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 17

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 684


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 17


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early boyhood. Its value may well be inferred from his intelligent comprehen- sion of the requirements of the business.


The Kline family are of old Lancaster stock. Hiram Kline, grandfather of G. Edgar Kline, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and lived and died there, his death occurring at Lancaster Dec. 26, 1885. He was a well-to-do farmer. Hiram Kline married Barbara Beck, who still survives. Five chil- dren were born to this marriage : William H .; Emma, born Jan. 1, 1858, the wife of Samuel Miller, a farmer in Lancaster county ; Ezra, who was born Oct. 10, 1860, a farmer on the old homestead in Warwick township, Lancaster county ; Hiram, born Nov. 3, 1862, also a farmer in Warwick township; and Kate, born Jan. 21, 1865, who married Horace Sturgis and lives in the town of Lititz.


William H. Kline was born Jan. 14, 1854, at Lititz, Lancaster county, and received a public school education, attending in the home locality and at nearby town schools. He was reared to farming and followed that calling during his early manhood, until three years after his marriage. His next venture was as a merchant, and from merchandising he turned to hotel keeping, being so engaged at Farmersville and Lancaster in his native county for six years. Moving thence to the vicinity of Pottsville, he conducted the "Tumbling Run Hotel" for a period of about seven years, from 1892 to 1898, and was the first proprietor there to have a license. Mr. Kline was next located at Reading, Pa., where he remained for three years, successfully conducting the Spears Cafe, at No. 503 Penn street, which attained a high popularity, during his ownership. In 1902 Mr. Kline came to Pottsville, where he opened a hotel and cafe which he and his son, in turn, have since kept up. Mr. Kline had contemplated remov- ing to Pottsville during his residence at Tumbling Run, which gave him a chance to observe the business in the borough, and his experience was sufficient to make the enterprise a success as long as he handled it. Kline's Cafe under his management became the most popular cafe of the kind in the town, the quality of the food served there and the service itself attracting many who demand the best. He equipped the place thoroughly and conveniently, and during the seven years he carried it on kept up the high standard which he established at the beginning. Several years ago he gave up the business, and has since been living at Yellow House, Berks Co., Pa., where he has a farm of seventy-five acres.


Mr. Kline was married Oct. 14, 1879, to Maggie Bowman, of Ephrata, Lancaster county, daughter of George L. and Fannie ( Steinmets) Bowman. Mr. Bowman is deceased. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kline George Edgar is the eldest; Elsie, who graduated from the Reading high school, is now the wife of Dr. Theodore D. Schneider, a well known druggist of Potts- ville; William McKinley, who lives at home, was born in 1897, two days after the inauguration of President Mckinley. Mr. Kline is a Lutheran in religious faith, while his wife is a member of the Reformed Church. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, Dramatic Order of Knights of Khor- assan, Pottsville Gun Club and the Liederkranz.


G. Edgar Kline was born Oct. 29, 1880, in Ephrata, Lancaster county, and received his education in the public schools of the various localities where the family resided during his youth, graduating from the Pottsville high school when sixteen years old. He assisted his father from boyhood, thus becoming familiar with the details of the hotel business from an early age, and in May, 1910, he became proprietor of Kline's Cafe, at No. 18 South Centre street, Pottsville, which his father conducted successfully for a number of years. He


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succeeded his father directly in the ownership of this place. The hotel con- tains thirty rooms, including several dining rooms, the restaurant business being still the specialty. All the guest rooms are very desirable and well kept up, and Mr. Kline has the faculty of making the traveling public feel comfortably at home in his house. He has kept thoroughly abreast of the times in providing modern conveniences for his guests, and his unflagging zeal in catering to their wants has made him many friends among his patrons, local and otherwise. Aside from his hotel business Mr. Kline has been interested in the raising of fine chickens, and has been highly successful in this field, having taken many prizes in his own and other cities with his Black Orpington stock. Though he has done so well in this respect and has become widely known among chicken fanciers, he has followed the line for pleasure only.


Mr. Kline is very well known among local social organizations, belonging to the Elks Lodge at Pottsville, No. 207 ; to the Fraternal Order of Eagles ; to the Liquor Dealers' Association of Pennsylvania ; and to the Central Republican Club, Baxter Club, Turtle Club and Pottsville Game and Fish Protective Asso- ciation.


J. FRANKLIN GEHRIG, assistant postmaster at Schuylkill Haven, was born in that borough Feb. 17, 1891, son of George E. Gehrig. He belongs to a family of German origin which has long been established in Pennsylvania, having settled in Berks county at an early date.


John Gelirig, his great-great-grandfather, lived at Leesport, Berks Co., Pa., and kept hotel at that point while the turnpike was under construction in that section. He died there in 1824. His children were: John, George E., Mrs. Beard and Mrs. Sallie Baker.


George E. Gehrig, son of John Gehrig, was born at Leesport, Berks Co., Pa., Jan. 17, 1801, and spent his early life in Berks county. In 1829 he removed to Milton, Pa., where he kept the "United States Hotel" for some time and later engaged in the milling business, which he continued to follow for a number of years. His death occurred in 1854. His wife, Elizabeth (Huey), died in 1883. They had these children : Jacob, George, B. Frank, Nice, James, Sophia, Joseph, Isaac, Albert, Elizabeth, Harrison and William.


B. Frank Gehrig was born Oct. 25, 1832, at Milton, Pa., and attended the public schools there. When a young man he learned the distilling trade. He came to Schuylkill Haven in 1852 and clerked for three and a half years, after which he engaged in the clothing and notion business, continuing same with success for seven years. For a year afterwards he shipped coal, and was then employed in the shops at Schuylkill Haven for one year. Then, in company with David Dreibelbis, he built a factory and engaged in the manufacture of soap, Mr. Gehrig selling out to his partner after conducting the business for one year. He next engaged in droving, traveling through central Pennsylvania buying and selling stock, and was so occupied for several years. For fifteen years following he carried on farming in North Manheim township, and he has since lived retired except for his duties as assessor of the North ward of Schuylkill Haven, which office he has filled for the last sixteen years. For eighteen years he was a member of the borough council, his long continuance in that position being a most substantial evidence of the estimate placed upon his services by his fellow citizens and their confidence in his trustworthiness and ability to handle the affairs of the borough. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.


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Mr. Gehrig owns the old John Mackey hotel stand at Schuylkill Haven, which was well known in the days of the stagecoach. It is still a fine old building, and the Gehrigs have a comfortable home there. He married Isabella Barr, a daughter of John Barr, formerly of Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., later of Schuylkill Haven, and she died June 2, 1913. They had a family of six sons : John is deceased ; George E. is mentioned below; William is deceased ; Harry is at home ; Robert is a resident of Schuylkill Haven ; Edward is at home.


George E. Gehrig, father of J. Franklin Gehrig, was born in Schuylkill Haven Nov. 1, 1861, and was educated in the public schools there. He worked for a time as a woodchopper with the Schuylkill Navigation Company, later was made foreman in the coal storage department of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, holding that position for a considerable period, and then became car inspector for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at the Mine Hill Crossing, Schuylkill Haven; he is now a foreman in the Reading car shops at that place. Mr. Gehrig was married to Leonora Gehrig, who was born Oct. 10, 1871, a daughter of J. Brown Gehrig, a coal and coke dealer of Milton, Pa. They have one child, J. Franklin. Mr. Gehrig is a Republican politically, and socially a member of Webster Council, No. 23, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Schuylkill Haven, of which he is a past councillor. He is a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, member of the church council, financial secre- tary of the church, and has also been active in the work of its Sunday school.


J. Franklin Gehrig was educated in the grammar and high schools of Schuyl- kill Haven, and Pottsville business college, after which he spent about three years as a knitter in the underwear mills of the borough of Schuylkill Haven, first with D. D. Coldren and lastly with. Jere Lautenbacher. On March I, 1910, he entered the post office at Schuylkill Haven as assistant postmaster, which position he has since filled with satisfaction to all. On Sept. 28, 1913, he was appointed a member of the board of civil service examiners.


Mr. Gehrig was married to Sarah M. Cripple, who was born June 28, 1894, daughter of George W. and Araminta (Sierer) Cripple, natives of West Fairview, Pa. They have one child, Earl A. Mr. Gehrig is an adherent of the Republican party. He holds membership in Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M .; Mountain City Royal Arch Chapter, No. 196; Webster Council, No. 23, Jr. O. U. A. M. ; Washington Camp No. 47, P. O. S. of A .; and Conclave No. 1087, I. O. of H. He belongs to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schuylkill Haven, and is pianist of the Sunday School.


THOMAS B. GOLDEN, the present proprietor of the "New Park Hotel," is a well known citizen of Pottsville and of Schuylkill county as well, having been associated as player and manager with local baseball teams for a number of years. He is a son of William D. Golden, a native of England.


William D. Golden came to America when twenty-two years of age. He first settled at Pottsville, Pa., being engaged as a mining engineer. Removing to Canada he lived there for a time, but returned to Pennsylvania in 1874, locating at Stockton. In 1877 he went to Springfield, Ill., where he remained until his death. Before coming to America, he married Sarah Wilkinson, and to them were born seven children, of which the youngest is Thomas B.


Thomas B. Golden attended the public schools and, while still a boy, began work at a breaker, as a slate picker. He worked abont the mines for several years, later learning the trade of watchmaker. In 1887 he began playing ball as a professional, a contract with one of the major league teams bringing him


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East. In 1894 he came to Pottsville to play, and has managed teams for both Pottsville and Reading during the existence of the Atlantic League. In September, 1910, Mr. Golden bought the "Park Hotel," which he has renovated and improved. It comprises sixty rooms, equipped for comfortable service to patrons. Mr. Golden's sociable nature and obliging disposition have won him many friends wherever he has gone. Fraternally he is a member of the local lodge of the B. P. O. Elks. He is a citizen of unquestioned worth and thor- oughly esteemed in his home city.


Mr. Golden married Emma, daughter of Henry and Margaret D. Schwartz- hans, of Aurora, Ill. They have had the following children: Sarah (a teacher in the public schools of Pottsville), Thomas, William, Harry and Norman.


IRVIN W. EMERICH, of Schuylkill Haven, is a native of South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and a descendant of one of the old settled families of this region. His grandfather, Jacob Emerich, lived in South Manheim town- ship, where he was a pioneer, and followed farming on the place where he con- tinued to reside until his death. He is buried in the Summer Hill cemetery. His children were Morgan, Jacob, Jonathan and Joshua.


Joshua Emerich, father of Irvin W. Emerich, was born in South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and died in that township Oct. 5, 1895. He did day's work and was a man of industrious habits, respected by all his neighbors. By his marriage to Pietta Gruber he had children as follows: Nathan, who is deceased; Nathaniel, deceased; Filmore, who died when seventeen years old ; Reuben, a resident of Pottstown, Pa .; Alvin, living at Schuylkill Haven, Pa .; Irvin W .; Lyman, who died in 1898; Sydney, living in Reading, Pa .; Kate, of Schuylkill Haven; Deborah, who died young; and Alida, of Schuylkill Haven.


Irvin W. Emerich was born Jan. 19, 1870, and was reared in his native township, where he attended public school. Until nineteen years old he was employed among the farmers of the district, in 1890 starting the business of painting and paperhanging which he has followed ever since. He is estab- lished in Schuylkill Haven, and has built up an excellent business, having a steady patronage which requires the services of several men. Mr. Emerich has kept up-to-date in his work, and has made every effort to give his patrons desir- able service, and they, in turn, have shown substantial appreciation of his enterprise. Personally he has the respect of all his associates. He is a member of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Schuylkill Haven ; of the I. O. O. F., and the P. O. S. of A. In religious connection he is a member of the Reformed Church. In politics he is independent, supporting the men and measures he considers the most desirable regardless of party lines.


Mr. Emerich married Emma Moyer, daughter of William J. Moyer, of South Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and they have two children : Edith, a graduate of the Schuylkill Haven high school, and of the Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, Pa., is now a public school teacher at Schuylkill Haven; Sallie, also a graduate of the Schuylkill Haven high school, lives at home and is engaged in sewing. The family reside on Canal street.


NEWTON M. WONDERS, of Pottsville, has been one of the most popular photographers in this part of Schuylkill county for over twenty-five years. Photography has been his life work, and as he has gone in for all the different branches of the art he has been able to keep in touch with the advances of the business, besides acquiring a varied experience of the greatest value. Though


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he has done well from the commercial standpoint, his success has meant more than mere material prosperity, for he has natural taste for his chosen calling which has developed along with his proficiency, and he finds keen enjoyment in his vocation and the great progress which has culminated in recent years in un- dreamed of accomplishments.


Mr. Wonders was born in New Franklin, Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 17, 1862. His father, Peter D. Wonders, was a native of Berks county, Pa., and settled in Stark county, Ohio, dying at Alliance, that county, in 1877. By occupation he was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He married Fredericka Bammerlin, who was born in Berlin, Germany, and is still living, at the age of over ninety years, making her home in Cleveland, Ohio. Of the twelve children born to them five are deceased, namely : Mrs. Lucy L. McGlone, who died in 1898 at Los Angeles, Cal .; Allen, who died of fever while serving in the Union army during the Civil war, in his twenty-first year; Emma J., who died when eighteen years old ; and Florence and Louise, who died in infancy ; Lafayette is a resident of Alliance, Ohio; Benton M. lives in Cleveland; Mrs. Marietta Thomas, in Cleveland; Frances M. lives at Frankfort, Ind .; Mrs. Laura P. Teeters is a resident of Cleveland ; Solon L. is at Baltimore, Md .; Newton M. completes the family.


Newton M. Wonders had common school advantages, attending at Alliance, Ohio. His school days over he commenced work for his brother, who was in the photographic business, becoming well grounded in the details of the work during this association. Subsequently for a time he was located at Cleveland, Ohio, and he afterwards spent three years in Chicago, Ill., and three years at Lebanon, Pa., before coming to Pottsville. He has been established here since 1891, in which year he purchased his studio, the location being at No. 10 West Market street until he removed to his present quarters, No. 7 South Centre street. Mr. Wonders has built up a large business by strict attention to the wants of his customers, and by giving them the best that photography, as it is now understood, offers. He has probably the largest clientele in this section, and deservedly. Mr. Wonders is a member of the National Photographers' Association of America.


In 1889 Mr. Wonders was united in marriage with Anna E. Weitzel, of Lebanon, Pa., daughter of H. P. and Emma E. Weitzel, both of whom are deceased. Three children have been born to this union: Dorothy, who died when eight years old; and Jettie L. and Henry P., surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Wonders are members of the English Lutheran Church.


JOHN H. LENGEL, who is now serving as president of the school board of the borough of Cressona, has given his fellow citizens excellent service in that capacity. He is a man of estimable character, a member of a family which has been well and favorably known in Schuylkill county for several generations, his grandfather, John Lengel, living and dying in Washington township, this county, near Hetzel's Church, where he is buried. By occupation he was a farmer, one of the prosperous men of his day, owning three large farms. His children were: John, Reuben, Adam, David, Daniel, Mrs. Catherine Zimmer- man, Mrs. Rebecca Zimmerman and Mrs. Sarah Hein.


Daniel Lengel, son of John, was born in Washington township, and learned the trade of wheelwright. He was also a farmer for many years, in his later life settling at Friedensburg, this county, where he conducted a shop, following his trade while living there. He died at Friedensburg when seventy-two years


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old, and is buried at Cressona, where his wife also rests. She too passed away at the age of seventy-two years. Her maiden name was Catherine Berkheiser, daughter of William Berkheiser. Mr. and Mrs. Lengel had a family of seven children: Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Peter C. Bittle; John H .; Daniel, Kate and Sallie, all three of whom died young; Charles, deceased; and Carrie, who married John Heffner and (second) Oscar Bernheisel.


John H. Lengel was born Dec. 29, 1861, in Washington township, this county, and acquired his education in the public schools of Cressona. He was reared upon the farm, where he remained until twenty years old, in 1882 entering the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as a track repairman. By efficient work he was promoted from time to time, and is now an engineer, which position he has held for over twenty years. Since 1892 he has been running between St. Clair and Philadelphia. His home is at Cressona. Mr. Lengel has always been interested in local activities, being a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M., of Phoenixville, and of the Independent Order of Americans, and in politics he is associated with the Washington party. His principal work in public affairs has been along the line of improvements in the school system, and he has been faithful to his duties as member of the school board, on which body he has been serving since 1911.


In 1884 Mr. Lengel married Amanda Fessler, daughter of William Fessler, of Cressona, and member of a pioneer family of this locality. They have three children : Florence, James and Daniel, all of whom are at home with their parents.


CHARLES F. LONG was engaged during his earlier years at mining, a vocation which occupies a large proportion of the workers in Schuylkill county, but for a number of years past he has been a hotel proprietor, now success- fully conducting the "United States Hotel" at Minersville. Under his capable management it has become one of the leading hotels in the borough.


Mr. Long is of German parentage, his father, Charles Long, having been born in Prussia, about forty miles from Berlin. He served in the German army in 1848, and was shot in the leg while marching through Poland. After his discharge from the service he came to America, in 1848, and settled at Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life. After coming to this country he followed mining, and he died in Dauphin county, where he is buried, at Lykens. His wife, Christian (Seifert), was a native of the same place as her husband, died at Wiconisco, and is also buried at Lykens. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Long, Otto and one sister continue to reside on the old homestead at Wiconisco.


Charles F. Long was born July 6, 1862, at Lykens, Dauphin county. His early advantages were meager, for though he attended the common schools he was only eight years old when he commenced to pick slate at the Big Lick colliery, at Williamstown, Dauphin county. As he grew up he was given different kinds of work at the mines, advancing himself steadily by applica- tion to his duties, and he subsequently took a course on mining at the Scranton Correspondence Schools, which assisted him greatly in his work. For several years Mr. Long was inside foreman at the Silberton colliery, and was later similarly employed at the Buck Run colliery, where he did his last work as a miner. In 1902, having decided to change his calling, he purchased the "Decort Hotel" at Pottsville, Schuylkill county, which he conducted for two years, in February, 1904, buying the "United States Hotel" at Minersville, to


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which he has since given all his time. Mr. Long has proved himself well adapted for this business, and the hotel has continued to draw a profitable patronage since he took charge. He has become very favorably known in the borough as a straightforward business man, and personally has the good will of a wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Long was made a Mason Sept. 28, 1890, belonging to Ashlar Lodge, No. 570, F. & A. M., of Lykens, Pennsyl- vania.


Mr. Long married Amelia Kendter, daughter of George Kendter, of Tre- mont, Schuylkill county, and they are the parents of six children, namely : Edward, now of Pottsville, this county ; and Arthur, John, Otto, Matilda and Alma, at home.


WILLIAM FRANCIS GERHARD, of Orwigsburg, is one of the best known residents of the lower end of Schuylkill county. As an agriculturist he has been thoroughly successful in cultivating a very valuable piece of property in North Manheim township and he has also undertaken other work, as oppor- tunity offered, his industrious nature and proved reliability being appreciated wherever he has been employed.


Mr. Gerhard was born March II, 1855, in West Brunswick township, son of Henry Gerhard and grandson of Henry Gerhard. His great-grandfather, Jacob Gerhard, was born in Germany, and on coming to America when a young man settled at Rehrersburg, in Tulpehocken township, Berks Co., Pa., where he followed farming and his trade, that of wheelwright. He lived there until his death. His children were: Peter, Heinrich (Henry), John, Jacob, William, Catherine, Lydia, Polly, Sarah, Elizabeth and Lavina.


Heinrich (Henry) Gerhard, grandfather of William Francis Gerhard, born May 1, 1798, at Rehrersburg, died Nov. 22, 1871. Like his father he was a farmer and wheelwright. Coming to Schuylkill county in 1828, he bought a farm in West Brunswick township April 5th of that year, the old Abraham Werner property, comprising 263 acres, 155 perches. He continued to farm there the rest of his life, dying at that place, and is buried in the Reformed cemetery at Orwigsburg. His wife, Maria Sarah, daughter of Philip and Maria (Gilbert) Hoy, was born in 1800, and died in 1863, at the age of sixty- three years, nine months, twenty-three days. They were the parents of six children : Maria, who married Daniel Alspach; Sarah, Mrs. Samuel Yost ; Henry ; Priscilla, who married James Anderson and ( second) Edward Mengel ; William ; and Edward, the last named dying young.


Henry Gerhard, father of William F. Gerhard, was born Aug. 25, 1829, in West Brunswick township, in the house where he still resides. Part of this house was standing when his parents moved here, his father adding to it subse- quently. Mr. Gerhard has been living retired since 1912. He attended school in the neighborhood, and farmed throughout his active years. After the death of his father he bought 148 acres of the home property, his brother William taking eighty-three acres, and their brother-in-law, Daniel Alspach, also owning a tract. The latter engaged in the undertaking business. While the cultivation of the property was under Mr. Gerhard's direct management he was one of the prominent farmers in his vicinity and attended the markets of Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Orwigsburg, where he was known as a thoroughly reliable dealer, all his transactions being above reproach. He is a Democrat, serving many years as school director of his township, and was one of the prominent members




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