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 55
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SAMUEL J. EVANS has spent practically all his active years in mine work and since 1913 has been engaged as inside foreman at the Oak Hill colliery, Vol. II-24
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in Cass township. His father, John S. Evans, a Welshman by birth, was similarly employed throughout his life. When a young man he came to America and settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was employed at the mines here the rest of his days. He became a mine foreman at the Glen- dower colliery, and was one of the men engaged with James Kealy, district superintendent for the Philadelphia & Reading Company in this district, in tapping a large body of water in the old Monterey workings connected with the Glendower colliery, very hazardous work. He died at Glendower, this county, in 1901, and is buried at Minersville. His wife, Mary A. (Pugh), daughter of Henry Pugh, died the same year. She also belonged to a Welsh family. They were the parents of the following children: Annie, Samuel J., William, Dora, Mary, Elizabeth, Harry and Sallie, all yet living.
Samuel J. Evans was born Oct. 10, 1869, at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and in his early boyhood had such advantages as the public schools of the place afforded. He went to work at the Glendower colliery when nine years old, picking slate, and was engaged in that work and in other duties about the mines for several years, until he became a regular miner. He was so employed for six years, until he became fire boss at the Lytle colliery, whence he trans- ferred to the Pine Hill colliery, becoming inside foreman at the latter. He spent ten years in the employ of the Pine Hill Coal Company, and then ven- tured into business on his own account, carrying on a grocery at Minersville for about two years. Returning to mining, he was night boss at the Buck Run colliery for thirteen months, after which he was associated in plumbing with his brother-in-law at Minersville, for seven months. On June I, 1913, he took his present position at the Oak Hill colliery, where he is giving the highest satisfaction. In the course of his long experience at the various operations Mr. Evans has become a skilled mine worker, and he has proved vigilant and faithful in every respect, entirely worthy of the confidence shown to him.
In 1892 Mr. Evans married Hannah Richards, daughter of Samuel R. Richards, who was born in South Wales, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., on coming to the United States. Five children have been born to this union : John S., Leroy and Thomas W. are all deceased; Mary E. and Ann R. are attending school. Mr. Evans is well acquainted in the fraternal and other social circles in the vicinity, belonging to the Knights of Malta, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Royal Arcanum, and the Independent Hose Company at Minersville. His religious connection is with the Congregational Church.
JOSEPH R. WHITE, a farmer and dairyman of Butler township, Schuyl- kill Co., Pa., was born March 12, 1886, at Fountain Springs, this county, a son of James A. and Jennie (Thomas) White.
John White, grandfather of Joseph R. White, came from England at an early date and settled near Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., later moving to a farm at Fountain Springs, which he had to clear of timber. He remained there until his death. By his marriage to Elizabeth Prosser he had eleven children, nine of whom are still living.
James A. White, father of Joseph R. White, was born at Wiconisco, Dauphin Co., Pa., in 1853. Formerly he was a farmer by occupation, and resided for a number of years at Fountain Springs, in 1900 removing to Frack- ville, this county, where he engaged in the picture business. He married Jennie Thomas, daughter of David and Susanah Thomas, and they had thirteen children, of whom eleven survive : John, a resident of Fountain Springs ; David,
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a resident of Frackville ; George, residing at Ashland; Joseph R. ; Arthur, resid- ing at Frackville; Harvey, residing in Butler township and working for his brother Joseph; Cyril, living at Frackville; Eva, wife of Harry Rubright, of Frackville; Jennie, wife of Joseph Gibson, of Frackville; Susan, at home; and Hayden, who is living in Frackville. Mr. and Mrs. White are still living in Frackville.
Joseph R. White was educated in the township schools and has worked on the farm from childhood. Having spent a lifetime in this occupation he has made a success of the work, and now owns eighty-six acres, upon which he is engaged in general farming and dairying. On Sept. 21, 1912, Mr. White was married to Edna Lauer, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Karbel) Lauer, both of whom are still living in Ashland, where Mrs. White was born. She was one of twelve children, the others being: Elizabeth, wife of Charles Seiler, of Ashland ; Frank, who is a resident of Ashland ; Cora, wife of Oscar Nolte, of Ashland; Anna, wife of Arthur White, of Frackville; Lillian, at home; Laura, wife of George Fisher, of Fountain Springs ; Edward; Florence, wife of Clinton Tiely, of Girardville; Charles, living in Ashland; and Helen and Mar- garet, at home. Mr. Lauer is engaged in one of the collieries in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. White are both church members. He is one of the progressive men of his township and county, and is respected and honored by all who know him.
AUGUST MEISGEIER, a venerable resident of Ashland, Pa., where he has been engaged as a locksmith for many years, is a native of Germany, but has lived in this country since 1852. He was born Nov. 7, 1829, son of Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Greaner) Meisgeier, and the family came to America in 1852, landing at Philadelphia. They resided in that city until 1865, at which time the parents moved to Trenton, N. J., the mother dying there in 1870, the father in 1880. They had a family of six children, four daughters and two sons, and August is now the only survivor.
It was in 1865 that August Meisgeier came to Ashland, Schuylkill county. He had received the thorough training and education afforded, by the German institutions of learning, and was taught the trade of locksmith in his native land, following it there until he came to America. After removing to Ashland he worked for a time in the foundry, and later for a time at one of the breakers, but eventually returned to his trade, which he has continued to follow ever since. As a skillful workman, Mr. Meisgeier has always attracted sufficient patronage in the locality to keep him busy and afford him an excellent living. His precision and thorough understanding of his work have made him one of the most popular tradesmen in this community. His shop has been a con- venience well appreciated in the borough.
Mr. Meisgeier was married in Philadelphia in 1852 to Johanna Horn, a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents; her father died in Wisconsin, to which State he had moved, and the mother passed away in 1889 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Meisgeier. The latter had a family of three children : Louisa, the wife of John Blank, of Philadelphia : Henry A., also a resident of Philadelphia (No. 1720 North Twenty-sixth street) ; and Anna, deceased. Mrs. Meisgeier died at Ashland Dec. 26, 1914. Mr. Meisgeier owns the comfortable home on Center street, Ashland, where he and his family have resided. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church of the borough, to which his wife also belonged, and is one of its most highly respected citizens.
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ANTHONY FERGUSON has been holding positions of responsibility about the anthracite mines in Schuylkill county for the last forty years, having been an outside foreman continuously from 1877 to 1906, and since then timber inspector at the Tunnel Ridge colliery, Mahanoy City. He is a Civil war veteran and prominent in G. A. R. circles, the present commander of Severn Post.
Mr. Ferguson was born in October, 1838, at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where his father, John Ferguson, a native of Ireland, settled a few years after coming to America in 1831. Later he moved to Wadesville, this county, where he died, and he is buried at Pottsville. He worked by the day. To his union with Rosie Burk were born the following children: Patrick and Edward, born in Ireland; Annie, born at Reading, Pa .; Matilda and Thomas, born at Potts- ville, Pa .; Anthony; May and John, born at Pottsville; and Rosie, born at Wadesville. During the Civil war Patrick served in Company B, 129th Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and Edward in Company L, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Anthony Ferguson was reared at Wadesville and early found employment at the mines, where he was working as engineer when he decided to give his services in the Civil war. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, 137th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for nine months. After the war he located in Ashland, Schuylkill county, where he ran a mine engine until 1877, in which year he was made outside foreman at the Otter colliery, at Branchdale, this county. He was there for the next ten years, in 1887 changing to a similar position at the Elmwood colliery, where he remained about eight years. He was then transferred to the Mahanoy City colliery as outside foreman, for three years, after which he was so engaged at the North Mahanoy colliery, Mahanoy City, for a period of seven years. In 1906 he became timber inspector at the Tunnel Ridge colliery, which position he still fills. His work is highly important, involving the safety of many workers and the inspection of valuable workings, and he has given evidence of his fitness in the most painstaking service; his duties carry a heavy obligation to all the workers in the colliery as well as to his employers.
Mr. Ferguson married Mary A. O'Hara, daughter of John O'Hara, and they have had the following children: John (deceased), Thomas (deceased), Edward, Thomas (2), Mary, Rosie, Joseph, John (2), Frank and Nellie. Mr. Ferguson and his family are Catholics in religious faith. He has been active in Grand Army circles, and a leading member of Severn Post. No. 110, of Mahanoy City, of which he has been commander for several years.
CHRIST F. GABBERT, of Mahanoy City, is considered one of the most progressive citizens of that borough, his services on the school board and activity in church work stamping him as one of the public-spirited element who are willing to give personal attention to promoting the general welfare. By occupation he is a blacksmith, in charge of the shop at the Tunnel Ridge col- liery.
Mr. Gabbert was born at Mahanoy City in July, 1865, son of Adam Gab- bert, a native of Germany, who came to this country in young manhood. He first located at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was afterwards among the early residents of Mahanoy City, where he settled in 1862 and died in 1885, at the age of sixty years. He is buried at Mahanoy City. Mr. Gabbert fol- lowed mining at both Pottsville and Mahanoy City, and was well and favor-
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ably known in his day. He married Elizabeth Erisman, and they had the fol- lowing family: John is deceased; Elizabeth married Henry Sherman; Cath- erine, deceased, was the wife of James Williams; Christ F. is next in the fam- ily; Emma is the wife of Augustus Labas and resides at Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; Jacob is a resident of Philadelphia, Pa .; Peter died when four years old.
Christ F. Gabbert attended public school in Mahanoy City, but he was still a boy when he went to work picking slate at the breaker. As he grew older he did various other kinds of work about the mines, continuing thus until 1885, in which year he started to learn blacksmithing at the mines. He has followed the trade ever since, now having charge of the shop at Tunnel Ridge. Mr. Gabbert is a proficient mechanic and conscientious workman, and his faithful performance of all the work intrusted to him makes him a valued employee. He is thoroughly respected by his fellow workers and, indeed, wherever known. Seven years ago his townsmen honored him with election to the borough school board, and he has served in that body continuously since, being the present treasurer; he was president for one year. He is an en- thusiastic member of St. Paul's Reformed Church and does his full share of church and Sunday school work, being a member of the church consistory and of the Sunday school, in which he has also been a teacher. Socially he belongs to the P. O. S. of A.
Mr. Gabbert was united in marriage with Nalena Rhoads, daughter of Jacob Rhoads, of Mahanoy City. They have had four children: Catherine, Gerald, and two who died in infancy.
CHARLES W. GRUBE, of East Brunswick township, who owns and operates what was formerly known as the Kunkel farm, is a native of this section of Schuylkill county and belongs to an estimable German family founded here over fifty years ago.
Christian Grube, his grandfather, lived in the Province of Hanover, Ger- many, and was a silver miner by occupation. He died at the comparatively early age of thirty-six, leaving a wife and five children, namely : Charles, who died in Baltimore about 1909, aged seventy-seven years; Charlotte; Louisa, Mrs. Charles Heberling ; Dorothy, Mrs. John Weist; and William, who was one year old when his father died. The mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Shear, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and died at the age of seventy-seven in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, at the home of her son-in-law, Charles Heberling. She was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and is buried in the Frieden's Church cemetery. Mrs. Grube came to America with her children eighteen years after her husband's death, the family settling in Baltimore, Md., for two years, and removing thence to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.
William Grube, son of Christian, was born July 8, 1834, in Klausthal, Hanover, Germany, was educated in his native country, and came to America with his mother. They first settled at Baltimore, and later he came to Lewis- town, in Walker township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was engaged at wood chop- ping for some time. Thence he removed to East Brunswick township, where he bought a farm of thirty acres, cleared most of it, and subsequently bought several tracts aggregating seventy-five acres. These he cultivated to the end of his days, carrying on general farming. He died Oct. 31, 1906, and is buried in the cemetery of Frieden's Church at New Ringgold, of which church he was a Lutheran member. In political sentiment he was a Democrat. Mrs.
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Grube still resides in East Brunswick township. Her maiden name was Sophia Reidler, and she was born in Germany Nov. 3, 1841, daughter of Conrad and Maria (Knoblauch) Reidler. They had children as follows: Caroline married George Schaffer; Charlotte married Charles Eckroth; Wil- liam married Catherine Shellhammer; Minnie married Adamı Schofield, who is deceased; Lewis John married Cordelia Bachert; Louis is next in the family ; Charles W. married Emma L. Shellhammer; Katie married Harvey Houser; Henry is the next; Walter married Elsie Frantz.
Charles W. Grube was born Aug. 15, 1875, in East Brunswick township, where he was reared and educated. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-three years old, at which time he went to Philadelphia, where he was employed by the Philadelphia Traction Company for one year. Returning to East Brunswick township he went to farming in Kleckners valley, where he operated a tract containing fifty-six acres, forty-five of which were under cultivation. His stay there covered nine years, at the end of which period he bought his present tract of 136 acres, of which 115 acres are cleared ground. This place was long known as the John Kunkel farm. Mr. Grube at one time served his township as school director, in that position giving special evidence of his public spirit and sincere interest in the general welfare. He is a Demo- crat in political connection; socially holds membership in McKeansburg Grange, No. 1256, Patrons of Husbandry, Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, and East Brunswick Lodge, No. 802, I. O. O. F., of New Ringgold; and is a Lutheran in religion, belonging to the Frieden's Church.
Mr. Grube married Emma Louisa Shellhammer, who was born in East Brunswick township Oct. 4, 1884, daughter of Benjamin F. and Sarah Ann (Houser) Shellhaminer, and they have had eight children, born as follows: William F., June 20, 1904; Helen M., Aug. 8, 1905; Edna May, Dec. 8, 1906; Caroline I., Feb. 27, 1908; Lottie A., Oct. 10, 1909 (died Oct. 14, 1911, and is buried at Frieden's Church) ; Emma L., Feb. 16, 1911; Carl W., Nov. 18, 1912; Catherine, Jan. 14, 1915.
Michael Shellhammer, Mrs. Grube's grandfather, was a farmer in West Penn township, Schuylkill county. He married for his second wife Cath- erine Daubenspeck, and of their children but two survive: Mary Ann, widow ~ of James Becker, residing in Mahanoy City; and Benjamin F. Michael Shell- hammer died aged thirty-six years, and his widow married (second) Solomon Zimmerman, by whom she had two children: Ellie died when six years old ; Emma, deceased, married John Hill, of Weatherly, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Shell- hammer were members of Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township, and are buried in the cemetery of that church. She died when seventy years old.
Benjamin F. Shellhammer was born in West Penn township, Jan. 6, 1852, and was educated in the schools of that township, but in early life was hired out to other farmers to earn his livelihood. He finally came to East Bruns- wick township, where he rented three different farms before buying his present farm of over forty acres, of which eight acres are in timber. There he still resides, engaged in general farming. He married Sarah Ann Houser, a daugh- ter of Michael and Polly (Kistler) Houser, and they have five children: Wil- liam O. married Sallie Frantz; Oscar James (who married Netta I. Blue, de- ceased), Polly Catherine (wife of William Grube) and Thomas Milton (de- ceased) were triplets ; Emma L. is Mrs. Charles W. Grube. Mr. Shellhammer
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has taken some part in the administration of public affairs locally, having served as school director and supervisor. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He is a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., at New Ringgold ; Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans ; and of Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township.
GEORGE B. ADAM, a progressive citizen. of West Penn township, was born there March II, 1865, son of Daniel Adam. He belongs to an old Penn- sylvania family, long established in Berks county, where his grandfather, John Adam, lived and died, passing away before the birth of George B. Adamı. He is buried in Berks county. John Adam operated the clover mill ( for clean- ing clover seed) in Greenwich township. He was married twice, and his chil- dren were: Solomon, who married Cordelia Hendricks; Jacob; Daniel; Nathan; Sallie, who married Ephraim DeLong; and Hattie, Mrs. Heffner. John Adam was a Republican in politics.
Daniel Adam, son of John, who was born May 12, 1829, in Greenwich township, Berks county, and died Dec. 22, 1914. He was reared and educated in his native county, and was twenty-five years old when he came to Schuyl- kill county, where he followed his trade of tailor until he entered the Union service during the Civil war. He enlisted in Company A, 202d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for nine months, and besides doing his duty as a soldier repaired clothing for his comrades until obliged to give up work at his trade because of the loss of part of his thumb, which had to be amputated on account of a felon. A few years before entering the army he had bought a timber tract of seventy acres in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, and returning to that township at the close of his war service he set- tled there permanently. Thereafter he devoted himself to agricultural work, in which he prospered, becoming the owner of 217 acres of land, of which 100 acres are cleared. He sold a part of his land to John Moyer and James Beltz, and also sold a little over 100 acres to Amandus Houser, who operated it for a few years, until his death. Mr. Adam then took back the property, which Milton Houser operated for him for a period of four years, after which George Bollinger rented it. The latter is still the tenant on this farm. Mr. Adam's estate has not yet been settled. He married Hannah Hendricks, who was born in Berks county Sept. 17, 1839, and died in June, 1905. They are buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township. Mr. Adam was a Luth- eran member of that church, but never took any active part in its work. At one time he belonged to the Odd Fellows fraternity, and in politics he stood with the Democratic party, though his brothers were all Republicans. To Mr. and Mrs. Adam were born the following children: Amanda Jane was the wife of Amandus Houser (both are deceased) ; James Buchanan, who now resides at Rockport, Carbon Co., Pa., married Rosie Sittler ; Amandus Wilson married Isadora Shellhammer, and they reside at Reading, Pa .; Daniel A. is unmarried; George B. is next in the family; Milton Alvin was killed on the railroad (he was unmarried) ; Mary Alice died when nine years old; Levi Henry, now a resident of Walker township, Schuylkill county, married Olivia Lotz; Tilden Gottlieb married a Miss Schlosser.
George B. Adam grew to manhood in West Penn township and received his education there in the common schools. He worked for his father on the farm until thirty-two years of age, and meantime he married. Then he settled on his present property, a tract of ninety-eight acres, which he bought from
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his father-in-law, John S. Zehner, and he has since followed general farming, having eighty acres cleared and under cultivation. Mr. Adam markets his prod- ucts to Tamaqua, making trips to that point all the year round. By industry and intelligent management he has kept his place in excellent condition, and its productiveness is due largely to his careful operation and good judgment in the rotation of crops. He has devoted his attention almost entirely to his work, taking no part in public affairs, but he is interested in various local activities, and has been a prominent member of Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A., at Schwartz's, which organization he is now (1915) serving as president. He is a Lutheran member of Zion's Church in West Penn town- ship, but has never filled any of the church offices.
Mr. Adam married Louisa Zehner, who was born Oct. 20, 1869, in West Penn township, and received her education in the public schools there, remain- ing at home until her marriage. She holds membership also in the West Penn Church. Mr. and Mrs. Adam have one child, Oscar Emory, born Dec. 28, 1893. He received a good education in the schools of West Penn town- ship, and has always worked with his father on the farm. He has also taken considerable interest in township affairs, and at present is serving as tax collector of the township. He is a Democrat, and a prominent member of Washington Camp No. 132, P. O. S. of A., of which he is a past president. He also belongs to the Order of Independent Americans, Lodge No. 406, of Chain, this county.
Johannes Zehner, grandfather of Mrs. George B. Adam, was born in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, where he died when over eighty-four years old. During the summer season he engaged in farming, owning and operating the place where Mr. Adam now resides, and in the winter time followed his trade of cooper, making barrels, etc., continuing both lines throughout his active years. He was a Democrat and served as supervisor of his township. His religious connection was with the Lutheran congregation of Zion's Church, but he was not specially active in its work. He and his wife, Christina (Steigerwalt), daughter of Joseph Steigerwalt, are buried at Zion's Church. They had the following children : William, who married Polly Houser ; Moses, who married a Miss Schwartz; Hettie, wife of David Halderman; Gideon, who married Sarah Houser; and John S., who married Rebecca Bennighoff.
John S. Zehner, son of Johannes, was born Sept. 17, 1836, on the property in West Brunswick township now owned by George B. Adam, received his education in the local schools, and spent all his life on that place, which he bought from his father. He carried on general farming very successfully, marketing his products at Tamaqua, and during the last few years of his life lived practically retired. Like his father he was a Democrat in politics, and in 1901 he was elected to the office of supervisor. At one time he held mem- bership in the I. O. O. F., until his lodge disbanded. He was a Lutheran member of Zion's Church, where he is buried, but though interested in its welfare he never held any of the church offices. His death occurred April 30, 1908. Mr. Zehner married Rebecca Bennighoff, who was born Nov. 25, 1847, daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Close) Bennighoff, and they became the parents of the following children: Levi Henry, born June 5, 1865, married Annie Bachman, and now lives at Tamaqua; Matilda Jane, born June 19, 1867, died July 25, 1868; Louisa is the wife of George B. Adam; Wallace, who lives in West Penn township, is married to Alice Behler; John Daniel, born Feb. 11, 1874, died Nov. 20, 1875; Frank Alvin, born April 16, 1876, died
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