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 50
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Nathan Seltzer, son of Abraham, was born in December, 1827, in East
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Brunswick township, and died at the early age of thirty-three years. He was a successful business man, following farming, and kept an inn at- Drehersville for a time, also carrying on a general mercantile business at that point. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and is buried at the Red Church. Politically he was a Democrat. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of Peter Albright, of West Brunswick township, and four children were born to this union : Elizabeth, Wesley A., Oscar and Mary, all deceased but Wesley ; Mrs. Seltzer remarried, becoming the wife of John Walborn, but had no children by that union.
Wesley A. Seltzer was born Jan. 22, 1865, at Drehersville, in East Bruns- wick township, and is a farmer, his land being in Orwigsburg borough. In 1874 he married Joanna Hoy, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Faust) Hoy, and they are the parents of the following named children: Frank P .; Mary, who lives at home; Anna, who taught school for a time, now the wife of a physician, of Orwigsburg; Catherine, wife of John Williams, living at Pine Grove Furnace, Cumberland Co., Pa .; John W., living at Franklin Furnace, N. J .; George I., now in New York State; Edward, a student at State College; and Albert, at home.
Frank P. Seltzer attended public school in West Brunswick township. His early training was entirely along the line of farm work, and he spent his young manhood at home, assisting his father. In 1913 he bought a valuable property in North Manheim township, near Adamsdale, comprising 161 acres, to which he removed March 20, 1914. This farm has been owned by the Lindners, Wagners, Heisters and Mowerys, from whom Mr. Seltzer purchased it. The location is excellent and well watered, the land being particularly desirable on that account, and Mr. Seltzer has set about converting his tract into a thoroughly up-to-date farming property. He has various social con- nections, being a member of Washington Camp, No. 86, P. O. S. of A., and Lodge No. 186, I. O. O. F., both of Orwigsburg. In religion like most of his family he is a member of the Reformed Church. He votes according to his own ideas, supporting the men and measures he approves regardless of the political party by which they are sponsored.
Mr. Seltzer married Ida Hartzel, daughter of John Hartzel, of Black Horse. They have a family of six children: Harold, Anna, Ralph, Oliver, Jolin and Clarence.
GEORGE A. WACHTER, a Pottsville tradesman who stands well in the opinion of his customers and fellow citizens generally, is following a busi- ness in which at least four generations of the Wachters have been engaged. His father, Rudolph Wachter, is still following the butcher's trade at Potts- ville, and his grandfather and great-grandfather were so engaged in Germany, where the family originated.
John Wachter, the grandfather, was born May 6, 1812, in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of Philip Wachter. He lived and died in Wurtemberg, passing away Jan. 19, 1862. He was a butcher and cattle dealer, and also kept hotel -- a prosperous business man, and well known in his section. He was married three times, and by the first union had four children: Stephen, who came to America in 1864 and settled at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he was engaged in the saloon business; Anthony, who remained in Wurtemberg ; Andrew, who died in France; and Paul, who came to the United States in 1868 and who has been in the carriage manufacturing business for many
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years. For his second wife John Wachter married Clementine Reide, and to them were born five children: Francisca, who settled in Wurtemberg; Rudolph; August, who came to this country in April, 1867, and for a num- ber of years was proprietor of the "West End Hotel" at Yorkville, this county ; Conrad, deceased; and Elizabeth. By the third wife he had two children : Mathias, deceased; and Cornelius, a watchmaker, of Wurtemberg.
Rudolph Wachter was born Jan. 16, 1846, in Wurtemberg, where he was reared and educated, receiving the thorough training customary in his native land. When sixteen years old he entered upon his apprenticeship to the butcher's trade, and after completing his preparation followed the business as a journeyman in Germany, Switzerland and France, until he came to America. Arriving in the country in the later part of June, 1868, he settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., at Pottsville. There he worked for different butchers for a few years, in 1872 opening a shop of his own in the borough. After conducting it a few years he removed to Philadelphia, in 1876, and was em- ployed at his trade there for the next ten years. Returning to Pottsville he found employment in the Seltzer packing house, where he remained two years, at the end of that time removing to Yorkville, where he had his home and business interests for a number of years. He had a profitable stand in a good location, and by honest dealing and reliability built up a good patronage, being one of the leading butchers in the borough. He carried on his own shop until 1910, when he decided to lay aside its responsibilities, and he returned to the employ of the Seltzer Packing Company, by whom he is still engaged.
During his active years Mr. Wachter was one of the foremost citizens of Yorkville. He was a member of the borough council for seven years, and was serving as councilman at the time the borough of Yorkville became part of Pottsville. Mr. Wachter was also policeman at Yorkville. In every official position he acquitted himself creditably, showing commendable public spirit and a conscientious regard for the wishes of his townsmen, who reciprocated by giving him their hearty support at the polls. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Wachter has been popular among those of his own nationality, having long been president of the local society of German Mechanics, and his religious connection is with St. John's German Catholic Church at Pottsville. His home is at No. 1639 West Market street, Pottsville. In 1912 Mr. Wachter went on a visit to his old home in Germany and also included Switzerland in his tour, spending six months abroad. In 1870 Mr. Wachter married Magda- lena Yastadt, daughter of John and Barbara (Ritzel) Yastadt, of Yorkville, this county, who came from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. Her father served seven years in the German army, came to America before his marriage, and settled at Pottsville, where he died. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wachter George A. is the eldest; Albert P., who married Emma Rader, is living at Pottsville, and is an electrician with the Philadelphia & Reading" Company; Clementina died when four years old; Elizabeth died when nine years old; Emma died when twenty-nine years old; Rudolph, Jr., married Elizabeth St. Clair, and is living at Pottsville; Bertha married Harry Doland and lives at Philadelphia : Catherine is unmarried and living at Reading, Pa .; William, who married Florence Smith, lives in Pottsville and is an electrician with the Philadelphia & Reading Company ; Leo is in the West.
George A. Wachter was born Nov. 24, 1870, in Pottsville, where he re- ceived a good public school education. When twelve years old he started to work as errand boy for a dressmaker, at Thirteenth and Race streets. Later
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he was employed at Philadelphia for five years, three years in an umbrella factory and two years in a soap factory. When he returned to Pottsville he found work with the Seltzer Packing Company, and after three years with that concern changed to the Dolphinger Packing Company, with whom he remained one year. He then assisted his father in the latter's shop until ready to begin on his own account. He has been successfully engaged in selling meat ever since, having a well equipped establishment at No. 1440 West Norwegian street, and he has drawn a large trade by first-class service to his patrons. He owns the place where his business is located and also the property adjoint- ing, and by his own thrift and integrity has attained a position among the sub- stantial residents of the borough, where the name of Wachter is highly respected.
Mr. Wachter has always been public-spirited. When the Spanish-American war broke out he enlisted in Company H, 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, under Captain (now Major) Owens, and served the full term. He was a charter member of the Yorkville Fire Company, and took out the first spadeful of earth when the erection of the new building of that company was begun. He is now a member of the West End Fire Company, and fraternally is asso- ciated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Woodmen of the World. In religion he is a Catholic.
Mr. Wachter married Emma Roeder, daughter of Louis Roeder, a well known brewmaster of Pottsville, now living retired at No. 1021 Howard avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Wachter have three children: Dorothy, Charles and George.
WILLIAM F. FREESE, a well known farmer of Panther Valley, in North Manheim township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., was born near Drehersville, this county, in 1854. He is a son of Gideon Freese, and the family is of German extraction.
Gideon Freese, father of William F., was born in Lehigh county, Pa., and during early life followed the occupation of farmer. Later he came to Port Clinton, Schuylkill county, where he started railroad work, in which he was engaged for about twenty-two years. After that time he did day's work at Port Clinton, where he died when over seventy years old. His remains are interred at Port Clinton. Mr. Freese was first married to Mary Ketner, by whom he had three children, William F., George and Sarah. For the second wife he married Mrs. Susanna Moyer, and of their children three are living : Jacob, James and Emma.
William F. Freese attended the public schools of Port Clinton and Schuyl- kill Haven. He has followed farming all his life, beginning on his own account when he had attained the age of thirty-five. He then bought the farm of his father-in-law, Peter Mertz, consisting of forty-nine acres of good land, which he has put into fine condition, making many improvements upon the buildings and bringing the land into a fine state of cultivation. He does a general farming business, and attends market at Pottsville.
Mr. Freese was married to Annie Mertz, daughter of Peter Mertz, of Schuylkill county, and they have three daughters: Jennie, living in Potts- ville, Pa .; Lillie ; and Annie. Mr. Freese is a member of the Methodist Church of Cressona, which he has served as trustee and steward, and he takes an active interest in all its work. In politics he is a Republican, but is not active in the political field. He takes a keen interest in all matters agricultural and Vol. II-22
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endeavors to introduce upon his farm the latest and best methods of cultiva- tion and production. The water on his farm is as pure as any in the county.
STEPHEN E. NOEL is one of the younger business men at Minersville who are making the most of local conditions. His practical application of modern methods to the requirements of his trade has brought him prosperity, as its positive advantages have appealed to his patrons, and they have expressed their gratification in a most unmistakable manner. Though a native of Gettys- burg, Adams Co., Pa., Mr. Noel has spent most of his life at Minersville, Schuylkill county.
The Noel family is of French stock, Peter Noel, grandfather of Stephen E. Noel, having been born near Paris, France. Coming to America when a young man he settled along the State road, near Gettysburg, in Adams county, Pa. He purchased land in that county, and followed farming there all his active life, living to be over seventy years of age. He is buried at Gettys- burg. Mr. Noel was a member of the Catholic Church. He married Kate Myers, and seven children were born to them, namely: Susan, Mrs. Emanuel Butler ; Emanuel N .; Joseph; Peter; Amanda, who married; Julia, who mar- ried Stephen Noel; and Jerome.
Emanuel N. Noel was born in Gettysburg, received a public school educa- tion and learned the trade of saddler. He was employed in that capacity by the Summit Branch Railroad Company, was a mail carrier in Adams county during the Civil war and subsequently enlisted in the Union army, joining Company F, 163d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After the war he spent several years in Williamstown, Dauphin county, returning to Adams county, where he engaged in farming, being the owner of three farms. He died there May 12, 1893, and is buried at Gettysburg. Mr. Noel married Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, by whom he had a family of five children, viz .: George R., John R., Joseph A., William H. and Anna. For his second wife Mr. Noel married Ottilla Bueck, daughter of Henry and Anna (Shellthorn) Bueck. Her father was a native of Germany and on coming to America first settled at Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Pa., for a few months, thence removing to Miners- ville. By trade he was a tailor and followed that business for many years. His children were: Margaret, Ottilla, Annie, Katie, Louise, Henry and Cordella. By his second marriage Mr. Noel had seven children, namely : Cordella, who is deceased; Mary E., deceased ; Louisa May, Mrs. George J. Kline; Stephen E .; Emma J .; Ottilla A., and Regina M. Mrs. Noel, the mother, is now a resident of Pottsville, Pa. In her early years she was a school teacher, following that profession at Lykens and at Williamstown, Pennsylvania.
Stephen E. Noel was born Feb. 20, 1886, at Gettysburg, Pa., where he passed his youth, attending the public schools there. When a boy he began to drive wagons for Batdorf & Dando, grocers, at Williamstown, and he has continued in that business ever since. He started on his own account in 1903, and he handles all kinds of staple articles as well as green groceries, at present taking care of a very large trade. His patronage is drawn from the borough and several miles of surrounding territory, and his store at the corner of Front and Lewis streets is well stocked with high grade goods. Though still a young man Mr. Noel has become recognized as one of the substantial dealers in his line at Minersville, and the fact that he is self-made has won him a
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place in the good will of his fellow citizens here. He is a member of the well known Mercantile Club at Minersville.
On April 26, 1907, Mr. Noel married Alice C. Evans, daughter of Daniel W. Evans, who was born in Wales. For several years Mr. Evans was fore- man for the Pine Hill Coal Company near Minersville, and he now resides at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He married Dorothy Griffith, and they have had the following children: Marian, Nathan, Alberta, William, Benjamin, Thomas, Frederick and Alice C. (Mrs. Noel). Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Noel, Evan and Ethyl.
KARL W. BURKHART, of Pottsville, is a young business man of that city who is making good in an enterprise which has been well patronized ever since its establishment. He is a son of Frederick Burkhart and grandson of Martin Burkhart, both of whom were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, then French territory. The grandfather served four years in the French army. He brought his family to America when the children were quite young, settling in Potts- ville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed his trade of tailor, being an excellent workman and in great favor in this section. During the Civil war period he did considerable work for the soldiers in Pottsville. He died in the borough and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. Three children were born to him and his wife, namely: Martin, Frederick and Sophia, the last named the wife of George Warnick.
Frederick Burkhart, father of Karl W. Burkhart, was born March 27, 1850, and was a young child when brought to America by his father. In early manhood he learned the trade of baker and confectioner, and he followed it throughout his active life. For fifteen years he did business at Shenandoah, at the end of that period returning to Pottsville, where in 1898 he established the Pottsville Noodle Company. He is still a member of the firm, though the active management is now in the hands of his son Karl. The plant is located at No. 308 North Railroad street, and the product consists of homemade noodles, Saratoga chips and macaroni, as well as mustard and peanut butter. The motto "Purity and cleanliness" has been strictly adhered to and accounts for the high reputation which these goods have always had among dealers.
Mr. Burkhart married Mary Louise Brenneman, daughter of the late Philip Brenneman, Sr., and they have had the following children: Anna Cath- erine, the wife of Clarence Kendricks, who is employed by the well known' Sheafer Estate in Pottsville; Charlotte P .; Christine M .; Anna P., the wife of Rev. A. M. Stump, of Easton, Pa .; Lester A., who is crew manager for the Pillsbury Flour Milling Company ; Paul L., who is a student at the Val- paraiso (Ind.) University ; and Karl W.
Karl W. Burkhart was born Sept. 28, 1889, at Shenandoah, Schuylkill county, and was a boy when the family removed to Pottsville, where he re- ceived his education in the public schools. He was still young when he began work with his father, under whose competent instruction he learned the baking business, and he has continued to follow that line to the present. His assist- ance, energy and up-to-date ideas have had considerable to do with the recent prosperity of the Pottsville Noodle Company, of which he became the man- ager in 1911. He now handles all the details of the business, and his live methods and thorough familiarity with the needs of the trade have enabled him to keep up with his competitors and extend his custom, which is drawn from all over Schuylkill and the surrounding counties. Personally he is a
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young man of excellent character, a good citizen, and thoroughly respected in his home city. He is unmarried and resides with his parents. The family belong to Trinity Lutheran Church at Pottsville.
HOMER F. MILLER has one of the most popular general stores at Valley View. He has been conducting it as proprietor since 1913, but his connection with the business goes back five years further, during which period he clerked for J. E. Rickert, the former owner. In that time he was not only gaining familiarity with the operation of the store, but also laying the founda- tions for the confidence and good will which have made it a success under his ownership. The uninterrupted patronage of old customers is the best possible evidence of their approval of his methods, and he has expressed his appreci- ation in improved service and up-to-date stocks in every line. Mr. Miller is one of the younger business men of the town, but nevertheless regarded as substantial and reliable. He is a son of Louis Miller and grandson of Samuel Miller, who settled in an early day at Sacramento, Schuylkill county, where he farmed until his death.
Louis Miller was born at Sacramento, and has passed all his life in Schuyl- kill county. He has made his home at Valley View since about 1889. For many years he was engaged in butchering, but for the last eight years he has been in the local postal service, having the rural free delivery route from Valley View. He married Kate Herb, who was born in Hegins township, daughter of Abraham Herb, a farmer, who resided in the township until his death. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Miller: Jennie, wife of Elwin Conrad, of Valley View ; Harvey E., who now lives at Williams- town, Pa .; Homer F .; Emory A., living at home; Mabel, wife of George Bixler, of Valley View; I. Walter, who is clerking for his brother Homer F. Miller; Allen, living at home, who is still pursuing his studies; Edna, at home; and two deceased.
Homer F. Miller was born in 1887 at Sacramento, Schuylkill county, where he passed his early years, receiving most of his education in the public schools there. When he was twelve years old the family moved out to Kansas, but returned a year later to Pennsylvania and settled at Valley View. During his youth he worked in the collieries for four years, and then entered the employ of J. E. Rickert, clerking for him five years in the general store which he now owns. In 1913 he bought Mr. Rickert's interest in the business, which he has since carried on on his own account.
In 1909 Mr. Miller married Edna V. Herb, of Valley View, daughter of John and Harriet (Erdman) Herb, who live at Valley View. Mr. Herb is a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one child, Catherine Harriet. They are active members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Miller is a teacher of the Women's Organized Adult Bible Class. Socially he is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.
JOHN M. EBLING, of Schuylkill Haven, has been a resident of that borough for twenty years and more, for a number of years conducting the well known "Spring Garden Hotel" there, in this connection becoming very well known throughout his section of Schuylkill county. He is a member of the fourth generation of his family in this county, it having been established here by his great-grandfather, Jacob Ebling, a native of Oley, Berks Co., Pa., who settled in West Brunswick township about 1831. Here he engaged in farm-
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ing, in connection with which he followed his trade, blacksmithing, but after a few years' residence in Schuylkill county returned to Berks county, where he died. Among his children were Jacob, Gideon, Kate, Sallie, and David. His father was the earliest ancestor of the family in America, having come to this country from Germany and settled in Berks county, Pa., where he lived and died.
Gideon Ebling, son of Jacob, was born in 1813 in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., and attended public school at Reading, that county, during his boy- hood. He accompanied his parents on their removal to West Brunswick town- ship, Schuylkill county, in 1831, and followed farming in this county the re- mainder of his days, owning the tract of 148 acres upon which he made his home. His sincere endeavors to live an upright life won him the esteem of all who knew him. For many years he was a member of the Reformed Church, helped to build the church at Auburn, and was always active in relig- ious enterprises. Politically he was a strong Democrat.
Mr. Ebling married Elizabeth Fahl, daughter of John Fahl, of West Brunswick township, and she is buried in a private cemetery at Auburn. Mr. Ebling died on his farm Oct. 24, 1892. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Ebling, namely : Angeline married John Hosler; Thomas is liv- ing at Auburn; Albert, who lives at Tamaqua, served during the Civil war in Company G, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Robert is mentioned below; Elizabeth married Edward Faust; Polly married James Meck; Jacob, who lived and died in West Brunswick township, was a Union soldier during the Civil war, serving in Company K, 97th Pennsylvania Regiment; Susanna married Frank Schwenk; Gideon lives at Auburn.
Robert Ebling, one of the sons of Gideon and Elizabeth (Fahl) Ebling, was born March 22, 1842, in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, and attended the pay schools common in that region in his boyhood days. He was reared to farming, working at home with his father until he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he learned the trade of blacksmith at Auburn. He followed it for four years, until his marriage, at that time set- tling on a farm in West Brunswick township, which he cultivated for many years. Moving to Schuylkill Haven he conducted the "Spring Garden Hotel" in that borough for seven years, and is now living retired, occupying the home on Centre avenue which he erected.
Though a Democrat, Mr. Ebling was an ardent Union supporter during the Civil war, serving under two enlistments, as a private in Company G, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Col. J. C. Frick, of Pottsville, and again during the emergency, in 1862. He has been one of the most efficient party workers in his township, has been delegate to a number of county conventions, and has received substantial recognition and appreciation from his fellow citi- zens, who have chosen him to several township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with conscientious regard for the best interests of the public. In 1891 he was elected one of the directors of the poor of Schuylkill county, for a term of three years, which office he filled most creditably. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 543, I. O. O. F., at Auburn, and his religious connection is with the Reformed Church, in whose welfare he has long main- tained an active interest.
Mr. Ebling married Sarah De Walt, daughter of Joseph De Walt, of South Manheim township, and she died in 1884, the mother of seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely : Irvin A., formerly of Qrwigsburg, now a
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