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 43
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of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church in his township, where he and his wife are buried. His death occurred March 1, 1893, on the place now owned by Ellsworth Zehner, and his wife died at the age of seventy-five years. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Koenig, and she was born in Heidelberg township, Lehigh Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel Koenig. Mr. and Mrs. Hill had children as follows: Mary Ann; Jonas, who married Rebecca Billman ; Levi, who married Lydia A. Dengler; Carolina, who married Nathan G. Rex; Polly, wife of Charles A. Frantz; Amanda, Mrs. Solomon Hoppes; Sarah, Mrs. John Rex; Emma, Mrs. Albert Kleckner; Wesley, who married Emma Houser ; David K .; Elmira ; Herman ; and Tilghman, who married Kate Hill.
David K. Hill was born in West Penn township, April 11, 1860, and ob- tained his education in the public schools there. Farming has been his life work. He worked on his father's farm until the latter's death, and meantime had married and bought a farm from his father, the tract which he is still operating. His parents lived there with him for some time. The property is a ninety-acre tract, all cleared but seven acres, and he follows general farm- ing, though the place has a special reputation for the fine fruit raised there, strawberries, plums, peaches, etc., of high quality, as well as excellent pota- toes. Mr. Hill finds a ready market for all his produce, which he takes to Tamaqua, Coaldale and Lansford. For five years he also did a considerable business selling sand for plastering purposes, which he took from his land, and he did much of the hauling himself ; he gave up this line a short time ago. All the work about his place is conducted in the most business-like manner, and he aims to have everything first-class, as he feels that the truest economy consists in getting the best and taking care of it, rather than putting up with inferior things for the sake of cheapness. He takes particular pride in his horses, which are of fine stock. At one time he was a member of the Farm- er's Alliance, and also of Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A .. at Schwartz's, in West Penn township. In politics he upholds the principles of the Democratic party. He is a Reformed member of Zion's Church in West Penn township.
Mr. Hill married Amelia Peter, who was born July 3, 1863, in Heidelberg township, Lehigh Co., Pa., was reared and educated there, and came to Schuyl- kill county when twenty years old, at the time of her marriage. The follow- ing children have been born to this marriage: Elizabeth Elenora, born Oct. 21, 1883, is the wife of Edwin Wagner, a carpenter at Colliery No. 10, Tama- qua ; they have had five children, Charles Edwin, William David (deceased), Catherine Elizabeth, Russell Edward and Lee Oliver. Daisy Catherine, born April 4, 1889, died in 1904. Carrie Louise, born May 21, 1891, is married to Irwin G. Koch, a salesman for Seligman & Co., of Tamaqua: their children are Edgar Irwin and David John. Amelia Jane, the next in the family, was born Oct. 23, 1892. Hattie May, born July 7, 189-, is the wife of Isaac Houser, an employee at the Atlas Powder Works, Ringgold, Pa .; they have had three children, Robert Charles (born Jan. 21, 1912), Dorothy Arline Amelia (born Feb. 15, 1913), and Carrie Alice May (born March 15, 1914).
Mrs. Hill's paternal grandfather had the following family: Gideon, Aaron, Nathan and Eliza. His widow remarried and by that union had one child, Flora. The grandparents belonged to the Heidelberg German Reformed Church in Lehigh county, and both are buried there.
Gideon Peter, Mrs. Hill's father, was born in Heidelberg township, Le- high county, and was reared and educated in that county, learning the trade
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of stonemason, which he followed all his life. He also farmed in a small way, owning a tract of thirteen acres. His death occurred when he was sixty- five years old, and his wife, Catherine (Krumm), born Sept. 30, 1824, died Dec. 6, 1898. She was a daughter of John Krumm. Mr. and Mrs. Peter were the parents of six children, namely: Wilson, Noah, Ellanora and Jane are all deceased; Saraneh is married to Amandus Cellner, of Schnecksville, Lehigh county ; Amelia is the wife of David K. Hill. The parents are buried at the Heidelberg Reformed Church, of which they were consistent members. Mr. Peter was a Republican in political faith.
NATHAN MENGEL, a most respected resident of Auburn, now leading a retired life, was an agriculturist for many years of his active career. Since his settlement in the borough he has taken a good citizen's part in its govern- ment and advancement. The Mengels are of German origin, evidently descended from one Nicholas Mengel, who has a numerous posterity in Berks county. A number of the name settled in southern Schuylkill county.
Nicholas Mengel, the first of the family to come to America, was born in Germany, and with three other young men of his country came across the Atlantic in the middle of the eighteenth century. He was a redemptioner, and was bound out until the cost of his passage was paid to a Mr. Gernard, a farmer in Maiden-creek township, Berks Co., Pa. After his freedom was obtained, he remained with his employer for three or more years. By fru- gality, industry and economy he earned sufficient means to purchase a tract of 300 acres of land in Maiden-creek township, and from that time until his death he engaged in its cultivation. He had a number of children, among whom were: Frederick, Peter and Jacob.
Adam Mengel, grandfather of Nathan Mengel, of Auburn, lived about two and a half miles from Port Clinton, in Schuylkill county, and was a farmer by calling, and one of the large landowners of his vicinity. He died on the old homestead. His children were: Conrad, died in West Brunswick town- ship; George, died in West Brunswick township; Peter, died in South Man- heim township; John, died on his father's old homestead; Adam, died in West Brunswick township; Philip, died in West Brunswick township; Jacob was the father of Nathan Mengel ; Kate, married a Mr. Rishel.
Jacob Mengel, son of Adam, was born on the old homestead, and obtained part of the property, following farming all his life. He died upon the farm at the age of seventy-two years, seven months, and is buried at Auburn. To his marriage with Sallie Laymaster were born the following children: Zeth, died at home; Sybilla, married Joseph Fahl; Nathan, married Sarah Faust ; Kate, married John Becker; Susan, married Anthony Faust; Amanda, married Benjamin Fink; Ellen, married Reuben Mengel; Sarah, married Israel Nagle.
Nathan Mengel was born in West Brunswick township, June 12, 1835. He was reared to farming, and after attaining manhood farmed for twenty- two years in South Manheim township. After some employment in the boat- yard of Joseph Fahl he was with Benjamin Koch for a time, and then for two and a half years was engaged at bridge building and repair work, from Rock- ville to Pottsville, for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. His next work was at the carpenter's trade, and he lived at Auburn while so occu- pied. following this all told two and a half years, after which he went to rail- roading, at which he continued for twenty years. Resuming farming in 1882, in Wayne township, he remained there fifteen years, in 1897 removing to
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Auburn, where he is now living retired. He purchased his farm in Wayne township from William Mengel, a cousin. It is located in the southern part of the township, against the Blue mountain, and contains 132 acres of land, which his son, Reuben H., is now cultivating. Since coming to Auburn he has been devoting his time to looking after his property here. He has been elected to the offices of councilman and school director, and has given his fellow citi- zens faithful service in both connections.
Mr. Mengel married Sarah Faust, daughter of Dewalt and Molly (Heim) Faust. Dewalt Faust lived in South Manheim township and died at Auburn, Pa. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Mengel: Sarah married David Schaeffer; Louisa is unmarried and living at home, looking after her aged parents; Reuben H., living in Wayne township on his father's farm of 132 acres; Lewis A. is living at Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., engaged as a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Jere- miah M. is a prominent citizen of Rock, Schuylkill county, a merchant, post- master and ticket agent; Jacob was a telegraph operator at Hummelstown and is now brakeman for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company.
The Mengels are members of the Church of God and have always taken an active part in its work. Mr. Mengel has served as deacon, elder and trus- tee of the church, and Miss Louisa Mengel has also held the position of elder, at Summit. She has always been interested in the Sunday school, and has taught Sunday school at both Summit and Auburn, being a valued worker.
PROF. JONATHAN W. COOPER, of Shenandoah, had the direction of the public schools of that place committed to his care over eighteen years ago. Having been under his sole management for so long, it is reasonable to attribute the admirable system now in force to the working out of his theories, and it is certain that he has been animated by a keen sense of responsibility in all his endeavors. Professor Cooper is a man of liberal attainments, to which he has been adding continually in his long experience in educational work His standing among the people of Shenandoah is the most reliable indication of the estimate which they place on the value of his work.
Professor Cooper was born July 5, 1857, at Rising Sun, Md., son of Samuel Atkinson Cooper and grandson of Jacob L. and Mary (Atkinson) Cooper. The Coopers are of Welsh ancestry and Quaker stock, and came to Upland, Delaware Co., Pa., about 1767. The Atkinsons, who were English, also settled in Delaware county before the Revolutionary war. Jacob L. Cooper was a cooper and farmer. He died when about eighty years old, and is buried with his wife in the Quaker cemetery at Calvert, Md. He took an active interest in politics, in which he supported the Democratic party. His children were: Jacob L., David H., Samuel A., Anne (Mrs. Lewis Gil- bert), Rachel (Mrs. Israel Kimble), Sarah (Mrs. John Marsh) and Eliza- beth (Mrs. Larew Kimble).
Samuel Atkinson Cooper was born in 1811 in Upland, Delaware county, and was baptized in the Friends' Church, but became a Methodist after his second marriage. He died June 23, 1866, at Nottingham, Chester Co., Pa., and is buried with his second wife at Houses Church, Chester county. Politically he was an active Democrat. By trade he was a cooper, and he did a large real estate and farming business. He was married twice, and was the father of thirteen children, four by his first wife, Jane (Taylor), of Media, Delaware Co., Pa., who died in 1845, and is buried in the Quaker
8%. Cooper
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cemetery at Calvert, Md. Of their family, John Thomas died young. Sarah, wife of George Haines, of Rising Sun, Md., died in 1887. Jacob L. was a large grain dealer in Chester county, Pa., retired to Wilmington, and died there in 1902. Amos G. entered the Civil war when but fifteen years old, serving from 1862 to 1865, and afterwards entered business in the North; later he went to Florida, where he was in the orange business, and he died there in the early nineties. For his second wife Samuel A. Cooper married Mary Wilkinson, on June 23, 1853. She was born at Nottingham, Chester Co., Pa., and died in 1910, at the age of eighty-three years. Her father, Jona- than Wilkinson, of English ancestry, died in 1864, when about sixty-five years old; her mother, Elizabeth Morris, of Scotch-Irish descent, died in 1876, aged seventy-seven years. They were early settlers of Bucks county, Pa. Nine children were born to Samuel A. and Mary (Wilkinson) Cooper, of whom but three grew to maturity : Martha A., wife of Thompson Hudson, justice of the peace, of Oxford, Chester Co., Pa .; Jonathan W .; and David H., who is now in the employ of the Traction Company in Philadelphia.
The family having settled in Nottingham in 1865, when he was quite young, Jonathan W. Cooper spent most of his boyhood near Oxford, in Chester county. He attended the common schools in Chester and Lancaster counties, and later the academy at Oxford. All his active years have been devoted to the profession of which he made early choice, having begun to teach when but eighteen years old, in Chester county, where he was engaged for seven years. Having decided to prepare himself for higher work he entered the State Normal School at Millersville in the fall of 1882, com- pleted the elementary course in 1883, and the next year was graduated in the scientific course. Soon afterwards, the same year, he was appointed principal of public schools at Tremont, Schuylkill county, and his field of labor has been in this county continuously since. He remained at Tremont for nine years, until the fall of 1893, when he resigned to come to Shenan- doah, having accepted the principalship of the high school. He held that position from August, 1893, until January, 1897, giving such entire satisfac- tion that when he resigned it was to take up the duties of superintendent of the borough schools, which he assumed Jan. 5th, as acting superintendent. On April 5th of the same year he became the regular incumbent of the posi- tion, which he has filled without interruption since. No more flattering com- ment could be made regarding his conscientious performance of the impor- tant work of training the young. Professor Cooper has prided himself upon keeping in touch with the advances made by others in his profession, but he has been no less zealous in aiding in that progress by his own exertions, and he is regarded as an authority on school management among educators all over the State. He has been twice a candidate for the county superin- tendency, but was defeated both times, though by small majorities.
Local affairs have always been interesting to Professor Cooper, who has allied himself with the social and religious organizations of the communities where his work has called him, and supported worthy enterprises of all kinds. He continues to hold membership in three fraternal bodies at Tremont, P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 76, I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 245 and Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., having been secretary of the latter when he left Tremont. Formerly he belonged to Tremont Castle, No. 107, K. G. E. His religious connection is with Trinity Reformed Church at Shenandoah, of which he was an elder for six years, and he was formerly treasurer of the Sunday school. Vol. II-19
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Politically he has always been associated with the Democratic party, and he served at one time as chairman of the county convention.
On Feb. 9, 1881, Professor Cooper married Ida May Jackson, who was born in 1861 in southern Lancaster county, daughter of Joel Morris and Margaret (Wright) Jackson, of Fulton township, Lancaster county. Mrs. Cooper was educated in the common schools and at the Millersville State Normal School, and taught for a short time before her marriage. She died Feb. 20, 1898. There were no children by this marriage.
Joel Morris Jackson was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Carter, sister of Henry Carter, for several years a member of the Legislature. To them were born the following children: Alice, wife of Thomas Gregg; Hannah, wife of Isaac Haines; Joel, who entered the Union service during the Civil war and was confined in Libby prison for four months, dying five days after his release; William, also a soldier in the Civil war, who spent six months and three days as a prisoner at Jacksonville, now in business at Belmar, N. J., of which city he was one time mayor; and John, a merchant in Fulton township, Lancaster county. By his second wife, Margaret (Wright) Mr. Jackson had three children: Henry, who is a farmer in southern Lan- caster county; Ida May; and Eva, wife of Andrew Charles.
On June 7, 1900, Professor Cooper married (second) Ella May Clauser, who was born Feb. 25, 1870, at Tremont, Pa., received her education in the public schools at Llewellyn and at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutz- town, Pa., graduating from the latter in 1888, and was a public school teacher at Shenandoah for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have had four chil- dren, born as follows: Jonathan Wendell, April 7, 1901; Anna May, Sept. 19, 1904; Sarah Ruth, May 15, 1908; Myrton Thompson, Nov. 28, 1910.
Philip A. Clauser, grandfather of Mrs. Jonathan W. Cooper, was a native of Branch township, Schuylkill county, and spent all his life in the same house on the farm where he was born. He owned a large tract of land and considerable timber. He died about 1887, at the age of seventy years, his wife Rosanna living to be over eighty, and they are buried at what is known as Clauser's Church, the Frieden's Church, of which Mr. Clauser was a Reformed member. His father donated the organization twelve acres of land for church and cemetery purposes, was one of the founders of the church, and assisted in building the original house of worship. Philip A. Clauser was a Republican and took an active part in local politics. His family consisted of seven sons: Jacob, who is a veteran of the Civil war; Simon H .; Philip, who married Susan Bush; David, a veteran of the Civil war, who married Ellen Freimoyer, of Llewellyn, Schuylkill county ; Frank- lin, who married Sarah Zimmerman; Edward, and Milton.
Simon H. Clauser, Mrs. Cooper's father, was born in the same house as his father, and was reared and educated in Branch township. He did farm work until the Civil war broke out, serving during that struggle under three enlistments, the first for three months in Company A, 129th Penn- sylvania Regiment, under Capt. Harry Chance. He was discharged in July, 1861, and on Aug. 9, 1862, became a member of Company A, 129th Regi- ment, under Capt. William W. Clement, for nine months. At the end of this time he was discharged at Harrisburg, in May, 1863, and on Feb. 25, 1864, reenlisted, for three years or during the war, becoming quartermaster sergeant of the 50th Pennsylvania Regiment, Veteran Volunteers, under Col. William Telford. He was discharged July 30, 1865, near Georgetown, D. C.
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Upon his return from the army Mr. Clauser became one of the Reading Coal & Iron police, and was in 1873 promoted to the position of chief of the Coal & Iron police at Hazleton, Pa., where he died Sept. 5, 1874, at the early age of thirty-one years. He was a versatile man, able to turn his hand suc- cessfully to almost any kind of occupation. His ability was recognized, for he was chosen to several positions of honor and trust in the places where he resided, serving as tax receiver in Foster township. Politically he was a Republican. He was a Mason, holding membership in Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M., at Tremont, and his religious connection was with Clauser's Reformed Church. He and his wife are buried at that church.
Mr. Clauser married Sarah J. Faust, who was born Oct. 18, 1843, in Branch township, near Llewellyn, and taught school at Donaldson, Pa., before her marriage. She died Feb. 19, 1913. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clauser, viz .: Gurden G. married Cordelia Bowman, of Millers- burg, and one child, Agnes May, blessed this union; Ella M. is Mrs. Cooper; Anna W. became the wife of Elmer J. Wasley, superintendent of the Citi- zens' Water Works, of Shenandoah, and to them three children have been born, Stuart C., Douglas C. and Marian C .; Harry S. studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College, settled at Kingston, Pa., and died Dec. 31, 1900, at the age of twenty-five years, and is buried in Hanover Green cemetery, Wilkes-Barre (he married Mary Luke, and they had one child, Mill Luke).
Jacob F. Faust, Mrs. Clauser's father, was a farmer, and made many improvements on the large property he owned, building a substantial house and carrying on his work in progressive fashion. He served as supervisor and in other offices in Branch township, was a Republican in politics, and held membership in Clauser's Reformed Church, taking an active part in church work. His wife, Magdalena (Kutz), was born Jan. 20, 1825. He died in Shenandoah in 1889, and is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery there. They had a large family, namely: Edward G. married Mary Jane Cockill, and they reside at Pottsville; David P., who is land agent for the Philadelphia & Reading Company at Shamokin, Pa., married Mary E. Cockill; William married Ida Barnhart, and their home is at Llewellyn, Pa .; Daniel, also of Llewellyn, married Jennie Garland; Emma is the wife of Henry Gabert, of Mahanoy City, this county; Mary, deceased, was the wife of John Dovey; Sarah J. was the mother of Mrs. Cooper; Elizabeth lives with her mother in Scranton, Pa .; Carrie, deceased, was a very successful teacher in Scranton for fifteen years, and opened the department of the International Correspondence Schools of that city in which the common branches are taught (the school was founded by T. J. Foster).
GEORGE W. BERRETT, now living retired at Minersville, for a num- ber of years carried on the butcher business at that place, now conducted by his son, on South Delaware avenue. He is of English birth and extraction, born April 7, 1839, at Corsham, Wiltshire, son of Samuel Berrett. The father, who was a tanner, lived and died in England. His children were: Martha, William, Mary, Sarah, Edward, Samuel, George W., Annie, Eliza and James, who served in the African war and was lost track of during the service.
When a boy fourteen years old George W. Berrett commenced to learn the butcher's trade in Wales, where he remained for the next ten years. In 1863 he came to America, landing at New York, Aug. 3d, after a voyage of seven weeks and two days in the sailing vessel "Benjamin Adams," commanded by
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Captain Chase. His stay in New York was very brief, only one day and one night, and he came thence to Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he was first employed at mining. Then he resumed his former occupation, engaging in the butcher business on South Delaware avenue, where he catered to a profitable trade until his retirement in 1903. At that time he turned the busi- ness over to his son, George, who has since continued it. Upon giving up active work Mr. Berrett, in June, 1903, left for the old home in England and spent three months visiting there. His industrious life and honorable dealings with all have made him one of the most esteemed citizens at Minersville, where he and his family are held in the highest respect.
On Dec. 2, 1857, Mr. Barrett married Ellen Mitchel, daughter of William Mitchel, the latter a native of England and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Mitchel lived in Wales for many years, finally coming to America, where he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Berrett; he is buried at Minersville. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Sheaferd, died in Wales, and is buried there. Mr. and Mrs. Berrett had a large family, three children dying in in- fancy, unnamed. Of the others William married Margaret Jenkins, and is liv- ing at Frackville, Pa .; Samuel, also of Frackville, married Alice Jenkins ; Eliza, deceased, was the wife of William Edmunds (these three were born in Wales) ; George, the first child born in America, is married to Lottie Wilt; Mary, deceased, was the wife of William Hold, and her daughter, Helen, is married to Thomas Kauffman ; John Joseph, John (2), Albert and Joseph (2) all died young; James, of Minersville, married Lizzie Jenkins; Albert (2), Joseph (3), Charles and Ella died young. The family has the distinction of being the largest at Minersville. They are associated with the Methodist Church in religion and all have been creditable citizens. Mr. Berrett was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in his native land.
GEORGE W. BOLTON, a prosperous merchant of Schuylkill Haven. was born in that borough Dec. 16, 1854, and is a son of George W. Bolton, the family being one of prominence in Dauphin county, Pa. Many members reside in Harrisburg.
George W. Bolton, the father, resided for a time at Lebanon, Pa. He was reared to farm work, but afterwards learned the trade of shoemaker. Being among the pioneers of Schuylkill Haven, he opened a shop there and plied his trade for a time, later working on fine custom trade for William Rudy, with whom he remained for twenty-two years. After a lifetime of useful labor he was called to rest at the age of seventy-six years, and he is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He was twice married, his first wife being Lavina Boot, and to this union were born several children who died in childhood, a son James, who is deceased, and George W., men- tioned below, who is the only living member of this family. Mr. Bolton was married second to Louisa Aman, by whom he had ten children, as follows : Elvestes, Elmer, Reuben, James, Sallie, Joseph, Sevilla, Francis, Lewis, and one child that died in infancy.
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