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 46
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132, P. O. S. of A., at Schwartz's, in West Penn township, and of Pocahontas Council, No. 406, Order of Independent Americans, at Chain, Pa. In religion he is a Lutheran, holding membership in Zion's Church, West Penn township, which he has served faithfully in the offices of deacon and elder.
Mr. Shoemaker married Alice Mary Fenkner, who was born May 17, 1870, in West Penn township, and they have a family of four children: Beulah Alice, born Feb. 2, 1889, is the wife of Edward Schaeffer, of West Penn township, and has one child, Alverta May; Grandora M., born in December, 1890, married Howard F. Mills, who is assisting Mr. Shoemaker on the farm; James A. was born Jan. 6, 1893; Raymond G. was born March 22, 1900.
William Fenkner, father of Mrs. Shoemaker, was a native of Germany, born Jan. 11, 1826, and died in West Penn township March 18, 1903. He farmed for many years and after his retirement from active work made his home with his son-in-law, Mr. Shoemaker, on the thirty-two-acre farm pre- viously mentioned. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Billman, died March 10, 1889, aged forty-four years, and they are buried at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in West Penn township. They had the following children : Dillwyn Willis, Milton William, Susan Augusta, Alice Mary, Francis Alvin (deceased), Oscar George (deceased), Priscilla, Helen Louisa, Oliver James (deceased), Ann Savilla (deceased), Edwin and Ella. The father of this family was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in West Penn town- ship. He was a Democrat in political sentiment and took an active part in local affairs, serving frequently as member of the election board.
WILLIAM F. MOYER, a lifelong resident of West Brunswick town- ship, Schuylkill county, has been an influential citizen of that section always on the side of good government and progress, and though now practically retired has lost no interest in the general welfare. He was born Jan. 28, 1844, on the farm there which he still owns and occupies, and has spent all his life on this place, which was originally owned by Abraham Albright, his maternal grandfather.
Philip Moyer, his paternal grandfather, was a clergyman of the Reformed denomination and preached at Zion's Church (the old Red Church) in West Brunswick township, and also at Summer Hill, this county. He followed farming in connection with his ministerial work. His death occurred when he was seventy-seven years old. His wife Esther (Dieffenbach), a native of Berks county, Pa., died when sixty-three years old. They had the fol- lowing children : Lucian; Daniel P .; Kittie, Mrs. Henry Kern; Isabella, Mrs. Gottfried Zulick; and Diana, Mrs. George Adams. Philip Moyer was a Republican in his political convictions.
Daniel P. Moyer, son of Philip, was born in West Brunswick township, where he cultivated the farm now the property of his son William. It was owned by his wife Sallie (Albright), daughter of Abraham and Maria (Al- bright) Albright. Mr. Moyer disappeared when his children were small and nothing was ever afterwards learned of his whereabouts. Mrs. Moyer died at the age of seventy-three years, and is buried at the Reformed Church at Cressona, Pa. At the time of her death she was living with her daughter Diana. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer had two children: William F. and Diana, the latter Mrs. James Marburger. Mr. and Mrs. Marburger are both now deceased.
William F. Moyer now owns the homestead, as previously mentioned. It
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consists of 106 acres, about half of which is cleared. Mr. Moyer has con- tinued to improve the place throughout the period of his ownership. He inherited the farm upon his mother's death. He built the house there in which he now lives, and also constructed substantial outbuildings, all of which have added very materially to the value of the property. He has always been devoted to general farming, and the farm is now operated by his son Benjamin, Mr. Moyer having given up arduous work although he is still active. The farm products are marketed at Pottsville and St. Clair. Mr. Moyer has a fine collection of arrowheads and tomahawks, gathered upon his land, strong evidence that the Indians lived here in the early days. Mr. Moyer has always had strong convictions on the subject of public educational facilities, and he served his township for many years as school director. He also held the office of school tax collector and was supervisor for a long period. Politically he believes in the principles of the Republican party. He belongs to Kimmel's Church (Church of God) in West Brunswick township, which he is serving at present as elder, and he has always been active in church work, having several times been delegate to church conventions. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Jr. O. U. A. M.
Mr. Moyer was married by Rev. Jacob Kline to Caroline Siegfried, who was born in April, 1843, in West Penn township, and there received her edu- cation, coming to West Brunswick township with her parents when twelve years old. She died Dec. 31, 1909, and is buried at Kimmel's Church. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moyer: (1) Rev. William Elmer, born Aug. I, 1865, is now located near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pa. He mar- ried Cora Kepfer, and they have two children, Esther and Wendel. (2) Ellen Adelia, born July 7, 1867, married James Sheipe, of Orwigsburg, Pa., and is now deceased. She was the mother of five children: John Boyle, Norman, Minnie, Leon and Esther. (3) Caroline, born March 8, 1869, is the wife of George Miller, of Orwigsburg, and they have had four children : Stella, George, Elwood and Norman ( the last named deceased). (4) Oley Winona, born April 8, 1871, married Oliver Smith, and is deceased. (5) Thomas, born Dec. 11, 1872, died when ten days old. (6) Benjamin Franklin, born Jan. 1, 1874, is now operating the home farm. He married Lilly Kauffman, and they are the parents of Eva May, Ralph John, Allan Otto and Charles Frank- lin. (7) Annie Maria, born Jan. 12, 1878, is married to Albert Lebengood, of Orwigsburg, and has two children, Beatrice and John. (8) Fannie May, born July 15, 1881, is the wife of Walter M. Koch, a farmer of West Bruns- wick township, and they have four children, Raymond E., Irwin W., Edward M. and Mabel V. (9) Iva, born March 8, 1884, is married to Winfield Clahr, of Reading, Pa., and has three children, Walter, Edna and Ellen. (10) Sadie, born June 25, 1886, is the wife of Theodore Koch, of McKeansburg, Pa., and their children are Ralph and Dorothy.
Israel Siegfried, father of Mrs. William F. Moyer, was a farmer in West Brunswick township, operating the place now owned by his son James. The family settled there when Mrs. Moyer was twelve years old. The property consists of sixty acres, cleared and well improved. Mr. Siegfried married Maria Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, and the following children were born to this union: Caroline, Mrs. William F. Moyer ; Morris, who lives at Orwigsburg, Pa .; Frank, who married Diana Bensinger (she is deceased) ; James, who married Emmaline Smith; and Maria, married to Albert Smith,
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of West Brunswick township. The father of this family died when about seventy-three years old, and the mother at the age of seventy-eight, and they are buried at St. John's Church, Orwigsburg. They were members of the Reformed congregation there.
WALTER M. KOCH is a prosperous young farmer in West Brunswick township, making a specialty of growing garden truck and fruit, for which he finds a ready market at Pottsville and St. Clair, this county. Thrifty and enterprising, doing his share in keeping up good standards in the neighbor- hood, he is a typical member of a family whose name has been associated with high citizenship for several generations in this part of Schuylkill county. His great-grandfather 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 Walter M. 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 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 McKeansburg, 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 Willminia.
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 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.
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Mr. Koch married Caroline Schoener, who was born Nov. 18, 1839, daugh- ter 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 following children: Josephine, born Dec. 16, 1858, married Elmer Koch; Ellen, born Feb. 10, 1860, married Samuel Dreher; Francis C., born Aug. 4, 1863, mar- ried Mary Follweiler; Albert G., born June 24, 1865, married Lizzie Al- bright; 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. is mentioned below ; one child died in infancy.
Walter M. Koch was born April 10, 1880, in East Brunswick township, where he grew up and received his education. He received his early training on the home farm, where he worked for his father until nineteen years old, after which he was employed for one year in the Philadelphia & Reading car shops at Schuylkill Haven. For the next three years he worked with a portable steam sawmill for Mahlon Boyer, at different points in Schuylkill county, and then joined his brother Charles in the operation of the homestead farm, which they tenanted for two years. At the end of that time he came to his present place in West Brunswick township, which he bought from Mrs. Eliza Stein, widow of George Stein. 'The property contains 119 acres, ninety acres of which are cleared and devoted to general farming, in which Mr. Koch has been highly successful. He has taken a public-spirited interest in local affairs, serving very efficiently as school director. He is a Republican in political opinion, and attends Kimmel's Church in West Brunswick town- ship. Fraternally he belongs to Grace Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F., of Orwigs- burg, and to Mayang Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, of Orwigsburg.
Mr. Koch married Fannie May Moyer, who was born July 15, 1881, in West Brunswick township, daughter of William F. Moyer, and remained at home until her marriage. She is a member of Kimmel's Church (Church of God) in West Brunswick township. Mr. and Mrs. Koch have had four chil- dren, born as follows: Mabel V., Feb. 22, 1899; Raymond E., Sept. 22, 1902; Irwin W., Sept. 13, 1904; and Edward M., March 27, 1910.
EDWIN LUCAS, of Barry township, one of the prosperous farmers of his section of Schuylkill county and an official of proved integrity, bears a name which has long been associated with high worth in this locality. Philip Lucas, his grandfather, moved into the county at an early day and settled down to agricultural life in Barry township, where he owned a farm about four miles from the town of Hegins. He died on that property.
Michael Lucas, father of Edwin Lucas, was a farmer all his life, dying in November, 1912. He married Christina Maurer, who was born in Mahan- tongo, Schuylkill Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel Maurer, a farmer in the Mahan- tongo valley, where he resided until his death. Mrs. Michael Lucas passed away in December, 1898, the mother of four children: Edwin, the eldest ; Mary, living in Girardville; Fietta, deceased; and William H., who lives at Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania.
Edwin Lucas was born in 1854 in Barry township, where he grew up, meantime taking a common school course in the home locality. From boy- hood he has followed farming, and since 1905 he has occupied his present home in Barry township, which he purchased that year. It contains eighty
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acres, which he devotes to general farming. Mr. Lucas has had very satis- factory results in his agricultural operations. His success in his personal ventures accounts for the confidence his fellow citizens feel in his ability and honesty, and they have not been disappointed in the quality of his services in the public positions to which he has been chosen. He has been township auditor and is at present serving as a member of the board of supervisors, with several years of efficient service on the board to his credit.
In 1881 Mr. Lucas married Elmira Kessler, who was born in Barry town- ship, daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Gehres) Kessler, both of whom sur- vive; Mr. Kessler was formerly a farmer in Barry township. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas: Charles, the eldest, is on a farm in Barry township; Cora is the wife of Clarence Maurer, a merchant of Weis- hample, Schuylkill county; Carrie is the wife of Samuel Moser, who lives near Frackville, this county; Gertie is the wife of Edward Shuey, of Barry township; H. Clarence, Earl and Pearl are at home. Mrs. Lucas holds mem- bership in the United Brethren Church.
FRANK REPPERT STERNER, of West Penn township, is now devot- ing most of his time to farming. A blacksmith by trade, he followed that call- ing for a number of years after locating on his present property, but has given it up except for the work necessary about his home.
Mr. Sterner is descended from an old family of Berks county, Pa., and was born there, in District township, Nov. 27, 1848. His great-grandfather, Henry Sterner, was a farmer on the Henry Zell place in Maxatawny town- ship, Berks county, which he rented for twenty years. He died there when about seventy-eight years old, and is buried with his wife at the Mertz Church, in Rockland township, Berks county. He was married three times, first to a Leiby, second to a Foulk and third to Catherine Shantz, and his children were: John, Jesse, Henry, Jacob, Samuel, David, Nathan, Peter, Polly, Eliza- beth, Lydia, Hettie and Sallie.
Henry Sterner, son of Henry, above, by the second marriage, was born in November, 1795, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, where he was reared and educated. In early life he worked for his father on the farm. He learned the weaver's trade, but followed general farming principally, acquiring a farm of 100 acres in District township, Berks county, much of which he cleared. He made many improvements there, put up buildings, rebuilt the dwelling house, and had a thrifty career. When he retired he lived with his daughter Lydia ( Mrs. David Hess) until his death, which occurred in Dis- trict township in June, 1874. Mr. Sterner was married in Rockland township to Mary Magdalena Keller, a daughter of Christopher Keller (whose wife was a Delp), and she died at the age of seventy-three years, in District township. He is buried at Long's Church in Rockland township, Berks county. Mr. Sterner was a very active worker in the Reformed denomination, belonging to Huff's Church, in Hereford township, and he also took great interest in public affairs, first as a Democratic Republican, later as a Democrat, and finally as a Republican. His children were: Joel married Susan Felthoff, and they died in the West ; Polly married David Seip, and both are deceased ; David K. is the father of Frank R. Sterner; William, deceased, married Elizabeth Frederick, of Huff's Church, Berks county; Lydia is the widow of David ยท Hess ; George, deceased, married Maria Merkel; Peter K., unmarried, lives in District township, Berks county.
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David K. Sterner was born in Rockland township July 14, 1829, and lived in District township from the time he was about ten years old, receiving his education there. He worked for his father until his marriage and then for other farmers, and also burned charcoal. Later he owned a patch of twelve acres which he operated until his retirement, when he sold it, and for nine years lived with his son Frank. For the last two years he has been living at Reading, Pa., with his son Alfred. He has lost his sight. Like his father he belongs to Huff's Reformed Church, though he has never been active in the congregation, and he has always been a Democrat in political opinion. Mr. Sterner has been married three times. His first wife, Susanna (Reppert), born Oct. 22, 1826, died in May, 1861, and is buried at Huff's Church. She was a daughter of Melchor and Susanna (Schrading) Reppert. Six children were born to this union: Frank R. is mentioned below; Hettie married James Schneck and (second) Samuel Bush, and now resides at Henningsville, Pa .; Benneville, of Catasauqua, Pa., married Amanda Beidler, who is deceased; Henry married Louisa Hyle, and they live in Milford township, Lehigh Co., Pa .; Anne Maria died when three years old; William died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Sterner married Susanna Herbst, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Reidenour) Herbst, and she had three children: Sarah; Jonathan, who died aged twenty-two years; and Aaron, unmarried, who lives at Hen- ningsville, Longswamp township, Berks county. Mrs. Sterner died when forty years old, and is buried at Huff's Church. Mr. Sterner's third union was to Lavina Miller, daughter of William and Kate (Reppert) Miller, both natives of District township, Berks county. She died when thirty-five years old and is buried at Huff's Church. There were four children by this mar- riage: Alfred M., now of Reading, who married Ida Weidner; Catherine, who died when three years old; David, who died when five years old; and Fianna, who died when one year old.
Frank R. Sterner was educated in the public schools of District township, Berks county, and remained at home until 1866, working for his father. He then served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade at Hensingerville, Lehigh county, with Henry Merkel, with whom he continued two and a half years, after which he was with Daniel Everhart, in Salisbury township, Lehigh county, for three years. He married and moved to the vicinity of Saegers- ville, Lehigh county, where he was employed by Ephraim Saeger, sharpening tools for the curbstone quarries. He was so engaged for one year, and then went to work in the stone quarries at Jordan Bridge, Lehigh county, for Edward Marto, for about seven months. He then removed to Hensingerville and sharpened tools around the rock mines for nine years, thence moving to Slateville, Lehigh county. He was there three years, sharpening tools for the slate quarries in the vicinity, and meantime remarried, his first wife having died at Hensingerville. After that he removed to his present place in West Penn township, having bought the property from Hezekiah Turner, father of his second wife. It originally consisted of 143 acres, part of which he has sold off, retaining seventy-three acres, 118 rods. Sixty-four acres are under cultivation, and Mr. Sterner is successfully engaged in general farming. Occa- sionally he markets his produce to Tamaqua. He has made valuable improve- ments on the home place, built the present substantial dwelling there, and also a blacksmith shop, following his trade quite steadily when he first settled here. However, he has given up doing work for outsiders, but continues to do most of his own blacksmithing.
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In the summer of 1911 Mr. Sterner built a fine pool for raising trout, laying a large cement wall, and there are two compartments, properly arranged, and fed by a very fine spring which runs through his place. He bought his trout at the fishery near Weissport, Pa. The trout pond has been very suc- cessful and has well repaid the time and effort Mr. Sterner has expended on its development. It is a feature in the neighborhood and attracts considerable attention. Mr. Sterner is a member of the Reformed congregation of Zion's Church in West Penn township. On political issues he supports the Demo- cratic party.
Mr. Sterner married Lucianna Sherry, a native of Lowhill township, Le- high county, born Dec. 30, 1848, daughter of Solomon Sherry, who died when she was seven years old. Her mother's maiden name was Wieand. Mrs. Sterner was educated in Lowhill township. She died Sept. 25, 1882, and is buried at Huff's Church. She left three children: (1) William Henry, born Sept. 25, 1871, resides near Klinesville, Berks Co., Pa. He married Sarah Moser, and they have had children as follows: Carrie (Mrs. Milton Tyson, has three children), Stella (Mrs. Kershner, has two children), Lizzie, Henry, Granville, Oscar, Edith, William, Mahlon and Esther. (2) Annie Louisa, born Feb. 15, 1874, married Fred Turner, of West Penn township. They have children, Oscar, Dora, Stella and Ralph. (3) Frank Harvey, born Jan. 21, 1882, lived in Mahanoy City, and is now deceased. He married Carrie Wil- liams, and they had one child, Wilbert David.
Mr. Sterner married for his second wife Susanna Turner, who was born in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, May 15, 1864, a daughter of Hezekiah and Lucy (Hill) Turner, the latter dying when her daughter Susanna was nine years old. Mrs. Sterner was reared and educated in her native township, and belongs to Zion's Reformed Church there. She is the mother of the following children: Clara Elamanda, now the widow of Wal- ter Lee ; David, born Oct. 11, 1885, who is employed in Royer's Mill at Tama- qua ; Calvin Oscar, born Oct. 6, 1889, employed as a wood chopper and resid- ing at home; Celesta, born March 4, 1891, of Tamaqua; Lewis Abraham, born June 4, 1892, a section hand on the Lehigh railroad, residing at home ; Charles Ryan, born Feb. 22, 1895, at home; Levi Milton, born Aug. 21, 1897; Mary Susanna, born Jan. 8, 1901, and Eli Hezekiah, born Feb. 26, 1905.
Solomon Sherry, father of Mrs. Lucianna (Sherry) Sterner, was a tailor by trade. He lived in Lowhill township, near Guthsville, and owned a small tract of land, but he continued to work at his trade all his life. He died at the age of fifty-five years, and is buried with his wife at Lowhill Church. Her maiden name was Wieand, and she died when seventy years old. They had children as follows: Eli; Jonas; Abbie, Mrs. Koch; David, who married Hannah Focht; Lucianna, Mrs. Sterner; and Clara, who died young. The father was a Republican.
Abraham Turner, grandfather of Mrs. Susanna (Turner) Sterner, was a lifelong farmer and also followed butchering in West Penn township. He was highly prosperous, and owned three farms. To his marriage with Susanna Miller, daughter of Henrich Miller (the builder of Staudt's mill in West Penn township), children as follows were born: Elizabeth married Giddeon Hill; Ambrissa married Elijah Ziegler; one daughter died unmarried; four children died in infancy ; Abraham married a Hetler; Hezekiah completes the family. The father was a Democrat, and held the office of constable for a number of years. He belonged to Zion's Church in West Penn township, and
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