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 5
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
James Lorah was born May 18, 1860, in East Union township, Schuyl- kill county, where he was reared and educated, attending Lorah's school. He was trained to agricultural life, working on his father's farm until twenty-six years old, after which he was employed as a section hand on the Philadelphia
627
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
& Reading road for nine months. His next work was for William and Elder Spangler, in the lumber woods at Audenried, Carbon county, being in their employ about two years, and later he was a stationary engineer for Coxe Brothers & Co., at their Oneida (Schuylkill county) colliery, for a period of eleven years. His sister, Mrs. Andrew B. Faust, having bought the lumber business of her deceased husband at the administrators' sale, he went into partnership with her under the name of Mrs. Andrew Faust & Brother, and they had joint interests for the next nine years, when they sold out. Later Mr. Lorah formed another partnership, with his brother Michael, in the same line, and they were together five years, dissolving the association by mutual consent. James Lorah is now alone in the lumber business, con- fining his transactions entirely to mine timber. He has other important con- nections also, being one of the most active business men in his community, and his encouragement of any project is considered a recommendation. He was one of the first directors of the Ringtown National Bank, and is still serving in that capacity.
Like the earlier generations of his family in this region Mr. Lorah has taken a deep interest in the prosperity of St. John's Reformed Church, which he is serving as elder at present ; he was formerly a deacon. With his brother- in-law, Andrew B. Faust, and others, he built the present house of worship, Mr. Faust furnishing the lumber and Mr. Lorah contributing liberally of money and supervising the erection of the building. He has always taken a leading part in the enterprises of this church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Ringtown Lodge, No. 287, which he joined Oct. 9, 1890. His political support is given to the Republican party. He has served his township six years as school director, for two years being president of the board.
Mr. Lorah was united in marriage with Margaret Catherine Faust, who was born May 3, 1863, in East Union township, where she was reared and educated, remaining at home until her marriage. She is a Lutheran member of St. John's Church, and formerly taught in the Sunday school. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lorah: Derwin Ezra, born Dec. 10, 1891, received his early education in the township schools, and later took the college preparatory course at the Bloomsburg (Pa.) State Normal School, from which he was graduated; he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Sheppton, Schuylkill county, and belongs to St. John's Reformed Church. Ivy May, born July 12, 1894, began her education in the township schools, later attending one year at the Bloomsburg Normal and taking one summer course at Perkiomen Seminary, Pennsburg, Pa., and is now teach- ing the Oneida school in East Union township; she is a member of St. John's Reformed Church. Olive Margaret, born Jan. 5, 1898, acquired her early education in the township schools and is now attending the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa .; she is a member of St. John's Reformed Church. Beulah Caroline, born June 2, 1900, is attending high school at Sheppton, in East Union township. James Russell, born Dec. 14, 1904, and Heber Daniel, born Oct. 14, 1907, are attending school in the township.
Henry Faust, grandfather of Mrs. Lorah, was born April 8, 1780, prob- ably in East Brunswick township, and died June 6, 1871, aged ninety-one years, one month, twenty-eight days. He is buried at the Old White Church near Ringtown, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mengle, is buried at Weissport, Carbon Co., Pa. It is supposed they were farming people. Mr.
1153970
628
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Faust was a Democrat in political sentiment. His children were: James, who married Levina Moyer; Frank, who married Dorothy ; Michael; Daniel; Elizabeth (deceased), who married Jacob Trout; and Catherine, widow of Henry Eisenhart, living at Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Faust, father of Mrs. Lorah, was born near McKeansburg, in East Brunswick township, Feb. 27, 1828, and was there reared and educated. Dur- ing his young manhood he worked out among farmers, and in time bought a farm of his own, at Brandonville, in East Union township, Schuylkill county, upon which he followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. His death occurred Oct. 11, 1910, and he is buried with his wife, Carolina (Bitting), at the Old White Church near Ringtown. She was born Oct. 6, 1835, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Beaver) Bitting, and died Aug. 11, 1914, at the home of her son-in-law, James Lorah. They had the follow- ing children: Hannah Malinda married Jacob Brobst, and they live at Hazle- ton, Pa .; Amanda Elizabeth is the wife of Frank Scott, of Brandonville, this county ; Andrew B. (deceased) married Rebecca Elizabeth Lorah; Margaret Catherine is the wife of James Lorah; Daniel Wesley married Rebecca Bolander, and they live at Hazleton; Silas Mayberry (deceased) married Charity Creasy, and she resides at Forks, Columbia Co., Pa. The father of this family was a Democrat and a Lutheran, belonging to St. John's Church in East Union township, which he served as deacon.
HENRY L. MILLER has had his residence and business headquarters at Port Carbon for a number of years. But having had interests at various other points in Schuylkill county, and retaining important connections in sev- eral places besides his home town, he has more than local reputation and standing. Mr. Miller has exhibited in large degree the qualities which made his father one of the most valuable citizens of this region in his day, admired for his energetic and progressive character and respected for his substantial contributions to the development of the locality.
John Frederick Miller, the father, was of German nativity, born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg. There he spent his childhood and youth, coming to this country when twenty-one years old. He landed at Castle Garden, New York City, came as far as Landingville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., by canalboat, and thence walked to Orwigsburg, where he found work with Reuben Hoy as a farm hand. Some time later he purchased 145 acres of land in West Bruns- wick township, lying one mile north of Orwigsburg, the old Leymeister farm. Part of it was still covered with brush and timber, and he continued the work of clearing and cultivation until 1895, in which year he removed to the borough of Orwigsburg. The property remained in the Miller family for forty-five years, and is now owned by Fred Blacker. John F. Miller acquired extensive and valuable real estate holdings at Orwigsburg, and exerted himself very effectively in introducing modern conditions of life into that town. The first sewers laid there were of his construction, and he was the original owner of the system, now in the possession of his son Henry L. Miller. When the borough was ready to provide a public water supply the necessary land was purchased from him for the works, reservoir, etc., and he assisted the project in every possible way. He was one of the original parties interested in the Orwigsburg Fair Association, which for years enter- tained the people throughout this section. He was the first to start in the ice business at Orwigsburg, and carried it on successfully, as he did everything
629
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
else he undertook. Indeed, his fellow citizens had such confidence in his judgment and faith in his disinterested public spirit, that few men of his time were more influential in guiding local affairs, though he took no special part in the administration of public matters. However, he was a zealous mem- ber of the German Lutheran Church at Orwigsburg, having been one of the founders of the church, and he assisted in building the present St. Paul's Church, which he served as trustee. Mr. Miller lived to the age of seventy- eight years, dying in 1909, after several years of retirement. He is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Orwigsburg.
Mr. Miller married Sophia Dietrich, also a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, who came to America when twenty years old, and died at Orwigs- burg at the age of seventy-nine years. They were married at that place, and the following children were born to their union: Elizabeth died young; Mary died young; William, who lives at McAdoo, this county, is engaged in the ice business and has a farm in the Quakake valley; Henry L. is next in the family ; George B. is living at Orwigsburg; John J. is a resident of Shen- andoah, this county; Catherine is the wife of John Reidler, of Orwigsburg; Rosie is the wife of Charles H. Hein, who is serving as poor director of Schuylkill county; Frederick lives at Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Miller also reared her sister's son, Jacob Koenig, who was born in Germany and was brought to America when nine months old.
Henry L. Miller was born May 28, 1862, at Orwigsburg, and had school privileges there and in West Brunswick township. His early years were spent in assisting his father on the farm. At the age of eighteen he went to learn the business of broommaking, in which eventually he became engaged on his own account, following it for seven years at Orwigsburg and Auburn, this county ; he also made brushes. Then he entered the hotel business at Lakeside, this county, also taking charge of the pleasure resort grounds there for a period of four years. Returning to Orwigsburg, he became inter- ested in the manufacture of paper boxes in company with Samuel Miller, under the firm name of Miller & Miller, carrying on the business which they sold to George Ketner and which is now owned and operated by Oscar Knipe. For several years following Henry L. Miller gave his time chiefly to the timber business, and at the same time conducted coal washeries along the Schuylkill river, near Schuylkill Haven, taking out thousands of tons of coal, and finding the venture very profitable. In 1902 he came to Port Carbon and purchased the knitting plant then owned by George Heebner, and imme- diately set about improving and enlarging the facilities, foreseeing the great possibilities in the business. He rented the old building of the Evangelical Church at Port Carbon, remodeled it to suit his needs, installed modern ma- chinery, and for the next six years operated the plant under the name of the Superior Knitting Mills. The business was then incorporated as the Superior Knitting Company, with Mr. Miller as president and general manager, Messrs. S. R. Beddall (ex-sheriff) and G. W. Beddall being the other members of the firm. They continued together until Aug. 1, 1914, when Mr. Miller, having new ideas which he wished to put into practice, resigned as president and general manager of the Superior Knitting Company and formed a part- nership with his son, John J. Miller, under the name of H. L. Miller & Son. They have erected a fine modern, three-story brick plant on South Coal street, Port Carbon, one of the most complete of its kind in the State, equipped with the most approved machinery known to the trade, lighted, heated and
630
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ventilated in accordance with the latest ideas, admirably appointed, in fact, for the production of the highest class of work under the most favorable con- ditions. The Millers deserve no less credit for the consideration they have shown in respect to the welfare of their employes than for intelligent dis- crimination in the choice of machinery and the arrangement of their estab- lishment. They employ one hundred skilled workers, who turn out the finest grades of underwear, sold to jobbers all over the world. Mr. Miller's char- acteristic thoroughness has left no weak points in the business, his familiarity with the details of manufacturing being well supplemented with executive ability and grasp of trade conditions. He is one of the owners in the Potts- ville Bleaching & Dyeing Company, and for a time was the president of that concern, but is now vice president, Mr. John P. Schwenk, of Schuylkill Haven, taking the presidency; John J. Miller (son of Henry L. Miller) is secretary and treasurer. Mr. Schwenk and Mr. Miller erected the plant (at Potts- ville) in 1909. It is provided throughout with modern machinery and facili- ties of every description, being one of the most up-to-date factories of the kind in the State, and the company has established a remunerative business in this section, many factories having found its conveniences very advan- tageous.
Mr. Miller is a large property owner at Orwigsburg. His holdings at one time included the "Harlon House" there, and he formerly owned his father's farm, but sold it in 1910. At one time he owned another farm in West Brunswick township. Success has come to him as the result of work, for though his ability is exceptional his application and perseverance have been equally noteworthy, and he has maintained a name for honor and integrity in every transaction. While a resident of Orwigsburg he was an officer in the Lutheran Church. At one time he was an active member of the Mahanoy City Gun Club and enthusiastic in the sport, being one of the best wing and rifle shots in this section.
In 1885 Mr. Miller was married at Orwigsburg, by Rev. H. I. Erb, to Ida Amanda Honsberger, daughter of Jacob S. and Mary Matilda (Walborn) Honsberger. Her father now resides at New Ringgold, Schuylkill county. She is a great-granddaughter of Uris Walborn, an early settler at Pinedale, Pa. The Honsberger and Walborn families are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children, Lottie Irene and John J., both living at home.
JOHN J. MILLER was born Sept. 2, 1889, at Lakeside, this county, and received his education principally in the local public schools, attending high school at Port Carbon. In 1909 he was graduated from the Peirce business college, at Philadelphia. That year he found employment in the accounting department of the Eastern Steel Company's plant at Pottsville, but after a short experience there became associated with H. O. Koller, of Reading, Pa., and established the Pottsville Motor Car Company. They did business at Pottsville, selling the Buick, Franklin and E. M. F. cars. Two years later Mr. Miller bought out his partner, and thereafter conducted the business alone until he formed an alliance with Theodore K. Leininger, of Orwigs- burg, under the name of the Pottsville Automobile Company. Their loca- tion was on Centre street, Pottsville, and they did a successful business, being sole agents for the Buick cars in Schuylkill county. In October, 1914, Mr. Miller having made arrangements to enter the manufacturing business with his father, sold his interests in the automobile business to Mr. Leininger, and
631
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
he is now devoting all his time to his duties as junior member of the firm of H. L. Miller & Son and secretary and treasurer of the Pottsville Bleaching & Dyeing Company. He is business-like, industrious and popular, and has excellent prospects of taking his place among the wide-awake men of the borough.
Mr. Miller holds membership in the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order United American Mechanics, the T. P. A., and the Pottsville Motor Club.
CHARLES MEYERS, proprietor of the Evening Chronicle, Pottsville, was born in Branch township, near Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Nov. 25, 1855. He is descended from German ancestors, his parents, Jacob and Susanna (Laudemann) Meyers, being natives of Bavaria. They immigrated to America in 1852, and were married in Minersville, spending the rest of their lives in Branch township, near Minersville. The father died in March, 1894, at the age of sixty-seven, and the mother died three months later, at the age of seventy-two. Charles Meyers has been entirely self-dependent from early youth. His parents were not financially able to afford him the advantages of an education, and he left school at the age of ten years, to join the army of slate pickers at the mines. He was employed in this capa- city and that of "loader" until eighteen years of age. Thereafter he was engaged in various lines of work for a number of years, until after his mar- riage, in 1880, when he returned to the mines as a foreman, being thus em- ployed for several years, at different places. In 1894 he became the super- intendent of the Brookwood Coal Company's washery at Mahanoy Plane, both he and his brother Harry having an interest in the $50,000 plant there erected. In 1896 Mr. Meyers resigned this position and was nominated as Republican candidate for the office of county commissioner, a position to which he was elected by a handsome majority. After this Mr. Meyers again returned to the mines, having retained his interest in the property previously mentioned, and soon thereafter considerable change was made in the propri- etorship, other property was purchased, and the business of the firm expanded. It now became known as the Madeira, Hill & Co., consolidating with the G. B. Newton & Company, and Mr. Meyers owned a one-third interest, being superintendent of the business. Leases were secured on additional property, in different parts of the county, the business being devoted to mining and washing culm banks, which proved profitable. In August, 1903, Mr. Meyers sold his interest in the extensive business here briefly described, and in May, 1905, he purchased the Chronicle, which is one of the principal daily papers in Pottsville, as it is also one of the oldest. The Chronicle from time to time, since Mr. Meyers has acquired it, has been the leader in a number of crusades. Especially was it instrumental, in the fall and winter of 1909, in clearing up the stigma resting on Schuylkill county politics, resulting in many of the crooked ways of the professional politician being made straight, and the effect of which is still wholesome on the entire county. The plant is large and valuable, fully equipped for all kinds of job and book work, as well as the publication of a daily newspaper.
On Feb. 8, 1880, Mr. Meyers was married to Caroline Semmet, of Cres- sona, Schuylkill county. Her parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Leonard) Semmet, were natives of Bavaria, and located at Cressona in an early day. Her father was killed in a railroad accident in 1875, and her mother died at
632
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Cressona in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers have two daughters, Marion and Helen, the latter now the wife of Lester E. Schlaseman.
CHRISTOPHER LOESER, ESQ., who at the time of his death was the oldest member of the bar of Schuylkill county, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., Nov. 5, 1793, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Stringer) Loeser. He came to Schuylkill county in 1814. During the war of 1812 Mr. Loeser served as a lieutenant in a company from this county, commanded by Capt. Theophilus Hughes, which in 1814 was stationed in Baltimore. He was for some years clerk in the prothonotary's office under Dr. McFarland, who was the first prothonotary under the new county organization of Schuyl- kill. Subsequently Mr. Loeser became deputy sheriff under Benjamin Christ. In 1820, as deputy marshal, Mr. Loeser took the first census of the county, going over much of the ground necessarily on foot. He read law under James B. Hubley, Esq .; was admitted to the bar of. Schuylkill county July 31, 1820, and commenced the practice of the law at Orwigsburg, then the county seat of Schuylkill. He entered upon a professional career, which con- tinued until he became enfeebled by disease, for nearly half a century. With great natural ability he united legal learning, untiring industry, sterling integ- rity and fidelity to the interests of his clients, who gave to him their un- limited confidence.
During his long professional career Mr. Loeser acted as legal adviser to many of the mining companies. So well known was his sense of what was just and proper, that he quelled many an incipient riot in the numerous strikes among the coal miners of his time, by merely raising his hand, and directing the men to return to work, telling them that he would personally present their grievances to the operators, and he never betrayed the confidence. After the removal of the county seat to Pottsville, Mr. Loeser became a resident of that borough, where death, which occurred March 27, 1865, at the age of seventy-two years, closed his long and useful career. Mr. Loeser was mar- ried to Louisa Bartle Sept. 15, 1833.
WILLIAM N. STINE, a prominent resident of Barry township, has occupied his home place there for over thirty years. He has prospered and has made investments from time to time in other farm lands, still retaining valuable interests of the kind. But he has availed himself of the opportunities to go into other fields, has been a successful trader, and at present does con- siderable business handling real estate.
The Stine family is of German extraction. Jonas Stine, father of William N., was born in the Mahantongo valley, in this section of Pennsylvania, where his earlier ancestors settled. He was one of three brothers, and also had three half brothers, John, William and Safenos, two of whom, William and Safenos, were in the military service during the Mexican war. Jonas Stine in his youth followed carpenter work, but he soon became engaged in the buying and selling of horses, bringing many from the West. Later he became a merchant, having a store at Gettysburg, whence he removed to Dark Corner, in Columbia county. His next change was to Shamokin, Northumberland county, and subsequently he was located at Mount Carmel, that county, from which place he moved to the farm in Mahantongo where the rest of his life was spent. He was accidentally killed in 1869, by being thrown from a wagon. Mr. Stine's energetic disposition made him active in other lines as
633
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
well as in business, and he was a leader of public opinion among his neigh- bors, being regarded as an authority on law and politics in Mount Carmel. He married Eva Ann Lake, who was born near Reed station, in Northum- berland county, daughter of John Lake, a farmer, who settled early in North- umberland county and continued to live there to the end of his days. . Mrs. Stine was one of a large family, three sons and several daughters: John, Daniel, Milton, Eva Ann, Mahalia, Kate, Martha, and Maria. Daniel, Mil- ton, and several of the daughters still survive.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stine were born three children: Louis lives at Ansted, \V. Va .; Dora died young; William N. completes the family. He was only a small boy when the mother died, in 1855, and the father remarried, having several children by the second union : John W .; Hannibal C .; Jonas G .; Flora, and Elizabeth.
William N. Stine was born in 1851 at Shamokin, Northumberland county, received the principal part of his education in the schools of Mount Carmel, and when yet a boy began work at the mines. He was first employed at the breaker, and he was afterwards in the mines, spending a year thus in different capacities. When only fifteen years old he became engaged in the business his father followed so successfully, dealing in horses, in which line he later developed an extensive trade. In 1883 he came to his present home property in Barry township, Schuylkill county, a farm of over one hundred acres, and for a number of years, in connection with its management, was extensively engaged in buying, selling and exchanging property. He acquired other farm property, at one time owning as many as eight farms. Some of his capital has been attracted to other quarters, being at present invested in the coal fields of West Virginia. Besides his operations in real estate he has an interest in several hotels and local bank stock, a practical proof of his faith in the stability of business conditions in Schuylkill county. Though not a public man in any sense he is an influential member of the community, where his intelligence and substantial qualities of character are highly appreciated.
In 1871 Mr. Stine married Phietta Wehry, a native of the Mahantongo valley, where her father, David Wehry, was an early settler and became extensively engaged in farming. Mrs. Stine's brothers, Daniel and Amos, survive. Mrs. Stine died May 23, 1901, the mother of one child, Charles Henry, who lives in Barry township, this county. He married Sallie Berry, of that township, and they have had a large family, eight still living.
FRANK W. BAUSUM, one of the leading merchants at Pottsville, bears a name which has been associated with the development of Schuylkill county from its early days, the family having been established here by his great- grandfather. In every generation the Bausums have been conspicuous for industry, honesty and the other substantial characteristics which are at the foundation of good citizenship and progress in any community. The present- day members of the family are no exception.
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.