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 87
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John K. Bittle, son of Jacob, was born June 11, 1828, in Schuylkill county, where he was reared and remained throughout life. His death occurred Feb. 16, 1907. Farming was his occupation, and he followed it successfully, being a substantial, intelligent man, a typical member of the respected race to which he belonged. He was a member of the Reformed Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Zerbey, was born July 22, 1830, in Berks county, Pa., and died April 27, 1912, in Schuylkill county. They were the parents of five children, namely: Lewis; Isaac C .; Jacob; Washington ; and Sarah, who is the wife of James Fritz and resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Isaac C. Bittle grew to manhood on the home farm, and received a thorough common school training in the locality. Remaining with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two years, he then found employment with the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in the shops at Schuylkill Haven, where he remained for ten years, meantime learning the carpenter's trade thoroughly. At the end of that time he resumed the calling to which he had
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been trained in boyhood, for two years working on his father's homestead place and then purchasing his present tract, ninety-two acres in Wayne township. His operations have been carried on with the view of improving the property permanently, as well as for immediate profit, and the result is one of the notably productive areas in this part of the county. It is planted in general crops, and Mr. Bittle has aimed to secure the maximum output by judicious rotation, studying the needs of the soil and availing himself of all possible information concerning the agricultural resources of his locality. He has been well rewarded for his painstaking efforts. He gives practically all his time to his work, but takes a good citizen's interest in the success of beneficial measures and helps to put reliable men in responsible positions. His religious connection is with the Reformed Church.
On Dec. 18, 1875, Mr. Bittle was married to Louisa Bertsch, who was born April 11, 1856, in Glenworth, this county, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Bertsch, and died May 6, 1908. Three children were born to this marriage: John A. is engaged in farming on the home place; Carrie S. is the wife of Horace Fidler, of Cressona, Pa., and has a family of five children, Morris T., Ruth N., Paul E., Florence L. and Marian M .; Florence May is the wife of Andrew Brown, and they have one child, Alfred Andrew.
JOHN H. FAHL is one of the leading spirits of southern Schuylkill county, prominently associated with its vital business interests, one who has accomplished much by conscientious public service, and an advocate of wise progress in every direction. He is one of the native sons of Schuylkill county who have never failed in loyalty to her interests.
Mr. Fahl was born on the old Fahl homestead in West Brunswick town- ship, Schuylkill county, near Auburn, May 26, 1872. His grandfather, John Fahl, was an early settler in that township, where he became a large landowner. his farm being a fine tract, lying partly on Sculp's hill, a locality which became very well known during the Indian days. He was born Dec. 18, 1809, and died Oct. 15, 1876, and his wife, Catherine (Reber), was born Jan. 6, 1819, and died Oct. 11, 1864. They are buried in the Reformed cemetery at Auburn. Their family consisted of the following children: Sarah, who married Joshua Runkle; James; David; Daniel, who went into the Union army during the Civil war and never returned home ; John ; Isaac; Jonathan ; Franklin ; Charles ; and Kate, who married Francis Matz.
James Fahl, father of John H. Fahl, was born on the homestead in West Brunswick township. He purchased a farm and cultivated it for some years, until he sold the land to the Delaware Seamless Tube Company, as a site for their plant. He is now living at Auburn with his son William. His wife, whose maiden name was Amanda Dietrich, died May 26, 1887, and is buried at Auburn. They had a family of seven children: Lewis, deceased; Joshial, who was killed on the railroad; William, a resident of Auburn; Morris, deceased ; George, living at Auburn ; John H .; and Charles, deceased.
John H. Fahl attended public school in West Brunswick township and was reared to manhood on the homestead farm. At the age of twenty-three years he located in Auburn, where he was employed at the tube mill for about six years, and when the mill closed down temporarily he bought the "Auburn Hotel," which he conducted for a period of ten years. Meantime, one year before he sold out his hotel interests, he had become interested in the milling business, purchasing his mill at Auburn from William Wert, and he has given
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most of his time to its operation since. The plant has up-to-date equipment, full roller process, and Mr. Fahl has a large patronage, having customers all over southern Schuylkill county. The special brand of flour he produces is the "White Lily," which has been in popular demand for a number of years.
There are few enterprises in the borough with which Mr. Fahl has not been in touch in one capacity or another. He has been a director of the First National Bank since 1911 ; is a director of the Auburn Shale Brick Company ; and a trustee of the Board of Trade. His townsmen have called him into the public service so many times that no comment upon his official conduct is necessary. For many years he was a member of the school board, and served as secretary of that body. For five years he filled the position of tax collector, and he is now president of the borough council. On April 1, 1915, he was appointed postmaster at Auburn, and has had charge of the office since. His interest in politics as an earnest member of the Democratic party in the fall of 1914 gained him the nomination for legislator from the Fourth district. He failed of election, though well supported in his home place. Mr. Fahl's unim- peachable integrity has made him highly desirable for public trusts, and he has never abused the confidence shown by his fellow citizens. Everything affecting the life of the community has his hearty support. He was one of the founders of the Hose Company, which he is serving as treasurer, and he is also treasurer of three of the fraternal bodies to which he belongs, the I. O. O. F., P. O. S. of A. and I. O. R. M. lodges; he also belongs to Schuylkill Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., of Orwigsburg, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and serves on the church council.
Mr. Fahl married Elizabeth Ebling, daughter of Thomas Ebling, and they have a family of five children: Mary, Martha, James, Ruth and Louise.
ANTHONY B. LALLY has been doing business as a contractor and builder at Ashland for over twenty years, during which time he has made a name for reliability and has established a high-class patronage. He is a native of the place, born Dec. 2, 1868, son of Patrick Lally and grandson of James Lally. The grandfather lived and died in Ireland. His children were: John, William, Patrick, Anthony, James, and two daughters.
Patrick Lally, father of Anthony B. Lally, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, where his early years were spent. Early in the fifties he came to America in company with two brothers, Anthony and James, and they first settled at Pottsville, in Schuylkill county, Pa. After remaining there a short time Patrick Lally removed to Ashland. He worked in the mines for a time and later engaged in the wholesale liquor business, which he carried on for several years, returning, however, to the mines. He was accidentally killed at the mines in the year 1870. At Pottsville Mr. Lally was married to Bridget McCafferty, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Ganhan) McCafferty, who on coming to America located first at Pottsville, later moving to Ashland. Mr. McCafferty lived to be one hundred and thirteen years of age, his death occurring at Ashland ; Mrs. McCafferty died at the age of eighty years. Their family consisted of one son and two daughters. Mrs. Patrick Lally died Dec. 24, 1907. She was the mother of five sons and five daughters, namely : James, who is a resident of Ashland; John; William, deceased; Patrick, deceased; Anthony B .; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Campbell; Bridget, deceased ; Sabina, who lives in Philadelphia; Mary, wife of Thomas Kelly, of
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Ashland; and Bridget, wife of Henry Young, a general merchant, of Pottsville.
Anthony B. Lally was educated in the public schools of Ashland. His first work as a boy was at the mines, but before long he started to learn the trade of carpenter, which he followed as a journeyman until he started business for himself, in 1892. As a contractor and builder he is highly successful, and his conscientious performance of all the obligations of his contracts has given him a reputation for thorough workmanship, which has kept his services in constant demand.
On Feb. 26, 1894, Mr. Lally was married to Mary Corbe, who was born in Germany, daughter of John and Mary Corbe, both also natives of that country. The father died in Germany, and the rest of the family came to America, settling in Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where the mother died three years ago. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lally : James, deceased ; Marie, now a student of vocal music at the Academy of Mercy, Marion, Pa .; Anthony and Grace, twins; James (2), deceased ; Francis, at home; and Dolores. The family are Catholics in religious faith, Mr. Lally belonging to St. Joseph's Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus at Ashland.
SAMUEL C. AREGOOD, of Pottsville, was engaged in contracting and building for over thirty years, during which time he commanded all the business he cared to handle. Examples of his workmanship are plentiful in Schuylkill county, where the name has come to be associated with the best in building operations. Mr. Aregood's son was in partnership with him for several years and is now carrying on the business alone. He has the family characteristics of system in management and mechanical proficiency.
Isaiah Aregood, father of Samuel C. Aregood, was a native of Schuylkill county, born at York Farm, near Pottsville, in 1810. His father was an early settler in the county, and during Isaiah's boyhood moved to Snyder county, Pa., where the son learned the trade of tailor. He followed it for some years, removing to Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, soon after attaining his majority, and opening a shop of his own, which he conducted for several years. How- ever, he turned his attention to carpentry, engaging in building work at the breakers, and in his later life carried on a tin shop, at Port Carbon. He reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, dying at Port Carbon in 1893, and is buried at that place. Mr. Aregood married Julia Anna Kromer, a native of Northampton county, Pa., where her parents were early settlers, and she died at the age of sixty-nine years. The following children were born to this union : Ossman, who died at Pottsville : Charles, deceased ; Mary, who married Eli Thompson; Susanna, who married William Cliff ; Hannah, who married Thomas Mills and (second) William Auer; Joseph; Henry, and Samuel C.
Samuel C. Aregood was born May 10, 1840, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, and there grew to manhood. He had common school advantages and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a jour- neyman for a number of years thereafter. In 1872 he came to Pottsville, where he began taking contracts on his own account about 1880, and in 1887 he formed a partnership with Allison Wolf, under the firm name of Wolf & Aregood. This association lasted until 1900, and then Ossman J. Aregood joined his father under the name of S. C. Aregood & Son. Their business interests were
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in common for about four years, after which the father again carried on con- tracting alone until his retirement in 1911. Besides many residences in Potts- ville, including some of the finest dwellings in the place, Mr. Aregood was engaged on the engine house of the Humane Fire Company; John Raring's store and the office building on Centre street ; the Green jewelry store ; and other notable structures. The confidence of such patrons is of itself a guarantee of worth. Mr. Aregood is distinctly a man of business and domestic habits, and has never taken any part in public affairs, but he has taken a good citizen's interest in local matters and supported beneficial measures with his influence as well as his vote. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment under Col. James Nagle, for three months, and he subsequently enlisted for a nine months' term in the 129th Pennsylvania Regiment, and in the 39th Regiment from Pennsylvania for ninety days. He was captured at the battle of Fredericksburg and held prisoner for four days. He is a member of Allison Brothers Post, No. 144, G. A. R., of Port Carbon, and has been one of the active workers in the organization. His religious connection is with the Reformed Church.
On May 23, 1867, Mr. Aregood married Emma Greiner, daughter of John and Nancy (Bell) Greiner, residents of Port Carbon. Mrs. Aregood died in June, 1900, and is buried at Port Carbon ; Mr. Aregood now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Scott. Three of the children born to this union died in infancy, the others besides Ossman J. being: Mary, wife of William Craw- shaw : Henry Harrison, of Pottsville, Pa .; Bertha, wife of Lamar Scott; Cora, wife of William Kearn; and George W., of Port Carbon.
OSSMAN J. AREGOOD was born in Pottsville March 9, 1872, and was reared there. He completed the course in the public schools, graduating from the Pottsville high school in 1891, after which he learned the carpenter's trade with his father and Mr. Wolf. He continued in their employ until Mr. Wolf with- drew from the firm and then was in partnership with his father for four years, since when he has been in the contracting business on his own account. Among the many fine residences of his construction in Pottsville are A. W. Seltzer's, Edward C. Luther's, Mrs. Mayer's and the Parker home. He put up a school building at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Aregood keeps as many as fifty men em- ployed. His work has the stamp of character which recommends it to the most exacting class of the community, and he deserves to be ranked with the leading builders of the present generation.
Mr. Aregood married Mary E. Phillips, daughter of Ephraim Phillips, of Pottsville. They have no children. In religious faith Mr. Aregood is an Epis- copalian. He belongs to the Men's Club of the Episcopal Church, and frater- nally to the B. P. O. Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose.
JOHN U. KERSHNER, of Tuscarora, has been one of the distinct forces for progress in his section of Schuylkill county, where he has filled a number of local offices with the most conscientious regard for the best interests of his fel- low citizens. By thrift and good management he has succeeded in his own affairs, being now one of the well-to-do residents of the town, and all who know him agree that he deserves his prosperity and the unqualified respect which is everywhere accorded him.
Mr. Kershner belongs to a family which has been in Pennsylvania from Provincial days, being of the seventh generation in his line in America. Con- Vol. I-38
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rad Kershner, his emigrant ancestor, was one of three brothers who came to America in the winter of 1722-23, landing at New York City. One settled in Virginia, another in New Jersey, and Conrad, the youngest, in Pennsylvania. He was born in Germany in 1706, died in 1770, and is buried in the old grave- yard adjoining the Hains Church in Berks county. He fought in the French and Indian war, and his son Conrad, born in 1733, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, serving from Berks county. In 1759 the name of Conrad Kershner appears as a landowner in Bern township, that county. On the Revolutionary military records the name is found misspelled Cherchner, and it has also been written Kerschner and Karricher.
John Kershner, grandfather of John U. Kershner, was born near Sinking Spring, Berks county, and later settled in Perry township, that county, where he followed farming. His educational attainments were unusual for his day, and he gave private lessons in his home, teaching many young men and women. He died in Perry township, and is buried at Windsor Church. To his marriage with Catherine Hartz were born the following children: Daniel, John, Cath- erine, Jacob, Henry, Elizabeth, William, Jeremiah, Esther and Susan.
Daniel Kershner, son of John Kershner, was born in December, 1812, in Perry township, Berks county, and grew up there, but he came to Schnylkill county in young manhood, settling at Tuscarora before his marriage. He was a competent mechanic, taking contracts for stone and brick work, and among his local contracts were the Zion's Reformed church and the old brick school- house, as well as many dwellings. He followed this business throughout his active years, and was also prominent in the public affairs of the locality. serving as member of the Schuylkill township school board and for fourteen years as postmaster at Tuscarora. His intelligence and public spirit made him highly respected, and he was considered one of the most trustworthy citizens of his day. His death occurred in 1891, and he is buried at Tuscarora. Mr. Kershner married Elizabeth Umbenhauer, daughter of Samuel Umben- hauer, of Perry township, Berks Co., Pa., and they became the parents of the following children: Catherine, widow of Charles S. Moore, residing at No. 414 Washington street, Reading, Pa .; Franklin, who is deceased ; Mary E., living at the old homestead, who has been postmistress at Tuscarora for the last twenty-seven years and is also proprietor of a dry goods and notions store in the town (she is a member of Mahantongo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution) ; Daniel, a resident of Aldan, Delaware Co., Pa .; John U .; and William, deceased.
John U. Kershner was born Feb. 24, 1859, at Tuscarora, and received his education in the public schools of that place. When a boy he went to work at the mines, picking slate and as mule driver, and at the age of eighteen years became a coal operator, being so engaged for a period of eighteen months. He also carried on blacksmithing. When twenty years old he went out to Colo- rado, where he prospected for a time, and he ran the variety theatre at Lead- ville, in that State, for one year, spending altogether six years in the West. Returning to his old home he became engaged in contracting, doing carpenter work, for the next ten years. He was then appointed, by the taxpayers' asso- ciation, as supervisor of roads in Blythe, East Norwegian and Schuylkill town- ships, and performed his duties so well that he has been retained in this posi- tion continuously since-a period of twenty years. For the last six years Mr. Kershner has also been a member of the Schuylkill township board of school directors, of which body he has been president, and is now secretary.
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He was reelected to that position Nov. 2, 1915, by a three-fourths vote of the entire township. In his earlier years Mr. Kershner was a local officer for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, during the troublous period when the Molly Maguires were active in this section, and he recalls many interesting incidents of that time and of other events relative to the develop- ment of Schuylkill county. He may always be relied upon to support and boost any good cause set on foot in his neighborhood, and is as popular as he is respected. He has worked hard for all he has acquired, and is properly called a self-made man. Mr. Kershner has valuable property holdings at Tuscarora, where he owns twenty-two houses.
In Denver, Colo., Mr. Kershner married Selina Bowers, of Meadville, Pa., and they have had the following children: Fannie, now the wife of Arlington Seltzer; Bertha, who married Boyd Osler, chief engineer for a coal company, and resides at Hazleton, Pa .; Nellie Irene, wife of Herbert Boone, a business man of St. Clair, Pa .; and Estella, wife of Prof. Harry Haag, organist and choir leader at Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
DAVID A. HOLLAND, M. D., of Mahanoy City, has done much effective work both in his professional capacity and as a private citizen in shaping desirable social conditions. Held in high esteem by the large number who depend upon him for professional services, he has a personal following which wins regard for his opinions on any subject, and he has always endeavored to use his influence in aid of the most worthy projects. All things that concern the people generally have his sympathetic support, but he is especially inter- ested in provisions for wholesome living and recreation, and has entered heartily into all movements to secure such benefits for all his fellow men and women.
Dr. Holland was born in Mahanoy township Sept. 1, 1880. His parents, Michael and Mary (Washington) Holland, were natives of Ireland, the mother coming to America in girlhood. Michael Holland located at Mahanoy City and followed mining until his death, being killed in the mines in August, 1880, a few weeks before the birth of his son David. His widow survived until May, 1913. They had children as follows: John, Mark, Michael (deceased ), Thomas, Michael (2) (deceased), Patrick, Bridget ( who died May 30, 1877) and David A.
David A. Holland obtained his literary education in the schools of Mahanoy township and Mahanoy City, graduating from high school in 1898. He com- menced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. F. Horn, of Mahanoy City, under whose tuition he remained one year, after which he matriculated at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1903. He has since been practicing in Mahanoy City, having purchased the interests of Dr. Horn, and his patronage has increased steadily on the strength of his proved ability and unselfish devotion to those who consult him professionally. He belongs to the Schuylkill County Medical Society, and is a popular member of several local fraternal bodies, the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, B. P. O. Elks and Knights of Columbus; at present he is an officer in the Elks. He also holds membership in the Father Matthew Pioneers, a temperance society.
In the course of his work Dr. Holland has had unusual facilities for observ- ing the deficiencies and the needs of the present social system, and his best efforts have been directed towards overcoming the attendant evils and averting
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them by wise measures for taking care of the growing generation. He believes in prevention rather than cure, where possible, and consequently his labors have been mostly among the young, to providing such interesting and whole- some occupation for their play hours that there will be no room for demoraliz- ing influences. He has been active in promoting clean sports of all kinds and advocating their introduction into the lives of the young. For the last three years he has been a member of the school board and one of its most enthusi- astic workers. In politics he is a Democrat in principle, but not partisan when he feels his support is most needed elsewhere.
In 1907 Dr. Holland married Ella Cleary, daughter of D. J. and Mary (Gill) Cleary, of Mahanoy City, the former one of the leading merchants in this part of Schuylkill county. Dr. and Mrs. Holland have one child, Mark. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN B. GINTHER, of Pottsville, is at present devoting most of his attention to business, but from the time he reached his majority he has been more or less associated with public affairs in his locality, and in that connec- tien has attained favorable standing and wide acquaintanceship among his fellow citizens. As deputy recorder he came into personal contact with a large number of the residents of the county. His business affairs have prospered under his systematic and commendable enterprise, which has attracted a steady patronage and gained him personal esteem and respect among his associates.
Mr. Ginther is of German extraction, his father and grandfather having been natives of Germany. Christian Ginther, the father, came to this country from the land of his birth during the pioneer period of Pottsville's settlement, and lived in that borough for a time on Centre street, at the present location of Kline's cafe. Later he settled at Yorkville, which is now part of Pottsville. By occupation he was a miner, and eventually became the owner of a colliery, which he operated. He died in Pottsville at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife, Mary (Lutz), passed away here at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They are buried at Pottsville. They were the parents of fourteen children, four of whom died young, the others being: Joseph, Jacob, Eva, Gertrude, Tressia, Otto, Mary, John B., Anthony and George C.
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