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 42
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family to America in 1851, the voyage, which was made in a sailing vessel, taking two months. The Molls located at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and after a year's residence there moved to Minersville, this county, the father later returning to Pottsville, where he died.
Henry Moll was but a boy when he accompanied his father to America. For many years he was employed at the mines, beginning, like so many other mine workers, picking slate at the breaker, for John Harper. In time he worked up to greater responsibilities, becoming a stationary engineer. A few months after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Minersville, joining the Keystone Zouaves, 76th Pennsylvania Regiment, and he served his full term of three years, and three months more. He took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was wounded in the right breast and right arm at the battle of Weldon Railroad, May 7, 1864. After the war he returned to Minersville for a short time, in 1865 settling at Shenandoah, this county, where he found employment at the collieries, in the capacity of engineer, and he continued to hold the position there for over twenty years. At the end of that period he came to Pottsville, and he is now leading a retired life. His home is at No. 911 West Market street, Pottsville. The Molly Maguire troubles were at their height during the time Mr. Moll was at Shenandoah, and he had many typical experiences of the day, and many close calls before the excitement ended.
Mr. Moll married Emma Ball, of Minersville, and they have had three children, namely: Elizabeth is the wife of T. M. Stout, of Shenandoah, this county ; Emma is married to Charles Kear, a bank clerk at Minersville; George R. is proprietor of one of the principal meat markets at Pottsville, being a leading business man there in his line, and is also a clerk in the Union Safe Deposit Bank.
Mr. Moll has been a prominent member of the Methodist Church of Potts- ville for a number of years, having served several years as elder, and he was one of the most efficient members of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new church on West Market street. He has never given any special attention to public affairs, though he is a stanch Republican in his political views. He and his family are among the most respected citizens of the borough.
HARRY KNEPPER, owner of a well improved farm in West Penn town- ship, was born on that place July 17, 1874, and has spent all his life there. Its excellent condition at present is the result of his industry, most of the work of development having been done under his hands, and his career has been creditable in every way. He is a son of the late Charles Knepper and a grand- son of Timothy Knepper, the latter a native and lifelong resident of Lehigh county, Pa., where he owned a good-sized farm. He was a Democrat on political questions, in religion a member of the German Reformed Church. He and his wife are buried in Lehigh county. They had the following chil- dren: Solomon, who married Susanna Gerber; Charles; and Matilda, wife of Alfred Frederici.
Charles Knepper, son of Timothy, was born in 1837 in Lehigh county, and was reared there, working on the farm until his removal in 1860 to West Penn township, Schuylkill county. Buying a small lot, he opened a wheel- wright shop thereon, the location being near the property now owned by his son Harry. After several years' residence there he bought part of the place
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now in the possession of his son Harry, purchasing twenty-five acres from Solomon Guldner. About half of this tract was in timber. He cultivated that place for a number of years, carrying on general farming, and later entered the undertaking business. He retired from active pursuits five or six years before his death. His son Harry operated the farm for him when he turned from agriculture to business. He had erected a comfortable dwelling on his land. Mr. Knepper passed away in November, 1900, aged sixty-three years, and is buried at St. Peter's Church in West Penn township. He was a lead- ing member of the Reformed congregation of that church, serving as elder and deacon of the church and as a teacher in the Sunday school. Politically he was a Democrat. Mr. Knepper married Sarah Ann Gerber, who was born April 10, 1838, in West Penn township, daughter of Jeremiah and Susanna (Zeigler) Gerber, and who lives at White Bear, Carbon Co., Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Knepper became the parents of nine children, these besides Harry : Frank, who married Matilda Eberts; Lewis, who died young; Austin, who moved to Ohio ; Amandus, who married Kate Haum; Ida, who married Sylvester Swart- ley ; Sallie, wife of Charles Ruch; Emma, deceased wife of Martin Mantz; and Alvina, who died in childhood.
Harry Knepper obtained his education in the public schools of West Penn township and worked for his father on the farm, which he bought after his father's death. He has added to the original area, now having sixty acres, thirty-four of which are cleared and under cultivation. Besides enhancing the value of the ground by careful tillage, he has improved all the buildings on the place, having remodeled the dwelling, and the farm is one of the nicest in the township, presenting a very attractive appearance which makes it a credit to the neighborhood. Mr. Knepper follows general farming, and mar- kets his products at Tamaqua. He is as active and zealous in the welfare of St. Peter's Reformed congregation as his father was, being a deacon at present, and in politics he also follows his ancestors, being a faithful supporter of the Democratic party. When twenty-eight years old Mr. Knepper married Cora Billman, who was born Feb. 6, 1881, in Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of Jacob and Matina (Shoemaker) Billman. She was but eight years old when her mother died, and she came to live with Joel Shoemaker in West Penn township, remaining in his home until her marriage. She is a Lutheran member of St. Peter's Church. Mr. and Mrs. Knepper have had one child, Charlotte, who died in childhood.
Mrs. Knepper's parents were natives of West Penn township. Her grandfather, Reuben Billman, was a native of Berks county, Pa., and died when about seventy-seven years old. He was a farmer, and on coming to West Penn township bought the farm now owned by Wallace Hoppes, remain- ing there until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Hartranft, lived to the age of eighty-eight years, and they are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. Mr. Billman was a Lutheran member of that church, and a Republican on political questions. He was the father of the following chil- dren: Salome, wife of Casper Cropp, of Hazleton, Pa .; Harriet, Mrs. Wil- liam Shellhammer; Mary, Mrs. Henry Holler; Reuben, who married Mesina Oswald; Thomas, who married Lavina Adams, both being deceased; Solo- mon, who went West; and Jacob.
Jacob Billman, father of Mrs. Knepper, was reared and educated in West Penn township, attending the pay schools in vogue during his boyhood. After assisting his father with the work on the home place until he reached his
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majority, he worked among the neighboring farmers for a time, and then bought a farm which he operated on his own account. Moving to Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., he became a mine worker, following that occupation for twenty-seven years, and he also worked at carpentry while a resident of that place. Thence he removed to Tamaqua, and he lived retired for some time before his death, which occurred there when he was seventy-seven years old. He was a respected and active member of the Evangelical Church at Tamaqua. By his first marriage, to Matina Shoemaker, daughter of Jonas Shoemaker, Mr. Billman had the following children: Frank married Sophia Holler; Tilghman married Mary Shugart; Solomon married Sarah Hayman; Charles married Mary Linse; Jacob married Sula Heisler; Jane married Carl Krinte and after his death (second) Jacob McNamara; Emma married Jacob Rein- hart; Ida died young; Alice married Brinton Brobst; Cora is the wife of Harry Knepper; Lillie married Sylvester Oswald. The mother died when about forty years old. By his second marriage to Mrs. Carolina Depew, Mr. Billman had no children. He and both his wives are buried at Hazleton.
EDWIN FORD has been engaged with the Pine Hill Coal Company ever since he settled at Minersville and is one of the competent and trusted em- ployees of that large concern, which has played so important a part in the industrial welfare of this locality. He is highly respected at Minersville, where he has various connections which bring him much into contact with his fellow citizens, and he is particularly well known in Masonic circles.
Mr. Ford is a native of England, born in 1867, and grew to maturity in that country, coming to America in the year 1888. During the first eight years of his residence in the United States he lived at Mount Carmel, North- umberland Co., Pa., where he followed the carpenter's trade, and he removed thence to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he remained for three years. He has since been a resident of Minersville. For some time after coming here he did carpenter work for the Pine Hill Coal Company, and then for a time held the position of assistant outside foreman at its large colliery, in 191I being promoted to general outside foreman, which position he has since held. His excellent work has brought him to the favorable notice of his employers, who have shown their appreciation of his high character. The residents of Minersville have registered their faith in his integrity by electing him a member of the school board, and he also served as treasurer of that body. Politically he is a Republican. He belongs to Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A. M .; to Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M., of Minersville; to Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville ; and to Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pa. While a resident of Mount Carmel he was a prominent member of Lodge No. 630, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand.
In 1891 Mr. Ford made a return trip to England, and when he returned to America brought his sweetheart with him. They were married at Wilkes Barre, Pa., in November of the same year. Mrs. Ford's maiden name was Frances Jane Lugg, and like her husband, she is a native of Cornwall, Eng- land. They have had a family of four children, namely: Bessie May, born in 1892, who is now attending the Keystone State Normal School at Kutz- town, Pa .; Thomas Henry, born in 1894, who graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., with the class of 1914, and who is at present head of the science department in the high school of Minersville, Pa .; Ethel Frances,
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born in 1897, a graduate of Minersville high school, 1915; and Clarence Ed- win, born in 1903, now attending school. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY MANHART has a number of substantial structures in Ashland as evidences of his workmanship, having been a builder and contractor of this borough during most of his mature life. He was born Jan. 15, 1851, son of John M. and Harriet (Metz) Manhart.
In both paternal and maternal lines Mr. Manhart is of German descent. His father was born in Prussia, Germany, and came to this country with the family in 1828, for a number of years living at Roaring Creek, Columbia Co., Pa. Later he came to Ashland, Schuylkill county, where he continued to make his home until his death, in February, 1910, at the age of over eighty years. He had learned the trades of wheelwright and carpenter, which he always followed after coming to Ashland, where he built up an extensive business as a contractor. He was a man of intelligent and substantial quali- ties and character, and commanded the esteem of his fellow men in all the relations of life. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. At Roaring Creek, Columbia county, Mr. Manhart married Harriet Metz, who was born there, of German ancestry, and her death occurred there many years previous to his, in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Manhart are buried in the Freewill cemetery at Roaring Creek, Columbia county. They were the parents of a large fam- ily, of whom Henry is the eldest; Tillie is the wife of John Hampton, and lives at Roaring Creek; George is a resident of Mifflinville, Pa .; Clara is the wife of William Longerberger; Elmer is a resident of Schuylkill county. The rest are deceased.
Henry Manhart was educated in the public schools of Ashland, and was only a boy when he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade from his father, under whose able tuition he became a skillful workman. Remaining with him until twenty years old, he afterwards traveled for a time working on his own account, and during this period was located at Cleveland, Ohio, returning to Ashland, where he has since been engaged at his trade, and in the course of his long and busy career has erected numerous stores and resi- dences in the borough and vicinity. Mr. Manhart has made an excellent reputation in business, and is well and favorably known personally. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Americans.
In 1872 Mr. Manhart was married, at Roaring Creek, Pa., to Alice Knittle, a native of Columbia county, where her father, Jacob Knittle, was a farmer. He and his wife, Angeline (Derr), were both born in Columbia county, the latter at Rohrsburg, and she still survives, now (1914) eighty-four years old, making her home at Catawissa, Columbia county. Mr. Knittle died in 1904. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Alice, Mrs. Henry Man- hart ; Kersey, who lives at Roaring Creek; Clara, the wife of Henry Shayne, of Catawissa; Hattie, who lives with her mother in Catawissa; Anna, the wife of Christ Hartman, of Milton, Pa .; Kate, married to Elmer Laban, of Roaring Creek; William, also living with his mother at Catawissa; and three deceased.
Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Manhart. We have record of : Charles, living at Locustdale, Schuylkill county ; Hattie, the wife of John Reese, of Ashiland, Pa .; Ella, wife of Jacob Raber, of Ashland; William; Clara, wife of Frederick Yaeger, of Ashland; Anna, married to
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Oscar Lindlemood, of Shenandoah, Pa .; Raymond, living at home; John, located at Lavelle, Schuylkill county ; Lillie, wife of John Muenker, of Ash- land; Catherine and Ruth, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Manhart are members of the Evangelical Church.
WILLIAM GEIGER, late of Mahanoy City, was the first florist there, founding the establishment continued until recently by his family, and was a substantial business man of the thrifty type well recognized in our citizens of German origin. He was a native of the Fatherland, where he was reared and educated, coming to America when seventeen years old. After a short residence in Philadelphia, Pa., he came to Schuylkill county, Pa., for several years living at Schuylkill Haven, where he had a pottery, building up a profitable business in that line. In 1870 he settled at Mahanoy City, Schuyl- kill county, where he also followed the manufacture of pottery, and in time he started the nursery business, continuing both lines successfully until his death, which occurred in 1900. He was the pioneer nurseryman and florist in the borough, and by good management developed a thriving trade, taking his place among the prosperous business men of the community. After his death his widow ran the business until she passed away, and she was suc- ceeded by her daughter, Miss Augusta Geiger, the other daughter, Clara, assisting her. Miss Geiger gave up the business in 1914, after a period of excellent management which indicated that she had inherited the ability of her parents, for the trade flourished as usual while in her hands.
The Geigers have all borne an excellent reputation for capability and use- fulness in the community. William Geiger had been carefully educated, and he became well read in both English and German; he was a fine penman, and precise in keeping account of all his interests. During his residence in Maha- noy City he made many friends, and all of his family have continued to enjoy high standing. His wife, whose maiden name was Joanna Hammer, was like himself a native of Germany, and lived in America from the time she was thirteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are buried at Mahanoy City. They were the parents of the following children: Clara; William, who has pros- pected successfully for gold in the Northwest; John, a potter by trade, now settled at Liverpool, Ohio; and Augusta. In religion the Geigers unite with the Reformed Church.
ALBERT GEORGE KOCH has a fine farm property in East Brunswick township, and is particularly well known for his success as a fruit grower, his thrifty orchards giving evidence of the most intelligent care and the appli- cation of up-to-date methods. Mr. Koch represents one of the early families in this section of Schuylkill county, his great-grandfather having farmed the old homestead now owned by Charles Koch. It is presumed he was the William Koch who is buried with his wife, Maria May, at Christ Church, McKeansburg. He was born April 1, 1747, near Philadelphia, and died May 3, 1832; she was born April 27, 1766, and died Feb. 14, 1837.
John Koch, the grandfather of Albert George Koch, was born April 7, 1806, and died Oct. 4. 1868. His early ambition was to be a physician, but after obtaining his degree he followed the profession only one year, not liking it as much as he had anticipated. So he turned to farming, and became the owner of two tracts of land in Schuylkill county, one in Walker township, and the other in East Brunswick township, 200 acres in all. He continued to
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farm the rest of his days. Dr. Koch was a leading force in local affairs, his intelligence and public spirit making him a most useful citizen, and he held the township offices of school director and tax collector, and the county office of poor director. On political issues he stood with the Republicans. He was one of the active members of Christ Lutheran Church at Mckeans- burg, and he and his wife are buried in the cemetery of that church. Mrs. Koch, whose maiden name was Salome Fusselman, was born Dec. 6, 1808, daughter of John Fusselman, and died Sept. 30, 1889. They had a large family: Mary, Mrs. Charles Banker; Morgan W .; Lucian, who married Sarah Hettinger; Sarah, Mrs. Lewis Schoener; Kate, Mrs. Joseph Kramer; Villetta ; Amelia, Mrs. Mandon Kramer; Hiram, a Union soldier, who died of starvation while in the army, and is buried at Cincinnati, Ohio; Francis, born May 12, 1841, who died at Bowling Green, Ky., April 7, 1863, while serving in the Union army, and is buried at McKeansburg, Pa .; Edward, who also died while in the army; Henry, who married Mary Seltzer; and Will- minia.
Morgan W. Koch, son of John, was born in East Brunswick township Dec. 2, 1833, and educated there. In his youth he assisted his father on the home farm and learned the blacksmith's trade. He settled on a tract of twenty-two acres in West Brunswick township which he purchased, had a shop there, and conducted the farm in connection with work at his trade for twenty-two years. When his son Albert was one year old he removed to the old homestead farm in East Brunswick township, the tract of 100 acres which he had bought from his father, and had a blacksmith shop there for two years. After that he devoted all his time to general farming there until a few years ago, when he sold his farm to his son Charles and removed to McKeansburg, at which place he has since lived retired. In his earlier years he was associated with township affairs to some extent, serving as school director, and in politics he was identified with the Republican party. He is a member of Christ Lutheran Church at McKeansburg.
Mr. Koch married Caroline Schoener, who was born Nov. 18, 1839, daughter of Henry and Christina ( Sheipe) Schoener, and died Oct. 25, 1910. She is buried at Christ Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Koch were born the fol- lowing children: Josephine, born Dec. 16, 1858, married Elmer Koch; Ellen, born Feb. 10, 1860, married Samuel Dreher; Francis C., born Aug. 4, 1863, married Mary Follweiler; Albert G. is next in order of birth; Katie, born Jan. 8, 1868, died July 5, 1879; Agnes, born Aug. 15, 1876, married Harvey Kindt; Carrie Valeria, born Nov. 20, 1871, is deceased; Charles married Cora Kershner ; Harry married Agnes Kunkle; Theodore, born Jan. 5, 1886, married Sadie Moyer; Walter M., born April 10, 1880, married Fannie May Moyer ; one child died in infancy.
Albert George Koch was born June 24, 1865, in West Brunswick township, and was reared and educated in East Brunswick township. He was trained to agricultural work, and helped his father on the farm until he was about twenty-one years old, when he went to Weatherly, Pa., and found employ- ment with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, in the foundry at that place. After four years' experience there he returned to East Brunswick township, where he tenanted his present farm (at that time the property of Charles Bowen) for one year. Then he moved to Red Dale valley, West Brunswick township, and tenanted Peter Albright's farm for three years, following with a year's occupation on the Joseph Mengle farm, in East Bruns-
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wick township. Then he bought from Charles Bowen the farm he now operates, originally the Henry Koch place, which contains 126 acres, of which thirty acres are in timber. Though he follows general farming he makes a specialty of trucking and fruit growing, having a very fine orchard, and he markets his products to Pottsville, finding a steady demand for all he can grow. His fruits and vegetables have a reputation which keeps the demand ahead of the supply.
Mr. Koch was married to Lizzie Albright, who was born Feb. 8, 1867, in West Brunswick township, a daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Fegley) Albright, and they have had seven children: Ercula Minerva, born Dec. 10, 1887, married Allen Plummer; Howard Albert, born Nov. 21, 1891, is a graduate of Gaults Student School, Cincinnati, Taylor University; Helen Rebecca, born June 24, 1894, is attending the Cincinnati Bible School; John Peter, born Dec. 1, 1897, is on the home farm; Nora Elizabeth, born Dec. 19, 1899, Ada May, born Aug. 5, 1902, and Edward James, born May 15, 1906, are at home.
As a Republican Mr. Koch has taken considerable interest in politics, and though not an office seeker he has served as school director; he was treasurer of the board for a few years. Outside of business, however, his prin- cipal activity has been along the line of religious work. He is a faithful member of the Church of God at Steigerwalt, which he is serving at present in the offices of treasurer and trustee. He is also treasurer of the German Eldership of the Church of God, comprising the five churches of Auburn, Frackville, Summit, West Penn and Steigerwalt, and is thoroughly alive to the responsibilities which have come with those honors. Mr. Koch was formerly a teacher in the Sunday school.
DAVID K. HILL is farming in West township, where his father and grand- father before him followed the same occupation during long and useful lives. The Hills have long been ranked among the most estimable citizens of the lo- cality, whose characteristic industry, enterprise and general worth have had a recognized influence upon the advancement of this region. Jonas Hill, the grandfather of David K. Hill, was a native of Germany, and settled in the township at an early day. He was a farmer all his life, owning a tract of about one hundred acres (now the property of Elmer Woomer), and died there at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife, Elizabeth (Koenig), passed away May 2, 1898, aged seventy-five years, and they are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. They were members of the Lutheran con- gregation of that church, and Mr. Hill supported the Democratic party. His children were: Daniel, Frank, Mary and David.
David Hill, son of Jonas, was born in West Penn township, June 25, 1814. and there grew to manhood, receiving in his youth such advantages as the local schools afforded. He worked on the home farm for his father up to the time of his marriage, and eventually inherited that place, also acquiring the ownership of two other tracts, one now owned by his son David and the property now owned by Ellsworth Zehner-all in West Penn township. He also owned the hotel known as the "Mansion House," which he rented out. He was the executor of his father's estate. He was a man of good business capacity, and was chosen by his fellow citizens to the offices of school director and tax collector. Politically he was a Democrat and much interested in local public affairs, and he was an active member
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