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 II > Part 12
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Charles A. Schrope was still a lad when brought by his parents to Tower City, and here his education was secured in the public schools. He was but a boy when he secured employment in the mines, and when only seventeen years of age began to cut coal, a business at which he has spent the greater part of his life. For three years he was fire boss at the Silver Creek colliery, at the end of that time returning to Tower City, and he is now employed at the West Brookside colliery, where he is known as a highly efficient, reliable and faith- ful workman and skilled miner. As a citizen he has been a leader in move- ments which have made for progress and advancement, and has willingly given of his services in behalf of the elevation of educational standards, having served for some years as a member of the school board of Porter township. He also took the census of that township in 1910. Fraternally Mr. Schrope is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Improved Order
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of Red Men, Knights of Pythias and Loyal Order of Moose, in all of which orders he has numerous warm friends.
Mr. Schrope was united in marriage with Anna May Heartter, daughter of David Heartter, of Reinerton, Pa., and to this union there have been born five children, namely: Susie, Annic, Charles, Eva and Beatrice, who died when seven months old.
WILLIAM W. KAUP is undoubtedly one of the best known residents of Rush township, where he has a good farm which he cultivates, and also acts as mail carrier on Rural Route No. 2, out of Tamaqua, covering his home township and part of Ryon township. He has filled a number of public offices in the township, and in the discharge of all his responsibilities has shown consistent integrity and fidelity to the interests of his fellow citizens, in whose respect he feels well rewarded. Mr. Kaup is a native of the township, born July 16, 1851, son of William Kaup and grandson of John Kaup.
John Kaup was born Dec. 23, 1783, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and when he came to America settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., first in West Penn town- ship, whence he removed to Rush township in the year 1830. He owned a farm of forty-seven acres about two miles from Tamaqua, which he cleared, and the stable which he built there in 1831 is still standing. He also erected a log house on the property. His death occurred Jan. 21, 1853, in his seven- tieth year, and he is buried at Dutch Hill, Tamaqua. His wife, Anna ( Ben- singer), born in April, 1788, died in January, 1849. Their children were : Lucetta, Mrs. William Kramer; William; Levi, who died in Illinois ; Solomon, who died in Ohio; Priscilla, Mrs. Harry Bischoff; Benjamin, who died in Ohio; Maltida, Mrs. Abraham Boocher; Daniel, who died at Williamsport, Pa .; and Sarah Ann, Mrs. Charles Phillips.
William Kaup, son of John, was born in 1811, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He was buried in the White Church cemetery in Rush township. He followed farming on his father's homestead, in Rush township, continuing to engage in agricultural pursuits throughout his life. He was one of three men who had charge of the teams that hauled the first engine, from Philadelphia, shipped from England for the Little Schuylkill Mining Com- pany at Tamaqua. His progressive spirit is shown in his advocacy of the public school system, in the establishment of which he took an active part. He married Lydia Lindner, daughter of Samuel Lindner, whose wife was a Sensensdorfer, member of a Revolutionary family; the Lindners were of German origin. Children as follows were born to this union: Isabella, who married Thomas Baker; Sevilla, who married William Reinhart; Solomon, who died when twenty-two years old; Mary M., who married Lewis Kline; Sarah Ann, who died in infancy ; William W. ; and Lydia E.
William W. Kaup was reared upon the homestead farm, where he now makes his home. He has not devoted all his life to agriculture, having for several years been associated with the American Ice Company as superintend- ent of their Schuylkill county plant. After his parents died he took the home property, which he has been improving materially ever since, having built a fine dwelling thereon in 1903. In 1904 Mr. Kaup was appointed to his posi- tion of rural mail carrier, in which capacity he has served efficiently since. Mr. Kaup has been a prominent worker in the Republican party for many vears, and he has been elected to several local offices, having served for a long period as township clerk, and for twenty years he was general assessor.
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In February, 1876, Mr. Kaup married Catherine Walter, and the follow- ing children have been born to them: John W .; Claude C., who married Annie Harris; Mary Ellen; Charles G., who married Minnie Parry; Eliz- abeth May; Bessie B .; and William Walter, who died young. The family are Lutherans.
John Walter, father of Mrs. William W. Kaup, was born June 6, 1829, in France, came to the United States in young manhood, and first settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Later he removed to Rush township, locating at Stone Tavern. During the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army, and his death, which occurred March 2, 1867, was caused by exposure while in the army. He is buried at Tamaqua. His wife, Catherine ( Bladel), was born in Germany, came to America when eighteen years old, and sur- vived him many years, dying at the age of seventy-three. They had four chil- dren: Catherine, Mrs. Kaup; Rachel, Mrs. Charles Morgans; John, who died when thirty-seven years old; and Margaret, who married Francis Job, of England. The father of this family was a. Democrat in political sentiment.
JAMES DEIBERT, a lifelong resident of North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, recently deceased, was a citizen especially helpful in local affairs by his efficient services on the school board. He was probably one of the most widely known men in his part of the county, where he was engaged in farming for many years on land which has been owned and occupied by his family since the middle of the eighteenth century.
Michael Deiver (as his generation spelled the name), great-grandfather of James Deibert, was the founder of this branch of the family in Schuylkill county. He was born in Germany, and came with his parents to America, the family settling in Bern township, Berks county, in the then Province of Pennsylvania, near Michael's Church. There were five children, three sons and two daughters: Michael, Christopher, Wilhelni, Mrs. George Hunt- zinger and Mrs. John Gevert. When the sons were grown they moved to Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and married, Wilhelm to a daughter of Jolın Renchler, from Bern township, Berks county, Michael to Elizabeth Waver. In the year 1744 the brothers Wilhelm and Michael bought in part- nership three hundred acres of land in North Manheim township, at the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Landingville, Wilhelm's part being at the location occupied by Edward Peale in 1884, and Michael's where John Filbert lived at that time. The third brother, Christopher, went to Virginia in his younger years, and the family did not hear from hin afterwards.
In the beginning Wilhelm and Michael Deiver had the Indians for their neighbors, and were molested considerably. Deer and bears were plentiful in the region at that day, and as they divided the meat with the savages when they shot any the Indians became more friendly. In the pamphlet published in 1884 by Daniel Deibert, a grandson of Wilhelm Deibert, we find this para- graph : "My grandfather said after the Indians went away, some of them came back again to rob them of their. planting fruits. My grandfather and his brother Michael had to flee over the Blue mountain to their father's home. They buried their implements on the other side of the Schuylkill river, in the woods, that the Indians could not get them; but when they came back they didn't find them any more. And they didn't find them till the Schuylkill canal was made, then they dug them out again."
Michael Deiver (according to the same pamphlet) had five sons and three
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daughters (only two daughters are named, however), Henry, Andrew, Michael, Christian, John, Catharine and Elizabeth. Henry married Miss Kriner ; Andrew, Miss Luckenbill; Michael, Miss Luckenbill (they had no children) ; Christian, Miss Miller ; Catharine, John Dewald; Elizabeth, Daniel Repp. The father, Michael, died on his property in North Manheim township, and is buried at the Red Church in this county.
John Deibert, son of Michael, 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, the maiden name of his first wife being Renchler, of his second Wagner. His children were as follows : Daniel, who lived in Schuylkill Haven; George; Jacob, who died at Schuylkill Haven; John, who died at Schuylkill Haven; Benjamin, who died at Pottsville; Wil- liam, who died in the Upper Mahantongo Valley, Schuylkill county ; Samuel; Hannah, who married John Humel, of Selinsgrove, Pa .; and Christine, who married Henry Shelly and lived at Pottsville.
George Deibert, son of John and grandson of Michael, born at the old homestead of his parents, followed farming all his life. He is buried in the Union cemetery. He had many interesting experiences in the early days. His father owned a large tract of land where Fishbach is now located (near Pottsville), then thickly wooded. When the timber was cut it was floated down the Schuylkill. One day, while going past what is now known as Mount Carbon, he was followed by a wolf, and hastened to reach the river so that the animal might lose his scent when he forded the stream. When somewhat older he had another exciting time while plowing on the homestead, on the Second mountain. A deer ran out and got into a pond, and Mr. Deibert, thinking he could kill it, went into the water after it, but the animal almost drowned him. He also had some adventures with panthers. Mr. Deibert married Susanna Reed, daughter of James Reed, and she lived to the age of seventy-one. The following children were born to them: Charles V. B., of Schuylkill Haven; Sarah, who married Abraham Sharadin; Mahlon, who died when nine years old; Amanda, who married Harrison Berger; James, who settled on the old homestead in North Manheim township; Frank; George, living at Landingville; Hannah, who married Edward Schappell; Elwin, living at Schuylkill Haven; and William, who died when sixteen years old.
James Deibert, son of George, above, was born Oct. 18, 1847, on the homestead near the Half Way House in North Manheim township, and attended the local public schools. When fifteen years old he entered the employ of W. D. Kline, at Landingville, for whom he clerked three months, receiving six dollars a month. As his father needed his assistance he returned home, and thereafter cultivated the Deibert property, after his marriage renting the land, and purchasing the homestead upon his father's death. He had eighty-nine acres of valuable farming land situated along the State road, near Orwigsburg. He continued to reside there after retiring from the active work of cultivation, in 1909, but was preparing to remove to Orwigsburg at the time of his death, and had leased the property. There was no more highly respected citizen in the township. His activity in the promotion of all measures intended for the betterment of the locality, his upright life and well balanced ideas, were influences for good these many years. During the twelve years he was on the school board he showed his sincere desire to secure the best pos- sible advantages for his township in the way of educational facilities, and spared neither time nor effort to fill his office with the highest regard for its
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responsibilities. He was president of the board several years, and also acted as treasurer. Mr. Deibert was a Democrat in politics, and a Lutheran in religious connection. His death occurred at his home on the farm Feb. 9, 1915, after a few days' illness.
Mr. Deibert's wife, Mary C. (Faust), died in 1908, and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. She was a daughter of Daniel Faust.
Of the children born to this union four survive, all married: Newton A., who is a shoe manufacturer at Orwigsburg, this county; Elizabeth, wife of William H. Brommer, of Harrisburg, Pa .; Lillie B., wife of Milton Rohrer, a shoe manufacturer of Orwigsburg; and James R., a draftsman, and also engaged in the grocery business at Harrisburg.
JOSEPH H. LAUDIG, of Ringtown, is doing a thriving business in that borough and the neighboring territory as a general carpenter and contractor, and has many substantial structures to show for his activity in the quarter of a century he has been operating on his own account. For thrift in busi- ness and honorable dealings with all, he is considered a worthy representative of the Laudig family, which has been established in this region since the time of his great-grandfather.
Peter Laudig, a Revolutionary soldier, was born Jan. 28, 1760, 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 farm- ing 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 con- nection was with the German Reformed congregation of the Old White Church near Ringtown, in whose cemetery he and his wife are buried. Mr. Laudig married Elizabeth Wetstone, who was born Jan. 13, 1794, and died Sept. 26, 1863. Their children were: Solomon married Susan Zimmerman; William married Rebecca Rumbel; Frank died in young manhood; Jacob married a Stauffer : Leah married John Zimmerman.
Jacob Laudig, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wetstone) Laudig. was born Feb. 15, 1836, in Union township, where he grew to manhood. He assisted his father with the farm work and remained with him until his death, on the place now owned by William H. Rumbel, continuing to live at the old home- stead until 1880, when he removed to Zion Grove, in North Union township. There he purchased a tract of eighty acres (the farm now owned by Edward Lindermuth), about three acres of which were in timber, and he followed gen- eral farming on that land until his death. Mr. Laudig was an expert butcher, and his services as such were in great demand among all the farmers in this section. In politics he gave his support to the Democratic party, and in religion he clung to the faith of the German Reformed denomination, belong- ing to the Old White Church, near Ringtown. He died July 17, 1898, and is buried at that church.
Mr. Laudig married Rachel (or Rebecca) Stauffer, who was born March 6, 1837, in Locust Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of George and Catherine
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(Swank) Stauffer, and survives him, living in Ringtown. Children as follows were born to them: Joseph H .; Benjamin F., born June 15, 1864, who mar- ried Elizabeth R. Lessig and lives in Scranton, Pa .; George, born Dec. 2, 1865, of Ringtown, who married Mary A. Horn; Charles, born Dec. 3, 1867, who married Emma Mummey and lives at Zion Grove, this county; Elizabeth C., born Jan. 31, 1873, wife of William Deebel, of Ringtown; and Rose, born Oct. 28, 1874, wife of Henry Reich, of Ringtown.
Joseph H. Laudig was born Aug. 8, 1861, in Union township, his birth- place being now included in Ringtown borough. He worked with his father on the home place until 1880, meantime receiving good educational advantages in the public schools of the township, and then became a carpenter's appren- tice with J. B. Kester, of Ringtown, with whom he remained for a period of eight years. During that time he had obtained a comprehensive knowledge of general carpenter work, barn and house building, and he felt competent to start out on his own account as a contractor. His success has fully justified the venture. Much of the most creditable construction work in and around Ringtown has been intrusted to him, and he is usually kept busy with his contracts in that vicinity. One summer he worked at Shenandoah for Mr. ()'Hearn, lumber dealer and contractor, and he built a house for his brother in Scranton. Personally he is able to perform any kind of carpenter work, being very proficient with the tools of the trade and competent to do any of the skilled labor necessary in the erection of a building. His familiarity with the practical end of the business, combined with executive capacity, makes him a shrewd judge of workmen, and no one in the business hereabouts stands higher for reliability and responsibility in anything he undertakes. Affairs of local interest have always received their due share of his attention. He is a member of the Ringtown Fire Company, and was one of its trustees for several years. He belongs to Washington Camp No. 265, P. O. S. of A., of Ringtown, of which he was formerly recording secretary; and was a charter member of Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand, and he was its first secretary. Mr. Laudig is independent in politics, supporting the candidates and measures he thinks best, regardless of party. In his earlier years he was a member of the Old White Church (Re- formed) near Ringtown, where he held the office of deacon for nine years, but he is now a member of the Reformed Church at Ringtown. For some time he taught in the Sunday school at Zion Grove, and he has always been a gener- ous contributor to religious enterprises of all kinds.
Mr. Laudig married Susan Kersteder, who was born Oct. 18, 1861; her father and mother, Adam Kersteder and Hannah Long, were both natives of Schuylkill county, born in Mahanoy Valley. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Laudig: Mattie May, born July 27, 1884, is married to Elmer Kreiger, and has five children, Clarence E., Mary R., Roy A., Emily M. and Joseph D .; Daniel A., born Sept. 21, 1886, married Carrie Laudig and has two children, Guy H. and Grace; Sadie E. was born March 30, 1889 : James A. was born May 31, 1891; Jacob W., born Dec. 8, 1893, married Eva Horne; Allen R. was born July 23, 1896; Perl R. was born Nov. 12. 1004. Mrs. Kreiger, Daniel, Sadie and James are graduates of the Ringtown high school.
MORRIS UPDEGRAVE, proprietor of the "Tower City House," at Tower City, Pa., was born Dec. 13, 1873, in Hubley township, near Sacra-
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mento, Schuylkill county, son of Samuel and Lucinda (Undercoffler) Upde- grave, and a grandson of Jacob Updegrave.
Jacob Updegrave was born in Germany, and as a young man came to the United States in search of his fortune, settling as a pioneer in Pine Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa. There his affairs prospered, he became the owner of a good farm, was known as a substantial and reliable citizen, and passed all his life He died there, and was buried at the cemetery at Sacramento. Mr. Updegrave married Catherine Kimmel, and they became the parents of the following children: Henry K .; Anetta, who married John Deibler; Cecelia, who married Daniel Geist; Catherine, who married John Pritchard; Elizabeth, who married Frank Stutzman; Jacob; Samuel; and Sevilla, who married Wilson Geist. Of these children, Henry K. Updegrave was connected with the early history of the coal industry in the West End, and was a large con- tractor in the supplying of timber for the mines. Later he became proprietor of the "Tower City House," which he conducted for a number of years. He looked after the land for Mr. Tower at a time when the entire locality was little more than a wilderness and later supplied the first timber for the Brook- side colliery. His death occurred at Tower City when he was well advanced in years. Jacob, son of Jacob, and brother of Henry K. Updegrave, was a miner and the victim of one of the early accidents in this locality, in which his back was broken. He lived for nine years thereafter, eventually passing away at Tower City.
Samuel Updegrave, father of Morris Updegrave, was in early life em- ployed with his brother, Henry K., and Henry Row, in driving team, hauling timber. He subsequently turned his attention to farming operations in Pine Valley, Hubley township, and in 1874 came to Tower City, where he was employed to drive a team at the mines. Later he was advanced to stable boss at the Brookside colliery and held that position until his death, which occurred June 29, 1909. Mr. Updegrave was well known in this locality and was the possessor of a host of friends. He married Lucinda Undercoffler, who died in 1911, and both are buried at Greenwood cemetery, Tower City. They had the following children: Elmer; Morris; Clara, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Stephens; Fred; Cora, who is the wife of Edward Artz; Walter; Edith, who is the wife of Allen Schreiner; Harper; and Estella, who is the wife of S. Bruggy.
The education of Morris Updegrave was secured in the public schools of Tower City, and his boyhood was passed in much the same manner as that of his youthful companions, who early learned the lessons of industry and thrift, and who were taught to be self-reliant. He was only nine years of age when he began contributing to his own support as a slate picker, and one year later went inside to work, gradually becoming experienced in various lines. Eventually he became a miner, a vocation which he followed until reaching the age of twenty-four years, when, having accumulated some capital, he left the mines and entered the draying business by buying out Charles Mas- terson, at Tower City. For thirteen years Mr. Updegrave followed this business with a full measure of success, and then disposed of his interests to Troutman Brothers and removed to Atlantic City, N. J. A short time later he went to Philadelphia, where he spent eighteen months and was employed as a station agent by the Rapid Transit Company, returning to Tower City, where, April 13, 1914, he took charge of the "Tower City House." He has continued to conduct this hotel with success, and is very popular with the
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traveling public. A solicitous host, he is eager to meet the wishes of his guests, and as a result this hostelry is gaining much reputation and patronage.
Mr. Updegrave married Agnes Brown, daughter of Samuel Brown, and they have five children : Mae, Allen, Vivian, Hazel and Dorothy.
Always progressive and enterprising, Mr. Updegrave has contributed to the entertainment facilities of this locality by the erection of what is known as Palace Hall, a structure 56 by 76 feet, located in the rear of the "Tower City House," which has been fitted up with a splendid dance floor, with all modern equipment, and accommodations for basket-ball matches and other entertainments. It is well lighted and heated, has a large seating capacity, and being the only structure of its kind it is largely patronized by the pleasure- loving public. It has been frequently the scene of entertainments given by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Tower City, the Knights of Pythias of Muir, and the Loyal Order of Moose, of Lykens, of which orders Mr. Updegrave is a popular member.
SHAPPELL FAMILY. In Perry township, Berks Co., Pa., which until 1853 was a part of Windsor township, is a prominent family bearing the name of Shappell, which is sometimes variously spelled Schappelle, Choppelle, Schobbel, Shobel, Schappel and Schappell. The original home of the family was in France, but through religious persecution its members sought refuge in Germany, making their home at Wittenberg. Among the 108 passengers on the good ship "Patience," which arrived at the port of Philadelphia Sept. 17, 1753, was a Jeremie Chappelle, and one Jean Pierre Chappelle. The kinship of these two emigrants is unknown, but it is doubted that they were relatives. What became of Jean Pierre after landing in the New World is unknown. Jeremias Schappelle (as it appears on the tombstone) or Schobel, and Eberhart Schoppel, brothers, were residents in Windsor township, Berks Co., Pa., in 1754 (see Rupp's history).
According to the tombstone inscription at Zion's Church, in Perry ( formerly Windsor) township, Jeremias Schappelle was born in 1715, and he died Oct. 15, 1804. His wife, Catherine, born in 1724, passed away June 8. 1801. The will of Jeremiah Shappel (sic) is on record in the Berks county courthouse in Will Book A, page 505. It was made Feb. 11, 1803, and probated Jan. 7, 1805. At the time the will was made he was a resident of Windsor township. The following children were mentioned in the will : Jacob (who was made executor of his father's estate), Matthias, Jeremiah, Magdalena and Catherine. In the cemetery at Zion's Church is a tombstone bearing the following inscription: "Elizabeth Schappelle, wife of Jeremias, formerly of Deutschland, born Feb. 16, 1771, died July 9, 1817, aged forty- six years, five months, twenty-three days." This probably refers to the wife of Jeremias or Jeremiah, son of Jeremias (I).
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