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 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
ROWLAND WHITFIELD
929
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
dealer in flour, on Second street, continuing that business until his death, which occurred at Pottsville April 2, 1897. He is buried in the Charles Baber cemetery. His undeviating honesty and fairness towards his fellowmen, positive success in all his undertakings, conservative, unassuming character and good will to all, won him a degree of respect attained by few men. When a candidate for the borough council he had the honor of being unanimously elected. Politically he was a Republican, in religious connection a Presby- terian. Socially he was a Mason, holding membership in Anthracite Lodge, No. 285, F. & A. M., of St. Clair, of which he was a past master; Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., Pottsville; and Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., Pottsville, of which he was a charter member.
On May 6, 1865, Mr. Whitfield married Lottie E. Brick, of St. Clair, and seven children were born to them: George died in infancy; Charles died in his sixth year; Lucian V. was formerly in business with his father at Potts- ville and is now a resident of Philadelphia (he married Catherine Haddock and has one son, Rowland) ; Rowland died in infancy; Mary R., who grad- uated from the Pottsville high school, is now the wife of Prof. Thomas C. Knowles, of Pottsville, principal of the commercial department of the high school, and has three children, Rowland W., Thomas C., Jr., and Charlotte W .; Ellen J., also a graduate of the Pottsville high school, is married to Frederick Wetter, of Pottsville, and has two children, Carl S. and George S .; Joseph died in his seventh year.
Mrs. Whitfield resides at No. 309 West Norwegian street, Pottsville. She is highly esteemed, and was a successful business woman for many years, carrying on Mr. Whitfield's business after his death. She owns a fine piece of business property opposite the post office on Second street, the place occu- pied by the Britton-Hoffman Company.
Louis Brick, Mrs. Whitfield's father, was born in Germany, and met his wife, Charlotte (Frantz), on board the vessel which brought them to America. They were married at Philadelphia, and came to Schuylkill county, settling at St. Clair, where he followed mining. They died there. Four children were born to them: Catherine married Joshua Ketner; Charlotte (Lottie) E. is the widow of Rowland Whitfield; Ellen married William Matthews ; Louis lives at Pittston, Pennsylvania.
JACOB R. SCHULZ, of Ashland, Schuylkill county, has been a resident of that place practically all the time since the family came to America in 1880. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Therm) Schulz, were born in Ger- many, along the Rhine, and the father was a soldier during the Franco-Prus- sian war, receiving a pension for his services. They brought their family to America in 1880, leaving Germany June 13th, and landing at New York on the 29th, after a voyage of sixteen days, and thence coming directly to Ash- land, Schuylkill Co., Pa. The father is deceased, and the mother, who still survives, makes her home with her son Jacob. There were ten children born to this couple, namely: Jacob Robert, the eldest; Mary, now in a convent at Lancaster, Pa .; Katie, deceased; Hattie, wife of William Smith, of Ash- land; John, a resident of Ashland, Pa .; George; and four children who died in infancy.
Jacob R. Schulz was born May 12, 1872, at Hungard, Germany, on the Rhine, in the county of Ottweiler, Trier, and lived there until eight years old, attending school for about two years before he came with his parents to America. The rest of his schooling was received at Ashland, and he was Vol. II-21
930
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
but eleven years of age when he commenced mine work, being employed at the collieries near Ashland until he reached the age of twenty-two years. Entering the John Dence shoe factory at Ashland, he remained there for four years, resumed mine work for a time, and later moved to Hopewell, N. J., where he remained for five months. Returning to Ashland, he then estab- lished himself in business there, repairing shoes. His place is equipped with modern machinery, and he has an extensive patronage, his skillful and reli- able workmanship drawing and holding a profitable trade. He owns the building where he lives, a substantial three-story structure, and his thrifty and industrious life has gained him the respect of all with whom he comes into contact. He is a consistent member of St. Mauritius Catholic Church at Ashland, and for the last twenty-four years has belonged to the St. Mauri- tius Society and the Holy Name Society. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party.
Mr. Schulz was married April 21, 1914, to Mary Shearer, a native of America, of German descent, her parents being John and Anna (Gabel) Shearer, now residents of Trenton, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Schulz were married at that place.
WILLIAM S. ACKER has a well improved little farm in East Bruns- wick township which he has occupied for over thirty years, and he and his family are among the respected residents of that locality. He comes of an old Pennsylvania family, being a grandson of Jacob Acker, who was a school teacher and followed his profession in Berks and Lancaster counties. He died in young manhood, and is buried at the Lutheran Church in Oley town- ship, Berks county, having been a member of that church. He was married in that county to Caroline Wise, and they had one child, Daniel. The widow remarried, becoming the wife of Matthias Rhodes, by whom she had the following children: Jacob, John, Hiram (who married Sarah Wolfgang), Frank, Kate (who married Lincoln Romich) and Mark. The mother of this family is also buried at the Lutheran Church in Oley township.
Daniel Acker, only child of Jacob, above, was born at Oley, Berks county, and received his education in the township schools. After his father's death he was bound out to Jacob Reichner, with whom he learned the tailor's trade. He owned a small tract of land, and later was a tenant on a large farm for a time, making a good living. He was supervisor in Pottsgrove township, Montgomery Co., Pa., for twenty-six years, also held the office of school director, and took considerable interest in local politics as a member of the Democratic party. He lived to be over eighty, dying Jan. 10, 1896, and his wife Maria (Schoener), daughter of Henry and Catherine (Schwenk) Schoener, was over ninety at her death. They are buried at Mount Zion, in Chester county, Pa. He was a member and leading worker in the Lutheran Church at Pottstown, in which he held the offices of elder and deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Acker had these children: Lydia, who died in childhood; Henry, who married Sarah Hartranft, and after her death Louisa Dengler; Kate, who married Michael Kadeny and after his death Arthur F. Miley; William S .; Daniel, deceased, who married Annie Jacoby; Jonathan, who married Catherine Wise; and Mary, Mrs. David Endy.
William S. Acker was born July 10, 1845, in Douglass township, Montgom- ery county, was educated in the schools of his native county, and worked among the neighboring farmers, as well as on his father's place, until he was
931
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
eighteen years of age. He learned cigarmaking, and then went to the milling trade with Isaac March, at Ironstone creek, Berks Co., Pa., where he remained two years. His next move was to Glasgow, Montgomery county, where he worked in the merchant mill for one year, and from there he went to Walker township, Schuylkill county, following milling at that location for two years. Returning to Pottstown, Pa., he worked in the Davis Merchant Mill for three years, then followed the butcher business in Pottstown for a short time, but sold out after several months and entered the grocery business, in which he was engaged for about one year. At that time he married, and then worked in the rolling mills until April 12, 1881, when he came to his present place in East Brunswick township, a tract of nineteen acres and some perches, where he carries on general farming.
Mr. Acker married Esther Ann Nester, and they are the parents of the following children: Mary Louisa, born Sept. 30, 1872, married William B. Best ; Daniel Webster, born Oct. 4, 1873, lives in Montana ; Augustus Withers, born April 8, 1875, died when seventeen months old; Bertha Esther, born Sept. 8, 1877, married Fred Heiser ; one child, born May 14, 1879, died in infancy ; Blanche Anna, born July 22, 1880, married Irvin Eberhart; Bessie Mabel, born July 29, 1883, married John Schoener ; Esther Carrie, born Jan. 3, 1886, is in Montana.
Mr. Acker is independent in politics. Formerly he was a member of the Knights of Pythias, I. O. O. F. and P. O. S. of A., in Montgomery county. He and his wife are members of the Church of the Transfiguration ( Lutheran), at Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Esther Ann (Nester) Acker, wife of William S. Acker, was born in East Brunswick township July 22, 1844, daughter of Daniel Nester and grand- daughter of Daniel Nester. The latter was a native of Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa., and followed blacksmithing and farming. To him and his wife Esther ( Moyer) were born the following children: Elijah ; Daniel, father of Mrs. Acker; Henry, who married Hannah Zimmerly and ( second) Sarah ; Aaron ; Sallie, Mrs. John Shirey : Esther, Mrs. Samuel Seiple; and Lydia. Mr. Nester was a Democrat in political faith and a Lutheran in religion, belong- ing to the Hill Church in Hereford township. He and his wife are buried there.
Daniel Nester, father of Mrs. Acker, was born in Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa., Jan. 10, 1804, and was reared there. When eighteen years old he went to Greenwich, Carbon Co., Pa., where he worked in the forge for a time. He then moved to Rauschs, East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and was employed by Bertolet Brothers ( Mayberry and Samuel) in the rolling mill, learning the work of puddling, heating and rolling. After twelve years' em- ployment at Rauschs he removed to Bacherts valley, in East Brunswick town- ship, and bought a tract of land to which he added from time to time until he had a large farm. He cleared a great deal of his property, and carried on gen- eral farming very successfully. About twenty years before his death he gave a farm to each of his sons Daniel and Harrison J., and then lived retired for the remainder of his life. His death occurred March 28, 1897, and his wife Priscilla (Kepner), born Sept. 24, 1818, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Moser) Kepner, survived him just a month, passing away April 29, 1897. They are buried at the Frieden's Church, New Ringgold. Mr. Nester was a member of the Lutheran congregation of that church, a Republican in politics, and held the office of school director. His children were as follows: Cather-
932
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ine married Samuel Marberger, and after his death Amos Gerber, who is also deceased ; Daniel married Mary Dewalt, and both are deceased; Samuel, de- ceased, married Carrie Delaney, and after her death Minnie Matthew; Frank married Lizzie Bock, and both are deceased ; Esther Ann is Mrs. W. S. Acker; Henry died in infancy; Harrison J. married Sarah Hartman; John died un- married.
CHARLES ELLSWORTH MOYER, an enterprising young man now in business at McKeansburg, is a native of Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa., and a descendant of a family which has been in this section of the State for several generations. His great-grandfather, Isaac Moyer, was a broom and basket maker. He was married in Bucks county, and thence moved to Berks county, where he followed his trades until his death. While on a trip selling brooms he was murdered, his body being found later in a field by hunters. He had six children: Sarah Ann, Mrs. Hosler; Jacob G .; Benjamin; John; Samuel ; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Peter Gerhart. Isaac Moyer was a member of St. Michael's German Reformed Church in Tilden township, Berks county, and is buried there. He was a Democrat in political faith.
Jacob G. Moyer, grandfather of Charles E. Moyer, was born in Bucks county, Pa., and received his education there. Moving to Berks county he worked as a woodchopper on the Blue mountain, and later bought a tract of thirty-six acres, all of which he cleared and cultivated in general farming. Subsequently he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as brakeman. Upon the breaking out of the Civil war he entered the Union army, as a member of the 158th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. After returning from the army he went back to his farm, which he eventually sold out to all of his nephews. Then he came to East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and bought a tract of seventy-two acres, ten acres of which were in timber. He conducted this farın until a few years before his death, when he sold this land to Moses Behler and bought a small tract at Drehersville, nine acres, upon which he died. He lived to the age of eighty-eight years, passing away in 19II. His widow, whose maiden name was Sarah Meck, still survives, now (1915) seven- ty-nine years old, and is the owner of the nine-acre tract; she lives at Drehers- ville. She is a daughter of Samuel Meck. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer had the fol- lowing children: Henry married Lizzie Reeser; Eli married Emma Wert; Amanda married Morris Spatz; Agnes, deceased, married Lewis Myers; Sam- uel married Priscilla Bolich; Alfred married Mrs. Stella ( Medlar) Miller, widow of William Miller; Priscilla died in infancy; Emmalina died in in- fancy ; Ida Rebecca, Emma and Adeline are deceased. Like his father Mr. Moyer was a Democrat, and a member of St. Michael's Reformed Church in Tilden township, Berks county. He is buried there.
Eli Moyer, father of Charles E. Moyer, was born in Tilden township, Berks Co., Pa., Oct. 6, 1860, received his schooling there, and worked on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when he found employment at the Port Clinton rolling mills, at Port Clinton, Schuylkill county, and learned the trade of puddler, which he followed for two years. Later he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, being one of the mason gang under Charles Jacobs, foreman, and worked along the main line, building and repairing bridges, for one year. He then changed to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, working in the car shops at Weatherly, Carbon
933
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Co., Pa., and repaired cars, continuing this work in all for thirteen years. Meantime, while in Weatherly, he married, and he removed thence to Packer- ton, Carbon county, continuing in the same employ and following the same work, in the car shops. He was next at Philadelphia, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at the Park shops, as repairman for one year, during which his family lived in Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa. Later he entered the employ of the Curtis Bay Car Company, at Curtis Bay, Baltimore, Md., as car repairer, for nine months; went to Wilmington, Del., and was employed by the Pullman "Car Company for three months, when he gave up that line and went to Hackelbernie, Carbon Co., Pa., at which place he con- ducted the "Washington Hotel" for nine years. The hotel burned down May 15, 1913, and he is now living retired with his son Charles E. Moyer at Mc- Keansburg. Mr. Moyer married Emma Wert, who was born Feb. 27. 1861, in Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa., a daughter of Willoughby and Maria ( Hart- ranft) Wert. They had two children: Charles Ellsworth; and Emmalina Elizabeth, born Oct. 18, 1886, who died aged two years, nine months, seven days. Mr. Moyer is a Democrat in political association, and he took an active part in public affairs while a resident of Lehighton, serving in the town coun- cil for three years, and as president of that body for one year. Hc is a member of Washington Camp No. 179, P. O. S. of A., of Weatherly, Carbon county. Mrs. Moyer united with the Reformed Church at Lehighton, and Mr. Moyer's religious inclinations are in the same direction.
Charles Ellsworth Moyer was born Aug. 14, 1885, and was educated in the schools of Lehighton. Most of his young manhood was spent at Hackel- bernie, where he worked in the coal mines for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, and also at odd times in the Hackelbernie mines, until 1913. That year he went into the hotel business in East Mauch Chunk, where he was located for one year, thence coming to McKeansburg, Schuylkill county. Here he bought the hotel and store property which he is now conducting, the old Leibensperger property, having a general store and the "Hotel Moyer" ( for- merly called the "Drover Hotel"). He is married to Elizabeth Stoker, born April 11, 1882, a daughter of William and Alice ( Brainbridge) Stoker. They have one child, Charles Ellsworth, born Feb. 18, 1914.
Mr. Moyer has always been an active Democrat. While in Carbon county he was county committeeman under James I. Blackslee, fourth assistant post- master general of the United States, and at that time county chairman of Carbon county. Mr. Moyer was candidate for poor auditor, to represent Car- bon and Luzerne counties, and was elected, but never served. He acted as secretary and treasurer of Local No. 1595. United Mine Workers of America, from the time the local was started until he left the mines, and was delegate to all the conventions while in office. He joined Washington Camp No. 108, P. O. S. of A., at Mauch Chunk, and was a charter member of Lehighton Tent, No. 442, Knights of the Maccabees of the World. He attended the Episcopal Church at Mauch Chunk.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Stoker) Moyer was born April 11, 1882, at Upper Lehigh, in Foster township, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of William Stoker and grand- daughter of John Stoker. The grandfather was a miner, beginning that occupation in England, the place of his birth. He married in England and emigrated to America with his family about the time that President Lincoln was assassinated. Landing at Castle Garden, New York, he then proceeded to near Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he was a miner until his death,
934
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
which occurred when he was over sixty years of age. He was married three times, his first wife being the mother of William Stoker. His second wife, Martha (Kennedy), bore him four children: John married Priscilla Briggs; Charles married Ida Baker; Thomas married Maggie Rheimheimer; George married Lillie Stackhouse. His third wife was Mary Kennedy. Mr. Stoker and his three wives are buried at Wanamie, Luzerne Co., Pa. He was a Republican and a member of the Church of England.
William Stoker, father of Mrs. Moyer, was born in New Castle, England, Dec. 14, 1854, and came with his parents to America when ten years old. He followed the occupation of coal miner at Freeland, Luzerne county, for the Upper Lehigh Company, for thirty-seven years. On leaving the mines he went to Mauch Chunk and assisted his son-in-law in the hotel business, and on the latter's removal to McKeansburg accompanied him. He is still residing there. His wife, Alice (Brainbridge), is buried at Freeland. They had chil- dren as follows: John, a resident of Wapwallopen, Luzerne county, married Kate Schaeffer, and they have four children; Elmira is unmarried; Florence resides at Orwigsburg, Pa .; Elizabeth is Mrs. Charles E. Moyer; Mary Ann and Mary Jane died young. Mr. Stoker has supported the Republican party and has been actively associated in promoting its welfare. He has served as judge, clerk and inspector of elections, and held the office of supervisor in Foster township, Luzerne county. Socially he is a member of Loyal Castle, No. 65, Knights of the Mystic Chain, and is a past Sir Knight Commander.
CHARLES HENRY HOPPES, of West Penn township, is a typical representative of a family whose members have been among the respected residents of that part of Schuylkill county since the close of the Revolutionary period. Industrious, progressive and of high personal character, he is uphold- ing in an honorable life the best traditions of the substantial stock to which he belongs and doing his share in advancing the best interests of the region which has been the chosen home of his race for several generations.
John Michael Hoppes, the emigrant ancestor of Charles Henry Hoppes, came to this country from Baden, Germany, it is said about 1740, but the family history of that period is incomplete. He made his home in what is now West Penn township, Schuylkill county, then included in Northampton county, Pa. He had four sons. Life in this region was full of dangers in those days, for the settlers were never safe from Indian raids, and the father of this family eventually lost his life defending his home against the savages. A band of Indians surrounded and attacked the Hoppes home one night, and in the fight which ensued John Michael Hoppes and two of his sons were killed. The other two sons fought until the attackers withdrew defeated, and saved the mother and daughters. The three victims were buried next day under a pine tree near by, and the survivors decided to break up the home, being thoroughly discouraged by the evil turn of their fortune. One of the sons moved to Virginia and made a permanent settlement there. He succeeded in life, acquiring the ownership of a valuable plantation, and. owned slaves. The other son, Jonas, remained in Pennsylvania. Born Jan. 12, 1753, he spent his life in Pennsylvania. When the Revolution broke out he took up arms in the cause of the Colonies, serving seven years. He was in a cavalry regiment and under Washington's command. In the retreat from Phila- delphia he was captured by the British and kept without food for three days, was rescued by LaFayette's army, and returned to his service. After the
935
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
war he became a prosperous farmer in West Penn township, Northampton (now Schuylkill) county (having there located the land grant of 150 acres received for his services), building a log house and barn on his tract, a con- siderable portion of which he succeeded in clearing. He farmed throughout his active years. His death occurred July 30, 1833, his wife, Catherine (Harr), who was born April 7, 1755, passing away July 5, 1823. They are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township, and his grave is always decorated on Memorial Day. Mr. Hoppes was one of the most zealous mem- bers of Zion's Church, giving the land for the building site and cemetery plot, and he assisted in the erection of the church.
Michael Hoppes, grandfather of Charles Henry Hoppes, was a farmer and miller, owning the farm of 128 acres and the stone mill thereon now owned by his grandson, Michael A. Hoppes, in West Penn township. The mill is one of the local landmarks. He was a Democrat on political questions and a Lutheran in religion, belonging to Zion's Church in West Penn township and helping to build its present stone house of worship. He and his wife are buried in the cemetery of that church. They had children: Joseph, Nathan, John, Michael, Lizzie and Judith.
Michael Hoppes, the father of Charles Henry Hoppes, was born Nov. 17, 1822, at the old mill in West Penn township, and received his education in the township schools. He followed farming and milling all his long life, which covered almost fourscore years, his death occurring Feb. 3, 1902. He was reared and educated in his native township, and after entering upon the serious work of life was occupied as laborer on his father's farm from the age of sixteen until twenty-five, at which time he bought the mill and 128 acres of land. A man of upright life, he was highly respected by all his neighbors and valued as a worker in the Zion's Lutheran Church, in which he filled all the official positions. Politically he was a Democrat. His wife, Catherine (Balliet), survived him ten years, dying Sept. 30, 1912. She was born June 3, 1825, daughter of George Balliet (whose wife was a Houser), and is buried with her husband in the cemetery of Zion's Church. They were the parents of the following children: Polly, now the widow of Nathan Gilbert, is living in West Penn township; Rebecca is the wife of Reuben Nothstein, and lives in the Mahoning valley in West Penn township; Cathe- rine is the widow of Adam Henry, of Carbon county, Pa .; Benneville died young; Charles Henry is next in the family ; Michael A., who lives on the old homestead, married Mary Shellhammer.
Charles Henry Hoppes was born April 8, 1856, in West Penn township, in the Mahoning valley. His education was acquired in the public schools of the township, and he remained at home, working on the farm for his father, until twenty-one years old, after which he worked out among other farmers for a period of three years. He then married and removed to New York City, where for three years he was in the employ of Stephen Kistler, driving a team, handling hides and leather. Returning to West Penn township, he purchased from Nathan Gilbert part of the farm which he has since operated, his first purchase consisting of fifty-eight acres, to which he has added until his holdings now consist of eighty-nine acres, seventy of which are cleared. He carries on general farming, marketing his produce at Summit Hill and Lansford. Mr. Hoppes has given practically all his attention to his work, but he has taken sufficient interest in local affairs to give his services for one term as member of the board of school directors, and he is a zealous member
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.