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 58
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MARTIN WITTMER, deceased, was a substantial citizen of the bor- ough of Mahanoy City, where his widow and children still live, ranking as he did among the most respected residents of the place.
Mr. Wittmer was a native of Baden, Germany, born Nov. 28, 1854, son of Blasius Wittmer, who was a farmer in that country, where he lived and died. Martin Wittmer learned the brewing business in the Fatherland, and upon coming to America, in October, 1885, first found employment with Andrew Kaier, at Dushore, Sullivan Co., Pa. After four months there he came to Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, and entered the employ of Charles D. Kaier, working for him until May, 1886. He then went to New York City to meet his wife and three children coming from Germany, and the family located at Katonah, about thirty miles from the metropolis, where Mr. Wittmer carried on farming for seven months. He then returned to Mahanoy City, bringing the family with him, and he resumed work in the brewery of Charles D. Kaier, with whom he remained until 1901. That year he became the local agent for the Rettig Brewing Company, and was so occupied until he purchased a hotel, in 1905, at No. 1301 East Mahanoy avenue. He devoted all his time and attention to the hotel business for the remainder of his life, dying Dec. 29, 1913. He is buried at Mahanoy City. Mr. Wittmer became very well known here in his various business connec- tions and made many friends. He was a member of the St. Fidelius Ger- man Catholic Church, exemplary in his domestic life, and beloved by his large family as he was esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances.
In Germany Mr. Wittmer married Mary Maier, who was born in Baden, daughter of John Maier, and they had three children born in that country, the rest being natives of the United States, namely: Blasius, now employed
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by the Liberty Brewing Company, living at Mahanoy City; Charles F., also of Mahanoy City, agent there for the celebrated Feigenspan beer; Susan, wife of Herbert Evans, of Mahanoy City; Josephine, wife of John Nolter, of Mahanoy City; Martin, John, Mary, Herman and Mathew, all living at home ; and Theresa, who died Feb. 27, 1906.
OLIVER MACHAMER has been a mine worker in Schuylkill county from boyhood, and by reason of his sterling character and attention to duty has advanced to the responsible position of inside foreman at the Otto col- liery, an important working at Branch Dale, in Reilly township. Mr. Macha- mer is a native of Pennsylvania and of old Berks county stock. His father, Jonathan Machamer, was born at Bern, Berks county, where he followed farming. Later he removed to Tower City, Schuylkill county, and engaged in the butcher business, continuing same until his death. He passed away at the age of sixty-four, and is buried at Tower City. To his marriage with Catherine Merkel, a native of Tilden township, Berks county, were born the following children: Clara, Ida, Manetta, Morris, Oliver, Reuben, Howard, Mirty and Emily.
Oliver Machamer was born June 15, 1863, at Bern, Berks county, and was educated at Tower City, attending public school. When thirteen years old he entered upon work at the mines, beginning at a slate picker at the Brookside colliery, where he was employed at outside work until nineteen years old. He was then given duties inside, remaining until he was made fire boss at the Brookside. He filled that position for fourteen years, at the end of that period becoming assistant inside foreman at the East Brook- side colliery. After four years in that capacity he was given his present place, in 1907, inside foreman in the nest section of the Otto colliery. About two hundred and forty men are employed at these workings, and Mr. Ma- chamer has made a creditable reputation among his fellow workers as well as with his employers. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M .; Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159, R. A. M .; Con- stantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading. He also holds membership in the P. O. S. of A.
Mr. Machamer married Ida Vanhouten, of Tower City, this county, and they have the following children: Ada, Eva, John, Fred and Ruth. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.
JACOB F. BROWN, who holds the position of baker at the Schuylkill County Home, was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., March 26, 1860, and is a son of Michael Brown. The family is of German ancestry, the name having been changed in spelling since their arrival in Pennsylvania.
Michael Brown, the first of the family to come to America from Ger- many, settled first at Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he remained one year, moving then to St. Clair, where he worked as a teamster for Mr. Price and Mr. Boone during the remainder of his active days. He was a popular man in his section and was respected for his honesty and industry. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. His death occurred July 10, 1910, and he is buried at St. Clair. Mr. Brown married Mary Magle, who was also a native of Germany, and their children were: John, Jacob F., George, Charles, Wil- liam (who died young), Michael, Mary and Kate.
Jacob F. Brown was educated in the public schools of St. Clair, and
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followed the work of slate picking at the coal breakers for four years. Find- ing this not remunerative employment, he entered the baking business, work- ing for four and a half years to learn the trade. He then engaged in busi- ness for himself at St. Clair, and continued thus until 1905, when he was appointed baker at the County Home. He has proved himself well qualified to do the work in a satisfactory manner. About three barrels of flour are used daily, and the product is as wholesome and palatable as that of any of the bakeries in this section.
Mr. Brown married Angeline Evans, daughter of James and Sarah (James) Evans, and they have had ten children: Etna, married to George Wedemuth; Charles; George; James; Catherine; Gladys; John; Margaret ; Eleanora; and William, deceased. Mr. Brown is a Republican in political affiliation, and in religious connection is a member of the Lutheran Church.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SHELLHAMMER is one of the practical agriculturists who have improved conditions in East Brunswick township during the last generation so notably that the locality is gaining steadily in farm values. He has been settled there since he began farming on his own account, and was born in the adjoining township of West Penn, Schuylkill county, Jan. 6, 1852, son of Michael Shellhammer. His grandfather, also named Michael, was a native of West Penn township, where he owned about seventy-five acres and followed farming all his life. He cleared most of his land, built a log house and barn thereon, and died on his farni about 1864, at the age of seventy. He was a Democrat, but took little part in politics or other public affairs. In religion he adhered to the German Reformed Church, belonging to Zion's Church in West Penn township, where he and his wife are buried. They had the following children: Solomon; Michael; Samuel, who married Mollie Bennekoff; David, who married Sallie Saxe; and Mollie, wife of Nathan Hoppes.
Michael Shellhammer, the father of Benjamin F. Shellhammer, was born in West Penn township about the year 1820. He was educated in the local schools, and assisted his father on the homestead farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to learn the blacksmith's trade with Moses Bennekoff. He completed an apprenticeship and became a good mechanic. But after following his trade for six years and finding he could not stand the work he bought a tract of fifty acres in West Penn township, from a Mr. Keplinger, cleared most of it, built a house and operated this land until his death, which occurred in June, 1857, when he was thirty-seven years old. Like his father he was a Democrat, and a member of Zion's German Reformed Church in West Penn township. He was twice married, his first union being with Priscilla Baer, daughter of Daniel Baer, whose wife's name was Houser. Mrs. Shellhammer died in childbirth, when twenty-four years old. His second marriage was to Catherine Daubenspeck, daughter of David and Polly (Baer) Daubenspeck, and we have the following record of their chil- dren : Mary Ann, now a resident of Mahanoy City, married James Becker. at one time chief burgess of Mahanoy City ; Benjamin F. is next in the family ; Moses died when two years old; David died when about three years old; Polly died at the age of eleven years. After the death of her husband, who passed away at a comparatively early age, Mrs. Catherine (Daubenspeck) Shellhammer married (second) Solomon Zimmerman, a son of George Zim- merman, a native of West Penn township. There were two children of this
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marriage : Ellie died when six years old; Emma married John Hill, of Weath- erly, Carbon Co., Pa., who after her death married (second) Ida Kemmerly. After the death of Michael Shellhammer his widow sold the farm and went to live with her mother in West Penn township. When she remarried she moved to East Brunswick township, and later to West Penn township, finally returning to East Brunswick township, where she died at the home of her son Benjamin in 1902, aged seventy-four years. She is buried at Zion's Church in West Penn township.
Benjamin F. Shellhammer was educated in the schools of West Penn and East Brunswick townships. Subsequently he worked out as a laborer on the neighboring farms until he was twenty-three years of age, when he married. Later he tenanted David Gottshall's farm in East Brunswick township for five years, the Samuel Dreisbach farm in East Brunswick township for two years, and the farm of Frank McGovern, now the Ernest Grube farm in East Brunswick township, for fifteen years. At the end of that period he bought his present place of forty-five acres, eight acres of which are in timber. Afterwards he made another purchase, of sixty-four and three- fourths acres (three acres of which are brush), from Mary Heiser, operated this tract for two years, and has since sold it to his son James Oscar Shell- hammer. Mr. Shellhammer has followed general farming and also markets to Mahanoy City. His progressive disposition led him to encourage new ideas which promised to benefit farmers, and he was at one time a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has served his fellow citizens three years in the capacity of supervisor and two years as school director, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket. Socially he belongs to Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., of New Ringgold, and to Protection Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, of McKeansburg. He is a mem- ber of Zion's Reformed Church in West Penn township, and was baptized, confirmed and married by Rev. Mr. Zulick.
Mr. Shellhammer married Sarah Ann Houser, and they have had five children, namely: (1) William Oliver married Sallie Frantz, and they have had a large family : Roy ; Harold ; Robert ; Mamie ; Alma, deceased; Florence ; Milton, deceased; Edna; and one daughter that died in infancy. (2) James Oscar married Annette Irene Blue, who is deceased; his children are Wil- bert James and Ralph Franklin. (3) Polly Catherine married William Grube. They have one adopted child, Harry. (4) Thomas Milton is de- ceased. (5) Emma Louisa married Charles W. Grube, and has children : William, Helen, Edna, Caroline, Lottie, Emma, Carl and Catherine.
Mrs. Sarah Ann (Houser) Shellhammer was born in Pottsville, this county, Aug. 12, 1844, was educated in West Penn township and stayed at home until her marriage. Her father, Michael Houser, was educated in the pay schools conducted during his boyhood and became a farmer in East Brunswick township, operating a tract of sixty acres, nearly all cleared land. He built a new house and barn there. Mr. Houser married Polly Kistler, who was born in West Penn township, daughter of "Squire" Jonathan and Mary (Shellhammer) Kistler ; her father held the office of justice of the peace for the long period of thirty-six years. Mrs. Houser died at the age of seventy-four years, and is buried with her husband at Zion's Church in West Penn township, to which church he belonged. Politically he was a Democrat. They had a family of eight children: Sarah Ann, wife of Benjamin F. Shell-
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hammer; Emma Louisa, Mrs. Joseph Steigerwalt; Rebecca, Mrs. Thomas Greafly; Mary Ann, who married Aaron Kleckner, and after his death (second) Frank Knaeff ; William; John and Michael, twins, who died young ; and Kate, who died young.
MORGAN MORGAN, of Gilberton, Schuylkill county, has filled a use- ful place in the life of his community, giving valuable service in the admin- istration of its public affairs and taking his part in the direction of various local interests important to the general welfare. His occupation has been in the industry for which this region has become famous, and as outside fore- man at the Boston Run colliery for a long period he has had his share in its development.
Mr. Morgan is a Welshman by birth, and was only about a year old when his father, Richard Morgan, brought the family to America, in 1861. They first settled in New Jersey. Richard Morgan had followed farming in Wales, but after settling in the United States he did rock work in the mines in New Jersey, where he remained for about five years. He then moved to Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and followed mining the rest of his life, dying at Gilberton, this county, aged fifty-five years, eleven months. He is buried at Frackville, Schuylkill county. His wife, Mary (Jones), survived him many years, dying at Gilberton at the age of eighty years, five months and is also buried at Frackville. Their children were: Margaret, Morgan, William, Susan, John (deceased), David (deceased) and Annie.
Morgan Morgan was born May 16, 1860, and was a mere boy when the family settled in Schuylkill county. He attended public school at Gilberton, and was only eight years old when he began picking slate at the colliery there, continuing at that work for six years. For a couple of years following he was employed at the mines, at the age of sixteen entering the blacksmith shop, where he remained three and a half years. For eight years he labored with his father in the mines, doing day's work for him, and subsequently min- ing in partnership with him one year. He returned to the blacksmith shop for one year, spent another year mining with his father, was engaged in tunnel work for about eight months, and then commenced mining on his own account at the Draper colliery. After four years at that he became fire boss at the South Laurel Ridge, holding the position eight months, resumed blacksmith- ing until 1894, and was then assistant outside foreman at the Draper colliery for over three years before taking his present position, in 1897. Since that time he has been outside foreman at the Boston Run colliery, where about four hundred men are employed. His long retention in the same position is sufficient evidence of his competence and the value his employers place upon his work. Personally he is highly regarded, his intelligence and honorable character holding the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Morgan has been an influential worker in the Republican party in his locality, having been a delegate to several of its county conventions. His fellow citizens showed their confidence in him by electing him to the Gilberton borough council for three years, and during one year he presided over that body.
Mr. Morgan is married to Annie Tregea, daughter of Samuel Tregea, and eight children have been born to them: Abbie L., wife of William Randen- bush, living in Pittsburgh, Pa .; Amy A .; Annie Blanche, wife of Jolin De-
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Long; Carrie, who died young; William F .; Morgan H .; Clayton Tregea, and Richard H. The family are members of the Methodist Church.
Samuel Tregea, Mrs. Morgan's father, was born in England, and com- ing to America when a young man first settled at Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. He was a skilled miner, and won promotion by his competence and fidelity to duty, acting in turn as fire boss at the Phoenix Park colliery, inside fore- man at those workings, and inside foreman at the Boston Run colliery, being the second man to hold that position at Boston Run. On leaving Boston Run colliery, in 1868, he went to the Draper colliery, where he worked for a few years, and he was retired at the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty-six years old. He is buried at Minersville. Mr. Tregea took a lead- ing part in the work of the Methodist Church and Sunday school at St. Nicholas, being the first superintendent of the Sunday school, which pre- sented him a gold-headed cane in recognition of his services. His wife, Cath- erine Ferris, daughter of Stephen Ferris, was born in England, and came to America when thirteen years old. She now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Morgan. To Mr. and Mrs. Tregea were born nineteen children, among them being: Mary Jane, Catherine, Emily, Lydia (who died in 1913), James. Annie (Mrs. Morgan Morgan) and George (who died in 1915).
WILLIAM F. DEIBERT, one of the younger business men of Schuyl- kill Haven, has reached a substantial position by the straightforward policy he has followed, dealing honorably with all his patrons. His operations have extended gradually but steadily until he now commands a profitable trade.
Mr. Deibert is a descendant in the fifth generation of Michael Deiver (as his generation spelled the name), who was the founder of this branch of the family in Schuylkill county. He was born in Germany, and came with his parents to America, the family settling in Bern township, Berke county, in the then Province of Pennsylvania, near Michael's Church. There were five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters: Michael, Christopher, Wilhelm, Mrs. George Huntzinger and Mrs. John Devert. When the sons were grown they moved to Manheim township, Schuylkill county, and married, Wilhelm to a daughter of John Renchler, from Bern township, Berks county; Michael to Elizabeth Waver. In the year 1744 the brothers, Wilhelm and Michael, bought in partnership, three hundred acres of land in North Manheim township, at the road leading from Schuylkill Haven to Landingville, Wilhelm's part being at the location occupied by Edward Peale in 1884, and Michael's where John Filbert lived at that time. The third brother, Christopher, settled in Bedford county, Pennsylvania.
In the beginning Wilhelm and Michael Deiver had the Indians for their neighbors, and were molested considerably. Deer and bears were plentiful in the region at that day, and as they divided the meat with the savages when they shot any, the Indians became more friendly. In the pamphlet published in 1884 by Daniel Deibert, a grandson of Wilhelm Deibert, we find this para- graph: "My grandfather said after the Indians went away, some of them came back again to rob them of their planting fruits. My grandfather and his brother Michael had to flee over the Blue mountain to their father's home. They buried their implements on the other side of the Schuylkill river, in the woods, that the Indians could not get them; but when they came back they didn't find them any more. And they didn't find them till the Schuylkill canal was made, then they dug them out again."
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Michael Deiver (according to the same pamphlet) had five sons and three daughters, but only two daughters are named, viz .: Henry, Andrew, Michael, Christian, John, Catharine and Elizabeth. Henry married Miss Kriner; An- drew, Miss Luckenbill; Michael, Miss Luckenbill (they had no children) ; Christian, Miss Miller; Catharine, John Dewald; Elizabeth, Daniel Repp. The father, Michael, died on his property in North Manheim township, and is buried at the Red Church in this county.
John Deibert, son of Michael, was born in North Manheim township, and was a farmer by occupation. He is buried in the old cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Rench- ler, of his second, Wagner. His children were as follows: Daniel, who lived in Schuylkill Haven; George; Jacob, who died at Schuylkill Haven ; Jolin, who died at Schuylkill Haven; Benjamin, who died at Pottsville; William, who died in the Upper Mahantongo valley, Schuylkill county ; Samuel; Hannah, wife of John Humel, of Selinsgrove, Pa .; and Christine, who married Henry Shelly and lived at Pottsville.
George Deibert, son of John and grandson of Michael, was born at the old homestead of his parents, and followed farming until a few years before his death, when he retired to Schuylkill Haven. He died when about seventy years old and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven, as is also his wife. He had many interesting experiences in the early days. His father owned a large tract of land where Fishbach is now located (near Pottsville), then thickly wooded. When the timber was cut it was floated down the Schuyl- kill. One day, while going past what is now known as Mount Carbon, he was followed by a wolf, and hastened to reach the river that the animal might lose his scent when he forded the stream. When somewhat older he had another exciting time while plowing the homestead, on the Second mountain. A deer ran out and got into a pond, and Mr. Deibert, thinking he could kill it, went into the water after it, but the animal almost drowned him. He also had some adventures with panthers.
Mr. Deibert was a Democrat, and a German Lutheran in religion, belonging to the White Church in North Manheim township. He married Susanna Reed, daughter of James Reed, and she survived him, living to the age of seventy- one. The following children were born to them: Charles V. B., of Schuylkill Haven, married Emma Sterner; Sarah married Abraham Sharadin; Mahlon died when nine years old; Amanda married Harrison Berger, and both are deceased; James, living on the old homestead in North Manheim township, married Mary Faust, who is deceased; Frank is mentioned below : George R., living at Landingville, married Mary Deibert; Hannah married Edw. Schap- pell ; Elwin is living at Schuylkill Haven ; William died when sixteen years old.
Frank Deibert, son of George, was born March 21, 1852, at Schuylkill Haven, and learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed all his life. He made his home at Schuylkill Haven, and was an active member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church there, holding a number of official positions in that or- ganization. This was his principal interest aside from his home and work, for he took no part in politics or other public affairs, though he was a faithful supporter of the Republican party. He belonged to the P. O. S. of A. camp at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Deibert married Mary A. Stump, who was born March 27, 1851, in Washington township, Schuylkill county, daughter of Joel and Lydia (Stoufenhauer) Stump, and six children were born to them, William Francis being the only son; Kate E. married Oliver Meck; Lydia S. married
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Walter Fisher ; Mary Gertrude married Elmer Neiman ; Tillie E. married Harry Loy ; Amanda V. died when eighteen months old.
William Francis Deibert was born Oct. 24, 1883, in Schuylkill Haven, and obtained most of his education in the public schools there, later attending the Pottsville business college. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, as fireman, and was assigned to a coal run between Palo Alto and Philadelphia. He continued in that capacity for six months, and then entered the car shops of the same company at Schuyl- kill Haven, to serve an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. He remained in the shop for a period of four and a half years, and next entered the employ of James Schucker, coal dealer, of Schuylkill Haven, as driver of a coal team. He was with Mr. Schucker four and a half years, until he began the general hauling and teaming business for himself. He has carried it on successfully ever since, and now also takes contracts for digging cellars. Mr. Deibert's success may be attributed entirely to his own industry and honesty. He is a member in good standing of several local fraternal bodies: Carroll Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F .; Schuylkill Haven Council, No. 1105, Royal Arcanum; Schuyl- kill Haven Conclave, No. 1087, Improved Order of Heptasophs; and the Odd Fellows' Fraternal Protective Association, of Boston, Mass. His religious connection is with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Rev. Mr. Haynes is pastor, and he is a member of the Bible class. Politically he supports the Republican party.
Mr. Deibert married Emily Rebecca Shappell, a daughter of Robert and Eva (Hummel) Shappell, and they have had three children, born as follows : Willis Franklin, Oct. 8, 1904; Charles Robert, Nov. 5, 1906; Mary Magdalene, July 23, 191 I.
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