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 33
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PHILIP WAGNER, farmer of Blythe township, is one of the oldest residents of the Tumbling Run valley, where he is well known and respected, his industrious life commanding the unqualified esteem of his neighbors and all others who have had dealings with him. Born Sept. 6, 1839, in Prussia, Germany, he is a son of Nicholas and Caroline ( Baker) Wagner, who brought their family to America in 1845.
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Nicholas Wagner was also a native of Prussia, where he was employed in limestone quarries. Some time after his marriage he decided to leave his old home for America, where he arrived with his wife and children in July, 1845, landing at New York after a voyage of thirty-nine days, made in a sail- ing vessel. They proceeded at once to Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where they lived for a year, thence removing to Kaskawilliam, in Blythe township, where Mr. Wagner worked as a day laborer about the mines. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, at his home on the Second mountain in Blythe township, and is buried at Middleport ; his wife, Caroline (Baker), who lived to the age of seventy-seven, is buried in the Tumbling Run cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: William, who died in Germany; Simon, who died in Germany; Jacob, who died in Wisconsin; Dorothy, wife of Peter Mader; Louisa, who married Valentine Mader; Caroline, who died unmarried; Sophia, who married Christian Schlemmer; and Philip. All of this family adhered to the Lutheran Church, the faith of their parents.
Philip Wagner was five years old when brought to America. His educa- tion was acquired at Kaskawilliam, but his advantages were limited by the necessities of the times, and he was still a young boy when he began picking slate at the Kaskawilliam colliery, where he rose through the various grades of employment until he became a regular miner. For twenty-two years he made his home on the Second mountain, on a farm of forty-three acres which he bought, and which was all brush land when it came into his possession. He cleared thirty-five acres of this tract, devoting his time to its cultivation during the summer season and during the winter cutting coal. When he sold that property he removed to Kaskawilliam, where he resided for eighteen months, and then bought his present home place, twenty acres, of Eli Miller (known as the "Cabbage" Miller), which lies in Blythe township, over the mountain near the Walker township line. Since settling there he has given his attention entirely to farming, and though long past threescore and ten is still active, the arduous work on the place, however, being looked after by his son Daniel, who lives there with his parents. They attend the markets at Middleport and New Philadelphia. Mr. Wagner deserves the prosperity he is now enjoying, for he worked indefatigably to establish a good home for his family and provide for his later years. Besides attending to his farm labors he had employment at different collieries in the county, from four to six miles distant from his home, and was obliged to walk back and forth. He has often worked two shifts at the mines and then walked home, a distance of sixteen miles.
On Dec. 10, 1863, Mr. Wagner married Mary Guers, and in 1913 they had the pleasure of celebrating the golden anniversary of their wedding at their home in Blythe township, where all the members of the family assembled to do them honor. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner: Caroline married Maberry Trout, and they live at East Mauch Chunk, Pa .; Peter is living in the borough of Middleport; Charles is at Pottsville, this county ; Daniel lives at home : Christian is located in the Tumbling Run valley. Daniel married Katherine E. Keller, daughter of James Keller, and they have a daughter, Arlene Mary. The family are Lutherans in religious con- nection, and Mr. Wagner has been active in the church, which he served for many years as deacon and elder. During his earlier days he also took con- siderable interest in local affairs, and he held the office of school director in Blythe township for twenty-four years.
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Mrs. Wagner is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Bartle) Guers. Her father was a pioneer settler in the Tumbling Run valley, and was employed on the construction of the old wooden railroad in this section.
CHARLES RUBRIGHT fills the position of outside foreman at the Eagle Hill colliery, in Blythe township, one of the important mines in that section of Schuylkill county, and in the able discharge of his responsibilities has fully maintained the reputation which gained him promotion and the confidence of his superiors. In various capacities he has worked at the mines all his life.
Mr. Rubright is a native of Northumberland county, Pa., born in 1868 near Mount Carmel, but he belongs to an old family of Berks county, this State. His grandfather, George Rubright, was born in that county, in the vicinity of Hamburg, lived for some time at Schuylkill Haven, in Schuylkill county, where he followed boating on the canal as well as farming, and even- tually removed to Reading, Pa., where he died.
Aaron Rubright, father of Charles Rubright, was born at Schuylkill Haven, and spent most of his life in Schuylkill county. He learned the trade of wheelwright, and followed that calling for a time in the Hegins section of Schuylkill county, later becoming a carpenter in the employ of the Reading Company, at the Marion colliery. There he died when sixty-eight years old, and his wife, Sarah (Oyster), of Deep Creek valley, Schuylkill county, also passed away at Marion. They had the following family: Jeremiah; Josiah, deceased, who was inside foreman at the Wadesville colliery, in this county; Nora ; Adley ; Mahalia; Charles ; William; Sarah, and Ellsworth. The father of this family was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served for three years, being a member of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry under Capt. Heber Thompson. He was twice wounded. He was a Grand Army man, belonging to Joe Hooker Post at Ashland, this county.
Charles Rubright acquired his education in the public schools. He started work as a slate picker at the Marion breaker, changing from there to the Reliance colliery, at Mount Carmel, Pa., for a time, and on returning to the Marion colliery was employed as inside driver. He then took up carpenter work, and locating at Shamokin, Northumberland county, followed his trade at the Buck Ridge colliery for two years, after which he was similarly engaged at the Wadesville colliery, in Schuylkill county. In 1908 he came to the Eagle Hill colliery in Blythe township, where he has since held the position of outside foreman. Some idea of his duties may be gained from the fact that about eight hundred men are employed at these workings.
Mr. Rubright was married to Emma Mench, daughter of Adam and Mary Mench, and their children are: Alfred, Sarah, Raymond, George, Mary and Ida. The family are Lutherans in religious connection. Mr. Rubright is a Mason, belonging to Anthracite Lodge, No. 285, of St. Clair, this county, and he also holds membership in the P. O. S. of A. camp at Lavelle, this county.
ADÁM HESS, of Tamaqua, has passed the greater part of his life in that borough, where he was born in the year 1875, son of George Hess. His father, a native of Germany, came to America in young manhood, and settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was employed at the mines until his untimely death, in 1879.
Adam Hess received a good public school education, attending first at
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Tamaqua and later in Philadelphia, to which city he was taken when eight years old. While there he was employed at a brass works. Returning to Tamaqua he became engaged in general merchandising, which he followed for a period of ten years, in 1910 turning to his present business, the manufacture of sour kraut and various condiments, pepper sauce, mustard, catsup, pickled herring, etc. The high quality of all his products has made them very favor- ably received, and Mr. Hess finds a ready market for them in Tamaqua and the vicinity. His factory and office are at No. 217 Schuylkill avenue. The business is both wholesale and retail. Personally Mr. Hess has high standing, for he has won his success honorably, retaining the good will of all his asso- ciates, in any of the relations of life.
Mr. Hess was married to Annie Kirigi, of Hazleton, Pa., and two chil- dren have been born to them, namely: Adam A. and Rowine Elizabeth. The family belong to St. John's Reformed Church.
PETER FETTEROLF, a venerable citizen of Schuylkill county, but still active and attending daily to his duties as gatekeeper of the State hospital at Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county, was born Sept. 15, 1833, son of John and Kate (Maurer) Fetterolf. Peter Fetterolf, his grandfather, was a native of Bucks county, this State, and came to Schuylkill county in the early days, settling in the Mahantongo valley, where he remained until his death. By occupation he was a farmer.
John Fetterolf was born in the Mahantongo valley, this county, and fol- lowed farming. In 1852 he located at the town of Taylorsville, this county, where he owned a farm which he cultivated, living there to the end of his days. He served at one time as supervisor of the township. Mr. Fetterolf married Catherine (Kate) Maurer, who was born in the Mahantongo valley, daughter of Daniel Maurer, who farmed and operated a gristmill in Schuyl- kill county, and was a prominent man in his day. He remained at his old home there until his death. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Fetterolf, namely: Elizabeth, the eldest, is deceased; Peter is mentioned below ; Daniel is deceased; Jessie is deceased; Catherine is deceased; Sarah is the wife of Joseph Long, of Mount Carmel, Pa. Frank, a half-brother of the foregoing children, lives at Mount Carmel; John is deceased.
Peter Fetterolf was engaged at mine work from early boyhood until appointed to his present position some sixteen years ago. In 1862 he enlisted for the support of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and he was in the army for three years, during which time he saw considerable active service and took part in many battles. He was wounded, and at the time of his muster out was in Lincoln hospital, at Washington, D. C. This was after the close of the war. Having received his discharge at Washington in 1865, he returned home, resuming work at the colliery where he had been employed before he went to the war, at Big Mine Run. He continued at such work for over thirty years thereafter, until he received his appointment as gatekeeper at the State hospital at Fountain Springs. Though advanced in years he enjoys excellent health. By virtue of his services in the Union army he has become a member of the G. A. R. post at Ashland. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church. By a life of industrious and exemplary habits Mr. Fetterolf has won and retained the esteem of his fellow citizens, who appreciate the substantial qualities which make him a desirable citizen of the community.
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Mr. Fetterolf was married to Tillie Snyder, of this county, who also survives, and they have had a family of seven children, namely: Tillie is the widow of Henry Walters, of Philadelphia; Daniel, M. D., is a physician and surgeon residing in New Jersey, where he is in the government service; John lives in Philadelphia ; Henry is a machinist in Philadelphia ; Herbert also makes his home in that city; Clarence is engaged as a wholesale druggist in Philadelphia ; Calvin lives at Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Fetterolf is a daughter of John and Catherine Snyder, who were farming people in the Mahantongo valley, settling on land near Taylorsville, where Mr. Snyder resided until his deathı.
WILLIAM T. TAYLOR is a respected resident of Blythe township, where he has been engaged for several years in the responsible position of outside foreman at the Silver Creek colliery. As a miner of long and varied experience he is well fitted for his duties, in which he has acquitted himself creditably, and the high personal reputation he bears is based on the many evi- dences he has given of reliable character and dependable habits. His father, the late Samuel Taylor, was also a trusted employee of the Reading Company. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Samuel Taylor spent most of his mature life in Schuylkill county in work at the mines. His service with the Reading Com- pany covered a period of twenty-seven years, during which time he was out- side foreman at the Phoenix Park colliery and later had charge of the lum- beryard at East Mines. His death occurred at St. Clair, this county.
William T. Taylor was born Jan. 27, 1880, at Phoenix Park, Schuylkill county, and received a good education in the public schools at Minersville and Forestville. When a boy he picked slate at the Phoenix Park colliery, was subsequently employed in the Heckscherville valley, and thence went to Wades- ville, this county, where he clerked for a period of six months. Then he took the position of breaker boss at that point, and in October, 1911, he came to the Silver Creek colliery to assume his present work. These workings are the property of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company and are very extensive, about one thousand men finding employment at this colliery. The foremen are necessarily men of proved worth and fidelity.
Mr. Taylor resides at the settlement known as Tucker Hill, in Blythe township. He married Annie Ornie, a daughter of Piolat Ornie, of St. Clair, Schuylkill county, and they have one child, Margaret. Mr. Taylor is an Episcopalian in religion, a member of the church of that denomination at St. Clair.
WILLIAM BILLIG was for many years engaged in farming in Rush township, where he is now living in retirement. As a local official he became very well known in that section and made an excellent reputation for ability and trustworthiness, his fidelity to the responsibilities of public service gaining him the good will of all his fellow citizens. He is a native of Lehigh county, Pa., born in 1842, son of David Billig. The father was also born in Lehigh county, where he spent all his life, following farming. He married Kate Rausch, who also died in that county, and their children were Daniel, Mary and William.
William Billig grew up near Jacksonville, Lehigh county, spending his early life on the home farm. Coming to Schuylkill county he lived at Lewis- town for a time, was subsequently at Patterson, and then settled in Rush
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township, where he bought a farm of sixty-three acres which he cultivated for thirty-five years. He then sold out, and has since been living retired. Mr. Billig was associated with public affairs in the township for a number of years, having served nine years as a member of the school board and for the same length of time as supervisor. He did effective work in both offices. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Mr. Billig was married to Susan Breinert, daughter of Peter Breinert, of West Penn township, and the following children were born to this union: Frank is deceased; Mary Jane married Frank Neifert; Caroline married Wil- liam Kemerling; Elizabeth married Joseph Stewart, of Tamaqua; William, Jr., lives at Summer Hill, Pa .; Harry is living in Rush township; Katie mar- ried Harry Boughner; Louis W. is a resident of Hazleton, Pa. The mother of this family died May 9, 1905, and is buried at the White Church in Rush township.
ANTHONY BEHLER was born in Tulpehocken, Berks Co., Pa., and settled in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, where he owned three hun- dred acres and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died there. To his mar- riage with Rebecca Bankus, were born three children: Gideon, George and John.
John Behler, son of Anthony and Rebecca Behler, was born in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, where he spent his life on the old homestead, which came into his possession. Besides farming he followed contracting, building dwellings, barns and several schoolhouses. He married Elizabeth Moyer, and they became the parents of the following children: Isaac, now a resident of Mahanoy City, this county : Carrie, wife of William Fisselman, of Kansas; William, of Rush township, who married Sarah Haas; Gideon, who went out to Kansas, where he died; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Moyer; Savina, who died unmarried; and Sarah, widow of Charles Nester. Mr. and Mrs. Nester had one son, Howard, who now owns his great-grandfather's farm in West Penn township and is giving all his attention to the cultivation of that property. He graduated from the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., and taught school in Schuylkill county for six years before he turned to farming. He married Jennie Mentz, and they have one daughter, Marion.
ROBERT E. KLINE was at the time of his death serving as night fore- man at the Park Place colliery, and in that capacity as well as in private life was well and favorably known in Rush township, where he had resided for a number of years.
Mr. Kline was born in 1852 in Germany, of which country his father, Philip Jacob Kline, was also a native. The latter brought his family to Amer- ica and settled at Hazleton, Pa., where he followed his trade, that of haker, and was also engaged in distilling. He died in Wyoming. His children were: Philip J., Christopher, Wilhelmina, Christian, Gusta and Robert E.
Robert E. Kline learned the trade of blacksmith, but never followed it to any extent. For some time he was foreman for J. C. Hayden, a coal operator, with the Spring Mountain Coal Company, and later turned to railroad work, being a conductor on the Lehigh Valley road for fifteen years. Then he resumed mine work, holding the position of night foreman at the Park Place
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colliery, where he was found dead at eleven o'clock on the night of March 2, 1915. He is buried at the White Church in Rush township. Mr. Kline proved himself a man of reliable character and trustworthy in every position, and he was respected wherever known. For many years he served as con- stable of Rush township. His religious connection was with the Reformed Church.
Mr. Kline was united in marriage with Caroline D. Schaffer, daughter of Henry Schaffer, a native of Germany, born in Hessen, who came to America and settled in Carbon county, Pa. The following children were born to this union : Edythe is the wife of Harry Schaeffer; Emma is a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa., and is now teaching in Hazleton, Pa .; Mary W. is married to Earl Rickstine, and they are living in Philadelphia, Pa .; Florence, also a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, is now teaching at Delano, Schuylkill county; Caroline is attending the State Normal School at Kutztown; Philip is also in school; Harry died when twenty-one years old; Annie died when thirteen months old. Mrs. Kline makes her home at Tamanend.
AUGUST CORBE has been a resident of Schuylkill county since 1869. He is a German by birth, born in Bavaria in 1859, and his father, Joseph Corbe, lived and died in Germany, his death occurring in 1862. By occupation he was a farmer. He married Catherine Grosse and they became the parents of seven children, of whom the eldest, Elizabeth, is deceased; Marie is the wife of Louis Fritz, of Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa .; Katie resides in Germany; Charles is deceased; Joseph lives at Fountain Springs; August is mentioned below; Peter is deceased.
The family remained in Germany for several years after the father's death, coming to this country in 1869. Landing at New York, they proceeded at once to Schuylkill county, Pa., and August Corbe was but twelve years old when he began work at the mines here. He continued to follow mine work until fifty-two years of age, and when he gave it up, a few years ago, started the business on Center street, Ashland, to which he has since given his atten- tion. He carries a stock of groceries, cigars, tobacco, etc., and though he has had his store but a few years has established a profitable trade, which shows a steady increase. He is a man of reliable character, industrious and accom- modating to his patrons, and deserves the success which has come to him. He is a substantial and respected citizen of the borough and a devout member of the St. Mauritius' Roman Catholic Church at Ashland, also belonging to the various church societies.
In 1888 Mr. Corbe was married to Mary Young, a native of Ashland, daughter of George and Mary Young, who are still living in that borough; they were born in Bavaria, Germany. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. August Corbe, the daughter, Mary, living at home. The son, Peter, is now located at Cleveland, Ohio.
MICHAEL TOOMEY, hoisting engineer at the Silver Creek colliery, in Blythe township, is a native of that township and has spent most of his work- ing days at his present place of employment, where faithful service has gained him confidence and respect.
John Toomey, his father, was born near Danville, Montour Co., Pa., and for a number of years has resided at Tucker Hill, in Blythe township, where
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he located about the time the Silver Creek colliery was opened. Throughout his active years he has been engaged in teaming. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he served as a member of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, remaining in the service three years and taking part in many battles. He is now ( 1915) in his seventy-fourth year, but active and interested in local events, and he fills the office of supervisor, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Toomey married Margaret O'Neill, who was born in Blythe township, daughter of Michael O'Neill, and they have had the following children: Annie (wife of Frank Reiger), John, Michael, Martin and Vincent.
Michael Toomey was born Aug. 16, 1886, at New Philadelphia, and obtained his education in the Blythe township public schools. When a boy he began picking slate at the Silver Creek breaker, and as he grew older found other employment about the mines. For eight months he was in the city of Philadelphia, where he held a position in the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Returning to Schuylkill county he worked at diamond drilling for eight months, and then resumed employment at the Silver Creek colliery, where he was variously occupied until appointed to his present duties, in 1914. As hoisting engineer he is intrusted with work which requires close attention and vigilance, and he has never failed in its performance.
Mr. Toomey resides with his parents at Tucker Hill. He is a member of the Catholic Church and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which fraternity he joined in Philadelphia.
CHARLES T. SCHAEFER has recently established himself in business at his birthplace and old home, the borough of Tamaqua, and as proprietor of the Keystone Garage has a profitable automobile agency and repair trade. Born at Tamaqua May 23, 1888, he is a son of Henry J. Schaefer and grand- son of Hustus Schaefer, the latter a native of Berlin, Germany. Coming to America, he made his home at Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county, Pa., followed farming and also mining, and died at Tamaqua. His children were: William, Frederick, Emma, Julia, Henry J. and Christene.
Henry J. Schaefer, son of Hustus Schaefer, was born at Tamaqua, and there received his education. For some time he followed railroad work in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and for seven years was a policeman in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. Now he has charge of the Lansford shops, No. 6, of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, and makes his home at Lansford. He married Mary B. Thomas, who was born in Tamaqua, and whose father and mother were natives of Wales and England, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Schaefer had two children, Charles T. and Harry, the latter a machinist employed at Lansford.
Charles T. Schaefer was reared and educated at Tamaqua, attending the public schools. He learned the trade of machinist at Lansford, in the shops of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, in whose employ he remained for a period of ten years, and then for several years was in the United States government employ, as a machinist. In this connection he was stationed in Panama, Central America, Cuba, and various places all over the South. Returning home, he began the construction of the Keystone Garage at Tamaqua in November, 1914, had it completed three months later, and now conducts a storage and repair plant for automobiles, having storage room for fourteen
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cars. He handles the well known Chandler car as local agent, and has every prospect of a prosperous future in the various branches of his business. His garage is at No. 98 Centre street. Being a skilled mechanic, he is prepared to give proper attention to all the work intrusted to him, and has been kept busy from the first. He is a member of the Machinists' Union, and of the P. O. S. of A.
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