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 51
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resident of Mount Carbon, married Annie Miller, of Washington township; Annie is married to Morris Kissler, and lives in Schuylkill Haven; Kate and Joel live at home; Ellen is the wife of W. Wagner, of Schuylkill Haven; John M. is mentioned below; Mary married George W. Butz, a civil engineer and also a well known merchant of Schuylkill Haven.
John Fahl, father of Mrs. Elizabeth (Fahl) Ebling, was a native and life- long resident of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county. During his early life the Indians were still in this region, and he helped to open it up to civilization. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, and his wife Elizabeth lived to be ninety years old.
John M. Ebling was born Nov. II, 1874, in West Brunswick township, where he received his education in the public schools. Up to the age of twenty years he was employed with his father on the farm, and then came to Schuyl- kill Haven and entered the Philadelphia & Reading repair shops, where he worked for the six years following. After that he embarked in the hotel business, taking charge of the "Spring Garden Hotel," which he conducted until April 1, 1913. Meantime, in 1910, he had purchased the hotel prop- erty from the Joel Stump Estate, and during his ownership the hotel under- went material improvements, being converted into an up-to-date establish- ment. When he gave it up the lease was taken by Mr. Bubeck, but Mr. Ebling continues to own the property, and he owns other valuable real estate prop- erty in Schuylkill Haven also. Since the spring of 1914 he has been a sub- agent for the well known Ford automobile at Schuylkill Haven, at present giving the principal part of his attention to this business. Mr. Ebling's genial personality made him highly successful as a hotelkeeper, and he has been equally prosperous in his other undertakings, in all of which he has shown good judgment and executive ability. He is a popular member of the Demo- cratic party, has served as ward committeeman, and is now a candidate for membership of the State committee. Socially he hold membership in the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in the latter connection belonging to Aerie No. 134, of Pottsville, Pa. Like members of the family generally he belongs to the Reformed Church.
Mr. Ebling married Alice M. Auchey, a daughter of Jonathan Auchey, of Wayne township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they have one child, a daughter, Helen Verna.
WILLIAM J. BURNHAM is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the borough of Port Carbon, where the family is one of old standing, his father, Joseph Burnham, having been a pioneer settler there.
Joseph Burnham was a native of England, born Nov. 25, 1798, and came to America in young manhood. He was a miner, stocking maker and engineer, worked on the construction of the jail at Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, Pa., and afterwards located at Mount Laffee, near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, where he was employed as a miner and engineer. He hoisted the first coal lifted by steam at the Spoon vein in Schuylkill county, and continued to follow this kind of work to the end of his life, his last position being at the Eagle Hill. His death occurred at Port Carbon April 29, 1865, and he is buried in the Presbyterian cemetery there. Mr. Burnham was especially interested in church work, in which he always took an active part, and he was one of the charter members of the Methodist congregation at Port Carbon, where he served as trustee, steward and class leader. He married Rebecca Mellor, who was born
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Jan. 3, 1795, and died June 4, 1885, and she is also buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Port Carbon. They had a family of twelve children, born as fol- lows: George, March 25, 1820; Kate, Feb. 14, 1822; Joseph, Feb. 7, 1824; Susan, April .4, 1826; Joseph, Nov. 7, 1827; Austin, Nov. 24, 1830; Thomas, Jan. 24, 1832 ; Mary A., Aug. 10, 1833; Hannah, March 27, 1835; Rebecca S., Nov. 9, 1836; John H., June 18, 1839; and William J., June 6, 1841. Mrs. Burnham came with two children from Philadelphia to Mount Carbon, a dis- tance of nearly one hundred miles, making the journey on the deck of a boat loaded with lumber, which was the only protection they had from the weather.
William J. Burnham was born at Port Carbon, and here received his early training and education. When a boy he picked slate at the colliery for a time and spent a few months in Maryland, where he ran an engine for one winter. Returning to Port Carbon he soon afterwards became a chute boss at the colliery at Five Points, near the borough, where he was employed for one year. When he returned from the army he was employed one year as an engineer, until he changed to the oil house, at Palo Alto, Nov. 2, 1866. He was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company at that point for nineteen years, until his retirement. He makes his home at Port Carbon, where he has a wide acquaintance and the respect of all who know him.
During the Civil war Mr. Burnham enlisted in Company K, 56th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and on Aug. 28, 1862, he was wounded at Gainesville, Va. On Nov. 2d of that year Mr. Burnham was seriously wounded in the battle at Union, Va., by the bursting of a shell, losing his right arm at the shoulder. For three days he was under shell fire at Rappahannock Sta- tion, and for one day at Sulphur Springs, Va. He has always taken an active interest in G. A. R. work, being a member of Allison Brothers Post, No. 144, of Port Carbon, and one of its past officers. He is a leading member of the Methodist Church, which he has served as trustee and steward, and for four years he held the position of superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Burnham has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Lydia B. Phillips, was from Pottsville, born Sept. 3, 1845, and died Dec. 22, 1891. She conducted a millinery store at Port Carbon for a number of years. Mr. Burnham's second marriage was to Mrs. Hallie Davis, who was from Minnesota, and she died Nov. 8, 1912. There were no children by either union.
Mrs. Hallie Davis Burnham had children by her first marriage.
CHRISTOPHER C. REDDY, train dispatcher at Gordon, Pa., for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, is a man of much literary attain- ment and is noted throughout Schuylkill county for his ability and brilliancy as a correspondent. He has been correspondent for the Pottsville Republican, the Ashland Evening Telegram and the Ashland News for over thirty-five years. Mr. Reddy is a son of Christopher and Catherine (Reilly) Reddy, both natives of County Meath, Ireland, and was born at Gordon, Pa., Nov. 18, 1860.
Christopher Reddy, the father, was born in County Meath, Ireland, and the grandparents died in that country. He came to America in 1854 and set- tled in Delaware, where he remained for some time. He was married in Phil- adelphia to Catherine Reilly, by whom he had the following children: James, a resident of Perth Amboy, N. J .; Thomas, deceased ; Anna, widow of Thomas Connor, of Gordon; Christopher C., mentioned below; Patrick, deceased ;
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Bartholomew, residing in Gordon; and Michael, John and Mary, all deceased. Mr. Reddy removed to Ashland in 1858 and remained there until 1860, when he settled at Gordon. He was one of a construction crew which helped to build the Reading railroad from Gordon to Locust Gap and Gordon Plane, during the time when much of this country was a wilderness. He continued in the employ of the railroad company thereafter, being a watchman at Gordon Plane for forty years. When President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 men Mr. Reddy enlisted in Company I, 48th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served for three months. He afterwards received a pension for his services. He was one of the charter members of the G. A. R. post at Gordon, and was still a member of that or- ganization, at the time of his death, May 30, 1895. Mrs. Reddy, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, came to America when a child, and died at Gordon, March 20, 1908. Her parents died in Ireland.
Christopher C. Reddy was educated in the schools of Gordon, and in 1872 went to work for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. In 1880 he took up telegraphy, was soon able to handle a key with the best operators and is now train dispatcher for the railroad at Gordon. He has also been station agent at that point, and has served the railroad company in various other capacities. In addition to this he has been giving the Gordon news to the papers in other parts of the county for over thirty-five years, with success and general satisfaction. Mr. Reddy is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and of the Philadelphia & Reading Relief Corps. He has served as tax receiver of the county of Schuylkill. He has never married and resides with a married sister.
AUGUST MANDLER, one of the younger business men of Ashland, who has made a thorough success of his enterprise, has a well conducted greenhouse at Millersville, near the borough, which he has been carrying on for several years. He was born near Ashland in 1886, son of John and Anna (Schilling) Mandler. John Mandler, Sr., his grandfather, was a native of Germany, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., at an early day. He served his adopted country as a soldier in the Mexican war, and was a miner by occupation.
John Mandler, father of August Mandler, was born in Schuylkill county, and died when his son August was yet a boy. He followed mining all his active life. His wife, Anna (Schilling), also a native of this county, is now deceased. Her father, John Schilling, was a German by birth, and long ago came to America, settling in Schuylkill county. Six children were born to John and Anna (Schilling) Mandler, namely: Matthias, who is a resident of Fountain Springs, this county; John, deceased; Frederick, a veteran of the Spanish-American war, now first sergeant of Company A, 3d Infantry in the United States regular army ; August; Catherine, and Michael.
August Mandler attended public school in his home township and at Ash- land. receiving a practical education. When he commenced work he took up the florist business, in which he has found congenial and profitable occupation. He has a greenhouse at Millersville, near Ashland, which he has been steadily enlarging and improving as the increase of his business justified, and he bids fair to rank among the substantial business men of the vicinity. His establish- ment is the only one of the kind there and has received encouraging patronage.
THOMAS HARTUNG occupies a respected position among the substan- tial farmers of East Brunswick township, which he has attained by hard
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work. His ambition has been supplemented by practical efforts which have brought him honorable independence, and he is thoroughly deserving of the good will and friendly esteem which are manifest wherever he goes.
The late Thomas Hartung, his father, was born May 1, 1819, in Pottsville, Pa., and was twelve years old when his father died. The widowed mother brought her boys and girls to West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and there Thomas received his early education. At the age of sixteen years he came to East Brunswick township, to learn the blacksmith's trade with Jacob Bensinger, and after completing his apprenticeship started in business for himself, on the farm now owned by Thomas W. Paul, in East Brunswick township. He had his shop on the farm, which he owned, and conducted it for thirty-three years. The tract was a large one, and about half cleared when he bought it, and he made considerable progress in the task of clearing the remainder. After thirty-three years there he traded farms with his son-in-law, William Paul, and moved to the farm now occupied by his son Thomas. He was on this tract twenty-two years before his death, following general farming, and he passed away in November, 1885, after an industrious and prosperous life. He adhered to the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Hartung was married to Priscilla Bensinger, who was born in December, 1823, and died March 15, 1896, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Boyer) Bensinger. Children as follows were born to this union: Amanda Mary, born June 30, 1841, died Dec. 2, 1841 ; Emma Elizabeth, born Dec. 16, 1842, died March 12, 1910, the wife of William Paul; James William, born Jan. 10, 1845, died in February, 1910, married Sarah Gerber, who is also deceased; Eli, born July 20, 1846, died Dec. 27, 1846; Jane, born Oct. 31, 1847, died Nov. 2, 1885, married Joel Dietrich, who is also deceased; Catherine, born June 24, 1849, is the wife of Frederick Yeisly ; Matilda, born Sept. 25, 1851, died May 18, 1872, unmar- ried; Mary, born Sept. 10, 1854, married David Schock; Thomas is next in the family ; Priscilla, born Sept. 23, 1857, died June 23, 1872, unmarried. The parents are buried in the Steigerwalt cemetery in East Brunswick township. Mr. Hartung was a member of the Church of God, and served as elder most of his mature life, holding that office at the time of his death.
Thomas Hartung, son of Thomas and Priscilla ( Bensinger) Hartung, was born April 19, 1856, in East Brunswick township, on the farm now owned by Thomas W. Paul. He obtained his education in the East Brunswick schools, moving with his father to the place where he now lives; he has had a large share in its improvement. The farm at that time contained thirteen acres, ten cleared. After his father's death he bought the place, and later purchased a tract of fifty-four acres adjoining, without buildings, which latter he has since sold to his nephew, Thomas W. Paul. Mr. Hartung has given his time to general farming and trucking, and attends market at Middleport, New Philadelphia and Big Vein. He has shown his public spirit in six years of effective service on the school board. He is a Republican on political issues. For twenty-six years he has been an elder in the Church of God at Steigerwalt, and is highly regarded by his fellow members in that organization.
On May 13, 1877, Mr. Hartung married Sarah Jane Schock, who was born Oct. 14, 1857, in Liberty township, Montour Co., Pa., daughter of Emmanuel Schock, the ceremony taking place in West Penn township; it was performed by Rev. Eli Souers, of Auburn, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Hartung have no children. She came from her native township to Schuylkill county when six years old.
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Jacob Schoch, the grandfather of Mrs. Hartung, was a farmer of Schuyl- kill (now Walker) township, this county, where he owned a tract of over 100 acres. He married Eliza Beck, a daughter of Emmanuel and Barbara (Fisher) Beck, and we have the following account of their children, of whom there were fourteen: Levi went to war and never returned; John married Hettie Merkel; Emmanuel was the father of Mrs. Hartung; Daniel married Malinda Sheipe; Jacob married Mary Reichert; Lewis married Elizabeth Mosteller ; Joseph married Lizzie Kistler; Catherine is unmarried; Barbara married Charles Heisler ; David married Mary Hartung. Mr. Schoch was a Republican, but not active in politics. He held membership in the German Lutheran Church, in the Lewistown valley, Walker township, and he and his wife are buried there.
Emmanuel Schock, born Feb. 12, 1833, in Schuylkill township, was educated in the schools of that part of Schuylkill now known as Walker township. He assisted his father on the farm while young, and after his marriage left home. He worked as a farm laborer for a time, later, in partnership with his brother Levi, buying a tract in Liberty township, Montour Co., Pa., which they operated until Levi went into the Union army. Emmanuel Schock then sold the farm and lived in Schuylkill township, this county, for a while, after which he re- moved to Auburn, Schuylkill county, and with his brother Lewis as a partner bought a 100-acre tract which they operated until after their father's death. They then sold their farm and Emmanuel came to Schuylkill township and bought part of the homestead place, which he operated until after his wife's death. Selling his interest there, he conducted a general store a short distance up the road from the homestead, continuing the business until his death, which occurred Sept. 12, 1907.
On Jan. 7, 1855, Mr. Schock married Caroline Stupp, who was born in December, 1834, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Schoener) Stupp, and died May 26, 1872. She was the mother of six children: Mary, born Jan. 30, 1856, died young ; Sarah Jane, born Oct. 14, 1857, is the wife of Thomas Hartung ; Charles, born Nov. 5, 1859, married Emma Moyer; Levi Franklin, born April II, 1862, died young; Samuel, born Oct. 14, 1863, died young; Emma, born May 4, 1866, died young. For his second wife Mr. Schock married Mrs. Rebecca (Hoch) Kessler, the widow of Levi Kessler. She is now (1915) about seventy years of age, and is living in Florida. Mr. Schock was a Repub- lican, and his religious connection was with the German Lutheran Church in Lewistown valley, Walker township; his first wife was a member of the United Evangelical Church, and they are buried in the Evangelical Church cemetery at Lewistown.
GEORGE R. CARMITCHELL has had a varied experience in the mines of Schuylkill county, which he has found very valuable in meeting the require- ments of his present position, that of inside foreman at the Tunnel Ridge colliery, at Mahanoy City. He is a descendant of an old family of Schuylkill county, founded here by his grandfather, who was an early settler at Ashland, where he lived and died. His occupation was shoemaking. Of his four sons. Robert, John, Daniel and Charles, all but the last named served in the Civil war, Daniel as a drummer boy. Jolin was the father of twenty-one children.
Charles Carmitchell, father of George R. Carmitchell, was born at Cumbola, Schuylkill ,Co., Pa., was a miner by occupation, and died in December, 1905, at Mount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he is buried. After some
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years' residence at Ashland he moved to Helfenstine, this county, and later to Mount Carmel. In 1892 he was made inside foreman at the Natalie ( Northum- berland county) colliery, where he was stationed until 1894. Returning to Mount Carmel, he again followed mining for several years, in 1900 coming to Mahanoy City. Until 1902 he was fire boss at the Primrose colliery, at Mahanoy City, living at Mahanoy City during this time, and subsequently mined there, until he went back to Mount Carmel, where he passed the rest of his life. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca (Adams) Carmitchell, still resides at Mount Carmel. They had the following children: Janet, who is now de- ceased ; George R .; Rebecca, deceased; Mary ; Eliza, deceased ; Margaret ; Ma- bel ; and Alice.
George R. Carmitchell was born March 9, 1879, at Helfenstine, Schuylkill county. He had ordinary public school advantages until ten years old, when he started mine work as a slate picker at the breaker. At the age of twelve he was given inside work, tending door, etc., and worked at the different posi- tions until he became a regular miner, being so engaged for eight years at the Richards colliery, at Mount Carmel, and at the Green Ridge, Natalie, Primrose and North Mahanoy Collieries. In September, 1903, he became fire boss at Park Place, Schuylkill county, where he remained until June, 1907, when he took a similar position at the North Mahanoy colliery, in the Schuylkill section. He was there for almost four years, from July, 1907, until April, 1911, after which he was assistant inside foreman at the Tunnel Ridge colliery until Sept. I, 1913, when he was promoted to inside foreman. In this capacity he has the oversight of five hundred and fifty men, and their good opinion of him, as well as the approval of his employers, stamps him as trustworthy and compe- tent. Mr. Carmitchell has not only shown his intention of performing his work conscientiously, but he has been ambitious to gain a thorough under- standing of his business from the scientific as well as the practical standpoint, and with this object he has taken a comprehensive course in mining at the International Correspondence Schools, of Scranton. He began these studies in 1900, and he has gone through the complete coal mining course, covering twenty-eight branches, having a diploma in each. He completed this work and passed the last examination in July, 1914. No one knows better than he the advantages of such close application to all the details of his work, or the benefit to be derived therefrom, and its value has been proved many times in actual tests. Mr. Carmitchell is well known socially, belonging to the Washington Hook & Ladder Company, to Lodge No. 617, I. O. O. F., and to the M. E. Church ; he has served the church as one of the official board.
In 1900 Mr. Carmitchell married Jennie Hubler, daughter of Richard Hubler, and the following children have been born to them: Charles R., Mabel, Jennie, George, William, Thomas and Alice, the last named dying in infancy. The family home is at No. 1311 East Mahanoy avenue, Mahanoy City.
ALFRED ZIMMERMAN has been a lifelong resident of West Penn township, where he was born Feb. 12, 1848. He is of German descent, being a great-grandson of Leonard Zimmerman, a native of Germany, who settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., many years ago, and reared his family here. His children were: Samuel, grandfather of Alfred Zimmerman; David, who mar- ried; and Mrs. John Zehner. Leonard Zimmerman and his wife are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and in politics supported the Democratic party.
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Samuel Zimmerman, son of Leonard, was born in West Penn township and grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the local schools. In young manhood he learned the trade of carpenter, but farming was always his principal occupation, and he prospered, becoming a large landowner. His home tract, the first place he bought, was the 109-acre property now owned by his grandson Frank Zimmerman, and besides he owned two tracts of sixty acres each, and one of seventy-five. Retiring from arduous farm labors when about sixty years of age, he sold the 109 acres to his son Thomas (father of the present owner) and with his wife moved into a residence he had built on a twenty-acre tract he owned. Mrs. Zimmerman, whose maiden name was Susan Miller, died there when over sixty years old. His death, which occurred at the home of his son Thomas when he was seventy-two years old, was the result of camp fever contracted during his service in the Civil war. Mr. Zim- merman was a Democrat and took considerable interest in public affairs ; held the office of constable for many years ; and was a prominent member and official of the Reformed congregation at Zion's Church, serving as elder, deacon and trustee. He and his wife are buried at the church. Their children were: Rebecca died unmarried; Benjamin married Polly Martz; Thomas was the father of Alfred Zimmerman; Polly married Samuel Miller ; Priscilla married Abraham Halderman; Rudolph married Hannah Donert; Joseph married Polly Schaeffer; Samuel married Lydia Mautz, and died in Oregon.
Thomas Zimmerman, son of Samuel, was born in West Penn township, and died there, on the farm of 100 acres previously mentioned, April 25, 1903, aged seventy-eight years. His education was obtained in the common schools of the township, and in early life he learned shoemaking. which was his chief occupation for a number of years ; he gave it up when his son Alfred was ten years old. He had quite an extensive patronage, employing a couple of men to help him. When he turned from his trade to farming he bought the home place from his father, and there remained until his death, though after retiring he sold it to his son Frank. He carried on general agriculture, and marketed his produce at Tamaqua. He was a public-spirited citizen, one of the earliest advocates of the public school system in the township, and served very ef- ficiently as school director; for one year he filled the position of tax collector. Like his father he was a Democrat and a member of the Reformed Church, belonging to Zion's Church, which he served as trustee and in other capacities, being one of its most helpful workers. Mr. Zimmerman married Annie Schaef- fer, daughter of George and Catharine ( Hoppes) Schaeffer, and she survived him, dying two years ago, when well up in the eighties. Mr. and Mrs. Zim- merman are buried at Zion's Church. Of their three children, Alfred is men- tioned below; Ellen married Owen Wehr, of Lehighton; Frank is married to Jane Hill.
Alfred Zimmerman grew up in West Penn township, where he received his education in school No. II. His agricultural training was gained assisting his father, with whom he worked until twenty-seven years old, at which time he married and moved to his present farm, which his father bought for him. The property comprises 109 acres, seventy of which are cleared, and though he carried on general farming he acquired considerable reputation in the locality for his success with fruit, to which he gave special attention. He at- tended market at Tamaqua. Mr. Zimmerman has retired from agricultural work, his son Howard now owning the farm, but he is still engaged in milling, having a sawmill and chop mill on the farm, the former operated by steam, the
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