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 47
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he and his son Hezekiah assisted with the construction of the present church building. He and his wife are buried there. Mr. Turner lived to be about seventy years old.
Hezekiah Turner, son of Abraham, born in West Penn township April I, 1820, died Oct. 2, 1890, and is buried with his wife at Zion's Church. He was educated in West Penn township and spent his life there, following gen- eral farming. He owned the place now in the possession of his son-in-law, Frank R. Sterner. Mr. Turner retired after the death of his wife. He mar- ried Lucy Hill, daughter of Jonas Hill, both natives of West Penn township, and she passed away at the age of forty-five years, the mother of twelve chil- dren : James, deceased, married Ella Baer, who now lives in West Penn town- ship; William, of Albany township, Berks county, married Kittie Geiger (de- ceased) and (second) Lizzie Wagner; Abraham died young; Kittie is mar- ried to Samuel Geiger, of West Penn township; Emma, widow of Wilson Eck, lives at Macungie, Lehigh Co., Pa .; Lizzie married Lewis Freby, of Henningsville, Berks county; Abraham (2) is deceased; Noah, who married Sarah Ashey, lives at Ashfield, Carbon county; David, who is living in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, married Rosie Berk; Susanna, twin of David, is the wife of Frank R. Sterner; Killian, who married Katie Schrer, is a resident of Lowhill township, Lehigh county; Clara is deceased. The father was a Reformed member of Zion's Church in West Penn township, and in political principle a Democrat.
SALEM BENJAMIN NESTER, carpenter, now established in business at McKeansburg, followed his trade at various other points in Schuylkill county before coming to his present location, and the excellent reputation that preceded him was a favorable start there. Reliable and skillful work- manship has brought him a trade which keeps him constantly busy. Mr. Nester has spent most of his life in East Brunswick township, where he was born June 17, 1873, son of Daniel Nester and grandson of Daniel Nester.
The great-grandfather, also named Daniel Nester, was a native of Here- ford township, Berks Co., Pa., and was a blacksmith and farmer by occupa- tion. He was a Democrat and a Lutheran, belonging to the Hill Church in Hereford township, where he and his wife, Esther ( Moyer), are buried. They were the parents of the following children: Elijah; Daniel; Henry, who married Hannah Zimmerly and (second) Sarah -; Aaron; Sallie; Mrs. Joseph Shirey ; Esther, Mrs. Samuel Seiple ; and Lydia.
Daniel Nester, the grandfather, was born Jan. 10, 1804, in Hereford town- ship, Berks county, and when eighteen years old went to Greenwich, Pa., where he worked at the forge for a time. Coming to Schuylkill county he settled at Rauschs, in East Brunswick township, and being an iron worker was employed in the rolling mills then operated at Rauschs by Bertolet Bros. (Mayberry and Samuel). He was employed there for twelve years, and then removed to Bacherts valley, in East Brunswick township, where he bought land to which he added to from time to time until he had a large farm. This he partially cleared and there he carried on general farming the remainder of his life. He died March 28, 1897. He married Priscilla Kepner, who was born Sept. 24, 1818, daughter of Samuel Kepner, a native of West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and they had children as follows: Harrison J., married Sarah Hartman: Daniel was the father of Salem B. Nester; Esther Ann, married William S. Acker; Kate, married Samuel Marburger and
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(second) Amos Gerber, both of whom are deceased; John, died unmarried; Frank, married Lizzie Beck, and both are deceased; Henry, died in infancy ; Samuel is deceased. The father died in his eighty-fourth year, the mother at the age of eighty-nine, April 29, 1897, and they are buried in the cemetery at Frieden's Church; they were members of the German Lutheran congrega- tion there. Politically Mr. Nester was a Republican.
Daniel Nester, son of Daniel, was born in the year 1845, in East Bruns- wick township, where he was reared and educated. In early life he assisted his father on the old homestead farm, which his father divided later, about twenty years before his death retiring and giving a farm to each of his sons. Daniel got the old homestead and Harrison J. the other part. Daniel Nester was successfully engaged in general farming, improved his property greatly, rebuilt all the old buildings, and made many other desirable changes. One year before his death he removed to New Ringgold and bought the W. H. Miller place, where he lived retired. A man of active temperament, he looked well after his own affairs and also did his share in the administration of the local government, serving as school director and auditor. He was a Republican and a Lutheran, belonging to the Frieden's Church and taking a leading part in its work; he filled all the church offices, and was elder at the time of his death. He was a charter member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold.
Mr. Nester married Mary Dewalt, daughter of John Dewalt, and she died at the age of fifty-two years, the mother of children as follows: Frank Daniel died young; Emma Priscilla died when twenty-one years old; Ida Hannah married Edward Mimm, and they reside in East Brunswick township; Carrie Elizabeth died young; Salem Benjamin is next in the family; David Joseph married Hattie Keefer, and they live at Reading, Pa .; Frederick Samuel died young ; Irvin Henry married Laura Miller, and their home is in Camden, N. J. ; George William is unmarried; Laura Helen died in infancy. The parents are buried at the Frieden's Church.
Salem B. Nester obtained his early education in East Brunswick township and attended one term at the Millersville State Normal School. After work- ing on his father's farm until twenty-three years of age he spent six years at Auburn, engaged in public work, and then for two years was a motorman for the Philadelphia Transit Company, in Philadelphia. His next location was at Pinedale, where he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with Joseph Fritz. Then he went to Middleport, where he worked with Levi Ruch, and spent four years in completing his preparation for the carpenter's trade after which he took employment at Mahanoy City with Thomas Koch; contractor and builder. There he remained two years, at the end of that time returning to McKeansburg and commencing business for himself. He does general carpenter work, and contracting occasionally, and is considered one of the most trustworthy men in his line in this section of the county. He has been a valued worker in local political circles, as a member of the Republi- can party, and has acted as judge of election. His fellow citizens have also called upon him for other public service, and he has filled the positions of school director (one term) and auditor very efficiently. Church work has also had an important place in his activities. He is a member of Christ Lutheran Church, at McKeansburg, has been deacon for seven years, and is a teacher in the Sunday school. Socially he is a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., at New Ringgold; of East Brunswick Lodge, No. 802,
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I. O. O. F., of New Ringgold, of which he is a past grand; and of Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, McKeansburg, of which body he is a trustee at present.
Mr. Nester married Emma Follweiler, who was born May 17, 1877, daugh- ter of William and Mary (Kleckner) Follweiler, natives of Berks county, and they had two children: Ezra Franklin, born June 9, 1898, and Kermit Norman, born May 17, 1910. Mrs. Nester died May 17, 1910, and is buried in Christ Church cemetery at McKeansburg. For his second wife Mr. Nester married Mary Yost, daughter of Israel and Sarah (Gerber) Yost. They have no children.
Mrs. Mary (Yost) Nester was born Aug. 23, 1879, and received her edu- cation in East Brunswick township. She is a daughter of Israel Yost and granddaughter of Jonathan Yost, a farmer and large landowner in East Bruns- wick township. He married Mary Kleckner, by whom he had the following children: Israel was the father of Mrs. Nester; Daniel married Lydia Bret- ney, and both are deceased ; Charles, deceased, married Catherine Sheip; Ben- jamin is deceased; Joshua, deceased, married Susanna Bankers, who is de- ceased; Sarah is the widow of Daniel Kimmel; Catherine is the widow of Edward Ringer; Lizzie married Jonas Daubert; Caroline married John Selt- zer, and both are deceased; Elmira died young; Jonathan is still living, aged ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Yost are buried at Christ Church, Mckeans- burg. He was an active member of that church and one of its valued workers, and he also took an active part in local politics, as a member of the Republi- can party.
Israel Yost, father of Mrs. Nester, was born Sept. 19, 1835, in East Bruns- wick township, and there received his education. When young he worked on his father's farm, afterwards learned milling with Daniel Yost, and later bought a farm of over 100 acres, of which about half was cleared ground. Besides cultivating his land he conducted a hotel in East Brunswick town- ship for a number of years, huckstered to Mahanoy City, and was interested with his son Salem in a creamery at Myerstown, Pa., which they operated for about ten years. He was also the owner of a large block of stock in the Mahanoy City National Bank. Mr. Yost was still on the farm at the time of his death, which occurred May 27, 1905. He married Sarah Gerber, who was born March 31, 1844, in East Brunswick township, and survived him, dying May 29, 1914. She was a daughter of John and Sarah (Schaeffer) Gerber, natives of North Manheim township, Schuylkill county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yost: Hannah, who died young; Priscilla, deceased, who was the wife of William C. Hartman, of East Brunswick township; John, who died young; Francis, who died young; Salem, who married Maggie Sieg- fried and lives at Myerstown, Pa .; Sarah, wife of Allen Moyer; Israel, de- ceased, who married Gertrude Housberger; Mrs. S. B. Nester; Ammon, who married Lillie Sassaman ; and Walter, who married Carrie Teter. The parents are buried in the graveyard of Christ Church at McKeansburg. Mr. Yost was a prominent man of his day, serving as treasurer of the East Brunswick township school board for a number of years, and also in the offices of tax collector and auditor. Politically he was a stanch Republican. He belonged to Christ Church at McKeansburg, was an elder at the time of his death, and had also served as deacon. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, holding mem- bership in East Brunswick Lodge, No. 802, of New Ringgold, and was a past grand of that organization ; he was also a member of Washington Camp No.
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100, P. O. S. of A., at New Ringgold, a past president, and treasurer for many years.
THOMAS GARIS, a lifetime resident of Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, now spending his days in retirement there, was in his earlier years active in pro- moting the best interests of that borough. As an official he gave public-spirited service in every office with which his townsmen honored him, and he was always an industrious worker and reliable in his dealings with his fellow men. He was born at Port Carbon, Nov. 18, 1842, son of Philip Garis, a native of Berks county, Pa., who settled at Port Carbon many years ago, and spent the rest of his life there. He worked by the day, and died when compara- tively a young man. His widow, whose maiden name was Julia Garis, long survived him, living to the age of seventy-nine years. They had two children, William and Thomas, both of whom served in the Union army during the Civil war.
During his youth and early manhood Thomas Garis was engaged in day's work at Bear Ridge and later with the Navigation Company at Port Carbon landing. When the Civil war broke out he joined Company C, 96th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and during his three years' service took part in all the battles in which his company and regiment were engaged. When he left the army he returned to Port Carbon and soon found employ- ment with Mr. Allison in the blacksmith shop, where he later became engineer, remaining there for a period of sixteen years. His next position was at the Port Carbon shops of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as boiler- maker, and he was employed there for twenty-four years, retiring when he reached the age of seventy. During President Roosevelt's administration Mr. Garis was appointed postmaster at Port Carbon, and he filled the position for three years; the office meanwhile was raised from the fourth to the third class. His interest in borough affairs has been shown in many ways, and he has served as a member of the council, and one term as school director. On political questions he is a Republican. Mr. Garis has never lost interest in the welfare of his Civil war comrades, and he is a prominent member of Alli- son Brothers Post, No. 141. G. A. R., of Port Carbon, having had the honor of being its first commander. He is at present serving as quartermaster of the post. In religion Mr. Garis is a Methodist.
Mr. Garis was united in marriage with Anna Rebecca Freed, daughter of John and Elizabeth Freed, and they have two children: William H., a jeweler, now in Pottsville, Pa .; and John E., a patternmaker, of Flemington, New Jersey. ,
ALFRED SCHLEAR has become very well known in his section of Schuyl- kill county as proprietor of the "Second Mountain House," situated in the eastern part of Blythe township. Before his removal to his present location he had a blacksmith and wheelwright shop at McKeansburg for eighteen years, and did well in that line as he has in the hotel business, by showing the ut- most regard for the needs of his patrons.
Mr. Schlear was born in Schuylkill Haven, this county, Nov. 4, 1862, a son of Jacob Schlear and grandson of George and Magdalena (Unger) Schlear. Jacob Schlear, the father, was born in Windsor township, Berks Co., Pa., Feb. 25, 1826, and was educated in the public schools. When he was a young man he removed to Schuylkill Haven, and was employed on the Schuylkill
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Navigation Company's canal as a stonemason and boatman. When his son Alfred was six years old he moved to Blythe township, where he bought a farm of thirty-six acres, in a few years adding twenty-four acres thereto. Of these tracts there were almost twenty-five acres under cultivation, and be- sides doing general farming Mr. Schlear made a specialty of dairying, having a very fine herd of cows. He conducted a milk and butter route and mar- keted his various products to Pottsville, Port Carbon and Palo Alto. When he sold his farm he removed to McKeansburg, where he lived retired for about ten years before his death, Sept. 10, 1896. Mr. Schlear married Louisa Keim, who was born in Perry township, Berks Co., Pa., April 8, 1835, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Keim, and died April 13, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Schlear had four children: Alfred; Angelina, who is married to Samuel Tiley and resides in Port Carbon ; Isaac, who married Kate Briggs, deceased (he lives at New Ringgold) ; and Edward, who married Sarah Smith, and they reside in Blythe township. Mr. Schlear was a Republican, and in religion a Lutheran, belonging to Christ Church at McKeansburg.
Alfred Schlear was reared and educated in Blythe township, and worked on his father's farm until he was eighteen years of age. He learned the trades of blacksmith and wheelwright and owned a shop at MIcKeansburg, where he did an excellent business for about twenty years. Selling out in 1903. he removed to Blythe township, where he purchased the "Second Mountain House." He has conducted it very successfully since, and its popularity is readily understood by those who have had reason to seek Mr. Schlear's hos- pitality. His ready courtesy and prompt attention to the wants of any guest on the one hand, and the excellent table fare provided, make a stop at the hotel one of pleasant memories, and many of the guests are old-time patrons. The hotel is now lighted with gas, Mr. Schlear having installed a Colt's acety- lene generator and thirteen lights, which have proved a great convenience.
Like his father, Mr. Schlear is a Republican and a member of Christ Lutheran Church at McKeansburg. His connection with public affairs has consisted chiefly in his connection with the Blythe township school board, of which he was president for a few years. Socially he is a member of Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, at McKeansburg.
Mr. Schlear married Ellen C. Heiser, who was born Feb. 13, 1863, at Mc- Keansburg, this county, and received her education in West Penn township. Four children have been born to this union: Stella A., born April 24, 1895; Jacob J., born July 8, 1897 ; George A., born Feb. 23, 1900 ; William M., born July 23, 1902.
William Heiser, Mrs. Schlear's grandfather, was a farmer in West Bruns- wick township (at that time East Brunswick), owning a tract of forty acres which he operated until the end of his days. He had the following children : Charles married Mary Heist, and both are deceased; Joshua was the father of Mrs. Schlear; William married Kate Harting, and both are deceased; Nathan married Anna Weller, and both are deceased; Catherine married Wil- liam Weaver, and both are deceased; Hannah married Adam Schock, and both are deceased: Susanna married Ephraim Brown, and both are deceased ; Mrs. Weller and Mrs. Perry complete the family. Mr. Heiser was a Demo- crat and a member of the Lutheran Church at Orwigsburg, where he and his wife are buried.
Joshua Heiser was born in East Brunswick township and there received his education in the public schools. He worked on his father's farm until
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he was about thirty-five years of age, when he moved to near Kepners, in East Brunswick township, and bought a small tract of land, which he operated for a while. Selling his interest there he came to East Brunswick township, where he died at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, Mary (Zettle- moyer), daughter of Henry and Kate (Reinhart) Zettlemoyer, still lives in East Brunswick township. They had children as follows: Ellen C., Mrs. Schlear; Mary A., Mrs. Abraham Schappell; Thomas A., who married Emma Bachert ; Robert A., who died when six years old ; Ida L., deceased in infancy ; and William C., who died when four years old. Mr. Heiser was a Democrat and a member of the Frieden's German Lutheran Church at New Ringgold. He is buried there.
CHARLES W. FAUST, the principal transfer man at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., is one of the best known men in that borough, his teams and auto truck being familiar objects to residents of the town. Mr. Faust was born May 29, 1868, in Washington township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is a son of Ferdinand Faust, being of German descent.
Ferdinand Faust was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America at the age of sixteen years. He first located at Baltimore, Md., where he worked at the baker's trade. Some time later he came to Schuyl- kill county and was employed by the Susquehanna & Schuylkill Railroad Company. He resided for a time at Centralia, Columbia Co., Pa., and then came to Washington township, this county, where he bought a farm which he operated for about thirty years, finally retiring to live at Pottsville, Pa. He died in that place Nov. 14, 1913, and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. His widow is still living in Pottsville. Mr. Faust mar- ried Mary Fessler, daughter of John Fessler, and to this union were born eight children: Kate, widow of Conrad Weber; Sarah, wife of W. A. Farrabee; John, living at Allentown; Samuel, residing at Orwigsburg; Charles W .; Frank, living in Washington township; Oscar, residing at Pottsville; and Emma, who married Frank Spearly, of Pottsville.
Charles W. Faust attended public school in Washington township and worked upon the home farm until he was thirty-one years of age. He then came to Schuylkill Haven and worked for Mrs. Randenbush for some time. In 1903 he engaged in the transfer business in a small way, and has since developed it into great proportions, having now from six to eight horses in use all of the time, besides running an auto truck for the heavier trade.
Mr. Faust was married to Tillie, daughter of the late Levi Kershner, of Schuylkill Haven, and to them have been born three children: Austin, Onedia and Blanche. The family home is on Canal street. Mr. Faust attends the English Lutheran Church, and is a member of the Red Men and the Jr. O. U. A. M. of Schuylkill Haven.
REV. A. V. KAMINSKY, of Minersville, for several years pastor of St. George's Greek Catholic Church, is a native of Galicia, Austria, born in 1876. He received a thorough education in Switzerland and Germany, and for three years was professor of science before coming to America, in the year 1904. His preparation for the priesthood was completed at Baltimore, Md., where he pursued his studies for three years, and he was ordained in 1906 at Scranton, Pa. His first work was at Elizabeth and Newark, in New Jersey, whence he was transferred to St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., remain-
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ing there for six months. In 1908 he was appointed to his present station at Minersville, where he has cared for the congregation most ably, building a fine church and attending zealously to all the needs of the parish. His good work is thoroughly appreciated by all the citizens of Minersville, regard- less of creed or class, his energy and efficiency having gained him the good will of all with whom he comes in contact.
ROWLAND WHITFIELD, late of Pottsville, was in his day a most highly regarded citizen of that borough, and a worthy successor to his father, Joseph Whitfield, for many years one of the most popular figures in the business and social life of this section.
Joseph Whitfield was of English birth, born in May, 1807, near Liverpool. He was a relation of Thomas Nuttall, the distinguished English-American naturalist, in whose company he came to this country when seventeen years old on a pleasure trip. But he was so favorably impressed with what he saw in America that he concluded to make his home here, and he shortly after- wards entered Harvard College, from which institution he was graduated with distinction. The class included among its members a number of men who became distinguished in various walks of life-Edward Everett, statesman and orator; Judge Joseph Storey; Washington Allston and Gilbert Stuart, the celebrated painters; Henry W. Longfellow, the poet; as well as others of towering intellect. His association with Stuart and Allston was an inspira- tion which he obeyed for several years, devoting himself to painting and traveling about in search of subjects and ideas. Though he did not remain long in the profession he acquired a familiar knowledge of art and art work which was a source of the keenest enjoyment to him throughout life. Coming to Pottsville in 1831 he engaged in the dry goods business and followed it to the close of his life-a period of forty-six years, and he was equally suc- cessful as a coal operator. He was not only a prosperous business man but popular in his social relations, and led an ideal home life. It would seem that his nature was so broad it grew out and developed along many lines instead of confining itself to a few interests, taking in all phases of the life of his adopted community. In politics he was a stanch Whig, believing in the principles of protection for home industries, and he had great admiration for Henry Clay. In fact, his uplifting influence was felt for many years, and appreciated thoroughly by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Whitfield married Ellen Dornan, and they became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters: Mary, who married Col. Henry Royer, general merchant of Pottsville; Rowland; Albert, a resident of the State of Georgia; Fannie, who married Abraham Seligman, a dry goods mer- chant of St. Clair, Schuylkill county ; Franklin B., of Topeka, Kans .; Lucy, who married Edwin W. Harper, of Philadelphia; and Ellen, who married Channing Shumway. For a number of years after her husband's death Mrs. Joseph Whitfield carried on a dry goods store she and her sister established, and their old stand on Centre street is now occupied by the Britton-Hoffman installment house.
Rowland Whitfield was born June 24, 1834, at Pottsville, and there received his education, graduating from public school in 1849. At that time his father was interested in coal operations at St. Clair, this county, where the youth went to work, and he soon entered the mercantile business there, remaining at that location until 1869. Returning to Pottsville he became a
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