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 37
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Bolich always kept an excellent stock of horses and vehicles, and by obliging attention to the wants of his customers he succeeded in establishing a profit- able trade. He has turned the business over entirely to his son Herman.
On June 12, 1881, Mr. Bolich was married to Catherine Brixius, who was born at Minersville, Schuylkill county, daughter of Peter and Susanna (Scholles) Brixius, both natives of Germany (the father born at Detter), where they were reared and married. Coming to America in 1842, they first located near Williamsport, Pa., later settling at Minersville, this county, in 1850. Here they made a permanent home, Mr. Brixius following the trade of stonemason and builder to the end of his life. He died Oct. 23, 1892, and his widow on April 18, 1906. They had the following children : Theodore, the eldest, is deceased; Catherine is the wife of Louis C. Bolich; Christine is the wife of H. C. Madlinger, of Mahanoy City, Pa .; Anna M. is the wife of Joseph O'Neill, of Minersville, this county; John lives at Minersville; Theodore (2) is also a resident of that place.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Bolich : (1) Mary A. died April 27, 1885. (2) Harry P., born March 21, 1886, received his early education in the public schools of Ashland, and later entered the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, where he took a course in veterinary surgery, gradu- ating in 1908. He began practice at Ashland, where he still maintains an office, also practicing at Mount Carmel, Pa., where he makes his home. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and of St. Mauritius Church of Ash- land. (3) J. Louis, born May 18, 1887, had public school advantages at Ash- land, and has since taken a course at the Eckels School of Embalming, Phil- adelphia, from which he was graduated in 1910. He is now located at South Bethlehem, Pa. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
(4) HERMAN A. BOLICH, born Aug. 18, 1889, at Ashland, was reared and educated there, and is now one of the prosperous young business men of the place. He is carrying on the livery and transfer trade established by his father, and has already proved himself a trustworthy and reliable busi- ness man, thoroughly progressive in the manner in which he has conducted the stables since they came into his hands. He is a young man of com- mendable habits and good character, a member of Sarto Council, Knights of Columbus, and of St. Mauritius Catholic Church, at Ashland.
JOHN M. COOMBE, notary public, insurance and real estate, Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM H. RYLAND, of Wayne township, Schuylkill county, bears a name which has been associated with honorable purpose and a high order of citizenship since his grandparents settled there in 1838. His father, Albanus S. Riland, has been living there continuously since, and now over ninety years old, with faculties keen and alert, has the pleasure of seeing his descendants in the enjoyment of the benefits for which he labored so earnestly during his more active days. Though a man of broad sympathies and ready with encouragement for every good movement, his deepest interest was always along the line of religious work, and his best efforts were given to the strengthening of the churches and their allied enterprises, upon which he has always felt that the true advancement of humanity depends.
This name was originally spelled Riland, William H. being the first to adopt the form Ryland. The family has been in Pennsylvania since pre-
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Revolutionary days. Tradition has it that Lord Riland, of London, England, had three sons who came to America, one settling in New Jersey, one in Vir- ginia, and the other it is supposed in Pennsylvania, the latter likely the founder of the branch of the family to which William H. Ryland belongs. Andrew Riland, the earliest ancestor of his line of whom we have any positive knowl- edge, was a miller, operating a mill on the Tulpehocken creek, in Berks county, Pa. Thence he removed to Whitemarsh, then in Philadelphia (now Mont- gomery ) county, near Chestnut Hill, later purchasing a farm in the upper end of Philadelphia county, near the Montgomery county line. He died there, and he and his wife Phoebe (Burkheart) are buried in the Barren Hill ceme- tery in Montgomery county.
Samuel B. Riland, son of Andrew and Phoebe Riland, was born in Berks county in 1795. He and his brother William served as soldiers in the war of 1812. Though principally engaged in farming, he was a cooper by trade, and made many flour barrels for the millers in and about Philadelphia. For some years he farmed in Montgomery county, being located at Norristown, in 1838 removing to Schuylkill county and settling in Wayne township, where he bought the farm upon which he resided thereafter to the close of his long life. His death occurred at the home of Albanus S. Riland, who had always been a devoted, affectionate son, the father passing away in his arms Jan. 24, 1877, aged eighty-one years, ten months, nine days. His religious connec- tion was with the Evangelical Church. Samuel B. Riland was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Schoch, who was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century at what was then called Robinhood, Philadelphia county, now included in Philadelphia, daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Edle- man) Schoch. The latter died at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years, and is buried in the Barren Hill cemetery. Her father was living in German- town when the Revolutionary battle was fought at that place, and the family took refuge in the cellar, placing bedding at the windows as a protection against the British bullets. After the battle the British looted the house, carrying off everything they wanted, even the clothing and the bedticks, which they first ripped open and emptied of straw. Mrs. Sarah (Schoch) Riland died Sept. 15, 1825, the mother of two children, Albanus S. and Arabella ; the daughter married Charles Krecker, of Friedensburg, Schuyl- kill county, and both are now deceased. For his second wife Samuel B. Riland married Elizabeth Mullin, by whom he had six children, three sons and three daughters, namely : Samuel B., Jr .; Peter ; Charles; Mary, who mar- ried Thomas Morgan, of Montgomery county, later of Schuylkill county; Catherine, who married Daniel Kemmerling, of Schuylkill Haven; and Sarah, who married Daniel Snyder, of Schuylkill county.
Albanus S. Riland was born Dec. 22, 1824, at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and received common school advantages at the various localities in eastern Pennsylvania where the family lived. Though the scope of the early schools was limited he made the most of his opportunities, and has always been a reader, becoming well informed by his own efforts. His mind is still active, and he takes great pleasure in keeping in touch with current events, of national as well as local interest. Besides farming during his active years he acted as traveling salesman for a time for the Oliver Chilled Plow Company, in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania, and by application and good judgment managed his business affairs very successfully. On May 16, 1850, Mr. Riland married Anna Nunemaker, daughter of John
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Nunemaker, of Wayne township, and granddaughter of Jacob Nunemaker, who came to this country from Germany; her maternal grandfather, Peter Smith, was a native of Berks county, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Riland were born four children, three sons and one daughter: John N., Daniel S. (de- ceased), William H. and Mary E. (deceased).
Mr. Riland began attending Sunday school in 1832, and when a young man became a Sunday school teacher. In 1852 he was elected superintendent of the Sunday school of the Friedensburg Church, and served in that capacity for fifty-six consecutive years. The first Sunday school he organized was called together in an old springhouse. In 1913, at the jubilee convention held in Philadelphia, Mr. Riland was awarded a medal as the oldest Sunday school worker in the State. His membership with the Friedensburg Church dates back to 1848. When the United Brethren and Evangelical congregations of Friedensburg erected the English Protestant Union Church in 1859 Mr. Riland assisted faithfully in the work as a member of the building com- mittee, and he has been one of the church trustees for a number of years. He covered a large field in soliciting funds for the Lebanon Valley College, and served as a trustee of that institution for some twenty years.
William H. Ryland, son of Albanus S. Riland, was born in October, 1857, and was given excellent educational advantages, taking a course in the Lebanon Valley College. At the age of twenty-two years he settled on the farm in Wayne township where he has since made his home, and all his business inter- ests have centered in agricultural work and allied lines. Besides operating his land he has been the local representative of several firms dealing in agri- cultural implements and fertilizers. Like his father he is a devoted church worker, a valued member and official of the United Brethren Church and active in the Sunday school. Politically a Republican, he has been identified with party work to a considerable extent, acting as delegate to several con- ventions, and socially he belongs to Schuylkill Haven Lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of Malta and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
On Nov. 22, 1878, Mr. Ryland married Emma Straub, who was born Sept. 5, 1856, daughter of John and Mary (Steib) Straub, of Wayne township, natives of Germany. Mrs. Ryland died Oct. 24, 1914, the mother of six children : (1) Albanus S., born Aug. 18, 1880, graduated from the Millers- ville State Normal School and taught during his early manhood, being engaged for a time in the high school at Shoemakersville. He also took a course at the Lebanon Valley College, and prepared for the medical profession at the Medico-Chirurgical School of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated. After a year's experience as interne at the Wilkes-Barre hospital he located at Allentown, Pa., where he practiced one year, and he has since been in medical and surgical practice at Valley View, Schuylkill county, where he has a wide circle of patrons and is held in great esteem personally. He is a Mason, and also belongs to the P. O. S. of A. Dr. Ryland married Katherine Bittle. (2) John G., born Dec. 20, 1881, also graduated from the Millersville Normal School, taught for a time at Auburn, Schuylkill county, and is now engaged as a traveling salesman for the Oliver Chilled Plow Company. He is a Mason fraternally. His wife, Helen (Mengle), died leaving one child, Helen E. (3) Harry E., born May 5, 1883, worked at one time in Buffalo, N. Y., traveled for some years, and is now farming in Wayne township. He mar- ried Laura Zettlemoyer, and they have one child, Glenn A. Mr. Ryland belongs to the F. & A. M. and the P. O. S. of A. (4) Robert S., born Oct. 5,
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1885, is a machinist by calling, was formerly employed at Reading, Pa., and now lives at home. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A. (5) Anna M., born May 14, 1889, is at home. (6) Dora R., born April 20, 1893, is the wife of Rev. Harrison Heffner, of Pequea, Lancaster Co., Pa., pastor of the Evangelical Church.
THOMAS J. CUMMINGS has been one of the controlling spirits in the government of Mount Carbon borough during the most progressive stage of its existence. As borough auditor since 1903 he has been taking a direct part in the management of public affairs, and his work has extended into other departments also. His efforts have been employed principally in obtaining for his borough the benefits of modern methods. Mr. Cummings is a worthy representative of a family which has long been settled in Schuylkill county.
The earliest known ancestors of the Cummings family were natives of Scotland, and the forefather of the branch here under consideration went across and settled in Ireland. Pierce Cummings, father of Thomas J. Cum- mings, was born in Ireland and spent his early life in that country. Coming to America in 1844, he settled at Mount Carbon, in North Manheim township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and in 1845 began railroad work with the Reading Com- pany, in whose employ he remained until his death, which occurred in April, 1880. He is buried at Pottsville. Mr. Cummings was not only a reliable and thrifty workman, but he became well known to his fellow citizens in North Manheim township for his intelligent stand on public questions, and he gave efficient service in the positions of school director and tax collector. In 1864, when the borough of Mount Carbon was erected, he was one of the organizers. His wife, Mary (Dobbins), like himself a native of Ireland, died Nov. 28, 1910, and is also buried at Pottsville. 'They had a large family, namely : James, John, Nicholas, Edward, Bridget (who has a grocery and notion store at Mount Carbon), Thomas J., Edmund, George, Elizabeth, Cath- erine, Mary, Margaret, Anna and Matthew.
Thomas J. Cummings was born in 1859 near Mount Carbon in North Manheim township, and there received a public school education. He was but ten years old when he commenced work, boating on the canal, being so employed from 1869 until December, 1880, when he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company as brakeman. However, he soon returned to his old occupation, in 1881 becoming a boatman on Long Island sound, where he was employed for over fifteen years. He also spent three years at Philadelphia, employed in the Baldwin locomotive shops, before returning to Schuylkill county, in 1901, in which year he located at Potts- ville. He has since been employed on the Philadelphia & Reading road, being now engaged as a conductor and flagman.
Mr. Cummings makes his home at Mount Carbon, and like his father has been one of the most favorably known citizens of the community. For several years he was a zealous member of the school board, and since 1903 he has held the position of auditor of the borough. At present he is vice president of the Mount Carbon Fire Company, which he has also served as trustee, having taken an active part in the direction of its affairs ever since it was organized in 1909. The company has every reason to be proud of its up-to-date equipment, and Mr. Cummings and his fellow members have spared neither time nor pains to bring the company up to a high standard of efficiency. He is also a member of the Foresters and of the Order of Railway Conductors.
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Mr. Cummings married Luticia Gelespie, who died in October, 1901, and is buried at Pottsville. The only child of this union, Anna, is unmarried and lives at home with her father.
JAMES MONROE HAND is one of the oldest residents of the borough of Tremont, Schuylkill county, and has long been employed at the Lincoln col- liery. He has filled a useful place in the administration of the local govern- ment, having served faithfully in important positions of trust, and his honor- able and intelligent discharge of every duty has recommended him to the favor and confidence of his associates in all the relations of life.
The Hand family has been in Pennsylvania for several generations, founded here by John Hand, an Orangeman from the North of Ireland, who came to America with his brother William. The latter settled in New Jersey, John Hand coming to this State, where he made a settlement in the Lykens valley, taking up a farm. He lived and died there. His children were: Wil- liam, Abraham, John, and two daughters.
William Hand, son of John, above, also followed farming in the Lykens valley, later removing to Clearfield county, Pa., where he purchased a farm and engaged in the timber business as well as agriculture. He died at the age of eighty-eight years, and is buried there. His wife's maiden name was Zimmerman, and their children were: John, William, Elias, Henry, Joseph, George, James, Kate (Mrs. Daubert), Mrs. Young, and a daughter who died in Pittsburgh.
John Hand, son of William, was born in what was then Upper Mahan- tongo (now Hegins) township, on the old John Reed farm about three quar- ters of a mile northeast of Hegins. He learned shoemaking, but did not follow the trade long. Later he learned stonemasonry, which he also fol- lowed but a short time, eventually going to work at the mines, where he was engaged for about forty-five years. In 1844 he settled at Tremont, where he was one of the pioneers, and he continued to make his home there until his death, Feb. 18, 1902, at the age of eighty-one years. He is buried in the Methodist Episcopal cemetery at Tremont. Five children were born to his marriage with Elizabeth Shuckert, daughter of Henry Shuckert: Daniel, James Monroe, William F., Mary and Margaret.
James Monroe Hand was born at Tremont in 1849, and had rather limited advantages, being only a young boy when he began to pick slate at the mines. With the exception of about eighteen months during which he was employed in a foundry at Tremont he has been engaged at the mines continuously since, and he is now one of the reliable hands at the Lincoln colliery. He has many interesting stories of the early days at Tremont, and he has taken a good citizen's part in assisting in the improvement of condi- tions in the town. For about seventeen years he served as a member of the town council, and he was the second health officer of the borough, filling that office for three years. Socially he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Mr. Hand was united in marriage with Elizabeth Carl, daughter of Elias Carl, and the following children have been born to them: Amelia; Susanna; John F., who is inside foreman at the Lincoln colliery; William Elias, a con- tracting miner at the Goodspring colliery, living at home with his parents; Eleanor, twin of William E., deceased in infancy; and James Monroe, Jr., contracting miner at the Lincoln colliery, who makes his home at Tremont.
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JOHN P. MAHER, late of Shenandoah, was for many years one of the substantial citizens of that place, where he made his home for over forty years. By diligent attention to business he gained a comfortable competence, and in its acquisition dealt so honorably with everyone that he held the respect of all his associates. His widow and several children are still living in the bor- ough and among its most esteemed residents.
Mr. Maher was of Irish birth and extraction, a son of Philip Maher and a grandson of John Maher, the latter an innkeeper in Tipperary, Ireland, where he and his wife are buried. In religion they were Roman Catholics. Their children were: Philip, John, Michael, Patrick, William, Dr. James (who lived in Elmira, N. Y.), Mary (who married a Mr. Kingsley), Mar- garet (a school teacher) and Catherine.
Philip Maher was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and lived to the age of eighty-seven years. He learned shoemaking and followed the trade while living in his native country, whence he removed in 1851 to Coniston, England, at which place he died. For services rendered the crown he was appointed royal mail carrier. He and his wife Alice (Dundon), who died at the age of seventy-eight years, are buried at Coniston. They were members of the Catholic Church. To them were born the following children: Patrick came to America and was killed in 1873 at Jackson Patch, Schuylkill county ; John P. was next in the family ; Andrew married and died in England, leav- ing four children, Alice, Alfonso, David and another; Michael died in Shenan- doah, unmarried; Ellen married John Murphy, who died in England, and she died in New York (she is buried at Shenandoah). The mother was born in County Tipperary, daughter of John Dundon.
John P. Maher was born March 25, 1845, in County Tipperary, Ireland, and grew up in that country, receiving common school advantages. He was a rocksman in the mines and also worked in the copper mines in England, whither he had moved with his parents when six years old. Coming to this country about 1868, he landed at New York, and for a few years remained in the East, at various locations. He spent some time in Massachusetts, and was later at Elmira, N. Y., following his trade. In the year 1871 he came to Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he passed the rest of his life. Here, too, he was engaged at mining, working as a miner in the Turkey Run colliery for Charles Atkins, also at Davis's shaft, sinking the first shaft at that point, and elsewhere. His careful operations soon brought him a reputation as a reliable mine contractor, and he was so occupied successfully with the Phila- delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company until his retirement in 1905, driving gangways, breasts, etc .; for many years he was at the Kohinoor colliery. From March, 1883, until April, 1900, he conducted the "National Hotel" at Shenandoah, and retained ownership of the property after quitting the busi- ness. Mr. Maher was thoroughly familiar with his business and conscientious in the performance of any work he undertook, and his intelligence and good management won him the prosperity he well deserved. He took a keen inter- est in local politics as a member of the Democratic party and served as judge of election. In religion he adhered to the faith of his ancestors, belonging to the Church of the Annunciation at Shenandoah, as well as to St. Patrick's Society. He was also a member of the Columbia Fire Company. He died at Shenandoah Dec. 2, 1912, and is buried at that place.
In 1872 Mr. Maher was married to Mary Ann Delaney, the ceremony being performed by Father O'Reilly, who christened all their children, gave them
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first communion, confirmed and married them, and christened most of the grandchildren. We have the following record of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Maher: Philip J., born Jan. 5, 1873, is now engaged as a printer on the Anthracite Labor News, at Shenandoah, where he is a well known citizen ; he married Agnes McManus, and they have children, Mary, John, Catherine, Alice, Tessie and Agnes. Martin F., born Nov. 13, 1874, a hotel proprietor in Shenandoah, was auditor of the Third ward for four years; he married Cath- erine McDermott, and their children are Mary, Catherine, John, Michael, Martin, Philip and Margaret. Bridget Florence Maher, born Nov. 7, 1876, is the wife of Andrew J. Flynn, and lives in New York City, where he is em- ployed as a supervisor on the Third avenue elevated road; their children are John, Rosemary, Joseph, Francis, Thomas, James and Mary. Patrick J., born Dec. 4, 1877, is proprietor and owner of Maher's Hall, Shenandoah, the larg- est dancing hall in Schuylkill county; he married Annie Quinn, who died June 21, 1914, and has two children, Thomas and John. Alice Claire, born Sept. 18, 1884, married Edward J. Tobin, of New York City, by whom she had one child, James; after his death she became the wife of Joseph Ploppert, who is employed as a bar clerk, and they have two children, John and Joseph. John Maher, born July 10, 1879, died in August, 1880. Malachi, born March 17, 1882, died July 4, 1882. Mary, born Sept. 28, 1893, is the wife of Harry Whittaker, and has one child, Mary. All of this family were educated in the schools of Shenandoah.
Mrs. Mary Ann ( Delaney) Maher, who continues to make her home in the old family residence at No. 228 South Main street, Shenandoah, was born Oct. 1, 1854, at Valley Furnace, near New Philadelphia, Schuylkill county, and was seven years old when the family moved to Shenandoah. She first attended the Dunn's Hill school, where she had for teacher Richard Wright, who is now a practicing physician in Shamokin, Pa .; at Shenandoah her teachers were Miss Patrick and Miss McCarty. She remained at home until her marriage. Mrs. Maher has long been one of the active supporters of the Church of the Annunciation, belonging to the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Sacred Heart Society ; she was formerly a leading worker in the ladies' auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Martin Delaney, father of Mrs. Maher, was born in Queen's County, Ire- land, son of Lawrence (Lag.) Delaney, who farmed in that county and also had a coal mine in operation on his farm. He married Mary Brennan, and they became the parents of the following children: Martin; Matthew, who died at Salt Lake City, Utah; Margaret, who married Dennis Brennan (both now deceased ; she is buried in Chicago, Il1.) ; Patrick, who was killed while serving in the Civil war ; and Mary, wife of John D. LeGrange, both deceased. The parents were Catholics in religious faith. The father is buried in Queen's County, Ireland ; the mother was buried at sea, having died on her way to this country.
Martin Delaney came to America when eighteen years old and settled in Schuylkill county. Pa., first at New Philadelphia (Valley Furnace) and later at Shenandoah. By occupation he was a miner, and one of the first employees of Miller & Rhoads. When he gave up that work he entered the under- taker and livery business and also had a furniture store, in time taking his son Martin into partnership under the firm name of Delaney & Son. He took a trip back to Ireland some time before his death, which occurred in 1884 at Shenandoah, when he was sixty-five years of age. He and his wife
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