine desire to be of use to his district during the four years of his service in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, to which body he was elected in 1910. He is at present a candidate for reelection, a circumstance which gives ample proof of the confidence he enjoys in his own party. Socially he holds membership in the B. P. O. Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles, and in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and he is a member of the Catholic Church, belonging to St. Joseph's parish in Ashland.
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DANIEL D. DEIBERT, for more than forty-three years engaged in the mercantile business and now one of the leading merchants at Auburn, Schuyl- kill county, was born in this county, at Schuylkill Haven, Feb. 21, 1840, son of Joseph Deibert.
Michael Deiver (as the name was then spelled) was the founder of the family here. He was born in Germany, and came with his family to America, settling in Bern township, Berks Co., Pa., near Michael's Church. He was one of a family of five children, and in partnership with his brother Wilhelm he invested in 300 acres of land in North Manheim township, on the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Landingville. Michael's share was the John Filbert place. The Indians interfered with their planting operations, so in the course of time they were compelled to flee from the marauding savages, bury- ing their farming tools until their return. They failed to find them afterwards, but when the Schuylkill canal was being dug the tools were unearthed. Michael had five sons and two daughters: Henry married a Miss Kreiner; Andrew, a Miss Luckenbill; Michael, a Miss Luckenbill; Christian, a Miss Miller; Catherine married John Dewald; John is mentioned below; Elizabeth married Daniel Repp. Michael is buried at the Red Church in North Man- heim township, Schuylkill county.
John Deibert was born in North Manheim township, and was a farmer by occupation. He is buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He was twice married, his first wife being a Renchler and his second a Wagner. His children were as follows: Daniel, who lived at Schuylkill Haven; George, mentioned below; Jacob, who died at Schuylkill Haven; John, who died at the same place ; Benjamin, who died at Pottsville; William, who died in the Upper Mahantongo valley ; Samuel; Hannah, who married Henry Hummel, of Selins- grove, Pa .; and Christine, who married Henry Shelly, of Pottsville.
George Deibert cultivated the farm now owned by Rubens S. Peale, in North Manheim township, and there died in his thirty-eighth year. He is buried near the Red Church. He married Mary Faust, and their children were: William, George, Joseph, Henry, Daniel, Abraham, Mrs. Sallie Kleine, Mrs. Susan Wagner, and two daughters who married Rickert brothers and went West.
Joseph Deibert was born Feb. 22, 1818, on the Peale farm in North Man- heim township, and attended the country schools. He adopted the occupation of boatbuilder, working at the trade at Landingville in partnership with his brother William, under the firm name of Deibert Bros. & Co. In the later years of his life he removed to Auburn, where he died May 13, 1900. His remains rest in the cemetery attached to the old Red Church. Joseph Deibert was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Drumheller, and to them were born five children, viz .: Daniel D .; Susan, who married Morgan Albright; Mary, who married J. P. Hoffman; Elizabeth, who died young; and Guy, living at Port Richmond, Staten Island, N. Y., where he has a dock and is engaged in boatbuilding.
Daniel D. Deibert began working at the trade of boatbuilder with his father when he was but fourteen years of age, and followed that occupation for a period of thirteen years. He then opened a store at Landingville, which he conducted for about twenty years, at the end of that time selling out to his son Samuel. For a short time he was in partnership with his son Milton in the shoe business, and then he moved to Auburn in 1893 to engage in the general business which he now carries on. Mr. Deibert was married to
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Catherine Metz, daughter of Samuel Metz. She died at the age of thirty- eight years, and is buried at the Red Church. The following children were born to this union: Samuel, a well known merchant of Orwigsburg, Pa .; Frank A., who died young; Milton, living in Philadelphia; and Elizabeth. Mr. Deibert married for his second wife Catherine Ann Kepner, daughter of Bernard and Mary A. ( Richard) Kepner, and they have one child, Catherine May, wife of Harry Runkle, residing at home. Mr. Runkle is a shoe manu- facturer of Schuylkill Haven.
Mr. Deibert is a member of the Methodist denomination, while his family attend the Lutheran Church. He took an active part in the work of the Sunday school while he resided at Landingville, and for many years was its superintendent. He was one of the organizers of the borough of Landing- ville during the time he served as postmaster there. He also assisted in the organization of the camp of the P. O. S. of A. at that place. Mr. Deibert has held the office of tax collector. Since coming to Auburn he has given all of his time to his store. He is a man of fine commercial acumen and has a large circle of friends in the town.
DR. DENNIS J. MURPHY, of Girardville, Pa., a prominent dentist, was born at Locustdale, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Dennis and Honore (Quick) Murphy, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Schuylkill county. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Murphy died in Ireland.
Dennis Murphy, the father, came to America at an early age and settled at Locustdale, where he followed mining for a number of years, also for a time being in the hotel business. He died in 1904 at Jersey City, where the family had moved some years previously. His wife, Honore, moved, in 1906, to Girardville, where she has since resided with her son, Dr. Murphy. To them were born children as follows: Sarah, who is a Sister of Charity in New York State, under the religious name of Sister Margaret Dolores; John, who died in 1907; Delia, living at home; Mary, wife of Frank Bradley, of Jersey City; one child that died in infancy; Catherine, wife of Thomas Burke, of Girard- ville ; two children who died in infancy ; and Dennis J.
William Quick, the maternal grandfather of Dennis J. Murphy, was one of the pioneers of Schuylkill county, living near Fountain Springs, where he cultivated a farm, also engaging in mining. For several years he was in the West, where he operated gold and silver mines, but returned to Girardville, where he died in 1905.
Dennis J. Murphy began his education at Locustdale, and when the family moved to Jersey City attended the parochial schools at that place, also St. Peter's College. from which he graduated at the age of seventeen. He then became employed at the American Type Foundry in Jersey City, for several years, and when the family removed to Girardville he entered the employ of the Reading Railway Company as a telegrapher, remaining with them for some time. In 1910 he entered the Philadelphia College of Dentistry, graduat- ing from that institution in 1912, with honors for proficiency in his studies. While at college he was made captain of the baseball club.
After his graduation Dr. Murphy went to Jersey City and took charge of the office of Dr. Fappelle, but after a short stay there came to Girardville, the same year, and opened his present office. He has built up an extensive practice in Girardville and vicinity and is popular with the general public. He is a member of the State and county dental societies, and holds membership in Vol. I-37
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several other dentists' organizations; belongs to Girardville Council, Knights of Columbus; Ashland Lodge, No. 284, B. P. O. Elks; and the college fraternity of Sigma Kappa Psi, as well as the Alumni association of his college. Dr. Murphy resides with his mother and sisters at Girardville.
WILLIAM E. ZAPF, of Minersville, bears a name which has been asso- ciated with business thrift and prosperity in that community for several dec- ades. He is a son of Charles A. Zapf, and grandson of Charles and Cecilia Zapf, who reared a family of ten children. The grandfather was a lumber- man.
Charles A. Zapf was born June 22, 1836, in Baden, Germany, and received the thorough education and vocational training for which his native land is noted. He learned the trades of brewer and cooper. Coming to the United States in 1854, he was first at Philadelphia for a short time, the same year settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he found employment with the George Lauer Brewing Company. He was afterwards with F. C. Kuenczler and J. G. Yuengling in the same town. In 1870 Mr. Zapf moved thence to Minersville, where he was in the employ of Daniel Frier for five years, and in 1876 was a brew-master in the old Freiler brewery on Laurel street. Then, in partnership with the late Charles Buehner, he formed the first firm devoted to the manufacture of porter in Schuylkill county, and in 1879 bought the present establishment, located at the rear of his home on Sunbury street. His association with Mr. Buehner continued until 1900, when Mr. Zapf purchased the entire interest, and he has since carried on the business with his sons, Fred and William, and his son-in-law, James Clendenning. The plant is the only brewery in the county devoted exclusively to the manufacture of porter, and the product is marketed principally in the immediate territory. Mr. Zapf's business ability and characteristic German perseverance have been well supplemented by the ability of the younger men associated with the concern, and the Zapfs have always maintained the highest reputation for business integrity. The business has grown until seven men are now steadily employed and three teams are constantly engaged. The product, between four and five thousand barrels annually, is noted for its purity and whole- someness. Mr. Zapf's industrious life has given him the respect of all his fellow citizens, and he is well liked in the home of his adoption.
In 1861 Mr. Zapf enlisted in the Union army for three months in response to President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men, and served to the close of his term. His regiment saw service in Virginia, and had trying experiences of hardship and exposure for raw troops. They were on their way to take part in the first battle of Bull Run when it was learned that the engagement was over. Mr. Zapf is a member of the Grand Army Post at Minersville.
On Aug. 17, 1856, Mr. Zapf married Catharina Eberly, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., daughter of the late Christian and Rosena Eberly. Four children have been born to this union: William E .; Fred, who married Jennie Schrop, and has two children, Clyde and Helen; Matilda, wife of Patrick Gilmore, of Williamstown, Pa .; and Louisa, who married James Clendenning, formerly of Chester, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Zapf are members of the German Lutheran Church, and have reared their children in the same faith.
William E. Zapf was born June 10, 1865, in New York City, and was reared at Minersville, receiving his education in the public schools. He' has
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always been employed with his father, at present taking charge of all the inside work, and he has become very successful in this branch of the business. Mr. Zapf has mingled in local affairs to the extent of long service on the school board, of which he has been a member for over ten years, was formerly vice president, and is now treasurer of that body. He votes independently. Socially he belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and he is a promi- nent member of the German Lutheran Church, having been secretary of the Zion's Beneficial Society since he was nineteen years old. Mr. Zapf married Mary E. Hart, of Minersville, and they have one son, Earle.
WILLIAM E. ZERBE has been established in business at Pine Grove for over twenty years and is now one of the leading citizens of the borough. The prosperity of his own undertakings, and the force of his influence in promoting stable commercial conditions, are sufficient to indicate the ability which has carried him forward steadily.
The Zerbe family is of French extraction and has been settled in America for two centuries. The name is found variously spelled-Zerby, Zerve, Zerwe and Zerben. Lorenz Zerbe, the first progenitor in America of the line here under consideration, came originally from Lorraine, France, but owing to steadfast loyalty to their religious faith he and other members of the family were obliged to seek homes elsewhere, in order to worship according to con- science. Journeying from France into Germany, and thence to Holland, they were among those who availed themselves of the invitation of Queen Anne of England, who offered to transport a large number of emigrants to the New World. Arriving in England Christmas evening, 1709, they were among the four thousand who thus set sail for America, fourteen hundred dying on the way over. They landed at New York, and shortly afterwards were sent up the Hudson, remaining in New York State until 1723. When they heard that William Penn had been in Germany and brought about the immigration of a number of Germans, thirty-three families under the guidance of an Indian made their way into Pennsylvania, down the Susquehanna river into the fertile valley of the Tulpehocken, in what is now Berks county. In a sketch of Conrad Weiser we find the following concerning these colonists: Whilst in his fourteenth year he emigrated with his father and family (which included himself and seven other children) to New York, landing June 17, 1710. At that time several thousand Germans were sent to America by Queen Anne. Shortly after their arrival they were removed to Livingston Manor by the Governor of New York, to burn tar and cultivate hemp to defray the expenses incurred by Queen Anne in conveying them from Holland to England and from England to America. They labored till 1713 in this employment under the direction of commissioners; then, finding that they were existing under a form of bondage, they protested against the treatment, and thus effected their release. About 150 families of them, including the Weiser family, removed to Scho- harie, forty miles west of Albany. The settlers having been disturbed in
their possessions, Conrad Weiser's father and a number of others migrated to Pennsylvania. They located in Tulpehocken in the spring of 1723, in the midst of the Indians; and there they also commenced the improvement of the land without permission from the land commissioners. The Indians com- plained, but the settlers were not disturbed. Subsequently the Indians released their rights and about 1733 they removed beyond the Blue mountains.
Rupp, in his "30,000 Names of Immigrants," shows a Lorenz Zerbe who
,
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came from Schoharie to Tulpehocken in 1723, and in addition to Lorenz mentions a John Philip Zerbe, and a Martin Zerbe, among those above twenty- one years of age who passed the winter of 1710 and the summer of 1711 in Livingston Manor, N. Y., and who may have come to Tulpehocken at a later period. The name of John or Johan has been a favorite one in the family, as appears from the tax lists and vital statistics. This bears out the family tradition that three brothers came over. John Philip Zerbe enlisted for service in Queen Anne's war in 1711 and was never afterwards heard from. Martin and Lorenz Zerbe were among those who settled in the Tulpehocken valley in 1723.
John Zerbe, son of Lorenz, was one of the company of thirty-three families who came from New York in 1723. He was a miller, owning a gristmill and sawmill south of Womelsdorf. His family consisted of twenty-five children, nineteen sons and six daughters, all of whom reached maturity and married. One of his sons, Michael, was an officer in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war. All the Zerbes in the Tulpehocken valley followed agri- cultural pursuits.
Philip Zerbe, Sr., son of John, above, died in 1790.
Philip Zerbe, Jr., son of Philip, Sr., was born in 1765 and died in 1831.
Daniel Zerbe, son of Philip, Jr., was born in 1799 and died in 1874. His son,
Daniel Zerbe, Jr., born Aug. 1, 1824, died Jan. 9, 1882. Like his father he made his home in Washington township, Schuylkill county. He was twice married, having three children by one wife (the mother of William L. G.) and six by the other, three sons and three daughters. One of the latter, D. O. Zerbe, is a resident of Reading, Pa., superintendent of the Tuberculosis hospital at that place.
William LaFayette G. Zerbe, son of Daniel, Jr., was born in 1845, in Washington township, Schuylkill county, and died in 1905. His own sisters are also deceased. By trade he was a shoemaker, and he followed that calling all his life, in 1874 settling at Pine Grove, where he had a shoe store, carrying it on successfully for many years. He married Melissa Hain, who was born in 1848, daughter of Henry and Maria (Naftzinger) Hain and a descendant of Philip Jacob Hain, who came from Germany Sept. 6, 1739, and died Jan. 9, 1815. He married Anna Maria Burger, who was born March 16, 1752, and died Oct. 27, 1819. They first settled in Berks county, Pa., where they were engaged in farming. Later they moved to what is now Schuylkill county and settled in Wayne township, where they also followed agricultural pursuits. Jacob Hain, son of Philip Jacob, was born in Berks county in 1776 and died in 1851. He was a farmer, and his son Henry, Mrs. Melissa Zerbe's father, also engaged in that calling. The latter was born in 1824, in Wayne township, this county, and died in 1864. He married Maria Naftzinger, daughter of Peter Naftzinger, granddaughter of Jacob Naftzinger and great-granddaughter of Matthew Naftzinger, and member of a family long settled in this country. Mr. and Mrs. W. L. G. Zerbe had but one child, William E. The mother is still living.
William E. Zerbe was born Feb. 15, 1868, in Washington township, Schuyl- kill county, and was but a child when he accompanied his parents to Pine Grove. His education was obtained in the public schools of the township and borough, and he subsequently learned the carpenter's trade. In 1893 he engaged in business for himself as a furniture dealer and undertaker, and in
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1905 expanded his field of operations by entering the lumber trade as well, continuing both lines at present. His son, Charles W. Zerbe, is now associated with him, and they are catering to a thriving trade, acquired in years of watchful attention to the requirements of their patrons. With commendable enterprise the Zerbes have been on the alert to give their customers the benefit of all new ideas and methods in their particular line, and this policy of consideration has been rewarded with increased patronage. At one time William E. Zerbe was manager of the Pine Grove furniture factory, looking after the duties of that position besides attending to his other affairs. His capable direction of his own affairs commended him to his fellow citizens for public office, and he has served them conscientiously for six years as treasurer of Pine Grove township. He has several fraternal connections, belonging to Pine Grove Lodge, No. 409, F. & A. M .; Pine Grove Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F., and Washington Camp No. 49, P. O. S. of A.
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On March 24, 1888, Mr. Zerbe married Lillie N. Shelly, a native of Pine Grove borough, daughter of Linnis and Eliza ( Keeney) Shelly, the father a merchant at Lititz, Pa., where Mr. and Mrs. Shelly lived to the end of their lives. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Zerbe, Charles W., the eldest, now associated in business with his father, married Emma Lehmey, of Pine Grove, and they have one son, Harry. James M., the second, married Ollie Hoy, of Pine Grove, and they have one son, Walter. Annie M., the only daughter of this family, is at home. John S. is deceased. Mr. Zerbe is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong.
HARRY HAMBLETON STEWART, M. D., of Friedensburg, is a much esteemed member of the medical profession in Schuylkill county. His inter- ests have always centered in the calling of his choice, and besides attending faithfully to the demands of a constantly increasing private practice he has become associated with the broader activities open to the wide-awake physi- cian, through the medium of various medical associations and no less through the opportunities he finds in the course of his daily duties. Familiar contact with his fellow citizens of all classes has given him real insight regarding the conditions which prevail in his community, and no one is better qualified to judge its needs. Hence his participation in local affairs has been welcomed, and his energy and willingness to aid in all helpful movements have won grateful appreciation in the best element.
Dr. Stewart is a native of the State of Maryland, born in Talbot county June 23, 1869, on the farm where his boyhood was spent. His parents, Perry W. and Eliza J. ( Malony ) Stewart, were natives, respectively, of Maryland and Delaware. After the usual attendance at the public schools in his home neighborhood, Dr. Stewart took a course at the Palm business college in Phil- adelphia, and on its completion found a position with J. B. Shannon & Sons, hardware dealers, in that city, as cashier and collector, remaining with them for two years. Subsequently he spent five years in the employ of William H. Horstman & Co., as assistant cashier and bookkeeper, and five years as a clerk in the administration department of the city of Philadelphia. After one year of special study at the Temple College (now Temple University, Phila- delphia) he entered, in October, 1902, the Medico-Chirurgical College, Phil- adelphia, where he took the full course, and after four years there gave another year to study at the Baltimore (Md.) Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1907. During the next few
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months he was in the dispensary of the Medico-Chirurgical College at Phila- delphia, on July 28, 1907, settling at Friedensburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he took the practice of the late Dr. Cleaver. The same year he was appointed deputy county coroner, under Dr. Gillers, and in 1912 he was again appointed, under Dr. Moore, serving in that capacity at present. He has served as medical inspector for the schools of South Manheim, Wayne and Washington townships, under county medical inspector Dr. Rodgers, of Pottsville. He has taken a prominent part in the work of the local medical societies, having been president of the Schuylkill County Society in 1913, and for two years vice president of the Southern Schuylkill Medical Association. He also holds membership in the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Americans and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
As the need and advantages of various public utilities have appealed to him Dr. Stewart has used his influence in establishing the same in his locality, and he was the original promoter of the Friedensburg Rural Telephone Com- pany, which he organized and of which he is now president. He is also a director of the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, and his association with both enterprises went far to gain them confidence in the community. Politically he is a Republican, but he takes no active part in the workings of the party in his own behalf, having no ambition for public honors. Church work has also claimed a large share of his attention as one of the zealous members of the United Brethren congregation ; he is a trustee of that organization, and is presi- dent of the Union Y. P. S. C. E.
On Oct. 18, 1893, Dr. Stewart married Annie E. Brenneman, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Kahler) Brenneman, of Lancaster county, Pa. They have two children: Florence A., born Aug. 11, 1894, and Harry H., born Sept. 28, 1900.
IRVIN U. YODER, of Hegins, is one of the men of action who have done substantial service to this section of Schuylkill county in promoting industrial conditions. The ability which he has demonstrated in the course of his career as a manufacturer is sufficient to entitle him to a place among the business men to whom the community may look for profitable development of its enterprises. The branch of the Yoder family to which he belongs has been established here since the early days, and his grandfather, John Yoder, was born in the county, where he passed all his life. He died when his second youngest child, Frank- lin, father of Irvin U. Yoder, was three years old.
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