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 36
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John Stauffer, Mrs. Lindenmuth's great-grandfather, was born Dec. 24, 1758, in New Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., the second child and only son of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Stauffer. He lived in his native county until 1809, when he settled in Ryon township, Berks (now Schuylkill) county, and on May 10, 1839, he moved with his son David to the Catawissa valley. He died March 5, 1845, while on a visit to his son Jacob at Broad Mountain, Schuylkill county. Mr. Stauffer was always a farmer. His father was a Mennonite, like his ancestors, and John Stauffer always adhered to that faith, but under the influence of Rev. Mr. Schaeffer, a Lutheran missionary who came into their district, all his children became Lutherans. Politically he was a Democrat. He married Elizabeth Yerger Dec. 18, 1782, and they are buried in Locust Valley, near Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county. They had children as follows: Jacob, Rebecca (Mrs. Peifer), John, Elizabeth (Mrs. Drase), Catherine (Mrs. Puhil), George, Isaac, Henry, Magdalene (Mrs. Bittler), Sarah (Mrs. Shell), David (mar- ried Maria Anne Andreas), Joseph and Amos.
Joseph Stauffer, son of John, was born in December, 1806, in Mont- gomery county, Pa., farmed in Union township, Schuylkill county, where Joseph J. Stauffer now lives, and died there at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, Mary Magdalena (Huntz), lived to the age of seventy-three years, and they are buried in the cemetery of the Old White Church, of which he was a Lutheran member. In politics he supported the Democratic party. Seven children were born to him and his wife, of whom John married Matilda Eisenhauer ; Rachel became Mrs. John Eisenhauer; Jacob married Caroline Long ; Joseph married Catherine Trexler; Amos married Caroline Trexler ; one daughter died in infancy.
Edmond Stauffer, son of Joseph, was born March 12, 1846, in Union township, where he was reared and educated. He learned the trade of wheelwright with Stephen Yohe, of Slabtown, Columbia Co., Pa., and followed it all his life. For some time he worked at the carpenter's trade in Shenandoah, Schuylkill county. He bought an acre of ground in Union township from John and Benjamin Seltzer, of Ringtown, and erected a fine shop there, doing blacksmithing and wheelwrighting, wagon building and general repair work. His patrons come from a wide radius. Later he bought six acres located across the road, from P. J. Ferguson, and there built a fine home, which he has ever since occupied. In addition to his shop he has a cider press, and he has done very well in his various enterprises. Mr. Stauffer has been active in township and church affairs, having served two terms as school director and held a number of offices in St. John's Lutheran Church of Ringtown-elder, deacon and trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Stauffer married Carolina Bitting, daughter of Charles and Priscilla Bitting, and six children have been born to their union: Mrs. George Clarence Lindenmuth; Milton Joseph, who follows blacksmithing with his father (he married Emma Mensinger) ; Emma Catherine, who married C. C. Breisch, an attorney at law, and died April 4, 1906; Richard Edmond, who died when one year old; Ellen Alvaretta, who died when eight years old; and Monroe Daniel, who is principal of public schools at New Market, New Jersey.
HENRY Z. KUEBLER, now living retired, spent many years of his honorable and useful career in educational work in Schuylkill county, and as a successful and popular instructor enjoyed an influence among his young
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charges which has surely borne good fruit. He is a native of the county and of German descent.
Christian Kuebler, father of Henry Z. Kuebler, was born and reared in Wurtemberg, Germany, and learned the trade of butcher in that country. When a young man of twenty years he came to America and settled in Schuyl- kill county, Pa., locating first at Pottsville and later at Minersville, where he carried on a butchering business. Later he moved to the Mahantongo Valley in this county, and thence to Lancaster, Pa., where he died. He mar- ried Hannah Zimmerman, who was born in the Mahantongo Valley, in this county, where her father, Solomon Zimmerman, settled upon his removal from Berks county, Pa. Mr. Zimmerman was a carpenter, and followed farming as well as his trade. Eventually he moved to Tremont, where he resided until his death. Mrs. Kuebler died in December, 1854, in Tremont. Henry Z. was the only child born to his parents, but he had four half brothers and sisters, all of whom are now deceased.
Henry Z. Kuebler was born Dec. 5, 1835, at his father's home in the Mahantongo Valley, where he grew to maturity. In his boyhood he attended the local township schools, and after his school days learned the car- penter's trade. At the age of twenty-two years he began teaching school, and he continued to follow the profession for thirty years, being engaged in Eldred township, this county, for three terms; Porter township, one term; Tremont township, seven terms; Tremont borough, one term; and in Butler township, one term. For several years Mr. Kuebler followed the nursery business, in which he was very successful, but he has been living retired for some time. At one time he studied law. Until recently he resided in the borough of Tremont, now making his home with his son at Llewellyn, this county.
During the Civil war Mr. Kuebler joined Company H, 6th Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, at Tremont, and served three months under that enlistment. Later, during the emergency, he reenlisted, in a cavalry company from Morristown, N. J., served about seven weeks, and was mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., returning to Tremont at the close of his period of service. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been a worker in that and other similar organizations, belonging to the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias and Masonic fraternity ; he has been especially interested in the latter, affiliating with the blue lodge at Ashland and the chapter (No. 221) at Tremont, in which he has passed all the chairs and attained the dignity of high priest. His religious connection is with the United Evan- gelical Church.
On April 18, 1875, Mr. Kuebler married Emma R. Kohr, who was born at what is now Fredericksburg, in Lebanon county, Pa., daughter of John H. and Hannah (Shirk) Kohr, of that county. Five children have been born to this union : Kohr L. and Sallie R. are deceased; Hannah, widow of Adolph O. Fleisch, lives in Westchester, Pa .; Harry Emile lives in Branch town- ship, Schuylkill county; Viva L. Virgil is a resident of Atlantic City.
PROF. PATRICK S. CANFIELD, of New Philadelphia, has been occupied in educational work from youth and is probably best known in that connection in this county. But he has also given considerable time success- fully to business, and is the present postmaster at Silver Creek (the post office of New Philadelphia). He has never withheld his services or influence in
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promoting the general welfare, and his high qualifications have made his cooperation very acceptable, his good judgment and energy being employed to advantage in whatever claims his attention.
Mr. Canfield is of Pennsylvania birth and Irish extraction, his grand- fatlier, Edward Canfield, having been a native of Ireland, from which coun- try he brought his family to America, and many years ago settled at Windy Harbor, in Blythe township, Schuylkill Co., Pa. His son John, the father of Patrick S. Canfield, was born in Ireland, and accompanied his parents to the United States. He became a stationary engineer, and was employed in that capacity by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company at Eagle Hill, this county, for the long period of thirty-five years, making a high record for efficiency and fidelity. He never had any accidents nor injured anyone at his post. When sixty-five years old he was intrusted with the sinking of a shaft for the company, in whose employ he continued until the strike of 1902. Personally he bore the highest reputation, his excellent habits gaining him deserved respect among his associates. Few men in the region were any better or more favorably known. His death occurred Oct. 9, 1909, and he is buried at New Philadelphia. Mr. Canfield married Mary Burns, who now resides at New Philadelphia with her daughter Mrs. Gannon. The fol- lowing children were born to this union: Mary is the wife of Joseph Gannon, of New Philadelphia; Edward'J. is engaged in the hotel business at New Philadelphia; James F. lives at Pottsville, this county, where he has been assistant superintendent for the Prudential Life Insurance Company for the last twenty years; John W. has held the same position at Tamaqua, this county, for fifteen years; Annie is the wife of W. R. Lawrence, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Robert V. has been assistant superintendent for the Prudential Life Insurance Company at Lansford, Pa., for the last thirteen years; Patrick S. completes the family.
Patrick S. Canfield was born July 25, 1881, at Windy Harbor, in Blythe township, and acquired his early education in. the local public schools, under County Superintendent Livingston Seltzer. So well did he apply himself to his studies that he was given a school to teach when but sixteen years old, being engaged at, Silver Creek, in Blythe township, where he remained for three years. He has followed the profession continuously since. For three years after leaving Silver Creek he was at Middleport, this county, and the next year had a school in North Manheim township. For the last five years he has been stationed at New Philadelphia, where he now has charge as principal of the public schools, in which capacity he has given eminent satis- faction. Professor Canfield is earnest and conscientious in the performance of his duties, having a keen sense of the responsibilities they involve, espe- cially in shaping and directing the ideas of the young minds in his charge. Their confidence and esteem are his most cherished reward.
For a few years Mr. Canfield had a general store at Cumbola, Schuylkill county, but discontinued the business in 1910. On April 1, 1915, he received the appointment of postmaster at Silver Creek (New Philadelphia), and he has been handling the business of the office with characteristic ability. He also acts as registrar of births and deaths in Blythe township and New Phil- adelphia borough, doing his work with the accuracy and intelligence which render such records very valuable. In religion he is a Catholic. Socially he affiliates with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and for the last fourteen years has been secretary of its local lodge.
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Professor Canfield was united in marriage with Mary Devlin, daughter of the late Thomas Devlin, who died April 18, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Canfield have two children, John (now, 1915, aged four years) and Thomas (one year old).
MORRIS W. HIKES is a native-born citizen of Pine Grove who has taken his share of municipal responsibilities in an active life, doing his part in maintaining good business and living conditions in the progressive borough where his life has been spent. His connection with movements which stimulate good citizenship or are the expression of public spirit shows how thoroughly he has the general welfare at heart, and his own career stamps him as well fitted to assist in its defense.
There are on record several of the name of Hikes among the immigrants to Pennsylvania during the Provincial period. One John Henry Hyckes arrived Sept. 16, 1738, on the ship "Queen Elizabeth," from Rotterdam, land- ing at Philadelphia. In 1751 a John Peter Heygies sailed on the ship "Duke of Bedford," carrying 160 passengers, from Rotterdam, and landed at Phil- adelphia. John George Heiges, who landed at Philadelphia, shipped Oct. 22, 1754, on the "Henrietta," from Rotterdam, whose passengers were from Hesse and Wurtemberg. George Hikes, great-grandfather of Morris W. Hikes, was born March 8, 1725, supposedly near Wurtemberg, in the south- ern part of Germany. He was among the very earliest settlers in Adams county, where he remained until his death, engaged in farming, passing away Jan. 3, 1800, and is buried at the Bermudian Church, at York Springs, Adams county. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and spent the winter of 1777-78 with Washington at Valley Forge. He was married to Margaret Albert, daughter of Lorentz Albert, and their three children were Charlotte C., Fred- erick (who died unmarried) and Henry. The daughter was married about 1794 to John Albert, a clockmaker, and about 1812 they emigrated to Perry county, Pa., where they settled and reared their large family-thirteen chil- dren. It was with this family that Singleton Hikes, father of Morris W. Hikes, spent most of his youth.
Henry Hikes, grandfather of Morris W., was born Feb. 14, 1790, in Adams county, Pa., and died Nov. 10, 1871. His entire life was passed in his native county, where he was a prosperous farmer and extensive landowner. He married Mary Erb, and they became the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all now deceased, viz .: Henry, Moses, Fred- erick, George, John, Singleton, Howard, Eli, Christina, Mary and Catherine.
Singleton Hikes was born in May, 1823, near York Springs. When a young man, in 1846, he moved to Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, from Landis- burg, Perry county, and here he spent the remainder of his long life, dying Aug. 26, 1904. Though he did some farming he was occupied principally at his trade, that of carpenter, which he followed until his death. No man in the community was more sincerely respected. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and a devoted religious worker, one of the oldest Sunday school superintendents in this locality, and always used his influence for the promotion of good works. Having taught school for some time in his earlier life (he was so engaged in Pine Grove township), he was well fitted for his efforts to provide proper training for the young, both as a Sun- day school worker and a member of the township board of school directors. In 1849 he married Catherine Harvey, and they made their home at North
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Pine Grove, where they reared their family, viz .: Sarah, the wife of Jeremiah Klingler, residing at Fredericksburg, Lebanon Co., Pa .; John C., living on the old homestead in Pine Grove; Isaac, deceased; Morris W .; Howard and Walter H., both deceased. The mother was born in Reading, Pa., and died July 24, 1894.
Isaac Harvey, Sr., grandfather of Mrs. Hikes, was of English ancestry. He was at Reading, Pa., among the early settlers. He married Margaret Ruppert, and they had a large family. Isaac Harvey, Jr., son of Isaac, was born Nov. 16, 1801, at Reading, Pa., and died at Pine Grove April 27, 1875. He moved to Pine Grove in its earlier days, and was engaged in transport- ing coal from the mines for the Union Canal Co. His wife, Mary ( Wunder), was born May 29, 1803, and died July 11, 1854. They had a numerous family : Daniel, Esther, Henry, George, John, Isaac, Franklin (a resident of Missouri), Mary, Sarah (widow of John Fuller, of Boulder, Colo.), Annie, Tamson (deceased), Rebecca, Catherine, and three who died in infancy.
Morris W. Hikes was born Jan. 26, 1862, in Pine Grove township, where he spent his youth and received the principal part of his education, attend- ing the State Normal School at Millersville for a short time. For eight years he was engaged in teaching in this county, in Pine Grove, East Union and Porter townships. In 1890 he commenced the business he has since followed, painting and paperhanging, and he has been notably successful as an interior decorator, in which line he commands a wide patronage. With skill and taste developed by experience, and by scrupulous care in the fulfill- ment of contracts, he has obtained solid standing among local craftsmen.
Mr. Hikes has been associated with the administration of local affairs for over twenty years. In 1893 he was elected a justice of the peace, and held the office continuously until 1914. In December, 1903, he received a commission as notary public, and still acts in that capacity. He was one of the organizers of the Pine Grove Fire Company, founded in 1894, has served as president, and is now secretary of the company; he is a member of the State Firemen's Association. Mr. Hikes has various social connections, be- longing to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of which he has been recording secretary since 1898; to Tremont Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since 1893; and to the Pine Grove Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master.
On Dec. 25, 1884, Mr. Hikes married Kate L. Drine. who is a native of Pine Grove, one of the six children born to Owen and Mary (Mease) Drine. Mr. Drine was born in 1822 in Orwigsburg, and coming to Pine Grove in 1842 followed the shoe business here for many years, being a shoe maker and dealer. He was a devoted member of St. Paul's United Evangelical Church and highly respected as a model Christian. He died in Pine Grove at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hikes, Dec. 16, 1898. His wife, who died Jan. 31, 1872, was a native of Lebanon county, Pa., and was a descendant of one of the earliest families of this part of Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Daniel Mease. The Meases became established at an early day in the northern part of Lebanon county, near Lickdale. Mr. and Mrs. Drine had the following family: Sarah, widow of E. J. Haak, living at Pine Grove ; Emma, wife of Franklin Maurer, of Pine Grove; Kate L., Mrs. Morris W. Hikes; London, who is deceased; and Louisa and Irene, who died in infancy.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hikes: Lloyd D., who is a graduate of Albright College, is now engaged in the laundry business at Tre- Vol. II-16
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mont, Schuylkill county (he is a musician of considerable local reputation, has been a member of the Pine Grove band, and Tremont band) ; V. La Rue, Ina B. and Mary Catherine are at home.
J. J. McKNIGHT has for several years been in charge of various public utilities of vital importance to the boroughs of Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven. He has been a resident of the former borough since 1902, when he came to take the position of foreman of the Pottsville Gas Company. He has been with that concern ever since, and meantime has become general man- ager, with the added responsibility of manager of the Schuylkill Haven Gas & Water Company. Mr. McKnight is a native of Durham, Bucks Co., Pa., born Dec. 28, 1876, son of Michael McKnight, also a native of Bucks county. The father was a steel worker, employed at the Durham Steel Mills. He died in January, 1913, at Easton, Pennsylvania.
J. J. McKnight received a public school education at Durham and also attended the academy at Riegelsville, in his native county. For ten years, from 1892, he was employed in the steel mills at Bethlehem, first as a machin- ist, later as a bricklayer, and then, for three years, in charge of all the steel that went out of the mill, holding the position of annealer. For a year after leaving the mills he was with the Bethlehem South Gas & Water Com- pany as a gas fitter. Then in October, 1902, he came to Pottsville to take the position of foreman and inspector of the gas plant, acting in that capac- ity for three years, since when he has been general manager of the Potts- ville Gas Company, the Schuylkill Haven Gas & Water Company and the Schuylkill County Light & Fuel Company. Mr. McKnight is thoroughly familiar with the operation of these plants according to up-to-date ideas, and he is trusted and respected for his intelligence and reliability.
The Pottsville Gas Company was incorporated Feb. 25, 1850, by Samuel Sillyman, John H. Adams, Joseph S. Silver, James Hoy, Simon Cameron, Lewis Audenried, Charles W. Clemens, Joseph W. Cape, Alexander Small, Adam Glassbrenner, Joseph C. Potts, John P. Kennedy, Francis W. Hughes and Eli Morris. The plant is now owned by C. P. King and F. H. Treat, who purchased it in 1902. Mr. Treat is president of the company, and W. H. Lawton, secretary and treasurer. The office is at No. 110 South Centre street, Pottsville, and the plant on Centre and Coal streets. About three thousand meters have been installed and the capacity is fifty million cubic feet, Schuylkill Haven as well as Pottsville being supplied from this point. The equipment is entirely modern.
Mr. McKnight married Laura Louise Meiswinkel, daughter of Frederick Meiswinkel, of Pottsville. They have had two children born to them, Laura Louise and Mildred Josephine. Mr. McKnight is a Catholic in religious faith, belonging to St. Patrick's Church, at Pottsville, and he also holds mem- bership in Pottsville Lodge, No. 207, B. P. O. Elks; in the Knights of Colum- bus; and the Y. M. C. A.
SAMUEL M. FESIG, of Tower City, justice of the peace, one of the well known men of Schuylkill county, was born in Pine Grove township March 16, 1860, a son of John and Angeline (Schwartz) Fesig. John Fesig carried on the hotel business in Schuylkill county, and in 1874 located at Tower City, where he conducted a small store. His death occurred in 1883,
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and he is buried at Tower City. His children were: Emma, Elizabeth, John (deceased), Samuel M., William and Edward.
While still a lad Samuel M. Fesig worked in the mines of his neighbor- hood, first at day work, and then as door tender. In 1889 he began mining, and so continued until 1913, at the West Brookside colliery. In the fall of 1913 he was elected justice of the peace at Tower City, and has been serving as such to the present time. He has also been a member of the council (three years) and borough clerk (two years), and upon a number of occasions has been sent as delegate to county conventions. In addition to other interests, Mr. Fesig was one of the organizers and charter members of the Moun- taineer Hose Company of Tower City. He gives to all his duties a careful, conscientious attention that displays the character of the man and his realiza- tion of the responsibilities which rest upon him.
Mr. Fesig was married to Alice Shower and their nine children have been : John, who married Merda Brown; Charles, who is deceased; Henry ; Edna; Bella ; Rebecca ; Millie, who married Solomon Kline; Martha; and George. Not only is Mr. Fesig prominent in local politics, but he takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of Local Union No. 1261, U. M. W. of A., of which he is a member, and he represented it at Harrisburg. He also belongs to Camp No. 52, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and in its behalf has attended conventions at Williamsport and Uniontown, Pa .; he holds mem- bership in Washington Commandery No. 22. When it is remembered that Mr. Fesig has risen to his present position from very humble beginnings, and all through his own efforts, it is easy to see that he is a man of much more than ordinary ability who has known how to make excellent use of opportunities as they presented themselves.
LOUIS C. BOLICH has been a resident of Ashland practically all his life, having been born at Minersville, Schuylkill county, May 22, 1854, and brought hither in his youth by his parents, Albert and Augusta (Clouse ) Bolich.
Albert Bolich was a native of Germany, born in Saxony. His parents died in that country, and he continued to live there until 1852, following his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bolich settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and he engaged in mine work, also following his trade, that of tinsmith, which he learned in Germany. In 1855 he moved with his family to Ashland, where he engaged in business, continuing it until, because of his father's death, he returned to Germany, where he settled up the estate. Coming back to America, he settled at Sayre, in Bradford county, Pa., and again went into business, remaining at that place until his death, in 1904. His wife was like himself a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven children, of whom Louis C. is the eldest ; Clara is the wife of Ernest Thompson, of Sayre; Alfred is engaged in the hardware business at that place, where he is a leading merchant; Herman L., also of Sayre, is in partnership with his brother Alfred; Louisa is next in the family ; Rosie and Minnie are deceased.
Louis C. Bolich received his education in the public schools at Ashland. When only a boy he entered his father's employ, learning the trade of tin- smith, and he continued with him until the father went to Europe, when he engaged in the livery business on his own account. This was in 1876, and he conducted the business for over thirty-five years, eventually turning it over to his son Herman, who had been assisting him for some time. Mr.
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